Chapter 048. The Condition of Loyalty (8)
RUMBLEEEEEE!!
The storm of saber qi did not stop even after devastating the entire training ground area.
Dam Jeok-san, resisting that storm relying on a single sword, looked very precarious.
However, the face of Baek Ri-gwan, the owner of that offensive, was very dark.
At a glance, it seems like he has an overwhelming advantage.
"What kind of eyes……."
He couldn't relax his tension at all.
Because of Dam Jeok-san's creepily indifferent gaze.
It is not the attitude of one being pushed back helplessly. Rather, it was closer to a hunter waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.
Is he planning to use the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style?
If it's the Castle Lord's divine art discussed throughout all times, it would be able to reverse the tide of battle in an instant.
'No, that's not it.'
That he hasn't used the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style until now is probably not a simple deception.
But it is dangerous.
Baek Ri-gwan made a judgment with a sense close to instinct.
Just then, an anomaly began to arise in Dam Jeok-san's Sword Flame, which was dark and deep like the night sky.
WOOWOO!!
Faint starlight glows along the rim of the Sword Flame, and a magnificent sword cry resonates in the void.
At the same time, the Sword Flame, which was barely maintaining its presence in the storm, began to burn it in reverse.
Smirk.
Baek Ri-gwan saw the corner of Dam Jeok-san's mouth curling up slightly.
The Third Young Master has been waiting for this moment from the very beginning.
He rushed at him while unreasonably using the Three Talents Sword Technique to draw out that starlight.
And finally achieved his goal.
"To think you were doing 'training' while daring to face me……."
Now I can't even argue about it.
Baek Ri-gwan clicked his tongue and muttered.
"However, I will not be defeated easily."
He spoke toward Dam Jeok-san, who was coming against the current, burning his storm.
"I look forward to it."
Dam Jeok-san spoke with a slightly amused voice.
Clang―!
Immediately after, a cool metallic sound rang out as the two people's weapons clashed.
Fiercely burning white flames, and dark blue flames embracing starlight. They entangled with each other without either having the upper hand.
"From now on, I will go with my full power too."
Dam Jeok-san said looking at Baek Ri-gwan.
Along with that, the sword momentum changed completely.
As if there was no reason to insist on the Three Talents Sword Technique anymore, an extremely fast sword cutting through the air rushed in.
Monkey-Destroying One Flash of the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style.
"……!"
Baek Ri-gwan barely twisted his body to avoid that single sword strike, but a faint line of blood appeared on his neck.
"……Now it begins."
Baek Ri-gwan clenched his back teeth and rushed toward Dam Jeok-san.
Dam Jeok-san shrugged and corrected his stance.
* * *
"Bwahahahaha! Amazing. A greenhorn who hasn't even reached the Ultra-Peak yet realized Sword Intent."
The Sword Addict watching the duel burst into laughter as if unable to contain his joy.
What is Sword Intent?
It is loading one's mental image processed into the form of will onto every sword strike.
One who has realized Sword Intent is no different from establishing their own school as a swordsman. As such, even among masters who reached the Ultra-Peak Realm, there were plenty who hadn't realized Sword Intent.
Yet Dam Jeok-san, who is merely a Peak master, realized Sword Intent?
Leaving aside the relationship between the Martial Sovereign Castle and the Orthodox Murim, the Sword Addict was very pleased with the appearance of an outstanding junior. Because a worthy rival to compete with someday has increased.
As his hearty voice resonated, agitation arose from all directions.
Sword Addict, a madman crazy about swords.
For a martial artist, being crazy about a certain field means their discernment is that high and their standards are strict.
He had never praised a young expert of the Orthodox factions in such a way.
Hwangbo Gyeong and Peng Wu-yeol froze stiff at the Sword Addict's voice ringing in their ears.
Especially Peng Wu-yeol, who had been chattering to his heart's content drunk on excitement, had a complexion so pale it looked blue.
If his thoughtless behavior becomes the subject of gossip, the family will not stay still.
Especially his younger brother, who pushed him out and ascended to the position of Young Family Head, would rush at him aggressively.
Meanwhile, Vice-Squad Leader of the Monster Repelling Squad, Peng Cho-seol, glanced at such Peng Wu-yeol with contemptuous eyes, and then fixed her gaze on Dam Jeok-san and Baek Ri-gwan again.
'Squad Leader Baek Ri still has sufficient chance of winning.'
Sword Intent is certainly a great art, but realizing it doesn't make one an Ultra-Peak master.
However, it became clear that Dam Jeok-san did not challenge the Squad Leader while looking down on the Monster Repelling Squad.
She still believes in Baek Ri-gwan's victory, but if by any chance the Third Young Master becomes the winner of this duel.
So if he sits in the seat of the Squad Leader of the Monster Repelling Squad.
'That is a problem to think about then.'
Serve if he is qualified, or leave if not. She decided not to think complicatedly.
Meanwhile, Northern Heaven Sword Venerable Un Wol-hyang spoke firmly towards the Sword Addict, whose eyes were flashing looking at Dam Jeok-san.
"He is my Martial Nephew."
"……I know that too."
"It means do not covet him. Do not even poke him needlessly."
"Ahem, do you think I am a person who just pokes around at juniors of the Murim like that?"
At Un Wol-hyang's warning, the Sword Addict coughed in vain and retorted.
"Then aren't you?"
"……."
The Sword Addict, who had a history of abruptly requesting a duel when Un Wol-hyang had just reached the Entering Transformation Realm, could only bow his head deeply.
The Blood Death Lord kept his silence firmly and looked at Dam Jeok-san even amidst the noisy VIP seats.
Although it was only a fragment, he saw the future.
That faint starlight finally becomes a brilliant cluster of stars. And the appearance of that cluster of stars filling the heavens and the earth.
That was the ultimate a swordsman, no, a human being could reach.
He sent a telepathic message with his eyes half-closed.
[Young Alliance Leader, this old man gives you one piece of advice. Do not compare yourself with the Sword Dragon. Do not despair looking at him.]
Towards Yeon Byeok-jin standing behind.
He has lived a long life of over one hundred years. And spent most of it as an Unorthodox martial artist in the Unorthodox Alliance.
Therefore he knows.
The years when the successive Leaders of the Unorthodox Alliance, who dreamed of being Number One under Heaven, were broken and snapped by the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle of the same generation and steeped in despair.
He hoped the Young Alliance Leader would not follow in their footsteps.
"……."
Yeon Byeok-jin shut his mouth tight as if quite dissatisfied with those words, but the Blood Death Lord didn't mind.
Originally, inferiority complex is not something that can be resolved with a few words.
Even the Blood Death Lord doesn't know what choice the Young Alliance Leader will make after seeing this duel.
But one thing is certain.
"The outcome is decided."
The old man muttered in a low voice looking at Dam Jeok-san.
* * *
The way to realize Sword Intent is simple.
When everything in the world is erased and only a single sword remains.
With what will your sword begin and where will it proceed?
To realize Sword Intent, one must surely be able to answer that question.
The moment the mental image was confirmed, the 'what' was already decided.
Then what Dam Jeok-san needed was the 'where to.'
He agonized over that answer inside the hell of saber qi created by Baek Ri-gwan.
Where is the place he intends to head toward?
Can he reach there with what he has?
Only when he relied on instinct and went against the storm could he find that answer.
The place his sword heads toward was the sky. The sky full of starlight. The ultimate the ability of Predation showed him.
The moment he realized that, the Sword Flame glowed and emitted starlight. The will to advance to the sky was imbued in the sword tip.
If Un Wol-hyang's Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style pursues 'Shadowless,' and the Martial Sovereign's Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style professes 'Reign'…… Dam Jeok-san will dream of 'Ascending to Heaven' through the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style.
Dam Jeok-san, having firmed his resolve, strikes away Baek Ri-gwan's saber with lightning speed.
CLANG!
A clash sound ringing sharply as if to tear eardrums.
Baek Ri-gwan seemed to be pushed back, but extended his saber like a ghost.
It is saber play worthy of the alias Ghost Blade.
His saber technique was pressuring Dam Jeok-san, drawing a dense and elaborate trajectory like a spider web.
Even after he awakened Sword Intent and began using the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style, that breath continued straight.
"Squad Leader Baek Ri-gwan, your saber was sufficiently excellent."
Dam Jeok-san spoke in an indifferent voice. However, a clear trace of awe was contained within it.
However, that awe was a condescending awe looking down from above.
"……!"
Sparks flew from Baek Ri-gwan's eyes reading that aura.
But Dam Jeok-san swung his sword without minding.
Completely free from Baek Ri-gwan's saber technique that was narrowing down as if to bind him.
Now, from Dam Jeok-san's perspective, sword play without containing will is no different from a dance move.
No matter how brilliantly one dances, one cannot avoid a blade stretching out honestly.
Dam Jeok-san's sword drew an extremely simple path.
Not even the Three Talents Sword Technique, just an honest thrust.
However, that thrust exquisitely broke through the opponent's defensive moves and stretched toward the vicinity of Baek Ri-gwan's heart.
"Keuk……!"
Baek Ri-gwan forcibly twisted his saber and blocked that sword.
It was right before the thrust touched his heart.
As the price, the qi and blood of his entire body twisted and blood surged up his throat.
Baek Ri-gwan swung his saber, swallowing the blood forcibly.
He must stake the outcome here. He wasn't confident in blocking such an extraordinary sword strike twice.
Cut. Surely cut. Baek Ri-gwan swung his Willow Leaf Saber strengthening such will.
No―
It was surely so.
"Huh?"
Thwack!
Dam Jeok-san's hand blade was striking Baek Ri-gwan's wrist holding the saber.
How?
Doubt settles in Baek Ri-gwan's eyes for an instant.
But faster than that was strength draining from the hand whose tendons were struck.
The hilt of the Willow Leaf Saber leaves his grasp.
Dam Jeok-san was watching all of that with indifferent eyes.
"Ha……!"
Only then did Baek Ri-gwan realize. Why Dam Jeok-san's hand blade could rush to his wrist.
He was already moving his hand the moment he thrust at the heart.
He had insight into Baek Ri-gwan's action in advance.
That is the exclusive property of masters whose upper dantian Spirit is extremely developed.
Drawing up the realized Sword Intent is ultimately the role of the upper dantian. Thus, Dam Jeok-san's upper dantian had begun to open despite him being only a Peak master.
So Baek Ri-gwan had been playing in the palm of Dam Jeok-san's hand all along.
He thought he could win, but was it unreasonable?
Thinking so, Baek Ri-gwan kicked the Willow Leaf Saber lightly with his left foot and launched it into the air.
He intended to grab the saber again and fight.
"It's over."
If the sword tip of the Red Cloud Sword hadn't cast over his brow, if blood hadn't flowed down from his forehead cut by that cool sharpness, he would probably have done so.
"I acknowledge it, I have lost."
Baek Ri-gwan said, quickly raising both arms.
The Willow Leaf Saber that had bounced into the air falls to the floor again with a clang― sound.
He looked at Dam Jeok-san without even giving a glance to his saber.
Third Young Master of the Martial Sovereign Castle, the man once called Sword Dragon.
A swordsman who lost everything, but seems to have grasped what was lost again.
There was a slight smile on his face.
Playfulness as if asking, 'I won, right?' It is a composure hard to see in the Dam Jeok-san of the past.
Did a single failure temper him harder?
Whatever the case, the fact that Dam Jeok-san's vessel grew was a good thing for Baek Ri-gwan.
Since he was the lord he had to serve from now on.
Baek Ri-gwan slowly stepped back one step.
Dam Jeok-san quietly put away his sword.
"I, Baek Ri-gwan―"
He said, picking up the Willow Leaf Saber fallen on the floor.
Thud!
He knelt on one knee, driving his saber deep into the floor of the training ground.
"According to the laws and the promise, I swear loyalty to the new Squad Leader of the Monster Repelling Squad."
He said, bowing his head deeply toward Dam Jeok-san.
"Loyalty?"
"This is a story I haven't heard?"
"You mean he didn't just wager the position of Squad Leader?"
Dam Jeok-san walked toward Baek Ri-gwan ignoring the murmuring.
He realized.
That now is the moment the name of the Sword Dragon spreads throughout the world under heaven once again.
Dam Jeok-san reached out his hand to Baek Ri-gwan.
"Stand up."
Baek Ri-gwan silently took his hand and stood up.
That was a declaration that Ghost Blade Baek Ri-gwan would actively cooperate with Dam Jeok-san beyond accepting defeat.
The agitation of the audience deepens.
Dam Jeok-san and Baek Ri-gwan, no matter how promising they are, are still only Peak masters.
Looking at the vast North as a whole, their presence is extremely weak.
But no one could take this scene lightly.
Precisely because of Dam Jeok-san's status.
The third disciple of the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle.
Dam Jeok-san was one qualified to succeed the Castle Lord's seat of power, known to be comparable to the Imperial Throne.
Perhaps there might be changes again in the succession structure that was thought to be confirmed for the Eldest Young Master.
Such a sign hovered little by little in everyone's eyes.
'You proved it splendidly.'
The Northern Heaven Sword Venerable looked at such Dam Jeok-san with proud eyes.
However.
'Dam Jeok-san, Dam Jeok-san……. I know one thing for sure, the guy is dangerous.'
On one side, there also existed a gaze watching him with extreme killing intent.
It was none other than Wi Cheon-rak, a Cardinal of the Yin God Cult.
Secrecy to the extent that even the masters of the Entering Transformation Realm in the VIP seats, including the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable, could not notice.
That is because Cardinal Wi Cheon-rak did not manifest here in his original body.
He merely possessed the body of a spy infiltrated into the Righteous Heaven Alliance temporarily.
'Since it has come to this. I should thoroughly rob the guy's assets.'
The eyes of the spy who accepted Wi Cheon-rak's soul flicker black.
It is the sorcery of the Demon Eye that can pierce through the eight extraordinary meridians and even the dantian of most martial artists.
Its advantage is that the presence is extremely faint despite being sorcery.
Wi Cheon-rak looked at Dam Jeok-san, twisting the corners of his mouth grotesquely.
Even those martial artists in the VIP seats will not be able to notice Wi Cheon-rak's existence.
Unless there is someone with senses that detect only demonic energy like a ghost, there is no way he will be in danger.
As the sorcery of the Demon Eye was exerted, a very faint string of demonic energy connected him and Dam Jeok-san.
And, Dam Jeok-san looked back at him.