Invincible Sword Spirit
Chapter – 36
Revealing Martial Arts
The Sword Spirit had only been dodging Hyun Taeryeong’s sword to gauge his sword techniques.
It was similar to the martial arts he had heard about from Jeonmo Yakbyeong, so he had only dodged to get a feel for it.
Hyun Taeryeong’s facial muscles twitched.
“I intended to merely teach you a lesson due to your youth, but it seems your mouth has ultimately brought this trouble upon yourself. Very well, let’s see if your sword can move as much as your mouth does.”
Provoked by the Sword Spirit’s taunts, Hyun Taeryeong poured an immensely fierce energy into his sword, incomparable to his previous attacks.
“Lord Hyun!”
Cold Yeoseol called out to stop him, but he ignored her call, intent on killing the Sword Spirit.
*Oooooong!*
Hyun Taeryeong’s sword became enveloped in a blue light.
“Everyone, evade!”
Cold Yeoseol, seeming to know what Hyun Taeryeong intended to do, shouted to the people around them. Those gathered reacted to her voice and quickly moved away from the spot, putting distance between themselves and the two.
Though not a single breeze blew, Hyun Taeryeong’s clothes fluttered violently due to the internal energy he had drawn up.
Like a swirling vortex of internal energy, fallen leaves from unknown origins swirled and surged into the empty air around Hyun Taeryeong.
Seeing Hyun Taeryeong like this, the Sword Spirit felt pity for him rather than fear.
“You are a truly pathetic man. You knew your son was practicing demonic arts, yet you indulged him and hid the fact, and because of that, innocent people died. And now, you’re trying to hide the truth not for your son’s honor, but for your own and your family’s honor.”
Hyun Taeryeong’s body trembled slightly. However, he had no intention of stopping here.
Instead, as if even more enraged, Hyun Taeryeong shot a glare at the Sword Spirit.
“For my honor? Fine! Let’s say it is as you say! Yes. For my honor, it seems I cannot let you, who has mocked me, live. Since you brought this misfortune upon yourself with your impudent mouth, don’t blame me.”
*Kkreeeeong!*
A sound like something cracking was heard.
“Lord Hyun!”
People called out to Hyun Taeryeong, but he ignored everyone’s calls.
*Paaaat!*
The people behind the Sword Spirit hurriedly evaded the area. It was as if they knew what Hyun Taeryeong was about to do.
‘Sword Wave’ was the technique that had made Hyun Taeryeong famous in the martial world, the final move of the Sword Wave Sword Technique.
“I’ll give you one last chance! Apologize for your words and cut off one of your legs. If you do so, I will spare your life.”
He had confirmed the Sword Spirit’s lightness skill was exceptional, so he was telling him to cut off a leg to prevent him from using it.
That was the moment.
*Hwiriririk, Paaaat!*
A person somersaulted through the air and landed in front of the Sword Spirit.
It was the Severing Life Sword, Jeok Hwa-myeong.
“I don’t understand why Lord Hyun is persecuting a young junior like this.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong had been away briefly on other business, so he wasn’t aware of the current situation.
“Brother Jeok!”
Ui Jae-min called out to Jeok Hwa-myeong, who had suddenly intervened.
“And I don’t know why the rest of you are just standing by watching. Isn’t it natural for a senior to guide a junior? Why are you all just standing and watching?”
His words, a reprimand—though not explicitly stated—asking if these so-called righteous faction members were just going to watch the bullying of a young man, caused the expressions of the others to change slightly.
“He insulted the deceased Lord Hyun’s son and my son,” said Gon Man-ok.
Jeok Hwa-myeong turned his head and looked at the Sword Spirit. His eyes held a question: ‘Is that true?’
“I only spoke the truth. And I said it to prevent greater harm.”
“This bastard, even now!”
“Step aside, Jeok Hwa-myeong!”
Hyun Taeryeong seemed ready to attack Jeok Hwa-myeong if necessary. Jeok Hwa-myeong’s expression hardened slightly.
“So, you’re saying that Hyun Jin-myeong learned the Sura Exploding Heaven Art?!”
*Hwaaaak!*
The moment the words ‘Hyun Jin-myeong’s Sura Exploding Heaven Art’ left Jeok Hwa-myeong’s mouth, Hyun Taeryeong unleashed his final move towards the two.
A halo of light shattered into pieces and surged towards the two.
In truth, it was impossible for Jeok Hwa-myeong’s skill level to defeat Hyun Taeryeong in a fight. Nevertheless, the reason he had stepped forward was with the intention that Hyun Taeryeong would show him some face and hold back.
But Hyun Taeryeong had attacked both of them simultaneously. This was something even the others watching had not anticipated.
“Brother Jeok!”
They shouted urgently, but it was already too late. The halo of light surged right up to the noses of the two.
“The old ghost gramps told me not to trust the righteous faction bastards for this very reason.”
Somehow, their positions had switched; the Sword Spirit was now standing in front of Jeok Hwa-myeong, thrusting his sword forward.
The technique the Sword Spirit used contained the subtle principle of the ‘Blunt Sword’ from the Solitary Demon Scripture.
While it looked like he was simply thrusting his sword forward, in reality, he was using movements too fast for the eye to see to disperse the opponent’s energy.
The surging halos of light split apart before even reaching the Sword Spirit’s blade, scattering to the left and right of the two.
“Evade!”
This was because the halos of light, dispersed by the Blunt Sword’s principle, swept towards the area where the people were gathered. It was as if the onlookers had been struck by a bolt from the blue.
*Kwaaaaang!*
A wall crumbled and collapsed.
Hyun Taeryeong could feel a massive energy approaching, shattering his Sword Wave.
That energy rendered him unable to move.
“Keuh-eok!”
Hyun Taeryeong’s scream echoed through the air. The ear that should have been on the right side of his face was gone.
The Sword Spirit’s sword had not only repelled all of Hyun Taeryeong’s Sword Wave but had also cut off his right ear.
Everyone stood dazed, unsure how to process the current situation.
An attack from one of the martial world’s top hundred masters had been blocked by a youth who didn’t even look twenty. No, not just blocked; he had even wounded Hyun Taeryeong.
Everyone present could feel that it was a situation where he could have taken Hyun Taeryeong’s life if he had wished.
“You…?”
Jeok Hwa-myeong opened his mouth but couldn’t form proper words.
“I clearly stated my case earlier. It’s just that no one believed me,” the Sword Spirit said.
Disbelief filled Hyun Taeryeong’s face. Although his right ear was cut off, he couldn’t feel the pain. He just stood there dazed, his sword hanging limply.
The Sword Spirit shifted his gaze to the dazed Hyun Taeryeong. His expression showed he couldn’t believe he had lost to the Sword Spirit.
“What is your relationship with the Blue Wave Sword, Lee So-han?”
Hearing the name ‘Blue Wave Sword’, Hyun Taeryeong snapped back to his senses.
“How do you know that esteemed person?”
“I don’t know him. My grandmother told me about him, so I only know of him.”
Hyun Taeryeong tilted his head in confusion.
“I ask again. What is your relationship with the Blue Wave Sword, Lee So-han?”
The Sword Spirit asked because Hyun Taeryeong’s sword techniques resembled those of the Blue Wave Sword Lee So-han, whom he had heard about from Yakbyeong.
“He is my master.”
The Sword Spirit nodded.
“Considering the connection between my grandmother and the Blue Wave Sword Lee So-han, I will let it slide this once. But I won’t next time. The next time you point your sword at me, stake your life on it.”
The atmosphere became a bit strange.
Although Hyun Taeryeong had been humiliated by the Sword Spirit, it seemed he wouldn’t make another move against him.
Sensing the atmosphere, Cold Yeoseol approached the Sword Spirit. She thought they needed to quickly resolve the situation to prevent Hyun Taeryeong and the Sword Spirit from fighting again.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It seems Brother Jeok is a bit shocked.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong still stood there, unable to speak, his eyes wide with shock. No, the others were much the same.
The Sword Spirit spoke to Hyun Taeryeong.
“You know covering up for a son who practices demonic arts won’t solve the problem, yet you took no action for your son’s sake. Your fault is the greatest. Because of that, innocent people were killed.”
“I cannot believe your words. How could I, knowing my son practices demonic arts, just stand by and watch?”
“Because you’re his father.”
Instantly, Hyun Taeryeong was left speechless.
“I’ve heard all parents are like that. They cover up their children’s faults and even bear their children’s burdens for them. That’s what parents are.”
Hyun Taeryeong’s shoulders slumped weakly.
The Sword Spirit didn’t speak further and looked at Gon Man-ok.
Having seen the Sword Spirit block Hyun Taeryeong’s Sword Wave, Gon Man-ok could no longer speak of killing him.
He realized his own martial power was not at a level where he could handle the Sword Spirit.
“Isn’t that right, Chief Gon Man-ok?”
“Well…”
The Sword Spirit, having seized the initiative in the conversation, looked around at everyone once. After making eye contact with each of them, he spoke again.
“If you act based on the words of those who practice demonic arts, or take action based on them, the martial world will fall into great chaos. Everyone will try to exploit this for their own benefit.”
Everyone was silent.
“It’s the same now. Let’s assume we gather to attack the mastermind and eliminate them. Do you think the evil faction will just stand idly by?”
They wouldn’t. They too would attack and try to destroy some part of the righteous faction to maintain the balance of power.
What they need is a justification, and demonic arts serve as an excellent justification. If they fight and clash like that, the martial world will ultimately experience internal strife.
“And if you gain profit from that? You will target others to gain even greater profit.”
“Young Master Sword Spirit, it’s not that we should think so simply…”
“Then why would the demonic practitioners have spread the demonic arts manuals across the Central Plains and just left them there?”
No one had considered this question. No, when they heard the news of the demonic arts appearing, they only thought of finding and punishing the demonic practitioners; no one had considered that this might be a plot.
“I’m also just thinking about it now, so I’m not sure, but perhaps it’s to reduce our strength?”
“Then what does Young Master Sword Spirit suggest we do?”
Having shown a certain level of ability, the way people looked at him had changed.
“Instead of attacking the mastermind, shouldn’t the first step be to report the corpses and the situation to the mastermind? And then, through reconnaissance, confirm whether the mastermind is truly a puppet of the demonic practitioners or not, right?”
The method proposed by the Sword Spirit also had its problems, but for now, it seemed the best course of action.
Since the Sword Spirit and Hyun Taeryeong were at a standoff, Cold Yeoseol tried to take the Sword Spirit and leave the place.
“I think it’s best we stop here for now. Young Master Sword Spirit, you should come back with me.”
Cold Yeoseol took the Sword Spirit to the detached building, and Jeok Hwa-myeong followed them.
The two, Hyun Taeryeong and Gon Man-ok, could only watch the figures heading towards the detached building, unable to stop the Sword Spirit any further.
