Book 16 Chapter 8

Inferno! The Sword Empress's Ultimate Technique!

It was nothing more than a game.

From the start, there was no intention of being serious.

There were only two instances when she had to go all out.

One was a scenario so dreadful to even imagine that if the Heavenly Calamity Blood God were to revive, and the other was when the Sword Saint and the Blade Saint dared to pilfer food from her plate without permission. However, now, the Sword Empress found herself in a position where she had to seriously consider whether to add a third instance.

The Sword Empress slowly lowered her sword, assuming a stance from below. At that moment, a profound stillness descended.

The absolute state of 'stillness' that the Sword Empress had entered possessed a power reminiscent of the vast, desolate silence of a boundless ocean.

"Hoh hoh, how beautiful! The Sword Empress has lived with the sea for over a hundred years and has now reached a profound realm where she manifests the sea!"

"I agree! It's beautiful!"

To the Sword Saint's exclamation, the Blade Saint, Ha Hoshik, seconded his sentiments with a simple and sincere remark.

Bilyeon did not dare to move rashly. He stared at the Sword Empress with a cautious gaze.

"Why are you not moving? Are you perhaps afraid?"

Such a thing would not happen. That was Bilyeon's creed, so he shook his head.

"No! It's not that, but…"

"Then why are you not drawing your sword? Surely you're not expecting this old man to make the first move?"

"Someone as humble as myself wouldn't be so arrogant!"

Bilyeon's nonchalant words were utterly astonishing to those around him who had to hear them. While others might be able to use such words, for Bilyeon to utter the words 'humble' or 'modest' was an absurdity.

However, the Sword Empress, unaware of the full context, had no way of knowing the background. Therefore… the Sword Empress praised him.

"How commendable! Then why are you not moving?"

To which Bilyeon replied.

"My master told me."

"Hm?"

"Beware of 'great stillness'! Great stillness is the womb of great movement; extreme stillness is movement! It's like an arrow drawn taut on a bowstring flying far."

His voice was as cheerful as a flowing stream.

"What on earth does that mean?"

"Well…"

Compared to Yun Junho's swirling curiosity, Jang Hong's answer was lamentably inadequate. However, it wasn't just the two of them. The same awkwardness and perplexity showed on the faces of many others.

But only on the faces of the Heavenly Martial Three Stars was there a look of deep admiration. The first to speak was the Sword Empress herself.

"How old are you this year?"

"Hmm… I believe I'm around twenty-one?"

"Astonishing! To grasp the principle of 'things reaching their extreme will reverse' at such a young age!"

The Sword Empress was genuinely surprised.

"It's not easy to understand the principles of yin and yang to that extent at your age! Not at all!"

The Sword Saint also acknowledged this.

"Or perhaps your teachings were excellent!"

The Blade Saint added. These two also nodded lightly, seemingly in agreement with this praise.

'Things reaching their extreme will reverse!!!'

The four syllables made Mo Yonghwi's ears perk up. He had heard those words before as well.

"But!"

The Sword Empress's voice, strong and resonant, shifted the atmosphere.

"You understand it well in your mind, but I wonder how well you can bring it to fruition!"

Knowing something only in one's head versus embodying it through physical practice, the process of physical manifestation, is the process of existence formation that creates something from nothing and transforms the principle of emptiness into reality. It is the source of creation that moves the world. The cliché expression "worlds apart" would be insufficient to fully capture the profound difference at its deepest core.

"If that's the case, you'll be able to tell by trying it directly. No matter how much one says it's possible with words, it's meaningless if it can't be realized, and if one doesn't experience it, how can they experience the principle of emptiness made manifest as reality!"

Who else but a twisted person would say such a thing! Would it kill them to speak intelligibly? Yet, it seemed there were those who could understand.

"Splendid, truly splendid! To be honest, I never thought your skill would be this great. I must apologize to myself and to you for underestimating you, and for failing to properly assess your abilities!"

Failing to properly assess an opponent could lead directly to death, which is why the Sword Empress felt she had to apologize to herself as well. Even for a master, carelessness was forbidden for a martial artist.

"Are you willing to receive my new ultimate technique?"

The Sword Empress made a proposal.

"A new ultimate technique?"

"Yes, it's a simple-sounding technique called 'Sea Bird Thousand Slashes'."

The Sword Empress replied with a bright, gentle smile and a soft voice.

"A new ultimate technique? When did she develop something like that? And why would she need to create a new technique now? Her sword has long transcended mere moves and forms."

The Sword Saint was momentarily bewildered. This was news to him as well. It was hard to understand why she would go to such trouble to create something unnecessary.

"Oh, didn't you know? It's all because of you!"

"Me? Why me?"

The Blade Saint chided the Sword Saint for his friend's utterly foolish question.

"Are you trying to deny it now?"

"I wish you'd understand the reason before you accuse me."

He said it with a look of genuine grievance.

"Sea Bird Thousand Slashes. Even after hearing the name, do you truly not know why she devised that technique?"

"I don't."

The Sword Saint replied with a clear voice. At that, his friend sighed and pressed his temples.

"It's all because of your 'river splitting'! You, sir, succeeded in that technique after thirty years right in front of us and were quite smug, weren't you? What was that technique called again? 'One Sword Splits River,' or was it 'Slashes River for Ten Thousand Miles'? It had quite an exaggerated name…"

"Twenty-five years!"

The Sword Saint, bothered, corrected him once more. The Blade Saint, looking weary of his friend's demeanor, waved his hand and continued.

"Don't you remember what she boasted after you succeeded in that absurd and rather reckless technique? Her competitive spirit was ignited!"

"Come to think of it, indeed…"

Then, slowly, the forgotten—or rather, what he had simply forgotten—memories returned.

"Right! She said she would cut down a thousand seabirds flying over the ocean. Clearly, the fact that you so easily split the river must have displeased her. Perhaps she saw it as an eyesore. Ah! Do you remember now?"

The Blade Saint nodded vigorously, chiding the Sword Saint, who had finally remembered. He still vividly recalled the feeling of utter bewilderment mixed with annoyance that he had felt at the time, which led him to decide he would grudgingly admit its brilliance. The Sword Empress's feelings were likely not much different.

"Surely… she didn't actually do it?"

The Sword Saint countered in disbelief. However, to the Blade Saint, it was an utterly baffling reaction. If anyone, he had no right to say that.

"What do you mean, 'do it'? Look at this friend, he's useless. Do you already forget who it was that performed 'that feat' after thirty years? And who is it that still shamelessly tries to split the sea? Didn't you agree earlier that she is the most stubborn person among us?"

Of course, he had.

"Then, did she actually accomplish it? But why hasn't she called us to boast about it yet?"

She wasn't the type to wait for that. He didn't think her great desire for display would be suppressed by a little patience.

"She must have finished it recently. Ah, she's starting!"

Finally, with a short shout, a white mist-like energy began to swirl around the Sword Empress's sword.

"Everyone, retreat thirty paces!"

The Blade Saint shouted, infusing his voice with inner power, like thunder.

"Hurry!"

His voice was incredibly urgent.

"Absolutely do not take a single step within the thirty-pace radius! If you mistakenly step even one foot further…"

He warned, his eyes gleaming sharply.

"You could be caught in the Sword Circle and die!"

A Sword Circle is a type of dominion controlled by a sword. Normally, even a range of two or three paces would be astonishing. But a thirty-pace radius, how terrifying was this sword energy?

"Will thirty paces be enough?"

However, the Sword Saint, as if it were not enough, demanded that people retreat further.

"No, with so many people present, she likely won't go all out against a child. She must have that much discernment."

Not going all out… and yet they had to retreat thirty paces?

"After that, you must protect yourselves."

His words carried strictness.

People swallowed dryly, watching the tensely strung atmosphere, like a drawn bowstring. A bursting killing intent emanated from the center.

The pressure felt from the center grew stronger and stronger. Now, some people were finding it difficult just to look. It was an immense overwhelming power.

"Such terrifying sword energy. Even ten of me wouldn't be enough to defeat her."

Jang Hong's pure admiration earned a nod from Hyo Ryong. However, he didn't forget to correct the error.

"The unit is off by one digit. It would be a hundred, not ten. By the way, this is truly frightening energy. Do people become ghosts after living for over a hundred years?"

This could not be considered human. It was immense sword energy that only ghosts or demons could possess. Standing before it, the blood that had been quietly slumbering seemed to boil.

'Ryuyeon, can you truly confront this energy? Against this immense power that crushes the will to fight just by looking at it…'

Hyo Ryong, with sweaty palms, looked at his friend. Although his friend had accomplished many unimaginable things, this time it seemed difficult. However, as if unaware of his friend's concern, Bilyeon was nonchalantly scratching the back of his head.

"As expected, it can't be done without seriousness…"

Bilyeon muttered to himself. It seemed the play had to be put aside for a moment. Life was always precious.

"Ah… this, this! I don't like working hard…"

It seemed he would have to break a sweat after all. As expected, she was a monster who had lived for over a hundred years. She deserved to become a legend of the martial world. In a little more time, that legend would likely become a ghost story. If he didn't handle this properly, he could face great trouble. Bilyeon's gaze settled calmly.

"The atmosphere has changed?"

Although he couldn't pinpoint it, Bilyeon's aura had changed. The atmosphere, which had previously felt vague, like clouds or a fleeting breeze, as if embracing emptiness, had shifted from a moment ago. It was a strange and unsettling aura that brought an inexplicable sense of unease.

"Hoho? Are you really going to try?"

Bilyeon grinned.

"It seems so."

The Sword Empress nodded lightly.

'I've been waiting for this moment!'

Jang Hong tensed his entire body, his eyes gleaming sharply. Sweat soaked his palms.

'Ryuyeon, this time, even for you, you'll have to reveal your true strength!'

Jang Hong knew from experience that Bilyeon wore four iron rings on his body. Every time he removed them, Bilyeon displayed astonishing, almost miraculous abilities and divine power. Those who didn't know him well dismissively called him 'lucky to get by,' but he and Hyo Ryong, along with a few others, knew his true nature. However, even they had never seen the four black dragon rings removed from his body.

'This damnable fellow!'

He hid too much. How could he hide more than himself! It was exhausting to uncover his true identity. He had never revealed his true self. Jang Hong intuitively knew this. When he caused trouble, it was before Jang Hong could even perceive it. But against this opponent… against the Sword Empress… she would peel away his layered identity like an onion. He was anticipating this.

Jang Hong's gaze repeatedly shifted between Bilyeon's wrists and ankles. They were there. Like the lid covering the contents of a pot, like the veil hiding a bride's face, those troublesome and dark things – the black dragon rings.

"This time, you'll have no choice but to release all four of those incredibly crude black dragon rings!"

In the past, Jang Hong had asked Bilyeon about the strange objects called black dragon rings worn on his wrists and ankles. At the time, he had merely smiled and avoided a clear answer. But it was clear there was a secret there.

Jang Hong focused all his senses on his eyes.

'This time, I must! Absolutely! I will reveal your true identity!'

It was a matter of pride that there was something he, after two years, could not fathom.

'I'll show you that I'm worth my salt!'

Clank! Clank!

Finally, the black dragon rings on Bilyeon's ankles were released with a dull sound.

Thump!

Two iron lumps fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Released!"

But… Jang Hong's face, which had been filled with excitement, soon turned to disappointment. And on top of that disappointment, there was bewilderment.

"Why? Why, Bilyeon?!"

Hyo Ryong, standing beside him, felt the same.

'Did he not sense it? Is he unable to read the opponent's strength? Can someone like you make such a mistake?'

Jang Hong was furious.

"Damn it! Why aren't all four released? Why? Are you that arrogant about yourself?"

'Is it arrogance? Or confidence?'

That would soon be revealed.

"Oh my, you carry such interesting things!"

The Sword Empress gazed sharply at the black dragon rings. She could roughly guess their purpose. He deserved praise for his movements even while wearing them. But to wear such cumbersome things while fighting her… that could be considered an insult to herself.

"They're not very interesting. Just bothersome."

Bilyeon replied nonchalantly.

"Are you all prepared with that?"

"Yes, everything is ready. You can come whenever you wish."

"Your confidence is truly remarkable. Very well, if you can avoid this, I will grant you the title of Sword Empress!"

People's eyes widened in shock. It was an unbelievable offer. But Bilyeon considered this extraordinary proposal worthless.

"I don't need it."

Bilyeon refused dismissively.

"Why? It's a title everyone desires."

The Sword Empress's bewildered question.

"I'm a man! Unfortunately, I'm not a woman. So, I don't need something like that. If you really want to pass it on, give it to Yerim. Or perhaps that one-eyed older sister over there?"

"My, you have a silver tongue. But those children aren't ready yet. They need more training. It's a shame, if you were a woman, I might have taken you as my disciple…"

She seemed genuinely regretful, even sad, about that fact. But Bilyeon shook his head.

"I've decided to stop being a disciple. If I'm going to do something, I've decided to become someone who teaches others."

"A master… I have some experience in that profession as well. And I must say, not just anyone can be a master, as you know. In short, you need the skill."

"Of course! Many people constantly disregard that basic principle, but I am well aware of it."

"Then I suppose I can test you a bit!"

"Take your time! As much as you like!"

Drawing forth the energy from his entire body, Bilyeon smiled calmly.

Despite all the talk, the Sword Empress was delighted that she could finally use her newly devised sword technique, and that she had found someone worthy of it. She had never used it in actual combat before, either because her opponents were too weak or out of concern that they might die.

Children these days are too weak. Even greenhouse flowers seem stronger than them. They die so easily if you apply just a little force.

If they die too easily, it's problematic. She had an obligation to provide sufficient sparring partners.

The focus of this sword technique was on its splendor rather than practicality. It was created out of a desire for display, so that sentiment could not help but be infused into the sword moves. In fact, a master like the Sword Empress, with her skill, could subdue an opponent instantly with a single move, rather than using such complex, dazzling, and extremely wasteful sword strokes. Nevertheless, it became a dazzling sword technique, even just in imagination, due to her preference. However, that did not diminish the technique's fatal danger. It remained extremely perilous, and a moment's carelessness could send an opponent to their doom.

The Cold Frost Jade Spirit Divine Sword (寒霜玉靈神劍), New Ultimate Technique (新生奧義)

Sea Bird Thousand Slashes (海上飛鳥千斬切)

A sword technique born from one person's passion was about to appear in this world. A sword skill that means cutting down a thousand birds flying over the sea. The ultimate technique embodies the principle of ever-changing, continuous, all-pervasive birth and rapid speed!

The Sword Empress leaped, and in an instant, closed the space between her and Bilyeon.

People's eyes widened. The Sword Empress's body seemed to split into six for a moment. Furthermore, each of them adopted a different sword stance. This was the only way to subdue birds flying chaotically in all six directions: up, down, east, west, north, and south.

A thousand fragments of sword energy poured from the six Sword Empresses and enveloped Bilyeon's body. Fierce sword energy tightened around his entire being, and it seemed there was nowhere he could escape.

Everyone widened their eyes to catch even a glimpse of this astonishing divine skill. Only Na Yerin tightly shut her eyes.