Book 6 Chapter 41
The Appearance of a Monster
Mo Yong-hwi
was looking at his sword, the sunlight glinting along the blade.
Of this expedition, Mo Yong-hwi was the one who best followed the cultivation method of the Mujin sect.
Mo Yong-hwi diligently followed the Mujin sect's cultivation method, to the point where others doubted if he was human.
It was only natural that stories of him not being human would circulate. He was the only one who could physically follow the Mujin sect's cultivation method, which even Qing Hun could not imitate.
Perhaps as a result, his sword techniques grew more precise with each passing day. However, Mo Yong-hwi blamed himself for not yet fully mastering the profound principles of the sword style he learned from his grandfather.
"How can I fully grasp the ultimate profound principle of the Galaxy Stream Genesis Sword?"
He posed the question to himself, but no answer came. Clearly, something beyond form, a third element, existed. But he couldn't yet grasp what that something was.
What he had been contemplating lately was the final move of the Three Emotions Tai Chi Sword Wisdom (Samjeong Taiguk Geomhye) that Qing Hun had displayed during the Samsungmuje. A sword move that didn't yield even when clashing with his own Galaxy Stream Genesis Sword!
Samjeong Taiguk Geomhye: Mu Geuk Geom (Unfettered Sword), True Intent, Union!
It was a tremendous shock to Mo Yong-hwi.
The shock was even greater because he had never expected a sword style of the same caliber as the one newly created by his grandfather, Sword Saint Mo Yong-jeong-cheon, to exist in the world. Of course, he also felt self-reproach for his shallow understanding.
Despite being lauded as a natural genius by those around him, he never became complacent. The goal he aspired to was too high, and the path ahead was too long.
Knowing how insignificant he was compared to his lifelong goal, the Sword Saint, Mo Yong-hwi was acutely aware that it was too early to be arrogant.
Therefore, figuring out how to break through the move Qing Hun had displayed had become Mo Yong-hwi's greatest challenge lately. This was not only Mo Yong-hwi's concern, but also Qing Hun's.
Qing Hun was also pouring all his efforts into breaking through Mo Yong-hwi's Galaxy Stream (Eunha Ryu) Genesis Sword (Gaebyeok Geom) ultimate secret art (Choe Jong Bi Ui) Galaxy Star Arrow (Eunha Seong Si) Universe Primordial Chaos (Uju Honghwang), which Mo Yong-hwi had shown in the finals of the Samsungmuje Sword Saint Battle.
After all, he needed to overcome the obstacles before him to be worthy of challenging greater obstacles.
Given their state, it was only natural that their martial arts were improving by leaps and bounds. They weren't holed up in separate corners, racking their brains to find countermeasures. Whenever they had time, they would sparring justly with each other's consent, analyzing each other's sword styles, and using them as mirrors to reflect upon their own sword techniques. They were now the best rivals, pushing each other to improve.
Mo Yong-hwi's mind was drawn into the blade.
A strangely unsettling aura made Mo Yong-hwi turn his head. The man was a stranger, but his tattered clothes and disheveled hair were peculiar. Furthermore, there was a strong scent of blood and killing intent emanating from him!
"Who are you?"
Mo Yong-hwi asked, assuming a sword stance. The uninvited, disheveled monster's aura was unusual from the start.
A shiver ran down his hand, arm, and spine.
'Am I tense?'
Mo Yong-hwi was startled. He was tense. His body was reacting unconsciously. The opponent was by no means inferior to him.
'A master?'
Needle-like sword energy shot out from Mo Yong-hwi's entire body. Mo Yong-hwi had never fought an opponent lightly. The man was Gal Hyo-bong, from the Blood Stream sect, who had been trapped in Cheonma-rye.
Without warning, Gal Hyo-bong drew his saber and swung it.
"Shwaang!!"
Red saber energy surged forth with terrifying momentum from the tip of the man's saber.
"Dual Sabers?"
Without warning, without a word, the monster's saber energy pulsed from the sabers held in both hands. Both were precisely the same length and shape, dual sabers.
Mo Yong-hwi thrust his sword through the formidable saber energy, but it was ineffective. Blocked by the intense saber energy, he could not advance his sword further.
"Who are you?"
Mo Yong-hwi asked again, blocking the incessant saber energy with his sword. Still, there was no answer.
The man merely swung his sabers silently.
Strangely, the more he swung, the stronger the killing intent emanating from the man's body became.
The man let out a maniacal laugh and swung the saber in his left hand as if playing.
Mo Yong-hwi couldn't believe it. His hands ached from blocking the man's saber energy. Yet, Gal Hyo-bong showed no sign of exerting his full strength.
'Does such a saber technique exist in the world?'
It was a saber technique he had never encountered before.
Dual saber techniques were not common. Moreover, he had never encountered a technique where the power was so concentrated in each move.
"Swish!"
After a brief standoff, Gal Hyo-bong's attack resumed. Mo Yong-hwi let out a gasp of amazement.
"Four-Way Clone!"
Gal Hyo-bong's figure, which had momentarily multiplied into four, lunged towards Mo Yong-hwi.
'All four are deadly strikes!'
They emanated pressure that allowed no room for carelessness. Carelessness would lead to defeat.
"Kuaaaaaaah!"
Gal Hyo-bong let out a monstrous roar.
"Kwagwagwagwang!"
Forty-eight red saber strikes shot out from the four clones, ravaging the surroundings. Terrifying red saber energy that seemed to cleave the heavens and earth. Mo Yong-hwi quickly deployed a sword curtain (Geommak) to protect his entire body. Countering was impossible as the opponent's saber energy was too fierce.
"Tch!"
It was an unusual impact. Mo Yong-hwi, unable to deflect the entire shock, winced in pain as his insides churned. But it wasn't over yet. This was merely preparatory work to disrupt his rhythm.
'The real one is coming!'
Mo Yong-hwi's eyes shone fiercely through the swirling dust. Mo Yong-hwi's prediction was not wrong.
A single streak of red saber energy shot out, piercing through the thick mist.
It was not just saber energy.
It was a direct attack to unleash his utmost power.
Galaxy Meteor Sword Style (Eunha Yu-seong Geombeop) Profound Principle (Geuk Ui)
Meteor Roaring Heavens Dance (Yu-seong Hongcheonmu).
Mo Yong-hwi clashed head-on with all his might. His pride would not allow him to evade such a frontal confrontation.
"Kwagwagwagwang!"
An explosion that shook the heavens and earth erupted.
"What's happening?"
"Another attack?"
"Damn it, now that Elder Yeomdo and Master Mujin are gone!"
Hearing the clang of swords, people were rushing out from the training facility. Qing Hun and Bi Ryu-yeon's faces were visible among them. However, the reinforcements didn't seem to be only from this side.
From the other side, assassins in black masks were also revealing themselves one after another.
"Again? What a nuisance!"
It was Bi Ryu-yeon's remark.