Chapter 703
“This place is a lot more chaotic than I thought.”
As the Sword Demon observed Musashi’s stance, a low hum escaped his lips. ‘Kamewari…’
Though the Sword Demon didn’t know much about Dongyoung swordplay originally, absorbing the memories of Baek Woong through obsidian had equipped him with significant knowledge. He held memories of Baek Woong training the Soul Removal Technique alongside numerous Sword Heroes, and exchanged techniques with great swordsmen like Kamizumi Nobutsuna and Tsukahara Bokuden. According to these memories, Musashi’s initial stance was Kamewari.
This stance felt like it could crush a pot in one blow and was evidence of the sword shape perfected during Ono Tadaaki’s time, continuing the lineage of the Itto-ryu from the time of Ito Itto-sai. Kamizumi Nobutsuna, having experienced countless battles, knew the shape of Itto-ryu well, and that knowledge had been passed on to the Sword Demon through Baek Woong.
In a fleeting moment, the Sword Demon wondered if Musashi was the successor of Itto-ryu, though he quickly concluded that wasn’t the case. Instead, it was surprising that Musashi was holding onto the sword shape right now. The Sword Demon spoke up,
“I know you’re a wandering hero, but it seems you’ve trained in a prestigious sword art unexpectedly.”
“It was merely a passing connection.”
“You must have reached a state where basic techniques are unnecessary, so why are you showing me that stance?”
At the Sword Demon’s question, Musashi’s eyes sparkled.
“If I can gauge your skills with this sword shape, I can surely assess your true abilities.”
“……”
“Here I come!”
Swish!
As Musashi swung his long sword, it felt as though time momentarily froze. This instant was one that only true masters experience – the Sword Demon had entered this space often, but this was his first time facing Musashi with killing intent and life-or-death decisions hanging in the balance. In the stillness of time, divided into black and white, the Sword Demon analyzed Musashi’s stance.
It involved a Reverse Sword technique and Reverse Footing. Although it strayed from standard techniques, the Sword Demon immediately sensed his opponent’s intentions. Swiftly, he moved into the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique’s posture, blocking the first strike with Left Capture Spirit, shifting his body slightly to the side.
Clang!
When their weapons collided, a brilliant flash erupted, but neither master was distracted by it. Both had already mastered the Mind’s Eye and Listener’s Skill, so they didn’t rely solely on sight to determine each other’s positions. With the flash subsiding, Musashi’s short sword had pierced toward the heart of the Sword Demon, while he somehow defended with his own sword surface.
The Sword Demon’s sword moved sluggishly, unleashing the Shadowless Sword Technique as Musashi hastily retreated from the Kamewari posture.
It might’ve looked like they were just whiffing at each other in the air, but that wasn’t the case. Musashi remarked with apparent astonishment,
“Did you read my entire technique in that instant?”
The Sword Demon replied dryly,
“The Itto-ryu Reverse Sword allows for fluid transitions, but with reversed footing, you’re only left with counterattacking options. I sensed you aimed to confuse me with the strong sword stance and strike back with a second attack within a moment.”
“Correct.”
Musashi’s lips curled into a twisted smile.
“Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong! You’re worth facing!”
Shwoosh!
A flash erupted from Musashi’s waist. In reality, it was an incredibly swift, extreme sword strike slicing right through the space where the Sword Demon stood. Realizing Musashi was attacking not with skill but pure power, the Sword Demon stepped back slightly, unfolding his ultimate technique.
Ultimate Technique!
Soul Removal Cloud Light!
Like clouds, the Sword Demon’s Soul Removing Sword Qi clashed with Musashi’s space-killing blade. Musashi’s sword cleaved through space, but upon entangling with the cloud, it could go no further, as the Sword Demon layered on the Shadowless Sword and sliced away at the spot where Musashi was positioned.
Wham!
The sword energy extended to the horizon, cleaving the hill behind in half. Although the Soul Removal Cloud was terrifyingly powerful, Musashi also deftly avoided the Sword Demon’s ultimate slash and readied his stance again. The long sword and short sword in his grasp spun in the air, returning quickly to his hold, and Musashi’s eyes blazed.
“Ha!”
With a screeching sound, like divine rays cutting through clouds, the Sword Demon barely dodged the attack, yet several cuts marred his upper body. In retaliation, he closed in on Musashi to attack in the Intermediate Stage, but just at that moment, Musashi activated his ultimate technique, eyes wide open.
Blade-less Technique!
Thwack!
Before he knew it, Musashi’s hand had seized the Sword Demon’s blade, stopping it cold, while the Sword Demon, in a hurry, unleashed his Soul Removing Sword Technique to attack Musashi’s hand. But unlike Baek Woong’s technique, Musashi’s Blade-less Technique was flawless, leisurely evading even the Mind Control techniques while refusing to release the blade for some time. Soon after, with a swift motion, Musashi swung the short sword, aiming to decapitate the Sword Demon, who felt the blade brushing against his forehead.
Ultimately, the Sword Demon had to resort to the Sword Flying Technique, expending energy to escape the Blade-less Technique, yet a chill ran down his spine.
‘What a monstrous guy…!!’
The Blade-less Technique was undoubtedly the unique school technique of Kamizumi Nobutsuna from Dongyoung swordplay, elevated to the level of absolute techniques acknowledged in the martial world. There’s no way Musashi could be a disciple of Kamizumi Nobutsuna.
He must have picked it up by observing it once.
Miyamoto Musashi was undoubtedly a genius.
In a heartbeat, Musashi’s eyes glowed.
[Catch this.]
Ultimate Technique!
Buddha Slash!
It seemed Musashi had resolved to end the match here.
A translucent heart blade appeared before the Sword Demon as he sensed the intent behind his blade targeting him; he realized he had only one chance to respond.
‘The Guarding Technique.’
This was a technique the Sword Demon had never seen before, but reaching the Absolute Realm allowed him to instinctively perceive the power behind that blade. Evading it the moment it activated would be impossible, given a human’s body can’t keep up with the speed of the heart’s reach. It was a technique not allowed by conventional martial arts theory – an exclusive technique of the Absolute Realm. Moreover, a blade that couldn’t be deflected wouldn’t exist in this world.
To withstand it, he’d need to form his own heart blade, countering blindingly fast. That was the proper way to face the Heart Blade Technique.
However, the Sword Demon hesitated, uncertain if he could even create a heart blade, feeling a peculiar sensation. On such a brief opportunity, hesitance was a failure as a swordsman, yet an inexplicable vacancy swirling in his mind held him back. This hesitation was suspicion, akin to a longing for challenge.
To step forward or not?
‘Let’s do this.’
The Sword Demon decided to take the leap. Instead of creating a heart blade against Musashi’s Buddha Slash, he concentrated his intent, shaping a new sword form. Musashi’s discontent was palpable as his expression conveyed a message of disgust.
“You, of all people, make such a foolish choice!”
“Are you belittling this duel?”
Musashi had assumed this noble swordsman would generate a heart blade to counter his attack, believing the Sword Demon, being an absolute realm swordsman, wouldn’t miss this chance. However, in a bizarre twist, he had forged a mere sword shape against an extreme martial art.
Musashi’s displeasure unfolded into punishment. The instant his will desired it, the heart blade darted towards the Sword Demon, and moments later, the Sword Demon felt his entire body cleaved in half from head to toe.
Thud!
“……!!”
Yet, contrary to expectations, the Sword Demon’s five sword shapes delayed, rebounding against Musashi’s heart blade! Musashi stumbled, as if caught off guard, presenting a moment of vulnerability, which the Sword Demon seized, extending a finger to point at Musashi.
“An opening!”
Thump!
“Ugh…”
Musashi groaned while clutching the shoulder hit by the Sword Demon’s Hand’s Control Sword Technique. He managed to avoid being skewered in more vital areas like the heart or head, but the Sword Demon’s sword style was no joke. Yet before he could consider the pain, Musashi again said, perplexed,
“What… is that sword shape?”
“It’s the Japanese Sword.”
“The Japanese Sword?”
“No matter how exceptional your Itto-ryu might be, its roots lie within Dongyoung swordplay. The famed nation began researching Dongyoung swordplay after being invaded long ago, developing the Japanese Sword style to exploit the weaknesses of Dongyoung swordplay. Likewise, we at the Shadowless Sect absorbed the sword shapes of the Japanese Sword styles into the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Techniques, allowing me to predict your attack trajectory easily.”
“… I’m not talking about something trivial like that!!”
Musashi shouted angrily.
“My heart blade is the Heart Sword. Only the heart sword can counter the heart sword! How can you deflect my Buddha Slash with mere placeholder techniques?”
Musashi disregarded the interplay between the Japanese Sword style and Itto-ryu; to ultra-masters like them, it was mere triviality, having little impact on victory and defeat. What he truly questioned was the ridiculous situation of a placeholder technique—outlasting his heart blade.
The Sword Demon replied smoothly.
“Are you sure that’s a heart blade?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your Buddha Slash may seem like a heart blade, but I never thought it was genuinely a heart blade. You thought you escaped bindings but remained encumbered by basic techniques; thus, I simply dealt with you in the manner of martial etiquette.”
“……!!”
Musashi clenched his teeth. He could not accept the Sword Demon’s remarks.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
After reaching the Absolute Realm, he’d trained the Mind Control techniques up to a mastery where he could cleave through space with his heart blade. He was brimming with confidence, believing he could sever anything, so for him to not embody the Heart Sword didn’t add up!
The Sword Demon’s gaze was endlessly tranquil.
“While you may not believe it, as far as I know, only one warrior in this world can genuinely utilize the heart blade.”
“What?! Who is it?”
“The Sword Saint who illuminates the Holy Heaven with the Light of Six Intent! Compared to his sword, your blade is still deficient.”
Indeed.
The reason the Sword Demon had hesitated earlier while perceiving Musashi’s Buddha Slash was due to having witnessed that higher-level absolute technique in his memories. It was the instant that Yeodong-bin’s Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram transcended basic techniques, achieving contact with the divine. Recognizing that Musashi’s techniques were merely superficial heart blades paled in comparison.
“That’s just ridiculous…!!”
Musashi began exuding ferocious killing intent. Simultaneously, both of his swords glimmered black and he appeared like a reaper engulfed in pure rage and murderous intent. It felt as though even magical power was swirling around him, but the Sword Demon had no time to ponder why.
Shortly after, Musashi’s sword descended upon the Sword Demon with tremendous force.
Bang!
The impact felt several times stronger than before, yet the Sword Demon realized he was now in a far more advantageous position.
‘He’s concentrating solely on raw blade strength. His sword family’s flow has lost stability.’
Musashi’s true strength lay in his unmatched composure and cold reason, utilizing lethal cutting power with pinpoint precision. However, the moment Musashi lost his center and faltered in technique distribution, his total power had plummeted to less than half. Additionally, the wound to his shoulder became a critical hit.
Bang!
As the Sword Demon faced Musashi’s fierce blade with his own, he simultaneously deployed both the Shadowless Sword and Soul Removing Sword techniques. The two techniques emitted different characteristics, materializing only at the moment of attack, shredding through Musashi’s defenses.
At first glance, this seemed ineffective, but in a real battle, it showcased the Sword Demon’s absolute realm prowess. A misstep from his opponent could lead to a sudden decapitation, or gradually chip away at Musashi’s strength.
Swish!
At some point, Musashi found himself on the defensive. He had backed away from the initial battlefield to an unnamed cliff, and the Sword Demon unleashed several thousand sword strikes, invoking the True Heaven Sword arts toward the backing Musashi.
Thwump!
Musashi was impaled by flyaway sword energies, sustaining serious injuries as he soared towards the cliff. Rather than wincing in pain, his expression conveyed disbelief at his current situation. Moments later, as Musashi vanished from sight beneath Manjangan Cliff, the Sword Demon stared coldly down at the bottom of the cliff.
In truth, the Sword Demon hadn’t yet reached Musashi’s level. Although he had just entered the Absolute Realm, he hadn’t refined his ultimate techniques to match it. Thus, a razor-thin margin of difference remained, and in a genuine fatal conflict, the disparity could be described as vast. That was precisely why Musashi had maintained unshakable confidence while attacking.
However, with just a few of the Sword Demon’s words, Musashi’s previously unshakeable pride in his heart blade crumbled. That directly affected his swordplay. The moment a swordsman loses their composure, victory is practically assured for the opponent.
‘I got lucky.’
In truth, even with a shoulder wound, the gap in skill was still vast; had Musashi showcased his abilities calmly to the end, it would have been the Sword Demon lying dead right now, not him. The Sword Demon himself had not anticipated Musashi would falter so easily, leaving him somewhat flustered.
Why had Musashi so quickly lost his composure?
‘Could it be because he’s a genius…’
After a moment of thought, the Sword Demon concluded that was precisely the weakness of a genius. Musashi had merely reached the Absolute Realm as a shadow, and by a fleeting connection, he had come to perfection in the Blade-less Technique. He hadn’t endured a true defeat in his life, and at most, he had only been unaware of the Twelve Joules’ techniques as a countermeasure. He must’ve held absolute confidence and arrogance that no swordsman was stronger than himself.
Thus, recognizing that his heart blade was actually not the true heart blade – that it could not be matched against the greatness of predecessors – was something he simply could not accept. A normal individual would feel dazed yet soon come around to realize and ponder the next steps, but –
‘He has too inflated a self-image within himself.’
His unnecessarily inflated ego and arrogance didn’t allow for acknowledgment of this fact. Ultimately, the invincible swordsman Musashi had succumbed to his own self-image. This wasn’t the Sword Demon’s victory but Musashi’s defeat. Furthermore, it proved a fact that when a genius faces a single failure, recovery is far more challenging than a regular person’s experience.
“I suppose I should finish him off.”
Swish!
After briefly contemplating the duel, the Sword Demon leapt off the cliff. One would normally assume falling from such a height would mean certain death, but after all, he was up against Miyamoto Musashi. It wouldn’t be fatal just from sustaining some wounds from his own sword. The Sword Demon intended to land below the cliff and ensure Musashi was dead.
Eventually, as the Sword Demon descended with dazzling techniques, he found Musashi swaying yet standing. Though it seemed he had managed to survive the fall, he was already in no shape to continue fighting.
Silently, they stared at each other.
The Sword Demon lunged at Musashi.
Clang!
Clang!
The sounds of their blades clashing became a noisy backdrop to the duel. If one were focused on the skirmish, these sounds wouldn’t be distracting, but here, there was no longer any question of victory or defeat; it was now a fight to kill. Musashi swung his sword desperately in a bid to survive, while the Sword Demon struck to end Musashi’s life as swiftly as possible.
Swish!
The outcome was decisive.
Musashi did not scream. No matter how seasoned a warrior, when a blade embeds in the heart, blood should spurt forth, and reflexive groans ought to follow, yet none of that came. Instead, Musashi spoke.
“If only you had told me… about the Sword Saint… I might have… been…”
“……”
“Take… my sword… with you…”
With that, Musashi lowered his head. The Sword Demon slowly withdrew the sword from his heart, entangled in complex thoughts.
What was he expecting me to do if I had mentioned the Sword Saint’s existence?
Would he have sought the Celestial Realm to fight against it instead of the Central Plains martial world?
Miyamoto Musashi was a man who could have easily done that, leading the Sword Demon to feel more pity than animosity. He was a pure flame of a man, relentlessly pursuing strength, oblivious to both himself and his surroundings.
After killing Musashi, the Sword Demon constructed a grave, placing his own renowned sword, Hojo, atop it. Carefully, he gripped the Ameno Habakiri, the sword given to Musashi by Abe no Seimei, known for its formidable power against malevolent forces, and murmured,
“I’ll make good use of it.”
Ameno Habakiri was bestowed upon Musashi, wielded against evil. In his last moments, Musashi seemed to acknowledge his defeat, passing his sword to the victor. The Sword Demon gazed at Musashi’s grave with bittersweet eyes before moving on.
His destination was Liaoning province.
There, he planned to reunite with his comrades.
