Chapter 511
Chapter 512 – Just Once, Let Me Pull
Swish—
I reach out.
The sword tip responds, slicing smoothly through the air.
In a space shrouded in darkness, visibility is nonexistent.
Yet within, the old man’s blade glimmers with captured light.
To a martial artist, darkness is not much of an obstacle.
For the eyes filled with energy from the bet can pierce through it all.
Whoosh—!
Boom—!
With a single swing, a gust of wind roars. The air gathers around my toes, ready to unleash.
The footwork becomes a storm.
Crackle.
Tangled within the wind, there’s a mix of Thunder Qi.
After swinging the old man’s sword four or five times—
Swish!
A delayed sound follows.
As I move, remnants of my presence linger in the air.
It was a sight beyond the speed of sound.
Changcheong Mu-ae Sword.
The sword technique honed and trained over many years within the Nangong Clan.
Energy enveloped in the bet manifests violently from the old man’s hands.
Though wrinkles mark his skin in old age, and he no longer holds the vitality of youth, his skilled realm enables him to unleash his martial arts without issue.
Actually, it would be fair to say he has matured even further over the lengthy years.
While his strength may wane, his technique in using it has only grown sharper.
The old man is confident in his sword.
It has become much more piercing than in the past.
Thud.
My toes brush against the ground.
I bend forward to launch myself; infusing my soles with Energy to hasten my speed.
Using this rebound, I draw the energy up through my right arm.
Changryong Bo, an extreme footwork technique researched to better utilize dexterity and Thunder Qi.
The old man’s steps are faster than anyone else’s.
The remnants left behind are so vivid it almost appears as if there are multiple images.
That indicates how quick he has become.
One.
‘It doesn’t reach.’
As I gradually increase my speed, the wrinkles on the old man’s forehead remain taut.
It does not reach.
Neither the sword imbued with Thunder Qi nor the speed surpassing sound.
In the end, it couldn’t breach that certain line.
‘Haha.’
Is it a spatial issue?
Since I couldn’t recklessly smash this place, I’ve been holding back.
Could that be the problem?
‘Indeed….’
The old man shakes his head inwardly.
Though he draws his sword in humiliation, he hasn’t fallen into oblivion to that extent.
It simply doesn’t reach.
His sword and body just don’t touch that man.
That fact carries various meanings for the old man.
His blue eyes turn towards the man.
Through the hazy darkness, devoid of any light, a pair of distinctly red eyes glimmers.
There’s not the slightest tremor in that gaze.
Even if it was a brief exchange, how could someone remain so calm?
Observing that, the old man must reassess his calculations.
‘Has he hidden his strength?’
Gu Cheolun, the Tiger Hero.
A decade ago, he was regarded as the Great Lord of the Divine Dragon, responsible for the clan leader’s elite force.
Before that, he was a genius known as the greatest late-stage talent, earning the nickname of the Divine Dragon.
Though now he has relegated himself as the leader of the Gu Clan, his presence has diminished significantly.
The Heavenly Lord had a vague understanding of who Gu Cheolun was.
Though not commonly known, he had definitively subdued all of the Samao Clan.
He even had a record of withstanding their combined efforts and seizing victory.
It was astonishing.
For the Heavenly Lord, such feats were not impossible; however, considering Gu Cheolun’s age at that time, it was utterly inconceivable.
He must have just surpassed adulthood then.
Of course, since that time, he had gradually faded from view, a fact the Heavenly Lord had momentarily forgotten.
Perhaps that was why.
The Heavenly Lord could not comprehend the current situation.
No matter how powerful that Tiger Hero had been back then.
‘This situation simply doesn’t make sense.’
Swish—!
The sword grazes through the air again.
And once more, it cuts nothing.
I turn my gaze.
I intended to assess Gu Cheolun’s position.
But there was no need; Gu Cheolun had never left the Heavenly Lord’s sight.
It felt akin to—
‘You can try and catch me, if you can.’
That’s the impression it gave.
‘Haha.’
A laugh escapes the Heavenly Lord.
How arrogant, to act like that around him, no less.
Yet, as he feels that way, he cannot help but acknowledge the truth.
Even in this brief exchange, it’s evident.
Gu Cheolun is certainly someone who has the right to such arrogance.
It’s perplexing, to say the least.
To conceal such an extraordinary presence and yet live unnoticed.
‘Anything beyond this would just be troublesome.’
The Heavenly Lord clenches his fist. He had no intention of killing Gu Cheolun.
Rather, it was merely to convey a lesson.
One shouldn’t dare underestimate the Nangong Clan.
As the representative of the Nangong family, he must not retreat on this matter.
If the opponent has insulted the Nangong Clan, a suitable punishment must be handed out.
Thus, the Heavenly Lord cannot step back.
Nangong is himself, and he is Nangong.
Boom—! The Heavenly Lord channels energy to his lower dantian.
If it can’t reach, then it must be altered to do so first.
Whooosh—!
A heavy energy fills his body through Blood Qi. The Heavenly Lord’s blue gaze glimmers with light.
Simultaneously—
Crack—!
An overwhelming pressure erupts from his body.
An immense energy that could shatter space itself.
It was the Imperial Sword Form, a secret technique of the Nangong Clan.
Ka-gu-gu—!
As the pressure bursts forth, the walls of space tremble.
Even while he had restrained himself as much as possible, it was unable to withstand it.
Controlling the roaring energy, the Heavenly Lord adjusted his grip on the sword.
Gu Cheolun faced the full brunt of the pressure from the Imperial Sword Form.
His body was surely constrained in that instant.
Just as the Heavenly Lord’s energy-filled sword was about to unleash a blinding flash towards Gu Cheolun—
Chill—!
“…!”
The Heavenly Lord abruptly halts and twists his body.
He felt an icy chill wash over him.
As he retracted all movements and unleashed the energy while twisting his body, something pierced where his chest used to be.
Swoosh—!
It was Gu Cheolun’s arm.
And then—
Whoosh—!
From Gu Cheolun’s hand, tiny sparks flickered.
Boom—!
An enormous burst of flame erupted.
The fire was hot enough to melt the walls.
‘What the…?’
The Heavenly Lord’s eyes widen in surprise.
How?
He had clearly received the pressure of the Imperial Sword Form head-on, yet he had acted immediately?
His mind goes blank with disbelief. This was beyond unexpected.
Not to mention the speed involved.
Had he not twisted his body with genuine intent, he would have been caught off guard.
Whoosh.
A spark from the front shot past.
Immediately, the Heavenly Lord twisted his sword into a defensive stance.
Clang—!
“… Cough…!?”
He hears the sound of bone shattering in his shoulder.
As the flames dissipate, it was Gu Cheolun who attacked his shoulder.
He didn’t stop it.
Only then did the Heavenly Lord realize.
The spark he had heard moments ago was a feint.
But by then, it was too late.
His shoulder shattered, and his posture crumbled.
It would take time to regain that stance. For others, it might feel like a moment.
But in the fight of martial artists, that’s a matter of life or death.
In that moment, the Heavenly Lord felt his defeat was imminent.
Yet—
“…?”
Nothing happened afterward.
Gu Cheolun made no further action until the Heavenly Lord resumed his stance.
Not only that.
With the Heavenly Lord left puzzled, Gu Cheolun stood still, watching him intently.
As the Heavenly Lord looked at Gu Cheolun, filled with confusion about this strange situation,…
“Now.”
Gu Cheolun began to speak slowly.
“Have you finished with your careless guarding?”
“…!”
“Then, draw your sword properly once more.”
The calmly spoken words pierced the Heavenly Lord’s heart.
Embarrassment surged up to his very core.
“H… Haha… this is quite the situation.”
His tenuous hold on pride shattered.
The Heavenly Lord realized he had made a mistake.
“I’ve shown a shameful appearance…. My apologies, Gu Clan Leader.”
The difference in actions.
He had underestimated him far too much.
Though Gu Cheolun had known well he was no ordinary opponent from their first exchange, the Heavenly Lord had still made a blunder against him.
Gu Cheolun, who understood this, inadvertently granted the Heavenly Lord a lesson instead, albeit in a rather humiliating manner.
Understanding that, the Heavenly Lord bit down on his lip.
Surely, he had recognized Gu Cheolun as soon as he laid eyes on him.
Just the sheer energy and massive presence he exuded were indications enough that Gu Cheolun was more than capable of being his equal.
Still, that foolish pride held him back.
It had to be undone.
Whoosh—!
The Heavenly Lord’s energy suddenly shifts.
The winds begin to stir.
Thunder Qi permeates his body, creating a backlash, and strength surges through his aging form. He unleashes all the restrained power he had held back against the disruptions in space.
Creeeak—!
Cracks appear in the air.
Light leaks out from within those cracks.
Heart Sword.
The form of the Heart Sword, unveiled by the Heavenly Lord, illuminated the space around him.
Energy flows out. His chest feels intensively hot.
The lower dantian trembles and vibrates, and he fights desperately to contain the sudden surge of energy.
Feeling this, the Heavenly Lord swallows his heart’s emotions.
Initially, when he had begun to use the Heart Sword, it had never felt so burdensome.
Yet something about it now felt unexpectedly strenuous.
‘Is it perhaps the Evil Spirit’s influence?’
The Heart Sword, being the embodiment of his inner power, became significantly harder to wield when touched by the Evil Spirit.
Recalling this thought, he bites down.
But even so, it didn’t matter.
Now was not the time to dwell on such things.
The blade’s light narrows in on Gu Cheolun.
The sword in hand pulsated with Sword Intent.
Thunder Qi broke through Gu Cheolun’s heat and gained control of the surroundings.
He took a step forward.
Boom—!
The Imperial Sword Form erupted once more.
Enveloped in Thunder Qi, it enlarged.
The presence of the Heavenly Lord, exploding with all of his power, multiplied greatly.
To the extent that it could consume the heat and presence exuded by Gu Cheolun.
He took another step. Boom! Thunder Qi burst forth.
In that instant, the Heavenly Lord’s figure vanished from Gu Cheolun’s sight.
One stroke.
The sword stroke contained the lessons of enlightenment that the Heavenly Lord had experienced, slicing toward Gu Cheolun in a diagonal line.
Simultaneously, the Heart Sword emitted a radiant light.
In this narrow space, there was no place to evade.
The winds intensified, merging with Thunder Qi to transform into a storm.
As the Heavenly Lord’s storm bore down on Gu Cheolun’s neck, just as the light was ready to explode—
Gu Cheolun’s gaze shifted.
His red eyes were fixed firmly on the Heavenly Lord’s.
And then—
Bang—!
“Huah…!”
With a dull thud, the Heavenly Lord’s sword deflected away. The uncontainable recoil caused him to cry out unintentionally.
What had just happened? The Heavenly Lord gulped nervously as he assessed the situation.
Gu Cheolun had smacked the blade with his fist.
Moreover—
Crack—!
The shockwaves expanded, and the powerful energy cocooning the sword shattered.
The years of rigorous training led to that energy crumbling with just a light punch.
As he watched his energy fragments scatter through the air, a chill washed over the Heavenly Lord.
If that was all, it might have been tolerable.
However, Gu Cheolun swung his unused left arm to the opposite side.
Crack.
With a massive swing of Gu Cheolun’s fist, a piercing sound resonated through the air.
Heart Sword.
One swift punch shattered the Heavenly Lord’s inner power, the true essence of his mastery over martial arts.
Boom—!
As his power crumbled, the condensing pressure erupted outward.
Boom—!
The unleashed energy slammed into the walls, obliterating everything in sight.
Cracks spread out, threatening imminent collapse.
Dumbfounded, the Heavenly Lord stood, mouth agape.
How could I be so utterly powerless?
Watching his shattered energy scatter, the Heavenly Lord felt his strength deflate.
Thud.
“Gah…”
With his martial arts forcibly sealed away, the backlash gradually overwhelmed him.
As if a shattered vessel was breaking apart, blood began to seep from the Heavenly Lord’s lips.
“Ha… ha…”
Though pain surged as though the vessel itself was breaking, he raised his head.
Before him stood Gu Cheolun, appearing as he had at the beginning.
With hands clasped behind his back, he gazed downwards with those red eyes.
He looked impeccably clean, as if he hadn’t fought at all.
That sight compelled the Heavenly Lord to chuckle softly.
“… I see now… I was pathetically ignorant.”
Not only had he shattered the formidable weapons with his bare hands, but he had also crushed the Heart Sword.
Such simple movements.
Gu Cheolun hadn’t employed anything remotely resembling martial arts.
And yet, he was a martial artist who specializes in Fire Technique.
The Heavenly Lord wiped the blood from his lips without a second thought.
“… How do you hide such power?”
By this point, curiosity surpassed astonishment. How could he not be curious?
As he spoke, Gu Cheolun slightly frowned. Observing this expression, the Heavenly Lord continued.
“There can be no one in this world who can defeat you…”
There is no one stronger.
The Heavenly Lord ultimately accepted that fact.
Gu Cheolun is indeed the true supreme being of this world.
How could it be otherwise?
If one cannot acknowledge such power even after witnessing it, that would only reflect poorly on their dignity as a martial artist.
The Heavenly Lord, now filled with curiosity, spoke up.
“Does… the Elder Yi know of this as well?”
Elder Yi, the former leader of the Martial Alliance, often referred to as the Sword Sovereign.
Would he know of Gu Cheolun’s strength?
In response, Gu Cheolun stated, “He is aware.”
He replied affirmatively.
Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Lord fell into further contemplation.
“… Then, why…”
Why choose to live in hiding?
The Gu Clan is well aware of the weight of responsibilities it bears.
Might it be for the sake of that responsibility, he lives in obscurity?
That thought crept in.
“Because it isn’t of great importance to me.”
Gu Cheolun replied in a flat voice.
“What you deem significant holds no value to me.”
The title of supreme being.
The honor and fame that come with being a powerful martial artist.
The pride and presence of a martial artist.
None of that mattered to Gu Cheolun.
He couldn’t comprehend it.
At least, it was beyond the level of understanding for the Heavenly Lord.
“If that’s the case… what is of importance? What is your goal, Gu Clan Leader?”
“…”
What holds significance?
At the Heavenly Lord’s question, Gu Cheolun found himself reflecting.
Perhaps he hadn’t thought about that in quite a while.
On that winter day when he lost everything.
Gu Cheolun had forsaken even the dreams he had cherished.
Despite having sought to turn away from it for so long, now a desire had stirred within him to seek something.
He realized he could no longer afford to hesitate for that.
Without answering, Gu Cheolun stepped forward to bridge the gap. He held no intention of indulging in unnecessary dialogue.
Strength filled his palm.
Sliiiiiick….
The Heavenly Lord could see it.
Gu Cheolun’s hand started to glow a deep red.
What could that be?
It didn’t feel like the intensity of Fire Technique at all.
Not only that, it felt far more intimidating in its emptiness.
Oh.
The Heavenly Lord suddenly understood.
He realized that what he was seeing was his own death the moment he looked at Gu Cheolun’s hand.
He couldn’t even begin to guess what kind of power it was.
And that’s what made it all the more terrifying.
At that point where death loomed overhead, the Heavenly Lord spoke in a weary tone.
“You can take my life….”
“…”
“However, I beg of you, have mercy upon the Nangong Clan….”
The response did not come again.
There were no more options left.
With an air of resignation, the Heavenly Lord closed his eyes.
As Gu Cheolun extended his hand toward the Heavenly Lord, the blood-red hand was almost upon him.
“… Father?”
Suddenly, a voice called out nearby.
At the sound of that voice, Gu Cheolun’s body went rigid.
