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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Every step I took drew the attention of those around me. As if they were curious about what I was going to do.
The feeling of being constantly watched wasn’t pleasant, but it was something I had to accept.
Usurping the protagonist’s position meant all eyes were on me.
This was the burden I had to carry.
But it wasn’t heavier than the armor I once wore, or the duty I carried as a knight.
“Um…what brings you here?”
A voice tinged with fear and bewilderment. I bowed towards the seemingly timid Taoist priest and asked,
“Are you Taoist Hak-un?”
“No, I am Hak-jong. Taoist Hak-un is my senior brother.”
“…I am Hak-un. But may I ask why the Lion Sword is looking for me?”
As Hak-un, who had been among the other Taoist priests, stepped forward, all eyes turned towards me with curiosity.
They were probably surprised that I, a stranger with no connection to them, had suddenly approached them. I would react the same way if a foreigner suddenly started talking to me.
“I have long admired the Wudang sword, known for the saying, ‘Wudang martial arts are not primarily offensive, yet they are not to be trifled with.’
I had hoped to witness it in the previous tournament…but unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
“Are you saying…you wish to spar?”
Taoist Hak-un looked at me with a bewildered expression. It was a natural reaction to a sudden request for a spar. I nodded and continued,
“Indeed. I wish to engage in a friendly spar and build camaraderie through the exchange of swordsmanship.”
“To build camaraderie through swords! A true martial artist builds relationships through weapons, not words! It seems the Lion Sword is a true martial artist! Hahaha!”
As expected, Namgung Hwi, who loved a good spectacle, joined our conversation, stirring up the atmosphere.
Taoist Hak-un still seemed hesitant, but he realized he had no reason to refuse, so he nodded in agreement.
“Very well. If it’s a friendly spar…”
“The first friendly match of this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering will be between the Lion Sword and the Pine Needle Sword Dragon, Taoist Hak-un!”
“The Wudang sword versus the Western sword!”
“This will be an exciting match!”
Amidst the enthusiastic reactions, I walked towards the center of the room. Taoist Hak-un handed some items to his fellow disciples and followed, carrying only his sword.
Everything was going according to plan.
I watched Hak-un, who had drawn his sword and assumed a stance about twenty paces away. The pine tree design on his blade reflected the light, scattering strange glimmers.
“I look forward to a good match.”
“I hope it will be a nourishing experience.”
I drew my longsword from my waist. As I assumed the Ox stance, gasps rippled through the crowd.
It was beginning.
Once we were ready, Namgung Hwi volunteered to act as the referee and stood between us.
“According to the tradition of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering friendly matches, the use of sword qi and lethal techniques is prohibited! There are no other rules, but I will intervene when a clear victor is decided. Now, show us your swordsmanship!”
I could finally witness the Wudang sword.
This spar might be the key to my breakthrough.
‘To think I’d be sparring like this…’
Hak-un sighed inwardly, looking at the giant man facing him from across the room. He hadn’t expected to fight like this with someone he might have faced in the quarterfinals.
The Westerner known as the Lion Sword.
William.
He didn’t know William’s intentions, but his blue eyes held pure fighting spirit and…yearning.
‘I’m not sure how helpful I can be…but it’s only natural for swordsmen to build camaraderie through swordsmanship. I hope this will be a mutually beneficial experience.’
“Since I requested this spar, allow me to make the first move.”
William’s foot lightly tapped the ground.
The distance between him and Hak-un closed in an instant. The twenty paces quickly shrunk to less than four, drawing the attention of the other promising disciples.
Hak-un’s favored sword technique was the Gentle Cloud Sword. While it was considered an introductory transcendent technique among the Wudang sword styles, it was comparable to many renowned sword techniques.
The Wudang sword, known for its gentle, cloud-like movements.
Hak-un’s sword, drawing a smooth curve, parried William’s attack.
‘While Benefactor’s sword and the Wudang sword have different origins, they share similar principles, resulting in a more intense clash than a battle between two hard styles.’
Mokgyeong watched their smooth, feather-light exchange with gleaming eyes.
The Wudang sword, based on the principle of deflecting and redirecting, was unique in the Murim.
In a world where a single mistake could be fatal, mastering a sword style that prioritized control over killing wasn’t easy.
Speed.
Illusion.
Power.
Instead of these three commonly pursued principles, the Wudang sword embraced Gentleness.
The Wudang sword always embodied gentleness, which was why it was called the best in the world and why they were known as the “Southern Venerable Wudang.”
‘As expected of the Wudang. Completely different from other swordsmen.’
William, impressed by the unexpectedly gentle and yielding sword, parried Hak-un’s attack. They had already exchanged twenty moves, but their swords flowed together like a dance.
“Your swordsmanship is remarkable.”
“They say the Wudang sword is the best in the world, and it seems to be true.”
Unlike typical swordsmen, they maintained a friendly atmosphere. Instead of a fierce clash of sparks and steel, it was a harmonious dance of swords.
The other martial artists watched this unusual spar with awe.
It was rare to see the Wudang sword clash with a similar style.
‘I made the right choice.’
To improve one’s swordsmanship and reach a higher realm, experience was crucial.
He valued experience more than simple enlightenment. His rapid growth had been fueled by the countless life-or-death battles he had fought.
So, he committed every exchange to memory as he took a step forward.
He moved into his opponent’s range.
A dangerous move, but sometimes, boldness was necessary. He saw Hak-un’s sword momentarily pause and swung downwards.
A simple downward strike, no different from his previous attacks, except for the slightly closer distance.
Hak-un, slightly bewildered, tried to deflect William’s sword.
‘Now!’
William released his grip with one hand and reached for Hak-un’s wrist.
‘Grappling?!’
Grappling mid-sword fight? Instinctively reacting to the unusual technique, Hak-un’s hand met William’s.
A soft, white hand and a rough, large hand intertwined and separated. William, seeing his attack neutralized, asked with admiration,
“Is that…Tai Chi Chuan?”
“It’s the Pine Needle Hand, but its roots lie in Tai Chi Chuan.”
“It’s as remarkable as I’ve heard.”
“It’s just a basic technique.”
‘Truly worthy of the Wudang. To think such a powerful technique is considered basic…’
They continued their one-handed exchange even as they spoke.
Pulling, pushing, twisting.
Even though it was just a simple exchange of hand movements, the other promising disciples were impressed. They could see the countless subtle strategies within their movements.
Some pondered how they would counter such techniques.
The spar had shifted from swordsmanship to grappling. Realizing that the fight wouldn’t end like this, they both took three steps back.
“Let’s end this.”
“Indeed.”
William lowered his stance and lunged towards Hak-un. Hak-un calmly assumed a stance as William charged like a bull.
William’s sword swung from right to left. A typical horizontal slash. But no one expected it to be a simple attack.
Hak-un raised his sword vertically, smoothly blocking William’s attack.
‘It’s light.’
This wasn’t the true strike.
The moment he realized this, William’s wrist twisted, aiming for the other side of his sword. Hak-un barely managed to deflect the unexpected movement.
‘I’ve neutralized his feint, so now—’
Instinctively, Hak-un leaned back, adopting the Iron Bridge stance.
William’s third strike narrowly missed him. He leaned forward, attempting a thrust from his defensive position. Hak-un barely dodged the surprise attack, recovered his stance, and swung his sword.
But William’s sword had already been retracted, ready for the next attack. He moved as if to block Hak-un’s sword, then suddenly gripped the blade, using his crossguard and hilt to parry the attack.
‘What?!’
“He’s holding the blade?!”
“Such a strange technique! Western swordsmanship is truly mysterious!”
“His hand isn’t cut even though he’s holding the blade! Is he protecting it with internal energy? Or…”
The essence of the Gentle Cloud Sword was its fluidity, like water flowing smoothly.
But if it was locked in place, it couldn’t be properly executed.
William lifted his sword sideways, breaking Hak-un’s stance, then spun his sword and gently placed the crossguard against Hak-un’s neck.
“…I yield.”
Having a crossguard against his neck for the first time, Hak-un sighed and admitted defeat.
[T/N: Just a quick note author has added a new nickname for William which is Lion Sword]
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