—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I’ve done my fair share of instructional sparring.”
Heavenly Slaughterer said casually as he walked past me.
I remained silent and watched him.
“I’ve taught many disciples, after all.”
“…Disciples?”
“That’s a secret I can’t divulge.”
“I understand.”
I nodded slowly.
Heavenly Slaughterer’s words, spoken in the quiet clearing, held a certain weight.
He stared off into the distance, with a contemplative look in his eyes, as if reminiscing.
“Anyway, I’m truly grateful you saved Hwa-ryeong. For various reasons, I’ve been avoiding getting involved in the squabbles of the unorthodox factions.”
“…It was the right thing to do.”
“Still, it was fortunate you acted so quickly while I was away.”
“Hmm.”
I hummed in response.
Heavenly Slaughterer shook his head, then said,
“Come.”
“…!”
“And don’t forget to use your full strength.”
As soon as he finished speaking, I channeled my internal energy.
Woooong~
The power I’d been accumulating surged forward.
Focusing my energy at the tip of my sword, I lunged towards him.
Taat!
I closed the distance quickly and aimed for his blind spot with a swift maneuver.
“Nimble movements indeed.”
“…!”
Heavenly Slaughterer chuckled softly.
“But speed isn’t everything.”
In that instant, I was flung back as if I’d hit an invisible wall.
Kwaang!
My body twisted like a leaf caught in a whirlwind, and I crashed face-first into the ground.
Disoriented, I coughed up dirt.
Heavenly Slaughterer watched impassively.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
“Absolutely not…!”
I gritted my teeth and pushed myself off the ground.
This sparring session with Heavenly Slaughterer was an invaluable opportunity.
I had to prove the worth of all the time I’d spent trying to surpass the protagonist of that damned novel.
‘Even so, I can’t gain the upper hand. Then…!’
At the very least, I had to make him take me seriously.
I pushed aside my momentary disorientation and, through the swirling dust, lunged at his throat.
“I admire your spirit.”
“…”
“The ability to get back up, no matter how many times you’re knocked down.”
He finished his sentence and, without moving a muscle, formed a hand seal.
It was a simple gesture, just his two index fingers touching.
Yet, it was enough to completely neutralize my attack.
Paang!
My wooden sword flew into the air.
“Gah…!”
“Do you know this? Taken to the extreme, all things become one.”
‘The convergence of ten thousand paths…!’
“It’s a concept beyond your current understanding, but since we’re sparring, I’ll indulge you with a bit of philosophy.”
“Thank you for your guidance…!”
I lowered my stance and attacked again, aiming for his vital points.
But my efforts were futile.
Heavenly Slaughterer muttered,
“…Faster.”
Paang!
The energy at the tip of my sword dissipated, and I lost my balance.
I bit my lip.
‘The gap between us is too wide…!’
This wasn’t a sparring match; it was a one-sided beating.
If this continued, it would end with my utter humiliation.
I steeled my resolve and pushed myself off the ground again.
“Hah…!”
“You might feel like your efforts are meaningless, like all your sweat and blood have been for nothing.”
“Haa…!”
“But to persevere, to strive for transcendence even in the face of adversity, that is the true path of the martial artist.”
Heavenly Slaughterer stared into the distance, then brought his palms together as if in prayer.
A powerful energy swirled around him.
Paaaat-
It was a force I couldn’t resist.
‘No, it’s like… the gaze of something… looking down on an ant…!’
Woooong-
My legs trembled.
Heavenly Slaughterer’s gaze felt like a bottomless abyss, pulling me in.
He was slowly closing the distance.
The pressure was overwhelming.
[Focus.]
His cold voice snapped me out of my trance.
I’d been so overwhelmed by his aura that I’d almost lost myself.
His finger was now at my throat.
“That concludes the first lesson.”
“…”
“Shall we continue?”
He spoke casually, his tone almost gentle.
But the technique he’d just used felt like the power of a god.
I glanced around.
‘Elder Dokgo and Hwa-ryeong are watching.’
The young girl looked on with interest, while Elder Dokgo wore a wry smile.
I had an audience now.
But I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
I looked at Heavenly Slaughterer and replied,
“One more… please.”
“…Hmm?”
“One more lesson, please…!”
Even though my head was bleeding from hitting the ground, I pressed on.
Heavenly Slaughterer nodded, with a hint of approval in his eyes.
“As you wish.”
“…!”
“This time, try to make me move, even a single step.”
“…Heh.”
I almost laughed.
‘A master who can defeat most experts with a single move is asking for me to make him move.’
I suppressed my laughter and leaped into the air.
This time, I would unleash everything I’d learned.
I channeled the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, filling the air with the scent of plum blossoms.
Light gathered at the tip of my sword, illuminating the clearing.
‘I haven’t perfected all the forms of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, but…’
I tightened my grip.
I refused to let my efforts be in vain.
I had to push past my limits.
I was facing one of the strongest masters in this damned murim world.
I had to give it my all.
With fierce determination and unwavering resolve, I unleashed my ultimate technique.
Plum Blossom Sword Technique.
Secret Art.
Plum Blossom Pierces the Heavens.
“…Hmm! A secret art.”
Heavenly Slaughterer seemed surprised.
But I was already in a trance, oblivious to everything around me.
Paaat-
He brought his palms together.
[Your effort to create harmony amidst discord is commendable.]
As I struggled, I heard his voice, almost as if he were chuckling, echoing from within the profound technique he’d unleashed.
[Continue on this path, and you will reach the Heavenly Gate.]
He whispered,
[…I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.]
Whoooo-
In that instant, the energy he’d unleashed surged towards a single point, then vanished.
The ebb and flow of his profound technique, like a contained explosion, flickered and died.
And I, in the midst of my ultimate technique, snapped back to reality.
“…Huh.”
“Back with us?”
“Hmm…”
“It seems you’ve emerged from your trance.”
Heavenly Slaughterer smiled, with a look of satisfaction on his face.
I gasped for breath, trying to focus on his words.
“W-What… what just happened?”
“Hmm. What just happened?”
He chuckled and crossed his arms, staring into the distance.
Then he said softly,
“The world returned to nothingness. There’s no point in dwelling on realms you haven’t reached yet.”
He shrugged, as if he’d done something trivial, then smiled and patted my shoulder.
“That should be enough for today.”
“…”
“A frog in the well. Remember those words. Let them carve themselves into your heart.”
He muttered those words and walked past me.
His voice, filled with wisdom, lingered in the air.
“…”
I could say nothing in return.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
