What I Wanted to Show You. (3)
Thud.
Taking a step forward, the aura radiating with her footsteps roars.
The chilling aura drifting along her shoulder line was clearly thunder qi.
So intense was that dense aura that it created the illusion of lightning striking just around Namgung Bia.
Creak.
5,
Jang Seonyeon gritted his teeth and forcibly awakened his frozen body.
He had to consume a significant amount of internal qi just to move his body.
'Merely? This is merely?'
He struggled to calm the trembling tip of his sword, desperately ignoring the cold sweat flowing down.
As Jang Seonyeon slowly circulated his breath, he looked at Namgung Bia.
Her lowered sword and peaceful expression were less for combat, and full of a breezy lightness as if she were out for a stroll.
Along with her appearance, something solely noble was felt, but.
The aura she exuded was not so.
'Is this... the Emperor Sword Form?'
The absolute art of the Namgung Clan that made the current Namgung what it is.
What they call their everything.
The Namgung Clan's Emperor Sword Form. The overwhelming power of the Number One Clan was erupting from Namgung Bia.
'...Is this what they mean by the presumptuous Namgung?'
Unlike its name 'Sword Form', the Namgung's ultimate art is not based on swordsmanship.
Internal qi mixes with thunder qi to deepen its destructiveness, and the emitted pressure takes on a unique form.
A pressure as if something massive is crushing down.
Within it, the desire to rule—making the opponent kneel and standing above them with an aloof posture—baring its fangs and filling the space with its presence.
It did not hide the desire to rise above others.
Because it created such value within itself, it is the Emperor.
Because it holds the will to show that through the sword without holding back, it is a Sword Form.
Emperor Sword Form. The presence of the Namgung unfolded before his eyes was impossibly heavy.
"...Aren't you going to...?"
A quietly whispered word. Jang Seonyeon intuited it.
That if he didn't move now, it might be the end. That he had to view his opponent differently.
Namgung Bia, wearing the frame of an emperor, moves lightly.
Her steps are light, looking as if she's stepping out for a walk.
Jang Seonyeon instinctively raised his sword. Because it felt like he had to.
Clang-!
"...!"
With the shock, Jang Seonyeon was pushed back.
They were easily ten steps apart, but Namgung Bia had already arrived right in front of Jang Seonyeon's nose.
Sword met sword, scattering sparks.
Heavy.
Namgung Bia's sword, which he had barely blocked, was absurdly heavy.
Could such power really come from those frail arms?
Such thoughts shouldn't linger long. It didn't seem like he'd have the leisure for it.
Jang Seonyeon pulled up his internal qi.
Uuuung-
A softly ringing sword cry, this rang out from Jang Seonyeon's sword.
Jang Cheon's secret martial art, the Taejin Nakbi Sword (Taejin Nakbi Geom).
It was a sword technique that artificially rang the sword cry to use it like sound arts.
This was the divine art that made Jang Cheon, the current Murim Alliance Lord, be called the Nakgeom (Falling Sword).
'I can't use it for long.'
Because it was a difficult technique, he couldn't maintain it for long.
Sound arts themselves required a considerable level of proficiency in applying internal qi.
The very fact that he could use this at a young age was already a testament to Jang Seonyeon's talent.
He had to use an absurd amount of internal qi, and he had to swing his sword while in a state where it was hard to maintain it.
Because of that, his sword swinging speed had to be slower than usual.
Of course, since it was possible to shake the opponent through sound arts, this was a tolerable issue.
It was also a problem that would be solved as time passed and he grew.
In the future, both maintaining it and using the sword would become natural. It would be even more so once the aura from the baptism seeped into his body.
With just this much, there shouldn't have been a problem facing the late-stage experts of the current generation.
It should have been.
Swish!
The sharply extended sword tip grazed past Jang Seonyeon's hair.
Thud-! A few strands of hair cut and falling. It showed just how dire the situation was a moment ago.
The problem came once more.
Bzzt-!
From the thunder qi that erupted immediately after, Jang Seonyeon took another step back.
'Damn it.'
Whether it was his sword or his sound arts, he wasn't dealing any impact to that woman.
The ultimate art exuding terrifyingly from her form bound Jang Seonyeon's feet. And the sword dance pouring out from those gaps was incredibly fierce.
While unfolding his martial arts, he couldn't swing his sword at his usual speed.
Then what about that woman?
'She can produce that speed while maintaining that?'
He couldn't understand it.
He had to give up something just to maintain it, yet.
Facing the Emperor Sword Form directly, he seemed to understand it in more detail. To use that, she must be consuming more internal qi than he was.
She must be doing even more delicate control.
'And yet.'
She swings her sword at this speed? Jang Seonyeon couldn't believe it.
But the evidence was clear.
Clang-! Kaang!
As if not allowing a counterattack, Namgung Bia's attacks didn't stop. Not a single sign of exhaustion could be seen.
The sword imbued with thunder qi was so intense it felt like it would burn on contact.
In between, the aura pressure that disrupted his breathing made him feel like he would lose his mind.
Jang Seonyeon finally glared and pulled up his internal qi all at once. Timing it for the moment Namgung Bia approached a little closer.
Uuuung!
The sound rang loudly from the sword. With this much, he could at least blur her sword path.
It was a slightly excessive level of wasted qi, but.
He had to change the flow.
Because going on like this seemed pointless.
'First, make her stop. And distance oursel—'
Kwung-!
"Keugh!"
A heavy shock slammed into his chest. Jang Seonyeon immediately let out a groan and rolled on the ground.
He naturally thought she wouldn't be able to come in.
Namgung Bia had dug into his embrace as if it were nothing and threw a fist into Jang Seonyeon's chest.
"Cough... Cough...!"
Rolling on the ground, Jang Seonyeon barely took a stance and hastily turned his gaze.
It was to locate Namgung Bia's position.
It was also to block the ensuing attack, but contrary to expectations, Namgung Bia was standing still.
Is she not counterattacking?
'Why just now?'
Jang Seonyeon recalled the attack just now.
Did the martial art not work?
That couldn't be.
The martial art was definitely executed properly, and there was a sensation of success.
Then how...?
"..."
Namgung Bia's expressionless face came into view.
Soon, a streak of blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth.
Seeing that, he could tell.
It wasn't that it didn't work; Namgung Bia had simply taken the hit and endured it. How could she do that?
Her head and insides must have been shaken.
Just like the poisonous sting the other day, if she had taken it unknowingly, she would have had to vomit blood and collapse.
Namgung Bia, as if it were nothing, simply wiped away the flowing blood with her hand.
She didn't even let out a groan.
She didn't even grimace in pain.
The Emperor Sword Form was still being maintained. In that gap, Namgung Bia was just quietly looking down at Jang Seonyeon.
There was no arrogance in her eyes.
Just peaceful.
Like a calm lake, as if nothing had happened.
Her beautiful appearance, as if white jade were made into a human, was full of brilliance alongside it.
That figure was dignified and aloof.
Only because of that, she is a Namgung.
It was a thought that unwittingly crossed Jang Seonyeon's mind.
As that thought crossed his mind, Jang Seonyeon clenched his lips tightly.
Tight enough to bleed.
'It won't work like this.'
He had to admit it. That winning against that woman right now was impossible.
Therefore.
He had to use another method.
How long has it been since the spar began?
Judging by the elapsed time, not much time had passed.
They hadn't even exchanged many moves.
However, it was a fairly long time for silence to be maintained. The fact that countless people all kept their mouths shut meant it was that much of a difficult and shocking event.
Soon, someone broke the silence and spat out a sound.
"No... way."
It was a voice filled with astonishment.
This was the starting point.
Starting with the word someone inadvertently spat out, commotion began from all directions.
"That's, um, the Emperor Sword Form, isn't it? To use it so skillfully when even the Thunder Dragon couldn't show it..."
"How can moving the sword be like a dance... It is truly breathtakingly beautiful."
If you asked the people of the Central Plains if they knew the Namgung Clan, a hundred out of a hundred would say they did.
No matter how much one lived stuck in the mountains, the Namgung Clan was famous enough that it couldn't be unknown.
And their ultimate art, the Emperor Sword Form, was also famous enough that it couldn't be unknown.
Because a divine art that could express such overwhelming aura with destructiveness was only that one.
Based on the Namgung Clan's mental cultivation, not to mention physical training, one must freely handle the thunder qi that is expressed only upon reaching a certain level.
That was the minimum condition to use the ultimate art.
Just hearing it, it didn't sound too difficult.
Originally, reaching that point itself was not an easy task. As it was a martial art inherited only by direct blood relatives.
It wasn't something that could be easily learned either.
Becoming proficient to that level was impossible with ordinary talent.
Looking at Namgung Cheonjun, it was the same.
Even Namgung Cheonjun, who was recognized as somewhat of a genius, had only just drawn out his thunder qi, let alone using the Emperor Sword Form.
Then what about Namgung Bia?
'She was already using it when she met me.'
I recalled the first time I met her after regressing.
The time when I met Namgung Bia, who was lost and wandering on her way to Sichuan.
The aura she exhaled, saying she was from the Namgung Clan, was definitely the Emperor Sword Form.
It meant that from the time she met me, she was already close to completion.
"Unni is so cool..."
Dang Soyeol, who was sitting next to me and watching the spar with a face full of ecstasy, suddenly spat out a word.
Wi Seola, who was next to her, also nodded her head vigorously as if empathizing.
The sight of the fallen Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Bia, who was expressing her aura and spreading her presence around, was cool even from my perspective.
'...She's running completely wild.'
It was no wonder, as Namgung Bia had released the shackles she had placed on herself.
Right before going up on the spar stage, Namgung Bia asked me if she could release the aura she was holding back.
She was talking about the internal qi she circulated to kill Namgung Bia's presence.
I had taught her because it seemed inconvenient for her to keep wearing a veil.
'I only explained it and showed her a little, but she copied it right away.'
I was so dumbfounded when I saw that.
How long did it take me to learn just that one thing?
Her talent had to be acknowledged. It was a world and era with too many geniuses.
Terrifyingly so.
In there, I was rotting away alone with an inferiority complex.
Has it gotten better now?
I still don't know.
Thinking about it now, the Demon Sword Empress was a monster.
'Because she was at a level where she could annihilate her own clan by herself.'
Even though the Celestial Venerable wasn't there, if she was at the level of annihilating an entire clan alone, that was saying something.
It was different from me, who only became useful after receiving demonic qi and demonic arts from the Heavenly Demon and being thrown into the Demonic Realm to become a monster alone.
Because the Demon Sword Empress had demonic qi, but hadn't received demonic arts.
Then for what exactly, and hoping for what, did she become a demonic person?
I was curious, so I sometimes asked her.
Of course, the Demon Sword Empress never answered properly, but.
-A peaceful life.
She only repeated that answer.
"Sister... is much stronger than I thought."
"Yeah."
I couldn't help but empathize with Dang Soyeol's reply as if she was surprised.
Than I thought. Exactly those words.
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I thought she was strong, and I knew what level of realm she had reached.
But Namgung Bia was a much stronger person than expected.
"Bia Unni is incredibly cool!"
At Wi Seola's bright shout, I quietly nodded without saying a word.
'Yeah.'
I didn't say it out loud this time. Because it was secretly embarrassing.
Making my previous worries pointless.
Namgung Bia was driving Jang Seonyeon back with an overwhelmingly dominating appearance.
There was a dangerous moment in the middle when she took Jang Seonyeon's martial art head-on.
But Namgung Bia endured it.
Should that be described as mental fortitude?
Her insides must definitely be twisting even now.
The internal qi moving from the severe pain would be running wild on its own, but there was no problem with the martial arts Namgung Bia was using.
It meant she was calculating and controlling even her violently rampaging internal qi.
'...She's seriously crazy.'
She easily surpassed what could be audaciously done at the level of a late-stage expert.
Jang Seonyeon also possesses outstanding talent.
I hate to admit it, but that bastard is and will be an outstanding martial artist in the future.
Because those bastardly acts wouldn't be possible without talent.
'What kind of expression are they making?'
My gaze left the spar stage and headed towards a high place in the building.
It was where the key figures of the Murim Alliance were gathered.
They weren't visible, but the Alliance Lord was there of course, and perhaps even the Abbot of Shaolin might be there.
I briefly considered raising my qi perception to check, but stopped.
Because it would be troublesome if I got caught.
'Are their expressions rotten? Or are they finding it interesting?'
It didn't matter which of the two it was.
Of course, I was hoping for the latter if possible.
'It's a bit disappointing that I couldn't defeat him, though.'
I wanted to break an arm or a leg while making it look like an accident, but this is somewhat acceptable too.
Since I'll be getting rid of him later anyway.
"She told me to trust her."
When Namgung Bia told me to trust her, I didn't fully understand what she meant.
Now I think I know a little.
'I can watch with a bit more peace of mind now.'
She won't trip over her feet while foolishly stepping in footwork like Gu Jeolyeop.
She won't roll on the ground after being carelessly caught off guard like Namgung Cheonjun.
She had taken over the entire flow of the spar, and her internal qi, at a glance, wouldn't be lacking until the spar ended.
Now I can just think about what to do with the spar against Moyong Huia...
"Huh?"
While thinking, I suddenly looked at the spar stage, specifically at Jang Seonyeon.
My instincts were telling me to do so.
Kwung-!
The sound that soon followed was the sound of someone rolling on the ground.
What happened was instantaneous.
Jang Seonyeon, who had been sitting down, was standing up. And Namgung Bia, after rolling on the ground a few times, caught her stance and bolted up.
Namgung Bia was looking at Jang Seonyeon with a completely surprised expression, covering her nose.
"What... just happened?"
Dang Soyeol, who was watching, also had the same expression as Namgung Bia.
I was not in a situation where I could answer Dang Soyeol's question.
It was squirming.
My stomach, the qi in my dantian.
Just what was constricting me so numbly?
The unknown aura I had taken from Namgung Cheonjun was running wild with all its might.
Because the amount was so small, the Gu Yeom Hwa Ryun Gong had almost completely consumed it.
Yet the rampaging force was strong. Beyond imagination.
At the same time, I could feel it.
"That bastard."
The reason the aura was running wild was because of Jang Seonyeon on the spar stage.
I unknowingly clenched my fists tightly.
The more I did, the stronger it felt.
The exact same aura inside Jang Seonyeon's body, that is.