Chapter 140
Great Evolution Sword Art.
Namgung Jong had said it was a simple technique, the first to be learned after mastering the basics. But having now experienced it directly, I could say with certainty—it was anything but simple.
Kkaang!
A sharp metallic clang echoed throughout the training grounds. The sword trajectory, which should have been clean and simple, felt particularly fierce.
Neither of us was using sword qi, and we had matched our physical capabilities after a few exchanges, yet Namgung Jong’s sword carried something beyond just strength.
No, it definitely did.
His obsession with the sword, his deep understanding of it, flowed through each stroke.
That is what made it Great Evolution.
A technique that becomes heavy when it must be heavy, light when it must be light, and flashy when it must dazzle.
And all of this felt... strangely familiar. While I don’t have any set sword forms, my basic combat style shares several similarities with the Great Evolution Sword Art.
Kagak!
I struck the flat side of his sturdy downward stroke with a sideways blow, pushing it aside with force. Then, I lightly pushed off the ground.
It wasn’t to throw Namgung Jong off balance. If all other conditions were equal, that sword would be unstoppable.
So instead, I used the recoil to propel myself to the side, avoiding the clash and immediately thrusting forward.
It was a modified technique—originally meant to deflect the opponent’s sword and immediately follow up with a thrust.
The sword, rising from below the waist like a wolf that never missed its chance, resembled the fang of a predator...
“Huup!”
Namgung Jong pulled back, spinning in a wide arc.
My sword lost its power and momentum against the silvery arc his blade traced.
Like a wolf getting smacked before it could even bite.
That was the general feel of the clash between his Great Evolution Sword Art and my Blood Wolf Sword.
I would respond to each of Namgung Jong’s techniques with counterattacks. At times, I initiated the offense, only for him to face it head-on.
Though our combat styles were similar, the gap in our martial arts’ level was too wide.
Namgung Jong swung using the forms of Great Evolution exactly as they were taught, while I subtly modified each of my moves.
Perhaps because we understood so well when and how to swing the sword, and which technique to use, the duel felt more like a stage performance.
Still, it was enjoyable.
Of course, neither of us could stick to just one martial art forever.
Perhaps thinking the same, Namgung Jong stepped back and opened his mouth instead of charging in again.
“I think that’s enough for now. Shall we move on to the next?”
“Very well. The technique I’ll use next has no name. The martial artist who taught it to me said it was still incomplete and died before naming it.”
“Still, for a martial art not to have a name—especially one someone remembers and practices—that's too sad, isn't it? How about giving it a temporary name at least?”
That made sense. “Then, following its original purpose, I’ll call it Slash-the-Drop Sword.”
It was an incomplete second-rate sword technique I had learned by offering up everything I owned at the time.
Of course, what I had may have been everything to me, but to him, it was likely pocket change.
Even so, he’d willingly passed it down to me. Why?
He believed that one day, he would create an exceptional martial art and, with it, found his own sect.
His only condition for teaching me was that if he ever founded that sect, I’d be its first disciple.
The technique he taught was actually quite decent. Had it been completed, it might well have been recognized as first-rate.
But he died before achieving that dream—cut down during a merchant escort job by Green Forest Bandits.
Though he was greedy for money, he was one of the more decent sorts among the unorthodox faction...
Anyway, his life goal had been to complete that martial art.
A technique that could slice even falling raindrops.
That’s why I named it Slash-the-Drop Sword.
“To cut raindrops… it must be an exquisite speed-based sword.”
“I’ll show you now, so you can feel it for yourself... Oh, I’ve filled in a few gaps since it was too incomplete—will that be all right?”
“That’s still your sword, Brother Cheon. I want to see your sword, not that of some nameless swordsman.”
“In that case—”
I smirked and stepped forward. At the same time, I lowered my upper body and twisted sideways.
Namgung Jong’s eyes gleamed as he adjusted his stance in response to my peculiar posture.
“As I thought, a speed sword. Then I shall face it with a speed-based sword as well.”
He dropped his shoulders, the tip of his blade lowering as a result—a perfectly relaxed stance. In that state, any stroke of the sword would flow naturally, no matter the direction.
As I tensed every muscle, Namgung Jong assumed a posture that was the complete opposite of mine.
“This technique is called Heavenly Wind Sword Art. It’s also focused on the mystery of speed.”
“...I don’t think that’s all it is.”
“Then you’ll just have to find out what else is hidden within.”
Namgung Jong chuckled, and that chuckle signaled the start.
We swung our swords simultaneously.
Ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and wrists—every joint and muscle in my body moved solely for the purpose of slashing.
Right now, I was a bow, firing the sword like an arrow.
My twisted joints unwound, my muscles added recoil, and I unleashed a speed slash so fast it was hard to follow with the eyes—
Kaaang!
It was blocked by Namgung Jong’s sword—slightly slower than mine but fast enough to counter.
Had this been the original Slash-the-Drop Sword, it would’ve ended here. A technique built for a single, fastest strike to split a raindrop—nothing beyond that.
In other words, it had no follow-up.
That’s why I never used it on its own, despite incorporating bits and pieces of it elsewhere.
But now, things were different.
After studying the seamless flow of Zhongnan Sect’s techniques and imitating them even just a little, I had changed.
“Huup!”
I forcefully connected a technique that was meant to end in one strike.
“Huh?!”
A startled Namgung Jong hurriedly deflected my next slash.
But that wasn’t the end.
Even my broken posture became a stepping stone for the next strike, and the onslaught continued.
Controlling one’s body to perfection and always seeing at least one move ahead—only then could one wield this kind of swordsmanship.
Slash-the-Drop Sword was designed to slice raindrops.
But rain doesn’t fall in single drops.
It fills the heavens and earth in countless uncountable streams.
To cut all of that, one must strike again and again—like a torrential downpour of sword strikes.
“This... How can you call this an unfinished technique?”
Namgung Jong let out a wry chuckle, arms working overtime to match my strikes.
No matter how quickly or from what angle I attacked, his sword responded aptly.
This was beyond a simple speed sword.
“I see now. Heavenly Wind Sword Art... so that’s what the name meant.”
“Oh? You already figured it out?”
“After seeing that much, how could I not?”
Heavenly Wind. Just like its name—wind that roams the sky—Namgung Jong’s sword was free and unbound.
Speed was just a means to reach that freedom, not the goal.
Unlike Slash-the-Drop, which aimed solely for the fastest cut, Heavenly Wind was fundamentally different.
But so what?
A sword that mimics the wind may be noble, but swords were never created for noble purposes.
More importantly, Slash-the-Drop Sword was made to cleave through such lofty ideals.
“Try taking this one too.”
This was a friendly duel, not a life-or-death match, so I gave a slight warning—and then accelerated even further.
A sword aiming to resemble wind, and a sword that had to become the rain to slice it—our blades collided chaotically.
Like a violent storm, neither side giving an inch.
And it was I who gained the upper hand.
Teuhng!
Namgung Jong’s sword flew back as he took a half-step back.
Not enough to decide victory—but proof that my Slash-the-Drop Sword had surpassed his Heavenly Wind Sword Art in that exchange.
Namgung Jong lowered his sword instead of continuing.
“Excellent. Truly excellent. That sword was definitely incomplete. At first, I thought you had just mixed in some other techniques... but to complete the incomplete with your own hands...”
“Thank you. Your Heavenly Wind Sword Art was also outstanding. It truly lives up to the Namgung name.”
“You flatter me. Honestly, I thought I’d take the upper hand.”
“Well, everyone thinks that.”
I had indeed completed Slash-the-Drop Sword in my own way.
If it was a sword with no follow-up, then I’d just keep repeating it endlessly.
Still, this was merely a rushed patchwork.
It couldn’t compare to the refined and time-tested Heavenly Wind Sword Art.
If we were to compare purely the level of swordsmanship, his technique was far superior.
After all, it was a definitive advancement-type martial art.
And Namgung Jong's mastery over it was no joke.
The only reason I had beaten him was simple—
My understanding of the sword surpassed his.
“Brother Cheon, you wield the sword better than I do.”
“You flatter me.”
“It’s no flattery. I’ve known people with more strength, more intelligence, or deeper internal energy than me—but I never thought I’d meet someone who understands the sword better.”
Namgung Jong’s admiration was sincere. His eyes made me feel just a little guilty.
After all, strictly speaking, I’m not young enough to be considered part of the younger generation.
I’ve wielded a sword longer than he’s even been alive—of course I should be better.
Not that I could ever say that aloud. So I’ll let him keep misunderstanding.
Guilt aside, the duel with Namgung Jong was deeply rewarding for me as well.
I think I caught a glimpse of what the Namgung Clan’s swordsmanship aims for.
Seorin had once told me not to compromise, to aim higher.
I hadn’t understood her fully then, but now... seeing the Namgung style in action, I think I get it.
The Great Evolution Sword Art, which manifests only when understanding overflows and translates into the power of forms.
The Heavenly Wind Sword Art, which seeks freedom, striving to become wind itself through swift strikes.
To me, they sounded like lofty ideals... but maybe, just maybe, they’re meant to help one see beyond the immediate opponent.
Just like Seorin said—so that you aim higher, never compromising or yielding, always advancing.
If the scenery at the end of that path becomes your singular will...
Then Namgung Clan’s swordsmanship must be seen as a whole to be truly understood.
Feeling a bit thrilled, I opened my mouth.
“I still have several techniques left. What about you, Brother Namgung?”
“Hmm? I’ve only got Thirteen Lightning Strikes of the Sacred Sword and Solitary Soul Blade. After that, only Limitless Sky Blade Art and Sovereign Sword Form remain.”
“I have a few more than that. Would it be alright if I proceed at a slightly faster pace?”
“I didn’t expect that. By all means. I’ll switch to the next technique at the right moment myself.”
“Understood. Then, let’s continue.”
Thus, our duel continued for a long while after.
From the miscellaneous techniques I had picked up, to solid advancement-type martial arts.
Traces of my past life, where I had struggled to make up for my shallow foundation, began to show.
And Namgung Jong responded to each of them joyfully, countering with his own techniques.
Sometimes I was pushed back, sometimes he was—but overall, I had the clear upper hand.
Even when he moved on from Limitless Sky Blade Art to the Sovereign Sword Form, the result didn’t change.
The pressure from all directions, the overwhelming aura of his sword—worthy of the title “Sovereign”—was intense...
But to me, who had now fully wielded the Raging Wave Death-Stealing Art, it felt... clumsy.
No matter how domineering the presence, it couldn’t suppress my killing intent.
And his overwhelming technique that aimed to crush opponents head-on... fell apart when my sword found the slightest opening and tore into it.
The final clash ended with a whimper.
The duel ended in my victory—but instead of celebrating, I blurted out something before I realized.
“Brother Namgung.”
“You are better suited for Limitless Sky Blade Art than the Sovereign Sword Form.”
“...!”
I now understood why, in my previous life, he had been known as the Azure Sky Sword Master.