Chapter 57 : Chapter 57
Chapter 057. Proof (2)
"Come. This old man will yield the initiative."
In the attitude of Lee Myeong-gi, who was shielding his chest with his sword and preparing for a counterattack, there was no sign of looking down on Dam Jeok-san.
The position of Squad Leader in the Northern Wind Sword Corps is not given to just anyone. The Mountain Breaking Axe and the Soul Killing Fist are genuine powerhouses tempered by endless actual combat.
Even if Lee Myeong-gi himself wielded the sword, he wouldn't be able to subdue them neatly in one breath like Dam Jeok-san.
Such people knelt before Dam Jeok-san's sword without even being able to draw out all their capabilities.
A facet showing Dam Jeok-san's innate combat sense. Lee Myeong-gi knows. How powerful a ripple effect the vague talent called ‘sense’ has. Because he himself was able to become an Ultra-Peak master despite his late age thanks to awakening the ‘sense’ of handling the sword.
The old swordsman who dedicated his whole life to the Martial Sovereign Castle absolutely did not see the young man who might become the successor of the Castle as merely a greenhorn.
"Gladly."
Dam Jeok-san kicked off the ground with fierce momentum as if responding to Lee Myeong-gi's attitude.
It is the moment when the one who supported the Castle's past clashes with the one who shoulders the Castle's future. Further questions and answers would be meaningless. Because they will talk with their swords from now on.
WHOOSH!
From struggle and fall to comeback. The Sword Flame that greedily devoured Dam Jeok-san's life burned more vividly than ever.
Dam Jeok-san's sword cut through the air with a chilling momentum like a ray of light. A solid thrust without artifice.
As if exploratory skirmishes were meaningless, he put everything he had built up into the tip of his sword from the very first strike.
Seeing that sword, Lee Myeong-gi's cheekbones twitched and the corners of his mouth curled up. It was enjoyable. Testing the qualification of the Monster Repelling Squad Leader as the Severing Sword Squad Leader, and even watching a young man as an old man.
Compared to the struggle between swordsmen, it was enjoyable enough to feel meaningless.
If the Third Young Master comes out like that, this old geezer will also gladly show a sword containing everything.
Lee Myeong-gi swallowed those words inwardly and took a step toward Dam Jeok-san.
It seemed like a meaningless step, but the reality was completely different. A step to dodge Dam Jeok-san's strike while moving to a position good for swinging his sword at him.
A move that personally demonstrates the truth that the beginning of all swordsmanship is footwork.
At the same time, Lee Myeong-gi's sword rushed toward Dam Jeok-san with fierce momentum as if to tear space apart.
If dodged, cut. He implemented that simple proposition.
‘Now, Third Young Master, if you cannot read the Sword Intent contained here, probably—’
‘I die!’
Although Dam Jeok-san didn't exchange words with Lee Myeong-gi, he instinctively realized that fact. It was not an exaggeration to say that exchanging swords is conversation.
He simplified his thoughts as much as possible within the crushing sense of death.
‘Think.’
Fear is of no help in overcoming a crisis. His mind, having gone through shambles comparable to the martial artists of the North, was forged sharply like a treasured sword.
The situation is simple. The opponent intends to cut him from a place where his own sword cannot reach.
Then there are two methods. Either head to a place where the opponent's sword cannot reach either—
Or force the opponent into the range of his own sword.
Dam Jeok-san chose the latter.
Superhuman strength twisted the trajectory of the sword that had already extended. Joints burdened with immense load screamed. Sharp pain rose with a strange rupturing sound as if something was snapping, but Dam Jeok-san didn't care at all.
However, twisting the trajectory was not enough. Because Lee Myeong-gi's sword had already approached right before his eyes, scattering chilling sharpness.
‘Too late.’
Dam Jeok-san clicked his tongue but did not give up. It can be solved. Too late? Then just move faster.
Terrifyingly thick shockwaves flowed from his body.
CRACK!
The sound of joints twisting and qi points becoming tattered flowed past his ears. Dam Jeok-san concentrated his mind with his molars clenched tight, paying no heed.
As if reacting to his powerful will, the Spirit of the Upper Dantian glowed white-hot as if burning, and reality stretched out like taffy.
Thought was extremely accelerated, albeit temporarily. Now, he can block Lee Myeong-gi's sword.
The moment such conviction arose—
‘Now...!’
He thrust his sword into that gap.
The Red Cloud Sword became a single ray of light. A sword speed normally reachable only by unfolding the Monkey-Destroying One Flash.
CLANG!
Lee Myeong-gi's sword, which rushed as if to split his head in half, was blocked.
Although Dam Jeok-san was pushed back as if bouncing back with his sword, that was all. There was no serious injury.
He recovered his posture and stared blankly at Lee Myeong-gi.
From the old man, from his sword, a question seemed to be heard: ‘Did you see?’
And Dam Jeok-san gladly answered with his sword. That he saw.
However, as if that was merely an exploratory skirmish, Lee Myeong-gi swung his sword without a moment's delay. His sword clawing the air once again. Again, a sword path that can cut the opponent most efficiently.
‘Ha...!’
Was that a strike he could extend at all times? Admiration settled in Dam Jeok-san's eyes for an instant.
Lee Myeong-gi's realm is merely at the entrance of Ultra-Peak. Even his body is senile, and his amount of accumulated qi is shallow compared to masters of the same rank.
However, the perfection of that sword alone is at a level far exceeding Murong Gang. A great swordsman, and an exquisite swordsmanship.
‘Then there is no reason not to learn.’
Dam Jeok-san swung his sword simultaneously as he stepped half a step back.
Dodge and cut. He instantly applied Lee Myeong-gi's understanding of actively utilizing the secrets of footwork.
Of course, it wasn't perfect. But it was enough to buy a tiny bit of time.
Time to imbue will onto the sword tip. Because he couldn't contend with Lee Myeong-gi with a simple swing without even Sword Intent loaded.
As soon as the Sword Intent burned along the flames, the old swordsman's sword struck Dam Jeok-san's sword. Dam Jeok-san felt a heavy impact and was pushed back far.
He staggered but corrected his posture again.
Such precarious situations continued endlessly.
BOOM! CRASH! BOOM!
Every time the two collided, heavy explosions that couldn't be seen as sounds of swords clashing rang out successively.
Just by the sparks of Sword Flame flying, indentations were left on the training ground floor, and acrid smoke rose from all directions.
Lee Myeong-gi struck down at Dam Jeok-san with his sword as if swinging an axe.
And Dam Jeok-san steadfastly withstood it. His joints screamed, scratches were carved on his body, and it felt like his qi points were twisting, but anyway, he withstood it.
And every time he withstood, the distance he was pushed back decreased slightly, and the time it took to correct his posture became shorter. He was adapting to the battle with Lee Myeong-gi with his innate combat sense.
‘Was I too complacent?’
Even while withstanding like that, Dam Jeok-san's expression was not very bright.
He didn't know Lee Myeong-gi could pour out countless sword strikes like that.
If a simple strike is like that, what about his ultimate techniques?
‘I didn't want to reveal my cards first if possible.’
Originally, he intended not to take out the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style before checking Lee Myeong-gi's ultimate techniques. But doing so seemed unable to dramatically improve the disjointed situation.
Although responding is becoming easier as he adapts to the opponent's swordsmanship, a limit will soon come to that too. Because Lee Myeong-gi is not a fool either.
Much more intense Sword Intent began to gather at Dam Jeok-san's sword tip than before. It was a precursor to unfolding the swordsmanship of the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style, created based on his mental image from birth.
And.
"...!"
Seeing that, surprise settled on Lee Myeong-gi's face for the first time.
* * *
"...He can handle the old man's Severing Sword Dance for that long?"
"Indeed. I thought he intended to properly discipline him by unfolding the Severing Sword Dance from the beginning. What on earth is this?"
Two Squad Leaders watching the duel from the corner of the training ground whispered as if they couldn't believe it.
Surprisingly, it's a tone admiring Dam Jeok-san, who is clearly showing inferiority.
However, the Squad Leaders' reaction was extremely normal. Because the Severing Sword Dance is an ultimate technique in which Severing Sword Squad Leader Lee Myeong-gi's life is melted.
Dodge and stab, dodge and cut. Don't die and kill. Since it is a technique containing all those realizations in a single sword, it has to be an ultimate technique.
In the meeting place, no one except the Extreme Heaven Squad Leader, who is also an Ultra-Peak master, has withstood that Severing Sword Dance for this long.
At most, only the Dream Moon Squad Leader and the former Monster Repelling Squad Leader withstood barely over ten exchanges.
Yet Dam Jeok-san was currently handling Lee Myeong-gi pouring out the Severing Sword Dance for a time close to half a double hour, exceeding one tea-time.
It was difficult to even count how many exchanges had passed during that time.
"Old Man Severing Sword is also truly an amazing person."
The Squad Leader who spat out admiration for Dam Jeok-san moved his gaze to Lee Myeong-gi this time.
To maintain a dance pouring out swords close to ultimate techniques at an age over seventy.
Even Lee Myeong-gi didn't look very tired. In fact, there was a time he annihilated a monster colony alone while unfolding the Severing Sword Dance for over a double hour.
The simple secret of dodge and cut applied even to non-human monsters.
"As expected, it would be impossible for the new Monster Repelling Squad Leader to beat the old man, right?"
That Squad Leader continued speaking while stroking his chin.
"Well."
The one who tackled that was none other than the Broad Battle Squad Leader who had just regained consciousness.
"Perhaps... it might not be to the extent of impossible."
He was a martial artist who supported the Eldest Young Master, rare in the North where most maintain neutrality in the succession dispute. Yet now he made a remark praising Dam Jeok-san.
Surprise settled in the eyes of the listening Squad Leaders.
"Why, did your mind clear up after getting beaten up a bit?"
The woman with bandages wrapped around her two hands, the Dream Moon Squad Leader, said sarcastically looking at such a Broad Battle Squad Leader.
"...Yeah."
The Broad Battle Squad Leader unexpectedly accepted that sarcasm nonchalantly. No, beyond that, he showed an attitude as if acknowledging it.
If asked who is stronger, it is definitely Lee Myeong-gi. Because there is an insurmountable vast barrier between Peak and Ultra-Peak.
However, the Mountain Breaking Axe, who had been beaten directly by Dam Jeok-san, could feel it instinctively. The fact that there is a certain flash beyond realm in him.
‘Although I don't know clearly what that is.’
Because he was subdued before he could properly fight. But the fact that he subdued him without even taking that out was surprising in itself.
To know that fact and not respect him for political reasons is merely abandoning a martial artist's honor.
"But one thing is certain. It's just not impossible, but it will be very difficult."
He said while capturing Dam Jeok-san, who was constantly being pushed back, in his eyes.
Of course, exchanging blows for that long itself is an amazing thing. But before being the Monster Repelling Squad Leader, Dam Jeok-san is the disciple of the Martial Sovereign. He must show greatness beyond what ordinary people think.
Just as Dam Jeok-san before losing his dantian did.
And just as the current Eldest Young Master did.
A short while later.
The momentum Dam Jeok-san exuded changed completely.
And an unbelievable scene glimmered in the Broad Battle Squad Leader's eyes.
"H-How...! That kind of?"
* * *
Northern Shanxi Province, the frontier bordering the pass.
As if a storm had passed there, traces of digging were evident on the ground, and several trees uprooted entirely were visible.
However, the man wearing a sedge hat could know instinctively.
That this is a trace of battle, not a natural disaster. And that it is a trace left by a battle between swordsmen.
According to what the man heard.
One side is Murong Gang, a descendant of the Five Great Families who disappeared decades ago.
And the other side is Dam Jeok-san, the disciple of the Martial Sovereign who discusses being the number one under heaven in the current age.
Traces left by others were, speaking coldly, not at a level worth noticing.
Messily carved sword marks are visible on the floor. The man could vaguely predict the aspect of the battle with just that.
It is clear that Murong Gang drove Dam Jeok-san while occupying overwhelming superiority.
However, Dam Jeok-san did not retreat and accepted that offensive. Traces that could only come out if he did so were visible.
Swordsmen with excellent skills are overflowing. However, those with the spirit not to retreat even when facing someone stronger than themselves are rare.
And those who achieve results without stopping at just spirit are even rarer.
"It's hard to fathom even with my eyes."
The person called the Emperor of the Sword in the south of the Yangtze River in name and reality. Sword King Namgung Gwan muttered, revealing a complex look clearly.
— Father, as the Young Family Head, I dare to say, I want to bet the fate of Namgung on him.
Dam Jeok-san.
His eldest daughter, whom he picked as his successor, poured out extreme praise for him through a letter. Reciting words she had never even said to her father.
So he was extremely curious about what kind of man Dam Jeok-san was.
And today, seeing these sword marks, he became even more curious about the person called Dam Jeok-san.
As Namgung Yeon's father, as the Family Head of Namgung, and as a swordsman.