Chapter 901
Despite the presence of over a hundred people, not even a small sound could be heard. Everyone had seemingly forgotten to breathe, their gazes fixed in one direction.
It was because a strange sight was unfolding to the point that the word ‘bizarre’ was fitting.
A throwing knife, barely longer than a palm.… was literally floating in the air. The floating throwing knife, as if it had been tied and held in place by transparent thread, seemed to ignore all the laws of the world.
Eventually, the throwing knife started to move at a dreadfully slow pace. at a rate of boredom, like a snail crawling
Despite the almost comical sight, there was no smile on everyone’s face.
Rather, they closed their mouths and shook their lips with faces turned blue. That image was the very feeling of those who watched the bizarre movements of the throwing knife.
“That….”
Baek Cheon clenched his fists without realizing it.
The throwing knife is pushing through the air. It’s so slow that one might wonder if it’s actually moving at all.
But Baek Cheon could feel it. The energy emitted by that throwing knife was so powerful that Baek Cheon’s internal strength was circulating on its own beyond his will to protect his body.
He can tell.
He knew the throwing knife this blade posed. The magnitude of what was at stake in that throwing knife.
Sweat dripped from Baek Cheon’s forehead.
‘Chung Myung?’
His gaze quickly turned away from the throwing knife and darted toward what it aimed.
Before he knew it, Chung Myung’s feet had stopped. Chung Myung’s feet, which seemed to be moving forward while cutting down everything in the world, were stuck on the ground for the first time since they started the spar.
More than the floating throwing knife overwhelming the surroundings, more than Tang Gun-ak’s pale face from exerting himself to launch the throwing knife, it was Chung Myung’s face – concentrating on the throwing knife flying towards him with tightly clenched lips – that filled Baek Cheon with a greater sense of urgency.
“Fa…ther-nim.”
Then, a very faint voice was heard. When he looked back, he saw Tang Soso closing her eyes with her hands clasped.
Of course, she would be conflicted. She couldn’t be happy about either’s victory.
But Baek Cheon wanted to witness the outcome of this spar with his own eyes. So did everyone else present.
Tang Gun-ak, the Poison King renowned throughout the world.
How much meaning is contained within his name?
For Baek Cheon and other rising stars, the name represents the order of Kangho and the power structure of the current Kangho.
Could Chung Myung surpass that heavy, formidable name?
‘Surpass it!’
Baek Cheon bit his lip hard.
‘Chung Myung-ah!’
He threw his gaze at Chung Myung with an anxious heart. Chung Myung was still staring at the throwing knife flying towards him.
Uuuuuung!
As if he would not allow a counterattack just yet, the throwing knife slowly moved towards Chung Myung.
Chung Myung’s whole body muscles were tense.
‘This is…?’
It felt as if a venomous snake, capable of snatching life away with the slightest touch, was watching him from a burrow.
A tension hung in the air, suggesting that the slightest movement would bring the fangs, laden with deadly poison, crashing down on him like lightning.
‘Dark Explosion Dagger?’
…No.
This was something even he did not recognize.
At least, none of the Twelve Throwing Knives used by Tang Bo had such a technique.
Then, was it a technique that even Tang Bo had not mastered?
No, that can’t be true.
Tang Bo had perfectly mastered all aspects of the Twelve Throwing Knives. That was why he was known as the ‘Dark Lord’ (??(暗尊)).
There can’t have been any technique that Tang Bo couldn’t have mastered, and there couldn’t have been a technique that he didn’t show Chung Myung.
Then…….
Squeeze.
Chung Myung’s hand tightly gripped the handle of his sword.
‘I have no choice but to see for myself.’
As Chung Myung moved, the throwing knife that had been advancing at a sluggish pace suddenly quickened.
Uuuuung!
Simultaneously, the throwing knife began to howl mournfully.
The throwing knife, which used to move like a slug, now flies like a snail. The speed that had been gradually increasing, little by little, has now become so fast that it is clearly visible to the eye.
And then.
Kureureurueng!
As a harsh sword cry erupted from the throwing knife, it began to slowly spin. Gradually gaining momentum, it spun so fiercely it became impossible to track with the naked eye.
Chwaaaaaaak!
The energy of throwing knives spread out in all directions and swirled around. The resulting wind pressure seemed to push the dirt and gravel on the ground to the sides and then started to pull it back in.
The dirt and pebbles rattled as they were sucked up into the enormous vortex.
Kwaaaaa!
A huge wind of tornado (???(龍卷風)) swirls around throwing knife. The huge whirlpool, colored in yellow color, looked more like a huge Yellow Dragon (??(黃龍)) preparing to ascend to heaven rather than the wind.
“Keuk!”
“Get back!”
Those who were watching the confrontation from a distance lowered their posture. This is because it seemed like the huge gravitational pull (??(引力)) would suck them in as well.
But that wasn’t the end.
The Yellow Dragon, which spins fiercely and absorbs everything, has not yet increased its speed.
It is just spinning and twirling as if threatening Chung Myung.
Bright blue light gushed from Chung Myung’s eyes. Even as he looked at the enormous whirlpool of energy, his mouth was curled up. He even showed his teeth and smiled.
As if he found the situation too pleasant.
‘Here it comes!’
And then.
Kwaaaaaaaaaaa!
A sudden, dramatic shift occurred.
The throwing knife that had been moving slowly, as if it would take a day to reach Chung Myung, suddenly shot forward with terrifying speed.
At that moment, Chung Myung saw it.
The throwing knife, which spins as if it were alone in the flow of another time with all the surrounding time slowing down. The vortex created behind it sucks everything around.
Even Chung Myung’s body was being sucked into the throwing knife flying towards him.
Then Chung Myung opened his eyes wide.
This is because it is an attack that even Chung Myung, who has overcome countless martial arts through numerous battlefields, could not have imagined, but the biggest reason was different.
The countless hidden weapons he had struck out, neutralized, and destroyed. Now that they have finished their utility, those scattered on the ground rise into the air as if responding to that vortex and begin to fly toward the throwing knife all at once.
‘What…?’
It was a sight akin to the earth erupting, surging towards Chung Myung.
If Flowers Rain All Over the Sky (???(滿天花雨)) descended from the sky to envelop the world, then this one swallows everything from the ground.
Even the world-renowned Chung Myung can’t help but be stunned by such an attack.
In the front, a wave of throwing knives wrapped in Soul Severing Sand and Ghost King Decree flies in as if to tear his body apart, and in the back, viciously toxic hidden weapons swirled around like a tempest.
There’s nowhere to run. Even above the head.
At that moment of desperation, what caught Chung Myung’s eyes was not the throwing knives flying toward him or Tang Gun-ak standing behind him with a pale face.
It was Baek Cheon and his group, mouths agape, shouting something.
‘That…’
Seeing the desperate look on their face, even tinged with despair, Chung Myung slightly distorted his face.
‘What a bunch of idiots.’
Why are you panicking?
Because they think he’ll be beaten? Or because they doubt the sword of Mount Hua will prevail?
Chung Myung’s sword drew a gentle curve.
‘Watch closely.’
Who wouldn’t have imagined it?
Who wouldn’t have hoped for it?
From the moment their ancestors who settled in Mt. Hua first picked up their swords, they all longed to someday see the ultimate peak of that sword.
Therefore, the predecessor conveys its will to the next generation.
Therefore, future generations learn and uphold the teachings of their predecessors.
‘Studies’ (?(學)) may have different names but it all represents the consensus of those with the same purpose. ‘Style’ (?(法)) may span between different eras but embodies the will of those with the same heart.
Therefore is it the study of the sword and therefore is it the sword style/technique.
‘It’s all here.’
It is contained in Mount Hua’s sword. Everything that those who bore the name of Mount Hua Sect from ancestors until now have hoped for.
And now, to that sword, the wills of those standing here and of Chung Myung himself will be added.
‘Bloom.’
Red plum blossoms bloomed at the tip of Chung Myung’s sword.
Blooming (??(開花)). It represents the vitality for conception and the purity for birth.
And what follows?
‘Spread forth.’
If they establish their will correctly, believe in it, and carry through, it will spread throughout the world. May the scent of plum blossoms bloom in full bloom across the vast nine lands of the world.
“Plum Blossoms… Chaos in the Nine Lands (梅花亂九州)…”
The bloomed plum blossoms gently swayed. It is blown by the blowing wind, the sound of softly rustling grass, and the flowing clouds.
There are no two plum blossoms that are the same.
Some lacked petals, others hadn’t fully bloomed, while some were modest. Even when they are in full bloom, some plum blossoms are so pale in color that they don’t look good.
But as more plum blossoms bloom, each different flower becomes part of a collective wave, blending into one flow.
The plum blossom does not resist the blowing wind, but instead carries itself and slowly swims in the air.
Sometimes lively, sometimes gentle.
Riding on the rising wind, swirling, soaring, sitting still, and far away.
The plum leaves that spread around Chung Myung’s body blocked the hidden weapons flying behind him.
Kagak!
Then, the fierce hidden weapons penetrated the petals mercilessly.
But before one petal could fully shatter, a new one blocked its path, and as another petal crumbled, yet another freshly arrived petal embraced the cold metal.
Kagang!
The clear sound of metal spread like music.
The sand laden with poison, the metal needles reflecting the sunlight, all lost their momentum as they became entangled in the petals that felt as light as air.
Wasn’t it said that the net of heaven is wide and loose, yet lets nothing escape (天網恢恢疏而不失)?
The petals riding the wind seemed just fluttering about, but they missed nothing that flew towards Chung Myung.
And then, everyone saw it.
The hidden weapons and poisoned sand, which seemed like they would envelop Chung Myung in an instant and wreak havoc, were repelled upon hitting the plum blossoms.
“……!”
The plum blossom gently pushes away everything that clings to it, scattering chaotically, spreading throughout the world(梅花亂九州).
Beyond the vast training ground, reaching even farther.
The swirling red plum petals spread as if a giant plum blossom were blooming.
Kwaduduk! Kwadeududududuk!
With all the power of Tang Gun-ak, Chumonbi moves forward, breaking through a flurry of plum blossoms. Forward and forward.
Shaking as if about to fall, yet never stopping.
It swirled violently, tearing the petals and pushing them away. The Chuhonbi surged ahead as if it were squeezing its last strength.
Chwaak.
Cutting through another petal.
Chwaak.
Breaking another sword energy.
However, the throwing knife, who was somehow moving forward, soon seemed to have run out of strength, trembling, slowing down and stopping. Even Mount Hua’s disciples couldn’t help but let out a sigh of pity at this sight.
But then, at that very moment.
Kwaang!
Tang Gun-ak’s body flew like a flash into the stopped throwing knife, with an explosion that instantly shattered the silence that had enveloped Mount Hua at once.
Mount Hua’s disciples widened their eyes at this unexpected movement.
Tang Gun-ak, who grabbed the throwing knife at once, immediately smashed the plum blossom sword energy in a flash and charged forward.
And Chung Myung rushed towards him as if it were natural.
“That!”
“Sto- Stop!”
Screams erupted from the disciples of Mount Hua disciples, who really thought it would end only if either one of them died.
Kwaaaaaaaang!
The Chuhonbi and Chung Myung’s Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom Sword collided head-on in mid-air.
Kwaaaaaaa!
A fierce wind exploded in all directions, creating a terrifying surge of energy.
Uuuuuung.
The throwing knife, aimed right at Chung Myung’s throat, trembled. Tang Gun-ak’s sleeves billowed as if he was about to unleash more hidden weapons.
Squeeze!
The sword, which seemed as if it would split Tanggunak’s face at any moment, radiated red energy. As if it was about to split him apart with the dagger in tow.
A world that has come to a standstill at the clashing sword blades.
That moment when no one can dare to come forward and no one can open their mouth.
There was only one thing that moved.
A single flower petal fluttering in the air.
One fragile petal, swept up in their spar and carried into the sky, slowly fell, riding the calm air currents.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on this scene.
The petals, which fell slowly, rose slightly again and swayed back and forth, and soon approached the Chuhonbi and Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword, who were aiming at each other.
And then, as if to mark a quiet end, it gently landed on the Chuhonbi.
“…….”
“…….”
The eyes of the two headed to the plum leaves resting on the blue sword blade.
A real plum petal, not one made of sword energy.
The moment they see this powerful collision and the out-of-place flower petals, both people’s faces become blank at the same time.
The sword was naturally lowered.
As they looked alternately at the petals and each other’s faces, a wry smile spread across their lips.
Chung Myung gently grabbed the blade of the Chuhonbi aimed at his neck with his left hand. Similarly, Tang Gun-ak lightly seized the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword pointing at his face with his left hand.
The two, who held the weapons as if taking them away, looked at each other’s weapons in their hands without saying a word.
“…I never thought this sword’s edge would wear out like this.”
“That sounds like my line. For the weapon of Tang Gaju to be in such a state…”
The numerous scars on the blades seemed to speak of their past times.
Tak.
Tang Gun-ak, who caught the throwing knife thrown by Chung Myung, held out the Dark Fragrant Plum Blossom Sword in his hand to Chung Myung.
The two, who had been staring at each other silently for a long time, burst into laughter without any reservations.
Chung Myung, shrugging his shoulders, smiled broadly and asked.
“Shall we continue?”
“Hmm.”
Tang Gun-ak pondered for a moment, then shook his head decisively.
“There’s no point anymore.”
“…….”
An extremely warm smile spread across his lips.
“Welcome back, Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”
“Woaaaaaaaah!”
At last, a loud cheer erupted from all around.
It was more than just a display of martial prowess.
Mount Hua and Tang Family. It was the moment when those two big names stood face to face after three years.