Srrng-
A hand extends forward.
The tip of the raised sword swings smoothly as if responding to it.
A space shrouded in darkness, barely visible.
In the midst of it, the old man's sword glimmers with light.
For a martial artist, darkness is hardly an obstacle.
Eyes imbued with inner energy could pierce even that.
Whish-!
Kwooo-!
With a single swing of the sword, a whirlwind surges.
Wind gathers at the toes grounding his stance.
The footwork becomes a storm.
Crackle.
Next, lightning merges with the wind.
After four or five swings of the old man's sword,
Shwiik-shwik!
The sound arrives belatedly.
As he moves, afterimages linger continuously in the air.
The speed surpasses sound, visible as traces in the air.
Changcheon Mu-Ae Sword.
A sword technique cultivated and tamed over countless years by the Namgung family.
Wielding inner energy and infusing it with lightning,
the old man’s perfected art unfolds ceaselessly in his hands.
Though his skin had wrinkled with age, and the vigor of youth had faded,
the level he attained made his martial prowess undiminished.
In fact, it would be more accurate to say he became even more refined over the long years.
Though strength had waned, his mastery of its use had grown.
The old man held confidence in his sword.
It was, he thought, sharper than ever before.
Tap.
His toes brushed the ground.
He leaned forward and shot forth, channeling lightning into his soles to increase speed.
Using the momentum, he drew power up to his right arm.
Changryongbo , a footwork technique extensively researched to optimize lightning’s usage,
makes the old man’s movements faster than anyone’s.
The afterimages left behind were so vivid, it seemed as though there were many of him.
Such speed only meant one thing.
One.
“It doesn’t reach…”
Even as his speed gradually increased,
the wrinkles on the old man's brow showed no signs of relaxing.
It doesn’t reach.
Neither the sword wrapped in lightning nor his own body,
not even his sound-breaking footwork, could pierce a certain line.
Haha.
Was it the nature of this space?
Unable to recklessly demolish the surroundings, he held back his strength.
Could that be the issue?
Indeed…
The old man shook his head inwardly.
He had drawn his sword in indignation, but he wasn’t so far gone as to lose himself in obsession.
It simply didn’t reach.
Neither his sword nor his body could reach that man.
This realization held various meanings for the old man.
The old man’s blue eyes turned toward the man.
A figure in the shadowy mist, his red eyes glowed distinctly even in the darkness.
There was not a hint of disturbance in his gaze.
Even after such a brief clash, could one remain so calm?
Seeing this, the old man recalculated inwardly.
“So, he’s been hiding his strength.”
Tiger Hero Gu Cheolwoon.
Years ago, a former commander of the Shinryongdae, a direct unit under the Martial Alliance leader.
Before that, he had been famed as the foremost prodigy, granted the title "Dragon of Shinryong."
Currently, he served as the head of the Gu family, his presence drastically reduced.
Yet, the Celestial Master knew vaguely who Gu Cheolwoon was.
Though not widely known,
Gu Cheolwoon was a man who had met and subdued all five Sages.
Moreover, he had withstood and won against two of them in joint attack.
It was astonishing.
While such a feat wasn’t impossible for the Celestial Master himself, considering Gu Cheolwoon’s age back then made it absurd.
Back then, he had only barely entered his thirties.
Of course, after that, he had gradually withdrawn from prominence, a fact even the Celestial Master momentarily forgot.
Was it because of this?
The Celestial Master could not comprehend the current situation.
No matter how strong the Tiger Hero had been back then.
“This situation makes no sense…”
Shwiik!
Once again, the sword sliced through empty space.
And again, nothing was cut.
He shifted his gaze.
Intending to locate Gu Cheolwoon,
but there was no need to bother. Gu Cheolwoon had never once left his sight.
It was as if—
“Catch me if you can—that’s what it seems to mean.”
That’s how it felt.
Haha.
The Celestial Master chuckled softly.
At himself, of all people? How remarkably arrogant.
Yet, even as he felt this, the Celestial Master grudgingly admitted it.
Even in a brief exchange, he could tell.
Gu Cheolwoon was a man entitled to such arrogance.
It was astonishing, really.
To live while concealing such a formidable presence.
“No further—this is enough.”
The Celestial Master’s grip tightened. He had no intention of killing Gu Cheolwoon.
He merely intended to make a point.
That one should not dare to disregard Namgung.
He was the representative of the Namgung family; this was not something to back down on.
If his family was insulted, then the appropriate retribution must be delivered.
The Celestial Master could not retreat.
Namgung was he, and he was Namgung.
Thud! The Celestial Master momentarily focused energy at his core.
If it won’t reach, the solution is to make it reach.
Whoosh-!
Heavy energy surged through his body’s pressure points.
The Celestial Master’s blue eyes glowed with light.
At the same time,
Kwooo-!
An immense pressure burst forth from the Celestial Master’s body.
Such vast energy that it nearly crushed the space around them.
It was Namgung’s secret technique, the King’s Sword Form .
Rumble…
The pressure exploded, shaking the walls around them.
Even with careful restraint, the surroundings couldn’t withstand it.
The Celestial Master adjusted his grip on his sword, suppressing his roaring energy.
Gu Cheolwoon faced the full brunt of the King’s Sword Form .
For a moment, his body should have been restricted.
As the Celestial Master’s energy-infused sword began to emit a blinding flash toward Gu Cheolwoon—
Shiver-!
“…!”
The Celestial Master abruptly halted his movement and twisted his body.
An eerie chill had just swept over him.
Retracting all motion and bursting his energy to twist his body,
the place where his chest had been was pierced by something.
Shwiish-!
It was Gu Cheolwoon’s arm.
Following this,
Fwoosh!
A small spark ignited in Gu Cheolwoon’s hand.
Kwooooosh-!
A massive flame erupted, hot enough to melt even the walls.
“What…?”
The Celestial Master’s eyes widened at the sight.
How?
Surely he had taken the King’s Sword Form head-on, yet he moved immediately after?
The Celestial Master’s mind went blank. This was an entirely unforeseen scenario.
And the speed—
Had he not twisted in earnest, he would have been hit directly.
Whoosh.
A sound of sparks flying from the front.
The Celestial Master immediately twisted his sword to switch into a defensive stance.
Crunch-!
“…Kuhk…!?”
A cracking sound from his shoulder.
The flame had vanished, and Gu Cheolwoon struck the Celestial Master’s shoulder.
He failed to block it.
Only then did the Celestial Master realize.
The sound of the spark was a feint.
But by then, it was too late.
His shoulder shattered, his stance broke.
To regain his stance would take time. A moment to others, but in the realm of martial artists, it was a matter of life and death.
In that moment, the Celestial Master sensed his defeat.
Yet.
“…?”
Nothing further happened.
Until the Celestial Master resumed his stance, Gu Cheolwoon made no move.
Not only that,
Gu Cheolwoon simply stood there, watching the Celestial Master, who had paused in attack.
As the Celestial Master looked at him in bewilderment, Gu Cheolwoon slowly began to speak.
“Is your careless complacency over?”
“…!”
“If so, then raise your sword properly.”
His calm words pierced through the Celestial Master’s chest.
Embarrassment surged up to the crown of his head.
“Haha… What a fool I’ve been.”
The pride he had barely held on to crumbled.
The Celestial Master realized he had made a mistake.
“I’ve shown an embarrassing side… My apologies, Lord Gu.”
The difference in actions.
He had been too dismissive.
Even though he realized from the first exchange that Gu Cheolwoon was no opponent to underestimate, he had still made a blunder.
Because Gu Cheolwoon was aware of this, he had granted him the realization in a rather humiliating manner.
Understanding this, the Celestial Master bit his lip.
He should have recognized it the moment he saw Gu Cheolwoon.
Just from his overwhelming presence and aura, he knew that Gu Cheolwoon was his equal.
Yet, foolish pride had prevented him from accepting it.
It was time to let go.
Buzz-!
The Celestial Master’s atmosphere changed.
The wind blew.
Lightning surged throughout his body, giving rise to a reactive force, and strength returned to his aged frame.
He unleashed all the power he had been restraining to prevent the collapse of the space.
Crack-!
Cracks formed in the air.
Light seeped out from the cracks.
Heart Sword.
The form of the Celestial Master’s Heart Sword illuminated all around.
As energy flowed out, his chest burned hot.
His core quivered, trembling with vibration, and energy poured out wildly to withstand it.
Feeling this, the Celestial Master swallowed his emotions.
When he first wielded the Heart Sword, it had not been so burdensome.
For some reason, wielding it now felt daunting.
“A heart demon, perhaps?”
Since the Heart Sword’s power stemmed from one’s state of mind,
the presence of a heart demon would only complicate things. He grit his teeth at the thought.
But it didn’t matter.
This was not the time for such concerns.
The sword’s glowing aura pointed directly at Gu Cheolwoon.
The sword in his grip radiated power.
Lightning pierced through the heat surrounding Gu Cheolwoon, seizing control of the area.
He took a step forward.
Whooosh!
The King’s Sword Form manifested again.
It expanded in size as it intertwined with the lightning.
The Celestial Master’s unleashed presence doubled.
It was enough to devour Gu Cheolwoon’s emanating heat and presence.
A second step forward. Pop! Lightning sparked.
The Celestial Master vanished from Gu Cheolwoon’s sight.
One Strike.
A slash imbued with the Celestial Master’s insight cut a diagonal line toward Gu Cheolwoon.
Simultaneously, the Heart Sword emitted light.
In the cramped space, there was no room to dodge.
Wind carried by the whirlwind mingled with lightning, transforming into thunder.
As the Celestial Master’s thunder pierced toward Gu Cheolwoon’s neck, just before the flash was unleashed—
Gu Cheolwoon’s eyes moved.
Those red eyes, they were looking straight at the Celestial Master.
And then.
Thud!
“Ugh…!”
Suddenly, a dull sound rang out as the Celestial Master’s sword was repelled.
Unable to control the backlash, the Celestial Master let out an involuntary gasp.
What had happened? The Celestial Master gulped as he assessed the situation.
Gu Cheolwoon had struck the flat of the sword with his fist, repelling it.
Moreover,
Crack-!
A shock spread, shattering the aura surrounding the sword.
The hardened energy cultivated over many years shattered with a single punch.
Watching the fragments of his aura scatter in the air, the Celestial Master’s chest grew cold.
As if that were not enough,
Gu Cheolwoon swung his unused left fist in the opposite direction.
Thwack.
When Gu Cheolwoon’s massive fist grazed the air, a fierce noise echoed.
Heart Sword.
The Celestial Master’s very essence and absolute power as a swordsman was split in two by a single punch.
Kwooooosh-!
As the power collapsed, the gathered pressure dispersed.
Rumble!
The unbound energy crashed against the walls, shattering everything around.
Cracks spread everywhere, as if the place would collapse any second.
The Celestial Master’s mouth hung open at the sudden situation.
How could he be so helpless?
Watching his shattered aura dissipate, strength left the Celestial Master’s body.
Thud.
“Grgh…”
His martial arts forcibly halted as the backlash spread.
Even his Heart Sword shattered, affecting his vessel directly.
Crackle.
Kneeling, blood trickled from the Celestial Master’s mouth.
“Hah… hah…”
Though pain ripped through him like cracks in a vessel, the Celestial Master looked up first.
Before him stood Gu Cheolwoon, unchanged from the beginning.
His hands clasped behind his back, his red eyes gazing down, entirely untouched by battle.
Seeing this, the Celestial Master let out a dry laugh.
“So… I truly had no idea.”
Not only had Gu Cheolwoon shattered his aura bare-handed, but he’d even crushed the Heart Sword.
Such effortless movements.
Gu Cheolwoon hadn’t even used anything that could be called martial arts.
Despite being a warrior skilled in fire techniques.
Without wiping the blood from his lips, the Celestial Master asked,
“How can you live in hiding with such power?”
More than surprise, curiosity now took precedence. How could he not wonder?
Gu Cheolwoon frowned slightly at the Celestial Master’s question, prompting him to speak further.
“Surely, there is no one in this world who could defeat you…”
There is no one in the world who could defeat him.
In the end, the Celestial Master acknowledged it.
Gu Cheolwoon was indeed the greatest in the world today.
There was no other way.
Witnessing such power, his pride as a martial artist would not allow him to deny it.
The Celestial Master was simply curious.
“Does the Wei family know of this?”
The Wei family—referring to the former leader of the Martial Alliance and the old master known as the Sword Master.
Did the Sword Master know of Gu Cheolwoon’s power?
In response, Gu Cheolwoon answered,
“He is aware.”
The Celestial Master, upon hearing the affirmative answer, fell deeper into his own questions.
“Then… why?”
Why hide such power?
The Celestial Master also knew the Gu family harbored many burdens.
Was he living in seclusion for those burdens?
As such thoughts crossed his mind,
“It simply does not matter to me.”
Gu Cheolwoon spoke in a detached voice.
“What you all consider so important, holds no relevance to me.”
The title of the strongest in the world.
The honor and fame that come with being a powerful warrior.
The pride and presence as a martial artist.
None of it held any significance to Gu Cheolwoon.
He couldn’t understand it.
At least to the Celestial Master, it was incomprehensible.
“Then… what is important to you, Lord Gu? What is your goal?”
“…”
What could be so important?
At the Celestial Master’s question, Gu Cheolwoon reflected.
Perhaps, there hadn’t been anything for a long time.
On that winter day when he had lost everything,
Gu Cheolwoon had abandoned even his dreams.
He had lived avoiding it for so long, but now he finally sought something again.
For that, he could no longer hesitate.
Without voicing an answer, Gu Cheolwoon stepped toward the Celestial Master. He had no intention of prolonging needless conversation.
His palm tightened.
Chi-i-i-i-k…
The Celestial Master could see it.
Gu Cheolwoon’s hand glowing red.
What was that?
It didn’t feel like fire energy, as there was no heat.
And beyond that, there was an unnerving absence of any sensation.
Ah.
The Celestial Master realized.
That it was his death, as he gazed upon Gu Cheolwoon’s hand.
He couldn’t even fathom the form of this power.
Yet precisely because of that, it was all the more terrifying.
With death looming at his throat, the Celestial Master spoke in a weary voice.
“You may take my life…”
“…”
“But please, I beg you, show mercy to the Namgung family…”
Once again, there was no response.
There was no longer any choice.
The Celestial Master closed his eyes in resignation.
Gu Cheolwoon reached out toward him.
Just before his blood-red hand could touch the Celestial Master—
“…Father?”
A sudden voice from nearby.
Hearing it, Gu Cheolwoon’s body froze.