Chapter 151: Myungwang’s Manifestation. -01
Kwaaaaaang!
Each time the long spear of the Spear Lord, mounted atop his massive warhorse, flashed, the surrounding area was reduced to scorched ruin.
Not a single person had been able to withstand his Spear Force.
More than a dozen experts had surged forward, raising their Force Energy, yet they had been utterly helpless before him.
Among them were even Elders of the Mount Zhongnan Sect.
‘……It’s impossible.’
Seonwu Cheong’s face hardened stiffly.
No matter how objectively he judged it, his chances of victory were slim.
No—forget victory, he did not believe he could even last ten exchanges.
He had struggled desperately so as not to become a disgraceful father to his son, yet the moment he saw the Spear Lord, he felt all that effort turn meaningless.
“Shall we move even now?”
As everyone fell silent before the Spear Lord’s martial prowess, Sama Uiseong cautiously asked.
The group had been horrified by the Great War God’s martial arts, but Sama Uiseong was different.
Having held a separate discussion with Ban Hojin, he had anticipated the current situation to some degree.
Though, truthfully, it was still difficult to believe even now.
“Not yet. Let’s observe a little longer. You’ve memorized all the routes, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
They had stayed up through the night devising their movement paths, so once a destination was chosen, they could take the shortest route immediately.
They had already verified everything in advance; all that remained was a decision.
“Let’s watch. The other side won’t just sit back and take it quietly.”
“It’ll be alright?”
“We’ll have to see. But aren’t you curious? A clash between the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven and the Great War Gods.”
“…You’re not even surprised?”
“Everyone expected it, didn’t they? That Ironblood Fortress’s strength wasn’t something to be taken lightly. Great Hero Oh told us so himself.”
Answering in his usual indifferent tone, Ban Hojin drew a curious look from Seonwu Bang.
Even Sang Il-gi could not fully conceal his tension, yet Ban Hojin appeared far too relaxed.
Of course, Seonwu Bang knew Ban Hojin was strong.
But even so, this level of composure was difficult to understand.
“That’s true, but…”
“Watch carefully. It’s a sight you couldn’t witness even if you paid a thousand pieces of gold.”
“I know it’s a rare opportunity, but the situation isn’t good.”
Seonwu Bang gazed at the battlefield with regretful eyes.
Unlike their calm exchange here, countless lives were being lost at that very moment on the battlefield.
Dozens had already fallen, friend and foe alike.
Some of them had not even reached the Coming of Age, and that fact weighed heavily on Seonwu Bang’s heart.
“For the sake of those who died, we must watch even more closely. We must grow stronger—only then can we take revenge, don’t you think?”
“Sometimes, the way you think feels different from ordinary people.”
“I’m simply looking for the best thing I can do right now. It’s not as if I can bring the dead back to life.”
“Mm.”
Unable to refute Ban Hojin’s words, Seonwu Bang let out a low murmur.
The others were no different.
Moreover, this war was not something that could be stopped just because they wished it so.
If that was the case, then they had to ensure the fallen had not died in vain.
Swish.
As though they had all reached the same conclusion, their gazes returned to the Spear Lord.
Then a familiar figure to the group charged toward him.
One of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven—Peng Mancheol, known as the Blade King—was rushing at the Spear Lord.
Kwaaaaang!
The spear that had pierced through the Elders of the Mount Hua Sect and the Mount Zhongnan Sect in a single stroke was blocked for the first time.
Not only that, but the warhorse—at least twice the size of an ordinary horse—staggered backward.
It had been driven back by Peng Mancheol’s slash.
Boom!
But such battles were not confined to a single location.
Perhaps judging that any further retreat would be dangerous, Namgung Ho and the Blade King also joined the fray.
Each advanced from a different direction toward where the Lord of Ironblood Fortress stood.
Crack!
With a single sword strike from Namgung Ho, the ground split apart violently.
A mere thrust had carved a deep fissure into the earth.
Yet it failed to touch the middle-aged man he had targeted.
That irritated Namgung Ho.
“I can see why you lost the title of Sword King. Yama King suits you just fine.”
“You’ve a loose tongue.”
“My tongue may be light, but my sword is not.”
Shaaak!
The middle-aged man who had provoked Namgung Ho flicked his sword.
A dazzling flash streaked across the air.
A swift sword strike, impossible to track with the naked eye, rushed toward Namgung Ho.
Kaaaang!
Though it shot toward his heart like lightning, Namgung Ho blocked it without difficulty.
Just because it could not be seen did not mean it could not be stopped.
“Your sword is as light as your tongue.”
“If you couldn’t block even that, you wouldn’t deserve to be called one of the Murim Ten Kings.”
Despite Namgung Ho’s sneering provocation, the middle-aged man merely smiled.
As if to say the true beginning was only now.
And that feeling proved correct.
The second sword strike he unleashed was far faster and fiercer than the first.
Kaaaang!
Beyond mere speed, the blow carried a crushing weight, causing Namgung Ho’s expression to stiffen slightly.
It was clear why the epithet Ghost Sword had been bestowed upon him in the Great Desert.
Even so, he was no match.
Wooooong!
After two exchanges, having confirmed that fact, Namgung Ho raised the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art to its utmost limit.
At the same time, his beloved sword Changcheon became enveloped in a milky-white Sword Force.
Kwaaaaang!
As the brilliantly radiant Sword Force surged upward, Namgung Ho simply swung toward the Ghost Sword.
It was the most basic form of One Cut, Two Halves—something even a three-year-old child could perform.
Yet at that simple strike, the Ghost Sword’s expression changed abruptly.
“Keuk!”
“What’s wrong? Where did your confidence from earlier go?”
“Silence!”
The Ghost Sword’s face twisted like that of a yaksha.
Unlike before, his composure had vanished.
At the same time, a terrifying aura erupted explosively from his entire body.
At the fact that he had been momentarily overwhelmed by Namgung Ho, his pride was wounded, and the Ghost Sword revealed his true strength.
Kiiiiing! Kiiiiing!
The aura erupting from the Ghost Sword’s entire body pushed back Namgung Ho’s energy.
An invisible clash of Formless Energy domains had begun.
At the same time, the martial artists nearby coughed up blood and collapsed.
Though they stood at a considerable distance, the auras the two men scattered caused their True Energy to surge in reverse, inflicting internal injuries.
“Keugh!”
Thud! Slam!
Yet that terrifying pressure continued to expand its domain.
As the monstrous weight crushed the surrounding space, the nearby martial artists hastily retreated.
Having witnessed what would happen if they were swept up in it—leaving not even bones behind—they avoided it on their own.
“Die!”
However, neither the Ghost Sword nor Namgung Ho was aware of their surroundings.
Each was focused solely on the other.
In particular, the Ghost Sword was displeased that he had been pushed back, even briefly. Killing intent streamed from his eyes as he swung his sword.
Taaang!
The Ghost Sword’s blade, infused with formidable True Energy, struck Namgung Ho’s sword.
It was a blow meant to sever both blade and man in a single stroke.
Yet despite the murderous strike, Namgung Ho smiled instead.
Not only had he blocked it, but his Formless Energy was steadily expanding its hold over the space.
“It seems I’ve won this round.”
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting—!”
As he barked back at Namgung Ho’s sneering words, the Ghost Sword suddenly flinched.
He had belatedly realized the meaning behind them.
Though they appeared to be trading blows fiercely, the domain he now occupied had been reduced to half of what it was at the start.
Which meant the remainder had been seized by Namgung Ho.
“Your senses are duller than I thought. Is your skin thick because you’re a barbarian?”
“Silence! It matters not—what’s important is taking your head!”
Shaaack!
With his domain clearly diminished, the Ghost Sword abandoned the clash of Formless Energy altogether.
Instead, he focused entirely on technique.
He might lack in quantity of Inner Energy and finesse in control, but he believed his swordsmanship surpassed Namgung Ho’s.
Unlike Namgung Ho, who secluded himself indoors, he had crossed battlefields daily. His sense for real combat was unmatched.
“It seems you still don’t grasp the situation.”
Though the Ghost Sword launched a Relentless Wave Offensive with a face twisted like a demon, Namgung Ho remained composed.
Having won the domain battle, the momentum was already his.
The Ghost Sword had regarded this fight as trivial—that was a grave miscalculation.
In any battle, victory was determined by the smallest and most insignificant edges.
Kwaang! Bang! Kwaaaang!
Savage sword strikes poured forth in succession, yet Namgung Ho received them with ease.
He knew well the Relentless Wave Offensive would not last long.
The strikes were sharp and fierce, but not beyond his ability to block.
And as time passed, they grew duller.
“Hm?”
The Ghost Sword seemed to sense it as well, his expression briefly turning confused.
It was not that his power was lacking, yet his sword speed was slowing, and its precision deteriorating.
But by the time he realized it, it was too late.
Jjeoeoong!
The instant the Ghost Sword became aware, Namgung Ho unleashed his own Relentless Wave Offensive.
As if refusing to let the opportunity slip, he mercilessly displayed the Emperor’s Sword Form, reducing the Ghost Sword to a blood-soaked state in moments.
Unlike Namgung Ho, who had blocked with leisure, the Ghost Sword barely managed to withstand the Emperor’s Sword Form.
“Die now.”
Looking down at the battered Ghost Sword, whose entire body was wrecked from the aftermath of clashing Sword Force, Namgung Ho spoke.
Not only were there external wounds, but the accumulated shocks had left considerable internal injuries.
It was, in every sense, a perfect victory.
Like Yama King delivering judgment, Namgung Ho spoke his sentence and brought his sword down.
He intended to split the Ghost Sword from crown to toe.
“That won’t do.”
Kwaaaaang!
At that moment, along with an unfamiliar voice, Namgung Ho’s sword was blocked.
A nine-section whip that had flown from somewhere transformed into a single iron staff, intercepting Changcheon.
“…You.”
“There’s no need for introductions, is there? Experts at my level who wield a nine-section whip aren’t common in the Great Desert.”
“Illusion Whip.”
“That’s right.”
“So when the Ghost Sword couldn’t manage, you decided to come at me together?”
Retrieving his sword, Namgung Ho glanced between the Ghost Sword and the Illusion Whip.
A meaningful smile curved his lips.
The Ghost Sword’s face twisted.
“I didn’t want it to be this way either, but it can’t be helped. It seems he can’t handle you alone.”
“Do you think two will make a difference?”
“Confidence befitting Yama King. But why is it that you never managed to claim the title of Sword King?”
As though answering provocation with provocation, the Illusion Whip grinned.
He knew well that the title Sword King was Namgung Ho’s sore spot.
“I will soon reclaim it. You may watch from the netherworld.”
“Perhaps. But I see it differently. I think it’ll be you who meets Yama King.”
“Hmph!”
Before the Illusion Whip’s words had even fully faded, the Ghost Sword charged.
Snorting roughly, he lunged forward.
At the same time, the Illusion Whip’s nine-section whip began to undergo countless transformations.
Naturally, the Ghost Sword took the front, while the Illusion Whip aimed for Namgung Ho’s openings from behind.
“I can handle this much!”
Both were Great War Gods representing the Great Desert, and one would not expect them to be accustomed to joint attacks, yet their coordination was unexpectedly precise.
With exquisitely staggered timing, their attacks surged in.
Though they were two Great War Gods, he was one of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.
Alongside the Sword King, he represented the Central Plains as a Sword Hero.
Rather than evade, Namgung Ho chose a head-on confrontation.
Kwaaaaang!
A thunderous explosion erupted.
At the same time, astonishment burst from Namgung Ho’s lips.
It was an unforeseen development.
Tstsutsutsu!
Regardless of Namgung Ho’s surprise, the Illusion Whip’s nine-section whip surged forward fiercely, drawing dozens of whip shadows as it attacked.
With the momentum to rend his entire body apart.
“Hup!”