Chapter 15 – Brush with Death(15)
Everything proceeded according to the Family Head’s plan.
Until the Family Head stabilized his mind and body through breathing exercises and arrived here. To ensure that he was kept in this place without fail. Judging by the results alone, it could be said that I carried out the order perfectly.
But is this really okay? That question held Murong Heesu back. The order to accept any sacrifice for the sake of the mission made her heart waver.
It was fortunate that the Great Master had shown restraint. What if he had wielded his sword without mercy from the beginning? What if he had unleashed the sword energy that symbolizes the peak?
Not a single martial artist would still be standing.
And that thought quickly turned into certainty as she watched the Family Head and the Great Master clash.
At that moment, the words she had heard from the Great Master just before flashed through Murong Heesu’s mind. Words as calm as an undisturbed lake. Firm, without the slightest hesitation.
[If you remain silent about one injustice, it will eventually return to you tenfold.]
The Great Master’s words were absolutely correct.
The martial artists of the Murong family carried out the Family Head’s orders without question. Until now, they had believed without doubt that this was loyalty—without realizing that it was, in truth, turning a blind eye to injustice.
“Branch Leader, shouldn’t we join the Family Head even now?”
“No, we will not.”
“But…”
“All we can do right now is withdraw to avoid getting involved.”
“As you command.”
Even as she gave the order to her subordinates, Murong Heesu couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Just a moment ago, she would have undoubtedly rushed to aid the Family Head without hesitation, no matter the cost.
Is this change truly right?
Or is it just a fleeting whim?
Unable to determine the answer, Murong Heesu fixed her gaze on the battle between the supreme masters. Even after half an hour of clashing, the fight showed no sign of ending.
However, the martial artists witnessing the battle were transfixed, forgetting even the passage of time. The depth of skill on display was beyond anything they could have imagined.
But then, a sudden change disrupted the sword duel that had seemed as though it would continue forever.
Someone coughed and spat blood onto the ground.
That person was Mu-myung.
“I should have blocked everything…”
“Did you think the mystery that the Murong family pursues is merely a single swift sword?”
“……”
“Swiftness is merely a path one passes through on the way to reaching the ultimate meaning.”
Murong Gang openly sneered, mocking Mu-myung.
Ignorant outsiders believed that the Murong family’s swordsmanship was centered solely on speed.
How laughable.
The ultimate goal that the Murong family’s martial artists pursued was not limited to mere swift swordplay. The Murong family had succeeded in embedding the laws and truths of the world into their sword.
Rain becomes streams, streams become rivers, and rivers finally advance to the vast sea. Having grown through experiencing the entire cycle, the dragon leaves the sea, ascends to the sky, and brings the rain.
That is swordsmanship imbued with the mystery of the dragon.
The Murong family’s ultimate technique—where offense and defense are one.
Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique.
Murong Gang’s sword, infused with the mystery of cyclical flow, effortlessly parried Mu-myung’s blade. Though Murong Gang appeared to be defending, the cycle of his swordplay turned the opponent’s attack against them.
It was not merely a counterattack.
Even though he was only defending, the opponent’s internal energy and technique were being reflected back, disrupting them from within.
Even if Mu-myung defended, the situation would not change. The moment their swords clashed, the flow of internal energy surged like water, continuously slicing into his body.
It was fortunate that his opponent was also a master of the peak level. Had he been anyone else, his body would have been cut to pieces long ago.
Murong Gang nodded and spoke.
“I commend you for holding out this long despite being nameless. However, with just that level of skill, you cannot break the mystery of this Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique.”
“…Indeed, it seems so.”
Despite the blood dripping from his mouth, Mu-myung took his stance again.
At that moment, an intense surge of sword energy enveloped Mu-myung’s blade, crashing down like a waterfall. Seeing this, Murong Gang’s expression quickly hardened.
“…Is that sword energy?”
“Yes, it is.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen sword energy so devoid of mystery yet so enormous. Is it truly vast… or is it just an empty cart making noise?”
“The only way to find out is to test it.”
“…Yes, that’s right! A martial artist should speak with their sword!”
Murong Gang’s hardened expression shifted into a smile.
But to Mu-myung, he now looked less like a orthodox martial artist and more like a demon, overflowing with battle-hungry fervor.
Mu-myung quickly pushed the thought aside and focused on his sword.
Indeed, this opponent was different.
Far more formidable than any martial artist he had faced until now.
But that did not mean he had no chance.
To be honest, it was a gamble. A gamble where he staked his very life.
If he succeeded, it would be his victory. If he failed, his life would be forfeit.
Murong Gang seemed to sense Mu-myung’s unwavering resolve. He stopped speaking and took his stance.
An instant that felt like an eternity passed.
The first to strike was none other than Murong Gang.
He was confident.
The ultimate Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique, which had reached its peak through centuries of tradition, could never be defeated.
However, Mu-myung did not defend.
He did not evade.
Instead, he attacked.
His sword thrust forward—swift as lightning, direct as an arrow.
Fast…
The moment the tip of Mu-myung’s sword met Murong Gang’s, an impossible shockwave erupted.
Murong Gang’s sword shattered.
And his body was sent flying.
Rolling across the ground, helpless.
The martial artists of the Murong family, who had been observing everything, stood in stunned silence.
The Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique was the Murong family’s ultimate martial art. The culmination of their pursuit of the ultimate mystery.
Yet, a nameless martial artist had broken it with a single strike.
No one dared to imagine the truth.
That the technique which shattered the Murong family’s greatest sword art…
Was merely a basic move from the Three Disasters Sword Technique.
A simple thrust.
◇
I really thought I was going to die.
Only after confirming that my opponent had truly been defeated did I finally feel relieved.
What did he call it? Righteous Dragon Sword? Righteous Heaven Sword?
Honestly, I hadn’t been able to hear clearly—I had been too focused on surviving.
But I understood its nature.
In martial arts novels, techniques that reflect an opponent’s power are surprisingly common. This must have been one of them.
That was why I had judged that a thrust, which concentrates all power into a single point, would be more effective than a wide slash.
Seeing that I was still standing, it seemed my judgment had been correct.
“Great Master!”
“You rescued him.”
Seeing Sua waving from across the bridge with Murong Hyun on her back, it seemed she had succeeded in the rescue.
I smiled in satisfaction and turned to the martial artists.
“If anyone still wants to fight, raise your sword!”
Of course, it was just bravado.
Honestly, I was completely drained from my last battle.
If another opponent appeared now, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could last.
Fortunately, no one raised their swords.
As the remaining martial artists lowered their weapons, I finally felt relief.
At last, I could rest.
But the moment I thought that, an eerie sound like tearing paper rang out.
From where I had just sent that troublesome martial artist flying—
The man, who had certainly fallen unconscious, was somehow standing again.
But he was not normal.
His eyes were rolled back, showing only the whites. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Just as I began to wonder if I had left him in a vegetative state, a strange red energy began to flow from his body.
Unlike the white sword energy he had used before, this was something entirely different.
Something alien.
Something ominous.
And then, Sua gasped.
“Father?!”
I looked at her in shock.
Could this man be the head of the Murong family?
