Chapter 42: Asura Sword Sect (2)

‘What is this?’

It was a situation he couldn’t understand.

This wasn’t the Sword King—it was the Sword Emperor.

The strongest in the Asura Sword Sect. The leader of the Ten Demonic Paths.

Yet the sight before him was disappointing.

Yeon Gun-hwi’s attacks continued relentlessly, but Jang Woo-hyun deflected every single one and seized an opening to kick Yeon Gun-hwi away.

Kwaang!

Struck by the kick, Yeon Gun-hwi crashed backward, shattering a chair and rolling across the floor. The reputation of the Asura Sword Emperor broke apart along with the chair.

“Graaaah!”

Yeon Gun-hwi rose to his feet, slamming his stance back into place.

Jang Woo-hyun sent out Black Wolf Fang to halt his movements for a moment and examined him closely.

Stronger than Lee Doo-heung—that was certain.

The force of his Sword Qi, the number of sword paths targeting him, the speed of the blade.

All of it was superior. Yet it wasn’t threatening. Strangely enough.

It was like wielding a sword made from larger, sturdier, and better materials, yet it didn’t feel sharp.

After exchanging blades several more times with the charging Yeon Gun-hwi, Jang Woo-hyun realized why.

“You…”

Clang!

Their swords clashed again. After both took several steps back, Jang Woo-hyun opened his mouth.

“When was the last time you fought?”

“Shut your mouth! Someone like you dares—”

“I asked when you last held your sword and fought an enemy.”

“……”

“Not the Sword Yakshas or the Three Sword Kings. Not the warriors under your command. When was the last time you personally fought with a sword? A year ago? Two years?”

Yeon Gun-hwi couldn’t answer. He couldn’t even remember. It hadn’t been just a year or two.

It had been over ten years since he last fought an enemy himself.

“You’re strong—stronger than Lee Doo-heung I fought before. But that’s just raw power. There’s no edge to it.”

Lee Doo-heung’s sword had been sharp, and in terms of sheer power, Hwi Jeon’s fists were far more impressive. The one who’d shown truly clever and unexpected techniques was Tang Ga-ryang.

Yeon Gun-hwi had nothing that surpassed any of the three. He simply had more internal energy and higher-level martial arts.

But that didn’t mean he was good at fighting.

And that was why Jang Woo-hyun felt disappointed.

“Even if not in real combat, have you at least participated in sparring matches recently? Have you been training consistently?”

At the biting criticism, Yeon Gun-hwi’s body trembled.

Just as Jang Woo-hyun had said, he hadn’t fought a real opponent in a long time.

As the leader of the Ten Demonic Paths, his position was not one that allowed him to act freely.

Of course, as the master of a sect, it made sense to act that way—but at the same time, another thought came to mind.

When was the last time he had stepped outside the sect?

After reaching a certain level of mastery, he had become negligent in his training.

After becoming sect leader, all he did was increase the number of warriors and expand his territory.

“You bastard… You lowly bastard…”

Crack.

Yeon Gun-hwi didn’t want to admit it. That he had lived the life of a ruler, not a martial artist.

“Don’t you dare judge me!”

With a single stomp, Yeon Gun-hwi instantly appeared in front of Jang Woo-hyun and unleashed a technique he had yet to reveal.

His left hand, unnoticed, reached for his waist, and he drew a hidden second sword.

Six Arms.

Like an Asura with six arms, his swords moved with such speed it created the illusion of multiple limbs.

Heaven’s Net, God-Sealing Slash.

The ultimate technique of the Six-Armed Asura Sword transformed into a massive net of Qi Projection that came crashing toward Jang Woo-hyun.

Despite the overwhelming, fierce energy that could slice everything to pieces, Jang Woo-hyun’s expression didn’t change.

He simply raised his sword and drew a small circle.

Three Wheels Sword Art: Small Wheel.

Another small circle followed.

The two small circles opened a large hole in the net, and then he drew a large circle to sweep the entire thing away.

Kwagagagak.

While the deflected Qi destroyed the surrounding area, Jang Woo-hyun stood right before Yeon Gun-hwi.

“…!”

Jang Woo-hyun’s face was filled with disappointment. So this was what came of an enraged, desperate attack?

If only he had used fast sword strikes instead, or taken advantage of his abilities to seek an opening or try something else—Jang Woo-hyun wouldn’t have been this disappointed.

“What good is launching an attack that won’t even hit?”

Woooong.

Jang Woo-hyun’s sword, now carrying immense force, moved.

Yeon Gun-hwi raised both his blades to block.

Puhbuhbuhbang! Puhbung!

Seven overlapping waves of Qi Projection stormed in and shattered Yeon Gun-hwi’s swords—and his chest.

The force that pierced his chest obliterated the space behind him where a chair had once stood.

Kuung!

Yeon Gun-hwi, his chest pierced through, collapsed.

Watching him, Jang Woo-hyun felt a bitter emotion.

He had expected a lot from the leader of the Ten Demonic Paths, but Yeon Gun-hwi had fallen far short—even compared to Tang Ga-ryang and Hwi Jeon. Jang Woo-hyun had thought this battle would push him further—but it had provided nothing of value.

“Tsk. If he had at least sparred now and then, it wouldn’t have been this bad.”

The fight had ended far too blandly. Jang Woo-hyun sheathed his sword.

“Hm?”

Just as he turned to leave—behind Yeon Gun-hwi.

Beneath where the chair had been, another space was revealed.

Walking over and peering inside, he found a small box. Jang Woo-hyun pulled it out and opened it.

Six-Armed Asura Sword

Three-Headed Three-Circle Technique

One sword art. One internal cultivation technique.

Two martial arts manuals that appeared to be from the Asura Sword Sect’s leader.

‘He hid these here?’

At first, the location didn’t make much sense, but after a moment’s thought, it was oddly reasonable. It was a place he often stayed, and it wouldn’t attract much attention—perfect for hiding something.

“How was the Sword Sect Master?”

“Ugh!”

Just as Jang Woo-hyun was naturally putting the manuals inside his robes, a voice suddenly startled him. He had been so focused on examining the manuals that he hadn’t noticed Go Jin enter.

“Uh… well… I wasn’t trying to take it or anything, I was just looking…”

All he’d asked for was a chance to fight the Sword Sect Master. He hadn’t asked for any rewards. Yet now that he had been caught pocketing a martial manual, he felt so embarrassed he tried to make excuses.

“It’s fine. We don’t need that stuff. Besides, who’s going to blame you for taking one of them? You defeated the Asura Sword Emperor.”

“Then… I’ll take it.”

Go Jin gestured for him to take it as much as he liked.

“How was the fight with the Sword Sect Master?”

“Hmm. Should I be honest?”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“I was disappointed.”

“Disappointed?”

“Yes.”

“In what way?”

Go Jin’s eyes lit up at the unexpected answer.

“There was no sharpness. It’s been a long time since he last experienced real combat, and it seems he hasn’t even sparred or trained in a while. Compared to Tang Ga-ryang, Hwi Jeon, or Lee Doo-heung—their combat sense was far better.”

“I see, I see.”

Go Jin nodded to himself, lost in thought, as if something in Jang Woo-hyun’s words struck a chord.

“But what brings you here? Were you worried I might lose or something…?”

“That’s not it. Things are wrapping up outside, and I came because I had one thing I wanted to ask.”

“To me? Actually, I also have something I’ve been meaning to ask. Can I go first?”

“Please do.”

“You said I once helped you, but I honestly don’t remember. I haven’t even been in the Martial World for very long.”

At Jang Woo-hyun’s words, Go Jin chuckled. Jang Woo-hyun thought it was such a warm smile.

“That’s actually why I came.”

“…?”

“You’ve met the Sect Leader before, haven’t you?”

“Master Cheol? Yes, I have.”

“The Sect Leader once said he owed you a debt,” said Go Jin. “So I wanted to ask—what exactly happened between you and the Sect Leader?”

“What? Owed me? He said that to me?”

Seeing Go Jin silently nod, Jang Woo-hyun searched his memories. No matter how hard he tried to recall, he couldn’t remember anything that would make Cheol Geuk-jin indebted to him.

Thinking perhaps there was something he didn’t know, Jang Woo-hyun shared the story of his meeting with Cheol Geuk-jin. As Go Jin listened, his eyes suddenly widened at a certain part.

“He gave Heaven-Dominating Divine Armor to you?”

“Yes, he did. Ah! That might be it? When he gave it to me, he said it was a martial art that would have vanished if left untouched, and he thanked me for accepting it. I thought he was just being polite, but I guess he really meant it. I’m the one who should be grateful for receiving the manual, but he sincerely thought it was a favor.”

“Heh… Looks like the Sect Leader really took a liking to you if he gave you the Heaven-Dominating Divine Armor.”

A martial art he hadn’t given to anyone in Heaven-Dominating Sect. Yet he had handed it over to Jang Woo-hyun, a young man he had just met.

‘No one else could understand it.’

Thinking that, Go Jin asked Jang Woo-hyun, just in case.

“Did you understand that martial art?”

“I did. It’s a unique technique. But when I actually tried to learn it, it wasn’t easy.”

“Huh…”

He didn’t seem to be lying. And Jang Woo-hyun had no reason to lie.

‘That’s probably why the Sect Leader gave it to him.’

If he hadn’t understood it, Cheol Geuk-jin wouldn’t have given it at all.

‘How happy he must have been.’

His disciples and loyal followers couldn’t comprehend it, but Jang Woo-hyun had understood the martial art Cheol Geuk-jin had created.

A man who had always felt loneliness in the life of a supreme being… how joyful must he have been. Suddenly, Go Jin recalled the smile on Cheol Geuk-jin’s face.

‘If only this boy had been his disciple…’

The Heaven-Dominating Sect might not have split, and Go Jin wouldn’t have left the sect either. But unfortunately, Cheol Geuk-jin had left, and Jang Woo-hyun had never been his disciple.

‘Still, I’m glad the Sect Leader’s martial art lives on.’

“Um, Senior Go. Why did Sect Leader Cheol suddenly choose to go into seclusion?”

Go Jin hesitated for a moment, debating whether to be fully honest.

“He didn’t have much time left.”

“Pardon?”

“He didn’t have long to live. He remained in this world out of lingering regrets, but meeting you seems to have resolved them.”

“Ah…”

So death had been approaching Cheol Geuk-jin.

That day they met—there had been a moment when his presence suddenly grew faint. Perhaps it was because he didn’t have much time left.

The two stood silently for a while.

As if mourning a giant who had left a deep mark on the Martial World.

“What will you do now?”

“I plan to travel the Martial World for a while. There’s still so much I want to see and experience.”

“I see… Wandering the Martial World, eh? It’s good for someone young.”

Go Jin nodded and continued.

“You can head out now. I feel like I’ve taken up too much of your time.”

“Not at all. I was glad to hear about Sect Leader Cheol. It was time well spent. Then, I’ll be going.”

Jang Woo-hyun bowed politely and walked out of the building.

Go Jin watched his retreating figure for a long while until he disappeared from sight.

“Wandering the Martial World…”

Go Jin suddenly wondered if he should take his grandson along on a journey through the Martial World.

Jang Woo-hyun wasn’t the only one who had caught his eye.

Jin Ha-un of the Blue Star Sect.

A genius who had reached near-Master Level while traveling alongside Jang Woo-hyun—around the same age as his grandson.

He wanted his grandson to experience many things, so he could grow just like that boy.

‘I could have new experiences too, traveling with my grandson.’

What did age matter, when there was still so much to learn and grow from? Go Jin had given up on raising his cultivation level, but after hearing Jang Woo-hyun’s words, his thoughts began to change.

– *=There was no sharpness. It seemed like he hadn’t experienced real combat in a long time, and it had been quite a while since he last sparred or trained.*=

“I need to keep pushing myself, before I lose my edge.”

On the day the Asura Sword Sect fell—

Another long-dormant giant of the Martial World stretched awake.

* * *

The day after tidying up the Heaven-Dominating Sect and Asura Sword Sect, the group gathered to decide their next destination.

“You’re not going back to the Silver Flower Trading Company?”

“No.”

They had gone to the Silver Flower Trading Company originally to track the traces of Kim Min-soo, the Demonic God of the Monstrous Cult.

Now that they had uncovered the second clue, there was no reason to stay. The manuals the trading master had collected had been interesting, but that was about it.

“Then where are we going? Just aimless wandering?”

“I’m going to deliver this.”

Jang Woo-hyun pulled out a martial manual from inside his robe with the title [Tang Family’s Dark River] written on it.

“You’re… going to the Sichuan Tang Clan?”

“Yeah. I also want to meet Senior Ma Choong-won while I’m at it.”

Ma Choong-won, who had gone on missions with him in the Demon Extermination Sect, had said after retiring that he would settle near the Sichuan Tang Clan.

He had mentioned knowing people in the Tang Clan and that he planned to live by supplying them with poisons.

At first, Jang Woo-hyun had no intention of going all the way to Sichuan, and he had planned to just read the manual and burn it. Even if it was a famous clan’s martial art, he had no obligation to return it, nor any desire to help the Tang Clan.

But then he remembered that Ma Choong-won would be in Sichuan, and decided he might as well visit him and return the manual at the same time.

And so, with that decision, their next destination was set: the Sichuan Tang Clan—renowned for poisons and hidden weapons.

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