Chapter 1307
If the other person is you, then I must give in. (1)
Kwaaang!
His heart pounded wildly.
‘Is this…’
Uuuuuuuung!
From those charging forward with determination, to those retreating in fear, to those unsure of what to do, and even to those roaring fiercely in defiance, the collective energies and spirits of everyone’s hostility surged forth.
Yet, Namgung Dowi not only stood firm but also bolstered his momentum.
Every fiber of his being tingled with anticipation.
A sensation more exhilarating than fear enveloped Namgung Dohwi.
Martial arts, after all, is about endlessly accumulating skill.
As the saying goes, it is “exceedingly difficult” [지난(至難)], a relentless repetition of the same thing over a long period of time.
It is like building a tower reaching the sky with thin sheets of paper.
Everything accumulated over time is now exploding.
Namgung clan’s masterpiece, the Azure Sky Divine Sword [창천신검(蒼天神劍) – changcheon-singeom].
Once held in the hands of Namgung Hwang, now it emitted an unparalleled brilliance in Namgung Dowi’s grasp.
Namgung Dowi raised the sword infused with his inner strength.
‘No!’
Before his eyes, the back of Namgung Hwang flashed.
If it were Namgung Hwang, he would have effortlessly swung the sword, sweeping aside everyone blocking his path.
But he was not Namgung Hwang.
At least, not yet.
Someday, he might reach that level, but for now, it’s beyond reach.
Even if it were possible, he shouldn’t pursue it.
The inner strength forcefully pushed into the sword was instantly withdrawn.
Namgung’s sword is unparalleled in its honesty.
It channels its power in a straight line, striking down enemies with uncompromising force.
Namgung Dowi had never doubted such a sword of Namgung.
He firmly believed it to be the sword that should lead Namgung clan.
But not now.
The Sword of Hwasan, the Flying Daggers of Tangga, and the Fan of Im Sobyeong revealed it.
It’s not just about pulling everything out and subduing the enemy at all cost.
It’s not about the method, it’s about the intensity.
It signifies where this intensity is directed.
Even if his sword is not worthy of Namgung, as long as his intent does not shame Namgung’s name, his sword remains worthy of a title.
Ho-oh!
His inner strength began to condense at the tip of the sword, commensurate with his abilities.
Power is preserved to the maximum while waste is minimized.
It’s not to crush the enemy.
A determination to swing the sword even one more time was embedded in it as it descended from the sky to the ground.
Quaaaaang!
A white cannonball of sword energy landed in the midst of the enemy lines.
Namgung Dowi charged through the rising dust.
Quang!
He struck the chest of a partially unconscious enemy, then swiftly severed the neck of another attempting to raise his shield.
‘One step further!’
The enemy was not yet fully dealt with.
In the past, he might have swung his sword again here to completely crush the enemy.
But instead, Namgung Dowi surged forward in one bold move.
Momentarily disoriented, the remaining fighters from Sapaeryeon instinctively thrust their spears towards Namgung Dowi.
Their level of training seemed exceptional, as even their hasty thrusts were razor-sharp.
But in that moment.
Kagang!
The spear aimed at Namgung Dowi was deflected in an instant.
“Keep going!”
Baek Cheon, who had stepped in to defend from behind, swiftly cut down those aiming at Namgung Dowi’s flank.
Before Baek Cheon’s words were even fully spoken, Namgung Dowi was already charging forward.
Now he understood. How trust is truly built.
The other person’s character? Grand intentions? Their status? Those are just empty words.
Perhaps they hold significance outside the battlefield, but within it, they hold no weight.
On the battlefield, trust means only one thing: knowing what’s built up on the other’s sword. Trust is believing in that.
Baek Cheon couldn’t just stand by as Namgung Dowi’s side was pierced.
Hye Yeon wouldn’t just watch as enemies leaped over Namgung Dowi’s head.
He was certain.
If he faltered, someone would willingly step in, and if he faced danger, Chung Myung would surely come to his aid.
‘No need to shout for trust.’
Just as he assessed them, they would assess him.
So, if he wanted to earn their trust, he wouldn’t flaunt what he held in his hand, but rather prove what he had built up on his sword.
Thunk!
Namgung Dowi’s foot stomped the ground as if to crush it.
Simultaneously, his waist twisted sharply backward.
His lower body remained rooted as only his upper body leaned back.
In the Twelve Strikes of the Iron Sword, the Azure Sky Sword Technique, and even in the Imperial Sword Style, such a stance does not exist.
So naturally, it did not befit the name of Namgung.
One must not take their eyes off the enemy.
They must stand tall and look directly at the enemy.
This is an absolute principle in Namgung’s swordsmanship that must never be violated.
But in this moment, Namgung Dowi broke that rule himself.
Taking one’s eyes off the enemy means inviting danger upon oneself.
But now, Namgung Dowi could do just that.
He could do it anytime.
Because someone who would prevent that danger was surely by his side.
Paaaah!
Baek Cheon’s swift sword strikes intercepted the spears charging towards Namgung Dowi like a lightning bolt.
Hearing the metallic sound coming from the front, Namgung Dowi grabbed his sword with all his might.
“Aaaargh!”
With a powerful spin, a dazzling brilliant light erupted from his sword like a crescent moon.
As if a waterfall cascaded down, a tremendous sword energy soared horizontally towards the enemies.
“Agh!”
Those in the front screamed in terror, hastily raising their shields.
Kaang!
With a harsh thunderous sound, the hand holding the shield twisted.
The shock was so intense that it felt like the wrist could break at any moment, and blood gushed back into the mouth.
‘But… I still blocked it…’
Yet in that moment, those holding the shields widened their eyes.
Kagaagagak!
The sword energy cleaved through the iron shields as if they were made of paper.
“No, stop…!”
Quaaaang!
The white sword energy, which had split the thick shield, immediately pierced through the human bodies.
The outcome of such an attack would be obvious even to a three-year-old child.
Taaaang!
With a loud crack resembling the snapping of a thick rubber band, the bodies, severed in two, were sent flying like a kicked ball.
The sight not only demoralized the enemy but also cast a shadow of doubt over the following allies.
“Sahyeong. Please send me back as Namgung in my next life.”
“You said you were going to Shaolin before.”
“That bastard has crossed the line too. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Stop the nonsense and get out, you rascal!”
“Oh, come on, seriously!”
Jo Geol leaped over the momentarily weakened Namgung Dowi and dashed forward.
“I don’t want to stand in front of those two! Give me a mask to hide my face!”
Despite the constant jabbering, Jo Geol’s eyes remained eerily calm as he wielded his sword with determination.
Suddenly, as Jo Geol dashed forward, the startled enemies reflexively raised their spears.
However, Jo Geol didn’t miss the opportunity.
“Your stance has widened, you idiots!”
Swish!
Jo Geol’s sword, split into dozens, surged forward like a storm, reminiscent of Tang’s flying daggers.
Taking advantage of the widened stance of his opponents due to facing Namgung Dowi, the sword images pierced through without hesitation.
Thud! Thud!
It was an unstoppable swift sword that would be difficult to defend against even if all their skills were fully utilized.
Faced with such a sword in their disoriented state, the outcome was as clear as daylight.
“Aaargh!”
“Ugh!”
Those with holes in their bodies gripped their wounds and retreated back.
Just as Jo Geol was about to pursue and attack again, someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
“Huh?”
Pushing Jo Geol back, Namgung Dowi stepped forward firmly.
“No, Young Lord! Don’t overexert yourself…”
Those words advising against overexertion kept bothering him.
‘Those damn Hwasan’s bastards.’
They took it for granted that their bones could break or their flesh could burst, yet they looked on with worried eyes when others were just out of breath beside them.
It wasn’t simply because Namgung Dowi was entangled in this situation.
He knew that.
In their eyes, Namgung Dowi would still appear as nothing more than a strong young chick.
But it’s unlikely that they, too, started out traversing the battlefield and gaining experience from the very beginning.
They must have had their first times and times when they were immature.
‘They must have also held a sword during those times.’
They wouldn’t have been watched over and told it’s okay to hold back as someone is now.
So…!
‘Don’t underestimate people!’
Namgung Dowi infused his sword with his inner strength.
If they have confidence in themselves, then he takes pride in being Namgung’s direct lineage. Now, rather than feeling proud, it feels more like a heavy burden on his shoulders, but even so, Namgung Dowi has never once forgotten that pride.
He’s not relaxed enough to cautiously tread only on paths someone else has cleared.
If you have to, you have to jump into it even if it’s a rough road, even if it’s a thorny path tearing at your flesh.
“Taaaaaaaah!”
He swung his sword once more.
Kwaaaaaaaaaang.
The explosion caused by the sword swept away the enemies, leaving them unable to even scream.
“You bastard!”
But the successive bursts of sword energy were not as uniform as before.
This created an opportunity for those who managed to withstand the sword energy and rush forward.
At the moment when Namgung Dowi’s knees faltered, someone rushed forward from behind to block him.
“You’re quite something on your own.”
Jo Geol, no, Chung Myung?
Neither of them.
Sweeeeeak! Ten flying daggers shot out from Tang Pae’s hands, slicing through the air.
Twelve Flying Daggers [십이비도(十二飛刀) – sibi-bido].
Originating from Tang clan and perfected by Tang Bo’s hands, the absolute throwing technique of Tang clan.
Right here in Gangnam, perfected amidst countless battles, the absolute throwing technique once again began to cleave through the battlefield.
Not twelve, but ten flying daggers.
Comparing it to the Twelve Flying Daggers wielded by Tang Bo was impossible, but it was actually excessive to deal with the ordinary warriors of Sapaeryeon.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
The daggers pierced through the foreheads of those rushing towards them, embedding even the handles into their skulls.
Those struck down were silenced instantly, unable to even groan as they fell backwards.
The art of throwing daggers is indeed a fearsome skill. Once unleashed, a blade cannot be taken back.
That’s why those who use dagger techniques can never fully demonstrate their skills in sparring or duels.
The true power of dagger techniques is only revealed on the battlefield, where there is no need to spare lives while fighting.
Furthermore, the battlefield is a place where one’s mind can easily become unsettled.
Is there anything as terrifying as the silently flying daggers amidst the explosions and screams echoing from all directions?
Shiing!
With a flick of the finger, the dagger that had pierced through the enemy’s skull was drawn back into Tang Pae’s hand.
“Dowi!”
“Yes!”
“Go!”
Tang Pae stepped aside, clearing the path before him.
And immediately, Namgung Dowi hurled himself toward the opening created by Tang Pae.
‘If I can’t handle this much!’
He stomped the ground forcefully.
The tip of the sword pointed at the vast expanse of the sky.
‘I don’t have the courage to see my father!’
As if possessed by the spirit of Namgung Hwang, the colossal blade swept away those who stood before him with a magnificent radiance.
Kwaaaah!
The strike cleaved the battlefield in half. The white blade rose like a mirage, disappearing in an instant.
In the eyes of those leading the charge, the path clearly continued through the long, sharply divided valley.
“It’s open!”
“Keep charging!”
As Namgung Dowi prepared to leap forward with determination.
“Amitabha.”
Someone lightly tapped his shoulder and stepped forward.
“Now it’s my turn, Siju.”
Breathing heavily, Namgung Dowi gasped and laughed.
“If the other person is you, then I must give in.”
With uncharacteristically stern expression, Hye Yeon, the most prominent warrior of Shaolin, charged ahead without a word.
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