Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 25

The Way of the Sword

Pa Cheon’s gaze deepened in the stillness, while the nine disciples, who should have been displaying their might, were instead consumed by unease and impatience. The frantic pounding of their hearts echoed in their ears as they struggled to maintain their focus. Those who wielded swords gripped them tightly, while those who fought with their hands felt sweat beading on their palms.

This time, they did not rashly provoke him. Having already been severely defeated, they realized that he was not an opponent they could easily subdue or defeat. This shift in their mindset was shared by all of them, yet they also felt a strange excitement at facing such a powerful foe.

‘I must end this in one go. I need to unleash the full extent of my power in this single attack. I must overwhelm them like a storm, preventing them from gaining any advantage by relying on each other’s attacks. Dragging this out will only be to my detriment. Moreover, these are the men I intend to bring under my command! They must not be killed or severely injured. Therefore, I must break their fighting spirit itself.’

Pa Cheon’s inner thoughts were immediately put into action. He secretly gathered his internal energy and closely watched his opponents’ movements. They had never attacked in formation before, so he didn’t need to worry about a coordinated assault. However, the fact that they were all masters capable of overcoming such limitations was a concern, but not a major one.

With Mu Young Jon, Gwi Rang, and Heuk Myeon Shin Su lying incapacitated, Wol Young was now the central figure in their formation. His sonic attacks were useless against Pa Cheon, so he used his flute like a sword.

As Wol Young raised his hand, their positions shifted.

With Wol Young at the center, Sa Mi Reuk, Sura Geom Ma, Gu Ru Sa Gwi, and Chu Hon Ma Young formed a group on the left, while Ok Gi Rin, Go Ru Hyeol Sal, Saeng Sa Geom, and Gyeong Hon Gwi Young formed a group on the right. It was a truly ingenious arrangement. Those who specialized in palm techniques or powerful energy attacks were cleverly grouped with those who excelled in swordsmanship and agility.

This suggested that they had planned this beforehand. Wol Young pointed forward. The order to kill had been given. Saeng Sa Geom and Sura Geom Ma were the first to charge forward, their swords emitting chilling sword energy that sliced through the air, aiming for Pa Cheon’s vital points. Ok Gi Rin and Sa Mi Reuk followed closely behind, preparing their next moves, while Gyeong Hon Gwi Young and Chu Hon Ma Young used their swift footwork to exploit any openings.

Although only two had launched the initial attack, the others forced Pa Cheon to be wary of six opponents at once. Furthermore, the remaining three were ready to counter when their comrades were repelled, making it the most effective attack strategy in the current situation.

Unlike before, Pa Cheon immediately unleashed his Sword Energy. The sword energy emanating from the Cheonma Sword [Heavenly Demon Sword] and the Ganjang Sword swept across the entire front. After launching his swords, he followed behind, using the Cheonma Gunrimbo [Heavenly Demon Overlord Steps] footwork. Instantly multiplying into twelve figures, he caused his opponents to lose their target points for a moment. In that instant, Pa Cheon’s Sword Energy weaved through them.

“Ugh!”

“Don’t fall back!”

Saeng Sa Geom and Sura Geom Ma tried their best to counter Pa Cheon’s swords, but it was not enough. They groaned and were pushed back, while Ok Gi Rin and Sa Mi Reuk, unconcerned, immediately charged at Pa Cheon, unleashing their Cheongsal Magong [Azure Killing Demonic Art] and Mireuk Salgong [Maitreya Killing Art] techniques. Ok Gi Rin’s face turned pale, and from his hands, an even more intense blue energy shot out like rays of light. Not to be outdone, Sa Mi Reuk’s hands turned red, stretched out, and approached Pa Cheon.

Pa Cheon was already using the Yang’s Mind Division Technique to simultaneously control his Sword Energy and the Cheonma Gunrimbo. While his twelve clones flew through the air, he secretly controlled the two swords, and from his hands, the Asura Myeol Cheonjang [Asura Extinguishing Heaven Palm], the ultimate technique of the Cheonma, was unleashed. From the hands of the twelve clones, Asuras the size of human heads, enveloped in dark energy, pressed down on them, accompanied by eerie noises that sent shivers down their spines.

‘Ah… To think that the Supreme One has achieved such a level? It seems to be a different realm from what I saw in the training grounds… Just where is his limit?’

The Mad Demon Lord, tending to the injured, was lost in admiration as he stared blankly at the fierce battle.

Saeng Sa Geom and Sura Geom Ma were constantly retreating, while Pa Cheon’s Asura Myeol Cheonjang swept away Ok Gi Rin, Sa Mi Reuk, and even Chu Hon Ma Young and Gyeong Hon Gwi Young, who had been waiting for an opportunity. Gu Ru Sa Gwi and Go Ru Hyeol Sal supported Saeng Sa Geom and Sura Geom Ma, who were facing Pa Cheon’s two swords in the air, while Wol Young supported Ok Gi Rin and the others. In an instant, the two forces collided at two points, causing the ground to shake and a deafening roar that filled the air with dust.

* * *

“Ugh…”

“Cough…”

“Ugh…”

“N-No way…”

Pa Cheon was not unscathed either. Ok Gi Rin’s Cheongsal Magong, in particular, was incredibly powerful. His wrists and shoulders tingled. And due to the excessive use of his internal energy, his mouth tasted metallic. On the other hand, the demonic disciples were in utter disarray.

Gyeong Hon Gwi Young and Chu Hon Ma Young were kneeling, constantly spitting out blood, and Wol Young’s flute was shattered, with fragments tearing at his body. Saeng Sa Geom had a large gash in his side, and Sura Geom Ma seemed relatively unharmed, but he was barely suppressing the reverse flow of energy.

Sa Mi Reuk’s wrist was dangling, seemingly broken, Gu Ru Sa Gwi was sent flying far away, and Go Ru Hyeol Sal had one arm severed. The person with the least injuries was Ok Gi Rin. However, judging by his trembling legs, he had also suffered significant internal injuries.

But this was just the beginning. Pa Cheon was already moving, weaving through them. Ok Gi Rin barely managed to block him, but a thunderous shout erupted from Pa Cheon’s mouth.

“Pa Cheon Asura Palm (破天修羅掌) – Strike (彈)!”

“World-Shocking (驚世天下) – Absorb (翕)!”

“Blood-Soaked World (血世天下) – Nothingness (無)!”

The three strikes of the Pa Cheon Asura Palm struck Ok Gi Rin, Sura Geom Ma, and Saeng Sa Geom, who had belatedly joined the fray. They were sent flying back four yards without even having a chance to block. Ok Gi Rin had already lost consciousness while spitting out blood, and Sura Geom Ma and Saeng Sa Geom were also in a state of helplessness. It was a complete defeat.

However, they were tenacious. Even if it meant losing their lives, their will to not surrender was superhuman. Sa Mi Reuk, with his broken hands dangling, still approached, and Go Ru Hyeol Sal, after stopping the bleeding from his severed arm, attacked with fire in his eyes. Gu Ru Sa Gwi and Gyeong Hon Gwi Young also barely managed to get back on their feet, making it clear that they would not give up.

Watching them, Pa Cheon was truly impressed.

‘They are true warriors. They would rather break than bend. Unless I subdue their hearts, I cannot gain them.’

He closed his eyes. The Cheonma Sword and the Ganjang Sword stood upright in the air, their tips pointing towards the sky. The two men who were charging towards him also stopped in their tracks, unconsciously, and the gazes of the eleven demonic disciples, except for the already unconscious Ok Gi Rin, were all focused on Pa Cheon. Heuk Myeon Shin Su, with his arms and back mangled, barely managed to lift his head to watch, and those who had been sent flying far away also raised their faces.

Pa Cheon’s swords remained suspended in the air, and from their tips, red and white energy began to flow out.

It was not ordinary sword energy. It lacked direct force and instead flowed out like a mist, as if incense had been lit. Everyone could only stare at the mist that enveloped them. It had already filled the entire area, creating a sense of mystery. What was it? That was the same thought in everyone’s mind.

However, only one person, the Mad Demon Lord, was gaping, unable to close his mouth.

‘I-Is that…?’

No, it couldn’t be. It was impossible for Pa Cheon, who couldn’t even use the Formless Sword, to have grasped the essence of the Natural Sword. That was against the principles of martial arts, wasn’t it?

After being stunned for a while, Sa Mi Reuk realized his situation and, with a bitter smile, tried to leap up… But why? Why couldn’t he move?

His blood points were not sealed, and his energy flow was not blocked, but his body wouldn’t move. He immediately sent a telepathic message to the others. They, who had been staring blankly, immediately tried to move their bodies. It was the same. Their bodies wouldn’t obey. They couldn’t move at all.

Their energy flow was smooth, and they could use telepathy, but their bodies were beyond their control. What kind of strange phenomenon was this? Like helpless prey caught in a spider’s web, they had to give up all movement.

‘He… is not someone we can handle.’

That was Mu Young Jon’s thought. He realized the power of the mysterious mist, and it was the same feeling shared by all twelve demonic disciples.

The swords floating in the air suddenly began to vibrate. They trembled and shook, and the mist that had covered the surrounding twenty yards was slowly being sucked in. After about a moment, the mist had completely disappeared! Their bodies were free as if nothing had happened. However, no one attacked Pa Cheon.

“Could you help me up?”

It was Mu Young Jon’s voice. The Mad Demon Lord supported Mu Young Jon and helped him up, and he was taking steps while leaning on the Mad Demon Lord. Pa Cheon still had his eyes tightly closed, and his feet were firmly planted on the ground, as unshakeable as an iron tower. It was truly the aura of a giant. How could a person look so immense? No one spoke, and their gazes were fixed on Mu Young Jon, who was moving with difficulty.

“I’m fine… Thank you, senior!”

At Mu Young Jon’s words, the Mad Demon Lord released his hand. He was trembling slightly, as if it was difficult for him to stand alone.

“We do not know who you are… Judging by the fact that you use the lost martial arts of the Cheonma Supreme [Heavenly Demon Supreme], it seems that you are not unrelated to him… Thus, both conditions have been met. Although we are insignificant and humble… we have always valued loyalty as much as our lives. From this moment on… we, the twelve demonic disciples of the Cheonma Sect [Heavenly Demon Sect]… declare to the heavens and earth that we have become your subordinates… and until death separates us, we will serve you with all our body, mind, and sincerity… Supreme One, please accept our bow.”

Hot tears of a man were flowing from his eyes. He had been born a man, thinking that he would live his life with only courage and righteousness, but now he had to give up himself. To become someone’s subordinate was a vow to live in the world according to the will of one’s lord, not one’s own! Knowing this, he shed tears.

As he knelt heavily on the ground, tears of the same nature flowed from the eyes of the other disciples who were watching. But they were also men and warriors. Each of them knelt in their respective positions, and their voices echoed in the sky.

“My Lord!”

“Supreme One!”

Even though they were shedding tears, their voices were filled with sincerity and loyalty.

‘It is done now.’

Pa Cheon quietly opened his eyes and looked at each of his proud warriors, one by one.

‘It is… done.’

He collapsed. The giant was falling. Pa Cheon’s body was falling forward, and the one who caught him was the Mad Demon Lord.

“Supreme One!”

“My Lord!”

A faint smile hung on Pa Cheon’s lips as he fell, like a dream.

Ok Gi Rin was still unconscious.

★ Pa Cheon was lying on a bed in the Protector’s Hall. Three hours had already passed, but he showed no signs of waking up. Three protectors and the Mad Demon Lord were guarding him.

“Why do you do such reckless things?”

Taesang’s face was filled with worry.

“What were you doing that you just watched until the Supreme One became like this?”

Left Protector Geum Myeon Bulma scolded the Mad Demon Lord, displeased.

“I couldn’t help it. His will was too stubborn…”

“Enough. It’s all in the past! There’s nothing wrong with his body, but why? I don’t understand why he won’t wake up.”

At Taesang’s words, the Mad Demon Lord cautiously opened his mouth. Although the Mad Demon Lord was 137 years old and one of the former Four Demon Lords, the protectors were still formidable beings to him. Even the youngest Right Protector was 152 years old, so it was no wonder that he was intimidated. Moreover, Taesang had been a protector since the time he had just begun to make a name for himself, so he was also cautious when dealing with him.

“It seems that his energy flow was reversed due to the excessive use of his sword techniques.”

“How can someone who has reached the level of Cho Ma [Transcendent Demon] have their energy flow reversed? Even I find it difficult to gauge his achievements… No matter how skilled the twelve demonic disciples are, it is impossible for his energy flow to be reversed!”

“It’s not that, but he has fallen into a kind of inner demon. He tried to use something that was not yet clear while his internal energy was not sufficient…”

“What were you doing that caused him to become like this?”

“… It seems he used the Natural Sword.”

“?”

“What is the Natural Sword?”

“… I don’t know much about it either… but I heard it is something beyond the level of the Formless Sword.”

“What?”

“Is there such a thing?”

They were making a fuss. The Left and Right Protectors had expressions of disbelief… and Taesang also looked doubtful. Helplessly, the Mad Demon Lord explained to the old men about the sword technique that Pa Cheon had used. They just stared blankly and didn’t seem to completely believe him.

“Hmm… So, according to you, we just need to leave him alone?”

“Yes… He is already entering the state of Cho Ma, so not only will he heal himself, but he will also break through his limitations through this process.”

“Is that so?… Looking at you… you seem to have become much stronger than before.”

“You flatter me.”

“Anyway, the Supreme One is an amazing person. To surpass the level of Cho Ma at such a young age… it is probably the first time in the history of the martial world.”

“That’s right. In the future, our sect will enjoy infinite glory because of the Supreme One.”

“I suppose so…”

★ Before Pa Cheon’s eyes, black waves were surging. He was standing on a small rock, and all sides were blocked by the sea. No matter how far he looked, all he could see was the distant horizon. It seemed he was going to die here without any way out.

“Where am I? And why am I in a place like this?”

He looked down at his waist. The Cheonma Sword and the Ganjang Sword were not visible.

“Huh?”

Come to think of it, he wasn’t wearing anything. He was naked in this place, and he felt pathetic and scared at the same time. The color of the seawater was black, and he couldn’t see anything below the surface. He didn’t know how vast the sea was, so his fear grew even more.

He cleared his throat and called out loudly for someone, but there was no reply. Pa Cheon, naked and trapped on a rocky island in the vast ocean, slumped to the ground. He stared at the sea. If it were a river or a lake, he could swim across, but the sea was a different story. He had to decide whether to wait for someone to rescue him or to jump into the sea and find a way to survive. He hesitated.

“Damn it… Whether I die trying or starve to death, it’s the same. If I stay here, I won’t be able to do anything, so I’ll just go for it.”

Without hesitation, he jumped into the sea. What! But the sea didn’t split apart? No, it was more accurate to say that it was drying up. The place where he jumped in was drying up, revealing the bottom. As he took a step, the land was expanding. He was excited.

“Hahahaha!”

Pa Cheon, naked and oblivious to his embarrassment, ran towards the sea. He was no longer afraid.

★ -Pa Cheon

=Master

-Pa Cheon, can you hear me? Pa Cheon!

His eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. He didn’t know that opening his eyes could be so difficult. He had never known this before. The sight of something coming into focus was so welcome and reassuring… His gaze, staring blankly at the ceiling, was filled with the memory of the scene from just now.

The sea! It was the sea. The sea that was endlessly drying up, the sea that was so deep and dark, but the sea that dried up as soon as he took a step!

-Pa Cheon, what are you thinking so deeply about?

He suddenly sat up.

-Are you okay?

Without answering Cheonma’s question, he got up. He saw the Cheonma Sword and the Ganjang Sword hanging on one side. He fixed his gaze on his hands again.

“Cheonma! What is the difference between sword energy and sword force? Is it just a matter of the level of internal energy? Or the precision of the energy? Or the difference in the path of energy release? Answer me.”

-Sword energy is just the energy infused into the sword, and sword force is the same… It’s a difference in internal energy… but… the understanding of the sword…

He was rambling. Cheonma was!

“No. It’s the difference in concentration. Releasing the accumulated energy is not related to the level of internal energy, but rather it passes through the meridians and blood points, and it is merely a manifestation of that through the medium of the sword.

The fact that one can unleash sword force without a sword as one’s martial arts improve means that one’s concentration in controlling energy has increased, and it means that one has become more mature. Even a master uses internal energy… yes, that’s it, instinct!

Humans form and accumulate energy and use it, but they use blood and flesh according to the instincts of the body. They don’t use pure energy alone, but they use nerves, muscles, and joints. That itself interferes with concentration.

The reason for using a sword is that the sharpness of the sword makes it easier to release energy. If one can completely control one’s body under one’s will, and thus use only pure energy, one can surpass the Formless Sword.

It is to unify will and energy and to turn the whole body into energy. Yes! To become like that naturally, that is the Formless Sword and the depth of the Mind Sword. Because energy and consciousness are unified, it moves on its own without the need to circulate energy. It is the same as how the nerves in our body automatically control our body. Only then does consciousness control everything.”

He continued to mutter incomprehensible words, then sat down on the floor and entered a meditative state. He didn’t sit in a lotus position, but just sat still, looking as if he was dozing off.

‘There is a path in the sword. The sword path is bound to space. If there are ten thousand possible sword paths in a certain space, only a tenth of them are actually used.

A stance is a concrete form of this, taking a certain shape. The sword path is relative and takes different paths depending on the movement, the flow of internal energy, the power, and the opponent’s reaction.

However, there is always a sword path that the sword desires the most. To realize this with the mind and then execute it is already too late. Everything must naturally become one with energy, sword, and will, and find the most correct sword path each time. ……

Martial arts are, after all, the appropriate modification of power, change, and speed. Power refers to internal energy, change refers to variations, that is, stances. Speed refers to the appropriate balance of internal energy and variations. The slowest sword can become the fastest and most appropriate depending on the sword path. This is the principle.

The Mind Sword is the natural circulation of internal energy, which is power, through the hundred meridians and the subtle meridians, and the subtlety of the stances, which is change, finds the most correct sword path, and all of this is unified under the will. With pure internal energy only………………………

If you abandon everything, you gain everything. You must abandon attachment, greed, fear, and foolishness to reach the depths of the mind, and it will happen naturally.’

Changes were occurring in his body. Transparent energy was emanating from his pores, and it was only enveloping his body more precisely. A faint frost was forming on his forehead, and from the Baihui point [the crown point of the head], red and blue lights shot up to the ceiling, intertwining with each other as if caressing each other.

It pierced through the ceiling and continued to rise into the sky, reaching a height of five yards.

However, no one noticed the changes that were taking place in the Protector’s Hall.

Title: [Serial] Emperor’s Sword 27. The Beginning of the Martial Arts Tournament Related Data: None [59553]

Sender: Im Sam Yeol (logos333) 2000-12-31 00:36 Views: 2195

-The Emperor’s Sword-