Book 16 Chapter 7

The Sword Empress's sword, finally drawn.

"I can't believe I'll have to draw my sword…"

At first, she intended to take it lightly.

Her opponent was a completely inexperienced junior.

It was laughable for her, the most distinguished figure in the martial arts world, to go all out against such a young child. But now, instinct refused.

"Fine! I'll test what kind of vessel you are!"

Clang!

The Sword Empress's left thumb nudged the sword slightly out of its scabbard. The moment it was revealed, not even a handspan of its jade-like, pure white blade emitted a cold aura like mist. Then, like the Ice General's sword, the frigid cold, mixed with killing intent, began to rapidly engulf the surrounding air. The autumn afternoon sun held its breath, and the vegetation shivered in the cold.

"H-how can this be!"

Moyong Hwi couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. It was still a warm autumn day, so warm that a slight sweat would bead on the skin with just a little movement, and the sun hung in the sky, its gaze fiery red.

It would take two or three more solar terms for the Winter General to arrive with his winter army. Yet, for some reason, Bi Ryu Yeon's mouth was exhaling mist. This was proof that the Sword Empress's sword energy had meticulously and flawlessly seized control of his surroundings. The area around the Sword Empress and Bi Ryu Yeon had already become a frigid winter swept by a north wind and snow.

"Ki… Ki…"

Moyong Hwi's voice trembled with awe. He swallowed dryly, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"The immense Ki is distorting the very air!"

It was a vortex of powerful Ki distorting the air and creating whirlwinds. And that vortex was separating their sphere of influence into entirely different worlds.

They say the outcome of a master's battle is decided before it even begins. Most ordinary people lose their will to fight when crushed by the dense killing intent and overwhelming martial spirit emitted by a master. It's only right to assume that if one is overwhelmed from the start, there's no longer any hope of winning the subsequent fight.

"A winter blizzard… Emitting Ki that can resonate with nature… You're serious! Is that child such an opponent that you have to do this!"

The Sword Saint muttered with a grave expression. The Sword Master nodded in agreement.

"Indeed! This has become more dangerous than I thought. At this rate, it might be difficult to even intervene."

The immense Ki and overwhelming presence emanating from the highest masters color their surroundings with their own hue.

'This, this unbelievable, immense divine might… Is this the true form of the Heavenly Martial Trio?'

Moyong Hwi felt goosebumps all over his body. He was certain he wasn't the only one feeling such intense chills.

A terror that threatened to engulf his mind, a fear that urged him to turn and flee immediately, a mental pressure knocking on the closed doors of his heart. To see someone so far above oneself is both joyful and profoundly sad. It can serve as a foundation for leaps forward, or a point of frustration, as it allows one to recognize their own circumstances. Yet, the choice between these two paths is ultimately one's own.

"To defy the seasons… How is such a thing possible?"

The Sword Saint glanced at his grandson, who stood in a mixture of shock, admiration, and awe.

"Hwi, do you know the saying 'Mountains and Lakes Share Qi'?"

Incomprehensible words flowed from the Sword Saint's mouth. Moyong Hwi quickly realized the teaching was directed at him and assumed a listening posture.

"Please teach me, Grandfather!"

The Sword Saint nodded. His grandson was truly a talent worth teaching. He hoped his grandson would gain something from this sparring match. And it was now Moyong Hwi's responsibility to glean something from his teachings.

"It means that although heaven and earth appear separate, they are connected within an organic network.

Suppose there is a mountain on a lake. At first glance, they seem like entirely unrelated beings. As if 'water is water, and mountains are mountains.' But is that truly the case?

The water in the lake evaporates, rises to the sky, becomes clouds, and falls as rain onto the mountain, making the trees on the mountain grow. The water is absorbed by the trees, and the rest flows back into the lake along the mountain streams. This is merely an example of the phenomenal aspect, but the principle applies equally in its essential aspect. All of this is possible because heaven and earth resonate with each other. Resonance means exchanging Ki and influencing each other. What the Sword Empress is doing is also an attempt to more actively connect her inner microcosm with the outer universe."

Everything in the world is woven by a single 'principle' (理). Therefore, it is possible to exert influence on the surroundings by riding the incredibly complex patterns of that 'principle's' web.

The density of Ki concentrated in a place is directly proportional to its powerful presence, and in that sense, the Sword Empress Lee Ok Sang's presence is immense.

If she decrees it summer, it becomes summer even in winter. If she decrees it winter, it becomes winter even in summer or autumn. This absolute presence is the true form of a supreme master.

Shuuk!

The Sword Empress's sword slid out of its scabbard as smoothly as a carp swimming in water. Finally, the Sword Empress's sword energy, unseen for decades, was revealed to the world.

"Did you see it?"

Dokko Ryeong asked Na Ye Rin with a trembling voice.

"No, I didn't see it. Or rather, I couldn't see it. It was as if I was shrouded in a black curtain, and I couldn't see anything."

"Even your Dragon Eyes couldn't discern it?"

Na Ye Rin nodded.

"It's not omnipotent, you know. It's not a power that creates something from nothing, that brings something from nothing."

The workings of heaven and earth, the movement of yin and yang, the five elements of mutual generation and mutual overcoming, the intertwining eight trigrams. The divine ability, the Dragon Eyes, which unconsciously reads these flows, receives information through the body, and analyzes them. This Ki is also possible because nature resonates with itself. Some say that all events are possible due to the simultaneity of nature, which occurs at a single moment, transcending past, present, and future. However, even that was not omnipotent. The more variables approach infinity, the harder it becomes to read.

For a supreme master like the Sword Empress, there were cases where it was impossible to read at all. Or, even if read, the body couldn't keep up.

Yet, Bi Ryu Yeon dodged the lightning-fast sword draw. Did he read all those variations? Or was it mere luck?

"Perhaps this match… might yield an unexpected result."

What just happened?

The only ones not stunned were the Sword Saint and the Sword Master. Everyone else's eyes were wide open.

Without any hint, the slightest muscle tremor, or even a form, the sword energy cleaved through space and passed over Bi Ryu Yeon's shoulder. Bi Ryu Yeon stood rooted to the spot, not moving an inch. However, no blood seeped out from the cut, as if it were cleaved by a sharp razor. Only his clothes were cut, not his flesh.

"Oh my, there's no need to be nervous. This was just a simple taste."

The Sword Empress said with a smile. It meant, "You didn't dodge because you were skilled; I intentionally missed."

Sarraarararak!

A few strands of slightly cut hair scattered in the wind.

"How is it? If you give up now, I'm willing to accept it."

It was a surrender recommendation.

"Yes, Ryu Yeon! This is too reckless. No matter how strong you are, you can't defeat Master. Give up!"

Na Ye Rin, who had been watching, seized the moment and cried out urgently. Her normally calm voice was deeply agitated.

"Huh? Are you worried about me? That's wonderful!"

Whether he understood the urgency of the situation or not was impossible to tell, but Bi Ryu Yeon said in a slightly excited voice. Then, he turned back to the Sword Empress and said clearly,

"I will not give up."

"You refuse a toast and choose to drink punishment!"

The Sword Empress replied coldly. Her sword began to gather Ki again.

"This time, I'm going for real!"

Bi Ryu Yeon focused his mind. He couldn't even blink. If he did, the Sword Empress's sword would pierce his throat in that instant.

"The young man is too reckless."

This was the consistent assessment of the Sword Saint and the Sword Master, who watched.

'Reckless?'

Was it really? Moyong Hwi's thoughts differed slightly. If it were three years ago, he, like everyone else, would have undoubtedly declared Bi Ryu Yeon's challenge to be utterly foolish and reckless. But now, his perspective had shifted. He was anticipating a miracle. He expected him to show something beyond imagination, just as he always had! To shatter the framework of common sense defined by daily life and the general public, to transcend limitations and soar to a new realm!

"My personality is a bit twisted, so I only feel at ease when I keep my word once I've spoken it. I truly dislike being part of the crowd that speaks but lacks the strength to act and gives up. Regardless of status or age, spoken words must be kept. Or rather, shouldn't those who are older and hold higher social positions adhere to it more strictly? That's why I believe you will surely fulfill your promise if I win this wager."

This was his true intention. And it was also an unspoken pressure to ensure she kept her word.

"Of course! One should not speak words they cannot keep. What use is a tongue that spouts untruths? Is it not merely a bane to society?"

"Hearing you say that, I feel very relieved."

Bi Ryu Yeon smiled with satisfaction at the Sword Empress's hearty reply.

"Ohohoho! You're more cunning than you look! Alright, alright! Don't worry. I will keep my word no matter what. Even if it means my life ends today, my words will be upheld until the end by my comrades. And many of the spectators watching this match will be witnesses to whether I fulfill my promise. Can you trust me now?"

"No! I can't trust you at all then."

Bi Ryu Yeon replied resolutely.

"Why?"

"Even if I win the wager, less than one-fifth of the people will be happy about it. They'll probably think it's much happier to deny what they saw."

"You seem to have a constitution that attracts a lot of grudges."

"Popular people always have a tough time!"

"Fine! Then the two of us will be your witnesses!"

Two people walked towards them.

"Who are they? You don't know? Do you know?" Murmurs could be heard from all sides.

Since they wore conical straw hats, it was difficult to guess their identities from their appearance.

"Oh my, what's gotten into you two to get so involved in something like this?"

The Sword Empress spoke with a tone of surprise.

"Hoho, you said yourself just now that if you die, you'll leave it all to us… Are you backing out?"

The short-tempered Sword Master chided the Sword Empress.

"Oh, did I?"

"Are you satisfied if the two of us act as witnesses?"

"I really can't stop you. Both of you are acting like children… There's no reason to be dissatisfied. How can anyone possibly object to the testimony of the world-renowned Sword Saint and Sword Master?"

Although she spoke with a low sigh, the impact of her words was immense.

The Sword Saint and the Sword Master!

Those who knew their identities trembled as if struck by lightning.

The legends of the martial arts world, only heard through tales, had reappeared before them. To see the Heavenly Martial Trio gathered in one place… It was not a fortune accessible to just anyone.

The gods of sword and saber, the idols of all martial artists, the ultimate idols. How could one not be moved? Some even shed tears out of overwhelming emotion. It was fortunate that no one fainted.

"Are you at ease now?"

"Of course! Who would dare to question the credibility of the three divine beings!"

Bi Ryu Yeon seemed not to be overly surprised by the appearance of the Heavenly Martial Trio. Still, it was a surprisingly polite answer for him.

A promise officially acknowledged by all three members of the Heavenly Martial Trio was the most trustworthy promise in the martial world. Unless one was someone who didn't value their life or had no sense of shame, no one would dare to question their promise.

People were craning their necks to get a closer look at the three, their circle gradually closing in.

Only after the Sword Saint and the Sword Master returned to Moyong Hwi's side did some semblance of order return, and a temporary lull was reached.

"Then, are you ready?"

The Sword Empress asked, pointing her sword.

"I'm always ready!"

"A good answer. Then shall we play with this young, spirited bird?"

A peculiar smile played on the Sword Empress's lips.