Martial Arts Ain't Anything Special

“Swordsmanship... Yes, let’s just skip swordsmanship...”

Namgung Hyeok sighed deeply.

“The reason?”

“I haven’t been practicing martial arts for long, so I’m not good at swordsmanship.”

What is this Transcendent Realm fellow saying?

Namgung Hyeok maintained outward calm while suppressing countless words in his heart.

“So, when did you learn martial arts to make such an absurd... no, such a statement?”

“About two years?”

“...You picked up a sword two years ago?”

“No. I started learning martial arts about two years ago.”

Namgung Hyeok tapped his ears.

“Twenty years?”

“Two years.”

This time, he stared at Namgung Jincheon. He nodded.

Two years. Yes. Truly two years...

How is that possible?

No matter how much time has passed, has the world changed so much that even his common sense is being denied?

But fortunately, or perhaps not, it seemed not to be the case yet.

“Two years? The Young Master has only been practicing martial arts for two years?”

“That can’t be right, can it?”

“But the Young Master just said so.”

“Isn’t he saying he learned Namgung martial arts two years ago?”

“The Young Master hasn’t even been with the clan for a full year, what are you talking about?”

Even the clan members were thrown into confusion and began to stir.

Namgung Hyeok simply accepted it.

Once he had accepted claims about creating divine arts and being a genius in alchemy, nothing else would be surprising.

No, it was surprising, but he could somehow accept it.

“So that’s how it is...”

Namgung Hyeok’s eyes gleamed.

If those words were true, it became even more certain.

He must absolutely be kept.

This is undoubtedly a golden opportunity for the Namgung Clan to rise to become the Unrivaled Clan Under The Heavens.

“Then I shall judge accordingly, considering that time.”

“No, I’d just like to start with martial arts.”

“...Then so be it.”

Namgung Hyeok sighed deeply.

Seojun looked at Namgung Hyeok with gleaming eyes.

“To see martial arts, it’s better to have an opponent, right?”

“...That’s right.”

“Since you’re judging my qualification, wouldn’t it be good to spar with you?”

From what Seojun could sense, Namgung Hyeok was close to the Unrestrained Realm.

Not quite a full Unrestrained Realm, but also a bit ambiguous to call him a Transcendent Realm.

It felt like he was straddling right between the two.

This wasn’t strange.

Realms aren’t clearly divided to begin with.

There are only general standards in the martial world; if one were to be specific, there would be far more realm divisions than now.

A prime example of this was Pae Jingwang.

If one were to convert the realm of the Supreme Force Strange Divine Martial Art to a general realm, his level would be roughly around there.

If pressed, Namgung Hyeok would be slightly higher.

Of course, if Pae Jingwang and Namgung Hyeok were to fight, no one could predict who would win.

“A spar with this elder?”

“Yes. Since the Clan Head is also present.”

“...Indeed, there’s no risk of an incident.”

In a way, this was a rare opportunity.

To be able to spar with a martial artist close to the Unrestrained Realm with Namgung Jincheon nearby?

This was far more valuable than even the Greater Rejuvenation Pill, considered the best among spirit pills.

Even if they fought close to a death match, if Namgung Jincheon intervened at the appropriate time, neither would be seriously injured.

This too must be my father-in-law’s grace...

After lightly praising Namgung Jincheon, Seojun grinned.

“Then it’s decided?”

“Let it be so. However, as a matter of course, the result will not be determined solely by the outcome of the spar. Of course, if you win, you will have undoubtedly proven your qualification, but even if you lose, I will judge based on the martial arts you display in the process.”

“Hmm.”

After thinking deeply, Seojun nodded.

So I just need to win.

Losing but fighting well? That’s unacceptable.

He was determined to win this spar and flick that old man on the crown of his head.

*The spar proceeded right there at the main training ground.

The people gathered here were all members of the Namgung Clan. There was no issue with them watching the spar.

In fact, watching a match between masters would be beneficial for them as well.

So while everyone stepped back a fair distance, no one left the venue.

Standing before Seojun, Namgung Hyeok explained the rules of the spar once more.

“Even with the Clan Head present, to prevent any accidents, refrain from lethal strikes as much as possible.”

That was all. A spar close to a death match. Namgung Hyeok drew his sword and pointed it at Seojun.

“I’ll give you three moves.”

This meant he wouldn’t counterattack during Seojun’s first three moves.

In other words, even if Seojun gathered his strength for an hour, Namgung Hyeok would do nothing more than minor interference.

And Seojun felt that if he gathered his strength for about an hour, he could cut Namgung Hyeok’s head into a cute star shape.

But that would be quite anticlimactic.

Tap, tap, tap.

Seojun snapped his fingers three times.

The ground strikes that flew were futilely blocked by Namgung Hyeok’s sword.

“That’s it? Three moves.”

“...Your spirit is admirable. Let’s see if your skill matches it.”

Namgung Hyeok approached slowly. Seojun smiled wryly and drew his finger upward in a large motion.

“Don’t blame me if you get beaten.”

Five Elements, Earth, Release.

Huge pillars rapidly rose from the floor of the main training ground like growing trees.

Namgung Hyeok immediately kicked the ground. His eyebrows rose as he lightly twisted his body to avoid.

“Sorcery? You have many talents.”

Not content with creating martial arts, he’s also into alchemy, and now sorcery?

“But with that, you won’t excel in any one thing.”

Tap. After kicking the side of a pillar, Namgung Hyeok flew in.

Blue reinforced qi infused his sword, and then he swung it downward in a large arc. It was the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art.

Recognizing it, Seojun smiled wryly.

“I think I’ve excelled in all of them.”

The sword sheath at his waist. He pushed out the sword with his thumb.

As Seojun’s sword was revealed, a faint figure of an emperor appeared behind him. It was a combination of the Sword Form of the Emperor and the Giant Spirit Divine Art.

Since this was a venue to judge his qualification for the Sword Form of the Emperor, it wasn’t difficult to actively use the Sword Form of the Emperor.

RUMBLE────────!!

The pressure that pressed down on space caused the flying Namgung Hyeok to be slammed to the ground.

Seojun placed his hand on the pillar he was standing on.

At the same time, he was conscious of the overflowing power of the Supreme Force Strange Divine Martial Art throughout his body, one step.

Boom!

Seojun shot through the hazy dust. Namgung Hyeok, who had been waiting, swung his sword in response.

CRASH────────!!

The dust was instantly cleared away by the collision of swords.

Pushed back significantly, Namgung Hyeok flexed his tingling hand and narrowed his eyes.

What kind of strength...

When confronted head-on, he was pushed back. It was inconceivable. The accumulated inner qi and realms were different.

But he had already been surprised too many times to be shocked by this.

Quickly recovering from his bewilderment, Namgung Hyeok wrapped the sky with his sword. Seojun, who had already approached, was swinging his sword.

“You...!”

A sky resembling the sea rises from the ground. Seojun responded. He slightly twisted the Wang Clan way he was using, mixing in the imagery of All Rivers Returning to the Ocean.

Whoosh!

Seojun’s figure, releasing power, rose high into the sky.

After creating plum blossoms under his feet for another leap, Seojun landed on a rock pillar and looked at Namgung Hyeok.

“Haven’t you had much practical experience lately? You seem a bit dull.”

“Correct. I haven’t crossed swords with a worthy opponent recently. So be careful.”

Whoosh!

The reinforced qi flowing from Namgung Hyeok’s sword devoured space. The space around the sword was dyed in the color of the sky.

Seojun’s eyes gleamed.

It was a domain. However, unlike that of the Unrestrained Realm, it was a limited domain that only surrounded the sword.

But it couldn’t be ignored. In that sword’s domain, Namgung Hyeok had an overwhelming advantage.

“As time passes, this old man’s sword will become sharper.”

Crack! Namgung Hyeok charged.

Seojun grinned and kicked the rock pillar. Instead of charging at Namgung Hyeok, Seojun’s rapidly moving figure moved between the pillars.

Namgung Hyeok silently gripped his sword. Then, twisting his body, he swung his sword widely.

Azure Sky Arrival.

WHOOSH─────────!!

The blue sky undulated like a wave, cutting down the rock pillars.

The rock pillars, their bodies severed, fell in droves. Seojun, sitting on one of the fragments, snapped his fingers with a “Tap!”

“Can you hold out until then? It might be difficult with dulled skills.”

The falling rock fragments. Suddenly, explosive energy burst forth from them.

Namgung Hyeok’s eyes widened.

“When did...!”

Scenes flashed through his mind.

Seojun placing his hand on the pillars, or busily moving between them.

It was a natural response in that situation, but that wasn’t all.

There was another aim...!

CRASH────────!!!

Numerous Primordial Sun-Moon Arts planted in the pillars exploded sequentially.

Fragments caught in the explosions scattered chaotically.

The fragments, which seemed to scatter irregularly, suddenly formed a regular arrangement. It was a simple form of the Five Elements Formation.

Seojun, who had calculated this in advance, leisurely formed hand seals.

Five Elements, Fire, Eruption.

With the explosions of the Primordial Sun-Moon Art, those explosions merged and shot up into the sky.

RUMBLE────────!!

Seojun, who had landed on the ground and was quietly watching, suddenly thought.

Did I use too much sorcery?

At this rate, it seems like I’m showing sorcery rather than martial arts.

“Hmm.”

Nodding, Seojun gripped his sword with both hands. Anyway, the old man wouldn’t be taken down by that much, so he might as well use martial arts from now on.

Sure enough.

Whoosh! The flow of the explosion was instantly scattered, revealing Namgung Hyeok. His clothes were slightly scorched and he had scratches here and there, but he looked fine.

“...A tactic reminiscent of the Qilian Sect.”

“What the hell?”

Seojun frowned and unleashed the Sword Form of the Emperor.

Boom! Namgung Hyeok, standing on the sky, furrowed his brow at the enormous pressure.

“I too shall give my all.”

Namgung Hyeok raised his sword. His sword dyed the surrounding space in the color of the sky.

No, the sea?

Something that was either sky or sea spread endlessly, covering the area.

Namgung Hyeok’s domain was a space about one foot (approximately 30cm) around his sword. However, his mental image maintained its form even beyond his domain.

Facing that massive violence, Seojun’s expression slightly hardened.

No matter how rusty Namgung Hyeok’s practical sense might be, that had nothing to do with practical sense.

What practical sense is needed for a strike that simply comes crashing down?

Since blocking seemed difficult, the remaining options were defense or evasion.

Evasion would be difficult...

Seojun took a deep breath and imbued his sword with red and blue energy. Yin and yang formed harmony, drawing a taiji.

As the energy that formed the Primordial was imbued in the form of a blade, it became the Primordial Sun-Moon Reinforced Qi.

There was one lesson learned from the experiment, “Is Your Fist or My Sword Stronger?”

The Primordial Sun-Moon Reinforced Qi, if used crudely, might be less efficient than ordinary reinforced qi.

But when used properly, it could calmly perform feats that ordinary reinforced qi wouldn’t dare attempt.

“Phew...”

Although it was his first time trying it directly, it would probably work, right?

Seojun pulled his sword back and grinned.

If it doesn’t work, father-in-law will stop it.

The emperor behind Seojun, taking the same stance. The Primordial Sun-Moon Reinforced Qi was imbued on the sword he held.

A falling sea.

It was overwhelming. Before a tsunami, human existence seemed no more than dust.

Seojun raised his sword against that massive disaster.

A mere human holding a piece of metal runs toward a tsunami, and is eventually swallowed.

The taiji is harmony and expansion.

The rough flow of the sea. Seojun, submerged in it, swung his sword.