There’s no way we wouldn’t believe it. (1)

The phrase “the sound of a river flowing” is, in fact, somewhat awkward. Streams make noise as they flow, but very few can hear the sound of a deep river flowing. Rivers simply flow quietly.

However, those who stood here in the Maehwado, at this moment, definitely heard the sound of the river flowing. It was a sound resembling a certain melody, formed by the meeting of wave upon wave.

Such profound stillness and silence had settled upon this island.

Even seeing it with their own eyes, they couldn’t believe it.

A third class disciple of Hwasan. Now, a young swordsman is pushing against the Black Dragon King, who has established an absolute stronghold known as the Black Dragon Fortress.

From a rational perspective, the extent of their injuries is not significantly different.

Of course, the Black Dragon King’s body is riddled with wounds and holes. However, considering his massive size and resilience, these injuries can’t be called fatal.

On the other hand, Chung Myung’s injuries are limited to one hand, but that hand is so badly damaged that it’s almost impossible to move.

The back of his hand is almost torn to the bone, and his palm is a complete mess.

If someone were to arrive here now and examine the two of them, it would be difficult to determine who holds the upper hand.

However, as much as those present here, those who have watched this match from the beginning to now with their own eyes, would hardly dare to call the outcome of this battle a “draw.”

A profound sense of unease had gripped everyone. In the face of the spectacle where the common sense they had taken for granted was collapsing, everyone remained silent.

“……”

Namgung Myeong, who had intended to say something, could not bring himself to speak and closed his mouth. There was no way to express his current feelings with any words.

He suddenly looked down at his own hand. Cold sweat was dripping down his palm.

‘What on earth is that person…?’

It was incomprehensible. No, perhaps it was terrifying.

Chung Myung’s swordplay was clearly meticulously calculated. Namgung Myeong, also bearing the Namgung family name, knew this firsthand as a direct descendant of the Namgung family, which had never once let go of the position of the world’s greatest swordsmen.

How much effort and determination were contained in a seemingly simple swing?

No, even if he didn’t bear the Namgung name, anyone who wielded a sword would understand. But can this performance be explained solely by that effort? No matter how one pushes oneself, no matter how one hones oneself to become as sharp as a sword, can one fight like that?

‘It’s impossible.’

That is not something that can be learned. It’s not the kind of thing that’s possible with sheer determination.

That person called Hwasan Geomhyeop is fundamentally something different.

He wasn’t sure what made Chung Myung like this, but just watching him swing the sword sent shivers down his spine. His jaw was trembling, and it felt like his blood was running cold.

That’s when it happened.

“That damned human…”

“Tsk.”

An irritated voice emanated from the side of the Five Swords standing next to him. Well, it was more like anger than irritation.

What they were eyeing was Chung Myung.

However, a bizarre sight unfolded shortly after. Chung Myung, who had captivated Namgung Myeong to the point where he couldn’t breathe, was tearing his own clothes apart.

Zzziiiiik!

Using the torn fabric, he was wrapping up the wounded left hand.

“Tsk.”

Normally, looking at one’s own injuries during the heat of battle was unheard of. Even though he was told repeatedly that it was more important not to get hurt than to kill the enemy, he had never once examined his own injuries while fighting.

But now, he was clumsily using a torn piece of fabric as a makeshift bandage for his hand. It was because he could see the hostile glares that seemed ready to kill him.

“These bastards…”

Baek Cheon and Jo Geol, Yoon Jong with his axe-like gaze, and Yu Iseol, whose expression remained unchanged but seemed ready to pounce and cut Chung Myung at any moment. Especially the face of Tang Soso, who was emitting an evil aura from behind, was so terrifying that it was almost unbearable to look at.

Chung Myung chuckled as he tended to his injured hand.

Taking care of a wound during a battle because someone’s gaze is frightening – if Tang Bo had seen this, he might have fell down with foam from his mouth in disbelief.

Squeeze!

Chung Myung pulled the cloth on his wrist to secure his hand and spat out sand sticking to his lips as he adjusted his grip on the sword. Then, he inexplicably smiled again.

In perfect timing, the Black Dragon King raised his massive body.

Blood was dripping from his lips as he seemed to barely contain his rage. His Guandao, which he struck the ground with, trembled.

“This…”

For a moment, a fierce aura emanated from the Black Dragon King’s entire body.

The overwhelming power of this aura caused some among the enemy ranks to collapse and fall unconscious. Even the disciples of Hwasan were taken aback by the tremendous energy.

“You little rat!”

The Black Dragon King’s eyes were bloodshot.

What does all of this mean?

He acknowledged his speed. However, in his battle against that damned guy, there was no injury caused by his ‘skill’ amidst his pre-existing injuries.

It was the result of him forcibly pushing through without taking care of his injuries, ridiculous improvisations, and the madness of that insane bastard.

Although he cursed outwardly, his face was filled with a profoundly cautious expression.

‘That guy is extremely familiar with combat.’

No, in truth, the word ‘extremely’ was inadequate to describe everything he had just experienced. Even someone like him, who was usually eloquent, felt inadequate in finding words to express that madness and venom at this moment.

Ordinary fighters wait for openings in their opponent’s defense. And the finest fighters create openings in their opponent’s defense using their own strength.

But that guy doesn’t just stay within those boundaries.

He forcibly twists and creates openings, inserting his nails and fangs into them, tearing wounds apart.

Step by step.

Chung Myung pulled the fabric wrapped around his hand tightly once again, as he started to approach.

Even the sound of his footsteps was intimidating.

Thud.

The Black Dragon King gritted his teeth.

There’s no rabbit that approaches a tiger first. At least, during combat, the ability to approach first is clear evidence of having the upper hand.

The Black Dragon King’s towering pride was on the verge of being torn apart, but instead of loudly cursing and shouting as usual, he slowly raised his Guandao forward.

His action was incredibly deliberate.

It symbolized acknowledgment. He accepted the small swordsman before him as a formidable opponent that he had to fight with his life.

No strong person starts out as strong from the beginning. He, too, survived and climbed to this point in the gaps between those stronger than himself.

Instead of swirling around like a storm, the deadly aura, sharp like a blade, began to flow through him.

The corners of Chung Myung’s mouth curled up sharply.

“I guess it’s worth a try now.”

“Don’t get too arrogant. You…”

The Black Dragon King’s words couldn’t continue. It seemed like someone had sealed his mouth. He couldn’t bring himself to call that crazy Taoist a brat.

“Tsk.”

The Black Dragon King’s eyes darkened as if his lips were tightly sealed, crushed together.

He knows.

The result justifies everything. If the enemy is strong, the praise that will eventually come back to the Black Dragon King when he wins will be equally high.

So…

The Black Dragon King’s controlled breathing caused the sand to ripple slowly under his feet. With each breath, the Guandao naturally rose and fell.

His eyes, which had been darting around like a wild boar’s, gradually transformed into the eyes of a warrior.

Chak!

As his foot pushed against the ground, the Black Dragon King’s aura shot forward like a mirage. As the stirred sand shot upward, his body reached Chung Myung’s face.

Whip!

Swift and short thrusts followed.

It wasn’t just an attack relying on the blade. It was a thrust that maximized the advantages of the longer range of the Guandao, more so than a spear. Before the first thrust could fully extend, the remnants of the attack split into dozens of sword energies that swept towards Chung Myung with a sweeping force.

He quickly retreated, but at that moment, the sword energies unleashed by the Black Dragon King extended even further and chased him.

“Hup!”

With a short shout, Chung Myung extended his sword towards a point in the empty space like a striking viper.

Clang!

Chung Myung’s sword, precisely piercing through the gaps in black sword energies, deflected the incoming attacks to the left and right. It was in that very moment, as he created space by squeezing it as if wringing it out, Chung Myung attempted to strike with his sword.

Swish!

With a whistling sound Black Dragon King’s blade charged through the opening like a flash of light. In an instant, Chung Myung twisted his hand to hold the sword vertically.

Kaaang!

The clash between the blades in mid-air sent Chung Myung’s body flying backward.

At that moment, the Black Dragon King realigned his blade.

Kwaang!

His foot slammed into the ground, and at the same time, the raised blade fiercely struck the air.

Kwaaaah!

From the tip of the blade, an ink-colored energy poured out like a waterfall. It was as if he had drawn a giant line in the sky with a massive brush!

Facing the blade that seemed capable of shattering him to pieces, Chung Myung twisted his body in the air, allowing the sword energy to pass behind him.

“Huaaaaap!”

From the tip of Chung Myung’s sword, a crimson crescent-shaped sword energy was unleashed. The reddish glowing energy clashed head-on with the black arc of the blade, resembling the light of a crimson sunset meeting the deepest night.

Kwaaaaang!

At the moment when those two forces clashed, an enormous explosion of energy in the air occurred, accompanied by a thunderous roar that could rival a cannon’s blast.

Kwong!

In that instant, the Black Dragon King’s black sword energy started to radiate from the tip of his blade. Enormous aura condensed and merged into a single line. Soon after, it started fiercely rotating around the iron blade.

“Huoooooo!”

The Black Dragon King’s roar echoed like a bursting lion’s roar. As his energy continued to rise, the sword energy spun explosively, completely enveloping the black blade in a whirlwind.

Paaaang!

He swung the blade down as if tearing through the air. The blade’s unyielding strength extended nine lines into the sky.

Nine Dragons Formation!

It was as if nine black dragons were soaring toward Chung Myung.

Witnessing this tremendous spectacle, Hwasan’s disciples could no longer contain their astonishment, and screams erupted from their mouths for the first time.

“Chung Myungaaaah!”

But in that moment, a single red dot emerged in the sky.

The water-like heavens and the brilliantly blue river. In this picture-like world red flowers bloomed like clouds.

An explosive burst of blossoming flowers.

Dozens, hundreds, even thousands of plum blossoms bloomed in the air, creating a massive wall. The world turned red as if the sunset had suddenly spread across the blue sky.

Eventually, the nine dragons collided head-on with the wall of red plum blossoms, intertwining with each other.

Kwaaaaaaaang!

With a tremendous explosion, as if an entire mountain had collapsed, red and black energies burst like fireworks, scattering in all directions.