NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 133
Final move.
William revealed a new sequence of techniques that he had not used until now.
Hmph.
A stance to deliver a powerful blow.
‘There are many openings, but… those openings are surely just traps.’
The Alliance Leader recalled that the armor of inner energy surrounding his body had easily withstood even a punch.
‘An inexperienced martial artist would not be aware of the armor surrounding his body.’
There is no martial art in the Central Plains that focuses on protective energy.
Ultimately, whether it’s protective energy or armor of inner energy, they were not very sturdy. After being exposed to sword energy several times, even the armor would become just a waste of energy, so martial artists of the Central Plains tended to use protective energy only as minimal insurance.
‘If one could withstand a blow from my fist, it would surely be impossible for someone with mediocre skills to inflict any injury.’
Five steps.
‘Let’s see what trick he’ll show this time.’
The Alliance Leader’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Four steps.
‘This wouldn’t be a very disadvantageous fight if it’s strength against strength.’
After a few clashes.
William became certain in the midst of those clashes.
Considering the opponent’s age alone and William’s own extraordinary strength, his physical abilities exceeded those of ordinary people. His innate physical capabilities were of a different caliber.
‘However, strength alone cannot secure victory.’
In battles with high-level experts beyond a certain point, the result is not determined solely by sheer strength.
Who wields the sword better?
Who has more inner energy?
Three steps.
The statue-like figure of the Alliance Leader finally moved to block William’s sword.
Simultaneously, William’s arm drew a large arc towards the Alliance Leader with the sword.
A powerful swing, rarely seen from a longsword that calmly deflects attacks; instead of interfering with William’s attack by pressuring him, the Alliance Leader inserted his sword into the path of the longsword.
‘What a fascinating move you’ll show.’
A situation where both deflecting and blocking are easier for the Alliance Leader.
But the Alliance Leader, judging from what he had seen so far, didn’t even consider that William’s third move would end with an ordinary swing.
And so, the sword swung recklessly like the executioner of a condemned man, touching his blade.
It didn’t collide, it merely touched.
‘From the prelude to the swing, everything was just a feint.’
The Alliance Leader fixed his gaze on William.
William met the Alliance Leader’s gaze and smirked.
The Alliance Leader responded with a similarly fierce grin.
“A martial challenge this enjoyable hasn’t come around in a long while.”
“I agree.”
The first rule of swordsmanship.
Avoid the edge of the blade.
Because a sword is more fragile than one might think.
And because seasoned swordsmen know how to take advantage when the blade edges clash.
The longsword spun around the Alliance Leader’s sword as its pivot once more, and William’s body danced around the Alliance Leader’s form as the center.
An instant change of positions.
An instant change of dynamics.
The Alliance Leader calmly stepped with the Flowing Shadow Step, evading the blow aimed at his neck. At the same time, he marveled at William’s movement, which pushed his sword like a lever, and spoke.
“You don’t hesitate to engage even with a long sword.”
“A long sword may be advantageous in range, but swordsmen from the Western Regions actually prefer close combat.”
“Why is that?”
“Because a sword is sharp, and human skin is fragile. Even a skilled swordsman at the summit can die from a single strike, isn’t that the truth?”
No matter how advanced the healing arts of this world may be, a cut from a sword is never a light injury.
Human bodies are far more fragile than one would think.
“Using a long blade to entangle and block an opponent’s sword, then overpower them. It’s not the same as Wu Dang’s swordplay.”
“Wu Dang’s sword is soft to subdue everything. My sword is soft to cut an opponent’s breath.”
“It’s a rare example of contrasting styles of swordsmanship. Your technique is a killing sword, eh? I say this with no disrespect, I’m merely using a metaphor.”
“A sword, born from the battlefield, is fundamentally like that.”
A fleeting dialogue.
A fleeting moment of leisure.
William gently held the end of the blade and grabbed the hilt with the hand gripping the sword.
Mordhau.
“An interesting grip technique.”
“Isn’t that something the martial world can already do?”
“It’s not impossible, but not commonly used. Holding a blade imbued with sword energy means you could harm yourself too, so it is not a technique used in regular swordplay.”
Despite the seemingly brute move, grabbing a sword cloaked in energy requires a delicate control.
The Alliance Leader broke into a hearty laugh as he eyed the strange sight of the sword held by the hand gripping the hilt, aimed at him.
“That would be your fourth move, then.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“Hmph.”
“It’s not yet over.”
William’s sword left his hand.
Precisely, it was launched.
Toward the Alliance Leader’s feet.
The Alliance Leader chuckled at the absurd attack and took a step.
By dodging, the opponent would lose his sword.
‘It’s like a cannonball.’
Though it’s different from firing a cannonball as it uses a sword, the scene is quite similar.
The Alliance Leader glanced at the sword stuck in the ground with its hilt facing him, then turned his gaze back to William.
“There are two of them.”
“That’s correct.”
Unlike the longsword, the sword was slightly shorter. Accordingly, William’s body moved like a kingfisher diving into water toward its prey, closing the distance to the Alliance Leader in an instant.
A steadfast charge.
Numerous visible openings.
And the rising dust and explosions.
The sparring stage cracked, breaking into stone powder which momentarily obscured the vision.
‘The sword shape is entirely different. That’s an… a sword specialized for thrusting.’
The Alliance Leader deduced the true nature of William’s new sword through decades of experience.
However, recognizing a sword doesn’t automatically mean understanding its techniques, so one must never let their guard down.
“Interesting, very interesting.”
The Alliance Leader deflected the sword that was too short to be called a longsword but too long to be just a dagger with his own sword. Naturally, William’s arm was pushed to the side, followed by the Alliance Leader’s sword advancing toward William’s neck.
William’s countermeasure was simple.
Using his inner energy-infused hand to stop the Alliance Leader’s sword.
The feat of blocking a sword with the back of a hand drew a deep curve on the Alliance Leader’s face.
“You use the back of your hand like a shield.”
“It’s originally a technique of using a shield.”
“An uncommon form in the Central Plains.”
The swords, after being deflected, returned to their original positions, tracing more than ten arcs.
The ringing of the blades continuously resounded on the sparring stage. The evenly-matched sword dance with no clear advantage fascinated the audience who could not look away.
“Did you learn two styles of swordsmanship?”
“To survive, one must learn everything.”
Longsword techniques, with precise distance control, smooth deflections, and transitions through handguards to tighten the opponent’s breath.
Roman gladiator techniques, overpowering with strength and unconventional skills.
Seeing him skillfully wielding two contrasting sword arts, the Alliance Leader became fascinated.
‘He can freely control opposing martial styles. Whoever trained him did a splendid job, whoever they were.’
Like a beast, William’s sword fiercely charged at the Alliance Leader in rapid succession. The Alliance Leader stood immovable like a towering tree, deflecting all of William’s strikes.
As if to imply that at this level, he couldn’t be moved so easily.
“You’re quite fierce with your thrusts.”
“At one time, this swordsmanship dominated half the continent in the Western Regions.”
Swordsmanship inherited from Roman legionnaires, originally designed for use with a shield and sword. However, not everyone who isn’t a soldier could always carry a shield.
So Roman gladiators sought a method.
Using the back of the hand as a shield.
This became the starting point for the art that later became the Aura Armor.
The flying William’s sword was drawn back, and a minor opening appeared in the Alliance Leader’s movements. William seized the opportunity and swung his left hand.
Pushing the Alliance Leader’s sword with the back of his hand. The sword was locked in a stalemate by sheer force, and William’s sword flew toward the Alliance Leader’s collarbone.
“What an exciting match, truly exciting. I could fight with you all day.”
“I’d be happy to oblige.”
“Unfortunately, I have to be thrifty with my time as the leader of the Martial Alliance. Ha! I should probably retire from this position sooner.”
The swords were blocked by the backs of their hands.
A strange position where both were blocking each other’s swords with their hands.
Without even taking a step apart, the two men grinned fiercely.
“Before that… there’s something I have to do as the Alliance Leader. Why did you challenge me to this match?”
“…There’s a spy within the Martial Alliance.”
“Eh?”
The Alliance Leader’s eyes widened at the unexpected name from William’s mouth.
“The spy is… Supreme Military Officer of the Martial Alliance, Ximen Gang.”
“Wha? Ximen Military Officer?”
The Alliance Leader’s gaze turned grave at William’s unexpected accusation.
‘Could his words be true? If they are…’
The Alliance Leader recalled Ximen Gang’s suspicious demeanor before the match began.
‘This necessitates an investigation without a doubt.’
“Do you have any evidence?”
“There’s a letter found after raiding a branch of the Demonic Sect. It seems like information intended to be sent to the sect via a flying messenger bird.”
The hand that had been blocking the sword unfolded, revealing a note carefully hidden in the palm.
“This is the letter.”
“Young people these days are quite bold in how they report things.”
“Ximen General has a substantial influence within the Martial Alliance. This was the safest way to convey the information.”
“If what you say is true… you have done a great deed.”
With two fingers, the Alliance Leader took the neatly folded note and flicked it inside his sleeve. A storage technique possible only for martial artists.
After confirming the note’s position inside his robe, the Alliance Leader spoke.
“Then, let’s refocus on the match. Now, it’s about time you revealed any cards you’ve been holding back.”
“Indeed, I’ve been found out.”
“If you hadn’t reached the ultimate level, you wouldn’t even be able to struggle with me.”
The wall between superlative experts and ultimate experts is high.
If the ultimate expert doesn’t go easy, even a legitimate match wouldn’t be possible.
The Alliance Leader gradually increased the inner energy infused into his sword with each move, but William parried every move.
A level of strength beyond the grasp of an ultimate expert.
“You’re already at the ultimate level in your youth, and it’s truly regrettable you’re not part of the Martial Alliance. I would’ve created some kind of brigade just to give you a prominent position.”
“The words are kind, but I prefer being free.”
“Come by anytime. I’ll have a good position set aside for you.”
“I’ll consider it.”
To be at the ultimate level at a young age… he was a talent that must not be missed.
If it weren’t for the Martial Alliance’s immense organization, it would’ve considered the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage approach used by the Emperors of old to recruit extraordinary talents.
“Shall we start this seriously now? There’s nothing left to hide for either of us.”
“Let’s do it.”
William’s right foot firmly planted into the Ground Technique. The longsword embedded in the ground bounced up from the shockwave, and William shoved the Alliance Leader’s sword with the back of his hand and grabbed the longsword mid-air.
“That last move was quite interesting.”
“It’s about to get more so.”
The two faced each other at a distance of about ten paces.
“How long has it been since anyone showed this in a friendly match?”
As the Alliance Leader spoke, a force far beyond ordinary sword aura engulfed his sword.
“I haven’t ever shown this in a friendly match before.”
And so, William also revealed the hallmark of an ultimate expert.
“Great… it’s a Sword Energy Wall!”
An unknown audience member’s voice shook the stands.
A Sword Energy Wall, commonly called Sword Wall, was a dreamlike realm many martial artists aspired to reach.
The fact that a young swordsman could wield it left a significant impact on the audience.
“Today, your name will spread widely through the Central Plains.”
“It already seems to have spread quite a bit.”
“It might even change your epithet. The talk of the enthusiasts will spread your name around.”
‘Whether it’s a good or bad thing.’
Two stars aimed at each other.
Now started a precarious battle, move by move.
The true start of the match had begun.