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Chapter 15.1
Chapter 15.1
Chapter 15.1
Not all Gongson sword techniques were fast.
Some were even slower than a regular sword technique. However, these were not extensively studied due to being considered impractical for actual combat.
As her sword sped up, it also began to slow down.
It was contradictory, yet natural.
It was as if it mirrored an endless stream of pine needles.
Observing her immerse herself in the martial trance, Jin Cheon-hee stood quietly.
‘Wow… Is this the phenomenon of enlightenment? It was so captivating in novels, and it’s equally enthralling to witness in reality. By the way, did I trade the The Heaven-Breaking Sword for this experience? Well, in truth, the intention to accumulate a debt for the future was probably stronger, but…’
Thinking along these lines while observing, he noticed someone approaching hastily.
A woman dressed in Confucian attire.
He knew that only Gongson Hyeon matched this description here.
Jin Cheon-hee put his finger to his lips, signaling ‘shh.’ In response, Gongson Hyeon straightened up and clasped her hands together, bowing her head.
Acknowledging Gongson Hyeon’s gesture, Jin Cheon-hee also returned the bow before quietly leaving his spot.
Gongson Hyeon took his place to watch from where Jin Cheon-hee had stood.
Leaving Gongson Hyeon to safeguard Gongson Yeong, Jin Cheon-hee walked away with a smile.
***
The period of deep meditation came to an end.
Gongson Yeong’s world gradually transitioned from the past to the present.
She had forgotten about herself and all that she had learned.
The songs of birds and the scent of grass faded from her memory.
In a space of complete forgetfulness, only a boy’s whisper provided solace.
However, she couldn’t recall the boy’s name.
Who was he?
It didn’t matter. She had already let go of her own name.
Tranquil meditation governed her existence.
Her sword moved silently in every situation.
One second.
The answer lay in being one second slower than anyone else.
Why was it so pleasant?
The gradual second, which needed refinement to transform into that pivotal moment, the very moment that could overturn everything and become the ultimate, demanded mastery over swiftness.
‘I was captivated by the individual tree, not the forest. Even though the beauty lies within the forest…’
Her mastery of swordsmanship reached its culmination.
Finally, the essence of Ilseom unfolded in her hands.
Gongson Sword Technique
Cheongsong Banhoe Sword
Ilseom (??)
The stronger the enemy’s sword, the more the sword Qi in her hand transformed into swiftness.
Her sword Qi pierced through the massive black rock in the deserted field.
It remained unbroken, unshattered.
To cut through it as though it were mere air required a profound understanding of the highest level of swordsmanship.
Her sword didn’t merely slice. The concentrated sword Qi turned into a point that punctured the fabric of space.
A line transformed into a point.
And a point transformed into a line.
It was as if mirroring the structure of pine needles.
“Sigh–”
As the deep meditation drew to a close, she felt a sense of regret.
The time spent in meditation was that singular moment a martial artist might experience once in a lifetime.
She had seized and achieved it. Yet, she yearned for more.
Such desire was intrinsic to a martial artist.
‘More…’
In that instance, her sword underwent a transformation.
The sword Qi eventually wove into threads of sword fibers.
From the blade’s edge, it began thinning out like strands of silk. And then, the strands snapped.
At that very instant, the broken threads spread into numerous straight lines, extending outward.
SFX: Kwa-cha-cha-clang!
Had Jin Cheon-hee witnessed this, he would have been utterly amazed.
‘Doesn’t this signify that even a slight provocation toward counterattack would result in an immediate, lethal response?’ he might have exclaimed.
Finally, the deep meditation concluded.
She contemplated a name for this technique.
With the aid of two enlightenments, she realized she had ascended to the ranks of top masters.
“Gongson’s Hongbok.”
Upon hearing the voice, she raised her head. Gongson Hyeon stood before her. Surrounding her were the swordsmen of the Gongson clan, all in martial stances.
“Unni.”
“Congratulations on achieving top mastery.”
Her countenance remained steady, her voice resolute, as if aware of the gazes upon her. However, the flush of joy on her sister’s cheeks was undeniable.
Her cheeks glowed with happiness more vividly than ever before.
Following her words, Gongson clan warriors began to share their own anecdotes.
“We offer our respects! Young lady!”
“Incredible, we pay our respects.”
“Our utmost respect. We must spread the word.”
People who were previously engaged in casual conversation simultaneously erupted in cheers, having recognized each other’s faces.
“We offer our respects for your attainment of top mastery!”
Gongson Yeong extended her hand.
“All of this is thanks to Jin Cheon-hee, that child. I am indebted beyond what The Heaven-Breaking Sword could ever repay. Where is he?”
He had prompted her to show her mastery of The Heaven-Breaking Sword, but he had simply smiled and departed.
She was obligated to repay this immeasurable debt that could never be settled through a sword.
Whether it was in silver or kindness, what is given eventually returns
It was Gongson Yeong’s honor code. However, in that moment, Gongson Yeong’s body swayed and then collapsed.
It wasn’t an ordinary sword; it was a sword from the state of deep meditation.
It was because she had expended all her physical strength to achieve enlightenment during the deep meditation.
She had wielded her sword with determination for half a day.
Her endurance far surpassed that of regular martial artists.
However, even that had its limits.
A startled elder sister, Gongson Hyeon, exclaimed, ”
Support her. Quickly! Oh, no. I’ll personally support her.”
Disregarding the onlookers, Gongson Hyeon embraced and held up her younger sister.
‘I need to leave, I have to go…’
Within her physically exhausted body, Gongson Yeong’s consciousness slowly flickered and dimmed.
TO BE CONTINUED…