Read Novel Full Book 2 Chapter 640
Book 2 Chapter 640
Come to think of it, Residue didn’t know exactly how much time had passed while he was unconscious. If it had only been a day or two, that was fine, but if three or four days had already gone by, the schedule might be tighter than expected.
Even so, he decided to act in accordance with the Beniang Time, the '37 hours' restriction. After all, it was impossible to predict when the Blue Knight would show up.
“Now. Come here, Michael.”
Residue first called Michael.
“From now on, I will share with you the authority of space.”
[Is that possible?]
“Divine Power is a highly versatile force. In the universe where this body resided, you bestowed part of your authority to another mortal. Let me ask you in advance, can you handle this power?”
[No.]
“Then what is your ability?”
Even so, to take on the role of Lord of the Underground City, he would need to possess a few skills.
[Divine Punishment and Unity, and Prescience, roughly.]
From the sound alone, the ability names weren’t very clear.
Setting aside Divine Punishment and Unity.
“What is Prescience? Do you mean you can peek into the future?”
[What I mean is Prescience (叡智, superior wisdom).]
I see. So you’re saying you’re smart. Most of the ones who boast about their intelligence tend to be fools, but in this one’s case, that might not necessarily be true.
The Underground City had relatively narrow territory and limited forces, yet it held out against Flower Mountain where the Twelve Void Lords resided for a considerable time. Of course, if Yang In-hyun had participated in earnest, it would have ended long ago, but the commander, Michael’s abilities, could be one of the contributing factors.
“In the world this body came from, you had a keen sense for handling space. Of course, you weren’t like that from the beginning. It must’ve developed through long-term use, but regardless, your aptitude is of a highly usable level.”
[…]
“I can manipulate the power of space, but my proficiency is still lacking. Therefore, after awakening your spatial senses, I intend to ask for correction and advice on how to handle them. Any part you don’t understand so far?”
[No. There aren't.]
Michael nodded.
[However, this is quite a bizarre plan. To teach someone weaker but with high potential, then to receive teaching from them in return… it’s not the kind of idea that comes easily.]
“There are no such things as frameworks for this body. …But you, your appearance and voice are extremely irritating.”
From Michael’s body, a faint light constantly leaked out, and the longer Residue stared, the more his eyes hurt. His voice also reverberated unpleasantly. On top of that, the term ‘Lord’ kept surfacing in his mind, giving rise to an unexplainable sense of aversion.
It seemed less like Residue’s own feeling and more like a memory engraved in this body.
“Change your appearance a bit. You can do that, right?”
[It is possible, but what appearance would you prefer?]
"A blonde beauty."
[…]
"...That was a joke, decide for yourself."
[Understood.]
A faint light shimmered from Michael’s body, and soon he transformed into a handsome blonde man. Instead of light, streams of air clung to and fluttered around his body, and wings unfurled behind him. It was an appearance that evoked the word angel. Ɽ𝐀ＮŐ𝔟ÊṠ
“Is this acceptable?”
"Certainly, an angel is indeed your essence."
Residue gave a half-hearted nod again and extended his hand.
Bzzzt, pale electric currents flowed through the outstretched palm.
“From now on, I will grant you a portion of the authority of space. Preserve that sense and devote yourself to mastering it. Meanwhile, this body has matters to attend to with Yang In-hyun.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll begin on the count of three. Three.”
Flash!
A bolt of lightning burst from Residue’s hand and pierced through Michael. Michael rolled his eyes back and opened his mouth wide.
“……”
But no scream came out. His face looked more like he had gained an enlightenment rather than experiencing pain. Of course, it must have hurt, but that wasn’t Residue’s concern.
He took his gaze off Michael, who had departed into his own world, and this time looked at Yang In-hyun.
“First……”
Zzzzt─
He formed a sword.
It was a sword that looked as though it had been forged from lightning, and since the blade and the hilt were seamlessly connected, it resembled the tooth of a beast.
Sshraaak.
Residue swung the sword roughly to loosen up his body. Because of the wound on his chest, moving too violently still seemed difficult.
Yang In-hyun asked in a curious tone.
“Have you learned swordsmanship?”
“No.”
Residue replied nonchalantly, then continued speaking.
“Shall we spar a little?”
“With swords? That wound would make it difficult.”
“Let’s keep it to pure sword techniques without using qi. And let’s add the condition that neither of us inflicts wounds on the other.”
Yang In-hyun nodded in understanding.
“So you’re suggesting a friendly duel. Got it.”
“You only use the swordsmanship of Flower Mountain, including the Everlasting Plum Sword. As for this body…”
What swordsmanship would be appropriate to counter the Everlasting Plum Sword?
Residue pondered briefly, then swung the sword again.
Dozens of sword techniques quickly flashed through. Some were familiar to Yang In-hyun, while others he was seeing for the first time.
Then-
Vooong-
Suddenly, the sharpness of the sword vanished, and a heavy sound began to ring out. It was not the sound of a blade but rather like swinging a blunt club or cudgel.
Residue smiled in satisfaction.
“This will do.”
A flicker of absurdity passed through Yang In-hyun’s eyes as he watched.
“That’s not swordsmanship.”
“There’s no rule that says I have to use swordsmanship. Or is there some reason I can’t call it staff technique? Like it being beneath your dignity.”
“…No warrior would speak of dignity before that staff technique.”
Yang In-hyun asked with a serious face as he took his stance.
"The first attack."
"I'll yield it to you."
And so the fight began.
***
There’s a general preconception that the one who strikes first holds the advantage. Strictly speaking, that’s only half true. Depending on the matchup between opponents, the one who waits in a stance may have a higher chance of victory.
Thus, Yang In-hyun revealed his true skill immediately, without any probing or feints.
Everlasting Plum Sword, First Form, Martial Destruction.
The signature achromatic bloom of Martial Destruction didn’t appear. There was no explosive light, no colorful radiance, no floral scent. That was because, as stated beforehand, he wasn’t using qi. It was even excessively slow.
It wasn’t just that Residue’s sensing ability was sharp or that his cognitive function was extremely honed. Even a novice ignorant of sword techniques would find Yang In-hyun’s sword so slow it could make them yawn.
It must’ve been intentional.
Residue realized Yang In-hyun’s intent and decided to go along with it.
"Let me say in advance."
Residue spoke slowly.
"I know about your life."
Kaaang.
Residue lightly deflected the oncoming sword.
Effortless defense.
However, Yang In-hyun didn't seem surprised or flustered and readjusted his grip on the sword with an expressionless face. The deflected sword soon fell vertically like an awl.
Since the tip of the blade was still aimed at Residue, it meant that the thrust, Everlasting Plum Sword’s First Form, was still ongoing.
“……”
A created sword technique inevitably contains the life of its creator. The Everlasting Plum Sword was no exception. Yang In-hyun had imbued it with his life and desires.
The First Form, Martial Destruction, focused on annihilating a hateful past. A man who had been betrayed by the small world called the martial realm wanted to pierce through and destroy that world with a single thrust.
Thus, Yang In-hyun was clever. He understood well how to wield emotions like anger and hatred. Such feelings are like explosives, quick and fierce, which makes them perfectly suited for a first move.
"First, second, third. I have no intention of arguing about the conclusion you've already reached. The only one in the world who can decide its right and wrong is you, the creator of the Everlasting Plum Sword."
Yang In-hyun's level of swordsmanship surpassed even that of a Ruler. While his overall strength might fall short compared to the Four Knights or a Ruler, in terms of swordsmanship alone, he was undoubtedly the best of the best.
Kaang.
Once again, the two swords clashed.
The two men exchanged gazes over their blades.
“Then what meaning does this duel hold?”
“The final form hasn’t been completed yet, has it? Even at this point.”
Ggeugeuk.
More force was added to Yang In-hyun's sword.
“How could you possibly know that?”
“I saw the conclusion you reached in another world.”
“What?”
This wasn’t something that could be conveyed through words. Residue roughly pushed away the blade. Yang In-hyun’s body slid backward, then he swung his sword wide to knock away Residue’s blade and used the rebound to retreat further back.
Likewise, Residue leaped and widened the distance, then suddenly took on a new stance.
Yang In-hyun recognized it at a glance.
It wasn’t a stance of staff technique.
And he even recognized who created it.
“──.”
The sword moved,
slowly.
Toward Yang In-hyun, gradually.
“……”
It was certainly slow, yet unavoidable. To prevent that expression from being a contradiction, a premise was necessary.
In this case, it was because he knew that no matter how he tried to evade, the opponent’s blade would follow. That was why the sword seemed relatively slow. Because it closed the distance while cutting off every possible escape route. Within that thrust, there were transformations hidden, transformations that seemed multiplied by ten thousand on top of ten thousand.
This was one of the sword techniques Yang In-hyun had once conceived.
A thrust technique that incorporated the theories of swift swords, heavy swords, and blunt swords.
Seeing it unfold in another person’s hands felt strangely refreshing.
The sword was slow.
However, when one tried to capture ten thousand changes in their eyes and think about countermeasures for them.
Tap.
At some point, the sword had already touched.
The tip of Residue’s blade was touching Yang In-hyun’s chest. At most, it had sliced a bit of his garment, but Yang In-hyun wore a dazed expression, as though he had just taken a surprise blow.
After a moment, Yang In-hyun let out a sigh and said,
“That is one of the final forms I conceived for the Everlasting Plum Sword.”
“…One of?”
Residue was puzzled by the strange statement.
“In the grand framework of swordsmanship, there are only two fundamental forms: thrusting and slashing. And slashing itself is divided into vertical and horizontal cuts.”
“If you’re about to lecture me on swordsmanship…”
“It’ll be over quickly, so listen quietly.”
Residue shut his mouth.
“The Everlasting Plum Sword I created, when you strip away all the superficial elements like transformation or feints, can ultimately be defined by those three forms. What you just displayed was one of the forms I envisioned as a final form.”
“Hooh.”
That was information he hadn’t known.
He was aware the final form was incomplete, but he hadn’t realized there were multiple branches.
“I long contemplated the shape of the final form. The earlier forms were built on thrusting and slashing, so how should the next be? Should I combine the two? Or discard form altogether? And if I discard it, in what way? Should I throw the sword? If I throw the sword, then I’d have no more moves left, so wouldn’t that suit the name ‘final form’ perfectly?”
A final form that involves throwing the sword.
It was an interesting idea, but if the user was Yang In-hyun, it couldn’t be laughed off lightly. That was because Residue couldn’t quite predict how much destructive power would result if this man drew out his full power and threw his sword.
“The form of the final move you just displayed matched the one I had envisioned, but what was contained within it was unfamiliar.”
“What was it?”
“Satisfaction.”
Residue nodded.
“I don’t know the details, but the Yang In-hyun you witnessed seemed to be content.”
“That’s right. It's name was Glass Moon.”
"What does it mean?"
“The moon reflected in a wine glass.”
“……”
Yang In-hyun closed both eyes. His eyelids trembled slightly.
“It was an impressive level, but I don’t think that’s the best conclusion you can reach. It’s a little lacking against the Four Knights. So instead of copying that sword technique and making it your own, you should use it as a stepping stone to surpass it by another level.”
It was a vague statement, but in truth, specific advice is unnecessary for a strong person like Yang In-hyun. Especially when it comes to swordsmanship, even more so.
All Residue could offer was a small hint.
Then Yang In-hyun let out a low chuckle.
"Can imitating my own sword technique also be considered imitation?"
“Of course. Anything that is not oneself is ultimately another.”
“……”
At the subtle weight carried by those words, Yang In-hyun fell briefly silent before speaking again.
“Something is coming to mind. I want to be alone. You said there are 37 hours remaining? I’ll return before then.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, he disappeared in a leap.
It was a very Yang In-hyun-like response.
Left alone, Residue turned his eyes back to Michael. He was still frozen like a stone statue, mouth wide open. Judging by the look of it, he’d probably stay like that for several more hours.
In any case, preparations for the upcoming fight against the Red Knight were complete. How far the enemy would push their power depended entirely on them.
So, what should this body do until Michael’s awakening was complete?
After a brief moment of thought, Residue quickly reached a conclusion.
He would go see the dragon again.
He had to find out for sure why she, who had once been fine, had ended up in such a pathetic state.
“Let’s try pretending to be Lukas.”
Of course, Beniang knew that Residue wasn’t Lukas, but frankly, that didn’t matter. He had already felt the destructive impact of this face through the Black Witch.
“Hmm, ahem, hmm. Beniang……. Beniang……? Beniang……”
Calling out the name of his first disciple, Residue headed toward the altar.
*****
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