I Prayed for a Murim Reincarnation, But I Was Born as the Youngest Imperial Prince - Chapter 54

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 54
Zhuge Jun assessed the current state of affairs as follows.
With both sides internally resolved to clash, it was akin to two facing trains rushing toward each other without brakes.
Since trains did not exist in this world, should he instead describe it as riding a tiger?
‘Ever since reuniting with Seonwu, words and concepts from my past life have been naturally slipping into my thoughts. I suppose it has broadened my perspective, but still…’
Of course, by now, those words from his previous life felt somewhat like foreign loanwords.
Even as a Korean in his past life, there were times when it felt more fitting to use a foreign word as it was, rather than forcing a Korean substitution.
Similarly, rather than saying they were riding a tiger, Zhuge Jun felt the expression “a train without brakes” was far more appropriate.
His only job was to step in just as the martial duel concluded and smoothly mingle words to ensure the collision did not turn into a catastrophic accident.
For now, Zhuge Jun set up a makeshift formation in the rented open lot.
In truth, the people of the Zhuge Clan had little time to make use of it, as they were busy repairing the formation under Zhuge Jun’s instructions.
Instead, it was Dan Suyeong who put it to good use.
His lord had said that it was fine if he did not absolutely win, and that exposing the Iron Ox Invulnerability Qigong was even less of a big deal.
However, it was his greed as a subordinate to absolutely carry out even the most trivial command.
To do that, he had to be thorough rather than complacent.
He visualized the mindscape of how the battle would unfold once the actual martial duel began, moving his body to train himself once more.
What Namgung Hyeok-in would deploy was the Boundless Firmament Sword Technique.
The internal energy serving as its foundation would undoubtedly be the Cangqiong Dayan Divine Art.
Both were martial arts stored within the Imperial Vault.
Although he had never read the secret manuals themselves, he had been trained and educated on their characteristics and countermeasures during his time in the Golden Dragon Guard.
‘The defining characteristic of the Boundless Firmament Sword Technique is, literally, the boundless sky.’
It is without hindrance. In other words, it is completely free.
‘An expansive utilization of space that captures the vastness of the sky, and a sword technique that shifts freely while employing diverse methods.’
Swiftness and slowness.
Hardness and softness.
Heaviness and variation.
It was renowned as unrivaled in Wulin for freely manipulating all of these.
But… if a single sword technique truly embraced every single sword principle so perfectly, would that not just be a supreme realm of attainment rather than a single style?
Had the Namgung sword style alone stood supreme under heaven while the sword techniques of all other sects perished?
The Golden Dragon Guard did not mindlessly praise the martial arts of each Wulin sect in that manner.
They conducted relative comparisons to see where a style excelled and where it fell short.
‘The Boundless Firmament Sword Technique includes heavy forms like Heaven’s Heavy Pivot and hard forms like the Heavenly Will Charge… but it is lacking.’
Ultimately, that sword prioritizes boundlessness and aims for free alteration, centering itself around change and speed while mixing in ten thousand swords, heavy swords, or hard swords when necessary.
Because it appropriately blends sword principles completely opposite to its core, it is counted among the most profound sword techniques in Wulin, yet it does not match the styles that center entirely around those elements.
‘No matter how brilliantly it shifts and how fast it is, it must ultimately reach me, and if that touch does not translate into an actual strike, it is meaningless.’
He brushed the armguards he had received from Zhuge Jun.
As he infused his protective Qi, the armguards reinforced themselves, becoming a sort of shield.
‘The only forms capable of breaking through this and cutting me are Heaven’s Heavy Pivot and the Heavenly Will Charge.’
Of course, if it was the Boundless Firmament Sword, it was entirely possible to deftly target other areas while avoiding the armguards, so he could not rely on that alone…
However, his own sword was not one to be outclassed either.
The Shadowless Soul-Slaying Sword.
It was a name dripping with murderous intent, and it lived up to it, but the supreme emperor had classified it as a third grade technique of the Earth Pavilion.
Furthermore, it was a garment that fit him perfectly.
Rather than a sword technique meant to protect oneself and slay the enemy, it operated on the principle that if you kill the enemy first, you survive.
Though its offense was peerlessly fierce, it leaned too heavily into that aspect, which was why it was relegated to the third grade rather than the first or second grade of the Earth Pavilion…
[The true value of this sword technique lies not in itself, but when it is paired with defensive arts like the Iron Ox Invulnerability Qigong or the Diamond Invincibility Qigong.]
Those were the words of Admiral Lee Dae-yong of the Golden Dragon Guard.
In fact, he had mastered both.
It could be said he had mastered both the spear and the shield, the paradox itself.
‘If I were to face the Boundless Firmament Sword with only the Shadowless Soul-Slaying Sword, I would be at a slight disadvantage.’
But what if he added the defensive methods here?
Although he could not reveal the full extent of the Iron Ox Invulnerability Qigong, he could still utilize its methods.
The Iron Ox art was not a martial art where simply hardening the body to become invulnerable to blades and all poisons was everything.
Even with a body forged like that, if the opponent attacked with a refined Qi surpassing it or with a divine weapon, getting cut was a natural consequence.
Therefore, the end of that study included the art of taking a hit well.
When one failed to block or evade and ultimately allowed an attack, how could one better deflect and endure that strike?
This was the study that completed the Iron Ox art.
‘The very first exchange is critical.’
When the opponent believes they have seized the upper hand, if he could slide their sword away and instead force open their defense in reverse.
Once he seized the initiative of the offensive just once, the time thereafter would belong to him.
Just once.
That would be enough.
‘Underestimating the enemy leads to defeat.’
* * *
After practicing his sword alone in the training ground acquired by the Zhuge Clan, Dan Suyeong walked out by himself.
Following Seonwu’s instruction to purposely make himself look easy to provoke, he moved independently for a brief moment.
Failing to realize that such behavior was an opening shown intentionally, the members of Namgung’s Changchen Sword Squadron chattered among themselves loud enough for him to hear.
“I guess that sect uses the sword too?”
“Well, isn’t everyone allowed to use a sword? Even dogs and cows alike.”
“Pfft, that’s true. Indeed, anyone can use one whether they have a proper sword technique or not.”
“Even if it’s an nameless sect without a single proper sword technique.”
It was the kind of talk one could easily pass by pretending not to hear, but Dan Suyeong questioned them immediately.
“Are those words directed at me right now?”
“We didn’t exactly say it was you?”
“It’s just general talk. Just because someone holds a sword doesn’t mean they’re good at using it.”
“I see. So it was self-deprecation.”
At Dan Suyeong’s words, the martial artists of the Namgung Clan failed to understand for a split second.
Then, half a beat later, they flew into a rage.
“You… you bastard?”
“Did you just dare to mock us?”
“I merely spoke the truth. You all may be holding swords, but isn’t it a fact that you cannot properly handle them?”
Zhuge Jun, who had been listening from a distance out of concern for how things were going, let out a bitter smile.
‘Wow, my friend. Your guard’s tongue is incredibly sharp too.’
Good grief.
To boldly tell the Changchen Sword Squadron of Namgung that they held swords but could not use them well.
Every single member of the Changchen Sword Squadron was a high-class master.
If one was not of the high-ascending realm, they would not even be admitted into the Changchen Sword Squadron.
‘Even I am still only in the high-ascending realm.’
Of course, he was only at the capping age of twenty, while many of them were past the age of thirty…
Even so, while first-class martial artists are just called first-class, those in the high-ascending realm are addressed as high-class masters.
They were honestly not at a level to be told they could not use a sword.
Though, if the person saying it was in the peak realm, well.
‘This is basically that, right? Your swordplay is garbage.’
No matter how much Seonwu had told him to willingly take the bait, at this rate, it was unclear who was provoking whom.
“How dare you!”
“Against the great Namgung Clan!”
“I also acknowledge that Namgung’s sword technique is profound, but isn’t it a separate matter entirely that you lot have failed to master it properly?”
“Take those words back!”
“Are you trying to force me to call a stag a horse by flaunting your authority?”
Calling a stag a horse.
Dan Suyeong retorted while even bringing up ancient historical anecdotes, and even in Zhuge Jun’s eyes, it was truly savage.
“Stop it! What is going on here!”
Having been waiting on one side from the very beginning, Namgung Hyeok-in stepped in, pretending to have just passed by by chance.
“That man has insulted us!”
“You were the ones who picked a fight first.”
“Report to me in detail what happened.”
The Namgung martial artists reported exactly what Dan Suyeong had said.
In truth, Hyeok-in had already heard it all, but only now did he finally display anger.
“Young friend, your tongue is far too reckless. How dare you insult the great Namgung Clan.”
“They were the ones who first stated that there was no proper sword technique in my sect?”
Even so, Dan Suyeong showed more courtesy than when they first met, using polite language with Hyeok-in.
However, his tone, which was closer to an accusation disguised as politeness, remained unchanged.
“Haha, they did not explicitly point out your sect and say it, did they?”
“Is it the Namgung way to wait for me to be nearby, deliberately mention a nameless sect, and then back out by claiming they didn’t state the name? Just say what you want with dignity instead.”
“You are truly full of arrogance. Right, so you claim to know the sword as well?”
“At least better than those friends over there.”
“I intended to let this slide since you are a companion of my guest, but I cannot possibly withhold a lesson now.”
Instead of being frightened, Dan Suyeong actually smiled.
Combined with his fierce eyes, it was a smile that looked like a wolf satisfied after tearing into a prey’s neck.
“How do you intend to give this lesson? Will you grant me a martial duel?”
“Since you requested it yourself, you will not be able to resent me even if you receive a heavy lesson.”
“If it is the sword of the one who leads the Changchen Sword Squadron, I would certainly like to experience it.”
“If you do not learn humility today, I fear it will bring greater disaster tomorrow, so I shall bestow a lesson upon you out of my generosity.”
Watching this, Zhuge Jun shook his head.
‘Since both sides are dying to clash, a provocation that doesn’t even look like a provocation actually works.’
Honestly, if either side had intended to endure it, it was an exchange that could have been overlooked easily.
Between strategists like himself who prioritized intellect, such words would have gone in one ear and out the other.
But since both sides were convinced they would win.
‘It’s a famous quote from my past life, but they say wars happen because at least one of the two sides makes a miscalculation.’
Both sides engage believing they will win, and it ends when the illusion of one side is shattered.
Of course, sometimes both are ruined and their illusions are shattered together.
At any rate, is it Namgung who is miscalculating the current situation, or is it his friend’s secret guard?
‘I’m leaning toward the former.’
The reason?
Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy is the basic tenet of the art of war, and the Golden Dragon Guard knew Namgung very well.
On the other hand, Namgung currently had no inkling of what Dan Suyeong’s true identity was.
It was not just a matter of identity.
‘Even in terms of martial arts, Dan Suyeong knows about the Boundless Firmament Sword Technique.’
Of course, that did not mean he had mastered it deeply.
Even so, there was no way the Golden Dragon Guard had not researched its general characteristics and countermeasures.
Conversely, what about Namgung Hyeok-in?
To put it bluntly, he did not even know the name of Dan Suyeong’s sword technique.
‘The art of war says that underestimating the enemy leads to defeat…’
Of course, for someone at the level of the squad leader of the Namgung Clan’s Changchen Sword Squadron, it was true that ordinary opponents were no match for him.
Yet he acted that way even with an actual opponent right before him.
Considering Dan Suyeong’s age, the complacency was understandable, but…
In reality, even if he was complacent, nine times out of ten there would be no issue.
‘This will be that one time it becomes a problem.’
Then, I should go do what I need to do.
* * *
Seonwu laughed delightfully upon hearing that the martial duel between Dan Suyeong and Namgung Hyeok-in had been established.
“Oh, I wanted to do it myself… well, it’s fine for my junior disciple to do it. It’ll be a good show.”
“I will make sure to win so that it goes according to senior brother’s wishes.”
“I’ll look forward to it. However, even if things don’t go well and you lose by some chance, it’s not like there’s any huge loss, so don’t feel too pressured.”
Seonwu said that, but from behind him, Zhuge Jun wondered if that would really be the case.
When the lord says he hopes his subordinate wins this match, would the close guard really think it is fine to lose just because he heard it was fine?
In any case, the martial duel would take place soon, and one of them would be severely humiliated.
‘Is my job just to prepare so that Namgung can’t pull any foolish stunts for nothing?’
Zhuge Jun quietly contacted the Beggars’ Sect.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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