Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 40

 

On the ferry boat.

 

Jang Gwang aimed his curved blade diagonally and grinned wickedly.

 

“I’ll yield the first move. Since it’s your first time on water, I should give you time to adjust.”

 

His tone was leisurely, but his eyes were filled with fighting spirit.

 

Sring―.

 

Namgung Cheon drew Cheoncheon and let it hang as he replied.

 

“I won’t decline.”

 

With that brief response, Namgung Cheon’s form became blurred.

 

Swoosh―!

 

Blue sword energy wrapped around the blade rushed toward Jang Gwang’s neck.

 

A simple but sharp thrust.

 

However, Jang Gwang didn’t panic.

 

He stomped his foot, sharply twisting the boat’s center of gravity.

 

Lurch!

 

The ferry boat swayed greatly.

 

An ordinary martial artist would have lost balance and staggered in this situation.

 

But Namgung Cheon’s feet were as solid as if they had taken root in the boat.

 

‘Ho?’

 

Jang Gwang’s eyes widened.

 

He leaned back to dodge the sword strike while simultaneously springing his waist and swinging his curved blade upward from below.

 

Clang―!

 

Sword energy and blade energy collided, sending sparks flying.

 

A heavy impact traveled up through his wrist, but Namgung Cheon used that recoil to rotate his body.

 

A downward strike with added rotational force.

 

Instead of raising his curved blade to block, Jang Gwang kicked the boat once more.

 

Bang!

 

The boat spun sideways, moving away from Namgung Cheon’s landing point.

 

Simultaneously, Jang Gwang’s curved blade curved like a snake and dug toward Namgung Cheon’s side.

 

An irregular attack that perfectly utilized the terrain.

 

This was the fighting style of the Yangtze River Dragon.

 

But Namgung Cheon didn’t panic.

 

He swung his sword in midair to deflect the rushing blade energy.

 

Clang!

 

With a metallic sound, Namgung Cheon landed at the bow of the boat.

 

Even at the moment of landing, the boat didn’t move an inch.

 

As light as a feather settling down.

 

Namgung Cheon steadied his breathing.

 

‘Indeed, being on water is different.’

 

The ground’s repulsive force wasn’t constant.

 

The boat’s swaying, the waves’ undulation, even the wind’s direction.

 

Everything was a variable.

 

But Namgung Cheon was enjoying even this uncertainty.

 

He closed his eyes and opened them.

 

In that brief moment, the incantation of Taeheohosimgong flowed from within him.

 

‘No mind, no self.’

 

The distracting thoughts in his mind gradually disappeared.

 

The sound of rippling river water, the creaking vibration of the boat, even the fighting spirit Jang Gwang emitted.

 

Everything was felt clearly.

 

The internal energy in his dantian gently undulated in harmony with that flow.

 

Naturally like flowing water, it flowed to where needed, as much as needed.

 

‘I can see it.’

 

The next movement of the waves.

 

The minute trembling of Jang Gwang’s contracting muscles.

 

A smile spread across Namgung Cheon’s lips.

 

“Come again.”

 

At his provocation, Jang Gwang raised the corner of his mouth.

 

“Not bad. Then I’ll play with you properly!”

 

Jang Gwang’s blade came rushing.

 

Not the petty trick of shaking the boat.

 

Whoosh―!

 

He charged head-on with heavy sword energy infused in his curved blade.

 

The Water King’s secret martial art, Paesupalshik First Form.

 

It was Quick Blade Cutting Through Chaos.

 

Dozens of blade shadows covered Namgung Cheon like a storm.

 

Continuous strikes that were rough like cutting through water currents, yet like endlessly crashing waves.

 

Namgung Cheon immediately stepped with the Heavenly Movement technique, swimming between the blade shadows.

 

When Jang Gwang’s blade curved left, Namgung Cheon’s body had already read that trajectory and flowed to the right.

 

When the curved blade came in with a thrust, he gently deflected it with his blade and penetrated the opening.

 

Clang! Clang clang! Crash!

 

Metallic sounds rang out continuously.

 

Jang Gwang fiercely poured out attacks, but couldn’t even graze a thread of Namgung Cheon’s clothing.

 

Rather, as time passed, Namgung Cheon’s sword pressed in on Jang Gwang.

 

‘How is this possible?’

 

Cold sweat flowed down Jang Gwang’s forehead.

 

Clearly, the battlefield of water was absolutely advantageous to him.

 

Each time their swords clashed, the waves undulated, causing the boat to shake constantly.

 

But his opponent looked as comfortable as if standing on level ground.

 

“Hup!”

 

Jang Gwang swung his curved blade widely, trying to push Namgung Cheon back.

 

But Namgung Cheon didn’t receive that force head-on.

 

Cheoncheon Myriad Forms Style, Cloud Sea Barrier Heaven.

 

His sword moved in gentle curves as if embracing and enveloping Jang Gwang’s blade.

 

“…!”

 

Then the blade energy that had been shooting in a straight line instantly scattered.

 

Taking advantage of that opening, Namgung Cheon counterattacked.

 

In an instant, Cheoncheon created dozens of sword shadows as it struck upward.

 

A dazzling sword dance where reality and illusion couldn’t be distinguished.

 

Slash!

 

Shallow cuts appeared on Jang Gwang’s shoulder and thigh.

 

“Urgh!”

 

Jang Gwang stepped back, breathing heavily.

 

“Damn, faster than me. I hate to admit it, but that’s impressive.”

 

Jang Gwang re-gripped his curved blade and lowered his stance.

 

“But it’s not over yet. The real fight starts now.”

 

Red energy rose from his entire body like heat haze.

 

Jang Gwang’s eyes flashed.

 

“Take this!”

 

Bang!

 

Jang Gwang stomped hard on one end of the ferry boat.

 

In an instant, the bow of the boat shot up toward the sky, standing almost vertically.

 

At the same time, Jang Gwang’s hand struck the river water.

 

Whoooosh!

 

A massive column of water completely covered Namgung Cheon’s vision.

 

An irregular water technique utilizing the terrain.

 

It was a calculated move to flip the boat and destroy his balance, then deliver a fatal blow while his vision was blocked.

 

However.

 

Swoooosh!

 

Blue sword energy split the water torrent in one stroke.

 

Namgung Cheon’s figure revealed through the parted water was magnificent.

 

He stood comfortably on the vertically positioned boat as if it were level ground.

 

“…!”

 

Jang Gwang’s eyes filled with shock.

 

It was the moment he realized such petty tricks wouldn’t even come close to working.

 

Namgung Cheon looked down at him with a still calm expression and spoke.

 

“Show me properly. That real thing you speak of.”

 

Namgung Cheon’s sword pointed at Jang Gwang.

 

“Such petty tricks won’t work on me.”

 

* * *

 

The deck of the Golden Dragon Ship was so quiet that not even breathing could be heard.

 

Everyone was hanging on the railings, watching the duel unfolding on the river in a daze.

 

When Jang Gwang first pressed his fierce attack, people thought the outcome was obvious.

 

The unfamiliar battlefield of water, and the overwhelming reputation of the Yangtze River Dragon.

 

No matter how much Namgung Cheon was called the Sword Ghost, there was no way he could display his true skills on a ferry boat where there was barely proper footing.

 

But.

 

“Does that… make any sense?”

 

Baekryeop of Cheongsengpa muttered blankly.

 

The scene reflected in his eyes was beyond common sense.

 

Namgung Cheon had dodged all of Jang Gwang’s fierce attacks and counterattacked.

 

Moreover, even as the boat rocked and water spray blocked his vision, his balance never wavered even once.

 

Rather, as time passed, the number of times Jang Gwang’s curved blade cut through empty air increased.

 

“He’s being pushed back. Jang Gwang is being pushed back!”

 

Someone shouted in a voice filled with shock.

 

It was exactly as they said.

 

Jang Gwang was taking the offensive, but that was all—there were no effective attacks.

 

Namgung Hwi unconsciously gripped the railing tightly.

 

Goosebumps rose on his arms.

 

It was a thrill.

 

‘He’s not simply dodging.’

 

Namgung Hwi’s eyes were accurate.

 

When waves rose, he lifted his body; when the boat tilted, he shifted his center of gravity.

 

As if he had become one with the river water, he was riding and overcoming the flow without resisting it.

 

‘What kind of footwork is that….’

 

A footwork that resembled Namgung’s Infinite Steps yet was completely different—much more free and unconventional.

 

‘Cheon-ah, just how far have you gone.’

 

Then, Mujin spoke up from beside him.

 

“Young master, do you know something?”

 

When Namgung Hwi glanced at him, Mujin continued.

 

“Your younger brother, Young Master Namgung Cheon, is getting stronger by the day. When I first met him, we were evenly matched.”

 

Clang―!

 

A sharp metallic sound rang out over the river.

 

Jang Gwang’s curved blade rushed toward Namgung Cheon’s neck.

 

But Namgung Cheon slightly twisted his sword and deflected the attack.

 

At the same time, he subtly twisted the angle even more.

 

An exquisite technique that used the opponent’s force against them to destroy their balance.

 

Mujin continued speaking.

 

“But a month later, he was half a step above me.”

 

Swoosh!

 

While Jang Gwang hesitated after losing his balance, Namgung Cheon’s sword slipped in like a snake.

 

Jang Gwang hastily leaned back, but couldn’t prevent his collar from being cut away.

 

“And now….”

 

Mujin’s eyes narrowed.

 

An unbelievable scene was unfolding on the river.

 

Jang Gwang was frantically swinging his curved blade in desperation, but Namgung Cheon was leisurely dodging all those attacks.

 

Mujin added with a bitter smile.

 

“He’s become even stronger than back then.”

 

“….”

 

The scene before their eyes proved that Mujin’s words were no exaggeration.

 

At that moment.

 

“Damn it!”

 

Jang Gwang’s grumbling could be heard from the ferry boat.

 

He stopped attacking and stepped back, breathing heavily.

 

Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.

 

“I thought there were only eels in the river, but there’s a loach in the Namgung family too. You slip away quite well.”

 

Jang Gwang clicked his tongue.

 

Despite this being his advantageous battlefield, his opponent showed no signs of fatigue.

 

If he continued dragging this out, he would collapse from exhaustion.

 

‘One decisive blow.’

 

Jang Gwang’s eyes changed.

 

“Fine. I’ll admit it. I underestimated you.”

 

Jang Gwang readjusted his grip on the curved blade.

 

“So from now on, I’m going all out. Block it or dodge it as you see fit!”

 

Wooooong―.

 

Red sword energy surged from his blade.

 

At the same time, blue energy swirled around his left hand.

 

“I never thought I’d have to use this!”

 

He thrust his blade toward Namgung Cheon while simultaneously striking down at the Yangtze River with the energy in his left hand.

 

Paesupalshik’s final technique.

 

Water Dragon Ascending to Heaven.

 

Kwaaaaah!

 

With Jang Gwang’s battle cry, the surrounding river water swirled and shot upward.

 

Soon, a massive column of water writhed like a dragon.

 

The narrow space of the ferry boat.

 

There was nowhere to escape.

 

But Namgung Cheon faced the surging water column head-on.

 

And slowly raised his sword.

 

A blue flash formed at the sword’s tip.

 

Cheoncheon.

 

A dazzling light befitting that name.

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