The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 564
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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 564
The battle between the Gwangpung Corps and the Sword Ghost disciples of the Holy Sword Association came to an abrupt halt, as if cold water had been poured over it.
“No, Cloud!”
“This can’t be real….”
“Cloud is… dead?”
The Sword Ghosts trembled in disbelief that Cloud, the disciple of the Holy Sword Master, had been defeated by the injured Raon.
“Ha! That madman is truly insane!”
Martha let out an incredulous laugh.
‘He used Sword Realm Manifestation and defeated another Grand Master?’
No word other than “insane” came to mind. Raon Zigheart was an incomprehensible existence whether viewed up close or from afar.
“I didn’t expect that side to finish first.”
Burren turned to look at Raon and raised his fist.
‘He’s done something truly remarkable.’
Raon had been the greatest danger on this battlefield.
He had exhausted most of his aura using Sword Realm Manifestation and sustained injuries, so I thought victory would be difficult. Yet he shattered that doubt completely and severed Cloud’s neck.
All the time spent worrying about Raon felt wasted now.
“Commander!”
“We believed in you!”
“Leave the remaining Sword Ghosts to us!”
Dorian and the swordsmen of the Gwangpung Corps waved their hands toward Raon with excited smiles.
Only Lunan’s violet eyes were directed not at Raon, but at the Sword Ghost disciples of the Holy Sword Association.
Whoooosh!
The frigid aura surging through Seolhwa’s blade cleaved through the Sword Ghost’s chest and pierced his heart.
“Cough….”
The Sword Ghost collapsed, his life extinguished as the wound froze solid in its entirety.
“There’s no time to rest yet.”
Lunan gave a brief nod to the Gwangpung Corps before moving to seek his next opponent—a gesture that revealed not a lack of concern for Raon, but rather complete trust in him.
“Lunan’s got a point.”
“That’s what pisses me off!”
Burren and Martha felt the tide of battle shifting toward the Gwangpung Corps and unleashed their auras without restraint, cutting down Sword Ghosts in their path.
“Phew.”
Rimer swept back his sweat-dampened hair with a smirk playing at his eyes.
“Looks like we won the sacred duel after all.”
He glanced back and forth between Cloud’s headless corpse and Raon standing confidently, chuckling darkly.
“Hmm….”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master frowned, apparently not having anticipated Cloud’s defeat.
“Your master’s disciple is dead, so your heart must be aching. You’ll catch hell when you return—or rather, no.”
Rimer exhaled the demonic energy filling his lungs and made a slashing gesture across his throat with his finger.
“Since you’ll be dying here anyway, it won’t matter.”
“True. It won’t matter.”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master regained his composure in the span of a single breath and shook his head.
“After all, Raon Zigheart has already withdrawn from the battlefield.”
He narrowed his eyes as he observed Raon coughing up black blood.
“If I kill you here and bring Raon Zigheart with me, the Rion Lord won’t have much to say about it.”
“Bring Raon with you?”
Rimer furrowed his brow, as if questioning what nonsense that was.
“The Rion Lord desires that talent. It will help him ascend further.”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master spoke with cold indifference, as though he intended to use Raon as an experimental subject.
“What utter madness.”
Rimer summoned an eerie wind across his blade.
‘So he hasn’t abandoned his pursuit of Raon after all.’
The Holy Sword Master had been targeting Raon even in Barene, the city of the Divine Five Elders. It seemed this was far more than mere curiosity.
‘I need to end this as quickly as possible.’
My chest ached slightly from constantly shielding the Gwangpung Corps and Raon from the demonic energy that the Demon Sword Creatus unleashed. Since Raon, my greatest concern, had already settled his match, it was right to end this swiftly.
Even Raon, who had been the most worried, has now reached a conclusion, so it was right to settle this quickly.
“Sword Realm Manifestation.”
Rimer raised his sword toward the sky as the rain and wind swirled fiercely.
“A song of wind and lightning.”
A ferocious voice, like a growling beast, spread from the highest heavens to the ends of the earth.
Cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo cuckoo!
A magnificent aura stretched forth, as though he had returned to his prime when he was called the Light Sword Master.
A magnificent energy spread out as if returning to its former glory, when it was called the Radiant Sword.
“Yeah. If it’s not at that level, there’s no fun in killing.”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master calmly nodded and pointed the Demonic Sword Criatus at Rimer.
Crack!
Above the trembling blade, the Demon Sword’s crimson eyes blazed forth. From those blood-streaked eyes erupted a brutally overwhelming demonic aura that engulfed the surroundings. The undulating waves of demonic energy twisted the space vertically.
“Let’s begin the second round.”
*
*
*
I wiped away the black blood staining my lips. Suppressing the urge to collapse from the pain of internal injuries and the demonic aura, I surveyed the battlefield.
‘The Head of House has opened the Sword Realm.’
Rimer had cast aside his concerns for me and was engaging the Yonghyeon Sword Master with all his strength.
Both were locked in a fierce stalemate without yielding an inch, yet the Yonghyeon Sword Master wielding the Demon Sword’s power seemed to hold the advantage.
‘There’s no helping it. He’s been protecting the Gwangpung Corps and me.’
The Demon Sword Criatus is a vicious blade that scatters demonic aura not only at its opponent but throughout this entire space.
While facing the Yonghyeon Sword Master, Rimer maintained a barrier of aura to prevent the demonic energy from reaching the Gwangpung Corps, fighting at a disadvantage from the start.
-I thought he only knew how to stare at enemies consumed by rage. So he does have what it takes.
Even Wrath offered praise—something he rarely did—impressed by Rimer’s judgment.
‘Indeed.’
I nodded, biting my lip.
‘Damn it….’
I wanted to help Rimer, but the moment I touched that mana wave, I’d turn to dust. Right now, staying still was the best way to help.
‘Then what about this side….’
I observed the Gwangpung Corps fighting behind Rimer and the Yonghyeon Sword Master. Though the Holy Sword Association’s Sword Ghosts outnumbered them, the Gwangpung Corps’ martial prowess was slightly superior.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we were evenly matched, but thanks to Lunan and Mark Goeten breaking the balance, it seemed we could ultimately claim victory.
‘But if the Commander falls, everything ends.’
Even if the Gwangpung Corps defeated the Sword Ghosts, if Rimer lost to the Yonghyeon Sword Master, the entire situation would collapse.
Since Rimer was still fighting while protecting the Gwangpung Corps, it didn’t seem possible for him to overcome the Yonghyeon Sword Master.
‘Mutual destruction or the Commander’s death—that would be the end of this battle.’
Right now, I had two choices available to me.
The first was to entrust this place to Rimer and retreat with the Gwangpung Corps. Since Rimer couldn’t fight properly because of the Corps, it wouldn’t be bad for either side. But there might be other Holy Sword Association Sword Ghosts in this area, and since I couldn’t be of help anyway, the likelihood of falling into a dangerous situation was high.
But there might be other Sword Ghosts from the Holy Sword Association nearby, and since I wouldn’t be of help anyway, there was a high possibility of falling into a dangerous situation.
The second and final method is for me to jump over the wall here.
If I waited much longer, that enlightenment might fade away, so this was a good opportunity for me as well.
If I wait a little longer, that realization might fade away too, so it was a good opportunity for me as well.
But given his body was in near-worst condition and the enemy was right in front of him, he couldn’t easily make the second choice.
That’s all there is to it.
Raon finished his brief agony and drew up his finely surging aura. He sent an aura message simultaneously to Burren, Martha, Lunan, and Mark Goeten.
“Don’t look over here, just go in.”
At those words, the squad leaders and Mark Goeten only flinched slightly before continuing to swing their swords.
From now on, I’m going to leap over the Wall.
Their trembling intensified at those words, both the crew leader and Mark Goeten.
“You crazy bastard! What the hell are you suddenly talking about!”
Martha couldn’t help herself and let out a scream through a voice message.
Ha!
Burren let out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head.
[At least hide somewhere else to do it!]
[If I move, the Yonghyeon Sword Master and others might chase after me. It’s best to stay here pretending to be crippled while I organize my insights.]
The Yonghyeon Sword Master wasn’t a fool. If I moved, he would follow, so remaining here looking helpless was the wisest course.
[Understood.]
Lunan answered firmly as if he trusted me completely, then pressed his attack against his opponent.
[Don’t worry. I will protect you even at the cost of my life.]
Mark Goeten nodded, his voice wrapped in unwavering trust.
I glanced at Rimer’s back one last time before retrieving my spatial pouch.
I pulled out a leaf of sea-spirit flower and two spiritual elixirs Glen had given me. I wrapped the crimson elixir radiating heat and the azure elixir infused with cold in the sea-spirit flower leaf and placed it directly in my mouth.
Whoooosh!
Since all were supreme-grade spiritual elixirs, they transformed into liquid the moment they touched my tongue and slid down my throat.
My chest felt as though it would burst from the heat, while my entire body was seized by a piercing chill—both sensations arriving simultaneously.
Given my dire physical condition, the pain was intense, but the sea-spirit flower leaf’s effects quickly dulled the agony.
‘Exhale…’
I had to proceed carefully.
If word spread that I was attempting to break through the Wall, the Yonghyeon Sword Master and the Sword Ghosts would descend upon me like madmen. I needed to organize my insights while appearing to do light cultivation.
I closed my eyes while standing. Using the Ring of Fire, I distributed the elixir’s essence throughout my body, filling my mana circuits completely.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The elixir’s essence rushing through my mana circuits converged at my core, erupting like a volcano.
The demonic energy that had been ravaging my body was driven back by the intense, pure essence and forced into the corners.
The scorching energy of my lower dantian slowly ascended through the mana circuits, reaching my upper dantian.
Heat and cold collided at the upper center like fireworks, and the hazy enlightenment I’d gained from subduing Cloud blazed into crystalline clarity.
The Mental World opens.
The spiritual sense I’d spread outward to perceive external reactions naturally subsided, and a world unfolded where I observed only myself.
‘This is better.’
Once I’d begun cultivation, external reactions would inevitably lag. It was wiser to lose myself in the trance and break through the barrier as quickly as possible.
‘Much has changed.’
The Mental World had expanded far beyond before, yet the form of a sword graveyard with countless blades embedded in the earth remained unchanged.
As I gazed upon the Holy Sword and Demonic Sword floating alone in the void, someone’s hand grasped one of the swords planted in the ground.
‘That’s….’
Me.
My younger self in training garb drew a practice sword from the Mental World and began executing basic sword techniques.
Then a slightly taller version of me wielded another practice sword, unfolding Linked Sword Arts.
Raon wielding the Radiant Sword, Raon extending the Manhwagong sword techniques, and Raon executing the Raon Zigheart-style sword forms I’d created myself.
A number of Raons equal to the swords appeared and displayed their techniques.
‘No, that’s not all.’
Not only the sword techniques I’d used, but the techniques of all those I’d fought against were being recreated within the Mental World.
Witnessing this sight, I recalled a conversation I’d once had with the Sword Ghost and Glen.
[What is a sword? A sword is simply a sword. Don’t overcomplicate it.]
[The Head of House speaks truly. The more complexity you impose upon the sword, the more difficult it becomes. There’s no need to regard the Ten Thousand Swords as something extraordinary.]
[However, to advance further, you must master swordsmanship and imbue your techniques with meaning befitting their execution. This is what it means to cultivate intent.]
[Don’t furrow your brow. It’s not so difficult. The answer has always resided within you.]
Both figures, despite their different martial philosophies, offered remarkably similar answers.
The answer.
To obtain the answer I had failed to find then, I observed the sword techniques wielded by this other version of myself.
Each one was formidable, devastating, and elegant. The subtleties were so thoroughly woven through them that nothing seemed beyond their cutting reach.
Yet as I continued watching, something peculiar became apparent. Every technique save the fundamentals operated in isolation from the others.
Like a chain with links falling away, unable to fulfill their purpose, the techniques didn’t flow or connect with one another.
‘Could it be from learning too many techniques? No, that’s not it.’
Learning numerous techniques was irrelevant. The problem was accumulating techniques without cultivating genuine intent.
When the sword remained sheathed, I hadn’t perceived this flaw. But now that it was drawn and I wielded the techniques directly, the deficiency became clear.
Despite gaining profound insights and possessing sufficient aura, I had failed to reach Grand Master because this world remained disorganized.
‘And beyond that….’
I still hadn’t infused my swordsmanship with proper intent.
I had fought relying only on momentary reactions, never considering what I sought to achieve or what I truly desired.
In other words, I remained fundamentally unchanged from the young Raon who once wielded basic techniques.
“Hah.”
Raon slowly lifted his gaze.
The murky haze dissipated, revealing seven crimson rings. Perhaps due to the turbulence in my heart, even the ring of fire appeared twisted.
‘My origin.’
To consolidate this realization, I needed to return to the Ring of Fire—my beginning, my origin—and complete the eighth ring.
‘Then first, I’ll erase the demonic energy….’
No, there’s no need to erase it.
As my mind cleared, a new thought emerged.
‘I don’t have demonic energy, but I possess the Demon Lords’ authorities—a higher concept than that.’
Raon clenched his teeth as he gazed upon the seven rings suspended in the empty air.
‘Let’s try it.’
*
*
*
Boom—crash—crash—crash!
The radiant sword of wind and thunder in Rimer’s hand collided with the radiant sword of demonic energy wielded by the Yonghyeon Sword Master, unleashing an endless torrent of meteoric light.
Within the mana waves that shook heaven and earth, Rimer tore through space itself.
His blade rotated counterclockwise, pouring forth countless tempests of lightning. The movement was as fluid and explosive as if the radiant sword had reclaimed its former glory.
Whoooosh!
The Yonghyeon Sword Master raised the Demonic Sword Creatus diagonally. Demonic energy, condensed to its limit and warping the very heavens, surged forth without restraint.
Brilliant light and dark light interlocked, detonating a tremendous shockwave. The earth twisted, and the entire Rakion Family seemed on the verge of collapse from the tremor.
Rimer spun his body in midair and charged toward the Yonghyeon Sword Master’s left flank. He raised his wind-infused blade, aiming for the master’s throat.
Yet the Yonghyeon Sword Master had already anticipated Rimer’s movement, tilting the Demonic Sword Creatus diagonally to form a shield of demonic energy.
Craaaaaash!
The violent wave of the Storm Thunder Sword clashed against the Demon Sword’s radiance, gnawing at it relentlessly, yet ultimately failing to pierce through. In terms of raw power, the Yonghyeon Sword Master still held the advantage.
Whoooosh!
As the Yonghyeon Sword Master extended the Demon Sword Creatus, nine strands of demonic energy erupted from the blade’s rotating tip. Like whips of darkness, the twisted demonic aura crashed down mercilessly upon everything around.
Boom-crash-crash-crash!
The ground struck by the demonic energy darkened as if poisoned by venom. A single hit would sever one’s breath—a lethal onslaught without mercy.
Rimer wrapped wind around his entire body and retreated to the right. Abandoning counterattacks to conserve his strength, he focused entirely on evasion.
Yet the Yonghyeon Sword Master gave him no chance to breathe, closing in at impossible speed and bringing Creatus down in a devastating arc.
“Ugh!”
Rimer’s brow furrowed as the demonic blade’s edge wrapped around him like a cage.
‘How irritating!’
He bit his lip and surged forward toward the converging demonic blades.
Shwaaaack!
The Thunder Lightning Sword split two strands of demonic energy, but the remaining seven blades twisted like a whirlwind, homing in on his heart.
Rimer charged toward the Demon Sword that seemed to knead darkness itself, unleashing a blade where wind and lightning converged.
Ku-ku-ku-ku-ku-ku!
Red and blue radiance poured from Rimer’s sword, yet the darkness of the Demon Sword Creatus refused to break.
“Silent Acupoint.”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master tilted the Demon Sword Creatus to the left. The blade, which had been at longsword length, rose endlessly, forming a greatsword that seemed fit for a celestial giant. The blood-red gleaming edge descended as if to cleave the world itself.
Rimer felt the space of the Sword Realm narrowing and raised his sword. Light from the blade spread forward, unleashing a magnificent storm of radiance.
Kwuaaaaaang!
An enormous chasm with no visible end carved itself into the battlefield, and Rimer and the Yonghyeon Sword Master were driven backward, their feet scraping against the ground.
Ptui.
Rimer spat out the black blood pooling in his mouth, his brow furrowing deeply.
‘This is getting difficult….’
The Demonic Sword Creatus scattered an ever-intensifying demonic aura as if boundless. My stomach churned with nausea, and my fingertips trembled.
The Yonghyeon Sword Master relied heavily on the demonic sword, expending little of his own aura, and the situation grew increasingly dire.
‘Should I at least send the children away?’
As I contemplated whether to save the Gwangpung Corps and then perish together, the Yonghyeon Sword Master let out a mocking laugh.
“You seem to have much on your mind.”
He tore through the battlefield with the Demonic Sword Creatus and thrust his chin upward.
“Planning to let your subordinates escape? Well, you can’t break me during the Sword Realm Manifestation, the Gwangpung Corps’ battle hasn’t ended, and you can’t rely on Raon Zigheart’s aid either, so it’s a reasonable judgment. But that worry is meaningless.”
He jerked his chin to the left and right.
“This entire place is already surrounded. Your only choice is whether you all die here together, or you die here while the others die outside.”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master smiled, seemingly confident in the encirclement itself.
“I told you. You’re not the kind of person who can save others. And now you can’t even save yourself.”
“You bastard….”
A chilling current rose in Rimer’s eyes. Crimson fury filled the space where reason had melted away.
“This is your final—huh?”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master’s words caught in his throat. His eyes narrowed sharply.
“What….”
Rimer turned to follow that gaze.
Raon, who had been staggering as if about to collapse, was slowly rising into the air.
‘No… surely that bastard isn’t…’
Was he trying to break through the Wall here?
What Raon was displaying now looked like the phenomenon that appeared just before breaking through the Wall.
‘What kind of audacity does this madman possess!’
Attempting to shatter the Wall in the middle of the battlefield—even the Continent’s greatest lunatic wouldn’t dare such a thing.
“Insane….”
The Yonghyeon Sword Master also sensed it, grinding his teeth.
“Stop him! Drag that bastard down immediately!”
Conversely, Rimer gestured to the Gwangpung Corps.
“Block him! Do whatever it takes to stop him!”
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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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