Absolute Sword Sense Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – Showdown (3)

Hae Ack-chun has a puzzled expression. He, too, didn't seem to expect that I could do this.

Well, I, too, have a hidden card to use.

-Look at that face. Seems like he's scared.

As the short sword says. He seems surprised, and then his face goes stiff. It's almost like trying to catch the opponent by the throat.

-Did it work out the way you thought it would?

Well. If it doesn't work, I'll get in trouble. What happened 3 months ago flashes through my mind.

Early morning, 3 months prior.

Chak! Chak!

In front of my eyes, Hae Ack-chun shows off the swordsmanship technique in one of the books. They are one of the seven written down by the South Heavenly Swordsman.

Considering Hae-Ack chun's martial arts focuses on the fist, I never imagined that he could use the sword that amazingly.

-This means that he analyzed the book thoroughly.

Short Sword is right.

Without a lot of analysis, there was no way he could have shown it to me so skillfully.

He is undoubtedly great. To defeat his opponent, he even stole their martial arts and learned them.

'… he is quite good at it.'

'This is a sword technique. You can understand it even with your eyes closed. Kulkul, it will be good for you to see this technique clearly. I will show this to you for exactly 3 days.'

'Uh? 3 days?'

'I will show it to you the entire time.'

Crazy old man.

He shows off the sword technique for 3 whole days. But it is still helpful to see it, especially the parts in the book.

But he expects me to see them for just 3 days and then learn it? Did he think I am some genius talent?

No, that couldn't be it. I am just a means for this old man to get his revenge, and he won't care more than he needs to.

-Yah, be patient. It is better than being stuck without any example.

Short Sword is right. Instead, it is better to take it with the twins.

'Then I will remember what you showed me.'

Hae Ack-chun goes back to the cave of the South Heavenly Swordsman and leaves after finishing the instruction. As soon as he left, Iron Sword mumbles.

-It is so uncomfortable. So irritating. I wish someone could clean me.

Man, this sword likes being touched, but he hates Hae Ack-chun touching him. Short Sword smiles.

-It has been a long time since I have been able to directly see a sword technique being done, so I can understand it.

'What?'

-The sword technique before completion shows so many loopholes. If he hadn't stolen the book, my former master might not have thought of changing it.

On the contrary, that theft was a wake-up call for the South Heavenly Swordsman.

-Trust me. This is luck. My former master did not just complete the technique but also further evolved the sword technique by changing a couple things.

Hearing that, I begin to think that he is reliable. Hae Ack-chun will be shocked once he sees that.

He couldn't have dreamt that the man he wanted to defeat so much was also developing a much stronger technique.

'Hm…'

But I suddenly think.

'If I use a more advanced technique, will that crazy old man be shocked?'

-Ah! Right, rather, he will be suspicious!

No. He will think I am suspicious.

I just learned one technique, but I didn't stop there and managed to evolve it? It is possible for the ones called geniuses. But if a criminal like me shows it, it would raise doubts.

It will be impossible to believe unless the dead South Heavenly Swordsman comes back to life to help me.

-But you lose if you don't use the completed technique. You memorized it so well that you can use it with your eyes closed. Don't you know what weaknesses it has?

Short Sword points at it. I think it might just be a joke, but no.

And now I am in a dire situation.

If I win with a modified technique, I will be questioned, and if I lose, I get the blood parasite put inside me again.

-…right. Then, Wonhwi, how about this?

'Uh?'

-If the extent to which the former master evolved the technique is questioned, how about showing a level enough to cover the weak points?

'Cover the weak points?'

-Right. Obviously, as you said, further evolving the technique is possible if you have talent like my former master. And it is unreasonable for you, who is just learning to hold a sword.

This is right. And the South Heavenly Swordsman was really strong.

-If the opponent is Hae Ack-chun, then dealing without the completed form is different, but your opponent isn't him, right?

It is one of the twins.

'Right!'

Even if Haek Ack-chun learns of the gaps in the technique, the level of twins plays a role in the fight. Besides, if they panic, I can counter them.

And the plan works.

Song Jwbaek can deal with what he was taught, the imperfect technique with weak points. Now Hae Ack-chun should know it.

-It is going to be hard to question. Your judgment was right in leaving some gaps when showing the technique.

As Iron Sword says, I didn't use the entirety of the completed swordsmanship. For example, if the sword technique is perfect, the forms will all come out cleanly. They wouldn't be deceived by just that.

'Can I avoid the suspicion?'

-There was nothing suspicious about your move.

'Then I am glad. South Heavenly Iron Sword, you were right.'

This is why the iron sword asked me to focus on the three techniques alone. If I don't perfectly learn those three, then I cannot deceive them.

I am mastering it to deceive.

'You will soon find out there is more to this.'

I have already won.

When Song Jwbaek keeps running away, the match favors my victory. It is up to that crazy old man to decide, but he won't just accept it.

Because I have broken down his predictions and defeated his disciple.

'… Ah!'

But Hae Ack-chun, who has a scary face, raises his hand as he shouts.

“Huh! The fight is done. Stop…”

“It isn't done yet!”

Song Jwbek has a dissatisfied expression as he stops running. Hae Ack-chun's eyebrows rise at his student's words.

-Wonhwi, what is he up to?

Song Jwbaek rips off his shirt and stops running with an odd expression on his face.

Is he up to something?

“Ahhhh!”

I can see the change begin to show as he clenches his muscles. His skin is darkening and begins to take on a pale copper tint.

'What is it?'

-Wonhwi! That is the True Blood Gold Body of the Ghastly Monster! Widen your distance!

Phat!

As soon as Iron Sword warns me, Song Jwbaek begins to run for me. Originally, he was already fast with his footwork technique, but now he is even faster.

“The match isn't over yet!”

He is closing in fast, but it is difficult to widen the distance.

'Tch!'

It is hard to avoid.

I am trying to use any technique I can to escape from him. I have to win here. I wonder if my opponent thinks the same thing as he unleashes this power.

Papapak!

As my opponent's wrist collides with my sword, the snow at our feet flies off in all directions. The confrontation is intense.

Again, I need to aim at the gaps in the technique. But it is of no use.

I use an attack that is aimed at the center of his chest. He has to avoid it. Otherwise, he would die.

But the opponent isn't dodging my sword.

'He isn't dodging?'

It looks like he might die, so I withdraw my sword. Withdrawing it causes a rush of qi to be left behind. Besides, I also risk getting counter-attacked.

'The match.'

This idiot is serious enough to risk his life. Then, I have no choice but to respond.

One step before my sword touches him, the guy turns around.

Puck!

“Kuak!”

The sword's tip didn't pierce the chest but the shoulder area instead. However, it doesn't go too deep.

Pak!

At that moment, Song Jwbaek grabs Iron Sword's blade. It is shocking. This is like giving away flesh to crush the bones of the opponent.

“It is my victory!”

He swings his fist towards my face while continuing to hold my sword. I raise my left hand to block the fist.

Crack!

“Kuak!”

I block his fist with my bare hands, and it feels like I am hit by an iron ball. My palm is definitely broken.

It hurts so much, but if I pull back, I will lose. Both of us are holding the weapon and the hand. It is a confrontation of internal qi.

'Damn it!'

My body is being pushed aside because the qi this man has is close to a first-rate warrior.

-Wonhwi!

This shouldn't happen.

As expected…

It is then.

Drip!

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Blood flows from the eyes and nose of Song Jwbaek.

Why is this guy bleeding from using internal qi? It is then.

Pak!

“Huh!”

“Kuak!”

Our entangled bodies fall as we separate. It is dangerous since we are fighting with qi, but at the same time, we manage to avoid internal wounds.

The one who separates us is the old man.

'You crazy old man.'

He could have just pushed us. Why bother lifting us by the neck?

The match isn't done, so why are you doing this!

Hae Ack-chun looks at Song Jwbaek and shouts.

“Who told you to use it?”

“E-elder!”

“I said that the True Blood Gold Body isn't for your level. You foolish bastard.”

Pak!

Hae Ack-chun throws him to the other side, and he falls on his butt as he breathes roughly.

“Huh, huh….”

The copper color skin is turning back to normal. Hae Ack-chun's face turns stiff as if wanting to say something more.

And then he looks at me.

“Why didn't you carry out the sword technique according to the book I gave you?”

Again, this question. I am afraid of being hit, but I speak while looking straight into his eyes.

“I am not stupid.”

“What?”

“I know well enough how practice is done with books.”

Hae Ack-chun frowns.

“So?”

“So you must also know about the loopholes in the technique.”

“Ha! So you changed the technique?”

“… yes.”

Hae Ack-chun asks.

“Did someone teach that to you?”

He doubts that I could do that myself.

“You asked me to not speak about this to anyone, so how can I tell anyone? And who is allowed to enter this place without your permission?”

Hae Ack-chun looks at me fiercely. He seems to be trying to find out if I am lying or not.

The first thing I learned as a spy is to never be shaken by others and to hold a calm face.

Hae Ack-chun, who is staring at me, says.

“Huh! Well, there is a limit for you. And there are still loopholes in there.”

Of course, there are.

I had left behind those weak points on purpose. It isn't something I did myself, but it was advice from Iron Sword.

“Of course, if it is by the elder, then it will be perfect execution.”

“Put away those sleazy words.”

“But you must know?”

“What?”

“Elder taught me this sword technique and made me act like a proxy.”

“What was that?”

“Then, would the original person who left the sword technique and the elder not notice and think of the loopholes? I don't know, but wouldn't you have had the chance to develop it?”

Hearing this, his expression changes. His eyes tremble in confusion.

Tak!

“Ah?”

Hae Ack-chun lets go of the hand holding my collar, and I land on the ground.

Grunt.

The sound of teeth grinding together. The old man's expression changes through myriad emotions, and, after a moment, I step back as he screams.

“South Heavenlyyyyy!!!”

Bang!

With a roar, the ground around us trembles, and the snow flies up.

It is a tremendous power. The snow gets scattered around and disappears. There are also cracks in the ground.

'What a monster.'

He is strong enough to make people bite their tongues. Hae Ack-chun expresses his anger as he yells out loud. The feeling of despair on his face is clearly seen.

“Phew.”

However, his expression returns to normal. Hae Ack-chun looks at me and says,

“This is invalid. You didn't win.”

Ha! What is this outcome?

Realizing that he could never defeat the South Heavenly Swordsman, he takes his anger out on me.

“You could have known if you saw it. If you had waited till the end, I would have won.”

One can tell by looking at Song Jwbaek, who is being supported by his twin.

He doesn't seem to be in good condition. If he tries to endure this more, his life will be in danger. Knowing that the old man had intervened.

“I don't know.”

Is he going to do this? Then even I can act like an invalid judge.

“… you are really drawing this out.”

“What?”

“Honestly, do you think this was a fair match?”

“I learned every technique the old man told me, and you told your disciple about the weakness in my techniques, gave him a pill to eat, and made him strong. And even gave rare wrist guards to protect his hands.”

Hae Ack-chun doesn't say anything.

I keep pouring out the words which are pent up within me. If the man disagrees and tries to kill me, I will face my end here.

“What am I supposed to do in this situation? Do you mean that you won't admit I won because you designed it so I would lose? A plan to kill me? Am I one of the elder's punching bags?”

His face is turning red. It feels like his head is about to explode. It doesn't matter. I am prepared to die too.

“If it was fair, do you think he could have been my opponent? At least even if you didn't give the pill, the match would have…”

It is then.

“Kuahahahah!”

Hae Ack-chun's face is red, but then he bursts into laughter. For a moment, I thought he had become so angry that he began to lose his mind.

But he smiles and then looks at Song Jwbaek.

“Did I give you a pill?”

And the man who looks like he is dying on the ground says.

“… was it those little pills we were eating every evening?”

“Kuahaha! And that is a pill? Stupid idiot. If I had so many pills, why would I give them to you?”

“Yes?”

Not just Song Jwbaek, even I can't understand it. The old man laughs to the point of tears and says.

“Why do you think I have passed down my martial arts to people like you when I haven't done this to my own descendants?”

“It is because those idiots have the natural body to learn it.”

“What?”

“Those idiots have faster blood circulation within their body compared to others. The thing is, it helps build up internal qi quickly from the start.”

At that, Song Jwbaek becomes puzzled.

“Uh? T-then what about the…”

“Until the True Blood Gold Body is perfected, the fast-flowing blood is poison. Therefore, before they can master it, they have to learn to control it. Otherwise, they will live short lives.”

I didn't think something like this would happen.

I thought they were being given a pill, but I didn't realize they had special bodies. Hae Ack-chun clicks his tongue.

“And weapon? Are you talking about this despite having that sword in your hand?”

“It is rusted….”

“It is just rusted. That iron sword is better than any other sword as it is made with cold iron.”

-Hmm… he is right.

Iron sword says in a calm voice. For some reason, I felt angry when I heard Song Jwbaek was given something.

“And you couldn't win over the wrist guard despite that?”

Even if the two issues are ignored, it doesn't change that I have been at a disadvantage. However, unexpected words come out.

“Well, it is true that you were at a disadvantage. Kulkul.”

For a moment, I doubt my ears. This man admitted it?

“Like you, you cheeky bastard said, this match is made for a win for my side in the first place. You are just a punching bag to test things out.”

He is saying it. Am I wrong in speaking out?

“Nevertheless, he boldly went against me and almost won.”

It isn't just winning. I won it. Hae Ack-chun smiles.

“The contract is canceled.”

Man, he is an idiot till the end. My six months of hard work feels exhausting.

“… in the end, I was a disposable piece.”

“I will collect that disposable piece as a disciple of mine.”

What did this crazy man just say?

Chapter end