am-books Chapter 192:
Chapter 192:
Best Under Heaven
Even after returning after seven months, the mountainous terrain of Songshan was very familiar to Mu-jin.
However, there was no time to enjoy the scenery.
It was because of the overwhelming presence of Namgung Muguk that could be felt from behind.
Since the conversation about the Heavenly Demon, Namgung Muguk had not uttered a single word.
Reflecting now, Mu-jin thought that the reason for his silence might have been to focus and prepare for the impending duel with Hyun-gwang.
As they climbed Songshan and got closer to Shaolin, an unresistable heavy presence emanated from Namgung Muguk, who was positioned behind them.
“......”
In the end, Mu-jin’s group had to climb Songshan quickly without uttering a word.
As they were growing weary of the dreadful and heavy silence, Mu-jin’s group finally reached the entrance to Shaolin.
“Finally, you’ve returned!!”
Just as at the Haegum Hall of Wudang, the Shaolin disciples who were at the gate tried to greet Mu-jin’s group warmly.
However, because of the heavy presence felt from behind Mu-jin’s group, their gazes naturally turned to the elderly man standing there.
“...Who is this gentleman, that he is intimidating our Shaolin disciples?”
The disciple guarding the gate barely managed to control his rising internal energy as he asked.
But it was not the elderly man who answered; it was Mu-jin.
“This is Elder Namgung Muguk, the Sword Emperor. We have come to Shaolin for his duel with Grandmaster Hyun-gwang.”
“!!!”
A wave of shock spread through the eyes of the gatekeeper.
One of the three strongest individuals in the world had suddenly come to Shaolin. Though it would be reasonable to demand proof of identity or question the truth of the matter.
‘...There is no room for doubt.’
If someone exudes such an overwhelming presence just by standing still, it’s enough to be considered one of the Three Great Swords.
However, regardless of how great Namgung Muguk might be, as a gatekeeper, he had to fulfill his duties.
“I will report to the Abbot. Please wait for a moment.”
No one could enter Shaolin without permission.
“......”
Namgung Muguk, who had been silent until then, looked at the gatekeeper of the second rank who dared to stop him.
As Mu-jin’s group anxiously raised their internal energy to prepare for any unforeseen situation, Namgung Muguk spoke in a controlled tone.
“I will give you the time of one incense stick.”
At his answer, Mu-jin’s group sighed in relief internally.
Meanwhile, the gatekeeper bowed to Namgung Muguk and hurriedly went inside Shaolin.
Despite his efforts to hide it, his body was already drenched in cold sweat.
‘...Guarding the gate requires more courage than I thought.’
Mu-jin was amazed by the courage of the gatekeeper who stood his ground despite knowing the gap in their abilities.
After the gatekeeper left, a heavy silence fell over the entrance.
Namgung Muguk just crossed his arms and silently stared at the gate.
As Mu-jin, who was watching him, began to feel his mouth dry out, Namgung Muguk uncrossed his arms and muttered.
“They’re here.”
A few seconds after his words, several monks appeared at the gate with a bustling noise.
Among them were the Abbot Hyun Cheon, several head monks, and even Hye-dam, the leader of the 108 Arhats who protect Shaolin.
But Namgung Muguk’s gaze did not turn towards them.
He looked at the elderly man who was slowly approaching from behind them and spoke.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Hohoho. It’s been over forty years since we last met, truly a long time, Namgung.”
Even in front of Namgung Muguk’s overwhelming presence, Hyun-gwang remained composed.
Hyun-gwang greeted Namgung Muguk and then looked leisurely at Mu-jin.
Whoosh!
The fire energy gathered around Namgung Muguk as if to incinerate him.
“Hmm!”
Namgung Muguk quickly formed a sword barrier to block the fire energy and then swung his sword again towards Hyun-gwang.
Each time, Hyun-gwang borrowed the power of the wind or created energy barriers to block Namgung Muguk’s attacks.
Each time, nature’s eerie cries echoed in the clearing, and with every light gesture from Hyun-gwang, strange natural phenomena occurred towards Namgung Muguk like a butterfly effect.
Lightning struck, flames erupted, and a biting cold wind swept through.
Yet Namgung Muguk somehow managed to block or evade these strange attacks and tenaciously chased after Hyun-gwang with his sword.
“......”
Mu-jin watched the astonishing battle in silence.
Following Hyun-gwang’s mental transmission, Mu-jin tried to observe and learn something from the duel, but it didn’t seem like a duel to him.
It was more like a battle between Buddha and the Monkey King within Buddha’s palm.
‘What can I gain from this?’
The techniques Hyun-gwang used were so distant that Mu-jin’s focus kept shifting to Namgung Muguk.
He thought it more feasible to aim for the martial arts demonstrated by Namgung Muguk rather than the lofty heights of Hyun-gwang’s skills.
Namgung Muguk, who was fighting against nature like a foolish human, finally spoke with his disheveled hair.
“It’s like you’re performing sorcery.”
“Hohoho. How could a mere human comprehend the world?”
“Are you implying you’re not human?”
Instead of answering immediately, Hyun-gwang gave a gentle smile.
“...I am
merely borrowing a bit of the natural force.”
“I did not come here to exchange trivial philosophical arguments with you.”
Namgung Muguk readied his sword once more.
“If you keep evading with such strange techniques, I will simply ensure you can’t escape.”
As he finished speaking, Namgung Muguk assumed a stance.
He turned his body diagonally, stepping forward with his left foot and back with his right.
Holding his sword in his right hand, he pulled it back with his elbow half-bent, as if preparing to thrust.
The Fourth Stance of the Emperor’s Sword Form:
The Emperor’s Sky-Piercing Stance.
An immense wave of energy began to emanate from Namgung Muguk, who was at the center of the stance.
The energy suppressed all living things around him.
“...Even human energy is ultimately part of the world.”
At the center of this, Hyun-gwang moved as if he was free from all these phenomena.
Hyun-gwang moved leisurely and prepared for the most basic stance of Shaolin martial arts: the straight punch.
Gulp.
Seeing Hyun-gwang’s stance, several Shaolin experts involuntarily swallowed their dry saliva.
They instinctively realized that this was the most perfect and natural straight punch stance.
Meanwhile, Namgung Muguk was gathering massive internal energy into his sword, creating a sword illusion.
In contrast, since Hyun-gwang did not possess internal energy, the immense natural energy began to converge into his fist.
As soon as Namgung Muguk, who had completed his preparations, thrust his sword, sending the sword illusion forward,
Hyun-gwang matched it with his straight punch, unleashing a golden radiance towards Namgung Muguk.
The two powerful forces clashed at the center, yet there was no sound.
“Huh...”
Namgung Muguk’s sword illusion simply dissolved into nothingness upon contact with the golden radiance.