Chapter 430: Her (2)

Chapter 430: Her (2)

Paaaatt!

Sparks fly as Kim Young-hoon lets out a joyful laugh, beads of sweat running down his face.

Swoooosh—

The wind sweeps through Cedar Wood Grove, cooling the heat of the sparring match. I stand in the breeze, waiting for Kim Yeon's words.

"The Mad Lord told me. When she went to his Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress..."

Her words continue, and I listen silently.

After some time, the members of the Supreme Council, having finished their sparring with Kim Young-hoon, all turn their heads toward me in unison.

"We've heard much about you. That you've...reached this realm through the same means as us, despite having the body of the Heaven Tribe?"

After absorbing all of Kim Yeon's explanation, I silently take a step towards the Supreme Council of the Heart Tribe.

Thunk—

With just a single step, the members of the Supreme Council who had been directing their intent at me freeze in place.

They stare at me, frozen, and even Kim Young-hoon beyond them shares the same reaction.

Kim Young-hoon's eyes are wide enough to pop out of his head.

I look at them calmly, letting my sword hang by my side.

A slight nod.

No words are needed.

With a mere nod of my head, light flashes, and the twenty-two leaders of the Supreme Council, who only sent projections to face Kim Young-hoon, reveal their main bodies within the hall.

"We nearly failed to recognize a High Person (高人). Please forgive us."

I simply continue to gaze at them silently.

But even though I'm merely looking at them, they tremble all over, unable to bear the pressure of my presence and on the verge of collapsing.

In that state, I take another silent step forward.

At that moment, most of the twenty-two members of the Supreme Council start trembling violently, falling to their knees and collapsing in place.

It seems that upon gazing directly at my soul, which has realized the Sub-Heart Sword, none of them are able to maintain their composure.

The Sub-Heart Sword is something beyond comprehension for those around the level of Entering Heavens Beyond the Path or Treading Heavens.

However, the very fact that they are at a high realm means they can see too much, making the shock all the more overwhelming.

Kim Young-hoon, in particular, seems the most affected, as he grips his saber against the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face uncontrollably.

But indeed, they are the leaders of the Heart Tribe. Despite being directly exposed to my overwhelming presence, they manage to stand and regain their composure.

I shift my gaze towards the five among them who respond best to my pressure.

Their appearances are unimpressive.

A little one from the Small Person Race, a Flower Plant Race with a body shriveled like a spinach leaf, a Shrimp Shell Race that resembles a shrimp, a Miniature Monkey Race that looks like a small, baby monkey, and a Tiny Fungal Race that resembles a mushroom.

Yet despite their frail appearances, they seem more formidable than anyone else present.

Among them, one figure stands out the most.

He is of the Small Person Race, standing no more than one palm's length, a dwarf Heart Tribe.

The Small Person Race is one of the well-known slave races, resembling the Human Race but far weaker and possessing little to no supernatural powers, making them easy prey and often captured and kept as pets.

Yet, the elderly Small Person Race standing before me with his face covered in scars doesn't appear small at all.

Holding a needle like a sword in his hand, the Small Person Race Elder looks up at me and speaks.

"Teach me a move!"

"Hah!"

With the old man's shout, the five members of the Heart Tribe charge at me with a unified cry.

From this point, words are no longer needed.

Their combined assault begins.

Paaatt!

The Small Person Race Elder, wielding his needle like a sword, executes a sword technique before me and waves his toothpick-sized needle.

Though it appears somewhat cute, the outcome is far from that.

Toong!

As I deflect the slash from the old dwarf's needle upwards, the sky splits apart.

A move similar to Sky-Splitting Kim Young-hoon shown before!

An all-out strike carried out with the intent to cut through the entire Heart Tribe territory!

The withered body of the Flower Plant Race seems to be flying over me before striking down at me using the thousand-pound drop technique.

Swoosh!

As I sidestep using footwork, a flash of light follows, and the spot where the Flower Plant Race lands with the thousand-pound drop explodes, causing the surrounding terrain to shift and change violently.

Kugugugugu!

In the midst of the explosive brilliance, I calmly raise my sword and turn my gaze towards the Shrimp Shell Race charging at me.

They seem to be a boxer, and with their shrimp-like body, they thrust both fists toward me.

It's clearly a laughable scene, appearing nothing more than a shrimp flailing its arms.

But I smile faintly and swing my sword with all my strength.

Kugugugung!

Paaat!

As my single strike clashes with the Shrimp Shell Race boxer's punch, a formless shockwave blankets the entire area.

It feels as though all sound in the area has been erased.

The shockwave causes my body to lose function for a moment, and a ringing 'Piii' sound fills my ears.

Bo-woong!

Of course, I quickly regain my balance and prepare for the next attack. The baby monkey-like Miniature Monkey Race rushes at me, grabbing hold of the ground beneath my feet.

Fwooong!

Simultaneously, they swing the very ground I'm standing on, throwing me off balance. The mushroom looking Tiny Fungal Race stretches out both palms toward me.

Kigigigigik—

Their palms are filled with an immense concentration of Qi, and I can feel that everything within that energy is rapidly disintegrating, nearing the point of annihilation.

Behind me, the Small Person Race Elder. Above me, the Flower Plant Race warrior. Below my feet, the Miniature Monkey Race. In front of me, the Tiny Fungal Race and Shrimp Shell Race boxers. They are all closing in on me.

Beyond them, the remaining 17 leaders of the Supreme Council, having assessed the situation, are attempting to distract my 'vision' by disrupting me from a distance.

Those who have awakened to the manifestation of sound arts like Yu Hwa begin their performance.

With the sharp sound of a gayageum (a traditional Korean zither), my body is immediately slashed, and an inescapable formless net covers me, making my whole body feel as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Darkness clouds my vision, and the blood flowing through my body grows hot, leaving me in a state unable to control my body.

And in that state, I silently extend my sword and begin to dance with them.

Toong—

My sword hums as it deflects their attacks, sometimes redirecting them, and other times countering them.

It seeps out.

My sword naturally flows into the center of their formation, like a stream slipping between rocks.

In the midst of our sword dance, we become completely united.

I can feel their intent.

The exultation of facing an opponent beyond comparison and competing against a master.

Joy, excitement, reverence, and respect...

I envelop their intent with my own.

I overlay their Martial Arts with my own Martial Arts.

It feels bleak.

Painful.

Miserable.

Suffocating.

The vision is black.

The Grand Cultivator Association gave me the nickname 'Sword Devil.'

I have no interest in such a grim title, but at least in this moment, I think it suits me all too well.

That's how much my sword right now is steeped in dreadful screams and heartbreak.

A hollow yet dreadful sword movement spirals within my refined swordsmanship as I intertwine with the supreme masters of the Heart Tribe Supreme Council.

Kim Yeon's earlier words echo faintly in my mind.

—When the Mad Lord first met Hyang-hwa, he mistook her for one of his own bloodline.

The old man with the needle lands at the tip of my sword, spins seven times counterclockwise, and unleashes a powerful slash with the accumulated rotational force.

—He said that in the Head Realm, the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent is actually a Heavenly Penalty (天刑) that only his bloodline bears.

Using my right foot as a pivot, I spin clockwise, shaking off the elder and dispersing the rotational force of the slash he sent flying.

—But he quickly realized that Hyang-hwa isn't of his bloodline. He said that those with the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent all bear a 'curse,' and since the curses differ depending on the bloodline, Hyang-hwa not having the same curse as his is proof that she isn't of his kin.

Woo-woong—

My sword vibrates.

And I only recently held Kang Min-hee in my arms as I committed suicide!

Now, on top of that, I learned of Buk Hyang-hwa's terminal diagnosis.

One after another!

All my connections!

Are leaving my side!

Ssssssssss—

As I recall that fact, turbid energy, ghostly energy, and devilish energy once again rise around me.

"...I don't want to kill those who have treated me as a guest. Please, if possible, come to me after I've calmed my heart."

Upon hearing my words, the faces of the 22 Supreme Council leaders all twist into expressions as menacing as evil spirits.

"...O Esteemed One, may I say something?"

"As much as you wish."

"We dare not claim to understand how you feel, Esteemed One. No, none of us can truly understand each other's feelings."

The words of the old man from the Small Person Race are quite amusing.

Isn't it because we possess the ability to read others' heart essences that we are called the Heart Tribe?

Yet, from the mouth of one from the Heart Tribe, who possesses this sight, comes the words that one cannot truly understand another's feelings?

It's a strange statement.

'I think I understand.'

But somehow, I feel like I can understand his words.

"We possess the eyes to peer into the heart, but no matter how much we read, it's merely an outward reflection. It's impossible to truly stand in someone else's shoes and offer genuine comfort. That's why, in our Cedar Wood Grove, not only is it an unspoken rule not to pry into others' emotions, but we also forbid offering careless consolation. Comforting someone is only permissible between those who share a deep connection."

He meets my gaze.

"Thus none of us will comfort you, Esteemed One. None of us will claim to understand your heart. However! Just as we have not dared to judge you carelessly, we ask that you do not judge us carelessly either! Who among us do you think fears death?!"

Boom!

All 22 members of the Supreme Council step forward in unison and shout.

"To see the realm beyond, we are all willing to discard our lives at any moment! Stop with your strange words and show us your true strength!"

"..."

I look at them, feeling slightly incredulous.

'They call me Esteemed One, but they don't treat me like how an ordinary cultivator would treat an Esteemed One.'

To most cultivators, Esteemed Ones are akin to gods.

Thus, when dealing with an Esteemed One, they wouldn't dare to look at them directly, nor would they act in any way other than a devout follower obeying the command of their deity.

But these people are different.

'You've raised good disciples, Master...'

Even if it means death, each of them possess the spirit to speak their minds to a god then die.

No, it's precisely because they are such people that they became members of the Heart Tribe, reached Entering Heavens, and rose to this level.

"There's one more issue."

"What is it?"

I give them a bitter smile as I speak.

"I, too, am a disciple of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One."

"Hm...!"

"In other words, if I were to kill any of you, as a fellow disciple, I would be killing my own senior brothers and sisters. So..."

"What does that matter!!!"

The Small Person Race Elder shouts once more with a thunderous voice.

"Stop with the formalities and focus on sincerity! Besides, even if we are senior brothers and sisters, discussing enlightenment between us is only natural! If you've gained enlightenment ahead of us, then help guide your slower senior brothers and sisters!!!"

The old man's words leave me momentarily speechless, and I finally respond with a complex gaze.

"...Understood."

Squirm, squirm...

I control the darkness welling up within me, the murderous intent rising from my chest, and ask,

"So, who among you will receive this junior brother's sincere strike?"

As expected, the Small Person Race Elder steps forward.

"I shall be the one."

I stare at him for a moment before speaking.

"Do not regret this."

"I will have no regrets."

"Then, here I come."

Tstststst—

The speed at which our consciousnesses accelerate grows faster and faster.

In an instant, the surroundings darken, and only the two of us remain in this world.

Here, physical size or any bodily constraints no longer matter.

What remains is simply how one counters the other's techniques.

[Sub-Heart Sword.]

From the start, I unleash my most powerful technique.

To present an ambiguous move in front of someone who has shown such resolve would be an insult to my opponent!

I pour everything I have into this one move!

[Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.]

The Heart Sword that emerges from my heart essence digs into his heart essence at a speed faster than recognition.

A single sword that cuts away at the heart every time he recalls me!

But this is not the end.

The application of Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.

Paaaatt!

[Transcending Rivers Embedment (川涉越深).]

The mountain grows steeper the further one climbs, and the river deepens the more one crosses.

A person's heart is just like this—one step inside becomes as deep as ten, the end never in sight.

The Sub-Heart Sword that cuts through the heart at the Plane of Soul merges with the ability of the All-Heavens Sword and descends to the Plane of Qi.

In short...

Pukwakak!

Originally, Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment merely cuts the heart upon perceiving me, causing pain. But now, it means that perceiving me will cut even the physical body.

Kwakak—

The needle he is holding snaps.

But I can sense it clearly.

'He countered it.'

Though it was far from perfect, he 'confronted' the form of Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.

If his output had been as high as that of the Heaven or Earth Tribes, he might have completely shattered my Sub-Heart Sword.

But that's all.

In the end, one of the leaders of the Supreme Council.

The old man from the Small Person Race died standing.

I know.

When I unleashed the Sub-Heart Sword, I succeeded in perfectly controlling my emotions.

However, because the Small Person Race Elder had faced me with his full power, this death was caused by the rebound of that elder's force.

"Rest in peace, Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother..."

The leaders of the Supreme Council all pay their respects in unison towards the Small Person Race Elder.

I know who he was.

The highest-ranking disciple of Jang Ik's current students.

The Vice-leader of the Heart Tribe Supreme Council.

At this moment, in Jang Ik's absence, he was the acting leader of the Heart Tribe.

"Senior Brother Gyeong Chang! Your noble spirit will be remembered forever!!!"

The swordsman of the Small Person Race, Gyeong Chang!

On my first day of waking up in the Heart Tribe's Cedar Wood Grove, I killed Jang Ik's oldest disciple.

Author's Note: The subtle brilliance of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains begins with the growing volume of its content.