Heart Sword (Simgeom). A pinnacle skill in swordsmanship. Only an extremely small number of martial artists who have reached the Hwagyeong realm can grasp its essence.
The unity of sword and selfâcalled the "Oneness of Sword and Soul" by many swordsmenâis a dream for all who walk the martial path. Itâs an absolute power that can only be understood by reaching that state.
"â¦You wretchedâ¦"
The Master of the Celestial Stream Sect clutched his chest, a low groan escaping his lips.
He had been struck. Blood flowed freely, soaking through his martial robes.
What struck him? Sword energy? No.
The Master of the Celestial Stream Sect, himself a swordsman of the highest caliber, already understood what had cut him.
"How could someone like you wield the Heart Swordâ¦!"
It was the Heart Sword. There was no mistaking it. The sensation confirmed it beyond doubt.
Such an attack was impossible without wielding the Heart Sword.
"Urgh."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Blood spilled from his mouth, splattering onto the ground.
The wound was deep. If he hadn't reacted in that brief moment, he might have died instantly.
"â¦Tch."
With a grimace of pain, the Master of the Celestial Stream Sect looked straight ahead.
He stared at the accursed woman who had brought him to this state.
Swords lay scattered on the ground. Despite being imbued with sword energy, none were embedded into the floor. This space could not be broken, no matter how much force was used.
Yet, the attack had landed. Though the space itself remained unharmed, it had left its mark on its target.
The woman, too, wasnât unscathed.
Blood flowed from the tears in her martial robe, staining her white neck with crimson.
It was clear she had abandoned defense to deliver her attack.
Even so, despite her state, which made merely standing seem arduous, sheâ¦
"Are you⦠smiling?"
She was beaming, as if she found the current situation delightful.
"Ha⦠haâ¦"
The Master of the Celestial Stream Sect let out a dry laugh as he witnessed it.
"Truly⦠you're a demon."
This was a battle of life and death. And yet, against someone of his caliber, she was reveling in it.
This was madness. A flicker of fear crept into the mind of the Master of the Celestial Stream Sect.
But he quickly erased it.
"â¦Do not grow overconfident."
Straightening his posture despite the pain, the Master of the Celestial Stream Sect forced himself to stand.
The wound still throbbed, but he had already stopped the bleeding by controlling his internal energy.
"Do you think landing one successful attack means victory is within your grasp?"
A hum echoed through the air. The swords scattered on the ground floated upward and returned to the Master of the Celestial Stream Sect.
They began to orbit around him in a protective formation.
"Failing to cut my throat with that strike⦠That was your downfall."
With a sharp glare, the Master of the Celestial Stream Sect extended a finger.
At that moment, the swords shot toward Namgung Bi-ah at tremendous speed.