It Wasn’t a Martial Arts World, but the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 28: Peerless Warrior and Martial Artists (4)

Strange.

What exactly is that sword?

This time, it was different from before.

There was no illusion, no trickery.

Everything was real.

The six swords were each fully formed, possessing their own distinct shape.

Lü Bu pulled on the reins, trying to turn the Red Hare and avoid the incoming strikes, but she couldn’t fend off all of the attacks coming from every direction.

– Boom!

Finally, Lü Bu was knocked off the Red Hare.

Preoccupied with defending herself, she ended up leaving an opening, and the Red Hare took a solid hit.

However, when she fell, all that remained on her body was a small cut on her left shoulder.

“This crazy bastard…”

Lü Bu clicked her tongue.

This was no sorcery.

That swordsmanship was something no one else could possibly imitate.

But how was that even possible?

There was no time for idle thoughts.

– Kang!

Lü Bu immediately rolled back onto her feet, blocking Unryong’s follow-up strikes as she rose.

“…I almost died just now.”

Lü Bu grinned as she spoke, and Unryong, panting heavily, raised the corners of his mouth as well.

“You’re a real monster… seriously.”

He had given it his all.

He had waited for the moment when Lü Bu grew accustomed to the Linked Illusion Sword and let her excitement build before delivering his decisive strike.

But to think that all she had sustained was a scratch.

He had succeeded in separating Lü Bu from the Red Hare, but now that she was still standing strong, what was he supposed to do?

The world was vast.

He wasn’t even considered among the elite, yet here he was, facing an opponent far beyond his reach.

To make matters worse, the backlash from opening the Gate of Opening was taking its toll. His entire body ached.

He barely managed to block the next strike from the halberd, which moved in an unpredictable trajectory, but he no longer had the strength to keep standing.

– Crash!

His body flew through the air.

It was the first time in his life he had been thrown so high.

As he struggled to regain his footing, Lü Bu approached.

There wasn’t the slightest sign of fatigue on her face; in fact, she seemed more excited than ever, grinning broadly.

The closer she got, the stronger the stench of death became.

If he wanted to survive, he would need to achieve a breakthrough.

At the very least, if he could reach the level where he could release sword energy…

“Haa… haa…”

What was he lacking?

What did he need to achieve that breakthrough right now?

Unryong repeated the question in his mind over and over again.

Then, the battle resumed once more.

***

His mind was hazy.

How long had he been holding on?

Blood streamed down from his forehead, blinding one eye. His right shoulder was immobile, and his legs had reached their limit.

To make matters worse, the side effects of opening the Gate of Opening were spreading throughout his body.

He was barely standing—a corpse in all but name.

“Why don’t you just give up?”

Lü Bu’s face no longer had any trace of a smile.

She leveled her halberd at him, speaking in a serious tone.

“You’ve done enough. The fight’s over. You’re incredible. Stronger than anyone I’ve faced.”

“…That’s… an honor.”

“So give up.”

She clicked her tongue, resting the halberd on her shoulder.

“Come with me. You’re a fool, the dumbest bastard in the world, but you’re worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with Lü Bu. Sure, there might be some complaints from our side, but I’ll handle that.”

She seemed genuinely willing to let him live if he nodded.

“Make your choice. Abandon that foolish conviction of yours, and I’ll spare your life. More than that, I’ll guarantee your future success.”

Lü Bu then glanced off to the side.

Where was she looking?

I slowly turned my head to follow her gaze.

And then I saw them, and my words caught in my throat.

What the hell are you doing? Why are you coming here?

“You don’t have much time to think.”

There, riding furiously toward us, was Baekrang.

Alongside him were my other brothers, all rushing in our direction with blood in their eyes.

No.

She’s not someone you can face.

“Brother!”

Don’t do it.

Don’t even think about doing something so foolish.

Stop.

Please, stop.

Lü Bu slowly began walking toward them.

“Will you join them on the road to the underworld, or will you come with me? Think about it while I deal with those trash.”

“I’m your opponent…”

Move.

Move!

This is what martial arts is for, isn’t it?

So please, move.

But my body wouldn’t listen.

I could feel my internal energy slowing down.

Even my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground.

If my legs don’t work, then I’ll use my body.

I crawled. Crawling, crawling, until I managed to grab hold of Lü Bu’s leg.

“I can still… I can still fight…”

“You fool.”

– Thud!

Lü Bu’s halberd pierced straight through my shoulder.

The heat was unbearable, and it felt as though my bones were screaming in pain.

Even so, I tightened my grip.

But it was too late.

My brothers had reached Lü Bu.

“Save the boss! Everyone, throw yourselves in!”

One by one, they attacked Lü Bu.

Lü Bu broke free from my grasp.

There was no way my battered body could withstand her overwhelming strength.

“You bastards, do you even know where you are?!”

“Boss, stay still for now.”

One of my brothers hurriedly dragged me away.

I couldn’t contain my frustration.

“Pull the troops back! She’s not someone you can handle!”

“We’re not fools. Just hold out a little longer, and Lü Bu’s forces will be completely surrounded. She’s not an idiot, and she won’t let her emotions control her. That’s what Haryeong said.”

I couldn’t even process his words.

One by one, they were being cut down, blood splattering everywhere.

Don’t go.

Please, don’t go. What kind of younger brothers leave before their older brother?

Am I that unreliable?

Is it because I’m weak that you have to suffer?

If only I had the strength to face Lü Bu, none of you would be dying like this.

Suddenly, the sky came into view.

What is the Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique for?

It can’t just be some mindless technique that simply multiplies swords.

So what does it really mean?

No technique is without purpose.

Each technique leads to the next, and every technique has an end.

I saw it.

The end of this world.

The sky.

And the sword.

At that moment.

I saw things I had never seen before, floating and flowing gently in the air.

A blue, sky-like color.

I knew instinctively what it was.

I reached out in its direction.

How long had it been right beside me?

Why had I never noticed it before?

“…Brother?”

At last, I grabbed hold of my brother’s arm.

Forcing myself up, I practically clung to him to stand.

I could see it.

The way to protect them was right in front of me.

Just a little more. A little further.

“Brother? Brother!”

I pushed his hand away and picked up my sword.

A sword is nothing more than a tool.

It’s a mere instrument, used for cutting down and killing.

That’s where I had gone wrong.

While martial arts are designed for killing, the Heavenly Extreme Linked Illusion Sword Technique was not a sword of death.

It’s a sword that reaches the heavens.

It’s a sword that cuts the sky, not people.

Mindlessly swinging a sword will never allow you to reach the heavens.

That’s why it flows.

The sword is nothing more than a conductor for the energy that flows through it, guiding it.

This was sword qi.

I had entered the first realm of the elite.

***

“Huh?!”

Lü Bu, who had been swinging her halberd in all directions, stared in disbelief at the man approaching her slowly.

Did he really want to die that badly?

Why didn’t he abandon his stubbornness, even in the face of death?

Just give up and betray your ideals.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

People are selfish creatures that ultimately seek life, so he had every right to seek comfort.

Lü Bu herself would acknowledge him, so he could stop now.

But his eyes had not yet lost their fire.

He gripped his sword even tighter as he continued his approach.

Lü Bu felt a chill run down her spine.

Was she, Lü Bu, feeling fear toward a dying man?

This sensation, which even she couldn’t fully understand, was a terror unlike any other.

“What do you think you can do with that broken body?!”

Lü Bu shouted, her voice echoing.

It was foolish to even consider that he could face her in that state.

And yet, the man didn’t stop. He only tightened his grip on his sword.

“Are you really going to throw your life away for these worthless fools?!”

Lü Bu kicked off the ground.

Fine.

If you’re choosing such a meaningless death, Lü Bu will gladly grant it.

She raised her halberd to its limit and brought it down with all her might.

– Boom!

A massive sandstorm arose, and the man’s figure disappeared from view.

It was over.

There was no way he had the strength to withstand that blow.

– Ka-ga-ga-ga-gak!

But why? Why was her Fangtian Huaji being pushed back?

Sparks flew through the storm, vivid and bright, scattering into the air.

Finally, Lü Bu’s halberd was flung away from her grasp.

“…No… way…”

There was a crack in the blade of the Fangtian Huaji.

As the sandstorm cleared, Lü Bu’s eyes widened in shock.

Blue qi was radiating from the man’s sword.