Chapter 72: Chapter 50: The Finale (Two in One)_3
Translator: 549690339
“Clang! ”
The treasured sword hit the ground, its wielder seemingly lost and forlorn. Xu Yang, however, didn’t look back, stepping into the void and crossing the river.
In front of Rainy Mountain, at the base of Emperor’s Step Peak.
A man stood with his hands behind his back, as if waiting for a long time.
Xu Yang walked on air, lightly landed, and stopped behind this person.
The man turned around at that moment, his handsome face revealing no signs of age. Although he was past his prime, his presence hadn’t waned, and there was not the slightest trace of aging. His eyebrows were like swords, his eyes like stars, his energy buoyant, exuding the grandeur of a Grandmaster.
It was none other than—Heavenly Blade Song Que!
One of the three Grandmasters, renowned across the Martial World.
The Lingnan Heaven Blade, awe-inspiring in all directions.
In both prestige and strength, he was in no way inferior to the three Grandmasters. He might even be regarded as surpassing them. He was truly worthy of the name Heaven Blade.
Xu Yang halted his steps, looking calmly at this dao of blade Grandmaster: “I have long heard of the Heavenly Blade; seeing it today indeed lives up to its reputation.”
Song Que smiled, shifted his gaze to Emperor’s Step Peak behind them, and said, “Qing Hui asked me to kill you!”
“Is that so?”
Xu Yang smiled, his expression unchanged: “Then why not on Emperor’s Step
Peak?”
“Because I don’t want to kill you, nor do I have the ability to do so.”
Song Que shook his head, speaking calmly: “I offer you Lingnan in exchange for something of yours, how about that?” Xu Yang was unsurprised: “Which item?”
Song Que laughed: “Your treasured boat.”
Xu Yang nodded: “Agreed.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Song Que smiled again, then glanced at the treasured blade in his hand: “I have comprehended the ninth style of Heavenly Blade Eight Styles, but I’ve never found anyone worthy to test the blade on. Brother Xu, would you oblige me in a match?” Upon hearing this, Xu Yang also smiled: “I couldn’t ask for more!”
“Good!”
Seeing Xu Yang consent, Song Que didn’t say much, raised his blade, and said: “Please!”
Xu Yang gestured with an open hand: “After you!”
Song Que smiled, and the Heavenly Blade was unsheathed.
With just one swing, it seemed to make the world lose its color.
As the blade gleamed, it conjured images of iron horses and bristling troops, of armies slaughtering one another, and of scenery changing and beauties turning into skeletons.
In the turn of the blade, it suddenly returned to its purest form, an unadorned strike incorporating endless variations: lifting, slashing, breaking, cutting.
At the peak of its movement, visions of a battlefield emerged, with blood and gore raining down, telling of unceasing strife in the Martial World.
This single strike was the lifework of the Heavenly Blade, the lifework of Song Que. It encompassed everything he was: his military and blade tactics, every skirmish and deadly fight he had been through.
This single strike was the Heavenly Blade, and it was also Song Que, for the Heavenly Blade was Song Que, and Song Que was the Heavenly Blade.
Beyond the blade, there was nothing else, possessing the blade yet forgetting the blade, only the self without the self!
Unity of Heaven and Man, Unity of Man and Blade!
This was the ninth style of the Heavenly Blade—Perfect Heaven Blade!
The moment this strike was unleashed, it usurped all brilliance, casting darkness upon the heavens and the earth. Just as everything was about to be cleaved in two…
“Boom!”
A fist struck out, plain yet sparkling with brilliance, the ultimate power turning into the ultimate light, like a proud sun rising in the sky, instantly illuminating the world, staunchly colliding with the unparalleled edge of the blade.
Finally…
“Boom!!!”
A tremendous sound erupted, and the preceding spectacle was all erased.
Below Rainy Mountain, in front of Emperor’s Step Peak, they faced each other.
Song Que looked down at his treasured blade, now showing tiny cracks that soon multiplied, breaking into fragments.
Then looking at Xu Yang, who stood firm, deep and unfathomable as an abyss.
Song Que smiled: “With Brother Xu in this world, the dao is not alone!” Having said that, he bowed to Xu Yang, sheathed the remnants of his blade, and turned to leave.
As Song Que departed, Xu Yang’s gaze also returned to Emperor’s Step Peak.
The rain was hazy, and the mountain appeared otherworldly, like a fairyland on earth.
But Xu Yang didn’t say much, leaping directly upwards.
“Roar!!!”
A dragon’s cry shook the heavens, summoning all of his strength, the proud dragon surged towards Emperor’s Peak..