Chapter: 485
Namgung Myung, the Thunder Heavenly Sword.
He’s one of the five heroes who stopped the Blood Demon.
The strongest martial artist in the history of the Namgung Family.
It’s said that with a single wave of his hand, the sky would be filled with dark clouds, and even a light shout could cause thunder to rumble.
Another of his nicknames was…
“I think it was the God of Thunder.”
This was only passed down through records, and since I never really wanted to dig deeper, I don’t know the details.
Of course, right after realizing they were still alive and tangled up in my affairs, I did do some digging.
If we consider only the remaining records…
“There’s no way you could say they were all human.”
It was just a story handed down as mere legend.
It was said that the poison emitted by the Tang Dynasty could fill an entire region.
Unlike Cheolyoung’s compassionate nature, a single punch could erase a mountain.
It was said that the heavens trembled with the wrath of the God of Thunder.
The stories of Shin Noya and Yeonilcheon were only more than enough.
It made you wonder if such monsters actually existed, one by one.
I couldn’t take it anymore; I got so mad that I didn’t want to read any more records.
Did you think it was just a rumor? If only that were the case, it would have been easier to swallow.
The reason was none other than this.
“Five of those people gathered together, and all they did was seal it?!”
The Blood Demon War left a terrible mark.
People might think the heroes stopped it, but in reality, they barely managed to seal it, and even now, the Blood Demon was wandering around.
The Heavenly Horse was daunting enough, and the fact that those five couldn’t even stop the Blood Demon properly…
As I read the knights’ tales, I was filled with such rage that I couldn’t stand the thought of having to deal with what those humans couldn’t manage even when working together.
Anyway…
Even if I think about this later.
I needed to focus on what Shin Noya had just said.
“Namgung Myung?”
I stared straight ahead.
Gray hair with patches of dust.
When I lifted my bangs that were covering my face, I finally revealed his brilliant blue eyes.
He was a middle-aged man with one of the finest appearances I had ever seen.
In terms of looks, he was far superior even when compared to Namgung Jin, the King of Heavenly Swords, who was renowned for his striking appearance.
Looking at that man made me think.
“… The shaman ghost was… born of the Namgung family?”
There’s only one place in the Central Plains with such a striking appearance.
The Great Namgung Family.
It’s solely from there, yet the shaman ghost embodied all the characteristics of that place.
It’s much more profound than the so-called blood relatives, Gaju or Namgung Bi-ah.
In this perplexing situation, I asked Noya,
“Noya… What do you mean by that?”
[… What do you mean? It means just what it says.]
“The shaman ghost looks exactly like the Noecheonilgeom?”
[Yes. They look so similar it’s eerie. Though their filthy appearances are different.]
Hearing that, I took another look at the ghost.
A remarkably handsome appearance.
Despite the cold aura, his tired look gave his face an air of no luck whatsoever.
In that moment, I understood why Shin Noya always referred to Namgung Myung as a worthless figure whenever he brought him up.
After mulling over what to do for a moment, I joined my hands together to pay my respects.
At the very least, I needed to offer a greeting.
“… The birth of the nine families meets the revered shaman.”
“Kuga?”
Upon hearing my introduction, the shaman’s eyes lit up with interest.
“I see. So you’re the one causing all the fuss these days.”
“… Yes. Gu Yangcheon, at your service.”
I didn’t know what “kind of fuss” he was referring to, but he must have been talking about me.
Since the Murim Alliance was endlessly spreading rumors, it was only natural it would be loud.
“Hmm.”
The ghost’s gaze wandered over my body.
A clear sign of curiosity twinkled in his eyes.
After staring at me for what felt like an eternity, the ghost smirked and said.
“When I first heard the rumor… I thought it was just the Maeng’s thugs scheming.”
“…!”
I was taken aback, internally startled by his sharper-than-expected remarks.
I had no idea there would be another lunatic in this day and age willing to label the Murim Alliance a cult, aside from me.
[So you knew you weren’t in your right mind, huh?]
…It was surprising that Goeseon recognized that those guys were scheming.
Just as I was surprised by the ghost, it seemed he was quite taken aback by me too.
“I didn’t expect the rumors to get any worse.”
“I’m grateful for your kind words… .”
Although I was somewhat concealing my true self, it appeared he had already confirmed things to an extent from my earlier display of lightness.
The ghost who complimented me stroked his chin a couple of times with his hand.
“This is a mistake.”
He then looked over at Woohyuk and made a strange remark.
“What are you talking about?”
Woohyuk responded as if he was accustomed to Goeseon’s behavior, at which point the ghost chuckled and said.
“I thought you were going to take this era by storm.”
“Yes? Me?”
Woohyuk appeared utterly bewildered, as if hearing such words for the first time.
“With a guy like this around, I suppose it’s a lost cause. You should just give up.”
“Haha, what’s with this? I wasn’t expecting any of this to begin with. Why would I want to deal with such a nuisance? It’d be better to sleep during that time.”
“… You’re as lazy as ever. Come on, at least show some grit for the teacher you’re talking to.”
“If we’re judging by a lack of perseverance, then you’re no saint either, so why are you targeting me?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Hahahaha-!
After a hearty discussion, the two suddenly burst into laughter together.
Seeing that made me involuntarily put on a bitter smile.
I’d been so curious about where Woohyuk’s strange personality came from, and it turned out that his exact counterpart was right there.
[Hmm.]
Even Shin Noya seemed perplexed, letting out a weary sigh.
[… Their face is the same, but the personality is completely different.]
“Is it really that different from the Noecheonilgeom?”
While he claimed their faces were the same…
Their personalities looked to be the stark opposite.
[If it had been that guy, he wouldn’t have used that kind of tone. He sure wouldn’t rumble around with such a shabby appearance in the first place.]
Shin Noya’s voice was filled with something I couldn’t quite pinpoint.
[He was the sort who hated getting a speck of dirt on his body. I once tossed him into the mud since his neat freak demeanor was so revolting.]
“Eh?”
[Do you know how brutal it was when he came at me saying he was going to kill me? Hahaha! He was such a narrow-minded fellow. A real martial artist would get a little dirt on themselves. Tsk tsk.]
‘…’
No matter how much I listened, it felt more like Shin Noya was the one acting like a tough guy rather than Namgung Myung being narrow-minded. Or was that just my imagination?
What I could clarify was that the two of them probably didn’t get along very well.
“I’ve only heard about him and from that, I can see he’s different from Goeseon.”
On the other hand, having the same face implied that they were, at least in that respect, not very different.
After patiently waiting for the two to laugh for a while, when the mood quieted a bit, I spoke up to Goeseon.
“Um… Senior.”
“Hmm?”
“Excuse me. By the way, Namgung…”
“Oh.”
Just as I was about to ask, Goeseon waved his hand dismissively as if he immediately guessed what I was going to say next.
“It was like that in the past, but not anymore, so don’t worry about it.”
“It used to be like that, but not now…”
It seemed something had happened along the way.
‘At least it’s true he’s from the Namgung family.’
Ah.
“So the brain child…?”
Now that I knew that, I finally figured out why the shaman ghost was the current owner of the Brain Sword.
The Brain Sword is a symbolic treasure of the Namgung family.
I had been wondering how it could have ended up in someone else’s hands.
“It turns out Goeseon was originally from the Namgung family.”
While it was rare for noble lineages to leave their families and join other clans, it wasn’t unheard of.
In the past, blood relatives of the Murong or Peng families had once made names for themselves within Dao sects.
However…
“Why is the ghost’s name unknown?”
If he was a shaman from the Namgung family, it would be expected to hear clear mention of him.
This was not the sort of thing that should have gone unnoticed in this prominent family.
If he were truly a shaman, the Four Great Clans would have made a point of noting how impressive their blood had become once they joined the shaman faction.
If it were Namgung, they would have boasted that he was worthy of his family lineage.
That’s just how politics and rumors roll.
Spinning tales and amplifying accomplishments is standard practice, and there wouldn’t be a better excuse than this.
Yet here’s the kicker: the shaman’s nickname is the only thing that’s famous, and nobody seems to know he belongs to the Namgung family.
“Especially with that flashy appearance.”
The features are something that simply cannot be overlooked.
There were strangely few rumors surrounding him.
“Furthermore… even though he owns the Brain Sword, why hasn’t the Namgung family come to reclaim it?”
This has to be the most perplexing question of all.
While the rumor that the shaman ghost possessed the brain sword hadn’t exploded across the plains, it was certainly known.
Considering the brain sword is a symbol of the Namgung family, it makes sense that they would want to take it back, especially since he’s an outsider.
For some reason, the Namgung family hadn’t taken action.
“I wonder, why?”
At a glance, it might seem like both the family head and the offspring would be doing something incredibly foolish. But for a prestigious family, they should be reasonably sharp.
Observing this more closely, it felt like something was off.
While lost in thought over several issues momentarily,
“Oh, even though I told you not to worry…”
The ghost, as if realizing something, addressed me.
“You might face some difficulties, huh?”
“Yes?”
What on earth was he talking about?
“I heard you were engaged. Or maybe not?”
“Ah…”
His words seemed to pertain to Namgung Bi-ah.
“It’s not quite on the same level as saying don’t worry, but honestly, I really wouldn’t want to go back to that place anymore…”
“No, that’s alright. I really don’t care, so it’s fine.”
“Hmm?”
Goeseon cut in as I was trying to elaborate.
“I think it might be annoying to hear more. Since you told me not to say it, I’ll just not worry about it.”
“Oh, really?”
It was blatantly apparent that this conversation had turned quite tedious.
There were a multitude of matters weighing on my mind already, and I definitely didn’t want to hear about the inner circumstances of the Namgung family here.
Was my response, imbued with those sentiments, the cause for concern?
Goeseon made a curious expression before glancing at Woohyuk.
“It must be because he’s your friend, huh? You don’t seem normal, either.”
“Yes? That kid isn’t, but I am normal.”
“Honestly, I’m glad to see you’re still as bizarre as ever, even after all these years, my disciple.”
It was a bit unfair to suddenly label me as some weirdo.
What was even more infuriating was that Woohyuk’s brat confidently insisted he was normal.
“I can’t really hit him since he has a discerning eye. I’ll have to deal with him later on the way back.”
Gathering my thoughts, I decided.
“Master, I have a feeling that guy is thinking of hitting me.”
It seemed Woohyuk quickly caught on and stood up against Master Ji.
That brat…?
“Isn’t it true that all of us grow up fighting?”
“Haha! What the hell! So I didn’t have anyone on my side?”
[…Those lunatics. There’s no doubt that they’re lunatics.]
This time, I found myself resonating with Noya. No matter how I looked at it, those freaks were indeed crazy.
But even Noya, who said that, wasn’t quite sane either.
[What’s this now…?]
“Why do you have to read my inner monologue? Can’t you just respect my privacy a little?”
[Ha. Now they’re just doing it openly.]
If I knew my thoughts would be laid bare, I should have just let the swearing flow freely.
[…That aside, think about what to do regarding your purpose in being here.]
“Oh, right. That was a thing!”
[…]
Though I couldn’t hear anything, I felt like Noya shot me an incredulous glance.
“Right, I had a purpose for finding the ghost ship. But what should I do about this?”
The purpose of my quest was to find the brain sword.
I had come intending to acquire it for Namgung Bi-ah.
“It’s not something I can just snatch away.”
Taking it by force was out of the question.
My original plan of invoking the name of the Namgung family to obtain the brain sword was now impossible.
“He’s a blood relative already. If the Namgung family is deliberately leaving him alone, then there’s no excuse for such an action right now.”
I had no initial intent of taking the brain sword from him during our first meeting, yet I needed to brainstorm a method.
As I pondered on what to do, suddenly…
[Need some help?]
Shin Noya spoke in an unexpectedly calm tone.
‘…You want to assist me, Noya?’
[Of course, who else would help if not me?]
“How?”
Given that the spirit was hovering around my body, I wasn’t sure what it could do.
Without any shred of faith in this situation, I still preferred having a helping hand over none at all.
“Do you have a plan?”
[Well, it’s not a grand scheme. Wouldn’t it be the quickest way to just summon him for a chat?]
“Summon him?”
I tilted my head in confusion at this idea.
[I’m referring to that moment when the guy Namgung came charging at me, declaring he was out to kill me.]
“Ah? Yes.”
For an inexplicable reason, Shin Noya had suddenly started recounting tales of the past.
[It wasn’t just that one time; there were countless occasions where we fought. Since our personalities clashed so much, it was inevitable.]
I wondered why he was bringing this up but decided not to comment on it for the time being.
It felt like there was a reason for sharing that story.
[It must have been at least a hundred times… But do you know what’s crucial here?]
His voice turned deadly serious.
Could it be the immense pressure coming from him made it so?
Unintentionally, I gulped down my anxiety and replied.
“What is it…?”
[Forty-nine wins to fifty-one losses.]
“What on earth… is that…?”
[That’s the tally of our victories and defeats. And of course, I won fifty-one of them…]
[…You’re just spouting nonsense.]
“…!”
Just then, someone interrupted, breaking off Shin Noya’s statement.
I turned in the direction of that voice.
Booom-!
“…Huh?”
As my gaze landed there, the shaman looked bewildered, astonished at his own chest which suddenly began to vibrate.
He then reached into his garment, pulling something out.
Fswiiiiing!
The object drawn out thrummed violently. Yes.
“The Brain Sword?”
It was clearly the Brain Sword, well-known as one of the five great martial swords of the Central Plains.
It looked exactly like the one wielded by the Demon Sword Master; my suspicions were confirmed.
[Snicker.]
Shin Noya let out a chuckle as he observed this.
That can only mean…
“Could it be, the voice I just heard…”
As I stared at the Brain Sword with hopeful disbelief…
[As time goes on, it seems your brain has finally rotted.]
A chilling, glacial voice echoed in the air.
I couldn’t fathom how human voice could be this chillingly imposing.
[Forty-nine victories were yours, and fifty-one mine. Do you dare to distort history?]
In stark contrast to that icy voice, what came through sounded undeniably crude.
I remained taken aback, fixated on the Brain Sword.
[It’s been a while.]
Despite hearing that voice, Shin Noya greeted it as if delighted.
This let me know for certain.
The owner of the icy voice was none other than…
[How have you been, Myeong-ah?]
Namgung Myung, the Thunder Heavenly Sword himself!
—
Drip… drip…
A dark, damp space. A tiny sound reverberates in that shadowy ambience.
Drip… drip…
The sound of water droplets falling.
Even this insignificant sound spreads broadly, resonating around the entirety of the area.
A space with an unknown purpose.
Inside, Nahi knelt on both knees, bowing her head.
Her demeanor was far more reverential than it had been in front of the Poison King.
The individual receiving Nahi’s tribute was meticulously perusing the paper in his grasp.
In the enveloping darkness, thin fingers appeared, almost bearing a skeletal appearance.
Swoosh.
The elder gradually flipped through the letters, then furrowed his brow as if he had unearthed something.
“The Poison King has learned of this… Is it truly the case?”
“… Yes… That is correct, Elder.”
“Hmm… This is troublesome.”
As the elder uttered those words…
Crackle…
The letter clasped in his hand instantly rotted away, falling to pieces.
“… It’s not yet the right time, after all…”
The elder expressed disappointment.
The opportunity was gradually manifesting.
He had been preparing for that moment, but it now seemed like things were going awry.
“Did you say Gu Yangcheon?”
“Yes… That’s right.”
Tch.
The elder clicked his tongue briefly.
“Typical of someone born into the nine families to do something so irritating… You should have just remained quiet like lump of flesh.”
The foolish individual who had conveyed useless information to the Poison King was known for causing quite the ruckus of late.
It was rumored he was some genius stirring up commotion in the Central Plains.
“Though you rightly brought the Dokcheondan, it’s quite distasteful seeing you running around without knowing your place.”
Especially in the domain of the Tang Family, of all places.
The elder did not appreciate that at all.
“Before it becomes an even bigger hassle… It would be best to remove the annoyance.”
He grinned faintly as he said that.
If it were anywhere else, it might have been different; here was the Tang Gate.
No matter how strong their opponent or how resounding their background—
There were countless means to clean up without a trace.
“Let others know in advance. I think I should prepare a decent gift.”
The elder was confident in such matters more than anyone else.
As Nahi received the elder’s instructions, she bowed her head even lower and replied,
“Understood.”
There was no way to refuse such an order.
If it had been the former circumstances, the “curse” binding Nahi would have compelled her to comply directly.
“…”
But that was not the case now.
Nahi raised her head slightly and gazed at the elder.
The curse that had previously shackled her body had vanished, giving her the freedom to run away whenever she chose.
That was all.
‘This is all his doing.’
This was a consequence of Gu Yangcheon infusing some energy into her.
This change was the very reason her decade-long desire to escape was suddenly fulfilled in an instant.
So, it was now that she wanted nothing more than to grab a dagger and stab that old bastard right in the neck.
She wanted to slice through his throat and rip out his heart, dismembering him completely.
She didn’t do it, though. No, she couldn’t.
The curse within her body vanished.
And in its place came an even greater curse.
-If anything happens, just do whatever I say. It doesn’t matter.
The command she had heard not long ago echoed in her mind.
Was it because of that order that Nahi found herself unable to act differently?
Regardless of the outcome, she loathed living as a slave.
Nahi bit her lip and held it all in.
At the very least, one thing was distinctly different.
-I’ll allow you to have revenge. So just do as I say.
Those words.
Nahi endured because of that single light remark.
Certainly, even if she couldn’t hold out any longer, she had no other means of escape.
“Oh. And…”
“…Yes.”
When Nahi had finally managed to quell her emotions, the elder spoke again.
“Find out where the princess is. I must pay her a visit after so long.”
“Understood.”
With the elder’s remark, Nahi vanished from view.
The elder, left alone, gazed at something, letting out an old and eerie chuckle.
Drag drag.
Where the elder looked lie the corpses of individuals dismembered beyond recognition.
Blood flowed, soaking the ground beneath them.
In response to such a gruesome display, the elder seemed unperturbed, smiling as if nothing was amiss.
“Everything is according to the wishes of the Lord.”
If any anomalies arise, they wouldn’t matter.
Should there be anyone who opposed that intent, they could simply be melted away.
It had always been so.
The Poison King.
Anyone opposing his will?
The elder would merely clean it up and dispose of it as required.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.