Chapter: 121
The Heavenly Dragon Gu Cheolun.
Now the master of the Gu Clan, known as the Tiger Warrior.
Namgung Jin, the former leader of the Murim Alliance, and Gu Cheolun had never been the best of friends.
It didn’t help that they were among the few young prodigies of their time either. They were often the subject of debates on who was stronger.
Namgung Jin, who had a strong sense of pride, wasn’t about to sit idle and listen to such talk.
That arrogant young noble sought out Gu Cheolun and challenged him to a duel…
Which he lost miserably.
Namgung Jin remembers.
The intense heat, flames filling the sky.
Those red eyes looking down on him from within the inferno.
How could he ever forget? That memory still shackled him to this day.
This wasn’t the only reason behind his hatred for Gu Cheolun, but it was certainly a memorable one he could never shake off.
He despised Gu Cheolun.
His ego was bruised, and there was resentment towards the friend he felt he had lost.
And above all…
It was indeed his fault for losing her.
But it was also Gu Cheolun’s fault for neglecting the flower he had picked.
How could it not be a sin to toss everything away for a woman whose name he didn’t even know?
Even learning the secrets of the Gu Clan didn’t change Namgung Jin’s thoughts…
The sword gleamed brightly under the moonlight. At the time Namgung Jin surpassed the peak and reached the fusion realm, the Lord of Heaven spoke to him.
“You are empty inside. First, you must fill that void.”
He likely wasn’t talking about Qi; after all, Namgung Jin wasn’t so foolish as not to comprehend that.
A long time passed since then. Countless hours of training and so many life-and-death battles had occurred, yet Namgung Jin was still stuck in place.
He showed no progress, and it was hard to consider himself the lord of the clan.
Even with the help of the clan, he remained incomplete. He might have reached the fusion realm, but the enlightenment he gained never truly settled within him.
Was something wrong with his body then?
One morning, his grandfather commanded to summon the Immortal Healer.
Namgung Jin got a check-up from the Immortal Healer, but after inspecting him closely, the Immortal Healer said firmly,
“I don’t know what treatment you’re expecting, but your body has no issues.”
The Immortal Healer found no concerns regarding his physical state. Ultimately, this meant that Namgung Jin was stuck, unable to break through the barriers as a martial artist.
As the lord of the Namgung Clan, he required more strength to uphold that title.
Since the Namgung Clan was a martial arts clan, a weak individual would find it difficult to maintain their position at the top.
Namgung Jin had reached the fusion realm and could easily place himself among the top hundred masters of the world, but it was still insufficient for him to claim the lordship of the Namgung Clan, which is why he sought power from any sources available.
Be it the Gu Clan he loathed or whatever else.
—Slash!
The tip of the sword brushed against Namgung Jin’s cheek along with the wind. The thought of granting his opponent ten seconds went out the window as he frantically searched for an opening amid the onslaught of sword strikes.
Namgung Jin had the advantage in speed.
And strength wasn’t lacking either.
Not utilizing Qi? That shouldn’t matter at all, considering he had the experience of swinging a sword through many years—at least, he hoped so.
So what was the problem? What was it that kept him from blocking that sword? Being stuck at a wall didn’t equate to being a weak martial artist.
And yet, to be pressured back by a mere young prodigy…
Gu Yangcheon didn’t seem to possess any of the basics that every aspiring swordsman should have learned.
It appeared he swung his sword wildly, but on the flip side, it seemed like he was purely making the necessary movements.
‘Am I dreaming?’
This Mighty Azure Sword Emperor, Namgung Jin, couldn’t even fathom the movements of this young prodigy.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t detect the movements due to their slowness; he simply couldn’t grasp them.
‘Even if this is a dream, this shouldn’t be possible…!’
The sword cleaved through the air.
Namgung Jin’s movements were full of intent. It was purely a duel of swordplay and nothing else. Namgung Jin was the sword king, so there was no way he should be pushed back.
—Swish swish!
The sound of blades slicing the air grew clearer and clearer. Having surpassed the peak realm, Qi had melded with his body, allowing his movements to naturally flow infused with Qi without deliberate focus.
Even if he couldn’t deploy martial arts using Qi, he believed he wouldn’t lose out in speed.
The Namgung Clan’s technique was indeed the best amongst sword arts, but this skill couldn’t unfold without Qi.
Still, that wasn’t the only aspect of the Namgung sword.
They could utilize their sword effectively, even without Qi.
With renewed determination, Namgung Jin executed the Azure Heavenly Tidal—
—Clang!
“…!”
The sword that Namgung Jin wielded was pointing skyward.
Gu Yangcheon had knocked his sword away, taking advantage of the moment when Namgung Jin didn’t employ Qi.
As the blade flew off, Namgung Jin let his guard down, leaving his chest unprotected.
‘Damn it…!’
Victory was Gu Yangcheon’s if he swung the sword right then. A dirty thought of using his Qi flickered in Namgung Jin’s mind.
He had learned that one should resort to anything and everything to achieve their desires, but as a martial artist, his remaining pride hesitated.
Ultimately, after sensing impending defeat, Namgung Jin felt a jolt of alarm upon realizing that Gu Yangcheon didn’t strike him as anticipated.
“What are you doing?”
Instead, Gu Yangcheon sheathed his sword and stood there, asking Namgung Jin.
“I told you to give it your all. So what precisely are you doing?”
Namgung Jin couldn’t wrap his head around Gu Yangcheon’s remark.
Did he think the young man was trying to humiliate him? But Gu Yangcheon’s expression was grave.
“Not only did you not give your all, but can you truly be so blinded by your delusion that you fail to see what’s right in front of you?”
“What… are you talking about right now?”
Anger flared within Namgung Jin as he failed to comprehend Gu Yangcheon’s words. The urge to unleash his lightning Qi was becoming unbearable.
He wanted to tear that insufferable mouth from the kid standing before him.
“I commend you for adhering to your promise of not using your Qi, but a duel that’s this selfish…”
Gu Yangcheon ceased his speech midway, his expression worsening by the second.
Noticing this change, Namgung Jin queried, “What’s with that expression? Why are you looking at me like that?”
He couldn’t fathom why Gu Yangcheon wore such an expression.
Gu Yangcheon found himself laughing hollowly after hearing Namgung Jin.
“Perhaps…”
b> “What’s that supposed to mean?” b
Elder Shin didn’t respond to Gu Yangcheon’s inquiry. Instead, he began to swing his sword before Namgung Jin as if to illustrate something. This action differed from his earlier style when they faced off. It was because Elder Shin had never truly used a structured form against him.
He had no intention of utilizing the Plum Blossom Sword Art, nor did it seem necessary. Elder Shin appeared to be connecting the dots while observing Namgung Jin. Gu Yangcheon watching from the sidelines recognized this movement all too well.
“I will accept your talent, but to think you would dare to impart your teachings to me—!”
Namgung Jin, who had been about to roar in indignation, fell silent as he witnessed Elder Shin’s swordplay.
His mouth gaped open, jaw nearly detaching as shock washed over him.
Elder Shin’s movements were definitely not from Mount Hua.
‘But I have seen this before. So many times.’
b> “How come you’re using this form, though?”
Gu Yangcheon’s voice trembled as he posed his question to Elder Shin.
Though he was not utilizing Qi, that was undeniably the swordplay of the Namgung Clan. More precisely, it closely resembled the technique that the Demonic Sword used in his past life.
If the form shown by her had more gruffness, roughness, and vicious intent, Elder Shin’s movements were precise and devoid of any faults.
The sword banished the inherent weaknesses of the Namgung Clan. It was indeed the very form used by the Demonic Sword when she obliterated the Namgung Clan.
It wasn’t a flawless recreation, however. His lower body scarcely moved, and it seemed akin to mimicking the stance with his hands, yet the essence of the technique inherently shone through.
After a few more swings, he ceased and gazed at Namgung Jin. Observing his blank expression, Elder Shin opted to speak, his words mired in bitter regret.
“So you simply didn’t do it… but you couldn’t.”
“Wh-What did you just do…?”
The tone of Namgung Jin had shifted dramatically.
“Just now, what did you—!”
“I displayed your clan’s sword art right in front of your eyes, yet your curiosity supersedes your rage. You seem quite desperate.”
“…!”
While it bore slight differences, it undoubtedly embodied the sword art of the Namgung Clan. It was so similar that there was no error in recognition.
b> “Elder Shin?” b
‘Always puzzled by this. The fragments of the Namgung Clan’s sword from your memory were utterly inept. The renowned Namgung Clan, no less.’
Originally, the clan should have been a host to monsters who usurped the throne using their lightning Qi. That was certainly how Elder Shin remembered the Namgung Clan.
The Thunderous Sword, Namgung Myung, wielded mastery over lightning Qi and could unleash dozens of sword strikes within seconds.
Elder Shin remembered the many achievements of this Namgung Myung, but the central gravitas of them all was…
He had perfected the sword play of the Namgung Clan.
Completion.
That was the term Namgung Myung had dared utter following a specific revelation.
Later, in a drunken stupor, he laughed about crafting something worthy to pass down to his descendants. That day’s sword skills were indeed the distilled embodiment of all the Namgung Clan’s enlightenment and could likely be regarded as the essence even by the Divine Sword of Mount Hua.
Miraculously achieved, a solitary man had achieved this when the evolution of his clan’s sword play progressed exceedingly slowly.
“Thus, it should not come to this…”
Time had passed. When the Divine Sword Shincheol opened his eyes, the world had transformed in many ways.
Yet, plum leaves continued to drift from Mount Hua.
Their radiance persisted even after his demise.
Things elsewhere should have evolved similarly.
At least, the seeds left by the five should not have gone to waste.
“It ought to be this way, so what is this inferior mess?”
b> “Are you asserting that there’s something amiss with the current Namgung sword art?” b
‘If assessing it in terms of right or wrong, it would be right. That doesn’t take away from its excellence, however.’
b> “Then, what precisely is the issue?” b
‘Simply put, it has regressed. Not knowing whether it was due to failing to preserve their legacy or simply forgetting.’
Where did it vanish?
Where did Namgung Myung’s accomplishments disappear to?
Was this half-baked individual the one that seemed off?
‘…Notably, if he’s unable to properly cross the wall, then he’s just wandering aimlessly while stuck.’
Gu Yangcheon’s body currently embodied the peak realm. While his past life experience gave him an edge over those at the same level, it was still peculiar how easily Elder Shin could perceive Namgung Jin, who was undeniably at the fusion realm.
He was stuck at a halfway point. The present Namgung Jin was barely clinging to the fusion realm.
It was a matter of inches. The struggle stemmed only from that inch that eluded him, representing a culmination of arrogance, impatience, pressure, and bruised pride.
Namgung Jin asked, his voice trembling,
“…Please—tell me… what was that? You, what exactly are you?”
If a stranger wielded the techniques of his clan, he ought to have expressed rage, but despair swallowed Namgung Jin instead.
Was it hope? How could he feel so hopeful upon witnessing a lackluster imitation?
Namgung Jin even began to question Gu Yangcheon’s identity, despite having looked down on him mere moments ago.
“Don’t be mistaken. I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu Clan.”
b> “At least fix your tone if you’re going to claim that.” b
‘Quit prattling and stand still.’
b> “This deviates entirely from what I asked… What’s your intention?” b
‘Have you never questioned why the child of Namgung couldn’t bear the title of Sword Dragon?’
b> “Are you stating it’s due to the current Namgung sword being faulty?” b
Gu Yangcheon struggled to relate to Elder Shin’s statement. Namgung Cheonjun was indeed remarkable for his age.
Talent flowed through him, arguably deserving the label of a genius, yet Yung Pung was simply superior.
Even if Elder Shin spoke correctly, understanding why he felt this way in the current situation eluded him.
“Is a sword truly valid if it cannot attain perfection without Qi?”
“What is that supposed to…”
“I sought to provide you a hint, but it seems fruitless…”
The swordplay employed by both Namgung Cheonjun and Namgung Jin couldn’t unleash its true potential without Qi.
This rang true for many other martial arts, yet Gu Yangcheon could extract further insight from Elder Shin’s statement.
The subtle openings manifested during their swordsmanship. Movements only achieving completion when charged with Qi.
These were mere façades. When the barely noticeable flaw was ignited with Qi, the imperfections vanished. Typically, one would overlook such defects while progressing, but…
He’d seen Namgung Myung’s swordplay.
He had witnessed the Demonic Sword’s mastery.
Both he and Elder Shin comprehended the magnitude of the stark differences.
And the sword art Elder Shin had briefly emulated might have been akin to the Namgung script, yet it was clear that the depths of quality diverged due to those minor details.
Even someone unfamiliar with the Namgung sword, like Gu Yangcheon, could discern the difference, so how much more glaring would it have appeared to Namgung Jin?
b> “The use of Qi no longer matters, I see.” b
A desperate expression decorated his face. He seemed entranced by that brief swordplay, unable to break free from its influence.
Almost like he had gulped down a handful of bitter seeds.
How Gu Yangcheon could brandish a sword and what drove his remarkable abilities had diminished in significance.
The taunts he received, the sight of his subordinates sprawled out in pain—all of it faded from Namgung Jin’s focus.
Seemingly, he had given up on the bet.
This sight of a noble clan lord in such a humiliating state… I felt a slight distaste at witnessing such pathetic behavior, yet I was powerless to intervene.
“…I have lost. I admit defeat…”
Namgung Jin conceded. The man who had relentlessly battled a child in spite of the obvious disparity had crumbled after glimpsing a fleeting display of sword skill.
“If I must kneel or apologize, I shall do so, and if you have requests, I will comply now…”
b> “Is he requesting clarity on what just occurred?” b
‘He seems to have lost his senses.’
‘It would be wise to find out how to replicate such a swordplay.’
Was Elder Shin’s technique truly that shocking? He appeared incapable of rational thought, let alone calm deliberation.
A martial artist of the fusion realm, yet the situation was undeniably odd.
b> “Does he struggle with mental issues or something?” b
“…Hmph.”
Elder Shin released a breath as he regarded Namgung Jin, a hint of realization crossing his features.
‘Or perhaps, could it be he’s faintly smiling?’
“Want to know?”
b> “Elder Shin?” b
Desperation laced my call to Elder Shin as I heard his query. Was he genuinely about to impart this knowledge to Namgung Jin?
‘Why do you ask? I understand this isn’t your desired outcome, but regardless, I emerged victorious.’
b> “True, but will you actually teach him?” b
‘Teach what?’
b> “The sword art that the Thunder Sword employed.”
If that was the case, it would be unrealistic to teach him here considering how disappointed he must have felt about the decline of his clan’s techniques.
Elder Shin responded to my thoughts.
‘How could I impart that? I lack even the basics.’
b> “Huh?” b
b> “What is happening now?” b
Namgung Jin seemed ready to kneel at any moment upon hearing Elder Shin. Witnessing such a proud man crumble was a shocking display.
Having shown such openness, resorting to an easy excuse of talent was impossible. The fact he used the techniques of the Namgung Clan, paired with an evolved version, necessitated more thought.
‘Is this part of Elder Shin’s broader scheme after all?’
b> “Then what do you intend to do next…?” b
‘Naturally, the remaining work should fall to you.’
b> “What?!?” b
What did this old man just say?
‘Figure it out on your own.’
b> “What are you suggesting?” b
This unexpected turn left me stunned. How could I possibly be the one to explain Namgung’s swordplay to Namgung Jin?
Filled with alarming thoughts, I urgently called out.
b> “Elder Shin… Wait, what are you planning?” b
Ignoring my outburst, Elder Shin spoke to Namgung Jin.
“From now on, you will heed me as your master.”
b> “You… madman…”*
This shocking proclamation felt like a bombshell. I tried to respond, but Elder Shin maintained full authority over my body.
Moreover, lights gathered towards the guesthouse—members of the Gu Clan and Namgung Bi-ah were coming in the wake of the news.
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened upon seeing either the kneeling Namgung Jin or the composed Gu Yangcheon.
“I’m in deep trouble….”
Those were the first words I uttered once my body regained its autonomy.
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