Chapter: 507
There is a path for Namgung Bi-ah.
The path she desires to walk as a swordswoman, the goal she yearns to reach. She constantly walked towards that distant track set firmly in her mind.
It was still very far away.
A long road with an unseen destination.
Looking at that thin and rough path might have intimidated anyone, but Namgung Bi-ah did not falter.
Perhaps it was because she had already seen the results.
– Come slowly.
She remembered the voice she heard during the martial arts competition that unfolded in Hanam.
– If you rush on matters not regarding you, you will likely stumble.
– Take it easy so you don’t fall.
Without wavering, she kept her course.
– Then I’ll give you a gift.
The voice from that moment clung to her like an imprint, never fading from her memory.
Whose words were those?
The only indication he belonged to the Namgung family was the blue uniform he wore.
She didn’t know his identity, nor could she understand why he beckoned her here.
But Namgung Bi-ah continued to walk.
As the old man advised, she walked slowly so as not to stray from her path.
Yet she did so without a hint of hesitation.
Shhhiiiing!
The sword in Namgung Bi-ah’s hand sliced through the air.
The sword was not imbued with energy. It was merely a blade devoid of any stakes.
She simply swung it.
The sword felt heavy due to the lack of energy and moved slower than she wished, but that didn’t matter.
What was important was not straying from the path laid before her.
That was her only focus.
In that moment, her outstretched foot touched the ground to maintain her balance.
Her fingertips felt light as a feather, yet her lower body bore the heavy weight that was needed to support it.
Thud!
Sweat beads trickled down Namgung Bi-ah’s snow-white skin.
While the movement seemed trivial, the pressure her body endured was substantial.
That was merely the second sword.
Swish!
As she swung her sword, Namgung Bi-ah didn’t gaze upon its tip.
Instead, she closed her eyes.
This was because she needed to understand the changes occurring in her body as she wielded the sword.
Deprived of energy, she had to feel the difference in her muscles.
Her foot found the ground, twisting her waist.
Her white hair flowed with the movement as she utilized the momentum from the spin to bring the sword down.
And thus came the third sword.
Woosh! A crisp sound cut through the air.
Simultaneously—
Woooom!
The sword cried out.
That was the sound of the sword.
Namgung Bi-ah’s ears perked up in response.
Now, it began.
Even the path that Namgung Bi-ah was visualizing with closed eyes reacted. There it was ahead of her.
An illusion, as if flowers were blooming on a dry road, a sensation like leaves sprouting on a desiccated old tree.
As she executed her movement, she found some ease within the force she had previously exerted.
Her swordplay flowed more naturally.
It felt as though she was inching closer to the sword itself.
Woooosh! Wooooo!
Despite not using any energy, the sword wailed. Hearing it, Namgung Bi-ah kept swinging her sword.
Four blades, then five.
The techniques of the sword passed down through the Namgung family over the years.
From a distance, it seemed she was performing them identically, but in reality, Namgung Bi-ah introduced subtle differences.
Wooooom! Woooom!
Before she knew it, the sound of the blade slicing through the air was louder than the sound made by the air itself.
This meant the sound of the sword had amplified.
The swordsmanship of the Namgung family is fundamentally based on energy.
This suggests it is a technique that cannot be executed without energy.
But why?
Namgung Bi-ah was always curious.
Why can one not achieve completion without the energy of the Namgung family?
Could that truly be considered completion?
The essence that represented the Namgung family was thunderous energy— the imperial sword form that manifested when wielding a sword.
That was the image that came to mind when she thought of Namgung, pouring out thunder amidst a chaotic spirit.
Yet Namgung Bi-ah questioned this as well.
Why?
How can a sect dreaming of the premier swordsmanship not think of perfection?
A sword that cannot be brandished without relying on energy is ultimately an incomplete sword.
That cannot be called completion.
Is it possible that the Namgung family remains unaware of this?
It was a matter she had always wondered about, but she never voiced her doubts.
The first reason was that the environment hadn’t provided the opportunity to voice such concerns.
The second reason was that Namgung Bi-ah herself hadn’t deemed it significant enough to pursue.
Power surged through her toes.
The tension in her muscles expressed the sword while her lower body strained to maintain the movement.
A sword that erupted from countless exertions.
She needed to eradicate the sense of alienation.
A sharp, pungent scent lingered between the swords.
Namgung Bi-ah concentrated diligently on every single motion to dispel it.
After exactly twenty swings of the sword, she muttered, “Haa… haa….”
Namgung Bi-ah’s movements came to a halt.
It was inevitable. She was drenched in sweat and gasping.
Thud.
The sword in her hand fell to the ground.
At that moment, Namgung Bi-ah also knelt halfway down, bracing herself against the ground.
Drip, drip. Sweat droplets slid down her delicate chin.
She was attempting to calm herself, yet it proved not so easy.
Not only did she forgo using energy, but she had also poured every ounce of her focus into maintaining the sword technique.
In the midst of this, while observing her sweat soaking into the ground, Namgung Bi-ah began to entertain differing thoughts.
‘… One step further.’
What if I take just one more step?
Can I push a little further while maintaining this sensation?
An insatiable desire began to swell.
If she could will it, she could surely go further.
Just a tad bit more, just a teeny tiny bit closer to that far-off destination.
And so, she had to move forward, even if it was only just a smidge bit at a time.
‘That… person can be protected.’
The strength to protect him could be developed.
With that thought, as Namgung Bi-ah got back up to grab the sword lying on the floor, she whispered, “…”
Swish- Thud!
The sword slipped quietly into its sheath without exhibiting any further actions.
Namgung Bi-ah ultimately didn’t take a step further.
Slowly…
A step forward from here is incomplete.
While she could certainly do it, her strides would be unstable, and the losses would heavily outweigh the gains.
In her pursuit of the end, she couldn’t lose her center.
She always maintained that thought, biting her lip.
Still far ahead. The distance to the destination felt more tangible.
Could she truly reach it if she walked at this pace?
A cowardly sensation flickered through, yet she had to suppress it.
Patience had always been her virtue.
Wasn’t she already accepting various things?
Most were directed towards Gu Yangcheon, but she had to endure.
Namgung Bi-ah was acutely aware that if she acted as she wished, it would likely invite his ire.
She endured.
The sword too had to endure.
Regaining her composure, Namgung Bi-ah slowly opened her eyes.
She ought to wash up and change into her uniform.
‘… Where should I go…?’
Today she had a destination. She had learned from her father, the King of Swords, that her great-grandfather, Cheonjon, was in Sichuan.
Thus, she had asked for a separate letter to be sent to the Heavenly King.
She believed, and planned to seek out the Heavenly Lord.
The problem was.
‘… Where…?’
Where could she find the Heavenly King?
Should she start by slowly scouring the mountainside?
If she didn’t know, wouldn’t running around be the answer?
That had always been Namgung Bi-ah’s way of seeking out paths since ancient times.
They would meet someday.
With that thought, she aimed towards the back mountain.
“This is it.”
A voice emanated from behind.
As soon as she heard the sound, Namgung Bi-ah drew her sword and swung it.
Shhhiiiing!
Bang!
“…!”
She slashed in the direction the sound had come from.
Yet, her sword’s path was met before it could properly accelerate.
The voice’s owner had blocked Namgung Bi-ah’s sword with the handle.
Here, Namgung Bi-ah recognized him.
It was the blue and white hair frantically shaking in shock.
It matched her own hair color.
“Didn’t notice because that monster over there was way too big? Hmm…”
Despite the surprise attack, the man appeared unfazed.
Instead, he examined her sword as if assessing her strength.
That’s when he smiled at Namgung Bi-ah.
“Our little niece really is quite the monster too, huh?”
Only then could Namgung Bi-ah perceive the identity of this man.
This was the person she had seen previously.
The teacher of the sleeping dragon she had met by the Gu Yangcheon River.
A man of the same Namgung bloodline as her.
“… Namgung Hyung…”
A Shaman and Ghost, Namgung Hyung.
As expected, he was most likely to be her father’s younger brother.
That gentleman.
“My niece, have you ever thought about trying your hand at being a matriarch or something?”
“…?”
It was such a sudden, outlandish remark.
– Mom, don’t you need me anymore?
These were the words spat out by the suddenly appearing White Lotus Sword.
As I frowned at this bizarre comment, the White Lotus Sword seemed to realize belatedly what had been said and quickly covered his mouth before darting away.
What on earth was he trying to achieve?
That woman has been acting strange for more than a day or two, but today she seemed particularly off.
No, it could be just that I hadn’t seen him in a long time, so perhaps they were always this quirky.
Unless otherwise, it just didn’t make sense.
‘Don’t you need your mom more?’
What on Earth are you talking about? This was the kind of lunacy I had never heard before.
‘There are already so many, what more do you need?’
Was he proposing to take on the role himself if needed?
‘The White Lotus Sword as Mom?’
Imagining it for a moment sent chills down my spine.
In that dizzying moment of fantasy, my body shivered.
“… Stay still, it’s hard to concentrate.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
The physician attending to me let out a remark as he took my pulse.
Pushing myself to straighten up,
Moments after the White Lotus Sword departed.
I moved past Dangdeok to approach Shin-ui.
I had intended to attend to my hand, which felt on the verge of blows. However, as the winds whipped up by the White Lotus Sword settled, I was reminded how little time I truly had.
With much to accomplish today, I couldn’t spend any time with Dangdeok.
Thus, after issuing orders to breathe life into Dang So-yeol and provide an escort, I headed towards Shin-ui.
Since I had pre-warned him I’d see him around now, Shin-ui appeared quite composed.
Once the dry hands of the divine touched my wrist,
I felt a hazy energy gently seeping into my body.
It was the aura of a divine being.
I hadn’t sensed this energy before, but maybe because I was shedding it now, I felt it strongly.
‘How fascinating.’
God was no mere mortal. One, he held a sprinkle of intimate energy within him.
How long would it take to take a pulse of a divine being?
‘Can you really get everything back with just this much energy?’
It was such a petite amount of energy, yet the aura emanating from the divine was sturdy despite its delicacy. It didn’t wane or appear fatigued even as it meandered through my entire body.
The energy spiraling from head to toe soon returned to the divine.
Only then did Shin-ui open his closed eyes and withdraw his hands from my form.
“… Huh…”
His sigh came out immediately after.
“It appears the vessel has… been truly reconstructed.”
The divine discerned that the near-breaking vessel had taken proper form.
“Your bones have solidified, and the density of your muscles seems atypical. It wasn’t a bad frame to begin with, but what transpired?”
“Is there anything I should be cautious of?”
“None at all. This is the most flawless physique I have ever encountered.”
Oh…
I couldn’t help but be taken aback by that statement.
As a divine doctor renowned as the best in the Central Plains, he must have evaluated countless warriors.
How could I not be astonished that I stood out among them all?
‘So, would that mean I could push myself more?’
If it’s a perfect body, wouldn’t it withstand even harsher treatment than before?
At this point, it seemed I could seriously crank up the intensity of my training.
[You brat, speaking like you’re handling a tool. Do you not recall that you are indeed a brat?]
‘Wouldn’t it be more convenient? It’s not like it’s some other human body.’
[No, that… has been concluded. Do whatever you wish.]
Immediately after the examination concluded, I twisted my body around. Fortunately, there appeared to be no significant issues.
Just when I thought everything was wrapped up.
“… However.”
Shin-ui brought forth a question laced with intrigue.
“There was this vague sensation that something felt slightly off.”
“What do you mean?”
“It appeared perfect, yet there was an odd inconsistency. Bones, muscles… It’s not so distracting, merely an annoyance.”
“…”
I was genuinely taken aback by the divine’s words.
What he referred to as the peculiarities could very well be:
‘… The aftermath of the body transformation technique?’
Could it possibly be gaps formed by forcibly adapting the muscles and bones?
Given that he was still using the body transformation technique, it seemed Shin-ui had picked up on it.
To phrase it differently:
‘Even a divine can only perceive small discrepancies?’
The physical body altered through body transformation implied that even a divine being could not fully perceive it.
But then there’s the question:
‘How on Earth did my father recognize it immediately?’
That was just a little curious.
While pondering this, I slipped my hand into my robe and procured an object I had intended to give to the divine.
The White Horse Stone.
As the dazzling gem hit the table, Shin-ui’s eyes widened.
“This is the White Horse Stone you mentioned.”
“… This….”
Shin-ui reached out his hand to the White Horse Stone, only for me to immediately pull it back.
Just as his touch was about to make contact, the White Horse Stone vanished in an instant, causing his brow to furrow.
“What kind of trickery is this?”
He seemed to be at a loss for my actions, puzzled by the apparent jest.
He wasn’t entirely incorrect.
“Originally, I intended to hand it to you straightforwardly, but it seems I need to impose one more condition.”
“… What do you mean?”
As I spoke with a grin, Shin-ui’s expression soured even further.
Indeed,
This was an artifact meant to fulfill certain conditions, now I intended to add an additional stipulation?
Yet what could be done?
Currently, I was ‘A’, and Shin-ui was ‘B’.
Recognizing this, he couldn’t retort or express dissatisfaction despite his displeasure.
‘This must imply it’s that significant.’
Gazing at the silent Shin-ui, I narrowed my eyes.
Just how critical is it that he desires it so fervently?
Wasn’t it something about severing Jeogal Hyuk’s neck? I distinctly recall that being said.
‘Not something I need to clarify right now.’
Knowing or not made little difference to me.
“Didn’t you mention plans to do something with this stone?”
The reasoning behind it was quite clear.
“I would like to witness it firsthand.”
From this point onwards, understanding it wouldn’t be an issue.
“…!”
Shin-ui’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing my words.
His proclamation of executing something using the White Horse Stone.
I intended to witness that very act unfold.
Moreover, this understanding also represented.
Surprisingly, it was, in fact, Shin Noya’s intent as well.
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