Chapter 68: Demonic Sword (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 68: Demonic Sword (1)
‘A Demonic Sword...’
When a sword is exceptionally well-crafted, the world calls it a Treasure Sword.
It is said that three elements are required to forge such a blade: high-quality iron, the skill of a master smith, and thousands of rounds of tempering. A Treasure Sword born of such effort eventually earns its fame in the hands of a warrior.
While many Treasure Swords exist within the Central Plains, there are also bizarre blades known as Demonic Swords.
As the name suggests, a Demonic Sword is a blade imbued with a sinister, bewitching energy. There are many legends surrounding their creation, but the most credible origin story traces back to the Wu and Gan Swords.
It began with a legendary blacksmith couple from the State of Wu during the Warring States period.
Gan Jiang and Mo Ye.
They were hailed as the greatest blacksmiths of their era. King Helü of Wu provided them with a peerless material called Guanye Black Iron and commanded them to forge a sword. However, for some reason, the refined iron refused to melt even after three years.
Enraged, the King demanded the sword be finished, holding the lives of the couple’s precious family and servants as collateral.
The couple sought advice from their mentor, the great master smith Guaya-ja. He advised them that the Guanye Black Iron would never melt unless it was fed the flesh and blood of a living human.
Upon hearing this, the wife, Mo Ye, threw herself into the bellows on the spot.
Miraculously, shortly after her sacrifice, the Guanye Black Iron began to liquefy, and the molten iron flowed. Consumed by endless grief over his wife’s sacrifice, Gan Jiang cut his own hair and nails, added his blood to the furnace, and ordered three hundred young maidens to work the bellows.
The two swords forged through this harrowing process were named after the couple: the Yang sword, Gan Jiang, and the Yin sword, Mo Ye.
Because every single person who grasped the hilts of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye was seized by vengeful spirits and met an early death. Furthermore, it was said that wounds inflicted by those blades would never heal until the victim died.
Thus, those familiar with the history of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye called them Demonic Swords rather than Treasure Swords.
Just as the Lesser Conversation Sword noted, the Blood Demon Sword is also considered a Demonic Sword. After all, it was forged from the blood of the Blood Demon Ancestor, a man filled with hatred and resentment.
‘Can you hear anything, Namcheon?’
The Blood Demon Sword, having been sealed by talismans before, grumbled irritably.
I looked at the ornate case held by Prince Gyeong’s subordinate and asked, “Where did you obtain this?”
“I do not believe I am obligated to tell you that.”
Well. He wasn't wrong.
However, there are only five swords in the Central Plains notorious enough to be known as Demonic Swords.
One is the Blood Demon Sword, the sacred object of the Blood Cult.
Another is the Calamity Slaughter Sword, possessed by Jue Xin, one of the Four Great Villains.
As for the remaining three, they are only spoken of in rumors; even I, a regressor, do not know who possesses them.
“You mentioned settling the accounts. Why are you showing me this Demonic Sword?”
Demonic Swords are truly dangerous. Even I was nearly consumed by the spirit fragment containing the Blood Demon’s resentment dwelling within his sword.
In response to my question, Prince Gyeong spoke in a grave tone.
“I am looking for someone capable of wielding this Demonic Sword.”
I figured as much.
A Demonic Sword cannot be easily grasped by ordinary people, or even by most martial artists. Even masters who have 'broken the wall' find it difficult to hold one for long if they aren't chosen by the blade, as the sword's intent is too overwhelming.
“I take it there is no such person in the Imperial Palace?”
“The Three Grand Ministers who protect the Emperor move only on my father’s command. Even I cannot mobilize them.”
‘The Three Grand Ministers?’
Was there such a rank in the Imperial Court? Perhaps these Three Grand Ministers were the hidden power of the Imperial Family. I was curious, but unnecessary inquisitiveness would only provoke the Prince.
“So, you are asking me?”
“Originally, I intended to seek out one of the Eight Great Masters of the martial world and ask them to subdue the sword. However, there are too many eyes watching me.”
That made sense. Not only were there many eyes on him, but the Eight Great Masters weren't exactly easy to meet.
Strictly speaking, it’s not the government they're friendly with, but the First Prince, King Jin. Since Prince Gyeong knew this, he couldn't recklessly ask Taoist Master Jongseong of the Wudang Sect or Alliance Leader Baek Hyang-muk for help. He likely intended to use this tour as an opportunity to contact one of the Eight Great Masters if the chance arose.
“My request is simple. If you can subdue this Demonic Sword, I will gladly grant whatever favor you ask.”
I stared at Prince Gyeong.
Granting a favor in exchange for subduing the sword’s intent... Was this Demonic Sword so important that he was willing to risk the scrutiny of the other two princes? If so, I could probably raise the stakes.
“Well? Will you try?”
“...This time, it seems the math doesn't add up for my side.”
“What?”
“Subduing a Demonic Sword is a task where one could lose their life if things go wrong. I believe Your Highness is well aware of that.”
Prince Gyeong snorted at my words.
“So, what is it you want?”
I replied with a thin smile.
“The margin for error is very small.”
“You claim to be the leader of the Blood Cult, but seeing you now, your haggling skills are no less than a merchant’s.”
“Since I must put my life on the line, I have no choice but to demand a corresponding reward.”
How would the Prince react? After staring at me for a long moment, Prince Gyeong let out a long sigh and spoke.
“Bold, indeed. What do you want?”
“If the Martial Alliance tries to pressure my cult by moving the government, please block them. I believe Your Highness is more than capable of doing so.”
“You want me to ensure the government does not interfere in the affairs of the martial world.”
“Correct.”
“Fine. I shall grant that.”
Prince Gyeong accepted readily.
“First, please draft a formal written agreement.”
“...You are thorough.”
One of Prince Gyeong’s eyebrows arched. He seemed slightly displeased, but I needed a guarantee. My opponent was a 'hidden hero' who was deceiving everyone to eventually become Emperor. Who knew how he might act later?
Snap!
When Prince Gyeong flicked his fingers, the man holding the case set it down, ran to the quarters, and returned with brushes, ink, and paper. Shaking his head, Prince Gyeong drafted the agreement on the table. The terms were exactly as we had discussed.
Thump!
Prince Gyeong even stamped it with his official seal before handing the document to me. Looking at the final clause, I let out a soft snort.
[Should the task go wrong and result in loss of life, the responsibility lies entirely with the Leader of the Blood Cult.]
As expected, Prince Gyeong wasn't one to be easily taken advantage of.
Looking at this clause, it seemed more than a few people had lost their lives trying to grasp this sword. Still, I had a trump card. I looked at the seven dots in the shape of the Big Dipper on the back of my hand.
“Now, subdue the Demonic Sword.”
With those words, Prince Gyeong stepped away from the case. He retreated more than fifteen feet, seemingly preparing for the danger that would erupt once the seal was broken.
Alright. Shall we begin?
I peeled off the talismans attached to the seams of the case one by one. Every time I removed a talisman to allow the case to open, eerie sounds began to leak out.
The sound was still faint because there were so many talismans still attached to the case.
Vrrrrt!
“Hmm?”
The moment I peeled off the final talisman from the seam, the case rattled violently. This was no ordinary Demonic Sword. A tension similar to when I first encountered the Blood Demon Sword hung in the air.
I slowly gripped the lid of the case and opened it. As I pushed it back completely, a sword covered entirely in talismans—from the scabbard to the hilt—revealed itself.
It happened at that exact moment.
“Urgh!”
An ear-piercing shriek hammered against my eardrums. It was so powerful that it felt as if my eardrums would burst from the sheer pain.
I closed my left eye and opened my Middle Dantian. By protecting my ears with Innate True Qi, I was finally able to endure it.
The Namcheon Iron Sword warned me, sounding concerned. The Blood Demon Sword merely let out its characteristic chuckle, as if finding the whole thing trivial.
Right. I endured the Blood Demon Sword; I can handle this.
Grab!
I lunged forward and gripped the talisman-covered hilt inside the case. The moment I touched it, a powerful surge of malice washed over me. It was still muffled by the talismans, but there was no telling what would happen once the blade was drawn.
Prince Gyeong and his subordinates couldn't take their eyes off me.
“Phew.”
After steadying my breath, I drew the sword from its talisman-wrapped scabbard.
Shring!
With a clear ring, a blade engraved with a unique pattern on one side revealed itself. Like the Blood Demon Sword, one could tell just by looking at the steel that it was an exquisite masterpiece.
Then, a soft woman’s voice, like jade beads rolling on a silver tray, whispered in my ear. Was this the voice of the Demonic Sword?
I needed to try communicating with it. But then, something unbelievable happened.
‘!?’
Before my eyes stood a peerless beauty, so stunning she took my breath away, dressed in fluttering, ethereal robes. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was half-naked. What on earth was this phenomenon?
The Lesser Conversation Sword and the Namcheon Iron Sword asked simultaneously.
‘You can’t see this?’
It seemed the swords couldn't see anything. I looked toward Prince Gyeong. I wondered if I was the only one seeing this, but Prince Gyeong and his subordinates had their eyes squeezed shut and their ears covered. They seemed to know exactly what was happening.
Then, the peerless beauty spoke to me.
Her voice was dreamlike.
It was a truly beautiful voice. Every time I heard it, I felt myself growing hazy. The beauty, wearing clothes so thin they revealed her ample chest, walked slowly toward me, beckoning seductively.
She opened her arms wide and approached. My eyelids began to feel heavy.
The Lesser Conversation Sword’s shout echoed loudly in my mind. I snapped back to my senses instantly. The voice this beauty projected seemed to infiltrate the human heart.
“Phew.”
As I circulated the Life Bright Divine Art, a warm energy spread from my heart throughout my body, clearing the intrusive thoughts that had burrowed into my mind.
The beauty let her top slide down slightly, beckoning me with a seductive gesture.
‘Stop.’
Since her chest was halfway exposed, I averted my gaze and stepped back. The beauty’s fine brow furrowed for a moment, but she quickly smoothed it over and began to tempt me even more intensely.
Swish!
Lifting her skirt to reveal her thighs, the beauty spoke in a sultry voice.
I held out a hand, signaling her not to come any closer, and shouted internally.
‘I told you to stop, you bewitching thing.’
The beauty, who had been walking toward me with a seductive expression while hiking up her skirt, froze in her tracks. Then, with a hardened expression, she spoke to me.
‘I have no interest in your seduction.’
I projected my will firmly. At that, the beauty let out a deep sigh and muttered irritably.
‘!?’