Chapter 72: The Purpose of the Escort (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: The Purpose of the Escort (3)
‘What... on earth...’
I stood there, dumbfounded, staring at the Sodam Sword as it bobbed in the air before me.
-W-wait, is that the Sword Control Art, Un-hwi?
Even the Namcheon Iron Sword sounded startled as he spoke to me.
-What’s that? I can move however I want!
The Sodam Sword hovered in the void, circling around me. It truly seemed to be moving of its own volition. To an observer, it would look exactly like the Sword Control Art, just as the Namcheon Iron Sword had suggested.
-So, what exactly is it?
When one "breaks the wall," their application of Qi reaches a level where they can move objects with their True Qi—a technique known as Void Object Retrieval. I had heard that the ultimate refinement of this, where one commands a sword as freely as a rider handles a horse, is called the Sword Control Art, or the Self-Moving Sword Art.
In truth, I had never actually seen anyone perform this legendary, top-tier martial feat. Even the superhumans I had encountered so far didn't use it.
-Why?
The reason was simple: the consumption of internal energy. While the Sword Control Art allows for greater freedom and the ability to strike from a distance, it requires a massive amount of internal energy. I had felt this myself when I attempted Void Object Retrieval after breaking the wall. The drain was immense.
-Eek? Then is your internal energy draining right now?
No. My internal energy was perfectly fine. Instead, my Innate True Qi was being consumed, just as it was when I used the powers of the other stars of the Big Dipper. And it wasn't even draining that quickly.
‘Ha!’
But that wasn't the most surprising part. I wasn't the one controlling the Sodam Sword; it was moving by its own will. Furthermore, the sword's field of vision was appearing in my mind like a phantom image, as if I were seeing through its eyes.
-Yahoo! This is great!
It seemed it was the Sodam Sword's first time moving according to its own wishes as well. Overjoyed, it spun rapidly around me before attempting to soar up toward the sky.
-Grab!
I hurriedly snatched it out of the air.
-Let me play a bit more!
Play? My foot.
‘The sailors and escort guards are moving all over the ship right now. What are you going to do if they see you flying around?’
At my words, the Sodam Sword seemed to smack its lips in disappointment. Then, the trembling voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my head.
-U-Un-hwi. Do you think I could move on my own like the Sodam Sword?
I didn't know. This had happened suddenly when Heavenly Authority, the fifth star of the Big Dipper, opened. I didn't understand the principle behind it. Looking at the back of my hand, the fifth point, Heavenly Authority, was still shimmering with a blue light.
-Maybe you can move too?
-I cannot. How were you able to move?
-I don't know. I just thought about how I wanted to help Un-hwi, and then I just... moved.
-You wanted to help Un-hwi?
At that moment, the point of Heavenly Authority glowed with an even more intense light. Then, the Namcheon Iron Sword slid out of its scabbard on its own, revealing its blade.
-I-I don't believe it! I'm moving! Un-hwi!
I see it too.
The Namcheon Iron Sword was moving of its own will, just like the Sodam Sword. Floating in the air, it was the very image of the Self-Moving Sword Art. I could even see through the Namcheon Iron Sword's vision; it appeared in my mind right next to the Sodam Sword's perspective.
-Un-hwi, are you ill? Why are you scowling?
I'm just a bit dizzy.
Having two extra sets of vision on top of my own made my head spin. Moreover, the consumption of Innate True Qi had become faster than before. I wondered if I could control this ability.
I focused my senses, just as I had when handling Heavenly Secret or Heavenly Authority. Immediately, the vision from the Sodam Sword, which was back in its scabbard, vanished.
‘It works!’
With only the Namcheon Iron Sword's vision remaining, it was manageable.
How is it? The feeling of moving on your own?
-It is the best. Truly a first. I never knew that being able to move as I wish could be such a joyful thing.
The Namcheon Iron Sword's voice was thick with excitement. On the other hand, the Sodam Sword grumbled.
-You told me to stay inside because people might see, but look at him.
Don't pout. The Namcheon Iron Sword is just floating right in front of me. You were trying to rocket into the sky to do somersaults. Once we're away from here, I'll let you fly as much as you want, so just be patient.
-You promised.
Namcheon Iron Sword, you come back too.
-Understood.
The Namcheon Iron Sword returned to its scabbard. When I closed the power of Heavenly Authority, the drain on my Innate True Qi stopped completely.
It was truly remarkable. To think the power of the fifth star, Heavenly Authority, allowed swords to move freely of their own will. In a sense, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this a technique superior even to the legendary Self-Moving Sword Art. Furthermore, the ability to share the swords' vision was practically a cheat.
I would need to experiment more, as I did with Heavenly Authority, but the potential applications seemed endless.
-Ahem. Un-hwi, leave it to me now. I'll go and poke a hole in the bottom of the ship.
The Sodam Sword chattered excitedly. An unexpected path had opened up. Using this, I might be able to thwart the plan commissioned by the Martial Alliance.
Returning to the cabin, I informed the group of the true purpose of this escort journey, as revealed by Wolf King Hyeok Cheon-man. Naturally, they were thrown into an uproar.
Our goal was to bring the Yangtze River Waterway Eighteen Strongholds under our wing. If they were annihilated by the Martial Alliance's scheme, our plans would go up in smoke.
“How can we stop the Wolf King? If there are masters from the Martial Alliance in the cargo hold as well, you and the rest of us alone won't be enough to stop them, my Lord.”
Jo Seong-won shared my concerns. The combat power on this ship was formidable. My Qi sense told me there was likely a Supreme Peak master in the hold. Probably someone from the Martial Alliance's leadership.
“Why don't we just escape the ship, find another vessel, and contact the Waterway Strongholds before they do?”
Sama Yeong offered a plausible suggestion. However, if we did that, we wouldn't be able to infiltrate the Martial Alliance as planned. My identity might even be exposed to the Orthodox Faction.
“I don't think that'll work. If the Martial Alliance is determined to carry out this plan, they'll find a way to strike the Waterway Strongholds regardless of whether we're here or not.”
“Then what should we do?”
“We have to make sure they can't get there. I have a plan.”
At those words, Jo Seong-won asked, “What is it?”
“We'll make it so the ship can't move.”
With that, I activated Heavenly Authority and called for the Sodam Sword. The sword, eager for action, slid out of its scabbard and began to hover in the air of the cabin.
“...!!!”
Everyone’s eyes went wide, their mouths hanging open at the sight.
“S-Sword Control Art? My Lord, when did you...?”
“Shh. Keep your voice down.”
I had surrounded the cabin with Qi, but we still needed to be careful. Song Jwa-baek, looking dazed, muttered to himself.
“This makes no sense... It’s not like he’s eating spirit medicine every day, but he gets stronger by the day...”
Jwa-baek, if you're going to be jealous, at least keep it to yourself. He really was a man whose mouth was too honest for his own good.
“Wow...”
Sama Yeong, fascinated, tried to touch the Sodam Sword as it flew through the air. The sword dodged her hand like a fish playing tag.
“How are you doing this? Even my father never showed me anything like this.”
Of course he wouldn't. No matter how high one's realm, the Self-Moving Sword Art drains an immense amount of internal energy. It wasn't something to be shown off just for vanity.
“It’s that difficult to maintain. Anyway, I’m going to use this to poke a hole in the ship.”
“Ah! You’re going to sink it!”
“That seems like a sound method. If the ship goes down, their plan will be ruined from the start.”
By using the Self-Moving Sword Art to secretly punch a hole in the hull, I could stop them without drawing suspicion. I just needed to prove I wasn't at the scene when it happened. I decided to put the plan into action before we entered the rapids of the waterway.
“Oh, right. Jo Seong-won, go and tell the Hwangyeong Escort Agency what the Wolf King said.”
I almost forgot. They needed to know as well. Since they were such a small agency, I didn't even need to try to persuade them as the Wolf King requested; just telling them the commission fee had increased tenfold would likely be enough for them to accept.
“Understood.”
“Wait!”
Song Jwa-baek grabbed Jo Seong-won as he was about to get up.
“...What are you doing?”
“I’ll go and tell them.”
Song Jwa-baek was volunteering. Jo Seong-won sighed and spoke.
“Unit Leader Song, I think it’s better if you just stay here.”
“Hey. I have feelings too. If you trample on my pure heart like this...”
Sama Yeong cut him off, snapping at him with a look of disapproval.
“Are you trying to get slapped again?”
At those words, Song Jwa-baek’s expression turned sullen. Right. Don't go over there and do something weird only to get slapped; just stay here. Pure heart, my foot.
I left the cabin to check the current. The water was moving faster than when we first left the port. At this speed, we would reach the first narrow pass before long. Since this area was essentially the entrance to the Yangtze River, it was unlikely the Waterway Strongholds would attack here. I decided to wait until we passed the narrows and the current stabilized before poking a hole in the ship.
But why was Jo Seong-won taking so long?
-Is he smitten with the big-chested woman too?
Unlikely. He seemed surprisingly uninterested in women.
Just then, a group of people came swarming around the corner toward me.
‘What’s this?’
They were escort guards from the Muryang Escort Agency. Judging by the armbands they wore, there were even escort leaders among them. But they weren't alone. Behind them, members of the Beggar's Sect were approaching, clutching their bamboo staffs.
-What’s going on all of a sudden?
I didn't know either. Looking at their wary expressions, they were clearly hostile. I didn't know what was happening, but I wasn't about to just let them take me. I reached for the hilt of my sword.
Then, a voice rang out.
“Take your hand off your sword, Junior Brother.”
The owner of the voice was none other than Wolf King Hyeok Cheon-man. He stepped out from among the Muryang guards and approached me.
“Senior Brother?”
“I told you to take your hand off your sword.”
Was he joking? Surrounding me with armed men and then telling me to let go of my weapon? I asked calmly.
“Shouldn't you tell me what's going on before I let go?”
“You are under suspicion.”
“Of what?”
“I cannot tell you that right now,” the Wolf King said firmly.
Then what did he expect me to do? Just let myself be bound?
“We must confiscate his weapons,” said a man among the Beggar's Sect members who had five knots on his sack.
So they wanted to disarm me. The Wolf King shook his head.
“It is only a suspicion for now. Nothing has been decided, so we cannot treat him poorly.”
“But, Great Hero...”
“I said no. Junior Brother, go and leave your weapons in your cabin.”
I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Senior Brother.”
“I will protect you until the suspicion is cleared, so trust your Senior Brother and leave your weapons in the cabin.”
“........”
What on earth had happened? Had my identity been discovered? If that were the case, they wouldn't be talking about "suspicion." If I refused here, I might have to fight the Wolf King in the middle of the ship. That would ruin everything. For now, I had to comply.
“......Understood.”
In the end, I left my weapons with my companions in the cabin. Sama Yeong and the others tried to follow me, asking what was wrong, but the Wolf King forbade anyone from coming along. Beggar's Sect members and escort guards stood watch in front of the cabin. It was essentially house arrest. I told my companions I would send a signal if there was trouble. If things went south, we might have to make a run for it.
‘......It’s been a while.’
It had been a long time since I’d been separated from the Sodam Sword and the Namcheon Iron Sword. Their voices were growing distant. I could feel the presence of many people toward the main deck, the largest part of the ship.
‘About fifty people.’
Among them, two felt like Supreme Peak masters. As we rounded the corner and reached the main deck, I saw Taoists in gray robes and beggars from the Beggar's Sect filling half the deck. In the center stood an elderly Taoist in nearly white robes and an old beggar with a gourd bottle at his waist, leaning on a subtle brown staff like a cane.
‘...!!!’
There was no way I wouldn't recognize them. I had seen them before my regression. They were Taoist Master Do Uk, the Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect, and Hong Gu-ga, the Sect Leader of the Beggar's Sect. I had guessed someone from the Martial Alliance's leadership would be on board, but I hadn't expected such giants to be hiding using the Turtle Breathing Technique. They were clearly determined to wipe out the Waterway Strongholds.
But that wasn't the problem. In front of Hong Gu-ga, the Sect Leader of the Beggar's Sect, a man was kneeling, bound with rope. Though I could only see his back, I recognized him instantly.
‘Jo Seong-won.’
It was Jo Seong-won. Hong Gu-ga squinted at me, then gave a hand signal. The beggars on either side of Jo Seong-won hauled him up and turned him around.
‘...Ah.’
Jo Seong-won’s human skin mask had been removed. Hong Gu-ga looked at me and spoke.
“Do you know this man?”