Chapter 32: Heavenly Secret (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 32: Heavenly Secret (2)
True Chasing Return Sword.
Among the techniques of the Life Bright Sword Technique, this was the ultimate move, boasting the greatest power. Now, with an even stronger rotational force added to it, its destructive potential was explosive.
“Urgh!”
Caught in the wake of the sword technique, So Ikheon tried desperately to defend himself.
However—
Clang! Thwack!
Unable to withstand the storm-like power of the Chasing Return Sword, So Ikheon’s Azure Spirit Sword was sent flying, embedding itself deep into the ceiling of the training room.
So Ikheon’s eyes widened in sheer horror.
As he tried to block the strike, he must have realized it. I had broken through the wall—the very limit that even he had failed to surpass.
“How could you…?”
He couldn’t finish his sentence.
Though he had managed to deflect the brunt of the strike, the momentum carried by the rotation sent So Ikheon spinning like a waterwheel until he slammed into and became lodged in the wall of the training room.
Boom!
“Cough!”
With a strangled cry, So Ikheon spat out a mouthful of blood. He stared at me with half-closed eyes before losing consciousness entirely.
“Whew.”
I ceased the circulation of the Life Bright Divine Art and exhaled a long, deep breath.
I knew the walls of these training rooms were made of a stone much harder than ordinary materials. Yet, the wall was now a mess, scarred by the remnants of my sword technique.
I didn’t expect it to be this powerful.
If the strike had landed cleanly, So Ikheon would have surely lost his life. If he hadn't let his guard down, he might have lasted at least a few more exchanges, but because I had hidden my strength, he grew careless, allowing me to settle the duel in a single move.
To think I defeated the Family Head.
It was a strange feeling.
Before my regression, he was an existence like an insurmountable wall, someone I wouldn't have dared to even dream of challenging. Now, that same man lay broken, unable to withstand my blade.
-
The Namcheon Iron Sword praised me.
So, my current skill level was roughly half that of the Namcheon Sword Guest. The difference between the fifth and sixth stages must be truly vast.
Then how strong was Haeakcheon, who had surpassed the Namcheon Sword Guest in his prime? Thinking about that made me realize I still had a long way to go.
I’m grateful you say that. Somehow, you guys feel more like family than anyone else.
The Namcheon Iron Sword cleared its throat, seemingly pleased by my words. Then, the Lesser Conversation Sword spoke to me.
The little guy had read my inner thoughts. Since we were always together, it had become uncannily good at noticing my feelings just by my expression.
It was true; I didn't feel particularly good. I hadn't expected much, but it seemed the Family Head, So Ikheon, truly didn't consider me his own flesh and blood at all.
“……”
Honestly, I wanted to ask him. Did he hate me that much? If he was going to be so cruel, I wanted to demand why he even brought me into this world.
“Sigh…”
Leaning my back against the wall, a heavy groan escaped my lips. I hadn't even felt this way when I was sent back to the Blood Cult.
I wanted to tear this damn family apart. But if I did, Yeong-yeong’s life would become even more wretched than mine.
What, are you worried I’ll actually harm my father?
If I let out all my anger, who’s going to deal with the aftermath?
If I took the Family Head’s life in a moment of passion, an indelible stigma would be placed upon my sister. The stigma of being the sister of a parricide. I didn't want that for her.
Maybe so. If it weren't for that child, I wouldn't care if this rotten family vanished or not. But because of Yeong-yeong, I didn't cross the line.
My fate was currently tied to the Blood Cult. In a situation where I didn't even know what would happen to me, I couldn't just smash the Yikyang So Family to pieces and drag my sister into the ruins.
What should I do now?
Everything regarding the successor representative was tangled. Plans one and two were out the window the moment I traded blows with the Family Head. Now, only the third option and the worst-case scenario remained.
Just then, the Lesser Conversation Sword spoke.
That guy?
The Azure Spirit Sword?
It had been so quiet I hadn't even realized it was there. Every sword has a different personality, and the Azure Spirit Sword was the definition of taciturn.
Hmm.
I gave a light leap and pulled the sword from the ceiling. The Azure Spirit Sword was a treasured blade of the Yikyang So Family that the Family Head always carried. As the Lesser Conversation Sword suggested, since it had watched So Ikheon’s every move, it might know the hidden truths, including the matter regarding A-Song.
Azure Spirit Sword.
What? There was no response. Just in case, I called out again.
Azure Spirit Sword.
Can’t you hear me?
Yes, I am.
At my confirmation, the Azure Spirit Sword sounded astonished.
I was used to this by now. Most swords had the same reaction when they realized I could hear their voices. The Azure Spirit Sword’s tone was similar to that of an elderly scholar—leisurely and dignified.
It even called me "child." When I asked why, the Azure Spirit Sword explained that it had been passed down since the first generation of the family, so all the descendants felt like grandchildren to it.
It was an ancestor of the sword world, enough to make the Lesser Conversation Sword wag its tongue. The Azure Spirit Sword continued.
With pity?
The Azure Spirit Sword’s words gave me a strange sensation. If my grandfather were still alive, would he have sounded like this? The Azure Spirit Sword spoke in a gentle, soothing voice.
Even the Azure Spirit Sword understood my situation. But what could be done? I had long since given up on that. If things had been different, I wouldn't have lived as a spy for the Blood Cult, nor would I have regressed.
That is none of your business.
His own sense of responsibility?
Don't make me laugh. Does someone with a sense of responsibility cast their own child out of the family? And would he drive me into a corner like this the moment he suspected his child of being a puppet of the Blood Cult?
That was for the sake of the family.
Imagine the fallout if it were revealed in front of guests that the third son of the Yikyang So Family had become a servant of the Blood Cult. The impact would be catastrophic. If there was one thing he cared about, it was the honor of the Yikyang So Family.
Do you have any idea how painful it is to live as the son of a concubine?
When I was young, I thought about dying every single day. When my mother passed away, I often felt the urge to throw my life away, if not for Yeong-yeong being my only support. Of course, my heart grew tougher as I experienced more, but still.
I have no grudge against you, but you must tell me what I want to know. If you don't, I don't know what I might do to this man.
I pointed the Azure Spirit Sword at So Ikheon, who was still half-lodged in the wall. Swords do not wish for their masters to be harmed. It was a form of blackmail. I figured this would work, even on an ancient sword.
However, the Azure Spirit Sword’s reaction was quite different.
The truth?
What truth? As I wondered, the sword revealed a shocking fact I had never even imagined.
!?
In an instant, my mind went blank. I even wondered if I had misheard. Dazed and losing the strength in my legs, I leaned against the wall and blinked, staring at So Ikheon.
I wasn't his child?
So Ikheon. That was my late grandfather’s name. I knew he had performed great deeds during the Great Orthodox-Evil War but had fallen in battle toward the end.
Since the family head at the time, So Ikheon, had died, the sword would naturally have passed to So Ikheon.
That cold-blooded man lived in despair?
An injured woman? Could it be…?
This was something I never knew. I thought she had simply been a servant for a long time.
So Ikheon loved my mother?
If he loved her, making her a servant is…
Ha……
……Me.
The strength left my legs, and I slid down the wall, collapsing onto the floor. Then, did that mean I was truly an illegitimate child with absolutely no blood relation to the Yikyang So Family? This was the truth?
The Lesser Conversation Sword called my name in a worried voice. In my state of shock, I couldn't hear it properly. The Azure Spirit Sword continued its story.
……What did he say?
“……”
And then?
My mother accepted that?
To protect me, she entered the household as the concubine of a man she had no relation to. My eyes stung as I thought of my mother. I could hardly believe this was the truth.
How could I believe this without seeing it with my own eyes?
It was at that exact moment.
[The Heart of the Sword and the Heart of Man shall commune; the Heavenly Secret has been revealed.]
A voice echoed in my mind. Then, a blue flame flickered on my right hand.
Sizzle!
With the sound of something burning, the spots on the back of my hand began to change.
Ah!
Among the seven spots forming the Big Dipper, the third star, corresponding to the Heavenly Secret (天璣), was turning blue. Once the spot at the position of the Heavenly Secret had turned completely blue, the flame subsided.
The Heavenly Secret has opened.
It was the first time since the Heavenly Immortal had opened. Then, my vision turned black, and the surrounding scenery began to change. Scenes unfolded before my eyes as if I were seeing through someone else’s perspective.