Chapter 114: Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 114: Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin (2)
You have no idea what I went through the day you vanished.
You'll probably never know, because I'll never tell you.
Did you know? I hate the moon.
When the moon rises, it means night has fallen…
And I despise the night.
Yet whenever the moon hangs in the sky, I stop and stare upward.
Now I wonder… what did the moon mean to you, that you wouldn't even pretend to hear me when I called your name?
I always wondered what you dreamed of when you gazed at the moon. Even though both of us lived miserable lives.
But despite that sorrow, you were always searching for something.
Unlike me.
It's just… Those times I asked why you loved the moon so much, and you only closed your eyes in reply… those days are long gone. And that realization saddens me.
Just a little.
So little that it doesn't show on the outside. That little.
Why did you do it?
I still wondered. After death, you wouldn't see your beloved moon anymore, nor swing the sword you cherished.
You wouldn't even get the revenge you always craved.
Knowing all that, why did you do it?
You probably wouldn't answer me even if we met again. I know your damned personality well enough.
In your final moments, you asked me if the moon was out.
It wasn't. It had already set and disappeared.
-Trickle.
I poured wine over my sword.
This was the wine you occasionally drank. This should suffice.
[But I won’t say that I’ll achieve your dreams for you.]
I never learned what you dreamed of, or what you lived for.
So I can’t accomplish the things you wanted to do.
You wouldn’t have told me even if you hadn’t died.
Because I know it’s simply not possible.
I drank the remaining wine in the bottle and set it aside.
That was enough pointless reminiscing for me.
The corpses of Murim Alliance martial artists lay scattered around me, all seemingly torn apart by flames.
I lifted my head and looked up at the sky.
[The moon still isn’t out.]
A full moon shone brightly overhead…
But it wasn’t the moon I was searching for.
* * *
The first sensation upon reaching the peak realm was a profound dissonance with one’s own body.
This was because the peak realm marked the point of greatest physical transformation.
It was the stage where the body gradually unified with its Qi.
Simply put, Qi began to saturate the body itself.
One’s grip became powerful even without consciously channeling Qi, and broad, enhanced vision became natural, whereas before it required active Qi reinforcement.
Some called this superhuman; others said it was the beginning of transcendence.
What it was called didn’t matter. In my experience, it was merely the starting point of the path I needed to walk.
-Blaze-!
The flames enveloping me weren’t extensive. I had condensed them within my body.
With my enhanced vision, I could see the entire situation clearly. I knew instinctively that the man before me was stronger than I was.
So what?
Let’s be rational. Is charging in like this the logical thing to do?
The fact that he treated Namgung Bi-ah that way, despite her being a direct descendant of the clan, meant he held a high position himself.
Do I have any justification to attack him? Is being her fiancé reason enough? Are my actions truly justified?
-Press.
Power gathered in my feet. Even as I tried to reason, my body kept moving.
If I need an excuse…
There was blood. I saw the red, swollen mark on her cheek.
That was excuse enough.
What was she to me, to make me this furious?
This isn’t the time to think about that.
-Slam!
Heat instantly flooded my dantian. A storm mirroring my raging emotions raged inside me, but I endured it.
If I had to pinpoint why I was so angry, it was simple.
I thought there was no room for emotion left in me. But after my resurrection, I’d experienced many feelings, filling my heart until it threatened to burst.
My Qi-enhanced body reached my target before the wind could.
The man noticed me and began to turn after I was already behind him, but I was faster.
I used flames to obstruct his vision and launched a Qi-enhanced fist.
I had no time to aim. Even though his posture was compromised by his sudden movement, he still had enough strength to withstand my attack.
-Slam!
My fist struck, Qi exploded, and a concussive boom reverberated. Heat lingered in the air, but I clenched my teeth.
It didn’t work.
I was mere inches away.
My fist, aimed right at his nose, was blocked by the man’s hand.
-Swoosh!
A wave of Qi erupted from the man, scattering my heat and pushing me back. A tingling sensation spread across my cheek.
His Qi carried a faint trace of Lightning Qi.
“Who are you?”
His tone was grave. The hand that blocked my fist had been impossibly fast. In a real fight, he would have been even quicker.
He was strong. So strong I couldn’t even gauge his level.
But one thing was certain: I could land a hit on him.
I didn’t know where this conviction came from, but I knew I could do it.
“Ha!”
When I circulated my Qi again, the man laughed, finding my defiance ridiculous.
“You’re still full of spirit. Commendable, but…”
A tingling pressure emanated from his body, taking shape and pressing down on me. It was a familiar sensation.
I had felt it countless times from Namgung Bi-ah in my past life, but this was on a completely different level from her current power.
“You should train your eyes better and learn to read your opponent.”
The man’s hand reached for me. The density of the Lightning Qi around it alone spoke volumes about his power.
Just as his hand arrived before my eyes, he suddenly halted.
“What are you doing?”
He spoke with a hint of irritation, but not to me. Namgung Bi-ah, who had been on the ground, was holding him back.
“Please… stop.”
“First you run away, and now you defy me?”
“…”
Despite his harsh tone, Namgung Bi-ah’s arms only tightened around his waist.
The man clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
His gaze shifted from her to me.
“What is your name?”
His Qi still pressed down on me, but it was bearable.
I had faced far denser, more evolved pressure countless times in my past life.
I met his eyes and answered, “I am Gu Yangcheon, Lord Namgung.”
The man’s eyes lit up in recognition.
“I see. I heard there was a youngster stronger than his peers. So you’re the son of the Gu Clan Lord.”
“Yes.”
“You knew who I was, yet you attacked anyway?”
His demeanor was cold, characteristic of his clan, and his eyes brimmed with arrogance.
The King of Swords of this generation, the lord of the Namgung Clan…
Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin.
He was Namgung Bi-ah’s father.
There was no one in the martial world who didn’t know him. No one else could replicate this Qi or those eyes.
I didn’t know why Namgung Jin was here, so far from his palace in Anhui, but I refused to submit to his arrogant gaze.
“You just attempted to assault the Lord of the Namgung Clan. Do you understand the severity of that offense?”
“How could I stand by and watch you strike my fiancée?”
“What did you say?”
“I only realized who you were after I attacked. Before that, all I saw was an intruder assaulting one of our guests.”
I withdrew the flames covering my body and released the heat I had been containing. A wave of warmth instantly spread through the air.
Namgung Jin’s hair stirred in the thermal wave.
He stared at me, frowning.
“How sophistic.”
“I only did what was necessary as a member of the Gu Clan.”
It was sophistry, as Namgung Jin said. But I hadn’t spoken those words expecting to convince him.
I couldn’t openly curse the Lord of the Namgung Clan, even if it was me.
So, I had to annoy him like this.
Namgung Jin recalled his Qi. The guards who had drawn their swords relaxed at his signal.
As the tingling pressure faded, I could breathe easier.
Namgung Jin spoke again.
“I have no interest in indulging your sophistry further. I will inform Lord Gu of this incident.”
Despite being attacked, Namgung Jin said little. He looked bothered but held back.
Why?
I expected more rage.
Is something restraining him?
Otherwise, he wouldn’t let me off so lightly.
Namgung Jin masked his irritation and changed the subject to Namgung Cheonjun, whom I had encountered previously.
“I heard you taught my son a lesson. I thought he was just a complacent child who relied too much on his talent, but meeting you in person, it seems I was mistaken.”
“How could I dare to 'teach' the great Lightning Dragon, Lord Namgung? A more accurate description would be that I thoroughly beat him because he kept provoking me.”
-Crack.
As I spoke with a sarcastic edge, a wrinkle formed between his eyebrows.
Lightning Dragon, huh… Back then I was pathetically weak, with almost no Qi. It would be different now.
Of course, Namgung Cheonjun might have grown stronger too, but was that really likely?
Namgung Jin knew my words were barbed.
“I see you have talent, but you lack humility. That part reminds me of your father.”
“Thank you, Senior. And if I may say, I noticed some of your traits in your son as well!”
“You…!”
Namgung Jin finally erupted, his face flushing red. He didn’t draw his sword, but the pressure of his Qi surged again.
Yet, it never fully unleashed. Namgung Jin, I, and everyone present felt a presence approaching from behind.
“The Lord of Gu…” Namgung Jin said, composing himself. The man walking toward us with calm steps was Gu Cheolun, my father.
Father didn’t look at Namgung Jin initially, only glancing briefly at Namgung Bi-ah before his gaze settled on me. A shiver ran down my spine under his stare.
After a short sigh, he said, “I believe I told you to rest and come to my room tonight. Yet here you are, causing trouble first thing in the morning.”
“…”
I averted my eyes. He wasn’t wrong.
Father then approached the other lord and offered a respectful greeting.
“It seems my son has troubled you.”
“Lord Gu.”
“He is still an immature child. Please set aside your anger; I will discipline him properly later.”
“No matter how immature, this is a matter for clan law—”
“Apologize to him. Now.”
“I apologize.”
I lowered my head and apologized as instructed. My father’s interruption and my swift apology left Namgung Jin unable to continue, deepening his frown.
“It seems you haven’t changed at all, Lord Gu.”
“I’m glad to see you are in good health, Lord Namgung.”
“Like father, like son… Sigh.”
He seemed to be boiling with anger, but he said no more.
He didn’t seem the type to suppress his rage. Did he have some vulnerability?
“I expect corrective measures to be taken.”
“Yes.”
Father then looked at Namgung Bi-ah. He noted her swollen cheek and the blood at the corner of her mouth, but his expression remained neutral.
Noticing his gaze, Namgung Jin asked, “Do you have something to say about how I discipline my child?”
“I do not. I merely thought it best she receive treatment promptly. Significant events are approaching.”
“I will handle it myself.”
“Very well.”
Father looked at me again. Is he going to scold me? His eyes held a strange intensity that didn’t quite feel like anger.
“Follow me.”
Contrary to his expression, his voice was deep and calm. I hesitated, glancing at Namgung Bi-ah.
Seeing my concern, Father said, “Do not worry about her. She will be tended to shortly; I have already summoned help. Just follow me.”
“Understood.”
When? He came here directly. When did he have time to call for medics?
Did he know this would happen?
As if to confirm his words, Gu Clan medics were already arriving. I heard Namgung Jin click his tongue behind us.
Seeing the situation resolved, I followed my father.
* * *
He truly is his father’s son.
That was the thought of the Lord of the Namgung Clan, Azure Heavenly Sword Namgung Jin. They shared not only a resemblance in appearance but also an identically irritating way of speaking.
And then there was the talent.
Like the Sword Phoenix, he seems blessed with fortunate offspring.
Namgung Jin pondered Gu Yangcheon. It might have been a surprise attack, but he hadn’t detected the young man until he was already behind him, poised to strike.
Was it because Gu Yangcheon was fast? He was quick, but not at a realm where he could challenge the speed of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Jin looked at the hand that had blocked Gu Yangcheon’s fist.
It was slightly red. Moreover, though faintly, it was trembling. His own son, Namgung Cheonjun, couldn’t even touch his robes.
That wouldn’t be possible unless the boy had poisoned him.
But that child…
He had been directly under the pressure of Namgung Jin’s Qi, yet this youngster remained defiant.
Was it the ignorance of youth? Or was it inherited stubbornness from his father?
To Namgung Jin, neither explanation felt entirely accurate.
Gu Yangcheon’s eyes had conveyed a clear message: he believed he could fight back.
How dare a young prodigy, younger than my son—a child of the Gu Clan, no less—harbor such thoughts?
-Crack.
He hadn’t been overly angered by Gu Yangcheon beating his son.
His son was simply weak. Namgung Jin understood that principle better than anyone.
But the situation just now was different.
Normally, he wouldn’t have let it pass so easily. He could have made it a major incident.
If it weren’t the Gu Clan.
He would have, if not for this accursed place. Namgung Jin thought of Gu Cheolun, whom he had just met.
He had appeared respectful, but his eyes told a different story. He was always like that. Namgung Jin had heard tales from his grandfather after becoming clan lord, but experiencing it firsthand was still grating.
Those eyes that always seemed to look down on everyone. Namgung Jin spoke.
“The punishment ends here.”
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah lowered her head at his sharp tone.
“Under normal circumstances, I would drag you back to the clan for discipline, but now is not the time.”
“Understood.”
“After her treatment, make her presentable. As beautiful as possible.”
The servants around him chorused their agreement.
I dislike this.
Namgung Jin’s furrowed brows showed no sign of relaxing.
That was the extent of his displeasure.
Today was the day scheduled for the engagement with the Gu Clan. That fact only intensified his distaste.
The Lord of the Namgung Clan himself, having to journey all the way to the Gu Clan…
His own talented daughter, leaving the clan to follow some Gu Clan youngster…
The fact that the elders and his grandfather were the ones who decided to marry her off…
And… the near certainty that the dragon of this generation would be this very son of the Gu Clan.
I want to erase it all.
The last thought angered him most, but Namgung Jin suppressed it.
He couldn’t afford to act on it.
Not now.
* * *
I returned to the Lord’s room after only a day. It was the room I always ended up in after causing trouble, so I felt a familiar nervousness.
[You tried to fight a Clan Lord. Are you insane?]
You stayed quiet and watched like it was a show. Why scold me now?
[You had already charged by the time I thought to stop you.]
A lie.
There had been plenty of time while I stood there, circulating my Qi and making my decision.
Throughout it all, Elder Shin hadn’t said a word.
I could tell he was entertained.
[Ahem.]
See? Fake coughing. I knew it!
[Still, why did you act after realizing who he was?]
I only confirmed he was the Namgung Clan Lord after seeing his face, but I had instinctively known he was stronger long before.
It was indeed reckless.
Father sat silently with his eyes closed. His silence made me anxious, my mind racing through hundreds of possible punishments.
Something similar happened in my past life; I was sent to Gu Huibi’s swordsmen army. I served under him for over half a year. Just the memory made me break into a cold sweat.
I’d rather be in closed training for half a year than relive that.
Father finally opened his eyes and looked at me. I gulped, bracing myself…
“Good work.”
[Huh?]
“P-Pardon?”
I frowned, completely bewildered by his words.
I had expected many things… but not that.