Chapter 378: White Heavenly Sword (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 378: White Heavenly Sword (2)
It’s remarkable how much a person’s appearance can alter the impression they give.
That was my first thought when the White Heavenly Sword appeared out of nowhere.
Before, dressed in worn clothes, he had seemed like an eccentric middle-aged man. Now, with a change of attire and a few accessories, he was practically unrecognizable.
The transformation was fascinating.
Wait. That’s not the point.
This wasn’t the time to be pondering such things. The real question was why he had chosen to appear here, at this moment.
Moyong Tae, the White Heavenly Sword, radiated a chillingly cold aura, his gaze locked intently on me.
Noting his frosty demeanor, I cautiously addressed him. “…What brings you here, my Lord?”
“I was out for a night walk.”
His answer made me stare at him in disbelief.
A night walk? Then why was he emitting so much combative aura? However I looked at it, this was no casual stroll.
Is he actually planning to kill me?
The thought flickered through my mind, though I doubted he would go that far. One of the Four Noble Clan Lords wouldn’t resort to a common assassination. Moyong Tae knew better than anyone that killing me in Henan would create a mess he could never clean up.
Reassured by that logic, I bowed respectfully. “…I see. It is an honor to meet you at such an hour, my Lord. I hope you enjoy your walk.”
Time to leave.
Just as I began to turn away—
Shing—!
A sharp gust of wind skimmed past my cheek.
Swoosh—!
A terrifying sound followed, and the trees ahead began toppling where the breeze had struck.
“Young Expert.”
“…”
I turned back at Moyong Tae’s call. He had drawn his sword and was glaring at me. His aura merged with his combative energy, magnifying his presence until it felt oppressive. I swallowed nervously.
“I still haven’t received a response from you.”
“…A response to what?”
“Your name, Young Expert. I asked for it, and you have yet to give me an answer.”
My name? But he already knows it.
Moyong Tae was fully aware of my real name, yet he was insisting I say it aloud.
“…”
Was he toying with me? His eyes held a deadly seriousness. Had that earlier attack been a genuine warning? Regardless, the cold tension hanging in the air was unmistakable.
This isn’t good.
Things were becoming troublesome. I started running through my options.
What about Father?
He would be arriving soon. His presence would resolve the situation, but it would only be a temporary fix. The underlying issue would remain.
While I was lost in thought, Moyong Tae spoke again. “It’s fine if you aren’t going to respond.”
Slowly, he sheathed his sword.
What? He had seemed ready to kill me moments ago. Was he really leaving? Just like that?
Click.
As the blade slid fully into its scabbard, I asked, “What happens if I don’t respond?”
Moyong Tae fixed his sharp gaze on me. His aura felt like a blade against my skin. “I will return.”
His response felt off. Shouldn’t that be a good thing for me?
Just as I began to feel a flicker of relief, he added, “I shall also take my daughter with me.”
“…!”
“The contract with the Gu Clan will proceed as agreed. Our businesses in Shanxi will remain operational, so you need not worry.”
“…But what about your daughter’s condition?”
The only reason the Moyong Clan supported the Gu Clan—the only reason Moyong Hi-ah stayed by my side—was so I could cure her. Her treatment was still ongoing. If he took her back to their clan, I wouldn’t be able to continue.
Hearing my concern, Moyong Tae replied in a frosty tone, “That is a matter for our clan. You need not concern yourself with it, Young Expert.”
“…”
It was the truth. As he said, it was an internal affair of the Moyong Clan, and I, an outsider, had no right to interfere.
Logically, that was correct. Yet, a strange, prickling sensation in my chest began to stir my emotions, leaving me deeply unsettled.
“I’ll ask you one last time. Will you tell me your name?”
“…And what happens if I do?”
“…”
His decision clearly hinged on my answer, which meant that speaking my name carried significant weight. I wanted to understand why.
After a moment of silence, Moyong Tae rested his hand on his sword hilt once more. Then, he spoke. “I am not fond of you, Young Expert.”
“…”
Instead of answering my question, he had bluntly declared his dislike.
“I’m sure you know the reason why.”
“…Yes.”
“Even so, I am willing to set aside my hatred if you truly are the only key to saving my daughter.”
“Then…”
“However.”
Shing—
He drew his sword again. As the blade cleared the scabbard, his aura flooded the surroundings. My skin stung where it touched me.
The White Heavenly Sword, Moyong Tae. He was one of the Lords of the Four Noble Clans, reputedly the weakest in martial prowess among them. But he was still a Clan Lord.
His aura alone feels sharp enough to cut me in half.
Now I understood how he had once contended for the title of Sword King.
“I have no intention of entrusting my daughter to someone who will not even speak his own name.”
“…”
“Even if it means sacrificing my daughter’s future, I will not allow it.”
His presence grew even more oppressive. The message was now painfully clear: if I gave him my name, the White Heavenly Sword would turn his blade against me.
I couldn’t tell if this was a test or if he was simply looking for an excuse to fight, but his words echoed in my mind.
- I have no intention of entrusting my daughter to someone who will not even speak his own name.
I had never taken care of Moyong Hi-ah in this life, nor did I have any intention to. The only time I had ever looked after her was in my past life—a mere memory, known only to me.
Furthermore, I was certain I’d done nothing to warrant such hostility from him. Yet, strangely, his words bothered me.
Was it because I didn’t want Moyong Hi-ah to leave? Why? Because she liked me? Because our relationship in this life was better than it had been before? Or because I still needed her strategic mind?
“…”
Heat began to rise within my body. I searched for an answer but found none in the end.
It was simple. I already knew the answer but had been trying to find a different one.
“I will ask you one last time.”
Moyong Tae pointed his sword at me as he repeated the question. I knew full well that answering would only bring trouble. The moment I spoke, I would have to explain everything, and a fight would likely follow. No—this man would undoubtedly challenge me.
I could see it in his eyes. Here he was, pointing his sword at someone less than half his age. What kind of nonsense was this?
I had no desire for a pointless fight. I wasn’t even sure I was in any condition to face him. There were countless reasons to walk away. None of this needed to happen.
“What is your name, Young Expert?”
“…”
But a single, foolish reason overpowered my rationality. It was a selfish reason.
I simply did not want Moyong Hi-ah to leave my side.
That foolish greed crushed all my reasoning, leaving me with only one choice.
I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and felt my body begin to relax. Clenching my fist, I bowed respectfully.
“…I greet the Lord of the Moyong Clan as a blood relative of Shanxi’s Gu Clan.”
Moyong Tae’s pupils trembled at my words.
“My name is Gu Yangcheon. I am…”
As his sword shifted slightly, I began to circulate my qi. Heat surged through my body. My energy gathered in my dantian, rising from its center to its peak. The heat intensified, flooding up to my head.
“…Known, though undeservingly, as the Lesser King of Hell.”
I still found it embarrassing to say that title aloud. My ears burned red as the words left my lips.
“…”
Moyong Tae’s eyes widened as he observed my state. Seeing that I had unlocked my upper dantian, he immediately understood the level I had reached.
Keeping my gaze fixed on him, I spoke. Steam escaped my lips as the words formed. I didn’t need to check to know—my eyes were shining with a bright, fiery red.
Embracing the boiling heat within me, I issued my challenge.
“If it is acceptable to you, my Lord, I hope to learn a thing or two from you.”
Moyong Tae remained silent at my request. Instead, he raised his sword slightly, keeping it pointed at me.
Then…
Rumble—!
Dense combat aura began to pour from Moyong Tae’s body.
I shifted into my battle stance.
Blaze—!
Flames engulfed my entire form. A second ring of Gu Flame Wheel Art materialized around me—a clear sign of having reached the Fusion Realm. I expanded the ring of fire outward.
Once my body was fully sheathed in pinkish flames, I kicked off the ground and shot straight toward Moyong Tae.