Chapter 41: Sword Phoenix (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: Sword Phoenix (1)
The Namgung Clan.
A renowned sword clan that served as a pillar of the Orthodox Faction, often called the heart of the Four Noble Clans.
When the Blood Demon unleashed his calamity upon the world, it was none other than Namgung Joocheon, the clan lord of that era, who had slain him.
Before the Sword Venerable's rise, the Namgung were known as the clan that possessed the world's strongest swordsmen.
Currently, the clan's lord—the Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin—was speaking with his son.
"I told you to look after your elder sister. Instead, you return having lost your escort."
Not only had he challenged someone younger than himself to a duel and lost, but he had also attempted to kill his opponent.
And he had come back with both arms broken.
And this is my son…
Yet the greater issue at hand was this:
"Macheol…"
Namgung Jin did not remember the names of many martial artists. There were simply too many with talent.
But he was one who had reached the peak realm.
Macheol, the martial artist who had served as an escort, bore the title 'Sword of Azure Wind.' His was a name Namgung Jin remembered. There were few who reached the peak at such a young age, and he had shown great promise for the future.
Yet now, the man had simply vanished?
Namgung Jin could not comprehend it.
"You lost a peak-realm martial artist because you were defeated by some young prodigy whose name isn't even known?"
Namgung Cheonjun had no answer. He could only grit his teeth in silence.
He didn’t understand it either.
What in the world happened?
Namgung Cheonjun had known the mission might take several days. Even ordered in anger, he understood it would be difficult. Still, Macheol had told him he’d found an opportunity and would return. And whenever Macheol said that, he never failed.
That was why, when Namgung Bi-ah asked to bid farewell to the Gu Clan’s Young Master, Namgung Cheonjun had let her go without objection.
By then, the boy shouldn’t have been alive.
That was what should have happened.
But when Namgung Bi-ah returned, she said she had bid the Gu Clan’s Young Master farewell—and that he was perfectly fine. Soon after, they returned to the clan.
So… where was Macheol? What had happened to Namgung Cheonjun’s personal escort?
Was he killed?
That seemed impossible to Namgung Cheonjun.
Macheol was a peak-realm expert. To rise from first-rate to the peak required innate talent—a level unattainable by ordinary martial artists regardless of training. Namgung Cheonjun knew that much.
Macheol was a certified peak-level martial artist. The idea that he could lose to someone barely second-rate? Simply inconceivable.
An ambush, then?
Perhaps they had known it was coming. But how could they have known? And what could they have done to make Macheol disappear without a trace?
Whatever the case, the situation was bad. Losing his direct escort due to his own stubbornness was a serious problem. Worse, Gu Yangcheon surely knew what he had tried to do—or so Namgung Cheonjun believed.
That bastard.
The thought of Gu Yangcheon made his blood boil. The kick he’d taken, the broken arm—both had been healed, but the fury remained.
"Cheonjun."
"...Yes, Father."
Namgung Jin slowly approached. Namgung Cheonjun shut his eyes tightly. His father never laid a hand on his own blood. He simply drew nearer.
The direct descendants of the Namgung Clan possessed an aura that exerted pressure on their surroundings—an ability that grew with their martial prowess. And the clan lord, renowned as the strongest aside from the Three Venerables, was no exception.
As Namgung Jin closed the distance, that pressure swelled. With each step, it grew harder for Namgung Cheonjun to breathe.
"Oughh…"
A pained groan escaped him.
"I am disappointed in you. Not because you lost to a younger prodigy, nor because you tried to kill him."
Namgung Cheonjun knew why. It was a lesson drilled into him since childhood.
"I am disappointed because you failed to clean up your own mess."
The pressure weighed down on him, threatening to make him vomit, but he fought it back. He knew showing such weakness would only anger his father further.
To uphold the dignity and honor of the Namgung Clan—that was what mattered most. And anyone who threatened it had to be removed, by any means necessary.
"As punishment, you will be confined for three months. Any objections?"
"N-None, Father…"
The pressure vanished the moment he answered. Namgung Jin studied his son, who was still struggling to steady his breath.
"The Gu Clan, you said?"
"...Yes, Father."
The Gu Clan, whose lord was the Tiger Warrior…
A strange expression crossed Namgung Jin’s face—one Namgung Cheonjun had never seen before.
"...Of all clans, it had to be the Gu Clan."
With those words, Namgung Jin turned and walked toward the banner hanging near the lord’s quarters. The characters for 'Namgung' stood out clearly. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke again.
"Forget about the Gu Clan from now on."
"Father…?"
It was the first time his father had ever told him to forget something. His entire life, he had been taught never to release a grudge. Now, those very teachings were being contradicted.
"You will understand when you become clan lord. Until then, do not provoke the Gu Clan."
"...Yes, Father."
In the end, Namgung Cheonjun could not defy the order. All he could do was nod.
"For we may soon become one with them."
For a moment, Namgung Cheonjun was stunned. He couldn’t grasp the meaning.
"What… do you mean?"
"Your sister has agreed to a marriage alliance."
"Father!?"
Namgung Cheonjun’s voice rose involuntarily. A sharp glare from his father made him fall silent, but the news was too sudden to process.
Though her name was not yet widely known, she was the most naturally gifted martial artist in the clan. Namgung Cheonjun’s beautiful, flawless sister—the flower of the Namgung Clan. He believed that if she were more active in the world, she would have earned the title 'Sword Phoenix' instead of its current holder.
…And now my perfect sister is to be married off? Just like that?
It was too abrupt. Hiding his trembling hands, he forced out a question.
"T-To which clan?"
Namgung Jin watched his son. The trembling pupils, the ragged breath he couldn’t control—it was all plain to see.
He still has so far to go…
He couldn’t even conceal such simple emotions. Yet, as the future clan lord, he had to be corrected. By force, if necessary.
Namgung Jin slowly spoke, and Namgung Cheonjun’s eyes widened at his words.
* * *
"...What?"
Gu Yangcheon stared blankly at the Second Elder, who had just said something insane.
"What did you say?"
"I said the clan has agreed to an engagement between you and the daughter of the Namgung Clan."
"...Excuse me?"
What kind of nonsense is this?
* * *
It had taken us ten days to return from Sichuan. On the way there, we’d been pressed for time, but with no such constraints on the return, we had taken it slow. I also needed time to stabilize my newly increased qi.
Finally home, exhausted from the journey, I was met by the Second Elder—who I hadn’t seen in a while—and the first thing he did was fling this garbage at me.
"A marriage has been arranged for you."
"...What did you just say?"
He’d blurted it out the moment we met, without even acknowledging my greeting. My brow furrowed. I hadn’t even unpacked, and he hit me with this out of nowhere.
Hadn’t it only been a short while since my engagement with the Peng Clan was called off? For me, it felt like a lifetime ago, but in reality, it couldn’t have been long. And now another marriage was arranged?
This is new…
In my past life, after the breakup with Peng Ah-hee, no other marriage proposals came my way—thanks largely to my reputation as trash, which made every clan avoid me. I’d assumed it would be the same this time. So what changed?
Overwhelmed, I replied, "Second Elder, must you joke when I’m this tired…?"
"Hey! Do you think this old man would joke with the likes of you?"
"You usually do. Why deny it now?"
So it was real.
…I’m screwed.
I had a feeling I’d messed up somewhere. The image of Wi Seol-Ah flickered in my mind, but I pushed it aside.
"If it’s true, who am I marrying?"
I ran through the possibilities. It couldn’t be Peng Ah-hee; that bridge was burned. I didn’t have many options beyond her. There was one from the Moyong Clan, but let’s exclude that crazy woman—she was obsessed with the Lightning Sword even in my past life.
There were probably plenty outside the Four Noble Clans, but I didn’t know many girls. I could count them on one hand.
Maybe Tang Soyeol…?
It was possible; she hadn’t married anyone last time.
…But someone who gives poison as a gift is a bit…
Anyway, what had I done to mess things up this badly? I couldn’t pinpoint a single mistake…
No… I can’t pick one because there are too many.
"The clan you’re engaged to…" The Second Elder picked his ear with his pinky, as if it were no big deal. "Is the Namgung Clan."
"...Excuse me?"
I retorted instantly. The answer was completely unexpected.
What… Who?
"What did you just say?"
"I said your marriage has been arranged with the daughter of the Namgung Clan."
"...What?"
The Namgung Clan? Maybe there’s another daughter I don’t know about?
Please, let there be some other Namgung daughter with a slightly different name. Because the only one I knew was…
"Her name was… Namgung Bi-ah, I believe? They hinted they wouldn’t hand her over easily since she’s the pride of their clan, but this old man pulled out all the stops to make it happen."
Goddammit…
Nothing ever goes right for me in this damned world. What did you even do to make this happen?
Me… married to that lunatic?
Why? What did I do to deserve Namgung Bi-ah as a wife?
As I struggled to process this, the Second Elder continued, utterly unconcerned.
"Anyway, that’s not the important part. You can hear the details from your father later. I’ve got something more pressing to tell you."
"...Wait, Elder, how can you say this isn’t important?"
What could possibly be more important than this?
I’m engaged to that crazy woman, and you’re telling me it’s not important?
I tried to argue, but his next words shut me up.
"Your sister has returned."
"Huh?"
The world’s greatest prodigy, the Sword Phoenix, Gu Huibi, was back.
The Second Elder tapped my shoulder. "Huibi was looking for you. She really wanted to see you. It warms my heart to see you two getting along so well. She should be in your father’s room, so you should— Yangcheon?"
I didn’t let him finish.
Only one thought filled my mind.
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!!! I have to get out of here NOW!!!
Forget the marriage—I just had to run.
