Chapter 496: Just Let Me Hold It Once. (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 496: Just Let Me Hold It Once. (3)
The Monster of Wudang.
He was a famed master produced by the Wudang Sect, yet also known as its most bizarre figure. A disciple of the current Sect Leader, his name was always mentioned when listing the sect’s top experts.
A decade ago, he had fought and defeated Hyuk Eo-chun, the Warlord of Dual Blades of the Demonic Faction’s Five Emperors. Like the Sword Queen, he had once single-handedly blocked a Great Gate of Demons that opened in a civilian village. On the strength of these achievements, he was nearly nominated to contend with Namgung Jin for the vacant title of Sword King.
But in the end, his name was never put forward, buried under the weight of his subsequent bizarre deeds.
The Monster of Wudang utterly despised helping others. Though a Taoist, he relished meat and wine. His actions were rough and unpredictable, a stark contrast to Wudang’s tranquil Way. There was even an incident where, after laughing heartily, he drew his sword for no apparent reason and slaughtered his opponent. The controversy subsided when it was revealed the man was a lecher who had assaulted many women in the village. Yet, even after that, the Monster of Wudang frequently caused inexplicable rampages, leading to rumors that the sect, tired of harboring him, had cast him out.
He possessed outstanding martial power and high attainment. He sometimes showed a chivalrous side by saving the poor, yet often displayed the behavior of a scoundrel, unbecoming of a Taoist. That was why people called him the Monster of Wudang.
However.
This was all rather unfair to the Monster of Wudang… or rather, to Namgung Hyung. After all, the reason he had come to be seen as such a scoundrel was mostly the fault of the ill-tempered old geezer residing within him.
Namgung Hyung had faced many hardships in his life. But the greatest of them all was undoubtedly the moment he took hold of the Thunder Fang.
— Found it.
A mysterious stick in the center of the Namgung Clan’s artifact warehouse. It would not be an exaggeration to say Namgung Hyung’s life was turned upside down the moment his blood-stained hand grasped it.
— So it’s you. The will of the heavens, meant to raise the Namgung Clan.
He would never forget the voice that pierced his ears then, filled with such yearning, speaking to his exhausted body. When Namgung Hyung asked in a hoarse, grating voice who he was, the Thunder Fang had replied.
— I am Namgung Myung.
— It matters not who you are. As long as you have inherited the blood of Namgung, nothing else matters.
Namgung Myung. As the young Namgung Hyung lifted his head, the name sounding faintly familiar, the stick resting on the desk began to glow.
— Take it.
— Take the Thunder Fang and inherit my will. And so…
— Let us revive the fallen Namgung.
The young Namgung Hyung couldn’t understand. The Namgung Clan was still treated as a prestigious family, a pillar of the Four Noble Clans. How exactly had it fallen? How could it be revived any further? He couldn’t comprehend a single word.
Nevertheless, he took the Thunder Fang. For one reason alone: he felt that if he grabbed it, he could escape that frightening and disgusting family. Swept up by that inexplicable feeling, he took it.
And thankfully… Namgung Hyung was able to escape the Namgung Clan.
However. That hadn’t been Namgung Myung’s complete intention.
* * *
Noon arrived, just as it did every day. As always, Namgung Hyung swung his sword with all his might before sitting on a rock to fill his empty stomach. Just as he was stuffing a large bite of a rice ball into his mouth…
[How long do you intend to be so stubborn?]
A cold voice echoed in his ear. This, too, was part of his daily routine.
[Isn’t this enough?]
Delaying his answer, Namgung Hyung shoved the rest of the rice ball into his mouth, drank some water, and swallowed. After three whole rice balls, he finally felt his stomach fill. Just as he was about to quietly enjoy the moment…
[What your grandfather said last time… I didn’t like it either, but it’s not a bad idea.]
“…Haaa…”
He tried to ignore it, but the voice always forced him to answer. Is it because he’s a soul? Does he never get tired?
“I don’t think I’m the one being stubborn here.”
[Descendant.]
“Geezer, how long are you going to be so stubborn? I told you from the beginning, I have no intention of returning to that house.”
[How can a man of Namgung blood say he will not go to the Namgung Clan?]
“People leave when they’re annoyed, what’s the big deal? Will the clan fall just because I’m not there?”
[Yes, it will. That is why I speak thus.]
“This is truly absurd.”
At Namgung Myung’s firm words, Namgung Hyung let out a hollow laugh. “Geezer. If the clan is so weak it will fall because one person is gone, then wouldn’t it be better for it to just fall?”
[You insolent…!]
“It seems my grandfather’s words have you by the ankle. Give it up. If I were the type to fall for such talk, I would have done so long ago.”
He recalled what the Heavenly Venerable had said when he came to find him. If I just return, he might give me the position of Lord? Remembering his half-brother, who had been scrambling desperately for that very position, Namgung Hyung smirked. A position that could be blown away with a single gesture from my grandfather. What’s so great about that?
He wasn’t interested. Even with a knife to his throat, he had no intention of returning. The problem was that Wudang was also starting to raise a fuss about him returning, and now with the Heavenly Venerable involved, things were just getting annoying.
I should probably move soon.
It had already been a year since he’d settled in Sichuan. He thought he had settled down quietly. How did they find him? My disciple wouldn’t have said anything. He trusted that Woo Hyuk, of all people, wouldn’t have spread information. In any case, it’s become a pain.
The location was decent, and he had planned to stay for another two or three years. But now that the Heavenly Venerable had found him, it seemed he would have to leave. Where to this time? Should I try the North Sea? Not bad. A frozen land where the Orthodox and Demonic Factions held no sway. The perfect place to wander freely.
[Descendant.]
As he pondered, Namgung Myung spoke again. Namgung Hyung let out a slight snort. “Just as we first promised. I will complete your sword art and hand it over to the clan. Isn’t that why I’m swinging this sword day and night?”
[....]
“If you expect anything more, then just leave me, will you? I’m sure they’d be thrilled if I offered to return you to the clan.”
As Namgung Hyung spat out his words in annoyance, the Thunder Fang finally stopped vibrating. He sighed inwardly. He knew what Namgung Myung wanted, and because of the help he had received, he tried to understand. But he would not be the one to embody that will. He had no desire to do so.
“Enough of that. Are you still not going to tell me about what happened the other day?”
[…What do you mean?]
“I’m talking about when that little monster came to visit.”
The little monster. He was referring to the boy his disciple had brought, calling him a friend. Namgung Hyung thought it was a fitting name. If that thing wasn’t a monster, what was?
He had truly believed his disciple would take the world by storm. The boy had that level of talent, able to figure out ten things when taught one. His only flaws were being a bit lazy and sleeping too much, but Namgung Hyung had thought his talent would cover even that.
To think he’s on a completely different level.
The Lesser King of Hell, was it? The little monster who had recently been shaking the Central Plains was on a completely different level. A martial artist on the verge of completion, or perhaps already complete. His slouching, insolent demeanor was a bit grating, but Namgung Hyung could see the blade hidden within him—a blade so honed and dry it seemed like it would cut down everything the moment it was drawn.
Then again. It’s only natural for the child of a monster to be a monster.
Looking at the young boy from the Gu Clan, Namgung Hyung was reminded of the clan’s lord. Remembering his encounter with that man sent shivers down his spine. How could he ever forget that sight, where not only the ground but the very sky seemed to burn? The man with long, crimson hair and burning red eyes, grabbing the neck of Hyuk Eo-chun, the Warlord of Dual Blades, and looking at Namgung Hyung to say:
— You beat me to it.
Then he had vanished into embers. A fleeting moment, but an image Namgung Hyung could never forget.
I can’t win.
The way he had effortlessly subdued Hyuk Eo-chun, who had been making a last-ditch effort, and the immense presence he radiated. Namgung Hyung was certain he could not defeat that man. Just as the intense emotions from the memory began to surface…
[The child’s strength is not his alone.]
Namgung Myung spoke in his characteristically cool tone.
[A greater monster is attached to the monster’s child, so of course he can only grow stronger.]
Sensing something in the voice, Namgung Hyung made a strange expression. He had a feeling he knew what this was about. “Are you still not going to tell me about that?”
The day the Lesser King of Hell had visited, Namgung Hyung had been astonished that the boy could hear Namgung Myung’s voice. Until then, no one else ever had. The problem was, from the way Namgung Myung spoke, it seemed the boy also had a similar presence with him, yet Namgung Hyung couldn’t hear any other voice.
What’s more…
[It is a matter you have no need to know.]
Namgung Myung was avoiding the topic. His reaction was as if he didn’t want to tell him. “Then at least you could try to hide the emotion in your voice. It’s making me curious.”
[...]
Embarrassment. In Namgung Myung’s evasive tone, he could feel an inexplicable sense of shame. It was the first time he had felt such dissonance from the always cold yet dignified presence.
“I have no idea what you’re so ashamed of that you can’t even hold your head up.”
[Who said anything about being ashamed?]
“You are, right now. You’re cowering like a thief caught in the act.”
[…Be quiet.]
Seeing as he didn’t deny it, something had struck a nerve. He wanted to press further, but held back. After all, even if he didn’t ask Namgung Myung, he had already called for the person he could ask.
Just then.
Vwoom-!
Sure enough, a presence was caught by his senses from a distance. Judging by the speed, it was a martial artist. One of them was Woo Hyuk. But… Three? Besides Woo Hyuk, he could feel two other presences. The slightly larger one seemed to be the Lesser King of Hell. But who was the other?
The moment Namgung Hyung amplified his aura to check…
Zzzt-!
“…!”
A crackling energy brushed past his body. An energy he could not fail to recognize.
A few seconds passed.
“Master.”
Far in the distance, Woo Hyuk appeared, landing lightly on the ground. He was carrying a wild boar on his back, probably brought as a gift. What a sweet kid.
After briefly examining the boar, Namgung Hyung’s gaze fixed elsewhere. On the young man with a fierce impression—the Lesser King of Hell. And next to him… A young woman with the same white-blue hair and eyes as his own. White, fine skin and beautiful features.
“…I see.”
Looking at her, Namgung Hyung immediately realized who she was. “You must be my niece.”
She was likely his half-brother’s daughter. The one currently called the Sword Dancer, engaged to the Lesser King of Hell beside her. Looking at her, Namgung Hyung stood up.
Conversely, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at him.
“…?”
“It seems my brother raised his child well. Your aura is sharp.”
“…Brother…?”
At her reaction, Namgung Hyung let out a soft laugh. He could tell the family hadn’t told her about him. They really hadn’t changed. Still, he held no ill will toward her, so he could manage a smile.
“I don’t think a warm greeting is in order… I am…”
Just as he was about to give a brief introduction…
[Descendant.]
Namgung Myung’s voice rang out. Geezer?
[Draw your sword.]
Huh? What do you mean…?
Ssk.
What the…?
The moment Namgung Myung spoke, Namgung Hyung’s hand moved. This was not his own will. This was dangerous. The hand reaching for the sword held no hesitation. If he drew it now and swung at Namgung Bi-ah, blood would be shed.
Namgung Hyung tried to resist with all his might, but…
Clack-.
“…!”
The sword wouldn’t be drawn. He had clearly grabbed it and tried to pull it out. It wasn’t him who had stopped. He, too, was shocked.
The reason was simple. Someone was gently pressing down on the hilt, preventing it from leaving the scabbard.
That was why Namgung Hyung was horrified. It meant he hadn’t noticed their approach until they were right in front of him. And to stop the sword before it was drawn meant they had approached knowing he was about to draw.
Realizing this, he stared at the person with wide eyes. And he was stunned. Looking into the eyes of the one who had stopped his draw, someone’s face came to mind.
“…Just now.”
A voice pierced his ear. It sounded like it was suppressing rage. Like it was forcibly holding back killing intent.
“What were you trying to do?”
Eyes filled with heat, yet for some reason tinged with a blue light. The Lesser King of Hell, a spitting image of the red-haired man… was looking at the Monster of Wudang, his own heat slowly beginning to rise.