Chapter 521: Just Let Me Hold It Once. (28)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 521: Just Let Me Hold It Once. (28)
Namgung Hyung was bound by several oaths.
—Learn the True Sword of the Namgung Clan and pass it on to the family.
This was the promise he had made with Namgung Myung.
And among all his promises, this was the one he held most sacred.
When he first heard those words as a young man, they were difficult to comprehend.
What was the True Sword of the Namgung Clan?
He was already learning the clan’s sword techniques perfectly well.
Did that mean what he knew now was a fake?
The question flickered in his mind.
But he was in no position to refuse, so Namgung Hyung accepted Namgung Myung’s words.
It didn’t take long for him to realize the truth.
…So it was real.
The current sword art of the Namgung Clan was indeed a counterfeit.
The sword that Namgung Myung taught was something you understood the moment you witnessed its true nature.
Even if the old man’s teaching methods were rather shitty…
That sword was undoubtedly the real deal.
At first glance, the differences were minute.
The sword paths weren’t vastly different; there was, at most, a variance in breathing, a few minor adjustments in movement.
Where to fix one’s gaze, and so on. They sounded like a collection of trivial details.
But when combined, they created a world of difference.
A world of difference.
That was truly the only way to describe it.
It was like the distinction between heaven and earth.
How can this be?
How could the same sword path and heart technique produce such a vastly different result?
No, could they even be called the same sword path to begin with?
When the essence and mental image they conveyed were so distinct, was it right to lump them together?
The current sword of the Namgung Clan was trash.
The words Namgung Myung had spat out until he was sick of hearing them had become an undeniable truth, even to Namgung Hyung.
Compared to this sword, the Namgung sword art was indeed trash.
—Therefore, you must learn this sword and raise the Namgung Clan.
This was another one of Namgung Myung’s phrases, repeated ad nauseam.
Namgung Hyung had already become a Taoist of Wudang and learned its martial arts.
The martial arts of the Namgung Clan? They were first-rate at best, so it was fine to discard them and start anew.
Of course, it was easier said than done; it took him over a decade to empty his cup and fill it again.
But it didn’t matter.
It was better than carrying any trace of the old Namgung Clan’s influence.
Namgung Myung still hoped that Namgung Hyung would return to the family.
But that was impossible.
Learning the Namgung sword arts while also practicing the martial arts of Wudang—this alone kept his days impossibly busy.
Since he couldn’t imbue the Namgung sword with Qi, he was limited to merely practicing the external forms.
However, Namgung Hyung knew that just passing on these forms alone would revolutionize the Namgung Clan.
The sword was that profound.
The old man is so greedy, though.
Unsatisfied with a shoddy level of mastery, Namgung Myung kept pushing him to refine the sword further.
How much more did he have to do to satisfy this man?
Leaving aside the sword’s immense value, for Namgung Hyung, the process was still just an ordeal.
This is why I should have been more careful when we made the contract.
Not to a certain level, but until Namgung Myung was satisfied.
That damned clause was the problem.
Which was why Namgung Bi-ah looked so much more appealing to him.
…This child is the answer.
Namgung Hyung genuinely believed it.
He hadn’t thought much of her at their first meeting.
His attention had been entirely focused on Gu Yangcheon.
His own niece? A ridiculous notion.
That bond meant nothing the moment he had abandoned the Namgung Clan.
Even though they shared the same hair and eyes, Namgung Hyung felt not an ounce of familial affection for Namgung Bi-ah.
He assumed it was the same for her.
He acknowledged her exceptional beauty.
And that her martial level was impressive for her age.
My disciple is better.
In terms of pure martial prowess, Woo Hyuk was superior. That was his judgment at the time.
That was, until he saw Namgung Bi-ah’s sword.
“Heh heh.”
Namgung Hyung still remembered it vividly.
The sight of Namgung Bi-ah, bathed in sunlight, swinging her sword over and over again.
Unaware of his arrival, she was completely absorbed, her entire being focused on the motion.
It was, of course, the sword art of the Namgung Clan.
The Namgung sword, executed without any Qi imbued within it.
How could she do that?
Did anyone else understand what this meant?
The sword path of the Namgung Clan, performed without Qi.
To Namgung Hyung, it was a monumental shock.
The Namgung sword art could not be used without Qi.
The form would break down midway, losing all its inherent power and intent.
That was why the Namgung sword required Qi to function.
And yet.
The girl’s sword had none.
There was no Qi in Namgung Bi-ah’s movements.
It was as if…
…it was like the Namgung sword of the past.
The true Namgung sword that Namgung Myung was forcing him to relearn.
Namgung Bi-ah’s sword path was clearly that.
I can’t say it’s exactly the same.
It wasn’t identical to the sword Namgung Hyung was learning.
There were definitely parts that were different.
The problem was, if asked whether her version was wrong, he couldn’t say for sure.
How on earth did she manage it?
Forsaking the established sword art of the Namgung Clan, she had found the true path on her own.
Within the martial arts she had learned, she was identifying the flawed parts and correcting them herself.
That was…
My eyes must have been blind.
It was something that couldn’t be praised with a simple word like ‘talent.’
Namgung Bi-ah’s gift was so outstanding that he cursed himself for judging her based solely on her superficial level.
That was why Namgung Hyung had spoken without hesitation.
“My dear niece. Have you any interest in becoming the family head?”
She was the one.
The person who would inherit the will of that crazy ancestor, the successor destined to receive the sword according to his design.
A potential far greater than his own.
He had found her.
Of course, he thought it wouldn’t be easy.
An uncle who had run away from home suddenly appears and asks, "Hey, you want to take over the Namgung Clan?" Naturally, that wouldn’t work.
“I’ll do it.”
…was what he thought, but it did.
Why did it work?
Hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s immediate answer, Namgung Hyung could only stare blankly.
“…You’ll do it?”
Nod.
“Uh, right… that… uh.”
It was so smooth that Namgung Hyung was the one left flustered.
What had captivated her?
…Don’t tell me, was it because I showed her the sword?
Hoping to aid his persuasion, he had demonstrated the Namgung sword path for her.
And his niece’s gaze as she watched had been nothing short of scorching.
Just as his had been once.
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes were as clear and intense as if she had discovered a lifeline.
Seeing that, Namgung Hyung was certain.
They both had something the other needed.
This would make things easier.
Just as he was feeling relieved that matters were resolving more smoothly than expected…
Namgung Hyung remembered a fact he had forgotten.
“Ah, but by the way, my dear niece.”
“…?”
Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head at his words.
It was a little scary. Her eyes glinted, demanding an explanation immediately.
It was a good thing, but…
It was intensely burdensome.
“I don’t think it’s possible right now.”
“Why…?”
“Well, your uncle has to go somewhere far away.”
“…Where…?”
“The North Sea.”
That was the biggest problem.
Namgung Hyung had to go to the North Sea.
A journey he had always intended to make.
After gauging Woo Hyuk’s level recently and even sharing a drink while the old ancestor was away, he felt the time was now.
Namgung Hyung had to go to the North Sea.
This was less for himself and more for his disciple and for Namgung Myung.
So.
“I’m sorry for bringing this up, but for now, let’s discuss this after I return.”
He was about to say it with an awkward expression, but…
“…Go with you…”
Namgung Hyung froze at Namgung Bi-ah’s words.
“What did you say?”
“…I can… go with you.”
I have to go to the North Sea.
Even after he said that, the fire in Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes only burned brighter.
The sleepy, hesitant girl was gone, replaced by a martial artist looking at him with a fierce, unwavering gaze.
Hmm.
Seeing that, Namgung Hyung realized something.
Just as there wasn’t a single sane person in the Namgung Clan…
His niece probably wasn’t all there in the head either.
No matter how desperate she was after seeing the true martial art, to think she would offer to follow him to the North Sea.
Well, whatever.
It’s not bad. It’s good for me.
With that judgment, Namgung Hyung nodded.
“Alright, if that’s what you want, my dear niece. I suppose I should agree.”
“...”
“We’ll probably depart…”
“…Wait…”
He was about to explain the schedule, but this time, Namgung Bi-ah stopped him.
“I… haven’t… gotten permission… yet.”
“Ah.”
Her words reminded Namgung Hyung of what he had forgotten.
Right, she needed permission.
Certainly, he needed consent to take her all the way to the North Sea, but…
“But my dear niece, I don’t think my brother will understand this, no matter what…?”
No matter what a piece of trash that man was, he didn’t seem like the type to allow his runaway half-brother to take his daughter to the North Sea.
Is my niece more dutiful to her family than I thought?
As such, he hadn’t expected Namgung Bi-ah to say she would ask for permission at home.
She didn’t seem the type to care about such formalities.
Just as Namgung Hyung was entertaining that thought…
“…It’s not… my father.”
Namgung Bi-ah said. She meant it wasn’t the Sword King.
“Not my brother? Then who…?”
Namgung Hyung asked, puzzled, and Namgung Bi-ah pointed somewhere with her hand.
That place was…
“Huh?”
The direction of Gu Yangcheon’s residence.
* * *
And that brought them to the present.
…Hmm.
Namgung Hyung looked toward Gu Yangcheon’s residence and sorted through his thoughts.
The resistance is stronger than I thought.
He had to come back to retrieve the Thunder Fang anyway, so he figured he could pass on the message then.
But Gu Yangcheon’s reaction was more severe than expected.
When his niece mentioned going to the North Sea…
He had seen Gu Yangcheon’s eyes tremble.
He didn’t seem like that kind of kid.
His first impression of Gu Yangcheon was that he was slick and had a bad attitude.
Yet at the same time, he had shown a somewhat detached and calm emotional state.
He never thought a single word about his niece leaving would break his composure like that.
Are they that close?
He had heard they were engaged, but he hadn’t thought their relationship was particularly affectionate.
It’s obviously a political marriage. That had been his clear judgment.
“Looks like my dear niece is well-loved, huh?”
“...”
Namgung Hyung said with a smirk, but Namgung Bi-ah’s expression didn’t change.
At least, that’s how it appeared.
Heh heh.
But Namgung Hyung could see it. Namgung Bi-ah’s ears were slightly red.
She seemed to be embarrassed.
Just as he was about to whistle and tease her…
“…Is this really the time for such jokes?”
A lamenting voice came from the side. It was the White Ripple Sword.
He had seen her loitering near Gu Yangcheon’s residence, and since he had business there anyway, he had grabbed her.
“You crazy bastard. What do you think you’re doing? Going to the North Sea? So suddenly?”
The White Ripple Sword, who had been abruptly dragged along, still seemed to be in shock from what Namgung Hyung had said just before.
“Hey, one can go on a trip every now and then.”
“A trip? Don’t give me that crap. If you’re going to do something like that, do it alone. Why are you dragging me into this? I’m busy as it is!”
“Busy seducing men? Don’t be like that and help me out a little.”
“What do you mean, help you!”
“My, you’re quite angry, Senior. Such a welcome sight. Kekeke.”
“This bastard, really…”
Clang.
Just as the White Ripple Sword was about to draw her sword, unable to take it anymore…
“The seal of the Ice Palace Lord. You have it, don’t you, Senior?”
“…!”
The White Ripple Sword froze at Namgung Hyung’s words.
Her face was one of shocked disbelief.
“…You.”
“It might not be that. There must have been some way. That’s why.”
Namgung Hyung’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You’ve been back and forth to the North Sea, haven’t you, Senior?”
Shing-!
The White Ripple Sword drew her sword.
She brought the blade right to Namgung Hyung’s neck.
It was close enough to draw blood with the slightest movement.
“…Where did you hear that?”
“I have some business with the North Sea myself.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. What could you possibly…”
“Things are quite noisy because of the Ice Crystal right now, aren’t they?”
“…!!”
The White Ripple Sword gasped.
This was top-secret information.
Seeing her expression, Namgung Hyung chuckled.
“How do you expect to hide any information with a face like that? You haven’t changed a bit, Senior.”
“…You… what in the world.”
“I have my own circumstances. I just wanted to let you know that much.”
“If that’s the case, you shouldn’t need my help, should you…?”
“That has its own set of circumstances as well… Haha.”
The White Ripple Sword was about to continue, grinding her teeth at his words, but…
Creeak.
“Oh! He’s coming out.”
At the sound from the residence, the White Ripple Sword quickly sheathed her sword.
Turning her head toward the door, she saw Gu Yangcheon slowly walking out.
His expression was extremely serious.
Seeing him, Namgung Hyung asked.
“So, have you made up your mind?”
Gu Yangcheon lifted his head at Namgung Hyung’s words.
His gaze was unreadable.
Without offering a reply, Gu Yangcheon approached Namgung Bi-ah.
Namgung Bi-ah simply stared back at him.
Once he was close enough to be right in front of her, he began to speak.
“You want to go to the North Sea.”
“Yes.”
“It’s freezing there.”
“…I know…”
“Like hell you know. You’ve never even been there.”
“...”
Gu Yangcheon spoke with a sigh, but Namgung Bi-ah was unfazed.
She looked into his eyes and asked calmly.
“What… do I have to do… for you to… let me go?”
Her voice was almost pleading. Gu Yangcheon let out a deep sigh, then began to state the terms he had already decided on.
“…There’s a condition.”
“Okay.”
“A while ago. Remember? You kept pestering me for a duel.”
It was an event from years ago now.
Namgung Bi-ah had constantly pestered him for a duel, and Gu Yangcheon had a history of refusing every time.
The reason he brought up such an old memory now was… none other than this.
“Let’s do it now. The duel.”
“…!”
At those words, Namgung Hyung frowned.
It was absurd. Hearing this, Namgung Hyung was about to intervene.
“Young Master Gu, that’s…”
“I accept.”
“My dear niece?”
As Namgung Bi-ah accepted, Namgung Hyung, who had been about to stop her, widened his eyes.
It was an absurd condition no matter how you looked at it.
Namgung Bi-ah was a genius, but in Namgung Hyung’s eyes, Gu Yangcheon was on a different level.
He could no longer be considered a mere prodigy of the younger generation.
He was at a level where he wouldn’t be pushed back even against those called masters.
What is this?
My niece can’t be unaware of that. Don’t tell me she didn’t actually want to go to the North Sea?
The thought was so ridiculous it almost made him laugh.
Just then.
“…What… do I have to do?”
Namgung Bi-ah asked Gu Yangcheon.
She knew.
Gu Yangcheon wouldn’t have made such a ridiculous proposal without a reason.
At her clear trust, Gu Yangcheon gave a slight smile.
He would have felt much more at ease if she had argued or questioned him, but Namgung Bi-ah did no such thing.
That fact weighed on his mind.
And then.
Ssk.
“…Huh?”
Gu Yangcheon pulled something from his robes, and seeing it, Namgung Hyung’s expression soured.
He was holding the Thunder Fang.
Why is that kid suddenly holding that?
Just as the question began to sprout in his mind…
Gu Yangcheon looked at Namgung Bi-ah and said.
“Make me acknowledge you. Then I’ll let you go.”
“...”
Hearing those words, Namgung Bi-ah…
“I understand.”
Shing.
…drew her sword without a moment’s hesitation.