Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Azure Storm
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It was an absurd statement.
To speak of a master's qualifications when it came to wielding a weapon. A sword need only cut well and be sturdy—that should suffice.
Yuk Jin-yang did not believe that weapons had predetermined owners. He had occasionally heard tales of legendary items with such qualities. But they were mostly exaggerations, or mere rumors spread to protect the artifacts.
He gripped the sword and swung it lightly. He could immediately understand why Do Yong-hu had called it a failure. Yuk Jin-yang frowned and muttered.
"This sword's balance is..."
The sharpness that had once dwelled in the blade had been dulled by pine resin fires and grinding stones, as if extinguished. With the blade's balance off, even the striking points scattered chaotically—it was no different from a metal club.
"Didn't I say it was a failure?"
Do Yong-hu spoke gloomily, scratching his cheek.
"The sword itself is infused with spiritual energy. My master forged it personally, and I breathed in our family's techniques."
"You infused it with spiritual energy, yet the result is this?"
"That's precisely why it so fiercely discriminates against its wielder. In my view, it discerns the qualities of a potential master. If one lacks the qualifications, it's worse than a wooden stick."
"A sword that judges its master's worth? Interesting. Usually, famed swords reveal their keen edge indiscriminately, which is why they're called divine weapons."
Do Yong-hu's eyebrow twitched.
"Look at another sword. Put that one down."
Yuk Jin-yang did not comply. Still examining the sword, he asked.
"Yet you said the sword's quality itself was top-notch. With flaws like these, it hardly seems fit for the armory."
Do Yong-hu averted his gaze slightly.
"Because my master, who forged it, was a master artisan of the upper forge. In any case, it was once an imperial treasure—how could we treat it as inferior?"
"Is that all?"
"And if one can draw out its true power, it would rival the finest weapons in the world."
"Is that so?"
Yuk Jin-yang replied indifferently and flicked the blade with his finger. It felt strange—like tapping rotten wood. As if something had been overlaid upon it, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what.
Do Yong-hu opened his mouth, a hint of irritation in his tone.
"You don't believe me. But I witnessed its true value with my own eyes. When the Great Empress wielded it—it cleaved mountains with its might. She used this very sword as a reference to forge a divine artifact, though it never became the Great Ming Kingdom's Supreme Guardian Treasure."
The Great Empress he referred to was surely the consort of Emperor Taejo. The legend spoke of a dragon descended from heaven, taking a woman's form to unite with Taejo.
Do Yong-hu's explanation continued.
"This sword wasn't meant to be here originally. It was housed in the imperial treasury. But the pavilion master insisted on bringing it, practically throwing a fit."
"The pavilion master did?"
"Yes. Better to keep it here as a provision for future generations than let it rot in the palace vaults, he said. Even after a decade or more, it hasn't found its master."
There was a saying among martial artists that a weapon grew stronger the longer it absorbed its master's energy. Yet this sword held no internal energy. It only had this vile habit of rejecting wielders.
Though forged by a master artisan from the upper forge, that wasn't particularly noteworthy. The world was vast, and artisans many—famed swords always carried some extraordinary tale.
Thus, there was no reason to cling to this weapon. Yet Yuk Jin-yang felt an inexplicable pull.
"In any case, since it's stored here, I can take it without issue?"
"Master it first. I can't just hand over a sword you can't even use."
Do Yong-hu kept urging and prodding him to choose another weapon, but Yuk Jin-yang ignored him and idly stroked the blade.
Crackle.
A repulsive force jolted from the sword, forcing his hand away. It stung like a burn. Like a hedgehog bristling its quills, rejecting his touch outright.
"You're slow to give up. But impossible is impossible. Why fixate on that sword? I told you everything here is top-class."
"I like this sword."
"So what? The sword doesn't like you."
"Hah."
A competitive spirit flared unbidden. Especially because of the armorer's indifferent chatter.
Thinking this his final attempt, Yuk Jin-yang gathered his inner energy powerfully and infused it. The moment his finger broke through the repulsion and touched the blade.
Whoosh!
A sudden chill wind gust fiercely across his cheek. His hair fluttered along with it. This was no natural phenomenon—an artificial flow of energy released from the sword.
His skin tingled where the energy touched, as if eroded by biting frost. Ignoring it, he slowly stroked the blade. His fingers felt an engraved inscription.
An incantation etched with extreme precision, concealed by the cloud patterns unique to tempered steel, invisible to the naked eye.
He had infused spiritual energy using family secrets, apparently embedding profound principles into the sword as a medium. The prior repulsion was likely due to an array formation as well.
Yuk Jin-yang pierced the sword's true nature. A dual formation elevating its rank through sorcery while a array prevented weathering and damage over time. In truth, no different from a magical implement.
'The sword doesn't have a will of its own to choose its master.'
Do Yong-hu was wrong. Perhaps he had lied from the start.
Rather than the sword having a soul to discriminate, the creator had embedded a riddle from the outset. One that prevented wielding unless solved.
Yuk Jin-yang imbued his energy with intent. He released it to roam freely, as if dismantling an array. Their energies clashed and resonated, spreading as colorless ripples everywhere.
'It applies the principles of the I Ching. From the Qian trigram, colliding into the form of Chongdi Kun, and upon reaching the Gen trigram...'
He grasped the energy on the blade and rearranged it methodically. The process flowed seamlessly, as if he had mastered the structure of all sorcery arrays.
This was a talent beyond the usual martial gifts of qi control or sturdy meridians.
Insight from exceptional intellect. The ability Yuk Jin-yang had honed since his past life shone once more.
Like weaving silk, he carefully arranged the qi, and the moment it was complete.
Bzzz!
The sword vibrated intensely. A clear light gleamed along it. For an instant, it felt as if all the divine weapons in the space lost their sharpness.
"Th-this can't be!"
Yuk Jin-yang turned. Cold sweat had beaded and trickled down his jawline.
"Even now, it hasn't acknowledged me as its master?"
"How did you...? Even the imperial princes couldn't unravel its secrets..."
Do Yong-hu muttered in bewilderment, mouth agape in shock. His bushy beard quivered.
"Who knows."
He replied casually and touched the sword again. No repulsion this time. Infusing energy, it resonated obediently, transforming into a frost-like chill. It had submitted completely.
Yuk Jin-yang smiled contentedly and teased lightly.
"There was a nasty trap. But this isn't a sword with its own will, is it? Unless it's some artisan's malice to keep the unworthy from his work."
"...Malice? I wouldn't know."
Do Yong-hu feigned ignorance. Yuk Jin-yang dropped it and changed the subject.
"May I swing it? I'd like to test if it's truly as famed as you say."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Even with the sword's approval, at your level, you can't replicate the Great Empress's miracles."
Do Yong-hu scoffed but granted the request.
"Let's go out. There's a test stone in the adjacent chamber."
The demonstration was a success.
Thud!
A severed chunk of the test stone plummeted to the floor. The obliquely cut cross-section gleamed perfectly smooth, like a polished slate honed over ages.
The moment Do Yong-hu's boasts proved true. He asked triumphantly.
"Well?"
"Truly impressive."
Yuk Jin-yang couldn't hide his admiration. He hadn't even used an exquisite technique. Just a single, forceful swing had cleaved the hard stone like mud.
Then it happened.
Rooooar...!
The sword shuddered violently. He could feel it in his grip. The energy within it surged uncontrollably, suddenly flowing into his body.
It didn't feel malicious. Instead, it seeped into his meridians, resonating with the Moon Maiden Divine Art's qi. Yuk Jin-yang closed his eyes and spoke.
"Please stand guard."
Do Yong-hu's expression changed. He stepped back a few paces to avoid interfering.
Yuk Jin-yang sat cross-legged, placing the sword across his knees. He sank into meditation. He deliberately sealed his senses with qi. In the profound silence, only his heartbeat echoed intermittently.
Soon, even that faded.
Complete trance. In that state, Yuk Jin-yang sensed the sword's utility. It harmonized with the Moon Maiden Divine Art's qi, circulating through his body.
Suddenly, he recalled ingesting the Humanoid Ginseng. The sword's energy melted into him like a spirit elixir.
The vast energy circulated obediently through his twelve meridians, eight extraordinary vessels, and all his channels—docile as it submitted to its master.
A serendipitous opportunity.
'Perhaps this is it...'
Yuk Jin-yang didn't stop at absorbing the sword's energy. He boldly surged it further. The inner energy budding from the Shimen point in his lower dantian blazed like wildfire, finally connecting to the Yutang point.
The realm called Five Dragons Paying Homage to the Sage. The precursor to opening the middle dantian.
'It's done.'
Yuk Jin-yang exhaled deeply. The energy circulating his body felt firmer. As if he had been reborn.
Emotion welled up with heartfelt joy. In his past life, how much effort had he poured into reaching this realm?
Yet, mindful of onlookers, he maintained composure. In this life, he was the youngest grandson of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan. No one would share his sentiments.
"All done?"
Do Yong-hu asked cautiously. Yuk Jin-yang, sheathing the sword, nodded.
"Come to think of it, I haven't heard its name. A sword like this must have a special title."
"None in particular."
Do Yong-hu crossed his arms and shrugged.
"As I said, it couldn't become the Great Ming Kingdom's Supreme Guardian Treasure. It was meant to receive the name 'Fengcheon,' but another sword claimed it."
"Then I can name it myself."
"Do as you like. It's your sword now."
At that moment, torchlight flickered across the blade. A poignant blue hue traced the straight line of the sword body. A name sprang to mind.
"Azure Storm. Azure Storm suits it."
Blue wind. A name inspired by the keen edge gleaming on the blade.