Chapter 377
Chapter 377
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 377
Chapter Title: Truth and Betrayal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Namgung Jeong’s eyebrows shot up as he cried out.
“What did you say?”
“Are you going to play dumb?”
Namgung Pung spoke with cold eyes.
“I heard the whole story from Elder Pung.”
His eyes bloodshot, he shouted as if he were coughing up blood.
“How long did you plan to pretend to be my real father?”
Instead of answering, Namgung Jeong took a deep breath.
The truth was that Namgung Pung was not his son but the only child of his older brother, Namgung Gyeol, who had been murdered by the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade, Bu Jan-yang.
His mother, too, had wasted away in grief and died the year after Namgung Gyeol was brutally killed by the Demonic Blade.
At the time, Namgung Pung was merely a two-year-old infant.
Unable to stand by, Namgung Jeong had taken Namgung Pung in and raised him as his own son.
“What in the world are you talking about!”
At Namgung Jeong’s shout, the corners of Namgung Pung’s lips curled up.
“If you have nothing to hide, why didn’t you tell me I was Namgung Gyeol’s son?”
“……”
“Was it not because you were ashamed of abandoning your own brother and running away, terrified of the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade?”
“What?”
Namgung Jeong asked Namgung Pung, a look of devastation on his face.
“Is that what Elder Pung told you?”
“Is it not true?”
“Of course not.”
Namgung Jeong let out a deep sigh, his expression indescribable.
“The Seven-Branched Demonic Blade was a man of such profound martial skill that I could have trained my entire life and never been able to kill him.”
“……”
“Not long after that incident, he vanished without a trace. No one has been able to find him since.”
Namgung Jeong said, his face pale.
“The target of my vengeance had disappeared. I didn’t want you to live your life consumed by a desire for revenge you could never fulfill.”
Namgung Jeong had ground his teeth and trained relentlessly, but he knew that his skills would never be enough to defeat the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade.
Moreover, when the man suddenly disappeared, revenge became an impossible dream.
He hadn’t wanted to pass down the same pain of being unable to seek vengeance to Namgung Pung by telling him the truth.
“So, you’re saying you simply didn’t want to burden me with the pain of an unattainable revenge…”
“That’s right.”
“A rather decent lie.”
Even after hearing the whole truth, Namgung Pung just sneered.
“But I suppose you never imagined I heard you confess your sins with my own ears, did you?”
“Confess?”
“Do you remember the conversation you had with Elder Pung at the Sang-u Pavilion ten years ago?”
“The Sang-u Pavilion?”
“You admitted it yourself then. You said your brother’s death was all your fault. That you were too afraid of the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade to seek revenge.”
Namgung Jeong’s expression turned strange.
A faint memory of his conversation with Elder Pung ten years ago surfaced.
“So that’s why Elder Pung was pestering me with those strange questions… He had you hidden nearby.”
Only then did Namgung Jeong understand the whole situation.
The day Elder Pung had unexpectedly brought up his guilt regarding his brother’s death.
He had intentionally brought Namgung Pung along to make him overhear a conversation that could easily be misunderstood.
“So. You believed that nonsense from Elder Pung and now you dare to point a sword at me.”
“Don’t feel too wronged, Lord.”
Namgung Pung said with a faint smile.
“Didn’t you also become the Lord after cleverly trapping and killing my father?”
“Hahaha.”
Namgung Jeong burst out laughing, utterly dumbfounded.
He now realized that no matter how much he explained, Namgung Pung was a hopeless case who would never understand.
“In his time, the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade was an invincible master of the blade. No expert from the Orthodox or Unorthodox Factions dared to face him.”
Namgung Jeong said with a wretched expression.
“But my brother was far too confident. He was convinced the man’s reputation was exaggerated and that he could easily defeat him.”
As if recalling that time, Namgung Jeong’s breathing grew ragged.
“In the end, my brother found the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade and recklessly challenged him. By the time I arrived, he was already a cold corpse.”
“So, what’s your point?”
“Enraged, I tried to strike the Seven-Branched Demonic Blade immediately. But I couldn’t even draw my sword. He simply walked past me as if he had lost interest.”
Namgung Jeong said, his face contorted in pain.
“I believed his death was my fault because I couldn’t stop him properly. And I told the Elder that I regretted being too afraid of the Demonic Blade to draw my sword.”
The blood flowing from the dagger embedded in Namgung Jeong’s acupoint began to thicken.
But he remained standing tall as he spoke.
“That is the entire truth.”
Namgung Pung said nothing.
Elder Pung had been a very kind master.
He was the only one who had told him the truth about his real father’s death.
He had also taught him the Three Latter Forms of the Emperor's Sword, which only the Lord could learn, and even a mysterious Severing Sword technique that could counter it.
—You must never use the sword art this master has taught you within the Namgung Clan.
As it turned out, Elder Pung was a member of a mysterious organization.
—If you join the group this master belongs to, you will not only become the Lord but will also gain far greater power.
On Elder Pung’s recommendation, Namgung Pung had also become a member of that organization.
However, he only ever followed Elder Pung’s orders, so he knew nothing of its structure or hierarchy. But they wielded enough power to control the entire martial world.
‘Even if what he says is true, it doesn’t matter anymore.’
A cruel smile formed on Namgung Pung’s lips.
If this plan succeeded and he killed Namgung Jeong and Namgung Un, he would soon become the Lord.
Elder Pung and his organization would take care of the rest.
Even if the story about his father was a lie… it no longer mattered.
“I see.”
Watching Namgung Pung’s expression, Namgung Jeong nodded faintly.
He had seen through it all—everything he had said until now was nothing but an excuse.
“Your father’s revenge was just a pretext.”
“Lord. I could have waited.”
Namgung Pung spoke his mind honestly.
“If you hadn’t favored that youngest one, I would never have done something like this.”
Namgung Pung knew.
The one Namgung Jeong cherished and loved the most, the one he intended to make the next Lord.
It was Namgung Un, the son he scolded the most and treated the most strictly.
“Even if he did handle the Beggars' Union matter, to just hand over the Hall of Gratitude to Un like that… Wasn't that an act that completely nullified all my contributions until now?”
“Cough.”
Just as he was about to speak, Namgung Jeong coughed, spitting up a glob of blood.
His injuries had finally worsened, resulting in a severe internal wound.
“I seem to have lost track of time. Haha, I’ve talked for too long.”
Namgung Pung smiled faintly.
“Now, please die.”
*Vwong.*
At that moment, a powerful hum emanated from the sword Namgung Pung drew.
The Three Latter Forms of the Emperor's Sword.
The ultimate sword art that only the Lord of the Namgung Clan could learn was about to unfold at Namgung Pung’s hands.
“Farewell!”
*Kwoong.*
An immense pressure, as if Mount Tai itself were being thrown, gathered on his Gold Needle Sword.
Namgung Pung had already mastered the profound principles of the Emperor's Sword, allowing him to dominate a space and focus all pressure within it.
But just then,
“Do not touch the Lord!”
Namgung Un, who had been sitting and gasping for breath, shouted loudly and grabbed the sword Namgung Jeong had dropped.
He then slowly stepped forward.
“Fight me.”
“Hahahaha.”
Namgung Pung shook his head.
“Namgung Un. You’ve improved quite a bit this time, but you’re not yet at a level to face me.”
Namgung Pung had reached the Transcendent Realm long ago, having accumulated a high level of skill.
Namgung Un, who had long neglected his training to act like a ruffian, was no match for him.
“Besides, you can probably only use about half of your internal energy.”
“Shut up, you ungrateful bastard.”
Namgung Un held the Gold Needle Sword at a slant and spoke in a solemn voice.
“From now on, you are no longer my brother.”
“Hahahaha!”
Namgung Pung threw his head back and roared with laughter, a look of amusement on his face.
“Good. It’s more fun when there’s someone who puts up a fight at the end!”
He immediately used a form of the Emperor's Sword.
*Vwoong!*
With a low vibration, Namgung Pung’s vision went black. The sudden, immense pressure had momentarily blinded him.
*Chaang!*
But he easily blocked Namgung Pung’s unseen attack.
Not only was he exceptionally perceptive, but he had also been watching Namgung Pung’s swordsmanship since they were children.
Even without seeing or feeling it, he could picture how Namgung Pung would execute his sword techniques.
“True, I did teach you a lot of swordsmanship in our younger days.”
Namgung Pung also realized that Namgung Un knew his habits and smiled.
“Shall we play for old times’ sake?”
“You didn’t teach me, you interfered.”
Deep down, Namgung Pung feared Namgung Un’s potential.
So he always pretended to teach Namgung Un while actually showing him flawed sword techniques.
But Namgung Un had already figured that out. Instead of learning the techniques he was taught, he had carefully observed Namgung Pung whenever he practiced his sword.
“Just knowing isn’t enough!”
Namgung Pung chuckled and tried to unleash the Emperor's Sword again.
But each time, Namgung Un’s Gold Needle Sword preemptively occupied his path.
*Chang! Chang! Chang! Chang!*
An endless exchange of blows ensued.
Namgung Un had always practiced his swordsmanship passively, refraining from aggressive and intense techniques.
But now, he was pouring all his strength into unleashing deadly strikes.
This duel was not just for his own life, but for the life of the Lord behind him as well.
Because of this, his concentration reached an unprecedented level, and the power of his swordsmanship multiplied several times over.
“You persistent insect. A final struggle, is it!”
Namgung Pung tried to push away Namgung Un, who was tenaciously closing the distance.
But Namgung Un, on the brink of life and death, was at the peak of his concentration.
Knowing Namgung Pung’s habits and techniques well, and even predicting his moves in advance, he was able to hold on tenaciously.
‘I learned all of this while traveling with Brother Bu.’
Bu Eun-seol was not bound by martial arts techniques and always sought victory in the midst of a crisis.
—No matter how great the enemy’s martial art is, it’s useless if you prevent them from using it.
During his past days as a wanderer, Bu Eun-seol had taught Namgung Un the importance of preemptive strikes and seizing the initiative.
—When facing an enemy stronger than yourself, every move must begin before the enemy can launch their attack.
Before any technique could be executed, there were always tell-tale signs.
One could also predict the enemy’s movements through their gaze and actions.
Moreover, Namgung Un had no intention of defeating Namgung Pung right now.
He was just trying to buy as much time as possible until Bu Eun-seol arrived.
Bu Eun-seol. He would surely sense this situation and come for him.
“Hilarious. Do you think someone will come to save you if you stall for time?”
Namgung Pung, finally grasping Namgung Un’s plan, laughed heartily.
“The reason I arrived late was to completely erase all traces of my coming here. Not only that, but I’ve also placed over three hundred Soulless Marionettes in this area.”
Namgung Pung smiled confidently.
“The Namgung Clan is probably busy putting out the fires right now. Even if that man found a trace of this mechanism, he would never be able to break through the Soulless Marionettes in a short amount of time.”
Namgung Pung was as cunning as he was vicious.
To ensure this plan did not fail.
And to prevent anyone from finding this place, he had set up multiple layers of traps.
Despite this, a smile still lingered on Namgung Un’s lips.
It was faith.
The reason he could hold on so tenaciously was his conviction that Bu Eun-seol would find this place.
“Namgung Pung! You’ve never trusted anyone in your life, have you?”
Namgung Un sneered.
“That’s why you never listen to anyone and couldn’t help but become so twisted.”
“Nonsense!”
*Chaang!*
As their swords clashed, Namgung Un was sent sliding backward.
He was already internally injured, and Namgung Pung’s internal energy was far superior. On top of that, Namgung Pung could use all Three Latter Forms of the Emperor's Sword…
No matter how tenaciously he held on with the Azure Sky Swift Sword to prevent a decisive blow, defeat was the only outcome awaiting him.
“Indeed, the Azure Sky Swift Sword, carefully modified by our father.”
Seeing Namgung Un continue to stall, Namgung Pung began to verbally assault him to break his spirit.
“Did you think what you were using was the real Azure Sky Swift Sword?”
Namgung Pung smiled faintly as he swung his sword.
“What you learned is the Azure Sky Swift Style, a version the Lord created just for you. You just can’t tell the difference because the forms are the same.”
Namgung Un’s eyes widened.
The process of changing the sword principles of a technique passed down through generations was extremely difficult and time-consuming.
The reason why many Orthodox Faction clans created separate general manuals for their sword arts was that it was impossible to modify them for each disciple’s individual disposition.
“I told you since we were young. You don’t understand the Lord’s heart.”
“……”
“You were the only one needed for this trap. Because the Lord cherishes and loves you more than anyone else.”
Namgung Pung sneered.
“But you never believed my words and always whined. That the Lord hated you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Agitated, Namgung Un swung his sword more fiercely.
And that was an action that did not align with the sword intent of the Azure Sky Swift Sword.
As he was consumed by anger, the once solid forms of his sword art loosened slightly.
‘Now!’
Seizing the opportunity, Namgung Pung thrust his Gold Needle Sword forward.
*Tuk!*
The tip of the Gold Needle Sword broke off and flew toward Namgung Un’s throat.
This was the secret Severing Sword Style that Elder Pung had taught him.
“Kuh!”
Feeling the sharp gust of wind aimed at his throat, Namgung Un immediately twisted his body.
*Puk.*
A sharp piece of the sword embedded itself deep in his shoulder.
“Hahaha!”
Not missing the chance, Namgung Pung unleashed the Emperor's Sword again.
*Woong!*
An immense pressure bore down on Namgung Un. He intended to rupture Namgung Un’s meridians and kill him in a single blow.
*Thud.*
Namgung Un finally dropped to one knee.
Once caught in a perfect form of the Emperor's Sword, one couldn't even swing a sword or resist. Every possible space to move had been completely dominated.
Under Elder Pung’s guidance, Namgung Pung had long ago mastered the profound sword principles of the Emperor's Sword.
*Tremble, tremble.*
Namgung Un tried to use his internal energy to get up, but his body only trembled like a leaf in the wind.
*Step, step.*
Namgung Pung slowly approached and looked down at the kneeling Namgung Un.
“Farewell.”
*Puk.*
But the sword Namgung Pung thrust out did not strike Namgung Un’s neck. Instead, it pierced the shoulder of Namgung Jeong, who had suddenly moved between them.
“Ugh.”
Stabbed by Namgung Pung’s sword, Namgung Jeong let out a great groan.
The sword’s tip was imbued with a sharp internal energy, powerful enough to sever one’s life vein even if it had struck the arm instead of the shoulder.
“Keuk!”
But Namgung Jeong gritted his teeth and shattered the Gold Needle Sword embedded in his shoulder with his bare hand.
*Taang!*
Simultaneously, he shouted a short command.
“Yeonjakcheodang!”
At Namgung Jeong’s words, Namgung Un’s mind cleared, and he thrust his sword.
He unleashed Yeonjakcheodang, the ultimate technique of the Azure Sky Swift Sword that strikes in an instant when the enemy is off guard.
*Pssh!*
Blood spurted from Namgung Pung’s neck.
Unfortunately, due to his quick reflexes, the blade had failed to sever his carotid artery.
“You bastards…”
Namgung Pung touched the bleeding wound on his neck, his eyes filled with fury.
If he hadn’t instinctively dodged that sword form, he would have met his end with that single move.
“I’ll really kill you now!”
An immense killing intent erupted from Namgung Pung’s eyes.
He intended to cut off both their heads with a single sword strike, without even moving from his spot.
But just then,
*Crack. Crackle.*
The stone wall behind Namgung Un suddenly began to crumble.
*Kwoong.*
The entire wall split open, revealing the silhouette of a person.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
Spotting Bu Eun-seol, Namgung Un unknowingly called out his real name.
“Brother Bu!”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Namgung Un and nodded.
That gaze alone was enough to put Namgung Un at ease.
It was over now.
All he had to do was leave the rest to Bu Eun-seol.
“You… You’re no ordinary wanderer.”
Namgung Pung stared at the stone wall Bu Eun-seol had destroyed.
To enter an underground facility in such a manner required martial skill capable of tearing apart Mount Tai.
“There were a lot of strange pests around.”
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
“It seemed like it would take too long to deal with them one by one, so I came this way.”
Despite Bu Eun-seol’s appearance, Namgung Pung was not surprised and wore a cold smile.
“You have some other identity, don’t you?”
“Are you curious?”
“No, not really.”
Namgung Pung’s smile was chilling.
“Just in case something like this happened, I spent a long time building this mechanism. In case there was another martial artist in the Namgung Clan who surpassed me.”
*Clank.*
A metallic sound echoed from the high ceiling.
A large section of the ceiling flipped over, revealing pitch-black orbs clinging to it like dewdrops.
Simultaneously, a massive iron gate shot up from the floor, forming a barrier in front of Namgung Pung.
“That’s…”
Namgung Un’s eyes widened.
Hanging from the ceiling were the Heaven-Shattering Explosive Orbs, said to be capable of demolishing an iron fortress with a single blast.
If caught in that explosion with no internal energy, he would be turned to dust.
*Chwaak!*
Before he could even think, the blackened Heaven-Shattering Explosive Orbs rained down.
“Un!”
Namgung Jeong, who had been sitting weakly, rose with all his might and wrapped his arms around Namgung Un.
He was willing to die to save him.
*KWANG!*
In that instant, a blinding flash of light was followed by a deafening roar.
*Kwarururu.*
The explosion was so powerful that even the massive iron gate in front of Namgung Pung began to buckle and glow red-hot.
*Kwajik.*
Eventually, the iron gate couldn’t withstand the force of the blast and a hole was blown right through it.
‘I got them for sure.’
Watching the scene, Namgung Pung nodded.
This trap unleashed an explosion that no human of flesh and blood could possibly survive.
*Whoosh.*
The trapped smoke billowed out in all directions through the hole in the iron gate.
Namgung Pung smiled as he watched.
If he could wrap this up neatly, Namgung Un and Namgung Jeong would be declared missing, and he would soon ascend to the position of Lord.
“The Lord of the Namgung Clan… a position not to be envied even by the leader of the Martial Alliance. Of course, only within the limited region of Jiangnan.”
Namgung Pung muttered to himself and was about to turn away when,
*Zzzzzzt.*
Amidst the gray smoke, black lightning flickered, revealing an astonishing sight.
A pitch-black sphere had formed against the inner stone wall, and inside it stood Bu Eun-seol and Namgung Un, staring blankly.
They were completely unscathed, without a single scratch on them.