Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Disordered Blossoms Graceful Sword
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The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's eyes shook violently.
No, it wasn't just his eyes.
His chest was heaving as well.
"Do you know the Left-Hand Sword Art...?"
"Yes."
"How do you know of it?"
"It was in the Dark Fragrance Secret Grotto."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's eyes widened in shock.
The Dark Fragrance Secret Grotto was the deepest repository of martial arts manuals hidden within the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion.
He had only heard of it in passing and had never even seen it himself, yet Cheonhwi was mentioning it so casually.
'I've heard that Senior Brother Hyeoncheong favors Cheonhwi, but to think he'd even let him into the Dark Fragrance Secret Grotto...'
A gleam of admiration appeared in his eyes.
Even he could count on one hand the number of times Pavilion Lord Hyeoncheong of the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion had opened the Dark Fragrance Secret Grotto.
This was a moment that revealed just how much trust and faith Hyeoncheong placed in Cheonhwi.
Cheonhwi stared into the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's rippling pupils and spoke.
"If you're planning to use the left-hand sword, you'd better learn it properly. The internal energy circulation is completely different."
A question arose in the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's mind.
"Isn't it just a matter of performing the sword art with your left hand?"
"If it were that simple, why would the Left-Hand Sword Art be so rare? The left-hand sword has a completely different essence from ordinary sword arts."
Cheonhwi gazed at the Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
"Didn't you feel it yourself? Swinging the sword is fine, but every time you try to execute the sword art, something gets stuck, right?"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord bit his lip.
It was exactly as he said.
Swinging the sword with his left hand was uncomfortable, and attempting to perform the unfamiliar left-hand sword felt like...
The flow kept breaking off abruptly.
As if it had been forcibly severed.
'I thought it was just because I'm not used to performing sword arts with my left hand, but that wasn't it?'
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's expression grew complicated.
Watching the change in his expression, Cheonhwi shrugged and said,
"If you can't believe it, want to see how the Left-Hand Sword Art is different?"
Cheonhwi drew his sword.
And gripped it with his left hand.
The motion was so natural, as if he were accustomed to the left-hand sword.
"Have you mastered the left-hand sword...?"
As the Martial Training Pavilion Lord asked with wide eyes, Cheonhwi let out a smirk.
Of course he had mastered the Left-Hand Sword Art.
In his previous life, not this one.
"A long time ago."
With those words, Cheonhwi's sword moved.
"Just watch for now. You won't be able to learn it right away."
Internal energy flowed into Cheonhwi's sword.
Beautiful plum blossoms bloomed from the sword tip, and a thick plum fragrance spread in all directions.
"This is the Nan Hwa Pung Ryu Sword—the Mount Hua Sect's one and only Left-Hand Sword Art from the Dark Fragrance Secret Grotto."
The moment those words ended.
Swipe—
Plum blossoms bloomed in the air along the sword's path, mingling with a gentle breeze and drifting away.
Disordered Blossoms and Graceful Flow.
True to its name, it was a captivatingly beautiful sight.
But there was a sense of unfamiliarity.
Since the footwork and stances were all reversed left to right, a strange dissonance dominated his vision.
The swiftness and illusion of the left-hand sword.
A sword art far beyond expectations unfolded before him.
'...Such a sword art existed?'
It was so brilliant and beautiful that even he couldn't tear his eyes away.
As if it weren't a sword art, but a sword dance.
But that was merely its appearance.
Gulp—
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's Adam's apple bobbed violently as he faced the sword art head-on.
Each blooming plum blossom contained such intense energy that just looking at it made his body tremble faintly.
'If I were up against this...'
He could immediately envision blood spraying everywhere.
'What a fearsome sword art.'
The sharpness hidden within its brilliance and beauty stung his skin.
'A sword art this exquisite, combined with the left hand...'
About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense had passed.
Swipe—
Finally, Cheonhwi's sword came to a halt.
"Hoo—"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord, who hadn't even blinked for fear of missing a single moment of Cheonhwi's sword art, let out a deep breath.
"How was it? Not bad, right?"
Cheonhwi asked, resting his sword on his shoulder.
"...Incredible."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord couldn't hold back his admiration.
To be precise, he was amazed by two things.
First, the Disordered Blossoms Graceful Sword itself was astonishingly superior.
Second, Cheonhwi's skill in executing such a Left-Hand Sword Art so effortlessly.
Cheonhwi urged the stunned Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
"That's the Left-Hand Sword Art."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord let out a groan.
"It's definitely different..."
"What will you do?"
"..."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord silently stared at his right hand, which wouldn't move no matter how much strength he put into it.
There was no need to agonize over it.
For someone unable to use his right hand, what better opportunity could there be?
"Teach me."
"Good. But it might be tough. You can handle that, right?"
"Of course. That's something I have to endure."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord spoke calmly.
"Since I'm learning a new martial art from scratch."
"Great mindset."
A smile played on Cheonhwi's lips.
He liked it, as expected.
Even after losing everything he'd built up, he wasn't despairing but instead burning with enthusiasm. How could he not approve?
"But keep one thing in mind. You can't learn the Disordered Blossoms Graceful Sword yet."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord nodded as if he already knew.
"I know. I can't even swing the sword properly, so how could I learn a sword art?"
"Then first, we'll build up the strength in your left hand and get you accustomed to the sword."
"'Get the left hand accustomed to the sword'... "
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord gave a bitter smile.
He knew it would take quite some time to make that natural.
"It might take a very long time to properly learn the Disordered Blossoms Graceful Sword."
"No."
For a moment, Cheonhwi's lips thinned.
It was a smile brimming with confidence.
"If you follow what I teach you, it won't take long."
"Really...?"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's expression brightened.
Watching his face, Cheonhwi twisted the corner of his mouth and whispered lowly.
"Yes. But steel yourself. It'll be pretty grueling."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...Hup!"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord grimaced as he lifted the scabbard with a rock tightly bound to it.
The rock, as large as his torso, was tied to the tip of the scabbard, adding extra weight.
'Were rocks always this heavy?'
Veins bulged on the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's forehead.
In truth, with his internal energy, he could lift a rock like this anytime.
But he couldn't do that now.
'Cheonhwi said to lift it with pure strength...'
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord gripped the sword tightly.
And then.
Crunch!
Grinding his teeth, he exerted force again.
Only then did the rock dangling from the sword tip shake slightly and lift.
"Kuh!"
A groan escaped him simultaneously.
Sweat poured from his forehead, and his back was already soaked.
He wanted to drop it right away.
But.
"Lift it a bit higher."
Cheonhwi, standing beside him, wouldn't allow it.
"If it shakes that much with just this, when will you ever swing a left-hand sword?"
If someone had only heard it, they might think it was teasing, but anyone seeing Cheonhwi would be silenced.
Because he was casually holding the rock-bound scabbard in his left hand while speaking.
"Like this—lift it high and swing. Can't even do something this easy."
Cheonhwi raised his sword high.
The torso-sized rock rose effortlessly up to his chest level.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of fierce wind rang out.
Drip—
A bead of sweat trickled down the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's forehead as he watched Cheonhwi swing the rock-laden scabbard like a tree branch.
"...I'll try."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord, speaking laboriously, took a deep breath.
"Hah!"
With a fierce shout, he raised the sword.
His muscles twisted, and a moist sensation spread across his left palm, as if the skin was tearing and blood seeping out.
But he didn't stop.
Whoosh!
The sword and rock swung widely.
"Good. That's one."
Cheonhwi finally seemed satisfied.
"Do a thousand like this a day."
"A... a thousand?"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's voice trembled.
Even one swing was exhausting, yet a thousand?
"Too few? Then ten thousand..."
"N-No. A thousand is fine."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord hurriedly replied.
He wasn't confident he could finish ten thousand even if he trained all day.
"We'll start with a thousand a day, and move on once you get a bit better."
With those words, Cheonhwi turned away.
"Then I'll head out first."
After teaching the Martial Training Pavilion Lord some light training, Cheonhwi left the Martial Training Pavilion.
'First build strength, then fine control later...'
As he walked, pondering further training methods for the Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
"Cheonhwi!"
"Senior Brother!"
Two women came running up in a panic.
It was Hyeonryeo and Dan Mokrin.
Looking haggard and disheveled as they rushed over, they immediately fussed over him.
"Are you okay? Any injuries?"
"Is your body alright?"
Cheonhwi looked at them oddly, but it was understandable from their perspective.
Among those who had returned from the recent operation, the uninjured could be counted on one hand.
Most had light wounds, but...
There were those like Jeokgeom with severe injuries, so they couldn't help worrying about Cheonhwi, whose return was delayed.
"Yes. I'm perfectly fine."
Cheonhwi replied curtly.
"That's a relief."
"We were... so worried."
As the two who had been anxious finally relaxed, Cheonhwi's gaze turned to the left.
There stood the Sect Leader.
"I'm glad you returned safely."
"You look a mess."
At Cheonhwi's words, he smiled silently.
'He must have had it rough.'
The Sect Leader's appearance was a wreck.
Dark shadows under his eyes hung thickly, reaching nearly to his chin.
His usually neat beard had split ends from stress, turning into a wild mane.
"But I heard the operation failed?"
"Cheonhwi!"
Hyeonryeo urgently called out to Cheonhwi, but.
"Yes."
The Sect Leader gestured for Hyeonryeo to step back and answered lowly.
"It was my mistake. Their forces were stronger than we knew."
The Sect Leader tried to speak calmly, but his heart ached.
How many disciples had been injured due to the operation's failure?
As he smiled bitterly.
"No. It was my mistake."
A low voice interjected.
Perhaps due to the commotion.
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord, who had been training, approached while wiping his sweat.
"If I had been stronger, the operation wouldn't have failed."
"No. You did your best."
The Sect Leader shook his head.
His gaze fell on the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's right arm, propped up with a splint.
"If only I had properly grasped the enemy's hidden forces..."
Mid-sentence, the Sect Leader choked up.
He tried to hold it back somehow, but seeing the right arm filled him with rage.
"I'm sorry."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's expression turned bitter.
The Sect Leader's pitying gaze hurt more than anything in the world.
"Don't worry about my arm."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord smiled.
"Fortunately, Cheonhwi agreed to teach me a sword art."
"The Left-Hand Sword Art...?"
The Sect Leader looked at Cheonhwi in surprise.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
At Cheonhwi's answer, the Sect Leader's expression eased with relief.
"That's good. Really good."
Tears welled up in his smiling eyes.
Noticing the tears, the Martial Training Pavilion Lord suppressed his own surge of emotion and said,
"...So there's no need to feel guilty."
"How could I not? Even if you master the left-hand sword, everything you've built is gone..."
The Sect Leader spoke firmly.
Cheonhwi looked at him and asked,
"So what now? After getting hit like that, are you just going to sit still?"
The Sect Leader shook his head firmly.
"How could I? Our sect's disciples were wounded...!"
A cold light gleamed in his eyes.
His usual kindly demeanor shifted, subtle anger beginning to flow out.
"And since we've joined forces with the Mount Chong Sect for a joint operation, we can no longer share the same sky with those unorthodox scum."
Everyone swallowed at his words.
It was a declaration of intent to stake the sect's survival on exterminating the enemy.
Cheonhwi nodded vigorously with a very satisfied expression as he watched the Sect Leader's outburst.
'Yes, yes. That's the way. Fitting words for a Sect Leader.'
Repay a blow with double!
That was the law of the jianghu, wasn't it?
At that moment, the Sect Leader added,
"But not right now."
He quickly calmed his excitement.
He wanted to launch another operation immediately, but there were too many injured and too many shortages.
Moving now would just repeat the same failure.
"Rather than acting rashly, we'll take time to prepare thoroughly and uproot them completely."
'Hm, thinking calmly.'
Cheonhwi looked on approvingly.
Failure alone would be a painful blunder, but this changed things.
He had grown from the failure.
Still, there was one regrettable point.
'That Sa Gwi Faction Leader bastard—I want to deal with him right now...'
Cheonhwi's lips twitched.
Seeing Jeokgeom and the Martial Training Pavilion Lord like this made him hate that the bastard was still unscathed for so long.
At minimum, he needed to end up like them—no, even more miserably—for Cheonhwi to feel satisfied.
'...Guess I'll have to go beat him secretly.'