Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Sword
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“......!”
The former family head felt a stinging shock, as if struck on the back of his head.
It was exactly as he had said.
An absolute sword meant to decide the victor in a single strike.
That was the swordsmanship he had sought to create.
“If not, there'd be no reason for it to be a single form.”
At Cheonhwi's following words, the former family head slowly raised his sword.
Inner energy then flowed out from his entire body.
It was a soft energy, the complete opposite of the intense thunder qi he had exuded moments before.
An infinitely light internal energy that seemed it might flutter away at the slightest breeze.
Yet that very quality made it lethal.
The internal energy he emitted slowly enveloped the surroundings, like clothes gradually soaking in a drizzle.
Quietly, without anyone noticing.
As if one had been poisoned.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I've rediscovered the初心 I had forgotten all this time.”
“......Tch.”
Cheonhwi clicked his tongue.
'Again, benefiting someone else.'
In the flow of conversation, things had clicked so naturally that he had let the words slip out unwittingly.
And that had granted enlightenment.
'Still, impressive.'
For a master of his caliber, discarding what he possessed was no easy task.
Yet he had cast it aside cleanly.
Trusting in Cheonhwi's words.
'Makes me want to clash in a proper life-or-death duel.'
The moment his eyes ignited with fervor.
Swish—
The former family head raised his sword high.
Though gaps appeared unlike his previous solid stance—with the tip pointed straight at the sky.
Rumble—
At the same instant, the internal energy permeating the surroundings suddenly grew heavy, bearing down oppressively.
As the pressure of his presence intensified—erasing even the thought of exploiting those gaps in a flash of white—the former family head's eyes snapped open.
Then, the thin blade, which appeared utterly ordinary, swallowed the sun overhead.
Slash—
In one breath, it erased the world.
It felt as though only the sword existed alone in a pure white realm devoid of all else.
The true manifestation of a hegemon.
“This sword is truly...”
Having manifested the scenario he had dreamed of even in sleep, the former family head muttered unwittingly.
“The Emperor's Sword.”
As the world returned, the lake came into view—split in two.
Splash—
Gazing down at the lake where even the dirt bottom was visible, the corner of Cheonhwi's mouth twisted.
“......A swordsmanship that never retreats—no, cannot retreat.”
An intriguing swordsmanship.
Though he had offered the advice himself, this was a utterly mad technique.
A straight-line sword with no path of retreat.
All his internal energy poured into a single form, its trajectory utterly simplistic.
Frankly speaking, it was riddled with flaws—gaps aplenty, amateurish to the core.
Other masters would dismiss it as worthless.
But.
'That's why it's strong.'
A master like him had excluded all else, infusing only the intent to overwhelm his foe into that single sword strike.
'It still has rough edges, but if refined step by step and properly completed, it'll become a truly fearsome swordsmanship.'
Meanwhile, savoring the lingering resonance of the swordsmanship he had just unleashed, the former family head sheathed his blade.
“Have I finally reached that sword of my dreams?”
His face was etched with fatigue from expending his internal energy, yet his expression was utterly refreshed.
Watching the lake—split in half, then swiftly restoring to its original state—he approached Cheonhwi and bowed his head.
“I have received profound instruction.”
A flicker of surprise showed in Cheonhwi's eyes.
'Didn't expect him to bow.'
Typically, as one aged and their strength matched their years, their stubborn conviction that they were right only grew.
Yet the former family head acknowledged it.
That he had received teaching.
“I cannot even fathom how to repay this grace.”
The former family head approached and extended his hand.
“I shall not forget this favor.”
Cheonhwi found the intensity in his gaze burdensome as he gripped both hands firmly.
“Were you planning to forget?”
“Hahaha. As if.”
The former family head burst into hearty laughter.
He was a man to his liking.
Were he not a Mount Hua Sect Taoist, he would have gone to any lengths to forge blood ties with one of his own.
'Being friends with Jingyeong is more than enough.'
As he smiled.
“Is there anything you desire?”
The same question as before.
But carrying entirely different weight.
“Martial arts.”
“Martial arts? Haha. Earlier, you used sparring as a pretext to scrutinize our techniques.”
As expected of the former family head.
He had grasped the true intent behind the duel.
“You have quite the interest in martial arts.”
“Isn't that natural for a martial artist?”
“Even so, few obsess over it like you. Most are too busy refining their own.”
The former family head paused mid-sentence and asked.
“Why do you pursue martial arts so fervently?”
Cheonhwi scratched his chin.
Why pursue martial arts?
Why, indeed.
Since when?
He traced back through his past.
Back to his previous life as the Absolute Heavenly Demon—recollecting the moment he discovered the Absolute Dominion Art—his eyes sank deeply.
'To survive.'
His voice was so low and serene that the former family head did not catch it and asked.
“What was that?”
“Just want to know every martial art in the world.”
“......Hmm. Is that so?”
The former family head tilted his head, his response dubious, but seeing the shift in Cheonhwi's demeanor, he asked no more.
“Regrettably, I cannot casually divulge our clan's martial arts.”
“Of course not.”
Cheonhwi understood.
Freely sharing a sect's martial arts was absurd.
“Instead, how about this?”
The former family head drew a plaque from his bosom.
An extremely worn wooden token, its pattern long eroded by age.
As he handed it over, he added.
“Should you encounter old fogies like me in the jianghu later, it'll prove helpful.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two days later, on the day of departure, the group exited through the main gate.
“Tsk. This is a bit excessive.”
Stepping out first and scanning the surroundings, Cheon Yu clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Typically, when guests departed, sect members would see them off.
But now?
Only the gate guards from their first day stood there alone—no escorts in sight, the scene utterly desolate.
“It is rather severe.”
Gu Gyeomwi chimed in agreement.
Glancing about, he caught sight of the gate guard, whose demeanor was far from welcoming.
Leaning against the gate, standing motionless—it seemed he cared not whether they left or stayed.
“Even if we've parted ways, we're still of the righteous factions, and they were our guests.”
Even Hyeonjin, who would normally say nothing, spoke up in incredulity.
Having endured many disappointments during their stay, he was worlds apart from his usual gentle, compassionate self.
“I never knew the South Palace Clan was so narrow-minded.”
“I'd heard their righteousness pierced the heavens since long ago, but it was all lies.”
As they began voicing their discontent one by one, in hushed tones.
“No need to let this complicate your minds. Let's make haste.”
Hyeonjin led them forward.
Just as the Plum Blossom Sword Guards, with Hyeonjin at the fore, moved to board the carriage already prepared and waiting.
Creak—
Suddenly, the South Palace Clan's main gate swung open, and two familiar faces appeared.
“Cheonhwi Sajadojang!”
“Where do you think you're going without a proper farewell?”
It was Nangong Jingyeong and the former family head.
Their appearances contrasted sharply—Nangong Jingyeong bore a bulging bundle on his back, while the former family head was empty-handed.
“That elder is the one who helped us enter on the first day...”
“More importantly, why is the South Palace Clan's second young master here?”
“Could he be seeking revenge for losing to our junior brother?”
As the group—who knew nothing of what had transpired between Cheonhwi and Nangong Jingyeong over the past four days—tensed in vigilance.
“No one here to see off the Mount Hua Sect Taoists?”
“Even if we're currently at odds with Mount Hua, isn't this a bit too much?”
“Tsk. That's precisely why I can't trust them.”
Chatting while surveying the emptiness, the two frowned deeply and approached.
“This marks our second meeting.”
The former family head scanned the group before approaching the eldest-looking Hyeonjin and offering a courteous clasped-hand salute.
“I am Nangong Hansang.”
Caught slightly off-guard by the formality, Hyeonjin naturally returned a bow.
“Hyeonjin.”
“Hyeonjin, haha. A resonant Taoist name.”
“Not at all.”
Hyeonjin waved it off and added.
“We are grateful for your help that day. Thanks to you, we entered the clan smoothly.”
“No need. It was only natural.”
Mid-sentence, the former family head glanced at the gate guard, who seemed at a loss.
“That said, I apologize for our clan's poor hospitality. In the past, we would have seen you off properly... How did things come to this...”
The former family head let out a deep sigh.
No need to look far—in his own time as family head, he had been especially attentive to guest farewells.
Yet now, this.
“Sigh.”
It was enough to bring shame to the “Righteousness Pierces the Heavens” plaque hanging above the gate.
“Truly sorry.”
He bowed his head toward Hyeonjin.
“Haha. No, it's fine.”
Hyeonjin's expression softened considerably from moments before, watching the elder bow in evident shame.
He knew not the old man's identity, but judging by the gate guard's reaction, he held considerable standing within the clan.
For such a figure to apologize with bowed head—it was only natural his prior discomfort eased.
'From this, it seems the South Palace Clan may yet endure. And Nangong Hansang... a familiar name I've heard somewhere.'
Meanwhile, ignoring the others entirely, Nangong Jingyeong rushed toward Cheonhwi but halted abruptly.
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards blocked his path.
“......Why are you approaching our junior brother?”
“Seeking revenge for that defeat?”
Catching their sharp glares, Nangong Jingyeong looked awkward and glanced toward Cheonhwi.
“I came to see off my friend, Cheonhwi Sajadojang.”
“Friend...?”
“Yes.”
The word “friend” only deepened the Sword Guards' suspicion as they glared harder.
“Cheonhwi Sajadojang. Explain.”
Nangong Jingyeong shot Cheonhwi a pleading look, as if begging for clarification.
“......I said we're not friends.”
“Why not?”
Nangong Jingyeong's face fell.
“I even prepared gifts for you.”
With that, he promptly unpacked his bundle.
Rustle—
It brimmed with items—among them, famous spirit medicines the group recognized at once.
“Hwasuwo?”
“This is ginseng...”
“Eh! Is this Hand-to-Hand Powder? This form is only from the western regions...”
After inspecting the spilled contents, he spoke.
“Quite a haul.”
Nangong Jingyeong scratched the back of his head.
“Didn't know what you'd need, so I packed everything I could carry...”
“I told him to bring it all.”
The former family head, having finished speaking with Hyeonjin, had approached unnoticed and chimed in.
“Some may prove useless, but one never knows with life's twists.”
“True enough.”
“If not needed, just discard them. He gathered it all for you anyway.”
The former family head smiled warmly.
Watching the two converse as if grandfather and grandson, the group fell into slight confusion.
“Was our junior brother acquainted with that elder?”
“He went out during our stay—must've met him then.”
“Not just the second young master, but close with such a venerable figure too. Our junior brother has surprisingly wide connections.”
As they whispered, piecing together the situation.
The former family head drew close to Cheonhwi and whispered.
“When you venture into the jianghu, conceal at least thirty—no, seventy percent of your strength.”
“Same advice as the Sect Leader.”
“Haha. As expected, the Sect Leader knows you well. Perhaps even better than I.”
The former family head laughed heartily, and Nangong Jingyeong followed suit, stepping forward.
“Thanks to you, Sajadojang, I've learned much.”
He was markedly different from the first day.
The faint anxiety gone, he now appeared calm and resolute.
“Will you visit our clan again? I'd like to show you my growth.”
“Next time?”
“Why not?”
Hm, could he visit next time?
No matter how he turned it over, there seemed no reason to return.
“Probably not.”
“You don't want to see me again?”
Nangong Jingyeong's face fell.
“The house master dislikes me.”
“House master?”
For a moment, Nangong Jingyeong failed to comprehend.
House master?
“Ah!”
Then it dawned—Cheonhwi meant his father, the current clan head.
“Hahaha.”
A hollow laugh escaped him.
Relief washed over him simultaneously.
“Then how about I visit Mount Hua? That should be fine, right?”
“I can't very well stop you.”
What could he say if the man came personally?
Not as if he could forbid it.
As if awaiting those words, Nangong Jingyeong's face lit up.
“Then I'll come calling one day.”
“Sure.”
As Nangong Jingyeong beamed in satisfaction, the former family head—who had watched quietly—added.
“When that day comes, look forward to it.”
He gazed fondly at Nangong Jingyeong, fist clenched tight.
As if he had entrusted everything to the young man.
“By then, this boy will show you his fully realized swordsmanship.”
“Now that's something to anticipate.”