Chapter 267
Chapter 267
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: Azure Firmament Invincible Sword
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Nangong Qing looked at the Nangong Family leaders entering the Huangshan Sword Hall with bewildered eyes.
It had been just one day since the news spread that a secret manual had been found on the Huangshan peak, and already the Family Head and the elders had gathered.
Everyone was dumbfounded, and a chaotic atmosphere hung in the air.
‘What in the world is going on?'
The atmosphere among the leaders, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, felt off.
Nangong Qing hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute.
"Welcome, Family Head!"
"Hmm!"
Nangong Jangcheon regarded Nangong Qing with a silent gaze.
Nangong Qing flinched under that look.
He could sense a subtle displeasure mixed into the firm, steadfast stare.
Nangong Qing quietly stepped aside.
The warriors of the Huangshan Sword Hall parted to either side and paid their respects.
The Nangong Family leaders passed them without a glance.
They were too excited by the news of a secret manual emerging in the Nangong Family's territory to notice the greetings.
"A secret manual has appeared! Is that true?"
"Hah, Huangshan has always been part of our main family's territory since ancient times, but I've never heard of a secret chamber here."
"Who in the past created a secret chamber in this place? Hmm!"
"It might not even be our family's martial art. Just because a manual came from Huangshan doesn't mean it's definitely ours."
"We don't even know if it's a supreme technique or not."
"That's why we're here to verify it, isn't it?"
The elders nodded in agreement.
Since nothing had been revealed yet, they couldn't rule out the possibility that it wasn't the family's martial arts.
Even if it wasn't the Nangong Family's techniques, a supreme art would still be welcome, though there would be some regret.
Nangong Jangcheon glanced around before turning to Nangong Qing.
"You said the first and second young masters discovered the secret chamber?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
Nangong Jangcheon's eyebrow twitched slightly.
The elders let out exclamations of admiration.
"These kinds of things keep happening to the young masters—it's like heaven itself is helping us."
"Haha, excellent."
"Lately, it seems like good fortune follows the second young master wherever he goes. Haha, how did he even know to come here!"
The elders' warm atmosphere continued.
Nangong Jangcheon quietly entered the hall master's office in the Huangshan Sword Hall, and the leaders followed in a group.
Nangong Qing let out a breath, about to chase after them.
The Seventh Elder stared at him plainly and shook his head.
"We'll handle this ourselves, so you make sure the estate's warriors don't get stirred up."
"Ah...."
"And don't let anyone in here."
Nangong Qing flinched at the Seventh Elder's quiet words but soon bowed his head.
Watching the leaders enter, Nangong Qing turned around.
"Everyone, return to your posts and strengthen the guard. No one approaches the hall master's office!"
His voice echoed as the doors to the building slammed shut.
Once inside, Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Ryong were waiting.
"Ah, you've arrived?"
"Is it true you found a secret manual?"
"Right here."
Nangong Hyeok pointed to the table. On a luxurious cloth sat a dusty booklet.
Nangong Jangcheon's brow furrowed.
He didn't examine the booklet right away and instead asked Nangong Hyeok.
"How did you find this? No, why were you here in the first place?"
"We just came to play around? Thought we'd enjoy the scenery, climbed the peak, spread out a mat to rest, and the ground felt weird. So we dug, and out it popped."
"...And there just happened to be a secret chamber?"
"Yes."
Nangong Jangcheon's eyes narrowed.
Nangong Hyeok spoke glibly and calmly, looking so innocent that no one would suspect he was lying.
But.
'This is Nangong Hyeok.'
Thinking that, his words suddenly sounded like those of a con artist.
Even that innocent tone, upon reflection, felt like a peddler hawking his wares.
Right, this kid has the makings of a swindler... Ah, my son.
Nangong Jangcheon let out a grunt and turned to Nangong Ryong.
Nangong Ryong had kept his head bowed the whole time.
"Is it true?"
"......True."
"True?"
"......It is."
Nangong Jangcheon's eyebrow trembled faintly.
'No, why isn't this one answering properly?'
It only made him more suspicious.
If he'd dealt with Nangong Hyeok once or twice before, he might have just been impressed instead.
Nangong Hyeok smirked and sent a transmission to Nangong Ryong.
[Big brother, cooperate a bit. Yeah?]
[......I am.]
[Why are you answering? Answering at all is suspicious! He's already doubting us!]
[.......]
Nangong Ryong dropped his head even lower.
Nangong Jangcheon eyed Nangong Hyeok, who was smirking.
At that moment, Grand Elder Nangong Wigeong stepped forward.
"Family Head, perhaps we should examine the manual first."
"Hmm!"
Nangong Jangcheon nodded reluctantly and inspected the secret manual Nangong Hyeok had brought.
'...It's worn.'
Even at a glance, it carried the marks of age.
But the exterior wasn't what mattered.
He scanned the title of the manual, and faded characters appeared.
Azure Firmament Invincible Sword (蒼穹無敵劒).
......What?
What kind of childish title was this?
But "Azure Firmament" symbolized the Nangong Family.
So this had to be something left by an ancestor?
Nangong Jangcheon looked up at Nangong Hyeok.
Nangong Hyeok, who had been leaning forward with narrowed eyes, met his gaze and cleared his throat lightly.
"Why?"
"......Nothing."
'The content matters more than the title.'
Nangong Jangcheon turned the cover with a serious gaze.
Heroic Dragon Soars Aloft.
The script brimmed with vitality, as if a dragon were alive and moving.
It started heavy and ended sharp.
The calligraphy alone suggested the realm of a master.
"Hmm!"
Nangong Jangcheon's eyes twitched faintly.
'It's based on our family's sword. Azure Firmament Nine Swords? No, Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword. But that sharpness and depth surpass the Azure Firmament Nine Swords.'
The formulas and details were all one step advanced from the Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword.
The formulas, diagrams, and sword principles had no flaws.
This was undoubtedly a supreme technique-level manual.
And it clearly rooted in the Nangong Family's swordsmanship.
However....
'The book's worn, but why are the characters so clear?'
They were as vivid as if freshly inked and dried.
Nangong Jangcheon rubbed the pages with his fingers.
"......"
Ink came off?
Nangong Jangcheon looked up.
His eyes met Nangong Hyeok's again, who was leaning even further forward.
A brief silence flowed.
In that silence, countless questions arose and faded.
Nangong Jangcheon pointed at Nangong Hyeok with his ink-stained finger.
"You...."
"Ehehe. You can't rub the manual like that!"
"No...."
"Aigoo, it smears, it smears."
Haa....
Whatever.
Ink or not, the formulas and explanations in the manual were real, weren't they?
Nangong Jangcheon asked Nangong Hyeok.
"Did you really discover this yourself?"
"That's what I've been saying."
"Is this the original?"
"No idea. That's all we pulled out."
As Nangong Hyeok spoke vaguely, a vein bulged on Nangong Jangcheon's forehead.
Grand Elder Nangong Wigeong, who had been watching, asked.
"Family Head! What do you think? Is it our family's martial art?"
Urgh.
Nangong Jangcheon, who had been glaring at Nangong Hyeok, groaned.
Whatever the circumstances, facts were facts.
After one last suspicious glare at Nangong Hyeok, Nangong Jangcheon nodded with difficulty.
"It seems so. It appears to be a sword art built on the Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword. The formulas and principles reach a higher realm than the Unfettered Sword, flawlessly constructed."
"Ooh!"
"A developed form of the Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword!"
"This is incredible! Can we take a look too?"
"Haha! Of course!"
The elders brightened and examined the Azure Firmament Invincible Sword.
They too knew the Nangong Family's Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword techniques.
Even if not practiced, the formulas were open to the elders.
Soon, after inspecting the manual, they widened their eyes at the formulas and diagrams.
"This, this can't be!"
"It's genuine, truly genuine!"
"Hmm! To think the Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword could evolve like this. Ha, haha!"
"Which ancestor of our clan left this manual!"
"Hah, Huangshan really had a secret chamber."
Surprise spread across the elders' faces, followed by ecstasy.
Nangong Hyeok curled the corner of his mouth as he watched the elders buzzing with excitement.
'Go ahead, inspect it all you want. Any flaws?'
Who made that?
He'd stayed up all night dismantling the Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword, reassembling it, and infusing it with the unparalleled techniques of the world's greatest.
It was the Azure Firmament Unfettered Sword reborn as a martial art infused with the supreme, peerless techniques.
Even if the Nangong Family elders examined it, could they find a flaw?
'Even the Sword King would be impressed.'
Sword King, you watching?
This is me.
Nangong Hyeok grinned wickedly.
'I'll make them train with it, even if I have to force them.'
He always played with new toys until he got bored.
Especially if it was a supreme technique.
Grand Elder Nangong Wigeong exclaimed.
"What great fortune! Great fortune! Ever since the second young master recovered, blessings keep coming to our family!"
"Indeed! Our family's power is sure to grow even stronger."
"I can't wait to study and master this!"
"Hahaha! What lucky bunch we are! Heaven is on our side!"
The elders beamed at Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Ryong.
Nangong Hyeok smiled faintly.
Heh heh, you naive fools.
Yes, rejoice and train to your heart's content.
The quiet Nangong Jangcheon spoke up.
"Can we see the place where you found it?"
Nangong Hyeok shook his head.
"We dug it up too roughly. It's badly damaged."
"There might be the high ancestor's last words or something. I'd like to know whose enlightenment it is."
"Ah, no idea about that."
Nangong Hyeok subtly turned his head toward the outside.
Everyone followed his gaze to the door.
Bang!
The door flew open, and in came Geon Cheon-hwi, Tak Hyeok-dong, and Jang Ung, covered in dirt.
Their intensity—eyes bloodshot, lips pressed tight—overwhelmed everyone.
"Oh, you guys made it?"
"Young master! We've found them!"
"Yeah?"
Huh?
Found what?
Everyone looked puzzled at the trio entering the hall master's office.
Dust rose with every step they took, clouding the interior.
Paying it no mind.
Thud!
"We've swept them all clean!"
"Kehahaha! Even the dust, all shaken off."
"See, I told you there were this many."
Their speech was stiff and awkward, but everyone's attention was fixed on the bundle placed on the table.
Atop the bundle towered booklets covered in dirt.
Nangong Jangcheon and the elders' eyes bulged.
"N-No way, all of these?"
"Th-The secret manuals... there were more than one...?!"
"Secret manuals, so many secret manuals?!"
The elders' jaws dropped.
My god.
At least ten manuals were neatly stacked, impossible not to be shocked.
It was as astonishing as discovering a gold mine in the neighborhood hill, leaving everyone speechless with mouths agape.
The shock and surprise settled quietly in the hall, sweeping through with turbulent emotions.
The Thunder Dragon Squad trio glanced nervously at the Nangong Family leaders and slowly backed away.
'Is this okay? It's a scam!'
'Dunno.'
'What if they get obsessed and go mad?'
'I said I don't know!'
Geon Cheon-hwi, Tak Hyeok-dong, and Jang Ung exchanged trembling glances before looking at Nangong Hyeok.
Nangong Hyeok smiled in satisfaction at the agitated leaders.
'Heh heh, good work.'
Falling for it hook, line, and sinker.
I'm loving this!
So this is the thrill of creation?
Their intense reactions even filled him with pride.
Nangong Hyeok's smile deepened.