Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Namgung So-yeon - Black Moon Sword (2)
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Namgung So-yeon took a deep breath and hesitated in front of the Clan Head's office.
"Hoo..."
Steeling herself, she slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
"Father, I heard you summoned me."
As she entered the room, her eyes fell upon her father, who remained silent, attending to his duties.
Namgung Cheon didn't respond, nor did he even glance her way, despite his daughter's arrival.
He simply continued with his work, completely ignoring her.
Wondering if he hadn't heard her, Namgung So-yeon announced her presence once more.
"Father, I'm here."
But still, he did not reply.
A heavy atmosphere pressed down on them.
Only then did she realize that her father was deliberately refusing to react, a tactic to pressure her.
She slowly closed the door and stood still, waiting for him to speak.
A quiet silence descended.
The stillness felt so suffocating that Namgung So-yeon thought she might stop breathing.
After a long silence.
*-Thud-*
Namgung Cheon placed a report on the desk, then lifted his head to look at his daughter.
His gaze was endlessly cold and emotionless.
To Namgung So-yeon, such a frigid look was far more terrifying than any passionate rage.
Isn't the anticipation of waiting for the teacher's rod more nerve-wracking and frightening than the actual punishment?
She felt the same way.
*Just how angry must he be to act like this?* she wondered.
Normally, when he had reason to scold her, he would raise his voice a little, but he had never been this intimidating.
As Namgung So-yeon stood there, frightened and cowed with her head bowed low, Namgung Cheon slowly began to speak.
"I heard you skipped your lessons again today and stayed out late."
"..."
"Tsk. What in the world is wrong with you?"
Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue, his tone laced with disappointment.
"Have I not told you time and again? An era is coming where martial prowess alone will not be enough to succeed."
Namgung So-yeon kept her lips pressed firmly together.
Namgung Cheon was thoroughly the head of a martial clan, but he also aimed to involve himself in politics and military affairs.
However, in So-yeon's eyes, her father's plans seemed reckless and unnecessary.
Shouldn't a martial clan confine its activities to the martial world?
The Principle of Non-interference.
The principle dictates that the Imperial Court and the martial world respect each other's domains and do not encroach upon them.
But now, this had become nothing more than a hollow phrase.
From the Imperial Court's perspective, the martial clans were no different from uncontrollable regional powers, their very existence a potential threat.
This concept first emerged after the Heavenly Demon Cult's invasion of the Central Plains.
During the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Cult, a core faction, was betrayed by the emperor and driven from the Central Plains.
They settled in none other than the Heavenly Mountains.
The followers of the Ming Cult shed tears of blood over the emperor's betrayal and vowed revenge.
They created a god to conquer the detestable Central Plains and forge a new world.
Born from the fury and vengeance of countless people was a demon sent from the heavens: the 'Heavenly Demon'.
He wielded demonic energy, a power that embodied inner evil and darkness rather than pure ki.
To punish the Central Plains, the Heavenly Demon led his demonic followers on an invasion.
The blade of vengeance, honed over a long time, was sharp enough to drive the Imperial Court to the brink of collapse.
But there were those who could not stand by and watch the horrific slaughter.
The Nine Sects and One Union and the Five Great Clans, now known as the core powers of the Righteous Faction.
They were the ones who stepped forward.
They defeated the forces of the Demonic Cult, who had been marching and slaughtering mercilessly, and drove them back to the Heavenly Mountains.
As a result, the Imperial Court, in gratitude, created the concept of non-interference to respect their influence and power.
However, this mutual respect and gratitude faded with the passage of time.
As a generation emerged that had not witnessed the Demonic Cult's invasion firsthand, the relationship between the martial world and the Imperial Court soured.
They forgot their respect for one another.
The martial world began to covet the Imperial Court's power, and the Court, in turn, grew wary of their existence.
Thus, the Imperial Court checked the martial world at every opportunity, with the martial clans being their primary target.
While Daoist and Buddhist sects were, at least outwardly, focused on spiritual cultivation based on moderate philosophies, the martial clans were solely dedicated to the advancement of their families.
Therefore, the Imperial Court could not simply stand by and watch them grow.
The Court dispatched officials to each region to keep the martial clans in check, and the Namgung Clan was no exception.
Namgung Cheon was of a generation that had grown up witnessing the Imperial Court's excessive checks and pressure firsthand.
He vividly remembered the humiliation his grandparents and father had endured.
He could never forget the memory of his father, whom he had revered like the heavens, being belittled and ridiculed by a high-ranking court official.
After that, Namgung Cheon concluded that martial strength alone was not enough to lead the clan. As soon as he became the head, he began bribing local officials to bring them under his control.
Fortunately, the Imperial Court's influence was gradually weakening, and with the Unorthodox Faction and Demonic Path running rampant, the Court became even more reliant on the martial world.
To prepare for the future, Namgung Cheon taught his children not only martial arts but also various academic subjects.
For his eldest son, who was to lead the clan, he focused on martial arts and politics.
As for his only daughter, he intended to teach her etiquette and military strategy rather than martial arts.
His plan was to marry her to a high-ranking court official to further the clan's prosperity.
But contrary to his wishes, Namgung So-yeon did not comply.
She was of a different generation.
She had never experienced the humiliation and contempt that Namgung Cheon had.
Times were changing, and the perspectives of parent and child on the world were bound to differ.
Thus, Namgung So-yeon only wanted to further her studies in swordsmanship, the one thing she was passionate about.
Namgung Cheon did not understand her feelings, just as So-yeon did not understand his.
"What on earth is the matter with you?"
"..."
"If you would just do as I say, everything would work out. What could possibly be the problem? This is all for our clan, and for you..."
"Father."
Namgung So-yeon replied, her voice trembling but filled with firm resolve.
"I am a proud member of the Namgung Clan. The martial world is a place where martial arts are the law. Is it so wrong that I wish to dedicate myself to studying them? Are you saying the Namgung are not a martial clan?"
She wasn't wrong.
But in these chaotic times, her words sounded childish to Namgung Cheon.
"The times have changed. The world is too turbulent to lead the clan with martial arts alone. The Principle of Non-interference is becoming nothing but a hollow phrase."
"As a member of a martial clan, I believe it is right to focus on martial arts."
"I am not telling you not to learn martial arts. Of course, you must. As one who carries the blood of Namgung, it is your duty. I am simply saying you must also pursue other important studies."
"It seems to me, Father, that you value these unnecessary side branches more than martial arts."
"Why are you, a young girl, spouting words that belong to the old elders of the clan?"
"Because I believe it is the right way."
"What could you possibly know to make such a judgment, you who have not even come of age?"
"I will be twenty next year. I'm old enough to know..."
"Enough. Say no more."
Namgung Cheon made no effort to hide his disappointment at So-yeon's defiance.
At first, he had intended to persuade and admonish her as a father, but as his daughter continued to resist, he decided to suppress her with the authority of the Clan Head.
"If you wish to remain a member of the Namgung Clan, you will obey my words without question."
Namgung Cheon had grown up in an environment where strict order and absolute obedience were the norm, even between parent and child.
He himself had disliked such a relationship and had not been as strict with his own children, but at this moment, he decided to be firm.
"As the Clan Head, I command you. From now on, you will diligently attend all your lessons and take the corresponding examinations."
"Father."
"Hear me out. Until now, I have coddled you because you are my only daughter, but I will not be lenient any longer."
He spoke resolutely, his expression exceedingly cold and stern.
"You do not understand because you are still young. When the time comes, you will naturally realize that your father was right. So, quietly follow my will."
"..."
Namgung So-yeon's eyes grew moist.
Seeing her body tremble slightly, Namgung Cheon's heart softened a little.
She was the apple of his eye, yet their conflicting wills had forced him to raise his voice. He, too, felt uneasy.
So, he spoke in a slightly gentler tone.
"...It is late. Go back to your room and rest."
"..."
Namgung So-yeon slowly turned and left the office.
Left alone, Namgung Cheon sat in his chair, closed his eyes, and thought quietly.
*'This is all for the future of our Namgung Clan. She may not understand now because she is young, but she will understand me when she is older.'*
Namgung So-yeon barely held back her tears as she headed straight for her room.
As she walked down the corridor, she saw the Namgung warriors standing guard.
The thought that they must have heard her being scolded by her father filled her with shame.
Unable to show even tears in front of them, she quickened her pace.
Only after entering her room and throwing herself onto the bed did she finally unleash her pent-up frustration.
"Uwaaahhh..."
Burying her face in the bed, she let out a rather comical sobbing sound, but to her, the situation was deadly serious.
She had been scolded so harshly by her father that she felt utterly humiliated; she couldn't possibly be in her right mind.
[Pathetic.]
Just then, it seemed as if a voice came from the Black Moon Sword, which had been tossed onto the bed.
"Hic?"
Sobbing loudly, she shifted her gaze to the Black Moon Sword.
She was certain she was alone in the room, so hearing a voice struck her as bizarre.
With a sense of disbelief, she slowly picked up the Black Moon Sword and stared at it.
"...Did I... mishear?"
Having cried so much, So-yeon's voice was nasal, and she sniffled.
Then, as she slowly drew the sword to examine it more closely.
*-Shing-*
"Huh?"
Above the hilt, at the base of the blade, a violet-black eye had opened.
Her mind went blank for a moment. So-yeon stared at the demonic eye before sheathing the sword again.
A moment later.
*-Shing-*
She drew the sword again and met the gaze of the violet-black demonic eye.
"Oh."
Sensing something was wrong, she repeatedly sheathed and unsheathed the Black Moon Sword.
When she first bought the weapon, there had just been a black orb, not an eye like this.
She blinked, wondering if she was seeing things, but the strange eye remained embedded in the blade.
"Why... is there... an eye here?"
The demonic sword spoke to the stammering, bewildered So-yeon.
[Stop acting so foolishly.]
Hearing that voice, Namgung So-yeon remained expressionless for a moment, then her face slowly contorted in horror.
Finally, as the reality of the situation dawned on her, Namgung So-yeon let out a scream.
"Aaaaaahhh!"