Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Namgung So-yeon - Black Moon Sword (3)
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The reason Namgung So-yeon had been crying so sorrowfully was simple.
Her father didn't understand her.
The talk of non-interference between officials and martial artists was, in truth, just an excuse.
She simply loved learning the art of the sword, and she wanted her father to understand that passion.
This obsession with the sword and martial prowess was likely a strong trait from the Namgung blood flowing through her veins.
She admired the previous clan head, who, with his overwhelming swordsmanship, had been called the Sword Sovereign.
A legendary figure who had reached the dreamlike Profound Realm and brought the Demonic Path to its knees with his destructive power.
Namgung So-yeon, too, wanted to master the weapon known as the sword, just like the Sword Sovereign, and enter a state of absolute transcendence.
But her father, Namgung Cheon, insisted the times had changed, constantly teaching her things she had no interest in, like unimportant etiquette and military strategy.
To her, it all seemed like a waste of time.
She believed that as a member of a martial clan, all she needed to do was train diligently in martial arts.
Whose opinion was correct depended on one's perspective, so neither could be said to be absolutely right.
However, Namgung Cheon’s judgment was quite rational and forward-thinking.
He intended to raise his daughter not as a brute who only knew how to swing a sword, but as a mature, cultured individual well-versed in both literary and martial arts.
But ignorant of her father's heart, So-yeon was busy crying like a child.
The Black Moon Sword, having listened to all of this in silence, scolded Namgung So-yeon.
[How foolish.]
Startled by the talking sword, So-yeon let out a scream, but it didn't cause any major issues.
The Namgung warriors waiting outside simply assumed she was upset from the severe scolding she had received from the clan head.
"H-how can a weapon talk...?!"
Flustered, she stammered and muttered to herself.
Watching her, the demonic sword spoke in a heavy, atmospheric voice.
[To be surprised by something so trivial. It seems the prestige of the Namgung has fallen quite a bit since I last saw it.]
At the insult to her clan, So-yeon’s expression hardened in an instant.
"What are you! How can a weapon talk! And what do you know about our Namgung Clan to dare run your mouth!"
She was the only daughter of the Namgung Clan, which reigned like kings in Anhui.
She had lived a life where she had never been slighted by anyone but her family.
So when a strange, eye-bearing sword suddenly began to insult her, she couldn't help but regain her senses, no matter how flustered she was.
[One question at a time.]
"...What are you? How are you speaking?"
The Black Moon Sword slowly closed and opened its eye, then revealed its identity.
[Show some respect. I was... a Law Enforcement Elder of the great Heavenly Demon Cult.]
Normally, one would follow this with their name and title, but it hadn't thought that far ahead, making the explanation a bit clumsy.
However, So-yeon, deeply shocked at the mention of the Demonic Cult, could only react with astonishment.
"The, the Heavenly Demon Cult?!!"
So-yeon had never once met a figure from the Demonic Path in her life.
But since the cult was so infamous, she was, of course, not ignorant of its evil reputation.
A brutal group of murderers led by the Heavenly Demon, the lord of all fiends, and seven great evils known as the Seven Demons.
She had grown up hearing countless stories of how the Central Plains would be drenched in a storm of blood whenever they emerged.
The root of all evil, the absolute axis of wickedness.
A Law Enforcement Elder of such a demonic group would be a tremendous demon lord.
Suddenly, she recalled the words of the weapon seller when she bought the Black Moon Sword.
-That sword is a legendary demonic sword once used by a great demon lord. If you become drunk on its power, there's no telling what might happen.
'Could it be that the great demon lord is the voice of this demonic sword?'
Sensing that Namgung So-yeon was piecing something together, the Black Moon Sword spoke immediately.
[Hoh, do you know something?]
"Were you... the first owner of this sword?"
[Hmm, I don't know how you figured it out, but you're quite sharp.]
The Black Moon Sword already knew she had guessed based on what its colleague (Hyeon-a) had said beforehand, but it pretended not to know.
[Indeed. This sword I am trapped in was once the weapon I wielded.]
"G-gasp...!"
With her still-innocent mind, she believed him completely.
Of course, it would have been difficult for anyone to be deeply suspicious in such a bewildering situation.
"How on earth did you end up like this...?"
[That is none of your concern. What is important is that you now hold me in your hand.]
At that moment, the Black Moon Sword's purplish-black eye emitted a deep glow.
-Kiiiiing
A dark energy began to flow out, streaming directly into the body of Namgung So-yeon, who was holding the sword.
"H-hyaa?"
Greatly surprised, So-yeon quickly tried to let go of the weapon, but it was no use.
Her own arm was gripping the weapon tightly, refusing to release it.
In that moment, she began to lose control over her body and convulsed violently.
"Huuuuk!"
[Your body is now mine. Surrender it.]
The power of greed ran rampant, swallowing So-yeon whole.
As she was completely consumed by the dark energy, her violently trembling body soon went limp.
A moment later, her quietly closed eyes shot open.
The pupils that held the blue internal energy of the Namgung were gone, replaced by purplish-black demonic eyes.
"Kukukuk, this body is superb. Young blood and an excellent lineage. A supreme vessel."
The Black Moon Sword, having taken over Namgung So-yeon's body, let out a wicked laugh, clenching and unclenching its fists to check the body's condition.
"My whole body was aching from being trapped in a hunk of metal for so long. This is perfect. Girl of the Namgung. I will make good use of your body."
Just as the Black Moon Sword, having stolen So-yeon's body, was about to take a step.
-Thump
"Keuk?"
Her blue energy resisted, defying the Black Moon Sword's will.
The rampaging power of greed clashed with the dominant power of the Namgung.
Because of this, the Black Moon Sword, which had seized So-yeon's body, was forced to its knees, blood trickling from its lips.
"Damn it, this brat...!"
The suppressed inner will of Namgung So-yeon hadn't done anything specific, but she fully understood what was happening.
'The Namgung blood within me is rejecting its power!'
Barely maintaining consciousness within her stolen body, she hastily tried to reclaim it.
The more she struggled, the more control over the body returned to So-yeon.
"Keeeeuk! You dare defy the power of a Law Enforcement Elder of the great Heavenly Demon Cult?"
-Nonsense! This is my body! Give it back!
She fought back even more fiercely, trying to reclaim her body.
Eventually, its power completely rejected, the Black Moon Sword had no choice but to retreat.
"Keuk, to think you could shake off my power. But I will not retreat empty-handed!"
The Black Moon Sword, still in Namgung So-yeon's body, grabbed the collar of her clothes and tore it open.
-Rip
Her full breasts were revealed, along with her fine skin.
Seeing this, So-yeon cried out in horror.
-You pervert! What do you think you're doing with my body?!
"Kukuk, girl of the Namgung. Don't think this is the end."
A deep demonic energy seeped into the center of her chest, drawing a mark.
The completed mark was none other than the character for 'Demon.'
The character 'magic' was inscribed within a small circle.
-You, what are you doing right now...!
As she screamed, the Black Moon Sword answered in a grim voice.
"Kukuk, as long as this mark exists, you will have to keep me by your side. If you ever move far away from me, this mark will activate, and you will die on the spot."
A moment later, the mark, which had been glowing an intense black, gradually faded and seeped into her skin.
It became invisible to the naked eye, but the brand was now engraved within her body.
"Go on, struggle all you want. In the end, you will submit to me."
With those parting words, the Black Moon Sword relinquished control of the body back to Namgung So-yeon.
Like a puppet whose strings had been cut, So-yeon's body went limp.
A moment later, So-yeon regained her body and her senses.
"Hieeeek!"
She shrieked and fell on her bottom.
She immediately checked her bare chest, looking for the black symbol.
Fortunately, nothing was visible to the naked eye, but she instinctively knew that something had been carved there.
Terrified, she stared at the Black Moon Sword lying before her and cried out.
"Y-you bastard! What did you do to my body?"
The demonic sword's purplish-black eye glinted as it licked its lips.
[A pity. Had I taken that body, I could have returned to the world. But it is only a matter of time.]
"You think you can get away with this? I'll have you melted down right now...!"
[You would be wise to abandon such foolish thoughts. Do that, and the mark planted in your body will take your life.]
"What?!"
The Black Moon Sword laughed wickedly.
[Your life is in my hands. So do not do anything foolish. I am letting you live because you are a vessel for my body, but if you try any tricks, I will kill you instantly.]
"Hi-hieeeek!!!"
Her face filled with terror, she despaired.
"W-why are you doing this to me?!"
[A stupid question. Is that even something you need to ask?]
The demonic sword let out a wicked laugh and answered in a grim voice.
[Did you not choose me? Therefore, I have simply chosen you as well.]
Only then did she regret her actions.
'I've made a terrible mistake!'
Fooled by its mystical aura and appearance, she had swallowed poison.
With a face on the verge of tears, Namgung So-yeon thought of her father.
Just moments ago, she had been filled with anger and resentment because he had scolded her so harshly, but now that a real danger had appeared, she wanted to run to him immediately.
But if she did, she felt she would lose her life because of the demonic mark engraved on her body.
She had already cried her heart out earlier, but tears were welling up again.
With tear-filled eyes, So-yeon cautiously asked.
"Uh, Sir Demonic Sword? Great Hero? Lord Black Moon? C-could you please just let me go? I'm sorry...! I'll never even look at a demonic sword again...."
She clasped her hands together, begging for mercy.
The thought of either dying like this or having her body stolen someday was too terrifying to bear.
However, such a weak display only served to provoke the demonic sword.
[Kukuk, not a chance. Be grateful that I am letting you live for now.]
"..."
When she first confronted the demonic sword, she had been loud and defiant, but now her spirit was completely broken.
With a tear-streaked face and an expression as if she had lost the world, she stared blankly at the demonic sword before slowly rising to her feet.
Then, she trudged over to her bed and collapsed onto it, sobbing.
"Hic, sob..."
[Are you crying again?]
"Hic, sob... I'm finished... Hic."
Her body shook as she soaked the bed with her tears.
[A disgraceful sight, hardly believable for a daughter of the Namgung Clan. Is death so frightening to you? The Namgung warriors I crossed swords with never showed fear, even with death before their eyes.]
Even as the demonic sword mocked her, she, seized by fear, only muttered to herself.
"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry... Hic, I think I'm going to die soon..."
Her state was so pitiful that even the demonic sword replied with a slightly awkward tone.
[Hey, I said I wasn't going to kill you right now. Is it really something to be so disheartened about?]
But his words didn't seem to reach her as she continued to mutter to herself.
"I'm finished. I never even got to date properly, and now it's all over. Uwaaah."
Watching Namgung So-yeon, the demonic sword thought to itself.
'Wait, what's with her mental state?'
The Black Moon Sword had thought she was mentally strong.
Seeing her confidently state her opinion and refuse to bend her will, even in front of the powerful clan head, it had thought she was a strong person.
That was why it had tried a little poke to test out a new function, but her condition was far worse than expected.
Thus, its tone softened slightly. Despite having just threatened her so menacingly, it now spoke in a placating manner.
[Er, what was I saying... Hmm. Don't be so pessimistic. You have the blood of the Namgung, don't you? I will continue to threaten you to take over your body, but, well, isn't it possible for you to resist my power to some extent?]
But in its sudden attempt to change roles, the demonic sword's words became tangled.
It uttered a strange sentence that was neither a threat nor comfort.
However, no words seemed to be reaching her at the moment.
"Hic, all I wanted was to learn swordsmanship. Why did this happen... hic... Is this the end for me? There's still so much I haven't done for my younger siblings..."
[...Something has gone wrong here.]
The demonic sword thought to itself as it watched So-yeon with a grim expression.
'Carving the mark was purely for show; it doesn't actually have any power... Should I just tell her?'
It seemed it had misjudged its strength and hit her too hard.