Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Namgung So-yeon - Black Moon Sword (4)
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Do you know what it takes to build muscle?
You must exercise, causing micro-tears in the muscle fibers, then allow them to regenerate with proper rest and nutrition.
Simply put, after being injured, the body grows stronger during recovery to better withstand future stress.
This process is naturally accompanied by pain, like muscle soreness, but overcoming it rewards you with a more developed physique.
This principle doesn't just apply to the body.
Unmyeong and Gwiyeong, who had grown up enduring countless hardships and battles from a young age, had tempered not only their bodies but also their minds.
They possessed the mental fortitude to face a crisis and see it as an opportunity.
Namgung So-yeon, however, did not.
She had never experienced a single real battle.
Her entire training consisted of learning swordsmanship from an instructor hired by her family.
Even her basic stamina was developed through carefully designed lessons, devoid of any harsh environments, insults, or other “painful” processes.
As a result, while her raw martial skill was strong for her age, her mental resilience was severely lacking.
Moreover, Namgung So-yeon was the only daughter of a family that was practically royalty in Anhui.
Naturally, she had never faced true adversity.
With no rival powers nearby, she had never even sparred with anyone outside her family and instructors.
Typically, martial artists of her age would grow by dueling with other sects and reflecting on their defeats. For those in the unorthodox or demonic sects, life itself was a battlefield, so their mental strength was bound to be formidable for their age.
Failing to consider this, the demonic sword had treated her the same way it would treat the Seven Demons, the highest-ranking officials of the Heavenly Demon Cult, or a major figure from the heretical factions.
It was no different from forcing a beginner who had just started working out to lift an immense weight.
From Namgung So-yeon's perspective, it was simply too much to bear.
"Ugh... what am I going to do now...? *Sob*..."
[.....]
"I'm ruined! I'm ruined...! I got caught by some weird demon... *Waaaaah*..."
Watching her, the demonic sword thought to itself with a dubious expression.
*'This... I think I chose the wrong master. How am I supposed to get anything done like this...? And she's a grown woman, so why is her mentality no different from a child's...?'*
If it had the ability to cry, the demonic sword might have shed a tear itself.
Having failed so spectacularly in choosing a master, it risked wasting the precious inner core of the Preta Path.
However, the demonic sword was also partly to blame.
With its other masters, it had only ever threatened to one day take their bodies; it had never actually done so.
But this time, it had not only genuinely taken her body but had also carved a mark (albeit a fake one) and claimed to hold her life in its hands. How could the gently-raised daughter of the Namgung Clan possibly endure that?
A threat of this magnitude would have been enough to fluster even the Sword Demon or Ghost Demon, leaving them unable to respond properly.
In other words, it should have adjusted its approach based on its opponent, but instead, it had brandished a power that even a full-grown adult couldn't withstand against a mere child.
In that sense, this could be considered an “accident.”
But the situation was so dire that the demonic sword hadn't had the presence of mind to consider that.
*'Should I just call Hyeon-a and have her retrieve the sword now?'*
It seriously considered this but soon decided to give her a chance.
*'No... Right, my role is to have fun by helping a brat like this grow. Isn't it the duty of a weapon to serve its master, even after witnessing such a pathetic display?'*
[Are you just going to keep crying pathetically?]
But to So-yeon, who didn't know the true intentions of the demonic sword that had threatened to steal her body and kill her, it was all just endlessly terrifying.
"*Sob*... No. I don't want to die like this..."
Seeing it was completely ineffective, the Black Moon Sword pondered how to restore her will.
*'It seems ordinary insults and provocations won't improve the situation. So, what should I do...'*
Just then, an idea came to it.
It recalled how So-yeon had reacted with particular sharpness when it insulted the Namgung Clan.
*'Right. She might tolerate insults against herself, but she won't stand for insults against her father.'*
It wouldn't normally resort to this, but she needed shock therapy, so it had no choice but to start insulting her family.
[Your father went to great lengths to raise his only daughter to be so healthy... and it was all for nothing.]
A jolt ran through her.
In that instant, Namgung So-yeon's trembling, crying body went rigid.
The pathetic sounds she'd been making through her tears ceased.
Realizing it was working, the demonic sword pressed on.
[You should be ashamed. Your ancestors and your father established and protected the prestigious Namgung Clan even in an era rife with death and suffering. And yet you... you're sniveling like this, scared of a single sword?]
Slowly, she turned.
Namgung So-yeon's head turned slowly, her gaze burning as she stared at the demonic sword.
[The Namgung Clan Lord seems to have lived a diligent life, but with a child like you, it was all a waste. It's clear the Namgung Clan's prestige will soon come to an end. Just look at the state of you. Your ancestors must be so proud.]
Namgung So-yeon had only just come of age.
Having grown up hearing only kind words in the bloom of her youth, she couldn't bear hearing her family insulted so suddenly.
An instinctive, explosive rage began to consume her.
How could she remain silent when it not only insulted her father, whom she revered, but also dragged her ancestors through the mud, calling all their efforts worthless?
As So-yeon's anger simmered, the demonic sword poured oil on the fire.
[I think I finally understand why the Namgung Lord only trusted his eldest son. With you in this state, he must have seen his son as the family's only hope...]
"—Shut up!!!"
She shot up from the bed and rushed toward the demonic sword.
Grabbing the sword, she shouted with a furious expression.
"What do you know?! I'm trying my best! Learning martial arts...!"
[Is that something a brat who ignores her father, skips her lessons, and goes out to play should be saying? What best? You can't even control a single sword and resort to crying. Do you even deserve to be called a martial artist?]
"That's not true! It's not!"
As if she'd never been crying, she slammed the demonic sword against the floor in a fit of rage.
*Clang!*
For some reason, the sensation felt familiar to the demonic sword, but it paid it no mind and continued its tirade.
[Why are you taking your anger out on the floor? You're the one acting like an idiot despite carrying the blood of Namgung. Blame your own incompetent, pathetic self.]
"Why am I an idiot?! I've only just come of age, and I've already reached the peak realm! There's no one as young as me who has reached such a high level...!"
[Hah, the peak realm? Is that supposed to be impressive? As the only daughter of the Namgung Clan, you must have been fed every elixir good for the body and trained by exceptional instructors, yet you only managed to reach the peak? In our Heavenly Demon Cult, anyone who receives that much support and only makes it to the peak is treated like trash. You piece of trash.]
A vein throbbed on her fist.
As Namgung So-yeon clenched her fist, a vein bulged.
"You... you...!"
[I wish someone like you had been the head of the Namgung Clan back in my prime. The Central Plains would have fallen into the hands of our Heavenly Demon Cult long ago. What a shame. Why don't you hurry up and become the clan head now and turn Namgung into some third-rate, pathetic family? Hmm?]
"Aaargh! Shut up! I said shut up!!!"
[To have learned all of Namgung's secret arts and still only be at the peak... You are the very definition of incompetent.]
"I didn't learn them! No, I couldn't learn them! The secret arts of my family! I wasn't allowed to learn them!!"
[Now you're lying? How pathetic.]
"Aaargh! The family's secret arts aren't taught to daughters! Why! Why won't you listen to me?!"
[Hmm? Not even to a daughter of the direct line? What's the reason?]
The demonic sword, unfamiliar with the traditions and rules of the martial clans, had no way of knowing.
"Are you asking something so obvious, you crazy demon?! It's because the secrets could be leaked if I get married!!!"
[Ah, is that so? I didn't know. Well, from the looks of it, it would be useless even if you did learn them. You lack the skill and talent to master them properly anyway...]
"Aaargh! Aah! Aaaaaargh!!!"
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
Unable to contain her rage, she slammed the demonic sword down several times.
To be honest, anyone watching a grown woman throwing a tantrum like that would think she was a bit slow.
[Are you that furious?]
"Would you just stand there if someone insulted your family?!"
Once the atmosphere was right, the demonic sword made a proposal in a sinister voice.
[Then, how about a wager with me?]
"A wager...? You're trying to trick me again...!"
[You will prove your own skill and strength. Without your family's help.]
"What?"
Namgung So-yeon asked, looking a little flustered.
"H-How am I supposed to prove it?"
[It doesn't matter what you do. If you can prove your strength and skill alone, without the help of your family, I will withdraw without a fuss. However.]
In that moment, the demonic sword's dark purple eye glinted with a treacherous light.
[If your weakness and incompetence are revealed, I will take your body. What do you say?]
She listened quietly before speaking, as if it were unfair.
"N-No! There's nothing in it for me!"
[You'll get your life and freedom.]
"Hey, that's too much! You're not risking anything, are you?!"
[Wrong.]
The demonic sword's eye flashed sharply as it replied.
[To withdraw means the annihilation of my will. It means I am betting my life, just as you are. As a reward for your proof, you will obtain a demonic sword whose will has vanished.]
At those words, the look in So-yeon's eyes changed.
A wager with both their lives on the line.
And the outcome of that wager depended entirely on her own abilities.
[Kukuk, you seem quite interested.]
The demonic sword met her gaze and asked.
[So, what will it be? Will you prove your worth?]