Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Namgung So-yeon - Black Moon Sword (5)
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Namgung So-yeon's mind may have been young, but it was not foolish.
A life-or-death wager with a demon-possessed weapon.
If her mind had been merely young, her personality frail, and her will weak, she would have fled without accepting the bet.
She might have tried to find a way out by telling her parents about her difficulties, no matter what it took.
But while she was afraid, she did not run.
It meant her mind had not yet fully matured, not that it was fundamentally flawed.
She was, after all, heir to the Namgung bloodline that had reigned like an emperor in Anhui for ages.
Her potential was ample, and though still immature, her claws and fangs were sharp.
She was filled with hostility toward the demonic sword that had threatened her life and insulted the Namgung Clan.
She wanted to fight back.
She wanted to overcome the hardship and adversity before her and grow for all to see.
The wounds she received from her immaturity were deep, but her will to rise again was not that of a mere child.
The blood of the Namgung Clan flowing through her veins was by no means thin.
She was weak only because she had never had the chance to be challenged; her innate potential was a strong will to rise again and overcome, even if it meant being broken and shattered.
Moreover, her talent for the martial arts was exceptionally high.
While not a genius among geniuses on the level of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Sword Demon, Unmyeong—a talent bestowed by the heavens—she was a genius nonetheless.
When an ordinary person dedicates a full cycle (60 years) to martial arts, they typically reach the first-rate level on average.
The term 'first-rate' itself signifies a high standing, so it is by no means weak.
Of course, as times changed, the quality of martial arts manuals available to the public improved, and better information became more accessible than in the past, leading to more people breaking through the wall to the peak level.
Even so, for a young woman in her prime to have reached the peak was something impossible without extraordinary talent.
No matter how many fine elixirs one consumed or how excellent the instructor one learned from, it could not be achieved without talent.
In the first place, one must attain an inner 'enlightenment' to cross the threshold of the peak, so it is not a state that can be reached simply by mindlessly training one's internal energy and martial techniques.
So-yeon's talent was inherited purely from the Namgung bloodline.
As long as the blood of Namgung—which had brought all the powerful clans of Anhui to their knees and wielded overwhelming authority—flowed in her body, it was impossible for her to lack martial talent.
The demonic sword's taunts, calling her incompetent and weak for various reasons, had to be seen as nothing more than nitpicking for the sake of it.
It was essentially like this.
There are times when a strict superior sees a young subordinate's outstanding achievement and, far from praising it, gives them a hard time.
Saying things like, "It was much harder in our day," "Is that all you can do after studying in comfort?" or "Are you really making a big deal out of this?"
Usually, such cases are an expression of dissatisfaction and anger stemming from an inferiority complex, jealousy, or a sense of crisis, but the Black Moon Sword's case was different.
Whatever the reason, the demonic sword was in a position where it could not praise So-yeon's achievements.
It had to provoke her, to draw out her anger and hostility.
And this psychological strategy of the demonic sword worked perfectly.
[Well? Will you prove your worth?]
Asked in a jeering tone, Namgung So-yeon cried out, her face contorted.
"Fine! But you won't use any cowardly tricks, will you? A former great fiend shouldn't resort to pettily changing his words...!"
Hearing her acceptance, the demonic sword cut her off and replied.
[I would do no such trivial thing. What do you take the Law Enforcement Elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult for? I have spent my entire life enforcing the law. Not even I am an exception to its rules.]
"..."
She had expected the great fiend of the wicked Heavenly Demon Cult to give some suspicious or cunningly confusing answer, so when she received a surprisingly straightforward reply, So-yeon was at a loss for words.
[However, you must not run away either. This is a contract between the two of us. No one else may interfere, and you must prove yourself with your abilities alone. If you break this rule...]
The demonic sword's violet eye scattered a sinister light.
[I will extinguish your life and seize your body.]
At the chilling words, So-yeon swallowed dryly and quietly nodded.
[Hmph. I thought you were a pathetic whelp, showing such unsightly tears, but it seems the blood of Namgung flows in you after all. Good.]
"What's the time limit?"
So-yeon wanted to make the contract clear, so she asked for a specific date.
[Half a year. Show me results within half a year.]
It was a period that could be considered both short and long.
Due to the ambiguous condition of proving her abilities without the clan's help, she couldn't accurately judge how much time she had.
But she knew instinctively.
That she had to do something, starting tomorrow.
"Fine. But mark my words. If I win, you disappear without a fuss. Surely a grandmaster who was once an elder of the Heavenly Demon Cult wouldn't stoop to ugly lies and excuses, right?"
[Of course. Unlike you, I do not fear death.]
To say such things as a mere clone while his main body was safe in the Heavenly Mountains—if one knew the truth, it would seem quite cowardly.
Unfortunately, however, there was no one around who knew this fact.
"Hmph, we'll see if you can still say the same thing when the time comes!"
Unlike before, she replied in a rather triumphant tone.
However, saying such things with tear stains still on her face did look a little ridiculous.
[That's all well and good, but show some respect. How dare a child speak to me so informally?]
"...Yes."
Answering in a small voice was her timid act of rebellion.
***
The next day, Namgung So-yeon faced an unexpected crisis.
An etiquette instructor was waiting in front of her room.
"My lady, I apologize, but by the clan head's orders, you are now required to attend all your classes."
"Huh?"
She wore a look of utter bewilderment.
Ordinarily, she would have taken her time to ponder and figure out how to prove her skills to the demonic sword.
But now she was told she would be learning etiquette in the morning, followed by military strategy, statecraft, and martial arts in the afternoon without a break, leaving her with no free time at all.
Normally, pushing someone with such a tight schedule is inefficient for learning and prevents proper mastery, but such concepts were unknown at the time.
Moreover, Namgung Cheon, who had decided to educate his daughter strictly, had resolved not to give her any free time.
"My lady, let us go."
"..."
And so, Namgung So-yeon was forced to follow the entire educational schedule that Namgung Cheon had arranged for the whole day.
She watched for a chance to escape, but due to the clan head's strict orders, warriors acting as guards—who were really monitors—always remained by her side.
"Where are you going, my lady?"
"My lady, you have your next class."
"My lady? That is not the way."
"Aaaaaargh!"
At one point, she screamed and tried to run, only to be caught by her older brother, Namgung Yeol.
He grabbed his sister by the collar and said with a smile,
"Little sister, trying to run away again? You still haven't learned your lesson after that scolding from Father."
"Aaaargh! Let me go! I'm really going to die if this keeps up!"
From Namgung So-yeon's perspective, the threat of death was no exaggeration.
After all, she had made a life-or-death wager with the demonic sword.
But Namgung Yeol, who knew nothing of this, simply saw his sister throwing a tantrum.
"Haha, little sister. People don't die that easily. If studying a little could kill someone, would I not already be in the ground?"
"Aaaaargh! That's not what I mean!!"
"You're all grown up, yet you act no different from our younger siblings. I heard you had etiquette lessons this morning. What exactly did you learn?"
"I'm really going to die! I'm not whining! I'm really! Going to die!"
"Hmm, this is worse than I thought."
Unable to explain the details of her situation, So-yeon could do nothing but cry out with all the sincerity she could muster.
Naturally, to those around her who were unaware of the circumstances, it just looked like she was causing trouble again.
This is why one's usual conduct is so important.
If Namgung Yeol had said the same thing with a serious face, the people around him would surely have reacted differently.
Trapped with no way out, Namgung So-yeon was forced to attend all her classes and was only released after the sun had set.
She returned to her room, utterly exhausted, and collapsed onto her bed.
Watching her, the Black Moon Sword could only sneer.
[You've certainly had a fulfilling day. At this rate, I'm sure you'll accomplish something without the clan's help. Right?]
Knowing it was sarcasm, but lacking the energy to be angry, So-yeon replied in a listless voice.
"Lord Hyeonwol, please shut up..."
Though the words themselves were insolent, she at least maintained a minimal level of courtesy.
[Hyeonwol is not my name, but the name of the weapon.]
"Then what is your original name?"
[Hmm... I can't seem to remember.]
"Then I'll just call you by the weapon's name. And you're trapped in a weapon right now anyway, aren't you? Right?"
Noticing her subtle taunt, Hyeonwol spoke in a slightly threatening tone.
[I can take your body right this instant. Is that what you wish?]
"I'm sorry."
She swallowed her pride and apologized immediately.
She did not want to go through the horrible experience of losing control of her body again.
"Sigh, what am I going to do...?"
She let out a deep sigh, lamenting her situation.
'I can't do anything like this.'
She thought long and hard about what to do, but no good ideas came to mind.
It was then.
Through the slightly open door, she heard the conversation of warriors passing by in the hallway.
“Did you hear? The Martial Alliance is holding a tournament called the 'Heavenly Martial Assembly' to recruit new members.”
“Heavenly Martial Assembly? I've heard of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, but that's a new one to me."
"They say the Alliance created it to select exceptional talents. The unusual thing is that even talents who aren't official members of the Alliance can participate. Even wandering martial artists from the fifty-five regions of the martial world."
“Hmm, that's a bit strange. Wasn't lineage one of the things the Alliance always valued?"
“Outwardly, they're calling it a 'special selection,' but isn't the real intention to hastily gather skilled individuals?”
"Hmm, it is rather peculiar."
"No one knows the full story. The only thing for certain is that skilled fighters from all over will gather in Henan for this tournament."
A moment later, the sound of their conversation faded into the distance.
Even while buried in her bed, Namgung So-yeon had heard it clearly.
"The Heavenly Martial Assembly..."
She muttered the name to herself, mulling it over.
It felt like an opportunity sent from the heavens.
At this rate, she would have been endlessly trapped by her clan, destined to lose the bet without ever getting a proper chance.
Hyeonwol, beside her, had also heard the conversation of the Namgung warriors outside, and he spoke with interest.
[Oh? For such an interesting event to occur at a time like this. What do you plan to do?]
So-yeon's answer to that question was already decided.