Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Namgung So-yeon vs. Namgung Yeol
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Namgung So-yeon vs. Namgung Yeol
Namgung Yeol was a born nobleman.
He was affectionate toward his younger siblings and father, but maintained a stern expression and demeanor with everyone else.
It was his way of expressing the dignity befitting a member of the great Namgung Clan.
His neat appearance, his conduct, his archaic manner of speech.
Namgung Yeol's looks and bearing were well-known not just in Anhui, but throughout the Central Plains.
As a result, the number of young women who admired him was by no means small.
Whenever he showed his face, countless ladies would blush, trying by any means to meet his gaze.
Namgung So-yeon, being his sister, was unaware of it, but to others, Namgung Yeol was a strict and lofty young noble, as high as the heavens.
His lustrous, dark blue hair, meticulously cared-for skin, and firm muscles.
At a glance, he seemed to have lived a life far removed from actual combat, but one look at his hands and eyes revealed the truth.
The calluses formed from gripping a sword countless times and his cold, sharp gaze.
He already possessed all the qualities required of the next head of the Namgung Clan.
As proof, his title was the ‘Azure Sky Sword Dragon.’
He had proudly displayed his skills at the last Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, officially receiving the title ‘Sword Dragon’ from the Martial Alliance.
Though he had unfortunately conceded the title of ‘Divine Phoenix’ to a young female martial artist from the Diancang Sect, the fact remained that he was acknowledged as the most outstanding rising star when it came to the sword.
Im Jeoksan, the leader of the Red Axe Gang whom So-yeon had defeated with great difficulty, would not last more than a few exchanges against Namgung Yeol.
The reason he was so strong was that, unlike Namgung So-yeon, he had been taught the clan’s various secret martial arts.
He had also perfectly learned and mastered the Namgung Clan’s internal energy technique, the Azure Sky Grand Arts, unlike So-yeon.
Therefore, though he was only just past the age of twenty, his cultivation had reached the peak of the Profound Realm.
Once he achieved enlightenment, it would not be long before he entered the ranks of the Transcendent masters.
Because of this, his position within the Namgung Clan was solid.
The number of warriors who personally followed Namgung Yeol reached into the dozens, and there were many clan elders who fully supported him.
Many of the venerable elders of the Namgung Clan assessed Namgung Yeol's spirit as being similar to, or even greater than, that of a young Namgung Cheon, which spoke volumes about his skill and ability.
And now, the next head of the Namgung Clan issued a command to his only younger sister in a cold tone.
"Namgung So-yeon, as a member of this family, I will not tolerate any more trouble."
"B-Brother?"
She had only ever seen her brother tease her with playful, roundabout words, so this cold attitude felt alien to her.
But Namgung Yeol was addressing So-yeon not as his younger sister, but as the second daughter of the Namgung Clan.
"This is what happens when you wander around alone like this, getting targeted by trashy bandits. Do you have any idea how disgraceful this is? To think they dared to target us in Anhui."
His demonic, blue eyes scanned the surrounding bandits.
At that, the hesitating bandits sensed something was amiss and began to flee.
"D-Damn it!"
"Son of a bitch! No one said the Sword Dragon was coming!"
The bandits scattered, each running for their lives, but it was useless.
Warriors of the Namgung Clan, who had been waiting in the trees, descended like flashes of light, slaughtering the fleeing bandits.
*Squelch. Stab. Splatter.*
"Guaaaah!"
"Keoheok!"
"S-Save me... Guhaak!"
The bandits’ screams echoed from all directions as crimson blood sprayed through the air.
The Namgung warriors, relentlessly hunting down the bandits who fled in terror, resembled blood-soaked ghosts.
It was a one-sided massacre.
The thoroughly trained warriors of the Namgung Clan were each no different from a weapon of slaughter.
To the poorly trained bandits, they were perhaps more terrifying than actual ghosts.
Amid the chaos of screams and pained groans, Namgung Yeol focused solely on Namgung So-yeon and slowly spoke.
"Stop all this now and come home."
It was not a request or a suggestion from an older brother.
It was a command from the next head of the Namgung Clan.
"I won't say it twice."
As the atmosphere instantly turned strange, So-yeon took a step back and replied.
"I-I don't want to! Father already gave me permission for—"
"Silence. Just follow me quietly."
As Namgung Yeol strode forward, Jin Ong stepped up without thinking and opened his mouth.
"Uh, th-that is, are you from the Namgung..."
Namgung Yeol didn't even spare Jin Ong a glance as he quietly threatened him.
"This is Namgung Clan business. If you do not step aside, I will consider it interference and take your head."
His chilling threat was like the edge of a blade, making Jin Ong feel as if a sword's tip was pressed against his throat.
"....."
Jin Ong, with his weasel-like face, quickly turned and retreated.
With bandits being slaughtered all around her, So-yeon felt an immense fear of her approaching brother.
[This one's the real deal. The aura he gives off is on a different level.]
Even the Black Moon Sword seemed to sense Namgung Yeol's fierce presence and acknowledged his skill.
"D-Don't come any closer!"
So-yeon reflexively raised her sword and pointed it at Namgung Yeol.
Seeing this, Namgung Yeol's expression grew even colder, and he stopped as his sister had demanded.
The tip of So-yeon's sword was trembling.
Her brother had teased her before, but he had never treated her so frighteningly. He was acting like a completely different person. How could she not be afraid?
But seeing her sword, Namgung Yeol only spoke more coldly.
"Do you know what your actions mean?"
"S-So just don't come over here!"
"No, I cannot do that. This entire situation is under my control, and you too must follow my will."
When he took another step forward, So-yeon unleashed her sword energy.
"I said, don't come any closer!"
To reveal her sword energy to her brother was an unthinkable act.
Especially toward the next head of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Yeol let out a short, dry laugh at the sight and said.
"Do not do things you cannot handle."
So-yeon replied, her voice on the verge of tears.
"...Y-You can just let me go!"
All she wanted was to learn martial arts more deeply.
It was painful that the clan restricted her training, and it was painful to be in a situation where she would die if she couldn't prove her skills because of a wicked demonic sword.
If she followed Namgung Yeol back to the clan now, she would surely be severely reprimanded, and any chance of winning her bet with the demonic sword would vanish forever.
But if she told the whole truth, the demonic sword would take her life, leaving her trapped with no way out.
So, one could not solely blame Namgung So-yeon.
However, to Namgung Yeol, who was unaware of these facts, it simply looked like his younger sister was throwing a tantrum.
It was impossible to judge who was right and who was wrong between the two siblings.
Each had their own circumstances, their own thoughts.
Contrary to his original plan, since So-yeon had defeated the bandits herself, he decided to use the final option he had hoped to avoid.
"Hoo..."
Namgung Yeol let out a small sigh and stared coldly at his sister with his blue eyes.
Meeting his chilling gaze, So-yeon flinched. Namgung Yeol spoke to her.
"You've been stubborn since you were young. Fine. If you don't wish to bend your will this time either, then I have no choice."
So-yeon watched Namgung Yeol with a tense expression.
Soon after, he spoke in a voice like a low growl.
"However, I, too, am as stubborn as you."
*Step. Step.*
He planted himself firmly in the path Namgung So-yeon wished to take.
*Whooosh.*
A cool wind blew, rustling the blades of grass.
Dark storm clouds swallowed the bright sun, creating an ominous atmosphere.
Namgung Yeol and Namgung So-yeon faced each other, the wind blowing from the side.
The Namgung Clan warriors, having finished off the bandits, had surrounded the two, holding their positions firmly.
Namgung Yeol, with a fierce yet coldly subdued aura, said to So-yeon.
"If you have no intention of bending your will, then defeat me and pass."
*Saaaa.*
While the blades of grass swayed in the wind, he stood ramrod straight, blocking his sister's path.
"Words and actions are meaningless without power. Show me that will of yours."
His resolute tone contained a mix of anger, sadness, pity, and dignity.
He lamented this situation where he had no choice but to fight his only sister, but since neither would bend their will, he could think of no other way.
He thoroughly concealed these feelings and thought to himself.
'Little sister. I cannot think of any other way to persuade you. Forgive this foolish brother of yours.'
He gripped the sword, still wet with the blood of the bandit sub-chief, and slowly pointed it at his sister.
He hoped she would understand his feelings, his inability to send her into the harsh world of the martial arts.
But Namgung So-yeon had her own reasons.
So-yeon felt her heart pound in her chest.
Her entire body grew hot with extreme tension.
The Namgung warriors in their dark blue uniforms surrounded her and her brother like a wall, so her gaze was fixed solely on Namgung Yeol.
The demonic sword, watching this unfold, spoke in a sneering voice.
[Kukuk, this should be interesting. If you win this time, I will back down without a fuss. So, steel your resolve to fight for your life.]
At those words, Namgung So-yeon's eyes widened, and she looked down at her Black Moon Sword.
So flustered was she that she forgot the others watching and spoke in a small voice.
"I-Is that really true?"
[Of course. Did I not say? I do not tell lies.]
At his answer, So-yeon's lips trembled into a smile without her realizing.
"Ha, haha..."
Hearing that the contract of death that tormented her might finally end, she hardened her resolve.
Unlike a moment ago when she was trembling in fear, So-yeon now radiated a fierce aura as she unleashed her sword energy and spoke.
"Brother, I will absolutely win."
Her words about winning were a double entendre, meant for both the demonic sword and Namgung Yeol.
Hearing his sister's response, Namgung Yeol's face contorted as he unleashed his own blue sword energy and replied.
"So, you've chosen this path after all. Then you had best be prepared. I will not go easy on you just because you're my sister."
And so, the master of the demonic sword and the Azure Sky Sword Dragon charged toward each other.