Chapter 22
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: A Purpose for Wielding the Sword
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Within the grounds of the Elders' Council stood an octagonal pavilion known as Cheonhak Pavilion.
Though man-made, its unique charm made it a favorite haunt of the Third Elder.
*Trickle.*
As always, a fine table of drinks was set before the Third Elder.
However, contrary to the tranquil atmosphere.
The Third Elder’s expression was stone-cold.
“What do you mean by that!”
The Third Elder roared in fury.
*CRASH!*
His right hand slammed down at the same time, shattering the unfortunate table.
Yet, the subordinate kneeling before him did not flinch.
“…It is just as I reported.”
*Grit!*
Even after smashing the table, the Third Elder’s rage was unquenched, and unlike his usual self, he could not maintain his composure.
He looked nothing like the Third Elder who was respected for his benevolence.
“The Azure Mist Spirit Fluid is gone?”
“Yes. We investigated everyone who was in the So-eung Warehouse that day.”
“Then who! Who could have taken it!”
“According to testimony, the Great Young Lord entered the warehouse first. It seems that at that time…”
“How dare he!”
It was Cheon Muryang again.
The Third Elder found the Great Young Lord, who frequently thwarted his plans, to be a nuisance.
“After all the years I've worked on this!”
The Third Elder had used the Master of the Golden Pavilion and the Head of the Inspection Corps to intentionally siphon funds flowing into the Cheon Family.
The perfectly laundered funds were used in various ways, but the Third Elder's greatest effort was poured into securing the Azure Mist Spirit Fluid.
“That scoundrel Great Young Lord has ruined everything.”
The Azure Mist Spirit Fluid was an elixir among elixirs, a priceless treasure.
That was why it had taken even the Third Elder years to finally secure it.
“I had finally managed to obtain it secretly without being discovered…”
The Third Elder bit his lip, grinding his teeth.
“He's an eyesore. A complete eyesore.”
The Great Young Lord, who had been nothing but a scoundrel, seemed like a different person.
“What is the Great Young Lord doing?”
“He has made no moves.”
“…”
“He remains cooped up in the training grounds, just swinging his sword.”
*Tap.*
*Tap, tap.*
The Third Elder's index finger twitched.
Knowing this was a sign that he was deep in thought, his subordinate waited quietly.
“What troubles you so?”
*Stop.*
The Third Elder's finger stopped.
It was because of someone who had just appeared.
“Elder…”
The one the Third Elder called 'Elder'.
“Yes. What is it that worries you so?”
He was a man permitted the title of Supreme Elder.
The Supreme Elder of the Cheon Family, Cheon Jungho.
The moment he appeared, the Third Elder's subordinate bowed his head and quietly departed.
“It's just that…”
“If it's about the Great Young Lord, do not worry.”
“Pardon? W-what do you mean?”
“Come now. You will understand when the time comes. Let's have a drink; it's been a while.”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
The Third Elder's demeanor was cautious.
He was worried that information about the Azure Mist Spirit Fluid might have leaked.
Before long, a new table of drinks was set.
*Trickle.*
The Third Elder respectfully poured the drink.
“By the way, Third Elder.”
Before he could finish pouring, a chilling aura swept over them.
“…!”
The Third Elder's body froze completely, unable to move.
*Overflow!*
The cup overflowed.
Yet, the Third Elder could only watch motionlessly.
“You're not harboring any other thoughts, are you?”
The Third Elder's heart sank.
Sensing the danger, he was gripped by the fear that he might die.
*Gulp!*
Cheon Jungho was more than capable of such a thing.
“Th-that is…!”
“Haha, why so tense? It makes you look like you truly are harboring other thoughts.”
Cheon Jungho's aura dissipated.
With that, the Third Elder was finally released from its grip.
“You're right. Hahaha.”
The Third Elder's awkward smile lingered for a long time afterward.
* * *
A few days passed.
Cheon Muryang, who had been engrossed in his training, suddenly felt that the Heavenly Light Sword was weightless.
“Ah…”
With a short gasp, he realized that he and the sword were one.
It was a sensation he had never experienced, not even in his past life as Nameless.
*“Do you know what your biggest problem is? It’s that you have no purpose for wielding the sword.”*
Cheon Seonhak had said so in the past.
Indeed, the Nameless of the past had wielded the sword to repay his debt to Cheon Wigang, but that was all.
‘Serving the infamous scoundrel, Great Young Lord Cheon Muryang, it's no wonder.’
But things were different now.
He now had a clear reason to become stronger, and people he wanted to protect.
‘For myself. And to protect them.’
And so, he took up the sword.
And the sword did not betray Cheon Muryang's wish.
*Fwaaa!*
The boundaries of the world collapsed.
The sword became Cheon Muryang, and Cheon Muryang became the sword, blurring the line of his true self.
*Whoooosh!*
Only one thing was clear.
Whether sword or Cheon Muryang.
Something was moving forward.
It was a sword dance toward eternity.
*Whoosh!*
Along with the clear cry of the Heavenly Light Sword.
Cheon Muryang completely shattered the wall he had only ever leaped over in the past and moved forward.
*Flash!*
Cheon Muryang opened his eyes.
His eyes were filled with brimming internal energy.
And Cheon Muryang saw the azure sword energy dwelling within the Heavenly Light Sword.
“It resembles the sky.”
It was the sword energy of the Azure Sky.
Cheon Muryang had never seen such a pure and clear sword energy.
“Ah.”
That wasn't all.
Perhaps because of his deepened enlightenment, he could feel the will of the Heavenly Light Sword.
“I can hear your voice.”
The sword was not a tool.
It was a being with a will of its own.
“And I can feel your yearning as well.”
He wasn't the only one who wanted to become stronger.
The Heavenly Light Sword also harbored a yearning to become a more complete being.
*Whoooosh!*
The method was simple.
To break countless famed swords.
Through this, the Heavenly Light Sword's own status would rise.
“Right. If there are swords born as masterpieces, then there must also be masterpieces that start from the bottom.”
*Whoosh!*
The yearning of the Heavenly Light Sword did not feel foreign at all.
In fact, Cheon Muryang thought that the life of Nameless, a being who had lived without a name, and the life of the Heavenly Light Sword, which had met a scoundrel Great Young Lord as its master, were somehow similar.
“I will make you shine as well.”
It will stand taller than any other famed sword.
Just as he, too, would stand tall over the world.
The sword's will became Cheon Muryang's will, and their wills overlapped, becoming one.
“Is this the Unity of Sword and Self?”
The Unity of Sword and Self was a state that not even all masters who reached the highest realms could attain.
It could only be achieved with a deep understanding of and affection for the sword.
Even a master who had reached the Transcendent Realm could not be certain of achieving the Unity of Sword and Self.
“To break through the wall and achieve the Unity of Sword and Self at the same time…”
Cheon Muryang felt the abundant internal energy coursing through his entire body.
By breaking the wall, the size of his dantian had expanded, so the total amount of internal energy he could wield was different from before.
“Now… I can do it.”
Cheon Muryang had obtained the rare elixir, the Azure Mist Spirit Fluid, but had been unable to use it. Now, things were different.
He would surely be able to absorb the energy of the Azure Mist Spirit Fluid.
“Hm?”
As Cheon Muryang pondered when to consume it, he suddenly sensed a gaze upon him.
It was Woryeong.
She stopped swinging her sword and approached him.
“What is it? What's wrong?”
“Y-Young Master? That sword just now…”
Woryeong was astonished.
Cheon Muryang's sword appeared even grander than when it had first cut the sky.
“Ahh… that?”
Cheon Muryang let out a small laugh.
He already knew that Woryeong's eyes were special.
“What did it look like to you?”
“I-it was… as if you had become a sword yourself, Young Master…”
“Yes. That's called the Unity of Sword and Self.”
“The Unity of Sword and Self…”
Since she had started learning the sword, Woryeong could truly appreciate the immense effort Cheon Muryang had put in.
Everything was the fruit of his labor.
“You truly are amazing, Young Master.”
“Thank you.”
Woryeong was the only one who had seen him without any prejudice from the very beginning.
“It's all thanks to you.”
“What did I do? I haven't done anything.”
“Learning the sword.”
“Pardon?”
“Isn't it hard?”
“It was difficult at first, but now it's fun. It's like… I can feel something surging up from within me?”
He was certain.
Woryeong was destined to wield a sword.
“I'm glad.”
“Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“You should rest for today.”
Woryeong was always concerned about Cheon Muryang.
Then and now, it was Woryeong who watched from the side as he was always the first to arrive at the training grounds and the last to leave.
“Hmm… Perfect timing. I was planning to head in early today anyway.”
“Really? Then shall I make that for you? It's been a while.”
“That?”
“Stir-fried mushrooms.”
*Grumble.*
Was it a coincidence?
The moment he heard that, thunder rumbled in Cheon Muryang's stomach.
It seemed his body remembered the taste.
“That sounds great.”
“Yes! I'll go on ahead then. Don't be late!”
“Ah, right. I'll be there soon.”
Watching Woryeong's back as she already ran off into the distance, Cheon Muryang simply shrugged.
“Shall I get going.”
A day of rest wasn't a bad idea.
He needed time to absorb the Azure Mist Spirit Fluid anyway.
‘When I have enough power.’
Only then would Cheon Muryang make his move.
At that time.
‘Not the Master of the Golden Pavilion and the Head of the Inspection Corps…’
The mastermind hiding behind them.
‘I will uncover the true nature of the Elders' Council.’
As Cheon Muryang was thinking this, someone approached him.
“Great Young Lord.”
It was Cha Myeonghak.
The reason for his visit was clear.
He must have heard from Neung Ryeoun.
“What is it?”
But Cheon Muryang feigned ignorance.
Cha Myeonghak drove his sword straight into the ground.
*Thud!*
“I offer my sword to you, Great Young Lord. Please accept it.”
“Are you prepared for what that entails?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I accept.”
He was truly curious.
What Cha Myeonghak's sky would be like.
And so, Cheon Muryang grasped the Heavenly Light Sword with a smile.
“There's only one thing I can give you. I assume you've heard the gist of it from Neung Ryeoun?”
“Yes.”
“Good. That makes things simple. I have an appointment, so let's make this quick.”
Cheon Muryang immediately raised the Heavenly Light Sword.
Whether it was because he had achieved the Unity of Sword and Self, its sharpness shone even brighter.
*Whoooosh!*
A single cry.
With it, Cha Myeonghak faced the same infinite sky that Neung Ryeoun had.
“Ah…”
“Whatever you see, you must strive tirelessly to make it your own. If you offer your sword to me, this is the least you should do.”
Cheon Muryang smiled as he watched Cha Myeonghak fall into a trance.
“That makes two now.”
Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak.
He had gained two swords.
“No. If I include my uncle and Woryeong…”
It was five swords, including himself.
But it was by no means lacking.
It was enough.
“This is more than a fitting start.”
Two is better than one.
Three is better than two.
And five is better than three.
Cheon Muryang thought of the four people who had offered him their swords.
“I will make sure you never regret it.”
Cheon Muryang had to become even stronger.
But even that had to wait until after a meal.
“I should get going. I'll be late.”
Woryeong's food would be waiting.
So, without waiting for Cha Myeonghak, Cheon Muryang left the training grounds immediately.
How much time had passed?
Cha Myeonghak came to his senses.
“M-my sky is…”
No one was there.
“Huh?”
Cha Myeonghak looked around.
Cheon Muryang was nowhere to be seen.
“I was going to tell him it was a sky filled with thunder…”
He would have to save it for another time.
Cha Myeonghak, too, was overcome with the urge to swing his sword.
“Wait for me, Neung Ryeoun.”
Cha Myeonghak went to find Neung Ryeoun.
He intended to boast to his heart's content.