Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Namgung Seo-hui (3)
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Cheon Muryang followed Namgung Seo-hui.
By the time they reached the midway point of a nearby mountain, Namgung Seo-hui suddenly headed for a cliff.
“Huh?”
Before he could say a word, Namgung Seo-hui threw herself off the edge.
“You lunatic!”
Cheon Muryang rushed forward.
Then, he heard a laugh from below the cliff.
“……?”
“Down here, over here.”
He looked down.
There was a protruding ledge below the cliff.
“Hoo.”
Cheon Muryang descended to the ledge.
It was quite spacious; this must have been the clearing Namgung Seo-hui had mentioned.
“See? I was right, wasn't I?”
“……Not bad.”
Except for the fact that one misstep would send you plummeting down the cliff.
The panoramic view of West Lake was a breathtaking sight.
“How did you ever find a place like this?”
“I enjoyed the view of West Lake from here.”
For a fleeting moment, a hint of loneliness passed through her eyes.
Cheon Muryang didn’t ask what it was.
“……”
“Well then, shall we cross swords?”
A smirk.
Cheon Muryang smiled.
“Anytime.”
The words had barely left his lips when Namgung Seo-hui drew her sword.
The sound of the blade scraping against the scabbard was sharp.
*Kiiik!*
The sword she unleashed shot straight toward Cheon Muryang in a direct line.
It wasn't a blow he couldn't block.
However, Namgung Seo-hui’s sword accelerated once more in mid-flight.
“……!”
*Kaang!*
He blocked it.
However, Heavenly Light had only made it halfway out of its scabbard.
“Not bad.”
“We’re just getting started.”
Namgung Seo-hui charged again.
Her steps were so light they could be described as refreshing.
However, Namgung Seo-hui’s eyes were blazing with intensity.
‘Those are good eyes.’
The kind of eyes a swordsman ought to have.
*Shwiiik!*
Her sword lunged at him again.
The path of the sword that Namgung Seo-hui envisioned, the path she sought to draw with her blade, was truly captivating.
‘They say the Namgung Family is the Sword King Family.’
The Namgung Family was called the Sword King Family.
The royal family of the sword. It was said that the direct descendants of the Namgung Family even learned the arts of kingship.
‘Truly, a king.’
A king must not be biased toward any side.
The Middle Path was the true quality of a king.
*Shwiiik!*
Her sword cut through the wind with great speed, but it wasn't a sword of pure speed. It was heavy, but it wasn't a sword of pure weight either.
It was a sword of the Middle Path, leaning toward no extreme.
‘She’s incorporated every possible element that can be contained within a sword.’
It wasn't the fastest sword under heaven, but it was fast. It wasn't the heaviest sword under heaven, but it was heavy.
That was the sword of the Namgung Family, the Middle Path of the Sword King Family.
*Kaaang!*
“……”
He blocked it again.
Namgung Seo-hui’s sword had stopped, which meant it was now Cheon Muryang’s turn.
However, a tremor ran down the blade of Heavenly Light and wrapped around Cheon Muryang’s entire body.
‘It’s not over.’
Her attack was predicated on the assumption it would be blocked from the start.
The moment it was blocked, Namgung Seo-hui’s true swordplay began.
*Hwiik!*
Namgung Seo-hui momentarily released her sword.
She caught the falling blade with the hand that hadn't been holding it—her left—and swung it upward.
*Paaat!*
Cheon Muryang quickly twisted his body.
However, he couldn't dodge it completely.
“……”
*Hwirik!*
Namgung Seo-hui created some distance between them.
Though it had only been a two-move exchange, she too couldn't hide her surprise.
‘I couldn’t finish him.’
When a sword is blocked, an opening naturally appears.
Her second strike was a kind of finishing move meant to exploit that opening, yet it hadn't worked.
“A fine sword.”
“……”
“However, it seems you’ve forced yourself into clothes that don’t fit.”
Cheon Muryang felt it was a pity.
The swordsmanship Namgung Seo-hui had achieved was certainly impressive, but at the same time, it looked as though she had crammed herself into ill-fitting clothes.
“Is that the full extent of your sword?”
“……!”
“If this is all you have, I’m disappointed.”
Cheon Muryang smiled.
It seemed Namgung Seo-hui needed to realize the potential she held within herself.
‘She seems to be at a crossroads.’
The sword of the Namgung Family.
Or her own sword.
She must be standing at that junction.
It meant that, depending on her choice, she would have to walk a path of the sword no one had ever walked before.
“Don’t stand there wavering. If you’re going to take the easy path, take it. If not…”
Heavenly Light shot toward the sky.
It was the stance he always took.
However, to Namgung Seo-hui, it was different.
“……!”
“Walk your own path.”
Heavenly Light struck down from above.
A rough and powerful sword strike that seemed to tear the very sky to shreds rushed toward Namgung Seo-hui.
‘My own path…’
Namgung Seo-hui hesitated.
It was because the direction the Namgung Family’s sword pursued didn't suit her at all.
‘I…’
She wanted to embrace freedom.
However, the Namgung sword was rigid, forcing her to walk only the orthodox path of a king.
‘I will walk my own path.’
That was why she had run away from home.
It was a vow, a declaration that she would walk her own path.
So, what was there to hesitate about?
*Hwirik!*
Namgung Seo-hui moved.
Her sword flowed as gently as a wave.
*Hwiiing!*
Though it clearly made contact with Heavenly Light, there was no clang of metal. Instead, there was the sound of her blade softly enveloping his.
As if drawing the Tai Chi of the Wudang Sect, Heavenly Light moved along with Namgung Seo-hui’s sword.
*Hwiiing!*
A wind blew from somewhere.
‘It’s the wind.’
Following that wind, Namgung Seo-hui’s sword soared upward in reverse.
*Kaaang!*
It was blocked.
Heavenly Light had only followed her sword; it had never lost its own flow.
“Keok!”
Thrown backward, Namgung Seo-hui coughed up blood.
However, her face looked refreshed.
“Th-this sword…”
Her breathing was ragged.
However, a strange yearning filled her eyes as she looked at Cheon Muryang.
‘What did you think of this sword?’
…is what she probably wanted to ask.
Seeing her too breathless to speak, Cheon Muryang let out a small laugh.
“It’s still unrefined, but…”
For a moment, her head drooped.
She looked disappointed.
However, one should always hear a person out to the end.
“It was a good sword.”
*Hwak!*
Her head shot up.
Cheon Muryang extended his hand.
“……”
As she took his hand and stood up, Namgung Seo-hui was overcome with an indescribable emotion.
‘I’ve been acknowledged.’
No one in her family had ever acknowledged her sword.
She had entered the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly to gain recognition for her sword.
However, all she was left with was the title of Sword Phoenix.
‘For the first time…’
It was the first time.
The first time someone had looked at her sword without any prejudice.
“Don’t hesitate.”
“……Yes.”
Unaware of her inner thoughts, Cheon Muryang was preoccupied with the idea of inviting her to the Cheon Family.
‘She’ll be a help to everyone, not just Woryeong.’
He knew the path of the sword was endless, so simply showing them her sword would be beneficial.
‘She’ll grow even stronger from now on.’
The unbent phoenix had only just begun to bloom.
He wanted to watch over that path.
‘You’ve gained a new opportunity without even realizing it. So, you must prove that I was right.’
Even if it only ended up benefiting the Namgung Family, it didn't matter, as they were fellow walkers on the path of the sword.
“Good. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
Although she must have sustained a rather deep internal injury, she looked perfectly fine.
It was likely because she had advanced so much that she seemed like a different person from before the duel.
‘It’s almost frightening.’
Cheon Muryang shrugged and continued.
“Shall we get going then?”
“Yes.”
For some reason, she seemed to have become more docile.
As they were climbing back up the cliff.
Cheon Muryang gazed at the view of West Lake that filled his eyes.
“The sun is setting.”
“Ah…”
The sight of West Lake dyed in the sunset was truly a spectacle unmatched under the heavens.
“Let’s go catch the Lustful Demon defiling that lake.”
“Yes. I’d like that.”
Was it a coincidence?
Her face, tinged by the sunset glow, appeared to be blushing red.
* * *
After returning to Hangzhou, the two agreed to make their own preparations and begin their operation at the designated time.
“Hmm…”
Cheon Muryang knew nothing of high culture.
However, he had observed it from the side, and it seemed the time had come to finally use that knowledge.
‘To think those memories would be useful.’
The scoundrel Cheon Muryang had been a pig.
Perhaps because of that, Cheon Muryang had a surprisingly good eye for choosing clothes.
‘I think these were the kinds of clothes he wore.’
Of course, being overweight, he never had the figure to pull them off.
“My, my, customer! You have an excellent eye. This outfit, you see, is a brand-new arrival straight from Hebei. It’s even guaranteed by the Hebei Peng Family, it is.”
“……”
That was undoubtedly bullshit.
However, it was a style that the former Cheon Muryang had preferred.
“How much?”
“Well, that is…”
From the look in the owner’s eyes, he was about to get ripped off.
So, Cheon Muryang took out the token that identified him as a warrior of the Cheon Family.
“If the price isn’t reasonable, an investigation will be launched under the laws of the Cheon Family.”
“Huk!”
A grin.
“So, let’s settle on a fair price of three silver nyang.”
A moment of silence followed.
A suspicious gaze lingered, wondering if the token was a fake.
“Very well, sir.”
“A reasonable price indeed.”
The owner looked somewhat dejected.
Cheon Muryang paid the three silver nyang and changed into the clothes right there.
“Hoo… This is quite uncomfortable.”
It felt awkward.
But what could he do?
He had to become a man of culture, even if he didn't want to.
“Tsk. I need to catch him quickly.”
Cheon Muryang walked toward West Lake.
*Glance.*
“Oh my.”
Though the walk wasn’t very long, Cheon Muryang received numerous stares.
Most of the gazes came from young women, but there were also a few men with peculiar looks mixed in.
*Hwoong!*
He found himself gripping Heavenly Light each time.
But he exercised superhuman patience.
‘I must endure.’
Cheon Muryang forced an awkward smile and quickened his pace toward West Lake.
‘This is harder.’
Extreme training would have been easier than this.
Fortunately, he arrived at West Lake.
The sun had set, and the bright moonlight that rose cast a serene glow upon the lake.
“Indeed.”
The moon, West Lake, and women.
It was a place that naturally called for a refined lifestyle.
“Oh, my dear sir!”
“Hahahaha!”
However, the boisterous atmosphere was a distraction.
‘It’s noisy.’
Just as he was frowning.
At some point, he could no longer hear any noise.
“Huh?”
A silence so profound that he could hear the croaking of frogs, which shouldn't have been audible.
*Sareureu.*
The presence of someone walking toward him was distinctly felt.
‘What is it?’
Cheon Muryang’s head turned.
He saw Namgung Seo-hui walking gracefully toward him.
“……”
Her beauty was enough to leave him speechless.
Was this what they called *pyewolsuhwa*—beauty that makes the moon hide and flowers blush in shame?
As if by coincidence, the moon hid behind a cloud.
As if it could not bear to compete with her beauty.
“Interesting.”
Watching her, the only one shining amidst the countless people of Hangzhou, Cheon Muryang reined in his stirring emotions.
‘Where is he? Where is he?’
Instead, Cheon Muryang searched for the lustful energy mixed among the gazes directed at her.
Namgung Seo-hui slowly approached him.
“So you were here.”
“Ah, is it alright to approach me like this?”
“Of course. The fiend won’t make a move unless I’m next to the most handsome gentleman here, will he?”
“That’s true.”
A smirk.
Cheon Muryang smiled.
Namgung Seo-hui returned his smile.
“Ah…”
Sighs of lament flowed from the surroundings.
The two of them looked like a perfect couple, so no one dared to even think of approaching Namgung Seo-hui.
“It’s a beautiful night.”
It was then.
A nobleman appeared, walking toward them with a stylishly unfurled fan.
“Don’t you agree?”
With a bright smile, he captured the hearts of countless women.
“Ah, yes. It is indeed a very fine night.”
Cheon Muryang smiled as he greeted him.
The Thousand-Faced Lustful Demon, who was feigning a cheerful smile.