Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Sword Queen (1)
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The schedule of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly continued.
However, Cheon Muryang, who should have been at its center, was nowhere to be seen.
For a day, people thought nothing of it.
But when one day turned into two without him appearing, some began to feel that something was amiss.
“Where is Young Lord Cheon?”
“That’s what I was wondering.”
“It’s strange for him to just disappear like this.”
“…”
Amidst the clamorous atmosphere.
The group led by Namgung Sang-hyeok was not at the center of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, but tucked away in a corner.
Of course, they were surrounded by a swarm of those who curried favor with the Namgung Family.
“Young Lord Namgung, it seems that scoundrel has suddenly secluded himself.”
“…”
“He must have realized it. What he has done.”
They were all disgruntled.
It was because their invitations had lost their meaning.
“Indeed. An Assembly this disorderly and chaotic. I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing.”
“This is no better than a marketplace.”
They clicked their tongues as if they were worried about a broken tradition.
However, Namgung Sang-hyeok, at the center of it all, wore a cynical smile.
“But they’ll find out eventually.”
A quick glance.
Namgung Sang-hyeok’s eyes briefly shifted to where the disciples of the Nine Great Sects were gathered.
He saw the Successor Beggar and Cheongjin mingling freely, regardless of whether their invitations were bronze or silver, along with the other disciples who shared their views.
The Successor Beggar was nowhere to be found at the moment.
“That people of the same class are bound to stick together.”
Namgung Sang-hyeok sneered at them.
In the end, the outcome would be decided at the martial tournament held on the final day of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
‘And since Cheongjin has already admitted defeat to that scoundrel…’
He had essentially been disqualified.
Therefore, Namgung Sang-hyeok was confident that he would be the victor of this Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
As long as Cheon Muryang was gone.
‘You’re dead. Aren’t you?’
Namgung Sang-hyeok was certain.
The Sword King had also secluded himself since that day; Cheon Muryang wasn't the only one who was missing.
‘Grandfather…’
That meaningful final look.
The sight of the Sword King looking as if he would not return bothered him, but Namgung Sang-hyeok shook his head.
‘When I become the Family Head, I will surely place the name of the Namgung Family above all others.’
He would place the world beneath his feet.
Somehow, he felt it would be possible, as long as Cheon Muryang was gone.
Just as he made that vow.
“Something good must have happened.”
It was then.
Paeng Dohyeok approached.
From his grin, it seemed he had sniffed something out.
“What is it?”
“What do you mean, what is it? It’s suspicious that the scoundrel hasn’t been seen for the past few days.”
A smirk.
Namgung Sang-hyeok smiled.
“Just stay quiet.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t see the need to talk about someone we’ll never have to see again.”
Paeng Dohyeok and Namgung Sang-hyeok.
The two faced each other.
Seeing Namgung Sang-hyeok’s cold, sunken eyes, Paeng Dohyeok smiled.
“I see.”
Although their relationship could hardly be called good, in this moment, they laughed as if they had been friends for decades.
“It’s a shame we won’t be able to see that scoundrel again.”
“I need the Peng Family’s help.”
“Oh?”
“You can’t be satisfied with the current state of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly either, can you?”
Paeng Dohyeok nodded.
Mingling freely with those who were not of his station did not suit his temperament.
“There’s no reason to associate with people like them, is there?”
“Indeed. So, take my hand.”
“What are you planning?”
“I’m going to return it to the original Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
“The original Dragon and Phoenix Assembly…”
Paeng Dohyeok smiled arrogantly.
It was a smile of certainty that, had things been as they were originally, Namgung Sang-hyeok would be beneath him.
“Cheongjin is still around, you know.”
“Shouldn’t you be tending to your internal injuries?”
“…”
Paeng Dohyeok’s expression hardened.
He probably hadn’t expected to have the words he’d said to Namgung Sang-hyeok a few days ago thrown back at him.
Namgung Sang-hyeok had completely healed his internal injuries, but Paeng Dohyeok had yet to fully recover from the ones inflicted by Cheon Muryang.
“Ah, I was getting ahead of myself.”
“What will you do?”
“Fine. I’ll play along.”
“…”
Paeng Dohyeok stood up from his seat.
He then continued speaking.
“Oh, right. Did you hear?”
“…?”
“About the Ice Flower of the Tang Clan.”
Flinch.
Namgung Sang-hyeok’s shoulders twitched.
Why was she being brought up?
“Turns out, she was once engaged to that scoundrel from the Cheon Family.”
“…”
“And that bastard apparently broke it off because he didn’t want to get married.”
“…”
Paeng Dohyeok patted Namgung Sang-hyeok’s shoulder a few times.
“Did you know?”
“Shut up.”
Namgung Sang-hyeok stared at Paeng Dohyeok with an intensity that suggested he was about to draw his sword.
“Ah, I was just curious if you knew. Well then, I’ll be off.”
Paeng Dohyeok left with a smirk.
Namgung Sang-hyeok watched his retreating back with cold eyes.
‘Once I become the Family Head… I won’t have to deal with the likes of you anymore.’
Paeng Dohyeok was the second young lord of the Peng Family.
Strictly speaking, he could not become the Family Head.
So, while they were now grouped together as the Saber Dragon and Sword Dragon, the gap between them would only continue to grow.
‘I am destined to become the Sword King.’
No, beyond the Sword King.
‘I will become the Sword Emperor.’
He would be called the Sword Emperor of the entire Central Plains martial world, not just a title used within his family.
‘And.’
Namgung Sang-hyeok’s gaze turned towards Cheongjin and the other disciples of the orthodox sects.
‘I will surpass the swords of Wudang and Mount Hua.’
Thus, Namgung Sang-hyeok realized that now was the time to act.
He projected his voice with internal energy.
He drew everyone’s attention.
“Everyone, please pay attention.”
“…?”
“Are you all going to let the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly end like this?”
The current Dragon and Phoenix Assembly was a gathering of harmony where everyone could mingle, regardless of the outcome of the tournament.
It meant having to associate with people one would not normally even share a table with.
‘Disgusting. I am on a different level from you lot.’
Namgung Sang-hyeok found it repulsive.
How could he share a table with some nobody from a nameless family?
It was unthinkable.
“Then, what is it that you desire, Young Lord Namgung?”
The object of his disgust, a nameless nobody, asked Namgung Sang-hyeok.
‘Trash that shouldn’t even be here in the first place…’
Namgung Sang-hyeok answered without even turning his head towards him.
He felt as if he might vomit from the revulsion.
“It would be nice for the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly to end in a way that satisfies everyone, but…”
“…”
“I feel that this kind of Assembly is not right.”
“Why is that?”
“Some people must have trained to the bone for this Assembly, and if everyone is treated equally like this, wouldn't it be demeaning their efforts?”
“…”
Someone must have strived to receive a golden invitation.
But if everyone received equal treatment, how would their efforts be rewarded?
It was sophistry, but it was persuasive.
After all, the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had always been run by stimulating such desires.
“Therefore, as it was in the original Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
His supporters, with whom he had spoken beforehand, stood beside him.
“I believe we must maintain a sense of formality.”
“Formality…”
Though he used the word ‘formality,’ it ultimately meant dividing everyone by class, just like the original Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
Naturally, everyone’s expression hardened.
“What is the meaning of this!”
Someone protested.
However, the warriors of the Namgung Family lined up as if they had been waiting.
The sharp aura they exuded was not something that mere fledgling martial artists could handle.
“Huk!”
This was Anhui, the territory of the Namgung Family.
Since the Namgung Family was hosting this Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, they were the absolute majority.
“W-what is this!”
More protests followed.
However, Namgung Sang-hyeok remained composed.
“The Namgung Family is the host of this Dragon and Phoenix Assembly. Therefore, how it proceeds is also under the Namgung Family’s authority. Is that not so?”
It was clearly disrespectful, but the Namgung Family possessed enough influence to smooth things over.
Furthermore, Paeng Dohyeok and the group that followed him also stood by Namgung Sang-hyeok in a show of support.
“The Hebei Peng Family also agrees.”
Finally, Cheongjin of the Wudang Sect, who had been silent, stepped before Namgung Sang-hyeok.
“It seems you wish to see this through to the end, Young Lord Namgung.”
“I do.”
Namgung Sang-hyeok wore a sneer.
“Are we not martial artists?”
“…”
Cheongjin agreed.
‘In the end, the creatures known as martial artists are trash who live for their own pride and believe that strength is justice.’
How could they be called righteous, prestigious sects?
The reality of the current orthodox martial world was that they were no different from the scoundrels of the unorthodox factions.
“If you wish to see this through so badly… I will be your opponent, Young Lord Namgung.”
Shing.
Cheongjin drew his sword with eyes that were quite different from his usual self.
No one could fail to recognize the emotion of anger.
“Unfortunately, Master Cheongjin, you are not qualified.”
“Why is that?”
“Have you not already admitted defeat to the Great Young Lord of the Cheon Family?”
“…”
“In other words, you do not have the right to challenge me, Master Cheongjin.”
“The right…”
Cheongjin laughed.
But it was true.
If anyone had the right, it should be…
Cheon Muryang.
“Then, I take it that someone who is qualified would be acceptable.”
“That is correct. If you wish to challenge me, you must first defeat Master Cheongjin.”
It was blatant sophistry.
However, because the speaker was Namgung Sang-hyeok, no one dared to call it so.
Smirk.
Believing he had seized control of the hall, Namgung Sang-hyeok drew his sword.
“Who will step forward?”
Of course, there were those who did not fear the Namgung Family.
And so, a man in the robes of Mount Hua intended to step forward in Cheongjin’s place.
[Just watch.]
“…”
That is, if not for Cheongjin’s smiling restraint.
It was then.
Someone appeared.
Thud, thud.
It was Cheon Muryang.
“Are we not martial artists? That’s a funny line.”
“…!”
Namgung Sang-hyeok’s face instantly hardened.
“H-how?”
He meant, how are you alive?
Knowing full well the meaning behind that expression, Cheon Muryang feigned ignorance and walked towards Namgung Sang-hyeok.
“Are you saying that the creatures known as martial artists are trash who live for their own pride and believe that strength is justice?”
Pfft.
Cheongjin chuckled.
He was impressed by Cheon Muryang, who openly spoke the words he could only think to himself.
“How are you… you bastard?”
“What, asking if I’m back from the dead?”
“…!”
“I guess I’m that beggar who came last year.”
The hall fell into a cold silence.
At this, Cheon Muryang gave an awkward smile.
“Not funny?”
“You…!”
Swoosh!
Cheon Muryang raised the Heavenly Light Sword and pointed it at Namgung Sang-hyeok.
Flinch!
At that moment, Namgung Sang-hyeok retreated like a startled frog, wary of Cheon Muryang.
“Such a coward.”
“…!”
“I’m not stepping up. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? Why would I ‘challenge’ you?”
Smirk.
Cheon Muryang smiled as if asking if he didn’t remember the events of that day.
“Shut up!”
Namgung Sang-hyeok’s face flushed red.
“That’s enough, brother.”
Thud, thud.
Namgung Seo-hui.
The Sword Phoenix of the Namgung Family.
She walked forward.
“Make way for the cherished jewel of the Namgung Family, the Sword Phoenix, Lady Namgung Seo-hui!”
Wherever he had been.
The Successor Beggar, acting as a full-fledged hype man, announced her arrival to all.
“…!”
Namgung Sang-hyeok’s face twisted as if he had eaten shit.
“Lady Namgung Seo-hui has something to say to you.”
Cheon Muryang raised his aura.
It was a warning to any flies that might dare to interfere with Namgung Seo-hui’s procession.
“So nobody make a move.”