Chapter 78
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Dang So-hye (1)
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The Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had ended, leaving great turmoil in its wake, but its aftershocks still lingered in Suhu.
“Still so many people.”
Thus, a countless crowd still remained in Suhu, savoring the lingering excitement of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
“I mean, can you believe it?”
“The Sword Phoenix of the Namgung Family…”
“Sword Phoenix? She's the Sword Queen, the Sword Queen!”
The swordsmanship Namgung Seo-hui displayed that day had left a deep impression on countless people.
So much so that people were already starting to call her the Sword Queen instead of the Sword Phoenix.
As Cheon Muryang wandered the streets of Suhu, he frequently heard Namgung Seo-hui's name.
“Incredible.”
But that wasn't all.
“Did you hear that Taoist Cheongjin of Wudang admitted defeat to that scoundrel, the Great Young Lord of the Cheon Family?”
“As expected of the Heavenly Hero.”
“Heavenly Hero?”
Cheon Muryang tilted his head.
He had never heard the term Heavenly Hero before.
“It seems that's what they're calling you.”
The Wandering King was, surprisingly, well-informed.
After all, when you're at the tournament grounds, there are rumors you hear whether you want to or not.
“Hmm…”
He heard people calling him by the title Heavenly Hero here and there.
Cheon Muryang shrugged.
It wasn't bad.
Hadn't he already resolved to wield the sword of righteousness?
‘If I can connect the concept of a hero with the Cheon Family, it would be for the best.’
The favorable impression of Cheon Muryang would extend to the Cheon Family.
But it was somewhat amusing that everyone passing by was talking about the same thing.
“How stagnant must things have been…”
“What was that?”
“I'm saying, how stagnant must the martial world have been for them to cheer so wildly over something like this.”
“Hmm…”
Understanding Cheon Muryang's words, the Wandering King nodded.
“You have a point.”
Stagnant.
That word might have been the perfect descriptor for the current state of the martial world.
“Nothing has really changed between ten years ago and now.”
“Ten years is nothing.”
Cheon Muryang shook his head.
The Wandering King was the Wandering King ten years ago, and he was still the Wandering King now.
“It's been hundreds of years.”
The prestige of the Nine Sects One Union, like the Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect, was the same now as it was hundreds of years ago.
The system of the Nine Sects One Union had always been solid.
The emergence of the new powers known as the Ten Great Families might have created a new wave, but even that settled as the system of the Nine Sects and Ten Families solidified, causing the wave to subside.
“You're right. So, this is something new. How long has it been since a new current flowed in?”
“If they're reacting like this over something so minor…”
Cheon Muryang smiled.
The Wandering King thought that smile was truly befitting of a scoundrel.
“What are they going to do from now on?”
“…”
This was just the beginning.
Cheon Muryang intended to break through the stagnant martial world in earnest.
“It's going to get incredibly noisy from now on.”
“The martial world is in for an uproar.”
“Don't you have to overturn things once for the stagnant water to flow?”
The Wandering King nodded.
That was what the martial world was all about.
“That's why it's called the martial world.”
Rivers and lakes.
If there were only lakes, the water would stagnate and rot, but it's the rivers that allow it to flow.
“Now is the time for it to flow.”
Water that doesn't flow stagnates and rots.
A new current had to flow.
“They say the back waves of the Yangtze push the front waves.”
The Wandering King felt a sense of nostalgia.
It felt like just yesterday that he himself had rampaged through the martial world like a scoundrel, but now he was a setting sun.
“Are you already thinking of being pushed aside?”
“As if.”
But the time was not yet right.
The Wandering King believed he still had time left to run wild.
“It won't be for another ten years.”
“Ten years is nothing. You'll have to be the Cheon Family's instructor for twenty years.”
“Don't be ridiculous.”
Chuckling, Cheon Muryang quickened his pace.
“Let's hurry.”
But for some reason, the Wandering King felt a chill.
“Don't tell me he's serious…?”
The Wandering King followed behind.
Repeating to himself that it couldn't be true.
“It can't be.”
* * *
The underground training hall.
The musty smell of sweat and the coppery scent of blood mingled into an unpleasant odor.
“Hmm…”
But within it, a fierce fighting spirit was coiled like a dragon.
“Truly impressive.”
“Waaaaaah!”
Beneath the tranquil Suhu.
It was a vast space, so large one wondered how such a place could exist.
With the crowd packed so tightly there was no room to move, he could feel the festive heat of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly burning here.
“It's over there.”
“…”
The training hall was divided into several arenas, and a quick glance suggested they were separated by skill level.
Naturally, the Wandering King headed for the largest arena, located in the center.
“Oho.”
“What are you so surprised about?”
“It seems they've earned quite a bit of recognition.”
“They should be useful now.”
The Wandering King gestured with his chin.
There, a match had just ended, and a new fighter was stepping up.
“Neung Ryeoun.”
First was Neung Ryeoun.
Cheon Muryang watched Neung Ryeoun intently as he ascended to the arena.
‘Oho.’
He could tell from his gait, stride, hand position, center of gravity, and more.
‘He's grown.’
From the moment he stepped into the arena, Neung Ryeoun was already in a combat stance, and the look in his eyes was different from before.
Next, what surprised Cheon Muryang was the crowd's reaction.
“Oooooooh!”
Cheers erupted from all over, as if they had been waiting for him.
“…?”
At this, Cheon Muryang stared at the Wandering King, his eyes demanding an explanation.
A grin.
But the Wandering King beside him merely wore a faint smile.
“Just by showing up, he gets this kind of reaction?”
“Of course.”
“…?”
“Undefeated.”
“Hmm. That alone can't explain it.”
Neung Ryeoun couldn't be the only undefeated one.
“Of course not. Exactly three times.”
The Wandering King held up three fingers.
He showed them to Cheon Muryang and continued.
“And only against those judged to be strong.”
“How did he manage that?”
“It was possible because he fortunately succeeded in completely absorbing the elixir you gave him.”
“Hmm… Let's see.”
Cheon Muryang wanted to see the result.
To gauge the level of that strong opponent, Cheon Muryang faced Neung Ryeoun's adversary on the arena.
“…”
A man with a sharp, tense edge.
It meant he was rich in experience.
He had the unique scent of someone who had stood at the crossroads of life and death several times.
“What do you think?”
“He's decent.”
The original Neung Ryeoun would not have been able to handle him.
“So all three of them only fought opponents of that caliber?”
“Yes.”
Cheon Muryang nodded.
Neung Ryeoun, standing on the arena, had a much-changed impression.
‘Looks like he's overcome a few near-death experiences.’
The elixir alone could never have made him this strong.
In other words, it was only possible because of the trio's bloody efforts.
There were probably countless scars under those clothes.
“All three undefeated… Impressive.”
“They're the ones I taught. Isn't it only natural?”
Cheon Muryang smiled.
The Wandering King was truly the Wandering King.
He had produced results beyond expectations.
“You are indeed a fine instructor.”
A pause.
The triumphant smile on the Wandering King's lips vanished.
“Ah…”
“I'll be counting on you in the future as well.”
For the first time, Cheon Muryang bowed his head slightly to the Wandering King, showing his respect.
“Kh, khm.”
At this, even though he knew it was a trap.
The Wandering King had no choice but to step into it.
“L-Leave it to me.”
“Excellent.”
With a laugh, Cheon Muryang.
Watched the swordsmanship of Neung Ryeoun, Cha Myeonghak, and Woryeong.
“They've gotten stronger.”
Their growth was satisfying.
What was even more satisfying was their dissatisfied expressions, as if they still felt lacking.
‘Of course they feel lacking.’
Only by feeling one's own inadequacy can one improve.
In that sense, those three were worthy of becoming even stronger.
‘Crave more. Want more.’
They had gotten stronger.
“They're only just now becoming useful.”
“Yes. They still have a long way to go.”
They still had a long way to go.
“But they will get stronger.”
“They have to.”
Cheon Muryang smiled.
“They'll have to get much stronger to stand behind me.”
And he was certain.
That they would get stronger.
“How much more time do you need?”
“If we're to squeeze everything we can from this place, three days should be enough.”
“Three days… That's reasonable.”
“You seem to be plotting something.”
“It's because of the Tang Clan.”
“The Tang Clan…”
“Because if the Tang Clan makes a move, it won't be longer than three days.”
“Are you certain the Tang Clan will move?”
“…”
Cheon Muryang smiled instead of answering.
It was a smile that showed he was as certain the Tang Clan would move as he was that his companions would grow stronger.
“I'll be on my way.”
Left alone, the Wandering King shook his head from side to side.
“His schemes have deepened as well.”
The Wandering King laughed.
Normally, he would have advised caution against the Tang Clan, but this time was different.
“The Tang Clan should be the one to be careful.”
The Tang Clan would have to be careful.
He was curious to see how Cheon Muryang would handle the Tang Clan, but for the Wandering King, Neung Ryeoun and the others came first.
Watching the three descend from the arena after fighting exactly three strong opponents again today, the Wandering King clicked his tongue as if nothing had happened.
“Tsk.”
But, as if used to the reaction, Woryeong paid him no mind and looked for Cheon Muryang.
“The Young Lord was just here, wasn't he?”
“He was.”
“What did he say?”
“He said you still have a long way to go.”
“Hmph. Liar.”
“Ahem. I told you, you still have a long way to go.”
“I know, I know. Still, I wanted to hear a word of praise.”
Woryeong was inwardly disappointed.
“What did you learn today?”
“Ah, my judgment wasn't good.”
“Judgment, you say.”
The Wandering King smiled in satisfaction.
The growth rate of these three, who were gradually reaching maturity, was in fact tremendous, and watching them was a daily joy for the Wandering King.
“Interesting. We'll make that the theme of today's training.”
“Yes.”
“…”
Unlike Woryeong.
The eyes of Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak were deeply sunken.
“We'll be in your care.”
Seeing the two men facing some kind of wall, the Wandering King nodded.
“Right. Don't be impatient. When the time comes, you'll overcome it on your own.”
A wall.
The moment they overcame that wall.
Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak would become peak masters acknowledged by all.
“Yes.”
“Let's go.”
The three who had appeared like comets.
These three, who had not recorded a single defeat so far, were rewriting the legends of the underground fighting arena.
“Three Skies, Samcheon.”
They were individuals who each possessed a different sky.
“The Three Sky Swordsmen, Samcheon-gaek.”
Those who saw the swords of these three saw three different skies.
However, because there was a central sky, they were collectively called the Samcheon-gaek.
“You must not become complacent.”
“I know that much. That we still have a long way to go.”
Woryeong still yearned and craved to become stronger.
“Good.”
The Wandering King smiled in satisfaction.
* * *
A dark cavern.
From within, the unique, damp scent of a cave wafted out.
“Young Lord Namgung.”
Deep inside, a man and a woman could be seen.
“Lady Dang…”
It was Namgung Sang-hyeok, the Sword Dragon who once shone so brilliantly.
But now, he was nothing more than a fallen king.
*Thud!*
Kneeling, he was a pathetic sight.
The eyes of Dang So-hye watching him were nothing but cold.
“Why did you call me here?”
“Lady Dang…”
A cold tone.
It pierced Namgung Sang-hyeok's heart.
“I, I…”
“…”
“For you…”
“I admired the Young Lord who was to become the head of the Namgung Family.”
But this fallen, unsightly Namgung Sang-hyeok was nothing more than a pebble on the ground to Dang So-hye.
“But… the Young Lord before me now… is nothing.”
Since the Sword King, Namgung San, had officially supported Namgung Seo-hui, Namgung Sang-hyeok could never become the family head.
In other words, from Dang So-hye's perspective, he had no more use.
“W-What should I do?”
Having fallen into an abyss, Namgung Sang-hyeok didn't even have a straw to grasp.
Dang So-hye was all he had.
‘It's over.’
Dang So-hye licked her lips.
“Take this.”
And handed him something.
It was a pill.
“Th-This is?”
“Defeat Namgung Seo-hui and reclaim your rightful place. And…”
Dang So-hye smiled coldly.
She thought of a certain man who was likely still in Suhu, visible in the distance.
“Cheon Muryang. Kill him.”
“…!”
“You can do it, can't you?”
Namgung Sang-hyeok was silent.
Watching him, Dang So-hye walked toward the cave entrance.
*Step, step.*
“You'll have to.”
An alluring voice.
“If you wish to have me.”
It stimulated Namgung Sang-hyeok's desire.