Chapter 784
Chapter 784
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 784
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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Just because both sides had agreed to a sparring match didn't mean it would happen overnight. Plenty of preparations were needed for the event, and the Black Dragon Castle wanted a public sparring match that even ordinary folk could watch.
Their intentions were obvious. They aimed to defeat the Namgung Clan in front of a huge crowd and boost the Black Dragon Castle's reputation. Whether that plan would actually work was another question.
Three out of the five Namgung Clan participants were children of Namgung Ho-cheon: the eldest son Namgung On, the second son Namgung Jik-u, and the eldest daughter Namgung Rin. One other was from a branch family, and the last was me.
The eldest son, Namgung On, and second son, Namgung Jik-u, were training maniacs who spent most of their time in the training grounds. I'd barely crossed paths with them, let alone talked, and could count those occasions on one hand.
To prepare for the sparring match, I moved around with Namgung Rin. She'd personally asked me to help with her training. Once we finished, we could loosen up with some sex, so there was no reason to refuse.
As we headed to the training grounds together, someone appeared in front of us.
For a man, he was short—around 150 cm. About the same height as Namgung Seol. His long black hair was tied back in a topknot. His face was pale, with thin lips and phoenix eyes. He wore black robes and carried a massive cleaver sword on his back.
A warrior from the Black Dragon Castle.
"Are you the young lady Namgung Rin?"
His voice was surprisingly low and resonant, completely at odds with his small frame and the sly, snake-like impression he gave. The mismatch nearly made me burst out laughing.
"Yes, that's me. Who might you be, and why are you here? This isn't a place outsiders can just wander into."
Namgung Rin crossed her arms and shot him a cold glare.
"My apologies. I was out for a stroll and got lost in a daze, ending up here. The Namgung Clan grounds are impressively vast, almost rivaling our Black Dragon Castle. Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Heuk Jeokbyeon, the young castle lord of the Black Dragon Castle."
It was such a lame ploy it wasn't even funny.
Heuk Jeokbyeon's eyes had been fixed on Namgung Rin since he arrived. He hadn't spared me a single glance, as if I didn't exist. He'd probably come all this way just to see her.
The rumors say she's the greatest beauty in An-hwi Province, so curiosity must have gotten the better of him.
Namgung Rin looked at him indifferently and raised her left hand to point down the path.
"Head that way, and you'll get back to where the Black Dragon Castle folks are staying."
"Is that so? But since we've crossed paths like this, why not chat for a bit? It feels like fate."
"I have nothing to say to you. We're busy training for the sparring match, so please leave."
"Haha, you're as cold as the rumors say. Did you know? I'm participating in this sparring match too. We might even cross blades."
"I'll just do my best."
Irritation laced Namgung Rin's voice. Heuk Jeokbyeon flinched.
"...Young Lady Namgung. I plan to win this sparring match and propose to you properly."
"Is that necessary? Propose now. I'll even tell you my answer: I refuse."
"Our marriage would secure the future of the Namgung Clan and Black Dragon Castle."
"It'd secure your future, you mean. The thought alone makes me sick."
Namgung Rin wrinkled her nose in disgust. Even Heuk Jeokbyeon, who'd been playing the gentleman, couldn't hide his scowl anymore.
"Why are you being so prickly? I want to get along with you. To be honest, I'm smitten. The moment I saw you, I knew you were the woman for me."
"Let me be honest too. You're ugly. And above all, you're small. Short stature, small build... probably small down there too. I can't stand tiny men."
"......"
Heuk Jeokbyeon gaped. He seemed momentarily unable to process what he'd just heard.
"S-small? Yes, I'm short, but... my heart is bigger than anyone's."
"You act like a great man, but to me, you look like the pettiest sort. A true great man is... this one right here."
Namgung Rin grabbed my arm with both hands and pulled it to her chest. Her ample breasts pressed against my forearm, squishing softly. Heuk Jeokbyeon's face twisted.
"You've been there the whole time... Who are you? What's your relationship to the young lady?"
I smirked at Heuk Jeokbyeon.
"We're family. She's my sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law? Ah, so you're the son-in-law of Lady Namgung Seol. My bad earlier. I thought you were some stray dog hanging around Lady Namgung Rin."
Heuk Jeokbyeon smoothed his expression. After all, our families were connected by marriage—we were practically in-laws who couldn't wed each other.
"Stray dog? How dare you say that to Young Master Seong! Apologize to him right now!"
"...My apologies, Young Master Seong."
Heuk Jeokbyeon meekly apologized. I nodded casually. Namgung Rin hugged my arm tighter. Heuk Jeokbyeon glared daggers at me.
"Ahem. Anyway, Lady Namgung. I'm taken with you. I'll win the sparring match and propose. I'll even speak to your clan head in advance, so keep that in mind. I look forward to the day you're by my side."
"I can say with certainty: that'll never happen in this lifetime. Not even in your dreams. It's creepy."
"Haha. See you next time. I'm sure your attitude will change by then."
"Dwarf bastard."
"...I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Heuk Jeokbyeon vanished. Namgung Rin was still glaring at the spot where he'd stood, clearly pissed off.
"Gaga, is that guy right in the head?"
"Probably. You're just too beautiful; it made him rush in like an idiot. I'm just as annoyed."
In the original 'Heavenly Demon of Another World', Namgung Rin was described as one of the world's top beauties. It wasn't surprising that Heuk Jeokbyeon was acting like a fool.
"Let's head to the training grounds. Today, we need to work off that bad mood before training."
"Ahh."
I headed to the training grounds while kneading Namgung Rin's breasts.
This clueless punk dares to eye my woman? If this weren't Namgung Clan territory, I'd have killed him on the spot...
It wouldn't be possible to disguise killing Heuk Jeokbyeon as an accident during the sparring match. One rule forbade lethal strikes, and the judges—Namgung Dan-mo and O Bi-hwan—wouldn't stand for it.
Maybe ambush him on his way back to Black Dragon Castle...
???
The sparring match began in An-hwi Province's central plaza. Tens of thousands flocked to watch. This world was vast in land and population. The Jin Empire alone probably had hundreds of billions of people.
"Let the first match begin!"
Namgung Dan-mo shouted. His voice, infused with inner energy, echoed in all directions.
"Namgung Clan's Blazing Thunder Sword, Namgung On!"
The Namgung Clan's eldest son and next clan head candidate, Namgung On, ascended the stage. The people of An-hwi cheered wildly.
Among the five participants—excluding me—Namgung On was the strongest. He went first for a simple reason: to crush opponents one by one and demonstrate the Namgung Clan's might to the crowd.
"Black Dragon Castle's Black Jackal Hound, Heuk Jeokbyeon!"
Heuk Jeokbyeon leaped onto the stage with flashy footwork. The crowd jeered. The Black Dragon Castle had a notorious reputation, and this was Namgung territory in An-hwi.
Heuk Jeokbyeon ignored the boos. If anything, he seemed to revel in them, acting bold and fearless. Spotting Namgung Rin seated beside me, he waved cheerfully. She just glared back.
"Begin!"
Namgung On moved first. Crackle. Blue sword aura and lightning coiled around his blade. Heuk Jeokbyeon didn't dodge. He blocked with his massive cleaver sword, dark sword energy rippling along its edge.
"Foolish. Heavenly Thunder flows along weapons. You should've dodged, not blocked."
"No. Protecting your body with inner energy resists Heavenly Thunder."
"Even so, there's a limit. Brother On's is the best among us. I've taken it plenty myself."
"......"
I held my tongue. No need for me to explain—the results would speak for themselves. Heuk Jeokbyeon emerged unscathed.
"How...? Why is he fine? Even with inner energy protection, Heavenly Thunder should work...!"
"He didn't even use inner energy protection. Maybe he has some special artifact specialized against lightning."
"Artifacts are banned."
"Could be something else, or hidden on his body. Or he got some spell beforehand. Plenty of possibilities."
To my eyes, none of that seemed right. I recalled the original story's Heuk Jeokbyeon. He was a minor villain who got taken down by Shin Jong-woo without much fanfare or impact.
"Brother On..."
Namgung Rin clenched her fists. Unlike at the start, she looked anxious. The match had turned against Namgung On.
Heavenly Thunder isn't working, and he's being overpowered in strength. He'll lose cleanly at this rate.
Namgung On seemed aware too. He attempted reckless attacks to shift the momentum. They landed a few times, but Heuk Jeokbyeon counterattacked narrowly. His hidden tail sneaked out and yanked Namgung On's ankle, tripping him.
Heuk Jeokbyeon's blade halted at the fallen Namgung On's throat.
"Boooooo!"
The crowd's jeers exploded.
"Half-beast...!"
Namgung Rin cried out in shock.
Half-human, half-beast.
A being born between human and spirit beast. Most looked human. For reference, Mi-ryeong was one too, though her Foxkin tribe was a bit of a special case.
That tail marks him as a serpent half-beast. His pupils have turned slit like a snake's now too. No effect from Heavenly Thunder... innate lightning resistance?
This was bad.
Half-beasts were stronger than ordinary humans. Their innate power was just different. At the same realm, half-beasts had a huge edge.
The Namgung Clan side's faces hardened, gloom spreading.
"Heuk Jeokbyeon. Continue the match? Rest period is one hour. Or forfeit?"
"Haha, I'm a bit tired, but I can keep going. No need for rest—let's continue now."
Judge Namgung Dan-mo glared fiercely at Heuk Jeokbyeon before shouting.
"Dull Heavy Sword, Namgung Jik-u!"
The second son, Namgung Jik-u, bounded onto the stage eagerly. True to his moniker, he wielded a heavy, slow sword style. But the result was the same as his brother's: defeat at Heuk Jeokbyeon's hands.
"I'm still good. Send the next."
The branch family member lost too.
"Whew, getting tough now. Who's next?"
It was Namgung Rin's turn.
"...Gaga. Can I win?"
"Fight without worry. Even if you lose, I've got your back."
"Yes, Gaga!"
She took the stage. The crowd roared in cheers. In her pale blue martial robes, sword in one hand, she cut a striking figure—a beautiful swordswoman. They chanted her title, Lovely Dawn Sword.
"This is unexpected. I thought you'd be last."
"Young Master Seong is stronger than me. It's only natural I go before him."
"Haha, you trust him too much. Once I beat Young Master Seong, it'll be just as I said. Know that I'm serious."
Namgung Rin answered by aiming her sword at him.
"Begin!"
The cleaver sword slammed the ground. Namgung Rin dodged back, then targeted his flank. Heuk Jeokbyeon exhaled sharply, slithering out of the way like a serpent at the last second.
Heuk Jeokbyeon showed no mercy just because his opponent was Namgung Rin. He had no stamina to spare. He used his tail sneakily and feints to create openings.
Namgung Rin held her own fiercely. But after 20 minutes, it ended. She lost.
"Tough one. That's all for today. Tomorrow for the next... actually, given my condition, make it the day after."
"...Acknowledged."
Namgung Dan-mo grimaced but conceded. Heuk Jeokbyeon had won consecutively; there was no choice.
"Lady Namgung. You alright?"
"...Fine."
"Good. If you're free later, how about dinner at Flower Moon Tower? We can review the match—it'll help you too."
"No thanks."
Namgung Rin gave a curt reply and descended without hesitation, heading straight to me. Her sweat-drenched face was downcast.
"Young Master Seong... I lost."
"It's fine. The Namgung Clan won't lose to the Black Dragon Castle."