Chapter 436
Chapter 436
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 436
Chapter Title: Waves (10)
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A long time passed with the new title bestowed by Namgung Won being chanted repeatedly.
The leader of Mount Zhongnan, Hwang Baek-wol, shook out his sleeves and departed.
"Let's go!"
The disciples of Mount Zhongnan awkwardly bowed toward the gathered luminaries before following behind Hwang Baek-wol as he strode away from Dangeongu.
Kyeong Hye, who had been watching them with a dry chuckle, suddenly hardened her expression and spoke.
"...Then, as the host of the Heavenly Martial Grand Assembly, I shall announce the winner of the tournament. The victors are the participants from the Righteous Martial Academy!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Invincible Sword! Invincible Sword!!"
"Sword Dragon! Sword Dragon!!!"
"Little Sword Princess! Little Sword Princess!!"
And with that, the main event of the Heavenly Martial Grand Assembly came to a close.
However, gathering so many luminaries of the martial world was no easy feat.
Naturally, a celebratory banquet followed—what they called the after-party feast.
"To honor the luminaries who graced us, the participants, and all those who cheered them on, we have prepared a modest banquet. Honored guests, please proceed to the first-floor dining hall of the main building."
Even there, cries of "Invincible Sword" echoed endlessly.
"Invincible Sword, eh? The name alone reeks of arrogance, but with the Sword Emperor's endorsement ringing true, who can argue against it?"
"Indeed. We've heard the tales of the Sword Dragon until our ears were numb, but for a lad barely past twenty to earn 'invincible' from the Sword Emperor himself... He's a true monster!"
"Not just the Sword Emperor—none of the luminaries here raised an objection... Well, except Mount Zhongnan's leader was present. In any case, it's clear the Invincible Sword has joined the Ten Great Swords of the world!"
Some snippets leaked from clusters of chatting luminaries.
But most came from the current students of the Righteous Martial Academy attending the banquet.
"Invincible Sword! Invincible Sword!! Invincible Sword!!!"
The ringleader was none other than Yin Ha-seong, leading the cadets' cheers.
"Alright! We've heard the group cheers, now let's hear some individual ones! Which dorm produced the Invincible Sword?"
"Azure Bamboo!!"
"Is that all you've got? How can you claim the Sword Dragon—no, Invincible Sword—is from Azure Bamboo with such weak voices?! Shout it again! Who are we?!"
"Azure BamboOOOOO!!!"
"Who is Azure Bamboo Hall's first member of the Ten Great Swords?"
"Eon Yong-uuuun!!!"
"Good! Now, just the Fragrant Orchid Hall cadets—shout it out!"
"...Do we have to?"
"Tsk. Student Council President Dang Jun-gi, are you saying Fragrant Orchid doesn't acknowledge it?"
"...Why does it have to go there?"
"Of course it does! Professor Chang Ryang acknowledged it! And hey! Even the former Murim Alliance Leader, the Sword Emperor, and head of the Namgung family, Elder Namgung Won..."
"Fine. Fine. In... Invincible Swooooord!!"
Conducting like an orchestra leader, Yin Ha-seong egged on the other cadets.
With all the embarrassment falling squarely on me, I kept my head down and asked Yin Ha-yeon.
"Ha-seong was frozen stiff earlier when the Southern Jiang Merchant King was around... He's completely let loose now. What wind blew in to make him like this?"
"Well, first off, he thought Kunlun had the win locked in, but it flipped, so he's thrilled."
"Besides that?"
"On the way here, the Sword Emperor pulled my father aside and praised Ha-seong a bit. Father said he did well, so that's why."
"...Just for that one word? He always grumbles to me about not enough praise."
"That's high praise from Father. Ha-seong's probably heard it fewer times than fingers on one hand."
Dang Ok-gi, who had been listening, chimed in.
"Invincible Sword. Suits you. Honestly, thinking of being enemies with Eon Yong-un... Urgh."
I shot a glare at the guy shuddering mid-sentence.
"What if we're enemies? Finish your thought."
Peng So-jin patted my head and spoke.
"The kid who used to drip snot with So-cheon has grown so much he's earning Ten Great Swords talk. This big sis has no regrets now."
"...No memory of that."
"Sure, sure."
"...Fine, say there was such a time. You were dripping snot too, sis? Wh-What's with the age gap anyway?"
"No. Yong-myeong and I were different. Just you two. Want me to ask Aunt later?"
At Peng So-jin's words,
with Namgung Yeong at the lead, my siblings all clutched their chins, staring at my face.
"...Senior Yong-un's snot-nosed days. That's precious."
My maternal grandfather approached and spoke.
"What fun tale are you all sharing?"
We all shot to our feet.
My grandfather waved us down.
"Sit. Sit. I'll sit too."
I turned to him with a question.
"With so many luminaries gathered—rare occasion—isn't there much to discuss?"
"Handed it all to Yun-yeong. Being old and sickly has perks. The nuisances tire out and leave on their own. With few days left, better hear my grandkids' heroic tales than beggars demanding coin."
At Grandfather's words, Eon Yong-myeong and I spoke almost in unison.
"Grandfather."
"Please don't say such things. It alarms even us brothers, but Mother in Jinju would be heartbroken."
"Ahem. Yong-myeong's right."
"Tch, can't even joke? Never trust an old man's talk of wanting to die. Just passing the merchant group reins to Yun-yeong bit by bit."
Dismissing our glares, Grandfather eyed the other siblings and spoke again.
"Alright, you two nags are done. Who's sharing some heroic tales? I'll pay handsomely—entertain this old man's ears. Plenty not in the newsletters, I bet?"
At that,
Yin Ha-seong stepped forward smugly.
"Elder, at the Righteous Martial Academy, anyone seeking tales comes to Azure Bamboo Hall for the first sibling, Yin Ha-seong."
Cheon Jang-ho rose as if to say what nonsense.
"Even a silkworm wrinkles before a pupa. For tales, who better than Cheon Jang-ho, beggar-for-life? I even accompanied to meet Young Cult Leader Baek Gwang-ho and delivered the wooden box to Kunlun as special envoy. Only Little Ling and I know that talk."
Then,
someone hurled a well-picked pig's trotter bone at Cheon Jang-ho.
"Wh-Which branch leader?"
Looking toward the throw, Beggar Clan Leader Gang Gol-gae stomped over fuming.
"Cheon Jang-ho, you punk! You happy right now?!"
"...Suddenly?"
"Brat! I taught the Sword Dragon Anti-Dragon Palm, and that sly old Sword Emperor nails him 'Invincible Sword'—like feeding the dog my kill! I'm raging, and you're grinning?!"
"How could I butt in?! I'm just riffraff! If you're that mad, you should've stepped up, Leader! No silver tongue, so you sat quiet?"
"What?!"
"And if anything, you're closer to a dog than Namgung Head! Feeding a dog—what dog?!"
"Fine, punk. If I'm a dog, so are you. Staff arts mean dog-hunting staff! Today, you die, I live!"
As the two began tag around the table, laughter erupted.
I sent Man-bok a subtle transmission about the Blood Cult aftermath.
[Leader. Any word from Professor No Sam? What's the status at Manyeop Mountain?]
[Seems wrapped up there. No Sam plans to head up soon?]
[Good. Recent moves by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?]
[Wondered when you'd ask. Tournament was bait too, right? Lure demon cults into folly with everyone gathered?]
[Wasn't out of the question.]
[Bottom line: no notable activity.]
[Obvious ploy.]
[Even so, luminaries away must've looked tempting. No big moves. Probably using the gap for internal cleanup.]
With the intel I'd craved, I stood and excused myself to Man-bok and Grandfather.
"You two, keep listening to their tales."
Grandfather asked,
"Where to?"
I grabbed a jar of liquor and replied.
"Hearing them gild my face makes my stomach turn. Off for a drink with Regret."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving the banquet hall, I leaped onto the roof of the corridor adjoining the main building's rear garden.
I uncorked the brought jar and carefully poured into Regret.
Gulp, gulp, gulp—
Master voiced satisfaction.
- Fine brew! Well-aged bamboo leaf liquor!
Chuckling at Master's words, I replied,
'Azure Bamboo's everyday bamboo leaf brew isn't specially good. You're just in high spirits, Master.'
- Not bad at all. Today Heaven-Splitting Sword Sect stands above those long-nosed fools, no? Knew it all along... but seeing it confirmed has its thrill. What's your take?
Master asked my feelings instead.
Mulling it over, the strongest emotion rising in my chest was fear.
'I'm afraid.'
- Of what? Some joke about fearing your own talent?
'No. Fear of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Used to read about it vaguely—powerful, sure...'
- Before? Reading? Before meeting me?
'...Ah. Yes. Sort of. Anyway. Thought it'd be strong to lead such a group with absolute loyalty. But mastering Heaven-Splitting Divine Art... the fear grows.'
Master, still buzzed, snorted.
- Hmph. Still fake. No reason to fear if you're prepared.
Hearing that,
another fear surfaced:
my promise to Master.
I'd prove Heaven-Splitting Sword supreme in his stead.
Then what of Master?
The thought slipped out.
'Stop calling me ruthless. Master, embrace desires like mine.'
Cutting to avoid idle talk, Master puzzled.
- What out of nowhere?
'They say master and disciple resemble each other. World's full of temptations. Try some desires, Master.'
- You sealed me in Regret, and now this? Beating a drum at midnight?
Moments later,
footsteps—Gong Son Mu-gyeol appeared.
"There you are. Pouring liquor into Regret, eh? Did I interrupt?"
"No. Jar's nearly empty anyway."
He leaped to my spot, pointing at the jar.
"Throat's parched. Let me have a swig."
I offered it, asking,
"What of Mount Zhongnan?"
Gong Son Mu-gyeol downed a gulp, wiped his beard, and spoke.
"Diving into sour topics right away. Nah, it'll sort naturally. Sword Emperor said it: front wave, back wave—both meet in the ocean."
"Elder as predecessor, it's wisdom. From current Alliance Leader? Too vague. Need concrete plans."
"...You kid. You're great, but lack that cute youthful charm. Act like you've roamed jianghu decades. Old soul. Just become Murim Alliance Leader."
"Pass."
"Why."
"Studies left."
"Strong excuse."
Chucking, Gong Son Mu-gyeol gazed southwest toward Mount Zhongnan.
"Mount Zhongnan no big worry? Line from demon-infested Hundred Thousand Great Mountains to Huashan: Great Mountain, Kunlun, Zhongnan, Huashan. Kunlun and Huashan firm—Zhongnan sulking won't slack demon response."
"True."
"Urgent fire out—watch, soothe. Oh, right. Langya Sword probe done. Pure intent. Problem: what to do with this kidult..."
"Where now?"
"East Province Assembly office. Came to fetch you. Finish drink—let's go."