Chapter 91: Emperor Sword Form (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: Emperor Sword Form (2)
Even now, when he closed his eyes, the memories remained vivid.
‘My husband, I am alright. Please, do not be so sad. I will recover soon. We promised to go on a picnic with Su-ah… and Myeong-i, didn’t we?’
His wife, who had always been sickly, would try to comfort him instead.
Whenever she did, Namgung Jin-cheon would take her hand and smile.
‘We certainly shall. I have prepared so much. You will shake off this illness in no time, and we will go see the sea with the children. Did you not say you have never seen it in your life?’
To this day, Namgung Jin-cheon had not seen the sea.
He still could not shake off the memory of her struggling to breathe. He could not forget the way her hand gripped his that night, clutching so desperately it felt as if her bones might crumble.
‘My husband… My husband… I… I can’t breathe….’
He could not forget her voice, pleading for her life as she gasped for her final breaths.
He could not forget how weak the voice of his wife—who had remained so strong even in sickness—had become.
He could not forget the sound of the children crying, the warmth fading from her body, or the sensation of her skin turning cold and rigid.
After a long yet fleeting moment, Namgung Jin-cheon opened his eyes and gripped his sword.
The hard hilt felt familiar in his palm.
“Son-in-law….”
His grown daughter. The son-in-law she had brought home. Namgung Jin-cheon took in the sight of them both before parting his heavy lips.
“Always remember that martial arts are a means to harm others…. Once it is too late, they are of no use…. A sword that fails to protect what it must is utterly worthless…. Therefore, you must never be late….”
Just by the Family Head of the Namgung Clan gripping his sword, the heavens seemed to descend and press down upon the earth.
Meeting his gaze, Seo-jun swallowed hard.
“I understand.”
The Emperor Sword Form. A top-secret martial art passed down only to the Family Head of the Namgung Clan and his successor.
Seo-jun nodded, moved more by Namgung Jin-cheon’s heavy words than the weight of the technique itself.
“I will never be late.”
* * *
Only the Family Head of the Namgung Clan and his heir were permitted to learn the Emperor Sword Form.
Even without being explicitly labeled a Divine Art, no one in the Central Plains doubted its status. It possessed power befitting its fearsome reputation and served as a symbol of absolute authority.
Naturally, it was never to be revealed to outsiders. Forget outsiders—if it were passed down to anyone other than the official successor, the teacher would face the collective wrath of the elders and the masters of the previous generation.
Namgung Jin-cheon intended to bear that burden alone. Even if it meant standing against the entire world, he wanted to protect his family.
Such a man now swung his sword.
His movements resembled the imperious gestures of an emperor rather than a mere sword technique.
When the slowly moving blade fell vertically, the sky seemed to collapse; when it swept wide horizontally, the earth flipped to become the heavens.
The sword was not fast. If anything, it was terrifyingly calm.
But standing before that blade, could one truly evade it?
No. Seo-jun could say for certain.
It was impossible to escape the gaze of an emperor looking down upon the world from on high.
Most martial artists would lose control of their bodies just by being caught in that overbearing gaze.
That was the Emperor Sword Form. The sword of Namgung.
Without a single breath out of place, Namgung Jin-cheon withdrew his momentum.
“As you may have noticed…, the Emperor Sword Form can be considered an extension of the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique…. To be precise, it is the form an ancestor created after gaining enlightenment and rewriting the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique….”
Namgung Jin-cheon sheathed his sword. His eyes, which had just held the weight of the heavens, now focused on Seo-jun. For a moment, the sheer pressure made the hair on Seo-jun’s body stand on end.
“I do not know how…, but I can tell you have already grasped part of the mental imagery of the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique….”
“Oh.”
Had he seen through him while demonstrating the sword? As Seo-jun scratched his head, Namgung Jin-cheon gave a faint smile.
“It is for the better…. It will make teaching you much easier….”
With a flick of Namgung Jin-cheon’s finger, three chairs flew in from somewhere.
Namgung Jin-cheon sat first, followed by Seo-jun and Namgung Su-ah.
After a brief pause, Namgung Jin-cheon continued his explanation.
“As the name suggests, the Emperor Sword Form is a technique that embodies the image of an emperor…. While the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique seeks to contain the heavens within the sword…, the Emperor Sword Form embodies the emperor who commands those heavens….”
Namgung Jin-cheon’s Voice Transmission reached him. The oral chant, which wasn't particularly long, was instantly etched into Seo-jun’s mind.
When Seo-jun stared at him in realization, Namgung Jin-cheon nodded.
“When the concept you seek to embody changes, the framework of the sword technique changes as well…. While they share commonalities, it will feel quite different from the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique….”
Namgung Jin-cheon, who had been speaking in a steady, measured tone, looked up blankly at the sky.
“From now on, you shall train in the Emperor Sword Form alongside Su-ah…. Of course, there is no need to be strictly bound by it…. With your talent, you should be able to incorporate the essence of the Emperor Sword Form into your own martial arts….”
“Has Noona been practicing this in advance?”
“I had her memorize the oral chant, but she hasn't begun full-scale training yet…. She was simply refining her basics until you arrived….”
Seo-jun nodded. Then, remembering something, he asked.
“Would it be alright if I took a look at the other martial arts of the Namgung Clan? I’m more interested in looking at the basic techniques than anything else.”
“Do as you wish…. I will inform the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion, so speak to him whenever you like….”
“Oh, thanks.”
He was certainly decisive. Seo-jun figured he should approach the task of adding to the basic arts as if he were creating a masterpiece.
Wouldn't his father-in-law be pleased if he gave it to him as a birthday present?
‘Maybe I should prepare a Demonic Art version just in case.’
If nothing else, Demonic Arts were the absolute best in terms of efficiency. It was just the severe side effects that were the problem.
If those side effects could be reduced or entirely eliminated, no other martial art could match them in terms of growth speed.
Of course, at that point, it would essentially be considered a Divine Art.
After that, Namgung Jin-cheon chatted a bit more about personal matters before leaving.
By the time the sky was dyed red with the evening sun, Seo-jun stood up and looked at Namgung Su-ah.
“I’m going to go train right now. You coming?”
“Ah, go on ahead. I’ll wash up first.”
“You’re just going to get sweaty again, so why bother?”
“The sweat from earlier is drying and it feels so sticky, you know?”
“Ah, fair point.”
“I’ll be there soon, so start without me.”
Namgung Su-ah quickly scurried away.
I don’t smell anything, though.
Usually, people from prestigious families underwent Marrow Cleansing in their youth, so they hardly had any body odor. In some cases, they even smelled naturally pleasant.
Even Chun-bong had smelled good despite the state she was in when she lived in the back alleys.
“I don’t get it.”
Must just be a woman’s thing.
Seo-jun trudged toward the training grounds.
* * *
Seo-jun and Namgung Su-ah practiced the Emperor Sword Form together, exchanging insights as they went.
In Seo-jun’s case, he didn't face much difficulty in the initial stages of the Emperor Sword Form.
Of course, as the ultimate martial art of the Namgung Clan, he couldn't master it instantly like he usually did with other techniques. But at this rate, it seemed he could reach a high level without much trouble if he just put in the time.
Though "some time" would likely mean at least a few years… well, that was trivial. That was still incredibly fast.
The problem was the sword itself.
As the name implied, the Emperor Sword Form was a martial art fundamentally rooted in the sword.
Seo-jun had roughly bypassed that part by substituting it with internal energy, but because of that, the true power of the Emperor Sword Form failed to manifest.
He received a lot of help from Namgung Su-ah in that regard.
“Seo-jun, like this. Shed the lightness and embrace the weight. You usually swing the sword lightly, so make it much heavier than you think.”
Namgung Su-ah wrapped her arms around Seo-jun from behind, grabbing his arm and guiding it through the swing.
Whoosh—!
The air pushed by the sword strike, which contained no internal energy whatsoever, dispersed like an explosion.
Seo-jun leaned back against her, enjoying the cool breeze.
“Wow, this is comfortable.”
A high-end sofa? It couldn't even compete.
A pair of massive, soft cushions supported his back, while warmth and a gentle sensation enveloped his upper body.
Namgung Su-ah giggled.
“Should we rest for a bit?”
“I’m resting very comfortably right now.”
“Oh, you. I can’t rest like this.”
“Aha.”
Seo-jun pulled away from Namgung Su-ah and plopped down on the ground.
“I’ll watch you once before we rest.”
“Hehe, thanks.”
Seo-jun watched intently as Namgung Su-ah performed the Emperor Sword Form with her greatsword.
Namgung Su-ah used a greatsword that was much longer and heavier than the standard longswords used by the Namgung Clan. Therefore, the Emperor Sword Form needed slight modifications, and Namgung Jin-cheon had personally helped with that.
Since they were training in the Family Head’s private training grounds, Namgung Jin-cheon came out every day to assist them.
‘Radiant Namgung, truly.’
His father-in-law’s grace was as vast as the sea.
Namgung Su-ah, who had physically inherited his expansive heart, finished the form with a heavy downward strike.
“Whoops.”
Seo-jun, quickly averting his eyes from her heaving… generosity, patted his cheeks.
‘As expected of a Namgung.’
To bewitch someone just by swinging a sword. It was the absolute pinnacle of illusionary arts.
Of course, looking at her chest didn't mean he wasn't paying attention to the martial arts.
“Your swordsmanship is… well, you’re much better at it than me. But overall, the movement of your internal energy is too gentle.”
Seo-jun stood up and placed a finger on Namgung Su-ah’s lower abdomen.
“Ah….”
“Now, don’t get any weird ideas. Focus.”
Starting from Namgung Su-ah’s dantian, Seo-jun lightly traced his finger along the circulation path of the Emperor Sword Form.
“I mean… like this.”
He then infused his own internal energy into Namgung Su-ah, guiding her energy to perform his interpretation of the Emperor Sword Form.
This was only possible because Namgung Su-ah accepted Seo-jun’s internal energy without any resistance, even subconsciously.
Boom—!
The Emperor Sword Form, performed in such a way, physically weighed down the surrounding space.
Namgung Su-ah blinked at the phenomenon that had occurred naturally without her even lifting a finger.
Though the power was weak, it was unmistakably the Emperor Sword Form.
“This… it’s really amazing every time I see it.”
“Isn't this actually easier?”
“What are you talking about? It’s definitely not.”
“Okay.”
Nodding, Seo-jun continued his explanation.
“From what I see, you need to be a bit more ruthless. Your sword itself is fine, but the movement of your internal energy is too kind. Naturally, that affects your mental imagery as well.”
“Ruthless?”
Namgung Su-ah furrowed her brows.
“Haap…!”
The long greatsword sliced through the air, and—
Vrrr—
It ended with merely vibrating the qi in the air.
“Hmm… I’m not sure.”
“You’ll get it eventually.”
He wasn't just being polite. Namgung Su-ah was definitely a talented martial artist.
In fact, he had been a bit worried lately watching her train.
He didn't know what she was thinking, but she swung her sword so fiercely he feared she might die from overexertion.
It was a miracle she could maintain such a gentle mental imagery in the midst of all that intensity.
It must just be her innate nature.
“Oh?”
As Seo-jun was staring at Namgung Su-ah, she held out her palm toward the sky.
“It’s snowing.”
Looking up, he saw a few tiny snowflakes drifting sparsely down from the sky, just as she said.
“You’re right. Is it the first snow?”
“Probably?”
“Our Chun-bong loves snow.”
“I hope she comes out before the heavy snow starts. Right?”
“Yeah. I really want to have a snowball fight.”
He was confident he could win if the Namgung Clan held a snowball fight tournament.
Who could stop him if he packed snow with Yin energy and fired it like a cannonball?
As Seo-jun grinned while thinking useless thoughts, Namgung Su-ah pinched his cheek.
“You’re thinking of something weird again.”
“The weird things are what you think about every night, Noona.”
“N-no, I don’t…? Why do you keep having such strange misunderstandings?”
“If you say so.”
“I’m telling you, it’s really not!”
Pouting, Namgung Su-ah set her greatsword on the ground, sat down, and stretched.
“Mmm…! Still, it feels good.”
Seo-jun, who returned his gaze to its original position faster than anyone after it had been fixed on her prominent "Great Mountains," nodded.
“Yeah. On a day like this, we should be out playing.”
— Hyung-nim! Nu-nim!
And then, Namgung’s Capybara appeared.
“Oh, little brother!”
“You were training!”
Namgung Myeong approached as if flying and landed lightly on the ground.
For the record, this Capybara was the next Family Head of the Namgung Clan.
Seo-jun had seen him perform martial arts once, and contrary to his friendly, goofy personality, his sword was incredibly fierce.
“The Yongbong Gathering is being held at Shaolin this spring. Did you know?”
“Ah, come to think of it.”
A kind bald monk had told him about it before.
Was it Monk Hye-un? The "secret friend" monk who had thoroughly beaten his back-alley friends into bloody pulps.
Even now, he thought of him as a very kind person.
“I think I’ll be participating this time, but are you not interested, Nu-nim? This is your last chance….”
The age limit for the Yongbong Gathering was thirty. Since it was usually held every four years, Namgung Su-ah, who was about to turn twenty-eight, was facing her last possible chance to attend.
Of course, that was one thing, but Namgung Su-ah, who had recently become rather sensitive about her age, didn't take those words well.
“…Myeong-a? Did you really have to say it like that?”
“Huh? Did I do something wrong…?”
“…It’s nothing.”
She spoke through gritted teeth, so it didn't sound like "nothing" at all.
Seo-jun, who was snickering beside her, patted Namgung Su-ah on the back.
“Why don’t you go? It seems like a good opportunity.”
She seemed to have a lot on her mind lately, and it was a perfect chance for her—whose name wasn't yet well-known—to gain some fame.
Actually, he wondered if it was really okay to hold a tournament like the Yongbong Gathering while actively at war with the Black Lotus Union… but surely the folks at the Murim Alliance had their reasons?
“Hmm…. Should… I?”
“Yahoo! It’s settled!”
And so, Namgung Su-ah’s debut stage was set. Though there was still quite a bit of time left before spring.
And during that remaining time, Seo-jun planned to refine the basic arts to repay his father-in-law’s sea-like grace.
To be precise, in the form of an addition to the basic arts. Using all of his abilities.
Wouldn't his father-in-law be thrilled if he made something spectacular and gave it to him as a gift?