Chapter 352
Chapter 352
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 93
>Chapter Title: Spirit Sword Manor (2)
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Moyong Hak, the eldest son of the Moyong family, let out a frustrated sigh and whispered to Jeong Myeong, the senior monk of the Hangsan Sect.
“Whew. This is quite the pickle. We still haven’t met the most likely suspect.”
“Amitabha. Benefactor Moyong, there are many eyes and ears here. Mind your words.”
Senior Monk Jeong Myeong pressed his palms together and quietly admonished him.
The place they were heading to now was the rear garden of the guest hall in the Sword Dance Courtyard, right in the heart of Spirit Sword Manor.
Not only were there artisans of Spirit Sword Manor here, but also many guests from the martial world.
Even just those strolling in the rear garden numbered nearly thirty.
Every one of them had a sword at their waist or back—they were sword appraisers and swordsmen.
And the way they looked at Moyong Hak and the Justice Alliance warriors wasn’t exactly friendly.
The reason was simple.
“These are people who respect the former Clan Head. Don’t stir their tempers with careless words.”
“Ahem. I know.”
While some came to Spirit Sword Manor to have swords made, many others came to receive instruction on the sword from Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu.
The current Clan Head, Gu Cheon-mu, believed that the sword path had to reach a high level to produce those who could attain Sword Pinnacle, so he created a place called the Sword Discussion Hall where numerous swordsmen could exchange insights and debate their understandings.
Ever since he established it, countless appraisers had come to discuss the sword, including not only Eight Stars experts but even Justice Alliance Leader Jeong Hyeon-mun, who held one of the Six Heavens seats.
So many renowned appraisers had visited and gained enlightenment that they called the former Clan Head the Sword Sage or Sword Sovereign and paid him their respects.
In a way, he was the elder of the era’s appraisers.
“Even though we’re waiting here because there are no other experts like the Sage, this poor monk also believes the chances of him committing such an act are extremely low. So let’s be patient just a bit longer.”
“Senior Monk, my thinking was shortsighted.”
“No. In any case, we can’t just sit idle, so let’s seek guidance from Senior Ji Oe or Senior Gok O.”
Ji Oe, Gok O.
They were the guests who had stayed at Spirit Sword Manor the longest.
Ji Oe in particular had been here for over twenty years, making him quite famous in the martial world.
Unlike Gok O, who had stayed five years out of respect for the former Clan Head to seek his teachings, Ji Oe’s reason for staying was a bit different.
He remained to defeat the former Clan Head with the sword.
Yet the fact that he had stayed for over twenty years meant he still hadn’t managed to do so.
Some mocked him as stubborn, while others admired his passion.
In any case, the reason they were seeking these two was simple.
[The manor’s artisans and the former Clan Head’s sons would deny it even if one of them is the culprit.]
[Amitabha. Then what do you propose?]
[How about having Seniors Ji Oe and Gok O examine the sword marks?]
[The two seniors?]
[Yes. Though they reside here, aren’t both comparable to Eight Stars experts?]
[That’s true.]
[Moreover, having studied the former Clan Head’s sword for so long, wouldn’t they have the insight to examine the sword marks better than we could?]
[......You mean to check if the former Clan Head’s sword intent or true qi remains in the sword marks?]
[Exactly.]
They headed there for this reason, but it was questionable whether they would accept.
At least Ji Oe might be willing to entertain the request.
Of course, he acknowledged the former Clan Head as a swordsman, but his unique reason for staying gave him potential.
Upon entering the guest hall building in the Sword Dance Courtyard, they searched for the two seniors.
But by coincidence, they weren’t there.
They had assumed they’d be back by now for lunch, but they were still absent.
“Then could both still be at the Sword Discussion Hall?”
“Yes.”
At the guest hall manager’s response, the two decided to head to the Sword Discussion Hall.
In fact, most guests at Spirit Sword Manor spent their time there, except during meals, rather than the guest hall.
It was a place to discuss the sword and where the former Clan Head’s trials were held.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the same time.
The southwestern side of Spirit Sword Manor’s main compound.
A man and woman were wandering near the entrance, not far from the gate.
They were Mok Kyung-un and Ye Song-a, granddaughter of the Sacred Flame Commandery Lord.
While Mok Kyung-un walked casually and carefree, Ye Song-a’s eyes darted restlessly, scanning their surroundings.
‘Is this really okay?’
She felt deeply anxious and on edge inside.
And for good reason—they had essentially trespassed here.
Mok Kyung-un, with his keen senses, had scouted a spot with no people nearby, picked her up, and vaulted over the wall.
‘Aaaah. What if we get caught?’
Mok Kyung-un was convinced that the one who had subdued and taken Gu Yeon-u was either his brother or fellow disciple.
If his guess was right, they had to enter this place.
But she hadn’t expected him to choose sneaking in like this.
[Is it okay to sneak in like this?]
[Should we announce we’re here to find the treasure orb, then?]
They couldn’t do that.
From what Gu Yeon-u had told her, his brothers and most of Spirit Sword Manor disliked the Sacred Flame Church, viewing it as a heretical cult deceiving the masses.
She had anticipated they’d hide their identities to enter, but this was too bold.
What if they ran into artisans or warriors? There’d be no excuse since they hadn’t entered properly.
-Step, step!
“Have you been here before?”
“No.”
“I should’ve asked that first.”
“Why?”
“It would’ve been easier to move alone.”
“......”
Mok Kyung-un didn’t mince words about her being unhelpful.
She felt a pang of resentment at being treated like baggage despite wanting to contribute, but she tried not to show it.
“To the right.”
At Mok Kyung-un’s direction, she moved her feet.
Strangely, wherever he pointed, they didn’t run into anyone.
But no matter how much they avoided people, the compound wasn’t as vast as an imperial palace or the Heaven-Earth Society, so they couldn’t avoid everyone forever.
Ye Song-a tensed at the sound of footsteps approaching from the opposite direction.
“Shouldn’t we go the other way?”
“No. We have to ask someone anyway, so this works out.”
“Huh? Ask what?”
Just then, someone appeared from the front.
He looked like a Spirit Sword Manor artisan, his skin dark and covered in sunspots.
She froze in tension, but
-Step, step!
The man approached without a hint of suspicion, gave a light nod, and passed by.
‘Huh? No way?’
Did he think they were guests?
Otherwise, he wouldn’t pass so casually.
But then Mok Kyung-un called out to him.
“Excuse me.”
‘!?’
The artisan paused and turned his head.
Mok Kyung-un said to him,
“Where would I go to see the former Clan Head’s youngest son?”
“......You mean Young Master Yeon-u?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you want to see Young Master Yeon-u?”
The artisan, who had shown no reaction until now, furrowed his brow and asked.
Ye Song-a hurriedly interjected.
“Unlike his brothers, I heard he’s young and handsome, but I haven’t seen him at all.”
“Goodness.”
The artisan’s reaction suggested he saw it as a trivial reason.
She shot Mok Kyung-un a look that said, ‘Doesn’t this help a little?’
Of course, Mok Kyung-un didn’t care at all and didn’t even glance her way.
The artisan shook his head.
“I don’t know how long you guests will stay, but you won’t see the youngest young master for a while. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“That’s the manor’s business; I can’t tell guests.”
“Ah......”
When he flatly refused, she didn’t know what to do.
From his reaction, something had definitely happened, but they wouldn’t spill it obediently.
“Then carry on with your work.”
The artisan started to resume his path.
Mok Kyung-un called out again.
“We’re not done talking yet.”
“Why are you bothering me again?”
The artisan turned back with an annoyed expression.
Mok Kyung-un suddenly thrust his hand forward.
-Swish!
The artisan looked puzzled and asked,
“What are you......”
-Snap!
Before he could finish, Mok Kyung-un flicked his finger lightly. The artisan’s face went blank, his eyes glazing over.
Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly.
“Tell me where the youngest young master is.”
“The...... youngest...... young master is imprisoned...... in the Golden Prison underground of the Paper Willow Courtyard.”
‘!?’
Ye Song-a stared at Mok Kyung-un with wide eyes at his answer.
What had he done to make him spill so obediently?
* * *
Inside Junior Clan Head Gu Ung-hwang’s room.
Someone was suppressing their presence and searching for something.
It was none other than Gu Yeon-u.
Why was he, who should be locked in the Paper Willow Courtyard’s Golden Prison, rummaging through his brother’s empty room?
He was looking for the treasure orb, the Sacred Flame Church’s relic.
‘Where the hell is it?’
Thanks to the hidden wire, he had undone his restraints and escaped the Golden Prison.
But now, searching Gu Ung-hwang’s room for the orb—from the study, desk, to the bed—he couldn’t find it.
Gu Ung-hwang hated clutter and didn’t carry ornaments or much of anything.
He had assumed it would be in the room, but this was baffling.
‘No way?’
If he carried it around contrary to expectations, there was no way to steal it.
Just finding out he’d escaped the Golden Prison would enrage him—what now?
He was pondering this when
-Creeeak!
‘Huh?’
The door, which had been closed, opened.
No presence approached the door, leaving no time to hide.
The one who appeared as the door opened was none other than,
“Hah. I told you to reflect properly, and here you are.”
Junior Clan Head Gu Ung-hwang.
Gu Yeon-u’s face stiffened as their eyes met.
He’d normally be at the Sword Discussion Hall at this hour—this was completely unexpected.
As he panicked, Gu Ung-hwang approached.
“I came to check if you were eating properly, but like a rat, you sneak out and head straight for my room. Hah!”
He had been furious about Gu Yeon-u vanishing after being sent to the Golden Prison.
Then he remembered Gu Yeon-u’s obsession with that bead and suspected something, so he came to his room suppressing his presence.
And sure enough, he was ransacking it.
“This won’t end with just locking you up.”
“Brother......”
“Even as half-brothers of the same blood, I tried not to be too harsh, but you brought this on yourself.”
-Zzt, zzt!
Gu Yeon-u’s skin stung under Gu Ung-hwang’s immense pressure.
Excluding his father and Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu, Gu Ung-hwang was Spirit Sword Manor’s top swordsman.
Naturally, his swordsmanship and internal energy were as profound as the elders of the Nine Pinnacle Room.
“I’ll have to break those legs first so you can’t run.”
-Step! Step!
As Gu Ung-hwang’s footsteps drew near, Gu Yeon-u felt suffocated.
He could tell how much restraint he’d used when they clashed desperately in the cave.
No—he hadn’t even used thirty percent against him.
‘Damn...... I didn’t even find the orb.’
If he got recaptured, he’d have no face left with her.
But then,
-Flinch!
Gu Ung-hwang, advancing with terrifying pressure, halted.
There were still about nine paces between them.
Why had he stopped?
Puzzled, Gu Ung-hwang frowned and spoke.
“......Who exactly are you?”
‘You?’
Who was he talking to?
Then a shadow flickered at the entrance, revealing a figure.
As the figure’s shadow blanketed the room, Gu Yeon-u’s eyes shook wildly.
It lasted only an instant, but the entire room seemed engulfed in darkness.
Gu Ung-hwang’s pressure was already suffocating, but this made it laughable.
His face instantly beaded with cold sweat.
Apparently, he wasn’t the only one feeling it.
-Drip!
At the sound by his ear, he looked ahead— a droplet fell to the floor where Gu Ung-hwang stood.
Looking up naturally, Gu Ung-hwang’s face was also slick with sweat.
His eyes, cornered from behind, brimmed with extreme tension.
‘......No way.’
It was the first time he’d seen it.
Had his brother ever feared anyone like this, aside from their father?
As he marveled, a voice came.
“Quite perceptive. I advise you to stay put.”
“......”
The voice was polite, but the arrogance and pressure in it twisted Gu Ung-hwang’s face in humiliated fury.
Unfazed, the voice continued.
“Is that one Gu Yeon-u?”
“Yes!”
Gu Yeon-u’s eyes widened at the familiar voice.
As he wondered, the face he’d longed for approached.
‘Song-a!’
It was Ye Song-a, granddaughter of the Sacred Flame Commandery Lord.