Chapter 365
Chapter 365
-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 96
>Chapter Title: Sword (3)
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
A figure rose slowly from the cliff's abyss.
It was Mok Kyung-un.
Seonghwa-ryeongju's granddaughter, Ye Song-a, whose face had paled under the intense pressure from Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu's questioning, now bloomed with relief.
The same went for Third Young Master Gu Yeon-woo, who had been prostrated and lifted his head in stunned surprise.
He had assumed that man had perished by the Sword Pilgrim's mutual destruction technique.
Yet he had survived and emerged from down there.
The crowd buzzed.
The inspectors and guests of Spirit Sword Manor widened their eyes in shock.
The scene unfolding before them was unmistakably—
"F-floating in the air?"
It was the Lightness Skill known as Void Step, the pinnacle alongside Sky Walking.
Those gathered here were martial artists by nature, and they could not help but gasp in awe at the sight.
"Hah!"
Even Ji Oe, the most senior among the guests, was stunned.
More than the Void Step itself, he marveled that the one who had plummeted into the abyss while clashing with the Sword Pilgrim in a battle to the death had ultimately survived.
This outcome spoke of only one thing.
"Even a monster like that couldn't match him."
Victory.
What a complicated feeling.
As a fellow swordsman, he felt pride that a sword wielder had defeated the Sword Pilgrim, who had proclaimed himself the epitome of the Dao as the sole truth.
But where on earth had such a person come from?
Moreover, with this man's survival, the situation had spiraled even further out of control.
Swords were drawn left and right.
-Cling! Cling!
One could tell from how many inspectors, shocked at first, now reached for their sword hilts.
The same held for the two Justice Alliance experts: Hangsan Sect's Jeongmyeong Sunim and Moyong Hak.
Knowing that the swordsman returning from the abyss was in league with the White Lotus Cult woman, they had no choice but to draw their blades.
"Sunim, what do we do?"
Moyong Hak asked quietly with a tense face, and she replied with a grave expression.
"Prepare for now, Layman Moyong. With that man revived, the situation is unpredictable."
If one side overwhelmingly dominated, the chaos would settle quickly one way or another.
But if the sides balanced out, it would be different.
The turmoil would erupt anew.
"Amitabha. This is dire. The pinnacle of the current martial world, the Six Heavens, and experts nearing their level... An asura field might unfold once more."
Jeongmyeong Sunim believed they must prepare firmly before any carelessness led to further catastrophe.
"Damn it!"
In this atmosphere where everyone held their breath in tension, Second Young Master Gu Woong-seong could not hide his dismay.
He had naturally assumed the bastard was dead and had stirred the crowd to his advantage.
But with the man's return, everything had flipped.
If that monstrous bastard targeted him out of grudge, the only one who could protect him was his father, Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu.
At that moment, Mok Kyung-un, who had floated up to the cliff's edge, spoke.
"Did you ask whose possession the pearl was?"
His words sounded polite, yet carried a clear, brimming confidence.
Though not loud, everyone heard it.
Moreover, strangely, hearing his voice made their insides churn as if they had suffered internal injuries.
"...His qi is no ordinary thing."
"We thought he'd depleted much of his qi surviving from below."
"What a monster."
They tensed further at his voice, still overflowing with qi.
Gu Cheon-mu then looked at Mok Kyung-un and replied.
"Indeed."
Gu Cheon-mu gradually revealed his own energy, infusing his voice with qi.
His voice echoed in all directions.
Known as one of the pinnacle figures of Central Plains martial arts and seasoned with age, his inner strength was profound, rivaling the high monks of Shaolin's main lineage.
"As expected of Clan Head Gu."
"The qi in the Clan Head's voice calms my churning energy."
"Impressive as always."
Even if that man was a monster comparable to the Six Heavens, his opponent was a true member of the Six Heavens.
The acknowledged apex of Central Plains martial artists.
The audience felt confidence that such a Clan Head could suppress the man unscathed, no matter his strength.
Mok Kyung-un continued.
"What is the intent behind asking whose possession the pearl was?"
"......"
It was merely a question.
Yet that single question hushed the crowd once more.
Because Mok Kyung-un's query made its implication crystal clear.
Everyone's gazes turned to Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu.
His answer would dictate how events unfolded.
If Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu yielded here, the tension might ease somewhat—but that would tarnish Spirit Sword Manor's dignity beyond repair.
The same applied to him as one of the Six Heavens.
It was then.
"The family head of Nangong Family, Nangong elites, and the guests here—their deaths are linked to the Sword Pilgrim you clashed with. His target was clearly that pearl and you all. Yet you deem it wrong for me, the Clan Head, to demand accountability?"
-Roooar!
No sooner had he spoken than Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu's energy surged ferociously.
He had instantly elevated it to Ten Stars Power.
At his words and the overwhelming presence he exuded, Spirit Sword Manor's inspectors and guests cheered like emboldened soldiers.
"Waaaaah!"
"Phew... What a relief!"
Second Young Master Gu Woong-seong, who had watched tensely, sighed inwardly in relief.
Had his father shown any retreat here, even he—the instigator—would have been in an awkward spot.
Gu Woong-seong's gaze shifted to Third Young Master Gu Yeon-woo and Ye Song-a.
"I must capture those two."
His father wouldn't lose to that monster, but seizing them would create a weakness, distracting the beast.
Mok Kyung-un then stepped through the air toward Gu Cheon-mu as he spoke.
"How strange. If you're demanding accountability that way, then if your heirs hadn't snatched the pearl from them, none of this would have happened."
"!?"
Second Young Master Gu Woong-seong and Young Clan Head Gu Woong-hwang's faces stiffened instantly.
Even Gu Woong-hwang, who had tried to aid Gu Yeon-woo and Ye Song-a, had viewed taking the pearl as correcting a wrong and hadn't mentioned it.
But now that Mok Kyung-un exposed it, the root blame seemed to fall on them.
"Snatched the pearl? What nonsense is this?"
Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu glanced at Young Clan Head Gu Woong-hwang and asked.
Gu Woong-hwang panicked, at a loss for words.
"C-Clan Head, that's..."
His mind raced.
He had taken the pearl because he believed the youngest, Gu Yeon-woo, had fallen for the demonic White Lotus Cult's seduction.
He still didn't think it a grave mistake.
However, scrutinizing the source of this catastrophe left no room for excuses.
Yet,
"Clan Head! Should we brothers have just watched Yeon-woo bow and worship some White Lotus Cult pearl in our manor? How is this our responsibility? This is entirely Yeon-woo's fault for bringing such a dangerous item here, and theirs!"
At Gu Woong-seong's urgent shout, some murmuring guests glared resentfully at Gu Yeon-woo and Ye Song-a once more.
Yes, they were the problem in the end.
Had these White Lotus Cult heretics, who bewitched the masses, not come to this sword sanctuary of Spirit Sword Manor, none of this would have occurred.
Watching this, someone clicked their tongue.
It was Ji Oe.
"Blame... blame... blame... How did it come to this? Holding accountable is just venting over what's already done."
This was a man-made disaster no one could have easily prevented.
Disgust welled up at those swayed by three-inch tongues, now fixated on pinning the culprits.
In the end, Ji Oe declared,
"With so many sacrificed, if you all wish to pursue blame to the bitter end and escalate further, I'll step aside from this matter."
-Shff!
With those words, he unleashed lightness skill, distancing himself from them.
Some guests shouted at him.
"Reckless!"
"So many fellow swordsmen who discussed the sword lie dead, and you want to let it slide?"
"Disappointing, Senior Ji!"
"Disappointing? Hmph!"
Ignoring their rebukes, Ji Oe yelled toward the Clan Head.
"Clan Head Gu! If you seek accountability, allow this fool Ji to speak. For a transcendent powerhouse at Grandmaster realm like you to fail sensing the danger here is inconceivable. Yet you didn't rush here immediately, obsessed with completing your sword. Had the Manor's master arrived sooner, surely fewer would have died—so is this not your fault?"
"......"
"If you truly seek wisdom, ignore your second son's agitation and face-saving—halt here to prevent greater loss."
His shout, sharp as a blade, silenced the hall.
Nay, it sobered them.
Though swayed by Gu Woong-seong, many had harbored similar thoughts.
Had Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu, pinnacle of the martial world, arrived at Sword Valley sooner, the sacrifices might have been fewer.
Yet none dared blame him.
Who would have the guts to question such a transcendent powerhouse, especially since many had come seeking his sword enlightenment?
Thus, many choked on shame.
Not all, however.
Justice Alliance investigator Moyong Hak frustratingly told Hangsan Sect's Jeongmyeong Sunim.
"Senior Ji Oe—why act like that? When we should support Clan Head Gu, he's undermining morale..."
"No. Senior Ji Oe is right."
"Pardon?"
"Amitabha. With the true culprits dead, pursuing blame now only enlarges the chaos. We must stop here to avert greater sacrifice."
"But Sunim, they are White Lotus Cult..."
"Calling White Lotus Cult a demonic sect doesn't make them liable for everything. As investigators, we must remain impartial for clarity's sake."
"......"
Moyong Hak fell silent at her admonishment.
He remained unconvinced, but Jeongmyeong Sunim was wiser than any.
No matter how frustrating, he couldn't disregard her view.
Ultimately, the decision rested with Spirit Sword Manor's master, Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu.
All eyes, including Moyong Hak's, turned to him.
What would he choose?
Stopping here would surely prevent further loss.
But yielding would damage Spirit Sword Manor's prestige and face, scarred by outsiders' brawl.
Either choice bore costs.
It was then.
-Ssssh!
Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu's energy, raised to billow winds in all directions, subsided.
The tense watchers' faces fell.
In the end, to halt greater sacrifice, he would swallow his Six Heavens pride and retreat.
But right then—
-Shff!
Suddenly, Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu shot his form toward the cliff abyss.
Drawing his sword, he swung at the cliff wall.
-Shhhh!
Sword qi flowed from his blade tip, carving marks into the cliff.
Yet it wasn't mere marks.
"Letters?"
"No way?"
-Shhhh!
Etched into the cliff wall were words.
Sword
Dao
Sword
Extremity
-Shhh!
Without pause, Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu completed the inscription, then kicked off the air and returned to his spot.
Gasps escaped everyone around at his divine feat.
"Aaah!"
All here were swordsmen.
To those who wielded swords, Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu's display and those words embodied awe itself.
Even Ji Oe, who had been set to leave in disappointment, felt it.
Gazing at the cliff letters, he marveled.
"Gu Cheon-mu... I thought him immersed solely in sword forging, but his swordsmanship has deepened further."
It dwarfed the shattered stele's inscription.
Truly, an unrivaled sword master nearing the sword's absolute pinnacle.
Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu then looked at Mok Kyung-un and spoke.
"Too many have already sacrificed. Pursuing blame further is meaningless."
"But what is this now?"
"To prevent greater loss, I, as Clan Head, yield a step. Yet before artisan, I am a martial artist and swordsman."
"......"
"Sword Valley is a place to discuss the sword. If you are a swordsman, surpass this Sword-Dao Sword-Extremity to leave."
"Ah!"
Exclamations arose here and there at Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu's words.
A masterful stroke.
As Spirit Sword Manor's head, he set aside pride to avert greater sacrifice.
Yet by proposing discourse on the sword rather than force, he preserved dignity as warrior and swordsman—a brilliant stratagem.
"As expected!"
All Central Plains swordsmen revered Gu Cheon-mu.
Many factors influenced combat, but in pure sword discourse, calling him unrivaled was no exaggeration.
No matter how strong that man, surpassing Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu in swordsmanship was impossible.
"Amitabha. A true masterstroke, Clan Head Gu."
Even Hangsan Sect's Jeongmyeong Sunim admired it.
Thus, Clan Head Gu upheld Six Heavens pride while preventing greater loss—a fine...
"Interesting. You call this discussing the sword?"
"!?"
Everyone's faces twisted savagely at Mok Kyung-un's casual remark.
What did this bastard just say?
Daring to call that lofty sword realm "this much"?
Such arrogance.
Failing to gain insight or awe from those cliff letters meant he lacked the qualification to discuss swords...
-Swish!
In that instant, Mok Kyung-un stepped through the air toward the cliff.
He gripped his sword hilt beside the Sword-Dao Sword-Extremity and extended his hand.
Was he challenging it with insight right away?
As doubts swirled—
-Shing!
A razor-sharp energy spread in a flash.
Then, before all eyes, the unbelievable occurred.
He hadn't swung or stroked with his sword.
Yet,
劍 (Sword)
In the heart of Sword Valley's cliff stood a massive Sword character.
"!!!!!!!!"
Every swordsman's pupils trembled wildly.
How was this possible?
The Sword character in a single stroke.
"Impossible..."
"No, what is this?"
Even Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu, who perfected Sword-Dao Sword-Extremity, couldn't achieve such a feat.
Some inspectors, flustered, looked his way.
And there,
Sweat drenched Clan Head Gu Cheon-mu's face as he stared unblinking at the cliff's Sword.