Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: S3. Learning from the Past -6
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The warriors of the Namgung Family had gathered around, watching the situation unfold. The word "Demonic Cult" carried grave weight, so out of caution due to the Taoist's accusation, they kept their guard up for now.
Namgung Pae, who had already been wary of Envers since the carriage ambush incident, had his hand on his sword hilt, ready to subdue him the moment solid evidence emerged.
The Namgung siblings stood there dumbfounded, at a loss for words, frozen in shock.
The words had already been spoken; now they had to see it through. No one knew how it would end, but it was clear one of them would be chased out of the Namgung Family—or face something even worse.
"Why on earth would you frame me like this...!"
"That guy's a Demonic Cult spy, no doubt about it!"
And so, the chaos devolved into a shouting match between the two Taoists. A makeshift trial had begun.
Whether they were distinguished guests who had come to celebrate Family Head Namgung Chaegong's birthday, locals who had slipped in hoping for free food, family warriors, or visitors, everyone had gathered and sat down.
All eyes turned to the center. Envers's head spun from the sudden commotion. He was bewildered. Not only was the baseless accusation of being Demonic Cult outrageous...
"Listen here. I'll explain in detail why this man is suspicious, so hear me out and judge accordingly! With such esteemed guests at the Namgung Family's banquet, I trust you'll make a wise decision!"
Envers truly was a "man who fell from the sky" with no connections. In the jianghu, he had neither notable favors owed nor grudges held. His only interaction with this Taoist had been a brief argument.
It didn't make sense to push someone to the brink of death over mere words. And on this joyous occasion celebrating the family head's birthday, there was no reason to stir up such a fuss.
So then, what was the real motive?
"...Fine, then. Tell me why you're accusing me of being Demonic Cult!"
"Very well, listen closely! First—"
Uncovering that reason would be a crucial turning point in this tale.
The Taoist raised his voice, pointing accusingly.
"First, about the Striking Staff Technique. It should have been lost in the final battle of the Orthodox-Demonic Great War! How do you have it?"
"...I obtained it through some connections."
"Exactly, and that's what I find suspicious! Isn't it more logical that a Demonic Cult pawn rummaged through corpses to get it, rather than it somehow flowing all the way to the West by chance?"
It was a stretch.
Envers wanted to tell the truth but gave up on explaining another world and the Tower of Trials—it would make him sound insane.
Such a far-fetched story would only raise more suspicions.
Instead, he pointed out the flawed logic. Fortuitous encounters existed in the world, so blindly suspecting that was odd, but pinning it on the Demonic Cult was even more suspect.
Weren't there plenty of evil groups besides the Demonic Cult?
Why did it have to be them specifically?
"You're forcing nonsense! If we go by that logic, anyone could fabricate reasons against me. Why tie it to the Demonic Cult of all things?"
"Because you deceived the Namgung young master into treating you like a benefactor and sneaked into the banquet!"
At that, Namgung Myeong, who had been watching from the side, raised his voice in Envers's defense.
"Don't insult my benefactor! Master Cheonghwi saved me from the Demonic Cult's attack!"
"It could have been a staged act!"
The Taoist snapped his fan shut and pointed at Envers.
"The Namgung young master was attacked by Demonic Cult thugs in the forest! Then this long-nosed Taoist appeared and chased them off. Why would those vicious bastards let their target go so easily?"
"Because Master Cheonghwi's sorcery had reached a profound realm!"
"Or maybe you're in cahoots and staged it from the start! I can summon smoke too, but look—do you think warriors would flee from mere black smoke? Especially those infamous Demonic Cult scum?"
It was a valid point. Even Envers had thought it a bit odd. The group calling themselves Demonic Cult hadn't given up so easily before.
There were many of them, and their lightness skills showed they weren't short on manpower. They could have pushed through the black smoke. That's why Envers had prepared to activate a massive explosion scroll back then.
Envers dredged up the memory and spoke.
"...I saw those pursuers myself. But something felt off. They called themselves the Demonic Cult, but from what I know, the Demonic Cult refers to itself as the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"...!!!!"
"They might not be the real Demonic Cult. Just some thugs borrowing the name for mischief. If so, doesn't that naturally clear up the slander against me?"
If those pursuers weren't Demonic Cult, the link between Envers and them vanished. They couldn't claim he got the Striking Staff Technique from the Demonic Cult then.
The Taoist retorted.
"No, they were Demonic Cult!"
"Why?"
"Because the Demonic Cult despises the Namgung Family! As everyone knows, Sword Dragon Namgung So of the Namgung has slain countless Demonic Cult minions and earned great merits! They tremble at the name Namgung!"
"...?"
Envers glanced at Namgung Myeong.
The boy nodded uneasily and added an explanation.
"Yes, my brother... has rooted out Demonic Cult remnants hiding in Anhui Province multiple times and earned major achievements! So I thought they were targeting me out of grudge..."
So the Demonic Cult really existed in Anhui Province.
Now it made sense why the Namgung warriors were so on edge. He had thought they were encircling him out of discrimination against a blue-eyed foreigner at first, but...
If it wasn't some vanished sect from 30 years ago, but active troublemakers they were still clashing with, their sensitivity was understandable.
This time, Namgung Seungha stepped forward, her face flushed with anger. How dare they treat her benefactor like this?
She had held back out of respect for the Taoist invited by her uncle Namgung So, but this incomprehensible slander against Master Cheonghwi boiled her blood.
"This is too much, Taoist! If you chase away my brother's benefactor on such flimsy nitpicks, what will people think of us? They'll call us ungrateful wretches who repay kindness with enmity!"
"That's...!"
The Taoist's eyes twitched slightly. He seemed baffled as to why Namgung Seungha was defending Envers.
Spying on the training grounds uninvited was a grave offense, so he must have assumed Envers had clashed with her after falling for the trick.
Having made such a bad impression, she would be easy to frame—or so he thought.
Suddenly, the Taoist perked up his ears as if hearing something. Then he blurted out.
"...Then prove your divine powers here. If you do, I'll drop it clean! You! Summon thunderclouds to the ground right now!"
"What?"
"If your words are true and you're a true master of cultivation, show us some sorcery! If you're not Demonic Cult, it'll be pure and clean; if you are, it'll reek of evil!"
The Taoist pressed him to repeat the feat.
But the smoke scroll made by Selvia was already used, and what remained were convenience spells like drying clothes and lethal scrolls. He couldn't just unleash destructive magic here.
Envers said incredulously.
"...I have no reason to indulge you, and that talisman is already used anyway. Besides, you're missing the point. Is it right to hound someone without evidence?"
"Evidence, you say? Well put!"
"...?"
The Taoist snapped his fan open and spun a tale.
"The Demonic Cult spy was staying next door to me, and horrific ghost noises came from his room at night! Demonic Cult martial arts are evil, like ghostly tricks!"
"Nonsense!"
"If it's a misunderstanding, I'll kneel. But I am certain. Search his belongings, and you'll see! Evidence will turn up!"
"...!!!!"
This was the trap!
The flimsy accusations were just pressure to force a search. And likely—with high probability—he had planted something suspicious in Envers's luggage to frame him.
Envers had been away often, so the neighboring Taoist had plenty of time to tamper.
Could he talk his way out?
If some Demonic Cult book or symbol emerged from his bag, would they believe it wasn't his even if he claimed so?
Could he escape unscathed? If wrongly chased out, would he have to fight the Namgung siblings too...?
As Envers tried to sort his racing thoughts and reached into his robe,
A clear youthful voice rang through the hall.
"Azure Sky Boundless!"
Namgung Myeong stepped forward before the crowd.
"If we name one sword art of our house, all say the Azure Sky Boundless Sword. Its meaning? The sky is vast and endless."
"......"
"True to its name, the Azure Sky Boundless strike extends boldly and wide. We don't merely mimic motions; we embrace the sky's vastness in our hearts as we swing! Thus, the Namgung spirit is clear and unashamed!"
Whoosh!
The boy demonstrated a form with a single sword. Though immature, it was a refreshing, hearty swing that cleared the mind. Namgung Myeong showed the blade to everyone present.
"I know you might doubt... Worrying if a passerby might stab, if the ground might cave, if a benefactor might be a foe. However!"
However.
"The sky does not act so. The sky befriends without suspicion and bears the price of boldness! Master Cheonghwi is my benefactor, so if you would harm him, step over me first!"
His resolute declaration made the Namgung retainers widen their eyes.
Soon, they nodded, smiles blooming on their faces one by one. With recent vile plots targeting the Namgung, how could they claim Azure Sky Boundless while acting petty?
Security head Namgung Pae also gained insight.
He had to suspect people and protect the Namgung—that was duty. But fixating on that alone would lose the sky-like spirit that made Namgung, Namgung.
Namgung Pae said.
"The situation is suspicious for Master Cheonghwi, that's true... but your claims seem forced. I can't allow more disturbance. Please leave the family grounds."
"No, wait, this is..."
The Taoist's face paled.
Envers stood, seizing the moment amid the shifted mood, though still bewildered.
"You wanted to see sorcery, right? Here."
The young blue-eyed Taoist pulled out a strangely shaped talisman, tore it in half, and the sweating fraud Taoist's skin suddenly dried right up!
The discerning warriors gasped in astonishment.
"Th-Threefold True Fire? Releasing heat from that distance?"
"No, no heat felt. A profound spell instantly evaporated the sweat!"
Indeed, one who wielded such exquisite sorcery would make even Demonic Cult retreat. People murmured in awe. Those who had sided with the fraud shrank back, startled.
Thanks to young Namgung Myeong's boldness, he had averted a crisis that nearly earned enmity! They had almost chased away a true noble without recognizing him.
The fraud Taoist gaped at Envers in horror before fleeing out the gate.
Even as Envers wrapped things up, he couldn't keep up with the events, still dumbfounded. He had been accused of black magic, essentially. They should have stripped him down to his undergarments for inspection.
Being swayed by a mere boy to drop suspicions—had the whole group fallen under mass hypnosis?
Unable to comprehend, Envers cleared his throat and asked Namgung Myeong, whose shoulders had squared proudly. The boy beamed, having protected his benefactor.
"...How did you do that? Why did the Namgung retainers change attitudes so quickly?"
As Namgung Myeong opened his mouth wide to explain at length,
A hearty voice cut in from the side.
"That's the Namgung house spirit. Myeong-ah, well done! Your maturity and boldness are gift enough—no need for a birthday present."
"...?!"
Envers jumped at the sudden voice. Beside him stood a middle-aged man, appearing without a sound.
In flowing blue robes with a stylish beard, he seemed a man of leisure at first glance. But his callused, deformed hands and legs rooted firm as if against a storm...
One couldn't help but recognize him. An extremely honed swordsman.
"Father!"
It was Namgung Family Head Namgung Chaegong.
Namgung Chaegong tidied the subdued mood after the commotion, then led Envers to the reception room. Sitting comfortably, he spoke casually.
"Explosive Splash Bind, was it? Quite an unorthodox technique."
"...!!!!"
Explosive Splash Bind had only been used once in the spar with Namgung Seungha. No other displays. So, he had seen everything. Then...
'Wait, was this all a tease? Were you lying to toy with me, Master Cheonghwi...?!'
Staring intently at Namgung Seungha for Sight Insight training...
Envers broke into a cold sweat.