Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: S3. Take the Ancients as a Mirror: Closed
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Clink!
"For the eternal prosperity of our Namgung Clan!"
"For prosperity!"
As Namgung Chaegong raised his glass high and shouted the toast, everyone followed suit, lifting their cups. The atmosphere quickly turned rowdy.
The elderly members of the Namgung Clan grumbled that the clan head was being so undignified, but what could be done about his personality, as free-flowing as clouds drifting with the wind? The clan head was simply caught up in the excitement, downing his drink.
A grand banquet. Even if the higher-ups tried to maintain some decorum, the mood was too lighthearted to contain. With the clan head leading the revelry, there was no holding back the fun. One martial artist even declared there could be no show without a sword dance and prepared to perform.
Namgung Chaegong threw an arm around Namgung Pae's shoulders.
"Pae, it's a good day—have a drink with me!"
"Clan Head, I'm in charge of security. At least one of us needs to stay sharp and vigilant..."
"How can a master refuse a drink?!"
With the exquisite skill of a seasoned drinker, he grabbed Namgung Pae's chin and poured the liquor down his throat. As the birthday celebrant made such a racket, one side of the compound's wall remained relatively quiet.
Envers fiddled with his cup and asked Namgung Myeong,
"...The clan head truly has no airs about him, does he?"
"It's embarrassing..."
Namgung Myeong seemed ashamed of his father's behavior, keeping his head bowed and unable to look up.
"Better a harmonious family than a cold one."
It was something to envy, really.
If Duke Redburn had been that affectionate, so much would have changed. Envers drained his cup of water in one gulp. It left a bitter taste.
"Taoist Cheonghwi."
"What is it?"
"Do you have a dream, Taoist?"
"Of course. To become a supreme master... strong enough to defeat the Heavenly Demon."
If he reached that level, there'd be nothing to fear in the world. He'd surpass Bennett at the academy to claim first place, standing equal—or superior—to the professors.
He could even kiss Luna, fulfill his unfulfilled wishes, and achieve everything he desired, couldn't he?
Namgung Myeong gazed at Envers with bright, sparkling eyes and asked,
"What would you do once you become a supreme master?"
"I need to see my mother, reclaim my place in the family, and... meet my brother."
"Ah, so Taoist Cheonghwi has an older brother too! But... is that something you can only do by becoming a supreme master?"
"...I'm not sure."
Maybe not.
"Ah, let me pour for you."
"Thanks. You have some too."
"Hehe."
Clink.
The two kids mimicked the adults, passing water back and forth. As Envers chewed on a piece of tofu from his plate, he suddenly felt a faint breeze brush past.
Whoooosh. Shiver.
"...?"
A subtle vibration rippling faintly through the air like a whip's crack.
A slight tremor tickling the hairs on his skin. Envers turned toward the direction of the Namgung Clan's main gate. The surroundings were still boisterous, the banquet in full swing.
But Envers pushed all the noise to a corner of his mind and focused.
"...? Taoist Cheonghwi?"
Thud. Thump.
The sound of impacts. And then, faintly drifting through the air, the metallic scent of blood tickling his nose. Envers slowly rose from his seat, tensing every muscle in his body.
Sensing something ominous, Namgung Myeong set down his cup and stood, staring intently at the main gate. Only then did he notice it.
Gaze Insight.
From far away, a murky killing intent fixed on him.
Rooooar—. Deep into the night. Outside the wall of the Namgung Clan compound, where the banquet raged on, utter darkness had settled. The full moon hung high, but its light wasn't enough to illuminate every shadow. Rustle. A gnarled branch bent low then sprang back, trembling. Something—a bird of prey, perhaps—had landed on it. Rustle rustle. The leaves brushing together betrayed the creature's presence. Tap. Tap. It leaped onto a roadside stall. But the movement was eerie. An uncanny discomfort, as if it were human but not quite. A human voice reached the beast's ears—two warriors guarding the main gate, chatting idly.
"...Things are really heating up inside. How much longer till shift change?"
"Still a while. The full moon's been hanging over that pavilion without moving an inch."
"Damn it, first thing when we switch—straight to the booze..."
Crunch. It landed on the roof.
"...Hey. Wait. Over there."
Silhouetted black against the moon's backlight, pupil-less white eyes. An emaciated frame discernible only by outline, disheveled hair.
"...A person?"
"Person or ghost, it's no good omen. Ring the bell! I'll buy time—" Tap. The beast bounded forward on all fours. Arms and legs crossing wildly in a grotesque gait unlike any animal. Half centipede, half dog. Tap tap. Tap tap tap tap tap. In an instant, it reached the warrior. Crack. And snapped his neck. The surviving warrior stared in horror at his fallen comrade. Too fast for any reaction. He'd be next.
"Y-You monst—" The thing bit down. Before the word escaped, the beast seized the broken neck and wielded the corpse as a weapon. The warrior saw his comrade's shattered skull flying toward his face. That was the end. Thud, thump. Two mangled bodies hit the ground. But it wouldn't stop at two. Leap. The beast scaled the wall.
Chaos spreads like fire, uncontainable after just moments. Yet the beast was a touch faster than flame. At the banquet's edge, near Namgung Myeong by the wall. The disheveled beast charged on all fours to claim the young boy's life. The feast's lights revealed its form. Ashen, bloodless skin; shrunken, taut muscles; a sunken abdomen as if devoid of organs. Those with knowledge recognized it as a jiangshi. Namgung warriors in its path drew their swords.
"Block it!"
"Take it down!"
The jiangshi was called a nightmare for first-rate masters. Its grayish-white skin possessed unnatural hardness and toughness. Without realm-reaching swordsmanship that could cleave iron, no meaningful damage could be inflicted. Thus, the warriors blocking its path knew they couldn't defeat it. But their victory condition differed. The Namgung warriors just needed to hold. Even if limbs snapped one by one, buying mere seconds would suffice.
"Ruining my birthday feast, you damned thing!"
For the Namgung Clan's supreme swordsman, Namgung Chaegong, would handle it! Whoosh. Steam erupted from Namgung Chaegong's body as he expelled all intoxication with precise inner energy control. He drew his waist sword and charged. Ten seconds, and the clan head would arrive. The Namgung warriors grinned. Swords ineffective? They could hold for ten seconds! They thrust, channeling inner power to press down and restrain it. No matter how strong, its movement would halt.
"You won't pass... Huh?!"
In one exchange, they realized their folly. The jiangshi slipped through sword-filled gaps as if privy to every Namgung technique. Passing a warrior, its sharpened nails raked across. Slash. The throat split, blood gushing. Clutching his neck, the warrior's lips moved. No ordinary foe. Beyond strength. It knew the Namgung sword styles. Knew the counters...! But how to relay that with a severed throat? Too late. Slash, slice. With jerky, possessed movements, it dodged incoming strikes from all sides, killing two more. As some guests screamed, others retreated or reached for weapons, the jiangshi reached Namgung Myeong. Namgung Chaegong bellowed, "Stop—!!"
Words to a corpse monster? To the soulless, only martial prowess spoke. The clan head's desperate cry was futile. Crack—! Envers's club proved effective. The jiangshi staggered slightly, and in that gap, Envers blocked the path with his body.
"...Namgung Myeong, run!"
"I'll help too, Taoist Cheonghwi!"
"It's after you—enough talk, run, urk...!!"
Slash slash slash slash! A barrage of nail thrusts. Envers used Gaze Insight as his guide, barely dodging with skin tearing at the edges. Then, the jiangshi extended a leg at an impossible angle. Unfathomable intent. Yet Envers knew. No mistake. A setup, reading moves ahead like that monstrous Heavenly Demon...! Whoosh—!!
"How does a ghoul know the Heavenly Demon's arts...?!"
Envers racked his brain. What came next? He pondered relentlessly.
"Luna...!"
When in doubt, drop and observe, right? He plopped straight down. Baffled by the unexpected, the jiangshi froze momentarily. Envers's eyes gleamed. Propping himself with both arms, he swung both legs together in a kick. Thwack! The jiangshi reeled back. It wasn't that heavy. Repelling it like this could buy time. Envers noted that. And Namgung Chaegong arrived.
"I'm here, young priest. Focus on evasion!"
"Clan Head!"
Fwoooosh—! Azure sword qi like blue flames surged from Namgung Chaegong's blade. He swung in a swift cross slash. But before the strike fully unleashed, the jiangshi moved as if anticipating it—and effortlessly dodged.
"...You wretch!"
Technique superior to power. The Heavenly Demon's pinnacle art, deflecting Explosive Severance with a child's strength. Not quite that level. But exploiting its undead nature, the jiangshi mimicked it convincingly. A normal one would have been bisected long ago. Crack. Twisting its neck to evade. Crunch. Crack. Rotating its ankle 360 degrees to spin away. Eerie countermoves that chilled the soul. Crushing its own body to create space, wielding limbs like tools without hesitation. Chilling. Envers's instincts screamed maximum alert. Think. If willing to do "anything" for the goal, what ploy? No common sense. Treat all as tools; assume the possible happens. Emulate the Heavenly Demon's mindset, approximately. Then— While clashing with Namgung Chaegong, the jiangshi subtly shifted position. Energy gathered at its elbow.
"...Explosive Severance?!"
Envers realized. The jiangshi's fingertips aimed at Namgung Myeong. It planned to detonate inside its arm and "fire" it! Sizzle. Crackle. Muscle fibers tore from its arm. Suppressing agony from his magic circuits, Envers squeezed out max mana. Recalling his bout with Jay. Crush the arm with Explosive Severance before it launched! In slowed time, as Envers channeled the technique's essence, "...Urk!"
Dizziness hit; vision spun. ...Poison. The nails were poisoned. He'd thought dodging surface tears was enough, but it was fatal. Boom—!! The elbow exploded, hurling the pale arm through space. Namgung Myeong twisted away barely, but too young to fully evade. The arm slammed into his dantian.
"Aaaah...!!"
No. With the boy's scream, Envers's vision went black.