Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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The very next day, Miho summoned two men to the Imperial Palace. Of course, it was under the orders of the puppet emperor, so they unquestioningly believed it to be the emperor's command. The emperor spoke to the two warriors prostrating themselves before the palace.
"You are to accompany the Noble Consort to the Central Plains from now on..."
"Yes, sire!"
They responded without hesitation since it was the emperor's command, but suspicion filled their faces. Of course, simply issuing the order and leaving it at that could plant unnecessary doubts, so an additional excuse was added.
"Escort the Noble Consort... and seek out the Seven Luminaries... Retrieve the legendary treasures to bolster the fortune of our nation."
"Understood!"
After roughly convincing the two warriors like this, Miho stood before them alongside me.
Miyamoto Musashi.
He was called the strongest warrior in the current Toyo, bearing the arrogant moniker of Peerless Under Heaven. His specialty was dual-wielding swords, he was particularly adept in strategy, and he was counted among the world's greatest swordsmen.
Hattori Hanzo.
He was a ninja serving the Tokugawa clan, which dominated the current shogunate—the head of the prestigious Hattori family, no less. In terms of ninja arts, he had reached the pinnacle on Toyo's soil.
'So we're taking along Toyo's greatest samurai and ninja.'
I muttered to myself. Indeed, they would be a huge help, just as Miho had said. Miho, in her beautiful form as the Noble Consort, spoke.
"I entrust this to you. And this is Baek Woong, a warrior from the Central Plains pursuing the whereabouts of the Seven Luminaries. I hope you'll join forces and aid him going forward."
Then, Hattori Hanzo, standing beside her in ninja garb of black shadow cloth, spoke up.
"Noble Consort, the Shogun has yet to respond regarding this matter. Could you wait a few days?"
"I know the Hattori family are loyal retainers of the Tokugawa. But what if the Shogun opposes this?"
Hattori Hanzo hesitated for a moment before replying.
"I'm grateful to have been summoned, but I must decline this time. And I assume there will be profound considerations regarding your journey to the Central Plains as well."
I knew why Hattori Hanzo was saying such things.
Nominally, the emperor ruled Toyo, but in reality, he was nothing more than a paper tiger without any real power. The true authority lay with the shogunate of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had seized control after Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It was only through Miho's influence that the imperial family hadn't fallen and retained some prestige—but in truth, the shogunate held absolute power.
Miho scoffed.
"Ha! This is my affair—do I need the Shogun's permission for every little thing?"
"I ask for your wise judgment."
"Hattori Hanzo. What do you take me for? Do you think I'm handling you gently because I can't do anything about you?"
Rrrrrumble...
In that instant, Miho unleashed tremendous yokai power, causing Hattori Hanzo to flinch and step back. Swallowing dryly in tension, he said.
"We ninjas across the land, including myself... and the onmyoji... already know the Noble Consort is a terrifying being beyond humans. Until now, we've acknowledged you in our own way because you've minded the balance of the human world. But if you act recklessly, we cannot stand by idly."
It seemed Hattori Hanzo already knew Miho's true nature as a great yokai. Given his level of wariness, bewitching him with charm arts would be difficult. As Miho glared fiercely at him, Miyamoto Musashi, standing nearby, spoke up.
"I don't think we need to glare at each other like this. What's important is whether this helps or harms the Shogun's house, isn't it? If the Noble Consort fully explains the significance of this matter, even this ninja will advise his lord accordingly."
Miyamoto Musashi's words accurately grasped the situation. Miho eased her momentum at his words and said.
"You're right. I apologize for acting rashly, Hattori Hanzo."
"No, I was rude to you as well, Noble Consort."
Miho explained to Hattori Hanzo about the Seven Luminaries, their power, and their role. It seemed the current shogunate, including Hanzo, knew nothing of them, as he couldn't hide his astonishment. Calming his agitation, Hattori Hanzo replied.
"Truly astonishing. Then, I shall give my answer within three days."
"I'll await it."
Whoosh.
Hattori Hanzo vanished using a ninja concealment technique. Miyamoto Musashi, left behind, asked.
"What shall I do?"
"You go to the Central Plains first with Baek Woong here."
"Is that alright?"
"You're not yet affiliated with any specific daimyo, are you? The Shogun's house won't make an issue of you leaving ahead."
"Understood."
And so, Miyamoto Musashi and I departed for the Central Plains first. We could pick up Miho later.
Flash!
Using the Golden Flight, I arrived at Jinrang Valley with Miyamoto Musashi. Right after teleporting, he said.
"Baek Woong, what was that illusion just now? It was terribly frightening."
When traveling via Golden Flight, if you didn't sever the process quickly, it showed glimpses of the Dark Heavens or the sea world's other races. I still couldn't fully cut it off, so Miyamoto Musashi had seen it too. I explained to him.
"It's a treasure of the other races."
"Other races?"
After explaining about the other races, Miyamoto Musashi was impressed.
"Indeed... So the demons form villages of their own."
"Something like that."
As I replied, I observed Miyamoto Musashi.
'Is this man Toyo's greatest warrior...'
He was undoubtedly an extraordinary expert. I sensed the same refined sword aura as when facing Sword Saint Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, and I had the swordsman's intuition that drawing his blade would unleash tremendous swordsmanship.
But inwardly, I felt a slight oddity. He was clearly an expert on par with or surpassing Sword Saint Kamiizumi Nobutsuna—then why this sense of incongruity? His speech and demeanor were perfectly those of a transcendent expert, yet something felt off.
'Well, whatever. That's not important now.'
I brought Miyamoto Musashi to Mangnyang. Upon seeing him, Mangnyang exchanged greetings. After I explained about Miyamoto Musashi and Hattori Hanzo, he nodded and said to me.
"Then, Baek Woong, go to the Shadowless Gate with this gentleman."
"Huh?"
"It's not a bad idea."
I caught the hidden meaning in Mangnyang's words. He still hadn't finished organizing the Black and White Lotus and other mechanisms I'd given him. He was telling me to handle my tasks before setting plans, and if possible, make good use of Miyamoto Musashi.
"Got it."
Flash!
I arrived at the Shadowless Gate in Henan with Miyamoto Musashi. I released Seomun Hye and the pirate captives from the gourd into reality. Miyamoto Musashi seemed greatly startled as people suddenly burst from the gourd.
"Whoa...!!"
Seomun Hye, realizing she was near her home Shadowless Gate, teared up and grasped my hand.
"Benefactor! Thank you so much."
"It's nothing. Let's get things sorted."
Seomun Hye gathered the women among the pirate captives who wished to start a second life at the Shadowless Gate and separated them. They would likely be cared for there, while the others would return to their hometowns with the sect's help.
Upon arriving at the Shadowless Gate, we met Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong. At our meeting, Seomun Daeryong stared fixedly at Miyamoto Musashi.
"Hmm. A warrior from Toyo?"
Miyamoto Musashi greeted him with a warrior's formal etiquette and replied.
"I am Miyamoto Musashi."
Of course, Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong, being from the Central Plains, couldn't understand Toyo speech. Since I could translate, I roughly explained Musashi's greeting and identity. Seomun Daeryong narrowed his eyes and muttered.
"...This is Toyo's greatest warrior? Disappointing."
"......"
I felt no need to translate that. It was likely Sword Demon's honest impression, but to a samurai, it was plenty insulting. Instead, I sent him a transmission.
[He's a recruit my colleague painstakingly brought in. Please don't belittle him rashly.]
[Hm, my apologies. But I only said what I thought.]
That's when trouble arose.
Miyamoto Musashi seemed to have intuited what Sword Demon said. Even without knowing the words, he must have sensed the belittling intent. His hand trembled, veins bulging on his forehead, as he spoke forcefully.
"I cannot tolerate this insult! I challenge you to a duel, Seomun Daeryong."
Seomun Daeryong didn't understand the Toyo words but grasped the gist.
"Of course, I accept."
Things had gone south.
I felt frustrated, regretting bringing Miyamoto Musashi. Mangnyang would have foreseen this—why send him deliberately? A warrior's pride could be heavier than Mount Tai, and once twisted like this, blood would spill. I couldn't not translate, but I persuaded Musashi.
"Calm down. The Sword Demon has a very proud and arrogant personality—he's often rude to strangers. He just admitted his mistake and wanted to apologize. For the sake of this auspicious day and my face, please bear it just this once."
But Miyamoto Musashi, even angrier, his face flushed red, shouted.
"A warrior does not tolerate insults! I must witness this vaunted Central Plains swordsmanship."
"Ugh..."
I clutched my head. There was no stopping him now.
Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong, watching from the side, chuckled and said to me.
"Baek Woong, was it? No more mediating. It seems he and I must let our swords speak."
"Please go easy on him. Isn't today an auspicious day with the young sect leader returning home?"
"That child's return to the sect has nothing to do with a warrior's duel."
"......"
Shortly after, I was dragged to the Shadowless Gate's training ground. This time, I wasn't ascending the stage myself but watching Sect Leader Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong and Miyamoto Musashi face off in preparation. I stood with three or four accompanying sect disciples, lighting torches.
As I lit a torch, I asked the Shadowless Gate disciple beside me.
"Does your sect leader never refuse challenges by nature?"
The disciple, reverent since I was the young sect leader's benefactor, replied politely.
"Of course. Unorthodox leaders have challenged him endlessly, but he's never lost once."
"What happened to the challengers?"
"They're buried somewhere over there."
The disciple pointed to the dark hill beyond the wall. Though dusk was falling, a graveyard was visible. Meaning most challengers died after facing Shadowless Gate Leader Sword Demon.
'No way... No way, right...'
In my eyes, Miyamoto Musashi was undoubtedly a transcendent expert. In pure swordsmanship, he was comparable to or far above me. In the Central Plains, he'd rival a sect leader of the Nine Great Sects—a grand swordsman. Even the Sword Demon couldn't kill him easily.
Rumble...
Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong and Miyamoto Musashi faced off three zhang apart. Musashi brimmed with killing intent, while Sword Demon remained utterly serene by contrast. As referee, I had no choice but to signal the start.
"Begin!"
Flash!
Flashes erupted in six streaks like a gale. Unlike the mediocre Toyo warriors I'd seen, Musashi wielded sword flames proficiently, on par with prestigious Central Plains schools. His blade tips flickered like serpents' tongues, seeking to shatter flesh—a true peak expert's form.
Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong calmly parried Musashi's strikes.
Clang!
After about a dozen exchanges, they seemed to have gauged each other. As Musashi ended his probing attacks and reset his stance, Sword Demon looked at me approvingly and said.
"Hey, Baek Woong. Can you translate this for him?"
"What is it?"
"Tell him that if he sheathes his sword now, I'll take him as my direct disciple."
"......"
Are you insane?! The words nearly burst out. As if a master of that swordsmanship would accept! He'd be lucky not to get slashed for it. But Seomun Daeryong's face was serious, so I sighed.
'No matter what, he's one of the Eight Demonic Lords.'
Seomun Daeryong had decent character for an unorthodox figure, but he was still unorthodox! He walked the path of hegemony, prioritizing his strength over others' feelings. I deliberately lied to Musashi.
"He says he was wrong. Sheathe your sword now."
Miyamoto Musashi snapped curtly.
"Don't toy with me. I must sever that man's arm."
"Ugh... Why be so stubborn? Stop this."
"Don't interfere. I'll avenge the insult."
No use talking. In the end, I could only watch their duel anxiously.
Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong seemed to realize negotiations had failed. He eyed Musashi coldly and muttered.
"A fool who doesn't know his place. Time to teach you how vast the world is."
Screee...
It happened then. Sword Demon lightly flicked his hand, unleashing thousands of formless sword qi from all directions. Musashi sensed something wrong and thrust a swift strike, but it was too late.
'No, don't!'
I'd endured it myself, so I knew its terror. Even I might barely evade with Thunder Command—a horrific assault. I gritted my teeth.
'Too late to intervene!'
Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong shouted.
"Slay!"
Boom boom.
Musashi had spread a sword barrier desperately, but to no avail. In the next instant, Sword Demon's intent sword qi flew in, blasting off one of Musashi's arms. As he staggered amid a spray of blood, five bundles of sword qi pierced his vital points.
Boom boom.
Blood gushed from Musashi's mouth. He glared at Sword Demon in disbelief before collapsing forward.
Thud...
"......"
Sword Demon instructed the surrounding disciples.
"He was an excellent warrior. Bury him with his sword."
"Yes."
The Shadowless Gate disciples began clearing Musashi's body. Watching, I felt despair.
'Damn it all...'
Things had gone wrong from the start.
Miyamoto Musashi had been slain by Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong.