Chapter 154
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Divine Might (1)
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Oseongwon was the exclusive lodging prepared for the family's honored guests.
A spacious clearing surrounded by a beautiful garden held Kang Taejin and Nangong Hyun facing each other. Behind Nangong Hyun stood Nangong Ho, Nangong Min, Nangong San, and Nangong Yeong, all around the same age. They were the next generation's rising stars in the family.
Self-proclaimed as the Five Dragons who would bring glory to the Nangong family.
Kang Taejin and Nangong Hyun had clashed in the semifinals of the Little Dragon Tournament. Back then, most had predicted Nangong Hyun's victory, but Taejin shattered those expectations with his sword, becoming the star of a stunning upset.
The shock from that had been immense. There weren't many peers who could match Nangong Hyun, known as the Child Prodigy. And yet, he'd lost to an unknown junior from a family that wasn't even one of the Five Great Clans' prized Little Dragons.
'I still can't believe it.'
'That Brother Hyun would lose.'
'He's trained nonstop since the Little Dragon Tournament.'
'It'll be different this time.'
Nangong Ho, Nangong Min, Nangong San, and Nangong Yeong knew how brutally Nangong Hyun had trained after his defeat at the Little Dragon Tournament. Just watching made their stomachs churn—the intensity was on another level.
Training that pushed beyond human limits came with severe side effects on the body. But Nangong Hyun never betrayed their expectations. There was a reason the family elders had marked him as a vessel for the next Sword Emperor.
"I challenge you to a spar."
"Sure."
"Still as confident as ever."
"It's not like you'll back off if I refuse."
Taejin's immediate acceptance struck Nangong Hyun as overconfidence. And rightly so—the previous defeat had been overwhelmingly one-sided.
'His father is a monster, after all.'
Don't talk about flying a hundred zhang until you've tried it yourself. That laid-back demeanor with its missing edge was nothing but a calculated facade.
"Don't hold back like last time."
"Depends on how much stronger you've gotten, brother."
Taejin's nonchalance rubbed Nangong Ho, Nangong Min, Nangong San, and Nangong Yeong the wrong way. To them, Nangong Hyun was practically an idol. His unyielding spirit after defeat deserved respect. Taejin's casual attitude felt like an insult to the entire family.
"Here I go."
"Bring it."
They used real swords. No need to worry about accidents—the garden pavilion had Mujin watching. It was just kids playing around, not even peak experts. He could control it easily.
"The more you cut, the stronger you get."
Nangong Yeonhwa sat at a table nearby, looking displeased. To keep a youthful face, you had to keep a calm mind.
For the record, skin quality is genetic—if you're born with gravelly soil, give up and live easy. Effort's like pouring water into a cracked jar.
Ever the magnanimous one, Mujin tossed Nangong Yeonhwa some empty flattery. Social lubricant, the foundation of getting by in the world.
"Your brother's grown a lot stronger since I last saw him."
"Bullshit!"
"Can't take a compliment?"
"Cut it out."
Stronger my ass—if my brother got stronger, what about your son?
Nangong Yeonhwa bristled at the man's arrogance.
Her brother was undoubtedly exceptional. Scour the world, and at his age, opponents worth crossing swords with could be counted on one hand. But Taejin wasn't even worth a finger.
Mount Tai might be tall, but it's still under heaven.
A monster father had bred a monster son. Calling it natural talent didn't cut it—Mujin's training methods for his son were utterly inhuman.
Praising her brother was just another way to show off his own kid. The frustrating reality was that she couldn't deny it. Such was the tragedy of her genius brother. If he were ordinary, she'd envy him without attempting the futile challenge.
And sure enough.
The spar between Taejin and Nangong Hyun didn't last ten exchanges. It ended even more anticlimactically than the Little Dragon Tournament semifinals. Nangong Hyun, who had yielded initiative and been pushed back throughout, had his final counter blocked and lost.
"......I lost."
"Good fight."
Nangong Hyun's eyes filled with disbelief.
He'd gritted his teeth through defeat after defeat, training relentlessly. Yet not only had he failed to catch up—he'd fallen further behind. Even his hard-earned martial arts felt doubtful now.
Ah!
Sighs escaped simultaneously. Nangong Ho, Nangong Yeong, Nangong Min, and Nangong San watching the match felt the same. They never imagined their idol-like brother losing so feebly.
But it was too masterful a bout to call coincidence. Their sword clashes were invisible to the eye—a realm they couldn't even aspire to.
'What the hell just happened?'
'Hate to admit it, but that's a level beyond us.'
'Damn it, what is that guy?'
'This can't be a dream—Brother Hyun losing!'
The swift conclusion left them needing time to process. Nangong Hyun, having experienced it firsthand, felt it acutely. It wasn't just the sword level—his temperament was different. Taejin's sword, languid until moments before, now felt terrifying.
"Where did I fall short?"
"I'm younger than you. Stop asking tough questions. Don't expect profound answers to stupid ones."
Taejin had no desire to play the wise old soul. His own nose was too stuffy for that, and he wasn't in a position to teach anyone perfection. He figured this would make him back off, but Nangong Hyun was stubborn as a wall.
"Tell me."
"You'll keep hounding me if I don't, huh? Fine. If I had to pick one thing—your sword's too soft."
"My sword is soft?"
"Never felt like I was in mortal danger."
No amount of training beats real combat. True swordsmanship is forged in both.
Hmm.
Nangong Hyun stood dazed, lost in thought.
It might be too early for full enlightenment, but it could point him in the right direction. Victory mattered little—there was no guarantee of the same outcome next time. At that age, losses taught far more than wins.
As long as he had the courage to rise from defeat.
"Everyone loses sometimes."
"What the hell are you teaching that kid?"
"The resolve of a warrior, I guess."
"Creepy bastard."
Taejin's sword was near-perfect, even Nangong Yeonhwa couldn't dismiss it lightly. Matchups mattered in spars, but it overwhelmed her brother.
She understood. Despite his youth, Taejin had more experience—having roamed the Central Plains with this man, his depth was profound.
"Comfort him or something."
"I'm good."
Defeat was inevitable, but meaningless without self-recovery. Was that why? Nangong Yeonhwa felt a pang of sympathy. This superhuman monster spared no harshness even for his own son. Her brother's genius might still leave him torn apart.
Haa!
Nangong Yeonhwa sighed.
She couldn't tell her only brother to quit and take it easy.
Sssing!
At Mujin's gesture, Taejin shot back like lightning. Nangong Hyun and the others swallowed dryly, left hollow.
He was faster than in the spar, scratching at Nangong Hyun's barely settled mind. Even that small insight vanished in an instant.
"Son, want to come on the next trip?"
"Next time, I'll end it quicker!"
"Aw, that hurts."
"Father, I love you heaven and earth!"
Nangong Yeonhwa shook her head at Taejin's venomous glare—he desperately wanted out of the next journey. This man's training wasn't normal. No mercy even for his own son. Not getting stronger under that would be weirder.
'Hyun, just give up!'
Better for mental health to let go. And it wasn't someone else's problem—future rivalry with Taejin loomed uneasily. This guy was quirky enough to make it happen.
"Father, I felt something strange last time."
"Tell me more."
Taejin detailed the sensations from the merchant caravan ambush. He'd analyzed his senses alone but was stuck.
"It was like I could see the next move. Like Foresight Eye, but I'm not at Sword Heart realm."
"It's Body Eye."
"Body Eye?"
"Different from the mind's eye—it's the body's eye. Like hyper-senses from mastering Flesh Unity."
"But it doesn't activate normally."
"If Body Eye opened all the time, it'd be exhausting."
All senses wide open sounds great?
Not really. Uncontrolled sensory overload crushes normal minds. Cross that line, and the spirit breaks first.
-Embarrassed much?
'Why?'
-Rare for Body Eye to open so young.
'All the more reason to stay vigilant.'
-Next stage will be fun.
'Typical Demon King, always scheming.'
Like Armament Style, Demon King Battle had similar stages. Lumped together, it was Mad Eye realm. Mental fortitude alone couldn't endure it.
Growing pains in mastering Armament Style and Demon King Battle. Survive or fall behind—the quality of your arts depended on it.
-Say thanks. My merit.
'You made it so.'
To unlock Taejin's Body Eye, the Demon King had imprinted Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye. Without prep, this achievement would've been impossible.
But this punk loved empty praise more than he let on.
'Without reaching Divine Eye, it's all for naught.'
-Trying to kill the kid, you cruel bastard!
'Demon King preaching now.'
-My disciple before your son.
The Demon King kept surprising. Oscar-worthy acting. Honestly, irritation bubbled at the thought he might actually be decent, against expectations.
"That's Sword Eye, right?"
"Yep."
Realms of insight varied by primary art: Sword Eye for swordsmanship, Blade Eye for blades, Spear Eye for spears. Few qualified for such stages.
'They are different, though.'
-Sword Eye? How quaint.
Similar doesn't make shit gold. But traits overlapped—pursuits and levels differed.
"No wonder he reacted faster than anyone."
"Don't hype it—it's no big deal."
Sword Eye was distinct from art levels. You could advance without it. But with it versus without? Worlds apart, even at the same level.
"What are you aiming for? Impressive, but dangerous."
"In the cutthroat martial world, how do you survive without risk? And if you're gonna be a warrior, aim for the top. Right?"
Nangong Yeonhwa felt an odd unease. Sword Eye opened paths to supreme rule. But pushing so hard felt like prepping for a mighty foe.
-Fitting for Fist Empress. Sharp instincts.
'Anyone would notice.'
-Still soft.
'That's why we need a scar.'
-You're crazier than me!
The Nangong Yeonhwa from when he thought she was Gung Yeonhwa was a different beast—icy frostbite aura rivaling Sword Empress.
Strength shared common ground.
But scarring that face? She'd curse him forever, so he sided with the Demon King.
"Wanna go a round?"
"......What?"
He slapped her cheek with a trembling voice—pow!
Mujin flinched.
"Why act surprised, you idiot? Makes it weirder."
"Hmph, just kidding."
Ho, look at her.
Far bolder than their first meeting. A warrior's completion, by all measures.
Real warriors shed shame. Pride kills in critical bouts. Thick skin essential—more so with comrades.
"You've grown a lot."
"Wouldn't you, in my shoes?"
Brutal beatings force adaptation, willing or not.
Recalling past ordeals, Nangong Yeonhwa ground her teeth. His "spars" were beatdowns in disguise.
Knocking you out before enlightenment? No progress.
"Baemun Merchant Group's golden child is your rival."
"What nonsense is that!"
"Don't you covet my brother?"
"Shut up!"
"Can't force it then."
Political marriages were this era's bedrock. Powerhouses built networks through them. Nothing odd about it.
Some, like Mujin, married for love. Prestigious houses like Nangong consolidated via alliances.
"Oh, future Sword Empress too. I'll name your martial moniker. Fist Empress?"
"What?"
"Fist Empress sounds good."
"You mad bastard!"
Mujin said it offhand like a joke, but Nangong Yeonhwa flinched for a moment.
The ambition to claim the supreme fist throne!
A warrior's goal, unspoken to anyone.
'No way! I won't acknowledge it!'
Why did the one who saw through her have to be this guy!
Nangong Yeonhwa felt utterly pissed.
"This is bullshit!"
"Want some candy?"