Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: See? (4)
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Whoa!
Mujin was slightly moved by the Sword Emperor's hidden prowess. Until now, he'd been unconsciously holding back his own power while facing his son. And even though it was the son who'd abandoned him, he still reacted.
'A touching father-son bond, huh.'
-If it'd been Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye, it wouldn't have worked from the start. He slaughtered family without hesitation.
'Then why'd it work?'
-It wasn't perfect. Might've been Devilish Possession.
I heard he'd gone into secluded training.
As the Demon King suspected, if he'd fallen into Devilish Possession and then been hit by Dark Demonic Eye, it could've worked. Unlike others, the Sword Emperor had free access in and out.
'He exploited the father's love well.'
-Even the strongest humans have weaknesses.
'My wife and kids are mine.'
-Not necessarily.
'Who do you think I am, some heartless demon?'
-Aren't you?
'I'll show you!'
In any case, the flow of the duel shifted in an instant.
As the Sword Emperor moved to protect his son, he unleashed his true power. Among those who'd perfectly replicated the Emperor Sword Form in Namgung Clan history, he was one of the top three. No, the Sword Emperor had reached the pinnacle.
'Tricky sword art.'
-Since it can be infused into any sword form.
The hallmark of the Emperor Sword Form lay in the sword itself. It shed rigid forms, comprehending the intent and embedding it into all sword arts. Thus, the Namgung Clan's sword techniques wielded by the Sword Emperor were truly the Emperor Sword Form.
Swish! Slash!
The Great Linkage Sword Method, known as the Namgung Clan's basic technique, unfolded—but its power surpassed sword aura. Even as it was sustained by the Soaring Sword Formation, it was effortlessly sliced apart, causing the sword array to waver badly.
The Sword Guard realized the danger and joined the Soaring Sword Formation to maintain it, but the Sword Emperor's power in protecting his son reached levels they'd never experienced.
'Father's strong, no doubt.'
-Time for jokes?
'Still, barging into family matters without permission is rude.'
-Since when do you care about manners?
'Hey, you said after I return, drop the manners or it's a corpse.'
-Just a corpse.
Blood was flowing. Even with the Sword Guard's reinforcement, the Sword Emperor didn't falter. His massive heavy sword dominated like Mount Tai. The aura emanating from it was like an immense fortress wall.
Huh!
The Sword Guard and Ascension Squad were being overwhelmed by the former clan head. Paradoxically, they felt pride in the Sword Emperor's vitality, but the situation spiraled uncontrollably.
"Kill them all! Don't leave a single one. The Namgung Clan ends today!"
Namgung Je roared in fury.
He despised the Sword Emperor's resilience, the Sword Guard's strength, the clan's resistance—everything felt like a denial of himself.
'If things went as planned, the Namgung Clan would've been done for.'
-This is where the Five Great Clans' rift began.
Most of the Little Dragon Tournament entrants who'd made it to the top eight belonged to the Five Great Clans. Imagine if they'd met foul play inside the Namgung Clan. What chaos would ensue.
The Namgung Clan would claim the Sword Emperor had fallen to Devilish Possession, but who would buy that outright? Even if believed, trust would be shattered. You can't expect parents whose visiting kin died at the feast to just say, "Oh, okay."
'Smart strategy.'
-One of the Demonic Cult of the Demon God's doctrines is to strike weaknesses.
It put the orthodox factions' rigid plans to shame. Utterly realistic and lethal.
-Dark Demonic Eye may fall short of Soul-Piercing Demonic Eye, but it's mid-tier sorcery. Passing it on means serious investment.
'So there's a backup plan?'
-Likely. The Mythic Demon Spirit Armor going quiet might be to focus on the Namgung Clan.
'Divide and conquer.'
The struggle for secret manuals would come later. The Mythic Demon Spirit Armor was one of them. Events would unfold regardless; losing one treasure wouldn't halt it midway.
Krreeeeen!
Thirteen sword thunders shot from the Sword Emperor's blade, intercepting the Ascension Squad. In one breath, thirteen swordsmen suffered fatal wounds and collapsed. Speed and power that could kill instantly.
Tzzzzz!
Lightning flash.
Invisible.
All wore dazed expressions at the Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunders infused with Emperor Sword Form. Had the Sword Guard not unleashed Invincible Emperor Sword Aura, the Ascension Squad would've perished.
'This is the Emperor Sword Form!'
'A realm beyond mortal ken.'
The Sword Emperor's divine might, a pillar of the Divine Twenty-One Strengths, was keenly felt as an enemy. Just blocking revealed their vast inferiority.
"Die! Die!"
Namgung Je, steeped in Dark Demonic Arts and madness, seemed half-insane. Murderous intent overflowed to kill everyone around. It vividly showed how envy and jealousy twisted humans into ugliness—or rather, raw humanity.
'They're here.'
People burst in through the door. Traces of fierce combat scarred every inch of their bodies, blood not yet dry. They'd hurried but tried not to cause a stir.
Namgung Yeon-hwa and Namgung Jin.
"......What is this?"
"......Grandfather!"
They'd dealt with those Namgung Je sent and rushed to the Heavenly Human Pavilion. They knew the urgency but figured preparations would prevent issues. Even if Namgung Je regained his past prowess and advanced, overpowering the clan head and Ascension Squad was impossible.
Yet, a catastrophe beyond imagination unfolded. The Sword Emperor's sword turned on the Namgung Clan. They barely held, but injuries mounted. No deaths yet was a miracle.
"Uncle, stop this!"
"You're here! This is all your fault. I'll never forgive you! I'll ravish you in front of that bastard and kill you."
Namgung Je spat patricidal filth without shame. Human decency was long gone. He embodied desire and vengeance.
"You think it'll go your way?!"
Namgung Yeon-hwa no longer treated him as uncle. Hearing that, any woman revering him as elder would be the odd one.
"You came?"
Mujin's languid response held mild reproach for lateness, but she should take it as teasing.
High Sword Namgung Jin had joined the Ascension Squad. His Flying Dragon Squad filled the gaps.
In the crisis, Mujin's detached attitude grated on Namgung Yeon-hwa. She knew he lacked judgment, but slacking now? Infuriating.
"You, is that what you say now?"
"What'd I do?"
"Why're you standing there?"
"Family matter. Should I butt in without permission? You should've said something earlier."
"......True, but."
Namgung Yeon-hwa fumed but faltered. Spot on, not wrong. It was internal clan strife. Grandfather and uncle involved—airing it shamed them all.
"Tell you and get chewed out. That's why you don't meddle in others' affairs. Should've just left."
"......Sorry."
"What? Didn't hear."
"I'm sorry!"
Namgung Yeon-hwa had to admit it. Annoying guy, but without warning, dodging disaster would've been hard.
If it happened with Five Great Clans' juniors present, chills at the thought. Namgung Clan would've taken irreparable damage.
Not resolved yet, but thanks were in order.
"Even I think I picked right. Divine luck, no doubt."
......Thanks my ass!
This bastard left her clan's fate to chance!
Namgung Yeon-hwa felt wronged for picking right. Better if wrong—no smugness then.
But no.
Good that it was right.
Wrong would've made her a liar, insulting father and clan.
Right or wrong, checkmate.
Booom!
The duel turned savage beyond ferocity. Death hovered. This'd lead to massacre. But why? Unfathomable.
"Your uncle used sorcery to bind the Sword Emperor's soul."
"......Impossible."
Mujin gave a simple explanation for context. No need for more. Fail to grasp? Stay out.
"This drags on, father and son spill blood. Figure it out."
"......What?"
"I said it before: no butting into family. Can't mighty Namgung Clan handle this?"
"Not that, but......"
Is he sane?!
Arguing etiquette in crisis? Moral police? Denying it'd cheapen their rep; accepting needed his help.
'Infuriating, but strong!'
His strength rivaled her father's. With Sword Guard bolstered, they might block grandfather's sword.
"Help us!"
"For free?"
"Anything you want."
"Young lady promises easily."
"Help now!"
Fine, feisty.
Anyway, subdue them—prioritize the key player.
Bang!
An instant.
Namgung Yeon-hwa couldn't tell if the sight was real or illusion. Blinked, returned to reality—everyone stared in shock.
"......Is that allowed?"
Plans awry, but Sword Emperor's sword far stronger than known. Father, yet not. Now rampaging as her sword. As long as father held, destroying the clan was easy.
'I'll smash them all!'
Namgung Je always dreamed of surpassing father as strongest swordsman. Reality crushed him against limits. Brother Sword Guard ahead.
'No forgiveness!'
Dare block elder brother's path!
Die by father's sword!
Namgung Je relished the fratricide. Watching father dismantle the clan by his hand.
'It's over...... Huh?'
Sudden unease exploded like a typhoon. Goosebumps to full-body hackles. Unease became reality—unimaginable sonic boom shredded eardrums.
Kabooom!
The annex shook, collapsed. A figure bounced back into view.
"Not fully recovered, so I'll go easy."
Courteous words, then fist swung.
The Sword Emperor's mind clouded, but swordsman's will awakened, drawing out Emperor Sword Form's zenith. Expecting a feast of ultimate techniques following Invincible Emperor Sword Aura.