Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Claiming the Bones Without Shedding Blood (2)
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Ching!
“Kuhk...!”
Despite the sword not seeming to carry much power, Nangong Sang struggled to block Geum Sihyeon's blade, which felt unusually heavy. His mind went hazy.
Clearly twenty years old.
The same age as him.
Unlike himself, who bore the great name of Nangong, this lowly scum from the battlefields had nothing but money.
Why had he reached the Peak Realm faster? Why did he wield the sword more skillfully than someone who had gripped one since taking his first steps? Why, why?
...How had it come to this?
He hadn't meant to heed his uncle's words.
Without realizing it, Nangong Sang recalled that night.
.
.
.
“If you face Geum Sihyeon, cut off one of his arms by any means necessary. I'll take responsibility.”
The air froze cold.
In that instant, the eyes of the Nangong collaterals met.
Looking back now, they were all in lowly positions within the family, or their parents' martial prowess was somewhat lacking.
“S-Suddenly cutting off an arm? What on earth do you mean?”
Among them, Nangong Hwi—the eldest and the one with the firmest convictions—voiced the question.
But Nangong Baek did not answer immediately.
Instead, he pulled several wooden boxes from his bosom and set them down.
“These are the highest-quality elixirs from the alliance's pharmacy hall. Success or failure, you'll each get two. I can't reveal all the family's secrets, but understand that this isn't mere mischief—it's absolutely essential.”
Nangong Baek's words were calm, but an implicit pressure began to envelop and weigh down the room.
How could they refuse in this situation?
Nangong Sang felt cold sweat trickling down his back but was tempted by the mention of elixirs.
Since coming to the academy, he hadn't even tasted the elixirs his father procured. They must be key to his current lack of progress.
Gulp—
The throats of those sharing Nangong Sang's thirst bobbed heavily.
The only exception was one man.
Nangong Hwi alone showed no change in expression, lost in deep thought.
'Hmph, they're just young fools anyway.'
Nangong Baek smirked inwardly.
He hadn't called children who might cause real trouble that he'd have to clean up.
The elixirs were a waste, but combined with the Fury Burst Pills, they'd have no choice but to cooperate with the Azure Heaven Society out of guilt.
Even if they seemed reluctant now, once they felt the elixirs' effects, they'd eagerly take the Fury Burst Pills and anticipate further rewards for obeying his orders.
And so.
Hands from the Nangong youths began reaching for the wooden boxes Nangong Baek had set down.
Even Nangong Hwi, who had initially hesitated.
Nangong Baek flashed a pleased smile.
“Good, you've made the right choice. Now, let me explain in more detail...”
.
.
.
If only he hadn't listened to that explanation.
No, he shouldn't have even entered the tournament.
Would he not have gotten the elixirs? No, even with them, this gap... Why, why—
“Sang-ah, too many stray thoughts.”
“Shut up!”
Nangong Sang irritably shoved away Geum Sihyeon's sword, which slowly approached his chest.
A thick sense of defeat washed over him.
No, not yet.
Nangong Sang remembered the Fury Burst Pill tucked in his bosom.
It might have side effects, but swallowing it and crushing this arrogant bastard's nose would finally vent his frustration.
Tadadak—
Geum Sihyeon leisurely stepped forward, watching Nangong Sang hurriedly retreat to create distance.
Seizing the gap.
Nangong Sang swallowed the Fury Burst Pill.
At first, the sensation was so faint he barely felt it, leaving him slightly disappointed inwardly.
“Urgh, kuhuhu—!”
But then, like downing a bottle of strong liquor, a scorching energy surged up, accompanied by a strange ache around his heart.
Right now.
Right now!
Drunk on the eerie heat, Nangong Sang swung his sword wildly.
A strand of sword qi, infused with the clear light of imperial authority, shot toward Geum Sihyeon.
“Sword qi!”
“He was hiding his true power until now?”
“How could Nangong Sang...?”
“Impressive!”
Hot reactions erupted immediately from the spectator seats.
Though it wasn't true awakening of potential or talent.
The qi madly refining his body numbed Nangong Sang's reason.
The praise he'd never properly heard since entering First-Rate made his heart race even more.
However.
“Tch.”
To Geum Sihyeon, who had merely stepped ahead by a single stride—and now matched eye level only by borrowing the pill's power—it was just a tongue click.
“—!”
When the sword qi he'd squeezed out scattered into the air merely from Geum Sihyeon flicking his sleeve.
Nangong Sang's eyes bulged.
How so easily?
Impossible.
My sword isn't that shallow...!
“Kraaaah!”
Letting out a grotesque roar unfit for a human, Nangong Sang wildly swung his sword to press Geum Sihyeon.
Clang, cha-clang, bang!
Amid the clashes of sword and qi producing metallic sounds, explosions, and scattering lights.
Geum Sihyeon's expression remained serene.
Partly because he'd grown accustomed to flashy martial effects.
And because he'd only ever clashed blades with superiors, he had no reason to flinch at Nangong Sang's inferior talent and effort.
It looked fierce from afar.
But up close, in the overwhelmingly one-sided exchange.
Clang—
“K-Kuhk...!”
Nangong Sang dropped his sword first.
Normally, Geum Sihyeon should swing to force a surrender, but he casually looked down at Nangong Sang bending to hurriedly retrieve it.
“You bow well—hey.”
His low voice dripped with mockery, but Nangong Sang swallowed his rising fury and said nothing.
More exchanges followed.
In the end, Nangong Sang's spirit broke.
“I... lost...”
Kneeling, he squeezed out the surrender in a tiny voice.
One might expect more taunts, but surprisingly, Geum Sihyeon accepted it with a solemn expression.
The moment Geum Sihyeon turned his back.
“Uh, ugh...?”
Nangong Sang suddenly felt his heart pounding like it would burst.
Thump—thump—thump—thump—
At the same time.
A thick killing intent from some unknown origin welled up from deep within his heart—no, his head, no, his heart, somewhere, his whole body—
“Die...!”
Pouring all the surging emotion into it.
Infusing a strange bloody streak into the Nangong sword's innate blue light, he lunged at Geum Sihyeon's arm.
A split-second moment.
A perfect ambush.
Screams burst from the spectator seats.
The judge scrambled onto the stage in panic.
But too late.
Nangong Sang's sword reached Geum Sihyeon's forearm.
Kaaang—!
“Kut...!?”
The metallic clang, unbelievable for sword meeting cloth, startled even Nangong Sang.
Geum Sihyeon wrapped the sword in his sleeve and turned.
“This is bulletproof cloth—huh?”
His baffling mutter shifted to surprise.
Following his gaze unwittingly, Nangong Sang saw it.
A purple finger strike carrying inevitable death toward him, and a petite woman leaping into the arena at similar speed.
She had unleashed her full power for a surprise strike on Geum Sihyeon.
Thus, Nangong Sang had no room to dodge.
Darkness fell before his eyes.
And then.
Kwaaaang—!
The robe blocking his view clashed with the finger strike, erupting in brilliant explosion.
Moreover, faint qi barriers now flowed around Nangong Sang's body.
In his fading consciousness.
“Wh... why?”
Why save me?
I just tried to sever your arm.
He packed countless swirling questions into one word and hurled it out.
But before the answer came, Nangong Sang passed out.
* * *
Wow, damn.
My witness nearly bit the dust.
Watching Cheon Luri charge onto the stage out of nowhere, panting, a bead of cold sweat trickled down.
Good thing she blocked it.
If not, it would've been a trajectory bombing that could turn Nangong Sang into a eunuch on the spot.
...Well, honestly, this punk deserves it.
“Cheon Luri cadet! Even in urgency, you can't invade the arena or harm a contestant!”
“Hmph.”
Luri, with her puffy hair and a squirrel dangling from it, snorted curtly.
“Haha, hahaha... Perhaps Nangong cadet's excessive rivalry led to a slight lapse in fairness, irking her. I blocked it, but there was threat without true killing intent. No need to overreact.”
Of course, it was pure 100% Heavenly Demon death beam.
“Hm... Anyway, Cheon Luri cadet. Step down. We'll handle the cleanup here.”
Instructors rushed up, carting off the fainted Nangong Sang and apprehending the intruder Cheon Luri.
And arriving a beat late.
“...Tch.”
Unlike the demonic arts false accusation before.
Nangong Baek couldn't hide his expression this time.
“Instructor Nangong. Long time no see. First since the interim hearing, right?”
Seeing his face scream 'Should've lopped off that punk's arm' felt refreshing.
Grrrk.
“Hm, I'm uncomfortable—mind supporting me a bit?”
“...”
Not really a question needing an answer.
Pretending his leg hurt, he limped over and draped an arm over Nangong Baek's shoulder.
“What's so great about the righteous sects? It's relying on them in times like this.”
Mindful of the stares?
Nangong Baek couldn't shove him off, feigning support awkwardly.
As they walked toward the waiting room.
“Well, want to stab me now? Plenty of eyes, perfect stage to show the world the Nangong Family antagonizes the Ten Thousand Gold Hall, no?”
Whispering the truth he craved into his ear.
Nangong Baek's face twisted horribly.
“...You bastard.”
“Already wrote 'Nangong Family' on my last will before leaving. Scared? Might be your only chance ever.”
If you're scared, just drop dead.