Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: You Are the True Sword of Completion (4)
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I sheathed my sword.
The sundered sky began to mend without a sound, returning to its original blue.
“……”
A heavy silence fell over the training ground. The people of the Namgung Clan could only gape like fish, unable to make a sound.
Only Namgung Cheok looked at me with an incredibly wistful expression.
‘If Master were here, he would have shown them an even more incredible sword.’
Slicing the sky was all thanks to Master’s teachings.
The Three Talents of the Three Talents Sword Art were man, earth, and heaven. One had to start by cutting man, then earth and sky, to reach the tenth stage.
Master had said that if one could go a step further and cut even time and space, they could achieve the twelfth stage.
‘Though I have no idea how one is supposed to cut time and space.’
The sky and the earth are visible, but time is not, and I had no sense of how to even perceive it. The same went for space.
I couldn’t even grasp the concept.
“Well done.”
“No. It wasn’t that difficult.”
Namgung Cheok praised me, but slicing the sky wasn’t as hard as one might think.
Like many things, when the sword held one’s heart, the sky opened itself. It didn’t even require as much internal energy as sword qi.
“Not difficult, you say…”
Namgung Jun, who had lost his duel against Nam Gyeong, muttered quietly.
He looked completely dazed. No, it wasn't just Namgung Jun. All the warriors of the Namgung Clan wore the same expression.
“Why are they all like that?”
“Because they are faced with a situation they cannot comprehend.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“They’re trying to understand the incomprehensible, which is why they’re reacting so foolishly.”
Namgung Cheok said, clicking his tongue.
I didn’t know what he meant, but I nodded anyway.
“What remains is how they will incorporate this into their own sword arts… I just hope they don’t break their swords in despair.”
Namgung Cheok said with a sigh.
Then again, this was a problem at our school too. The Sinnae Sword School was clearly a swordsmanship school, yet the only ones who could be called swordsmen were myself and Nam Gyeong.
‘Everyone thinks about it too hard.’
Take Jeok-sam, for instance. He had talent. He had the eye to see and the mind to understand.
But he was the first among the disciples to put down his sword.
‘It’s a shame, but he succeeded as a merchant.’
Just because they attended the school didn’t mean they all had to become warriors. The Sinnae Sword School wasn't a military academy or a martial sect; it was a school that taught swordsmanship.
In fact, it was Nam Gyeong, who was thought to have no talent, who tenaciously held on to his sword.
“The important thing is…”
“A heart that doesn’t give up? That’s not wrong, but it’s too harsh.”
Namgung Cheok gave a bitter smile.
However, Nam Gyeong had already shown what perseverance could achieve, so it would be a shame to give up just because the outcome seems pre-determined.
“It’s not like Sang-ho didn’t try, either…”
“Master is the Divine Sword.”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
Namgung Cheok wore an awkward expression.
Then, he turned his head toward his clansmen.
“As Je-yong said, I hope you do not give up.”
“After showing us such a sword, you speak cruel words, Sword of Completion.”
Namgung Jun said with an indescribable expression.
It was a face that didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
I had seen that expression before. It was the one my senior brothers and sisters used to show.
“Why did you take up the sword? Is the sword not ultimately a means to an end? If you took up the sword to protect your family, your clan, and to uphold justice, then there is no need to lay it down.”
“Conversely, does that mean we should give up if we aim for the title of the next Sword King?”
asked Namgung Yong-yong, who had come to the training ground.
Namgung Cheok couldn't help but let out a dry laugh at his grandson's question.
“No, that is even easier. Je-yong is not one to become a king. No one will ever call him a Sword King.”
‘What does that mean?’
“…I see.”
‘Why do you understand?’
They were having a conversation only they could understand.
Then again, this was another clan’s affair. No matter how close I was to Namgung Cheok, it wasn't my place to interfere.
As I quietly began to step away, Namgung Yong-yong approached and cupped his fist.
“I apologize for my rudeness last night.”
His arm, which had been severed the day before, was wrapped in bandages.
I had cut it cleanly so it could be easily reattached, but the thought of having sliced the arm of an acquaintance's grandson weighed on my mind.
“No, it’s understandable. I should have made a name for myself sooner.”
What if I had entered the martial world earlier?
No, even if I had, the situation wouldn't have changed. They would have still looked down on our school for being in the countryside.
“It’s just that… I would also like to learn a thing or two about such a magnificent sword.”
Namgung Yong-yong said cautiously, glancing around as he held up his sword.
I saw the bandage on his wrist and averted my gaze.
My eyes met Namgung Cheok's, and he nodded.
“A thing or two, you say?”
“Ah! First, I would be grateful if you could watch my swordplay and point out its flaws.”
Namgung Yong-yong looked a couple of years older than me, but he drew his sword and performed a sword dance as if a child proudly showing off to his parents.
It was a powerful sword art. To put it nicely, it was disciplined; to put it poorly, his body was stiff and rigid.
“I’m not very good at explaining with words.”
“Th-then…”
“Hmm, crossing swords directly seems difficult. You’re injured.”
Besides, I was the one who had cut his wrist. I was afraid his wound might worsen if he tried to block my sword.
So, I called over the easy target, Nam Gyeong.
“Gyeong-i! Come here.”
“Yes! Instructor!”
Nam Gyeong scurried over to me.
“Young Master Namgung said he wants to see some swordplay.”
“Instructor, this disciple left his sword behind.”
He made a ridiculous excuse, even though a sword was still hanging from his waist.
Where did the Nam Gyeong who trained so diligently for three years go?
“Then you can receive it with your body, without a sword.”
There was no time to wait.
I drew my sword and launched it at Nam Gyeong.
“Wait, Instructor! Ugh!”
Nam Gyeong hastily drew his sword.
I first replicated the Azure Sky Infinite Sword art that Namgung Yong-yong had demonstrated.
Nam Gyeong, surprised for only a moment, spotted a gap in the sword art and thrust his sword forward.
In response, I borrowed a technique from Namgung Yong-yong’s form to block Nam Gyeong’s sword and counterattacked.
‘His confidence may be shot, but his swordsmanship hasn't regressed.’
The only sword skill Nam Gyeong knew was the thrust, but that one thrust was second to none.
Nam Gyeong relentlessly exploited the openings in Namgung Yong-yong’s sword art, and I provided the answers using Namgung Yong-yong's own techniques.
After repeating this three or four times, I withdrew my sword.
“So, those are the problems.”
“Yes, I could see it all at a glance.”
Namgung Yong-yong approached, his face flushed with excitement. He looked just like my sister Gyeong-ae when she saw Warrior Yi Geum-yeong.
Seeing a man stare at me so ardently gave me goosebumps.
I took a step back and opened my mouth.
“Then that’s a relief.”
“And so.”
Namgung Yong-yong stepped forward as much as I had stepped back, his nostrils flaring.
I subtly backed away again.
‘Should I cut him?’
Just as I was thinking that.
“Young Master Jin, no, Great Hero Jin!”
“Yes?”
“Today, I have realized.”
‘The city walls?’
Namgung Yong-yong’s state was unsettling as he breathed heavily through his nose.
His gaze was frightening, too.
“That you are the one truly worthy of being called the Sword of Completion!”
* * *
Namgung Mimi could not, for the life of her, understand her brother's sudden change in attitude.
“The Sword of Completion, Great Hero Jin, told me that my sword still has a long way to go.”
What was so great about being told his skills were lacking that he would grin foolishly while saying it?
Namgung Mimi missed the stern and confident young master of the Namgung Clan.
“Brother, are you mad?”
“Mad? Yes, I suppose I have gone mad. Faced with such a sword, how could a warrior who wields the blade not go mad?”
Namgung Yong-yong shouted in excitement.
Namgung Mimi was scared. Had he used an illusion technique? Was it brainwashing? The young master of the Namgung Clan was completely broken.
‘This can’t go on.’
To understand the situation, Namgung Mimi first sought out Hwa Wol-lyeong.
After all, Hwa Wol-lyeong was from the same school as the one who had driven Namgung Yong-yong mad.
‘She may be from a small martial arts school in the countryside, but she’s a truly good person.’
Unlike Jegal Eun-hye, she didn’t subtly look down on people; she was someone who accepted even Namgung Mimi’s prickly personality.
When she went to find Hwa Wol-lyeong, the people from the Sinnae Sword School were gathered there, except for Jin Je-yong.
“So something major happened to the Tang Clan.”
“Yes, Senior Sister. If the Five Great Clans are to maintain their glory for long, the Jegal Clan will also have to help the Tang Clan.”
“After all, there is no clan as skilled in medicine and hidden weapons as the Tang Clan.”
Hwa Wol-lyeong nodded at Jeok-sam’s words.
“And if possible, the Namgung Clan as well… Ah, speak of the devil, the young lady of Namgung is here.”
Jeok-sam spotted Namgung Mimi as he was speaking and rose from his seat.
Then he glared at Nam Gyeong. His duty was to stand guard, but he was dozing off with a drawn-out yawn.
“When a guest arrives, aren’t you supposed to be the one to greet them?”
“Come on, we’re inside the Jegal Clan estate, and Senior Sister is here too. What’s the problem?”
The timid and soft-hearted Nam Gyeong was strangely shameless when it came to Jeok-sam.
Jeok-sam kicked Nam Gyeong’s butt to get him up.
“Still, if you just laze around anywhere, it’s not you but our school that gets a bad name. Are you trying to tarnish the name of the Sinnae Sword School?”
“Of course not! Am I crazy?”
Nam Gyeong shot up from his seat.
Jin Je-yong never forgave anyone who dishonored the school. The excuse ‘but he’s a disciple’ didn’t work on him.
Aside from that, however, Jin Je-yong was a master who deeply cherished his disciples.
‘What a mess.’
Watching the banter between the two martial brothers, Namgung Mimi sighed.
That man Jin Je-yong had no common sense, and his disciples were no different.
For people from a small school in the backwoods, they were acting as if the Jegal Clan estate were their own home.
“Mimi greets Sister Hwa.”
Namgung Mimi greeted Hwa Wol-lyeong, hiding her true thoughts.
Though from the same school, Hwa Wol-lyeong was a gentle soul, a fact even Namgung Mimi acknowledged.
She was so kind it was hard to believe someone could be that good. If not for her constant bragging about her junior brother, it was incomprehensible why she would marry someone like Jegal Hap.
‘Even my brother is a bit of a waste for Sister Hwa.’
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
Hwa Wol-lyeong welcomed Namgung Mimi with a smile.
Namgung Mimi scurried over and took the seat next to Hwa Wol-lyeong.
“Sister, sister. My brother has gone mad.”
“Your brother? You mean Young Master Namgung Yong-yong?”
“Yes, yes! Ever since he ran out to the training ground yesterday, he’s been saying, ‘The Sword of Completion’s sword is the best in the Central Plains!’ I mean, what kind of clan are we, for him to praise the sword of another sect, and a countryside one at that…”
Namgung Mimi was about to complain about Namgung Yong-yong’s sudden change when she almost forgot that Hwa Wol-lyeong was from that very countryside martial arts school.
Startled, she quickly changed her words.
“I mean, why is he praising another sect’s sword? He has no pride.”
“Hmm, what do you mean by that?”
“Yesterday, Elder Namgung showed the Instructor’s sword to the clan members.”
Jeok-sam cleared up Hwa Wol-lyeong’s confusion.
“Ah! So they saw the youngest’s sword. Elder Namgung is too much. That must have been hard on them.”
“Elder Namgung has always been merciless. He would just stare while his disciple was training and never once stopped him.”
Jin Je-yong's teaching is a conversation through the sword.
As the first disciple, Jeok-sam had faced Jin Je-yong’s unrestrained sword head-on.
He had fled, soiling himself, on more than one occasion.
‘It’s not that I dislike Nam Gyeong. The training he received was truly nothing compared to mine!’
Jeok-sam shuddered, recalling the hellish three months of sword training he had endured.
Namgung Mimi had no idea why Jeok-sam was suddenly trembling.
“Mimi, people usually have one of three reactions when they face the youngest’s sword.”
Hwa Wol-lyeong explained calmly with a smile.
“One, they see a realm they can never reach and give up. Or, they endure and persevere, achieving some level of success.”
The former was the case for disciples like Jeok-sam, while the latter was exemplified by Hwa Wol-lyeong and Nam Gyeong.
By receiving Jin Je-yong’s sword, Hwa Wol-lyeong had become a master so skilled that she had few rivals in the Jegal Clan. And Nam Gyeong, despite his timid personality, had a sword sharp enough to defeat the head of the Namgung Clan.
“Or they break.”
It seemed Namgung Yong-yong had met exactly that fate.