Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Invitation to a Dangerous Place
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I locked eyes with Nangong Cheolung and opened my mouth.
"Water flows from high places to low ones. Yet most of the Great Rapids Sword Technique you demonstrated earlier moved as if water were flowing from low to high."
Nangong Cheolung looked taken aback.
"And that second form—was it the second? Water turns back when blocked. But you kept pushing straight ahead."
I continued.
"The fifth form, perhaps? It moved like something hadn't fused properly. Water accepts dirty or clean alike. That form needed to show—embrace."
It was like a Zen riddle, but Nangong Cheolung seemed to grasp what I meant.
"The seventh form should embody the power of a water drop that pierces rock given time. But it lacked focus on one spot."
A gasp escaped Nangong Cheolung involuntarily.
"Ah!"
His body shuddered once.
"Water has the courage to fall, no matter the height. The ninth form is like one resolved to mutual destruction. That's its meaning. It's not for dancing with the foe."
I paused for a moment.
Nangong Cheolung shuddered again, lost briefly in contemplation.
I waited until he emerged from it.
"The Great Rapids Sword Technique is greater than any other. It captures flow. If it were me, I'd rank it as the Nangong Family's supreme sword art."
These words came as Nangong Cheolung snapped out of his reverie.
"Please enlighten me further."
His eyes gleamed brightly.
"Where does water flow to? All that water meanders through the world before reaching the sea. No matter its source, the sea is water's end. That's the Great Cause."
Nangong Cheolung replied.
"The tenth form is like that. It should move with the Great Cause, but your frivolous motion robbed it of power."
I nodded.
"You've got it. The twenty-third form is the pinnacle of the Great Rapids Sword Technique. Water gives life equally to all beings, without discrimination. It reveals mercy to unleash true might. That form demands shedding killing intent."
"And I just poured maximum killing intent into it blindly."
"Not wrong."
"Pardon?"
"I mentioned seven virtues earlier, but personally, I believe the final form needs the intent to kill everything. Is water only merciful? Floodwaters, massive tsunamis—they swallow ships, seas, homes, people. Nothing fiercer. No mercy at all. The Great Rapids holds mercy, but also unmatched savagery."
"Ah!"
"Grasp that, and you'll perfect the Great Rapids Sword Technique."
"Hah, I just swung it around."
Self-reproach in his voice, Nangong Cheolung reversed his grip on his sword and offered a martial salute.
This was the utmost respect a warrior could show.
"Scholar Cheon."
"Yes?"
"Would you watch my forms once more?"
"Of course."
I was the Family Head's hand-sign man anyway, so observing Nangong Family training was no issue.
Nangong Cheolung incorporated the seven water virtues aptly into each form as he executed them.
Starting from the preparatory stance, mystical energy gathered around his swordplay as he progressed through the forms.
Watching someone take my insights and refine them filled me with pride, like a scholar beholding a disciple he'd taught and enlightened.
'This is why people teach. One of the three joys of a gentleman: instructing a bright pupil.'
Nangong Cheolung finished all twenty-four forms of the Great Rapids Sword Technique and stared blankly into the void.
He was likely internalizing a wealth of insights.
'After this, Nangong Cheolung will make his name in the Nangong Family.'
Nangong Cheolung soon snapped to and spoke to me.
"You've given me such profound insights—I'm at a loss. If it's all right, may I share them with my fellow disciples?"
"They're your insights now. Why seek my permission?"
"Thank you."
"Your goodwill will strengthen both the Nangong Family and you."
I flashed a grin at Nangong Cheolung, who held his salute until I vanished.
I circulated my qi centered on the thirteen acupoints of the Big Dipper spirit meridians.
This bypassed the major and minor heavenly cycles so valued in the martial world, with no issues.
Vitality surged through my body just from that.
A different feel from building vigor with spirit energy.
'This is why warriors accumulate inner power.'
I understood. Vitality coursed, energy soared.
Then, operating the Ghostly Jade Radiant Heart Technique for ghostly qi cultivation, my spirit energy mobilized naturally.
Spirit and ghostly qi both stemmed from spirit power, so they meshed seamlessly.
Perhaps fate that I'd gained the Ghostly Immortal's arts.
'With the third of the seven stars' energies secured, have I extended my lifespan by four or five years?'
To survive, I'd absorbed from Pang Soun onward: Nangong Mubaek, Yi Mokseong.
Terminal case before, now I could breathe.
'But how long until the fourth energy? Unknown.'
Id investigated Big Dipper primal energies only up to Yi Mokseong.
'From the fourth, trial and error it is.'
That hunt might exceed five years.
No slacking, even with leeway.
"Scholar Cheon."
Eunbi's voice from outside.
"What is it?"
"A message: the Family Head requests you in the main hall."
Too late for lunch.
Not early for dinner either.
Seemed official, so I donned formal robes and headed to the main hall.
"Come in."
Entering, Nangong Hak greeted me.
No sign of ever-present Family Matriarch Jeon Ian; instead, an unfamiliar middle-aged man sat there.
Red upper garment, black lower—odd attire for a warrior.
I knew the faction from the garb and narrowed my eyes slightly.
Never imagined seeing one of their warriors in the Nangong Family.
"Scholar Cheon, do you know him?"
Nangong Hak's expression was calm.
"Judging by the attire, you're from the Profound Heaven Sect, hegemons of Gangseo."
Profound Heaven Sect sounded upright at first glance, but the prefix was infamous.
Supreme of the Unorthodox Paths: Profound Heaven Sect.
Home to the unorthodox supreme and their base.
Sect led by Mak Yeohyeon, the Supreme of the Unorthodox.
Centered on Poyang Lake in Gangseo, vast in scale and might.
The Profound Heaven warrior eyed me and spoke.
"Do you know who I am?"
Out-of-nowhere riddle irked me, but he seemed testing my eye, so I played along.
"Lightning scar by the left eye, sword mark slashing the lip diagonally, cross scar on the cheek—aren't you the famed Serpent God Sword?"
Serpent God Sword Myo Sujae earned his moniker wielding a flexible sword like a snake, ghostly.
Known as transcendent expert, right-hand of unorthodox supreme Mak Yeohyeon.
"Just as rumored."
Myo Sujae admired, eyes lighting up.
"What do they say of me?"
Not expecting that, he chuckled.
"Unpredictable, as rumored."
I turned to Nangong Hak.
"Why summon me?"
Nangong Hak answered.
"Not me—the guest requested you."
"Huh?"
What business could Serpent God Sword have with me?
"Why seek me?"
Myo Sujae spoke plainly.
"We've heard of you even in Gangseo, Scholar Cheon. Specialist in reforming rogues."
"Didn't know my name spread so far. And?"
"Truth is, our sect has a rogue too. Come to request your help reforming him."
A figure came to mind.
"You mean Mak Jimong, son of unorthodox supreme Mak Daehyeop?"
"Spot on!"
"Profound Heaven Sect matters are yours to handle. Why me? As you know, I'm Murim Alliance scholar."
"No one in the unorthodox paths matches you at reforming rogues."
"Educate the unorthodox supreme's son..."
I muttered, then chuckled wryly.
Never thought requests from the unorthodox.
Nangong Hak spoke.
"Can't decide this alone, so I called you."
He seemed certain I'd refuse, utterly unconcerned.
But Myo Sujae's next words chilled the room.
"Best if you reform him, Scholar Cheon. The young sect master is so belligerent, battle-hungry—if he succeeds the throne, he'll merge nearby factions immediately. Anhui included."
"Declaring war on the main sects now?"
Nangong Hak's voice held veiled fury.
"Misunderstanding. Hypothetical: if the rogue traits persist and he becomes sect master."
"Hmm."
"A request for Gangseo and Anhui martial peace. The sect master desires it too—knowing it's rude, he sent me."
"Plenty of fine scholars in the unorthodox paths."
"Of course. But none fit for the young sect master. Tried several—all failed. Why else me?"
Couldn't outright curse when it was for martial peace and reforming their rogue heir.
I weighed pros and cons.
Cons: Unknown rogue level of Mak Jimong; unorthodox base like the Demonic Cult.
In short: no life guarantee.
'So, pros?'
As I pondered, Myo Sujae added.
"Reform him, and we'll give wealth and land for life of leisure."
Such no longer motivated me much.
'Wait. Not zero pros.'
Recalled my dantian stealing a year's power from Nangong Cheolung overnight.
'Stay at Profound Heaven Sect, steal unorthodox warriors' power—three jia possible? One year per day. Unorthodox, no guilt.'
Nangong power felt guilty; unorthodox or demonic? Welcome.
'Yes. Fill my dantian to three jia there? Why not. Mak Jimong might hold a seventh star primal energy. Even if not, no loss.'
Calculations showed: mortal peril aside, pure gain.
"How guarantee my safety?"
Nangong Hak, sensing oddity, called softly.
"Scholar Cheon. What is this?"
Myo Sujae jumped in.
"Unorthodox supreme's promise binds stronger than any. In his name: safe until return to Nangong Family."
"Lifetime wealth, land, plus Profound Heaven Sect's famed Dragon Blood Pill—then I'll consider."
I knew why land: bind me, hard to leave.
Hence the emphasis.
"Sharp! You know negotiation, Scholar Cheon."
Myo Sujae beamed, overjoyed—expecting refusal.
"Pay money, land, pill upon my Profound Heaven arrival—I'll go."
"And your promise, Scholar Cheon?"
"I'll stay until young sect master Mak Jimong is reformed."
"Scholar Cheon!"
Nangong Hak shot up, stunned.
Never dreamed I'd accept.
"Family Head. Money, land, elixir—secondary. Mad-dog Mak Jimong as sect master? War between sects possible. You know rogues."
Nangong Hak had fretted endlessly over son Nangong Mubaek's rogue days.
Rogues unpredictable.
I framed it nobly: sacrificing for the greater good.
Better rationale than greed for gold, land, elixir.