Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Dangers Encountered on the Way
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Yuseong had bought the small manor in Samwoo County with his own money.
He paid the original owner for the house itself and gave me the money for the land.
Yuseong and the Thunder Dragon Gate warriors stayed at the manor, but most of them had been deployed to maintain order in Samwoo County.
Even when I told him not to, I couldn't dissuade Yuseong—he was utterly sincere and enthusiastic about keeping the peace there.
So I paid them stipends in the form of salaries for their security duties.
No matter the circumstances, working people for free was a recipe for trouble.
I bought the building next to the manor and remodeled it into an office for Ho Hyeonbyeok, who would soon be arriving in Samwoo County.
Most of the affairs at Ho Hyunjang had been sorted out, and with Ho Hyeonjun recovered and taking over its management, word came that I could soon step away.
I had prepared a booklet outlining the tasks for Ho Hyeonbyeok and planned to hand it over to Yuseong.
The idea was that once Ho Hyeonbyeok arrived, the two of them could discuss matters and proceed smoothly.
Lightning kept flashing over Yuseong's manor, so I slipped inside quietly without announcing my visit.
"I'll let the young master know you're here."
"No need. I'll head to the training ground myself—don't tell him."
I made my way to the training ground where the lightning was striking.
Yuseong had merged man and water as one, unleashing the Overlord Thunderclap Sword Technique.
His inner energy transformed into electricity, lightning crackling from the tip of his blade.
It devoured every tree around the garden, bolts shooting skyward until lightning flashed in an otherwise clear sky.
Even after completing the full sequence of forms, Yuseong's face remained tense.
Something's just not clicking. It's right there on the edge of my grasp, and it's driving me mad.
It felt like he'd sneezed halfway a hundred times already.
If I can just break through this wall, I'll have perfected the Overlord Thunderclap Sword Technique.
Yuseong scowled, then sensed a presence and turned.
"Brother!"
His face lit up as if the scowl had never been there.
"What brings you here?"
Cheon Taesan could tell exactly where Yuseong was struggling.
So he wanted to give him a clue about breaking through that wall.
"Yuseong."
"Yes, Brother."
"In your opinion, what's the strongest sword art in the martial world?"
"Hm? The Three Great Sword Arts of Murim, of course. The Dharma Three Swords, Taiji Beneficent Sword, and Purple Haze Divine Sword. Right?"
"Exactly. And the Overlord Thunderclap Sword Technique shares a core principle with all three. Any idea what it is?"
"I haven't studied the manuals for those three, so I couldn't say."
Cheon Taesan had never seen the full manuals for those arts, but he had glimpsed parts of them.
That let him infer the underlying essence they all shared.
"What I'm saying is, the Overlord Thunderclap Sword Technique is no inferior to those three. It might even surpass them."
"Really?"
Yuseong hadn't thought the sword art he practiced could rank among such transcendent techniques.
But he trusted his brother's words—he knew no equal when it came to knowledge.
"Of course. The proof is that no one in the Thunder Dragon Gate has ever perfected it to the utmost."
"How do you know that? It's a secret of the manual."
"Huh? Didn't you tell me before?"
"Did I?"
Cheon Taesan spoke to Yuseong, who was scratching his head.
"But you'll be the first to master it fully, leaving your mark in history—not just for the Thunder Dragon Gate, but for the entire martial world."
"Hahaha! That sounds impressive just hearing it. Tell me what I'm lacking, Brother."
Indeed, after purging the Heavenly Slaughter Star's energy, the sinister, murderous aura that had clung to Yuseong was gone.
Without that gloom, his natural good looks shone through.
"There's a subtle principle common to the opening forms of all three arts: 'one movement moves the whole' and 'continuous and unbroken.'"
One movement moves the whole meant that when one part moved, the entirety followed.
Continuous and unbroken meant everything connected seamlessly without interruption.
Yuseong's eyes rolled upward as he pondered Cheon Taesan's words for a moment, then he smiled.
"Brother."
"Do you get what I mean?"
"Yes, I think I grasp the sense of it. But I'd love to hear your explanation."
"Wudang Sect's supreme sword art, the Taiji Beneficent Sword, creates taiji forces that collide to generate power. Your technique likely follows the same principle. But right now, you're not channeling your inner energy as one—you're letting it break into strands. That's why you're not getting the power you expect."
"Sure, but channeling it all at once would deplete it in a single instant..."
Mid-sentence, Yuseong realized something and met Cheon Taesan's eyes.
"Have you ever seen lightning break into strands? It strikes straight from sky to earth in one go. Same principle. Surge your inner energy upward and unleash it all at once. Even a slight push will create a devastating thunderbolt."
Cheon Taesan fell silent, letting Yuseong feel it out for himself.
"Brother, I've grasped the essence at last. Thank you. Will you watch my enlightenment in action?"
Truly, as the Heavenly Slaughter Star's vessel, Yuseong's insight transcended mortal limits.
What Cheon Taesan had described was profound enough that even a prodigy would need prolonged contemplation to unravel.
Yet Yuseong comprehended it the moment the clue was given.
His genius outshone anyone bearing the Seven Stars Seven Origins vital energy.
That was why owners of the Heavenly Slaughter Star were so dangerous.
If one fell to evil, it would take hundreds or thousands of lives to stop them.
Thank goodness a guy like that is my ally—my little brother, no less.
Yuseong immediately executed the Overlord Thunderclap Sword Technique, thunderbolts raging with every form.
The lightning flashed so fiercely that anyone nearby would have been charred black by a bolt.
Kurrrung!
Kwarung!
"Now that's the Overlord Thunderclap."
Yuseong's face was pale from exhausting his inner energy, but his expression was bright.
"Refine this further, and no one will stand against you. Don't slack on training while I'm gone. We never know when we might have to fight the Demonic Cult."
Not many could withstand a direct thunderbolt, after all.
"Are you heading far away?"
"Yeah. I need to go to the Sichuan Tang Clan soon. I came because I have a favor to ask of you before I leave."
Yuseong blurted out,
"Brother, can I come with you?"
"No. Sichuan is too far."
"That's exactly why I should go. I need to serve at your side."
Cheon Taesan's heart warmed at the words.
Yuseong meant them sincerely.
"Your feelings alone are thanks enough. But it's more important that you stay here, refine your skills further, and gather and train elite warriors. The Thunder Dragon Gate might see battle someday too."
"I've already sent a messenger pigeon to the main sect with everything you mentioned. And with the Supreme Lord's orders, things should be progressing smoothly."
"You're the only one I can rely on. When I need you, I'll send word—be ready to move."
Yuseong sighed regretfully but replied,
"Understood. Your little brother will build his strength here while awaiting your call. And don't worry about Samwoo County—I'll take good care of it."
"Good. If I can't trust anyone else, I trust you, Yuseong."
Yuseong beamed at that.
Until now, the Heavenly Slaughter Star's energy had made everyone shun and avoid him.
Even his family kept their distance.
His brother was the first to purge that deadly aura when death loomed, and to care for him.
Who else could he follow? That was why he called him brother—the only one in his life.
He figured there'd never be another.
I'll go into secluded training for a while and make this realization fully mine.
For the first time, Yuseong felt a burning passion to train harder than ever.
He wanted to grow strong enough to protect someone.
I told Cheongyo and Songran to take care of their health, then set off with the Tang Clan members.
Mak Yeohyeon provided a carriage like those used by Hyeoncheon Gate elders for my sake.
With the poison slave cart already slowing us down, the Tang Clan folk didn't complain.
The coachman was a first-rate expert, serving double duty as guard.
Yeoseol was thrilled, acting like we were off on a private trip together.
Hard to believe it was the same girl who'd clung to Cheongyo and Songran, weeping at our departure.
"Sisters, take care while I'm gone."
Cheongyo and Songran had offered to look after Yeoseol while I was away, but I'd refused.
Entering the Tang Clan's forbidden area required the Blood Poison Lord, which I lacked—Yeoseol's abilities were essential.
So despite wanting to leave her with them, I had no choice but to bring her.
"We'll pass through Honam and Zhongqing before entering Sichuan. Sticking to the main roads, it shouldn't be too tough."
It was a route chosen with me in mind.
Yeoseol had clearly grown since before.
Taller, more filled out—but above all, mentally matured.
The Tang Clan members weren't as approachable as the Nangong Family folk; they barely responded even when spoken to.
When one even glared, Yeoseol didn't deploy her usual charm.
In the past, she would have tried anyway.
That was how one learned about the world.
Realizing not everyone doted on you was enlightenment in itself.
The moment you learn some people hate you unconditionally—that's when you grasp the world's harshness.
Such wounds piled up into hills, dressed up as 'worldly wisdom.'
I preferred that they paid no attention to me or Yeoseol.
The more secrets you had, the more scrutiny felt like a burden.
We arrived safely at Zhangjia, the capital of Honam Province.
Traveling the main roads as Tang Jinok suggested, we faced no major difficulties.
We took a break to buy supplies in the marketplace.
"I'll go buy spare clothes with my little sister."
Tang Jinok nodded when I told him.
"We'll leave after lunch, so be back before then."
"Got it."
We were on our way back after buying a few changes of clothes for me and Yeoseol.
A few warriors in bamboo hats pushed through the crowd.
The one at the very back had his hat draped with cloth, hiding his face.
But my eyes pierced it easily.
Ever since my spirit energy filled the ten spiritual meridians, turning them into a dantian of sorts, my gaze could penetrate cloth that thickness without effort.
Why is he here?
Someone who absolutely shouldn't be here was.
I quickly bought bamboo hats from a nearby stall and put them on Yeoseol and myself.
"Why'd you buy hats? We're riding in the carriage."
"Yeoseol, we're going to tail someone quietly now. Suppress your presence as much as possible."
At my words, the vital energy emanating from Yeoseol's body diminished.
She could follow instructions instantly now—her inaction had reached a new level.
I glanced around and bought a thick book from a stall selling scrolls.
For now, it was the closest thing to a weapon I could find.
My current arsenal: a single Soul-Thread, my inner core, and a book.
I'd left the Heavenly Dragon Sword back at the inn while shopping for clothes.
Why has O Juhyang, Fifth of the Demonic Cult's Fourteen Demon Lords, shown up here of all places?
They were disguised as merchants with escort flags, but they couldn't fool my eyes.
I could feel the Demonic Cult warriors' auras plainly.
I trailed far behind O Juhyang's group.