Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Sword's Farewell
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The group waited with eyes brimming with anticipation for Dan Hyeong-u's next move. They had finally reached their destination. All that was left was to discover why Dan Hyeong-u had come here.
Dan Hyeong-u stood motionless at the center of the group. He showed no intention of moving at all. Just as the Sword King could no longer bear the wait and opened his mouth to speak, Jo Seol-yeon stepped forward first.
"Ah, it might be best to eat first."
At Jo Seol-yeon's words, Dan Hyeong-u turned and strode toward the inn. The group stared blankly at the sight.
"Right, it makes sense to eat before we move."
The Sword King hurried after Dan Hyeong-u, and the rest of the group followed in a rush.
By the time they entered the inn, it was already packed with people. It hadn't been that crowded when they'd first spotted the place—a crowd had gathered while they were parking the carriage in the back.
"Seems like the place suddenly got a lot busier."
The Sword King muttered to himself as he scanned the room for an open seat. With a second and third floor available, they could always head upstairs if nothing suited them on the ground level.
"Let's go up to the second floor."
The Sword King made the call before the group had even fully stepped inside. Thanks to that, the folks on the first floor could only steal glances as they passed by.
But even so, everyone was utterly stunned.
"Now those are some incredible beauties."
Everyone in the inn thought the same. To their eyes, the five women looked like celestial nymphs descended from the heavens.
"They're on a level that could rival the Moyong Family's Ice Orchid."
"Eh, I think even Ice Orchid might struggle to keep up."
"No way. She's one of the martial world's twin flowers—how could you even compare?"
"I'm telling you, it's no contest. I've seen Ice Orchid from a distance once, but she didn't strike me as prettier than those ladies."
"For real?"
"Dead serious."
Ice Orchid was one of the martial world's famed flowers. Along with Umun Hye, she made up the Three Flowers of the Three Peaks and Three Flowers.
In any case, Moyong Seol—the Ice Orchid of the Moyong Family—was practically a legend in Shenyang. Her name alone crowned her the unrivaled beauty there.
With women even more stunning than Moyong Seol appearing, how could the crowd not buzz with excitement? But aside from those first two men, no one dared speak too loudly.
Around here, it was wise not to ruffle the Moyong Family's feathers. Even over something trivial.
Only once they'd reached the second floor did the Sword King nod in satisfaction. Compared to the chaos below, it was practically empty up here.
The second floor was far pricier, after all. Same dishes cost double, so regular folk had little reason to climb the stairs.
But the Sword King wasn't one to fuss over costs. That's exactly why inns built second and third floors—for types like him.
"Perfect."
He claimed a spot he liked by the window, with a clear view outside, and sat down.
A pretty serving girl approached once the group settled in to take their orders. Another perk the first floor couldn't match.
Soon enough, the table overflowed with food. They dug in.
Dan Hyeong-u savored each bite with his usual care. The others snuck glances at him now and then, barely touching their plates.
Curiosity had ballooned during the journey. Appetite? Not really. No one broached the subject. They just willed the meal to end faster.
Thus concluded a tedious stretch for the group—but a delightful one for Dan Hyeong-u. Fresh color bloomed on their faces.
"Alright, time to head out?"
Jo Seol-yeon shot Dan Hyeong-u a cautious look at the Sword King's words. The others followed suit.
Dan Hyeong-u's face remained impassive. Yet a faint smile tugged at Jo Seol-yeon's lips.
"I think we should rest today and move out tomorrow morning."
Every head whipped toward her, practically whistling through the air. Eyes bulged. Jo Seol-yeon merely beamed softly.
Dan Hyeong-u turned, took a single step, and vanished. Likely to the inn's back courtyard.
Noticing his departure, the group deflated.
Umun Hye eyed Jo Seol-yeon with a hint of frustration. She'd clearly read Dan Hyeong-u's mood from his expression. Something Umun Hye couldn't do—yet Jo Seol-yeon had nailed it effortlessly.
Jegal Rin was shocked too. But frustration? Not for her.
'I've got my own ways to contribute.'
Jegal Rin felt confident. She knew she could offer Dan Hyeong-u real help.
Dan Hyeong-u stood alone in his room, scrutinizing his sword. He'd wanted the day off precisely for this.
Scabbard tossed on the bed, he gripped the blade and inspected every inch—from edge to fuller, nothing escaped.
This sword had shared countless hours with him. True, only a decade had passed in real time—but the span he'd lived through his body spanned dozens of lifetimes.
No denying the bond. To claim otherwise would be a lie.
Truth be told, at his realm, the sword mattered little. He could unleash the Three Talents Sword Art with fingers alone—or mere intent. Still, without it? Emptiness.
A wry smile ghosted Dan Hyeong-u's lips.
"Today's the last."
He murmured softly, then stepped outside. The inn's scale meant a generous courtyard out back.
Positioned at its heart, Dan Hyeong-u examined the sword once more. A light shake.
Pajijik.
Faint lightning traced its length. Nothing like his usual Heavenly Thunder qi flow.
Heavenly Thunder drew from ambient energies to birth bolts. This? Pure from within—his qi weaving lightning naturally.
Pajik. Pajik. Pajijijik!
Stationary, yet the blade erupted in furious arcs. Serpentine, they writhed and sank into earth.
Dan Hyeong-u lifted it high.
Bbanbeok!
A colossal bolt lanced skyward.
Ururur.
Faint thunder rumbled after.
Alerted by the roar and qi surge, the group trickled into the courtyard. They halted far off, eyes saucered, rooted. Closer? Impossible.
Curiosity burned in their stares. They craved his sword dance. Sword King or Sword Demon's forms alone verged on enlightenment—what of his?
Oblivious or not to their eager eyes, Dan Hyeong-u simply held steady.
Pajijik.
Lightning gathered anew—his qi alone fueling it.
A web of it blanketed the heavens. Twilight sky engulfed in glare. Blinding shards rained down.
Jegal Rin gaped. She'd witnessed this before. Boarding the boat into Dongting Lake, Dan Hyeong-u wielding Cheonseom—that exact spectacle.
'No—it wasn't Cheonseom's power, but his own!'
The thought flickered, swiftly dismissed.
Cheonseom studies confirmed: it had channeled the artifact's innate force. Certainty now gripped her.
'Truly remarkable.'
No other conclusion fit.
Bolts from his blade danced aerial. Crackling, twisting savagely. Then—converged. Sky-piercing surge.
Bbanbeok!
Too swift: ascent or descent? Indiscernible.
Hush descended. Sword low and natural, Dan Hyeong-u stood. The group watched, speechless.
Hwaruruk.
Flames bloomed from the blade. Eyes widened anew.
Sweeps hither and yon—flame trails followed. Crimson orbs choked the firmament.
"What... lies at the end of such power..."
Sword King's hollow mutter drew nods all around. Dan Hyeong-u shocks weren't new—yet this one hit fresh.
Orbs vanished abruptly. Scorching residue lingered.
Quiet again.
Then—pristine white qi stirred from the sword.
"Gasp! Impossible!"
Sword King and Sword Demon blurted in unison. Extreme frost qi clung—world-freezing chill.
Jjeojeojeok!
Ice exploded outward. Piercing cold saturated all. Branches sprawled, courtyard entombed. Even afar, the group shivered.
Jjeong!
Shatter—simultaneous. Silence reborn.
One bearing both utmost yang and utmost yin? Near myth. Wielding them together? Fantasy.
Dan Hyeong-u made it banal. Eyes deceived, they swore.
The sword stirred once more.
'What next...'
Collective thought. Yin, yang shown—thunder born thereof, devastation incarnate.
Sinister reek poured forth. Eerie demonic qi—blade blackened near to void.
Then—shock beyond.
Half the sword—rightward split—flared ghostly white. No true gleam, yet so perceived. Reason dawned swift.
"This... immortal qi?"
Sword King's murmur lacked surety. Holiness saturated nonetheless—whence the illusion.
Dan Hyeong-u, blade of ebony and ivory in grasp, mirrored it. Energies tangled wildly. Body and steel swathed black-to-white in heartbeats.
Arcane curves coursed him, reshaping environs to hue.
Sinister and sanctity bled together everywhere.
Faces twisted in the watch. Revelation crashed upon them all.
Sword whirled—world drowned in monochrome.
Hwaaak!
Filled. Gone.
Dan Hyeong-u stood serene, sword caressed in quiet audit.
Enlightenment seized the group—eyes shut, meditation deep.
Esoteric qi vortexed 'round them. Harmonizing, it whipped vigorous 'twixt, then fled.
Emptiness confirmed, Dan Hyeong-u retired to his room.
All ended. Sword-bond severed.
Dawn next, blisteringly early—the group convened in the courtyard. Dan Hyeong-u's door stayed shut. Peering in? Tempting none.
Last night awed utterly. Its echo silenced tongues.
"Odd—us more antsy. Heh."
Sword King's hollow chuckle. Awe, yes—and deflation. Their timelines diverged deep; yet he outpaced every facet. Sword King's edges? Years. Experience.
"Too early, maybe?"
Dang Moon-yeong eyed the sky. Sunrise pending—brightness heralded, time lagged.
"Sleep evades us all—no such thing as too early. Heh."
Dang Ho-gwan's quip won nods. Sleepless vigil. Eyes shut, yes—new insights mulled long.