Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Perfect Resurrection (2)
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'Am I going to die like this?'
The heir to Ghost Sword Manor, Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun.
He had lost consciousness after enduring brutal torture in the Moyong Clan's underground prison. Drifting in the world of unconsciousness, he believed he was either already dead or in the process of dying.
Though Merciless Killer Yu Cheon-baek had prolonged his life with his impartial slaughter technique, allowing him to cling to survival, his awareness had been steadily withering away—right at that moment.
Fwaaaah!
In the unconscious world where Yang Hui-gun floated, countless characters began engraving themselves into his mind.
It was an alien situation, yet somehow familiar.
'What in the world is this?'
At first, Yang Hui-gun panicked greatly, thinking it was the process of entering the afterlife or perhaps a vivid nightmare.
But that lasted only a moment.
'This... this is none other than... an exceptional internal energy cultivation method!'
Possessing outstanding martial talent and even a peerless body, Yang Hui-gun intuited that the characters imprinting in his mind were an internal energy method that would save him.
[Hui-gun, follow the incantation rising in your mind now. Slowly gather qi in your dantian.]
And then, a voice that felt inexplicably familiar and nostalgic instructed him on what to do. Yang Hui-gun followed that path without hesitation.
'Let's do it!'
Yang Hui-gun, whose body and mind had been utterly ravaged by the Moyong Clan's merciless torture.
He had thought there was truly no hope left, but when that hopeful voice reached him, he found himself mustering strength he didn't know he had.
In truth, Yang Hui-gun had executed the incantation—namely, the Sunlit Yang Breathing Method—almost instinctively.
About an hour passed like that?
From his dead dantian, from Yang Hui-gun's withered and pathetic dantian!
Shwaaa!
He felt the sensation of a single strand of warm light seeping in.
'......!!'
Yang Hui-gun, who had thought not only his life lost but also any chance of recovery as a martial artist impossible due to the Moyong Clan's relentless torture—which had destroyed it, and some parts had even sealed themselves off—now felt a warm flower blooming in his dantian.
Another hour passed, and finally!
Gurgle!
Gurgle—were those tears welling up, or was it the internal energy in his dantian?
Even Yang Hui-gun himself couldn't distinguish as his surging emotions stirred his dying body and dantian to respond.
Drip, drip!
Having literally returned from the brink of death, Yang Hui-gun shed tears, and at the same time, his dantian not only fully recovered but even showed signs of growth.
It had expanded beyond its previous size, and he had reclaimed all the internal energy lost to the brutal torture.
'I... am resurrected!'
Yang Hui-gun felt himself recovering and exploding with growth at a rapid pace, like a plant basking in sunlight, nourished by fertile soil and water, sprouting vigorously in a short time.
His true self was gradually returning.
"Is the medicinal decoction ready?"
Meanwhile, Merciless Killer Yu Cheon-baek, who had poured all his power into perfectly resurrecting Yang Hui-gun, spoke.
Before his words even finished, the decoction made from the various rare elixirs and herbs the Heavenly Demon had brought was administered.
Drip, drip!
A drop of the decoction—worthy of any rare elixir—flowed into Yang Hui-gun's mouth, which was gaining ever more vitality from the Sunlit Yang Breathing Method.
That wasn't all the good it brought.
'I'll resurrect you perfectly. No matter what happens, I'll save you.'
The Heavenly Demon, who had once been forced to send away his right-hand man, Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang.
To him, Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun—tantamount to the return of Loyal Ghost Sword—was a special and cherished existence.
And so?
-Heavenly Demon Divine Art!
He continued the meridian-pushing technique with internal energy thicker and denser than ever before.
With the desperation of a father performing CPR on his son who had nearly drowned in a river, gulping water.
An extreme yang internal energy method rarer than rare in all the Central Plains, combined with extremely scarce elixirs and herbs.
Plus the aid of the legendary physician Merciless Killer, and the Heavenly Demon's infinite capacity for meridian-pushing.
All perfect conditions for Yang Hui-gun's complete resurrection were in place.
With everything assembled, Yang Hui-gun's revival proceeded smoothly and swiftly.
Flash!
Suddenly, a brilliant halo shone from behind Yang Hui-gun.
Ooh, oooh!
Yang Dae-un and Yang Yeon-hwa—who had been waiting desperately for Yang Hui-gun's resurrection—along with the people of Ghost Sword Manor, gasped in awe at that splendid and beautiful sight.
This time, it wasn't a sigh of sorrow and despair, but one of joy.
For a near-dead Yang Hui-gun to emit such a beautiful glow meant not only a perfect resurrection, but!
"Our Gun-i, Hui-gun has finally reached the super peak realm!"
Yang Dae-un, seasoned and quick-witted, shouted.
He was right.
Originally, Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun's martial realm was peak, and only at the early stage at that.
No, even that was an impressive level.
Ghost Sword Manor's arts had become partially lost and damaged, incomplete, yet for him to reach such a high peak was thanks to his talent as a martial artist and his blood, sweat, and tears.
But beyond that, no matter one's innate talent or boneless body, proper guidance was needed.
Yang Hui-gun had no master to show him the path, so he wandered, and advancing to super peak seemed a distant dream.
'To think our Hui-gun would ascend to super peak alongside his treatment!'
Drip, drip!
Yang Dae-un burst into tears at his son's growth more than his own progress. He had wanted to be a sturdy tree for his son, but had failed to provide even shade, leaving him with only regret.
Yet the First Heavenly Demon Gunryong had stepped in, providing nourishment both material and spiritual, turning his son into a mighty tree. Tears streamed down his face.
"Father."
Yang Yeon-hwa shed tears of emotion as well.
Looking around, most of Ghost Sword Manor's people were in tears.
It was that moving a moment, and a testament to how exemplary a person Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun was.
Flash!
Ignoring his family's joy and sorrow, Yang Hui-gun opened his eyes.
Just moments ago, he had looked pathetic, but now?
His eyes gleamed with powerful vigor, and his whole body overflowed with abundant life force.
Moreover, with his martial realm elevated and internal energy surged, those energies naturally converged, exuding the aura of a master even at rest.
Especially since he had fully returned from death, his appearance had restored much, showing the archetype of a sturdy yet taciturn man.
"Who... is my benefactor?"
Perceptive as ever, Yang Hui-gun didn't know the full circumstances but sensed great fortune had befallen Ghost Sword Manor through a precious connection.
As if drawn by fate, Yang Hui-gun knelt on one knee toward the Heavenly Demon with utmost respect.
"I am the Heavenly Demon."
"......!!"
At the words "Heavenly Demon," Yang Hui-gun's eyebrows twitched in slight surprise, but he soon bowed his head.
To the descendants of Ghost Sword Manor, there was only one Heavenly Demon.
The First Heavenly Demon Gunryong.
"Descendant of Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang, Yang Hui-gun formally greets the Heavenly Demon. I will never forget the grace you have bestowed upon me and Ghost Sword Manor."
Overwhelmed by the serendipitous encounter between the revived Ghost Sword Manor and the Heavenly Demon, Yang Hui-gun fully knelt on both knees.
Smoothly!
He paid his respects before the Heavenly Demon with utmost courtesy.
In that moment, the Heavenly Demon saw Yang U-ryang in Yang Hui-gun's form, finally shedding his long-held regrets and lingering attachments.
'U-ryang. I'll repay the bond we couldn't fulfill through Hui-gun.'
He had carried an eternal guilt toward Yang U-ryang, now reduced to bones.
He planned to express that apologetic yet grateful heart through Yang Hui-gun.
"Furthermore... the service to the Heavenly Demon and conquest of the Central Plains that Ancestor Yang U-ryang couldn't complete—I will achieve in his stead, no matter what."
"Hahahahaha!"
The Heavenly Demon couldn't help but laugh at Yang Hui-gun's bold ambition.
'With a face just like U-ryang's, saying what U-ryang would say.'
He truly felt as if it was Yang U-ryang reborn and rejoiced.
"Good. From now on, Hui-gun, you are my new right hand and loyal vassal. Can you do that?"
"I will exert every effort like a dog or horse."
Surprisingly, Yang Hui-gun's loyalty matched Yang U-ryang's.
From his perspective, the Heavenly Demon was the supreme benefactor who had saved his life and restored his path as a martial artist.
Not only that, but he had saved his father and sister, and even Ghost Sword Manor as a whole—how could he not follow sincerely?
"Just hearing it makes me feel secure."
Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun had successfully resurrected in perfect form.
After kowtowing deeply to the Heavenly Demon,
"And to my father who suffered raising a worthless son, to Yeon-hwa, and to all the family of Ghost Sword Manor, I will surely repay you."
Yang Hui-gun was truly an admirable young man and martial artist.
He paid respects once more to Yang Dae-un, his family, and the people of Ghost Sword Manor, upholding propriety.
"Hui-gun!"
"Brother!"
The Yang clan had become a sea of tears now that their son—missing for over a year and presumed dead—had returned in perfect form.
'I was worthless and burdened the family at the most crucial time.'
Looking at his weeping father, sister, and clansmen, Yang Hui-gun's eyes reddened involuntarily.
"Hui-gun. What on earth happened? You were supposed to head toward the Central Plains to find the old Demonic Cult remnants and our scattered kin, so how did you end up... imprisoned in the underground dungeon of the Moyong Clan, a power in the same Liaoning Province?"
Yang Dae-un wiped his tears and asked.
He was overjoyed at his son's perfect return, but some matters needed clarification.
As Yang Dae-un said, Yang Hui-gun had gone not toward Liaoning but Hebei.
They were curious about the reason he had been captured by the Moyong Clan and the background behind it.
The Heavenly Demon also gazed at Yang Hui-gun with curiosity at the key question.
He had already perfectly saved Yang Hui-gun and planned to overturn the Moyong Clan soon.
'Did our Gun-i perhaps clash with a Moyong martial artist or commit some offense?'
The thought crossed his mind briefly, but he shook his head.
He hadn't raised his son to be so lacking in manners.
Moreover, the difference in power and prestige between Ghost Sword Manor and the Moyong Clan was vast then, so Yang Hui-gun—outstanding as he was—wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke them first.
"Ugh."
At the sensitive question, Yang Hui-gun groaned for a long while, lips sealed.
His disappearance wasn't his fault, but the kind and honest Yang Hui-gun blamed himself for everything and still suffered.
Seeing this, his watching family and even the Heavenly Demon grew angry.
'Who tormented Yang Hui-gun like this?'
The Heavenly Demon, who had decided to regard Yang Hui-gun like Yang U-ryang, was especially furious.
As all eyes focused on Yang Hui-gun's mouth, finally.
"At first, I thought it was just... a coincidence."
Yang Hui-gun spoke calmly and quietly of the tragedy that day.
And the full story was truly shocking.