Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Topple (1)
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Those words carried tremendous weight.
The Heavenly Demon patted the noticeably more reliable Yang Hui-gun on the back.
"Who was it that said genius surpasses the master? You even have aspects that outshine U-ryang."
Could there be higher praise than this?
At the Heavenly Demon's seemingly casual yet thoughtful words, Yang Hui-gun's days of secluded training in the Gongnok Mountain cave—where time had dragged on endlessly—flashed before his eyes like a panorama.
"Then..."
At the Heavenly Demon's bold declaration, Yang Dae-un, Yang Yeon-hwa, and the Ghost Sword Manor members watched with eyes full of anticipation.
"That's right. He's unmistakably set foot in the realm of transcendence, even if only faintly."
No sooner had the Heavenly Demon finished speaking than a massive cheer echoed through Gongnok Mountain.
"Finally, finally!"
"Brother Ghost Shadow Sword has fully revived!"
"Kuhuhuk!"
Some even shed tears.
And rightly so—for Ghost Sword Manor, producing a transcendent master was unprecedented since their founding lord, the Loyal Ghost Sword Yang U-ryang.
To them, Yang Hui-gun's achievement felt like a revival of their past glory.
"I don't even know how to thank you, Gunryong."
"Father's right. You've brought our Ghost Sword Manor back to perfection."
The father and daughter pair, overcome with emotion, grasped Gunryong's hands.
"Ahem, it was nothing."
Gunryong retreated a bit, embarrassed, while Sogang smiled warmly at this human side of the Heavenly Demon.
The good news didn't end there.
'I've also advanced from the initial stage of Martial God to the intermediate, recovering about eighty percent of my power.'
Even at seventy percent, he hadn't met a worthy opponent, rendering battles meaningless. But with this progress, he believed full recovery was near.
Once he regained all his power, it would be time to announce the First Heavenly Demon's revival.
"Oh, right! Have you made all the preparations beforehand?"
The Heavenly Demon asked as if it had just occurred to him.
"Of course. Everything's ready. All that's left is..."
Masking his usual kindly expression, Yang Dae-un spoke with a fierce edge.
"...revenge."
Even the kindest person goes mad when their child is harmed.
Yang Dae-un was just such a case now.
Ghost Sword Manor was fully prepared for vengeance.
"Moyong Clan Head! Congratulations on your sixtieth birthday!"
"Hahaha! No need for such words!"
Moyong Clan Head, One Sword Myriad Transformations Moyong Gui, couldn't stop grinning amid the throng of well-wishers.
Who else in Liaoning Province could host such a grand feast?
'As expected of our Moyong Clan. We're not done yet!'
Though located in the far east of Liaoning, far from the Central Plains' heart, not only local mid-sized martial factions but even sects from distant Henan had attended without fail.
And even,
"I am Jong-woo, the Little Buddha Sword, a lay disciple of Shaolin. On behalf of our busy Abbot and Elders, I've come personally to offer congratulations."
Astoundingly, Shaolin—one of the Nine Great Sects—had sent a representative with a congratulatory message.
"Oh! You've come a long way. Please convey my deepest thanks to the Shaolin Abbot."
With a Shaolin figure making the rare trip to Liaoning soil, Moyong Gui puffed up his chest and acted with exaggerated flair for all to see.
It was a display of his authority.
Yet Shaolin clearly didn't hold the Moyong Clan in high regard, sending a mere lay disciple rather than a direct disciple or one of the Four Vajras—just for appearances.
Moyong Gui knew this but pretended otherwise, focusing on the fact that Shaolin had sent congratulations at all.
The shocking guests from Henan weren't limited to Shaolin.
"My goodness! Who might this be? Isn't it the Extreme Blazing Flower Lord Chu Jeong-yong of Blazing Flower Hall?"
Moyong Gui was stunned speechless at this unexpected figure.
Though an unorthodox sect, Blazing Flower Hall ranked among the Ten Powers—equivalent to the Nine Great Sects—and as Henan's second powerhouse after Shaolin, their presence greatly boosted his prestige.
Even more surprising, they hadn't been invited yet showed up anyway, doubling his joy.
"Hearing of the grand event at Moyong Clan, I came uninvited without shame."
"Nonsense. It's our utmost honor that you've graced us."
Moyong Gui beamed in response.
The Blazing Flower Hall Lord, Chu Jeong-yong—whom even the Black Heaven Alliance Leader of the unorthodox martial alliance couldn't treat lightly—had come in person. How could he not be thrilled?
'This is surely a sign that things will go smoothly!'
With Shaolin, Blazing Flower Hall, and major eastern martial factions attending his sixtieth birthday, Moyong Gui couldn't be happier.
He treated the unanticipated guest Chu Jeong-yong with utmost courtesy, seating him prominently.
After Blazing Flower Hall, One Sword Myriad Transformations Moyong Gui had greeted nearly all the well-wishers.
"Then let the feast begin with music and dance!"
Accompanied by prepared musicians and dancers, Moyong Gui savored the happiest moment of his life.
Sneer.
Blazing Flower Hall Lord Chu Jeong-yong watched with a chilling smile for some reason.
The "grand event at Moyong Clan" he'd mentioned wasn't Moyong Gui's birthday banquet.
Blazing Flower Hall and its lord had pledged alliance with the Heavenly Demon Gunryong.
This visit was merely support in preparation for the true celebration to come.
"Once more, thanks to all you distinguished guests gathered for my sixtieth. I hope today..."
As the lavish feast and drinking ramped up, the exhilarated Moyong Gui rose to give a speech.
Unaware he was about to plummet into ruin, right at that moment of boisterous laughter!
"Clan Head! Clan Head!"
Moyong Yo—the Moyong Clan's steward and strategist, Curved Change Whirlwind Sword—called out to the clan head with a pale face.
"...?"
Moyong Gui, mid-elegant address, scowled deeply at the interruption.
He signaled for Moyong Yo to handle it discreetly unless urgent, but the steward didn't budge.
"Clan Head. An uninvited sect at the main gate insists on delivering congratulations."
"What? The banquet's underway, and some uninvited sect shows up? Which one?"
Irritated by the disruption, Moyong Gui snapped.
Even invited sects would politely withdraw if late.
Curious despite himself, he asked.
But of all things.
"It's... Ghost Sword Manor."
"What? What did you say?!"
Hearing the name, Moyong Gui doubted his ears.
'Ghost Sword Manor? How?!'
They hadn't been invited or even rumored to, yet here they were.
Especially since they'd brutalized the heir, Ghost Shadow Sword Yang Hui-gun, making him dread their arrival all the more.
Of all times, now?
"Th-then... heh heh!"
Moyong Gui was furious at Ghost Sword Manor's uninvited appearance threatening to ruin his long-awaited banquet, but with so many eyes on him.
Especially with Henan powerhouses Shaolin and Blazing Flower Hall present, he couldn't act rashly.
"Couldn't you handle it yourself, Steward Moyong?"
His only option: feign affability, signaling Moyong Yo to drive them off.
His face muscles twitched from the forced smile.
"They're forcing their way in aggressively."
"Can't you stop a mere Ghost Sword Manor?!"
When Moyong Yo failed to grasp it fully, Moyong Gui revealed his true colors.
His irritable sharpness startled Shaolin's lay disciple Jong-woo, while Blazing Flower Lord Chu Jeong-yong smirked, sensing the real party approaching.
"Their forces aren't ordinary. Would I come to you if I could handle it?"
Moyong Yo had his own grievances.
In cunning and wits, he outshone even Clan Head Moyong Gui.
For him to seek the head meant a major variable had erupted during this crucial banquet.
Shh!
Thus, Moyong Yo leaned close and whispered lowly to the clan head.
Too many eyes for sound transmission, lest it raise suspicion.
"Even Yang Hui-gun is here. Completely recovered."
"Heoooook!"
Even the composed Moyong Gui reacted to those three words.
'How has he recovered and returned so soon?'
Moyong Gui knew Yang Hui-gun's wretched state better than anyone, having tortured him mercilessly.
Those wounds wouldn't heal in a mere two months.
No—a few months? Even years wouldn't allow him to walk, yet fully hale now? He was speechless.
"Th-that can't be?"
Cold sweat soaked Moyong Gui's back, as if fresh from a bath.
"Who came?"
"Ghost Sword Manor, apparently?"
"Come to think of it, Moyong Clan's big day, yet no invite for Ghost Sword Manor?"
"Yeah. Even minor factions from Hebei and Henan got invites, but not Ghost Sword Manor—the former powerhouse of Liaoning? Something's off."
"Maybe... bad blood between Moyong Clan and Ghost Sword Manor?"
The gathered elites—ruling from Liaoning to Henan, all locals—made concealment impossible.
Some already suspected the rift. Hearing the gossips, Moyong Gui nearly lost his mind.
'What coincidence is this...'
Stunned that they'd come on his birthday, Moyong Gui suddenly realized the truth.
'No coincidence—they targeted it.'
His guess hit the mark.
This was all the Heavenly Demon's ploy, timed so Moyong Clan couldn't dodge or feign ignorance.
Moyong Gui's grand sixtieth aligned perfectly; the Heavenly Demon and Yang Dae-un wouldn't miss it.
"Steward Moyong. Block them."
Ghost Sword Manor striking back with Yang Hui-gun's sudden return—on his birthday.
Coincidence? Moyong Gui didn't buy it.
"Pardon?"
When Moyong Yo missed the urgent whisper,
"Block them! Whatever it takes—until my banquet ends safely and these guests leave unharmed!"
Moyong Gui's patience crumbled like sand, exposing his vile nature.
But defying his order, an absurd scene unfolded.
Kwa-gagagagagang!
Not just failing to block Ghost Sword Manor—the outer walls collapsed spectacularly. Moyong Gui's sanity crumbled with them.
"Where is Moyong Gui, head of the Moyong Clan—righteous sect duty-bound to uphold justice—who kidnapped and tortured Yang Hui-gun, the precious heir of another house, out of greed for Ghost Sword Manor's martial arts... committing an outrage that incenses heaven and earth?!"
A voice unfamiliar to Moyong Gui rang out.
Its owner, naturally: Heavenly Demon Gunryong.