Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: He's Exceptional
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Namgung Urin’s party, who had said they would only be staying for a short while, had already been at Myeongwollu for two days.
It was because Namgung Urin showed no signs of waking up.
The Zhuge Family Head, unable to wait indefinitely, decided it was time to return to his family estate.
Persuading his youngest daughter was harder than plucking a star from the sky, so he began to speak as gently and cautiously as he could.
“Siyeon, let’s head back now. We don’t know when our friend Urin will wake up. Once he does…”
“No. How can you ask me to leave my dear husband’s side! If you’re going, Father, go alone!”
*Husband, my foot! Tsk.*
The one who’s supposed to give the rice cake doesn’t even seem to be thinking about it!
It was truly a pity to see his youngest daughter making such a fuss all by herself. If it were up to him, he would have gladly arranged the match, but when does marriage ever go as one wishes? Especially not this easily.
From the looks of it, there was competition.
And a formidable one at that—the Sect Leader of the mighty Iron Blood Sect.
In terms of sheer martial power, the Iron Blood Sect was superior to the Zhuge Family. It was only because of the Zhuge’s intellect, formations, and wealth that they were recognized as one of the Five Great Families in the martial world.
The leader of such a sect had her sights set on Namgung Urin. Although she hadn't said or done anything explicit, it was plainly obvious to the Zhuge Family Head’s eyes.
The fortunate thing was that the Iron Blood Sect Leader had left Myeongwollu at dawn today, saying she would return in a few days.
And that was precisely why his youngest daughter was determined not to leave.
But that wasn't all; there was another powerful rival.
Seo I-ryeong, the daughter of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild’s leader.
The celestial beauty Seo I-ryeong, to whom the phrase ‘a beauty that could topple nations’ seemed more fitting than anyone else. Though his own daughter was the apple of his eye, even he, her father, had to admit that her beauty couldn't compare to Seo I-ryeong's.
On top of that, there was the immense wealth of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild, one of the five largest merchant guilds in the Central Plains.
And those two women weren't the end of it. There was one more competitor… or perhaps not.
The proprietor of Myeongwollu.
Well, the chances of a brothel proprietor and the Young Lord of the Namgung Family getting together were slim, so he could probably exclude her.
In any case, it was utterly frustrating to see his daughter trying to join this lineup of formidable candidates.
The Zhuge Family Head spoke again.
“Are you truly going to stay here?”
“Yes.”
She was resolute.
*Who on earth did she get that personality from?*
“Siyeon… Huh?”
Just then, a startled cry came from the room where Namgung Urin was lying.
It was Jang Gae’s voice.
He stammered, his face a mask of shock.
“Th-That’s…!”
Namgung Yul was just as astonished.
“Sect Leader… what… what in the world is that…?”
The surprised Lady Yeonhwa also asked Jang Gae.
“Sect Leader, is it alright to just leave him like that?”
At Jang Gae’s scream-like shout, the members of the Azure Sky Sword Brigade, along with the Zhuge Family Head and Zhuge Siyeon, rushed into the room.
And when they arrived…
“...!”
“...!”
Namgung Urin’s body was floating in mid-air, perfectly straight, just as he had been lying on the bed.
His body was levitating while he was unconscious?
Even a conscious martial artist couldn’t even dream of mimicking such a feat unless they had reached the transcendent realm.
How could they not be shocked when Namgung Urin’s unconscious body was exhibiting such a bizarre phenomenon on its own?
Just then, a strange sound came from Namgung Urin’s body.
*Crrrack.*
*Crack.*
Jang Gae, who understood what was happening, his eyes wide as if they would pop.
“…Th-That is…”
Having experienced it himself, there was no way he wouldn't recognize it.
But…
Why was this happening now, to someone who was unconscious, and not even of age… no, age wasn't the issue. This was a phenomenon that should only occur upon stepping into the absolute realm…
Confused, Jang Gae decided to watch a little longer, just in case it wasn't what he thought it was.
Before long, Namgung Urin’s body began to twist and contort, bending this way and that in a series of bizarre angles.
Goosebumps erupted all over Jang Gae’s body.
What he had thought was undeniably correct.
It was a phenomenon that any martial artist… no, even an ordinary person would know well.
Bone and Body Transformation.
It was a process that all who ascended to the divine realm had to undergo. It was the process of creating a body capable of wielding martial arts of a divine level.
But why was such a process happening to Namgung Urin now?
He had heard rumors of it occasionally happening to those of Namgung Urin’s age after consuming some incredible elixir, though he had never witnessed it himself.
However, Namgung Urin hadn’t consumed any such elixir, nor was he in a state to do so, was he?
It was a truly absurd and unbelievable situation.
Namgung Yul’s lips parted.
“Sect Leader… right now… is that… what I think it is…?”
“…It is. Haha. Well, I’ll be.”
The situation was simply inexplicable.
Even Jang Gae, who had reached the absolute realm himself, had no idea how that boy could be undergoing a Bone and Body Transformation at his age.
What was happening to Namgung Urin was, without a doubt, a Bone and Body Transformation.
However, the transformation occurring in Namgung Urin was different from a typical one.
Normally, this transformation would not have happened to him. By learning the Primordial Chaos Art, Namgung Urin’s body had been gradually changing to one suited for it.
The Bone and Body Transformation had been occurring slowly over time.
However, when Namgung Urin fell into the abyss, that situation itself became a variable.
As a result, Namgung Urin was now undergoing a complete rebirth, and everything about him—except for his personality and emotions—was changing for the better.
Simply put, he was becoming a new Namgung Urin in every aspect.
He had come to understand his father’s will, the will of the Namgung, love, and his own emotions.
“Alright, everyone out of this room. It seems we shouldn't disturb him.”
At Jang Gae’s words, everyone exited.
Once outside, Jang Gae spoke.
“Proprietor.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Please prepare a set of clothes that will fit that boy.”
After a Bone and Body Transformation, one’s clothes either melted or burned away, leaving them in tatters.
“I will see to it.”
As the proprietor left and everyone waited anxiously, the Zhuge Family Head called to his youngest daughter.
“Siyeon. Come with me.”
Zhuge Siyeon looked at him, her eyes asking why.
“I have something to say to you, so come along quickly.”
Zhuge Siyeon had no choice but to trot over to her father’s side.
The Zhuge Family Head walked until he was sure their words wouldn't be overheard by others, then stopped.
“Siyeon, listen carefully.”
“Yes.”
“I will be departing immediately.”
“Father…”
“Let me finish my story.”
The Zhuge Family Head rarely spoke so sternly to his youngest daughter, Siyeon, unless it was a matter of great importance.
“Hmph. Fine.”
“If you are truly confident that you won’t be disappointed or have any regrets, then you may stay.”
The Zhuge Family Head knew. He knew that his youngest daughter had run this far with her eyes fixed on Namgung Urin and him alone.
Hadn't she endured grueling training on her own, with the desire to be with him, even if it meant defeating him?
Zhuge Siyeon was a martial prodigy the likes of which the Zhuge Family might see only once in a hundred years. It was a slight pity she was a daughter and not a son, but it was still a remarkable thing for such a genius to be born during his generation.
And for such a child to have undergone such harsh training, how strong must she have become?
It was said that among her peers in Hubei Province, where the Zhuge Family was located, there was no one who could match her. And this was despite the presence of the Wudang Sect, whose swordsmanship had always been ranked among the best.
On top of that.
If the only man his daughter liked was one destined to be the greatest under heaven, the Zhuge Family Head had no reason to object.
Had he not seen it?
He had seen the duel, and now he had seen this unbelievable Bone and Body Transformation.
Zhuge Siyeon spoke with confidence.
“Don’t worry, you can go.”
“Very well. Then I will leave some guards behind for you.”
“No, that’s alright. Just leave me here alone.”
“…I can’t do that. The guards…”
“This way, when Urin wakes up, the two of us can travel to the Zhuge estate together.”
Only by being alone could she create a situation where she could ask him to escort her to the Zhuge Family estate.
“…I see. Alright, I understand.”
Seeing his daughter, who was not only a tremendous martial prodigy but also sharp-witted, the Zhuge Family Head smiled with satisfaction and was able to depart.
Before long, an hour had passed.
Finally, Namgung Urin’s room fell silent.
Jang Gae and Namgung Yul entered the room, carrying Namgung Urin’s clothes.
“…”
“…”
To exaggerate slightly, it was dazzling. A radiant sheen emanated from Namgung Urin’s naked body.
His skin was like white jade.
A puzzled Namgung Yul asked Jang Gae.
“Why do you look like that, Sect Leader?”
He was asking why Jang Gae's skin was still so grimy despite having undergone a Bone and Body Transformation.
“Ahem. How should I know? Tsk.”
His feelings hurt, Jang Gae turned his head away and happened to see something quite remarkable. His gaze then shifted to Namgung Yul.
“…Are you also like that?”
“Like what, sir?”
Jang Gae gestured with his chin.
“Th-that thing there.”
Namgung Yul’s gaze followed where Jang Gae was pointing.
“…”
“Well? Are you about that size?”
“…N-not quite to that extent… no, sir.”
“Right? I was just wondering, just in case.”
“That boy… there’s nothing ordinary about him, is there?”
“No. He’s exceptional.”
Whatever it might be.
* * *
“Why is it like this?”
Iyeong spoke, looking at Namgung Urin, who had yet to awaken from the Abyss of Primordial Chaos.
Sayeong said.
“I know, right? Don’t tell me… the Lord… isn’t dead, is he?”
“You idiot. If the Lord were dead, why are we still perfectly fine?”
“Ah! Right.”
If Namgung Urin died, the Shadows would naturally be annihilated as well.
“This bastard Sayeong is full of greed but knows nothing. It makes me wonder if this punk really is a Shadow that came from our Lord.”
Just then, Namgung Urin opened his eyes.
“Why is it so noisy?”
“Lord? You’ve awakened?”
Namgung Urin looked around.
The place was filled with utter darkness. But strangely, it was bright. It was because the motes of primordial chaos were twinkling.
And far in the distance, on a wall, stood a massive circular shape that looked like a door, though he couldn't tell if it was made of stone or iron.
Its radius looked to be at least ten feet. In the center, the words ‘Primordial Chaos’ were inscribed.
Setting aside this unfamiliar space for a moment, Namgung Urin checked his own condition.
First, he felt incredibly refreshed. It felt as if the warm morning sunlight and clean, clear air were streaming through a window to greet him cheerfully.
Of course, the place where Namgung Urin had opened his eyes was filled only with darkness, but that’s how he felt at that moment.
This… was a feeling he had truly never experienced in his life.
He felt as if he had been born anew.
A passion to start everything over again was bubbling up inside him.
And there was also a sense of relief.
A brief return… no, not quite.
The meeting with his father, which had felt too real to be a dream, seemed to have opened up his heart, which had been heavily suppressed by something until now.
That’s why he felt so clear.
He felt unburdened.
Thoughts he had never had, or had avoided, were now rummaging wildly through his mind, as if fanning the flames of his burning passion.
Thoughts about his grandfather and father, thoughts about the Namgung, and thoughts about revenge.
The unorganized thoughts were tangling and intertwining randomly. It should have been enough to give him a headache, but it wasn’t.
Because all those thoughts were ones that made Namgung Urin feel good.
However…
What in the world was this darkness that seemed poised to ruin this good mood?
So, Namgung Urin asked.
“Where am I?”