Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Change - 1
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Effort had been a given for her since birth.
It had to be that way.
The Namgung Family was hailed as the foremost among the Five Great Clans of the martial world. And so, as the next family head, Namgung Hye had no choice but to work harder than anyone else.
But her efforts weren't solely for the family.
They were to reshape the standing of the current Righteous Faction—for the righteousness and chivalry that had faded so much they could only be found in books.
To truly uphold those values, she had always striven.
Of course, lofty ideals didn't make it any easier.
Training was grueling and monotonous. Even repeating the same motion thousands or tens of thousands of times, there were plenty of instances where she failed to master a single technique.
No matter how exceptional her talent, it was ordeal enough to push even Namgung Hye to her limits.
Yet she had persevered.
For her own ideals.
But what if she herself turned her back on those ideals?
What if everything she had dreamed of and toiled for was merely to live up to others' expectations?
Namgung Hye, who had been staring blankly at Jin Hyun, suddenly came to her senses. Seeing him standing there with sword in hand weighed heavily on her heart.
"You..."
"Hm?"
"...Why do you put in the effort?"
Unlike her, he didn't bear a family's expectations on his shoulders.
He wasn't pressured by crowds demanding he strive and succeed.
Yet he had always worked hard and endured hardship.
Martial arts were like stacking a stone pagoda—easy at the start, but brutally difficult as the height grew. He surely knew how agonizing and exhausting that process could be.
Yet he had always persevered.
What was the reason?
Namgung Hye asked in a trembling voice. Jin Hyun pondered briefly before answering offhandedly.
"Because I have to."
"...W-why?"
"It's something someone has to do. And I realized that someone is me."
Saving the world.
It was undoubtedly grueling and painful. Yet Jin Hyun felt responsible for its looming destruction. So he had no choice but to strive.
He had no choice but to toil to fill the vacancy left by Wi Cheonryong.
But Namgung Hye, unaware of this, interpreted it differently.
'To uphold righteousness and duty...?'
To safeguard chivalry, even at the cost of self-sacrifice.
He was living the very life she had so desperately craved.
And not as someone from a prestigious Righteous Faction like her. No—he hadn't even firmly aligned with any faction in the martial world yet.
Yu Ye-ryeon, who was currently instructing Jin Hyun, clearly belonged to the Righteous Faction.
But she referred to him not as a disciple, and he didn't call her his master.
That meant no formal master-disciple bond, placing Jin Hyun in the neutral realm between Righteous and Evil Factions.
Of course, given his connections, he was highly likely to join the Righteous side. But he hadn't declared any enemies yet.
Yet he strove to uphold righteousness and duty.
Unlike those who proclaimed justice under banners like prestigious sects, Righteous Faction, or Martial Alliance—he protected the values he truly believed in.
That unnerved her.
She knew because she had tried to walk that path herself.
She knew the road Jin Hyun sought was no easy one.
A thorny path of trials and tribulations.
And so, when danger arose, Jin Hyun would overexert himself once more.
He would hurl himself into peril without a second thought to save others.
- Yes. He definitely would.
The voice of the heart demon that had begun whispering since that day echoed again.
Thus, she met the gaze of Jin Hyun, who stared back at her impassively.
Those unflinching eyes forced her lips apart.
"If something like last time happens... you'll do it again?"
"Probably."
Because it was something someone had to do.
Because he believed it was his duty.
Jin Hyun nodded nonchalantly.
At his response, the heart demon spoke.
- See? He'll definitely push himself. Even without being from a prestigious Righteous Faction like you, he'll strive endlessly for justice—overextend himself.
Yes. He definitely would.
- Look at Jin Hyun. He's pathetically weak. His internal energy hasn't even completed a full circuit. All he practices is the Three Ultimates Sword Art.
Yes.
- You think the same, don't you? Sword Heaven keeps him around but doesn't teach him real swordsmanship. So why not teach him ourselves? We could give him far more, at the very least.
It was a seductive voice, a tempting proposal. Namgung Hye stared at Jin Hyun with wide eyes.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Her uneasy tone went unheard. Right now, the only voice reaching Namgung Hye was the heart demon's.
- He's pathetically weak. Sure, he has plenty of talent. But first-rate at best. To martial arts ignoramuses, that's godlike. But to anyone who knows the basics and the martial world's perils, he's easy prey.
I know.
- Upholding righteousness and chivalry—admirable. But the trials along that path will be excruciating. Can he survive it at mere first-rate level?
I know.
- Exactly. So why not keep him in the family? He has the talent.
I know.
That Jin Hyun was admirable and talented, yet weak right now.
That's why she wanted to protect him.
What must she do for that?
- Yes. Have him learn the Namgung Family's martial arts?
Good idea.
If she, the next family head, knelt and begged, her father would surely allow it. No—even her grandfather, who had recognized his talent and remained a terrifying force, Namgung Cheon, would approve.
- With his talent, he'd master the Namgung Family's arts. Good for him, and good for you too, right?
...Good for me too?
- Yes. Admit it honestly. He's cool, isn't he?
...Yes. I have to admit it.
He was dazzling.
Pity had welled up seeing him stand alone, drenched in blood. But so had admiration.
Weak as he was, grievously wounded.
Yet Jin Hyun stood tall, facing straight ahead.
That brilliance made her own act—essentially fleeing from danger—feel so pathetic.
She couldn't look away.
To keep such a man by her side and forge him into a true chivalrous hero.
How could that not be ideal?
So, yes.
- So, yes.
Let's do it.
- Let's do it.
The heart demon's thoughts aligned perfectly with Namgung Hye's.
"I... I have a pro, proposal..."
Emotions tangled in her voice.
Obsession, possessiveness, affection, admiration. Jealousy. Positive and negative feelings twisted into a viscous mire.
Amazed at her own voice, Namgung Hye gazed straight at him and spoke.
"Uh... if... you know. Ou-our promise. The spar... it hasn't ended yet, has it?"
"Yeah...?"
"In that spar... if, if I win."
"If you win?"
"...Stay in the Namgung Family and learn the family's martial arts."
Even those known only to direct descendants and blood kin.
If he could grow strong, complete himself.
If he could shine endlessly.
'Whatever the price, I'll pay it.'
Jin Hyun felt bewildered by Namgung Hye's proposal.
The Namgung Family's martial arts. Not a bad deal by any means. No—it was arguably the best offer possible.
He recalled Namgung Cheon's Soaring Palace Free Sword Art from before.
Training there, couldn't he wield such a blade himself?
"I'll... I'll help you right by your side! Let me support you! When it's tough, I'll comfort you... If something's hard, we'll puzzle it out together. So... so...!"
It was a desperate plea, like a drowning soul thrashing for purchase. Namgung Hye clung to her words.
A earnest request deserved a earnest reply.
Jin Hyun nodded curtly.
"But if you lose?"
"That's... y-yes! Whatever you want, I'll grant it!"
"Anything?"
"Y-yes! Anything..."
It wasn't bad for Jin Hyun either. Namgung Hye, heir to the mighty Namgung Family. Her aid would prove invaluable against the Blood Cult later.
And this duel might just free her from the heart demon.
He couldn't pass that up.
But they couldn't fight now. He needed time—and so did she.
"Fine. But we need time. Not just me—look at yourself. Can you even swing a sword properly?"
Only then did Namgung Hye assess her condition.
Her once healthy frame was gaunt from fasting, on the verge of collapse.
Could she face Jin Hyun like this? Impossible didn't cross her mind, but this was an all-in duel.
In such a state, it'd disrespect the martial way—and Jin Hyun.
First, she needed to recover.
- Good. I'll stay silent until then.
Even the heart demon, which had hounded her at every bite, vowed to quiet down.
Then.
She'd do it.
For him.