#58. The First-Rate Warrior Who Astonished the Divine Sword (6)

"Is what you offer truly worth the value of the Cheonggung Merchant Group?"

The Creation Divine Sword's suspicion had not yet faded. I drew my sword.

"Take a look at this first."

I began to perform the exact same martial art that the Divine Sword had just demonstrated moments ago. There were shortcomings since the movements weren't ingrained in my body yet, and my experience with the technique was worlds apart, so unlike the Divine Sword's blade—which brimmed with intent even in simple strokes—mine lacked that edge. But it was unmistakably the same sword art.

His eyes widened at how I replicated it without a single deviation.

"You... memorized it in that short time?"

"It's my Heavenly Punishment."1

"That?"

The Divine Sword tilted his head, as if it made no sense. The typical reaction whenever I revealed my perfect memory ability.

"The scene of my childhood dog being bitten by a fox feels as vivid as if it happened just now."

You can't know what you've never experienced.

"...Hmm, that could be possible."

But that wasn't the important part right now.

"Now, watch this. It's the counter I devised."

I began unfolding the crushing form for the Cheonggung Mu-ae Sword Technique. A sword art designed purely to dismantle the Cheonggung Mu-ae Sword Technique—the method demonic cult fiends had used to mercilessly carve through the righteous sects.

It pierced weaknesses more decisively than the counter the Divine Sword had shown. At the same time, I deliberately stabbed at completely irrelevant spots as well. Showing a perfect crushing form—one even the Divine Sword couldn't create—might make him feel threatened.

Yet Jegal Cheongi's crushing form far surpassed the one the Divine Sword had made.

"Now I understand why Sani was flustered."

"But this crushing form—and the one you created, Senior—share a critical flaw."

"What do you think it is?"

"First, it's too difficult for those who have already mastered the Cheonggung Mu-ae Sword Technique with their bodies."

Sword arts are learned first with the mind, then embodied. Once ingrained in the body, postures don't change easily.

"Second, outside of countering the Cheonggung Mu-ae Sword Technique, it's inferior to even a third-rate sword art in general combat."

"...I agree."

"Third, the direction of this sword art is too clear-cut."

"What's wrong with having a clear direction?"

"What happens if the Namgung family's martial arts deny the foundation of the Namgung family itself?"

"...It was the right choice to take a look at you."

It subjugates a traditional sword art passed down for centuries while inheriting its essence. A complex issue unimaginable without a genius like Jegal Cheongi.

Jegal Cheongi had divided the flaws (broken forms) into three categories: lower stroke (hacho), middle stroke (jungcho), and upper stroke (sangcho). The names weren't based on power, but on how many weaknesses they exposed.

A lure stroke that reveals the body is a lower stroke. A transitional stroke linking forms is a middle stroke. A protective stroke is an upper stroke.

This classification meant final strokes could be lower ones, or ceremonial opening strokes could be upper ones.

"This is the value I'm offering."

I began the ascending form, starting with the opening stance and the first form, Cheonggung Weak Edge, breaking down the Cheonggung Mu-ae Sword Technique.

Of the thirty-six forms total, I perfectly demonstrated ascending forms for exactly half, mixing in my own creations for the rest. At the Divine Sword's level, he could discern the jade from the stones within, and recreate a perfect ascending form from those gems.

Sweat trickled down my forehead after completing all thirty-six forms.

"Hoo..."

The Divine Sword stared blankly for a while, as if reassembling the forms in his mind. Then, realizing he'd lost himself, he shook his head.

"How did you even conceive of this?"

Here, I began a plausible lie.

"In Anhui Province, where the Tae-eul Gate is located, there are two dragons. For the Tae-eul Gate to ascend, we must confront them—but our sect's martial arts were too weak."

"You used your unforgettable memories?"

"Finding weaknesses was easier for me than futilely trying to forget memories."

"Even so..."

The Divine Sword shook his head as he spoke.

"It's astonishing. Though the killing intent is too fierce, it's a sword that overcomes and dominates the Cheonggung Mu-ae Sword Technique's weaknesses."

This high praise belonged to Jegal Cheongi. His wish was for the Murim Alliance to stand tall in the martial world once more, rectifying its spirit. But not all sects would welcome their martial arts being countered. Some even faced accusations of handing righteous arts' weaknesses to the demonic cult.

And now, Jegal Cheongi's wish had reached Namgung Taeha, head of the Namgung family, through me.

"Was that why you faced Sani?"

"Yes."

"Then why force yourself to wield a sword?"

"I've never seen the Imperial King Sword Technique, and even if I had, it's too complex to counter, so I had no choice but to push."

"...Ah, you're right. But why only show eighteen forms?"

The Creation Divine Sword had precisely noted the missing half.

"With my lacking intellect and ability, completing even half was burdensome."

The Divine Sword chuckled.

"No— you considered the danger of revealing all forms."

"..."

As expected, I couldn't fool the Divine Sword's eyes.

"...It's more than enough value. No, it overflows. Even handing over the entire Cheonggung Merchant Group, not just a branch, wouldn't be a loss."

The Creation Divine Sword nodded. His face filled with relief, as if he'd solved a long-standing headache.

"I'll convene the elders' meeting. You'll present on the agenda you mentioned, but the final persuasion is yours."

"That's sufficient."

"Additionally, one Great Connection Divine Pill for you, and two for the Tae-eul Gate. I'd give more, but that's all the Namgung family has left."

I bowed deeply, clasping my hands in salute.

"I will never forget this grace."

"You'd better not. You're the one uprooting a pillar of the Namgung family."

The Divine Sword, smiling warmly, grew serious for a moment.

"But I have a question. Why do your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠martial demonstrations seem imperfect?"

Even at my maximum without knowing inner energy circulation methods, it must have looked deliberate to his eyes.

"Forms can be learned by eye, but oral formulas cannot."

"What do you mean? Didn't you say you remember everything after seeing it once?"

"How could the body instantly manifest what the mind remembers?"

The Divine Sword tilted his head.

"I don't know what fortune you encountered, but hadn't you already reached the Five Dragons Peak Star Realm, harmonizing essence, qi, and spirit?"

Previously, inside the Infinite Buddha's Indestructible Soul Formation, I'd forcibly opened the upper dantian to grasp the path, even connecting to the middle. Not ideal, but a fortune nonetheless. Thanks to it, I'd ascended to the Five Dragons Peak Star Realm.

Even avoiding direct clash, he'd gauged my realm from that alone.

"...Yes."

"Harmonizing essence, qi, and spirit means the body moves as thought wills. Remembering with the mind means the body remembers too."

"...!"

Lightning crashed in my mind, my body trembling. I'd reached the realm through fortune but never pondered what essence-qi-spirit harmony truly meant.

The Divine Sword clicked his tongue, noticing.

"Have you seen such a dullard? Essence, qi, spirit in harmony means inner energy, body, and thought become one. Think carefully. If a memory is vivid in your mind, it's vivid in your body too."

"..."

"You didn't know?"

"...I've never thought about it."

"Heh, well... Not to disparage your sect, but probably no one there reached your realm."

"...Yes."

The Tae-eul True Scripture and elixirs were firsts for me.

"That must be the issue."

"..."

"Don't worry. Now you have yourself. Your juniors will surpass you."

"...Thank you for the guidance."

"Sit. Insights flee if not sorted in the moment."

I immediately sat cross-legged, circulating the Tae-eul True Scripture. I couldn't miss this insight worth more than gold.

"Tsk, does this repay a little? Still lacking, though... How shall I collect the rest..."

As I sank into trance, his tongue-clicking echoed faintly.

Slowly opening my eyes amid the crumbling powder, I saw Namgung San with arms crossed and Namgung Seonhwa watching worriedly.

"Awake?"

"...How long was I like this?"

"A full day."

I'd thought it mere instants, yet time had flown.

"You waited here all this time?"

Namgung San shook his head.

"Grandfather said you'd awaken by now—bring you over."

Nodding, I rose; Namgung San stared intently.

"Something happened with Grandfather."

"What do you mean, Brother?"

Namgung San answered Namgung Seonhwa.

"The Jin Gongja from yesterday and today are different people."

"...Pardon?"

Namgung Seonhwa looked baffled; Namgung San revealed competitive spirit.

"If not for Grandfather's order, I'd spar you right now. No inner energy limits this time?"

At Namgung San's knowing words, Namgung Seonhwa alternated shocked glances between us.

Embarrassed, I swiftly changed topics.

"The Divine Sword calls?"

"Let's go."

Namgung Seonhwa, unable to join the talk, grabbed my sleeve.

"Grandfather convened the elders' meeting. Said bring Jin Gongja there. What happened?"

"Ah, the Divine Sword said as thanks, name your gift."

"What did you ask for?"

"The Cheonggung Merchant Group."

"...Pardon?"

"!!"

Namgung Seonhwa—and even Namgung San—whipped around, staring like I'd gone mad.

A chill permeated the inner chamber.

The elders seated in rows on both sides eyed me unkindly as I entered with the Namgung siblings. The Divine Sword must have already mentioned the Cheonggung Merchant Group.

I sat beside the Creation Divine Sword, opposite Namgung Songju—the true master of the Cheonggung Merchant Group. The Namgung siblings stuck to the wall behind me, watching tensely.

"..."

Unlike the elders' overt hostility, Namgung Songju calmly sipped tea.

"I just heard something unbelievable from the Family Head. The elders here were quite outraged too."

Namgung Songju set down his cup, expression serene.

"Hard to believe, but... the Family Head said it was his own thought."

Out of consideration, the Creation Divine Sword framed it as his choice.

"Then I must ask your thoughts. The Family Head says he'll give ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you the Hefei branch of the Cheonggung Merchant Group. What do you think?"

As Namgung Songju finished, the elders exuded energy. Some subtly emitted killing intent, tightening throats.

I circulated the Tae-eul True Scripture to shield mind and body, then spoke.

"I didn't act for reward, so it's overly generous."

Namgung Songju smirked.

"I imagine so..."

"...But since a great senior offers it, I'll gratefully accept."

"!"

Namgung Songju's brow furrowed deeply. Excessive sighs escaped the elders.

Hoo... Have you seen such a fool.

Like a wild colt ignorant of its place.

A mere snake trying to swallow an ox.

Such words, unfit before a guest. Yet they raged inwardly.

"You don't flinch at mention of the Cheonggung Merchant Group, so it's not just the Family Head's will. Right?"

"Does that matter?"

"I warned you beforehand, but it seems unheeded."

Chilling killing light gleamed from Namgung Songju's eyes.

"The Cheonggung Merchant Group is a pillar of the Namgung family. Especially Hefei in Anhui—its foundation. You dare ask for that? How lightly do you view the Namgung family?"

The elders now openly revealed killing intent. Behind me, the Namgung siblings—and Namgung Gitae behind Songju—began flinching.

The Family Head, Creation Divine Sword, should resent Songju's overreach, yet watched amused.

"If the Cheonggung Merchant Group is the Namgung family's pillar, its foundation should be the main house at Huang Mountain. Why is distant Hefei the base?"

"!!"

"The Cheonggung Merchant Group already ranks among Jiangnan's top five giants. But with operations mostly in Jiangnan, isn't Hefei activity just needless northern extension?"

Namgung Songju clamped his mouth shut. Everyone knew theoretically, but self-interest silenced it.

"Hefei holds geopolitical ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠importance, but from the Cheonggung Merchant Group's view, meaningless? Ceding one branch isn't hard for the great Namgung family. Or is Hefei's branch more vital than Huang Mountain's main house?"

Shouts erupted from the elders as I finished.

"Insolent pup! Too much talk!"

"Spoiled by flattery, no manners."

"Not your concern, outsider!"

Most elder hall members were sect warriors or collaterals. They opposed strengthening the direct line, diminishing their influence.

"Heh, quite the logic."

And at the center: Namgung Songju.

"You may have a point. But still, can't yield Hefei."

"..."

Elders nodded in unison.

"Can't ignore the Family Head's wish to gift you. Your sect inquired about iron distribution recently—found a mine, lucky. Cheonggung will handle distribution. This substitutes the gift."

As elders nodded in concession, I spoke.

"I want the Hefei branch of the Cheonggung Merchant Group."

"..."

Tension, easing, tightened anew. Namgung Gitae, unable to endure, showed whites of eyes.

"You. Want to see the end?"

"..."

Speaking to me, Namgung Songju eyed the Creation Divine Sword threateningly.

"Even if you take it, I can erase your sect and reclaim it."

The Divine Sword showed no shake at the malice. With crushing and ascending forms secured, no worry. But he watched my actions closely.

"Want it that badly?"

Heat escalated. Namgung Songju glared as at mortal foe.

"...Calm down and think. Not ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a bad deal."

"You bastard..."

As Namgung Songju rose abruptly, I sent a transmission.

-The reason I seemed unlikable before... because of Wang Geumsan's daughter Wang Soso, right?

Namgung Songju's icy facade cracked. Struggling to recompose, his eyes shook violently.

-Rescuing Wang Soso built ties with Wang Geumsan. He's still desperately hunting her kidnappers, vowing to hurl them to hell with all his power. Knowing the truth, I stayed silent fearing bloodbath between Wang family and Namgung.

Panic dawned on Namgung Songju's face. After long pause, he transmitted.

-...What nonsense?

-Milgung Corps warrior ranked high, but inadvertently revealed Namgung arts. Kidnappings/assassinations need trained pros.

-Proof?

-May I reveal the corpse's location? Hasn't fully rotted yet.

As we conversed silently, elders began tilting heads.

-Speaking with Creation Divine Sword Senior, collaterals feud with direct line—not just Cheonggung. If Wang Geumsan learns and aligns with Divine Sword... great pretext. Who among those opposing him just now survives his wrath?

I eyed Namgung Gitae; Songju followed my gaze.

-The grand pretext holding the Divine Sword shattered by your error. Can you withstand his fury?

Namgung Songju glanced at the Creation Divine Sword.

"..."

The Divine Sword eyed his fluster intrigued.

-What now? Face Wang Geumsan and Divine Sword's wrath? Or pay with Hefei branch?

-The secret...

-Even if Hefei falls to me, Cheonggung vanishing harms me too.

-Threaten again with this, I'll stake all to crush you and your sect.

-From now, Senior and I share gains. I ask allies, don't threaten.

-...

After hesitating transmissions, Namgung Songju eyed Namgung Taeha and spoke.

"Family Head... On reflection, at Mareung Plateau, not just Namgung but many martial kin owe Jin Gongja and Tae-eul Gate. For a pillar of the martial world like Namgung to not repay? Absurd. Best yield Hefei branch as you wish."

"What...!"

"No! Division Head, what madness?!"

At Namgung Songju's absurdity, elders surged up.

The Creation Divine Sword and Namgung siblings gaped at the unbelievable scene; I calmly savored wall fruit spring, then addressed them.

"The aroma of wall fruit spring is superb."