Chapter 3
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Heavenly Will Sword Art
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“Whew, I have ten years of internal energy now.”
It was a relief, if anything.
Compared to my time as the Alliance Leader, it was a pathetic amount, but at least I had secured enough to protect myself.
Of course, there was no guarantee I would win against a true master, but with eighty-two years of experience and senses that had reached the pinnacle, I was confident I could defeat most of them.
Still, I had to be careful.
I was no longer Hwa Un-ryong, the greatest under heaven, but Guyang Cheon of the Ouyang Clan.
I stood up, took a sip of water, and chewed on a fasting pill.
I had been surviving on these for two days.
After lightly filling my stomach just enough to stave off hunger, I rose and recalled my unique sword art, the Heavenly Will Sword Art.
The Heavenly Will Sword Art.
A truly audacious sword art, its name implying it carried out the will of the heavens, it was the ultimate technique that had made me the greatest martial artist in the world. It consisted of only five forms, but its power was immense.
First Form. Lightning Flash.
A technique that fatally slashes an opponent's vital points as fast as a lightning strike.
Second Form. Swift Explosive Kill.
A technique as swift as Lightning Flash but with immense power. Those struck by it would have a part of their body explode.
Third Form. Thunderous Projectile.
A technique that projects sword ki, which can be modified for use as a finger strike.
It was the form I found most useful during my time as the Alliance Leader.
Opponents would be terrified to see sword ki erupting from my fingertips.
Fourth Form. Storm-Slicing Wheel.
A wheel of auric ki is unleashed in a whirlwind formation. Even a master at their peak, once caught, could not escape and would be shredded to death.
The stronger my internal energy, the more wheels I could create.
Fifth Form. Thunder and Lightning Ki Rain.
A technique where auric ki pours down like rain. Along with the Storm-Slicing Wheel, it consumed a massive amount of internal energy.
I could narrow its range for a single opponent or widen it for many. It was a fearsome technique; once caught, one would be struck by the ki as if caught in a downpour, leading to certain death.
“The only form I can use right now is Lightning Flash.”
It was disappointing.
To have mastered this powerful Heavenly Will Sword Art to its very peak, only to be able to use the first form.
I shook off the negative thoughts, took my stance, and began to practice Lightning Flash.
This body couldn't keep up with my mind, which had already mastered the technique.
Fortunately, this body wasn't just fat from a sedentary life; it had strong muscles underneath the flesh.
That must be how I beat Kang Seung-ju to a pulp.
In any case, it was a relief to have such physical strength.
Once I began my training, I focused on executing the form with precision.
The once-clumsy form became sharp and incisive. A keen aura flickered from the sword's tip as it traced a path that had reached the ultimate state.
I would have to work tirelessly.
I could still feel the disconnect between my consciousness and this body.
If I were to face a peak master in this state, that subtle difference could cost me my life.
*Rumble.*
A low but distinct clap of thunder echoed.
*Swoosh.*
At the same time, the sharp sound of a sword slicing through the air followed.
“I’ve only just taken the first step.”
With a satisfied smile, I sheathed my sword and fastened it to my waist.
Slowly opening the stone chamber door, I stepped outside and held out my hand to the drizzling rain.
‘It was raining like this back then, too. What happened to me? Did I die?’
I stood there, getting soaked by the rain, lost in thought.
I wanted to find someone and ask, but the words wouldn't come.
I wasn't ready to accept my own death yet.
“Why are you standing in the rain?”
Seong Hwi had approached at some point and was holding an umbrella over me.
“Just thinking about the past.”
“Was your training fruitful?”
“I should be able to protect myself now. Of course, I’ll still have to be careful if I run into a master.”
Seong Hwi saw the confidence in my face.
It was a look he hadn't seen from me in a long time, and he watched me with narrowed eyes.
“I want to wash up. Please guide me to the bathhouse. I’d appreciate it if you could bring me a set of martial arts attire as well.”
“Understood. Please follow me.”
Seong Hwi sheltered me with the umbrella and led me to the bathhouse.
Soaking in the cool water felt invigorating.
After washing myself, I put on the black martial arts attire Seong Hwi had brought. I felt refreshed.
Was it thanks to the hardship of the past two days?
My stomach felt a little flatter.
Of course, its presence was still quite formidable.
When I opened the door and stepped out, the rain had stopped, and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds as if it had never rained at all.
I made my way to the main building.
“Father. It is your son, Cheon.”
“Come in.”
I took off my shoes and confidently opened the door.
The middle-aged man who had struck the back of my head and cursed at me when I first woke up was sitting there, and next to him was the woman who had stopped him.
From now on, they were my parents, Ouyang Hyeon and Moyong Hye.
I repeated to myself, ‘They are my parents,’ several times in my mind.
“Have a seat.”
“Yes.”
As I calmly sat down, Ouyang Hyeon tilted his head.
He hadn't believed Seong Hwi, but seeing me in person, the aura I exuded was so different.
“See? What did I tell you? I said our Cheon has changed.”
Moyong Hye’s eyes sparkled as she nudged Ouyang Hyeon in the side.
She looked at me with a gaze full of warm affection.
“Are you hungry?”
“I am fine. I staved off my hunger with a fasting pill. For the time being, I will focus on controlling my diet to build up my body.”
I answered in detail, even things she hadn't asked.
It was a declaration of my will to change.
I thought that by vocalizing my intentions and putting them into practice, they would come to trust me.
“Cheon. From now on, do not disappoint this father and work hard.”
“I understand.”
Ouyang Hyeon wore a faint smile as he watched me answer so resolutely.
The memory of my usual cowering expression after causing trouble was still vivid in his mind, so seeing my confident demeanor put him at ease.
“So, what did you train in the stone chamber?”
“I circulated my internal energy.”
“As you should.”
“Father, I have a question. Is it true that grandfather’s unique martial arts, the Heavenly Absolute Sword Art and the Heavenly Martial Heart Sutra, have disappeared?”
“It is. A truly lamentable affair.”
Ouyang Hyeon shut his eyes tightly, his expression pained, as he calmly explained the situation.
When the martial arts manuals, the treasures of the Ouyang Clan, vanished, the entire household was thrown into chaos.
Not only the originals but also the handwritten copies were gone.
After a thorough search of the entire estate yielded nothing, they concluded that the Sword Emperor, Ouyang Ui, had intentionally destroyed them.
He had made two copies and hidden them. It was highly unlikely that a thief would have found and stolen the copies as well.
Thus, they concluded that the Sword Emperor himself had disposed of them. Of course, why he did so remained a mystery.
‘He must have been that desperate. It means he staked everything on that challenge.’
That was how I understood Ouyang Ui’s feelings.
He must have burned his boats, thinking of the humiliation the Ouyang Clan would suffer in defeat.
“Then what sword art is the main family currently using?”
“Hah, have you really lost your memory?”
“I apologize. I do not remember.”
Ouyang Hyeon clicked his tongue, then opened a drawer, took out a thin manual, and handed it to me.
Seeing the words ‘Ouyang Sword Art’ written on it, my eyes welled up with tears.
It was Ouyang Ui’s handwriting.
“What is it?”
“I was just so happy to see my grandfather’s handwriting.”
Ouyang Hyeon tilted his head in confusion.
Guyang Cheon was born eight years after Ouyang Ui’s death, so he found it strange that I seemed to be tearing up out of longing.
“I will return it after a brief look.”
“Go ahead.”
With Ouyang Hyeon’s permission, I respectfully bowed to my parents and left the room.
They weren't my real parents, but since I had to live as Guyang Cheon now, I resolved to think of them as such.
Returning to my room, I told Seong Hwi I would be staying inside for a while and sent him away.
I sat with a reverent posture and turned the first page of the Ouyang Sword Art manual.
Seeing Ouyang Ui’s actual handwriting, my eyes reddened again with longing.
I spent two hours reading it calmly before closing the manual.
‘This is a high-level sword art. It may not be on par with the Heavenly Will Sword Art or the Heavenly Absolute Sword Art, but it is by no means ordinary. If my father or brother had mastered the Ouyang Sword Art, the Ouyang Clan might not have regained its former glory as the greatest under heaven, but it would have contended for the strongest in Henan Province.’
I picked up the Ouyang Sword Art manual again, reading it over and over to commit it to memory.
It had many similarities to the Heavenly Absolute Sword Art, so it felt familiar.
Having perfectly memorized the manual, I opened the door, returned it to my father, and then headed back to the training ground.
The Heavenly Will Sword Art was so unique that any renowned martial artist would recognize it, so I planned to use it with extreme caution.
Therefore, I needed to make the Ouyang Sword Art my own and use it for the time being.
*Swoosh.*
The sword cut sharply through the air.
It was my first time performing the Ouyang Sword Art, but having already tasted the pinnacle of martial arts, I could execute it just by understanding it.
A sharp aura flowed from the sword's tip, and the trajectory it drew—the path of the sword—was unpredictable and marvelous.
“Wonderful.”
Seong Hwi exclaimed in admiration.
“I’m glad it’s at least passable.”
“It was truly amazing. The sword moved lightly yet retained its weight, and it was incredibly fast. I even doubted my own eyes, wondering if it was really the Ouyang Sword Art.”
“It’s true that the Ouyang Sword Art is lacking compared to the Heavenly Absolute Sword Art, but it is a high-level technique, so practice it with all your might without doubt. Otherwise, you will never grasp its true essence.”
I advised Seong Hwi and then continued my training, pouring all my internal energy into the Ouyang Sword Art.
When I exhausted my energy, I would sit on the spot and circulate my qi to replenish my dantian, then repeat the process.
After about ten days of this repetitive training, I was able to make the Ouyang Sword Art completely my own.
The only downside was that with only ten years of internal energy, I couldn't bring out its true power.
“Hwi.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Lately, the way Seong Hwi looked at me had clearly changed.
It was a gaze filled with unmistakable respect.
“If you’re not busy, let’s go to the Starmoon Pavilion together.”
“Are you going to meet Young Master Kang?”
“I should. His words were harsh, but looking back at my situation then, I didn't deserve to be beaten that badly. It's late, but I intend to apologize.”
“An excellent thought. I will go and inform the Clan Head.”
As I watched Seong Hwi’s retreating back, I turned my gaze to the sky.
Autumn was already setting in, and the sky was endlessly high and clear.
I left the Ouyang Clan estate with Seong Hwi.
The Starmoon Pavilion was a four-hour ride away on horseback.
We didn't hurry, taking our time to look around as we rode.
During my time as the Alliance Leader, I had mainly lived in Wuchang, and I had only visited Henan Province last year to annihilate a group from the Blood Palace.
Of course, I had also visited this place thirty or forty years ago to meet Ouyang Ui.
The feeling of Zhengzhou was different now compared to back then.
More peaceful, perhaps?
Lately, I had been thinking that living as Guyang Cheon wasn't so bad.
Above all, I had youth, and I had shed the heavy burden that weighed on my shoulders as the Alliance Leader.
The Starmoon Pavilion.
The large-scale Starmoon Pavilion was a fairly well-known sect in Henan Province.
A servant sweeping the front gate saw me and showed open hostility.
I understood.
I had broken Kang Seung-ju's bones; it would be stranger if they showed me any kindness.
“The Second Young Master of the Ouyang Clan has arrived. Go and announce him at once.”
As Seong Hwi, standing behind me, glared with a fierce expression and spoke in a commanding tone, the hostile servant immediately bowed and ran inside.
A moment later.
A young warrior wearing a hero's circlet approached, radiating a sharp aura.
“I am Kang Seung-hyeok, leader of the Starmoon Pavilion’s Third Sword Squad.”
Seong Hwi quickly whispered in my ear that he was Kang Seung-ju's younger brother.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Guyang Cheon.”
“I’m not pleased at all. What brings you here?”
“I came to apologize for what happened. His words were insulting, but it was in a drunken stupor, and my reaction was excessive.”
Kang Seung-hyeok tilted his head as he listened to my calm words and muttered to himself.
“The rumors about him being a little different… so they were true? Can a person really change this much?”
“They can. Would you show me the way?”
“Follow me.”
Lacking a reason to turn me away, Kang Seung-hyeok strode ahead and led me to the main hall.
As if he had already been notified, Kang Seung-ju’s father, Kang Ho-chung, was standing on the main veranda, glaring at me with the eyes of a tiger.
“I think coming here was a mistake.”
Seong Hwi said quietly.
“It’s something I have to face anyway. If we just sweep this under the rug, the friendship between my father and the Pavilion Master will eventually break. This is necessary for the clan's sake. Don’t worry too much. I won’t show a pathetic side.”
I walked forward confidently and gave Kang Ho-chung a formal fist-and-palm salute.
“Have you been well?”
“You came to apologize? Do you even know what you did wrong?”
“How could I not? I am truly sorry for what happened that day. We were drinking together, and I lost my temper and threw a punch, but my actions were far too excessive. It was clearly my fault. Please forgive me.”
“Shouldn't you be kneeling to apologize?”
At Kang Ho-chung’s demand, I proudly lifted my head, looked him in the eye, and answered firmly.
“I have never kneeled before in my life. Although I was in the wrong, your demand for me to kneel, elder, is excessive.”
“Puhahaha!”
Kang Ho-chung suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter.
“I didn't believe it when I heard it from my old friend, but you've really changed. Have you turned over a new leaf or something, Cheon?”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“You should try to straighten out Seung-ju as well. Now that you’ve become a proper person, perhaps there’s a chance for my Seung-ju to become one too?”
“I understand.”
I bowed my head for the moment, accepting Kang Ho-chung’s request.
To be honest, this Guyang Cheon had only changed because my soul had entered him, so I couldn't guarantee that Kang Seung-ju, a scoundrel just like this body used to be, would change.
I walked towards his room, wondering what kind of person Kang Seung-ju was.