Chapter 87: Lacking (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: Lacking (1)
As he walked toward the clearing, Namgung Jun reflected on the sword techniques he had mastered in this life.
‘I think I can see what lies beyond.’
Great Derivation Sword Technique.
Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders.
Distant-Cloud Layered-Wall Stance.
Heavenly Wind Sword Technique.
Sookwoo Sword Technique.
These were the arts he had acquired in his pursuit of a new path—a new way of the sword. He was determined not to repeat the mistakes of his past life, where he had clung solely to the Heavy Sword.
Perhaps it hadn’t been a futile choice after all.
Even though the experiences of his past life remained vivid, he was still gaining so much that was new. It was as if he had escaped a narrow well to gaze upon the vast ocean; his vision, the very horizon of his enlightenment, was expanding.
And that wasn't all.
He was beginning to see what lay beyond that horizon.
Step.
Stopping in his tracks, Namgung Jun looked up at the sky.
He caught a glimpse of a possibility—a way to weave these various branching sword techniques into a single, unified strike. Though the path seemed impossibly distant, a faint confidence that he could somehow succeed flickered within him.
‘If I can truly create a sword technique of my own, it will mark another turning point, completely differentiating me from the Sword Emperor of my past life.’
Namgung Jun ceased his pondering and looked ahead.
The clearing where the two supreme experts had clashed was a ruin. Not a single tree stood intact, and the ground was completely overturned, riddled with dozens of craters. Amidst the destruction, the most prominent features were the deep sword scars gouged into the earth.
Lee Se-ha, who was sitting cross-legged on a relatively flat tree stump, opened her eyes.
"Jun. You're later than I expected."
"I was delayed by some unexpected insights into my martial arts."
Namgung Jun’s gaze fell to the head rolling near Lee Se-ha's feet. It belonged to the Sword Hand, the eldest of the Five Beasts of Nanman.
"Are you hurt?"
"Of course not. I wouldn't allow myself to be struck by such small fry."
"As expected of my disciple."
Namgung Jun subtly assessed his master's condition. At a glance, Lee Se-ha seemed to have no noteworthy injuries, though her clothes were torn in several places.
‘I wonder what realm Master has reached by now.’
Even among supreme experts who had achieved the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown, there was a clear hierarchy. A martial artist's prowess grew endlessly depending on various factors: the steady growth of one's essence, qi, and spirit; the solidity of the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit; the refinement of the unique senses granted by the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown; and the depth of insight that brought one closer to communing with Natural Qi.
The disparity between a supreme expert who had just reached the state and one who was on the verge of becoming a peerless expert eyeing the Five Qis Converging at the Origin was immense. This gap alone offered a glimpse into just how vast the realm of the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown truly was.
It seemed that while Lee Se-ha and the Sword Hand were both supreme experts, a significant gap had existed between them.
"Are we returning to the main castle now?"
"There's a place we need to stop by first. Let's head back to Bojeon Temple."
Lee Se-ha's tone was cryptic. It was clear she wasn't suggesting they stay the night simply because it was late.
When they returned to Bojeon Temple, the Abbot was standing tall before the pavilion, as if he had been waiting for them.
"Please, come inside."
Inside the pavilion, the crow that had guided the master and disciple to the Five Beasts of Nanman was preening its feathers.
Lee Se-ha looked from the Abbot to the crow before speaking.
"I told you before that a secret organization assists our association from the outside, didn't I?"
"Yes, I remember."
He didn't know their name, only that they existed. He had heard that one would naturally learn about them as their rank in the Azure Heaven Association rose, so he had never bothered to ask.
Namgung Jun looked at the Abbot. "It seems you belong to that secret organization, Abbot."
"You catch on quickly, Benefactor." The Abbot pressed his palms together in a Buddhist greeting. "Among the Third Clouds of the Azure Heaven Association, only those recognized by a Hall Master can learn of our identity and directly request our aid."
"What is the name of this organization?"
The Abbot pressed his palms together again. "It is called the Lower Filthy Heaven."
Lower Filthy Heaven.
It was a name he was hearing for the first time—one he had never encountered in his past life, let alone his current one.
Namgung Jun muttered the unfamiliar name before asking, "What kind of group is the Lower Filthy Heaven?"
"It is a gathering of those who live in the lowest depths of the world," the Abbot explained simply.
It was a secret organization composed mostly of commoners who did not practice martial arts. While some members were martial artists, they were a tiny minority compared to the overall scale of the organization. Most of the Lower Filthy Heaven consisted of people one could find in any walk of life: tavern waiters, courtesans, woodcutters, boatmen, carriage drivers, carpenters, and blacksmiths.
Given the nature of its members, the organization assisted the Azure Heaven Association in areas other than martial force.
"Specifically, we assist the Azure Heaven Association with information and finances."
"I understand."
An information network and financial power that spanned the entire world. This was the true strength of the Lower Filthy Heaven.
"In return, the Azure Heaven Association must provide the Lower Filthy Heaven with martial support."
"You have grasped the core of it. This mission regarding the Five Beasts of Nanman was, in fact, a request made to the Azure Heaven Association by this poor monk."
Namgung Jun nodded. The Azure Heaven Association’s capabilities were focused almost entirely on fighting the Demonic and Heretical Paths. Under those circumstances, there was a clear limit to how much the Ink Fragrance Department alone could support the entire association.
"So the Azure Heaven Association and the Lower Filthy Heaven share a symbiotic relationship."
"Indeed. What the Lower Filthy Heaven seeks is a peaceful world where the powerless can live in comfort. That is why we lend our strength to the Azure Heaven Association, which resists the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the other Demonic and Heretical Paths."
The Abbot looked at Lee Se-ha. "It seems the Heavenly Sword Hall Master has recognized your worth, Young Hero, and wishes to connect you with our headquarters."
Lee Se-ha smiled brightly. "Jun is more than qualified. He might even undergo the Fourth Cloud Promotion soon."
"If the Heavenly Sword Hall Master says so, our headquarters will be glad to welcome him." The Abbot gazed at Namgung Jun once more and added, "From this day forth, Benefactor, you will be able to fully receive the assistance of the Lower Filthy Heaven. I shall teach you our secret signs and methods of contact."
"Are there places where the Lower Filthy Heaven's assistance is limited? For example, in the western regions of the Jianghu where the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult is powerful?"
The Abbot offered a gentle smile. "The Lower Filthy Heaven is everywhere. For the powerless are everywhere under heaven."
The Abbot then explained the contact methods of the Lower Filthy Heaven to Namgung Jun in detail. Only after the explanation, which lasted for an hour, were the master and disciple finally able to leave Bojeon Temple.
While descending Mount Guhwa, Namgung Jun asked his master, "Do most of the Third Clouds in our association know about the Lower Filthy Heaven?"
"They all have a vague idea, but you have to be at least a mid-ranking Third Cloud to receive their help directly. The Lower Filthy Heaven is extremely cautious."
"I see." Namgung Jun looked back at the distant Bojeon Temple. "It seems they will be of great help."
"The world is vast, and there are many places our association's hands cannot reach. Being able to receive the Lower Filthy Heaven's help will be a massive boon. Once you become a Fourth Cloud, you'll have to run wild across the wider Jianghu, so keep this well in mind."
"Thank you, Master."
The master and disciple walked side by side, heading for the main castle of the Azure Heaven Association.
* * *
The journey back was smooth as they descended Mount Guhwa and headed straight for the main castle.
With only a single day's travel left, Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun stopped in their tracks.
"Master."
"Yeah. Uninvited guests."
A middle-aged man stood alone, occupying the center of the road. Upon spotting the master and disciple approaching from afar, he curled his lips into a smirk and began to walk slowly toward them.
With each step he took, unfamiliar presences multiplied around them like a spreading wildfire. Each of the newly appeared figures exuded a thick, cloying Demonic Qi.
"Is this your first time experiencing this, my disciple?"
"Yes, it is."
"This happens from time to to time. They track the movements of the Ten Halls and ambush us on the road." Lee Se-ha toyed with her sword hilt, utterly unfazed.
Meanwhile, the distance between the middle-aged man and the master-disciple duo narrowed to a mere ten paces. The man's attention, however, was fixed not on Lee Se-ha, but on Namgung Jun.
"The boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian. I finally get to lay my eyes on you."
At the unexpected remark, the eyes of both master and disciple narrowed. The middle-aged man burst into laughter at their reaction.
"You must have taken our Cult too lightly. Did you really think you could hide it forever?"
At the man's words, demonic practitioners emerged from the surroundings, sealing off their retreat. Among them were several peak experts who appeared to hold the Bright Order Rank. It was a force formidable enough to challenge one of the Ten Halls.
"I have waited a long time for you to move alone, or with only a few companions." The middle-aged man's eyes shifted to Lee Se-ha. "It is a pity you happen to be traveling with the Black Cloud Wandering Maiden, but it matters not."
Lee Se-ha sized up the man from head to toe, then lightly drew her sword. "Now I see. Your moniker… it’s the Sword-Wailing Demon, isn't it?"
The Sword-Wailing Demon. He was one of the supreme experts of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult vying for the position of a Mirror Master. As a candidate for the fourteenth Mirror Master, he was a figure the Azure Heaven Association watched closely.
"I am honored that the Black Cloud Wandering Maiden recognizes me." Shrugging, the Sword-Wailing Demon took a slight step forward with his right foot.
‘So far, everything is going according to plan.’
The Sword-Wailing Demon intended to face the Black Cloud Wandering Maiden himself, tying her down while his subordinates captured Namgung Jun alive. According to his information, Namgung Jun's martial prowess was at the mature stage of the Peak Realm, or at best, approaching the absolute peak.
Even so, the Sword-Wailing Demon had overestimated Namgung Jun's capabilities in his analysis. He had prepared more than enough force to guarantee absolute success, and his every action overflowed with confidence.
"No matter how outstanding you may be, you will not be able to withstand this force." As he drew his sword, the Sword-Wailing Demon's expression was filled with the certainty of victory.
Watching his reaction, Lee Se-ha snorted, her eyelids drooping coldly. "Right. I knew this day would come. In fact, you're late."
Just as Lee Se-ha was about to step toward the Sword-Wailing Demon, a voice stopped her.
"Master."
"Hmm?"
"Let me handle him."
Lee Se-ha froze. There was no trace of bravado or arrogance in Namgung Jun's eyes—only a clear, pure fighting spirit.
Even so, she couldn't help but hesitate.
The absolute peak of the Peak Realm and the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown. Though the two realms seemed close, the actual gap between them was substantial.
Of course, a supreme expert was not guaranteed to win. The Jianghu was not a simple world where victory was decided solely by one's realm. All kinds of variables existed. Even in seemingly certain situations, martial artists were beings who could transform themselves into living variables through internal shifts and sudden enlightenment. It was possible because they were a breed of people who ground down their very lives for martial arts, obsessed with reaching greater heights.
However, it was undeniable that the weaker party would be much closer to death. Unless Namgung Jun displayed a level of martial prowess that transcended his limits or created a definitive variable, victory would be difficult. Even if he won, it would likely come at the cost of severe injuries.
Lee Se-ha did not want to force her highly promising disciple to the brink of death. Crises were inevitable in the Jianghu, but was there any need to invite danger so willingly? She did not want him to go through such a grueling battle, at least not while he was by her side.
"This is an opportunity to refine my sword. Such chances do not come often."
"Jun."
"Situations like this will happen again. I cannot rely on your help forever." Namgung Jun glanced at the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult members surrounding them. "Please handle the small fry. I will take responsibility for that bastard and bring you his head."
"Hmm. Can you really do it?"
Namgung Jun smiled faintly. "Am I not Master's disciple?"
At that smile, Lee Se-ha had no choice but to step back. Instead, she turned to guard Namgung Jun's rear, preparing to deal with the demonic practitioners closing in from behind.
"If it looks like you're going to lose, I'm stepping in. Don't complain about it. That's final."
"That won't happen."
Listening to their exchange, the Sword-Wailing Demon wore a dumbfounded expression. "Are you serious, Black Cloud Wandering Maiden? Or do you simply look down on me?"
"You should watch my disciple's sword closely."
Namgung Jun confidently extended his sword. Though members of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult surrounded them, he paid them no mind.
His master was guarding his back.
‘I have a good feeling. My body feels incredibly light.’
Namgung Jun did not feel as though he were standing on the brink of death. Rather, this felt like a golden opportunity to hone his swordsmanship and reach a new turning point on the martial path he walked in this life.
"What did you say your moniker was?"
"..."
"Speak up. That way, I can properly claim it as my achievement."
Namgung Jun slowly drew his sword. The Eternal Righteous Sword settled perfectly into his grip, as if promising his swordplay today would be exceptionally smooth.