Chapter 314
Chapter 314
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 314
Chapter Title: Sword Ghost
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That evening, Namgung Myeong headed to the guest hall where his friends were staying. Though he had suffered quite a serious injury, his shoulders were thrust up toward the sky, nearly reaching his ears.
The moment he sensed Namgung Myeong's presence, Hyeon Gong shot up from his seat.
Soon, the oiled door opened, and Hyeon Gong spoke.
"Family Head. Have you come?"
His attitude was more deferential than that of most Namgung family members. But it wasn't pretense—it stemmed from genuine sincerity.
In Hyeon Gong's mind, Namgung Myeong's score was a full three points higher than his own, so such respectful treatment was only right.
However, Seolhwa watched Hyeon Gong with an exceedingly subtle expression.
No doubt, Seolhwa's evaluation of him had dropped a notch.
Unlike Hyeon Gong, Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae paid Namgung Myeong no special attention and lounged about idly.
Showing interest would only earn them his smug attitude in return.
The only difference between Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae was that Dang Mujin had at least glanced at Namgung Myeong's wound. The sight of the expensive golden wound salve slathered on like mud was quite the spectacle.
Undeterred by their indifference, Namgung Myeong made his way right up to the two and plopped down with a thud.
His face said he had a ton to talk about. Yet Namgung Myeong summed it all up in one sentence.
"Did you see it?"
Dang Mujin replied calmly.
"I did. The sight of the sword I forged slicing through the Xuanyuan Sword was spectacular. All those days and nights in the forge paid off."
Namgung Myeong immediately wanted to retort, but he had nothing to say. Dang Mujin had pierced right to the heart of the matter.
Truth be told, even by Namgung Myeong's standards, this victory wasn't even half a victory. If he and Namgung Jincheon had swapped swords, Namgung Myeong would have lost nine times out of ten.
Divine weapons were a factor of skill, but they weren't enlightenment. And Namgung Myeong hadn't surpassed Namgung Jincheon in enlightenment. He could only take solace in the fact that he'd managed to best him by borrowing the power of a divine weapon.
As Namgung Myeong hemmed and hawed, Hong Geolgae spoke while lounging obliquely.
"Now you'll have to stay with the Namgung family, so we'll be parting ways for a while. Good luck."
Hong Geolgae feigned nonchalance, but a hint of regret laced his tone.
Yet Namgung Myeong answered brightly.
"Who knows? I have no intention of sticking around the Namgung family yet."
"...Didn't you say you'd set the Namgung family straight?"
"I've gathered the family retainers and publicly criticized recent actions, so even if things change, something will change."
"That's one thing, but if you become family head, you'll have to stay with the Namgung family."
"Just like you took a title from Elder Hong Myeon Noga and dumped all the work on him, I plan to shove the duties onto my father and wander. Staying cooped up in the family estate sounds boring."
Namgung Myeong was the type who returned what he stole.
There was no rule saying he couldn't steal the family head position and then hand it back.
Besides, to his friends, Namgung Myeong didn't seem suited to be the Namgung family head. After wandering foreign lands for years, what did he know of the family, and what preparations had he made?
On top of that, he couldn't control his kleptomania.
If the Namgung family head ever got caught jumping a wall, just imagining the stories was already thrilling.
"If so, when will you leave?"
"Not today. I'll stay at the Namgung family for a bit and wait for my wounds to heal some."
"How long will that take?"
"About half a month, roughly?"
"Half a month? Well... do what you want. You're responsible for yourself."
Hong Geolgae and Dang Mujin quietly approved of Namgung Myeong's decision.
However, Hyeon Gong's attitude grew noticeably less deferential. Namgung Myeong's score had dipped now that he was distancing himself from power.
*
At the same time, Bald Eagle Thunder Sword Namgung Jinya confirmed Namgung Myeong leaving the family head's quarters toward the guest hall, then headed to Namgung Jincheon's residence.
As expected, only one presence lingered in the family head's quarters.
"Brother. I'm coming in."
"Come in."
Namgung Jinya entered the family head's quarters and sat facing Namgung Jincheon.
Namgung Jincheon had also finished simple treatment.
Despite losing the spar, his wounds were far fewer than the victor's, and none impeded his movement. This gave Namgung Jinya even greater certainty in his suspicions.
"Brother."
When Namgung Jincheon merely turned his head to look at him, Namgung Jinya asked.
"Why did you let Myeong win?"
"Let him? The boy simply achieved excellently. Didn't you see?"
"Excellence doesn't reach everywhere."
Namgung Myeong, his sparring opponent, hadn't noticed, but Namgung Jinya hadn't missed the oddities in Namgung Jincheon's performance.
He had sparred with Namgung Jincheon more than anyone else in the Namgung family.
Namgung Myeong's skill was indeed outstanding.
But he had only just stepped into the Absolute Peak realm. Meanwhile, Namgung Jincheon had reached Absolute Peak over twenty years ago during the Orthodox-Unorthodox Great War and had honed himself relentlessly since.
Just as peak experts had vast skill gaps among them, Absolute Peak experts did too. It was absurd for Namgung Myeong's sword to touch Namgung Jincheon.
Even if he'd trained different arts, creating openings via compatibility issues might explain it—but that wasn't the case. Their arts shared the same foundation.
Namgung Jincheon's responses were strange too.
Letting Namgung Myeong's sword easily graze his forehead was hard to accept from the start. Moreover, when Namgung Myeong threw his decisive Emperor Sword Form, Namgung Jincheon had no need to counter with the same form.
He could have pierced Namgung Myeong's opening with a different technique, dismantled the Emperor Sword Form, and claimed victory.
Nine times out of ten, he could have shattered Namgung Myeong's Emperor Sword Form with the same form.
Yet Namgung Jincheon used the Emperor Sword Form and allowed himself to be pushed back half a step.
"Brother. I saw it. When the swords clashed, you subtly twisted yours, creating an opening for Myeong's sword to slice through the Xuanyuan Sword."
"..."
Namgung Myeong's sword was an extraordinary item, but a master could block an inferior's true sword with a mere tree branch.
There was no reason for Namgung Jincheon, wielding a famed sword like the Xuanyuan, to be overwhelmed by Namgung Myeong.
"You wanted to pass the family head position to Myeong, didn't you? Since when have you been preparing? Five years ago?"
"You're as sharp-eyed as ever."
"Is it true?"
"Yes."
Five years ago, Namgung Jincheon had said he encountered Namgung Myeong while pursuing rumors of the Three-Eyed Buddha and saved him after his left arm was crushed in the clash.
He'd also amputated Namgung Myeong's left arm that day.
Looking back, Namgung Jincheon's behavior changed around then.
He drove the retainers harshly to elevate the family's martial prowess to the utmost, stockpiling elixirs and wealth against opposition.
At the time, it seemed preparation for impending chaos, but now it was clear: preparing to hand the position to Namgung Myeong.
He bolstered the family's strength with force and finances, making it unshakable by outsiders.
He also left ample elixirs so the young, inexperienced Namgung Myeong could seize control of the family.
People follow generous leaders, so Namgung Myeong could easily win over the blood relatives.
Finally, he showcased Namgung Myeong's prowess before everyone and subtly lost. No one but Namgung Jinya would doubt his skill.
This prepared for all internal and external threats; even if Namgung Myeong became head immediately, his position wouldn't waver.
"Was there any need to go that far?"
"I've done nothing for him until now, so this evens the scales."
Namgung Jincheon wasn't the affectionate father type.
He didn't seek his son's recognition. He simply fulfilled his role in his own way. It was rough paternal love.
"Myeong is still young. No need to step down so hastily. Teach him slowly and pass it on when the time is ripe."
Hearing Namgung Jinya, Namgung Jincheon shook his head.
"No. Truthfully, it's not about Myeong—it's me. I've been stuck in Anhuiseong too long. I want to leave while my body still brims with vigor. Hearing Myeong talk of Sword Ghost and Sword King deepened my resolve. I'm no Sword King—I'm a Sword Ghost."
Unlike Namgung Myeong's view, Namgung Jincheon felt no shame in his title being Sword Ghost over Sword King.
His martial talent surpassed or matched previous family heads.
Yet he was called Sword Ghost because his genuine joy in battle made him look like a malevolent spirit.
The happiest time in Namgung Jincheon's life was the Orthodox-Unorthodox Great War twenty-odd years ago.
Fighting to the death, collapsing in feigned demise for rest, then dragging his creaking, screaming limbs back to the battlefield. He loved that life.
But such was no way for a great family's head to live.
Thus, Namgung Jincheon never wanted to be family head. He loved the battlefield more than the clan.
He wished to yield to his virtuous younger brother and die rolling on battlefields.
After the war, roam north and south alone seeking worthy foes; if none, charge into the outer reaches.
But his father, Namgung Wonyang, insisted on seating him as head.
Namgung Jinya's talent was considerable, but paled beside his.
Namgung Jincheon accepted his fate and stayed in Anhuiseong, expanding the family's power as a stern head.
Yet every night, he dreamed of battlefields.
Heart-pounding life-and-death duels. Lives dancing on knife edges. Swinging a sword while clutching a side stabbed open to keep innards in. The thread of enlightenment finally grasped. Reaching the next realm.
Namgung Jincheon wanted to become the Sword Ghost again. And at last, opportunity came.
Namgung Jinya said.
"Brother. The Orthodox-Unorthodox Great War is over. There are no more battlefields ahead. With rumors of demonic winds from the Demonic Cult, hold the position until then at least."
"The war's end didn't erase the unorthodox sects. I don't need to fight them specifically. I want to clash with Immortal Youngbo after so long. I hear Yu Jingwang reached Absolute Peak, and I'd like to see the famed sword of Blood Rain Guest. I want a proper bout with Three-Eyed Buddha too. Or seek Heavenly Tyrant or Two Hopes. Once prepared, I'll visit Divine Nun Huayeon. But ultimately, the Demonic Cult."
"You're going to the Demonic Cult alone?"
"Yes. I'll fight until I die. Whether from exhaustion or the blade, who knows."
Namgung Jincheon trembled faintly, thrilled just thinking of it.
Namgung Jinya sighed deeply. No persuading him.
Namgung Jincheon muttered.
"Divine Victory—that old man said before dying he'd stepped into the next realm. I want to reach it too. No, go beyond even him."
Namgung Jinya glanced around the room. One sword, one bamboo hat. A small pack protruded beneath the hat.
"You've already packed... When do you leave?"
"Tonight."
"No need to rush like that. I'm not saying wait years. Stay a month or two longer. Leaving suddenly will confuse the family."
Namgung Jincheon smiled faintly at Namgung Jinya's words.
"No. I must hurry."
"Is someone chasing you?"
"That boy Myeong will surely try to leave the Namgung family. I need to go first."
After suffering in an unwanted seat, now forcing the same fate on his son?
Yet Namgung Jinya couldn't rashly stop him. He knew how long his brother had endured.
On second thought, Namgung Jincheon's preparations veered from paternal affection.
He'd prepared thoroughly for son and clan—but only to slip away himself.
Namgung Jincheon cracked the door and peered out. A red glow lingered in the western sky, but night had fully fallen. The cool late-autumn breeze felt good.
"Yes. Waiting one more day changes nothing. Better to go now that it's come up."
Namgung Jincheon gathered his bamboo hat and pack and rose.
Namgung Jinya couldn't bring himself to hold his brother back.
Namgung Jincheon quietly left the family head's quarters, took a few steps, then turned back. Subtle apology colored his expression.
"In the end, people live up to their names. I'll head to the heavens. You stay in Anhuiseong's fields in my stead. Sorry, little brother."
At last, Namgung Jinya let out a sigh-mingled laugh.
"See you in the next life, brother."
Namgung Jincheon departed the Namgung family with lightened steps.
*
"...Father?"
It was nearing noon the next day when Namgung Myeong finally realized Namgung Jincheon had vanished.