Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Grace in Victory
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The young master of the Namcheon Martial Hall lost his will to fight the instant Baek Heon-so unleashed his presence.
At an age not yet out of his teens, he had reached the cusp of the second-rate realm, with the skills to challenge the first-rate.
The young master was undoubtedly one of the top late-generation talents in all of Gangseo Province, boasting exceptional martial prowess.
But Baek Heon-so had surpassed even that level.
'He was clearly just at the entry of the second-rate realm... How did he grow this much in a mere half-year...'
Though overwhelmed by despair, the young master instinctively moved to defend himself as Baek Heon-so's sword came at him, his body reacting out of ingrained habit.
Clang!
The moment their swords clashed, the young master realized one thing.
The propriety in the opponent's sword strike. He had thought it was meant to make him a sacrificial display of the foe's superiority, but it felt different somehow.
'I see. What a considerate young master.'
There was internal energy behind it, but this spar was ultimately just a friendly match.
Instead of flaunting his own prowess, Baek Heon-so was inviting him to harmonize as fellow swordsmen and enjoy a moment of lighthearted fun.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"Hah!"
"Fine sword work! My turn now!"
"Come at me anytime!"
Swords clashed repeatedly. Shouts and occasional banter echoed through the main hall.
Their exchange was the very essence of a spar: testing each other's skills to foster mutual growth.
"Hahaha, the young late-generation talents have grasped the true meaning of a spar."
"We had our moments like that too."
"Quite the sight."
A warm atmosphere filled the hall, but one person felt only devastation and misery.
Namgung Cheon-hu's gaze was fixed unyieldingly on Baek Heon-so.
'First-rate realm. And he's grasped one of the three insights of the peak first-rate.'
Unlike his initial shocked assumption when the presence erupted, Baek Heon-so hadn't actually reached the peak first-rate.
He was merely first-rate, having attained the insight of Sword Intent Projection.
Of course, reaching peak first-rate at that age would make him a prodigy worthy of the world's stage.
No, even as he was now... it was more than enough to discuss him on that level.
He didn't shine with the same dazzling talent as Cheon-yeong, like a star in the sky.
But that level of skill at his age? Anywhere in the world, he'd be hailed as a genius.
If Baek Heon-so were his little brother, Namgung Cheon-hu knew he couldn't welcome it.
He had been overwhelmingly surpassed by someone his own age.
'Cheon-yeong... Oh, Cheon-yeong...'
His young brother, born with extraordinary talent.
A genius the entire clan believed should inherit the clan head position over even himself, who had already become young master.
Yet he genuinely adored and followed his big brother.
Namgung Cheon-hu couldn't bring himself to like Namgung Cheon-yeong.
Suppressing the growing resentment was the limit of his endurance.
And yet. And yet.
"He's my pride and joy."
The moment Baek Yang-hui's words vibrated in his ears, Namgung Cheon-hu felt a whirlwind of flames surging within him like a rising blaze.
"How?"
Baek Yang-hui was a bastard. A street beggar who joined a martial clan and rose to this point.
So his little brother Baek Heon-so was inevitably an enemy.
With talent as his weapon, aimed straight at him—how could he possibly take pride in that?
"How? It's only natural for a brother to be proud of his little brother, young master."
"......"
"Besides, I'm the one who taught him everything to reach that level."
In that instant, Namgung Cheon-hu realized the gulf between himself and Yang-hui.
An intensely vivid—and utterly horrifying—realization.
'I've... never once taught Cheon-yeong any martial arts.'
Namgung Cheon-yeong had always trailed after him, begging to review his techniques, but Namgung Cheon-hu had only praised his demonstrations without ever imparting true instruction.
He couldn't.
'Yes, Baek Yang-hui. You were a genius too.'
One reminiscent of Namgung Cheon-yeong—no, perhaps even surpassing him.
A true heaven-sent martial prodigy.
If he had possessed Yang-hui's talent?
Cheon-yeong would have just been a cute, talented little brother.
All the troubles plaguing him now would have vanished.
Grind!
A chilling sound emanated from Namgung Cheon-hu's clenched jaw.
This time, Yang-hui couldn't hold back his smile.
'How does it feel, you bastard?'
Baek Heon-so had transformed utterly in half a year.
Not content with reaching first-rate, he had internalized Sword Intent Projection—one of the three peak insights.
An achievement impossible at his age, so Namgung Cheon-hu must have pegged him as a monstrous talent.
Reality was a bit different.
'Well, So does have some talent.'
Even the mediocre So he once thought had talent.
The talent to fully absorb instruction.
So was the best student imaginable.
He threw himself into learning whatever was taught with full effort.
And the reason that was possible? Blind faith.
Baek Heon-so followed Yang-hui's every word without a shred of doubt.
He endured endless agony on the promise that beatings would forge his body.
For days on end, he withstood Yang-hui's presence with his whole being to embed the Sword Intent Projection insight.
Ruthless, almost brutish training.
But the result? A fifteen-year-old first-rate master who had awakened Sword Intent Projection.
'In his previous life, he couldn't break past second-rate even into his twenties.'
Back then, the Baek Clan—third-rate despite being martial—had no choice but to accept the weak Baek Heon-so as clan head.
Unlike his father Baek Mu-ryang, who pierced the second-rate wall with the mere third-rate Heaven-Covering Three Swords, So lacked that gift.
'It was true then, but now... I'm proud of you, So.'
His chest swelled with emotion. Pride and gratitude toward So.
So's transformation proved that the path Yang-hui now walked was the right one.
'Anyway, time to enjoy the show a bit more.'
He savored Namgung Cheon-hu's twisted expression.
A thrill ran through him reading the emotions there.
That was the face suited to Namgung scum.
Namgung Cheon-hu had strutted with arrogance since their first meeting.
The perfect embodiment of the Namgung clan's haughty traditions.
For such a man to wear an expression soaked in inferiority and misery...
'I've poked him this hard, so whatever schemes he cooks up next, it'll be easier to counter.'
After all, a man who lost his composure was bound to make mistakes.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
After about a hundred exchanges, the spar between Baek Heon-so and the Namcheon Martial Hall's young master ended.
Jeong So-gun followed, putting on another friendly exhibition match, and the three spars concluded.
"Hahaha! Our young ones put on a fine show."
"How about a round of applause, everyone!"
"When else will we clap our hands together like this! Splendid!"
The three late-generation talents basked in the thunderous applause, faces beaming with pride.
Only Namgung Cheon-hu remained stiff, refusing to clap.
"Young master Namgung, didn't our boys' exhibition please you?"
"Ah. No, I was just lost in thought."
"I see. Then let's properly enjoy the banquet now."
Baek Mu-ryang was about to order his retainers to bring in food and drink.
"Clan head. It seems you've forgotten something."
The one who spoke was the Namcheon Martial Hall master.
"Forgotten what?"
"The essence of this spar was the wager, wasn't it? Even with Jeongwol Sect joining, a promise is a promise."
Baek Mu-ryang's face took on a slightly troubled cast. He had intended to gloss over it.
Yet the Namcheon master brought up the wager, even after his son's defeat.
"The winner of this spar gets one request from the loser. So, clan head, please state what you desire from our hall."
"The winner wasn't this clan head, but So. So the request should come from him."
The Namcheon master shook his head.
"Formally, yes. But you know it, clan head, and I know it. This spar was a clash between Baek Manor—no, Heaven-Covering Baek Clan—and Namcheon Martial Hall."
The Namcheon master voiced all the facts they had deliberately avoided mentioning.
After a moment of silence, Baek Mu-ryang posed a question.
"Then let me ask you, Hall Master. Will Namcheon Martial Hall honor any demand from our clan?"
"A promise is a promise. We will."
Tension etched the Namcheon master's face.
He hadn't forgotten why he came this far.
Today, he intended to settle the power in Muju and his hall's ties to the Baek Clan once and for all.
Even if it disadvantaged Namcheon Martial Hall.
'Better to cleanly sever it than let it fester.'
As the Namcheon master awaited the response with that resolve...
Baek Mu-ryang's answer was profoundly simple.
"Thank you."
"Hm? For what?"
"Our Baek ancestors... founded this clan to protect the common folk of Gangseo. But we unworthy descendants failed to carry on that will."
Baek Mu-ryang rose as he continued.
"So thank you, Hall Master. I've long held gratitude toward Namcheon Martial Hall. I know full well the deeds you've done for Gangseo's commoners."
Namcheon Martial Hall sold martial arts for money.
But at the same time...
It accepted the children of the poor as disciples and protected many under the banner of safeguarding those disciples' families—a righteous faction.
"Thank you. Simply that."
"Clan head......"
"So hear this. If the Baek Clan could make one demand of Namcheon Martial Hall, this clan head's request is this: Continue striving for the common folk as you always have. Allow this clan head to live on in continued gratitude."
Having heard Baek Mu-ryang out, the Namcheon master wore an indescribable expression.
The Baek clan head could have used the promise to demand submission from Namcheon Martial Hall.
An unbowed power in their territory was a thorn, after all—they could have ordered them out of Muju.
But he didn't.
Live in a way that lets him keep thanking you?
It was practically no demand at all.
Even without the request, Namcheon intended to continue its past ways.
In that moment...
The Namcheon master knew exactly what to say to Baek Mu-ryang.
'With a man like this... what shame is there in bowing my head!'
Like Baek Mu-ryang, the Namcheon master rose and offered a formal salute.
"Baek clan head—no, Lord Clan Head! Namcheon Martial Hall Master Nam Seong-han requests this of you: Please allow us to rename our hall to Heaven-Covering Martial Hall!"
Baek Mu-ryang looked utterly perplexed.
He knew exactly what the request meant.
"Hall Master, you're putting this Baek in a tough spot."
"I've become a man who grasps the greater purpose, beheld a great man, and now has the chance to follow a great hero—how could I refuse!"
"Renaming the hall? Your ancestors would rebuke you."
"On the contrary, they'd rejoice! To walk alongside the will of the ancient Baek Clan—no, Heaven-Covering Baek Clan—is an honor! As you know, Gangseo, especially Muju, was originally Heaven-Covering Baek territory!"
The Namcheon master showed no sign of releasing his salute until Baek Mu-ryang accepted.
After long hesitation, Baek Mu-ryang nodded.
"Let's enjoy the banquet first and discuss this matter later."
A harmonious mood spread through the banquet hall.
A romantic scene straight out of a tale of wandering swordsmen.
He said "later," but the path ahead for Baek Clan and Namcheon Martial Hall was clear.
Even the Jeongwol Sect members seemed plunged into deep contemplation.
In short, the gathering had swiftly become a union of Muju's martial world.
"......"
Namgung Cheon-hu merely watched Baek Mu-ryang, the Namcheon master, and the Jeongwol Sect leader in silence.
He reflected on past events and Yang-hui's words today, recalling Baek Mu-ryang's recent display.
Darkness rippled in his heart.
'Baek Manor must be destroyed. Absolutely.'