Chapter 201
Chapter 201
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: The Dragon of the Namgung Clan
The Azure Heavens Namgung Clan.
In the deepest part of the vast estate—large enough to be called a city rather than a mere village—the training grounds lay hidden away.
A middle-aged man watched a young man swing his sword, a satisfied smile on his face.
"That's it, Cheon-yeong! Excellent!"
The youth looked barely past his early twenties, but the swordsmanship ingrained in his body was anything but ordinary.
A brilliant blue sword aura, like the sky itself, poured endlessly from his blade—a level of achievement that far surpassed what anyone his age could hope to attain.
Shaaaak!
No sword could slice through water, yet Namgung Cheon-yeong's blade tore through the very air.
His expression remained rigidly stern.
'The boy who once saw martial arts as mere playthings now harbors a killer's intent. Who could keep up with his growth?'
He was deeply satisfied. Infinitely pleased.
Though the son who should have stood above the heavens had been ignobly broken.
Cheon-yeong, the one destined to reign eternally in the skies, was growing splendidly.
'Thank you, Cheon-hu. Your absence is what perfects him. Perhaps this was your way of repaying the Namgung Clan.'
Namgung Cheon-yeong had been born a martial prodigy destined for supremacy.
But now,
he no longer viewed martial arts merely as a source of joy. It had become a tool, a means, a weapon to desperately achieve his desires.
The easiest way to change the world is to change one's own heart.
With his mindset transformed, Namgung Cheon-yeong's growth accelerated beyond comparison to before.
All for his new goal: to pass judgment on the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan.
"Hoo. Father, I think my technique is complete now."
"I agree. At this year's Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, the Supreme Dragon will be yours!"
The top latecomer who claims victory in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly's martial tournament earns the title of Supreme Dragon if male, or Supreme Phoenix if female.
In Namgung Il-geom's eyes, the Supreme Dragon of this generation could only be his own son.
"Hoo... Yes. I must become the Supreme Dragon. Only then can I ease my brother's lingering resentment, even a little."
Namgung Cheon-hu had also been aiming for the Supreme Dragon title at this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
If not for that unfortunate accident.
"When will brother... ever return...?"
"Cheon-yeong."
"Yes, Father."
He nearly scolded the boy for such weakness but thought better of it.
Instead, he clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Tch. Cheon-hu, my son. Even if you returned, nothing would change.'
Namgung Cheon-hu had slaughtered his entire escort of Azure Heavens Sword Guards while being transported back to the clan and vanished without a trace.
Even after the Namgung Clan mobilized fully to investigate, not a single clue emerged.
'If not for Cheon-yeong, Cheon-hu would have been flawless as the next heir. He must have had some hidden ace up his sleeve.'
"Just keep refining yourself. Only unrivaled might will guide you down the righteous path."
"Yes. I will."
"Hone your martial arts to the pinnacle and claim the top spot."
'Not just Supreme Dragon, but World's Greatest. I will make you the one to elevate our clan to supremacy.'
Unlike his brother Namgung Cheon-hu, Namgung Cheon-yeong had learned nothing of clan heir duties even into his early twenties.
There had never been any intention to teach him.
"Father, is it really alright for me to focus solely on training? I'm the Young Clan Heir now."
The young heir of a prestigious clan, destined to become patriarch, must be intimately familiar with all clan affairs, great and small.
Yet Namgung Cheon-yeong spent his days in nothing but cultivation.
"Worry not. There's a saying: the right person in the right place. Even for this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, the trivial matters will be handled by your Uncle Sa-geom accompanying you."
"Ah! With Uncle Sa-geom coming along, I'll be at ease."
'That's it, Cheon-yeong. Devote yourself solely to martial arts. Become the sharpest sword for our clan. That is your path.'
Some might frown and accuse him of treating his son like a tool.
But that was the fate of those born into the Namgung direct line.
Namgung Il-geom himself had competed fiercely with his younger brothers—from First Sword to Fifth Sword—under a patriarch and father who viewed his children as swords for the clan, ultimately reborn as the perfect leader.
All to etch the Great Namgung Clan's name as the World's Supreme Clan.
To that end, anything within acceptable bounds was permitted.
'At least you won't face fratricide. That's my love for you, too.'
Among the First to Fifth Swords of the Namgung Clan, only the First Sword survived, along with the Fourth Sword, who had backed him as patriarch from early on.
"Cheon-yeong."
"Yes, Father."
"You'll surely cross paths with the Baek Clan and Tang Clan youths in Wuhan's boundless expanse."
Namgung Cheon-yeong's eyes ignited in an instant.
"Indeed..."
He ground his teeth fiercely before continuing.
"I will punish those who framed my brother with false charges."
"Yes. That is both your duty and your right."
Namgung Il-geom stroked his chin beard contentedly.
'The Baek Clan has my thanks in many ways.'
Thanks to them, he had removed Namgung Cheon-hu without issue.
And they now served as bait to fuel Cheon-yeong's growth.
Having received such favors, repayment was in order.
Rather than exterminating them, incorporating them as vassal clans seemed merciful enough.
They bore the banner of the World's Greatest's descendants, and recently their name rang out far and wide. Perfect as loyal hounds serving the Great Namgung.
"Go, then. Show the world the heights to which the Namgung name must soar."
"Understood. The Young Clan Heir of the Namgung Clan receives the patriarch's command."
Namgung Cheon-yeong bowed with clasped fists, his eyes heavy and sunken.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The shortest route from Jiangxi to the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly in Wuhan was to cross the Yangtze and head straight north.
But Yang-hwi deviated from the plan, heading instead to Lake Taihu in Anhui.
From there, they would take the river down to below Wuhan, then head north.
The reason for the change was simple.
-Kiyaaah!
"You're back?"
Yang-hwi tossed a strip of jerky to Won-u, who perched on his forearm.
The hawk, new to the wild, preferred seasoned jerky over raw meat and flapped his wings excitedly, bobbing his head.
"I told you, he won't understand like that. Link up already."
-Kiyaa.
As their minds connected, the landscapes Won-u had observed from the skies flooded into Yang-hwi's head.
"Hm. About twenty li beyond the northwest pass. Chudal, you can handle it alone."
"Got it. Do I reveal myself this time too?"
"Yeah."
Chudal sped away with lightness skill. Yang-hwi's group resumed their march.
With Won-u relaying positions, there was no need to stand idle and waste time.
About half a shichen later...
"Back. Here."
The returning Chudal handed over two invitation plaques.
"Human-grade again. Well, can't be helped."
He unpacked his travel bundle and stowed the plaques inside.
It already held over a dozen more.
"Brother Hui. You must have your reasons, but this feels risky. Snatching plaques left and right will earn us ill repute with the Baek Clan and main families."
Yang-hwi knew. But there was no choice.
"Can't let innocent latecomers get murdered by Blood Cult bastards."
"True, but still."
According to intel from the teahouse, Blood Cult disciples were ambushing latecomers, stripping them of plaques and faces to infiltrate the assembly.
Preemptively snatching plaques was the most efficient counter.
"It's all for justice. A little bad press is a small price for righteousness."
"Hm. Feels like personal gain's mixed in pretty heavily, though."
'How'd he know?'
No plaque, no assembly entry.
In other words, selling them in Wuhan would fetch a tidy profit.
Plus other gains on the side.
He'd planned to hunt plaques for a Heavenly-grade anyway, so it was two birds with one stone.
"The problem is, aside from the issued ones, they're all Human-grade."
"Only 360 Heavenly-grades across the entire martial world. Practically impossible to run into... Hm?"
Tang-gun paused, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Brother Hui."
"Yeah?"
"You wouldn't have overlooked this. Is heading to Anhui because...?"
Yang-hwi grinned.
"What, you think we're going to snatch the Namgung Clan's Heavenly-grade plaque? Who knows. Haven't decided yet."
Yang-hwi had clashed with Blood Cultists three times so far.
In Jiangxi's Xinju, Nanchang, and the northern Anhui Sword King's Tomb.
'Roughly speaking, their activity seems confined to Jiangxi through Anhui.'
So, they'd sweep through Anhui, snatching plaques en route.
To minimize latecomers slaughtered by Blood Cultists.
And if he could forge some connection with the Namgung Clan, even better.
"There's one more reason, but that's secret for now."
"...You're something else. Always stirring up major trouble every other day."
Yang-hwi flashed a grin at the sighing Tang-gun.
"Let's keep moving. Need at least three issued ones to feel secure."
It had been some time since crossing into Anhui Province.
Unlike remote Jiangxi by martial standards, Anhui was central enough that plaque hauls were increasing.
A few days later.
"Yeon, since we're out, wanna see Lake Taihu?"
"I'd love that, brother!"
"If my Yeon wants it, how can I say no? Let's go!"
They had reached the shores of Anhui's famed Lake Taihu.
"You there! Halt!"
A group blocked the road.
Mostly latecomers, judging by appearances.
Varied attire suggested no single sect.
"What's this about?"
"Tang Clan and Baek Clan heirs, right?"
Yang-hwi tilted his head at the shouting man.
Brat talks like he knows us.
"Yeah. What?"
"What? Shameless to the core! Word of your atrocities has spread everywhere!"
"Atrocities? Oh, the plaques?"
"Yes! The plaques! Why pull such despicable stunts?"
Yang-hwi nodded toward Chudal.
The man recited promptly.
"Judging by robes, Anhui's Yang Clan latecomer, Yang Heon-seung. Probably issued plaque."
"Oh? Prestigious clan, huh? Ours were Human-grade, but his is issued?"
Without prompting, Yang Heon-seung sneered.
"Think the Baek Clan's prestige warrants an issued plaque? People hype you with undeserved titles, inflating your ego. But dragons from mud puddles are just earth dragons."
Instead of anger at the provocation, curiosity welled first.
What gave this punk the guts?
If he acted this way despite knowing they'd collected over twenty plaques in days, he had backing.
"Anhui's overlord! Even the Great Namgung Clan's Young Clan Heir witnessed your deeds and couldn't let it slide! Hahaha!"
'Bingo. Backing confirmed.'
Auras rapidly approached from distant Lake Taihu shores.
Several men in sky-blue uniforms appeared.
One a middle-aged elder, perhaps.
And another...
'Namgung Cheon-yeong!'
Thump! His heart raced.
-Sorry, Best Sword Among Wanderers. Your talent is too dangerous.
Memories of his past life's final moments flashed by.
'Namgung Cheon-yeong. Finally, we meet.'
Suddenly, Yang-hwi realized something.
'This is fun. Really.'
He should be the one burning with rage.
Why did the kid look more aflame?
"Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon Baek Yang-hwi. Heard so much about you. Way too damn much."
Sching!
Namgung Cheon-yeong drew his sword without warning.
The middle-aged man a step behind furrowed his brow slightly—clearly unscripted.
"Let's see if you live up to the hype."
Rather than retort, Yang-hwi calmly scanned the surroundings.
Then studied Namgung Cheon-yeong's face at length.
-Tang bro. Sorry.
-Brother Hui? Brother Hui!
Emotions ruin great causes.
But.
Because of that punk, Chudal had his throat slit in the past life.
What makes a man human if not his emotions?
Today, he'd act more human. More brotherly.
"Namgung Clan folks, huh? Where's Young Clan Heir Namgung Cheon-hu?"
At the same time, he sent a transmission.
-Greenhorn brat, who you showing teeth to? Forgot how your bro got his life ruined messing with me?
Namgung Cheon-yeong's face twisted viciously.