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EP.41 Sword Phoenix. (1)

The Great Nangong Clan stood tall among the Four Great Clans, revered as the pillar and heart of the righteous faction. During the Blood Calamity, it was none other than the clan leader, Nangong Juchun, who severed the neck of the Blood Demon.

Before the appearance of the Sword Sovereign, a vagabond, they had held the title of the number one swordsmanship clan in the Central Plains for a long time.

Now, the clan leader, Wang of the Azure Sky Sword, Nangong Jin, gazed at his son and said, “You were only supposed to take care of your sister, yet here you are, returning without your guard.”

During the Tangbing Tournament, he had lightly sent his son, only for him to spar against a younger Late-Stage Talent and even bring out killing intent. He had heard that his son now had a broken arm from being retaliated against.

And it was his own son!

The most glaring issue was, “Ma Cheol…”

Among the countless martial artists in the clan, few remained in the leader’s mind. This was simply because there were too many talented and strong martial artists in Nangong.

‘He had reached the peak of his powers.’

Ma Cheol, a martial artist from the guard division, with the alias Azure Wind Ultimate Sword, was someone he remembered well.

At that age, few reached such a pinnacle, and with sword in hand, it was clear he still had much growth ahead of him.

Yet such a martial artist went missing on a guard duty?

Nangong Jin couldn’t comprehend this.

“Did we lose a peak martial artist because of some no-name Late-Stage Talent?”

In response to his question, Nangong Cheonjun could only remain silent, teeth clenched.

It was a story he still couldn’t understand even after saying it himself.

‘How did this happen?’

Even if it took a few days, he thought the situation wouldn’t be favorable.

He knew well that just casually taking a clan leader’s child was no simple task.

However, when Ma Cheol had said he would return, he had never once failed in such a situation.

So when his sister insisted on greeting the Gu Clan’s scion, he said nothing, believing it to be a waste of time.

‘That had to be the case…’

But then, his sister returned saying she had greeted him well.

That the Gu Clan scion had returned safely, riding in a carriage with their group.

Then what about Ma Cheol…?

What had happened to his guard?

‘Did he get killed?’

He thought it was impossible.

Ma Cheol was a peak martial artist. For a martial artist, reaching the peak didn’t work through effort; it was a matter of talent.

No amount of elixirs or repeated training would get one through the realm of the extraordinary without enlightenment.

Nangong Cheonjun had learned about this peak long ago.

Ma Cheol was that peak martial artist.

But to lose to a Late-Stage Talent barely at the threshold of second-rate? That was inconceivable.

‘Could it be a trap?’

Was it a situation where the little brat was aware and had prepared in advance?

If so, how had he known and what had he prepared that led to Ma Cheol’s disappearance?

Whatever it was, this was a precarious situation.

Losing Nangong’s peak martial artist by force was a significant issue.

Moreover, it was troubling that Gu Yangcheong knew about this as well.

‘That bastard.’

Thinking about Gu Yangcheong, his anger flared within.

The hit to his vital spot, the broken arm that had healed, yet the anger towards that bastard remained.

“Cheonjun.”

“…Yes, Father.”

Nangong Jin approached Nangong Cheonjun slowly.

Nangong Cheonjun squeezed his eyes shut.

His father never struck his children.

He simply drew nearer.

And that was the most suffocating and demanding thing of all.

The step of a royal.

The intangible pressure of being blood of the Nangong clan intensified as they rose higher.

Except for the Three Eminent Beings, the aura of Nangong Jin, one of the martial artists recognized with a single hand, was undeniable.

“Ugh…”

Under the mounting pressure, Nangong Cheonjun finally groaned.

“What disappoints me is neither losing to a young Late-Stage Talent nor bringing out killing intent during the spar.”

He knew well what his father meant by disappointment.

He had learned it exhaustively since childhood.

“It is your inability to handle the aftermat. That is the most disappointing part.”

Though he felt like he could vomit from the crushing aura, Nangong Cheonjun held on with all his might.

If he vomited on the floor here, his father would be truly enraged.

As a Nangong, he must uphold dignity and honor wherever he went.

This was the utmost importance in Nangong Jin’s eyes.

Conversely, if anyone tarnished that honor and dignity…

They would be removed by any means necessary; that was the Nangong way.

“You’ll repay for your crime by spending three months in closed training at the Qingjin Hall. Do you have any objections?”

“No, none at all…”

At Nangong Cheonjun’s answer, the pressing pressure instantaneously dissipated.

Nangong Jin then asked the still-heaving Nangong Cheonjun, “Was it the Gu Clan?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

The Gu Clan, with their scion in charge, from Sichuan.

Nangong Jin’s expression changed subtly upon hearing the reply.

To Nangong Cheonjun, it was a rather unusual expression for his father to wear.

“Why, of all clans, the Gu Clan?”

As he spoke, Nangong Jin turned on his heel, walking towards the head house’s railing.

His robe danced in the wind, bearing the name “Nangong” in clear characters.

After a moment of contemplation, Nangong Jin informed Nangong Cheonjun, “Forget about the Gu Clan for now.”

“Father…?”

It was the first time he had heard his father advise him to forget about something.

Having been taught throughout his life never to forget grievances, this was entirely contradictory.

“You’ll understand when you become the clan leader one day. Until then, do not act carelessly towards the Gu Clan.”

“Yes…”

No matter what happened, Nangong Cheonjun could not defy his father’s words.

All he could do was nod in agreement.

“Besides, it’s possible you may become family with them.”

Nangong Cheonjun paused at his father’s words.

He couldn’t easily comprehend their implications.

“What do you mean by that…?”

“The engagement of your sister has been decided in the Elder Council.”

“Father…!?”

Nangong Cheonjun’s voice rose without him even realizing it.

He quickly shut his mouth under his father’s fierce gaze, but the shock of the news was jarring.

Although it hadn’t spread widely to the world, amongst the scions of clan leaders, the woman said to be the most talented, his beautiful sister.

The flower of Nangong.

If she had indeed caught the eye of either the Dragon Meeting or the Shinryong Temple, he was sure the name of Sword Phoenix would now be linked to her.

‘…My sister is getting engaged?’

It was all so sudden.

Nangong Cheonjun hid his trembling hands so his father wouldn’t notice.

“To which clan?”

Nangong Jin locked eyes with Nangong Cheonjun.

The trembling pupils and uneven breaths all caught his attention.

He was still an unworthy son, unable to hide even this much.

Yet Nangong Cheonjun must one day carry the name of Nangong and lead from the center.

So he had to fill in the gaps and fix the mistakes.

Nangong Jin opened his mouth slowly, looking at Nangong Cheonjun.

His words left Nangong Cheonjun in shock.

“What?”

As soon as he returned to the clan, Gu Yangcheong, who had just been ranting, said, “What did you just say?”

“I said you’re to be engaged to a daughter of the Nangong Clan.”

“…What?”

What kind of madness is this?

Leaving Sichuan and returning to the clan took more than ten days.

Although they hurried along the way, now it felt like it could be leisurely; they had enough time to recover their energy.

The day he returned to the clan, dragging his exhausted body, he heard something outrageous from Gu Yangcheong.

“I heard your engagement date has been set.”

“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

I couldn’t hide my expression at such a random declaration without even a greeting.

I hadn’t even settled in yet, and here was a thunderbolt out of the blue…?

How long had it been since the engagement with the Peng Family fell apart?

I might not remember clearly, but it certainly hadn’t been that long.

Yet suddenly, an engagement again?

‘…This wasn’t supposed to happen.’

After breaking off with Peng Ah-Hee in my previous life, I hadn’t engaged again.

It wasn’t so much by choice, but due to my bad reputation spreading far and wide, leading many to say they wouldn’t marry me, especially that mad dog!

I thought it would be the same in this life, but suddenly, where was this coming from?

I wore a bewildered expression, staring at Gu Yangcheong.

“Elder, are you serious? I truly feel very tired. Is this some kind of joke…?”

“Hey! You brat! Do you think you’re in a position to joke with an old man like me?”

“Why are you acting all crazy now when you used to joke so easily?”

Did they really set the engagement…?

‘…This seems bad.’

Things were getting tangled up.

All of a sudden, the names of the known daughters from various clans ran through my mind.

I cast aside thoughts of that crazy girl from the Moyong Family while considering the Gu Sect.

“Well, who is it?”

Gu Yangcheong had been digging into his ear with his pinky, acting like it was no big deal.

“It’s not important right now.”

“It’s not important? You’re shitting me, right?”

What could be more important than me getting engaged to that madwoman?

As I tried to rebut, Gu Yangcheong continued speaking, forcing me to close my mouth.

“Your sister has returned.”

“…What?”

I froze at the news that Gu Yangcheong revealed.

The greatest Late-Stage Talent, Sword Phoenix, Gu Huibi had returned.

Gu Yangcheong patted my shoulder, saying, “I missed her dearly, and as soon as she came back, she looked for you. It’s nice to see such sibling affection. Huibi should be in the head house now, so hurry… Yangcheon?”

I didn’t even finish listening.

The one thought that filled my mind was just one thing.

‘Shit, I need to run now!’

Forget the engagement! I had to escape!

 

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