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Chapter 121: The Sword Tip Is Not Straight

“The sword tip is not straight, huh?”

“Fucking bastard…”

[Could you please stop cursing? Why does a so-called master have such a foul mouth?]

“You’re just unbelievably brazen… To hand such matters to an old man like me and still not feel embarrassed?”

[Well, you haven’t paid your rent, so wouldn’t it be alright if you helped a little?]

“I wish you would just go die…”

Shin Noya’s lament was endless. Even while saying that, he ultimately grabbed the sword.

“Know this, I will surely take your body away from you.”

[Are you a righteous thief? Sending a warning in advance?]

The control of the body transferred to Shin Noya.

According to him, he said he couldn’t do this often.

But looking at the situation, it didn’t seem like that was the case.

“There was no lie; I simply cannot remain in your body for too long.”

The posture of holding the sword and his breathing changed.

This was a truly fascinating experience.

Just like last time, I could sense various things.

Could this also be enlightenment? If so, what should I gain here?

“I could have fought without holding a sword. Is there a particular reason you’re making me take it?”

A reason.

[Hmm, I’m not sure.]

There were also several extreme choices, and words spoken seemed to invite carelessness.

No one in the world would know that Noya was residing in my body.

“I don’t think you believe that the chances are slim for an unskilled martial artist like me. You can’t be that blind.”

[I know.]

I had to engage in a sparring session without using my energy. Thus, I thought raising the sword would be a better way to provoke Nangong Jin.

In the end, it flowed somewhat as expected, but there were still some disappointing aspects.

“You’re stifled by the chance of not being able to fight, yet you push everything away now… If you can change it even now?”

So-called martial artists, huh. In the face of a strong opponent, I felt a slight greed. I understood it wasn’t the right time, so I suppressed it.

[No, please. I really ask you.]

“Tsk…”

Shin Noya stood still, staring at Nangong Jin. Perhaps he was still angry, as his furrowed brows showed no sign of relaxing.

“What in the world did I do to end up with such a fool… The gods must be dead, clearly.”

Noya slowly raised his sword. At that, Nangong Jin’s eyes lit up with surprise.

He asked, “Have you ever learned how to wield a sword?”

Did he feel something just from this unremarkable stance? It was obvious that the title of Sword King was no lie.

Either way, I had to respond, so I whispered quietly to Noya.

[Long ago.]

“…long ago.”

[Just a little as a joke.]

“Just a joke, just a little learned, I say.”

[Noya… your manner of speaking.]

“Must I even use honorifics with that little brat?!”

Noya’s remaining pride wouldn’t allow it, but thankfully, no issues arose.

Instead, it seemed to help provoke, as Nangong Jin’s expression twisted frightfully.

“Still joking, huh?”

[You seem very angry.]

“…Do you think this is all because of you?!”

“I’m curious how long you can keep this attitude in front of me. Alright, as you wish, I will certainly take your arm.”

Whooo—

The sword drawn by Nangong Jin quietly echoed. That was the sound of the sword song.

They say that when a practitioner of the sword reaches a certain level, they begin to fuse with their sword. It was not a technique born from a bet.

Fusion.

As the practitioner fuses more with the sword they wield, the sword speaks louder.

Thus, the sword song was the starting point for the ultimate dream of every swordsman, Divine Sword Unity, and proof that the swordsmanship was approaching its peak.

‘Not a bad resonance.’

Even as Nangong Jin’s sword howled violently, Shin Noya was evaluating it.

‘Compared to that guy’s resonance, it was a matter of heaven and earth, but it’s a well-trained body.’

[Resonance?]

“There was such a guy. A hopeless lecher who only sought to be with women from the Nangong Clan.”

…Could the man Noya was referring to be Nangong Ming?

If it were the Thunder Heaven Sword, Nangong Ming was indeed one of the five heroes who defeated the Blood Demon and prevented calamity, alongside the Hwasan Sword God.

It seemed my assumptions were not wrong, as Shin Noya clicked his tongue and continued.

“Tsk, even unable to raise a cup in his death, I have to tussle with that bastard’s descendant.”

At Noya’s words, I suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Originally, I hadn’t felt any, but…

‘This damn guy is truly something.’

[But, are you alright?]

‘…What do you mean?’

[Even without using a bet… Given the opponent’s stature.]

“Ha, already leaving it to fate and now you’re worrying?”

As if in disbelief, Shin Noya spoke to me. I wasn’t saying it was a dismissal of his skills, but rather, since it wasn’t Shin Noya’s body, but my own not yet polished flesh he was using, I questioned whether it would be fine.

‘Get rid of those unnecessary worries.’

As soon as those words left Shin Noya’s mouth, Nangong Jin brought his sword down and said,

“Come on, meat sack. I’ll give you ten seconds…”

Just as he was about to say something arrogantly, he fell silent.

Wooooo—!

The ringing in my ears was deafening. It was far louder and more profound than the sound of Nangong Jin’s sword.

The sound reverberated around as if a massive bell was tolling, resonating from the sword Shin Noya was holding.

Shin Noya’s voice rang out:

“Listen well, little calf. Remember who I am.”

Nangong Jin’s terrified expression did not enter his sight.

The surroundings were already filled with Noya’s presence. How could one create such an atmosphere without using energy?

Even if I were to draw upon the realms of my previous life, I wouldn’t be able to display such an overpowering presence.

I never anticipated that the quality of one’s soul could differ this much.

While I was astonished at Noya’s appearance, questions arose in my mind.

‘Unless it’s time, there’s no one who can stop me.’

I wondered where Shin Noya had reached in his level, and how such a great martial artist was caught in an item. That was the biggest issue.

‘I am Hwasan Sword God Shin Cheol.’

Wooooo!

There are geniuses in the current generation referred to as ‘Youseong,’ but there were those in the past who received similar titles.

Geniuses do not depend on the century. The stars always shine in the night sky, regardless of the season.

Nangong Jin was surely among them.

The title of Sword Dragon he once bore meant it didn’t take long for him to earn the title of Sword King.

At that time, it was a natural progression.

The title of Sword Dragon belonged to the Nangong Clan.

Likewise, the title of Sword King also belonged to them.

Had it not been for the appearance of a peculiar talent like Yeongpung, Nangong Cheonjun would undoubtedly have never received the title of Sword Dragon.

Nangong Jin had no doubt he would ascend to the skies.

Though his grandfather hadn’t earned the title of Sword Sovereign, he was called Heavenly Lord in the meaning of someone who has ascended to the heavens.

Of course, he thought he would reach there as well.

His innate arrogance was backed by undeniable skill, making it easy to say he wouldn’t suffer defeat.

Time would pass, and he would ascend to the sky, for he was more than sufficient to be there, or at least that was what the old Nangong Jin believed.

If it weren’t for that bastard.

‘…Your remnant haunts me here.’

The autumn night remained cold. The faint white breath flowing from my mouth was evidence of that.

Along with it, Nangong Jin’s emotions slowly began to settle.

He focused on the boy standing in front of him. At that moment, he resembled Gu Cheolun from that time.

Foolishly, Nangong Jin had previously gathered information about the boy.

He was Gu Cheolun’s son. Simply for that reason, he held a bit of interest.

His talent was unimpressive; he was lazy and lethargic. It was also said that his brutal temper was difficult to manage.

He had given birth to a legendary talent called Sword Peak, yet it seemed his son fell short.

Thinking like that, he drank alone through the night.

That was merely a year ago.

Then what was this monster standing in front of him now?

Nangong Jin couldn’t comprehend.

Woooo—.. Woong….

“This is unbelievable…!”

The sword song reverberated.

That was undoubtedly the sword song. Even as I spoke, it was hard to believe what I was hearing.

‘It can’t be.’

Even if one attained a realm, the ability to create a sword song was different. It was not easy for practitioners, who had endured practices bordering on exploitation, to emit such a thing.

Moreover, Gu Yangcheong was an unarmed martial artist. Even in walking, breathing, and using techniques, he stood on the opposite end from swordsmanship.

But now?

‘…Everything has turned upside down.’

Breath, movements, everything was different. It was as if it had all been like this from the very start, far too familiar.

Was he hiding his skills… martial arts? What could that small child possibly want?

He was not even of an age where he could possess hidden skills.

Or perhaps he had done something nonsensical with the sword, but that was, after all, the Nangong Clan’s sword.

It was something Nangong Jin himself witnessed the armed martial artist pick up.

“Did you say you’d give me ten seconds?”

As Gu Yangcheon’s voice reached him, Nangong Jin’s breath faltered.

“I have no intention of declining this. Think carefully and do not regret it.”

Though his tone had oddly changed, Nangong Jin did not have the room to think about that.

Ten seconds. Normally, ten seconds shouldn’t be a concern, not even three seconds should have been recognized.

The difference in realms and the realms of enlightenment are all different.

The standing position as a martial artist itself was another story.

Even without using energy, it should have been consistent.

Seeing and feeling were different; it should have been so from the start.

Now? What about now?

Nangong Jin felt the texture of uncertainty engulfing him.

Creeeak. A rough sound escaped from Nangong Jin’s lips. Was he frightened? By a mere child younger than his own flesh and blood?

The Azure Sky Sword King himself?

‘It shouldn’t be.’

He denied it. No, it absolutely should not be the case.

“You seem to be using remnants of the past, huh?”

Nangong Jin’s words caused Gu Yangcheon’s expression to slightly twitch. Nangong Jin could tell, such disappointment was clearly written all over Gu Yangcheon’s face.

“He’s different from that guy. What a shame.”

“What are you saying?”

“Nothing at all.”

With that, Gu Yangcheon’s sword ceased its echo.

The sword song had stopped ringing.

The night breeze remained as cold as ever, but the boiling emotions did not easily cool.

He wanted to unleash his sword and sever limbs at once, but he held it back.

If he erupted here, everything would be ruined.

Thus, he had to endure.

However, he felt that he couldn’t allow himself to be pushed to the side, even by that unworthy brat.

“Did I ask you to take off your arm?”

That was the condition. Nangong Jin forced down the corners of his mouth that wanted to rise.

Gu Cheolun had acknowledged him as the next Lesser Clan Leader. No matter how strong Nangong Jin was, such an act would be difficult.

‘I must cut.’

He would cut cleanly. Just to make it easier to reattach.

Nangong Jin knew that Shin Yi was staying in the Gu Clan. There was no intention of hiding it, and it was information more open than thought.

How Shin Yi, who stayed in Nangong, came to follow this brat into the Gu Clan was unclear.

But if Shin Yi were around, he wouldn’t hesitate to teach him a lesson.

“I will give you ten seconds.”

“Hmm… will that be alright?”

“How laughable, to dare worry about something like this now?”

“…Just what could have happened to me?”

As if filled with resentment, Gu Yangcheong sighed and raised his sword.

Clang!

He nonchalantly moved with the sword resting on his shoulder. A truly unruly action.

‘Was it an illusion?’

Until just before, his breath and movement were the very essence of a skilled swordsman, but in an instant, that too vanished.

What was the point of making a wager if it was going to be like this?

Was the naive mentality of a child just that bland?

While harboring such thoughts, Gu Yangcheong walked on silently.

With so many openings. It seemed like he could deliver a killing blow with a single stroke.

‘Was it a pointless worry?’

As Gu Yangcheong approached, his flat expression moved his hand gripping the sword.

Wooooo.

At that moment, the sword in Gu Yangcheong’s hand sounded the sword song once more.

It tingled.

The moment he heard the sword song, a chilling sensation crept down Nangong Jin’s spine. Gu Yangcheong’s sword was moving.

The sideways slash was slow. It traced a semicircle like the current moon, yet it was slow enough to view every trivial motion.

The Nangong Clan employed swift swords. They harnessed Thunder Qi and lived in faster times than others.

Standing atop those people, Nangong Jin couldn’t possibly miss such a dull blade.

It certainly shouldn’t have happened.

Yet, why was his body not moving?

Slowly following the oncoming sword tip, the night sky split.

From an insignificant motion sprang forth something exquisitely noble.

What could this be? How could this sword emit such a profound understanding?

The stars were split, and even the moonlight was severed. An infinite meaning contained within that meager sword assaulted Nangong Jin.

Swish-!

After what felt like an eternity, the outcome was utterly insignificant.

Gu Yangcheong merely let the sword drop.

However, it was different for Nangong Jin.

Gu Yangcheong said in a flat voice:

“I did not promise.”

Nangong Jin, who was supposed to be in front of Gu Yangcheong, was nowhere to be seen. Gu Yangcheong’s gaze also drifted elsewhere.

Hoo….

A rough breath was audible. It was not Gu Yangcheong’s.

Several paces away from Gu Yangcheong, Nangong Jin was gasping for air.

Cold sweat streamed down his face. It was the aftermath of his body being wound up tightly.

“I could have sworn we had decided not to use bets.”

At Gu Yangcheong’s words, Nangong Jin finally began taking heed of his body.

Surrounding him was definitely Thunder Qi.

Nangong Jin looked at Gu Yangcheong with an appalled face.

“How….”

“We’ll pretend I didn’t hear about the concession. To be honest, I would like to show some leniency, but regrettably, with this frail body of mine, it seems to be impossible. I hope you understand.”

The tip of Gu Yangcheong’s sword pointed at Nangong Jin. The sword song was not ringing. But in Nangong Jin’s ears, it felt as if it could be heard.

What had been invisible began to become visible. Was it an illusion? To Nangong Jin, it seemed Gu Yangcheong’s body had transformed into a singular sword.

‘Divine Sword Unity?’

Upon hearing that heavy title, Nangong Jin instinctively shook his head.

It was a level he could not reach. No, would it even be called a level? His grandfather had said it was a rather unique realm for a martial artist to reach.

Could that be Divine Sword Unity? Nangong Jin wanted to firmly deny it, but uncertainty plagued him.

“The sword tip is not straight, huh?”

Gu Yangcheong’s voice brought Nangong Jin back from his trance.

“In the past, I once told my friend this.”

“To dare offer me lectures…”

“That part is similar; that insane bastard answered the same way.”

“What are you talking about now…!”

“Nothing special; times have passed, and many things should change for the better.”

His steps moved rhythmically unshaken. Although the posture he held with the sword was still unremarkable, the previous action had completely disordered Nangong Jin’s mind.

Gu Yangcheong took a single step forward.

“Even if he wanted something like this, in the end, I’d better attend to it. How ridiculous; this role was never meant for me.”

“You…”

As his collapsing self-esteem morphed into wrath, something suddenly swept past Nangong Jin’s neck.

Nangong Jin seized his neck, retreating. Contrary to the clear sensation, his neck had not been severed.

“Best to focus. Or else, you will indeed regret it.”

As those words ended, Gu Yangcheong’s sword once again sliced through the air.

 

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