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Chapter 500 – Just Hand it Over Once.

Was it called Gui Jeong?

An item acquired long ago in Shinryong Temple’s Biwaegun.

Perhaps it was the name of the bandage that seemed to be Hwasan’s treasure.

It was tied around my left arm in a way that, for some reason, it just wouldn’t come off.

At first, I thought, what kind of treasure is this?

Aside from its peculiar scarlet color and the faint fragrance of plum blossoms it emitted, it was just an unremovable bandage.

However…

‘… Well, it turned out to be more than that.’

With the awakening of Shin Noya, I learned the true name of the bandage.

What I thought was a trifling bandage was, surprisingly…

‘… This is a sword?’

It was said that Gui Jeong was the beloved sword used by Shin Noya.

They chided me endlessly about using such a remarkable item merely as a band for tying up my arm.

I couldn’t help but feel wronged.

‘… Then at least teach me how to use it before you leave!’

Just suddenly handing it over and disappearing—how on earth was I supposed to figure it out?

Later on, they criticized me for not knowing how to use it.

From my perspective, it was utterly ridiculous.

‘So, this is a sword?’

How could a bandage be called a sword? It turned out the very premise I was based on was wrong.

[To begin with, this is not ‘fabric.’]

Seeing the shape of Gui Jeong, it was natural to think it was fabric.

But according to Noya, it was not simply fabric.

Moreover,

[If you think of it as a sword, that’s also incorrect.]

Don’t think of it as a sword, they said.

Calling it a beloved sword and then telling me not to think of it as a sword—what on earth did that mean?

As I started to feel a little annoyed by the incomprehensible remarks…

Noya divulged to me the power of the treasure called Gui Jeong.

[If you think of it as a sword, it will become a sword. If you think of something else, it will become that. Gui Jeong is such a thing.]

It would take the form I desired.

That’s what Noya said about Gui Jeong.

So, how was I supposed to use it?

I understood that it was a treasure with its own method of use but then, how was I supposed to wield it?

Gui Jeong’s usage, which could be a sword or take any shape I wanted, had a simple method.

[Just believe.]

Simply believe.

Believe that Gui Jeong would take that form.

It was ridiculous to think that such an inconspicuous phrase held all the answers.

Surprisingly, when I truly considered that, Gui Jeong moved according to my will.

It seemed to possess a will of its own as it grasped something.

And like Noya said, it was also possible to use it in the form of a sword.

The only slight regret was that it couldn’t switch between the two forms.

It was impossible to extend the bandage and grasp something while in sword form.

That was the only problem.

Even if that was impossible, I could still be satisfied wielding Gui Jeong.

Because after all, the power of Gui Jeong did not just end with changing its appearance.

Noya informed me that the true strength of Gui Jeong was none other than…

‘It never breaks.’

It won’t tear, shatter, or crumble.

Once solidified, Gui Jeong would not break regardless of the attacks it faced.

That was what Noya referred to as Gui Jeong’s true power.

‘What an absurd power.’

The moment I heard it, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of disbelief and confusion.

Even the Evergreen Iron, which was the hardest material in the Central Plains, would eventually break one day.

Could it truly be possible for something never to break?

Though it might not be factually true, the durability of Gui Jeong was indeed rock solid.

Even now, look.

Having withstood a blow from Gwaeseon’s power, it didn’t just get sliced but solidly blocked it.

As Gwaeseon was momentarily taken aback by the sword’s resistance…

I seized that gap to unleash the power of Gui Jeong and bind Gwaeseon’s sword with it.

In the blink of an eye, the distance between us narrowed.

I would not let this moment slip away and unleashed the Flame Jade.

As a result…

Flame burst—

Amidst the shattered ground, traces of Blue Flame remained.

I extended my hand.

Hooosh-!

Just then, the heat floating in the air and the flames on the ground began to converge toward me. As the heat swirled back into my body…

I felt energy accumulating in my heart.

‘I haven’t even used that much.’

Considering how I unleashed the Flame Jade twice and unleashed the flames in between, it felt like I had way more inner strength left than expected.

Was it due to my physical form changing and my inner strength increasing?

No, it was probably because my control over the power had strengthened.

‘The ability to endure the compression has increased.’

I realized this through the advice from Shin Noya and my father regarding handling my inner strength and flames.

Managing to utilize a small amount of inner strength, I was practicing maximizing my power through compression and rotation.

Perhaps due to the heavy pressure of compression and rotation on my body…

There was a limit to how much I could endure, and I had often felt a sense of regret because of that.

‘… As my body grows stronger, so do my limits.’

My physical form had become stronger, and I could endure the pressure for longer, hence the strength from compression and rotation had grown.

‘Is this what it results in?’

I gazed straight ahead.

At the center of the distorted ground lay a massive crater.

This was the aftermath of my explosion of Flame Jade.

It seemed I had indeed grown stronger. I had unleashed the Flame Jade with the same amount of inner strength as before…

And the impact was immensely greater.

From the center…

“Haha….”

Gwaeseon, who was kneeling partially, let out a chuckle.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Gwaeseon was assessing the state of his surroundings, and his gaze was filled with disbelief.

I nodded at Gwaeseon’s reaction.

Fortunately, it seemed his body was fine.

‘It seems I managed to control it well.’

I had unleashed the Flame Jade but had managed to mitigate the damage to Gwaeseon.

That goes without saying.

‘If he had taken that head-on… I would have been in trouble too.’

Regardless of my intentions, it would be problematic if I truly fought to kill.

Gwaeseon was also aware that he hadn’t been using all his strength when wielding his sword.

‘Because he is Woo Hyeok’s master.’

I didn’t want to harm the master of the person known as the Sleeping Dragon.

Thus, I had forcibly controlled it to only explode around him without causing harm.

Because of it, I had absorbed all the backlash, but…

My body held no issues. That, too, could be viewed as an advantage.

“Haha. I never expected to lose.”

Gwaeseon smiled awkwardly as he spoke. I looked at him and tilted my head.

“I know you were going easy on me.”

Perhaps his last strike was genuine, but up until that point, I knew he hadn’t fought earnestly.

‘If he had gone all out, I would have lost.’

If Gwaeseon had come at me with full resolve from the start, I couldn’t predict what might have happened.

I also felt that if I had put forth my all, I might have landed at least one hit.

‘Winning would have been tough though.’

After all, it was more accurate to say I survived rather than won since I had only coped with this situation using Gui Jeong.

‘I do have a conscience.’

[What?]

‘Be quiet.’

Before Noya could interject with something, I preemptively shut him down.

This, at least, was genuine for me.

‘The other side didn’t even use the Thunder Fang.’

Gwaeseon merely wielded a regular iron sword. He had not used the treasure, Thunder Fang.

Of course…

‘I don’t know whether Gwaeseon could even use Thunder Fang.’

Given that he was relying on Wudang’s sword techniques without applying Nangong’s martial arts…

I couldn’t be sure if he was capable of wielding Thunder Fang, which maximizes Thunder Qi.

Yet, that remained uncertain.

‘What if Gwaeseon had used the Thunder Fang?’

If I had fought against Gwaeseon in that state, would it have been a whole different level?

As I pondered this with a sense of curiosity and slight regret…

[You used Gui Jeong….]

A voice came from somewhere within the crater.

It sounded like Nangong Ming. Apparently, he also had knowledge of Gui Jeong.

[Shin Cheol, are you crazy? Handing over Gui Jeong…!]

[Look at him? I’m just handing over what belongs to me. Why the hell are you getting worked up?]

[How can you pass on something that symbolizes Hwasan to that kid?]

[Why not?]

[What…?]

[What’s with your incessant grumbling? Tch, it’s no wonder Nangong ended up like that.]

[You little rascal!]

After chiding me for being excessively harsh with words, that old man was surprisingly undaunted as well.

“… Ugh.”

With a sigh, I began to walk. In terms of distance, it was just a few steps away?

There was something stuck in the ground, and I was heading towards it.

Before me lay a dark blue rod embedded in the ground—it had to be Thunder Fang.

Most likely, it fell from Gwaeseon’s grasp during the last moment we clashed.

Since I could hear Nangong Ming’s voice from over there, I was sure of it.

I approached slowly.

Ah, I wasn’t planning to steal it. I just intended to pick it up and return it.

Gwaeseon had been pushed relatively far away by the gust of wind, after all.

‘I hadn’t even had a chance to talk yet.’

Considering I hadn’t even spoken about Thunder Fang…

I was initially intent on returning it to Gwaeseon.

“Wait. Hold on!”

As I made my move, Gwaeseon suddenly shouted, startled.

“Huh?”

By the time I heard that voice, I had already reached out and grabbed Thunder Fang.

Thud.

As soon as I seized it, it easily came out.

‘It feels remarkably comfortable in my grip.’

In terms of the handle, it fit my hand perfectly.

If I were a Sword Master, wouldn’t I be searching for swords with such well-fitted handles?

After all, it was a renowned sword from the Central Plains.

As I held Thunder Fang and was about to walk back to Gwaeseon…

[How dare you…! What do you think you’re doing?!]

Suddenly, Nangong Ming yelled furiously.

“Old man! Stop!”

Upon hearing that, Gwaeseon attempted to rise and rush toward me.

What was going on? Why are they acting like this?

As I watched in bewilderment, the situation unfolded.

Flash-!

Suddenly, light erupted from Thunder Fang. It was dazzling and bright, forcing me to shut my eyes involuntarily.

Along with it came a menacing radiance, making me feel utterly startled…

But then—

Dut.

The gleaming light unexpectedly faded away after a brief moment. It seemed nothing was about to happen.

Was it just going to sparkle? This is neither a torch nor anything….

With slightly puzzled eyes, I stared at Thunder Fang.

Something seemed odd about it.

[… Huh?]

“… Huh?”

In a situation where nothing seemed to be occurring, Gwaeseon and Nangong Ming spoke with somewhat bewildered voices.

I looked at Gwaeseon, who stared at me with a shocked expression.

“… What is happening?”

What on earth was going on here?

*

At the same time, in the Head House of the Tang Clan.

The Poison King was sitting at a table, gazing across the window.

It had become summer, and he was gradually feeling the change of seasons beneath the rising heat.

Clack, clack.

As the quiet sounds of a waterwheel turned, the Poison King slowly lifted his teacup.

Feeling the stillness of the night, he took a sip.

Gulp.

The sound of him swallowing resonated in the room.

It indicated just how quiet it was.

The tranquil silence continued on.

Within it, the mind of the Poison King was anything but quiet.

“Hoo….”

He let out a deep sigh.

How could he not? The Poison King was on the brink of falling into an evil spirit.

In the past…

The words spoken by Gu Yangcheong rang in his ears.

Hearing that the plan for the birth of the Heavenly Martial Body within the Tang Clan was still ongoing, the Poison King had found it hard to believe at first.

It was the sin of the past, a burden he’s already severed.

The greatest crime the Poison King had committed against the Tang Clan. The previous clan leader had quietly buried it, and it was becoming an increasingly forgotten truth.

‘… What should I do?’

The recent meeting with Gu Yangcheong and the words spoken there…

They could all be the truth, and even if they are, why on earth would Gu Yangcheong know such things?

Is the Tang Clan truly rotten?

Honestly, the Poison King was not ignorant of the fact that the Tang Clan was indeed decaying.

He was aware of the misdeeds his ancestors had committed. It is also true that there were things that could not be done under the name of the Righteous Faction.

But he had chosen to turn a blind eye.

He had dealt with the parts which could be restored or removed, cherishing those belonging to the previous clan leader, while he had recklessly ignored the remains.

He had no choice.

He would have loved to uproot and erase all the rotten roots, but…

If he pulled out all the roots, the very pillars would start to shake.

The Tang Clan was enormous.

Since the time the Blood Demon War erupted until now, it had grown into an ancient tree that had thrived without faltering.

Should such a tree start to shake, it would be the Poison King’s responsibility to endure until new roots could grow.

But he knew.

He didn’t have the strength for it yet.

So he endured.

Having entered into an agreement with the Moyong Family, he had sought to expand influence throughout the Central Plains using the Upper House.

Starting from when the Falling Sword began to rise to power, the Tang Clan had participated in various events and schedules.

The Poison King needed strength.

But…

‘It’s too late.’

Now, he instinctively felt that it was somewhat tardy.

The decayed roots were starting to spread their range little by little. It had quietly crawled all the way to his toes without the Poison King realizing it.

He wondered if Gu Yangcheong could be lying…

The Poison King held conviction that something was indeed wrong.

He had known since the moment Gu Yangcheong had poisoned the guest he had invited.

Furthermore, he couldn’t even find it after wanting to look for it.

It wasn’t an accident; he knew who must have done it.

The Poison King had guessed already, but the concern was that there was no evidence, and that he couldn’t easily touch those responsible.

Among the elders, there would be a culprit.

That was an unchangeable law. To commit something within the Tang Clan without the Poison King knowing, one had to at least hold the rank of an elder.

If not, it could be one of the direct descendants of the previous clan leader…

However, amongst the surviving bloodline of the ancestors, only he remained.

Thus, it seemed that the elders were the most plausible culprits. Yet the issue was…

‘It won’t be easy.’

Even acknowledging that, it was impossible to just act on it.

Getting a grip on the influence they wielded was impossible.

Even if he sought to uncover the sins of the elders and demanded cleansing, if he didn’t have the capability to absorb the power and forces they had built…

In the end, it could lead to a crisis for the clan.

This meant…

‘This is my problem…’

It was not unlike the situation arising from the lack of power possessed by the clan leader.

To rectify the deeds committed by the previous clan leader, the current head had to allocate the power he once possessed to share with others.

That had to be the very foundation upon which they sustained the clan as times changed, but the unfolding crisis was painfully evident.

Even more pitiful was…

‘What if I had known earlier?’

If he had known about this matter earlier, would he have dared to dig into it?

He was still uncertain.

The reason he took this matter seriously was ultimately that—

-The Tang Young Lady seemed to be involved in this affair.

All because of the words spoken by Gu Yangcheong.

Tang Soyeol. His precious daughter, like a jewel, was involved in this matter.

How could it be? How was she intertwined with Gu Yangcheong to warrant such words?

Whether those words were true or false didn’t matter.

If there was even a shred of doubt, he had to confirm it.

In the past two days…

The Poison King had met with all the elders within the clan.

Engaging in light conversation, he processed the information while secretly sifting through a few names in his mind.

‘Elder Lee. And Third Elder.’

Elder Lee managed the medicinal herbs and poisons of the Tang Clan, and Third Elder dealt with their distribution or the creation of antidotes.

If they could wield such poison to this extent, those two had the highest possibility.

Possibility.

Yes, not certainty, but a possibility.

Evidence was nowhere to be found.

‘What if.’

If he found evidence, what would happen then?

Could he take action?

No, that alone would not be easy.

Thus, he believed the previous Poison King would have brushed it off.

However, as things stood now, he couldn’t look away.

After all, his daughter was involved.

So the Poison King had to make a choice.

If he couldn’t act due to political complications or power struggles, what then remained?

If he couldn’t expand the clan leader’s influence in a short time and time was pressing…

What options did he have left?

In which case, only one option remained.

Clatter.

“…!”

Suddenly, the teacup trembled on its own. The moment the Poison King noted this, he hesitated briefly.

Hooosh-!

“Ugh! Ack!”

Suddenly, his vision shifted and twisted.

As an unknown agony threatened to cause him to scream, his mouth was sealed shut.

Boom-!

His body slammed against the wall as he slowly rose.

Only then did the Poison King realize his neck was held by something.

Grrrr—

“Ugh… Ergh….”

An overwhelming pressure.

Seized by the grip of the dreadful atmospheric pressure, the Poison King’s gaze fell.

There, standing amidst the thick darkness, was a man with crimson eyes staring at him.

“Tang Cheon-gi.”

A voice hammered into the Poison King’s ear.

It was his name being called.

Within the heavy timbre lay a seething rage.

With his neck gripped, he felt his entire body being suppressed. He felt no sign of intrusion, not even a hint of a reaction before reaching this point.

“Ugh….”

All he could manage was a faint grunt.

“Explain yourself.”

In a tone seemingly calm yet harsh, the Poison King was forced to remember.

The only method to solve this dire predicament was through violence.

Political advantages or a power imbalance were meaningless in the face of overwhelming force.

The world of the Central Plains always began and ended in power. No matter the pretense of nobility and grace, it was the reality of martial artists.

“If you cannot make me understand…”

Thus, the Poison King, Tang Cheon-gi, made his declaration.

“I will erase the name of the Tang Clan from the earth of the Central Plains.”

He summoned the strongest being he knew.

 

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