---

Chapter 642: Thunder Heaven One Sword

“That idiot, seriously.”

I was looking at Woo Hyeok—well, technically, the guy possessing Woo Hyeok’s body—and it made me wonder.

How many times is this body gonna get snatched? Damn, even rescuing him is getting tiring.

“If that’s the case, I should’ve just let him be. Damn it.”

It’s absurd.

After putting in all that blood and sweat to save him, he ends up losing his body to some unknown guy again.

“Is that guy really a genius or what?”

A once-in-a-lifetime genius.

The extraordinary talent championing the Mu-dang of Yuseong’s generation.

If he hadn’t unnecessarily thrown away his life in his past life, Woo Hyeok would undoubtedly have been a fierce contender for the Sword King title.

But looking at that guy now, I couldn’t help but doubt his talent.

At this point, he’s practically saying, “Oh! Please, use my body!”

“And on top of that—”

I frowned at him.

“Just who has he gotten possessed by this time?”

For a moment, I wondered if it was Mang.

I thought he was dead, but turns out he’s alive.

Could it be that Mang had shown up riding on Woo Hyeok’s body again?

That thought crossed my mind, but—

“No.”

I shook my head firmly.

That’s not Mang.

“It’s something ‘merely’ beyond comparison.”

Just thinking of that presence sent shivers down my spine.

That unknown sensation gripped me.

My body instinctively went on high alert.

My instincts were screaming at me.

That’s something dangerous.

“This is crazy.”

Feeling that made my lips quiver.

It was a sensation I had never felt, not with Mang and not even with the White Grade Demon Beast that appeared to be the core of that presence.

It was too sharp. It terrified me. It frightened me.

Was this what a legendary artisan of unparalleled skill felt like after eons of honing his craft?

The person before me felt like a precisely forged blade.

Is this supposed to be the impression I’m getting from a human?

That thought didn’t make any sense, but it was the only impression I could muster.

“I don’t feel any Qi.”

I sensed no energy at all.

That made it all the more chilling.

“So it’s coming solely from the presence.”

A martial artist’s presence constitutes the essence forged through years of training.

The quantity of their aura, their martial skills, the level of their spirit—everything they’ve accumulated manifests in their presence.

So what about this one now?

“…Huff.”

After a few seconds of barely managing my breaths, I forced my heart to calm down and twitched my fingertips.

Can I win?

That beastly head seemed to urge me to charge in right away.

But my instincts were colder than I’d expected.

I couldn’t see anything.

Couldn’t see a damn thing.

I could barely feel the slightest tingle, yet I couldn’t see anything, which allowed me to keep my feet grounded.

A tense standoff lasted for a few more seconds.

“Hmph.”

Something wearing Woo Hyeok’s face let out a sound.

A low breath. I furrowed my brow at his voice.

Despite his expression being neutral, it felt oddly like he was smiling.

“Good instincts. I commend you. That hesitation has saved you, and it will save you in the future as well.”

“…”

Chills ran down my spine.

Those seemed like arrogant words, yet they sent shivers down my back. The truth was evident when life and death were at stake.

He genuinely thought that way.

Ironically, I too saw that statement as truth.

I held his narrowed gaze, not flinching.

“Who are you?”

At my question, he narrowed his eyes.

Woo Hyeok’s innate disposition was quite passive and overly relaxed, but in a weird way, he looked just as reckless as the Nangong Clan’s troublemaker.

Maybe that’s why his expression felt all the more annoying.

“Will you understand if I tell you? I am but a remnant of the past.”

“Then get out of that body. The owner wouldn’t have allowed you to barge in.”

I spat that out with a growl, and for some reason, the guy chuckled lightly.

“Crack?”

“You’re amusing. Also, fun. It’s been a while since someone spoke to me in such a crude manner.”

At that moment, he casually moved his right arm. Instinctively, I took a step back.

My body reacted instinctively to the chilling aura.

Is he planning something? Maintaining my guard and keeping my eyes on him, he stopped his movements and spoke to me.

“Normally, I would’ve punished you. However, I miss that tone so much that I’d rather not.”

“What the hell kind of nonsense is that? Speak properly.”

One would think that by realizing who I was facing, I’d be more cautious—but my mouth didn’t work that way.

Having an idea yet not controlling my mouth.

Damn, looks like my temperament isn’t changing anytime soon.

I kept barking up a storm while my life was at stake, but the guy remained unfazed.

“You remind me of someone. No? Actually, you do resemble him. It’s nostalgic. That pathetic brat is especially resonating.”

“What…”

What was he talking about? I tried to ask again, laden with confusion.

But my lips wouldn’t part easily.

It dawned on me that I should’ve checked my surroundings earlier.

“…Damn.”

Was it because I was tensed during our conversation? It was only now that I perceived the anomaly occurring around me.

It stopped.

Before me, the Pejon who had been trying to block my path had stiffened, frozen in place.

Seongyul, too, was frozen mid-draw, the sword hovering at his waist as if caught in time.

Even the Black Lion, poised to protect the Gungju, froze with grip taut.

The ash that had been flowing transformed into a vibrant light in mid-air.

The blurring specter flickering in and out of sight had become a hardened illusion, as if set in stone.

With that sight, my eyes sharpened.

Time had stopped.

It was a sight as breathtaking as that of my father’s famed mastery that I had witnessed before.

But now, instead of marveling at the spectacle, I had to focus on the meaning behind it.

“…Who are you?”

I promptly changed my tone.

Hearing that, the man let out a small laugh.

“Quick on the uptake. Moreover, you seem to already know the answer.”

“…”

The dagger slices through.

Yeah, it hit me. Once I laid eyes on the situation, it clicked who I was dealing with.

If I hadn’t gone through it a couple of times, I might have been unaware—but this made it clear, clearly counting more than enough higher than a hand’s worth through experience.

I simply didn’t want to believe it.

If my prediction held true, the author being inside Woo Hyeok’s body was out of the blue, and I never expected to see it like this.

‘Forgot that this place was the North Sea for a moment.’

To be precise, I had forgotten the fact that I was indeed in the North Sea.

No, even if I had remembered, I wouldn’t have guessed I’d see him like this.

‘Not the right time, anyway.’

If I had to deal with this, there were too many variables. I was supposed to set it aside for later.

‘To think he’d show up directly.’

And in the fool’s body of all places.

Should I use Pogo? While I hesitated, it was the opponent who spoke first.

“Even if you know, there are still words we must exchange.”

Amidst the frozen world, the man took a step forward.

Creepy.

Watching his feet trample on the ground stirred a weird sensation in my body.

“There’s no need to remember for long. I’ve already let go of the longing for my name.”

His posture as he walked with hands clasped behind his back exuded a presence of power.

He was the most overwhelming entity I had ever seen.

“There are many titles attributed to me. But as my birth is tied to my surname, I shall introduce myself fittingly.”

The man standing before me spoke with blade-like eyes.

“I am Nangong Ming.”

“…”

“Nice to meet you.”

Thunder Heaven One Sword, Nangong Ming.

The hero of the Nangong Clan who unleashed thunder from his sword tip and ruled the skies.

“Descendant of that damned bastard.”

He appeared right before me.

Just a little earlier.

While Gu Yangcheong was in a fierce battle with the White Grade Demon Beast.

In the Ice Palace, a corridor leading to the Gungju’s room.

Whoosh.

A gust of wind blew through the empty walls.

Walking through this corridor was a young man.

He looked overwhelmed.

‘It’s quiet.’

Unnaturally so. The sound of the wind came through, and outside, there were a cacophony of voices.

Yet, the sentiment of the young man felt quite different.

‘Why is it so quiet?’

The usual sounds that had been ringing were all gone. An anomaly.

It was something he had longed for, yet he felt nothing but doubts.

‘Is it because of that friend?’

With his friend being there, noise wouldn’t reach him; but as distance grew, it would come creeping back.

At this rate, there should have been at least a faint sound by now. Yet strangely, there was none.

Irritation settled in.

Pondering these thoughts, the young man continued his walk until he finally reached his destination.

An icy chill brushed against his cheeks. The young man could only swallow at the sight before him.

A corpse in a tragic state lay before him.

Drained of any vitality, the body had long lost its natural form without a single drop of moisture.

The lifeless body, unable even to close its eyes, appeared pitifully ugly.

As he gazed down, the young man gently closed the woman’s eyes.

“….”

There were no words to express.

Just acceptance of the reality that had transpired.

Was it a relief? Young man Woo Hyeok asked himself.

He could not find an answer.

-Listen closely. If you do, I will save that child you are holding in your embrace.

The curse tied to his bloodline.

It had grown more powerful, a threat and a yearning combined.

Where did it all go wrong? Maybe it was coming to this damned place in the first place.

Or perhaps being born on this land was where it all began to fall apart.

Ah, maybe that’s it. That must have been the problem.

He had never once denied that truth from birth until now.

Not even when he was brutally abandoned by his family.

Or when the helpless father, unable to handle his child, tried to eliminate him under the then illusory justification.

Those were the moments he had quite simply never forgotten.

Such was life.

Living on, somehow managing to survive until he returned to this land felt so ridiculous.

He had been afraid when meeting his father, who had concealed his ambition and true nature.

Voicing the name he discarded in childhood while pretending to be someone else was utterly grotesque.

That was when he realized.

He had already detached himself from emotional ties.

So when his father met his end, he must’ve shown an expression devoid of feelings.

‘They say it’s the hometown.’

A place held dear in the depths of the heart, longed for and cherished.

But to Woo Hyeok, this place was hell.

An unyielding, frozen hell that wouldn’t thaw.

In one corner of that hell, Woo Hyeok left behind the deceased woman.

He still couldn’t grasp how desperately she had clung to him.

What emotions compelled her to degrade herself like this? Though he still couldn’t comprehend, he didn’t want to see her in such a state any longer.

His emotions grew cold like the weather.

Woo Hyeok felt the unfamiliar sensation budding within him.

He mustn’t let that feeling die.

I don’t understand it, but she needs to be saved.

Letting those emotions die would be the most disgraceful thing.

Rising to his feet, Woo Hyeok looked back.

The chill remained, but something translucent was positioned behind him.

A familiar face.

Of course, it was his master’s face he saw again.

Only the essence was different.

[Has the greeting concluded?]

The middle-aged man’s words made Woo Hyeok bow his head.

“…Thank you for your consideration.”

At Woo Hyeok’s greeting, the man’s hair flickered slightly.

[What’s it like between you and the young girl? Is it romance?]

Had it been portrayed that way?

Woo Hyeok smiled slightly at his question.

“Not quite. If I had to put it, I’d say we’re more like enemies.” [Hmmm.]

No further words came through.

How could one treat an enemy that well? Such an unavoidable question didn’t come up.

It didn’t seem he cared at all.

The man’s expression was just that simple, and through it, Woo Hyeok found comfort.

He hesitantly inquired, “Could you please tell me how to address you, Senior?”

His voice was intermingled with tension.

Of course. Anyone who got to know that man would be in line for a mouthful of trouble.

Ah, but there might be one exception.

That lunatic, despite being a friend, was definitely abnormal.

[The title isn’t important. As long as you show me respect, you can call me whatever you like.]

“Then, I shall refer to you as Master Raesin.”

Without hesitation, those words fell from his lips, and the man’s brow twitched.

[That’s unnecessary flattery.]

There were times he had been addressed that way, but he had received many other titles as well.

Yet seeing him being called a god was an obvious display of sycophancy.

[Let’s cut through the trivialities. Now, let’s get to the main point.]

“I’m all ears.”

I answered while observing him with curiosity.

‘He resembles him.’

He was strikingly similar to his master, Gwaeseon.

It wouldn’t be surprising for a descendant to look alike.

‘But he’s too alike.’

Their resemblance was borderline identical.

Suddenly feeling a wave of nostalgia, perhaps he was reminded of Gwaeseon, and Woo Hyeok let out a bitter smile.

‘Here, I get to meet him.’

When he heard the introductions about the author underground, Woo Hyeok felt utterly shocked.

How could he not?

Long ago, the hero of the Nangong Clan who saved the world.

Who would’ve guessed he was sleeping in the North Sea?

Even seeing him, he could hardly wrap his head around it.

‘Thoughts of death, huh?’

Does that even exist? As someone set in the ways of the Mu-dang, it was quite fascinating.

The downside was he found himself challenged by such thoughts.

‘I don’t deserve it.’

There were two branches of the Nangong family that resided in the North Sea.

One had discarded their surname to reside within the Mu-dang but could return to claim it anytime they wished.

While the other one was a woman who might just end up being the first female clan leader of the Nangong Clan.

‘Though becoming the Sword Demoness might be faster.’

She would surely rise to that position.

Woo Hyeok had never properly faced the current Sword Demoness, but he felt confident she would be capable.

It wouldn’t take long either. Her innate mastery in swordsmanship and her innate talent were definitely more significant than the snow piled up in the North Sea.

In any case, meeting the most revered presence of the Nangong Clan in this situation felt incredibly unsettling.

It felt like a loss.

It was more regrettable that he was here instead of his master or junior here.

A bitter sense of loss lingered.

[What are you seeking from me?]

“…!”

Woo Hyeok flinched at the thought.

He must have lingered too long in his gaze.

“My apologies. You bear a resemblance to someone I know, so I inadvertently…”

[Hmph.]

At Woo Hyeok’s words, the man nodded as if considering.

[Nangong Clan, is it?]

“Yes… That’s correct.”

Naturally, realizing he resembled someone, the man must have connected those dots easily.

[I see.]

However, his reaction afterward was rather dry.

Even though he had heard that the Nangong Clan still existed in the present, he didn’t seem to care.

There was no sense of interest, so much so that it felt somewhat off.

As an ancestor, it was a rather cold response.

Despite that, Woo Hyeok did his best to ignore it and asked, “May I inquire about the main point you wanted to address?”

Nangong Ming’s thoughts were unaffected by Woo Hyeok’s inquiries as he spoke with an expression unchanged.

[Soon, calamity will descend upon the world.]

Cutting through any previous explanations, he went straight to the heart of the matter.

His blunt tone brought an ominous declaration.

At those words, Woo Hyeok’s eyes widened.

“A calamity…?!”

Suddenly speaking of a calamity, what on earth could that mean?

It was such an unexpected declaration that he couldn’t fully comprehend it.

Yet, Nangong Ming paid no mind to Woo Hyeok’s fright.

[Time is short. The unsealing serves as evidence of that.]

“Sir, what does this…”

As Woo Hyeok, flustered, attempted to cut in, he was halted yet again.

[Much has gone awry, but it’s not too late to set things right. Therefore, I have a favor to ask of you, as an opportunity.]

“A favor you say?”

[Indeed.]

With those piercing eyes that seemed to capture the ocean or the sky, he was focused on Woo Hyeok.

[Become my successor.]

“…!”

Woo Hyeok’s breath caught momentarily.

[Thus, raise your sword for the world. In return, I will grant you everything left in this land under my name.]

Upon hearing that, a shudder ran through his frame.

Seeing that reaction, Nangong Ming narrowed his eyes and continued.

[It’s a pity you’re not a born child of the family, but there’s nothing to be done. Consider it your luck.]

“I’m sorry.”

[So, let’s begin with the martial arts within your body… Hmm?]

As if it were a given, Nangong Ming began speaking but suddenly came to a halt.

His expression slightly changed, as if he’d heard wrong.

[What did you just say?]

“W-Well…”

Facing the interrogative return, Woo Hyeok gathered a somewhat reckless posture to repeat himself.

“I’m sorry, but… that might be a bit difficult.”

[…?]

Silence fell for a moment. A heavy discomfort permeated the serene air.

Woo Hyeok found himself instinctively looking at Nangong Ming, who seemed lost in thought, trying to figure out if he had heard correctly.

About thirty seconds passed in that state before Nangong Ming finally posed a question to Woo Hyeok.

[…Why?]

He still didn’t seem to understand.

 

---