사신지혼(四神之魂)

Before I set off, I looked for Namgung Hwan and Mo Yong-yeon, who were being protected at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. When Lee Kwang brought them out, I scanned their faces and sent a secret transmission to Lee Kwang.

[Lee Kwang. You must know that Namgung Hwan’s family, the Namgung Clan, has fallen. Why did you agree to take them in? Did Namgung Hwan come voluntarily?]

[As you said, Namgung Hwan volunteered.]

[Hmm. Taking them in wouldn’t gain much for the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, so why accept them?]

[Because he’s a close friend of So-cheong, with the condition that they leave soon….]

[Are they following along?]

[Yes.]

I got the gist of the situation. I approached Namgung Hwan, who was bewildered by the sudden news of the closure of the school.

“Namgung Hwan, young hero. I am Baek Woong, the village chief of Soeul Village and the master of Lee Kwang.”

“Gasp… Are you the legendary Half-Transition Master?”

“That could be said. I have a few questions for you.”

“Ask away, and I, the disciple of Jianghu, Namgung Mo, will answer sincerely.”

“Is it because the Namgung Clan has fallen that you are refusing to return?”

He hesitated.

Hitting the nail on the head, Namgung Hwan couldn’t hide his grimace. He seemed to struggle for a moment before speaking.

“Yes, that’s correct….”

“I heard that besides the clan leader and the leading eight swordsmen who died, the rest of the martial arts members only suffered fainting and bruises, so their power wasn’t completely wiped out. As the young master of the Namgung Clan, why aren’t you going to stabilize that power?”

“…….”

“Lee Kwang just mentioned that you plan to follow us to Soeul Village. That’s hard to understand. You might be an interloper, so if you don’t speak clearly, I won’t let it slide.”

I use the term ‘destroyed’ rather than ‘fallen’ for a reason. They only took out the higher-ups who were the source of evil, while the others weren’t killed but just moderately beaten, meaning the Namgung Clan wasn’t entirely destroyed. Therefore, even if I was responsible for pushing the Namgung Clan to ruin, Namgung Hwan would have returned to his family nonetheless.

Why is it that Namgung Hwan, knowing this, doesn’t return to his clan and instead chose the path to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School in this rebirth? And why does he follow Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong even after the school is closed?

Namgung Hwan then answered with a bitter expression.

“I must tell you since you will become the one I rely on moving forward. The truth is, I heard from a messenger of my clan that the Hebei Pang Clan is teaming up with the Hwangbo Clan to deal with the remnants of the Namgung Clan and are advancing southward.”

Oh?

I felt a slight interest spark in this unexpected news, while Lee Kwang, who was listening beside me, spoke up with a somewhat bitter expression.

“When you first joined the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, you didn’t mention this at all.”

“I’m… sorry. But it’s about the life of my fiancée and me.”

I raised my hand to stop Lee Kwang from pressing further and urged Namgung Hwan to continue.

“Go on. Are you sure it’s true that the Hebei Pang Clan and the Hwangbo Clan, both part of the Five Great Families, are uniting to attack the Namgung Clan?”

“…… Yes.”

“You’re avoiding coming back to your clan because you don’t want to face the martial arts organizations of both clans coming for you.”

“Well, yes, but there’s nothing I can do even if I go now….”

It was then that Mo Yong-yeon, who had been listening beside us, suddenly shouted in disbelief.

“This is ridiculous!! Why didn’t you say anything like that to me?!”

“Uh, it’s because… I was afraid you’d leave me.”

“As my fiancée and true love, I wouldn’t so easily abandon you!! You really don’t trust me that much?”

“Y-You’re the descendant of the Mo Yong clan. This matter has nothing to do with you, and the Namgung Clan is nearly destroyed, so surely, you wouldn’t leave me! I’m just stuck in a betrothal with you, so why are you speaking such pretentious words?”

“What?!”

Seeing Namgung Hwan’s face turn red with indignation, Mo Yong-yeon couldn’t hide her incredulous expression. Her face shifted to one of shock, and tears soon filled her eyes.

“…If you had just been honest…. I would have tried to help you to the end, even turning my back on my family…. I would have asked my father to help you! What do you think it means to follow you even at the risk of being chased by Jianghu ruffians?”

“Uh….”

“That’s right…. I won’t deny there was a hint of doubt about you…. But to think my true love would be this much of a scum.”

Mo Yong-yeon wiped her tears away with her hand, abruptly turning away as she said.

“Ah… I will return to my family and never step foot into this world again.”

Tydaht.

She immediately activated her light body technique and flew away from this place. It all happened so suddenly that everyone was stunned, while Namgung Hwan awkwardly smiled and said.

“…Let those who wish to go, leave, and I, the Azure Dragon, Namgung Hwan, will accompany you on your journey! Hahaha.”

“…….”

“…….”

The casual demeanor left Lee Kwang, Jin So-cheong, and even Guk-ho, who was observing from the side, in shock. To think that his fiancée, who had faced such hardships together with him, would leave right before his eyes, and yet he wouldn’t hold her back but instead just seek his own way out?

Guk-ho spoke in a very displeased tone.

“Baek Woong, Grand Master. Do you really intend to take such trash along?”

“What! Who do you think you are to look down on me in my situation? Take that back!”

Namgung Hwan shouted angrily, but Guk-ho ignored him entirely. Suddenly, Namgung Hwan drew his sword and charged at Guk-ho. As the fundamentals of the Namgung Clan’s Emperor Sword Technique unfolded, just when it seemed like he could pierce Guk-ho’s sword form with great speed, Guk-ho’s sword form moved at an astonishing pace, and with a clash, Namgung Hwan’s sword was knocked into the air.

Swish.

“Gasp.”

Guk-ho’s spear tip was now touching Namgung Hwan’s throat, lightly cutting it to draw blood. The difference in skill was far greater than expected; it seemed the match was decided in an instant because Namgung Hwan had underestimated Guk-ho. From the start, even in a fair fight, Guk-ho could easily defeat Namgung Hwan in under fifty seconds, so it was only natural this ended this way given he didn’t take it seriously.

Guk-ho spoke in an irritated voice.

“Did you think just because you’ve been given a fancy nickname in Jianghu that you’re truly strong? You’re just a bit better than Yun Guang or Ji-pyeong.”

“…….”

“Just where have you been slumming it to find out what you’re like?”

Watching the scene unfold, I turned to Guk-ho.

“If Namgung Hwan still has the support of the Namgung Clan, would you still have been able to kill him?”

“Why do you ask such a thing? Whether the Namgung Clan is around or not doesn’t change the fact that this guy is trash. A killer should be killed, so don’t stop me.”

“Don’t stop you? I see, you’re truly a fine Thunder God Lineage fighter.”

No matter who stands opposite him, he speaks his mind.

That’s just Guk-ho.

Satisfied with his answer, I stepped closer to Namgung Hwan and removed Guk-ho’s spear tip from his throat.

“Thank you. I owe you my life.”

Namgung Hwan looked like he had just come back from the dead, but I calmly replied to him.

“Namgung Hwan. In truth, I killed your father and the Eight Swords of Namgung.”

“……?!”

“……?!”

Namgung Hwan’s expression went completely blank. The surrounding people looked equally shocked by my statement, and even Guk-ho, who had been radiating killing intent just moments ago, appeared stunned as well. After a moment, Namgung Hwan began to tremble and stammered.

“W-Why….”

“You kidnapped women from various clans and held them as slaves in your clan’s secret room. I know all about the evil deeds you committed to annihilate the smaller clans by force. I haven’t announced it yet as it’s bothersome, but soon they will become residents of Soeul Village and spread word of your clan’s evil deeds.”

“……!!”

“And the secret treasure, the Suspicious Fishhook, held by your clan? Let’s see, it’s right here. In any case, it’s refreshing to see those doomed getting what they deserve.”

“Uwaaaa…!!”

Namgung Hwan fell to his knees on the spot, defeated. Watching it all unfold, Jin So-cheong turned pale and asked me.

“…Grand Master… is this really true?”

“Indeed. I stake my name on it. The Namgung Clan was ripe for destruction, so I made sure it was done.”

“Haah… I’m sorry. I made a poor choice in friends.”

“It’s alright, Jin So-cheong. I plan to constantly drag this fool down to hell anyway.”

“……?”

Jin So-cheong had a confused expression, not understanding what I meant, but I had thought this through from long ago.

A killer deserves to die repeatedly, so even in this rebirth, killing him whenever I feel bored is the right way to go. Just like I wiped out the pirates from Pirate Island without leaving a trace, from now on, every time I am reborn, Namgung Myeong’s head will explode, and Namgung Hwan will also either die or fall into despair as a bonus.

I glanced at Guk-ho and said.

“Guk-ho. If you’re worried about Mo Yong-yeon, go guard her.”

“…What? But.”

“Ruffians from Jianghu will continue to target her since she is a Heavenly Yin Body. Go protect her till she reaches the Mo Yong Clan. After that, you can return to Soeul Village at your own discretion.”

“Thank you, Grand Master.”

Pa-at.

“Now, shall we go?”

After all the events, I loaded everyone onto the cart and began to soar through the skies as I always had.

Seeing the cart fly, Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong couldn’t hide their astonishment.

“The level of internal power is…!!”

“This is no ordinary martial arts.”

Eventually, when we arrived at Soeul Village, I helped them settle into the lodging provided for the people at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School and arranged for them to meet General Hwang Yeon.

This time, Lee Kwang was genuinely astonished and spoke to Hwang Yeon.

“Uh, General. How did you end up in a place like this…?”

“Hmm… Didn’t you hear from the village chief? We were all saved by him.”

Once Hwang Yeon explained the situation, Lee Kwang looked at me in disbelief. As I noticed trust gradually forming in his gaze, I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.

‘Hehe. Go ahead and believe. After all, you’re Lee Kwang, so deep down you’ll always be suspicious of me. But just a little trust will allow me to manipulate you…!!’

Welcome to Soeul Village, Lee Kwang…!!

You’ll have to suffer as I have!

Sharpening the blades of revenge in my heart, I said to Lee Kwang.

“Lee Kwang. Let’s take our time catching up later; it’s best to start training first. To defeat Yong Junil, we have to diligently train every day.”

“Of course. I’m ready to learn anything.”

Has he begun to trust me, as he acknowledges my martial arts? With determination and fury in his eyes, I smiled and said.

“Have you heard the saying? The more perfect one’s foundation, the more skilled they are.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

“I want to see your foundation.”

I crossed my arms and continued.

“Let’s start with the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms. Just try to execute it 5,000 times for now.”

Given my own limitations in age and internal power, I let him off easy from my usual hundred thousand.

“…….”

Lee Kwang looked thoroughly flustered. He said.

“Repeating that now won’t yield any benefits….”

“Oh!! You can break shapes and head towards a state of no-self!”

“That’s the level I’ve already realized….”

I clenched my fist and declared.

“Speak! Training martial arts is always about the foundation! Are you questioning my words?”

“That’s….”

“You don’t want to learn Thunder Spirit?”

At that, Lee Kwang’s face hardened.

“No, I don’t.”

“Good! Now shut up and do it!”

Boom boom.

Finally, Lee Kwang began earnestly wielding the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms, which was close to the base technique of the Thunder God Lineage. I watched him with satisfaction and thought.

‘Alright. I’ll feed Black and White Lotus to Lee Kwang in a day or two.’

I won’t forget the grace I once received. My martial arts did improve, and I almost died because it was so tough, so I want him to experience that in the same way.

Not a bit more or less, but a hundred thousand times.

I’ll make sure he can manage it one day, Lee Kwang!