Chapter 244
“We boldly pressured the servant for an answer.”
“We must see Lord Jangryeong Valley, Beok Ji-sang. Lead us there.”
Though the Sword Demon spoke courteously, an underlying pressure emanated from him, crushing the servant’s spirit with its force. Unsurprisingly, this poor servant couldn’t withstand the Sword Demon’s intensity and turned as pale as a ghost, nodding hastily.
“O-of course! Naturally!”
We followed the trembling servant further inside. After walking about a hundred paces, we arrived at an elegant mansion. It seemed overly spacious for a single occupant but was about right for a wealthy individual like our host. The servant entered the mansion and rang a small bell.
“Master! Guests have arrived!”
After a brief silence, a woman’s voice floated from within.
“Show them in.”
“Yes!”
We followed the servant into the inner room. There sat a noblewoman dressed in purple, already waiting in her chair. Upon seeing her, I let out a low sound of realization.
“Hmm…”
It was undoubtedly Tao King Beok Ji-sang. She had a somewhat sharp demeanor but possessed an extraordinary beauty that was rare to encounter, her expression incredibly cold. I couldn’t help but think how her smile would easily charm four or five men.
Seemingly confirming this fact, the Sword Demon fixed his gaze on her and spoke up.
“It’s a pleasure to see you, Lord Jangryeong Valley. I am the Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong, and this is our Dharma Guardian, Baek Woong.”
The current Lord Jangryeong Valley, Tao King Beok Ji-sang, replied without any apparent change in expression.
“What brings the greatest expert of the heretical faction to a place like this?”
“I came seeking the former Lord Jangryeong Valley, who was known for his wisdom and skill, to invite him to the Shadowless Sect. However, to hear he has passed away these last few years is truly unfortunate.”
“Every person has a fate prescribed by heaven. He was no exception.”
Beok Ji-sang’s tone was flat, almost gloomy. Someone hearing her for the first time might feel utterly perplexed. But having heard her speak before, I recognized it as her unique style. It seemed the Sword Demon felt little displeasure toward her and continued.
“But I know you were once known as Tao King, renowned for your gambling prowess in Sichuan. How is it that you’ve become the lord of Jangryeong?”
The Sword Demon cut straight to the chase. Beok Ji-sang lifted her teacup and replied.
“The title of Tao King is merely a shameful relic of my past. I had a friendship with the previous Lord Jangryeong Valley, and upon his request, I took over the management of Jangryeong.”
The Sword Demon subtly probed her with his next question.
“So you no longer wish to roam Jianghu as the Tao King?”
“Feel free to think of it that way. I quite enjoy my life here.”
Beok Ji-sang’s calm response provoked a contemplative sound from the Sword Demon. She spoke as if expressing no care at all, yet her emotional fluctuations eluded even someone like the Sword Demon, who had faced countless battles.
Unable to hold back, I directed a question toward Beok Ji-sang.
“You speak of friendship, but how did that come about? I’ve heard Zhuge Sa is quite eccentric and has few close acquaintances.”
Beok Ji-sang turned to me and answered, her face still as unyielding as before.
“That’s correct. Zhuge Sa was narrow-minded and enjoyed his superiority. Yet he was an interesting character, and I would often engage with him.”
“Interesting, you say?”
“I responded to that as a friend, but beyond that, I’ll refrain from further comments out of respect for the deceased.”
Beok Ji-sang suddenly cut the conversation off with a semblance of formal etiquette.
“……”
With that response, I was left speechless, unable to retort, as she had left no openings for me to use. The Sword Demon, who had been seated beside me, transmitted a thought.
[This one is a master at psychological warfare. If you ask too hastily, she’ll read our intentions, so just hold your tongue.]
[Understood.]
The Sword Demon cleared his throat lightly and continued.
“Hmm. Specifically, what was the cause of his death?”
“Suicide.”
“How did he do it?”
“Poisoning. There wasn’t even time to intervene.”
“Poison? Could there have been foul play?”
Beok Ji-sang answered firmly.
“I stake my name on this. I spent half a year investigating, and there’s no evidence of foul play. His suicide is an undeniable truth.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Had there been an evil god behind it, I swore I would avenge my friend to the bitter end, but there were no signs. Thus, I’ve taken it upon myself to manage Jangryeong per his last wishes. There’s no issue with that.”
Beok Ji-sang subtly hinted that she wished us to leave. However, at the point where the discussion shifted to Zhuge Sa’s suicide, her eyes had suddenly turned quite hostile. For her to express her intentions so openly, it was clear she wanted to send away unwelcome guests.
Thus, the Sword Demon responded.
“Please forgive us for the intrusion today. Zhuge Sa was a man of great capability, and it truly was a matter close to my heart.”
“No need for formalities… Would you like to have a meal before you go?”
“No, I’ll see you another time.”
“Please take care on your way out.”
We received her courtesy as we left Jangryeong. Once outside, I couldn’t contain my confusion and asked the Sword Demon.
“That was odd. Shouldn’t we have pressed for more information?”
“……”
“Your Honor!”
The Sword Demon, now seated on a nearby bench under a tree, spoke up.
“Did you not sense something?”
“Huh?”
“There was an odd feeling in the air. I can’t quite put it into words, but… a martial artist’s instinct, perhaps seven senses, was sending me a strange warning. If we had dug further there, it might have turned dangerous.”
“……?”
Feeling puzzled, I couldn’t grasp the meaning of ‘odd feeling.’ While Tao King Beok Ji-sang’s martial prowess reached the level of a peak expert, it was questionable whether she posed any real threat to the current Sword Demon. Even if hidden martial arts masters were lurking around, it wouldn’t provoke fear. Still, the Sword Demon remained on high alert toward Beok Ji-sang.
Chuckling bitterly, the Sword Demon added.
“Heh, I can’t explain fully. Is this the process of the supernatural support referred to by Bright Dragon? My intuition was telling me staying back was the best strategy.”
“Hmm… I honestly don’t understand.”
“It can’t be helped. Even I’m uncertain.”
“That’s alright. I believe in your judgment, Your Honor.”
“Thank you.”
With that, the Sword Demon looked up at the sky from beneath the cool shade of the tree and continued.
“Right now, there’s something suspicious about Tao King Beok Ji-sang, but directly probing her seems dangerous. We can think about that after we meet Dokgo Seong tomorrow. Crossing the bridge of death can wait until later.”
“The bridge of death? Is it really that serious?”
I couldn’t help but respond in disbelief.
“Beok Ji-sang’s martial arts level isn’t that high. There were no ambushes or formations around, nor any signs of poison. I don’t think she’s someone capable of trapping us.”
“That would be the case under normal circumstances. I contemplated using the Mind Control Technique to suppress her right there numerous times. But have you ever considered this?”
The Sword Demon crossed his arms and stated.
“If Zhuge Sa truly was a genius on par with Mangnyang, he wouldn’t hand over the Jangryeong to just anyone. This implies Beok Ji-sang possesses a talent acknowledged even by Zhuge Sa. When a genius recognizes someone else’s existence, there is generally a solid reason behind it.”
“……!!”
“I’ve only had this feeling once before. It was when I faced the Dharma Guardian.”
After murmuring this, the Sword Demon locked eyes with me.
“Bear this in mind. Right now, Beok Ji-sang has become a dangerous presence that you should not carelessly probe. You must be careful, more careful than ever.”
Only after hearing those words did I properly grasp the situation.
‘I see. I currently know nothing about Beok Ji-sang.’
Not knowing anything means I have no clue what her intentions are or what means she might employ. There’s nothing more dangerous than someone who hides their information. I had to admit that, having personally witnessed the Sword Demon’s impressive cultivation, I had relaxed my vigilance far too much.
“Yes, I understand.”
As I inwardly chastised myself and readied my guard, the Sword Demon spoke.
“By the way, haven’t you mastered the Thunder God Lineage’s Ultimate Technique? You refrained from demonstrating it during the earlier display.”
“Huh?”
“Lee Kwang promised to teach you the final technique that surpasses the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique.”
I sighed awkwardly. Of course, I hadn’t forgotten that fact but had intentionally kept it to myself and hadn’t revealed it during the demonstration.
“Yes, I learned it.”
“Then why?”
“Uh… Didn’t you see the memory of the obsidian?”
“That memory you seem to want to bury flashed by in a very brief, unclear manner. That’s why I asked.”
“Ah…”
I realized that memories conveyed through obsidian aren’t always infallible. If I unconsciously wanted to hide or dislike a memory, it could get omitted or glossed over. This was an automatic ability designed for user convenience.
I responded to the Sword Demon.
“The Thunder God Lineage’s technique is entered through the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, then learning the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique, after which you’d come to learn the various secret techniques of the Thunder God Lineage. After achieving the Ten Stars in the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique, you would then enter the Thunder Dragon Sword.”
“The Thunder Dragon Sword, is it? That’s the ultimate sword technique?”
I shook my head.
“No… According to Lee Kwang, the Thunder Dragon Sword and the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique are essentially equivalent. It seems to just be a matter of the order in which they are learned. Once mastered to ten stars, combining the two techniques fully brings forth the true ultimate technique of the Thunder God Lineage.”
“Oh…!! What is that?!”
The Sword Demon seemed excited. For a fellow swordsman, hearing about the advanced techniques of a superior swordplay would ignite anyone’s martial spirit. Hesitating a bit, I confessed.
“… I don’t know.”
“Huh? You don’t know?”
I felt utterly pitiful and laid out my conclusion.
“I couldn’t learn the Thunder Dragon Sword because I haven’t yet reached the Ten Stars in the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique.”
“Hmm.”
“I was progressing too slowly, so in the end, Lee Kwang gave up on me and suggested I just train harder on the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique. So…”
“I see.”
I didn’t finish my last sentence, but the Sword Demon seemed to understand my plight.
Indeed.
When I first transmitted the Wudang Sect’s techniques to the Thunder God Lineage, Lee Kwang delightedly told me he would teach me the final technique. It was as if he took it for granted that he would guide me through the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique, believing I would shortly transition to the Thunder Dragon Sword.
However, it was merely a matter of time before my lacking talent was discovered. Seeing how slow I was at mastering the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique, Lee Kwang seemed to have given up, saying he would teach me the Thunder Dragon Sword later on. Then he dove into researching the Wudang Sect’s techniques.
This wasn’t something I could reproach Lee Kwang about. As he remarked, the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique also requires elevation in skill—I’m still unsure if I’ve truly reached the Ten Stars in it yet. Thus, it’s unfair to outright blame Lee Kwang for not waiting decades for my martial legacy to complete.
Feeling ashamed of my lack of ability, it seems I unconsciously rushed past that memory. My face warmed red from embarrassment, and the Sword Demon remarked.
“There’s no need to feel ashamed. What’s important now is whether you’ve truly reached the Ten Stars in the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. The Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique contains extreme transformations and illusions in its martial arts…”
As I stammered, the Sword Demon chuckled.
“You’ve been cultivating martial arts with me for nearly seven years. I’ve seen you perform the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique countless times. And to cut right to the point, you’ve already mastered it.”
“Really?!”
“Of course! Because you’ve surpassed the basics of the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique by over five stars already.”
The Sword Demon continued.
“Such rapid progress is normally unheard of. Even more so when considering your shortcomings in sword talent. But your swift mastery of the Shadowless Soul-Removing Sword Technique arose because you’ve already grasped the profound essence of the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique, becoming adept at transformation and illusion.”
“I understand.”
“With that Thunder Dragon Sword technique as well, you could likely pick it up immediately now.”
This was genuinely joyous news.
Did this mean reaching the zenith of the Thunder God Lineage’s sword techniques was closer than I thought? I forgot the earlier gloom and broke into a full smile as the Sword Demon added.
“The issue remains the sheer might of that ultimate technique itself.”
“It must possess tremendous power, right?”
Why was the Sword Demon doubting the power of the ultimate technique?
“……”
The Sword Demon wore an indecisive expression before finally stating.
“We’ll have to meet Dokgo Seong tomorrow.”
