67 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Episode 67 Crash! Namgung Jinkyung, having been struck by Cheonhui's sword, flew across the training ground and rolled on the floor. "What... What's going on!" "The Young Master!" Amidst the chaotic shouts, Namgung Jinkyung staggered as he got back on his feet. 'He's quite sturdy.' Watching him rise immediately, Cheonhui thought. "You scoundrel...!" Namgung Jinkyung shouted, his voice resonating through the air, causing the ground to tremble as streams of inner energy surged from his entire body. The power of the Heavenly Thunder Monarch Technique surged forth, and a blue aura began to envelop his body. "That's... Heavenly Thunder Qi!" "Heavenly Thunder Qi, you say?" "So he mastered the Heavenly Thunder Monarch Technique!" The eyes of the Namgung family's retainers widened as they recognized the aura he emitted. The Heavenly Thunder Monarch Technique was one of the most challenging techniques to master within the Namgung family. "They say the Young Master's talent is almost comparable to the First Master's." As whispers circulated among a few who held their breath. "He's quite resilient, isn't he?" Indifferent to their noisy chatter, Cheonhui mumbled as he rested his sword on his shoulder. Even though he had restrained his strength a little, if it had been Jeokgeom or Seollan who took that hit, they would have fainted instantly. "Resilient indeed... Pfft!" Cheonhui couldn't help but laugh as he glanced at Namgung Jinkyung's face after he finally looked up. The once gallant youth was now nowhere to be seen, replaced by a bizarre figure with a swollen right cheek and lips. "Are you mocking me?" Namgung Jinkyung trembled with anger. "How can I not laugh seeing that face?" Cheonhui pointed at his face in amusement. Flustered, Namgung Jinkyung hurriedly raised his sword to use it as a mirror. "My... my face!" Veins bulged on his forehead. Swollen cheekbones and a demolished complexion added insult to injury. Grinding his teeth, he raised his sword. "I admit I underestimated you for a moment." Namgung Jinkyung lifted his sword high. "But now it'll be different!" He unleashed his inner energy explosively. In that moment, a bluish aura began to coil around his blade. But it didn't stop there. The aura, initially dispersing like threads, soon enveloped the sword like a cocoon, exuding a formidable power. "That... that's!" "It's sword qi...!" The faces of the Namgung family's retainers lit up like blooming flowers. The sword qi he demonstrated was not faint but distinctly clear. For Namgung Jinkyung, who was considered a first-rate warrior just recently, to manifest such clear sword qi... "The Young Master has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship!" The retainers of the Namgung family were elated. In stark contrast, shadows began to cast over the faces of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen. "So, this is what talent looks like..." "To be this young and still manifest such clear sword qi..." A few were even disheartened. Watching the bright blue sword qi, beads of sweat formed on Hyunjin's forehead. He had heard countless rumors about the Azure Dragon among the Five Dragons and Six Phoenixes. The most outstanding martial genius among the Wulongsabong (Five Dragons and Four Phoenixes). One of the two suns of the Namgung family. Despite all the grandiose language, he had thought that perhaps he was no ordinary genius. But to reach the pinnacle at such a young age! Hyunjin bit his upper lip hard and then swiftly reached for his waist. "If the Azure Dragon cuts down Cheonhui..." Startled, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen swallowed nervously at Hyunjin's words. "We move without concern for the aftermath." At that moment. Bang! Namgung Jinkyung pressed forward with firm steps. His movements more vigorous than before, he closed the distance to Cheonhui. Simultaneously, his sword swung from all directions. "Take this!" The force was so strong that Cheonhui's hair and attire were blown back by the gust. "Quite refreshing." Cheonhui lightly stepped back, observing the newer sword art. Swoosh— In an instant, Cheonhui vanished, reappearing behind Namgung Jinkyung. "...!" Namgung Jinkyung's eyes wavered, missing Cheonhui's movement for a split second. Cheonhui's movement was truly extraordinary. He would appear on the left, then suddenly to the right, approaching and then retreating at unexpected moments. 'He's mastered the Ascending Steps!' The footwork Cheonhui showcased was the Seven Star Steps, something every disciple of the Mount Hua sect learns. Watching Namgung Jinkyung struggle to keep up with his eyes, Cheonhui moved his lips slightly. "Much better than that talk of some thirteen lightning strikes nonsense." Namgung Jinkyung gritted his teeth. "You seem relaxed." "There's room for it." Cheonhui replied nonchalantly. "By the way, what's the name of that martial art?" "...It's the Celestial Boundless Sword Technique!" "Ah! So that's the Celestial Boundless Sword Technique." No wonder it seemed familiar. The Celestial Boundless Sword Technique, a proud technique of the Namgung family, one Cheonhui had witnessed several times in his past life. 'Though, it feels a bit different now.' His heart raced. Whereas the technique in his past life felt lofty and overflowing with power, the one now was hefty and vigorous. 'I should carefully observe how it's changed.' Cheonhui flicked his sword and spoke. "Then this time, show it properly. Not sloppily like before." Crack! With Cheonhui's not-so-subtle provocation, a thread of Namgung Jinkyung's rationality snapped. His eyes flipped, and he drew all his inner energy, raising his sword. The sword, now held high, shimmered with a blinding blue light, embodying the power of the sky itself. "That lightning aura..." "...The Azure Sky Thunderbolt!" Recognizing the sword technique Namgung Jinkyung was about to deploy, several elders of the Namgung family rose to their feet. It was one of the signature moves of the Celestial Boundless Sword Technique, the strongest technique that could obliterate everything. For Namgung Jinkyung to execute it at his age was nearly impossible. "Was the Young Master's talent truly this extraordinary?" "Incredible..." Witnessing their reaction, Hyunjin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen sensed that this was not an ordinary situation. "We must intervene!" Following Hyunjin's command, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen brandished their swords and charged into the training ground. "Cheonhui!" "Cheonhui!" But before they could reach them, Namgung Jinkyung's sword descended, unleashing a fierce lightning strike. Rumble! Lightning flashed in Namgung Jinkyung's eyes. "I'll end this!" With a triumphant expression, he looked down at Cheonhui, a victorious smile forming on his lips. 'I'll make sure you pass out, but not die!' The image of Cheonhui collapsing and vomiting blood played vividly in his mind when... "Tsk. This won’t do." Caught off guard by the unexpected voice, Namgung Jinkyung stiffened. Instead of being intimidated by the Azure Sky Thunderbolt, Cheonhui watched him with a disappointed expression. "I didn't expect your skills to be so lacking." Cheonhui found it hard to hide his disappointment. This was far too weak. It was almost embarrassing to compare this to the Celestial Boundless Sword Technique he had witnessed in his previous life. 'It seems measuring martial skills properly with the talent of later generations is impossible.' Without hesitation, he swung his sword. In that instant, his sword curved and clashed with the lightning descending from the sky. ZZZAP! The lightning that had streaked through the blue sky was sliced in half and vanished. "No way! The Azure Sky Thunderbolt!" "Let's finish this." Cheonhui charged towards Namgung Jinkyung. Whack! With the sound of leather tearing, Namgung Jinkyung's body lifted and flew back. "The Young Master!" Before even a scream could escape, Namgung Jinkyung was caught by a middle-aged man seated nearby as he flew out of the training grounds. "Ah! Young Master! Are you all right?" The middle-aged man looked at the unconscious Namgung Jinkyung and was momentarily confused. "Quickly, bring a doctor!" Watching the crowd gather around Namgung Jinkyung, Cheonhui shifted his attention to Hyunjin, who had climbed onto the training grounds. "Why did you come up here?" "I... I came to protect you..." Hyunjin stammered, flustered. "What? To protect me?" Cheonhui furrowed his brows. To protect me? "That was unnecessary." Hyunjin clamped his mouth shut, speechless. "Oh, but more importantly." Cheonhui turned his head swiftly. He looked steadily at Namgung-in seated in the audience, twisting his lips. "Is this enough?" Namgung-in remained silent, glaring at him. With a disdainful look, Cheonhui gazed downward as if to ask what he intended to do next. What are you going to do? His eyes mocked. Namgung-in had already told him to take responsibility. Through their duel, Cheonhui had shown his strength and had taken responsibility accordingly. 'And now, you're planning to retract that?' To not acknowledge his words on responsibility was akin to spitting in his own face. Especially for the head of the Namgung family, it would be disgraceful. 'You should be accountable for your own words.' Recalling the words Namgung-in had directed at him, Cheonhui twisted his lips further into a smirk. "If it's not enough, shall I continue?" * * * Once they reached the guest quarters, everyone, almost simultaneously, felt their tension release, sagging their shoulders and letting out deep breaths. "Phew. I almost had a heart attack." "Indeed, Senior Brother. My heart is still racing." The Plum Blossom Swordsmen exchanged glances, calming their surprise. "But it's astonishing. Who would have thought Cheonhui possessed such martial prowess." Upon someone’s quiet remark, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen's eyes sharpened like a wildcat's and swung towards the approaching Cheonhui. "Junior!" "When did you learn such martial arts?" "You could have at least given us a hint with those skills." Words poured out rapidly. Cheonhui squinted at the barrage, weary of the noise. "Everyone, restrain yourselves." Hyunjin promptly intervened with authority. "You're going to make Cheonhui distaste this." Only after seeing Cheonhui’s expression did the Plum Blossom Swordsmen awkwardly scratch the back of their heads. "Haha. But it’s truly incredible." Calming their excitement, Hyunjin beamed at Cheonhui. "I heard you were receiving direct guidance from Brother Hyundo, but I had no idea your skills had reached this level." Though that information was incorrect, Cheonhui didn't bother to correct it. And this led to a misconception. 'I had no idea they were secretly nurturing Cheonhui for the future of the sect.' Especially since Hyundo earned respect after defeating the Lord of the Hundred Ghosts and claiming the title of Volcano Divine Sword, admiration had been growing. To have nurtured Cheonhui to become such a seasoned martial artist meant that respect elevated to unparalleled heights. 'The Senior Brother, once known for impulsiveness and a single-minded focus on martial arts, has changed...' Hyunjin, who vividly remembered Hyundo's past self, felt a rush of sentiment. "Haha. Our sect is truly blessed!" "Indeed!" "It is all thanks to the Heavenly Venerable's blessings watching over our sect." The Plum Blossom Swordsmen echoed their agreement, nodding along with Hyunjin's thoughts. Their brief celebration was filled with excitement. "Now, let's focus on unpacking." Once the laughter subsided, Hyunjin swiftly erased his smile. "It seems we might have to stay at the Namgung family longer than anticipated," "What?" "How long?" "They said it would take at least four days to verify the bodies." "Four days?" "And that's just the minimum..." Sighs of dismay echoed from all around. Though they were guests, they were still in the enemy territory of the Namgung family. Furthermore, there was the uncomfortable event of Cheonhui's duel with the Azure Dragon. The Namgung family surely wouldn't view their visit warmly. "Ugh." "It can't be helped." But what could they do? The situation was already decided. As the Plum Blossom Swordsmen resignedly moved to collect their luggage— Swoosh— Someone quietly slipped away. It was none other than Cheonhui. 'If not now, when will I have a chance to explore the Namgung family estate?'