73 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Episode 73 It took a full hour for the carriage carrying the group to finally leave the domain of Bicheon Association and enter the territory of the Martial Alliance. “Finally, we can breathe a little easier.” “Phew, it was exhausting.” Cheon Yoo and Goo Kyum-Ui slumped over in their seats. The tension that had been tightly wound for nearly four days had loosened considerably, making their words and actions sluggish. Seeing this, Hyunjin chuckled. He understood their feelings all too well. During their stay at the Namgung family, he too had suffered internally and felt the pressure weighing down on him. "You all did well." He then glanced at Cheonhui. Leaning back against the seat, Cheonhui was engrossed in a martial arts manual, seemingly isolated from the others. ‘Haha. Youngest disciple, are you watching this? The seemingly weak disciple you brought along has now become a master who defeated Cheongcheon Geomryong.’ The thought still astonished him. Cheongcheon Geomryong was a highly regarded master within Bicheon Association, yet he was defeated. And it wasn't even a close match. Pride swelled within him. ‘Our sect’s future is indeed bright!’ Then a thought suddenly struck him. "But Cheonhui, who exactly was that person? Seeing Cheongcheon Geomryong being so respectful, they must not be an ordinary individual…" “They mentioned they were the Taesang family head.” The carriage went silent instantly. “The, the Taesang family head?” "The Taesang family head?" "Is that true, disciple?" "Yes." Cheonhui responded nonchalantly. “He was Lightning Sword.” Hyunjin was late to release a gasp of shock. "I thought it was a name I had heard somewhere before..." He then swallowed dryly. Lightning Sword was one of the legendary five swordmasters whose tales he had heard since he was a child. ‘How could I forget such a thing!’ He chastised himself for having forgotten. ‘But still…’ “Why would the Taesang family head of Namgung give a gift to Cheonhui…?” The thought escaped his mouth. “They said they wanted to repay the favor for some advice I gave them in creating martial arts.” As Cheonhui spoke, the expressions of the three listeners were thrown into even deeper shock. “You, you gave advice on creating martial arts?” “To Namgung’s Taesang family head?” “………!” In a competition of masters, where could one find such a story? The opponent was the legendary Lightning Sword. Yet he gave advice on the creation of martial arts? It was hard to believe. “Is that really true?” “What would I gain from lying?” That was when it happened. "Disciple!" With a booming voice, Goo Kyum-Ui called out to Cheonhui with eyes wide open. “Could, could I also receive some advice on martial arts?” Cheonhui squinted his eyes. “Advice? For that, couldn’t you just ask Senior Hyunjin?” Feeling annoyed, Cheonhui tried to pass the request over to Hyunjin. “Well…” Goo Kyum-Ui hesitated, scratched his cheek awkwardly, and turned his head. Watching this, Hyunjin laughed. “Hahaha. I admit my teaching ability is somewhat lacking.” “That’s not true.” Despite Goo Kyum-Ui’s hurried denial, Cheonhui had already discerned enough from their behavior. “So you’re asking me for advice?” "Yes." "Why?" “I want to become strong and confident, like you, my disciple.” Goo Kyum-Ui clenched his fists tightly. “I no longer want to stay silent in the face of disrespect toward our sect.” His words made Hyunjin and Cheon Yoo flinch. They, too, were affected by this statement, having remained silent back then. An empty husk? Hardly. An indistinct smile played at the corners of Cheonhui’s mouth. He had thought they lacked pride, quietly enduring even when faced with such words. But that wasn’t the case. They were simply enduring, knowing when to hold back. ‘Moreover, if they are coming to me, their younger disciple, for guidance, it shows they have plenty of ambition to get stronger…’ Observing the three suppress their anger as they recalled that time, Cheonhui mouthed the words softly. “Alright, I’ll make it happen for you.” * * * That evening, as the group prepared to camp out in the wild, “Let's go somewhere quiet for now.” Cheonhui left his seat. Hyunjin, Cheon Yoo, and Goo Kyum-Ui followed him, arriving soon at a secluded clearing. “Then let’s spar.” “Phew, a spar it is.” Nervously, Goo Kyum-Ui unsheathed his sword. “Alright, come at me.” In a short while, Hyunjin and Cheon Yoo, watching from afar, could only gape with their mouths wide open. “He's completely toying with him.” “It seems like Cheonhui should be the senior disciple instead of me.” Cheon Yoo spoke with a smile, but his back was drenched with cold sweat. ‘Was Cheonhui’s martial ability always this dominant? Even when he sparred with Cheongcheon Geomryong, I thought there was something extraordinary, but it was nothing compared to this.' Goo Kyum-Ui, close in skill level to me because he did not inherit the family name, is the comparison. And yet, how is the current situation? It hadn’t been long since the spar began, but Goo Kyum-Ui was already overwhelmed by Cheonhui. Cheonhui hadn't moved even a single step, while Goo Kyum-Ui was the one running around escaping. The skill difference was palpable. “Cheonhui’s capabilities have already far surpassed the latter-stage master level.” Hyunjin could not help but express his admiration. But only for a moment. “However, the form is too extravagant.” As the bout continued, Hyunjin’s brows furrowed even more. The sword technique being used by both Cheonhui and Goo Kyum-Ui was the Nakyoung Sword Technique. It seemed they were using the same sword technique to impart lessons. “This is unacceptable.” Hyunjin objected. Although the Huashan Sect’s sword techniques were known for their beauty, the Nakyoung Sword Technique was meant to be weighty and practical. Yet what was this? Cheonhui’s display was like a dance performed by a swordsman—light and extravagant. “……His exceptional talent has led to a mistake.” Hyunjin massaged his forehead. Since its creation by the founder of their sect, the sword technique had been honed and perfected over countless years by their predecessors. And yet it was being altered at whim. Such disrespect was a grave offense against the elders' teachings. Meanwhile, Goo Kyum-Ui also realized something was odd about Cheonhui's swordplay. “……Disciple, what are you doing?” Retreating swiftly, Goo Kyum-Ui scoffed with a deeply furrowed brow. “The Nakyoung Sword Technique isn’t like that.” “Why? Shouldn't it be concise and sharp, rather than light and showy?” “Well, yes… exactly.” Cheonhui chuckled at Goo Kyum-Ui, who stammered in bewilderment. "It's not supposed to be like that." With his words, he raised his sword again. "Let me demonstrate the Nakyoung Sword Technique that Brother Goo just used." Contrary to before, Cheonhui moved swiftly and with precision. It was the form that Goo Kyum-Ui had executed. Clang— Blocking Cheonhui’s move, Goo Kyum-Ui seemed puzzled as if to ask why he hadn’t done this correctly earlier. “If you can perform it properly like this, why did you do it that way before?” "When you couldn’t block it earlier, you were so busy evading. Now, you're blocking it easily." "What...?" “Try blocking it again.” As Cheonhui began moving his sword once more. “Ugh! Ugh!” Goo Kyum-Ui found himself fleeing backward in under six seconds. “Do you understand now?” Goo Kyum-Ui was dazed. Though it initially seemed like Cheonhui's light and flashy Nakyoung Sword Technique could be easily avoided, he was barely escaping. But what about the original Nakyoung Sword Technique? Goo Kyum-Ui swallowed hard. “Maybe if I perform the forms properly, you can see it better.” Before Goo Kyum-Ui could respond, Cheonhui swung his sword broadly. It was a style unlike any Nakyoung Sword Technique that had been known thus far. Goo Kyum-Ui’s vision blurred as he watched. The way the sword danced light and vibrant, one felt a mere breath could send it flying. The sight was reminiscent of the martial arts name itself, ‘Nakyoung,’ like falling petals. “I learned it was supposed to be swift and practical…” Half-whispering to himself, Goo Kyum-Ui clamped his mouth shut. That was how it had been taught from the start. By the head of the sect, the elders. Everyone in Huashan Sect said so. Except for Cheonhui, who was currently wielding the sword. By then, having demonstrated all the forms, Cheonhui rested his sword on his shoulder and asked. “How was it?” “It was an incredible sword technique… Ugh.” Ready to answer unconsciously, Goo Kyum-Ui quickly swallowed the rest of his words. Admitting it might cause trouble. But before he could dwell, Hyunjin, who had been watching the spar, couldn't hold back any longer and ran up frantically. “What on earth was that?” Hyunjin's face was pale. He had never seen a technique like it. Light yet potent and remarkable. “It’s become slightly lighter and flashier than the original, but isn’t it easy to recognize?” “A bit...?” Hyunjin was dumbfounded. Where is it just a bit? The Nakyoung Sword Technique's concise and practical movements were no longer present. ‘Yet it's stronger...’ It was troubling. If it were weaker, he could criticize it. But the modified Nakyoung Sword Technique was far superior to the original. Even he, who initially considered it a grave transgression against the elders, had to concede. ‘What should I do about this?’ Hyunjin stood at a crossroads. Should he acknowledge it, or should he deny it? Unable to decide, he decided to ask Cheonhui. “Why did you perform it that way?” “Because that’s the way it’s originally done.” Cheonhui’s candid reply left Hyunjin frozen. “It’s not supposed to be such a light and flashy sword technique.” “No, I believe this is correct.” “What?” Cheonhui, observing Hyunjin’s astonishment, continued speaking. “If it’s the Huashan style of swordsmanship.” “What does that have to do with anything…?” Cheonhui felt frustrated. ‘Even when I explain it like this, you don’t get it.’ “Who created the Nakyoung Sword Technique?” “That was the founder…” In mid-sentence, Hyunjin furrowed his brow as he grasped what Cheonhui was implying. “Are you saying the Nakyoung Sword Technique, since it was created by the founder, is meant to be as flashy as the other martial arts?” “Exactly.” Finally, the message got through. Cheonhui wore a relieved expression. “But surely, Nakyoung Sword Technique has long had practical movements…” “What good is that practicality?” Cheonhui cut off Hyunjin’s detailed explanation with a grin. “This is much better.”