193 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

EP.193 Interlude - Mistake * * * The intense war continues in Qinghai, and the most ferocious battle undeniably rages at the frontline. "Jincheon." Namgung Jincheon's uncle, Namgung Un, called to him. Namgung Jincheon, sitting cross-legged in the center of the training ground, opened his eyes in response. "Yes." "It's time to set out. Prepare yourself." Namgung Jincheon stood up. His martial energy, not yet fully gathered, drifted in the air. Namgung Un was quietly amazed. 'You're getting stronger by the day.' An incredibly fast pace. Having watched Namgung Jincheon for twenty-two years, he could keenly sense the ascent to a new realm. The reasons were likely multifaceted. Perhaps the miraculous elixirs he consumed since childhood were finally integrating through the real battles in Qinghai. Maybe the brutal face of war had refocused Namgung Jincheon's mind. But if asked to name the most plausible reason, Namgung Un would say this: "You must really want to defeat Mok Liwon, don't you?" Namgung Jincheon flinched. A faint irritation flickered across his face. "...I just don't want to fall behind. That guy will continue to move forward even while I'm doing this." His tone was filled with conviction. Namgung Un also deeply resonated with those words. After all, had there ever been a martial artist in Jianghu who grew as rapidly as Mok Liwon? Had anyone displayed such shocking progress? Surely, somewhere at this moment, Mok Liwon is gaining new insights. 'Of course, he is no less than the disciple of the Sword Saint.' Namgung Jincheon would understandably feel anxious. Before Mok Liwon appeared, Namgung Jincheon was the foretold future leader of Jianghu. Having lived with that belief, the sudden emergence of a rival was undoubtedly an inviting challenge. 'Should I even be grateful?' He pondered whether he should send something to Mok Liwon as a token of gratitude. As he thought, Namgung Jincheon passed by Namgung Un. "Let's go. To the battlefield." Namgung Un scratched the back of his head at the sharpened aura of Namgung Jincheon. 'It's going to be tough to win in a duel soon.' Slowly, with Namgung Jincheon closing in to the point of breathing down his neck, he began to worry about his status as an uncle. * On the border of Qinghai and Xinjiang, forces from the Dark Sect and Central Plains, bearing different banners, clashed. Namgung Jincheon spoke while standing beside his grandfather, Namgung Hyuk. "Are you moving separately again today?" "Yes, today I intend to settle this." Namgung Jincheon nodded. For nearly a week, Namgung Hyuk had been chasing after the Dark Sect's elders wreaking havoc on the battlefield, along with the Venom King Jin Geon and the Slaughter Star Yeom Sosol. But their target was too elusive, leaving no leads to follow. Given Namgung Hyuk's personality, his temper would have been rising to its peak by now. "Where are you headed?" "I intend to capture the Demonic Sword. I've had some encounters nearby." Though every time our paths crossed, they managed to slip away, his target remained the Demonic Sword. "It's frustrating to be dealing with such a defensive martial art. I won't be satisfied until I land at least one hit." "Bring me his head, and I'll refine your swordsmanship once more." "I won't forget." Namgung Jincheon drew his sword. That was the moment. Bwooooooooo―! A horn resounded across the battlefield. It was a signal for war. "Let us go," said Namgung Hyuk, sharply advancing forward with a thud. In an instant, Namgung Hyuk was already in the center of the battlefield. He raised his sword high into the sky. And then swung it down as if beheading the air. Kwaaaaaaaaaaang―! A sword Qi shot straight through the center of the Dark Sect's camp, tearing everything in its path. "Chargeeeeee!!!" With Namgung Hyuk's shout, the war broke out. * About a day had passed since then. Once again, the battle ended in a war of attrition, consuming each other's forces. The balance didn't tip in any particular direction, maintaining a tense equilibrium. Naturally, as time passed, the consumption of stamina and mental strength grew severe. Namgung Jincheon was no exception. "So you couldn't catch him." "He slipped away like a rat." Namgung Jincheon clicked his tongue. The Demonic Sword Yeon Rigeon, owing to his defensive martial arts, made it tough to land a sword thrust, fleeing whenever an opportunity presented itself, making him incredibly annoying. Today was no different. The moment he thought he could finally land a hit, other Dark Sect members intervened, dying in Yeon Rigeon's place. "Take a rest. The word is there will be no battles for the next three days." "Yes." Namgung Jincheon returned to his quarters. His body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. By his condition, he should have collapsed into sleep immediately. Yet, Namgung Jincheon could not easily drift off. ‘How long will this war continue?’ Thoughts swept through his mind. Concerns about when this war would finally end surfaced. These continuing thoughts eventually reached a woman. ‘Seo Ye.’ Hao Munju Seo Ye. What is she doing now? Could the Dark Sect members, whom they failed to stop here, have reached as far as Guizhou, where she resides? Maybe it’s because of her that I'm fighting so desperately, Namgung Jincheon thought, as a small smile lifted on his face. 'I hope she’s not hurt.’ Not being the hardiest person, he worried about that. It was during his rest that he heard something. -Young Master. His attendant spoke. -A guest has arrived. "Hmm?" Namgung Jincheon sprang to his feet. Could it be, could it truly be Seo Ye? Wasn't he the only one yearning for her? Had Seo Ye come all this way out of concern for him in the battlefield? A budding smile started to form at Namgung Jincheon's lips. He walked quickly to the door and opened it. And froze in place. "Jincheon, it's been a while?" It was Tang Hwaseo. With sharp features, pale skin, and stark black hair in contrast—a distinctive woman. At that moment, an open disappointment appeared on Namgung Jincheon's face. A vein bulged on Tang Hwaseo's forehead. "What is that expression?" "Nothing." Why is it always a woman like this that shows up? This is no guest, after all. --- **Translation Notes:** 1. Namgung Jincheon (남궁진천) and Namgung Un (남궁운): No alternate translations, names reflect a martial family lineage. 2. Mok Liwon (목리원): As per character-specific translation, no alternate. 3. Seo Ye (서예): Her role provides a personal connection and motivation for Namgung Jincheon. 4. Attendant (시비): Traditional term for a servant or assistant, contextually translated as "attendant." 5. Tang Hwaseo (당화서): "Tang Hwaseo" is consistent with her character name, indicating familiarity with Namgung Jincheon. **Contextual Info:** - Namgung Jincheon’s dynamic depicts his struggle to match Mok Liwon’s growth, adding tension to their rivalry. - The gender-specific relationships and comparison between characters like Namgung Jincheon’s pursuit against Yeon Rigeon show interpersonal relations amid war. Namgung Jincheon grumbled under his breath, unable to voice his complaints openly. * Despite his inner complaints, Namgung Jincheon led Tang Hwaseo to the reception room, treating her as a guest was only proper. After they settled down with tea, he asked Tang Hwaseo, "So, what brings you here?" "What else? I'm here for supplies," she replied. Namgung Jincheon nodded. As the leader of the Sichuan Tang Family, her visit had only one purpose. "I'm glad to see you're doing well." "Do I look like I'm doing well?" "Just having your head attached is proof enough." As Tang Hwaseo narrowed her eyes, Namgung Jincheon kept his lips tightly sealed, resolute in avoiding unnecessary arguments. She truly possessed the imposing aura of the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly’s tyrant. The room fell into a brief silence before Tang Hwaseo spoke again. "Before coming here, I stopped at other camps on the front lines." "Did you?" "Yes, I met with Baekbong and Il-Un as well." Namgung Jincheon was genuinely curious about their well-being. Despite everything, he couldn't ignore the bonds formed; he occasionally worried about how they were faring. As he focused more intently, Tang Hwaseo continued. "Baekbong is as she ever was." "Is she still meeting men even on the battlefield?" "She tried. The Emei Sect monks are preventing it, though." "At least she listens when someone intervenes." "But then, isn't there always the battlefield for releasing pent-up energy? The martial artists who've seen Baekbong in action say she should be called Baekryong, not Baekbong." When considering Hyeun’s fiery temperament, their comments were only natural. "What about Il-Un?" "He’s gotten stronger." Namgung Jincheon froze. "...He's gotten stronger." "They say there's no better teacher than real battle. His aura has become even sharper. Even he says it's unbecoming of a monk, but there’s something palpable about his growth." "What is it?" "He's approaching the Peak Realm's end." Namgung Jincheon let out a hollow laugh. Anxiety crept in. ‘...Do I need to watch my back now too?’ Just keeping up with Mok Liwon was enough to make his head spin, yet there were so many catching up. Recently, there were even rumors of Zhuge San reaching the Transcendent Peak Realm on the same day Zhuge Byeok met his fate. With chaos both ahead and behind, Namgung Jincheon's anxiety only deepened. At that moment, Tang Hwaseo spoke up. "...May I ask something?" "Hmm?" There was a slight caution in Tang Hwaseo's demeanor. Namgung Jincheon tilted his head, curious. Tang Hwaseo then asked, "Have you heard any news from the Young Lord Mok?" Ah, it seemed she hadn't heard about the Zhuge Family's situation due to her duties with the supplies. What to do, Namgung Jincheon pondered. In truth, it wouldn’t be a big deal to simply tell her, but feeling mischievous after hearing news from the others made him reconsider. ‘If it's the Poison Phoenix.’ Wouldn't the presence of Tang Hwaseo halt Mok Liwon in his tracks for a while? When Mok Liwon saw Tang Hwaseo, he sometimes became flustered, and might slack off in his training a bit. With childlike thoughts, Namgung Jincheon decided to say, "I heard he joined up with the Zhuge Family. There's a rumor that the women there linger around his quarters every night, enamored by the Black Dragon." Snap―! The teacup in Tang Hwaseo’s hand shattered. Namgung Jincheon hiccupped. "Oh?" A poisonous aura flowed from Tang Hwaseo. Namgung Jincheon held his breath. "I'd like to hear more about that." Seeing the ferocious gleam in Tang Hwaseo's eyes, something struck him. ‘...I’ve made a mistake.’ Namgung Jincheon rare feeling of remorse towards Mok Liwon surfaced. --- **Translation Notes:** 1. Baekbong (백봉) and Hyeun (혜운): Names belonging to martial characters linked with fiery temperaments, no alternate needed. 2. Il-Un (일운) and Il-Un Heredit (혜운): Their growth is a shared concern among warriors. "Il-Un" is the martial name, and "Heredit" refers to his given name. 3. Zhuge Byeok (제갈벽) and Zhuge San (제갈산): Zhuge San's recent rise in power offers context for martial rivalry. 4. Dragon-Phoenix Assembly (용봉단) and Emei Sect (아미파): Reflect martial society structures and their granular descriptions in the story. 5. Young Lord Mok (목 소협): Refers to Mok Liwon in a respectful manner, highlighting his significance. 6. Mok Liwon (목리원): Maintains previous translation choices, reflecting his growing centrality. **Contextual Info:** - Namgung Jincheon and Tang Hwaseo’s interaction provides insight into how personal relationships and martial growth intertwine. - The playful lie relates to Tang Hwaseo's feelings for Mok Liwon, creating unintended drama. - This exchange underscores multifaceted dynamics, building tension in character relationships amidst the backdrop of war.