Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 57
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#057
“Nothing here either!”
“The other elders are reporting the same…!”
“What about the family head?!”
It was a total search mobilizing everyone from the Sichuan Tang Family.
Torches flickered everywhere as everyone combed through the area like hunting for lice.
Based on Namgung Hwi’s information about the silver mine’s interior, they were breaking through and searching every hideout that Eclipsenight had kept hidden, ensuring nothing could escape.
To prevent the search from taking too long, they divided into ten groups.
In this process, even Steward Gam, who would normally avoid the front lines due to his lack of martial prowess, was leading his subordinates and searching everywhere for Elder Dangmutae’s whereabouts—it was nothing short of the Sichuan Tang Family’s all-out war.
“…This can’t be…!”
Deep inside the silver mine.
Steward Gam couldn’t contain his shock at the massive cavern revealed within.
Every document scattered underfoot was clearly something that shouldn’t have been in this place.
He couldn’t even fathom how long, how many things had been plotted behind the scenes, eating away at and humiliating the Sichuan Tang Family.
-Rumble… thud…
It was a faint vibration.
The diverted waterway in the tunnel had burst, and water was flooding everywhere up to their ankles.
The situation could collapse at any moment.
In the plaza visible only by going deeper into the cavern, massive moonlight was streaming in.
There stood Elder Dangmutae, the very person they had been searching for.
“Elder Dang… Mutai!”
Upon seeing the enemy of their sect, Steward Gam nearly rushed forward in anger despite having no martial skills.
“Steward…! You must step back!”
“What are you all doing…! Elder Dangmutae is right there!”
Steward Gam shouted with bloodshot eyes.
“Quickly capture that despicable…!”
“Please calm down, his current aura suggests he has clearly restored his danjeon!”
The disciples of the Tang Gate shouted.
“If we charge in, our side will suffer tremendous casualties. The family head also said that in such situations, rather than rash engagement, we should first block escape routes and send signals to gather all other elders and disciples of the Tang Family.”
“Grr…! Then quickly fire the signal flare…”
Steward Gam’s words suddenly slowed.
“…But who is that person in front?”
Under the bluish moonlight.
There was someone blocking Dangmutae’s path.
His torn black martial robes made him look like someone who had fought through fierce battles.
Though trained, it was a frail body that couldn’t be called imposing even as flattery.
However, the man showed not an inch of retreat before Dangmutae, who was emanating qi.
Steward Gam was shocked.
“Wait! Isn’t that Young Master Hwi? What is he doing facing the elder? Why isn’t he getting away-!”
Before he could say more, the two figures began clashing with each other.
And.
“…What is this.”
“Good… heavens.”
Dozens of Sichuan Tang Family disciples watching the scene could only stand there dumbfounded. Steward Gam muttered with difficulty and bewilderment.
“What… am I looking at right now?”
***
“Nonsense! First Dark Emperor? Do you think I’ll be swayed by such unheard-of wordplay?!”
Dangmutae shouted.
“Someone like you… against me who has restored my danjeon! How dare you face me, an elder…!”
“Huuu-.”
I exhale deeply.
Whatever Dangmutae is barking about no longer reaches my ears.
Water droplets fall from the damp cavern ceiling. Under the reflected moonlight, tunnels tangled like spider webs are revealed. Rusty mine chains hanging everywhere creak and sway.
The tunnels were flooding in real time as water rushed in from all sides.
Countless torches reflected in the puddles on the floor dance.
Right now, I’m neither angry
nor enraged.
Nor am I looking down on an opponent who, despite his downfall, is still an elder of a great family.
The Dangmutae I’m currently facing is a martial artist.
Not just any low-level martial artist, but a noble high-level existence who had lived a systematic life with guaranteed advancement.
Even if he’s only just restored his danjeon, even if he’s only half the martial artist he was in his prime compared to his heyday, he’s still an existence that someone like me, a former assassin, should absolutely avoid in direct confrontation.
Though I’m facing Dangmutae, what I’m confronting is no longer Dangmutae.
This is the clearest turning point that will separate my past self from my present self.
This fight isn’t simply about winning or losing.
It’s not about life or death.
If I can’t overcome even this obstacle, I’ll ultimately be broken and the end will circle back to the miserable conclusion of my previous life.
Then I’m no longer worth living.
—Haaah…
The Pasabeolsik technique, imbued with internal energy, carves into my body as if tearing it apart.
Blood seeps out over it and soaks along my collar.
I can feel my blood vessels expanding as if I’m holding my breath.
My skin begins to tingle.
Steam erupts from my entire body.
Internal energy seeps in through the martial artist’s danjeon-based method, strengthening my entire body’s muscle power, and following the rhythm based on Pasabeolsik, circulation throughout my body accelerates with my pulse.
This was something I had never felt even once before—the foundation of everything I had built up.
-Creak.
Strength flows into my big toe.
I lightly turn both hands.
I clench my fists.
I stop breathing.
Haven’t I concentrated everything like a drill to advance past this moment?
Explode.
I prove it.
That everything so far hasn’t been in vain.
Including all my past struggles,
All my efforts will be strung together and ultimately shine like a pearl—.
“That it has meaning…!!”
—Flash!
My body shot toward Dangmutae like lightning.
-Crack!!!!
A thunderous sound.
My fist drove straight into Dangmutae’s face.
Dangmutae’s long hair, turning black, scattered wildly.
“Keu…ack!”
Dangmutae’s body plummeted like an arrow.
He was hurled against the wall with a thunderous crash. I leaped after him. Putting my full weight behind it, I drove my knee straight into Dangmutae’s abdomen.
-Crack!
I could hear the sound of Dangmutae’s ribs breaking.
As soon as I drew the awl, I stabbed downward.
-Kwack!
Dangmutae caught the awl.
Pushing it up, Dangmutae coughed up blood and shouted.
“You… insolent whelp dares!”
Dangmutae’s blue-green poisonous fist energy flew toward me.
“…!”
I extended my iron gauntlet to block it.
-Kwang!
With a thunderous sound, my body was sent flying.
I got tangled in the rusted iron chains hanging from the ceiling. My head hit the ground twice as I spun before crashing into the wall.
Dust clouds rose thickly.
I sprang to my feet.
Just as I was about to rush out, I noticed the tip of my awl had broken off and flinched.
-Whirlick!!
From Dangmutae’s embrace, an iron leather whip unfurled like a living snake.
At its end, hidden weapons and spikes fluttered like pendulums. At the same time, Dangmutae held daggers in both hands.
“You dare make me draw weapons?”
Dangmutae assumed his stance.
His two hands slowly traced through the air.
I could feel his internal energy beginning to concentrate.
“I’ll tear you apart in one strike…!”
The air trembled.
Dangmutae took his attack stance and shouted.
[Tang Form Finger…!]
“…!!!”
The moment my eyes widened, my body vanished.
[Pasabeolsik Second Form: Speed]
-Flash!
With lightning, my form appeared before his eyes like a thunderbolt.
Dangmutae’s eyes bulged.
“What kind of speed-.”
-Swish!
The awl in my hand swept like lightning. Dangmutae jerked his head back.
By a hair’s breadth, the awl pierced through where Dangmutae’s temple had been.
“Kuk!”
Dangmutae panicked and hastily created distance.
I had to pursue.
But for an instant, my body was frozen.
‘A technique…? Or a secret art? Clearly just now Dangmutae was about to shout a heart-word…!’
The most representative difference that separates superior martial arts from ordinary martial arts.
A completed technique that binds eight or more forms and movements into one framework, and unleashes them with a name that embodies the enlightenment and mental image of the forms – the heart-word. That is the insurmountable realm that separates ordinary martial arts from superior martial arts – techniques!
Beyond that, weaving multiple techniques together again, containing the true meaning realized throughout one’s lifetime into decisive secret arts.
This is superior martial arts…!
This is the world that only upper-class warriors with chosen families and sects can reach, and the decisive reason why I, coming from the bottom as an assassin, had no choice but to avoid fights with legitimate upper-class warriors!
What I possess is only the Dark Emperor’s Eight Forms that supplement and assist bodily movements needed for combat, plus blood techniques that amplify physical abilities.
‘I can’t let him execute a technique. If he creates distance, it’s over. I must stick close…!’
My advancing speed began to accelerate.
[Second Form: Speed. Maximum.]
The internal energy throughout my body began to boil. Accelerating.
“You think I’ll fall for that again?!”
Using footwork, Dangmutae moved away. The distance widened.
I rolled up my sleeves. What emerged beneath was the Ebony Dragon Bracers.
Clashing them together with all my strength, I shouted the true words of this divine artifact that I remembered, based on my previous life.
“Awaken…!”
-Clang!
The black dragons of the Ebony Dragon Bracers, which had been split in two, merged into one complete dragon, and its eyes blazed with blood-red light.
“Ebony Fang…!!!”
The surging energy and blood throughout my body accelerated as if about to burst…!
[Ebony Dragon Bracers Activation]
[Fifth Understanding]
-Pukack!
Blood burst from my lips as my body began racing at a speed incomparable to before, kicking off the air and accelerating once more.
“Good lord…!”
-Kwaang!!
My fist crashed into Dangmutae’s face with all my strength as he tried to deploy his technique.
Along with a nosebleed, the flustered Dangmutae staggered backward trying to recover.
I pursued him.
Stepping on the ground, kicking off the ceiling, running vertically up walls, I chased with all my might.
I raced in all directions through the tunnels that spread like a spider web.
Following the afterimages left by the two figures, water splashed in straight lines from the puddles on the ground.
“Hup!”
Finally creating a momentary gap, Dangmutae’s hands moved nimbly.
[Tang Military Seven Forms]
A technique of the Sichuan Tang Family!
Along with green poisonous mist, phantoms clear enough to see wolf fangs swept toward me.
“-!”
I extended my iron gauntlet forward with all my strength, wrapping it in energy.
Deflecting the green wolf technique with my iron gauntlet, I pulled my body to the side.
-Kwang!
-Thud…! Thud thud thud!!
The tunnels in all directions burst open.
Water streams began shooting up.
The ground cracked and tilted. The overall terrain began to slope.
Dangmutae and I began sliding sideways down the wet rocks. Our two forms became entangled.
Our fists and strikes clashed, creating thunderous sounds.
With a swish, I drew my awl.
-Kagagak!
Sparks flew as flames scattered along the dull awl pressed against the ground. I ground the awl against the floor.
As soon as the ground awl’s tip became roughly sharpened, I thrust it toward Dangmutae’s temple.
Dangmutae’s dagger clashed against its tip.
-Jjaung!
The dagger and awl shook violently.
-Pukak!
Blood spurted from both our noses.
Black blood gushed from our mouths.
-Kkagagang! Kaang!
The dagger and awl collided.
Dangmutae’s eyes became bloodshot.
The daggers in both hands grew frenzied.
[Saryo (Four Complete)]
-Chwaak!
The dagger deflected my awl and tore through my earlobe.
My deflected awl spun once in my palm with a whirling sound, then stabbed toward Dangmutae’s wrist.
“Kkeuk!”
One of Dangmutae’s daggers fell. The other dagger stabbed my shoulder, but I twisted my body and it grazed past.
Dangmutae’s palm strike hit my wrist.
-Kkaang!
The awl flew away.
My iron-gauntleted fist struck Dangmutae’s shoulder like a steel hammer.
With a crack, Dangmutae screamed.
In that instant, I kicked the deflected awl up toward Dangmutae’s solar plexus with my toe.
Dangmutae’s fist sent the awl flying far away.
Dangmutae’s attacks began to grow fierce.
Blood vessels bulged along his reddened face. Dangmutae’s expression held nothing but humiliation and malice.
-Pabat!
Dangmutae’s hands grew faster.
Countless hidden weapons sprang from his chest, filling both hands.
His form blurred as he charged toward me.
With that acceleration, green hidden weapons filled my vision at a speed too fast to react to.
They poured down like rain.
“Heup!”
I held my breath.
With a swoosh, the restraint that had been dulling my five senses was lifted.
[Samryo (Three Complete)]
-Jjeojeojeok!
The Pasabeolsik on my back expanded, spraying blood. The thudding sound of my heartbeat rang in my eardrums.
[Pasabeolsik Third Form Activation]
A goosebump-inducing sensation as my five senses awakened.
My pupils dilated as if they would tear.
[Dong (Unity)]
My whole body’s energy sense spread out as if pores had opened.
I could feel the waves of the hidden weapons pouring fiercely before me.
I could feel the vibration of air,
Every resonance rang out like bells, clear enough to feel even the grain of the wind.
The greatest and strongest advantage of an assassin over a warrior.
Maximization of energy sense.
It was like countless raindrops falling on a lake’s surface, the image of concentric circles layering upon each other…!
My body became blurred.
-Kagagagak!!
-Pibit! Pitpit!
Leaving afterimages, I dodged all the hidden weapons before my eyes. Even that wasn’t enough.
-Shwiririik!
The leather whip wrapped around Dangmutae’s wrist began thrashing like a snake.
The iron chain coiled around my armor shot out in response.
-Jjeojeojung! Jjeoeng!!
The whip and chain intertwined in midair. They lashed out like two snakes, exploding forth.
“Keuk… this bastard!”
He tried to create distance.
I pursued.
On the uneven terrain, Dangmutae’s superior footwork made him faster.
The gap widened.
No good.
While chasing, I reached toward my back.
[Iryo (Two Complete)]
-Cheolkeok, cheolkeokeok!
I pulled out three pieces of a short spear, instantly assembled them into one staff, and thrust forward while advancing.
“Bastard! Now even crude staff techniques!”
Dangmutae threw a punch at the spear shot before his eyes. The spear was neutralized, exploding into fragments.
“Huh?!”
When he couldn’t see my form that should have been beyond it, Dangmutae spoke in a bewildered voice.
“A warrior abandoning his weapon…?”
With all my strength, I charged barehanded.
I drove my iron-gauntleted fist into Dangmutae’s side.
-Wadeuk!
Dangmutae’s bones snapped.
Dangmutae was pushed back sharply.
I pressed the attack without rest.
With the sound of bones crushing, Dangmutae’s face turned pale.
“I’m…! Being overwhelmed?”
Dangmutae shouted.
“By some nameless nobody like this? Everything I’ve built up…?!”
Internal energy surged from his body.
“Don’t make me laugh… don’t make me laugh!!”
A blue-green poison bottle emerged from his chest and was swung around.
“Poison…?!”
I pulled back with all my strength.
Where the poison mist passed, the ground melted stickily.
Dangmutae wasn’t one to miss that moment.
“Even if I’m a half-rate member of the Tang Family who can’t even throw hidden weapons properly! Rather than lose to someone like you!”
Dangmutae coughed up blood. He drew the remaining two daggers from his chest, gripping one in each hand as he cried out desperately.
<Sesangyeomi noksa jicheon – The world is already stained, so that place becomes the green sky of death.>
-Thump.
I was horrified.
“Not technique incantation but true incantation ?! This madman!”
That meant only one thing.
-Kwadududu…!
Anyone could see it.
It was incomplete.
Not the complete version.
But even so, its momentum was different from the individual techniques that had occasionally appeared until now.
What enveloped Dangmutae’s entire body was a green mist mixed with blood-colored fog containing innate energy.
I mustn’t charge in.
This is different from before.
If this energy is what I think it is!
[Secret Technique, Mancheonhwaujong (Ten Thousand Heavenly Flowers Rain End)]
-Kwadududu!
A green dragon coiled and rushed toward me.
“…!”
I tried to twist my body and dodge, but this wasn’t the range of an individual technique.
Seventy-two swings that filled my vision completely white.
“Damn it…!”
I looked to the side.
I saw a rusty iron cart placed in the tunnel.
There was no time to think.
I hooked the cart with an iron chain, threw my body, and as soon as I got behind it, I lifted the iron cart to block the front.
I poured all my internal energy along with my body into the iron cart.
-Kwadududu!!
Along with golden waves, my body was torn to shreds. The iron cart was crushed and shattered. The muscles throughout my body burst and blood spurted up.
I grabbed a piece of the short spear lying on the ground and cleared away the completely crushed iron cart.
And seeing my intact body, Dangmutae’s face was mixed with despair and rage.
“You alone…!”
“Don’t tell me again…?!”
Dangmutae’s meridians burst and he vomited blood from his seven orifices.
But he didn’t stop casting.
His face was deathly pale, hovering on the brink of death, but filled with rage, madness, and obsession.
“Even if I sacrifice everything, you alone will be my companion in death…!”
-Puchak!
Before I could take any action, Dangmutae desperately spread both hands along with black blood and qi deviation.
[Secret Technique, Mancheonhwaujong (Ten Thousand Heavenly Flowers Rain End)]
My vision turned completely white in the green waves.
This time there’s no cart to block with instead.
What I held in my hands were only spear fragments and iron armor.
That was the same as Dangmutae in dual-wielding form.
What I could do was-.
“…”
I became strangely calm.
Even with death before my eyes.
And was it because this was the second time?
Or was it thanks to my senses awakened to the extreme by opening Pasabeolsik up to the third form?
Beyond my eyes tinted with blood,
I could see with unusual clarity Dangmutae’s stance as he executed seventy-two consecutive strikes.
-Thump.
Both hands moved.
I stepped forward.
Not retreating backward, but rather my direction was straight into the pouring green flames…!
Dangmutae’s seventy-two consecutive strikes filled all directions-.
[Illyo (One Understanding)]
-Kwadududu!!!
A massive swarm of green dragons swept through my afterimage.
And at some point, it stopped as if cut by a blade.
-Tuduk…
Massive dust clouds.
Within those dust clouds.
“Kuh… eoeouk…”
My iron gauntlet was embedded in Dangmutae’s solar plexus.
“You monster… bastard…”
Dangmutae looked down at his stomach.
He looked at me.
“Don’t tell me… you…”
“…”
“Did you just… copy my ultimate secret technique?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
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