Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 48

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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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#048

 

“If it’s Nakhoang Gwonggap…”

 

Song Ja-in searched for that term in her memories.

 

“Isn’t that the old name for Bihoang Gwonggap?”

 

“That’s right. Then you must know the story of Bihoang Gwonggap well too.”

 

“Of course. I heard it was an absolute weapon created by a man who harbored resentment against the Hwangbo Clan, made solely for the purpose of destroying the Hwangbo Clan. They say it’s called the demon’s touch among martial artists who use fist techniques.”

 

A hundred years ago, an incident occurred where a figure who would barely make the bottom of the list if you were to name the top fifty martial arts masters killed half of the Hwangbo Clan.

 

Hyeollyeonja Gwangja-in.

 

Though he ultimately ended his life in mutual destruction with the Hwangbo Lord, many believed there would have been more casualties if he hadn’t been exhausted.

 

That weapon which brought the greatest crisis in Hwangbo Clan history was none other than Nakhoang Gwonggap.

 

The gloves, the very gauntlets made with the single-minded determination to erase the Hwangbo Clan.

 

After Gwangja-in’s death, the Hwangbo Clan tried to destroy Nakhoang Gwonggap, but fell into a dilemma when they discovered that wearing it doubled the power of fist techniques.

 

The Hwangbo Clan, whose power had suddenly weakened from the fight with Gwangja-in, ultimately decided that the Lord would keep Nakhoang Gwonggap.

 

-To remember past crises and never become complacent.

 

Using that as the official reason, they transformed Nakhoang Gwonggap into Bihoang Gwonggap.

 

Since then, it became an exclusive weapon that only the Lord could use, passed down to this day.

 

“I have it.”

 

Because the previous Lord of the Hwangbo Clan died on Gwigokdo.

 

“If I didn’t mishear…”

 

“The Hwangbo Clan Lord also died on Gwigokdo.”

 

She already knew that Ja-gang-cheon came from Gwigokdo. However, she had never seen the treasure vault yet.

 

Since she had received the Chosaneuiseo in the first place, there was no need to hide the story of Gwigokdo.

 

“I was just organizing things to give to Auntie anyway. Since it came up, shall we go together?”

 

“Is that a place we can go to so easily?”

 

“Now is the time to raise everyone’s power. Still, I’m only revealing it to the three people here. Keeping it secret is important.”

 

Looking at the treasures, even three people seemed like a lot, but she didn’t particularly argue.

 

Honestly, she was curious about Ja-gang-cheon’s treasure vault too.

 

It was a natural reaction for any martial artist. She just didn’t show it because she had enough experience to suppress such feelings.

 

But then she heard a name that made her carefully controlled heart flutter.

 

“Poison King Man Sim-ak.”

 

Song Ja-in’s eyes sparkled.

 

He was the only person who could be compared to Song Ja-in in poison arts. But now that he was dead, she had no rivals.

 

She hadn’t been interested in such relationships while trying to save her son, but now it was different.

 

‘To protect my foolish nephews, I need to strengthen myself too.’

 

As if understanding her feelings, Ja-gang-cheon spoke.

 

“There are three medicine bottles he left behind. One poison and one antidote each, but my parents couldn’t figure out the third one.”

 

“It’s probably a core ingredient. You concentrate key materials that take a long time to manufacture and store them in advance. Using it as is has little effect, but with just a simple process, it can become either a deadly poison or an antidote.”

 

“I thought Auntie would know. Then you must know about the last one too.”

 

“Is there something else?”

 

Song Ja-in felt her heart race with excitement for the first time in a long while.

 

“The medicine bottle. There was something written on it. I couldn’t interpret it though.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Song Ja-in sensed that would be more valuable than the medicine itself.

 

“Shall we go now then?”

 

“I’m trembling.”

 

She felt excitement for the first time since the day her husband confessed to her.

 

Moving to Ja-gang-cheon’s room, they immediately entered the passage beneath the bed.

 

Song Ja-in, who hadn’t reacted even when the night pearl illuminated the darkness, was shocked speechless upon entering the warehouse.

 

“Ah…”

 

Could such a place exist in this world?

 

Secret manuals that would each bring bloodshed to the martial arts world filled the warehouse.

 

Could they be fake?

 

There was no need for such suspicion.

 

‘This aura is unmistakable.’

 

From the moment she entered the warehouse, the tangled energies made it hard to breathe.

 

This was a sensation felt more keenly by masters.

 

Song Ja-in suddenly recalled a famous saying by an absolute master.

 

-A sword is merely a tool I use.

 

He used truly ordinary swords, but unfortunately fell to a master wielding a famous blade.

 

When skills were similar, weapons sometimes determined victory or defeat.

 

‘What about divine weapons like these?’

 

Through long history, such divine weapons had acquired unique properties.

 

Song Ja-in was feeling a dizzying thrill that made her heart feel like it would burst from those energies.

 

“No place in the world would be more valuable than here.”

 

Could any martial artist refute this assessment?

 

“So now I’m thinking of actively utilizing them.”

 

“Utilizing them?”

 

“I’ve been trying to hide them as much as possible until now. But now I’m thinking of using what’s available. They’re useless if I die.”

 

Saying this, Ja-gang-cheon held out a box and a black fan.

 

“Poison King Man Sim-ak’s medicine bottles and Honmasen.”

 

“Ah…”

 

She had secretly hoped for Man Sim-ak’s medicine bottles. But she hadn’t expected to receive Honmasen.

 

“You used to use a fan as a weapon, right? Honmasen should be a great help.”

 

She usually used palm techniques infused with poison arts, but when weapons were needed, she used iron fans.

 

“Could this be the Honmasen of Mang-hon Nomo?”

 

Song Ja-in’s hands trembled as she received the fan.

 

Honmasen.

 

When waved with internal energy, it had the characteristic of spreading sound waves like the screams of vengeful spirits.

 

The sound waves could be controlled according to the depth of one’s internal energy, and from the opponent’s perspective, it felt like being possessed by ghosts, hence it was called Honmasen, or sometimes Silhon Cheolseon.

 

“You like black, don’t you? I think it will suit you well.”

 

She originally insisted on black silk clothes with camellia flowers painted on them.

 

Honmasen also had black fan ribs with a stormy sky painted on them, so it matched quite well.

 

“I should add some decorations to hide that it’s Honmasen.”

 

“Decorate it according to Auntie’s taste. I think you’ll do well.”

 

Song Ja-in suddenly looked at Ja-gang-cheon’s smile and realized how surreal this moment was.

 

The Poison King’s true legacy and Honmasen.

 

As a martial artist, she had dreamed of opportunities, but this level of opportunity was unconscionably generous.

 

Yet it had become reality.

 

The problem was that it still wasn’t over.

 

“Hyeongnim Pansuk.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“You remember the promise from before. Now it’s time.”

 

“Could it be…”

 

Pansuk’s lips trembled as he grasped the meaning.

 

“Thank you! Hyeongnim!”

 

As he bowed his head, tears suddenly scattered in all directions.

 

At that sudden emotional change, Ja-gang-cheon quickly spoke in a warm voice.

 

“Take it. Hyeongnim earned it through effort.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon handed Pansuk a mysterious purple-tinted staff.

 

“It’s the Mangabong (Forget-Self Staff).”

 

A legendary weapon passed from Ja-gang-cheon’s hands to Pansuk.

 

The Mangabong appeared to be just a high-quality silver iron staff at first glance. But up close, it held a subtle purple hue, and when swung, slight vibrations traveled through one’s hands.

 

Made from a mixture of Cold Iron, Purple Steel, and Black Iron Essence, it was characterized by being lightweight despite its exceptional strength. Beyond that, nine moving weights inside caused speed and power to increase when swung or thrust with force.

 

Moreover, since the three metals had properties that absorbed internal energy, it also had the effect of supplementing endurance.

 

It was named Mangabong because during training, people often became so absorbed in its effects that they lost themselves and fell into a state of selfless absorption.

 

It was the beloved weapon of Baek Ui-rang (White-Robed Wolf) Dam Jin-so, who was called the greatest chivalrous wanderer in the martial arts world.

 

“It’s a weapon that lost its master. Hyeongnim, please become its new owner.”

 

That wasn’t the end of it.

 

Ja-gang-cheon placed dark-colored rings on both hands of Pansuk, who was dropping tears from his cow-like gentle, large eyes.

 

“These are called Mugang Internal Power Rings.”

 

They were bracelets called Internal Power Rings.

 

They were items that helped amplify or stabilize internal energy, one of the five Internal Power Rings that existed in the martial arts world.

 

Among them, the Mugang Internal Power Ring boasted the highest performance for internal energy amplification.

 

The Mugang Internal Power Ring was known to be lost, but it was discovered on the corpse of Gwang Geom-rang (Mad Sword Wanderer) Lee So, a demonic sect master from Sichuan.

 

The fact that it was the Mugang Internal Power Ring was discovered only after Ja-gang-cheon’s father personally used and identified it.

 

Though Ja-gang-cheon handed it over as casually as giving a birthday present, the Internal Power Ring was considered the greatest treasure in the martial arts world.

 

If it truly amplified and stabilized internal energy, there would be many martial artists willing to sacrifice ten years of their lives for it.

 

“Hyeongnim! For someone like me to receive such a thing…”

 

“Don’t use words like ‘someone like me’ about Hyeongnim. We’re family.”

 

“Waaah!”

 

In the end, Pansuk burst into tears.

 

Being innocent and kind didn’t mean he was unaware of life’s weight.

 

He was twenty-seven years old this year.

 

He who hadn’t even determined his life’s direction gained a clear goal after meeting Ja-gang-cheon.

 

‘I’ll help Hyeongnim develop Deungmyeong Manor.’

 

Though he had made this resolution, he didn’t say it directly.

 

‘I’m just doing errands anyway.’

 

It had always been that way.

 

Even in the Black Society, there were many good brothers, but they didn’t entrust him with big tasks.

 

It was the same at the manor.

 

He did odd jobs and mainly ran errands.

 

But they definitely made him train in martial arts. And now he had completely escaped from menial work.

 

Opportunities were given, and at some point, they began treating him like real family.

 

‘Will they trust me?’

 

An orphan from the Black Society.

 

Thanks to his innocence and large build, most people treated him kindly.

 

But Inryeok Sojangnin was the only one who showed him trust.

 

‘I didn’t do anything special, yet Lord, Subordinate, and Aunt trust me. Come to think of it, there’s also Pil-saeng Hyeongnim. And So Cheon-i likes me too.’

 

He realized one thing.

 

‘Was the wall in my heart something I had built?’

 

Everyone treated him sincerely, but he was the one who thought it might be fake.

 

‘Come to think of it, the manor family always treated me the same way.’

 

Pansuk couldn’t hold back and bowed deeply.

 

“I will protect Hyeongnim and the manor family for life! I promise!”

 

To his sincerity, Ja-gang-cheon simply replied.

 

“Thank you. Hearing those words gives me strength.”

 

Pansuk wondered if he should hug Ja-gang-cheon tightly. Unfortunately, while he was pondering, Ja-gang-cheon turned his gaze to Cheon-gu.

 

“Then only Cheon-gu is left.”

 

“I already have this.”

 

Cheon-gu showed the Moonlight Sword.

 

With both mental cultivation method and sword technique, it was actually more than enough.

 

“Actually, this is from the Evil Sect. But it’s not related to demonic energy or demonic arts. It’s not very famous either.”

 

What Ja-gang-cheon handed over was a black leather glove.

 

It had no special features on the outside, and there was only one, not a pair.

 

“It has no name, so my parents called it Muyeongsu.”

 

Muyeongsu (Shadowless Hand).

 

It meant a hand without even a shadow.

 

“Try putting it on. It’ll feel special, so don’t be startled.”

 

Cheon-gu followed Ja-gang-cheon’s suggestion and put Muyeongsu on his right hand.

 

He felt thin, smooth leather, but at some point, sensation began to diminish.

 

“Huh?”

 

Before long, Cheon-gu fell into the illusion that he had lost everything below his wrist.

 

“I can’t feel anything.”

 

“I thought the same at first. But it’s the opposite. It becomes so sensitive that you feel discomfort. Would you like to try gripping a sword?”

 

Cheon-gu drew and gripped the Moonlight Sword.

 

The Moonlight Sword gripped with Muyeongsu felt different from before.

 

“Try circulating your internal energy lightly. With the feeling of flowing it into the Moonlight Sword.”

 

When he followed the instruction, the lost sensation of his hand began to return. But even the Moonlight Sword he was gripping felt like it was part of his own arm.

 

Only then did he truly understand what it meant to become extremely sensitive.

 

“Wow…”

 

He could clearly feel even the smallest movements and tremors of the sword tip.

 

“Since it’s a varied and flashy sword technique, delicate sensation will be helpful.”

 

It was just as Ja-gang-cheon explained. Immediately, Cheon-gu was overwhelmed by the desire to swing his sword with this sensation.

 

“Thank you. The debt I need to repay has increased again.”

 

“Don’t repay it all at once, but repay it little by little while being my friend for life.”

 

“I will.”

 

“Now! And I’m planning to create a separate mental cultivation training room.”

 

Ja-gang-cheon finally mentioned another plan.

 

“We have quite a few items that help with internal energy improvement, like the Energy Stones and Concentration Incense. I want to gather them all in one place.”

 

“Well, having such a training room would be more efficient.”

 

Until now, Cheon-gu and Pansuk had been taking turns using them while avoiding people’s eyes.

 

“I think it would be good if Aunt could help us. You said Dogok had many research rooms.”

 

Hearing that, Song Ja-in fell into pleasant imagination.

 

‘A training room utilizing the Hundred Greatest Treasures of the martial arts world.’

 

Wouldn’t it become the greatest sacred place in the martial arts world?

 

To think I could create and design that with my own hands.

 

Even when I got my personal research room at Dogok, I wasn’t this excited.

 

“Leave it to me.”

 

As Song Ja-in said this, she looked around the interior of the cargo hold once more.

 

‘Looking at it again, it still doesn’t make sense.’

 

To her, this moment felt like a dream.

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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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