Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 100

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 100. The Sword Devil Gains a Piece
“…….”
Crack! Creak!
Click! Click!
Cheon Se Geuk tested the Po Seung Jwul binding his entire body tight.
‘This isn’t ordinary rope. They’ve twisted wire into it.’
Even a man of prodigious strength would struggle to snap a rope like this.
But for a martial artist capable of channeling Nae Gong, it would be different.
The problem was that his own Nae Gong lay sealed.
Twelve critical Hyeol Do had been struck by Jeom Hyeol, and each time he tried to draw his Nae Gong, the circulation of Gi frayed, strand by strand.
‘This is the Okswae Sibi Ryeon.’
The Okswae Sibi Ryeon was a variety of the Bong Maek Jeom Hyeol Beop—a method of sealing Hyeol Do using twelve chains forged from jade.
It was among the most infamous sealing techniques ever devised, created by the authorities to capture and imprison Martial World adepts.
‘But it seems even the orthodox sects are sloppy. To seal the Hyeol Do using nothing but raw Nae Gong.’
In the Geumgeom Mun, when incarcerating criminals, they used Gangjang Jeong—heavy, reinforced nails.
Hammering specially forged Gangjang Jeong into the Hyeol Do proved far more effective than sealing through Nae Gong alone.
‘The man who subdued me—he said his name was Dan Ri Il. Dan Cheon Il Geom, if that’s true, would be a legendary Jeol Jeong Go Soo in Bu Yang. I grew careless.’
Though both his forearms had been severed and left him a cripple, his Dan Tian remained intact.
Moreover, the inner cultivation method he had mastered was something rather exceptional.
‘The Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gi—it should be possible!’
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
Focusing his mind, dozens of crimson threads began unspooling from his Dan Tian.
The threads, which had been combing through every Hyeol Do in his body, soon discovered the twelve chains.
Then the crimson threads wrapped around the Sibi Ryeon like a spider’s web, binding it tightly.
‘The greatest strength of the Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gi lies in its adhesion and extensibility!’
Rip! Tear!
Wrench!
Pulling the crimson threads with all his might, the Nae Gong lodged in his Hyeol Do like jade pearls began adhering to the threads, slowly being drawn free.
The threads did not snap but stretched with elastic resilience, and at last the embedded stones—the Sibi Ryeon—came loose one by one.
“Hnnngh!”
Boom! Crack-crack-crack!
His body convulsed against the Po Seung Jwul, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
‘It worked! The Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gi is truly extraordinary!’
Despite the bleeding, Cheon Se Geuk’s face bore no trace of pain—only the grim satisfaction of accomplishment.
Having thus used the Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gi to unseal the Okswae Sibi Ryeon, he now drew the threads back inside his body.
Whish-whish-whish!
Snick! Snick!
The crimson threads, redder than blood itself, sliced through the Po Seung Jwul strand by strand in an instant.
“Phew…….”
Taking a deep breath, Cheon Se Geuk lifted his trembling forearms to examine them.
Both his inner elbows bore two hideous sword scars that traced across his skin like lightning.
“Seo Bi Woo……! You bastard……!”
Crack!
Cheon Se Geuk ground his teeth, repeating his enemy’s name.
The ligaments Seo Bi Woo had severed—those on the inner surface of the elbow—connected the humerus above to the ulna below, and were among the most vital in the entire arm.
When they snapped, restriction fell upon the extension and flexion of the limb; for a Geom Soo, such ligaments were no less than life itself.
From the moment those ligaments were lost, Cheon Se Geuk had received his death sentence as a swordsman.
He had sought to end his life in despair at losing both arms, but an unexpected message had reached him—one he could not ignore.
“I can’t……die yet. I have to live……!”
As Cheon Se Geuk gazed at his quivering forearms and pledged his survival,
a hoarse man’s voice came from the adjacent cell.
“Hey, you bastard! Do we share this prison? Because of you, look at the state I’m in! You dog!”
“…….”
At the sound of that voice, Cheon Se Geuk’s expression hardened to ice.
Swift.
Rising from his position, Cheon Se Geuk lifted his leg toward the Cheol Chang.
Shwack!
A crimson flash blazed, and the Cheol Chang was sliced clean through like dry grass.
Step, step, step.
Cheon Se Geuk walked from his cell into the adjacent one.
There was a sturdy man in his thirties bound by the same Po Seung Jwul as himself.
“Damn it all. Got tangled up with some worthless bastard because of a mistake…….”
Cheon Se Geuk regarded the grumbling man with a quiet voice.
“Gong Cheol San. A rogue disciple of the Sowan Muga, who assassinated the concubine of the Geumwa Sangdan master in Guangdong.”
“How long ago was that…… Huh?!”
At the sound of a voice from outside, Gong Cheol San’s eyes went wide as lanterns.
“You, how did you……!”
“Saeng Sa Bul Mun. Ten gold pieces.”
“You crazy bastard! Stop your mouth——!”
Swish! Crack!
The instant Gong Cheol San opened his mouth to shout, Cheon Se Geuk cut through the iron bars with his leg and smashed his head down.
Crunch!
Gong Cheol San didn’t even have time to cry out before his skull split open and he died on the spot.
“Phew.”
As Cheon Se Geuk caught his breath, watching Gong Cheol San’s corpse crumple to the ground——
“Now that’s some style I can appreciate.”
“……!”
A clear, youthful male voice came from behind.
Tap!
Cheon Se Geuk retreated swiftly and raised his leg into a guard.
“……A young man?”
The figure in blue martial robes standing before the cell with arms crossed looked barely past his youth.
His face was strikingly handsome enough to make one catch his breath, yet Cheon Se Geuk’s gaze fixed not on his features but on the blade at his waist.
“……The Heukya Tae Geom!”
“Hm?”
“Are you Namgung Ho Yeon?”
To Cheon Se Geuk’s question, Ho Yeon let out an amused chuckle.
“What, is my sword more famous than I am?”
―Fuhaha! Oh, yes indeed! My magnificence is merely of this caliber!
The Heukya Tae Geom proclaimed boastfully in its raucous voice.
Cheon Se Geuk answered with a wary expression.
“Of course. That blade was the treasured sword of Dan Wee Myeong, the Sword Devil Who Makes the World His Enemy. No stripling like you deserves to carry it.”
“Ah, a sword devil who takes the world as his foe?”
“However you obtained that blade from the sword master’s hands, now that war has broken out, the Geom Soo will come hunting for you soon enough.”
“Frightening. Are the Geom Soo the likes of you?”
At Ho Yeon’s question, Cheon Se Geuk’s expression twisted.
“Not anymore……”
“Then what are you?”
“A bird with its wings broken.”
“And your master?”
“I have none.”
To Cheon Se Geuk’s reply, Ho Yeon nodded and spoke.
“The Dan Ri Sega has granted their approval. Your hold on life and death now rests with me.”
“At your whim?”
“At the whim of the stronger.”
“……Ha!”
A deep, bitter smile crossed Cheon Se Geuk’s cold face.
“If you’re thinking of using me as a chess piece on the battlefield, forget it. I won’t move as you wish.”
“Do you still harbor lingering attachment to Gucheon Seong?”
“None whatsoever. The debt I owed to the Geumgeom Mun was repaid along with both my arms.”
“Then why?”
At Ho Yeon’s question, Cheon Se Geuk, chewing his lip, murmured.
“I…… need to earn money. I have to get my daughter out of the Geumobong Ru.”
“The Geumobong Ru?”
“Beijing’s finest establishment. My daughter’s name is registered there as a courtesan. It was only one night’s connection, but she is the last blood kin I have left.”
“How touching. If you’re trying to tug at my heartstrings, spare yourself. Everyone has their circumstances.”
Ho Yeon spoke with an expression of indifference, and Cheon Se Geuk’s eyes sharpened.
“Let us fight.”
“Fight?”
“If I defeat you, let me leave this place unharmed.”
“And if the opposite were true?”
“I’d serve as a mercenary for free until things are settled with the Geumwa Sangdan.”
“You sure about that?”
Ho Yeon studied the drooping arms of Cheon Se Geuk as he asked.
At that, a meaningful smile played across Se Geuk’s lips.
“A quarter hour will suffice. Huh!”
Whoosh-whip!
The Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gi wound up both of Cheon Se Geuk’s arms.
The crimson threads fashioned artificial muscle where the severed inner ligaments of his elbows had been, wrapping around his arms like protective supports.
Thump, thump, thump!
The red artificial muscle pulsed like the beating heart of some living creature.
Watching this, Ho Yeon let out a soft laugh and spoke.
“Hm, that patchwork technique of yours—does it actually work?”
“You fool! The Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gong is a technique of the ages! Even though I’ve left Geumgeom Mun, my respect for the Blade Master has never died!”
As Cheon Se Geuk bristled as though he’d been insulted, Ho Yeon shrugged and replied.
“Ah, forgive me. Seeing someone pull the same tricks I do brought back old memories.”
“……I don’t understand what you’re saying, but your leisure time ends here. Now!”
Swish-crack!
As Cheon Se Geuk extended both hands, crimson threads shot from his fingertips and clung to the severed iron bars.
Whip!
Then his fingers began to move with the soft, rapid dexterity of plucking a guqin’s strings.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
The iron bars thrust downward toward Ho Yeon in unison, following the rapid rhythm.
“The Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gong—originally, it was a technique the Blade Master devised to support the Uigi Yeondong.”
Ring!
Ho Yeon drew the Cheonrae Geom as he spoke.
“The most critical thing he considered was compatibility with the Uigi Yeondong. And versatility.”
Ching! Clang-clang-clang!
Ho Yeon swung the Cheonrae Geom swiftly, intercepting every iron bar that flew at him.
“The Blade Master had to stand utterly alone, had to master everything by himself. Tendons and ligaments snapping was routine. The Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gong was an excellent auxiliary technique.”
“Lies! Haaah!”
Tap-tap-tap!
Cheon Se Geuk charged forward, gripping iron bars in both hands.
Ching! Clang-clang!
Crash!
After exchanging a few hand techniques with Ho Yeon, Se Geuk suddenly retreated, then hurled an iron bar directly at him.
Swoosh.
Ho Yeon stepped into the Gam Bo, slipping fluidly aside like water, and Cheon Se Geuk’s eyes gleamed as he flicked his ring finger.
Zing-zing-zing!
The iron bar that had been thrown reversed course, targeting the back of Ho Yeon’s head.
Cheon Se Geuk believed he had caught Ho Yeon with this gambit, but without even turning around, Ho Yeon sliced the oncoming bar cleanly in two.
Crack!
“The Gwui Ma Pung Chu—a decent technique, actually. I devised it after seeing children in Guangdong play with returning sticks.”
“……!”
“The Pungma Sal Geom is a difficult sword art, yet you handle it remarkably well?”
“How—how is this possible!”
Cheon Se Geuk was stunned.
The Pungma Sal Geom he’d learned was a sword technique usable only through the Cheonsa Geom Ryeong Gong—an enigmatic and unfathomable Byeonhwan Bi Geom created by the Blade Master Dan Wee Myeong.
Even the greatest masters might falter before an unfamiliar technique, yet Namgung Ho Yeon was parrying the Pungma Sal Geom with such practiced ease that it bordered on familiarity.
‘Has he faced another Blade Swordsman? I’ve never heard such a thing!?’
Realizing the Pungma Sal Geom’s surprise value had failed, Cheon Se Geuk gritted his teeth.
‘Half a quarter hour remains. This next one is the end!’
Ku-gu-gung!
Aware of time’s scarcity, Se Geuk gathered his Nae Gong, preparing his final, ultimate technique.
His fingers moved frantically, and the iron bars collided violently against one another in midair, spitting sparks.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Crack-crack-crack!
As dazzling sparks erupted, the iron bars shattered and rained down on Ho Yeon like hidden projectiles.
Crackle! Flash!
In response, Ho Yeon unleashed the Cheonrae Gi across his entire body, radiating it in all directions.
White lightning blazed into the dark prison, turning night to noon in an instant.
The iron rain that had poured down like a deluge became black ash, scattering like dark snow.
Whirrr!
“Haaah!”
Cheon Se Geuk, having shattered Namgung Ho Yeon’s focus with a dazzling assault, had assumed an unusual stance.
His left arm was bent in a curved shape, and crimson threads extending from his fingertips fixed to his shoulder, forming an arm bow.
Upon seeing this, Ho Yeon smiled with recognition and murmured softly.
“The Ma Ryeong Sa Gung? Ah, brings back old times. Put plenty of holes through heads with that thing.”
“Hah!”
Ping-ping-ping!
Twang!
Cheon Se Geuk nocked the Cheol Chang to the bowstring of the Ma Ryeong Sa Gung and released.
He was expending vast reserves of Nae Gong to create artificial muscle, so he couldn’t channel his full power into the shot.
‘Still, this will suffice. At his age, he can’t have accumulated more than a measure or two of Nae Gong.’
Crash-crack-crack!
Watching the arrow spin and fire forth with Jeon Sa Ryeok, Cheon Se Geuk was certain of victory.
However.
Crack-crack-crackle!
The next instant, dozens of strands of Jeon Ryeu Sa wove together in perfect confluence, forming a brilliant white sword screen—and Cheon Se Geuk’s face darkened.
Even at its minimum, more than one measure of Nae Gong was compressed into that Geom Myeon.
Thunderous boom!
As the blade swept forward, the roar of thunder shook the air, and with flashes of brilliant light, the arrow from the Ma Ryeong Sa Gung vanished without trace.
Crack! Hiss!
Whoosh. Click.
Ho Yeon sheathed the Cheonrae Geom, still crackling with white lightning, and spoke to Cheon Se Geuk, whose face had gone blank.
“This match. I win.”
“…….”
“Your answer?”
“Yes…… indeed. You are stronger than I.”
Snap! Pop-pop-pop!
As he spoke, the artificial muscle tore strand by strand, and Cheon Se Geuk, whose arms dropped to his sides once more, murmured with hollow regret.
“…… I’ve never felt so wretched about being crippled. To find even a proper match impossible against a Geom Soo of your caliber.”
“If you regret it that much, challenge me again later. I’ll accept anytime.”
“Ha ha…… no. It would only deepen my self-loathing.”
Cheon Se Geuk shook his head, gazing down at his trembling arms.
Ho Yeon, who had been watching him intently, nodded and spoke.
“You have weaknesses. Your character isn’t poor, either. By this measure, you’re hired.”
“Ha ha, thank you for rating a cripple so highly. Though with only both legs, I’ll reach Jeol Jeong Go Soo level.”
“I have plenty of Jeol Jeong Go Soo already. What I need is a failsafe—someone who can think in angles others miss. Not Jeol Ik Bi Gak, but Nan Pung Gwui Geom.”
“What on earth are you talking about……?”
Cheon Se Geuk lifted his head as if hearing the most bewildering thing imaginable.
Ho Yeon smiled faintly and extended his index finger as he spoke.
“I’ll restore your arms. Hired hand.”
“……!”
Whoosh!
The moment Cheon Se Geuk’s eyes widened, Ho Yeon’s finger wind pressed against his Hun Hyeol point.
Thud!
Watching Cheon Se Geuk crumple to the floor, Ho Yeon murmured to himself.
“First time mending someone else’s arms…… I’ll manage somehow, I suppose.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————