Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 104

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 104. The Sword Demon’s Teachings First House.
“Do not leave the vicinity of Shikin Gyou for even a moment. Guard it.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, Master.”
At Jin Heuk Cheon’s command, the members of the Majang Shikin Corps obeyed without question.
There was not a trace of doubt or curiosity in their eyes.
Jin Heuk Cheon nodded with satisfaction and opened his mouth again.
“The Gourmet Way is not merely about ‘what one eats’—what truly matters is ‘how one eats.'”
Jin Heuk Cheon began expounding to his disciples the Gourmet Way he had personally discovered.
“No matter how precious or rare a dish may be, if one consumes it without explanation, without the story that makes it special, it is difficult to achieve true satisfaction.”
Jin Heuk Cheon trembled as he recalled his first meal.
At that time, there had been abundance of stories to tell.
The sense of betrayal he felt toward the senior brothers and sisters he had wept and laughed with for more than twenty years, and toward the master who had raised him tenderly as an orphan—these enriched that dining table beyond measure.
“Therefore, what truly matters in the Gourmet Way is personal awareness. To know what one is eating, to understand the story woven into each meal—this is essential.”
Thump!
Jin Heuk Cheon then lifted up a hot pot hanging within Shikin Gyou.
“What my long cultivation taught me was that the true Gourmet Way depends not on such implements or trivial technique.”
Crash!
The hot pot fell and rolled amid dust.
The members of the Majang Shikin Corps gasped in shock, their eyes wide.
The hot pot Jin Heuk Cheon had thrown was one of his most treasured possessions, crafted by himself, a master chef of the first rank.
“The highest Gourmet Way I have discovered is Tastelessness—perceiving the absence of flavor itself.”
Confusion flickered across the eyes of the Majang Shikin Corps members.
How could one possibly perceive something that has no taste?
Observing their bewilderment, Jin Heuk Cheon smiled enigmatically and spoke.
“It is simple enough. To savor the pure essence of ingredients themselves without artificial flavoring—this is the true Gourmet Way.”
“Ah!”
“The intrinsic taste of the ingredient itself…”
“That is the Way.”
The Majang Shikin Corps members marveled, and Jin Heuk Cheon expounded upon the Way of Tastelessness.
“This concept of Tastelessness resonates with the Food Talk I mentioned earlier. Therefore, I myself shall turn my steps toward Bu Yang.”
Whoosh. Whoosh.
Jin Heuk Cheon retrieved two broad rectangular cleavers from the wall of Shikin Gyou.
Those blades, with circular rings attached to their hilts, were the Soul-Devouring Vegetable Blades—the unique weapons of Jin Heuk Cheon, Master of Shikin.
“I shall now proceed to Bu Yang and exterminate every last member of the Dan Ri Sega family. Not a single worm shall I leave alive—I shall slaughter them all.”
Whoosh!
From Jin Heuk Cheon’s eyes, black as a beetle’s shell, black demonic energy began to pour forth in torrents.
“What shall the warriors of the Dan Ri Sega feel when they hear this news? When their wives, their children, their parents—all devoured by me—what emotions shall grip their hearts?”
“Aah…!”
“Indeed!”
“So that is it!”
Now the members of the Majang Shikin Corps, understanding at last the Gourmet Way Jin Heuk Cheon expounded, wore expressions of rapture.
The warriors of the Dan Ri Sega, having lost their families, would despair, regret, and rage.
All these complex emotions woven into their stories would become Food Talk.
As a result, the intrinsic flavor of the ingredients themselves would be elevated to the utmost extreme, allowing one to perceive Tastelessness.
“Hehehehe—they shall not flee from me. Like moths to flame, they shall rush forward and be drawn into my mouth.”
No ingredient is easier to prepare than enemies consumed by hatred.
They do not scatter in flight, but come straight to their death.
“Aah! How bountiful these days shall be!”
Pop!
Jin Heuk Cheon, expression alight with anticipation, vanished from that place.
Creak! Thump!
Two members of the Majang Shikin Corps closed the gates of the empty Shikin Gyou and took up positions as sentries.
* * *
Hum… Hum…
“…A truly unhinged loach, that one.”
Namgung Ho Yeon murmured, watching the blade trembling in his hand.
It was a sword he had taken from a member of the Majang Shikin Corps.
Through the Sword Heart Resonance, this Jin Heuk Cheon was no ordinary madman—he was an upper-tier lunatic, genuinely, completely deranged.
Tap-tap! Whoosh!
Ho Yeon slipped free of the dark form and considered the situation.
‘They meant to escape using Gold Thread Shedding, then buy time with False Bravado Masquerade.’
He had seen through their scheme.
Jin Heuk Cheon was a master of the Fire Realm.
If he chose to move alone with intent, tracking his movements would be arduous indeed.
‘They leveraged the sinister reputation of Shikin Gyou. The idea that the palanquin itself is Jin Heuk Cheon had spread far and wide.’
A tactic of Borrow Corpse Return Soul.
To resurrect the soul by borrowing the corpse.
The classic example was Zhuge Liang, who foresaw his own death while pressing the northern campaign and ordered his corpse to lead the retreat.
It was a famous tale—how Sima Yi, pursuing them, had felt fear upon seeing Zhuge Liang’s body and withdrawn.
‘They fixed all eyes on Shikin Gyou while he moved alone to strike at the heart of the Dan Ri Sega?’
A bold, unconventional stratagem.
But it was transparent.
‘They never anticipated being ambushed the moment they reached Mong Seong. It was my independent action, after all.’
Our forces had indeed planned to hold the line using the Xuanwu Silver Formation to its fullest extent.
The enemy were mere brigands thrown together—with time, supply and morale would fracture, or so the calculation went.
A diversionary unit had even been organized to cripple their supply lines.
‘But without Jin Heuk Cheon, there’s no reason to remain on the defensive. I should shift at once to offense and pursue Capture Thief Capture King.’
Now the only commander left to the enemy was Meng Pyo, the Twin Silver-Handed master.
Eliminate the leader, and with momentum blazing like wildfire, the Geumsu Bandit Gang would be routed.
Then the voice of the Cheonrae Geom came forth.
—Little one. Why does your thought stray from your heart?
“What do you mean?”
—The most vital thing you deliberately exclude from your thinking. What of the Dan Ri Sega?
“…….”
At the sword’s question, Ho Yeon fell silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
“It is not unfavorable.”
—What’s that?
“The Namgung Clan will suffer no harm.”
All the Heavenly Spear Guard are stationed in Mong Seong.
Jin Heuk Cheon’s target is the destruction of the Dan Ri Sega, not the Namgung Clan.
And those currently residing in the Dan Ri Sega are mostly non-combatants.
Even after the assault, the Dan Ri Sega’s military strength will suffer little loss, and they will continue to serve as our bulwark against the northern frontier.
“If anything, it is advantageous. With this, victory in the Mong Seong war is assured. From the moment they revealed Gold Thread Shedding to me, the choice passed into our hands.”
—Do you truly believe that?
“This is war. Not the Righteous Wanderer Way.”
—So those little ones who followed you around like shadows?
This time it was the Heukya Tae Geom that spoke.
Ho Yeon answered him flatly.
“That’s why I told them—war is not a game, go back. It’s the fate they chose for themselves. I can only pray they escape well.”
—Those fools look like the type to flee?
“…….”
Ho Yeon fell silent again.
Then the Heukya Tae Geom spoke in a tone unlike his usual manner, grave and measured.
—Little one. I respect whatever choice you make. If you wish to live as you did in the past, I will not stop you.
“…….”
—But the you I watched over in those years did not look happy.
Stillness.
Ho Yeon’s footsteps ceased.
—You were always alone. A Sword Demon on your back, you merely swung your blade at your enemies. For me it was good—to fight many masters—but what of you?
“I…….”
Ho Yeon reflected on the past.
It seemed he heard Dan Wee Myeong’s voice.
“Perhaps… perhaps a man’s fate is decided at birth……”
“A truly meaningless life it was……”
‘A fleeting existence, lived only to survive……’
‘Why was I born? Why do I live? Why do I wield this blade?’
The voices of that time, tangled with resignation, regret, and confusion.
As Namgung Ho Yeon, born anew, the memories that had grown faint came flooding back in vivid detail.
“My enclosure…… exists…… but they must be outside it…… ?”
As Ho Yeon murmured in confusion, the Cheonrae Geom spoke this time.
―Young one. Three years ago you told me you would make the Namgung Clan the greatest clan under heaven once more. Consider carefully whether this choice aligns with that purpose.
“The greatest…… clan under heaven.”
Ho Yeon echoed his own purpose.
Back then, he had thought it lightly.
The Sword Demon Dan Wee Myeong was called the greatest master under heaven.
So if he merely recovered his past state, the Namgung Clan would naturally become the greatest clan as well.
But there was a clear difference between becoming the greatest master and creating the greatest clan.
Over the past three years of reviving the clan, Ho Yeon had felt it in his bones.
‘What exactly is the greatest clan under heaven anyway? Who decides such a thing?’
The Sword Demon cut people down.
He carved through them with terrifying brutality.
And so he became the greatest master.
He was recognized as the most vicious villain in all of Jianghu and the Martial World.
‘But how can I create the greatest clan under heaven?’
Is it enough to be the strongest?
Is it enough to have the most people?
Is it enough to be the wealthiest?
How exactly did the Namgung Clan of old earn the title of greatest clan?
Then the voice of that man from three hundred years ago—the master of the greatest clan—echoed in his mind.
“The Three Paths Alliance pooled all their strength merely to stop you…… now peace shall come to the Martial World.”
“Cough! Forgive me. I could not be certain that a tiger would not bite a man.”
“Sigh, sigh. Personally I would have wished to be your friend…… but I too have my position to consider…….”
“Once more…… on behalf of this world…… I beg your pardon…… truly, I am sorry…….”
The Sword Sovereign, Namgung Cheon Gang.
The Namgung Clan under his leadership was truly and in substance called the greatest clan under heaven.
That old fool had a chance to kill him but chose to release him instead, and in the end sacrificed the clan to lead the charge against the Sword Demon—a madman through and through.
And yet he spouted such nonsense about wanting to be friends, about apologizing on behalf of the world—a ridiculous old man indeed.
‘From a descendant’s perspective, old Namgung Cheon Gang was the architect of the clan’s decline. Yet not a single member of the Namgung household resented him.’
On the contrary, there were many warriors who respected Namgung Cheon Gang for sacrificing himself to succeed in slaying the Sword Demon.
“…….”
Ho Yeon, caught in a state of half-understanding, furrowed his brows.
Lost in thought, Ho Yeon finally opened his mouth as if something had just occurred to him.
“……Ah, now that I think about it, I left it at the Dan Ri Sega.”
―What did you leave?
“My Janggi pieces. I took the trouble to repair them, and it would be a shame if they broke. I was planning to put them to good use later.”
―……You are never straightforward, are you.
―Bah-ha-ha! Come on now! That’s a waste! Let’s go get them right away!
As Ho Yeon scratched his cheek and spoke, the Cheonrae Geom murmured as if exasperated, while the Heukya Tae Geom cried out again with vigor.
Ho Yeon let out a slight laugh and nodded.
“Fine. I can’t stand anyone laying a hand on my things.”
Pop!
Ho Yeon’s body vanished from the spot.
* * *
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Are you certain you’re all right?”
“Looks can be deceiving. I’m made of iron.”
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Cheon Se Geuk flexed and released his arms, checking his physical condition.
He wanted to depart for Mong Seong at once, but his benefactor would need him in proper working order.
Cheon Se Geuk resolved to set out this morning only after bringing his body fully up to speed.
Clink! Clatter! Clatter!
He checked the ten swords bound with red cord on his back and nodded approvingly.
“All set. I’ll be on my way.”
“I’m jealous. Should I go too?”
“Gwang Myeong. We have a duty here.”
At the sight of Cheon Se Geuk, Gwang Myeong puffed out his plump cheeks in disappointment, and Hye Il soothed him.
“But Hye Il! How can I make a name for myself escorting a supply convoy!”
“Heh, Gwang Myeong. Our purpose is to serve the Dan Ri Sega’s interests, not to chase glory, is it not?”
“Don’t be foolish, young one. Protecting the supply convoy is important work too.”
At Gwang Myeong’s protest, both Un Am and Nan A stepped forward to restrain him.
Gwang Myeong’s lips jutted out as he muttered to himself.
“Tch! What is this, like a sack of barley left sitting? I came prepared for real action…….”
“Haha, master. I shall accomplish twice over, for both of us. So then…… eh?”
As Cheon Se Geuk spoke with a smile to Gwang Myeong, his face went ashen in an instant.
The next moment, a tremendous boom erupted from the direction of the front gate—loud enough to shake the entire Dan Ri Sega compound.
Crash!

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