Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 12

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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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Chapter 12. The Sword Demon Holds Forth
The Cangyong Squad.
In every sense, it was one of the Namgung Clan’s most formidable military units.
A battalion under the direct command of the family head, belonging to no faction within the clan.
Only those who carried the Namgung surname could enlist, and only to them was the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique transmitted.
For this reason, the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique was the squad’s pride and its honor.
And now, a crack had appeared in that honor.
“Hm…”
“Mm.”
“Ahem…”
In the great training hall of the Uncheon Pavilion, where the Cangyong Squad was quartered, the air hung thick with silence.
A space that should have rung with martial shouts was filled only with the sound of troubled breath.
The squad members gathered in the center of the training hall, passing a single volume back and forth, reading it over and again.
“Is this really true?” one young man finally broke the silence, and at once a sharp voice exploded.
“It can’t be!”
The one who cried out was a strikingly handsome youth with a sharp countenance, a blue headband wound tightly across his brow.
“This is all nonsense!”
“But Jaryang, if this Commentary Book is correct, everything makes sense. The fact that the technique’s flow has always been rough—that’s undeniable, isn’t it?”
“What?”
At those words, Namgung Jaryang’s brow furrowed and he cried out.
“Are you saying we deny everything we’ve learned of the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique until now?”
“N-no, but…”
When Namgung Jaryang lashed out so sharply, the young man flinched and retreated.
Namgung Jaryang had earned a reputation as a prodigy rivaling Namgung Cheonggang himself within the Cangyong Squad.
“Listen to me well. We have not gone wrong. What is wrong is this worthless Commentary Book. To dare tarnish the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique—that is a capital crime against the squad!”
Just as Namgung Jaryang was shouting vehemently, a quiet yet weighty voice was heard.
“Jaryang, are your eyes Fish Eyes?”
“What?”
Whip!
Namgung Jaryang’s head snapped toward the source of the voice.
There stood a strikingly handsome young man with bold lines and distinct features, possessed of a forthright and honest bearing.
“…Cheonggang.”
Namgung Jaryang had no choice but to swallow his anger, his nostrils flaring.
The one regarding him with those emotionless eyes was direct lineage of the most direct sort.
Namgung Cheonggang, the young master of the Namgung house.
“Ha! That you of all people would deny our efforts. You, who spoke so boldly of the Namgung Restoration!”
When Namgung Jaryang cried out, his voice thick with betrayal, Namgung Cheonggang’s mouth twisted.
“Amusing.”
“What?”
“The Namgung Restoration is not something accomplished through bold talk. It is a substantive goal that must be achieved in practice.”
As Namgung Cheonggang swept his gaze across the room, those whose eyes met his flinched involuntarily.
Still unrefined, perhaps.
But the Imperial Aura of a young sovereign.
“Therefore what matters is not ‘effort’ but ‘result.’ No matter how much time is invested, if the method is flawed, it must be changed.”
“…You’re one to talk.”
In the face of Namgung Cheonggang’s unyielding statement, Namgung Jaryang ground his teeth and glared at him.
“You can say that because you’ve mastered the Cangyong Squad Sequential Divine Art.”
“…What?”
“You’re damned direct lineage! You don’t understand the hearts of collateral branches like me!”
At Namgung Jaryang’s outburst, Namgung Cheonggang’s eyebrows twitched.
“J-Jaryang, stop! P-please!”
“You’re getting too worked up!”
“Shut your mouth! Am I wrong? The Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique is everything to me! I entered the squad through pure skill, and I meant to become the best through it! So what? That was wrong?”
Crack!
Namgung Jaryang ground his teeth as he glared at Namgung Cheonggang.
The gazes of both collided in the empty space between them, sending sparks of silent fury.
“Whether you’re the young master or anything else, I don’t care. We are equals as squad members, enlisted in the Cangyong Squad.”
“So?”

“Don’t lecture me like that!”
“…….”
“What else could it be? This Commentary Book. Written by our wonderfully talented youngest master, supposedly? What? A genius beyond compare? Ha! If this is how much they flatter the direct line, it’s absolutely sickening!”
“Jaryangยง.”
Crack!
Azure light flashed across Namgung Cheonggang’s eyes as he listened to Namgung Jaryangยง in silence.
Thoom!
Simultaneously, a heavy aura pressed down upon the training grounds, and Namgung Cheonggang’s cool voice slipped free.
“I can forgive rudeness toward me. As you say, we’re both members of the Cangyong Squad. But.”
Step. Step. Step.
With each footfall Namgung Cheonggang took, the pressure bearing down on Namgung Jaryangยง doubled.
“Kgh!”
“If you insult my brother even once more, I don’t think I’ll be able to forgive you.”
Boom!
Namgung Jaryangยง watched as Namgung Cheonggang began to emit the Imperial Aura, his teeth clenched.
‘So he’s already begun studying the Emperor Sword Form! What a cursed…!’
The Cangyong Squad Sequential Divine Art—he couldn’t learn it because he wasn’t direct line.
The Emperor Sword Form—he couldn’t learn it because he wasn’t the household master.
He’d clung to the one technique permitted him, the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique, training until his hands bled.
And now they meant to deny him even that?
‘What am I lacking compared to you? Talent? Impossible! It’s nothing but bloodline…!’
Dark clouds of resentment gathered in Namgung Jaryangยง’s heart at that very moment.
“Is this your training grounds, Cheonggang?”
A voice clear and pure as rolling jade resonated through the training grounds.
At the same instant, the aura that had filled the space dissipated entirely.
And Namgung Cheonggang’s stern expression melted away like spring ice.
“Hoyeon!”
“What? Brother, what are you doing here?”
“I was waiting for you!”
“Really? How did you know I was coming?”
“Ha ha ha! Your brother knows all!”
Tap-tap-tap!
The moment Hoyeon appeared in the training grounds, Namgung Cheonggang rushed out to greet him.
The members of the Cangyong Squad stared, eyes wide as saucers.
“Did Cheonggang just… laugh?”
“He thawed that icy face…”
“So that’s the youngest master. A genius beyond compare…”
All eyes fixed on Hoyeon.
Indeed, resembling the lady Peng—known throughout Beijing as the most beautiful woman in a city famous for its beauties—he was a fair-faced youth so striking that admiration rose unbidden.
“Ha ha! You came to see me?”
“No.”
“No…?”
“I came by the way. Father told me to have you teach me the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique.”
All attention focused on the two brothers conversing so naturally together.
Namgung Jaryangยง, suddenly cast aside and forgotten, glared at Hoyeon while grinding his teeth.
Grind.
‘That little brat is a genius beyond compare? And what—he’s going to be taught the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique? Ha!’
A dangerous glint passed through Namgung Jaryangยง’s eyes.
‘…Very well. I’ll test you, then.’
* * *
“Fall in.”
The middle-aged man in the blue martial robe spoke.
Apart from the sword scar on his right cheek, his appearance was neat and sharp.
But this man was none other than Namgung Junecheon, Master of the Cangyong Squad, and among the Namgung Clan he ranked among the top ten masters.
Swish-swish-swish!
At Namgung Junecheon’s quiet command, the squad members gathered in perfect order.
Observing the Cangyong Squad arrange themselves in five rows without delay, Namgung Junecheon spoke.
“Today, a special guest has graced the Cangyong Squad with their presence. Since you seven squads are all that remain of the clan, you represent the Cangyong Squad in its entirety. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
Namgung Junecheon nodded at the resonant reply, then turned his gaze toward the guest beside him.
He was a small boy who barely reached up to his chest.
Yet Namgung Junecheon’s eyes, fixed upon him, brimmed with anticipation.
‘Could this child actually realize the Namgung Restoration?’
Namgung Junecheon was the only high-ranking official from the Changtian Council present at that time.
Standing behind Namgung Baek, he had heard the clan head’s affirmation and felt his heart race.
Because of that, he’d been able to arrange this meeting faster than anyone else by requesting it from the clan head.
“Allow me to introduce you. This is young master Namgung Hoyeon.”
“Hello, I’m Namgung Hoyeon.”
At Namgung Junecheon’s introduction, Hoyeon bowed his head in greeting.
At that adorable sight—like a squirrel bowing—smiles bloomed naturally on the faces of the Cangyong Squad members.
But this particular squirrel was no ordinary squirrel; it was a killer squirrel.
‘Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that blue robe. I used to shred quite a few of them.’
Hoyeon gazed at the Blue Martial Robe of the Cangyong Squad, lost in nostalgia.
The cloud pattern embroidered on the chest and the characters reading “Azure Heaven.”
He’d felt so good back when he’d stained those red…….
“Young master Hoyeon?”
“Yes?”
Too caught up in those exhilarating memories, Hoyeon had missed part of what Namgung Junecheon said.
Seeing this, Namgung Junecheon assumed the boy was nervous and offered him a warm smile.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be watching from behind throughout your lecture.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”
Namgung Junecheon withdrew to the rear, leaving only the Cangyong Squad members and Hoyeon in the training ground.
‘Hmm…… what should I do?’
Hoyeon scratched his cheek and gave the Cangyong Squad members a quick once-over.
He’d never received instruction before, and he’d certainly never given any.
‘If I just had a suitable sparring partner, I could teach them by fighting…….’
Hoyeon smacked his lips.
The Cangyong Squad members watched him with eyes full of expectation.
Feeling the weight of their gaze, Hoyeon’s eyes began darting about when something caught his attention.
‘Hm?’
Among the eyes filled with unfamiliar emotions, he spotted a pair of eyes bearing a familiar one.
‘Oho, that ferret-looking bastard. I like the look in his eyes.’
A ferret wearing a blue hero’s headband on his forehead was glaring straight at him.
Pleased by that gaze, Hoyeon nodded and spoke.
“I’ll assume you’ve all read the Commentary Book on the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique, and I’ll conduct the lecture in question-and-answer format. First, you there.”
Tap!
Having pointed at the ferret, Hoyeon flashed a broad smile as he spoke.
“Our handsome squad member, please go ahead and ask a question.”
* * *
‘So even the great official Junecheon got taken in by his lies. Why should our proud Cangyong Squad debase itself as his stepping stone!’
Namgung Jaryangblasphemed against that child in his heart, infuriated by what he perceived as an insult to his beloved squad.
Because of that, he glared at Hoyeon with pure hatred.
‘I’m going to enjoy tearing off your mask!’
It was just then, as Namgung Jaryangwas biding his time for an opportunity, that something unexpected happened.
“Our handsome squad member, please go ahead and ask a question.”
Hoyeon had pointed at Namgung Jaryangand granted him the floor.
‘What? What’s this?’
Namgung Jaryangpaused, bewildered, and looked around.
His gaze then met Namgung Cheonggang’s, who was sending him a look of disbelief.
‘……Heh!’
That look lifted Namgung Jaryangspirits, and he stepped forward, muttering to himself.
‘So you’ve got an eye for talent. I’ll go easy on him then.’
His original intention had been to humiliate the boy thoroughly, but now he’d settle for giving him a moderate scolding.
Thud.
Having made this decision, Namgung Jaryangstepped forward and handed Hoyeon the Commentary Book on the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique.
“Take it.”
“Hm?”
“And step back. We won’t need this.”
“……Ah, as expected.”
At Namgung Jaryangโ€™s words, Hoyeon nodded as though it were exactly what heโ€™d expected.
Seeing that reaction, Namgung Jaryangโ€™s brow furrowed as he continued.
“I have no questions for you, sir. Because there is nothing I wish to know.”
“Ah, is that so? Then allow me to ask: why do you need this?”
At Hoyeonโ€™s question, Namgung Jaryangโ€™s voice rose in a shout.
“Obviously because my original sword technique is far superior! You may treat this as child’s play, but for someone who has lived his entire life for the Cangyong Boundless Sword Technique! This situation itself is deeply insulting!”
“I, I…!”
“Jaryangโ€”!”
……
While the members of the Cangyong Squad stood stunned, Namgung Cheonggang stepped forward with a rigid, hardened expression.
Then.
“Hehehehe! Hahahaha!”
Hoyeon began to laugh brightly, as though genuinely delighted.
At the sight, Namgung Jaryangโ€™s face flushed as he cried out.
“What is so amusing?”
“Hahaha! How could it not be amusing?”
Unable to stop laughing, Hoyeon continued through his chuckles.
“Heheheh, they say the blue sky has no bounds, hence Cangyong Boundless—and yet you have confined yourself within the narrowest of limits and lived your entire life for this single technique? Is that not the height of comedy?”
“…How dare you!”
The moment Namgung Jaryangโ€™s face flushed with rage at the insult to his life’s work, veins bulging upon his brow.
Hoyeon smiled broadly and spoke.
“If you have such confidence, then let us test it. Your Cangyong Boundless Technique.”
“Gladly! Keep your eyes wide open and observe!”
“Ah, but it would be unfair if only you demonstrated. I shall show you as well. This shall be an instructional sparring match.”
“This…!”
Instructional sparring was something a master performed only when teaching a novice.
Hoyeonโ€™s remark was no different than declaring Namgung Jaryangโ€™s skill inferior to his own.
“…You will come to regret those words.”
Overwhelmed by fury so great it had crystallized into calm, Namgung Jaryangโ€™s gaze turned razor-sharp.
Hoyeon was quite satisfied with that response.
Tap.
‘Excellent. I have acquired a fine sparring partner. I was uncertain how to conduct the lecture, but this is perfect fortune.’
As Hoyeon grasped the Sword Blade with glee, Cheon Roe Gum cautioned him with concern.
―Lad, do not kill him.
‘Lord Gum, I may look the part, but I am rather fond of animals.’
―…More madness.
‘Iโ€™m quite serious. I rather like weasels, you know.’
Presently, a training ground was prepared.
The sparring match began.

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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
—————