Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 40

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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 40. The Sword Demon Seeks Vengeance
Mo Yong Yul harbored a secret.
“Your mother? I don’t know much myself. That woman was rather unique.”
When he’d asked his father about his mother as a child, the answer that came back had been shocking.
“She always used to say, ‘Lovers are happiest when they know nothing of each other, and a relationship without secrets is a relationship that’s dead.’ She was truly a strange woman.”
His father had chuckled softly as he spoke.
It was absurd.
Yet Mo Yong Yul was his mother’s child as well.
He possessed an innate talent for concealing his own secrets.
As a result, not a single person within the Moyong Clan knew he was a Spirit Ability User.
“And kill that beast Fourth Brother’s been keeping. I want him showing up at tomorrow’s gathering with those puffy, embarrassing eyes.”
Through Mo Yong Cheol’s words, Mo Yong Yul could read his cousin’s conspiracy to kill Wolmyo.
“Are you worried about me right now?”
“Not particularly.”
“Heh, understood. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Then I’ll see you later.”
“When the time comes, I’ll finally get an answer, won’t I? I’m looking forward to it.”
Moreover, through Wolmyo’s ears, he could eavesdrop on the intimate conversation between Namgung Ho Yeon and Jegal Ahyeon.
“Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!”
Beyond that, through Jeokseo’s nose, he could track down a girl named Na Rin who lay collapsed in a secret cavern beneath Dohwa Ma Bang.
Sugam Dongtong.
He had named his Spirit Ability thus—the shared senses of animals.
* * *
Ho Yeon sat across from him, watching Mo Yong Yul with his eyes shut tight, concentrating his mind.
It was clear he was using his Spirit Ability, yet not the slightest fluctuation of Spirit Energy could be felt.
‘His Spirit Energy Barrier is quite skilled.’
Even someone as close as himself couldn’t detect it—the barrier was flawless.
A Spirit Energy Barrier was, as the name suggested, a type of Spirit Technique meant to block others from sensing one’s own Spirit Energy.
It sounded grand, but in truth, Spirit Energy Barrier was simple.
It was nothing more than a resolute determination, deep within one’s heart, not to reveal one’s soul to another.
‘Spirit Energy is the power of the soul. It manifests through fierce will and thought—a supernatural phenomenon.’
Particularly Mo Yong Yul, living without allies in the Moyong Clan, would have sought to hide everything.
By contrast, Jegal Ahyeon’s inability to properly control herself was the curious case.
‘She was in a state of Spirit Ability Runaway, and she seemed profoundly confused.’
Perhaps Jegal Ahyeon had hoped someone would recognize her condition.
If the Jegal Clan possessed a detection-type Spirit Ability User, they would surely have sensed her rampaging Spirit Energy.
‘But detection-type Spirit Ability Users are rare. Even I’m just guessing by instinct through Will Manipulation.’
Will Manipulation was an all-purpose Spirit Ability—one could shape the world as desired through sheer will and intention alone.
While specificity suffered when delved into deeply, its versatility was unmatched by any other ability.
“Actually… I’m a Spirit Ability User. I have an ability I’ve named Sugam Dongtong—I can share senses with animals.”
So when Mo Yong Yul first confessed his Spirit Ability, Ho Yeon had been taken aback.
He possessed a detection-type Spirit Ability, one specialized in information gathering.
‘And that ability… if it’s what I think it is?’
Ho Yeon’s eyes narrowed.
A gem lay discarded where no one expected to find it.
“Um… it looks like this might take a bit of time.”
As Mo Yong Yul opened one eye and spoke, Ho Yeon chuckled and nodded.
“Take your time. We still have time.”
“Yes!”
Watching Mo Yong Yul clench his fists and close his eyes again, Ho Yeon thought to himself.
‘My suspicions are confirmed. Now all that remains is concrete proof.’
A sharp light gleamed in Ho Yeon’s eyes.
* * *
Six days had passed.
* * *
The Dae Yeon Mu Jang at Baeknyak Sanjang.
Though it was neither an inspection ceremony nor a celebration banquet, the training hall swarmed with over a hundred people.
“Have you heard? They say Salmak and the Baekga Maeng are on the brink of conflict right now?”
“Could it escalate into full-scale warfare? If Salmak moves directly, it might develop into war between the Baekga Maeng and Gucheon Sung.”
“We still have about eight days, but it looks like the Baekga Geom-hoe might end here.”
“Of course. There are nearly fifty children unconscious and collapsed at the Uiyak Dang right now.”
“Those vile wretches……! I’d rather we were at war! I’d hack down every last corrupt villain and demon sect member!”
“Calm yourself. The Hwaedongjidan incident has already slipped from our hands. From this point forward, an investigation team must be assembled at the Baekga Maeng level.”
Those gathered at the Dae Yeon Mu Jang were Later Generation Disciples of the Baekga Geomdan.
The second unit had arrived latest last night, and now all units of the Baekga Geomdan had assembled at Baeknyak Sanjang.
‘Where is Ho Yeon?’
Jegal Ahyeon circled the training grounds searching for Ho Yeon, but since his arrival, she hadn’t caught a single glimpse of him.
‘Hmm? That boy…….’
Instead, a shaggy-haired boy entered Jegal Ahyeon’s line of sight.
“……Excuse me?”
Jegal Ahyeon approached the boy, Mo Yong Yul, and spoke to him.
Mo Yong Yul flinched at the sound and looked up at Jegal Ahyeon.
The two regarded each other in silence for a moment.
“……Do you need something from me?”
“You’re Mo Yong Yul, aren’t you? Where is Ho Yeon?”
“…….”
Mo Yong Yul turned his head abruptly and didn’t answer.
Jegal Ahyeon’s eyebrows twitched.
Because he refused to answer?
No, that wasn’t it.
‘……What is this?’
The moment she spoke Ho Yeon’s name, Mo Yong Yul’s emotions flowed into her through Simseogamhwa.
It resembled the blind hostility of a small child unwilling to have his cherished toy taken away.
“You don’t know where Ho Yeon is?”
“……I can’t say.”
When Jegal Ahyeon pressed further, Mo Yong Yul pouted and replied.
Not that he didn’t know—but that he couldn’t speak?
“What on earth——”
“All unit commanders are to ascend the training platform immediately!”
Just as Jegal Ahyeon was about to ask more, the cry of Mo Yong Hu, commander of the First Unit, rang out from the training platform.
“Hmph. I’ve won.”
With that, Mo Yong Yul glanced at Jegal Ahyeon and moved away.
Jegal Ahyeon blinked her hazel eyes, muttering as though bewildered.
“……What is wrong with that kid?”
* * *
“Where is the Fifth Unit commander?”
Mo Yong Hu asked as Mo Yong Yul climbed alone onto the training platform.
“I don’t know either.”
“Just as well. A pathetic wretch who surrenders his own rights of his own accord deserves no notice.”
Mo Yong Cheol smiled coldly as Mo Yong Yul shook his head.
Mo Yong Yul’s expression then hardened like stone, and Mo Yong Hak, standing beside him, shrugged and spoke.
“Brothers, the achievements of the Fifth Unit commander cannot be overlooked. Moreover, he is the master of the Cheonroe Jewang Singong, which has appeared for the first time in three hundred years.”
“I’ve heard of that too. They call him the Lightning Fang, don’t they?”
Mo Yong Hu nodded with a smile at Mo Yong Hak’s words.
“Indeed, even Geom Un Jung recognized him from the start. He is surely the Dragon of the next generation.”
“Tch. Martial artists should master martial arts, yet here martial arts master the man.”
“……What do you mean by that?”
As Mo Yong Cheol scoffed at Mo Yong Hu’s praise, shaking his head, Mo Yong Yul glared at him and asked.
Mo Yong Cheol then twisted his mouth and spoke harshly.
“Simply because he displayed showy martial arts, a sobriquet was bestowed regardless of merit? Preposterous.”
“That’s not true! Ho Yeon has accomplished greater deeds than anyone! He subdued the assassins of Dohwa Ma Bang single-handedly!”
“That wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our Third Unit members.”
As Mo Yong Yul cried out and Mo Yong Hak even joined in, Mo Yong Cheol looked between his younger brothers and spoke as though exasperated.
“Since when have a bastard and a bat-like wretch raised their voices before me? You two. Have you lost your minds?”
“…….”
“Hehehehe.”
Though Mo Yong Cheol exuded a sharp killing intent and glared, Mo Yong Yul did not avert his gaze, and Mo Yong Hak went further still, letting out a low laugh.
“You bastards……!”
“Enough. No more of this shameful display.”
Bang!
Mo Yong Cheol’s hand drifted toward his waist, but Mo Yong Hu stomped his foot in warning.
“This gathering is not meant for idle talk between brothers — it is a council of team leaders to discuss the future of the Baekga Geom-hoe.”
“Can we continue like this? We’re entangled with Salmak, and above all, treating the rescued children must come first.”
As Mo Yong Hak spoke, Mo Yong Cheol narrowed his eyes and fixed them on him.
“You knew from the start, didn’t you? That Dohwa Ma Bang was part of Hwaedongjidan, and that Salmak might be behind it. If things end like this, you’ll profit the most, won’t you?”
“Heh. I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re saying.”
“Did you leak the information?”
“…… Information?”
“Information kept arriving from sources I couldn’t trace. ‘Hwaedongjidan is here. Hwaedongjidan is there.’ Over and over.”
“……?”
Mo Yong Cheol fixed him with a gaze brimming with certainty, but Mo Yong Hak’s expression remained genuinely bewildered.
‘That was information he scattered through Hao Mun. Unlike you lot, he’s truly righteous.’
Mo Yong Yul watched the two of them with a faint smile playing at his lips.
His blue eyes then grew dim and heavy.
‘And a man who sees through every truth. This vile traitor!’
The moment Mo Yong Yul clenched his fists, a group appeared at the Dae Yeon Mu Jang.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
They were swordsmen dressed in grey martial robes, each wearing a single Iron Sword at the waist.
They advanced toward the martial grounds with the overwhelming presence of a hundred men, and every eye fixed upon them.
“Those are…… surely the Iron Sword Brigade of the Namgung Clan?”
“That man is Geuk Ji Ryang, the Iron-Willed Swordmaster. Half a year ago, he single-handedly dispatched the Sanseo Five Demons — a supreme expert.”
“And there, leading them — is Young Master Namgung Ho Yeon, the fourth team leader. But shouldn’t the Baekga Geom-hoe not have formally concluded yet?”
“Is it true? That he restored the Cheonroe Jewang Singong — a genius without peer?”
The later generation disciples watched the Iron Sword Brigade march with grim determination, and at their head the young master in blue robes who walked with such casual confidence.
Step.
Ho Yeon vaulted lightly onto the martial grounds, and Mo Yong Yul rushed toward him like a duckling who’d spotted its mother.
“Brother!”
“Mm.”
Thump.
Ho Yeon ruffled Mo Yong Yul’s shaggy hair roughly as he walked toward the center of the grounds.
“Hah — still no formal conclusion to the Baekga Geom-hoe, yet here you come with the Iron Sword Brigade at your back. Were you so afraid of Salmak?”
“Hehehehe, well, since the fifth team leader has disqualified himself, our third team has racked up the greatest merit in this Baekga Geom-hoe. Wouldn’t you say?”
Mo Yong Cheol sneered as if looking at something pitiful, while Mo Yong Hak grinned as though he’d just heard the most amusing thing.
To that, Ho Yeon bared his even teeth in a smile.
“The Baekga Geom-hoe? Ah, that little game of yours? Go ahead and divide the spoils among yourselves.”
“…… What?”
“He’s lost his mind.”
“Ahem. Young Master Namgung. Your words seem rather harsh.”
Ho Yeon’s remark unsettled not only Mo Yong Cheol and Mo Yong Hak, but even Mo Yong Hu, who had shown him favor.
Yet Ho Yeon paid their discomfort no heed whatsoever and continued walking.
Step.
Finally reaching the three Mo Yongs, Ho Yeon swept his gaze across them and spoke.
“I’m about to do something far more entertaining.”
“…… What do you mean?”
“Young Master Namgung?”
“…… Gasp!”
Whoosh!
Ho Yeon suddenly launched a sudden strike.
Delicate, jade-like hands writhed like living serpents, their slender fingertips condensing murderous intent so acute it could freeze blood.
Fingers compressed in a faint blue aura drove toward the throat of Mo Yong Hak, the third son of the Moyong Clan, with harpoon-like venom.
Crack-crack-crack!
‘I’m… dying!’
Mo Yong Hak, caught entirely unprepared by the sudden assault, felt his consciousness plunge into the depths of death.
It instantly shocked his survival instinct to its absolute limit, and automatically his lower dantian blazed with heat.
Whooooom!
The moment a mysterious crimson glow flickered in Mo Yong Hak’s pupils, a fist-sized flame erupted into the air.
Boom――!
Ho Yeon’s hand pierced through the fireball and burst it open, and using the blast to retreat a step, Mo Yong Hak drew his sword and thrust it toward Ho Yeon, now wreathed in flame.
“Hah!”
Crackle!
The Moyong Clan’s supreme swordwork—the Yeomhyeol Geom, Yeomhwa Ilseom technique, executed in a single stroke.
‘What—what is this?!’
Yet Mo Yong Hak faltered, sensing no feedback through his fingertips.
Instead.
Click! Whoosh!
As Ho Yeon seized the piercing blade with both hands and twisted it sharply, the sword slipped from Mo Yong Hak’s grip with a whisper.
Snap!
Ho Yeon examined the stolen sword using the Gongsu Talbaekhin technique and muttered under his breath.
“When did Spirit Ability Users become so common? Is something wrong with me, or is the world growing mad?”
“You snake! An ambush!”
“What—what is the meaning of this?!”
“Where did that flame come from?!”
The three Moyong brothers cried out in shock all at once.
But Ho Yeon’s gaze remained fixed on the sword he had taken from Mo Yong Hak.
Then, his voice dropped to a dangerous murmur.
“…Jiseon’s Secret Art?”
“…!”
At those words, Mo Yong Hak’s eyes snapped open wide with shock.

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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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