Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 43

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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 43. Sword Demon’s Slashing Blood Sausage
“Iron Resonance Undefeated Sword Formation! Deploy!”
Snap-snap-snap!
At Guk Ji-ryang’s command, the Iron Sword Brigade rapidly formed their formation.
Eight members arranged themselves in a diamond pattern on the outer perimeter, while two stood back-to-back at the center.
‘The Iron Resonance Undefeated Sword Formation was originally known as a defensive formation to protect the two at its core.’
Guk Ji-ryang, one of the two stationed at the center, watched the enemies rushing forward like a tide and broke into a faint smile.
He remembered what Young Master Namgoong Ho-yeon had said when he first visited the Iron Sword Brigade.
“Is this the Iron Resonance Undefeated or the Iron Resonance Useless? Are the two in the middle just dead weight? If it’s supposed to be undefeated, you should be cutting down enemies—so why are you just cowering?”
‘Heh, now I’ll show the Young Master the true power of the Iron Resonance Undefeated Sword Formation that he refined for us!’
Guk Ji-ryang cried out.
“Iron Resonance Amplification!”
“Iron Resonance Amplification!”
At his command, the Iron Sword Brigade members echoed in unison and thrust their Iron Swords forward.
But the direction was peculiar. Eight Iron Swords extended not toward the enemies, but toward the two allies within the formation.
“What in the—”
“Is this suicide?”
“They’re attacking their own comrades!”
The spectators nearby were bewildered, but the faces of the Iron Sword Brigade members shone with certainty.
The two at the center were Guk Ji-ryang, the Brigade Commander, and Hyung Mu-ung, the Second Platoon Leader.
They possessed the highest cultivation realms among the group, and that was precisely why they stood at the center.
Because.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Only those two could receive the sword strikes of the Iron Sword Brigade members without wavering.
And from that collision, reflected force accumulated within the ten swords.
Whiiing——!
Iron Sword Resonance Emergence.
“Haaaah!”
Thud! Whoosh!
A martial master from Baek Yak Mountain Lodge, wielding a massive double-bladed axe, brought his weapon down with all his might to shatter the formation in one stroke.
The Iron Sword of the brigade member facing him looked fragile as a twig.
Yet.
Clang—! Crack!
“Ugh!”
When the Iron Sword and axe collided, something miraculous happened—the axe shattered.
Thud!
The Iron Sword that had pierced the enemy’s heart redirected its momentum backward, and Guk Ji-ryang brought his full strength down to send it back.
Clang! Whiiing!
Crack!
Replenished with reflected force, the Iron Sword Brigade member cut through an assailant’s spear and severed his waist in a single stroke.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
Crack! Crack!
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
The swords of the Iron Sword Brigade members, replenished with reflected force at the center, vibrated finely and amplified their power, cutting down every enemy that rushed forward without resistance.
They resembled interlocking gears of a finely engineered mechanism turning in perfect synchronization.
“Good heavens!”
“What are they doing right now?”
“Were the Iron Sword Brigade truly this strong?”
The spectators marveled at the might of the Iron Resonance Undefeated Sword Formation.
Iron Resonance shattered ceaselessly from within, and each member wielded an invincible blade.
But then.
“Damn it! Don’t close in! Stop your blades from clashing with theirs!”
A figure in a yellow headwrap, apparently the commander, began directing the Baek Yak Mountain Lodge fighters.
“Dark Qi Unit forward! Poison Needle Unit forward! Flying Claw Unit forward!”
Snap-snap-snap!
Three units moved to the front at the yellow-wrapped man’s command.
“Dark Qi Unit, attack from range! Poison Needle Unit, release the toxic smoke at once! Flying Claw Unit, bind their movements!”
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
Boom-boom-boom!
Immediately, countless projectiles rained down on the Iron Sword Brigade, and poison pellets burst, releasing a faint green toxic haze.
“Iron Sword Undefeated!”
“Namgoong Invincible!”
Clang!
Whoosh! Whoooosh!
At Guk Ji-ryang’s cry, the Iron Sword Brigade raised their voices and deflected the poisoned darts, sending them scattering on the wind.
“Flying Claw unit, what are you doing! Hurry!”
“Yes, sir!”
But the moment the Flying Claw unit appeared, tension etched itself across the faces of the Iron Sword Brigade members.
The Flying Claw Hundred-Refined Rope.
Called the Flying Claw because it flew through the sky like talons, this weapon consisted of iron hooks shaped like claws fastened to both ends of a chain.
Rather than killing outright, the Flying Claw excelled at hooking an opponent’s body or weapon to snare them, or coating the metal links with poison to sicken them.
In essence, it was a weapon specialized in constraining an enemy’s movement and strangling them slowly.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Slice!
One of the Flying Claw unit hurled the weapon through the air toward the Iron Sword Brigade.
If even one of them became entangled in that weapon, the Iron Resonance Undefeated Sword Formation would collapse entirely, and if it devolved into chaos, there would be no hope for the Iron Sword Brigade.
Then.
“Haaah!”
A clear voice burst forth as a white-robed archer bounded forward like a wild horse.
Her long, slender legs covered the distance in mere strides, carrying her body swiftly ahead.
Whoosh!
A blade drew from her waist, and upon its surface gathered a sword qi as verdant and lush as new leaves, while the fresh, sweet scent of sandalwood drifted forth.
Slice! Scrape!
The white-robed archer severed the Flying Claw’s chain and landed firmly on the ground.
Hair black as the night sky streamed behind her, and her dark brown eyes blazed with resolute determination.
“The Mysterious Source Complete Lightning Movement Technique? The Je Gal Family!”
The yellow-turbaned man recognized the martial art the woman had employed and cried out.
“Why does a daughter of the Je Gal Family come to our aid! Do you truly intend to make enemies of the Baek Yak Mountain Lodge, the Yao-ning Eight Provinces, and further still, the Moyong Family!”
Je Gal A-hyeon let out a soft laugh at the yellow-turbaned man’s threat and spoke.
“I do not stand here in my capacity as a daughter of the Je Gal Family.”
“What?”
“I have stepped forward only to fulfill my duty as the betrothed of Namgoong Ho-yeon.”
Click!
Je Gal A-hyeon took the opening stance of the Small Heavenly Star Sword Technique and declared.
“I am certain that you are the Demonic Conspiracy Group, because the Ho-yeon I know is a man who would never speak falsehood!”
“This——!”
“It is true! Ho-yeon is a man of honor, and the Baek Yak Mountain Lodge is certainly the Demonic Conspiracy Group. Do not be deceived by these villains who dare to sully the name of the Moyong Family!”
Clang!
Then, as if unwilling to concede, Moyong Yul stepped forward and drew his blade.
“Even the Je Gal Family——!”
“So this is Commander Moyong Yul of the Fourth Squad. Surely you were traveling with Fifth Squad Commander Namgoong Ho-yeon?”
“They must have discovered some proof!”
As the situation reached this point, the other officers began to lean toward the belief that Namgoong Ho-yeon’s claim was the truth.
Within this current, they cast their eyes toward Commander Moyong Hu of the First Squad and Commander Moyong Chul of the Second Squad.
They wished to determine their participation based on the choice the commanders made.
“Hmm…….”
“…….”
Yet Moyong Hu remained hesitant, unable to reach a decision, while Moyong Chul merely gazed intently at Je Gal A-hyeon.
Then.
Crack-boom——!
A thunderous roar that seized everyone’s attention burst forth from the direction of the Refinement Hall.
* * *
“Arghhhh!”
Crackle!
Baek Jong-woo, engulfed in white lightning, let out a cry of agony as he was sent flying backward.
Despite hastily gathering his Protective Qi around him, a needle-like pain assailed his entire body.
Boom! Thud!
Baek Jong-woo came to a halt, having shattered a pillar in the Refinement Hall, and glared at Ho-yeon through gritted teeth.
Click!
Ho-yeon caught the Heavenly Thunder Sword as it descended through the air, stepping into the Xun Step.
Like a leaf fluttering in the wind, Ho-yeon’s form suddenly became light and swift, stretching outward.
Crackle!
The Thunder Qi on the Heavenly Thunder Sword roiled and shifted its appearance.
Scattering lightning in all directions before compressing into a single, steady Electric Current Thread.
‘The Heavenly Thunder Qi is still beyond my grasp. I need to end this quickly.’
As the extreme Thunder Qi surged through his entire body, the weakened Internal Force in Baek Jong-woo’s Dantian poured out like a dam bursting.
“Ngh!”
Swoosh!
Ho-yeon rushed at Baek Jong-woo, drawing the Heavenly Thunder Sword diagonally upward from below.
In an instant, it became a line of death itself, aimed at Baek Jong-woo’s chest.
One Flash Thunder Light.
Clang!
Crackle!
“Nngh!”
Unable to fully dissipate the shock of blocking the Heavenly Thunder attack at close range, Baek Jong-woo received another strike and felt his arms trembling violently.
Whoosh!
But Ho-yeon gave his opponent no time to recover.
The Heavenly Thunder Sword from above plunged down suddenly, like lightning itself.
Falling Thunder Pursuit Strike.
Flash! Boom!
“Aaaaah!”
“Die!”
Crackle-boom!
Ho-yeon slammed together the positive and negative Qi circles from the Red Storm Cloud in his Dantian, drawing forth explosive Heavenly Thunder Qi.
—Raging Thunder Continuous Slash!
As the Heavenly Thunder Sword sang with exultation, Ho-yeon pressed forward with rapid horizontal strikes as swift as running lightning.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang!
“Grgh! Ahhhhh!”
Baek Jong-woo desperately swung the Mandarin Duck Moon Blade to defend himself, but he had already lost all sensation in both arms.
Scrape! Scrape!
Crackle!
Finally, wounds began appearing one after another on Baek Jong-woo’s body, and the Heavenly Thunder Qi that pierced through his Protective Qi inflicted upon him the agony of being seared by lightning itself.
‘Am I… dying?’
Baek Jong-woo glimpsed the grim reaper in the face of the boy charging at him like a yaksha.
‘Nonsense! I can’t die! I will kill you instead!’
Cornered by death, Baek Jong-woo lost all reason and resorted to his final technique.
It was a secret taught to him by Gwa Myung, who had fled the Heavenly Demon Sect and become part of the Dark Gate.
Demonic Soul Explosive Burst.
A forbidden art that detonates the demonic soul hidden within, allowing one to transcend one’s Cultivation Realm for a single instant.
Crack!
As Baek Jong-woo shattered the harmony of Yin and Yang within his body and began the Reverse Heaven Flow, every vein stood on end and his muscles swelled as if about to burst.
Whoosh!
At the same moment, Baek Jong-woo’s silvery Internal Qi transformed into black Demonic Qi, and from the Mandarin Duck Moon Blade, black moonlight erupted violently.
“This insane bastard?!”
“Gaaaah!”
Seeing Baek Jong-woo’s eyes rolled back until only the whites showed, Ho-yeon realized what he had done.
Back when he used to cut down demonic cultists, they would always make one last desperate move, detonating their power in unison.
Rustle! Rustle! Boom!
The black moonlight, which had been fluttering like unraveled thread, gathered countless strands into a single surface.
The sight was as mysterious as silk woven from stars by the Weaver Maiden herself.
‘Deceptive Rigidity…!’
Crash! Ring!
“Cough! Retch!”
Hit by the pitch-black Mandarin Duck Moon Blade layered with Deceptive Rigidity, Ho-yeon suffered internal injuries and coughed up blood.
“Gahahaha!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ring! Clang! Boom!
With each of Baek Jong-woo’s attacks, blood surged up from deep within, flashes filled his vision, and shocks that felt like his entire body was shattering shot through him.
—Oh, this cursed boy! My old back’s breaking!
Even the Heavenly Thunder Sword cried out in protest, but there was nothing to be done.
Deceptive Rigidity, though branded a false technique, was never a matter of insufficient enlightenment—it was simply brute, unrefined internal force incarnate.
Its destructive power surpassed any ordinary sword qi or blade technique by a gulf incomparable, a strength of monstrous ferocity.
Without the aid of a divine weapon like the Heavenly Thunder Sword, it was a gap nearly impossible to overcome.
“Raaaaagh! Die!”
“…This madman!”
As Baek Jong-woo surged forward with Deceptive Rigidity leading, Ho-yeon, pushed to his limits, extended his left index and middle fingers to form the Sword Seal Finger.
‘If you’re going to do something insane, then so shall I!’
A deep, thrumming hum resonated through the air.
Ho-yeon’s upper dantian blazed with searing heat.
A sense of omnipotence flooded through him—as if he could command the entire world with a thought.
In that heightened state, the moment Ho-yeon raised the Sword Seal Finger toward the heavens.
“Out of the way!”
“Get back!”
Whoosh! Whoosh-whoosh!
Moyong Hu and Moyong Chul came rushing from behind, their sword and blade wreathed in white qi as they hurled themselves at Baek Jong-woo.
“Releasing Demonic Qi—you’ve confessed it yourself!”
“The greatest merit belongs to me!”
Splinter-splinter-splinter!
Moyong Hu deployed the Flash Light Dividing Cloud Sword Technique, spawning dozens of blade shadows.
Shing-shing-shing!
Moyong Chul drew but a single line with the Pursuing Soul Quick Blade Technique.
The marriage of illusion and speed was so exquisite that their combined assault succeeded in driving Baek Jong-woo back a step.
“Gaaaagh!”
Crash! Crash! Screech!
Yet the Mandarin Duck Moon Blade in Baek Jong-woo’s grip, wrapped in Deceptive Rigidity, was no longer a blade at all—it had become a massive cudgel.
Baek Jong-woo swung the Mandarin Duck Moon Blade like tusks, as if he had transformed into some lumbering elephant, and pressed forward once more.
“Ugh!”
“Peak mastery…!”
“Why not try that vaunted Void Grasping Technique of yours?”
“It’s not meant for real combat! Hold the line! There are limits even to techniques that defy heaven itself!”
Crash! Crash-crash-crash!
The Moyong brothers judged head-to-head combat impossible and began to simply endure Baek Jong-woo’s onslaught, buying time.
“Huff! Huff! And here I thought those two had set out the feast only for me to bring the spoon?”
Ho-yeon muttered as he lowered the Sword Seal Finger.
But fortune had favored them.
The battlefield was chaos—but one never knew who might be watching.
Then.
Tap-tap! Tap-tap-tap!
“Nnnngh! Young Master Ho-yeon!”
Guk Ji-ryang came sprinting from behind, the Iron Sword gripped in his fist, charging straight at Ho-yeon.
Zing! Zing-zing!
Blood streamed from Guk Ji-ryang’s palm—he could not contain the power of the rapidly vibrating Iron Sword.
“Take this!”
“Well done!”
Whoosh! Clang!
Guk Ji-ryang thrust the blade forward, and Ho-yeon received the reflected force channeled by all the Iron Sword Brigade members through his Heavenly Thunder Sword.
A-a-a, i-i-i, o-o-o!
Zing-zing-zing-zing!
Gripping the Heavenly Thunder Sword, which vibrated hundreds of times in an instant, Ho-yeon rushed forward and raised it high toward the sky.
“Move!”
“What?!”
“Madness!”
Ho-yeon descended like a bird, becoming one with his blade, and unleashed the Iron Soul Union Strike—the final form of the Iron Sword Ten Techniques.
At that overwhelming momentum, Moyong Hu and Moyong Chul threw themselves to either side.
Shing-shing-shing!
Ho-yeon drew the Heavenly Thunder Sword downward, slow yet swift, passing through where Baek Jong-woo stood.
“Wh—?”
Baek Jong-woo’s eyes rolled back, white showing, as he turned to look behind him.
Crunch! Splurch!
Baek Jong-woo’s body was bisected at the crown with surgical precision, blood and organs erupting outward like fireworks.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
The battlefield stilled for a moment, and every eye fixed on Ho-yeon.
Shock.
Horror.
Disbelief.
Ho-yeon absorbed all those emotions at once, steadied his breath, and let out a low chuckle as he muttered to himself.
“You bastard. The hollow core trick’s off the table. That was blood sausage—packed solid inside.”

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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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