Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 44

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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 44. The Sword Demon Awakens from Sleep
After Baek Jong-u’s death.
The battlefield was swiftly brought to order.
There were those among Baek Yak San Jang’s warriors who resisted, but none could stand against the late-stage cultivators of Baek Ga Geom Dan.
Three hours later, an investigation team dispatched by the Moyong Clan arrived.
Everyone worried that Sal Mak might become agitated by the intrusion.
But for some reason, Sal Mak remained silent.
The investigation team secured testimonies from the children rescued from the Alchemy Chamber’s basement.
And so they had no choice but to announce the shocking discovery: Baek Yak San Jang, one of the Eight Domains of Yo Nyeong Pal Ju, was none other than Goe Dong Ji Dan.
* * *
The Medical Hall.
A place grown quiet after all of Baek Yak San Jang’s physicians had been taken into custody.
“Mm. I’m exhausted.”
“Sigh. Tell me about it.”
One man yawned as he gazed at the moon hanging luminous in the night sky, and his companion sighed in agreement.
“Events unfolded like lightning and thunder—as unexpected as a flash flood. So ‘The Thunderous Prodigy’ isn’t just empty talk.”
“You’re right. What is he, sixteen? The Namgung Clan was raising a monster all along.”
The two late-stage cultivators recalled the young master who had torn lightning from a clear sky.
A handsome face at odds with his sullen expression, his unkempt hair falling across his brow.
He appeared to be full of gaps and weaknesses, yet his fangs were razor-sharp.
He had become the talk of the late-stage cultivator circles.
“The Cheol Geom Dae was impressive too.”
“Right. Ten warriors moving as one body?”
Indeed, the Namgung Clan—a traditional power of the Jianghu—may tremble, but it does not fall.
“Why shouldn’t it be so? They have the strength to hold their position.”
The late-stage cultivators, having witnessed Namgung Ho-yeon and the Cheol Geom Dae in action, were now certain that the rumors circulating about the Namgung Clan were misguided.
“Still, it’s a shame we couldn’t capture Moyong Hak—that traitor.”
“He must have hidden himself right after his encounter with Namgung Ho-yeon.”
“Hah, the coward abandons even his maternal relatives and flees. A truly despicable wretch.”
“Indeed.”
The late-stage cultivators on watch duty were chatting idly when—
A silhouette came walking steadily toward the Medical Hall.
“Mm?”
“Huh?”
A leather pouch hung from his shoulder. His pale complexion, crimson lips, dark brows, and sharp bridge of nose gleamed even in the darkness.
“Namgung Ho-yeon!”
“The Thunderous Prodigy!”
The late-stage cultivators brightened at the sight of Namgung Ho-yeon and approached him eagerly.
“Um…….”
“Ha! I am Chu Wol-hyo, the eldest son of Chu Ga Jang!”
“I-I am Gong Bi-chang, the second son of Tae Gang Geom Mun!”
As Ho-yeon scratched his cheek awkwardly, the late-stage cultivators introduced themselves with broad smiles.
Among the late-stage cultivators, Ho-yeon had earned the impression of someone who did not enjoy meeting people.
He had not formed bonds even at Yeom Un Jeong, and at Geom Un Jeong, he had even smashed Dan Ri San Wol to pieces.
For that reason, the two late-stage cultivators regarded this unexpected chance to build a rapport as good fortune.
“The spiritual force you displayed today was truly as clear as the sky of Namgung!”
“Exactly! Five years younger than us, and yet such resolve and decisiveness! It makes one realize how lacking one truly is!”
“Er…….”
“If you were to share tales of your exploits, my younger sister would surely adore them! Our Chu Ga Jang lies in Ho Nam, and if you have time after the Baek Ga Geom Hoe, perhaps we could…….”
“Ho-yeon! Why not travel with me to Gui Ju Seong! I’ll show you the Huang Gua Waterfall and the crimson waters of Jeok Su Gyeong!”
“You fool! Are you truly overlooking Ho Nam’s Dong Jeong Ho to pitch some Jeok Su Gyeong?”
“What? Are you insulting my homeland?”
The two late-stage cultivators suddenly began quarreling, and Ho-yeon’s mouth twitched as he considered the matter.
‘Should I just dismiss them outright?’
―Don’t.
‘I was joking.’
Ho-yeon softened “Get out of my sight” into the most diplomatic phrasing he could manage and conveyed it to both of them.
“Look, I’m exhausted right now, yes? Let’s talk later.”
“Ah, of course, of course. You must be far more fatigued than we are.”
“After a battle of that scale. We’re embarrassed. Ha, ha.”
Thump!
The two late-stage cultivators stammered and offered awkward smiles.
Ho-yeon slipped the leather pouch from his shoulders and withdrew something from within, pressing it into their hands.
“A gift.”
“Hmm? Taffy?”
“Candied fruit?”
Both late-stage cultivators froze.
What Ho-yeon had given them was common street candy.
“There’s no need to keep watch here. Go back to your quarters, eat this, and rest properly.”
“But… is that really acceptable?”
“The guard duty—”
The late-stage cultivators accepted the candy, wavering with uncertainty.
Ho-yeon’s brow darkened at this, and the moment they saw his expression, both men nodded vigorously and laughed.
“Ha, haha! Of course, of course. In truth, we’ve been puzzled ourselves. There’s no one who would ever find this place.”
“Indeed. The children have fallen into a pitiful state, but there’s nothing to be done about it, it seems…”
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
“We’ll gratefully enjoy the candy you’ve given us.”
Thud, thud, thud.
The two weary late-stage cultivators withdrew, and Ho-yeon shouldered the leather pouch once more before stepping into the Medical Hall.
Creak, creak, click!
After passing through several sliding doors, he entered a spacious chamber thick with the scent of herbs and medicine.
Bedding lay in two neat rows, and roughly fifty children lay upon them with their eyes closed, as though asleep.
Ho-yeon surveyed the children, then suddenly yanked back the blanket of one nearby.
Whoosh!
“What are you doing?”
“…!”
Beneath the blanket lay Seo Cheon-gi, gripping a short sword, his teeth clenched tight.
“Master Ho-yeon.”
“What’s that for?”
At Ho-yeon’s question, Seo Cheon-gi’s lips trembled as he opened his mouth.
“To protect them.”
“Who?”
“Na-rin and the children.”
“From what?”
…
Seo Cheon-gi fell silent for a moment at Ho-yeon’s question before speaking, his voice breaking with sorrow.
“All the physicians said… there’s no hope for them. They said it would be kinder to end their suffering quietly, for their sake…! Huk!”
…
Ho-yeon watched as thick tears rolled down Seo Cheon-gi’s cheeks, then reached into his leather pouch.
“Want some candy?”
“…I don’t need it.”
“How many nights have you gone without sleep? You look like a raccoon. Don’t you know you won’t grow tall if you keep this up?”
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t grow. Now… nothing matters anymore.”
Crunch!
Seo Cheon-gi gripped the blanket and let out a wail.
“I don’t need money! I don’t need Heaven! I don’t even need to be alive! I’m worthless to this world…!”
Ho-yeon stared at Seo Cheon-gi as he convulsed with anguish, then twisted his mouth into a bitter line.
“Then die.”
“…!”
“If there’s no need to be alive, then dying should be simple, shouldn’t it?”
“You…!”
Seo Cheon-gi’s teeth clenched as he glared, and Ho-yeon spoke quietly, his face expressionless.
“I lived. Brutally. At times, shamefully. Believing that life itself held purpose. Cutting. Cutting. I survived, and I kept cutting.”
“…?”
“Why was I born? Why do I live? Why do I wield this blade? I cast aside those questions that came moment after moment, and I rowed my life toward the harbor of existence alone.”
“What… are you saying?”
“Do you know where I arrived?”
Ho-yeon gazed upward as though recalling his past and continued.
“A sea of meaninglessness. No one was there. Only I lay within Si San Hyeol Hae, lamenting and alone.”
…
“I’m giving you advice. If you don’t want to see what comes next, die now.”
At Ho-yeon’s words, Seo Cheon-gi stared at the short sword in his hand.
He didn’t fully grasp everything Ho-yeon was saying, but a future without Na-rin would be far more hopeless than this.
“Ah… ah, ah…!”
His hands trembled violently.
He pressed the short sword against his throat.
The skin split, stinging.
‘Na-rin! I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you! If only I were stronger… if only I had the power…!’
Seo Cheon-gi squeezed his eyes shut and tensed both his arms.
Heat surged from the crown of his head to his fingertips, and he felt as if death itself had laid a gentle hand upon him.
Then.
“I wished for it. For someone to pull me from this sea of meaninglessness. And by some miracle, it actually happened.”
Snap!
As Ho-yeon flicked his finger, a gust of wind flew out and struck Seo Cheon-gi’s Hun point.
Thud.
Seo Cheon-gi’s body crumpled and fell, and the short sword slipped from his grip, flying into Ho-yeon’s waiting hand.
Click!
“Who knows? A miracle might happen to you too.”
―What sadistic taste.
“It’s nothing, really.”
Ho-yeon shrugged and continued speaking as he walked.
“I simply wanted to see whether that one could actually die.”
―This perverted bastard. Why would you want to see something like that?
“If he can die, then he can live.”
Ho-yeon reached the center of the room and stopped, focusing his attention on his upper dantian.
Hum!
Heat bloomed between his brows as the Yeom Ryeok Jang enveloped the room.
Within that field, Ho-yeon could perceive everything with the clarity of an omniscient god observing from on high.
‘Every single one of them has their Hundred Convergence Point open. These are traces of spiritual force being forcibly extracted from the children’s Yintang points.’
One might generally assume that spiritual force belonged only to those gifted with such power, but this was not the case.
Spiritual force was the power of the soul itself; every living being harbored it within.
A gifted one was simply an existence capable of wielding that force as material to manifest all manner of miracles.
‘Unless one is a Heavenly Chosen One, most people pass their entire lives without ever awakening to this power.’
The Hundred Convergence Point was the Heavenly Gate, connected to the cosmos itself.
The point closes with age not only because idle thoughts and turbidity accumulate, but more than anything because it is dangerous.
The breath of the cosmos is simultaneously Heaven’s Breath and Heaven’s Secret.
To receive too much of that pristine force is to become pure idiocy itself.
‘Unless one were a legendary figure like Bodhidharma or Zhang Sanfeng.’
They had reached the realm of Heaven-Earth Body Connection and wielded Heaven’s Secret as they pleased; the children could not.
Just as stuffing too much information into one’s mind results in knowing nothing at all, the children were not unconscious—they were in a state of consciousness saturation.
‘I’ll close that lid.’
Whoooosh!
Ho-yeon stirred his spiritual force and focused his will toward the children’s Hundred Convergence Points.
“Hrraaaagh!”
Closing the Hundred Convergence Points of fifty-odd children was far from easy.
It was like repairing a collapsed riverbank.
Where Yeom Ryeok Heup Hoe was a suction technique that drew in the breath of all things through a whirlwind of attraction,
what Ho-yeon was doing now was driving repulsion stakes one by one into each child’s Hundred Convergence Point.
“Unnngh…!”
Whump! Whump! Whoosh!
His Yintang point burned as if branded by a red-hot iron, and warm blood trickled steadily from his nose.
But Ho-yeon paid it no mind, methodically driving each repulsion stake into place.
“Huff! Huff! Huff!”
At last the work was done, and Ho-yeon staggered out of the Medical Hall.
“Phhhhh…”
Lying on his back in the courtyard, breathing in the clear air, his headache began to ease.
Cheon Noe Geom spoke to him then.
―I thought I understood you, but I never do.
“What’s this sudden sentiment?”
―Why do you help the children so desperately? You did it in Hap-bi too. The moment you earned money, the first thing you did was establish the Ho A Won.
“…….”
―Is there a reason?
At Cheon Noe Geom’s question, Ho-yeon, who had been lost in thought, murmured.
“No real reason. Watching those orphans whine just puts me in a foul mood, that’s all.”
―What?
“It brings back old memories. Makes me feel terrible.”
―…….
“One sword demon is enough.”
Ho-yeon closed his eyes gently.
He needed a moment’s rest.
* * *
“Nom nom nom!”
“Hey! That’s mine!”
“Stop right there!”
“Kya-ha-ha!”
At the sound of commotion, Seo Cheon-gi lifted his heavy eyelids.
“Ugh… ugh…”
All the fatigue he’d been holding back came crashing down at once; his entire body felt leaden.
“What… is this?”
Barely propping himself up, Cheon-gi found himself speechless at the sight before him.
Children were making a tremendous racket in the bright morning sunlight streaming through the room.
One sat on the floor sucking on candy, while others ran about the room waving taffy in their hands.
“Huh? What?”
Cheon-gi’s eyes widened. Every single face was familiar.
‘Am I… dead? Have I come to paradise with the children?’
The sight of the children he’d thought lost, now awakening and playing, could only be interpreted one way.
Then.
“Cheon-gi.”
“……!”
A voice both familiar and deeply missed rang in his ears.
Turning his head quickly, he saw Na-rin smiling broadly, her small nose wrinkled with warmth.
“You’re already awake? Why don’t you sleep more? You look absolutely exhausted.”
“Huh… uh…!”
“What’s wrong? More importantly, where are we? Where did the Sword Demon go?”
As Na-rin tilted her head in confusion, Cheon-gi became absolutely certain this was paradise.
“Ah! Blessed Avalokiteshvara, thank you! To think you would send a wretch like me, who has only committed sins, to paradise with Na-rin!”
“Cheon-gi? Is something wrong with you?”
Tap!
Na-rin pressed her palm against Cheon-gi’s forehead with concern.
“Oh! You’re burning up! You’ve got quite a fever!”
“Ha-ha-ha! Na-rin!”
“Kyaaah!”
Cheon-gi suddenly wrapped his arms around Na-rin in gratitude, and she, startled, struck his chin upward with her fist.
Smack!
“Ugh…!”
“Oh! I’m… I’m sorry! Are you okay?”
“Ha… ha-ha. There’s pain even in paradise?”
“What? What in the world have you been saying since earlier?”
Na-rin was regarding him with genuine concern when—
Screee-Bang!
The sliding door burst open, and a man who glimpsed the scene inside gasped and cried out in urgency.
“The… the… the children have awakened!”
A fresh earthy breeze drifted through the paper door frame.

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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
—————