Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 61

 

A time when the dawn’s twilight had not yet fully faded.

 

Through the mist swirling around the peaks of the Dabie Mountain Range, the red sun poked its head out.

 

Its light illuminated the center of the Namgung Clan, the Great Training Ground where hundreds of warriors stood in formation.

 

At the center of the warriors stood the Jinsan Sword Division, one wing of the Cheonggung Four Swords.

 

Fifty swordsmen, all having reached the pinnacle.

 

Their magnificent aura enveloped the training ground.

 

On the dais behind the training ground, all the central figures of the clan had gathered.

 

Namgung Mugang sat in the center, with Jegal Hwa beside him, and below them sat the elders including Grand Elder Namgung Gyeong.

 

And behind them, standing a little apart, was the second young master Namgung Jin.

 

He gazed at the training ground with a tense expression.

 

‘How much will you show us?’

 

Namgung Jin’s feelings were complicated.

 

The unstoppable progress that had begun after the sword selection.

 

And the transcendent realm that he himself had not yet reached.

 

He knew intellectually that he had already fallen behind his younger brother in martial prowess.

 

But his heart felt otherwise.

 

The stubbornness of not believing until he saw it with his own eyes.

 

And perhaps, just maybe, the vague hope that it might all be empty rumors.

 

All these emotions tangled together had led him to this place.

 

Step. Step.

 

Just then, heavy footsteps could be heard from the entrance of the training ground.

 

Hundreds of eyes turned toward that direction as if by agreement.

 

Black martial robes with a subtle blue tint.

 

And white and black sword sheaths hanging at his waist.

 

It was Namgung Cheon, the man wearing two swords that had now become solidified as his symbol.

 

He crossed the training ground with leisurely steps, looking around.

 

The aura emanating from nearly hundreds of warriors and the fervor burning in their eyes.

 

Confusion and expectation, doubt and jealousy.

 

All these emotions were rushing toward him like waves.

 

Emotions that Cheonma, who had stood at the pinnacle of the Demonic Dao, would have regarded as mere gentle breezes.

 

But the current Namgung Cheon was different.

 

‘Unexpectedly, this isn’t bad.’

 

Because all of this proved that I am alive, that my footsteps exist.

 

‘So first…’

 

I should show myself.

 

Thud.

 

As Namgung Cheon’s steps stopped below the dais, the aura circling the training ground began to change rapidly.

 

Whoooosh—.

 

The transcendent realm’s aura, perfectly hidden by Taeheohosimgong, surged forth like an undercurrent.

 

On the dais, Namgung Mugang’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

 

He knew his son was intentionally revealing his presence.

 

The act of first overwhelming with momentum while simultaneously showing a clear presence.

 

It was shrewd. But Namgung Mugang didn’t dislike that shrewdness.

 

Soon Namgung Cheon looked up at the dais and respectfully cupped his fists.

 

“Third Young Master Namgung Cheon greets the Head of the Clan.”

 

Namgung Mugang, seated on the dais, looked down at his son and soon opened his mouth.

 

“Yes, are you ready?”

 

At Namgung Mugang’s question, Namgung Cheon grasped his sword.

 

“I am always ready.”

 

An unwavering answer.

 

At those words, one corner of Namgung Mugang’s mouth lifted slightly.

 

It was the same answer as before entering Cheonmuggo.

 

‘Yes, what else would a warrior need?’

 

Tianxia and the sword.

 

These two alone were sufficient.

 

Namgung Mugang nodded with satisfaction and slowly turned his gaze to look at the Jinsan Sword Division standing in formation.

 

Wherever his eyes fell, the warriors unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.

 

“Who will step forward first?”

 

As soon as the question fell, a man standing with the division commander in the front row stepped forward.

 

It was Namgung Hyeon, the deputy commander of the Jinsan Sword Division.

 

Though from a branch family, he was a master at the early stage of the transcendent realm who had risen to deputy commander through skill alone.

 

He respectfully cupped his fists toward the dais.

 

“I dare to step forward first.”

 

Namgung Mugang looked down at him.

 

A moment of silence passed, and then permission was granted.

 

“Permission granted.”

 

“Thank you!”

 

Namgung Hyeon answered vigorously and then faced Namgung Cheon.

 

“I request instruction from the Third Young Master.”

 

He respectfully observed proper etiquette while drawing the sword from his waist.

 

Shing—.

 

The sharp blue blade flashed as it caught the sunlight.

 

Namgung Cheon looked at Namgung Hyeon with indifferent eyes.

 

‘A transcendent realm master of the Orthodox Faction. Is this a first for this body?’

 

The transcendent realm opponents he had faced so far totaled three.

 

Only the wanderer Mujin, the Heterodox Faction’s Janggang Gyoryong, and Gwimyeon Gyejoo.

 

The aura emanating from these men and the man before him, Namgung Hyeon, was distinctly different.

 

It was solid and upright.

 

It was the weight that only one who had devoted his entire life to orthodox martial arts could possess.

 

Namgung Cheon placed his hand on Cheoncheon at his waist.

 

He had no intention of using the Cheoncheon Myriad Forms Style in this sparring match.

 

‘What I need to show them is complete Namgung martial arts.’

 

Shing.

 

With a clear metallic sound, Cheoncheon revealed itself.

 

Though he had simply pointed his sword tip without any special technique, Namgung Hyeon’s expression hardened in an instant.

 

Namgung Cheon watched with cold eyes as his pupils wavered.

 

‘Though they call it instructional sparring.’

 

What was needed now was to shatter the arrogance and delusions they harbored.

 

He had to personally teach them what Namgung martial arts truly was, what an unreachable realm looked like.

 

That would be the only way to help them escape from illusions and find the true path.

 

‘There’s no need to explain with words.’

 

He wasn’t someone who discussed martial arts with his mouth to begin with.

 

Even so, the reason the Head of the Clan had deliberately placed him here was clear.

 

To show an overwhelming difference.

 

This was the teaching the Head of the Clan desired, and what he could show them.

 

Whooom—.

 

Deep blue sword energy rose like a mirage above Namgung Cheon’s blade.

 

It was an unconventional move to reveal sword energy from the very start of the sparring match.

 

Then Namgung Cheon spoke quietly.

 

“Come at me with your full heart.”

 

At those words, Namgung Hyeon’s eyes widened.

 

Using sword energy in a duel, especially against a direct descendant of Namgung, could lead to a serious accident.

 

Namgung Hyeon looked up nervously at Namgung Mugang on the dais.

 

But Namgung Mugang simply watched silently, showing no particular reaction.

 

Then Jegal Hwa, sitting beside him, quietly nodded her head.

 

It was permission.

 

‘Good.’

 

Namgung Hyeon’s eyes flashed.

 

Since permission had been granted, there was no reason to refuse.

 

“Huuu…”

 

Namgung Hyeon took a deep breath.

 

He drew up all the internal energy from his dantian and pushed it into his sword.

 

Whoosh!

 

Blue energy began blazing fiercely above his sword as well.

 

“Here I come!”

 

Namgung Hyeon charged forward with a battle cry.

 

Bang!

 

The moment he stomped his foot, the training ground floor trembled.

 

Explosive acceleration.

 

Namgung Hyeon’s sword, having closed the distance in an instant, shot up above Namgung Cheon’s head.

 

Celestial Boundless Sword Technique’s first form.

 

Jungsankaecheon.

 

A magnificent technique that splits layered mountains and opens the heavens.

 

Namgung Hyeon put all his internal energy into his sword and brought it down.

 

Kwaaa—.

 

Namgung Hyeon’s sword fell, crushing through the air.

 

Momentum befitting the technique name Jungsankaecheon.

 

And seeing this, Namgung Cheon.

 

Woong!

 

Began bringing his sword down in exactly the same trajectory as Namgung Hyeon.

 

Jungsankaecheon.

 

It was the same technique.

 

But the essence was clearly different.

 

If Namgung Hyeon’s technique was like Mount Tai crushing down, Namgung Cheon’s technique was honed sharp enough to cut through space itself.

 

And then.

 

Kwaaaaang!

 

The two sword energies collided head-on in midair.

 

With an ear-splitting roar, tremendous shockwaves swept across the training ground.

 

The blue steel stones of the floor cracked, and dust rising from the gaps obscured vision.

 

And in that chaos.

 

Crack.

 

An ominous sound rang out.

 

“…!”

 

The faces of the watching warriors turned pale.

 

Surely not.

 

Everyone held their breath, imagining the worst scenario.

 

After a moment, when the dust settled, everyone doubted their eyes at the scene revealed.

 

Namgung Cheon stood indifferently with his sword lowered.

 

His sword, Cheoncheon, was emitting a blue light without a single scratch.

 

Meanwhile, Namgung Hyeon was looking down at his sword with a dazed expression.

 

At his sword broken in half.

 

“…”

 

A single exchange.

 

Despite clashing with the same technique, Namgung Cheon’s sword energy had cut through Namgung Hyeon’s sword energy and his sword like cutting tofu.

 

An overwhelming gap.

 

Namgung Cheon didn’t spare a glance for the collapsed Namgung Hyeon.

 

Instead, he let his sword hang loose and surveyed the entire training ground.

 

Dozens of Jinsan Sword Division members were watching him while holding their breath.

 

“Since I’ve warmed up…”

 

Namgung Cheon’s voice echoed low across the quiet training ground.

 

“All of you, come at me.”

 

* * *

 

‘Is that… truly possible?’

 

Seven Elders’ Namgung Do doubted his own eyes.

 

No, he wanted to close his eyes instead.

 

Below the dais, the great training ground was already a scene of carnage.

 

“…”

 

Namgung Do swallowed dry saliva.

 

The scene entering his vision was completely overturning the common sense of martial arts he had built up over his lifetime.

 

If fifty swordsmen thrust their swords simultaneously, their momentum alone should be enough to shatter rocks and shake mountains.

 

Especially if they were the Jinsan Sword Division, one wing of the Cheonggung Four Swords that the Namgung Clan prided itself on.

 

‘No matter how much the Jinsan Sword Division is the lowest rank of the Cheonggung Four Swords, they even deployed the Heavenly Domination Nine Palace Sword Formation…’

 

The Heavenly Domination Nine Palace Sword Formation deployed by fifty peak warriors was an absolute formation that no master could easily escape from.

 

But Namgung Cheon was leisurely tearing through the sword formation as if mocking it.

 

Bang! Crack!

 

Dull explosive sounds burst out in succession.

 

Each time Namgung Cheon’s sword grazed them, the division members’ swords broke helplessly in midair.

 

Already close to twenty swords lay broken in half, rolling on the ground.

 

“…Huh.”

 

A groan-like sigh flowed from Namgung Do’s mouth.

 

Strength naturally entered his hands.

 

His finger joints turned white from the pressure.

 

Though he had spent his lifetime more interested in politics and other miscellaneous affairs than martial arts, as an elder of Namgung he had basic discernment.

 

That’s why Namgung Cheon’s appearance was all the more shocking.

 

‘Is that young master… really the same third young master I knew?’

 

Namgung Do trembled.

 

That youngest young master he had looked down on his entire life.

 

A child who had talent but was lazy, wandering the corners of the family with eyes lacking ambition.

 

So he had felt at ease and ignored him.

 

But the being now standing before his eyes was at a realm he couldn’t even dare to understand.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

A quiet voice came from behind him.

 

“Isn’t this interesting? Seven Elder.”

 

Namgung Do startled and turned around.

 

There stood an old man in worn martial robes, arms crossed, though he hadn’t noticed when he’d arrived.

 

White hair carelessly tied with a leather cord, robes covered in dust.

 

His appearance was no different from a wanderer drifting through battlefields.

 

But the moment Namgung Do saw him, his breath caught in his throat.

 

‘Why is this person here…’

 

Namgung Do unconsciously flinched.

 

If it had been anyone else, he would have immediately berated them for their shabby appearance, but he couldn’t dare do so to this person.

 

He knew all too well that in front of this old man, neither his position as an Elder nor his own standing held any meaning.

 

“…You have come.”

 

Namgung Do reluctantly offered his greeting.

 

The old man didn’t respond and only stared at the training ground.

 

Namgung Do spoke again.

 

“But what do you find so interesting? The clan’s elites are being beaten like that.”

 

At the questioning tone, the old man twisted up one corner of his mouth.

 

“It’s interesting precisely because it’s the Jinsan Sword Division.”

 

“…?”

 

“What sword technique have they learned? They’ve learned the essence of Namgung, the Celestial Boundless Sword Technique. But that child…”

 

The old man’s eyes narrowed.

 

He was following Namgung Cheon’s every movement without missing a single detail.

 

The subtle movements of his toes, the rotation of his wrists, even the intervals of his breathing.

 

“He sees through that essence. No, he’s toying with it.”

 

“…!”

 

“Beyond reading sword paths, he reads everything from muscle tremors to eye movements and breathing, then strikes at those gaps. By severing the flow before they can even put strength into it, their swords break so helplessly.”

 

The old man’s eyes flashed.

 

“It’s proof that his understanding of martial arts is immeasurably high. So how could it not be interesting? When you think about it, he’s toying with seniors who are more than ten years older than him.”

 

The old man’s gaze burned even more intensely.

 

Namgung Do was left speechless.

 

He wanted to argue back, but there were few in the clan who could challenge his insight.

 

His discernment had never been wrong.

 

After finishing his words, the old man’s eyes turned back to Namgung Cheon.

 

Thereafter, every time Namgung Cheon deflected a sword or took a step, the old man’s body reacted along with him.

 

“Ah, there he should respond with the Iron Hammer Ascending Wall technique… Tsk.”

 

A mutter filled with regret.

 

As if he were standing there directly crossing swords, he was fighting countless exchanges in his mind.

 

Meanwhile, the commotion in the training ground gradually subsided.

 

Finally.

 

Clang!

 

The last Jinsan Sword Division member’s sword was sent flying into midair.

 

“…”

 

Hundreds of warriors gazed at the young master who had created this miraculous spectacle, forgetting even to breathe.

 

A silence mixed with various emotions settled heavily over the training ground.

 

And as if breaking that stillness.

 

Step. Step.

 

The old man who had been standing beside Namgung Do began to walk.

 

Namgung Do watched the old man’s retreating figure in shock.

 

‘Surely not…?’

 

The place where the old man’s steps finally stopped was.

 

“Clan Leader.”

 

In front of Namgung Mugang.

 

Standing below the dais, the old man continued without hesitation.

 

“This duel has no qualification restrictions, does it not?”

 

At the old man’s question, a strange light flickered in Namgung Mugang’s eyes.

 

Eventually, he looked down at the old man and showed a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

 

“That’s correct.”

 

At Namgung Mugang’s words, the old man nodded as if satisfied.

 

Then he slowly turned around to face Namgung Cheon.

 

“It’s been a long time.”

 

Before the greeting was even finished, he slowly drew his sword.

 

Shing―.

 

The moment the worn blade revealed itself.

 

Whoooosh―!

 

A tremendous energy that seemed ready to devour everything exploded from his entire body.

 

Within that overwhelming aura, the old man pointed his sword tip at Namgung Cheon and shouted so loudly that the training ground trembled.

 

“Namgung Dan, the Patriarch of Jeoncheon, formally requests a duel with the Third Young Master.”

 

Namgung Dan, the Patriarch of Jeoncheon.

 

Cheoncheon, Byeokryeok, Pungun, Jinsan.

 

The master of Jeoncheon Hall who commanded the Cheonggung Four Swords, the core sword divisions of the Namgung Clan,

 

A sword master who stood at the edge of the supreme realm and knocked on the wall beyond.

 

And.

 

“Come now, let’s have some real fun, Cheon-ah.”

 

He was Namgung Cheon’s uncle.

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