Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 63

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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 63

 

The painfully blue sky that showed no end even when one raised their head to look up.

 

And words heard so often they were drilled into one’s ears.

 

― The sword of Namgung must be like that sky—high, vast, and purely clear.

 

Namgung Dan could not understand this.

 

A sword was originally a weapon forged from iron.

 

Did it not exist to cut, stab, and destroy things?

 

But how could one hold such a weapon and dream of that distant sky?

 

In that sense of disconnect, Namgung Dan gave up looking at the sky.

 

Instead, he cast his gaze downward.

 

Rather than chasing unrealistic ideals, he chose the path of destroying the enemies that existed before his eyes.

 

As a result, he became strong.

 

But at the same time, he lost the essence of Namgung.

 

That is why the family, and furthermore the martial world, called him the sword monster who lost the sky—Mucheongeomgoe.

 

Namgung Dan did not deny that derogatory name.

 

He considered it the price of the path he had chosen, and the highest place one who did not look at the sky in Namgung could reach.

 

He had no regrets.

 

However.

 

Wooooong—!

 

Now, before Namgung Dan’s eyes, his much younger nephew had unfolded another sky.

 

A sky with a different texture from the sky of the family head, Namgung Mugang, that he had seen long ago.

 

It was an wondrous sight, endlessly blue and magnificent, as if another sky had been painted over the world.

 

‘This is…’

 

Namgung Dan’s pupils shook.

 

‘The sky that you see.’

 

And.

 

The final technique of Pacheongmueaegeom shot from Namgung Dan’s sword, Cheonbung.

 

The sword that sought to collapse the sky and the sword that drew the sky collided head-on.

 

Kwaaaaang—!

 

His vision turned white.

 

Along with an ear-splitting roar, an unfamiliar sensation transmitted to Namgung Dan’s fingertips.

 

It felt as if he had struck down upon a massive rock, yet that rock softly embraced his sword like cotton—a strange sensation.

 

And at that moment.

 

Flash!

 

From within the aftermath of the collision, a single streak of blue light shot forth.

 

Before Namgung Dan could even react, a sharp energy grazed past his forearm.

 

“…!”

 

A shallow line of blood was drawn on Namgung Dan’s arm.

 

Even in that instant moment of clashing with Cheonbung, he had managed to find an opening and counterattack.

 

‘Tenacious bastard.’

 

But that was his limit.

 

Namgung Cheon’s sky gradually crumbled before Namgung Dan’s Cheonbung.

 

The accumulated layers of internal energy built up over the years.

 

It was due to that vast difference.

 

‘Still not enough.’

 

Whoooosh—.

 

A thick cloud of dust covered the training ground.

 

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the dust to settle.

 

Having seen Namgung Dan’s sword energy cover the training ground, no one thought Namgung Cheon would be unharmed.

 

However.

 

When the scene was finally revealed, everyone gasped.

 

“…!”

 

The training ground floor was miserably cracked, but at the end of it, Namgung Cheon still stood.

 

His clothes were tattered and his body was covered in blood.

 

But clearly, Namgung Cheon was standing on his own two feet.

 

Even though he was precariously leaning on his sword, Cheoncheon.

 

“…”

 

Namgung Dan slowly sheathed his sword.

 

Click.

 

The sound of sheathing rang out unusually loud.

 

He slowly moved his steps, approaching his nephew who still stood upright.

 

Despite his entire body being covered in blood, Namgung Cheon’s eyes still shone brightly.

 

A bitter yet relieved smile spread across Namgung Dan’s lips.

 

“…Magnificent.”

 

His voice trembled slightly.

 

“I have lived my entire life with my back to the sky. But…”

 

Namgung Dan reached out and grasped Namgung Cheon’s bloodied shoulder.

 

“Thanks to you, I have seen the sky after a long time.”

 

The highest praise a warrior of Namgung could hear.

 

Namgung Cheon looked at Namgung Dan while breathing heavily.

 

Even in his blurring vision, he could feel the sincerity on Namgung Dan’s face.

 

The corners of Namgung Cheon’s mouth slightly rose.

 

Seen the sky, he said.

 

Namgung Cheon shook his head.

 

‘Not yet.’

 

And he quietly opened his mouth.

 

“This is…”

 

His gaze turned toward Namgung Mugang sitting in the seat of honor on the dais.

 

For a moment, Namgung Cheon’s eyes became clear.

 

“Only the beginning.”

 

With those words.

 

Thud.

 

Namgung Cheon’s head dropped forward.

 

The thread of consciousness he had maintained to the extreme limit had snapped.

 

And.

 

“…!”

 

Even though his body had slackened more than before, Namgung Cheon still stood on his two feet on the ground.

 

Like the legendary war god Hyeongcheon, who would continue fighting to the end without falling even if his head were cut off.

 

Seeing that sight, Namgung Dan burst into laughter.

 

“Hahahaha! What a tenacious bastard! You’re not a sword hero, but a fighting demon!”

 

That laughter contained indescribable exhilaration.

 

A hot flame blazed deep within his chest.

 

Where would this child’s end be?

 

‘How far will you be able to reach?’

 

Namgung Dan’s gaze turned toward Namgung Mugang on the dais.

 

The true sky of Namgung, no, of this martial world, that he himself could not even dare to look up at.

 

The Sword Emperor.

 

Facing him, Namgung Dan felt suffocated as if one corner of his chest was completely blocked.

 

Even though he had clearly run endlessly, that cousin, Namgung Mugang, was once again distantly far away.

 

‘…Brother is truly a sword monster.’

 

The sight of one who had already reached the pinnacle still thirsting for martial arts.

 

Even though he could slow down for once, even for a moment, Namgung Mugang never did such a thing.

 

“….”

 

Namgung Dan turned his head again, looking at Namgung Cheon who stood unconscious.

 

If he could rush toward that blue sky even faster with this unfathomable will.

 

Perhaps he could reach that heaven someday.

 

If so.

 

‘I’ll help you reach it.’

 

Namgung Dan carefully lifted the unconscious Namgung Cheon who was standing.

 

Then he immediately turned and walked toward the dais.

 

Soon, Namgung Dan stopped below the dais and looked up at Namgung Mugang intently.

 

The two men’s gazes intertwined in midair.

 

“Clan Leader.”

 

Namgung Dan spoke with a heavy voice, different from before.

 

Then Namgung Mugang slowly rose from his seat.

 

His indifferent gaze rested on his son for a moment, then moved to Namgung Dan.

 

Namgung Mugang’s eyes deepened.

 

He already knew.

 

What Namgung Dan had seen, and what that look in his eyes meant.

 

“Speak.”

 

Namgung Dan spoke without hesitation.

 

“This child, I will take charge of him for a while.”

 

The elders on the dais stirred, but Namgung Dan didn’t even glance at them.

 

He only looked at Namgung Mugang and continued speaking.

 

“Because it would be a bit regrettable.”

 

“…!”

 

Namgung Mugang’s eyes trembled slightly.

 

Namgung Dan paused for a moment and chuckled.

 

“Shouldn’t we polish him even now?”

 

Namgung Mugang asked quietly.

 

“Will you have no regrets?”

 

A brief question.

 

But Namgung Dan laughed heartily.

 

“Wouldn’t it be more lamentable to remain idle after seeing such talent?”

 

He looked down at Namgung Cheon in his arms.

 

“This child will surely accomplish it. He’ll see a world broader than my eyes, and reach a sky higher than my sword.”

 

Namgung Dan’s eyes flashed.

 

“So I intend to pave the way for him. So he can fly up faster and higher.”

 

Such deep conviction.

 

Namgung Mugang fell silent for a moment at his cousin’s passion toward his son.

 

Soon, Namgung Mugang let out a short sigh and nodded.

 

“Do so. I will grant you access to everything in Jeoncheon Hall.”

 

At the clan leader’s permission, Namgung Dan bowed with a satisfied smile.

 

“Thank you, Clan Leader.”

 

After briefly showing his respects, Namgung Dan hurriedly checked on Namgung Cheon’s condition in his arms.

 

Faintly trembling breath.

 

His energy channels were unstable from exceeding his limits.

 

“Then, since it’s urgent, I’ll take my leave now.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, he kicked off the ground.

 

Thud!

 

Instantly soaring several zhang high into the air, he shot like an arrow across the rooftops toward the east where Jeoncheon Hall was located.

 

The two figures disappeared from sight in an instant.

 

“….”

 

On the dais, Namgung Mugang silently gazed at the eastern sky where they had vanished, his mouth closed.

 

Soon, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

 

‘Yes, fly up to your heart’s content.’

 

Until then.

 

I will ensure the world’s darkness does not cast its shadow upon you.

 

* * *

 

The training ground after Namgung Cheon and Namgung Dan had disappeared, and even Namgung Mugang had left.

 

With all the main characters gone, only heavy silence lingered in the training ground.

 

The Jinsan Sword Division members stood dazed, alternately looking at the cracked floor and their own swords.

 

What filled their minds was shock and helplessness.

 

Because they had painfully realized how pitiful the swords they had honed their entire lives were beneath the sky shown by the young master.

 

Heavy air, crushed by defeat, pressed down on the training ground.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Jegal Hwa, who had remained alone on the dais, slowly descended the stairs.

 

Her footsteps echoed clearly through the quiet training ground.

 

Soon, Jegal Hwa stopped in the center of the training ground, before the massive sword mark left by Namgung Cheon.

 

Then she slowly raised her head and surveyed the warriors.

 

“Raise your heads.”

 

A cool voice that penetrated every corner of the training ground.

 

Startled by that coolness, the warriors looked up.

 

Jegal Hwa’s eyes were cold.

 

“What are you looking at that makes you bow your heads?”

 

She pointed with her finger at the sword mark remaining on the floor.

 

“Are you frightened by overwhelming martial prowess, or are you ashamed that your wretchedness has been exposed?”

 

At the pointed criticism, the warriors gritted their teeth.

 

Expressions mixed with shame and self-loathing.

 

But Jegal Hwa didn’t stop.

 

“How foolish.”

 

Her voice gained strength.

 

“Today you didn’t suffer defeat, but rather….”

 

Jegal Hwa slowly raised her hand and pointed to the eastern sky.

 

The place where Namgung Cheon had disappeared.

 

“You witnessed possibility.”

 

“….”

 

“You saw the end of how far Namgung’s sword can reach. And since you too are under the same sky, wielding the same sword, you can surely reach that end.”

 

The warriors’ eyes wavered.

 

Not despair, but hope.

 

Not fear, but a goal.

 

Jegal Hwa’s words were rekindling the dying embers in their hearts.

 

She met each warrior’s eyes one by one and continued speaking.

 

“Chase after that back.”

 

Jegal Hwa declared.

 

“Don’t be afraid, don’t doubt. Just advance toward that back.”

 

Her voice gradually rose.

 

“Then you too… will be able to stand together under that sky.”

 

A moment of silence.

 

And then.

 

“We obey your command!”

 

The Jinsan Sword Division’s Budan-ju, Namgung Hyeon, shouted loudly and knelt down.

 

“”We obey your command!””

 

Following him, all the warriors knelt in unison and shouted together.

 

Hundreds of voices merged as one, shaking the Training Ground.

 

Jegal Hwa watched this scene with a faint smile on her lips.

 

Rebuilding shattered pride and uniting scattered hearts.

 

That was what she, as the mistress, had to do, and that task was perfectly completed.

 

Soon, her smiling gaze slowly shifted.

 

To a corner of the Training Ground, where deep shadows fell.

 

Toward another son standing there.

 

Her second son, Namgung Jin.

 

He was biting his lips and clenching his fists tightly.

 

Frustration, jealousy, and despair.

 

His face showed all those emotions.

 

Then Namgung Jin slowly lowered his hand and fumbled for the sword at his waist.

 

He gripped the scabbard tightly, then very slowly let go.

 

It was a painful gesture, as if tearing away his own flesh.

 

“…Huu.”

 

With a short, deep sigh, he completely removed his hand from the sword.

 

And without lingering attachment, he turned and left the Training Ground.

 

Watching his retreating figure, Jegal Hwa’s expression filled with sympathy.

 

‘Now you’re letting go.’

 

Having lived his entire life as a prince of a Sword Family, letting go of the sword might feel like a humiliation worse than death.

 

But.

 

‘Only when your hands are empty can you finally grasp something else, Jin.’

 

Whether it be a brush, ledgers, or wealth that moves Tianxia.

 

Still, it must hurt.

 

The fact that he cannot defeat his younger brother with the sword.

 

‘However, that pain will make you stronger.’

 

Jegal Hwa whispered in her heart toward her departing son.

 

‘So go, to find clothes that suit you.’

 

Just show that it is never giving up or running away.

 

And.

 

‘You must show them.’

 

That you are a Namgung to the very end.

—————
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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