Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 70

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

Chapter 70

 

Hanan Kaifeng.

 

An ancient capital that once held the glory of various dynasties, and the heart of Junghwon where the rough waters of the Yellow River meet the land routes of Tianxia.

 

While countless dynasties rose and fell, Kaifeng had silently maintained its position.

 

Massive walls that had weathered such storms of time stretched endlessly, and within the city, the lives of hundreds of thousands of common people continued along roads intertwined like blood vessels.

 

This place was a land of opportunity for merchants, a city of refinement for scholars, and the one and only place where warriors could make their names known throughout Tianxia.

 

In front of the North Gate of such Kaifeng, two men appeared cutting through the dawn just before daybreak.

 

“Huff, huff…”

 

They were Namgung Cheon and Namgung Hwi.

 

The two stopped in front of the North Gate, breathing heavily.

 

Their entire bodies were soaked with sweat, and their clothes were a mess from dust.

 

Namgung Hwi placed his hands on his knees and caught his breath.

 

Pain as if his lungs would burst washed over him, but a strange smile spread across his lips.

 

“…You won.”

 

Namgung Hwi acknowledged his defeat with a bitter smile.

 

During the final sprint across the plains, Namgung Cheon had consistently stayed about one jang ahead.

 

“Buy me a drink.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Namgung Hwi chuckled and replied to Namgung Cheon’s dry words.

 

Then Namgung Cheon looked at the morning sun rising above the castle gate.

 

Red sunlight illuminated the massive Kaifeng Castle, announcing the start of a new day.

 

Soon the castle gate opened, and crowds who had been waiting since dawn poured out like a tide.

 

The two brothers mixed with the crowd and entered the city.

 

The scenery inside the city was on a completely different level from Hefei.

 

Massive pavilions that seemed to reach the sky and endlessly connected roads.

 

The number of people moving between them was truly countless.

 

Moreover, there were just as many warriors.

 

One out of every three pedestrians walking the streets carried weapons, and those wearing martial robes overflowed everywhere.

 

‘There are many strong ones.’

 

Namgung Cheon walked silently while scanning their auras.

 

Most were at best second or third-rate level, but occasionally masters were mixed among them.

 

They didn’t bother to hide their energy.

 

Rather, they displayed it as if showing off their presence.

 

This was because it was a place where unnecessary disputes wouldn’t arise even if they did so.

 

The land of the Orthodox Faction, Kaifeng.

 

True to a place that advocated cooperation and righteousness, senseless brawls or violence like in places where the Heterodox Faction held sway didn’t occur.

 

But that didn’t mean it was peaceful.

 

‘It’s a place where invisible hierarchy and order are maintained even more thoroughly. The Orthodox Faction has always been like that.’

 

But because of that.

 

‘Conversely, this kind of coexistence is possible.’

 

Namgung Cheon smiled bitterly inwardly.

 

In his previous life, even when he was Cheonma, this place had always been troublesome.

 

The place where the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters was located, and where the Orthodox Faction’s power centered around them was strongest.

 

He had walked into that land with his own feet.

 

It was a strange sensation.

 

“First, I need to visit the League and report my return.”

 

Namgung Hwi took the lead.

 

“Come with me.”

 

At those words, Namgung Cheon’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Why should he go along for a return report?

 

Then Namgung Hwi smiled and continued speaking.

 

“Actually, the Leader wanted to see you.”

 

There was only one person Namgung Hwi would call Leader.

 

Namgung Cheon spoke up.

 

“You mean Cheonui Daejoo?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Cheonui Daejoo.

 

The leader of Cheonui-dae, said to be the Murim Alliance’s strongest military force.

 

His martial prowess must be tremendous.

 

‘It would be worth seeing.’

 

Namgung Cheon slowly nodded his head.

 

At Namgung Cheon’s acceptance, Namgung Hwi lightly patted his shoulder and began walking ahead.

 

After walking for quite a while, they arrived at the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters.

 

Walls as high as the city walls stretched so long their end couldn’t be seen, and the pavilions visible beyond them rose as if to pierce the sky.

 

It was a scale that could truly be called a massive fortress without exaggeration.

 

But what struck Namgung Cheon more wasn’t its appearance.

 

Namgung Cheon’s gaze turned beyond the walls, toward the interior of the Murim Alliance.

 

‘Impressive.’

 

Whether they weren’t bothering to hide it, numerous masters were each emanating their own auras.

 

It was a place befitting the phrase “dragon’s pool and tiger’s den.”

 

Then, a Wisa guarding the main gate spotted Namgung Hwi and shouted loudly.

 

“The Sword Dragon has returned!”

 

At that shout, all eyes in the vicinity focused on them at once.

 

As the Wisas opened a path in perfect order, even the warriors who had been training inside the League stopped what they were doing and ran out to bow their heads.

 

“Did you have a good trip?”

 

“It’s been a long time!”

 

The Sword Dragon was the model and pinnacle of all younger generation warriors.

 

It was a natural reaction.

 

Namgung Hwi, seemingly accustomed to such reactions, responded to their greetings with a gentle smile and led Namgung Cheon inside.

 

The interior of the League was far more magnificent than what they had seen from outside.

 

Countless pavilions were arranged in perfect order, and the footsteps of warriors moving between them had discipline.

 

Training grounds prepared throughout echoed with continuous battle cries, and the sounds of weapons clashing rang out constantly.

 

“This is your first time entering the League, isn’t it? How is it?”

 

Namgung Hwi asked while walking.

 

Namgung Cheon slowly looked around.

 

Shaolin warrior monks in gray robes practicing fists, Taoists in white robes swinging swords with their sleeves fluttering, and countless warriors continuing sparring matches while holding various different weapons.

 

A scene that could be called a miniature version of Gangho came into view.

 

“Impressive. I can really feel that numerous sects have gathered here.”

 

“That’s right. That’s both the League’s strength and its difficulty at the same time.”

 

Namgung Hwi nodded with a bitter smile.

 

“When different swords gather to form one will, there’s bound to be discord. Still, it’s fortunate that they eventually converge into the great stream of righteousness.”

 

Namgung Cheon fell into thoughtful silence for a moment, then quietly added.

 

“Still, the fact that there’s discord means it’s still healthy, doesn’t it?”

 

At those words, Namgung Hwi started and looked back at his younger brother.

 

After staring blankly for a moment, he soon smiled mischievously and spoke.

 

“…When did you become so eloquent? Did you perhaps study rhetoric while at the clan?”

 

When Namgung Cheon frowned and stared at him, Namgung Hwi waved his hand and laughed.

 

“I’m joking, just joking. Come, let’s go. The Leader is waiting.”

 

Namgung Hwi smiled once more and led the way to the deepest part of the League.

 

It was the direction where the pavilion of the Cheonui-dae, Cheonieui Hall, was located.

 

* * *

 

Cheonieui Hall.

 

A middle-aged man stood by the window, looking down at the training ground.

 

He wore a long robe with red plum blossom patterns embroidered over a snow-white dao robe.

 

His neat appearance without a single disheveled detail and gentle demeanor made him look like an ordinary Taoist.

 

But this was only his outward appearance.

 

The red plum blossoms embroidered on his long robe were the symbol of the prestigious Hwasan Sect, which competed for leadership among the Nine Sects.

 

Moreover, among them was a title granted to only five masters, the Five Swords of Hwasan.

 

One of them, and the leader who commanded the Cheonui-dae, a core force of the Murim Alliance, was this Taoist, Plum Blossom Sword Lord Wunhak.

 

Wunhak closed his eyes briefly and read the presence carried on the wind.

 

The fighting spirit emanating from dozens of members, the explosive sounds of clashing blades, rough breathing.

 

Everything was familiar routine.

 

But among that familiarity, unfamiliar energies were detected.

 

‘…Ho.’

 

Wunhak’s eyebrows twitched.

 

Two energies approaching from afar.

 

One was clear.

 

An energy as splendid as Hwasan’s plum blossoms, yet solid as rock.

 

It was Sword Dragon Namgung Hwi, his cherished subordinate who could be called second to none among the rising generation.

 

‘The problem is… that energy beside him.’

 

He focused on another energy walking alongside Namgung Hwi.

 

It was strange.

 

‘I can’t read it properly at all.’

 

It definitely existed.

 

He could feel footsteps and breathing.

 

But when he tried to grasp the substance of the energy, it scattered like mist, and when he tried to gauge its depth, it felt like groping through empty air.

 

An energy that seemed to exist yet not exist, that didn’t exist yet clearly did.

 

Wunhak’s brow furrowed at that ambiguity that made him doubt even his own senses.

 

‘Was there such a person?’

 

There was no master with such energy in the Murim Alliance.

 

Was it a reclusive expert he didn’t know?

 

Or perhaps someone newly joined to the Alliance?

 

Curiosity arose.

 

Step. Step.

 

The footsteps drew closer.

 

Soon a respectful voice was heard from outside the door.

 

“Lord, this is Namgung Hwi. May I enter?”

 

Wunhak maintained silence for a moment before quietly opening his mouth.

 

“Come in.”

 

Creak―.

 

The door opened, and two men entered.

 

Leading was Namgung Hwi in white martial robes.

 

And following behind him, a young man in black martial robes revealed himself.

 

Wunhak slowly turned his body to face them.

 

His gaze passed over Namgung Hwi and reached Namgung Cheon.

 

Neatly tied hair, an indifferent expression.

 

Moreover, his handsome features stood out, resembling yet different from Sword Dragon Namgung Hwi, who was called the Jade-Faced Sword.

 

Only then did words that Namgung Hwi had casually mentioned some time ago come to Wunhak’s mind.

 

― I would like to show you my younger brother once. I wonder what you would think of him, Lord…

 

‘Ah.’

 

Wunhak’s eyes flashed.

 

Then was the owner of that unidentifiable energy that very person of rumor?

 

The name most renowned in Gangho recently.

 

The youngest young master of the Namgung Clan who held martial competitions in Anhui, defeated the Janggang Gyoryong, and even single-handedly destroyed the vicious Gwimyeon-gye.

 

The Sword Ghost, no, the Cheoncheon Sword Hero Namgung Cheon.

 

A faint smile appeared on Wunhak’s lips.

 

His gaze passed over Namgung Cheon’s face and slowly moved to his waist.

 

Two sword sheaths, white and black.

 

The moment his gaze touched the pitch-black sword sheath.

 

“….”

 

His gentle eyes hardened cold as ice.

 

Namgung Cheon also didn’t miss that change.

 

‘…He recognizes the sword.’

 

At the same time, he felt that the aura emanating from Wunhak had changed from before.

 

‘Namgung Dan… no, is he equal to or one level above my uncle?’

 

Neither Janggang Gyoryong Jang Gwang, nor Jeokmeolgeom Mujin, nor even Jeoncheon Jeonju Namgung Dan had given this level of pressure.

 

Except for one person, excluding Family Head Namgung Mugang, this was the first time he felt such an enormous wall.

 

The moment the two men’s gazes intertwined in midair, the air in the room sank heavily.

 

Two people quietly staring at each other in pressure so intense that even breathing was difficult.

 

Eventually, Wunhak’s eyes, which had been quietly watching Namgung Cheon, sank deeply.

 

And.

 

“Can you show me your sword?”

 

At those words, it was rather Namgung Hwi who was flustered.

 

“Lord, what do you mean by that….”

 

At that moment.

 

Clack.

 

Namgung Cheon unhesitatingly drew Cheoncheon and held it forward.

 

However.

 

“No, I mean the other sword. The sword beside it.”

 

Wunhak looked at the endlessly dark sword sheath, Mukhon, with eyes that had become even more chilly.

 

“I need to see that sword. And….”

 

Wunhak slowly rose from his seat.

 

“Whether you can handle that evil sword.”

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