Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 76

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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 76

Martial Arts Alliance Guest Room.

Moonlight streaming through the window illuminated Cheonwolhyeon resting on the table.

A subtle radiance flowed over its crimson body.

Namgung Hwi gazed at the lute with admiring eyes.

“Amazing. I can’t sense any demonic energy at all.”

“Of course not.”

Lady Namgung Rin smiled brightly as she stroked the lute.

“People have a misconception. Originally, this Cheonwolhyeon never possessed any demonic energy. It was only corrupted by demonic energy when it fell into the hands of the Cheonwol Demon Empress.”

She lightly plucked a string.

Ting—.

A clear, pure sound filled the room.

“The Cheonwol Demon Empress was ultimately consumed by her own demonic energy. But I simply treated this Cheonwolhyeon as a musical instrument, and thanks to that, it regained its original form.”

She held up Cheonwolhyeon.

“Cheonwolhyeon is no longer a demonic string. It’s simply an instrument capable of producing every sound in the world.”

Namgung Cheon nodded silently.

Whether sword or instrument, it was the heart of the one who wielded it that determined its true nature.

Then, Namgung Hwi spoke heavily.

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“When you asked me to kill you…”

Namgung Hwi’s voice trembled slightly.

“I didn’t think you were truly serious. That’s why I scolded you so harshly.”

He bowed his head.

If only he had listened more seriously and stopped you, or at least worried together with you.

Having already heard about Lady Namgung Rin’s life and circumstances on the way here, an even deeper guilt washed over him.

However, Lady Namgung Rin smiled at Namgung Hwi’s words instead.

“Hey, that’s all in the past.”

“…”

As silence fell for a moment, Lady Namgung Rin stood up with a bright smile.

“Well, now that my story is finished, you have to keep your promise, right?”

Namgung Cheon nodded silently.

He too had been waiting for this.

Namgung Hwi, unaware of the situation, spoke cautiously.

“What are you talking about?”

Then Lady Namgung Rin answered with a mischievous smile.

“It’s a secret.”

“…”

“By the way, isn’t there a quiet place in the League? Oh, and sound absolutely cannot leak outside either.”

Namgung Hwi answered immediately.

“Even if there were such a place in the League, it would be difficult for us to use.”

Namgung Hwi pondered for a moment before continuing.

“However, if it’s outside the League, there is one.”

“Where?”

“There’s the Haman Branch, isn’t there?”

“Ah, right.”

Lady Namgung Rin clapped her hands.

“There was a branch here too? It’s so quiet I forgot about it.”

“That’s understandable. Unlike before, its significance has faded now.”

Namgung Hwi continued.

“There should be an underground stone chamber there. I believe the previous family head had it built during the war between the righteous and demonic sects.”

Lady Namgung Rin’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, that’s perfect!”

“But really, won’t you tell me what this is about?”

At those words, Lady Namgung Rin glanced at Namgung Cheon.

Namgung Cheon shook his head with a faint smile.

“It’s a secret.”

“…”

Namgung Hwi’s brow furrowed.

Here he was, supposedly the eldest son and older brother, yet his younger siblings were whispering secrets between themselves.

He pursed his lips slightly, but soon sighed and picked up a brush.

“Fine, if it’s a secret, I won’t pry further. Though I am disappointed.”

He quickly wrote something on the paper placed on the table.

It was a letter to the branch manager.

“Here it is.”

Namgung Hwi handed over the letter, its ink still wet.

“Deliver this to the branch manager. If you show this, he’ll provide assistance.”

As Namgung Cheon took the letter, Namgung Hwi added in a deliberately stern voice.

“And while you’re there, please look into the branch’s situation. There have been reports that the branch’s financial situation hasn’t been good lately. The main family has certainly been providing appropriate support.”

Namgung Hwi frowned as he continued.

“There must be some problem, but they won’t say anything… I’m asking you to handle it.”

“Understood.”

As Namgung Cheon nodded, Lady Namgung Rin burst into laughter beside him.

“Giving him work too, you really do hold grudges.”

“Be quiet.”

Namgung Hwi feigned indifference as he looked out the window.

But he couldn’t hide the smile playing at his lips.

“Yawn, I should get a good night’s sleep for once today.”

Lady Namgung Rin stretched as she stood up.

Then Namgung Hwi also rose from his seat.

“Yes, then rest well and have a safe trip.”

He then waved lightly at Namgung Cheon and quietly left the room.

Click.

The door closed, leaving only silence in the room.

The regular sound of Lady Namgung Rin’s breathing, and the sound of insects from outside the window.

It was a peaceful night.

Namgung Cheon stood by the window and looked up at the night sky.

Moonlight illuminated his face.

‘Family…’

A relationship he had never experienced in his previous life.

A bond where people could offer blind trust and even risk their lives simply because they shared blood.

The events of the day flashed by like a revolving lantern.

Lady Namgung Rin’s eyes as she trusted him and accepted the demonic energy, and Namgung Hwi’s expression of relief as he rushed over, albeit late.

‘What is blood relation, really.’

A faint smile crossed Namgung Cheon’s lips.

He turned his gaze to look at Cheonwolhyeon on the table and Mukhon hanging at his waist.

The reason Lady Namgung Rin was looking for a quiet place where sound wouldn’t leak out was.

‘She’s probably planning to use resonance.’

A method closer to natural principles rather than martial arts.

‘I can’t guarantee that alone will lead to great mastery, but…’

He felt hopeful.

Having witnessed the miraculous performance she showed at Munhyangryu today.

Having confirmed the power to make the impossible possible.

Namgung Cheon clenched his fist tightly.

He could feel the power filling his hand completely.

‘My body has been reborn through the Jeongcheon Reverse Muscle Method, and my internal energy overflows.’

Now only one thing remained.

Mastery of the mental cultivation method.

The realm of fully absorbing the mental cultivation method as his own, making it as natural as breathing.

If only that could be achieved.

‘I can advance to the next stage.’

The creation of a complete mental cultivation method for himself alone.

That was the next stage he envisioned, and the true beginning of martial arts.

“Huuu…”

Namgung Cheon closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The cool night air penetrated deep into his lungs.

‘I look forward to tomorrow.’

A smile played around Namgung Cheon’s lips.

* * *

The next morning.

Namgung Cheon and Lady Namgung Rin boarded the carriage together.

The path from Kaifeng to the Haman Branch wasn’t far.

After traveling for about half a day, a quiet manor appeared among the dense forest.

“We’ve arrived.”

Lady Namgung Rin said, looking out the window.

As the carriage stopped in front of the main gate, the guards watching the entrance approached with tense expressions.

“Where are you from… Gasp!”

The moment the guard confirmed Lady Namgung Rin poking her head out of the carriage, he quickly bowed his waist.

“I greet the honored one. Please wait a moment. I will inform the branch leader.”

One guard rushed inside hastily.

Shortly after, a man came running out urgently from inside.

Neat martial attire with sharp eyes.

He was a man who gave off a strangely hearty impression, perhaps due to the scar crossing his face.

“I am Namgung Seon, leader of the Haman Branch. I didn’t receive advance notice of honored guests coming, so I was late to greet you.”

His gaze lingered on Lady Namgung Rin for a moment, then turned to Namgung Cheon.

“It’s my first time meeting you, Third Young Master.”

“Yes, pleased to meet you.”

Namgung Cheon replied briefly.

On the other hand, Lady Namgung Rin smiled as if pleased and greeted him familiarly.

“It’s been a while. You look more distinguished than before.”

“Haha, you flatter me.”

Namgung Seon smiled as if embarrassed.

“Please come to the guest hall. I’ll prepare for you to rest from your journey.”

Namgung Seon led the way.

The interior of the branch was as neat as its exterior appearance.

However.

‘It feels strangely quiet for some reason.’

The training ground was empty, and there weren’t many warriors moving about within the manor.

A silence devoid of any vitality.

Namgung Cheon recalled what Namgung Hwi had said.

‘He said the financial situation wasn’t good, and there seemed to be problems beyond that.’

The heavy, sunken atmosphere was different from simply being quiet due to few people.

There definitely seemed to be some problem.

Then, Lady Namgung Rin casually brought up the topic.

“The branch is… quiet.”

Namgung Seon replied with a bitter smile.

“Yes. It’s not what it used to be. Exchanges with the main family have decreased, and being close to The League, there’s little need to move independently. We’re just… maintaining the status quo.”

His voice carried resignation.

However, Namgung Cheon didn’t pry further.

The branch’s circumstances weren’t what was important right now.

As soon as they settled in the guest hall, Namgung Cheon took out a letter from his chest.

“This is a letter from the First Young Master.”

Namgung Seon respectfully received the letter with both hands and read through it.

Soon his expression became serious.

“You wish to use the underground stone chamber.”

“Would that be possible?”

Namgung Seon hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Yes, but it hasn’t been maintained at all, so the condition is a bit…”

“It’s fine. It’s not like we’re going to live there.”

At Lady Namgung Rin’s words, Namgung Seon slowly nodded and stood up from his seat.

“Then I’ll guide you there.”

Namgung Seon led the way.

Going to the back of the branch building, a tightly closed iron door appeared beneath a massive rock.

Even the iron chains locking the door were rusted red, suggesting it hadn’t been opened in a long time.

Namgung Seon took out a heavy bundle of keys from his waist.

He tried inserting various keys into the lock hole.

However, the lock wouldn’t open.

“Hehe, my apologies. Since it’s a place we rarely use… I’m not sure which key is the right one.”

After he smiled awkwardly and struggled several more times, he finally found the right key.

Clank, creeeeak―.

The lock that had been sleeping for ages opened, and as the heavy door opened with the sound of scraping metal, cool wind blew out.

Stone steps leading underground stretched into the darkness.

Lady Namgung Rin peered inside and exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow, it really exists.”

Having said that, Lady Namgung Rin clapped her hands together.

Clap.

But the clapping sound didn’t spread outside and disappeared as if sucked into the cave.

It was a perfect sound-absorbing structure.

“Is this sufficient?”

At Namgung Cheon’s question, Lady Namgung Rin nodded.

“Yes. This will be sufficient.”

Namgung Cheon said to Namgung Seon.

“We’ll use this place for a while.”

“Please use it comfortably. If you need anything, please let me know anytime.”

Namgung Seon bowed politely and quickly withdrew so as not to be a disturbance.

With only the two of them left, the stone chamber entrance became even quieter.

“Let’s go in.”

Namgung Cheon went down the stairs first.

As they descended the stairs, a space was revealed.

In the center was a flat clearing for training, and in one corner, a bed and table were placed.

“Mm, shall we start right away? There’s no reason to delay.”

Lady Namgung Rin said as she set down her pipa on the table.

Lady Namgung Rin got straight to the point without giving him time to catch his breath.

But as she said, there was no reason to delay.

Namgung Cheon silently nodded and immediately sat cross-legged in the central clearing.

“I’m ready.”

“Good.”

Lady Namgung Rin sat across from him, holding Cheonwolhyeon.

Her expression became quite serious.

“As I briefly mentioned on the way here, this isn’t ordinary playing. Moreover, if it were like before, I would have just checked and opened your meridians, but…”

Lady Namgung Rin continued while looking at Cheonwolhyeon.

“Now I can draw out your problems to the outside. No, to be precise, I can manifest your inner world.”

“What do you mean by manifest?”

“I’ll give form to your problems and show them to you. That way you can properly see them.”

Lady Namgung Rin’s gaze deepened.

“But in that process, things you want to hide might be revealed. Your memories, your true nature, even the depths you want to conceal—everything. Is that still okay?”

“…”

Namgung Cheon hesitated for a moment.

The mysteries of the Demonic Dao added to his mental cultivation method, and his memories from his previous life.

Did this mean even those could be discovered?

As he pondered briefly, Lady Namgung Rin pulled out a bundle of black cloth from her bosom.

“Ah, of course I won’t make it visible to me in the first place, and as a precaution, I’ll cover my eyes. I’ll cover my eyes with this and block my ears with internal energy.”

She smiled as she held up the cloth.

“I won’t look. I won’t listen either. I’ll only play music. After all, you’re the one who has to solve the fundamental problem.”

Namgung Cheon looked at her quietly, then soon answered.

“I understand.”

“Good, then let’s begin.”

Lady Namgung Rin covered her eyes with the black cloth and held Cheonwolhyeon.

Then Lady Namgung Rin’s fingers gently settled on the strings of Cheonwolhyeon.

Dong—.

The first note rang out.

Saesanggok (Song of the Frontier).

It was a sorrowful melody that sang of the desolation of the borderlands.

Dong dong—.

The sound spreading from Cheonwolhyeon gradually enveloped Namgung Cheon’s body.

Namgung Cheon’s brow furrowed.

‘Rather than feeling like sound… it’s closer to vibration.’

Intense vibrations that penetrated his skin, passed through his muscles, and burrowed into his bones.

Namgung Cheon closed his eyes and accepted those vibrations.

Dong dong—.

The performance continued.

Beads of sweat gradually began to form on Lady Namgung Rin’s forehead.

That was when it happened.

‘It’s reached.’

Namgung Cheon’s brow furrowed.

Deep in his dantian, the sound had reached the place where traces remained that he had tried so hard to grind away.

Kiiiiik—.

A sharp metallic sound rang through his head.

It wasn’t the sound of Lady Namgung Rin’s performance.

It was a sound coming from inside his body.

Feeling the change in vibration at her fingertips, Lady Namgung Rin spoke.

“Do you hear it?”

“…I hear it.”

“That’s the wall you need to overcome.”

Lady Namgung Rin’s fingers quickened.

As the performance intensified, the metallic sound within Namgung Cheon also grew louder.

It was as if two sounds were fighting each other.

“Now comes the real part.”

Kwaaaaang!

Lady Namgung Rin roughly plucked the strings along with her words.

At the same time, tremendous power erupted from Namgung Cheon’s dantian like an explosion.

“Keuuk!”

A suppressed groan burst from Namgung Cheon’s mouth.

‘What is this…’

His internal energy began to run wild on its own.

The sensation of reality grew distant, and his consciousness was sucked into a distant abyss.

And the next moment.

Hwaaaak—!

His vision, which had been only darkness, brightened brilliantly.

The cold of the stone chamber floor and the sound of Lady Namgung Rin’s Cheonwolhyeon disappeared.

‘This place is…’

Namgung Cheon slowly opened his eyes.

What spread before his eyes was a vast sky with no visible end.

And carved into the sky that should have been peaceful was a hideous black crack.

It was a familiar yet ominous wound, as if someone had forcibly torn it apart.

“…”

Pitch-black darkness rippled beyond the crack.

Namgung Cheon stared intently at that abyss whose depth could not be known.

And he instinctively realized.

The power he thought he had wielded all his life.

But in reality, it was a massive instinct that had been devouring him.

“…Demon.”

Namgung Cheon muttered quietly.

At that moment.

Kugugung—!

The black crack opened its mouth and a roar echoed.

Seureung—.

Namgung Cheon immediately drew Cheoncheon.

The cool sword tip aimed directly at the rippling darkness.

“Yes, I’ll cut it all down.”

There’s no need for shadows in my sky.

—————
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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