Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 9
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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 9
After engaging in fierce battle, Namgung Cheon felt hunger washing over him.
Before deciding on his next destination, he made up his mind to rest for a while and satisfy his hunger.
The place he headed to was a shabby, small inn far removed from the bustling main road.
Compared to the noisy large inns, this place was quiet and peaceful, perfect for a tranquil meal.
There were a few customers, but they were all drunk and paid little attention to Namgung Cheon.
Namgung Cheon sat in the most secluded corner seat.
Just as Namgung Cheon, who had ordered thin noodles in watery broth from the waiter, was about to pick up his chopsticks.
Bang—!
The inn door opened roughly and a man with a sword strapped to his back rushed in with an excited expression.
He approached what seemed to be his companion, a swordsman, and shouted.
“Did you hear? Master Gwak of Bieliong Gate has entered secluded training!”
The swordsman who was drinking asked back with a puzzled expression.
“Secluded training? Why would that man, the greatest blade master in Anhui, suddenly do that?”
“That third young master of the Namgung Clan went directly to Bieliong Gate and challenged him to a duel!”
“What? Haha! You must be drunk now. That young master against the supreme master of Bieliong Blade? You should say something that makes sense.”
The swordsman burst into laughter.
Other martial artists around also chuckled and shook their heads.
Namgung Cheon.
Though he had recently received recognition from two swords, his name in Hefei was still known as the shame of Sword Emperor Namgung Mugang.
But the blade master clicked his tongue as if wronged and raised his voice.
“I just confirmed this fact directly through someone I know at Bieliong Gate! According to rumors, Master Gwak was defeated in one exchange in that duel!”
“Huh, is that really true?”
“One exchange…”
The atmosphere in the small, quiet inn changed instantly.
The mockery disappeared and was replaced by shock and disbelieving murmurs.
Namgung Cheon calmly brought the noodles to his mouth amidst the commotion.
He chewed the noodles while thinking.
‘Rumors spread faster than I thought.’
It had barely been two hours since he left Bieliong Gate.
In that time, the rumor had spread even to this remote inn.
‘I should leave before troublesome matters arise.’
Amidst the growing commotion, he quietly emptied his bowl of noodles and stood up.
He placed a few coins on the table and left the inn without hesitation.
Now it was time to head toward his next opponent.
‘Bieliong Blade Gwak San. His skills weren’t bad, but it was typical orthodox sect martial arts.’
Orthodox sect martial arts had clear frameworks, making them easy to counter.
‘This time I should face someone more tenacious.’
Someone who used martial arts completely opposite to Gwak San came to his mind.
‘Killing Sword…’
A cold smile appeared on Namgung Cheon’s lips.
‘He’ll be an interesting opponent.’
His steps left the bustling center of Hefei.
Following a deserted outer road, he walked silently toward a massive manor.
* * *
Bloodsword Sect.
It was an evil sect that ruled the underworld of Hefei.
Their headquarters was disguised to look like an ordinary manor on the outside, but everyone knew not to carelessly set foot in this manor.
And Namgung Cheon stood in front of the main gate of such a Bloodsword Sect.
Luxurious silk martial robes and two famous swords hanging at his waist.
Anyone could tell from his appearance that he was no ordinary person.
The guards who saw him approached.
Brief sneers crossed their lips.
In the martial world, twin swords were extremely difficult weapons to handle properly.
Those who clumsily imitated were usually treated as incompetent braggarts.
‘But his attire is too fine to openly dismiss…’
The guards asked with voices full of wariness.
“Who are you? This place prohibits entry by outsiders.”
Namgung Cheon answered in an indifferent tone.
“I’ve come to meet the sect leader.”
“…The sect leader?”
Bewilderment crossed the guards’ faces.
“Excuse me, but do you have a prior appointment?”
“No.”
“Then please leave. You cannot see the sect leader without an appointment.”
The guards’ tone gradually became more stern.
But Namgung Cheon showed no sign of leaving.
He repeated in the same indifferent voice as before.
“I’ve come to meet the sect leader. Step aside.”
At that arrogant attitude, the guards’ patience finally ran out.
“This bastard won’t listen to reason! Do you know where this is to cause trouble!”
Shing—.
The moment two enraged guards simultaneously drew their swords.
Flash.
Along with a streak of sword light.
Slash—.
“Aaaaah!”
“My arm! M-my arm!”
With terrible screams, both guards’ right wrists flew into the air.
Red blood spurted from the severed cross-sections.
The hands gripping swords rolled on the dirt ground.
As if nothing had happened, Namgung Cheon had already sheathed his sword again.
He looked down coldly at the guards who were clutching their arms and writhing convulsively.
“I’ll say it once more.”
He continued in an indifferent tone.
“I’ve come to meet the sect leader.”
At that moment.
Creak—.
The manor’s massive gate slowly opened.
And from inside the gate, dozens of martial artists were glaring at him with murderous eyes.
Parting through them, a man in black martial robes slowly revealed himself.
It was Galmuseong, the Blood Demon Sword and leader of the Bloodsword Sect.
He glanced over his subordinates lying on the ground moaning and Namgung Cheon standing before them.
Galmuseong’s eyes narrowed.
Handsome features, expensive-looking martial robes.
‘I feel like I’ve seen that face somewhere…’
His gaze naturally moved toward Namgung Cheon’s waist.
The moment he saw the two swords, he realized that the protagonist of the rumors his subordinate had reported to him earlier was right before his eyes.
‘Two swords… the Third Young Master of Namgung who broke the Thunder Blade!’
Galmuseong unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.
He forced himself to appear calm, putting on a bitter smile as he spoke.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the precious young master of the Namgung Clan. What brings you to such a place?”
Namgung Cheon stated his business without changing his expression at all.
“They say no one who has seen the Bloodfiend Sword’s blade returns alive. I came to confirm if that rumor is true.”
“My sword?”
Galmuseong laughed as if he found it absurd.
“So the rumor about defeating Gwak San must be true after all.”
His eyes instantly turned sharp.
“This isn’t a place for righteous sect young masters to play at fame. Or perhaps…”
Namgung Cheon cut off Galmuseong’s words.
“This is not the will of the Namgung Clan, but my personal affair as Namgung Cheon. Therefore, the Namgung Clan will not hold any responsibility for whatever happens here. Neither will I.”
Galmuseong’s face hardened at that arrogant declaration.
“…Fine.”
Galmuseong spoke quietly.
A brat who came risking his own life without any backing.
Then there was no reason to hesitate.
“Let me personally confirm how long that boldness of yours lasts. Follow me.”
He left only those words and turned toward the interior of the manor first.
And Namgung Cheon silently followed behind him.
* * *
A spacious training ground.
The two men stood facing each other at a distance of five zhang.
The area around the training ground was already filled with Bloodsword Sect members who had gathered.
They intended to watch closely how their sect leader would bring down the young master of the great Namgung Clan.
Galmuseong slowly drew the sword from his waist.
Sring—.
He adjusted his grip on the sword and began coldly analyzing the situation before him.
‘Why would Namgung come directly to provoke me?’
It didn’t make sense.
No matter if he had undergone the Sword Selection and defeated Gwak San, a pampered brat couldn’t possibly handle his killing sword.
‘He must have some scheme. But it doesn’t matter.’
If he clearly showed the difference in their levels and sent him back nicely, even the Namgung Clan wouldn’t dare make an issue of it.
“Let’s begin.”
At Galmuseong’s words, Namgung Cheon nodded lightly and drew Changcheon.
The moment the blade revealed itself.
Galmuseong’s form moved.
Swoosh—!
A sword instantly piercing toward Namgung Cheon’s left side.
Thud—.
But Namgung Cheon nullified Galmuseong’s attack with just a single step.
Galmuseong didn’t stop and poured out even more fierce attacks.
And gradually, the characteristic movements of the unorthodox path began to emerge from him.
Swords that only aimed for vital points.
Each one appeared ordinary on the surface, but they were lethal killing moves that would cause instant death to any average master.
However, the sword always changed its trajectory just before touching Namgung Cheon’s body.
It was a calculation to make Namgung Cheon retreat on his own.
But.
‘How boring.’
Namgung Cheon sneered inwardly.
‘He’s only pretending to aim for vital points. Is his intention to scare me and send me back?’
It was ridiculous.
To dare approach a duel with such thoughts.
He avoided another attack with light movements and muttered quietly.
“Is this all you’ve got?”
“…!”
Galmuseong’s eyes shook violently for a moment.
Not only had he completely seen through his intentions, but that arrogance of treating his lifelong sword techniques like mere tricks.
Killing intent surged, making him want to cut off that bastard’s head immediately, but he barely held onto his reason.
‘Calm down. The opponent is direct lineage of the Namgung Clan. Killing him would cause trouble.’
But at that moment, the words Namgung Cheon had spoken at the entrance flashed through his mind.
The words that the Namgung Clan would not hold any responsibility.
Right, that bastard had declared that he came here of his own will.
Whether the Namgung Clan would really not intervene in this matter was uncertain, but at least that bastard’s words would serve as perfect justification for the Bloodsword Sect to present if disputes arose later.
‘Even if I kill him… there’s a way out.’
The moment that calculation finished, the last bolt of reason restraining him shattered.
When unbearable humiliation combined with the calculation that he could minimize consequences, his hesitation completely disappeared.
‘I’ll kill him.’
Whoosh—.
Finally, red sword energy began rising like mist from Galmuseong’s sword.
“…You’ll have to take responsibility for those words.”
Thud—!
With a powerful step, Galmuseong’s sword shot toward Namgung Cheon.
Speed and weight incomparable to before.
Clang—!
Namgung Cheon raised Changcheon for the first time and blocked his sword.
The metallic sound of sword clashing against sword rang throughout the training ground.
‘Now it’s finally getting interesting.’
Namgung Cheon sneered inwardly.
Killing intent that made every nerve in his body react.
It was Galmuseong’s murderous intent, forged through countless real battles and slaughter.
Clang—!
Galmuseong unleashed killing moves that could no longer be called sparring.
The true form of his secret martial art, the Blood Wind Sword Technique.
Without fixed forms, only instinctive movements aimed purely at killing the opponent swept over Namgung Cheon like a storm.
Namgung Cheon no longer dodged.
Clang! Clang!
He swung Changcheon to meet the pouring attacks head-on.
And.
The corner of Namgung Cheon’s mouth slowly rose.
‘I don’t need to hold back anymore.’
Clang—!
Namgung Cheon lightly deflected Galmuseong’s sword as he charged fiercely, making him step back.
Then, in front of everyone watching, he slowly sheathed Changcheon back into its scabbard.
Click—.
The moment Galmuseong hesitated, unable to grasp the meaning of that action.
Namgung Cheon’s hand moved toward the opposite side of his waist.
Seureuung―.
A black blade that seemed to devour all light.
Mukhon revealed itself.
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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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