The Fortunate Sword God of the Zhuge Clan - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 38.
“The Man Seong Cheon Do… takes a long time to reach the heavens.”
Je Gal Cheon Seong stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“It will not be an easy path. The road to heaven is inherently difficult, but for such a martial art, it will be even more so.”
Je Gal Cheon Seong gazed upward at the stars scattered across the sky like pearls ready to spill forth.
“Yet precisely because of that, the deeper your study of such a martial art becomes, the closer you will truly come to touch the heavens themselves.”
Je Gal Cheon Seong looked at Moo Heun with eyes full of anticipation.
“I look forward to the day I see you reach that heaven.”
“Thank you.”
Moo Heun bowed his head in gratitude to Je Gal Cheon Seong, and added a note of confidence to his words.
“I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”
“Good.”
Je Gal Cheon Seong nodded, his satisfaction clear.
“You are blessed with fortune.”
Moo Heun expressed a question at Je Gal Cheon Seong’s words.
“Fortune, sir?”
“Yes. Ordinarily, when someone learns a new martial art, it is proper for a master of higher skill to guide them, even if they have learned the same techniques. But your case is different. You created your own martial art, you see. It is difficult to arbitrarily set the direction in which your movements should develop.”
Moo Heun nodded in agreement.
“You speak truly, sir.”
“Then, in such circumstances, what do you think is the best way to advance in martial study?”
Moo Heun considered for a moment before answering.
“The best would be actual combat, but if one does not seek out such opportunities, then Sparring Matches would be the best course.”
“Correct. And fortunately, I have just the opponent for you.”
“An opponent you say….”
“One can learn much from Sparring Matches against masters and novices alike. Yet the truest test remains one fought against an equal.”
Moo Heun expressed his agreement with a bright expression.
“Indeed, the Main Branch has quite a number of martial artists who have reached the Peak Realm, so if I were to spar with them, I could grow all the faster.”
“Precisely so.”
Je Gal Cheon Seong continued, his expression warm with satisfaction.
“Yet I wish to recommend only one person as your training partner.”
***
Clang—
The sound of two blades crashing together with tremendous force rang out across the Je Gal Clan’s Training Grounds.
Crash-bang!
Moo Heun’s body was driven backward, tumbling across the floor.
“Whoa! Moo Heun!”
His sparring partner rushed forward in alarm.
“Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you, brother.”
Moo Heun offered a slight smile to reassure Moo Young, both his sparring partner and his older brother, who had just knocked him down.
Seeing Moo Heun’s apparently unharmed response, Moo Young let out a sigh of relief.
“Phew… thank goodness. I really lost control of my strength there. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. These things happen when you’re sparring, don’t they?”
“I suppose…”
Moo Young scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“I can’t seem to adjust. You were always so frail, I worried you’d get hurt, and now you’ve suddenly become a Peak Realm martial artist—I still can’t quite believe it.”
“Well, this is only the fourth day now, is it? I’m already starting to feel more at home in my Peak Realm body.”
It had been four days since Moo Heun’s return to the Je Gal Clan.
Je Gal Cheon Seong had announced to the clan members that Moo Heun had cured his Severed Meridian Syndrome and reached the Peak Realm.
He then ordered Moo Young, the clan’s head, to guide and instruct Moo Heun, as he was now the senior who had reached the Peak Realm first, and Moo Heun’s older brother, and Moo Heun had created a new martial art of his own.
Naturally, Moo Young had been startled.
He had watched his sickly younger brother his whole life, and now suddenly he’d become a Peak Realm martial artist?
And he’d created his own martial art on top of that?
Even coming from his father, it was hard to believe, but the moment they crossed blades, his doubts vanished.
The overwhelming power felt in that collision was unmistakably, undeniably the force of a true Peak Realm master.
“It’s certainly true enough.”
Moo Young did not dispute Moo Heun’s words.
“Even reaching the Peak Realm, if you didn’t follow the normal path, adaptation shouldn’t be easy. I didn’t know because of the pain, but I’ve been called a genius myself my whole life, and you surpass me.”
“That’s too generous a compliment. I haven’t landed a proper attack on you even once, have I?”
Moo Young laughed as if it were ridiculous.
“Listen, I’ve been called a genius myself, you know? And there are grades even within the Peak Realm.”
The Peak Realm itself is a realm ordinary martial artists can never reach.
Precisely because of that, the pace of cultivation from the Peak Realm onward slows dramatically.
Just as with the stages before it, the difference in skill between an initiate and a master of the Peak Realm grows far more pronounced.
Moo Young was an accomplished master who had progressed far beyond early mastery of the Peak Realm, approaching its very pinnacle.
It was only natural that Moo Heun, barely having entered the Peak Realm with his martial arts still incomplete, suffered defeat after defeat.
“In fact, that still-unfinished martial art of yours — the Man Seong Cheon Do Sword, wasn’t it? — the fact that you can block my attacks with it is far more impressive.”
“…Indeed, sir.”
Moo Heun nodded in agreement.
“Then I find myself concerned that sparring with you might prove detrimental to your cultivation.”
Moo Young shook his head.
“No, don’t harbor such worries. You have no idea how much motivation it gives me to watch you suddenly keeping pace with me at this uncanny speed. And seeing your martial art…”
Moo Young recalled the techniques Moo Heun had displayed during their sparring match just now.
“To weave together the subtleties of those great schools into a single form — it’s an approach I never could have conceived. I believe that creativity is your greatest talent. Witnessing such a thing kindles inspiration in me as well.”
Moo Heun’s face brightened at Moo Young’s high praise.
“To hear that my martial art has been of use to you, elder brother — even if merely in words, it deeply moves me.”
Since this was something he had yearned for in his past life, genuine emotion resonated through Moo Heun’s words.
“Truly, I have long prayed for a day such as this.”
At Moo Heun’s words, Moo Young’s eyes widened slightly before softening into a warm curve.
“Yes. I too have eagerly awaited the day I could cross blades with my younger brother like this.”
Genuine sincerity also shone through Moo Young’s words.
Had he been a petty man, he might have harbored jealousy toward his younger brother’s sudden leap into the Peak Realm.
But Moo Young was not such a person.
By nature he possessed composure, never prone to haste.
Rather than competing with others to reach the summit, he took only his yesterday’s self as his rival.
He loved the Je Gal Clan above all else and cherished his younger brother.
Unlike Moo Heun, he had been blessed with time to build memories; their mother’s final wish had been for him to care for his brother, making that affection all the more profound.
Thus, for Moo Young, his younger brother’s growth was a source of pride — never envy or resentment.
‘Because elder brother always praised my intellect, I was able to overcome my self-hatred and find the resolve to join the Martial Alliance.’
The two brothers faced each other, their smiles alike yet subtly different.
As the moment grew heavy with sentiment, Moo Young shrugged his shoulders lightly.
“Hah. What good does it do for two men to stare at each other like this? Father, being older, might shed a tear or two, but we’re still young.”
At Moo Young’s words, Moo Heun felt a slight sting.
‘Ha, if we’re counting by years, I’m far older than Father is now.’
Yet it was true his body was young, so he steeled himself and nodded along.
After all, he was young in form — might as well accept the blessing as it was.
Moo Young chuckled lightly and raised his sword once more.
“Let’s say the rest with steel. You’ve rested enough, haven’t you?”
Moo Heun nodded and rose to his feet.
“Yes. Let us begin again.”
Moo Heun angled his body slightly and assumed the Bal Geom Sool stance he had shown to Je Gal Cheon Seong.
At this, one of Moo Young’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“That Bal Geom Sool. This time I mean to break through it.”
For four days straight, Moo Heun had not landed a solid blow on Moo Young, yet each time they began sparring anew, the situation was different.
Moo Heun’s Bal Geom Sool fundamentally worked by reading the trajectory of the opponent’s martial art, deflecting it, and launching from there — the essence of a Reactive Counter Technique.
Moreover, Moo Young employed the So Cheon Seong Sword Method of the Je Gal Clan.
Since this was one of the sword methods Moo Heun knew best, reading it proved all the easier.
Thus, every sparring match had begun with Moo Heun flicking Moo Young’s blade away on the opening exchange.
Because of this, Moo Heun carried confidence.
“I’ve given considerable thought to making it less easily penetrated.”
“Good confidence. That’s a fine sight to see. But your inadequate older brother intends to break through it this time.”
Moo Young smiled and assumed the opening form of the So Cheon Seong Sword Method.
“I think I’ve begun to grasp it — the weakness in that form.”
In that same moment, Moo Young’s expression hardened completely.
Moo Heun too sensed the shift in the vital energy flowing between them and took a deep breath.
Then, silently, he recited the inner principles of the form he had created.
—Though the path branches ten thousand ways, all lead to the same destination.
—There is nothing to fear; one should embrace it with joy.
—What rests in one’s palm is freedom, not wandering.
—Where the sword points, there I shall tread.
In an instant, both their bodies rippled as though merging with the surrounding landscape.
Then Moo Young’s blade came flying in from a completely different trajectory than any previous exchange.
Yet it was not beyond anticipation.
Moo Heun’s sword slid from its sheath, bursting forth to meet it.
Man Seong Cheon Do Sword, First Form.
Man Seong · Opening Way.
Clang!
The two blades collided forcefully in mid-air.
But there was something different this time.
“…!”
“Heh. Did that surprise you?”
At the final moment, Moo Young’s blade had shifted its center of gravity.
By doing so, the trajectory remained unbroken, allowing him to press down with pure force instead.
Moo Heun understood immediately what had happened.
“…You mixed a different principle into the So Cheon Seong Sword Method?”
“Right. You caught it immediately? Yes, that’s it. Watching your martial art, I thought it might work this way.”
“It appears you referenced the Jung Geom and Nam Gung’s Subtleties.”
“Correct. Precisely.”
Moo Young released the force he’d been applying to their locked blades.
Moo Heun did the same.
The only opening move where Moo Heun had held an advantage in their entire sparring match had just been sealed, so the outcome was now as plain as day.
“This won’t work in real combat, though. The So Cheon Seong Sword Method is closer to the flowing style, and forcing Jung Geom’s principles into it would only open gaps.”
Unlike the Man Seong Cheon Do Sword, the So Cheon Seong Sword Method is a martial art with fixed, specialized principles.
As such, forcing different principles into it would easily shatter its balance.
“…It was precisely the weakness in my technique.”
And that very weakness made it ideal for breaking through the First Form of the Man Seong Cheon Do Sword—the Man Seong · Opening Way, which required reading the opponent’s moves.
Such an adaptation was generally impossible to predict.
Seeing Moo Heun’s slightly dumbfounded expression as the martial art he’d so carefully crafted crumbled, Moo Young shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, predicting every attack is impossible in the first place. But this is something you can certainly remedy, yes?”
Moo Young gestured toward Moo Heun’s feet as he continued.
“Your footwork—you’re basing it on the Pal Gwae Bo, aren’t you?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“A sound choice. The Pal Gwae Bo is the supporting footwork for the So Cheon Seong Sword Method, and the So Cheon Seong Sword Method, like your sword technique, calculates and responds to the opponent’s movements.”
It was true.
Moo Heun had based the Man Seong Cheon Do Sword’s foundation on the Pal Gwae Bo for precisely that reason.
“However, in your case, you’re using the Man Seong · Gae Do—that Reactive Counter Technique—as your opening form. But the techniques that follow have a completely different character from the So Cheon Seong Sword Method altogether.”
“That’s true.”
“Then shouldn’t you create a fundamentally different footwork that borrows the Pal Gwae Bo’s computational nature?”
Moo Heun nodded quietly.
It wasn’t a flaw he’d been unaware of.
Precisely because that footwork was insufficient, the transitions between not just the opening form but all his techniques remained rough and unrefined.
‘But…what footwork should I be using?’
Finding that answer was not easy.
He’d thought that with the Pal Gwae Bo, he could somehow adapt it to any technique, but facing a master like Moo Young had made even that seem impossible, only deepening Moo Heun’s struggles.
Seeing Moo Heun’s expression grow grave, Moo Young offered a faint smile.
“Well, don’t be too hasty. Your Man Seong Cheon Do Sword is already advancing in exactly the right direction. That alone is a remarkable achievement. I can only dismantle it like this because I’ve reached my level. Honestly, against someone from the Yong Bong Ji Hoe, which you mentioned joining…”
“Hahahaha! Ha! It’s really true! Moo Heun has truly become a martial artist of the Peak Realm!”
A cheerful voice cut through Moo Young’s words, and both brothers turned toward its source in unison.
There stood a robust, middle-aged man well over six feet tall.
His neatly groomed beard and sharp eyebrows resembled the clan head Je Gal Cheon Seong exactly.
Yet a slightly squarer jaw and a fiercer gaze revealed him to be a different man.
Moo Heun looked at the unexpected arrival with an expression of surprise.
“Uncle?”
Uncle to both Moo Heun and Moo Young, and younger brother to Je Gal Cheon Seong.
“That’s right! It’s been ages! I heard from your father, but I couldn’t believe it, so I came all this way to see for myself. And it’s true! You’ve obtained Heavenly Fortune! Congratulations! I’m truly overjoyed!”
Je Gal Cheon Ju, the great elder of the Je Gal Clan, offered his hearty congratulations to Moo Heun.
“I…thank you very much.”
“Gahahaha! And Moo Young! Your skills have grown even more remarkable since I last saw you! You’re the blessing of the Main Branch. The true blessing of the Main Branch!”
“Ha…when I see you sometimes, Uncle, it seems you resemble the Martial Alliance Lord more than Father.”
“Your uncle, you mean! Haha! That’s fine too! Who could complain about resembling the Martial Alliance Lord!”
Je Gal Cheon Ju was so delighted to see his nephews again that he began speaking without pause the moment he arrived.
It was only natural—he had been away from the Main Branch on assignment for nearly a year before returning.
Moo Heun, too, was genuinely pleased to see him.
His uncle was the man who had stood by Moo Heun’s side throughout, even when his father and older brother had faced calamity.
‘I never imagined I’d see him here today.’
He had known his uncle was returning today, but he hadn’t expected him to seek them out so promptly.
If anything, it was fortunate.
After all, he had been planning to visit his uncle first once the Sparring Match with Moo Young concluded.
Moo Heun greeted Je Gal Cheon Ju with measured courtesy.
“Uncle.”
“Mm! Yes! Moo Heun! Is there anything you need? To mark your ascension to the Peak Realm, shall your uncle share some Martial Art secrets with you? Kha ha ha!”
Moo Heun shook his head.
“I’ve always been deeply interested in your distinguished secrets, Uncle, but precisely because they are so valued, I shouldn’t accept them so readily. If it wouldn’t be improper, I would instead ask that you grant me a single Sparring Match with you at a later time.”
“A Sparring Match! Ah! A match with my second nephew! Splendid! I’m truly looking forward to it!”
“Thank you for saying so. And….”
Moo Heun let out a light cough.
-As for the matter of your sword that you pawned at the gambling establishment and then lost—it would be best not to mention that to Father, wouldn’t it?
At Moo Heun’s transmitted voice, the broad grin that had been spreading across Je Gal Cheon Ju’s face froze instantly.
“W-what, what is this?”
At Je Gal Cheon Ju’s sudden stammer, Moo Young asked with confusion in his voice.
“Uncle, what’s the matter?”
“Oh, it’s nothing! Ha ha ha!”
But Moo Heun had no intention of letting it pass.
-It would be difficult to claim it’s nothing, wouldn’t it? From what I understand, your sword is one that our grandfather passed down to the Main Branch….
-Wait, wait, wait! How do you know that?
In stark contrast to Je Gal Cheon Ju’s strained attempt at composure, his transmitted voice betrayed his alarm. Moo Heun broke into a subtle smile.
-Ah. The pattern on your sword scabbard is just slightly different from the usual. I simply decided to ask about it. So it was true after all.
……
Of course, Moo Heun had already known Je Gal Cheon Ju had lost his sword to gambling—scabbard patterns aside.
His uncle possessed excellent character and skill alike, but his one weakness was his unreasoning love of gambling despite having no talent for it.
Even in his past life, he had frequently lost precious items to gambling debts.
When Je Gal Cheon Ju realized he had been outmaneuvered, his expression turned grim.
-Moo Heun. What is this? Have you fallen under some peculiar influence while recovering your body? How could you, who was always so prudent, deceive your uncle in such a way?
-I apologize for my rudeness, Uncle. However, I bore no ill intent in asking.
-No ill intent? You intend to report this matter to your father, don’t you? How can you claim that’s not ill-intentioned?
-Reporting it to Father would simply be my duty as a son, would it not? To call that ill-intentioned seems somewhat….
-…You’re right about that.
Je Gal Cheon Ju’s expression became visibly dejected.
He had spent his entire life trying to hide this, even going so far as to commission a false sword scabbard.
But now that Moo Heun had seen through him, he had no idea what his brother, the Clan Head Je Gal Cheon Seong, would say to him.
Moo Heun gave a light shrug of his shoulders.
-There seems to be a misunderstanding, Uncle. I have no intention of reporting this to Father.
-What, truly?
Je Gal Cheon Ju’s face brightened.
-Is that really so? Ha ha! I knew it! You’re truly my most beloved youngest nephew!
-However, that doesn’t mean I intend to let this matter pass simply.
-Hmm? Then what do you mean…?
Moo Heun looked at Je Gal Cheon Ju and raised one eyebrow slightly.
-I will retrieve that sword for you.
“?!”
This had been Moo Heun’s aim from the beginning.
-Tomorrow around midnight. Tell people you’re going for a walk with me, and we’ll go to that gambling establishment. Shouldn’t a belonging of the Main Branch be recovered by a member of the Main Branch?
Je Gal Cheon Ju stared at Moo Heun with confusion, but Moo Heun merely smiled as if it were nothing.
There was no deception in Moo Heun’s words.
Because retrieving a sword passed down through the clan was indeed his sincere intention.
Yet that was not all there was to it.
‘There should be someone there around this time, just as I was told.’
The greatest gambling establishment in Hubei, one that Je Gal Cheon Ju frequented often.
Moo Heun had a person he needed to find there.
In the Yong Bong Ji Hoe, which would convene soon, the great Black Assassin unit being formed—the Heavenly Response Corps.
A man who would become the leader of that group.
There, among the whispers of legend, stands the final heir of the Twin Palms lineage.

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