The Fortunate Sword God of the Zhuge Clan - Chapter 57

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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 57.
Despite it being the final match of the Round of 32, the spectators showed no sign of leaving.
Part of this was to avoid losing their seats before the Round of 16 began after a brief rest, but the greater reason was that it was difficult to predict the winner of this bout.
“A match between members of the Five Great Families—that’s something you can’t miss.”
“I agree with that, but the Dang Family’s pampered daughter is famous enough, but Mu Heun? Who is this young master? Didn’t the Jegal Clan only have Young Master Mu Young?”
“Ah, you’re not from Hubei, are you?”
“No, I came from Sichuan….”
“Then it makes sense you wouldn’t know.”
The spectator from Hubei nodded as if that was perfectly reasonable.
“Young Master Mu Heun is Young Master Mu Young’s younger brother. He was originally suffering from an incurable illness, but it seems he recovered miraculously.”
“Oh, the Jegal Clan has such a young master. Cured of an incurable illness and now competing in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering….”
The spectator who heard this story shrugged.
“It’s a touching story, but if that’s the case, his martial skill probably isn’t that impressive.”
Thwack!
At that, someone struck the spectator on the back of his head.
“What? Who the hell—!”
“It’s me, you wretched fool!”
“Who are you, old man? What gives you the right?”
“I’m someone who owes my life to Young Master Mu Heun’s mercy!”
“What?”
Hwang Yaksang, the man who had struck the spectator, continued with absolute conviction in his voice.
“The young master held off four martial artists even when his body was failing him. He’ll surely show us something remarkable this time too! What do you know, spouting nonsense like that!”
“Listen here, whatever you say, you clearly don’t know how much renown the Dang young lady has won throughout Sichuan!”
The spectator tried to argue back and engage Hwang Yaksang in a quarrel, but he couldn’t continue.
The match had begun, and his voice was swallowed up in the roar of the crowd.
***
Dang Chobin was angry, but her excitement left her with no intention of letting it ruin the match.
‘The Jegal young master is stronger than me.’
Dang Chobin’s assessment was accurate.
As the Dang Family’s only child, she had monopolized the finest martial education available to any warrior of her clan.
The initial exchange of words, even this rush forward born of excitement—there was genuine feeling mixed in, but it was all part of the plan.
‘The only chance to seize victory is at the beginning!’
Before Mu Heun had decided he needed to exert his full strength against the weaker Dang Chobin.
Right now, without even drawing his sword, a quick decisive victory was Dang Chobin’s strategy.
As she rushed forward, Dang Chobin threw a Hidden Dart from inside her sleeve, using the hand not gripping her weapon.
Whistle—
The speed was the fastest among first-rate martial artists thanks to her expertise, but Mu Heun, a Peak-level Martial Artist, dodged it with a light movement.
No problem. This was within expectations.
Dang Chobin had already closed the distance and wielded her Hidden Dart.
However, there was one thing Dang Chobin had not anticipated.
Mu Heun had not drawn his sword because he was underestimating Dang Chobin.
Myriad Star Heaven Slashing Sword, First Form: Late Blooming Opening Path.
Crash!
“Gasp!”
A tremendous sound erupted that one would never have imagined came from Mu Heun’s quick-draw technique, First Form Late Blooming Opening Path, with his sword striking against her dart.
Dang Chobin’s light frame was sent flying to the edge of the martial platform in an instant.
Had she gone beyond the platform’s boundary, it would have been ruled a ring out.
Screech—
Dang Chobin gritted her teeth and managed to concentrate her inner strength on the Yongquan Acupoint of her soles, barely avoiding being forced out.
‘The destructive force of just one technique….’
Was this really possible?
Moreover, Mu Heun hadn’t been pushed back even an inch.
Even though it was Dang Chobin who had charged forward.
‘…No. Don’t be frightened. He’s stronger than expected, but you predicted you’d be pushed back anyway.’
Dang Chobin steadied her mind and gripped her Hidden Dart again, rushing toward Mu Heun once more.
And this time as well, she threw a Hidden Dart concealed within her sleeve.
Mu Heun similarly dodged the dart with a light movement.
It seemed clear that the same result as before would follow,
But from the next move onward, the method changed.
Whistle—
Dang Chobin hurled even the Hidden Dart she’d been clutching.
Since Mu Heun evaded it as well, the attack seemed meaningless.
Rather, having lost the weapon in her hand, it looked like a desperate flailing.
But it was all according to plan.
Dang Chobin halted her charging body and spread both arms wide.
Crack! Crack! Snap!
Then the Hidden Darts thrown behind Mu Heun burst apart, each releasing ten needle-like projectiles from within.
Next, a gossamer-thin Silk String hidden in Dang Chobin’s hand was threaded with a sickly green poison, and thirty Hidden Darts connected to it rose into the air.
The projectiles swiftly encircled Mu Heun’s form, their sharp edges gleaming.
—A flower not yet in full bloom scatters without hindrance.
—Rain that cannot cover the sky leaves the wayfarer nowhere to turn.
—Each strand carries lethal intent.
—The path may be visible, yet there is no escape from it.
“Chaotic Flower Scattered Rain.”
The Sichuan Dang Family’s vaunted hidden dart technique unleashed a downpour of projectiles upon Mu Heun.
Mu Heun’s eyes widened at the attack that left no opening for evasion.
Yet this was not born of shock.
It was admiration.
‘At the first-rate stage, to wield such mastery.’
Though still short of the Dang Family’s peak, for her level it was abundant.
And the strategy was equally brilliant.
Knowing she would be pressed back, had she not deliberately charged forward, laying down the groundwork to deprive him of any need to move from his position?
‘With such ability, there’s no reason not to bring her into the Cheon응 Group.’
Of course, that didn’t mean he intended to lose.
Mu Heun’s lips curled slightly as he raised his blade.
Only Dang Chobin, stationed on the platform, caught that smile.
‘…He’s smiling in this situation?’
It wasn’t quite a relief, but that question was answered in an instant.
Myriad Star Heaven Slashing Sword, Second Form: Flowing Cloud.
Mu Heun’s blade traced a circle at a pace that could hardly be called swift.
Miraculously, the torrent of projectiles pouring down at speed bounced away like rain falling on a roof, all deflected outward.
“…!!”
The moment Dang Chobin gasped at the technique that had become a roof above Mu Heun.
Employing the Heavenly Path Ruthless Movement Technique, Mu Heun had already brought his blade to Dang Chobin’s throat.
Mu Heun spoke in a measured tone to the bewildered Dang Chobin.
“Will you continue?”
Dang Chobin regarded him in silence for a moment, then bit her lip and bowed her head.
“…I yield.”
With Dang Chobin’s admission, the arbiter declared Mu Heun the victor.
A martial practice between members of the Five Great Families.
That Dang Chobin, spoken of as a genius, should suffer an overwhelming defeat to the unknown Jegal Mu Heun—it was only natural that the crowd erupted in thunderous acclaim at this unforeseen result.
***
“I had heard from the Commander, but to think Do Un truly grasped the essence of Wudang Mountain’s teachings. Hehe!”
Wun Hakjin smiled warmly while stroking his beard.
Jegal Cheonseong could not mirror that response and lowered his head respectfully.
“I must apologize once more for my son’s discourtesy.”
“Discourtesy? Hehe… what are you saying?”
“For having drawn upon Wudang Mountain’s essence without permission.”
Jegal Cheonseong turned his head and bowed to the masters of the other schools as well.
Though Mu Heun had most directly drawn from only three schools when creating the Myriad Star Heaven Slashing Sword, if one examined the finer points, it encompassed all of them in truth.
“I humbly beg your pardon once more.”
Jegal Cheonseong openly revealed the nature of Mu Heun’s Myriad Star Heaven Slashing Sword at a meeting of the school masters.
Of course, he had only borrowed the essence, not plagiarized the forms themselves.
But since the source was clear, he judged it better to acknowledge it from the start and apologize rather than conceal it and invite controversy.
“Now that Do Un has proven it thus, the matter is already settled. We merely saw with our own eyes and deemed it marvelous.”
Wun Hakjin shook his head.
True to his words, the masters of the Orthodox Faction had already decided not to impose any special punishment on Mu Heun’s Myriad Star Heaven Slashing Sword.
Ordinarily, the leakage of martial techniques was met with severe punishment.
Yet Mu Heun had been forgiven for several reasons, the most significant being that he had grasped the essence but not copied the forms.
In the end, essence is something anyone can conceive of.
To perfectly execute this, forms were created, and if one were not copying them but rather creating new ones, it would have to be considered the talent of that martial artist—this was the consensus among them.
Yet if that were true, it would have been forgivable, but they did not believe it possible, so Mu Heun’s Myriad Star Heaven Slashing Sword had not yet been fully recognized.
But in this sparring match, it became evident that he had succeeded.
And so Wun Hakjin welcomed the emergence of that brilliant talent.
“A form that condenses such essence into a single technique does not exist in our texts. Rather, I believe I should congratulate Jegal Cheonseong on the talent of his son—on the birth of a new master of the Orthodox Faction.”
“You speak as a true sage does.”
Namkoong Cheon received Wun Hakjin’s words.
“To be honest, I did say earlier that if he truly condensed only the essence into a single form, there would be no objection. But I never imagined it would actually be possible. Yet he’s gone and done it.”
As a sect leader, one of the three schools from which Mu Heun had drawn his essence, Namkoong Cheon now posed a new question.
“I’m burning to know how my sect’s essence was interpreted. What do you think, Sect Leader?”
The last of the three schools from which Mu Heun had drawn his essence: the Huashan School’s sect leader, Jo Wolryun, nodded with a benevolent expression.
“I regard Jegal Cheonseong as a figure sent down by the Primordial Celestial Worthy himself.”
At the highest praise a Daoist could offer, Jegal Cheonseong’s head bowed even lower.
“For the Huashan Sect Leader to hold my son in such high regard, I scarcely know where to place myself.”
“Not at all. Rather, I feel my words fall short.”
“Heh, to such an extent….”
Jegal Cheonseong’s lips curled upward at the continued praise.
Jo Wolryun smiled broadly and turned toward Mu Heun.
He saw Do Un, his own disciple, bounding over to that prodigy’s side.
“I am truly grateful.”
“Grateful… you say?”
“…To the Primordial Celestial Worthy.”
Though he offered the excuse, his gratitude was indeed directed toward Mu Heun.
Do Un—that unruly colt who had whined about wanting to search for rare creatures of Wudang Mountain rather than spar—had met Mu Heun and begun devoting himself to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
‘I owe you a true debt, Jegal Cheonseong.’
Jo Wolryun gazed at Mu Heun with eyes nearly glistening with gratitude.
***
“Mu Heun! Congratulations on winning! Now that it’s over, you’ll teach me more about Wudang Mountain’s animals, right?”
Mu Heun regarded Do Un, who had by now dropped all formality, and smiled.
“Do Un, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering still hasn’t ended. Didn’t we agree that our promise would be kept only after it concludes?”
“Ugh… but there’s still two days left.”
“You know full well, yet you pretend otherwise and try to wiggle out of your word? Is that how a Daoist should behave?”
“Ugh….”
Do Un’s expression grew sullen, his shoulders drooping.
And yet, he could not break a promise once made.
A promise given must be kept—it was something beaten into Do Un’s ears time and again.
“Fine… I suppose there’s no help for it.”
Do Un straightened his head and broke into a wide smile.
“You’ll keep your promise too, won’t you?”
“Of course. I have never broken a promise.”
“Great! I’m looking forward to it! Well, sparring isn’t quite as fun as hunting for animals, but it’s not bad!”
Do Un, about to turn and leave after saying his piece, suddenly locked eyes with Dokgo Hyun standing nearby.
“Ah….”
“…? What?…yes?”
Do Un studied Dokgo Hyun, who had spoken in an awkward formal tone, and asked.
“Dokgo… you helped, didn’t you? You agreed to join the Cheon응 Group with me.”
“That’s right. If anything, I joined first. But what of it?”
Do Un nodded to himself, then turned to gaze up at the match bracket.
“If I win one more time, we’ll fight each other.”
“…Ah. I see.”
Dokgo Hyun nodded as well.
“It seems that’s already been decided.”
Dokgo Hyun’s advancement to the Round of 8 was already assured.
His Round of 16 opponent, Yi Yeong, had conceded to him.
Do Un’s situation was no different.
He had an opponent, but that opponent was someone from a minor sect who had barely clawed his way up through fierce competition.
In both skill and remaining stamina, Do Un held an overwhelming advantage.
“Fighting Dokgo will really be fun.”
“Heh, it’s rewarding to fight in earnest. To think the renowned Plum Blossom Sword Master would acknowledge my strength.”
“Mm. It ended too quickly for me to see much, though….”
Do Un’s face broke into a delighted grin.
“I can spot it the moment I see it. You know what I mean, right? That feeling when your nose itches and you’re about to lose your footing.”
“…!!”
Shock flashed across Dokgo Hyun’s eyes.
It was identical to what Mu Heun had told him when he first learned the Wave Breaking Form—a master’s insight passed down.
Dokgo Hyun, recovering from his initial surprise, looked toward Mu Heun and smiled.
“So your acquaintance was from the Huashan School?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Mu Heun didn’t deny it.
Do Un was the source himself, after all—and he was indeed a martial artist of the Huashan School.
“As I thought.”
Dokgo Hyun regarded Do Un once more.
“A match between us would be truly fascinating.”
“Yes! I’m looking forward to it as well!”
The two martial artists faced each other, both wearing smiles that held subtly different meanings.
***
The Round of 16 was fiercer than the Round of 32, and for that very reason it became a stage where those truly deserving of being called outstanding luminaries stood out all the more.
“I wish to offer my apologies once more for my brother’s conduct that night. Elder Seo Ryong.”
“That was an occasion for inquiring about names—why would you apologize, Miss Moyong Soa?”
At Moyong Soa’s apology, Seo Ryong laughed openly.
“It seemed your brother sensed something as well. If the result proved fortunate, what reason remains to dwell on it?”
“Thank you for your generous understanding.”
Then, Moyong Soa composed herself and offered a formal martial salute.
“Yet sparring remains sparring. Regardless of what passed that night, I shall give my utmost effort.”
At this, Seo Ryong nodded.
“I shall do the same.”
That day, the Moyong Family suffered a humiliation unprecedented in the history of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering—both their later-generation prospects fell in a single round each.
***
The match between Dokgo Hyun and Yi Yeong concluded without drama, as prearranged, with Yi Yeong yielding.
Yet the crowd thought nothing odd of Yi Yeong’s concession, having witnessed Dokgo Hyun’s prowess for themselves.
For a lesser sect, even a single victory in the preliminary rounds of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering was a remarkable achievement.
-After today’s sparring tournament concludes, we shall meet again.
Dokgo Hyun nodded at Yi Yeong’s parting message transmitted through sound.
Unable to send sound transmissions without his inner strength, Dokgo Hyun murmured silently to himself.
‘Wait for me.’
Dokgo Hyun descended from the sparring stage, turning over Mu Heun’s plan in his mind once more.
***
As sunset approached, the sparring tournament had only one final match remaining for the day.
The stands were still abuzz with energy.
The crowd gathered to admire once more the extraordinary technique Mu Heun had displayed that morning, something no one had anticipated.
“Both competitors to the stage!”
At the referee’s call, Mu Heun walked slowly onto the sparring platform.
When Mu Heun faced his opponent, he offered a formal martial salute, just as before.
The opponent returned the greeting with equal courtesy.
‘A curious thing indeed.’
Both of his sparring opponents across the day had been members of the Cheon응 Group.
Mu Heun raised his eyes to observe the last recruit the Cheon응 Group had taken in for this Dragon Phoenix Gathering—
Woo Cheongsim, the sole disciple of the Kongtong School, regarded Mu Heun with evident interest.
Mu Heun smiled faintly and sent a message through sound.
-I am grateful that you accepted our invitation to join the group without hesitation.
Woo Cheongsim’s narrow eyes rose further with his smile.
-How could I refuse when such a man as yourself and Namkoong Seo Ryong extends the offer? And now there is also one like Jegal Mu Heun displaying such remarkable prowess—I feel honored rather than anything else.
-Ha, I appreciate your kind words.
-However….
Beyond Woo Cheongsim’s narrow eyes, his pupils gleamed with keen interest.
-If I may not presume too much, might I have the opportunity to examine Jegal’s body and observe your internal structure?
At that ominous proposal, Yang Mujin’s lament flickered through Mu Heun’s mind.
-How can there not be a single ordinary person among them?
“Hmm….”
Truly, the captain’s discernment was as sharp as ever.
That was the thought that crossed his mind.

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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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