The Great Heavenly Sword Emperor - Chapter 40

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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 40. Martial Criminal (3)

The distance from Bohyeon Temple in the south of Shanxi Province to the Dongbang Family in the central-west of Jiangsu Province was easily a month’s walk for an ordinary traveler.
Before they departed, Gwang-an pressed a substantial sum into their hands as travel money.
Buk Gung Dan-ya had refused, saying it was too much, but Gwang-an insisted it was merely a few Gui Wang Coins that Cheon Mujgyeol possessed, converted to ordinary currency.
Thanks to his generosity, Cheon Mujgyeol and Buk Gung Dan-ya could set out on their journey without worry about funds.

* * *

Two days had passed since they left Bohyeon Temple.
The two of them were making steady progress toward the Dongbang Family without major incident.
Cheon Mujgyeol had expected countless attacks during the journey to the Dongbang Family, given that he was marked as a Martial Criminal, but no such signs had appeared.
Though he did not let his guard slip entirely, his mind was considerably lighter.
The sun hung at its zenith.
“We should probably find something to eat. Let’s stop at a village nearby.”
Cheon Mujgyeol nodded at Buk Gung Dan-ya’s suggestion.
Once they crossed the mountain path ahead, a village should come into view.
But the two of them had no choice but to stop short moments later.
More than thirty people, at least, were encamped and waiting for them.
“It appears it’s begun.”
Buk Gung Dan-ya spoke quietly, sensing hostility radiating from the figures before them.
Then he stepped forward and called out to them.
“Who are you to block our path?”
In response to Buk Gung Dan-ya’s question, one figure emerged from the opposing side.
“I am Song Won-gi, Elder of the Cheongnim Sect! And the man behind you—he is the Martial Criminal Cheon Mujgyeol, is he not!”
At Song Won-gi’s cry, Buk Gung Dan-ya’s brow furrowed slightly as he glanced back at Cheon Mujgyeol.
“You cast us as villains based solely on the Dongbang Family’s one-sided claims!”
“The Dongbang Family stands at the pinnacle of the Jianghu and commands the respect of all! Why would they have reason to lie!”
At Song Won-gi’s shout, Buk Gung Dan-ya heaved a weary sigh.
“Then what do you propose? Are you asking us to surrender our heads?”
In response to Buk Gung Dan-ya’s question, Song Won-gi glared at both of them and spoke.
“If you confess your crimes and come willingly, no harm will befall you!”
At Song Won-gi’s words, Buk Gung Dan-ya turned back to Cheon Mujgyeol.
“That’s what he says.”
Without responding, Cheon Mujgyeol stepped forward.
“If you reverse course and clear our path, nothing need happen.”
“What arrogance! You truly believe two people can stand against all of us!”
Song Won-gi’s voice rose.
It was reasonable for him to think so.
Though the Cheongnim Sect was not a major sect, it had deep roots and considerable reputation for skill.
Moreover, with their numbers exceeding thirty, confidence was justified.
But there was one thing.
Misjudging Cheon Mujgyeol’s true strength was a grave mistake.
“These are not people who will retreat.”
Buk Gung Dan-ya stepped closer to Cheon Mujgyeol and spoke quietly.
And Cheon Mujgyeol nodded, letting the Heavenly Sword hang freely, its wrappings still secured.
“I’ll handle this, sir.”
At Buk Gung Dan-ya’s offer, Cheon Mujgyeol turned his gaze toward him.
“You remember what the monk Gwang-an said—that we must not kill?”
“Of course.”
“If you step forward, there’s no telling what might happen, no matter how careful you are. Let me instead—”
“No. I will do this.”
With that, Cheon Mujgyeol walked forward.
“Sir!”
Buk Gung Dan-ya tried to stop him, but Cheon Mujgyeol did not listen.
“Hah…….”
Buk Gung Dan-ya let out a sigh.
Part of him thought it would be better if Cheon Mujgyeol stepped forward.
With Cheon Mujgyeol’s skill, subduing them without killing them wouldn’t be impossible.
But the uncertainty of human affairs troubled him.
While Buk Gung Dan-ya fretted behind, Cheon Mujgyeol stepped confidently before them.
“I’ll say this once more. Clear the path and leave, and no harm will come to you.”
“We of the Cheongnim Sect do not let our enemies pass! Prepare for battle!”
At Song Won-gi’s command, the Cheongnim disciples drew their blades as one.
The sound of over thirty swords unsheathing rang out through the surroundings.
Cheon Mujgyeol did not unwrap the leather wound around the Heavenly Sword.
It was his way of saying he would not kill them.
Buk Gung Dan-ya watched anxiously from behind.
And soon, Song Won-gi and the Cheongnim disciples rushed at Cheon Mujgyeol in unison.
The slope was gentle, the incline not steep.
The Cheongnim disciples spread widely across the mountain path and to both sides, moving to encircle the two men.
Buk Gung Dan-ya drew his sword as well.
The situation was unfolding in a way that demanded he join in.
Swish.
Then Cheon Mujgyeol moved.
His figure blurred and vanished from sight.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
“Ugh!”
“Aaaagh!”
“Noooo!”
The sounds of strikes and screams erupted from every direction.
Each cry came from a different place.
Even the mountainous terrain, restrictive as it was, could not hinder Cheon Mujgyeol’s movements.
As if there were no obstacles at all, he moved freely in all directions, felling the Cheongnim disciples.
The disciples fell, clutching their bellies, arms, and legs where they’d been struck.
Yet they could not even properly see Cheon Mujgyeol’s form.
The charging disciples had no choice but to halt.
They could not rush forward at an enemy they could not see.
Then Song Won-gi cried out again.
“Target that one!”
The target shifted from Cheon Mujgyeol to Buk Gung Dan-ya.
At this, Buk Gung Dan-ya exhaled softly.
“So it comes to this after all.”
When Gwi-gok appeared, the target had been himself, not Cheon Mujgyeol.
It was because Cheon Mujgyeol was that strong—but conversely, it meant he himself was that weak.
Gwi-gok at least had direct ties to the Dongbang Family and knew his capabilities to some degree, so that much he could understand.
But to be underestimated even by these Cheongnim disciples, whom he met for the first time, kindled a surge of anger.
Buk Gung Dan-ya clenched his teeth and tightened his grip on the sword.
Yet regardless of his resolve, the Cheongnim disciples could not even approach him.
As if beyond an invisible line, they all fell before crossing it.
Cheon Mujgyeol was simply that fast and decisive in laying them low.
And soon after.
“Uuuuugh……”
Only the groans of fallen Cheongnim disciples filled the air.
Only one man remained standing.
Elder Song Won-gi alone.
“Grrr!”
Song Won-gi’s breathing was steady, but his teeth ground together as he stared at Cheon Mujgyeol, who stood regarding him calmly.
He was furious at this one-sided defeat, yet faced with such overwhelming power, there was nothing he could do.
“None are dead, whatever bones may be broken.”
Cheon Mujgyeol spoke to Song Won-gi with cool detachment.
“Contact your sect and have your wounded recovered. We will proceed from here.”
At Cheon Mujgyeol’s words, Song Won-gi trembled with barely restrained fury.
The fact that he had been defeated by a villain burned most of all.
“Who…… exactly are you?”
Song Won-gi clenched his teeth, fighting to contain his rage, and asked.
Cheon Mujgyeol regarded Song Won-gi quietly.
“You already know, don’t you?”
“Don’t sully the name of the Heavenly Sword Master! Reveal your true identity!”
Even now, Song Won-gi refused to believe that Cheon Mujgyeol was the heir of the Heavenly Sword Master.
“Still unwilling to accept it—”
As Buk Gung Dan-ya cried out, his frustration and rage pouring into every syllable, Cheon Mujgyeol raised his hand.
“There’s no reason for me to justify myself to you. Tend to the wounded.”
After leaving Song Won-gi with those final words, Cheon Mujgyeol turned to Buk Gung Dan-ya.
Buk Gung Dan-ya sheathed his blade and glared at Song Won-gi as he did.
Whether it was disbelief or willful refusal to believe, the man’s blind faith in the Dongbang Family’s words struck him as pitiful.
Cheon Mujgyeol and Buk Gung Dan-ya passed Song Won-gi by.
Song Won-gi bit down hard on his lip, his eyes boring into the backs of the two men as they walked past.

* * *

Having resolved their confrontation with the Cheongnim Sect with relative ease, the two men entered a small village at the end of the mountain path.
Upon entering a modest restaurant, Buk Gung Dan-ya quickly scanned the surroundings before looking at Cheon Mujgyeol.
“I wonder how many more encounters like that one await us.”
“It cannot be avoided.”
“On the contrary. If we could avoid it, I think we should. We could press ahead faster and slip through before they can block our path, or else travel under the cover of night.”
At Buk Gung Dan-ya’s words, Cheon Mujgyeol studied him for a moment before speaking.
“That would only lend credence to the Dongbang Family’s claims.”
At his words, Buk Gung Dan-ya let out a long, weary sigh.
“If that’s what you believe, I’ve nothing more to say. To them, it would appear we’re evading them out of some hidden guilt. But one avoids filth because it’s repulsive, not because one fears it.”
Yet Cheon Mujgyeol offered no response, as if he had no intention of reconsidering.
“Did you not hear? There are easily twenty sects standing between us and the Dongbang Family. We cannot fight them all each time we encounter them. Quite apart from your own skill.”
What Buk Gung Dan-ya said made sense.
This time, they’d simply left their opponents wounded, but there was no predicting what might happen next.
The more frequently they fought, the greater the risk of bloodshed—of killing when they never meant to.
Buk Gung Dan-ya harbored such concerns, yet Cheon Mujgyeol’s reaction was inscrutable—whether he simply hadn’t considered it, or whether he simply didn’t care.
“Hmph…….”
Buk Gung Dan-ya exhaled heavily.
“Do you truly believe that no one will die simply because we don’t kill them?”
Cheon Mujgyeol, who had been silent, turned the question back on him.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.”
“You mean the Dongbang Family might act against us?”
“I’m simply leaving the possibility open.”
At his words, Buk Gung Dan-ya regarded him with an expression of disbelief.
“As Gwang-an said, if the Dongbang Family wills it, it will come to pass. They have already branded me a Martial Criminal. They can frame me however they wish. By whatever means necessary.”
At such an uncharacteristically lengthy explanation from Cheon Mujgyeol, Buk Gung Dan-ya sighed once more.
“I understand. There’s no point worrying beforehand. We’ll face what comes as it comes and do what we can in the moment.”
At his words, Cheon Mujgyeol nodded.
Shortly after, their food arrived, and the two men began eating in silence.
As he ate, Buk Gung Dan-ya’s mind wandered.
This was only the beginning, and he fervently hoped such encounters wouldn’t become common.
There was no direct animosity between them and the Cheongnim Sect they’d faced today.
It had been an unavoidable situation born of misunderstanding.
Fighting against such people, wounding them—none of it sat easy in his heart.
That was why he’d hoped to avoid confrontation, but Cheon Mujgyeol had other thoughts.
All Buk Gung Dan-ya could do was hope there wouldn’t be many more sects like the Cheongnim in their path.
Trusting that once they reached journey’s end, everything would be resolved.

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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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