The Great Heavenly Sword Emperor - Chapter 54

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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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#054. The First Blade of Dongbang (1)

With their announcement timed as perfectly as if rehearsed, the Dongbang Sega had seized both moral authority and practical advantage.
They contrasted their own magnanimity—even embracing enemies—against Cheon Mujgyeol’s refusal and his far more brutal actions, solidifying public favor decisively in their direction.
And now, with legitimate grounds to eliminate Cheon Mujgyeol directly, there would be no problem whatsoever in disposing of him by any means necessary.
As the two men drew closer to the Dongbang Sega, this atmosphere only grew heavier.
Though they had avoided bloodshed with the Munpa Alliance, the pressure bearing down on them—or more precisely, on Bukgung Danya—only intensified.
They advanced toward the Dongbang Sega, acutely aware of increasingly sharp gazes fixed upon them.
“The eyes certainly grow colder once we enter Gangsoseong. This direct sphere of the Dongbang Sega truly is different,” Bukgung Danya observed.
Cheon Mujgyeol offered no reply.
“Until now it’s been as it was, but from here forward, everyone around us will be our enemy.”
At Bukgung Danya’s follow-up, Cheon Mujgyeol inclined his head in acknowledgment.
Yet his response held no great emotion.
Seeing this, Bukgung Danya exhaled quietly.
Since his confrontation with the Munpa Alliance, Cheon Mujgyeol had reverted to his former self.
Bukgung Danya had harbored some hope that having vented his emotions once, he might change—but regrettably, no such transformation occurred.
If anything, he seemed even more withdrawn now, more hollow than before.
The two walked in silence along the road for a considerable distance.
Occasionally they crossed paths with other travelers, and most quickly averted their eyes.
Their fear was evident enough, yet their eyes gleamed with unmistakable hostility.
It could not have been otherwise.
Every person in Gangsoseong who traveled its roads and made their living there had grown secure precisely through the Dongbang Sega’s protection and prosperity.
For people whose lifeline was the Dongbang Sega to harbor ill will toward Cheon Mujgyeol was nothing less than natural.
Bukgung Danya felt a deep pity for Cheon Mujgyeol, who bore such treatment though innocent of any wrongdoing.
Yet he swallowed his sympathy, clinging to the belief that once they reached the Dongbang Sega and resolved all debts and grudges, the people’s gaze would shift as well.
Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya eventually left the main road, pausing to rest in a quiet spot on the village’s outskirts.
“What do you intend to do once you reach the Dongbang Sega?” Bukgung Danya asked.

“It depends on what the Dongbang Sega does.”
“That is to say…….”
Bukgung Danya trailed off, and Cheon Mujgyeol nodded.
“If we must fight, then we will fight.”
“I suppose so.”
Conflict with the Dongbang Sega was all but inevitable at this point.
Had it been something to be resolved through words alone, such a situation would never have arisen in the first place.
The problem was the Dongbang Sega’s power.
That Cheon Mujgyeol was formidable, they had already seen amply demonstrated.
Yet the Dongbang Sega’s strength was no trifling matter either.
“Dongbang Cheonbaek, the Family Head of the Dongbang Sega, may have aged somewhat, but his skill is genuine. And I’ve heard that the Five Dharma Protectors are scarcely inferior to him in ability. If you were forced to stand against all of them…….”
“If such a thing comes to pass, then so be it. We fight and that is all.”
It was an answer characteristic of Cheon Mujgyeol.
Yet concern could not be dispelled so easily.
Bukgung Danya did not doubt that Cheon Mujgyeol’s bearing stemmed from genuine confidence, but the Dongbang Sega operated on an entirely different scale from any opponent they had faced thus far.
What if the Five Dharma Protectors rushed at Cheon Mujgyeol simultaneously?
The Dongbang Sega’s pride made such an occurrence unlikely in his estimation, yet should it happen, even Cheon Mujgyeol would find it extraordinarily difficult to withstand.
‘The fact that you know the Dongbang Sega’s Mugong well—perhaps that is our only hope.’
He recalled words that Cheon Mujgyeol had spoken in the past.
That it was the Cheongeom Daeje who had perfected the Mugong of both the Bukgung Family and the Dongbang Sega.
And that Bukgung Danya himself had been able to learn anew and restructure his family’s arts with Cheon Mujgyeol’s guidance.
Just as it had been then.
Cheon Mujgyeol would know the Dongbang Sega’s Mugong intimately as well, and thus would know its weaknesses equally well.
That was what Bukgung Danya considered their sole advantage, their only real hope.
“Bukgung,” Cheon Mujgyeol said.
“Yes?”
It was unusual for Cheon Mujgyeol to initiate conversation.
“Do not doubt.”
At Cheon Mujgyeol’s continued words, Bukgung Danya flinched slightly.
“I’m prepared for the fact that it won’t be an easy fight. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to lose.”
At his words, Bukgung Danya’s eyes widened and he stared at him.
“I may struggle, but in the end, victory will be mine. So don’t doubt me.”
His tone was measured and respectful, yet the words themselves carried a shocking weight.
Who in all the world could claim they would unconditionally defeat the Dongbang Sega?
One might think it.
But there was no one in this world who would dare say it aloud.
Only Cheon Mujgyeol could speak such words.
‘The depth of this man is truly unknowable.’
His lack of excessive boasting somehow inspired greater trust.
He’d felt it before, but now it struck him afresh—he was traveling alongside someone truly extraordinary.
“Understood. I won’t doubt you. Though I suppose I can’t help but worry a little.”
At Bukgung Danya’s words, Cheon Mujgyeol gave a small nod and rose from his seat.
They’d rested enough. It was time to continue toward the Dongbang Sega.
The two resumed their journey.

* * *

Having left the Dongbang Sega, Dongbang Cheongryu traveled with his own direct subordinates, the Myeonggyeongdae, in tow.
Not that he intended to deploy them all against Cheon Mujgyeol.
The Myeonggyeongdae’s sole purpose was to pin down Bukgung Danya.
Cheon Mujgyeol—he would face alone.
‘Cheon Mujgyeol. What conviction has brought you this far?’
They had never met directly, nor had they ever spoken.
Based only on indirect reports, Dongbang Cheongryu did not view Cheon Mujgyeol as a mere vengeance-seeker.
The man gave off a strong impression of possessing clear convictions and principles, which only deepened his curiosity.
What exactly were they?
He wanted to understand more concretely, and through that understanding, gauge the true measure of his power.
And so Dongbang Cheongryu’s heart, as he rode to meet Cheon Mujgyeol, was unlike his usual composure—it thrummed with anticipation.
He felt the excitement of someone rushing to meet a long-desired love.
The prospect of crossing blades with Cheon Mujgyeol and all the conversations they would have grew ever sweeter in his mind.
With each increment of anticipation, Dongbang Cheongryu urged his horse faster still.
His desire to meet Cheon Mujgyeol—even a moment sooner—was overwhelming.

* * *

The two pressed forward relentlessly toward the Dongbang Sega until sunset, when they took shelter in a pavilion outside a village.
“Sigh… I miss Gyeongseoksan.”
Bukgung Danya collapsed onto the pavilion’s floor with a murmur.
Since leaving Bohyeonsa and the Dongbang Sega’s campaign of words against them, the two had scarcely known true rest.
Unable to bathe, eat, or sleep properly, they had pressed on until Gyeongseoksan, where Cheolno had helped them recover for a few precious days.
Even after leaving Gyeongseoksan, they had found no proper respite.
Though they had endured until now, Bukgung Danya’s spirit had grown parched and depleted.
And the closer they drew to the Dongbang Sega, the more acute this depletion became.
As the final confrontation drew near, both body and spirit naturally hungered for restoration.
It was then.
Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya turned in unison toward the same direction.
A figure approached, silhouetted against the setting sun.
“Someone from the Dongbang Sega, it seems.”
Bukgung Danya spoke tensely, noting the cut of their robes.
He hadn’t expected a member of the Dongbang Sega to appear at such a juncture.
The newcomer stopped before them, studying both men for a moment.
There was no ceremony in his stance, nor any hostility or killing intent.
“My lord has commanded that I bring you both.”
“My lord? Who might that be?”
Bukgung Danya’s voice was sharp with the question.
“Dongbang Cheongryu, one of the Five Dharma Protectors of the Dongbang Sega. He is my lord.”
At these words, Bukgung Danya’s gaze fell upon Cheon Mujgyeol.
He hadn’t expected one of the Five Dharma Protectors to appear so soon—his expression betrayed genuine surprise.
But Cheon Mujgyeol remained as unmoved as ever.
“What’s the reason for the meeting?”
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen today.”
“Today.”
Bukgung Danya murmured the word, then turned his gaze back to Cheon Mujgyeol.
Cheon Mujgyeol rose quietly from his seat.
Bukgung Danya followed swiftly and spoke to him in a hushed voice.
“It could be a trap.”
“We should go anyway.”
At Cheon Mujgyeol’s reply, Bukgung Danya let out a long breath.
Without a word, Cheon Mujgyeol approached the one who had come to invite them.
“Where should we go?”
“This way.”
The warrior of the Dongbang Sega turned and led the way.
To turn one’s back to enemies—to both Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya.
It meant he had no intention of fighting them now, and he trusted they felt the same.
Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya followed silently behind him.

* * *

They arrived at an inn within the town.
Upon entering, the interior was stifling in its silence.
It wasn’t empty, though.
Just one person.
Dongbang Cheongryu sat alone at a table, his back to them.
“I’ve brought them.”
At his subordinate’s words, Dongbang Cheongryu did not turn his head.
He simply opened his mouth.
“Please, sit.”
Unlike his subordinate, who had spoken down to Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya, Dongbang Cheongryu greeted them with formal respect.
Cheon Mujgyeol and Bukgung Danya exchanged a brief glance before sitting across from Dongbang Cheongryu.
Meeting for the first time, Dongbang Cheongryu and Cheon Mujgyeol regarded each other in silence for a moment.
“I am Dongbang Cheongryu.”
“I am Cheon Mujgyeol.”
After a brief exchange of names, Dongbang Cheongryu continued without breaking his gaze from Cheon Mujgyeol’s eyes.
“I’ve come to fight.”
Swift as a shadow.
Before those words had even finished, Bukgung Danya’s hand moved quietly toward his sword hilt.
“The statement wasn’t complete. Don’t throw your life away needlessly.”
Dongbang Cheongryu glanced at Bukgung Danya as he spoke.
The moment Bukgung Danya met Dongbang Cheongryu’s gaze directly, he found himself unable to move.
Despite his serene expression and gentle tone, a coldness emanated from his eyes—one he’d never felt anywhere else in the world.
“I’ve come to fight, but not today.”
Dongbang Cheongryu turned his gaze back to Cheon Mujgyeol and spoke.
“I understand you haven’t eaten or rested properly in some time. Fighting in such a state would be meaningless.”
“Are you certain?”
Cheon Mujgyeol asked Dongbang Cheongryu.
The question carried multiple layers of meaning.
“I am certain.”
Dongbang Cheongryu’s answer too was layered with meaning.
On one level, it spoke to the outcome of their coming fight; on another, it touched on the very conflict between the Dongbang Sega and Cheon Mujgyeol.
Until now, the Dongbang Sega had employed every means to wear away Cheon Mujgyeol’s strength and spirit.
Cheon Mujgyeol could not have been unaware of this.
Yet Dongbang Cheongryu, who counted among the Five Dharma Protectors, spoke contrary to all that—urging him to eat well and rest well.
“I’ve already spoken to the proprietor. For two days. Eat well and rest well here for two days.”
As he said this, Dongbang Cheongryu rose from his seat.
“I’ll see you in two days.”
At Dongbang Cheongryu’s words, Cheon Mujgyeol gave a small nod.
Having seen Cheon Mujgyeol’s assent, Dongbang Cheongryu left the inn without another word.
The Dongbang swordsman’s first blade, encountered so suddenly, had extended not killing intent, but a table laden with food and a bed in which to sleep.
It was unexpected.

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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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