The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 75

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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 75

 

‘How strange… I wonder if he has truly aged…’

 

One exchange.

 

Just one exchange was enough to know.

 

The mindset the Sect Leader had held just moments ago was somewhat light.

 

‘Was the resolve for mutual destruction light?’

 

Truly an old monster.

 

A monster that doesn’t even die of old age.

 

At some point, he spent far more time immersed in meditation than wielding his sword.

 

It seems he has gained enlightenment several times over.

 

With just one exchange, the entire surrounding area was completely devastated, and the aftershock that swept through in an instant made it difficult for even those who had retreated dozens of zhang away to keep their legs steady.

 

The thick dust that had risen couldn’t even settle due to the aftermath of that internal energy, swirling around and blocking everyone’s vision.

 

“You’ve improved greatly. Really, greatly.”

 

Geomma was also quite impressed.

 

It didn’t seem like that much time had passed.

 

Everything contained in this one exchange shows what kinds of things he has melted into his sword during this time.

 

You’ve contained everything that could be contained.

 

It’s truly a sword befitting the name Cheonma.

 

‘He was a child with exceptional talent.’

 

More than anything else, he learned killing intent first, and when he cut off the necks of his own blood relatives and offered them before his father, even Geomma felt chills.

 

How cunning that young one was.

 

Didn’t he perform such an outrageous act in a gathering where almost all the masters of the sect were present?

 

Some criticized him as being like a beast, while others admired that very beast-like nature.

 

And the previous generation’s Cheonma belonged to the latter.

 

“Have you decided on the next generation’s Cheonma?”

 

“There’s one who resembles me.”

 

“It’s not that child who passed by earlier.”

 

“…That’s right.”

 

At that answer, Geomma’s languid and drowsy expression suddenly disappeared.

 

Long ago.

 

That gaze and expression that remained only fragmentarily in the current Cheonma’s memory.

 

The son of Cheonma.

 

The one who had instilled fear in someone who had killed six siblings with his own hands at the age of twelve.

 

The current Cheonma thought that was the first and last time he felt fear.

 

However, he suspected this might be the last time.

 

Was he afraid of death?

 

That couldn’t be.

 

He was simply afraid that he might have reached a realm that seemed unreachable.

 

He feared that he would personally experience that difference.

 

“Unhyeok.”

 

“I told you not to call my name.”

 

“Listen.”

 

Geomma’s sword began to emit a black light.

 

Was that black light?

 

Or was it darkness created by the absence of even light?

 

Though it was indistinguishable, seeing how it appeared particularly dark even though the sun had completely set, it was probably the latter.

 

“After I finish my business with you, I’ll have to meet that son directly.”

 

“What do you intend to do?”

 

“If he doesn’t catch my eye, it’s better he doesn’t exist at all.”

 

At those words, Cheonma let out a light laugh and asked back.

 

“Did I catch your eye?”

 

“You did.”

 

He wanted to ask why he hadn’t taught him swordsmanship then, but the words that had risen to his throat didn’t come out.

 

However, soon words that didn’t need to be asked continued from Geomma.

 

Geomma extended one finger and brought it before his eyes.

 

“One stroke.”

 

Just one stroke.

 

No, was it a whole stroke?

 

“So, go back.”

 

“My steps are different from back then.”

 

Cheonma who had returned with his tail between his legs to the reclusive Geomma.

 

Perhaps the character for ‘Heaven’ should be removed.

 

That’s why Cheonma still hadn’t abandoned his resolve for mutual destruction.

 

There could be various outcomes to returning again, but there would be only one process.

 

Thud.

 

Then, something floated up in the air and fell before Cheonma.

 

“This is…”

 

“My beloved sword.”

 

Geomma’s sword.

 

A demonic sword befitting the name Geomma.

 

Long ago, Yeo Ijang, who was the blacksmith of the Demonic Sect.

 

This sword he made was his final sword, created by melting his own innate true energy, and was named Seonageon because it absorbed the innate true energy of its wielder.

 

“Wouldn’t that be sufficient?”

 

None other than Geomma.

 

He had thrown over the sword he valued several times more than his own life.

 

For a warrior, handing over one’s sword was a clear acknowledgment of defeat and meant having no will to fight.

 

Wasn’t it surprising?

 

Even now, evil spirits dwelt in those eyes.

 

“What is the reason for going this far?”

 

At that question, Geomma’s gaze returned to being languid and drowsy.

 

No, it seemed like a bit of joy could be glimpsed as well.

 

And that made Cheonma even more anxious.

 

Perhaps because he was someone who wanted recognition from him more than from his father.

 

Just as he thought he had asked a pointless question.

 

The finger that had been at the lower part of Geomma’s pupil had somehow risen to almost the very top.

 

“Didn’t a child who reaches nine strokes appear?”

 

Perhaps these were the words he least wanted to hear.

 

For someone who had craved recognition to see him acknowledge someone other than himself.

 

To the extent that he would casually hand over even Seonageon, which he proudly called his beloved sword.

 

“Take it with you. Wouldn’t it be sufficient? I think my name isn’t light.”

 

“…I shall do so.”

 

After looking at Seonageon for a moment, Cheonma soon turned around and left.

 

“…Tsk. Because of a troublesome disciple I gained in my old age, I’ve lost one precious sword.”

 

Even while saying that, there wasn’t much regret left in Geomma’s eyes.

 

The enlightenment he had recently gained thanks to Cheongun.

 

Through this enlightenment, Geomma realized the principle of removing and emptying rather than filling and containing.

 

Having observed until now, it was time to do something different.

 

Since no one else lived nearby except Geomma anyway, there was no reason left to return.

 

“Shall I go?”

 

It was called Manryugwijong – all streams return to their source.

 

Since at some point he became able to not infuse demonic energy, he intended to visit other places as well.

 

Also, to give teachings to his disciple, shouldn’t he be somewhere relatively close?

 

With Geomma departing like that, Cheonma returned carrying Geomma’s Seonah Sword.

 

“Sect Leader!”

 

“The Sect Leader has…”

 

“Wait, that sword is…”

 

Everyone confirmed the Seonah Sword held in Cheonma’s hand.

 

Geomma’s sword.

 

Everyone knew what this meant.

 

“We shall stop the pursuit here.”

 

The justification was already complete.

 

It had been completed the moment Cheongun left the sect.

 

Unlike Cheongun, Geomma’s end could be said to be rather futile.

 

All they had exchanged was a single bout.

 

However, if it had continued further, it would have been fatal for the Demonic Sect as well.

 

* * *

 

“Huh… how did they come here in advance…”

 

Mawi looked at those blocking his path with pitying eyes.

 

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

 

Two of the Seven Great Demonic Cultivators.

 

The fact that they appeared ahead of him could only be explained by them having come here in advance.

 

“I do not particularly welcome this situation.”

 

“Then you can simply return.”

 

“However, returning is even less appealing…”

 

Mawi had no choice but to draw his sword.

 

“You know this is a foolish choice, don’t you?”

 

“Save your words. I know well that you so-called Seven Great Demonic Cultivators are nothing but empty shells.”

 

“…Since you know what you shouldn’t know, we must take you by force.”

 

“How preposterous.”

 

As Mawi said, the current Seven Great Demonic Cultivators were not complete.

 

With the Jeongma Great War right around the corner, how could the highest combat forces remain only within the sect?

 

Only some remained.

 

“Since you know, I’ll be frank. The one coming to help you is not coming from that direction.”

 

The Seven Great Demonic Cultivator.

 

No, the fingertip of the one called a Seven Great Demonic Cultivator pointed behind Mawi.

 

“They’re coming from this way.”

 

Behind themselves.

 

When looking into the distance, it was where the Murim Alliance was located.

 

“How deep have their roots grown…”

 

They must have meticulously planned things in secret.

 

“Returning obediently would be the way to preserve your body at least.”

 

“You speak as if I’ve committed a crime and am fleeing. Though I may have devoted this short life to medicine…”

 

Mawi’s internal energy began flowing through his sword.

 

Something unseen in the Demonic Sect.

 

No, an aura of goodness that was rare to see throughout all of Gangho.

 

“Today I shall be a warrior, not a physician.”

 

“…To refuse the cup of persuasion and choose the cup of punishment.”

 

“You said cutting off legs was acceptable. Though bringing you back would be troublesome, there’s no other choice.”

 

The swords of the two demonic cultivators were also drawn.

 

Though they were not true Seven Great Demonic Cultivators, they were ones taking the place of the real Seven Great Demonic Cultivators.

 

The sharpness of their swords was not to be taken lightly.

 

Quiet silence was always the precursor that appeared before a bloody storm.

 

Though it had been long since Mawi held a sword, he was not at a level to be so disregarded by these mere shells of the Seven Great Demonic Cultivators.

 

Before others arrived, he had to quickly deal with them and continue on his way.

 

If they were real Seven Great Demonic Cultivators, it would be different.

 

‘Only Pokdanma was the sole remaining true Seven Great Demonic Cultivator…’

 

The key was to deal with them before meeting a true Seven Great Demonic Cultivator.

 

And it seemed the opponents knew this too.

 

The fact that they already held their swords showed they would thoroughly exclude offense and focus only on defense.

 

These two were not ones whose mission was to bring Mawi back from the start.

 

To keep Mawi pinned in that spot.

 

That was their only mission, so they had sent ones specialized for this.

 

It wasn’t even one blocking alone, but two together taking only defensive stances, making it difficult to break through.

 

They allowed all wounds that merely cut and tore skin, while blocking all attacks that could lead to fatal damage.

 

‘To waste time like this…!’

 

They were merely shells, yet breaking through them was this difficult.

 

Was it because he hadn’t held a sword for so long?

 

Or were these ones particularly strong in defense?

 

A battle not threatening enough to call a hard fight.

 

However, seeing it this way, his disappointment in himself was great, as it was no different from a terrible battle.

 

“Haha! It seems you’ve devoted yourself only to medicine all this time!”

 

“Since you don’t put that will into what must be killed, you cannot accomplish anything.”

 

No killing intent was contained in his sword tip.

 

Mawi didn’t know.

 

That he could sufficiently break through their defense.

 

If this were a sparring match instead.

 

If what he held was not a sword but a wooden sword, he would have overwhelmed them with crushing difference.

 

Like that, little by little.

 

While time was flowing uselessly away.

 

“Are you playing around with children?”

 

A familiar and welcome voice was heard.

 

And at the same time.

 

“Kuhuk…!”

 

“Wh-where from…!”

 

The two demonic cultivators were cut clean through, swords and all.

 

“The pur-suers…”

 

“Young Master has…”

 

Thud, thunk.

 

The sound of heavy things falling to the ground rang out exactly twice.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

“Huh, so quickly…”

 

Cheongun didn’t even check who he had cut down or what kind of people they were.

 

Would anyone check after stepping on ants while passing by?

 

It was the same principle.

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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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