The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 418

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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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Chapter 418

Beneath the violet evening sky.
The Gwangpung Unit and the knights of the Lower Castle finished their evening meal at the camp and chatted leisurely among themselves.

I plucked at the Swamp grapes Dorian had brought out as dessert and licked my lips.

‘They really are delicious.’

Swamp grapes had larger seeds than ordinary grapes, a reddish hue like a perfectly ripe apple that looked appetizing, and were seedless, making them easy to eat.

Now I understood why people were so passionate about wine made from these grapes.

-Sniffle….

Wrath, sprawled across my head with his belly exposed, gazed down at the Swamp grapes and whimpered.

‘Why are you crying? And get off my head.’
-There are hardly any Swamp grapes left. To live without being able to enjoy this taste is a tragedy of existence itself!

Wrath’s eyes welled up with tears as he said that he had already finished all the blueberries, and now there weren’t many grapes left either.

‘You’re a demon, for crying out loud.’

Stop using the word “existence.” And get down from my head.

-Why do pleasant moments always pass so quickly?

Wrath ignored my words entirely, pouting as he watched the grapes dwindle slowly.

‘Get down.’
-Squawk!

I flicked Wrath off my head with the back of my hand and rose to my feet.

Screech!

I clapped loudly to draw the attention of the Gwangpung Unit, who were lounging about.

“Surely you don’t intend to waste this golden evening hour?”
“Uh, well…”
“That is…”
“This seems fine as it is…”

The Gwangpung Unit flinched at the sound of my clap, their lips trembling.

“Commander!”
“Please help us!”
“How long has it been since we left the Arian Family, and you’re already starting this!”

The swordsmen found Rimer, but the staggering amount of gold coins he’d lost had shattered his mind, and he hadn’t yet regained his senses.

“Hehhh…”

Rimer drooled as he devoured grapes by the handful.

-What a wasteful thing to do!

Wrath tore at his hair watching the sight.

-He should savor each one, but what is he doing! Snatch them away at once!
‘You do it then.’

I hurled Wrath toward Rimer and turned my gaze to the Gwangpung Unit.

“Should I direct you myself, or will you figure it out on your own?”

I looked down at the bewildered Gwangpung Unit with a slight smirk playing at my lips.

“Of course we should do it ourselves. We were planning to train anyway, even without you saying anything.”

Burren was the first to stand, tapping his sword sheath.

“I painfully realized my shortcomings in that last battle.”

His eyes gleamed with fervent determination, refusing to experience such a thing again.

“Finally, you’re saying something sensible.”

Martha swept back the hair covering her forehead and straightened her posture.

“It’s annoyingly true that you weren’t much help this time.”

She shoved Burren’s shoulder aside and entered the forest first.

“I’ll do it.”

Lunan nodded and grasped Seolhwa firmly in hand.

“I’m tired of just staying in the back now.”

She abandoned even the ice cream she’d been eating and entered the forest on the opposite side from where Martha had disappeared.

The three squad leaders, despite standing before the threshold that would allow them to ascend to Master rank through this war, began their training, believing themselves still insufficient.

“Vice-Leader.”

Mark Goeten approached and bowed his head.

“I’ll go as well.”

He too was on the verge of reaching intermediate Master rank, so he devoted himself to training even while moving to break through that barrier.

“I want to go too!”

Yua bounced like a frog and immediately began swinging her sword beside him. Her energy overflowed, perhaps because she would soon meet her grandfather.

“If you’re doing it, then I’m doing it too!”

Julius followed right beside Yua and drew his blade. He struck twice as fast as usual, as if refusing to lose.

“If this keeps up….”
“We have no choice. Let’s go too.”
“We should work off the meal anyway.”
“I don’t want to be protected anymore either.”

The Gwangpung Unit, moved by the fervor of their squad leaders and Mark Goeten, hardened their expressions and scattered throughout the forest.

“Hmm….”

Milend set down the grapes he’d been eating and observed the knights and swordsmen, whose awkward expressions suggested they were sitting on thorns.

“Will you just sit there?”

A chill sharper than the evening breeze emanated from his eyes.

“The Gwangpung Unit—stronger than any of you—has gone to train, yet grapes still find their way into your mouths?”
“Ugh!”
“No, sir!”
“We’re going!”

The knights and swordsmen sprang to their feet and rushed into the forest.

Whoooosh!

The once-quiet forest erupted into a small orchestra of battle cries from the swordsmen.

“I’ll go loosen up as well.”

Raon bowed his head to Milend.

“Nothing’s changed from before.”

Milend smiled as he tossed a log onto the campfire.

“Even when you were at the Lower Castle, you practically monopolized the Training Ground.”
“A person who changes dies, or so they say.”
“That’s right. That’s you.”

He waved his hand, gesturing for Raon to go ahead.

Raon nodded with a faint smile and headed toward the forest behind them, where no one had yet ventured.

As he reached for his Heavenly Sword, the Sword Ghost and his disciple Mustan appeared from behind.

“Would you mind if I watched you train for a bit?”

The Sword Ghost finally broached the subject.

“That’s fine with me.”

I had planned to practice basic swordplay and the Radiant Sword technique anyway—techniques I didn’t mind displaying—and since the Sword Ghost had been tremendously helpful, there was no reason to refuse.

“Pay close attention.”

The Sword Ghost called Mustan to his side and pointed toward me.

“Your perspective is still too narrow. You need to witness a variety of sword techniques. This boy walks the same path as you, but further ahead—it will be excellent instruction for you.”
“…Understood.”

Mustan’s eyes narrowed into slits, clearly displeased with the Sword Ghost’s words, and he glared at me with undisguised resentment.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

He was already someone I had surpassed.

I drew the Heavenly Sword and brought it down vertically, weaving together the flows of the heavy blade, swift blade, and rigid blade techniques.

Whoooosh!

Without channeling aura, a weighty wind erupted and cleaved through the evening air.

“Even basic swordplay changes in power and speed depending on what essence you infuse into it. Practice applying your techniques in different ways each time to discover the method that suits you best.”

The Sword Ghost offered Mustan guidance while pointing out his shortcomings.

‘He’s not receptive to the teaching.’

The raw jealousy written all over Mustan’s face made it clear he was letting the Sword Ghost’s words go in one ear and out the other.

‘His loss.’

The Sword Ghost’s guidance was simple yet struck at the heart of the matter. To reject such fortune was nothing short of laughable.

‘Then next….’

I finished the basic sword techniques and unfolded the Radiant Sword technique. As I executed the third form, drawing a cross with my blade, I heard the Sword Ghost’s voice from behind.

“Hmm, if you just extended your left foot a bit more there, and angled the sword’s trajectory five degrees to the right, it would look better.”

This time it wasn’t directed at Mustan—he insisted it was merely muttering to himself—but it was advice nonetheless.

“For this one, lower your center of gravity by just ten percent, and focus on the subtleties of the heavy sword technique….”

He pointed out shortcomings in my fifth form as well, all while pretending to speak only to himself.

‘Here we go again.’

I adjusted the Radiant Sword technique according to his observations and tried again.

‘Much better.’

The third form became faster and more ferocious, while the fourth form’s aura barrier blocking the enemy’s space grew thicker.

“You see? Swordsmanship is a martial art where small differences create profound changes. Always strive to pursue better methods.”
“Yes….”

Mustan nodded to the Sword Ghost, but his eyes gleamed like sharp blades had been driven into them.

Naturally, the Sword Ghost offered far more guidance to his disciple than advice to Mustan, and Mustan’s expression grew increasingly demonic.

‘Does he wish to become close with him?’

That would be difficult, surely.

The Sword Ghost seemed to want friendship with Mustan, but it appeared absolutely impossible.

‘Sigh.’

Letting out a small sigh, he continued with the Snow Wind Sword Technique, and once again, Sword Ghost’s advice reached his ears.

“If you just increased the angle of your ankle a bit more there, it would be perfect.”
“Ugh….”

I smacked my lips as I listened to Mustan’s groan.

‘I’m grateful, though.’

Why are you doing this here…?

*

*

*

Mustan bit his lips until they bled.

‘He said I was his only disciple…’

So why is he teaching that bastard!

My master had clearly stated he had no intention of taking another disciple, yet he was offering sword technique advice to Raon.

Though he was still imparting teachings to me as well, I couldn’t understand why he was looking after the swordplay of someone who might one day become my enemy.

‘He said there were circumstances? What circumstances could possibly justify this!’

I had asked my master directly why he was teaching Raon, but he simply said there were circumstances.

He promised to tell me first once things became clear, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe those words.

‘Damn it all…’

I was displeased with both Raon for accepting the advice so readily and my master for continuing to teach him.

My chest burned so fiercely that I could barely hear what the Sword Ghost was saying.

‘He’s even going to visit the Zigheart Family, and you expect me not to be suspicious!’

He’s planning to take that bastard on as his disciple!

The Zigheart Family is considered the force that requires the most caution within Ryeon.
Realizing the reason why I would willingly walk into that place, my heart clenched painfully.

‘This is all because of….’

That bastard.

I had earned recognition for my talent within Ryeon and became Lectar’s disciple, and now only the task of inheriting his sword and becoming the strongest remained—but everything had been thrown into chaos because of that Raon. I wanted nothing more than to rush at him and slash my blade across his body.
The urge to charge at him and cut him down was overwhelming.

“Mustan. That swordsmanship is a sensory blade that pries open the opponent’s weaknesses. It’s not merely about infusing strong techniques—the true method of wielding a sensory blade is to imbue the appropriate martial art for that specific moment. At that level of mastery, even if he reveals his techniques, his weaknesses won’t be exposed.”
“…I understand.”

Mustan clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms. His jealousy blazed openly as he glared at Raon.

‘I will never lose to you.’

He watched every movement of the swordsmanship unfolding before his eyes, determined to crush Raon and reclaim his master’s attention.

*

*

*

Zigheart Family Estate.
Glen, who had been gazing out the window with his back resting against the Jade Throne, lowered his gaze to the platform below.

“Are the preparations complete?”
“Yes.”

Roen, standing to his left, bowed his head in response.

“I have had the golden badge prepared for young master Raon and silver badges newly crafted for the other young masters.”

Roen approached Glen carrying a large wooden box.

“Please examine it.”

He opened the box, and radiant badges gleamed into view.

“Hmm….”

Glen Zigheart’s eyes narrowed as he examined the golden badge nestled inside the box.

“The sword emblem on the golden badge appears slightly twisted….”
“It only appears that way because we deepened the color to emphasize the Zigheart emblem.”

Roen gently wiped the golden badge, shaking his head in disagreement.

“We took the utmost care in crafting this golden badge for Raon, so there’s no need for concern. Besides, only the exterior is gold—the interior is platinum.”
“Not bad.”

Glen Zigheart nodded with satisfaction upon hearing that special care had been taken for Raon.

“Head of House.”

Sheryl approached Glen Zigheart, her lips curling slightly upward.

“Given Raon’s nature, he’ll be delighted simply by you presenting the golden badge yourself. Don’t worry.”
“Ahem!”

Glen Zigheart cleared his throat and waved his hand dismissively.

“It matters not what that boy thinks of me. If the Family emblem is drawn incorrectly, my prestige as the one bestowing the reward suffers. That’s the only reason. I have no intention of granting special treatment….”

He shook his head, muttering a feeble excuse.

Sheryl smiled softly as she watched Glen Zigheart’s face flush slightly.

‘How adorable.’

The moment he returned to the Family Estate, uncertain of when Raon would arrive, he had ordered a new golden badge crafted, finished organizing the Treasury for the gift, and even compiled a list of wines he wished to share with Raon.

Watching him openly cherish his grandson while pretending not to reveal it outwardly was nothing but amusing.

As Sheryl and Roen exchanged amused glances at Glen Zigheart’s endearing nature, a heavy knock sounded, and Chad, the head of the Bi-Yeon Society, entered the Audience Chamber.

“I greet the Head of House.”

Chad bowed respectfully before stepping forward.

“What is the matter?”
“A message has arrived from the Gwangpung Unit commander.”

He withdrew a yellow envelope from his robes.

“Have you read its contents?”
“No. I brought it straight away upon receiving it.”
“Read it aloud.”
“Understood.”

Chad nodded and opened the envelope. Inside lay a single thin sheet of paper.

“Ah….”

His eyes scanned the letter, and his jaw trembled.

“The Bi-Yeon Society leader?”
“Ah, yes!”
“Don’t add unnecessary commentary. Read it as written.”
“Ah, understood.”

Chad moistened his lips with his tongue and began reading the letter again.

“R-Raon has captured the Phantom Soul Ghost. Wow….”

His voice quavered as though his throat had seized when he uttered the exclamation. He stole a glance at Glen. Thick veins bulged prominently across his forehead.

“The Sword Ghost came to the Arian Family, and Raon and he are a perfect match. I thought he was truly the real Grandfather….

The air grew heavy as if the sky itself were collapsing, pressing down upon my shoulders. Behind me, I felt a torrent of cold sweat cascading down my back.

“W-we are playing at the Lower Castle. We don’t know when we’ll return. P-poof….”

He lowered the letter with trembling hands. The frigid chill that seeped into my skin was so severe that my lips would no longer open.

“The man’s lost his mind. Completely unhinged.”

Sheryl shook her head slowly, exhaling a breath of disbelief.

Whoooosh!

As I pondered what to do, a letter materialized of its own accord and flew toward Glen.

Glen verified the contents written on the letter, then incinerated the paper without leaving a single fragment.

“Now that’s what a real grandfather looks like.”

His lips curled upward in a thin line. It was a chilling smile that made one’s heart stop just watching it.

“Roen, Sheryl.”

Glen crumpled the armrest of the Jade Throne like parchment, baring his teeth.

“Prepare a funeral for the Gwangpung Unit Master.”

Crimson sparks flickered around him, a testament to his sincerity.

“If he wishes to die, I’ll grant him that wish.”
“Yes!”
“Hehehehe.”

Sheryl clenched her fists and nodded, while Roen let out his characteristic laugh.

Chad swallowed hard as he watched the three of them emanate a hair-raising aura.

‘The Gwangpung Unit Master.’

May you rest in peace.

*

*

*

I climbed the snow-covered hill and lifted my gaze.

A towering castle wall, stained with dried blood and yellowed grime, came into view.

The Lower Castle, where I had taken my final test to become a swordsman and first earned my title, looked much the same as before.

“It’s been a while since I’ve smelled this.”

A small smile crossed my face at the familiar scent of blood.

“Ugh! This smell is exactly the same!”

Dorian let out a sound like a pig being slaughtered, his face contorting. At least he wasn’t retching like before.

Seeing the Lower Castle still bearing the marks of battle, memories of my time here flooded back. It was the place where I had endured countless battles, the foundation upon which I had become who I am now. My heart raced at the sight.

“The Commander has returned! Open the gates!”
“Open the gates!”

The castle gates of the Lower Castle opened with a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the very earth.

Milland turned around as he watched the gates open, revealing the silver gleam of the snow-covered mountain.

“When I first came here, I was just an unwelcome mercenary.”

He struck his left breastplate with his fist, a deep smile spreading across his face. His eyes burned with intensity—not like a traveling companion, but like the master of this castle returning home.

“In the name of Milland Braden, Lord of the Lower Castle, I welcome the return of my benefactor, Raon Zigheart!”
“Uuuuaaaaaaah!”

A massive cheer erupted from within the castle at Milland’s cry.

The weighty military spirit of the Lower Castle, heavy as a lance, sent a chill racing down my spine.

‘A return…’

My heart pounded at the realization that they still considered me one of them.

I watched the knights and scouts waving their hands, then struck my left chest with my fist in salute.

“I’m back.”

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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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