The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 429
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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 429
I walked through the center of the Audience Chamber alongside the Gwangpung Unit. Executives lined both sides, and the gazes of the Main Lineage members in particular felt piercing, but I ignored them and stood before the Platform.
“I pay my respects to the Head of House!”
I knelt and bowed my head, observing Glen Zigheart’s eyes—cold rather than hollow, far colder than usual.
“Rise.”
Glen Zigheart’s voice was heavier than normal as well. The frigid atmosphere permeating the Audience Chamber suggested something troubling had occurred.
“Yes!”
I rose to my feet, following Rimer, the unit commander.
“First, I should greet our guest.”
Glen Zigheart’s gaze swept past the Gwangpung Unit toward the Sword Ghost and Mustan standing at the end.
“It is an honor to meet the master of the Northern Region. I am Swordmaster Lectar.”
“It’s an honor to meet the master of the Northern Region. I am Prosecutor Lectar.”
He humbled himself, elevated Glen, and conducted himself with the courtesy befitting a guest.
“I’ve often heard the name blow in with noble dignity like the north wind. To meet the Left Seat of the Five Great Sword Masters—it seems I too am opening my eyes.”
Glen’s tone carried respect, befitting his opponent.
Raon furrowed his eyes as he watched the two prosecutors exchange greetings.
What is it?
Am I mistaken?
Their greetings toward each other were clearly gentle, yet there was a sharp glint in their eyes.
“Duke Lectar, I understand you don’t visit the Six Emperors Five Demons unless there’s something urgent. Might I ask the reason for your visit to Zigheart?”
“Hmm….”
Glen’s pupils grew clouded and dull. The Sword Ghost didn’t answer immediately, instead turning his gaze toward Raon beside him.
“I enjoy traveling and have wandered across the entire Continent. In passing so many people, I’ve witnessed countless talents, but someone like Swordmaster Raon was a first. Martial prowess, mental fortitude, talent, and character—there wasn’t a single flaw.”
From his sharp eyes bloomed an unexpectedly warm and affectionate aura.
Meanwhile, Glen’s narrow eyes blazed with an even colder chill.
“I too am raising a disciple. While I’m satisfied with his skills, I believe he still lacks much in terms of character. I came all this way because I wanted to know who on earth raised such a monster.”
“Hmm.”
Glen covered his mouth with his hand as he listened to the Sword Ghost’s praise for Raon.
‘To receive such praise from the Sword Ghost….’
Who was the Sword Ghost? A supreme master who had risen to the position of First Among the Five Great Sword Masters, someone rumored to hold his own even against the masters of the Six Emperors Five Demons.
And the martial prowess I witnessed from him today was not far from that reputation.
“Did the Sword Ghost really say that?”
“I heard he doesn’t give praise—only instruction?”
“Right. I thought he was cold-hearted….”
The executives of Zigheart swallowed hard as they heard the Sword Ghost’s extraordinary praise.
“Hmm….”
Glen smoothed his left sleeve with his hand. As a renowned warrior across the Continent offered sincere praise for his grandson, the frozen heart within him began to thaw.
‘So that fool Rimer was talking nonsense after all.’
He had said the Sword Ghost was like a real grandfather, but now it was clear the Sword Ghost had come to Zigheart following Raon in order to cultivate his disciple’s character.
“Ahem! I see.”
As he was about to grant permission while hiding his rising smile, Raon stepped forward.
“Lectar has provided us and the Gwangpung Unit with invaluable guidance. Thanks to his daily training sessions, all of us have made tremendous progress.”
Raon spoke as if defending the Sword Ghost, recounting what he had done for them. Learning that he had reviewed swordsmanship with him daily like a true mentor made my heart sink.
“…He reviewed your swordsmanship?”
“Yes. He didn’t teach us directly, but rather offered counsel on the subtleties of swordsmanship.”
“I see.”
Glen’s fingertips trembled as he listened to Raon’s words.
‘He offered guidance? Every single day?’
A warrior of the Sword Ghost’s caliber wouldn’t offer strange teachings, so it could be considered a fortunate opportunity.
Yet Rimer’s letter came to mind again, and I felt a suffocating unease settle in my chest.
‘Surely he’s not trying to take him as a disciple? Or perhaps as a grandson?’
From the moment we first met, the warm affection I saw in the Sword Ghost’s eyes when he looked at Raon had become unmistakably apparent.
Raon too seemed to trust and follow him, offering a faint smile in return.
‘This won’t do. This absolutely won’t do.’
By now, there was no way to prevent the Sword Ghost’s visits.
It seemed I would have to discard the gift I had prepared for Raon beforehand and prepare something new instead.
“The children are indebted to you. Thank you.”
Glen suppressed his true feelings and forced himself to nod.
“Not at all. They are all talented children, so it has been a pleasure.”
The Sword Ghost smiled faintly and waved his hand.
“After receiving such help, I cannot refuse. I welcome Lectar’s visits.”
Glen granted permission for the Sword Ghost’s visits while concealing the urgent anxiety that tightened his chest.
“Thank you.”
The Sword Ghost bowed alongside Mustan before retreating backward.
“Hmm….”
I scratched my temple while observing Glen and the Sword Ghost locking eyes.
‘Why does the atmosphere feel colder?’
I had mentioned that the Sword Ghost had helped us, yet the air seemed to have grown even more frigid.
-He’s probably hungry.
Wrath yawned from above my head, seemingly indifferent.
“Gwangpung Unit.”
Glen shifted his gaze away from the Sword Ghost. His eyes, heavy with authority, seemed to press down upon our shoulders.
“I heard the mission ended quickly, yet you’ve returned quite late.”
“My apologies.”
Since Rimer said nothing, I bowed my head on behalf of the unit.
“From now on, if you’re running late, report it first. Delays happen, but failing to report is a problem.”
“Yes? But the unit leader said he contacted you….”
“Contact? He mentioned going to the Lower Castle, but no word came about it taking longer.”
“Oh! I forgot!”
Rimer scratched the back of his head with a sheepish laugh.
“The Lower Castle turned out to be quite pleasant for eating and enjoying ourselves. I forgot to send word.”
He murmured something about these things happening in life and smacked his lips.
“….”
Perhaps because it was so absurd, the Audience Chamber fell silent despite the many people present.
‘That damned Unit Commander!’
Anyone else could say it, but not you!
I swallowed hard as I watched Glen, veins bulging across his forehead.
“Be more careful next time.”
Yet I didn’t lose my temper, simply nodding my head low.
“Huh?”
Rimer’s eyes widened in surprise at such an unexpected response.
I smoothed my fingertips as I observed Glen, who rested his chin on his right fist.
‘He’s different from usual.’
Perhaps because of our guest, the Sword Ghost, Glen neither barked at Rimer nor unleashed his lightning. Instead, he breathed quietly.
“I understand why you were late, so let’s move past it. From now on, report what the Gwangpung Unit has been doing at the Arian Family.”
“Yes. When we first arrived at the Arian Family….”
I recounted how corrupt the Arian Family’s executives were and how many people were exposed to danger, then described the sudden swamp tsunami and our battle with the Phantom Soul Ghost.
When I finished recounting all the incidents at the Arian Family, silence descended upon the Audience Chamber.
“You captured the Phantom Soul Ghost? That Phantom Soul Ghost?”
“That’s a Grand Master-level being!”
“Right. Even accounting for carelessness, could the Gwangpung Unit really defeat a high-ranking Eden executive?”
“And they supposedly used some strange suspicious orb too….”
“Something doesn’t add up.”
As Karun and Valdemar began to voice their doubts, the other Main Lineage members followed suit, and the executives grew skeptical as well.
“Chad.”
“Yes!”
At Glen’s call, Chad, the head of the Bi-Yeon Society, stepped forward.
“Is what the Gwangpung Unit Commander said true?”
“After cross-referencing with the Bi-Yeon Society’s intelligence, it is 100% factual.”
Chad nodded decisively, as if there was nothing more to see.
“Hah!”
“The Bi-Yeon Society Chief himself admits it….”
“Then it’s really true!”
“Even the Grand Masters couldn’t catch the Phantom Soul Ghost….”
“This isn’t just a success—it’s a massive victory.”
“They call them Mad Dog Squad instead of Gale Wind Squad, and now I understand why.”
The executives lining both sides of the Audience Chamber couldn’t hide their astonishment, their mouths agape. Even with Glen sitting directly ahead, they continued whispering among themselves.
Many executives praised the feat with admiration, but many others couldn’t bring themselves to smile.
“Tsk.”
“Damn it….”
“What’s so great about that?”
Karun, Valdemar, and the other Main Lineage members wrinkled their noses as if they’d heard something foul, their expressions darkening.
Their cold gazes made it clear they couldn’t acknowledge this accomplishment no matter what.
As Glen slowly raised his hand, the murmuring in the Audience Chamber fell silent like a library.
“Gale Wind Squad.”
“Yes.”
I nodded and answered on behalf of the unit.
“Do you know what I originally wanted from the Gale Wind Squad?”
“The salvation of the rotting Arian Family.”
I spoke what I had realized when visiting the Arian Family.
“Then do you remember what your mission was?”
“To go to the Swamp of Death, identify the cause of the undead population increase, and resolve it.”
“Is the mission I gave you different from what you’ve accomplished?”
“No. They are the same.”
Though many things had transpired, the undead and indolent executives that had infested the Arian Family’s surroundings had vanished, so it was no exaggeration to say the mission had been accomplished.
“Indeed. We’ve discarded the sewage that defiled the Arian Family and filled a new well with clear water—the mission is complete.”
Glen Zigheart closed his eyes slowly, then opened them.
“That is precisely what a Corps mission entails. Unlike Unit missions, which are systematic and concrete, Corps missions require gathering multiple pieces of information and making independent judgments. Through this operation, the Gwangpung Unit has proven itself capable of executing Corps-level missions. Therefore!”
He rose from the platform and extended his hand.
“From this moment forward, I promote the Gwangpung Unit to the Gwangpung Corps!”
“Wooooooo!”
“Gwangpung Corps! Congratulations!”
“We have one more competitor now.”
“I look forward to seeing you run hard in the future!”
“We’ll catch up with you for sure!”
The Branch Family executives and a handful of Main Lineage executives offered cheers and applause. The Cheoljeon Unit was nowhere to be seen—likely out on a mission.
“Thank you!”
The Gwangpung Unit bowed in turn to Glen Zigheart and the executives.
“May I say something for a moment?”
Raon bowed and then stepped forward toward the platform.
“Could we change the name of the Corps?”
“You want to change the Gwangpung Unit’s name?”
“Yes. Instead of Gwangpung, the Mad Dog… *cough*!”
Before I could finish, Burren Zigheart and Martha Zigheart clamped their hands over my mouth from behind and jabbed my sides. The other Gwangpung Order members rushed over, pinching my thighs and arms.
“Quiet!”
“If you attach ‘Mad Dog’ to the name, I’m really leaving! I absolutely refuse to be called a rakshasi of the Mad Dog Squad!”
“Stop going crazy by yourself! Please!”
The Gwangpung Unit’s swordsmen all shook their heads vigorously, united in their disdain for the Mad Dog name.
“Mad Dog Squad sounds good, doesn’t it?”
Lunan Slion murmured to himself, seemingly pleased with the name.
“Hmm.”
Glen Zigheart scratched his chin and shook his head.
“A name shouldn’t be decided by one person alone. Discuss it properly and bring it up again.”
“Ah, yes….”
I nodded, rubbing the places where I’d been pinched.
“As for the unit commander, what will you do? Will you keep things as they are?”
Glen Zigheart frowned as he looked down at the fidgeting Rimer.
“Well….”
I followed Glen Zigheart’s gaze toward Rimer, offering a faint smile.
“To be honest, our unit commander has shown us many unreliable sides. He’s lazy, loves gambling and money, and is deeply afflicted with protagonist syndrome.”
“Eh?”
Seeing Rimer’s eyes widen in surprise at being criticized, I recalled old memories.
During my trainee days, the notebook Rimer slept with contained the strengths, weaknesses, and improvement methods for over a hundred trainees.
Because I had seen that, he remained—and would continue to be—our greatest teacher and unit commander.
“However, the Gwangpung Corps needs Rimer as our unit commander. We still have much to learn.”
“That’s right. We’re not entirely satisfied, but having him as commander makes things easier for us!”
“I share the same opinion.”
“I don’t wish to change it yet.”
Not just I, but the other swordmasters of the Gwangpung Corps nodded in agreement, expressing their desire for Rimer to remain as unit commander.
“I see.”
Glen Zigheart nodded with a slightly disappointed expression.
“Since the members wish it, Rimer shall inherit the position of Unit Commander.”
“Kyaaah!”
Rimer turned to face the Gwangpung Corps and let out an exclamation of joy. His lips trembled with delight.
“I didn’t know you all liked me this much! Fine! From now on, three days out of every week, you’re all coming to the training ground with me!”
He spoke words that would surely earn him a beating, grinning widely, but Glen simply rolled his eyes without comment.
“Let us move on to the next matter.”
Glen’s gaze turned back toward me. His crimson eyes gleamed like constellations.
“As I mentioned earlier, the Gwangpung Unit performed beyond their roles during the promotion examination. Without you, the Arian Family would have been destroyed, and the fact that Eden interfered would have been buried in the Swamp. You have accomplished great deeds, and I intend to bestow rewards befitting your achievements.”
He snapped his fingers, and golden flames erupted in the air as a small bookshelf materialized.
“Everything is prepared.”
Roen stepped forward beside Glen, holding a plaque covered in black silk.
“First, the squad leader of Gwangpung Unit’s First Squad. Martha Zigheart. Come forward.”
“Yes!”
Martha bowed her head and ascended the platform.
“Your impetuousness has invited danger at times, yet you have been a source of courage to many. You have done well.”
Glen retrieved a silver badge from the plaque and a yellow martial arts tome from the bookshelf, handing them to Martha.
“It is a sword technique suited to your nature. Examine it and master it.”
“Thank you so much!”
Martha bowed gratefully, her joy evident, but then she bit her tongue. Her face flushed crimson as a radish.
‘Lunan Slion will have one more thing to tease me about.’
As I smiled faintly, laughter echoed from the executives’ section.
“Martha is adorable!”
It was her father, Denier Zigheart, Glen’s third son. He was one of the few from the Main Lineage who had offered applause. He simply smiled broadly, clearly delighted by his daughter’s performance.
“Next, Lunan Slion.”
Even at Glen’s call, Lunan didn’t break her serene gaze. She ascended the platform with composed grace.
“Your gentle demeanor must have eased the hearts of those around you. Well done.”
He patted Lunan’s shoulder and handed her a silver badge and a martial arts manual.
“It’s a fierce swordsmanship that contrasts with your nature. Sometimes becoming a different person has its merits, so it will prove useful once you master it.”
“Thank you.”
Lunan accepted the silver badge and martial arts manual, then bowed respectfully before descending from the platform.
“Our daughter is the most beautiful!”
Rokan Slion raised his fist and bellowed with pride.
“Squad Leader Burren Zigheart.”
“Yes, sir!”
Burren’s thunderous response shook the Audience Chamber as he bounded onto the platform.
“I hear your composure and judgment have been invaluable to the Gwangpung Corps. I regard you as another commander, and I hope you’ll continue to look after everyone.”
Glen nodded with evident satisfaction and presented Burren with a silver badge and martial arts manual.
“Thank you!”
Burren’s voice rang out so loudly it seemed his throat might burst. He exchanged a brief glance with his father Karun before descending from the platform.
Beginning with the squad leaders and extending to all the squad members, everyone received the silver badges and martial arts manuals Glen had prepared, then descended from the platform.
“Finally, Raon Zigheart.”
“Yes.”
I gave my final response and stepped onto the platform.
“You have labored greatly, executing the mission from beginning to end in place of the Gwangpung Corps Commander, and enduring the hardships of war.”
I had heard words of excellence and magnificence before, but this was the first time someone acknowledged my struggles—my chest tightened slightly at the recognition.
“Saving the Arian Family and ultimately slaying the Phantom Soul Ghost—such deeds are nothing short of legendary. For achieving this new feat, I bestow upon you, Raon Zigheart, a Gold Medal.”
At the mention of the Gold Medal, the Audience Chamber erupted in noise once more.
“A… Gold Medal…?”
“Another Gold Medal?”
“How many is that now?”
“I don’t think it warrants a Gold Medal.”
“No, it’s a worthy achievement. He defeated that Phantom Soul Ghost.”
“That’s right. He accomplished what even the Corps Commanders couldn’t.”
Several executives murmured that too many Gold Medals were accumulating for Raon, but since even the Main Lineage members like Karun and Valdemar held their tongues, no one dared voice their objections openly.
“Hmm…”
Glen’s lips twitched thinly as if something displeased him, and he handed over the Gold Medal.
He glanced sideways at the Sword Ghost standing below the platform, then pressed his lips firmly together. His expression was one of resolute determination.
“Hmm…”
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at the bookshelf beside Glen.
‘Why isn’t he giving me the Martial Arts Scripture?’
There were still three copies of the Martial Arts Scripture remaining on the shelf. It seemed he had prepared them like he did for the others, but I couldn’t fathom why he wasn’t presenting one.
“I shall grant your additional reward at a later time.”
Glen flicked his finger to send the bookshelf away, then shook his head. Though I couldn’t discern his reasoning, it appeared his thoughts on the reward had shifted.
“I understand.”
This had happened before in similar circumstances, so I bowed my head and descended from the platform.
Glen rose from the platform and surveyed the Gwangpung Corps and the officers in a sweeping glance.
“You’ve all heard that new powers have been emerging across the Continent recently. Those called the New Rising Powers are wedging themselves into the gaps between the Six Emperors and Five Demons, expanding their influence.”
Though he suddenly shifted to discussing the political landscape of the Continent, everyone fixed their gaze upon him and listened intently to his words.
“The Six Emperors each seek to cultivate greater military strength, while the Five Demons flourish in the shadows. It’s an era that deserves to be called a time of chaos. From now on, when you venture out on missions, you’ll likely face unexpected enemies. So think as clearly as the Gwangpung Corps did today, and judge carefully what must be done and what must not be done.”
“Understood!”
At Glen’s instruction, the officers and the Gwangpung Corps bowed their heads in unison.
“Today’s promotion ceremony concludes here.”
He waved his hand as though he had said all that needed saying.
The officers departed the Audience Chamber first, and Raon and the Gwangpung Unit bowed one final time before leaving the chamber.
“Um, excuse me….”
Rimer did not leave with the Gwangpung Corps. He rubbed his hands together as he approached the platform where Glen’s Jade Throne sat.
“Don’t I get anything? I performed quite admirably this time too, didn’t I?”
He boasted about how he had appeared magnificently when the Phantom Soul Ghost was about to crush the Gwangpung Corps, saving everyone.
“I see.”
Glen nodded gently.
“I’m aware. You performed admirably this time.”
“Yes! Without me, Raon and the Gwangpung Corps would all be dead.”
Rimer nodded rapidly, as though thinking, “That’s right!”
“I’m not interested in things like gold medals anyway. Money will do just fine.”
He formed a circle with his thumb and forefinger, grinning widely.
“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared something substantial for you.”
Glen told me to follow him and immediately left the Audience Chamber.
“Wow! What’s going on?”
Rimer grinned and exchanged a knowing glance with Roen.
“Will the sun rise from the west tomorrow?”
“Hehehehe.”
Roen let out his usual laugh with an impassive expression.
“Ah, it seems the Head of House has finally come to his senses. He’s realized who he needs to look after.”
“Hehehehe, let’s get going.”
“Ah, yes.”
Rimer nodded and followed Glen. He exited the Patriarch’s Hall and headed toward the Exclusive Training Ground located in the rear.
“The Training Ground? Why here?”
Rimer tilted his head as he looked at the immaculately maintained Training Ground. He couldn’t fathom why someone offering money would bring him to a training facility.
“This is the place.”
Glen rotated his wrist and pointed to the floor of the Training Ground.
“What place? I don’t see any money.”
Rimer licked his lips and glanced around, but there was no sign of gold coins, silver coins, or copper coins anywhere.
Snap!
Glen smiled coldly and snapped his fingers. Thick smoke billowed through the air as a massive sphere of lightning spread outward in all directions.
“Huh?”
Before Rimer could dodge or block, countless crimson bolts of lightning poured down upon him.
Boom!
A tremendous boom and explosion erupted, and the once-pristine Training Ground lay blackened and gouged as though ravaged by a tempest.
Sizzzzle!
In the center of the Training Ground, now reduced to ruins, the Red-haired Elf was embedded in the ground, trembling violently as steam poured from her lips.
“What… what kind of place is this…?”
Glen Zigheart’s lips parted as he prepared a second bolt of lightning.
“Your grave.”
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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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