Episode 314: The Sword Demon
As evening descended, Namgung Myung made his way to the guesthouse where his friends were staying. Despite his serious injuries, his spirits were so high that his shoulders seemed to reach his ears.
Sensing Namgung Myung’s approach, Hyun Gong sprang to his feet. As the oiled door swung open, Hyun Gong greeted him.
“Master, you’ve arrived.”
His demeanor was more respectful than that of most of Namgung’s own kin, but it was genuine, not feigned. In Hyun Gong’s eyes, Namgung Myung was three points above himself, warranting such deference.
Seol Hwa, however, watched Hyun Gong with a subtly complex expression. It was likely that in her mind, Hyun Gong’s standing had taken a slight hit.
Unlike Hyun Gong, Tang Moo-jin and Hong Geol-gae paid little attention to Namgung Myung, lounging about indifferently. They knew that any attention would only be met with arrogance.
The only difference between the two was that Tang Moo-jin at least glanced at Namgung Myung’s wounds, which were slathered with expensive ointment like mud.
Undeterred by their indifference, Namgung Myung plopped down in front of them, clearly eager to speak. Yet he summed up everything he wanted to say in a single word.
“Did you see?”
Tang Moo-jin replied calmly, “I saw. Watching my sword cut through the Hyeonwon Sword was quite a sight. All those days in the forge were worth it.”
Namgung Myung wanted to retort but found himself at a loss for words. Tang Moo-jin had hit the nail on the head.
By Namgung Myung’s own standards, this victory was far from complete. Had their swords been switched, he would likely have lost to Namgung Jincheon. While external tools are part of one’s skill, they are not enlightenment, and Namgung Myung had not surpassed Namgung Jincheon in that regard. He could only take solace in having surpassed him with the help of external tools.
As Namgung Myung hesitated, Hong Geol-gae, lounging lazily, spoke up. “So, you’ll be staying with the Namgung family for a while. Guess we’ll be parting ways. Take care.”
Though his tone was nonchalant, there was a hint of regret in it. Namgung Myung, however, responded cheerfully.
“Not necessarily. I don’t plan on staying with the Namgung family.”
“Weren’t you going to set things right there?”
“I’ve already publicly criticized their recent actions in front of the family. Something’s bound to change.”
“Still, if you become the head, you’ll have to stay, won’t you?”
“Just like you took the title from Elder Hong and left all the work to him, I’ll leave the duties to my father and wander around. Staying put sounds boring.”
Namgung Myung was the type to return what he borrowed, even if it was a position of power. There was no rule saying he couldn’t return the headship after borrowing it.
His friends knew he wasn’t suited to be the head of the Namgung family. After wandering for years, what could he know or prepare for the family?
Moreover, Namgung Myung couldn’t resist his kleptomaniac tendencies. If the head of the Namgung family were caught sneaking out, the stories would be quite entertaining.
“So, when are you leaving?”
“I’m not leaving today. I’ll stay until my wounds heal.”
“How long will that take?”
“About two weeks, I think.”
“Two weeks? Well, do as you please. It’s your life.”
Hong Geol-gae and Tang Moo-jin found Namgung Myung’s decision surprisingly agreeable. However, Hyun Gong’s attitude noticeably shifted, as Namgung Myung’s distance from power lowered his standing in Hyun Gong’s eyes.
At the same time, Namgung Jin-ya, the Sword of the Poisonous Dragon, watched Namgung Myung leave the family hall and head to the guesthouse. He then made his way to Namgung Jincheon’s quarters.
As expected, there was only one presence in the family hall.
“Brother, may I come in?”
“Go ahead.”
Namgung Jin-ya entered and sat across from Namgung Jincheon, who had already received basic treatment. Despite losing the duel, his injuries were far less severe than Namgung Myung’s, confirming Namgung Jin-ya’s suspicions.
“Brother,” Namgung Jin-ya began, as Namgung Jincheon turned to look at him. “Why did you let Myung win?”
“Let him win? His skills were impressive. You saw it yourself.”
“Impressive, yes, but not unbeatable.”
Namgung Myung might not have noticed, but Namgung Jin-ya had caught the oddities in Namgung Jincheon’s performance during the duel. Having sparred with him the most in the family, Namgung Jin-ya knew his brother’s capabilities well.
Namgung Myung’s skills were indeed remarkable, but he had only just stepped into the realm of the extraordinary. Namgung Jincheon had reached that level two decades ago during the Great War and had honed his skills ever since.
Just as there are vast differences in skill among masters, so too are there among the extraordinary. It was unthinkable for Namgung Myung’s sword to reach Namgung Jincheon.
Even if they had learned different martial arts, which could expose weaknesses due to incompatibility, that wasn’t the case here. Their martial arts were built on the same foundation.
Namgung Jincheon’s response was also peculiar. Allowing Namgung Myung’s sword to graze his forehead was inexplicable. Moreover, there was no need for him to counter Namgung Myung’s ultimate move with the same technique.
Namgung Jincheon could have used a different move to exploit Namgung Myung’s weaknesses and secure victory. He could have even broken Namgung Myung’s ultimate move with his own.
Yet, Namgung Jincheon chose to match it, showing a slight retreat.
“Brother, I saw it. You subtly twisted your sword, allowing Myung’s sword to cut through the Hyeonwon Sword.”
”···.”
Though Namgung Myung’s sword was formidable, a master could fend off a novice’s blade with a mere twig. There was no reason for Namgung Jincheon, wielding the renowned Hyeonwon Sword, to be at Namgung Myung’s mercy.
“You wanted to pass the headship to Myung, didn’t you? How long have you been planning this? Five years?”
“You’ve always been perceptive.”
“Is it true?”
“It is.”
Five years ago, Namgung Jincheon had reportedly encountered Namgung Myung while pursuing the Three-Eyed Buddha. He had saved Namgung Myung, whose left arm had been shattered in the clash.
It was then that Namgung Jincheon had severed Namgung Myung’s left arm.
Looking back, Namgung Jincheon’s behavior had changed around that time. He had driven the family members hard, elevating the Namgung family’s martial prowess to its peak, and had stockpiled elixirs and wealth despite opposition.
At the time, it seemed like preparation for impending chaos, but in hindsight, it was to prepare for passing the headship to Namgung Myung.
By bolstering the family’s strength and resources, he ensured that no external force could shake the Namgung family. He also left ample elixirs for Namgung Myung to win over the family members.
People tend to follow a generous leader, so Namgung Myung would easily gain their loyalty. Finally, by showcasing Namgung Myung’s skills and subtly losing to him, no one, except Namgung Jin-ya, would doubt Namgung Myung’s abilities.
With all internal and external threats addressed, Namgung Myung’s position as head would be secure.
“Was there a need to go that far?”
“I haven’t done much for him until now. This is the least I can do to balance the scales.”
Namgung Jincheon wasn’t the affectionate type. He didn’t expect his son to understand. He simply fulfilled his role as a father in his own way—a rough, paternal love.
“Myung is still young. There’s no need to rush. You can teach him slowly and pass the position when the time is right.”
Listening to Namgung Jin-ya, Namgung Jincheon shook his head.
“No, it’s not about Myung. It’s about me. I’ve been cooped up in Anhui for too long. I want to leave while I’m still full of life. Hearing Myung talk about the Sword Demon and Sword King only strengthened my resolve. I’m not a Sword King; I’m a Sword Demon.”
Contrary to Namgung Myung’s belief, Namgung Jincheon wasn’t ashamed of being called a Sword Demon instead of a Sword King.
His martial prowess was on par with, if not superior to, his predecessors. Yet, he was called a Sword Demon because his genuine enjoyment of battle made him seem like a fiend.
The most exhilarating time in Namgung Jincheon’s life was during the Great War two decades ago. Fighting to the death, resting as if dead, then dragging his creaking limbs back to the battlefield—that was the life he loved.
But such a life wasn’t suitable for the head of a great family.
For that reason, Namgung Jincheon never wanted to become the head of the Namgung family. He loved the battlefield more than his own clan.
He wished to pass the leadership to his younger brother, a man of great character, and spend his life fighting on the front lines until his last breath.
Once the Great War of Righteousness and Demonic Sects ended, he dreamed of wandering the northern and southern lands alone, seeking worthy opponents. If he couldn’t find any, he longed to venture into the uncharted martial world beyond.
But his father, Namgung Unyang, insisted on placing Jincheon in the position of family head.
Though Namgung Jinya was talented, he couldn’t compare to Jincheon.
Accepting his fate, Jincheon stayed in Anhui Province, living as a strict leader and expanding the influence of the Namgung family.
Yet every night, he dreamed of the battlefield.
The thrill of life-and-death duels. The dance of survival on the edge of a blade. The desperate grip on his side to keep his insides from spilling out as he swung his sword. The elusive hint of enlightenment, leading to the next level of mastery.
Jincheon yearned to become a sword demon once more. And finally, the opportunity arose.
Namgung Jinya spoke up.
“Brother, the Great War is over. There’s no battlefield left to conquer. They say a storm is brewing in the Demonic Cult, so please, hold the family head position until then.”
“Even if the Great War is over, the unorthodox martial world remains. I don’t have to fight them. I want to face Youngbo Jin-in again after so long. I’ve heard that Yujin Gwang has reached the pinnacle, and I’m curious about the swordsmanship of the Blood Rain Guest, who was so famous. I’d like to properly face the Three-Eyed Buddha, too. Or perhaps I could seek out Cheonpa or Tuhee. Once I’m ready, I’ll visit Hwayeon Shinni. But in the end, I must head to the Demonic Cult.”
“Are you planning to go to the Demonic Cult alone?”
“Yes. I’ll fight until I die. Whether I die from exhaustion or by the sword, I don’t know.”
Jincheon trembled slightly with excitement just thinking about it.
Jinya let out a deep sigh. There was no stopping him.
Jincheon murmured to himself.
“Shinseung, that old man, reached the next level before he died, didn’t he? I want to reach that level too. No, I want to go even further than Shinseung.”
Jinya glanced around the room. A single sword and a bamboo hat. Beneath the hat, a small bundle peeked out.
“You’ve already packed… When are you planning to leave?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“There’s no need to rush. I’m not asking you to wait for years. Just a month or two. If you leave suddenly, the family will be thrown into chaos.”
Jincheon listened to Jinya’s words and smiled faintly.
“No, I must hurry.”
“Is someone chasing you?”
“Myeong, that boy, will surely try to leave the Namgung family. I have to leave first.”
Despite the burden of a position he never wanted, he was about to pass the same fate onto his son.
But Jinya couldn’t bring himself to stop Jincheon. He knew how long his brother had endured.
In truth, Jincheon’s preparations were more for his own departure than for the family or his son.
Jincheon opened the door slightly and looked outside. The western sky still held a hint of red, but night had fully settled in. The cool late autumn breeze felt refreshing.
“Yes. Waiting another day won’t change anything. It’s better to leave now that we’ve talked about it.”
Jincheon gathered his hat and bundle and stood up.
Jinya couldn’t bring himself to hold his brother back.
Jincheon quietly left the family residence, taking a few steps before turning back. His expression held a subtle apology.
“They say people live up to their names. I will reach the heavens. You stay here in Anhui Province for me. I’m sorry, brother.”
In the end, Jinya let out a sigh mixed with a chuckle.
“See you in the afterlife, brother.”
With that, Jincheon left the Namgung family with a lighter step.
“Father?”
It wasn’t until nearly lunchtime the next day that Namgung Myeong realized Jincheon was gone.