Chapter 93

Namgung Family.

When the Blade Emperor Namgung Woo sleeps, the entire Namgung clan falls silent—such is the household where everything revolves around him. Though labeled overbearing, stubborn, and self-righteous, his prowess is undeniable.

Regarded as the most fiercely tempered among the Emperors, the Sword Emperor was also the man who demanded the position of Martial Alliance Leader be relinquished, earning him the enmity of Leader Yu Zhenghong.

The entire family, led by the white-haired old master, were disciples of Doje.

But today, even that Daeje felt a fresh sense of emotion.

Today marked the official day of stepping down from the position of family head, as well as Namgung Woo’s seventy-fifth birthday. Naturally, most of the masters from the Imperial Council had gathered to console him for his past labors and celebrate his birthday, filling the place with crowds. Some family heads came personally, while others sent their second-in-command as a representative. With the exception of the Hwa Clan, to which Hwa Eun-wol belonged, the entire Imperial Council was assembled.

Hua Eun-wol, not being affiliated with the Hua Clan, was the sort of man who would send a few subordinates bearing gifts, even if he knew it was the Grand Master’s birthday.

The crowd kept pouring in until late afternoon.

Consequently, it was impossible to tell who was who.

Many sent gifts. Caravans and merchants indebted to the Namgung clan, along with representatives from the postal service, the military, and the ironworks, also formed a continuous stream of visitors. It was difficult for the household staff to verify and return each one individually.

Moreover, with the masters of the Imperial Council present in force, the atmosphere wasn’t particularly tense.

Amidst that crowd, Namgung Shin, the great-grandson of Namgung Woo, was making his way through. He was just a three-year-old who had only recently started walking. Each time this happened, his master, Namgung Woo, frowned from his seat of honor.

“Shin, hold him back. Isn’t this disrespectful to our guests?”

“Yes, Father.”

Namgung Woo was about to launch into his usual nagging when he saw his son’s expression and immediately shut his mouth. He was now the eldest son, set to inherit the position of head of the Namgung family. As the head of the Namgung clan, he couldn’t be scolded in front of others.

It would have been beneath his dignity for the head of the family to step forward and restrain the child himself, so the task of restraining Namgung Shin fell to Namgung Wei, the grandson of the former head. Namgung Wei was the late head of the Namgung family, the one who had been defeated by Dan Woo-sung at the Dragon Phoenix Grand Banquet.

Namgung Wei nodded, then rose and approached his nephew, Namgung Shin.

“Shin.”

Simultaneously, a man clad in a purple robe hoisted Namgung Shin up with a flash and laughed.

“Oh my, Shin-ah. You’ve grown so much.”

Namgung Wi approached the man, looking at him.

“Haha, hand him over. If you keep holding him like that, he’ll cling to you until the very end.”

“Understood.”

The man in the purple robe was none other than the Celestial Demon.

How had he drifted all the way here? Even though he wore a mask, no one here would recognize the Heavenly Demon even if he appeared in his true form.

As the Heavenly Demon coaxed and soothed Namgung Shin, he soon burst into laughter.

The Heavenly Demon, wearing a serene smile, embraced Namgoong Shin and looked at Namgoong Wi.

Namgung Wi held out his hand.

“Shin-ah, come here.”

Cheonma said as he pushed Namgung Shin forward.

“Now, let’s go to your uncle.”

Just as Namgoong Wi reached out to receive his nephew, Cheonma unleashed a torrent of energy into Namgoong Wi’s chest…

Thud!

Using that rebound force, Cheonma carried Namgung Shin out of the main hall, stirring up a whirlwind as he retreated.

Cheonma burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha…”

Ominously, with each laugh, the distance between them grew significantly. It was proof of his exceptional lightness skill.

Namgoong Wei, struck squarely in the chest, staggered and coughed up blood…

Apprentice Namgung Woo and his eldest son Namgung Tae, along with the masters of the Imperial Council, shot out like arrows, pursuing the man in the purple robe.

Even in their shock, they were utterly dumbfounded.

How could he have entered alone, struck Namgung Wei with his palm strike, and kidnapped his great-grandson? And on the apprentice’s birthday, no less.

The Heavenly Demon’s lightness skill was so swift that those lacking sufficient skill began falling behind almost instantly.

Half an hour later, only Namgoong Woo, Namgoong Tae, Murong Xiao, and Seomun Cheon were still hot on the Heavenly Demon’s heels. The rest formed two lines behind, but the gap between them and the leader was steadily widening.

Apprentice Namgung Woo said.

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“You return and fortify the estate’s defenses. This could be a trap. And I cannot guarantee Shin-i’s survival either.”

Namgung Tae truly calmed his heart and obeyed his father’s command.

“Understood.”

Namgung Woo spoke curtly.

“You are the head of the household. Respond with strict impartiality.”

Namgoong Woo, Murong Xiao, and Seo Muncheon charged after them as if racing. Mid-pursuit, Namgoong Woo channeled his inner strength and called out.

“Hey, you wouldn’t have schemed this just to kill my great-grandson.”

The celestial steed, carrying Namgung Shin in its arms, halted its flight. In an instant, Namgung Woo, Murong Xiao, and Seo Moon-cheon surrounded the steed and drew their weapons.

Swords, daggers, and fans were gripped in the warriors’ hands.

The Heavenly Horse looked at Namgoong Shin in his arms, then coaxed and soothed him again.

“You seem startled. Oh, but seeing you don’t cry, you truly show the bloodline of the Daoist master.”

The Celestial Demon grinned and looked at those who had pursued him.

“Master, second son of the Murong clan, Grand Prince Xumen, greetings.”

Murong Xiao spoke.

“What are you doing with the child, you piece of trash?”

Cheonma grinned and retorted.

“I haven’t done what you’re worried about yet.”

Seo Muncheon said, fluttering his fan.

“How truly vile. I need no answer to know you are a demon.”

Cheonma spoke while holding Namgung Shin.

After the Great War of the Five Tombs concluded, the Apprentice exterminated the Zhongtian Wei Clan, claiming he would eliminate the remnants afterward. He annihilated the Huosha Gate, which had not participated in the Great War, and also wiped out the Great Eagle Merchant Guild, accusing them of funding the Demon Sect. He transferred all the wealth they had amassed to the Imperial Association. Consider this your punishment for your deeds. Master, it is precisely because of this that Yoo Jeong-hong despises you. Am I wrong?”

Dojie declared in a confident tone.

“Who said I didn’t? If you have a grudge against me, just call me out. Kidnapping a three-year-old? Are you even human? Even beasts wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Cheonma shook his head.

“What utter nonsense. When have we ever been treated like beasts?”

Cheonma shot into the air, changed direction, unleashed a burst of force into the void, and widened the distance again.

The three men moved without launching any attacks, held back by Namgung Shin. After running for a moment, the senior disciple spoke to his juniors, Murong Xiao and Xumen Tian.

“Hey, juniors.”

“Yes, senior.”

“It’s my fault. Don’t get involved. Go back. It’s an obvious trap.”

Murong Xiao said.

“How could I possibly retreat after seeing this? Even if we die together, we must go.”

Xu Wenqian said.

“Don’t worry about us.”

When his juniors refused to retreat, the master’s fury boiled over, and he bellowed.

“Demon, is it not me you desire? Even if you cast down the divine, I will still follow you. Cease this futile struggle.”

The Heavenly Demon soared into the air, landed atop a tree, surveyed the surroundings, and declared.

“You despise my bloodline, do you? What a ridiculous fool.”

The masters who had formed the double-line formation had been completely shaken off.

Cheonma looked at Namgung Shin and said.

“Correct. The one I desire is a single apprentice. Have Murong Xiao and Xumen Tian withdraw. I will spare their lives today.”

Murong Xiao retorted.

“Cut the bullshit. Just call out your men. Send the kid to the Namgung clan, and the three of us will take on ten or a hundred.”

Cheonma looked down at Murong Xiao.

“Ah, Murong Xiao. I like you.”

Murong Xiao gritted his teeth. The sight of this stranger recognizing not only him, but even Xu Wen Tian—who rarely appeared in the martial world—sent a chill down his spine.

The Heavenly Demon leapt down again and addressed Murong Xiao.

“Come here and take Shin-i away.”

As Murong Xiao tried to step forward, Seo Muncheon grabbed him.

“Brother Murong, I will go.”

Xu Wen Tian approached the Heavenly Demon and asked.

“What do you want? Is it really just one senior apprentice? If the child dies, the entire Xumun Clan will come after us.”

“I couldn’t care less whether the Seo family steps forward or not.”

Xu Wen Tian knew that earlier, Nan Gong Wei had been ambushed while trying to receive the child.

Cheonma handed Namgung Shin over and looked at Seomuncheon. Seomuncheon, startled, first checked the child’s condition. Then, in an instant, he stepped back seven paces and surveyed his surroundings while holding the child.

“The child is fine.”

The disciple said to Seo Mun-cheon.

“Seo Mun junior, return.”

Seo Muncheon replied.

“Understood. Take care…”

As Seo Mun-cheon began running toward the Namgung family estate, holding Namgung Shin in his arms, the Master said to Murong Xiao.

“Soya, you should return as well. It’s one-on-one anyway. This man wants me. There’s no place for you to interfere.”

“I refuse.”

When Murong Xiao refused, the Taoist looked at him.

Junior, I’m counting on you. We’ve already lost Murong Chui. If you fall too, I’ll be committing a sin against the Murong clan.

Murong Xiao stared at the Master with utter shock. This wasn’t the Master he knew. The Master was the very embodiment of a domineering, old-fashioned stick-in-the-mud. He was an elder respected as a martial arts senior, but not revered.

The Master said.

“Xu Wen Tian may be ambushed on his way. Go and help him. Go.”

Murong Xiao replied.

“Understood. I’m going. Elder.”

Once the Master was alone, the Heavenly Horse spoke.

“Let’s move to a slightly more open area.”

“Lead the way.”

Cheonma tilted his head and watched.

“Hey, apprentice. Do I look like a fool? Think you can hide your true feelings? Try running away.”

The apprentice chuckled.

“At my age, after spending all those years in the martial world and earning the name ‘apprentice,’ I’ve never once run away.”

At that moment, a stranger’s voice spoke up.

“Well done. Never once running away. Truly a remarkable old master, aren’t you?”

The Sword Demon appeared, blocking the apprentice’s retreat. The complexion of the Sword Demon, who had appeared after a long absence, had grown even darker.

Next, five men who could be considered the highest-ranking members of the Twelve Demon Swords appeared, each gripping a demon sword.

The apprentice spoke, sword in hand.

“Only seven? That’s quite the confidence you have.”

Cheonma and Geomma laughed at Doje’s boastful remark.

Cheonma said.

“Seems they’re trying to hold out until the Emperor’s Assembly.”

The Sword Demon nodded.

“The Emperor’s Council won’t come. Our forces are blocking the way. Apprentice, today it’s either you die or we’re annihilated. Let’s see who dies today.”

The Sword Demon drew his sword and twisted his wrist.

The disciple said.

“Thank you. To say you’ll accompany this old man to hell. I won’t be greedy. Just half of you shall fall with me into hell. Now I see… you are the Sword King, Murong Chui…”

As the Taoist spoke, the five Demon Swords unleashed their sword qi and launched their attack. The Taoist began swinging his sword, and the Sword Demon joined in. Unlike other times, the Heavenly Demon fluttered his robe and leaped in, his entire body enveloped in demonic energy.

Though the six Sword Immortals stood their ground, the Heavenly Demon could not simply watch as the master, Doge, fought.

After the apprentice raised his sword upright and unleashed his ki blast, the blade turned white with the force of his energy. Then, as he released his sword energy… five demon swordsmen instantly raised their blades to block, only to be flung back simultaneously with a metallic clang.

However, the Sword Demon and the Heavenly Demon, each using their swords and force to dispel the sword energy, did not retreat even a few steps.

The disciple’s face twisted.

“Living for the sake of exterminating demons is enough. I shall carry my sins to hell; I have no regrets.”

The five cursed swords, repelled by the apprentice’s razor-sharp declaration, regained their footing and rose once more. Despite having their energy blocked, both their blades and bodies appeared unscathed.

As the Sword Demon infused his energy, a black haze enveloped his blade.

“Is that one mine?”

He was asking the Heavenly Demon. He was asking if absorbing the apprentice was his task. The Heavenly Demon answered.

“It is yours. However, it seems you and I must give our utmost effort.”

As the Heavenly Demon’s hands stained blue and red respectively, the disciple, even amidst this, wore a smile filled with ecstasy.

“So you are the descendant of the Sun-Moon Heavenly Demon. I still regret yielding to the Three Deities.”

The Heavenly Demon laughed in response.

“You had no right to meddle in that matter.”

The disciple shot skyward, unleashing the Imperial Three-Step, Single-Sword, Double-Blade technique. A colossal blade fell like an axe, striking the Heavenly Demon’s crown with fierce force. The Heavenly Demon clashed his twin blades, parrying the disciple’s strike. The ground around him caved in, forming a circular depression as it sank.

Then, the five demon swords simultaneously launched a charge attack with the technique Sword Body as One, akin to a suicide charge. Though a crude method that thrust their unyielding blades forward, the sheer speed and precision of their lightness skills gave it the force of five unbreakable boulders hurtling forward.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong