Chapter 65

Sword King, Namgung San (2)

The place Cheon Muyang's group arrived at was a quiet estate.

It seemed to be a residence prepared for the Sword King.

The grounds were lavishly styled, making them a pleasure to behold.

"I'd like to speak with that child alone."

"Very well."

The Wolf King promptly excused himself.

In response, Cheon Muyang also nodded and sent Wolyeong, Neung Ryeoun, and Cha Myeonghak away.

"It's a fine place."

"And yet, an excessive one."

Unlike the ornate pavilion, the items surrounding Namgung San himself all looked uniformly plain.

The aura Namgung San carried as he sat before the prepared tea table was quite different from before.

"It seems you still don't realize that all of this is nothing but empty formality."

"Even appearances can be necessary at times."

"Is that so? Then why do you not borrow the name of the Cheon Clan?"

"Because the time for that has not yet come for me."

Namgung San personally poured the tea.

Steam gently rose.

A distinctive fragrance spread through the air.

"The right time, hm…."

"It's excellent tea. Thank you."

"How is that child doing?"

"And if she were not doing well?"

"How could I blame you? That, too, would be my own failing."

Heh.

Cheon Muyang smiled.

'So it truly is bloodline, after all.'

The regret Namgung San felt toward Namgung Seohee was painfully clear.

Even having reached a realm worthy of being called Sword Emperor, his emotional attachment could not be helped.

"She'll be fine."

"Will she?"

"Yes."

"Then why did she not come with you?"

"Ah. She's in the process of finding her own answer, so she'll reach it before long."

"Her own answer…."

"No matter what answer she arrives at, are you prepared to accept her choice, Sword King?"

Tap.

Namgung San set his teacup down without drinking from it.

"If that resolve truly reflects the conclusion that child reached."

"...."

"What does my will have to do with it?"

Cheon Muyang nodded.

That, too, was true.

"I see."

"Now let me ask you."

"Please do."

"Why did you come to the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering?"

"Is there any special reason? It is to firmly establish the name of the Cheon Clan in the martial world."

"...."

Namgung San silently stared into Cheon Muyang's eyes.

It was to discern his true intent.

Because there was no falsehood in his words, a trace of disappointment surfaced on Namgung San's face.

"Is that so."

And so Cheon Muyang asked.

To find out what kind of man Namgung San truly was.

"The Demonic Cult."

"...."

"How much do you know about the Demonic Cult?"

Depending on how he answered.

On that answer—

'The position of the Namgung Clan will change.'

Depending on circumstances,

They could even become enemies.

"The Demonic Cult…."

Namgung San smiled.

As though he had fully grasped the intent behind Cheon Muyang's question.

"At the very least, there is no one affiliated with the Demonic Cult among the elders of the Namgung Clan."

"...!"

"Why do you look so surprised? Did you think I wouldn't know?"

Though he did not show it outwardly, cold sweat ran down Cheon Muyang's spine.

'So he knew.'

He was astonished by the Namgung Clan's information network—and at the same time recalled that, despite knowing this, they had never conveyed a single word to the Cheon Clan.

"When did you find out?"

"It seems you want to ask why I knew and yet said nothing to the Cheon Clan."

"...."

"Don't worry. We discovered it only recently. It wouldn't differ much from when you learned the whole truth yourself."

It was a lie.

Even if it were true.

In the future Cheon Muyang knew, such a thing never happened.

'The Namgung Clan never gave any warning.'

Right up until the very moment the Cheon Clan fell.

Knowing this, Cheon Muyang could not accept Namgung San's answer.

"I find that rather questionable."

"...?"

"Even if the Cheon Clan failed to notice it, would the Namgung Clan truly have shared that information?"

Namgung San's eyes sank.

A subtle pressure bloomed.

That faint oppression felt like the illusion of a single sword aimed at Cheon Muyang's brow.

"Who can say."

"...."

"If it benefited the clan, we would have helped, of course."

"I see."

At that point, the Namgung Clan was already an enemy.

Not by the Cheon Clan's choice—

But by the Namgung Clan's.

"I understand the Namgung Clan's choice clearly."

"...."

Yet it seemed Namgung San still had something to say.

"Hm?"

Around the teacup Namgung San had set down earlier, water droplets had gathered.

Those droplets formed the character 『子』.

'Zi?'

Zi—the first of the twelve earthly branches.

It meant rat.

In other words, it signified that rats were crawling all around this place.

'I see.'

Up until now, Cheon Muyang had assumed those rats were simply members of the Namgung Clan.

But that did not seem to be the case.

'Sword King… were you being watched as well?'

Namgung San had said this place was excessive.

That was a remark on empty extravagance—but also meant that those spying and eavesdropping here were excessive as well.

Just as he said, this place truly was excessive.

'How utterly ridiculous.'

Seeing Namgung San, who was not free, Cheon Muyang felt an indescribable irony.

"Even someone as strong as you, Sword King, was not free."

"Yes. Isn't it truly laughable?"

If one were to name the ten strongest people in the martial world, the Sword King before him would certainly be among them.

So much so that some even called him Emperor rather than King.

That even someone who had reached such a realm could not speak freely was absurd.

"Why is that?"

"...."

As if ears were listening everywhere.

Namgung San remained silent, as though he could say nothing at all.

That stirred anger for no reason.

Crunch!

The target of that anger had already been decided.

And so Cheon Muyang kicked off from his seat and stood up.

Whoosh!

A sharp blade revealed itself.

"The reason…."

The Sword King answered briefly as he stepped before Cheon Muyang.

Shrring.

He, too, drew his sword.

Whooong!

The Namgung Clan's treasured heirloom.

The Imperial Sword displayed its flowing elegance in all directions.

Vmm!

Cheongwang responded on its own.

The ceaseless vibration of Cheongwang.

Suddenly, an urge arose to see the Sword King's blade in earnest.

"...."

Perhaps because of that.

A strange tension flowed between the two.

Clench!

Gripping Cheongwang tightly, Cheon Muyang looked ready to strike at any moment.

"That wouldn't be bad either."

The situation turned tense in an instant.

Perhaps to report what was happening here, several shadows began to move.

"What will you do?"

"Well, today isn't the only day."

Heh.

For the first time, the Sword King smiled.

"You're right."

And so the decision was made.

'The one who needs to be cut… isn't the Sword King.'

The ones who needed to be cut—

Were those shadows.

Even if it was no more than a temporary measure.

"Have you decided?"

"Yes. I will cut them down."

"...."

"Then cut."

"I already have."

Whoooong!

Cheon Muyang moved.

Whoosh!

A slashing strike that cleaved through the air.

It clearly cut nothing but empty space.

"Ghk!"

Yet suddenly, blood spilled from that very void.

"A fine sword indeed."

Namgung San did not move.

As though everything happening here had to be entirely Cheon Muyang's own decision.

"Will you only watch?"

"Understand that I cannot intervene."

"...."

And so Cheon Muyang had no choice but to deal with the rats scattered around alone.

"One's getting away over there."

"That won't happen."

Cheon Muyang smiled.

Cheongwang shot straight up toward the sky.

"Oh?"

A glint of interest appeared in Namgung San's eyes.

In that moment, Cheongwang's descending strike cleaved the fleeing figure, ignoring distance entirely.

"Under heaven, there is nowhere you can escape."

If they truly wished to flee.

They should have done so the moment Cheon Muyang first entered this place.

"Is that the sword of the Cheon Clan?"

"Who knows."

It would be natural to think so.

But it was only half correct.

Though the sword originated from the Cheon Clan, no one else could ever follow his sword.

"It is the sword of the Cheon Clan—and also wholly my own sword."

"You, too, walk a harsh path."

"Well, it's interesting."

"Interesting…."

The Sword King smiled.

Was this not freedom he had obtained at long last?

The air was the same, yet it felt far more refreshing.

"There is something I wish to ask of you."

"Yes. Please speak."

"Protect Namgung Seohee."

"It doesn't seem like something the Sword King himself cannot do."

"Unfortunately, I cannot move. Nor should I."

The Sword King had reached the pinnacle of the Namgung sword, yet precisely because of that, he held no real authority.

The moment he involved himself in politics, the head of the clan's authority would shrink, and division would arise.

Thus, the Sword King had no choice but to remain one step back and observe.

"I did not realize she would go that far."

Namgung Sanghyeok had crossed the line.

He had joined hands with the Tang Clan and the Demonic Cult, intending to hand Namgung Seohee over to the Thousand-Faced Sound Demon.

What did that imply?

"No matter how the imperial rule dictates noninterference in succession disputes, that crossed the line."

"So you knew."

"She is not lacking in learning either. In time, she will come to realize it herself. Until then, protect Seohee."

"Not sure about that."

Cheon Muyang shook his head.

He couldn't help but think the Sword King was foolish in everything except the sword.

"I don't think that's necessary."

"What?"

Namgung Seohee.

She, too, was of the direct bloodline of Namgung.

In other words, she was qualified to become the clan head.

"Isn't she also direct lineage?"

"That child is a girl."

"Yet she is a woman fully capable of becoming the Sword Empress."

"...."

How could he not know?

The cause of all this turmoil was precisely Namgung Seohee's talent.

"Have you asked her what she wants? If Namgung Seohee were to declare that she would become the head of the Namgung Clan."

"...."

"What would you do?"

It was the same question as before.

Yet the Sword King's feelings as he faced it were no longer the same.

"That won't happen."

"Your answer has changed."

"Because I know she will not make that choice."

"Is that really so?"

"...."

Heh.

Cheon Muyang smiled.

Even as he understood the Sword King's predicament, he mocked that indecision.

"You said it yourself."

"...."

"That you cannot move. And that you must not."

"I did."

"Then you must keep those words."

Most likely—

Namgung Seohee would steel her resolve.

"So this is how it must end."

"That would be the natural course."

"The natural course… Perhaps I, too, was forcibly resisting it."

The Sword King let out a deep sigh.

Yet somehow, he looked relieved.

Just then—

The presence of shadows approaching from afar could be felt.

"There isn't much time."

"I've said all I needed to."

"No, not yet."

"...?"

"Do I not owe you something in return?"

Shrring.

The Imperial Sword moved.

Yet it refused to be held in the Sword King's hand.

'Sword-command without grasping?'

As if it had eyes of its own.

The Imperial Sword soared into the air by itself.

"...!"

That wasn't all.

At some point, Cheon Muyang felt a sharp ache between his brows.

'Don't tell me….'

Though the Sword King did not hold a blade—

This entire space lay within his sword strike.

"Yes. That is the Imperial Sword Form."

The Sword King clasped his hands behind his back.

Yet invisible tens, hundreds, thousands of swords aimed themselves at Cheon Muyang.

The space itself was a single sword art.

"It is the sword of the Namgung Clan."

All those swords became one, centered around the Imperial Sword.

Shuuuung!

The Imperial Sword cleaved through the void.

"Ah…."

Its trajectory resembled the Upper Heaven Sword Cheon Muyang had long sought to embody.

"It will aid your path."

"How can you show me that sword?"

The Sword King replied with a meaningful smile.

"How could a sword that seeks to embrace heaven exist only within the Cheon Clan?"

"...!"

"Remember this well—whether it is the sword of the Cheon Clan, or outside of it, the answer may be found."

"Thank you for your guidance."

"How could it compare to what you've taught me?"

Step.

The Sword King slowly bowed his head.

"...!"

"Thank you for saving that child."

"Ah, it was nothing."

Cheon Muyang smiled.