Chapter 94

Return (1)

The Cheon clan of Zhejiang.

It was a family that once boasted such prosperity that it was called the Cheonryong clan.

However, at some point, the Cheon clan began to decline, and by now it was evaluated as a weakened family that barely managed to rank at the bottom of the Ten Great Clans.

“Who would have known. That the Cheon clan would rise again like this.”

“Indeed. To be honest, there were many people who thought it was strange that the Cheon clan was even called one of the Ten Great Clans.”

If not for the existence of Cheon Wi-gang, it would never have been called one of the Ten Great Clans in the first place.

“Hey, you there! Do you even know where you are, spouting such reckless words!”

“Ugh!”

However, now things were different.

The standing of the Cheon clan rose with each passing day, and now it had reached a point where it could recreate the glory of the past.

All across Zhejiang, the number of people praising the Cheon clan increased.

“It’s become clean.”

“Indeed it has.”

This was not merely because of the Cheon clan’s power.

Instead of locking away the enormous capital it earned in Hangzhou, the Cheon clan spread it throughout Zhejiang under the name of investment.

As a result, not only the places that remained true allies of the Cheon clan, but all of Zhejiang began to be newly reorganized.

The most noticeable change was public security.

As the Cheon clan’s influence weakened, quite a number of unorthodox groups had run rampant in the border regions of Zhejiang.

“Have you heard the rumor? They say the Munseong Five Fiends who used to run wild around here disappeared without a trace.”

“And what was it, the Yin-Faced Twin Monsters near Antang Mountain are gone too.”

Without exception, wherever the Cheon clan’s control had not reached, the banner of the Cheon clan was newly raised.

“It seems the Cheon clan has stepped in.”

Thus, everyone knew.

That the Cheon clan, which had long been crouching low, had finally stretched itself awake.

Once everything stabilized, the talented individuals of Zhejiang naturally gathered toward the Cheon clan.

“They say if you don’t have work, you should go to the Cheon clan.”

“I hear they even teach you to read, and if you have talent, they’ll teach you martial arts too?”

“R-really?”

“That’s what I’m saying!”

“Then I should go tomorrow at first light!”

Through that process, the Cheon clan was able to gather talent in one place.

Cheon Muyang felt his shoulders lift slightly at the praise for the Cheon clan he heard from all around.

“This is how the Cheon clan should be.”

Cheon Muyang kept nodding his head at the glances of the Cheon Gyeondan that he often noticed.

Under their watchful eyes, public security in Zhejiang improved beyond recognition.

“Quite impressive.”

The Wolf King’s eyes shone.

Hidden here and there, the Cheon Gyeondan seemed to exist and yet not exist.

“At least this much is necessary……”

The existence of the Cheon Gyeondan was not simply for maintaining public security.

Beyond that, they were also performing the role of preemptively blocking the interference of external forces.

“They should be able to block the spies of the Demonic Cult.”

“That’s true, but.”

Cheon Muyang was astonished.

No matter how much leeway they had gained, he had not expected they would have enough to scatter the Cheon Gyeondan across all of Zhejiang.

“Have they really gained this much leeway?”

“You’ll know once you see it.”

“……”

His steps unconsciously quickened.

As they drew closer to the main estate of the Cheon clan, the strictness of the Cheon Gyeondan’s vigilance became increasingly apparent.

“Oh ho.”

It almost looked like a single formation.

Originally, it had been a formation that would have been spread through the back alleys of Zhejiang.

“To construct a formation of this scale, the materials alone must have been enormous. There are still some rough parts, but it’s excellent.”

The Wolf King laughed heartily.

The changed 모습 of the Cheon clan suited his tastes quite well.

“I wonder if the family hasn’t gone bankrupt.”

Even though they had beaten down the parasites along the way, he hadn’t thought they would possess this level of capital.

“You can see the Cheon clan over there.”

“Hm?”

In the distance, the Cheon clan came into view.

Cheon Muyang’s mouth fell open.

“This is the Cheon clan?”

It had changed beyond recognition.

It was indeed the old buildings, but their appearance was completely different.

“Was it newly built?”

Newly built structures could be seen here and there, and it felt as though the entire clan estate itself had expanded.

It even looked like construction was still ongoing.

“What on earth happened while I was away?”

The gatekeeper guarding the main gate of the Cheon clan noticed Cheon Muyang.

“I pay my respects to the eldest young master!”

Thud!

At the booming voice, the gazes of those nearby turned toward Cheon Muyang.

“Eldest young master?”

“Young master Cheon Muyang?”

“I-it’s the Great Hero Cheon!”

Cheon Muyang showed an awkward smile at the crowd that had gathered once more.

Only after soothing them for quite a while was Cheon Muyang able to enter the clan estate.

“Please go in.”

“Is the clan head present?”

“Yes. He is. Shall I send word?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

After entering the clan, Cheon Muyang felt a renewed sense of emotion.

Thus, as Cheon Muyang stood still for a moment, looking over the clan, Wol-yeong asked him.

“How does it feel to be back after so long?”

“It feels new somehow.”

“Indeed.”

Wol-yeong also seemed unfamiliar with it.

Turning her head this way and that, she seemed just as intrigued.

“Shall we stop by the training grounds for a bit before going to see the clan head?”

“Yes!”

“Good.”

Cheon Muyang headed toward where the training grounds used to be.

“Whoa!”

There stood a training ground so newly refurbished that it was hard to believe it was the old one.

“How much money did they pour into this?”

“I-indeeed.”

In a sparring arena, where bouts were a daily occurrence, the ground was often shattered.

Thus, the sturdier the materials, the better the training ground.

“This is top-grade.”

“It really is.”

Having constantly fought in underground sparring arenas, Wol-yeong could tell that the quality was on a different level.

Whoooong!

It was then.

The surrounding air grew heavy.

“So you’ve come.”

A powerful aura originating from the center of the training ground swept over Cheon Muyang’s group.

“Yes, Uncle.”

Cheon Seon-hak.

He was standing at the center of the training ground.

Stepping onto the training ground, Cheon Muyang lowered his head slightly.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes. I hear your name quite often.”

Cheon Muyang responded with a smile.

“Yes. I did quite a lot.”

“How was the martial world you saw?”

“It was filthy.”

“……”

Though they were the children of prestigious orthodox sects, there were plenty of utter scoundrels among them.

Thus, he beat Paeng Do-hyeok senseless.

And cut off Namgung Sang-hyeok’s head.

“However, even in the mud, there are flowers that bloom.”

He met Hougae.

He also met Cheongjin of Wudang.

And somehow, he formed a connection with Zhuge Hyeon of the Zhuge clan.

“The martial world has always been like that.”

Cheon Wi-gang smiled.

The martial world had not changed, then or now.

“How much has your sword improved?”

“I don’t know.”

“Will you show me?”

“If you wish.”

Whooong!

Without any warning, Cheon Seon-hak’s sword tore through the air as it surged forward.

It was a concise yet ferocious single strike, as if to prove that he had never once neglected his training.

Wham!

Those around Cheon Muyang immediately cleared space.

However, Cheon Muyang himself did not move, calmly observing the incoming sword.

As expected….

It was a blade that could truly tear through the heavens.

Since the path of Dancheon was the sword path shared by Cheon Muyang and Cheon Seon-hak, it felt familiar rather than foreign.

Whooong!

Cheon Gwang responded.

It was as though the sword, meeting Cheon Seon-hak’s blade after a long time, had its fighting spirit stirred.

Right. It’s not too late yet, is it?

Shiiik!

The essence of a fast sword was not speed.

It was having the sword exactly where you wanted it, exactly when you needed it.

Kaaang!

The two swords met in midair.

Locked in perfect equilibrium, neither budged, completely canceling each other’s power.

“You’ve grown stronger.”

“I still have a long way to go.”

Both had room to spare.

Which meant neither had used their full strength.

At that, a strange light flickered in Cheon Seon-hak’s eyes.

I used sixty percent of my power.

And yet he had taken it without strain.

Cheon Seon-hak began to think that Cheon Muyang’s attained realm might be higher than he had expected.

Could it be….

Cheon Seon-hak asked,

“Have you reached the wall?”

The wall.

It referred to the boundary that separated the Transcendent Realm from the Realm of Enlightenment.

At this, Cheon Muyang shook his head.

“No.”

“……”

“The path I walk follows a slightly different trajectory.”

Cheon Muyang had not faced that wall.

That wall was the one most martial artists considered the gateway to the Realm of Enlightenment—but Cheon Muyang did not simply pursue that realm.

“Different trajectory?”

“Yes.”

Cheon Muyang merely walked the path of Ten Thousand Swords.

The sword path he had glimpsed faintly—standing alone in a place like an isolated desert—Cheon Muyang had followed the scent of the Way.

I sought to embrace the Upper Heaven.

The sky would collapse, and chaos would soon descend upon the world.

That, they said, was the destined flow of order.

However, Cheon Muyang had no intention of submitting to that order.

That was why he cut the heavens.

And why he sought to embrace the Upper Heaven.

“My sword does not fit into frameworks like the Realm of Enlightenment or the Mysterious Realm.”

It was only natural, since he was looking toward a different horizon altogether.

“I see.”

Cheon Seon-hak nodded.

Had anyone else said such a thing, he would have dismissed it as nonsense—but because it was Cheon Muyang, he believed it.

“Then… could you show it to me as well?”

“If you wish.”

“I ask that you do.”

“Yes.”

Cheon Muyang smiled.

At that moment, a faint scent of the Way drifted through the air.

Has it matured somewhat?

The fragrance seemed deeper than before.

Whooong!

Cheon Gwang rose toward the sky.

It rang sharply.

“……!”

Neither sword aura nor sword energy manifested.

Only Cheon Gwang alone sharpened its edge, yet Cheon Seon-hak felt a strange sense of déjà vu upon facing it.

What… is this?

It was the same downward striking stance Cheon Muyang had shown before.

However, this sword carried something incomparably greater than back then.

So this is your sword.

Cheon Seon-hak smiled.

Then, to witness Cheon Muyang’s true sword, he released his own blade.

“Come.”

“Please.”

Cheon Seon-hak went all out.

There was no reason to hold back.

Goooooo!

The aura of Cheon Seon-hak, unleashed without restraint, was truly one man worth a thousand.

An overwhelming presence.

Crack!

The floor of the training ground—built from the finest materials—split apart like tofu.

As if angering the heavens themselves, the sky above Cheon Seon-hak’s sword began to slowly tear open.

“……!”

Those watching held their breath, focusing entirely on the confrontation between the two.

It was as if the two were silently telling them not to look away.

Cheon Seon-hak moved first.

His sword, carrying the fury of the heavens, surged forward at terrifying speed.

You really have grown stronger.

The last time Cheon Seon-hak had reached such a realm was shortly before the Cheon clan had nearly been wiped out.

That meant he had shortened that progress by a full five years—he could still grow much stronger.

However, this time….

Whooong!

Cheon Gwang moved.

A single motion.

That was all—one downward slash from above.

I must win.

Paaat!

A white radiance burst forth.

The Way…?

Cheon Seon-hak and everyone present felt as though they caught a faint scent of peaches.

And that was the end.

Nowhere remained the sword that had carried the heavens’ wrath and split the sky.

“…….”

A sense of utter emptiness wrapped around Cheon Seon-hak, as if that sword had never existed at all.

“W-what in the world is this sword…?”

It was not a sword that could be judged as strong or weak.

It barely even felt like something that could be called a sword.

“This is the sword I pursue.”

“…….”

Cheon Seon-hak let out a hollow laugh.

“A truly astonishing sword.”

“Ah, of course, it’s not a sword I can use whenever I want. It’s quite temperamental.”

Cheon Muyang said, sounding faintly regretful.

It was literally a sword of the Way—the sword that the Lord of Yama had named the Nameless Sword—and it could not be wielded at will.

“I see.”

Cheon Seon-hak understood.

This sword was one granted solely to Cheon Muyang.

“A sword that surpasses the Cheon clan’s sword.”

Boom!

One of the Cheon clan’s greatest experts, Cheon Seon-hak, acknowledged Cheon Muyang’s sword.

The weight of that recognition was immense.

“Welcome back, Muyang.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Cheon Muyang finally felt it.

That he had truly returned to the Cheon clan.