Chapter 617: The Man Who Defeated the Sword Saint |
The Sword Saint seemed extremely interested in me, but he didn’t approach me right away.
It seemed he had decided that handling official matters came first.
Before long, the Head of the Dang Clan stepped forward from among the clan elders and greeted the Sword Saint.
His tone was notably respectful, as though they were already acquainted.
“It has been a long time. Have you been well in the meantime?”
“I’ve done nothing but waste away the passing years. From the looks of it, you too seem to have crossed the wall. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
In terms of seniority, the Sword Saint stood above him, but he still treated the Clan Head with proper respect befitting his position.
“I assume you can already guess why I came all the way here myself.”
“Once the Alliance’s business is concluded, we shall speak again.”
After saying that, the Sword Saint stepped back, giving a glance over his shoulder.
At that, a man from the Murim Alliance delegation walked forward.
He was extremely thin and frail-looking, with hollow cheeks and dark shadows beneath his eyes.
Yet his eyes shone sharply with intelligence, and his posture carried strict discipline.
The man politely bowed toward the Head of the Dang Clan.
“My name is Sama Gyeong, and I serve as Deputy Strategist.”
“I’ve heard rumors that the Murim Alliance’s strategist is exceptionally capable.”
“You flatter me. I am merely an inadequate man who cannot even keep track of one subordinate.”
As he said that, Sama Gyeong looked toward Jegal So-so.
So it really was true that she had secretly run away.
And now they had come to drag her back.
Of course, there was no way the Murim Alliance delegation had mobilized for that reason alone.
There was likely a far greater reason behind their visit.
After moving to another location, Sama Gyeong finally brought up the main subject.
“I heard there was a major clash with the Blood Cult.”
“It seems they had prepared extensively for a full-scale battle with our clan. Fortunately, thanks to the assistance of Hye-seong and Dragon Slayer Academy, we were able to overcome the crisis safely.”
As he spoke, the Head of the Dang Clan introduced the group present, and Sama Gyeong carefully observed each person before nodding.
“So such events occurred. To think there are this many heroes unknown even to me…..truly, it is a blessing for the martial world.”
“I share that sentiment.”
Soon, Sama Gyeong’s expression grew even more serious.
“I presume that, in the process of repelling the Blood Demons, you obtained a certain artifact.”
“That man called Ghost Demon did leave behind the Soul Summoning Bell.”
“Then I assume its disposition has already been decided.”
The Head of the Dang Clan casually pointed toward me.
“Our clan’s benefactor said he had need of it, so I transferred it to him.”
“……!”
Caught off guard by the unexpected answer, Sama Gyeong’s eyes widened.
Then he looked directly at me and spoke.
“Your name was Kim Ho, correct?”
“That is correct.”
“I would like to know why you require the Soul Summoning Bell.”
If there was a risk of it being used improperly or falling into the wrong hands, he probably intended to prevent that.
I answered calmly.
“I plan to use it to break through certain arrangements.”
In other words, a hidden piece.
It was extremely useful in dungeons related to spiritual phenomena.
It was a reasonably convincing explanation, yet Sama Gyeong still looked uneasy.
“The spiritual energy and malicious aura contained within the Soul Summoning Bell are beyond imagination. Merely possessing it is like being soaked by a steady drizzle……. Little by little, it will influence you.”
“Of course, I’ve already prepared countermeasures. Though it’s difficult to explain them here.”
With the Monarch’s Mental Barrier, it naturally wouldn’t affect me at all.
I simply phrased it that way because it wasn’t something I could openly reveal to everyone.
The Head of the Dang Clan appropriately added a word of support.
“I can personally vouch for him on that matter. You may set your worries aside.”
“……I see.”
Sama Gyeong let out a low murmur.
Even so, concern and distrust still lingered in his gaze.
“That is not the only issue. Whether sooner or later, it is inevitable that news of the Soul Summoning Bell’s whereabouts will spread. Countless demonic practitioners will target it. No matter how exceptional Dragon Slayer Academy may be, can a second-year student truly handle such pressure?”
“I was prepared for that from the beginning.”
“I ask that you reconsider once more. It may be safer to entrust it to the Alliance for the time being.”
There was some logic and sincerity in Sama Gyeong’s words.
However, reality would not be so simple.
Would the Murim Alliance really return something once they got their hands on it so easily?
If I later asked for it back, they would surely stall with excuses like, “Your abilities are still insufficient for now~.”
Or perhaps it would simply disappear altogether.
Just like the allowance my mother used to take away when I was young, saying she would “save it for me.”
Even if they did keep their promise, there was no reason to entrust it to them.
For the sake of world peace, I needed to obtain the hidden piece and grow stronger as quickly as possible, so why would I waste time handing it over and complicating things?
Thus, I gave a polite refusal.
“I will consider your proposal, Deputy Strategist. However, I doubt my decision will change easily.”
Just as Sama Gyeong was about to speak again, the Head of the Dang Clan interrupted the conversation.
“Let me make this perfectly clear here and now. The transfer of the Soul Summoning Bell was entirely the will of our clan. If anyone attempts to pressure him in any way, it will be regarded as hostility toward the Dang Clan itself.”
“……!”
He had said he would back me up, but now he was declaring it publicly in an official setting.
At this, Sama Gyeong remained silent for a moment before lowering his head.
“……If that is the Clan Head’s will, then I understand.”
With that, the largest issue was, for the moment, settled.
Afterward, the senior figures from both sides discussed the situation in Sichuan, the damages suffered, and the Murim Alliance’s support.
Once the meeting concluded, the Sword Saint dismissed every member of the Murim Alliance delegation except Sama Gyeong and his grandson.
It was a sign that he intended to have a highly confidential conversation, so the Head of the Dang Clan likewise sent away most of the clan members.
Soon, Moyong Hyeon-seong turned toward the Head of the Dang Clan and spoke.
“I have heard rumors that you have been searching for various unusual items and martial arts.”
“It is to repay our benefactor.”
“Not forgetting debts and favors is certainly one of the virtues of a prestigious clan. However, there is one thing I find questionable…….”
Moyong Hyeon-seong trailed off.
Then his aura heavily pressed down across the room.
“……I heard that our clan’s [Celestial Shift] was included on that list.”
Celestial Shift was one of the inherited martial arts of the Moyong Clan.
Its effect was similar to, yet different from, Harmonized Flow.
Harmonized Flow altered the flow of an opponent’s weapon by making contact with it using one’s own.
Celestial Shift, on the other hand, redirected the flow of long-range attacks composed of internal energy or various forms of qi.
And another important point was—
It was a lower-tier skill of [Heaven and Earth Great Shift].
There were several possible substitutes besides Celestial Shift, but this one was by far the strongest as a standalone skill, which was why I had mentioned it to the Head of the Dang Clan.
Naturally, from the Moyong Clan’s perspective, it must have sounded absurd for a neighbor to openly go around searching for their family’s martial art.
Moyong Hyeon-seong continued speaking.
“As someone of the martial world, you should know well that coveting another’s martial arts is forbidden. Yet this conduct is extraordinarily reckless. I came here personally to learn the full details.”
And if the rumors proved true, he likely intended to file a formal protest as well.
At this, the Head of the Dang Clan calmly nodded.
“I am aware that it was rude and improper behavior. Even so, it was the request of our benefactor, and thus I did not refuse.”
“By benefactor, you mean…….”
As though realizing something, the Sword Saint turned his gaze toward me.
The Head of the Dang Clan confirmed the suspicion with another slight tilt of his chin.
The Sword Saint then directed a question at me.
“Then answer me this. Why did you request Celestial Shift?”
“I wished to meet an expert of the Moyong Clan.”
“If such rumors spread, naturally we would not ignore them and stay away. However, it seems your method was not a particularly good one.”
It had been extremely, extremely effective, but hadn’t I already earned a mountain of hostility from the very first meeting?
Fortunately, the old man had a relatively gentle temperament. Otherwise, he might have drawn his sword first and asked questions later.
I respectfully bowed.
“It seems I was indeed reckless. I apologize.”
“Let us postpone accepting your apology for now. You still have not answered my question.”
If your request to find someone capable of using Celestial Shift was meant to draw in an expert of the Moyong Clan—
Then what exactly had you intended to do once you succeeded?
In response, I answered in a calm tone.
“It is true that Celestial Shift itself was the target.”
“……?”
“However, I did not want the technique manual. I merely wished to ask for a demonstration.”
“……A demonstration?”
A flicker of interest crossed the Sword Saint’s face.
“Yes. Not long ago, the Sword Queen demonstrated Harmonized Flow onto Another Tree for me, and I learned a great deal from it in many ways. So I thought seeing Celestial Shift might likewise be helpful.”
“……Such a thing happened? So that ill-tempered old hag is capable of showing generosity to her juniors after all.”
“Contrary to the rumors, she seemed to possess excellent character.”
Had the person in question heard me, she would probably have grabbed me by the collar and shouted, “You little bastard!” in outrage, but unfortunately, the Sword Queen was very far away.
At this moment, wasn’t she probably running dungeons together with Go Hyeon-woo?
By this point, the Sword Saint seemed to have calmed down considerably.
He had thought the Dang Clan was picking a fight, only to discover that it was merely the reckless impulsiveness of a young man.
It could be compared to the feelings of a celebrity looking at an overly enthusiastic fan.
A martial arts demonstration is hardly a difficult request.
After all, simply seeing it once would not suddenly allow someone to devise a countermeasure against it.
Of course, I could still copy it.
The problem with inherited martial arts was when outsiders learned them and got caught; cases where they became innate skills were rarer than one might think.
In other words, if he demonstrated it, I would be able to use it as well.
Unaware of such wicked intentions, Moyong Hyeon-seong fell into thought for a moment.
Soon after, he looked directly at me and spoke.
“Though I do find your actions somewhat impudent, it is best to show generosity for the sake of the younger generation. Even more so if that old hag did the same.”
“Thank you.”
“However, before that, I would like to assess your abilities. To determine whether you are worthy of witnessing Celestial Shift, and furthermore, whether you are qualified to safeguard the Soul Summoning Bell.”
“Are you referring to a spar?”
“A martial artist speaks through the sword.”
A spar with an S-rank expert.
If I desperately evaded while counterattacking with everything I had, there was a good chance the Sword Saint would acknowledge me.
On the other hand, there was also the possibility that it would fail to satisfy him.
Especially since I was not a martial artist, but a mage.
Fortunately, I had a method that was easy, fast, and one hundred percent certain.
So I posed a question to the Sword Saint.
“If I may be so bold, would it be acceptable for me to appoint a representative in my place?”
“Is this not a spar intended to assess your own abilities?”
“You will have no difficulty obtaining your answer regardless.”
“…….”
At those cryptic words, the Sword Saint fell silent for a moment before glancing toward the Head of the Dang Clan.
Judging from his conduct up to this point, if I asked, he would willingly step forward as my representative.
After all, opportunities to cross blades with an expert of the Dang Clan were hardly common.
Perhaps that was the conclusion he reached, because the Sword Saint slowly nodded.
“Very well. However, I shall hold you to an even stricter standard.”
“That is precisely what I was hoping for.”
Now that the spar had been agreed upon, everyone in the hall rose from their seats to head toward the training grounds.
But at that moment, the Sword Saint frowned and asked,
“……What is this?”
Most likely, a notification message like this had appeared at the edge of his vision.
[A Monarch’s Invitation has arrived.]
[Will you accept the invitation?]
[Accept / Decline]
“Did I not say that I would appoint a representative?”
When I replied with a gentle smile, the Sword Saint looked somewhat bewildered.
He had assumed the Head of the Dang Clan would step forward, only for an invitation window to suddenly appear instead.
“If I accept, will I be able to meet this person?”
“That is correct.”
“……Truly incomprehensible. Very well, I shall trust your words one last time.”
Soon, the Sword Saint selected ‘Accept’ and calmly closed his eyes.
Yet not long afterward, his eyes snapped wide open—
“Kuwaeek—!”
And he vomited an entire bowlful of blood.