Chapter 58 - The First-Rate Warrior Who Astonished the Divine Sword (6)

"Is what you possess truly worth the value of the Cangqiong Merchant Group?"

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword's doubts had not yet vanished.

I drew my sword.

"Please watch this first."

I began to execute the exact same martial arts that the Divine Sword had just performed.

Because the movements were not yet accustomed to my body, there were imperfections, and since the difference in our experience with martial arts was as vast as heaven and earth, my sword differed from the Divine Sword's, which showed intent even in simple sword paths—but it was unmistakably the exact same swordsmanship.

The Divine Sword's eyes widened at the sight of me perfectly replicating it without a single inch of error.

"You... did you memorize that in such a short time?"

"It is my heavenly punishment."

"It is?"

The Divine Sword tilted his head as if he couldn't understand.

It was the reaction most people showed when hearing that I had the ability to remember everything.

"The scene of the puppy I raised in my childhood being bitten and dragged away by a fox is as vivid as if it happened just now."

Those who have not experienced it can never know.

"... Hmm, I suppose that could be the case."

However, that was not what was important right now.

"Please look at this next. This is the countermeasure I came up with."

I began to execute the Destruction Form of the Cangqiong Boundless Sword Technique.

A sword technique dedicated entirely to neutralizing the Cangqiong Boundless Sword Technique.

It was the method by which the fiends of the Demonic Cult had been able to helplessly cut down the Orthodox faction.

It thrust into the weaknesses far more decisively than the countermeasure the Divine Sword had demonstrated.

At the same time, I deliberately thrust into completely irrelevant spots that were not part of the Destruction Form.

Showing him the complete Destruction Form that even the Divine Sword hadn't been able to create would make him feel a sense of crisis.

Even so, the Destruction Form created by Zhuge Cheongi far exceeded the one created by the Divine Sword.

"I understand why San was so flustered."

"However, both this Destruction Form and the one you created share a critical flaw."

"What do you think that is?"

"First, it is far too difficult for those who have learned the Cangqiong Boundless Sword Technique."

A sword is mastered through the body.

First, it is learned with the mind, and then it is ingrained into the body.

A posture ingrained into the body does not easily change.

"Second, outside of neutralizing the Cangqiong Boundless Sword Technique, it is worse than third-rate swordsmanship in a normal battle."

"... I agree."

"Third, the direction of this sword is far too obvious."

"What is the problem with its direction being obvious?"

"What will happen if the Namgung Clan's martial arts deny the very foundation of the Namgung Clan?"

"... It was an excellent choice for this old man to want to see you."

To suppress a traditional sword technique passed down for hundreds of years while simultaneously inheriting its profound secrets.

It was a complex problem that would be unimaginable to anyone other than a genius like Zhuge Cheongi.

Zhuge Cheongi had divided the counter-forms into three categories.

Lower Form, Middle Form, and Upper Form.

Each name depended not on the strength of the form, but on how many weaknesses it exposed.

A Lure Form that exposed the body to the opponent was a Lower Form.

A form that bridged the gap between forms was a Middle Form.

A form that protected oneself was an Upper Form.

Because of this classification, the final form of a martial art could be a Lower Form, and the first form used to show respect could be an Upper Form.

"This is the price I am offering."

I took the opening stance.

Starting with the First Form, Cangqiong Leaping Swallow, I began to execute the counter-form of the Cangqiong Boundless Sword Technique: the Ascension Form.

Out of a total of thirty-six forms, I demonstrated perfect Ascension Forms for exactly half of them, and mixed in forms I made up as I pleased for the rest.

At the Divine Sword's level, he would be able to distinguish the jade from the stones within this, and through that jade, he would be able to recreate the perfect Ascension Form.

After executing all thirty-six forms, sweat trickled down my forehead.

"Hoh..."

The Divine Sword remained in a daze for a while, as if reassembling the forms he had just seen in his head.

Then, realizing he had spaced out for a moment, he shook his head and spoke.

"How were you able to come up with this?"

Here, I began a plausible lie.

"There are two dragons in Anhui Province, where the Taiyi Sect is located. For the Taiyi Sect to ascend, we must oppose those dragons. But to do so, our sect's martial arts were far too weak."

"Did you utilize the unforgettable memories in your head?"

"Finding the weaknesses was easier for me than making futile efforts to forget those memories."

"Even so..."

As he spoke, the Divine Sword shook his head.

"It is astounding. Even though its killing intent is far too strong, to think it is a sword capable of overcoming the weaknesses of the Cangqiong Boundless Sword Technique and dominating it."

The high praise belonged to Zhuge Cheongi.

His wish was for the Murim Alliance to stand tall in Jianghu once again and set the righteous spirit of Jianghu straight.

However, not all sects looked kindly upon their own martial arts being neutralized.

On the contrary, he was frequently framed for handing over the weaknesses of the Orthodox faction's martial arts to the Demonic Cult.

And now, Zhuge Cheongi's wish had been passed on through me to Namgung Taeha, the Patriarch of the Namgung Clan.

"Was what you used against San an application of that?"

"Yes."

"Then why did you push yourself to grip the sword?"

"I had never seen the Sovereign Sword Technique, and even if I did see it, it is so complex that I wouldn't be able to neutralize it, so I had no choice but to overexert myself."

"... Ah, you are right. But why did you only show me eighteen?"

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword had accurately recognized the remaining half that I had omitted.

"With my lacking intellect and abilities, it was overwhelming enough to complete even half of it."

The Divine Sword chuckled heartily.

"No, it must be because you considered the danger of revealing every form."

"..."

As expected, fooling the Divine Sword's eyes was an impossible task.

"... It is a sufficient price. No, it is more than overflowing. Even if I were to hand over the entirety of the Cangqiong Merchant Group and not just a branch, it wouldn't be a waste."

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword nodded.

His face was filled with comfort, as if he had finally found the solution to a problem that had troubled him for a long time.

"I shall convene the Council of Elders. I will present the agenda you spoke of, but the final persuasion is up to you."

"That is more than enough."

"In addition, I will give you one Daeyeon Divine Pill. And I will bestow two Daeyeon Divine Pills to the Taiyi Sect. I wish I could give you more, but that is all that remains in the Namgung Clan."

I bowed as deeply as I could and cupped my fists.

"I will never forget this grace for as long as I live."

"You'd better not. You're the one pulling out the Namgung Clan's foundational pillars, after all."

The Divine Sword, who had been smiling contentedly, briefly put on a serious expression.

"There is something I am curious about, though. Why did you show such an incomplete appearance when executing your martial arts?"

Even though it was the maximum extent of what I could perform without knowing how to manage internal energy, in the Divine Sword's eyes, it seemed as if I had done even that on purpose.

"Forms can be learned with the eyes, but oral chants cannot be learned with the eyes, can they?"

"What are you talking about? Didn't you say you can remember everything you see once?"

"How can the body immediately manifest what the mind remembers?"

The Divine Sword tilted his head.

"I do not know what fortuitous encounter you came across, but haven't you already reached the state of Five Dragons Honoring the Saint and achieved the harmony of essence, qi, and spirit?"

Previously, inside the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Extinguishing Array, I had forcefully opened my upper dantian to figure out the path and ended up opening my middle dantian as well. It wasn't a good situation, but it was a fortuitous encounter nonetheless. Thanks to that, I was able to ascend to the state of Five Dragons Honoring the Saint.

Even though I had concealed my qi, had the Divine Sword grasped my realm just from that?

"... That is correct."

"Achieving the harmony of essence, qi, and spirit means that the body moves exactly as the mind intends. To have memorized it in your head means that your body remembers it as well."

"...!"

In that instant, lightning struck in my head and my body trembled.

I had reached the state of Five Dragons Honoring the Saint through a fortuitous encounter, but I had never thought about what the harmony of essence, qi, and spirit truly meant.

The Divine Sword noticed this and clicked his tongue.

"Have you ever seen such a foolish brat? The fact that the harmony of essence, qi, and spirit has already been achieved means that your internal energy, body, and thoughts have become one. Think carefully. If a vivid memory remains in your head, your body vividly remembers it as well."

"..."

"Did you not know?"

"... I have never thought about it."

"Huhu, well... I am not looking down on your sect, but there is likely no one in your sect who has reached your realm, right?"

"... Yes."

Because they had obtained the Taiyi True Scripture and the spiritual elixirs from me for the first time.

"That must have been the problem."

"..."

"Do not worry. Now they have you, do they not? In the generation below you, someone even more outstanding than you will emerge."

"... Thank you for your teachings."

"Sit down quickly. If enlightenment is not sorted out in that very moment, it will fly away."

I immediately sat cross-legged and drew up the Taiyi True Scripture.

Right now, in this moment, I could not miss this enlightenment that was more precious than a thousand pieces of gold.

"Tsk tsk, have I paid you back a little with this? Though I suppose it is still lacking... How else should I repay you..."

As I slipped into a state of selflessness, the sound of the Divine Sword clicking his tongue lingered in my ears.

* * *

Vivid memories surfaced within the state of selflessness.

Gye Cheolyeong of the Taiyi Sect executing the Seeping Glory Sword, and Hong Saryeon executing the Flash Lightning Sword Technique.

Hwa Jeong-san of the Murim Alliance's Mount Hua Sect executing Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, and Ilmyeong of the Shaolin Sect executing the Eighteen Arhat Palms.

The Yeomma Ghost Eye Squad slaughtering with the Yeomma Ghost Sword Array, and the Black Lion Kwak Gung obliterating Mount Tai with a single punch.

Soon after, my own figure began to copy them.

I wasn't just imitating the movements like before.

My intent firmly settled itself within their movements. And whenever my intent moved, my internal energy flowed in the most efficient direction.

After that, the image of myself drawing the Black Dragon Sword reappeared.

I drew up the Taiyi True Scripture and unleashed Ten Thousand Swords.

Within those Ten Thousand Swords, both others and myself shattered into pieces, vanishing for eternity.

As I slowly opened my eyes amidst the scattering dust, I saw Namgung San standing with his arms crossed and Namgung Seonhwa watching me with worried eyes.

"Are you awake?"

"... How long was I like this?"

"You have been like this for a full day."

I thought it had only been a fleeting moment, but had so much time already passed?

"Have you been waiting for me here this whole time?"

Namgung San shook his head.

"Grandfather said you would be awake by now and told me to bring you."

As I nodded and stood up from my spot, Namgung San stared at me intensely for a long while.

"You... something happened between you and Grandfather."

"What do you mean by that, Brother?"

Namgung San answered Namgung Seonhwa's question.

"I am saying that the Young Master Jin I saw yesterday and the Young Master Jin I see today are completely different people."

"... Pardon?"

Namgung Seonhwa wore an expression of total incomprehension, while Namgung San was exposing his competitive spirit.

"If it weren't for Grandfather's orders, I would have sparred with you right now. Of course, without any restrictions on internal energy this time, right?"

At Namgung San's words, which suggested he knew something, Namgung Seonhwa looked back and forth between him and me in shock.

Feeling awkward, I quickly changed the subject.

"Did you say the Divine Sword called for me?"

"Let us go."

Namgung Seonhwa, who hadn't been able to properly join the conversation, eventually grabbed the hem of my clothes.

"Grandfather has convened the Council of Elders. He ordered us to bring Young Master Jin there. What on earth happened?"

"Ah, the Divine Sword said he would give me a gift as a token of gratitude and told me to name what I wanted."

"What did you ask for?"

"I asked for the Cangqiong Merchant Group."

"... Pardon?"

"!!"

Not only Namgung Seonhwa, but even Namgung San whipped his head around and stared at me like I was a madman.

* * *

A frigid atmosphere flowed through the inner room.

The elders seated in lines on both sides cast entirely unfavorable gazes at me as I entered with the Namgung siblings.

It seemed the Divine Sword had already brought up the matter of the Cangqiong Merchant Group.

I sat to the side of the Azure Emperor Divine Sword, opposite Namgung Songju, the true master of the Cangqiong Merchant Group. Meanwhile, the Namgung siblings stood against the wall behind me, watching with anxious hearts.

"..."

In contrast to the elders expressing blatant hostility toward me, Namgung Songju was calmly drinking tea.

"I just heard unimaginable words from the Patriarch. After hearing that, the elders here were also quite outraged."

Setting down his teacup, Namgung Songju maintained a calm expression.

"It is hard to believe, but... the Patriarch stated that it was his own idea."

Out of consideration for me, the Azure Emperor Divine Sword had presented it as his own choice.

"In that case, I have no choice but to ask what you think. The Patriarch said he wishes to give you the Hefei branch of the Cangqiong Merchant Group. What are your thoughts?"

The moment Namgung Songju finished speaking, the elders radiated their auras.

Among them were those who covertly emitted killing intent to constrict my throat.

I drew up the Taiyi True Scripture to protect my mind and body before speaking.

"Since it was not something I did expecting a reward, I consider it an undeserved honor."

Namgung Songju let out a faint scoff.

"I suppose so..."

"... However, since it is given by a great senior, I intend to accept it gratefully."

"!"

Namgung Songju's brow furrowed deeply.

Exaggerated sighs erupted among the elders.

'Hoh... have you ever seen such an ignorant fool?'

'He's like a wild colt acting out without knowing his place.'

*'A mere snake trying to swallow a bull.' * And so on.

Most were things that shouldn't be said in front of a guest.

They were in such a great frenzy.

"Seeing how you aren't surprised by the mention of the Cangqiong Merchant Group, it seems this wasn't solely the Patriarch's will. Isn't that so?"

"Does that matter?"

"I thought I gave you a warning beforehand. It seems that was not well received."

A fierce, cold killing intent blazed from Namgung Songju's eyes.

"The Cangqiong Merchant Group is practically the pillar of the Namgung Clan. Hefei in Anhui Province, in particular, is its foundation. And you dare ask for such a thing? How lightly do you take the Namgung Clan?"

The elders, too, began to overtly bare their killing intent.

Even the Namgung siblings standing behind me and Namgung Gitae standing behind Namgung Songju were starting to flinch, slowly failing to withstand the pressure.

The Patriarch, the Azure Emperor Divine Sword, had every reason to be displeased by Namgung Songju's presumptuous remarks, but he was merely watching with a face full of intrigue.

"If the Cangqiong Merchant Group is the pillar of the Namgung Clan, then its foundation should be the Namgung Clan in Mount Huang. Why would far-off Hefei be its foundation?"

"!!"

"The Cangqiong Merchant Group is already a massive merchant group ranked in the top five in Jiangnan. However, since most of its territory is concentrated in Jiangnan, doesn't operating out of Hefei in Anhui Province needlessly increase the distance northward?"

Namgung Songju clamped his mouth shut.

Everyone knew this in theory, but due to their own interests, it was something they couldn't speak aloud.

"Hefei in Anhui Province is a geopolitically important location, but from the perspective of the Cangqiong Merchant Group, isn't it a meaningless place? Giving away one such branch shouldn't be too difficult for the Great Namgung Clan. Or... does the Cangqiong Merchant Group in Hefei hold a more important position than the Namgung Clan in Mount Huang?"

The moment I finished speaking, angry shouts erupted from among the elders.

"You bastard! You step out of line!"

"We treat you nicely, and you act with complete insolence!"

"That is none of your concern as an outsider!"

Most of the figures in the Council of Elders were either former warriors of the clan or members of the branch line.

They did not want the direct line's power to grow, which would reduce their own influence.

"Hmph, you've brought quite a decent logic."

And at the center of them was Namgung Songju.

"Parts of what you say might be correct. But even so, we cannot give you Hefei."

"..."

The elders nodded in unison.

"We cannot ignore the Patriarch's desire to give you a gift, either. Recently, your sect inquired about the distribution of ironwork. You luckily discovered a mine, I hear? The Cangqiong Merchant Group will handle its distribution. Let us make this the substitute for the Patriarch's gift."

Just as the elders nodded, as if willing to concede that much.

I spoke.

"I want the Hefei branch of the Cangqiong Merchant Group."

"..."

The tension that had slightly loosened began to tighten once again.

Namgung Gitae, perhaps no longer able to endure it, slowly began to show the whites of his eyes.

"You... Do you truly wish to see this through to the bitter end?"

"..."

Namgung Songju, who had been speaking to me, looked at the Azure Emperor Divine Sword and spoke. As if to threaten him.

"Even if you take the Cangqiong Merchant Group, I am confident I can erase your sect and take the Cangqiong Merchant Group back."

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword showed no signs of wavering despite that subversive gaze.

Since he had already secured the Destruction Form and the Ascension Form, it was the confidence of having nothing to worry about.

However, the Azure Emperor Divine Sword was meticulously observing how I would act.

"Do you really want to go that far?"

The heat was intensifying.

Namgung Songju was staring at me as if he were facing a mortal enemy.

"... Calm down and think about it for a moment. This is not such a bad proposition."

"You bastard..."

I sent a sound transmission to Namgung Songju, who was about to jump to his feet.

-The reason you mentioned earlier about why you didn't look favorably upon me... That would be because of Wang Soso of Wangga Manor, wouldn't it?

Namgung Songju's cold expression shattered instantly.

He desperately tried to control his expression to regain his composure, but his eyes were trembling violently.

-While saving Wang Soso, I built a slight connection with the Lord of Wangga Manor. He was still desperately searching for the culprit who kidnapped Soso. He said he would pour out all his power to drag that opponent down to hell. Even knowing the inside story, I kept my mouth shut, thinking a massive bloodbath might break out between Wangga Manor and the Namgung Clan.

Panic began to color Namgung Songju's face.

After a long time, Namgung Songju replied via sound transmission.

-... What are you talking about?

-Although the warrior of the Milgung Squad belonged to the ranks of experts, they eventually revealed the martial arts of the Namgung Clan without realizing it. ... Usually, tasks like kidnapping and assassination are given to those who have received professional training for it.

-Do you have proof?

-Shall I tell you the location of the corpse? It shouldn't be fully decomposed yet.

Seeing Namgung Songju and I conversing while only moving our lips, the elders began to tilt their heads one by one.

-Furthermore, after talking with Senior Azure Emperor Divine Sword, it seems the Cangqiong Merchant Group... No, the collateral and direct lines are at odds with each other. In this case, if the Lord of Wangga Manor learns the inside story and aligns his interests with the Azure Emperor Divine Sword... It seems it would serve as a perfect justification for the Divine Sword. ... I wonder, among those who stood in opposition to the Divine Sword just moments ago, will there be anyone left alive?

As I spoke, I looked at Namgung Gitae.

At the same time, Namgung Songju followed my gaze and looked at Namgung Gitae.

-The grand justification that was restraining the Azure Emperor Divine Sword has already been shattered into pieces by your mistake. His true wrath... can you withstand it?

Namgung Songju looked at the Azure Emperor Divine Sword.

"..."

The Divine Sword was intriguingly gazing at Namgung Songju's flustered expression.

-What will you do? Will you bear the wrath of Lord Wang Geumsan and the Azure Emperor Divine Sword? Or will you pay the price with the Hefei branch of the Cangqiong Merchant Group?

-The secret...

-Even if the Hefei branch of the Cangqiong Merchant Group falls into my hands, if the Cangqiong Merchant Group disappears, wouldn't it be a loss for me as well?

-If you threaten me with this excuse again, I will risk everything I have to destroy you and your sect.

-From now on, aren't you and I sharing mutual interests? I may ask favors of a colleague, but I am not one to threaten them.

-...

After hesitating several times over whether to send a sound transmission or not, Namgung Songju looked at Namgung Taeha and opened his mouth.

"Patriarch... Come to think of it, not only the Namgung Clan but many fellow Daoists in Jianghu owe a debt to Young Master Jin and the Taiyi Sect for what happened at the Demonic Spirit Plateau. For the Namgung Clan, known as one of the pillars of Jianghu, to not repay that debt would be absurd. It would be best to hand over the Hefei branch of the Cangqiong Merchant Group according to the Patriarch's wishes."

"What are you...!"

"No! Squad Leader, what are you saying all of a sudden!"

At Namgung Songju's nonsensical words, the elders instantly sprang from their seats and swarmed him.

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword and the Namgung siblings had their mouths hanging wide open at this unbelievable turn of events, while I calmly savored the Biluochun and said to them.

"The aroma of the Biluochun is also excellent."