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chapter 36
Sword Spirit (Geomryeong) had only been dodging Hyun Taeryeong’s attacks to analyze his sword technique.
It was similar to the martial arts he had heard about from Yakbing, and he intended to see how far it matched.
Hyun Taeryeong’s facial muscles twitched.
“You’re naïve. I only intended to warn you, but your mouth has brought trouble upon yourself. Let’s see if your sword can match that mouth of yours.”
Provoked by Sword Spirit’s words, Hyun Taeryeong poured immense strength into his sword, far surpassing his previous attacks.
“Master Hyun!”
Nang Yeoseol called to stop him, but Hyun Taeryeong ignored her and aimed to kill Sword Spirit.
Ooooh!
Hyun Taeryeong’s sword glowed with a blue aura.
“Everyone, get out of the way!”
Nang Yeoseol shouted, seemingly aware of what Hyun Taeryeong intended, and those nearby quickly retreated, putting distance between the two combatants.
Not a breeze stirred, yet Hyun Taeryeong’s clothes flapped violently, stirred by the internal energy he had summoned.
Leaves swirled around him, spinning upward as though caught in a whirlwind of his power.
Sword Spirit, watching him, felt pity rather than fear.
“You are truly pathetic. You knew your son had mastered martial arts, yet indulged him and hid the truth, and as a result, innocent people died. And now, you try to hide it again—not for your son’s honor, but for your own family’s.”
Hyun Taeryeong trembled slightly but had no intention of stopping.
Angrier than before, he glared at Sword Spirit.
“For my honor? Fine! Let’s say you’re right. Yes, for my honor, I cannot leave you, who mocked me, alive. Don’t blame me; it was your reckless mouth that brought this upon yourself.”
Shreeeeaaak!
A cracking sound echoed.
“Master Hyun!”
People called to him, but Hyun Taeryeong ignored everyone.
Flaaaash!
Those behind Sword Spirit hurriedly moved aside, as if sensing what Hyun Taeryeong was about to do.
Hyun Taeryeong unleashed the final technique of his Sword Sect style—a move that had made him famous in the martial arts world.
“I’ll give you one last chance! Beg forgiveness for your words and cut off one leg. If you do, I’ll spare your life.”
He meant to prevent Sword Spirit from using his remarkable skill by disabling him physically.
Then suddenly,
Whirrrr, Fshaaah!
Someone flipped through the air and landed before Sword Spirit.
It was Janmyeong Sword, Jeok Hwamyung.
“I don’t understand why Master Hyun would oppress a young junior like this.”
Jeok Hwamyung had been away for a moment and was unaware of the situation.
“Jeok Daehyeop!”
Eoje Min called out to Jeok Hwamyung.
“I don’t understand why everyone else is just watching. Isn’t it natural for seniors to guide juniors instead of standing by?”
His reprimand, not just words but a moral scolding against the so-called righteous sects oppressing a child, made others shift uncomfortably.
“He disrespected the deceased Master Hyun’s son and my son.”
Gon Manok spoke.
Jeok Hwamyung turned to look at Sword Spirit, his eyes questioning if it were truly so.
“I only told the truth. And I spoke to prevent further harm.”
“That brat!”
“Step back, Jeok Hwamyung!”
Hyun Taeryeong seemed ready to attack Jeok Hwamyung as well, his expression hardening.
“So you’re the one who revealed Hyun Jinmyung learned Surapok Cheongong!”
Whoooosh!
The moment Jeok Hwamyung spoke those words, Hyun Taeryeong launched his final attack toward the two of them.
The beams of light shattered and surged toward them.
Even with Jeok Hwamyung’s skill, defeating Hyun Taeryeong was impossible. Yet he stepped in, hoping to distract him even briefly for Sword Spirit’s sake.
But Hyun Taeryeong attacked both simultaneously—a move unexpected by the onlookers.
“Jeok Daehyeop!”
They shouted desperately, but it was too late. The light surged to their very feet.
“Grandpa Ghost said not to trust the righteous sects.”
Sword Spirit suddenly stood in front of Jeok Hwamyung, extending his sword.
He used a technique derived from Godokmaya’s blunt sword, making it appear as if the sword was simply thrust forward, but in reality, it diverted the enemy’s energy with incredible speed.
The surging light split and scattered to the sides before reaching them.
“Evade!”
The scattered beams struck where the crowd had gathered, catching them off guard.
Boom!
A wall collapsed under the force.
Hyun Taeryeong felt the massive energy approaching, breaking his sword technique. It immobilized him.
“Ugh!”
His scream echoed; his right ear had been severed.
Sword Spirit’s blade had not only blocked Hyun Taeryeong’s attack but also cut off his right ear.
Everyone froze, unsure how to process what had just happened.
A youth, barely coming of age, had defended against a top martial artist and even wounded him.
They all realized that, had he wished, he could have taken Hyun Taeryeong’s life.
“You…”
Jeok Hwamyung tried to speak but couldn’t.
“I spoke the truth. No one chose to believe me.”
Hyun Taeryeong’s face showed disbelief. He didn’t feel pain from losing his ear, standing dazed with his sword lowered.
Sword Spirit looked at him, noting his shock at losing.
“What is your relation to Cheongpa Sword Master Lee Sohan?”
Hearing “Cheongpa Sword,” Hyun Taeryeong snapped back to attention.
“How do you know him?”
“I don’t know him personally. I only know from my grandmother’s stories.”
Hyun Taeryeong tilted his head.
“Again, what is your relation to Cheongpa Sword Master Lee Sohan?”
Sword Spirit asked because Hyun Taeryeong’s style resembled that of Lee Sohan, as taught by Yakbing.
“He is my master.”
Sword Spirit nodded.
“Considering your grandmother’s connection to Lee Sohan, I’ll let this slide for now. But next time, I won’t. If you point your sword at me again, your life is at stake.”
The atmosphere shifted.
Though humiliated, Hyun Taeryeong seemed unwilling to attack again.
Sensing this, Nang Yeoseol approached Sword Spirit to prevent another confrontation.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It seems Jeok Daehyeop is still in shock.”
Jeok Hwamyung still couldn’t speak, and neither could the others.
Sword Spirit addressed Hyun Taeryeong.
“Your greatest mistake is ignoring your son’s martial arts mastery for his sake, thinking it would resolve matters. Because of that, innocent people died.”
“I cannot believe your words. Are you saying I watched my son master martial arts and did nothing?”
“Because you are a father.”
Hyun Taeryeong was momentarily speechless.
“I’ve heard that parents protect their children’s faults and bear their burdens.”
His shoulders shook.
Sword Spirit said nothing more and looked at Gon Manok.
Seeing Sword Spirit block Hyun Taeryeong’s attacks, Gon Manok could no longer speak of killing him. He realized he could not handle his power.
“Isn’t that right, Gon Manok?”
“That is…”
Sword Spirit quickly took control of the conversation, looking at everyone.
“If you act on the words of those who have mastered martial arts, the martial world would descend into chaos. People would exploit it for their own gain.”
Everyone remained silent.
“Even now, suppose they gather and destroy the hidden forces—would the rogue sects stay passive?”
They wouldn’t. For balance of power, they would retaliate.
What is needed is justification, and martial arts mastery is perfect justification. Fighting back and forth would lead to internal chaos.
“If they profit, they’ll target others for greater gains.”
“Lord Sword Spirit, you shouldn’t think of it so simply…”
“Why would the demons leave martial arts in the Central Plains without reason?”
No one had considered this. They only thought to eliminate the demons after hearing about martial arts mastery, never suspecting a plot.
“I’m still thinking, but perhaps it’s to reduce their strength.”
“And you, Lord Sword Spirit, what do you think?”
After demonstrating his skill, people regarded him differently.
“Instead of attacking the hidden forces, deliver a corpse and report the situation. Then verify if the hidden forces are indeed the demons’ agents.”
Though not perfect, Sword Spirit’s plan was the best option.
Since Hyun Taeryeong was still tense, Nang Yeoseol decided to take Sword Spirit away.
“It’s best to stop here for now. Lord Sword Spirit, come with me.”
Nang Yeoseol led Sword Spirit to a separate building, with Jeok Hwamyung following.
Hyun Taeryeong and Gon Manok could only watch, unable to stop them.
