Chapter 45

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Forty-Five
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Amsi is a type of energy.

It involves implanting one's energy into a target's body and, at a desired moment, manipulating that energy in a specific way to control the target.

To break an amsi, there was no other way than for the caster to withdraw their energy, or for the target to remain controlled until the implanted energy was completely depleted.

Namgung Mucheon stirred the energy coiled at Seolhwa's Baihui point, causing it to surge uncontrollably.

All that remained was to contend with the child until the energy dissipated.

"Alright. Let's play a little."

Namgung Mucheon raised his Cheonmyeong.

He hadn't drawn the sword.

Blue energy surged from his body as well.

Seolhwa hesitated for a moment, but instead of retreating, she unleashed an even denser killing intent.

"Come."

Simultaneously, Seolhwa's sword lunged towards him with incredible speed.

Namgung Mucheon, without drawing his sword, parried her blade with only the hilt.

*Clang! Clang-clang! Clang!*

The weight and speed were astonishing, unbelievable for a child's strength.

'Fast Sword and Shifting Sword, then.'

Fast Sword (快劍), which overwhelms an opponent with swift and fluid attacks, and Shifting Sword (變劍), which confuses them with ever-changing sword paths.

Though somewhat lacking in raw power, these were tricky sword arts for an opponent skilled in swordsmanship.

'She's compensating for her lack of strength with speed, it seems.'

A shadow fell across Namgung Mucheon's face.

'Has this child truly been raised as an assassin?'

The dense killing intent and the sword arts, essential for an assassin, wholly reflected her life.

'That damned bastard.'

Fury welled up within Namgung Mucheon.

He cursed obscenities inwardly, biting back the words that threatened to escape, remembering he was in front of his granddaughter.

'How dare he try to raise my granddaughter as an assassin?'

Eight years had passed since the child disappeared.

To have mastered such dense killing intent and sword arts in eight years, just how much had they pushed the child?

'I'll tear that bastard to shreds, I swear.'

He was a wretch who deserved to be torn limb from limb and fed to dogs, and even that wouldn't be enough.

*Rumble-rumble-rumble!*

The blue energy enveloping Namgung Mucheon erupted even more fiercely.

*Clang! Clang-clang! Clang!*

Seolhwa's sword also became even faster and stronger.

Astonishingly, with each clash of swords, her power increased, and her speed accelerated.

'Is she adapting?'

As if a craftsman were getting accustomed to a new tool, she was growing familiar with herself.

The way she applied force, the angle of her swings.

The attacks that initially seemed excessive were gradually adjusting to the child's body.

'Peculiar.'

Was it because the previous internal energy had been expelled?

Though it was strange that she seemed to be adapting to her movements as well.

In any case, watching his granddaughter's skill grow before his eyes wasn't a bad thing.

It was then.

Seolhwa, who had been swinging her sword like a whirlwind, paused for a moment and assumed a stance.

'A sword art.'

If her attacks until now had been random swings without any rules or sequence, then this was the real deal.

'What kind of sword will you show me?'

Seolhwa unfurled her forms like flowing water.

One move, two moves, combining to form a single technique.

Thus, the first technique. The second technique.

Namgung Mucheon, who had been easily parrying her forms, found his expression gradually hardening at some point.

'This is...!'

* * *

*Clang! Clang-clang! Clang!*

Namgung Mucheon's expression grew colder with each clash of swords against Seolhwa.

It was due to the successive sword arts Seolhwa was displaying.

'This time, it's Changgungbiyeongeom (蒼穹飛燕劍).'

Every sword art Seolhwa displayed was comprised of forms based on the Namgung family's sword arts.

The problem was that their purpose wasn't to develop or utilize the Namgung family's sword arts.

*Whoosh—Clang!*

Seolhwa's sword pierced through the air like a whirlwind. Its path precisely penetrated the trajectory of Changgungbiyeongeom.

And not just Changgungbiyeongeom.

*Swish-swish-swish!*

Twelve moves surged forward with rapid speed.

It was as if she was creating a thick shield using sword forms.

*Clang-clang-clang-clang!*

Namgung Mucheon, parrying Seolhwa's sword, widened his eyes.

'Gohonilgeom (孤魂一劍)!'

Starting with Daeyeongeombeop, the foundation of the Namgung sword arts, then Changgungbiyeongeom, Gohonilgeom, Cheonpunggeombeop, Cheolgeopsipsik.

Every single one of Seolhwa's sword arts was aimed at neutralizing the Namgung family's sword arts.

Truly, a sword meant to oppose the Namgung.

'Namgung Breaking Martial Arts (破毁).'

She hadn't been raised as an ordinary assassin.

This child had been raised as an assassin specifically to oppose the Namgung.

Namgung Mucheon fell silent, his thoughts heavy.

It wasn't that the Namgung family's sword arts had flaws.

For if one mastered any of the Namgung's sword arts, they possessed a divine power that no one dared to contend with.

However, how many in the Namgung truly mastered even one sword art to its peak?

'If the Elder Council or the Great Captains were to see this sword art.'

This child would absolutely not be accepted as a Namgung child.

Even if he acknowledged her, they would have tried to expel her from the main family one way or another.

'This... will be dangerous.'

* * *

Disordered noises were approaching from far across the estate.

Namgung Cheonghae, who had been handling the inner hall's affairs, rubbed his brow with a tired expression and set down his brush.

As he straightened his posture and clasped his hands, someone roughly knocked on the door.

"Young Master! Is the Young Master inside!"

Cheonghae exhaled slowly, then nodded to the maidservant by the door.

Soon, the door opened, and a group rushed in.

Leading them was the Elder Council Head, followed by the Great Captains of the Yellow Dragon and Red Dragon divisions.

These were the prominent figures within the family who supported Namgung Cheonghae's nomination as the Young Family Head.

Elders followed in a throng behind them.

Namgung Cheonghae rose from his seat, approached them, and bowed to the Elder Council Head.

"Uncle, to what do I owe this visit?"

"Young Master! Is this a time to be sitting idly by?"

"What is the matter?"

"The Family Head has entered Cheono-dong! And he took that wild granddaughter of his with him!"

"...Pardon?"

Namgung Cheonghae's expression slackened in bewilderment.

Father entered the training cave? With *that* child?

"Do you not understand what this means?"

"..."

"He's determined to force the Beolmo-sesu! Even disregarding the will of our Elder Council and the Sword Divisions!"

There are five major powers within the Namgung family.

The Hall Masters, who are responsible for the family's practical affairs.

The direct lineage members, few in number but influential.

The Elder Council, comprised of collateral family lines.

The Council of Elders, made up of those who have retired from active duties.

The Five Sword Divisions, which form the foundation of the Namgung, a martial arts clan.

Among them, the Elder Council and three of the Sword Divisions supported Cheonghae, and even the Council of Elders, while not actively voicing their intentions, had long viewed Namgung Cheonghae favorably for his quiet dedication to the family's responsibilities.

Thus, for those who intended to nominate Namgung Cheonghae as the Young Family Head soon, Seolhwa's return was anything but welcome.

"It hasn't even been a full day since that child deceived the family! And now Beolmo-sesu! This is not something to be easily overlooked! When the Family Head returns, the Elder Council will absolutely address this matter! So, Young Master, you must follow our will!"

Namgung Cheonghae remained silent instead of replying.

"Young Master!"

When the Elder Council Head, frustrated by Cheonghae's silence, shouted, Cheonghae finally spoke calmly.

"The Family Head must have his reasons."

"You truly...!"

"Even if I were to become the Young Family Head by opposing my father, what meaning would that hold?"

"…!"

Namgung Cheonghae's gaze settled calmly.

The Elder Council Head and three Sword Divisions might be on his side, but that was all.

The Council of Elders wasn't actively voicing their support, and while there were three Sword Divisions, the Namgung family actually had six, meaning it was only half their support.

The same went for the Elder Council.

Although the Elder Council Head claimed he would rally the council's will, not the entire Elder Council supported him.

Furthermore, even if he had a few factions supporting him, wasn't the ultimate authority of the family still in Namgung Mucheon's hands?

"The Namgung's golden age (全盛) was achieved by building upon the glory of being the Sword Emperor. Therefore, now is not the time to oppose the Family Head's will. It is the time to win his favor."

Those gathered gazed at Namgung Cheonghae as if spellbound by his logical argument.

"You said you wish to make me the Young Family Head. Then, you must seize an opportunity."

"An opportunity, you say...?"

"What does the Family Head cherish most?"

"Honestly, right now, it seems to be that wild eldest granddaughter..."

Namgung Cheonghae shook his head decisively.

"She's a granddaughter found after eight years, so naturally, he's concerned for her right now. However."

The hotter the tea, the faster it freezes.

His interest in his returned great-granddaughter is bound to cool down eventually.

After that, the Family Head's attention will return to its rightful place.

"'Namgung' — the name."

The family.

"You must seize the opportunity to elevate that name."

Namgung Cheonghae clenched his fist tightly.

The Elder Council Head and the Great Captains swallowed dryly as they watched him.

'An opportunity to elevate the family's name.'

'A way to make the Namgung take another leap forward!'

'The only way to change the Family Head's mind!'

It was then.

"Young Master!"

A servant rushed in with hurried steps and prostrated himself before them.

"Guests have arrived from Hwasanpa...!"