Chapter 102: An Unexpected Secret History
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Nu-heum’s unexpected surprise was brief; he tilted his head as one question came to mind.
‘Why is Severing Finger Sword Venerable coveting the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique?’
It was somewhat difficult to understand.
The sword technique of Severing Finger Sword Venerable, included among the Six Extremes of Hubei in name, was a famous transcendent art so domineering and overwhelming in its prestige that any martial artist would fear it.
Rending Splitting Great Six Swords.
A destructive sword technique that represented and symbolized the dignity of the mighty ultra-first-rate swordsman, Severing Finger Sword Venerable.
Especially the final two forms, Earth Sever and Heaven Sever, were evaluated as reaching the extreme of terrifyingness.
When Earth Sever was deployed, the vast earth would split; when Heaven Sever was deployed, the high sky would be torn.
Such words circulated – that was how fearsome the profound use of these ultimate techniques was.
How else could rumors have even spread that it was sword arts worth discussing among the top ranks even when expanding the scope from just the Hubei region to all under heaven?
Among martial world people who made their living by the sword, those who didn’t know this sword technique’s name would be extremely rare.
The grand alias of Severing Finger Sword Venerable today was also born because Rending Splitting Great Six Swords existed.
Yet.
The method of operation for Rending Splitting Great Six Swords was fundamentally different in attribute from that of the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique.
Because of that, Nu-heum couldn’t help but harbor doubts.
While the main profound use of Rending Splitting Great Six Swords was incomparably mighty power, the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique’s core was incomparably swift transformation.
Integration and coexistence of essences?
Well, it would be possible, but there was a greater possibility that it would rather diminish Rending Splitting Great Six Swords’ original prestige.
Because from its very framework, there was more that diverged than converged.
Was it just that he was curious because it was the true teachings of Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost Eum Ryun, an ultra-first-rate powerhouse of this region? So, was he seeking it for the purpose of keeping it like a sort of collection?
Ximen Yue, having by now erased his smile, saw through his thoughts and asked.
“Is it incomprehensible?”
At that, Nu-heum scratched his forehead slightly.
“Yes, it is. I don’t understand why he’s trying to obtain the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique, which is different in nature from the Rending Splitting Great Six Swords…”
“It’s not just different in nature. The purpose itself is different too.”
At the meaningful words Ximen Yue casually tossed out, a peculiar light passed over Nu-heum’s pupils.
“You mean it’s not that he particularly wants the essence of the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique, but merely obtaining the booklet itself is his main purpose?”
“Close.”
“Pardon?”
“What Severing Finger Sword Venerable truly wants is to perfectly erase all traces of Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost Eum Ryun’s lifetime.”
Transparent waves rippled once more in Nu-heum’s eyes at the words Ximen Yue quietly uttered.
“…!”
What did that mean?
Just then, Ximen Yue continued his voice.
“Precisely, his plan is to obtain that sole legacy, the true teachings, and personally destroy them. So that they can no longer be passed on to anyone.”
At that, Nu-heum wore an expression of deepened questions.
“But why…?”
“In the past, Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost made one great mistake, and because of that, he incurred the wrath of one person and died away from home.”
In an instant, Nu-heum’s expression changed completely.
“Ah, then…”
It was because he had faintly grasped the point.
Sure enough, Ximen Yue confirmed it for him.
“The one who sent Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost to the afterlife at that time was Severing Finger Sword Venerable.”
“…!”
Nu-heum’s shocked gaze.
He had just guessed somewhat, but hearing it directly in words delivered considerable impact.
‘I never thought those two had some kind of grudge relationship…’
Regarding the corpse of Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost Eum Ryun, discovered with his head severed over ten years ago, various circles of the martial world had argued back and forth, but to this day no definitive conclusion had been reached about the culprit’s identity.
It even overlapped curiously with the timing of the Namgung Family incident, so the more they debated pro and con, the more the unfathomable mystery only deepened.
But.
No one in the world could have predicted that Severing Finger Sword Venerable, one of the Six Extremes of Hubei, had taken that life.
“Young Master, what kind of secret history exists between Severing Finger Sword Venerable and Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost?”
“In his lifetime, Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost had strong carnal desires and went around sharing intimate nights with countless women.”
“Yes, I know from what I’ve heard. He was famous. For having heated bed affairs almost daily…”
Trailing off, Nu-heum quickly realized.
“Right, so that became the root of trouble.”
“Yes. It’s a woman problem.”
“It feels somewhat hollow.”
“At the time, he went to the Hubei region to enjoy wandering. Then he became intimate with a beautiful woman, and that happened to be a concubine that Severing Finger Sword Venerable cherished.”
“My, so things got twisted that way. A love affair… I can roughly guess what happened after. Eventually, Severing Finger Sword Venerable learned of the matter and personally tracked down Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost to have a life-and-death battle? And the result was Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost’s death…”
“Correct. I don’t know the detailed contents of that contest though. Anyway, setting aside that it was an affair-related incident, it was proven that Severing Finger Sword Venerable was a cut above.”
“Indeed, Severing Finger Sword Venerable’s martial power is outstanding. At the time, Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost was also making a name for himself as an unorthodox ultra-first-rate powerhouse…”
While Nu-heum stuck out his tongue, Ximen Yue sipped and emptied his glass, then said calmly.
“The might of Rending Splitting Great Six Swords is at a level that shows no great inferiority even compared to our family’s various ascending sword arts. What’s there to find new about it.”
It was honest praise.
However, beyond the calm gaze, the pride that it didn’t match his own power was slightly visible.
Nu-heum knew well too.
That he naturally had the qualifications to feel that way.
“Severing Finger Sword Venerable is a truly ruthless person too. That his anger and hatred toward the Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost he killed with his own hands is still so deep that he’s trying to cut off even the legacy of his true teachings… Already over ten years have passed. Anyway, Miss Yeom came and delivered quite the secret history.”
“You understand everything now?”
“Yes, Young Master. The mission was suddenly halted because that person also recently learned of this secret history.”
When Nu-heum spoke while nodding, Ximen Yue also nodded in response.
“Because it would be troublesome to cause friction with Severing Finger Sword Venerable over Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost’s secret manual.”
“Right. Both Severing Finger Sword Venerable and the Sword Forbearance Sect he leads have quite a number of first-rate masters entrenched in that region, so we can’t carelessly ignore them.”
“Moreover, we are… Existences that must not be revealed to the world yet.”
Ximen Yue poured liquor again along with those words.
Just then, Nu-heum’s eyes lit up as his voice dropped even lower.
“If what Cheol Ryu-heun said is true, he’ll naturally become Severing Finger Sword Venerable’s next target.”
“It was true.”
“What?”
“He deployed Ghost Whirling Wind Wheel, the form that Heaven’s Death Sword Ghost in his lifetime was said to have favored, at nearly perfect level.”
“Whew… That…”
“He’s not one to look down on. Even the Sword-Wielding Yaksha ended up in that state.”
“Ah, the Dark Hall Master… Was he ultimately defeated?”
“He breathed his last.”
“…!”
The moment Nu-heum’s complexion stiffened slightly, Ximen Yue briefly explained the series of events.
“Good heavens… For Cheol Ryu-heun’s talent to be that extraordinary, it’s truly mysterious.”
“He was impressive. On the other hand, the Dark Hall Master was more lacking than expected.”
“But the alias Netherworld Sword Fork was second only to the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan…”
“Second only to – those words have limitations. Meaning there’s room for development compared to the standard, but one cannot match it…”
It was true.
Because being “second only to” meant becoming just below the best.
In other words, the martial prowess level of Jeo Gyeom, called Netherworld Sword Fork, had merely stayed below the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan and never stood shoulder to shoulder with those five.
“But Severing Finger Sword Venerable is different. Unlike the Dark Hall Master, he’s not a powerhouse ‘second only to’ something.”
“Yes, he’s properly one of the Six Extremes of Hubei.”
Ximen Yue smiled faintly again.
“That’s why I’m quite looking forward to it.”
“It seems that fellow’s peculiar talent has brought you considerable interest, Young Master.”
“Ha, it would be a lie to say otherwise.”
“I shall soon let words slip so they reach Severing Finger Sword Venerable’s ears. That Cheol Ryu-heun memorized all the key phrases of the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique and then tore up the booklet. Then surely he’ll react immediately?”
Ximen Yue emptied another glass full of liquor and waved his hand lightly.
“Don’t. It’s not the time.”
“…?”
“I mean there’s no need to rush. Just drop a small clue and wait. So that it proceeds secretly, step by step.”
“Is there really need to do that? It’s not a matter you’ll handle personally anyway, so it would be better to proceed quickly…”
“I have something I must prioritize for the time being. I want to finish that and then, with a comfortable mind, hear the news of his death.”
“Has another new mission perhaps been given?”
“What.”
“If so, then what is it…?”
“Closed-door training.”
“…!”
“I plan to start as soon as I return to the family. And…”
Ximen Yue’s two eyes soon rested on Nu-heum’s face.
“You will join me.”
“What? I will…”
“This incident must have made the desire for martial advancement surge even stronger in your heart.”
When Ximen Yue hit the mark, Nu-heum also immediately acknowledged it.
“Yes… That is true.”
“So I’ll speak to Father and have you enter the martial hall together. Keep that in mind.”
“I might rather hinder the Young Master’s closed-door training. Honestly, my talent is…”
“Enough. Put aside worries about achievements. I’ll spare nothing in comprehensive support including elixirs with the authority I have, so you just need to devote yourself to closed-door training and meet expectations.”
At Ximen Yue’s words, Nu-heum was greatly delighted.
“Thank you. I will definitely achieve the intended results.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Ah… Suddenly there’s something weighing on my mind – what if Cheol Ryu-heun, whose talent is extraordinary, also develops rapidly in the meantime? Today’s performance was at a monster-like level…”
“Unless he attains realization of Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing level while we proceed with closed-door training, he absolutely cannot defeat Severing Finger Sword Venerable.”
“Yes, well… I won’t worry about it anymore. Oh, are there any other matters to relay related to this mission’s halt?”
Ximen Yue silently fingered his glass for a moment before opening his mouth.
“No.”
He was being sparing with his words.
The fact that the most important reason was actually not Severing Finger Sword Venerable but the clue about the Divine Martial Sword…
-As you know, not just anyone can awaken the divine power of the Divine Martial Sword. So master that power to its maximum as quickly as possible. If you want to become the Divine Martial Sword’s owner in the future and walk the path of overwhelming dominion.
Having recalled Yeom Sang-ah’s words in his head, Ximen Yue swallowed the liquor down his throat while muttering internally.
‘If the Divine Martial Sword’s whereabouts are truly found, I will definitely become its owner.’
To achieve that goal, the success of this closed-door training was more important than anything.
Short would be one month, long would be three months.
The light of passion was fully in his eyes, as if already looking forward to the day he would emerge from the martial hall.
* * *
In a spacious courtyard within White Peak Sword Sect’s grounds, six giant bathing tubs filled with water could be seen.
While Yeop Hwon, Hyeop Mu-geuk, and the rest of the sect personnel gathered before them without a single person missing, Cheol Ryu-heun suddenly appeared.
“Everyone gathered?”
“Yes!”
When everyone answered in unison, Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice immediately followed.
“Bathing commences, undress.”
At that, everyone without exception flung off their clothes and became naked.
Just then.
Cheol Ryu-heun looked to one side and threw out a blunt voice.
“Why did you undress?”
It was a gaze directed at the workers who had also undressed along with them.
Tae Sa-ja responded with a flustered expression.
“Pardon? You, you just said everyone undress… Weren’t we bathing together too?”
A bewildered look.
Because earlier when Cheol Ryu-heun had arrived and instructed them to fill it with water, they hadn’t had time to hear what the event was about.
“Workers are exempt. Do you think this is ordinary bathing?”
Cheol Ryu-heun, along with those words, glanced below the navels of the workers and immediately frowned.
“Put those away. Disgusting.”
Simultaneously, all the workers inwardly bristled.
Urk, ours is dirty but theirs isn’t!