Chapter 452: Looking Back
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Just an ordinary sword.
Having glossed over it like that, Ju Yu-gang muttered inwardly.
‘Though it’s not a lie. For me, it’s merely a good Sword with a sharp edge.’
In truth, the Zhanlu Sword was a famous sword and simultaneously a cursed weapon.
If the monarch of a nation came to possess that blade, violent madness would grow stronger day by day until eventually they would indiscriminately slaughter their loyal and wise ministers……
At that time, the reason Ou Yezi had crafted this sword was that he had been threatened by the king of a neighboring country, famous for being a tyrant.
At that time, relations between the two countries weren’t very good.
It was a period when all sorts of talk circulated among the common people about whether war would break out or not, and an anxious and chaotic atmosphere was prevalent.
That was something foreseen from the start.
Because there had been frequent disputes both large and small over border land from long ago, piling up that ill will.
However.
If they fought each other, the country where Ou Yezi belonged would be clearly disadvantaged.
Setting aside geographical conditions or financial problems, the disparity in military strength at that time was far too great.
In the meanwhile, a large-scale army was deployed to the border point of the neighboring country.
Though there was no official declaration, it was a military action that meant a de facto declaration of war.
It was a critical moment on the verge of outbreak.
Everyone thought alike that war was imminent.
One that wouldn’t be strange even if it KWANG! Exploded at any time……
Then one day, the king of the neighboring country used that anxious situation full of war clouds to make a proposal to Ou Yezi.
-You must have long heard that we deeply wish to take your land into our hands. To do that, war would be the only means. But it is not what we wish for the peoples of both countries to fall into suffering from war. If we hastily shed blood, we would become prey for other countries. You can sufficiently imagine that. Hence, we make a proposal to seek a peaceful relationship. Make one special sword for us.
At that time, Ou Yezi’s fame as a swordsmith was sky-high along with Gan Jiang, so naturally the king of the neighboring country couldn’t not know.
So he had delivered an official proposal document even bearing the royal seal (??) to move his heart.
The part of that document that caught Ou Yezi’s interest was the end.
-If you do so, we shall withdraw all troops deployed to the front lines. Also, as a meaning of smoothly mending the old grudges between our two countries, we promise to conclude an alliance premised on non-aggression and cooperation while we hold the throne. We have already sent an envoy to your palace. Now only your decision remains.
Ou Yezi’s deliberation was not long.
A few days later, he sent a reply agreeing to the neighboring country king’s wishes.
Of course, after receiving permission from the king he served.
For that reason, the famous sword that was unavoidably made was precisely the Zhanlu Sword.
But the unsubstantiated story that Ou Yezi secretly received help from a famous sorcerer during that process has been passed down even to now.
Why?
Because from the time the king of the neighboring country, famous for being a tyrant, acquired the Zhanlu Sword, he engaged in even more evil conduct.
Eventually, he even reached the point of randomly slaughtering the civil and military ministers who had devoted their loyalty and sincerity.
Due to that series of events, the nation naturally began to fall into the pit of decline and ruin, and ultimately was absorbed and unified by the country where Ou Yezi belonged, disappearing into the back pages of history.
From that time, ominous rumors circulated in the world.
-The zhanlu sword is undoubtedly a top-grade weapon, but it is strongly imbued with a cursed energy presumed to be black magic. Its owner becomes violent in temperament and commits indiscriminate slaughter.
That Zhanlu Sword was given as an award to a famous general of that time, and surprisingly, events like the rumors did not occur.
Rather, its reputation only grew higher as a top-grade famous sword with an excellent edge.
After quite a long time had passed since then, during a period when the existing order of this land collapsed and new countries arose in disarray, the emperor of one nation happened to obtain the Zhanlu Sword.
He, who was normally praised as a wise ruler for winning hearts through fair and just governance, was the type who absolutely did not believe in ominous legends.
Rather, he greatly rejoiced at having obtained a famous sword left by Ou Yezi.
But whether it was fate’s mischief, history repeated itself.
From one day, the emperor called a wise ruler engaged in despotic tyranny,
And he even arbitrarily executed dozens of ministers who submitted petitions of remonstrance because they couldn’t stand by watching.
But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.
After that, the emperor miraculously regained his senses, bitterly lamented and repented what he had done, and considering the Zhanlu Sword the origin of everything, buried it in a certain place as if sealing it.
Also, to ensure it could never come out into the world again, he kept that location in strict secrecy.
Due to that incident, rumors about the Zhanlu Sword circulated in the world once more.
-The curse of the zhanlu sword corrupts only monarchs. Those who have ascended to the throne should stay far from that sword. Absolutely do not even think of seeking it.
From that time, the Zhanlu Sword came to be established as a sword upon which a dark curse was cast.
That sword was now in Ju Yu-gang’s possession.
He was not a monarch.
So even if the ominous legend was true, it couldn’t exert any influence.
On the other hand.
Tae Sa-ja had roughly guessed the other’s inner thoughts.
‘Hmmm…… It seems he’s deliberately being sparing with his words. Is there a story related to that Sword?’
Befitting someone of his experience as a seasoned bandit chief, he had instinctive perception.
So he didn’t bring up more talk about the sword.
A standoff situation maintaining sword-drawing stances.
In that midst, as Ju Yu-gang infused vital energy into the Zhanlu Sword, a vibrating sound rang out.
JIIING…
Such he gave a chin gesture and opened his mouth.
“What are you doing? I said come at me.”
Simultaneously, Tae Sa-ja’s tension heightened.
GULP.
Dry saliva quietly passed down.
His feet showed no sign of moving easily.
Hesitation created by fear.
‘It’s changed!’
Just as Tae Sa-ja thought, the formless aura Ju Yu-gang emitted had completely changed.
It literally choked his breath.
As soon as he operated internal power, a hegemonic might came bearing down.
When that wasn’t even pinnacle power.
‘Keut…… It’s scary, But I have to try!’
Such Tae Sa-ja hastily raised his internal power.
The ground trembled slightly.
DEUDEUK, DEUDEUK……
The surrounding air as well.
KURUNG, KURUNG……
It was due to the influence of the two people’s formless energies mingling together.
“Are you afraid to approach?”
At Ju Yu-gang’s quiet question, Tae Sa-ja nodded.
“Yes, it would be a lie to say I’m not scared. I know this isn’t a real fight, But……”
“Tcha, fix your thinking. How can you bring out your true ability like that? This is a real fight.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean you must move your body with that mindset. In a match, emotions beyond moderate tension are unnecessary. This sparring process isn’t just training Sword techniques. What did I say earlier?”
“That is…… You said you’d complete me as a swordsman optimized for combat……”
“That’s right. Combat sometimes entails death. So you must have the mindset prepared for that death to achieve results. Even if it’s just sparring.”
“Hmmm…… I, I understand What you mean. But your aura is so terrifying……”
“Hut, shall I provide definite motivation? So that you can suppress that fear.”
“Pardon?”
“Would you stand dithering like that even if your mother were here? You’d want to show her too. The dignified bearing as a swordsman of a proper orthodox martial Sect, having cleaned up your past as a bandit……”
Hearing those words, Tae Sa-ja suddenly recalled his elderly mother’s appearance.
‘Mother……!’
Along with that, memories of the days when he was an unfilial son flashed by.
-Goodness, you wretch! How did I raise you…… What is all this money! Did you think I’d be joyful if you plundered other people’s things!
-Damn it, just accept it and be done with it, why do you go on so……!
-You, you…… Is that something to say to your mother……
-Money is money, what’s the point of distinguishing clean from dirty!
-Live longer and see! That’s not all there is! Sob…… It’s my fault for cherishing and raising you too much after losing your father! It’s my fault!
-Ah, shit……! Then you should have raised me well!
Thus he had driven nails into the heart of his one and only mother.
Not just once.
Dozens, hundreds of times……
When he was a young child, he was utterly unaware.
Why Mother would soak a few grains of rice in plain water and drink it before going out to work.
It was the sacrifice of maternal love, eating less herself so that at least her child could eat a bit more, due to dire poverty leaving insufficient rice to eat.
How hungry must she have been while going out and working like that?
Yet when she came home, she always wore a beaming smile.
At her treasured child, like the light of her eyes that wouldn’t hurt even if put inside, growing up well……
-Ho ho ho. Oh my, my puppy, did you play well today? I’m sorry for being late, mommy. Oh my, are you hugging me to say mommy worked hard? Thank you, my baby. Mommy will work hard again tomorrow.
ULKEOK.
Hot emotion surged up from within Tae Sa-ja’s chest.
There was his elderly mother’s heartfelt teaching he had heard since childhood.
-Even if we live in poverty, don’t covet others’ things but live with money honestly earned through blood and sweat. That’s enough, it is. Nothing else is important, child. Remember that if you live comparing yourself to others, you’ll be unhappy.
‘That’s right! I mustn’t forget!’
Having cried out inwardly, Tae Sa-ja put strength into his hands.
KKWAAK.
Thick tendons bulged and squirmed on top of the hand gripping the sword hilt.
As if representing the resolute will in his heart.
The new opportunity in life that Cheol Ryu-heun had given him.
Joining White Peak Sword Sect.
Though the start was forced, he absolutely didn’t regret it.
Such Tae Sa-ja thought of his elderly mother who had moved to Baek Province and steeled his resolve again.
‘Mother, Please watch over me! This worthless Son…… Will fix his heart and see how far he can leap!’
For Tae Sa-ja, who had cleaned up his wretched life through the miraculous meeting with Cheol Ryu-heun, no day was as precious as now.
To protect this, he should become even stronger.
Of course, Cheol Ryu-heun was standing firm like a reliable pillar, but ultimately taking responsibility for one’s own life was solely one’s own share.
Right at that moment, Ju Yu-gang grinned.
“Hut, that’s a good look in your eyes.”
Thereupon Tae Sa-ja concentrated internal power through his Bubbling Well points and spoke.
“Shall we go?”
“Come.”
No sooner had Ju Yu-gang’s answer ended than Tae Sa-ja shot out like a gale.
* * *
Cheol Ryu-heun was continuously reading the thoughts in Wang-ryu’s head without rest.
Namgung Sang-rin, who had been watching that sight from behind, soon let out a quiet voice.
“There still seems to be room to spare.”
Thereupon Hae Su-yeon, positioned beside him, responded with a nod.
“Yes, if not, he’d already be bleeding from his nose.”
On the other hand, Gun Mu-ak didn’t utter any words and observed the situation attentively.
Currently, he was seeing a vision once again.
A sword perfectly matching the blade register he had seen in the Heavenly Demon Cult archives long ago.
The Divine Martial Sword, that is.
Such Gun Mu-ak soon let out meaningful eye light.
‘Now I’m certain. He definitely…… Has a direct connection to the Divine Martial Sword.’
In that midst.
‘Jeong-rang……’
Divine Wind, no, Cho-hui, gazed at Cheol Ryu-heun and recalled old times.
That distant past, the first meeting with Bai Chu.