Chapter 481: The Rotten Thing.

Cheonjun (天尊) had four children.

Three from his main wife, and one from a concubine, making four in total.

Among them, the one appointed as the family head after Cheonjun was the child of a concubine. Moreover, it was the youngest among the siblings.

His name was Namgung Jeohui.

While his talents weren’t particularly outstanding, his political acumen and influence over people were exceptional, allowing him to ultimately win the struggle for family head.

It was likely the same for the other four great families.

The Namgung family, in particular, was famous for its brutal succession struggles, and this time was no different.

Around the time Namgung Jeohui won and ascended to the position of family head.

All the defeated brothers met their deaths.

Cheonjun’s main wife, shocked by this, took her own life, but…

Cheonjun didn’t particularly care.

‘The victor becomes the law,’ and he was merely satisfied that his child had become the family head.

That was the kind of person Cheonjun was.

Whether it was the child of his main wife or a son born out of wedlock, if they had value, he respected them. Such were Cheonjun’s principles.

Thus, Namgung Jeohui became the family head.

Later, he had two children through his main wife and one through a concubine.

Among these, the second child born from his main wife is Namgung Jin, who is now known as the Sword King.

Around the time Namgung Jin ascended to the family head position after Namgung Jeohui.

There was no one who argued against it.

Unlike the succession struggle Namgung Jeohui had waged, Namgung Jin’s ascension to family head wasn’t particularly difficult.

The eldest had died in childhood due to poor health.

The third was treated as a wastrel, an outcast from the Namgung family, and moreover, was born out of wedlock.

Therefore, it was only natural for Namgung Jin, who was hailed as a genius, to become the next family head.

It was also perfectly reasonable for the elders, including Cheonjun, not to express dissatisfaction with this.

That is, until ‘that’ incident occurred.

The incident was precisely this:

The problem was that the Thunder Fang (雷牙) chose a different bloodline instead of Namgung Jin.

The Namgung family has a tradition passed down through generations: the will of the ancestors.

The one chosen by the demonic artifact, the Thunder Fang (뇌아), becomes the master of the Namgung family.

It was the dying wish of Namgung Myung, the Thunder Heaven Sword, left before his death.

A statement left with the hope that it would become the will of the Namgung family, but…

From the generation immediately preceding Cheonjun, it was as if that will had already crumbled.

They became family heads without the Thunder Fang’s (뇌아) choosing them.

And Cheonjun was no different.

Eventually, times came when people didn’t even know what it meant for the Thunder Fang (뇌아) to choose someone.

Cheonjun also didn’t bother to think too deeply about it.

One could become the family head even without it, and the Namgung family was becoming even more brilliant.

And so, time slowly passed.

Finally, the incident erupted.

[Shit… fuck….]

Inside a warehouse stained with blood.

A young man, grabbing the blood-soaked young master Namgung Jin by the collar, glares at Cheonjun.

[Yeah, this fucking sucks, so I’m out. You goddamn bastards.]

Eyes filled with resentment and a tightly clenched sword.

Hair imbued with energy and a sword blade crackling with vibrating thunderous energy (뇌기).

Cheonjun, seeing that, could finally realize it belatedly.

That this was the power the Thunder Fang (뇌아) possessed.

And that this was what the Thunder Fang’s (뇌아) choice entailed.

However.

[I’m leaving. This dog-like household. Don’t expect me back, ever.]

The very person chosen by the Thunder Fang (뇌아), however, left the Namgung family and headed towards the Taoist sect.

This day marks one of Cheonjun’s few regrets.

Not recognizing the child was the first regret.

Failing to stop the departing child was the second regret.

And realizing too late that the family had begun to twist was the third regret, but…

The time had already passed.

“So, what do you want me to do?”

A voice is heard, and a head turns.

Where Cheonjun’s gaze landed, a beggar was gulping down water.

“Why do you keep chasing me and making my life miserable?”

“Chasing you? That’s a strange way to put it.”

As Cheonjun said with a smile, the man clicked his tongue briefly.

“Strange my ass. I’m running away because I don’t want to see you, and you keep following me relentlessly. If that’s not chasing, then what is?”

“Hyung-ah.”

When Cheonjun called out to Namgung Hyung, he scowled as if disgusted.

“Hey, don’t call me that. It’s unpleasant and irritating to hear.”

“Isn’t it time you returned to where you belong?”

Where I belong.

Perhaps thirsty from those insipid words, Namgung Hyung gulped down the remaining water in one go.

“You still haven’t let go of that pathetic attachment?”

“You are a person of the Namgung family. Therefore, you must return when the time comes.”

“Nonsense. Why would I be a person of the Namgung family?”

As if he’d heard something unbearable, Namgung Hyung dug vigorously into his ears with his fingers.

“I threw all that away a long time ago. I am now a person of the Wudang sect.”

Namgung Hyung stared at Cheonjun with utter disgust.

He couldn’t help it.

The day he ran out from the family.

He had left behind his surname, and everything else.

The clothes he wore, the surname he received there.

After all, he hadn’t received proper treatment, so there wasn’t much to leave behind anyway.

Thinking thus, Namgung Hyung gave a wry smile inwardly.

One thing was wrong.

He hadn’t been able to throw everything away; it was because of that one thing that this old man kept bothering him.

Namgung Hyung took something out of his pocket and threw it at Cheonjun.

Thump.

The object that fell to the floor was a rod with a gem embedded at the end.

It looked like a worthless trinket, but…

This was definitely not just any old antique.

Thunder Fang (雷牙).

It was the Namgung family’s treasured artifact, and for Namgung Hyung, it was like a curse.

“It’s obvious you came for this, Grandfather. Just take it and get lost quickly.”

“…”

Cheonjun didn’t deny Namgung Hyung’s words much.

He simply bent down and reached his hand towards the Thunder Fang (뇌아).

Then.

Fzzzzzt-!

Immense thunderous energy (뇌기) erupted from the Thunder Fang (뇌아), emitting a blinding light.

Cheonjun immediately retracted his hand and stood up.

“…”

He examined his hand, still radiating heat.

The pressure was enough to momentarily shake Cheonjun’s protective energy (호신강기).

“Unfortunately. It seems the Thunder Fang’s (뇌아) will is still not that way.”

Cheonjun said with a laugh.

Whoosh-!

The Thunder Fang (뇌아) that had fallen to the floor suddenly floated up into the air and flew towards Namgung Hyung.

Namgung Hyung hadn’t used any energy to lift it.

This was purely the Thunder Fang’s (뇌아) will.

Clack-!

Namgung Hyung’s face contorted as he lightly grasped the flying Thunder Fang (뇌아).

“I’m sick of this. Can’t you just leave already?”

“It seems the Thunder Fang (뇌아) still favors you.”

Favors me? At Cheonjun’s words, Namgung Hyung sneered.

Still an ignorant old man.

‘If he knew this thing’s temperament, he wouldn’t say that.’

Something no one knew.

Only he knew the Thunder Fang’s (뇌아) disposition.

If Cheonjun knew about this, he would never have approached it like this.

Conversely, because he didn’t know about it.

“Come back already. This is not where you belong.”

He could say such things.

How many times has it been now?

He had run out with the Thunder Fang (뇌아) and lived alone, yet Cheonjun occasionally came to find him and torment him like this.

Terribly annoyingly.

“Why do you get to decide where I belong, Grandfather? I repeat, I am a person of the Wudang sect.”

“And you like that Wudang sect that doesn’t properly respect a person’s value and just cast you out?”

“…Sigh.”

An uncontrollable sigh escaped his throat.

“I don’t know what the Wudang sect has given you to make you say that, but…”

“…”

It seemed Cheonjun had nothing to say about this part.

In reality, Namgung Hyung had lived his childhood in the Namgung family treated worse than a dog.

“You should have just tried to kill me for the Thunder Fang (뇌아) back then.”

“Hoo, how could a grandfather do such a wicked thing to his grandson?”

“Fuck, you keep spouting nonsense with your mouth, you who’ve never treated me like a grandson. You must be getting senile.”

Heh heh.

Namgung Hyung’s words crossed the line, and Cheonjun’s brow twitched slightly, but he endured it.

“If I return to the family now, do you know how the Sword King will react? Does he even know you’re doing this, Grandfather?”

“Don’t worry about Jin. The important thing is that you are Hyung.”

“Don’t worry my ass. Someone’s life is at stake.”

Even if, by some chance, Namgung Hyung could return to the Namgung family.

Would Namgung Jin, who is there, easily accept it?

He’s already in an unstable position because of Namgung Hyung; it seemed highly unlikely.

Especially the Namgung Jin that Namgung Hyung remembered.

To this, Cheonjun said.

“As long as you are resolute.”

He said, looking at Namgung Hyung.

“I am willing to make you the family head, not Jin.”

“…”

Namgung Hyung’s eyes widened slightly at the rather shocking statement.

The words meant he could even give him the position of Namgung family head just for returning.

This implied that Cheonjun still held more influence in the Namgung family than the Sword King.

And that he could easily change the family head if he wished.

“Haha.”

Hearing this, Namgung Hyung laughed.

He felt relieved.

“Well, thank you for remaining the same, Grandfather.”

He kept reaffirming that his past choices were not wrong; how could he not be grateful?

“You are still less than human.”

Namgung Hyung barely suppressed his laughter and gave Cheonjun the middle finger.

“Fuck off.”

“…”

“Even if my limbs are severed and I die, I will not return to that house.”

Creak.

Perhaps reaching his limit due to Namgung Hyung’s words.

An uncomfortable sound came from Cheonjun’s body.

Was he thinking of drawing his sword?

Still, it wasn’t bad. If he wished, he would fight him anytime.

Though he wasn’t sure if the Thunder Fang (뇌아) would wish for this.

Just as Namgung Hyung was about to raise his momentum.

Swish.

Cheonjun turned his back on Namgung Hyung.

“…I’ll leave for today.”

At the nonchalant words, Namgung Hyung spat on the floor.

“Don’t come again next time. I’ll just hide again.”

“The next time we meet, I hope you will have a different answer for me.”

Crackle.

Was that really the end of his words?

Cheonjun unleashed his thunderous energy (뇌기) in front of Namgung Hyung and disappeared.

In the silence he had barely regained, Namgung Hyung nonchalantly stuffed the remaining food into his mouth.

“When I see my disciple, I’ll have to do it somewhere else.”

His disciple, whom he had mentioned would come looking for him.

He resolved to go somewhere else rather than here when he met him. Namgung Hyung decided.

Meeting his disciple here would likely add another unpleasant memory, which he didn’t want.

---

Body Transformation Art (基體變易術).

A martial art that can alter not only the human body but even gender.

It was a power embodied through a scripture received as a gift from Tang Jemun.

This was a power that was quite helpful to me now.

After going to another world, my body shape and even my appearance had changed.

Upon arriving, it seemed not much time had passed in my original world, making it difficult to explain my changed appearance.

Thanks to this, I could hide it.

‘It’s a bit cumbersome, but it’s not bad.’

From personal experience, apart from consuming a lot of energy and requiring some effort to maintain the altered body.

There seemed to be no major issues.

‘What a strange power.’

Of course, the difference between using it and not is significant, but this level is tolerable.

However.

‘I don’t think gender can be changed.’

Changing gender like Tang Jemun did was impossible.

Whether it’s because I don’t know how to use it that far yet, or because Tang Jemun didn’t include it when he gave it to me, I don’t know.

‘This doesn’t matter much.’

Actually, I didn’t have any desire to become a woman, so it wasn’t a problem.

Right now, I’m just grateful. This was also a fortunate encounter.

‘Unfortunately, this part remains the same, though.’

These words were spoken while looking at my hand.

The biggest anomaly resulting from the body’s transformation.

My left arm, covered in blue scales from shoulder to fingertip, unfortunately, didn’t change even with the Body Transformation Art (기체변역술).

The size seems to decrease, but…

It’s like the scales themselves cannot be removed.

‘Tsk.’

Although the blue bandages wrapped around my arm covered it.

I couldn’t help but be bothered by it.

Ah, and there was one more very important thing.

Shhhk-!

Nodding while looking at the creature making small whimpering sounds in my pocket.

‘This is the most fortunate part.’

It was the fact that the Body Transformation Art (기체변역술) applied not only to me but also to Jeoksusa.

Because its species changed and it became too large to hide, I was worried about what to do with Jeoksusa.

The fact that I could make this one smaller with the Body Transformation Art (기체변역술) was a great advantage.

Now I could hide it in my pocket again and carry it around.

‘I’ll figure out the important things later….’

There were so many other things I needed to test besides this.

For now, I wanted to organize this much and finish.

There were too many problems trying to figure this out in the current situation.

“…Gu Gongzi. What did you just say?”

The voice asking as if it had misheard. Its tone, trembling slightly from how flustered it was, made me chuckle involuntarily.

“Say it again. What did you just say?”

“…No, well…”

Perhaps angered by my reaction, the man’s expression gradually contorted.

The man was the owner of the Tang family, the Poison King (독왕).

I was facing the Poison King (독왕) in the family head’s chamber.

It was because there were things to discuss, like the incident at the lake.

What did he say just now?

Did he ask me to repeat myself?

That wasn’t difficult at all.

The problem was…

“I think I need to kill the Tang family elders. Is that okay?”

It was just that what I said was quite strange.

As expected.

Upon hearing this, the Poison King’s (독왕) expression turned grim, and killing intent began to emanate throughout the room.