Chapter 500: Give it to me just once.

Was it called Gui-jeong (晷正)?

It was an item obtained from the secret vault of Sinryong-gwan in the past.

It was probably the name of the bandage that was seen as a treasured item of Hwasan.

It was an item tied arbitrarily around my left arm, which for some reason never came undone.

At first, I thought, ‘What kind of treasured item is this trash?’

Excluding its unique crimson color and the subtly emanating plum blossom scent, it was just a bandage that wouldn’t come off.

But.

‘It wasn’t quite like that, though.’

As Shin No-ya awoke, I learned the true name (眞名) of the bandage.

The identity of Gui-jeong, which I thought was just a trivial bandage, was surprisingly…

‘…This is a sword?’

Gui-jeong was said to be the beloved sword (愛劍) that Shin No-ya used.

He nagged me endlessly, asking if I was using such a great item as a mere bandage to tie my arm.

I couldn’t help but feel wronged.

‘…Then at least tell me how to use it before you leave.’

He just thrust it at me and disappeared. How was I supposed to figure out what this thing was?

Later, he was complaining about how I was using it.

From my perspective, it was absurd.

‘So, this is a sword?’

I wondered how a bandage could be a sword, but apparently, the premise itself was wrong.

[In the first place, this is not ‘cloth’.]

Seeing Gui-jeong’s form, I naturally thought it was cloth.

But according to No-ya, it wasn’t just cloth.

Furthermore.

[If you think of it as a sword, that too is incorrect.]

He told me not to even think of it as a sword.

After calling it his beloved sword himself, he tells me not to think of it as a sword. What on earth does that mean?

As I was about to get annoyed by his continuous incomprehensible statements.

No-ya told me about the power of the treasured item called Gui-jeong.

[If you think of it as a sword, it will become a sword. If you think of it as something else, it will become that. Gui-jeong is that kind of child.]

It will become the form I desire.

That’s what No-ya said about Gui-jeong.

So, how should I use it?

I know it’s a treasured item and has a specific way to be used.

But how should I use it?

The usage of Gui-jeong, which can become a sword or any form I desire.

The method for this was simple.

[Just believe it.]

Simply believing.

Believing that Gui-jeong will become that way.

Ironically, that seemingly insignificant statement was all there was to it.

When I actually thought that way, Gui-jeong really moved according to my will.

It moved as if it had a will, grasping things.

As No-ya had said, it was also possible to use it in the form of a sword.

The only slight disappointment was that it couldn’t change into two forms simultaneously.

It was impossible to extend the bandage to grasp something while it was in sword form.

That was the extent of the problem.

Even if that was impossible, I could be satisfied handling Gui-jeong.

That’s because Gui-jeong’s power didn’t just end with changing its appearance.

Gui-jeong’s power isn’t like that.

Shin No-ya told me. Gui-jeong’s true power is none other than…

‘The fact that it never breaks.’

It cannot be torn or broken.

Nor can it collapse.

A hardened Gui-jeong will never break, no matter what attack it receives.

That’s what No-ya said was Gui-jeong’s true power.

‘That’s unbelievable power.’

I was utterly dumbfounded the moment I heard it.

Even the hardest material in the Central Plains, Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, eventually breaks.

I wondered if the claim of never breaking was even possible, but…

Even if it wasn’t entirely true, Gui-jeong’s durability was indeed solid.

Look at it now.

Even after being hit by a sword imbued with Goe-seon’s power, it didn’t get cut; instead, it firmly blocked the attack.

The gap created when the sword was blocked, surprising Goe-seon for a moment.

I used that gap, unwrapping Gui-jeong to bind Goe-seon’s sword.

The distance closed in an instant.

I didn’t miss this moment and unleashed Yeom-ok.

As a result.

Hwareureureuk….

Traces of blue flames remained among the ravaged ground everywhere.

I reached out my hand.

Huuuk-!

Then, the heat floating in the air and the flames on the ground gathered towards me.

As the heat returned to my body as if being sucked in.

I could feel the energy accumulating steadily in my core.

‘I didn’t use that much.’

Considering I had repeated Yeom-ok twice and showered flames, I felt like I had much more internal energy left than expected.

Was it because my body changed and my energy increased?

No, it’s probably thanks to the increased strength of the power I control.

‘My ability to withstand compression has increased.’

Compression and rotation. And then emission.

I realized this while listening to the advice of Shin No-ya and my father.

Those were considered the most important aspects of handling internal energy and flames.

I was practicing maximizing power using minimal internal energy.

Is it because compression and rotation themselves put a lot of pressure on the body?

There was a limit to what I could withstand, and I kept feeling regret because of it.

‘…My body got stronger, so my limits increased.’

As my physical body strengthened, the time I could withstand it also increased. Thanks to this, the power of compression and rotation grew stronger.

‘So this is the result?’

I looked straight ahead.

In the center of the messed-up ground, a huge crater had been dug.

This was the aftermath of the Yeom-ok I detonated.

It seems I’ve gotten stronger.

I used Yeom-ok with the same amount of internal energy as before.

Seeing how much greater the impact was.

And at its center.

“Haha…”

Goe-seon, kneeling on one knee, let out a laugh.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Goe-seon was also checking his surroundings, his eyes filled with disbelief.

I observed Goe-seon and nodded.

Fortunately, it seemed his body was unharmed.

‘I managed to recall it properly mid-way.’

Although I detonated Yeom-ok, I controlled it so Goe-seon wouldn’t be harmed.

It goes without saying.

‘If he had taken that directly… I would have been in trouble too.’

Regardless of intention, it would have been troublesome if I had fought with the intent to kill.

I knew that Goe-seon himself had swung his sword without murderous intent.

‘Because he’s Woo-hyeok’s teacher.’

Not just anyone, but the teacher of the Sleeping Dragon, so I didn’t want to hurt him.

That’s why I forcefully controlled it, causing only the surroundings to explode, ensuring Goe-seon suffered no damage.

Because of that, I took all the recoil.

There were no problems with my body. This too, is an advantage.

“Haha. I can’t believe I lost.”

Goe-seon said with an awkward laugh.

Seeing that, I tilted my head and said.

“I know you went easy on me.”

Perhaps the final blow was sincere, but…

I knew that until then, Goe-seon hadn’t fought seriously.

‘If he had fought seriously, I would have lost.’

It’s impossible to know what would have happened if Goe-seon had fought seriously from the beginning.

If I had also gone all out, I think I might have landed a blow or two.

‘Winning would have been tough.’

It seems victory would have been too much to ask.

Even just now, I dealt with the situation using Gui-jeong, so it’s hard to call it a victory.

‘I have my conscience, you know.’

[What?]

‘Be quiet.’

No-ya tried to butt in and say something, so I stopped him preemptively.

This time, I was serious too.

‘He wasn’t even using Noe-a.’

Goe-seon only used a regular steel sword. He didn’t use the treasured item, Noe-a.

Of course.

‘I don’t know if Goe-seon can use Noe-a, though.’

Since he uses the sword techniques of Wudang instead of Namgung family martial arts.

I wondered if he could use Noe-a, which maximizes lightning energy.

That was unknown.

‘What if Goe-seon had used Noe-a?’

Would the fight against Goe-seon in that state have been on a different level?

Just as I was feeling a bit curious and slightly disappointed.

[Using Gui-jeong…]

A voice came from somewhere in the crater.

It sounded like Namgung Myung’s voice.

It seemed Namgung Myung also knew about Gui-jeong.

[Shin Cheol, are you really crazy? Giving away Gui-jeong…!]

[Look at this guy? I’m giving away what’s mine, so why are you freaking out?]

[Do you think it makes sense to hand over something like the symbol of Hwasan to someone else’s child?]

[And you?]

[What did you say…?]

[I don’t know why you keep mumbling like you’re so great. Tsk tsk, someone who can’t even fight. That’s why the Namgung family is in that state.]

[You son of a bitch!]

After telling me my words were too harsh, this old man was also quite something.

“…Sigh.”

I sighed and took a step.

Just a few steps away?

Something was stuck in the ground, and I was heading towards it.

In front of me, a dark blue rod was stuck in the ground, appearing to be Noe-a.

It seemed to have fallen from Goe-seon’s possession during the final clash.

Since Namgung Myung’s voice was coming from there, it must be correct.

I approached slowly.

Ah, I wasn’t planning to steal it like this.

I only intended to pick it up and return it.

Goe-seon had been pushed quite far away by the wind pressure.

‘I haven’t even brought it up yet.’

Since I hadn’t even talked about Noe-a yet.

My intention was to return it to Goe-seon first.

“Whoa. Wait!”

Hearing my action, Goe-seon shouted in surprise.

“Huh?”

However, by the time I heard his voice, I had already reached out and grabbed Noe-a.

Tuk.

As I grabbed it, it came out easily.

‘It feels like it fits well in my hand.’

If it were a handle, it felt like a perfect fit for my hand.

If I were a sword connoisseur, I probably would have searched for a sword with such a handle.

Perhaps it’s because it’s one of the Five Great Swords of the Central Plains.

Just as I was about to walk towards Goe-seon holding Noe-a.

[How dare this punk…! Where do you think you’re grabbing!]

Suddenly, Namgung Myung yelled furiously.

“Old man! Stop!”

At that sound, Goe-seon started to get up and tried to run towards me.

What is it? Why are they acting like this?

The moment I watched with a puzzled expression.

Beonjjeok-!

Suddenly, light burst forth from Noe-a.

A brilliant and bright light that made me close my eyes involuntarily.

Moreover, it was a threatening light, so I was quite flustered, but…

Ttuk.

Contrary to expectations, the sparkling light disappeared shortly after.

It seemed like something was about to happen.

Is it just sparkling? This isn’t even a torch…

I stared at Noe-a with a somewhat disappointed look.

Perhaps sensing something was strange.

[…Huh?]

“…Yeah?”

In the situation where nothing happened, Goe-seon and Namgung Myung uttered voices of surprise.

I looked at Goe-seon, who was staring at me with a dumbfounded expression, and asked.

“…What’s wrong?”

Why are they acting like that?

---

At the same time. In the Tang family head’s study.

Dok-wang was sitting at his desk, gazing out the window.

Summer had arrived, and under the gradually heating air, he was realizing the change of seasons.

Deureureuk tak.

To the quiet sound of the spinning wheel, Dok-wang slowly picked up his teacup.

Feeling the tranquility of the night, he swallowed a sip.

Kkulkeok.

The sound of swallowing echoed in the room.

It meant it was that quiet.

A time of serene and quiet silence continued.

Within that, Dok-wang’s mind was conversely in a state of extreme turmoil.

“Hoo…”

A sigh escaped him.

How could it be otherwise?

Dok-wang was on the verge of falling into a demonic possession (심마).

In the past.

The words Gu Yangcheon had rained down.

Upon hearing that the Tang family’s plan for the birth of the Cheonmujiche (Heavenly Martial Body) was still ongoing, Dok-wang initially couldn’t believe it.

It was a past karma, a cycle already broken.

The Tang family’s greatest sin, committed by the Poison King (毒君).

It was something the previous family head had quietly settled, becoming a forgotten fact, yet…

‘…What should I do?’

The encounter with Gu Yangcheon last time, the words heard there.

It might all be true, and even if it were true, the question of how Gu Yangcheon knew such things grew larger.

Is the Tang family truly rotten?

To be honest, Dok-wang was not unaware that the Tang family was rotten.

Dok-wang knew the karma left by the ancestors.

He also knew that under the guise of righteousness, there were countless deeds that couldn’t be done.

But he turned away.

The parts that could be repaired and cleaned up were handled by the previous generation and the current Dok-wang.

The remaining parts were being lived with while deliberately ignored.

He couldn’t help it.

He wanted to pull out and erase all the rotten roots, but…

If all the roots were erased like that, the pillar would shake.

The Tang family is enormous.

It was like an ancient tree that had grown in size without faltering from the time of the Blood Demon War until now.

If such an ancient tree were to shake, it would be Dok-wang’s responsibility to endure until the roots grew back, but…

Dok-wang knew.

That he didn’t have the strength to do so yet.

That’s why he endured.

It was also the reason he sought to expand his influence throughout the Central Plains by leaving Sichuan via merchant guilds after signing an agreement with the Moyong family.

It was also the reason the Tang family began participating in various events and schedules around the time Nak-geom started consolidating power as the alliance leader.

Dok-wang needed strength.

But.

‘It’s too late.’

He had to sense that it was somewhat too late now.

The rotten roots were gradually expanding their reach, and unbeknownst to Dok-wang, they had crept up to his very toes.

He considered the possibility that Gu Yangcheon’s words might be lies, but…

Dok-wang was already convinced. That something was wrong.

This was something he could have known from the moment Gu Yangcheon ingested the poison.

That he had poisoned a guest he invited himself.

Furthermore, even the fact that it couldn’t be found despite searching.

It wasn’t something he didn’t know who did.

Dok-wang had already guessed, but he considered the lack of evidence and the inability to easily touch them as the problem.

The culprit must be among the elders.

This is an immutable law.

To commit something within the Tang family secretly from Dok-wang.

One would need at least the position of an elder.

If not, it could be someone among the direct lineage of the previous family head, but…

The only survivor among the previous generation’s bloodline was himself.

Therefore, if anything, the elders seemed the most likely. However, the problem here is…

‘It’s not easy.’

Even knowing that, the fact that he couldn’t touch them right now.

It was impossible to seize the influence they held.

Even if he found the elders’ crimes and called for their purging.

If he didn’t have the ability to absorb the power the elders held and the structures they had built.

Ultimately, this could become a crisis for the family.

This means…

‘It’s my problem….’

It means it’s no different from a situation arising from the family head’s own lack of power.

To clean up the mess made by the previous generation, the family head’s power was divided.

It was a problem related to using this as a pillar to support the clan.

He thought this was something all clans might face as times changed, but it couldn’t be helped that it hit so painfully when the situation arose.

What’s even more tragic is…

‘If, hypothetically, I had known earlier.’

If I had known about this in the past rather than now, would Dok-wang have tried to dig into this matter?

He wasn’t sure.

The reason he took this matter seriously even now was ultimately…

-Because it seemed like Miss Tang was involved in this matter.

It was because of the words Gu Yangcheon spat out.

Tang Soyeol. His precious daughter, like a jewel, was involved in this.

How exactly? How and where did she get entangled for Gu Yangcheon to say such things?

Whether those words were true or not was unknown, but…

If there was even a shred of doubt, he had to confirm it.

For the past two days.

Dok-wang met with all the elders in the clan.

While pretending to have casual conversations with them, Dok-wang narrowed down a few individuals in his mind.

‘Elder One. And Elder Three.’

Elder One, who manages the Tang family’s medicinal herbs and poisons, and Elder Three, who distributes them or crafts secret weapons.

If they used the Metaphors Flower (비유꽃) to administer poison, those two were the most likely candidates.

Possibility.

Yes, possibility, not certainty.

Because there was no evidence.

‘What if.’

What would happen if I found evidence?

Could I handle it?

No, even that wouldn’t be easy.

That’s why I thought the past Dok-wang would have let it slide if he had known.

But now, I can’t let it slide.

Because my daughter was involved.

So Dok-wang had to make a choice.

If the problem couldn’t be touched due to politics and influence, what was the method?

If the family head’s influence couldn’t be expanded in a short period, and the situation was urgent.

What methods were left?

Then, only one thing remained.

Deolgeureok.

“…!”

The teacup suddenly shaking on its own.

The moment Dok-wang paused after noticing this.

Huuuk-!

“Kkeu! Heop!”

Suddenly, Dok-wang’s vision inverted and twisted.

His mouth, about to scream in unknown pain, was covered.

Kuung-!

His body hit the wall and slowly lifted upwards.

Only then did Dok-wang realize his neck was caught by something.

Kkuuuuk-!

“Kkeuk… Eueuk…”

Immense pressure.

Dok-wang lowered his gaze through the crushing pressure constricting his body.

There stood a man with red eyes, piercing the thick darkness to stare at Dok-wang.

“Tang Cheon-gi.”

The voice pierced Dok-wang’s ears.

It was the sound of his name being called.

Thick anger was deeply infused in the heavy tone.

His entire body was subdued, centered around his caught neck.

He couldn’t sense anyone entering, nor could he react at all until he reached this state.

“Kkeueuk…”

All he could do was barely let out a groan.

“Explain.”

To the seemingly calm yet rough voice, Dok-wang recalled once more.

The only way to resolve this situation, for which no answer was visible.

That was brute force.

Political advantages. Incompetence that couldn’t manage influence.

In the end, all were meaningless before overwhelming power.

The Central Plains, starting from nothing and ending in nothing, had always been like that.

No matter how prim and proper one acted, pretending to be noble. The world of martial artists is like that.

“If you cannot make me understand.”

Therefore, Dok-wang, Tang Cheon-gi.

“I will burn the Tang family’s name from the lands of the Central Plains.”

He summoned the strongest person he knew.