Chapter v13c5

“This can’t be!”

Namgung Sang couldn’t believe it.

‘When did my body become so light?’

He had finally removed the heavy shackles, the “Iron Rings,” which weighed over two hundred jin, and his body felt as light as a feather. He was slightly disoriented, feeling as if his body wasn’t his own.

‘When was the last time I took these off?’

He couldn’t remember, which meant it had been a while. But the strangeness quickly faded, replaced by confidence.

‘I can do it now…!’

His timid heart filled with confidence and courage. He felt like he could leap over a thousand-zhang cliff, effortlessly soar through the clouds, and outrun the wind.

It seemed the shackles had been holding him back.

Could perspectives change so drastically with a change of mind?

Just a moment ago, he had thought the chasm was an insurmountable distance. But now, he felt like he could easily reach the other side with a single step. The cliff, which had seemed like the entrance to hell, transformed into a soft, sandy beach. The sound of the rushing water, like the roar of a hellish gatekeeper, became a refreshing breeze, chasing away the summer heat. The chirping of birds, which had sounded like the chattering of demons, now resembled the music of a beautiful woman.

Human hearts are fickle indeed.

“He’ll probably jump around this time next year!”

Jong Kwae, observing from afar, tapped his staff on the ground.

‘This time, I’ll do it!’

Namgung Sang clenched his fists and shouted in his heart.

His feet pushed off the ground, and he started running again. His legs felt so light, as if he were running on the wind. He was moving at a blinding speed, far faster than before.

A strong wind whipped past his face, growing faster and stronger.

Namgung Sang realized he was literally cutting through the wind.

This time, it was real.

Namgung Sang, his internal energy surging, pushed off the edge of the chasm with all his might. Like a launched arrow, like a soaring bird, his trained body cut through the wall of wind. It was a majestic leap, like that of a nimble and courageous mountain goat.

But the gap was too wide for a human to jump. He was facing the limits of his abilities. To be honest, this trial was too much for him. And now, the inevitable was about to happen.

Had he been delusional, overconfident, thinking he could leap over this cliff? And was the price of his arrogance the end of his life?

The man, who had been soaring like a bird, free from the shackles of gravity, was now a four-legged beast, bound to the earth, falling towards the abyss, a gaping maw of darkness. He didn’t have enough momentum to reach the other side.

“Whoa!”

“Aaargh!”

“No!”

His friends cried out in alarm, and Jin-ryeong, her heart pounding in her chest, closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. She couldn’t bear to watch. She didn’t even have the mental capacity to blame the Senior Brother who had sent him on this trial.

But Bi Ryu-yeon, his arms crossed, calmly watched Namgung Sang’s body, tracing a parabolic arc as it fell.

‘Now!’

He thought to himself.

“Whoosh!”

A dragon’s roar echoed through the chasm.

At the same time, the tip of Namgung Sang’s leather boots struck the head of a small, unknown bird flying through the chasm, as if it were a bird’s egg. The impact propelled Namgung Sang upwards.

It was a feat bordering on magic.

There was a lightness technique called “Grass-Walking,” which allowed you to run on blades of grass. There was also a technique called “Footprints on Snow,” which allowed you to walk on snow without leaving a trace. And there was the “Lotus-Stepping on Water,” a transcendent skill that allowed you to run on water. And above that was the mythical “Soaring Through Empty Space,” a legendary skill that allowed you to walk on air.

But no one had ever heard of a technique that allowed you to step on a bird’s head and fly.

It was an impossible feat without a deep understanding of the basic principles of lightness techniques, the ability to make your body as light as a feather.

One, two, three, four, five, six…?

Just as he counted to six, Namgung Sang found himself standing firmly on solid ground.

He turned his head and looked back over his right shoulder. The dark abyss, a gaping chasm, still stood tall and imposing, its shadow stretching across the land. A cold wind blew from the depths, brushing his forehead and ruffling his hair. Birds fluttered, their feathers obscuring his vision. His friends on the other side looked as small as squirrels. Only then did he realize that he had successfully crossed the bridge to the underworld, using his own abilities.

Success! It was a thrilling sensation, a chilling thrill.

“Wooohoooo!”

A roar erupted from the depths of his chest.

He had passed the first trial.

A rope ladder was lowered. But it was a sorry excuse for a ladder, one that would make any traditional ladder feel ashamed.

When Namgung Sang reached the other side of the Heavenly Tribulation Gap, he saw only two simple ropes.

Their purpose was obvious. It was absurd, but he knew what he had to do. He wouldn’t have figured it out without an explanation.

Two ropes, of different heights, were strung across the chasm, attached to two sturdy trees. The gap between them was about the height of an average person.

He didn’t need to be told what they were for. When he asked how that could be a bridge, Jong Kwae simply replied, “It can be.” He argued that a bridge was simply a means of crossing from one side to the other, and it was outdated to focus on its form and material.

There were no fancy safety harnesses, of course. And he didn’t forget to mention that they weren’t responsible for any injuries sustained during the crossing. It was a heartwarming gesture.

He had two options. He could either use the ropes to cross to the other side, or he could jump again, which was a bit more challenging, but he could use the bird’s head as a stepping stone, like he had done before.

His choice was already made.

“Old man! This is dangerous from here on. Why don’t you go back?”

Yeomdo said to the mysterious old man, his voice unusually polite and calm. He couldn’t explain it, but even Yeomdo, who was known for his arrogance, couldn’t bring himself to be rude to him, as if he were addressing a master.

“Don’t worry! I’m not going to die in such a humiliating way. I still have unfinished business in this world. Sadly, I’m not destined for such an easy death!”

The old man boasted. For a moment, Yeomdo saw the old man as imposing and dignified. But when he blinked, the giant had vanished, replaced by the small, frail old man.

“But you can’t go any further from here. I won’t allow it.”

“Who’s stopping me? Ah, you mean him?”

The old man pointed to Jong Kwae, who was standing nearby, leaning on his two crutches. The wind was whipping his empty pant legs.

Yeomdo nodded.

Then the old man shouted,

“Jong, can this man pass?”

‘Of course not!’

Yeomdo was expecting that answer. But…

“He can!”

A simple, almost deflating permission! Yeomdo was speechless.

“Y-You’re letting him go so easily?!”

“Is there a problem?”

Shouldn’t he have said no? But Jong Kwae looked as if there was no problem. In fact, he seemed to be confused by Yeomdo’s reaction.

‘Oh right, I introduced him as an accompanying elder!’

He had completely forgotten, distracted by Namgung Sang’s ordeal.

The old man with the silver beard was beaming, now that he had permission.

“Alright, go ahead.”

Yeomdo finally surrendered.

People started crossing the precarious rope bridge. They were all skilled martial artists, so they crossed without much difficulty. Hyo-ryong, who was still dazed, was carried across by Jang Hong. Yi Jin-seol, who had been worried that he would be abandoned, sighed in relief.

Only Bi Ryu-yeon, Na Yerin, and the old man with the silver beard remained.

Then Bi Ryu-yeon turned to Jong Kwae and asked,

“Grandfather, what happened next?”

He was clearly curious. Jong Kwae replied,

“You’ll find out as you ascend. The higher you climb, the more stories you’ll hear. And… if you want to know the end of this story…”

Jong Kwae paused, taking a deep breath. He couldn’t understand why he was telling this young man this story. After all, there seemed to be no hope for him. But he decided to continue.

“If you’re capable, reach the summit of Heavenly Martial Peak and win the Mount Hua Convention! Then you’ll know the end of this story. In fact, anyone who reaches that point will know the full story! But perhaps it’s better not to know…”

His last words were mumbled, too quiet to understand.

Bi Ryu-yeon remembered the story. But the journey was far from easy.

**The Identity of the Alliance Leader**

– The Office of the Leader of the Righteous Alliance, the Zhengtian Alliance

Na Baek-cheon gently placed the regular report he was holding on the rosewood desk. It was a report that had flown through the sky, delivered by a special messenger, ten times faster than a carrier pigeon.

This special delivery service allowed him to receive news from all over the martial world, except for the remote regions, within half a day. A single province could be covered in two or three hours.

“He’s passed the first hurdle. I wonder if he’ll manage to pass all three trials.”

But that wasn’t his only worry.

“And even if he does… will those children be able to overcome that terror?”

They would probably just ignore it, pretend it wasn’t happening, or change the subject. It was difficult to completely erase the unpleasant memory, a leech clinging to their minds, and overcome it. Because he had experienced it firsthand.

Mount Hua, a hundred years ago!

Thump, thump!

His right arm began to throb as he recalled the incident. He quickly pressed his left hand on his right arm, squeezing it tightly. It was like holding a freshly caught fish.

The throbbing subsided.

“Whew.”

Na Baek-cheon’s face returned to its normal color.

“I still haven’t gotten over it…”

He looked out the open window of his office, seeing white clouds floating in the blue sky. It looked small because he was looking at it through the window. His mouth tasted bitter, as if he had chewed on a gallnut. But he knew that compared to others, his symptoms were nothing.

Some people were still haunted by that memory, unable to leave that place.

“Jong’s first trial is the easiest of the three. The second trial is where ‘that person’ is. I hope Yerin doesn’t get caught up in his eccentricities…”

He was clearly worried about his daughter.

Just as the leader of the entire righteous martial world was fretting over his daughter,

“Leader! Leader! Where are you? You haven’t forgotten our date today, have you?”

A woman’s voice echoed from outside the door, startling Na Baek-cheon.

Even though it was the voice of a dignified, beautiful, and elegant middle-aged woman, Na Baek-cheon trembled like a mouse hearing a lion’s roar.

‘Oh no! I forgot.’

Na Baek-cheon, who was said to be almost at the Sword Saint Realm, felt a shiver of fear and a premonition of death. A sense of impending doom washed over him.

‘What day is it today?’

He had so many anniversaries that he couldn’t keep track.

‘Is it our forty-fifth anniversary, or our fortieth? Hmm, is it our twentieth anniversary of being pregnant? Or Yerin’s first steps? Or… Aaaargh!’

He quickly pulled out his anniversary notebook. It was thick, with no blank pages.

He had to get a dedicated anniversary secretary. He grumbled as he flipped through the pages.

It was a matter of life and death! He couldn’t be careless.

“Honey! Where are you?”

His wife, Ye Cheong, the Ice Moon Fairy, called out again. She was usually gentle and virtuous, but if she got angry, even a Sword Saint Realm master would have to fight for his life.

And Na Baek-cheon had never won a fight against her.

Actually, Ye Cheong was his second wife. His first wife had passed away almost a hundred years ago. She had died during the Heavenly Tribulation Blood God incident. He had been alone for a long time. He had no children.

He hadn’t even considered remarrying. He didn’t have the time. He had hundreds of matters to attend to every day.

His second marriage was largely political. People had forced him into it, even though he had refused.

He hadn’t wanted to. But his refusal was ignored. People said it was unbecoming for the leader of the righteous martial world to be alone. His close associates and even his friends had pressured him. They were more like enemies. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, as if they wanted to torment the leader of the martial alliance. Finally, he had to surrender.

His second wife was much younger than him. And she was incredibly beautiful. To be honest, she was lovely. He felt like he had suddenly become a hundred years younger. Was he being senile? He couldn’t deny it. And he had proven his mastery during their wedding night. He was indeed a master.

It had been awkward at first. So, he had focused on work and neglected his wife. He had been lost, like a blind man groping in the dark. One day, his wife called him over and said in a serious voice,

‘Even though you’re the leader of the martial alliance, overseeing all the affairs of the righteous martial world, you are also my husband. As the saying goes, “Cultivate yourself, regulate your family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.” How can someone who can’t even manage their own family govern the righteous martial world with justice and righteousness? If you don’t have any affection for me, then I understand. But if you do, show me some affection, some proof of it.’

It was all true, and Na Baek-cheon had no argument. He surrendered.

And soon after, their daughter, Yerin, was born. A treasure among treasures. She was so adorable, he couldn’t get enough of her. He loved her more than anything. After that, he became completely devoted to his wife. The biggest secret of the righteous martial alliance…

It was a story from twenty years ago.

“Honey, where are you?”

His wife’s voice echoed again.

“Yes! Yes! Wife! Coming! I’m coming!”

Na Baek-cheon, the Lightning Blade Heaven Sword, revered by the entire righteous martial world, and even some of the demonic factions!

As you can see, he was a devoted husband.

(TLN: he gonna get his ass whooped for that lightning in his name)