****
The banquet ended.
In the banquet hall that had become a mess, Cheon Wi-gang and Cheon Seon-hak faced each other.
“Looking at it now, everything was planned.”
“That is correct.”
“By the way, what happened to Muryang? Did that mangnani fellow truly turn over a new leaf?”
Cheon Seon-hak told him what had happened in the meantime.
Not only that he had never rested even once since the day he started running in the training hall.
He told everything up to the story that he had never been defeated until now while crossing swords with trainees.
Cheon Wi-gang, who heard that story, doubted his ears.
“Is that true?”
“That is correct.”
“So, you decided to stand behind that child.”
“There must be at least one guardian so that they cannot move carelessly either.”
As Cheon Seon-hak mentioned them, Cheon Wi-gang closed his mouth.
“Mm…….”
“Please trust him just once for the last time. That child has certainly changed.”
“Changed, you say……. I still cannot believe it.”
It was a natural story.
Breaking a stereotyped prejudice was not an easy task.
“I was also like that.”
“…….”
“Did you see that child’s last sword?”
“Right. It was your Yeok-rin-cham.”
“It was only two sijin (four hours) ago that I taught him that sword.”
“What?”
Those words could not be ignored.
Because Cheon Seon-hak’s sword was special.
“Do you mean he learned your sword?”
“Yes. What would that mean?”
“He broke out of the mold.”
“That is correct.”
Currently, the sword techniques of the Cheon Family had a clearly existing mold.
However, originally, the sword techniques of the Cheon Family were characterized by being free-spirited.
It was because of the teacher asking how one could prejudge the sky.
However, because it was so free-spirited, the forms of sword techniques were different for each person, and eventually, it deteriorated to the point where one could not even distinguish what the sword of the Cheon Family was.
“I still do not know what is right and wrong.”
What is right and wrong.
Cheon Wi-gang and Cheon Seon-hak.
The answers each reached were different.
Cheon Wi-gang discarded free-spiritedness and learned only the stereotyped sky.
However, Cheon Seon-hak rejected the mold and pursued the free-spirited sword of the sky.
“However, that child intended to contain a new sky.”
“A new sky, you say.”
In the current Cheon Family, Cheon Seon-hak was the only one who intended to contain his own sky.
Therefore, Cheon Seon-hak’s sword was special.
Because no one could learn Cheon Seon-hak’s sword techniques, including Yeok-rin-cham.
Even Cheon Wi-gang only understood the principle of that sword and could not say he learned it, so what need was there to say more?
“It is a truly funny story. To think Muryang, whom I thought was beyond saving, had such talent.”
“I intend to pass down my sword to that child.”
The monumental achievement called the sword built up over a lifetime.
Cheon Seon-hak declared that he would pass this down to Cheon Muryang.
“Do you think that is possible?”
“My sword will only become a cloud. Isn't it that a dragon originally ascended to the sky riding a cloud?”
In other words, it meant he would become a cornerstone for the next generation.
“I am entrusting a great burden to you.”
“It is something I ought to do.”
“Although the relationship with the Tang Clan will become awkward, perhaps we gained something greater than that.”
Cheon Wi-gang made a faint smile.
Along with that, the two people left the banquet hall.
“Let’s have a drink after a long time.”
“That sounds good.”
<><><>
Cheon Muryang ran without hesitation to the Medical Hall where Wolyeong would be.
Kung!
To Cheon Muryang who opened that door violently and entered, Wolyeong lying on the bed was seen.
“Gongja-nim!”
Next to her, Hwa-hong was holding Wolyeong’s two hands tightly with worried eyes.
The lips and two hands that turned deep blue were undoubtedly the appearance of being poisoned.
“It is the antidote.”
Cheon Muryang fed the antidote to Wolyeong himself.
Then, he infused energy into Wolyeong so that it could spread quickly.
“Co, complexion is returning!”
As Hwa-hong said, Wolyeong’s complexion was brightening rapidly.
“Hoo-woo…….”
Only then did Cheon Muryang, who let out a sigh of relief, relax his tension.
Cramps occurred in his muscles.
“I'm dying.”
To learn Yeok-rin-cham, he almost overworked himself during that short time.
Therefore, even with Cheon Muryang’s body tempered in the meantime, he had no choice but to reach the limit.
“Gong, Gongja-nim?”
This wasn't just muscles.
Yeok-rin-cham was a sword that parried the opponent’s attack and led it to one’s own flow.
In other words, the sword Cheon Muryang had to receive to learn Yeok-rin-cham was none other than Cheon Seon-hak’s sword.
Tuk.
Tuk-tuk.
Blood flowed under Cheon Muryang’s sleeves.
“Ah-ah, I overdid it a little.”
Ping.
The world spun round and round.
In an instant, the world turned off as if blacking out.
Cheon Muryang fainted just like that.
“Gongja-nim!”
Hwa-hong’s scream sounded like a lullaby to Cheon Muryang.
<><><>
Hwa-reu-reuk.
The Cheon Family was engulfed in flames.
In front of the main gate of the Cheon Family which had become a pile of ashes, Cheon Muryang, no, Mumyeong was standing.
‘Demonic Cult…….’
Not a single blade of grass remained in the place they passed.
The hellfire of death where no one could survive covered the Cheon Family.
‘Countless people died…….’
Why did they have to die?
Countless people died.
‘Everything is because of the Elder Gongja.’
Until the moment of death, Mumyeong resented Cheon Muryang.
He thought everything was ruined by Cheon Muryang, who was a mangnani Eldest Gongja and became the Gaju after Cheon Wi-gang’s sudden death.
‘Clearly, I thought so.’
Like that, Mumyeong died.
However, the dead Mumyeong became Cheon Muryang and went back fifteen years against the flow of time.
‘Something is fishy.’
Then a doubt arose.
Why on earth did the Cheon Family become like this?
‘Why?’
The Cheon Family was clearly not the Number One Family under Heaven.
However, it was a family that definitely belonged to the Ten Great Families under Heaven.
Even if the Gaju was a dog son under a tiger father (Ho-bu-gyeon-ja), how could that huge family perish in an instant?
Clearly, the core reason was that Cheon Muryang brought disaster.
‘Because he drew in the Demonic Cult.’
Nothing could justify Cheon Muryang’s actions.
However, a doubt arose naturally.
‘Didn't the family run regardless of Gongja Cheon Muryang?’
Cheon Muryang did not have real power.
Although he was said to have the final approval authority, he was merely a scarecrow.
‘Was the system of the family itself broken?’
Even though Mumyeong was Cheon Muryang’s escort warrior, to support the collapsing Cheon Family, the time he was outside was longer after the Gaju’s death.
Because Mumyeong felt more at ease that way, he couldn't harbor any suspicion or doubt at the time.
‘There is something I didn't know.’
Clearly, there was something.
Because Mumyeong turned all resentment toward Cheon Muryang, a thought occurred that he might not be the root of all evil.
Although there was no way to know exactly what that was.
Pu-uk!
A scene of Cheon Muryang’s sword piercing Mumyeong was seen.
‘…….’
Why was it?
Looking with the eyes of a third party, the appearance of Cheon Muryang stricken with fear was seen.
Soon, Cheon Muryang’s neck was also cut.
They were eyes fearing something or someone until the moment of death.
‘What were you so afraid of?’
Kwa-ji-jik!
I was aware that it was not reality.
Therefore, this world composed of Mumyeong’s memories shattered like glass.
Pa-a-at!
Shattering world.
Through those fragments, unfamiliar memories flowed in.
‘Eldest Gongja…….’
It was a part of Cheon Muryang’s memories.
It seemed to be a point not long after the Gaju inauguration ceremony ended.
『Eldest Gongja, it would be good to remember who made you the Gaju.』
It was a voice that could not be specified.
However, the fear Cheon Muryang must have felt was conveyed intact.
‘Who are you bastard?’
I had to find out.
A thought occurred that Mumyeong might have only held the prejudice that he was a mangnani regarding Cheon Muryang.
‘Perhaps…… the Elder Gongja also…… might have been driven to an extreme corner.’
A thought occurred that the mangnani acts that remained unchanged even after becoming the Gaju might have been a desperate struggle to survive.
‘Were you that desperate? Enough to draw in the Demonic Cult?’
Cheon Muryang’s fear was conveyed.
What could I call this?
Since Mumyeong understood Cheon Muryang, could it be called assimilation?
It was something unknown.
Like that, Mumyeong’s consciousness fell into the abyss again.
Wolyeong’s voice was heard.
“Gongja-nim?”
“Eu…….”
Cheon Muryang opened his eyes.
Then a familiar ceiling was seen.
Beside him, Wolyeong’s face was full of tears.
“How much time passed?”
“You lay down for a whole day.”
“A day? I rested well unexpectedly.”
Cheon Muryang raised his upper body.
Perhaps because blood circulated suddenly, dizziness covered him for an instant.
“Eueueu. I should rest for one more day.”
“Gongja-nim, I heard you fought because of me.”
Hwa-hong must have blabbed.
“Ah-ah.”
“Why did you do that?”
Wolyeong shed tears hearing that Cheon Muryang became enemies with the Sichuan Tang Clan for her sake.
“I told you.”
“…….”
“That if they touch my person, I will not endure whoever the opponent is.”
How could I forget?
I could never forget those words.
“And that special meal you prepared, it was very tasty.”
Ju-reu-reuk.
Wolyeong smiled.
However, tears flowed along with the smile.
Cheon Muryang, feeling awkward for no reason, feigned ignorance and changed the subject.
“I am hungry. Is there nothing to eat?”
“Ah, I will prepare it for you!”
Wolyeong left the seat for a moment.
Cheon Muryang got up from his seat feeling the muscle pain that was still aching.
That memory seen in the dream was still vivid.
“Elder Gongja, it is not revenge for you. However, I came to want to know. The reason why the Cheon Family had to collapse so futilely in the past.”
Kkwa-ak!
He clenched his hand tightly.
Whose will was it?
Perhaps Cheon Muryang’s will might remain.
“However, not now.”
He was too weak for that.
He had to become strong enough that no one could approach him.
“I must become strong. More than anyone else.”
Kki-i-ik.
The door of the Medical Hall opened.
Not Wolyeong, but Cheon Seon-hak entered.
“Interesting. I also intended to make you stronger than anyone else. It seems it worked luckily.”
“Uncle, I want to become strong.”
“I will give you my sword.”
“……!”
“However, create your own sword that surpasses my sword. That will be your top priority task.”
Cheon Muryang knew.
That this was the only opportunity.
Also, it was a turning point where he could walk a different path from the past.
“Yes.”
Did he see the will full in those eyes?
Cheon Seon-hak laughed.
He was also looking forward to it.
Cheon Muryang intended to get up right away.
Cheon Seon-hak stopped this.
“Stop it. I will give you three days. You must recover perfectly within that.”
Ssi-ik.
All of Cheon Seon-hak’s words were a bet.
As always, Cheon Muryang accepted that bet.
“One day. I will rest for just exactly one day.”
“One day, you say……. Good.”
Cheon Seon-hak took out something.
“Take it.”
Hwaek!
It was a wooden tablet.
“This is……?”
“Didn't you say you wanted to enter the Cheonryong Library. It is the pass for that. Even so, would one day be enough?”
“…….”
One day was short.
It seemed he lost this bet.
“Please give me just two days.”
Cheon Seon-hak laughed.
“If you can, try doing so.”
“……?”
“However, when you enter the Cheonryong Library and when you come out, it must be clearly different.”
It was a meaningful remark.
However, Cheon Seon-hak left the Medical Hall with those words as the end without saying more.
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Although he probably wouldn't even hear it anymore.
Cheon Muryang bowed his head deeply.
“Cheonryong Library, huh…….”
I will become strong.
He vowed again.
“Gongja-nim! Here!”
Wolyeong cooked porridge.
Although he didn't want to eat, he ate hurriedly for recovery.
Cheon Muryang, who rested for about two more sijin (four hours), kicked his seat and got up.
“Gongja-nim? Where are you going?”
“Let’s go to the Cheonryong Library.”
“……!”
Cheon Muryang left the Medical Hall laughing.
“It starts today.”
“I will cheer for you!”