Chapter 140 : Chapter 140

Chapter 140. Nine Dragons Fortress (1)

As I was smiling with a satisfied expression, Blacksmith Yeo, with a similar expression, said.

“It is a sword for you, Great Hero Jin, the only one of its kind in the world. So please give that sword a name now.”

A name.

It was a difficult problem.

I quietly looked at the sword that was emitting a black light.

Perhaps because I had always given intuitive names, the characters for ‘black’ or ‘dark’ came to mind first.

Black. Darkness.

As I quietly thought of characters related to this, the character for ‘dark’ as in the netherworld, came to mind.

The underworld was often called the Netherworld, and King Yama was also called the King of the Netherworld.

After organizing my thoughts, I opened my mouth.

“I will call it the Master’s Blade.”

A sword that guides trash to the King of the Netherworld.

It was a name that contained my ambition to slaughter all the trash that King Yama had missed in his book of the dead, just as I did when I killed Sura Blood Blade.

Blacksmith Yeo nodded and said.

“Instead of ‘black’ or ‘dark,’ the character for ‘netherworld dark.’ It’s not a bad name.”

After sheathing the Master’s Blade, I clasped my hands in a salute to Blacksmith Yeo.

“Thank you so much for crafting such a magnificent sword.”

At this, Blacksmith Yeo also smiled faintly and returned the salute.

“It is I who was late in my greetings. Thank you so much for protecting my daughter and me from Sura Blood Blade.”

He soon took out the rest of the weapons one by one and handed them out.

“This is the Restoring Name Sword, adjusted to fit Miss Baek.”

Junior Sister Baek Hyang, with a pleased face, drew the Restoring Name Sword and swung it around.

There was no major change from the original form of the Restoring Name Sword.

The thickness and length of the hilt were slightly reduced, and the thickness and length of the blade were also slightly reduced.

Overall, it felt like it had been tailored to a weight and size that was comfortable for Junior Sister Baek Hyang to hold and swing.

Next was Nam Geon’s Mother’s Affection Sword.

Unlike the Restoring Name Sword, the Mother’s Affection Sword had its form completely changed.

Before, it felt more like a giant club than a sword, but now it definitely had the feel of a ‘sword.’

Soon, Nam Geon swung the Mother’s Affection Sword around and tilted his head.

“I-it’s strange. I-it’s lighter than before but heavier. It goes fwoooosh and then clunk.”

I wondered what this was about.

I took a step and approached Nam Geon, then held out my hand.

“Let me see.”

“O-okay, Hyung-ah.”

I took the new form of the Mother’s Affection Sword that Nam Geon handed me.

Although it was heavy, the overall weight felt slightly lighter than the previous Mother’s Affection Sword.

There were two main reasons.

One was that the weight had actually decreased slightly.

And the other was the balance of the sword.

The past Mother’s Affection Sword was ridiculously strong, but its center of gravity was not properly balanced.

Perhaps because it was difficult to evenly spread that ridiculously sized lump of iron, the surface of the blade was rough in places.

One peculiar thing was that the balance of the sword was still off.

It wasn’t that the balance was a mess because it was rough all over like before.

Instead, the balance was slightly shifted to one side.

I turned my head and looked at Blacksmith Yeo.

Blacksmith Yeo’s expression was indifferent.

It didn't seem like that man would put out a poorly made sword and make such an expression.

Just in case, I tried swinging the Mother’s Affection Sword in the air.

A weight that was in a different league from the Master’s Blade or the Restoring Name Sword.

After raising my internal energy and swinging it a few times, I thought I knew what Nam Geon meant.

Light but heavy. It goes fwoooosh and then clunks.

Only then could I grasp Blacksmith Yeo’s intention.

I held out the Mother’s Affection Sword to Nam Geon again and said.

“Hold the Mother’s Affection Sword.”

Watching Nam Geon grip the Mother’s Affection Sword, I moved my lips.

“Turn the sword half a circle and grip it again. Then lift it straight up and strike down. Like a woodcutter splitting firewood.”

Following my instructions, Nam Geon lifted the Mother’s Affection Sword and struck down.

A strange sight unfolded.

It rose slowly, but when it came down, it struck down with a tremendous sound of tearing air.

FWOOOOSH!

It was a sight truly similar to a woodcutter splitting firewood.

“I-it’s strange, Hyung-ah! I-it was heavy at first, but it’s light when I strike!”

I nodded at his cry.

“You’re right. The current Mother’s Affection Sword is unbalanced. It feels that way because one side of the blade is made heavier.”

“Th-then isn’t it made wrong, Hyung-ah?”

I shook my head and answered.

“It was intentionally made that way. Isn’t that right?”

When I asked, looking at Blacksmith Yeo, he also nodded.

“As expected, you figured it out right away. I applied a technique used when forging a great blade or a great axe. Though it’s a sword, I thought that would be more fitting to properly utilize Young Master Nam’s monstrous strength.”

I recalled what Blacksmith Yeo had said.

Hadn’t he said that the previous Mother’s Affection Sword was like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might, riding on Nam Geon’s monstrous strength?

“If Nam Geon can properly handle the current Mother’s Affection Sword, he will truly be able to give wings to his monstrous strength.”

Nam Geon tilted his head.

“I-is that a good thing, Hyung-ah?”

“If you can handle it well, it will be twice as good as before.”

There was still a minor problem.

To utilize the distorted center of gravity to its extreme, a lot of training was necessary.

That was why it was also a minor problem. After all, training was a daily routine.

“Perform the Mighty Sword Art you have learned in order. I will correct your posture.”

“A-alright, Hyung-ah.”

Nam Geon, who had nodded, began to swing the Mother’s Affection Sword in the air.

It was a strange sight.

Because the balance of the sword was distorted, the speed was different every time he swung it.

Sometimes it flew in at a tremendous speed, and at other times, it was sluggish.

A funny thought came to me.

Until now, Nam Geon had always swung the Mother’s Affection Sword with all his might.

Instead of thinking of distracting thoughts to perform a feint, he had just focused on swinging it more strongly.

But if the speed was different every time he swung the sword like that, it was a situation where he was naturally performing a feint without having to use his head.

But I couldn't be satisfied with just this.

The current method was good for deceiving others, but the problem was that it was a method that deceived oneself as well.

What would be the point if an opportunity to cut down the opponent came, but he couldn't because the speed was slow?

“Watch me and follow along.”

After drawing the Master’s Blade that I had sheathed, I performed the techniques that Nam Geon had performed.

I wasn’t performing the existing sword art as it was.

In the middle of striking down from above, before the sword completely hit the ground, I twisted my wrist and made a slight change to my grip.

Naturally, the direction of the sword was distorted.

After rotating it as if drawing a large circle, I continued with a horizontal cut from right to left.

It was a method of using the rebound created by the ridiculous weight of the sword between each movement, instead of correcting it.

The Master’s Blade was not unbalanced like the Mother’s Affection Sword, but it was not difficult to demonstrate.

Because the principle of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art, which I had been training recently, was similar to this.

“Now, try to follow along.”

“A-alright, Hyung-ah.”

Nam Geon began to swing the Mother’s Affection Sword again.

At first, each movement was disconnected.

But that was only for a moment.

“Twist your wrist more.”

“Don’t grip the sword too tightly. Just think of slightly changing the direction the sword is trying to go.”

After giving him some advice and correcting his posture a few times, a familiar sound came from the Mother’s Affection Sword.

FWOOOOOOOOSH!!

The sound of tearing air, ripping it apart.

And after swinging it a few times and gaining acceleration, it felt like the speed was twice as fast as when he originally swung the Mother’s Affection Sword.

He seemed to be getting the hang of it as he swung.

As expected, he was a guy with a definite knack for physical skills.

If there was one concern, it was his wrist and elbow.

In the process of changing the path using the rebound from swinging that incredibly heavy lump of iron, an enormous load would inevitably be placed on his joints.

But looking at Nam Geon’s iron-like forearms, it didn't seem like there would be a big problem.

Nam Geon, who had been swinging the sword, put it down with a satisfied expression.

“I-it’s amazing, Hyung-ah! I-I don’t have to force my s-strength to swing it hard! I-it feels like mom is helping me!”

I chuckled at his comment and said.

“Well done. It seems it would be good to start learning the forms of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art now.”

“A-already? I-I still can’t even do the dynamic cultivation, Hyung-ah.”

“Don’t worry. It’s just that I’m learning the forms first.”

Although it would take him a long time to memorize the principles because he wasn't smart, it seemed he would learn the physical side quickly.

Most of all, the new Mother’s Affection Sword had very good synergy with the Heavenly Wind Sword Art. So much so that the phrase ‘a match made in heaven’ came to mind.

After examining the changed Mother’s Affection Sword, it was Junior Sister Choyeon’s turn.

It was a sword of a strange shape.

Its length was not much different from a regular sword, but its width and thickness were quite thin.

Just by looking at it, it looked quite light for a sword, and its edge was also honed to be quite sharp.

Earlier, Blacksmith Yeo had said that if you excessively hone a blade made of ordinary iron, its strength weakens, and it becomes a bad move.

Soon, Junior Sister Choyeon also concisely swung that thin and sharp sword in the air.

Only then did I have an idea of why Junior Sister Choyeon had wanted such a sword.

The stealthy and swift sword strikes of an assassin followed.

From the beginning, that sword was intended for a one-hit kill.

For the sake of speed, it was better for the sword to be lighter.

Instead, it seemed to overcome that lightness with sharpness.

“Hmm. It’s all good, but it seems there’s a risk that the blade will be all damaged or broken if it clashes with the opponent’s weapon a few times.”

At my point, Junior Sister Choyeon answered unemotionally.

“I was taught to use the technique of mutual destruction instead of clashing weapons.”

“There, you mean?”

“That’s right.”

It was a strange feeling.

From the perspective of a martial art that pursues extreme speed, it was the right thing to say.

After all, speed was about emphasizing swiftness, so it was enough to strike the opponent’s vital point first.

But those words were spoken by a trash instructor at an assassin training facility.

It didn't sound like he meant to utilize the principle of speed, but rather to literally just go for mutual destruction.

After a moment of thought, I gave some advice to Junior Sister Choyeon.

“If the opponent is slower than you, Junior Sister, strike the enemy’s vital point first with the technique of mutual destruction.”

“Understood, Senior Brother.”

“If the opponent is faster than you, Junior Sister, then just run away.”

“Understood.”

Should I call this convenient or inconvenient?

Anyone else would have questioned the command to run away, but Junior Sister Choyeon was the type to just answer ‘understood’ unconditionally.

Fortunately, Junior Sister Baek Hyang and Nam Geon explained my words for me.

“That’s right, Junior Sister. You don’t have to fight every battle. If there’s a strong enemy, it’s okay to leave them to others.”

“Th-that’s right! Hy-Hyang-i is strong! H-hyung-ah is also very strong! A-and I’m sturdy! I-if it’s dangerous, you can run to me!”

“I will do so.”

After roughly finishing the check on Junior Sister Choyeon, this time Yeo Yun stepped forward.

She first held out a box to Junior Sister Choyeon.

When the box was opened, hidden weapons like throwing stars were inside.

“I will use them well.”

While Junior Sister Choyeon took out the hidden weapons from the box and hid them in various places on her clothes, Yeo Yun also handed hidden weapons to the Tang Clan bastard.

Besides the needles, there were a variety of other hidden weapons.

For something crafted in just eight days, there were quite a lot.

It reached a point where I wondered if the Tang Clan bastard could even handle all those various hidden weapons properly.

“In the case of this iron fan……”

Just as Miss Yeo was about to explain the usage of all the hidden weapons one by one, Blacksmith Yeo let out a loud, dry cough.

“Aheeem.”

As if he couldn't bear to see the Tang Clan bastard and Miss Yeo talking affectionately.

“We plan to leave as soon as we finish up here, but what do you plan to do?”

I, too, wished for Miss Yeo's peaceful future, so I willingly answered Blacksmith Yeo’s question.

“For now, we plan to go to the Nine Dragons Fortress.”

“By any chance, is it because of the favor I asked last time?”

I shook my head.

“It was a piece of trash I was targeting even before I met you, Master Yeo.”

Blacksmith Yeo, who had been contemplating for a moment at my answer, opened his mouth with an expression full of worry.

“Please be careful. The Nine Dragons Fortress Leader is a fiend also known as the Number One Evil of Zhejiang. According to rumors, he is a master who has already reached the very end of the peak realm.”

The very end of the peak realm.

In other words, it meant that he was at the boundary where he could cross over to the next level by just overcoming one wall.

The reason the realm of the peak was called the peak was simple.

It meant the highest realm that a human could reach.

It also meant that one had reached the limit of a human by opening the Gate of Life and Death and achieving the Lesser Heavenly Circulation.

Conversely, the realm beyond the peak meant that one had gone beyond the ‘category of a human.’

Regarding this realm, a certain martial arts scholar had discussed it.

He said it was a realm as if one had climbed a ladder to the heavenly realm, freed from the shackles of the earth.

The common people also shortened it and called it the Heavenly Ladder Realm.

And the Seven Evils of my past life were all bastards who had reached that Heavenly Ladder Realm.

Personally, for this reason, I didn't particularly like the title Heavenly Ladder Realm.

For such trash to reach the heavenly realm. Just imagining it made a fire rage within me.

The Nine Dragons Fortress Leader was the same.

“If it’s the end of the peak realm, it still means he’s at the peak, doesn’t it?”

It would be truly rewarding if I could kill him before he ascended to the heavens.

Although he was a man who died before reaching the Heavenly Ladder Realm in the future, killing him in advance was still an act that would benefit the world.

And under that Nine Dragons Fortress Leader, the Green Forest Fighting King was currently growing.

Unlike the Nine Dragons Fortress Leader, he was a man who would actually ascend to the Heavenly Ladder Realm, so he also needed to be dragged down to the pits of hell in advance.

“If I cannot catch him with martial arts, I will kill him even if I have to set that Nine Dragons Mountain on fire, so you have no need to worry.”

At my firm reply, Blacksmith Yeo let out a dry laugh.

“If it’s you, Great Hero Jin, I’m truly scared that you would actually set a mountain on fire. Hehehe. If possible, I would hope that you deal with him with that sword rather than with fire.”

“I also plan to deal with him with this sword if possible.”

The sword that guides to the netherworld.

For the purpose of capturing the evil spirits trying to ascend to the heavens, it was a perfect fit.