Myst, Might, Mayhem (Novel) - Chapter 122 - Demon Sword (1)

Chapter 122 – Demon Sword (1)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“If you say you will join me, then I shall give you Evil-Answering Sword, one of the legendary demon swords.”

-Murmur, murmur!

At the Shadow Sect Master’s words, the whole place stirred.

“Evil-Answering Sword?”

“That’s right. He said the demon sword Evil-Answering Sword.”

“H-he had that?”

“Good heavens…”

It was not only the warriors of Corpse Blood Valley wearing red belts who were reacting with such astonishment.

Even the executives who had turned their backs were staring at the Shadow Sect Master with shocked eyes.

Even Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, who had been confident no matter what proposal the Shadow Sect Master made, had his pupils shaken by the words Evil-Answering Sword.

At that, Mok Gyeong-un swept his gaze around and was puzzled.

He had only mentioned a single sword, so why were they reacting like this?

-Ha… Evil-Answering Sword.

At that moment, Blue Spirit’s voice sounded in Mok Gyeong-un’s ear.

She too must have been greatly startled, for her voice was excited.

Curious because of her reaction, Mok Gyeong-un focused on the wooden puppet against his chest and, just in case, tried using Secret Voice Transmission.

-Do you know what Evil-Answering Sword is?

-Huh?

It had been an attempt made half in doubt.

Yet she answered in a surprised voice.

-How in the world did you do that?

-Ah. It’s called Secret Voice Transmission. I only tried it to see if you could hear me, and it seems you can.

He had thought it might not work because she was sealed inside the wooden doll, but perhaps because this too was a method of sending sound, it was possible.

-When did you learn something like that?

-The Sound-Summoning Valley Master over there taught me.

-So you learned it from that woman who practices sound arts.

-Yes.

-I have heard of it before. They say even among the bald monks of Shaolin there are some who know how to use such methods.

-Anyway, why are you surprised too, and why is everyone else reacting like this?

At Mok Gyeong-un’s question, Blue Spirit clicked her tongue.

But in Mok Gyeong-un’s case, he knew next to nothing about the martial world, so it was only right to explain it to him.

-Among the smiths who make weapons, there are those called master craftsmen. When the weapons made by such men grow in fame, they come to be called famed swords or peerless weapons.

-I think I’ve heard of that. Swords like Yitian Sword or Ganjiang and Moye, right?

-Yes. Exactly that.

-Pardon?

-Ganjiang and Moye.

-Ganjiang and Moye?

-Yes. Though they are called famed swords, they are also called demon swords.

-That part I didn’t know.

Mok Gyeong-un had learned writing and study from his grandfather.

In those studies he had heard various old tales, and he knew only that Ganjiang and Moye had been forged at King Helu’s request, with Moye’s hair and nails cast into the furnace.

-Do you know who Ganjiang and Moye’s master was?

-Their master? Could it be Gu…

-Yes. Evil-Answering Sword was made by their master, the great master craftsman Ou Yezi.

At those words, a strange light flashed in Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes.

That was only natural, for Ou Yezi was called not only the greatest craftsman of his age, but the greatest even to the present day.

The great master craftsman Ou Yezi.

Even now, the swords worthy of being called the finest famed swords were mostly those forged in the Spring and Autumn era, and half of those swords had been made by Ou Yezi of the state of Yue.

Jue Que, Zhanlu, Chun Gou, Shengxie, Yuchang, Longyuan, Tai’e, Gongbu, and many other legendary swords had all been born from his hands.

These were famed swords known through so many famous anecdotes and classical tales that anyone who had studied even a little would know of them.

-Interesting. Ou Yezi… But I think this is the first time I’ve heard of Evil-Answering Sword.

-That is understandable. They were swords Ou Yezi wanted to hide.

-Wanted to hide them?

-Exactly that. Long ago there was a strange legend handed down among craftsmen.

-And what was that strange legend?

-That if one offered up a living human being and used that flesh and blood to forge a sword, then the finest famed sword would be born.

To make a sword from a living human being?

For ordinary people, it would have been a story enough to fill them with horror.

But at those words, the corner of Mok Gyeong-un’s mouth twitched upward.

-That’s impressive.

-What?

-Nothing. Then are you saying that this Evil-Answering Sword was made by offering up a living human being?

-That cannot be known for certain. In ancient records there is a note that Ou Yezi succeeded in melting black iron that could not be smelted and from it made several unknown demon swords.

At those words, Mok Gyeong-un asked in puzzlement,

-You are calling them demon swords, not famed swords.

-There is a reason they are called that. It is…

She was about to answer when Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, stepped in and said,

“Evil-Answering Sword? How is it that you, Shadow Sect Master, possess such a thing?”

At that question, the Shadow Sect Master covered the corner of his lips and replied,

“Oh ho ho. By some turn of events, it happened to come into my hands not long ago. I personally have a hobby of collecting renowned weapons.”

“Collecting?”

“Yes. Did I not also gift the famed blade Ho Gwol from my collection to Great Unit Leader Wu Ho-rang, your eldest disciple, King of the Fate Blade?”

At that, Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, recalled something from six years ago.

When his eldest disciple Wu Ho-rang had risen to the rank of Great Unit Leader, the Shadow Sect Master had gifted him the famed blade Ho Gwol.

Ho Gwol was a famed blade made by Mu Ha-tae, known as the greatest living artisan of the age, and possessed such sharpness that it could cut even giant boulders in a single stroke.

It had suited Wu Ho-rang perfectly.

“…I still remain grateful for that. But what we speak of now is a demon sword. Is it not, in the literal sense, a cursed sword?”

‘A curse?’

What did that mean?

As he wondered, the Shadow Sect Master shrugged as though it were fine and said,

“It is merely a sword that has not yet found its master. To the chosen master, it is the finest famed sword. Is there not already a clear example of that? For instance, Huozuo in the hands of Wi Tak-hyeon, Vice Leader of the Alliance of Justice.”

At those words, the place stirred once more.

Wi Tak-hyeon, Vice Leader of the Alliance of Justice.

He was one of the Eight Stars beneath the Six Heavens and was counted among the five finest swordsmen in the present martial world.

Yet that was not why they were reacting so strongly.

Son Yun frowned and said,

“Do you say that not knowing that all of Huozuo’s former owners died of illness within half a year?”

That was right.

Another demon sword said to have been forged by the great master craftsman Ou Yezi, Huozuo Sword.

Because of it, countless swordsmen had fought bloody struggles, and the sword’s owner had changed again and again.

Yet every one of those owners had died of illness within half a year.

“That is far too danger…”

“But has not Wi Tak-hyeon remained perfectly fine for fifteen years?”

Everyone had died.

But the one sole exception was Wi Tak-hyeon, the Vice Leader of the Alliance of Justice and one of the Eight Stars.

“He is a transcendent master who has crossed the wall. He is not the same as those former owners.”

With those words, Son Yun looked toward Mok Gyeong-un.

No matter how outstanding his martial talent, he still regarded him as an unfinished gem.

To give a demon sword to such a raw stone was dangerous.

“A demon sword is not called a demon sword for nothing. If you truly wish to entice this child, it would be better to replace it with some other item from your collection…”

“Good.”

“What?”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s sudden words, Son Yun furrowed his brow.

What had this brat just said?

Had he not properly heard why Son Yun had just been saying that demon sword was dangerous?

Just as he was thinking that, Mok Gyeong-un said,

“So if I go with the Shadow Sect Master, you will give me the sword called Evil-Answering Sword.”

“You…”

Was this brat coveting it simply because it was a sword made by the great master craftsman Ou Yezi?

So Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, spoke to dissuade him, his face growing somewhat heavier.

“Do not do it. That is not yet a sword for you to covet.”

“Not a sword for me to covet?”

At that question, Son Yun clicked his tongue and said,

“It is not because I look down on you. As I said just before, a demon sword is literally a demon sword. You are young and full of spirit, so it seems you are treating this King’s words lightly, but it is not a sword to be approached out of pointless greed or curiosity.”

This was a warning Son Yun gave in all sincerity.

Because of Wi Tak-hyeon, Ou Yezi’s demon swords were bathed in great glory, yet even as recently as fifteen years ago, four owners had lost their lives because of them.

From the case of Huozuo Sword, Son Yun believed that Evil-Answering Sword would be no different.

-What do you think?

Mok Gyeong-un sent a voice transmission to Blue Spirit.

Then she replied,

-What he says is not without reason.

-What do you mean by that?

-Even before I died, blood storms blew through the martial world because of Ou Yezi’s demon swords.

-So there is not just one?

-Correct. No one knows how many there are in total, but several are known. Huozuo, Geopsal, Akjuk…

Though she was dead, the memory remained vivid.

Three swords discovered in a king’s tomb ruined long ago by a corrupt official and a merchant magnate.

Those three swords had brought a storm of blood to the martial world.

Recalling that, she soon said,

-To speak honestly, had it been before my death, I would absolutely have told you not to covet that demon sword.

-And now?

-If there is a vengeful spirit within the demon sword, then that too may become strength for you.

That was Blue Spirit’s honest opinion.

Mok Gyeong-un had already absorbed and made into his own strength not only Blue Spirit, whose rank was as high as it was, but also gu poison and even the demonic force of a strange creature that, though weakened by sealing, had been near the level of a spirit beast.

Taking that into account, however infamous the demon sword’s name, she did not believe there would be some unimaginably terrible thing within it so dangerous that it would truly be beyond him.

-But surely you are not thinking of choosing the Shadow Sect Master because of the demon sword, are you?

At Blue Spirit’s question, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly.

Of course, that was not the reason.

He had become interested in the thing called a demon sword, but not to the degree that it would alter the objective he had already planned.

Still,

-Even so, things have turned rather conveniently.

-Sentient one, you…?

She had continued urging him to choose one of the two Five Kings.

That was because entering under someone of higher rank would bring him closer to the center more quickly.

But Mok Gyeong-un’s thoughts were different.

-The Shadow Sect handles information and intelligence, doesn’t it?

-Sentient one… I know you are deeply interested in information and such, but once you reach higher ground, those things naturally…

She was still speaking when the Shadow Sect Master opened his mouth once more.

“Oh ho ho. There is reason in the King of the Fate Blade’s words as well. Certainly, it is true that a demon sword is somewhat dangerous, but it is also a famed sword made by the great master craftsman Ou Yezi, so I offered it in the hope of winning this child’s favor.”

At those words, Son Yun softly said, “A wise thought.”

That was because he took it as the Shadow Sect Master stepping back.

However,

“Still, now that I have spoken so before everyone watching, it would be a little awkward to withdraw the offer in the middle.”

“What?”

“Then how would this be? Let the child hold Evil-Answering Sword once and judge whether or not he has the potential to become its master.”

‘!?’

At those words from the Shadow Sect Master, Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, twisted his face.

He had just said that the demon sword was dangerous and should not be given, and now the Shadow Sect Master was going even further and suggesting they let him take hold of it?

“Shadow Sect Master, this King clearly…”

“As it happens, I brought the sword with me.”

“You brought the sword? What do you mean by…”

-Snap!

The Shadow Sect Master flicked his finger.

At that, black-clothed men who seemed to be warriors under the Shadow Sect, waiting behind the platform, ran off somewhere.

Soon after, two of them carefully carried back a long wooden box on a wooden board.

Everyone’s gaze fixed on the wooden box, whose length was just that of a sword.

“Why in the world did you bring that here?”

Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, asked in a tone that made clear he could not understand it.

It was already a dangerous sword to begin with.

He could not understand why it had been brought all the way here to Corpse Blood Valley.

At the question, the Shadow Sect Master smiled lightly, joined both hands, bowed his waist, and answered,

“Forgive me, but I cannot answer that, so I ask for your understanding.”

At those words, Son Yun fell silent for a moment, then answered,

“…If it becomes a problem, I will have it taken back at any time.”

“You are most generous.”

Just what had the Shadow Sect Master whispered that the King of the Fate Blade had so suddenly changed his attitude?

As everyone wondered, the Shadow Sect Master turned his head toward Mok Gyeong-un and said,

“Oh ho ho. This has gone on rather long. In any case, since the King of the Fate Blade also offered his advice, I do not think I can simply hand you the sword outright, so would you like to hold it once?”

With those words, the Shadow Sect Master signaled to his subordinates.

Then a warrior opened the lid of the tightly shut wooden box.

The executives, who were already curious about Evil-Answering Sword, rose from their seats and turned to look at it.

‘!?’

But inside the opened wooden box was another wooden box.

And the outer surface of that inner box was thickly plastered with many talismans.

At the sight of it, Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes gleamed.

Others could not see it, but to Mok Gyeong-un’s eyes, an ominous demonic aura was leaking out through the gaps between the talismans.

‘So it really is a demon sword.’

If not for the talismans, even more of its energy would have been exposed to the outside.

The Shadow Sect Master pointed to the wooden box with his hand and said,

“Take it out yourself and hold it. If the sword chooses you, then instead of some substitute I shall give you that very sword. Naturally, however, on the condition that you come to the Shadow Sect.”

At those words, Mok Gyeong-un walked forward.

Then he placed his hand on the wooden box plastered thick with talismans.

Watching this, Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade, showed a strange look in his eyes.

He recalled the words the Shadow Sect Master had whispered to him just now.

[It is difficult for me to say why I brought it, but I will tell you something interesting.]

[Something interesting?]

[I only learned it myself after obtaining it, but that sword brings human desire to the surface.]

[What do you mean, it brings desire to the surface?]

[Exactly what I said. It makes one unable to control one’s own desire.]

[How can you use something so dangerous…]

[Are you not curious? What the true desire of that child who says he has defected to our Society really is?]

[……]

Mok Gyeong-un’s true desire.

Would Evil-Answering Sword truly reveal that desire as the Shadow Sect Master claimed?

“Understanding? Are you evading this King’s question right now?”

There was anger in Son Yun, the King of the Fate Blade’s voice.

Even his qi was beginning to rise in wisps, and it looked as though if matters went only slightly wrong, a clash might erupt.

“Ah, ah, ah. Then there is no helping it.”

At that, the Shadow Sect Master drew near and whispered something in Son Yun’s ear.

Then at once, Son Yun’s eyes, which had been filled with anger, narrowed.

Son Yun too quietly said something in return.

Thus several whispered exchanges passed between the two of them.

Then the Shadow Sect Master spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard.

“What do you think?”