Chapter 55 – Honey Belly Sword (14)
The blood flowing from the severed arm finally stopped. Only then did I throw down the arm of the Dark Sword that I had been holding. My mind is in turmoil, causing a headache.
The liberated memories of the Sword Demon, mixing with my existing memories, brought considerable confusion. At first, I thought I had merely inherited the old man’s, no, the Sword Demon’s internal energy.
However, that wasn’t the end of it. It seems the Sword Demon had his own agenda. Could it be that the reason he saved me when I was just a baby was for this purpose from the beginning?
But in many ways, it doesn’t add up. The old man clearly advised me to walk the right path, and those teachings are still in my mind.
Of course, he didn’t teach me systematic etiquette or academics like the martial artists of Righteous Sect. Nevertheless, I was taught at least not to do bad things. But now.
Why is he suddenly showing his teeth?
It’s quite confusing, but for now, I calmly organized the situation. I’m not sure exactly what the Sword Demon’s intentions are, but in any case, it’s true that his memories are eroding mine.
In fact, while fighting with the Dark Sword of the Namgung family, part of the Sword Demon’s memories were liberated, and thanks to that, I gained power closer to the Sword Demon’s. However, the side effects are by no means weak.
“…Right now, I’m clearly aware that I am myself. But if I continue to use the Sword Demon’s inner power and memories, will I still be able to clearly recognize that I am myself at that time?”
Unfortunately, I couldn’t dare give a definitive answer to that question. However, not using this powerful power is clearly a loss. The Sword Demon’s power is definitely overwhelming.
As evidence, when fighting with the Dark Sword. At first, I was pushed back, but as the Sword Demon’s memories were partially liberated, I completely overwhelmed the Dark Sword. Although I failed to kill him in the end.
‘Even the same sword becomes a deadly weapon that harms people in the hands of a murderer. Conversely, in the hands of a soldier, it becomes a guardian that protects the emperor’s law.’
Even if I wanted to extract the Sword Demon’s memories, the reality is that there is no way to do so at the moment. So for now, I have no choice but to use this power while looking for a solution.
Of course, I’m not using this power because I like to. However, I have no choice but to face the Evil sect now. In any case, we’ve already become adversaries.
They won’t stop until they kill me. If so, I too cannot stop until I completely uproot the Evil sect. And naturally, I’ll need power.
‘I realized it while facing the Dark Sword this time. I desperately need power above anything else.’
The Dark Sword was a martial artist of a different caliber from those I had faced so far. For example, if fighting with Murong Gang, the head of the Murong family, felt like clashing with all our might.
Conversely, the Dark Sword felt like he was completely blocking me from exerting my full power. Because of that, I couldn’t use techniques like Taesan-apjeong or Heongsocheongun and had no choice but to be pushed back.
And the reason that’s possible is probably because the realm the Dark Sword has reached is the Enlightenment realm. It means that as the current me, who is merely at the highest level, has no choice but to be pushed back by the Dark Sword.
‘But things changed after I regained even a little bit of the Sword Demon’s memories.’
To be precise, it felt like the Sword Demon’s memories were controlling my body. In any case, it’s undeniable that the Sword Demon’s memories are much stronger than the current me. I let out a sigh.
Of course, I don’t intend to continuously rely on the Sword Demon’s memories. Someday, I too must be able to defeat masters like the Dark Sword with my own strength. That’s how I can win against the Evil sect.
“Great warrior! Are you alright?!”
“We didn’t know you would be here, great warrior.”
“…Why are you two coming out from there?”
Oh no, I didn’t know.
Despite the familiar faces rising from the basement of the collapsed building, a sharp voice came out of me without realizing. As a result, the two young men appeared greatly bewildered.
It seems the Sword Demon’s memories are still influencing me. I cleared the atmosphere by fake coughing. The fight is all over. There’s no need to be sensitive.
“It’s nothing. More importantly, why were you two here?”
“Actually, we were imprisoned as soon as we arrived.”
“That man called the Dark Sword tried to kill us.”
“H-Hey, you… No matter what, you can’t just blurt it out like that…”
“It’s not like I’m making up facts, right?”
I see, the picture forms in my head. That character called the Dark Sword planned to pin all the crimes on the Sword Demon and then use that as a excuse to wage war with the Evil sect.
Naturally, living witnesses would only be a hindrance in that process. So the Dark Sword tried to deal with the two personally. But I arrived before that.
“In that case, we should first return to the Murong family…”
“Great warrior? Are you alright?”
“Blood is coming from your mouth!!”
“Oh dear.”
I frowned. Along with a pain like hundreds of needles piercing my internal organs, fresh blood flowed from my mouth. However, this isn’t due to internal injuries from fighting the Dark Sword.
I realized instinctively.
It was because of the violent fight with the sword demon.
But the moment I realized that, my consciousness already began to blur.
â—‡
Fortunately, thanks to Ma Kang and Go Gyeom, Mu-myung was at least able to avoid the fate of collapsing on the ground and being drenched in the drizzle. They immediately moved Mu-myung to the Murong family residence.
When Mu-myung returned unconscious, carried on Ma Kang’s back, the ones who were most surprised were none other than Sua and Seolhwa. They had witnessed their master’s overwhelming power firsthand.
Especially Sua, it would be no exaggeration to say that she knew the master’s greatness and strength far better than Seolhwa. Therefore, the master suffering internal injuries from another martial artist?
‘I can’t even dare to imagine such a sight. There must definitely be another reason.’
‘There’s no way my master could suffer internal injuries from someone else.’
However, others except Sua and Seolhwa had no choice but to think it was due to internal injuries from fighting the Dark Sword. After all, the Dark Sword of the Namgung family is also a renowned master.
“The Dark Sword of the Namgung family is the supreme master of the Namgung family who survived the Sword Demon War, isn’t he?”
“I think the blade of hatred that has been grinding for decades has finally reached the great warrior Sword Demon.”
“The great warrior Sword Demon must have suffered great internal injuries due to the Sword Demon War. Add to that the passage of time… It’s not incomprehensible that he suffered internal injuries from the Dark Sword.”
‘I’m only thirty, you punks.’
Mu-myung, who eventually became upset at being treated so naturally as an old man relegated to the back room, had no choice but to wake up. It wasn’t such a serious internal injury to begin with.
If I had to express it, it feels like the body couldn’t keep up with the memories. As a result, the gap caused severe overload to the body, which seems to have caused the internal injury.
The place where Mu-myung regained consciousness was the residence where the Murong family was staying. Originally it was a place prepared for the talks with the Nam-gung family, but unfortunately, the talks fell through.
“I’ve caused trouble unintentionally. I’m sorry, Family head.”
“It’s fine. If you were at odds with the Dark Sword, we wouldn’t have thought of joining hands either.”
“Thank you for keeping your loyalty.”
“You’re the benefactor who saved our Murong family, how could we not do this much for you?”
Murong Hyun, waving his hands as if it was nothing, stopped Mu-myung who was bowing his head. If it weren’t for Mu-myung, the Murong family would have fallen into the hands of the Evil sect by now.
‘We were saved by the great warrior, not just our lives but our entire family. Therefore, the Murong family will walk with the great warrior to the end and maintain loyalty. However, if there’s one thing that concerns me…’
“Master!!!”
As soon as they heard that Mu-myung had woken up, the disciples rushed over in one step. Among them was Sua, Murong Hyun’s younger sister. Sua immediately rushed to Mu-myung.
“Master! Are you alright?!”
“I’m fine. But how can a grown woman so easily throw herself into someone’s arms?”
“It’s fine if it’s you, Master.”
“This kid, really.”
‘…Surely Sua hasn’t taken the great warrior into her heart?’
It’s good that she follows the great warrior well, but her actions are excessively emotional. Murong Hyun briefly harbored concern in his heart, but soon he shook off the thought.
Looking back, she’s a child who grew up without receiving parental love like others. That’s why she must trust and rely on the great warrior like a parent.
‘Rather, we should be grateful to the great warrior for that. It’s as if the great warrior is taking care of Sua in our place.’
And even if Sua secretly harbored feelings of love, he believes the great warrior would certainly handle it well. However, Mu-myung himself was thinking differently.
“How did the talks with the Sadoryeon go?”
“Ah, well… They ended reasonably well.”
“Are there others in the martial arts world who will oppose the Evil sect besides the Murong family and the Sadoryeon?”
“Although there aren’t many, they’re not completely absent.”
Hearing Murong Hyun’s words, Mu-myuong nodded. We must unite the forces opposing the Sword Demon. And at the same time, we must find a way to control these memories.
The road ahead is long and rough.
