Chapter 107

Yesterday, I stayed up late playing a heated game of Go with Jiegal Yang.


“Huaham~.”


A yawn naturally escapes.


I wish I could just crawl back under the covers and go “Coconene~” back to sleep.


But I can’t.


I pull myself together and walk to the main gate of the Jiegal Family.


In the bright morning, I greet the unexpected cute guest who came to visit me, Namgung Sososo, with a smile.


“Namgung Hyung, good morning!”


“Hyung…”


Since she’s dressed as a man, it’s kind of her to treat me as one, but thinking that Mantian doesn’t see her as a woman…


Sososo’s feelings are complicated. Truly, her heart is a mess.


Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now. Counting the days since Mantian stayed overnight at the Jiegal Family.


“Prince Sima… I’m sorry to visit so early in the morning. It’s just… I heard you have nowhere to stay after leaving home…”


Sososo’s haggard eyes flicker with a mix of affection and possessiveness.


“If… if it’s okay with you, I can take care of you while you reconcile with your father.”


It’s only natural, but the prestigious Namgung Family, like other families near the Martial Alliance, has an estate where they stay.


It’s just that Sososo didn’t visit while Mantian was staying at the Martial Alliance.


“Ah, by the way—since you mentioned wanting to learn swordsmanship, I can teach you while we stay together.”


If she thought about it a little, she’d realize this is a bit pushy, something the usual Sososo would have been aware of.


“Prince Sima, you’ve helped me countless times. Please, give me a chance to repay you.”


In other words, she’s not in her usual state.


“If… if you refuse… I… I’ll become someone who doesn’t know etiquette and can’t repay kindness…”


Sososo’s pale hand, afraid of rejection, gently grabs Mantian’s sleeve.


She feels anxious and restless, unable to hide her feelings for Mantian, especially with Guhae and Yeonghwa around.


She doesn’t want to lose the man before her, doesn’t want him taken away. She clings stubbornly.


“So… please… come with me.”


She throws an unfamiliar tantrum.


…And so, Mantian is taken aback by the sudden declaration of being “taken care of.”


But he kindly smiles and accepts her tantrum.


What can I say? She’s an older sister who really triggers protective instincts.


“Alright, if you’re offering, I’ll gladly accept. I’ll be in your debt again.”


It’s not like he urgently needs to stay at the Namgung Family right now.


But since it’s not out of resentment and she wants to repay a favor, there’s no reason to refuse.


From being a pillar of the Jiegal Family to a class change.


Starting today, I’m a freeloader at the Namgung Family.


…And honestly, if I stayed at the Jiegal Family any longer, I’d probably spend more time being forced to play Go with Jiegal Yang than training or hanging out with Guhae.

***

As they say, strike while the iron is hot. Before starting serious swordsmanship training, Sososo and I visited the blacksmith to find a suitable sword.


“Even though I’m grateful you’re buying me one, is it really okay to get a real sword already?”


“Prince Sima, you’ve mastered staff techniques.”


At my question, Sososo smiles and nods.


“A staff is a weapon that can strike, thrust, and swing. Those who are skilled with a staff usually handle other weapons well too.”


Well, if you attach a blade to a wooden staff, it becomes the versatile spear.


The grip and details might differ, but the general feel is similar, right?


“Hmm~ If that’s the case, I might as well pick a good one.”


I just want a decent sword without overthinking it.


The blacksmith, perhaps inspired by my casual remark, approaches with a mix of seriousness and jest.


“The best swords are the Ten Thousand Swords, the masterpieces of Gu Yazi.”


“Unfortunately, our forge doesn’t have a single one.”


“Ten Thousand Swords…?”


As I tilt my head in confusion, the blacksmith explains with a strangely pleased expression.


“Ah~ You don’t know about the Ten Thousand Swords. They are the ten most outstanding swords in the world.”


He must have been bored. Or maybe he just loves explaining things.


I glance at Sososo.


“……”


She seems quite interested, so I quietly listen to the blacksmith’s explanation.


“The Ten Thousand Swords are not just powerful weapons. Each sword embodies a different philosophy, making them distinct and thought-provoking.”


The tools used by rulers in sacrifices to heaven are swords.


They cut offerings and perform sword dances to appease the heavens.


The sword symbolizes the authority of kings, the weapon of emperors.


Then, only those with the qualities of a king should wield a sword.


The most demanding sword, Zhanlu, can only be drawn by those destined to be kings.


…But sharpening a weapon is ultimately for cutting.


Swords are made solely for cutting. Beauty and symbolism are unnecessary.


The sharpest sword made purely for cutting, Juque.


To cut, thrust, and kill. In the end, people wield swords to kill.


The assassination sword made for killing, Yuchang.


However, the sword is an excellent weapon but not the strongest.


It’s shorter than a spear, less sturdy than a shield, and lacks the force of an axe.


Can the sword’s limits be surpassed?


Longer than a spear, sturdier than a shield, more powerful than an axe.


The failed yet successful ultimate sword, Tai’a.


No matter how excellent a sword is, if no one can wield it, it’s just a decoration.


People wield weapons to win. If you can’t defeat your opponent, it’s useless.


The most convenient and cowardly sword that brings victory to its master, Shengxie.


…Even if you create an outstanding weapon, if the wielder is trash, the sword’s true power can’t be unleashed.


Can a sword be made to unleash its full power even if the wielder is lacking?


The most free sword that roams the heavens and seas by its own will, Longyuan.


Can you subdue an enemy without even swinging the sword?


The loudest sword that terrifies opponents into submission, Gongbu.


“These are the various swords that exist. Obtaining the Ten Thousand Swords is the dream of every swordsman.”


As the blacksmith’s explanation seems to be winding down, I ask something that’s been on my mind.


“You mentioned the Ten Thousand Swords, but three are missing.”


Indeed, the swords mentioned by the blacksmith were Zhanlu, Juque, Yuchang, Tai’a, Shengxie, Longyuan, and Gongbu.


Seven in total. Three were missing.


“Ah, the couple swords Ganjiang and Moye were made by Gu Yazi’s disciple and daughter. And Chun Gou is Gu Yazi’s final masterpiece… No one knows what thoughts went into its creation.”


“Final? You mean he died?”


The blacksmith nods with a troubled expression.


“Yes, the process of making Chun Gou was so grueling. Gu Yazi coughed up blood as he hammered, and when Chun Gou was completed…”


“He exhausted all his energy and died on the spot.”


An eerie silence fills the forge.


A man who spent his life making swords died because of the sword he made.


Did Gu Yazi find satisfaction in his life? Or did he feel resentment? It’s an unknowable tale.


Anyway, I break the silence and share a thought I had since hearing about the Ten Thousand Swords.


“Huh~ Mister, then. I prefer the idea of a zeroth sword, the original form of all swords, or a hidden eleventh sword. Is there anything like that?”


Apparently not. The blacksmith falls silent.


Sososo and I pick a decent sword, strap it to our waists, and head out.


He started the setting game, but…


He didn’t accept mine. What a mean old man.

***

A corner of the Four Great Demon Sects threatening the peace of the martial world.


The main palace of the Blood Church.


The Asura Palace, where the Blood Demon resides.


A dark plaza with faintly flickering candles, surrounded by black rocks.


Sitting on a throne veiled in secrecy, the Blood Demon’s shadow trembles with surprise at his subordinate’s report.


“You found Gandharva-!?”


“Yes, some lower disciples recklessly attacked the Sima Family before. They definitely caught the scent of Gandharva then.”


“Those despicable followers of Indra-!!”


The Blood Demon’s roar, filled with immense power, shakes the stones in the room.


“Capture them immediately! We’ll offer their blood in sacrifice! We’ll summon Indra-!!”


…And not far away, in a place utterly mismatched with the current setting, a beautiful black-haired woman in a red dress sits at a table adorned with a Western tea party set.


“Hmm~ I don’t understand why you hate Indra so much.”


She sips her tea elegantly, tilting her head with a look of pure curiosity.


“Didn’t your sister marry Indra? Isn’t he your brother-in-law?”


“……?!”


The Blood Church members turn pale at the taboo words spoken before the Blood Demon.


…But fortunately, the Blood Demon doesn’t lose control.


“Erzebeta—you are an excellent subordinate and my friend, so I will specially forgive that remark.”


He is lenient with friends and outstanding warriors.


“But it would be best if you never utter such nonsense before me again. I have never once considered Indra… that bastard, my brother-in-law.”


The Blood Demon’s arm reaches out, removing the veil hiding his form.


A body adorned with golden ornaments, sharp teeth, and two horns protruding from his forehead.


With red skin and eyes that shine even in the darkness, six arms.


A form that inspires both fear and awe, beautiful and mesmerizing.


“That bastard took my sister’s purity before the ceremony! He insulted my sister’s honor and our family!!”


“Weren’t they already promised to each other? Getting worked up over a little pre-marital action, you’re quite the virgin.”


…But Erzebeta’s indifferent attitude makes the Blood Demon’s red face flush even more with embarrassment, his brow furrowing.


“Haa-!? Pre-marital purity is common sense! This is why you decadent mortals…!!”


‘Really…’—After grumbling for a while, the Blood Demon glances at the prostrated disciples and issues an order.


“For this matter, I’ll specially deploy an executive. Summon Longti Shexin (Dragon Body, Snake Heart).”


“……!!”


Blood Church executive, Longti Shexin. One with the body of a dragon and the heart of a snake.


In his mortal days, he killed for trivial reasons.


Though not a martial artist, he slew a dozen soldiers chasing him and fled, joining the Blood Church.


He quickly rose to the rank of executive, a monster.


Above all, he is the master of the life-draining demon sword, Chun Gou.