Chapter 04

Before anyone realized it, the sky had turned a deep navy blue.

In front of the Sword Soul Cave, Seventh Elder Namgung Do, seated cross-legged atop a large boulder, glanced at the tightly shut stone gate and spoke in a low voice.

“…It’s taking a long time.”

His tone carried undisguised annoyance.

Night had already fallen after the sun disappeared beyond the western horizon, yet the stone gate of the Sword Soul Cave remained firmly closed.

He continued speaking toward Tenth Elder Namgung Baek, who still stood motionless before the gate.

“Wouldn’t it be wise to start preparing yourself for the inevitable?”

Even at the words spoken behind him, Namgung Baek did not turn around.

“Not yet. The Young Master will return.”

Without realizing it, he bit his dry lips.

Unlike the confidence in his words, his heart was already burning with anxiety.

Is this truly the end?

Would the talent he had witnessed never be allowed to fully bloom, only to wither away within that dark cavern?

A shadow of despair crossed Namgung Baek’s face.

And at that very moment—

KUUUUUUNG!

A thunderous roar shook the earth.

“…!”

Namgung Do’s closed eyes snapped open.

The source of the tremor was none other than the Sword Soul Cave.

And there was only one reason the cave could produce such a tremendous resonance.

“Sword Selection…”

A disbelieving sigh escaped Namgung Do’s lips.

Despite guarding this place for decades, he had never experienced anything like this.

Such a pure and overwhelming wave of qi resonating throughout the entire cave.

“Could it be?!”

Even Namgung Baek, who had been drowning in despair, felt a spark of hope reignite amidst his shock.

Goosebumps rose across his body as he swallowed hard.

Soon, as the deafening rumble subsided, the stone gate slowly began to open, scraping against the ground.

Grrrrrrk—

And then, at last—

Namgung Cheon stepped through the opening.

Yet to Namgung Baek, the figure before him seemed like an entirely different person.

His handsome appearance was unchanged, but the heavy gloom that had once clouded his face had completely vanished.

Freed from that darkness, his naturally sharp and distinguished features now stood out clearly.

Most striking of all were his eyes.

The vacant gaze he once possessed had disappeared.

In its place was a sharpness akin to a drawn sword.

Namgung Baek’s eyes naturally shifted toward the young man’s waist.

The sword sheath hanging at his left side was extraordinary at first glance.

Its intricate patterns of white jade and pure silver were unmistakable.

At that moment, Namgung Do’s shocked voice rang out behind him.

“Changcheon (Azure Heaven)!”

The exclamation confirmed Namgung Baek’s suspicions.

The treasured sword once wielded by the Clan Lord several generations ago.

Changcheon.

Being chosen by such a sword alone was already an incredible achievement.

But before he could finish processing his surprise, his eyes reached Namgung Cheon’s opposite waist—and froze.

Contrasting sharply with Changcheon’s magnificent sheath was another one.

A pitch-black scabbard as dark as midnight.

I’ve never seen that sheath before…

Then a realization flashed through Namgung Baek’s mind.

No one may carry a weapon when entering the Sword Soul Cave.

Which meant only one thing.

Namgung Cheon had received two Sword Selections.

“Hah…”

An involuntary gasp escaped Namgung Baek.

This was not merely the miracle he had hoped for.

It was something beyond even his wildest expectations.

Yet the moment of awe was interrupted by Namgung Do’s cold voice.

“Young Master, may I ask why you possess two swords?”

Though his tone was polite, it was clearly an interrogation.

Namgung Cheon slowly raised his head and looked at him.

“Is there a problem, Elder?”

His voice remained calm.

The composed response caused Namgung Do’s brows to twitch slightly.

“Rather than a problem, it concerns the clan’s traditions. In the hundreds of years since the Sword Soul Cave was established, not a single person has ever taken two swords. Would this not constitute excessive greed and a violation of our customs?”

He deliberately emphasized the words excessive greed, attempting to tarnish Namgung Cheon’s achievement as a moral failing.

At those words, Namgung Baek immediately stepped forward.

“Seventh Elder, you go too far. This is not greed. It is a heavenly opportunity and a cause for celebration. How can you slander it in such a manner?”

“Calm yourself. I am merely concerned for the clan’s longstanding order.”

The atmosphere between the two elders grew tense once more.

Then—

Namgung Cheon calmly looked at Namgung Do and spoke.

“Within the clan laws you are so eager to protect, is there any rule stating that a Sword Selection must involve only one sword?”

“…”

Silence.

No one had expected such a question.

Namgung Cheon continued.

“If not, then is it not the one invoking laws that do not exist who is truly violating the clan’s traditions?”

“…!”

Namgung Do’s pupils trembled violently.

The very principles and traditions he had tried to wield as a weapon had been turned back against him.

For the first time, he found himself unable to say a single word.

His lips merely quivered.

As though no longer worth his attention, Namgung Cheon shifted his gaze away.

Then he slightly bowed toward Namgung Baek.

“In that case, I shall return to my residence.”

His words were courteous.

Yet the meaning was obvious.

The matter was finished.

No one should stop him.

Namgung Do’s face stiffened.

Having been completely defeated in both logic and justification, he could only nod silently.

There was no excuse for preventing the Young Master’s rest.

Once permission was effectively granted, Namgung Cheon turned toward his guard Baek Heon and maidservant Soso, who were staring at him blankly.

“Let’s go.”

A simple statement.

Yet it carried a weight that had never existed before.

Without realizing it, both Baek Heon and Soso lowered their heads and followed behind him.

Namgung Cheon walked past the two elders and leisurely descended the mountain.

The only thing the elders could do was watch in silence as the figure carrying two swords gradually disappeared from sight.

* * *

Namgung Cheon’s residence was located in the northernmost and most secluded area of the clan grounds.

For the residence of a direct descendant of the Clan Lord, it was unbelievably simple and modest.

An old wooden table.

A creaking chair.

A neatly folded set of bedding.

That was nearly everything in the room.

“Young Master, are you truly alright?”

As soon as they entered, Baek Heon asked with concern.

The shock and excitement from what had happened at the Sword Soul Cave still lingered in his eyes.

Without replying, Namgung Cheon placed the two swords onto the table.

Clank.

A heavy sound echoed through the room.

“What concerns you?”

“Th-The matter with Seventh Elder. Considering his personality, I doubt he will simply let this go.”

While Baek Heon spoke, Soso carefully approached with a warm cup of tea.

“Young Master, please drink this first and recover your strength.”

Though she was frightened herself, her concern for her master was evident.

Namgung Cheon quietly observed the two of them.

One was consumed by worry.

The other struggled to fulfill her duties despite her fear.

The old Namgung Cheon would have taken comfort in their loyalty.

But the current Namgung Cheon was different.

Loyalty… or expectation toward a rising power?

The Heavenly Demon trusted no human heart.

Especially not goodwill directed toward himself.

Suspicion always came first.

That was the only survival lesson countless betrayals had taught him.

Taking the tea, Namgung Cheon drank a sip.

Warmth spread through his palm.

His eyes remained cold.

“Do not concern yourselves with it.”

Setting down the cup, he continued.

“You may both retire and rest. I wish to spend tonight in peace. Do not allow anyone to enter.”

“…Yes, Young Master.”

“Understood, Young Master.”

Unable to object, Baek Heon and Soso bowed before leaving.

The door closed.

Silence once again filled the room.

Under the flickering candlelight, Namgung Cheon closed his eyes and sank into thought.

Seventh Elder Namgung Do…

He recalled the elder’s face.

One of the First Young Master’s people. I’ll need to keep watch on him.

His thoughts shifted to another individual.

On the other hand, Tenth Elder Namgung Baek is useful.

A man who had never truly taken sides.

Someone who would likely acknowledge his worth now that he had received the Sword Selection.

A capable shield—and spear—for the road ahead.

The first foothold has been secured successfully.

Namgung Cheon slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze fell upon the two swords resting side by side on the table.

Changcheon.

The treasured sword of a former Clan Lord.

And beside it—

Mukhon (Black Soul).

His true companion, hiding its real nature within an old, worn scabbard.

Changcheon alone should be enough.

Bringing Changcheon out of the cave had been a declaration.

A proclamation that Namgung Cheon, once pushed aside, had returned carrying the weight of legitimacy and history behind him.

The clan can no longer ignore my existence, whether they wish to or not.

A faint smile tugged at his lips before disappearing.

The real battle begins now.

Closing his eyes once more, he directed his consciousness inward.

Within his dantian, the internal energy he had forged inside the Sword Soul Cave revolved peacefully.

The Namgung Clan’s Azure Sky Great Flame Art, fused with the destructive efficiency and operational principles of demonic martial arts.

A completely new form of power.

It left behind none of the impurities of demonic qi, yet possessed explosive force far beyond the original technique.

He had already completed his first creation.

A new cultivation method.

But that alone was insufficient.

A new power required a new sword to contain it.

Silently, he stared at the two swords before him.

That was his second challenge.

Shing—

He first drew Changcheon from its scabbard.

Bathed in moonlight, the blade emitted a cold azure glow.

Pure.

Upright.

Noble.

He casually swung it through the air.

It embodied the Namgung sword itself.

This is my face.

Returning Changcheon to the table, he placed his hand on Mukhon’s sheath.

Shrrrng—

The moment Mukhon emerged, the candle flames throughout the room trembled violently.

A sensation completely opposite to Changcheon.

An insatiable hunger.

A force that seemed capable of devouring everything.

Its thirst for power flowed directly into his palm.

And this is my heart.

Holding one sword in each hand, Namgung Cheon felt the opposing energies clash through his body.

Like water and oil, neither willing to blend with the other.

Yet he calmly accepted both.

Two swords. Two paths.

A clear vision formed in his mind.

With Changcheon, I shall play the role of Namgung.

With Mukhon, I shall become the Heavenly Demon.

He closed his eyes.

Light and darkness.

Orthodoxy and demonic path.

At last, both had found their place within a single existence.

This is the path…

…that I, Namgung Heavenly Demon, shall walk.