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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
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“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t try to weasel out of it. Did you think I wouldn’t notice— Huh? Uncle? When did you get here?”
“I’ve been here the whole time. You should rest. You seem tired.”
“…Really? Have I been skipping too many meals lately?”
Jin Ga-young tilted her head, sniffing the air where I had been floating moments ago.
I felt a little guilty for the unintended misunderstanding, but there was no helping it.
“Technically, your uncle’s ancestor is possessing my body right now”—that was a bit too awkward to explain.
“By the way, Uncle, have you always been that good with the great axe? At this point, you could be called the ‘Axe Saint’ instead of the ‘Sword Saint.’”
“You flatter me.”
– You little brat, stealing the praise meant for me.
“The one who struggled for ten exchanges against a teenage girl should stay quiet. And in my body, no less.”
– ……
Even he seemed embarrassed, as Jin Wuyong shut his mouth.
But the fact that he still refused to admit it showed just how prideful this old man was.
“Well, there’s a reason they say ‘all paths lead to the sword.’ You’re the only martial artist to have reached the pinnacle of the blade, right?”
“That’s just what people call me. There’s no end to the martial path.”
“Oh, come on, no need to be humble. Even your critics acknowledge your skill.”
“It’s just how they see me. I haven’t reached the pinnacle. As for the great axe… I only picked it up while refining the Frozen Flame Moon.”
“And you can unleash strikes like that just from ‘picking it up’? I couldn’t even dream of that kind of power…”
“It’s just brute force. With enough internal energy, you’ll get there someday.”
Of course, the techniques Jin Wuyong displayed weren’t achievable through sheer power alone. They required deep insight into the great axe.
But I meant what I said—she could reach that level someday.
As Jin Wuyong’s direct descendant, her talent far surpassed even mine.
With my guidance, she could surpass him and become a legendary axe master.
– What’s this, brat? Getting too comfortable because I’m being nice?
“I’m speaking purely from a martial perspective. Objectively, without bias.”
– …Can’t argue with that.
“Hehe, even if it’s just lip service, it feels good.”
“I mean it.”
“Yeah, right. How could I ever catch up to you? Your name comes up whenever people debate the greatest martial artists in history.”
“That’s just hype. I’m nowhere near the greatest.”
Jin Ga-young narrowed her eyes at me.
Her probing gaze made me awkwardly avert my eyes, but she quickly closed the distance, refusing to let me escape.
“Then are you denying that you’re the strongest in the world right now? Everyone calls you that.”
“That’s just glorification. A kind of deification. I’m not the strongest.”
“Oh? Then are you going to deny being the strongest among the Five Ultimates too?”
– Looks like our descendant is determined to hype you up.
“……”
Why were both ancestor and descendant ganging up on me like this?
I was just telling the truth.
“…There’s one.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“There’s one person I can’t defeat.”
“W-What? Really? Someone… stronger than you?”
“Yes. Someone I could never overcome, no matter how much time I spent trying. Just one.”
The one who forced me into countless regressions.
The one who turned me into a machine of repetition.
There was one.
“Wh-Who is it? The Divine Monk? The Blood Demon? Wait, the Blood Demon’s dead… The Killing Saint? The Heavenly Demon? Who could possibly be stronger than you?”
Jin Ga-young fired off questions excitedly.
Even as a martial artist, she couldn’t resist the topic of “who’s the strongest?”
Her reaction was so endearing that I couldn’t help but tease her.
“That’s a secret.”
“Wha—? You can’t just make me curious and then not tell me!”
“Haha, the world’s strongest should remain a mystery. I can’t just reveal their identity.”
“Ugh…! You’re so mean…!”
Taunting people like this was bad, but her reactions were too entertaining.
Watching Jin Ga-young squirm inexplicably lifted my mood.
In a good way.
– Brat.
Jin Wuyong, observing me, tossed out a single remark.
– You know how to handle people.
A small chuckle escaped me.
Was this what they called deviance?
– Watching a saint become human is quite entertaining.
That aside, Jin Wuyong’s reckless use of my unfamiliar body had left me exhausted.
I’d need a nap once we got back.
***
“Ugh…”
A familiar ceiling came into view.
Where was this?
A red ceiling with gilded decorations…
“Ah.”
The Namgung Family estate.
Specifically, the clan leader’s office.
“Huh?”
Why was I at the Namgung estate?
I was supposed to be at the Wudang Sect for the Seven Flowers Tournament…
“Clan Leader, it’s time for the Namgung Council meeting.”
“Hm? Ah, right. The council. Can’t be late.”
Right, I’d forgotten. Today was the day.
…Had recent events been weighing on me so much that my mind was wandering?
Why was I suddenly thinking about the Seven Flowers Tournament? That wasn’t scheduled for another seven months.
Thud—
After haphazardly tying back my disheveled hair in front of the mirror, I strode out of the office.
I considered straightening my appearance, but couldn’t be bothered.
Whether I tidied up or not, I’d only receive scornful looks at the council. Might as well go like this.
Step, step—
Odd. My footsteps felt lighter today. Or perhaps… aggressive?
Like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest touch after being suppressed for too long?
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
The righteous path I’d clung to despite the slander and false accusations felt meaningless today.
Ever had one of those days? Where you feel like you could do anything—and actually could?
Whether this was just midday delusion or not would become clear once my head cleared.
Step, step—
I walked confidently down the hall toward the council chamber.
No cowering today.
No matter the disdainful glances from the servants or the disgust in their eyes, I paid no mind.
…Though a faint irritation lingered.
“Hey…! M-Move aside…! What if he looks this way…?”
“Ugh, how shameless can he be? After everything he’s done, he should keep his head down. How dare he strut around like that?”
“L-Lower your voices…! What if the Sword Saint hears…?”
“Let him hear. He should know what he’s done. I can’t stand seeing trash like him acting so brazenly.”
The usual “casual” gossip from the maids.
Because I’d always stayed silent, they’d grown bold enough to say these things openly, despite the rumors.
But for some reason…
Normally, I’d dismiss them as pitiful fools deceived by Namgung Bin.
Today was different.
“…Am I angry?”
Why should I endure this?
Were my achievements, my deeds, my salvation worth less than a lie?
The unwritten rule of the orthodox factions flashed through my mind: “Without justification, one must not act recklessly.”
But today, even that “orthodoxy” grated on my nerves. It slipped past me like a fleeting thought.
“Hey, you two.”
“……!”
A smooth voice—one I hadn’t heard in a while—emerged from my throat.
Odd. It was my usual tone, but…
The maids flinched, startled.
Had they not expected me to speak up?
How arrogant of them.
“Yes, I’m talking to you. Don’t you think you’re being a bit loud? Lower your voices.”
“……!”
“……!”
Their faces stiffened. Faint fear and disgust flickered in their expressions.
…I could overlook the fear, but the disgust stung.
If they knew the truth, they wouldn’t dare look at me like that.
“Actually, there’s something I’d like to tell you. Care to listen? Stay right there—I’ll come to you.”
With a twisted smile, I stepped forward.
The maids panicked, scrambling to flee.
Whoosh—!
“G-Gah!! When did he—?!”
“P-Please spare us! We didn’t say anything!”
In the blink of an eye, I appeared behind them. They collapsed in terror.
“Haha, relax. I won’t harm you. I just want to share a little story.”
Whether they wanted to hear it or not, I began.
Normally, I wouldn’t do this—but today, it felt right.
No, this wasn’t just a mood. A compulsion surged through me, overwhelming reason.
Like chains I hadn’t even noticed had finally shattered.
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[Your Text Here]
Hmm, I really am curious. At the very beginning it seemed like he just got exploited because he was mild-mannered and his younger brother was cunning. But the further along we go, it seems like more and more evidence is piling up for my conjecture that someone was manipulating the minds of the Namgung family members, making his family hostile towards the MC and the MC himself passive (though it seems more like they stoked already-existing ambitions in the younger brother).
I guess the question is who? For all that the MC acts humble he’s monstrously strong, so I’d assume that it’d need to be someone similarly powerful, but no idea who’d fit the criteria. The MC by all accounts defeated the strongest members of the Blood Cult, so even if they’re making a comeback they seem unlikely, and it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone in the Orthodox Sects capable of it. Some concealed third party?