Chapter 25. Sword Demon Confession
Cabin.
“Hmm…”
Hoyeon sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.
‘Chang-gung-ho-han-gi-yeo-jo. Dae-yeon-hyeon-gi-un-ja-so. Shin-gong-myobeop-tong-cheonji. Naeryeok-jing-cheong-yeong-byeok-so. Sim-jeong-yeo-su-in-cheon-gi. Gi-gwan-ju-shin-pa-man-wi…’
He was circulating the Changgung Daeyeon Divine Art.
Whoosh!
His Qi Hai acupoint glowed blue as the inner energy spread infinitely.
‘Breath flows in extended cycles. Spirit unites with clarity and refinement. Dantian’s warmth swells like the sea. Internal circulation strengthens the body. Energy, essence, and spirit merge—Heaven responds with change…’
As the meditation deepened, the Changgung Qi spread like a vast sky, embracing all.
‘Chang-gung Mu-geuk melts into the clear flow. Dae-yeon Divine Art trembles with echoes. Heaven and Earth meet in harmony. Yin and Yang complement and unite. All laws return to one—centered in the heart. Miraculous energy bursts forth—Chang-gung awakens…’
It was even embracing the Red Cloud, which held the power of the Heavenly Thunder King Technique.
In fact, one of the reasons Hoyeon’s body could hold such overwhelming energy like Heavenly Thunder Qi was precisely because of the Changgung Qi. If Heavenly Thunder Qi was the tree, Changgung Qi was the earth supporting its roots.
‘Ultimate Southern Palace Knot. Creation’s origin stands firm in the heavens.’
Having completed a full cycle of the Divine Art, Hoyeon felt all his energy channels stabilize.
But his expression remained grim.
‘Tsk, the meridians are too weak.’
Compared to his days as the Sword Demon, this body’s meridians were too narrow and frail.
Naturally so—this body was only sixteen.
Still in its prime growth stage.
‘The potential’s good. Maybe I can reach a level even higher than in my past life. But right now, I can’t even use all the inner power I have.’
Currently, Hoyeon’s mind, technique, and body were imbalanced.
Mind (心)? His mental strength was unshakable.
Technique (技)? After conversing with thousands of swords in the Namgung family’s collection for a year straight, his skill was sharp.
Body (體)? This was the issue.
The young body would break bones and tear muscles with just a little strain. The soft meridians would be injured from pushing inner strength too far. It was like raw iron—not yet forged.
‘I’m supplementing with telekinetic will, but there’s a limit.’
He thought back to the battle at Hapsan.
Dealing with small fry was fine. Simple movements like dodge, slash, stab sufficed.
But when facing Mak Cheon-ak…
‘I had to draw out all my internal power. I used telekinetic will to reinforce meridians, shield joints and muscles…’
It was inefficient and demanding.
And the worst part—there was only one solution to this imbalance:
“Haah… Time. I need time…”
Hoyeon sighed and opened his eyes, a faint blue glow sweeping across the cabin.
“Obviously, right?”
He clicked his tongue and scratched his messy hair.
His issue was that the body hadn’t matured yet. So the only solution—wait for it to grow.
Clack.
He picked up the Heavenly Thunder Sword.
“Old man Gondae, let me borrow ten years of your life.”
―Trying to get yourself killed?
“You’ve lived over a thousand years. What’s ten years to you?”
―You crazy brat. Be glad I’m a kind old sword. Say that to anyone else and you’ll get stabbed while taking a dump.
“Why while taking a dump?”
―Because that’s the most tragic moment.
While joking with the sword—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone knocked on the cabin door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
“Me who? The Swamp Dragon? I thought you lived in the Yangtze, didn’t think you’d visit personally.”
“…Please stop joking. Open the door. We don’t have time.”
Step, step, click!
As Hoyeon unlocked the door, Jegal Ahyeon, draped in a black cloak, slipped in like a gust of wind and shut the door.
Thud. Clunk.
“We need to talk.”
“About what?”
Whoosh!
Hoyeon tilted his head. Jegal Ahyeon threw off her cloak, her brown eyes gleaming.
“About our engagement.”
Swaa—! Swaa—!
A massive Fukusen (double-decked boat) split through the Yangtze River’s current.
On its central sail, the character 羊 (yang/sheep) was written large.
From miles away, a group was observing it.
“Boss. It’s the Yangwang Trading Group. They’re heading north via Yangzhou and the Grand Canal.”
A scrawny man spoke. The bald man leaning on the railing, toothpick in mouth, asked:
“Tsk tsk. The toll?”
“Collected.”
“Anything unusual?”
“There are guests onboard.”
“Huh?”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Why say that now? Don’t you know guests pay extra?”
“It’s just…”
“Damn it. The boatmaster’s gonna flip. Turn the bow around!”
“Wait! We can’t!”
The subordinate held him back.
“Those guests… they’re from Jegal and Namgung.”
“…What?”
“They’re heading to Liaoning, probably hitching a ride on the way.”
The bald man scowled.
“So what if it’s Jegal and Namgung? You think that pays the bills? You gonna live on river water?”
“It’s not just them. They’re attending the Baekga Sword Assembly. These are late-stage disciples. We should be cautious.”
“Tch… Baekga Sword Assembly, huh…”
The event, held every five years, was notorious among the Dark Path sects—because the disciples always ended up hunting down nearby dark factions.
‘Even if you beat the brats, you can’t handle the aftermath. The White Clans will retaliate.’
Getting marked by the Assembly was basically a death sentence for the dark sects.
“Damn it… I became a pirate to live free, and now I have to kiss ass just like before?”
He had joined the Yangtze River Alliance, becoming head of the Sea God Division, thinking he could throw his weight around.
But life wasn’t any different—still sucking up to jerks with power and dealing with his cranky boss.
“Damn… If only I was born in Jegal or Namgung, I’d be living like a king—wait.”
He suddenly remembered something.
“Namgung family? Isn’t that what the Division Master told us to report immediately?”
“I snuck out, so I have to get back quickly. I’ll be blunt.”
Jegal Ahyeon took a deep breath and smiled confidently.
“Namgung Gongja. Marry me.”
“…Huh?”
―Ha! A bold woman indeed!
Hoyeon froze, while the Heavenly Thunder Sword applauded.
“What did you say?”
“Let’s get married. Not just a verbal promise—an official wedding. Become husband and wife.”
“…”
She continued.
“Since you’ve shown your worth at Hapsan, I’ll speak honestly.”
“Go on.”
“First, I apologize for my past rudeness.”
She straightened her clothes and bowed respectfully. It didn’t look servile—just dignified.
“Rude? When?”
Hoyeon tilted his head.
He was usually the one being rude, not on the receiving end.
“Back when we first met—I said you were irresponsible.”
“Oh, that.”
He remembered.
“This is who I am. If you want to be engaged, you’ll have to deal with it.”
“Are you always so irresponsible? That’s not fair.”
“Why not?”
“You act like you don’t care who you marry.”
“Because I don’t.”
―You were the rude one.
‘…Shut up.’
As Hoyeon inwardly scolded the sword, Ahyeon spoke:
“Actually, I was the irresponsible one. I didn’t care who I got engaged to. I just wanted to escape my family.”
“Hmm?”
“When I left, I was meant to be an offering to the Moyong family.”
“I figured.”
“You knew?”
“Jegal family’s always been like that. I know how those uptight bastards think.”
She smiled despite his blunt words.
“You knew… That makes this easier.”
“It’s already easy.”
“Originally, I was to be engaged to Moyong Cheol, a prince of the Moyong clan. This whole Assembly was for that.”
“So?”
“Things changed.”
Step. Step. Step.
She slowly approached Hoyeon.
“Because you showed your divine power, my father—Jegal Shinsan—had to recalculate.”
“So?”
“He’s still calculating. So the decision has been delayed.”
She clasped his hand, eyes shining.
“When this Assembly ends, my marriage will be decided.”
“…”
“So please, prove at the Assembly that you’re the hero worthy of me.”
“Hah!”
Hoyeon scoffed.
“Why should I claim you?”
“Because I’m beautiful. Didn’t you admit that?”
She smiled playfully, but Hoyeon noticed her hand trembling.
‘Is this supposed to be seduction?’
Handholding and smiling?
Old Master Chaeyangbo would laugh himself silly.
Still, with a face like hers, it was effective.
‘Why’s she doing this out of the blue? What’s chasing her?’
His eyes narrowed as Ahyeon’s voice trembled.
“Before we reach Liaoning… I wanted to tell you first.”
“Why?”
“If I told you after meeting Moyong Cheol, I wasn’t sure what you’d think.”
“Didn’t you once say even buying from a market requires careful comparison?”
“T-That was just to provoke you… I’m sorry.”
She bowed her head.
“I hope you don’t misunderstand. This is the first decision I’ve made for myself in my life…”
“…”
Hoyeon fell silent, then opened his mouth.
“Ow.”
“…Huh?”
“Let go of my hand.”
“Ah!”
She released his hand quickly.
“Your grip is Swamp Dragon-level.”
“S-Sorry…”
“You apologize for everything, huh?”
He chuckled softly.
“Well, nothing really changes.”
“Huh?”
“I was going to show off Namgung’s name at the Assembly anyway, and we’re still engaged from birth.”
“You mean—!”
“Let’s talk again after the Assembly. By then, we’ll both know where we stand.”
He closed his eyes as if finished.
Her happy face slowly hardened.
She watched him quietly, then left the cabin.
Click.
As the door closed—
“…Is this fate?”
In the darkness—
A single white thread of destiny shyly approached him.
