WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME NOVELS

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Former Supreme ◈

Chapter 65: Heavenly Dragon Secret Directive (3)

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Baek Socheon and Ak Sogun's reconciliation was the Alliance's main topic of conversation.

Everyone talked about it whenever they met. In the past, a gag order had been placed on any mention of Baek Socheon, so only martial artists from a few key organizations knew of him. Now, every martial artist at headquarters was talking about Baek Socheon.

"I heard the Alliance Leader and Unit Commander Baek reconciled?"

"They even say the Alliance Leader returned the sword that had been taken back, and people saw them walking side by side."

"What a relief."

"What could have made their relationship so bad?"

"Apparently, there was a great misunderstanding, and it was cleared up."

"Either way, isn't this wonderful for the Alliance?"

Everyone reacted positively. Even Choong Yang did not explode in outrage, so people were happy across the board.

Naturally, those closest to Baek Socheon were happiest of all, especially Beon Saeng and Im Chung.

"The Alliance is in an uproar over our elder brother reconciling with the Alliance Leader."

Im Chung smiled as he watched Beon Saeng, who looked as though he might float away with joy.

"It really is a relief."

"Do you remember? The day our eldest brother strode into the Wencheng Branch brusquely and said, 'I'm Baek Socheon, the new arrival.'"

"How could I forget? The man who went to put a newcomer in his place came back as his younger brother."

"Hahaha. That absurd incident brought us all the way here."

"That's right."

The two laughed warmly as they recalled those days.

"It really feels like you never know what the future holds. A few months ago, could I have ever dreamed I'd be exchanging morning greetings with the Murim Alliance Leader?"

"Same here. Martial artists from the Secret Pavilion eat and sleep according to my decisions. Can you imagine that?"

Im Chung handled all administrative matters for the Sage Heaven Corps. From uniforms to every sort of supply, everything was distributed according to his decisions.

Still, both men were sharp.

"Elder brother, perhaps the martial world has become even more dangerous."

Could that be why such drastic changes were happening?

Im Chung nodded as he considered it. There was only one way to face a world where no one knew what lay even an inch ahead: live this moment well. Happiness did not belong to achievement, but to discovery.

"Come by my house today. Let's have dinner together."

"Haha, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? I'm going to ask you to teach Chan some martial arts too."

"Haha, of course I'll teach him. Whose son is he? How could I refuse? I'll earn my meal properly."

As their circumstances changed, so did their relationship.

* * *

While Im Chung and Beon Saeng were having dinner, Ak Sogun and Zhuge Hyeon were drinking in the Alliance Leader's Hall.

Ak Sogun's conflict had not been solely with Baek Socheon. Its aftermath had also strained Ak Sogun's relationship with Zhuge Hyeon.

"You must have been deeply disappointed in me."

"No. I'm the one who should be sorry."

"What do you have to be sorry for?"

"Wasn't it my duty to prevent such a scheme beforehand?"

"When we fell victim to the gu parasite, we were at war. It was the final stage of that war, at that. Do you remember? Did we spend even a single day in our right minds? How could you have stopped an enemy who took advantage of that chaos?"

"Thank you for saying so."

"Next to Socheon, you are the one who deserves the most credit. Come, have a drink."

The two emptied their cups.

Zhuge Hyeon was deeply moved. It had been so long since Zhuge Hyeon had spoken this openly with Ak Sogun.

As they continued talking, Zhuge Hyeon brought up Baek Socheon.

"Unit Commander Baek has had much on his mind these past three years."

The Alliance Leader was not the only one who had endured a difficult three years. Baek Socheon had as well.

"I suppose he did."

"If it had not been you and Unit Commander Baek who fell victim to the gu parasite, things would not have ended this way."

It was not empty flattery meant to please Ak Sogun. If either of them had cared even a little less for the other, the result would have been utter ruin.

At that moment, On Byeokhwa entered.

"What are you two discussing so happily?"

"Come in. Have a drink with us."

Ak Sogun then said to Zhuge Hyeon, "I asked her to come. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not."

Zhuge Hyeon smiled at her.

"Please, come in."

"I'll interrupt your private gathering for a while."

On Byeokhwa joined them.

After they had shared a round of drinks, Ak Sogun spoke to Zhuge Hyeon.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"Please do."

Zhuge Hyeon had expected it to some extent. Ak Sogun would not have invited the Secret Pavilion Master without reason to a gathering meant to mend their relationship.

"The truth is, the two of us have feelings for each other."

Zhuge Hyeon was startled. Zhuge Hyeon had expected there to be some relationship between Ak Sogun and On Byeokhwa, but never imagined it would be this.

Zhuge Hyeon soon cupped a fist respectfully and offered congratulations.

"Congratulations."

"I'm not sure it's something to be congratulated over."

"Of course it is. Neither of you is married. This is a joyous occasion for the Alliance."

"I'm grateful you see it that way. Still, I don't know if others will."

"I can guess what concerns you. I believe the Alliance Leader clearly separates public and private matters. Forgive the presumptuous question, but do your personal feelings have anything to do with the position of Secret Pavilion Master?"

"Not at all. I came to care for her after she became Secret Pavilion Master."

"I trust the Alliance Leader. If the Alliance Leader says so, the world will believe it as well. If someone refuses to believe it and spreads nonsense, that person would slander the Alliance Leader no matter how many good deeds the Alliance Leader performed."

"Thank you for saying that."

"Thank you for telling me honestly."

"For the time being, let this remain our secret. Ah, I'll tell Socheon separately."

"Yes."

The three drank happily. Ak Sogun felt lighter. Even if no one else did, Zhuge Hyeon needed to understand their relationship clearly. Had it not been for what happened with Baek Socheon, Ak Sogun would have told Zhuge Hyeon long ago.

After they talked for a while longer, Zhuge Hyeon asked, "Then where is Unit Commander Baek now?"

"I gave him leave."

"What?"

Ak Sogun smiled.

"He's resting very well in a wonderful place."

* * *

Baek Socheon sat immersed in Dragon Spring, practicing energy circulation and breath regulation.

Ten days had passed since he entered this place.

He simply took it easy as he practiced energy circulation and breath regulation in Dragon Spring, then trained in the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword.

He decided to forget everything outside. Now that Ak Sogun had regained their senses, there was nothing to worry about. If something urgent happened, they would call for him. That was how he chose to think of it.

He divided his training into three portions.

One, three, six.

One tenth of his time went to practicing the Heaven-Turning Nine Fists.

He would continue learning it until the end, but it was a supplementary art, so he devoted only the minimum time to it.

Three tenths went to cultivating the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method.

Dragon Spring allowed him to accumulate tremendous internal energy, but he also wanted to raise his attainment in the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method.

He had currently reached the third level.

It was not an attainment gained through some revelation. As he practiced energy circulation, he naturally advanced to the next stage.

The higher his attainment rose, the smoother his energy circulation became. The amount of internal energy he accumulated increased, and its quality became purer.

Any martial art advanced quickly at first, then became harder to master with each successive stage.

Baek Socheon's goal was to reach the fourth level before leaving this place.

The remaining six tenths went to the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword.

He now intended to make this sword art his personal specialty. It was unquestionably superior to the sword arts he had learned before. This supreme sword art, which stirred a desire to challenge the impossible, perfectly suited both his nature and his taste.

After finishing his energy circulation and breath regulation, Baek Socheon emerged from Dragon Spring.

Whenever he practiced energy circulation there, his body felt light enough to fly away.

He took food from a jar and ate.

Though he was alone, he did not feel lonely at all. He felt as though he could stay here for a year, even two, and do nothing but train.

No matter how grueling training became, his heart was most at ease when he was training.

That alone proved he was a martial artist by nature.

He had completed his Heaven-Turning Nine Fists training before energy circulation today. Now it was time to practice the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword.

Baek Socheon poured the utmost internal energy into the Ghost Shadow Sword.

Once he infused it with more than a century's worth of internal energy, a sword cry like a ghost's wail echoed through the space. True to its name, it was the Ghost Shadow Sword's distinctive cry. When that ghostly wail sounded on the battlefield, enemies trembled in fear.

Baek Socheon withdrew the internal energy he had poured into the sword. He needed to use as little as possible while training here.

"Haap!"

As Baek Socheon unleashed the first form, the Heavenly Pivot Form, more than ten sword trails were drawn through the air.

It did not end there. Before the sword trails of the first form had faded, Baek Socheon's sword drew new lines.

He had unleashed the second form, the Celestial Rotation Form.

The second form had fewer movements than the first. It consisted of four linked attacks that stabbed east, west, south, and north, eliminating enemies rushing in from all directions with a single strike.

Pak! Pak! Pak! Pak!

The moment the second form ended, Baek Socheon shouted, "I did it."

He had completed the second form before all the sword trails from the first disappeared.

It was an achievement after only ten days. Only Baek Socheon could have managed it.

Yet his joy lasted only a moment. When he thought of the third form, he felt so stifled that he nearly laughed.

The third form, the Celestial Mechanism Form, required him to swing his sword fourteen times.

"Finish all the way to the seventh form while preserving the sword trails? Hahahaha."

Baek Socheon burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity of it.

No matter how he considered it, it did not seem possible.

Still, Baek Socheon did not give up. Once he set a goal, he would see the image created by the Greatest Sword Art of All Time.

"Again."

Baek Socheon gripped his sword once more and began training.

Another ten days passed.

He had now been here for twenty days.

Baek Socheon was utterly absorbed in training. He had never trained this diligently before.

Thanks to that, he achieved his first result.

The Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method rose from the third level to the fourth.

He felt this achievement had nothing to do with his realm of martial understanding. A heart method was closely connected to the practitioner's state of mind when performing energy circulation.

Baek Socheon had never felt as at ease as he did these days.

The fourth level of the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method felt like a gift from that peaceful state of mind.

As the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method reached the fourth level, the amount of internal energy he accumulated through energy circulation increased further, while its quality became even purer.

He had worried that generating internal energy directly from his whole body rather than his dantian might hinder his progress, but his advancement went so smoothly that it almost seemed too fast.

He had also thoroughly learned the Fourth Fist of the Heaven-Turning Nine Fists, Moon Bright, Stars Sparse. Its power was incredible when he unleashed the Fourth Fist, which made full use of internal energy. It was only regrettable that he could not push his internal energy to the limit for fear of collapsing this place.

In any case, he repeatedly practiced the Heaven-Turning Nine Fists through the Fourth Fist until they were fully ingrained in his body.

His foremost goal here remained the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword.

Baek Socheon was completely captivated by the art's overwhelming speed.

The more he learned, the more difficult the sword art became. If he had learned it before now, he would not have been able to master it to the end, nor would he have become so engrossed in it.

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!

The third form, the Celestial Mechanism Form, adorned the air. Fourteen sword strikes unfolded brilliantly.

Yet the sword trails from the first form had already disappeared, and only the last trail from the second remained before it too faded. Soon, the fourteen sword trails vanished from the air.

"Whew. It isn't easy."

He was not fast enough to preserve the sword trails, but even this was a remarkable improvement.

At least he could now smoothly execute the third form.

Even the ancient master who created this martial art would likely refuse to believe that someone could freely perform the third form after only twenty days.

Of course, that ancient master could never have anticipated this martial art being learned by someone who had once stood at the pinnacle of the world.

After practicing the forms until exhaustion, Baek Socheon quickly entered Dragon Spring and practiced energy circulation and breath regulation.

As he recovered his tired body, Baek Socheon gave a quiet snort of laughter.

For the first time since entering this place, he briefly found himself missing someone. It was not the Alliance Leader, Zhuge Hyeon, Beon Saeng, or Im Chung.

Unexpectedly, it was Cheon Geuk.

It would be nice to have her around. He thought it would be nice to joke and play around with her.

'What am I thinking?'

Splash.

As though to shake off the distracting thought, Baek Socheon submerged himself beneath Dragon Spring, then emerged.

Baek Socheon sprang into motion once more.

Heavenly Pivot, Celestial Rotation, Celestial Mechanism!

The three sword forms unfolded brilliantly.

Baek Socheon himself could not see it as he swung his sword. If someone had been watching from afar, they might have caught a vague fragment of some image appearing for an instant before fading away.

"Haaaaap!"

His powerful shout echoed through the space reserved for one man and his time alone.

Footnotes:

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