The Return of the Sword God

Chapter 169: A Changed Standing. -01

“Who do you think it’ll be?”

“Compared to Danwi, Sect Leader Sang is far superior. So I believe he’ll naturally take the vacant seat. Great Hero Ilwoo was also severely injured.”

“If he adapts, he’ll recover the skill he had when he was whole.”

“That will be difficult. The difference between having two arms and having one is greater than it seems.”

He might grit his teeth and rise to a realm even higher than when his body had been intact, but in Ban Hojin’s view, that possibility was slim.

People often said that no one could predict how life would unfold, yet from what he had seen so far, that was the reality.

“He’ll find a way. He won’t give up. Not with his personality. He’ll come up with a solution somehow. Ah, Great Hero Sang has also received an epithet.”

“What epithet?”

Ban Hojin, who normally showed no interest whatsoever in his own epithet, asked with a curious expression.

The others were no different.

Since Sang Il-gi could be called a Ten Great Masters Under Heaven-level figure without exaggeration, they all looked expectant.

“What do you think it is?”

“Are you going to play it like this?”

“Why? You can do it, but I can’t?”

Peng Mancheol chuckled.

It felt like he had just gotten a bit of revenge.

Still, he did not drag it out for long.

“It’s the epithet everyone expected. Which is why it feels a bit bland.”

“Then it must be Myungwang.”

“That’s right. It suits him well. It’s similar to Yama King, but the two of them seem to get along perfectly, so it fits like a glove.”

“So he’s one of the new Murim Ten Kings.”

Ban Hojin grinned.

It differed from his previous life, when he had been called Divine Fist, but the epithet Myungwang was not bad at all.

Epithet could change with the right opportunity, after all.

“Then Iryong has become the disciple of one of the Murim Ten Kings now?”

“Hahaha.”

Jeong Iryong scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.

He felt as though he had gone to sleep and woken up with a higher status, leaving him unsure of what to say.

“What are you planning to do?”

“I’ll return to Songshan. I’ve done more than my share.”

“True. You were practically the greatest contributor in this war. Honestly, I still can’t quite believe it.”

“If you don’t want to believe it, then don’t. No one is forcing you.”

“How could I not believe it when I saw it with my own eyes? Anyway, wait for me. I’ll stop by the Main House and then come find you.”

Ban Hojin frowned deeply.

He made no effort to hide his displeasure.

Yet Peng Mancheol paid no heed to his expression.

“Why are you coming?”

“Because I want to properly cross blades with you. I have a feeling that if I lose to you, I’ll know exactly what I need to improve.”

“Sect Leader Sang could do that for you as well.”

“Great Hero Sang will be at Songshan too, won’t he?”

Ban Hojin found himself speechless.

He could not deny it.

Sang Il-gi might set off on another journey through Jianghu, but at the very least, he would surely accompany them to Songshan.

“I’ll go as well.”

“Why you?”

At that moment, Namgung Ho approached.

Due to the injuries he had sustained from In Gyeongbo, his upper body was wrapped tightly in bandages. Even so, perhaps because he had had a drink, his face was slightly flushed.

“For the same reason as him.”

“Huh.”

Seeing Namgung Ho smile meaningfully with a faint flush on his face made Peng Mancheol uneasy.

It did not seem that a simple sparring match was his only objective.

Sensing some other motive, Peng Mancheol rolled his large, bead-like eyes.

But there was no way for him to stop him.

“Shouldn’t you treat your injuries first?”

“This will heal quickly.”

“With the alcohol, I doubt it will heal that quickly.”

“Are you already treating me like an old man?”

Namgung Ho grinned.

It was a smile that said there was no need to worry.

“I’ve heard that one should take care of one’s health while still young. Treatment is treatment, but shouldn’t you also rest and recover properly?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not that old yet. I may not be like you, but I’m still in my prime. Just look at Family Head Peng.”

“Don’t compare me. I was born with a different body.”

Peng Mancheol grumbled as if to say it was ridiculous to compare them.

Though their ages might be similar, their physical capabilities were entirely different.

The defining trait of the Hebei Peng Family was their exceptionally sturdy bodies, and Peng Mancheol shook his head.

“Do as you wish.”

No matter what he said, they seemed firmly intent on coming to Songshan, so Ban Hojin gave up.

It wasn’t as though there were no other options.

Thus, he set aside the two men and focused on conversing with his companions.

After returning to Songshan, Ban Hojin headed straight to the Abbot’s Quarters.

He needed to report on the war against the Ironblood Fortress.

“Sit.”

“Yes.”

Clink.

No sooner had Ban Hojin sat down than Damhyeon poured him tea that had been carefully brewed in advance.

Soon, the Abbot’s Quarters filled with the rich fragrance of tea.

“I’ve heard. They say you defeated the Lord of the Ironblood Fortress.”

“It simply turned out that way. The original plan was for me not to step forward, but the situation forced my hand.”

“Hehehe.”

Despite having achieved the greatest merit, Ban Hojin sounded as though he were disgruntled that circumstances had compelled him to act. Damhyeon smiled faintly at the sight.

Even though the name Wuming was shaking the world, he had not changed in the slightest.

If anything, he looked thoroughly inconvenienced.

“It wasn’t only me who contributed. My companions did as well, and Sect Leader Sang played a tremendous role.”

“I’ve heard. He received the epithet Myungwang. Sect Leader Sang certainly deserves it. Though you likely know that better than I do.”

Damhyeon smiled gently.

After all, it had been Ban Hojin who had brought Sang Il-gi out into the world.

Looking back, it almost seemed as though Ban Hojin had known this would happen.

“Sect Leader Sang fully deserves to be among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven. For one thing, he is stronger than Danwi.”

“Do you not feel wronged?”

“About the seat among the Murim Ten Kings?”

“Yes.”

“Not at all. Recognition from others holds little meaning. In the end, what matters is my own strength.”

Damhyeon’s smile deepened.

Those were precisely the words he had wanted to tell Ban Hojin.

Of course, others’ perspectives and evaluations were not meaningless.

Many people obsessed over them.

But as Ban Hojin had just said, what truly mattered was one’s own strength.

Without a solid foundation of ability, any fame would amount to nothing but an empty name.

“There is nothing more I can teach you. Then again, you have already surpassed me. Hehehe.”

The phrase “the student surpasses the master” naturally came to mind, and Damhyeon let out a hearty laugh.

Before being the Abbot of Shaolin, he was also a martial artist.

Thus, seeing his disciple stand tall under heaven filled him with indescribable joy.

“Not at all. I still have much to learn.”

“It seems I should be the one asking you to teach me.”

“Martial arts are not everything, are they?”

“A good mindset. Victory is not decided solely by the level of martial realm.”

Damhyeon wore a contented expression.

Though Ban Hojin was his disciple, he had grown remarkably well, and for that he was grateful.

Moreover, Ban Hojin had not only grown stronger but had also made the Sword of Shaolin known throughout the world.

That made Damhyeon all the more pleased.

“That is correct.”

“Take this.”

Swish.

With a smile still on his face, Damhyeon rose and placed an item he had prepared in advance on the table.

It was tightly wrapped in plain cloth, but its shape was distinct enough that Ban Hojin immediately recognized what it was.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“Is there anyone else here?”

“My sword is still fine.”

“Take it out.”

“Yes.”

Ban Hojin untied the sword from his waist.

As his body had grown, he had changed swords, and the one he currently used had been with him for four years.

Yet because he wiped and maintained it daily with plain cloth, it showed no signs of age.

Only the traces of countless battles remained etched across it.

“It’s been about four years, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“You’ve used this one quite a long time. You used to break them often.”

“Hahaha.”

At the mention of old times, Ban Hojin laughed awkwardly.

He had broken or damaged quite a few swords while training.

Especially after he had moved beyond practice swords, he had shattered many more.

Being unfamiliar with real combat blades, he had handled them too roughly.

Shing.

“The scabbard and the blade both bear the years you’ve fought.”

“Yes. It’s practically an extension of myself.”

“But its lifespan is nearly over.”

“It’s still fine.”

Having broken several before, he had learned how to wield and care for a sword properly. Compared to how long he had used it, his current blade was almost as good as new.

That was how carefully he had treasured it.

Yet despite appearances, its internal condition was far from ideal.

In particular, after his battle with the Iron Blood Demon Emperor, its durability had deteriorated considerably—something Damhyeon noticed at a glance.

Ting. Ting!

Beyond merely looking, Damhyeon lightly tapped the blade with his finger.

Within the clear resonance, there was a faint dullness.

“All things have a lifespan. The same goes for people. There are treasures said to be priceless that defy such limits, but ordinarily, that is not the case. If you were to face someone at the level of the Iron Blood Demon Emperor once more, this sword would not endure.”

“Hmm.”

Ban Hojin did not deny it.

He felt it himself.

After all, how could the owner be unaware?

He had simply wished to stay with it until it truly broke—until it could no longer be used.

“Changing swords does not mean you must discard the old one. On the contrary, using a new sword may allow you to keep this one intact for much longer.”

“But wouldn’t that strip it of its purpose?”

“Why would it? Use it when training alone. When performing a sword dance.”

“Oh?”

“It depends on how you use it.”

Ban Hojin nodded.

As his master had said, there was no need to leave it merely as an ornament.

Depending on how he chose to use it, he could continue to keep it by his side.

“Rather than seeking a new sword after it breaks, it is far more efficient to have a spare. Other swordsmen do the same. It is better to adapt in advance than to adjust too late.”

“That means you expect me to fight often, doesn’t it?”

“Do not twist my words. I prepared it with a pure heart—for you.”

Damhyeon offered a gentle smile at Ban Hojin, who was subtly probing him.

There was truly no ulterior motive.

If anything, he felt apologetic for having been inattentive until now.

“I’ll take a look first.”

Rustle.

Ban Hojin lifted the sword Damhyeon had placed on the table.

As he unwrapped the plain cloth, a simple blade appeared—much like the Azure Steel Sword he had used until now.

It was an unadorned weapon that seemed to emphasize pure practicality, yet the moment he drew it, his expression changed.

He knew the instant he saw the blade.

“Do you like it?”

“Was this custom-made?”

“The Main Temple holds more treasures than one might think. Many of them cannot be used as they are. I selected suitable materials from among them to forge that sword.”

“It’s far more than I deserve.”

“Not at all. You are the Sword of Shaolin, are you not? You have every right to wield a blade of that caliber. To speak bluntly, is there anyone in the Main Temple who handles a sword better than you?”

Damhyeon smiled at Ban Hojin, who looked slightly burdened.

Considering not only his skill but also his current standing, the sword he held was by no means excessive.

In fact, Damhyeon felt it was still lacking.

Though it could be called a fine sword without hesitation, it was not quite enough to fully withstand Ban Hojin’s True Energy.

“I will gratefully accept it.”

“Yes. That is enough. Hehehe.”