MTLNOVEL Chapter 170
A rather long time passed.
A generation’s worth—a considerably long time.
Jin Taeyang, with a faint streak of gray in his beard, blankly stared at the dozens of books before him.
The once radiant light was nowhere to be found in his eyes now.
What lingered was the weight of aged years, dark and ominous, a prison sentence devoid of any light. Jin Taeyang swallowed bitterly.
The bundle of books stacked before him had just been purchased from a bookstore. Though quite old, they were still regarded as masterpieces by those in the know.
[9 Methods to Save the Decaying Martial World]
[99 Methods to Save the Dying Martial World]
[9999 Methods to Save the Vanishing Martial World]
And then…
And… Jin Taeyang’s hand trembled slightly. It had taken an incredibly long time to find this book.
The final chapter of the ‘series.’
“Ho, ho…”
Jin Taeyang opened the first book with a faded smile.
Kyomsun Namgung Mongwan—both the First Regressor and the inaugural protagonist of the series. A hero who expelled the forces of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect led by Dongbang Bulpyo.
[9 Methods to Save the Decaying Martial World], a book chronicling the Kyomsun’s regression log.
Jin Taeyang began reading the book slowly. Though he had read it before, he now knew it was more than just a novel.
He read each word carefully.
After about two days,
After satisfying his hunger with a simple meal, Jin Taeyang progressed to the next book.
[99 Methods to Save the Dying Martial World].
Set five hundred years after the previous book, this novel details the regression log of Namgung Cheolbin, a distant descendant of Kyomsun Namgung Mongwan.
The massive devil coming to destroy the entire martial world. The Blood Demon and the Blood Cult.
Namgung Cheolbin, after regressing ninety-nine times, stops the Blood Cult and ushers peace to the martial world. However, a story that seemed destined for a happy ending…
Turns into tragedy once again with the emergence of the transcendent Chonma.
Three days had passed. During this time, Jin Taeyang rested his aging eyes a bit and went out for a short stroll.
Though no one recognized him, for he had been locked away for far too long.
The second regression log of the protagonist from the earlier story.
[9999 Methods to Save the Vanishing Martial World].
Unlike the previous tales, in this novel, the protagonist fails to surpass the ultimate boss no matter how many times he regresses. Instead, he makes the ultimate boss give up on their own.
This, in a way, could be seen as an even harder task, and a meaningful achievement, but Jin Taeyang’s focus was not on this content.
“Kuk kuk kuk…”
Namgung Bin.
The supreme strategist of the martial alliance, who consistently provided the best strategies during most wars and was one of the very few who never betrayed Namgung Cheolbin.
“Ho ho… Indeed, this happened.”
Jin Taeyang, who possessed only one ‘regression memory’ as Namgung Bin, had had his other memories erased due to Namgung Cheolbin’s regression.
“I never thought such an event took place… Cheolbin wouldn’t have known since he regressed… Heehee.”
While it might be mere writing to some,
Jin Taeyang, who had lived as Namgung Bin for fourteen years, clearly imagined every scene upon reading the words.
Fierce battles, glorious victories, humiliating defeats, desperate urgency, and more…
“Huuu…”
Because of the sheer length, it took about a week to finish reading this time. The book ended with the 9999th regression cycle, with the Heavenly Demon retreating.
Stretching his sore waist, Jin Taeyang momentarily indulged in nostalgia. In his gray, prison-tainted memories, the only part with vivid colors was the time of possession.
“So… Now, let’s see…”
Jin Taeyang’s wrinkled hand moved slowly, gripping books that were notably thick.
“Is this title… kuk kuk kuk. Is this even reasonable? Even Cheolbin hit the limit at 9999, and here…”
At the mere sight of the book’s cover, Jin Taeyang burst into bitter laughter.
Because an all-too-familiar face greeted him. A face that no member of the Namgung Clan could forget.
Surely not… Preposterous… Could this woman really…
“Let’s read it then.”
For this moment, Jin Taeyang deliberately avoided novel communities and similar places. He didn’t want any spoilers.
He wanted to confirm it himself, with his own eyes. The protagonist mentioned decades ago by the author, and the enigmatic background hidden beneath.
Page flip.
“…”
Jin Taeyang silently began reading the book. Near the start, he came across a rather absurd scene.
Jin Taeyang himself— Namgung Bin—dies.
Not the protagonist anymore, he gets killed by Namgung Cheolbin.
After conquering the Heavenly Demon, Namgung Bin drastically changes his mindset and devises a plot to bring down Cheolbin.
However, it’s quickly discovered by Cheolbin, who shows mercy out of familial loyalty.
Later, despite the kindness shown, Bin devises another plan.
But again caught early by Namgung Cheolbin’s sharp vision and given another chance.
Yet overwhelmed with some unknown evil, Namgung Bin even plans to kill Cheolbin.
Eventually, Namgung Cheolbin, concluding that two chances were sufficient and more wouldn’t make a difference, sentences Namgung Bin to death.
Still, the Namgung family remained harmonious without its pillar. Their family bonds—husband-wife, father-daughter, and mother-daughter—were all good.
Although initially, they faced some difficulties due to the cool relationship with Namgung Cheolbin.
“It’s alright.”
“Lord, as a hero who bore great burdens, of course, you deserve to express your pain.”
“I will help you. I will embrace and comfort you. Please, do not give up on us.”
Thanks to Soeun Yu’s unwavering, sincere devotion, their relationship eventually restores harmony.
Just like it was before Namgung Cheolbin started regressing.
Full of joy and love, they hoped to enjoy a warm and peaceful twilight…
But Namgung Cheolbin dies.
By the former deputy leader of the Blood Cult awakened by its remnants.
From that point on, the tragedy begins…
“…”
Page flip.
Thunk.
Having just finished the last page of the book, Jin Taeyang closed the book, leaving a lingering impression.
It had been a lengthy content. He read it fervently, unable to breathe for days, deeply empathetic with the characters.
“Huuuu…”
A deep sense of fatigue washed over him. Truly, it had been a long time since Jin Taeyang had returned to his state as Namgung Bin, and he was still immersed in those emotions.
An ocean of inner energy flowed through the twelve meridians, generating palm winds, with sword qi bursting from a grasped blade.
Yet this was a world devoid of chivalry and romance.
The Martial world.
“I was merely a pawn in their hand.”
Namgung Bin muttered to himself.
“After the first attempt to overthrow Cheolbin, for three years… I felt as if someone was always helping me. Everything went too smoothly.”
A self-deprecating murmur.
“Until I realized that it had truly been assistance… After expelling Cheolbin from the Namgung family, severed like a broken string, and the family eventually perished…”
“Haa… Haha, hahahahaha.”
Another laugh filled with self-deprecation.
“So… Now I see a common thread among them all. Upon realizing… everything makes sense…”
Still a self-deprecating mutter.
“The obsession of So So Namgung, and her mastery of the innate energy methods, the olfactory inheritance of Gayoung Jin…”
“The justice and martial arts lineage passed down to Japyung…”
“My military position carried on by Tang Sobaek…”
“The position of the strongest assassin, formerly held by Sir Dongbang Bulpyo, now filled by Hong Ryun…”
“The rigid and sharp Jade Flower and the gentle and humane Ilhwa… kuk kuk kuk!”
A single thin thread connects all these characters.
“Come to think of it, it was odd from the beginning. The geniuses of the second generation… How could they have hidden during the war, then suddenly emerge after it was over? They weren’t originally significant characters.”
The complicated thoughts cleared up, revealing a dim but clear light.
“By the way…”
Namgung Bin glanced at the book cover now covered and saw a young girl holding a sword with a resolute expression.
This girl had a twisted smile.
“If most of the previous generation had descendants…”
The blurred memory of a man, whom he could now only see through illustrations, crossed Namgung Bin’s mind.
With flowing white hair, emblematically wielding the Blue Light Treasure Sword, his knees bent upon water…
“Cheolbin’s heir… Naturally…”
The girl on the cover somehow stood out.
Namgung Bin smirked faintly.
Having read the ‘conclusion’ of the last story, he now understood the ending. The tragedy of this era and how it concluded.
And more.
“How overbearingly one acted as if they were the king of the world.”
After just finishing the ‘last story,’ he now knew that the ‘author’ he knew did not publish any sequels.
“Fair enough, indeed. What goes around comes around.”
Jin Taeyang’s last smile appeared.
A lengthy execution ceremony had concluded.
“Hey, Sword Sage…”
“That… I’ve seen you once before, right? You’re the one from the Tran Nangjin Sword faction… do you remember me?”
“Please, please! We fell into terrible conspiracies… but we had no ill intentions towards the Sword Sage!”
Most of the martial artists who were present at the court gathering came to apologize and beg for forgiveness.
“…Is that so?”
But to me, none of them were sincere, or at least that was how it seemed.
“Absolutely true! The Sword Sage, sir, you were never meant any harm…”
“And if there was no ill intent, then why did you discard me like used trash?”
“…! Th- that wasn’t what I meant…”
“You all are an extremely ruthless group. When you need help, you come running, but once you’ve been aided, you cast me aside. You’re no different from cunning wolves.”
“…”
“Rather, you should have admitted to acting with ill intent.”
Because then, I might have believed that you truly regretted your actions.
Truly, consistent human behaviors.
“Go on your way. I bear no grudges against you, so please, don’t show your faces before me. Just mindfully eat well and live happily.”
As I dismissively spoke, I turned to leave, or rather, I attempted to leave.
“Sword Sage Namgung Cheolbin, you’ve suffered a great deal.”
That was until Po Cheongcheon, stern-faced and without expression, approached me.
“Ho ho, no matter how much I’ve suffered, how can it compare to you, Judge Po?”
“It’s a relief to see your wrongful accusation has been lifted. Then I shall leave now.”
“Where are you in such a rush to go? It seems you’re already well-prepared.”
“I’ve obtained a leave order from the Emperor upon concluding this matter. Thus, I plan to visit my hometown for a bit of rest.”
“I wish you a fine vacation then.”
Po Cheongcheon, a good man. He possesses fair fortune and an impeccable character, being both upright and just.
I wished for his continued good luck as I prepared to leave the government office, where I had seemingly spent a considerable amount of time.