The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 7 - The Placement Test (1)

“The Thirteen Sword-Thunders of the Lightning Flash!”

Muk Shim-jung, who had been watching the duel, burst out in admiration.

‘It’s truly unbelievable.’

To take the enlightenment gained from looking at several secret manuals and weave it to his own liking to create new forms. On top of that, he had tempered those forms against the Sword Demon, polishing their shape and style.

The sword style born from that process was clearly new. It was not a sword style where various forms were simply stitched together to look good.

‘In the first place, the act of freely weaving together forms that each contain different insights and martial principles is itself a near-impossible feat.’

But Namgung Jun had not only created his own unique forms, he had constructed a systematic sword style to the point of giving it a unique name.

‘What if that secret manual were to be donated?’

He wondered how many clouds would be engraved on it if the Thirteen Sword-Thunders of the Lightning Flash were to be donated to the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection.

‘At minimum, it would be a Three-Cloud. Of this, I am certain.’

Muk Shim-jung trusted his own discerning eye.

Who would believe that a boy who had only just been initiated into martial arts had created a martial art equivalent to the Three-Cloud rank?

It was to the point where the boy before him felt like a supernatural horror in human form. The talent Namgung Jun was displaying was just that shocking.

“...…”

The Sword Demon, who had been maintaining his silence for a time, opened his mouth.

“You bastard. I like you. Come to the Ink Wheel Hall.”

It was the moment Namgung Jun’s eyes narrowed at the Sword Demon’s sudden proposal.

“Ink Wheel Hall Master. What is the meaning of this?”

Lee Se-ha, who had at some point walked up to the front of the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection, was glaring at the Sword Demon.

An utterly cold expression.

A chilling coldness, as if frost had settled, flowed from the ends of her sharply raised eyes.

Perhaps because her large pupils were gleaming fiercely and shining pitch-black, her hair seemed to ripple with a particular darkness.

‘Master.’

It was a cold and stern face he had never seen her show to him.

Even though Lee Se-ha was emitting a frosty aura as if she would draw her sword at any moment, the Sword Demon paid it no mind.

“I’ve taken a liking to that fellow. Is there a problem?”

“He’s my disciple. Don’t touch him.”

“Disciple? What’s that to me?”

As Lee Se-ha gripped the hilt of her sword, the leg of the Sword Demon’s pants began to stir violently.

“Are you next? Perfect. I was just getting warmed up.”

It was the moment Muk Shim-jung’s face turned deathly pale at the sight of the two supreme masters about to clash.

Step.

A light, yet unignorable, footstep swept across the floor of the training ground.

Namgung Jun stepped in between them, blocking the two supreme masters. It was a single step that exquisitely cut into their breathing.

Then, he turned to face the Sword Demon and spoke.

“When the time comes, I shall visit the Ink Wheel Hall.”

At the unexpected proposal, a look of interest sparked on the Sword Demon’s face.

“What is the meaning of that?”

“Are you not curious about my sword, Ink Wheel Hall Master? From time to time, I shall be your sword companion.”

“A sword companion? You?”

The Sword Demon, who had burst into a wild laugh, looked back and forth between Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun, then finally withdrew his sword.

“Ah, the Ink Lord. That old man is calling.”

The Sword Demon, who had felt Yun Gyeong-jong’s aura extending from far away, shrugged his shoulders as if he had no choice.

“Don’t make me wait too long.”

The Sword Demon threw a wooden box to Namgung Jun and turned his back. He strode away as leisurely as if on a stroll, and in an instant, his silhouette had scattered beyond the pavilions.

Lee Se-ha, who had watched him until the very end, let out a light sigh and lowered her hand from her sword.

“What’s that wooden box?”

“It is the spiritual medicine I was promised as a reward.”

Inside the wooden box was a spiritual medicine of a pure white color. A faint but clear fragrance also rose from it.

“It’s a White Crane Pill.”

“Is it a useful spiritual medicine?”

“Of course. It’s especially so for someone like you, Jun, who has only just begun to build up internal energy.”

The master, who had been smiling at the sight of the White Crane Pill, examined her disciple’s body.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I am not.”

“What were you thinking, making a promise like that?”

Was she scolding him?

Lee Se-ha’s eyebrows rose slightly. But her eyes were brimming with their usual warmth.

“It will be of benefit to me as well. The opportunity to cross swords with a swordsman of that caliber is not common.”

“I should be enough for you.”

Namgung Jun merely smiled.

“How could I ever aim a sword laden with killing intent at my Master?”

“That’s true, isn’t it? No, but continuing to have duels like that with the Sword Demon is also troublesome.”

Namgung Jun naturally diverted Lee Se-ha’s mumbling to another topic.

“Will I be going directly to the Heavenly Sword Hall?”

Lee Se-ha’s expression became vague.

“That’s not it.”

“If not, then what will happen?”

“New Clouds go through an adaptation period at the One-Cloud lodging. Then, when a certain number have gathered, we bring the new Clouds together and have them compete with each other.”

Namgung Jun understood immediately.

“You mean that priority for opportunities is given to the newcomers who achieve excellent results in that competition.”

“That’s right. Even though we are master and disciple, I can’t unilaterally bring you into the Heavenly Sword Hall.”

“I understand.”

Lee Se-ha placed a hand on Namgung Jun’s shoulder with a look of disappointment.

“For the time being, you’ll be staying at the One-Cloud lodging, not the Heavenly Sword Hall.”

“Do not worry. Because I will be going to the Heavenly Sword Hall soon.”

A smile filled with trust spread across Lee Se-ha’s face as she looked at the self-assuredly replying Namgung Jun.

“Alright. This master will trust only in her disciple.”

ִ ﾒִ ﾒִ ﾒ

“Kuk.”

Namgung Jun, sitting cross-legged on his bed, let out intermittent groans.

The area around Namgung Jun was filled with cold air. An attack from his Nine Yin Severed Meridians had begun.

His muscles contracted as his body trembled, and his meridians grew rigid due to the cold energy.

‘It’s somewhat better now that I’m protecting the Great Tower Gate Point and the Cycle Gate Point with lightning energy.’

He had realized that while the Cold Yin Energy filled his entire meridian system during each attack, he could lessen the pain by protecting certain vital points with his Hot Yang Energy.

Every time an attack occurred, Namgung Jun was establishing an effective countermeasure by repeatedly blocking some vital points while leaving others exposed.

In that process, his circulation of internal energy to handle the lightning energy became more skillful, and the rise in his proficiency with the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art was an added bonus.

“Huu.”

Namgung Jun, opening his eyes after the attack ended, slowly lay down on the bed. His body had become extremely sensitized, so he needed to lie down comfortably and calm it.

‘First, as soon as I accumulate enough internal energy, I must unblock the first point.’

Although he had taken the White Crane Pill, it was not enough to unblock the first point of his Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

Still, compared to when he experienced the first attack, his current situation was much better. Since he could now generate internal energy to resist, he didn't just helplessly lose consciousness.

‘Still, I must be careful. If I make even a slight misstep, the risk of Qi Deviation will be multiplied.’

The attacks, which came irregularly and spread Cold Yin Energy throughout his entire meridian system, were fatal to a martial artist.

One day, an attack might even occur in the middle of a life-and-death duel. He had to find a way to prepare for that time.

“Huu.”

After taking a short rest and mentally reviewing his response to the recent attack, Namgung Jun got up.

It was to begin today’s training immediately.

‘Overall, I am lacking in every area.’

Among them, the first priority was his frail body. His internal energy was still insufficient, but having taken the White Crane Pill, he had put out the most urgent fire.

However, his body, which had become pathetic due to the Nine Yin Severed Meridians and his hard life as a Geomdong, was difficult to change overnight.

Thanks to the good quality of the meals provided at the One-Cloud lodging, he was gradually gaining some weight, but he still had a long way to go.

“Hah!”

“I’ll go again.”

In the communal training ground of the One-Cloud lodging, the newcomer Clouds were scattered about, in the middle of training.

There were those practicing the new martial arts they had learned from the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection, and others who were holding duels amongst themselves.

Each was preparing for the Placement Test in their own way.

“Hmm.”

Namgung Jun found a spot in a quiet corner of the communal training ground.

Spreading his two feet slowly apart, Namgung Jun straightened his spine and lowered his hips.

He had assumed the Horse Stance.

The Horse Stance was the most basic of basics. It was not a special training method. But in his current situation, there was no training method as effective as the Horse Stance.

‘In any case, I cannot greatly change my body in a short period of time.’

If he got impatient and did excessive external art training, it was highly likely to lead to injury.

It was more important to calmly build his foundation and properly shape his vessel as a martial artist.

“Huu.”

A hot breath flowed from the mouth of Namgung Jun, who had extended both arms forward.

At some point, the time he had maintained the Horse Stance had gone well over two hours. Though his two legs were trembling and his back was becoming damp with sweat, he endured.

Namgung Jun, who had finally completed the Horse Stance without moving a muscle for four hours, wiped away the beads of sweat trickling down his chin.

The other Clouds who were watching this muttered.

“That fellow’s tenacity is incredible. At first, he struggled to endure for even for fifteen minutes.”

“But at this rate, it will be hard for him to get good results. He only does basic training all day long.”

“It looks like he learns the sword, but I’ve never once seen him hold one.”

As their stay at the One-Cloud lodging was not short, the newcomers had gotten acquainted with each other and sometimes shared fellowship.

They looked at Namgung Jun with worried eyes, but did not easily interfere.

Because carelessly meddling in a martial artist’s training was a great departure from etiquette.

‘Under normal circumstances, it's reasonable for them to think that.’

Namgung Jun, who had faintly heard what the other newcomer Clouds were saying from afar, slowly loosened up his body.

‘But I have the experience of my past life.’

As long as he did not know what manner of test the Placement Test would be, he had to focus on catching up as much as possible in the areas where he fell short of others.

Rather, that would become the opportunity to make use of the one advantage he had: the experience of his past life.

Swoosh.

Namgung Jun moved his feet lightly. His leather shoes, extending as if to smoothly skim across the stone floor.

The tip of his leather shoe, which extended without obstruction, was lifted slightly, pointing toward the sky.

The foot, having thus obtained its freedom, seemed as if it could extend in any direction.

Infinite Steps Footwork.

A footwork style where the directions one could step were left wide open with complete freedom.

For that reason, it had often been used to make the movements of the Namcheon Palace disciples, who primarily used the Heavy Sword, much lighter.

‘This is quite amusing.’

A faint smile formed on the lips of Namgung Jun as he performed the Infinite Steps Footwork.

The Infinite Steps Footwork that Namgung Jun was now unfolding had many aspects that were different from his past life.

In the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection, there were a great number of annotated commentaries that had reinterpreted the Infinite Steps Footwork from different angles.

Namgung Jun had read every single one of those annotated commentaries without exception.

Then, just as written in the commentaries, he had tried performing the various forms of the Infinite Steps Footwork, feeling with his own body the reinterpretations of the martial artists of later generations.

He was undergoing the process of taking the enlightenment from the commentaries, reinterpreting it once more, and transforming it into insights and martial principles that suited him.

‘A footwork suitable for embodying the Sword itself, not one limited to the Heavy Sword.’

Starting from the tips of Namgung Jun’s feet, which extended out in all directions, the aura of the Infinite Steps Footwork continuously burst forth.

At times it was heavy, at other times it was refreshing. It would flow majestically and long, then would break off in short, abrupt bursts.

All the different steps, each unique, were tied into one.

Namgung Jun’s Infinite Steps Footwork was different from that of his past life, and it was also different from the other versions of Infinite Steps Footwork in the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection.

It was even different from Lee Se-ha’s.

Namgung Jun was weaving his own new steps.

Namgung Jun’s new steps held infinite potential.

ִ ﾒִ ﾒִ ﾒ

The Great Conference Hall of the Ink Scent Division.

It was the place where the key figures of the Sword Scent Division and the Ink Scent Division gathered to discuss all the affairs, great and small, of the Azure Sky Society.

At today’s meeting as well, all the Hall Masters of the Sword Scent Division and the Department Heads of the Ink Scent Division who remained at the main fortress had gathered.

As such, the atmosphere of the Great Conference Hall was solemn and heavy.

The first item on the meeting’s agenda concerned the newcomers who had recently joined the Azure Sky Society.

“This batch has quite a large number of heads.”

“It’s been especially difficult to bring in new Clouds lately, so it’s thanks to everyone working their feet hard.”

“Is that all? There are many promising talents as well.”

After the reports on the newcomer Clouds in the One-Cloud lodging concluded, the discussion naturally moved on to the Placement Test.

“It’s rare for the number of new Clouds to be this high. For this Placement Test, how about we hold it on a large scale for the first time in a while?”

At Lee Se-ha’s suggestion, the other Department Heads and Hall Masters understood immediately and nodded their heads.

“If we plan it well, we can save time and resources, so that would be better.”

“If we do that, the other Clouds can also observe, so it will help boost the overall morale of the Azure Sky Society.”

Once all the details had been decided, the Ink Lord, Yun Gyeong-jong, who had been quietly sipping his tea, nodded his head.

“In three days, the Placement Test will begin.”

News of the Placement Test was immediately delivered to the One-Cloud lodging.