The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 9 - The Placement Test (3)

The booming cry of the Iron Pagoda Hall Master, Dan Jung-se.

The moment he heard it, Baek Ri-cheong grabbed his sword. It was a rarely seen reaction speed.

Baek Ri-cheong’s eyes gleamed as he took in Namgung Jun’s bearing. From his simple, still standing form, a subtle leisure could be felt.

That leisure rushed toward Baek Ri-cheong as an unknown pressure. Despite this, Baek Ri-cheong’s body did not freeze and instead showed its optimal movement.

‘Namgung Jun. His specialty was the Heavy Sword. The sword power he displayed was immense for his frail body.’

As if he had experienced a harsh past, Namgung Jun’s body was too pathetic to be called that of a martial artist. But the might that erupted from his sword was incredibly powerful.

Through his unexpected sword power, he had not only ended all his duels in a single move but had also completely shattered his opponents’ weapons.

Of course, Namgung Jun’s opponents had been conscious of this, but it had been a futile effort. Though each had shown their own way of responding, they could only be taken down helplessly before his overwhelming sword power.

Despite being the youngest among those participating in the martial arts tournament, Namgung Jun had displayed overwhelming martial prowess.

‘Outstanding sword skill. It’s an innate talent. A truly terrifying one at that.’

Baek Ri-cheong lowered his stance and solidly imbued the body of his sword with internal energy. So that he could withstand at least one strike, no matter what level of Heavy Sword Namgung Jun unleashed.

‘I must win.’

Baek Ri-cheong thought of the Baek Ri Clan, which had been annihilated by the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

For the sake of revenge, he had to become much stronger.

To do so, he absolutely had to seize the winner’s prize from the tournament and the opportunity to enter the martial group of his choosing.

Baek Ri-cheong’s eyes, as he fleetingly recalled his past of shaking off the pursuit of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult after a thousand hardships and managing to enter the Azure Sky Society, shone fiercely.

‘His internal energy must be less than mine, so let’s drag this into a long battle.’

The time it took to finish his judgment and assume his starting stance was but a moment.

Barely the time it took to blink an eye.

Baek Ri-cheong unconsciously felt something strange about Namgung Jun’s posture.

‘His center of gravity is different from before?’

Namgung Jun’s right foot, which he had been using as a pivot, was slightly raised. Furthermore, his left shoulder was also tilted forward.

Baek Ri-cheong, who realized the strangeness.

But he could not react.

Because at some point, a cerulean flash of light was already rushing straight for him.

It was so fast, like a flash of lightning.

It was truly a Sword-Thunder.

‘How can this be!’

The cerulean radiance that spread in an instant completely swallowed Baek Ri-cheong’s vision.

ִ ﾒִ ﾒִ ﾒ

Namgung Jun took in the sight of Baek Ri-cheong immediately bringing his hand to his sword hilt. A stability unique to a prestigious family was thoroughly steeped in his starting stance.

If any other martial artist had stood in his place, it would have been difficult to break through that solid posture, no matter what forms they displayed.

Baek Ri-cheong’s starting stance was just that firm.

‘Baek Ri-cheong. A rare talent of the younger generation.’

A prodigy who, under normal circumstances, would have taken the tournament victory with great ease. But Namgung Jun had no intention of allowing that.

‘Because I have face to show my Master.’

Though Baek Ri-cheong’s talent and martial prowess were outstanding, in Namgung Jun’s eyes, he was no different from anyone else.

He simply shone a little more brightly, but that did not change the fact that he was a small light that could be held and covered in one’s hand.

An opponent of a single move.

The moment Namgung Jun decided to focus, time seemed to flow slowly for a moment.

Step.

Lightly extending his right foot forward, he tilted his body slightly at an angle. A natural shift of his center of gravity.

He twisted his waist slightly as if to rotate it, causing the strength of his entire body to be focused on the hilt of his sword.

His roughly twitching muscles pulsed, if only faintly, and drew up their strength.

Power was loaded into the right hand placed on the sword hilt.

Because the training of his body was insufficient, he could only maintain this power for a single moment, but that was enough.

Vwoom!

The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, which had been dormant in his Cinnabar Field, responded.

The moment the swiftly charging lightning energy raced through the meridians of his entire body, penetrating the Inner Pass Point on his right wrist and the Middle Rushing Point on his right index finger like lightning.

Namgung Jun precisely seized upon that brief instant when the power drawn from his internal energy and external power achieved perfect unification.

The Thirteen Sword-Thunders of the Lightning Flash.

First Form. One Flash.

A blue bolt of lightning shot out from the scabbard in a straight line.

A fluid sword path that pierced through the atmosphere in a single breath extended instantly toward Baek Ri-cheong’s solar plexus, as if folding space itself.

Baek Ri-cheong, who had reacted half a breath too late, belatedly tried to draw his sword, but it was a useless act.

KREEEEEEANG!

Baek Ri-cheong’s sword was shattered at the same time it was being drawn from its scabbard. As if that were not enough, Baek Ri-cheong had to retreat five steps.

Following the sharp metallic sound that rang in their ears, a heavy silence flowed. Only the pieces of the blade, belatedly falling to the floor, made a small clattering sound.

“Younger Brother.”

The one who broke the silence that had fallen upon the dueling stage was Baek Ri-cheong, who had, at some point, schooled his features.

“Didn’t you originally use the Heavy Sword as your main style?”

“In the Martial World, it is always necessary to have a hidden move.”

“You hid a Swift Sword of that level until now, just for me?”

Namgung Jun gave a quiet nod. Baek Ri-cheong, who had hardened his face for a moment, soon let out a deep smile.

It was a smile full of a sense of futility and satisfaction.

“I have broadened my horizons. What is the name of that sword style?”

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

“A name of a martial art that will soon spread widely throughout the Martial World. I will remember it.”

Even though he had suffered a crushing defeat where his sword was shattered to pieces, there was no wavering in Baek Ri-cheong’s expression. Rather, a sense of dignity could be felt from his dignified manner as he performed a fist-and-palm salute.

“This Baek Ri has lost.”

“It was a good duel.”

Namgung Jun also folded his hands in a disciplined manner and returned the gesture.

“Hah.”

“It was over in an instant.”

“To think he ended all of his duels with a single sword strike!”

The righteous warriors of the Azure Sky Society, who had been watching this blankly, soon came to their senses and poured out thunderous applause.

For Baek Ri-cheong, who had readily accepted the result and acknowledged his opponent, it was consolation.

For Namgung Jun, who had ended all of his duels as an opponent of a single move and revealed his overwhelming martial prowess, it was praise.

“Namgung Jun! That name is Namgung Jun! Where is he from?”

“The Thirteen Sword-Thunders of the Lightning Flash! What on earth is the sect of that martial art! To have such a sublime Swift Sword style?”

“Who on earth is the one who brought that child here?”

Thump!

The Iron Pagoda Hall Master, Dan Jung-se, who had been the referee, had at some point moved to the center of the dueling stage and stood between Baek Ri-cheong and Namgung Jun.

“Winner! Namgung Jun! The winner of this martial arts tournament is Namgung Jun!”

As Dan Jung-se raised Namgung Jun’s hand, cheers poured out once again.

Though countless congratulations rained down, Namgung Jun’s gaze was fixed on only one place.

It was Lee Se-ha, who was sitting among the Hall Masters, a pleased smile on her face.

‘Did you see, Master?’

‘My disciple. Magnificent.’

The master and disciple understood each other's thoughts with just a look.

ִ ﾒִ ﾒִ ﾒ

The winner of the martial arts tournament had been decided.

All the new Clouds who had participated in the tournament stood in a line, and the winner, Namgung Jun, stood on the platform.

On the platform were the Hall Masters who had been observing the tournament, and Gang Mong of the Ink Scent Division.

Gang Mong, who had approached Namgung Jun, held out the wooden box in his hands.

“This is the reward for winning the martial arts tournament.”

Gang Mong personally opened the wooden box to show him.

The moment the wooden box was opened, the sharp scent of earth rose up.

Inside was a large hasuo root, the size of a grown man’s forearm.

“It’s quite large.”

“That it is. It is a three-hundred-year-old hasuo.”

[N: Hasuo is a medicinal plant with uses in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine.]

At Gang Mong’s words, the new Clouds standing in a line below the platform let out quiet gasps of admiration.

A three-hundred-year-old hasuo would be better than most spiritual medicines. Upon consuming it, one would gain a significant amount of internal energy.

In contrast, Namgung Jun’s gaze was tranquil.

‘He maintains his composure even after seeing such a spiritual medicine.’

Gang Mong was astonished as he watched Namgung Jun’s nonchalant expression.

The surprising martial prowess he showed in the tournament was one thing, but seeing him not reveal his feelings so easily like this, he did not seem like a boy his age.

Gang Mong, who had handed the wooden box containing the hasuo to Namgung Jun, stepped aside and spoke.

“You should be well aware of the second reward.”

Namgung Jun, who had won the martial arts tournament, was given the chance to choose which of the Ten Halls he wished to join.

Before that, a ceaseless series of invitations from the Hall Masters trying to pull Namgung Jun into their own Hall continued.

“I promise to pour all our resources into you.”

“Our Hall's martial arts will suit you well.”

“The Flying God Hall is chosen as one of the Three Strongest among the Ten Halls. If you aim for the seat of the Sword Lord in the future, there is no better starting place than this.”

Namgung Jun did not hurry and slowly took in the Hall Masters’ words.

‘The Sword Lord.’

Ten Halls existed in the Azure Sky Society, and they were tied together as one and referred to as the Sword Scent Division.

The Sword Scent Division was the main fighting force and a military group treated as the elite even within the Azure Sky Society.

The title of Sword Lord was a rank that oversaw the entire Sword Scent Division and represented the military power of the Azure Sky Society.

‘A rank I must one day reach.’

Namgung Jun had no intention of being satisfied with being a Hall Master.

Judging by the atmosphere, being a Hall Master also seemed to be a high rank in the Azure Sky Society, but that was not enough.

Because only by rising to a rank where he could have all the fighting power of the Ten Halls, that is, the Sword Scent Division, at his disposal, would he be able to properly face the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

While all sorts of temptations from the Hall Masters continued, Lee Se-ha alone sat still.

With her legs crossed aloofly, she merely watched with a pleased look on her face as the Hall Masters passionately tried to entice Namgung Jun.

After all the other Hall Masters had finished their invitations, Lee Se-ha, who had been staring off into the distance, slowly fixed her gaze on Namgung Jun.

Her appearance was so leisurely that a few of the Hall Masters who had been making their fiery speeches to Namgung Jun felt that something was strange.

At that, the gaze of Namgung Jun, who had not stirred in the slightest, also slowly turned to face Lee Se-ha. The gazes of a few of the more perceptive Hall Masters trembled anxiously.

“I will go to the Heavenly Sword Hall.”

Namgung Jun’s quiet declaration was a thunderbolt from a blue sky.

Especially the two Hall Masters who had been speaking with such passion turned their heads toward Lee Se-ha.

“Lee Se-ha! Surely you haven’t pulled some kind of trick behind our backs.”

“Heavenly Sword Hall Master, we do not understand this situation.”

Lee Se-ha tilted her bamboo hat slightly and spoke in a cold voice.

“Namgung Jun, that child, is this Hall Master's disciple. Is any further explanation necessary?”

The Hall Masters squinted, looking back and forth between Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun.

“A disciple?”

“Come to think of it, the faint aura I feel is like… could it be the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art?”

“Hmm, besides the sword, his skill at managing his internal energy is also no ordinary matter.”

The Hall Masters, having now grasped the situation, wore looks of dismay.

“I am grateful for all the offers you have made, but my desire to enter the same Hall as my Master is great.”

Namgung Jun showed his respects to the other Hall Masters and then opened his mouth with dignity.

“One-Cloud, Namgung Jun, wishes to join the Heavenly Sword Hall.”

“The Heavenly Sword Hall Master, Lee Se-ha, grants permission.”

The master and disciple had come to enter the same organization.

The other Hall Masters could only look on with eyes full of envy.

“To lose the winner like this.”

“Hmm. And I needed to find a useful newcomer this time, too.”

ִ ﾒִ ﾒִ ﾒ

The Heavenly Sword Hall.

This place, whose name held the meaning of ‘Fathoming the Sword,’ was the only group among the Ten Halls that was comprised solely of swordsmen.

As it was a gathering of those who were crazy about the sword, their pride in the sword was also immense.

It was to the point where they would not acknowledge a newcomer into the hall unless their sword skill was above a certain level.

“Did you hear? The newcomer they’re bringing in this time is the Hall Master’s disciple, they say.”

“Isn’t she too young to be taking a disciple? The Hall Master has only just reached the age of twenty-two.”

“Age is not important to a martial artist. As long as there is the ability to teach and an affinity, that is enough.”

The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall were each filled with anticipation for the new member who would be joining. This was even more so because it had been a truly long time since a newcomer had entered.

“By the way, what should we do about the welcoming ceremony?”

“Since he’s the Hall Master’s disciple, shouldn’t we just let it slide?”

“Still, what must be done, must be done.”

The mouths of the swordsmen, who had been murmuring amongst themselves, stopped. It was because they felt a presence from beyond the main gate.

The main gate of the Heavenly Sword Hall opened, and Namgung Jun entered alone.

FLARE!

The moment Namgung Jun crossed the threshold, sharp auras erupted from all sides.

A pressure, as if countless formless blades were rushing at him, bore down.

It was to the point where the hem of Namgung Jun’s sleeves trembled slightly.

An ordinary newcomer would have been overwhelmed by this and frozen stiff. But Namgung Jun’s feet showed no signs of stopping.

Namgung Jun, who had walked to the center of the training ground with a composed gait, looked at the swordsmen scattered in all directions and slowly grasped the hilt of his sword.

“Swordsmen speak with their swords.”

Shing!

Namgung Jun boldly stepped forward. As he did, he endured the gazes of the Heavenly Sword Hall’s swordsmen with his entire body.

“Draw your swords and step forward.”

Namgung Jun’s clear, sonorous voice filled the training ground.