The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 57 - The Competition (5)

SWOOOSH!

The atmosphere was softly split to both sides by Namgung Jun’s single sword strike. Like a spring breeze caressing the sunlight.

Baek Ri-cheong, who was looking at his own sword skill which had settled without being able to soar, acknowledged his defeat.

It was the moment the Number One Rising Star of the Azure Sky was decided.

“Winner, Namgung Jun!”

Simultaneously with the declaration of the Divine Stratagem Hall Master, Jegal Muran, all sorts of cheers erupted from the spectator seats.

The members of the Heavenly Sword Hall, in particular, leaped out onto the dueling stage and vied with one another to embrace Namgung Jun.

“The youngest one has gone and done it!”

“The Heavenly Sword Hall has produced the Number One Rising Star of the Azure Sky! You bastards!”

“Incredible. Truly incredible.”

The sight of the Heavenly Sword Hall gathered in a circle around Namgung Jun was like looking at a flower in full bloom.

‘Baek Ri-cheong was not lacking. On the contrary, he was more than overflowing.’

Jegal Muran looked at Baek Ri-cheong, who had lowered his sword.

Though he had only just risen to the rank of Two-Cloud, if one were to go by simple martial prowess, he was not lacking to rise to a Three-Cloud.

Renewing oneself day by day.

This was surely a phrase that pointed to Baek Ri-cheong.

The Baek Ri-cheong of now was completely different from the one at the time of the Placement Test.

He had gone beyond filling in his weak points and had highly sublimated his strengths to reach his current realm.

Baek Ri-cheong’s talent was sure to be counted among the best, not just in the Azure Sky Society, but among the rising stars of the Orthodox Faction.

But his opponent was a supernatural horror even greater than that.

Namgung Jun.

The boy born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

Perhaps because he had been born with severed meridians, a truly overwhelming talent had followed, and after becoming the disciple of the Heavenly Sword Hall Master, his growth rate had gained momentum.

If Baek Ri-cheong’s growth was to the extent that it could surpass even an average talent, Namgung Jun was showing an off-the-charts ascent that went beyond the category of talent itself.

Jegal Muran could not take her eyes off Namgung Jun. The iron fan held in her hand was trembling minutely.

‘By the way, that single sword strike he just showed. Did a rising star who is not yet even twenty really unfold that?’

She could not tell if he had unfolded it intentionally, or if he had unfolded it by chance.

It did not look like a sword strike meant simply to decide a match.

It was clear that the martial principle laden in that clean sword strike was no ordinary matter.

For it was a sword strike that came across as sharp even to her, who had become a supreme master by achieving the Trinity Bloom.

‘I can be sure.’

That today’s defeat was in no way a shameful thing for Baek Ri-cheong.

That Namgung Jun’s victory would not end with just today.

Namgung Jun possessed the capability to go beyond being the Number One Rising Star of the Azure Sky and to reach the level of the Number One Rising Star of the Righteous Path.

Jegal Muran suddenly realized.

That the number of clouds embroidered on the sleeves of the two rising stars before her was insufficient.

The Divine Stratagem Hall Master was not the only one thinking this.

“Hmm. He has not been lazy in his external art training. It was worth teaching him.”

“You taught him? Are you saying he endured the external art training of the Iron Pagoda Hall?”

“Of course. That fellow was born with not only talent, but also tenacity.”

“No wonder. Even when he was haphazardly copying our Hall’s Sky-Wave Tempest Body, his body did not falter.”

The Mountain-Shattering Hall Master looked at Namgung Jun intently as he listened to the conversation between the Iron Pagoda Hall Master and the Flying God Hall Master.

To the Mountain-Shattering Hall Master, Namgung Jun’s splendid performance came to him in a new light.

‘So this is him keeping the promise he made to make me not regret my choice.’

Namgung Jun was keeping his promise to him just as he had said.

Was he not proving it with his visible path like this?

That high-spirited gaze from that time was still vivid.

“My disciple. It’s a waste to just keep him at the main fortress, isn’t it?”

“Heavenly Sword Hall Master.”

The Mountain-Shattering Hall Master turned his head at the clear voice that came from his side. At some point, Lee Se-ha had approached and was asking with a triumphant expression.

The Mountain-Shattering Hall Master, Ganggok, pleasantly nodded his head.

“We will have to watch a while longer. But as of now, there is no mistake in your words.”

Ganggok rose from his seat and added.

“As a master, you will have to look after him well. The more Namgung Jun distinguishes himself, the heavier your responsibility will also become.”

“I know that well, too. He is a disciple one cannot be careless with.”

Lee Se-ha showed a bright smile as she saw Namgung Jun, who was, without her or his knowledge, being widely acknowledged by the Hall Masters.

“That’s my disciple.”

……

A banquet was held in the Heavenly Sword Hall for the first time in a long while.

It was an occasion to celebrate Namgung Jun becoming the Number One Rising Star of the Azure Sky.

“Huhu. As expected, Young Hero Namgung does not betray one’s expectations.”

Heo Il burst out laughing.

It was because in a dozen or so bets, he had wagered his stakes on Namgung Jun’s victory every time.

Though the payout ratio was not that high because Namgung Jun’s fame had risen considerably within the Azure Sky Society, it was more than enough to multiply his stakes by several times.

Heo Il used all the stakes he had thus obtained to buy the alcohol and food of an inn.

He was satisfied with making the banquet more abundant, as it was wealth he had earned thanks to Namgung Jun.

“Young Hero Namgung. I did not know what kind of cuisine you liked, so I just prepared everything. Please, eat as much as you want.”

Heo Il endlessly pushed the plates filled with cuisine in front of Namgung Jun.

Before he could even examine what kind of cuisine there was, a new plate would appear, so Namgung Jun could not even open his mouth.

“How much you must have suffered, having to fight in duels one after another? Let’s just relax and enjoy ourselves today.”

As Heo Il shrugged and laughed, Namgung Jun also nodded his head.

“Eating properly is also one of the important parts of training for a martial artist.”

“Young Hero Namgung has spoken truly good words. Though it is a shame I could not prepare a good liquor this time.”

Man Ye-won, who was eavesdropping on the conversation from the side, suddenly cut in.

“Namgung Jun! Don’t be disappointed! Because I have some liquor that I brought without my grandfather knowing!”

In Man Ye-won’s hand was a jade vial that looked high-class even at a glance.

“Are you saying you secretly brought out the liquor that the Elder Council Head cherishes?”

“I don’t know, the Elder Council Head might just pay another visit soon.”

As Heo Il and Gong Jun-am shook their heads while looking at Man Ye-won, other swordsmen also came to Namgung Jun and left their congratulations.

“To think the Number One Rising Star of the Azure Sky would come from the Heavenly Sword Hall. Can we also aim for the Three Strongest in the next Power Evaluation?”

“Of course. We have to take it back. The name of the Three Strongest.”

“The Three Strongest. A name I have missed.”

The atmosphere of the banquet, which had been in high spirits, calmed down. The seniors each tilted their cups, and had expressions as if they were lost in old memories.

Namgung Jun sensed the changed air and asked.

“Did the Heavenly Sword Hall originally belong to the Three Strongest?”

“It did. In its golden age, it stood shoulder to shoulder with the Martial Conquest Hall.”

“But how is it now?”

At Namgung Jun’s question, the others, including Heo Il, closed their mouths. By the looks of it, it did not seem to be a matter that could be easily brought up.

At that moment, Lee Se-ha, who was coming over holding a liquor jug in both hands, opened her mouth.

“A long time ago, the Heavenly Sword Hall was almost annihilated.”

“Annihilation, you say?”

“We clashed with a Battle Group of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, and more than half of the Hall members, including the previous generation’s Hall Master, died.”

At that time, it was to the extent that the Azure Sky Society had discussed the abolishment of the Heavenly Sword Hall. The Ten Halls were almost reduced to the Nine Halls.

“The Heavenly Sword Hall was almost erased.”

“I was the one who opposed it. I argued to the Society Lord, the Sword Lord, and the Ink Lord several times and stopped the abolishment of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”

And so, Lee Se-ha took responsibility for the Heavenly Sword Hall by becoming the Hall Master herself.

‘She restored a military organization that was on the verge of being abolished to this extent? Incredible.’

Because he had led a sect in his past life, Namgung Jun also knew well. Just how difficult the feat that Lee Se-ha had accomplished was, even if it was a military organization of a small scale.

The Heavenly Sword Hall, which had restored its fighting power with Lee Se-ha at the lead, had a much stronger solidarity than the other Halls.

It must have been thanks to having overcome hardship together and having protected the name of the Heavenly Sword Hall.

“A Battle Group. Is it a strong group?”

“Even within the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, they are a gathering of vicious bastards. It is partly that their individual martial power is strong, but their scale is also quite large.”

“Which was the Battle Group that drove the Heavenly Sword Hall to the brink of annihilation?”

“It was the Second Battle Group.”

Though Lee Se-ha spoke lightly, for an instant, a fierce glint flashed out from her eyes before disappearing.

“The Second Battle Group.”

Namgung Jun mulled it over as if to not forget.

A military group of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult that had not existed in his past life.

There was no telling how much hidden strength they had, not only the Battle Groups.

In the end, the best plan was to nurture a solid military force that could respond no matter what situation they faced.

“Someday, we must repay that debt.”

“Of course.”

Though the atmosphere had at some point become solemn, Lee Se-ha lifted it up again.

“Well then. For today, let’s eat and drink to our hearts’ content!”

“Good! Hall Master!”

“It has been a long time since I have seen the Hall Master drink!”

Everyone’s cups were filled, and the members of the Heavenly Sword Hall once again became one, bursting into laughter and beginning to enjoy themselves.

It was around the time the full moon that had been hanging in the night sky was gradually tilting to a corner.

The master and disciple were walking along the night path side-by-side.

“My Jun has properly raised this master’s dignity.”

“I am still far from it.”

Namgung Jun answered with full confidence. Lee Se-ha, too, merely made a proud expression as if she acknowledged it.

The place where the master and disciple stopped their steps was a training ground located in a secluded spot. As the night was already deep, there was no one around.

“You haven’t properly experienced the swords of the great Orthodox Faction sects, have you, Jun? Since your only experience is having faced the Centurion Sword Style.”

“That is correct.”

Though he had experienced the sword styles of some of the Orthodox Faction sects in his past life, he had had no point of contact with them in his present life, so it was right to pretend not to know.

Lee Se-ha lightly shook her sword.

“I cannot imitate them perfectly, but still, I can let you have a taste of what their nature is roughly like.”

“I am curious.”

“An armed conflict will surely break out at the meeting as well. It would be good if you could distinguish yourself there too, Jun.”

At some point, the master and disciple were standing side-by-side and had raised their swords.

Lee Se-ha began to appropriately mix the swords of the Three Sects and One Union, and the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects.

Of course, she did not copy them exactly.

She had only partially brought over their representative Form (形) and Style (式) without using any internal energy.

But it was more than enough to bring out the characteristics of each sect well.

Namgung Jun lightly received Lee Se-ha’s sword and tried to take in as much as he could with his eyes.

As he did, the sword styles that Namgung Jun had learned, including the Greater Amplification Sword Style, were naturally unfolded.

The sword path that Namgung Jun drew was in no way lacking, even when compared to Lee Se-ha’s sword strikes.

“Jun-ah, your sword style is in no way inferior to that of any great sect.”

“They are a goal I must surpass someday.”

“That’s a good mindset.”

Chaeng!

A clear metallic sound rang out at the light clash of the two swords.

The master and disciple moved their feet once again and crossed swords.

They crossed swords without rest at a moderate speed, and the level of it was considerably high.

If only internal energy had been added to this, the flow of the duel would have become completely fierce.

But the two swordsmen exquisitely controlled their strength and continued a precarious balance.

Whenever she got thirsty, Lee Se-ha would drink alcohol instead of water and play with her sword, and Namgung Jun would endlessly refine his forms.

……

Namgung Jun and Baek Ri-cheong passed through the main gate of the Azure Sky Society’s main fortress.

It was to go to Mount Song, where the meeting was being held.

The number of personnel was simple; the two of them, Namgung Jun and Baek Ri-cheong, were all.

Originally, the Azure Sky Society Lord was also supposed to join them, but he was in a situation where he had already left the main fortress for another matter.

For that reason, the rising stars were scheduled to travel to Mount Song by themselves. The two rising stars, on the contrary, welcomed this situation.

As they had a favorable impression of each other, it was a chance to closely share their hearts and narrow the distance between them.

“Younger Brother. Are you ready?”

“Yes. Let us depart.”

The Clouds who were watching the rising stars leave the main fortress of the Azure Sky Society side-by-side sent their encouragement.

“Go and show them the strength of the Azure Sky Society at the Mount Song meeting.”

“If it’s the two of them, they’ll do well.”

The two swordsmen extended their steps toward the northwest, where Henan Province was located.