The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 5 - Sword-Thunder of a Lightning Flash (1)

‘Quite powerful.’

That was Namgung Jun’s impression upon seeing Gang Mong’s sword strike plunging down toward his head.

A heavy sound of tearing air followed, as if a significant amount of sword power was laden in it. An average first-class martial artist would have found it difficult to receive.

‘Is the test usually this difficult? Or is this to break my spirit?’

Either way, it didn't matter. Namgung Jun, who had read the sword path perfectly, already had a sword in his hand.

He planted his right foot, making it a pivot as if crushing the ground beneath it. He pulled his center of gravity forward and struck upwards diagonally.

Shing!

As he met the blow with the body of his sword, angled gently, Gang Mong’s sword was turned aside as if it had slipped.

The wrinkles around Yun Gyeong-jong’s eyes deepened.

‘It would have been surprising if he had just blocked it, but he deflected it?’

There was no common clang of metal nor a spark. There was only a light sound of friction, as if silk were brushing against silk.

Gang Mong was just as surprised to find his own sword suddenly heading for the ground. At the same time, Namgung Jun’s clear voice pierced him like a dagger.

“Be careful.”

Namgung Jun did not stop at merely deflecting the sword strike.

Using the force he had deflected as a recoil for his forward-leaning center of gravity, he rotated his body. As he did, he extended a step forward and raised his sword high into an upper stance.

SWOOSH!

A sword strike that was raised high into an upper stance before plunging down vertically. It was completely identical to the sword strike Gang Mong had just shown.

‘What!’

K-CLANG!

Gang Mong, who had pulled his sword to his chest and barely managed to block the strike, found his eyes shot wide open.

A slight mistake and he would have dropped his sword. It was to the point where his hands, trained through long years of practice, were screaming.

‘How can such power come from that skinny body!’

Gang Mong stared at Namgung Jun with a dazed look.

An emaciated and unimpressive body, to the point where his bones were visible.

It was a stretch to say that he had received help from his physique.

For him to have displayed such a heavy sword strike despite that meant…

‘Pure sword skill.’

Gang Mong, who was panting roughly, suddenly realized.

That he had taken a step back.

As if to prove it, a footprint was clearly stamped on the ground. It was a sight that clearly showed he had failed to properly receive Namgung Jun’s single sword strike.

As Gang Mong’s eyes widened, Namgung Jun sheathed his sword with a composed demeanor.

“As expected! Wasn't that sword path just too clean?”

Lee Se-ha, who had been watching Namgung Jun with eyes full of anticipation, immediately burst out laughing.

Yun Gyeong-jong looked back and forth between Namgung Jun and Gang Mong, then muttered in a low voice.

“...That child will be responsible for the next fifty years of this society.”

As Yun Gyeong-jong slowly took a step, he came down from the stairs and said.

As Yun Gyeong-jong, who had been standing still like a stone statue, showed movement, Gang Mong’s broad shoulders flinched.

‘For the Ink Lord himself to come down from the stairs!’

Yun Gyeong-jong always observed the entrance exams, and his position was always the same. He would always watch the exam from a step back on the stairs before quietly returning to the pavilion.

But for him to come down the stairs and show interest like this.

This was a first.

‘If this news spreads, it’s going to get noisy.’

Lee Se-ha was just as surprised.

Even when Lee Se-ha had taken her entrance exam, Yun Gyeong-jong had only offered a short compliment; he had not come down from the stairs.

The very act of Yun Gyeong-jong standing right in front of Namgung Jun and showing interest was an incredible break from tradition.

“If it is true that you have only learned an internal art, then you were born with a tremendous sword talent.”

Lee Se-ha, whose lips had parted in a cute O-shape from the shock, belatedly replied.

“Well… of course. Because he is my disciple.”

“Truly a world-covering talent. If the Society Lord had seen him, she would have immediately taken him as her own disciple.”

“Ah, that would be a bit troublesome.”

Yun Gyeong-jong looked at the boy with a peculiar gaze.

“What is your name?”

“It is Namgung Jun.”

“From now on, you are also a Cloud of this society.”

Lee Se-ha added.

“A Cloud means a member of the Azure Sky Society.”

As she said this, Lee Se-ha swung her arm in an exaggerated motion. On her fluttering sleeve, four clouds were embroidered.

“My disciple. I hope you become a Four-Cloud member soon, too.”

Namgung Jun shifted his gaze slightly. On Yun Gyeong-jong’s sleeve were five clouds, and on Gang Mong’s sleeve were three clouds.

‘It seems the hierarchy changes according to the number of clouds.’

Namgung Jun, having understood the meaning of the clouds, nodded his head.

“Four-Clouds. It will not take very long.”

At Namgung Jun’s declaration, Gang Mong’s expression became complex, while Yun Gyeong-jong watched with a look of interest.

“That’s my disciple.”

Nodding with satisfaction, Lee Se-ha asked Yun Gyeong-jong.

“Ink Lord, my disciple can enter the Martial Repository now, right?”

“Let it be so.”

As Yun Gyeong-jong nodded, Gang Mong took out an iron token from within his robes.

An iron token engraved with a single cloud.

It seemed to symbolize the status of a One-Cloud member.

“Take it. You have taught me a lesson.”

Gang Mong nodded with a stoic expression and held out his hand.

He was in a position where he, the one administering the test, had been bested instead. It would not have been strange for him to show resentment or shame, but he appeared to be calmly acknowledging it.

‘Good.’

Pleased by this display, Namgung Jun accepted the iron token with due courtesy.

Lee Se-ha immediately grabbed Namgung Jun’s arm and pulled.

“Let's go, quickly!”

“Please slow down.”

Despite Namgung Jun’s calming words, Lee Se-ha picked up speed as if she were practically using her Lightness Skill.

At this, Namgung Jun was dragged along limply, like a piece of fluttering cloth.

Gang Mong, who was watching them, asked.

“This is the first time I have seen the Ink Lord come down from the stairs to observe a newcomer so closely.”

“Of course it is. Because it is the first time for me as well.”

Gang Mong flinched at Yun Gyeong-jong’s tranquil reply.

Yun Gyeong-jong was a man who had been in charge of the Ink Scent Division for no less than forty years. This meant that most of the martial artists currently in the Azure Sky Society had taken their test under Yun Gyeong-jong’s observation.

And yet.

‘Does that mean that among the current Hall Master-level figures, there was no one who could make the Ink Lord move?’

The Hall Masters were supreme masters whose fame resounded throughout the Martial World. They were individuals who would not be outmatched no matter where they were placed.

The fact that even they had not been able to make Yun Gyeong-jong move his feet was shocking.

“Is his talent of that caliber?”

“If he is provided with the right sunlight and water, he will surely grow into a giant tree that can reach the end of the blue sky.”

As the master and disciple grew distant from his sight, Yun Gyeong-jong also turned his back.

“The Heavenly Sword Hall Master will provide the sunlight and water, so I suppose we must provide the rich soil.”

Though Yun Gyeong-jong went in first, Gang Mong remained behind alone and muttered Namgung Jun’s name.

“Namgung Jun.”

The shock of having received that single sword strike still remained vividly in his hands.

That heaviness was not something one could see easily.

‘How on earth could he produce such a strike?’

The moment Gang Mong was about to be lost in thought, Yun Gyeong-jong’s voice could be heard softly from behind him.

“It would be best to change your sword.”

“Pardon?”

Gang Mong immediately inspected his sword, and his eyes shot wide open.

A fine crack had been etched into the body of the sword. It had not been able to withstand Namgung Jun’s sword strike.

“Hah.”

A strengthless breath escaped Gang Mong’s lips. He found it utterly difficult to move his feet.

ִ ﾒִ ﾒִ ﾒ

The master and disciple arrived at the archives of the Azure Sky Society.

Namgung Jun looked at the plaque hanging on the entrance.

The Martial Repository of Self-Reflection.

‘Reflect upon yourself.’

For the name of an archive that stored secret manuals, it had an unusual meaning.

Stepping inside the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection, he saw bookshelves filled with secret manuals stretching out densely. It was like looking at a forest made of bookshelves.

Though the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection was only a single story, its breadth was immense.

‘Even the archives of Namcheon Palace would fall far short of this.’

He hadn't had high expectations, but the variety and number of secret manuals were far more vast than he had anticipated.

Naturally, the look in Namgung Jun’s eyes deepened.

Lee Se-ha gently patted the shoulder of Namgung Jun, who was taking in the archives at a glance.

“Ordinary sects place restrictions on viewing secret manuals. They give all sorts of reasons, like origin, realm, fame, or bloodline.”

Namgung Jun also nodded his head. His Namcheon Palace in his past life had been the same.

“But the Azure Sky Society has no restrictions on viewing secret manuals. Because we must endlessly grow stronger to fight the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and to perform righteous deeds.”

Lee Se-ha randomly pulled out a secret manual and showed it to him.

On the secret manual, along with the name Yuhak Fist, the characters for Three-Cloud were written in small print.

Namgung Jun understood immediately.

“Instead of imposing restrictions, you have set up guidelines.”

“My disciple. You’re so brilliant, you don’t even need an explanation.”

Lee Se-ha smiled brightly and returned the secret manual to its place.

It meant that the Yuhak Fist was suitable for a martial artist who had reached the rank of Three-Clouds to learn.

‘So that’s why it was named the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection.’

It must have meant that one should not be excessively greedy when choosing a martial art, but should choose one that suits oneself.

“Since this is your first time, I, as your master, should choose your martial arts for you, right?”

“Master.”

As Lee Se-ha looked around with an excited face, Namgung Jun shook his head.

“I would like to look at the secret manuals and choose for myself.”

“Hmm.”

Lee Se-ha blinked as if inwardly disappointed, but then nodded her head.

“Alright. Since my Jun is so brilliant. But in exchange, you have to show me the secret manuals you’ve chosen before you start learning them.”

“Of course.”

“Then, would you like to take your time and look around? I have some urgent business to take care of and I’ll be back. Getting back here with you, Jun, took longer than I thought.”

Namgung Jun recalled that Lee Se-ha had been called the Heavenly Sword Hall Master. A Four-Cloud member seemed to be a fairly high rank, so it was only natural that she would have duties to attend to.

“Please go and come back at your leisure, Master.”

As Namgung Jun showed his respects, Lee Se-ha grinned and waved her hand.

“I’ll be back as fast as I can!”

The moment Lee Se-ha vanished from sight, Namgung Jun swept his bangs back and stared intently at the bookshelves.

‘In my past life, I focused only on the Heavy Sword.’

Of course, it is the way of things that if you continue to dig into one field and reach the level of a master, other martial principles will follow like side branches.

However, it fell far short when compared to digging deeply into a specific field directly.

‘To surpass the Sword Emperor of my past life, I must master the Sword itself.’

Not only that. He had to keep in mind the possibility that other martial arts of Namcheon Palace, like the Infinite Steps Footwork, might remain in the Azure Sky Society.

If he were to rashly learn the martial arts of his past life as the Sword Emperor, he could find himself in a difficult situation.

Since he was walking a different path of martial arts from his past life anyway, Namgung Jun intended to try growing in a completely new way.

Of course, after he had achieved a certain level, he would look back on the martial arts of his past life, but now was not the time.

Having made his decision, Namgung Jun pulled specific secret manuals from the shelves and began to scan through them quickly.

His speed became progressively faster, to the point where it was impossible to distinguish whether he was reading the secret manuals or simply flipping through them rapidly and smelling the paper.

A certain man was watching this scene intently.

‘Is this... alright?’

The librarian of the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection, Muk Shim-jung, recalled the request Lee Se-ha had left him with as she went out.

-If my disciple happens to be lost, would you mind giving him some appropriate advice?

Lee Se-ha’s request was not a very difficult one.

Since it was also the role of the librarian who guarded the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection.

‘This won't do.’

In all his time as the librarian, he had seen countless martial artists, but this was the first time he had seen someone go through the secret manuals so haphazardly.

As Muk Shim-jung strode towards Namgung Jun, his eyes slowly narrowed.

‘Star Formation Sword. Twelve Swords of Snake Mountain. Quelling Sword Style?’

Only after getting closer did he realize. Namgung Jun was not reading whatever secret manual he could get his hands on.

‘He is only looking at the secret manuals for the Swift Sword.’

A boy who was choosing secret manuals with his own criteria. Even so, this incredible speed at which he was reading the manuals was still a mystery.

But Muk Shim-jung did not interfere rashly.

He had heard that the boy had only learned a single internal art. He became curious as to what this boy was thinking to be acting in such a way.

‘Is this simple childish arrogance, or is he drawing a grand design of his own?’

Tap!

Namgung Jun closed the secret manual he was reading and shot up from his spot. Then, he immediately placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

‘Hah!’

Muk Shim-jung doubted his own eyes. An inexplicable weightiness flowed from the simple act of grasping the sword.

It was as if he were looking at one of the Hall Masters.

Muk Shim-jung blankly watched him draw the sword.

Swish!

In the next moment, Namgung Jun unleashed a series of sword forms into the empty air.

Muk Shim-jung immediately recognized what forms they were.

They were the forms from the secret manuals Namgung Jun had been reading until just a moment ago. The forms contained in dozens of different sword styles were being unleashed in a random flurry.

Despite that, the Swift Sword style unfolding from Namgung Jun’s blade was neatly woven together, following some unknown flow.

Crackle!

Suddenly, blue lightning coalesced on the body of Namgung Jun’s sword.

A single strike that thrust into the empty air.

SWIIIIISH!

A sharp sound of tearing air followed the sword strike that pierced keenly through the void. The shockwave from it made the nearby bookshelves tremble slightly.

‘That sword strike just now was like...’

Muk Shim-jung found that he had, at some point, clenched his fists tightly.

‘It was like a flash of lightning.’

No, perhaps the expression Sword-Thunder was more fitting.

Whatever it was, Muk Shim-jung knew instinctively.

That the boy, just by reading the secret manuals and performing the moves a few times, had melted down his insights and forged them into his own unique sword style.

‘A genius, no, a prodigy! This is peerless talent!’

Muk Shim-jung, trembling, became certain.

That no one who had ever set foot in the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection could ever match this boy’s talent.

“Hah!”

Feeling as if he had discovered a treasure, Muk Shim-jung let out an exclamation without realizing it.

Namgung Jun, who was sheathing his sword, turned his gaze toward Muk Shim-jung.

At the calm light in his eyes, which did not match his age, Muk Shim-jung had to swallow his saliva without thinking.

It was the moment Muk Shim-jung, having met Namgung Jun’s eyes, was about to painstakingly open his mouth.

A sinister voice was heard from behind him.

“You, what are you?”

Muk Shim-jung flinched and twisted his body around.

At some point, a man had come to be standing behind him.

Only then did Muk Shim-jung realize that Namgung Jun’s gaze had not been directed at him, but at this man.

“I asked what you are? Those sword forms just now.”

“What are you?”

Namgung Jun’s eyes sharply observed the middle-aged man behind Muk Shim-jung.

What was coiled around the middle-aged man’s body was unmistakably Demonic Energy.

Meaning, that middle-aged man was a Demonic Being.

A Demonic Being had appeared in the heart of the Azure Sky Society.

Veins bulged on the back of the hand with which Namgung Jun gripped his sword.