Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Not surprisingly, but Jo Hyeon was quite fond of stories about the martial world.

Heroes who pursue righteousness and chivalry overcome hardships and adversity to achieve revenge or become heroes who save the world.

The martial arts novels circulating among the common people were clichéd and their contents predictable, but they had their own charm. Especially because he knew such people didn’t exist in reality.

Characters that couldn’t be found in reality.

Just as military commanders seek out stories of legendary warriors from history, Jo Hyeon devoured martial arts novels and became absorbed in them. Even knowing they were nothing more than stories, even knowing they were fiction based on reality, he became deeply engrossed.

His desire to enter the martial world was also born from such curiosity. He wanted to follow the footsteps of the protagonists in those stories. He wanted to know what martial arts they used and what martial arts they faced, even though they weren’t real people.

He had traveled to witness the sword technique that dared bear the name of an emperor . Because he believed such grandeur would be embedded in Namgung Family’s sword forms. Because he wanted to feel Namgung Family’s bearing—both arrogant and majestic.

What is this situation before his eyes?

‘Is this what you call imperial?‘

Isn’t it far too petty to be called imperial?

Jo Hyeon, who had sneered inwardly, glanced at the speechless Namgung Su and then casually spoke to Seonwoo Gang.

“I’ve been looking for you. Seonwoo Gang sohyeop .”

“What’s the matter?”

“When I asked Seohwa sojeo about Uicheonmun’s history, she said there have been many twists and turns. Quite a lot of turmoil in less than three years.”

“Ah…….”

“I love stories, so I definitely wanted to hear the details from sohyeop……”

It doesn’t seem like the right situation for that.

Jo Hyeon, who had nodded his head, turned his gaze toward Namgung Su.

“You were discussing Jewanghak ?”

“……Who are you?”

“I am Jo Hyeon of the Jo Family. Since I’m not a martial artist, I cannot compare standing with you.”

“What does that…….”

“If it’s scholarly standing, I wouldn’t mind comparing. However, my teacher once served as Grand Preceptor , so by scholarly standing, I would be considerably your senior.”

What will you do?

At Jo Hyeon’s question, Namgung Su coughed with a “Keung” and shook his head.

“There’s no point discussing standing with someone who isn’t even a martial artist. We don’t need to discuss standing. I am the Changgung Sword Corps’…….”

“Ah, no need for introductions. My ears get itchy.”

“What did you…….”

“More importantly, let’s settle what came first. You were discussing Jewanghak, weren’t you?”

Jo Hyeon smiled broadly and continued.

“If it’s regarding Jewanghak, I also have some insight. Call it a practical compressed version, perhaps.”

“……Practical compressed?”

“Such a thing exists. I saw the earlier situation.”

Listening to the story, the situation is clear. Seonwoo Gang and Wangpal, who had gotten lost, glanced inside over a slightly raised wall to find their way, and this caught Namgung Su’s eye. This is the objective fact minus personal feelings.

“I don’t understand. What’s the problem with this?”

“Stealing a glance at someone else’s martial arts is a grave crime worthy of immediate beheading. Moreover, aren’t these people about to have a bimu?”

Namgung Su frowned and pointed at Wangpal and Seonwoo Gang, continuing.

“Peeking at someone else’s training ground implies that meaning. If someone had been training, they would have memorized that martial art with their eyes. Isn’t that right?”

“Your words contain sophistry. This wall is low enough that even I, being short, can see over it by standing on my toes. They didn’t even leap over it, did they? If this place truly practices such important martial arts, the wall should be high and this place should be strictly guarded to prevent easy entry. Or is Namgung Family going through such hardship that they can’t build tall walls?”

“If that’s not the case, you cannot hold them guilty. It’s no different from a woman exposing herself naked in the street and then demanding those who saw her take responsibility for her chastity.”

Firing words at Namgung Su without pause, Jo Hyeon briefly caught his breath and continued.

“Moreover, touring Namgung Family’s interior was done upon the invitation of Namgung Family’s daughter, Namgung Yeon sojeo, and there was also tacit approval from Sogaju Namgung Hyeon. When permission has been granted by superiors, a subordinate quibbling about it deserves beheading from the perspective of Jewanghak. Is it different in your Jewanghak?”

“……Wh-what? Beheading?”

“Doesn’t the saying go ‘punish one to warn a hundred’ ? To straighten the sect’s discipline, you must first correct subordinates who distort their superiors’ words. Ah, is this place a family, so it’s a bit different from regular sects?”

“The more I listen, this person!”

Unable to contain his fury at Jo Hyeon openly mocking him like flowing water, Namgung Su roared and placed his hand on his sword hilt. And at that moment, a shout burst out.

“What is this commotion!”

“……Hyeong-nim !”

At the appearance of Changgung Sword Corps’ commander, Namgung Seok , Namgung Su’s face brightened, then he looked at Namgung Woo beside him with an expression like he’d eaten shit.

“It seems something interesting is happening, what is it? A fight?”

“You don’t need to know. There was just a minor argument. Hyeong-nim.”

“Call me Corps Commander, not hyeong-nim. Didn’t I tell you to speak formally in public, not private settings?”

“……Yes. Corps Commander.”

“Tell me in detail. What’s the situation?”

“I was giving some instruction.”

“What instruction?”

“……These people were spying on the training ground.”

“……The training ground? You mean this training ground?”

At Namgung Su’s absurd claim, Namgung Seok twitched his eyebrow, and Namgung Woo, who had been standing beside him with his arms crossed chewing grass like a rabbit, let out a “Kkeok” burping sound. Then Namgung Woo opened his mouth.

“What’s the problem with that to pick another fight? Hey, our Su hyeong-nim’s temper hasn’t died down! I’ve told you repeatedly to fix that foul temper.”

“Woo. Watch your mouth.”

“I’ll watch it when there’s someone worth watching it for. You’re picking ridiculous fights with juniors, even guests, and you’re not even ashamed? If Uncle saw this from beyond the grave, he’d be so pleased he’d pop right back up from his coffin!”

“Y-you……!”

At Namgung Woo openly rebuking him in front of others, Namgung Su clenched his fist tightly, his face turning red with rage. But Namgung Woo’s words didn’t stop.

“Juniors. Let me hear the story. What creative nonsense did that bastard spout this time?”

“It’s fine. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Wow, these juniors have good character, unlike our hyeong-nim. Is it because they’re our Daeju-nim’s disciples? Unbelievable. Even though they were wronged, they’re covering up their senior’s faults. Still, right now I need to know what happened, so won’t you explain?”

“Haha. If that’s the case, I witnessed it from the beginning, so I’ll explain.”

“……Who are you?”

“I am Jo Hyeon of the Jo Family.”

“No, I didn’t mean that…… Well, does it matter? Alright. Sohyeop, explain.”

“Sohyeop? Sohyeop indeed. Hehehehe.”

At Namgung Woo’s words, Jo Hyeon wore a strangely satisfied smile and explained the entire incident. And Namgung Woo, listening to the story, wore a broad smile.

“Well, well, from what I hear, he’s not your ordinary son of a bi…… doggy.”

“Namgung Woo. Watch your language.”

“Isn’t that right? The Third Training Ground is open to outsiders, yet he grabbed them claiming they were spying, gave them a lecture, and even insulted our Daeju-nim. If our Daeju-nim were present, that bastard wouldn’t dare make a peep.”

“Namgung Woo.”

“Yes. Yes. I understand. But shouldn’t he be punished? Our precious family’s dignity has fallen to the ground.”

At Namgung Woo’s sneering, Namgung Seok sighed and glared at Namgung Su. And Namgung Su flinched at that gaze.

“Deputy Commander. Do you have any excuse?”

“I will discuss this matter closely with the Family Head. Know that you will be held strictly accountable for troubling our family’s guests.”

“……What did I do so wrong?”

“What.”

“Honestly, aren’t they just nobodies from some backwater sect!”

“Deputy Commander. Watch your words.”

“No, I cannot watch them!”

Namgung Su pounded his chest and exploded.

“I’ve always been dissatisfied. Our family’s martial artists are so excellent, yet why do we keep bowing our heads? Is this really imperial?”

“I’ll acknowledge Uicheonmunju. He has achievements and skill! But look at those brats. Do they have achievements? Do they have skill? Anyone from Changgung Sword Corps would be superior to them, yet why must our family show such courtesy to some unheard-of sect……!”

“I told you to be quiet.”

“If it were the Namgung of old, it wouldn’t be like this!”

With bloodshot eyes wide open, Namgung Su clenched his fist and trembled.

“If it were the Namgung of old, even if we showed courtesy, they would have bowed and entered on their own. Now that Namgung has fallen to this state, every Tom, Dick, and Harry looks down on us……”

“Shut up. Deputy Commander. Say one more word and I’ll impose disciplinary action.”

“Everyone in Changgung Sword Corps probably thinks similarly! That Namgung isn’t what it used to be. That everyone looks down on us because Namgung has become passive and stopped showing our strength! Then rather……!”

Rather become thugs and show our strength.

At Namgung Su spouting such words, Namgung Seok ground his teeth and placed his hand on his sword hilt. And just as Namgung Seok was about to draw his sword.

“I cannot overlook those words.”

A cold voice cut through the air.

“……You.”

“I am Seohwa, Uicheonmun’s grand disciple. Corps Commander Namgung Seok-nim. I apologize for not greeting you properly at a better occasion.”

“……How could it be your fault?”

Namgung Seok let out a sigh and stepped aside, and Seohwa bowed slightly toward him before staring directly at Namgung Su. A strange magical light shot from her gaze.

“My sajae were in your debt. Deputy Commander-nim. However, isn’t it too much to speak as if we’ve scorned Namgung Family?”

“……Haven’t you scorned us! Even now. Standing before me with your head held high……”

“Unless there’s fault, keeping one’s head up when talking to someone would be more proper. Isn’t it Deputy Commander-nim’s inferiority complex making you feel that way?”

“What?”

“Rather, it seems the fault lies with Deputy Commander-nim, doesn’t it? Our munju-nim has greater fame in the martial world and higher standing than Deputy Commander-nim—is it proper to speak of him so carelessly?”

“Uicheonmun disciples scorn Changgung Sword Corps, or even Namgung Family martial artists. You seem to want to make that claim.”

Having voiced Namgung Su’s opinion, Seohwa glared coldly and clenched her fist. At the same time, gauntlets slid from her sleeves and attached themselves to her hands.

“It seems we’re the ones who’ve been insulted. You insulted our munju-nim and treated my sajae as if they’d done something wrong over nothing.”

“……Th-that’s.”

“If we endure such insults, we wouldn’t be martial artists. So shall we settle this cleanly the way Deputy Commander-nim wants?”

The bimu is in two days. But there’s no need to wait two days.

“Representing Uicheonmun, disciple Seohwa formally requests bimu with Changgung Sword Corps.”

“……What?”

At the unbelievable words, Namgung Su asked back in bewilderment. And toward that Namgung Su, Seohwa beckoned with her finger.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m saying let’s tear off the rank insignias and have it out. By skill, which Deputy Commander-nim loves so much.”