Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Namgung Family. Second Training Ground.

“Deputy Commander. What is the meaning of this?”

“It’s not enough that you were rude to guests personally welcomed and entertained by the Family Head, you escalated a trivial matter, pressed them relentlessly, and even spoke of another sect’s munju. Did I hear correctly?”

“Sogaju. That’s not it…….”

“It’s not? Good. Explain.”

“Didn’t those Uicheonmun bastards use many vile tricks? Even at the last exchange tournament, Sogaju suffered defeat from being caught in those vile tricks…… So this time, I thought we should be more thoroughly prepared.”

“Deputy Commander seems to think I was defeated because I was caught in vile tricks.”

“How narrow-minded.”

A fool stands before him who cannot even distinguish between strategy and trickery.

Though there are limits to making mistakes, how could he be so reckless? In a situation where securing Uicheonmun’s goodwill wouldn’t be enough.

‘I must endure.‘

Namgung Hyeon, having heard from Namgung Yeoncheon about Shinui, clenched and unclenched his fist. No matter how much his position as Sogaju grants him some of the Family Head’s authority, he cannot severely reprimand a family elder who holds the position of Deputy Commander.

“I will report this matter to the Family Head for severe disciplinary action. But before that, there’s something that must come first, isn’t there?”

“Deputy Commander should immediately find Uicheonmunju and the disciples you were rude to and apologize. The bimu will be canceled.”

“……That.”

“Is there something left?”

“Isn’t it unnecessary to cancel the bimu?”

“……What did you say?”

“No, we should apologize. We should apologize, but…… there’s no need to cancel the bimu. It would make good entertainment for the bimu with Uicheonmun in two days.”

“Good…… entertainment?”

“If we show a good performance in this bimu, couldn’t it raise our family’s morale a bit? In that sense.”

“You arrogant fool.”

“……U-uh? Sogaju, what did you just say…….”

Looking at Namgung Su showing displeasure, Namgung Hyeon briefly considered whether to just cut him down, then barely suppressed his anger and continued.

“Deputy Commander seems confident that Changgung Sword Corps can defeat Uicheonmun’s disciples.”

“That’s right. And for good reason—the opponents are just youngsters, aren’t they? At most, they’ve only been out of the training hall for two years…….”

“Do you even realize you’re spouting this knowing those people are my contemporaries?”

“……The talent you possess is different, the environment is different, isn’t it? How could Sogaju, who has mastered all of our family’s secret techniques, be the same as them? Moreover, compared to Sogaju who has gained experience surviving brutal battlefields, they can’t compare.”

“Choose one—either praise me or disparage them. Aren’t you ultimately looking down on rising stars? And it doesn’t seem like you think differently of me either.”

“That’s not…….”

“Enough.”

Cutting off Namgung Su’s words decisively, Namgung Hyeon ground his teeth. He could see someone who didn’t even properly grasp Namgung’s current position.

‘A frog in a well.‘

That Namgung isn’t just some mediocre family you’d find anywhere but is an outstanding orthodox sect worthy of being counted among the distinguished is an undeniable fact. You can tell just from the fact that even now, having suffered a crushing defeat in the war with the Sado Alliance, Namgung maintains its position among the Five Great Families.

Namgung’s reserves are never something to be taken lightly. Namgung’s main technique, Changgung Muae Sword, is worthy of being called unrivaled in the martial world, and the Jewang Geomhyeong learned only by direct descendants is a supreme technique worthy of being called a divine martial art.

But does that make Namgung the strongest?

‘We can’t even claim superiority in the orthodox path.‘

As sects, there’s Wudang and Shaolin. As families, there’s Baek Ri.

Right now, there are three sects that can clearly be said to be superior to Namgung.

If you include sects like Huashan or the Tang Family that could contend with Namgung, one hand wouldn’t be enough, and if you include the unorthodox path, the borderlands , the Demonic Cult , those in Jeongsajigan, and hermit masters, you couldn’t count all the martial lineages that could contend with Namgung even using both hands and feet.

Yet these people act as if Namgung is the world’s greatest martial lineage, looking down on those around them. Surely it’s because the previous generation who could have taught them about the martial world’s ruthlessness died or retired in the war with the Sado Alliance.

Pressing his throbbing forehead, Namgung Hyeon spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

“You said you want to do the bimu?”

“Well, it’s not that I particularly want to, just that there’s no need to decline it…… that’s what I mean.”

“I’ll permit it.”

“Really?”

“However, I’ll make this clear. Deputy Commander. Those who can participate in the bimu are limited to up to the Deputy Commander level. The Corps Commander will not participate. If the Corps Commander enters, their side will also send out Uicheonmunju. This bimu must not escalate into a dispute between leaders, must it? And.”

“And?”

“If you lose this bimu, you’ll be demoted to regular member that instant. If that’s acceptable, then accept it.”

Hesitating for a moment at Namgung Hyeon’s bold move, Namgung Su glanced at Namgung Hyeon and nodded. The answer that followed.

“Fine. If I lose the bimu, demote me to regular member. However, can the bimu rules be consecutive victories ?”

“Do as you wish.”

“Then that’s fine. Hehe. Even if I lose, I just need to make a comeback.”

Looking at Namgung Su sneering, Namgung Hyeon shook his head irritably and looked toward the annex where Uicheonmun disciples were staying. The distant pavilion visible in the distance.

‘Why is it that every time I have a bimu, I end up cheering for the other side?‘

I wish these ignorant fools would get a taste of the world’s bitterness.

Sighing, Namgung Hyeon gripped his sword tightly, recalling Baek Riyun’s composed appearance.

‘Should I inquire about being accepted as a temporary Uicheonmun disciple? For about six shichen .‘

“Well done.”

“……Yes?”

As Seohwa came to find me, I immediately spoke, and Seohwa, who was about to sit down and open her mouth, widened her eyes. At that sight, a laugh escaped me involuntarily.

“I heard the story from Namgung Family’s daughter. That you got into an argument with Namgung Su. That you’ve agreed to do bimu with Changgung Sword Corps.”

“Yes. That’s right, but…….”

“You came to apologize for acting on your own again, didn’t you? This is the answer to that. Well done. No need to unnecessarily watch others’ reactions.”

“……Was I that obvious?”

“A bit.”

“Hehe.”

With an awkward smile, Seohwa sat down properly with her knees together and cleared her throat. The explanation of the context followed.

‘Hmm.‘

Listening to the story, I stroked my chin. That careful Seohwa requested a bimu. She must not have held back because it was a situation that shouldn’t be endured.

‘This is a bit much.‘

Didn’t they cross the line quite a bit?

“If Jo Hyeon sojeo hadn’t defended me, I would have just stood there gaping. Really fortunate. She pushed back so satisfyingly.”

“She seems well-educated, but apparently her verbal skills are excellent. I should thank her when I see her later. More importantly, sojeo?”

“Yes. She’s in male disguise, but she’s a woman.”

“I knew that, but I didn’t expect you to notice. Her disguise technique is quite high-level.”

“Who am I the disciple of? I was with her for several shichen—I’d be failing if I didn’t notice.”

Seohwa showed a playful smile for a moment, and I chuckled while opening my mouth again.

“When did you agree to do the bimu?”

“Since the days are short, we agreed on between Sinsi  and Yusi , before the sun sets.”

“Not much time left.”

“Yes. And regarding the participants.”

“Do you have thoughts?”

“How about sending out just three?”

“Three?”

“Yes. Seomun Cheok sajae, Seonwoo Gang sajae, and Baek Risan-nim. Like that.”

“All of them are the lineup that won’t participate in the bimu. The reason?”

“To show that no one in Uicheonmun is weak. While we’re at it.”

“……Mm.”

With this lineup, it means everyone who came here will participate in bimu. It seems she was quite angry that they treated her sajae as fools.

After thinking for a moment, I asked Seohwa.

“The lineup is good. Then what about the order?”

“The order is the same too.”

“Cheok-i, Gang-i, and then San-i?”

“Yes. The other side will also propose consecutive victories if they’re thinking, and if so, this lineup is best.”

“I can roughly see your intention.”

“What do you think?”

“Not bad.”

I understood her intention. It’s not just ordered by skill level but an order conceived with some intention.

“If you have thoughts, do as you wish.”

“Is it really okay for me to handle everything?”

“It’s fine. Regardless of the order, regardless of who fights, you won’t lose.”

Changgung Sword Corps.

They’re definitely not a group to be taken lightly, but they’re not a group to look up to either. My disciples, who have endured hell for two years, should be able to win without difficulty.

—Uicheonmunju-nim. The Family Head sent word asking you to visit.

“It seems to be time.”

At the voice heard quietly from outside, I stood up and looked directly at Seohwa.

“You are strong.”

“Originally excellent, you’ve become even stronger by enduring hell training for two years. All that’s left is to accumulate experience. So.”

Go without burden. Think of it as going to play.

At my words, Seohwa, who had widened her eyes like a rabbit for a moment, stared at me. And a broad smile spread across her face with the answer that followed.

“Understood. Then I’ll go play.”

“Go ahead.”

Until now, you’ve only trained and haven’t had a sense of how much your skills have improved.

It wouldn’t be bad to take this opportunity to gauge your own abilities.

Namgung Family Third Training Ground.

‘This is……‘

Thinking about it, isn’t this a bit profitable?

Namgung Yeon, who had glanced around, held a small impression while watching Uicheonmun disciples walking from afar. The imposing sight of Uicheonmun disciples walking with Baek Riyun at the lead.

‘It’s really hard to gauge their martial arts.‘

Except for Uicheonmun’s characteristic white clothing, you could say they’re not unified at all—their attire is so varied. One person carries no weapon, one has a spear, and the other four each carry differently shaped swords.

‘Uicheonmun is a sect established only two years ago.‘

A sect established only two years ago.

I’m not looking down on them. Even a sect with a short history can become a powerful sect. For instance, didn’t the unorthodox Cheolhyeolmun , founded by the Sipcheon  member Cheolhyeolmunju, become a powerful sect ranking in the unorthodox path’s top ten within just five years?

Uicheonmun too could very well possess excellent capabilities depending on Uicheonmunju’s caliber. Especially since they have few disciples, the munju’s teachings would be concentrated, and if they properly absorbed those teachings, each one could have grown into a strong martial artist. But that’s that and this is this.

‘With a short history, it’s hard to have diverse martial arts.‘

And if I analyze those not-so-diverse martial arts now, it will definitely help greatly in the bimu two days from now.

Having considered realistic limitations, Namgung Yeon narrowed her eyes and observed the Uicheonmun disciples. Seeing that, Namgung Hyeon, who had been frowning, casually asked.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Ah, orabeo-nim. I was thinking about what martial arts they might use.”

“Martial arts….”

“Do you know anything?”

“To some extent.”

Pausing his words and falling into thought for a moment, Namgung Hyeon recalled the past. Recalling the martial arts of Seomun Cheok and Seonwoo Gang he met two years ago.

“Seomun Cheok mainly uses martial arts that are variations of the basic techniques of Samjae , Ohaeng , and Yukham . There’s no excess in his moves, but instead they’re straightforward.”

“What about Seonwoo Gang…….”

“The same. I think he used ordinary orthodox sect martial arts. Wind-like martial arts. Soft but not strong.”

Actually, except for the last one, the martial arts Seonwoo Gang showed back then aren’t particularly memorable. That’s probably because the martial arts Seonwoo Gang showed were disguise techniques for infiltrating the orthodox path.

“Now he must be using different martial arts. I don’t know how they’ve improved.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“What are the chances of winning?”

“Well. If he’s grown more from back then and fights against current Changgung Sword Corps regular members…… nine to one.”

If he trained at an ordinary sect, I don’t know, but he studied under Baek Riyun, whose capabilities as a master are exceptional. I should expect at least that much.

“It looks like they’re about to start.”

Confirming Seomun Cheok and a Changgung Sword Corps member climbing onto the bimu stage after exchanging greetings, Namgung Yeon made a small sound.

—Begin!

“Then, I should observe their martial arts during this opportunity. To clearly see what kind of martial arts Uicheonmun’s martial arts are…….”

The moment Namgung Yeon, who had been chattering away, tried to focus on the bimu with force in her eyes.

Ppeoeoek!

At the result that unfolded before her eyes, Namgung Yeon blinked.

One second.

“Wh-what was that……?”

In just one second, the Changgung Sword Corps member who had been facing Seomun Cheok had collapsed.