The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 33 - The Rank Advancement Test (1)

“Senior Heo! It’s heading your way!”

At Namgung Jun’s shout, Heo Il’s laughter could be heard from far beyond the thicket.

“Leave the rear to me.”

Following that, a sound of tearing air was heard along with a thump. When Namgung Jun belatedly caught up, a large wild boar was collapsed in front of Heo Il.

A throwing knife was embedded deep in the dead center of the wild boar’s head. It seemed that with a single throw, he had pierced the wild boar’s thick hide and skull.

‘That would be difficult with a small, thin throwing knife; it is a considerable level of skill with hidden weapons.’

Namgung Jun, who was observing the state of the wild boar, bowed his head.

“You did all the work, Senior Heo. I was more of a hindrance, if anything.”

“Haha. It is fine. If you were good at hunting too, I would have had nothing to teach you and would have been very disappointed. Young Hero Namgung is just that outstanding.”

Namgung Jun and Heo Il dragged the wild boar and returned to the campsite.

At the campsite, the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall were in the middle of preparing their camp for the night.

“Oh! A wild boar!”

“As expected of Heo Il. He’s never disappointed in this area.”

The swordsmen, who saw the wild boar, moved more busily with excitement. They intended to quickly prepare a meal.

Heo Il, who had rolled up his sleeves and taken out his throwing knife, gestured to Namgung Jun.

“Young Hero Namgung. Come here. I will teach you the knack of butchering an animal. Ah, I should also leave some of it to teach you how to make jerky.”

Heo Il, who was muttering as if he were excited, began to slice the hide of the wild boar with a proficient skill.

Namgung Jun was right beside him, focusing, and the other Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen who were watching snickered.

“So there was a field our youngest one isn’t good at.”

“Now he seems a bit more like a real youngest member. When he just holds a sword, even an average senior has to concede a step to him.”

Namgung Jun smiled as he heard the words being spoken.

‘My field of vision was truly narrow.’

In his past life, he had poured his entire life into the Sword and Righteousness. He had only seen those two things, and had only tried to see them.

The trivial things that he had thought were not that important in his past life now came to him differently.

Even if it was trivial and miscellaneous, it was good. If his field of vision itself had widened by experiencing and learning the various things of the world, would his past life have also changed?

Namgung Jun felt a sense of gratitude for his present life, where he could feel such things. And an even greater sense of preciousness reached his fingertips.

‘For that reason, I must not fail.’

Heo Il, who had at some point completely butchered the wild boar, nodded his head by himself as if satisfied.

“You have many talents in various fields, Senior Heo.”

“It is only that I have lived a disorderly life. The talents I have learned are the same.”

Heo Il let out a bitter smile and wiped the blood-drenched throwing knife.

“Is that so? I think differently.”

“How so?”

“If your life of many twists and turns one day melts into your sword, it will come to you as a new accomplishment.”

Heo Il put down his throwing knife and looked down at the sword hanging at his waist.

“Since you have said it, Young Hero Namgung, it truly seems like it might be so. For it seems you were born with a capability for the sword that surpasses even the Hall Master’s.”

“Heo Il, what did you just say?”

Though Lee Se-ha interjected in the middle, Heo Il pretended not to hear, lightly brushing it off as he continued to speak.

“Young Hero Namgung. When the chance arises someday, I will tell you my old story. Though it may not be interesting.”

“I will be waiting.”

Namgung Jun smiled and nodded his head.

It seemed Heo Il also had quite a story. Though he was curious what it was, he decided to look forward to a future day.

Sizzle!

Every time fat dripped from the boar meat, the campfire danced temperamentally and caused trouble.

Just as he had become somewhat proficient in cooking the meat following Heo Il’s advice, a large shadow filled the space next to Namgung Jun.

“Namgung Jun.”

“Senior Gong.”

Gong Jun-am placed the already golden-brown cooked meat in front of Namgung Jun.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I did not lose an arm. I owe you a debt.”

Namgung Jun, who was reminded of what had happened at the Karma Exchange Religion’s headquarters, shook his head.

“You bet your life trusting in me, Senior Gong. It was only natural that I should have succeeded.”

“Even so, it is also a fact that I have received a favor. I shall repay it.”

Gong Jun-am brusquely said only what he had to say and disappeared. Namgung Jun let out a smirk and looked down at the meat Gong Jun-am had left behind.

The properly cooked meat was full of warmth. Namgung Jun, who extended his hand and took a bite of the meat, felt an arc form on his lips.

“It’s delicious.”

“Still, it looks like you’ve all gotten a lot closer? I’m a little jealous.”

At some point, Lee Se-ha had taken the spot next to him and was tilting her head.

“Master.”

“Heo Il is one thing, but Jun-am is not the type of person to stick close to his comrades. It seems he’s taken quite a liking to you, Jun.”

“If that is the case, then I am glad.”

Lee Se-ha personally put a piece of meat in Namgung Jun’s mouth and lowered the corners of her eyes.

“Blood is still seeping out from your bandage. Even though you said you were fine, the wound was indeed severe.”

“I am truly fine.”

“I can’t tell you not to push yourself, but. Still, please think a little of this master’s feelings too.”

Namgung Jun nodded his head and then observed Lee Se-ha.

“Are you not hurt anywhere, Master?”

“Of course not. Who do you think I am.”

As if she quite liked her disciple’s worried gaze, Lee Se-ha smiled brightly and spread her arms wide.

“The likes of the Moon-Defying Saber Demon are no problem at all. And besides, some outstanding fellow had already landed a blow on him beforehand. By the way.”

Lee Se-ha, who had trailed off her words, stealthily closed the distance.

“The Moon-Defying Saber Demon’s left shoulder. How did you do that?”

“Ah. Are you speaking of the artistry of switching to an Internal Heavy Strike Method via the aura of a sword strike?”

As Lee Se-ha’s eyes sparkled with a face full of anticipation, signs of presence began to gather from all sides. The campfire flickered precariously from the wind that was blasting in from all directions.

“Are you listening to such an interesting story all by yourself?”

“That’s too much, Hall Master.”

“What on earth are the words the youngest one just said?”

At some point, all the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall had gathered around Namgung Jun. Every one of them, with their attention focused on Namgung Jun’s face, or more precisely, his mouth.

At that sight, Lee Se-ha shook her head.

“I was trying to have a cozy chat with my disciple for the first time in a while. These guys have no tact.”

But the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall were not in the least bit intimidated.

“Forget that! Let’s just continue the story from before.”

“I have a feeling this will become a new topic of inquiry.”

“To be honest, I’ve been quite curious for a long time. About how the youngest one blocked a supreme master. It’s not a gap in martial prowess that can be solved by simply being talented.”

At his seniors’ expectant gazes, Namgung Jun smiled and nodded his head.

“Then I suppose I must start from when I consumed the inner core of the Sunfire Carp without any Qi circulation.”

At the intense first words, the members of the Heavenly Sword Hall were completely drawn into Namgung Jun’s story.

The youngest one continued his story in a calm voice while still grilling his meat, and his seniors focused without laying a hand on their alcohol or meat.

And so, the campfire that lit up the Heavenly Sword Hall showed no signs of going out for a long, long time.

……

The Martial Conquest Hall.

A military group belonging to the Three Strongest of the Sword Scent Division.

As it was regarded as almost the strongest among the Three Strongest, it was an object of admiration for the martial artists of the Azure Sky Society.

Among the newcomers who were initiated into the Azure Sky Society, the Clouds who corresponded to the top position mostly chose the Martial Conquest Hall.

In truth, it was also the place that had produced the most Uicheon Sword Lords, so the prestige of the Martial Conquest Hall was very high even among the Ten Halls.

Even the martial artists of such a Martial Conquest Hall could not help but be surprised at the rumors they had heard of late.

“They say the Heavenly Sword Hall perfectly carried out their recent mission. And it was quite a big mission, at that.”

“Was his name Namgung Jun? I heard that the newcomer of the Heavenly Sword Hall was greatly active again.”

“I also heard the rumor, but I find it hard to believe. That it wasn't enough for him to rise to the Peak Realm in a real battle, but that he also crossed hands with a supreme master of the Trinity Bloom single-handedly and survived.”

Though various opinions came out, the prevailing view solidified on the side that there was likely little exaggeration in the rumor.

It was because the path that Namgung Jun had shown since being initiated into the Azure Sky Society was completely different from that of any ordinary newcomer Cloud. For that reason, they could hold onto a sense of anticipation this time as well.

Swoosh!

Baek Ri-cheong, who was training alone in a corner of the Martial Conquest Hall’s training ground, wiped his sweat with a cloth and thought of Namgung Jun.

‘If Younger Brother Namgung had not chosen the Heavenly Sword Hall, I would not have come to the Martial Conquest Hall.’

His original goal had been to enter the Martial Conquest Hall by winning the martial arts tournament. Entering the Martial Conquest Hall was one of the goals he absolutely had to achieve.

But he had ended up entering the Martial Conquest Hall not by winning but by a stroke of luck, so a feeling of gratitude toward Namgung Jun arose, along with a sense of self-reproach.

‘As expected, Younger Brother is distinguishing himself quickly.’

Baek Ri-cheong smiled as he recalled Namgung Jun’s shocking single sword strike, but his expression soon hardened.

It was because at the same time his liking for Namgung Jun was deep, his competitive spirit to surpass him was also burning strongly.

A worthy rival was a being that truly drew out a variety of diverse emotions. Baek Ri-cheong felt truly grateful that he had met a worthy rival named Namgung Jun.

‘First, I must advance my rank.’

Baek Ri-cheong, just like Namgung Jun, was still a One-Cloud. If one were to consider only his martial prowess, it would have been fine for him to challenge for a rank advancement right away, but it was because his meritorious deeds were insufficient.

“Baek Ri-cheong. A mission has been handed down.”

“Yes. I will prepare at once.”

“If you carry out this mission successfully as well, you will be able to take the Rank Advancement Test right away.”

“Yes.”

Baek Ri-cheong, who had stylishly sheathed his sword, briefly looked up at the sky. From some point on, whenever he saw the clear, blue firmament, he would think of Namgung Jun.

Because of that, he would often look at the sky and brace his mind and body even in the middle of fervent training.

As if Namgung Jun were right before his eyes.

‘I will be sure to catch up.’

Baek Ri-cheong, who had taken in the sight of the spotless blue sky, moved his feet to follow his seniors.

For the sake of his rank advancement, Baek Ri-cheong had also set out into the Martial World.

It was three days after Baek Ri-cheong’s departure that Namgung Jun returned to the main fortress of the Azure Sky Society.

……

The members of the Heavenly Sword Hall let out slight smiles as they looked at the Heavenly Sword Hall’s pavilion. Because this was a place no different from home, a comfortable feeling was already setting in.

“We’ve finally returned.”

“Damn it. I think I’ll have to take on the next mission right away without getting much rest.”

“It would be best for you to go after your internal injuries have completely recovered.”

A peculiar glint settled in the eyes of Namgung Jun as he arrived at the Heavenly Sword Hall’s pavilion. It was because a figure who was not usually seen in the Heavenly Sword Hall was standing there imposingly.

Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a scribe belonging to the Ink Scent Division. In contrast, the other seniors simply entered the lodging naturally, as if this were a familiar, occasional event.

The scribe, as if he had been waiting for Namgung Jun, approached him right away.

“Young Hero Namgung. I have come from the Ink Scent Division.”

“Yes. What is the matter?”

“I have come directly because there is something to be confirmed urgently.”

The scribe politely paid his respects and continued to speak.

“According to the Heavenly Sword Hall Master’s brief report, it was said that you have risen to the Peak Realm, Young Hero Namgung. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“I apologize if you were perhaps displeased. The case of breaking through to a new realm in a real battle is a considerably rare one, so the Ink Lord told me to confirm it again.”

Namgung Jun nodded his head as if he understood.

“You have also accumulated great meritorious deeds by taking on a major role in this mission. You have been given the qualification to challenge the Rank Advancement Test; what will you do?”

The Rank Advancement Test.

The moment he had been waiting for had finally come. Namgung Jun had no reason to bother postponing his rank advancement. Rather, the faster, the better.

“Very well. I will apply for this Rank Advancement Test.”

“Confirmed.”

The scribe handed over a neatly folded piece of paper.

“The Two-Cloud Rank Advancement Test has just begun.”

“Right now, you mean?”

“That is correct, Young Hero Namgung.”

Namgung Jun stared at the scribe with a flabbergasted look in his eyes.