The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 35 - The Rank Advancement Test (3)

The Flying God Hall Master was at a loss for words.

He couldn’t help it. For something outside of his assumptions had occurred.

He had never thought that while presiding over a Two-Cloud Rank Advancement Test, an event that would make him doubt his own eyes would happen.

‘Never mind Sword Qi, he didn’t even infuse his sword with internal energy. Are you telling me he cut the Blue Jade Stone with a pure sword strike?’

Of course, it was something the Flying God Hall Master could also do. But he was a Hall Master belonging to the Four-Cloud rank. It was only natural that he could do it.

But what about Namgung Jun?

He was a newcomer Cloud who had only just received a single cloud. Not even half a year had passed since he had learned martial arts.

At such a boy’s nonchalant sword strike, the Blue Jade Stone monument had split far too easily.

‘Come to think of it, the fact that he reached the Peak Realm in the first place doesn’t make sense. Even if one were to learn a Demonic Art, their accomplishment could not be this fast. He is truly a talent sent from the heavens.’

The judgment of a supreme master who had risen to the Trinity Bloom was like a streak of light.

The boy before him was, in the first place, an existence that was beyond common sense.

Trying to judge him by ordinary standards was a mistake in itself.

If Namgung Jun had not committed any act of cheating, then that was enough. For he had accomplished it with his own skill, in one way or another.

The Flying God Hall Master clapped his hands with a slightly dazed expression.

“Magnificent. I never thought I would see such a sword strike from a newcomer Cloud.”

The Flying God Hall Master nodded his head as he looked at Namgung Jun.

“In a short amount of time, you will be standing on the same level as me. Perhaps the number of candidates for the next Sword Lord has increased.”

In order to become the next generation’s Uicheon Sword Lord, one had to at least rise to the position of a Hall Master, and one from the Three Strongest at that, to have a chance.

For the Flying God Hall Master to have mentioned the next Sword Lord while looking at Namgung Jun, who was not yet even twenty, was truly the highest praise.

‘So this is Namgung Jun. It seems the rumors were actually an understatement.’

‘Is it true that it hasn’t even been half a year since he learned martial arts?’

‘He’s a monster.’

The eyes of the other One-Cloud members looking at Namgung Jun were complex. All sorts of emotions, such as admiration, astonishment, and envy, emerged.

“There is nothing to find fault with. It seems you will have to take another Rank Advancement Test very soon.”

The Flying God Hall Master took out an iron token from within his robes and threw it.

It was at a very fast speed, and was slightly laden with internal energy. The other One-Cloud members could not even properly react and could only flinch their bodies.

But on Namgung Jun’s hand, a blue lightning energy had already formed. He lightly caught the iron token with the finer points of the Heavenly Thunder Palm Style.

“I had wanted to see your accomplishment in Fist and Palm styles as well, and it seems that side is not far behind either. Do not neglect your Fist and Palm styles and continue to learn them as you are now. If I had my way, I would like to have a match with your Lightness Skill as well.”

“Thank you for your advice.”

The Flying God Hall Master nodded his head.

“From today, Namgung Jun rises to the rank of Two-Cloud. You may go down first.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Jun offered his farewells not only to the Flying God Hall Master, but to the other One-Cloud members as well.

“I wish you martial luck.”

The other One-Cloud members also paid their respects in an awkward posture and stared blankly as Namgung Jun descended alone.

Only after Namgung Jun’s departing back was hidden by the trees did one man open his mouth.

“Did Namgung Jun just get a rank advancement in the shortest period of time since being initiated?”

“Come to think of it, that’s right.”

“It’s the youngest rank advancement, too. A truly swift path, just like the Swift Sword he showed us.”

The voices of the One-Cloud members who were letting out dry laughs were naturally suffused with an admiration for Namgung Jun.

It was rare for someone to pass the Rank Advancement Test on their first try. And to do it as easily as Namgung Jun was even more so.

‘They did say that those who have the makings of a future Hall Master show an extraordinary side from the time they are at a low rank.’

When they had heard the stories from their seniors, they had just taken them as they were, but now, they were keenly feeling it for themselves.

The One-Cloud members, feeling a thrill run through their bodies, realized it keenly.

That Namgung Jun might go through rank advancements in a short period of time and rise to the rank of a Hall Master, or perhaps even higher.

As the One-Cloud members were just staring blankly at the path Namgung Jun had descended, the Flying God Hall Master changed the atmosphere.

“Who will step up next? There are still chances left.”

At those words, the One-Cloud members, as if they had been reminded that they too were in the middle of a test, found their gazes once again becoming sharp.

Naturally, the ends of their gazes were directed at the Blue Jade Stone monument.

The Blue Jade Stone monument, which had been split diagonally and had fallen over, looked wretched, covered in dirt and dust.

At this, one of the men among the One-Cloud members finally asked a question.

“Hall Master. How are we supposed to take our test?”

“What?”

Only then did the Flying God Hall Master also realize that something was strange.

The Blue Jade Stone, which should have been standing upright, was wretchedly split in half and had fallen to the ground.

“Hmm.”

The Flying God Hall Master, who was observing the Blue Jade Stone, let out a low hum.

Thanks to the fact that Namgung Jun had split it cleanly, it seemed they could proceed with the test if they stood it up upside down.

The problem was lifting the Blue Jade Stone up again. Even if it was split, its weight was not something that even a martial artist who used internal energy could easily handle.

‘Damn it. Heavy lifting is not my specialty.’

If he had his way, he would have liked to ask the One-Cloud members for help, but if he did that, he would not be able to save his face as a Hall Master.

The Flying God Hall Master let out a bitter smile and looked at the One-Cloud members.

“Wait a moment.”

The Flying God Hall Master pushed up both his sleeves with a resolute expression and drew up his internal energy.

It was to lift up the Blue Jade Stone monument.

……

As Namgung Jun stepped into the Heavenly Sword Hall, the seniors who had been waiting looked at him with surprised eyes.

“What. You’re back too soon.”

“Don’t tell me.”

“Youngest. Don’t tell me you couldn’t take the test?”

At his seniors’ worry-filled questions, Namgung Jun quietly put his hand inside his robes.

The Heavenly Sword Hall seniors, who had been staring blankly at the Two-Cloud iron token that was revealed, burst into cheers all at once.

“As expected! If it’s our youngest, of course he can pass in one go!”

“The youngest, in the shortest period of time!”

“Another point of pride for the Heavenly Sword Hall has been added.”

From what he had heard, Lee Se-ha, who had become a Hall Master at the age of twenty, was also one of the points of pride of the Heavenly Sword Hall.

It was because she was the youngest to be appointed Hall Master.

“Couldn’t the youngest one even break the Hall Master’s record?”

“At this speed, it’s more than possible.”

“The disciple surpasses the master! It is a case of blue coming from indigo, but being bluer.”

As the congratulations from the Heavenly Sword Hall seniors poured in one after another, Namgung Jun once again performed a fist-and-palm salute and expressed his thanks.

At that moment, Heo Il, with a large jar slung over his shoulder, walked toward Namgung Jun.

“Young Hero Namgung. I believed you would pass the test and prepared this in advance.”

On the jar that Heo Il was carrying, a large piece of paper with the characters for Imperial Welcome Tribute Liquor was attached.

“Imperial Welcome Tribute Liquor? Isn’t that the alcohol Heo Il brought back when he returned from his mission in Jingde half a year ago?”

“It wasn’t just an ordinary Imperial Welcome Tribute Liquor, but a premium grade one that he treasured so much. Didn’t he refuse to let us even have a taste?”

At the fuss the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen were making, Heo Il showed a satisfied smile.

“Young Hero Namgung. This is a liquor I received after helping the Drunken Tiger Pavilion in Jingde. On a joyous day like this, a special liquor must naturally be present, would it not?”

The Drunken Tiger Pavilion was the largest and most famous tavern in Jingde. The liquor from that place, and an Imperial Welcome Tribute Liquor at that, would be of an immense price.

Namgung Jun, who also knew this, could not help but ask with concern.

“Heo Seonbae. Is it alright to open this today?”

“Haha. Do not worry about it. I brought it out because I feel that today is the day this liquor can be truly enjoyed.”

Thump!

As Heo Il set down the liquor jar, the other seniors also stopped their training and moved about busily.

As if they all had something prepared separately, each of them brought out food and alcohol one by one. As these things were gathered one by one in the middle of the training ground, a feast-like atmosphere was quickly created.

Namgung Jun’s eyelids rose as if he were slightly surprised.

“I did not know that you seniors had prepared this much.”

Gong Jun-am, who was walking over with a massive deer leg slung over his shoulder, opened his mouth with an indifferent tone.

“This is how we have always celebrated. We do not know when a joyous event will come, nor when it will leave, so when an opportunity like this arises, we celebrate.”

Heo Il nodded his head.

“Though the Hall Master has gone out on a mission and is not here, don’t be too disappointed. You have us, Young Hero Namgung.”

At that, the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall who were next to him made looks of disgust.

“Hey. Heo Il. Stop with the cheesy words. Are you drunk already?”

“That’s right. The star of the day should hurry and raise his cup.”

At the encouragement of the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen, Namgung Jun also raised his cup with a pleased face.

“Thank you.”

……

The day after receiving the celebration from the Heavenly Sword Hall.

Namgung Jun received a contact and headed for the Ink Scent Division.

When he arrived at the Ink Scent Division, Gang Mong was outside the pavilion, waiting for him.

“Scribe Gang. It has been a while.”

“I knew you would pass.”

Gang Mong handed over a bundle wrapped in silk.

“Try opening it.”

As he untied the bundle, a blue grand robe embroidered with two clouds, a black bamboo hat, and a sword were revealed.

“The martial arts uniform just has one more cloud embroidered on it, but take a look at the bamboo hat and the sword.”

Namgung Jun’s eyes widened slightly as he observed the hat and the sword.

“The quality is different from the ones I received last time.”

“The bamboo hat is made from black bamboo. It is light but quite hard, so in an emergency, it can be used like a shield to block a hidden weapon or an opponent’s strike once. The sword is also forged from a better quality of iron.”

Gang Mong nodded his head as he watched Namgung Jun try on the bamboo hat.

“It suits you well. You’re already starting to look like a man. Even though not much time has passed.”

“Thank you.”

“I knew you would rise to the rank of Two-Cloud this quickly.”

“Is that so?”

A certain unidentifiable pride was deeply suffused in the corner of Gang Mong’s mouth.

“Because I received your single sword strike directly.”

As if recalling that time, Gang Mong’s smile deepened.

“Thanks to you, I gained an enlightenment and my martial arts realm has taken a step forward. It is something I must be truly thankful for.”

“I am glad that I was of help.”

Though most of the scribes belonging to the Ink Scent Division had also learned martial arts, Gang Mong, in particular, seemed to be devoted to them.

From what he had heard, Gang Mong’s role was to assist the Ink Lord from right beside him, and his appearance of being skilled in both literary and martial arts was truly remarkable.

Gang Mong, who had handed over the bundle and shared a brief chat, got to the main point.

“Namgung Jun. By any chance, could you set out on a mission right away? It is a solo mission. We’re short on hands at the moment.”

Namgung Jun, who had now risen to the rank of Two-Cloud, was now able to go on solo missions.

Namgung Jun nodded his head without hesitation.

“What kind of mission is it?”

“Of late, wandering warriors and Unorthodox Faction martial artists have been running rampant in Hefei, and there appears to be a growing connection in their movements.”

“You’re saying there might be a mastermind behind them.”

Gang Mong nodded his head with a hardened face.

“The society’s intelligence network has been greatly weakened, so for now, digging up this much is our limit.”

“Is there a particular reason?”

“It is partly because our attention is focused mainly on the movements of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, but a large reason is also that many of our assisting sects have disappeared.”

Originally, there were many sects and martial artists who helped the Azure Sky Society to block the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult’s world under the demonic path.

The Azure Sky Society, in addition to its own intelligence network, would often move based on the information sent by them from all corners of the Martial World.

However, as the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult gradually expanded its influence, the number of assistants also began to dwindle. The majority of cases were them disappearing at the hands of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

“If I find the mastermind, is it alright for me to move immediately depending on the situation?”

“Originally, you are to find the mastermind and then return. Because that is the mission.”

The authority to change and coordinate a mission depending on the situation was given from the rank of a Four-Cloud, a Hall Master.

“However.”

Gang Mong turned around and spoke as he looked at the pavilion of the Ink Scent Division.

“The Ink Lord has given his permission, for this mission only. Try moving as you see fit.”

“I understand.”

Namgung Jun immediately turned his back.

Watching that figure, Gang Mong let out a low hum.

“He’ll have to do well.”

The reason the Ink Lord, Yun Gyeong-jong, had exceptionally granted this authority to Namgung Jun was not simply because of his expectations.

Anhui Province alone was said to be larger than an average country.

A considerable amount of time was taken up just by moving, and they did not have the resources to send martial artists repeatedly.

For that reason, Yun Gyeong-jong’s intention was to solve the situation in Hefei in one go by using the sure card that was Namgung Jun.

“I wonder how he will finish this mission.”