The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 47 - The Azure Sky Society Lord (1)

The master and disciple, along with the Tang siblings, boarded a boat.

Not only could they arrive at Mount Huang, where the main fortress was located, much faster by moving via the waterway, but there was also the reason of being on guard in case the Second Young Master of the Martial Strike Sect were to, by some chance, break his promise.

Fortunately, no particular incidents occurred until the time came for them to part ways. The time on board the ship was quite peaceful.

Namgung Jun did not stop his training even on board the ship, and occasionally held duels with the assassins of the Nether Fathom Hall.

‘It’s ambiguous to call them purely assassins.’

It seemed the Nether Fathom Hall was a gathering of martial artists in whom the identities of a swordsman and an assassin were mixed. The weapon known as the Twin Swords, in particular, sparked Namgung Jun’s interest.

It felt as if his field of vision in the area of the sword had widened in another direction. It came to him as all the more novel because in his past life, he had treated it as a momentary amusement and had only swung them a few times.

It seemed that one day, he might be able to melt this directly into his own sword.

“It was a good duel.”

“...…”

As Namgung Jun paid his respects, the Nether Fathom Hall assassin, with whom he had been crossing swords until just a moment ago, answered with a nod.

The Tang siblings, who had been waiting for the duel to end, immediately approached Namgung Jun. It was because soon, Namgung Jun and Lee Se-ha would have to get off the boat.

“Now that we have come this far, it will surely be difficult for the Second Young Master of the Martial Strike Sect to chase us.”

The Tang siblings expressed their gratitude to the master and disciple.

“Young Hero Namgung. Please accept this.”

Tang Ye-jin handed over a bundle of several dozen sheets of paper. The scent of ink was still clear on the paper, as if she had been continuously writing on it since they had boarded the boat. As if she had been pressed for time, she had an appearance of being hard-pressed just to fill in the contents.

“This is?”

“I tried writing down the medicinal prescriptions and acupuncture techniques that might be of help for the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, and information on the condition. I hope it will be of some help to you, Young Hero.”

Tang Ye-jin had sincerely written down the precious information she had gathered to treat her own Three Yin Severed Meridians.

Though the things written on the paper held a great value, like the secret verses of a secret manual, Tang Ye-jin did not hesitate to hand them over to Namgung Jun.

It was the best that Tang Ye-jin could do for the benefactor to whom she owed the debt of gratitude for saving her life.

“And after I have cured my Three Yin Severed Meridians, I will begin my research on the Nine Yin Severed Meridians. So that I may be of help to you someday, Young Hero Namgung.”

“I will gratefully accept that sentiment.”

Tang Bo-seon also performed a fist-and-palm salute again and continued his words.

“If you ever have a reason to stop by Sichuan Province, please look for the Tang Clan in Chengdu. Though we are a small family, we have some expertise in medicine and the art of smithing, so we will be of help.”

“The Tang Clan of Chengdu, Sichuan Province. I will remember it.”

“And though the Tang Clan is between the Orthodox and Unorthodox, if it is an individual belonging to the Azure Sky Society, we will help them both materially and spiritually. Please let the other righteous warriors know of this fact as well.”

Lee Se-ha was pleased to hear Tang Bo-seon’s words.

“Thank you. It will be a great help to the Clouds of our society who are active in Sichuan Province.”

The western part of the Martial World was mostly a region where the Unorthodox and Demonic Paths were dominant. Sichuan Province was not much different.

Of course, a secret branch of the Azure Sky Society existed in Sichuan Province, and a few small sects called the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect did help them, but it was far from enough to stand against the Unorthodox and Demonic Paths.

In such a situation, to gain a friendly power, even if it was a small family, was a great benefit.

Even more so if that region was Sichuan.

“Great meritorious deeds.”

The Nether Fathom Hall Master, who was listening to the conversation from the side, muttered in a low voice.

“I am quite good at picking my disciples, aren’t I.”

“Heavenly Sword. Teach him well.”

“Of course. More than that, I leave these two siblings in your care.”

Lee Se-ha said as she looked at the Tang siblings.

It was now time for Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun to get off the boat.

In contrast, the Nether Fathom Hall Master and his assassins had to go to Hubei Province, so they could accompany the Tang siblings for a while.

“Don’t worry.”

The two Hall Masters exchanged short farewells and naturally moved their steps toward their respective paths.

……

When they arrived at the Heavenly Sword Hall, the atmosphere was clamorous.

Could it be that some kind of joyous event had occurred?

The master and disciple crossed the threshold of the Heavenly Sword Hall side-by-side.

“Oh? Hall Master?”

“The youngest one has come too. It seems you two met in the middle.”

“You both have good timing. A newcomer has arrived.”

The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall welcomed the master and disciple and opened a path for them. At that, the newcomer who had been naturally surrounded by the swordsmen revealed herself.

“Ah. Hello?”

The newcomer, contrary to expectations, was a familiar face.

It was the granddaughter of the Elder Council Head, Man Hun, Man Ye-won.

Man Ye-won was waving her hand toward Namgung Jun while showing an awkward smile.

“It seems you have entered the Ten Halls through the entrance exam.”

“It’s thanks to you. My accomplishment in the Great Wind Sword Style has increased immensely.”

Man Ye-won once again made an apologetic expression and bowed her head.

“I was really sorry about that time, at the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection. Thinking back on it, I think I was really rude.”

“If you have realized it, then that is enough. Everyone makes mistakes.”

As Namgung Jun accepted her apology as if it were not a big deal, the expression of Man Ye-won, which had been slightly tinged with tension, finally relaxed completely.

“So another good swordsman has entered.”

As Lee Se-ha, who had been listening to the conversation between the boy and the girl, opened her mouth, Man Ye-won tensed up again and performed a fist-and-palm salute.

“Greetings to the Heavenly Sword Hall Master.”

“There is no need for us to pay such respects amongst ourselves. Just call me Hall Master comfortably.”

Lee Se-ha gently placed a hand on Namgung Jun’s shoulder.

“Jun, you teach the newcomer well.”

“I understand.”

At Namgung Jun’s answer, which was without hesitation, the eyes of Man Ye-won, who was watching from the side, sparkled without end.

‘Yes!’

Man Ye-won let out an internal cheer.

After taking the entrance exam, because she had placed within the top three among the applicants, she had been able to choose the place she wanted to enter.

Though there had been calls from a few other Halls, Man Ye-won had steadfastly chosen the Heavenly Sword Hall.

Because Namgung Jun was in the Heavenly Sword Hall.

‘I can become stronger.’

Man Ye-won was certain. That just by being by Namgung Jun’s side, there would be very many things to learn.

‘Grandfather also recommended the Heavenly Sword Hall, so there is nothing to hesitate about.’

Man Ye-won made a vow. That she would stick by Namgung Jun’s side as much as possible.

“First, follow me this way. I will explain the structure of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”

“Okay.”

Man Ye-won followed along beside Namgung Jun, who was walking ahead, and asked.

“What should I call you? Senior Namgung?”

“Do as you please.”

“Then I’ll just call you by your name. Namgung Jun. Do you have any intention of placing the secret manual for the Heavenly Wind Sword Style in the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection?”

“We’ll see.”

Though Man Ye-won chattered endlessly from the side, Namgung Jun merely began his tour with a composed face.

……

Namgung Jun, who had returned to the Heavenly Sword Hall and unpacked his things, immediately headed for the Ink Scent Division.

Ordinarily, it would have been enough to just submit a report, but the case this time was a little different.

It was a matter where the mission details had been greatly changed, and which had come to include the establishment of a new Hefei branch.

For that reason, Namgung Jun had to give a direct, face-to-face report to Yun Gyeong-jong.

“I see. So that is how the situation flowed.”

Yun Gyeong-jong, who had been lost in thought for a moment, asked.

“But counting the time that the contact came to the main fortress, it seems you proposed the establishment of the branch before the Heavy Punishment Gate held its banquet.”

“Yes.”

“Did you send the letter judging that the situation would flow according to your predictions?”

“Even if it had not, I believed that in the end, establishing a branch was the best course of action.”

“Hmm.”

The meaning of what Namgung Jun had said was simple.

That in one way or another, he had intended to bring down the Heavy Punishment Gate in the end and fill that void with a Hefei branch.

‘To think he would handle his first solo mission so cleanly.’

Furthermore, it was a mission in which autonomous authority had been temporarily granted.

Though Yun Gyeong-jong often granted Clouds who had the ability authority beyond their rank depending on the situation, the Clouds who used it properly were extremely few.

But Namgung Jun, even though it was his first mission, had appropriately used the authority he had been given and had produced the best possible result.

In the eyes of Yun Gyeong-jong, which were reflecting the newcomer Cloud who had shown a capability that surpassed his own expectations, a light of admiration subtly dwelled.

‘Not only his martial arts, but his overall field of vision and judgment are also outstanding. Is it thanks to his early experience in the Martial World, even if only as a Sword Page?’

Yun Gyeong-jong shook his head.

It was very difficult for one to show such an appearance simply because they had experienced the Martial World early.

Though his outward appearance was that of a boy, on the inside, he had the strange feeling of facing an experienced veteran master.

Yun Gyeong-jong showed a subtle smile as he looked at the marvelous boy before him.

‘As expected, my eyes were not mistaken.’

Namgung Jun was surely a sprout that would one day become a giant tree of the Azure Sky Society. A talent that must never be let go.

For the first time in a truly long while, Yun Gyeong-jong’s heart felt at ease.

Though there were various talents in the Azure Sky Society, they were not to the extent that they could change the great flow that the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult was leading.

But Namgung Jun was different.

He was of a talent that could ably pierce through the world.

“Good. It is likely the first time that someone of the Two-Cloud rank has established a meritorious deed of this magnitude.”

Namgung Jun, who had humbly nodded his head, opened his mouth.

“What is the current situation of the Hefei branch?”

Though the establishment of the branch had proceeded successfully, it was a place he had personally decided to take responsibility for. It was only natural that he would be curious about what had happened afterward.

“It seems the branch is running stably as a new branch leader has been decided. Gang Mong should also be in the middle of preparing to return by now.”

Yun Gyeong-jong, who had stopped speaking for a moment and drank his tea, had his expression hardened slightly.

“And something suspicious was discovered among the documents you secured.”

“What is it?”

“The Ink Scent Division is analyzing it right now, but it seems the Heavy Punishment Gate and the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult were exchanging some kind of contact.”

Namgung Jun’s eyebrows settled coldly.

“The Sun and Moon Demonic Cult again.”

“They were extending their hands into Hefei from a place unseen. If this part is also confirmed, then in addition to a supplementary investigation, your meritorious deeds will also be added to.”

Even at the words that his meritorious deeds could grow even larger, Namgung Jun’s eyebrows were hardened and showed no signs of moving.

Yun Gyeong-jong, who was looking at that stiff appearance, stroked his beard as if he had just thought of something.

“Come to think of it, you have not yet met the Society Lord.”

“Yes.”

“He returned while you were out on your mission. The Society Lord also wished to see you.”

“The Society Lord, you say?”

Yun Gyeong-jong, who had nodded his head, rose from his seat.

“Let us go together now that it has been brought up.”

Though it was a sudden proposal, Namgung Jun nodded his head. As it happened, he had been curious as to what kind of person the Azure Sky Society Lord was.

Yun Gyeong-jong and Namgung Jun headed straight for the Society Lord’s residence. The Society Lord’s residence was not that far from the Ink Scent Division.

“This is the place.”

The Azure Sky Pavilion.

For a place where the Azure Sky Society Lord resided, it was quite plain. If not for the old hanging sign on which the name was written, he would have thought it was one of the many pavilions and simply passed by.

Yun Gyeong-jong, who had stopped in front of the door of the Azure Sky Pavilion, paid his respects.

“Society Lord. May I enter?”

“Come in.”

Simultaneously with the answer, the door of the pavilion opened softly.

The appearance of the old man thus revealed was not ordinary. A large scar by his eye and a right sleeve that was completely sunken in.

It seemed he had lost both his eyes and his right arm.

In a way, it was a miserable sight for a martial artist, but Namgung Jun’s gaze was directed elsewhere.

It was the tree branch held in the old man’s left hand.

Even as Namgung Jun’s gaze fell upon it, the old man’s left hand holding the tree branch moved slowly, and with every movement, the bark fell off in a stream.

Just by softly stroking it with his fingertips, the tree branch was being gradually shaved away. Every time the old man’s fingers moved, the tree branch was getting closer to a certain shape.

‘Is he making a wooden sword?’

At that moment, the hand that had been trimming the tree branch stopped.

“This is the first time we have met. It is a pleasure.”

Though the old man’s eyes were closed, he was looking precisely at Namgung Jun.

“Greetings to the Society Lord. My name is Namgung Jun.”

“This old man is called Ha Huseon.”

The moment he heard the Azure Sky Society Lord’s name, the muscles on Namgung Jun’s face twitched.

‘Ha Huseon?’

The gaze of Namgung Jun, who had been bowing his head, slowly rose.