The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 48 - The Azure Sky Society Lord (2)

Namgung Jun stared intently at Ha Huseon.

His aura could not be felt separately. That was only natural. For his opponent was a peerless master of a much higher rank.

Despite this, he could keenly feel the transcendence unique to a peerless master.

‘A vast expanse. And it is clear.’

To Namgung Jun, it was all too familiar.

Because the Sword Emperor of his past life, who had learned the Prosperous King Internal Art, had been just like this.

‘I cannot be certain because I cannot feel his aura, but it is certain that the Prosperous King Internal Art is at the root of his martial arts.’

Furthermore, his surname was Ha Hu.

The surname Ha Hu, and the Prosperous King Internal Art.

A person who possessed both of these at the same time had existed in his past life.

Ha Huryeong.

The last rising star of Namcheon Palace.

Ha Huryeong’s mission was to evacuate the young children and women who had not yet even learned martial arts.

He had not been able to know the success or failure of that mission.

For the Sword Emperor and all the fighting power of Namcheon Palace had clashed with the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and had been annihilated in battle just as they were.

However, Namgung Jun knew instinctively as he looked at Ha Huseon.

That Ha Huryeong had successfully carried out his final mission.

The fact that the Azure Sky Society had taken root on the site of Namcheon Palace.

The Uicheon Sword and the martial arts of Namcheon Palace.

And even the ideals of Namcheon Palace that the Azure Sky Society embraced.

All the questions he had held until now were solved.

— Palace Lord. Is it alright for me to learn the Prosperous King Internal Art already?

— You have lost one eye to prove your righteousness at such a young age. I hope that the Prosperous King Internal Art will take the place of your eye.

— With the new eye that you have given me, Palace Lord, I will see my righteousness through to the very end.

‘Ha Huryeong. You have kept your promise.’

Namgung Jun, who had recalled the conversation he had had with Ha Huryeong in his past life, lowered his head minutely. He could not show his moistened eyes to Ha Huseon and Yun Gyeong-jong.

“You seem to have many thoughts.”

Despite the sudden question, Namgung Jun’s voice did not waver.

“Yes. Upon seeing you, Society Lord, the name of our society came to mind.”

“The Azure Sky came to mind?”

In the interval while Ha Huseon’s beard was trembling minutely, the eyes of Yun Gyeong-jong, who was beside him, gradually widened.

Those were not words that a boy who had only just now reached the Peak Realm should have been able to say.

The act of feeling the transcendence of a peerless master was not that difficult in itself.

For even ordinary people, when they saw a peerless master, would often feel an immense presence, as if facing a giant.

However, to go beyond vaguely feeling a presence and to deeply pierce into its essence and answer correctly was a completely different matter.

‘It is a feat not easy even for the supreme masters who have achieved the Trinity Bloom. But how is this child?’

And yet, Namgung Jun had accurately seen right through the essence contained in Ha Huseon’s transcendence.

A sharp Qi Sense, nearly as good as that of a supreme master.

An intuition that could judge a being beyond perception.

It was a feat that was impossible if not for innate talent.

The conclusion of Ha Huseon and Yun Gyeong-jong, who had met each other’s eyes, came down to one thing.

“Astonishing. There is no exaggeration in the Ink Lord’s words.”

“Even I did not know his talent was of this degree.”

Ha Huseon set down the tree branch he had been holding in his left hand, and Yun Gyeong-jong could only let out a dry laugh as he looked at Namgung Jun.

“The heavens have sent down a Divine Dragon to our society.”

The gaze of Ha Huseon, who had let out a short exclamation of admiration, showed no signs of leaving Namgung Jun. As if Namgung Jun were clearly visible to him, despite him having lost both his eyes.

“This old man remembers all the Clouds of our society. As I cannot see, I tend to raise my other senses to their sharpest.”

Footsteps, voice, bearing, aura, breathing.

Was that all?

The innate Qi that a person is born with is, for each and every one, dwelled with a different individual disposition.

Because he could get a glimpse of this with the Qi Sense of a peerless master who was in communion with the natural Qi, it meant he could get close to the essence of his opponent.

In particular, Ha Huseon, who had lost his eyes in his youth, had a Qi Sense that was extremely sensitive compared to other peerless masters.

‘Truly peculiar.’

Ha Huseon felt a sense of interest as he looked at Namgung Jun.

Normally, the other person’s external form would be molded in his mind just as it was, but for Namgung Jun, all he could see was a wide, clear blueness.

‘Is he not just like the sky.’

An existence that possessed a transcendent shape that went beyond the image of a person was something only a peerless master, or one who possessed a special mindscape, could have.

‘Heo-eo.’

Ha Huseon, who had been perceiving Namgung Jun, smiled brightly and asked.

“There will be a grand event soon.”

“An event, you say?”

“It is a meeting of the Three Sects and One Union, the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects, and our society.”

Even while the momentum of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult was gradually rising, the great Orthodox Faction sects had stopped at the level of protecting their own territories and responding separately.

But the Three Sects and One Union had felt the necessity for the great sects scattered in each province to cooperate organically and face the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult on a grand scale.

For that reason, the Three Sects and One Union had taken the lead in the meeting, and had invited the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects and the Azure Sky Society.

Through the meeting, it seemed they would gather the opinions of each sect to create an oath, and would learn each other’s faces to narrow the distance in their hearts.

“No matter that they are of the Orthodox Faction, in the end, they are martial artists. A situation where they will compare their Martial Arts (武) will surely arise.”

The supreme masters representing each sect could not easily step forward.

It was only right that their strength should be poured out toward the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, after all.

Furthermore, it was not a situation where the supreme masters could leisurely enjoy their seats.

“They will gauge each other’s martial arts through the rising stars of the younger generation, who are the future of each sect. Of course, that process may not be smooth.”

“Why is that?”

Ha Huseon clicked his tongue and retorted.

“Of the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects, the four excluding the Mount Hua Sect are displeased with this meeting. It is because they consider it best for each to just fend for themselves. They have no interest in the chaotic state of the Martial World or the livelihood of the people.”

That being said, it was not as if they could ignore the power of the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects and face the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

They were a whole five great sects. In facing the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult, the assistance of the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects was essential.

Otherwise, the possibility of facing the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult and achieving victory was extremely low.

This was the reason why the Three Sects and One Union was holding a meeting in such a chaotic time.

“Though it is called a meeting, its essence is that of a grand battleground where the future direction of the Orthodox Faction’s response will be decided.”

“Indeed, it is so. Since our society holds the same thoughts as the Three Sects and One Union, a situation may arise where, depending on the time, we must press down on the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects with force.”

Ha Huseon let out a light sigh.

“The situation is complicated, but… in any case, this old man is placing his expectations on you.”

Ha Huseon looked at Namgung Jun.

“Am I to represent the Azure Sky Society in that place?”

“The personnel will be selected through a competition. But if it is you, you will surely be able to take the spot.”

Namgung Jun nodded his head.

Ha Huseon had spoken of fairness.

To represent the Azure Sky Society was surely an honorable position.

There would be more than one or two who would want it.

No matter that Namgung Jun was a rising star who had recently made a name for himself, they would not be convinced right away.

In order to prevent any dissent from arising, it was right to hold a competition, as Ha Huseon had said.

“It is a fact that everyone will find out in two days anyway, but I have given you a slight hint since I have seen your face.”

“I will live up to your expectations.”

“Good.”

The first meeting with the Azure Sky Society Lord was concluded.

……

Namgung Jun was immersed in Qi circulation and breath regulation.

After having met the Azure Sky Society Lord, Ha Huseon, he had been mentally replaying the martial arts of his past life.

The Prosperous King Internal Art.

Southern Heaven's End Sword.

The signature ultimate skills of the Sword Emperor from his past life.

He had not yet been initiated into them, and had only stored their secret verses and martial principles in his mind.

It was for the sake of going further, not just retracing the martial arts of his past life. In the future, these martial arts would surely be of great help when creating a new Divine Supreme Art.

‘These martial arts were not in the Martial Repository of Self-Reflection either.’

Perhaps they had been passed down as the unique martial art of the Azure Sky Society Lord, or they might have been lost to history altogether.

‘Though the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art is an outstanding advanced martial art, it is lacking to be called a Divine Art.’

The martial arts that the current Namgung Jun was learning were the same.

All of them held the potential to advance even further than they were now. At a time like this, he had to widen his field of vision and leave all possibilities open.

As he replayed his past life, a new thought came to him.

‘So there was something that remained from my past life.’

Until now, his past life had been one stained with regret and guilt.

But upon seeing the Azure Sky Society Lord, Ha Huseon, he had realized.

The spirit and the martial arts of Namcheon Palace had still been passed down in the Martial World and had reached him.

The sacrifice of the Sword Emperor and his disciples had not been in vain. For he was feeling it directly with his own skin like this.

Suddenly, Namgung Jun recalled a conversation he had had in his past life.

— Palace Lord. I feel a great sense of regret.

— And what would that be?

— I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of being forgotten. If we all die, no one will remember us.

— Hmph. That is a natural worry. For I too have been there.

The Sword Emperor of his past life had looked at the sky and answered.

— The sky will be blue at all times, just as it is now. It is the same for us. If our righteousness is consistent, then someone of a later generation will surely remember it and carry it on.

— Like the sky…

— Though the names of each individual may not be remembered, we will surely be remembered by another name. By the name of Righteousness, and Righteous Warrior.

It was a story he had told while soothing one of the disciples of his past life.

‘How about it, my disciple. It was not a baseless story, was it.’

Though the names of the Sword Emperor, Nam Yeong-shin, and Namcheon Palace had disappeared, they had surely been passed down to the Azure Sky Society in the form of righteousness and the righteous warrior.

Just as the blue sky was endless, the will of Namcheon Palace remained endlessly in the Martial World.

‘Though the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult also still remains.’

This was a matter that Namgung Jun rightly had to solve.

Since it was the Sword Emperor who had not properly finished it in his past life, it was right for Namgung Jun to bring it to a close in his present life.

“Steadfast and upright.”

Just as he had in his past life, if he were to continue to advance like this in his present life as well, he would surely be able to reach the end.

Namgung Jun, who had finished his deep understanding of his martial arts and his past life, opened his eyes.

In order to prepare for the competition that would soon be held, it was important not to be careless and to polish his sword skill.

‘They did say that not only the Two-Cloud, but the majority of the Three-Cloud members would also be stepping forward.’

He had heard that almost all the Clouds who belonged to the age of the younger generation would be participating in the competition. Not only would they be representing the Azure Sky Society, but it was also because the separately decided-upon reward was great.

Namgung Jun had no intention of yielding this opportunity.

For with the reward and the meritorious deeds, he would be able to become stronger even more quickly.

“Hmm.”

As he came out of his lodging, he saw Heo Il swinging his sword alone.

As soon as Heo Il discovered Namgung Jun, he lightly waved the hand that held his sword.

“Young Hero Namgung. It has been a while, would you not like to cross swords?”

“I intend to go to a different place today.”

“A different place? Where do you mean?”

“The Ink Wheel Hall.”

Heo Il’s expression became peculiar. It seemed he had seen right through the purpose of why Namgung Jun was trying to go to the Ink Wheel Hall.

“You’re really going to that place?”

“Yes. I have heard that the Ink Wheel Hall Master has returned from his mission.”

“Heo-eo. It is not as if I can stop you. Young Hero Namgung. The Hall Master will throw a fit if she finds out.”

“That is why I must go secretly now, while my Master is not here.”

At Namgung Jun’s clear smile, Heo Il could only scratch the back of his head.

“If you’re so worried, you go too.”

Gong Jun-am, who had been leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, spat out nonchalantly. At that, Man Ye-won, who had been training in the Greater Amplification Sword Style with Gong Jun-am, shouted as if this were her chance.

“Namgung Jun. Can’t I go and watch, too?”

“Hmm. Young Hero Namgung. In that case, I will go with you as well. Those fellows are just so rough.”

As Heo Il and Man Ye-won seemed on the verge of actually following him to the Ink Wheel Hall, Namgung Jun slightly quickened his steps.

“I will be back soon.”

“Do so.”

Only Gong Jun-am stood by silently and let Namgung Jun go alone.

In the interval while Gong Jun-am was holding back Heo Il and Man Ye-won, Namgung Jun immediately moved his steps toward the Ink Wheel Hall.