The Sword Emperor's Way of Establishing the Namgung Clan

Chapter 68 - Like a Cloud (2)

He forgot, and forgot again.

He danced, and danced again.

He peeled away, one layer at a time, the countless circles that were stacked up like a fortress wall in his vision. Despite this, he could not see the end.

For countless circles were being derived from the faintly rotating sword path.

Though it was a distance of merely seven steps, in that space, hundreds of sword paths had risen up, tightly packed.

As if they would not permit Namgung Jun’s sword.

Despite this, the gaze of Namgung Jun, which was completely dyed blue, showed no signs of turning away from the front.

The Infinite Steps Footwork, which had finally been completed in its true meaning, boosted the strength in Namgung Jun’s steps.

Namgung Jun’s steadfast steps were not hindered by anything.

As his feet became free-spirited, his two hands that gripped the sword also moved with an unburdened air, as if shaking off invisible shackles.

Following his endlessly moving hands and feet, his blade extended long, like a meteor.

Though it was the same Layered Cloud Form, it was clearly different.

Once, twice, three times.

The more the number of times he extended his sword increased, the more the changed sword strikes of the Layered Cloud Form were clearly melted in.

Despite this, he could not advance, but he had also reached a point where he would not be pushed back.

Vwoom!

A tranquil sword’s cry erupted from Namgung Jun’s sword.

The sword path, which was gradually changing to become more static, interlocked with the Taiji that Jeong Hong was drawing.

The sword strikes of Namgung Jun, who had been displaying a slow and stooped sword path, gradually became faster and shorter at times.

Despite this, the thing that did not change.

Was that his sword form was extremely serene.

The sword strikes of the Layered Cloud Form bloomed like clouds, erupting with a gentle and soft aura in layer upon layer.

Jeong Hong proficiently coordinated his sword form and wholly handled Namgung Jun’s sword strikes.

It was an added bonus that, through his meticulous sword path, he was embracing and enveloping Namgung Jun so that he would not awaken from his state of no-self.

‘Heo-eo.’

The mouth of Jeong Hong, who had constructed an impenetrable domain with his Pine Pattern Ancient Sword, opened slightly.

‘This child.’

As he was directly facing the sword of Namgung Jun, who had fallen into the Realm of No-Self, an admiration automatically burst out.

In his entire life, he had seen all sorts of talents, but this was the first time he had seen such a peerless talent.

The speed at which he was obtaining enlightenment was extremely fast.

An ordinary member of the younger generation would have been flustered and would have been hard-pressed to just haphazardly pour out their strength.

And they would have futilely lost their grip on their sword without being able to exchange more than a few blows.

Namgung Jun was different. He adapted to the flow and accepted it with his entire body. Was it not thanks to that, that he had become able to move his sword a fair bit?

‘His innate martial talent must reach the heavens.’

Just by seeing a few of his sword slashes, he had realized once again that Namgung Jun was the most outstanding among the rising stars in this place.

At the same time, his interest was also piqued.

Though he was not a disciple of the Wudang Sect, he was undeniably a rising star of the Orthodox Faction who performed righteous deeds.

It was the duty of a senior of the Orthodox Faction to provide the spark for enlightenment and growth.

Jeong Hong released the hand he had been holding behind his back.

As the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword, which had been moving as slowly as a butterfly alighting, gradually picked up speed, Namgung Jun’s sword speed also increased.

The fluidly extending arc welled up like a cloud in all directions and drew a series of large circles.

Namgung Jun’s sword gradually became more gentle and soft.

The accomplishment of his Layered Cloud Form, which had achieved the Ninth Level, leaped up once again.

The mouth of Jeong Hong, who had clearly felt that Namgung Jun had surpassed another wall, moved in a low voice.

“May the Primordial Heavenly Worthy be praised.”

With respect to the Flexible Sword, Namgung Jun’s Sword Skill had greatly progressed.

He had heard that he had a deep knowledge of the Swift Sword and the Heavy Sword as well, and now that he had obtained a deep accomplishment in the Flexible Sword, he was truly walking the process of mastering the Sword itself.

‘He has lightly surpassed the accomplishment of Sam-gyeong.’

Jeong Hong could not help but imagine.

If the boy before him had been a disciple of the Wudang Sect, what kind of Taiji would he have drawn?

And what Way of the Sword will this boy walk in the future?

The two streaks of sword strikes, which had only clashed until now, began to achieve harmony little by little.

Chirak!

The swords of Jeong Hong and Namgung Jun, whose distance had been gradually closing, finally touched closely.

Though it was a very minute contact, it was clear that they had touched.

As if to prove this, a clear metallic sound echoed tranquilly like a melody.

After seventy-some exchanges, the two swords had touched.

The first exchange of blades between the two martial artists.

Jeong Hong felt the sword power of Namgung Jun through his Pine Pattern Ancient Sword and showed a pleased smile.

“How profound.”

Simultaneously with the metallic sound ringing out, Namgung Jun stopped his movements in the exact posture he had been in when he extended his sword.

The flickering, cerulean gaze was slowly covered by his eyelids.

He had fallen into meditation in the exact posture he had been in when he had extended his sword.

FWHOOSH!

Jeong Hong, who had grasped the situation, immediately unfolded a Qi barrier.

Then, he withdrew his Pine Pattern Ancient Sword and sat down in the lotus position in front of Namgung Jun.

The martial artists in the grounds who were watching that sight were astonished.

The Wudang Sect Leader was personally acting as a guardian for a mere member of the younger generation.

Not only the rising stars, but even in the eyes of the leaders, a faint look of surprise spread.

A rising star who had crossed swords with the First Sword of Wudang and was now even receiving the courtesy of his protection.

The name and epithet of Namgung Jun were once again engraved in the minds of everyone in this place.

……

‘Since when was it?’

His memory from the middle of the duel was hazy.

The only things that remained clearly in his mind were a new insight into the Flexible Sword and the sword that the Wudang Sect Leader had shown him.

Namgung Jun naturally began to process the memories that were scattered like fragments.

He synthesized the enlightenment he had gained on the Flexible Sword and imbued it into the Layered Cloud Form, and he recalled the sword of the Wudang Sect Leader as if to engrave it in a corner of his mindscape.

‘Great Mastery. No, it is beyond that.’

Namgung Jun, who was mentally replaying the duel through meditation, realized.

That his accomplishment in the Layered Cloud Form had gone beyond achieving Great Mastery and had reached the realm of Ultimate Mastery.

He had not expected that he would obtain such a great accomplishment.

It had been a time when his accomplishment in the Flexible Sword was particularly sluggish.

But to think he had obtained such a great accomplishment while experiencing the sword of the Wudang Sect Leader; it was in essence, that he had received a precious teaching.

Namgung Jun’s eyes, as he finished his meditation, slowly opened. The first thing he saw was Jeong Hong, sitting in the lotus position with his eyes closed.

“Have you cleanly organized your enlightenment?”

“Sect Leader.”

As Namgung Jun, who had realized the situation, paid his respects, Jeong Hong smiled and shook his head.

“Masters who delve into one single field naturally tend to gain a certain knowledge in other fields as well.”

Namgung Jun immediately understood Jeong Hong’s words.

The Sword Emperor of his past life had been the same.

Though he had delved only into the Heavy Sword, a certain depth had naturally formed in the other finer points, such as the Swift Sword and the Flexible Sword.

While agonizing over how to raise the might of the Heavy Sword, and how he must handle the drawn-out power to contain it in the body of the sword without leaving any behind, one naturally comes to master various finer points.

“There is a clear limit to a depth that is only faintly mastered as a side branch like that. In fact, there are more than one or two who have become stagnant while trying to learn a variety of things at once.”

The clear eyes of Jeong Hong, who had opened his, reflected Namgung Jun.

“But it seems you will not be like that.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Though to others it may seem that you are extending your feet on several paths at the same time, I believe you are walking a single path.”

Namgung Jun’s eyelids rose slightly.

Jeong Hong’s guess was not wrong.

He had intended not to be hindered by the branches such as the Heavy Sword, the Flexible Sword, the Swift Sword, or the Illusory Sword.

He was merely trying to walk the single path that was the sword.

“A small difference in thought will create a great insight. I hope that at the end of the Way you pursue, only a single sword will remain.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.”

“Let us see each other again next time.”

Jeong Hong disappeared in the same posture he had been in, sitting in the lotus position. As if a cloud had, at some point, been pushed away by the wind.

It was a Lightness Skill that was impossible to fathom, no matter how many times he saw it.

Namgung Jun, who was sheathing his sword and turning his body, paid his respects to the one who was waiting for him from behind.

“Greetings to the Society Lord.”

“It seems you have obtained a great accomplishment.”

“Were you standing guard for me personally?”

Namgung Jun looked at the rock where Ha Huseon had been sitting until just a moment ago.

As if he had felt his gaze, Ha Huseon crinkled his scar-filled eyes.

“A Cloud of our society was in the middle of meditation; it would not have been right to entrust him only to the leader of another sect. Do not mind it.”

“Thank you.”

Ha Huseon lightly patted Namgung Jun’s back and then stood side-by-side with him and began to walk.

“You have performed a great exploit this time. Thanks to you, the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects can no longer ignore our society.”

“Come to think of it, it is a ridiculous thing. For our society should not fall behind the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects in any aspect, be it martial power or justification.”

This was so, even in a situation where the two peerless masters representing the Azure Sky Society could not properly exert their strength.

“Of course. However, the pride of the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects is as lofty as their mountains, so there are times when they do not listen to reason. At times like that, we must simply show them that we are superior.”

“So this is the Martial World, after all.”

Ha Huseon, who had burst out laughing, walked with his hands clasped behind his back.

“With a meritorious deed of this level, you should be able to challenge for the Three-Cloud rank advancement soon, and you must also receive a great reward. Is there anything you want?”

“Would it be possible to receive a spiritual medicine of extreme yang?”

“Hmm.”

Ha Huseon was also well aware of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians that Namgung Jun was born with.

“Right now, our society does not have a spiritual medicine of extreme yang. So I have requested help separately, and a contact should come soon.”

“Are you speaking of the other organization that is secretly helping the Azure Sky Society?”

“It seems the Heavenly Sword Hall Master has told you. If you advance to a Three-Cloud and the opportunity arises, you too will come to know the details.”

Ha Huseon gently placed a hand on Namgung Jun’s shoulder.

“In any case, I was planning to give you a spiritual medicine of extreme yang separately from the reward. I, this old man, will consider the reward for this mission. A spiritual medicine of extreme yang will surely not be the only thing you need.”

At the words that he was in the middle of obtaining a spiritual medicine of extreme yang just for him, Namgung Jun bowed his head.

“Yes. I will be in your care.”

“You have worked hard. The rest of the work from now on is my role, so you may rest comfortably.”

“Thank you, Society Lord.”

……

“May I enter?”

Namgung Jun and Baek Ri-cheong, who had been in the middle of Qi circulation in their lodging together, opened their eyes at the same time.

As if he had felt the presence of the two rising stars opening their eyes, the Martial Conquest Hall Master, Ha Mujung, was already inside the room.

“The meeting of the leaders has concluded.”

“What was the result?”

At Baek Ri-cheong’s question, Ha Mujung slowly opened his mouth.

“The Three Sects and One Union, the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects, and the Azure Sky Society have formed an oath with the content that they will organically help each other in the face of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult’s invasion.”

Baek Ri-cheong, who had heard the story that the leaders of the sects had left their signatures and personal marks on a pledge sheet, let out a sigh of relief.

“It is a relief that the great Orthodox Faction sects have joined hands, however late.”

Namgung Jun and Ha Mujung looked at Baek Ri-cheong for a moment.

A deep regret could be felt in the tail of Baek Ri-cheong’s words, and they could guess what he was thinking.

‘He must be thinking that if they had formed an oath early and he had received help, the Baek Ri Clan might have been able to avoid the calamity of their annihilation.’

Namgung Jun quietly raised his hand and placed it on Baek Ri-cheong’s shoulder.

As the warm touch of his younger brother reached him, Baek Ri-cheong, however belatedly, let out a smile and regained his composure.

Ha Mujung, who was watching that sight with an expressionless face, continued his words.

“Your help was very great.”

Ha Mujung looked back and forth between Baek Ri-cheong and Namgung Jun.

“This time as well, the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects refused to form the oath. They are those who are satisfied with merely protecting their own headquarters, so they must not want to spill any needless blood.”

But with their overwhelming and splendid performance in the Iron Token Scramble, the Azure Sky Society’s right to speak had grown stronger, and they were able to lend their strength to the Three Sects and One Union.

On top of that, as even the Mount Hua Sect among the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects had leaned toward the side of agreement, the remaining four sects had no choice but to accept the oath.

“But I am doubtful whether the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects, who have been forced to form this oath, will properly carry out their duty.”

As Namgung Jun expressed his concern, Ha Mujung also nodded his head.

“You do not need to worry. The Three Sects and One Union and our Society Lord have properly taken measures, so the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects will not be able to carelessly turn away.”

“If that is the case, then that is a relief.”

Only after Ha Mujung had informed them of the results did it seem that the end of the meeting was in sight.

Though it had been a short time, so many things had happened that the time they had spent on Mount Song felt long.

But now, the mission had been successfully completed.

‘Is it time to return now.’

Namgung Jun looked toward the southwest, where the main fortress of the Azure Sky Society was.