***
Gye-cheol-yeong tried to enter the detached house holding a wooden box containing a golden toad.
“It is better not to go in right now.”
Hong Sa-ryeon, who had poked her head out from outside the outer gate of the detached house toward the inside, said.
“What do you mean?”
“Senior Brother Jin went inside, but the atmosphere is somewhat ominous.”
“Jin So-un, that guy, is here?”
“Yes. He is inside right now.”
“But what do you mean the atmosphere is not good?”
“I don’t know. It is like walking on thin ice.”
He knew that Nam-gung-san had come here because he had business with Jin So-un.
However, what could be the reason for the atmosphere between the two people not to be good? It must be that Jin So-un, who lacked discernment, was making a mistake.
When that thought occurred, Gye-cheol-yeong became impatient.
“I told you the atmosphere is not good.”
“That is why I must go in even more. What if So-un makes a mistake?”
“No.......”
Before Sa-ryeon could stop him, Gye-cheol-yeong went inside.
I hated the Murim-maeng.
Especially, I hated the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans that formed the backbone of the Murim-maeng.
I hated seeing them commit rudeness so naturally as if they themselves were just.
We and they did not exist on the same level from the beginning.
That was why such rude behaviors were possible.
“What do you want?”
Nam-gung-san, who had been staring without a word, opened his mouth after long thought, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) and I shook my head.
“Nothing.”
“There is no human who wants nothing. It is just that I don’t know what you want.”
“I earnestly hope the entrance token does not end up in the Great Hero’s hands.”
Nam-gung-san had no use for the entrance token. He was already a Murim-maeng cadre who had graduated from the Murim Academy with excellent grades. He was even one of the elites among elites belonging to the Yong-bong-ji-hoe (Dragon-Phoenix Society).
His clinging to the entrance token so much was probably because of his younger sister, Nam-gung Seon-hwa, who had to enter the Murim Academy this time.
Because the power of the direct line was weakening due to the branch families like Nam-gung-sang-won, and in this situation where he could not enter the Murim Academy using the family's power like in his own time, he felt desperate.
That was why I hated it even more.
Because the sight of them cherishing their own family so terribly was creepy.
Because the sight of them shedding tears over a wound on their own palms rather than the breaking of our hearts was so disgusting.
“Then.......”
Just as Nam-gung-san was about to open his mouth.
“Great Hero Nam-gung! Are you inside!”
Gye-cheol-yeong shouted loudly and entered inside.
“Great Hero Nam-gung! This Gye has come to pay his respects.”
“......The situation is not very good right now. Let’s talk later.”
“Hahaha! What could be bad? Did you have a good conversation with our So-un? You! You didn't make any mistakes to Great Hero Nam-gung, did you?”
If Gye-cheol-yeong had a tail, I wondered if it would have moved so fast it was invisible.
“Would you step aside for a moment?”
“If you feel like words aren't getting through, please tell me. I will give him a good scolding.......”
“Listen here. Didn’t I ask you to leave just now?”
As the chilly gaze pierced Gye-cheol-yeong, his expression turned into that of a puppy abandoned by its owner.
“Ah, ah...... Yes. Th, this is what Father... told me to deliver. I will go out now. Please continue your conversation.”
In the midst of that, I couldn't help but admire Gye-cheol-yeong, who opened the wooden box to show the golden toad.
What kind of expression would he have if he knew that even after flattering like that, he would eventually be abandoned by the Murim-maeng?
“Did you see just now, too? I could have talked to Gye-cheol-yeong. I am being considerate to you like this.”
“Do you call hiding your own weakness a consideration?”
“.......”
“The moment you realize the entrance token is in Nam-gung Seon-hwa's hands, Young Miss Nam-gung Seon-hwa will also become a target of the Jianghu. Does the Nam-gung-se-ga have the capacity to protect the entrance token now?”
“!!!”
Cracks appeared on Nam-gung-san’s face for the first time.
“How did you.......”
“Is there anything more that needs to be said?”
Only then did Nam-gung-san’s face become serious.
I waited for him with composure.
Gye-cheol-yeong, who had left the detached house, was huffing and could not hide his resentment.
Hong Sa-ryeon, who knew what the situation was without seeing it, snorted as if it were amusing.
“That’s why I told you not to go in.”
“......Th, that Jin So-un, who does he think he is to me.......”
“Sigh.”
Gye-cheol-yeong, unable to hold back his anger, kicked pebbles on the ground, then raised his head as if struck by lightning.
“I must go see the Sect Leader now.”
“......What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Things inside are not normal. Maybe Jin So-un made a mistake to the Nam-gung-se-ga, and the Tae-eul Sect might fall into a crisis.”
“Is the Senior Brother a person who lacks that much judgment?”
“It’s not the time for that!”
Gye-cheol-yeong started running toward the Dae-hyeon-jeon in a hurry, not knowing why he was suddenly in such a rush.
“......Did you know everything, including the reason I came and what situation I am in?”
“Is that important to the Great Hero?”
“......No. What is important to me is the entrance token.”
“I will tell you again, there will be no such thing as handing over the entrance token.”
Nam-gung-san shook his head and sighed.
“Then how about this? Let’s have a duel.”
What on earth was Nam-gung-san talking about? Even if something was at stake, did he think I would accept that bet?
“You will only stake the entrance token. I will stake the Chil-chae-bo-ju (Seven-Colored Treasure Pearl) and this Cheon-jam-sa (Heavenly Silkworm Thread).......”
The hand that was coming out from inside his bosom hesitated for a moment. Then, he finally took out a wooden box.
“I will stake this Dae-yeon-sin-dan (Great Extension Divine Pill).”
The Dae-yeon-sin-dan was a spiritual medicine given only to the direct line of the Nam-gung-se-ga, like the Gang-cheol-ho-sin-dan. Its efficacy was similar to the Seol-mae-dan. It was that valuable, but it could not persuade me.
“Do you think I would accept this unreasonable bet even if the Senior staked the entire Nam-gung-se-ga?”
“It would depend on the conditions.”
“.......”
“You have already refused my offer several times. Yet, you have kept sitting in this seat. If you really wanted to refuse, shouldn't you have left?”
“Please continue speaking.”
“I will only use the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop. How about using only the internal energy of the third stage......? If you win, I will give you the Chil-chae-bo-ju, of course, and even the Cheon-jam-sa and the Dae-yeon-sin-dan.”
Nam-gung-san’s internal energy would be about one Gap-ja if taken to the maximum.
Since the level of the successors of leading sects would be around that level, it would be similar.
One Gap-ja’s third stage would be about 20 years.
And the martial arts he uses is limited to the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop.
He must think he threw a very appetizing bait.
“You will keep this bet a secret, right?”
Nam-gung-san, who had rabbit eyes as if my answer was completely unexpected.
“Even if it is a secret, since you and I know it, there must be no breaking it. Because I will collect the price with blood.”
My internal energy was now 45 years, and recently, through the Secret Palace Unit of the Chang-gung-san-dan, I had proven that the Pa-geom-sik of the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop was effective.
If I missed such a good opportunity, that would be even more foolish.
“Your answer?”
“What does that mean?”
Jin Tae-san and Hong Mun-gi could not understand the words Gye-cheol-yeong was spitting out after suddenly rushing into the Dae-hyeon-jeon.
Strange words that Jin So-un was provoking Nam-gung-san’s mood, and if things went wrong, a life-and-death rivalry might break out, and if that happened, it would be a loss to the Tae-eul Sect, so they should go and stop them.
In the first place, what reason did Jin So-un have to provoke Nam-gung-san’s mood, and why would the two of them engage in a life-and-death rivalry?
It would be different if Jin So-un was being unilaterally beaten by Nam-gung-san.
The opponent was Gae-byeok-sin-ryong Nam-gung-san.
One of the new Murim masters belonging to the Yong-bong-ji-hoe.
Even if a hundred Jin So-uns came, they would not be an opponent.
However, Gye-cheol-yeong’s accusation seemed real and desperate.
“I tried to stop the two of them somehow. I even gave him the gift Father told me to deliver, but Great Hero Nam-gung did not even give it a glance and was glaring at Jin So-un as if to kill him. If this goes on, a big incident might happen.”
Hong Mun-gi and Jin Tae-san looked at each other and worried deeply about whether they should believe these words or not.
If even one of Gye-cheol-yeong’s words was true, a thunderbolt would fall on the Tae-eul Sect. But if they believed it blindly, it was talk that made no sense from beginning to end.
“Since the meeting has become long, let's go for a walk.”
“Let's do that. Anyway, since he came as a guest, we should pay some attention to him.”
Just as Hong Mun-gi and Jin Tae-san were taking the lead and Gye-cheol-yeong was following them, two men were walking from the detached house side, creating a cold breeze.
The two did not look very good as Gye-cheol-yeong said.
In the meantime, Nam-gung-san made eye contact and nodded, while Jin So-un performed a polite Po-gwon-ji-rye.
Jin Tae-san quickly went to his son and asked.
“Where are you going?”
“I am going to the training ground.”
“Training ground? Why there?”
“Senior Nam-gung asked to have a duel, so that is where I am going.”
Jin Tae-san, Hong Mun-gi, and even Gye-cheol-yeong opened their mouths wide.
The children who were practicing individually at the training ground found out first and cleared the training ground.
The children who came down from the training ground scattered to every part of the Tae-eul Sect and informed their friends of the news of the duel, and the hall leaders and vice-hall leaders listening beside them conveyed the words to others again, and it did not take two quarters for the words to reach the Elder Hall and for all the people of the Tae-eul Sect to gather at the training ground.
“Wow-”
“Did you say he is the eldest young master of the Nam-gung-se-ga?”
“That person is the one called Gae-byeok-sin-ryong.”
“But why is he having a duel with our Senior Brother Jin?”
Sounds of young disciples chattering were heard from all sides.
To them, he was an existence like a hero flying in the sky.
Since they had seen a person they might not be able to meet even if they went to see him once in their lifetime, it was natural that they were amazed and curious.
“Tae-san, what is going on?”
“They said they decided to have a duel. Nam-gung-san on the condition of using only the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop and a part of his internal energy.”
“Why?”
“I do not know.”
“Isn't this going to make the children very disappointed?”
There was no way the Tae-eul Sect’s martial arts could receive the Nam-gung-se-ga’s martial arts.
The wall of reality is that high, but if children learn that, wouldn't they be more disappointed than adults?
Sreureung.
As Nam-gung-san’s sword was drawn, the noisy training ground fell into silence in an instant.
I also followed him, drew my sword, and unfolded the Gi-su-sik.
“Since I set restrictions, you won't need to concede.”
“Please start.”
Before my words could even finish, a clear breeze tickled the tip of my nose.
I quickly bowed my head and avoided Nam-gung-san’s sword. At the same time, I unfolded the So-cheon Sword Technique.
Chaeng!
“““Wow-!”””
Seeing the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop, which was full of splendor, rather than just the dry Tae-eul Sect sword, the children's exclamation burst out naturally, and the adults restrained such children.
Chae-chae-chaeng.
In an instant, they exchanged three moves.
Clearly, the So-cheon Sword Technique should be faster, but there was no place to dig into the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop that Nam-gung-san unfolded.
“Your internal energy...... seems to have gathered quite a bit. But is that all the sword technique? It is a sword technique lacking for pouring out internal energy.”
“Are you relaxed enough to give advice?”
Nam-gung-san’s sword rushed in again.
The sword split into three branches aimed only at vital points and came in sharply.
I quickly unfolded the Pa-geom-sik.
Chaeng!
For a moment, Nam-gung-san’s gaze shook violently, and the sequence was cut off in the middle.
“!!!”
Nam-gung-san, who had glanced at his sword for a moment, began to unfold the sword technique again.
Perhaps he had realized the sword energy, a faint cyan sword energy was budding on the sword.
To not be pushed by the sword's energy, I poured plenty of energy into the Cheong-gang-geom.
Chaeng! Chae-chae-chae-chaeng!
Pieces of the Cheong-gang-geom flew in all directions.
Nam-gung-san’s sword did not budge.
After exchanging about ten more moves again, the sword that was coming in to cut my waist was blocked by the Pa-geom-sik and returned as it was.
“.......”
The moment Nam-gung-san stopped his steps while looking puzzled again.
I took two steps forward and began to drive Nam-gung-san.
Chae-chae-chae-chaeng.
Nam-gung-san parried the sword at a speed that was hard to see even with the eyes.
He blocked all the So-cheon Sword Technique, which was a fast sword, but Nam-gung-san was in a state of being pushed seven steps back from where he was first.
“Wow--!!!”
“Waaaa!!”
The adults were so absorbed in the duel that they could not even think of restraining the children.
“What on earth is this.......”
Nam-gung-san, who had a face that could not believe it, like the adults of the Tae-eul Sect.
In the first place, it was a sequence to target the weakness of the corresponding martial arts, so unless Nam-gung-san reinterpreted the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop as his own sword technique, there was no way to block it.
Nam-gung-san had achieved superior results compared to his peers, but it was not to that extent yet.
Seugeok.
It was Nam-gung-san who allowed the sword for the first time.
His sleeve was cut and fell to the training ground.
“Waaaaaaa--!!”
“Wa------!!”
As the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop did not work, Nam-gung-san came in with a Moo-cho-sik attack.
Even if the So-cheon Sword Technique is a basic sword technique, it is not to the extent of being pushed by the Moo-cho-sik of someone who has not even crossed the Jeol-jeong.
Then, when he uses the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop, I unfold the Pa-geom-sik.
If he really can't do it, he tries to push with internal energy, but is there any reason for 45 years of internal energy to be pushed by 20 years of internal energy?
“......What on earth are you doing!”
“Are you saying the same thing as Seong Mo-hyeon, Senior?”
“.......”
“Is it absolutely impossible for your own skills to be lacking?”
I started to unfold the Pa-gyeok-sik of the So-cheon Sword Technique.
The momentum became stronger and the killing intent overflowed.
Seuseuk, seugeok.
Finally, Nam-gung-san’s sword began to fail to follow the So-cheon Sword Technique.
Nam-gung-san’s clothes began to tear here and there, and his neat appearance began to be disheveled.
Chae-chae-chae-chae-chaeng--
As they exchanged twenty moves in an instant, Nam-gung-san was pushed to the end of the training ground.
I swung my sword desperately as if standing in the middle of a battlefield and facing a demon.
The difference from that time was that my Dantian was pouring out internal energy without rest, and because of that, my sword swung more powerfully than ever before.
Tang! Tang!
Every time Nam-gung-san’s sword and my sword collided, a dull sound rang out like hitting a hammer against an anvil.
Tang!
And for a moment, Nam-gung-san’s sword was pushed back, and his body opened wide.
I swung in to cut his neck like a demon without delay.
Kwang!
The moment I swung the sword. Along with a huge impact sound, my body floated up and fell into the middle of the training ground.
-------!
----------!!
The venue, which had been full of cheers, sank coldly as if cold water had been poured on it.
Nam-gung-san’s pupils were shaking violently, as if he was flustered by his own action.
“Didn't you clearly say you would only use the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop?”
The last blow was the Je-wang-geom-beop.
The strongest sword technique of the Nam-gung-se-ga that comes down only to the direct line.
And it was a blow that contained power of probably five stages or more, not the power of the third stage.
“W, won!!”
“Won!”
Someone started shouting like that, and the confused children also started cheering together.
“Haha.......”
Nam-gung-san let out a laugh as if he were devastated.
“I lost.”
Nam-gung-san shook his head and said.
“The entrance token is yours.”
“Even the Cheon-jam-sa and the Dae-yeon-sin-dan, and the Chil-chae-bo-ju.”
Nam-gung-san let out a devastated laugh.
“Yes.”
Using the entrance token as bait, I obtained the Cheon-jam-sa and the Chil-chae-bo-ju, following the Dae-yeon-sin-dan.
In terms of rarity, the Cheon-jam-sa is no less than the Dae-yeon-sin-dan.
Since the Cheong-gang-geom was also reaching the end of its lifespan, and it was time to visit the craftsman Wang, I obtained a good item.
While I was making pleasant plans for the future, Nam-gung-san said,
“But the duel will continue.”
“Yes?”
“You should have noticed when the Chief Military Advisor spoke. That you are an extraordinary person. It wouldn't be a coincidence that I was robbed like this, right?”
I couldn't know what on earth Nam-gung-san wanted.
“Even if I lose the bet, I must not lose the duel. That is the reason why I am the Nam-gung-se-ga.”
Noble pride is not just maintained. It is maintained by constantly clinging and making efforts to maintain it.
Nam-gung-san started swinging his sword again as if it were natural.
Nam-gung-san, who pours out more internal energy as if it doesn't matter about the internal energy restrictions now.
“Now that I see, you were hiding quite a lot of internal energy.”
As his internal energy became superior, Nam-gung-san’s movements became faster.
I did my best to unfold the Pa-geom-sik of the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop.
Swoosh-!
Peopung!
Nam-gung-san’s internal energy is superior, but the Pa-geom-sik definitely worked.
This time, Nam-gung-san also had a quite surprised expression, but soon started swinging the Je-wang-geom-beop.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
Every time the Je-wang-geom-beop is swung, my body floats up from the floor.
It is heavier and sharper than the heavy sword I received from the Cheol-geom-mun.
‘Damn it.’
The Je-gal-sam-sik transformed by Je-gal-cheon-gi was the last choice of the Murim to deal with the Demonic Cult, but the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans did not all agree with that thought.
They thought that whenever the time came for the Demonic Cult to disappear and the Murim-maeng to rule the Jianghu, the Je-gal-sam-sik would soon hold them back, so they did not convert the Je-gal-sam-sik for finishing moves like the Je-wang-geom-beop other than major martial arts.
“It’s getting more and more fun. Can't you accept the Je-wang-geom-beop?”
“Stop talking nonsense. How are you supposed to block the secret technique of the Nam-gung-se-ga, which is not even well known in the world, without internal energy restrictions?”
“For that, you are blocking the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop very well. Do you happen to know the weakness?”
“If I knew that, would I be suffering like this?”
Nam-gung-san did not seem to be easily convinced by my excuse.
Trying to test something, testing the Je-wang-geom-beop and the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop alternately came to me as a sense of crisis that my true nature might be revealed like this.
‘I have to finish it in a short time.’
As it happens, the Je-wang-geom-beop is also starting to become familiar.
I kicked the floor and rushed at him.
“--!”
Just when he hurriedly withdrew the Chang-gung-mu-ae-geom-beop and was about to unfold the Je-wang-geom-beop at the sudden momentum.
I poured all the internal energy that had scraped to the floor into my left hand. My left hand trembled at the incoming energy.
‘After thrusting toward the vital point, return to the lower left again.’
After desperately letting the sword flow according to the sequence of the Je-wang-geom-beop I had memorized in my head, I grabbed his sword blade, which was about to return to its original position, with my hand.
Puk! Push!
Nam-gung-san’s sword is stained with blood in an instant.
The blood that burst from my grip soaks Nam-gung-san’s clothes and my clothes.
“......Crazy!”
While Nam-gung-san was flustered and couldn't even pull out his sword, I brought my sword to his neck.
Dduk. Dduk.
The blood flowing from my hand falls to the floor along Nam-gung-san’s sword.
“Are you going to continue?”
“.......”
Nam-gung-san did not answer.
His face was pale as if he could not believe it for the first time.
Instead, the young disciples cheered as if they were going to faint.
This time, the hall leaders were together too.
Wa-----!
Wa---!!