Chapter 136: Vacant Thoughts Catch The Dragon (3)
Chapter 135 – Vacant Thoughts Catch The Dragon (3)
It was brilliant.
It was terrifying yet beautiful.
It was simple yet colorful, heavy yet fast.
Judging by those characteristics alone, it was more like the Namgung Clan’s martial arts than anything else.
Yet, it was her first time seeing it.
It was unfamiliar.
Above all, because it was excessively practical, it had a strong raw, unrefined feel.
Even so, why did it feel perfect?
Namgung Hwa gradually became absorbed in the spar between the two.
Ten clashes? No, five clashes.
Right, she would have thought it truly admirable if Namgung Cheon could withstand even five clashes.
Yet, were they not clashing dozens of times right now?
At a glance, it did not look like Namgung Cheon was defending, but rather that Namgung Geom was busy trying to withstand the pouring bombardment.
However…
‘Father… is enjoying this.’
There was no change in Father’s expression.
However, his eyes were shining more firmly than ever.
He was enjoying it.
He was completely immersed in the spar.
At this point, it felt less like a spar and closer to a duel.
Though it was a subtle difference, Namgung Geom was definitely enjoying himself right now.
‘If he were disappointed, it would have shown on his face already.’
Just as Namgung Hwa guessed, Namgung Geom’s mind was focused entirely on the spar.
‘It is different yet similar.’
At first glance, it almost looked like the Namgung Clan’s martial arts that had been altered after rolling around in a battlefield.
It meant it contained that many facets.
‘Is this the Azure Emerald Skill? The Azure Emerald Sword?’
The Boundless Steps deployed by Namgung Cheon also felt somewhat different.
Though he moved with the same footwork, the feel was different.
It was probably because he deployed it while operating the Azure Emerald Skill.
‘Then does that mean all the martial arts of our clan can be performed with the Azure Emerald Skill?’
There was nothing strange about that.
Since the Azure Emerald Skill was also said to be a martial art created by a supreme master of this clan.
In any case, it was a tongue-waggingly impressive martial art.
When was the last time he felt this way?
Come to think of it, it had been a very long time.
Since Namgung Seon was the last.
While he was momentarily lost in longing, the Emerald Silk Sword dug in front of his eyes, breaking his train of thought.
Whoosh!
Flash!
As he bent his waist backward, the Emerald Silk Sword passed in front of his eyes, cutting off a few strands of Namgung Geom’s beard.
Namgung Geom immediately twisted his waist and swung his sword horizontally.
Whoosh!
Clang!
‘Again?’
Namgung Cheon blocked it with the scabbard this time as well.
Since using a scabbard in swordsmanship was rare, Namgung Geom felt somewhat absurd.
If one carelessly used both hands while holding the scabbard, the stances could become tangled.
Thus, it was standard to focus on a single sword.
Yet, even while using the scabbard, Namgung Cheon’s footwork and sword path did not tangle at all.
‘Does this mean he has reached a mature stage?’
That was probably not it.
Glancing at Namgung Cheon’s expression occasionally, he looked as if he was realizing something even at this very moment.
In other words, it meant that the Azure Emerald Skill or Azure Emerald Sword had not yet reached the stage of grand completion.
‘Then let me…!’
Namgung Geom’s eyes narrowed, and as he kicked off the ground with his toes, he flew like the wind.
Whoosh!
The blade danced and dug in toward Namgung Cheon’s heart as if winding.
Namgung Cheon furrowed his brows and met the attack.
‘He’s digging straight in?’
Namgung Geom felt internally absurd.
For one must back away while receiving to disperse the force.
What on earth was he planning to do?
Whoosh!
The sword tip flew in like an arrow.
With a duel of internal strength?
The moment regret flashed in Namgung Geom’s eyes,
Swish!
The incoming sword tip vanished like a lie.
To be precise, at the same time Namgung Cheon withdrew his sword tip, did he not swing the scabbard in his left hand with all his might?
Boom!
With a sound like an explosion, Namgung Geom’s sword was deflected.
‘What the…!’
Whoosh!
Toward Namgung Geom, who had barely regained his balance as his foot slide, Namgung Cheon flew in glidingly.
Swish-swish-swish!
The blade split countlessly from one to two, from two to four, and then to eight.
Containing the subtle logic of fast sword, heavy sword strikes raged like a storm.
‘Amazing. Truly amazing!’
Now, Namgung Geom’s eyes were tinted with pure admiration.
At the same time, looking into Namgung Cheon’s eyes, he felt a chilly aura.
‘This child’s eyes are just like…’
Jin Cheon-rang, who had been driven to become the Great Killing Star, came to mind.
Did he not closely resemble his father?
With the deep blue energy added to the aura of death, it was gloomy enough to send a shiver down his spine.
The domineering sword strikes performed with only the will to kill, immediately throwing his life away, were the spitting image of his father.
Yet, looking at the quick body movements that were mercurial and became flexible like a lie, his mother’s image naturally came to mind.
In that case, was he not a complete monster?
Claiming he would become the number one dragon of the land?
Perhaps… perhaps you…
‘Might even surpass that.’
However, there was also a disappointing part.
Was it because the Azure Emerald Skill was too powerful? Or was it because he inherited the blood of his father who had lived a rough life?
As the spar grew longer, it felt as if Namgung Cheon was gradually being consumed by the martial art.
In short, it meant that rather than controlling the martial art, his body moved automatically according to the flow of the martial art.
This was a different concept from the realm of union of sword and body.
It was the difference between whether the will lay with oneself or was entrusted to the martial art.
Right now, Namgung Cheon was gradually entrusting that will to the martial art.
‘He cannot control it completely yet.’
Still, how impressive was this?
To have interpreted the Azure Emerald Skill and Azure Emerald Sword, which were considered only abstruse and useless, to this extent was also amazing.
Swish!
Amidst the dizzying exchange of offense and defense, Namgung Geom planted his foot and fiercely extended a palm.
As the incoming scabbard collided with his palm, an explosion erupted.
Boom!
Whoosh!
Shhh!
The two instantly backed far away.
Clatter-clatter.
As the condensed qi exploded, the roof tiles of the pavilion let out a vibrating sound.
“Huff, huff, huff…!”
Namgung Cheon gasped for breath, his shoulders heaving.
In contrast, Namgung Geom, whose internal energy was relatively stable, merely let out a long breath.
“Fuuuu.”
However, his face was also somewhat flushed.
Namgung Geom sheathed his sword.
“Let us stop here.”
“Thank you for the guidance.”
Namgung Cheon clasped his fists and bowed his head.
Namgung Geom nodded and continued.
“I taught you nothing. You realized it all on your own.”
“No, I realized my shortcomings.”
Namgung Geom’s eyelids twitched.
He realized his shortcomings?
Good grief. At this point, it would be normal for him to feel proud of holding out this much against him.
‘He is already a hidden dragon.’
Shaking off the thoughts that faintly arose, Namgung Geom continued.
“It seems the three months of training were not in vain.”
“You flatter me. I still have a long way to go.”
“From what I see, the Azure Emerald Skill seems quite domineering. You must govern it well. The stronger the temptation, the bigger the trap.”
If one carelessly became intoxicated by strong power and lost oneself, it would lead directly to qi deviation.
Namgung Cheon also understood the meaning well and bowed his head.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Did you say you are leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Are you heading straight to the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes, so I heard.”
Namgung Geom nodded and looked up at the sky.
Long ago, he had also won the Joint Conference and started as an apprentice of the Martial Alliance.
Thinking back, it felt like yesterday, yet his grandson was already becoming an apprentice of the Martial Alliance.
Time is truly fast.
“Be careful.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
As Namgung Cheon clasped his fists and turned around, Namgung Geom’s voice could be heard faintly.
“…Call me.”
“Yes?”
As Namgung Cheon tilted his head and turned around, Namgung Hwa was staring with wide eyes and covering her mouth.
Why is she so surprised?
However, Namgung Hwa was not the only one acting strange.
Did Namgung Geom not cough roughly, put his hands behind his back, and look at the distant mountains?
“What did you say?”
“Ahem! I told you to call me.”
“Yes? What?”
“My goodness, boy. Ahem! Hmph! I told you to… call me grandfather.”
“Ah…”
Namgung Cheon froze only after understanding the meaning.
What is it? This old man! Suddenly being so embarrassing?
Was he secretly craving his grandson’s affection?
Well, that was not a difficult task…
“Ahem! Hmph!”
It was a difficult task.
When trying to call him, his mouth did not open easily. Did his hands and feet curl up in cringe?
Watching the two blankly, Namgung Hwa turned her head and chuckled.
A scene that anyone who saw it would find utterly incomprehensible.
Namgung Hwa turned her head to hold in her laughter, Namgung Geom looked at the distant mountains with his back turned, and Namgung Cheon was hesitating, his mouth puckering like a goldfish.
At the end of that awkward and long silence, Namgung Geom, unable to bear it, spoke first.
“Never mind. You may leave…”
“I will be back, Grandfather.”
“…!”
In an instant, Namgung Geom flinched.
Only after a long time did a dry voice flow from Namgung Geom’s mouth.
“Eat your meals well.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Namgung Cheon clasped his fists once again and turned around.
Namgung Geom did not turn back until Namgung Cheon had completely left the back garden.
For no reason, Namgung Hwa, who was watching the two, merely dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.
And Namgung Cheon, who walked out around the pavilion.
Argh! My hands and feet! What am I going to do?
Crouching down on the spot, Namgung Cheon exerted all his strength to uncurl his cringed hands and feet.
* * *
The next day, Bok-seong followed Namgung Cheon to the entrance of the village to see him off.
With tears welling up in his eyes, Bok-seong spoke in a highly choked voice.
“Sniff… Please take care of your health. And make sure to eat your meals well.”
“Am I a child? Why is everyone making such a fuss about eating well?”
Even while grumbling, Namgung Cheon smiled inwardly.
When was the last time he heard such words in his decades of life?
He seemed to realize now that a single phrase telling him to eat well contained all kinds of affection.
“It hasn’t been long since I saw you, and yet it’s another farewell. I will miss you, Young Patriarch.”
“Alright. Do not worry. Take care of yourself, too.”
“Yes, Young Master… no, Young Patriarch.”
“Just call me Young Master.”
“I don’t want to. Young Patriarch.”
Bok-seong repeatedly wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and sniffled.
Namgung Cheon chuckled and let it go.
Upon ascending the hill, a luxurious carriage was waiting. However, Yun Jong-seung was nowhere to be seen.
“I don’t see Yun Jong-seung?”
At that, the servant sitting on the driver’s seat quickly ran over and bowed.
“Greeting, Young Master. Young Master Yun set off for the Alliance first ten days ago.”
“What?”
“He told me to convey the message because he could not disturb your closed-door cultivation, and then went to the Alliance first. This carriage is to escort you, Young Master. Young Master Yun prepared it.”
“Hmm. Look at this. He’s using his head now.”
Namgung Cheon formed a somewhat wicked smile.
“Well, it can’t be helped. Shall we go then?”
As Namgung Cheon spoke, Son U-gon approached his side.
“Yes, then let us go, Lord.”
“Huh? Why you?”
“Yes?”
“Where are you going?”
“I should go, too, right?”
“I mean, where?”
“That is… the Academy where Lord is going? The Martial Alliance?”
Feeling somewhat fatigued, Namgung Cheon asked back.
“Why are you going there?”