Chapter 66: Chapter 66
“What did you say?!”
The members of the Namgung Clan, who were sitting all around, kicked their chairs and jumped up.
When one thought of righteousness, it was the Namgung Clan.
When one thought of the Namgung Clan, it was righteousness.
But what? Someone who doesn’t know grace?
Their faces, glaring at Cheon-hwi, had bulging veins on their necks due to anger.
“You bastard! How dare you spout such nonsense, not knowing whose presence you are in!”
“It seems that because you’ve recently gained some petty fame, you’ve become blind!”
“How dare you, in our clan……!”
Their voices, shouting at the top of their lungs, were becoming extremely heated.
Since a mere Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect had insulted the Clan Head of the Namgung Clan, and inside the Namgung Clan at that, the anger of the onlookers was piercing the sky.
But at that moment.
“Did I say anyone could open their mouths.”
Namgung In brought the commotion to an end.
With just one word, those who were running wild clenched their teeth and suppressed their anger as if dead.
Namgung In, who completely grasped the atmosphere of the Namgung Clan with a single sentence, tilted his head.
“Did you say someone who doesn’t know grace?”
Namgung In’s gaze pierced through Cheon-hwi.
It was a cold and sharp gaze that would make anyone cower and turn their eyes away if they met it.
‘What are you glaring at?’
Instead of shrinking back or avoiding his gaze, Cheon-hwi met it straight on.
“I thought you were deaf, but it seems you understood well this time.”
In an instant, the air changed.
The members of the Namgung Clan couldn’t say anything to Namgung In’s words, but killing intent was slowly rising.
Eventually, the murderous intent that fiercely blossomed, as if a drop of water fell into boiling oil, simultaneously attacked Cheon-hwi.
At that moment, when the atmosphere became uncontrollably fierce in an instant.
“I am sorry. Namgung Clan Head. Could you calm your anger for a moment?”
Hyeon-jin intervened between the two.
Reading that the flowing atmosphere was unusual, he hurriedly apologized.
“We apologize.”
“This incident occurred because Junior Brother is still ignorant of the murim.”
“We committed a discourtesy.”
Starting with his apology, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen also hurriedly chimed in one by one.
Their bodies were trembling slightly.
‘A-as expected of the Namgung Clan’s…….’
‘I-I can’t breathe!’
Although they stepped forward to prevent a fight from breaking out beforehand, they felt like they would suffocate from the killing intent crashing in from all directions.
‘……It’s dangerous.’
Hyeon-jin, who was somewhat alright, noticed the Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s complexions turning pale and politely clasped his hands in greeting again.
“The disciple of our sect is still young and lacks judgment…….”
But his words were useless.
“Words carry heavy responsibilities.”
Namgung In ignored Hyeon-jin’s words.
No, Hyeon-jin wasn’t even in his eyes.
His gaze was focused solely on one person.
He simply silently looked at the foolish young Daoist who was meeting his gaze straight on from behind Hyeon-jin’s shoulder.
“A single wrong word can create long-standing grudges, and sometimes the rise and fall of a sect hinges upon it. Especially in the murim, you should know that you shouldn’t run your mouth carelessly if you have no power.”
“Does that mean if I have great power, I can run my mouth however I want?”
As Cheon-hwi answered nonchalantly, Namgung In’s eyebrows twitched greatly.
“……Are you saying you have the power to take responsibility against our clan?”
Cheon-hwi moved his head and scanned everyone inside the Azure Sky Grand Hall.
If it’s to this extent…….
“Sufficiently.”
In an instant, the air sank.
Namgung In looked at Cheon-hwi with serene eyes before letting out a cold voice.
“You are bold.”
“Rather than being bold, it’s just natural.”
“Natural?”
When Namgung In glared at Cheon-hwi, who spoke as if he wouldn’t back down a single word.
Swish…
A young man appeared in front of Namgung In and Cheon-hwi while unleashing a brilliant movement technique.
“Father. I will hold him responsible.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
The young Second Young Master of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Jin-gyeong, swiftly turned his body.
What’s up with him?
When Cheon-hwi looked at Namgung Jin-gyeong, who was staring straight into his eyes, he suddenly gathered both hands and took a martial salute.
“I request a duel with you, Little Brother.”
“No, that cannot be…….”
When the flustered Hyeon-jin tried to refuse, Cheon-hwi promptly answered faster than him.
“That sounds good.”
* * *
Above the Namgung Clan’s training ground.
When Cheon-hwi and Namgung Jin-gyeong stood straight facing each other with some distance between them, the surroundings of the training ground became completely filled with heat.
“Please fix his bad manners!”
“Second Young Master!”
Of course, since it was the Namgung Clan, it was the heat of one-sided cheers directed at Namgung Jin-gyeong.
“To think it would turn out like this.”
“Sigh, Junior Brother.”
Hyeon-jin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were intimidated by the deafening cheers.
“Martial Uncle. Will it be alright? Junior Brother is a kid who was constantly sick until recently…….”
“Martial Uncle, you must stop the duel as soon as possible!”
At the restless voices of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, Hyeon-jin’s expression darkened.
Every single word represented his own heart.
However.
“It’s too late.”
The moment Cheon-hwi accepted the duel, there was no reason to stop it, nor could they intervene.
‘Haa. He must have been firmly angered.’
He could understand the Namgung Clan Head’s feelings.
A young Daoist openly spouted disparaging words to him, the Clan Head.
And in a place where all the clan members were gathered.
Putting himself in those shoes, it was something to be angry about even for him.
‘But still, isn’t this too much? Namgung Clan Head.’
His gaze headed toward Namgung Jin-gyeong.
Azure Sky Sword Dragon Namgung Jin-gyeong.
The muscles peeking through his broad shoulders and clothing had a firmness as if iron had been condensed.
Although his height couldn’t be considered that tall, due to his large physique, he looked more massive than Cheon-hwi, who was taller than him.
‘That’s not all.’
Sweat broke out on the forehead of the observing Hyeon-jin.
‘To think his momentum is at that level.’
It wasn’t for nothing that he was called one of the Five Dragons and Four Phoenixes, considered among the top rising stars of the Flying Heaven Society.
The momentum he exuded was so strong and overflowing with power that it truly lived up to its reputation.
‘The Namgung Clan Head must have called him on purpose.’
Wrinkles formed on Hyeon-jin’s forehead.
It sounded nice to say it was a duel taking responsibility.
The current situation seemed to be flowing completely in the direction the Namgung Clan Head wanted.
“The opponent is none other than the Azure Sky Sword Dragon. Can Junior Brother even endure…….”
At someone’s remark, Hyeon-jin flared up.
“I know that too!”
As Hyeon-jin, who had been unshakeable no matter what happened, showed his irritation, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen couldn’t hide their bewilderment.
“Martial Uncle?”
“I also know that it will be hard for Cheon-hwi to hold out against the Azure Sky Sword Dragon. But what can we do about this matter? Didn’t Cheon-hwi accept the duel!”
Bursting with emotions he had been suppressing all along, Hyeon-jin beat his chest.
He too hadn’t said it out loud, but he was dying of anxiety and frustration.
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who were saying something, instantly became solemn and dropped their heads to the floor.
“Right now, the only thing we can do is hope nothing happens, isn’t it…….”
Hyeon-jin, covering his face with his palms, muttered in despair.
“……Let’s wait quietly for the duel to end. But just in case…….”
Trailing off his words and blinking his eyes once, Hyeon-jin whispered toward the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
“If it seems like something will happen during the duel, be prepared to intrude.”
“……!”
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen raised their heads sharply.
Strength entered their eyes.
It was the words they had been waiting and waiting for.
Soon, with stiff expressions, they answered while firmly completing their preparations to draw the swords hanging at their waists at any time.
“Understood.”
“We will prepare to move at any time.”
Meanwhile, Cheon-hwi took in the sight of Namgung Jin-gyeong standing opposite him holding a wooden sword.
‘To think I’d see the Namgung Clan’s martial arts before the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.’
The situation was flowing strangely.
The reason he had come all the way to the Murim Alliance was to observe the orthodox sects’ martial arts.
But what was this.
Rather than the martial arts of a sect belonging to the Murim Alliance, he ended up observing the martial arts of the Namgung Clan, a completely unrelated entity of the Flying Heaven Society.
‘What kind of martial arts will he display?’
He fumbled through his memories, recalling the martial arts of the Namgung Clan.
Numerous martial arts came to mind, but as expected, the most anticipated was swordsmanship.
Including the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art, the Great Evolution Sword Art, and the Heavenly Wind Sword Art…….
‘It was quite a decent sword art back then too.’
A full smile filled with interest hung on the lips of Cheon-hwi as he thought.
‘Since the Namgung Clan didn’t fall into ruin like the Mount Hua Sect, they must have developed further, right?’
At that moment, Namgung Jin-gyeong took a martial salute.
“I am Namgung Jin-gyeong of the Namgung Clan.”
“Ah, Cheon-hwi of Mount Hua.”
Receiving the greeting, Namgung Jin-gyeong undid his salute and drew the sword he wore at his waist.
Clang…
As expected of the Second Young Master of the Namgung Clan, his sword showed a sharpness that made it obvious at a glance it was a renowned blade.
“In this duel, I plan to unleash the Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder.”
Speaking in a stiff tone, he took a step forward with his left foot and raised his sword.
At that moment, Cheon-hwi’s eyes sparkled.
Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder? Is it a new sword art?
It was a martial art name he had never heard of in his past life or his current life.
What is it? If it’s lightning, is it a fast sword?
As Cheon-hwi, whose heart was fluttering at the thought of seeing a new martial art, was beaming brightly.
“What martial art will you use to face me, Little Brother?”
“I haven’t particularly thought of anything, but…….”
Contemplating, Cheon-hwi drew his sword.
“Well, I’ll just use the Six Harmonies Sword Art.”
“Six Harmonies Sword Art……?”
Namgung Jin-gyeong’s left eyebrow twitched.
The Six Harmonies Sword Art was a third-rate sword art known even to kids in the streets.
But he was going to face him with the Six Harmonies Sword Art?
“Are you not planning to use other supreme sword arts? If it’s the Mount Hua Sect, I’ve heard the Plum Blossom Sword Art is famous.”
“I’ll use it on my own if needed.”
Namgung Jin-gyeong’s expression distorted.
“You’re an insolent bastard. I will fix those bad manners of yours today.”
At the same time his speaking tone changed, his sword flashed.
Only after afterimages appeared from how fast his swinging speed was, a thunderous sound of slicing air erupted.
However, just by slightly moving his sword, Cheon-hwi lightly deflected the direction of the Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder that was striking down.
“……!”
The eyes of Namgung Jin-gyeong, who hadn’t imagined he would really deflect it, shook.
However, he quickly regained his reason.
Immediately withdrawing his sword, he ruthlessly struck toward Cheon-hwi again.
Ten exchanges unfolded in a short moment.
‘Did he tear through the air to generate lightning qi?’
Cheon-hwi silently appreciated the sword art Namgung Jin-gyeong was unleashing while parrying the sword.
It was a sword art that appropriately utilized lightning qi, which was usually too wild to handle.
‘Hmm. Shall I watch a few more times?’
Cheon-hwi purposefully observed while narrowly deflecting the sword swung at him again.
“Heup!”
“Cheon-hwi!”
Meanwhile, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who completely didn’t know Cheon-hwi’s intentions, flinched their bodies every time Cheon-hwi deflected the swung sword.
“……Heup! A-avoided it?”
“Phew… .”
When Cheon-hwi dodged, they swept their chests.
But that was only for a moment; the string of tension only became more taut.
Because Namgung Jin-gyeong’s sword was becoming fiercer.
“W-will it be alright?”
“The opponent’s offensive is becoming even faster. Although he’s managing to avoid it for now, if it continues like this…….”
Cold sweat was already forming in beads on the foreheads of those watching the duel.
The sword art Namgung Jin-gyeong unfolded was astonishingly fast and outstanding.
To the point where it would be burdensome even if they faced him.
Yet, Cheon-hwi was skillfully deflecting the opponent’s sword, albeit looking precarious.
“As long as he doesn’t get stabbed in a vital spot.”
“Dodge!”
When they were watching the duel, rejoicing and grieving at every single one of Cheon-hwi’s actions.
“Martial Uncle! I can’t hold back any longer. Rather than waiting for things to blow up, wouldn’t it be better to move first?”
Unable to just watch, Gu Gyeom-wi spoke up.
Although Cheon-hwi barely deflected and dodged the sword, it felt like Namgung Jin-gyeong’s sharp fast sword would pierce Cheon-hwi at any moment.
“We cannot do that. Stepping forward first will only provoke the Namgung Clan.”
Hyeon-jin said in a hoarse voice.
He too wanted to step forward right now.
But doing so could escalate it from a duel into a war with lives on the line.
Eventually, around the time they were waiting for the right moment.
“Hmph! You dodge well like a flying squirrel.”
Namgung Jin-gyeong, who was watching Cheon-hwi constantly busy dodging, let out a sneer.
“But how long will you be able to keep dodging?”
Namgung Jin-gyeong’s sword became even fiercer.
Swish… Swish…
Sword strikes even faster than before.
However, Cheon-hwi lightly dodged with a bored expression.
‘At this rate, there’s nothing more to see.’
The Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder was definitely an outstanding sword art, but the state of the opponent, Namgung Jin-gyeong, who was unleashing that sword art, was too low.
Lightning, Thirteen, and Sword Thunder.
If unleashed according to principle, thirteen sword thunders like lightning should have poured out.
But what was this.
It was absurdly slow to be called lightning, and laughably lacking to be called thirteen.
Moreover, what sword thunder.
There were only floundering sword strikes thrashing about just to swing quickly.
‘If he was a person who could properly execute the sword art, it would have been quite strong…….’
Cheon-hwi, whose interest had completely cooled, met the swung sword head-on and struck it away for the first time.
Clang!
Then, along with a sharp sound like a bronze mirror breaking, Namgung Jin-gyeong’s sword and body bounced backward.
“H-how did the Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder……!”
When Namgung Jin-gyeong was flustered because Cheon-hwi, who was busy dodging, suddenly confronted him and even deflected him away.
“Since this is a duel, I can’t kill you.”
Whispering, Cheon-hwi stomped the ground.
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