Chapter 130: Namgung Clan (1)

After the incident at Pyeongyeo Mountain, the escort journey proceeded smoothly without any significant events.

With the Namgung Clan just a day’s distance away, Yong Hwarin stopped at an inn and immersed himself in martial contemplation within his room.

Others refrained from disturbing Yong Hwarin, who was deeply engrossed in thought.

Even the Three Chivalrous Sisters avoided approaching Yong Hwarin, sensing his focus.

The younger disciples of Mount Hua and the Three Chivalrous Sisters, being accomplished martial artists themselves, recognized that Yong Hwarin was at a critical juncture and respected his need for solitude.

The members of the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit surrounded him, providing protection.

Some among them focused solely on guarding Yong Hwarin rather than the escort goods, and Ho Cheongun did not object.

This was because they all acknowledged that it was thanks to Yong Hwarin that they had successfully defended the escort goods from bandits at Pyeongyeo Mountain.

Whenever he had time, Yong Hwarin would replay his battle with Pil Gye-young in his mind.

He had never faced someone so formidable before.

It had taken the combined use of the Three Gaps and the Tai Chi Dantian to barely force him to retreat.

He realized that had the battle continued for a few more seconds, he would have been the one defeated, prompting him to reflect deeply on the matter.

“I thought having the Tai Chi Dantian made me the strongest, but even when channeling the Three Gaps’ power into it and using true energy, the expected power didn’t manifest. Theoretically, Pil Gye-young or Bang Yeorip shouldn’t have been my match, but in actual combat, I found myself either on par or slightly inferior. They’re merely individuals who’ve surpassed the Master Level and reached the realm of Ultimate Meaning, yet I was the one overwhelmed. This suggests that I’m not utilizing the Tai Chi Dantian or the Three Gaps’ power effectively.”

He pondered over this issue.

However, even after several days of contemplation, he couldn’t arrive at a clear realization.

Eventually, he reached a certain conclusion.

“Perhaps the Demonic Master’s words were correct. Until now, I’ve defeated strong opponents using the Demonic Master’s power and the Tai Chi Dantian, but to overcome even stronger adversaries, I need an enlightenment that can shatter my current self. As the Demonic Master mentioned, I’ve reached the pinnacle achievable at my age, but if I can’t break through this, I might stagnate. In the martial world, there are formidable individuals like Pil Gye-young and Bang Yeorip everywhere. If I can’t surpass them, protecting my clan might remain just a dream.”

He reflected on his arrogance stemming from his recent growth.

“The individuals behind the Demonic Master are likely even stronger. Seeing how they use the Demonic Master as a mere subordinate confirms this. To confront and fight against such people, I have no choice but to become stronger—to the point where they wouldn’t dare challenge me.”

Yong Hwarin had gained significant insights from his battles with Bang Yeorip and Pil Gye-young.

With this in mind, Yong Hwarin suddenly slapped his knee.

“Why didn’t I think of that?”

He abruptly stood up, grabbed his sword and the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, and headed to the inn’s backyard.

He felt that he needed to experience it physically rather than just theorizing.

“I know the Dual-Mind Inner Art and the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra, both renowned Qi-gong techniques. That means I can execute attacks differently from others.”

Yong Hwarin held the sword in his right hand and the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm in his left.

“If I attack with the sword while simultaneously launching a covert attack with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, who could defend against that? By attacking with the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and targeting the opponent’s lower body with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, I could achieve the effect of a coordinated attack from two individuals. It’s akin to becoming two people.”

With this thought, Yong Hwarin began practicing the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword with his sword while simultaneously executing it with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm.

However, wielding two sword techniques simultaneously with both hands often led to interference between the two.

The movements became entangled and disjointed, preventing proper coordination.

“At this rate, there’s no point in using the Dual-Mind Inner Art to wield two weapons. Should I use the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm merely as a supplementary tool?”

But the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, possessing both the characteristics of a weapon and its unique properties, was too valuable to be relegated to a mere auxiliary role.

“Still, if I can exploit gaps using the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, I can amplify the power of my attacks. I should focus on that aspect during practice.”

Yong Hwarin practiced attacking the lower and upper body with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm while executing the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword.

Initially, the movements felt awkward, but with continued practice, he managed to fill the half-breath intervals present in every technique.

“That’s right. Since humans create techniques, there’s no such thing as a perfect move. Even in the most advanced techniques, there are always flaws, and during the transition between moves, there’s a half-breath interval. This applies to our clan’s Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword as well. Masters are those who can exploit that half-breath gap. But by using the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm to fill that gap and then using that half-breath difference to launch an attack, I can achieve a remarkable technique.”

Yong Hwarin felt a surge of excitement, as if he had glimpsed a new realm of martial arts through the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm.

As he continued to execute the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and attacked during the half-breath intervals with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, the structure of the sword techniques became more solid.

Yong Hwarin practiced throughout the night and eventually mastered the method of wrapping the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm around his left fist and forearm.

By doing so, he could protect his forearm during normal times and use it as a weapon during combat.

By luring the opponent into a false sense of security and then launching a sudden attack, he could use it effectively.

Early in the morning, a member of the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit, who had risen for morning training, came out to the backyard and greeted the still-training Young Master.

“Did you stay up all night?”

“I ended up doing so while training.”

“Young Master, please speak more casually.”

“No, you’re all my seniors in age. Just because I’m the Young Master doesn’t mean I should speak down to you.”

Yong Hwarin generally disliked Young Masters of clans who treated older martial artists disrespectfully.

The clan’s martial artists were individuals who had risked their lives to protect the clan for a long time.

He believed it was not proper to treat them rudely, so Yong Hwarin never looked down on even the lowest-ranking martial artists.

Only during battles did he speak more directly to convey orders accurately.

“I’ve realized something overnight and would like to spar with all of you simultaneously.”

At his words, Mu Iso responded.

“Young Master, if all ten of us attack together, even a master would find it hard to evade. We’ve also made significant progress recently by training with the mental cultivation technique you taught us. It might be difficult for you to handle alone.”

They had all entered a new realm of the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword through the new mental cultivation technique.

Therefore, he believed that even the Young Master, no matter how exceptional, couldn’t withstand a simultaneous attack from ten of them.

Mu Iso expressed his concern, but Yong Hwarin shook his head.

“I want to test what I’ve realized, so please don’t worry.”

“Then let’s use wooden swords.”

Concerned, Mu Iso suggested using wooden swords instead of real ones for the spar.

Understanding Mu Iso’s sentiment, Yong Hwarin smiled and said,

“Then use wooden swords, and if I manage to defend against them, you’ll switch to real swords.”

“Understood.”

Mu Iso prepared the wooden swords they usually carried for sparring.

The ten members of the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit surrounded Yong Hwarin in a circle.

“Come on. Let’s see the skills of the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit.”

At Yong Hwarin’s words, they simultaneously launched attacks toward him.

Swish! Swish! Swoosh!

Each strike with the wooden swords delivered an impact akin to arrows flying in.

“Indeed, perhaps due to training with the mental cultivation technique given by Eumae, the power of the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword is formidable.”

The simultaneous attack from ten individuals using the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword was more powerful than expected.

Wanting to appreciate its power momentarily, he countered with his wooden sword.

Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack! Clack!

The sound of wooden swords clashing filled the backyard, echoing like beans being roasted in a pan.

Yong Hwarin still hadn’t revealed the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, responding only with his wooden sword.

Then, when he infused it with true energy and stepped forward with Jin-Gak, unleashing a powerful sword wind, the members of the Heavenly Central Flying Dragon Unit instantly leapt back.

“Now that I’ve warmed up, let’s see your real skills.”

Mu Iso, having failed to touch even the hem of the Young Master’s robe despite the ten-man coordinated assault, turned to his comrades and spoke.

“Attack at full strength.”

At Mu Iso’s words, the members’ expressions shifted.

They hadn’t gone all out, fearing they might injure the Young Master.

Whoosh!

Even the sound of the wooden swords slicing the air changed.

So did their movements.

Their attacks, combining the Bamboo Forest Flying Dragon Steps and the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword, were breathtaking just to witness.

At that moment, Yong Hwarin defended and attacked with his wooden sword, while launching strikes with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm whenever an opening appeared.

Sometimes he struck at ankles and wrists, and other times he snatched wooden swords.

In the blink of an eye, five of the members were knocked out.

They lay there dumbfounded, not even knowing what technique had hit them.

Swish!

As those five hesitated, both the wooden sword and the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm struck simultaneously.

Whenever they left an opening in their attack, the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm would penetrate without mercy.

By flicking an elbow with the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, he’d open their arms slightly and drive his wooden sword into their chest.

“Ugh!”

When even four more members went down like that, Mu Iso stared wide-eyed at the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, which dangled long and loose.

Sometimes it stiffened and stabbed like a spear, other times it writhed like a whip, snatching feet and wrists. It was nearly impossible to defend against.

“This time won’t be so easy.”

Mu Iso drew out his full power and unleashed the Decapitating Sea Slash.

He believed it to be a move so fluid in all directions that the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm couldn’t entangle it.

But in response, the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm mirrored the Decapitating Sea Slash with identical force.

Mu Iso quickly switched to the Flaming Dragon Emergence technique.

His wooden sword shot upward from below, releasing heat like flames.

Yong Hwarin admired Mu Iso’s swordwork and responded with Dragon Mountain Tower Break.

As he unleashed Dragon Mountain Tower Break with his wooden sword, it collided directly with Mu Iso’s.

Claaang!

With true energy imbued, the wooden swords clashed with the sound of iron weapons.

But then Mu Iso looked down and laughed hollowly — the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm had already coiled around his ankle.

It had approached so stealthily that it was impossible to block.

“Is that your clan’s martial art?”

Yong Hwarin shook his head.

“No. It’s something I came up with after recent realizations. I plan to develop it into one of our clan’s martial arts in the future.”

Mu Iso was amazed by the claim that a new martial technique had been created through mere insight.

‘As expected, the Young Master is a martial genius. Who else could devise a technique like that?’

From then on, they trained with real swords, yet still could not even touch the hem of Yong Hwarin’s robe.

Mu Iso’s pride was bruised, but realizing how far they still had to go, he committed himself to further training.

“If I hadn’t fought Bang Yeorip or Pil Gye-young, I probably wouldn’t have thought to use the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm this way. It was the thought of how to overcome such powerful opponents that led me to this breakthrough.”

He couldn’t be more grateful for having faced Bang Yeorip and Pil Gye-young.

He had gained more than a few realizations from those battles.

Had it not been for them, he might have been like the other prodigies of the noble clans, content with his current abilities.

‘I can’t be satisfied at that level. To face those who threaten me and my clan, I have no choice but to become stronger than I am now.’

Yong Hwarin was pleased that he had used the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm without drawing on the Demonic Master’s power.

One day, the Demonic Master’s soul would leave his body; he couldn’t rely on that power forever.

“This is the Namgung Clan.”

At Ho Cheongun’s words, Yong Hwarin came back to himself from his inner world.

Even on the way there, he had been so deep in martial thought that he hadn’t realized when they arrived at the Namgung Clan.

“It’s magnificent. Comparable to a castle.”

Most martial clans were based in capital cities.

Capital cities were most advantageous for securing economic power.

Situated at the center of Hefei, the provincial capital of Anhui, the Namgung Clan was the largest of all martial clans.

The vast row of lofty buildings alone showed the clan’s tremendous size.

Upon hearing that the escort goods had arrived from River Center Escort Agency, the Namgung Clan’s Chief Administrator came forward.

“It must’ve been a long and tiring journey. Please hand the escort goods to that warrior over there and rest for a few days at the main house.”

Perhaps because River Center Escort Agency wasn’t well known, the Chief Administrator focused solely on the goods, speaking to the agency’s people with no particular courtesy.

He treated them like ordinary escort guards from a small agency.

Ho Cheongun didn’t complain and quietly followed instructions.

After all, they were merely escort personnel, and had no expectation of special treatment.

Though it irked him that the Senior Brothers were receiving such treatment, since they were technically following as escorts, there was nothing he could say.

“Since we’re here at the Namgung Clan, let’s rest up and look around.”

Trying to lift his senior’s spirits, Poong Imso spoke cheerfully, and Ho Cheongun responded with a smile.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep