Chapter 375
Chapter 375
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 375
Chapter Title: A Test Between Brothers
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The warm breeze that had been blowing around Unpung Pavilion suddenly felt like the dead of winter.
A sharp glint flashed in Namgung Hwan's eyes.
"What did you just say?"
But Bu Eun-seol, with a nonchalant expression, spoke matter-of-factly.
"Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"
"..."
"'A clueless child luckily resolved a major incident. And it was all thanks to his aide's help'... is that it?"
"How dare you...!"
Just as a speechless Namgung Hwan began to tremble with rage,
"Hahaha!"
Namgung Heon said with a clear laugh.
"Our fourth brother has been put in his place by Young Master Seol. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Second Brother."
Namgung Hwan said, his eyes filled with killing intent.
"He called a member of the Namgung family a retainer."
"True. But it was a member of the Namgung family who started it."
At Namgung Heon's remark, Namgung Hwan's face turned beet red.
He was right.
He himself had been the one to say that Namgung Un had solved everything with the help of an aide, all to deflate his younger brother's spirit.
"But I never used the word 'retainer',"
Namgung Hwan retorted, and Namgung Heon sighed, shaking his head.
"Young Master Seol merely used a strong expression to point out your own choice of words. If he truly thought of him as a retainer, why would he say such a thing in front of the family's brothers?"
"I've had enough to drink."
Bu Eun-seol stood up, his interest seemingly faded.
He then said to Namgung Un,
"I'm leaving first. Stay and drink a little more."
"Where do you think you're going?"
Namgung Hwan stood up, his eyes flashing.
"Our conversation isn't over yet."
It was a blatant provocation.
At that, Namgung Su, who had been sitting silently, flashed his eyes.
"Sit down."
"First Brother. That man insulted a member of the Namgung family."
Namgung Hwan said, glaring at Bu Eun-seol.
"This is completely different from me saying something about my younger brother. Are you saying we should treat him as a guest after hearing such words?"
"So. You intend to disobey Father's request?"
"That's..."
As Namgung Hwan's fervor died down at the thought of Namgung Jeong's stern face,
"Brother. Then how about we request a sword exchange with Young Master Seol?"
Namgung Heon intervened with a smile.
"Aren't there many guests who come to our family for a friendly match?"
The Namgung family's gates were always open, and they readily accepted duel requests from martial artists.
It was even said that any swordsman of great renown in the Jiangnan region had surely visited the Namgung family to learn a thing or two.
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed.
It was partly because of Namgung Heon's sudden suggestion of a duel, but there was another reason.
'How strange.'
Just as Bu Eun-seol's mind raced, having noticed something,
"That's a fine idea."
Namgung Hwan looked at Bu Eun-seol, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"No need to feel burdened. We don't use killing moves in our friendly matches here."
He then added one more thing.
"Though you might sustain a serious injury."
Bu Eun-seol simply stared at him calmly, arms crossed.
Having dueled publicly with the Heavenly Sword, he couldn't use the Formless Heaven's Flow, the True Art of Wishful Thought, or the Myriad Forms, One Style.
Moreover, Namgung Hwan was a direct descendant of the Namgung family; he couldn't be defeated with ordinary martial arts.
He could use the Thirteen Night Arts, but in a public fight, and at the Namgung family's home no less, there was no need to use the Martial Emperor's techniques.
"That is a fine idea."
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"I've been wanting to witness the swordsmanship of the Namgung family, said to be the best in Jiangnan."
'This man isn't the masked person anyway.'
Bu Eun-seol was well aware that the chances of Namgung Hwan being the masked man were nil.
The reason he accepted the duel despite this was to observe the reactions of the other Namgung brothers and narrow down the suspects.
'But I can't tell Namgung Un about this.'
Namgung Un had a straightforward personality and wore his heart on his sleeve.
What if he found out that one of his brothers was involved with the dark forces of the martial world?
He would never be able to hide it.
'Still, it's hard to understand.'
A direct descendant of the Namgung family head was in a position envied by all in the martial world.
So why would one of them join hands with the dark forces and target Dan So-ok? She was merely the Mistress of the Secret Command, one of the candidates for the next Grand Commander of the Demonic Palace.
"Good."
As Bu Eun-seol was lost in thought, stealing a moment, Namgung Su nodded.
"Since Young Master Seol has agreed, there's no harm in having a friendly match."
With the permission of his stern eldest brother, Namgung Hwan smiled and looked at Bu Eun-seol.
"Then let's do it right now."
「Brother Bu, why are you suddenly doing this?」
Namgung Un, worried that Bu Eun-seol, who needed to hide his identity, was making a scene, sent a telepathic message.
「Fourth Brother may have a bad temper, but he's a martial talent who has mastered our family's Flying Heaven Chain Style to its peak. Your identity might be exposed if you're not careful.」
「Don't worry. That won't happen.」
After sending the message, Bu Eun-seol spoke again.
"But how can I, a guest of the Namgung family, so brazenly point my sword at the son of the family head?"
"Are you trying to run away? Your words are contradictory."
Namgung Hwan sneered, and Bu Eun-seol said,
"Spar with him first."
The person Bu Eun-seol pointed to was none other than Namgung Un.
"If you can beat him, I will face you myself."
"Nonsense. We're dueling to gauge your skills, and you're telling me to fight the youngest out of the blue?"
Namgung Hwan wore an arrogant smile.
"Young Master Seol. If you're scared, just say so."
"You can't even beat him, let alone me. Why bother with such an obvious duel?"
"What did you say?"
Bu Eun-seol said calmly.
"Instead, if he loses, I will accept defeat as well. And I will do anything you ask."
"..."
"If you tell me to kneel, I'll kneel. If you tell me to lick your shoes, I'll lick them. If you tell me to leave, I'll leave immediately. If you tell me to become a servant of the Namgung family, I will."
"Hahahaha!"
Namgung Hwan was dumbfounded.
"Young Master Seol. You're someone who too easily says things you shouldn't."
"If you're scared, we can call off this bet."
"Scared?"
Namgung Hwan had always considered Namgung Un a thorn in his side anyway.
There was no reason for him to refuse such a confrontation.
"Fine. Let's do that."
「Brother Bu. Why on earth...」
「Trust me. You have already begun to break through.」
「I have?」
A breakthrough.
It meant shattering one's limits and reaching a new realm.
The problem was, Namgung Un himself had never felt such a thing.
「Believe. In me, and in yourself.」
Bu Eun-seol looked at Namgung Un and nodded.
Trust. It was the greatest strength one could give to another.
"I understand."
Namgung Un took a deep breath and nodded.
"I'll do it."
Bu Eun-seol and the Namgung brothers left Unpung Pavilion and moved to the nearest training ground.
The Namgung estate was vast, and many outsiders came to request duels.
Thus, training platforms were set up throughout the grounds where one could cross swords without being disturbed.
"Begin."
At Namgung Su's cry, the duel between Namgung Hwan and Namgung Un began.
'I'll end this in one blow.'
Namgung Hwan wore a sinister smile.
In truth, he had been thoroughly preparing to resolve the artificial inner core incident and become a candidate for family head in one fell swoop.
But because Namgung Un had resolved it in an instant, his chance to shine was gone.
'You dare aim for the position of family head?'
Namgung Hwan was furious.
He had always felt overshadowed by his older brothers' talents.
And now, even the good-for-nothing Namgung Un, whom he had never paid any mind, was trying to surpass him.
That was something he absolutely could not tolerate.
'I'll take this chance to show him the clear gap in our skills!'
*Fwaat!*
As he instantly unleashed the Flying Heaven Chain Style, Namgung Un's figure was obscured by sword energy.
A chain of sword strikes that blocked not only the enemy's escape route but also their vision, delivering an unavoidable blow. That was the essence of the Flying Heaven Chain Style.
*Shing!*
Namgung Un also drew his sword and blocked the attack.
"Haha. Not a chance!"
With a booming laugh and a sharp kiai, Namgung Hwan flicked the tip of his sword.
It created countless sword flashes as the forms changed dizzyingly.
*Ching! Chaang!*
Namgung Un was barely managing to block, unable to fully grasp or keep up with the changes.
*Chik chik!*
Namgung Hwan's Golden Needle Sword bent and flexed, making it impossible to predict what form he would unleash next.
*Chaang! Chae-ang!*
But even as cuts appeared on his body and blood began to flow, wasn't Namgung Un steadfastly enduring the attacks?
'This brat?'
The guy who should have thrown down his sword and surrendered within ten moves was now lasting for over thirty?
Could it be that, just as that wanderer said, Namgung Un could actually beat him?
'Impossible!'
Growing desperate, Namgung Hwan's Flying Heaven Chain Style changed once more.
The sword tip scraped the ground as if to slice off his ankles, but in reality, it was a killing move aimed directly at Namgung Un's chest and neck.
*Swaaaek!*
Just as the Flying Heaven Chain Style, pouring out like a linked chain, was about to pierce Namgung Un's neck,
*Kooong.*
Namgung Hwan's Golden Needle Sword drooped downward.
Namgung Un had unleashed the first three forms of the Emperor's Sword Style, pouring immense pressure onto the blade of Namgung Hwan's sword.
'He pushed the pressure of the Emperor's Sword Style into the sword I'm wielding?'
In truth, the techniques of a heavy sword didn't necessarily have to be directed at the enemy's body.
Just slightly restricting their movement could reveal numerous openings.
Namgung Un was applying the enlightenment he had gained while fighting over a hundred Soul-Lost Men.
"Not a chance!"
Namgung Hwan gathered his energy once more and deployed the Flying Heaven Chain Style.
*Fwaat!*
The subtlety of the Chain Sword Style lay in its continuousness.
But as Namgung Un repeatedly applied pressure, subtly breaking the flow, its power was greatly diminished.
'This brat! His martial arts have truly improved.'
Namgung Hwan was greatly surprised.
Namgung Un was using slowness to overcome speed, and shortness to overcome length.
In other words, he had deeply grasped the profound martial principle of using a disadvantage to defeat an enemy's advantage.
'Fine then.'
Namgung Hwan rushed forward like a gale, closing the distance with Namgung Un.
At the same time, he kicked off the ground and rose above Namgung Un's head. His momentum was like that of a hawk diving for its prey.
'That's...'
A glint rose in Namgung Un's eyes.
Leaping into the air during close-quarters combat was an absolutely forbidden act.
But it was the ultimate move of the Flying Heaven Chain Style, one Namgung Hwan was confident in. It was a killing technique where he unleashed the Chain Sword Style all at once from the air, trapping the enemy and then overwhelming them from above.
'Good!'
The old Namgung Un would not have dared to face that sharp killing technique and would have retreated.
But to Namgung Un, who had repeatedly fought life-or-death battles, an offensive of that level was nothing more than ordinary compared to what he had faced.
"Haap!"
Taking a deep breath, he drew upon his internal energy with all his might.
At the same time, he thrust his sword straight up. It looked like a move of mutual destruction, a "you die, I die" gambit.
'Kkht!'
Namgung Hwan looked greatly flustered as Namgung Un, instead of retreating, closed the distance and charged at him.
*Ttarararang!*
With a loud clash of metal, sword met sword in mid-air.
One was airborne, pouring out sword forms, while the other stood firm, defending against them.
The bizarre exchange lasted for over forty moves.
Then, for some reason, Namgung Un lessened his fierce counter-offensive.
*Tak.*
Not missing the opportunity, Namgung Hwan instantly halted his chain of sword forms and landed back on the ground.
"..."
Back on the ground, Namgung Hwan did not attack further, instead taking a defensive stance.
What if Namgung Un had stubbornly held his ground and continued the exchange of blows?
Namgung Hwan would have had to fend off Namgung Un's relentless assault while suspended in mid-air.
In other words, he would have to expend energy to stay afloat while continuously unleashing his chain of sword forms.
Ultimately, he would have been at a disadvantage in the exchange.
Namgung Un, knowing this, had intentionally slowed his hand to allow Namgung Hwan to land.
"It's a draw."
Just then, Namgung Heon approached the two with a smile.
"Since the attacks stopped at the same time, we can call this a draw."
He said so, but no one agreed.
Namgung Hwan, using his energy to avoid falling from the sky while unleashing his sword forms.
And Namgung Un, standing firm on the ground, fighting for his life.
If Namgung Un hadn't slowed his hand? If this had been a fight to the death?
The outcome was clear.
"Indeed."
Bu Eun-seol knew Namgung Un had won, but he played along with Namgung Heon's words.
Having lost face, Namgung Hwan had nothing to say.
"Hmph."
He snorted with an awkward expression and fled the training ground.
"Haa."
Namgung Un, planting his Golden Needle Sword into the ground, let out a sigh of relief.
He had only countered the Flying Heaven Chain Style with improvisation.
If it came down to true swordsmanship and martial skill level, he believed he was still no match for Namgung Hwan.
Unaware that his improvisation was, in fact, a part of his skill.
"You did well."
As Bu Eun-seol came over and patted his shoulder, Namgung Un said in a relieved voice,
"Thanks to me, you've avoided a life of servitude, Brother Seol."
Bu Eun-seol gave a faint smile at his joke.
"So it seems."
Seeing Namgung Hwan's defeat, Namgung Su stared intently at Namgung Un with a cold expression.
Then, without a word, he slowly turned and left the training ground.
"You've improved a lot."
Namgung Heon patted Namgung Un's shoulder with a proud expression.
"I'll be going now too."
Then, Namgung Pung approached and hurriedly asked.
"That was really impressive. The variation of the Flying Heaven Chain Style that Hwan just used was a sword style he learned from the Martial Alliance."
'So that's what it was.'
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize why Namgung Hwan had used a unique sword art that poured out forms from mid-air, rather than a Namgung family style.
He must have formed a master-disciple relationship with someone from the Martial Alliance outside of the Namgung family.
"I just managed it somehow. Hahaha."
Namgung Un's laughter, scratching his head shyly, echoed across the training ground.
Bu Eun-seol's quarters were assigned to Seorimheon, the place with the best scenery in the Namgung family's inner court.
It was a thoughtful gesture from Namgung Jeong.
It was so Bu Eun-seol could rest comfortably without worrying about the people coming and going in the Namgung estate.
After having dinner with Namgung Un, Bu Eun-seol returned to his quarters early.
He was giving Namgung Un time to reflect on his fighting experience and gain new insights.
'Their reactions were unexpected.'
Pitting Namgung Un and Namgung Hwan against each other.
Bu Eun-seol had tried to find the mysterious masked man who attempted to assassinate Dan So-ok by observing the other brothers' reactions.
But aside from Namgung Hwan, who was blinded by jealousy, all the Namgung brothers were either noble or straightforward in character.
And they all seemed to secretly care for Namgung Un.
'That means Namgung Un isn't the target.'
The reason Bu Eun-seol was trying to find the masked man now...
...was because he worried that the man might not only be a figure of the demonic path but could also ultimately harm Namgung Un.
After all, the next head of the Namgung family had not yet been decided.
But the other brothers, except for Namgung Hwan, were showing a completely different side than he had expected.
'In the first place, how could a child of the Namgung family be part of the dark forces?'
Looking back, the dark forces had always recruited or manipulated their targets by using their long-held desires or desperate wishes as bait.
But the children of the Namgung family were not in a position where such methods would work.
'And it's not like the Namgung family is the headquarters of the dark forces.'
*Knock, knock.*
Just then, a knock came at the door, followed by a low voice.
"It's Namgung Su."
Instead of the gentle voice of a servant, it was a cold and indifferent one. It was the eldest of the Namgung family, Namgung Su.
"Come in."
Bu Eun-seol, who had already detected the footsteps and stride, nodded.
Namgung Su entered, his expression as cold as ever.
"What brings you here so late at night?"
In truth, the one he had suspected most of being the masked man was Namgung Su.
He was the strongest martial artist among the brothers and never revealed his inner thoughts. And now he had come to find him on his own?
"A hundred-year-old plum wine."
Namgung Su placed a heavy wine bottle on the table.
"Those who don't enjoy tea usually enjoy alcohol... you should find this to your liking."
Then, as if he had said all he needed to, he turned to leave.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
Bu Eun-seol asked, and Namgung Su stopped walking.
"Some time ago, Un returned from his travels in the martial world, and his skills had improved by leaps and bounds. He also boasted about having a great sworn brother."
Gazing at the moonlight outside the window, he spoke again.
"And this time, after returning from his travels, his skills have improved yet again. On top of that, he even thwarted the conspiracy of a huge organization like the Beggars' Alliance."
Namgung Su stared intently at Bu Eun-seol.
"This is just a token of my gratitude."
Namgung Su was merely cold in nature; deep down, he cared deeply for Namgung Un.
"Do you know that he resents the family head?"
"That was the family head's choice."
Namgung Su wore an indifferent expression at Bu Eun-seol's question.
"Understanding a father's heart is also a child's duty."
Uttering those enigmatic words, Namgung Su turned away.
"Well then. Rest."
And he briskly walked out.
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky.
Namgung Un called himself an unfilial son and thought he was hated by his father.
But in reality, not only his father but all his brothers loved him.
Just each in their own way.
Just like the family head, Namgung Jeong.
'The lucky bastard.'
It was a tangled skein, but time would eventually resolve it.
In other words, the conflict with the family head would be resolved well enough without Bu Eun-seol's further intervention.
"This is troubling."
He sighed deeply and looked at the distant sky.
Even if the masked man who attacked Dan So-ok was among the Namgung brothers, none of them would touch or threaten Namgung Un.
In that case, was there really a need to dig deeper? After all, things had been fine so far.
"If they truly won't touch the Namgung family or Namgung Un..."
For the first time, Bu Eun-seol was hesitating.
What if the masked man was a loyal member of the Namgung family, in a position to only strike at the demonic path? Would it be right to expose that?
If he were to reveal this... he realized it could sow discord in such a harmonious and well-united family.
"Such forces are embedded in both the orthodox and unorthodox factions anyway. And no one knows how deep their roots go."
Bu Eun-seol let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
"There's no need to interfere in the Namgung family's affairs."
For the first time, he was choosing not to uncover the truth and was planning to leave quietly.
The next day, as the sun set and darkness fell.
In the end, Bu Eun-seol quietly left the Namgung estate.
There were many guards stationed everywhere, but Bu Eun-seol was a distinguished guest staying at Seorimheon by Namgung Jeong's special order.
They were all familiar with his appearance, so no one stopped him.
Leaving the Namgung estate behind, Bu Eun-seol walked for a long time down a silent road before suddenly stopping in his tracks.
'I see.'
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize he had forgotten one thing.
The Token of Gratitude.
That whoever was aligned with those shadowy forces would be after the Token of Gratitude he received from Namgung Un.
And as long as he held it, he wouldn't be able to leave the Namgung estate as he pleased.
*Ssk.*
A tall shadow emerged from a large tree on the other side.
It was Namgung Heon.