Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Three Thunder Sword Method
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Namgung Baek scowled as he looked at Namgung So.
"Is it really true that bastard did this?"
"Yes, Father. It's the truth. How many times do I have to tell you!"
Namgung So writhed in frustration.
If his arms had been fine, he would have pounded his chest in exasperation.
"That bastard did this to me, I swear!"
He lifted his splinted limbs and ground his teeth.
This was just what was visible on the surface.
His neck was slightly twisted, his chest caved in.
His abdomen, bruised beyond purple into a dark black, was wrapped tightly in bandages. He'd never known a human body could turn that color from bruising.
It was a miracle Namgung So could even walk around in his condition.
Namgung Baek was well aware of his son's dire state.
He recalled the words of the Medical Hall Master who had treated him.
—Were you run over by a carriage or something? Your condition...
Namgung Baek's eyes narrowed.
"You're not confused, are you?"
"It wasn't nighttime—it was broad daylight! Do you think I'd mistake that? That punk suddenly bashed me with a club!"
Unable to admit he'd been thrashed after picking a fight, Namgung So added a small lie.
Namgung Baek's eyebrow twitched.
"So that's how you got it?"
"...It happened too fast."
Even if it had been in an instant, it was hard to believe he hadn't landed a single counterattack.
Namgung Hyeok was the Nine Yin Severed Meridians survivor, barely clinging to life.
His body was so frail that even a light touch could snap his bones like twigs.
To end up like this from a sneak attack by someone who hadn't even learned martial arts?
It was absurd.
The conclusion was that the recent rumors of Namgung Hyeok starting to learn martial arts were true.
But even so, the gap between a freshly initiated Namgung Hyeok and Namgung So was wider than between third-rate and first-rate.
It was as vast as a fight between an ant and a tiger.
Namgung Baek's brow furrowed at the incomprehensible situation.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure! I'm no match for my brother, but I've trained in the family's martial arts for over a decade! Would I lose to some punk who just started learning?"
Namgung So boasted boldly, then clutched his nape.
His rising blood pressure sent pain shooting through his twisted neck.
Namgung Baek's gaze deepened.
'Just started learning martial arts?'
Borrowing the Medical Hall Master's words, the injuries were severe enough to suggest being hit by a carriage.
Could Namgung Hyeok, fresh to martial arts, have inflicted that?
It was impossible without handling internal energy far beyond the ordinary.
"I'll have some premium medicine sent over, so rest up."
"I-I'll get revenge myself."
"You fool. A hot head gets you nowhere. Take care of your body first."
"B-But..."
"I'll even procure a spirit pill for you, so use this time to circulate your energy."
"Ah!"
Namgung So's sullen face lit up at the mention of a spirit pill.
Namgung Baek shot him a displeased glance and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk. Who does he take after to be so reckless?"
He shook his head as Namgung So left through the door.
Stroking his chin beard lightly, he stared at the door.
'He was hiding his martial arts?'
Why?
The question popped up, followed by suspicions of perhaps, maybe.
'Is the Family Head thinking something else? Or has he noticed something?'
Namgung Baek's gaze shifted to the Family Head's quarters visible outside the window.
'I don't know what he's scheming.'
Whatever it was, it didn't matter.
The Family Head, Namgung Jangcheon, couldn't create many variables anyway.
Such things couldn't alter the big picture or stop the plan he'd prepared for a decade.
A brilliant idea flashed through his mind.
A sinister smile crept across his lips.
Namgung Baek muttered lowly, as if to himself.
"Keep an eye on Namgung Hyeok, and probe the Family Head's side."
A voice came from the empty air.
"Understood!"
* * *
"Young Master, why did you suddenly ask for this?"
Namgung Hyeok took the cloth from Geum Cheom-sang.
"Why? To use it, obviously. But you got it awfully fast?"
"Just tell the inner hall, and they hand it over."
"Huh."
Namgung Hyeok let out an exclamation.
Was heavenly silkworm silk something you could just ask for?
A single span of cloth made from it cost more than a thousand silver taels—a joke.
An average person's monthly wage was ten silver taels.
For a commoner to afford one span, they'd have to slave away for ten years nonstop.
Heavenly silkworm silk was that precious and expensive.
To have it fetched on command, handed over on request—it was absurd.
It was the Namgung clan's wealth, beyond his common sense.
"That Sword King's spawn was telling the truth."
He'd said he only wore clothes made of heavenly silkworm silk.
Namgung Hyeok wrapped the silk around his wrist.
It clung to his skin like a second layer, soft to the touch.
Silver bandages wound neatly up his arm.
Impervious to blades.
High-quality heavenly silkworm silk could even block sword qi.
With its astonishing elasticity, it was the ultimate protective gear for any warrior.
Of course, Namgung Hyeok had other reasons for using it.
"The sword?"
"Ah, this one might be a problem..."
"It's probably already noticed."
"......"
"Hand it over."
Namgung Hyeok extended his hand, and Geum Cheom-sang reluctantly drew the sword hidden behind his back.
"You hid it well."
"Hehe, I'm pretty good at hiding things..."
"Not a compliment."
"......Yes."
Ignoring the crestfallen Geum Cheom-sang, Namgung Hyeok gripped the sword.
The lightest one they had, and the edge was sharp.
It was incomparable to market-bought blades.
As expected of the Namgung clan—even a casually grabbed sword bore a master's touch.
'Impressive.'
Namgung Hyeok twirled his wrist. The sword spun smoothly in his grip.
"Hmm!"
A heavy feedback traveled up his wrist, drawing a soft grunt.
It felt like his wrist might fly off from the spin.
After a few rotations, beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
'I can handle it.'
Fortunately, it wasn't snapping off.
The tightly bound heavenly silkworm silk stabilized his twisting wrist.
His sword hand felt secure now.
"Good."
More satisfying than expected.
Namgung Hyeok loosened up, warming his body appropriately.
Spinning his wrist again, the sword whirled faster than before.
Shooo! Shooo! Shooo!
The blade's wind tousled his hair and kicked up dust.
"Y-Young Master, that's dangerous! Please stop!"
Geum Cheom-sang watched anxiously.
Seeing Namgung Hyeok, who could barely control his own body, wield a sharp sword made anyone's heart shrink.
But Namgung Hyeok remained calm.
His face serene, as if back home, he swung the sword.
Each brush of the edge against his skin cleared his mind further.
"If it's dangerous, leave."
"No, how could I, your attendant?"
"You left just fine before."
"......So, what exactly are you doing?"
"Training."
"Pardon?"
"What."
"I mean..."
"Go get some snacks."
"Uh...... Yes."
To Geum Cheom-sang, it looked like reckless sword play, but if Namgung Hyeok said it was training, who was he to argue?
Geum Cheom-sang eyed him curiously before heading inside.
Namgung Hyeok regulated his breathing and kept whirling the sword.
The energy of the Heavenly Firmament Bright King Art, drilled relentlessly for a month, stirred.
Twice as large as a month ago.
Merely the size of two mung beans, but its purity was the highest across his past life.
Higher purity internal energy was always better.
For the same size, purer energy overwhelmed.
The Heavenly Firmament Bright King Art's energy flowed naturally into the sword.
Screeeeech!
Metal grated, dust storming up.
Feeling the energy along the blade, Namgung Hyeok pondered.
'Keep it simple.'
Using non-Namgung clan martial arts in the Namgung clan would cause headaches.
Base it on the Namgung swordsmanship.
Namgung Hyeok had already decided.
'Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders.'
The optimal technique for his current frail body.
Of course, he wouldn't use it plain—he'd season it heavily.
Like a dish so flavorful you'd drool for more.
In short, make it killer.
Shhhhht!
The sword sliced air with sharp whistles.
Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders mimicked bolts of lightning.
Fast, powerful.
A half-step late meant outpaced.
It pursued ultimate speed swordsmanship.
'No need for this.'
Shiiiing! Shiiiing!
His sword moved like light rays along the Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders paths.
'Reduce movements, add one more step.'
The heavenly silkworm silk pulled his arm taut.
Namgung Hyeok's sword gained speed.
Shhhhsh!
'Not enough power. Speed alone won't kill. It has to cleave in one stroke.'
His internal energy shifted.
The Heavenly Firmament Bright King Art adapted to the swordsmanship.
Transmitting, propelling force.
'Like splitting a boulder in one strike—sever the enemy's throat.'
The Heavenly Firmament Bright King Art responded to the sword form.
Rumble!
Thunder roared.
Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders became true lightning.
Lightning swords cleaved heaven and earth.
Thirteen bolts to nine, nine to six, six to three...
The art's domineering energy permeated the paths.
Flaaash!
Light blazed.
Whoooosh!
Sword winds swirled, white dust flying.
Namgung Hyeok sheathed the sword and caught his breath.
"......Damn it."
He frowned at his torn palm.
Not fully internalized yet—blood vessels burst.
He tapped to staunch the bleeding.
"Gotta take some blood-purifying meds today."
Grumbling, Namgung Hyeok headed inside.
Suddenly, his gaze flicked to one spot.
'Grab 'em?'
A gaze lurking like a pervert since he picked up the sword.
Annoying, but he decided to let it be.
Probably the Family Head's watchdog anyway.
Namgung Hyeok suppressed a chill at the Family Head's doting affection.
Ignoring the distant gaze, he considered his next task.
'Now for footwork.'
Simple again.
Infinite Steps.
As the name implied, drawing endless circles.
No distinct traits—hard for even experts to pin down.
Honest enough to pass as Wudang footwork.
Namgung Hyeok layered his modified Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders atop Infinite Steps.
Falling thunder became a storm pouring from eight directions.
Whoooosh!
A swordsmanship utterly distinct from Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders.
Only the lightning essence remained similar—power and variations were worlds apart.
Namgung Hyeok paused, scratching his head.
"Down to three forms, but calling it Thirteen Thunders is weird? Lightning Flash Three Thunders? Nah, sounds weak."
Naming was this hard?
Harder than redefining the swordsmanship and simplifying forms.
Pondering briefly, he tossed out,
"Three Thunders Sword Method it is."
Lightning Flash Three Thunders or Three Thunders Sword Method—same difference, but satisfaction mattered.
Namgung Hyeok swung the sword.
Arm muscles twitched in spasms, veins bulging on his forehead, but he gritted through.
With grit, with guts.
Until it worked!
He swung and swung until the Three Thunders Sword Method fully integrated.
Drip! Drip drip!
Blood trickled down the hilt.
"......"
Namgung Hyeok calmly staunched it and swung again.
From morning to evening, nonstop.
Not a single break.
The body is honest. Use it, and it strengthens.
Muscles built, power grew.
Physical tempering was the alpha and omega of martial arts.
Internal energy alone didn't make a master.
A hundred quenchings differed from a thousand, a thousand from ten thousand.
With past life's experience and insight, Namgung Hyeok knew.
How to wield, how to handle the body.
Strength entered his sword hand.
Pshht!
"......Huh."
Blood stopped at his palm, but now squirted from the back of his hand.
"Unbelievable."
Pshhhsh!
Blood jets erupted from five spots like fireworks.
Namgung Hyeok was speechless.
"......Gotta get stronger. Still a ways to go."
Ten thousand quenchings as baseline, it seemed.
Maybe then it'd be usable.
Sighing, he staunched the flow.
"Whew."
As he swung again.
Pshhhsh!
It burst anew from the staunched spots.
Even fiercer than before.
Dumbfounded, Namgung Hyeok stared at the gushing blood.
Eerily familiar sight.
Drip drip...
Shaking his head at the spraying blood, Namgung Hyeok muttered.
"Whatever. What was I expecting from this hunk of junk."
Yeah, what.
A body that wouldn't even staunch.
"Ow, dizzy—stop already. Damn it, crap."
As Namgung Hyeok scowled.
Geum Cheom-sang emerged with snacks and spotted the blood fountain, eyes bulging.
"Y-Young Master—!"
"Where's the Medical Hall?"