The First Match
The preliminary arena had finally come into view, all doubts about the location set aside. The southwest sector should have been under the jurisdiction of the Palm Wind Unit from the Eight Prestige Squads, yet for some reason the warriors manning the reception desk wore black uniforms instead of the characteristic purple of the Palm Wind Unit.
Wondering if they had come to the wrong arena, Namgung Woo scanned the surrounding geography once more. But it was exactly as he had been told.
“Excuse me, may I ask you something?”
When Namgung Woo spoke to one of the Murim Alliance warriors, the man who had been examining the roster didn’t even lift his head as he answered.
“Yeees, yeees, this is indeed the southwest preliminary arena. So just find your name here and…”
The warrior thrust out the roster he had been looking at and finally raised his head—only to freeze mid-sentence, sucking in a sharp breath as if he had seen something he should never have seen.
It was the same question he had heard over and over again, so he had answered mechanically, half-heartedly. If only he could take those words back.
In truth, until now there had been no real problem. A warrior directly under the Murim Alliance held a fairly respected position in the righteous path, and his own sect was a solid, reputable school that had nothing to be ashamed of.
But in front of the name of the Changcheon Squad Leader—who had recently shaken the entire righteous Murim to its core—such a background was no more than a thatched hut before a typhoon. And that wasn’t all. Behind him stood the daughters of the Hebei Paeng Family and the Jegal Clan.
The warrior shot up from his seat, quickly offering a respectful fist salute as he cried out.
“Blue Sword Emperor! It is a true honor to meet you like this. I am Sang-geon of the Huangshan Sect. I have already heard from my martial uncle Jeong-gwang about the righteous spirit and feats you displayed during the Cloud Dream Grand Tournament. I have long admired you in my heart and wished to meet you, yet I have shown you such a shameful sight. My heart is truly heavy.”
By revealing his sect and deliberately mentioning his martial uncle Jeong-gwang, Sang-geon of the Huangshan Sect emphasized that he was not without connection. And his desperate effort achieved its intended result.
It succeeded in jogging Namgung Woo’s memory of Jeong-gwang Jin-in and the Huangshan Sect.
“Ah… Jeong-gwang Jin-in. The Chamdryong Nawaerin was truly impressive. I have been enjoying the Huangshan Peach Wine that Jeong-geon Jin-in gave me.”
“My martial uncle’s Chamdryong Nawaerin is one of the finest techniques in our sect. I miss the Huangshan Peach Wine as well. I would love to share its fragrance with you, Great Hero, and receive your wise words, but it is truly regrettable that the situation does not allow it.”
“Then, may I ask you to guide us?”
“Of course. Please sign here for identity verification… and take this numbered tag. When your turn comes, we will call the number, so please proceed to the arena at that time.”
When Namgung Woo let the earlier rudeness pass without comment, Sang-geon inwardly sighed in relief. Did it work? Is he letting it go?
‘Martial Uncle Jeong-gwang… Sect Leader… thank you. I have neglected the sect because I’ve been stuck in the Alliance all this time. I will make time to visit soon…’
While Sang-geon sent silent words of gratitude to his sect, Namgung Woo called Namgung Sol over, had her write her name, and took the numbered tag.
“By the way.”
“Y-yes?”
“Why is the Gamsoo Unit managing the southwest instead of the Palm Wind Unit?”
The Gamsoo Unit, who wore black uniforms, were supposed to oversee the far west. The fact that they were here meant something had happened to the Palm Wind Unit. Namgung Woo asked lightly out of curiosity, but Sang-geon summarized everything he knew as concisely as possible, delivering only the core facts.
“The Alliance’s military units sometimes take on long-term missions. The Palm Wind Unit has not yet returned. During Alliance meetings, the principle is to wrap up missions as quickly as possible and return, but it seems this mission was particularly difficult.”
The group settled into the waiting-cum-spectator seats arranged around the arena and watched the preliminary matches already underway.
“Gaga.”
“Hm?”
“That warrior earlier—why did you let it slide? It was a situation where you would have been fully justified in feeling offended.”
She was referring to Sang-geon’s initial attitude. His behavior had certainly provided enough grounds for complaint. With a little pressure, one could have pushed it even further. Yet Namgung Woo had let it pass without a single word of dissatisfaction.
“Because the losses would outweigh the gains.”
Namgung Woo could no longer ignore political considerations. The most important factors were still his own strength and the real military power that would stand with him, but a family could not function properly on strength alone.
“The Huangshan Sect is located in southern Zhili. It’s better to keep them as allies if possible. We’ve already established a bridgehead. There’s no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.”
At Namgung Woo’s answer, Paeng Ha-ryeong smiled softly. The purpose of her question had never been to criticize his actions; she had simply wanted to hear his thoughts. Watching him gradually grow more aware of his role as the head of a group—and eventually as the head of an entire family—Paeng Ha-ryeong felt both warmth and a faint loneliness.
I suppose I can’t stay like this forever either…
If Namgung Woo became the family head and began to embrace the political side of things, the seat beside him could no longer be hers alone.
“Number 11! Those holding number 11, please finish your preparations and come to the arena!”
It was Namgung Sol’s number. As soon as her number was called, she clutched the tag she had been gripping tightly with both hands in one fist and thrust her arm high into the air. She was afraid of being disqualified for absence.
“I-I’ll be back.”
Namgung Sol hesitated, then bowed deeply to Namgung Woo.
“Wait a moment.”
Namgung Woo stopped her, thinking he ought to say something. But he didn’t know what would be good to say. He had been an only child without siblings, and as time passed even the parents who should have spoken with him as family had disappeared. Familial conversation was still difficult and awkward for him.
“Uh, um…”
There wasn’t much time left before the match. He had to say something. Or perhaps just brush it off as nothing.
“It would be good if you win, but it’s fine even if you don’t.”
“…Yes?”
“We still have a long road ahead. This tournament is merely one stop along the way. So above all else, prioritize not getting hurt. That is the most important thing.”
“Ah… yes!”
Had she never expected him to say such words? Namgung Sol smiled brightly like a child who had received an unexpected gift.
“Go on.”
“Yes! I’ll be back!”
Namgung Sol ran out with energetic steps. All her worries about the tournament had completely vanished. The overwhelming emotion she felt right now was far too great to leave room for such thoughts.
She was no longer alone. She no longer had to feel lonely by herself. She no longer had to bear the name Namgung all on her own. That realization filled Namgung Sol’s chest with warm, overflowing emotion.
“I am Yang Geon-o from the Young Sword Gate. The sword art I mainly practice is the Young Sword Seventeen Forms.”
Namgung Sol watched her first opponent’s fist salute and self-introduction, then returned the salute and spoke.
“I am Jeong Sol. I have no separate sect. However, I received instruction from the Changcheon Squad Leader. The martial art I have learned is the Bi-yeon Sword Technique.”
“I see. So the rumor that the Blue Sword Emperor has taken a disciple was true.”
Yang Geon-o was twenty-nine years old. Since this was the final year he could challenge for the title of Dragon, he had put special effort into gathering information. He had hoped to avoid the disciple the Blue Sword Emperor was said to be sending in his place, but now that he faced her, she didn’t seem particularly strong.
In fact, she didn’t even appear to have reached the Peak Realm.
Yang Geon-o glanced briefly at Namgung Woo seated among the waiting area and steeled his resolve. This was his last chance to claim the title of Dragon.
“However, unlike his renowned martial prowess, it seems his eye for choosing disciples is somewhat lacking.”
“…!”
At those words, Namgung Sol clenched her sword hilt in fury.
Don’t fall for it. It’s obviously a provocation.
It was a cheap trick meant to disturb her composure by provoking her emotions. She knew that, yet her feelings surged wildly beyond her control.
Was it because her mental discipline was shallow? No. How could the life of a child who grew up without a father be easy? Moreover, the southern Zhili region where Namgung Sol had lived had been an extremely harsh place to survive during the Unyang Civil Unrest.
Even before stepping into the Jianghu, her heart had already been worn down to the bone. Her mother’s death and the hidden secret of her birth had completely stolen away any trace of a young girl’s innocent heart.
If even a shred of naive, hopeful maidenly sentiment had remained, she would have been toyed with and miserably discarded by those who tried to use her long before Gak-won had stepped forward.
Therefore, if someone who knew her past had insulted her as the ugly child of a traitor, she would have calmly replied, “Yes, that’s right.”
But Namgung Woo was different. He was a true descendant of the Namgung Family—unlike her. He was the only person who could forgive her sins, and he was the living hope who had actually extended a hand of salvation to her.
And hadn’t he just given her warm words of encouragement moments ago?
Toward the man who had touched her reverse scale, Namgung Sol unleashed an unprecedentedly fierce fighting spirit.
The mindset of simply enjoying the match? That not getting hurt was the most important thing? That she should manage her stamina well since the preliminaries allowed up to three matches? None of those thoughts existed in her mind right now.
At this moment, the only thing dominating Namgung Sol’s thoughts was defeating the enemy before her eyes who had dared to disparage Namgung Woo.
“I will fight with everything I have.”