Chapter 93: The Namgung Clan is Obsessed with Me (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: The Namgung Clan is Obsessed with Me (2)
“Uh… so you’re saying cultivation speed will increase by nearly three times?”
“That’s what they say. I was shocked to see the Chief Steward talking about it so excitedly. He’s usually not the type to get worked up like that.”
Seo-jun scratched his head at Namgung Su-ah’s words.
After hearing a more detailed explanation, he finally understood why.
Since the Azure Lightning Heart Method was designed to supplement the clan's basic techniques, it essentially provided an ideal guideline for the Lightning Heart Method. As a result, proficiency in the Lightning Heart Method naturally surged, leading to this dramatic effect.
“No, but does that even make sense?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s a basic technique.”
“Right?”
“And they hadn’t mastered it yet? Why on earth not?”
He understood the logic, but he couldn't wrap his head around the reality of it.
The difficulty of the Lightning Heart Method wasn't much different from the Three Talents Heart Method. In fact, one could argue the Lightning Heart Method was easier to master because it had a much clearer direction.
“Who tested it?”
“There’s a man named Baek Gyeol among the Chief Steward’s guards. He’s a martial artist in the Peak Realm, and I heard his combat prowess is quite impressive for his stage.”
“Wait, he’s in the Peak Realm and he still hadn't mastered the Lightning Heart Method…?”
“He thought he had, but apparently not. I heard he’s currently practicing the Azure Lightning Heart Method instead of the higher-level heart method he originally learned.”
“Oh…”
Seo-jun scratched his head again.
“So what happens now? Does this mean the Azure Lightning Heart Method and the Thirteen Lightning Sword Forms are actually decent martial arts?”
“It’s way beyond just ‘decent.’ Since you’re the creator, your intention matters most, but the Chief Steward said that even if these were given as rewards for great merit, they wouldn't just be sufficient—they’d be considered overly generous.”
“Oho.”
Either way, it meant the martial arts he created were incredible.
His shoulders swelling with pride, Seo-jun grinned and sprawled out on the floor.
“Well, that’s rewarding. I wonder if my father-in-law will like it?”
“Oh, honestly. You’ll get dirt in your hair.”
Namgung Su-ah, who was sitting on her knees, lifted Seo-jun’s head and placed it on her lap.
She chuckled as she stroked the blinking Seo-jun's hair.
“Of course Father likes it. The entire clan is in an absolute uproar right now.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The Chief Steward, and the Heavenly Martial Pavilion…”
“Oh! So this is where you were!”
At the sudden voice, Seo-jun tilted his head back while still lying down.
In his upside-down view of the world, a woman appeared.
She looked at Seo-jun and Namgung Su-ah with a mischievous smile before approaching with a boisterous laugh.
“Hahaha…! Our little lucky charm! You’re certainly getting along well with my niece!”
“Niece?”
Seo-jun glanced at Namgung Su-ah before looking back at the woman. Namgung Su-ah’s eyes widened.
“Oh, Aunt. When did you get back?”
“A few days ago. Anyway, I heard the news! You’re getting married?”
“Ah, well…”
Namgung Su-ah laughed awkwardly and looked at Seo-jun. Seo-jun scrambled to his feet and gave a sharp bow.
“Yes! I am Lee Seo-jun, your nephew-in-law!”
“Ooh! Yes, yes! Good to meet you!”
The woman grinned as she looked Seo-jun over.
“Our nephew-in-law has quite the handsome face! You’re going to be someone great! Well, you already are! Hahaha!”
She introduced herself only after a long bout of laughter.
“I am Namgung Yeon! You know Namgung Jin-cheon? Su-ah’s father is my older brother!”
“Oh…”
Her speech and actions were completely uninhibited. As Seo-jun watched her in admiration, Namgung Yeon suddenly leaned her face in close.
“If I were only about a hundred and fifty years younger, I might have tried something myself.”
“Pardon?”
How many years younger? As Seo-jun stared at her blankly, Namgung Yeon tilted her head.
“Wait, no. Did they say you were in the Super Peak Realm? How old are you, nephew-in-law?”
“Uh… twenty-four.”
“What? You’re practically a spring chicken!”
“A-Aunt…!”
As Namgung Su-ah shouted in protest, Namgung Yeon laughed loudly and slapped Seo-jun on the shoulder.
“It’s a joke, a joke!”
More like a threat, Seo-jun thought, scratching his head. Namgung Yeon wore a faint smile.
“Well, jokes aside. I saw them too. The Azure Lightning Heart Method and the Thirteen Lightning Sword Forms.”
“Oh, what did you think?”
“What do you mean, ‘what did I think’? Did you really create those yourself? A literal godsend has rolled into the Namgung Clan! That brat, the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion, was foaming at the mouth and running around like a madman!”
According to the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion, most Divine Arts were as difficult to learn as they were powerful, but these two martial arts were different.
Since their very purpose was to supplement basic techniques, anyone already practicing the Namgung Clan’s martial arts could learn them without much difficulty. Above all, the increase in cultivation speed was beyond description.
Furthermore, even when martial artists who had already reached high realms practiced them, they couldn't find any flaws. It was clear as day that the overall strength of the clan would be raised significantly.
Consequently, the Chief of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion had suggested that these techniques should not be taught alongside the basic arts, but instead granted only to those with clear merits.
“That’s when Namgung Jin-cheon said it. ‘Do as my son-in-law, the creator of the arts, wishes.’ Psh! He always tries to act all cool and dignified when he says things like that.”
“My father-in-law is pretty cool, though.”
“Him? Hmph, I have a lot I could say about that… Anyway! That’s why I came here myself to hear what my nephew-in-law wants!”
“Aha.”
After a brief moment of thought, Seo-jun nodded.
“I think it’s right to just let everyone learn them along with the basic techniques. They aren't really that big of a deal anyway.”
While it wasn't a bad thing for those in high realms to learn them, people at that level were better off practicing other martial arts.
The ceiling of these techniques wasn't that high to begin with. It was the floor that was high.
Distributing martial arts that could drastically increase growth speed would solidify the foundation of the Namgung Clan.
‘As for martial arts that can raise the ceiling…’
Even for Seo-jun, those weren't easy to whip up instantly. He planned to create them later and slip them to his father-in-law.
‘Oh, right.’
He also had to take care of Brother Ja-cheong of the Heavenly Wind Unit, who had gone to teach the kids the Spirit Thunder Sword Technique. He didn't want him feeling left out later.
If he sent the newly created martial arts over there as well, they would surely be pleased.
“As expected of our lucky charm! Your generosity is on another level!”
“Aw, it’s nothing. It’s for the great Namgung Clan, after all!”
“Hahaha…! Indeed! Is there anything you want? You’ve done something this huge, so there must be a reward!”
“Oh, come on. We’re family. What’s with the rewards?”
“Now, now! Even between family, a reward must be…”
Namgung Su-ah watched Seo-jun and Namgung Yeon, who had become fast friends in an instant, and smiled softly.
‘When would be the best time to hold the wedding?’
Her mind began to race with plans.
* * *
The distribution of the martial arts to the warriors of the Namgung Clan began.
The Azure Lightning Heart Method and the Thirteen Lightning Sword Forms.
The warriors had tilted their heads at the unfamiliar names at first, but after a few days, anyone who didn't know those names was treated like an idiot.
“Hey! Look at this!”
A man emitted a dense blue Sword Qi over his blade.
“I could never quite get the hang of Sword Qi, but after practicing the Thirteen Lightning Sword Forms, I finally got it!”
“Ooh, you’re fast! I think I’m starting to get it too… but for now, I can only naturally surround myself with Lightning Qi.”
“Still, doesn't your head feel all tingly?”
“It does.”
“Then you’re almost there! If you keep the feeling of the Thirteen Lightning Sword Forms in mind, you’ll reach the stage of a Sword Qi Master in no time!”
“I certainly hope so.”
The expression of the man who couldn't yet handle Sword Qi was also bright. Just as his friend said, he felt certain that he would soon be able to manifest Sword Qi.
“By the way, where did these martial arts suddenly come from? I’ve never heard of them in my life.”
“Tsk, man! Haven't you heard about the Young Master?”
“How could I not know Young Master Namgung Myeong?”
“No, no, the other Young Master! Lady Namgung Su-ah’s fiancé! Young Master Seo-jun!”
“Ah! I’ve heard of him.”
“These are the martial arts he created! Furthermore, he’s the one who showed such generosity by allowing everyone practicing the basic arts to learn them!”
“No way…! How could he…!”
Amidst this atmosphere, the Green Forest bandits Seo-jun had brought were at a loss as to how to handle the warm gazes from those around them.
“Why… why are they looking at us like that…?”
“They say it’s because our employer is an incredible person.”
“What kind of logic is that…?”
The Green Forest bandits, who hadn't received such looks in longer than they could remember, were quite flustered.
“I heard those are the people Young Master Seo-jun brought with him?”
“They might have been bandits originally, but they were brought by him! They must have some incredible skills!”
“N-No… we’re just mountain bandits…”
Feeling conscious of the eyes on them, they worked even harder at their training, which only improved their reputation further. The news eventually reached Seo-jun’s ears.
Riding high on the continuous praise lately, Seo-jun decided to bestow martial arts upon them as well.
“Behold…! This is the Giant Spirit Divine Art! Applaud…!”
“Woah, woaaaah…!!”
“Long live the Young Master…!”
Seo-jun hadn't released the martial art without thought.
The bandits under Jang-geuk had originally grown under the guidance of a Super Peak martial artist, so their level was quite high compared to average bandits. Because of that, it would have been a shame to make them abandon their existing martial arts to start over with the Namgung Clan’s basic techniques.
Human nature was inherently fickle and prone to coveting what others had.
His first reason was to cut off any potential for complaints before they could even start. The second was to firmly capture their hearts, now that he had a faction of his own.
“Old man, I’m teaching you this, so… you know, right? You have to do well.”
“Aigo! Of course, my Lord! I will keep my subordinates under strict control!”
This was only possible because of the solid foundation of the Namgung Clan.
Taking the martial arts and running away?
With Seo-jun’s existence alone, it wouldn't be easy, and with the Namgung Clan standing firmly behind him, it was simply impossible.
In the first place, the bandits didn't even entertain such thoughts.
Why would they? Being in the Namgung Clan provided welfare they couldn't even imagine back when they were bandits.
People gave them warm looks, and their Lord bestowed Divine Arts upon mere mountain bandits.
They had become members of one of the Six Great Clans, a status they could previously only look upon with awe and jealousy.
Under Jang-geuk’s strict supervision, they gained pride in belonging to the Namgung Clan instead of arrogance. Their skills grew as they practiced the Giant Spirit Divine Art, a technique that truly deserved to be called a Divine Art.
Seeing this, Namgung Jin-cheon formally named them the ‘Green Forest Unit’ and placed them directly under Seo-jun’s command.
With that, Seo-jun succeeded in establishing a firm power base within the Namgung Clan.
However, Seo-jun didn't really think much about ‘factions’ or ‘power.’
What would he even do with a political struggle inside the Namgung Clan?
He was simply satisfied that he wasn't being called the ‘Green Forest Unit Leader.’
‘I mean, Green Forest Unit Leader is a bit much…’
It sounded too much like a bandit name. It was best to leave the title of Unit Leader to Jang-geuk and remain just a Young Master of the Namgung Clan.
“Chun-bong…! Geum Chun-bong…! When are you coming out, you punk…!”
And so, the days of practicing the Emperor Sword Form while crying out for Chun-bong continued.
When he wanted praise, he could just step outside for a moment to receive enthusiastic applause. When he wanted to rest, he could shut himself in his room and no one would bother him. It was a perfect life.
If only Chun-bong were here with him, he would truly have nothing left to desire.
Seo-jun smacked his lips.
* * *
“Hehe—.”
A dark room. Sprawled corpses and the thick smell of blood.
The woman known in the Murim as the Hidden Sword of the Darkness performed her usual cleanup at the scene after finishing a contract.
Skritch, scratch!
Engraving her symbol—a single flower and a sword—onto the wall, she secretly returned to her nest.
“Mmm, home really is the best.”
Click. She flipped the switch, and the light bulb flickered to life.
“I don't know why everyone else doesn't use this great stuff.”
She ground coffee beans, poured them into a filter, and slowly added hot water.
As she sipped the hot coffee from a glass, the eyes of the Hidden Sword of the Darkness suddenly flashed with a sharp light.
“Who is it?”
Her figure vanished, and a dagger lunged out from the darkness.
The Adam’s apple of the man standing outside the building bobbed heavily.
In the pitch-black darkness where nothing could be seen, only the cold sensation of metal against his throat was vivid.
“…It is a request from the Black Lotus Union.”
“The Black Lotus Union? Those arrogant bastards are coming to me?”
“That is correct.”
“Assassination?”
“What other request would we have for you besides assassination?”
“Heh, true enough.”
Flicker. The darkness lifted.
Only then did the man regain his sight, barely suppressing the sigh that threatened to escape.
“The target?”
“Jin Gi-jae-cheon, the Mad Blood Monster, Lee Seo-jun.”
“Ah, I’ve heard of him. The one where the Chief of the Green Forest betrayed them and two Super Peak masters died? How stupid. Of all people to trust, he trusted a bandit?”
“…We wish to commission his assassination.”
“Are you insane?”
The Hidden Sword of the Darkness snorted.
“You want me to crawl into the Namgung Clan, where the strongest man in the world is sitting pretty? Why don't you just tell me to go hang myself instead?”