Welcoming the Uninvited Guest: The Third-Rate Warrior (3)
Gye Cheolyeong clutched the wooden box containing the golden toad and headed toward the annex.
"You shouldn't go in right now."
Hong Saryeon poked her head out from beyond the outer door of the annex, speaking toward the inside.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Senior Brother Jin went in, and the atmosphere feels off."
"That bastard Jin Sowoon is here?"
"Yes. He's inside right now."
"Then what do you mean the atmosphere isn't good?"
"I don't know. It's like walking on thin ice."
He knew Namgung San had come here to speak with Jin Sowoon. But what reason could there be for the mood between them to be sour? Clearly, Jin Sowoon—lacking any sense of judgment—was making a mistake. At that thought, Gye Cheolyeong grew urgent.
"I said the atmosphere is bad."
"That's exactly why I need to go in. What if Sowoon messes up?"
"Wait..."
Before Saryeon could stop him, Gye Cheolyeong barged inside.
I hate the Murim Alliance. Especially the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families that form its backbone. I can't stand watching them act so entitled, committing rudeness as if it's the most natural thing, all while pretending to be paragons of justice. From the start, they and we don't exist on the same level. That's why such insolence is possible for them.
"What do you want?"
Namgung San, who had been staring silently for a long while, finally spoke after deep thought. I shook my head.
"Nothing."
"No one wants nothing. I simply don't know what you want."
"I desperately hope the academy admission token doesn't fall into the hands of a great hero like you."
There was no reason for Namgung San to use the academy admission token. He was already a Murim Alliance executive who had graduated from the Murim Academy with top honors—no, an elite among elites in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. The reason he was so fixated on it was surely because of his younger sister, Namgung Seonhwa, who needed to enter the academy this time.
With the collateral branches like Namgung Sangwon weakening the main line's power, he must feel desperate that she couldn't gain entry through the family's influence like he had. That made me hate them even more. The way they cherished their own families was utterly repulsive. Seeing them shed tears over scratches on their palms while our hearts were being torn out—it was revolting.
"Then..."
As Namgung San opened his mouth—
"Great Hero Namgung! Are you inside?!"
Gye Cheolyeong bellowed as he strode in.
"Great Hero Namgung! This Gye humbly comes to pay his respects."
"...The situation isn't great right now. Let's talk later."
"Hahaha! What's not great about it? How did things go with our Sowoon? You! You didn't make any mistakes with Great Hero Namgung, did you?"
If Gye Cheolyeong had a tail, it would have wagged so fast it blurred from view.
"Could you step out for a moment?"
"If he's not listening, just tell me. I'll give him a proper scolding..."
"Listen. Didn't I just ask you to leave?"
Namgung San's chilling gaze pierced Gye Cheolyeong, turning the man's face into that of an abandoned mutt.
"Ah, uh... yes. Th-this is something my father asked me to deliver... I'll be going now. Carry on."
Even in that moment, Gye Cheolyeong opened the box to show off the golden toad. I couldn't help but admire his persistence. What face would he make when he realized he'd been discarded by the Murim Alliance despite all that bootlicking?
"You saw it just now, didn't you? You could have spoken through Gye Cheolyeong. I'm showing you consideration here."
"You call hiding your weaknesses consideration?"
"..."
"The moment Namgung Seonhwa gets her hands on that academy admission token, she'll become a target for the entire martial world. Does the Namgung family have the capacity to protect it right now?"
"!!!"
A deep crack appeared on Namgung San's face for the first time.
"How do you..."
"Is there anything more to discuss?"
Only then did Namgung San's expression turn serious. I waited leisurely.
Gye Cheolyeong stormed out of the annex, fuming uncontrollably. Hong Saryeon, who could guess what had happened without seeing it, snorted mockingly.
"I told you not to go in."
"...Th-that damn Jin Sowoon dared to..."
"Sigh."
Unable to contain his rage, Gye Cheolyeong kicked at the stones on the ground—then jerked his head up as if struck by lightning.
"I need to see the sect leader right now."
"...What nonsense is that?"
"Something's off inside. What if Jin Sowoon offends the Namgung family and puts Tae-eul Gate in danger?"
"Does Senior Brother Jin strike you as someone that foolish?"
"This isn't the time for that!"
For some urgent reason, Gye Cheolyeong bolted toward Daehyeonjeon.
"...You knew the reason I came and even my circumstances?"
"Is that important to you, Great Hero?"
"...No. What's important is the academy admission token."
"I'll say it again: I'm not handing it over."
Namgung San shook his head with a sigh.
"How about this? Let's spar."
What on earth was Namgung San saying? Even if there was a wager, did he think I'd accept it?
"You'll stake only the academy admission token. I'll put up the Seven-Colored Treasure Pearl, this Thousand Silkworm Cloak, and..."
His hand paused midway from his bosom. Then he finally pulled out a wooden box.
"This Great Connection Divine Pill."
The Great Connection Divine Pill was an elixir passed only to the Namgung family's direct descendants, like the Ironclad Divine Pill. Its effects were similar to the Frost Plum Pill. It was precious, but not enough to sway me.
"Even if you staked the entire Namgung family, do you think I'd accept such an unfair bet?"
"It depends on the conditions."
"..."
"You've rejected my proposals several times already. Yet you stayed seated. If you really wanted to refuse, shouldn't you have left?"
"Keep talking."
"I'll only use the Heavenly Bow Unfettered Sword Art. And my internal energy... what if I limit it to three stars' worth? If you win, I'll give you the Seven-Colored Treasure Pearl, the Thousand Silkworm Cloak, and the Great Connection Divine Pill."
Namgung San's full internal energy was probably around one jiazi. That was the level of elite sect heirs, so it made sense. Three stars of a jiazi would be about twenty years. And he'd limit his techniques to the Heavenly Bow Unfettered Sword Art. He must think he'd tossed out a tempting bait.
"This bet will be our secret, right?"
My response was completely unexpected; Namgung San's eyes widened like a rabbit's.
"Even if it's secret, you and I know—so no backing out. The price for that would be blood."
My internal energy was currently at forty-five years, and recently, through the secret palace guards of the Heavenly Bow Merchant Group, I'd proven the Breaking Wave Form's effectiveness against the Heavenly Bow Unfettered Sword Art. Passing up this chance would be foolish.
"Your answer?"
"What nonsense is this?"
Jin Taesan and Hong Moon-gi couldn't comprehend Gye Cheolyeong's sudden outburst as he burst into Daehyeonjeon, spilling words like rapid-fire.
Something about Jin Sowoon offending Namgung San, potentially turning them into mortal enemies—which would harm Tae-eul Gate—so they needed to intervene quickly. But why would Jin Sowoon offend Namgung San in the first place? And why would they fight to the death? Unless Jin Sowoon was getting one-sidedly beaten, which was unlikely.
His opponent was the World-Shaking Divine Dragon, Namgung San—one of the new generation's top experts in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly. A hundred Jin Sowoons wouldn't stand a chance.
Yet Gye Cheolyeong's complaint seemed genuinely desperate.
"I tried to mediate between them. I even offered the gift my father sent. But Great Hero Namgung wouldn't even glance at it—he was glaring at Jin Sowoon like he wanted to kill him. This could turn into a disaster."
Hong Moon-gi and Jin Taesan exchanged looks, deeply troubled whether to believe him. Ignoring it risked lightning striking Tae-eul Gate if even a sliver was true. Blindly trusting it was absurd from start to finish.
"The meeting's dragged on. Let's take a walk and check it out."
"Agreed. He's a guest, after all—we should pay some attention."
With Hong Moon-gi and Jin Taesan leading, Gye Cheolyeong trailing behind, two men approached from the annex, stirring a cold wind. Just as Gye Cheolyeong said, their mood looked foul. Namgung San nodded curtly upon eye contact, while Jin Sowoon offered a polite clasped-hands bow.
Jin Taesan hurried to his son.
"Where are you headed?"
"To the training ground."
"The training ground? Why?"
"Senior Namgung wants to spar, so we're going."
Jin Taesan, Hong Moon-gi—even Gye Cheolyeong—gaped in shock.
The children practicing individually at the training ground noticed first and cleared out. Scattering to every corner of Tae-eul Gate, they spread word of the spar to friends. Division leaders and deputy leaders overheard and passed it on, until it reached the elders' hall. Soon, the entire sect gathered at the training ground.
"Whoa—"
"That's the great young master of the Namgung family, right?"
"He's the World-Shaking Divine Dragon."
"But why's he sparring with our Senior Brother Jin?"
Children's excited chatter filled the air from all sides. To them, he was a flying hero. Seeing someone they might meet once in a lifetime was thrilling and curious, naturally.
"Taesan, what's going on?"
"They're sparring. Namgung San's limiting himself to the Heavenly Bow Unfettered Sword Art and part of his internal energy."
"Why?"
"No idea."
"The kids might end up disappointed big time."
Tae-eul Gate's arts couldn't possibly withstand the Namgung family's. The wall of reality was high; children would be hit harder by the disappointment than adults.
Shing.
As Namgung San drew his sword, the noisy training ground fell silent in an instant. I followed suit, drawing mine and assuming the ready stance.
"Since there are restrictions, no need for holding back."
"Let's begin."
Before my words finished, a refreshing breeze tickled my nose. I ducked swiftly, dodging Namgung San's sword, and unleashed the Socheon Sword Technique.
Clang!
"Whoaaa!"
Used to Tae-eul Gate's plain swordplay, the children's cheers burst at the flashy Heavenly Bow Unfettered Sword Art; adults hushed them.
Clang-clang-clang.
Three exchanges in a flash. Though Socheon was faster, Namgung San's Heavenly Bow Unfettered left no openings.
"Your internal energy... you've built up quite a bit. But is that all for your sword art? It's lacking to pour energy into."
"Do you have the leisure to give advice?"
Namgung San's sword charged again. It split into three prongs, sharply targeting vitals. I swiftly unleashed the Breaking Wave Form.
Clang!
In that instant, Namgung San's eyes shook violently, his form cutting off midway.
"!!!"
Glancing briefly at his sword, he resumed. Having comprehended sword aura, a faint teal glow coated his blade. To match it, I poured energy into my Blue Steel Sword.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang!
Fragments of the Blue Steel Sword flew everywhere. Namgung San's blade was unscathed. After another dozen exchanges, his sword aiming for my waist was deflected by the Breaking Wave.
"..."
As Namgung San paused in bewilderment, I stepped forward two paces and pressed him.
Clang-clang-clang-clang.
Namgung San parried at speeds hard to follow. He blocked all the swift Socheon, but had been pushed seven steps back.
"Whoooaaa!!!"
"Waaaaah!!"
Even adults, lost in the spar, forgot to hush the kids.
"What in the world..."
Like Tae-eul Gate's elders, Namgung San wore an incredulous face. It was a form designed to exploit that art's weakness; unless he'd reinterpreted the Heavenly Bow Unfettered as his own, there was no counter.
Impressive for his age, but not there yet.
Slash.
Namgung San took the first hit to his sword. His sleeve tore and fell to the ground.
"WAAAAAAAAA---!!"
"Whoooaaaaaa------!!"
Unable to use Heavenly Bow Unfettered, Namgung San attacked with formless strikes. Even as basic swordplay, I wouldn't yield to someone not yet at peak. When he switched back, Breaking Wave. Trying to overpower with energy? Forty-five years wouldn't lose to twenty.
"...What trickery is this?!"
"Saying the same as Seong Mohyeon?"
"..."
"Can't accept your skills falling short?"
I began the Breaking Wave Form of Socheon. Momentum built, killing intent surged.
Swish, slash.
Finally, Namgung San's sword couldn't keep up. His robes tore here and there, his composure unraveling.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang—
Over twenty exchanges in a blink; he'd been pushed to the training ground's edge. I swung desperately, as if facing demons amid war. The difference: endless energy from my dantian fueled fiercer swings.
Bang! Bang!
Each clash boomed like hammer on anvil.
Bang!
Suddenly, his sword recoiled, body wide open. I slashed like beheading a demon.
BOOM!
The impact hurled me mid-air, crashing center-stage.
-------!
----------!!
The cheering arena froze like ice water poured. Namgung San's eyes shook in confusion at his own action.
"Didn't you say only Heavenly Bow Unfettered?"
The final strike was Imperial Sword Technique—Namgung's strongest, for direct descendants only. Not three stars, but likely five or more.
"W-We won!!"
"We won!"
Someone shouted; bewildered kids joined the cheers.
"Haha..."
Namgung San laughed hollowly.
"I lost."
He shook his head.
"The academy admission token is yours."
"And the Thousand Silkworm Cloak, Great Connection Divine Pill, and Seven-Colored Treasure Pearl."
Hollow laugh from Namgung San.
"Yes."
Lured by the token, I'd gained the Great Connection Divine Pill, Thousand Silkworm Cloak, and Seven-Colored Treasure Pearl. The cloak was as precious. My Blue Steel Sword was nearing end; perfect timing for Master Wang the craftsman. As I planned pleasantly for the future—
"But the spar continues."
"Pardon?"
"I should have realized when the Chief Strategist mentioned you. You're no ordinary man. This loss wasn't coincidence."
What did he want?
"Lost the bet, but I can't lose the spar. That's why I'm Namgung of the Namgung family."
Such lofty pride doesn't maintain itself. It demands constant striving.
Naturally, Namgung San swung again, ignoring energy limits, pouring more in.
"So you were hiding quite a bit of internal energy."
With superior energy, his speed surged. I unleashed Breaking Wave of Heavenly Bow Unfettered with all I had.
Shrieeek—!
BOOM!
His energy outmatched, but Breaking Wave worked. He looked shocked but swung Imperial Sword.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each Imperial swing lifted me off the ground. Heavier and sharper than my mid-weight sword from Iron Sword Sect.
'Damn.'
Jegal Cheongi's modified Jegal Three Forms countered the Demonic Cult, but not all Nine Great Sects and Five Families agreed. They feared if the cult vanished and Alliance dominated, it'd hobble them. So, vital arts like Imperial Sword weren't modified.
"Getting fun. Can't handle Imperial Sword?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Without limits, how am I to block the Namgung's secret ultimate?"
"Yet you block Heavenly Bow Unfettered too well. Know its weakness?"
"If I did, would I be on the defensive?"
Namgung San seemed unconvinced. Alternating arts to test me built crisis—my secrets might slip.
'End it quick.'
Now familiar with Imperial, I kicked off and charged.
"—!"
At my sudden momentum, he hastily withdrew Heavenly Bow for Imperial. I poured all energy into my left hand, scraping the ground.
My left trembled from the influx.
'Thrust at vital, return low-left.'
Following memorized Imperial form, I deflected desperately—then grabbed his returning blade barehanded.
Stab!
Splurt!
Namgung San's sword soaked in blood instantly. Bursting from my grip, it stained our clothes.
"...You're insane!"
Before he could pull free in panic, I pressed my sword to his throat.
Drip.
Drip.
Blood from my hand trailed down his blade to the ground.
"Continue?"
"..."
Namgung San didn't answer. His face paled in utter disbelief for the first time. Instead, young disciples roared near-fainting cheers. Even division leaders joined.
Whooooaaaaaa-----!
Whoooaaa---!!