#56. The First-Rate Warrior Who Shocked the Divine Sword (4)
A short table was placed at the head seat, large enough for about six people. Long tables extended perpendicularly to both sides of it. Whether by design or not, the direct lineage sat facing the collateral branch inside the banquet hall.
On the left, the direct descendants—Namgung Jinmyeong and his wife, along with their children Namgung San and Namgung Seonhwa—took their seats, flanked by the lords and captains of each hall. On the right sat Namgung Songju and his son Namgung Gipyo, joined by the outer hall stewards and those handling external affairs.
Me? I was seated to the left of the head table.
I'd figured I'd sit next to Namgung Seonhwa at first and headed that way, only for Namgung Jinmyeong to point to the head seat itself. I was shocked and refused several times, but he insisted I sit there anyway.
"We've prepared a modest banquet in your honor."
The moment I'd been desperately trying to avoid had come around again. Just as I was thinking I'd have to endure this awkward spot once more,
"I'm questioning whether that's truly the right decision, Young Lord."
Namgung Jinmyeong's brow furrowed slightly at Namgung Songju's words.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's true that a benefactor has graced the Namgung family. But haven't we just suffered a great loss? Five warriors dead. Do you think the family's warriors—or even the outsiders—will look kindly on holding a banquet at a time like this?"
It was just as I'd hoped—Namgung Songju trying to block the banquet—but oddly, his opposition stirred a rebellious urge in me.
"……."
Namgung Jinmyeong couldn't muster a retort to Namgung Songju. To outsiders, it might seem like near-insubordination, but the Namgung warriors barely batted an eye. The direct lineage just shot Namgung Songju less-than-friendly glances.
"Then what would you suggest?"
"I've prepared 100 nyang in the name of the Namgung family. That should more than suffice as compensation for a Tae-eul Gate disciple."
"Are you saying the lives of the Namgung family's warriors are worth a mere pittance like that?"
"No one could put a price on our warriors' lives. But compensation is always relative, isn't it?"
Namgung Jinmyeong was clearly on the back foot. This was a glimpse into the Namgung family's current reality.
Namgung Songju, lord of the Cheonggung Merchant Group, wielded enough influence to openly challenge the young lord despite being collateral branch. The reason? His merchant group managed every external business the Namgung family conducted. In short, all the money flowing in under the Namgung name passed through Cheonggung Merchant Group first.
He had the family's lifeline in a chokehold.
"……."
An uncomfortable silence blanketed the hall until the doors burst open and a massive old man strode in.
"What's all this nonsense?"
Everyone shot to their feet in greeting.
""We greet the family head!""
He was at least six cheok tall, with solid muscles, a white beard and hair wrapping his jaw and head—looking young enough to pass for middle-aged if not for that. He plopped down right next to me.
"Namgung Songju, explain yourself. What did you just say?"
The others sat, but Namgung Songju remained standing to reply.
"Just as I said. Today, the direct descendants of the Namgung family nearly met their end. In the process, five elite warriors lost their lives. Holding a banquet on such a day—how will the world see us?"
"I hear this young man played a key role in repelling that very raid today. And just a few months ago, he personally saved over 4,000 people, including our family's warriors. If we can't even host a banquet for such a valuable guest, what will the world say then?"
Namgung Songju fell silent, fixing the Cheongje Sword Immortal Namgung Taeha with a steady gaze. Remarkably, there wasn't a trace of fear in his eyes—just the bold, pitying stare of youth toward a pathetic elder.
"We'll mourn the dead with proper rites. But does that mean we cower to outsiders' opinions and neglect our guest?"
"……."
"Answer me!"
"……No, it doesn't."
"Then it's settled. Let the banquet begin."
I had no desire to receive thanks in this ice-cold atmosphere, but regardless of my wishes, the maids entered with food and drink.
"You're Jin Sowoon, right?"
"Jin Sowoon of Tae-eul Gate greets the Cheongje Sword Immortal."
"Hmm, you look more ordinary than I expected."
I couldn't tell if it was praise or an insult.
"You turned Namgung Gipyo into mincemeat, they say?"
"Ah…… I didn't know. I thought he was an intruder."
"Puhahaha! You say that even after seeing the maids' reactions? Quite the shameless brat."
He laughed heartily, slapping my shoulder—each hit making my body thrum like a drum. I glanced at Namgung Songju and Namgung Gipyo; they looked like they were eating bugs instead of food.
"Grandfather."
Namgung Seonhwa stood then.
"Something to say?"
"Yes. I'd like to give the Dae-yeonnan-dan I'm due this time to Young Master Jin Sowoon."
"!"
"!"
The hall fell abruptly silent. Caught off guard by Namgung Seonhwa's declaration, I even dropped the meat I was eating.
I'd heard Namgung descendants received one Dae-yeonnan-dan every five years. She was forfeiting hers?
"The family has already prepared a gift for him. You needn't step forward."
"No. This is separate—we owe him our lives again. Failing to repay such grace tarnishes the Namgung name."
"You'll soon face the Murim Academy entrance exam. Are you sure?"
"I won't use the Dae-yeonnan-dan as an excuse to cover my shortcomings."
"Very well. Then so be it."
Namgung Jinmyeong and his wife let out faint groans of dismay, but with the family head's decision final, no one dared object.
The banquet proceeded quietly enough. No group bows like at Cheongmyeong Escort Bureau—just occasional individuals approaching with thanks or to pour drinks.
As it wound down, the Cheongje Sword Immortal spoke.
"Come see me later."
This was why I'd come—to meet him.
"Understood."
"Don't rush off. Others still want to talk with you. I'll step out first."
He left ahead, and only much later could I finally rise.
"Disciple of Tae-eul Gate. A moment?"
On my way to the family head's private training ground, Namgung Songju called me aside.
"What is it?"
He enveloped us in qi to block sound instead of answering. Namgung San and Seonhwa frowned but didn't intervene.
"You may not realize, but you don't sit well with me."
"For what reason?"
"No need for you to know why. Just know this: even without the direct lineage's power, the collateral branch alone could wipe Tae-eul Gate from Anhui Province."
"……Is this about Gu-eom Mountain?"
Namgung Songju's eyes widened. A smile finally crept onto his lips.
"They said you were sharp. Not just talk."
"Not even afraid of the Cheongje Sword Immortal?"
"……I fear him. But not enough to halt great plans. See? Despite Gu-eom Mountain, I still walk freely."
"……."
"You think it's just that incident, but for me, you've committed far more offenses."
"……."
"Remember this: the moment I decide, Tae-eul Gate vanishes from Anhui."
He dropped the barrier and left. Namgung San and Seonhwa approached, faces grave.
"What did he say?"
They were convinced it was something serious. I shook my head to reassure them.
"Nothing important. Let's go—the family head is waiting."
"……."
Dae-yeonnjeon. The family head's residence, deepest and highest in the Namgung estate. The front courtyard bloomed with vibrant flowers of every color. Behind the quarters lay a training ground the size of Tae-eul Gate's own, reserved for the family head alone.
There stood the Cheongje Sword Immortal, stroking his goatee while gazing toward Hwang Mountain's peak.
"Family head, we're here."
"The banquet wasn't comfortable, was it?"
His dignified air gone, he looked like a mischievous old man.
"Not at all. The food was delicious, the hospitality perfect—I'm quite satisfied."
"But I hear……."
"……."
"You stole our San-i's divine pill?"
"!!!"
The Cheongje Sword Immortal struck without warning. Namgung San jumped in immediately.
"I'm wronged, Grandfather! It feels like you blinded me and cut off my nose."
I shot Namgung San a look like I'd been clubbed over the head.
"What the……."
"Do you know the Seven-Colored Jewel you took was one of my most treasured possessions?"
"Uh……."
The heavens rumbled. Knowing my father's temperament, he'd have sold off a useless gem long ago. No way to return it now.
'Why the hell did his grandson use the Cheongje Sword Immortal's treasure as a bet without permission!'
No solution in sight. Time to play shameless.
"It was a fair duel with Senior Brother Namgung San. If you're to scold someone…… not me, but your grandson who wagered your treasure without leave."
"Pft!"
"Kkhkhkh."
Namgung San and Seonhwa giggled; the Cheongje Sword Immortal wore a faint smile.
"You're quite entertaining. No wonder you grabbed the sword barehanded—your nerve is impressive."
Just teasing? Feeling deflated, I shook my head.
"……!"
At the same instant, formless qi tried to invade my body.
'What the—!'
This pressure was leagues beyond anything before. If my father Jin Taesan's was a stream, the Cheongje Sword Immortal's was the Yellow River—a massive current binding my entire body.
I swiftly retreated two steps and circulated the Tae-eul True Scripture.
"?"
"?"
Namgung San and Seonhwa clueless. The Cheongje Sword Immortal withdrew the pressure with a chuckle.
"Fascinating. So that's why a mere youth shakes the jianghu."
"What do you mean, Grandfather?"
Namgung Seonhwa asked, but he shook his head.
"Heh, no need for you to know. You'd regret your choices if you did."
He turned to me.
"They say you've mastered something intriguing on your own?"
Glancing at Namgung San, he meant the crushing form.
"……I don't know what you're referring to."
"I see. San-i, fetch my sword. Seonhwa, you head down."
"I want to watch more, Grandfather."
"I'll send San-i down too. I need to speak with this boy alone."
"……Yes."
Namgung Seonhwa pouted, glancing back at me repeatedly as she left.
Once they were gone, he asked again.
"San-i told me you know the Cheonggung Muae Sword Method's weaknesses inside out?"
My hunch was right. And he was quite convinced.
I played dumb.
"How could someone like me know the weaknesses of such a profound and wondrous sword art? Senior Brother must have exaggerated."
"Namgung Gipyo may be dimmer than San-i, but he's no pushover to be crushed in a single form by a fresh twenty-year-old."
Just then, Namgung San emerged from Dae-yeonnjeon with the sword. The Immortal extended his hand from afar; the blade flew from San's grip like iron to a magnet, landing in his palm.
"Tell me—what price for showing me your sword?"
"Why pay for something that doesn't exist? It's quite the dilemma."
His friendly gaze chilled. The overwhelming pressure from a lifetime ruler was as hard to bear as killing intent.
"I despise lies."
Feeling my life hang by a thread, I still couldn't speak easily.
The Namgung foundation was the Cheonggung Muae Sword Method. Since the founder, it had reigned as the family's ultimate art for generations. Even after the Emperor's Sword Method appeared, its prestige endured.
Knowing its crushing form meant holding the family's roots in your grasp.
"Name your price, however high. You sense my urgency—you'd demand the world. I permit it."
I knew why the Cheongje Sword Immortal coveted the crushing form. The collateral branch trained in Cheonggung Muae too. With them running wild, it was the perfect trump card to rein them in.
"Even if I did know—would my life be safe? Or Tae-eul Gate's, for that matter?"
Why the regressed me never revealed crushing forms: they were a death sentence for me and my sect.
Any sect would eradicate knowledge of their signature art's weakness.
"!!!"
The Immortal retracted his aura like struck by lightning.
"If every reward ends in death, what's the point?"
He stared at me blankly, like a wind-battered elder.
"……Fine. So no crushing form for you?"
"That's right."
"Then what's your price for it?"
"Are you so desperate to buy what doesn't exist?"
"If it's in hell, I'll go there and buy it. Once the Cheongje Sword Immortal resolves himself, you'll hand it over. I planned to anyway—hoping the Namgung family stays intact until the Upright-Righteous Great War."
So, what was the highest price I could extract now?
"Anything at all?"
"Name it."
If anything goes—what I wanted from the Namgung family was one thing.
"Give me the Cheonggung Merchant Group."
"……What?!"
The Cheongje Sword Immortal's jaw dropped wide. The first time I'd seen him flustered.