Chapter 133: Four Clouds (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 133: Four Clouds (2)
Leaving the politely bowing scholar behind, the boy walked on alone.
Finally, Namgung Jun stepped into the Great Training Ground.
Step.
The moment his right foot touched the stone floor, the gazes of the countless people waiting there snapped toward him.
A myriad of eyes, filled with a wide array of emotions, locked onto him.
Namgung Jun raised his head, calmly looking back at those who had gathered to welcome him.
The first to catch his eye were the martial artists of the Sword Fragrance Department. Of course, not all of the Ten Halls were present. Even now, a significant number of Clouds were away on missions. Only those currently resting at the main castle and awaiting their next assignments had gathered.
In addition, the scholars of the Ink Fragrance Department and the elders of the Elders' Council were present. Even the servants, chefs, blacksmiths, and physicians—all those who supported the Clouds of the Azure Heaven Association so they could focus solely on their training and their journeys through the Jianghu—were in attendance.
I can feel the warmth.
Namgung Jun felt a palpable heat radiating from the gazes fixed upon him. It was a warmth born from the vibrant mix of expectation and respect shining in their eyes. It felt as though the very air in the Great Training Ground had grown warmer.
As Namgung Jun walked down the path that cut through the center of the grounds, the people gathered on both sides offered their respects in their own ways. Some bowed politely, while others clasped their hands in a martial salute. One woman even drew her blade to perform a sword salute.
"May martial fortune grace the young swordsman's path."
"May the newly appointed Fourth Cloud soar endlessly."
"The Azure Heaven has forged a new masterwork sword at last."
Some cheered for his future, while others praised his past achievements. Though their words differed, every voice carried goodwill for Namgung Jun.
This was only the beginning.
The musicians of the Resounding Voice Hall, stationed at the edge of the Great Training Ground, placed their hands on their instruments. A grand melody infused with internal energy began to fill the air.
Then, as Namgung Jun walked, white flower petals rained down upon him amidst the bright laughter of the crowd. From behind, blue sky lanterns shaped like clouds floated gently into the air.
Whoosh!
Several Clouds released waves of qi or gently unleashed their Palm Force. Propelled by this energy, the lanterns and petals danced and scattered, filling the sky above.
As the lanterns floated higher, the four largest among the twenty-odd lanterns began to stand out. It looked as though the clouds in the sky, both large and small, had descended to a very low altitude. Tiny clouds hovered around four massive ones.
It represented the Fourth Cloud.
Soon, a path of white and blue light guided the young swordsman forward. As Namgung Jun walked with his back straight, familiar faces occasionally entered his field of vision.
"Brother Namgung. You march forward as steadfastly as ever."
"Congratulations, Namgung Jun!"
"To think you'd surpass us so quickly. Your growth is faster than the Flying Swiftness Hall's own Lightness Movement Art."
Baekri Cheong, along with Jang Mun-hyeok of the Iron Tower Hall—whom he had faced in the competition—and Samyeop of the Flying Swiftness Hall, all offered their greetings with bright smiles.
"Young Hero Namgung! You look magnificent!"
"At this rate, you might reach the same rank as your grandfather soon!"
"Senior Namgung, I'll work hard to get promoted quickly too."
Starting with Gong Jun-am, who nodded silently, his colleagues from the Heavenly Sword Hall also waved and offered their congratulations.
It was as he was crossing the Great Training Ground amidst everyone's cheers that it happened.
"Huh?"
"It's snow. Is it the first snow of the year?"
Several Clouds looked up at the sky. From high above, pure white snowflakes began to flutter down one by one. The pure white snow joined the white flower petals and blue lanterns.
"What a beautiful sight."
"It doesn't seem cold enough for snow yet. It feels as if the heavens themselves are celebrating today's ceremony."
Accompanied by the silently falling snow, Namgung Jun continued forward.
At the end of the path, which was gradually turning white, stood a platform. Unlike usual, it had been built up quite high. He had to climb eighteen steps to reach the top. It seemed to have been specially prepared for today's ceremony.
As he slowly climbed the steps, the high-ranking members of the Azure Heaven Association came into view: the pavilion masters of the Ink Fragrance Department and the hall masters of the Sword Fragrance Department.
Among them was Lee Se-ha.
Meeting Namgung Jun's gaze, Lee Se-ha gave a slight nod. Answering with his eyes, Namgung Jun turned his head.
At the center of the platform sat Hahu Seon, the Azure Heaven Association Leader, flanked by Ink Lord Yun Gyeong-jong and Head of the Elders' Council Man Hun.
"I greet the Azure Heaven Association Leader."
As Namgung Jun bowed politely, Hahu Seon nodded and spoke.
"Third Cloud Namgung Jun."
"Yes."
"The Four Clouds of the Azure Heaven, alongside the Heaven-Reliant Sword, are the treasured blades that symbolize the martial might of our association." Hahu Seon took a step closer. "Your sword has been tempered by chivalry and its blade sharpened by responsibility. Are you prepared to aim this forged treasure toward the Jianghu?"
"Yes."
His unwavering eyes gleamed with a brilliant flash of lightning. Meeting Namgung Jun's intense gaze, Hahu Seon nodded silently.
Next, Ink Lord Yun Gyeong-jong spoke. "I hereby declare that Third Cloud Namgung Jun has met the qualifications for promotion to the Fourth Cloud."
Yun Gyeong-jong explained the method Namgung Jun had chosen for his promotion and briefly detailed his mission in Fierce Battle Valley.
"He defeated the Tide-Piercing Sword, the head disciple of the Wandering Battle Venerable, in thirty-four exchanges. He then engaged in a duel with the Wandering Battle Venerable himself and won his recognition, thereby easing the burden of the duel covenant borne by the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord. Thus, he is more than capable of bearing the weight of the four clouds!"
Yun Gyeong-jong's voice, infused with internal energy, reverberated throughout the Great Training Ground. The eyes of the Clouds listening to the details of the promotion mission widened. Only the news of his promotion had spread; the Ink Fragrance Department had kept the specifics under wraps until now.
Namgung Jun was already recognized as the Righteous Path's Number One Rising Star. But hearing the details of this mission made them marvel at him all over again.
"I knew he had already achieved the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown and accumulated brilliant achievements, making him more than qualified for the promotion..."
"But to trade blows with one of the Five Great Masters under Heaven and win his recognition? He is far too outstanding to be considered a newly promoted Fourth Cloud."
"I look forward to his future. Now he will truly gallop across the entire Jianghu as his stage."
"Another Fourth Cloud... and a remarkably young one at that. How reassuring."
The Clouds in the Great Training Ground all raised their heads to look up at Namgung Jun's back. Their eyes, filled with admiration, shone like starlight in the middle of the day.
Although Hahu Seon could not look into each of their sparkling eyes, he could feel the shift in the atmosphere with his entire body.
"I hope that one day, you will become the boundless sky that can embrace all the starlight gathered here," Hahu Seon said with a smile, his voice calm. "I bestow the robe of the Fourth Cloud upon Third Cloud Namgung Jun."
Hahu Seon personally took the robe handed to him by Yun Gyeong-jong and draped it over Namgung Jun's shoulders. The robe itself was undoubtedly light, yet the moment it settled on his shoulders, a profound weight seemed to press down on them.
"I will uphold the responsibilities and duties of the Fourth Cloud."
"Maintain your righteous heart and spirit for a long time, and let chivalry fill the world."
Righteous Spirit for a Thousand Autumns. Expansive Chivalric Righteousness.
Hahu Seon bestowed the Fourth Cloud robe along with the core values championed by the Azure Heaven Association.
With the robe draped over his shoulders, Namgung Jun slowly turned around. He swept his gaze across the Clouds gathered below the platform.
A massive, unified roar erupted as the Clouds offered their respects in unison.
"We greet the newly appointed Fourth Cloud!"
Namgung Jun responded with a neat clasp of his hands.
The seventeen-year-old boy had taken the four clouds upon his shoulders. And so, he became an eighteen-year-old man.
It was winter, and the first snow was falling.
* * *
The Grand Conference Room of the Ink Fragrance Department.
The high-ranking members present in the main castle began to take their seats one by one.
"Oh."
"He's here."
Their attention focused on the new face entering the meeting. It was Namgung Jun, who had earned the right to attend by being promoted to the Fourth Cloud.
Entering the conference room alongside Lee Se-ha, Namgung Jun bowed politely.
"I greet my seniors."
"Welcome."
"It's certainly novel, seeing you here."
The high-ranking members returned the gesture, welcoming Namgung Jun. Though he was young, they showed him the respect due to someone of the same rank.
"You've arrived." Crushing Hall Master Kang Gok was the first to acknowledge him as Namgung Jun took a seat beside him. "I couldn't congratulate you properly during the ceremony. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Hall Master."
Kang Gok stared at Namgung Jun for a moment before turning his head. "Do you remember when we first clashed?"
"Of course. How could I forget?"
"You had already proven yourself enough back then, but now you have reached the rank of the Fourth Cloud. It seems my judgment was a gross miscalculation." Kang Gok bowed his head. "I am sorry."
"Please do not apologize. Your concerns were entirely reasonable, Hall Master."
Watching the two men with curious eyes, Resounding Voice Hall Master Ho Yun-seong burst into a hearty laugh.
"Bwahaha! Crushing Hall Master, did you actually trade blows with a kid? You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"I am well aware, so lower your voice. You're being noisy."
"Hehehe."
Even though he tried to suppress his laughter, the chuckles escaping Ho Yun-seong's lips were still incredibly loud. Still chuckling, he turned his head toward Lee Se-ha.
"Did the Heavenly Sword Hall Master not know about this?"
"Hmph. Of course I knew. I secretly paid him a visit later and gave him a piece of my mind on Jun's behalf."
"Indeed. With the Heavenly Sword Hall Master's personality, there was no way you'd let it slide. It's a shame I missed such an entertaining spectacle."
Only after Ho Yun-seong's laughter subsided did Yun Gyeong-jong and Kang Mong enter. Scanning the faces gathered in the conference room, Yun Gyeong-jong nodded.
"Let us begin the meeting."
Standing behind Yun Gyeong-jong, Kang Mong began his report. Reports followed regarding the status of the branches located throughout the Jianghu, the movements of the Ten Halls currently deployed on missions, and the general state of the Jianghu connected to them.
"According to the report from the Divine Mechanism Hall, we have clashed with the Iron Battle Camp twice during our search for the Long-Stream Cult's hidden cave. Since the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron Battle Camp are also continuing their search, further clashes seem unavoidable."
Namgung Jun recalled his mission to support the Le'an Branch. Thanks to its success, the Azure Heaven Association had obtained clues regarding the location of the Long-Stream Cult's hidden cave.
"Are we currently searching for the hidden cave based on the information obtained by the Le'an Branch?"
At Namgung Jun's question, Kang Mong nodded. "That is correct. Of course, since it wasn't a complete map but merely a few fragments, it has taken quite some time. However, it appears that the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the Iron Battle Camp have also obtained other fragments of the map."
"So it is a matter of who finds it first."
"Looking at the progress, it seems it will take some time. We've received reports of numerous decoy caves set up as traps. The Divine Mechanism Hall Master estimates it will take at least three more months."
Ho Yun-seong scratched his throat. "We might need to send reinforcements soon. If it's the Iron Battle Camp, it might be easier for us to handle them."
"The Resounding Voice Hall will likely have to set out on a mission soon."
"Hmph! Those Iron Battle Camp bastards are best suppressed from afar with our sound arts. What a pity."
Yun Gyeong-jong shook his head. "The situation hasn't fully developed yet, so we should observe a bit longer. Let us move on to the next agenda item."
Kang Mong nodded. "The next agenda item concerns the newly appointed Fourth Cloud."
Namgung Jun looked at Yun Gyeong-jong and Kang Mong.
Yun Gyeong-jong looked straight at Namgung Jun and spoke. "The Azure Heaven Association wishes to establish a new hall."
"Do you mean an eleventh hall?"
Yun Gyeong-jong nodded. "And naturally, you shall be the Hall Master of this new hall."
The gazes of all the high-ranking members focused on Namgung Jun.