Chapter 134: New Hall (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 134: New Hall (1)
If the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult had the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards and the Four Great Battle Groups as its representative martial forces, then the Azure Heaven Association had its Ten Halls.
The Ink Fragrance Department’s plan was to expand those Ten Halls into eleven.
Establishing a new martial force to represent a major faction was no light matter. A single misstep could tarnish the martial renown and prestige they had built up over the years. It was an issue that demanded the utmost caution.
Namgung Jun, lost in thought for a moment, spoke slowly.
"An eleventh hall?"
"Indeed. We are establishing a new one."
"Is this feasible with the Azure Heaven Association's current strength?"
"It is not impossible. There will be minor issues at first, but we can certainly handle them."
Yun Gyeong-jong’s gaze swept over the Hall Masters of the Ten Halls before finally settling on Namgung Jun.
"The Ink Fragrance Department has been considering the creation of a new hall for a long time. The biggest reason we couldn't act until now was the lack of someone suitable to lead it as Hall Master."
"And my promotion has changed things," Namgung Jun stated.
"You might wish to remain in the Heavenly Sword Hall. However, having two Fourth Clouds in a single hall is far too inefficient."
Namgung Jun agreed. The moment his promotion to the Fourth Cloud was confirmed, he had expected to leave the Heavenly Sword Hall in some capacity to take on a new role. It was only natural.
At first glance, one might think it simply bolstered the Heavenly Sword Hall's strength, but in terms of overall strategic deployment, keeping two Fourth Clouds there was an excessive allocation of resources. Even if he were to operate independently on solo missions, the martial prowess of a supreme expert would be an immense help.
If he were in the Ink Lord's position, he would have made the exact same choice.
"I understand completely."
"Thank you for your understanding."
At Namgung Jun's confident reply, Yun Gyeong-jong gestured to Kang Mong, who then continued his explanation.
"The new hall we are establishing will differ from the existing Ten Halls."
"In what way?"
"The Ten Halls represent the elite of the Azure Heaven Association. We plan to select the most outstanding talents from within those Ten Halls to form this new hall. In other words, they will be the elite of the elite—the absolute finest."
"But simply gathering talented individuals in one place doesn't automatically make them the elite of the elite, does it?"
As if he had been waiting for this question, Kang Mong offered a faint smile.
"That is why the role of the new Hall Master is so crucial. Your job will be to instruct and nurture these selected talents, transforming them into the ultimate elite force."
"Hmm..."
"No one is ignorant of the massive contribution Young Master Namgung made to the growth of the Heavenly Sword Hall. The Ink Fragrance Department took into account not only your personal martial prowess but also your ability to teach."
"The elite of the elite..." Namgung Jun murmured quietly.
Kang Mong continued, "Ultimately, our goal is to build a force capable of handling some of the Fifth Cloud missions currently undertaken by the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord, and to clash head-on with the absolute elite of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult."
The absolute elite of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
While the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards and the Four Great Battle Groups frequently flaunted the Demonic Cult's might in the Jianghu, they were not its strongest forces. There was the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit, the Cult Leader's personal guard, and the Guardian Pavilion, led by the Grand Envoy of Radiance and the Left and Right Envoys.
In other words, the true purpose of this new hall is to counter the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit and the Guardian Pavilion.
Namgung Jun turned his gaze to Yun Gyeong-jong. "I see. This isn't just a simple reinforcement of our forces."
"Indeed. It is a necessary step if we are to bring down the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult."
From the perspective of the Ink Fragrance Department, this was akin to placing a major piece on the board for the grand game ahead.
"How will the members of the new hall be selected?"
"As the future Hall Master, you will be granted personnel authority. The Third Clouds, who will form the foundation of your strength, will be drafted from each of the existing halls. The remaining recruits will undergo a separate selection process."
Namgung Jun glanced at the other Hall Masters attending the council. Since the Third Clouds were the core strength of each hall, they were unlikely to view this draft favorably.
Noticing his look, Crushing Hall Master Kang Gok spoke first. "Although the Association Leader and the Sword Lord have agreed to this, there would have been a backlash if the Hall Masters didn't trust you. Normally, you might have had to duel each of us with the draft of our Third Clouds on the line."
Iron Tower Hall Master Dan Jung-se, who was flexing his arm muscles while seated, chimed in quietly. "Seeing your talent and your actions, the Hall Masters have decided to trust you. Even those currently deployed outside have already given their consent. No one in the Azure Heaven Association doubts your abilities. There is no need to worry."
Listening to them, Resounding Voice Hall Master Ho Yun-seong burst into a hearty laugh. "Those two are just trying to sound cool! We also made this decision knowing that if your new hall succeeds, it will make things much easier for the rest of us. So don't feel too burdened. Haha!"
One by one, the gathered Hall Masters offered words of encouragement, showing their trust in Namgung Jun.
Watching this, Yun Gyeong-jong stroked his beard and smiled. "The Hall Masters clash with one another quite often. Seeing them unite like this to support a single person is a first for me." He then looked at Namgung Jun. "What do you say? Will you build this new hall?"
"Since everyone in the Azure Heaven Association has placed their faith in me, I will be sure to repay that trust."
With that, the creation of the Azure Heaven Association's new hall was officially decided.
* * *
Upon returning to his quarters, Namgung Jun began to ponder the identity and character of the new hall.
The Third Clouds, who will form its backbone, must be drafted from the Ten Halls.
If they were fresh recruits, introducing a new martial art would be simple. But these were Third Clouds—masters who had delved deeply into the unique martial arts of their respective halls. Even if they changed affiliations, forcing them to blindly learn an entirely new style was out of the question. A single mistake could degrade their combat capabilities instead of enhancing them.
Not only do they wield different weapons, but their specialties and temperaments are all completely different.
Of course, intense group training could make them move as one, but there were clear limits. Since their martial arts and weapons varied so widely, he doubted how effective any new joint attack formation he created would be. To go beyond mere coordination and achieve true unity—unleashing a martial prowess that far exceeded their numbers—they needed a new common thread to bind them together.
In the end, we need a martial art that can unite the Clouds gathered from each hall.
Having reached a conclusion, Namgung Jun immediately visited the Self-Reflection Martial Repository.
"It has been a while. Ah, and congratulations on your promotion to the Fourth Cloud."
"I have been too busy with missions to visit lately."
"I imagine so. My heart leaped every time I heard news of your ceaseless exploits," the archivist of the Self-Reflection Martial Repository, Muk Sim-jung, said with a warm smile.
Muk Sim-jung still vividly remembered the day Namgung Jun had first visited the repository and demonstrated the Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders. The boy from back then had already risen to the rank of Fourth Cloud, shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the Azure Heaven Association. Having witnessed his very beginning, Muk Sim-jung could not help but feel deeply moved.
"Are the unique martial arts of the Ten Halls also kept here in the Self-Reflection Martial Repository?"
"Of course." Rising from his seat, Muk Sim-jung personally guided him. "It is here."
The unique martial arts of the Ten Halls were gathered on a single bookshelf. As Namgung Jun examined the secret manuals, he discovered several with unfamiliar names.
"What are these?"
"Some are ancient martial arts of the Ten Halls, and others belong to halls that no longer exist. You can think of this bookshelf as containing all martial arts related to the Ten Halls."
"Thank you."
Once Muk Sim-jung withdrew, Namgung Jun stood before the bookshelf and began reading through the manuals one by one. The unique martial arts of the Ten Halls were generally easy to learn initially yet possessed high ceilings. They were by no means inferior to the superior arts of any major sect.
This only deepened his dilemma.
It must be a martial art that is easy to pick up, regardless of which of the Ten Halls' techniques they've mastered. And it must be easy to use to bind them into a single cohesive group.
As he pondered, a faint spark of inspiration flickered in his mind. The Battle-Wandering Formula of the Wandering Battle Venerable, which had transformed innate senses into a martial art. The Harmonious Music-Reflection Dance of the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord, which had granted him the insight of Boundless at a Glance.
Clinging to this hazy inspiration, Namgung Jun delved deeper into the unique arts of the Ten Halls. As he read through the manuals in order, he suddenly noticed something strange.
The martial arts of the Ten Halls are all distinct. Yet, occasionally, I see similar principles and insights.
Normally, he might not have noticed. But now, having analyzed the manuals one after another, the connection was clear. Puzzled, Namgung Jun immediately sought out Muk Sim-jung.
Fortunately, Muk Sim-jung had a clear answer.
"Young Master Namgung, you have seen through it perfectly. Originally, the unique martial arts of the Ten Halls all branched out from a single source."
"What is that source?"
Muk Sim-jung searched the bottom of the bookshelf and pulled out a single, worn manual.
"It is this."
As Namgung Jun took the manual, his eyes narrowed slightly. The handwriting on the cover, which read Azure Firmament Martial Canon, was incredibly familiar.
It was the handwriting of Hahu Ryeong, who had entrusted him with the final mission of Namcheon Palace.
Azure Firmament (蒼旻) meant the autumn sky. In Namcheon Palace, they often compared the exceptionally high and clear autumn sky to chivalry. Even when Namcheon Palace was exterminated, that same autumn sky had looked down upon them from on high. What must have been in Hahu Ryeong's heart as she penned this manual under the name of the Azure Firmament?
"This manual is..."
"The Azure Firmament Martial Canon. In her later years, the first leader of the Azure Heaven Association compiled the association's martial arts into a single volume," Muk Sim-jung explained, his eyes on the manual. "It is said that in the early days, all of the Ten Halls practiced the Azure Firmament Martial Canon. Over time, the martial arts evolved into different forms according to the unique characteristics of each hall."
"So that is how the unique martial arts of the Ten Halls came to be."
"Indeed. The Azure Firmament Martial Canon is essentially the root of them all."
Namgung Jun gently stroked the cover of the manual.
Hahu Ryeong. So your traces remain here, too.
He sat down right there and began to examine the Azure Firmament Martial Canon. Though he could have skimmed its contents in an instant, he did not. He savored every stroke of Hahu Ryeong's handwriting, his eyes filled with deep affection and reverence.
Only when deep night had fallen did Namgung Jun finally close the manual.
Hahu Ryeong. You are showing me the way.
Through the Azure Firmament Martial Canon, Namgung Jun had found a new path.
* * *
The Elders' Council was a place where the Clouds who had long roamed the Jianghu performing chivalrous deeds went to retire. They were the hidden pillars who would reveal themselves and lend their strength whenever the Azure Heaven Association faced a crisis.
Normally, they dedicated themselves to analyzing the martial arts of the Azure Heaven Association, as well as those of the Demonic and Heretical Paths, focusing their efforts on nurturing the next generation. Elders with a talent for teaching would travel not only within the headquarters but also to various branches across the Jianghu to instruct their juniors. They imparted everything—not just martial arts, but the wisdom gained from weathering the storms of the Jianghu and the essence of living as a chivalrous hero.
Because of this, the doors of the Elders' Council were always wide open.
For the first time, Namgung Jun set foot inside.
"Hmm?"
"Is that not the Azure Star Sword?"
"What brings him here? I believe this is the first time we've seen him at the Elders' Council."
Since it was his first visit, the elders watched Namgung Jun with curious eyes.
Perhaps sensing his presence from afar, Man Hun, the Head of the Elders' Council, appeared with a relaxed smile.
"It has been a while."
"Greetings, Head of the Elders' Council."
The smile Man Hun wore as he gazed at Namgung Jun was warm and gentle. He felt nothing but pride seeing the young man live up to every expectation, forging himself into the divine sword of the Azure Heaven Association.
"What brings you here?"
"I have come because I need the assistance of the Elders' Council."
"Assistance? This is your very first request, which makes me all the more curious."
Namgung Jun held out a secret manual.
"Please help me complete this."
Man Hun's eyes locked onto the manual Namgung Jun had presented.