Chapter 165: Southern Heaven (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 165: Southern Heaven (1)
Lee Se-ha tilted her head, puzzled by the strange reaction of the Clouds at the gate.
"What is it? Did something happen?"
Namgung Jun remained silent, but a flicker of curiosity showed in his eyes.
Only after seeing the two Hall Masters' reactions did the guards shake their heads.
"No, it's nothing like that. Please, go on in."
"Making such a fuss," Namgung Jun muttered.
He and his party passed through the castle gates and entered the main fortress.
With two halls returning at once, their procession was quite long. This naturally drew the eyes of the other Clouds along the grand avenue that cut through the heart of the main fortress.
"Oh? It's the Azure Firmament Hall Master."
"The Azure Firmament Hall has finally returned?!"
"The Heavenly Sword Hall looks unharmed, too. So the rumors were true."
Normally, the Clouds would have offered a polite bow and continued on their way, but today was different.
They stopped in their tracks, staring intently at Namgung Jun's group. It wasn't just a few of them. Soon, nearly every Cloud in the vicinity had stopped to watch the procession pass.
Drawn by the commotion, more Clouds began to emerge. In an instant, a massive crowd had gathered along the grand avenue.
"What's going on?"
"Why is everyone staring at us?"
"This has never happened before."
The members of the Heavenly Sword Hall, whispering among themselves, soon realized that the crowd's gaze was locked on a single point.
They were all staring at the Azure Firmament Hall—or more specifically, at Namgung Jun.
"Aha. So that's what this is about."
Lee Se-ha, who had been walking beside Namgung Jun, nimbly stepped back. Sensing the mood, she tactfully cleared the way, wanting Namgung Jun to receive the full, undivided attention of the Clouds.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jun also noticed the intense gazes focused on him.
"Everyone is acting strange."
"News that we crushed the Fourth Battle Unit must have spread," Heo Il whispered, keeping pace beside him as always. "The association has suffered greatly at the hands of the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards, especially the Four Great Battle Groups. We didn't just repel the Fourth Battle Unit—we nearly annihilated them. A reaction like this is only natural."
Looking around, Baekri Cheong smiled and added, "Standard protocol dictates that three halls must be mobilized to face a single Battle Unit. Only then can we fight on equal footing. Yet, we did it with just two halls, and we even joined mid-battle to launch a counteroffensive. It's no wonder the other Clouds are so inspired."
Heo Il and Baekri Cheong's assumptions were spot on.
Several Clouds who made eye contact with Namgung Jun clasped their hands in a respectful salute, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Hall Master Namgung! Thank you for your hard work!"
"Three years ago, our seniors fell to the demonic practitioners of the Fourth Battle Unit… Thank you so much. You've truly lifted a weight from our hearts!"
"The Azure Firmament Hall's performance was spectacular. With this, they can truly claim to be the absolute elite of the main fortress."
The Clouds who had gathered to see Namgung Jun and the Azure Firmament Hall vied to show their respect, while those in the back cheered at the top of their lungs.
"I've never received a welcome like this since joining the association."
"Well, we did achieve something monumental."
Jang Mun-hyeok clenched his fists, his muscles flexing, while Samyeop walked with a breezy stride, fingers laced behind his head.
This is truly wonderful. My little brother has become a pillar of the Azure Heaven Association.
Watching the crowd's reaction, Baekri Cheong gazed at Namgung Jun's back as he walked at the head of the procession. Before he knew it, his younger brother's back had become that of a sturdy, dependable man.
Although Baekri Cheong had spoken formally to Namgung Jun ever since he became a Fourth Cloud, in private, they still called each other "brother" and were as close as true siblings.
The sight of his brother forging ahead with such steady resolve was so reassuring that Baekri Cheong felt he could make great strides himself just by following in his footsteps.
The reconstruction of the fallen Baekri Clan.
It was a distant, almost impossible goal. He couldn't even fathom if dedicating his entire life to it would be enough. As the sole survivor, he had naturally made it his life's mission, but the crushing weight of that duty was sometimes too much to bear.
There were times I wanted to let go of everything and just drift along with the wind.
Yet, every time those thoughts crept in, the one who anchored Baekri Cheong's heart was none other than Namgung Jun—the one who so often reminded him of his own deceased younger brother.
Watching his sworn brother march forward righteously without hesitation both motivated and comforted him.
My brother's path has begun to influence not just me, but all the Clouds of the Azure Heaven Association. What an incredibly inspiring sight.
Baekri Cheong fingered the cherished weapon at his waist—the heirloom of the Baekri Clan. Now on the verge of achieving the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, he was more determined than ever to break through his bottleneck and become a greater help to Namgung Jun. Seeing the enthusiastic response from the other Clouds only intensified that desire.
This foolish older brother will do his utmost to keep up with you.
As Baekri Cheong smiled warmly to himself, the other members of the Azure Firmament Hall also squared their shoulders with pride.
"How many heads did you pierce this time, Cheong-jong?!"
"Senior Sa Yeon-u! You have to tell me later what kind of tune you played for those Fourth Battle Unit bastards!"
"San! I trust you gave the Fourth Battle Unit a proper taste of the Jegal Clan's formations?"
Among the Clouds congratulating the Azure Firmament Hall were former comrades who had shared life-and-death struggles with them in their previous halls. Meeting the proud gazes of their old comrades, the members of the Azure Firmament Hall replied with beaming faces or waved back warmly.
"Hmm."
Walking slowly and accepting the greetings, Namgung Jun raised his gaze slightly. He sensed a presence rapidly approaching. It was still far, but the speed at which it closed the distance was extraordinary.
Boom!
With a sharp, resounding boom, a figure tore through the air. It was Go Woo-shin, the Hall Master of the Flying Swiftness Hall.
Go Woo-shin landed gracefully after a light mid-air somersault, his face brightening as he spotted Namgung Jun.
"Hall Master Namgung!"
"Senior Go. It has been a while."
After acknowledging Lee Se-ha with a nod, Go Woo-shin turned his attention back to Namgung Jun.
"I heard the news. You completely annihilated the Fourth Battle Unit."
"The Azure Firmament Hall and the Heavenly Sword Hall did the work, not I alone."
"It is truly remarkable. Rendering one of the Four Great Battle Groups combat-ineffective is a monumental achievement."
Nodding, Go Woo-shin spoke again, his voice turning a fraction more serious. "And I also heard you slew the Dragon Army Guard Leader in Sichuan Province."
"I did, though it was a joint effort with Senior Sword Demon."
"I came to express my gratitude. I held a personal grudge against the Dragon Army Guard Leader."
Namgung Jun let out a soft exclamation of surprise. "I see. I was unaware."
"It happened before you joined the Azure Heaven Association, so there was no way for you to know."
"What kind of grudge was it?"
"The previous Flying Swiftness Hall Master lost his life to the Dragon Army Guard Leader."
Letting out a soft sigh, Go Woo-shin offered a respectful bow. "Thank you, truly. You have lifted a massive burden from my chest."
"Please, think nothing of it. I am glad I could be of help."
"I will procure some fine liquor to treat you next time. You must be exhausted from your travels, so I won't keep you."
Go Woo-shin glanced at Samyeop, who was standing among the Azure Firmament Hall members, gave a brief nod, and vanished in the blink of an eye, just as he had arrived. His movement technique, executed through a Void-Wave Flooded Body Art that had reached the peak of mastery, was truly spectacular.
Watching him go, Lee Se-ha nudged Namgung Jun's arm. "Your influence grows by the day, Jun."
"That's not a bad thing. If the Azure Firmament Hall is to be the absolute elite, then I must become the strongest Hall Master."
"And after that?"
Namgung Jun rested his hand on the hilt of the Eternal Righteous Sword. Naturally, his mind drifted to the cherished weapon from his past life.
"Naturally, I must aim even higher."
"So you're quite the ambitious one, Jun."
"Are you only just now realizing that?"
Lee Se-ha burst into laughter at his reply.
* * *
The Azure Firmament Hall was granted a long period of rest. Not only had they volunteered to support the Heavenly Sword Hall immediately after their mission in Sichuan Province, but they had also accumulated significant injuries fighting the Fourth Battle Unit.
Indeed, many members of the Azure Firmament Hall were currently occupying beds in the Azure Medicine Pavilion. Only those with relatively minor injuries or who had fully recovered were out on the training ground.
"You've all improved a lot."
Namgung Jun was personally supervising the martial arts of the Azure Firmament Hall's Second Clouds.
Man Ye-won, Yu Geun-su, and Dan So-hye.
These three were the only Second Clouds in the hall. Yet, perhaps due to Namgung Jun's intensive guidance and the experience gained from their missions, the martial achievements and capabilities of all three had risen remarkably fast.
Man Ye-won, who already possessed the prowess of a Third Cloud, was one thing, but it was truly surprising to see how far Yu Geun-su and Dan So-hye had come.
They must have put in an immense amount of effort to be worthy members of the Azure Firmament Hall.
Wearing a faint smile, Namgung Jun pulled a small wooden box from his robes.
"Take these."
"Wow! Spirit elixirs!"
Man Ye-won, the quickest on the uptake, swiftly snatched one of the wooden boxes. Unlike her, Yu Geun-su and Dan So-hye didn't immediately reach out, instead looking to Namgung Jun.
"Hall Master, what are these spirit elixirs?" Yu Geun-su asked, glancing at the box.
The rewards for their recent achievements had been delivered the day after their return. The rewards sent by the Ink Fragrance Department had included spirit elixirs, allowing every member of the Azure Firmament Hall to consume one. Since Namgung Jun was presenting another set, they were naturally curious.
"You all received your individual rewards, but a separate reward was also granted in the name of the Azure Firmament Hall. How that reward is distributed is entirely at my discretion."
"Many of our seniors performed exceptionally well this time. Is it really alright for us to take these?" Dan So-hye asked with concern.
Namgung Jun shook his head. "The members who earned additional rewards have already received them. These are for you."
He looked at the three Second Clouds one by one. "If your achievements hadn't met my standards, I would not have brought these out. I am giving them to you because you've earned them."
Namgung Jun placed the wooden boxes into the hands of Yu Geun-su and Dan So-hye. "Take these spirit elixirs and prepare for your promotion to Third Cloud."
The eyes of the Second Clouds widened at his words. Only then did they realize why he was giving them these specific elixirs. He was not only praising their achievements but also expecting them to absorb the elixirs and pass their promotion exam in one go.
Seeing their expressions, Namgung Jun nodded.
"Failure is not an option."
Watching the Second Clouds head back to their dormitories to consume the elixirs, Namgung Jun lightly gripped the hilt of the Eternal Righteous Sword. Now that he was finished supervising their training, it was time for his own practice.
Just as he was about to draw the Eternal Righteous Sword, he slowly turned his head.
He sensed a presence approaching the Azure Firmament Hall.
To think he would come here himself.
Recognizing the owner of the presence, Namgung Jun immediately headed to the main gate of the Azure Firmament Hall and opened it.
Hahu Seon was walking toward the gate, hands clasped behind his back, a hand-carved wooden sword in his grip.
Namgung Jun quickly closed the distance and offered his arm to support him. "Association Leader. What brings you here?"
"I simply wanted to visit. I haven't been here since the Azure Firmament Hall's pavilion was built."
Hahu Seon slowly turned his head, his eyes closed. Though he had lost his sight, he acted as if he could see everything perfectly.
"It seems quite spacious and well-built. Is there anything you lack?"
"Not at all. The Ink Fragrance Department has been providing us with abundant support."
Nodding, Hahu Seon turned in the direction of the office. "Let us go inside."
"Yes, sir."
Namgung Jun and Hahu Seon walked side by side, crossing the training ground.