Chapter 167: Southern Heaven (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 167: Southern Heaven (3)
The members of the Azure Firmament Hall were gathered on the training ground, engaged in group training. Their coordinated movements, spreading out in all directions and striking in unison, simulated a scenario of group combat.
Although there was no clear enemy before them, the momentum of the Azure Firmament Hall members was incredibly solemn and fierce as they threw themselves into the drill.
Swoooosh!
A sharp, air-splitting sound erupted from the diagonal sword strike unleashed by Heo Il. Even though he hadn't channeled excessive force, his sword speed was highly impressive. Few experts of his level would be able to parry it without difficulty.
As Heo Il unleashed a succession of swift sword strikes, his blade grew progressively faster and his Sword Force more intense. This was because, from the right, Samyeop kicked off the air, sending a wave of qi from the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art brushing past Heo Il's body. Simultaneously, from the left, Wi Hyeon-su brought his great saber down vertically, and the Qi Wave of the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula radiating from his saber nudged Heo Il's blade forward.
Conversely, Heo Il's swift sword directly influenced the strikes of both Samyeop and Wi Hyeon-su.
Slash-sh-sh-sh!
As Heo Il took two steps back after a thrust, Hong Jun charged into the opening his comrade had intentionally left in his flank. Seamlessly swapping positions with Heo Il, Hong Jun sliced through the air countless times with his twin swords.
Twelve sword strikes in a single breath. Had it not been for the Qi Waves of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon spreading around him, he would have stopped at a mere nine.
The smoothly flowing sequence of their joint attack was superior to most standard joint attack formations. This very process was unfolding all across the training ground.
"Not yet! We’re still wasting too many Qi Waves without even realizing it!"
"Our breathing is roughly in sync, but our strikes aren't perfectly synchronized."
"Breathing is one thing, but how about we try adjusting the forms slightly?"
"In this section, it might have been better to use the subtle principles of the Heaven's Mandate Trembling Vengeance Stance instead of the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula."
Even as they continued to unleash their martial arts, the members of the Azure Firmament Hall exchanged feedback in real-time, correcting their movements.
Though they were conducting group training against an imaginary enemy, they couldn't help but recall the Fourth Battle Unit they had recently clashed with. While the individual martial prowess of their foes was not to be underestimated, the real issue had been their overwhelming numbers, which far surpassed those of the Azure Firmament Hall.
Even with the Heavenly Sword Hall supporting them from the rear, it had been an incredibly difficult and grueling battle.
If the Azure Firmament Hall Master had not unleashed an unprecedented technique to blow away the enemy's officers and elites in a single strike…
If the Heavenly Sword Hall Master, who joined late after slaying the Fourth Unit Leader, had not struck the rear of the Fourth Battle Unit to sow chaos…
Instead of annihilating the Fourth Battle Unit, the battle might have ended in mutual destruction—or in the worst-case scenario, the defeat and retreat of both the Azure Firmament and Heavenly Sword Halls.
We are still lacking.
We aren't wielding the Azure Firmament Martial Canon properly yet.
It's also true that luck played a part in the battle at Mount Tangmun.
Although they had won, it remained a rather bitter memory for the Azure Firmament Hall. Everyone knew the weight carried by their name.
The Azure Firmament Hall.
The absolute elite of the Azure Heaven Association. The new treasured sword symbolizing the association's military might. They had to cultivate their capabilities to the point where they would not falter even when pitted against the Nine Cult-Protecting Guards and the Four Great Battle Groups, let alone the Guardian Pavilion and the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit.
They had to become strong enough so that no matter what situation arose, the Hall Masters—including the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord—could contend with the highest echelons of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult without any interference.
Thud!
As the Azure Firmament Hall executed an Earth-Trembling Stomp in unison, condensed azure Qi Waves surged and scattered in all directions.
Though their group training had concluded, the members did not disperse. They sat in a tight circle, close enough to see each other's faces, and began to review their session.
"When we first started on the path of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon, it was enough to watch two or three nearby comrades and assist their strikes."
"Not anymore. There’s a clear limit to that."
"To put it another way, the overlapping Qi Waves and coordination of joint attacks are only happening within small units. We need to expand this range."
The Clouds exchanged opinions, nodding in agreement. What they felt was largely the same.
"Individual achievements are rising, but that isn't directly translating into the military power of the Azure Firmament Hall as a whole."
"If we are to truly grow strong as a single Azure Firmament Hall, we must look beyond that."
"Encompassing the entire battlefield together during combat… It won't be easy."
Gong Jun-am, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "Even if it isn't easy, we must achieve it. If we content ourselves with the present, we will eventually crumble."
Heo Il replied, clenching and unclenching his scar-covered right hand. "The good thing is that we're all on the same page. If everyone in the Azure Firmament Hall moves forward with one mind, it will be much easier."
The other Clouds smiled and agreed. No one here was content to settle or desired stagnation. The Clouds, united around the Azure Firmament Martial Canon, brimmed with the determination to advance without stopping.
"Our group mastery of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon, rather than our individual skill, is probably around fifty percent?"
"Like we just said, only when each individual can encompass the whole can we call it a grand completion."
"What’s clear is that our mastery of the Azure Firmament Martial Canon is still severely lacking."
They had roughly established the direction the Azure Firmament Hall needed to take. However, that destination was truly far and distant.
Only after finishing their review did the members finally take a break, drinking water or stretching. Cheong-jong toyed with his bowstring as he looked toward the inner section of the Azure Firmament Hall, in the direction of the Hall Master's private training ground.
"The Hall Master hasn't shown his face much lately."
"It seems he's engrossed in his private training. He only shows his face briefly before heading straight back."
Sa Yeon-u also cast a slightly worried glance, as if something was weighing on her mind. She wondered if he might be hiding an injury from them. After all, their Hall Master was someone who always showed only a reliable and dignified front, never willing to display any weakness.
Seeing the other Clouds also staring toward the private training ground, Baekri Cheong offered a gentle smile. "Judging by the Qi Waves and sounds that occasionally drift out, he seems entirely focused on his martial arts training, so there's no need to worry."
"Sometimes when I pass by, I can feel a pressure radiating over the walls. He might be training that secret technique from Mount Tangmun," Wi Hyeon-su added, prompting the other members to let out bitter smiles and sighs.
"It's good that our Hall Master carries himself with such gravity despite his young age, but he's so heavy-hearted that it's a problem."
"I wish he would rely on us just a little bit."
"The rank of the Fourth Cloud is by no means light. It can't be helped. He must have his own struggles."
Their Hall Master never showed weakness and silently forged ahead toward higher realms. Naturally, such a figure was a source of great reassurance, but it was also true that they couldn't help but worry.
Seeing the Clouds alternate between expressing respect and concern for Namgung Jun, Heo Il chuckled. "Do you all realize something? Every single Cloud here is starting to resemble our Hall Master."
At Heo Il's casual remark, the members of the Azure Firmament Hall looked at one another. Though everyone looked exhausted from the grueling training and their injuries hadn't fully healed, not a single person complained or slacked off.
They simply trained in silence, pursuing higher realms.
The members of the Azure Firmament Hall realized that a faint silhouette of Namgung Jun was reflected in each of them.
"Well, I'll be."
"I guess none of us are in a position to talk about others."
"So this is just the way of the Azure Firmament Hall now."
They thought they were merely following in their Hall Master's footsteps, but had they somehow grown to resemble him along the way? Yet, they did not dislike their gradually changing selves. If anything, a sense of exhilaration welled up within them.
Shaking off his worry for Namgung Jun, Gong Jun-am spoke to the Clouds who were preparing to resume their training. "The Hall Master will do well on his own. We just need to do our best."
Having finished their brief rest, the Clouds of the Azure Firmament Hall paired up and scattered across the training ground. If they had been practicing group combat moments ago, this time they intended to engage in one-on-one duels.
After all, there was no better way to understand each other than through a martial duel.
"Shall we begin?"
"Come."
Starting with the clash between Jegal San and Gong Jun-am, the martial duels of the Azure Firmament Hall erupted simultaneously.
* * *
Namgung Jun sat cross-legged in the center of his private training ground. Lately, the time he spent in meditation had increased significantly compared to the time he spent physically holding his sword.
He was contemplating the nameless sword technique that Hahu Seon had shown him at Lotus Peak. Since it had no specific name, Namgung Jun had arbitrarily dubbed it the Namcheon Sword Art.
The name Namcheon—Southern Heaven—was a perfect fit. There was no name more fitting for a sword art that captured the southern sky of Huangshan.
As Namgung Jun delved deeper into the Namcheon Sword Art, he felt his heart swell, drenched in a profound, moving emotion. The principles, mnemonic formulae, insights, and every minor sword path embedded within a sword technique naturally carried the creator's will. Thus, he could feel Hahu Seon's absolute sincerity toward the Namcheon Palace in its entirety.
It also aligns well with the sword pressure technique I am training.
If he combined the sword pressure technique he was separately refining with the Namcheon Sword Art, it seemed he could achieve great efficacy. Though the two martial arts appeared completely different, they shared parts that locked together perfectly. If he could fully master the Namcheon Sword Art and attain his own enlightenment, a great achievement seemed within reach.
Not only the principles of the Namcheon Sword Art but also its underlying intent and concept appealed to him so deeply that he could immerse himself in training with a joyful heart.
"Hmm."
After several hours of meditation, Namgung Jun slowly opened his eyes. Standing alone in his private training ground, he regulated his breathing. The Qi Waves radiating from the Eternal Righteous Sword, held in a mid-level guard, settled heavily.
Rumble!
The Blue Steel Stone floor of the private training ground shook violently, spewing up dust. Since he was not merely letting his Qi Waves flow, this required considerable effort.
While increasing the weight of the sword pressure is important, expanding its range and duration is the priority.
When he had unleashed it against the Fourth Battle Unit at Mount Tangmun, maintaining it over an area of roughly five jang for the duration of three breaths had been his limit. This technique's power would skyrocket once he could expand the range and duration of its domain.
I must manipulate each strand of qi like a sword strike. As if swinging an invisible sword.
Namgung Jun endlessly refined the skill of drawing out sword pressure. As he did, he naturally recalled the Namcheon Sword Art that Hahu Seon had demonstrated.
A vast night sky, densely packed with constellations. The Southern Heaven naturally cast its shadow over Namgung Jun's mindscape.
It was not merely about projecting sword pressure widely and powerfully. It had to be steadfast and upright. Even if it did not cover the entire sky like the stars of the Southern Heaven, it had to illuminate all directions with a righteous beam of light.
Boom!
The Qi Waves radiating from the Eternal Righteous Sword did not simply shoot out in a single direction. Instead, they repeatedly crossed and clashed with one another, densely expanding their domain, just as the starlight pouring from countless constellations overlapped to illuminate the night sky.
Creeeeak!
The training ground continuously shrieked as it bore the immense sword pressure erupting around the Eternal Righteous Sword.
Thus, Namgung Jun's private training continued day after day. Of course, he practiced all of his general martial arts, including the newly created Thousand-Li Lake Journey, but the ones he allocated the most time to were the sword pressure technique and the Namcheon Sword Art.
One day, as Namgung Jun was about to begin his training as usual, Iron Tower Hall Master Dan Jung-se paid him a visit.
"Namgung Jun! Have you been well?"
"Senior Dan. You have returned from your mission."
"My blood boiled when I heard the news of the Fourth Battle Unit in Shanxi Province."
Dan Jung-se's gaze, shifting as if to show off his even bulkier muscles, drifted downward. The Blue Steel Stone floor, which rarely broke under ordinary impacts, did not have a single intact spot left. Beyond being destroyed, it had been ground down to fine powder, making Namgung Jun's private training ground look like nothing more than a dirt lot.
"Are you undergoing some special training?"
When Namgung Jun explained the sword pressure technique, curiosity sparked in Dan Jung-se's eyes. "Fascinating. From what you say, it's not simply about overwhelming with the power of Qi Waves."
"Yes. It must be treated as a superior peerless art. It is far more difficult than learning an ordinary sword technique. Though, it is just as enjoyable."
Pondering for a moment, Dan Jung-se thumped his chest. He lightly struck his bare skin with his fist, yet it made a sound like beating a shield, which was truly remarkable. Just what level had the Iron Tower Hall Master's external arts reached?
"Then how about training with me?"
"If you would help me, Senior Dan, it would be of great assistance."
Dan Jung-se boasted the strongest external arts among the Hall Masters of the Azure Heaven Association. Perhaps he was also the man against whom the sword pressure technique would be the least effective. If Dan Jung-se helped him train, it would be a massive help in refining the technique.
"Then, may I ask for your assistance?"
"Haha! Assistance? Nonsense! It will be of great help to my own training as well."
Exchanging glances, the two Hall Masters slowly widened the distance between them. A gap of about twenty paces.
Namgung Jun brought the Eternal Righteous Sword to a mid-level guard, while Dan Jung-se slowly clenched his fists.
"It has been a while since then."
"Ah. I look forward to seeing how much you've changed."