Chapter 24: Instructional Sparring (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 24: Instructional Sparring (1)
Namgung Jun glanced at the faint sword wind trailing from the girl's blade, then closed the manual he was reading and asked, "Who are you?"
"You don't know me? You must have heard the name Man Ye-won!"
But Namgung Jun remained silent. It was a name he had never heard before.
At his indifferent reaction, Man Ye-won scowled and shouted, "Agh! I'm the granddaughter of the Head of the Elders' Council!"
"The Head of the Elders' Council?"
An Elders' Council did indeed exist within the Azure Heaven Association.
Though few in number, the council consisted of retired Clouds who had survived long years of righteous quests and fierce battles against the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.
Even in their old age, they never hesitated to act for the sake of the Azure Heaven Association, often stepping up whenever there was a shortage of hands.
He had heard that the current Head of the Elders' Council was a legendary hero who had spent his entire life performing countless righteous deeds.
'Master said he is someone even he respects.'
Out of respect for this old hero whom he had yet to meet, Namgung Jun decided to humor her.
"What is your business?"
"Spar with me. Let's settle once and for all who is stronger."
"And why should I do that?"
"If you don't, rumors will spread that you ran away from a duel! Don't you have any pride?"
Man Ye-won tilted her head mockingly, but Namgung Jun replied calmly, "And how would defeating you preserve my pride?"
Namgung Jun looked straight at her.
Man Ye-won flinched at the vivid blue light shining from his eyes.
'What's with those eyes? He looks like an old soul.'
The light in Namgung Jun's eyes was extraordinary—definitely not the eyes of a boy her age. Instead, they resembled those of a swordsman who had weathered countless storms over a long life, just like the old masters of the Elders' Council.
While the startled Man Ye-won stood speechless, Namgung Jun added, "My pride is not so fragile as to be swayed by such trivial things."
He quietly stared at her drawn sword, which was still wrapped in a faint sword wind.
"Nor is my sword so cheap that I would draw it merely to satisfy your whim."
His resolute response made Man Ye-won's face flush red.
After a moment of hesitation, she bit her lip and muttered in a slightly lower voice, "If you spar with me, I'll give you an Elixir of Extreme Yang."
"An elixir?"
"Yes. Aren't you afflicted with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian? Don't you need an elixir?"
Man Ye-won's expression brimmed with confidence, as if she had just played her trump card. Her triumphant face made her thoughts painfully obvious. She assumed he would leap at the offer, believing it was something no ordinary person could refuse.
However, Namgung Jun merely let out a soft chuckle.
"I already possess something far superior to any elixir."
"What? That's impossible..."
"My master, and the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula."
Man Ye-won stared at him, dumbfounded. She could tell from his relaxed smile that his words were neither a lie nor a bluff.
Born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, his life was in constant, if not immediate, danger. Yet, how could he remain so calm? He was just a boy who hadn't even come of age.
"How on earth...?"
Man Ye-won muttered blankly, but Namgung Jun did not bother to answer.
'An Elixir of Extreme Yang.'
He didn't know how potent it was, but taking it would undoubtedly be beneficial. Even so, he had no intention of giving in to her reckless demand. His sword was not so cheap, nor would he allow himself to be compromised by a mere elixir.
"I'm not interested."
Namgung Jun closed his manual and walked past Man Ye-won.
"I'm not done talking to you! Stop right there!"
Man Ye-won tried to chase after him, but a man suddenly blocked her path.
"Lady Man, halt."
It was Muk Sim-jung, the archivist of the Self-Reflection Martial Repository. Though he always wore a warm smile for Namgung Jun, his face was now frozen in a cold, stern expression.
"You should be well aware that drawing weapons inside the Self-Reflection Martial Repository is strictly forbidden."
"Oh? Wait a minute!"
Man Ye-won quickly tried to sidestep him, but Muk Sim-jung executed a footwork technique to block her path once more. His already cold expression turned completely icy, as did his voice.
"Lady Man? Must I report this directly to the Head of the Elders' Council?"
At the mention of her grandfather's title, Man Ye-won froze instantly.
Sensing Namgung Jun's presence fading into the distance, Muk Sim-jung suppressed a quiet smile.
'As long as I am here, I won't let anyone bother Young Hero Namgung.'
Having overheard their entire conversation, Muk Sim-jung lightly rested his hands on his hips.
"Lady Man, follow me. Since you recklessly drew a weapon inside the Self-Reflection Martial Repository, you will have to endure a lecture from me."
Muk Sim-jung decided to keep her detained right here, ensuring she couldn't pursue Namgung Jun.
* * *
Whoosh!
A faint sword wind swept down along the blade Namgung Jun swung. It scraped heavily against the ground, thicker and more distinct than usual. It was as if several layers of razor-sharp wind had been stacked together. As a result, even when Namgung Jun swung his sword slowly, the strike felt incredibly heavy.
Just as the sword wind swept across the training ground with a powerful presence, a gaunt old man slowly entered the Heavenly Sword Hall's practice field.
His blue robe clung tightly to his frame, emphasizing his skeletal build. Yet, he did not look frail. Instead, he gave off the impression of an ancient tree that had weathered countless storms, its roots dug deep into the earth.
At the old man's appearance, the Heavenly Sword Hall members, who had been fiercely sparring, lowered their swords one by one.
They had no choice.
Even without releasing a wave of qi, the old man exuded an overwhelming presence. Naturally, the eyes of every Heavenly Sword Hall member turned toward him.
"Why is the Head of the Elders' Council here?"
"Did he come to see the Hall Master?"
Nodding in acknowledgment as he accepted the greetings of the Heavenly Sword Hall's Clouds, the old man walked straight in one direction. He was heading toward Namgung Jun, who had just sheathed his sword.
The Head of the Elders' Council, Man Hun, curled his lips into a faint smile as he looked at Namgung Jun.
"So you are the one. The Divine Dragon who has recently captured the attention of the entire Azure Heaven Association."
Even when facing a legendary figure like the Head of the Elders' Council, Namgung Jun's gaze did not waver. He simply offered a polite bow with his usual calm demeanor.
"I am hardly worthy of such a grand title as the Divine Dragon."
As Man Hun observed Namgung Jun with glittering eyes, the wrinkles on his face deepened slightly.
"Excessive humility can border on deceit."
The Head of the Elders' Council, who had been smiling warmly, shifted his body slightly to the side. With that, Man Ye-won was revealed, having hidden her presence behind her grandfather's sturdy frame and powerful aura.
"It seems my granddaughter has committed an act of rudeness."
"Grandfather!" Man Ye-won, who had been warily eyeing Namgung Jun, shrieked in protest. But Man Hun ignored her completely and spoke in a gentle tone.
"First of all, it seems there has been a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
Man Hun stroked his snow-white beard, which reached down to his collarbone.
"The Elixir of Extreme Yang this child offered you was originally a gift I intended to send you myself."
Man Ye-won opened her mouth to speak, but quickly shut it under Man Hun's sharp, piercing glare. Perhaps she had already been thoroughly scolded before coming to the Heavenly Sword Hall, as she looked somewhat cowed.
Namgung Jun asked with a puzzled expression, "A gift? May I ask for what reason you are sending me such a gift?"
"I wish for you to overcome the Nine Yin Severed Meridian and become the divine sword of the Azure Heaven Association. It is only right that a precious item be given to a precious person."
Clasping his hands behind his back, Man Hun glared at his granddaughter.
"Yet this foolish girl had the audacity to offer the elixir as a wager for a duel. I imagine you must have been highly displeased."
"It is fine. It was merely a childish whim."
Hearing such words from Namgung Jun, who was actually younger than Man Ye-won, Man Hun burst into laughter.
"A childish whim. How amusing."
When the Head of the Elders' Council pulled a wooden box from his robes, Namgung Jun was slightly surprised. The box itself radiated a gentle, warm heat.
"Will you accept it? It is quite a rare treasure."
The Heavenly Sword Hall members, who had been eavesdropping from a distance, widened their eyes in shock.
'I don't know what kind of elixir it is, but he's giving it to him instead of his own granddaughter?'
'I knew the Head of the Elders' Council was incredibly generous, but to this extent?'
However, the members were in for another shock.
Namgung Jun shook his head without a moment's hesitation. Given his condition, his refusal was even more shocking.
"This elixir is far too precious for me to accept without justification. The debt of gratitude would be too heavy to carry."
Namgung Jun clasped his hands and bowed politely. Man Hun looked at him with intrigue.
"Do not feel burdened."
"Is it not the way of the Jianghu that favors and grudges must be clearly settled? To me, this is a favor too heavy to bear, so it is only proper that I decline."
After staring at Namgung Jun for a moment, Man Hun let out a hearty laugh.
"I can guess what you are worried about. You fear that this old man might use this elixir as leverage to ask a favor of you in the future."
Namgung Jun merely lowered his eyelids, offering no denial. Watching him, a faint twitch appeared on Man Hun's lips.
'Despite his youth, his words and actions carry weight, and his principles are clear. He is steadfast and stubborn.'
Meeting Namgung Jun in person only strengthened Man Hun's desire to give him the elixir. If a boy like this could grow stronger while maintaining his current mindset, it would be a great blessing not only for the Azure Heaven Association but also for the chaotic Jianghu.
Man Hun's gaze briefly drifted to Man Ye-won. He had occasionally been tempted to give the elixir to his granddaughter, his most precious treasure in the world, but deep down, he knew it wasn't right.
'If it were an ordinary elixir, perhaps, but this is an Elixir of Extreme Yang. It is only right that this boy takes it.'
Letting out a low hum of contemplation, Man Hun stared at Namgung Jun once more.
"I heard you told my granddaughter that your sword is not cheap."
"Yes. My thoughts on that remain unchanged."
The Head of the Elders' Council bowed his head and politely clasped his hands in a martial salute. At that sight, the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall gasped in silent horror. Unable to speak out loud, they could only widen their eyes in sheer disbelief.
"If so, would you spar with my granddaughter, if only to save this old man's face? Let this old man's face and a spar with my granddaughter offset the debt of the elixir. I ask this of you."
Seeing the legendary elder humble himself to show respect to a young, newly joined Cloud, Namgung Jun let out a quiet sigh.
'He's even creating a justification for me to accept the elixir.'
Namgung Jun looked into Man Hun's clear, bright eyes. There was no falsehood or malice in his words; it was clear he had no ulterior motives. It seemed the elder had struggled with the choice between his granddaughter and Namgung Jun, yet in the end, he had refused to bend his own principles.
"I have heard that the Head of the Elders' Council is someone who has proven his martial path through long years of chivalry."
"I can confidently say I have not lived a shameful life."
Namgung Jun nodded slowly.
"For the sake of an old hero like the Head of the Elders' Council, it is only right that I draw my sword."
Namgung Jun would never hesitate to draw his sword for someone who had dedicated his entire life to chivalry. This time was no different. The old hero before him deserved the utmost respect.
He placed his hand on the hilt at his waist. Strength flowed into his hand as he gently gripped it.
"I will accept the duel."
Namgung Jun calmly drew his sword.
Not for the elixir, but for the old senior who cherished his junior.
This was the best way the current Namgung Jun could show respect for the path the old hero had walked.