Chapter 26: Instructional Sparring (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: Instructional Sparring (3)
Man Hun, the Dawn-Firefly Sleet Wind.
He was a master of the Lightness Movement Art who had once led the Flying Swiftness Hall during his active years. Rumor had it that when it came to the Lightness Movement Art, even the Azure Heaven Association Leader and the Sword Lord deferred to him.
The members of the Heavenly Sword Hall gasped in admiration as Man Hun suddenly materialized in front of Namgung Jun.
“As expected!”
“What miraculous movement. It was as if he simply switched places with the air.”
“They say even the masters of the Kunlun Sect marveled at the Head of the Elders' Council's Lightness Movement Art. His reputation is truly well-deserved.”
In truth, not a single person present had been able to follow Man Hun’s movements with their eyes. The hem of his robes didn't even flutter, as if he hadn't moved at all. The surrounding air was just as still. It was a terrifying display of agility.
A peerless expert!
Seeing Man Hun appear as if he had sprouted from the ground, Namgung Jun knew instantly. The old man before him was a peerless expert who had surpassed the realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown to reach Five Qis Converging at the Origin.
“Come.”
“Yes, sir.”
Caressing his scabbard, Namgung Jun wrapped his fingers around the hilt and drew his sword. Unlike the draw for the Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders, his stance was low and firm, anchoring his center of gravity.
Whoosh!
The moment he drew his sword, a massive gale of sword wind erupted with the scabbard as its epicenter.
Heavy Wind Sweeping Wall.
The sword wind rose from the ground like a reverse waterfall, forming a thick, solid barrier.
Although it was a form designed to completely block the path ahead, Man Hun was unfazed. With a mere twist of his toe, he split the wall of sword wind, sending it rushing to the left and right. He must have released a Qi Wave from the Lightness Movement Art he’d mastered in the Flying Swiftness Hall.
Man Hun then took a leisurely step forward. His hands remained clasped behind his back, yet an invisible force whipped Namgung Jun's hair about violently.
Whoosh!
An immense pressure washed over his entire body. It felt as if an invisible fortress wall was pushing him back. Man Hun hadn't even attacked; he had merely released a fraction of the Qi Wave from his footwork, without executing any specific technique. Yet, it was more threatening than the strikes of most masters.
But Namgung Jun did not retreat. Swinging his sword once more, he executed a completely transformed version of the Great Wind Sword Technique. His intent was to use the power of the sword wind to maintain the optimal distance.
Namgung Jun focused his gaze on Man Hun, who was faintly visible through the undulating Qi Waves of the footwork.
He isn't just blindly pouring out Qi Waves to suppress me.
Namgung Jun could see it. There was a distinct flow to the steps Man Hun was taking.
His eyes flashing with a blue light, Namgung Jun channeled strength into his feet. To move forward, sword techniques alone were not enough. What was he lacking right now?
It was…
Thud!
Footwork.
Namgung Jun advanced with an Earth-Trembling Stomp. Following his sword wind, he vigorously executed the Infinite Steps, carving a path forward.
He didn't blindly charge at Man Hun. He didn't resist the Qi Waves from the old man’s footwork. Instead, he calmly adapted, slipping the strides of his Infinite Steps into the microscopic gaps between the waves. As if on cue, Man Hun's Qi Waves parted, opening a new path.
Instantly freed from the crushing pressure, a faint smile played on Namgung Jun's lips.
I see. The key wasn't the sword technique, but the footwork.
Flash!
Filled with conviction, Qi Waves began to pour from Namgung Jun's Yongquan acupoints. It was the footwork Qi Wave of the Infinite Steps.
The footwork Qi Waves of the old man and the youth clashed.
In terms of sheer power, Man Hun's could have easily crushed Namgung Jun's. Yet, as they collided, the opposing forces seemed to harmonize, quietly dispersing. The boy advanced, taking one slow step after another.
Watching Namgung Jun gradually close the distance, Man Hun let out a weathered chuckle.
He saw through it?
Originally, he had intended to test Namgung Jun's new sword technique. But after witnessing a few forms, he had changed his mind. The forms Namgung Jun had devised were clean, devoid of unnecessary movements, and possessed a martial essence far more advanced than the original Great Wind Sword Technique. While not entirely flawless, it was not something he needed to interfere with.
His innate talent for the sword reaches the very heavens. It is not something this old man should clumsily meddle with.
Thus, Man Hun decided to look at other aspects of Namgung Jun. Unlike his sword talent, which transcended his years, his other skills left something to be desired. Of course, they were still exceptional for his age, but they inevitably paled in comparison to his transcendent gift with the blade.
The Jianghu isn't a place where one can survive on a single talent alone.
Man Hun resolved to shore up Namgung Jun's shortcomings. Specifically, he focused on his footwork. If he could impart some teachings on footwork to the boy now, his martial prowess would undoubtedly leap to another level.
The nature of the spar thus shifted to stimulate his footwork, and Namgung Jun proved far more intelligent than expected. He had grasped the old man's intention perfectly and was now executing the Infinite Steps with all his might.
Excellent.
Before he knew it, Man Hun had widened the distance significantly, but Namgung Jun could not immediately give chase. He was surrounded on all sides by footwork Qi Waves that constricted him like dozens of walls and vines. To break through this, mere sword wind was not enough.
Naturally, the core of the spar shifted entirely to footwork.
However, there was no one in the courtyard capable of immediately discerning the subtle nuances of this exchange. Only a supreme expert who had at least achieved the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown could have seen through the flow of the battle.
He is opening up new possibilities for the Infinite Steps.
Namgung Jun acknowledged it. When it came to the Lightness Movement Art, Man Hun was superior even to the him of his past life. Therefore, Namgung Jun actively utilized the old man's guidance. Rather than focusing on his sword, he moved through the Infinite Steps in various directions, carving out new paths.
Freely and steadfastly, how many steps had he taken?
Namgung Jun's Infinite Steps were on the verge of transcending mastery and reaching perfection. Mastery meant fully learning a martial art, while perfection meant going beyond that to a new realm that transcended the limits of the existing art. The foundation had been laid for the Infinite Steps to transform into an entirely new footwork technique.
Thud!
Namgung Jun's heavy steps and Man Hun's fluid strides gradually began to harmonize.
Whoosh!
In doing so, he naturally integrated the new strides of the Infinite Steps with his sword technique. As the heavy sword wind and the free-flowing footwork Qi Waves locked together exquisitely, a path toward Man Hun opened.
A total of ten steps.
Had the development and harmony of his sword technique and footwork not occurred simultaneously, taking even ten steps would have been impossible.
Before they knew it, the old man and the youth had returned to their initial distance. Drenched in sweat, Namgung Jun struggled to catch his ragged breath. Yet, his sword blade remained pointed straight ahead, and his eyes still shone with a brilliant blue light. His steadfastness and arrogance offered a glimpse into his true character.
Man Hun nodded. “Your footwork has been refined quite a bit.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“Rather than giving you clumsy advice on the sword, this old man wanted to teach you what I am most confident in. Fortunately, it seems to have been the right choice.”
“I will strive to develop it further.”
Man Hun nodded again. “With your talent, the Infinite Steps will surely transform into an even greater footwork technique. I hope you can acquire a martial art that truly suits you.”
Man Hun's gaze drifted down to the sword in Namgung Jun's hand. A heavy Qi Wave still hummed along the blade, as if ready to unleash a massive sword wind at any moment.
“Come to think of it, have you decided on a name for your new sword technique? It has changed so much that the name Great Wind Sword Technique no longer fits.”
“I haven't decided yet.”
Man Hun asked in a rare, cheerful voice, “Would you mind if this old man offered a name for it?”
Namgung Jun looked at Man Hun. He was an old hero who had lived his entire life in accordance with chivalry. Though worn down by the passage of time, the clear, pure light in his eyes proved that the rumors about him were no exaggeration. It would be an honor to have such a person name his art.
“I would be deeply honored.”
“With the hope that your chivalry and martial arts will soar high into the sky like the wind, I shall call it Heavenly Wind (天風). I figured you wouldn't care for an overly flashy name… Is that alright?”
“Thank you. I shall call it the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique.”
Heavenly Wind Sword Technique. The new heavy sword technique he would wield in this life.
As Namgung Jun bowed politely, Man Hun's smile widened.
*
I couldn't even take a single step forward.
Watching Namgung Jun from below the sparring stage, Man Ye-won's mouth hung wide open. She was so shocked that she didn't even realize her jaw had dropped.
I was so lacking.
Man Ye-won felt her face flush hot. It was only natural. Seeing him receive direct instruction from her grandfather right after their spar made her realize the vast gulf between them. She understood what a foolish mistake it had been to pick a fight with Namgung Jun out of petty spite, just to get her grandfather's praise and attention.
No one in our generation could ever catch up to him.
Because she possessed a fair amount of innate talent herself, Man Ye-won could perceive it even more keenly—just how brilliant Namgung Jun's martial talent was.
“Um…” With an embarrassed expression, Man Ye-won cautiously approached Namgung Jun. “I'm really sorry. I acted too selfishly. It won't happen again.”
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Namgung Jun simply nodded. “It's fine. It's only natural at your age.”
“What?”
Man Ye-won's face went blank, hearing him speak like an elder despite their similar age.
“Haha.”
Watching the exchange between the boy and the girl, Man Hun chuckled softly.
Though young, he is truly magnificent. Magnificent indeed.
Looking at Man Ye-won and Namgung Jun standing side by side, a thought occurred to Man Hun.
If only I could make that boy Ye-won's husband…
There could be no better match. His status as an orphan didn't matter. All that mattered was martial arts and a righteous heart.
The Head of the Elders' Council, who had originally kept Baekri Cheong in mind, had now completely set his sights on Namgung Jun.
*
Lee Se-ha, who was receiving a report on what had transpired in the Heavenly Sword Hall during her absence, twitched her brow.
“Such a thing happened?”
“Yes. The Head of the Elders' Council has completely set his eyes on him.”
“Ha. Who does he think he is, trying to claim Jun for his own family?”
Lee Se-ha thought of Man Ye-won. Her beauty, martial arts, and background were all flawless, but compared to Namgung Jun, she fell infinitely short.
“Who do they think Jun is, that they can bind his future with a mere engagement?”
It was absolutely out of the question. No matter how good of a person the Head of the Elders' Council was, this was something she could not tolerate.
As Lee Se-ha huffed in annoyance, Gong Jun-am asked, “Hall Master. For now, please focus on the personnel assignment for the mission.”
“Right.”
Lee Se-ha unrolled the scroll and reviewed the details of the mission. “It seems I'll have to step forward myself.”
She wrote down the names of the Heavenly Sword Hall members one by one, then muttered as she left the final spot blank, “Of course, we must include Jun as well, right?”
Gong Jun-am did not object. That was how much of an anticipated asset Namgung Jun had become.
“Normally, this mission would be too much for a First Cloud, but for Namgung Jun, it's a different story.”
Having finished assigning the personnel for the new mission, Lee Se-ha sprang up from her seat. “Let’s go see the spirit elixir Jun received.”
Lee Se-ha immediately leaped toward Namgung Jun's quarters.