Chapter 73: Third Cloud Training Camp (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: Third Cloud Training Camp (2)
His eyes never leaving the secret manual, Namgung Jun reached out his hand.
"Brush and paper."
Though it was a sudden request, the scholar handed over the writing materials before him as if in a trance.
Namgung Jun. The boy who had captured the Ink Lord's full attention.
The scholar already knew of him. He was well aware that the boy had caught the eye of not only the Ink Lord, Yun Gyeong-jong, but also several other high-ranking officials within the association.
But even setting that aside…
A blue light emanated from the boy’s eyes as he stared at the manual, filling the scholar with a strange anticipation, as if the youth were truly about to accomplish something incredible.
The scholar didn't care in the least that his lecture had been interrupted. On the contrary, he focused his gaze on the blank sheet of paper, burning with curiosity about what the boy would show him.
Namgung Jun began to write. His brush moved without hesitation, its strokes flowing like a sword technique.
Watching silently, the scholar muttered to himself as a realization dawned on him.
"Hmm? This is…?"
Namgung Jun’s brush filled the paper with diagrams, mnemonic formulas, and detailed sword paths.
"The Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword is a technique that maximizes its power by utilizing two swords and the repulsion of Yin and Yang," Namgung Jun explained, his hand moving tirelessly even as he spoke.
Glimpsing the increasingly detailed formulas and diagrams, the scholar's eyes widened in astonishment.
"The Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword transforms the repulsion of Yin and Yang into a unique form of harmony—a concept largely foreign to martial artists of the Righteous Faction."
Namgung Jun's brush, which had been racing across the paper as if in a single, continuous stroke, came to a halt.
"In that case, the countermeasure is simple: shatter the harmony that the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult pursues."
In an instant, Namgung Jun had filled over ten sheets of paper with formulas and diagrams.
"This countermeasure will be the first step in dealing with the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword."
Not only the scholar but also the nearby Second Clouds could not tear their eyes away from the countermeasure Namgung Jun had written down in a single breath.
"How could this be…?"
"How can he devise a countermeasure for a martial art he's never even seen?"
"Young Hero Namgung. Is this countermeasure… certain?"
The last question came from the scholar who had been lecturing just moments ago.
"Young Hero Namgung, you couldn't have possibly encountered the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit. Does this mean you created a new countermeasure using only these limited clues? Is such a thing even possible?" the scholar pressed, his expression a mixture of shock and admiration.
Namgung Jun pointed to the teaching materials the scholar had brought, one by one.
"The records of the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword, the dozens of remaining sword scars, and the countermeasure developed by our association."
"By reverse-engineering these clues," he continued, "one can devise a countermeasure that strikes at the technique's core principles, even if it isn't perfectly precise."
In truth, he could devise a countermeasure at such a rapid pace only because he had personally faced the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword. However, even if he hadn't, formulating a countermeasure of the same caliber would have been entirely possible given the clues before him. It would have simply been a matter of time.
"I understand your words, Young Hero Namgung, but frankly, it is difficult to believe," the scholar said.
Despite Namgung Jun's calm explanation, those around him were reluctant to accept the countermeasure so easily.
It was only natural. What Namgung Jun had accomplished defied all common sense.
How could someone who had never even seen the sword technique reverse-engineer a new countermeasure based solely on a manual, old sword scars, and an existing countermeasure derived from them?
This was not a matter of martial arts mastery or achievement. To process countless variables and make one optimal decision after another required an astronomical level of talent.
In other words, it required world-shaking talent.
Once they reached this conclusion, the shocked gazes of several Clouds fell upon Namgung Jun.
In terms of sword talent, Namgung Jun was hailed as the greatest in the history of the Azure Heaven Association. Had he not already created and refined outstanding sword techniques at a young age, achieving a high level of mastery?
Come to think of it, since he can create his own sword techniques, devising a countermeasure might not be that surprising.
But will this countermeasure actually work?
Setting aside its effectiveness, just devising a countermeasure like this is incredible. Isn't this something most masters wouldn't even dare attempt?
The scholar and the other Clouds were left speechless by the results Namgung Jun had produced in an instant.
After examining the countermeasure several times with a serious expression, the scholar asked, "There is someone in the Elders' Council who survived an encounter with the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword. He is also the one who researched the countermeasures we have used so far. May I show this to him?"
"Of course."
Namgung Jun's reply brimmed with confidence.
Nodding with a solemn face, the scholar carefully folded the papers Namgung Jun had written on and tucked them into his robes.
That afternoon, Namgung Jun received a summons from the Martial Conquest Hall Master.
* * *
All the Second Clouds of the training camp gathered at the training ground.
Standing on the platform, Martial Conquest Hall Master Ha Mu-jung spoke.
"Namgung Jun. Are you confident?"
"Yes."
Just as Ha Mu-jung was about to say more, an unfamiliar, aged voice cut in from behind.
"Is there any need for further explanation? We can just test it with our swords."
Everyone's gaze turned toward the source of the voice.
An old man wearing a yellow robe walked forward, carrying two swords slung over his shoulders. He wore an eyepatch over his right eye, but the light emanating from his left was incredibly intense. Though he appeared to be at the peak of his years, the aura surrounding his body was razor-sharp, clearly refined by long years of experience.
"I apologize for making you come all this way," Ha Mu-jung said with a polite bow.
"Forget it. It is much simpler for this old man to make the trip than for a large group to move."
Ha Mu-jung gestured toward Namgung Jun.
"This is the boy."
"Is what this old man heard true?"
"We must verify it. That is why we need your help, Elder Kwon."
The old man, addressed as Elder Kwon, stared intently at Namgung Jun.
"To think such a young child created a countermeasure for the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword…"
Elder Kwon trailed off. He had heard of Namgung Jun before. Hadn't the Head of the Elders' Council praised him to the high heavens? The Head had even gone so far as to plan a marriage between the boy and his own granddaughter. If that was the case, the boy's innate talent had to be the real deal.
But is it truly possible?
Although he had personally come to the Third Cloud Training Camp after hearing the news, he was still half-doubtful. Creating a countermeasure by reverse-engineering limited information and sword scars without even seeing the martial art? Though he had survived in the Jianghu for a long time, he had never heard of such a thing.
"Are you confident in the countermeasure you made?"
"Yes."
"Then there is no need for further words."
Elder Kwon took the two swords he had brought and held one in each hand.
"Back then, I was on a mission and happened to run into the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit. I lost an eye, but by a stroke of heaven's luck, I managed to survive."
Namgung Jun nodded. He realized why Ha Mu-jung had brought the old man to the training camp.
An old master who personally experienced the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword.
He was undoubtedly someone who could immediately judge the effectiveness of the new countermeasure.
"Many years have passed, but it is still vivid before my eyes. Because it was the sword technique that took my eye and my comrades, I tried to counter it countless times, but my capabilities fell short."
Deep regret seeped from Elder Kwon's voice. As he recalled the absent Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit, a faint heat even began to emanate from his body.
"After that day, I retired immediately and devoted myself solely to two things: the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit and the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword. Thanks to that, I can mimic its sword paths, if only slightly."
Elder Kwon crossed his arms, raising his twin swords diagonally.
"Come. Let us see if your countermeasure is truly effective."
"Please guide me."
Namgung Jun raised his sword to a mid-level guard and charged.
The moment his Infinite Steps took a stubborn, straight stride forward, Elder Kwon's twin swords lunged diagonally, aiming for his neck. It was a murderous technique, consisting only of killing blows. If he leaned forward even slightly, his neck would be severed from both sides.
Yet, Namgung Jun did not stop. Instead, he thrust his sword forward, wedging it into the gap between the twin swords.
Then, he channeled his internal energy.
Crackle!
The Thunder Qi flowing along the blade surged, pushing back the artificial collision of the twin swords.
Elder Kwon's flow halted for an instant, but only for a moment. Once again, a two-pronged sword strike pressed forward like a raging wave, lunging as if to tear Namgung Jun's entire body to shreds.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
It was the booming sound of the twin swords clashing against each other. With each clash, the speed and Sword Force of the twin swords intensified.
He said he spent the rest of his life digging into the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword. I can feel his obsession.
Having faced the Chief Guardian's Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword, Namgung Jun could tell. The years Elder Kwon had spent were by no means in vain.
Thud!
Executing an Earth-Trembling Stomp, Namgung Jun once again wedged his sword into the gap between the twin swords as they rushed in, interlocking diagonally from both sides.
Clang!
Prevented from colliding, Elder Kwon's twin swords were forced apart, their power instantly plummeting.
Namgung Jun leaned forward and charged.
No special tricks were needed.
Every time Namgung Jun demonstrated the techniques and sword paths of his countermeasure, Elder Kwon's twin swords were pushed back.
This is…!
Facing Namgung Jun's sword, Elder Kwon's eyes widened. It was not simply a matter of a difference in martial prowess.
It was certain.
The Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword was being pushed back in accordance with the sword paths and mnemonic formulas of the countermeasure. This was possible only because he had blocked the core principles of the technique from being realized.
Not only did he combine all the countermeasures the Azure Heaven Association has developed so far, but he also added his own insights.
Clang!
For the first time, Elder Kwon's relentless charge stopped. It had to. Standing tall in the center, Namgung Jun's sword completely blocked the collision of the twin swords.
The three swords clashed again.
After exchanging over ten more blows, Elder Kwon suddenly withdrew his twin swords and took a step back.
"This is as far as this old man's capabilities can mimic the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword."
Silence fell over the crowd.
Elder Kwon kept his mouth shut, but no one pressed him. No answer was needed. Everyone who had watched the duel knew.
Namgung Jun's countermeasure was clearly effective.
"A monstrous, supernatural talent… Is such a thing even possible?"
Elder Kwon's low murmur drove the final nail in.
Staring blankly at Namgung Jun, the old man clasped his hands in a martial salute. His single eye was moist as he paid his respects.
"You have resolved a lifelong wish that this old man could not achieve in his entire life. Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Please, dispense with the formalities."
"Your countermeasure might save someone in the Azure Heaven Association one day. You have every right to be proud."
Elder Kwon felt he now understood why the Head of the Elders' Council had been so deeply interested in Namgung Jun. He would have done the same. The boy before him was like a key, born with the talent to fulfill everyone's long-cherished wishes.
Of course, it cannot be called perfect. But this will be the first step.
As Elder Kwon pondered the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword, a thought flashed through his mind.
"Young man."
"Please speak."
"The Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword is a martial art with extremely scarce information. Yet, if you could create a countermeasure of this level for it, is it possible for other martial arts as well?"
Analyzing the strength of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers and creating countermeasures was the responsibility of the Elders' Council. While he had focused solely on the Heaven's Mandate Demonic Sword Unit and the Life-Ending Twin Owl Sword, the other elders examined and analyzed various martial arts together. However, creating a countermeasure for any martial art was an incredibly difficult task.
Thus, Elder Kwon could not help but be interested in Namgung Jun's ability.
At Elder Kwon's expectant question, Namgung Jun nodded without hesitation.
"If the martial art in question is a sword technique, I am confident."
At his unhesitating reply, silence descended upon the training camp once more.