Chapter 76: Third Cloud Training Camp (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Third Cloud Training Camp (5)
The entire curriculum of the Third Cloud Training Camp had finally concluded.
By combining the results of the Civil and Martial Examinations, the top graduate and runner-up were determined.
“Step forward,” Ha Mu-jung commanded.
At his command, the Cloud who had been named runner-up stepped onto the platform.
Although there were quite a few outstanding talents in this training camp, the runner-up was someone who had received no attention whatsoever. He was a man with a slightly tilted bamboo hat and a stealthy stride.
The runner-up of this training camp was Heo Il of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
He had achieved a near-perfect score on the Civil Examination and proved his capabilities by holding his ground against four instructors during the Martial Examination.
“The Heavenly Sword Hall has been teeming with talent lately. It seems even my hall will have to stay on its toes.”
Ha Mu-jung crossed his arms as he looked at Heo Il standing before him.
“Young Master Namgung was a great help. I learned a lot from him.”
“Is that so? Having a comrade to strive alongside is a valuable connection. Make good use of this opportunity.”
Ha Mu-jung lightly patted Heo Il’s shoulder and handed him a small wooden box. It contained the Spirit Elixir awarded to the runner-up.
With a flick of his wrist, as if throwing a hidden weapon, Heo Il tucked the wooden box into his robes.
As Heo Il stepped down from the platform, the final order of business—the commendation for the top graduate—commenced.
“Second Cloud, Namgung Jun.”
Namgung Jun, who had been waiting below, slowly walked onto the platform.
“Thanks to you, this training camp was quite entertaining.”
“I also learned a great deal.”
No further explanation was needed. Everyone present already knew that Namgung Jun was the top graduate.
Ha Mu-jung skipped the tedious formalities and immediately ordered the reward to be brought out.
“Namgung Jun. This is a reward befitting the man you have become.”
Gong Jun-am, who carried a long chest, briefly made eye contact with Namgung Jun. His expression was as indifferent as always, but Namgung Jun could see the silent encouragement and praise in his eyes.
As Gong Jun-am presented the long chest, Namgung Jun spoke.
“Hall Master. May I open it?”
“Go ahead.”
As Namgung Jun slowly opened the chest, a sword was revealed. It had a pitch-black hilt and a jet-black scabbard—a sword simply adorned entirely in black. Though devoid of any elaborate decorations, it exuded an air of refined elegance.
This is no ordinary sword.
He didn’t even need to draw it. Just looking at the hilt and scabbard was enough to tell that the weapon resting inside was undoubtedly a treasured sword.
As Namgung Jun’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, Ha Mu-jung let out a low chuckle.
“Now you finally look like a boy your age. Go on, draw it.”
Namgung Jun immediately reached for the sword. A cool, smooth sensation wrapped perfectly around his palm. Even though it was his first time holding it, the hilt fit so naturally into his grip that a smile spontaneously formed on his face.
With practiced ease, Namgung Jun held the scabbard and drew the blade slightly.
Shring.
A cold metallic ring accompanied the reveal of a pitch-black blade. Namgung Jun’s eyes widened as he drew the sword fully.
“It’s heavy.”
“I heard it was forged by blending dark iron and Kun iron. In terms of sheer hardness and weight, it is easily one of the finest weapons in the Azure Heaven Association.”
Dark iron and Kun iron. He had heard that both metals were heavy, hard, and possessed incredible elasticity. Though their specific properties differed, both were extremely rare and difficult to obtain.
Furthermore, smelting dark iron and Kun iron together would be a monumental task. An ordinary blacksmith wouldn’t even dare to try.
Just drawing it once was enough to recognize its immense value.
“It is an incredibly precious sword,” Namgung Jun’s voice was light with excitement as he examined the blade.
“In our association, you are likely the only one who can wield this sword to its fullest potential.”
Namgung Jun did not deny it. While being harder and heavier than an ordinary sword was a clear advantage, it could also become a disadvantage depending on the wielder. This was especially true for a treasured sword like this, which focused heavily on durability and weight. With mediocre skills, one would find it difficult to wield properly.
But Namgung Jun faced no such limitations. His body had been drastically enhanced by the Great Art and the Meridian Opening, and he possessed sword techniques honed since his past life.
“Your sword must have suffered a lot of damage during our duel,” Ha Mu-jung’s gaze drifted toward Namgung Jun’s waist.
“Yes. I was actually planning on replacing it anyway.”
Namgung Jun lightly touched the sword hanging from his belt. It had sustained severe damage during his duel with Ha Mu-jung. Although the blade hadn’t snapped, the edge was heavily chipped, fine cracks ran along its length, and it was slightly warped. This was not a problem that could be fixed with simple maintenance.
I obtained a new sword at just the right time.
This newly acquired treasured sword would be more than sufficient until he eventually obtained the Heaven-Reliant Sword.
“What is the name of this sword?”
“The Eternal Righteous Sword.”
Namgung Jun took a liking to the name. He could already feel a growing attachment to the weapon.
After receiving the Eternal Righteous Sword along with two Spirit Elixirs, Namgung Jun stepped down from the platform.
Having finished the commendations, Ha Mu-jung looked out at the Clouds who had completed the training camp.
“I, Ha Mu-jung, Master of the Martial Conquest Hall, hereby declare.” Infused with internal energy, his deep, resonant voice instantly filled the training ground. “Every Cloud present here is promoted to the rank of Third Cloud as of this moment. Fulfill your duties as Third Clouds of the Azure Heaven Association.”
The Third Cloud Training Camp was over.
* * *
Upon returning to the Heavenly Sword Hall, Namgung Jun and Heo Il received an enthusiastic welcome from their fellow swordsmen. After a brief celebration, life returned to its usual routine.
Namgung Jun immediately engaged in endless duels with the Third Clouds of the Heavenly Sword Hall to familiarize himself with the Eternal Righteous Sword. His dueling partner today was Gong Jun-am.
Gong Jun-am, a specialist in the Heavy Sword, possessed a Sword Force that ranked among the top five within the Heavenly Sword Hall. There was no better opponent to help him break in his new sword.
Clang!
Namgung Jun’s Eternal Righteous Sword clashed head-on with Gong Jun-am’s greatsword. The force behind the Earth-Trembling Stomp Gong Jun-am had executed was so immense that the ground split open with a sharp crack.
A naturally massive build and a tremendously heavy greatsword. Combined with the subtle principles of the Heavy Sword, the Sword Force Gong Jun-am unleashed was immense—enough to shatter a large boulder in a single blow.
“Hup!”
Even so, he could not push back Namgung Jun’s sword. Holding his ground in a tense deadlock was the best he could manage.
“Haaap!”
Unleashing a thunderous shout, Gong Jun-am executed his footwork while keeping their blades locked, seeking to break Namgung Jun’s stance by utilizing his superior external arts. An immense weight immediately surged against Namgung Jun’s blade. Even for him, this was not a force to be taken lightly.
Namgung Jun relaxed his wrist and deflected the sword slightly along a diagonal path. Naturally shifting to Gong Jun-am’s flank, he aimed for the slightly exposed upper rib area.
Whoosh!
He wasn’t using his full strength, merely channeling a moderate amount of power. Yet, the deep blue sword strike aggressively parted the air, generating a heavy, slicing sound.
Exhilarating.
The sensation of the blade cutting through the air traveled up his palm, feeling incredibly clean and solid. This would have been impossible with his previous sword. While it was said that an outstanding swordsman does not blame his tools, it was an undeniable truth that a superior sword could elevate a swordsman’s capabilities. Was that not why Nam Young-shin, in his past life, had harbored such greed for famous blades?
Clang!
Gong Jun-am’s eyebrows twitched as he blocked the strike by driving his greatsword downward. A sword style heavily focused on solid defense was his specialty, after all. Yet, the sharp, tingling vibration running through his grip proved that the power behind the strike was extraordinary.
However, Gong Jun-am had no time to be surprised. Having witnessed the duel with Ha Mu-jung, he knew all too well that this was far from the full extent of Namgung Jun’s power.
“Come at me harder.”
“As you wish.”
Whoosh!
Deflecting every heavy strike of the greatsword, Namgung Jun leaned forward. Having tested the basic feel of the sword with the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique, he began to slowly unleash his other techniques, starting with the Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders.
As swift sword strikes, soft-sword principles, and even illusionary techniques blended together, a tempest of attacks raged.
Crash!
Wielding his massive greatsword, Gong Jun-am’s eyes, hands, and feet grew frantic.
Namgung Jun’s sword precisely disrupts my flow and penetrates my defense. That is why my technique is being breached so helplessly.
The greatsword, which usually felt light to him, felt exceptionally heavy and cumbersome today.
He has only just been promoted to Third Cloud, yet there is likely no one left in the Heavenly Sword Hall who can rival him besides the Hall Master.
As he barely managed to parry Namgung Jun’s sword, Gong Jun-am recalled the young man who had first joined the hall. Even back then, he was no ordinary rookie. But now, he had grown into a seasoned swordsman capable of leading the vanguard of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
Perhaps, in the near future, the hall would boast two Fourth Clouds. Thinking of that possibility, a ripple of emotion stirred within his usually indifferent heart.
What kind of swordsman will you become?
If he could be of any help on Namgung Jun’s journey, Gong Jun-am was ready to give everything he had. He couldn’t offer warm, affectionate words like the other swordsmen. Therefore, he chose to guide Namgung Jun through sword strikes heavier than anyone else’s.
Creak!
It was the sound of Gong Jun-am’s grip tightening around the hilt of his greatsword.
Clang!
Gong Jun-am did not intend to drag out the duel. He wanted to showcase the absolute best single strike he could muster.
The Great Derivation Sword Technique.
Severing and Shattering the Void.
A horizontal slash carrying the entirety of Gong Jun-am’s Sword Force shot forward.
Namgung Jun, in turn, unleashed the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique. A thick wind of Sword Force settled upon his blade, which he held in a high guard.
The Heavenly Wind Sword Technique.
Autumn-Sky Gaze.
The two swords, each carrying the maximum Sword Force of their wielders, collided.
BOOM!
A roar like a clap of thunder erupted, and a circular shockwave swept across the training ground. Amidst the thick, rising cloud of dust, a chilling cracking sound echoed.
Crack.
It was the sound of Gong Jun-am’s greatsword cracking. A large fracture ran along the blade, bringing it to the verge of snapping. At this point, it would be better to simply get a new one.
As Namgung Jun’s gaze drifted to the crack, Gong Jun-am struck the blade against the ground without hesitation.
Clang!
The greatsword snapped completely. Gong Jun-am didn’t even spare a glance at the broken half. Instead, he looked at Namgung Jun, who had raised his eyebrows slightly.
“A sword can always be replaced. I gained much from this duel, and that is enough.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
“I hope it was of help to you as well.”
“Of course. I have become familiar enough with this sword to take it on my next mission immediately. It would have been difficult without you, Senior Gong.”
At Namgung Jun’s polite words, Gong Jun-am’s stern face softened slightly.
“Then that is all that matters.”
* * *
After finishing the duel, Namgung Jun opened his eyes, having been examining his internal state through Qi Circulation. He had sensed a presence outside.
Stepping out of his quarters, he saw Yun Gyeong-jong looking around the pavilions of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
“What brings the Ink Lord here in person?”
“The Association Leader is looking for you.” Yun Gyeong-jong nodded, as if silently acknowledging Namgung Jun’s recent achievements, and continued, “It seems he has decided on another reward in addition to the Essence-Steeling Great Art.”
Namgung Jun recalled what Hahu Seon had told him. It appeared that the reward for the Mount Song Gathering would not end with just the Essence-Steeling Great Art.
“I will prepare myself immediately.”
Namgung Jun set off toward the Azure Heaven Pavilion alongside Yun Gyeong-jong.