Chapter 93: Intensive Training (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: Intensive Training (3)
Seven days and nights.
That was the time remaining until the Azure Heaven Association's Ten Halls strength evaluation.
Boom!
Clang! Clang!
Crash!
The booming thuds of Earth-Trembling Stomps and the metallic clash of swords tangled together like stubborn vines.
Namgung Jun took in the sight of the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen sparring all across the training ground.
‘Their overall level has risen.’
Through the Sword-Root Foundation Art, they had honed their basic external arts and Sword Qi, successfully raising their average mastery of the Great Derivation Sword Technique.
Even the swordsman with the lowest mastery had reached the eighty percent mark, which was a massive success.
While they had focused on strengthening individual capabilities through intensive training in the Sword-Root Foundation Art and the Great Derivation Sword Technique for the past two months, they had dedicated the final month to mastering the Great Derivation Sword Formation.
Perhaps because the Heavenly Sword Hall's overall command of the Great Derivation Sword Technique had improved, the proficiency and power of the Great Derivation Sword Formation also grew day by day.
The Heavenly Sword Hall was clearly growing stronger, both individually and collectively.
Rumble!
The drill concluded as everyone performing the Great Derivation Sword Formation executed a final, synchronized Earth-Trembling Stomp, unleashing a wave of Qi.
The members of the Heavenly Sword Hall immediately collapsed to the ground where they stood, catching their breath and wiping away sweat.
"At this rate, there’s almost nothing left to fix in the Great Derivation Sword Formation. Even in the First and Second Clouds, we’re barely making any mistakes."
"The improved Great Derivation Sword Formation is incredibly strong. I think we’d stand a good chance even against the Three Powerhouses."
Listening to the swordsmen's chatter, Heo Il uncorked the gourd at his waist and took a swig of alcohol.
"To be honest, I thought we were doing well enough before… but it seems we were just complacent. To think our skills could improve this much under Young Master Namgung's guidance."
"Exactly! I always thought of the Great Derivation Sword Technique as just a way to build a foundation and support other martial arts, but now it feels like we've discovered a whole new side to it."
Man Ye-won, standing beside Heo Il, chimed in with a raised voice.
"Indeed. Man Ye-won's Great Wind Sword Technique has gotten much stronger, even though she hasn't practiced it at all for the past three months," Gong Jun-am, who also wielded a heavy sword, asserted.
Man Ye-won shrugged, a proud look on her face.
The swordsmen, who had been sharing the results of their intensive training, all turned their heads at some point to look at Namgung Jun.
Watching them, Namgung Jun spoke in a low voice.
"Only now can it be called a single, unified sword formation."
The Heavenly Sword Hall members, who had been waiting for his response, burst into cheers.
Until now, Namgung Jun had never looked satisfied with their Great Derivation Sword Formation. He had always gently pointed out their flaws, addressing each person’s mistakes and areas for improvement to show them what needed to be corrected.
After more than twenty days of this, it was the first time Namgung Jun had offered them a straightforward compliment.
"I think this is the first time our youngest has ever praised us!"
"Since you're at it, why not praise us some more!"
"Knowing how to coax your subordinates is a skill in itself."
Namgung Jun smiled at the clamor.
"Praise flows naturally only when another's actions and mindset are worthy of it. Once is enough."
The swordsmen erupted in laughter.
"Haha! Young Master Namgung's eloquence is ripening as well."
"Namgung Jun is right. Wagging one's tongue is useless."
As Heo Il laughed, Gong Jun-am nodded solemnly.
"I haven't received a single compliment, though. Was I not good enough to be praised?"
As Man Ye-won held her forehead as if dizzy, the surrounding swordsmen teased her.
"That's why you should have made a better first impression."
"I still find it amazing how the precious daughter of the Head of the Elders' Council has blended in so well with the Heavenly Sword Hall."
While laughing along with the others, Namgung Jun suddenly raised his head. He had sensed a familiar, yet somehow different, aura outside the Heavenly Sword Hall pavilion.
It seemed the others had not yet noticed it.
"Heh."
A smile played on his lips as Namgung Jun uncrossed his legs.
As he slowly stood up, the other Heavenly Sword Hall members also rose to their feet.
"Since everyone still seems hungry for praise…" Namgung Jun shifted his gaze toward the back of the pavilion and said, "why don't we ask that person for their opinion on the Heavenly Sword Hall's current state?"
Following his words, the members belatedly turned their heads, and a woman came into view.
Her martial robe, originally pitch-black, was so faded and caked in dust that it seemed to absorb all light, appearing even darker than before.
Despite her grueling training, the blue light gleaming in her eyes, visible through her fluttering hair, had become even more profound and sharp.
Entering the Heavenly Sword Hall pavilion with a sword in hand, the woman swept her gaze across the swordsmen before her eyes finally locked with Namgung Jun's.
"Heavenly Sword Hall."
She uttered only those two words in a low voice.
Yet, as if they had understood the intent behind her tone, the swordsmen slowly began to draw their swords. Amidst the scraping of blades being unsheathed, Namgung Jun also slowly placed his hand on his hilt.
"Deploy the formation."
It was a firm command, laced with a hint of amusement.
Thud!
Taking their positions in unison, the Qi of the Heavenly Sword Hall members bound together as one. It was the deployment of the Great Derivation Sword Formation.
"I'll have to see if you've been slacking off for the past three months."
At the woman's words, the swordsmen retorted, refusing to back down.
"The same goes for you, Hall Master."
"If you take us lightly, you'll be in for a surprise."
"Come at us, Hall Master."
Hearing the confident voices of her subordinates, the woman in black, Lee Se-ha, slowly drew her sword.
"It's been a while. Let's greet each other properly."
The Heavenly Sword Hall Master charged.
It was a reunion and a test—a duel to measure the gains of the past three months.
Long after the sun had set, the noise from the Heavenly Sword Hall did not cease.
*
The day of the strength evaluation.
The Heavenly Sword Hall headed toward the Grand Training Ground in the center of the main castle.
‘Incredible.’
Namgung Jun slightly lifted his bamboo hat to look up.
Even though they had not yet arrived, he could feel an immensely dense wave of Qi.
The elite of the Azure Heaven Association, the Ten Halls. Ten martial groups that had been scattered across the Jianghu, eradicating demonic and heretical sects while upholding chivalry, were now gathering in one place.
Naturally, the anticipation was palpable.
Namgung Jun looked down at the thick wooden staff he held in both hands. It was not a simple staff, but the flagpole bearing the banner of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
Namgung Jun had become the flagbearer for the Heavenly Sword Hall. This also meant he was, in both name and reality, the second-in-command.
No one had objected to him becoming the flagbearer. On the contrary, some veterans had recommended him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He was recognized not just for his skill, but for his ability to lead the Heavenly Sword Hall in the Hall Master's absence.
"Jun, are you nervous?" Lee Se-ha asked without shifting her gaze from the Grand Training Ground ahead.
Namgung Jun smiled as he looked at her slender yet dependable back.
"How could I be?"
"Keep your shoulders squared. The other halls won't just stand by and let us plant our flag."
"That sounds entertaining."
While they chatted lightly, the Heavenly Sword Hall arrived at the Grand Training Ground. The grounds were vast enough to easily accommodate hundreds of people. The Ten Halls were scattered in a circle, each occupying a position in a different direction.
‘Martial Conquest Hall, Iron Tower Hall, Flying Swiftness Hall.’
He saw the halls belonging to the Three Powerhouses, as well as others he had only heard of but never properly encountered.
Seeing that nine directions were already occupied, it appeared the Heavenly Sword Hall was the last to arrive. Perhaps because of this, the gazes of the nine halls that had arrived first focused on them simultaneously.
However, the Heavenly Sword Hall took its place, exuding a dignified yet chilling aura.
"Disciple."
"Yes, Master."
Namgung Jun, holding the flag of the Heavenly Sword Hall, stepped forward.
Just as he was about to plant it—
Whoosh!
A strong wind whipped up from all directions. To be precise, it was a wave of Qi unleashed toward Namgung Jun by the flagbearers of the other nine halls.
Originally, the flagbearer of the Heavenly Sword Hall had been Gong Jun-am. It was only natural for them to be curious about the change. The flagbearers, interested in Namgung Jun, unleashed their Qi Waves all at once, sending a staggering six streams of energy rushing toward him.
The halls that had refrained were the Martial Conquest Hall, the Iron Tower Hall, and the Mokryun Hall.
Watching the waves of Qi rushing in from all directions, Namgung Jun wore a faint smile. He raised his gaze to the banner, taking in the characters for "Heavenly Sword" embroidered in black on a blue background.
‘Since this is just the beginning, shall we start light?’
Namgung Jun recalled the principles he had intensively trained over the past three months. Unlike the other swordsmen, he had undergone training to melt four other sword techniques into the Great Derivation Sword Technique, all to encompass every single principle within a single sword strike.
Crackle!
Thick Thunder Qi wrapped around his entire body like a robe.
The six streams of Qi were just about to reach him. If he stood his ground, he wouldn't suffer any major injuries, but the flag symbolizing the Heavenly Sword Hall would undoubtedly be torn to shreds.
Hum!
A wave of Qi erupted from his hands as they gripped the flagpole.
Boom!
A deafening crack tore through the air as the six streams of Qi were simultaneously pushed back. At the same time, the flagpole bearing the Heavenly Sword Hall's banner was planted deeply into the ground.
Thud!
As the flagpole struck the ground, a second shockwave erupted, surging back along the paths the attacks had come from.
"Ugh!"
"Hup!"
The six flagbearers who had sent the probing Qi Waves were forced to channel their internal energy to resist the backlash.
Soon, silence fell over the Grand Training Ground. Only the senior veterans of the Ten Halls whispered among themselves.
"Unless my eyes deceived me, I saw multiple principles in that single move."
"I saw it that way too."
"The new flagbearer of the Heavenly Sword Hall… that’s the Azure Star Sword, right?"
"To think he surpassed the Wall-Repelling Sword… Has a major change occurred in the Heavenly Sword Hall?"
These were mostly the reactions of those who were seeing Namgung Jun for the first time or had only heard rumors about him.
‘Brother Namgung. You've grown even stronger.’
Baekri Cheong, standing with the Martial Conquest Hall, wore a smile, while the Mokryun Hall Master and the Crushing Hall Master watched Namgung Jun with meaningful eyes.
Just as everyone's attention in the Grand Training Ground was focused on Namgung Jun, a voice boomed.
"Bwahahaha! Is everyone gathered?!"
The voice was like a thousand shouts erupting at once, carrying with it a magnificent spirit.
Turning toward the source of the sound, they saw a middle-aged man with his right fist clenched tightly, his mouth wide open. Beside him, a flag bearing the characters for "Resounding Voice" fluttered.
‘Are they the Resounding Voice Hall?’
Resounding Voice Hall. A martial group where all members primarily utilized sound arts through various musical instruments. In group battles, they were said to display martial power comparable to the Martial Conquest Hall.
"There are quite a few familiar faces! And plenty of unfamiliar ones too!"
The middle-aged man scanned the Ten Halls before raising his voice again.
"I am the Resounding Voice Hall Master!"
Namgung Jun’s eyes narrowed as the voice rang sharply in his ears.
‘To have such volume without even using internal energy…’
He couldn't imagine the power it would hold if infused with internal energy.
Even as everyone frowned, the Resounding Voice Hall Master paid them no mind and shouted toward the sky.
"Let the strength evaluation begin!"