Chapter 235
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 235
Chapter Title: Would It Be Too Hard?
"Ah, greetings, elder."
At Wi Ji-gun's appearance, Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu clasped their hands in respect and bowed deeply.
Wi Ji-gun waved his hand dismissively.
"Heh heh. Such formalities are too much for an old laborer like me."
However, the Namgung siblings knew this was no ordinary old man.
They were well aware he was the master of Instructor Ha Mu-baek, that monstrous figure. How could they not show proper respect?
"So, what brings you two here?"
Wi Ji-gun asked again.
"Ah, my sword broke, so I've come to retrieve the training sword issued to me."
Wi Ji-gun's gaze fell on Namgung Ji-hu's sword sheath.
"I see. Must have been quite a shock to see it like that."
He pointed to the padlock.
Soon, he pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked it.
"I manage this place, and I'd just finished cleaning, so I locked it up for a while since no one ever comes looking anyway. Nearly made a mistake there."
Kiiik.
Wi Ji-gun opened the door, and the hinges let out a loud creak.
"Go on, find your sword."
Wi Ji-gun flung the door wide open, and Namgung Ji-hu stepped inside.
Swords, blades, spears, staffs, and more.
The armory was filled with all sorts of weapons.
As expected, swords and blades were the most numerous.
Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu quickly scanned the swords.
The swords lay sheathed only in scabbards on racks, without individual sheaths.
And soon enough, they spotted the swords engraved with their own names.
It was inevitable.
They were the two most brilliantly shining swords in the entire place.
Their eyes were naturally drawn to them, and there on the blades were their names etched clearly.
"This... what on earth..."
Namgung Ji-hu muttered in a daze.
They were mere training swords.
How could they be maintained to this level?
Namgung Ji-yu stared blankly at her own sword as well.
Originally, only Namgung Ji-hu had come for his sword.
Yet somehow, she had picked hers up too.
It was unavoidable.
Even as a plain training sword, its blade gleamed with a pure white light that seduced her.
Namgung Ji-yu must have felt an inexplicable pull toward that shine.
Once they had their swords, the other weapons caught their eyes too.
All of them were impeccably maintained, gleaming brightly.
"Did you polish all of these yourself, elder?"
Namgung Ji-hu asked in astonishment.
"I did some, others did some. This time, mostly someone else— I had other duties. Heh heh. Anyway, those two need sheaths. Wait a moment."
Wi Ji-gun headed to a corner of the armory.
A large pile covered in cloth.
Lifting it revealed a stack of sheaths underneath.
"Here they are. Yes. Heh heh. No idea why these were stashed here like this. Anyway."
The two hesitated briefly as they received the two sheaths, covered in dust.
It felt wrong to slide their shining blades into such dirty sheaths.
In the end, they set the swords back on the rack, cleaned the sheaths thoroughly, and only then sheathed their training swords.
With that, the three left the armory.
Wi Ji-gun locked the door again and departed.
Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu headed back to the training ground.
'Looks like it really is a lucky day.'
Namgung Ji-yu thought to herself.
She had thought her luck had run out when her sword broke.
Yet here she was, with a sword like this.
It was just a common training sword.
But how could it be polished and cared for to shine like this?
And spotless uniforms to boot.
Today.
Her luck was definitely good.
Night had deepened before they knew it.
Namgung Hwi was drinking alone with liquor he'd brought from somewhere.
"May I come in for a moment?"
"Please, come in, elder."
At Wi Ji-gun's voice, Namgung Hwi rose and opened the door.
"How are you settling in?"
"Thanks to your consideration, I'm comfortable."
The two sat facing each other at a small low table.
The modest room held only a single bed, the low table, and a wardrobe.
For a laborer to have such a space alone was luxury indeed.
"How's the work?"
"Yes. No troubles; I'm managing well."
To Wi Ji-gun's question, Namgung Hwi even gave a faint smile.
How could he not?
Today, he had seen those children.
Wearing clothes he had personally washed with care.
"You polished all the weapons in the armory, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did them all."
Wi Ji-gun nodded slowly.
"Care to pour me a cup?"
At those words, Namgung Hwi fetched another cup and poured for Wi Ji-gun.
Wi Ji-gun downed it in one gulp.
There were no side dishes.
Namgung Hwi had just been drinking alone.
"Bamboo Leaf Clear Liquor? Clean and nice."
Wi Ji-gun savored it and nodded.
"Glad you're adapting well. I have another favor to ask—would that be alright?"
"Of course, elder. Please say it."
"Then, starting tomorrow afternoon, clean the Hidden Dragon Corps training ground. I'll show you."
Namgung Hwi froze at Wi Ji-gun's words.
"Th-the Hidden Dragon Corps, sir?"
His voice trembled slightly.
Wi Ji-gun regarded him with deep, knowing eyes.
"Would it be too hard?"
"N-no, not at all. No problem."
"Good. Then have midday meal with me tomorrow, and head over after. The armory looked perfect thanks to you—no work there this month, so I'm asking you for the Hidden Dragon Corps grounds. Rest well."
With that, Wi Ji-gun rose and left Namgung Hwi's room.
Namgung Hwi bowed to Wi Ji-gun at the door, then sat back at the table and refilled his cup.
His hand trembled pathetically.
He swallowed the Bamboo Leaf Clear Liquor.
It was sweet.
Sweetness was all he tasted.
This wasn't supposed to be a sweet liquor, yet that's all Namgung Hwi felt.
How could it not be?
The Hidden Dragon Corps training ground.
The Hidden Dragon Corps where Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu belonged.
Starting tomorrow afternoon, he might run into those two children more often.
Namgung Hwi took another cup.
Telling himself it was the last, he downed it.
Still sweet.
He might not sleep properly tonight.
The sunlight was growing quite harsh.
Spring was in full bloom, with signs of summer heat beginning to stir.
Han Seol-bing was heading to the training ground instead of the lecture hall for once.
Mornings were always tied up with classes, so it had been ages since she'd walked in this refreshing air.
Afternoons were spent overseeing Fierce Dragon Corps training at the main drill ground.
Thanks to Ha Mu-baek dumping it all on her and vanishing again.
So today, she decided to take a break and headed to the empty Fierce Dragon Corps Squad 20 training ground.
That's when she spotted a man.
A one-armed laborer.
'Huh?'
A one-armed laborer?
Her first thought was how hard it must be for him to work.
Stepping closer, she saw his face as he swept diligently.
A face covered in scars from sword wounds.
A face she remembered.
'How is that guy...'
Her eyes widened in shock.
Namgung Hwi spotted Han Seol-bing and bowed his head politely.
He was just as surprised.
'Even the Hocheon Corps Vice Leader...'
With that, the two passed each other, and Han Seol-bing changed course.
Not to Squad 20's ground, but Squad 7's.
Sure enough, Ha Mu-baek lounged atop a boulder.
"C-Corps Leader!"
So startled was she that the old title slipped out first.
It made sense—back when they met, Ha Mu-baek had been corps leader, and she his vice.
"What? I'm tired."
Yesterday, he'd gotten into it and sparred with Namgung Ji-hu.
He'd even glimpsed trance-like immersion, so he'd guided the bout carefully.
More mentally taxing than expected.
So yes, Ha Mu-baek being tired was somewhat true.
Not truly challenging at his level, though.
"D-did you see him? That man?"
"Who?"
"N-No Name. No Name."
How long had it been since he started working at the Dragon Training Pavilion?
And now she shows up making a fuss?
Was it even worth fussing over?
"Saw him. So what?"
Ha Mu-baek's nonchalant response made Han Seol-bing pout in disappointment.
"No, it's just surprising. He acted like he'd never leave that place, then suddenly appears as a Dragon Training Pavilion laborer."
"I bet he was more shocked. Seeing the Hocheon Corps Vice Leader playing instructor here."
Han Seol-bing pursed her lips at Ha Mu-baek's retort.
"More importantly, you. Do you even grasp that guy's level properly?"
She flinched at Ha Mu-baek's question.
Come to think of it, she hadn't fully sensed his martial prowess.
Not like when they met in the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest.
"You've been slacking too much lately."
Han Seol-bing scowled fiercely at Ha Mu-baek's words.
All the suffering she was enduring because of him.
"His master was dragging him around, and he seemed stronger than you."
Her mouth, about to open, snapped shut.
No way?
Impossible?
In the Mountain-Crossing Demonic Forest, he hadn't been comparable to her level...
"Seemed like he'd entered Peak Return to Truth. That's why he left the village. Achieved his goal."
Han Seol-bing stared blankly at those words.
Peak Return to Truth.
The No Name she'd met back then was strong, yes.
But merely peeking at peak's entry, barely at first-class's end.
And now, transcendent peak—and Peak Return to Truth?
A realm even she hadn't reached.
After entering transcendent peak, she'd hit a wall.
If No Name had attained it...
"Guess I need to train. Me too. You're right, Corps Leader—I've been too lax lately. Not the time for me to oversee anyone's training..."
With that, Han Seol-bing departed.
But.
That last remark.
It nagged at Ha Mu-baek.
Sounded like she'd ditch Fierce Dragon Corps training starting today for personal cultivation.
Namgung Hwi and Wi Ji-gun emerged from the Devouring Dragon Pavilion.
Since he was to start cleaning the Hidden Dragon Corps training ground, they'd finished lunch there deliberately.
Not much to explain about cleaning.
Just which squad's ground, the route there, etc.
Thus, Namgung Hwi toured the assigned area quickly with Wi Ji-gun.
Afterward, he began sweeping alone.
Whether due to Wi Ji-gun's intervention after the Hwang Ryeok incident, no managers bothered him anymore.
This morning, he'd crossed paths with Hwang Ryeok, who barely glanced his way.
So Namgung Hwi could clean in peace.
Whether he realized it or not, he was gradually working toward Hidden Dragon Corps second-year Squad 1's training ground.
Sweeping bit by bit.
Before he knew it, he'd arrived at Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1's ground.
And there, four cadets diligently swung their weapons.
Of them, two caught Namgung Hwi's eye.
Two training swords shining blindingly, brighter than the sun.
Wielded by Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu.
'They took those swords too.'
Tears welled up suddenly.
Namgung Hwi hurriedly bowed his head and focused on sweeping.
Yeong Ho-jun glanced at Namgung Hwi but soon ignored him.
Laborers cleaning around training grounds was routine.
A one-armed one with a scarred face was unusual, but that was it.
He needed to focus on his own training.
Thus, Namgung Hwi cleaned around Hidden Dragon Corps Squad 1's ground for a while before moving on.
He couldn't linger there forever.
As he walked away, his face filled with deep regret and sorrow.
'Grand Harmony Sword Method. Impressive, but lacking...'
Compared to himself at that age, Namgung Ji-hu displayed a far superior realm.
Yet from Namgung Hwi's current level, flaws were evident everywhere.
Regrettable. Frustrating.
He wanted to teach him directly.
But his position forbade it.
Suddenly, his face throbbed.
It hadn't since that day.
Even the phantom pain in his lost right arm ached.
Though he could never wield a sword with it again.
The movements of Namgung Ji-hu's Grand Harmony Sword Method swirled chaotically in Namgung Hwi's mind.