Even Dragons Are Equal Before the Head (2)
It was quiet.
The only thing catching everyone's eyes on the sparring platform was Yu Han-man, collapsed and twitching now and then.
What the hell had just happened?
Defying all expectations, Yu Han-man had put on an incredible show. His final trump card had even been enough to stun the entire crowd.
And yet... it was shattered. By a head.
A barrage so relentless that no one could even count the blows.
He couldn't have died, right?
"Phew~ Now I finally feel better."
The culprit behind it all wore a refreshingly relieved expression, like a weight had been lifted off his chest.
He's insane.
That's so Namgung.
Everyone there thought the same.
Meanwhile, the Namgung Clan members looked like they'd just bitten into shit. The Great Elder's expression was especially priceless.
They'd thought it was Changgung Mu-ae Geombeop.
But what Namgung Daeso had just unleashed was something that dismantled it—a counter technique of sorts.
'It's not perfect yet.'
Even imagining refining it over time... sent chills down his spine.
The Great Elder stared at Namgung Daeso with fearful eyes.
'So it's finally beginning.'
Most direct descendants of the Namgung Clan revealed their ambitions around that age, making their mark.
The clan's crown prince, Namgung Dae, had proven his burning desire for martial prowess by overwhelmingly winning the Sajwangjeon.
It was a declaration so pure—no room for doubt—that any martial artist would nod in approval: he would reign supreme over the Namgung Clan!
His second brother, Namgung Jung, had dominated the Sajwangjeon too, revealing not just his martial talent but his interest in intelligence. Now he wielded both weapons, commanding a force no one in the clan could easily touch.
The third brother, Namgung So, was relentlessly honing himself, determined not to fall behind his elders.
But what Namgung Daeso had just done was utterly different from his three brothers.
He'd dismantled Changgung Mu-ae Geombeop—a supreme art that most direct Namgung descendants mastered.
By demonstrating its counter right there, he'd rebuked everyone in the clan—not with words, but with action.
The Namgung isn't perfect yet!
Don't get arrogant just because you're at the top!
Or your head'll get smashed—like that Hwasan kid over there!
That was the message in the swordsmanship Namgung Daeso had just displayed.
'That's the Youngest Young Master's intent...'
He didn't need to hear it outright to know.
To surpass the current Namgung.
Something no one had ever hinted at.
No, something no one had even conceived.
Something beyond words.
Who else could declare such ambition so gloriously?
If the entire martial world within the Namgung Clan took Namgung Daeso's wake-up call to heart and pushed further, refusing to settle... the Namgung would surpass Tianxia's best and become the greatest sect in history.
Thump!
His heart, which he'd thought too old to race, pounded wildly.
Perhaps sitting at the top for so long had made him forget how it felt to thrill like this.
The Great Elder rebuked his earlier thoughts.
'Fool! This isn't the time to covet others' glory!'
He stared piercingly at Namgung Daeso.
And he wasn't the only elder harboring such feelings.
The other Namgung elders felt it too.
'This is a warning! Exposing a flaw in Changgung Mu-ae Geombeop that no one noticed—right in front of the entire martial world...'
'Even an iron fortress like the current Namgung Clan could crumble someday...'
'And at the same time, a roar to all of Murim!'
'He's declaring he'll topple the old Namgung and become its new sovereign!'
Pity the fallen Hwasan kid—he'd been mere fertilizer for this bold debut.
What a fierce, audacious proclamation!
Namgung Daeso sheathed his sword and tapped Yu Han-man's head.
Yeah! That was just making sure he was down for the count.
Brutal!
True blood of the Martial God...
An indirect vow: fix Changgung Mu-ae Geombeop's weakness, or he'd bash their heads until they passed out!
They gazed at him fearfully while gripping their sword hilts.
How long had it been since someone pointed out their shortcomings?
Yet it didn't feel bad. It ignited them.
Like returning to their youth.
Even the Martial God had never stirred them like this.
They were pinnacle experts ruling Tianxia, but they were growing weary.
They just hid it well.
Now, an unforeseen problem had been dropped on them like a boulder—something utterly unexpected.
A scent from long ago, irresistibly enticing.
They wanted to grab their swords and swing freely right now.
The Martial God was beside them, and this was the Sajwangjeon, but none of it registered.
Their minds were filled only with the sword path Namgung Daeso had traced.
They yearned to swing their blades.
To solve the challenge he'd thrown down.
And Namgung Daeso, the source of it all, had no clue.
He didn't know that the future had changed—the Hwasan Sword Ghost became a Sword Dragon, but terrifying new Sword Ghosts would be born.
Above all, escaping the Namgung Clan would become far harder.
Maybe impossible.
I glanced upward.
Just to check on the old Daoist grandpa.
The match was over, and Yu Han-man had shown what he could anyway.
Even losing in the first round preliminaries, the Hwasan folks should accept it.
His opponent was me—no helping that.
If I won the whole thing, losing to the champion would silence any complaints.
'Huh?'
But the elders' stares were intense—practically stinging.
Weird. I hadn't stiffed them on any bets.
Sure, I loved money, but I never wagered my life.
'Why're they like that? No way... Did I smash his head too much in front of everyone? Made it look bad?'
The Sajwangjeon was hosted by the Namgung but an official Murim event.
decorum mattered.
Thinking back, fifty-plus headbutts might've been excessive.
'Should've stopped at thirty... Why's the Great Elder glaring like that? Eyes burning. He mad for real?'
Down to twenty now.
He looked ready to devour me.
Then the Great Elder approached.
No inner energy flared, but his natural aura crushed the air around him.
Like facing a lifelong nemesis.
'W-Wait, can the judge do that?'
I tried rallying my qi to resist, but I'd burned most of it against Yu Han-man. It barely worked.
Old wounds were reopening.
The Great Elder reached for my arm.
The guy who usually chuckled amiably looked terrifying—second only to my old man.
Gulp.
If he grabs me, I'm dead!
Only thought in my head: run.
No impudent urge to fight back.
But my feet were stuck, like in thick mud.
Grab!
His hand finally clamped my arm.
"That was impressive."
"W-What?"
"It's been ages since you lit a fire in this old man's heart. Heh, you went too far with the pranks."
"......"
No clue what he meant.
Good news: no killing intent.
I relaxed my tension.
He supported my slumping body.
"Can't have the winner looking sloppy, right?"
Then he hoisted my arm high.
"The winner of the Sajwangjeon preliminaries first round: Namgung Sega's Namgung Daeso!"
'Ah...'
Only then did I relax fully.
He'd just come to declare the verdict.
"Waaaaaaah!!! Namgung Daeso!!!"
"Waaaaaaah!!! Best match ever!"
The crowd erupted in massive cheers.
First time getting this much love from so many.
"Hehe."
My mouth kept twitching.
"Best fight of my life!!!"
"Hehehe."
"Thought it was the finals!!!"
"Hehehehe."
I was grinning like an idiot when—
"I'm looking forward to seeing how the Youngest Young Master claims the Namgung Clan."
"Hehehehehe, heh?"
"Thought my later years would be easy, but looks like I'll be sweating again after so long. Heh."
"Hehe?"
His tone scolded, but he seemed pleased.
Drunk? No booze smell.
"I'll visit Cheonryongjeon when the Sajwangjeon ends. We'll settle today's homework properly then. Actually, screw it—I'm coming today!"
Hey, why're you suddenly like this to me?
That was when it hit.
-Impressive show. Boldly declaring you'll devour the Namgung in public like that. Heh.
Mukgeom grandpa? I didn't say anything.
If you're all teasing me, I'm getting mad for real.
-Free tonight? I doubt I'll sleep after this.
Cheolgeom grandpa, sleep at home. If you can't, get sleeping pills from Ilhyang sis. Not from me!
-Fun. Not rooting for you, but I admire that spirit. Never dreamed you'd throw down the gauntlet like this. Hahaha!
Changgung Geomdan Captain, first time talking and you're acting buddy-buddy...? And I didn't challenge you! Why fight Namgung Sega's elite force like Changgung Geomdan!
-Knew my eye for people was spot on! Fiery! To trash the Namgung so openly! Days like this call for drinks.
Lightning grandpa, I'm underage.
Then a barrage of transmissions hammered my ears: bam! bam!
Should've stopped at twenties... no, teens.
People provoking me like this!
They took my headbutts fine, but now random Namgung folks curse me out.
-I won't forgive you! Evil bastard!
Who? And why no forgiveness all sudden?
-My Namgung! My perfect Namgung... you made it flawed! Worse than Ma-gyo!
Still, that's tolerable.
-Go bald or die!
Some straight-up hurled profanities.
Others were different.
-Smash my head too, Youngest Young Master!
Huh?! What're you...?
-Inspired by your great challenge. Want to join Cheonryongjeon and smash the Namgung together. Waiting at the log bridge tonight.
Enemy?
-Namgung Daeso! Cheering for you from now on!
Why's everyone doing this to me!
I finally rallied my qi, blocking the endless transmissions, and descended the platform.
"Commencing the second round!"
The Great Elder's voice made the Sajwangjeon heat up even more.
I thought it was over, but no.
Someone was waiting in the lounge.