How About This? (1)
If you asked where the largest training ground in the Namgung Family Estate was, everyone would answer in unison: the Jungang Yeonmujang.
It could accommodate simultaneous training for two full martial units—or three if you pushed it—and even with over a thousand people inside, there'd still be room to spare. The reason it was built so vast was to allow for training that was practically indistinguishable from real combat.
Right now, that space was packed not with Namgung people, but with outsiders.
The dirt floor at the center had been replaced by a massive sparring platform, its perfection defying belief for something erected in just one day. At a glance, it was filled with the highest-grade cheonggangseok stone, notoriously hard to obtain.
"I had a hunch, but it's really happening!"
"Look! The Namgung warriors are coming out!"
Spectators filled three sides of the platform. The remaining side had been empty until just now, when a line of people arrived to claim their seats.
"Woooaaahhh!!! It's the Jeokhyeoldan!"
The crowd's cheers erupted.
"That's the Jerimdan! Wooaaahhh!!"
Then came the remaining four outer court units and two inner court units, filing in one after another. Behind them appeared the Namgung heavyweights.
When Namgung Hancheol took his seat at the center, flanked by the direct Namgung lineage, a ghostly silence fell—not a single sound leaked out. In that flowing hush, the spectators couldn't stop stealing glances.
They couldn't tell if the scene before them was a dream or reality.
These onlookers were all long-time residents of Hebi, locals who'd lived there for at least a decade. That's why they knew the Namgung Family Estate better than anyone.
'I've seen him before. That's the Namgung Second Elder.'
Drawing on their personal knowledge.
'That's the military strategist. Still going strong—truly Murim's blessing.'
Based on legendary tales passed down from elders.
'That madman's the deputy strategist. At least he gets the job done.'
Naturally, their eyes gravitated to the highest figure by their own standards. But something didn't add up, no matter how they looked.
'Who the hell is that guy ahead of the Second Elder?'
'Isn't the one in the second row the Great Elder?'
'Did the Council of Elders show up today?'
The man at the very front looked no older than middle-aged. What was shocking was that everyone was watching his cues.
And so the spectators arrived at one conclusion.
'No way, that's the one we've only heard about...'
'Then he must be...'
'I see, it's him...'
Mushin. The Tianxia First Person. Master of the Tianxia First Family.
In that instant, every one of the thousand-plus people felt utterly overwhelmed.
As Namgung Hancheol sat, the others followed suit in a chain reaction. Then, as if on reflex, the Great Elder rose smoothly and headed to the platform.
Only then.
"Waaaahhhh!!!"
"Waaaahhhh!!!"
The cheers filled the Jungang Yeonmujang once more.
Meanwhile, the Namgung onlookers kept their mouths shut. They knew full well the weight of today's sparring match.
It might end as a casual check on the youngest young master's skills. But if there was even a hint of an upset, it could upend the entire power structure of the Central Plains.
The Great Elder reached the platform's center and spoke softly. His voice, infused with profound inner power yet subdued, filled the entire space.
"We now commence the proxy duel between Namgung's Second Young Master and the Fourth Young Master."
At that moment, a group emerged from one side of the platform. They all wore yellow uniforms—the only ones in Hebi who did.
Someone, as if possessed, murmured, "It's the Daeyeon Geomdan..."
The second-strongest of the three inner court martial units in the Namgung Family Estate. A force that could rival one of the Nine Great Sects. To these spectators, they were the heroes who had defended their home and hometown from the horrors of the Demonic Cult in the past.
Cheers far louder than before rocked the arena.
Two men led the Daeyeon Geomdan. One had hair half black, half white, giving it an overall gray sheen. Too burly for an old man, his eyes carried the cunning depth of someone who'd seen it all. Beside him stood a young man whose dignified bearing evoked a great hero.
The Great Elder gave a brief introduction. "Namgung Jung, Second Young Master, and the Daeyeon Geomdan have arrived at the platform."
Soon, another group appeared from the opposite side. Unlike before, no one made a sound at their entrance.
Strange murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Who are they?"
Their clothes were a mismatched mess. Some wore training robes, others everyday attire, and a few looked like beggars.
"These guys are supposed to be a Namgung martial unit?"
A total ragtag bunch.
"No way that kid up front is the youngest young master? This gonna be a fight?"
And leading them was a brat who hadn't even fully grown yet.
"This is gonna fizzle out boringly, huh?"
Expectations soured to disappointment.
"But hey, wouldn't the all-time biggest Namgung flop be entertaining?"
Disappointment quickly turned to schadenfreude.
I frowned slightly. These people had standards when it came to discrimination! I'd eaten plenty of good meat over two years and grown a bit—still a kid?
'Anyway...'
Ignoring the gossip, I glanced to one side. It wasn't a surprise. I'd half-expected him not to show... like always. Every time. For everything.
My eyes landed on Father.
'This guy's been quiet lately, but here he goes again.'
Suddenly, I realized what Big Bro had almost said yesterday.
'But this time, he'll just watch.'
He couldn't act on whims like last time. Not with outsiders, disciples from other sects, and Murim dignitaries present. No way the Tianxia First Person would do that in front of them.
'That'd make him a total asshole.'
Er... but wasn't he?
Meanwhile, Ilseon Dosa and Mujikja had entirely different thoughts upon spotting Namgung Hancheol.
Anxiety. The jittery premonition, born of experience, that things might go to hell today.
There was precedent. At a gathering of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families—the pinnacle of Central Plains power—he'd done exactly as he pleased.
The two avoided eye contact with him at all costs. No desire to get caught in his crossfire.
On the other hand, a few watched with gleaming anticipation.
The longtime Hebi dignitaries nearly bit their tongues.
'No, it can't be them!'
Legends who'd once dominated Murim. Obscured by the Namgung shadow, but the very architects of today's world.
'Isn't that the Nine Dragons who vanished years ago?'
'That guy's the Ghost Killer who first exposed the Blood Curtain assassinations?'
'No way that beggar-looking one's Elder Wanggae of the Beggar's Sect... right?'
But they soon shook their heads.
'Seeing things.'
'Eyes playing tricks.'
'Haha! Those two old codgers look like Buljon and Geomwang. Guess I'm getting senile—hallucinations everywhere.'
And so, amid disappointment and expectation, Namgung Daeso and the Daegalbak reached the platform's front.
Namgung Daeso ascended alone. Now, only he, Namgung Jung, and the Great Elder remained on it.
The Great Elder met eyes with each side's representatives, then spoke to secure one promise before the match.
"Do Namgung's Second Young Master Namgung Jung and the youngest young master Namgung Daeso pledge to fight honorably and justly, without cowardice?"
Big Bro answered first. "Yes."
I followed. "Yes."
The Great Elder nodded and began explaining the match rules.
As he wrapped up, I stepped forward to execute the plan I'd prepared before the sparring even started.
"I have something to say."
Everyone turned puzzled gazes my way at the unexpected move.
I grinned at them and spoke.
* * *
Yesterday, I'd gathered the two old freeloaders and discussed tomorrow's match.
"The format doesn't specify participant numbers. It just goes until one side cries defeat. Big Bro's side will bring their surest bet: the Daeyeon Geomdan."
"Going for the kill, eh."
"Yep. What do you think, monk grandpa? If we face them, can we win?"
Ilseon Dosa pondered carefully before replying. "Honestly, we'd have to clash to know. But after two years of progress, we won't go down easy."
"What if we fought like we did two years ago?"
He answered without hesitation. "A hundred out of a hundred, we'd lose. The Namgung aren't called a den of monsters for nothing."
I turned to Mujikja, who'd been silently listening. He looked reluctant but nodded in agreement.
After that, the three of us brainstormed ways to win tomorrow. Who to send first. Match order. Strong upfront or save for last.
Two hours flew by, and we all reached the same conclusion.
"Fifty-fifty."
"Fifty-fifty, yeah."
"Fifty-fifty."
But it wasn't clear-cut. We could tally our side's strength, but no one here knew the Daeyeon Geomdan's true power.
"How about this?"
A sudden idea flashed through my mind. For when you don't know the enemy's strength. To boost win odds. A tactic usable only because they knew ours inside out.
Ilseon Dosa reacted positively. "Ho, not bad. Actually, pretty good."
Mujikja agreed enthusiastically. "Indeed. You're leveraging the Namgung trait. To them, so overwhelmingly strong, your proposal will be utterly novel."
"Right? And we're experts in this area."
"Amitabha. No empty words—we claim to be the Central Plains' best."
"Infinite blessings. Same here."
That night, every warrior of Cheonryongjeon and I trained nonstop—and finally perfected it.
* * *
"I am Namgung Daeso, the youngest young master of the Namgung Family Estate."
My voice gently filled the Jungang Yeonmujang. Not as resonant as the Great Elder's, but clear enough—drawing surprised looks from all around.
'What, surprised by this much?'
I glanced at Second Bro. At my sudden move, he stared back in utter confusion.
I flashed him a grin and continued. "I was wondering if we could tweak today's duel format a bit. Sorry if it's rude, but here I am."
Only then did Namgung Jung, who'd been watching, step up. "How?"
Skeptical, but brimming with confidence. A true scion of the Tianxia First Family, no matter who looked.
"One-on-one's no fun, right? We've got 53, and you've got even more. If everyone duels individually... it'd take all day."
People started nodding at my reasonable point.
"True, the kid's got a point."
"Plus, it's hot today. Might melt out here."
"I got business prep tomorrow anyway."
I proposed a solution to blow away all those worries.
"Let's make it simple and fast: team battle. Daeyeon Geomdan versus Cheonryongjeon. What do you say?"
That alone wouldn't sway him. Time to add one more.
"Of course, only if you're not scared."
Irrefusable bait!
In that instant.
Shwaaaaa...
I felt crushed from all sides. Various auras converged, aimed solely at me.
I turned toward the source. The entire Daeyeon Geomdan glared with fiery eyes.
I swallowed hard, thinking, 'Er... maybe skip that last taunt.'
Then, a laugh rang out.
"Hahahahaha!!!"
Namgung Cheon, seventh in the Namgung hierarchy, clutched his belly, laughing like a maniac.