Chapter 21
Training (4)
The members of the Iron Tower Hall examined Namgung Jun’s physical condition and shook their heads.
Although he had trained and supplemented his nutrition as best he could, his body was so emaciated that it resembled a mummy. It was difficult to find even flesh on him, let alone muscle.
It was a body hardly worthy of being called a martial artist’s.
“To think he produced that level of sword power with a body like this. Incredible. Is such a thing even possible?”
“Hoo... it’s even more astonishing than I expected. Almost frightening.”
“How in the world does he draw out that kind of strength? Does he have some secret technique?”
Among those gathered here were Iron Tower Hall members who had witnessed Namgung Jun’s victory in the martial tournament.
That was why they could not help but voice both admiration and amazement.
“I expected it to some extent, but I had no idea his condition was this serious.”
“It couldn’t be helped. He suffered greatly in the Sword Pavilion.”
“Was it Deoksam? Because of that ignorant fool, an extraordinary talent nearly ended up buried for nothing.”
The Hall Master of Iron Tower Hall, Dan Jungse, studied Namgung Jun in silence before nodding.
“Hmm. You absolutely must learn my external-body training method.”
“I heard a little about it, but are you truly willing to pass down your exclusive martial art?”
“It’s not really an exclusive martial art. It’s simply a set of guidelines that allow one to train more efficiently and effectively.”
Dan Jungse looked at the Iron Tower Hall members before him.
“If it were up to me, I’d teach this external-body training method to every member of the Azure Sky Society. But even properly overseeing Iron Tower Hall is more than enough to keep me busy.”
“Why is that?”
Crossing his arms, Dan Jungse flexed his muscles.
The pulsation of those muscles, moving with the vitality of a living creature, was truly astonishing.
“The human body becomes more complicated the deeper you delve into it. It’s difficult to explain everything through formulas and instructions alone. Many misunderstand the principles, and their training ends up causing injuries instead.”
“So direct instruction is essential.”
“Exactly. But when I’m away on missions, I can’t do that. The circumstances simply aren’t there.”
Dan Jungse glanced at several hall members nearby.
“There are a few who can now teach the fundamentals in my place, but when it comes to advanced training, they still have a long way to go.”
“But is it really alright for you to devote your time to me?”
“Of course. Every Iron Tower Hall member has already mastered the basics, so there’s no one who urgently needs my attention right now!”
Dan Jungse raised his fist.
The massive fist, with thick bones protruding from it, felt larger than Namgung Jun’s entire head.
“And I haven’t yet given permission to teach you.”
“What must I do?”
“Grit! Show me your grit. Prove that you can endure my external-body training!”
At the same time, a heavy wave of energy burst from Dan Jungse’s entire body.
Namgung Jun nodded as if he understood.
“I’ll prove it.”
Namgung Jun and Dan Jungse stepped onto Iron Tower Hall’s sparring platform.
Around them, the hall members gathered with curious expressions.
“Endure until I stop attacking. If you can do that, I’ll acknowledge you.”
“Very well.”
“It won’t be easy. I’ll control my strength, of course, but still.”
Boom!
The moment Namgung Jun nodded, Dan Jungse’s heavy step shattered the floor of the platform.
Each step felt as though it were crushing the earth itself.
Whenever Dan Jungse advanced, the floor exploded beneath his feet, fragments scattering in every direction.
With every step, imposing waves of energy poured forth one after another.
That alone placed tremendous pressure on Namgung Jun.
Namgung Jun recalled what Gong Junam had once told him about Dan Jungse.
Cheonam Jungbo (Heaven-Crushing Heavy Steps), was it?
A movement technique he had created himself.
He had heard that every martial art Dan Jungse practiced was one he had personally developed.
He had forged an entirely unique martial lineage and pioneered a new path.
During that process, Iron Tower Hall had grown stronger alongside him and risen to claim one of the Three Rivers.
The Heavenly Sword Hall should claim a place among the Three Rivers as well.
Although he had not been with Heavenly Sword Hall for very long, Namgung Jun already felt a strong sense of belonging.
His master served as the hall master, and the sword-crazed members each carried their own convictions.
Whenever he saw Heavenly Sword Hall wielding their swords in pursuit of those convictions, he was often reminded of the Southern Heavenly Palace from his previous life.
Moreover, they treated him as the youngest member and showered him with goodwill.
Naturally, he wanted to repay them.
That was why, once the creation of his new martial art had reached a certain stage, he intended to teach his swordsmanship to the members of Heavenly Sword Hall as well.
Just as Heavenly Sword Hall had been willing to share their swords with him without reservation.
While these thoughts occupied his mind, Namgung Jun found himself facing Dan Jungse.
It felt strangely refreshing to meet a man already putting into practice the very thing he hoped to do.
Even setting aside the external-body training method, crossing blades with him will teach me much.
In an instant, the sturdy giant closed the distance.
Just as Namgung Jun’s body was swallowed by the enormous shadow, a blue sword strike blossomed into existence.
Kaaang!
The sword, which had been drawing soft, flowing curves like drifting clouds, was forced aside in a single moment.
The fist Dan Jungse threw was unimaginably heavy and fast.
Even an ordinary warhammer would not compare.
If I had tried to meet that head-on with a heavy sword technique, it would have ended right there.
The sword art Namgung Jun had instinctively employed was the Cloud-Layered Cliff Stance.
After experiencing it firsthand during his spar with Lee Seha, he had received additional instruction.
As a result, he had rapidly improved his mastery of the technique, enough to deflect Dan Jungse’s fist.
Spinning on the spot, Namgung Jun slowly swept his sword sideways.
The gentle sword strike of the Cloud-Layered Cliff Stance, carrying the softness of drifting clouds, pushed Dan Jungse’s fist aside.
Even so, Namgung Jun felt an overwhelming weight.
It was as though an entire cliff had tilted and crashed down upon his blade.
And it’s hard.
Namgung Jun could not help but be astonished.
Dan Jungse’s body was incredibly durable.
It had gone beyond mere training; it possessed the hardness of steel itself.
Given Namgung Jun’s current physical condition, he doubted whether even a direct sword strike would be capable of leaving a wound.
Even in his previous life, he had never seen anyone train their external-body arts to such an extent.
“It’s as though he’s wearing an invisible layer of protective qi around his body. So that’s why he’s one of the Three Rivers.”
As Namgung Jun observed Dan Jungse, Dan Jungse was likewise seeing straight through him.
“So this much is nothing to you, is that it?”
Whoosh—
The aura of the Heaven-Follows-the-Heart Art rising from Dan Jungse’s body grew even heavier.
At the same time, a fierce vortex formed around his right fist.
Dan Jungse’s unique martial art.
Heavenly Iron Fist.
The instant Namgung Jun saw Dan Jungse’s arm blur, he poured all his strength into a downward slash.
KWAAAANG!
With a heavy metallic clang, Namgung Jun’s feet were lifted completely off the ground.
Ordinarily, he would have been blasted backward and thrown clear off the sparring platform.
But Namgung Jun was different.
In that instant, he dispersed the immense force engulfing his body through the principles of the Cloud-Layered Cliff Stance. Then he turned that very force into the driving power behind his own rotation.
As his entire body spun, his sword surged forward and swept horizontally.
Swaaaash!
For a fleeting moment, a sword strike far beyond what the current Namgung Jun should have been capable of unleashed itself, borrowing Dan Jungse’s own power.
A powerful slash aimed at shoulder height.
Yet Dan Jungse did not evade.
KUUUNG!
A tremendous rebound, like striking a block of iron, crashed into Namgung Jun.
His grip nearly tore apart, and he almost lost hold of his sword.
*Such terrifying external-body arts... and he has also cultivated a defensive art.*
Having experienced Dan Jungse’s **Muksan Ipgong**, Namgung Jun was forced to face another enormous fist before he had even landed.
Barely twisting his body aside to avoid it, he unleashed the **Thirteen Flash Lightning Swords**.
Dan Jungse merely laughed and received the attacks with his body.
Then he alternated his massive fists, hammering relentlessly at Namgung Jun.
Each strike possessed enough power to end the match if it connected even once.
Even so, Namgung Jun refused to retreat and met him head-on.
Kwagagagang!
“You can exchange this many moves with me? You’re a monster.”
“His natural instincts are incredible.”
By then, Namgung Jun had already realized what Dan Jungse was aiming for.
“So this is where it begins.”
Dan Jungse continuously forced him into vigorous, large-scale movements.
His goal was simple—to drain Namgung Jun’s stamina all at once.
As proof, rough breaths were already pouring from Namgung Jun’s mouth.
Every muscle in his body screamed with burning heat, and his throat began to dry as if it were on fire.
Before he realized it, his body had reached its limit.
All that remained was his will.
As long as he could draw upon that will, his body could still move.
After all, limits were meant to be broken.
At some point, Namgung Jun forgot all about Dan Jungse’s test.
Now it was a battle against himself.
How many more exchanges could he endure?
How many more techniques could he unleash?
Without hesitation, Namgung Jun stepped forward and thrust out his sword.
Steadfast.
Straightforward.
This was the field in which he had the greatest confidence.
“Excellent!”
Accurately perceiving Namgung Jun’s condition, Dan Jungse burst into laughter and stepped forward.
Even though Namgung Jun’s terrible state was plainly visible, there was no sign of Dan Jungse lightening his fists.
If anything, they became even fiercer.
KWAGAGAGANG!
As the stone floor shattered and fragments scattered everywhere, Namgung Jun’s body staggered precariously.
The fierce offensive that struck and withdrew from multiple directions shook him again and again.
*He’s still holding on?*
Even Dan Jungse found himself impressed.
Namgung Jun’s stamina had reached its limit after roughly twenty exchanges.
Yet he had endured over thirty more after that.
They were now approaching fifty exchanges.
*How many men in this hall could endure as long as he has?*
Dan Jungse found himself curious about just how far Namgung Jun could go.
KUUUNG!
A vortex formed once more around Dan Jungse’s fist.
It was the same technique as before, but the power behind it was completely different.
An aura capable of sweeping away everything in the area coiled around his fist.
**Heavenly Iron Fist.**
**Crushing Wave Shatter.**
As the overwhelming force threatened to overturn his entire body, Namgung Jun drew in a deep breath.
Twisting his body diagonally, he thrust out a single sword strike.
It was also the final strike he could unleash after drawing out every last ounce of strength.
Whoosh!
For a brief instant, the air split widely to either side along the path of the perfectly straight sword stroke.
The reversed arc of the blade severed the force of Crushing Wave Shatter strand by strand before fiercely striking the back of Dan Jungse’s hand.
Kaaang!
A heavy metallic sound rang out as though iron had been hammered.
Both men came to a halt.
“Breathe slowly.”
Though sweat poured from every inch of his body, Namgung Jun did not collapse.
His trembling legs somehow managed to support him.
Dan Jungse looked upon the sight with satisfaction.
“That is enough. You may rest.”
“...Yes.”
Even after receiving permission, Namgung Jun did not allow himself to crumple.
With shaking hands, he slowly sheathed his sword.
Then he calmly sat down where he stood and crossed his legs.
Slowly, he regulated his breathing.
Dan Jungse stared at him for a moment before lowering his gaze to the back of his own hand.
The spot struck by Namgung Jun’s final sword attack bore a tiny crack.
The wound was so shallow that not even a drop of blood emerged.
Yet it was unquestionably a cut.
*A mere newcomer who joined less than a year ago managed to wound my body?*
Dan Jungse had finally witnessed the brilliance of Namgung Jun’s talent.
“How interesting.”
When Namgung Jun eventually forged the ideal body for a martial artist, what kind of sword strike would he be capable of unleashing?
Yet what interested him even more was Namgung Jun’s perseverance.
He had assumed the young man’s martial prowess was simply the product of talent alone.
That assumption had been wrong.
Namgung Jun possessed the determination to endure even the harshest training.
Talent and perseverance.
A man who possessed both would soar to great heights, given enough time.
*I was mistaken.*
Suddenly, Dan Jungse recalled the recent council meeting.
The many differing opinions regarding Namgung Jun’s debut into the martial world.
Dan Jungse had remained neutral, but he had gradually begun leaning toward the side that advocated steadily nurturing Namgung Jun’s abilities.
*It has been a very long time since I found a junior worth taking such interest in.*
As he watched Namgung Jun regulating his qi and breathing, the muscles across Dan Jungse’s body slowly swelled.