Chapter 49

Honed and Forged (1)

Mukryun Hall 

Though it was one of the Ten Halls that made up the military forces of the Changcheon Society, it always felt somewhat separate from the rest.

The other halls frequently cooperated on missions together, but Mukryun Hall almost always handled its assignments alone.

It was not because of discrimination.

Rather, the difference lay in the nature of the hall itself.

Mukryun Hall was the only group within the Changcheon Society composed of warriors from both the orthodox and unorthodox paths, as well as those of the demonic factions.

It was where vengeance-driven warriors gathered—people who lived solely to destroy the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

'I heard even their admission examination is completely different.'

Warriors from the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths had to undergo a test at least twice as difficult as the standard entrance examination.

Even after passing Mukryun Hall's exclusive admission test, they still had to earn the approval of the Hall Master and the Changcheon Society Leader during a personal interview before they could be recognized as a member.

Because the admission process was so stringent, Mukryun Hall's size was only half that of the other halls.

Yet whenever missions were evaluated or the Society's military strength was assessed, Mukryun Hall's combat power always ranked among the highest.

In other words, Mukryun Hall was an elite force.

In particular, the Sword Demon was considered one of the three strongest Hall Masters.

For that reason, people within the Changcheon Society kept their distance from Mukryun Hall, but no one dared look down on it.

"So this is the place."

Namgung Jun found Mukryun Hall's pavilion in a remote northern corner of the Changcheon Society and pushed the door open without hesitation.

'Judging by the atmosphere alone, it doesn't even feel like part of the Changcheon Society.'

The traces of countless weapons littered the area—not only the eighteen traditional weapons but all manner of exotic armaments as well. Dried bloodstains could be seen everywhere.

The air was saturated with sharp and chaotic qi.

Fighting spirit and killing intent lingered so heavily that even breathing felt difficult.

Had this not been the Changcheon Society's headquarters, one might have mistaken it for a battlefield somewhere in the Jianghu.

"Isn't that the Rising Star Sword? You've got some nerve."

"I don't like him. He looks like some young master from a prestigious clan."

"As long as he can swing a blade, who cares? I heard he's already cut down quite a few Demonic Cult bastards despite being a newcomer."

The avengers of Mukryun Hall looked utterly disheveled.

Though they all belonged to the same hall, each wore different martial attire.

Some did not even bear embroidered markings indicating their affiliation.

The only common feature among them was a blood-red cloud embroidered on their sleeves.

The warriors of the Ten Halls usually wore uniforms distinctive to their respective halls, but Mukryun Hall seemed to have abandoned such conventions entirely.

The atmosphere was free-spirited, almost lawless.

Every expert in Mukryun Hall narrowed their eyes and stared fiercely at Namgung Jun.

"I've come to see the Mukryun Hall Master."

Namgung Jun greeted them respectfully without the slightest trace of unease.

No greeting was returned.

Unbothered, he began walking deeper into the hall.

"Where do you think you're going? Stop right there."

A middle-aged man carrying a serrated saber over his shoulder stepped forward.

It was Sa Danhae.

Following his lead, Mukryun Hall experts began gathering from all directions.

The way they swaggered over made them look like street thugs.

But Namgung Jun did not underestimate them.

'A formation for coordinated attacks. They've naturally occupied the key positions.'

Unlike their outward appearance, their movements resembled a pack of wolves surrounding prey.

Whether their target was a master or a novice did not matter to them.

All that mattered was tearing the target apart efficiently and forcing them to their knees.

Namgung Jun calmly surveyed them.

"He's remarkably composed."

"Young as he is, perhaps he's still a tiger after all."

A flicker of interest appeared in the eyes of the Mukryun Hall experts.

"What would it take for you to open the way?"

"Hmm. First, bring us alcohol and meat. Enough to fill all our bellies. Then I might consider it."

At Sa Danhae's response, the surrounding experts burst into laughter.

The corners of Namgung Jun's lips rose slightly.

His right hand slowly moved to his sword hilt.

Then he replied in a calm voice.

"I'll simply force my way through. Please forgive me in advance."

Had they expected that answer?

"Not bad. You can at least pretend to be a man!"

"So he's not all bark."

"I wonder if he's ever faced exotic weapons before."

Rather than becoming angry, the experts of Mukryun Hall seemed delighted as they eagerly drew their weapons.

Their armaments were astonishingly diverse.

There were ordinary sabers and swords, of course, but also serrated sabers lined with saw-like teeth, narrow-bladed swords, and flexible swords that bent like snakes.

'They really have every kind of exotic weapon imaginable.'

There were iron claws shaped like beast talons, fishing-rod weapons consisting of hooked lines and flexible poles, and long, needle-like iron spikes.

Among them were even a few exotic weapons Namgung Jun had never seen before.

He paid them no mind.

Instead, he raised his sword to the center position and quietly settled his center of gravity, drawing out the full power of his swordsmanship.

Whoosh!

The opening attack came in the form of hidden weapons.

Throwing knives and large needles slipped cleverly through the gaps between the Mukryun Hall experts and shot toward him.

Following the sound of tearing air, Namgung Jun's sword traced a path that knocked every hidden weapon aside before tilting forward.

Sa Danhae raised his serrated saber against the thrust aimed directly at him and brought it down with all his strength.

He intended to snap Namgung Jun's sword in half.

KRAANG!

The small saw-like teeth along the serrated saber caught the blade, locking it in place.

Yet Namgung Jun's eyes did not waver in the slightest.

His fingers moved calmly across the hilt.

The sword slipped free as smoothly as though it had been coated in oil.

Witnessing it from point-blank range, Sa Danhae's eyes widened.

'He altered his grip two or three times, creating tiny vibrations that let the blade slip out of the serrations.'

It was a technique he had never seen or even heard of.

His serrated saber hesitated for the briefest moment.

But to Namgung Jun, that instant was enough time to strike several times over.

Knocking the serrated saber aside, he spun backward and deflected the chains and hooked lines attempting to wrap around his limbs.

As the chains and fishing lines became entangled in the curved sword path of the Cloud-Weaving Wall Stance, Namgung Jun reversed his grip and plunged straight into the midst of the Mukryun Hall experts.

Bam!

Namgung Jun's left hand unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Palm Art, slamming into the chest of a Mukryun Hall expert who had been swinging a broadsword.

The man's mouth fell open as he was sent flying backward.

At the same time, a woman beside him lashed out fiercely with a whip, but Namgung Jun's right hand moved first.

Using the pommel of his reverse-gripped sword, he struck her squarely in the abdomen.

It was nowhere near as powerful as the Heavenly Thunder Palm Art, but it was more than enough to disrupt a master's breathing.

"Ghk!"

With a single charge, Namgung Jun had already loosened their coordinated assault.

Then successive sounds of tearing air erupted above his head.

Whoosh!

It was not weapons.

The objects flying toward him were the long robes the Mukryun Hall experts had been wearing.

Fluttering like banners, they swept through the air with internal qi infused into them.

As several robes obscured Namgung Jun's vision, Mukryun Hall experts rushed in once more from five different directions.

'Interesting.'

The way Mukryun Hall fought was certainly different from the other Ten Halls.

It seemed they would do absolutely anything to win.

"That strike packs quite a punch!"

"You show no mercy even to women. That's how a swordsman should be!"

Two figures sprang up behind Namgung Jun.

They were the same people he had struck moments ago with the Heavenly Thunder Palm Art and the sword pommel.

'Their fighting spirit is remarkable.'

He had hit them hard enough to remove them from the battle entirely, yet they had already rejoined the assault.

Judging by their expressions, it was not that his attacks had been weak.

They were simply enduring through sheer willpower.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Namgung Jun's sword sliced sharply through the air, severing every trajectory of the exotic weapons raining toward him.

"You idiots! Stop charging in blindly. He alternates between heavy and fast swordsmanship."

"Don't stop throwing hidden weapons! Create an opening!"

"That bastard's footwork isn't ordinary either."

Despite the frightening speed and power of Namgung Jun's sword, nobody retreated.

If anything, they seemed even more determined, refusing to back down.

"Now! Get him!"

Just as Namgung Jun thrust his sword forward, he suddenly lifted his left foot and withdrew.

One of the Mukryun Hall experts had been pretending to be downed and rolled across the ground, attempting to grab his leg.

At that moment, Sa Danhae closed in.

Swinging his serrated saber wildly, he pursed his lips toward Namgung Jun.

"Ptooey!"

It looked as though he spat.

Instead, an extremely small hidden weapon shot from his mouth.

However, Namgung Jun casually flicked it away with a finger and adjusted his stance.

No matter how underhanded or bizarre Mukryun Hall's tricks became, Namgung Jun's responses remained calm and unwavering.

'He never loses his composure. How old did they say he was this year?'

Sa Danhae swallowed the admiration that nearly escaped his lips.

Even seasoned veterans found Mukryun Hall's coordinated assaults troublesome.

Yet the young man before him showed not the slightest sign of being shaken.

This was not merely a difference in martial skill.

Namgung Jun was young.

He had not been practicing martial arts for very long.

His experience in the Jianghu should have been limited.

How could he be this proficient?

'Is this what true talent looks like? A level of genius capable of overwhelming even time and experience themselves.'

BOOOOM!

Planting a powerful step, Namgung Jun unleashed the sword wind of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art.

The three Mukryun Hall experts guarding the left flank were swept away instantly.

"You slow-witted bastards! Fill the gap immediately!"

"Don't let him run wild! Target his legs!"

The Mukryun Hall experts rushed forward in panic.

Yet Namgung Jun's sword was still two breaths faster.

It was not the Heavenly Wind Sword Art.

Nor was it the Thirteen Flashing Lightning Sword Thunders.

And it certainly was not the Cloud-Weaving Wall Stance.

His sword had begun displaying an entirely different nature.

'Loosen the little finger slightly more. Secure the upper part of the hilt with the thumb.'

Sweeping his sword downward, Namgung Jun altered his grip.

It was an unfamiliar grip even to him.

While facing Mukryun Hall's chaotic and unpredictable coordinated attacks, a flash of inspiration had crossed his mind.

Now he sought to paint that inspiration clearly through his sword.

Shrrraak!

Sword strikes whirled outward in irregular patterns, knocking away every exotic weapon flying at him from eight directions.

Yet Namgung Jun's sword was not satisfied.

It became even more alive.

The sword light wriggled as though it possessed life itself, splitting endlessly.

Irregular trajectories, swaying like chains and fishing lines, blended into the sword paths.

When it thrust sharply forward, it resembled a steel spike.

When it swept brutally across, the shadow of a serrated saber could be seen.

"You lunatic!"

Swinging his now-damaged serrated saber, Sa Danhae could not help but curse.

The chaotic torrent of sword strikes suddenly unleashed upon them contained the characteristics of countless exotic weapons woven together into a single martial principle.

Those rough, unrefined movements resembled Mukryun Hall's coordinated assaults themselves.

If all the martial arts of Mukryun Hall were gathered and fused into a single sword art—

Would it not look exactly like this?

CRAAASH!

The new form of swordsmanship Namgung Jun unveiled in the final exchange shattered every exotic weapon wielded by the Mukryun Hall experts.

Overwhelmed by the impact, they were forced backward yet again.

Among them, only Namgung Jun remained standing exactly where he had started, his sword held upright.

It could not be helped.

His new techniques had dazzled their eyes and thrown their senses into complete disarray.

Their hands and feet no longer followed their intended movements.

"Hah. If my eyes aren't deceiving me..."

"It looked like a Phantom Sword... and a Transforming Sword..."

"So the rumors were true? That he exchanged swords with the Hall Masters and created new sword arts?"

Namgung Jun slowly sheathed his sword as he looked at the stunned Mukryun Hall experts staring back at him blankly.

"That was an impressive coordinated assault."

His calm voice emerged between steady breaths.

A chilling silence settled over Mukryun Hall.