Chapter 9

Placement Examination (3)

The thunderous command of Iron Tower Hall Master Dan Jungse.

The moment he heard it, Baekri Cheong gripped his sword. It was a reaction speed rarely seen.

His sharp eyes fixed on Namgung Jun's stance. Though the young man merely stood still, a faint sense of composure emanated from him.

To Baekri Cheong, that composure became an indescribable pressure. Even so, his body did not stiffen and instead moved in the best way possible.

Namgung Jun. His specialty was supposed to be the heavy sword. The power he displayed despite that frail body was astounding.

Whether due to a harsh past or not, Namgung Jun's physique was far too poor to be called that of a martial artist. Yet the force released from his sword was overwhelmingly powerful.

With that unexpected sword force, he had ended every match in a single strike and shattered every opponent's weapon.

Of course, his opponents had been aware of that fact, but it made no difference. Each had tried their own methods of dealing with it, yet before such overwhelming sword force, they could do nothing but be crushed.

Despite being the youngest participant in the tournament, Namgung Jun displayed overwhelming martial prowess.

Outstanding swordsmanship. A born talent. And a frightening one at that.

Lowering his stance, Baekri Cheong firmly infused his internal energy into the blade.

No matter what level of heavy sword technique Namgung Jun unleashed, he intended to endure at least one strike.

I must win.

Baekri Cheong thought of the Baekri Clan, annihilated by the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult.

To take revenge, he had to become stronger.

And for that, he absolutely had to seize the championship prize and the opportunity to join the martial force of his choosing.

The memories of escaping the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult's pursuit and finally joining the Azure Heaven Society flashed through his mind in an instant. His eyes shone fiercely.

His internal energy should be inferior to mine. I'll drag this into a prolonged battle.

The moment he finished his judgment and settled into his ready stance—

It was no more than the time it took to blink once.

Baekri Cheong sensed something strange in Namgung Jun's posture.

His center of gravity is different from before?

Namgung Jun's right foot, which served as his pivot, was slightly lifted. His left shoulder was also tilted forward.

Baekri Cheong noticed the anomaly.

But he could not react.

Because a blue flash had already shot toward him in a straight line.

It was as fast as lightning.

A true sword thunderbolt.

Impossible!

The spreading blue radiance swallowed his vision in an instant.

Namgung Jun calmly observed Baekri Cheong's movement as he reached for his sword hilt. His ready stance carried the unmistakable stability unique to a prestigious clan.

Had any martial artist other than himself stood here today, breaking through that solid posture would have been extremely difficult no matter what technique they used.

Baekri Cheong's stance was that sturdy.

Baekri Cheong. A rare talent among the younger generation.

Under normal circumstances, he was someone who would have easily won the tournament.

But Namgung Jun had no intention of allowing that.

I have my master's honor to uphold.

Though Baekri Cheong's talent and martial prowess were exceptional, in Namgung Jun's eyes he was no different from anyone else.

His light merely shone a little brighter. It was still a small light that could be grasped and concealed within one's hand.

One-Strike Decisive Victory.

The moment Namgung Jun focused his mind, time seemed to slow.

Step.

His right foot lightly moved forward as his body tilted diagonally.

His center of gravity shifted naturally.

Twisting his waist slightly as if rotating it, he concentrated the power of his entire body into the sword hilt.

The muscles throughout his body rippled violently, drawing forth every ounce of strength they could produce.

Power flowed into the hand resting upon the hilt.

His physical training was still lacking, so he could maintain this state for only a brief instant.

But that was enough.

Woooong!

The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art sleeping within his dantian responded.

The lightning qi surged through his meridians at incredible speed, racing through the Neiguan acupoint of his right wrist and the Zhongchong acupoint of his right index finger like a bolt of lightning.

In that fleeting moment when the strength drawn from internal and external cultivation perfectly united—

Namgung Jun struck without missing it.

Thirteen Flash Lightning Swords.

First Form.

Single Flash.

A blue lightning bolt shot straight out from the scabbard.

The elegant sword path pierced through the air, seeming to fold space itself as it thrust directly toward Baekri Cheong's solar plexus.

Baekri Cheong reacted half a breath too late and hurriedly tried to draw his sword.

It was futile.

JJEEEONG!

The moment his sword left the scabbard, it shattered completely.

As if that were not enough, Baekri Cheong was forced five steps backward.

After the sharp metallic clang that rang through the arena, a heavy silence followed.

Only the small fragments of the broken sword clattering onto the ground disturbed the stillness.

"Little Brother."

The one who finally broke the silence was Baekri Cheong, who had already regained his composure.

"Weren't you primarily a heavy sword user?"

"In the martial world, one must always keep a hidden card."

"You've been hiding a swift sword technique of that level all this time just for me?"

Namgung Jun silently nodded.

Baekri Cheong's expression stiffened for a moment before a deep smile spread across his face.

It was a smile filled equally with helplessness and satisfaction.

"My horizons have broadened. What is the name of that sword art?"

"Thirteen Flash Lightning Swords."

"A martial art whose name will soon spread throughout the martial world. I'll remember it."

Despite suffering a crushing defeat and having his sword shattered into pieces, Baekri Cheong's expression never wavered.

Instead, there was dignity in the way he confidently cupped his fists.

"This Baekri has lost."

"It was a good match."

Namgung Jun returned the salute with equal formality.

"Hah..."

"It ended in an instant."

"To finish every match with a single sword strike!"

The chivalrous members of the Azure Heaven Society, who had been staring blankly at the scene, finally came to their senses and erupted into applause.

Their applause carried consolation for Baekri Cheong, who had gracefully accepted the result and acknowledged his opponent.

And it carried admiration for Namgung Jun, who had displayed overwhelming martial prowess by ending every match with a single strike.

"Namgung Jun! Namgung Jun, you say! Where is he from?"

"Thirteen Flash Lightning Swords! Just what sect's martial art is that? Such an exquisite swift sword!"

"Who was the one that brought that child here?"

Boom!

At some point, Iron Tower Hall Master Dan Jungse, who had been serving as referee, stepped into the center of the arena and stood between Baekri Cheong and Namgung Jun.

"Victory goes to Namgung Jun! The champion of this martial arts tournament is Namgung Jun!"

As Dan Jungse raised Namgung Jun's hand, another wave of cheers thundered through the arena.

Countless congratulations poured in, but Namgung Jun's gaze remained fixed on a single person.

Lee Seha sat among the hall masters, wearing a proud smile.

Did you see that, Master?

My disciple. Outstanding.

Master and disciple understood each other's thoughts through nothing more than their eyes.

The champion of the tournament had been decided.

All the new recruits who had participated assembled in formation, while Namgung Jun, the victor, stood atop the platform.

Upon the stage stood the hall masters who had observed the tournament, as well as Kang Mong of the Fragrant Ink Division.

Approaching Namgung Jun, Kang Mong presented a wooden box.

"This is the champion's reward."

He opened the box himself for everyone to see.

The moment the lid was lifted, the rich scent of earth drifted out.

Inside lay a giant heshouwu root as thick as an adult man's forearm.

"It's quite large."

"It should be. It's a three-hundred-year-old heshouwu."

At Kang Mong's words, the recruits standing below the platform quietly gasped in admiration.

A three-hundred-year-old heshouwu was superior to most spiritual medicines.

The moment it was consumed, one would gain a substantial amount of internal energy.

Yet Namgung Jun's gaze remained calm.

He remains composed even before a treasure like this.

Watching Namgung Jun's indifferent expression, Kang Mong clicked his tongue.

The astonishing martial prowess he had displayed in the tournament was one thing, but every time Kang Mong saw how little emotion he revealed, he found it difficult to think of him as an ordinary youth.

Handing over the box, Kang Mong stepped back and continued.

"As for the second reward, you already know it well."

As champion, Namgung Jun had earned the right to choose whichever of the Ten Halls he wished to join.

Before he could make his decision, however, the hall masters relentlessly tried to recruit him.

"I promise to devote every available resource to you."

"Our hall's martial arts will suit you perfectly."

"The Divine Spear Hall is considered one of the Three Great Halls among the Ten. If you aspire to become Sword Lord in the future, there is no better starting point."

Without rushing, Namgung Jun carefully listened to each hall master's proposal.

Sword Lord.

The Azure Heaven Society possessed ten halls, collectively known as the Sword Fragrance Division.

The Sword Fragrance Division was the Azure Heaven Society's elite military force and its primary combat strength.

The title of Sword Lord referred to the individual who commanded the Sword Fragrance Division and represented the Azure Heaven Society's military power.

A position I must reach someday.

Namgung Jun had no intention of stopping at the rank of hall master.

Judging by the atmosphere, hall masters already held considerable authority within the Azure Heaven Society, but that was not enough.

To properly confront the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, he would need to rise to a position capable of commanding the full strength of all Ten Halls.

While the hall masters continued making their offers, Lee Seha simply sat quietly.

With one leg crossed over the other, he watched the enthusiastic recruitment efforts with an amused smile.

After every hall master had finished speaking, Lee Seha, who had been gazing off into the distance, slowly turned his eyes toward Namgung Jun.

His relaxed demeanor was so unusual that even some of the hall masters noticed something strange.

At that moment, Namgung Jun's gaze also slowly shifted toward Lee Seha.

Several perceptive captains felt a sense of unease.

"I will join the Heavenly Sword Hall."

Namgung Jun's quiet declaration struck like a bolt from the blue.

The two hall masters who had been recruiting him most passionately immediately turned toward Lee Seha.

"Lee Seha! Surely you haven't been scheming behind our backs?"

"Heavenly Sword Hall Master, we fail to understand this situation."

Tilting his bamboo hat slightly, Lee Seha answered in a cold voice.

"Namgung Jun, that child, is this hall master's disciple. Is any further explanation necessary?"

The hall masters narrowed their eyes as they looked back and forth between Lee Seha and Namgung Jun.

"A disciple?"

"Now that I think about it, that faint aura resembles... the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art."

"...His ability to conceal his internal energy is no less impressive than his swordsmanship."

Realizing what had happened, the hall masters wore expressions of helpless defeat.

"I am grateful for all of your offers, but I strongly wish to join the same hall as my master."

After respectfully saluting the other hall masters, Namgung Jun spoke firmly.

"First-Class Recruit Namgung Jun requests assignment to the Heavenly Sword Hall."

"The Heavenly Sword Hall Master, Lee Seha, grants permission."

Master and disciple would now belong to the same organization.

The other hall masters could only watch with envy.

"To let a champion slip away like this..."

"Hmm. It seems we'll need to find another promising recruit this time."

***

Heavenly Sword Hall

The Heavenly Sword Hall.

Its name meant "The Hall That Appraises the Sword."

Among the Ten Halls, it was the only one composed entirely of swordsmen.

Because it was filled with people obsessed with the sword, their pride in swordsmanship was extraordinary.

They would not even recognize someone as a proper recruit unless his sword skills surpassed a certain standard.

"Did you hear? The recruit coming in this time is supposedly the hall master's disciple."

"Isn't it a little early for the hall master to have taken a disciple? He's only twenty-two."

"Age doesn't matter to martial artists. If one has the ability to teach and the proper bond, that's enough."

The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall were all filled with anticipation for the new recruit.

It had been a very long time since a newcomer had joined, making their curiosity even greater.

"More importantly, what about the initiation?"

"Since he's the hall master's disciple, shouldn't we let it slide?"

"Even so, traditions are traditions."

The murmuring swordsmen suddenly fell silent.

A presence had appeared beyond the main gate.

The gates of the Heavenly Sword Hall opened.

Namgung Jun stepped inside.

Whoosh!

The instant he crossed the threshold, sharp sword intent erupted from every direction.

An overwhelming pressure descended upon him, as though countless invisible blades were charging at him.

Even the sleeves of his robe fluttered from the force.

An ordinary recruit would have been frozen in place.

But Namgung Jun showed no sign of stopping.

With calm, unhurried steps, he walked to the center of the training ground and slowly gripped the hilt of his sword as he looked around at the assembled swordsmen.

"A swordsman speaks through his sword."

Shing!

Namgung Jun boldly stepped forward.

At the same time, he accepted the gazes of every Heavenly Sword Hall swordsman head-on.

"Draw your swords and come forth."

His clear, ringing voice echoed throughout the training ground.