Chapter 90 : Shortcomings (4)
Chapter 90: Shortcomings (4)
Dozens of streaks of light rained down fiercely from the sky.
Trailing long streams of light behind them, they plunged downward like tiny meteors.
Whoooosh!
After reaching the apex of the heavens, they descended in sweeping arcs with terrifying momentum.
Moreover, distinct waves of aura spread outward from each arrow, causing countless ripples to form throughout the air.
Even after the arrows had passed, those ripples remained clearly visible.
That alone made it obvious that the arrows fired from the sky possessed extraordinary power.
‘Bow Art Martial Arts!’
The aura radiating from the shafts and the unmistakable Arrow Qi surrounding the arrowheads.
These were bow strikes that absolutely could not be underestimated.
Furthermore, the arrows resonated with one another in formation, amplifying their aura even further.
This was not an attack meant to intercept individuals, but an area-of-effect ultimate technique designed to obliterate an entire region.
He could clearly sense the intent to sweep away everything in this area.
‘Did the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult have archers like this?’
To deflect the trajectory of that barrage, he would have to unleash the gale of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art with his full strength.
There was no time to hesitate.
Just as powerful sword winds surged upward from the sword Namgung Jun had raised—
“It's alright, Disciple.”
His master's voice from behind was calm.
Only after hearing Lee Se-ha's composed reassurance did Namgung Jun realize something was strange.
‘The trajectories of those bow strikes?’
The dozens of streaking arrows, descending like rays of light, were aimed precisely at the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult members.
Craaash!
Dozens of Demonic Cult members who received the streaks of light head-on exploded where they stood.
Some had their limbs torn away and hurled through the air.
Others were struck directly by the arrows, enormous holes blasted through their bodies as blood gushed everywhere.
At the same time, the earth overturned, sending rocks and dirt flying in every direction.
The Demonic Cult members fortunate enough to survive the first barrage looked around in utter panic.
“What?! From where?”
“That bow attack! Could it be?!”
By the time they frantically searched their surroundings, the second rain of arrows was already descending.
This time, only half as many arrows flew through the air, yet the aura surrounding each individual arrow had become far more distinct.
Whereas the previous volley had blanketed an entire area, these arrows appeared to target individuals.
Rather than emphasizing destructive range, they focused on precision, displaying exquisitely refined control over their aura.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The bow strikes fired from afar accurately pierced the heads and hearts of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult members.
Although Lee Se-ha and Namgung Jun stood nearby, not a single arrow landed anywhere close to them.
Despite standing no more than ten paces away from the Demonic Cult members, master and disciple remained completely unharmed.
“My disciple hasn't seen this before, has he?”
“No.”
“These are the martial arts of the Changcheon Society's archers.”
Craaaash!
The instant Lee Se-ha finished speaking, another earthen-colored streak of light slammed into the battlefield ahead.
“Urgh!”
“An ambush like this?!”
Even the Bright Mirror Guards commanding the ordinary cultists fared no differently.
Though they barely managed to knock away two or three arrows, they were immediately struck down by those that followed.
The Sun and Moon Demonic Cult members were utterly helpless.
Naturally so.
The trajectories changed completely with every volley, making it impossible even to determine where the arrows had originated.
Trying to hide behind trees and boulders proved equally useless.
The charging arrows simply pierced straight through or shattered their cover.
Boom! Boom!
Amid the clouds of dust and flying rocks erupting one after another, Lee Se-ha's voice quietly drifted through.
It was the name of the Bow Art Martial Art that unleashed those endless streaks of light.
Radiant Wing Pursuing Rain Bow.
“Argh!”
“Run!”
Some of the Demonic Cult members attempted to flee, but escaping the range of that Bow Art Martial Art was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Dozens of bow strikes continued raining endlessly from the heavens, tracing perfectly straight paths as they intercepted every fleeing cultist regardless of direction.
Under such circumstances, there was no need for Namgung Jun or Lee Se-ha to intervene.
The Demonic Cult members who had intended to activate the Bright Crocodile Demonic Art and drag master and disciple into death with them were annihilated before they could even make the attempt.
‘An artillery barrage from Bow Art Martial Arts that leaves no room to maneuver. Truly terrifying power.’
Just as Namgung Jun silently observed the devastated battlefield before him—
Figures rapidly approached from the distance.
Each martial artist wore a curved saber at their waist and carried a longbow across their back.
They were the ones who had unleashed that long-range barrage and wiped out the Demonic Cult members without suffering so much as a scratch.
Cloud embroidery was stitched onto every one of their sleeves.
Namgung Jun quietly spoke a name he had previously known only through rumors.
“Radiant Wing Hall.”
Radiant Wing Hall.
One of the Ten Halls of the Changcheon Society.
Every member was a master of Bow Art Martial Arts, specializing in long-range support, assassination, and large-scale warfare.
“Heavenly Sword Hall Master. Did this old man interfere unnecessarily?”
An elderly man stepped forward from among the Radiant Wing Hall members, who had all halted together.
His beard was completely white, and the longbow on his back was exceptionally large.
Far larger than those carried by ordinary hall members, it clearly was not a weapon just anyone could wield.
“Not at all. You saved us quite a bit of effort.”
“Good to hear. We were returning to the headquarters when we sensed vermin-like auras and came to investigate. I didn't expect to find familiar faces here.”
The sharp eyes of the burly Hall Master of Radiant Wing Hall, resembling those of a bird of prey, settled upon Namgung Jun.
Namgung Jun's appearance.
His aura.
Finally, the cloud embroidery upon his sleeve.
Surprise gradually filled the Hall Master's piercing gaze.
“But I see an unfamiliar face as well. Who might this young man be?”
Lee Se-ha proudly patted Namgung Jun on the shoulder.
“My disciple.”
“What? At your age, you've taken a disciple? People your age are still considered part of the younger generation.”
“What a narrow-minded thing to say. If the connection feels right and our hearts are in agreement, then of course I'd take a disciple.”
The Hall Master of Radiant Wing Hall looked at Namgung Jun with great curiosity.
“So what the Heavenly Sword Hall Master says is true?”
“My master speaks the truth.”
Namgung Jun respectfully cupped his hands.
“It is my first time meeting you. I am Namgung Jun of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
“You don't even appear to be twenty years old, yet you've reached this level? It seems the Changcheon Society has produced a true Divine Dragon.”
Accepting Namgung Jun's respectful greeting, the Hall Master continued,
“We've been away on a long mission and know little about the situation at headquarters. I ask for your understanding.”
“Not at all. I am still nothing more than an inexperienced member of the younger generation. Please don't concern yourself with it.”
Apparently pleased by Namgung Jun's courteous manner, the Hall Master's smile deepened.
“The Heavenly Sword Hall may very well reclaim its former glory during this year's Combat Strength Evaluation.”
Lee Se-ha confidently raised her chin.
“You'd all better prepare yourselves. The Heavenly Sword Hall has become much stronger.”
“Hm. It certainly seems we'll need to keep a close eye on the Heavenly Sword Hall. To think there was such a promising talent I had never even heard of.”
The Hall Master carefully examined Namgung Jun from head to toe before nodding in understanding.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jun could only turn toward Lee Se-ha.
He had just heard something entirely new.
“Master. What is this Combat Strength Evaluation?”
“I originally intended to explain it after we returned to headquarters and gathered everyone from the Heavenly Sword Hall, but I suppose now works too.”
Seeing Lee Se-ha's reaction, Namgung Jun realized the Hall Master had spoken the truth.
“A Combat Strength Evaluation. It sounds interesting.”
“You'll have to begin preparing the moment we return.”
“That's fine. Let us head back quickly.”
Master and disciple joined up with the Radiant Wing Hall and headed toward Mount Huang.
---
After returning to the Changcheon Society headquarters, Namgung Jun immediately visited Lee Se-ha's office.
“Master. When does the Combat Strength Evaluation begin?”
“The exact date hasn't been decided, but it'll be in about three or four months.”
After calculating something in his mind, Namgung Jun nodded.
“We have more preparation time than I expected.”
“Which means we'll have to train properly. The other halls will be making serious preparations too.”
Lightning flickered within Lee Se-ha's blue eyes, which shimmered with lightning energy.
Her determination to achieve an outstanding result in the Combat Strength Evaluation was unmistakably strong.
She was resolved to restore the Heavenly Sword Hall to the prestige it once held among the Three Great Halls.
Having perceived that determination, Namgung Jun took a manual from inside his robes.
The reason he had come directly to her office was to hand it over.
“Master. This manual will help the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
“What manual?”
“A training method I created based on the external body cultivation I learned from the Iron Tower Hall. It can refine a swordsman's body to an even higher level. Of course, I also referred to the other external body arts from the Fist Martial Hall.”
Lee Se-ha examined the manual titled Sword Foundation Art, and her eyes widened.
“You created this manual yourself?”
The contents were far more extensive and refined than she had expected.
Even after only briefly skimming it, she could immediately tell it was no ordinary manual.
“I completed it quite some time ago, but I've continued refining it ever since. I believe the time has finally come.”
“With this manual, we can definitely raise the Heavenly Sword Hall's overall combat strength.”
Lee Se-ha eagerly continued reading through the Sword Foundation Art.
“I'll have to study this diligently myself. So this is another way to train.”
She was already memorizing the cultivation formulas.
Watching her with a faint smile, Namgung Jun continued,
“And I heard the Hall Masters themselves also compete during the Combat Strength Evaluation.”
“That's right. Since it's an evaluation of each hall's combat strength, naturally the Hall Master's own martial prowess is included.”
“Would you consider entering secluded cultivation for a while?”
“Secluded cultivation?”
Still looking through the cultivation formulas, Lee Se-ha finally raised her gaze.
Namgung Jun naturally continued,
“Please don't worry about the hall members. I'll train them properly.”
“Teaching others is far harder than it seems. And honestly, it's quite frustrating. Are you truly alright with that?”
“Yes, Master. With three months of secluded cultivation, someone like you should be able to achieve tremendous progress. Please leave the hall members to me.”
Lee Se-ha could not answer immediately.
She was genuinely worried about leaving the hall members alone with the Combat Strength Evaluation approaching.
Then Namgung Jun gently reinforced her resolve.
“Master. Please trust this disciple.”
After silently looking at Namgung Jun for a moment, Lee Se-ha nodded.
“I'll trust you.”
---
Lee Se-ha entered secluded cultivation.
Since everyone knew it was to prepare for the Combat Strength Evaluation, the hall members likewise intended to devote themselves to their own training.
However, Namgung Jun gathered everyone together.
“I have received Master's authority. I will oversee all training for the Combat Strength Evaluation.”
The hall members' eyes widened.
With the Hall Master absent, they had naturally assumed training would proceed independently.
“First, I ask everyone to focus on this manual.”
Namgung Jun called over several First Cloud members and distributed multiple copied volumes of the Sword Foundation Art that they had transcribed together.
“This is...?”
“An external body cultivation method? Interesting.”
The swordsmen examined the manual with curiosity.
The expressions of the Third Cloud members, in particular, quickly became serious.
‘Such a manual existed?’
‘This is no ordinary cultivation method.’
‘So this is why the Hall Master entered secluded cultivation alone.’
When they learned that Namgung Jun himself had created the Sword Foundation Art, the Third Cloud members looked at him with unmistakable admiration.
“Through the Sword Foundation Art, we will temper our bodies while refining each person's swordsmanship.”
“Refining swordsmanship? Mere advice won't be enough for that. You intend to accomplish it through sparring matches, don't you, Young Hero Namgung?”
Heo Il, having immediately understood Namgung Jun's intentions, winked as he explained on his behalf.
Namgung Jun nodded before continuing,
“However.”
He looked over the gathered swordsmen before him.
“I will personally oversee every single spar.”
The hall members' eyes widened.
They had assumed that sparring would simply involve higher-ranking swordsmen instructing those beneath them.
But Namgung Jun envisioned something entirely different.
He intended to personally observe, adjust, and refine every swordsman's swordsmanship himself.
That was the key to meaningfully increasing the Heavenly Sword Hall's combat strength within only three months.
It was not something possible through ordinary enthusiasm and stamina alone.
“Can you truly manage that?”
When Gong Jun-am quietly asked, Namgung Jun confidently grasped the hilt of his sword.
“Of course. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
The Heavenly Sword Hall's training for the Combat Strength Evaluation had begun.