Chapter 93 : Intensive Training (3)
Chapter 93: Intensive Training (3)
Seven Weeks Remaining.
That was how much time remained until the Changcheon Society's Ten Halls Combat Strength Evaluation.
Bang!
Clang! Clang!
Claaang!
The impact of stamping footwork and the ringing clash of swords intertwined fiercely like tangled vines.
Standing in the training ground, Namgung Jun swept his gaze across the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen engaged in sparring throughout the grounds.
'Their overall level has risen.'
Through the Sword Foundation Art, they had strengthened both their basic external training and sword techniques, while also successfully raising the average mastery of the Great Expansion Sword Art.
Even the swordsman with the lowest attainment had reached eighty percent mastery, making it an extraordinary achievement.
If the previous two months had been devoted entirely to strengthening individual capability through intensive training in the Sword Foundation Art and the Great Expansion Sword Art, the remaining month had been divided further to devote considerable effort to training the Great Expansion Sword Formation.
Perhaps because the Heavenly Sword Hall's overall mastery of the Great Expansion Sword Art had increased, both the Great Expansion Sword Formation's proficiency and power improved day by day.
The Heavenly Sword Hall was unmistakably becoming stronger, both individually and collectively.
Boom!
The deployment of the Great Expansion Sword Formation concluded as every participant stamped the ground simultaneously, releasing their Qi.
The members of the Heavenly Sword Hall immediately collapsed where they stood, regulating their breathing while wiping away sweat.
“At this point, there's hardly anything left to correct in the Great Expansion Sword Formation. Even the One-Clouds and Two-Clouds barely make any mistakes now.”
“The improved Great Expansion Sword Formation has become unbelievably powerful. I think we'd have a real chance even against the Three Rivers.”
Listening to the conversation, Heo Il uncorked the flask hanging from his waist and took a drink.
“To be honest, I already believed it was more than adequate before... but we really had grown complacent. To think our abilities would improve this much through Young Hero Namgung's guidance.”
“Exactly! Honestly, I always thought the Great Expansion Sword Art existed only to build a foundation and support other martial arts, but now it feels like I've seen an entirely different side of it.”
Standing beside Heo Il, Man Ye-won eagerly chimed in.
“Your Gale Sword Art has definitely become much stronger. Even though you completely neglected it over the last three months.”
When Gong Jun-am, who likewise specialized in heavy swords, said so with certainty, Man Ye-won proudly puffed out her shoulders.
As the swordsmen shared the fruits of their intensive training among themselves, they gradually turned their heads toward Namgung Jun.
Looking back at them, Namgung Jun quietly spoke.
“Only now can it truly be called a single sword formation.”
Having waited for his verdict, the Heavenly Sword Hall erupted into cheers.
Until now, Namgung Jun had never once expressed satisfaction while observing the Great Expansion Sword Formation.
He always gently pointed out flaws, carefully identifying each person's mistakes and explaining what needed improvement.
More than twenty days had passed like that.
This was the very first time Namgung Jun had offered such straightforward praise.
“I think that's the first compliment we've ever received from the youngest!”
“If you're already praising us, you might as well give us a few more!”
“Knowing how to encourage your subordinates is a talent in itself.”
At the uproar from the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen, Namgung Jun smiled.
“Praise naturally arises only when another's actions and attitude are truly worthy of high regard. Once is sufficient.”
The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen burst into laughter.
“Haha! Young Hero Namgung's way with words keeps getting better.”
“Namgung Jun is right. Wagging your tongue without purpose helps no one.”
As Heo Il laughed aloud, Gong Jun-am gave a firm nod.
“I've never been praised before. Was I really that unworthy of it?”
When Man Ye-won dramatically held her forehead, one of the nearby swordsmen teased her.
“Well, maybe you should've made a better first impression.”
“I still can't believe the treasured granddaughter of the Elder Council Head has blended into the Heavenly Sword Hall this well.”
Laughing along with everyone's conversation, Namgung Jun suddenly raised his head.
He had sensed an aura outside the Heavenly Sword Hall pavilion.
It was strangely familiar, yet distant.
It seemed no one else had noticed it yet.
“Heh.”
A smile appeared on Namgung Jun's lips as he unfolded his crossed legs.
As he slowly rose to his feet, the other members of the Heavenly Sword Hall followed suit.
“It seems all of you are still hungry for praise.”
Turning his gaze toward the rear of the Heavenly Sword Hall, Namgung Jun continued,
“Then let's ask that person what they think of the Heavenly Sword Hall in its current state.”
Only then did the Heavenly Sword Hall members turn around.
A woman entered their view.
Her black martial robes, already dark to begin with, seemed even deeper in color.
The relentless training had faded the fabric and covered it with dust.
Even so, the blue light shining through her wind-blown hair had become even sharper and loftier.
Holding a single sword in her hand, the woman stepped into the Heavenly Sword Hall grounds, slowly swept her gaze across the assembled swordsmen, and finally looked at Namgung Jun.
“Heavenly Sword Hall.”
That single quiet statement was all she uttered.
Yet everyone understood the meaning hidden within those words.
One after another, the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen slowly drew their swords.
As the sound of blades leaving their scabbards echoed everywhere, Namgung Jun likewise placed his hand upon his hilt.
“Formation.”
It was a firm command carrying the slightest trace of amusement.
Thud!
The Qi of the Heavenly Sword Hall instantly merged into one as everyone assumed their assigned positions.
The Great Expansion Sword Formation had been deployed.
“I suppose I should see whether you've been slacking off during these past three months.”
The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen immediately answered Lee Se-ha's challenge.
“The same goes for you, Hall Master.”
“If you take us lightly, you're going to regret it.”
“Please, come in, Hall Master.”
Hearing the confidence in their voices, Lee Se-ha slowly drew her sword.
“It's been a while since we've met. Let's exchange greetings.”
The Heavenly Sword Hall Master charged straight toward the Heavenly Sword Hall.
It was a match to measure the progress of the past three months while settling the longing they had all accumulated.
The sounds of battle continued echoing throughout the Heavenly Sword Hall long after the sun had gone down.
---
The day of the Combat Strength Evaluation.
The Heavenly Sword Hall headed toward the Grand Training Ground at the center of the main headquarters.
'Impressive.'
Namgung Jun slightly lifted the brim of his bamboo hat and raised his gaze.
They had not even reached the Grand Training Ground yet, but an astonishing density of Qi already filled the air.
The Changcheon Society's elite.
The Ten Halls.
Ten military divisions that had scattered throughout the Martial World, eliminating the demonic and unorthodox factions while upholding righteousness, were now gathered in one place.
Naturally, it was a moment worth anticipating.
Namgung Jun looked down at the thick wooden pole he held with both hands.
It was not merely a staff.
It was the banner pole bearing the Heavenly Sword Hall's flag.
Namgung Jun had become the Heavenly Sword Hall's standard-bearer.
It also signified that he had become the undisputed second-in-command of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
No one had objected to Namgung Jun taking the role.
If anything, several veterans had recommended him as though it were only natural.
It was recognition not only of his strength, but also of his ability to lead the Heavenly Sword Hall in place of the Hall Master if necessary.
“Jun. Are you nervous?”
Without taking her eyes off the Grand Training Ground, Lee Se-ha spoke.
Looking at his master's slender yet dependable back, Namgung Jun smiled.
“Not at all.”
“Keep your shoulders firm. The other Halls won't simply sit back and watch us plant our banner.”
“That sounds rather entertaining.”
While they chatted casually, the Heavenly Sword Hall arrived at the Grand Training Ground.
The Grand Training Ground was spacious enough to accommodate several hundred people with ease.
The Ten Halls had each occupied positions around its perimeter.
'Martial Extremity Hall, Iron Tower Hall, Flying God Hall.'
Some belonged to the Three Rivers, while others he had only heard about by name until now.
Seeing that the other nine positions had already been filled, it appeared the Heavenly Sword Hall had arrived last.
Because of that, the eyes of the other nine Halls immediately converged upon them.
Yet the Heavenly Sword Hall calmly took its place, radiating an imposing and icy presence.
“My disciple.”
“Yes, Master.”
Holding the Heavenly Sword Hall's banner, Namgung Jun stepped forward.
Just as he was about to plant it—
Whoosh!
Powerful gusts of wind swept in from every direction.
More accurately, they were the waves of Qi released toward Namgung Jun by the standard-bearers of the other nine Halls.
Originally, Gong Jun-am had served as the Heavenly Sword Hall's standard-bearer.
It was only natural that everyone would be curious about his replacement.
The standard-bearers of the other Halls all directed their interest toward Namgung Jun, releasing their Qi simultaneously.
Six different waves of Qi surged toward him.
Only the Martial Extremity Hall, Iron Tower Hall, and Ink Wheel Hall refrained from joining in.
Watching the torrents of Qi rushing toward him from every direction, Namgung Jun smiled.
As he lifted his gaze, his eyes settled upon the embroidered characters Heavenly Sword stitched in black thread against a blue banner.
'It's only the beginning, so let's keep it light.'
Namgung Jun recalled the martial principles he had focused on during the past three months.
Unlike the other swordsmen, he had trained to merge four additional sword arts into the Great Expansion Sword Art.
So that a single sword could contain the principles of every path.
Crackle!
Dense lightning energy wrapped around Namgung Jun's entire body like a flowing robe.
The six waves of Qi were only moments away from reaching him.
If he simply stood still, he himself would remain unharmed.
The Heavenly Sword Hall's banner, however, would undoubtedly be torn apart.
Hum!
A powerful wave of Qi erupted from Namgung Jun's hands gripping the banner pole.
Boom!
An explosive shockwave tore through the air, instantly driving back all six incoming waves of Qi.
At the same moment, the banner pole bearing the Heavenly Sword Hall's flag plunged deeply into the ground.
Boom!
As the pole embedded itself into the earth, a second shockwave burst outward, sweeping back toward the six directions.
“Urgh!”
“Hmph!”
The six standard-bearers who had launched their probing Qi were all forced to circulate their internal energy to resist the returning shockwave.
Silence immediately descended upon the Grand Training Ground.
Only a handful of senior veterans from the Ten Halls quietly whispered among themselves.
“If my eyes didn't deceive me, I saw several different martial principles in that single move.”
“I saw the same.”
“That new Heavenly Sword Hall standard-bearer... that's the Rising Star Sword, isn't it?”
“To surpass the Great Wall Sword... has something major happened within the Heavenly Sword Hall?”
Such were the reactions of those seeing Namgung Jun for the first time or who had only heard scattered rumors about him.
'Brother Namgung... you've grown even stronger.'
Standing among the Martial Extremity Hall, Baek Ri smiled.
The Hall Masters of the Ink Wheel Hall and Sect Hall also fixed meaningful gazes upon Namgung Jun.
Just as everyone's attention in the Grand Training Ground focused upon him—
“Hahaha! Is everyone here?!”
A booming voice filled the entire Grand Training Ground.
It sounded as though thousands of people were shouting in unison.
Its overwhelming spirit alone was enough to shake the surroundings.
Turning toward the source of the thunderous voice, everyone saw a middle-aged man standing with his right fist raised high and his mouth wide open.
Beside him fluttered a banner bearing the characters Seonghong.
'So that's the Seonghong Hall.'
The Seonghong Hall.
A military division whose members specialized in sound arts through a variety of musical instruments.
When it came to large-scale battles, they were said to rival even the Martial Extremity Hall.
“I see quite a few familiar faces! And plenty I don't recognize!”
The middle-aged man slowly looked over each of the Ten Halls before raising his voice again.
“I am the Hall Master of the Seonghong Hall!”
Namgung Jun's eyes narrowed slightly as the booming voice rang painfully against his ears.
'He isn't using any internal energy at all.'
And yet his voice alone was already this loud.
It was absurdly powerful.
Namgung Jun could scarcely imagine how terrifying it would become once internal energy was mixed into it.
While everyone else frowned, the Seonghong Hall Master paid them no mind and shouted toward the heavens.
“Let the Combat Strength Evaluation begin!”