Rebirth of the Thunder God

"May I see the secret manual of the Plum Blossom Sword Art?"

"What? You want to see the secret manual of the Plum Blossom Sword Art?"

Although Namgung Hui said it nonchalantly, the Plum Blossom Sword Art was, as Namgung Hui had said, once one of the three great divine treasures of the Mount Hua Sect.

Although it had now given its place to the Purple Mist Divine Sword, it was a divine art that would surely be included if one were to name the three great sword arts in the Central Plains.

'The Wudang Sect's Taiji Wisdom Sword, the Namgung family's Boundless Azure Sky Sword Art, and the Mount Hua Sect's Plum Blossom Sword Art.'

Of course, since there were many extraordinary people in the martial world, it didn't mean that these sword arts were the strongest.

But it was certain that they were sword arts that had been sufficiently verified as supreme martial arts in the Central Plains over the years.

In fact, the sects and families they belonged to would claim that their own sword arts were the best.

The Boundless Azure Sky Sword Art that the Martial God had used was something that even the Heavenly Demon could not easily handle.

'But my sworn brother said that even the Plum Blossom Sword Art could not be compared to the Boundless Azure Sky Sword Art in terms of superiority or inferiority.'

His sworn brother was a person who would have become the number one under heaven no matter what he had learned.

That was why he was given the title of Martial God , not Sword God.

Anyway, Namgung Hui had decided to briefly refer to the Plum Blossom Sword Art for the development of the Heavenly Thunder Sword Art.

Because the Shattering Sword Art he had used was also inspired by the scattering plum blossoms.

The Sect Leader was lost in thought for a moment.

There was a principle of not passing it on to a person of flawed character, but since this had been verified, showing it was not a big problem.

However, it was a true secret technique that was not shown carelessly even to direct disciples.

'What should I do? With most of the elders gone to the Martial Alliance, it has become a matter I have to decide on my own.'

The only remaining elders were I Jeongsim and I Jeongseong.

They were favorable to Namgung Hui, so it was clear that they would grant permission without even asking.

Then the answer was as good as decided.

"Young Hero Namgung. May I ask why you wish to witness the Plum Blossom Sword Art?"

"Naturally, wouldn't a swordsman want to see the number one sword art of the Taoist sects? I heard that even the past Martial God praised it highly."

Sincerity was evident in Namgung Hui's words.

If the Martial God hadn't said so, he really wouldn't have had any intention of seeing it.

What would Namgung Hui, who had been the Thunder God, be lacking to refer to someone else's sword art?

The fact that the Martial God had praised it so much was the biggest reason.

Perhaps because he had called it the number one in the Taoist sects, the Sect Leader's lips curled up slightly.

The Sect Leader, having made up his mind, stood up from his seat and said.

"Then I can't show it to you for a long time. I'll only show it to you for half a shichen. I hope you understand that even that much is a great favor from me."

"Yes. Of course."

In fact, that much time was more than enough for Namgung Hui.

Now that his upper dantian was open, his memory had become exceptionally good.

Namgung Hui's mind had always been good, but now it was safe to say that he had an absolute memory, as he never forgot what he had seen once.

"Then I will show you the original, not a copy, as a special favor."

Since the Sect Leader carried the original with him, he immediately took out a worn-out secret manual from his bosom and handed it to Namgung Hui.

The secret manual was full of stains, more so than 60 years ago.

It wasn't just stained with handprints; the bright red stains were clearly bloodstains.

Namgung Hui, receiving the secret manual, was filled with mixed emotions.

'Jinmyeong. For what did you shed so much blood?'

Although Namgung Hui could not hear the answer from the Sword God, the smiles of the common people he had seen in the Mount Hua area flashed through his mind for a moment.

That also included Chichi's satisfied hiccup from the Seobongju.

Although it was limited to Mount Hua, wasn't it because of the price of this stained blood that such a good place to live was created?

"Young Hero Namgung. Then I will come back in half a shichen. Please look at it here."

The Sect Leader left the room out of consideration for Namgung Hui.

It would be easier to concentrate on reading the secret manual alone than with someone next to him.

"Yes. I will see you in half a shichen."

The Sect Leader, nodding his head, left the Purple Mist Hall.

Although Namgung Hui was left alone in the empty hall, for some reason, it didn't feel lonely, as if someone were next to him.

'Then let's appreciate that Plum Blossom Sword Art that my sworn brother praised.'

Namgung Hui, who had been lost in sentiment, immediately began to read the secret manual.

[Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword Art]

Since this was a sword art created by Hak Daetong while longing for the woman named Jaha, when one reached the great completion (10th star), it was called the Realm of Sword Fragrance, and the scent of plum blossoms would emanate from the sword.

Going further, upon reaching the extreme star (12th star), it was called the Realm of Sword Flowers, and plum blossom flowers would bloom from the sword.

These plum blossom flowers were all lumps of strong ki, boasting tremendous killing power.

The Demonic Cult members were mercilessly torn apart by these plum blossom petals and ended their lives.

What Namgung Hui was trying to refer to was also the principle of this sword flower.

'If I mix it appropriately with the principle of the Shattering Sword Art, I think I can perform it with Purple Thunder Ki.'

The Divine Thunder Art and the Purple Mist Divine Art had already become somewhat similar in nature.

This also meant that there would be no problem in operating the Plum Blossom Sword Art.

It was a moment when he was very much looking forward to what it would be like if he performed the sword flower with Purple Thunder Ki.

Namgung Hui did not look at the first half of the Plum Blossom Sword Art carelessly.

In the first place, the foundation is the most important thing in all martial arts.

It would be reasonable to see it as the truth of this world, not just martial arts.

'Then let's look at the first form.'

Although it was an incantation he was seeing for the first time, for some reason, it felt familiar.

Was it natural, since it was the sword art that the Sword God had used?

In any case, thanks to that, Namgung Hui was able to memorize all 24 forms of the Plum Blossom Sword Art within half a shichen.

Of course, he had memorized the form and the style, but understanding the true meaning was a different domain.

A moment later. After half a shichen had passed, the Sect Leader returned like clockwork.

As Namgung Hui folded the secret manual and returned it, his eyes were slightly red.

"Ahem. I just went to see Ucheon. I plan to officially announce it to the Mount Hua Sect disciples from tomorrow."

It seemed it was because he had just met Yong Ucheon.

Was there some sad story?

Namgung Hui couldn't know for sure, but just by looking at the Sect Leader's expression, he sensed that there was a sad story.

"But why did you hide the fact that he is your son? The Mount Hua Sect is not a sect where marriage is forbidden, is it?"

"Just know that there are circumstances. I don't want to announce this to the outside world yet. Well, if you really want to hear it, I can tell you, but then you won't be able to receive one of the rewards."

He couldn't make a wish here just to hear someone else's story.

If he was really curious, he could just ask the Hao Faction Head or the Beggars' Sect.

Moreover, he didn't particularly want to know someone else's family affairs.

"I'll hear about this later if I have the chance. Then may I talk about the other rewards?"

"Yes. Now there are two rewards left."

"First, please dispatch ten of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen to the Namgung estate. I heard that you are not participating in this Martial Alliance tournament, so I don't think it will be difficult."

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, modeled after the Eighteen Arhats of the Shaolin Temple, consisted of 24 second-generation disciples, just like the Twenty-Four Forms Plum Blossom Sword Art.

They were currently preparing to perform a martial arts demonstration at the Martial Alliance tournament.

But if the news of their non-participation was announced, they would return to the Mount Hua Sect.

"Ten is not something I can't support. I will send them, limited to those who volunteer. And what is your last request?"

"If I send a person later, please accept them as a lay disciple."

"Not a direct disciple, but a lay disciple, that's not a difficult request. Fine. And we will maintain a close relationship with the Namgung family from now on. If you ever need help, just say the word."

The reason Namgung Hui had deliberately not made an unreasonable request was also to receive the protection of the Mount Hua Sect.

In fact, there was also the reason that he had swallowed the Purple Mist Pill, but since it was a place connected to his past life, there was no need to strip it bare.

"Yes. Our Namgung family will also come running when the Mount Hua Sect is in difficulty."

"Good. Very good. Then, since it's late at night, you should go and get some sleep. And thank you very much for saving Ucheon."

Namgung Hui politely performed a fist-and-palm salute and returned to the quarters he had been assigned to get some sleep.

Without knowing what would happen the next day.

* * *

The next day. Morning.

Namgung Hui, having finished his business at the Mount Hua Sect, left with Eun Seolrin.

Although he had finished his work safely and packed everything he needed, Namgung Hui was still uncomfortable in the carriage.

"Miss Eun. Are you angry?"

"Would you please call me Young Guild Mistress, not Miss Eun? It's business hours now."

A frosty edge laced Eun Seolrin's tone.

For a moment, he thought that if she had learned ice arts, she would have become a master no less than Baek Seolhwa.

"I'm sorry. I was so busy last night that I meant to tell you, but I..."

"You shouldn't have done something to be sorry for. You're disqualified as a bodyguard. As soon as we return to the guild, write your resignation letter."

Was this what it felt like to be scolded by a boss?

She pointed out Namgung Hui's mistakes one by one, shutting his mouth.

It felt like she was using her tongue as a martial art; Namgung Hui couldn't find any rebuttal.

'I was in the wrong. I was her bodyguard, yet I left her alone and went to chase the spy from the Association.'

Of course, since it was the territory of the Mount Hua Sect, there would be no danger.

But she had stayed up, not sleeping, until Namgung Hui returned.

Namgung Hui hadn't known she would wait, so after finishing his business with the Sect Leader, he had just returned to his quarters and gone to sleep.

Of course, there was a slightly unfair part to this.

Not long ago, hadn't he almost committed a great discourtesy in Baek Seolhwa's quarters?

He hadn't visited because he thought it would be a nuisance to visit a woman's quarters in the middle of the night.

And wouldn't she have been in a bad mood if she had been woken up from her sleep?

'Anyway, my work at the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild is over with this. She probably knows this and is telling me to write a resignation letter.'

He didn't know if she would really accept his resignation, but Namgung Hui thought of it as just something she said out of anger.

Well, it didn't matter even if she was serious.

Because he had thought of a way to appease her anger.

'I had an epiphany thanks to the Purple Mist Ten Thousand Li. If I apply this, I think I can create a decent mind art for Miss Eun.'

A method that was only possible if one had survived the Ice Soul Poison like Namgung Hui and Eun Seolrin.

Since it was a mind art that could only be used by opening the middle dantian, it would be of no use even if it were passed on to someone else.

However, it would be a very useful mind art for Eun Seolrin.

It would also have the effect of calming her anger, so she would willingly calm down.

"Miss Eun. There's an inn we stopped by on the way, and the food was quite good. Let's have a meal there on our way back."

"You ate at a place like that without me? I'm surprised it went down your throat without you choking."

"Ah. That is. I met the Hao Faction Head on the way and ate with him. I asked him to come with us, but he said he had important business at the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild and went ahead."

"At the guild? Did you hear what it was about?"

"I wonder. It seemed to be information he had found out while interrogating the spies this time, but he didn't tell me."

"Is that so? Well, it wouldn't be good for an outsider to know, so that's probably why. Then, please lead the way. To that inn."

Namgung Hui smirked and led the way.

And so, they finished their delicious meal and returned safely to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.

But the appearance of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild was quite different from a few days ago.

(End of Chapter)