Rebirth of the Thunder God

The unexpected person Namgung Hui encountered was none other than.

"Young Lady Namgung. It's been a while."

He was none other than the Sword Dragon of the Wudang Sect, Cheonghak, who had given Namgung Hui his title.

He should have left for the Wudang Sect with the Two Forms Divine Art manual, so why had he come out of his sect again?

As soon as he had that question, another man next to him greeted him.

"It's been a while."

The person Namgung Hui had actually called an unexpected person was Hu Gai of the Beggars' Sect, who had just greeted him.

Hadn't he been exchanging information closely with Namgung Hui?

Since there was no better person to ask about the state of the martial world than a member of the Beggars' Sect, he was very glad to have met Hu Gai.

'And judging by his eyes, he seems to know who I am. Indeed. If the Beggars' Sect's Hu Gai doesn't know, who would?'

He must have first found out if there was a secret weapon named Namgung Jayeon in the Namgung family.

After realizing that the existence of Namgung Jayeon was a fiction, he must have immediately noticed Namgung Hui's absence as well.

Besides, it was rare for a master who surpassed the Transcendent realm to emerge from the ranks of the later generation in this era.

If such people appeared one after another in a generation that was not rich in practical experience.

It meant that they had either had a fortuitous encounter or were a military power that someone had intentionally raised.

'Like the Divine Dragon of the Shaolin Temple or the Mad Dragon of the Demonic Heaven, it's only possible if they are intentionally raised. It should be seen as an impossible realm with pure skill without support.'

Of course, if one had the talent to rise to the rank of a great master, they could stand out without any support.

But, the talent of such a great master also did not suddenly fall from the sky.

It was reasonable to see it as a realm possible only by inheriting superior bone structure from outstanding factors, that is, parents.

It wasn't for nothing that the Tang family took in sons-in-law and insisted on superior factors.

Besides, all the numerous bone structures, such as the Heavenly Martial Body and the Three Talents Body, also appeared from these parts.

Not only that. The Bone Cleansing and Marrow Washing, and other such techniques received as a child.

The spirit medicines they ate like rice since they were young, and the highest level of secret arts that only the direct descendants learned.

Countless supports were poured into the children of prestigious families.

A master was barely born from the baptism of innate talent and acquired support, so for a great master to be born in a poor countryside was truly like a dragon emerging from a stream.

'On top of that, our Namgung family didn't have the capacity to raise a secret weapon named Namgung Jayeon. Because the family's fortunes were faltering.'

Anyway. In that context, it might have been natural for Hu Gai to see through Namgung Jayeon's true identity.

But the Cheonghak in front of him still didn't know Namgung Jayeon's true identity, so he was looking at him with somewhat excited eyes.

Namgung Hui gave a bitter smile and returned the greeting to the two.

"It's been a while, everyone. Young Master Cheonghak, Young Master Hu Gai."

"Oh. Young Lady Namgung. Do you know Hu Gai?"

"I've been indebted to him a few times while coming and going. But why are you two at the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild?"

"Ah. Let's not talk here, let's go inside and talk. It's a good thing, since I have something to say to the young lady as well."

Cheonghak, without even waiting for Namgung Hui's permission, led the party to the reception hall.

Since Namgung Hui had stayed at the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild for about half a month, he thought it wouldn't be that unfamiliar, but there had been a huge change in the meantime.

'Did he hear me comparing it to the Golden Merchant Guild in my mind? For some reason, it feels more splendid and grand than before. The formations that I didn't feel before have also increased.'

Not only that. The presence of the martial artists residing in the merchant guild had also become quite distinct and numerous.

It seemed they had strengthened their security as if to prepare for the previous incident.

Or perhaps all three of the great merchant guilds of the Central Plains had been attacked, so they might have made full preparations.

And so, he arrived at the reception hall with Cheonghak.

He, as if he had been to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild several times, skillfully picked up the tea set and poured tea.

Although he could have had a servant do it, he volunteered to serve himself.

It was unknown whether he was trying to show the demeanor of a Taoist, or whether he was trying to look good to Namgung Hui.

But Hu Gai, who was watching him, had a smirk on his lips.

Namgung Hui, after moistening his throat with the tea that Cheonghak had poured, opened his mouth.

"It seems there have been many interesting stories in the martial world lately."

"Rather than interesting, there have been many major incidents. The Iron Blood Alliance is a very famous story, so you probably know about it... It would be better to talk about the good news before the bad news, so I should tell you that Young Lady Namgung has entered the ranks of the Five Phoenixes, no, the Six Phoenixes."

Cheonghak put on a triumphant expression, as if it were his own achievement.

Since Namgung Hui already knew the fact and had even guessed who had spread the rumor, Cheonghak's attitude was just funny and cute.

Although he was called the Sword Dragon in the martial world and was considered the best among the later generation along with the Divine Dragon, in Namgung Hui's eyes, he still looked like a young man.

In fact, this was a natural reaction.

It was a natural behavior for young men and women to try to look good to the opposite sex when they gathered.

But, the problem was that Namgung Hui was originally a man.

Namgung Hui, as if he were hearing it for the first time, continued calmly.

"Really? That I've entered the ranks of the phoenixes, this is an honor for my family."

"Yes. Since the Namgung family has recently produced a Hidden Dragon and even added a Heavenly Phoenix, the family head will be very pleased. And there is more good news waiting for the young lady."

"What is it?"

Cheonghak puffed out his chest and said.

"Our Wudang Sect has decided to give the young lady the right to view one martial art for the recovery of the manual this time. Whether it's the Taiji Wisdom Sword or the Two Forms Divine Art. Without any restrictions."

"!!?"

Namgung Hui almost spilled his tea at the unexpected reward.

Usually, when a manual was recovered like this, at best, they would give a mid-grade spirit medicine or, as a favor, a high-grade spirit medicine.

A martial arts manual? They did teach common martial arts that lay disciples learned, but they did not teach the secret arts of the main mountain that even direct disciples, let alone the sect leader's disciples, might or might not learn.

It was a very rare case in all his past lives, so Namgung Hui couldn't help but be surprised.

'The secret arts of the Wudang Sect were the most numerous after the Shaolin Temple. Just thinking about it now, a dozen or so come to mind.'

When one thought of the Wudang Sect, the first thing that came to mind was the Taiji Wisdom Sword.

It was a sword art that was called the best among the sword arts of the orthodox faction.

Even Namgung Cheonhu, when asked to pick the three great sword arts of the orthodox faction, always mentioned the Taiji Wisdom Sword first.

A divine art that was said to be one dimension ahead of the Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art and the Plum Blossom Sword Art.

Although he was very tempted by such a Taiji Wisdom Sword, there were other attractive secret arts of the Wudang Sect.

The Two Forms Divine Art that Namgung Hui was secretly learning.

And the Ten-Section Brocade that Beak Seolhwa was very tempted by.

Unlike the Wudang Sect, which mainly used the soft principle of Taiji, it boasted a domineering momentum.

On top of that, since its application was also outstanding, it could be applied to fist and palm techniques in addition to the Cotton Palm, and it was even said that it could be melted into sword arts.

Hadn't Namgung Hui also been a fist user until he learned the sword art?

That was why, although not as much as Beak Seolhwa, it was also true that he was curious about the principle and incantation of the Ten-Section Brocade.

And the internal art, the Great Purity Divine Art, was also a very attractive internal art.

The Nine Palaces Sword Formation used by the high-level sword masters.

The Cloud-Riding Stride, which was said to be the pinnacle of movement techniques.

Although it was not as good as the Cloud-Riding Stride, the Flowing Cloud Divine Art, which was not lacking in representing the Wudang Sect.

Besides them, various martial arts contributed to making the Wudang Sect the number one sword sect.

'Although the Great Purity Divine Art, which can use the Great Purity Aura, is also legendary, the Ten-Section Brocade or the Taiji Wisdom Sword is still the most attractive.'

Since he had the Phantom Shadow Steps and the Wind God Steps, he was not very drawn to the Cloud-Riding Stride.

But if it was the Ten-Section Brocade with its outstanding application, it would be okay to share it with Beak Seolhwa.

And he thought it was a martial art that was worth learning himself.

Although there was nothing wrong with referring to the Great Purity Divine Art, since he needed to concentrate on the Purple Thunder Divine Art, it seemed it would be too much.

'If so, I should ask for the Ten-Section Brocade.'

"Then would it be okay to ask for the Ten-Section Brocade?"

"Ahem... That might be a bit difficult."

"Huh? Why?"

As Namgung Hui asked back with a disappointed expression, Cheonghak scratched his cheek as if he were in a difficult position.

Then this time, Hu Gai, who was next to him, smiled faintly and answered instead.

"You know that the Wudang Sect had its manual stolen, right?"

"Yes. I even found the Two Forms Divine Art, so how could I not know?"

"The stolen manuals included not only the Two Forms Divine Art but also the Ten-Section Brocade. Although the Two Forms Divine Art was found without any loss of its incantation, the Ten-Section Brocade was not."

"Ah... The manual must have been damaged. Still, there should be a copy or someone who has memorized the incantation, so isn't it easy to restore?"

"Hmm... It would be better to hear this from Young Master Cheonghak rather than me."

As Hu Gai turned his gaze to Cheonghak, he reluctantly opened his mouth.

"Our Wudang Sect is currently the number one sword sect in the world, isn't it? In building such a reputation, there was of course the tireless effort of the disciples, but there were also not a few drawbacks. That is that we have neglected the Cotton Palm of the Wudang Sect. On top of that, since the Ten-Section Brocade is considered the most difficult to learn, there are few disciples who want to learn the Ten-Section Brocade these days. They all try to learn the Taiji Sword Art or the Taiji Wisdom Sword."

It was natural for people to pursue efficiency.

As much as the Ten-Section Brocade was attractive and great, it might have been natural that its incantation and principle were quite difficult.

Because of that, it was rather neglected in the current generation.

Although the Taiji Wisdom Sword was also known to be a very difficult martial art, it was said that it was not as much as the Ten-Section Brocade.

On top of that, since it was the strongest martial art that any swordsman dreamed of, there might have been a point of enduring such difficulty.

Most of all, it was an undeniable fact that the martial art that best matched the Great Purity Aura was the Taiji Wisdom Sword.

"Well, that's okay. I'll refer to the lost parts on my own, so I must see the Ten-Section Brocade."

"If Young Lady Namgung says so, I will try to ask the Sect Leader. Then perhaps, since it's incomplete, he might show you another martial art."

If that really happened, there would be nothing more for Namgung Hui to wish for.

Wasn't the Ten-Section Brocade alone an excessive reward for Namgung Hui, who had secretly learned the Two Forms Divine Art?

Of course, since more was better, he had no intention of refusing if he was told.

"Then is this all the good news?"

"Besides this, there is of course more. The news that the Namgung family has recently prospered and is on a roll is not just a joy for the Namgung family, but a great blessing for the martial world."

This was good news that Namgung Hui couldn't help but have the corners of his mouth go up.

"Now that I've heard all the good news, shall I hear what the bad news is?"

At Namgung Hui's question, Cheonghak, who had been looking bright all this time, put on a dark expression.

And as much as that expression, a heavy voice came out of his mouth.

"Yes. I'll tell you right away. The Black Tortoise Troupe Leader has gone missing. And right after the martial arts tournament."

(End of Chapter)