Chapter 172 : Chapter 172
Chapter 172 - My Heart Aches
The Diancang Sect martial artists returned to their quarters, and the Mount Heng Sect vacated their rooms as if fleeing the inn.
The ugly man who had been blabbing as if he had a trumpet for a mouth also vanished. It seemed the incident related to the theft had come to a conclusion.
However, the crowd who had witnessed the event on the spot remained there.
“What on earth just happened?”
“Is there a need to think about it so complexly? The item held by the Mount Heng Sect simply found its rightful owner.”
“Tsk, tsk. My man. Is it really such a simple matter? There’s a foul smell coming from behind the scenes.”
“Right. If Young Master Chu hadn't snatched the work from the Mount Heng Sect’s room, would those Mount Heng Sect bastards have returned the work to the Namgung Family Clan?”
“No way. I heard a single work by Master Namgung Dong is worth enough for three generations to live in luxury. Surely that man named Jun-il intended to swallow it for himself.”
“Then why didn't they press the matter further? Shouldn't they have dug to the bottom of who was at fault?”
“The escort warriors died at the hands of the Command of the Severing Hand group, and those Command of the Severing Hand were also killed by someone. Dead men tell no tales.”
“Right. One cannot conclude Jun-il is the culprit based only on the clue of the Continuous Chain sword technique. Besides, did Jun-il not hand over the work obediently?”
“Their backgrounds aren't some small local group; they are the Mount Heng Sect and the Namgung Family Clan. Since the item was found, they likely found it bothersome to create more bad blood.”
“It feels as uncomfortable as finishing before you're done. Well, at least the show was good…….”
“Speaking of which, isn't Young Hero Biyoung’s martial arts truly amazing? Did he not play around with a four-knot swordsman of the Mount Heng Sect?”
“I was surprised too. I heard there are fewer than twenty four-knot swordsmen even within the Mount Heng Sect. Most of them are at least in their thirties. Does this not mean Young Hero Biyoung is effectively at least a five-knot swordsman even if he joined the Mount Heng Sect right now?”
A five-knot swordsman. They were those called peak swordsmen even within the Mount Heng Sect, and their number was less than ten. At that terrifying deduction, the onlookers each swallowed hard.
“By the way, that person called Young Master Chu also seems to have quite a high level of martial arts. Did he not beat a three-knot swordsman, a young talent, like a dog on a hot summer day?”
“True. I heard that three-knot swordsman was also someone participating in the martial arts tournament. He’s become a laughingstock.”
“And didn't that reliable-looking Young Hero named Eung Gajin also block a move from Jun-il? The martial arts tournament will be very interesting.”
An incident involving the Diancang Sect, the Mount Heng Sect, and the Namgung Family Clan. Added to the performance of the rising swordsmen discovered ahead of the martial arts tournament, the people could not leave the place for a long time.
***
“Haha. Let me formally introduce myself. I am the eldest son of the Namgung Family based in Anhui Province, Namgung Chu.”
I told him he didn't have to. Namgung Chu insisted that ties in the Jianghu could not be treated lightly and eventually crawled into the Diancang Sect’s quarters. It felt like blood was already trickling from my ears, but I couldn't exactly turn him away at the door. If it weren't for Namgung Chu’s mediation today, the Diancang Sect and the Mount Heng Sect would have surely seen blood.
“I am Eung Gajin of the Diancang Sect.”
“I’m Uma.”
“I-I am called Solbo.”
“I’m Jeong-i.”
The young talents, each with their own diverse personalities, introduced themselves in their own ways. Namgung Chu looked over the young talents for a moment, then suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.
“Haha. I made a mistake by only looking at Young Hero Biyoung and Lady Jeong.”
“?”
“Since the appearances of those two were so outstanding, I thought the Diancang Sect looked at faces when accepting disciples. However…….”
Namgung Chu’s gaze traveled back and forth between Uma and Solbo.
“Looking at you all, it doesn't seem to be the case.”
“!”
Huge exclamation marks appeared over Uma’s and Solbo’s heads. They had never imagined that their appearances would be belittled by such an ugly man. Even the frail Solbo felt something akin to killing intent bloom from deep within his heart. Uma bared his teeth at Namgung Chu.
“It seems there is something even the world-renowned Namgung Family Clan does not possess?”
“Hmm? What would that be?”
“A mirror. You don't seem to realize at all that you yourself are an ugly man.”
At Uma’s words, Namgung Chu’s mouth fell wide open.
“U-Ugly man? Did you just call me an ugly man?”
“Ahey.”
As the atmosphere became ominous, I waved one hand. If Namgung Chu took after his grandfather’s personality, interrupting him and criticizing his appearance were things to be avoided if possible. Hadn't a third-generation disciple of the Mount Heng Sect just vomited dark red blood only two double-hours ago after interrupting him?
“Brother Chu. What’s so bad about attaching 'man' to your name 'Chu'(Chu-nam: Autumn Man/Ugly Man)? Don't take it so sensitively.”
“I-Is that so? Still, please refrain from using the expression 'ugly man' in the future!”
The young talents had to give bitter smiles in their hearts. They had heard of cases where one couldn't call their father 'father', but not being able to call an ugly person 'ugly'.
“Ahem. Anyway, I am glad to meet you like this. My grandfather often told me about his connection with the World's Fastest Sword. He was very pleased, saying they had become members of the same squad before heading out to the Great Heavenly Demon War.”
Hmm. So that was it. Only then could I guess Namgung Chu’s inner thoughts. It wasn't just because he was a nice person that he kept sticking around. The Namgung Family Clan itself held favorable feelings toward the Diancang Sect. Suddenly, Namgung Chu let out a sigh as if the earth were collapsing.
“There have been many times I thought the world was wrong. No matter what anyone says, the group that suffered the most losses in the Great Heavenly Demon War was the Diancang Sect. Yet, the Murim Alliance, far from taking care of the Diancang Sect, acted as if it were someone else's business until they were on the verge of annihilation.”
At Namgung Chu’s words, the young talents felt moved. While Guardian Gwangyo of the Beggars' Union was like that because of his friendship with me, there was no one else in the Murim who empathized with the Diancang Sect’s hardships. Moreover, wasn't this being said by a pillar of the Five Great Families, not some small local group? I thought that although he had a few flaws(?), Namgung Chu seemed to be a good person.
“Now then, shall we review what happened earlier? I’ll tell you about the circumstances, so shall you listen to my words?”
“………….”
I take back the thought that he’s a good person. The expressions of the young talents, which had been incredibly heartwarming, crumpled in an instant.
“First of all, I am not a particularly slow person…….”
“I know. That you were watching us from somewhere in the inn.”
“You knew?”
Namgung Chu scratched his head as if embarrassed.
“Certainly, Young Hero Biyoung was so fast that even I couldn't keep up. Is that the…… Vast Sky Baby Body Method or something?”
“Baby my foot…… it’s the Vast Sky Eagle Body Method.”
“Ah, right. That Vast Sky Eagle Body Method was indeed fast. However, I could easily catch up to the two people here. I wanted to watch the scene of Young Hero Biyoung fighting Jun-il. I wanted to confirm my intuition.”
“What intuition?”
A meaningful smile played on Namgung Chu’s lips.
“The intuition that your skill is above a five-knot swordsman.”
Huge exclamation marks appeared over the heads of the young talents. To think that the assumption they had only wondered about would come from Namgung Chu’s mouth.
“Haha. Among swordsmen of the same age, there are few in the Jianghu whose internal energy is stronger than mine.”
“Since the Namgung Family Clan must have provided rare spiritual medicines every time, it’s only natural.”
“Well. I won't deny that. Anyway, as a result, my intuition seems to have been accurate. To be honest, I still haven't grasped your limits. If the match-ups are good, we will meet in the finals.”
The expressions of the young talents turned complicated. Did that mean everyone here, except for me, was not a match for him?
“And second. I’ll tell you why the appraisal times for the two works at the Hall of Judging Fakes were different. That’s because…….”
“Because works given to the Imperial Court or close people have special seals, right?”
Namgung Chu’s eyes grew incredibly wide.
“How did you know that?”
“I just know. You told Jun-il earlier, Brother Chu. That there was a special mark. In that sense, the work by Master Namgung Dong that I possess must be one that is okay to be distributed. The appraisal finished quickly, and unlike with the Mount Heng Sect, you didn't question me, Brother Chu.”
“Hoh. Young Hero Biyoung. I see you in a new light.”
A look of admiration appeared in Namgung Chu’s eyes. Promising youngsters who are skilled in swordsmanship and have peerless internal energy do appear occasionally. However, this kind of insight can only be gained by going through all sorts of hardships in the Jianghu. What kind of life must one lead to gain such insight?
“However, I hope you don't explain on my behalf from now on.”
“It depends on how you act, Brother Chu.”
“Tsk.”
Smacking his lips, Namgung Chu suddenly rose from his seat. Because I had blocked him with a iron-wall defense, the topics for him to talk about had significantly decreased. It was just when Namgung Chu was about to say his farewells and leave.
“Wait.”
Someone stopped Namgung Chu’s departing footsteps. Namgung Chu looked at the person who called him with delight.
“Oh! Young Hero Eung. Is there perhaps a story you want to hear from me?”
The young talents shot fierce looks at Eung Gajin. It was a stern warning that they had already heard enough. However, Eung Gajin also didn't want to hear explanations from Namgung Chu.
“If you are alright with it, Young Master, I would like to propose a duel.”
“A duel? Between the two of us?”
“That’s right.”
Had the words about the finals or whatever he said to me earlier stimulated his competitive spirit? A bellicose smile appeared on Namgung Chu’s thick lips.
“Good. I also wanted to get a feel for things before the martial arts tournament.”
***
A short while later.
“You should take pride in yourself.”
Only a single bloodstain was visible on the silk robe. Even that was not his own, but a trace left from when he wiped Sangsam’s blood. Looking down at Eung Gajin, who was panting on one knee, Namgung Chu withdrew his Judge's Pen.
“This is not an empty compliment. You could easily take a high rank in the martial arts tournament. You are much stronger than a fellow like Sangsam whom I faced earlier.”
Although they were words of consideration in their own way, Eung Gajin still kept his head down and couldn't say anything.
“Thank you, Brother Chu. Let’s meet again at Shaolin.”
It was me who broke the awkward silence. I was sincerely grateful to Namgung Chu. For him, it was a duel where he had nothing to gain.
“Then let’s meet at Shaolin. Since our connection won't end here, I won't bother moving my lodging.”
Jeong-i and the other young talents breathed a sigh of relief. As Namgung Chu left, the gazes of the young talents gathered in one place. A man who had been unilaterally defeated without even a single effective hit. Eung Gajin still could not lift his head.
“I have something to talk about with Senior Brother Eung, so everyone else go inside.”
The other young talents were also worried, but there was nothing they could specifically advise regarding martial arts. The swordsmen, including Jeong-i, kept looking back as they entered the inn. Once we were alone, I spoke.
“Senior Brother Eung. Were you that frustrated by what Brother Chu said? To the point of proposing a duel.”
“……It’s not like that.”
Eung Gajin struggled to twist his body and stand up. Should I say it was fortunate? I was worried his heart might have broken from the one-sided defeat, but his eyes were still steady. Of course, he couldn't help but be frustrated to the point of his lips bleeding.
“Then? What’s the reason you insisted on fighting Brother Chu?”
“Whew…….”
After exhaling a deep sigh, Eung Gajin difficultly spoke.
“When we had the trouble with the Mount Heng Sect, I felt the absence of our predecessors anew.”
“The absence……?”
“Against other young talents, I was confident I could face anyone. However, when a conflict between sects occurs like this, the Diancang Sect is placed at a one-sided disadvantage. Because we young talents are the entire power of our sect.”
I nodded lowly. The fact that there were no senior masters in the sect. That was a fatal weakness for the Diancang Sect. No matter how high the potential of the young talents was, juniors were just juniors. If five-knot swordsmen of the Mount Heng Sect were to suddenly pour out, the Diancang Sect might lose their main mountain again.
“But well…… it’s something you already knew, right?”
“Actually facing the situation made me realize it anew. Just how far the road we must travel is. So I fought with a practical expert. I wanted to find out how big that gap would be.”
Eung Gajin wanted to exchange blows not as a young talent, but as a master of the Murim. Because if they were to collide with other forces, they were the ones who would actually cross swords anyway. An age where he should still be receiving teaching and care from senior masters. However, there was too much that Eung Gajin had to carry on his shoulders.
‘My heart aches.’
It was neither Eung Gajin’s nor my fault that the senior masters had disappeared. However, as one who had been a senior swordsman in my past life, Eung Gajin’s anguish felt painful to me.
“Hmm. Suddenly, one became two.”
Eung Gajin tilted his head at my words.
“What does that mean?”
“There was one person who needed to break out of their shell during this trip. But seeing you, Senior Brother Eung, I can't let it be. I’ll give you an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
I just grinned without any other answer. It was the smile of an adult that was occasionally seen in the life of the World's Fastest Sword.
“Listen carefully to what I say from now on.”
As I explained, Eung Gajin’s expression changed from moment to moment.
“!”
Grief, surprise, and fear.
“……I understand.”
The final emotion that appeared on Eung Gajin’s face was 'resolve'.