Chapter 145 : We’re Going Too. -01
Chapter 145: We’re Going Too. -01
A dazzling light surged as if to pierce Namgung Ho’s eyes.
At the same time, a massive explosion of qi engulfed him.
Having poured every ounce of strength into it, the aftermath of the collision was tremendous.
Enduring the explosion that felt as though his entire body would be torn apart, Namgung Ho gritted his teeth.
Thud. Thump.
An explosion so immense that the phrase “heaven and earth overturning” came naturally to mind subsided, and clumps of earth that had soared high into the sky fell back down one by one.
However, his vision remained obstructed by the thick cloud of dust.
“Ugh!”
Still maintaining the posture of thrusting his sword forward, Namgung Ho let out a groan.
Having exhausted every bit of his strength, he was now in a state where he could not even move a single finger.
Not only his inner energy but even his stamina had been completely depleted, rendering his sensory perception virtually paralyzed.
Thus, Namgung Ho waited until the dust cloud cleared.
Whoooosh.
As if nature had understood his heart, a refreshing gust of strong wind blew in and swept the dust cloud away.
Then, the scene before him—the one he had so desperately wished to see—came into view.
“Haha. It seems to be a draw.”
“As expected.”
Hearing Sang Il-gi’s voice, Namgung Ho wore a hollow expression.
He had thought there might be a chance, but upon seeing Sang Il-gi standing just like himself, right fist extended forward, he had no choice but to accept it.
This match had ended in a draw.
Seeing Sang Il-gi, who likewise could not move after pouring everything into the clash, Namgung Ho felt both refreshed and bitter at the same time.
“It was a fine match, Namgung Family Head.”
“No, the honor was mine. I truly learned a great deal. Thanks to you, Great Hero Sang, I was able to rediscover my original resolve.”
Once his body had somewhat recovered, Namgung Ho sheathed the Changcheon Sword and offered a solemn Fist-Clasp Salute.
It was a gesture of respect from one martial artist to another toward Sang Il-gi.
And the same was true for Sang Il-gi.
Having witnessed the famed sword of the Yama King, Sang Il-gi returned the salute with a slightly flushed face.
“Ha…”
“……This makes no sense.”
At that sight, the three siblings of the Namgung Family could not close their mouths.
Namgung Ho, ranked within the top three among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven, had ended in a tie with an unknown martial artist—something they could scarcely believe.
Unable to imagine such an outcome, the three siblings could not take their eyes off their father and Sang Il-gi.
“As expected, Sect Leader is incredible.”
“A draw with the Yama King? Then does that mean a new Murim Ten Kings has been born?”
“With the Monster King’s seat vacant, it fits perfectly.”
“Huh?”
At the words of Seo Joun, Seonwu Bang, and Murong Cheok, Namgung Gwang looked at the three as if asking what they were talking about.
But the three, seemingly unaware of his gaze, focused on their own conversation.
“The current Ten Great Masters Under Heaven are also called the Murim Ten Kings, so having ‘King’ in the title sounds good to both the eye and the ear, doesn’t it?”
“The Fist King already has its owner.”
“What about Myungwang King? The martial art that Iryong and Sect Leader learned is Myungwang Fist, isn’t it?”
At Murong Cheok’s suggestion, Seo Joun and Seonwu Bang widened their eyes.
The moment they heard it, they felt it fit perfectly.
“That’s not bad.”
“It suits him well. And it matches perfectly with what Iryong hyung or Sect Leader will be doing from now on.”
“I do have a knack for naming, after all.”
Unlike Jeong Iryong, who could not say anything out of embarrassment, the enthusiastic reactions of Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun made Murong Cheok lift his nose proudly.
Even he thought there could not be a more fitting epithet.
“Not bad.”
“Hyung-nim thinks so too, right?”
“Yes. Though I’m not sure what Sect Leader will think.”
Ban Hojin answered while watching Sang Il-gi and Namgung Ho walking side by side.
Compared to the epithet Divine Fist that Sang Il-gi had obtained in his previous life, it felt somewhat lacking, but it was not bad.
Epithet could change later, after all.
‘I should change mine too, but it’s a hassle.’
To some, the epithet Divine Dragon might have been a dream title, but unfortunately, Ban Hojin was an exception.
Having been called the Sword God in his previous life, the epithet Divine Dragon inevitably seemed somewhat lacking in comparison.
From early morning, the front courtyard was bustling.
Normally, this would have been the time they trained their stamina together in harmony, but today was different.
Just like Namgung Ho and his three children who had departed not long ago, two people were scheduled to leave this place today as well.
“This feels strange.”
“It does. Honestly, I don’t want to go. It feels like I’m being dragged away.”
Like Seonwu Bang, Murong Cheok carried a small bundle on his back and grumbled.
Since he was being summoned rather than leaving by his own decision, Murong Cheok was dissatisfied.
“It can’t be helped. Father is calling. He’s also the Family Head. If you don’t like it, then give up your position as Young Lord.”
“I’d like to give it up.”
“You know that’s impossible.”
“Ugh!”
At Seonwu Bang’s words, which left no room for argument, Murong Cheok let out a groan and slumped his shoulders.
Then he looked at Ban Hojin standing before him with moist, deer-like eyes.
“Looking at me with deer eyes won’t change anything. So just go.”
“You’re too much.”
“Save that look for when you find a woman you like.”
“Urgh!”
At Ban Hojin’s complete lack of parting sorrow, Murong Cheok wore a hurt expression.
But Seonwu Bang was different.
Knowing this separation was unavoidable, he instead held a calm smile.
“Have you still not decided?”
“Not yet. I might move together with Master, or I might move separately.”
“Can’t you decide on your own? You’re at that level now, aren’t you?”
Seonwu Bang spoke with a sly smile.
It was something he could say because he knew the extent of his friend’s Martial Scriptures.
At the same time, Murong Cheok, who had been drooping gloomily, suddenly lifted his head.
“If it were just me going alone, that’d be one thing. But if the entire Shaolin Temple moves, that’s different. I’m not just a Lay Disciple—I’m the Abbot’s Unregistered Disciple.”
“That’s a shame. I was actually hoping you’d come with us.”
“We might meet again soon.”
“I hope so.”
“Me too.”
Murong Cheok subtly slipped into the conversation.
As he had said earlier, he truly did not want to be separated like this.
It was partly because he genuinely liked Ban Hojin as a person, but more importantly, if one wanted to survive a war, one had to stick close to the strong.
And Ban Hojin was one of those strong individuals.
“You’ve earned the title of Dragon, so you should show some achievements. You two are the future Family Heads of the Seonwu Family and the Murong Family. There are plenty of Later-Generation Experts deliberately heading out to earn military merit.”
“Nine out of ten will probably be moths throwing themselves into the fire. Maybe one out of the remaining ten is worth expecting something from.”
“At least you two are among them.”
Ban Hojin grinned.
He did not say it because they were close—he meant it sincerely.
He had restrained his praise all this time for the sake of the group, not because he truly thought they were lacking.
“Why are you suddenly like this? It’s not like you.”
“If friends and little brothers are heading to the battlefield, I should at least boost their spirits. And while I’m at it, I might as well give the praise I’ve been holding back.”
“When you say it like that, it makes me even more uneasy.”
“Exactly. I’d rather you point out our flaws sharply. That would snap us to attention.”
Murong Cheok said with a serious face, as if agreeing with Seonwu Bang.
At that, Seo Joun and Jeong Iryong, who had been quietly waiting for their turn to say goodbye, burst into loud laughter.
“Isn’t it about time you handled things on your own?”
“We’ll be back.”
“Right. Be careful. And Cheok, don’t overdo it.”
“Yes! We’ll go ahead and wait for you there!”
Ban Hojin let out a faint chuckle at Murong Cheok’s bold reply.
Perhaps because they had spent so much time together, when the moment of parting finally came, his heart felt unsettled.
“Both of you, stay safe. Ah, and no embarrassing yourselves. Don’t smear hyung-nim’s name with disgrace!”
“Travel safely.”
“I wish you martial fortune.”
Starting with Seo Joun, Jeong Iryong and Sama Uiseong bade the two farewell.
However, one remark from Seo Joun sent everyone into bursts of laughter.
At those utterly unexpected words, even Seonwu Bang and Murong Cheok let out awkward chuckles.
“See you soon.”
“We’ll be back!”
Since partings were better done quickly, Seonwu Bang turned around, dragging along the lingering Murong Cheok.
Before long, the two figures disappeared from sight.
“They’ll be alright, won’t they?”
As if his earlier teasing had been a lie, Seo Joun spoke in a voice filled with concern.
After living together day in and day out, bickering constantly, bonds of affection—both fond and resentful—had already taken root.
Jeong Iryong felt the same and quietly looked toward Ban Hojin.
“They’ll do fine. Look at what they’ve accomplished so far.”
“You’re right, aren’t you?”
“If they let their guard down, they’ll be finished in an instant. On the battlefield, a stray blade is the scariest thing. It’s unfair, too.”
“Ah… then Cheok hyung is the one I’m most worried about.”
Seo Joun muttered while stroking his chin.
They quarreled daily, but he did not dislike Murong Cheok.
Rather, he acknowledged him to some degree.
Annoying as he was, he was not someone one could truly hate.
“If you’re that worried, you could go with them.”
“No way. I’m your right-hand man, hyung-nim! The place I belong is right by your side!”
“Ahem! Then I shall stand on your left.”
At the sight of Jeong Iryong clearing his throat and subtly taking position on the opposite side, Seo Joun shot him a glare.
Lately, it seemed he had been subtly coveting his spot.
Just as being the only one was better than being one of two, Seo Joun wished to be that singular presence to Ban Hojin.
“Do as you like. More importantly, where is Sect Leader?”
“He should be in the Abbot’s chamber.”
“Seems Master has something to discuss.”
“They are of similar age, so perhaps that’s why they’ve been meeting often lately.”
“That’s good. Having many senior and junior brothers doesn’t mean one never feels lonely. And in many ways, they’re in similar situations.”
Jeong Iryong nodded.
Sang Il-gi had lived almost as though he had turned his back on Murim.
Thus, as his disciple, Jeong Iryong welcomed this situation.
As Ban Hojin had said, humans were not meant to live alone but to live together in harmony.
“Those who were leaving have all gone, so shall we begin training now?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go hard. Then tonight we’ll eat something good. It’s been a while—shall we grill some meat?”
“I’m all for it!”
Seo Joun, who was at an age where he was always hungry, reacted the most intensely.
On the other hand, Sama Uiseong responded dryly.
It was the kind of reaction that meant he could eat or not eat—it made little difference to him.
Seeing that, Seo Joun puffed himself up as if offering advice.
“You need to eat more too. You’re too light right now. Since you’re tall, muscle won’t pack on easily, but if you’re training in martial arts, you need to maintain a certain weight. Only then can your martial arts display their proper power.”
“I don’t really have much of an appetite.”
“Even so, you have to eat. Eating is part of self-management. Hyung-nim always emphasizes that. Right?”
Seo Joun looked at Ban Hojin as if asking for praise.
But instead of answering immediately, Ban Hojin let out a quiet laugh.
Lately, Seo Joun seemed oddly eager for praise.
It wasn’t quite jealousy, but he seemed subtly wary of Sama Uiseong, which made Ban Hojin smirk slightly before speaking.
“If you’re planning to become a formation strategist, that’s one thing. But if you intend to train in martial arts as well, it’s better to build more muscle. If you plan to use martial arts merely as a supplementary means, it doesn’t matter. But that’s not the case, is it? Then you need to pay attention to your weight too. Inner Energy is not absolutely all-powerful.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
At Ban Hojin’s calm explanation, Sama Uiseong immediately accepted it.
There had never been a time when following Ban Hojin’s words had led him wrong.
Moreover, when it came to martial arts, Ban Hojin’s words were always correct.
Having seen Sang Il-gi—who had drawn evenly with the Yama King, Namgung Ho—engage in deep discussions on Martial Theory with Ban Hojin, Sama Uiseong did not doubt him in the slightest.