Make the Namgung Family Great Again – Chapter 4

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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While Yang So-dang went upstairs to fetch her father, as Song Chae-ji had instructed, Namgung-Woo followed Song Chae-ji outside the inn.

The main street in front of the inn had been transformed into a makeshift sparring arena by the Black Bear Gang.

Several members of the gang were controlling the flow of pedestrians, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered after hearing about the fight.

As Song Chae-ji confidently stepped into the open space encircled by the crowd, the apparent leader of the Black Bear Gang, who seemed to be waiting for her, sneered.

“They said a tiger cub was being raised in the mountains, but this one’s more like a kitten.”

It seemed he was referring to Song Chae-ji.

Namgung-Woo subtly circulated his still-unfamiliar internal energy and observed the man.

His eyes took on a faint blue glow.

‘He’s cultivated his Qi quite a bit.’

Before Namgung-Woo could delve deeper into his observation, Song Chae-ji’s clear voice rang out.

“Don’t forget. This matter ends with this spar.”

“Heh, of course. Don’t worry. We don’t want a petty squabble like this to escalate into a full-blown conflict between our factions either.”

“If it’s a petty squabble, you should have backed down.”

“We’ve already settled matters with every other establishment in town. We can’t make an exception now and lose face. Enough talk, let’s begin.”

The man drew the large sword from his back.

The refined blade emanated a chilling aura.

Weapons were drawn.

There was no turning back now.

Song Chae-ji also drew her sword and assumed a ready stance.

“Hangsang Sect, Song Chae-ji. I learned the sword under the tutelage of Eulju Zhenren.”

The man, though seemingly displeased by Song Chae-ji’s formal introduction, responded in kind, likely mindful of the surrounding audience.

“Those righteous bastards. Black Bear Gang, Pung-hyo. As for my martial arts, well, I’ve picked up a few things here and there.”

There was no referee, but it didn’t matter.

At this moment, the open space on the street transformed into a stage just for Song Chae-ji and Pung-hyo.

Namgung-Woo watched their confrontation while standing guard near the entrance of the inn.

While the two cautiously circled each other, searching for an opening, Namgung-Woo pondered their earlier exchange.

‘Hangsang Sect…’

He was familiar with the sect. It also existed in Chu-rok Murim, but even before that, it was relatively well-known in the martial arts world as one of the Five Mountains Sword Sects.

‘If we’re talking about famous sects in Shanxi Province, the Hangsang Sect is the only one.’

But something felt off.

Even though they were considered weaker compared to the Nine Great Sects, the Hangsang Sect was still a prestigious and righteous sect.

Why would they hesitate to confront a mere unorthodox sect?

From what Namgung-Woo could see, Pung-hyo’s martial skills weren’t particularly impressive. Unless she made a careless mistake, Song Chae-ji should win easily.

‘Then Is he just a low-ranking member? Their leader might be an incredibly powerful master. Or maybe the Hangsang Sect has fallen from grace.’

If none of those were true, then the Black Bear Gang must have a powerful backer.

Just as Namgung-Woo finished piecing together a rough picture of the power dynamics in the Shanxi’s martial world, the blades clashed.

*Clang!*

The sound was heavier than a simple clash of metal.

Both Song Chae-ji and Pung-hyo had infused their blades with internal energy.

A faint vibration emanated from their energy-infused weapons.

While it wasn’t quite a “sword cry,” it was a clear demonstration of Internal Energy Imbued Swordsmanship, where the sword became an extension of the wielder’s body, channeled with Qi.

‘That clash must have made it clear to both of them. Song Chae-ji is stronger.’

Namgung-Woo’s eyes, no longer simply blue, now shimmered with a bright, almost incandescent, azure light.

He could clearly see the flow of energy within their bodies as it extended into their swords.

Neither of them had complete mastery over the projection of their internal energy.

But even so, there was a clear difference in skill.

Song Chae-ji’s movements were half a beat faster.

‘Moreover, her internal energy itself is purer.’

The only reason Pung-hyo was able to hold his ground was due to his physical advantage.

Even though martial artists transcended human limitations and wielded superhuman strength, there was still an inherent difference in physical strength between men and women.

While this difference became less significant at higher levels of cultivation, it was still a factor at Song Chae-ji and Pung-hyo’s current level.

‘But she’s gradually being pushed back. The moment her internal energy falters and she falls prey to his brute force, it will be Pung-hyo’s victory.’

Despite being able to predict the outcome with such certainty, Namgung-Woo was completely engrossed in the spar.

It was fascinating.

The fight unfolding before him.

The movements of their still-unrefined, yet mystical internal energy.

What would he do?

Namgung-Woo was also familiar with fighting without using internal energy. He always suppressed his own power to match Namgung-Mae’s level during their sparring matches.

If he were in Pung-hyo’s shoes, or Song Chae-ji’s, how would he fight?

The process of hypothesizing and predicting the outcome was incredibly stimulating.

This was a level of excitement he had never experienced in Chu-rok Murim.

‘That was a missed opportunity. If she had used a feint instead of a direct attack just now, she could have won.’

Namgung-Woo’s intense focus was broken when someone tugged at his sleeve.

He followed the tugging hand and saw Yang So-dang, who had returned at some point, clutching his sleeve with a worried expression.

“Unnie…c-can she win?”

Namgung-Woo gently stroked Yang So-dang’s head as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

Perhaps it was the warmth of his touch, but her expression brightened slightly.

“Of course. Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

After comforting Yang So-dang, Namgung-Woo nodded in greeting to the man standing beside her, who was leaning against her for support.

His frail appearance spoke volumes about what he had endured.

He must have been beaten badly by the Black Bear Gang when he tried to reason with them.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like he had any broken bones.

“So you’re the one So-dang brought back.”

“Yes. I’m indebted to your daughter.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural to help those in need…”

His words revealed the true source of Yang So-dang’s compassion.

With a father who considered helping others a matter of course, it was natural for her to inherit his kind nature.

Although he didn’t know the exact nature of Song Chae-ji’s relationship with the father and daughter, he could now understand why she was so determined to help them.

His heart warmed, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the fight as a sharp clang of metal rang out.

Song Chae-ji had parried Pung-hyo’s sword and now held her blade to his throat.

“I win.”

A triumphant smile, brimming with satisfaction and exhilaration, spread across Song Chae-ji’s face.

Pung-hyo, seemingly unfazed, raised his hands in surrender.

“Ugh…alright. I lost. Lower your sword.”

As Pung-hyo admitted defeat, cheers erupted from the crowd.

“As expected of the Hangsang Sect!”

“D-Does this mean the Hangsang Sect is back among the righteous sects?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! It’s not that simple!”

The Black Bear Gang wasn’t well-liked in Pingyao County.

Their current actions proved it. Colluding with the county magistrate, they were extorting businesses and forcing them to sell their properties for a pittance.

It was only natural for the people of Pingyao, oppressed by the gang, to rejoice at Song Chae-ji’s victory.

But their joy was short-lived.

“Next, Jin-chung, you’re up.”

Pung-hyo spoke as Song Chae-ji sheathed her sword.

“What?”

Completely taken aback, Song Chae-ji blurted out a bewildered question, unable to comprehend his words.

“What do you mean ‘what’? The spar isn’t over yet.”

“Nonsense! You just admitted defeat yourself…”

“I lost. But the Black Bear Gang hasn’t.”

Pung-hyo grinned smugly.

They say that extreme anger renders one speechless.

That’s exactly how Song Chae-ji felt.

As she stared at Pung-hyo in disbelief, the man called Jin-chung approached her.

“Did you forget? This isn’t just a spar between Song Chae-ji and Pung-hyo. It’s between the Black Bear Gang and Yang’s Inn.”

“T-That’s absurd!”

Namgung-Woo couldn’t stop Yang So-dang from bursting out.

He himself was inwardly marveling at their novel logic.

“H-How can you say that?!”

“Little girl, step aside.”

Jin-chung spoke coldly to Yang So-dang, who was standing protectively in front of Song Chae-ji.

“Or will you take her place?”

True to their nature as an unorthodox sect, the Black Bear Gang members worked together seamlessly.

Jin-chung’s threat was followed by Pung-hyo’s mocking laughter, which crushed Yang So-dang’s courage.

“It’s alright, Dang-ah.”

Song Chae-ji gently pulled Yang So-dang behind her.

And she returned their threat with one of her own.

“I’m sure you know that this could give the Hangsang Sect a reason to intervene.”

“Well, then perhaps Taiyuan will get involved as well?”

Taiyuan, the capital and center of Shanxi Province.

Did the Black Bear Gang have a backer powerful enough to allow them to act so brazenly in Taiyuan as well? Song Chae-ji frowned, clearly troubled by the thought.

“…Fine. I’ll play along with your game. I assume all of you here represent the Black Bear Gang? Let’s see if you can still spout such nonsense after I defeat every single one of you.”

With newfound determination, Song Chae-ji boldly declared and regained her confidence.

While the crowd admired her heroic spirit, Namgung-Woo assessed the situation calmly.

‘She’s letting her emotions get the better of her.’

While Song Chae-ji was stronger than Pung-hyo, the difference wasn’t significant.

She had already expended a considerable amount of stamina and internal energy in the previous fight.

And to continue fighting multiple opponents in a row?

It was reckless.

Unless she suddenly experienced a breakthrough and reached a higher level of cultivation, it would be a guaranteed loss.

‘She must have known that. Then again, she doesn’t look much older than twenty.’

Even that was a generous estimate on Namgung-Woo’s part. She looked young enough to be a teenager, but since it would be odd for a teenager to be traveling alone, he assumed she was around twenty.

But judging solely by her appearance, she could be even younger.

“Jin-chung’s skills are about the same as Pung-hyo-hyung’s.”

The spar resumed.

As he watched Song Chae-ji adopt a more defensive stance, unlike before, Namgung-Woo discreetly clenched and unclenched his fists.

Threads of internal energy began to unravel within him, circulating through his meridians.

‘It seems I’ll have to step in. This is a perfect opportunity to repay my debt.’

Controlling his internal energy was still awkward. He carefully circulated a single strand of True Qi through his meridians, focusing on the flow.

His experience in Chu-rok Murim wasn’t entirely useless. The sensation was somewhat similar.

‘Controlling my strength is key.’

He couldn’t accidentally kill anyone, after all.

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