Make the Namgung Family Great Again – Chapter 8

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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‘This isn’t what I expected.’

Namgung-Woo was taken aback. He’d been anticipating a flying blade, or at least some resistance.

He’d assumed the leader of a gang controlling an entire county would try to save face and fight.

“Then I assume you’ll abide by the terms of the spar?”

Song Chae-ji stepped in while Namgung-Woo was momentarily speechless.

Pay the proper price, not some ridiculously low sum.

That was Song Chae-ji’s condition for victory.

“Of course.”

Hwang Mu-tak was about to speak informally to Song Chae-ji out of habit but he glanced at Namgung-Woo and quickly corrected himself.

“All the surrounding businesses are in the same situation…”

Namgung-Woo spoke casually, but his words carried a pointed edge… a subtle yet unmistakable threat.

-‘If you don’t want to accept these terms, we can always spar.’

Cold sweat trickled down Hwang Mu-tak’s forehead.

“…I’ll ensure they receive appropriate compensation as well.”

It would cost him a fortune, but he had no other choice.

Hwang Mu-tak swallowed his pride and agreed to Namgung-Woo’s demands.

His life was on the line. He wasn’t foolish enough to provoke a Transcendent Master.

Only those with a death wish or a serious lack of self-preservation would make such a choice.

“The Hangsang Sect will be checking on this later.”

“Very well.”

With that settled, Namgung-Woo saw no need to press further.

So, he decided to be upfront about his own request.

“And lastly…”

Hwang Mu-tak inwardly cursed.

‘He’s already taken so much… what more could he possibly want?!’

The fact that he completely disregarded his own past exploitations showed that Hwang Mu-tak was, at his core, a true black path scoundrel.

“Let’s have a spar.”

“A spar, you say…?”

It was different from a duel to the death.

A spar was a form of training aimed at honing one’s skills, where lethal blows were avoided as much as possible. At the very least, it meant his life wasn’t at risk.

“Yes, a spar.”

Namgung-Woo grinned mischievously.

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“Um, does the Black Bear Gang have any swords? I’d like to borrow one.”

When Namgung-Woo arrived at the training grounds and made his request, Hwang Mu-tak responded with a cautious reply.

“I apologize, but the Black Bear Gang specializes in saber techniques. We have plenty of sabers, but…”

Saber techniques, huh?

Namgung-Woo recalled the times he had dabbled in saber techniques for fun, usually at Namgung-Mae’s suggestion to try something different.

‘It’s not that I can’t use it…’

But if possible, he wanted to test the sword techniques he had primarily trained in.

‘Should I wield a saber like a sword?’

His contemplation was plain on his face… he made no effort to conceal it.

“Use my sword.”

“Miss Song?”

A martial artist’s weapon was said to be as precious as their own life.

Entrusting their weapon to another was a sign of deep trust.

“Well, I owe you one.”

Though no one had asked, Song Chae-ji volunteered an explanation. Namgung-Woo chuckled as he watched her playfully scold Yang So-dang, who was giggling once more, and gratefully accepted her offer.

“I’ll use it with care and return it to you.”

“…It might be a bit small for you.”

“It’s fine. This is perfect. It’s a good sword.”

He wasn’t just being polite.

While Song Chae-ji’s sword, clearly custom-made for her, felt a bit short in his hands, the comfortable grip and perfect balance told him it was the work of a skilled blacksmith.

The familiar stability, different from fighting barehanded, made Namgung-Woo take a deep breath.

As he breathed according to the rhythm of the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art, the Heavenly Thunder True Qi in his lower dantian began to stir.

‘Which sword technique should I use? Lightning Flash Thirteen Sword Strikes, which best complements the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art? Or perhaps the Great Harmony Sword Technique, my fundamental sword style? The Boundless Sky Sword Technique seems a bit too much…’

Various sword techniques of the Namgung Family flashed through his mind.

In the end, he chose to return to his roots.

‘The Iron Sword Ten Forms is the most appropriate.’

The Iron Sword Ten Forms was a fundamental training technique.

It focused on the most basic methods of controlling internal energy.

It was an introductory technique for familiarizing oneself with the sword.

It was also the first sword technique Namgung-Woo had learned in Chu-rok Murim.

He hadn’t yet fully integrated the sensations of the game with the sensations of reality.

He needed to approach the sword with the mindset of starting from scratch.

‘It’s a kind of rehabilitation training.’

Assuming the starting stance of the Iron Sword Ten Forms, Namgung-Woo calmed the Heavenly Thunder True Qi in his lower dantian.

Instead, he directed his focus toward the internal energy within his middle dantian… the Jade Hall Acupoint.

This was the internal energy of the Azure Sky Great Derivation Art.

While the Heavenly Thunder True Qi was extremely Yang in nature, the Azure Sky True Qi was neutral, a harmonious blend of Yin and Yang, perfectly suited for residing in the middle dantian, the center of the body that governed emotions.

Unlike the Heavenly Thunder True Qi, which was incredibly fast but difficult to control, the Azure Sky True Qi was majestic and steady, flowing smoothly like the boundless sky through his twelve main meridians and eight extraordinary vessels.

As he circulated his internal energy, an aura began to emanate from him.

Hwang Mu-tak’s palms grew damp.

‘What… what kind of aura is that…?’

He had never seen anything like it. It seemed like he had simply circulated his internal energy through his meridians, yet an aura like a protective shield was emanating from him.

He couldn’t even begin to fathom the depth of his internal energy cultivation.

It reminded him of the rumored leader of the Shadowless Sect, the strongest martial artist in Shanxi Province, though he had never actually met him.

“Shall we begin?”

Namgung-Woo assumed the starting stance of the Iron Sword Ten Forms.

While the movements were familiar from countless repetitions in Chu-rok Murim, it was different now.

He understood the essence behind each movement.

Ten sword forms in total.

Ten basic movements that formed the foundation of swordsmanship.

Horizontal slash.

Vertical slash.

Diagonal slash left.

Diagonal slash right.

The Eight Directions, consisting of these four basic slashes and their reverse forms.

And a thrust and a defensive posture.

These ten sword paths comprised the Iron Sword Ten Forms.

While incredibly simple, the Iron Sword Ten Forms Namgung-Woo performed now was vastly different from the mere imitation he had done before.

There was a reason why simple vertical and horizontal slashes were given grand names like “Mountain Crushing Strike” and “Sweeping Army Assault.”

It was because of the intent behind those names, the intent that guided the flow of True Qi.

True Qi imbued with intent manifested in the sword strikes, producing effects befitting their names.

That’s what Namgung-Woo’s swordsmanship was like now.

“Gasp!”

Hwang Mu-tak inhaled sharply as he blocked the upward diagonal slash of the eighth form, Soaring Eagle Ascent, a move that exploited blind spots.

An upward slash was inherently weaker than a downward one.

Yet, Namgung-Woo’s strike felt as powerful as a full-powered downward slash.

If this had been a duel to the death, where they could unleash their full power, instead of a spar where internal energy was limited, this single strike would have decided the outcome.

Namgung-Woo reveled in the freedom of wielding the sword.

Even the delicate control of his True Qi, carefully channeling it into the blade to avoid damaging it, was a source of joy. He danced with the sword, losing himself in the moment.

His movements, initially somewhat awkward, now flowed seamlessly.

He had reached a state where the sword felt like a natural extension of his body.

Song Chae-ji voiced the name of this state.

“Unity of Body and Sword…?”

Could it be achieved so easily?

Song Chae-ji watched Namgung-Woo’s spar, which resembled a graceful sword dance, with a sense of awe.

He was so far beyond her.

But…

‘I think… I understand a little.’

It was an epiphany.

Even her master, Eulju Zhenren, a renowned Peak Realm expert of the Hangsang Sect, hadn’t reached the Unity of Body and Sword.

Perhaps only the sect leader, Eulchung Zhenren, the strongest swordsman of the Hangsang Sect, had attained that level?

Since the sect leader rarely drew his sword, this was the first time Song Chae-ji had witnessed the Unity of Body and Sword.

Oblivious to the changing expressions of those around him, Namgung-Woo’s consciousness was focused inward.

‘This is exhilarating.’

He had never realized how much joy wielding a sword could bring.

The superhuman strength of his body, transcending human limitations.

The immense internal energy coursing through him drove him forward.

Unity of Body and Sword? It was a natural outcome.

His body had already ascended to the Transcendent Realm, attaining the Convergence of the Five Qi.

Essence, representing the physical body.

Qi, representing internal energy.

Spirit, representing the mind.

The unified Essence, Qi, and Spirit, infused with his consciousness, were forcibly elevating his Spirit to a higher level.

His consciousness, now elevated to the Transcendent Realm, began to contemplate not just the sword techniques, but his entire situation.

‘I can figure out how to return to my original world later. For now, I’ll enjoy this world. As I cultivate my martial arts and travel the world, I’m sure I’ll find a way.’

He knew where he stood.

It was the moment Namgung-Woo truly set foot in this new world.

*Clang!*

As his Essence, Qi, and Spirit unified once more, his swordsmanship reached a new level.

Even though he hadn’t advanced beyond Internal Energy Imbued Swordsmanship, the power channeled into his sword intensified, shattering Hwang Mu-tak’s broadsword.

“Gasp…”

Even though it was an ordinary broadsword, meant for training, it was still crafted by one of the best blacksmiths in Pingyao. To see it shatter so easily…

Hwang Mu-tak stared at his now-empty hand in astonishment.

“I… I admit defeat.”

Hwang Mu-tak’s voice, tinged with awe, broke through his reverie, pulling Namgung-Woo’s consciousness back to the present.

“…Likewise. That was a good spar.”

Initially, Namgung-Woo had spoken to Hwang Mu-tak with disdain, repulsed by the Black Bear Gang’s actions. But now, after exchanging blows, his tone carried a hint of respect.

While he would still hold him accountable for his misdeeds, he was also grateful for the opportunity to spar.

Hwang Mu-tak felt similarly. Even in an era where the lines between good and evil were clearly drawn, respect for a true martial arts master transcended those boundaries.

He bowed sincerely, not to curry favor, but out of genuine respect.

“Your swordsmanship has been an eye-opener for this Hwang. I promise to compensate those harmed by my gang, and I’ll make sure it’s more than enough to make amends.”

“I’ll trust you with that.”

Namgung-Woo sensed his sincerity.

His sixth sense, enhanced by the Ever-Clear Vision that allowed him to perceive the world with perfect clarity, confirmed it.

‘This matter is settled then.’

He could finally leave with a clear conscience, satisfied that he had repaid his debt to those who had shown him kindness.

Sheathing the sword, he turned towards Song Chae-ji and Yang So-dang, who were staring at him with expressions of awe.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Hwang Mu-tak quickly asked,

“Your name! May I know your esteemed name?”

He looked no older than thirty.

While he could be an ancient master who had achieved rejuvenation, Hwang Mu-tak had a feeling that he was as young as he appeared.

If that were true, this young man’s presence would surely send ripples throughout the martial world.

A Transcendent Master in his twenties?

Geniuses of such caliber always caused great upheavals wherever they went.

And Namgung-Woo’s answer confirmed Hwang Mu-tak’s suspicions.

“Namgung-Woo. My name is Namgung-Woo.”

The very air seemed to shift at the mention of his name.

It was a special name in the current martial world.

“Namgung…? Namgung, you say…?”

As Hwang Mu-tak repeated the name, Song Chae-ji rushed towards Namgung-Woo and exclaimed,

“Nam-Oppa! As expected! I knew it! Your swordsmanship… just watching it has been incredibly helpful! Thank you!”

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[T/N: Let them cook]

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