Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The second semifinal match.

The bout between Namgung Cheol-ung and Namgung Seol ended in Namgung Cheol-ung's victory.

Namgung Seol had fought valiantly, but she could not overcome Namgung Cheol-ung's sword, which relied on sheer force.

And then came the long-awaited finals.

Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheol-ung stepped onto the sparring stage.

Namgung Geom studied Namgung Cheol-ung across from him.

He had not known who he was at first, but now he knew him well.

Namgung Cheol-ung.

A member of a branch family, and one of the most promising talents of this cohort.

The fact that he was regarded as one of the best despite hailing from a branch family with less support than the main family was proof of just how exceptional his talent was.

Namgung Cheol-ung was born with prodigious strength, rivaling that of first-rate inner arts.

His inner arts and swordsmanship were relatively lacking, but his overwhelming strength more than compensated for it.

The raw power Namgung Cheol-ung had displayed in his earlier bouts was not something even Namgung Geom could take lightly.

"If you've got the nerve, how about we trade one clean stroke, head-on?"

Just then, Namgung Cheol-ung made the offer with a meaningful expression.

He had watched every one of Namgung Geom's matches up to this point.

And he had realized that he could not beat Namgung Geom in terms of martial arts.

But in a contest of raw strength, he was confident he could win.

Namgung Geom smirked at Namgung Cheol-ung's proposal.

He had no difficulty guessing Namgung Cheol-ung's intention.

"If we're going to do it, let's do it right. How about pure physical strength, no inner arts?"

Namgung Cheol-ung looked at him with suspicion.

"Wouldn't that put you at a disadvantage?"

"If I beat you at the strength you're most confident in, you won't have any excuses later."

Namgung Cheol-ung took great pride in his strength.

If Namgung Geom crushed him in his own domain, it would mean total submission.

"You're saying you can beat me without inner arts?"

Namgung Geom answered with a smile.

A savage light entered Namgung Cheol-ung's eyes.

"I'll smash that arrogance to pieces."

Namgung Cheol-ung swung his wooden sword down at Namgung Geom with everything he had.

WHOOOM—!

The sound of his wooden sword splitting the air was murderous.

The sheer force packed within it was palpable.

'Impressive.'

Namgung Geom was inwardly impressed by Namgung Cheol-ung's strength.

In terms of pure physical power alone, Namgung Cheol-ung surpassed him.

But having more strength did not guarantee victory.

What mattered was how well one could focus that strength.

That was the key.

Namgung Geom's consciousness seized hold of his body, gathering every ounce of strength into a single point.

His concentrated force amplified in an instant and flowed into his wooden sword.

And it shot toward Namgung Cheol-ung's blade.

CRASH—!

Namgung Cheol-ung's wooden sword shattered, and his massive frame was sent flying backward, slamming into the ground.

Unable to withstand the impact, Namgung Cheol-ung tumbled across the floor and stared at Namgung Geom in disbelief.

Not only had a single stroke from Namgung Geom shattered his wooden sword, but it had flung him backward and into the dirt.

For a moment, he wondered if Namgung Geom had broken his promise and used inner arts.

But in the instant their wooden swords collided, the force that had rushed through him carried no trace of inner arts.

Namgung Geom had defeated him with pure physical strength.

In a single breath, no less.

'A complete defeat.'

Namgung Cheol-ung gave a small smile.

His loss was beyond any excuse.

Before he knew it, Namgung Geom had walked over and extended his hand.

Namgung Cheol-ung grasped it and pulled himself up.

"I lost."

Namgung Cheol-ung accepted his defeat without protest.

"But don't think this is the end. Next time, I'll be the one who wins."

He had only lost once.

Namgung Cheol-ung vowed that next time, he would prevail.

"Well, the bigger the dream, the better."

Namgung Geom said with a grin, and Namgung Cheol-ung glared at him.

Namgung Geom casually brushed off the look and turned his head toward the observation platform.

He could see Azure Dragon Pavilion Master Namgung Baek watching with interest, and the Corps Masters wearing expressions of astonishment.

'That should be a proper debut, at least.'

Through the Azure Dragon Pavilion's sparring tournament, Namgung Geom had revealed his skill without reservation.

The Corps Masters of the Three Great Sword Corps would relay Namgung Geom's martial prowess to his uncles, and his uncles' wariness would rise accordingly.

There was even a chance direct threats would follow.

But if he hid his skill out of fear, he could never establish his standing within the family.

Namgung Geom's standing within the family was extremely low.

Virtually no one in the family considered Namgung Geom a candidate for Young Lord.

To become Young Lord, he first had to change that perception.

And the fastest, most certain way to change their perception was through martial prowess.

Now that Namgung Geom had claimed the top spot in the Azure Dragon Pavilion with outstanding martial arts, the family would have no choice but to take notice of him.

Among them, some would begin to seriously consider him a candidate for Young Lord.

Meanwhile, even after Namgung Geom's championship victory secured his place as the top-ranked entrant, the tournament continued.

The consolation round for those who had not reached the top sixteen still remained.

The consolation round bracket was drawn, and the matches followed immediately.

As a result, twelve additional admissions were determined.

Namgung Chang, who had sustained internal injuries in his match against Namgung Geom, barely managed to secure a spot among the additional admissions.

And so, sixteen initial qualifiers from the top sixteen, and twelve additional qualifiers through the consolation round.

A grand total of twenty-eight final admissions were determined.

Namgung Pil, the Chief Instructor of the Azure Dragon Pavilion, recorded the twenty-eight names in the Azure Dragon Pavilion's register and issued certificates of admission.

"Congratulations to all on your admission. The induction ceremony of the Azure Dragon Pavilion will be held seven days and nights from now. Be sure not to miss it."

"Understood."

"Then we shall conclude for today and meet again at the induction ceremony."

At Namgung Pil's words, the admitted candidates left the training grounds.

Namgung Geom went straight back to his quarters.

Shortly after arriving, Gang Mo-yeon was waiting for him.

The moment she saw Namgung Geom, she asked.

"Is it true that you took first place in the Azure Dragon Pavilion's second round?"

"Yes. This son of yours claimed the top spot in the Azure Dragon Pavilion."

"What wonderful news. How truly splendid. Your father in heaven must surely be rejoicing."

Gang Mo-yeon was happier than anyone.

She wondered how Namgung Geom had overcome the Nine Yang Severed Meridians and raised his martial prowess so rapidly.

But good news was good news, and she decided not to question it further.

What mattered was that Namgung Geom had escaped the agony of the Nine Yang Severed Meridians and could now cultivate martial arts.

"So please don't worry about me anymore."

Gang Mo-yeon shook her head.

"Now that you've overcome the Nine Yang Severed Meridians and are cultivating martial arts, there is no telling what threats your uncles may pose."

"Surely my uncles wouldn't harm their own nephew."

Gang Mo-yeon shook her head.

"You do not know what you speak of. In the face of power, neither parent nor sibling matters."

No one knew that better than Namgung Geom.

He simply pretended otherwise because he did not want to worry Gang Mo-yeon.

"As long as Grandfather is alive, my uncles won't be able to touch me carelessly."

Namgung Geom invoked Namgung Pae's name in an attempt to put Gang Mo-yeon at ease.

But once again, Gang Mo-yeon shook her head.

"If your uncles set their minds to it, even your grandfather may not be able to prevent it."

"That's why I need to become strong enough to withstand their threats before they act."

"Is that as easy as it sounds?"

"Trust this son of yours. I will never do anything to bring you grief."

At Namgung Geom's words, Gang Mo-yeon said no more.

She merely resolved in her heart to do everything in her power to protect Namgung Geom.

Gang Mo-yeon shared dinner with Namgung Geom and then returned to her own quarters.

Namgung Geom cultivated the Azure Sky Ice Fire Divine Art and then went to sleep.

The next day, he went to see his grandfather, Namgung Pae.

"Welcome."

Namgung Pae greeted Namgung Geom warmly.

"Have you heard that I passed the Azure Dragon Pavilion's examination?"

"First place in both the first and second rounds, is it?"

"Yes. As promised, I took the top spot."

Namgung Geom spoke with a triumphant expression.

"And shall I praise you for it?"

"Instead of praise, the reward from our wager will do."

Namgung Pae let out a wry smile and asked.

"Very well. What reward do you desire?"

"I would like Grandfather to officially endorse my martial arts."

Namgung Pae immediately grasped Namgung Geom's intent.

"So that no one can challenge the ice arts you used in the sparring tournament?"

"Precisely."

His uncles were certain to try to make an issue of the ice arts' origin.

Of course, he could lie and say he had created the ice arts himself.

But his uncles would never believe that.

They would press the matter by any means necessary.

However, if Namgung Pae, the Family Head, officially endorsed his martial arts as having no issue, his uncles could no longer question the origins of his ice arts.

"Very well."

When Namgung Pae agreed immediately, Namgung Geom wore a surprised expression.

"I didn't expect Grandfather to approve so readily."

"'The azure sky embraces all things. What is so remarkable about harboring a little cold within it?'—is that not what you said?"

Namgung Pae knew exactly what Namgung Geom had said to Namgung Chang.

He had not attended in person, but Namgung Pae had received a complete account of everything that transpired at the training grounds.

Nothing that happened within the Namgung Family estate escaped his eyes.

"It is."

"You are correct. Whatever the azure sky holds, it remains the azure sky. There is no reason not to recognize your martial arts."

"I expected Grandfather to question the origin of the ice arts."

Namgung Geom said, as if it were unexpected.

"I thought we had already agreed not to question your martial arts the last time we spoke."

The origin of the ice arts was not important to Namgung Pae.

What mattered was that Namgung Geom had used those ice arts to cure the Nine Yang Severed Meridians and achieve the first-rate level in one stroke.

Of course, if the ice arts turned out to be some wicked demonic art, that would be a different story.

But Namgung Geom's energy carried no trace of wickedness or demonic qi.

And so Namgung Pae chose to trust Namgung Geom and watch over him.

It was the least he could offer as a grandfather who had done nothing for Namgung Geom all this time.

At the same time, he held expectations for Namgung Geom's martial arts.

What kind of martial arts would emerge if the Namgung Family's arts were merged with ice arts?

If Namgung Geom could open a new chapter in the Namgung Family's martial arts through his ice arts, it was well worth watching.

"Had I known Grandfather would agree so easily, I would have asked for something else."

Namgung Geom said with a hint of regret, and Namgung Pae smiled wryly.

"Separate from the wager, I shall grant you one wish as a gift for entering the Azure Dragon Pavilion at the top of the class."

Considering the competition with his uncles that lay ahead, it was the least he should do.

"Do you truly mean that?"

Namgung Geom's face lit up as he asked.

"But do not make an unreasonable request."

"Of course not."

"Then what is it you desire?"

Namgung Geom thought for a moment, then spoke as if he had made up his mind.

"I would like to receive Grandfather's personal instruction in the Namgung Family's Three Great Sword Arts."