Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The Namgung Family was known as the Greatest Sword House Under Heaven.

True to that name, it possessed a vast arsenal of sword arts.

Among them, the three most outstanding were collectively known as the Three Great Sword Arts.

Azure Sky Boundless Sword Art.

Flash Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunders.

Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art.

Each and every one was counted among the supreme sword arts of the murim.

The Three Great Sword Arts could fundamentally only be learned by the direct line of the Namgung Family.

However, even a direct descendant had to join one of the Three Great Sword Corps before receiving instruction.

Namgung Geom, a mere cadet of the Azure Dragon Pavilion, did not yet have the qualifications to learn the Three Great Sword Arts.

"You cannot even walk yet you wish to run? Master the Azure Dragon Three Swords first."

The Azure Dragon Three Swords was a generalized version of the Three Great Sword Arts.

The core ultimate techniques of the Three Great Sword Arts had been removed, and the level of the forms had been lowered so they could be learned more easily.

The proper order was to first build one's foundation in the Three Great Sword Arts through the Azure Dragon Three Swords, then enter the Three Great Sword Corps and formally study them.

"If one can run from the start, is there really a need to learn to walk first?"

Namgung Pae wore a look of disbelief at Namgung Geom's brazen reply.

But it was difficult to deny his words.

No one knew better than Namgung Pae just how remarkable Namgung Geom's talent was.

Without anyone's help, he had cured the Nine Yang Severed Meridians and achieved the first-rate level in one stroke.

That was no easy feat, even for a prodigy of martial arts.

A genius deserved a genius' path; one could not force an ordinary path upon him.

Doing so would only stifle Namgung Geom's talent.

"Very well. Since you are so confident, I shall teach you the Three Great Sword Arts. However, if you fail to keep up with my instruction, I will stop."

"Understood."

Namgung Geom nodded readily.

There was no chance he would fail to keep up, after all.

"Then when shall we begin the instruction?"

"If Grandfather is willing, I would like to start right now."

"Then let us go to the training grounds."

Namgung Pae took Namgung Geom to the Family Head's private training grounds.

"Now, which of the Three Great Sword Arts do you wish to learn?"

Namgung Pae asked.

"I would like to learn all three of the Three Great Sword Arts."

"You want me to teach you all three?"

Namgung Pae's brow furrowed.

Normally, one would choose a single art from among the three and devote oneself to it.

There was nothing technically wrong with learning all three.

But even a lifetime of dedication might not be enough to see one art through to its end.

It was far better to focus on a single art than to half-learn several.

"Yes. If possible, I would like to master all three."

"Completing even one of the Three Great Sword Arts is no simple matter."

"But Grandfather completed all three, did he not?"

Namgung Pae laughed as if the comparison were beneath contempt.

"Are you comparing yourself to this old man?"

"How could I dare compare myself to Grandfather? I merely wish to follow in your footsteps as your grandson."

Namgung Pae shook his head and laughed in disbelief at Namgung Geom's words.

"That tongue of yours flows like a mountain stream."

Namgung Geom smiled faintly and spoke.

"If you judge that I lack the aptitude to learn all three, I will defer to your decision at that time."

"Fine. I shall do as you wish for now."

As Namgung Geom had said, he could teach first and judge afterward.

"I shall begin with the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art."

The Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art.

The advanced form of the Celestial Wind Sword Art—a chain-strike sword art that assaulted relentlessly, like the wind of the heavens.

"The core of the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art is the chain. The key is to grasp the principle that the wind may weaken, but it never ceases."

Namgung Pae began to move his sword slowly.

A single thread of wind rose from his blade.

That wind followed Namgung Pae's sword in an unbroken stream.

With each movement of Namgung Pae's sword, the wind accumulated, until eventually the entire training grounds was blanketed in sword wind.

'Certainly more profound than the Celestial Wind Sword Art.'

The endless cascade of sword wind was beyond comparison with the Celestial Wind Sword Art.

Namgung Geom fixed his attention on the forms Namgung Pae was executing.

He was not merely watching the trajectory of the blade, but also closely observing Namgung Pae's breathing and body movement.

The forms of the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art were extraordinarily complex.

Memorizing them from a single viewing was virtually impossible.

And yet Namgung Geom memorized the majority of the forms from Namgung Pae's single demonstration.

Having achieved a high level of mastery in his previous life, the flow of swordsmanship came naturally to him.

Once he grasped the flow, memorizing the forms was not a particularly difficult task.

But in a supreme-grade sword art, what mattered was not the outer shape of the forms.

The true substance lay in the verses of the forms and the methods of channeling inner arts.

After executing the forms once through, Namgung Pae explained the verses and inner arts circulation methods.

Namgung Geom understood and memorized them without difficulty.

His previous life's mastery was one factor, but it also helped that the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art was similar to the Ice White Snow Wind Sword he had practiced in his former life.

"Now I will break the forms down section by section and explain the verses and inner arts circulation methods as we go."

"That will not be necessary."

"Not necessary?"

Namgung Pae looked at him with a puzzled gaze.

"I have already understood everything and memorized the forms."

"You understood and memorized all of that in one go?"

Namgung Pae asked, his expression one of disbelief.

"Allow me to demonstrate. Please observe and judge for yourself, Grandfather."

Seeing was believing.

A single demonstration was worth more than a hundred explanations.

Namgung Geom executed the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art before Namgung Pae.

The doubt in Namgung Pae's eyes gave way to widening astonishment as Namgung Geom progressed.

Namgung Geom executed the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art without a single pause.

There were still areas that needed refinement, but even so, it was a remarkable feat.

'They say none who are born with the Nine Yang Severed Meridians lack for genius.'

It was said that those with the Nine Yang Severed Meridians were destined for short lives, but in exchange, were born with extraordinary comprehension.

Seeing Namgung Geom, that claim appeared to be no lie.

Namgung Geom executed every last form of the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art before lowering his sword.

"To watch the Celestial Wind Limitless Sword Art once and reproduce it...... I can scarcely believe my own eyes."

Namgung Geom smiled at Namgung Pae's admiration.

"Is it not thanks to inheriting the talent of my grandfather, the Sword King?"

Namgung Pae shook his head.

"It is not my talent you inherited, but your father's."

In terms of talent alone, Namgung Il had surpassed Namgung Pae.

And Namgung Geom's talent was closer to Namgung Il's.

"My father's talent came from Grandfather, so when you trace it back, my talent is also a gift from Grandfather."

Namgung Geom continued to praise Namgung Pae until the end.

Namgung Pae smirked as if he did not mind and asked.

"Where did you learn such flattery?"

"It is not flattery. It is simply the truth."

Namgung Pae thought of his departed son.

Namgung Il had been born with the Heavenly Martial Body—the pinnacle of natural talent.

Namgung Pae had hoped Namgung Il would surpass him and bring even greater glory to the Namgung Family.

But he had died young, before his talent could ever bloom.

Namgung Pae had been deeply aggrieved by that.

His other sons existed, but compared to Namgung Il, they fell far short.

None of them satisfied him, which was why he had not yet appointed a Young Lord.

But the Young Lord's seat could not remain empty forever.

A prolonged succession struggle could undermine the stability and unity of the family.

He had been planning to choose a Young Lord soon.

'But with Geom-i's talent......'

Seeing Namgung Geom's talent, his heart wavered.

'Would it not be better to watch Geom-i's growth before deciding?'

He worried about whether Namgung Geom could truly prevail in the competition against his uncles.

But if Namgung Geom's talent was genuine, he could overcome his uncles and rise to the seat of Young Lord.

'For now, I shall watch Geom-i's growth.'

And since things had come to this, he decided to teach the Three Great Sword Arts thoroughly.

Including the personal insights he had accumulated over a lifetime.

For Namgung Geom, it was nothing short of an extraordinary fortune.

Had it been anyone else, they would have struggled to comprehend Namgung Pae's personal insights.

Even Namgung Pae did not expect Namgung Geom to understand his insights right away.

He had imparted them not for the present, but for the future.

Yet Namgung Geom had already attained the enlightenment of the absolute realm in his previous life. He could understand a substantial portion, if not all, of Namgung Pae's insights.

Through Namgung Pae's insights, Namgung Geom not only deepened his understanding of the Three Great Sword Arts but also reached a far deeper enlightenment regarding the sword itself.

It was, truly, the greatest fortune imaginable.

***

Namgung Geom spent three days receiving instruction in the Three Great Sword Arts and personal insights from Namgung Pae.

He then spent four days organizing the Three Great Sword Arts and consolidating the enlightenment he had gained.

And just like that, the day of the Azure Dragon Pavilion's induction ceremony arrived.

Having finished his preparations, Namgung Geom went to the Azure Dragon Pavilion's training grounds.

When he arrived, his fellow cadets were already gathered, their expressions tense.

On one side of the training grounds, a distinguished guest area had been set up.

Since there was still time before the ceremony, many seats remained empty.

The lower section, where the Corps Masters and Captains of the Three Great Sword Corps sat, was mostly filled.

"The induction ceremony will begin shortly. All cadets, fall in."

At Chief Instructor Namgung Pil's command, the cadets quickly formed ranks.

As the ceremony drew near, the empty seats in the guest area filled rapidly.

The Hall Masters of the Three Halls, the Masters of the Four Pavilions, and the Elders of the Elder Council all took their seats.

And at last, a single figure appeared.

"The Family Head is entering."

The moment Namgung Pae, Family Head of the Namgung Family, entered, everyone in the guest area rose and bowed their heads.

"We greet the Family Head!"

The cadets on the training grounds saluted in unison as well.

"All, be at ease."

Namgung Pae raised the elders and senior members to their feet.

Then he raised a hand to the cadets on the training grounds and took his seat at the head.

"Let us now begin the induction ceremony of the Azure Dragon Pavilion."

Under Namgung Pil's direction, the ceremony commenced.

"First, we shall hear the Family Head's congratulatory address."

Namgung Pae stepped up to the podium.

"Congratulations to all who have passed the Azure Dragon Pavilion's examination. You are the pillars who will lead the Namgung Family into the future. I hope that each of you will devote yourselves to training and growth, and bring glory to the Namgung Family."

Namgung Pae kept his address brief and stepped down.

"Next, the Azure Dragon Pavilion Master will present the Azure Dragon Swords to the admitted cadets."

Following Namgung Pae, Azure Dragon Pavilion Master Namgung Baek took the podium.

"Those whose names are called, step forward and receive your Azure Dragon Sword."

Namgung Pil called the cadets one by one, and Namgung Baek presented each with an Azure Dragon Sword.

The Azure Dragon Sword was a blade given only to cadets of the Azure Dragon Pavilion.

In and of itself, it served as proof that one was a cadet of the Azure Dragon Pavilion.

Within the Namgung Family, possessing an Azure Dragon Sword alone commanded respect.

Every child under the Namgung Family dreamed of entering the Azure Dragon Pavilion and receiving an Azure Dragon Sword.

But in reality, only a select few ever received one.

That was why receiving the Azure Dragon Sword was an honor in itself.

The cadets who received their swords wore deeply moved expressions.

And then, at last, it was Namgung Geom's turn.

"Congratulations on your induction into the Azure Dragon Pavilion. Continue to strive, and become a pillar of the Namgung Family."

Namgung Baek offered his well-wishes and handed over the Azure Dragon Sword.

"Thank you."

Namgung Geom received the Azure Dragon Sword with courtesy.

"Great expectations rest upon you. I trust you will not disappoint me."

Namgung Geom smiled at Namgung Baek's words.

"I will endeavor to live up to the Pavilion Master's expectations."

Namgung Geom could sense Namgung Baek's goodwill.

If he could earn the favor of Namgung Baek, one of the Azure Heaven Ten Swords, it would be a tremendous asset in what lay ahead.

As he descended from the podium with his Azure Dragon Sword, Namgung Geom suddenly felt a gaze upon him.

He turned his head to follow it and saw three of his uncles seated in the guest area.

Each wore a different expression.

His first uncle, Namgung Seong, watched with a composed air.

His second uncle, Namgung Byeok, glared with cold hostility.

His third uncle, Namgung Un, wore the trace of a smile, as if intrigued.

One look at their eyes told him everything.

The battle with his uncles had begun.