Chapter 100

When Namgung Woo’s voice echoed through the training ground, the sword that had been cutting through the air lost its sharpness and weakly fell to the ground.

The sharpness in his eyes as he looked back was quite intense. Beyond being interrupted during training, secretly watching a martial artist’s training was a well-known taboo in the martial world.

Faced with the sudden appearance of an uninvited guest, Namgung Sol, as a martial artist, coldly remarked, “How rude. Even if this is the training ground of an inn, there should be at least some basic courtesy, don’t you think?”

“I didn’t hide my presence. It’s good to focus, but in an open place like this, it’s better to always be aware of your surroundings. Or did you trust the people outside?”

At the words hinting that he knew the true nature of this place, Namgung Sol’s expression loosened slightly.

“You must be from the alliance. Did the alliance leader send a message?”

“No. I came here on personal business.”

“…For me?”

Namgung Sol’s resistance, which had been weakening, noticeably intensified.

“If you have business with me, isn’t it basic to at least face each other?”

Though it was quite amusing to see such an immediate reaction, Namgung Woo took a step back, thinking it might be too much to provoke further.

Even if he couldn’t figure out his identity through aura or energy, he thought at least the voice would be remembered. But perhaps even that was too much to expect.

With a slight sense of disappointment, Namgung Woo removed his bamboo hat.

As Namgung Woo’s face was revealed, a look of confusion swept over Namgung Sol’s face.

“Ah, you… no, um, last time at the Central Heaven Pavilion… right? Thank you for that. I was too flustered to thank you properly then. Is that why… no, right? Yes, that must be it…”

Namgung Sol was torn between whether to be angry or grateful, her thoughts in disarray. Her babbling and flustered demeanor resembled a malfunctioning robot.

Then, as if realizing something, Namgung Sol’s eyes widened, and she said, “Ah! Could it be that the alliance leader asked you to be my bodyguard?”

Namgung Sol, having asked the question, had already decided the answer in her mind before even hearing it and continued, “If that’s the case, please go back. To the alliance leader…”

“I refused.”

“Huh?”

“I received the bodyguard request, but I refused. I didn’t feel like it. Unlike other wandering warriors, I pick and choose my requests. So I just said I’d keep an eye on you for now.”

Though it was unexpected that he refused the request, Namgung Sol understood somewhat after hearing the rest.

“So you came to see me.”

“That’s right.”

“Good. You’ve seen me training, so that should be enough, right? My answer remains the same. I have no intention of forcing you to be my bodyguard.”

Namgung Sol pushed others away with an oddly firm attitude.

However, Namgung Woo saw through her demeanor, realizing it wasn’t because she disliked others.

At her young age, she couldn’t fully hide her emotions. No matter how harsh her past was, the immaturity of her years inevitably showed.

Even without relying on special powers like Azure Tranquility Eyes, Namgung Woo could see with his own eyes that Namgung Sol was lonely. Yet, she couldn’t trust those who approached her and struggled with not being able to let anyone close.

Namgung Sol, pretending to be calm, picked up her sword again.

“I think I’ve said all I can. As you said, this isn’t a private training room, so I won’t stop you if you want to stay. But please, at least don’t interfere with my training.”

Just before swinging her sword, Namgung Sol muttered with resignation and self-deprecation, “It’s not like watching will make any difference anyway…”

Namgung Sol had ears.

She had heard from Sangpyeon Hall Master Woo Myeon that this man, known as the Blue Sword Emperor, was a rising star who had appeared like a comet in the martial world.

Despite the age difference, Namgung Woo was already walking the distant skies above.

What could such a person gain from watching her clumsy sword techniques?

In Namgung Woo’s eyes, her flailing with the sword might not be much different from a three-year-old waving a stick.

Thinking this, her past efforts felt futile, and she grew despondent. But Namgung Sol steeled herself and gripped her sword again.

She had already chosen her path. She had vowed never to stop, even if she regretted it. She couldn’t let go of her sword over such fleeting emotions.

Namgung Sol’s sword began to cut through the air once more.

Namgung Woo’s thoughts, however, were completely different from what Namgung Sol had guessed.

He watched her sword dance seriously.

Martial arts are fundamentally based on the mind.

It is the power to communicate with the external universe through the physical means of the body, containing the inner universe of the mind.

No matter how clumsy the swordplay, if there is a clear mind and a firm will within it, the sword will carry much information about the person.

Namgung Woo read such information from Namgung Sol’s sword.

‘Following the Ten Iron Sword Techniques with the Great Flame Sword Technique. But it’s awkward. She didn’t learn from a proper master. She must have studied it alone from a manual.’

The internal energy of the Great Lotus Heart Technique in Namgung Sol’s dantian was pure, untainted by other energies.

That wasn’t something easily achieved through self-study alone. Unless one had extraordinary talent or a special constitution, everyone would inevitably face trial and error with just a manual.

‘She had a master. But all she was taught was the internal energy technique. The sword technique is self-taught.’

If she had a proper master, they would have pointed out the parts unsuitable for her body and corrected them, just as Namgung Woo had advised.

‘The Great Flame Sword Technique is fundamentally designed for men. The movements are large, and there are many parts that require strength. It’s not a technique suited for her body.’

Even though martial artists strengthen their bodies through internal energy, transcending age and gender to exhibit monstrous strength, the inherent physical limitations still exist.

There are even bizarre martial arts that stretch joints or make bones and muscles pliable to achieve ranges of motion impossible for the human body, but that was far from Namgung Sol’s current state.

Namgung Sol swung her sword honestly. In terms of pure basic sword techniques of the Great Flame Sword Technique, Namgung Sol was showing a commendably orthodox form.

But was that excellent swordplay? Not really. Martial arts must be tailored to the user.

Difficult techniques should be modified and supplemented, while compatible techniques should be maximized. Even the same martial art will have slightly different forms depending on who performs it.

Namgung Sol’s swordplay lacked that. It was purely focused on replicating the movements exactly as written in the manual.

“Put more strength into your upper body there. A man’s center of gravity is in the upper body, but a woman’s is in the pelvis. Just mimicking the movements won’t fully unleash the power of the technique. Always be aware of why the technique was created.”

“…Ugh!”

Namgung Sol, pretending not to hear, subtly adjusted her posture, straightening her upper body with force in her waist.

Without videos, only relying on text and illustrations, Namgung Sol had recreated nearly 90% of the movements from the manual. She clearly had talent, immediately adjusting her movements based on Namgung Woo’s advice.

But Namgung Woo’s coaching didn’t stop there.

“Just twisting your waist isn’t enough. The power rising from your heel is too weak.”

“Huup!”

“Flexibility is a good advantage. But you’re not utilizing it at all. You don’t need to match the angle exactly. Why not compensate for the lack of strength with the centrifugal force from your flexible body?”

“Hyak!”

Namgung Sol did her best to follow Namgung Woo’s advice.

And as she made each correction, she clearly felt the stability returning to her swordplay, which had been plagued by doubts.

How long had it been since she felt joy in swinging her sword? For a brief moment, Namgung Sol, free from obligation, immersed herself in the sword without any worries.

But even as her mind raced ahead, her body couldn’t keep up. Reaching her physical limits, Namgung Sol bent over, gasping for breath.

Consciously eliminating bad habits ingrained in her body was an arduous task beyond imagination.

Catching her breath and consolidating her growth, Namgung Sol noticed a new shadow overlapping hers and looked up with difficulty.

“Your swordplay aside, your impatience has completely consumed your mind. What are you so anxious about? What is it that drives you so relentlessly?”

Suddenly, Namgung Sol thought. Maybe now, she could just say it? Couldn’t she casually let it slip, riding on the mood?

But no. This was a burden Namgung Sol had to bear.

“That’s… something you don’t need to know.”

“Isn’t it a bit unfair to take advice but keep your mouth shut?”

“…I appreciate the advice. But that’s why I can’t say more.”

Namgung Sol resolutely hardened her expression and declared.

“…I know you’re strong. Probably unimaginably strong compared to someone like me. Maybe to you, my worries are trivial. But… this is something I must do myself, something I can’t entrust to anyone else.”

Namgung Woo sensed the sincerity in her words.

It wasn’t just a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment.

Her inability to hide her emotions well only highlighted the firmness of her resolve.

Thus, Namgung Woo didn’t press further.

“Is it because you’re a Namgung?”