Chapter 8

“This is different from what I expected?”

Namgung Woo, who had anticipated a blade flying at him right away, was left utterly bewildered by the reaction.

At the very least, as the leader of a faction that dominated an entire county, he had expected some pride to be at stake.

“Then, shall we proceed according to the conditions of the martial duel?”

While Namgung Woo was at a loss for words, Song Chaeji stepped in to fill the gap.

“Pay the proper price, not some ridiculous lowball offer.”

That was Song Chaeji’s demand upon victory.

“Of course, I will.”

Hwang Moo-tak, who was about to casually speak informally to Song Chaeji as usual, glanced at Namgung Woo’s expression and quickly added.

“The entire surrounding area is like that, they say…”

Namgung Woo subtly raised the stakes. It was a provocation. Hwang Moo-tak’s forehead dripped with cold sweat under the pressure of “If you don’t want to accept this, then let’s duel.”

“…I will ensure they receive proper compensation as well.”

If it really came to that, he’d have to pay a hefty sum, but there was no other choice.

Hwang Moo-tak swallowed his pride and obediently accepted Namgung Woo’s terms.

For now, survival was the priority. Hwang Moo-tak wasn’t foolish enough to pick a fight with a Supreme Peak Master. That kind of thing was for those with inflated egos or emotional control issues.

“The Hangsan Faction will verify this later.”

“Very well.”

Having accepted even this, Namgung Woo had no further leverage to press.

So, Namgung Woo decided to openly state his final demand.

“And lastly…”

Hwang Moo-tak cursed inwardly. How much more are they going to squeeze out of me?!

In his disregard for all the things he had done in the past, Hwang Moo-tak was truly a Black Path villain at heart.

“Let’s have a sparring match.”

“A sparring match, you say…?”

It was different from a martial duel. A sparring match, where the goal was mutual improvement, excluded lethal moves. At least there wouldn’t be any risk of losing one’s life.

“Yes, a sparring match.”

Namgung Woo grinned.

§

“Ah, by the way, does the Black Bear Faction have any swords? I’d like to borrow one.”

Upon arriving at the training ground, Namgung Woo’s question was met with a cautious reply from Hwang Moo-tak.

“My apologies, but the Black Bear Faction specializes in blade techniques, so we have plenty of blades, but…”

Blade techniques, huh.

Namgung Woo recalled the blade techniques he occasionally used for fun. Namgung Mae had often suggested trying out weapons other than his main one.

‘It’s not like I can’t use it.’

But if possible, Namgung Woo wanted to test the sword techniques he had mastered as his primary martial art.

‘Should I use the blade like a sword?’

Namgung Woo’s dilemma was evident on his face. He wasn’t trying to hide it.

“Use my sword.”

“Miss Song?”

A martial artist’s weapon is akin to their life.

Entrusting one’s weapon to another is a sign of trust in that person.

“Hmm, since I owe you a favor.”

Without anyone asking, Song Chaeji added her reason. Watching Song Chaeji poke Yang Sodang, who was giggling again, Namgung Woo accepted her kindness with a smile.

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

“…It might be a bit small for you.”

“It’s fine. This will do. It’s a good sword.”

It wasn’t an empty compliment.

Indeed, the sword, seemingly tailor-made for Song Chaeji, felt a bit short for Namgung Woo. However, the comfortable grip and well-balanced weight made it clear that it was crafted by a skilled blacksmith, even without swinging it.

The stability, so different from fighting bare-handed, made Namgung Woo take a deep breath.

Following the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art, the Heavenly Thunder Divine Energy in his lower dantian began to rise.

‘Which sword technique would be best? The Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords, which complements the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art? The basic Great Flame Sword Technique would also work. The Changgung Boundless Sword Technique seems too excessive…’

Various sword techniques of the Namgung Family flashed through Namgung Woo’s mind.

And the decision Namgung Woo made was to return to the basics.

‘The Ten Iron Sword Techniques are the most fitting.’

The Ten Iron Sword Techniques were a complete beginner’s training method. It only covered the most basic methods of handling internal energy. It was an introductory sword technique for getting accustomed to the sword.

It was also the first sword technique Namgung Woo learned in the Chasing Deer Murim.

Namgung Woo, who hadn’t yet fully integrated his in-game senses with reality, needed to approach the sword as if learning it anew.

‘It’s like a kind of rehabilitation training.’

Assuming the starting stance of the Ten Iron Sword Techniques, Namgung Woo calmed the Thunder Qi of the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art in his lower dantian. Instead, he focused on the internal energy of the Middle Dantian’s Jade Hall Acupoint.

It was the internal energy of the Vast Heaven Divine Art. If the Heavenly Thunder Divine Energy leaned towards extreme yang, the Vast Heaven Divine Energy was the energy of Mugeuk. Achieving the harmony of yin and yang, it approached the original Mugeuk, making it suitable for the Middle Dantian, which governs emotions from the body’s center.

Unlike the Heavenly Thunder Divine Energy, which was overwhelmingly fast and thus felt out of control, the Vast Heaven Divine Energy was majestic. Like the endlessly vast sky, the Vast Heaven Divine Energy flowed leisurely through Namgung Woo’s twelve meridians and eight extraordinary meridians.

From the moment he circulated his internal energy, waves of energy began to spread from Namgung Woo’s entire body.

Hwang Moo-tak’s palms grew sweaty.

‘What kind of energy is that…?’

It was an energy he had never seen in his life. It seemed like he had circulated his internal energy through one heavenly cycle, but just that alone caused some kind of protective energy to leak out. He couldn’t even begin to guess the depth of his internal energy.

He had never seen it before, but it felt like the kind of energy the Shadowless Gate’s leader, known as the number one in Shanxi, might possess.

“Shall we begin?”

Namgung Woo assumed the starting stance of the Ten Iron Sword Techniques.

The movements were familiar, having been repeated countless times in the Chasing Deer Murim, but now it was different from simply mimicking the movements.

The imagery embedded in each technique was etched in Namgung Woo’s mind.

Ten sword techniques in total. The ten basic ways of handling a sword.

Horizontal slash. Vertical slash. Left diagonal slash. Right diagonal slash.

Four basic slashes and their reverse forms, making up the eight-direction slashes.

And thrusting and defensive techniques.

These ten techniques made up the Ten Iron Sword Techniques.

Though the movements were simple, the Ten Iron Sword Techniques Namgung Woo was now performing were vastly different from the mere mimicry of before.

It wasn’t just grandly naming simple vertical and horizontal slashes as Mount Tai’s Pressing Summit or Horizontal Sweeping Army.

The imagery matched the names, and the true energy followed.

The true energy, imbued with intent, connected directly to the sword strikes, unleashing effects worthy of their names.

Namgung Woo’s sword strikes were like that now.

“Huup!”

Hwang Moo-tak gasped as he blocked the eighth technique of the Ten Iron Sword Techniques, the Soaring Eagle’s Ascent, a diagonal upward slash.

An upward slash, inherently a reverse technique, should have been weak, but Namgung Woo’s sword force felt like a full-powered downward strike.

If this weren’t a sparring match with internal energy limited to the minimum required for techniques, but a life-and-death battle with full internal energy unleashed, this strike would have decided the outcome.

Namgung Woo swung his sword freely. Ensuring the sword wasn’t damaged, he meticulously infused true energy into it, finding joy in every movement. He danced as if forgetting all other distractions.

The initially awkward movements now flowed naturally.

It was as if the sword had become an extension of his body.

The term for this state came from Song Chaeji’s lips.

“Divine Sword Unity…?”

Could it really be achieved so easily?

Song Chaeji felt a sense of awe watching Namgung Woo’s sparring, which resembled a sword dance.

It was too far for her.

But…

‘I think I understand a little.’

It was a rare opportunity.

Song Chaeji’s master, Eulju Jinin, was also a peak martial artist of the Hangsan Faction, but had not reached the state of Divine Sword Unity.

In the Hangsan Faction, only the sect leader, Eulcheong Jinin, the number one swordsman, might have reached that level. Since the sect leader rarely drew his sword, this was the first time Song Chaeji had witnessed Divine Sword Unity.

Unaware of the changing gazes around him, Namgung Woo’s consciousness sank into his inner self.

‘This is fun.’

Swinging a sword was this enjoyable.

The physical strength transcending human limits.

The vast internal energy within his body spurred him on further.

Divine Sword Unity? It was a natural outcome.

Namgung Woo’s body had already reached the state of Five Origins Unity, harmonizing the five energies.

The essence representing the body.

The energy representing internal strength.

The spirit representing the mind.

The unified essence, energy, and spirit forcibly elevated the realm of spirit where Namgung Woo’s consciousness resided.

Rising into the realm of ascension, Namgung Woo’s consciousness began to observe his situation beyond just sword techniques.

‘I can slowly figure out how to return to my original world. In the meantime, let’s enjoy this world more. By refining my martial arts and traveling the world, I’ll find a way.’

He knew where he stood.

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

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