"This seems like a suitable spot."
"Most martial artists born to murim families dream of surpassing the Namgung Clan and establishing the world's greatest martial clan. Defeating the martial arts of the Namgung Clan, especially the Royal Sword Style, is a crucial element of those dreams."
Two men stood facing each other in a wide clearing on top of a sheer cliff, each radiating a completely different aura. The Spear King gave off a powerful aura, as if he wanted to crush the world. In contrast, Namgung Su stood with his golden eyes half-lidded, like a tranquil lake concealing a dormant volcano beneath its surface.
VWOOOOOM!
The Spear King expelled his inner qi and spread his energy wide. The heavy presence weighed down on the wild grass, causing them to bend low as if kowtowing before him. "If you don't want to wake the sleeping students, let's limit our power to this level."
"Thank you for your consideration, Patriarch." Namgung Su clasped his hands politely before unleashing his own inner qi to match the Spear King's.
FWOOSH!
Ak Bi held his spear ready. Since this was nominally a guided spar, he spoke first as the murim senior, stating which martial art he would use. "I have learned many of my family's martial arts, including the Ak Clan Spear Technique. However, in this duel, I will only use the Ak Clan Spear Technique."
Swirls of energy erupted from beneath his feet. The sleeves of his martial arts uniform fluttered, and his hair swayed even without wind.
"So your confidence is well-founded." Ak Bi smirked and reached behind him to unclasp his beloved weapon, the Ak Clan Spear.
Namgung Su slowly drew his sword. They had agreed to limit their use of inner arts and only exchange techniques. If they went all out, the fight would be destructive enough to reshape the terrain around them.
Ak Bi held his spear ready. Since this was nominally a guided spar, he spoke first as the murim senior, stating which martial art he would use. "I have learned many of my family's martial arts, including the Ak Clan Spear Technique. However, in this duel, I will only use the Ak Clan Spear Technique."
"I will use the Namgung Clan's Heavenly Lightning Sword Technique and the Royal Sword Style."
Ak Bi's interest sparked when he heard that Namgung Su had learned the Royal Sword Style. "Oho! I never thought I'd get a chance to witness the Royal Sword Style in person."
Baek Suryong snickered to himself.
His mouth crept up at the corners. He had accepted this duel intending to discipline the arrogant Namgung brat, but now he saw the possibility of an unexpected windfall.
"Most martial artists born to murim families dream of surpassing the Namgung Clan and establishing the world's greatest martial clan. Defeating the martial arts of the Namgung Clan, especially the Royal Sword Style, is a crucial element of those dreams."
Baek Suryong chuckled.
"Didn't you say you didn't have much time to spare for me?" Namgung Su asked, raising an eyebrow in a clear request to stop the useless chatter and begin.
A thunderous roar reverberated through the battlefield.
However, Ak Bi pretended not to hear him and continued rambling. "Unfortunately, the Namgung Clan crumbled all on its own, falling from grace after a bloody massacre. Even your Patriarch has all but retired after losing an eye. Most regrettably, the Blue Sky Sword King, who held a seat among the Ten Supremes, died in disgrace... Such a pathetic end for a great man."
"......" Namgung Su's eye twitched. Ak Bi was obviously trying to provoke him. Just the casual way he mentioned the brutal massacre showed how little he respected the Namgung Clan.
"From now on, all of us will have to face many challenges and trials, but we cannot rely on the clan's reputation anymore. If you don't develop your own skills, the Namgung name will only become a noose around your neck."
Father was right. The name 'Namgung' can no longer protect our family. Now, it's time for us to protect our family name.
"Still, the Namgung Patriarch seems to have some luck, for an illegitimate son's martial arts to be this outstanding. I should have had more children myself."
"You look like you've had a few drinks, too.
"Ak Patriarch."
"Oh my, were you offended?" Ak Bi chuckled slyly. "I was just joking, joking!"
Namgung Su said calmly, "Even if you defeat me here, you still can't say that you've defeated the Namgung Clan's martial arts."
Ak Bi nodded as if the statement was obvious. "Of course. How could I judge the Namgung Clan's strength based on your skills alone? I'm merely assessing the potential of the next generation..."
Namgung Su said calmly, "Even if you defeat me here, you still can't say that you've defeated the Namgung Clan's martial arts."
"Even that..." Namgung Su interjected firmly.
The essence of a great murim clan stems from more than just powerful martial arts. It is founded on long-standing history and tradition, as well as the pride and dignity of its members. Even if Ak Bi beats impossible odds to become the world's strongest martial artist, the Ak Clan will never be able to surpass the Namgung Clan as long as he keeps strutting around like a nouveau riche.
"Tsk, tsk! He should've used his wrist a bit more there."
Namgung Su condensed his many thoughts into a short sentence. "...Even that won't be easy for you."
His mouth crept up at the corners. He had accepted this duel intending to discipline the arrogant Namgung brat, but now he saw the possibility of an unexpected windfall.
"...What did you say?"
Although this was supposedly a guided spar with limited inner qi usage and lethal techniques forbidden, the two men's auras grew sharper by the moment.
His playful expression vanished, replaced by the cold, emotionless mask his vassals feared most. "You... how arrogant," he snarled, tightening his grip on the spear.
"Are you saying that I won't be able to defeat you easily?" Ak Bi asked, fury slowly clouding over his features.
Namgung Su pointed his sword at the sky in answer.
CRACKLE! RUMBLE!
White lightning danced across the blade as he unleashed the Heavenly Lightning Sword Technique. At the same time, the imposing qi of the Namgung Clan's ultimate technique, the Royal Sword Style, surged outward, displacing Ak Bi's qi and taking control of the surrounding area.
Namgung Su announced plainly, "These are the Namgung Clan's martial arts."
Namgung Su said calmly, "Even if you defeat me here, you still can't say that you've defeated the Namgung Clan's martial arts."
Although his sword was still pointed at the heavens, the lightning contained within it could instantly strike anywhere within a nine-meter radius. Moreover, inside the domain of the Royal Sword Style, his strikes would be sped up severalfold.
Simply put, he was taking out his alcohol-fueled frustrations on one of the Ten Supremes.
"I'm still young and inexperienced, so please be careful, Patriarch," Namgung Su cautioned, his golden eyes glittering in the darkness like glowing embers.
Ak Bi's eyes flashed. Namgung Su's statement could be interpreted either as concern... or as a form of provocation.
His playful expression vanished, replaced by the cold, emotionless mask his vassals feared most. "You... how arrogant," he snarled, tightening his grip on the spear.
BOOM!
White lightning danced across the blade as he unleashed the Heavenly Lightning Sword Technique. At the same time, the imposing qi of the Namgung Clan's ultimate technique, the Royal Sword Style, surged outward, displacing Ak Bi's qi and taking control of the surrounding area.
He struck the ground with his spear, triggering a faint vibration that rippled out in all directions. If he hadn't limited his inner qi, the entire cliff would have crumbled.
"In that case, I suppose I don't need to hold back."
His playful expression vanished, replaced by the cold, emotionless mask his vassals feared most.
RUMBLE!
Baek Suryong suspiciously eyed his former student's side profile. Number Four's face was a little bit more flushed than usual. "You look like you've had a few drinks, too. Care for another?"
A violent energy vortex coiled around the spear like a vicious serpent. Despite being immersed in the Royal Sword Style's domain, the Spear King's movements remained completely unrestrained.
Stepping forward, he thrust his spear, sending its tip hurtling through the oppressive air.
His face betrayed nothing, but killing intent boiled in his heart as he focused on Namgung Su.
Still, Namgung Su waited until the last possible moment before bringing his sword crashing down.
CLAAAANG!
A thunderous roar reverberated through the battlefield. The Spear King's bodyguards, who had retreated far away, hurriedly circulated their inner qi and shielded their ears from the deafening noise.