The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 22

Chapter 22
## Chapter 22. A Low-Tier Martial Artist Greets an Unexpected Visitor (3)

Gye Cheol-yeong approached the separate courtyard, carrying a wooden container that held a golden toad sculpture.

“I wouldn’t step inside just yet if I were you.”

Hong Sa-ryeon spoke up, having just peeked into the residential compound from across the outer threshold.

“What’s the reason for that?”

“Senior Brother Jin went inside a moment ago, but the mood in there feels incredibly tense for some reason.”

“That irritating Jin So-un is here?”

“Yes. He is currently inside the room.”

“But why would you say the mood is bad?”

“I can’t say for sure. It simply feels as though one is stepping onto incredibly fragile ice.”

He was well aware that Namgung San had traveled to this location specifically to deal with Jin So-un.

However, there shouldn’t have been any reason for the interaction between them to turn sour. It was highly probable that Jin So-un, lacking proper discretion, was committing some sort of blunder.

The instant that thought crossed his mind, Gye Cheol-yeong felt a surge of impatience.

“I already told you, the mood is terrible in there.”

“Which is exactly why I need to step in. What if that fool So-un does something completely inappropriate?”

“Wait, don’t—”

Before Sa-ryeon could grasp his sleeve to hold him back, Gye Cheol-yeong had already strode past the entrance.

—

I harbor a deep loathing for the Murim Alliance.

In particular, I despise the Nine Sects and One Gang along with the Five Great Clans that serve as the foundation of the Murim Alliance.

It disgusts me how they casually display such arrogance, acting as though their every whim represents absolute righteousness.

They have never viewed themselves as existing on the same level as the rest of us from the very beginning.

That is precisely why they can behave with such casual disrespect.

“What exactly do you desire?”

Namgung San, who had been studying me in total silence for a considerable time, finally spoke after deep deliberation. I merely shook my head in response.

“Nothing at all.”

“There is no human being who wants absolutely nothing. It is simply that I have yet to grasp what your true objective is.”

“I truly wish from the bottom of my heart that the Entry Token never falls into your possession, Great Hero.”

Namgung San had absolutely no personal use for the Entry Token.

He had already completed his studies at the Murim Academy with exceptional accolades and held the position of an administrator within the Murim Alliance.

Furthermore, among the young elites gathered in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, he stood out as the most exceptional genius.

The sole reason he was pursuing this Entry Token with such desperation was undoubtedly for his younger sister, Namgung Seon-hwa, who required enrollment in the Murim Academy during this upcoming term.

Due to the rising influence of branch-line relatives like Namgung Sang-won, the main lineage’s authority had visibly diminished. He must have felt backed into a corner, unable to rely on his family’s prestige to secure her entry into the Murim Academy the way he had done during his own youth.

That reality only intensified my disdain for him.

Watching these people go to such lengths to protect their own bloodlines made my skin crawl.

It was thoroughly repulsive to see them weep over minor scratches on their own hands while the hearts of ordinary people were being violently ripped out.

“In that case…”

Just as Namgung San opened his mouth to reply.

“Great Hero Namgung! Are you within these quarters?”

Gye Cheol-yeong bellowed at the top of his lungs as he forced his way inside.

“Great Hero Namgung! This humble Gye has come to offer his formal greetings.”

“…The current circumstances are rather complicated. We should converse at a later time.”

“Ha ha ha! What could possibly be complicated? Have you had an enlightening chat with our So-un? You there! Tell me you haven’t displayed any disrespect toward Great Hero Namgung!”

If Gye Cheol-yeong possessed a tail, it would likely be wagging so intensely that it would appear as a blur.

“Could you please step outside for a brief moment?”

“If this fellow is proving difficult to speak with, please let me know. I will personally discipline him thoroughly—”

“My friend. Did you not hear me ask you to depart?”

As that freezing stare locked onto Gye Cheol-yeong, the man’s face instantly resembled a stray pup abandoned by its caretaker.

“Ah, ah… understood. This, th-this is a token my father requested I hand over to you… I shall take my leave now. Please carry on.”

Even while enduring that humiliation, Gye Cheol-yeong still managed to unfasten the wooden container to display the golden toad inside, causing me to marvel at his sheer dedication.

If that man ever discovered that he would ultimately be tossed aside by the Murim Alliance despite groveling so pathetically, what kind of look would be on his face?

“Did you witness that just now? I chose to dismiss Gye Cheol-yeong. I am extending this level of courtesy to you.”

“Do you truly consider masking your own vulnerability to be a courtesy?”

“…”

“The very moment word spreads that the Entry Token has fallen into the hands of Namgung Seon-hwa, Lady Namgung Seon-hwa will instantly become a prime target for the entire martial world. Does the Namgung Clan currently possess the capability to safeguard that Entry Token?”

“!”

For the very first time, the composed expression on Namgung San’s countenance completely fractured.

“How could you possibly be aware of that…”

“Is there really any point in continuing this discussion?”

Only then did Namgung San’s demeanor shift into one of absolute gravity.

I simply waited for his next move with perfect composure.

—

Upon exiting the separate residence, Gye Cheol-yeong snorted with fury, utterly incapable of containing his boiling malice.

Hong Sa-ryeon, who could easily deduce exactly what had transpired without even needing to witness it, let out a mocking chuckle as if she found the entire display deeply satisfying.

“I specifically warned you against entering.”

“…That worthless Jin So-un actually dares to treat me with such disdain…”

“Good grief.”

Unable to suppress his raging temper, Gye Cheol-yeong violently kicked at the pebbles beneath his feet. Then, he suddenly snapped his head upward like someone struck by a bolt of lightning.

“I need to report to the Sect Leader this very instant.”

“…What sort of ridiculous nonsense are you spouting now?”

“The situation unfolding inside is highly alarming. Jin So-un might lose his mind and offend the Namgung Clan, which would throw the entire Taeul Sect into grave peril.”

“Is Senior Brother Jin really someone so foolish that he cannot even handle a basic interaction?”

“I am telling you we have no time to lose!”

Driven by a sudden wave of panic, Gye Cheol-yeong turned and sprinted desperately toward the Great Mysterious Hall.

—

“…Did you possess full knowledge of everything? Even the motivation behind my arrival and the predicament I am facing?”

“Does that matter to you, Great Hero?”

“…No. The only matter of consequence to me is the Entry Token.”

“I shall state it once more: under no circumstances will I willingly surrender the Entry Token.”

Namgung San shook his head slowly, releasing a heavy breath.

“Then what if we try a different approach? Let us settle this through a martial contest.”

What on earth was Namgung San thinking?

No matter what kind of compensation he put on the line, did he honestly believe I would willingly agree to such a gamble?

“You risk nothing more than a single Entry Token. In return, I shall wager the Seven-Colored Jewel, this particular Heavenly Silkworm Thread, and…”

His hand paused briefly as it slipped inside his silken robes.

Ultimately, he pulled out a small wooden box.

“I shall add this Great Swallow Divine Pill to the wager.”

The Great Swallow Divine Pill was an extraordinary spiritual remedy distributed solely to the primary descendants of the Namgung Clan, much like the famous Steel Guardian Pill.

Its medicinal properties were comparable to the renowned Snow Plum Pill.

While it was an incredibly precious artifact, it was still insufficient to alter my stance.

“Even if you were to put up the entirety of the Namgung Clan as a stake, Senior, do you honestly believe I would engage in such an absurd match?”

“That depends entirely on the parameters of the fight.”

“…”

“You have rejected my overtures multiple times already. Yet, you remain seated right here. If your intention was truly a definitive refusal, shouldn’t you have walked away by now?”

“Continue speaking.”

“I bind myself to utilizing solely the Boundless Firmament Sword Art. Furthermore, regarding my internal energy… what if I restrict my cultivation output strictly to the level of the Third Star? Should you emerge victorious, you will claim not only the Seven-Colored Jewel, but the Heavenly Silkworm Thread and the Great Swallow Divine Pill as well.”

If I were to calculate Namgung San’s maximum internal cultivation, it would likely hover around One cycles.

That was the standard threshold for the primary heirs of the great sects, so his power would certainly be within that realm.

The Third Star of One cycles would equate to roughly twenty years of refined internal energy.

Moreover, his offensive techniques would be confined entirely to the Boundless Firmament Sword Art.

In his own mind, he undoubtedly believed he had presented an irresistible temptation.

“You will ensure this arrangement remains completely confidential, correct?”

Perhaps my response was entirely outside his expectations, as Namgung San’s eyes widened significantly, resembling a startled creature.

“Even if it remains a private matter, both you and I are fully aware of the stakes, meaning there can be no retraction. Because I intend to exact the ultimate price if necessary.”

My current internal reserves amounted to a massive forty-five years of cultivation. Furthermore, during a recent engagement involving the Azure Sky Merchant Guild’s Secret Bow Unit, I had successfully verified that the Sword-Breaking Form was highly effective against the Boundless Firmament Sword Art.

Passing up such an ideal opportunity would make me a complete fool.

“What is your decision?”

—

“What exactly are you rambling about?”

Jin Tae-san and Hong Mun-gi found themselves completely bewildered by Gye Cheol-yeong, who had abruptly burst into the Great Mysterious Hall and begun pouring out a frantic torrent of words.

He was claiming that Jin So-un had deeply insulted Namgung San, and that if left unchecked, a lethal clash would inevitably erupt. He insisted that such an outcome would spell doom for the Taeul Sect, urging them to intervene immediately to prevent a catastrophe.

It was an entirely bizarre assertion.

Why would Jin So-un have any reason to provoke Namgung San in the first place, and why would the two of them engage in a fight to the death?

It would only make sense if Jin So-un were simply receiving a one-sided thrashing from Namgung San.

Their guest was none other than the Heaven-Opening Divine Dragon Namgung San himself.

He was a prominent young master of the martial world who belonged to the elite Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

Even if a hundred clones of Jin So-un lined up against him, they wouldn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

Nevertheless, Gye Cheol-yeong’s frantic warnings appeared genuinely earnest.

“I exerted every effort to defuse the tension between them. I even presented the offering my father instructed me to bring, but Great Hero Namgung San completely ignored it, glaring at Jin So-un as if he intended to end his life on the spot. If this continues, an absolute calamity will befall us.”

Hong Mun-gi and Jin Tae-san exchanged glances, deeply conflicted over whether they should place any faith in these claims.

If they chose to ignore the warning and even a single detail proved accurate, an unexpected disaster would strike the Taeul Sect out of nowhere.

Yet, to accept his words at face value seemed entirely ludicrous from start to finish.

“Our discussion has carried on for quite a while anyway, so let us take a stroll and observe the situation ourselves.”

“Let us do so. Regardless of the circumstances, he is an honored guest, so we ought to show proper hospitality.”

With that decided, Hong Mun-gi and Jin Tae-san took the lead while Gye Cheol-yeong followed closely behind them.

As they neared, two figures could be seen walking out from the direction of the separate pavilion, radiating an incredibly frosty aura.

Just as Gye Cheol-yeong had described, the tension between the two young men was palpable.

Amidst this atmosphere, Namgung San locked eyes with the elders and offered a brief nod of acknowledgment, while Jin So-un executed a flawless, respectful cupped-fist salute.

Jin Tae-san stepped forward swiftly toward his son and questioned him.

“Where are you two heading?”

“To the martial arts arena.”

“The arena? For what purpose?”

“Senior Namgung has requested that we exchange a few moves.”

At those words, not only Jin Tae-san and Hong Mun-gi, but even Gye Cheol-yeong’s jaws dropped in sheer disbelief.

—

The younger disciples who had been engaged in independent training at the arena were the first to catch wind of the situation and immediately cleared the space.

As they descended from the training grounds, they quickly dispersed throughout the Taeul Sect compound, eagerly spreading the news of the impending duel to their peers. The hall masters and deputy hall masters who overheard these whispers promptly relayed the information further up the chain, until the news finally reached the Elder Hall. Consequently, it took less than thirty minutes for the entire population of the Taeul Sect to assemble around the perimeter of the arena.

“Wow—”

“That’s the eldest young master of the prestigious Namgung Clan, isn’t it?”

“That figure is the legendary Heaven-Opening Divine Dragon.”

“But why on earth is he conducting a sparring match with our Senior Brother Jin?”

The excited murmurs of the youthful disciples echoed from every corner of the crowd.

To them, a master of his caliber was akin to a mythical hero soaring through the clouds.

Since they were witnessing a prominent figure whom they might never encounter again in their entire lifetimes, it was only natural for them to be filled with awe and intense curiosity.

“Tae-san, what exactly brought this about?”

“I am told they agreed to a martial wager. The conditions stipulate that Namgung San will restrict himself strictly to the Boundless Firmament Sword Art and limit a portion of his internal cultivation.”

“What could be the reason for that?”

“I have no idea.”

“Won’t this display end up severely disheartening the children?”

There was absolutely no way the techniques of the Taeul Sect could successfully counter the supreme martial arts of the Namgung Clan.

The disparity in reality was immense; if the young disciples came to realize just how vast that chasm was, wouldn’t their discouragement run far deeper than that of the adults?

*SHING.*

The moment Namgung San unsheathed his blade, the raucous training grounds instantly fell dead silent.

I drew my own weapon immediately afterward, easing into the standard Opening Stance.

“Given that I have restricted my own capabilities, there is no requirement for you to hold back.”

“Let us commence.”

Before the final syllable could leave my mouth, a freezing gust of wind brushed past the bridge of my nose.

I ducked my head with extreme swiftness, narrowly evading Namgung San’s incoming blade.

Simultaneously, I initiated the Minor Heaven Sword Art.

*CLANG—!*

“““Whoa—!”””

Having only ever witnessed the plain, unadorned swordsmanship of the Taeul Sect up until this point, the young disciples couldn’t help but gasp in unison at the sight of the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, which flowed with incredible magnificence. The senior members quickly shushed the children.

*CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.*

In the blink of an eye, we traded three rapid exchanges.

The Minor Heaven Sword Art possessed a clear advantage in pure velocity, but the defensive patterns Namgung San maintained through the Boundless Firmament Sword Art left absolutely no openings to exploit.

“Your internal cultivation… it appears you have amassed a surprisingly formidable amount. However, is this truly the limit of your swordsmanship? Such a technique seems entirely inadequate to properly channel that level of internal energy.”

“Are you truly in a position to be casually offering critiques right now?”

Namgung San’s weapon surged forward once more.

The blade split into three distinct, deceptive trajectories, striking fiercely and aiming exclusively for my lethal vitals.

I immediately deployed the Sword-Breaking Form.

*CLANG—!*

For a fraction of a second, a tremor of pure shock rippled through Namgung San’s eyes, and his offensive rhythm was abruptly severed mid-motion.

“!”

After casting a fleeting glance at his own weapon, Namgung San reset his stance and began executing his sword patterns anew.

It appeared he had already mastered the application of sword qi, as a faint, ethereal bluish-green light began to coalesce along the edge of his steel.

To avoid being overwhelmed by the razor-sharp aura, I forcefully channeled my own internal energy into the Blue Steel Sword.

*CLANG—! CLANG, CLANG, CLANG—!*

Shards of metal from my Blue Steel Sword erupted outward in all directions.

Yet, Namgung San’s blade remained entirely unyielding.

We engaged in more than ten additional exchanges, and as his blade sliced directly toward my midsection, it was violently deflected away by the precise movements of the Sword-Breaking Form.

“…”

The moment Namgung San halted his advance once more, his mind clearly flooded with uncertainty.

I aggressively stepped forward two paces, turning the tide and forcing Namgung San onto the defensive.

*CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.*

Namgung San parried the incoming strikes at a velocity that defied regular human sight.

Although he successfully deflected every single strike of the blisteringly fast Minor Heaven Sword Art, he had nonetheless been forced backward seven full steps from his starting position.

“Whoa—!!! Masterful!”

“Incredible!!”

The senior sect members were so utterly captivated by the intensity of the duel that they completely forgot to keep the children quiet.

“How can this possibly be happening…”

Namgung San wore an expression of sheer bewilderment that perfectly mirrored the shock of the Taeul Sect elders.

From its very conception, my technique was designed specifically to target the inherent vulnerabilities of his style. Unless Namgung San had fully revolutionized the Boundless Firmament Sword Art to forge a completely unique version of his own, he possessed no viable countermeasure.

While Namgung San had achieved heights far exceeding any of his contemporaries, he had not yet reached that level of martial enlightenment.

*SLASH.*

The first individual to suffer a clean hit was none other than Namgung San.

A severed portion of his sleeve drifted downward, landing softly upon the dirt of the arena.

“Incredible——!!”

“Unbelievable——!!”

Realizing that the Boundless Firmament Sword Art was failing him, Namgung San shifted tactics, launching a barrage of raw, unstructured formless strikes.

Even if the Minor Heaven Sword Art was categorized as a fundamental style, it was hardly fragile enough to be overwhelmed by the chaotic attacks of a martial artist who had not yet crossed the threshold beyond the peak realm.

Furthermore, every single time he attempted to revert to the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, I instantly countered with the Sword-Breaking Form.

Finding himself with no other options, he attempted to suppress me using sheer internal energy. However, how could a mere twenty years of restricted cultivation hope to overpower forty-five years of deeply refined internal force?

“…What sort of underhanded deception are you employing!”

“Are you truly reduced to spouting the exact same nonsense as Seong Mo-hyeon, Senior?”

“…”

“Is it genuinely so impossible for you to accept that your own mastery is simply lacking?”

I immediately transitioned into the Breaking Strike Form of the Minor Heaven Sword Art.

My martial aura surged dramatically, and a wave of concentrated intent filled the air.

*SWISH, SLASH.*

At long last, Namgung San’s weapon began falling behind the rapid tempo of the Minor Heaven Sword Art.

Rips and tears manifested across various sections of his garments, and his previously immaculate appearance rapidly dissolved into disarray.

*CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG——*

After exchanging more than twenty lightning-fast clashes in a mere instant, Namgung San found himself backed up against the absolute perimeter of the training ground.

I unleashed my blade with absolute ferocity, as though I were stationed on a desperate battlefield confronting a ruthless demonic martial artist.

The primary distinction from my past life was the inexhaustible reservoir of internal energy erupting from my Dantian, causing every single swing of my sword to strike with unprecedented, devastating power.

*THANG—! THANG—!*

Each time our weapons collided, a deep, resonant vibration echoed through the air, reminiscent of a massive hammer striking a blacksmith’s anvil.

*THANG—!*

Then, in one definitive split second, Namgung San’s defensive guard was completely shattered, leaving his entire torso wide open.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I drove my blade forward with a trajectory meant to decapitate a demonic adversary.

*CRASH—!*

The instant my strike connected.

Accompanied by a colossal booming sound, my physical form was launched backward through the air, skidding to a halt right in the center of the training area.

——!

————!!

The entire arena, which had been reverberating with thunderous cheers just moments prior, plunged into a dead, icy silence as if a bucket of freezing water had been dumped over the crowd.

Even Namgung San appeared deeply unsettled by his own instinctive reaction, his pupils trembling erratically.

“Did you not explicitly pledge that you would confine yourself solely to the Boundless Firmament Sword Art?”

That concluding strike was unmistakably the Emperor Sword Art.

It was the ultimate, supreme swordsmanship of the Namgung Clan, a secret technique passed down exclusively through the direct bloodline.

Furthermore, that attack did not possess the restricted power of the Third Star; it carried the devastating force of the Fifth Star or perhaps even higher.

“H-He managed to win!!”

“The victory is his!”

An isolated voice broke the silence with a shout, and the confused children instinctively joined in, erupting into cheers alongside them.

“Ha ha…”

Namgung San let out a hollow, self-deprecating chuckle.

“I have lost this match.”

Namgung San shook his head slowly and conceded,

“The Entry Token belongs to you.”

“Along with the Heavenly Silkworm Thread, the Great Swallow Divine Pill, and the Seven-Colored Jewel as well.”

Namgung San let out another faint, weary laugh.

“Indeed.”

By utilizing the Entry Token as a strategic lure, I had successfully secured the Great Swallow Divine Pill, alongside the Heavenly Silkworm Thread and the Seven-Colored Jewel.

In terms of pure rarity, the Heavenly Silkworm Thread was an exquisite artifact easily on par with the Great Swallow Divine Pill.

My trusted Blue Steel Sword was rapidly approaching the absolute end of its usefulness anyway, and it was nearly time for me to pay a visit to Artisan Old Man Wang. Thus, I had managed to acquire an excellent crafting material.

While I was busy mapping out these highly satisfying arrangements for the future, Namgung San spoke up once more.

“However, we shall proceed with our martial engagement.”

“Pardon?”

“I ought to have realized the truth the moment the Grand Strategist spoke of you. I should have known you were far from an ordinary individual. The reality that I was disarmed in such a manner was no mere accident either, was it?”

I found myself entirely unable to grasp what Namgung San was trying to achieve at this point.

“Even if I have forfeited the wager, I refuse to suffer defeat in this martial contest. That pride is the very essence of why I belong to the Namgung Clan.”

Sublime pride did not simply sustain itself through thin air.

It was preserved only by gripping onto it tenaciously and exerting endless effort to ensure it never shattered.

Namgung San began executing his sword patterns once again, acting as though it were the most natural sequence of events in the world.

Now, completely abandoning any previous limitations on his cultivation, Namgung San unleashed an even greater torrent of internal energy.

“Now that I can observe you clearly, it is obvious you were concealing a tremendous amount of internal cultivation.”

The moment his internal reserves amplified significantly, Namgung San’s physical execution became blisteringly fast.

I immediately deployed the Sword-Breaking Form of the Boundless Firmament Sword Art with every ounce of strength I could muster.

*SWOOSH—!*

*BOOM—!*

Namgung San’s internal energy vastly eclipsed my own, yet the mechanics of the Sword-Breaking Form remained undeniably effective.

This time as well, a look of profound astonishment manifested on Namgung San’s face, but he rapidly pivoted, unleashing the devastating sequences of the Emperor Sword Art.

*CRASH—! CRASH—! CRASH—!*

With every single descent of the Emperor Sword Art, my physical form was forcefully repelled across the ground.

It struck with a weight and precision far sharper than the heavy broadsword techniques I had desperately endured back at the Iron Sword Sect.

‘Confound it.’

The renowned Jegal’s Three Forms, which had been meticulously overhauled by Jegal Cheon-gi, represented the absolute final resort of the orthodox martial world to combat the terrifying forces of the Demonic Cult. However, not every faction within the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans had been willing to embrace that philosophy.

They firmly believed that once the Demonic Cult was utterly erased and an era emerged where the Murim Alliance held absolute dominion over the Murim World, Jegal’s Three Forms would ultimately become a shackle that hindered them. Consequently, they deliberately refrained from converting their absolute ultimate techniques—such as the Emperor Sword Art—into the streamlined framework of Jegal’s Three Forms, preserving them only within their core styles.

“This is turning out to be increasingly fascinating. Are you truly incapable of countering the Emperor Sword Art?”

“Please speak with some modicum of logic. How am I supposed to cleanly deflect a hidden ultimate technique of the Namgung Clan—one that is barely known to the wider world—when you are utilizing your internal energy without any restrictions whatsoever?”

“To claim that, you seem entirely too adept at dismantling the Boundless Firmament Sword Art. Could it be that you possess deep knowledge of its fatal flaw?”

“If I were privy to such information, would I currently be enduring this kind of thrashing?”

Namgung San did not appear inclined to accept my deflection so easily.

The calculated manner in which he rotated between testing the Emperor Sword Art and the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, as if conducting a precise experiment, triggered an intense sense of danger within me. If this persisted, my true techniques might be entirely exposed.

‘I must conclude this engagement immediately.’

Right at that critical juncture, the complex trajectories of the Emperor Sword Art finally began to map themselves clearly within my vision.

I forcefully propelled myself off the dirt and charged directly into his space.

“——!”

Caught off guard by my sudden, explosive momentum, he frantically retracted the Boundless Firmament Sword Art and scrambled to deploy the Emperor Sword Art defensively.

In that exact microsecond.

I funneled every single drop of internal energy I could violently scrape from the absolute depths of my Dantian straight into my left hand.

My left palm vibrated violently from the sheer volume of concentrated qi flooding through its channels.

‘Execute a piercing strike toward the vital acupoint, then immediately loop back toward the lower left.’

After forcing my weapon to trace the precise trajectory of the Emperor Sword Art that I had thoroughly committed to memory, I extended my bare hand and firmly clamped onto the razor-sharp edge of his blade just as it attempted to return to its defensive pocket.

*SQUELCH—! SPURT—!*

Namgung San’s pristine blade was instantly painted crimson with fresh blood.

The dark fluid erupting violently from my palm heavily drenched both Namgung San’s fine robes and my own attire.

“…You are completely out of your mind!”

While Namgung San stood utterly frozen in pure shock, entirely incapable of even attempting to yank his weapon free, I brought the edge of my own blade directly against the skin of his throat.

*Drip.*

*Drip.*

The crimson fluid pooling from my sliced palm traversed the length of Namgung San’s steel, falling steadily onto the trampled earth below.

“Do you wish to proceed further?”

“…”

Namgung San offered no reply.

His countenance had drained of all color for the very first time, looking entirely blank as if he were completely unable to process the reality of the situation.

In stark contrast, the youthful disciples erupted into a collective frenzy of cheers so intense they looked as though they might lose consciousness from excitement.

This time, the hall masters joined in the celebration right alongside them.

*Waaaaa————!*

*Waaa————!!*