Chapter 175: Signs of War (1)

The banquet had ended.

Late at night, Namgung Musan received a message and went to see Namgung Chan.

His younger brother, Namgung Il-jun, and Namgung Yong-ho were already there.

‘What could be the reason at this late hour?’

Suppressing his curiosity, he took a seat, and Namgung Chan immediately asked, “Musan.”

“Yes, Father.”

“How much did you see of Yun-ho’s sword today?”

‘Is it about that?’

Having already spoken about it, Namgung Musan answered without difficulty.

“He has considerable skill. Most notably, his eye for openings is exceptional.”

Detecting a flaw in an instant is not something easily done.

“He has clearly put in a lot of effort.”

“Is that all?”

“Indeed, he seems to have become quite talented. I believe he has grown to a level worth acknowledging.”

“It would have been better if the family had recognized his talent earlier.”

This was the regretful part.

“You mean his age.”

“Yes. Yun-ho’s age is a problem when it comes to learning advanced martial arts.”

At twenty-one, it is too late to start learning new martial arts.

‘Ideally, one should start learning family martial arts before the age of ten.’

The more difficult the martial art, the earlier it should be learned before the bones and muscles harden.

Preliminary training is necessary to make the body suitable for martial arts.

‘As one ages, impurities accumulate in the body, making it difficult to gain internal energy.’

This is why Namgung Yong-ho was hastily designated as the young master.

To allocate resources to a confirmed genius rather than a child with no potential.

“That’s as far as you saw.”

However, Namgung Chan’s response was somewhat unsatisfactory.

“Did I miss something?”

“There was no problem with the instructor’s sword.”

“What?”

Then how could a weak branch cut through a sword imbued with internal energy?

“It wasn’t cut through force.”

Namgung Chan continued with deep admiration.

“He read the opponent’s move and precisely identified the flow of internal energy. In essence, he severed the grain of the sword energy.”

Cutting through a piece of wood is difficult, but splitting it along the grain is easy.

“Are you saying he read the move and the flow of internal energy in an instant and severed the weak point?”

“Exactly.”

“That’s impossible!”

Namgung Musan couldn’t believe it.

Reading the flow of martial arts and severing the weak point is something only a grandmaster can do.

‘Even I have yet to reach that level.’

He urgently asked, “Was Yun-ho not without talent?”

“Perhaps we judged too hastily.”

Namgung Chan stroked his white beard.

“If he were dull, how could he grasp a principle that even I barely understood in my later years?”

Namgung Chan’s eyes shone intensely.

“Tell me honestly. Did you know about this?”

Namgung Il-jun felt a chill as his father’s cold gaze fell on him.

For a mere disciple to easily counter an instructor’s attack was far beyond what he had imagined.

“Th-that is…”

Namgung Yong-ho intervened to defend him.

“Grandfather, isn’t the important thing now to turn Uncle’s attention elsewhere?”

“Y-yes, Father. We must first win Yun-ho’s heart.”

“You’re right.”

Namgung Chan turned to Namgung Musan.

Seeing his son’s bewildered expression, he lowered his voice.

“As the head of the family, what do you think should be done?”

“If it is true, then we must ensure the family secures his talent.”

“Now you’re speaking my language.”

Satisfied, Namgung Chan drove the point home.

“It was just one move, but it was enough to gauge his talent. Though his age is a flaw…”

Having earned the name of Sword Saint, Namgung Chan was not easily surprised.

Yet his grandson’s growth was astonishing.

“We cannot let such talent go to waste.”

“I will do whatever it takes to bring him back to the family.”

“Are you confident?”

Namgung Musan answered without hesitation.

“There is nothing impossible before the name of the Namgung Clan.”

***

*Step. Step.*

The person who emerged from the bamboo forest stopped at the sight of the ruins beyond.

“Is this… the Nameless Manor?”

The Nameless Manor, ravaged by slaughter, looked desolate.

The once grand pillars lay broken and scattered, and the once neat walls were damaged and crumbling.

“Ha. This is unbelievable.”

Seeing the Nameless Manor devoid of life, the Eight Heavenly Apostles gritted his teeth.

“Who dared to do this?”

As his anger surged, red sparks ignited around him.

*Fwoosh!*

The sparks turned into a massive pillar of fire, shooting towards the Nameless Manor.

*Boom!*

*Boom boom!*

*Fwoosh!*

The remaining ruins crumbled and were consumed by the flames, as the Eight Heavenly Apostles trembled with rage.

“You there.”

“I greet the Eight Heavenly Apostles!”

As a figure in black approached, he asked, “What happened here?”

“The Nameless Manor was attacked by unidentified assailants.”

“What were the ones we planted in Suzhou doing?”

“T-they…”

The figure hesitated before reporting.

“Not only the Nameless Manor but everything we had in Suzhou has disappeared.”

“Everything… disappeared?”

“Yes. Everything we had near Suzhou has been erased.”

People, supplies, even gold.

“Even the scouts were taken out.”

At these words, the Eight Heavenly Apostles’ face contorted.

“Ha!”

Hahaha!

Laughing maniacally at the sky, he stopped, his eyes blazing with anger.

“Who did this?”

“We don’t know yet.”

“You don’t know.”

Smoke began to rise from the figure’s body.

“Argh!”

*Fwoosh!*

In an instant, the smoke turned into flames, engulfing the figure.

“Mercy!”

The flames consumed the figure, leaving a charred husk.

“Hmm!”

As he looked for another target.

*Swish swish swish.*

A red shadow formed from the mist in the air.

“Apostle.”

Even though he recognized his loyal subordinate, the Eight Heavenly Apostles’ killing intent did not subside.

The heat from his clothes made the blood figure quickly bow and report.

“The Awakening Stone is moving.”

“…!”

The intense heat finally subsided.

“Where is the Awakening Stone heading?”

“Here, to Suzhou.”

“Suzhou?”

“The information comes from our informant in the Murim Alliance. The Awakening Stone is definitely coming here.”

And.

“The Heavenly God of the Azure Sky has appeared in Suzhou.”

“!”

Hearing this, the Eight Heavenly Apostles let out a sinister laugh.

“The Heavenly God of the Azure Sky, that old man?”

The old monster who rarely moves.

“Even a rotting fish has some value, huh? Maybe the Namgung Clan was behind the Nameless Manor incident.”

“There’s no evidence of a connection yet…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Cutting him off, the Eight Heavenly Apostles laughed menacingly.

“Despite having the power to overturn the world, hiding in the shadows was a mistake.”

If there’s suspicion, just burn it all.

*Fwoosh.*

The Eight Heavenly Apostles, with flames flickering around him, declared.

“No more hiding. First, I’ll turn the name of the Sword Saint to ashes.”

The Eight Heavenly Apostles’ killing intent burned intensely and fiercely.

“Summon all of the Red Flame Squad.”

It’s time to burn everything in Suzhou.

Starting with Suzhou, it’s time to set the world on fire.

“I’ll burn it all in a grand spectacle.”

*Fwoosh.*

Flames roared around his entire body.

***

The inspector from the Inspection Department was a familiar face.

“We meet again.”

The man with the rat-tail mustache was someone he remembered well.

‘The guy who came to the swamp, nagging.’

He was the one who had come to declare his luxurious and comfortable residence an illegal structure and tried to demolish it.

Tensing up, he was surprised when the man spoke amicably.

“Don’t be so wary. I’m not petty enough to bring up past grievances.”

Scholars always have a way with words.

‘The problem is their scheming behind the scenes.’

Seeing he didn’t lower his guard, the inspector whispered.

“Actually, it was quite satisfying. Senior Instructor Eo Jeong-geun was a troublesome person.”

“A troublesome person?”

“He was always under investigation for bribery and favoritism, but we could never find concrete evidence.”

“Ah.”

“He also looked down on us non-martial inspectors.”

It was ironic that Eo Jeong-geun’s personality, which had made many enemies, was now helping him.

“Karma.”

“Indeed. Getting rid of the second most troublesome person feels like pulling a bad tooth.”

“Haha.”

Laughing, Instructor Cho Un-hwi subtly nudged him.

“Then, can you help me out?”

“Didn’t I mention?”

The inspector shrugged and narrowed his eyes.

“You’re our number one target.”

“……”

“We haven’t forgotten about the swamp incident.”

Petty man.

‘I really dislike scholars.’

Instructor Cho Un-hwi grumbled.

***

*Buzz. Buzz.*

After the Inspection Department meeting ended, the inspector emerged at dusk.

Looking exhausted, the inspectors scanned the faces of those gathered and took their seats.

“Now, we will announce the disciplinary measures discussed.”

*Tap tap.*

The inspector tapped the table with a small wooden block and spoke.

“Euncheon Hall Instructor Geum-san…”

*Gulp.*

All eyes turned to the man standing on the far right.

He was an instructor from Euncheon Hall, called in because he was involved in the incident.

‘He’s the one who stabbed Eo Jeong-geun in the stomach, right?’

The disciplinary action was announced.

“Instructor Geum-san is charged with assaulting Senior Instructor Eo Jeong-geun. He is suspended for one year and his monthly salary is halved.”

“This is unfair!”

The man shouted, pointing at Instructor Cho Un-hwi.

“He! He! If he hadn’t thrown the senior instructor. It wasn’t intentional!”

The inspector firmly drew the line.

“The suspension takes into account that it wasn’t intentional. If it had been intentional, the minimum penalty would be expulsion and imprisonment.”

“Ugh.”

“Next!”

The subsequent disciplinary actions were all severe.

‘Hurting a colleague means at least six months of probation.’

Some were expelled for excessive force or mishandling the situation.

The number of people with devastated expressions increased in real-time.

“Finally, Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi!”

His name was called.

‘Please, innocent. Please, innocent.’

As he prayed silently.

“Ugh, that guy.”

“At least imprisonment.”

“No, I bet he’ll be imprisoned and have his tendons cut.”

Curses flew from all directions.

*Tap tap.*

“Quiet! Quiet!”

The inspector tapped the table again to calm the room and shouted.

“The disciplinary action for Temporary Instructor Cho Un-hwi is…”

After a brief pause, the inspector declared loudly.

“No disciplinary action!”

What—?

Not only the disciplined but even the spectators blinked in disbelief.

“That’s impossible!”

Cries of outrage erupted from all around.