Chapter 56: Forced Choice (2)

Namgung Yun-ho looked at the young man standing before him, his posture elegant and refined, a stark contrast to his own rough edges.

Little Sword Dragon, Namgung Yong-ho.

His younger brother, who carried the weight of the clan’s expectations.

Perhaps that was why Namgung Yong-ho’s face was devoid of any worry or anxiety.

“Brother! It’s been years!”

Namgung Yun-ho smiled as his brother greeted him cheerfully.

“Yes, Yong-ho, it’s been a while.”

“Haha, I never thought we’d be apart for so long when you entered Dongcheon Hall.”

“Neither did I.”

His brother, who had once been so small, was now almost as tall as him.

“Are you back for good?”

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s about time. You’ve done enough. It’s time to give up.”

He was happy to see his brother all grown up, but the lack of warmth in his voice stung a little.

Namgung Il-jun interjected, “Yong-ho, how’s Euncheon Hall?”

Namgung Yong-ho’s cheerful expression vanished.

“It’s… underwhelming.”

“I’m sure it is. You’ve surpassed their level.”

“The students are so weak. A few of them are decent, but that’s about it. It’s a waste of time, even if it’s just for acclimation.”

Namgung Il-jun chuckled, enjoying his nephew’s complaints.

“Haha, Yun-ho, did you know your brother earned the nickname ‘Ten-Second Slayer’ at the midterm exams?”

The Ten-Second Slayer.

It was a fearsome nickname, implying that he could defeat anyone within ten moves.

And what about him?

‘The Ghost of Dongcheon Hall.’

His brother was still far ahead of him.

“Ten-Second Slayer… it’s not that impressive, considering the low level of competition.”

Namgung Yong-ho seemed dissatisfied with his nickname.

“The students are weak, and even the instructors are starting to bore me. Uncle, do I really have to stay in Euncheon Hall?”

“Even the most talented students have to spend at least a year in Euncheon Hall for acclimation. It’s like how ordinary students have to go through Dongcheon Hall.”

Namgung Il-jun’s voice was sharp, his words clearly directed at Namgung Yun-ho.

Namgung Yong-ho, oblivious to his uncle’s intentions, continued, “Brother, Jegal Tan is called the ‘Instructor Slayer,’ right? I can understand why. It must be frustrating to be taught by someone from a nameless sect.”

Namgung Yun-ho replied in a flat voice, “I see.”

“What about you, Brother? I heard Dongcheon Hall is even worse. You’ve been there for a while, so you must know.”

What kind of answer was he expecting?

Namgung Yun-ho knew, but he spoke his mind, as always.

“Dongcheon Hall is a cradle. A cradle where the weaklings of the Murim grow.”

“There might not be any famous or powerful people there, but there are still things to learn.”

“If you’re lucky, you might even meet a kind soul who will feed you warm porridge.”

“I consider it a blessing that I was able to enter Dongcheon Hall.”

Namgung Yong-ho chuckled.

“That’s so dramatic! Hehehe.”

“I’m just speaking from experience.”

Namgung Il-jun interrupted their conversation.

“Alright, that’s enough catching up. Yong-ho, you should go and rest. The branch family members will be visiting tomorrow to pay their respects, so you need to be well-rested.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Namgung Il-jun watched his nephew leave with pride, then turned to Namgung Yun-ho.

“You, stay here. We need to talk.”

***

After Namgung Yong-ho left, an awkward silence filled the room.

Namgung Il-jun finally spoke.

“Yong-ho is already one of the most talented students in Euncheon Hall. He’s expected to be promoted to Geumcheon Hall next year.”

“Is that so?”

“It usually takes two or three years, but he’s on track to break the record. He’s incredibly talented, and his achievements are unparalleled.”

“I see.”

Namgung Il-jun was frustrated by his nephew’s indifferent responses, but he kept his composure and said, “You understand what you need to do now, right?”

“…”

“I’ll be blunt. Leave the Shinmu Academy today.”

“…”

“I respect your decisions, but the clan comes first. You’re the older brother. You shouldn’t hold your brother back, even if you can’t help him.”

“…”

Namgung Il-jun raised his voice slightly as he saw his nephew’s silence.

“This is your last chance. I know this might sound forceful, but it’s for your own good. I’ll find you a good master, in recognition of your efforts.”

“A better master than the instructors in Dongcheon Hall?”

“Of course. I guarantee it.”

Namgung Yun-ho’s lips twitched slightly at his uncle’s confident reply.

‘He finally understands.’

But his hopes were dashed.

“I refuse.”

“What?!”

“I’m rejecting your offer.”

Why?

Namgung Yun-ho’s voice was calm and steady.

“Nothing you can offer is of value to me.”

“You… you… do you have any idea what you’re throwing away?!”

Namgung Il-jun was furious. All his efforts had been in vain.

“I’m giving you one last chance. Think carefully about my offer!”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

Namgung Il-jun slammed his fist on the table and stormed out of the room.

Namgung Yun-ho closed his eyes and folded his arms, his expression unreadable.

***

As the sun set, lanterns began to illuminate the streets.

People finished their work and headed to taverns and restaurants, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

It was a peaceful scene.

“Hmm, hmm~”

Cho Un-hwi hummed a cheerful tune as he walked.

“I wish every day could be like this.”

He had a full purse and a carefree life.

“All I need now is a wife.”

Perhaps he would bump into his wife during the break?

He smiled at the thought, then tried to remember her preferences.

“Now that I think about it, she liked ‘older men’ who were ‘instructors,’ but she also liked ‘fateful encounters.’”

He remembered one particular incident that had brought them closer.

‘It was when she was being chased by Gu Luma-gun from the Five Poisons Sect.’

Gu Luma-gun, the leader of the Five Poisons Sect, had mastered the “Poison Demon Art.”

The Poison Demon Art allowed the user to emit poisonous Qi from their hands. Anyone who was struck by it would suffer from festering wounds and eventually die.

Gu Luma-gun had already mastered the technique and had slaughtered countless experts from the Sichuan Tang Clan.

He was notorious for his cruelty and his unstable personality. He wouldn’t let the Star of Salvation, the hope of the righteous Murim, escape his grasp.

He had lured her to the Swallow’s Cliff, a narrow canyon, and trapped her there.

‘I heard she had a rough time.’

She had been so traumatized by the experience that she had nightmares for a long time.

He didn’t know the details.

At the time, they were sworn enemies, not lovers. He hadn’t cared.

But there was one thing he had done that he considered to be the best decision of his life. He had rushed to Swallow’s Cliff as soon as he heard about Gu Luma-gun’s movements.

He hadn’t gone there to save the righteous Murim.

They were enemies, after all.

He had been motivated by something else.

– That bastard betrayed me?

He had discovered that Gu Luma-gun, who had always pretended to be loyal, was actually a mole for the Heavenly Destruction Society.

He had been so enraged that he had lost his mind.

– You treacherous bastard! Just you wait!

He had been trying to maintain a dignified persona at the time, so he had probably yelled those words in a refined manner.

He had charged into Swallow’s Cliff and attacked the Five Poisons Sect members.

“Why did the Sect Leader get here?!”

Why?

He had come to crush their skulls, of course.

“Run! The Blood Demon is on a rampage!”

The Blood Demon?

He was the lord of all demons, the ultimate source of evil.

He was the one and only.

His memories of what happened next were hazy.

“Argh! S-save me!”

He had crushed them with falling rocks, blown them up with boulders, and smashed their skulls one by one.

The canyon was filled with blood and gore.

Gu Luma-gun, his face pale with fear, rushed towards him.

“M-My lord, please listen to me!”

“I’m listening.”

He had ripped off Gu Luma-gun’s arms.

“Argh!”

He had gouged out his eyes.

“Do you think you can get away with just talking?”

He had crushed his jaw.

“Gah!”

He had knocked out all his teeth, just in case he tried to bite his tongue and commit suicide. He could still talk with just his tongue.

But Gu Luma-gun had died from the shock.

“Tsk, what was he going to say?”

He had ripped off Gu Luma-gun’s head and tossed it over the cliff.

‘Ah, that’s not important.’

her martial arts skills had been weak at the time, and he had been consumed by rage, his mind clouded.

But he remembered one thing clearly.

“I’m glad you’re here.” his lover had said.

He was certain now.

“If I could just bump into her again, I could easily win her heart.”

He was no longer consumed by rage, and he could approach her with kindness.

Perhaps she would even fall in love with him at first sight.

He felt a thrill of excitement at the thought.

“Hehehehehe.”

What should he do?

What if she fell in love with him at first sight? His imagination ran wild, picturing their confession, their marriage, their grandchildren visiting them with their spouses.

Only his grandsons would visit.

His granddaughters would stay with him forever.

“I can’t wait.”

He chuckled.

Then, his smile vanished.

“Hmph, what a buzzkill.”

He saw a figure lurking in a dark alley ahead.

A cold smile spread across his face.

***

“Is that him?” Yeom-gwang whispered, his eyes gleaming in the darkness.

“Y-yes, Brother,” a voice replied.

“Tsk, he’s just a kid. I can’t believe I had to come all the way here to deal with a brat like him.”

“Don’t underestimate him. He’s more cunning than he looks…”

“He’s only a threat to someone like you.”

Yeom-gwang couldn’t argue with the man’s dismissive tone.

He was far too powerful.

“This is an insult to my reputation as the Ten-Step Swift Sword.”

The Ten-Step Swift Sword, Ju Gyeom.

He was a master swordsman who could kill anyone within ten steps with a single stroke of his blade. He was one of the top five experts in Euncheon Hall.

His skill was impressive, but what truly intimidated Yeom-gwang was his temperament.

“It’s a shame about the opponent, but at least I’ll have a chance to draw blood. A swordsman’s blade should never be dry.”

He was a ruthless man who enjoyed bloodshed, and he was a seasoned expert who had recently been active in the Murim world.

“Instructor Ju, we should avoid bloodshed. If he’s seriously injured, there will be an investigation.”

Ju Gyeom grumbled, “Tsk, he’s lucky. If this were the real world, I would have killed him without hesitation.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

The other Euncheon Hall instructors chimed in.

“We’ll just break his limbs.”

“How about crippling his dantian?”

“We could carve a few scars on his face.”

But Ju Gyeom was still dissatisfied.

“It’s not enough.”

He licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.

“He’s coming.”

Yeom-gwang placed his finger to his lips, and they all pressed themselves against the wall.

He peeked out cautiously.

The target was approaching.

Fifty paces.

He saw the annoying bangs.

Thirty paces.

He saw the smug face.

Twenty paces.

He heard the soft sound of a sword being drawn.

And then…

A tremor shook the wall.

Yeom-gwang was startled.

‘What was that?’

Another tremor.

And another.

The tremors grew stronger and more frequent.

Ju Gyeom frowned.

“What’s that noise?”

“He’s running away!”

Had they been detected?

The target had turned and was fleeing.

“After him!”

The Euncheon Hall instructors, who had been hiding in the shadows, hesitated for a moment.

It was a fatal mistake.

The wall behind them exploded, and a giant fist emerged.