“Haa… haa…”
Namgung Jipyeong, the Squad Leader of the 11th Red Dragon Squad, couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, the memory of his crushing defeat in the sparring match with the child came flooding back, leaving his chest tight and making it impossible to fall asleep.
In the end, Namgung Jipyeong threw off his bedding, picked up his sword, and headed to the training ground. He thought that swinging his sword might help clear his mind. But— Whoosh— Whoom— ‘I saw the attack.
But I couldn’t block it.
Why?’
Unconsciously, he was replaying yesterday’s duel over and over again. The child’s movements, the path of the sword, his own weaknesses—all of it came back vividly as he repeated the duel again and again.
Crack! Thud!
His wooden sword broke, and Namgung Jipyeong collapsed to the ground.
“Haa… haa…”
Only after the wooden sword he had swung all night broke did Namgung Jipyeong stop. It was only then that he accepted it.
‘I can never beat that child.’
Judging by the energy he felt, he might have more Inner Energy, but he could never defeat that child. Even if they fought using Inner Energy, the result would be the same. Because he realized that the gap between them wasn’t due to Inner Energy.
‘Experience. It’s the difference in experience.’
Namgung Jipyeong looked down at his hands, blistered and torn from swinging the sword all night. He was a distant branch of the Namgung family, born in a remote countryside village far from the main house.
He had come to Hefei relying only on the Namgung name, learned the Namgung sword, and barely managed to step into the world of martial artists. But just having the Namgung name didn’t make him the same as the others.
As a distant relative with no backing, no matter how hard he tried, he could never escape the rank of a low-level squad member. Even when he was clearly a step ahead in swordsmanship, it was always someone else who got promoted to Inner Hall warrior.
It took him a long time to realize why, and even longer to accept that reality. His dream of rising high as a member of the Namgung family was fading more and more with each passing day. Maybe that’s why— ‘Everything the child said was right.’
He had gradually grown lazy in his training, and that led to yesterday’s defeat. A humiliating defeat where he had to kneel multiple times, unable to beat a mere child. Yesterday’s loss was partly because the child was skilled, but mostly because he himself had grown weak.
“I really have become pathetic.”
At some point, he had grown complacent with his position as an Outer Hall warrior. He thought it was enough to be better than the other Outer Hall warriors in swordsmanship. That mindset had ultimately made him a loser.
“Ugh.”
Namgung Jipyeong stood up. It was almost dawn. Too late to go back to sleep.
He decided to swing his sword a bit more until morning roll call. He was heading down from the sparring platform to get a new wooden sword to replace the broken one when— “Huh…?” Namgung Jipyeong stopped in his tracks.
At the bottom of the stairs of the sparring platform stood the child he had crossed swords with yesterday. He hadn’t sensed his presence at all. Caught off guard by the unexpected appearance, Namgung Jipyeong stood frozen for a moment before hurriedly cupping his fists in greeting.
“I greet you, young hero.”
Ilhwa blinked in surprise at the overly formal greeting.
“There’s no need to be so formal. Please treat me casually, like yesterday.”
“Yesterday… I apologize. I mistook you for a newly arrived troublemaker and acted rudely.”
“I think I was the one who acted rudely.”
Instead of clearing up the misunderstanding, they had ended up crossing swords. And in front of everyone, he had been forced to kneel. If anything, he was the one who had suffered.
“I’m Ilhwa. May I know your name, Namgung warrior?”
“I am Namgung Jipyeong.”
“Were you training?”
Ilhwa glanced at the sparring platform as he asked.
“Yes. The sword exchange with you kept replaying in my head, and I couldn’t resist picking up my sword.”
“It kept replaying in your head?”
Namgung Jipyeong scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“It was frustrating. I don’t mean to belittle you, but losing to a child without even landing a hit was quite humiliating.”
Ilhwa was quietly surprised by his words. Though he spoke with an awkward smile, admitting defeat in front of the one who had crushed him was no easy thing. Especially since Ilhwa was just a thirteen-year-old child.
And yet, this Namgung warrior was openly acknowledging that he had lost to a child.
“So I was swinging my sword to clear my thoughts. What brings you here so early in the morning, young hero? Were you planning to train?”
“I was just out for a walk. I happened to hear a sound while passing by the training ground and came to check. I ended up watching your training without meaning to. I apologize if that was rude.”
“Not at all. It’s an honor to be watched by someone more skilled than me. So… did you notice any improvement compared to yesterday?”
“Yesterday, it felt like you were swinging your sword just for the sake of swinging it. But today, it looked like a sword meant to face an enemy. Were you thinking of someone specific?”
At those piercing words, Namgung Jipyeong flinched. Ilhwa didn’t miss that small reaction.
“That someone was me, wasn’t it?”
“I… I’m ashamed.”
Namgung Jipyeong lowered his head deeply. Not only had he lost, but he had also said it was frustrating and imagined the child as his enemy while training. He wished he could crawl into a hole and disappear.
“What’s wrong with that? It’s better than a dead sword.”
“…!”
“From now on, train with an opponent in mind. Whether it’s me or someone else. Unless you learned the sword just to look cool, the sword is a tool meant to face someone.”
The sword Namgung Jipyeong had used yesterday wasn’t one meant for an enemy. He had simply memorized the Namgung sword techniques as movements. But today’s sword was different—it was a sword meant to cut down an enemy.
Though it was still a bit rushed and overly forceful, it was much better than yesterday.
“Since we’ve met like this, may I dare ask for another sparring match?”
“I’d like that too, but my arm is like this.”
Ilhwa rolled up his sleeve to show his arm wrapped in bandages. It was his left arm, the one that didn’t hold the sword, so he could spar if he really wanted to. But thinking of the Medicine Hall Master who would surely throw a fit, he decided against it.
Namgung Jipyeong was startled.
“You’re injured?”
“By accident.”
“Are you alright? Did you receive treatment?”
“The Medicine Hall Master of Namgung took care of it.”
“Ah…”
Namgung Jipyeong nodded as if realizing something.
‘So he really isn’t an ordinary child.’
If the Medicine Hall Master, not just any physician, had personally treated him, then he must be someone important to the family.
“That’s unfortunate.”
He had hoped to cross swords again if possible, but now he had to swallow his disappointment.
“Your guidance has been a great help to me. Thank you once again.”
“I’m glad it helped. Once my arm heals, we’ll have another chance to cross swords.”
“Will you be staying in Namgung for a while…?”
“Well… if possible.”
If he was acknowledged as a child of Namgung and the hidden message was resolved, he would likely stay. If neither happened, he might leave as soon as today. Namgung Jipyeong’s face brightened.
Even if the child was young, there weren’t many chances to learn the sword from someone stronger than oneself. In a place where everyone received the same training, it was natural to treasure any guidance that could help one take a step ahead.
“Then, may I ask for your guidance while you’re here?”
Just from crossing swords once, the energy in his sword had changed. If he could learn from this child, he might be able to look toward a higher level. Namgung Jipyeong instinctively knew.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a martial artist.
“Just watching over my training would be more than enough! If you’re willing, even just while you’re here…!”
“Sure. That’s fine.”
At the cheerful reply, Namgung Jipyeong’s expression turned dazed.
“R-really?”
“Yes. I don’t mind watching. But… would it be alright if I choose the training location?”
Namgung Jipyeong quickly nodded.
“Of course! Then, where…?”
“Come to the training ground at the Heavenly Guest Room tomorrow at the hour of the rabbit (5–7 a.m.).”
“T-the Heavenly Guest Room…!”
Namgung Jipyeong gasped. He had thought the child was unusual, but the Heavenly Guest Room…! Then this child must be the honored guest staying at the Heavenly Guest Room who had stirred up the entire Namgung household!
The very guest the elders of the family were so eager to learn more about! The child he thought might help him improve his martial skills could very well be someone who would change his entire life. Realizing the identity of the golden rope that had descended before him, Namgung Jipyeong’s mouth hung open.
The child smiled brightly at him.
“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”