"A Heavenly Martial Body."
Namgung Mucheon's voice echoed low in the grotto.
"It seems you were born with the body of a Heavenly Martial Body."
"A Heavenly Martial... Body...?"
Me?
‘A Heavenly Martial Body?’
A Heavenly Martial Body. As the characters imply, a body for the martial arts bestowed by the heavens. In other words, it referred to a body with the most perfect conditions for learning martial arts.
A balanced physique, the ability to awaken one's energy, unobstructed Meridians, and even the outstanding comprehension needed to understand martial arts. Thanks to this, even with a little training, one's Inner Energy grows by leaps and bounds, their accomplishments in martial arts are outstanding, and the circulation of their energy naturally finds harmony.
It was a blessing bestowed by the heavens, as one was born with everything necessary to learn martial arts.
"The Heavenly Martial Body is particularly suited for learning top-tier martial arts. And the martial arts of the Namgung family seek a higher realm than any other."
Although the heavens were its foundation, it was commonly believed that the martial arts of the heavens pursued a place far beyond. As it was a martial art that originally sought to reign over the highest place, the Namgung's martial arts was an extreme, top-tier martial art that endlessly craved higher realms.
‘But, in my previous life, I wasn't that strong.’
If I had a body that appeared only once in hundreds of years, shouldn't I have become the greatest under heaven? In her previous life, she had neither been lazy in her martial arts training nor had she remained stagnant in her realm. She had strived to become endlessly stronger to bring down the Namgung family.
"I was not the one who opened your minor meridians. They were already open. The murky energy built up due to the Inner Energy unsuited for you was merely blocking the paths. Your acupoints were already prepared to accept inner energy."
In other words, the Blood Energy infused by the Blood Demon had been obstructing her talent. The Blood Arts were not martial arts that sought a high realm, but rather a tyrannical martial art for killing, clawing at, and destroying someone. Therefore, it was bound to be incompatible with Seolhwa’s body.
The fact that she was still able to reach a high realm in her previous life could be seen as a testament to her innate body.
‘I see. I had a Heavenly Martial Body.’
A Heavenly Martial Body... Before returning to the Namgung family, she thought her return would be a great fortune for them. She had intended to make it so.
But now that she was back, she understood.
‘A fortuitous encounter.’
This Namgung family, this choice to return to Namgung. It was the greatest fortuitous encounter of her life.
Woooong...
The energy gathered in her Dantian roared as if in response to her. Although the color of her energy was red, her body was making the Namgung's energy its own faster than anyone else. Some would say a blood-red sky was ominous.
They would scoff, asking if a red sky could even be called a sky. They might even condemn her, asking what great killing intent she must harbor for even the sky to be shrouded in it. But Namgung Mucheon had said.
‘The color of the energy is not important. What matters is what you do with that power.’
Whether the sky was blood-red or clear blue. If one’s will was set upon the heavens, then that itself was Namgung. Seolhwa's will was already in the heavens.
Thus, nothing else mattered to her anymore. There was only the sky.
In the Celestial Tiger Hall, a family meeting was in full swing. It was a grand meeting where all five factions had gathered, with the exception of the absent Family Head. There was only one reason for the urgent meeting.
"It has already been three days since the Plum Blossom Divine Sword arrived! The Plum Blossom Divine Sword is none other than the number one sword of Mount Hua! He is not someone you can meet just because you want to! And yet, such shabby treatment! Do you intend to tarnish the name of Namgung?"
"I agree. Is Mount Hua not one of the great sects? We must use this opportunity to form a relationship with Mount Hua, no matter what it takes."
"No, didn't they say they came to congratulate the Namgung family on a joyous occasion? When on earth will the Family Head and the Young Lady come out of the Celestial Comprehension Cave?"
Chief Steward Namgung Mun was in a difficult position. The elders' opposition had reached its peak. It was already precarious with the Family Head entering the training grotto without a word, but for a guest from a place as prominent as Mount Hua to arrive in the meantime.
Fortunately, they understood the Family Head's absence and agreed to wait, giving them a grace period of five days, but as the elders said, it was not proper etiquette for such an esteemed guest.
‘Of course, it’s highly likely they have other motives...’
It was then.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Someone cleared their throat loudly, capturing the attention of the room.
‘The Elder Council Leader?’
The Elder Council Leader, with his benevolent impression, opened his mouth with a gentle smile.
"There is no need to worry so. Did not the Second Young Master dine with the Plum Blossom Divine Sword just last evening?"
Everyone's gaze naturally turned to Namgung Cheonghae, who had been sitting quietly. The Elder Council Leader asked him, as if for all to see.
"Second Young Master. I heard that the young swordsman the Plum Blossom Divine Sword brought from Mount Hua will be having a sparring match with Young Master Soryong. Is this true?"
"What? Young Master Soryong and the child from Mount Hua?"
"Is it true? Mount Hua accepted it?"
Amid the murmuring in the meeting hall, Namgung Cheonghae smiled softly.
"There is no need to be so surprised. It is merely a lighthearted get-together for the children."
"A lighthearted get-together! I heard that the sects look down on the martial arts of the martial families, so for them to accept a sparring match means they acknowledge our Namgung family!"
"The Plum Blossom Divine Sword did not look down on the Namgung family's martial arts as much as you elders think. The same goes for the people he brought with him."
‘Though perhaps not one of them.’
Namgung Cheonghae recalled the man from Mount Hua named Yu Pyo. When he had invited them for dinner, the look in Yu Pyo's eyes as he said he would ask the Plum Blossom Divine Sword held clear contempt. An arrogant and insolent gaze, as if an annoying bug had latched onto him.
‘He was silent throughout dinner as well.’
He openly showed that he found even being there a nuisance, so it was impossible not to notice.
‘That young one wasn't very polite either.’
So, in reality, the only one with a surprisingly compliant attitude was the Plum Blossom Divine Sword. No, to be more precise, the only one who knew how to hide his true intentions was the Plum Blossom Divine Sword.
"In the first place, did they not come to congratulate the Namgung family on a joyous occasion? If they looked down on the Namgung family, why would they come to us first and extend a hand?"
It was then. — Second Young Master. I have found out. A low mental transmission cut through the noise and reached Namgung Cheonghae's ear.
Namgung Cheonghae's eyes settled into a calm stillness. But it was only for a moment. Namgung Cheonghae smiled once more and looked around at those gathered.
"It seems the time has come for Soryong and the young Daoist from Mount Hua to have their sparring match. I apologize, but I must take my leave."
He clasped his fist towards the room in a disciplined manner and then left his seat. Although the meeting had not yet concluded, no one stopped him as he left the Celestial Tiger Hall. As Namgung Cheonghae's figure crossed the threshold of the Celestial Tiger Hall, the Elder Council Leader's low words were heard.
"Hoho. The First Young Master has no interest in the guests from Mount Hua, but the Second Young Master's heart for the family is indeed deep."
Namgung Mun glared fiercely at the Elder Council Leader and retorted.
"The First Young Master is at the training grotto to welcome the Family Head and the Young Lady."
"Did the Family Head not say it would be at least five days? Today is only the fourth day, so is there a need to be there already? Is that not so?"
When the Elder Council Leader asked the elders back, several of them came forward to support his view.
"That is true."
"Isn't the First Young Master someone who has always doted on his daughter?"
"Still, it's Mount Hua... With the Family Head absent, it's only right that he keeps his place."
"Tsk, tsk. What can you do when the First Young Master only has eyes for his daughter. The Second Young Master has always had a deep heart for the family..."
Public opinion naturally flowed towards praising Namgung Cheonghae and criticizing Namgung Cheongun. The Chief Steward and the Hall Masters had no chance to add a word. They couldn't add anything because, if one were to be technical, the elders' opinions were factually correct.
‘These people who can't say a word when the Family Head is present... They say when the dragon is away, a serpent plays king, and this is exactly that.’
Namgung Mun could only clench his fists, suppressing his frustration.
Kagagak—!
A wooden sword spun, hung— hung— in the air before falling to the ground. Namgung Soryong looked back at his wooden sword that had flown far away with a shocked expression.
"Ah! Oh my! I'm sorry! I was trying to control my strength, but it seems I failed..."
Grit.
Namgung Soryong ground his teeth. He forced his stiff neck to turn and looked back at Yu Kang, who was scratching the back of his head. It was the third time his wooden sword had been sent flying.
It was also the third time he had heard those words of apology. At this point, the malice hidden behind the word 'mistake' was obvious.
"You bastard who doesn't even know basic etiquette!"
Namgung Soryong could no longer hold back and shouted. Yu Kang's face, which had been full of apology, also hardened slightly.
"... Pardon? What is that supposed to..."
"Control your strength my foot! You just wanted to laugh at me from the beginning!"
"... What are you talking about? Why would I laugh at the Young Master and the Namgung family?"
"It's obvious what's in the minds of you sect bastards, full of nothing but arrogance! To use a situation like this just because you're itching to ignore and ridicule the martial arts of a martial family!"
Yu Kang's face grew even colder.
"I'm not sure what Young Master Soryong is talking about. However, weren't you the one who just insulted my sect?"
You sect bastards, full of nothing but arrogance. Yu Kang had not said a single word mocking Soryong, despite his low level of martial arts. On the contrary, it was Soryong who had mocked Yu Kang and his sect.
"If I have done something wrong, I will apologize for it, but I have no memory of doing anything to tarnish the name of my sect."
"Y-You... you idiot! You deliberately knocked my sword away just now...!"
It was then.
"What is all this commotion!"
A scolding voice was heard from the entrance of the Training Ground.