Chapter 248 – Troublesome Guest (3)

The Sword Emperor, Namgung Cheon, came to me early in the morning to challenge me to a duel.

He was the loser of An Hwi-sung and the head of the Namgung Clan, renowned as the greatest swordsmen in the world.

A person like him, without even a single servant or bodyguard to run errands for him, had the audacity to come all the way from Gwangdong Province to a rural village in Hahbuk Province, lying even about his purpose, just to challenge me to a duel?

What nonsense!

But guess what? It actually happened!

…I can’t believe it.

“Are you really here to duel with me, all the way to this place, Sword Emperor?”

“Yes, I am. Ah, please refrain from using excessive titles. I have already recognized myself as a master who has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. As much as I respect the master, I hope the master also respects himself.”

A person who claims to respect me comes and challenges me to a duel out of the blue?

Has the meaning of respect changed without my knowledge? Or is this some kind of twisted joke?

I was momentarily taken aback, but soon I could understand everything just by looking at Namgung Cheon’s face.

Even though he must be over 40 and close to 50, his eyes burned with the desire of a young boy.

He’s sincere. Namgung Cheon really came all the way here because he genuinely wants to cross swords with me.

There is no other impure reason behind it.

I know very well that Namgung Se-ga is obsessed with swords.

I have ears too, so I can hear the rumors that circulate, and even if I didn’t, didn’t I meet Namgung Se-ga’s son, Namgung Hyeok, the owner of the cattle farm, at the Yongbongji Society?

So I thought I knew very well… but it seems like they are even crazier than I thought.

I stepped back with a puzzled expression.

“…Come inside for now.”

“Hmm.”

***

White rice, a modest amount of vegetables, and side dishes made with green onions and pork.

It’s a fairly well-prepared meal, but considering the people here, it’s a simple table.

Namgung Cheon, who was sitting in front of it, looked around and asked with a puzzled voice.

“This doesn’t look like a training ground.”

“Well, there’s no training ground here. If we want to duel, we have to go outside and find a separate place.”

“How can a master’s house not have a training ground…?”

Namgung Cheon made a shocked expression as if he had been stabbed by poisonous claws, just like a deceived frog.

Seeing him so surprised, I put the utensils I received from Hong Yeon-hwa in front of each of us and spoke.

“In the past, the front yard was enough. Actually, even now, if we restrain ourselves a bit, there shouldn’t be any problems… But I assume the Sword Emperor doesn’t have such intentions?”

“Of course not.”

Namgung Cheon nodded firmly. Yes, that’s right.

“However, before the duel, let’s have a meal first…”

Namgung Cheon glanced around for a moment, his gaze wandering. Naturally, during the process of bringing Namgung Cheon into the house, I briefly explained the situation to the other women and exchanged greetings with them.

In other words, Namgung Cheon knows very well that there are only me and my women here.

He alternated his gaze between the table and the dishes that were brought in by Paeng So-so, who appeared with the table. Then, with a sudden realization, he hastily changed the subject.

“Of course, the duel is important, but we should prioritize the meal. We won’t have strength if we don’t eat.”

He’s not completely oblivious, it seems.

Paeng So-so grinned at Namgung Cheon’s awkward drift.

“Please enjoy. If you need more, just let me know.”

“Hmm. I’m really grateful for such a generous treat.”

Despite his words, Namgung Cheon seemed a bit gloomy.

…

…

…

Usually, during a meal, we engage in various small talk or discuss the plans for the day. In Hong Yeon-hwa’s case, she would also share any martial arts techniques she discovered from the Heavenly Emperor’s Swordsmanship or any secret techniques she received from Myeongwoljin that she thought would suit us.

However, with Namgung Cheon here, that’s not possible.

Naturally, the topic of conversation revolves around Namgung Cheon.

Whether there’s a guest or not, Hong Yeon-hwa continues to happily pick and eat meat with a blissful expression, just like usual. She lightly sways her upper body like a metronome, expressing the deliciousness with her whole body.

But suddenly, Hong Yeon-hwa stops in her tracks.

“Come to think of it, I never heard why someone as renowned as the Sword Emperor wants to duel with my husband. Can you tell me the reason?”

When we first heard that Namgung Cheon came all the way here to challenge my husband, my women were shocked or annoyed, but not anymore.

As soon as Hong Yeon-hwa asks the question, Namgung Cheon looks at us with an expression full of interest.

…So, in the end, it’s me who will be dueling? We’ll see about that later.

While I silently vow revenge in my heart, Namgung Cheon, who momentarily puts down his utensils in response to Hong Yeon-hwa’s question, slowly opens his mouth.

“It was when I heard about the Sohyeong from Hyeok. It was during the time of the Yongbongji Society, before I even received the title of Baekgeomseong or Samjaegeomryong.”

“The Yongbongji Society, you say?”

“Yes. Hyeok is a child who is not only more talented than me, but also at that time, I was confident that I could win the championship.”

But Namgung Hyeok lost to me.

“I was a little worried because it was the first defeat I had experienced… but he was smiling as brightly as when he first learned the sword.”

“He said that he realized that the swords he knew were not everything, and that he was delighted to be able to see the sword with new eyes.”

Strange… At that time, I was riding the momentum of a brief enlightenment and struck with force.

As I tilt my head in confusion, Namgung Cheon chuckles and provides additional explanation.

“I didn’t know that a sword filled with such conviction could be so heavy.”

Ah, I can guess.

The enlightenment I gained at that time was the method of embracing the sword with the mind.

In other words, it was the utilization of the sword within the mind, the original function of the Myeongwoljin’s martial arts.

Recalling all the memories related to the sword, I can only be confident in reproducing the most perfect posture, the strike that was flawless.

“From the moment I heard that story, I had the thought of inviting Namgung Se-ga to the Sohyeong.”

The direct descendants of Namgung Se-ga generally show a tendency to be obsessed with the sword.

Perhaps it’s because of the martial arts that are passed down only within the direct lineage… Anyway, as a result, they tend to neglect their human relationships.

No matter how obsessed they are with the sword, people are still people. Loneliness eats away at the heart, and in severe cases, it can lead to debauchery.

That’s why what they need is someone who understands them.

“I wanted Hyuk and Sohyeong to become close enough to have such a relationship. If necessary, I even thought of personally teaching them… I just didn’t expect him to leave the island so soon.”

Right. At that time, as soon as my body recovered, I received the Yamyongju from the Wulin Mengju and headed to Mosanpa.

By the way, Hong Yeon-hwa quite liked the Yamyongju I received back then, so I still keep it carefully.

Sometimes, when I’m bored, I take it out in the middle of the night and giggle to myself.

“After hearing the news that you were staying in Paengga, I thought about sending a letter, but I stopped myself, thinking that you were focusing on your closed-door training and refraining from going out. Understand. You must have wanted to concentrate on your training.”

Hmm, Namgung Cheon nods, agreeing.

In fact, at that time, after accepting the Samamang and being fully immersed in the training of the Ilwolsungsin Circulation Technique.

…Is this considered training if anything?

“Anyway, after that, just as I was eagerly planning when to invite you, the Great Duel began.”

As Namgung Cheon mentions that, the corners of his mouth start to curl up.

“And I saw it. Sohyeong, engaging in a life-and-death battle with Samaryeonju all by himself!”

He must be reminiscing about that time. Namgung Cheon’s voice grows more excited as he recalls the past.

“Samaryeonju’s martial arts were incredibly fierce, but undoubtedly strong! There must have been a reason why Danggaju and Jegalgaju were defeated! If I had fought against Samaryeonju, I would have had to prepare for death!”

As Namgung Cheon reminisces, looking at the empty air, he suddenly turns his gaze towards me.

“However, Sohyeong defeated Samaryeonju in a one-on-one battle! A young man who still resembles my son! A martial artist who has just refined his inner energy! He defeated Samaryeonju, and with a sword no less!”

Did he really need to emphasize the sword part…?

Ignoring my brief confusion, Namgung Cheon’s eyes sparkle as he continues speaking.

“I still can’t forget the sight of that moment! The sword shining so brightly! The intense aura that made my skin tingle!”

“R-really?”

“Yes! It was a simple and basic sword, but that’s what made it pure! The feeling I vaguely sensed was modest, yet genuine!”

He’s really putting it on thick.

But it seems like everyone, except for me, understands what he’s saying. My women nod vigorously, as if they can relate.

What the hell? Why do you all understand each other?

Finally realizing that my gaze is a bit uncomfortable, Namgung Cheon coughs awkwardly.

“Ahem. Anyway, to summarize, I wanted to spar with a martial artist who has achieved a different level of enlightenment than me. But the shamans and volcanoes never agree to duels, no matter how much I request.”

“…Isn’t that to be expected? If you were to fight against the Sword King, it would be a battle of the highest level. If you win, that’s great, but if you lose, you have too much to lose. That goes for Namgung Se-ga as well.”

“They’re saying the same things as our family elders. That titles like ‘The Greatest Swordsmanship in the World’ are more important than martial arts…”

I don’t think you can call titles like ‘The Greatest in the World’ just a label.

It seems like the staff on that side are really struggling.

Even when they were trying to give me a nickname, they desperately tried to attach the title of Sword King, which was practically a relic of Namgung Se-ga, to me.

Anyway, as expected, Namgung Cheon came here out of pure curiosity about my sword. He wanted to experience it properly.

To be honest, I’m a little curious too.

I, who cannot grasp the essence of the sword, and Namgung Se-ga, who wants to contain everything in the sword.

I felt it during my duel with Namgung Hyuk at the Yongbongji Society, but Namgung Se-ga’s sword is the complete opposite of mine.

Not to the extent of Namgung Cheon, but as a martial artist myself, I can’t help but be interested.

With Hong Yeon-hwa here, there’s no need to worry about any unexpected accidents.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I nodded and replied.

“Alright. Once we finish eating, let’s find a suitable place right away.”

“Oh, thank you, Sohyeong!”

Namgung Cheon’s face brightens up, and seeing that, I suddenly become curious about something.

“But speaking of which, if there are other martial artists walking a different path than me, aren’t there people who are even more amazing than me? Like Yeonhwa here.”

“Cheonmashingong is a martial art that deviates from the traditional path in many ways. And Hong Yeon-hwa has reached the pinnacle of it, the complete enlightenment.

It’s the state that every martial artist dreams of.

I wonder if she’s aware of it herself. Hong Yeon-hwa assumes a subtly triumphant posture, as if she’s ready to receive praise at any moment.

But strangely enough, Namgung Cheon’s expression turns somber, as if the admiration he had just moments ago was a lie.

“Cheonma is a great martial artist. But she doesn’t use a sword, does she?”

“…Huh.”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s face falls slightly.