Chapter 64
Eve of War (4)
It had been four days since Namgung Hyuk returned to the Namgung Clan.
During the day, he taught Namgung Hwarin the martial art of the Emperor’s Invincible Thunder Sword (Jewang Mujuk Geomroe), and at night, he spent his time training within the “Room.”
“Now, you’ve got a rough grasp of the sword paths and the footwork, right?”
“Umm… I think so, but… it’s really difficult.”
Namgung Hwarin sat down, looking troubled.
“Difficult?”
Hyuk frowned slightly. He thought he’d simplified the techniques, but apparently, even that was hard.
“Watch carefully.”
He demonstrated again.
After his duel with Namgung Hwang, Hyuk had recognized his shortcomings and refined the Emperor’s Invincible Thunder Sword, perfecting it further.
Its true power was revealed when used together with the Heavenly Thunder Energy (Cheonroe-gi), but even those who had mastered the Namgung Clan’s internal energy arts could draw out considerable strength from it.
“Make the sword feel heavy, but when you swing it, step through the sword paths swiftly. Like this!”
He moved, showing each stance and transition in perfect harmony.
As Hwarin watched him, her mouth fell open in amazement.
‘Every time he steps, the center of his balance shifts!’
By controlling the weight and timing through Jingak (震脚)—the “shocking step”—he was harmonizing weight and speed within the blade.
Hwarin understood the principle, but imitating it seemed impossible.
She had never encountered a martial art so profound in all her training.
‘To think my brother actually created a sword technique this deep… he’s incredible!’
He was even taking the time to personally teach her—she couldn’t give up.
Determined, she got up again and continued following his guidance with fiery focus.
An hour passed before they finally ended their session.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Yes!”
She looked exhausted, but her face shone with satisfaction.
At that moment, Hyuk’s gaze turned toward the wall beyond the courtyard.
‘It’s been noisy for a while… could it be new movements from the Evil Alliance (Sado-ryeon)?’
He decided to end today’s training there.
“Alright, review what you learned today and keep practicing whenever you can.”
“You’re leaving already?”
“I think I need to check on the unit.”
“…If that’s the case, I understand.”
She reluctantly let him go, hiding her disappointment.
Leaving Hwarin behind, Hyuk headed straight to the guest quarters where the Vermilion Bird Unit (Jujak-dan) was stationed.
As expected, everyone there was busy, rushing about.
“Good timing.”
Lee Jaryong spotted Hyuk and waved him over.
Hyuk approached him quickly. “Has the Evil Alliance arrived?”
“Yes. A carrier pigeon from the Beggars’ Union just came—our scouts report their vanguard has entered the Anhui region.”
Hyuk’s eyes hardened slightly.
So it had finally begun.
Just then, Jegal Lin emerged from the main hall.
She looked slightly worn out—understandably so, after attending meetings nonstop these past few days.
‘I heard that ever since she joined, the disorganized chaos within the clan’s operations was completely fixed.’
Her results had earned her significant influence within the clan council—even as an outsider.
Hyuk was quietly grateful for her efforts.
“….”
When Jegal Lin saw Hyuk standing beside Lee Jaryong, the fatigue faded from her eyes, replaced by a sharp glimmer.
Then she approached him directly.
“I’ll need you to escort me.”
Within the Namgung Clan, there were rarely situations requiring an escort.
For her to say that now…
‘Does she intend to let me in on their upcoming plans?’
He couldn’t be sure what she was thinking, but he didn’t mind the request.
“Understood.”
And so, Hyuk followed Jegal Lin.
As they walked toward Changryong Hall, where the strategy meeting was to be held, Hyuk asked,
“Care to tell me why you’re bringing me along?”
“Because I believe you’ll be a key figure in determining the outcome of this war. It’s best that you understand the greater situation.”
“In other words, your strategy depends on me?”
“….”
Jegal Lin didn’t answer.
Hyuk was curious about what kind of plan she was crafting, but the chance to ask disappeared as they arrived at Changryong Hall.
Returning here again—this same hall where he had first been summoned after regaining his past life’s memories and awakening—felt strange.
Standing behind Jegal Lin’s chair, Hyuk glanced around at the other attendees.
‘Not just the key members of the Namgung Clan, but also the leaders of allied sects are here.’
Then he felt a piercing gaze. Turning, he found Namgung Sogang staring at him.
‘Still holding a grudge, huh?’
Even after all this time, he hadn’t let it go.
Hyuk simply ignored him and looked elsewhere.
‘That bastard!’
Sogang trembled with anger, but Hyuk didn’t care. He was more interested in who wasn’t there.
‘The young clan leader isn’t attending again.’
Even now, as the Namgung Clan faced an unprecedented crisis, Namgung Mugang, the acting clan head, was nowhere to be seen.
People within the clan had already begun speaking ill of him behind his back.
But Hyuk, who knew the real reason for Mugang’s downfall, could only feel bitterness.
In his stead sat Namgung Jin.
‘Namgung Jin.’
It was the first time Hyuk had seen him since the final round of the Chang-gung Martial Festival.
After suffering qi deviation during that match, Jin had reportedly secluded himself for recovery.
Now, his face was leaner, his features sharper.
But what caught Hyuk’s attention wasn’t his appearance—
‘His energy… he’s improved tremendously.’
Through sheer, brutal training, Jin had broken through to the Supreme Master (Chojeoljeong) level in just a few months.
When their eyes met, Jin was the first to bow his head slightly in greeting—something unthinkable before.
Hyuk’s gaze softened in response.
At that moment, a voice rang out:
“The Clan Lord enters!”
Everyone rose as Namgung Hwang entered and took his seat at the head of the table.
“Be seated.”
Once the room quieted, Hwang began.
“As you all know, the self-proclaimed Evil Alliance has crossed into Anhui.”
A heavy tension filled the room.
The once-abstract notion of war had suddenly become a grim reality.
“But there is no need to fear. Just as we defended Anhui against the demonic sects in the past, the Namgung Clan shall protect this land again.”
His words restored some confidence among the gathered leaders.
When he finished, the strategy meeting began in earnest.
First, Namgung Wol, the head of the clan’s intelligence division, Heavenly Flight Pavilion (Cheonbigak), stepped forward to brief them on enemy movements.
“The enemy has absorbed several sects along their march, significantly bolstering their numbers. We estimate their forces at roughly ten thousand.”
The hall erupted in shock.
“Ten thousand?”
“That’s a massive army!”
In the martial world, a battle involving even a few thousand was rare—ten thousand martial artists was staggering.
“At that scale, even the government should be taking notice.”
“For reasons unknown, the authorities are turning a blind eye to the Evil Alliance’s march.”
“What?!”
“I heard one of the border princes—King Wu—has been bribed into cooperation.”
The atmosphere grew restless.
Namgung Hwang raised his hand. “Let the Pavilion Master continue.”
The murmurs ceased.
“The enemy’s main strength is divided into two major groups: the Assassination Corps of the Black Path Palace, and the Soul-Slaying Squad (Sahondan) of the Heaven-Subduing Fortress (Paechunseong).”
Everyone knew the terrifying reputation of the Assassination Corps, famed for their human butchery.
But the Soul-Slaying Squad was an unfamiliar name.
“The Heaven-Subduing Fortress operates in secrecy—even the Beggars’ Union has little intelligence on them. Originally, that fortress consisted of four ‘Divisions’ and seven ‘Squads.’ Among them, the Blood Wind and Blood Sword Divisions are the best known.”
“I thought they’d send one of those. So they’re underestimating us?”
A few murmured angrily.
But the real concern wasn’t the number of enemies—it was the presence of super-masters.
A single peak master could equal a hundred warriors in power. Their movements could alter an entire strategy.
“Among them, we’ve confirmed the presence of Wind-Slaying Blade Demon Gu Jinmo, leader of the Assassination Corps, and Blood Calamity Asura Sa Mokcheon.”
The audience stayed calm. Those names were expected.
But when Namgung Wol spoke the next name, the atmosphere changed instantly.
“Also… the Twin Elders of Sun and Moon (Ilwol Ssangno).”
“Them? They’re still alive?”
“This is bad…”
Together, those two could rival even a grandmaster who had entered the realm of Fire Enlightenment (Hwagyung)—a terrifying combination.
Namgung Wol continued cautiously.
“It’s likely they’re meant to counter our clan’s Sword King, should he appear on the battlefield.”
“…”
It made sense.
Who would dare ignore one of the Ten Martial Supremes?
But the Sword King—Namgung Bi—had long since retired.
“This is not my battle to fight,”
he had said.
“I hope the younger generation will overcome this crisis on their own.”
He had not left his secluded residence since, and Namgung Hwang respected his father’s decision.
“Fortunately, the enemy’s massive size slows their advance. They’ll need at least ten more days to reach us.”
But Hwang had no intention of waiting.
He turned to Jegal Lin.
“As you advised, it’s best to strike while they attempt to cross the Huai River.”
“Yes.”
To reach Hefei from the south, the enemy would have to cross that river.
Jegal Lin had argued that defending the city would be less effective than intercepting them mid-crossing.
Under her direction, all local boats had been seized, and scouts had identified the most likely crossing points.
“Based on our findings, this is the spot they’re most likely to use.”
She stood and pointed to a narrow section of the river on the map—the water was calm and shallow enough for rafts to cross.
Namgung Hwang rose from his seat.
“The main defense of the estate will be left to the Elders’ Council and the Chang-gung Sword Division. Everyone else—prepare to march.”
“Yes, Clan Lord!”
The command of the Namgung patriarch had been given.
And when the clan lord speaks—
no one disobeys.
