Chapter 68
Like the Clouds (2)
He forgot.
And forgot again.
He danced.
And danced again.
One layer at a time, he peeled away the countless circles stacked before him like a towering wall.
Yet no end was in sight.
From the slowly revolving sword path, innumerable circles continued to emerge.
The distance between them was only seven steps.
Yet within that narrow space, hundreds of sword trajectories filled every inch.
As though refusing to allow Namgung Jun's sword passage.
Even so, Namgung Jun's gaze, now completely dyed azure, never wavered from the path ahead.
The Infinite Step, finally complete in its true sense, empowered his movements.
His steadfast steps were restrained by nothing.
As his feet became freer, the hands gripping his sword moved with equal freedom, as though invisible shackles had been cast away.
Following his endlessly moving limbs, the blade traced long, flowing paths like a shooting star.
It was still the Stacked Cloud Barrier Stance.
Yet it was undeniably different.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
With every strike, the transformed essence of the Stacked Cloud Barrier Stance became increasingly clear.
Even so, he still could not advance.
But neither was he being pushed back.
Hummmm—
A gentle sword hum arose from Namgung Jun's blade.
The sword path gradually settled into stillness and began to align with the Taiji that Jeong Chong was drawing.
The strikes that had once moved slowly in broad curves gradually became faster and more compact.
Yet one thing never changed.
The sword intent remained utterly tranquil.
The Stacked Cloud Barrier Stance bloomed like drifting clouds, releasing layer upon layer of subtle and profound aura.
Jeong Chong carefully adjusted his own sword intent, perfectly receiving Namgung Jun's attacks.
As an added measure, he subtly guided the exchange so that Namgung Jun would not awaken prematurely from his state of selflessness.
Hoh...
Maintaining the invisible domain established through the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword, Jeong Chong's lips parted slightly.
This child...
Now that he was directly facing Namgung Jun's sword while the youth was immersed in selflessness, admiration rose naturally within him.
He had witnessed countless talents throughout his life.
Yet never one like this.
The speed at which Namgung Jun absorbed enlightenment was astonishing.
An ordinary rising expert would have panicked and desperately tried to overpower the situation through brute force.
A few exchanges later, he would have lost control of his sword and been defeated.
Namgung Jun was different.
He accepted the flow completely.
He surrendered himself to it.
And because of that, he had gradually gained the ability to move his sword within it.
His innate talent may truly reach the heavens.
After witnessing only a handful of exchanges, Jeong Chong became even more certain.
The youth before him surpassed every other rising expert present.
At the same time, admiration welled within him.
Though Namgung Jun was not a disciple of Wudang, he was still a rising expert of the Orthodox Path who walked the way of righteousness.
As a senior martial artist, it was only proper to provide a younger generation member with opportunities for growth and enlightenment.
Jeong Chong slowly lowered the hand that had been clasped behind his back.
The Pine Pattern Ancient Sword, which had moved with the leisurely pace of a butterfly descending upon a flower, gradually accelerated.
As its speed increased, Namgung Jun's sword sped up as well.
Elegant arcs spread outward in all directions, drawing great circles one after another.
Namgung Jun's sword became increasingly profound.
The Stacked Cloud Barrier Stance, which had already reached ninety percent completion, underwent another dramatic leap.
Sensing clearly that Namgung Jun had crossed yet another wall, Jeong Chong murmured softly,
“Limitless Heavenly Worthy.”
Within the realm of the soft sword, Namgung Jun's swordsmanship had advanced tremendously.
He had already been said to possess deep attainments in both swift swordsmanship and heavy swordsmanship.
Now his mastery of the soft sword had reached remarkable heights as well.
He was truly walking a path toward complete mastery of the sword.
He has already surpassed Samgyeong's accomplishments with ease.
Jeong Chong could not help imagining it.
If this boy had been a disciple of Wudang, what kind of Taiji would he have drawn?
And what sort of Sword Dao would he ultimately walk in the future?
The two sword paths that had previously only opposed one another gradually began to harmonize.
Clink.
The distance between their blades steadily shrank.
Finally, Jeong Chong's sword and Namgung Jun's sword touched.
The contact was incredibly slight.
Yet it was unmistakable.
As if to prove it, a clear metallic tone echoed softly through the arena like a beautiful melody.
After more than seventy exchanges, the two swords had finally met.
The first true clash between the two martial artists.
Feeling the power flowing through Namgung Jun's blade, Jeong Chong revealed a pleased smile.
“Steady and profound.”
At the very moment the metallic sound rang out, Namgung Jun froze.
His sword remained extended.
The brilliant azure light within his eyes slowly faded behind his eyelids.
He had entered meditation without even changing posture.
Still holding his sword out before him.
Whoosh!
Understanding the situation immediately, Jeong Chong spread a protective qi barrier.
Then he sheathed the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword and sat cross-legged directly in front of Namgung Jun.
The martial artists watching the scene were stunned.
The Sect Leader of Wudang had personally chosen to act as protector for a mere rising expert.
Not only the younger generation but even the gathered sect leaders could not hide their surprise.
A rising expert who had crossed swords with Wudang's greatest sword.
A rising expert who had then received the courtesy of personal protection from the Wudang Sect Leader himself.
At that moment, Namgung Jun's name and title were engraved even deeper into the minds of everyone present.
***
When had it begun?
His memories became hazy somewhere in the middle of the spar.
The only things that remained vividly clear were the new insights he had gained regarding the soft sword—
And the sword shown to him by the Wudang Sect Leader.
Naturally, Namgung Jun gathered the fragmented insights scattered throughout his mind.
He organized everything he had learned about the soft sword and poured it into the Stacked Cloud Barrier Stance.
At the same time, he engraved the Wudang Sect Leader's sword into a corner of his consciousness.
Great Completion... No, beyond even that.
As he reviewed the sparring match through meditation, realization dawned upon him.
The Stacked Cloud Barrier Stance had not merely reached Great Completion.
It had stepped into the realm of Absolute Perfection.
He had never expected to gain such tremendous progress.
The soft sword had always been the slowest aspect of his swordsmanship to develop.
Yet after experiencing the Wudang Sect Leader's sword, he had achieved such a breakthrough.
It was a priceless lesson.
Slowly, Namgung Jun opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Jeong Chong sitting cross-legged before him with his eyes closed.
“Have you properly organized your enlightenment?”
“Sect Leader...”
Realizing what had happened, Namgung Jun immediately offered a respectful bow.
Jeong Chong smiled and shook his head.
“Masters who devote themselves deeply to one field often develop considerable understanding of other fields as well.”
Namgung Jun immediately understood what he meant.
The Sword Emperor of his previous life had been the same.
Though he had devoted himself solely to the Heavy Sword, he had naturally gained profound insights into the principles of the Swift Sword, the Soft Sword, and other branches.
When one constantly contemplates how to increase the power of the Heavy Sword and how to channel that power perfectly into the blade, one inevitably comes to understand many other principles as well.
“However, that kind of understanding, acquired indirectly as a byproduct, has its limits. In truth, there have been many who tried to learn everything at once and ended up stagnating.”
Jeong Chong opened his eyes.
His clear gaze settled upon Namgung Jun.
“But I do not believe that will be your case.”
“And why do you think so?”
“To others, it appears that you are walking many paths simultaneously. But I believe you are walking only a single path.”
Namgung Jun's eyelids lifted slightly.
Jeong Chong's guess was correct.
Heavy Sword.
Soft Sword.
Swift Sword.
Illusion Sword.
He had no desire to be bound by any of those distinctions.
He merely wished to walk a single road—
The road of the sword itself.
“A small difference in thought can create an enormous difference in understanding. I hope that, at the end of the path you pursue, only a single sword remains.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader.”
“Let us meet again someday.”
Still seated in the lotus position, Jeong Chong vanished.
Like a cloud quietly carried away by the wind.
Even after witnessing it with his own eyes, Namgung Jun could not begin to comprehend the movement technique involved.
After sheathing his sword and turning around, he offered a bow to the person waiting behind him.
“I greet the Association Leader.”
“It seems you have gained a tremendous breakthrough.”
“Were you personally standing guard over me?”
Namgung Jun glanced toward the boulder where Hahuseon had been sitting moments ago.
As though noticing the look, Hahuseon winked with his scarred eye.
“One of our Association's disciples was in meditation. I could hardly leave everything to the leader of another sect. Do not concern yourself with it.”
“Thank you.”
Hahuseon lightly patted Namgung Jun's back and began walking beside him.
“You accomplished something remarkable this time. Thanks to you, the Five Great Sword Sects can no longer ignore our Association.”
“When you think about it, it is rather amusing. In terms of strength, legitimacy, or influence, our Association is not inferior to the Five Great Sword Sects in any respect.”
Even if the two peerless masters representing the Changcheon Association could not currently exert their full strength, that fact remained unchanged.
“Indeed. However, the pride of the Five Great Sword Sects stands as high as their mountains. Sometimes reason simply does not work with them. In those situations, you must show them plainly that you are superior.”
“So in the end, it is still the martial world.”
Hahuseon burst into laughter and continued walking with his hands behind his back.
“With accomplishments of this magnitude, you should be able to challenge for promotion to Third Cloud immediately. And naturally, you deserve a substantial reward. Is there something you desire?”
“Would it be possible to receive an Extreme Yang spiritual medicine?”
“Hm.”
Hahuseon was well aware of Namgung Jun's innate Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
“We do not currently possess an Extreme Yang spiritual medicine. However, I have already requested assistance elsewhere, so word should arrive before long.”
“You mean the other organization that secretly supports the Changcheon Association?”
“It seems the Hall Master of the Heavenly Sword Hall told you. Once you become a Third Cloud member, and if the opportunity arises, you will learn more about them yourself.”
Hahuseon gently placed a hand on Namgung Jun's shoulder.
“In any case, I was planning to obtain an Extreme Yang spiritual medicine for you regardless of the reward. As for the reward for this mission, I will consider it further. Surely an Extreme Yang spiritual medicine is not the only thing you need.”
Hearing that Hahuseon was personally seeking such a treasure on his behalf, Namgung Jun lowered his head.
“Yes. I would be grateful.”
“You have worked hard. The rest is my responsibility now, so you may rest.”
“Thank you, Association Leader.”
***
“May I come in?”
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong, who had been meditating together in their quarters, opened their eyes simultaneously.
Sensing that both rising experts had awakened, Hall Master Hamujung of the Extreme Martial Hall entered the room.
“The meeting of the sect leaders has concluded.”
“And what was decided?”
At Baekri Cheong's question, Hamujung slowly began to explain.
“The Three Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Sword Sects, and the Changcheon Association have formed a pact to support one another against any future invasion by the Sun Moon Demonic Cult.”
After hearing that the leaders had personally signed and sealed the agreement, Baekri Cheong released a sigh of relief.
“It is fortunate that the major orthodox sects have finally united their strength.”
Namgung Jun and Hamujung both looked at Baekri Cheong.
A deep sense of regret lingered in his voice, and they could easily guess why.
If such an alliance had been formed earlier, perhaps the Baekri Family would not have suffered extermination.
Quietly, Namgung Jun placed a hand on Baekri Cheong's shoulder.
Feeling the warmth of his younger brother's touch, Baekri Cheong finally smiled and regained some of his composure.
Watching silently, Hamujung continued.
“The contributions of you two were enormous.”
His gaze shifted between Baekri Cheong and Namgung Jun.
“Even this time, the Five Great Sword Sects initially refused the alliance. They were content simply protecting their own mountains and wished to avoid shedding unnecessary blood.”
However, thanks to the Changcheon Association's overwhelming performance during the Iron Token Contest, its influence had increased dramatically, allowing it to support the position of the Three Sects and One Gang.
Furthermore, even the Huashan Sect among the Five Great Sword Sects had begun leaning toward approval.
With that, the remaining four sects had little choice but to accept the pact.
“Still, I wonder whether a pact formed through pressure will truly be honored.”
As Namgung Jun voiced his concern, Hamujung nodded.
“You need not worry. The Three Sects and One Gang, along with the Association Leader, have already taken appropriate measures. The Five Great Sword Sects will not be able to ignore their obligations so easily.”
“Then that is a relief.”
Only after Hamujung delivered the results did it truly feel as though the gathering was nearing its end.
Though the time spent at Songshan had been relatively short, so much had happened that it felt far longer.
But now the mission had been completed successfully.
So it is finally time to return.
Namgung Jun turned his gaze toward the southwest—
Toward the homeland of the Changcheon Association.