Chapter 79

Great Expansion Sword Formation (1)

Bang!

Slamming both fists onto the table, Dan Jungse, Master of the Iron Tower Hall, rose to his feet and shouted,

"So the time for the combat assessment has finally arrived! This time, I'll claim the title of strongest among the Ten Halls!"

"Oh? Iron Tower Hall Master, you seem quite confident. But my hall hasn't been idling away either."

As Dan Jungse and Ha Mujung locked eyes, their gazes flashed with fierce light.

The faint aura emanating from the two grandmasters caused subtle friction in the air.

"It has been quite a long time since all ten Hall Masters gathered together."

"Someone of the Sword Lord's stature should naturally be present for an occasion like this. Has there been any news regarding him recently?"

The Master of Myeongyeon Pavilion, who oversaw the Society's intelligence network, shook his head.

"He remains in secluded cultivation. At this rate, I expect he will be absent even on the day of the combat assessment."

A year ago, during the Qinghai mission, the Righteous Heaven Sword Lord had clashed directly with the highest echelon of the Sun Moon Demonic Cult.

Immediately afterward, he entered closed-door cultivation.

Officially, it was said to be for consolidating his insights and attainments, but in truth, recovery from his injuries appeared to be the greater priority.

As a result, it had been quite some time since any of the Hall Masters had seen him in person.

"...I wonder how much the Sword Lord has recovered."

"All we can do is trust that he's taking care of himself. Though, considering what an eccentric he is, that itself is a little worrying."

At the comment from Zhuge Muran, Master of the Divine Mechanism Hall, the other Hall Masters could only nod reluctantly.

When it seemed the conversation had run its course, Kang Mong spoke again.

"Since all ten halls must return to the headquarters in time, notices will be sent out immediately after today's meeting."

"Which halls are currently deployed the farthest away?"

"The Gwangsi Hall and Seonghong Hall are carrying out missions in Sichuan Province."

"Fortunately, none of them have gone as far as Qinghai. We shouldn't need to worry about delays."

Watching Zhuge Muran casually stir the air with his iron fan, Gang Gok, Master of the Sect Hall, spoke up.

"Regardless of the other regions, it'd be best to clean up the situation around Anhui Province before the assessment begins. Is there anywhere that may require intervention from the Ten Halls beforehand?"

Flipping through a report, Kang Mong continued.

"The movements of the Iron War Camp have been unusual. The Akan Branch in Jiangxi Province is currently conducting an operation related to the Sun Moon Demonic Cult. There is a possibility the Iron War Camp may interfere."

"Depending on the situation, the Ten Halls may have to become involved."

Listening to the discussion, Lee Seha raised a hand.

"If it's the Iron War Camp, the Heavenly Sword Hall will probably have the easiest time dealing with them."

Gang Gok nodded.

"The Heavenly Sword Hall has clashed with them numerous times. They'd certainly be the most suitable choice."

Kang Mong agreed.

"I'll send word to the Heavenly Sword Hall as soon as the situation develops. Hall Master, please prepare for deployment."

***

Usually, the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall spent their days scattered throughout the hall grounds, cultivating individually or engaging in sparring matches.

Today, however, every single member had gathered at the training field.

It was time for group training.

Whenever a sufficient number of members assembled, the Heavenly Sword Hall trained in a sword formation derived from the Great Expansion Sword Art.

The formation was known as the Great Expansion Sword Formation.

At present, every member of the hall—including the Hall Master—had returned from their assignments.

Naturally, the day's schedule had become formation training.

While individual missions were common, the Ten Halls frequently found themselves facing major sects and powerful organizations throughout the Jianghu.

As a result, group deployments were also common.

This training existed to prepare for those occasions.

Sword formations... come to think of it, I've never really had the opportunity to practice one.

Namgung Jun had been constantly occupied and never found the proper timing to participate in formation drills.

Of course, while cultivating the Great Expansion Sword Art, he had also studied the manual of the Great Expansion Sword Formation.

But actually executing the formation alongside others was another matter entirely.

"Our youngest member is already a Third Fortune, yet he's never participated in formation training."

"The Heavenly Sword Hall has focused heavily on individual missions lately. Besides, the Hall Master has been taking mission after mission herself."

"Hehe. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask!"

The senior swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall laughed as they looked at Namgung Jun.

Naturally, they all knew that his martial prowess already surpassed their own.

But individual training and group training were fundamentally different.

When training alone, a martial artist needed only concern himself with his own body.

Formation training was different.

One had to broaden one's awareness, constantly sense nearby allies, and synchronize one's rhythm with theirs.

Because of that, most martial artists found the process awkward at first.

Especially highly talented swordsmen, who often found formation training restrictive because it required them to coordinate with others.

The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen assumed Namgung Jun would be no different.

"Formation deployment!"

With Lee Seha absent due to the meeting, Gong Junam took command of the Great Expansion Sword Formation.

Though it was Namgung Jun's first formation exercise, his status as a Third Fortune earned him responsibility for one of the formation's key pillars.

Naturally, that position demanded far more attention than standing in the rear ranks or occupying an ordinary formation point.

Depending on how the formation evolved, he needed to master new methods of aura control, footwork, and sword trajectories while simultaneously coordinating with those around him.

Yet Namgung Jun swung his sword as though he had already undergone formation training countless times.

Far from stumbling through his first exercise, he was actively observing the members under his responsibility and correcting their movements in real time.

Hm? He's handling formation training skillfully too? Most people are awkward at first.

Every time I see him, I'm reminded he's a monster.

He's completely blended into the formation. His aura flows naturally. At this level, he could practically command the formation himself.

The swordsmen around Namgung Jun could not help but marvel.

He had not been placed in a rear position where beginners normally stood.

Instead, he had been entrusted with one of the central pillars of the sword formation—a role usually reserved for veterans.

Taking responsibility for a formation's core during one's very first training session was extraordinarily difficult.

The Heavenly Sword Hall had produced many talented swordsmen over the years, yet every one of them had begun on the outer edges of the formation and gradually worked their way inward.

Yet from the very beginning, Namgung Jun had occupied a key position and blended into the formation without making a single mistake.

He moved with the ease of someone who had participated in formation training many times before.

The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen had initially intended to correct and advise him whenever he made a mistake.

However, they never even found an opportunity to open their mouths.

Instead, it was Namgung Jun whose lips moved constantly.

"Man Yewon. That isn't how you execute the formation."

"Huh? Isn't this correct?"

"There's no meaning in blindly copying the manual. A formation is a living organism. You must synchronize with the people around you. Expand your awareness further and make it more precise."

His ability to immediately notice and point out Man Yewon's mistakes seemed completely natural.

It was the sort of behavior one would expect from a veteran who had spent years in the Heavenly Sword Hall.

"He really is our youngest member."

"To think he's this skilled even with the Great Expansion Sword Formation. This isn't something you can master simply by reading a manual."

"Experience matters more than talent here, yet he's handling it effortlessly. It's almost frightening."

Praise poured in from every direction.

But Namgung Jun was thinking about something entirely different.

When I only read the manual, I didn't think much of it. But now that I've experienced it firsthand, it's more disappointing than I expected.

This formation has far more flaws than I realized.

Or perhaps "incomplete" was a better word than "flawed."

The Great Expansion Sword Formation simply did not satisfy him.

There were numerous areas that needed improvement.

It still possessed enormous room for growth.

The urge to modify it made his hands and mouth itch.

Thump!

The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen simultaneously stomped their feet and came to a halt.

The formation exercise had concluded.

During the short break, the swordsmen naturally gathered around Namgung Jun.

They were curious how someone participating in formation training for the first time could perform so well.

Perhaps they might even learn a useful trick or insight.

"Youngest brother, formation training is completely different from individual cultivation, yet you adapted immediately."

"And you were giving advice to everyone around you the whole time. That means you had plenty of spare attention."

"Do you have some unique secret? I'm curious."

The Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen freely asked whatever came to mind.

Some asked about adapting to formation training.

Others asked deeper questions regarding aura control and the mechanics of the formation itself.

Namgung Jun patiently answered them.

He knew that such discussions would greatly benefit his fellow swordsmen.

After answering several questions, he finally voiced something he himself had been wondering.

"I have a question as well."

"Oh? A question from our youngest member? That's a first."

"Ask anything."

It was exceedingly rare for Namgung Jun to ask questions.

The swordsmen immediately perked up and listened intently.

Each looked ready to answer before the others could.

Namgung Jun nodded and spoke.

"The Great Expansion Sword Formation is vulnerable on its flanks. Furthermore, every time it transitions between sword patterns, openings appear during deployment. It seems those weaknesses could be corrected by adjusting both sword trajectories and aura circulation. Is there a reason that wasn't done?"

Contrary to his expectations, nobody answered immediately.

Several veterans scratched their heads before finally speaking.

"Hm? Is that so? I've never noticed."

"Interesting opinion. I've always thought the Great Expansion Sword Formation was extremely balanced between offense and defense."

"Point out the exact sections."

Namgung Jun immediately retrieved the manual and drew a diagram in the dirt with a stick.

"Here. During the position exchange between the First Unit and the Third Unit that forms part of the Great Expansion Sword Formation, a flank attack would collapse the formation completely."

"Now that you mention it, there have been times when moving the formation felt slightly unstable."

"To compensate, the veteran responsible for the formation axis must react dynamically according to the situation. But relying on that alone makes the formation's stability extremely unreliable."

After finishing his explanation, Namgung Jun looked at the surrounding swordsmen.

Only now did they seem to understand.

They exchanged glances.

"Huh? I think I've vaguely noticed that a few times myself."

"What? Then why didn't you say anything?"

"I assumed my understanding of the formation simply wasn't deep enough."

The veterans scratched their heads awkwardly.

After observing their reactions, Namgung Jun spoke again.

"May I revise the Great Expansion Sword Formation?"

At his straightforward proposal, nobody answered.

Several veterans turned toward Gong Junam.

Whenever Lee Seha was absent, Gong Junam usually handled important decisions within the Heavenly Sword Hall.

But even Gong Junam could not answer immediately this time.

After a long moment of consideration, he finally spoke.

"We'll ask the Hall Master when she returns."

At that very moment—

Lee Seha, having just finished the meeting, entered the Heavenly Sword Hall.

"What's this? Why is everyone slacking off?"

Rather than answering, every swordsman turned to look at Namgung Jun.

Naturally, Lee Seha's gaze followed.

"Jun? What's going on?"

Namgung Jun rose and approached her.

"Master. There is something I'd like to discuss."

In his hands were the manual of the Great Expansion Sword Formation and a brush.

Seeing them, Lee Seha's eyes immediately filled with curiosity.

"What's Jun about to show me this time?"