I'd sensed it at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering the other day, but the Namgung Clan was truly devoted to flaunting its power.
The Tang Clan, the Zhongnan Sect, the Eon Clan — all of them had boasted enormous estates.
Each was practically the size of a small town. Seeing this, I instantly understood why Harmony Realm martial artists who ruled such vast forces were so often given the alias of "king."
So what of a clan that had carved the very word "king" into its martial arts?
"…Brother Namgung. I ask purely out of curiosity, but how in the world does one manage a clan of this scale?"
It was vast. So vast, in fact, that even the lowliest servants had trained in a fairly respectable Lightness Skill.
Well, that made sense, really. If you sent someone on an errand and they took forever to arrive, the whole thing would be pointless.
It was truly difficult to comprehend a residence so vast that even the servants had to train in the Lightness Skill.
At this scale, it surpassed the level of a small village—it was as if the city itself was the Namgung Clan.
"How do we manage it? If you're asking about the big and small matters, it's not much different from any other clan. Of course, we do employ more people, and we only accept those who have been thoroughly vetted as retainers."
"That's not what I meant. With this much land and this many martial artists gathered here, wouldn't it be fair to say this is practically a small nation?"
"Ah? Is that what you meant? That, too, is no different from any other clan. After all, any Harmony Realm martial artist has the ability to establish a small nation on the frontier. In truth, how many people one commands beneath them isn't a significant difference from the Imperial Court's perspective."
"Is that so?"
The Imperial Court was, by default, indifferent to the affairs of the martial world. There was no particular reason for it—simply that the previous dynasty, in its attempt to control the martial world, had stirred up all sorts of chaos, and in the resulting weakness, had been overrun and toppled by barbarian invaders.
Afterwards, the martial artists who had come to their senses belatedly, along with the survivors, struggled through all manner of hardship to drive out the barbarians, and then established the current Imperial Court anew.
Official inviolability was both a courtesy granted to the founding meritorious subjects who had stood back-to-back with the throne, and a vow never to repeat the mistakes of the past.
That was why the Imperial Court generally refrained from intervening in disputes among martial artists. It was common sense to remain silent unless the scale grew too large, a great number of innocent civilians were harmed, or clear traces of treason emerged.
Of course, there were always exceptions.
To respond to the Demonic Cult's invasion, the Imperial Court had belatedly joined hands with the Righteous-Unorthodox Alliance.
…Not that it had meant much, since they had died holding hands so amicably.
At any rate, that was the crux of it. No matter how strictly the Imperial Court adhered to the policy of official inviolability, the question remained whether they would try to rein in or even forcibly shrink the Namgung Clan, which wielded such formidable power so casually.
It was not Namgung Jong who answered my words, but Tang So-wol.
"Young hero Cheon. I mentioned this before, but I'm not sure if you still remember. The Namgung Clan is a somewhat special case even among the other great clans."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It means that since the clan actually carries the bloodline of a feudal lord, the Imperial Court has been lenient with them in many ways."
Come to think of it, I had heard something like that before.
That was why they could rule over Anhui Province like kings without facing much opposition…
"Ah, that part is a bit of an exaggerated rumor."
"Pardon?"
At Namgung Jong's casual remark, Tang So-wol's eyes went wide.
"The Namgung Clan is a branch family that split off from the royal house of the ancient Zhou dynasty. It's true that we were feudal lords and that we've governed Anhui Province since very long ago… but that isn't the whole reason."
"Then what made the Imperial Court set aside its suspicions toward the Namgung Clan?"
"Those who know, know—but it wasn't anything difficult. The Namgung Clan simply handed its hereditary martial arts over to the Imperial Court."
"What? You mean the Jewang Geomhyeong?"
"The Changgung Muae Sword Art was handed over as well."
"…"
I was startled, Tang So-wol was startled, and Seomun Hwa-rin was startled too. But Seol Ri-hyang, whose knowledge of the martial world was still lacking, paused mid-surprise and cautiously asked again.
"Huh? Young master Namgung… no, is the Geomryong not bothered by this? I've learned that a family or sect's secret arts are never shown to others carelessly—but to hand them over entirely, even to the Imperial Court…"
Namgung Jong, who had looked disappointed at first upon hearing "young master Namgung," broke into a pleased smile at the mention of "Geomryong" and shook his head.
"What would there be to regret? I said we handed it over, but precisely speaking, we're teaching the imperial grandson the Namgung martial arts—that's a rather honorable task."
"Something like a grand tutor?"
"Something similar. The only difference is that we only teach martial arts."
An instructor of martial arts for the imperial grandson. The Imperial Court wouldn't go around broadcasting the Namgung Clan's martial arts to every corner of the neighborhood, so there was no need to worry much.
Namgung Jong nodded with a proud expression and continued.
"Thanks to this, we were able to expand the clan's scale even further, train in a more abundant environment, and thus draw closer to the tip of the sword—so isn't it a benefit, rather?"
"The tip of the sword…"
Seeing Seol Ri-hyang mutter blankly, Namgung Jong added a brief supplementary explanation.
"It's a fairly well-known story, so I imagine the Ice Sound female hero has heard it as well. The saying that the people of Namgung are never satisfied unless they are the best."
"Ah, yes. And I've also heard the follow-up—that they spare no effort in becoming the best."
"I'm grateful to hear that. At any rate, what I'm trying to say is nothing special. As the Ice Sound female hero said, the people of the Namgung Clan have suffered from a hereditary ailment of never being satisfied unless they are the best—and unfortunately, every single one of them has been bewitched by the sword."
"The sword…"
Seol Ri-hyang, who had been listening blankly, turned her head toward me of her own accord.
"Why? Why are you looking at me with such eyes?"
"I was just wondering if there are more people like you in the world, Cheon Hwi."
"Haha! You're saying young hero Cheon is that obsessed with the sword? I wondered why I felt so familiar with him the moment I saw him—so that was the reason!"
Namgung Jong laughed as if he found it amusing. But I couldn't.
Because the things I had until now brushed off lightly—thinking the Namgung Clan, like other families, simply passed down peculiar traits through blood—were actually far more interesting than I had realized.
I have no desire to monopolize martial arts. I simply want to climb higher and wield a more perfect sword.
I do enjoy receiving attention and praise, but that is, after all, merely one facet of my disposition. What I truly desire has always been just one thing.
I want to see the end of the sword.
From the Imperial Court's perspective, they could treat it as if a new feudal lord had appeared—hand him the Anhui Province region, and he would continue developing advanced divine arts on his own and offer them up. How endearing would that be?
Especially since, if they merely summoned him and offered some praise, he would be greatly satisfied and harbor no other intentions.
Even now, he surely hasn't crossed a line the Imperial Court cannot tolerate, so they must have concluded that simply letting him be was the more advantageous course.
Well, that's only from the Imperial Court's perspective.
As a swordsman, I honestly think it's a bit impressive.
Isn't he essentially saying that the only thing that matters is seeing the edge of the sword?
My estimation of Namgung Jong shoots up, but only for a moment.
Suddenly, a question occurs to me. If the clan head of the Namgung Clan would give up his training and leave his post for something, what on earth could have happened?
"I thank you for broadening this younger brother's horizons. But you mentioned that the Sword King has temporarily left his post—might I ask when he is expected to return? If it isn't too late, I would like to pay my respects before I depart."
"Hm? As for my father, he's just gone out on a light inspection this time. Though calling it an inspection is a bit of a stretch—he's simply taking a tour around Anhui Province. It's been six days since he left, so he should be back within ten days at the latest. I'd very much like to introduce you to him, young hero Cheon—could you wait?"
"Of course. I too have wished to meet the famed Sword King. But I never expected that a Harmony Realm martial artist, of all people, would be the one to tour Anhui Province."
"Well, my father is a man of the Namgung Clan, so it's only natural."
"I see. Of course, the sword is important, but he also fulfills his given responsibilities and duties, which is why he has become one of the symbols of the Orthodox Sects…"
"Since he'd be stifled swinging a sword all day long, he needs to get some fresh air now and then and receive some applause—that's what keeps him breathing easy."
"…?"
Wait, is he saying the inspection is for the sake of receiving applause?
Actually, maybe the Namgung Clan is just a bunch of attention-starved people who happened to be born with Sword Talent.
I walked for a moment, thinking such thoughts to myself.
Namgung Jong arrived before a building that was similar to—or perhaps slightly more lavish than—the one where the Dragon Phoenix Gathering had been held the time I saw it before.
"This is the guest quarters. There are plenty of rooms, so feel free to use whichever you like."
"Thank you. I'll just drop off my luggage and be right back."
"Hm?"
I curled the corners of my mouth into a grin at Namgung Jong, who looked puzzled.
"The reason Brother Namgung invited me here, and the reason I hurried over after finishing my urgent business—isn't it all for one and the same purpose?"
"Th-That's so."
"If I only have ten days at most, wouldn't it be right to treasure even today rather than waste it carelessly…? What do you think?"
"Hmph."
A smile similar to mine hung on Namgung Jong's lips.
"I'm glad I wasn't the only one looking forward to this. Well then, I'll be waiting here, so hurry back. …Next, I'll show you to the training ground."
There had been all sorts of things in between, but in the end, the reason I had come all the way to Anhui Province and headed for the Namgung Clan was just one.
A sparring match.
More precisely, I wanted to get a look at the Namgung Clan's sword.
Well. No matter how much Namgung Jong was the winner of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, called by the alias Geomryong, and praised as the foremost among rising talents, he would still be far below my level.
However, he should be more than enough to properly display the Namgung Clan's martial arts.
As I and Namgung Jong grinned at each other, Tang So-wol shook her head from the side and opened her mouth.
"Hyang-ah. For now, I plan to follow young hero Cheon, but what will you do?"
"Hmm. Shall I come along too? Of course, only if young hero Geomryong permits it."
"Haha! If you are my younger brother's betrothed and his friend, then you are like family and a friend to me as well. Of course it's fine. Since things have turned out this way, how about we take turns sparring with one another?"
"Oh my. That doesn't sound bad at all. Hyang, this will be a great help to you too. After all, you've only recently reached the Peak Realm."
"Oh ho. When I saw you at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, you were still at first-rate level. What on earth happened in the meantime? It seems the saying is true—outstanding people gather around other outstanding people! Isn't that right, young hero Cheon?"
"To hear you say that makes me a little embarrassed. Of course, it is true that Seol Ri-hyang's talent is remarkable."
As the young people chatted and laughed together, building their camaraderie, my gaze drifted to the side and I caught sight of Seomun Hwa-rin, standing alone, idly scuffing the floor with the tip of her foot.
Come to think of it, last time too, she had grumbled about why she kept being called to important gatherings.
"What about you, Senior Seomun Hwa-rin? There's no need for you to come along, so feel free to rest if you'd like…"
"I-I shall accompany you as well!"
"Pardon? But I doubt a sparring match between juniors would be of much interest to someone of your caliber, Senior Seomun Hwa-rin."
"Bah! You drag me along by force all the time, and now you suddenly want to leave me out?!"
"No, it's just that you told me not to summon you last time."
"I have no memory of such a thing! In any case, you will not leave me out! I'll come along, watch a bit, and offer a few pointers if needed—so keep that in mind!"
"…Yes, well. If that is what Senior Seomun Hwa-rin wishes."
I nodded, feeling rather bewildered, unsure of what she truly wanted. And then there was Namgung Jong, who, with the Sword King absent, could be considered the de facto master of the Namgung Clan.
"Ho! To think I could receive instruction from a Harmony Realm martial artist other than my father! Young hero Cheon! This is all thanks to you, young hero Cheon!"
I merely smiled.
Like a man who had succeeded in an investment.