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After the Yongbongbimu competition, the Murim Alliance held a grand banquet for the participants.
The heads of the Gupaebang clan, the heads of the five major clans, the big shots of the merchant world, and influential people from each region attended the banquet.
Most of the people who are said to be successful in the martial arts world are gathered here.
But today’s main character was different.
“I’m sorry. It took me a while to get back because I was treating my injuries.”
As the great man entered the banquet hall with a pale face, everyone’s attention was immediately focused on him.
‘Huh. Looking at it up close, he looks younger.’
‘He’s a top-notch expert at that age…’
‘I will become the best in the world within 10 years.’
‘I definitely need to get my face painted today.’
People attending the banquet whispered and exchanged messages with their neighbors.
The world of martial arts is ultimately a world where only the strong are recognized.
Countless unmanned people train hard every day to become stronger, sometimes even risking their lives.
The best in the world.
To claim that title.
And the winner of the Yongbongbimu was the young man closest to becoming the best in the world in the future.
‘Look at the change in their eyes.’
Daein felt that the gazes looking at him were like those of fans looking at an idol who appeared at a concert hall.
Of course, there were occasional looks of displeasure, but most of the time, it seemed like they were desperate to at least say a word to the person.
Thud thud.
The man slowly walked to the center of the banquet hall. He straightened his back and hung the Changcheonshin Sword, which he had received as a prize, on his waist.
‘That’s the Heavenly Sword.’
‘The sword used by the Emperor…’
Originally, weapons were not allowed in the banquet hall, but the Murim Alliance deliberately asked the leader to bring a sword, considering the symbolism of the Heavenly Sword.
The leader of the martial arts world, Yulgi, welcomed the great man.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel much better thanks to the elixir you gave me. Thank you again.”
The man politely accepted the lottery ticket.
The afterlife of being unable to eat and drink anymore was about to end in a few days.
Yul-gi smiled happily. He also smiled in public and treated the person more kindly.
“Would you be so stingy with such an elixir for the sake of the divine being of the martial arts world?”
“That is too much praise.”
“Excessive modesty is worse than not doing anything at all. Is there anyone here who doesn’t admire this young man’s martial arts?”
When the leader of the martial arts world looked around and asked, everyone laughed and shook their heads.
The man just smiled awkwardly. But his face had looked quite pale since a while ago.
Yal-gi, who had been observing the great man’s complexion, sent a message.
[It seems like your injuries are worse than I thought. Are you okay?]
[Yes, it’s bearable···.]
Even the sound seemed difficult, so the martial arts leader’s face became worried.
But he didn’t tell me to go in and rest right away.
Because the main character of the banquet cannot be left out.
[It might be hard, but please light up this place for a few hours. I’ll give you another elixir later.]
[thank you.]
The man answered with difficulty. Thanks to that, he was able to take one more free elixir in addition to the one he had taken into his pocket earlier.
“Oh, it seems I’ve been keeping you for too long. The looks on your faces are unusual… Then, enjoy the banquet.”
[And I’ll give you one more gift later, so look forward to it.]
‘gift?’
Yul-gi stepped back with a subtle smile.
As soon as the leader of the martial arts world stepped aside, the people who had been waiting for their turn approached the man one by one and greeted him.
“Chivalry Sword! I saw the swordsmanship well.”
“When did you start learning martial arts?”
“Are you seeing a woman?”
In the martial arts world, people who fart often do so in order to somehow gain the favor of the people.
Even though it was obvious, I didn’t feel too bad. In fact, I felt quite good.
‘Come to think of it, this is my first time taking first place in a competition.’
The man secretly enjoyed the feeling of being the winner, but outwardly he continued to maintain a humble and polite attitude.
As the famous martial artists of the martial arts world passed by, the later ranks of the elites came rushing in.
“Im Dae-hyeop. Would you like a drink?”
“Oh! I got here first!”
“Excuse me, can I call you Uncle?”
The later indices held the great man in high esteem as an idol.
The men had already taken the man as their leader, and some of the women were secretly flirting with him.
“Brother!”
When I turned my head at the sound of a sharp voice, I saw Namgung Hyeon walking towards me with his eyes wide open.
As Namgung Hyeon approached, the women slowly retreated.
Namgung Hyeon unfortunately met Cheongun in the quarterfinals of Yongbongbimu and was eliminated.
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However, just based on the skills she showed at that time, she was evaluated as the strongest among the female reviewers.
She had arrived at the banquet before the grand master.
“Are you having fun?”
Namgung Hyeon shook his head and sighed at the elder’s words.
“I’m so out of my mind. I can barely remember people’s names.”
Although not as much as Daein, Namgung Hyeon also received a lot of attention. This was due to his skills as well as his status as the successor to the extinct Geomhwang clan.
The Murim Alliance did not officially acknowledge the fact, but did not deny it either.
The man sent her a message.
[As I said before, you stay here and rebuild the Geomhwangmun Gate.]
[Brother···.]
After much thought, Daein decided not to take Namgung Hyeon and Jin Noin to Earth.
They will stay here and rebuild the Geomhwangmun Gate.
‘It’s a shame I can’t take my martial arts teacher with me, but if I think about the future, this is better.’
Instead, the Sword Masters will act as a branch of the Murim Guild in cooperation with the White House Guild.
[Brother···.]
Namgung Hyun, with moist eyes, looked at Daein. She knew that Daein would soon leave the Murim Alliance.
[I will never be able to repay the favor I received from you, even if it takes me a lifetime.]
The man gave her new life and helped her regain her true name, which she had been hiding.
Namgung Hyun could grant whatever the person asked for.
‘But, Brother, you won’t ask for anything···.’
As expected.
[Then let’s make the sect bigger. Then, we can continue to do business here later.]
[Yes. I will definitely revive the Sword Emperor Gate with my own hands!]
The man smiled and patted Namgung Hyeon on the head. His face had gained weight and had a better complexion than when they first met.
‘This is the taste I’m raising a child for.’
The man suddenly had that thought, then lowered his hand, wondering what was going on.
‘I developed a strange habit because of the kid.’
Namgung Hyeon looked at the master’s hand with a look of regret.
That was when.
“Hey! Are you feeling better?”
The owner of the bright voice heard from behind was the shaman, Cheongun.
The future best swordsman in the world, who will one day be called the Taegeuk Sword Master.
Cheongwoon, who had arrived at the banquet before Daein, pushed his way through the crowd and approached the two.
Cheongun said with a mischievous smile.
“The two of you are standing together, and they look like a painting. Did I disturb you?”
After the finals, Daein and Cheongun decided to talk and stay friends. It was Cheongun’s suggestion, who was a few years older.
As Namgung Hyeon and Cheongun approached, the other later indices slowly gave way.
Cheongun frowned when he saw the man’s face.
“I was the one who lost in the duel. Why do you look so much worse in person?”
The man shrugged and said.
“It seems the internal injuries were worse than expected.”
“···Oh, that. Is that okay?”
“I think I need to get some rest. As you can see, right now is not the time for that.”
As the man spoke, he glanced around briefly.
His gaze stopped for a moment in one place.
A place where the heads of the five great families, including Namgung Se-ga, gather.
The head of the Namgung family was standing next to Namgung Jeongcheon with a serious expression. The way his lips moved seemed to be sending a message to Namgung Jeongcheon.
Namgung Jeongcheon’s expression also became serious.
‘I guess you went home.’
The old man, who had been laughing, looked back at Cheongun and spoke.
“Your last attack must have been so brutal.”
Cheongun scratched his head.
“I’m sorry. It was my first time handling a sword, so I guess I wasn’t good at controlling my strength.”
If misheard, those words could be interpreted as meaning, ‘I am stronger than you,’ so Cheongwoon immediately corrected the misunderstanding.
“If you hadn’t been considerate, one of my limbs would have fallen on the stage.”
People who were listening nearby exclaimed, “Wow!” The reputation of the sword of righteousness was growing without end.
‘Your child is even doing cute things that you didn’t ask him to do.’
The man spoke, suppressing the corners of his lips that were about to go up.
“If you’re sorry, please be nice to Hyun in the future.”
“Haha. Isn’t that something I should be asking for? Haven’t you heard the rumor that there are men lining up outside Gaebong just to have a word with Lady Namgung?”
Namgung Hyun blushed at those words.
“···You are being too joking.”
“Haha! That’s not excessive at all.”
The other reviewers looked at the three people who already seemed friendly with envy.
The man thought.
‘I’ve built up a reputation to this extent, and I’ve become close with Cheongwoon much faster than I expected.’
He did not attend this banquet simply to enjoy himself.
I decided to use this opportunity to build up my reputation as much as possible in preparation for the future and to build connections with people who would one day become big names in the martial arts world.
Oh, and one more thing.
Tingling.
The man felt a warm gaze from behind him and snickered. He knew who it was without even looking.
‘You’re starting to feel like shit.’
***
While attending the banquet, the gentleman acted as if he was seriously injured.
And there was someone who was watching that scene steadily.
“Congratulations. That was a great performance.”
The man turned around at the sound of a voice coming from behind him.
A middle-aged man with a kind face and gentle smile.
Namgung Jeongcheon was walking towards me.
“Thank you, Namgung Daehyeop.”
When the elder politely took the lottery ticket and greeted him, Namgung Jeongcheon, like a senior in the martial arts world, poured his junior a drink.
Namgung Jeongcheon, one of the top ten masters of the Heavenly Sword.
Lim Dae-in, the swordsman of the righteous sword who will win the Yongbongbimu and become famous throughout the world.
The sight of the two of them standing together seemed like the most ideal sight to the people of the martial arts world.
But in reality, two beasts were growling as if they were going to tear each other apart.
[Where did you hide the stolen items?]
[Did the director go home? Or did he run around and sweat?]
[You bastard···.]
Ugh.
The sound of Namgung Jeongcheon gnashing his molars was heard. However, the great man did not stop provoking with his voice.
[You’ve done so many dirty things that it’s beyond imagination. To the point where it should never be known to the world.]
[······.]
On the day he first visited Namgung Se-ga to receive a letter of recommendation, Dae-in installed wiretapping devices and cameras in various places in Namgung Se-ga, including Namgung Jeong-cheon’s room.
And a few days later, a scene was filmed of Namgung Jeongcheon entering the hidden secret space in my room.
The rest was simple.
Namgung Se-ga used a camera to track the warriors’ movements, and easily climbed over the wall to raid the secret safe.
In this way, the great man got hold of Namgung Jeongcheon’s weakness.
[What would the people of the martial arts world think if they knew that you, a famous swordsman, had committed so many corruptions and wrongdoings to build up your family?]
However, Namgung Jeongcheon was not someone who was easily frightened by threats.
[Do you think you can take me down with a few pieces of paper?]
[Then shall we try it?]
[Go ahead. I’ll use all the power I have to bury you.]
The two men’s eyes met in the air. Their gazes, which seemed gentle to others, were filled with fierce hostility.
At that time, the great man first proposed a compromise. That was the final bait.
[Neither of us are stupid. I think we can try negotiating.]
[···What do you want?]
The man took a moment to calmly choose what to say, then sent a message.
[All the support needed to rebuild the Geomhwangmun. And a ten-year non-aggression treaty. If all five generations sign and write it in writing, I will return all the evidence.]
Namgung Se-ga, along with Mo-yong Se-ga, were the center of the Five Great Families. If Namgung Jeong-cheon exerted his power, there was no document that could not be created.
But Namgung Jeongcheon answered curtly.
[What if I refuse?]
[The mud fight will start tomorrow. As you can see, I’m pretty famous now. It won’t be easy to quell the rumors.]
The man smiled and poured alcohol into Namgung Jeongcheon’s empty glass.
“Daehyeop. Let me buy you another drink.”
“Haha. Thanks.”
Namgung Jeongcheon swallowed his alcohol and thought about the great man’s suggestion.
In fact, it wasn’t even worth thinking about.
‘If I refuse, it’ll just turn into a mud fight just like he said. I guess I’ll just do whatever he says.’
[Don’t do that.]
However, Namgung Jeongcheon laughed at the great man inwardly.
‘You won’t make it past tomorrow anyway, so what promise can you not keep?’
The man’s expression seemed to relax slightly, as if he believed in that promise.
[Okay. Then, tomorrow morning, stamp the seal and come to the guest house where I am staying. I will write the contents, so leave it blank.]
[You have to keep all the stolen items.]
‘Then I can kill with peace of mind.’
Namgung Jeongcheon had intended to kill the great man. Now that he was deeply wounded, he would be able to kill him without difficulty.
He said with a gentle smile.
“Then I’ll see you next time. I’m tired, so I’ll have to go in first.”
“Yes, please come in.”
Even after Namgung Jeongcheon left, the banquet continued.
***
Daein met and talked with the most famous people in the martial arts world, and became friends with the later leaders. He also met with all the big names in the business world.
It was when the banquet atmosphere was at its peak.
“Please pay attention for a moment!”
Everyone’s attention was focused on the martial arts leader, Yulgi, who walked briskly towards the great man.
“I would like to give a new nickname to the winner of the Yongbongbimu. What do you think?”
The man’s eyes widened at the sudden suggestion.
However, others nodded as if it was fun and agreed with the opinion of the Murim Alliance Leader.
“great!”
“I think the sword of chivalry is a bit bland.”
“Please give me a cool nickname, my lord!”
For a moment, the man’s expression hardened slightly.
If by any chance Yul-gi comes up with a strange nickname, he might have to use it for decades.
‘Isn’t this another weird nickname?’
Fortunately, however, the Murim Alliance leader’s naming sense was not bad.
“I will take the lead in suppressing the Demonic Cult, so I will call myself Pacheon (破天), meaning to break the Heavenly Demon. Since I have volunteered to be the successor to the Sword Emperor, how about combining them to become the Pacheon Sword Emperor?”
The Pacheon Sword.
The man rolled the word around in his mouth a few times. Approving voices came from all directions.
“Pacheongeomje! What a wonderful nickname!”
“It suits you very well!”
Before we knew it, everyone was congratulating him by calling him by his new nickname.
“Congratulations on your achievement!”
“Congratulations!”
You might wonder what a big deal a nickname is, but for martial artists, a nickname is their identity and symbol.
In other words, having a nickname meant proving yourself and being recognized as an unmanned entity.
Besides, it was a great honor to be given a nickname by the leader of the martial arts world.
“It’s a nickname that suits you so well, brother!”
“Congratulations! I envy you for having such a cool nickname.”
Namgung Hyeon and Cheongun also came and congratulated him as if it were their own business.
The man looked a little bewildered. It was because of the two letters in front of his nickname.
“The ‘Pacheon’ swordsman···”
Who would have thought that I would get a nickname that contains the name of a martial art I learned?
Of course it was just a coincidence, but it didn’t feel too bad.
Actually, isn’t that a pretty cool nickname?
“···thank you.”
The man smiled a little shyly. It was the first smile he had seen since entering the banquet hall.
ⓒ Ganjjajang
