Chapter 26 – The Namgung Clan (4)

Namgung Jin then swung his index finger.

An invisible energy rippled outwards in concentric circles. The energy formed an invisible, hemispherical barrier, trapping Yu-jin. It was a barrier that would be nearly impossible to escape.

“You didn’t need to create something like this. I had no intention of running away.”

At Yu-jin’s words, Namgung Jin spoke with a hint of admiration. He hadn’t expected the young man to immediately read his sword domain.

“Oh, you read my sword domain? I heard you were a scoundrel, but you seem quite different from the rumors. Now then, try to receive my sword. I’m curious to see how long you can last.”

As Namgung Jin spoke, he swung his index finger toward Yu-jin. Before Yu-jin could even prepare, a terrifying wave of sword energy surged toward him like a tsunami.

The sword energy didn’t just carry an intent to attack. It resonated with the sword domain and began to bind Yu-jin’s entire body.

Yu-jin found it difficult to even draw his sword. Of course, he wasn’t flustered by this, but he had to exert far more power than he had anticipated.

‘An attack worthy of an absolute master. But!’

“Hup!”

Yu-jin finally drew upon his power and broke free from Namgung Jin’s restraints. A silver flash generated by his swinging sword began to push back the sword energy created by Namgung Jin.

“Oh, truly remarkable. But this isn’t all I have.”

*Kwoooosh!*

The sword energy, imbued with the will to crush everything in its path, became a storm and swept toward Yu-jin. He deployed a sword barrier to block Namgung Jin’s attack. Then, Yu-jin once again sent a silver flash flying toward Namgung Jin.

*Kwaaang!*

A cloud of dust rose with an explosive sound. Any ordinary martial artist would have lost their life to Yu-jin’s last move, but his opponent was Namgung Jin.

Yu-jin immediately sensed that his attack hadn’t even reached Namgung Jin in the first place.

The sword energy he had unleashed struck an invisible barrier in mid-air and dissipated. As if to prove it, Namgung Jin emerged from the dust cloud completely unscathed.

“Remarkable. Truly remarkable. It seems Hwa-rin has found a good man.”

Yu-jin was so outstanding that even Namgung Jin, whose life now revolved around doting on his granddaughter, was impressed. Although he had held back, Yu-jin had blocked all his attacks and even managed to counter. This was a level of prowess that not even the average member of the Seven Dragons could display.

“You’re too kind. I still have a long way to go.”

Thinking this was a chance to score more points, Yu-jin adopted a humble attitude, which pleased Namgung Jin.

Was it because he had found a promising member of the younger generation after so long? Namgung Jin wanted to test Yu-jin, his potential grandson-in-law, a little more, and perhaps grant him a small enlightenment.

“Can you receive this next move?”

“I will do my best.”

Yu-jin replied, watching Namgung Jin carefully. The old master began to circulate the Divine Arts of the Heavenly Thunder Emperor, the very power that had made him an absolute master.

*Crackle!*

Blue lightning began to gather at his fingertip, and Yu-jin, too, raised his power. The Divine Arts of the Heavenly Thunder Emperor, known for its sheer destructive force, was more than enough to make Yu-jin tense.

Of course, the Profound Heaven Ink Phosphorus Sword he had learned was superior in terms of power, but he couldn’t use it now.

“Now, receive this.”

The Thunder God Finger—a technique Namgung Jin had created on a whim—was unleashed. A torrent of blue lightning began to pour down before Yu-jin’s eyes.

‘I can dodge it, but I won’t get a high score if I do.’

Besides, it was just a test; Namgung Jin wouldn’t have made it powerful enough to kill him. With that thought, Yu-jin swung his sword, and a shower of silver meteors rose to counter the descending lightning.

*Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!*

A relentless clash of lightning and meteors. Watching this, Namgung Jin’s admiration turned to astonishment. He had reduced the power, but to think the young man could block it like this…

The lightning and meteors vanished almost simultaneously. Having exhausted all his strength, Yu-jin was panting for breath.

‘This is no ordinary talent.’

Namgung Jin thought as he looked at Yu-jin, who had collapsed to the ground from “exhaustion,” and spoke.

“Continue to strive further. Su-yeon… that child certainly chose a fine grandson-in-law.”

With those words, Namgung Jin opened his hand and waved it. The space around them began to distort. Namgung Jin then stepped into the rift in the warped space.

“What are you doing? Are you not coming?”

“I’m coming.”

Yu-jin, not expecting to leave with Namgung Jin, was slightly taken aback. But when Namgung Jin looked at him quizzically, he hastily replied and ran forward.

As the two entered the spatial rift, the space returned to normal. Yu-jin found himself not in the same mist as before, but back at the Namgung Clan’s estate. A large group of warriors, including Namgung Ok, had gathered there.

“F-Father! What happened?”

Namgung Ok had heard a loud explosion and, realizing its source was the formation, had hastily summoned the nearby warriors and rushed to the scene.

He knew his father was one of the top ten absolute masters in the martial world, but he couldn’t just stand by.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just testing my grandson-in-law’s skills.”

Only after hearing Namgung Jin’s words did Namgung Ok notice Yu-jin standing behind his father.

What would the Thunder Sword Emperor’s assessment of Yu-jin be? Filled with curiosity, Namgung Ok looked at his father. As if reading his mind, Namgung Jin spoke.

“He is magnificent. He lacks nothing as a husband for Rin.”

Absolute masters had transcended human limits and were typically harsh with their evaluations. For him to say such a thing was immense praise. Namgung Ok looked at Yu-jin with a newfound appreciation.

‘For Father to speak so highly of him…’

Now even more pleased with his son-in-law, Namgung Ok looked at Yu-jin and spoke.

“Son-in-law, you should go back to your room and rest now.”

“Yes. I will take my leave.”

Yu-jin bowed his head, clasped his hands in a formal bow, and retreated to his room.

After watching Yu-jin disappear, Namgung Ok dismissed the warriors. Only when they were all gone did he speak.

“Compared to Hwi, what do you think?”

“He is stronger than Hwi. I would say he’s at least two moves ahead. No matter how much I held back, he didn’t allow a single one of my attacks to land.”

A look of shock appeared on Namgung Ok’s face at his father’s words. He had suspected Yu-jin was stronger than Hwi after seeing him withstand his presence, but he hadn’t imagined the gap was that large.

“The True Dragon Sword Clan has raised another monster.”

The current clan head, Kang Yu-hyeon, had driven all the young martial artists of his generation to despair. His talent was on another level. And now, his firstborn son was displaying the same monstrous talent as his father in his youth.

“I heard Hwi also had a realization this time. I suppose I’ll have to train him well.”

“Are you saying you will train him personally, Father?”

Namgung Ok asked, just to be sure. Namgung Jin nodded again, and a bright smile spread across Namgung Ok’s face.

Learning something from Namgung Jin was a truly special experience. There was nothing ordinary about being taught by an absolute master.

And so, without even realizing it, Yu-jin was inspiring many people.

***

Returning to his room, Yu-jin collapsed onto the bed.

“Phew, that was close. I almost used my real power.”

Namgung Jin’s final technique had been that menacing, and Yu-jin had nearly revealed his Nine Heavens Divine Demonic Arts. Fortunately, he had been lucky enough to block it all.

“He didn’t seem to use even one-fiftieth of his true strength, yet he was that powerful. He’s truly worthy of being called one of the Ten Great Heavenly Masters.”

The Profound Realm master, the first he had met besides his father, Kang Yu-hyeon, was certainly strong. Unless he revealed his full power, defeating Namgung Jin was absolutely impossible.

“I’d like to clash with him at full strength someday.”

Yu-jin muttered to himself. He hadn’t had a single exhilarating fight since entering the martial world. Well, he was sure he would have to fight for his life someday.

“I should get some sleep. I was only pretending to be tired, but now I’m actually exhausted.”

Muttering to himself, Yu-jin closed his eyes and sought sleep.

***

Three months had already passed since Yu-jin’s arrival at the Namgung Clan. Feeling no particular need to return to his own clan, Yu-jin was living comfortably, receiving the Namgung Clan’s lavish hospitality.

Yu-jin’s four handmaidens and Na Ye-jin were also doing well. However, Ran and Eun Seol-rin were staying outside, but Yu-jin wasn’t worried.

Eun Seol-rin had recognized Ran’s talent and had begun teaching her own martial arts.

“That’s a good thing.”

For Yu-jin, who needed many skilled subordinates, Eun Seol-rin teaching Ran was welcome news.

As Yu-jin mulled this over, he drank the tea that Yeon had served him. It was then.

“Young Master Kang, are you in?”

“Come in.”

At Yu-jin’s words, Yeon opened the door, and a warrior from the Namgung Clan appeared before him and bowed his head.

Since Yu-jin was already recognized within the clan as Namgung Hwa-rin’s husband, the warriors treated him with respect. The fact that Yu-jin had been acknowledged by their idol, Namgung Jin, also contributed to their admiration for him.

“What is it?”

“The Clan Head summons you. I was told you must come.”

“I understand.”

Yu-jin readily nodded, rose from his seat, and followed the warrior to Namgung Ok’s office.

Namgung Hwa-rin was already there. Since an elder was present, the two of them simply exchanged smiles.

“Oh, son-in-law, you’re here. I’ve called you because there is a place I’d like you to go with Hwa-rin.”

“Where might that be, Father-in-law?”

The two were already on good terms, calling each other son-in-law and father-in-law. Namgung Ok unfolded a letter and spoke again.

“Do you know a man by the name of Han Sung?”

Yu-jin knew him well. He remembered featuring him a few times when he was writing the story.

However, Yu-jin had no idea what was happening with Han Sung right now. In the original timeline, Kang Yong-hoon had been in seclusion at this point, so he had only written about that.

‘Cases like this are tricky.’

This world was one he had created, but at the same time, it was a world that truly existed. Even Yu-jin couldn’t possibly know about the parts he hadn’t written.

Feeling a bit perplexed, Yu-jin spoke.

“I know of him. Isn’t he known as one of the three wealthiest men, along with Lee Geon-yeong, the head of the Central Plains Merchant Guild, and Jang Un, the master of the Golden Battlefield?”

Han Sung led the Cheonwon Merchant Guild, which monopolized the largest commercial district in the northern region.

He was known as the wealthiest of the three, so it would be more accurate to call him the richest man in the Central Plains.

It was difficult to protect great wealth, but Han Sung skillfully used power and martial might.

He donated vast sums to influential families and the imperial court, while also using his money to recruit numerous martial arts masters. As a result, the headquarters of the Cheonwon Merchant Guild boasted a fighting force far stronger than most martial sects.

“Indeed, it would be hard not to know of him. I hear he is holding a grand banquet to celebrate his seventieth birthday.”

“Is that so? But what does that have to do with us… Ah!”

Seeing the look of realization on Yu-jin’s face, Namgung Ok nodded.

“His contributions to the martial world are so great that we cannot simply ignore it. Most of the rising stars from the larger sects have likely already made their move. I originally planned to send Hwi, but he is unable to go due to circumstances. So, I was wondering if you would go in his stead.”