Chapter 014
"We can see Xuchang, my lady!"
"Hwa, be quiet."
Inside the rocking carriage sat a beauty who looked like a statue carved from ice.
A shadow fell like dew over the woman's eyebrows as she silenced her maid, Jonghwa, with a single word. The girl had squealed like a child while pointing at the walls of Xuchang visible through the window.
The young man sitting across from her spoke calmly.
"Are you really going to participate in the martial arts competition?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what kind of person this Sugyeong might be? He could be a lecher who lusts after women."
At those words, Namgung Somin's eyes widened.
Click.
"Mind your words, brother. He's not that kind of person."
The young man sighed as he watched Namgung Somin reveal her hostility by pushing up her sword with her thumb.
Like a red rainbow cast over pure white snow, anger flowed across her milk-white face. She looked ready to draw her sword if he didn't retract his words.
"…I spoke thoughtlessly."
Namgung Cheon shook his head as he watched her silently return the sword to its sheath.
Though she was one of the Four Flowers—the four beauties renowned in Murim—Namgung Cheon knew better than anyone that his sister had no interest in men. She had rejected all marriage proposals and devoted herself solely to the sword.
What troubled him was that she had fallen too deeply for a man who was likely nothing more than a country bumpkin.
Of course, there was resentment mixed in.
'How dare he portray our clan in such a manner.'
Certainly, Wudang Sword Hero was well written. But in volume three, when the Namgung Clan was manipulated by the Nine Heavens Secret Palace and drove Jin Un into adversity, the clan was portrayed with many negative aspects.
Even if the clan heir had been held hostage—being manipulated and tightening the net around Jin Un—
As a member of the Namgung Clan, foremost of the Eight Great Clans and known as the most righteous in the Central Plains, Namgung Cheon could not accept it.
"I understand why you're acting this way, brother."
"If you understand, then withdraw your decision. You won't gain anything from entering the competition. Father also disapproved."
Namgung Somin pressed her lips together.
She had nothing more to say.
Namgung Cheon continued.
"Our clan leads the Eight Great Clans. Even if our honor hasn't collapsed, don't you know people no longer look at us the same because of how we were portrayed?"
"It's simply the price paid for indulgence disguised as freedom."
"Somin."
"Am I wrong, brother?"
Namgung Cheon fell silent.
His sister had always been like this—unyielding when she believed she was right. Even the elders found her difficult.
Namgung Somin continued.
"The scrutiny directed at our clan is the price for indulgence. The same goes for Wudang, and Shaolin monks who break their precepts. If Master Sugyeong hadn't pointed it out, would anything have changed?"
She wasn't wrong.
But Murim was a world where the strong ruled.
Namgung Cheon belonged to that ruling class.
That was why he had to oppose her.
"I agree. But isn't it clear our honor has been tarnished?"
"…Then."
She gripped the sword in her arms.
"Shouldn't I restore that honor?"
"You don't need to enter the competition."
"If I can restore our honor, why stop me?"
"Wudang, Qingcheng, even Mount Hua are sending their best. Even if you're one of the Four Flowers—"
"Then I'll defeat them all."
Namgung Cheon felt a headache coming on.
Once she decided something, she charged forward without restraint.
It was precisely why she was said to possess the strongest martial arts among the Four Flowers.
"It's not that simple. Even real swords are used. I can't guarantee you won't be injured."
That was concern—for family.
"Even if you win… how will that restore our prestige?"
"There's no reason it can't."
"Somin!"
Her words cut like a blade.
"I will become Master Sugyeong's bodyguard. Protecting him is my only wish."
"Haah…"
Namgung Cheon nearly clutched his head.
'Father… why did you send me with her?'
Recalling the awkward expression of Namgung Do, he ran his fingers through his hair.
A heavy silence filled the carriage.
Then—
"The Namgung Clan, entering the Alliance!!"
...
Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi Province.
A land without notable orthodox sects, long dominated by unorthodox factions.
At its heart stood the Dark Mist Society.
Deep underground, within the Night Emperor's Hall, sat its master—
Dark Scent Blood Stain.
"They're selecting bodyguards for a mere scholar?"
His gaze fell on a pile of illegal copies of Wudang Sword Hero.
"This madness… even the Namgung Clan, Wudang, Shaolin."
His subordinate bowed.
"Yes, Master."
Dark Scent Blood Stain sneered.
"Garbage. A mere book."
'Martial artists should swing their swords, not read trash.'
"They say no one reads it only once?"
"That is correct."
His irritation deepened.
"Wudang built a hall for the author?"
"Confirmed."
"Crazy fools."
He looked away.
"Who did you send?"
"The Wanderer of Mystic Sound."
"Human-rank…"
Even Human-rank assassins rivaled peak masters.
"This is kidnapping, not assassination."
"We estimate a ninety percent success rate."
"Ten percent failure?"
The Hell Party Leader bowed.
"The captured one is Baek Won."
"Yanoe's youngest disciple… that fool."
Dark Scent Blood Stain sneered.
"If we succeed, they'll owe us."
"Yes."
A pleased glint flashed in his eyes.
"Then I'll extract gold from Iron Blood Demon Lord… and Yanoe."
He reclined back, smiling.