Book 18 Chapter 16

The Crisis of Namgung Sang

—The Flying Iron

"Hey, Sang!"

Namgung Sang flinched at the voice calling him. For a moment, the voice struck his eardrums like a mournful wail echoing from hell. He had just thought he could finally rest, only to be caught. This was a nightmare. With a reluctant face, Namgung Sang turned around and looked at the person who had called him with eyes weary from exhaustion.

"Eldest Brother…"

There stood Biryu Yeon, a smile gracing his lips that Namgung Sang feared even in his dreams. Despite employing all the eavesdropping techniques he had learned, and being as vigilant as a herbivore wary of predators, wondering why he always got caught from behind, even when he and the entire Suzaku Squad were within a thirty-jang radius, fearing their Eldest Brother might be near? He always appeared behind them without a sound.

Namgung Sang recalled his reflection in the mirror that morning. His appearance was so bad that he suspected he might be suffering from malnutrition. His hollow eyes were tired, and the dark circles beneath them were indelible, as if they were tattoos. His rosy cheeks had become gaunt enough to reveal his cheekbones, pale and dry to the touch. His shoulders, stooped from excessive fatigue, seemed burdened with a heavy load. Even the habitually disheveled senior student from the Beggar's Sect looked like a noble compared to his current state. And the person responsible for reducing him to a state akin to a corpse was standing right in front of him. And he had appeared precisely during this moment of blissful freedom, having just escaped the 'slaughter' under the guise of special training, cruelly shattering his happiness.

"Don't make such a long face. It's like I'm some kind of villain, isn't it? Am I going to eat you?"

Namgung Sang almost nodded but managed to hold back. His molten-lava-like true feelings screamed, "We're already eaten and left with nothing but bones!" but he restrained himself. He was still too young and full of life to become a martyr for the truth.

"Yeah, did you get that too?"

Biryu Yeon asked, looking at the golden armband worn on Namgung Sang's right arm.

"Huh? Come to think of it, Eldest Brother too…?"

Biryu Yeon also wore a golden armband on his right arm, identical to Namgung Sang's. Inside the armband, the characters 'Cheon Mu (天武)' were inscribed in black.

"Ah, it's not exactly a brilliant sensation, nor is it particularly stylish, but they don't give it to you if you don't wear it."

Biryu Yeon grinned and formed a specific shape with his index finger and thumb.

"I've decided to let it slide."

"It's an order that those selected as entrance examination proctors must always wear this 'armband', so we have to follow it. What can we do? It's the rule."

"But what I'm curious about is why they made such a useless rule. What's it for? Was it just to show off the chosen proctors? I think there's some other hidden agenda?"

Biryu Yeon had felt something was off ever since he received it.

"Surely, you can't do anything with such a simple piece of cloth? It's probably just for identification."

"Identification with what?"

"Th-that's…"

Namgung Sang was at a loss for words.

Why was there a need to specifically identify the proctors? For whom? For what purpose?

The old man's words, 'Please note that there will be some changes to the admission guidelines this year,' were also highly suspicious.

"There's definitely something."

"But why are you still wearing it?"

Given Biryu Yeon's personality, it wouldn't be surprising if he took it off and threw it in the trash. In fact, it was more surprising that he was still wearing it so obediently.

"It's a transaction."

"Pardon?"

"My taking on the role of an admission proctor is a transaction. Therefore, I cannot break that transaction from my side. That would be against my principles."

"Ah, I see."

Although he replied so, he didn't understand at all.

"Ah, speaking of which, where are you heading, Eldest Brother?"

Namgung Sang asked.

"Ah, to the Southern Branch of the Jungyang Express Company."

"Why there?"

"Ah, I have some business to attend to. I received word yesterday that a package has arrived."

"Did you order something?"

"No. This time, I'm just confirming that the package has arrived safely."

"You're not even part of the Jungyang Express Company."

"There are some things I need to do. Would you like to come along?"

He knew he would just be a subordinate if he went. However, the fear of what might happen to him later if he refused overwhelmed him. Although he wouldn't show it immediately, this person never forgot even the smallest things. It was likely that stopping him had been a deliberate move. He had no intention of gambling with his fate just yet.

"Why are you worrying so much about something like this? If you have time, you go, and if you don't want to, you don't. If you have the energy to worry about such useless things, save it and use it for more productive matters."

"Ah, no. I'll follow you. I will accompany you."

"Really? Do you actually want to go?"

Biryu Yeon asked with a doubtful tone.

"No, yes. Of course. It's not a place I have no connection with, is it?"

Biryu Yeon looked at Namgung Sang suspiciously once more and said,

"Really? Then let's go."

"Yes!"

* * *

"Young Hero Yoo!"

A woman beckoned slightly and called to a young man.

"What is it, Miss Yoo?"

Yoo Unbi asked with a puzzled expression. Yu Ran raised her right hand and pointed to a spot.

"How about those two? One of them isn't even wearing a sword. Their entire bodies are full of openings."

Her tone was almost masculine. Unlike her beautiful appearance, she was a woman who preferred the glint of a sword to jewelry.

"Ah, do you mean the ones in black and white clothes?"

"That's right. Those two."

"They look okay. They don't seem particularly strong."

"How could someone so full of openings be able to wear that 'golden armband'?"

Yu Ran said with a hint of disdain.

"Perhaps they use a fist-fighting technique?"

Yu Ran immediately refuted Yoo Unbi's guess.

"Their sleeves are too loose for a fist fighter. Nor do they look like they use kicking techniques. And whether they have their wits about them or not… Their bangs are so long they cover their eyes, narrowing their vision, yet they're still running around. I really don't know what they're thinking. They're definitely weak."

Yu Ran concluded decisively.

"They certainly look weak. The swordsman in white accompanying him looks the same."

"Judging by their attire, they are definitely disciples of a prestigious family. That haggard face makes me suspect they aren't from the Beggar's Sect. Their backs are also stooped, and there's no sense of spirit. Do you know which sect they belong to?"

"Judging by their gait, they're not from the Nine Great Sects, but probably from one of the Eight Great Families. Given their attire, it seems to be the Namgung Family."

"Ho ho ho, even better that they're from the Eight Great Families. It's an opportunity for our Nine Great Sects to show our strength."

There was still a latent sense of rivalry between the Nine Great Sects and the Eight Great Families. The animosity built over nearly a hundred years wouldn't be resolved overnight. Although prominent figures in the martial arts world had criticized the lingering specters of the past for holding back the present, criticism was all there was, with little action. Humans were still far from mature enough to cast aside the past forcefully. It was truly a sad thing that young people like Yu Ran and Yoo Unbi, who were to bear the future, were so narrowly focused due to being bound by the specters of the past. However, they didn't realize that the invisible chain of karma from the past was holding back their steps towards the future. They didn't know, nor did they want to know, that the groundless hatred that sometimes welled up within them was the dregs of karma accumulated in the distant past.

"Ah! They've rounded the corner!"

The target they had been eyeing rounded a corner and disappeared from their sight.

"Let's chase them quickly."

The two began to follow the prey they had singled out.

At this point, neither of them realized that they had voluntarily stepped into the jaws of hell.

"Sang, do you recognize them?"

Biryu Yeon asked, still looking ahead.

"No. I don't? Perhaps it's towards Eldest Brother?"

Namgung Sang replied without stopping his steps.

"I don't remember them either. If I remembered them, why would I ask you?"

"That's true."

"Hmm, are they the usual complainers?"

"Well, isn't it common for Eldest Brother to be attacked on the street?"

Namgung Sang said in a nonchalant tone. It was not easy to feel wonder in everyday life. This was true for Biryu Yeon as well.

"Well, that's true, but…"

There were still many people within the academy who emotionally felt that it was morally, ethically, and aesthetically unacceptable for Biryu Yeon and Na Yerinn to stand together. Occasionally, when these people forgot, they would gather and attack Biryu Yeon.

"But lately, they've never come after me with just two people?"

It had always been at least four or five. He couldn't recall being ambushed by such a small group recently.

"Are there still people who can act with such reckless bravado? Is it really not about you? You've also had encounters since your reputation grew."

"It wasn't quite at the level of an ambush. It was just a challenge to a duel."

"Did you win?"

"Of course."

"All of them?"

"Naturally. I've never lost. If I had lost even once, the rumor would have spread throughout the academy by now. There wouldn't be any other topic of conversation. Everyone would have gossiped about it relentlessly. The more the Suzaku Squad's reputation grew, the more those kinds of people appeared. And most importantly…"

"Most importantly?"

"We're still alive."

And he added,

"If rumors of our defeat had spread, Eldest Brother wouldn't have let it slide. We wouldn't have been able to survive either."

"That's true."

Biryu Yeon readily admitted that fact.

"What should we do, Eldest Brother?"

They had to either lose them or confront and destroy them.

"I hate flies buzzing around my back. It makes me feel itchy."

"Then it's decided."

"Alright!" Biryu Yeon nodded lightly and said,

"Let's finish this before this alley ends."

"Yes!"

"Huh?"

"Ah!"

Yu Ran and Yoo Unbi both let out exclamations of shock. It was understandable, as their intended targets suddenly vanished before their eyes. The moment they stepped into the slightly wider space between the alleys, the targets had completely disappeared from their sight.

"Damn it, let's chase them!"

"Ah, yes!"

Yu Ran shouted urgently and used her qinggong. Yoo Unbi followed her. Then, a slightly wider open space appeared. Yu Ran hurriedly scanned the surroundings. However, she found nothing.

"Are they looking for me?"

Startled by the voice from behind, Yu Ran and Yoo Unbi spun around. There, a man with his bangs covering his eyes sat casually on a rock.

'B-but there was nothing there…'

She had just looked all around. If her memory was correct, he definitely wasn't there then. She hadn't sensed any presence. So, did he appear the moment she turned her head forward?

'Impossible!'

She wanted to dismiss it as impossible, but the problem was that it was happening right before her eyes. Her reason couldn't help but be troubled.

"Why were you following us?"

The haggard swordsman in white, who had appeared out of nowhere, asked. The swordsman with the haggard face was now standing in the middle of the alley they had come from, blocking their path.

"Shall we hear your business?"

Biryu Yeon said in a relaxed voice.

Yu Ran and Yoo Unbi looked at each other, then back ahead. Then, clasping their right hands holding swords with their left, they bowed respectfully and said,

"Excuse us, Senior! I am Yu Ran, a disciple of the Amipa."

"I am Yoo Unbi of the Jeongseongpa."

Upon hearing their introductions as disciples of the Amipa and Jeongseongpa, a flicker of interest appeared in Biryu Yeon and Namgung Sang's eyes.

"They don't seem like mere nobodies."

Namgung Sang said. Biryu Yeon's usual way of speaking seemed to have rubbed off on him a bit.

"N-nobodies…"

Yu Ran was dumbfounded. When had she ever been treated like this before? However, Biryu Yeon hadn't even spoken yet.

"No, they still seem like mere youngsters?"

"Y-youngsters…"

Yu Ran and Yoo Unbi suppressed the urge to spit blood. They made silent, unbreakable vows to repay this humiliation in due time.

"So, what's your business?"

In response to Biryu Yeon's question, Yu Ran stepped forward.

"Yu Ran of Ami and Yoo Unbi of Jeongseong, as applicants for admission to the Cheon Mu Academy, hereby request a martial arts duel."

"You two, the Ascension Martial Arts Competition hasn't even begun yet. Shouldn't you wait until then if you're applicants?"

Namgung Sang asked with a puzzled expression.

"No. The test has already begun."

Yu Ran argued in a firm voice.

"This is the first I've heard of it!"

Namgung Sang said.

"Then what is that golden armband on your right arm, Senior?"

"This is…"

"Isn't that a symbol of qualification as an examiner for the Ascension Martial Arts Competition, the entrance examination for Cheon Mu Academy?"

"It is."

Namgung Sang replied.

"Then you must duel us."

"Why should I go through such a troublesome process?"

"Because it's the rule."

Yu Ran replied resolutely. At that moment, Biryu Yeon raised his hand and stopped the argument between the two.

"Wait! A rule? What rule?"

"It's the newly revised admission guidelines."

Yu Ran spoke as if it were obvious, but it was not at all obvious to Biryu Yeon and Namgung Sang.

"Revised? What? How?"

This time, Biryu Yeon asked.

"You really don't know?"

"I don't!"

Biryu Yeon replied curtly.

"How could something like that… Alright. We can't help it. Then I'll teach you."

Yu Ran took out a scroll from her bosom and read the text on the far right.

"Cheon Mu Academy Admission Examination Guidelines, Day 101."

The words 'You've done a lot,' emerged from someone's mouth and quickly disappeared.

"One. Any applicant to Cheon Mu Academy can request a martial arts duel with any admission examiner wearing a golden armband inscribed with 'Cheon Mu' on their right arm, and the examiner must accept this duel."

Yu Ran looked at Biryu Yeon and Namgung Sang as if to say, 'How about that?' Namgung Sang still looked bewildered, as if he hadn't grasped the situation.

"Shall I read one more?"

Her gaze moved slightly to the left.

"One. The duel must be conducted one-on-one. However, if the examiner agrees, a multi-person duel is possible. But only one of the challengers can possess the golden armband."

"What use is this kind of thing?"

Biryu Yeon asked, tapping the armband with his finger. At that, her gaze moved to almost the last page of the scroll.

"One. An applicant who possesses a golden armband is exempt from the first and second examinations."

The golden armband was a shortcut to proceed directly to the main examination without taking the preliminary tests. It could be considered the successor to the role of the 'Seungcheon Band' from the past. The only difference was the method of obtaining it.

"This is outrageous! I've never heard of such a thing!"

Namgung Sang exclaimed. There had never been any such announcement anywhere in the academy. How could such a major event occur without any notice? It was impossible.

"This year, the policy of special preference for disciples of prestigious sects has been abolished. Instead, the golden armband has taken on that role. Now, please check. Whether my words are true or false."

Saying that, she offered the scroll she was holding. Namgung Sang quickly approached and snatched the scroll. Then he scanned it.

"How is it?"

"It's undoubtedly the official seal of Cheon Mu Academy."

Namgung Sang replied after confirming the seal at the end of the scroll.

"We've been tricked."

"Pardon?"

"We've been tricked by those old geezers. They planned to make a fool of us and didn't tell us. We've been spectacularly outplayed."

"Why would they do such a thing?"

"I don't know. Maybe they wanted to test not only the new students but also the examiners. They're sly old foxes."

After saying this, Biryu Yeon walked to one side of the open space, sat on a rock, and waved his hand at Namgung Sang, saying,

"It's a hassle. Deal with it quickly."

"Yes."

Namgung Sang replied perfunctorily.

"Think of it as a warm-up,"

Biryu Yeon added, crossing one leg and resting his chin on his hand.

"Don't underestimate us, Seniors!"

Yu Ran's anger flared up at the continued disregard. She resolved to bring down the pride of that seemingly weak, flawed, and infuriatingly arrogant person. However, her burning heart seemed not to reach Biryu Yeon. Or perhaps she was ignored again.

"Huh? If they don't have the discerning eye to choose an opponent, who should I ignore?"

Biryu Yeon retorted with a smirk. His assessment was still harsh, and his tongue, which had caused countless people to suffer from 화병 (a Korean term for anger-induced illness), was sharp.

"Well, if you've come looking for the best opponent, that's a different story."

Saying that, Biryu Yeon spun his index fingers around and pointed at Namgung Sang.

"You didn't actually choose me to win, did you? Two youngsters like you would be enough for our gloomy brother here."

The gazes of the two followed his finger towards Namgung Sang. He scratched his head and said,

"No, even if that's true, they're still young, and there's no need to speak so harshly…"

Namgung Sang seemed to completely agree with the content, only questioning the method of expression.

No one would be happy to be continuously looked down upon by the opponent they chose for being weak.

"We cannot accept this!"

Yu Ran exclaimed.

"Neither can I!"

Yoo Unbi followed suit.

"Well, a hundred words are not as good as one experience. If you can win, try to win. If the two of you can defeat him, I'll give you my armband too. How about that?"

"Really?"

Yu Ran's eyes widened at this unexpected proposal, which could be considered rather generous.

"Of course! Do I look like I have the leisure to joke around with youngsters?"

This put Namgung Sang in a difficult position.

"Eldest Brother, th-that…"

Namgung Sang sent a telepathic message with a flustered voice.

"Are you not confident?"

"It's not that…"

He was only afraid of the consequences if things went wrong.

"Then it doesn't matter, does it? Let's finish this quickly and get back to our business."

"What do you intend to do, Senior? Are you perhaps afraid of losing?"

"Lose? Who are you calling a loser now?"

A terrifying aura of absolute refusal to lose began to emanate from Namgung Sang's entire body. The overwhelming energy instantly dispelled his previously hesitant demeanor. Yu Ran and Yoo Unbi flinched for a moment. The haggard and weak appearance he had shown moments before was gone.

"Come on. I'll teach you how vast the world is."

In this situation, he absolutely could not lose. If he were to enter the academy in the future, he would have to contend with monsters that defied the imagination and common sense of people like Biryu Yeon. If he didn't have the right way to deal with them, he would be in big trouble. In fact, it was already a bit late.

"Then, please grant us a lesson, Senior!"

Yu Ran's black eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

"Wait a moment!"

It was Biryu Yeon who interrupted the escalating tension. Namgung Sang and the other two stared at this man with puzzled eyes.

"Should we go with three (三), or five (五)?"

Biryu Yeon asked Namgung Sang, repeatedly extending and retracting three and five fingers.

"Let's go with five."

Namgung Sang replied, extending five fingers.

"Alright. Then let's go with three."

Biryu Yeon replied, lightly dismissing Namgung Sang's opinion.

"There are two people, so let's just go with five? Three is a bit…"

Namgung Sang did not back down.

"You like five so much?"

Namgung Sang nodded.

"Alright. Then let's make it five together. Are you satisfied with that?"

"Th-that… It should be five per person…"

"Then how about we go with three for the two of them? I don't mind either way! What do you say?"

Biryu Yeon asked in a suggestive tone.

"No. Let's just go with five."

Finally, Namgung Sang conceded. He was still no match for Biryu Yeon.

"You know there's a penalty if you fail, right?"

"How could I forget that?"

"If you fail this time, it's double!"

"No, why?"

"That's…"

However, Biryu Yeon's words were cut off by Yu Ran.

"What are you talking about?"

She had the right to know what was going on, even as they were about to fight.

"Ah, it's nothing."

Namgung Sang tried to gloss over it. But his intentions were thwarted by Biryu Yeon.

"Ah, it's no big deal. I was just calculating how many seconds it would take to defeat two youngsters, so don't worry about it."

It was extremely worrying.

"Are you saying that it will only take five seconds to defeat the two of us?"

"Well, I think three seconds would be enough, but if that's the case, shouldn't there be an additional fine if we fail?"

Yu Ran's patience had reached its limit. She felt as though she was receiving all the humiliation she would endure in her lifetime in a single day.

"What will you do if you cannot defeat us in five seconds?"

Yu Ran asked, grinding her teeth.

"In that case, we admit defeat. If we can't defeat you within five seconds, we'll hand over both of these unsightly armbands."

Biryu Yeon's straightforward answer was surprising to the two, and a bolt from the blue to Namgung Sang. How could the situation become increasingly unfavorable rather than favorable? Namgung Sang wanted to cry.

"Really?"

"Really!"

Biryu Yeon replied briefly. And Namgung Sang let out a long sigh.

"Sigh~"

Meeting Biryu Yeon was indeed a mistake. Or perhaps it was the machinations of fate. He was, as he boasted, a genius. A genius beyond compare. A disaster from heaven [天災]…

"Come at me simultaneously. I'll face you."

Namgung Sang, who was quick to give up, stretched out his left arm, folded his left hand in half, and said.

"Come on."

His sword was still sheathed. Biryu Yeon, who had been sitting nearby, had already entered a spectator's stance.