Book 26 Chapter 10

Dormitory Siege (包圍)

—Namgung Sang Awakens

*Swish!*

White smoke, like clouds, flowed from Namgung Sang’s body as he sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes closed. His breath was drawn in and exhaled quietly. It was a breath so silent and deep that one could hardly tell he was breathing unless they listened closely. He was currently cultivating his internal energy.

Two women watched him with anxious eyes. One was his betrothed, Jin Ling, and the other was Ryu Eun-gyeong, who aspired to be his concubine. Although Jin Ling had been wary of Ryu Eun-gyeong for a time due to her outrageous ideas and actions, at this moment, the same emotion was reflected in both their eyes: worry for Namgung Sang.

Jin Ling’s complexion was much better than when she had collapsed, exhausted. This was because she had finished cultivating her internal energy one step ahead of Namgung Sang.

The white energy, which had billowed out like a thick fog, was reabsorbed into Namgung Sang’s body. Soon, color began to return to his sallow, pale face, and Namgung Sang slowly opened his eyes.

“You’re awake, older sister!”

Seeing Namgung Sang open his eyes while still in his cross-legged position, Ryu Eun-gyeong exclaimed. Jin Ling was on alert, watching the outside from the window. Her gaze was sharp, and tension etched her face.

“How are you, Sang?”

Jin Ling turned her head towards Namgung Sang and asked.

“I’m fine. I think I’ve recovered about 60%.”

“I’m sorry.”

If she hadn’t been so insistent and pushed him, Namgung Sang wouldn’t have been injured to this extent. This weighed on her mind.

“I’m fine. But haven’t you also consumed a lot of your vital energy, Jin Ling?”

That fight was almost mutual destruction.

“I’m fine after taking the ‘Heavenly Heart Pill’ you gave me. I think I’ve recovered at least 60%.”

Namgung Sang prioritized Jin Ling’s recovery over his own. He had vehemently refused her suggestion to cultivate first. That’s why he only began cultivating after her was finished. The ‘Heavenly Heart Pill’ he had given her then was said to aid recovery. In fact, the ‘Heavenly Heart Pill’ given to Jin Ling was a last resort, meant to be used only in dire emergencies by the clan, and Namgung Sang only had one. He had told Jin Ling that he had several, but what he had taken was not the Heavenly Heart Pill, but the much less effective ‘Minor Yang Pill.’ Of course, it was better than nothing, so he took it and cultivated, but his vital energy was not recovering as expected. The claim that he had recovered over 60% was actually a lie to reassure Jin Ling.

“What’s the situation outside?”

Namgung Sang asked, not revealing his own less-than-ideal condition.

“We’re completely surrounded.”

Jin Ling’s face was tense as she cast her gaze back out the window. Outside, a wall of over a hundred warriors had been formed. They all glared at the Thirteenth dormitory where they were staying with murderous intent. Not long after the emergency alarm was sounded, this Thirteenth dormitory was completely surrounded by the warriors of Macheongak. The other envoys from Cheonmu Academy, who had been inadvertently caught up in this, had all taken defensive stances according to the commander Namgung Sang’s orders and were engaged in a siege. A standoff had continued ever since.

“Still, they haven’t attacked all at once.”

Ryu Eun-gyeong looked at Namgung Sang with a face still filled with anxiety. Perhaps this was her first time experiencing such a quasi-wartime situation, making her more flustered and anxious.

“Don’t worry, Miss Ryu. They won’t attack immediately. They aren’t sure if the Cheonmu Academy envoy is our accomplice, so they are currently just detaining us.”

“But…”

In reality, being surrounded on all sides by enemies is stressful enough to gnaw at one’s nerves. The idiom ‘surrounded by enemies on all sides’ didn’t come from nowhere. Currently, they could be considered imprisoned by a man-made cage.

Furthermore, the psychological pressure on the besieged was incomparably greater than on the besiegers. If this situation persisted, eventually a gap would appear, and the moment of collapse would come. Then, everything would be over.

“But if they know we’re in here, won’t they attack right away?”

Namgung Sang, Jin Ling, and Ryu Eun-gyeong were undeniably intruders who had entered the place by illegal means. Currently, outside, Samjeolgeom Cheong Heun and Jiryeong Baek Mu-yeong were pretending ignorance, saying such people weren’t here, and blocking their search, but no one knew how long that would last.

‘Is it really as my senior disciple brother said? This is dangerous.’

In this situation, they could expect no supplies or support. Staying like this was sure to lead to defeat.

‘I have to break through an escape route before then…’

That’s why he had to complete the task entrusted to him by his senior disciple brother. There was no other way to break through the current situation of complete isolation. Moreover, he was the commander of the Cheonmu Academy envoy, after all. Ensuring the safety of the Cheonmu scholars was also one of his responsibilities.

“Will Sansan be alright?”

“Don’t worry, Sansan will be fine. She’s been like that since she was little. She was always desperate and always did her best. It’s a bit of a problem that she goes all out when she loses her temper, though.”

“That’s right. She’s truly scary when she gets angry. She’s usually quite docile.”

“How about we reconsider when all the docile people in this martial world are wiped out? Although she’s my sister, I can’t do anything when she goes too far.”

“Heh heh, Sansan says she’s your older sister, doesn’t she?”

Jin Ling said with a deliberate laugh. If she remained tense like this, her mind wouldn’t hold up.

“What are you talking about! That’s your claim, and I am the older brother!”

Namgung Sang pouted. He absolutely refused to concede. They had been arguing about that for twenty years, and there was still no resolution.

“Heh heh, how can siblings be so alike…”

“We are not alike. Absolutely not alike. Who is saying we are alike?”

Namgung Sang protested vehemently.

“That’s exactly what’s alike. However, Sansan sometimes has a habit of not looking around, so I worry. She’s weak against ambushes…”

Sansan tended not to think about ambushes because she herself had no intention of ambushing others.

“That is indeed a concern. But don’t worry, Hyun-woon is with her.”

Jin Ling looked somewhat skeptical at that statement.

“Can we trust him? Hyun-woon, he’s been too quiet lately, hasn’t he? He seems unmotivated.”

Lately, his past brilliance was not felt. He seemed to have something on his mind, but it didn’t seem like he had resolved it yet.

“Don’t worry. I know that friend well. I, his rival. His true strength is not this much. Even if he doesn’t show it on the outside, he must have been diligently training. His potential is only the tip of the iceberg.”

“Is that so?”

“He is quiet normally, but he is a man with hot lava boiling inside, unlike his exterior. Don’t be fooled by his seemingly leisurely demeanor. I’ve been fooled a few times myself. Hyun-woon is someone who diligently practices cultivation more than anyone else. If the martial art he is secretly perfecting is completed… even I cannot guarantee victory.”

“Can I trust that?”

“He is one of the strongest rivals I acknowledge. I trust him.”

“If you say so, I won’t mention it anymore.”

However, the worry in her heart did not seem to have completely disappeared.

Of course, Namgung Sang was also concerned about the two. Despite their constant bickering, Namgung Sansan was his blood sister. And Hyun-woon was his closest friend, with whom he had been through countless battles.

‘Hyun-woon, my sister, Sansan, I’m entrusting them to you!’

All he could do now was trust his sister and his friend.

* * *

In the midst of the brief commotion, Hyun-woon, after examining Namgung Sansan’s body, let out a sigh of relief internally. It was a surprise attack that occurred without them realizing it, but fortunately, all vital points were avoided.

After quickly administering first aid, he gently infused some internal energy to stabilize her ragged breathing. There seemed to be no broken bones. However, it was true that something heavy had hit her. If she hadn’t blocked it in time, she would have suffered a fatal injury. Namgung Sansan, however, showed movements befitting the name of the Nine Dragons Seven Peaks and managed to deflect the surprise attack. But due to the sudden change in her posture, her qi and blood became distorted, and in that state, she suffered internal injuries from the continuous powerful impact that shattered her sword.

‘Since it’s come to this, even I, who lives by the principle of leisure, cannot forgive this.’

As Hyun-woon thought this, Namgung Sansan regained consciousness.

“What happened to me?”

“Are you alright, Sansan? You were ambushed. But you probably know better than I do what you were hit by.”

She shook her head.

“Something heavy hit me and shook my qi and blood. But I don’t know what it was. It felt like some kind of hidden weapon… But who ambushed me?”

Her voice conveyed an unwavering determination to never let it go. Her spirit would not be broken by being ambushed once. At this point, she would be fine no matter what he said. So, Hyun-woon said:

“…The King of the Southern Sea.”

Namgung Sansan’s eyes widened.

“No way! That’s absurd. I just defeated that fatty, didn’t I? Didn’t you see it too?”

“He was a fake. We were deceived. The real one was with us the whole time.”

“What do you mean?”

Namgung Sansan asked, her expression showing she couldn’t understand. Hyun-woon understood that it was natural. Wishing she wouldn’t be shocked, Hyun-woon told her the truth.

“Jeon Hon, that person was the real King of the Southern Sea.”

“Th-that’s impossible…!”

Namgung Sansan couldn’t help but be astonished.

“But it’s the truth. He deceived us. It’s my mistake for not discerning that fact.”

As Hyun-woon blamed himself, Sansan retorted.

“Why is it your mistake? Strictly speaking, isn’t it my mistake for not blocking that ambush? Senior disciple brother would think the same. Ambushes are for the weak, and being hit by such an ambush makes one even weaker.”

Those were truly words befitting Bi Ryu-yeon. However, for the current Hyun-woon, even those words didn’t resonate.

“No. It’s my mistake for not properly discerning the enemy’s hidden strength. It was my role to protect your back while you were fighting. Anything could happen in enemy territory… I was careless. That’s why you got hurt. I cannot forgive myself more than I cannot forgive him.”

“Wh-what does that have to do with anything? With me being ambushed by mistake and you? Wh-what does it have to do with me getting hurt? This is your own doing?”

Somehow, Namgung Sansan’s face turned red. Hyun-woon was utterly serious. It was difficult for her to see Hyun-woon in such a serious state.

“Sansan, even if it doesn’t matter to you, it matters to me. This has nothing to do with you.”

It was an ambiguous statement, making it unclear whether it concerned her or not.

“Help me up. I won’t feel relieved unless I hit him once as compensation for deceiving me.”

Hyun-woon stopped Namgung Sansan as she tried to force herself up.

“Stay still for now. If you move carelessly, the wound could worsen.”

“Hmph, this kind of wound is nothing.”

Then, as she tried to get up again, Hyun-woon forced her back down. As a result, their faces naturally came very close. In fact, Namgung Sansan was still in Hyun-woon’s arms. The moment she realized this, her face turned as red as burning charcoal.

“Wh-wh-what are you doing, Hyun-woon?”

Her tongue was slightly twisted as she protested.

“I will fight him.”

Hyun-woon’s expression was utterly serious. He seemed not to be particularly agitated.

“This is my fight.”

Hyun-woon shook his head and said.

“It is my fight too. Isn’t it time you let me handle it?”

“I’m not okay with that. Don’t look down on me. I am stronger than you.”

Seeing her panting heavily, it seemed she couldn’t suppress her anger.

“Of course, you are stronger than me. So, shouldn’t you give me an opportunity to gain experience and become stronger?”

“Hmm… is that so? Do you really think I am stronger than you?”

“Of course. Let me show off a bit for once. Sansan, if you resolve everything, I won’t have anything to do, will I? I need to have at least one accomplishment to present when I meet my senior disciple brother, don’t I?”

Namgung Sansan pondered for a moment whether to accept his proposal or refuse it. However, the deliberation was not long. It was difficult to refuse when the other party insisted so much.

“Alright. But if you don’t fight properly, you’re out immediately.”

“Thank you.”

Hyun-woon lowered his sword and stepped forward.

The King of the Southern Sea had already risen from his seat and stood before him.

His sharp gaze fixed on the King of the Southern Sea. Their gazes collided in mid-air, sparking. However, the resolve in Hyun-woon’s eyes remained completely unharmed.

Yes, this had nothing to do with Namgung Sansan.

This was something he was doing of his own volition, something he would definitely see through to the end.

“Leisure is temporarily closed for business. Therefore, I must defeat you.”

Hyun-woon declared so with confidence.

After moving Namgung Sansan to the side wall, Hyun-woon stood facing Jeon Hon again.

“I, Hyun-woon of Wudang, one of the Nine Dragons of Cheonmu, will face you.”

Hyun-woon said, pointing his sword tip at Jeon Hon.

“Ho ho, I’ve heard of it. They say there’s a prodigy of Wudang called the Jade Dragon among the Seven Peaks of the Nine Dragons, a gathering of young talents from Cheonmu Academy. Are you the Youyou Sword Hyun-woon?”

“That’s right. I’m surprised you recognize such an obscure Daoist priest.”

Hyun-woon was slightly surprised that he knew about him.

“Information is a merchant’s weapon. If you’re not well-versed in information, both in the dark and the light, how can you do business? It’s basic, basic.”

He said it as if it were nothing.

“Indeed, impressive.”

Hyun-woon sincerely admired him and clicked his tongue. He knew about him, but he knew nothing about the other party, which put him at a significant disadvantage from the start.

“But I’ve heard that the Jade Dragon merely enjoys leisure in a pond, and has never flown up into the sky?”

This was a remark alluding to Hyun-woon’s quiet presence without much major activity.

“Does it mean ‘A dragon in hiding is useless’? But today, you are fortunate enough to see that leisurely dragon run wild.”

“Well, rather than that, as a merchant, I’m more curious about the price of that dragon’s life.”

“The price of a dragon’s life… you can confirm that yourself.”

*Fwoosh!*

As soon as his words fell, a flashing streak of light grazed past Hyun-woon’s ear. Something with immense power, capable of piercing the wind, had just attempted to take his life. If he hadn’t instinctively dodged his head slightly to the side, he might have died instantly.

“What was that just now…?”

And then Hyun-woon realized that the coin the King of the Southern Sea, Jeon Hon, had been flicking and playing with had disappeared.

‘Firing [彈]…’

What Jeon Hon had just displayed was undoubtedly an ultimate technique of firing (彈技).

Hyun-woon, somewhat stunned by the incredible firing technique, was met with a smirk from the King of the Southern Sea, Jeon Hon.

“Your life is worth more than a mere coin, it seems.”

And then the fight between the two began.

“The price of my life?”

“I don’t like free things. I believe one must pay the appropriate price when obtaining something. This applies to human lives as well. Therefore, I don’t reclaim coins once I’ve thrown them.”

It was a peculiar habit for someone so tenacious about making money.

“If you want to buy a life, pay the price. Then I’ll sell it back to you.”

“Did you say sell it back?”

“Of course. Your lives are already mine.”

*Fwoosh!*

At that moment, his right thumb flicked, and simultaneously, a flash of light erupted.

It was literally a fleeting flash.

Something flashed, and something flew.

A surprise attack that occurred unconsciously.

*Clang!*

Something hit Hyun-woon’s sword and bounced off.

“Kyaak! Hyun-woon!”

Namgung Sansan let out a short scream without realizing it.

*Rumble rumble!*

Like being struck by a heavy mace, Hyun-woon’s sword vibrated fiercely. The vibrations shook the air and did not subside for a while. Hyun-woon had to grit his teeth against the pain that felt like his grip was tearing.

‘What was that just now?’

It was pure luck that he was able to block it. Or perhaps it was his instinct, honed through hellish training, that reacted. Hyun-woon’s body moved his sword almost unconsciously, and what flew at him bounced off his sword.

The sound of the wall behind him being pierced with a ‘thwack!’ could be heard. But he didn’t even dare to look back. He focused all his attention on identifying what he had just blocked. And he adjusted his stance and concentrated his mind, ready for his body to react at any moment.

He vowed to discern it clearly next time, even if he could only see it faintly before.

“Ho ho, you blocked it? My ‘Soul-Shattering Coin’? That’s quite an expensive friend.”

He seemed genuinely impressed. As if surprised that he couldn’t finish off his opponent in one blow.

“What was that just now? Is it a type of hidden weapon?”

Hyun-woon asked, trying to probe his opponent.

“A hidden weapon? It’s nothing as trivial as that. I told you, your lives have already been bought by me. Isn’t there only one means of transaction needed to buy something?”

“Don’t tell me… it’s money?”

The King of the Southern Sea laughed with amusement.

“Of course, it’s money. For your information, what just flew was a coin. But your life seems to be worth more than a single coin.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I have a transaction of a lifetime. I cannot back down either.”

“A transaction, what kind of transaction is it? Are you planning to swallow this entire Macheongak?”

“Whoa, calm down. A merchant must know their own capacity. Or rather, the size of their pocket. In that context, a merchant must distinguish between what their pocket can do and what it cannot. My pocket isn’t heavy enough to buy all of Macheongak. Of course, the higher the risk one takes, the greater the possibility of high returns, but there are times when one wants to go all-in.”

“Is this that event? Kidnapping a woman? And the jewel of the Martial Alliance Leader? That’s certainly a high risk. But can you really get away with being involved in this?”

“Kidnapping? I know nothing of that. I don’t want to know either. It seems to be a misunderstanding.”

Even when told that the Martial Alliance Leader’s daughter had been kidnapped, he showed no particular surprise.

“A misunderstanding? Who would believe such an absurd excuse? My senior disciple brother said that a merchant, if they lose their credit, is nothing more than a thieving rat.”

“A rat? That’s unpleasant to hear. Anyone who hears it might think I’m always lying. However, to protect my own credit, you must die here. There are people who want to buy your lives. Don’t worry, I’ll pay a generous price for your lives.”

“You won’t be able to buy my life, because I won’t sell it.”

“Perhaps because you are still young, you are too naive about the ways of the world. In this world, money is everything. There is nothing that money cannot buy. Even if it is a person’s conscience, or their life.”

There was no hesitation in the King of the Southern Sea, Jeon Hon’s words.