Chapter 11. The Sword Ghost’s Fame

A brief silence.

Then came the murmuring.

“Young Master Hoyeon… the greatest genius of all time?”
“What nonsense is that?”
“Huh…! That can’t be true!”
“Are they saying the new martial arts commentaries were written by the youngest son? Ridiculous!”

The reactions were sharply divided—between those who knew the facts and those who didn’t.

But they all had one thing in common: no one could believe Namgung Baek’s words.

“Family Head, are you saying that all the newly compiled martial arts books in the Changkyunggak were written by Hoyeon?”

The speaker was a bald, stern-faced elder who had remained silent throughout the meeting.
He was Namgung Muwon, the third elder of the Elders’ Council, known as a martial arts fanatic.

He was also the first person to examine the newly placed martial arts texts in Changkyunggak.

“That’s correct, Third Elder.”
“…How could that be possible?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Hoyeon is barely in his teens! Even I, after devoting over fifty years to martial arts, couldn’t write those commentaries!”

When Elder Namgung Muwon shouted in disbelief, Namgung Baek responded with a meaningful smile.

“That’s why I said it. Hoyeon is the greatest genius of all time.”

“…Ha!”

Slap!

With a scoff, Muwon pulled out a book from his sleeve.

The cover read: 《Ten Techniques of the Iron Sword (鐵劍十式)》, written in a sharp script.

“The Ten Techniques of the Iron Sword is no common swordplay. It was created by Namgung Ilhon, a forefather who left the clan 500 years ago and wandered as a rogue, earning the title ‘Iron Sword Invincible.’”

“I know.”

“You know? No, you don’t.”

“Hey, that’s no way to speak to the family head!”

The first elder, Namgung So, tried to step in, but Muwon, heated with emotion, didn’t stop.

“I’ve dedicated my life to the Iron Sword! I thought I knew it better than anyone… until I opened this book!”

Flap!

Muwon opened the book and began reading aloud from the first line.

“The Ten Techniques of the Iron Sword pursue a strong blade. While it may be confused with the domineering sword, they are fundamentally different. The domineering sword suppresses with overwhelming force, while the strong sword emphasizes physical power and destructive capability.”

“Hmm…”

“Thus, the strong sword is neither fast nor heavy—just powerful. Only by understanding this can one grasp the essence of the Iron Sword Techniques.”

“Hoooh…”

As Muwon continued reading, the expressions of those gathered in the Changkung Hall changed.
Their ears perked up—they were all martial artists and could sense the depth within the seemingly simple explanation.

Flap!

He turned the page and continued.

“The first stance is ‘Iron Sword Rings Out (鐵劍鳴出).’ This technique uniquely starts by letting the sword cry out. Why is that?”

“…Why?”
“Now that’s interesting.”
“Isn’t it meant to focus one’s spirit?”

The Changkung Hall had turned into a classroom.

“The first sentence of a book is important. So too is the first stance in swordplay. I believe ‘Iron Sword Rings Out’ is the true essence of the entire technique.”

“What? That’s just the opening flourish.”
“Isn’t the true essence ‘Iron Soul Strike’?”

“Shhh! Be quiet!”

All ears turned back to Namgung Muwon.

From his mouth, the true secret of the Iron Sword—a technique lost for 300 years—was being revealed.

“‘Iron Sword Rings Out’ is not merely the first form—it is the pillar supporting the nine forms that follow. The resonating sword absorbs rebound force when clashing with an opponent’s blade.”

“Hmm?”
“Re… rebound force?”

“The more it clashes, the greater the rebound—amplifying the resonance and making the sword’s cry even more powerful. As the sequence progresses and the sword continues to strike, that resonance grows exponentially.”

“…”

“This is the essence of the Iron Sword’s strength: reverse strength.”

“…”

“It’s the form born from countless real battles that Namgung Ilhon created during his days as a rogue warrior.”

Silence fell over Changkung Hall. You could hear a pin drop.

Some were stunned, others contemplative, some closing their eyes to digest this new understanding.

‘Reverse strength, huh…’
‘To truly understand martial arts, you have to know the life of the creator!’
‘Namgung Ilhon forged this in real combat. He must have faced countless sword duels!’
‘Aah! So “Iron Sword Rings Out” was the true core from the start!’

These were the top officials of the Namgung clan—they understood instantly.

This interpretation was correct.

What they’d practiced until now was a hollow shell.

Slap.

Muwon closed the book, and a look of wistful regret passed over everyone’s faces.

“Family Head. After reading this, I made up my mind. I must find the one who wrote this and bow before them for guidance.”

With sincere eyes, he asked:

“Please, tell me honestly. Is it true… that Hoyeon wrote this?”

“It’s true.”

“…Ha.”

Namgung Muwon looked as if his soul had left his body.

So did everyone else.

With a smile, Namgung Baek continued.

“When I said Hoyeon was the greatest genius, I was actually reminded of another person.”

“Who…?”

“Grandmaster Namgung Cheongang.”

“…!”

“The Sword Sovereign of the Azure Heavens!”

The name made everyone’s eyes widen.

That name was sacred among the Namgung clan.

300 years ago, he was one of the Three Supremes of the martial world and the undisputed strongest until the Sword Ghost appeared.
He was a paradox—a source of great pride, yet also the reason for the clan’s decline.

“Indeed. The Sword Sovereign was said to have mastered all the clan’s martial arts before even turning twenty.”

Namgung Muwon nodded.

A genius of legend—and now, Hoyeon was showing signs of the same brilliance.

Gradually, the air in Changkung Hall began to shift. People started to accept it.

Namgung Baek’s eyes gleamed.

‘The secret that the Sword Sovereign was a sword-sense sensitive is only in the inner records. The same must be kept hidden for Hoyeon.’

The ability to hear the “will of the sword” was too rare and dangerous—it had to be protected.

“Hoyeon is a genius. The greatest of all time. The one who will restore the glory of the Namgung clan!”

“Namgung Jae-Wi…”
“Make Namgung great again…”
“Hoo…”

Their expressions softened into dreams of hope.

In the past, Namgung was synonymous with “the greatest under heaven.”

‘Could our house truly rise again?’
‘A talent comparable to the Sword Sovereign… truly, a genius of the ages.’
‘If the youngest son matures… just how far will our name go?’

The flowers blooming in their faces were named hope.

And that was exactly what Namgung Baek was aiming for.

‘With the clan suffering misfortunes, I needed something to unite everyone. That something is my precious youngest son—Namgung Hoyeon.’

As expectations rise, and if Hoyeon lives up to them, the Namgung clan will soar again.

Later…

“Young Master! Good morning!”
“Ah, yes.”
“Did you sleep well, Sir Hoyeon?”
“…Yes.”
“May I seek your guidance one day?”

Clatter clatter!

Hoyeon was on his way to the Changkung Hall.

Usually, people just gave him a simple bow and let him pass—but not today.

Everyone he passed greeted him with lit-up faces.

‘What the hell is going on? Don’t tell me I’m a martial world celebrity again?’

The attention reminded him of his days as the Sword Ghost—where people watched his every move like wolves looking for weakness.

—Hey, you brat! Can’t you see the love in their eyes?
“Love my foot. You don’t even have eyes, old man.”
You’re the one who’s blind! Stop running and accept their greetings!
“Nope!”

Clatter!

He ran off, escaping the greetings.

When he arrived at Changkung Hall, Namgung Baek greeted him with a radiant smile.

“My son! You’re here!”
“Father, something’s wrong. Everyone’s acting weird. Like they’re going to eat me.”

“Hahaha! No wonder! I bragged about my amazing son at the Changcheon Council!”

“…You’re the culprit then.”

Hoyeon glared sharply, but Namgung Baek just ruffled his hair lovingly and explained everything.

“So, that’s what happened. Don’t worry—no one knows about your sword-sensing ability.”

‘Seriously? Did he just…?’

Having heard everything, Hoyeon was dumbfounded.

The greatest genius of all time?
He’d been called a disaster (天災), but never a prodigy (天才).

“Hoyeon, thank you. Because of you, the clan is full of life again.”

“…”

He wanted to argue—but seeing his father’s joyful face, he stayed quiet.

‘I’m being used, aren’t I?’

With keen insight, Hoyeon understood.

His father was clearly using him to rescue the clan from crisis.

‘Use me, will you? Just like those bastards in my Sword Ghost days…’

No one who tried to use him back then had lived.

“Only you, my son, can lift this burden for me!”

Namgung Baek suddenly hugged him tightly and patted his back.

And just like that, Hoyeon’s guarded heart softened.

‘…Weird. I’m being used, but why doesn’t it feel bad?’

As he tilted his head in confusion at the unfamiliar feeling, Namgung Baek continued.

“Hoyeon, there are people lining up to meet you.”

“Me?”

“They want to learn from your martial arts writings—Daeyeon, Biyeon, Cheolgeom, Cheonpung… even the main Changkung unit wants you.”

“…”

Hoyeon stayed silent, not looking pleased.

Namgung Baek quickly waved his hands.

“Of course, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

“Which unit is my brother in?”

“Cheonggang?”
“I’ll go with him.”

‘I mean, if my brother dies showing off his stupid sword skills, it’ll look bad for me.’

Namgung Baek beamed proudly.

“Cheonggang is with the Changkung unit.”
“Then I’ll go there.”

“Haha! Excellent.”

Namgung Baek laughed and nodded.

“I should set a fee for your teaching. Labor deserves compensation. Do you want anything?”

He thought his son might ask for food or a new sword.

But Hoyeon’s answer was completely unexpected.

“Hmm… then… buy me some land.”

“…What?”

“I don’t care if it’s wasteland. Just make it as big as possible.”

With a sly smile, Hoyeon looked at his startled father.

‘Heh… if what I suspect is true, I might just turn a nice profit.’