Chapter 63
Eve of War (3)
After running almost without rest, they finally arrived at the Namgung Clan.
The scenery there was reminiscent of a battlefield’s military camp.
‘Is this really the Namgung Clan I knew?’
Namgung Hyuk couldn’t help but be surprised at how unrecognizable the place looked.
But it wasn’t just the scenery that had changed.
Even the expressions and gazes of the lower-ranked warriors were entirely different.
‘No one’s hiding their fighting spirit.’
There wasn’t a trace of fear in those who were about to face the Demon Alliance.
This was the true strength of the Namgung Clan — the prestige of a noble martial family that had stood tall in the martial world for generations.
“Welcome.”
The man who came out to receive the Vermilion Bird Squad was Namgung Do, the chief steward of the clan.
The fact that he had come personally despite the clan’s busy preparations for war showed how much importance the Namgung Clan placed on the arrival of this particular group.
However, the faces of those standing behind Namgung Do were less than welcoming.
They had expected a sizable reinforcement from the Martial Alliance, only to see a single squad arrive — and at that, the Vermilion Bird Squad, which had the worst reputation among the Four Divine Squads.
“I am Lee Jaryong, commander of the Vermilion Bird Squad. We’ve come to aid the Namgung Clan. I hope we can work well together.”
“It is truly a relief that you’ve come.”
“And with us is Lady Jegal Rin, the Deputy Strategist of the Martial Alliance, who also wished to assist the Namgung Clan.”
At Lee Jaryong’s introduction, Jegal Rin stepped forward and greeted Namgung Do.
“As a member of the Martial Alliance and of the Jegal Clan, I’ve come to offer what humble aid I can to your family.”
“To think the famed Heaven’s Wise Flower herself would come. Please, lend your brilliant mind to our cause.”
“Yes.”
After greeting the important guests in turn, Namgung Do’s gaze finally fell upon Namgung Hyuk.
“So, you’ve come as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The air around you feels quite different from a few months ago.”
Namgung Do was only lightly trained in martial arts and was closer to a common man, but even he could tell that Namgung Hyuk’s presence had changed drastically.
However, it seemed that news of “Lightning Dragon” Namgung Hyuk’s newfound fame had not yet reached the clan.
Had it been otherwise, the looks Namgung Do and the others gave him would have been entirely different.
“There’s a servant here who’ll show you all to your quarters.”
Many martial sects from nearby regions had already gathered at the Namgung Clan to join forces against the Demon Alliance’s impending assault.
The quarters assigned to the Vermilion Bird Squad were quite decent — clear evidence that the clan had taken care in their arrangements.
“They’ll be serving dinner about two hours from now. Rest and recover your strength until then.”
“Oh, finally a break.”
“I can feel my stomach sticking to my spine.”
As soon as Lee Jaryong gave permission, the members of the squad shed the stiff formality they had maintained before the Namgung Clan and reverted to their usual laid-back selves.
After such a grueling forced march, rest and food were all they truly wanted.
In the midst of this, Namgung Hyuk spoke to Lee Jaryong.
“I’ll go greet some of my family members.”
“Go ahead.”
With permission granted, Namgung Hyuk left on his own.
His steps led him straight to his old quarters.
Clack.
When he pushed open the long-unused door, he expected the musty smell of neglect—but there was none.
“It’s clean? I didn’t expect that.”
Could a servant have come to tidy it?
No. That was impossible.
Even when he had lived here, no servant had ever cleaned this room for him.
That meant someone else had come and done it.
“Could it be…?”
A face crossed his mind.
“Brother Hyuk?”
At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind the open door.
When he turned, he saw Namgung Hwarin, her hair tied back and dressed in training clothes.
“Hwarin. You’ve been well?”
Without answering, she ran forward and threw herself into his arms.
Startled at first, Namgung Hyuk soon relaxed and gently patted her head.
Reuniting with Namgung Hwarin — the one he regarded as a little sister — filled him with warmth.
It had only been a few months, but the joy of seeing her again was immense.
To ease her curiosity, Namgung Hyuk told her how things had been during his time in the Martial Alliance.
“So you’re saying you actually won the Hero Tournament this time?”
“That’s right.”
Anyone else in the clan would’ve dismissed that as nonsense.
But Namgung Hwarin believed every word he said.
“I worried so much about you, but it seems it was for nothing.”
“You were worried about me?”
“…Of course I was! You think I wouldn’t be?”
She pouted slightly, revealing how upset she’d been.
From the day he left, she’d been anxious about his safety.
Now, hearing that he had been thriving — even triumphing — she couldn’t help but feel a bit miffed.
“And yet, you never once sent word back. Not even a letter!”
“Ah… You’re right. I’m sorry about that.”
Namgung Hyuk couldn’t deny it.
He could have easily written her once, but he hadn’t.
‘Hwarin never forgot me — she even kept my room tidy… and yet, I’ve been a lousy brother.’
Feeling guilty, he wanted to make it up to her somehow.
“Hwarin, it’s not much of an apology, but I’ll teach you a martial art.”
“A martial art?”
She tilted her head in curiosity.
The technique he intended to teach her was one he had created himself — the Emperor’s Invincible Sword Thunder (帝王無敵劍雷).
“It’s a sword art that incorporates the essence of all Namgung sword techniques. You should be able to learn it.”
“Really?”
As a martial artist herself, Hwarin couldn’t hide her excitement at the thought of learning a sword art on par with the clan’s greatest.
Watching her enthusiasm, Namgung Hyuk thought to himself:
‘Tonight, in the Room, I’ll put the key principles of the Sword Thunder into a chant form so she can memorize them easily.’
Thanks to his unique ability, Namgung Hyuk could learn martial arts differently from others — more quickly, more instinctively.
But beyond that, through countless realizations, he had reached the level of a true grandmaster.
Passing on a martial art he had personally created was no longer a challenge for him.
‘It’d be best if she also learned the Heavenly Thunder Technique, but there’s no time. For now, the priority is to raise her strength, even a little.’
Hwarin’s martial skill hadn’t changed much since the days of the Azure Sky War.
Though she was a gifted prodigy acknowledged even within the Namgung Clan, no one could achieve visible progress in just a few months.
That was normal — it was Namgung Hyuk who was the abnormal one.
“Not today. I’ll teach you tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
Her eyes sparkled.
It wasn’t the prospect of learning a supreme martial art that made her happiest — it was simply that she would get to spend more time with him.
“Oh! You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let’s go to the dining hall together.”
“Alright.”
He was hungry himself, so he gladly accepted her offer.
At that same time — as the Vermilion Bird Squad entered the Namgung Clan — the forces of the Demon Alliance were slowly advancing northward.
“Do Ilcheon, master of the Blood Serpent Sect, along with three hundred disciples, have come to join the Demon Alliance!”
“Our Black Water Sect also pledges allegiance to the Alliance!”
Everywhere they passed, minor demonic sects from surrounding regions came bowing their heads to join.
Most were small, insignificant sects with few capable fighters, but they helped swell the ranks.
The problem was that the constant merging of new groups was slowing their march.
“This is too slow. At this rate, when will we ever reach the Namgung Clan?”
The complaint came from a hard-faced swordsman — Gu Jinmo, the leader of the Human-Slaughter Squad of the Black Blade Palace.
“No need to rush. It’s not like the Namgung Clan’s going anywhere.”
The one who answered was a sharp-eyed middle-aged man, Sa Mokcheon, one of the Demon Alliance’s enforcers and commander of the Evil Soul Unit.
Gu Jinmo scowled.
“If we waste time dawdling, and reinforcements reach the Namgung Clan, what then?”
“Are you afraid?”
“Who said I was afraid! I just said I’m concerned.”
He bit back his anger.
The hierarchy within the Demon Alliance was strict — ranked by strength and status.
Though Gu Jinmo was a peak-level expert, his rank didn’t even make the top 100.
Sa Mokcheon, ranked 87th, was therefore not someone he could easily offend.
“Let’s just ditch these useless rabble. With my squad and your Evil Soul Unit, we can strike first.”
Gu Jinmo was eager to earn distinction and climb the ranks, which fueled his impatience.
But Sa Mokcheon only sneered.
“The Namgung Clan has the Azure Sky Sword Corps and plenty of top-tier swordsmen. You want to charge in with just us? If you want to die, go by yourself.”
“Kh…!”
“Don’t get blinded by greed. Just focus on the task we were given.”
His tone was laced with disdain.
Gu Jinmo’s face flushed red and blue, barely restraining his killing intent.
‘So what if you outrank me by a few numbers? Acting so high and mighty…’
Even under the same Alliance banner, they were originally rivals competing for influence within the demonic world.
As tension flared, Gu Jinmo’s hand slid toward his sword hilt.
Noticing, Sa Mokcheon smirked coldly and silently activated his internal energy.
It was only a matter of moments before their confrontation erupted —
“Enough.”
A voice from behind stopped them both.
The two men immediately bowed low.
“Heh heh… Looks like the young ones are already hot-blooded.”
A second, more playful voice followed.
Two elderly men approached — they looked almost identical, like twins.
One had long white hair and wore white robes; the other was bald and dressed in black.
They were the Sun and Moon Twin Elders (Ilwol Ssangno), elders of the Demon Alliance.
“At such a critical hour, preparing to strike the Namgung Clan, and you choose to quarrel?”
“Heh heh! Let them fight. Fighting’s what the demonic path is all about!”
One scolded; the other encouraged.
Caught between them, Gu Jinmo and Sa Mokcheon could only lower their heads in silence.
‘If the rumors about the Twin Elders are true, saying anything now would be suicide.’
‘Never take sides between them — or you’ll die at the other’s hand.’
The pair were infamous for killing anyone who sided with one of them over the other.
“Hmph.”
“Boring.”
When neither man answered, the two elders quickly lost interest.
Sa Mokcheon exhaled in relief and bowed again.
“My apologies for the disgrace, Elders. It won’t happen again.”
“…Yes, we’ll be careful.”
With a sharp glance, Sa Mokcheon prompted Gu Jinmo to echo him.
Satisfied, the Sun and Moon Elders nodded and started walking ahead.
“Not much time left now.”
“Yes, yes… Soon we’ll finally cut down that old Sword King — end his cursed life once and for all.”
The reason the 23rd-ranked Sun and Moon Twin Elders were personally leading the vanguard was simple:
They meant to settle their long-standing grudge —
with the retired Sword King, Namgung Bi.
