Chapter 1006: All of a Sudden (Part 6)

A powerful sword, emanating a fresh blue aura, sliced through the air with strength.

"Swing your sword!"

Swish!

"Don't just swing it around like that!"

Swish!

"Do you carry it just for show?"

Swish!

"Idiots, these ones! Idiots! Your heads are empty!"

White steam rose from the heads of the swordsmen of the Namgung Sect as they fell helplessly.

"Tsk."

Chung Myung looked at the trembling trainees with a distorted face.

"They're wielding their swords like they are carving vegetables, putting all their strength into the look. Where do they twist their wrists, and what are they doing? They're about to twist and chop themselves to death!"

While admiring the sight, Jo Gol, who had been watching, whispered to Baek Cheon.

"What does that mean, Sasuk?"

Baek Cheon shrugged his shoulders and explained in detail.

"They are saying that those who can't even properly stabilize their basic sword techniques shouldn't be seeking flashy changes. They need to relearn the basics."

Jo Gol nodded repeatedly, admiring the excellent interpreting skills.

"In my time... Hey! You guys! Before swinging your swords, hey! You guys! Hey! Anyway, these kids these days..."

Jo Gol asked again.

"What is that?"

Baek Cheon smiled and replied.

"When I was young, we focused on solid basics rather than flashy changes. I'm worried that modern Kangho swordsmen are too focused on appearances... That's what it means."

Chung Myung threw the wooden sword he was holding to the ground.

"From tomorrow on, you guys have been demoted! I don't know what happened to you, but the more I get rid of you, the better. The higher-ups seem to be somewhat better, but the lower ranks are in a terrible state! Oh, well, I'll train you from head to toe!"

Jo Gol asked, "What is that?"

"Ahem. This is a bit long," Baek Cheon cleared his throat and began.

"Originally, I respected and revered the Namgung Family's predecessors and admired their swordsmanship. But it's unfortunate that the young swordsmen of Namgung haven't properly carried on the teachings of their seniors. Even though we don't share blood, as fellow travelers on the path of the sword, I want to help them lay the foundation... that's the meaning."

"Sasuk."

"Yes?"

Jo Gol, with a somewhat bewildered expression, spoke up.

"…At this point, isn't it more like an interpretation of a dream?"

"That's really what it means…

"..."

Jo Gol, with eyes filled with skepticism, looked back and forth between Chung Myung and Baek Cheon and shrugged.

"When I listen to Sasuk, it feels like some excellent education is taking place, but why does it just look like they're not happy with it in my eyes?"

"Because... it's true."

"Really?"

"That's why it seems that way."

Chung Myung stood alone amid the ranks of Namgung's swordsmen, who had sprawled on the ground. He was continually shouting something, apparently dissatisfied with something that he couldn't put his finger on.

"Watching that scene makes my stomach hurt."

"I had a nightmare yesterday."

"I thought it would feel good to see someone else suffer."

"I'm shaking."

Certainly, this sight wasn't good for one's mental health. Every time the Namgung Family's swordsmen succumbed to the dreadful wooden swords, it felt like one's head was pounding.

"Say, Sasuk."

"Yes?"

Yoon Jong seemed to have something to say as he scratched his cheek.

"I'm a bit concerned... can the Namgung's seniors accept this situation?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... we don't have much to lose, and we know that we can't get stronger without this method. So we've followed without complaints. But they must have their pride, right?"

"Pride?"

Baekcheon's face was slightly distorted. Then Yoon Jong closed his mouth with a sad expression on his face. Jo Gol didn't miss a moment and scoffed.

"Are you insulting Sasuk now?"

"Jo Gol, be quiet, you moron!"

"Pride..."

Baek Cheon gazed into the distant mountains.

"Right...There was a time when I questioned such things."

Yoon Jong gently patted Baek Cheon's shoulder.

"Don't cry."

"I'm... not crying."

Baek Cheon, who had brushed away the tears under his eyes, composed his expression and continued.

"At first, there will be resistance, of course. When a person's belief in their own greatness is shattered, the despair that follows can be equally great."

"Speaking from experience?"

"From experience."

"Well, vividly told."

"Shut up."

As a vein bulged on Baek Cheon's forehead, the other Five Swords turned their heads and whistled. The menacing look in his eyes soon gave way to deep sighs.

"However... they will eventually accept it."

"...So they'll realize it's right?"

"No."

"Yes? Then...?"

"If they don't accept it, they'll get hit even more. What can they do?"

Yoon Jong thought with a satisfied smile.

'This guy is the strangest.'

And the rest of the Five Swords probably didn't think much differently.

* * *

The Namgung Clan's swordsmen returned to their quarters, collapsing here and there.

"Ugh..."

As soon as their heads touched the ground, they fell fast asleep. However, the moment their bodies made contact with the floor, excruciating pain surged through them.

"My... ah... my arm..."

"Ugh... my, my back... it feels like it's going to break..."

"Uwweh..."

"Don't puke here!"

There were no exceptions. The Namgung Clan, which had clung to the ground like starfish, laboriously raised their heads.

"Ughh."

It felt like their bodies had shattered into pieces.

"This... This is insane..."

"How... how can we endure this?"

Discontented voices emerged from various corners. It wasn't that their voices weren't growing louder due to their intensifying emotions. It was just that they had no energy left to get angry, so they spoke in a resigned and feeble manner.

"What kind of training is this? It's just torture!"

"That's right."

"Why do we have to suffer like this?"

However, even in the midst of dying, human beings couldn't completely abandon their anger. As a result, the swordsmen's voices gradually grew louder.

"Will this even make a difference? The Namgung Clan has its own methods, right?"

"If the Clan Leader saw this, would he really condone it?"

"They treat us almost like slaves. No other clan's disciples are subjected to such treatment!"

At that moment, a soft voice was heard.

"Everyone, calm down."

All eyes turned toward the person who spoke. It was Namgung Dowi, who was struggling to rise from the entrance. Those who witnessed this forced themselves to stand and began chewing their lips.

"Junior Clan Leader."

"I know it's tough. But we must overcome this."

Everyone's faces contorted with determination.

"...Honestly, I'm not sure how this kind of training is supposed to be helpful."

"No, training can be beneficial. But isn't the attitude of the instructor a bit too arrogant and disrespectful?"

"Even our Clan Leader didn't treat us like this."

"Everyone..."

"Junior Clan Leader."

The members of the Namgung Clan stared at Namgung Dowi with dissatisfied eyes.

"Shouldn't Junior Clan Leader speak on behalf of us?"

"...Me?"

"Yes. We can endure the difficult training. What's truly unbearable is the sense of humiliation."

Namgung Dowi continued to speak, seemingly unyielding.

"You said we're not meant to be treated like ordinary disciples by our masters. We're merely learning what we lack through the Mount Hua Sect. But, Junior Clan Leader..."

The Namgung Clan continued, seemingly undeterred, directing their words towards Namgung Dowi.

"No master treats their disciples like this."

Gradually, Namgung Dowi's expression hardened. However, the impassioned Namgung Clan seemed oblivious to his reaction.

"This is not just our problem. If rumors spread that the Namgung Clan is being treated like this at Mount Hua, it would tarnish the reputation of the Namgung Clan. In times like this, Junior Clan Leader should step in."

"That's right!"

"If Mount Hua doesn't hold us in high regard, this wouldn't have happened..."

"If our Clan Leader were here, would they dare to treat us like this..."

"Enough! Stop it!"

At that moment, a loud roar erupted from Namgung Dowi.

"No, Junior Clan Leader!"

"...Ju-Junior Clan Leader?"

The bewildered Namgung swordsmen stared blankly at Namgung Dowi. Those who had been pouring out their discontent ceased to speak, their mouths agape.

Namgung Dowi, who had been silently glaring at everyone for a while, finally spoke.

"Dignity?"

"..."

"Humiliation?"

Namgung Dowi laughed as if he couldn't believe it.

"I see. I was the only one who didn't know."

His voice was laced with sarcastic mockery.

"There's still enough pride left in Namgung to feel humiliated and consider dignity. I thought I was the only one who didn't know, but everyone else knew."

"Junior Clan Leader."

"I..."

Namgung Dowi looked around at everyone and said as if he were spitting out the words.

"I thought all of that was left at Plum Blossom Island."

The Namgung swordsmen lowered their heads.

Right or wrong, in this situation, who could dare to meet Namgung Dowi's gaze?

"But... No, that's not it. I was the only one who left them behind. Even if they died regretfully there, I vowed to revive Namgung in any way possible, even if I had to eat mud to keep those who died there from regret."

"Junior Clan Leader, that's..."

"I hope you'll protect it at all costs."

Before the Namgung Clan could say anything, Namgung Dowi abruptly cut in with his cold, sharp voice.

"Your pride and dignity, too. If the people who died at Plum Blossom Island truly sacrificed their lives for that, don't we have to protect it at all costs?"

Namgung Dowi turned around and walked away without waiting for any response.

"..."

A moment of silence passed. The remaining individuals stared blankly at the door he had forcefully left.

"...So why did he say that...?"

"Is it because of me?"

An argument briefly flared up, but it didn't last long. Everyone fell into deep silence.

Meanwhile, outside, Namgung Dowi gazed into the distant sky.

In the darkened sky, it seemed like stars might pour down like rain at any moment. Under normal circumstances, he might have marveled at the scenery, but unfortunately, he couldn't feel any beauty in it now.

'It's difficult.'

It's not easy. The road is long, and there's much to be done, but it seemed that not everyone shared his sentiments. He thought that if he sincerely explained, they would all accept it, but was it all in vain?

'Father...'

Just as he was thinking longingly of Namgung Hwang, he let out a long sigh.

"Hmm?"

Namgung Dowi, sensing something coming from behind, suddenly turned his body. Swiftly, he reached out and caught something flying towards his face.

"...A liquor bottle?"

In his hand, he held a white liquor bottle. Namgung Dowi stared blankly at what he had captured.

Standing on the eaves of the rooftop was a familiar figure.

"Chung Myung Dojang?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"What are you doing up there?"

Chung Myung shrugged.

"Never mind that. How about it?"

Facing the bewildered Namgung Dowi, Chung Myung lightly shook the liquor bottle in his hand.

"A drink?"

Namgung Dowi slowly nodded his head.