The Return of the Namgoong Clan's Granddaughter-Chapter 80

Overwhelming martial force. Strength so clear it could not be ignored.

'Opportunity only comes to those who are prepared.'

Though Seolhwa had helped create this opportunity, in the end, it was because Namgoong Jihyung had endured through those long, bitter years without giving up that he was able to seize it.

He had survived those long years under scornful, mocking gazes.

Kwaang—!

"Haa... haa... haa...."

Steam rose from Namgoong Jihyung’s body.

It was the heat generated from pushing his concentration and honed muscles to their very limits.

His gaze was filled with the determination to pour [N O V E L I G H T] out everything he had here and now.

'Monster bastard...'

The Yellow Dragon Squad member tightened his grip on his sword.

He too desperately needed this chance.

Not as much as Namgoong Jihyung perhaps, but the Yellow Dragon Squad member had also seized a rare opportunity after many years.

'I cannot lose...!'

A blue aura like a shimmering heat haze began to radiate from the Yellow Dragon Squad member’s body.

Those watching the match gasped in shock.

"Extreme First-Class!"

A ripened First-Class level, nearing the Peak Realm.

"There was someone that strong in the Outer Courtyard?"

"Wasn’t the Outer Courtyard supposed to be full of Second-Rate warriors?"

"Why the hell is someone like that still stuck in the Outer Courtyard?"

Even among the Inner Courtyard warriors, a ripened First-Class was rare.

That alone made the Yellow Dragon Squad member’s strength astonishing.

'That one’s quite...'

Seolhwa’s eyes lit up with interest.

Because of what she had done for the Red Dragon Eleventh Squad, it seemed hidden talents from other squads were also finding their chance to shine.

'Yes. This is what a true promotion tournament should be.'

A place where evaluations were made purely by strength, not by power or backing.

"Uaaahhhh!"

The Yellow Dragon Squad member charged at Namgoong Jihyung.

'Heavenly Wind Sword Art (天風劍法), Second Form: Four Surrounding Chaotic Dragons (四圍亂龍)!'

From all directions around Namgoong Jihyung, chaotic winds surged in toward him.

It was a ferocious energy, as if dragons were trying to tear him apart.

Amidst the encroaching storm, Namgoong Jihyung exhaled a deep breath and recalled a voice.

'You’re strong, sir. Very strong. You just don’t know how to use that strength yet.'

Namgoong Jihyung gripped the hilt of his sword.

'Put strength into your lower body. Use the earth’s force to remain unshaken.'

Thud!

He planted his stance firmly, as if rooting himself into the ground.

'Once your lower body supports you, it’s about how you hold the sword.

Instead of clenching the hilt with all your fingers, focus strength into your thumb and index finger, and let the others support the weight. Like this.'

Following exactly as the girl had shown him, he wrapped his grip around the sword.

Allowing himself to swing the blade in any direction without putting unnecessary tension in his body.

Breathing out, he stared down the incoming sword strikes of the Yellow Dragon Squad member.

The raging dragon-like force that seemed ready to bind and devour him.

'The moment you swing your sword, pour your grip’s strength into it too.

Strike with the intent to sever your opponent in a single blow,'

At that instant, power surged into the hand holding his sword hilt.

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His eyes flashed sharply.

'Strike as if you intend to cut down the entire world.'

Namgoong Jihyung’s sword thrust toward the very core of the charging Yellow Dragon Squad member.

Heavenly Wind Sword Art Counter-Destroying Sword !

Chwaaaak—!

"Graaaah!"

The Yellow Dragon Squad member’s body twisted and flew through the air.

Though he narrowly dodged Namgoong Jihyung’s direct strike, he couldn’t avoid the storm of force that followed.

At that moment, astonishment appeared on the faces of those watching the match.

Seop Mugwang, the Sword Brigade Captains, and even the division leaders and elders who prided themselves on their sword expertise.

Those who realized what they had just witnessed could not believe their eyes.

'Namgoong Clan’s sword art... has been broken...?'

'Impossible...! How could Namgoong’s sword art...!'

The Namgoong Clan’s sword art was the peerless technique that had made the current Sword Emperor what he was.

Even the most arrogant sects bowed their heads before it, acknowledging its supremacy.

And yet, an Outer Courtyard warrior had just shattered it...?

'It’s done...!'

Namgoong Jihyung’s face lit up.

He had won!

The sword he learned from Lady Seolhwa had worked!

"I... I won...!"

Just as that realization bloomed into overwhelming joy—

Boom!

With a thunderous noise, a massive figure dropped onto the sparring stage.

Everyone—Namgoong Jihyung, the spectators, even Seolhwa—turned to look.

A hulking man reeking of alcohol, with a wild beard covering half his face, stood there, exuding an oppressive aura.

The sun was at his back, casting a long shadow that swallowed Namgoong Jihyung and stretched all the way toward the Sword Brigade members, making even them shrink under his fierce presence.

"Mu Hak Dang Lord...!"

One of the elders cried out.

He was Namgoong Mucheon’s younger brother, the Lord of the Martial Academy Hall, Namgoong Mugang.

Namgoong Mugang stomped—thud, thud—toward Namgoong Jihyung.

Frozen stiff, Namgoong Jihyung could only stare blankly up at the approaching Mugang.

At that moment, he thought the man looked like an enormous bear.

"Keurgh—!"

Namgoong Mugang grabbed Jihyung by the collar and hauled him into the air.

"You little bastard."

"Ugh..."

Even Namgoong Jihyung, so proud of his strength, could not break free from the overwhelming grip.

The thick stench of alcohol made it even harder to breathe.

"Who taught you that sword technique?"

"Ugh... wh-what...?"

"That sword move just now—no way it came from that stupid head of yours!

Who taught you?"

The force with which Mugang twisted his collar made it impossible for Namgoong Jihyung to breathe, let alone speak.

Namgoong Jihyung slapped at his hand repeatedly, but the more he struggled, the tighter the grip became.

Just as Namgoong Jihyung’s face began to flush red—

"I’m the one who taught him."

A clear, ringing voice echoed through the silent sparring hall.

Namgoong Mugang threw Namgoong Jihyung aside and turned to look at Seolhwa.

Confirming that the one who had spoken was just a child, he let out a deflated laugh.

"And who are you, brat?

Ah, you must be that Cheongun fellow’s daughter."

Namgoong Mugang scratched his ear and asked.

"You’re telling me you taught this punk that sword technique just now?"

"Yes."

"You?"

"Yes."

"Kahahahaha!"

Namgoong Mugang’s laughter shook the entire sparring hall.

The sound was so loud that a few nearby warriors had to cover their ears.

"No matter how drunk I am!

You think I’ll believe that nonsense?

That you created that sword technique?

Kahah! Hahaha!"

In the middle of his uproarious laughter, he suddenly gestured toward where the Patriarch was seated.

"Brother, say something!

No, wait! Seop Mugwang, you say it!

You must have recognized that sword just now, right?"

"Haa."

Seop Mugwang let out a sigh, as if exhausted.

But he didn’t respond.

He treated Mugang entirely like a drunk fool.

Namgoong Mugang, clearly used to it, didn’t even wait for an answer before shouting again.

"You brat.

Do you even realize what that sword technique just now was?"

"It was the Counter-Destroying Sword against Namgoong’s sword art."

The Namgoong martial arts hall instantly stirred.

"What? Counter-Destroying Sword?"

Shock rippled across the faces of those who had failed to recognize it.

There were just as many who were stunned that Seolhwa had recognized it.

"Hooh."

So, she has an eye for it?

"That’s right.

The sword technique this brat used just now was the Counter-Destroying Sword—

a perfect dismantling of Namgoong’s Heavenly Wind Sword Art!

Do you know what that means?"

"It means the creator of the Counter-Destroying Sword completely understood the Heavenly Wind Sword Art, and furthermore, that they saw through its weaknesses."

"Hmph.

For a little brat, you speak rather sharply.

You’re right.

But even so, you’re still claiming you created the Counter-Destroying Sword?"

Tap—!

In a flash, his figure disappeared.

Boom!

The sound rang out just a few steps away from Seolhwa on the pavilion.

Thud, thud.

He approached Seolhwa with heavy, resounding steps.

Cheongun hurried to block in front of her, flustered.

"A brat skinny as a broomstick like you, breaking Namgoong’s sword art?

Don’t be ridiculous!"

The aura pressing close from Namgoong Mugang was rough and powerful enough that it was no wonder he was called the second strongest in the Namgoong Clan.

Namgoong Mugang glared down at Seolhwa with burning eyes.

A towering force, as if he could crush her with a single step.

Seolhwa did not avoid his gaze, even as her flesh quivered from the overwhelming pressure.

"...."

Mugang stared at the child boldly meeting his gaze, and his lips curled upward in interest.

"Fine then.

Show me yourself."

"...."

"What’s wrong, can’t do it?

You said you created that sword technique, didn’t you?

Then show me!"

"Enough."

A voice imbued with inner force reverberated across the sparring hall.

At the same time, Seop Mugwang’s still-sheathed sword barred Mugang’s path.

"Come on, sober up first.

Aren’t you ashamed to be acting like this in front of a kid?"

"Shameful?

You bastard, no matter how drunk I am, you saw that sword just now too...!"

"I said enough, Mugang."

Another voice, this one colder and heavier with inner force, cut him off, making Namgoong Mugang flinch and fall silent.

With a stiff expression, Mugang lowered his gaze toward Namgoong Mucheon.

"Are you saying I’m bullying my brother’s granddaughter?"

"We are in the middle of the Heavenly Martial Festival.

Do not cause pointless disturbances."

"Hmph."

Namgoong Mugang turned to look at Seolhwa again.

"You.

This matter—later, I will—"

"There are five of them."

"What?"

"The warriors I taught sword techniques to.

One just finished their match, so there are four more matches left."

"..."

"You could say it’s coincidence once.

But what about five times?"

Seolhwa smiled at him.

"Will you believe it if all five of them say they learned from me?"

Namgoong Mugang’s mouth dropped open in shock.