The Yongbong Gathering’s round of 64, held over several days, concluded without any significant incidents.

Well, there was a minor incident on the first day, but... nobody died, so it can still be considered a smooth event.

Thus, the 32 contestants advancing to the next round were determined.

"Wow, three of us made it into the top 32."

Chun-bong, Namgung Su-a, and Namgung Myung.

All three advanced to the round of 32 without any trouble. To be precise, their victories were too one-sided.

Namgung Su-a and Namgung Myung’s opponents were martial artists from the preliminaries, and the difference in skill was so vast that even the spectators felt sorry for them.

There was indeed a significant gap between the Sixteen Prestigious Clans and the lesser-known sects.

Of course, there were a few individuals who stood out.

"Wasn’t that Yang So-hong? That person was quite good with the spear," Seo-jun remarked.

Namgung Myung nodded.

"Indeed, he was impressive. Even when compared to members of the Sixteen Prestigious Clans, he didn’t fall short."

"Is he from a well-known sect?"

"No, I heard he’s from a small sect in Honam."

"Oh. He must be naturally talented."

The saying "a dragon emerging from a small stream" wasn’t entirely far-fetched. Although, who knew how far this particular dragon could fly?

Humming a tune, Seo-jun walked along.

Today, he had a rare official engagement.

It was the meeting he’d mentioned before, where the Sixteen Prestigious Clans gathered for a discussion.

Currently accompanying him were Namgung Myung, Pae Jin-gwang, and Namgung Hyeok.

Although Pae Jin-gwang wasn’t part of the Sixteen Prestigious Clans, someone of his status as the Fist King was still invited to such gatherings.

He was treated as if his very presence represented a prestigious clan.

Chun-bong could have attended as well, but she declined, saying it was premature.

It seemed she wanted to restore the Gold Sword Clan’s prestige to a certain level before stepping into such gatherings.

The meeting location, as before, was at Shaolin.

Arriving at the main gate of Shaolin with his companions, Seo-jun found the sight somewhat unfamiliar.

“Wow, now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m actually entering through the main gate.”

The last time, he’d crashed straight into the center of Shaolin and hadn’t had the chance to enter properly through the main gate.

“It’s nothing to brag about.”

“Oh, shush, old man.”

After some playful banter with Pae Jin-gwang, they sent word of their arrival. Before long, a monk came out to greet them.

It was a familiar face—Hye-un.

“Greetings, benefactor.”

“Oh, Monk Hye-un.”

Seo-jun grinned as he clasped his hands together in response.

“I watched your duel. You’ve improved a lot.”

“It’s all thanks to you, benefactor. The previous duel was of great help.”

Thanks to their last duel, Hye-un had reached the brink of the peak level.

With just one more step, he could break through the Life and Death Threshold, maintaining the balance of his essence, qi, and spirit, and reach the transcendent level.

Though, that was easier said than done.

Following Hye-un, Seo-jun chatted with him about various topics.

Mostly, they talked about the recent incident where Seo-jun had shaken up the imperial household.

According to Hye-un, the reaction from the other sects wasn’t too negative.

After all, Seo-jun had the moral high ground, and he hadn’t actually taken Ju Yang-il’s life.

From an outsider’s perspective, it seemed as though he had swallowed his pride for the greater good of the ongoing war with the Black Lotus Sect, despite the insult to his clan and master—a mark of great character.

“Hmm, I have to admit, watching that was a bit nerve-wracking,” Pae Jin-gwang said, shaking his head.

“I honestly thought you’d lose it and snap all the royal necks on the spot.”

“Oh, come on, that’s an exaggeration.”

“Hah, seeing how you act, you could pass for a grand demon yourself. What’s exaggerated?”

“What, you wanna fight?”

“Are you trying to wreck Shaolin again? Don’t drag me into it.”

“Oh, damn it...!”

After some more grumbling, they finally arrived at the meeting hall.

“I’ll see you again soon, benefactor.”

As Hye-un departed, Seo-jun scratched his head while looking at the building in front of him.

“Shall we go in first?”

Namgung Hyeok nodded.

“Very well.”

In terms of rank, this was the proper order.

When Namgung Hyeok entered the building first, the meeting hall fell silent.

“So it’s true that the Boundless Sea has returned to the Namgung family.”

Namgung Hyeok ignored the murmurs and found his seat.

Seo-jun also took his seat and looked around at the gathered representatives.

‘Quite a crowd.’

Fifteen sects were present. (Kunlun was absent, as they were keeping the Demonic Sect in check.) And not just one person per sect had come; the room was packed with people.

Most of them were experts of a high caliber, and their mere presence filled the hall with intense energy.

If some clueless person wandered in, they’d probably collapse immediately.

‘What was his name again? Huangbo… Huangbo Jun?’

While scanning the room for familiar faces, Seo-jun spotted a few.

Two notable ones were Wol-mang from Cheongseong and Huangbo Jun from the Huangbo Clan.

Especially Huangbo Jun. It had been quite a while since he last saw him.

Unable to resist, Seo-jun sent him a mental transmission.

[Aren’t you going to say hello?]

[…What?]

[Huh, you rude bastard. Isn’t it polite to greet someone when you make eye contact?]

With this slight provocation, Huangbo Jun nodded with a curious expression.

Why was he being so compliant?

Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Seo-jun tried to provoke Huangbo Jun a bit more.

He’d hoped for an annoyed retort, but Huangbo Jun didn’t react much at all.

That wasn’t like him. A shame, really.

Suddenly, Seo-jun remembered the kids he’d met before.

Seo Hyul and Hee Rin, wasn’t it?

After rescuing the kidnapped younger sister, he’d given them a martial technique. He wondered if they were mastering it well.

With Ja-chung of Cheongpungdae serving as their instructor, they were probably doing fine.

[Heard any news? It’s in your area, after all.]

[They seem to be doing well.]

[Are you sure? You’re not just saying that, are you?]

[I heard it directly, so it should be reliable. …Probably.]

[Probably? You’re really saying that?]

As Seo-jun clicked his tongue, another transmission cut in.

[Why don’t you two include this old man in your little chat?]

Turning toward the source of the transmission, Seo-jun saw an old beggar grinning with yellowed teeth.

[Who are you?]

[What? You can’t tell just by looking? I’m a beggar.]

[Yeah, but who are you?]

[The name Chi-guka—does that ring a bell?]

Chi-guka? The name was familiar.

He was a transcendent-level master of the Beggars’ Union who’d fought in the same battle as the Lord of Gireon, who’d died before Seo-jun arrived.

[I was a peer of that guy. I never thought he’d go down so easily, even at the transcendent level.]

[Um… my condolences to the deceased?]

[Condolences, my foot.]

[…Wait, sir, where did you learn that kind of slang?]

[Isn’t this what young people say these days? Was I wrong?]

[Yes, very wrong.]

[What a shame.]

The old man clicked his tongue, then introduced himself.

[They call me Red-faced Beggar. I don’t remember my real name very well, so just call me that.]

[Red-faced, huh? You don’t look all that young.]

[It’s a nickname from my younger days, obviously.]

[Aha.]

[Anyway, I’ve heard quite a lot about you.]

It seemed Red-faced Beggar was a bit bored, as he held onto Seo-jun and chatted for quite a while.

He shared how beggars who fought alongside Seo-jun praised him endlessly, and that watching people around him die one by one made him feel like his own time was near.

With the cowardly Huangbo Jun slipping away, Seo-jun found himself fully occupied by Red-faced Beggar.

‘I just want to go home…’

He questioned what kind of reward he’d expected by coming here.

He should’ve stayed home, pinching Chun-bong’s cheeks…

Regret washed over him.

 

Meanwhile, at the Namgung Clan

Recently, the atmosphere at Geumju Hall, where the clan head managed affairs, had been unusual.

A few months had passed since Seo-jun created the two martial arts techniques, and their effects were starting to show.

“Haha…”

The Namgung Clan’s head, Jin Ga-wi, wore an odd smile.

“…Why do we have surplus manpower?”

Of course, he knew the reason.

It was thanks to Flash Thunder Mind Technique and Flash Thunder Thirteen Swords.

Due to the Flash Thunder Mind Technique, the warriors’ growth rate had increased, and the Flash Thunder Thirteen Swords allowed even those who hadn’t reached the first-rate level to wield techniques similar to sword energy.

Currently, the immediate benefits were being felt with the Flash Thunder Thirteen Swords.

Typically, one of the main reasons first-rate martial artists have an overwhelming advantage over second- and third-rate martial artists is their mastery of sword energy.

If a second-rate martial artist can wield sword energy, they can stand toe-to-toe with a first-rate martial artist. (In fact, the ability to wield sword energy is what defines a first-rate martial artist.)

So, not only did Flash Thunder Thirteen Swords expedite their progress toward the first-rate level by familiarizing them with sword energy, but second-rate martial artists could also now perform tasks previously exclusive to first-rate martial artists. This rapid acquisition of skills filled the previously lacking manpower.

As a result, the clan head, who had been troubled with overwhelming tasks, saw his workload significantly reduced.

However, the diligent head of the workforce, Chief Jin, thought differently from others.

He began to find more work to occupy himself.

‘Is there anything I can do for the young master?’

What could he offer as a reward, something he’d delayed because the young master had repeatedly turned down any recompense?

This was a truly challenging task.

In the grand Namgung Clan, there was nothing they could provide the young master.

Martial arts? He had already mastered the Sovereign Sword Form. Elixirs? He claimed he didn’t need any. Money? He wasn’t interested.

Ordinarily, rewards for martial artists would end there, but the young master’s situation was a bit unique.

‘Then what else could there be…?’

If he didn’t need anything as a martial artist, what about as a man?

How about a woman?

Instantly dismissed.

He didn’t want to get stabbed by the young lady or the clan head.

A rare, premium wine?

The young master didn’t seem to enjoy drinking that much.

‘Is there really nothing I can do for him?’

Watching the chief contemplate in a daze, a guard named Baek-gyeol spoke up.

“Chief, what about a sword?”

“A sword? But the young master said he didn’t need one.”

“Perhaps he hasn’t used a truly excellent sword yet?”

“Hmm… Miss Namgung did mention something along those lines.”

Upon reflection, a sword did seem like the best choice.

A legendary sword that could satisfy a transcendent master might be hard to come by?

For most major clans, perhaps, but this was the grand Namgung Clan. Acquiring a legendary sword wouldn’t be that difficult.

‘But an ordinary legendary sword wouldn’t suffice.’

Considering the achievements of the young master, such a sword wouldn’t be enough to satisfy him.

Only a divine weapon imbued with special abilities could truly match him.

Such a reward might be enough to acknowledge the young master’s accomplishment in creating the Cheonin-shin-dan-gong.

Having made up his mind, the chief nodded.

“Baek-gyeol, do you know where we can obtain a divine weapon?”

“…They’re not exactly easy to come by.”

“Well, it’s not impossible, is it?”

Casually, the chief completed the paperwork and stamped it.

“First, let’s get approval from the clan head.”

What kind of divine weapon would suit the young master?

A demon sword? Or perhaps something other than a sword entirely?

The chief had no doubt that he’d secure the approval.