Episode 229: The Duel

“So, what should I do now?”

Despite his bold declaration to follow the council’s decisions, he found himself with little to do until summer.

One thing was clear: simply continuing his duties as a physician wasn’t the answer. Now that he had made up his mind, he needed to take action.

“What can I do to strengthen the Tang family and solidify its foundation?”

Nothing came to mind.

Tang Mujin had spent a lot of time traveling through the central plains, staying with large sects and families.

However, he didn’t really know how those sects or families were run or how they expanded their influence. He hadn’t exactly been glued to the side of the family heads or sect leaders.

Tang Mujin pondered deeply. Who could help him in this situation?

“My father probably wouldn’t know, and neither Seol-yeong nor Wan-ah would be able to offer advice. Elder Sam An-bul, Elder Jang, Hong Geol-gae, and Hyun Gong are all in the same boat…”

There was one person who might be of help: Namgung Myung.

As the eldest son of the Namgung family, Namgung Myung must have seen and learned a few things growing up.

Tang Mujin went straight to Namgung Myung and asked what the Tang family should do to expand its influence and make a name for itself.

Namgung Myung offered a rather convincing answer.

“If you stick to being a family of physicians, the Tang family won’t grow any larger. In fact, it might not even be able to maintain its current size.”

“I agree. I have no intention of giving up medicine, but I don’t think we should be limited to it.”

“In that case, you have two paths to choose from: the path of a merchant or the path of a warrior. From my perspective, pursuing the martial path seems more promising. What do you think?”

Tang Mujin agreed.

He knew little about the ways of merchants, but he had honed his martial skills to a level he wasn’t ashamed of. He didn’t want to waste his experiences on the brink of life and death by choosing the path of a merchant. Besides, being the head of a martial family sounded much more appealing.

“I think so too. So, what do we need?”

“The core of a martial family is threefold: sufficient funds, martial prowess, and reputation.”

These were the same three elements that Elder Sam An-bul had mentioned: money, power, and connections. Tang Mujin trusted Namgung Myung’s words.

For a moment, he considered asking Elder Sam An-bul instead, but since the conversation had already started, he decided to hear Namgung Myung out.

“Money is always good to have, but you have enough to not be held back for now. Reputation will build naturally over time, so there’s no rush. That leaves martial prowess.”

Namgung Myung glanced at Tang Mujin and grinned.

“How about a duel for old times’ sake?”

When Tang Mujin and Namgung Myung stood facing each other in the backyard, each holding a sword, people staying at the Tang family estate gathered around them in small groups.

Beyond being key figures in the Tang family, their martial skills were among the best. Just watching their duel promised to be enlightening.

“How serious are we going to get?” Tang Mujin asked.

Namgung Myung replied confidently, “We’ll go all out, of course.”

“Oh, feeling confident, are we?”

“Confident? I’ve never lost to you before.”

The only difference from usual was that they wielded blunt practice swords instead of real ones.

Even so, these could still cut flesh and break bones. But there was no real danger to their lives.

Tang Mujin and Namgung Myung appeared to be calmly assuming their stances, but then subtly shifted and swung their swords at each other. It was a kind of surprise attack.

In a typical duel, such a move would be frowned upon.

But both knew the other was just as sly and cunning, so neither was caught off guard.

“Just as sneaky as I expected!”

“Haha!”

When Tang Mujin swung his sword horizontally, Namgung Myung used both arms—his intact right arm and the prosthetic left—to grip his sword and defend steadily.

Tang Mujin launched a series of highly practical attacks, targeting Namgung Myung.

Yet, Tang Mujin’s sword never reached Namgung Myung. It was clear that Namgung Myung’s sword was slightly superior.

However, Tang Mujin felt rather pleased. He had never thought he could overpower Namgung Myung with swordsmanship alone.

“If the gap is only this wide, I can manage.”

After executing seven fluid techniques, Tang Mujin slipped his left hand into his robe and flicked his thumb.

The lid of his needle case opened smoothly, and a needle landed in his hand.

Immediately, a drop of poison oozed from Tang Mujin’s hand, coating the tip of the needle.

It wasn’t a poison that would kill, but it was enough to incapacitate.

“Let’s do this!”

Tang Mujin flicked his left hand toward the sky.

More than half of the onlookers didn’t realize what Tang Mujin had done. But Namgung Myung knew it was a move to launch poison needles.

Five poison needles danced through the air, seeking openings in Namgung Myung’s defense.

Tang Mujin’s skill with hidden weapons had clearly improved.

Previously, his poison needles flew in similar trajectories, but now they moved erratically and complexly, like five insects.

Namgung Myung was impressed.

“He’s definitely made progress.”

The tide of the duel was quickly turning in Tang Mujin’s favor.

Namgung Myung spun around and unleashed the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms with his right arm.

Three of the five airborne poison needles were caught in the energy wave and fell to the ground.

If the needles were intact, he could simply pick them up again. But the problem was that they were bent. Bent needles were difficult to control.

Tang Mujin remarked with interest, “You must have thought about how to counter me in advance.”

“No need to think ahead. This is basic stuff, isn’t it?”

“But you didn’t realize that with fewer moving needles, I have less to worry about, did you?”

Tang Mujin shouted confidently, and Namgung Myung chuckled.

“Do you think you’re the only one?”

Namgung Myung said this and let his left arm hang limp.

Now he had to wield his sword with only his right arm.

For most people, this would mean a significant reduction in their sword’s momentum.

But Namgung Myung was different. When he gripped the sword with just his right hand, his presence intensified dramatically.

Namgung Myung charged at Tang Mujin, swinging his sword.

Tang Mujin raised his sword to block Namgung Myung’s strike, but he wasn’t confident he could fend off the follow-up attacks. He quickly retreated using the Shadowless Step and shouted.

“What did you just do?”

“I’m stronger when I use only my right arm.”

In hindsight, it made perfect sense.

Fighting while controlling a prosthetic left arm with telekinesis.

And fighting while focusing solely on the right arm, which he could wield comfortably. The latter was bound to be stronger.

Tang Mujin recalled something Namgung Myung had said before. That moving his left prosthetic was part of his training.

Though Namgung Myung often seemed to be idling, it was all part of his training regimen.

“Truly, the eldest son of the Namgung family, who has dedicated his life to the sword.”

Namgung Myung charged again, swinging his sword.

Blocking the sword was already precarious, and each time he did, it felt like his bones were vibrating.

Suddenly, Namgung Myung’s stance stabilized, as if rooted to the ground. Tang Mujin recognized it as a stance for a specific sword technique: the Emperor’s Sword Form.

“I can’t block that head-on.”

Namgung Myung’s sword moved from above to below.

At first glance, it seemed slow, devoid of any mysterious changes.

But it was the sword of an emperor, impossible to evade or block with mediocre skill. It felt like being crushed or drawn in by the sword’s momentum.

Tang Mujin felt a chill run down his spine for the first time in a while.

Even though it was a blunt practice sword, a direct hit could be fatal.

Tang Mujin gathered his inner energy from his dantian, raising his sword at an angle to deflect the attack. Even with that, his elbow felt like it might shatter, and his insides felt like they were being pounded.

Namgung Myung, intrigued, raised his sword again.

“I can’t deflect the next strike.”

But Tang Mujin wasn’t about to accept defeat quietly. He struggled to move his left arm, controlling the two remaining unbent poison needles.

Like a hidden snake leaping from the underbrush, the two needles skimmed the ground and struck Namgung Myung’s body. One in the back of his thigh, the other in his back.

“Got him!”

However, Namgung Myung showed no reaction. Tang Mujin exclaimed in shock.

“What did you do?”

“Ah, this is called a padded jacket.”

Namgung Myung confidently opened his coat to reveal a thick padded jacket hidden beneath his light clothing.

Tang Mujin protested.

“That’s cheating! Who wears a padded jacket and swings a sword comfortably?”

“I’m from the warm Anhui province, so I get cold easily. Besides, it’s winter, so why not wear something warm?”

“If it were summer, I would have won!”

“But it’s winter now, isn’t it?”

The duel, which had started with such bravado, ended inconclusively.

The onlookers at the Tang family estate dispersed, each reflecting on the duel in their own way.

Namgung Myung sheathed his sword, chuckling to himself, seemingly convinced of his victory.

Just as Tang Mujin was about to retort, Namgung Myung spoke first.

“Alright. Now I understand.”

“Understand what?”

“First off, your martial skills are impressive. If it weren’t for me or Hyun Gong, you’d be leading the pack among the late-stage masters. Your misfortune is being born in the same era as me.”

“So, was that the whole point of our duel?”

“Not quite. While your skills are commendable, I’ve confirmed that you can’t build a martial family with them.”

Dang Mujin fell into silent contemplation, unable to grasp the full meaning of Namgung Myung’s words.

Namgung Myung clicked his tongue and elaborated.

“Your martial prowess is outstanding, but your techniques aren’t extraordinary. You’ve bridged that gap with your unique abilities and poison techniques. But that’s not something an average person can replicate.”

“Well, anyone can learn poison techniques if they try hard enough…”

“Perhaps. But wielding a sword with your right hand while using your left for those techniques? That’s absurd. It’s like me trying to wield two swords at once… no, it’s even more complex than that.”

“Uh…”

Dang Mujin tried to take it as a compliment but realized it was a more serious issue.

“Unless you plan to pass down your skills to just one successor, your current fighting style isn’t sustainable for a family. Sure, a highly talented individual might learn it, but most would give up at the start. It’s not a method suited for growing a clan.”

Every family has its standout martial artist. Namgung Jinchun was one, as were the masters of the Namgung clan like Namgung Jinya.

But they are the exception. Below them are many who stop at the first or second tier, born within the Namgung clan’s walls but lacking the talent.

Yet, the Namgung clan’s warriors don’t look down on them. They are essential pillars supporting the clan.

“It’s powerful, no doubt. But you can’t build a force with such high entry barriers. Just as the Namgung clan needed the solid foundation of the Daeyeon Sword Technique to bloom the Imperial Sword Technique.”

“So, you’re saying I need simpler techniques.”

When Dang Mujin muttered this, Namgung Myung shook his head.

“No, that’s not the solution either.”

“Why not?”

“How would you rate your talent in swordsmanship?”

“Even being modest, I’d say it’s quite good.”

“Could you claim to have reached the level of a grandmaster?”

Dang Mujin couldn’t confidently say yes. He had seen those with talents hard to match.

Young Bojin and Jang Il-nam were such people. Only with that level of talent could one discuss being a grandmaster.

“The issue isn’t that you need grandmaster-level talent. To solve everything with martial arts alone, you’d need talent surpassing even a grandmaster, akin to a founder of a great sect. Only then could your swordsmanship stand shoulder to shoulder with other great sects or families.”

A grandmaster is one who has deeply understood martial arts, while a founder pioneers new realms of martial arts.

Both are unattainable goals for most, but they are entirely different levels of challenge.

“So, swordsmanship isn’t the answer?”

“That’s how I see it.”

Dang Mujin pondered. If the path wasn’t through swordsmanship, the answer was clear: poison techniques.

“I’ll need stronger poisons. Should I head to the southern jungles?”

“Dan Seol-young might be upset, but that’s a viable option. However, I think there’s something more important.”

“What is it?”

“It’s that your poison techniques and swordsmanship operate separately. There’s a much better way, yet you chose this odd path of wielding a sword while launching poison needles. Why?”

Dang Mujin tried to think of a ‘much better way’ but came up blank.

In the end, he asked Namgung Myung directly. A moment of embarrassment is fleeting, but achievement lasts forever.

“A better way? What is it?”

“Utilize the unique traits of your inner energy.”

“My inner energy?”

Seeing Dang Mujin still confused, Namgung Myung’s expression turned incredulous.

“You mean you didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Since you returned from the Demonic Cult, anyone who clashes swords with you gets infused with poison. It’s the most troublesome thing.”

“What?”

Dang Mujin replied dumbfounded, and Namgung Myung sighed in disbelief.

“Watch.”

Namgung Myung made a small cut on the tip of his right hand, which had held the sword.

A few drops of dark red blood trickled down, followed by a particularly black drop.

That drop emitted the peculiar scent characteristic of poison.

“You didn’t know that every time you clash swords, poison seeps in?”

“I’m not the one on the receiving end, so I didn’t notice.”

When two martial artists clash swords with their inner energy, their energies flow through the swords.

If there’s a significant difference in energy, the weaker one feels as if their insides are being churned.

If ordinary energy does that, it’s obvious what effect Dang Mujin’s poison-infused energy would have on an opponent. He simply hadn’t realized it because he was the one inflicting it.

Namgung Myung clicked his tongue and continued.

“Swordsmanship is fine. But if you add that poison trait to a martial art that directly projects energy, like a fist technique, it would be far more powerful. A technique that could inflict a fatal wound with just a lucky graze. A martial art that reaches the pinnacle of practicality. Not one that leads to enlightenment or ascension, but one optimized for killing.”

The expression was a bit odd, but it was undoubtedly true.

Moreover, it was the only way for Dang Mujin, a latecomer without the talent of a founder, to have his martial arts reach the level of existing great sects and families.

“So, the key is to lower the entry barrier for poison techniques? I should diligently research and create new results.”

Teaching Mok Wana martial arts and researching together would be a good start. Unlike ordinary people, Mok Wana already harbored a lot of poison within.

Namgung Myung looked pleased.

“Good. I’ll help you. I was worried the journey to Mount Wudang would be dull, but this is perfect.”

Dang Mujin was about to nod when he realized something odd.

“You’re going to Mount Wudang too?”

“Of course.”

He expected Hyun Gong to accompany him since their destination was Mount Wudang. He even thought the bored Hong Geolgae might tag along.

But Namgung Myung was different. He might run into his father at the meeting. Namgung Myung had no reason to go to Mount Wudang with them.

“Didn’t you find meeting your father awkward? Planning to see him after all this time?”

It was about time to mend things.

But as always, Namgung Myung’s answer was slightly unexpected.

“No. I won’t meet him. I won’t even enter the meeting hall. I’ll stay below Mount Wudang.”

“Then why are you going?”

“To see who comes to Mount Wudang.”

Seeing Dang Mujin still puzzled, Namgung Myung explained.

“If the heads of sects and families gather at Mount Wudang, their top masters will accompany them. Which means…”

Namgung Myung’s left lip curled up.

“Their headquarters will be left unguarded.”

Namgung Myung grinned wickedly.