Episode 308: Namgung Hyun
“Namgung Hyun! Show them the might of the Namgung family!”
“Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon! Smash that guy’s head in!”
The crowd eagerly placed their bets, joining in the excitement.
Not long ago, many had favored Hong Gyeon to win, but now the tide had turned, with most expecting Namgung Hyun to come out on top. Such was the reputation of the Namgung family.
Namgung Hyun steadied his breath and approached his opponent, Hong Gyeon.
‘Stay focused, take it slow.’
He began with the Changgoong Sword Technique, the foundation of the Namgung family’s swordsmanship. While not particularly powerful, its strength lay in its adaptability. It could seamlessly transition into the more advanced Daeyeon Sword Technique, forming the Changgoong-Daeyeon Sword Technique.
Its light and swift movements also made it ideal for assessing an opponent’s skill.
Namgung Hyun’s sword danced lightly, dictating the flow of the battle.
Like a fish caught on a line, Hong Gyeon was forced to follow Namgung Hyun’s lead, struggling to defend. Namgung Hyun felt a subtle thrill.
‘No need to rush for a decisive blow. I’ll use my strengths to gradually widen the gap.’
Namgung Hyun believed he had two advantages over Hong Gyeon: the superior martial arts of the Namgung family and his greater internal energy.
‘I’ve consumed numerous elixirs. Even if Hong Gyeon has progressed quickly, as a wanderer, he wouldn’t have had access to such resources. I can slowly overwhelm him with my internal energy.’
His thoughts drifted to his father, who had risked everything to steal the family’s elixirs, hoping his son wouldn’t suffer as he had.
His father had secretly fed him the elixirs, despite the risk. The taste of the elixirs, taken without preparation, was unforgettable. The internal energy surged through him, followed by an inevitable fever.
The truth came out, and his father spent three years in prison. Yet, just ten days after his release, he stole the elixirs again for Namgung Hyun, only to be dragged back to prison.
Even then, his father had smiled brightly at him. A foolish father.
’…No, now’s not the time for distractions.’
Namgung Hyun’s sword grew sharper.
To both the trained and untrained eye, Namgung Hyun’s dominance was clear.
The gamblers shouted desperately.
“Cheonryeong Dog! Come on, give it your all!”
“I’ve bet everything I’ve won so far!”
But despite their hopes, Hong Gyeon never managed to turn the tables.
Namgung Hyun continued to dominate, determined to widen the gap further.
He shifted from the basic Changgoong Sword Technique to the intermediate Daeyeon Sword Technique.
Not only was this technique more advanced, but it was also the one Namgung Hyun had mastered most thoroughly.
Yet, as he executed the Daeyeon Sword Technique with fluidity, Namgung Hyun noticed something strange.
He intended to use the Daeyeon Sword Technique to increase his momentum and pressure Hong Gyeon.
And he was doing just that. But the gap wasn’t widening.
Suddenly, a childhood memory surfaced.
Back when Namgung Hyun barely reached his father’s waist, his father would let him wander wherever he wanted, always following a step behind.
Young Namgung Hyun once tried to outrun his father, but no matter how hard he ran, he couldn’t shake him off.
His father always maintained a one-step distance, ready to catch him whenever he wanted.
When his father lifted him high, young Namgung Hyun would burst into laughter. It was one of his warmest, happiest memories.
But now, Namgung Hyun felt the exact opposite.
…It was chilling.
The memory resurfaced because, despite his increasing momentum, Hong Gyeon maintained a precise one-step distance.
No more, no less. Just one step. Close enough to touch, yet unreachable.
Namgung Hyun’s expression grew anxious.
‘No, it must be a coincidence.’
He quickly transitioned from the Daeyeon Sword Technique to the Changgoong-Daeyeon Sword Technique.
This technique was renowned within the Namgung family for its upward trajectory.
Though Namgung Hyun’s mastery was slightly lacking, its power surpassed even the well-honed Daeyeon Sword Technique.
‘I’ll finish this quickly, even if I have to rush.’
Yet the gap remained a single step. Namgung Hyun’s sword invaded Hong Gyeon’s space, leaving scratches on his skin, but never landing a decisive blow.
When his father lifted him high, young Namgung Hyun was filled with joy.
But now, Namgung Hyun was filled with fear. It felt like Hong Gyeon could reach out and overpower him at any moment.
‘No, no…’
Desperately, Namgung Hyun unleashed his sword techniques.
Realizing the Changgoong-Daeyeon Sword Technique wouldn’t break through, he used every technique he knew. The Ghostly Sword, the Iron Sword Ten Forms.
Techniques he hadn’t fully mastered. It didn’t matter. He just needed one lucky strike.
Even if the power of each move was inconsistent.
Yet the gap remained a single step.
Measured with precision, an exact step.
Frustrated beyond measure, Namgung Hyun sheathed his sword and switched to hand techniques.
He unleashed the Thunderclap Fist, the incomplete Heavenly Thunder Palm, and the Celestial Wind Force.
Regardless of their proficiency, Namgung Hyun used every martial art he knew. But the gap with Hong Gyeon remained a single step.
His chest felt tight.
‘I have to win. I have to win…’
Then, the crowd’s shouts reached him.
“Cheonryeong Dog, come on! Please win!”
“Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon! Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon!”
The crowd was unaware of the truth. Namgung Hyun felt like he was losing his mind.
He bit his lower lip, repeating to himself.
‘I have to win.’
Namgung Hyun had completely lost his composure.
He drew his sword again. As he executed the Changgoong-Daeyeon Sword Technique, he subtly mixed in a killing move.
His sword surged toward the center of Hong Gyeon’s throat.
”…!”
Hong Gyeon reacted instantly, tilting his body and turning his neck.
Once again, Namgung Hyun’s sword grazed past Hong Gyeon’s neck, leaving not even a scratch.
A hair’s breadth away. The unbridgeable step was there too.
But as he executed the killing move, Hong Gyeon’s demeanor changed.
Hong Gyeon, still in his twisted posture, charged at Namgung Hyun.
With a shoulder and back strike, not a fist or palm, Hong Gyeon slammed into Namgung Hyun’s chest.
Namgung Hyun was sent flying, barely managing to regain his balance before hitting the ground.
The arena erupted with thunderous applause. The gamblers chanted Hong Gyeon’s name like madmen.
“He’s done it! Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon! Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon!”
Namgung Hyun quickly steadied himself and looked at Hong Gyeon.
Unlike before, Hong Gyeon stood firmly on both feet.
His arms formed arcs, coming together in front of his chest. Then, his palms extended toward Namgung Hyun.
“Dragon Descends… No, Wild Dragon Palm!”
With that shout, a fierce pressure descended. Namgung Hyun lost consciousness.
With a single strike from Hong Gyeon, Namgung Hyun was knocked out and sent flying. A few people entered the arena to check on Namgung Hyun, but most were focused solely on Hong Gyeon.
“An incredible outcome! The winner is Hong Gyeon from Jueul Village!”
As the announcer declared Hong Gyeon’s victory, the crowd surged into the arena, surrounding him. The noise of their chatter was like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.
“I thought he’d be knocked out right away, but he won the whole thing!”
“He’s improving at an incredible rate. At this pace, he might become the best in the world!”
People reached out, trying to touch even the hem of Hong Gyeon’s clothes.
Hong Gyeon was swept along by the crowd, lifted high above their heads.
They carried him like a leaf on the waves, tossing him up in celebration. A shy woman even grabbed his hand before quickly retreating.
Amidst the chaos, Hong Gyeon was handed his prize money and rewards. He had achieved all his goals.
Finally, the crowd began to chant in unison.
“Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon! Cheonryeong Dog, Hong Gyeon!”
Everywhere he looked, people were chanting his name. Over and over, until it was ingrained in their minds.
Even if it was a false name, it didn’t matter. Hong Gyeon felt truly happy.
“I have no regrets now…”
Hong Geolgae basked in the attention of the crowd until sunset, then discreetly undid his disguise in the shadows. He had enjoyed the limelight enough; it was time to return to his normal life.
The crowd buzzed with confusion.
“Where did Hong Gyeon go?”
“I thought he went this way?”
Once Hong Geolgae reverted to his true self, the crowd lost interest in him entirely. But he didn’t mind. He wasn’t foolish enough to resent people for such trivial reasons. He had had his fill of fun over the past few days.
He returned to the inn a little later than usual.
The inn was bustling with guests, aside from his companions, so he couldn’t openly talk about Hong Gyeon. His three friends sent him a mental message simultaneously.
Hong Gyeon, Hong Gyeon!
The Dragon of the Skies… The Master of the Arena!
The first-ever supreme master to enter the martial arts tournament! The most disgraceful of the Six Masters! Hong Geolgae!
Hong Geolgae chuckled awkwardly and took a seat. The two doctors and Seolhwa looked at him with keen interest. However, with seven people at the table, there was one seat too few.
Namgung Myung stood up abruptly.
“Here, take my seat.”
Hong Geolgae’s eyes widened in surprise. Namgung Myung wasn’t the type to do such things.
“What’s this? A gesture of respect?”
“Come on, don’t be ridiculous.”
“Then why did you get up?”
“I’m going to check on Hyun.”
“Oh…”
Hong Geolgae had completely forgotten about Namgung Hyun, his opponent in the finals. In truth, none of his opponents from the tournament had left a lasting impression.
But hearing Namgung Hyun’s name stirred a sense of guilt in him. It felt as if he had stolen Namgung Hyun’s chance at victory.
And in many ways, that was true.
He hadn’t entered the tournament of his own volition, but if he hadn’t participated, Namgung Hyun would likely have won.
Hong Geolgae hesitated, not taking a seat.
“I’ll come with you.”
“Just so you know, don’t go making fun of Hyun.”
“Of course not. What do you take me for?”
“What do you think?”
Namgung Myung grinned, but Hong Geolgae had no retort.
Namgung Myung headed to the inn where Namgung Hyun was staying.
Hong Geolgae followed him, lost in thought.
Namgung Myung pondered how to tease Hong Geolgae for fun, while Hong Geolgae worried about how to fend off Namgung Myung’s impending mischief. He also wondered if he should apologize to Namgung Hyun.
They arrived at the inn, which was quiet due to the late hour. It was a rather upscale place, so guests weren’t causing a ruckus late into the night.
The innkeeper noticed the two latecomers and brightened momentarily, only to look disappointed. He knew Namgung Myung had visited Namgung Hyun several times over the past three days. Guests were welcome, but visitors were not.
The innkeeper, looking displeased, disappeared somewhere inside.
The two moved cautiously, careful not to wake the other guests, and approached Namgung Hyun’s room.
It was silent.
”…?”
It was night, so silence was expected, but this was an unsettling level of quiet.
Both Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae were highly skilled martial artists, adept at sensing the presence of others.
Even sleeping people weren’t exceptions. In fact, they were easier to detect because they didn’t hide their presence.
Yet, the room where Namgung Hyun stayed was eerily silent.
A strange sense of foreboding.
Hong Geolgae and Namgung Myung shared the same thought.
‘Is he still out, too upset to return? I guess it makes sense.’
‘He must be really disappointed. How do I apologize for this…’
Still, just in case, Namgung Myung opened the door.
To their surprise, Namgung Hyun was inside, unconscious and limp.
“What…?”
While Hong Geolgae stood there dumbfounded, Namgung Myung rushed to Namgung Hyun and checked his breathing. It was faint, and his body was cold.
Namgung Myung detected a faint scent in the room, one he had encountered before while following Tang Mujin.
‘Could it be?’
He opened Namgung Hyun’s mouth and sniffed.
The scent was much stronger inside.
Namgung Myung muttered, “He’s been poisoned.”
Hong Geolgae froze like a statue. Poisoned? Why? Because of me?
Overcome with guilt, Hong Geolgae trembled. He was still sensitive about such matters.
Namgung Myung slapped him hard on the back.
“It’s not your fault. Snap out of it!”
“R-right!”
As soon as Hong Geolgae regained his composure, he knew what he had to do.
He hoisted Namgung Hyun onto his back.
Namgung Hyun had been poisoned, and they had a friend who was the best in the world when it came to poisons and antidotes.
The two dashed out the window of the inn, racing through the night streets of Wuchang.