Episode 312: The Sword King

A subtle tension hung in the air at the Namgung family estate.

It wasn’t because Namgung Hyun had tarnished the family’s reputation in Wuchang and was now under house arrest.

The real cause was the delicate tension that had simmered between Namgung Myung and Namgung Jincheon when Myung returned with his companions. It felt less like a father and son exchanging pleasantries after a long absence and more like the prelude to a confrontation.

Witnesses to this scene couldn’t help but speculate, and soon the entire estate was abuzz with rumors.

Yet, those who hadn’t been present found the stories hard to believe. To them, Namgung Myung was still the young, inexperienced twenty-one-year-old, while Namgung Jincheon was the iron-fisted patriarch who had long ruled the family. The gap between them seemed too vast for any real tension.

Still, the rumors couldn’t be dismissed entirely, so a few accomplished martial artists discreetly assessed Namgung Myung’s progress.

“Do you think Myung has reached the next level?”

“Most likely.”

“He’s grown beyond recognition. It’s expected for a young man in his prime to improve daily, but this is beyond expectations. At what age did the patriarch surpass the pinnacle?”

“Not before thirty, but certainly before thirty-five.”

The elders marveled at Namgung Myung’s achievements, though some couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret—especially the young men who had quietly aspired to be the next head of the family.

In the Namgung family, the position of head isn’t passed down by bloodline but by skill. It could go from father to son, to a sibling, or even to a niece. The only requirements are the Namgung name and the ability to lead.

Yet, for four generations, the headship had passed from parent to child, not because of nepotism, but because the most skilled candidate happened to be the patriarch’s offspring.

While the family observed Namgung Myung, he was also observing them. The difference was that Myung knew he was being watched, while the family did not realize they were under scrutiny.

When Myung returned from a secret outing, Tang Mujin asked, “Did you find out anything?”

“Quite a bit. For starters, the atmosphere is strange.”

“The atmosphere?”

This wasn’t Tang Mujin’s first visit to the Namgung estate. However, his previous visit coincided with a grand banquet, so he had no sense of the estate’s usual ambiance.

“It’s unusually stiff. Even with me as a new point of interest, it’s this tense. I can only imagine how rigid it is normally.”

“Is it because of Namgung Hyun’s punishment?”

“No, no one seems to care about him. People don’t even realize the atmosphere has changed. This stiffness must be the norm.”

Tang Mujin took Myung’s subjective assessment with a grain of salt, hoping for more concrete information.

“And what else?”

“I visited Uncle Namgung Jinya to ask about any changes in the family over the past few years.”

“Won’t he report that to your father?”

“No, Uncle wouldn’t do that. Anyway, I learned a few things. For instance, the family has become wealthier, and there’s a surplus of elixirs.”

If it were anyone else, Tang Mujin might be skeptical, but he trusted Namgung Jinya’s integrity.

“More money… Did they do something shady?”

“Doesn’t seem like it. They’ve been collecting on debts.”

While Hyun Gong and Hong Geolgae didn’t grasp the implications, Tang Mujin, as the head of his own family, understood perfectly.

As a family grows, its financial dealings become complex. Debts are incurred, and others owe the family. Typically, these debts are left uncollected to maintain relationships. Pressing for repayment can strain ties, so debts often linger for years, even decades.

Suddenly collecting these debts would naturally cause backlash. It might benefit the family, but it would certainly impact Namgung Jincheon, who took on the unpopular role.

“People must have been upset.”

“Surprisingly, not many were involved. They only collected from those who could afford it, like merchants and officials.”

In other words, they targeted those with enough power to repay without difficulty.

Why Namgung Jincheon made this decision was unclear, even after much thought.

“And what’s this about surplus elixirs?”

“They’ve reduced the distribution of elixirs at the Sword Gathering. With more money coming in and fewer elixirs given out, there’s a surplus.”

Myung’s explanation left Tang Mujin puzzled.

“Wait, what’s the Sword Gathering?”

“It’s a simple martial arts competition held within the family every three months.”

“A competition within the family?”

“It’s different from the one in Wuchang. It’s not about finding a single winner but about public matches between those of similar skill. Namgung martial artists must constantly hone their skills to challenge or defend against challenges. Those who show clear progress receive elixirs.”

Having heard of similar events at Shaolin, Tang Mujin understood the concept. It was a way to motivate, or perhaps pressure, family members to strive continuously for elixirs and honor.

“If they’re giving out fewer elixirs, won’t that hinder the martial artists’ progress? Why would your father decide that?”

When Tang Mujin asked, Myung shook his head.

“Uncle said the martial artists’ skills have actually improved. The seriousness of the Sword Gathering has compensated for the lack of elixirs.”

With wealth and elixirs accumulating and martial skills improving, it seemed like a positive change. Yet, something felt off. How often are changes purely beneficial?

Hyun Gong interjected, “Can outsiders join the Sword Gathering?”

Clearly, the elixirs intrigued him. Myung’s expression turned wry.

“Sometimes, visiting martial artists participate, but don’t expect too much from the elixirs. They’re not extraordinary.”

“What kind of elixirs do they give?”

“Occasionally, they have better ones, but usually, they’re just high-grade elixirs you can buy.”

Hyun Gong’s interest waned. For someone of his level, only exceptional elixirs would make a difference.

“If you want to join, let me know. The next gathering is in a few days.”

”…I’ll pass.”

“So, you’ll just watch.”

Myung’s knowing smile hinted at his intentions. Tang Mujin and his companions could guess: Myung planned to challenge Namgung Jincheon at the Sword Gathering.

“You’re not settling this quietly but in front of everyone?”

“Yes, it’s better to resolve it publicly. That way, there won’t be any rumors.”

“Losing would be embarrassing.”

“It’s fine. Embarrassment is fleeting. I can wander for a few more years and return.”

Despite his words, Myung seemed tense. Facing the stern patriarch, who had been particularly harsh and cold to him, was no easy decision.

Four days later, the Sword Gathering commenced.

The scene reminded Tang Mujin of the Namgung estate’s banquets. A long table was set up in front of the main hall, seating the family’s elders.

At the center sat Namgung Jincheon, with those of lesser skill seated further out. Facing them were the family members, with a wide space between for the matches.

Despite the solemn atmosphere, the gathering began on a charming note, with the first match featuring children barely over ten years old.

Though they were at an age more suited to playful antics than wielding swords, the children naturally picked their opponents and faced off with a seriousness that belied their years.

The victor beamed with joy, while the defeated child sulked, sometimes clenching their fists in frustration as tears streamed down their cheeks. Through such experiences, the young members of the Namgung family grew accustomed to competition from an early age.

Gradually, the skill level of those participating in the sparring matches increased.

After the children, young men with the first signs of stubble took the stage, followed by those of higher status who also joined the fray.

Even the most esteemed warriors, those of the rank of family head or elders, accepted challenges without hesitation.

Dang Mujin murmured quietly, “It’s surprising. I thought those in high positions would be more cautious.”

“Anyone who practices martial arts must choose a challenger and face them at least once a year. The only exception is the family head, who receives challenges rather than issuing them.”

In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for someone to be challenged multiple times.

Namgung Jin-ya, the uncle of Namgung Myung and known as the “Eagle’s Thunder Sword,” was challenged three times in succession. He won the first two matches with ease, but by the third, he was nearly exhausted and almost lost.

When the challenges against Namgung Jin-ya, considered the second most powerful in the Namgung family, concluded, he shook his head with a wry smile.

“Ah, I had planned to challenge the family head at this gathering, but I’m too worn out to even lift my sword. I’ll have to postpone it.”

His lighthearted comment elicited soft laughter from the audience.

Normally, the gathering would have ended there, but no one rose from their seats. Instead, all eyes turned from Namgung Jin-ya to Namgung Myung.

As Namgung Myung stood, the members of the Namgung family held their breath in anticipation.

The moment had come to confirm the rumors that Namgung Myung might challenge his father.

With confidence, Namgung Myung walked to the front of the platform, stopping directly before his father.

The crowd fell silent, hanging on his every word.

“Father.”

Once again, Namgung Myung addressed Namgung Jin-cheon as “Father” rather than “Family Head.”

Namgung Jin-cheon nodded, unfazed. “Speak.”

“I’ve always been curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember the title held by our great-grandfather, Namgung Hyo-un?”

“He was called the Sword King.”

“And our great-great-grandfather, Namgung Wol?”

“He was also the Sword King.”

“And our great-great-great-grandfather, Namgung Cho-jin?”

“He, too, was the Sword King.”

“As far as I recall, even my grandfather, Namgung Un-yang, was known as the Sword King.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then why is it that only you are called the Sword Demon?”

The room grew even quieter.

Yet Namgung Jin-cheon remained silent.

“When I was young, I thought it was because the Sword King of the Jeonbaek family had already claimed the title in your generation. Two people can’t share the same title, after all. And when I heard of the Jeonbaek Sword King’s death, I assumed you would soon be called the Sword King.”

Namgung Myung paused for a breath before continuing.

“Twenty years have passed since the Sword King’s death. You are still known as the Sword Demon, and there is no one else called the Sword King.”

Namgung Jin-cheon still did not speak, watching Namgung Myung with a calm demeanor.

“I didn’t understand why. But over time, I began to suspect that perhaps you simply weren’t suited to the title of Sword King.”

Namgung Myung took a step closer, now less than ten paces from his father.

“Recently, in Kaifeng, I became certain. The reinforcements sent by the Namgung family numbered fewer than ten, and there were no key masters among them. The reasons given were flimsy.”

Some of the Namgung warriors lowered their heads in shame, aware of the situation’s true nature.

Namgung Myung’s voice was firm with conviction.

“To be called a king, one must walk the path of a king. Those who seek to pull others down to rise to the top will never be called a king, even if they sit on a throne. Only those who ascend to the highest place on their own merit will be recognized as kings.”

Namgung Myung subtly criticized Namgung Jin-cheon for not sending proper support to undermine the Shaolin Temple. Still, Namgung Jin-cheon offered no response, though Dang Mujin thought he seemed oddly pleased.

“Father, while my friends have earned their titles—Righteous Dragon, Jade Dog, and so on—no one has given me a title. I used to feel a bit left out, but not anymore. I understand why. My title was decided long ago.”

Namgung Myung gripped the hilt of his sword.

“Father, draw your sword. From tomorrow, I will be known as the head of the Namgung family, the Sword King Namgung Myung.”