Chapter 341: Lost in the Path

Tang Mujin prided himself on being a rational man. So when Namgung Jincheon fainted and was dragged away, he didn’t see it as his fault. Yet, as the head of the Tang family, he couldn’t just sit idly by. He needed to understand what was happening within his own household.

His instincts as a healer also nudged at him. The power of the Three-Eyed Flame was formidable, and there was a chance Namgung Jincheon had suffered serious internal injuries from a single blow.

Later that evening, Tang Mujin made his way to the quarters of the Three-Eyed Flame.

Unexpectedly, the first person Tang Mujin encountered wasn’t the Three-Eyed Flame or Namgung Jincheon. Instead, he ran into Jang Il-nam, who was loitering outside the Three-Eyed Flame’s quarters.

In truth, the quarters belonged to both the Three-Eyed Flame and Jang Il-nam, as they had been sharing the space since Jang Il-nam’s arrival at the Tang estate. Despite the cramped conditions, Jang Il-nam seemed content to stay put.

Tang Mujin asked, “It’s chilly out here. Why aren’t you going inside?”

“I was about to, but if I run into Namgung Jincheon, he’ll probably want to spar. I’m not really in the mood for that.”

“Wouldn’t a friendly match be alright? It’s not like it’s a real fight.”

“True, but I’m just not feeling up to it.”

Tang Mujin offered a solution. “Why not stay in another room until Namgung Jincheon leaves?”

“Can’t do that. I snore sometimes, and all my bedding is in there.”

“Should I arrange a new place for you? I can get you fresh bedding.”

“No need. I prefer familiar surroundings. Besides, my brother said he’d only be here for a few days.”

As if hearing their conversation, the door opened, and the upper half of the Three-Eyed Flame appeared. “Why don’t you both just come in instead of standing out there?”

Jang Il-nam hesitated briefly but then decided to enter with Tang Mujin.

To their surprise, Namgung Jincheon was already awake and sitting upright. However, his demeanor was so different from what Tang Mujin remembered that he seemed like a completely different person.

With a cheerful voice, Namgung Jincheon greeted Tang Mujin. “I didn’t get to properly introduce myself earlier. I hope you understand.”

“It’s fine. It hasn’t been that long since we last met.”

Tang Mujin had previously thought of Namgung Jincheon as a cold and self-centered man. But now, he seemed no different from any other martial artist—upright, approachable, and capable of relaxing when needed.

“You seem quite different from before.”

“Back then, I was the head of the Namgung family. I had to present myself as such. But here, I’m just Namgung Jincheon.”

“The demeanor of a family head, huh…”

Tang Mujin’s response made Namgung Jincheon laugh heartily. “Yes, and by now, Myung will have learned it naturally. Visit the Namgung family in a few years. You’ll see him with a suitably stern expression.”

It was clear Namgung Jincheon was unaware that Namgung Myung had fled from his responsibilities as head of the family. While Tang Mujin knew the backstory and kept silent, the Three-Eyed Flame and Jang Il-nam were oblivious.

Sensing they might bring up Namgung Myung’s whereabouts, Tang Mujin quickly changed the subject. “I came to check if you sustained any internal injuries. May I examine you?”

To treat a martial artist, Tang Mujin needed to channel his internal energy into them. It was no small matter, as it meant entrusting one’s life to him, even if just for a moment.

Namgung Jincheon nodded without hesitation. He trusted his son’s friend and the reputation of the Tang family head.

“Please, go ahead.”

Tang Mujin channeled his energy, lightly probing Namgung Jincheon’s meridians. Despite having just regained consciousness, Namgung Jincheon’s condition was remarkably stable.

“You’re in good shape,” Tang Mujin concluded.

“Really? I thought there might be something wrong.”

Had he missed something? Tang Mujin wondered and asked, “Do you feel anything unusual?”

“My body feels stiff, like there’s grease clogging my joints and meridians.”

“I didn’t detect anything like that.”

Namgung Jincheon wasn’t surprised by Tang Mujin’s response. “It’s alright. I just wanted to be sure. It’s probably not a physical issue. I’ll gradually work off the rust and regain my skills.”

“Regain your skills?”

The Three-Eyed Flame chimed in. “Tang Mujin, do you remember when Namgung Jincheon and I first met?”

“Yes.”

It was the day Namgung Myung lost his left arm. The current peaceful scene between Namgung Jincheon and the Three-Eyed Flame felt strangely out of place. From Namgung Jincheon’s perspective, the Three-Eyed Flame was the one who had injured his son.

‘Then again, Namgung Jincheon isn’t entirely free from blame for Namgung Myung’s arm,’ Tang Mujin thought, before the Three-Eyed Flame interrupted.

“Namgung Jincheon was stronger back then than he is now.”

“Really?”

Namgung Jincheon gave a sheepish smile. “It’s not surprising. Just like an unpolished sword rusts, a person stagnates if they remain idle. I’ve been cooped up in the Namgung family without a worthy opponent for too long. Not that I’d lose to Myung, of course.”

Tang Mujin glanced at the Three-Eyed Flame, who showed no reaction, seemingly agreeing with Namgung Jincheon’s assessment. Did Namgung Jincheon intentionally let Namgung Myung win?

Namgung Jincheon continued, “Tang family head, since we’re on the topic, how about a friendly spar? I feel like I’ve been a burden, and I’d like to offer some help.”

“I’m not in a position to spar. I use unique weapons, not a sword.”

“Even without a sword, the path of martial arts is the same. You won’t feel like it’s a waste of time. Finding a sparring partner must be difficult. Why not take this chance to test your skills?”

Namgung Jincheon’s offer was tempting. As he said, Tang Mujin was in dire need of a sparring partner.

Unlike a sword, which can be wielded without a sharp edge, his unique weapons couldn’t be dulled without affecting their operation. They couldn’t be stopped abruptly like a sword, so he couldn’t request a spar unless he was sure his opponent could handle them.

These complications meant Tang Mujin couldn’t ask his three friends to spar. It wasn’t just about the danger; asking them would imply they were superior, and he didn’t want to admit he was falling behind.

Moreover, the Three-Eyed Flame was a poor match due to their differing styles, and Jang Il-nam disliked sparring, making it awkward to ask. In this situation, Namgung Jincheon was the perfect sparring partner.

Tang Mujin bowed respectfully. “I would be honored.”

“Let’s head outside.”

And with that, the conversation ended. The four of them stepped outside.

The Three-Eyed Flame and Jang Il-nam settled comfortably on the porch, while Namgung Jincheon and Tang Mujin stood a suitable distance apart.

“Let’s begin.”

Since it wasn’t a life-or-death situation, Tang Mujin first showed Namgung Jincheon his unique weapon, tossing one into the air.

Namgung Jincheon’s eyes followed it, thinking how beautiful it looked, glinting in the moonlight like an extra star in the sky.

Contrary to Namgung Jincheon’s expectation that Tang Mujin would catch and toss it repeatedly, the weapon didn’t return to Tang Mujin’s hand. Instead, it hovered in the air like a bird, riding the night breeze.

Tang Mujin occasionally used his internal energy to keep it aloft when it seemed about to fall.

Namgung Jincheon remarked, “Impressive.”

“Let’s continue.”

Tang Mujin sent three more of his unique weapons into the air. They hovered like four eyes watching Namgung Jincheon from above. He couldn’t help but smile.

While he had seen many swordsmen in the Namgung family, it had been over twenty years since he last encountered someone wielding such unique weapons. Even among the martial artists of the dark sects, none had used anything quite like this.

The thrill of a long-awaited challenge coursed through him.

“Let’s begin.”

With those words, Tang Mujin’s fingers moved intricately, directing the weapons. Three of them descended, targeting Namgung Jincheon’s shoulders, waist, and legs simultaneously.

Namgung Jincheon took a short breath, shifting his weight onto the balls of his feet.

The Namgung family’s footwork, the Azure Sky Eight Shadows, wasn’t particularly fast or fierce. Yet, despite his knees not pointing in different directions, Namgung Jincheon’s movement direction changed constantly.

Unless one has mastered the art of the Sky Eight Shadows, predicting Namgung Jincheon’s next move is impossible.

Yet, Bi-ryun, like a bird in flight, pursued Namgung Jincheon’s every motion.

Two of the Bi-ryun blades brushed past Namgung Jincheon, and one lightly clashed with his sword before soaring back into the sky.

Even that slight contact left a tingling sensation in his wrist.

“Surprisingly heavy,” he mused.

Namgung Jincheon focused on the unseen fourth Bi-ryun, more concerned with it than the three actively attacking him.

The fourth Bi-ryun hovered above, spinning without any sign of attack. Namgung Jincheon couldn’t help but admire the strategy.

“It’s not just the weapon that’s unique. He fights with remarkable intelligence.”

While facing four Bi-ryun at once might seem daunting, the real challenge lies elsewhere.

The human mind struggles with the unseen. From experience, Namgung Jincheon knew that an opponent lurking out of sight made battles particularly tricky.

The three Bi-ryun blades tangled around him, seeking an opening. Occasionally, he reached out to snatch one or swung his sword to pin them to the ground.

But Tang Mujin anticipated his moves, deftly avoiding capture.

“Indeed, he’s skilled in strategy and quick to read the situation.”

A thin line of blood appeared on Namgung Jincheon’s forearm—a shallow cut, but Tang Mujin saw it as a sign of victory.

“If I’d used poison, it would’ve been a significant blow,” Tang Mujin thought.

Poisoning him even once would make the rest easy. It was practically a half-won battle.

Yet, just as Tang Mujin refrained from using poison, Namgung Jincheon hadn’t unleashed his full potential either.

Namgung Jincheon’s demeanor shifted, and his footwork changed. He abandoned the light, agile steps of the Sky Eight Shadows for a heavier, more deliberate pace.

For the first time since the duel began, Namgung Jincheon spoke.

“Now, try to dodge this.”

Tang Mujin moved swiftly, manipulating the Bi-ryun blades. But after Namgung Jincheon’s shift, they couldn’t find an opening.

Approaching him felt like an invitation for him to seize the Bi-ryun or strike them down.

And that wasn’t all. Tang Mujin soon realized something strange.

No matter how he tried to widen the gap, he couldn’t distance himself from Namgung Jincheon. Even though his own steps were faster, the distance closed inexorably. It was uncanny.

“What’s going on?”

Slowly but surely, the gap between them narrowed.

Then Tang Mujin recognized Namgung Jincheon’s footwork. It was the Infinite Steps of the Namgung family, a technique that controlled space and inevitably reached the opponent.

Knowing the technique only made it more unsettling.

“This isn’t how Namgung Myung’s Infinite Steps worked…!”

The distance between them continued to shrink.

Tang Mujin’s knees trembled.

He knew Namgung Jincheon wouldn’t harm him. There was no reason for it, and doing so would make it impossible to escape the likes of Sam Anbul and Jang Il-nam.

But his body screamed otherwise, convinced Namgung Jincheon intended to kill him. His breath quickened, and an inexplicable thrill coursed through him.

Tang Mujin leaped onto rooftops, circled buildings, ran in straight lines, and zigzagged to escape. Yet, the result remained unchanged. Namgung Jincheon closed in relentlessly.

Finally, the gap shrank to eight steps.

Tang Mujin launched a fifth Bi-ryun. He wasn’t confident in handling all five, but it was now or never.

As the distance closed to three steps, Tang Mujin’s hands clenched tightly.

In that instant, the five Bi-ryun blades veered sharply, targeting Namgung Jincheon’s back. It was a lethal move if he didn’t react in time. Tang Mujin nearly forgot they were in a friendly duel.

As the blades neared, Namgung Jincheon spun and slashed with his sword.

His strike pierced through the five Bi-ryun circles, catching them on his blade with a clatter.

The duel’s outcome was decided.

A round of applause echoed from Jang Il-nam, who watched in awe.

But Namgung Jincheon didn’t stop. He stepped closer, swinging the sword with the five Bi-ryun still attached toward Tang Mujin.

The blade aimed for Tang Mujin’s head. His eyes widened.

Two thoughts flashed simultaneously.

“A killing blow?”

“No, it can’t be. It’s just a threat.”

Tang Mujin stared at the approaching sword, eyes wide.

But the blade didn’t slow.

It should stop now. It must stop now.

Yet, Namgung Jincheon’s sword continued its path.

As it brushed Tang Mujin’s hair, his gaze shifted beyond Namgung Jincheon.

Sam Anbul and Jang Il-nam were racing toward him, alarmed. They sensed something was amiss. His heart sank.

In a friendly duel, Namgung Jincheon wielded a real sword, not a practice one.

“I was too complacent!”

Death approaches so quietly, so suddenly.

As it loomed, memories flashed through Tang Mujin’s mind.

Errands to the herbalist, chance encounters with the enigmatic Yi Chung, friendships formed by fate. Friends, Dan Seol-young, Mok Wan-ah, the children. His father. And his own reflection in the blade.

Beyond the memories, Tang Mujin found himself in a void.

A space devoid of even the smallest light.

He realized this was the moment of enlightenment his friends spoke of, the threshold to the ultimate realm.

It was a simple situation.

Find the path, and he might survive. Fail, and he would die.

But like his friends, Tang Mujin believed he would find the way.

He frantically searched for clues, using all his senses, crawling on the ground.

He didn’t mind taking a wrong turn, like Hong Geolgae. Reaching the next level was better than dying!

Tang Mujin wandered the timeless void for what felt like an eternity.

He couldn’t tell how much time had passed. It seemed both a fleeting moment and a decade in darkness.

Finally, he stood, a hollow expression on his face.

There was no path. Nowhere.

He looked ahead, to the sides, above.

Like the ground he’d scoured, there was nothing.

His legs gave out, and he sank to the ground, dazed.

His senses returned. The night sky reappeared, his breath came in gasps, and he saw Jang Il-nam and Sam Anbul rushing toward him.

And there was Namgung Jincheon.

He looked up. The sword rested lightly on his head, stopped just in time.

Namgung Jincheon had driven him to the brink of death, only to halt with near-divine skill.

His scalp tingled. The blade had nicked his skin, and blood trickled down to his eyelids.

Namgung Jincheon asked in a low voice.

“Tang Master, what did you see?”

Tang Mujin lowered his head, not in fear of death, but in despair.

“Nothing. I saw nothing.”