Namgoong the Sword Ghost - Chapter 149

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 149. The Sword Phantom Astonishes the Masses
“Well now, that’s impressive.”
Namgung Ho Yeon gazed upon the magnificent fortress before him and marveled.
He’d expected something like a sprawling manor at most, but the sight of ash-white walls encircling the grounds left no doubt—this was a proper fortress.
He worried he might have come to the wrong place, but the slate-blue plaque inscribed in deep blue brushstrokes confirmed he’d found it.
Baekmu Academy
“How on earth was this built? Do they have money rotting away?”
As Namgung Ho Yeon muttered while staring at the fortress, laughter drifted from behind him.
“Ha-ha, listen here—they didn’t build that now, did they? No amount of money could make that possible.”
Namgung Ho Yeon turned to see a weathered-looking one-eyed man with a twisted smirk on his face.
“Then what?”
“That’s a ruin from the Chu Dynasty that the Jegal Clan restored. Its original name was Yongzin Fortress.”
“Ah? The Dragon’s Ford?”
“The Selinghab River flows behind the fortress. Those cliffs drop sheer, making it a natural stronghold perfect for defense. Word has it it was an inner sanctum of the Jegal Clan.”
“In other words, it was those scheming bastards’ escape route, right?”
“Ha-ha-ha! You’ve got nerve, I’ll give you that. Calling the Divine Intellect Jegal scheming? Watch yourself on the night roads, friend.”
The one-eyed man laughed good-naturedly at Namgung Ho Yeon’s remark and introduced himself.
“I’m Bang Pung Gae. Friends call me the Chief Cook Swordsman.”
“Chief Cook Swordsman, eh.”
Namgung Ho Yeon swept his gaze over Bang Pung Gae from head to toe.
An Iron Sword hung at his waist, and across his back he carried a wok like a tortoise shell—an unusual sight indeed.
“Are you a cook then?”
“Don’t say such things! Judge not a man by his appearance. I may be second-rate trash, but I’ve spent my whole life chasing the dream of becoming a Knight-Errant!”
Bang Pung Gae leaped up and shouted, and an old memory flickered through Namgung Ho Yeon’s mind.
“Hyung! I’m going to become a Knight-Errant! I’ll become one and help all those in desperate straits!”
“A Knight-Errant… There’s nothing more pitiful and hollow than a powerless one.”
“Ha-ha, you hit where it hurts. That’s why I came running like a dog when I heard Baekmu Academy was opening. Maybe if I learn a few things here, who knows? I might actually become a real Knight-Errant.”
“Hmph, you’re foolish.”
“Oh, you figured that out now? My mother knew it before I was even born. Said her son would be hopeless.”
Bang Pung Gae, trading quips, shrugged and asked.
“So, little Knight-Errant, what’s your name?”
“Ho Yeon.”
“Well now, that’s a name full of vigor—and the talk of the town these days too. You’re here to enroll at Baekmu Academy as well?”
“That’s right.”
“Then let’s go together. The registration office is that way.”
Thump!
Bang Pung Gae linked his arm through Namgung Ho Yeon’s and began dragging him along.
Namgung Ho Yeon furrowed his brow at the sudden contact and thought to himself.
‘This bastard. Acting like we’re old friends on a first meeting. So he really is a “far-reaching” swordsman after all, isn’t he?’
—Ah, consider it affability instead. Not everyone is as hostile as you, you know.
‘In the old days, the moment he stepped within range, I’d have broken him in half. I’ve grown quite docile.’
As Namgung Ho Yeon conversed with the Cheonrae Geom, Bang Pung Gae began to ramble.
“Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—then Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum. Which are you aiming for? I’d love to get into the Autumn Class, but it’s probably impossible. Even just making it into the Bamboo Group of the Summer Class would be a dream come true.”
“I don’t really care which one.”
“Huh? Why?”
“What I need isn’t so much training as a fresh start.”
“Ha, you believe that rumor too?”
“What rumor?”
“That Baekmu Academy isn’t actually an academy but a temporary Martial Alliance.”
At Bang Pung Gae’s words, Namgung Ho Yeon muttered inwardly.
‘That’s actually true though.’
But Bang Pung Gae cried out indignantly.
“It’s a vicious rumor meant to slander Baekmu Academy! The Orthodox Martial World sects came together to strengthen righteous martial prowess against Gucheon Sung’s rise, and established this place as a hall of learning!”
……
“Some friends warned me I’d be nothing but cannon fodder at Baekmu Academy. But I believe. I still believe the righteous spirit of the Orthodox Martial World lives on!”
……
“Of course they won’t teach high-level martial arts like the Treasure Mountain Absolute Technique. But the Three Calamity Sword Technique—it’s a different thing depending on who teaches it. Here, I’ll train my Sword Technique desperately until I can draw out true Sword Aura, mark my words—ha!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Bang Pung Gae trembled all over with excitement, slashing at the air with his hands as if practicing a sword form.
Namgung Ho Yeon watched him and thought.
‘This guy’s a complete idiot. With a head like that, he should’ve been dead ages ago. Is he just unnaturally lucky?’
While Namgung Ho Yeon was still mulling this over, the two of them arrived at the registration desk.
The area in front was packed shoulder to shoulder, with several long queues stretching out.
Clang! Metal scraping metal!
Boom! Bang and crash!
From behind the registration area, the deafening ring of clashing weapons and explosive impacts echoed continuously.
“They say instructors conduct brief sparring matches over there. Your class assignment is determined based on that.”
“Though there are probably other reasons for it too.”
“Hmm?”
Bang Pung Gae questioned, but Namgung Ho Yeon felt no real need to answer.
‘Is this part of rooting out spies? What a waste of time. What mad spy would go around announcing themselves and using forbidden techniques?’
Reading an opponent through crossed swords alone is a method only those who’ve reached a certain level of mastery can employ.
The instructors weren’t all capable of Sword Perception, and this seemed nothing more than a pointless exercise to him.
‘Might as well get through this and grab something to eat.’
―Hold on! But then……!
‘I’m tired of noodles now. Not eating it.’
―You can’t be serious!
‘Yeah, I’m serious.’
While Namgung Ho Yeon conversed with Un Am, Bang Pung Gae let out a low chuckle.
“Heh, coming with the lady knight-errant was definitely the right call.”
“Hmm?”
“Can’t you feel the stares from the female disciples? Let’s be lifelong friends, shall we?”
“……Were you also obsessed with beautiful women?”
“Obsessed with beautiful women?”
“A fool obsessed with beautiful women. Until now, that was the exclusive nickname of some Daoist.”
“Ahem! Bees are drawn to flowers by nature’s own law. Is it a sin for a man in his prime at twenty-five to harbor sweet dreams?”
Namgung Ho Yeon was genuinely taken aback by Bang Pung Gae’s words.
“Wait, twenty-five? That’s five years younger than Un Am? Where’d you buy your youth separately?”
“……That’s harsh. I’ve simply lived diligently, that’s all.”
“Hm, how much did you pay? Silver taels? Five of them?”
“Ahem! We really need to have a deeper conversation. And no matter how I look at it, I’m the senior here, aren’t I?”
“Don’t judge people by appearance. My inner age is probably around forty, you know?”
“Kihihi! What a witty knight-errant.”
As he and Bang Pung Gae exchanged pointless banter, the queue at the registration desk gradually shortened.
The attendant at the registration counter asked Bang Pung Gae.
“Name. Origin. Age. Primary martial skill.”
“Name is Bang Pung Gae. No sect affiliation. Age is twenty-five.”
“Twenty-five?”
“……Really.”
“Well, lying about age wouldn’t gain you anything anyway. What’s your primary martial skill?”
“Ahem! The Fierce Wild Roar Sword Technique, as it’s called. A practical combat form I created on the battlefield, based on my natural instincts for…….”
“Ah, no need to explain. Just tell me whether it’s a sword technique or a Dao method.”
“……A sword technique.”
As Bang Pung Gae answered dejectedly, the registration attendant handed him a wooden tablet.
“Thirteen?”
“That’s your match arena number. Take it to the instructor in the back, and they’ll face you.”
“Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”
Bang Pung Gae bowed deeply and offered his thanks repeatedly.
For him, the mere fact that he could spar with a master was cause enough for his heart to race.
“Next. Name. Origin. Age. Primary martial skill.”
The registration attendant, as if accustomed to Bang Pung Gae’s reaction, turned and addressed Namgung Ho Yeon.
Namgung Ho Yeon opened his mouth.
“Name, Namgung Ho Yeon.”
“……Hm?”
“From the Namgung Clan.”
“What?!”
“Age is…… eighteen, though I might as well be forty? Martial skills include sword, spear, fist, palm, and so forth. Basically whatever comes up.”
A brief silence fell over the surroundings.
Both the registration attendant and Bang Pung Gae’s eyes widened as if they might pop out of their heads.
And it took less than a moment for the commotion to spread throughout the area.
“Me, Namgung Ho Yeon?! The Thunder God’s Light Dragon!”
“Oh my heavens! Isn’t this the master of the Light Dragon Demon-Crushing Palm!”
“Ah. At last I lay eyes upon a hero of the age.”
“Where—where are you? Move aside!”
“You move aside!”
The line formed before the registration desk dissolved into chaos in an instant.
As the crowd began to stir with excitement, the attendant at the desk made a swift decision.
“I—I shall attend to you. Please, come this way.”
“Hmm? Isn’t there an order to these things?”
“Well, the master was originally scheduled to begin the day after tomorrow…”
“Oh, am I truly to witness the legend of the Cheonroe Jewang Singong today?!”
“Madness! Coming to Baekmu Academy was absolutely the right choice!”
“Which arena is it?”
“Fourteen!”
“It’s arena fourteen!”
“Don’t use honorifics in the arena.”
“Secure the front seats!”
The attendant, realizing the commotion had spiraled beyond his control, hastily led Ho Yeon away.
“This—please, come this way!”
“Yes, well. All right.”
Ho Yeon paused for a moment as he was about to follow the attendant, then turned back with a grin toward Bang Pung Gae.
“Ah, um. Huh?”
Bang Pung Gae stood gaping like a man whose soul had fled his body, at which point Ho Yeon waved a hand in farewell.
“Go on ahead. My lifelong friend.”
“Wh—what?”
“Your name was Bang Pung Gae, wasn’t it? Well, see you next time.”
Thump, thump, thump.
Ho Yeon disappeared with the attendant, and countless martial artists approached the now-solitary Bang Pung Gae with clasped-fist salutes.
Whoosh! Snap-snap!
“Great Knight Bang! I am Se So Bo, a humble scholar.”
“Ah, no wonder you seemed to carry yourself well. That single eye of yours looks quite formidable.”
“My, that wok on your back is truly impressive. Could it be connected to the master’s name?”
“I happened to overhear that you, Great Knight Bang, have mastered the Fierce Wild Roar Sword Technique—a peerless secret art. Is this true?”
“Uh, um, well…”
Bang Pung Gae’s face drained of all color under the intense gazes of those around him.
‘No, no! It’s over! My time at this academy is finished! Lord help me!’
The reckless words he had spoken to Namgung Ho Yeon flooded back, and his body began to tremble.
Yet in the next moment, thinking of his mother back home, he steadied his resolve.
‘No, I can’t end like this! Even if a tiger mauls you, if you keep your wits about you, you’ll survive.’
Bang Pung Gae forced an awkward smile and spoke.
“Ha, ha ha. Let’s save the introductions for later—shall we head to arena fourteen?”
* * *
‘So our nephew is indeed remarkable.’
Among the swarming crowds,
Peng Man Do pressed his palm to his forehead as he beheld a young man in blue martial robes standing arms crossed upon the arena.
Though meeting him for the first time, admiration sprang forth unbidden—for in the youth’s features was plainly visible the trace of his sister So Hwa, who had once been called the First Beauty of Beijing.
Yet where So Hwa’s smile had been gentle and warm, this young man’s crooked mouth spoke of a disposition not to be trifled with.
“Ah, Amitabha Buddha. What am I to do? We haven’t even selected an instructor for the Autumn Class entrance examination yet.”
Dam Hae, the elder who had rushed out in alarm from the instructor’s quarters, muttered with evident consternation.
Then a Daoist with thick brows standing beside Dam Hae stepped forward and called out a salutation.
“Primordial Lord of Heaven. Allow me to take charge of this.”
“Hak Gyeong, True Immortal?”
“Now that matters have come to this pass, there is no refusing the inevitable. Namgung Ho Yeon will surely take the Sword Division curriculum, and as the instructor of that division, it is only fitting that I step forward.”
“…Then I must ask for your assistance.”
Dam Hae, after a moment’s consideration, made a gesture of respect and bowed, upon which Hak Gyeong smiled and took his leave.
Many cast favorable glances upon Hak Gyeong for volunteering aid in this difficult situation,
yet some narrowed their eyes with calculation.
Peng Man Do was among them.
‘The Red Glow Sword—Hak Gyeong. Certain to be the next patriarch of Cheongseong. A master of absolute perfection. Could he possibly be…’
A sharp intake of breath.
Peng Man Do caught the twisted smile flashing across Hak Gyeong’s face as he slipped past, and in that instant, his foreboding crystallized into certainty.
‘No doubt about it. He means to eliminate us root and branch.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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