Chapter 114: Chapter 1002: All of a Sudden (Part 2)
As Chung Myung opened his eyes, he stared blankly at the ceiling. He turned his gaze towards the window, where the early morning sunlight was streaming in. His vacant eyes scanned the window as he felt a sudden surge of pain, gripping his left shoulder.
Throb! Throb!
The pain felt as though his arm had been torn off. Despite knowing that it wasn't the case, he nervously unbuttoned his shirt and checked his shoulder.
He knew. There were no injuries. The scars etched on his body were just minor wounds, and there was definitely no significant injury to cause such excruciating pain.
Chung Myung stared at his own arm for a moment, almost as if it were a strange object. Then he slowly got up and approached the window. After opening it, the brisk morning air entered the room.
Birdsong could be heard, and somewhere in the distance, crickets were softly chirping. The courtyard, seemingly devoid of people, was quiet and peaceful. In the distance, someone had already started their training, and the sound of short ki shouts and the clashing of weapons echoed.
"It's peaceful."
Indeed, it was extraordinarily peaceful.
Chung Myung raised his head slightly to gaze at the sky. The sky was so clear and blue that words alone couldn't describe it. White clouds drifted lazily across the expanse. After contemplating the scene for a while, Chung Myung's lips slowly parted.
"… Quite unexpectedly."
The world was still peaceful.
* * *
Namgung Dan looked around with a bewildered expression. Except for those who were still in the process of recovering, everyone from the Namgung Family had gathered here.
'What is all of this about?'
It all began with a single statement from Namgung Dowi.
- Starting today, we will train alongside the Mount Hua Sect.
'I don't understand.'
He did say it, but the implied meaning was no different from saying that the Mount Hua Sect was going to teach the Namgung Family. Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to train together with the Mount Hua Sect.
Within seconds of hearing the announcement, the expressions of those present had turned to stone.
What kind of place is the Namgung Sect? It is a place where one can become the best in the world with just that sword.
The Namgung Family was a place where there was something to teach about the sword but nothing to learn.
Of course, everyone knew that Namgung's situation was not stable. But there was a difference between bowing your head due to weakened power and asking for teachings from another faction.
'What on earth is Sogaju thinking?'
Namgungdan glanced at Namgung Dowi, who had stood in front with a calm expression.
Yet they had all been there because of Namgung Dowi's words.
Was it because he was the Sogaju? Or because he was going to be the head of the family?
No. It was because Namgung Dowi had risked his life to save the people here and had returned to the hellish Plum Blossom Island on his own.
'I don't know.'
He wondered if Namgung Daowi, who was publicly the head of the Namgung Family and privately his cousin, was too anxious right now.
'If this incident became known to the outside world, we will definitely be ridiculed.'
It would certainly be said publicly that a young bastard who didn't know anything about the world had ascended to the position of head of the family, took away Namgung's pride, and bowed his head to the Mount Hua Sect.
"ha… … ."
An involuntary sigh had escaped his lips.
'I can't help it. The only way to do this is to get along appropriately and then turn it into nothing.'
This had not been a revolt against Namgung Dowi, on the contrary, it had been because they had understood Namgung Dowi's position so well that they had had to do it.
At that moment, Namgung Dan exchanged glances with his colleagues around him.
Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing, so they nodded even though they didn't say anything.
'I'm sorry, Sogaju.'
With that silent apology, Namgungdan had hoped that Namgung Dowi would not misunderstand their intentions.
At that time, a group appeared on one side of the yard, which was so vast that it would be a little awkward to call it a training ground.
The moment he had seen the person at the front, Namgung Dan had inadvertently swallowed a dry spit.
'Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword!'
His back involuntarily straightened.
With a sharp gaze, an indescribable sense of oppression radiated from Mount Hua Sect as they walked towards this direction.
Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword Chung Myung.
Who in Kangho today wouldn't know that name?
He had transcended being a mere symbol of Mount Hua; he had become the symbol of the Heavenly Comrade Alliance. And that name had to be something a little more special to the Namgung Family.
He had seen it with his own two eyes. The sight of those Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword cutting off Black Dragon King's arm and confidently confronting Jang Ilso, the leader of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, and Beopjeong, the head of Shaolin.
'Directly by Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword?'
Namgung Dan's heart wavered slightly as he gazed anew at Chung Myung and Mount Hua's Five Swords walking from his left and right.
If it had been someone else, he may not have been sure, but if it was Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, there must certainly be something to learn. After all, that's what the teachings of a master were.
'Oh, no, that's not it.'
But he quickly regained his shaken heart.
This was for the Namgung Family, who was crowded by the enemy. [? idk] No matter how tempting the profit was, it must not go in the wrong direction.
Namgung Dan looked at Mount Hua Sect with clenched teeth. He remembered the sight that Chung Myung had shown him on Plum Blossom Island, the time he had pulled the muscles all over his body.
Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, which had walked from the front, suddenly discovered Namgung Dowi, who stood at the forefront and burst into a big smile.
"Ah, ah, ah!"
And he even ran forward with both arms outstretched. He looked like a bad merchant receiving the son of a rich family... No, it was just like an evil dealer receiving a rich son for a business transaction.
Chung Myung, who had rushed in front and run toward Namgung Dowi, clung to both of Namgung Dowi's hands.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Ha... ha.... Thanks to the Dojang, I slept well."
"This manor is so shabby that I feel shameful! If you wait just a little longer, I'll tell them to build a palace for you!"
"No, no, it's not necessary."
"What are you talking about! It's only natural!"
"Really, it's okay."
Namgung Dowi spoke while sweating profusely.
"Kuh, your disposition is truly noble."
Chung Myung, as if moved by this, tightly held Namgung Dowi's hand. His disciples who watched this scene all opened their mouths in surprise.
'That's Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword, right...?'
'Is that the same person we knew?'
It had to be.
Among these people, few had witnessed the Ten Thousand-Year Tournament held in Shaolin. Even if they had seen it with their own eyes, the impression of Chung Myung that they had seen later was so vivid that it completely overshadowed their earlier memory.
Three years ago, Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword had clashed with Jang Ilso at Black Dragon King's Castle, and in Plum Blossom Island, he had even cut off Black Dragon King's arm.
The way Chung Myung was now, bending over and giggling, was nothing less than shocking and terrifying for those who remembered his cold and sharp martial skills.
'Was he always like this?'
'There's no way.'
There was no trace of the hesitation they felt when they had clearly remembered him cutting off Black Dragon King's arm, and ruthlessly punishing him. They just couldn't reconcile the Chung Myung from back then with the one in front of them now.
"Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!"
Chung Myung shook Namgung Dowi's hand enthusiastically with a face that glistened with sweat.
"Dojang."
Namgung Dowi bowed his head and said.
"I'm counting on you."
As Namgung Dowi spoke with a hint of seriousness, Chung Myung giggled.
"Of course, of course!"
"Then."
Namgung Dowi turned and returned to his place. From now on, he wasn't Namgung's sect leader but a single martial artist. Seeing this scene, Chung Myung slightly nodded and turned to face everyone.
"...?"
"What is it?"
Under Chung Myung's gaze, the Namgung Family's disciples started to break into cold sweat again. The liveliness they had shown a while ago had disappeared without a trace. Now, Chung Myung's face showed clear signs of annoyance.
"Tsk."
No... Was it really okay for a person to change so drastically in an instant?
At that moment, Chung Myung lightly clicked his tongue and turned his head from side to side.
"I'm not really someone who cares much about other martial sects."
"..."
"Still, a person needs to be courteous. I'll do as I'm told as long as it's within reason. Do as you say, just as you say. Then there won't be any problems. Do you understand?"
At that moment, the gaze of the Namgung Family's disciples turned briefly towards Namgung Dan.
Feeling the attention, Namgung Dan swallowed hard.
In this place, aside from Namgung Dowi, he, the son of Namgung Myung, held the highest position in the direct line of descent. So, it seemed that they thought he should be the one to speak.
"Alright."
Namgung Dan strengthened his resolve and spoke.
"Dojang. May I have a word?"
"Hm?"
Chung Myung gave Namgung Dan a brief look.
"While we are here seeking instruction from Mount Hua due to our circumstances, I believe at the very least, there should be some respect."
"Uh-huh?"
Chung Myung tilted his head. Namgung Dan mustered more courage and continued.
"We are not followers of Mount Hua, but rather, we bear the name of Namgung. Please show some respect and courtesy toward other sects. Furthermore, we believe that the teachings we seek from Mount Hua should be limited to the proper use of the sword. We do not need more than that from Mount Hua. Please consider this."
It was truly a firm tone.
Namgung's disciples subtly clenched their fists.
Namgung Dan didn't back down in the face of Mount Hua Sect. He had said everything he wanted to say. He had demonstrated what Namgung's spirit was.
Of course, he respected Mount Hua Sect. And who wouldn't admire a young, talented martial artist like Chung Myung? But the establishment of boundaries was necessary. The Namgung Family's pride was at stake here.
Other members of the group seemed to be satisfied with Namgung's words, nodding in approval.
However...
"Sasuk."
"Hm?"
"What is he saying?"
"He's asking for respect."
"So, what does that mean?"
"Hmm."
Chung Myung, as if not quite understanding, turned to Baek Cheon beside him and asked again.
Baek Cheon thought briefly, searching for the most appropriate word to explain to someone unfamiliar with this language.
"He's asking for... uh, hospitality. Because he's from the Namgung Family."
"Hospitality?"
"Yes, hospitality."
"Oh, I see now. That's what he meant. Hospitality."
Chung Myung looked at Namgung Dowi and chuckled.
"Hm. I can certainly provide that. So, you want hospitality?"
Chung Myung's laughter gradually took on a sinister tone.
"I was just planning to give you the basics, but now that you're so passionately asking for hospitality, I can't help but go the extra mile."
"..."
"Well, shall we see if you have the skills to deserve this hospitality?"
A wicked smile appeared on Chung Myung's lips.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Bagel_Seeds
Bagel_Seeds ...rip Namgung Dan
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