“Yu Pyo, that is enough. Sit down.”

The one who broke the silence was Yu Baek, the Sect Leader’s disciple.

Yu Pyo’s remarks had already ruined the atmosphere in the dining hall.

Though what he said had been highly disrespectful, it was true that many of Mount Hua’s disciples tended to look down on martial families like the Namgoong Clan.

Unlike sects whose martial legacies were passed down through a long and unbroken lineage, martial families were often criticized for lacking foundation and refinement in their arts.

Most martial families only began to gain recognition thanks to the achievements of a single exceptional martial artist. While that individual might be acknowledged, their descendants—or fellow clan members—rarely were.

So how enraged must they be, hearing that someone from Namgoong had supposedly called Mount Hua pathetic?

Still, we must not cause discord.

The Namgoong Clan’s visit to Mount Hua marked an unprecedented exchange between a martial family and a sect.

This gathering would surely attract the attention of martial families and sects throughout the Central Plains.

During this exchange, Mount Hua must not risk appearing narrow-minded or inhospitable.

Because it was the first of its kind, it was all the more crucial that Mount Hua’s breadth and magnanimity stood out.

Yu Baek rose from his seat, turned to the Black Dragon Commander, and offered a formal fist salute as he bowed deeply.

“My deepest apologies, Commander. This is entirely my failure to properly discipline my fellow disciple. I ask that you forgive us with your great generosity.”

He then turned toward the members of the Black Dragon Division and bowed again.

“I apologize for my junior’s rudeness toward the warriors of the Namgoong Clan. What he said was untrue. Our sect holds deep respect for the Namgoong Clan’s martial artists and holds your arts in high esteem.”

He smiled warmly and looked across at the Namgoong warriors.

“It is said the Namgoong lineage is as clear and blue as the open sky. I can only imagine how beautiful the harmony between the noble sword of the Namgoong Clan and its internal energy must be.”

Yu Baek was doing everything he could to preserve Namgoong’s dignity.

If a fight were to break out here—especially one started by a disciple of Mount Hua—it would be Mount Hua that would ultimately shoulder the blame.

That kind of disgrace had to be avoided at all costs.

But then—

“That sounds excellent.”

Just as Yu Baek was piling on courteous flattery to smooth things over, the Black Dragon Commander suddenly rose to his feet.

Yu Baek blinked at him, taken aback.

“...Pardon?”

“Why settle for imagination? We have some of the Namgoong Clan’s finest warriors right here.”

The Commander gestured to the Black Dragon Division members beside him.

“Since fate has brought us this far, how about a friendly sparring match?”

“...”

“There seems to be some pent-up tension. Would this not be a perfect opportunity to resolve misunderstandings between us?”

Yu Baek was at a loss.

Regardless of sect-family politics, everyone here was a martial artist.

Truthfully, even the disciples of Mount Hua had been secretly hoping for an opportunity to cross swords with the Namgoong Clan upon hearing of their visit.

It was not every day they got the chance to face unfamiliar swordsmanship rather than the techniques they sparred with day in and day out.

However—

If they win, they simply preserve face. If they lose, they disgrace the name of the sect.

That was why, the moment they received word of the Namgoong Clan’s arrival, Yu Baek had sternly warned the disciples:

Do not cause any trouble with the Namgoong Clan.

The only one who had missed that warning—having just returned with the Namgoong Clan—was Yu Pyo.

To think that the one person I failed to caution would be the one to cause this...

Who knew what humiliation he had endured at Namgoong to drive him to provoke so recklessly now?

Still, we should not accept the sparring challenge.

If only for the sake of preserving the dignity of a great martial sect.

Just as Yu Baek made up his mind and opened his mouth to refuse—

“There is no need for this to be a match decided by victory or defeat, is there?”

The Black Dragon Commander cut in before he could speak.

“If the issue is winning or losing, then we can simply {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} stop before it reaches that point. Ten warriors from the Namgoong Clan and ten daoshi from Mount Hua should suffice. What do you say?”

Yu Baek could not answer right away.

There was no such thing as a spar without a winner.

After clashing blades even just a few times, both parties would know who held the upper hand.

Anyone with a sharp eye would be able to tell as well.

However, saying “there is no winner or loser” meant only that the results would not be formally acknowledged. In other words, this would be an unofficial exchange.

If it is unofficial...

There would be no real downside.

And besides, everyone had been eager to witness the Namgoong Clan’s swordsmanship.

We will not be able to see the Sword Emperor’s blade himself...

But at least they would get a glimpse of the sword techniques that had helped make the Namgoong Clan Head one of the top ten masters in the world.

“...Very well.”

After careful consideration, Yu Baek gave a positive response.

“However, I believe this is not a decision we can make on our own. I would like to first seek the elders’ opinion, if that is acceptable.”

“There is no problem with that. I will also obtain permission from the Clan Head.”

“Then... since the travel fatigue must not have fully worn off yet, please enjoy your meal and rest comfortably for today.”

The Black Dragon Commander smiled with satisfaction.

He turned and instructed the Black Dragon Division to resume their meal, and Yu Baek likewise signaled to the disciples of Mount Hua.

The atmosphere in the dining hall grew lively once more.

People resumed eating and speaking as if nothing had happened, but the strange undercurrent between the two factions remained unmistakably present.

****

Somewhere in the distance, the cry of a cuckoo echoed faintly.

By the time they stepped outside after the meal, the sun had already set.

“Phew—! I really thought a fight was going to break out!”

Yu Gang stretched with a great yawn and let out a relieved shout.

Though he was a first-generation disciple, he had entered the sect under special circumstances and was still young, which placed him at the farthest seat among his peers.

As the young lady of the Namgoong Clan, Seolhwa had the right to sit at the head of the table, but she had instead chosen to sit across from Yu Gang under the pretense of wanting to grow closer to those her age, observing the situation from there.

“Dojang Yu Pyo came up with a rather entertaining plan.”

“It would’ve been nice if someone had told me! I really thought things were going to explode—I was worried!”

“Like that would ever happen. Do you know how deeply the daoshi of Mount Hua care for this sect?”

No daoshi would act recklessly knowing Mount Hua was in danger. Of course, it would be a different story if they were Blood Cult spies pretending to be daoshi.

“Well, yeah. We’re family, after all.”

Family?

Seolhwa turned to look at Yu Gang. And just then—

“Sahyuk! Yu Gang sahyuk!”

The second-generation disciples of Mount Hua came running toward them.

Among them, she spotted Jin Yeong and Jin Ye—the ones who had shared Yu Gang’s story with her earlier that day.

The second-generation disciples swarmed over, their faces lit with excitement as they bombarded him with questions.

“Is it true that there’s going to be a sparring match between our sect and the Namgoong Clan?”

“Can we watch it too?”

“Will you be joining the spar, sahyuk?”

They clearly had a lot of questions for Seolhwa as well, but, not yet feeling comfortable enough to approach her directly, they aimed all their excitement at Yu Gang instead.

“Haha, sorry, I do not know either. Oh! Rather than asking me, why not ask Lady Namgoong here? I am sure she knows more than I do.”

With a grin, Yu Gang casually redirected their attention to Seolhwa. The second-generation disciples now turned to her with curious, expectant eyes.

Seolhwa glanced at Yu Gang, who beamed proudly and gave her a wink. Then, bringing the tips of his index fingers together, he mouthed the words:

Get closer!

He had been feeling guilty all day for failing to mediate between her and the second-generation disciples. Now, his face had finally brightened with relief.

“Lady...! Lady Namgoong, do you practice swordsmanship as well?”

“Have you seen the Clan Head’s sword with your own eyes?”

Now that the ice had broken, the second-generation disciples began firing their questions at Seolhwa too.

Seolhwa, standing beside the pleased-looking Yu Gang, responded to each question with sincere care.

****

The second morning at Mount Hua dawned.

Namgoong Mucheon visited the main hall of Mount Hua early in the morning.

It was because the Sect Leader of Mount Hua had agreed to meet with him.

“I did not expect the Sect Leader to accept so readily. He said it was only right to meet you, as the Heaven’s Bane Sword had come all this way to visit.”

No Baek, guiding Namgoong Mucheon, looked slightly surprised, as if the Sect Leader’s decision had been unexpected even for him.

“Is it not natural that Okmaegeom would be the one with the deepest ties to me in this sect?”

“I have long heard the stories of how you and the Sect Leader once joined forces to subdue the Black Path forces.”

“It was all Okmaegeom’s doing. I merely assisted.”

“And for that, you were given the title of Heaven’s Bane Sword.”

“Was that so?”

With a light laugh, they continued their conversation as they arrived at the meeting room where the Sect Leader awaited.

Before opening the door, No Baek turned to Namgoong Mucheon and spoke.

“The Sect Leader is covering his face. I know it may seem impolite, but I ask for your understanding.”

“Think nothing of it.”

The doors to the meeting room opened.

In the seat where No Baek had been just yesterday now sat Sect Leader No Un, his face covered with a white cloth.

Even through the fabric, one could see the distorted swellings. His face was once again riddled with boils, just as it had been before—an unnatural, repulsive sight that made one wonder if he had ever looked recovered.

A stench thick enough to make even the elders seated at his sides visibly uncomfortable filled the room.

Namgoong Mucheon curled his lips into a faint smile and offered a respectful fist salute toward No Un.

“I, Namgoong Mucheon, Head of the Namgoong Clan, pay my respects to the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”