That’s the answer. (2)
Gazes of shock pierced him so sharply it almost stung. Amidst the countless stares, Namgung Dowi took a deep breath.
“Young Lord! What are you…!”
A frantic voice calling out to him sounded from afar. It was obvious what they meant to say.
And Namgung Dowi also believed their words would not be wrong.
‘I don’t know.’
He truly did not know – whether it was right for him to step forward now, or if it would have been better to silently await the orders.
Though his hesitation had not fully subsided, if there was a single reason he drew his sword and stepped forward, it was this:
— Those who do not decide for themselves can not accomplish anything.
‘Dojang.’
Because now that phrase was engraved not in his head, but in his heart.
Namgung Dowi was no longer one who follows – he was one who must lead.
And a leader must make every decision on his own.
If he were to add one more reason…
“You filthy scum of the Evil Sects.”
Namgung Dowi slowly raised his sword. Then, with all his might, he shouted.
“Do you even know where you are?!”
It felt somewhat awkward, as if the words weren’t truly his. Yet despite knowing this, Namgung Dowi felt a strange familiarity.
If it had been Namgung Hwang – his father – he would have spoken exactly this way. Without considering this or that, he would have simply stood in their path, ensuring that their treacherous blades could not dare to violate those who stood under the name of Justice [정(正) – as in Just Sects].
He did not wish to imitate every single thing. But if he didn’t even have the courage to mimic that fiery spirit, how could he continue to live with the name Namgung [남궁(南宮)] etched into his heart?
A pure-white sword energy shimmered on the blade Namgung Dowi held up. Swelling without end, that sword energy soon expanded to the size of a towering pavilion.
“Uh… uh, uh?”
It was an overwhelming spectacle.
The sword of the emperor [제왕(帝王)의 검] that drew all eyes merely by its presence had manifested [현현(顯現)].
“Come forth! I am Namgung Dowi! I’ll cut you all down!”
Namgung Dowi’s sword plunged straight down.
Kwaaaaaang!
Calling it powerful would not be enough.
It was inner strength that gathered all the essence of a noble family. Along with it came swordsmanship capable of fully harnessing that strength, backed by relentless training.
Yet there was something more behind this sword strike, something that surpassed all of that. Because of it, everyone who witnessed it had no choice but to be utterly captivated.
“Uh……”
He gave no thought to what came after. It was a strike that drew forth everything he had.
Perhaps the most fitting word to describe such a strike would be ‘foolish.’
The war had only just begun. To exhaust one’s inner strength from the start of a battle whose length was unknown could scarcely be called a sound strategy, even as an empty compliment.
Yet precisely because of that, the hearts of those watching were shaken.
“Namgung……”
“It’s the Young Lord! Namgung Dowi, the Young Lord of the Namgung Clan!”
Those who watched his entrance shouted until their voices cracked.
Someone stronger? There would surely be many.
Someone with greater fame? Counting them would be meaningless.
But at this moment, no one could guarantee that anyone else could make their blood boil more than Namgung Dowi.
Their fervor did not stem from mere martial prowess.
Everyone was well aware, it was clearly etched in their minds – of the path Namgung Dowi had walked.
From Maehwado onward, he had always fought on the front lines against Sapaeryeon. His clan had been nearly destroyed by them, yet he never lost the resolve in his heart. He was the rising star of this era.
Because it was Namgung Dowi’s sword, because it was Namgung Dowi’s voice, it could stir the hearts of those who saw and heard it.
“Do not step back!”
The name of Namgung, which was always with him at any time, is not directly behind his back now. But Namgung Dowi did not care in the slightest. It was not because Namgung supported him that he could stand firm.
It was because he stood firm that Namgung could stand tall.
Namgung Dowi raised his sword once again.
“We stand here to protect.”
He was with Namgung, but at times he was with Cheonumaeng, and at times he was with Hwasan. Just as he had once done, anyone standing behind this sword could embody the name of Namgung.
“Do not let a single one set foot on this land!”
Namgung Dowi charged forward without looking back. So fierce and unyielding was his momentum that even Sapaeryeon’s warriors momentarily flinched.
“This little brat…!”
They found themselves intimidated by a whelp whose head was still wet behind the ears, making it hard to even properly vent their fury. To make matters worse, Cheonumaeng’s fighters also began charging forward, following Namgung Dowi’s lead with fierce vigor.
‘T-Those bastards!’
It was as if the atmosphere had completely shifted, like it was another battlefield altogether. The surging momentum seemed to twist and crush everything in its path.
“Trample them! Don’t let them do as they please!”
“Uwaaaaaaaa!”
But Sapaeryeon had no room to retreat either. Now, the only path they could choose was to fight the opponent in front of them with all their might.
Here, yet another tide was being shifted.
❀ ❀ ❀
“W-What’s that?”
His gaze shifted towards the enormous roar echoing nearby, his attention scattering.
Clang!
In that instant, the sword that had been parrying Sapaeryeon’s warrior’s blade flew up, carving a long gash across his face.
“Aaagh!”
“Don’t look away, you lunatic!”
“H-heugh!”
He realized something was happening nearby, but there was no time to turn his head and check.
‘No matter what’s happening, first I must…!’
Kaaaaaaang!
“…Urgh.”
The downward force of the blade pressing down felt like it would shatter his wrist into pieces. He even began to regret ever choosing a light weapon like a sword.
‘А… а gap…’
If he didn’t seize the moment the blade was pulled back to counterattack, he’d only be able to block until his sword broke.
Yet as if reading his thoughts in advance, the enemy did not withdraw the blade. He only pressed down harder.
“Gaaaahk!”
His back twisted painfully, and it felt as if his knees would buckle at any moment.
But if his knees gave way, he knew he’d be cleaved in two. He grit his teeth and endured with all his might.
‘I… I can’t hold on much longer.’
His muscles screamed, and he could hear the creaking of his bones echoing in his head. Terror swept through him as he realized he could not endure any further.
‘Someone… please, someone help..!’
Screech!
A sharp metallic sound rang out as, to make matters worse, his sword finally broke. Certain of his impending death, he pressed his eyes shut.
“…”
Yet, no pain came, no matter how long he waited. Had he died instantly?
Overcoming his fear, he cautiously opened his eyes. Standing before him was a person holding a sword, blocking the blade that had been coming down.
“Uh……”
The stranger’s weapon didn’t seem especially remarkable. It looked like an ordinary longsword*, no different from his own.
But this man had stopped the strike that he himself could not withstand.
“Keuuuuh…….”
Sapaeryeon’s warrior holding the blade exerted all of his strength so hard that thick veins bulged all over his body, and yet the sword before him did not budge, as immovable as a towering mountain.
“Are you all right?”
“…Y-Yes?”
The one who was asked could only respond in a daze, caught off guard. A truly foolish answer.
However, the one who had posed the question spoke calmly.
“I’ve nearly arrived too late. My apologies.”
“Ah….”
Then he placed a hand on the stunned man’s shoulder and gently drew him back.
‘W-With one hand?’
Throughout all this, he had been holding off the enemy’s blade with a single hand. As if he were facing a child’s toy sword, he did it with ease.
“Well then.”
Tuwoooong!
The swordsman lightly flicked his sword. The enemy’s blade was pushed back. He hadn’t seemed to use any great force, yet the wielder of the blade lost his balance and staggered back without seeming to stop.
All those who witnessed the scene stood there, dumbfounded.
Everyone understood that such an astonishing display could only be seen from those who had reached an exceedingly high level.
“Y-You, who are you?!”
“I’m not a man of any great fame. Still, if you truly wish to know, I’ll tell you.”
The swordsman who stepped forward stood firm, his feet slightly apart, as though planting roots deep into the ground.
From that stance, he pointed his sword straight ahead. It was the most ordinary of middle-guard stances – among the fundamentals of swordsmanship, it was the most basic of basics.
Yet those watching momentarily found themselves holding their breath.
The simple, fundamental stance displayed by this man’s sword weighed heavily on them. It felt as if Mount Tai itself stood before them, blocking their path.
Dressed in white martial robes adorned with blue pattern, the man spoke in a measured, earnest tone.
“Lee Songbaek of Jongnam. From here on out, I shall be your opponent.”
Sapaeryeon’s warriors could not conceal their shock.
‘Lee Song…baek?’
They had never heard the name before, which only added to their confusion. Surely, they should have known of a swordsman with skill like this.
“S-Sahyeong! What are you doing?”
The ones reacting this time were Jongnam’s disciples standing behind him.
“What am I doing? Didn’t we receive the orders to hold them back?”
“…Y-Yes?”
“What difference does it make whether it’s at the front or the rear? We were told to block them, so I’m blocking them. That’s all.”
“What on earth…!”
Staring at Lee Songbaek’s back, Jongnam’s disciples were left dumbfounded.
Their Sect Leader had clearly commanded them not to step forward recklessly, to hold their positions. Yet here he was, offering a ridiculous excuse as he pushed straight into the front lines.
“You bastard!”
Before anyone could stop them, Sapaeryeon’s warriors charged at Lee Songbaek with thick murderous intent. Countless blades flew in from every direction, all aimed at him.
It was as if a beast formed of steel blades was rushing upon him.
“D-Dodge!”
Those watching cried out in a panic.
Yet Lee Songbaek merely raised his sword slowly, maintaining a calm demeanor without the slightest hint of agitation.
‘Thirty-six.’
The world he sees consists of thirty and six.
The world is formed of thirty-six directions.
Meaning, if one can occupy all thirty-six directions at once…
‘There’s nothing in this world to be afraid of.’
Shwaaaaak!
Lee Songbaek’s sword split the empty air, a technique that seemed dazzling yet was fundamentally solid.
Neither too fast nor too slow, merely precise – his sword blocked every blade flying in from all sides without wavering even once.
Kaaaaaang!
Dozens of small metallic sounds rang out together, merging into one grand explosion.
“Guhk!”
“Aaaaaaaargh!”
As soon as their blades were blocked by Lee Songbaek’s sword, the attackers were sent tumbling away like frogs hurled from a cliff.
“Th-That..!”
Everyone’s eyes went wide, watching Lee Songbaek in astonishment. Even now, he maintained his calm middle guard stance, not a single quiver to be seen.
‘The path we must tread was here from the start!’
And the one who taught him this stands right over there.
Had he never met this person, what kind of man would Lee Songbaek be now? Who could say? He couldn’t begin to imagine.
Sapaeryeon’s warriors caught in Lee Songbaek’s gaze swallowed hard. Then, as if trying to overcome their tension, they shouted.
“You nameless bastard!”
“Hmm…… Indeed, that much is true.”
Lee Songbaek nodded as if he couldn’t deny it. Compared to Jin Geumryong, Namgung Dowi, or even the Five Swords, who could be considered of the same generation, he truly was a nobody.
However.
“I’ve been thinking lately that I might need a name of my own.”
“…What?”
“So, I’ll take this opportunity to earn one today.”
With his sword still pointed at them, Lee Songbaek spoke.
“Remember this. Lee Songbaek of Jongnam. It will be the last name you ever recall.”
Unlike the blossoms of Hwasan, the tree of Jongnam planted its sturdy roots firmly beneath his feet.
A single seed sown by Chung Myung was now blossoming fully, facing the world at this very moment.
________
* 장검[長劍] – this is not a european type of a longsword, that is more than half of a person in size, but a chinese one which is less than 90cm in length. I think Jongnam’s swords are longer and sturdier than Hwasan’s.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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