The Namgung Clan was notorious for its rigorous standards when accepting new martial artists.
They conducted exhaustive background checks, ensuring not even a hint of suspicion lingered over a candidate’s character or past deeds. Even after passing these vettings, only those with exceptional talent could step across the threshold of the Namgung Clan.
Yet, despite these harsh standards, the Namgung Clan was never short on people.
Hopeful warriors from across the Central Plains flocked to He Fei, hoping to earn the honor of joining the Namgung family.
This time, after the arduous selection process, 31 new martial artists were chosen.
“You are now part of Namgung. Companions who will walk this path together.”
Standing before them, Namgung Myeong surveyed the new recruits with a subtle warmth in his eyes.
Yet, inwardly, he felt a cold knot of doubt.
‘Can I truly lead them?’
He felt unworthy of his position.
He had achieved so little—his cultivation remained at the Peak Realm, far from true mastery.
But the elders standing behind him looked upon him with expressions of pride.
And that weighed heavily on him.
It was clear—they expected him to live up to his father’s name, simply because he was Namgung Jincheon’s son.
‘If only my brother…’
Suppressing his turmoil, Namgung Myeong ended his address firmly:
“Be proud to stand under Namgung’s banner. We are the sky of the Central Plains.”
“Loyalty!”
The recruits’ voices thundered, shaking the grounds of the Namgung estate.
Namgung Myeong watched them with an unreadable expression.
Then, a sound drew his attention—
Applause.
‘Brother?’
Standing among the elders was none other than Seo-jun.
Despite his packed schedule, he had come.
Namgung Myeong, who had intended not to trouble him, immediately bowed respectfully.
“Grand Preceptor.”
Seo-jun, momentarily caught off guard, quickly returned the gesture with the same respect:
“You’ve done well, Patriarch.”
Seo-jun’s gaze met Namgung Myeong’s.
‘I must never let him feel like I overshadow him.’
No matter how strong Seo-jun was, Namgung Myeong was the Patriarch.
He had to ensure everyone understood that.
Because it was all too possible that some fool might whisper,
“Isn’t the Grand Preceptor, a Supreme Realm master, more deserving than the Patriarch, who is only at the Peak Realm?”
If such a braindead thought ever surfaced—Seo-jun would personally beat it out of them.
But it was better to prevent such a disaster from ever arising.
“Would you care to say a few words?” Namgung Myeong asked.
The elders around them nodded in encouragement.
To the Namgung Clan, Seo-jun was an idol.
Seo-jun hadn’t come here to stay silent. He intended to establish order.
‘A demonstration will be enough to motivate them.’
Stepping forward, he felt every gaze lock onto him.
Without a trace of nervousness, Seo-jun spoke simply:
“I am Seo-jun, the Grand Preceptor of Namgung.”
The temperature shifted.
The moment his eyes swept across the crowd—
Shiver.
The recruits flinched.
Because in today’s martial world, there was no one who hadn’t heard his name.
The Heavenly Lord Who Annihilates Evil.
The man before them was the boogeyman of a thousand battlefields, the subject of countless nightmares.
No one could stand in his presence and remain calm.
Seo-jun’s gaze softened slightly.
‘So… these are Namgung’s new family.’
A strange feeling stirred within him.
He observed each of the 31 new warriors.
Their eyes blazed with determination.
The Namgung Clan’s rigorous standards had borne fruit—each one was sharp, proud, and resolute.
Seo-jun knew what he needed to be for them.
‘For now… I will be Namgung’s shadow.’
Until Namgung Myeong was ready.
Until the day he could fully embody their father’s legacy.
Until then—
Seo-jun would be their sky.
He didn’t bother with a long speech.
Instead—
He simply raised his hand and pointed to the sky.
“From this day forth—you are Namgung.”
And then—
The sky fell.
Whoooosh—!
The world turned azure.
It wasn’t an illusion.
Seo-jun’s domain descended.
And the sky—became the earth.
“Huh…!?”
“W-What is—?!”
The recruits panicked.
Their feet no longer touched the ground.
This wasn’t a trick—
It was a truth.
Seo-jun had superimposed the real sky upon their world.
Yet—
Despite floating weightlessly—
They did not fall.
An invisible force held them steady.
“This… This is Namgung…”
As their fear ebbed, awe filled its place.
Their eyes, wide with disbelief, turned to the man before them.
And they saw—
A martial artist who walked a path far beyond their reach.
“Take pride in it.”
The man who painted the sky itself looked upon them—
And above him—
The sky raged with lightning.
Blinding arcs of electricity—
Cascading and curling—
But never striking.
Crackle—! Rumble—!
The thunder roared.
Yet—
The lightning—
Did not harm them.
It danced, coiled, and circled them—
Like a predator acknowledging cubs—
Like a guardian shielding its own.
BOOOOOM—!
A blinding flash consumed everything—
And then—
It was gone.
When their vision returned—
They were back.
The Namgung Estate beneath their feet.
Thud—!
Some collapsed to the ground—
Their bodies shaking.
But their eyes—
Their eyes burned.
Then—
Seo-jun spoke.
“Namgung does not abandon family.”
His voice was gentle.
Yet—
Their hearts thundered.
The recruits, faces flushed with excitement—
Shot to their feet.
And they waited—
For his final words.
Seo-jun’s eyes gleamed—satisfied.
“Welcome. Never forget—you are Namgung.”
And their voices—
“LOYALTY!”
Shook the sky.
Afterward—
Seo-jun offered Namgung Myeong a respectful bow and stepped back.
Now—
Even the fools wouldn’t dare belittle Namgung Myeong.
“‘Never forget—you are Namgung.’”
Chun-bong—
Puffed out her chest and mimicked his tone—
Before bursting into laughter:
“Pfft—! Ahaha! That was so cool, Seo-jun!”
Her small hands slapped his arm enthusiastically.
Seo-jun nodded without hesitation.
“I thought so too.”
“Wha—?!”
Her laughter froze at his unexpectedly sincere agreement.
Nearby—
Namgung Sua—
Had been watching quietly.
Her lips, parted softly, whispered the words—
“Namgung… does not abandon family…”
Her voice trembled, her eyes distant—
As though reaching—
For a face now lost to time.
And then—
She stepped forward—
And pulled Seo-jun into a firm embrace.
“…Thank you.”