Seeing the Crazy Wizard neatly organizing a bunch of challenge tasks, Yuna cut in and asked:"Hey, are these challenge tasks... by any chance for showing to Envers?"
"It's not like that. Just, you know, it's good to have rewards for resolutions, so I'm organizing them in advance. For easier management."
"Rewards?"
"Yes. I'm planning to give something for each achievement... For example."
[Pursuit of Power : Reach Peak Realm Master (Achieve Breakthrough, Fill, and Tuning)]
"If this is achieved, I'll give a +99 Legendary Grade Shining Wing."
"HAH──!!"
The Crazy Wizard got smacked around by Yuna's Taichi.
===============================================================
The man standing in blue martial attire, who was called "Hyungnim Zhao" by Namgung Myeong.Namgung Zhao (南宮昭), a direct descendant and the eldest son of the Namgung Clan, known as the Brilliant Sword of No-Mind (無心輝劍), was a martial artist as if drawn from a painting.
His appearance was clean-cut and his martial arts skills were outstanding. Becoming a Peak Realm Master at just over twenty years old was a blessing for Murim.
Moreover, compared to Namgung Myeong who had just turned seven, the age difference was vast, making him a strong candidate for the next Clan Lord of the great Namgung Clan.
Having looks, skills, and lineage, his excellence was like a swiss army knife. He was evaluated as one of the most promising talents in the current Murim.
"I understand you're the person Myeong brought along. I heard you're a Daoist who has reached a high level in sorcery."
"I merely have some modest skills."
"Is that so?"
Furthermore, what elevated his reputation was that he spoke respectfully to everyone regardless of their status. Despite having so much, he still showed humility by lowering himself before others, truly an extraordinary person.
Was the initial unease just a misconception?
Namgung Zhao volunteered to guide Envers around the clan residence. Although Envers was Myeong's guest, he said that as the elder brother, he would take over in case Myeong made any mistakes that could bring shame.
Myeong cheerfully replied, "If Hyungnim takes charge, I can rest easy!"
And so, Envers ended up walking side by side with Namgung Zhao down the corridor.
It was an awkward silence. Envers felt a strange discomfort, but Namgung Zhao walked leisurely with a faint smile on his face.
Envers wanted to ask where they were going first, but that felt a bit off, and saying nothing made the silence uncomfortable. As Envers was walking, not knowing what to do, the floorboards under his feet creaked loudly.
Creak.
"...?"
"You made a sound."
Namgung Zhao glanced down and took two more steps forward. Unlike Envers, as he walked on the floorboards, not a single creaking sound was heard. He continued speaking.
"I intentionally left this corridor unrepaired, thinking it would provide an opportunity to reflect on one's own footwork."
"I, I see."
"Once we pass through here, we'll reach the reception hall where the clan's guests gather. That's where you'll be staying as well, Daoist."
"Hmm..."
Creak. Creak.
One set of footsteps constantly made unpleasant sounds, while the other set was as quiet as if leaving no traces in the snow. Feeling like the creaking sounds were giving him away, Envers thought to himself.
When shooting the Ogre, he remembered seeing Luna move without making a sound. She had said that making noise would draw aggro.
Surely, the key was in the smooth distribution of weight.
Creak. Creeeak ──.
As Envers gradually changed his way of stepping, reducing the creaking sounds slightly, Namgung Zhao immediately spoke up.
"Daoist?"
"...Hmm?"
His concentration broke. He thought he was about to get it right.
"My father's birthday is approaching. We're planning to hold a banquet soon, and we've invited a Daoist to commemorate it. That person is also staying in the reception hall."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Just as high-level martial artists stay up all night talking about martial arts when they meet, wouldn't there be common ground to discuss as fellow sorcerers? That's why we've arranged for you to stay in the room right next to his."
"Hmm. I appreciate your kindness."
A wizard from another world? That was interesting. Although Envers was a fake wizard and couldn't engage in deep conversations, he thought he might be able to chat by showing off his artifacts.
At the end of the open corridor, there was a small garden. In the middle of the garden stood a two-story building, which seemed to be the reception hall.
Namgung Zhao stopped walking and turned his head to look at Envers.
"Come to think of it... I heard you were attacked by Demonic Cult members on your way here. They say a major crisis was averted thanks to your sorcery."
"I happened to have a scroll... I mean, a talisman. I was able to shake them off with it."
"A talisman that overcomes crises. That must be a truly efficacious talisman. Do you perhaps have a few more of those talismans?"
"......"
Silence.
A silence neither too long nor too short.
Amidst his complicated thoughts, as Envers was about to reply that it wasn't good to ask such things, Namgung Zhao slightly bowed his head as if in realization and spoke first.
"I apologize for my rudeness. I've always been interested in sorcery... and ended up asking an impolite question. I sincerely thank you for saving my younger brother. That is what I wanted to say."
"...You care a lot for your younger brother?"
"Of course. He is my one and only younger brother."
"......"
He smiled and told Envers to use the room with the blue flag hung on it in the reception hall, then turned and walked away silently down the corridor.
Envers looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression, deep in thought. For some reason, he felt uncomfortable standing in front of that man. It was an uneasiness like having a spider crawl on the back of his hand.
"...Ah, it must be my imagination."
It was only natural for men to feel irritated when seeing handsome gigolos, after all. This must be one of those cases.
Envers scratched the back of his head vigorously as he stepped into the reception hall.
===============================================================
The interior of the reception hall consisted of a large living room with small private rooms attached to it. Each private room's door had a small flag of a different color hung on it, allowing for distinction without the need for nameplates.
The door with the red flag was open, and a middle-aged man with a goatee was sitting at the dining table in the living room, drinking tea.
Given the circumstances, this person appeared to be the Daoist that Namgung Zhao had invited.
Indeed, his appearance perfectly matched that of a Daoist. He wore a strange hat and a long robe, with colorful feathers stuck in his hat, and various talismans hanging from his waist. He looked like a walking advertisement saying "I am a Daoist."
Envers found this appearance curious and tried to greet him warmly.
"Nice to meet you. I am..."
"Are you that fraud?!"
"...?"
Envers flinched at suddenly being called a fraud. He was taken aback, and also felt a bit guilty. After all, he wasn't really a wizard.
But how could this Daoist call him a fraud when they had never met before?
"What do you mean by that when we've just met?"
"How dare a young punk with peach fuzz still on his face claiming to be a Daoist. Are you making a mockery of the Namgung Clan? Not a chance, not a chance! I can see right through you, you fraud!"
"...Huh."
"How could a mere brat like you bring down heavenly storm clouds to the ground?!"
His behavior, like a mouse with its tail on fire, was unpleasant to watch. Envers finally understood why this Daoist was raising his voice. He was full of doubt and jealousy.
It hurt his pride to acknowledge that a young person could be an esteemed Daoist, so he jumped to suspicion first. Insisting that Envers must have used some trick to deceive them.
Envers, who had expected to have a substantial conversation with a wizard from another world, frowned and turned away sharply. There was no value in further interaction.
"You scoundrel! Are you running away?!"
"Enough. I don't feel any energy from the scrolls hanging at your waist, so you're either an insignificant Daoist or a fraud yourself."
"How dare you call me a fraud! Just you wait, you charlatan! Soon the banquet will be held, and I'll expose your fraud in front of everyone!"
Envers entered the room with the blue flag and slammed the sliding door shut.
Ignoring the grumbling sounds from outside the door, he unpacked his belongings and lay down on the bed. Despite some minor troubles, things were going quite well so far.
Hadn't he made connections and been invited as a guest?
After receiving life-saving grace, if there was anything he could do to help the Namgung Clan, he would bestow favor, receive compensation in return... and then leave or not leave as he saw fit.
What kind of martial arts would he encounter? The thought made his heart race with excitement.
===============================================================
Envers stayed in the reception hall and rested for a while, but soon got up from the bed feeling restless.
He was told that meals would be brought by servants at the appropriate times, and that someone would notify him if he was called for, but staying still when feeling antsy seemed like a waste of time.
Envers was the type to practice martial arts when bored. Now that he had crossed over to another world, that feeling was heightened rather than diminished. However, training right in the front yard might damage the flower garden, so he needed to find a training ground.
He thought about asking a servant, but it seemed they wouldn't come until evening. He wanted to go look for it himself, but he didn't know the layout of the mansion, which was troublesome.
So, Envers raised his voice in front of the red-flagged room where the cranky Daoist was staying.
"I would like to ask you something."
"Do you think I’d answer a fraud like you?!"
"I do not want to talk to you for long either! I need to go to the training ground to practice, if you could just tell me where it is, I shall not bother you anymore."
"...Training ground?"
The Daoist seemed to think for a moment, then gave directions.
"Follow the creaking corridor all the way, then turn right at the first corner. You'll come to a wide open space. That's the Namgung Clan's training ground."
"...You're telling me more readily than I expected?"
Envers added suspiciously, but the Daoist didn't answer. He wondered if he had been given wrong directions on purpose, but if he ended up on the wrong path, he could always turn back.
Creak, creak.
He once again passed through the creaking corridor (he tried to make no sound, but it was impossible), following the Daoist's directions.
At the end of the dead-end corridor, there was a door. When he grasped the handle and turned it, it wasn't locked. As he pushed it open, a wide open space appeared, just as the Daoist had said.
And there was already someone in the training ground.
Long hair fluttering as a sword was thrust out. The blade that sharply cut through the air and was withdrawn had a subtle principle to it, blending disciplined and fierce swordsmanship with the soft movements characteristic of a woman.
This was martial arts!
Envers watched, mesmerized, as the woman performed her sword dance. It was a completely different feeling from the martial arts he had learned from the beggar.
What goal was this martial art built upon, I wonder? If Luna were here, she would have given a clear explanation like she did for the Dog Beating Staff Technique. What would this swordsmanship look like when it fully bloomed!
His body itched with excitement. As Envers was about to trace the sword's trajectory with his finger, the woman performing the sword dance turned her head sharply.
"...Who's there?!"
Whoosh!
A throwing sword. The blade cut through the air as it was shot.
Envers didn't move. He already knew the knife wasn't aimed at him, but would be stuck in the door frame.
Thunk! Tremble tremble.
The long sword quivered, half-embedded in the door.
Envers stepped forward, clapping his hands in admiration.
"I was wandering around looking for a place to train and happened to see you. That was wonderful swordsmanship!"
"...A Semu? Then you must be the Daoist that Myeong mentioned."
"And who might you be?"
"I am Namgung Seungah, the second daughter of the Namgung Clan... but that's not a name I should give to a villain trying to steal our family's martial arts!"
"...?"
Come to think of it, in Murim, it was considered extremely rude to spy on someone else's training. However, he had been so captivated by the sword of Namgung that he hadn't had time to think about that. Envers hurriedly waved his arms.
"That was not my intention!"
"Thieves always say that. Are you planning to make excuses next, saying 'As a Semu, I was ignorant of Central Plains culture'?"
A preemptive strike!
As Namgung Seungah cleverly blocked his next potential excuse, Envers was greatly flustered and racked his brain. How could he overcome this situation?
In his complicated thoughts, he blurted out his honest opinion while fumbling.
"It was not a sword worth stealing."
"......"
"Ah, I mean, the form itself was very beautiful. But since the person wielding it could not swing it comprehensively, I saw that it did not contain the greater meaning that should be melted into the swordsmanship. So, well, if the inside of a treasure chest is empty, there is essentially nothing to steal..."
"...If you're so confident, why don't you confirm it with your body-!!"
Namgung Seungah, who had just been told to her face "Your martial arts suck," exploded on the spot.
===============================================================
Envers should have been grateful for the Namgung Clan's excellent home education. Instead of running straight to her father and asking to "hang that barbarian's head on the wall," Namgung Seungah politely challenged him to a duel.
Namgung Seungah retrieved the sword stuck in the door, gripped it, and pointed it at him in a middle stance.
"If you can withstand ten of my moves, I'll forget about this rudeness."
"Alright. And, I did not mean to make a personal attack..."
"Let's see if this so-called Daoist's abilities are as great as his flapping mouth!"
"Hmm..."
The match should be fair.
Envers rolled up his sleeves. Such revealed well-developed muscles could only be built through years of training. A glint flashed in Namgung Seungah's eyes.
"......"
"As you can see, I have a body trained in martial arts, albeit crudely. I shall not use any scrolls... talismans. Talismans or arti... sorcery tools in this duel, just so you know."
"Here I come! Hap──!"
Whoosh-!
The sword came flying. Its appearance was like drawing a trajectory on the canvas of the air. Although Namgung Seungah was well-trained and her sword technique was considerable...
"The lower ranks of the Academy, huh..."
"What are you muttering about?!"
The Academy, where only the brightest talents from the Empire were gathered for training - the gap was too significant for her to catch up to Envers, who had trained hard there.
Whoosh, whoosh ──!
After easily deflecting three moves, a look of impatience flashed across Namgung Seungah's face. Envers thought for a moment, then closed his eyes.
"...What are you doing?"
"I can dodge even like this."
"Eek...!!"
Slash, slash slash ──!!
Four, five, six.
Consecutive strikes.
Against the consecutive strikes that curved with a sound like tearing silk, Envers activated Gaze Insight. With his eyes closed, he could sense things even more clearly. She was honest.
Honest and pure.
Though she was swinging her sword, she wasn't aiming for vital points. She targeted areas that wouldn't be life-threatening if cut or could heal quickly. Or parts of clothing that could cause embarrassment if slashed.
While she wanted to punish Envers for his rudeness, it wasn't to the level of taking his life or crippling his martial arts. She probably just wanted to give him a strong warning.
Through exchanging martial arts, he could now see her heart. Envers, who was somewhat lacking in social awareness, suddenly had his social skills sharply increase in this moment of sparring.
Envers smiled gently.
"Are you mocking me?!"
"No, it is just... I smiled because your heart is beautiful."
"A-Are you trying to seduce me?!"
"That is not it... It is enjoyable! You can swing more sharply if you would like. I can handle it, so go ahead and swing boldly!"
Namgung Seungah's expression also changed subtly. This so-called Daoist Cheonghwi was enjoying this moment. She thought he might be enjoying making fun of her, but upon closer look, he seemed to genuinely enjoy exchanging martial arts.
A foreign Daoist interested in martial arts.
Just as it's pleasing to see a foreigner enjoy kimchi stew, his appearance wasn't bad to look at and raised her spirits. Seungah swung her sword more boldly as he suggested.
Swish. Swish swish!
She stepped in with her footwork and aimed for acupoints. However, before Namgung Seungah could even move her hand, he had already dodged as if he knew where she was aiming.
Thinking his Qi Sense must be excellent, she suppressed her Inner Arts to avoid being tracked by Qi.
Whoosh-!
Swish.
He dodged lightly as if he had eyes all over his body.
While noticing an attack might be a matter of technique, dodging was ultimately a matter of physical movement. Daoist Cheonghwi's movements might be rough, but his physical strength was considerable. He was honestly fast even without fancy techniques.
"You weren't bluffing! This is the tenth move, so try receiving this one!"
Namgung Seungah judged Daoist Cheonghwi to be a high-level Master. It would be rude to hold back against a Master, so she thought it best to approach this as a learning opportunity.
Putting aside both pride and anger, Namgung Seungah unleashed her ultimate move with all her might.
"『Azure Qilin(靑麒麟)』!"
Envers opened his eyes.
Like a Qilin flying across the sky, the sword blade flickering with blue heat haze drew a parabolic trajectory. It was a technique that seemed to devour space as it extended.
This was an attack of area rather than line. If one simply tried to dodge the blade, they would be cut by the spreading heat haze.
It was one of two options. Either create a large distance or block it before it spread.
Then he should aim for a preemptive counter-attack!
"Ignition(爆灑結)!"
Whoosh.
Envers' shot-out hand pressed down on the sword handle. The Azure Qilin was blocked before it could soar into the sky.
"......"
"......"
The two martial artists looked into each other's eyes for a moment, then simultaneously gathered their energy. Namgung Seungah spoke with a slightly haughty but not particularly angry look.
"...Since I made a promise, I'll consider the peeking as if it never happened."
"Thank you. By the way, is this the only training ground here?"
"Of course not. This is the training ground for the Namgung Clan’s direct line, and there's a separate training ground prepared for visitors."
"......"
Envers quietly gritted his teeth. That damned Daoist had tricked him.
If things had gone wrong, he could have been in big trouble. Not only could he have been kicked out of the Namgung Clan, but there might have even been a real sword fight. He silently vowed revenge.
===============================================================
"Daoist Cheonghwi! If you have time, could you tell us the next story? I'm really curious about how you managed to defeat that person called Jay who uses Battōjutsu! In my opinion, someone wielding such a swift sword would need to be subdued with slowness. Of course, I'm asking only if you have time──"
"Daoist Cheonghwi, this time will be different. You won't be able to dodge with your eyes closed, so let's spar one more time!"
"......"
For the first time in his life, Envers, who usually went around draining others' energy, felt what it was like to have his own energy drained.