The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 26

The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family

Chapter 26

‘What’s the difference between a sword and a blade?’

This was Ha Hyeon’s first question while watching Paeng Heon-hong’s martial arts.

Naturally, he knew the theory. A sword has two edges, can thrust, while a blade has one edge and mainly cuts… But Ha Hyeon wondered what use all that was.

‘Whether it’s a sword or blade, the goal is ultimately to make contact with the opponent’s body.’

In fact, there’s no rule saying you can’t use physical strength with a sword, nor is there a rule against thrusting with a blade.

‘Swordplay and blade techniques are just methods to efficiently use the weapon’s advantages.’

Ha Hyeon held his sword upright. Paeng Heon-hong naturally stepped back. The sword drew a natural circle. However, rather than using wrist movements typical of sword techniques, it resembled blade techniques using the entire arm.

“Ah…?!”

Even just from that, Paeng Heon-hong couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. He knew better than anyone that Ha Hyeon had never learned blade techniques, having been with him since he first held a sword. Yet Ha Hyeon’s movements were as natural as those of a blade master who had practiced for years.

Ha Hyeon’s sword bloomed magnificently. The form was clearly from the Sky-Piercing Sword technique that Paeng Heon-hong knew well. However, instead of infusing qi, he used physical strength. Thrusting and reverse blade movements were replaced with single-edged strikes as if they had always been that way.

“This is…”

Paeng Heon-hong couldn’t understand. Ha Hyeon had converted the Sky-Piercing Sword technique into a blade technique on the spot. He was astounded as he had never heard of such a thing being possible.

“Whew…”

After completing all the forms of the Sky-Piercing Blade technique, Ha Hyeon took a deep breath. Rather than drawing upon internal energy, he seemed to have executed the forms purely with physical strength, as his forehead glistened with sweat. Paeng Heon-hong didn’t speak to Ha Hyeon. Somehow, he felt this wasn’t over yet.

Boom-!

Meeting Paeng Heon-hong’s expectations, Ha Hyeon suddenly ground his foot into the training ground floor. This time, perhaps because he infused qi into the movement, a thunderous sound echoed throughout the training ground.

“Now the preparation is complete. I roughly understand how to handle a blade.”

Ha Hyeon said with a gentle smile before raising his sword again. Then from his hands, familiar sword techniques – no, blade techniques – began to unfold.

“Primal Thunder Blade…?”

Though the words came from his own mouth, Paeng Heon-hong quickly realized that Ha Hyeon’s martial art wasn’t the Primal Thunder Blade. This martial art wasn’t even one that felt like the Primal Thunder Blade converted into sword techniques. If anything, it might be called a distant relative of the Primal Thunder Blade? While it gave off a similar atmosphere, it was actually a completely different martial art.

“Thanks to you, I’ve gained inspiration. This martial art is definitely not the Primal Thunder Blade. However, if you feel what I’ve felt, I think it might help you somewhat in completing the Primal Thunder Blade.”

Paeng Heon-hong nodded. Completing the Primal Thunder Blade was his responsibility. Ha Hyeon felt that Paeng Heon-hong’s current expression was very good. A face both determined and detached. Simply put, it was the perfect expression for achieving enlightenment.

Swoosh–

In an instant, Ha Hyeon once again concentrated on his sword. When watching the Primal Thunder Blade, Ha Hyeon had a strange thought.

‘Isn’t it blade technique converted to sword technique, and then converted back to blade technique once more?’

Then suddenly, he wondered if it was possible to convert sword techniques into blade techniques, and Ha Hyeon proved to himself it was possible by converting the Sky-Piercing Sword technique into the Sky-Piercing Blade technique. Replicating a martial art after seeing it once was easy for him. Moreover, if shown slowly and carefully like Paeng Heon-hong had done, it became even easier.

When he mentally converted the Primal Thunder Blade into sword techniques, he felt even more awkward. It created sword techniques that seemed to lack content here and there, like missing teeth. However, Ha Hyeon had experience analyzing and developing the Sky-Piercing Boundless Sword technique with his grandfather. He naturally began filling in the missing parts.

Swish- Swish-!

Ha Hyeon’s sword began moving faster and faster. There weren’t any particular criteria for filling in the missing parts.

‘What ought to be there.’

This time, Ha Hyeon decided to fully trust his inspiration. He swung his sword according to what came to mind, how his body followed, and how this new sword technique led him.

Woong-!

Ha Hyeon’s sword eagerly absorbed qi and trembled like an excited puppy. It followed its own path as if it were a living creature.

‘Calm down.’

As Ha Hyeon’s will was conveyed, the sword technique began to become more orderly. Instead, it became like an obedient hunting dog, rushing to where Ha Hyeon wanted. The sword reflected the moonlight chaotically, as if telling Paeng Heon-hong: I’ll be waiting, so come find me whenever you’re ready.

While it clearly wasn’t the Primal Thunder Blade, one could feel the will of the Primal Thunder Blade. Or more precisely, he thought he could feel the will of the distant ancestor who created the Primal Thunder Blade. And now he could finally understand why his father had sent him here, why he had taught him the Primal Thunder Blade instead of the Five Tiger Single Blade.

Drip

On Paeng Heon-hong’s jade-like face, a pearl-like tear rolled down.

‘Father…’

That day was the first time Paeng Heon-hong had shed tears since leaving home.

“Huff, huff.”

After finishing his swordplay, Ha Hyeon was breathing heavily, and his clothes were soaked with sweat. Unlike sword techniques that use qi for both body movements and the sword’s sharpness, blade techniques require much more physical strength. That was blade technique – being able to strike an opponent’s neck with one’s own strength even without a speck of qi.

‘My body is too weak compared to my enlightenment.’

Ha Hyeon realized how arrogant he had been until now. He thought internal energy, not the body, was the essence of martial arts. Therefore, once his body began moving according to his will, he focused more on internal energy and mental training rather than physical training. But look at his state now? He even felt pathetic about being exhausted after performing just one blade technique.

‘I must tell this to Brother Hwan and Sister So-hwa.’

Ha Hyeon thought he had gained many good insights.

‘By the way, how long is he going to stay like this?’

After the forms ended, Paeng Heon-hong had bowed once to Ha Hyeon and still hadn’t risen. Ha Hyeon spoke, not hiding his bewilderment.

“Um, Brother Paeng. How long are you going to stay like this? Please get up…”

At those words, Paeng Heon-hong slowly rose. Judging by his swollen eyes, Ha Hyeon thought he hadn’t gotten up to hide his flowing tears.

“Our Paeng family never forgets our benefactors. You are my benefactor.”

“Benefactor is too much…”

“No, you are a benefactor. Because you’ve shown me the path I must take.”

Though Paeng Heon-hong’s eyes were swollen, his gaze was clear. Usually, perhaps because he was from a different family, Paeng Heon-hong seemed somewhat anxious and kept his distance from others. But now his attitude had clearly changed. He had conviction.

“At daybreak, I will tell Master that I want to train in blade techniques.”

“Yes. I also think that’s the right choice.”

“And after completing the Primal Thunder Blade, I will return to the Paeng family.”

Paeng Heon-hong’s face was determined. And staring intently at Ha Hyeon’s face, he thought:

‘Ha Hyeon will surely become an extraordinary person. Although he’s a few years younger than me, age means nothing. If I am to become family head, Ha Hyeon’s help might be essential.’

Whether aware of these thoughts or not, Ha Hyeon nodded firmly.

“I’ve heard my younger uncle is also skilled in blade techniques. If you seek his advice, he will surely help.”

“Thank you.”

Paeng Heon-hong extended his hand, and Ha Hyeon grasped it. Though Ha Hyeon’s hand was clearly smaller than his own, Paeng Heon-hong thought it felt very large.

After that day, Paeng Heon-hong took up the blade again.

Some might ask: What blade in the Namgung family? However, Paeng Heon-hong no longer needed to learn the Namgung family’s sword techniques. He had only one goal in sight. Only the Primal Thunder Blade.

‘The clue to the Primal Thunder Blade that Ha Hyeon showed. Making that my own is what I must do.’

Therefore, even after becoming an official member, Paeng Heon-hong didn’t choose a formal master. He decided to continue training as before, having Namgung Gi-hyeon check his basics and progress. When this news reached Namgung Mu-ryong, everyone involved came to know that he responded with a meaningful smile, as if he already knew everything, saying to let it be so.

Ha Hyeon, who gained a new sword technique thanks to Paeng Heon-hong, named it the ‘Moonlight Sword Technique.’ He thought it fitting because it was created under moonlight, and like moonlight, it was subtle yet could cover the whole world. Today too, watching the moon beginning to glow softly, Ha Hyeon went out to the courtyard in front of the pavilion.

‘Today I need to show the Moonlight Sword to Sister So-hwa and Brother Hwan.’

Recently, after even Paeng Heon-hong became an official member, it seemed to greatly motivate Namgung So-hwa, who doubled her usual training amount, and Namgung Hwan, who had said he wanted to live casually, also became fired up about training.

‘It seems he started training even harder suddenly after grandfather said something to him.’

Namgung Hwan became even more serious about training after having a private meeting with Namgung Mu-ryong a few days ago. Grandfather must have said something to brother, but since he hadn’t said anything to Ha Hyeon yet, he kept quiet about it.

“Ha Hyeon!”

When Ha Hyeon had almost reached the courtyard, he could hear So-hwa’s urgent voice calling him.

“What is it, Sister? Did something happen?”

Ha Hyeon hurriedly stepped into the courtyard.

“Huh?”

Ha Hyeon couldn’t help but be a little surprised. Because in one corner of the courtyard, someone he didn’t usually see was warming up.

“Ha Hyeon! Did you call him here?”

“No? Brother Paeng, why did you leave the training ground and come here?”

It was Paeng Heon-hong. He scratched his head and said:

“I thought being close to you would help me achieve things faster.”

“No, that’s why it’s too cramped here! Brother Paeng, if you have any conscience, practice in the training ground!”

“I don’t mind training in the training ground… if Ha Hyeon trains there too.”

So-hwa glared at Ha Hyeon with fierce eyes.

“Ha Hyeon! From now on, go practice in the training ground!”

“But I came here first? Sister should go practice in the training ground.”

“The trainee training ground is far from here. You go. The Daewon training ground is close.”

“Then sister should just quickly advance to Daewon rank. Ah, you’re the only trainee here, aren’t you?”

“What?! You’re dead!”

So-hwa charged at Ha Hyeon, but he wasn’t about to let himself be caught. Ha Hyeon escaped from So-hwa using the light steps technique at mastery level.

“You! You’re dead if I catch you!”

The two chased each other out of the open space, disappearing from Paeng Heon-hong’s sight.

While Paeng Heon-hong was anxious, wondering if he had caused this commotion, Namgung Hwan naturally began his own practice, seemingly unfazed by their behavior.

“Um… Senior, is it okay to leave those two like that?”

“Well, this happens all the time. There’s nothing better for footwork practice.”

The Blue dragon pavilion operated strictly on seniority regardless of age. Thus, although Paeng Heon-hong and Namgung Hwan were the same age, they were clearly in a senior-junior relationship.

“They’ll be back soon, so junior should continue practicing.”

Seeing Namgung Hwan casually swinging his sword… Paeng Heon-hong also drew his blade.

‘What a strange place. Strange people too.’

Paeng Heon-hong let out a small laugh, finding the situation amusing, then calmed himself and began practicing while waiting for Ha Hyeon and So-hwa to return. He seemed completely unaware that he had just become one of those strange people himself.

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