The Legend of the Northern Blade

For centuries, the Namgung Clan had ruled over Anhui Province. They possessed countless supreme martial arts passed down through generations, but among them, their swordsmanship was the most renowned.

Foremost among their martial arts was the Royal Sword Style—a technique revered as the pinnacle of sword arts in the jianghu. Some even said it embodied the grandeur of an emperor.

However, since only the Namgung Clan Head could learn the Royal Sword Style, Namgung Il-Geom hadn't had the opportunity to master it. Instead, he learned the Thirteen Lightning Swords.

Although overshadowed by the Royal Sword Style, the Thirteen Lightning Swords was in fact a powerful martial art that could be considered one of the greatest techniques in the entire jianghu.

As such, Namgung Il-Geom took immense pride in his swordsmanship.

However, due to the Namgung Clan's rule that prohibited its members from entering the jianghu before reaching a certain level of martial arts mastery, Namgung Il-Geom had focused solely on training until now. As a result, he hadn't had the opportunity to make his name known.

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Still, he never considered himself inferior to the Seven Young Skies.

Jwa Moon-Ho shot an uneasy look at Namgung Il-Geom. "Namgung-hyung, calm down."

"Why should I?" Namgung Il-Geom shot back, the faint smile on his face growing wider as he noticed the nervous look on the usually proud Jwa Moon-Ho's face.

Jwa Moon-Ho was clearly wary of Jin Mu-Won. That meant that if he could subdue Jin Mu-Won, his own standing within the Azure Dragon Society would surely rise.

Approaching Jin Mu-Won, he announced, "I am Namgung Il-Geom, a descendant of the great Namgung Clan."

"……" Jin Mu-Won stared at him with a blank expression.

Namgung Il-Geom's face flushed as he took in his opponent's calm expression. He had expected at least a flicker of recognition or acknowledgment after revealing his name, but Jin Mu-Won gave him none.

In the Central Plains, being a member of the Namgung Clan commanded respect. Moreover, as a direct descendant, rather than a distant branch relative, he was in line to be the next Clan Head. When had anyone ever treated him with such disregard?

Growing irritated, Namgung Il-Geom remarked sharply, "When someone introduces themselves, it's customary to do the same in return. It appears you're not well-versed in jianghu etiquette."

"Etiquette is reserved for those who deserve it. Why should I tell you my name?" Jin Mu-Won replied emotionlessly.

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"What did you say?" Namgung Il-Geom's voice rose in pitch, and as it did, his restrained aura burst forth, bearing down heavily on the young martial artists around him.

Only Jin Mu-Won, who stood directly in its path, remained completely unfazed. As impressive as Namgung Il-Geom's aura seemed, to him, it was as innocuous as a gentle breeze.

"Are you looking down on the Namgung Clan?" Namgung Il-Geom demanded.

Jin Mu-Won shook his head nonchalantly. "When did I ever say such a thing?"

"Looking down on me is the same as looking down on the Namgung Clan."

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"When did I look down on you?"

"How dare you talk back to me!" Namgung Il-Geom's voice boomed, piercing every corner of the Yellow Crane Tower. At the same time, his aura surged outward, forcing the nearby martial artists to cover their ears and retreat a few steps.

Even Hyun Gong-Hwi seemed taken aback by the unexpected power.

Nevertheless, Jin Mu-Won remained unmoved, his face a mask of calm. "You're the one acting strange. Do we know each other well enough to greet each other warmly? Or do you expect me to bow deeply just because you've announced that you're from the great Namgung Clan?" he said sarcastically.

Namgung Il-Geom's face flushed with anger. "Y-You…"

Before he could finish his line though, Jin Mu-Won's voice, low yet resonant enough to fill every corner of the pavilion, interrupted him. "Don't get me wrong, I understand the weight that the name of the Namgung Clan carries. I know how hard your ancestors worked and how much they sacrificed to build its honor and reputation.

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"Regardless, you are now in the jianghu, where even your smallest actions reflect on the Namgung Clan as a whole. Do not tarnish the great name of your clan."

"You bastard!" Namgung Il-Geom snarled. Unable to hold back any longer, he unsheathed his sword and threw his scabbard on the ground.

A deadly glint flashed in Jin Mu-Won's eyes as the cold blade caught the light.

Stepping forward and blocking Namgung Il-Geom's path, Jwa Moon-Ho called out, "Stop! Master Namgung!"

However, Namgung Il-Geom shoved him aside.

Jin Mu-Won steeled his gaze. A sword was a weapon designed to inflict harm, and the scabbard served as a basic safeguard and a symbol of restraint. Discarding it was tantamount to announcing one's intent to kill.

Is he seriously trying to kill me because his pride was slightly wounded? How childish.

Without giving anyone a chance to intervene, Namgung Il-Geom's sword sliced through the air toward Jin Mu-Won.

"How dare you lecture me! I'll teach you a lesson for your arrogant insolence!" he roared.

"No!" Jwa Moon-Ho shout echoed through the pavilion, but it was too late.

Namgung Il-Geom's sword shot toward Jin Mu-Won's throat like a bolt of lightning, zeroing in on a vital point where even a slight graze could be fatal.

When one attacks with the intent to kill, they must be prepared to die themselves. That is the rule of the jianghu, Jin Mu-Won mused, narrowing his eyes as he extended two fingers toward the incoming sword.

CRACK!

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At the exact instant of contact, Jin Mu-Won unleashed the Weapon-Shattering Finger, shattering Namgung Il-Geom's sword and scattering metal fragments in every direction.

"Keuk!" Namgung Il-Geom staggered back, coughing up blood as the force of the recoil struck him.

Before he could compose himself, Jin Mu-Won darted forward, swift and low, moving with the deadly grace of a wolf on the hunt. Under the dim light of the surrounding lanterns, his eyes burned with a terrifying glow, and killing intent flooded the space around Namgung Il-Geom, binding him in place as if caught in an invisible net.

Helpless, Namgung Il-Geom stared at Jin Mu-Won in a state of shock. Everything, from Jin Mu-Won's billowing reddish-brown coat, to the cursed sword Snow Flower, to the eyes that flashed ominously like a predator, made him feel as though he was standing before the God of Death.

"Enough!" Hyun Gong-Hwi bellowed, leaping forward and intervening in the fight. Not only could he not allow Namgung Il-Geom to die, but he also relished the opportunity to confront Jin Mu-Won directly.

WHOOSH!

The crescent moon blade at his side sprang free, glinting like the deadly fang of a venomous snake.

"Damn it!" Jwa Moon-Ho cursed, gritting his teeth and entering the fray as well. He wasn't sure how things had gotten to this point, but if Namgung Il-Geom died at Jin Mu-Won's hands, the repercussions would be catastrophic for everyone there, including himself.

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On the other hand, the Monochrome Twins cautiously retreated. They'd nearly been killed by Jin Mu-Won once already, and instinct prevented them from challenging him again.

Hyun Gong-Hwi's crescent moon dao slashed at Jin Mu-Won's side, as Jwa Moon-Ho's sword swung in from behind. Their attacks weren't coordinated, but together they formed a natural pincer.

In response, Jin Mu-Won spun around, deliberately allowing his loose coat to billow out in a wide arc that briefly obscured his form. Timing his counterattack to the moment when both Jwa Moon-Ho and Hyun Gong-Hwi lost sight of him, he snapped his leg forward like a whip, landing a powerful kick squarely on Jwa Moon-Ho's chest.

"Gah!" Jwa Moon-Ho stumbled back, reeling.

Without missing a beat, Jin Mu-Won struck Hyun Gong-Hwi's crescent moon dao with Snow Flower's scabbard.

CLANG!

Sparks scattered as metal collided.

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"Ugh!" Hyun Gong-Hwi groaned. His hand had gone numb from the force of the blow. He had prepared himself for a light deflection, but the impact was much greater than he had expected. Clutching his dao with both hands, he realized he'd need every ounce of his strength just to block his opponent's merciless blows.

Meanwhile, Jin Mu-Won closed in on Hyun Gong-Hwi with his palm outstretched, his movements flowing as naturally as running water.

Alarmed, Hyun Gong-Hwi immediately tried to form a barrier with qi, but he was too slow.

SLAM!

"Ahhh!" Hyun Gong-Hwi flew backward, hurtling away twice as fast as he had charged in.

Still, the fight wasn't over yet. Jin Mu-Won drew Snow Flower from its scabbard, casting a fierce blue light across the scene.

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"Damn it!" Jwa Moon-Ho growled, struggling to rise as he wiped the blood from his mouth.

Just then, he felt something cold press against his neck. Glancing down, he realized that it was Jin Mu-Won's scabbard. Without thinking, he gulped, feeling his heart pounding in his chest.

Keeping Jwa Moon-Ho pinned with the scabbard in his left hand, Jin Mu-Won raised Snow Flower in his right, thrusting it straight at Namgung Il-Geom.

Seeing the cursed energy of the blade glinting in the faint light, Namgung Il-Geom's heart sank. Unable to move from the pressure of Jin Mu-Won's killing intent, he could only watch in helpless horror as Snow Flower plunged toward his heart.

"No! Stop! Please!" Jwa Moon-Ho's desperate shout echoed through the pavilion once more. If Namgung Il-Geom died, Jin Mu-Won wouldn't be the only one who was finished, he would be doomed as well. The strength of the Three Rings Sword Sect was nothing compared to the might of the Namgung Clan.

The Monochrome Twins gritted their teeth, an involuntary response to the scene unfolding before them. They felt as if they were witnessing something that should never be seen—a moment that would etch itself into their minds forever.

The other young martial artists shared the same feeling, frozen in place, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

Jin Mu-Won silently gazed down upon at Namgung Il-Geom, his eyes cold and unyielding.

Namgung Il-Geom wanted to look away, to escape that paralyzing gaze, but Jin Mu-Won's eyes held him captive, stripping away every facade.

He shivered, feeling exposed, as though his very soul had been laid bare.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, Jin Mu-Won straightened up and slid Snow Flower back into its scabbard.

SHIING!

After glancing around, Jin Mu-Won descended the stairs. No one moved to stop him. They were too overwhelmed by his presence to even try.

"S-Stop right there!" Hyun Gong-Hwi finally managed to squeeze out a shout, but by then, Jin Mu-Won was already gone.

"Guh…" A low groan slipped from Namgung Il-Geom's lips.

A terrible trauma that would become a lifelong shackle had been etched into his mind. From now on, no matter how many years passed, every time he saw Jin Mu-Won, the memory of this defeat would resurface, as vivid as the day it happened.

For a martial artist, it was a fate worse than death.

Translator's Note: Master Baek has caught up, so weekly releases for Northern Blade will resume.