Heaven-Defying Sword

Chapter 7

Chapter 7. Why Are You Bullying My Brother!

Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook visited Seowon Temple once every three days to see the youngest. They did not travel by carriage or horse; they ran.

This was something Na Jin-an had ordered them to do. However, the two followed his instructions without a single word of complaint.

After about a month had passed in that manner, there was nothing left to fix regarding their forms. From then on, they had to practice applying the learned forms through sparring. This was known as learning variation techniques.

"From today, you will spar."

"Really?"

"We always spar, though?"

"Then try it."

Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook stood facing each other, and after showing proper etiquette, they began their duel.

As Na Jin-an watched them quietly, a sigh escaped his lips. It was such a mess that he could not even gauge where or how to begin pointing things out.

Should he have them set the variation techniques aside for later and teach them an internal energy cultivation method first?

However, most of the internal energy cultivation methods Na Jin-an knew were not pure. While they might be helpful immediately, they would become obstacles to reaching a higher realm later on.

This was because an internal energy cultivation method, once learned, was difficult to replace with another.

The true energy one had built up with great effort might clash, or because the methods of operation differed, the vital energy and blood could become tangled, or the blood points could become blocked.

Na Jin-an had been the same way in his past life. By the time he was lucky enough to obtain the internal energy cultivation method of a prestigious noble family, he could not do anything about it because he had already practiced a low-quality method for over ten years.

It had been too late.

If he had built his foundation with a proper internal energy cultivation method, he would have reached a higher realm, and perhaps he would not have died such a miserable death.

Even so, there were also problems with teaching a high-level internal energy cultivation method.

There were two high-level internal energy cultivation methods that Na Jin-an knew: the Dae-yeon Divine Art and the Cloud Gold Heart Art.

He had learned the Dae-yeon Divine Art in his past life when he led the secret unit of the Namgung Clan.

Thanks to the fact that the Namgung Clan had produced a living legend called the Sword Immortal, there were so many outstanding swordsmen that you could practically trip over them. Therefore, even the Yeonnam Prince's Manor, which ruled over three southern provinces, could not treat them lightly.

The Dae-yeon Divine Art was an internal energy cultivation method practiced by high-ranking martial artists of that Namgung Clan. Thus, if Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook learned it, the Namgung Clan would surely interrogate them. Who would believe that Na Jin-an, who was only four years old, had taught them?

Even if they did believe it, it would be a problem. He would have to explain where he had learned it.

If he could not, they would assume he had stolen the knowledge or learned it through illegitimate means, and then he would be subjected to sanctions.

The same went for the Cloud Gold Heart Art, which was the internal energy method for the Song Family Nine Forms. The Song Family Nine Forms was the martial art of Song Mun-cheon, who was once the world's greatest swordsman, but he had been branded a traitor and killed.

Therefore, if they practiced the Cloud Gold Heart Art, they might be misunderstood as descendants of a traitorous family. Although several generations had already passed, someone might recognize it.

Was that not why the Daoist who passed the Song Family Nine Forms to the Na family only passed down six forms?

And he had even done so while deceiving them by calling the sword technique a saber technique.

Na Jin-an, who was worrying with a slight furrow in his brow, decided to set this problem aside for now.

As the saying goes, one should take the long way around when in a hurry.

"Hmm?"

Na Jin-an turned his head at a sudden sign of a presence. Three young nobles who looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old were approaching.

Na Jin-an recognized who they were immediately.

The one whose overall features were thin like a woman’s but whose gaze was incredibly cold was the second young master of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Cheong-hyeon.

The one standing next to him, smiling incessantly while holding a folding fan, was the eldest son of the So family, So Mu-hwan, who was said to be wealthy enough to command even ghosts.

The presence of those two alone was immense, yet it was not as much as the final person.

Wearing a black long robe and wearing a faint smile, he had a unique atmosphere. There was an alluring feeling that seemed dangerous, yet he possessed a magnetic pull that made it impossible to look away.

His status was also extraordinary.

Prince Chu, Lee Yeon-hwi.

He was the younger brother of the Prince of Yeonnam, who ruled the three southern provinces.

Na Jin-an stared at him blankly. In his past life, Prince Chu did not live long. He had fallen into a trap and died a miserable death.

Namgung Cheong-hyeon had personally carried out that revenge. He had gone out with his sword and turned a prominent family into a bloodbath overnight. He had truly killed every single person, leaving not even a single ant behind.

The one who supported him from behind at that time was So Mu-hwan. It was said that half of the So family's fortune vanished while cleaning up the aftermath.

"Ha! What is this? Is it a glutinous rice ball?"

So Mu-hwan, who had a light personality, said while looking at Na Jin-an. Since the weather was cold and he was bundled up with only his eyes showing, it was a perfect comparison.

Lee Yeon-hwi, who was watching Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook spar, turned his gaze to look at Na Jin-an.

"Pfft!"

Lee Yeon-hwi barely held back the laughter that was about to burst out.

Only then did Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook stop their duel. The two had been so excited that they had not noticed them approaching.

"Who are you?"

As Na Jin-mook picked up Na Jin-an first, Na Jin-seong stood beside him. Although they did not know the identity of those people, they were wearing swords, so the brothers had no choice but to be on guard.

However, Namgung Cheong-hyeon misunderstood that action.

"How rude."

Shouting lowly, Namgung Cheong-hyeon kicked off the ground. That movement was so fast that Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook could not react at all.

But it was different for Na Jin-an. He knew what kind of person Namgung Cheong-hyeon was and what his personality was like. He also knew how he felt about Lee Yeon-hwi.

There was no way he would leave someone alone who dared to point a blade in front of the Prince. At that, Na Jin-an shouted before Namgung Cheong-hyeon could even move.

"Brothers! Get back!"

Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook backed away in startle, but Namgung Cheong-hyeon was faster than expected. After snatching Na Jin-seong's saber in an instant, he swung it toward Na Jin-mook.

CLANG!

"Urgh!"

Na Jin-mook, who had blocked Namgung Cheong-hyeon's attack, could not hold his ground and collapsed onto one knee. However, Namgung Cheong-hyeon's blade could not push in any further.

Although it seemed like he had swung it lightly, Namgung Cheong-hyeon had practiced a pure internal energy cultivation method since he was young, so the power was considerable. Yet, Na Jin-mook had blocked that strike.

Not only Namgung Cheong-hyeon, but So Mu-hwan and Lee Yeon-hwi were also surprised. They had realized that neither Na Jin-seong nor Na Jin-mook had learned an internal energy cultivation method while watching them spar. Therefore, they thought Na Jin-mook would not be able to block it.

That would have been the case if Na Jin-an had not been in his arms. If the blocked blade was pushed back or dropped, Na Jin-an could be hurt. So, Na Jin-mook had held his ground, prepared for his own arm to break.

As the situation became urgent, Na Jin-an's eyes grew wide. He did not know Na Jin-mook would go this far.

In an instant, he felt a surge of emotion and was about to cry. Namgung Cheong-hyeon would not withdraw his blade, if only for the sake of his pride. If Na Jin-mook continued to hold on like this, he might lose the use of his right arm.

While thinking of a way, Na Jin-an bit the flesh inside his mouth. Then, he felt a dizzying pain.

This is it. Let's see how you like this.

"Waaaaah! Why are you bullying my brother! You bad man! What did my brother do wrong!"

As Na Jin-an suddenly burst into tears, the situation became strange. It no longer looked like Namgung Cheong-hyeon was scolding the rude Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook, but rather like he was bullying a weak person who was protecting a child.

Namgung Cheong-hyeon frowned as he looked at the child who was crying and shouting. It was extremely rare for him to show his emotions like this.

So Mu-hwan, who was watching from the side, could not help but burst out laughing. Not a single thing the child said was wrong.

Namgung Cheong-hyeon had only stepped in because Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook dared to point their blades at Lee Yeon-hwi.

However, the two of them did not know Lee Yeon-hwi's identity. If they had known, they would have knelt and shown proper etiquette instead of pointing their blades. So, from the child's perspective, it must have looked like Namgung Cheong-hyeon was bullying his brothers out of nowhere.

"Cheong-hyeon, step back."

When Lee Yeon-hwi ordered after clicking his tongue lowly, Namgung Cheong-hyeon withdrew the sword. Even so, the child did not stop crying and continued to hurl insults.

"Dummy! Idiot! Why are you bullying them when you don't even know who they are! Waaaah!"

To be honest, Na Jin-an was embarrassed. Having to keep crying at this age made him feel so ashamed that he wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

However, since he had already started, he decided to take this opportunity to insult them as much as he wanted.

When would the dignified young master of the Namgung Clan ever have been cursed at like that?

Even if the opponent was a young child, this was something that could not be tolerated. However, given the situation, he could not say anything.

Unable to watch any longer, So Mu-hwan stepped forward.

"It seems there has been a misunderstanding. We came over because we heard the sound of metal clashing within these solemn grounds, and my friend, Namgung Cheong-hyeon, was flustered when you suddenly pointed your blades."

It sounded like an apology, but he was trying to apply pressure by revealing Namgung Cheong-hyeon's name. So Mu-hwan intended to move past this matter in that way.

Sure enough, the expressions of Na Jin-seong and Na Jin-mook froze upon hearing Namgung Cheong-hyeon's name.

"Are you the second young master of the Namgung Clan?"

Na Jin-seong asked. Then, So Mu-hwan spread his folding fan and wore a smile.

It seemed he did not need to go as far as revealing Lee Yeon-hwi's identity.

However, Na Jin-seong recognized who Lee Yeon-hwi was. Those three were incredibly famous in the south.

Since three people with outstanding appearances and great families always traveled together, there were many who admired and revered them, and many who were envious and jealous.

In particular, the young ladies of marriageable age would lose their minds just trying to get even a single word in with them.

Na Jin-seong knelt toward Lee Yeon-hwi first. Then, Na Jin-mook also quickly knelt and showed his respects.

"Na Jin-seong greets Prince Chu."

"Na Jin-mook greets Prince Chu."

"Rise."

As the two stood up, Lee Yeon-hwi quietly stared at Na Jin-an in Na Jin-mook's arms.

With his fair skin and large eyes, he was as cute as a porcelain doll rather than a person. However, because he had cried so much, his eyes were swollen, which made Lee Yeon-hwi keep wanting to laugh.

When Na Jin-an suddenly turned his head away, Lee Yeon-hwi's expression stiffened slightly.

"Is he your younger brother?"

"That is correct."

"How rude. Sheathe your blades."

Only then did Na Jin-mook realize he was still holding his saber. However, because he had exerted so much strength earlier, his muscles were stiff, and not only his hand but also his arm would not move.

Noticing that, Na Jin-an touched Na Jin-mook's arm and secretly pressed a blood point.

"It is okay, Brother."

As the stiff muscles loosened slightly thanks to Na Jin-an, the saber in Na Jin-mook's hand fell with a thud.

Seeing that, So Mu-hwan marveled inwardly. To exert that much strength just to protect a younger brother was not something just anyone could do.

Namgung Cheong-hyeon also stared with deeply sunken eyes. He had unintentionally become the villain today, but he had not cared much until a moment ago.

However, seeing the way Na Jin-mook cared for his brother made him feel bitter.

Namgung Cheong-hyeon's own brother used to be like that in the past. He had feared nothing for the sake of his younger brother and had protected him in any way he could.

But now, he had changed. And in a very bad way.

"You did well. From now on, I will protect you."

"You? You are as tiny as a glutinous rice ball, so how are you going to protect your brother?"

So Mu-hwan asked with a laugh. His tone was full of intention to tease Na Jin-an.

"I am going to learn martial arts and protect him."

"Stop right there. You cannot even hold a sword properly with those tiny hands."

So Mu-hwan smirked and dismissed Na Jin-an. However, the smile vanished from his face as soon as he heard Na Jin-an's following words.

"My brother said so. Martial arts begins with etiquette and is completed by building martial virtue; it is something you do to protect yourself, your family, and your country. Otherwise, you are just a bloodthirsty fiend with a blade."

When would Na Jin-mook have ever said such words?

It was all Na Jin-an's own doing.

The words that martial arts begins with etiquette and is completed by building martial virtue were meant to blame Namgung Cheong-hyeon. He should have revealed his identity first, but instead, he had immediately acted; this was clearly an action that went against etiquette.

Furthermore, the words about protecting oneself, one's family, and one's country signified the legitimacy of Na Jin-mook's action in standing up against Namgung Cheong-hyeon.

"Ha! The little brat is quite clever. Are you perhaps saying those things because you are afraid the Prince will be narrow-minded and hold your brothers accountable for their crime?"

That was indeed the case. Whatever the reason, Na Jin-mook and Na Jin-seong had pointed their blades at Prince Chu.

If Prince Chu held them accountable for that crime, there would be no way out. So, Na Jin-an was trying to blame Namgung Cheong-hyeon and remind them that Na Jin-mook's actions were justified.

"The Prince is a good person, so he would not do that. But some narrow-minded person might."

The 'narrow-minded person' referred to So Mu-hwan.

"You little rascal, let's see if you can keep talking with that tiny mouth of yours."

An angered So Mu-hwan tried to scold Na Jin-an. Then, Na Jin-mook and Na Jin-seong shielded Na Jin-an.

But would So Mu-hwan stay still regardless?

At that moment, someone's voice drifted over.

"So this is where you were."