Namgung Clan’s Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal

Chapter 54

54. Master Son’s One-Shot Lecture

“Whew. That’s intense, really intense.”

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue. He’d followed along, curious how Hwangbo Yong would be roped in, but what he saw turned out to be quite entertaining.

“Should I say, impressive negotiation skills?”

One moment, gentle persuasion; the next, cold intimidation, then back to convincing—she was a master at it.

Sun Wukong suddenly wondered if Muhwa was really the same Zhu Bajie he remembered.

‘Come to think of it, there was that time I suspected he might be Tripitaka…’

Not long ago, Muhwa had repeated something Tripitaka once said: “We’re not Buddhas, so why act like one?”

Whenever Tripitaka said things like that, wasn’t Zhu Bajie always right there, chiming in?

‘Well, Zhu Bajie was Tripitaka’s disciple, after all.’

Sun Wukong awkwardly twisted his hair around his finger.

‘Bajie’s learned a thing or two and changed over time.’

He was Tripitaka’s disciple, and he could think on his feet when he needed to.

Pigs are surprisingly clever animals. Sometimes Zhu Bajie came up with brilliant schemes even Sun Wukong hadn’t thought of—though the problem was, they usually sprang from his own sneaky desires.

‘If those desires have shifted from food and women to reviving the Namgung Clan and personal revenge…’

If that’s what’s driving his scheming now, then it makes sense that Muhwa is Zhu Bajie reincarnated.

“Well, a smarter Bajie just makes my life easier.”

Sha Wujing and Bajie.

Tripitaka’s two disciples had gathered.

‘Now I just need to find Tripitaka.’

Sun Wukong felt a surge of motivation. The list of Tripitaka candidates had dropped from four to three.

‘Namgung Jin-Baek, Mu-yeong, Seo-Wol.’

Only three left.

One of them had to be Tripitaka.

But narrowing it down from three wasn’t easy.

‘Namgung Jin-Baek is so full of secrets, he’s hard to deal with.’

Every conversation with Namgung Jin-Baek turned into a negotiation.

A constant exchange, each side giving and taking.

He never truly revealed himself. Even with the Flaming Golden Eyes, Namgung Jin-Baek remained an enigma. His powerful sense of self defined him.

‘Well, with martial skills like his, I suppose that’s natural.’

That left the other two.

Namgung Mu-yeong and Namgung Seo-Wol.

The two of them suddenly appeared before Sun Wukong.

He frowned.

“What is it, you two?”

“…Master Son, I know this is a bit much, but…”

Namgung Mu-yeong hesitated. While he fumbled for words, Namgung Seo-Wol blurted out,

“Have a martial duel with me.”

“…”

Again?

Did some ghost who died in a duel latch onto her or something?

A quick glance showed Namgung Mu-yeong seemed to have the same purpose, avoiding Sun Wukong’s gaze.

Sun Wukong tilted his head.

What’s gotten into these kids?

* * *

Once all the younger generation decided to participate in the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage, the atmosphere changed.

Frequent gatherings and drinking parties dropped off sharply.

Everyone, along with their retainer warriors, suddenly threw themselves into training.

Azure Dragon Rite of Passage.

As the saying goes, “If you survive, you emerge as a dragon.” It was the reason Namgung Clan’s warriors were so strong.

It was never going to be easy.

Every one of the younger generation was a skilled martial artist; none of them even considered the possibility of failing the Rite.

If you’re going to compete, you have to show your true skills.

No one wanted to be humiliated.

The reputation of the family was at stake.

If word got out that our family’s heir was weaker than another’s, it would be a disaster.

Hwangbo Yong, in particular, was gritting his teeth.

‘If I’m going to do this, I have to prove myself.’

If he showed any weakness compared to the other heirs, it would only fuel competition with his siblings back home.

With this mindset, everyone began to train with renewed intensity.

Of course, Namgung Mu-yeong and Namgung Seo-Wol were no exception.

“Go ask your father or uncle,” Sun Wukong said, waving his hand dismissively.

The gesture, as if shooing away a bug, left Namgung Mu-yeong looking shocked.

Seo-Wol, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care, staring at Sun Wukong with bright, determined eyes.

Even Sun Wukong found her gaze a bit much.

Namgung Mu-yeong bit his lip and pleaded,

“All the elders of the Namgung Clan are in charge of managing and preparing the Azure Dragon Rite of Passage.”

“So?”

“If we get guidance or have our martial arts corrected by them, it might look like…”

“Like you’re getting inside information and a head start on the Rite?”

“Yes. But you, Master Son, are officially a retainer.”

“Well, lately, I’m not sure everyone sees it that way.”

Sun Wukong twirled his hair.

“Can’t you just train by yourselves like usual?”

They weren’t toddlers who needed to be watched every step.

But Namgung Mu-yeong shook his head.

“The truth is… everything’s gotten hazy. I can’t see the way forward.”

“Hazy? Oh, is this after last time?”

“Yes. After I witnessed my father’s sword.”

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue.

The Soaring Sky Boundless Sword that Namgung Jin-Baek had shown him had become a kind of inner demon.

Sun Wukong smacked his lips. The hesitant face, the burdened expression, the apologetic eyes even as he asked for help…

He was reminded of someone.

Sun Wukong sighed.

‘Well, I don’t have anything better to do.’

Besides, he needed to get closer to these two anyway.

He clicked his tongue and looked at them both.

If Namgung Mu-yeong had come for a genuine reason, Seo-Wol was just…

“This time, I won’t lose so easily.”

She just wanted another martial duel.

Sun Wukong gave a wry smile.

‘Let’s focus on one person at a time.’

If he kept poking around trying to figure out who Tripitaka was, he’d just give himself a headache.

Sun Wukong decided to focus on the most suspicious, Namgung Mu-yeong.

“You, kid. Go spar with that ugly guy over there.”

He pointed. Seo-Wol’s gaze followed his finger.

Sha Wujing stood there, looking dazed.

“Me?”

“What, you don’t want to?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, but… who’s the ugly guy?”

“Honestly, it’s just you.”

“…Hmm, can’t argue with that.”

Seo-Wol glared at Sun Wukong, who said firmly,

“You go spar with him first.”

“…”

Her cheeks puffed out, her narrowed eyes full of complaints. Sun Wukong ignored her. Sha Wujing shot Sun Wukong a serious look.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

“If I’ve upset you, just say so. Why are you trying to kill me with a borrowed knife?”

“Borrowed knife? Are you really scared of a girl young enough to be your daughter?”

“No, it’s just…”

Sha Wujing glanced at Seo-Wol, then whispered to Sun Wukong,

“She’s the Sword God’s daughter! The Sword God’s daughter!”

“Looking at you now, you’re holding your own just fine.”

At Sun Wukong’s meaningful words, Sha Wujing flinched.

“Huh?”

“Turns out you’re not as dumb as you look. You actually took Chae Gong’s advice to heart, didn’t you?”

“How did you…?”

Just by watching?

Sha Wujing stared blankly. Sun Wukong waved him off, not wanting to explain.

Seo-Wol, looking thoroughly annoyed, moved off to the side with Sha Wujing.

Namgung Mu-yeong gave a wry smile.

“My cousin can be a bit… single-minded.”

“You’re not much different.”

“Pardon?”

“Once you get fixated on something, you dig in until the end, right?”

Namgung Mu-yeong just looked at Sun Wukong.

They hadn’t met that many times, nor had any deep conversations.

Yet he spoke as if he knew Mu-yeong’s personality inside out. And, annoyingly, he was right.

‘Is he just that observant?’

Or am I just that easy to read? Mu-yeong’s mind spun.

“Show me.”

“Sorry? Show you what…?”

“Soaring Sky Boundless Sword. You saw it, didn’t you?”

“How could I possibly replicate it just from watching?”

Sun Wukong gave him a knowing smile.

“Really?”

“…”

Namgung Mu-yeong flinched.

All Streams Return to the Source.

The Namgung Clan’s martial arts aimed to achieve the Emperor Sword Form.

Soaring Sky Boundless Sword was the step right before that.

Completing the Namgung Clan’s martial arts meant you were at the threshold of the Soaring Sky Boundless Sword.

Even if it wasn’t perfect, he could imitate it.

Sun Wukong looked at him as if he knew all of this.

As Mu-yeong hesitated, Sun Wukong’s voice cut through.

“If you want to learn, stop hiding.”

“…!”

“Hiding means you lack confidence. Are you afraid?”

The jab at his pride made Mu-yeong’s face flush.

He took a deep breath and drew his sword.

The atmosphere changed in an instant.

Stillness within motion.

Within the unmoving tip of his sword, something surged like a wave.

Sun Wukong gave a short, impressed nod.

‘He’s no pushover, either.’

Seo-Wol’s brilliance may have overshadowed him, but Namgung Mu-yeong was extraordinary in his own right.

From the tip of Mu-yeong’s sword, blue waves seemed to ripple and dance.

A surge of energy burst from his blade, sweeping toward Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong dodged lightly, moving like lightning, and tapped Mu-yeong’s elbow.

Thwack!

“Looks like there’s a hole in the sky.”

“…!”

Startled, Mu-yeong quickly retreated and counterattacked.

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue, as if disappointed.

‘Is Namgung Jin-Baek just a monster?’

The difference was clear. Namgung Jin-Baek’s sword was the sky itself—a net of blue that left no escape.

Mu-yeong’s, by contrast, was full of holes. Sun Wukong struck those weak points without mercy. Dodging the incoming blade, he tapped Mu-yeong’s chest, struck his shoulder, and hit his knee.

“What the…”

Mu-yeong was dumbfounded.

He knew, of course, that this was only an imitation of the Soaring Sky Boundless Sword. Compared to Namgung Jin-Baek’s, his was a fake. But in terms of power, it was the best he could do with his current skills.

But no matter how strong an attack is, it has to be effective to have an impact.

Sun Wukong dodged everything with ease.

The Soaring Sky Boundless Sword—supposedly impossible for anyone under heaven to evade.

But Sun Wukong did.

As if he were above the sky itself.

Realizing this, Mu-yeong felt all the strength drain from his fingers.

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue.

“Well, for someone who never learned it properly, you did a decent job imitating it.”

Mu-yeong just stared down at his sword, deflated.

Seeing him so dispirited, Sun Wukong sighed.

‘This is just like…’

Tripitaka, who always seemed steadfast, but when faced with real trouble, would lose heart and cry.

For a moment, the two images overlapped. Sun Wukong, who’d planned to keep things casual, added a word.

“Think carefully about the spots where I counterattacked.”

“…?”

“Fix those, and you’ll patch up the holes in your sky.”

In that instant, Mu-yeong’s eyes widened.

It’s hard to see your own weaknesses. You need another’s perspective.

But not just anyone can see them.

To spot someone’s flaws, you have to be at a high level.

Sun Wukong was such a person.

Mu-yeong realized he’d just received a tremendous lesson.

He jumped up and bowed deeply with a tiger fist salute.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

Sun Wukong smiled faintly.

“Don’t mention it. That’s what a martial duel is for, right? Both sides learn something.”

Mu-yeong tilted his head in confusion.

With such an overwhelming gap, what could Sun Wukong possibly learn?

Realizing Sun Wukong was just being humble so he wouldn’t feel burdened, Mu-yeong was even more impressed.

Sun Wukong waved it off.

‘Now I get it.’

Soaring Sky Boundless Sword.

Namgung Jin-Baek was too perfect. Paradoxically, that perfection made it hard for Sun Wukong to grasp the concept. How could a sword create the sky? He couldn’t wrap his head around it.

But Mu-yeong’s version wasn’t even close to the sky—more like a leaky net.

Ironically, that made it easier for Sun Wukong to understand.

The completed sky, and Mu-yeong’s sword, striving to reach it.

Comparing the two, the concept finally clicked.

Sun Wukong quietly focused on his core.

The Demon-Slaying Skill hummed in response.

‘Now it’s time to plant my own sky.’

A satisfied smile crept onto Sun Wukong’s lips.