Characters[]
Synopsis[]
Novel[]
The protagonist finds himself in an unexpected situation when he is confronted by a mysterious old man dressed in black. He soon realizes that an unexpected hostility has arisen, surrounded by 12 experts who seem to be forming a siege around him. Feeling suspicious, he questions Namcheon Cheolgeom, his spiritual mentor, about the reason for this hostility, but even he cannot explain.
The old man, revealing a deep resentment, mentions the Namcheon Swordsman, who has been missing for 16 years, and questions whether the protagonist is his true disciple. Amidst the siege, the protagonist feels a threatening presence watching him from the separate room. A telepathic voice warns him to ignore the old man and asks if he knows Jo Ho-kyung. With the help of Namcheon Cheolgeom, he answers correctly, which sparks a sparkle in the old man's eyes, seeming to confirm his identity.
At this moment, the protagonist discovers that a dangerous warrior, Na-yuk-hyeong, is in the separate room. Known for his cunning and cruel nature, he has a personal grudge against Namcheon Cheolgeom, which puts the protagonist in immediate danger. The old man then helps him, feigning hostility to mislead Na-yuk-hyeong and allow him to escape.
The group is led underground, where the protagonist discovers a secret passage that would lead him to safety. However, before they are allowed to leave, the old man demands one final check. He dons special silver gloves and challenges him to a duel. Namcheon Cheolgeom recognizes the gloves as belonging to Jo Ho-kyung, a warrior from the Kwak family, whose lineage was exterminated 20 years ago.
The battle is intense, with the protagonist demonstrating his mastery of the Tiger Fang Sword, a technique associated with the Southern Swordsman. The old man recognizes the authenticity of his training when he notices improved nuances in the technique he knew. The protagonist manages to slightly wound him, proving his identity as a true disciple of the Swordsman of Namcheon.
Satisfied, the old man finally introduces himself as Jo Ho-kyung and formally acknowledges the protagonist. However, before they can conclude the negotiation, they are interrupted by a new danger: the entrance to the secret passage is blocked by fallen enemies, suggesting that a new battle is about to begin.
Manhwa[]
