Chapter: 261
Anhui.
As I mentioned last time, this is a place I’ve only visited once in my past life.
Anhui Castle, being the home of the Namgung Family, certainly doesn’t lack in comparison to Hanam.
Though, there wasn’t really a reason for me to come here.
When I originally came to Anhui, the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as affluent as it is now.
It was also the time when the bloodshed caused by the Heavenly Horse swept through the land.
A time when a tribe was wiped out by a woman’s sword dance.
At that time, Anhui was, to put it bluntly, almost a wasteland.
The noble house in the center and the family that protected Anhui was completely obliterated by the hand of a single individual.
Even those who managed to barely survive have since come under the rule of the Heavenly Horse.
The residents of Anhui had no choice but to leave their homeland behind and migrate to Hanam, where the Murim Alliance and the Shaolin Temple reside.
‘The past and present are vastly different, aren’t they?’
That’s an obvious statement.
At least there’s been no bloodshed this time around.
Moreover, the circumstances surrounding Namgung Bi-ah have not changed either.
The countless buildings and throngs of people visible outside the carriage window are incomparable to Shanxi.
Honestly, comparing Anhui with Namgung to the Shanxi where Gu Family resides feels rather far-fetched.
While I gazed quietly out the window, Mo Yong-hee, who sat beside me, whispered.
“It’s still the same here.”
“Have you been here often?”
“Not often, maybe just once or twice…?”
It’s a little odd to ask if I’ve been here frequently.
Strictly speaking, the Mo Yong Family isn’t any less notable than the Namgung Family.
Looking at it this way, it kind of feels like the Gu Family is lagging behind, right?
Not that it appears that way.
In this regard, it would indeed be accurate to say that they are trailing a bit.
The reason there’s even a distance maintained at all is, to be honest, thanks to Madame Mi.
‘That’s why I find it even more confusing.’
This engagement between Namgung and Gu.
‘Why on earth?’
I’ve pondered this several times.
Why would the prestigious Namgung Family consider marrying into the Gu Family?
That part remains an absolute mystery to me.
My name slowly gained recognition throughout Central Plains after the Yongbong Gathering.
The engagement with Namgung Bi-ah was concluded long before that.
Which means it wasn’t a decision made with my potential in mind.
‘What could Elder Il… No, what on earth did Elder Il do when he went there?’
I heard back then that Elder Il went to Namgung himself and negotiated with the elders there.
It’s baffling—it still isn’t something I can wrap my head around no matter how often I think about it.
‘What kind of scheme did that old man pull?’
I hadn’t given it much thought back in the day.
Now that I think about it, Elder Il was quite the eccentric figure.
Despite being an elder, he doesn’t seem to get much done.
He often leaves the family and comes back.
Even with the title of elder, it seems he doesn’t have any specific duties within the clan.
Take the previous head of the Jeon-dae clan for example—he also held a dual position as head of the Gu Seon Clan.
The third and fourth elders have their own responsibilities in addition to their other duties.
But the current first elder doesn’t seem to have any particular task at hand.
‘More importantly, the people around me are all strange.’
The folks who gather around me, calling themselves friends, are all a bunch of monsters.
What in the world did I have to do to end up with such friends?
“… Seriously, there’s not a single normal person around.”
No matter how I ponder over each one of them, it seems like there isn’t even a single decent person?
“I’m the only one who’s normal, anyhow.”
A sigh escaped involuntarily.
As I shook my head in disbelief,
I felt a peculiar gaze nearby.
Turning my head based on that instinct,
I saw Mo Yong-hee and Namgung Bi-ah looking at me with strange expressions.
“Why?”
“…”
“Nothing….”
What’s going on here?
Just as I was about to inquire why the two women had such vacant looks in their eyes,
“We have arrived.”
The coachman announced our arrival at the destination as he ambled along.
It meant we had finally made it to the Namgung Clan after a rather long journey.
I’m reminded of the year before last when I visited the Tang Clan under the pretext of attending a gathering.
The Tang Clan I saw back then was so expanse, it was unfathomable compared to the existing Gu Family.
As if to flaunt just how affluent the clan was,
It contained an orderly and splendid landscape.
Like a declaration that this is indeed the gate of the Four Great Families.
It was as if the reputation built by the ancestors of the Tang Clan of yore had paved the way for the present.
The grandeur and magnitude of the Namgung Clan comes to mind.
And.
The location where I stand in comparison to the Tang Clan now, is indeed the Namgung Clan, the heart of the Four Great Families.
“It’s wide, unreasonably wide.”
Having left the carriage, I waited at the entrance.
The interior of the clan, slightly visible from the entrance, was quite impressive.
Of course, it’s unparalleled to the Gu Family.
In comparison to the Tang Clan, the Namgung Family appears more sophisticated.
Moreover.
‘I can feel the anticipation even from here.’
Even faintly, I could tell there was a sharp energy radiating from within the clan.
It was the combined essence of numerous proficient sword wielders.
So this is what it feels like to be part of a renowned swordsmanship school, huh?
Meanwhile, Namgung Bi-ah appeared half-asleep as she disembarked from the carriage.
Is she hibernating throughout the whole year?
It genuinely seemed like she did nothing but eat, sleep, and practice.
She always had that perpetually tired look about her.
“Snap out of it.”
As I shook Namgung Bi-ah in an attempt to wake her up.
Mo Yong-hee who had ridden alongside me approached and whispered.
“I’ll go ahead, Your Highness.”
“Huh? You’re leaving?”
“Yes, I have some matters to attend to first.”
I’ve heard she had business in Anhui, but should she not check in with the Namgung Family first?
Just as I began to wonder, she answered my unbidden thoughts.
“At the moment, since you have a prior engagement, I thought it would be better to visit later.”
“Got it.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
As I watched Mo Yong-hee as she spoke, I contemplated her figure.
Even on the way here, she had exuded warmth.
Will she be alright? I hope she will.
Mo Yong-hee slightly bowed her head before turning briskly to depart.
Watching her leave, I thought to myself,
Considering the direction she was heading, it would have been more convenient had she gotten off the carriage earlier.
I wondered if she really needed to accompany me to the Namgung Family.
I admired Mo Yong-hee’s retreating figure for a moment before shifting my gaze back to Namgung Bi-ah.
First, I need to get this girl back to her senses…
“Huh?”
I was about to wake her up even if it meant using a swat on the head.
But when I turned back, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes were wide open.
Even the clothes that had been slightly disheveled were now neatly arranged.
It was astounding that her half-asleep state had transformed into a clear gaze…
“What….”
Curiosity piqued, I attempted to probe.
But it was then I felt a presence behind me.
The hefty footsteps were telling enough of who it was without needing to turn around.
“What are you doing?”
It was my father.
And Mrs. Mi was next to him.
Namgung Bi-ah appeared to have acknowledged the approaching figures as she bowed before my father and Mrs. Mi.
My father nodded observing this, before lifting the head he had bowed.
Seeing them together was rather surprising.
“Is there a problem?”
“… No, I mistook something.”
What in the world, wasn’t it Namgung Bi-ah who was dozing off, but rather myself?
Actually, I think that was just a dream I had.
It seems more realistic that way.
My father was about to say something further.
“Your clothes are out of order.”
Mrs. Mi beat him to it.
Mrs. Mi approached me with light steps and gently adjusted my clothes with her hands.
“This is an important occasion, so do take care.”
“… Thank you.”
The unexpected contact left me momentarily flustered.
After that, Mrs. Mi turned her gaze away from me and fixed it on Namgung Bi-ah.
Her expression was one of concern regarding Namgung Bi-ah’s state.
“It is regrettable. If we had more time, I would have assisted you as I did when we set off.”
“… No need.”
Namgung Bi-ah replied lightly with a smile.
What she was indicating was likely about how Mrs. Mi had tidied her appearance before we left for Gu.
At Namgung Bi-ah’s response, Mrs. Mi silently returned to stand beside my father.
‘How uncomfortable. It’s just…’
Perhaps it’s because this was the first time we’ve gathered like this.
I felt dreadfully uneasy.
I tried to compose myself, managing my unsettled stomach.
Thud.
A heavy aura emerged from the entrance.
‘Here they come.’
Although it felt like an oppressive dread that would make others dizzy,
For me, it amusingly felt like a liberation.
At least it felt better than this discomfort.
I turned my head towards where the aura was emanating.
Over there.
I spotted numerous dark blue martial arts uniforms, a sight reminiscent of what Namgung Bi-ah often wore.
Moreover, I felt a tingling sensation racing down my spine that I hadn’t experienced before.
‘It seems I’ve grown stronger to feel this.’
That thought crossed my mind while experiencing the overwhelming energy.
Feeling a sense of astonishment that I had previously never sensed.
I felt I could at least gauge his skill level to some extent now.
Among the crowd that was approaching without shifting their gaze,
I came face to face with the middle-aged man leading them.
He had a cold expression that still seemed rather rude.
A man possessing the distinctive features of the Namgung clan.
He was the head of the Dae Namgung clan.
A warrior who carries the title of the Sword King of the current era.
And the father of Namgung Bi-ah.
Namgung Jin, the Sword King of Heaven.
That was him.
“It’s been a while, Lord Gu.”
Namgung Jin, who approached with the Namgung family, immediately greeted my father with a handshake.
My father grasped his hand in return.
“Long time no see.”
“It was quite a journey to get here.”
As Namgung Jin spoke those words,
My father studied him with an unusual gaze.
Should I say he was scrutinizing him somewhat?
It was difficult to determine what kind of look it was.
At that moment,
“I see there has been some irregularity.”
My father spoke to Namgung Jin.
‘Irregularity?’
As I silently observed, there was a slight hardening in Namgung Jin’s eyes at my father’s words.
After a brief moment, Namgung Jin quietly added a remark to my father.
“… Your eyes are still not dull.”
‘Ah.’
Considering what my father said alongside Namgung Jin’s response,
‘Has he attained some realization?’
It likely referred to a shift concerning Namgung Jin’s focus.
For me, it felt too elementary to register, perhaps due to my own lack of experience.
However, it appears my father sensed it.
Seeing that, I found myself chuckling inwardly.
‘Still a long way to go. I’m not strong at all.’
Despite feeling a little growth, I realized how minuscule it truly was.
‘At least it’s good. Wake up a little.’
Remaining foolishly ecstatic is out of the question.
At least it serves as a reminder of how far away I am from my goals.
After exchanging greetings with my father, Namgung Jin next greeted Madame Mi.
He then shifted his gaze to me.
The instant our eyes met, I bowed slightly and adopted a respectful stance.
“I meet the head of the Dae Namgung family.”
“… I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you. It’s been quite a while.”
Given that many gazes were upon us, I certainly had to maintain my manners.
While in the moment, I subtly opened my eyes to scrutinize Namgung Jin.
‘The restraint seems still present.’
A faint energy lingered below Namgung Jin’s lower abdomen.
When Namgung Jin came to the Gu Clan,
This was the barrier I had set while also serving as the goldsmith.
It was a shallow energy to check if any problems arose or if the seal had been lifted.
It had to be at a level that wouldn’t cause any severe harm to the body.
‘Seeing that it’s still in place, the prohibition must still be effective… Wait…?’
While contemplating, a sudden question popped into my head.
‘Now that I think about it, why did I set that restriction?’
What was its true purpose?
“Ah.”
The inquiry was brief.
Now that I’ve come this far, I couldn’t avoid this thought.
The uneasiness I felt from earlier—something I had forgotten—finally resurfaced.
‘Oh no….’
The restriction placed on Namgung Jin.
It was a warning not to disclose anything that had transpired between us.
Furthermore, it indicated not to ask about my personal troubles.
What transpired between Namgung Jin and myself.
This was precisely what it was about.
Regarding the dwindling sword techniques of the Namgung family.
It was a teaching concerning what originally should have been preserved.
– Long time no see.
Namgung Jin’s voice rang in my ears as if he had been awaiting this moment.
– … There were circumstances, but I certainly did not anticipate that our reunion would take this long.
I gulped as he continued.
– It’s a relief that we can meet at this time.
‘… Hah.’
This is bad.
Anticipation streamed from Namgung Jin’s voice.
From that tone, one could deduce…
That the slight difference I’d previously mentioned through Noya was indeed beneficial.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such anticipation.
Without a doubt, something learned then must have empowered him significantly.
That’s why he’s looking at me with those invigorated eyes.
‘Oh, heck.’
Here’s the crux of the matter.
It’s neither about the seal nor anything else.
The bigger issue was that I had made a promise.
Back then, I told Namgung Jin I would provide another clue at our next meeting.
With an avalanche of events occurring since, I had blanked on this for a time.
I had urged Namgung Jin to take care of the matter himself and to refrain from bothering me.
Thus, we find ourselves at this reunion now.
‘What do I do?’
It seems the seal is still effectively placed.
I have no doubt that the hint I provided previously was indeed beneficial.
However, the largest problem remains.
‘… But where’s Noya right now?’
The fact that Noya, who was meant to instruct Namgung Jin on swordsmanship, is currently sound asleep.
Now, that’s the real headache.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.