Chapter 169: The Namgung Clan (1)

Namgung Yong-ho, sitting by the riverside, felt a strange sense of nostalgia.

He was used to living an extremely luxurious and extravagant life.

But now, here he was, sitting casually by the riverside.

‘Sitting on the dirt ground like this, it’s been a while.’

As he felt the cool breeze of Suzhou, Namgung Yong-ho turned his head.

Beside him, Namgung Yun-ho was quietly gazing at the rippling water, his sideburns gently swaying in the wind.

With a faint smile on his lips and his eyes pleasantly crinkled, his brother’s appearance brought back old memories.

– Yong-ho, did you fall? Let me carry you.

– It’s okay. It won’t hurt. Ho ho.

– Don’t cry. It was my fault.

Whenever he fell, his brother would rush over, lift him up, and comfort him, bringing a smile to Namgung Yong-ho’s face.

“Hehe.”

“What are you laughing at?”

His brother’s eyebrows formed a slight inverted V when he was puzzled, just like before.

“Nothing.”

“You’re being silly.”

How long had they been silently gazing at the water?

Suddenly, with a cautious tone, Namgung Yun-ho asked.

“Do you still doubt me?”

“No. Not anymore.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might hate me.”

Seeing his brother exhale a sigh of relief, Namgung Yong-ho felt even more certain.

‘I must have been out of my mind to doubt my brother.’

As far as Namgung Yong-ho knew, his brother had always been the one to step back.

When he got something good, he would offer it first, and when he got something delicious, he would hide it and give it to him later.

‘I was too easily swayed by others.’

Everyone in the clan had something to say about his brother.

– If only the eldest son wasn’t here, the second son would take over the family business.

– He’s still clinging to the academy because he can’t let go of his regrets.

– He has no talent but a lot of ambition, which is a big problem.

They all said his brother was aiming for the position of head of the family.

‘Why did I fall for such foolish words?’

He knew the reason.

– You are the young master.

The trust from his father and the evaluations from others had inflated his ego.

– In every way, the second son is more suited to be the young master.

‘It doesn’t matter anymore.’

Seeing his brother trying to read his feelings made him feel good.

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might resent me.”

“Why would I resent you?”

“Because of what happened at the Octagonal Pavilion…”

Seeing his brother’s somber expression, Namgung Yong-ho admitted.

“It was indeed a shock.”

It was a defeat at the hands of the brother he had underestimated.

“But thinking about it, the problem was with me. How could a swordsman who lost his composure win against anyone?”

But his desire for victory hadn’t entirely disappeared.

“But if we face each other again, the result will definitely be different.”

Namgung Yong-ho was confident.

‘I’ve become much stronger with advanced martial arts and elixirs.’

It was just luck that my brother won back then.

Though his response was challenging, his brother’s reaction was warm.

“That’s a relief. Well done.”

There wasn’t a hint of doubt in his brother’s consistent response.

“I’m sure it will be. You’ve always achieved what you set out to do.”

Unlike dull me.

Namgung Yong-ho felt deflated.

‘Well, my brother has always been like this.’

That’s why, even after defeating him, he admitted his defeat.

And he decided to leave the clan on his own, willing to bear the consequences of their bet.

With the animosity gone, what filled the void was regret.

‘I’m glad I met him.’

Feeling the old emotions that had been eating away at him fade, Namgung Yong-ho brought up the main topic.

“Brother, will you be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“About grandfather and father.”

“Ah…”

His voice trailed off as he lowered his head.

“What can I do? I’ll have to handle it as it comes.”

“You know, father and grandfather aren’t the type to be swayed by logic.”

“I know that well enough.”

Namgung Chan, the Heavenly God of the Azure Sky.

In the Jianghu, he was remembered as a noble martial artist, but as a family member, he wasn’t particularly affectionate.

– This won’t do.

He recalled the cold gaze his grandfather gave when his brother lost his talent one day.

‘He probably understands the family’s coldness much more deeply than I do.’

Especially as the person who had to live forgotten for years after that one declaration.

“Unfortunately, the bonds of blood can’t be easily severed like cutting with a knife.”

“So, do you plan to return?”

“I will never return. My place is here.”

It was the first time he saw his brother so resolute. But Namgung Yong-ho was worried.

“You know grandfather’s dream.”

“……”

“Grandfather only wants someone who can perfect the ‘Emperor Sword Technique.'”

Namgung Yun-ho, who had been silently listening, spoke.

“I left the clan.”

“If necessary, he will use even family members like pawns.”

“It has nothing to do with me.”

Repeating his response like a parrot, Namgung Yun-ho smiled faintly.

“How could the title of ‘Emperor’ suit a ghost of Dongcheon Hall?”

“…That’s in the past.”

“The Emperor Sword Technique will be passed on to you.”

The title of Emperor is only allowed to the sky of the clan.

“You are the young master.”

Seeing his brother’s resolute side profile, Namgung Yong-ho thought.

‘Does my brother know?’

That the strange swordsmanship he displayed at the Octagonal Pavilion vaguely resembled the shadow of an emperor.

***

At that time.

In a clearing not far from Suzhou.

Namgung Chan and Namgung Musan, who had stopped their carriage to rest, received unexpected news.

“…Yun-ho?”

Displeasure appeared on Namgung Chan’s previously serene face.

“Yes, father.”

Namgung Il-jun rolled his eyes, watching Namgung Musan’s reaction.

But Namgung Musan was just as displeased.

“Hasn’t he given up yet? It’s disgraceful to tarnish the family’s name to this extent.”

At the harsh response, Namgung Il-jun remembered what he hadn’t mentioned and quickly added.

“That’s not it, brother.”

Namgung Il-jun hurriedly explained.

But he didn’t mention Namgung Yong-ho’s matter.

‘There’s no need to bring up Yong-ho’s defeat.’

No need to create unnecessary trouble.

In fact, he thought the outcome at that time wasn’t particularly important.

‘It was just bad luck. He was unsettled by his first real challenge.’

Objectively, if they faced each other again, he had no doubt that the more advanced and powerful Namgung Yong-ho would win.

But even the previous story was enough to pique their interest.

“Yun-ho has really changed? Are you sure you didn’t get it wrong?”

“No, brother. I confirmed it myself.”

“It’s hard to believe.”

Despite hearing about his son’s growth, Namgung Musan remained skeptical.

“The family’s assessments are rarely wrong.”

“What will you do?”

Namgung Il-jun’s question implied a lot.

Namgung Musan, not being a fool, replied.

“If he truly shows considerable talent as you say, we should find a place for him again.”

Namgung Il-jun felt anxious at the response.

‘Will he really come back so easily?’

He was someone the family had neglected.

Recently, he even declared he would leave the clan.

Feeling it was impossible, he explained again, but Namgung Musan found it strange.

“You’re saying it’s hard to bring him back because he’s turned away?”

“Yes. Especially since he has someone he’s relying on recently, and this person is quite…”

Troublesome.

Recalling the ghostly hand movements at the Octagonal Pavilion, Namgung Il-jun added.

“Before giving him a chance, we need to change his mind.”

“Why go through such trouble?”

“Because his mind is not in a good state.”

“A child should return and be of use when the family or father calls.”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”

The one who ended the repetitive conversation was Namgung Chan, who had been listening quietly.

“The head of the family is right.”

Raising his hand to stop the conversation, he spoke.

“The important thing is not Yun-ho’s mind. It’s whether the family wants him or not.”

“Father.”

“When the family wants something, it happens. Has this principle ever been wrong?”

There was much to say, but Namgung Il-jun held his tongue.

“…No.”

“This time will be the same. If we want it, it will happen.”

“If it doesn’t go as planned…”

“Then we’ll make it happen.”

At the extremely confident answer, Namgung Il-jun realized there was no need to say more.

“More importantly, the matter with the Murim Alliance is a problem.”

Just as Namgung Chan was about to continue.

“Hmm?”

His white eyebrows twitched.

*Thud!*

Namgung Chan leaped into the air like a bird, walking through the air above the bushes.

Grass Floating Technique.

The lightness technique that allowed him to step on blades of grass and move like the wind was incredibly fast.

*Boom boom boom boom!*

The bushes he stepped on exploded in succession.

*Swish swish swish!*

In an instant, Namgung Chan broke through the bushes and reached the forest, leaping to the top of a tree two meters high in just two jumps.

Gently.

Even though he landed on a branch thinner than a child’s pinky finger, Namgung Chan’s figure was as steady as if he were standing on solid ground.

“Let’s see.”

As he placed his hand on his forehead and looked around.

*Tap tap!*

Namgung Musan and Namgung Il-jun, followed by the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad, gathered around the tree.

A swift response.

‘Not bad.’

Satisfied, Namgung Chan heightened his senses.

*Hummmmmm.*

As the ripple of his energy spread from him, the mountain birds took flight, and the insects fell silent.

—

How much time had passed?

Retracting his energy, Namgung Chan muttered.

“Was it my imagination?”

It was rare for him to be mistaken.

*Swish.*

Leaping down like a feather from two meters high, the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad formed a protective circle and drew their swords.

Ready to cut down anyone who approached.

“There’s no need for that.”

Stopping the excessive protection, Namgung Chan stroked his white beard.

“It seems I was mistaken.”

“The Supreme Elder made a mistake?”

The Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad whispered in disbelief.

They found it hard to believe, as he had always shown perfection.

“Haha. It’s fine.”

Walking lightly, Namgung Chan stood in front of one of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad members.

“You must have been startled because of me.”

“It’s fine, Supreme Elder.”

As the member bowed deeply, Namgung Chan smiled with satisfaction.

“What’s this untidy thing you’re wearing?”

*Flap.*

Only then did the member notice the blade of grass on his shoulder and blushed.

“I-I’m sorry-.”

As he began to speak.

“Who are you!”

*Boom!*

Namgung Chan spun around like lightning and flicked his finger.

*Swish!*

The blade of grass between his fingers shot through the air with a sharp force and disappeared into the forest.

*Tap tap!*

Leaping like a bird, Namgung Chan found a blade of grass embedded in a rock.

“Hmm. What’s this?”

He picked up a piece of an old bandage, still warm.

Grinning, Namgung Chan crumpled the bandage.

“It seems there are quite a few interesting things in the Jianghu these days.”

With a fierce smile, he crushed the bandage in his hand.