Chapter 170: The Namgung Clan (2)

Namgung Chan, the Heavenly God of the Azure Sky.

The news of his visit to Suzhou had people flocking to the streets.

Sword Saint.

If asked to name the greatest swordsman in the current Jianghu, he would undoubtedly be counted among the top three.

People filled the streets, hoping to catch even a distant glimpse of him.

*Buzz. Buzz.*

How much time had passed?

As soon as the white carriage bearing the Namgung Clan’s emblem appeared at the head of the procession.

“Wow!”

“Wow!”

Cheers erupted from the people lined up on either side of the street.

Not just martial artists, but even merchants and ordinary women raised their hands and shouted in joy at the appearance of the Namgung Clan and the Heavenly God of the Azure Sky.

It was not uncommon for Namgung Chan to receive such a warm welcome.

Ten years ago, before he entered closed-door training, he had made a name for himself by eliminating countless villains.

Those who remembered those days cheered in joy at the reappearance of the Sword Saint.

“Wow! I saw the end of the carriage!”

“The Heavenly God of the Azure Sky has really come out of closed-door training.”

“The dark sects will be trembling now, won’t they?”

While ordinary people remembered only the name of justice, martial artists had other concerns.

“With the Heavenly God’s reputation so high, the current clan leader must be having a hard time.”

“Especially since he has to step out of the shadow of the Sword Saint.”

“Can the current clan leader truly succeed the Sword Saint?”

Amidst the interest and cheers of countless people, the splendid carriage and the following Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad stopped in front of Myojinmun.

It was the place chosen for the first appearance of the Heavenly God of the Azure Sky after his closed-door training.

***

*Click.*

As one of the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad members opened the carriage door, a tall middle-aged man stepped out.

“Go ahead. You are the head of the Namgung Clan.”

*Step. Step.*

As Namgung Musan confidently entered, the eyes of the onlookers were filled with admiration.

“Indeed, the head of the Namgung Clan.”

“His presence is incomparable.”

“Haha. The Namgung Clan’s prestige remains unchanged.”

None of those present were unaffected by his overwhelming presence.

The one who leads the Namgung Clan.

The current successor of the secret technique “Emperor Sword Technique,” which only the head of the clan can master.

The world’s greatest swordsman, destined to succeed the Sword Saint.

Even without countless titles, just seeing his imposing figure, enveloped in an aura of authority, was enough to leave people in awe.

– I am the head of the Namgung Clan.

It was as if he were declaring this to the world.

*Gulp.*

Just facing him made people shrink back in awe, unable to take their eyes off him.

“I am Namgung Musan.”

Even his low whisper echoed clearly in their ears, prompting the people to hurriedly bow in respect.

“We greet the head of the Namgung Clan.”

“We greet the head of the Namgung Clan!”

Meanwhile, a few high-ranking martial artists looked beyond him at an elderly man with a sturdy build.

Though he was undoubtedly the strongest person present, their eyes didn’t linger on him.

Silently following behind the clan leader, he seemed like a ghostly presence.

Namgung Chan, the Heavenly God of the Azure Sky.

The elderly martial artists who remembered his past glory sighed in admiration.

“He has perfectly concealed his aura.”

“Even though I’m looking at him, I can’t sense his presence.”

“They say that at the pinnacle, one enters the realm of emptiness. This must be what it means.”

“Indeed, he is the Sword Saint. The entire Jianghu will be astonished.”

Namgung Chan, quietly following Namgung Musan, stopped and looked at one spot.

***

Mo Yong-ju and Baek Ri Seon-ho, who had been suddenly dragged out to participate in the welcoming ceremony, exchanged glances.

[It’s humiliating to be dragged out for such trivial matters.]

[It’s the Inspection Department’s orders. There’s nothing we can do. At least consider yourself lucky. We’re welcoming the Sword Saint, after all.]

[We could have met in a comfortable place for tea.]

As elders of the top ten clans, it was humiliating to join the welcoming crowd with young novices.

Moreover, this welcoming ceremony.

It was distinctly a Shinmu Academy tradition.

[Is it reasonable to make people stand in the scorching sun for two hours just because a superior is arriving?]

[It was fine when we received the formalities, but it’s quite a hardship now.]

[This is tolerable.]

Mo Yong-ju lamented.

[I can tolerate everything, but what’s with the orderly clapping and chanting ‘Welcome’ three times?]

It feels completely foolish.

[The deep breathing every time we raise the flag is strange too.]

The standards of Shinmu Academy are odd.

The two of them felt increasingly strange as they experienced it.

Mo Yong-ju sighed deeply.

[If only we had met Instructor Cho, it wouldn’t feel so unfair.]

Not meeting the person they intended to and being burdened with trivial tasks made them feel truly bitter.

[At least you saw your granddaughter, didn’t you?]

“I did. Damn it. My precious granddaughter, who was using Floating Cloud Steps!”

Mo Yong-ju, grinding his teeth even in a whisper, was being calmed down when.

*Boom boom boom boom.*

One of the instructors stationed at the main gate began to beat the drum vigorously.

It was the signal that the Namgung Clan’s entourage had arrived.

*Flap! Flap!*

As the flags waved noisily, the two stopped their conversation and quickly clasped their hands behind their backs.

And then.

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!”

They chanted in unison.

Having practiced several times, they didn’t make any mistakes.

But it felt embarrassing.

‘Hopefully, no one saw that?’

They hoped to blend into the crowd and go unnoticed, but unfortunately, their opponent was the Sword Saint.

With a slight smile, his eyes glanced their way, and a voice reached them.

[Haha. What are the elders of the top ten clans doing here?]

They were caught.

Turning their heads, they saw Baek Ri Seon-ho blushing as well.

‘He sent a voice transmission to both of us at once?’

It was impressive enough to send a voice transmission over such a distance, but doing so to two people simultaneously was an even greater feat.

*Gulp.* His energy control has reached a ghostly level.

Swallowing dryly, another voice transmission came.

[I didn’t expect the elders of the top ten clans to come out to greet me.]

[There were… circumstances.]

[The clapping and chanting were quite impressive.]

So he did see it.

Hiding among countless instructors and students couldn’t fool the Sword Saint’s senses.

Blushing, Baek Ri Seon-ho sent a voice transmission.

[Was your journey comfortable?]

It was a polite question.

With the Namgung Clan and the Sword Saint together, there should have been no difficulties.

But the answer was unexpected.

[Comfortable? I found some interesting things.]

[Interesting… things?]

What could interest someone who only focuses on martial arts?

[Didn’t you know? It seems it’s still early.]

But he didn’t seem inclined to resolve their curiosity, as he smiled and followed Namgung Musan into the pavilion.

Only after he disappeared did Mo Yong-ju sigh deeply.

“He seems even stronger.”

“Indeed. It looks like the Namgung Clan will be known as the greatest clan for generations to come.”

The two of them shook their heads in disbelief.

***

*Creak. Creak.*

As Namgung Yun-ho walked on the creaky wooden floor, he sensed someone in the darkness.

After meeting Namgung Yong-ho, he had moved to the servants’ quarters.

‘If someone is coming here…’

As expected, it was someone he anticipated.

“It’s been a while, Yun-ho.”

“Uncle.”

Namgung Yun-ho paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and gave a slight nod.

“Have you been well?”

“I’ve been fine.”

“Living in the servants’ quarters, you say you’re fine…”

Sensing his uncle’s attempt to find fault, Namgung Yun-ho replied.

“I requested to move here. I don’t want unwanted visitors.”

“Are you implying I’m an unwanted visitor?”

“The servants’ quarters are old and shabby, so people in fine clothes don’t come here. It’s quiet.”

Though it seemed like a diversion, his words carried a sharp meaning.

‘Indeed. The fact that he’s staying here made my brother hesitant to visit.’

His brother, who valued dignity and propriety, wouldn’t want to lower himself to visit such a place.

Thinking this, Namgung Yun-ho seemed different.

‘He has quite the wit. Did he always have this side?’

Hiding his admiration, Namgung Il-jun got to the point.

“The head of the family wants to see you.”

“The head of the family. As someone who left the clan and became an outsider, I don’t see why I should meet the head of the family.”

“Are you ignoring your father’s call just because you’ve grown a bit?”

“If it’s my father’s call, I should respond as a son. But I see no reason to attend a formal meeting about family matters as an outsider.”

“Then what if your father and grandfather want to see you?”

“I’m narrow-minded and petty, acting on my feelings. I don’t want to see them for now. When my feelings change, I’ll visit them myself.”

It was indeed a clever response.

‘How would they know when his feelings will change?’

Even if he blamed his pettiness, there was no fault to find in his words.

Moreover, his voice remained consistently polite, making it hard to get angry.

‘In the end, he’s saying he doesn’t want to go.’

Those who valued dignity and propriety wouldn’t want to visit such a shabby place, making it difficult.

‘What to do.’

In this dilemma, Namgung Il-jun chose to persuade him.

“Think carefully. Meeting them is a good opportunity for you.”

The clan is your home.

If the family works together, how beautiful it would be.

If you return, you’ll also receive martial arts secrets and elixirs as you wish.

After explaining for a while, the response from the darkness was a calm smile.

Seeing this, Namgung Il-jun realized.

‘It’s hopeless.’

He could guess the reason.

“Is it because of Instructor Cho Un-hwi?”

“Before learning martial arts secrets, I first learned about righteousness and chivalry.”

I learned to repay kindness and forgive enemies.

“I still have many debts to repay here.”

Bowing respectfully, Namgung Il-jun bit his lip.

– If you had real talent, it would have shown long ago.

– Now that you’ve achieved a small success, do you look down on the family elders?

– Let’s see how long you can last without the family’s support.

Recalling his past words, he felt a mix of regret, admiration for his grown nephew, and greed.

Eventually, all these emotions turned into anger and erupted.

“You really-!”

*Bang bang bang bang!*

But the sound of knocking on the wooden walls from all around made Namgung Il-jun swallow his words.

Smiling faintly, Namgung Yun-ho spoke.

“This place is so shabby that the wooden walls are thin. It’s not a place to discuss important family matters.”

“You insolent brat.”

“Take care. I’m too tired to go far.”

“Hmph!”

With a flick of his sleeve, Namgung Il-jun disappeared down the corridor.

“Whew.”

As Namgung Yun-ho sighed.

*Bang.*

The door opened, and an annoyed-looking woman appeared.

“Young Master Namgung, is it over?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

Before he finished speaking, doors opened here and there.

“Whew. Thank goodness.”

“Thank goodness. If we hadn’t been prepared…”

Not only Mo Yong So-hye and Jegal Tan, but also Tang Gan and Im So-jeong peeked out.

They were all comrades who had helped with this matter.

“Whew. Who knew Instructor Cho’s advice about thin walls would come in handy.”

“That was a good strategy, Tan.”

“Well, it was nothing. But…”

As he muttered, wondering if there were more people, the twins approached from the corridor and spoke.

“Ho-seung fell asleep.”

“He couldn’t stay awake and dozed off.”

“Haha.”

Namgung Yun-ho laughed.

In any case, it seemed they had passed another hurdle.