Chapter 261: Anhui. (2)

Anhui.

As I mentioned before, this is a place I’ve only visited once in my past life.

Anhui Province, being the location of the Namgung Family, is a place that wouldn’t lose out even when compared to Henan, but…

…there was no particular reason to visit.

At the time I visited Anhui, the atmosphere wasn’t as prosperous as it is now.

It was also a time when the blood calamity caused by the Heavenly Demon was sweeping through.

A time when an entire clan was wiped out by the sword dance of a single woman.

Anhui back then…

To put it mildly, it was practically a wasteland compared to now.

The clan that was the center of the prestigious families and the protector of Anhui was annihilated by the touch of just one person.

Even those who barely managed to survive ended up falling under the Heavenly Demon.

The people living in Anhui had no choice but to leave the land they called home.

They had to leave for Henan, where the Murim Alliance and Shaolin Temple were located.

‘It’s so different now compared to back then.’

That’s only natural.

The blood calamity hasn’t occurred yet.

And besides, Namgung Bi-ah hasn’t changed either.

The countless buildings and crowds visible outside the carriage window are incomparable to Shanxi.

Then again, comparing Anhui, home of the Namgung, with Shanxi, home of the Gu, was a bit unreasonable.

As I was quietly looking out the window, Moyong Hi-ah, who was beside me, whispered.

“It’s still the same here.”

“Have you been here often?”

“Not often, maybe once or twice…?”

It’s strange to ask if I’ve been here often.

If you think about it, the Moyong Family is probably just as prominent as the Namgung Family.

‘Looking at it this way, only the Gu Family seems a bit behind?’

It’s not just that it seems that way.

In this aspect, they really are behind.

Honestly, the fact that they’re even maintaining some distance is thanks to Madam Mi.

‘That’s why it makes even less sense.’

I’m talking about the engagement between the Namgung and the Gu families.

‘Why on earth?’

I’ve thought about it several times, but…

I can’t understand why the great Namgung Family would want to get engaged to the Gu Family.

It was a part I couldn’t comprehend.

My reputation, which had gradually spread throughout the Central Plains, only came about after the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

But the engagement with Namgung Bi-ah was finalized much earlier than that.

This meant it wasn’t made based on my potential.

‘Elder Yi… no, Elder Il must have done something over there.’

I heard back then that Elder Il personally went to the Namgung Family and negotiated with their elders.

No matter how many times I thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

‘What kind of trickery did that old man use…’

I didn’t pay much attention to it in the past, but…

…thinking about it now, Elder Il was quite an unusual figure.

While he didn’t seem to do much work for an elder,

he often went out and came back from outside the family compound.

Despite holding the position of an elder,

he didn’t seem to have any specific duties within the family.

For example, the previous Elder Il also concurrently served as the sect leader of the Gu Seon Gate.

Unlike Elder Sam or Elder Sa, who had their own duties within the family,

the current Elder Il didn’t seem to have any such specific roles.

‘More importantly, the people around him are strange.’

The people gathered around him, calling themselves friends, were all monsters.

What on earth must he have been doing to have friends like that?

“…Seriously, there’s no normal person around.”

How is it that when you look at each one, none of them seem like proper people?

“I’m the only normal one, anyway.”

I let out an involuntary sigh.

As I shook my head back and forth,

I felt a subtle gaze from the side.

Following the feeling, I turned my head.

Moyong Hi-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were looking at me with strange expressions.

“Why?”

“…”

“It’s nothing…”

What the…? What is it?

Just as I was about to ask why the two women had such vacant, unspoken eyes,

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman announced our arrival at the destination, dragging his feet slowly.

After riding for a not-so-short journey,

it meant we had finally reached the Namgung Family compound.

---

I recall last year, when I used the Dangbyeong Jeonhoe as an excuse to visit the Tang Clan in Sichuan.

The Tang Clan compound I saw back then was incomparably larger than the Gu Family’s.

As if to show off the clan’s wealth,

it presented a neat and splendid landscape.

It was as if…

…it was announcing that this was the Tang Clan, one of the Four Great Families.

As if the reputation built by the Tang Clan’s ancestors in the past had created the present.

The grand and massive family compound comes to mind.

And now.

Standing here, comparing it to the Tang Clan back then, was the Namgung Family, the center of the Four Great Families.

‘It’s huge, damn huge.’

Leaving the carriage, I stood waiting at the entrance.

The interior of the family compound, glimpsed slightly from the inside, was substantial.

Naturally, it was incomparable to the Gu Family’s.

Even compared to the Tang Clan, the Namgung Family compound looked more refined.

Moreover.

‘I can even feel the energy reaching this far.’

I could vaguely sense a sharp energy emanating from within the compound.

It was the combined energy of highly skilled swordsmen gathered together.

This is definitely the legacy of a renowned sword clan.

Meanwhile, Namgung Bi-ah, even after getting off the carriage, looked half-asleep.

Is she in hibernation all four seasons?

She really seemed to do nothing but eat, sleep, and train.

She always looked exhausted.

“Snap out of it.”

As I was shaking Namgung Bi-ah, begging her to wake up,

Moyong Hi-ah, who had ridden with us, came closer and whispered.

“I’ll head off first, Gongja-nim.”

“Huh? You’re leaving?”

“Yes, I have some business to attend to first.”

I heard she had business in Anhui, but shouldn’t she find the Namgung Family compound first?

Before I could even voice my question, Moyong Hi-ah answered it.

“Right now, you have a prior engagement, so it seems better for me to visit you later.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll be back to see you soon.”

I observed Moyong Hi-ah as she said that.

She did give off some heat during the journey,

so she should be fine, right? She’ll probably be fine.

Moyong Hi-ah gave a slight bow, turned her back, and quickly walked away.

Watching her go, I thought:

Given the direction Moyong Hi-ah is heading, it would have been much easier if she had just gotten off the carriage earlier.

I wondered why she bothered accompanying us all the way to the Namgung Family compound.

After briefly watching Moyong Hi-ah’s retreating figure, I turned my attention back to Namgung Bi-ah.

First, I need to get this one to wake up…

“Huh?”

I was about to wake her up, even if it meant giving her a knuckle rap.

But when I looked back, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes were wide open and clear.

Her slightly disheveled clothes were neatly arranged as well.

It was already amazing that her half-asleep eyes had become so clear…

“What the…”

As I tried to figure out what was going on,

I sensed someone approaching from behind.

Even without looking back, I knew who it was from the heavy footsteps.

“What are you doing?”

It was my father.

And Madam Mi, standing beside him.

Namgung Bi-ah, as if she had known they were coming, greeted her father and Madam Mi as they approached.

My father nodded upon seeing this, and only then did she lift her head from bowing.

Seeing so many things I wouldn’t normally see when they were together, I was actually more surprised.

“Is there some kind of problem?”

“…No. I must have been mistaken about something.”

What is this? Maybe it wasn’t Namgung Bi-ah who was dozing off, but me?

That seems more realistic.

My father was about to add something to me, but…

“Your clothes are a bit messy.”

Madam Mi spoke first.

Madam Mi approached me with light steps and carefully adjusted my clothes with her hands.

“It’s an important occasion, so be careful.”

“…Thank you.”

The unexpected touch caught me off guard for a moment.

After saying that, Madam Mi shifted her gaze from me to Namgung Bi-ah.

Her eyes seemed to be checking on Namgung Bi-ah’s condition.

“It’s a shame. If I had more time, I would have helped you like I did when you departed.”

“…No.”

Namgung Bi-ah replied with a slight smile.

What she meant was probably that Madam Mi had tidied up her appearance before they left the Gu Family compound.

Madam Mi showed no particular reaction to Namgung Bi-ah’s response and returned to her father’s side.

‘This is so awkward. Really…’

Perhaps it’s because this is the first time we’ve gathered like this.

I felt incredibly uncomfortable, like indigestion.

As I adjusted my posture to calm my uneasy stomach,

Kung.

A heavy presence was felt from the entrance area.

‘They’re here.’

While others might have felt a dizzying pressure,

I felt, amusingly, a sense of liberation at the same time.

At least it would be better than this awkwardness.

I turned my head in the direction of the felt presence.

Far away.

I saw many people wearing the deep blue martial attire that Namgung Bi-ah used to wear.

Furthermore, I felt a chilling aura, something I couldn’t sense before, coursing down my spine.

‘I guess he’s gotten stronger if I can feel this.’

This was my thought upon sensing the aura.

Being able to feel the aura that I couldn’t sense during our previous encounter…

…meant I could gauge his level, even slightly.

Among the group approaching without shifting their gaze,

I met the middle-aged man standing at the very front.

With a cold face that still looked quite rude,

a man possessing the distinctive appearance of the Namgung clan bloodline.

The head of the Great Namgung Family, and

a warrior bearing the epithet Sword King of this era.

And Namgung Bi-ah’s father,

the Sky-Piercing Sword King, Namgung Jin.

That was him.

“It’s been a while. Gaju-nim.”

Namgung Jin, leading the Namgung contingent, immediately greeted my father with a handshake.

My father clasped his hand, returning the greeting.

“It has been a while.”

“You must have had a hard time traveling such a long distance.”

As Namgung Jin spoke,

my father looked at him with a strange expression.

Should I say he was scrutinizing him slightly?

I couldn’t quite grasp the nature of that gaze.

Just then.

“It seems you’ve experienced some kind of anomaly.”

These were the words my father directed at Namgung Jin.

‘Anomaly?’

As I quietly watched, wondering what he meant,

I saw Namgung Jin’s eyes slightly harden at my father’s words.

Then, Namgung Jin quietly added a word to my father.

“…Your eyes haven’t died yet, I see.”

‘Ah.’

Judging by my father’s words and Namgung Jin’s reply,

‘Did he gain some kind of enlightenment?’

It must have referred to the change in Namgung Jin’s aura.

Perhaps because my own level is insufficient, I couldn’t feel it myself,

but my father seemed to have sensed it.

Seeing that, I let out an internal chuckle.

‘He’s still got a long way to go. Stronger, my foot.’

I had thought he’d grown a bit stronger just because I could feel the aura, and felt pleased,

but I immediately had to face my own insignificance.

‘Actually, it’s good. Helps me get my head straight.’

I don’t want to get carried away foolishly.

It’s probably fortunate that I was reminded again that I still have a long way to go.

After finishing his greetings with my father and Madam Mi, Namgung Jin…

…soon turned his gaze towards me.

As soon as our eyes met, I slightly bowed my head and performed a pokwon.

“I greet the Head of the Great Namgung Family.”

“…Yes. It’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”

Since there were many eyes watching, I had to show proper respect first.

Meanwhile, I slightly opened one eye to observe Namgung Jin.

‘It seems the demonic energy is still there.’

A faint energy felt from the direction of Namgung Jin’s dantian.

Around the time Namgung Jin visited the Gu Family.

It was the demonic energy I had placed while also acting as a seal.

It was a subtle energy meant for confirmation if the seal was broken or if any issues arose.

To a level that wouldn’t cause significant damage to the body.

‘Seeing that it’s still there, the seal is still active… wait…?’

As I was thinking, a question suddenly arose.

‘Come to think of it, why did I even place that seal?’

It was about the purpose of that seal.

“Ah.”

The question was brief.

Having come this far, I couldn’t help but remember, even if I tried not to.

The lingering unease about something I had forgotten, which I’d been feeling since earlier.

The thing I wondered what I had forgotten finally surfaced.

‘Crazy…’

The seal placed on Namgung Jin.

It was that he shouldn’t tell anyone about what happened between us.

And also, that he shouldn’t ask about my background.

What happened between Namgung Jin and me.

It was precisely…

…about the Namgung Family’s swordsmanship, which was said to have degenerated.

It was the teaching of the original form they should have possessed.

-It’s been a while.

Namgung Jin’s telepathic message reached my ears as if he had been waiting.

-…Although there were circumstances, I didn’t expect it would take this long for us to reunite.

As the words continued, I swallowed dryly.

-I’m glad we could meet, even if it’s only now.

‘…Haha.’

I’m screwed.

Namgung Jin’s voice was brimming with anticipation.

What I could tell from his voice was that

the small difference I had taught him through Elder No back then…

…had proven helpful to Namgung Jin over time.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t react like this.

Surely, from what he learned, even briefly, back then,

he must have felt something and grown.

That’s why he’s looking at me with such sparkling eyes.

‘Haha, fuck.’

The problem here is…

It’s not the seal or anything else.

The seal and all that isn’t the issue.

Back then, I promised Namgung Jin that I would give him another clue during our next meeting, but…

…so much happened afterward that I had temporarily forgotten about it.

It’s because I told Namgung Jin to handle it himself and not bother me.

And that’s how we ended up reuniting like this.

‘What do I do?’

The seal seems to be holding up well, and

I know the clue I gave him back then was actually helpful, but…

The biggest problem is something else entirely.

‘…Elder No isn’t here right now?’

The fact that Elder No, who is supposed to teach Namgung Jin swordsmanship, is currently asleep.

That’s the biggest problem.

---

Somewhere within the Namgung Family compound.

Murmuring sounds could be heard from outside the window.

It wasn’t loud, but it felt particularly loud to the young man now.

Basrak.

His tired fingertips clutched the sleeve of his robe.

Swaying slightly, he pushed himself up and looked out the window.

“…”

His dull, cyan eyes, seemingly half-dead and having lost their original color.

The young man scanned the outside with eyes full of emptiness.

“…Ah.”

His gaze drifted far away, and he noticed someone standing with his father.

Kkade득-

Seeing the young man with fierce eyes,

the sound of grinding teeth naturally escaped his lips.

The young man, unable to control his emotions and trembling violently,

froze stiff upon seeing the woman standing next to him.

“Ha….”

Was this small sigh…

…one of admiration, or something else?

The woman’s face was still beautiful.

As time passed, she had become even more beautiful and radiant, and the young man met her gaze, his fingertips trembling.

“…Noona.”

His sister had blossomed into a form far more beautiful than before.

Full bloom.

Yes, that must be full bloom.

The young man smiled as he looked at the woman.

Then, suddenly,

the young man abruptly turned around.

His gentle expression contorted, instantly twisting into a face filled with madness.

“Shut up… I’ll handle it myself, so just shut your mouth!”

He spat out the words filled with rage, as if roaring.

He panted, gasping for breath.

The young man’s harsh words filled the not-so-small room,

but the problem was that the only one in the room was the young man.

No one else besides the Thunder Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun.

Namgung Cheonjun, who had spoken harshly while seething, soon looked back out the window.

His position was still facing the direction where his beautiful sister was.