Chapter 41: Sword Phoenix (1)

The Great Namgung Family (南宮世家).

Among the Four Great Families, known as the pillars and heart of the Orthodox faction, the Namgung Family is the central sword-wielding noble house.

When the Blood Demon (血魔) caused the Blood Calamity (血劫), the one who severed the Blood Demon’s head was none other than the then Namgung Family Head, Namgung Juchon (南宮主川);

Until the appearance of the Sword Saint (劍尊), who hailed from the ranks of wandering swordsmen, this was the family that held the position of the Central Plains’ greatest sword.

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭), the Sky-Soaring Sword King (蒼天劍王) and head of the Namgung Family, spoke while looking at his son.

“I merely sent you to look after your sister, and you return having lost an innocent escort?”

Not only did you casually suggest a martial arts duel with a junior disciple (後起之秀) younger than yourself at the Tang Soldier Battle Assembly (唐兵戰會), which I sent you to with a light heart.

You even drew your killing intent (殺氣) after losing the duel.

And then I heard you were retaliated against and had your arm broken.

None other than my own son.

What’s more problematic is…

“Ma Cheol (마철)…”

Among the martial artists of the many great families, there are few who remain in the Family Head’s mind.

This is because there are simply too many talented and strong martial artists in the Namgung family.

‘He was a martial artist who reached the pinnacle (絶頂).’

Ma Cheol (마철), a martial artist belonging to the escort team, his alias was the Azure Wind Absolute Sword (靑風絕劍).

He was someone in my memory.

Not many reached the pinnacle at that age, and looking at his sword, he was a martial artist with much potential left for growth.

Such a martial artist went missing on a mere escort mission?

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) could not comprehend this matter.

“Are you telling me we lost a pinnacle martial artist because of some unknown junior disciple?”

Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) could not say anything in response to Namgung Jin’s question.

He just quietly clenched his teeth.

Because even he couldn’t understand the words he had just spoken.

‘What in the world happened?’

He thought that even if it took days, the situation must have been unfavorable.

Because he knew himself that dragging away a young master from a prestigious family (名家) on a whim was difficult, even if he had said it in anger.

However, Ma Cheol (마철) had brought up the matter, saying he would go since an opportunity arose.

He had never seen Ma Cheol (마철) fail after saying something like that.

That was why he had sent his sister without a word when she said she had to pay respects to the Gu Family (구가) fellow, as he thought she was going.

Because, in the first place, even if she went, that fellow wouldn’t be able to come.

‘It definitely should have been like that….’

But the sister who returned spoke of having paid her respects well.

The Gu Family (구가) fellow returned safely to the group and rode back in a carriage.

Then what about Ma Cheol (마철)…?

What happened to his escort’s whereabouts?

‘Did that fellow kill him?’

He thought it was impossible.

Ma Cheol (마철) is a pinnacle (絶頂) martial artist.

For a martial artist, the path from first-class (一流) to pinnacle (絶頂) is not a matter of effort, but of talent.

It’s a superhuman realm that cannot be easily reached without enlightenment, no matter how many spirit herbs (靈藥) one consumes or how much one trains.

Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) had learned about the pinnacle (絶頂) like that.

Ma Cheol (마철) was a pinnacle (絶頂) martial artist who had reached that realm.

But he was defeated by a junior disciple (後起之秀) who had barely reached the cusp of second-class (二流), let alone first-class (一流)?

This is an impossible event.

‘Perhaps there’s a possibility of a trap?’

A situation where they knew his scheme and prepared in advance?

If so, how did that fellow know?

What else did they prepare that caused Ma Cheol (마철) to go missing?

Whatever it was, this was not a good situation.

Losing a Namgung pinnacle (絶頂) martial artist due to his own insistence was a major problem in itself.

Moreover, the fact that Gu Yangcheon (具陽天) knew about this was also a problem.

‘That beggar-like bastard (거지 같은 놈).’

Thinking about Gu Yangcheon (具陽天) made his insides boil.

The vital points he was hit on.

Even though his broken arm had healed now, the anger he harbored towards that bastard remained.

“Cheonjun-ah (천준아).”

“…Yes, Father.”

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) approaches Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) with slow steps.

Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) tightly shut his eyes.

His father does not lay hands on his children.

He merely approaches.

That is the most suffocating and difficult thing.

The Emperor’s Stride (帝王의 걸음).

The intangible pressure one possesses as a blood relative of the Namgung family grows stronger as one’s martial prowess (武威) increases.

Namgung Jin’s (南宮鎭) aura, which was enough to count on one hand among martial artists excluding the Three Saints (三尊), was even more so.

“Ughhh (끄으으)…”

Under the constricting aura, Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) finally let out a groan.

“What disappoints me about you is not that you lost to a junior disciple (後起之秀), nor that you drew your killing intent (殺氣) during the duel.”

He knew.

Why his father was disappointed in him.

He had learned it endlessly since childhood.

“It’s that you didn’t handle the aftermath properly. That is what is most disappointing.”

The descending aura made him feel like vomiting right away, but Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) held it in with all his might.

If he vomited on the floor here, his father would truly get angry.

As a Namgung (南宮), maintain dignity (品位) and honor (名譽) anywhere.

This was what Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) valued most.

Conversely, if someone tarnished dignity (品位) and honor (名譽)…

The Namgung (南宮) way was to eliminate them by any means necessary.

“In accordance with your transgression, I order you to seclude yourself (閉關) in the Azure Brocade Pavilion (靑錦館) for three months. Do you have any objections?”

“No, none…”

Upon Namgung Cheonjun’s (南宮天俊) answer, the oppressive pressure vanished instantly.

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) then asked the gasping Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊).

“Did you say Gu Family (구가)?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

The Gu Family (구가) of Shanxi (山西), headed by the chivalrous leader (豪俠).

Hearing the answer, Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) wore a strange expression.

“…Why the Gu Family (구가) of all places.”

Saying so, Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) turned sharply and walked towards the railing of the Family Head’s chamber.

The robe fluttering in the wind bore the clear characters ‘Namgung (南宮)’.

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭), lost in thought for a moment, spoke to Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊).

“Forget about the matter concerning the Gu Family (구가).”

“Father…?”

It was the first time.

His father had told him to forget something.

After teaching him his entire life not to forget grudges, what did this mean?

“You will understand when you become the Family Head in the future. Until then, do not provoke the Gu Family (구가) lightly.”

“Yes…”

Regardless, he could not disobey Namgung Jin’s (南宮鎭) words.

All Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) could do was nod his head in agreement.

“Moreover, it’s possible we might become family with them now.”

Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) froze at Namgung Jin’s (南宮鎭) words.

Because he couldn’t easily understand what he meant.

“What… what exactly are you saying?”

“The Elder Council (長老會) has decided on your sister’s engagement.”

“Father…!?”

Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) raised his voice without realizing it.

He quickly shut his mouth under Namgung Jin’s (南宮鎭) fierce gaze, but it was that much of a sudden event.

Though not widely known to the public, she was the woman considered the most talented among the Family Head’s blood relatives, including himself.

His beautiful older sister.

The Flower of Namgung (南宮의 꽃).

Surely, if his sister had shown any remarkable performance at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering (龍鳳之會) or the Divine Dragon Hall (神龍館).

He thought the name Sword Phoenix (劍鳳) would surely belong to his sister now.

‘…My sister is getting engaged?’

It was too sudden an event.

Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) hid the trembling back of his hand so his father wouldn’t notice.

“W-With which family?”

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) took Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) in with his eyes.

The wavering pupils and uneven breathing were all visible.

He was still a foolish son.

To not even be able to hide something like this easily.

However, Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) would have to lead from the center, carrying the Namgung name on his back in the future.

Therefore, if there were shortcomings, they must be filled.

If there were mistakes, they had to be corrected, even if it meant rebuilding them.

Namgung Jin (南宮鎭) looked at Namgung Cheonjun (南宮天俊) and opened his mouth very slowly.

Namgung Cheonjun’s (南宮天俊) eyes widened at Namgung Jin’s (南宮鎭) words.

“…What?”

Seeing the First Elder (一長老) spouting nonsense the moment he returned to the family clan, Gu Yangcheon (具陽天) said.

“What did you just say?”

“I said you are going to be engaged to a daughter of the Namgung Family (南宮世家).”

“….What?”

What kind of crazy talk is this?

******************

It took more than ten days to travel from Sichuan (四川) to the family clan.

I had hurried because the road was a bit urgent, but now I thought I could take my time.

I also needed time to consolidate my increased energy.

On the day I returned to the family clan, dragging my exhausted body.

The First Elder (一長老), whom I hadn’t seen in a while, showered me with shit.

“Your engagement schedule has been set.”

“…What nonsense is this all of a sudden?”

At the words he uttered the moment he saw my face, without even a greeting, I couldn’t manage my expression.

I haven’t even properly unpacked my luggage yet, what kind of thunderclap news is this…?

How long has it been since the engagement with the Peng Family (팽家) broke off?

For me, it was so long ago it was hazy, but from the current perspective, it probably hasn’t been that long.

But suddenly, another engagement?

‘…This didn’t happen before.’

In my previous life, after breaking the engagement with Peng Ahui (팽娥曦), I never got engaged again.

It wasn’t by choice; rather, my reputation had spread so widely throughout the region that there were many declarations like, “I won’t get engaged to that mad dog!”

I thought this life would obviously be the same, so what is this sudden talk?

With an expression like I was melting, I said to the First Elder (一長老).

“First Elder-nim (一長老님), I’m really exhausted, do you have to play such pranks…?”

“Tsk! You rascal, do you think you have the audacity to play pranks with this old man?”

“You play pranks all the time usually, why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

Did the engagement really get set…?

‘…This feels like fucked.’

Something seems tangled.

Wi Seol-ah (尉雪娥) flashed through my mind for a moment, but I tried hard to ignore it.

“If it’s real, who am I engaged to?”

As I spoke, the names of daughters from surrounding families, those I knew at least, scrolled through my mind.

Peng Ahui (팽娥曦) is already in the past, so it wouldn’t be her.

I didn’t know much about the Nine Great Sects (九派一幇).

Suddenly, the bitch (썅년) from the Moyong Family (慕容家) flashed by, but that crazy woman was a lunatic who only chased Brain Dragons (腦龍) even in my past life, so I’ll exclude her for now.

There were many who weren’t among the Four Great Families (四大世家), but I didn’t know many women.

If you count them, it’s really only a handful.

Could it be Tang Soyeol (唐昭烈)…?

Tang Soyeol (唐昭烈) also didn’t get engaged or married in her past life, so maybe it’s not her.

‘…Besides, this one who gives poison as a gift is a bit much.’

…Anyway, how did things get so tangled up like this?

I can’t get a grasp on anything…?

Where could the starting point of this tangled thread be?

‘There are too many now, I don’t know…’

“Where, you ask…”

The First Elder (一長老) said, digging his ear with his pinky finger.

As if it wasn’t an important matter.

“The Namgung Family (南宮世家).”

“…What?”

I involuntarily asked again at the bewildering words.

What… where?

“What did you just say?”

“I said Yangcheon (陽天), you are going to be engaged to a daughter of the Namgung Family (南宮世家).”

“….What?”

Namgung? Was there perhaps another Namgung I didn’t know?

Maybe Namgung Cheonga (南宮天家) or Namgung Myungga (南宮明家), something more?

Please, I really hoped so.

Because among the Namgung Family Head’s children, there was only one daughter.

“Her name was… Namgung Bi-ah (南宮飛娥), wasn’t it? The elders kept making it obvious they didn’t want to give her away, calling her a precious, precious child, so this old man used some influence.”

Shit…

The world still doesn’t go my way.

What kind of influence did you use to get something like that…?

‘Me… engaged to that crazy bitch?’

Why? How did Namgung Bi-ah’s (南宮飛娥) name suddenly pop up, using what method?

Even as I staggered in immense shock, the First Elder (一長老) continued speaking without paying any mind.

“No, that’s not important for now, you can hear about it from the Family Head later. There’s something more important.”

“…Wait a moment, First Elder-nim (一長老님), how is this not important?”

Then what is important?

I’m about to get engaged to that crazy bitch, is there anything more important than this…?

I tried to say more in the absurd situation, but…

I couldn’t help but shut my mouth at what the First Elder (一長老) said next.

“Your sister has returned.”

“What?”

At the news the First Elder (一長老) brought up, my body stiffened without my realizing it.

The foremost junior disciple (後起之秀), Sword Phoenix (劍鳳) Gu Huibi (具姬妃).

It meant she had returned.

The First Elder (一長老) patted my shoulder and said.

“Huibi (姬妃) missed you so much, she started looking for you the moment she returned. It’s heartwarming to see such deep sibling affection. Huibi (姬妃) should be in the Family Head’s chamber now, so hurry… Yangcheon-ah (陽天아)?”

I didn’t listen to the end of the First Elder’s (一長老) words.

The only thought that immediately came to my mind was one thing.

‘Shit, I need to run right now!’

Engagement or whatever, I had to escape first.