Chapter 47: An Unexpected Home Visit (3)

As Namgung Il-jun left the Shinmu Academy, one of the Namgung Clan warriors approached him.

“Did you find out about him?”

“Yes, Clan Leader. He’s a new instructor from the Jeonggeom Sect.”

Namgung Il-jun’s eyes widened as he scanned the paper the warrior handed him.

“A first-rate master, almost at the peak level, in his twenties…?”

That was unheard of for a small sect like the Jeonggeom Sect.

“Where did he come from? He wasn’t on the original list of instructors.”

“It seems he was a last-minute recommendation, so his name was omitted from the report.”

“Who recommended him?”

“The Beggars Sect.”

“The Beggars Sect?”

“Elder Chui Geol-gae personally recommended him.”

The Beggars’ Sect and Chui Geol-gae.

Namgung Il-jun’s face contorted in displeasure.

“It won’t be easy to get rid of him if he has the Beggars Sect’s backing.”

The Beggars Sect was a righteous sect that prioritized justice over personal gain.

They were known for their integrity, just like the Shaolin Temple.

And Chui Geol-gae was a renowned hero.

“Tsk, this is troublesome.”

“How did your meeting with your nephew go?”

“He’s become quite stubborn.”

His nephew had changed significantly.

He was no longer the timid boy who couldn’t even meet his eyes. He had looked him straight in the eye and spoken his mind.

“Well, he can’t resist forever.”

Namgung Il-jun’s voice turned cold.

“Summon Yeom-gwang.”

***

Back at his villa, Namgung Il-jun poured himself a glass of wine.

Geomnamchun.

It was a famous wine from Jeonan.

He savored the aroma as he poured the wine, his mind replaying the events of the day.

“I never thought I’d see him again.”

He had gone to Dongcheon Hall on a whim.

He had already forgotten about Namgung Yun-ho.

He wouldn’t have gone if it hadn’t been for Dokgo Yul’s invitation.

So he had been shocked to see his nephew.

“Student number one hundred and twenty-eight, Namgung Yun-ho.”

He had been stunned to see his forgotten nephew step onto the platform.

And then, he had witnessed his nephew’s winning streak.

He had felt a twinge of unease.

But it wasn’t a serious concern.

This was just Dongcheon Hall.

‘It would be embarrassing if he couldn’t win against those kids.’

It was unexpected, but he had thought it was nothing to worry about.

But then, Seon In-hyeok had said something that changed his mind.

“Oh my! His understanding of the Shinmu Sword Technique is remarkable! He’s incredibly talented!”

It was a casual remark, but it came from Seon In-hyeok, the White Robe Judge.

Seon In-hyeok was one of the Hundred Great Masters of the Murim and a highly respected figure in the Murim Alliance.

He was the Chief Administrator of the Shinmu Academy, a man of immense power and authority.

His interest in Namgung Yun-ho had raised alarm bells in Namgung Il-jun’s mind.

“Student Namgung Yun-ho, winner!”

And then, his nephew had even defeated an Euncheon Hall student.

‘This is dangerous.’

His instincts screamed at him.

He had rushed to find his nephew, hoping to persuade him to give up his ambitions.

But his nephew was no longer the timid boy he remembered.

“Are you asking me to give up?”

He had offered him a position in the clan if he left the academy, but his nephew had refused.

“I’ll make my own decisions.”

It was an unexpected response.

Frustrated, Namgung Il-jun had retorted, “Are you trying to ruin your brother’s future?”

Namgung Yong-ho, the Little Sword Dragon.

He was the most talented student in the Namgung Clan, a genius who was destined to lead the clan one day.

He was also Namgung Yun-ho’s only brother, whom he loved dearly.

For the first time, his nephew had reacted.

“Is my presence here ruining my brother’s future?”

“Yong-ho will be the next Clan Leader. Don’t you understand that your achievements will only bring shame upon him?”

Bloodlines were as important as martial arts skills in the Murim.

Even the least talented direct descendant was treated better than the most talented collateral descendant.

It would be a scandal if they had to replace the eldest son with the second son as the Clan Leader because of his talent.

‘We’re the most prestigious clan in the Murim!’

He had to erase Namgung Yun-ho’s existence, even if it meant being cruel.

“You defeated an Euncheon Hall student? That’s a great achievement for you.”

“But it’s not an honor for a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan to lose to a nameless student.”

“Think about your age. You’ve improved, but how much further can you go?”

“You need to face reality instead of chasing empty dreams.”

He had been ruthless.

‘It’s for the good of the clan.’

But his nephew, who had seemed shaken at first, had met his gaze with unwavering determination.

“…No.”

“What?”

“I’m staying here.”

“Are you defying me?”

“I’m not leaving.”

Namgung Il-jun had gritted his teeth as he saw the determination in his nephew’s eyes.

‘Yun-ho has changed.’

It was a bad omen.

He snapped out of his reverie and took a sip of wine.

“Tsk, he’s become so stubborn.”

He hadn’t gotten the answer he wanted, but he wasn’t worried.

“You chose to drink the bitter wine instead of the sweet wine.”

He closed his eyes, savoring the taste of the wine.

“Instructor Yeom-gwang has arrived.”

A voice came from outside.

Namgung Il-jun smiled.

“Bring him in.”

He could easily crush his nephew’s petty rebellion.

***

Yeom-gwang knelt on the floor, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Hmm, you’re quite perceptive.”

The middle-aged man with graying hair looked at him with approval.

Namgung Il-jun, the Southern Heaven Sword.

He was one of the most powerful figures in the Namgung Clan.

Yeom-gwang couldn’t even breathe properly in his presence.

But he also felt a surge of excitement.

‘The Southern Heaven Sword summoned me. This is my chance to turn my life around.’

He had a hunch why he had been summoned.

And he was right.

After a long silence, Namgung Il-jun spoke.

“Instructor Yeom-gwang.”

“Y-yes, Master Namgung.”

“I had high hopes for you, but you’ve disappointed me.”

Disappointment.

It was an ominous word. Yeom-gwang’s heart sank.

“How could I possibly disappoint you, Master Namgung?”

“You’re the Chief Instructor of Dongcheon Hall. You’re responsible for all the instructors. And yet, you’ve failed to control a mere junior instructor, causing me great concern. How can I not be disappointed?”

His voice was low and devoid of emotion.

‘It’s the question I expected.’

Yeom-gwang took a few deep breaths and said, “If you’re referring to Instructor Cho Un-hwi, it’s just bad luck.”

“Bad luck?”

“He’s a mysterious figure with no known background. And he’s incredibly irresponsible. But he’s also very lucky, and for some reason, he has a lot of supporters. It’s not easy to get rid of him.”

“He sounds resourceful. Why not use force?”

“Well, the thing is…”

Namgung Il-jun chuckled as Yeom-gwang hesitated.

“You’ve already tried to fight him.”

Yeom-gwang quickly said, “He ambushed me. I wasn’t expecting it…”

“So the Beggars’ Sect doesn’t make recommendations lightly.”

The Beggars’ Sect? What do they have to do with this?

Yeom-gwang looked up in surprise.

“The Beggars’ Sect recommended Instructor Cho.”

“Gasp! The Beggars’ Sect!”

So that was why he had seemed so untouchable!

Yeom-gwang’s face turned pale.

‘Wait, I tried to get rid of someone recommended by the Beggars’ Sect?’

He broke out in a cold sweat.

Namgung Il-jun clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, you’re too timid. How can you achieve great things with such a weak heart?”

“But it’s the Beggars’ Sect! Isn’t it dangerous to offend them?”

“Don’t worry. If the Beggars’ Sect truly valued him, they wouldn’t have recommended him for a lowly position in Dongcheon Hall.”

It was a veiled insult, but Yeom-gwang was relieved.

‘He’s right. If the Beggars’ Sect was truly backing him, he would be in Geumcheon Hall, or at least Euncheon Hall.’

But Namgung Il-jun was thinking something else.

‘He’s become soft after all these years as Chief Instructor. He’s forgotten how to fight. He’s useless.’

He looked at Yeom-gwang’s protruding belly and flabby arms with disdain.

“I’ll give you another chance. If you can get rid of my problem, I’ll reward you handsomely.”

“But I don’t think I can handle him on my own.”

“If you can’t do it alone, find some allies. Here.”

He tossed a pouch at Yeom-gwang.

“What’s this?”

“This should be enough to buy some help.”

Yeom-gwang opened the pouch and saw twenty gold taels.

It was enough to buy a small house. His eyes gleamed with greed.

“I can do it.”

“Consider it a down payment. You’ll receive the rest when the job is done.”

Yeom-gwang kowtowed, his forehead bleeding.

“I won’t disappoint you, Master Namgung!”

Namgung Il-jun smiled triumphantly as he watched Yeom-gwang’s pathetic display of gratitude.

He felt like he had already won.

***

Meanwhile, Cho Un-hwi was sitting by the window, his chin resting on his hand, his face creased in annoyance.

“What’s wrong with him?”

Night had fallen over Dongcheon Hall.

Cho Un-hwi, with his sharp hearing, couldn’t sleep because of the noise coming from the training ground.

Swish! Swish!

Clang! Clang!

The sound of a sword being swung with intense fury.

It was coming from the secluded training ground that he and his four students used.

“He’s been at it all day.”

It was Namgung Yun-ho, practicing his swordsmanship relentlessly.

It wasn’t unusual for him to be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave, but the sound of his sword was different today.

“He’s not just practicing… he’s filled with rage.”

What had happened to him?

He was usually a calm and gentle person.

He would just smile when Baek Ri-seol teased him, and he would blush when the younger students made fun of him.

So why was he so agitated?

“What’s gotten into him?”

He pondered for a moment, then looked up at the sky.

“The moon is beautiful tonight. Perhaps it’s stirring his emotions.”

He placed his foot on the windowsill.

“A night like this is perfect for a stroll.”

He vanished from his room, his body soaring through the air.