Namgoong Family – 3

※ There are revisions in the previous episode. If you haven’t seen the revisions, please read the previous episode.

Soyou took the dazed Inho and entered the Namgung Clan.

Along a path made of flat stones, Soyou and Inho headed towards the guest quarters.

Several servants recognized Soyou and greeted her warmly.

Without showing any sign of joy, Soyou slightly raised her hand in response.

A servant excused himself to inform the head of the family of their arrival.

Left alone in the guest room, Soyou and Inho blankly looked around.

“But, if it’s a birthday, why is it so quiet? Shouldn’t there be guests and such?”

Inho, who had expected a lively banquet, asked, and Soyou chided him as if he didn’t know.

“The feast is tomorrow. We’ll stay overnight and participate in the feast.”

“Where do we stay? Here?”

“My family’s main residence is not far from here. We’ll stay there.”

Soyou said in a strangely subdued voice.

“Grand Master too?”

“I’m not sure. Considering he said he had separate business, I think he’ll be staying elsewhere.”

As Soyou finished speaking, a presence was felt outside the door.

“The Clan Lord requests your presence.”

At the servant’s words, Soyou and Inho rose.

Inho walked on the polished floor, looking around.

Well-arranged trees and sculptures brought from somewhere were harmoniously placed.

‘It’s incredibly huge.’

Inho felt the scale of the Namgung Clan, which was too large to take in at a glance, and followed Soyou.

Soon, they arrived in front of the room where the Clan Lord was, and they straightened their clothes again in front of the door.

As the servant opened the door, a middle-aged man stood up and waited for them.

“Soyou. It’s been years.”

Before Namgung Soyou could even sit down, the Clan Lord, who had approached her, patted her shoulder a couple of times with his large, rough hand.

“Uncle. Please receive my greetings first.”

Despite the Clan Lord’s warm welcome, Namgung Soyou did not soften her hardened expression.

Embarrassed by his niece’s stiff reaction, the Clan Lord returned to his seat.

Soyou bowed, and Inho, who was next to her, awkwardly bowed as well.

“Hmm….”

The Clan Lord, Namgung Hyun, stroked his beard as he watched the scene.

“What is it?”

Soyou asked, feeling worried as Namgung Hyun looked at her and Inho with a serious expression.

“I already knew through the letter that he was your disciple, but….”

Stroking his beard again with a serious face, Namgung Hyun said,

“I don’t know why, but I feel like you’ve brought a man your daughter is going to marry.”

As Namgung Hyun joked with a sly smile, Soyou’s face turned red.

“Uncle!!”

She shouted, and Namgung Hyun burst into laughter.

“Now that’s more like my niece. Hahahaha!!!”

“Your jokes are excessive.”

“Oh dear, this is terrible.”

Soyou narrowed her eyes and glared at the Clan Lord, and Namgung Hyun, pretending to be in trouble, continued to tease Namgung Soyou.

“Haha, anyway, welcome. It’s already been three years since you became a disciple of the Yomryun Skill. And….”

Namgung Hyun’s eyes turned to Inho.

“And you already have a disciple.”

“My name is Kang In-ho, sir.”

Feeling like he should introduce himself at this point, Inho spoke, and Namgung Hyun nodded.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Namgung Hyun. Though I’m also known as Thunder Sword.”

Thunder Sword Namgung Hyun.

A master swordsman ranked among the top five, it is said that the Internal energy cultivation method he uses emits a golden aura as his Inner Force is drawn out.

He was given the title Thunder Sword because he wields a lightning-fast and powerful swordsmanship.

Tracing back to its roots, it overlaps with Thunderous Wheel Skill, and there is a theory that it branched off before Thunderous Wheel Skill became one of the Three Great Inherited Martial Arts.

“I’ve often heard stories about you as well. They say you’re a man with outstanding Martial arts talent, enough for the Divine Doctor to take you in through unconventional means.”

“That’s an overstatement.”

Inho was embarrassed by Namgung Hyun’s praise, and Namgung Hyun saw that as a good sign.

The Clan Lord’s gaze returned to Soyou.

“Well, thank you for taking the time to come despite your busy schedule.”

“…….”

Soyou remained silent.

“Ah, did you see the garden on your way here? It’s a place filled with my wife’s care. If you don’t mind, would you like to take a look around the garden? I want to continue catching up with my niece.”

Namgung Hyun said, looking at Inho.

At the polite request, Inho nodded and left the room.

Namgung Hyun stared in the direction Inho had left for a moment.

“I heard he’s only been training for a year, but his achievements are quite high.”

“He may not have talent, but I think it’s because he works twice as hard as others.”

“Though the master’s excellent teachings must have also played a part.”

Namgung Hyun smiled.

“Soyou. I even thought you wouldn’t come.”

“Why would you think that?”

“You left the Namgung Clan when you inherited the name of Yomryun Skill.”

“That’s right. Namgung is just a surname. I no longer have any connection with the Namgung Clan. But….”

“But?”

“I came because it is the birthday of the esteemed Thunder Sword’s child.”

“…Thank you.”

Namgung Hyun felt complicated at his niece’s mature answer.

Silence and discomfort visited the room as if they were a pair.

Soyou rubbed the innocent floor with her finger, and Namgung Hyun looked at the unchanging scenery outside through the small window.

“Soyou. Do you resent your father?”

Namgung Hyun asked after carefully choosing his words for a long time.

“No, Uncle.”

Namgung Hyun recalled his younger brother, Namgung Hyuk.

He was pained by his brother’s way of being so cold even to his own child.

“It may have been expressed poorly… but your father doesn’t hate you, he just wanted your happiness.”

“I have no doubts about my father’s choice. It was a choice that had to be made for the Namgung Clan. I, who lacked achievement in the Imperial Sword Technique, was not enough to bear the duty of a Namgung Clan martial artist.”

“I think differently. Even though you lacked achievement in the family’s Internal energy cultivation method and sword technique, you are now helping people by mastering Yomryun Skill.”

Namgung Hyun looked at Namgung Soyou with a pitiful expression.

[One who is Namgung but cannot use Namgung’s Martial arts.]

This was the yoke firmly placed in the heart of his beloved niece.

From the Clan Lord’s position, Namgung Hyun always saw the same scenery.

His niece’s figure, constantly training even as the sun rose and set.

And his brother’s figure, urging on that niece.

Namgung Soyou’s figure, silently crying under the wall late at night.

Namgung Hyun abandoned the thought of rashly understanding how hurt and anxious that young child’s heart must have been.

He just felt sorry.

“Learning Martial arts that suits you… and helping others….”

Namgung Hyun’s voice was tinged with moisture.

“How could you not be a great martial artist?”

He conveyed the words he had kept in his heart for years to his niece.

Hoping that these words would soothe his niece’s wounds even a little….

“I heard that Soyeon has outstanding Martial arts talent.”

But it did not reach Soyou.

Soyou’s face did not change at all, even with her uncle’s comfort.

“…They say she was quick to crawl and quick to speak… but we don’t know yet.”

“Since her birthday has passed, she’ll be learning Martial arts soon, right?”

“Yes, that’s the plan.”

“Another person with outstanding talent has emerged in the great Namgung Clan, so it will be a great blessing for the Namgung Clan. Congratulations, Uncle.”

Soyou bowed and said to Namgung Hyun.

Namgung Hyun bit his lower lip.

“Don’t forget that you are also included among those with outstanding talent, Soyou.”

“…I, I don’t know.”

The words that came out of Soyou’s mouth after a long deliberation were negative.