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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: A Challenge on the Road
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* * *
The evening before their departure for Hwasan.
Seolhwa visited Namgung Cheonghae's pavilion.
“…”
Seolhwa blankly looked around Namgung Cheonghae's room, which was cluttered with books and various other items.
“Ah, right.”
Amidst the messy scenery, Namgung Cheonghae’s appearance was also exceptionally disheveled, unlike before.
His hair was tousled as if he hadn’t tended to it for days, and his clothes were in disarray, sticking out here and there.
He was in such a state that it was hard to recall his previously neat appearance.
“Wait, just a moment.”
Flustered by Seolhwa’s sudden visit, Cheonghae clattered about, trying to clean the room, before giving up with a short sigh.
“If you don’t mind, shall we take a walk?”
“…Yes.”
It seemed he needed the walk more.
The two went outside and headed to the pavilion's backyard. The garden was tidy; it seemed Cheonghae's room was the only place the maids hadn't touched.
As soon as he stepped out, he took a deep breath of the fresh air, his expression looking almost refreshed.
“What were you doing?”
“Hm?”
“Just now. They were all books about mechanisms and formations.”
“…You saw them already.”
“I didn't mean to look.”
“It's fine. What's wrong with seeing them? Haha.”
Cheonghae let out a hearty laugh.
It was a much more relaxed laugh, not too heavy.
“I'm just studying something I’ve wanted to, to my heart's content. I haven't had the leisure to immerse myself in anything for a while.”
The family affairs he had initially helped with little by little had gradually become a burden and a shackle.
He hadn’t started with the intention of becoming the family head, but as he handled the family’s business, those around him praised him as the next candidate to lead the family. Eventually, he found himself trying to live up to those gazes and expectations.
Of course, his wife’s nagging that he must become the family head also played a part.
“Actually, I prefer formations to the sword.”
“I know. And that you’re skilled in them.”
She could never forget the formation Namgung Cheonghae had used at the Cheonmuje.
The marvel of how he made people wander lost on the not-so-large dueling stage with just a few stones.
“So I was thinking of taking this opportunity to work on the family’s formations and mechanisms. I caused great harm to the family, so I thought doing something like that would put my mind at ease.”
The Sega's estate had various formations and mechanisms installed to block intruders and signal danger.
Cheonghae, who had shown a talent for formations since childhood, had managed them for a long time.
After he started taking on the family’s major and minor affairs, he had no choice but to neglect them somewhat, but now he finally had the capacity to look after them again.
What he started to shake off his lethargy was now reviving the forgotten joys of his younger days.
Had there been any opportunity recently to be so engrossed in something?
Cheonghae was enjoying this very moment.
“So… what brings you here this time?”
“…No reason. I was just wondering if you were doing well, Uncle.”
The truth was, she had come because she was worried he might be wallowing in self-blame and doing nothing, with the family now so empty.
‘There was… no need for that.’
He’s stronger than I thought. My uncle.
A curve formed on Seolhwa’s lips.
It was a natural smile, not forced or intentional.
“I’m leaving for Hwasan tomorrow. With Grandfather.”
“Ah, it seems someone from Hwasan has arrived.”
Half a day had passed since their arrival, but Cheonghae had been so absorbed in his work that he hadn't heard the news.
So many changes in such a short time.
“Be careful on your trip. You were in danger last time, weren't you?”
“Grandfather is coming with me. Please take care of the main family while we’re gone.”
Cheonghae nodded.
“Alright.”
“Then.”
Seolhwa gave Cheonghae a deep bow and turned to leave.
Her steps were much lighter than when she had arrived.
“Seolhwa.”
“?”
“Thank you.”
“…”
A cool breeze blew from somewhere.
Though he looked a bit more disheveled than before, Namgung Cheonghae was still a man who suited the cool air.
His smile as he saw her off looked even more relieved than before. In the cool evening air, Cheonghae waved.
Seolhwa bowed deeply to him once more before leaving the pavilion.
* * *
They decided to travel from Anhui to Shaanxi via the official road that passed through the southern part of Henan.
With the family head, Namgung Mucheon, at the lead, the Black Dragon Unit Commander and half of the Black Dragon Unit took the vanguard. The carriage carrying the two Hwasan disciples, Seolhwa, and the head of the Medicine Hall was in the center, and the other half of the Black Dragon Unit followed in the rear.
They had formed the party with minimal personnel to hasten their journey, but as long as they were using a carriage, their speed wasn't very fast.
Yupyo looked at the carriage and sent a telepathic message to Yugang.
- Have you contacted Hwasan?
Yugang glanced at Yupyo, then fixed his gaze forward as if to hide his awkwardness and replied.
- Perhaps… the Namgung family did…?
In fact, they hadn’t. She had told them not to.
Previously, Namgung Seolhwa had come to him and said there was something she absolutely had to do before arriving at Hwasan, so they shouldn't announce their visit in advance. He had agreed.
- So you're not sure.
At his senior brother’s stiff reply, Yugang gulped. Deceiving someone really didn't suit his personality.
The only answer he could manage was.
- I'm not sure either….
He could only swallow his tears inwardly.
Yupyo, after watching Yugang for a moment, spurred his horse and headed to the front.
He couldn't bring himself to ask Namgung Mucheon, so he approached the Black Dragon Unit Commander following behind him.
“Commander.”
“Ah, Daoist. What is it?”
“Did the Namgung Sega perhaps give advance notice to our sect about your planned visit to Hwasan?”
“Hm. Not yet.”
“…Pardon?”
They’ve already entered Henan, and still not yet?
“Isn’t it against etiquette to just show up unannounced like this?”
“Show up unannounced? Anyone hearing that would think our family is planning to attack Hwasan.”
“…”
Yupyo’s grip on the reins tightened.
None other than the Sword Emperor himself was heading to Hwasan, yet they weren't sending any word. If that wasn't an attack, what was?
He couldn’t stand the Namgung’s shameless attitude, acting as if this was perfectly normal.
“In that case, it would be best if I sent a message. When we stop at a village, I'll send a swift letter.”
“Do as you wish.”
“?!”
The Black Dragon Unit Commander’s reaction was surprisingly compliant.
If this was the case, why hadn’t they sent word earlier?
His displeasure and confusion only grew, but it wouldn't be long before Yupyo understood the reason.
* * *
“What in the world are you doing!”
“Senior Brother!”
It had been two days.
The party hadn't stopped in any villages.
After claiming to know a shortcut despite deciding to take the official road, they had been led down an unfamiliar path and had been traveling on deserted roads without a single small village in sight.
The Black Dragon Unit Commander, who was setting up a campfire and tents for the night, turned to look at the fuming Yupyo who had suddenly approached, and Yugang who was trying to stop him.
“Why are you so angry? Is the sleeping arrangement uncomfortable?”
“Do you think this is about the sleeping arrangements! I'm asking what you're doing! Aren't you deliberately avoiding villages so I can't send a letter to my sect!”
The commotion brought out not only the Black Dragon Unit members but also Seolhwa and Choryeon.
The only one who didn't come out was Namgung Mucheon.
“Deliberately avoiding them? Your words are too harsh. Daoist, why do you make me out to be such a deceitful person? I was merely trying to hasten our journey….”
“Enough with the excuses!”
Yupyo drew his sword.
Yugang, startled, tried to stop him, but Yupyo's demeanor showed no intention of backing down.
The Black Dragon Unit members stirred, and the Commander’s expression darkened.
Yupyo pointed his sword at the Black Dragon Unit Commander and shouted.
“What is your true intention for going to Hwasan! If you were truly escorting us, it would be proper to contact Hwasan in advance! Using such deceitful tricks to prevent me from sending a message must mean you have some ulterior motive!”
The Black Dragon Unit members were infuriated by Yupyo’s words.
They were enduring these uncomfortable sleeping arrangements solely to protect the two Daoists from Hwasan, and he accuses them of having ulterior motives!
Furthermore, the sight of him raising his sword against their unit's commander provoked the Black Dragon Unit members.
The Black Dragon Unit Commander glanced at Seolhwa, who was mixed in the chaotic situation with a calm expression.
Seolhwa, feeling his gaze, gave a small nod.
The Black Dragon Unit Commander raised a hand to calm his men, who looked ready to draw their swords at any moment.
“It seems Daoist Yupyo has greatly misunderstood. There are truly no impure intentions. However, it seems you won't listen to my words. So, how about this?”
“What trick are you trying to pull now…!”
“If you can defeat me in a spar right here, I promise we will divert our path tomorrow to stop at a village. However, using swords would be too serious, so let's use our palms instead.”
“Palms?”
“Just one hand. A light spar. How about it? Ah, are your palm techniques on the weaker side?”
It was a blatant provocation, but the commander’s words struck Yupyo’s pride.
Yupyo sheathed his sword and handed it to Yugang.
“It is the Namgung Sega whose palm techniques are weak, not Hwasan.”
He had heard that the Namgung were strong with the sword, but he had never heard that their palm techniques were strong.
In contrast, while Hwasan was also a sword sect, it was a sect among sects with a deep history.
‘Countless martial arts manuals with a history incomparable to a mere Sega are piled up in Hwasan!’
And among them were peerless palm techniques.
It was just that Hwasan’s swordsmanship was so brilliant and powerful that it was better known for its sword.
“You will regret this.”
The two men stood facing each other, one hand behind their back, the other in a ready stance.
