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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Chapter 47
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“Hmm…”
Nohun was in a difficult spot.
‘I must quickly find the Daehwandan and return to the main sect…’
It had already been two days since he arrived at Namgung, but he hadn’t even found the Daehwandan, let alone the child who had taken it.
He had expected a grand banquet, thinking they would be celebrating finding the child after eight years.
‘Not a banquet, but closed-door cultivation?’
“Why on earth would they enter closed-door cultivation at a time like this…?”
“It’s probably because of that child.”
“…?”
Nohun turned his gaze from the tree beyond the window and looked behind him.
Yugang was standing there, his arms full of something, munching away, having entered without him noticing.
Nohun frowned deeply.
“What is that? And what do you mean, ‘because of that child’?”
Yugang held out what he was holding and said brightly,
“It’s snacks. I told a maid I was hungry, and she brought them! Hehe. These rice cakes are so chewy and delicious! Would you like some, Master?”
“…No. Just finish your story.”
“My story? Oh.”
Yugang put the remaining piece of rice cake into his mouth and chewed, recalling the past.
He remembered examining the child’s meridians, wondering if she had been poisoned.
“That child’s meridians were very chaotic.”
“Who is that child?”
“The Namgung Young Lady.”
“How do you know the Namgung Young Lady’s meridians?”
“That’s not what’s important! They were chaotic, I tell you! I’ve never seen such complex meridians before!”
Though something was clearly amiss, it was an intriguing story, so Nohun decided to let it pass.
“Chaotic, you say. Tell me in more detail.”
“There were very complex energies mixed together. At least three different energies. One felt extremely unpleasant, and two of them were clear.”
Yugang exclaimed, “Ah!” and raised a finger.
There was a speck of rice cake on his fingertip.
“None of the three energies were that child’s own.”
“They weren’t the child’s energies…?”
“Yes. It was like a single bowl of water with other things poured into it.”
“Hmm…”
Nohun stroked his chin with a serious expression.
The reason Yugang was more outstanding than other children his age was his sensitivity to qi.
Even when cultivating with the same internal martial art, he accumulated more internal energy than other children, and his ability to wield internal energy was also exceptional.
If asked how he did it…
‘You just whoosh! And then swoosh! And then whoosh-whoosh! And it’s done!’
…That was the problem with his absurd answers.
Nevertheless, his sensitivity to the flow of qi was undeniable. So, this was not something to be easily dismissed.
“Was there anything among them that resembled Shaolin’s cultivation?”
Yugang subtly furrowed his brow.
“Shaolin’s… cultivation, you say?”
“Yes.”
Nohun waited for his answer with a tense expression.
Yugang knew nothing about the Daehwandan. So, he must be wondering why Shaolin was suddenly brought up…
‘If Shaolin’s cultivation was in that child’s body, then the Daehwandan must already be…’
“Shaolin’s cultivation, you mean…”
Gulp.
Yugang, who had been looking serious, tilted his head.
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen Shaolin’s cultivation, so how would I know?”
Nohun smacked his own forehead.
He had to restrain himself from smacking Yugang’s forehead.
“Then why are you agonizing over it! If you don’t know, just say you don’t know!”
“Master asked it so naturally that I thought I was supposed to know.”
“Enough, enough.”
Nohun waved his hand.
“What more could I expect from you?”
“You always say that, but you always expect things.”
“Get out! Why are you in someone else’s room without permission?”
“I came to share some snacks. Would you like some?”
“No!”
“Then I’ll leave a few! Eat them when you get hungry!”
Despite being told no, Yugang insisted on leaving some rice cakes and traditional sweets on the table before leaving the room.
Nohun felt like he had aged ten years watching his disciple, who was happily wandering around, oblivious to his master’s worries.
Knock. Knock.
“I told you to scram!”
“Elder, it’s Yupyo.”
Nohun quickly composed himself, clearing his throat.
“Come in.”
Soon, Yupyo entered.
Yupyo glanced at the table and said,
“Yugang was here.”
“How did you know?”
“He just finished bragging to me about them. He didn’t share any with me, though. He truly cherishes his master, doesn’t he?”
It was well-known within the Hwasanpa that Yugang followed his master, Nohun, diligently.
While every disciple cherishes their master, Yugang’s boisterous personality made their somewhat humorous and rough relationship famous.
“He’s nothing but a headache. So, why have you come?”
“I ran into the Second Young Master of Namgung while taking a walk for some fresh air.”
“Second Young Master?”
The Second Young Master of Namgung…
“Isn’t that Namgung Cheonghae?”
“That’s right. As I heard, he seemed more like a scholar than a martial artist. He had a calm and cold demeanor.”
“Appearances can be deceiving. I hear the young masters of Namgung are also excellent in martial arts, so be careful not to make any careless remarks.”
“…Yes.”
“So. You met the Second Young Master, but why have you come to me?”
“He asked if we would be willing to join him for dinner. He said he would send a maid at the appointed time.”
“The Second Young Master?”
Namgung Cheongun, the father of the child who took the Daehwandan, hadn’t shown his face since their first meeting.
But the Second Young Master, Namgung Cheonghae, invited them to dinner?
‘He must be trying to forge a connection with Hwasan.’
Martial arts families had long desired exchanges with the sects.
However, the sects did not acknowledge the martial arts of the families, leading to repeated failures.
Given that they had personally visited Namgung in such circumstances.
‘His intentions are clear, but it would be good to meet him.’
At this rate, they might return without discovering anything.
It was better to try every possible avenue than that.
“Very well. Let’s do that.”
Yupyo’s expression subtly stiffened.
“…You intend to accept?”
“Why not? We have time to spare. Tell Yugang to prepare as well.”
“…Yes.”
* * *
Namgung Cheonghae’s pavilion, like its owner, gave off a calm and neat impression.
The garden too, only had evergreens planted, and every single one was neatly trimmed without a single messy branch.
Passing through the meticulously arranged garden, almost to the point of obsession, the three were guided to the room where dinner was prepared.
“Welcome. I am Namgung Cheonghae, the Second Young Master of Namgung.”
“I am Nohun of Hwasan.”
“I am Yupyo.”
“I am Yugang.”
As they already knew each other’s names and titles, brief greetings were exchanged before they sat around the table.
Besides them, there were three other people at the table.
“These are my wife and children.”
“I am Yeon Soran.”
“I am Namgung Soryong.”
“I am Namgung Ung.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Though they were unexpected guests, Nohun did not show the slightest hint of displeasure.
Namgung Cheonghae placed a hand on Soryong’s shoulder and said,
“The Young Daoist Master who came with the Maehwasingeom seems to be of a similar age to my Soryong. If it’s alright, would you be willing to teach Soryong during your stay in Namgung?”
“Similar age, you say…”
Nohun looked back at Yugang.
However, Yugang was oblivious that they were talking about him, only staring intently at the food on the table.
“Ahem, ahem!”
When Nohun cleared his throat, Yugang finally turned his gaze.
“…?”
Namgung Cheonghae let out an awkward laugh.
“Haha, it seems the Young Daoist Master is quite hungry. Let’s eat and talk.”
Yugang stared intently at Nohun with a burdensome gaze.
Nohun felt a throbbing headache and picked up his chopsticks. As if on cue, Yugang put a large piece of meat into his mouth.
“It tastes absolutely delicious!”
“Haha. I’m glad you find Namgung’s food to your liking.”
He had intended to introduce Soryong, but Yugang’s distraction by the food had led to an awkward situation.
To repeat himself, Yugang was already happily eating, so it was doubtful if he would even hear it.
How embarrassing would it be to be ignored twice?
Cheonghae smiled awkwardly and lowered his arm.
In the end, Nohun, seeing this, let out a short sigh and stepped forward.
“I am grateful for Young Master Yi’s consideration. Yugang, too, has been bored without peers, so it would be good for them to exchange swords when time permits. Yugang, what do you say?”
This time, Yugang heard him.
Holding his chopsticks, Yugang performed a Pokwon and said with a bright expression,
“This humble Taoist is happy to! I’ve always wanted to cross swords with the Sword of Changcheon… Ack! Why did you hit me?”
“Do you think a sacred martial arts duel is a street brawl, you good-for-nothing! Ahem! This child has lived cooped up in the mountains, so his manners are unrefined. I hope you will be understanding.”
“Haha, it’s quite alright. He’s refreshingly uninhibited. Then, I will arrange a meeting soon. Haha.”
Looking at Yugang, who was clutching his head in pain from across the food, Soryong stifled a quiet scoff.
‘They say he’s the youngest Maehwa 검수, but isn’t he just an idiot?’
Does Hwasan, being a mountain, only have weeds to eat?
Why is he so obsessed with food, practically drooling?
‘I had high expectations for a great sect. How crude.’
Surely, his title as the youngest Maehwa 검수 must be an empty reputation. The sword wielded by such a fool would be obvious.
To eagerly accept a duel without knowing anything.
‘Stupid country bumpkin. I’ll show him a thing or two.’
Though the duel hadn’t even properly begun, a victorious smile had already appeared on Soryong’s lips.
