Chapter 261: Anhui (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 261: Anhui (2)
Anhui.
As I mentioned before, this is a place I visited in my past life.
The Anhui Palace was in no way inferior to Henan, especially since it was the home of the Namgung Clan.
Back then, I never had much reason to come here, and whenever I did, it lacked the vibrant energy it possesses now.
During the era when the Heavenly Demon brought calamity to the world, Anhui was laid to waste by the sword of a single woman.
To put it bluntly, Anhui was practically a wasteland at that time.
The very symbol of the noble clans and the guardian of Anhui was utterly erased from existence by one person. Those who barely survived eventually succumbed to the Heavenly Demon.
Because of this, the people of Anhui were forced to flee to Shaolin and Henan alongside the Murim Alliance.
It’s so different now.
The reason was obvious.
The calamity hadn't happened yet, and Namgung Bi-ah remained unchanged.
The number of buildings and people I saw through the carriage window was incomparable to Shanxi.
To be fair, comparing the Namgung Clan of Anhui to the Gu Clan of Shanxi was an unfair contest from the start.
As I continued to gaze outside, Moyong Hi-ah, seated beside me, whispered softly,
“This place is just as I remember.”
“Have you been here often?”
“Not often, but a few times…?”
It felt a bit strange for me to be asking her if she visited frequently.
Comparing the two, the Moyong Clan wasn't far behind the Namgung Clan in stature.
Now that I think about it, it's really the Gu Clan that seems a bit impoverished next to these powerhouses.
This wasn't just a visual impression; it was the stark reality.
If not for Lady Mi's efforts, the streets of Shanxi wouldn't be as well-maintained as they are.
Which makes it even harder for me to understand.
The engagement between the Namgung and Gu Clans.
Why?
I've pondered this countless times, but I still can't comprehend why the great Namgung Clan would choose the Gu Clan out of all the others.
My reputation only began to spread after the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament, but my engagement to Namgung Bi-ah was arranged long before that. This means the engagement had nothing to do with my fame.
What did the Second El- …no, the First Elder do to make this happen?
I heard that the First Elder personally visited the Namgung Clan and spoke with their elders.
Even after turning it over in my mind a hundred times, it makes no sense.
What kind of trickery did that old man pull off?
I didn't pay it much mind in the past, but now that I think about it, the First Elder was a truly peculiar individual.
For an Elder, he never seemed to do anything particularly special. He often wandered outside the clan and wasn't assigned many internal duties.
For instance, aside from leading Gu Sunmoon, he didn't seem to have any official responsibilities within the clan, unlike the Third and Fourth Elders.
And the people around him are just as weird.
Every single person rumored to be his friend is a monster.
What in the world did he do to befriend such people?
“…Seriously, there isn't a single normal person around him.”
How could he not have one ordinary friend?
“I suppose I'm the only normal one.”
A sigh escaped my lips.
As I shook my head, I felt a peculiar gaze from beside me.
When I turned, I saw both Moyong Hi-ah and Namgung Bi-ah staring at me with strange expressions.
“What?”
“…”
“It’s nothing…”
What’s going on?
Just as I was about to ask why they were looking at me like that,
“We have arrived.”
The driver announced.
After the long journey, we had finally reached the Namgung Clan.
* * *
I recalled my visit to the Tang Clan in Sichuan for the Military Exhibition the year before last.
The Tang Clan I saw then was so vast it dwarfed the Gu Clan, and their extensive lands were filled with beautiful scenery everywhere.
It was as if the Tang Clan was openly proclaiming their status as one of the Four Great Noble Clans.
Their grandeur was built upon the foundation laid by their ancestors.
The only clan that could rival them was the Namgung Clan, the central pillar of the Four Noble Clans.
It’s disgustingly huge.
After alighting from the carriage, I waited by the entrance, and even from here, I could sense the sheer magnitude of the clan's interior.
Comparing it to the Gu Clan was impossible. Furthermore, the Namgung Clan appeared even more refined and imposing than the Tang Clan.
Moreover,
I can feel the sharp pressure from all the way over here.
I could sense a keen, piercing aura emanating from within the clan grounds.
It was the combined presence of countless trained swordsmen.
They really are a clan of the sword.
While I was observing this, Namgung Bi-ah was dozing off despite having just gotten out of the carriage.
Is this girl hibernating year-round?
It genuinely seemed like she did nothing but eat, sleep, and train.
She always appeared exhausted.
“Wake up.”
As I repeatedly shook Namgung Bi-ah to rouse her, Moyong Hi-ah approached and whispered to me.
“I'll be taking my leave first, Young Master.”
“Hmm? You're going?”
“Yes, I have some business to attend to first.”
I knew she had matters to handle in Anhui, but shouldn't she pay her respects to the Namgung Clan first?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Moyong Hi-ah answered as if she'd read it,
“I believe it's more appropriate for me to visit the Namgung Clan later, as your clan's visit takes priority.”
“Understood.”
“I'll return shortly.”
I observed Moyong Hi-ah as she spoke.
I had transferred some of my heat energy to her during the journey, so she should be fine. She most likely will be.
Moyong Hi-ah gave a slight bow, turned, and departed swiftly.
Watching her leave, I thought it might have been more convenient if she had disembarked earlier, given the direction she was headed.
I wondered why she had bothered to come all the way to the Namgung Clan with us in the first place.
After watching Moyong Hi-ah for a moment longer, I turned my attention back to Namgung Bi-ah.
First, I need to wake this girl up—
“Hmm?”
I had been considering giving her a light knock on the head to wake her, but I saw that Namgung Bi-ah's eyes were now wide open.
Her slightly disheveled clothing had been neatly arranged, and her previously drowsy eyes were now perfectly clear. This was strange…
“What’s…”
Just as I was about to check on her, I sensed a presence behind me.
I knew who it was without turning around.
“What are you doing?”
It was my father.
Lady Mi was standing beside him.
Namgung Bi-ah was bowing respectfully to my father and Lady Mi, as if she had known they were approaching.
My father gave a slight, dignified nod in return—a gesture I never witnessed when we were alone, leaving me momentarily surprised.
“Is there a problem?”
“…Not at all. I must have been mistaken.”
Huh, was I the one who was dozing off instead of Namgung Bi-ah?
Maybe it was all a dream.
Though, it had felt very real.
As my father was about to say something to me,
“Your clothes are a mess.”
Lady Mi spoke first.
She approached with light steps and carefully straightened my attire.
“This is an important meeting. Be mindful of your appearance.”
“…Thank you.”
I was taken aback by her unexpected attention.
After finishing with me, Lady Mi's gaze shifted to Namgung Bi-ah.
She was scrutinizing her.
“What a pity. If we had more time, I would have helped you tidy up as well, like I did earlier.”
“…It's quite alright.”
Namgung Bi-ah responded with a faint smile.
I was puzzled at first, but then I remembered that Lady Mi had helped Namgung Bi-ah with her appearance before our departure.
Showing no reaction to Namgung Bi-ah's response, Lady Mi returned to my father's side.
This is so uncomfortable. I feel like I'm going to die…
As this was my first time experiencing such formalities, my stomach churned uneasily.
While I was subtly rubbing my belly to soothe it,
Thud.
A heavy, imposing presence emanated from the main entrance.
He's here.
To others, it might feel threatening, but to me, it brought an odd sense of relief.
This was far better than the stifling discomfort of moments ago.
I turned towards the source of the presence.
In the distance, I could see figures dressed in the same blue robes that Namgung Bi-ah used to wear.
Moreover, I felt a Lightning Qi run down my spine—a sensation I hadn't experienced before.
So he's grown stronger since our last encounter.
The fact that I could perceive his Lightning Qi meant my own perception had sharpened, bringing me closer to his level.
From the group approaching us, my eyes locked onto the middle-aged man at the forefront.
He had a cold, almost stern countenance, bearing the distinctive features of the Namgung bloodline.
He was the Lord of the Namgung Clan, the martial artist known as the King of Swords in this generation.
He was Namgung Bi-ah's father, the Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin.
It was him.
“It has been a while, Lord of the Gu Clan.”
Namgung Jin extended his hand, and my father accepted the handshake.
“Indeed, it has been some time.”
“It must have been a long journey to come all this way.”
As he spoke, Namgung Jin observed my father with a peculiar expression.
It seemed as if he were scrutinizing him.
I couldn't quite decipher the reason for that look.
Then,
“You seem to have undergone a change.”
My father said this to Namgung Jin.
A change?
I watched quietly, wondering what was happening, and noticed a subtle shift in Namgung Jin's eyes upon hearing my father's words.
Then, Namgung Jin replied softly,
“…You are as perceptive as ever.”
Ah.
Judging by my father's comment and Namgung Jin's response,
Has he achieved a breakthrough?
It meant that Namgung Jin's Qi had undergone a fundamental transformation.
I hadn't noticed it myself, as I haven't yet reached their level, but my father had clearly sensed it.
Realizing this, I inwardly smirked at myself.
I still have a long way to go. All that talk about getting stronger… what a joke.
I had been pleased, thinking I'd made significant progress because I could feel his Lightning Qi, but this was a stark reminder of the gap that remained.
I'll save the celebration for when I'm not being a fool.
I should be grateful for this reminder of how far I still have to go.
After exchanging greetings with my father and Lady Mi, Namgung Jin's gaze turned toward me.
The moment our eyes met, I bowed my head respectfully.
“I greet the Lord of the great Namgung Clan.”
“…Yes. It is good to see you.”
With so many eyes watching, propriety was essential.
As I bowed, I subtly glanced up to observe Namgung Jin.
He still has a trace of Demonic Qi within him.
The faint Demonic Qi I sensed emanating from Namgung Jin's dantian was the same energy I had implanted, along with a Shackle, when he visited the Gu Clan.
I had placed it there as a precaution, in case the Shackle I applied malfunctioned.
I used only a minuscule amount, ensuring it wouldn't harm his body.
Since the Demonic Qi is still present, the Shackle should also be— …Wait a moment…?
Mid-thought, a sudden question arose.
Now that I think about it, why did I place that Shackle on him?
I wondered what my original reason had been.
“Ah.”
The answer came to me immediately.
There was no way I could have forgotten, especially given our current situation.
The deeply uncomfortable feeling that had been nagging at me finally had a source.
Damn it…
The Shackle on Namgung Jin.
It was placed to prevent him from speaking about what transpired between us, and to stop him from inquiring about my background.
What had happened between me and Namgung Jin?
It was when I taught him the foundational principles of the degraded sword art of the Namgung Clan.
-It’s been a while.
I began to hear Namgung Jin's voice speaking directly into my mind, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
-…I heard you were occupied with matters, but I didn't expect our reunion to take so long.
I swallowed nervously as his voice echoed in my head.
-But I am glad we can meet now.
…Haha.
I'm in deep trouble.
I could sense the profound hope resonating in Namgung Jin's voice.
From his tone, it was clear that the small correction Elder Shin had provided him had yielded immense benefits.
Otherwise, Namgung Jin wouldn't be reacting like this.
He had undoubtedly experienced significant growth from that minor instruction.
Hence, he was now looking at me with eyes full of anticipation.
Haha, I'm screwed.
The problem right now isn't the Shackle or anything else.
Back then, I told Namgung Jin that I would teach him more during our next meeting.
However, I completely forgot about that promise amidst everything that happened since.
I also told him not to bother me afterward.
And now, that "next meeting" was happening.
What should I do?
The Shackle seems to be holding, and the little I taught him clearly helped, but the biggest issue is something else entirely.
…Elder Shin isn't here right now.
Elder Shin, the one who was actually responsible for that teaching, is currently asleep.
That is the most critical problem.
* * *
Somewhere within the vast compounds of the Namgung Clan, the sound of a crowd talking drifted through a window.
It wasn't excessively loud, but to a certain young man, it felt deafening.
Rustle.
He clenched the fabric of his sleeve, rising unsteadily to his feet, and peered out the window.
“…Ah.”
He saw the person standing beside his father.
Crack-
The moment his eyes landed on the young man with the fierce gaze, the young man at the window ground his teeth.
This young man, trembling with barely controlled emotion, froze when his eyes fell upon the woman standing next to the fierce young man.
“Sigh…”
Was it a sigh of admiration, or something else?
The girl's face was more beautiful than ever.
Seeing her bloom into an even more stunning version of herself, the young man spoke, his fingertips trembling.
“…Sister.”
His sister had blossomed, achieving a beauty greater than before.
A full bloom.
Yes, that was her full bloom.
The young man smiled faintly upon seeing her.
Then, in an instant, he spun around, his soft expression twisting into one of sheer madness.
“Shut up…! I’ll handle this myself, so just shut your mouth!”
After screaming furiously, he began to pant heavily.
The young man's words echoed through the room.
However, the problem was that there was no one else in the room besides the young man himself—the Lightning Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun.
After his outburst, Namgung Cheonjun looked out the window once more.
His gaze fixed once again on the direction where his beautiful sister stood.