Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Barred from the Armory
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“Young master. Are you really, truly alright?”
Geum Cheomsang looked at Namgung Hyeok with worried eyes from his side.
Namgung Hyeok let out a sigh.
“I’m fine, I told you. How many times do I have to say it?”
“Elixirs must always be taken with the medicine prescribed by the Medicine Hall Leader to neutralize them.”
“I’m fine.”
“Even so, let me at least check your pulse.”
“Does that so-called Medicine Hall Leader even know how to do it properly?”
“Of course! He’s one of the top three physicians in An Hwi Province.”
“Only that?”
“Only? He’s one of the Hundred Great Physicians of the Central Plains!”
“Oh?”
Namgung Hyeok thought for a moment, then nodded.
‘Well, keeping me alive this far proves he has some skill.’
He’d dismissed him as a quack, but the man had surely done his best as Medicine Hall Leader.
If not for Namgung Hyeok himself, no one in the world could cure this Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
“My life hangs on your health, young master…”
“Are you telling lies with that tongue of yours? I was fine even when my leg was broken.”
“Ahem, ahem. That was because there was no time.”
Geum Cheomsang slyly lowered his gaze.
“Uh, you should eat now. I’ve filled the table with all your favorites today.”
“Alright.”
Namgung Hyeok looked at the table. It was covered with greasy, fragrant dishes.
Today, no soups had come in, just in case they might react badly with the Mu Yeong Pill.
Namgung Hyeok picked up his chopsticks.
‘Nice!’
They were carved from wood. Light and comfortable.
And with his meridians slightly unblocked, moving his hand felt just a bit lighter.
Namgung Hyeok picked up some braised meat from the small tray Geum Cheomsang had brought.
Steam rose enticingly, and oily broth dripped down, whetting the appetite.
Crunch!
Namgung Hyeok chewed the meat.
As the flavor hit, his eyes widened.
‘Delicious!’
The juices from the fatty meat mingled with the seasonings, adding a deep umami.
Namgung Hyeok’s chopsticks moved faster.
Crunch! Crunch! Slurp!
The colorful dishes on the table stimulated his appetite.
The flavors teasing his tongue sent shivers up to his scalp.
“Whoaaa.”
He bit into a dumpling and sighed in admiration without realizing it.
“It’s been so long.”
“You had dumplings yesterday too.”
“It’s different from yesterday.”
Very different. Immensely so.
‘No doubt about it.’
The dumplings he’d eaten while hovering on death’s door had felt gritty like chewing sand.
But now, nothing like that.
This was the first proper meal since escaping death.
Even the same dumpling couldn’t taste the same.
Now, everything would taste savory and sweet.
Of course, the food laid out was top-notch to begin with.
Namgung Hyeok rediscovered the joy of his taste buds after so long.
‘At least the food’s to my liking.’
A life of luxury showed in the meals.
Even looking back at his past, he’d rarely eaten this well.
In his youth, he’d warred with the demonic path; in seclusion, he’d fasted for ascension.
‘It was pretty rough.’
Namgung Hyeok tore into a duck leg Geum Cheomsang offered, looking satisfied.
‘Why did I ever give this up?’
He’d attempted ascension six times anyway, food or no food.
The immortals had only coveted his energy and achievements—food had nothing to do with ascension.
“Damn.”
“…Pardon? Is something uncomfortable?”
“Delicious. Got any snacks?”
“Oh, yes! Though not too many.”
“What about candied hawthorns?”
“We have them. If you want, I’ll tell the head chef to make some.”
“Hah, nice. Just say the word and it appears.”
It took time for the elixir, but they’d fetched it right away.
Was this the wealth of the Namgung family?
‘The Sword King has reason to boast.’
The Sword King had often bragged about the family’s riches subtly.
No, he’d boasted openly whenever he could.
Something about a thousand years of history, the experts the family produced…
A smile crept onto Namgung Hyeok’s lips.
‘Shall I make use of that fancy family?’
Might as well do it properly.
Namgung Hyeok grinned as he swiftly unwound the bandages around his leg.
Geum Cheomsang, clearing the table, jumped in fright.
“Young master! What are you doing? You can’t unwrap that! Rewrap it, quick!”
Namgung Hyeok ignored him with one ear and admired his leg after so long.
Wiggle, wiggle.
“Feels good.”
“It doesn’t.”
“I say it does. Why do you care?”
“Your leg couldn’t have healed already! Sigh, now we’ll have to call the Medicine Hall Leader again. The Family Head will scold us if he finds out.”
Geum Cheomsang rushed over and hastily rewrapped the bandages.
“Stay still. Stay… Wait, why is it attached?”
Tap, tap.
He lightly tapped the foot, and a clear sound rang out.
It was perfectly healed, as if it had never been broken.
Just a few days ago, it had been fractured…
‘H-How?’
No matter how many times he checked, it was the same.
The ankle that should have been swollen and dangling was perfectly fine.
Geum Cheomsang blankly alternated between Namgung Hyeok’s face and leg.
Namgung Hyeok shook off his foot and stepped down from the bed.
“Lead the way.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“Where else.”
Namgung Hyeok grinned. Geum Cheomsang suddenly felt a chill.
Sure enough.
“The armory.”
The curt reply made Geum Cheomsang jump.
“Huh? The armory?”
“Yeah, I need to go there.”
“Why the armory!”
“Why go to the armory? To look at the manuals.”
Geum Cheomsang leaped up at Namgung Hyeok’s words.
“No way! You need to rest right now!”
“Did I commit a crime? Why the fuss?”
“Absolutely not. The armory? No way in your condition.”
Namgung Hyeok gave Geum Cheomsang a bored look.
“So? You guiding me or not?”
Geum Cheomsang shook his head vigorously.
“No. Absolutely not. Even if a sword’s at my neck… Uh, where are you going?”
Namgung Hyeok snorted and brushed past Geum Cheomsang.
“I’ll find the way. Don’t follow if you don’t want.”
“But it’s pointless anyway!”
“We’ll see.”
Namgung Hyeok stubbornly headed out.
Geum Cheomsang said urgently.
“I’m telling you, it’s no use! I warned you!”
“Shut it. Clean the teacups.”
With that, Namgung Hyeok left.
* * *
Arriving at his destination, Namgung Hyeok’s eyes widened.
‘This is the armory?’
A grand four-story hall towered imposingly.
The blue-tiled roof and high walls rivaled a major estate.
For some reason, Geum Cheomsang—who had seemed ready to chase after him—had let him go.
Thanks to that, he’d easily found the armory.
It was almost exactly as the Sword King had bragged endlessly about.
‘Nothing he boasted about was exaggerated.’
The Sword King’s bragging wasn’t empty.
- Let me explain the long history of the main house…
- Say it again and you’re dead?
- …Then, have I explained the armory?
- The armory?
- Yes. The long history of the main house… Ahem, it all began with the Azure Heaven Armory. A thousand years of history lies within. I call it the heart of the family.
‘Azure Heaven Armory.’
The Azure Heaven Armory held manuals for the Namgung bloodline.
A smirk played on Namgung Hyeok’s lips.
‘Sword King, I’ll put it to good use.’
If it was worth boasting about, it had to be impressive. The guy had some pride as a warrior.
A few decent orthodox arts would let him build on his insights and create new ones in no time.
Namgung Hyeok headed toward the Azure Heaven Armory.
Security was tight.
The guards looked competent.
The type who could throw their weight around a bit in the martial world.
Namgung Hyeok chuckled and approached them confidently.
“Mind if I browse the armory?”
“Gasp! Second Young Master!”
The guards spotted him and panicked.
“You can’t come here.”
“Why not?”
“It’ll harm your health! Back to your room! Now.”
“I just want a quick look.”
“No, absolutely not! The Family Head strictly forbade entry!”
The guard blocked him firmly.
Worried tone, but blatant overprotection.
Namgung Hyeok had come prepared with smooth words.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m perfectly healthy now. See?”
He lifted his right foot and hopped to prove it.
“See? All good. Carry on.”
He lightly sidestepped the guard to enter.
“Sorry.”
“Yeah, no need to apologize. Just step aside…”
“It’s the Family Head’s order, Second Young Master!”
The hesitant guard steeled himself and charged at Namgung Hyeok.
“H-Hey! What the—?”
A sneak attack?
On me, the second son?
As he stood dumbfounded, the guard hoisted him up and slung him over his shoulder.
“Huh?”
Namgung Hyeok, draped like a feather, went blank.
It was so absurd he didn’t know how to react.
Just ridiculous.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
The guard ran.
Namgung Hyeok’s head bobbed to the rhythm.
‘…What the hell.’
Dangling over someone’s shoulder like this.
Me, Hahou Ying?
Namgung Hyeok stared incredulously at the receding Azure Heaven Armory.
‘…What kind of humiliation is this?’
A mix of emptiness and absurdity showed on his face.
Thud.
“…”
Namgung Hyeok sat on his bed, somehow back already, staring at the door.
The guard’s back vanished quickly.
A brief silence fell.
Namgung Hyeok rubbed his face with his palm.
“…Carried me back.”
A fresh experience.
Too fresh for words.
Geum Cheomsang calmly set out teacups in the corner, as if he’d expected it.
Namgung Hyeok muttered with a hollow laugh.
“Didn’t expect them to block me like this.”
Wol Dam aside, he hadn’t thought the family would stop their own second son from the armory.
Like stopping a merchant’s son from bargaining or a scholar’s from studying.
And so thoroughly?
He couldn’t let it slide.
He needed to make clear who he was.
The surest way to escape overprotection: show his strength.
“I’ll break right through.”
Subdue the guards and march in proudly.
What could they do once he was inside?
Even if dragged out, he could grab a manual first.
Namgung Hyeok headed out again for the Azure Heaven Armory.
He spotted the guard who’d carried him.
“Hey!”
“Eek! Second Young Master! What are you doing back here?”
The guard looked flustered.
Namgung Hyeok strode forward confidently.
He stood tall before the guard.
Just as he circulated the Clear Bright Heart Technique once to seize the initiative.
Guards poured out of the Azure Heaven Armory, surrounding him.
“…A group beatdown?”
Namgung Hyeok panicked at the unplanned scenario.
He hadn’t expected this.
‘Isn’t this too much for a patient?’
Martial honor had fallen to the dirt.
Damn righteous sect bastards—always relying on numbers, past and present!
Namgung Hyeok scowled at the guards.
They reached out hesitantly, unsure.
Tension like handling expensive porcelain.
“Oh dear, young master!”
“Young master, we’ll get in trouble if you stay!”
“What are you doing? Move!”
“Careful not to hurt him!”
The guards swarmed.
They swiftly and precisely grabbed his limbs, one each.
Their eerily coordinated moves left Namgung Hyeok’s jaw dropping.
“Uh…”
This wasn’t it?
The guards hoisted his limbs and dashed forward vigorously.
Dust trailed behind them.
Namgung Hyeok, held high in their arms, stared blankly at the sky.
This time, not the ceiling—real sky.
Puffy clouds in the blue expanse rushed by swiftly.
In a blink, they reached his quarters.
Bang!
Thud!
Back on the bed, Namgung Hyeok stared blankly, speechless.
The guards bowed.
“Sorry, young master.”
“We’ll be off then!”
“We reported to the Family Head, so don’t worry!”
…That’s the problem.
Namgung Hyeok watched the guards flee in dismay.
“…I’m screwed.”
Namgung Jangcheon would make things annoying.
“I told you not to go.”
Geum Cheomsang brought tea, clicking his tongue. Namgung Hyeok’s brow furrowed.
“Did you really not know you’d be turned away at the door?”
“Thanks for telling me now.”
“I thought you knew.”
“If you thought it was obvious, you should’ve said it twice. It’s important.”
“Uh… you’re right. Wow.”
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue lightly at Geum Cheomsang’s admiration.
“Wonder why you haven’t been fired yet.”
“Hehe. It’s all about reading the room…”
“If you read the room, you’d know you’re about to get hit?”
“…”
Geum Cheomsang shut up and poured the tea.
Glug, glug—the fragrant brew filled the cup.
The aroma cleared his mind.
“Don’t you know martial arts? Don’t young masters’ attendants usually train?”
“Hehe, I don’t fight.”
“Impressive.”
Namgung Hyeok chuckled dryly, and Geum Cheomsang replied proudly.
“If I could beat the Azure Heaven Armory guards with martial arts, I wouldn’t be attending here. I’d join the Heavenly Palace Sword Brigade. And why fight family?”
…Fair point.
Namgung Hyeok sipped his tea and gazed out the window.
Beyond, the blue roof of the Azure Heaven Armory came into view.
‘Can’t get in through the front gate, huh?’
The guards pounced the moment they saw him and hauled him back—so front gate was out.
But who said entry had to be through a door?
‘I’ll bust through a wall if I have to.’
Namgung Hyeok gulped down the tea.
The scalding liquid burned his throat.
“Ow, hot! Why’s the tea so hot?!”
“…You have to blow on it, hehe.”
Geum Cheomsang demonstrated.
Namgung Hyeok glared, then blew.
“Hiss. Fwoo, fwoo.”