Chapter 34
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: The Patriarch's Enticement
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Yu Seong-hwan departed for the capital the next day.
He emphasized dozens of times to Nangong Chang-seon to take good care of his son...
And to Yu Hyun, he gave a promissory note from Donggeum Treasury—guaranteed solid and inscribed with a considerable sum—telling him not to feel downhearted but to make good use of it.
It was a stroke of luck for Yu Hyun, who had handed over quite a bit of money to the escort team and had nothing left.
Yu Hyun vehemently refused to let Guard Huang stay behind.
With these formidable members of the Nangong Clan by his side, what need was there for a bodyguard? He insisted Guard Huang should instead escort his father safely to the capital.
In the end, he successfully shook off even Guard Huang.
"You must obey your uncle and devote yourself to training."
"Yes."
Of course. That's only right.
Yu Hyun turned his head several times, waving enthusiastically at his father, who kept looking back with tearful reluctance.
Go on.
...Please stop turning around already.
"......"
No, just go already!
How many times would he look back when they hadn't even traveled a dozen li?
It felt like it took over an incense stick's time just for Yu Seong-hwan's carriage to leave the straight official road connecting the Nangong Clan to the city walls.
But now it was done.
He could escape that clingy father's obsession for a while.
Since his father would be staying in the capital for quite some time, all he needed to do was send occasional letters reporting that all was well.
Only after a long while did Yu Hyun, having finally finished seeing him off, turn to head back inside. But Nangong Chang-seon, who had stayed to bid farewell to Yu Seong-hwan, called him to a halt with an exceedingly solemn expression.
"Hyun-ah."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Come with me."
"......"
Nangong Chang-seon strode ahead with his hands clasped behind his back.
Each step he took, with his back ramrod straight, sent the hem of his robe fluttering in a way that was anything but ordinary.
Truly the bearing of one who had earned the title of absolute master?
As Yu Hyun admired that figure from behind, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
Could it be already?
It had only been a day since he'd declared himself his master, and now he was about to impart teachings?
It was possible.
It was only natural for a master to display his dignity before giving instruction.
Hadn't all six of his own masters done the same?
Showing off their prowess boastfully before teaching, to inspire the utmost eagerness to learn.
A surge of anticipation welled up unbidden.
Just how formidable would the skills be of the one hailed as the Sword King in this era?
Swallowing hard against the pleasant tension gripping his body, Yu Hyun followed behind Nangong Chang-seon.
As they left the Nangong Clan and traversed the long official road, countless people greeted them.
Yu Hyun found it impressive how he returned each greeting one by one, so he trailed along the side paths of the road... and more side paths...
Huh? Why are we going in circles like this?
What was the reason?
Was there some profound meaning in circling the official road like this?
Only after walking for quite some time did the two arrive at Hefei's massive city walls.
The soldiers guarding the towering walls recognized Nangong Chang-seon and saluted as if to a general.
Truly the Nangong Clan.
It had been the same on the official road earlier—this was a glimpse of the influence they wielded in Hefei.
"Let's go up."
"Yes."
As Nangong Chang-seon began ascending the stairs of the wall where the guards had stepped aside, Yu Hyun followed silently with a tense expression.
One of the massive watchtowers built along the walls.
Huh?
He flew.
No—he walked as if flying.
Having mounted the wall, Nangong Chang-seon ascended to the watchtower roof with hands behind his back, as if stairs existed in midair.
Yu Hyun couldn't help but gasp in admiration at his steps, which reached the eaves without the slightest disruption.
Truly the Sword King.
Treading the Void...
The supreme lightness skill pinnacle that stepped through the air alongside Aerial Void Flight—impossible without immense inner power—and he demonstrated it right before him without so much as a change in expression.
Impressive. Even Nangong Seong from his master's days hadn't reached that level.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and come."
Nangong Chang-seon, seated atop the watchtower roof, urged him on.
Thud, patter!
Unable to even imitate such lightness skill, Yu Hyun instead deployed the pinnacle technique he himself could perform.
He couldn't use the Beggars' Sect's.
The opponent was the Sword King, after all.
He'd recognize it instantly, and if asked how he'd learned it, Yu Hyun had no answer.
He stuck strictly to the basics of lightness skill.
The key to pushing off the ground was how one planted the foot, and to leap high, one needed to lighten the body with spirit.
Once airborne, minimize wind resistance, and upon landing, be as light as a falling leaf.
"Hoh!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Nangong Chang-seon's stern face as Yu Hyun leaped onto the watchtower roof.
He stepped off the flagpole without shaking it, vaulted through the air without wobbling.
And the landing?
Not even the sound of overlapping tiles being pressed.
"Haha, your footwork is quite impressive."
"You're too kind."
"No need to be modest. Well done is well done."
"Yes."
Yu Hyun smiled faintly at Nangong Chang-seon's praise.
He now understood where Nangong Seong had learned the mindset he taught him.
People often told martial artists to possess a mind as clear as a mirror and as still as water.
But humans inherently feel joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—how could one control them to draw forth their full power?
Thus, Nangong Seong had said to feel emotions as they came.
When angry, pour that rage into the sword; when joyful, infuse that joy into the sword.
"Stand beside me."
"Yes."
Nangong Chang-seon gazed out beyond the walls from the roof's peak.
Yu Hyun stepped up beside him and looked out with the same gaze.
Vast.
The world beyond the walls filled his view at a glance.
The enormous plain filling his vision stirred an overwhelming emotion.
"Did you see the official road on the way?"
"Yes."
"How many places did I stop to exchange greetings?"
"......"
Caught off-guard by the sudden question, Yu Hyun panicked.
No way—did he circle the road like that, greeting people, to test my observation?
Of all things, I didn't think of that.
A true martial artist must always observe and take in everything...
Yu Hyun-ah, Yu Hyun-ah, you've grown complacent.
As Yu Hyun grimaced in self-reflection, Nangong Chang-seon spoke gently.
"All sixty-four were Nangong Clan shops."
"I'm sorry. Nephew was too dull to take them all in."
"Haha, no need to apologize for that..."
"......"
"They're all owned by the Nangong Clan."
"Yes... yes?"
As Yu Hyun looked up in bewilderment, Nangong Chang-seon smiled warmly.
What?
What did that mean?
Out of nowhere, some talk of assets?
Before Yu Hyun's confusion could clear, Nangong Chang-seon pointed to the plain's left end.
"There—do you see the pavilion built at the foot of those mountains?"
"...Ah, yes."
Upon hearing the reply, Nangong Chang-seon slowly moved his finger to the right.
"Yes, from there... to that far end."
"......"
Nangong Chang-seon's hand swept across the vast plain, stopping where the right mountain ridge ended and met the plain.
"Do you see?"
"Yes, I see it, but how...?"
"It's all Nangong Clan land."
"......"
"Vast, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes, it is."
"Yes. Incredibly vast. Tremendously so. Exceedingly."
"......"
It felt like some Zen riddle.
Yu Hyun racked his brains for an answer, convinced Nangong Chang-seon wouldn't say such things without reason.
"The shops along the official road bring in tens of thousands of taels a year."
"Th-That makes sense."
"Is that all? The grain grown on this plain we're seeing fills the Nangong Clan's granaries enough to last for years."
"Well..."
"What do you think?"
Nangong Chang-seon asked, eyes crinkling in a grin.
What should he say...?
"Haha, you fool. Can't you see what this vast wealth means?"
"...Nephew is too dim to grasp your intent. I'm sorry."
"You rascal. I'm saying a portion of it could be yours."
"Yes?"
Yu Hyun, mid-apology, jerked his head up to stare at Nangong Chang-seon.
Mine?
What nonsense is this?
"Hyun-ah."
"Yes?"
"Just marry Hye-ah, and I'll take responsibility and give you that portion as your betrothal gift."
"......"
"Well? Tempting, isn't it? Right?"
"......"
Yu Hyun stared at Nangong Chang-seon—who was even winking—in utter disbelief.
"Um, Uncle?"
"Yes?"
"Did you come all the way here for this?"
"Haha, what else?"
"So... just to show me this, no other reason?"
"Exactly!"
"Aah..."
Yu Hyun's head drooped limply.
So this was it.
I've got money. Marry my daughter if you want it.
"......"
Yu Hyun let out an involuntary sigh at Nangong Chang-seon grinning expectantly.
Frustrating. So frustrating.
Calling this guy who dragged me here to peddle marriage like a desperate matchmaker the Sword King, the era's absolute master... damn it all.
"Hyun-ah."
"......"
"Hye-ah is..."
Thud! Whoosh!
Yu Hyun had no reason to listen further and leaped straight down from the watchtower.
Crazy old man.
Marriage? What drivel.
As if I have time to worry about that right now.
"Hyun-ah! You rascal! Wait!"
"......"
Yu Hyun sped up at the desperate cries of Nangong Chang-seon chasing after him.
But the opponent was the Sword King.
Damn his lightness skill—why was it so superior?
"You rascal! I'll give it all to you, I swear! I have the authority for that! I'm serious!"
"......"
Caught at last at the official road's end, Yu Hyun looked at Nangong Chang-seon pitifully.
"Sigh, Uncle."
"Yes. Speak."
"I'm not getting married."
"What? Why not!"
"I've told you I have no such thoughts."
"You rascal! I'm saying I'll give it all! Do you know how much that's worth? How many people covet it!"
Yu Hyun shook his head at Nangong Chang-seon, who kept emphasizing regretfully.
Persistent old coot.
Seems awfully stubborn... how to make him give up?
Their relationship made it awkward, but leaving it be would just mean endless hassle.
After much deliberation on his words, Yu Hyun looked at Nangong Chang-seon and spoke.
"Uncle."
"......"
"Do you know nothing about Yu Clan Manor?"
"Hm?"
"You do, right? How much wealth the household has. All of Anpyeong County belongs to Yu Clan Manor. His Majesty the Emperor, who reveres my father immensely, bestows gold and jewels time and again. The transport company, the merchant guild..."
With every word from Yu Hyun, Nangong Chang-seon's taut face wrinkled in real time.
"I'm the eldest son and only child there. Get what I'm saying? When Father passes, it all becomes mine."
"......"
"I'm not even particularly interested in money. So forget the marriage talk."
"......"
"Sheesh, I even explained it all clearly to Brother last time, and you still haven't given up."
"......"
"And here I was, thinking you'd teach me martial arts and got all excited."
Yu Hyun grumbled with a deep sigh and walked off. Nangong Chang-seon stared blankly at his retreating back, looking a full ten years older in an instant.
His first plan: lure Yu Hyun and make him a son-in-law.
...Failed.
He'd overlooked that the boy was born with a diamond spoon surpassing jade or gold.
Then?
"Kehhehe, you think I'll give up, you rascal? I'll make you my son-in-law no matter what."
Nangong Chang-seon quickly steeled his eyes with resolve.
Who was he?
While others hit walls and learned this and that, he had reached his current realm with the sword alone.
Yes—the old man who knew no surrender.
That was him.
"Martial arts... so you're interested in that, eh?"