Winds of Anhui (4)
Namgung Shinyeop, who had finally seized and made his own the sword path and philosophies of martial arts that had swirled through his mind like a storm, one step further advanced, slowly opened his eyes.
"Mm…."
It had clearly been broad daylight, so he couldn't help but be quite startled to see the stars shining in the night sky.
How long was I like this? Then what about the others…?
At that moment, a frail voice addressed him, as if sensing his presence.
"Are you awake?"
"……."
Namgung Shinyeop fell silent for a moment.
Namgung Yeon. His adopted little sister, whom Namgung Gijin had suddenly brought back on a whim. The girl who hadn't learned a single fragment of swordsmanship yet had dared to boast that she would enhance his martial arts. And there she was, right before him.
And she had perfectly kept her word.
Gazing at Yeon for a moment, Namgung Shinyeop lowered his head.
The head of the Namgung family's young master shouldn't bow so easily, so it was only natural for Yeon to try to stop him.
"Why…."
"You went to such lengths for us, and I nearly kicked away that opportunity myself out of my petty pride. Not just for me, but I almost ruined the chance for my brothers too. How could I not apologize?"
"……."
"I'm sorry for having to hold onto these foolish brothers of mine, and thank you. As the young master of Namgung, I won't forget what happened today."
"No."
She wasn't the type to stubbornly refuse food even when it was spoon-fed to her. Thinking about how deficient he must have seemed in Elder Namgung Gijin's eyes, Namgung Shinyeop felt lucky he hadn't been beaten black and blue.
Just then, Namgung Shinyeop's gaze turned to one side.
Namgung Mumu was snoring away, buried under a blanket up to his nose.
"Zzz—."
"…Why the hell is that idiot Mumu sleeping here of all places?"
"He said he'd wait for you to wake up, then fell asleep."
Namgung Shinyeop stared at him with a look that said, What kind of guy is this? before clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. What about the others?"
"Well, the ones who gained enlightenment with you rushed down to test their swords, and the rest followed…."
Namgung Shinyeop, understanding their feelings all too well, smiled faintly and drew his sword from his waist.
He felt the same way himself.
"They ditched the grand master and young master to head down excitedly on their own, and the one who stayed fell asleep."
Namgung Shinyeop looked at Yeon.
"How about it? Won't you watch the swordsmanship I've advanced with the enlightenment you gave me?"
Yeon beamed.
"Of course."
The unusually bright moon that night brightly illuminated a young man dancing his sword dance and the girl watching him from afar.
The sound of sword swings mingled with snoring echoed through the night.
#
"A girl who hasn't learned a single martial art stayed up without sleeping to guard me, and you fell asleep right in front of the grand master lost in trance?"
"……."
"What if I got ambushed? Would it be the same outside? Huh? And you call yourself one of the Cheongan Twelve Swordsmen? Huh? Yeon would suit that position better."
"…I'm sorry. But the other brothers woke up quickly after shaking it off, how was I supposed to know you'd sleep this long—"
"You little shit!"
"Aah! Ack! It hurts! It hurts!"
As Namgung Shinyeop finally clamped down on Namgung Mumu's head, the surrounding Cheongan Twelve Swordsmen shook their heads.
"That guy's gotta get beaten to learn."
"Heh. But brothers, I never thought this would actually work."
"……."
At the excited shout from the youngest, Namgung Muyeong, everyone fell silent.
Because the story of enhancing martial arts through Go had turned out to be true.
And in just one night, no less.
Namgung Mumu, now freed, chuckled and muttered.
"Man. Someone with such an incredible ability would be a talent anyone would want to recruit anywhere, right? Why'd she come to Namgung specifically? What did the elder promise?"
"Hey now. Yeon's already family. What do you mean 'promise'?"
Namgung Mumu snorted at the young master's naive, rigid response, as if oblivious to the ways of the world.
"No, brother. Think about it. Forcing open a warrior's enlightenment is unheard of enough, and in one night? Does that even make sense? No one would believe it without experiencing it."
"…You're right?"
"And anyone who knows it's real wouldn't hesitate to pay a fortune for someone with that ability. The Nine Great Sects or Five Great Families—once they hear, they'd try to kidnap her on the spot."
"Hey. Not everything in the world is about money—."
"Did that girl mix blood with us or something? Come on. It looks like the elder just spotted she wasn't ordinary and snatched her up. Pray to the heavens."
"Pray for what all of a sudden?"
"What do you think happens if she goes to the elder and says we ignored her like a dog and treated her like a crazy bitch?"
"Ignored like a dog and crazy bitch! When did we ever do that?!"
"It depends on who's telling the story. I'm worried she'll say she left because of us."
"……."
Namgung Shinyeop's eyes went blank.
Of course, Yeon had watched his enlightenment and stayed by his side yesterday, but she might harbor resentment inside.
If it were me in her shoes?
Would I have led my brothers to a new realm of enlightenment under suspicious glares?
She might have refused out of disgust. Naturally, Yeon could run to the elder right now and say, "I can't stay with these guys anymore."
As Namgung Shinyeop's face paled, Namgung Mumu added one last jab.
"By the way, did everyone at least say thanks to her?"
"I-I did!"
Namgung Shinyeop shouted hastily, and Namgung Mumu scanned the other brothers who had gained enlightenment.
"What about the rest of you brothers? You didn't? Didn't say thanks and sorry?"
"…W-Well, we went down to consolidate our enlightenment…."
As the flustered brothers mumbled, Namgung Mumu looked to the sky and sighed deeply, as if the earth would cave in.
"Argh. Of all people to help us first, it had to be ones this shameless. If I were Yeon, I'd say I'm done helping from now on."
"……."
"I thought I'd step into the Peak realm too…. Sigh…."
The faces of those who had gained enlightenment first flushed with shame.
They vividly remembered their cold stares and expressions when Yeon had said she could do it and begged them to believe her.
"S-Stop it. We can go now, right? We'll apologize."
"Y-Yeah. I was just about to go anyway."
"Let's all go together."
At those words, they exchanged glances and slowly headed toward Yeon's residence.
Everyone except Mumu.
Namgung Muyeong shouted at Namgung Mumu heading the opposite way.
"This is the way!"
Namgung Mumu turned back with a pitiful look at his senior brothers and shook his head.
"…I'm not as shameless as you lot, so I can't go empty-handed. I'll head to the shops."
"…Ah."
The senior brothers stared blankly at each other before shouting hastily.
"W-Wait… let's go together. I need to buy a gift too."
Even the Peak realm masters who had already gained enlightenment were the same.
They weren't subhuman enough to pretend ignorance with "I've got what I need already."
"Ahem. Shall we go out together?"
"…Yeah. But what do girls like these days?"
"How should I know."
#
Shopkeeper Jang's eyes trembled violently as he stared at the sword-bearing warriors who had suddenly burst into his store.
"P-Pardon?"
"Y'know, shiny things or accessories girls like."
"Ah… aaa! Yes, yes! Of course we have. How about these earrings or necklaces?"
Shopkeeper Jang, who had run a jewelry shop for thirty years, swore he'd never seen Namgung warriors enter his store before today.
And eleven of them, no less.
As the burly Namgung warriors filed in, the shop filled up, and curious onlookers gathered outside, peering in wondering if something had happened.
The warriors seriously pondering tiny earrings and necklaces looked utterly ridiculous, but no one dared laugh.
One of them, glancing around awkwardly, finally sighed deeply.
"…Shopkeeper, recommend something."
"Y-Yes. But who are you gifting to…?"
"Little sister. Around twelve or thirteen. Right?"
"Probably about that age."
"Yes."
"Well… then I recommend these jade earrings and necklace… and this silver hairpin. The craftsmanship is exquisite—"
"No need to explain to us. Just wrap 'em up."
Less than half a gye passed since they entered, and without haggling, the Namgung warriors each took their picks and left. Shopkeeper Jang beamed happily.
In thirty years of business, these were the easiest customers ever.
He prayed that the mysterious little sister would like the items.
Then maybe these rich brothers would return, having boosted his monthly sales in an instant.
"Come again!"
With that sincere farewell, Namgung Shinyeop stepped out and looked around.
"Where'd Mumu go?"
#
Having given up on finding Namgung Mumu, who had vanished without a trace, the remaining eleven—no, ten—of the Cheongan Twelve Swordsmen headed to Yeon.
"Yeon—it's your big brother."
"Ah. Yes. Coming out now… Huh?"
Yeon, who had barely slept after watching over Namgung Shinyeop until dawn and even spectating his swordplay, forced down her fatigue and opened her door.
But.
"What's that?"
The Cheongan Twelve Swordsmen holding small boxes in awkward poses looked utterly ridiculous.
"Uh… well."
"So…"
"Sorry!"
At Namgung Shinyeop's loud apology, the rest shouted "Sorry!" in unison and bowed their heads.
Then they thrust out their hands holding the small boxes simultaneously.
A posture befitting the Namgung name—dignified and precise.
"A gift of apology—take it!"
"Ah…. Haha. But what's this?"
Finally grasping the situation, Yeon covered her mouth and smiled lightly before asking.
"……."
As the others just rolled their eyes without answering, Namgung Shinyeop finally mumbled.
"W-We don't know if you'll like it, but it's women's jewelry. We have no eye for this… not sure if you'll like it."
Click.
Yeon slowly approached, took Namgung Shinyeop's box, and pulled out a small gold necklace, draping it on.
A blue gem in the center added elegance.
"Does it suit me?"
"Uh… y-yeah. It suits you. Perfectly. Right?"
At Yeon's question, Namgung Shinyeop answered hastily and glared at his oblivious brothers.
"Y-Yes! Perfect! Anhui's top beauty was here all along!"
Only then did the other brothers clap and laugh uproariously, but it wasn't exaggeration—the necklace truly suited Yeon perfectly.
Someone with looks can pull off anything, they thought, urging their cute little sister to try their gifts too.
"Yeon, this is a hairpin—"
"No, try this first. This is an earring—"
Thud.
Thump!
"…?"
"What was that?"
The Cheongan Twelve Swordsmen's eyes narrowed at the massive footsteps echoing from the hill path below.
Soon, the source appeared, panting heavily.
"Huff… huff… Damn heavy."
"Mumu?"
"What's that?"
Namgung Mumu, lugging something huge and heavy on his back, stomped over and set it down before Yeon.
It was—
"Yeon. This is made of marble only from Yunnan, carved into a Go board. They say the sound when placing stones is clearer and more resonant than wood, so I bought it."
"…Ah."
"And these Go stones are black and white jade… Huh?"
Namgung Mumu's words cut off abruptly as he caught his breath.
Because Yeon had suddenly grabbed both his hands tightly.
As the flustered Mumu stood dazed, Yeon spoke in a trembling voice.
"This… is the best gift ever. Big brother. Thank you…."
Never imagining she'd like it this much, Namgung Mumu looked stunned before bursting into hearty laughter.
"Wha…? Haha! Hahaha! Of course! How could I be like those thoughtless brothers! Haha! A gift is best when it's what the receiver wants! Hahaha!"
Strutting triumphantly, Namgung Mumu mocked his brothers, but not one dared retort, even in jest.
They all felt how moved Yeon was.
And the gift's effect was undeniable: Yeon's passion ignited, and in the Go game that followed, six more first-rate masters stepped into the entry of Peak realm all at once.
Naturally, this matter was reported to the Namgung family head, Heavenly One Sword Namgung Myeong.