Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Taking the Past as a Mirror -2
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Tadak. Tak.
Sparks flew from the campfire. The flickering flames lit up the pitch-black night with a crimson glow. As the warmth spread outward, the firewood gradually burned down and weakened.
The firelight brushed across their faces.
Humans can reflect on themselves through the principles of all things in heaven and earth. This campfire was the same. It burned itself to illuminate the world, mirroring the ambitions of the man before it.
Don't all martial artists dream of achieving great feats that echo through history, leaving their names for generations to come? In that sense, sorcerers had a pitiful lot.
Even if they made a name for themselves through sorcery, they rarely gained fame commensurate with their efforts.
It was because of the era's strong negative sentiment toward sorcery. The rampages of the Blood Cult's demonic heads had played a major role in spreading that prejudice.
Until recently, if a renowned elder wrote a single talisman before leaving, people treasured it, believing it would ward off evil spirits. But now, at the slightest thing, it was "You bastard, using evil sorcery!" followed by a crackdown.
Thus, truly pure-hearted and refined Daoists retreated to the mountains to cultivate their own paths, while wicked sorcerers sneaked into city chicken coops to drain blood and got beaten to a pulp by the masses.
Even as a member of the illustrious Nangong Clan of the Central Plains, they had never seen a true Daoist who could summon storm clouds with a flick of the wrist or light a fire effortlessly with a mere twig.
All the more so if that Daoist was a blue-eyed foreigner from the distant Western Regions.
The Nangong clansmen sat around the fire, each harboring their own thoughts as they eyed Enbus. Nangong Bae, the highest-ranking escort leader among them, regarded the young Daoist with particular suspicion.
They had been ambushed by Demonic Cult remnants despite traveling a safe route. His vigilance was at an all-time high.
The key figure on this journey was none other than Nangong Myeong, the third son of the Nangong Clan head, Nangong Chaegong. As a direct descendant whom the head doted on especially, he was worth protecting with one's life.
Saving the Nangong bloodline from the Demonic Cult's attack was a great favor, but until they knew his true intentions, they had no choice but to view him warily.
What if it was a staged play to deceive them, infiltrate the clan under false pretenses of gratitude?
"...What are you staring at? Is there something on my face?"
"Ahem... No."
From Enbus's perspective, he just wondered why this uncle was glaring at him so fiercely.
On the other hand, the young direct descendant Nangong Myeong suppressed his age-appropriate curiosity with maturity beyond his years.
"Wow! How did you do that? I heard the state where fire emerges from your hands is called Samadhi True Fire—is that the realm you've attained, Daoist? If you can summon storm clouds, can you ride a propitious cloud and fly through the skies too?"
Such a barrage of questions would embarrass everyone and tarnish the Nangong Clan's dignity, so he clamped his mouth shut in a firm line and endured.
Instead, hoping to read something from him, he stared at Enbus with sparkling eyes.
Unable to bear the subtle silence, Enbus spoke first.
"...Um, may I introduce myself?"
"Wow! Ah, of course, Great Hero! We've been remiss in our greetings too."
"My apologies. We are kin bearing the blood of the Nangong Clan. I am Nangong Bae, and this young master here is..."
"I am Nangong Myeong, Great Hero."
Nangong Myeong offered a formal salute with clasped fists. Enbus returned the gesture.
His movements weren't awkward. After learning basic martial etiquette from a beggar, he'd practiced dozens of times in front of a mirror.
"My name is Enbus Redburn."
"........."
The Nangong martial artists fell silent as if acupoints-struck by the tongue-rolling English pronunciation that pierced their guards, then began murmuring.
"On-bo-su?"
"Sounded like An-bo-sun to me."
"Wasn't it close to Wae-ban-seo?"
"Western speech is so tricky..."
The Nangong warriors whispered among themselves via transmission. Why bother memorizing a barbarian name when they could just call him Daoist? No need to remember it— if lightning struck his skull, it wasn't their fault.
In the meantime, the boy Nangong Myeong asked the Western Daoist,
"A name is bestowed by heaven, so mispronouncing it would be a grave discourtesy, I think. If it's not too rude... may I create a nickname for you, Daoist?"
"If it's hard to say, go ahead and make one."
"Your eyes shine like the autumn sky, so I'll call you Azure Glow. What do you think?"
"I like it. Feel free to call me Azure Glow."
"Yes! Daoist Azure Glow."
Nangong Myeong beamed, delighted that his idea had been accepted. How could he not be happy that such an accomplished Daoist would use a name he'd coined?
Thanks to this, Enbus had acquired a name to use in the martial world.
Distinguishing people was simple.
In a fantasy world where hair came in all colors of the rainbow, just memorizing hair and eye colors prevented mix-ups. Enbus relied on that method too.
Purple hair: Luna. Red hair: Selvia. Gray hair: Bennett...
But this was the harsh Central Plains. Without exotic martial arts, default hair was pitch black. That one black, that one black too. Honestly, Enbus felt a bit dizzy.
So he needed another way to differentiate them.
The tiniest boy was Nangong Myeong, third and youngest son of the Nangong Clan head. Lively and bright by nature, but he suppressed it with poise. A smart kid.
The one who seemed the strongest in martial arts was Nangong Bae. A collateral relative, he'd heard. Collateral meant born from a concubine. Overall, he looked burly and rugged.
The other two warriors were Nangong Ho and Nangong Seop—he just memorized the taller one as Ho.
He decided not to correct their assumption that he was something like a sorcerer. A beggar had told him to hide thirty percent of one's strength in the martial world—better to masquerade as a rear-guard support then.
From their reactions, mages seemed rare here. At least Nangong Myeong was hugely curious about them. So Enbus figured he'd play the Daoist role.
Not sure if he could pull it off, though...
Fortunately, Nangong Myeong was sharp enough to know asking a Daoist for his secrets was as rude as quizzing a martial artist on their techniques.
So no awkward questions like "Read my heavenly secrets" or "Teach me to summon clouds."
Instead, he asked roundabout questions bit by bit.
"Why did you come to the Central Plains, Daoist Azure Glow?"
"Well... to fulfill a favor for an acquaintance. And I have a personal interest in martial arts, so... here I am."
"You study martial arts too, Daoist? I heard scholars who wield brushes hate moving their bodies, so I thought you might be the same. My knowledge was shallow!"
"Hm."
He'd once suggested training martial arts together to Selvia. She'd countered by asking if he'd tackle trigonometry with her, and he'd quietly backed off.
Thinking of the mages in his classes, they all seemed far from athletic. They preferred seated research over physical exertion.
"You're right. The Daoists where I come from... most prefer sitting and studying."
"But not you, Daoist Azure Glow! That's good. A healthy body houses a healthy mind, so it must aid your sorcery too!"
"Mages do have weird personalities..."
Indeed!
Enbus felt he'd found the answer to mages' prickly natures from his chat with Nangong Myeong. Even warm-hearted Selvia, who packed scrolls for traveling friends, occasionally showed a rough side.
The mad illusion magic professor or Alejandro, the elemental magic lecturer, clearly had something off about them.
Was it the lack of a healthy body...!
Enbus thought to himself. Even if Selvia hated it, helping her exercise a bit was what friends did, right? And she'd given him scrolls and magic tools in return.
Repay favors—that's what he'd learned.
[Member-nim, why didn't you show up today? : Out to wreck Selvia's muscles and turn favor into grudge]
As they chatted idly, Nangong Myeong tossed fresh branches into the fire and got to the point. To him, this was a fated encounter; bringing the Daoist along would smooth things over.
"I've promised recompense in the Nangong name, and in eight days, my father's— the Clan Head's—birthday banquet will be held. If possible, I'd love to invite Daoist Azure Glow to our clan..."
"Myeong-ah, didn't the Daoist say he has his own goals? We'll settle with the jewels we have and plan for next time."
But adults and children saw things differently. Nangong Bae politely suggested paying him off and sending him away rather than bringing an outsider home. Azure Glow still seemed fishy no matter how you sliced it.
Rescuing them at just the right moment was suspicious enough, but closer inspection doubled the doubts.
This was a body trained in martial arts.
Beneath the exotic Western garb, he could make out defined muscles. His steps and gestures were far from a Daoist or scholar's.
The sorcery was undeniable—they'd witnessed it.
But a high-level sorcerer practicing martial arts as a hobby? Too dubious. When certainty eluded you, distrust was the safe choice.
Thus, Nangong Bae tried to shoo Azure Glow away. However.
Nangong Myeong was clever, but not clever enough to catch noble lady euphemisms. That skill came only with seasoned years.
"Uncle, you're aware of the terrifying rumors around Anhwisung, right? Ghosts snatching children, the commoners' wails unending— isn't that why my brother summoned Daoists?"
"...Myeong-ah."
"But there are con artists among them, they say. I don't doubt Brother's judgment, but preparation is ever better. We've seen Daoist Azure Glow's power with our own eyes. Bringing a proven master would be greatly beneficial overall, and since I've made a promise, to repay the life debt— Fine."
"Enough, enough! I get it, your uncle understands perfectly, so cut it short."
The atmosphere grew awkward from the boy's oblivious chatterbox mode.
"...Well, Daoist Azure Glow, traveling with total strangers for the first time might give you pause, right?"
"Ah, no, I'm fine. I'd gladly accept the invitation."
"...In that case. The Nangong Clan will welcome you as Young Master Myeong's guest."
In the end, they accepted Enbus as a guest.
Da-kak-da-kak. Horse hooves drummed rhythmically against the ground. Inside the carriage, Nangong Myeong and Enbus chatted nonstop, mostly the boy talking.
His words carried the liveliness of his age alongside precise logic, making for pleasant listening. Enbus learned much about the Nangong Clan.
The Nangong Clan was a gathering of those sharing the Nangong surname, mainly training in swordsmanship. One of the top sects in the vast rivers and lakes.
There was an amusing tale about that—the clan's founding ancestor.
"Our ancestor cleaved the heavens with a single sword!"
"Cleave the heavens...?"
"Yes! And in the clan's secret repository, traces of his sword scar remain... Ah! I see buildings. That's the Nangong Clan!"
Da-ga-dak. Dak.
As fresh winds blew, smiles lit the faces of those bearing the Nangong name. Home always stirred the heart—especially after an ambush on the road.
Nangong Myeong's grin nearly reached his ears.
"Daoist Azure Glow, I have one older brother. He's incredibly dashing and admirable!"
"...Weren't you the third son?"
"Yes! The first is my brother, second my sister. My brother earned the moniker Sword Dragon at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament and is also called Heartless Radiant Sword in the world."
"Impressive title."
Enbus smiled at Nangong Myeong. The boy clearly adored his brother. Those sparkling eyes reminded him of his younger self.
The boy Enbus who so idolized Roderus.
A bittersweet ache tugged at his heart. Recalling the past still left questions. Brother, why did you do it?
The palace-like estate drew nearer. At the Nangong Clan's grand gate stood a group in azure uniforms alongside a tall youth in flowing hero robes, standing ramrod straight.
His skin was like fine jade, jawline sharp, physique robust, features handsome enough to steal any woman's heart.
Spotting his brother Nangong Myeong, his eyes widened in surprise and joy.
"Myeong-ah, you're back."
"Brother!"
His first meeting with Heartless Radiant Sword Nangong So.
"........."
Enbus Redburn shuddered with an inexplicable unease.