The Sword Belt of Hwangcheon
After withdrawing outside, Uncheon walked the grounds of the estate, running his fingers over the sword belt at his waist.
The texture beneath his fingertips was soft yet firm.
Thankfully, he had obtained a keepsake left behind by the founding ancestor who had established the Chungui Sun Family.
Though two hundred years had passed, it showed not the slightest sign of damage.
And strangely enough, an intangible qi still flowed through the sword belt at his waist.
It seemed to respond to his inner energy, something only he could sense.
Moreover, it suited the Cheongeungeom as if the two had always been a single set.
Hwangcheon, is it…
At either end of the belt's inner face, he could make out the characters for Hwang and Cheon.
They seemed to be the name of the craftsman who had made it.
The atmosphere here is different from the family estate.
Uncheon took his hand from the sword belt and looked around.
People bustled about preparing for tomorrow's banquet, yet the grounds were curiously quiet.
They said there would be quite a few guests.
The Chungui Sun Family was a scholarly house of the Confucian world, yet its renown stood high throughout Anhui Province.
Comparing the two is rather interesting.
Patter-patter!
On his way toward Myeonghwa Pavilion—where his mother had lived before marrying into the Namgung Family—Uncheon heard footsteps rushing up from behind.
"Uncheon oppa!"
Jang Sohwa came running toward him, her face bright.
Similar to Hyemi, yet a little different.
Where Namgung Hyemi was pure and transparent, speaking every thought that crossed her mind, Jang Sohwa was cheerful but did not give her thoughts away so easily.
"Have you been training this whole time?"
"Ah. So you came by earlier and left."
"Yes. They said you were training, so I stepped out. But can martial artists really stay completely still for more than a full shichen?"
"Depends on the person."
"Ah… right."
Jang Sohwa answered awkwardly, as if gauging his mood.
"Oppa, are you busy by any chance?"
"I have somewhere I need to stop by for a moment. Did you need something?"
"Ah! No, it's nothing. I understand. I'll go first!"
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face, but she turned away all the same.
Uncheon watched her retreating figure and smiled.
He knew where she meant to go, but a gathering of women alone was not a place he found comfortable.
And he truly did have somewhere else he needed to visit.
While I'm in Hefei, I should pay my respects to them as well.
As if on cue, Hwajong approached at a quick pace.
"Young Master, you've returned?"
"Uncle Hwajong, I'm trying to get to Yohe. Do you know the way?"
"To Yohe, sir?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Why do you wish to go to Yohe?"
"That's where the family's main branch office is. Since I'm already in Hefei, I ought to pay my respects."
"Ah, for a moment I forgot I was speaking to a young master of the Namgung Family. Allow me to escort you."
"No need. You're busy with affairs here. Just tell me the way and I'll go alone."
Yohe lay east of Hefei's central district.
In Hefei—the most important city in Anhui Province—it was only natural that the Namgung Family maintained its main branch office.
His paternal aunt and uncle, who had left for Hefei a year ago, were stationed there.
The two of them had been close with Uncheon even during their time at the family estate.
Following Hwajong's directions, Uncheon set out toward Yohe.
Once he left the main thoroughfare of the central district and headed east, the atmosphere suddenly grew quiet.
As expected… the family's presence is the same no matter where you go.
The moment he fully entered the mouth of Yohe, he felt the air grow heavy from every direction.
Even on ordinary days, people seemed to hurry past the area around Yohe without ever stepping inside.
Uncheon walked slowly toward the center.
Before half a gak had passed, buildings that looked as though they belonged to the Namgung Family itself came into view in the distance.
As he approached the main gate, the gate guards appeared before him as if they had been waiting.
Hang Jiung, one of the gate guards, eyed the sword hanging from the belt beneath Uncheon's blue formal robes.
Though the visitor was young, he was a martial artist, and Hang Jiung's gaze was carefully assessing.
Before the guard could speak, Uncheon clasped his fists in greeting.
"I am Namgung Uncheon. I have come to pay my respects to my aunt and uncle."
Hang Jiung's eyes went wide, and he hurriedly returned the salute.
"Young Master Uncheon. It is an honor to meet you. Forgive me, but may I see your identity plaque?"
Uncheon drew the plaque from his waist and held it out.
Namgung Uncheon… so it truly is Cheongryu Geomhyang.
Hang Jiung, too, had heard the rumors of the Namgung Family's young prodigy—Cheongryu Geomhyang—who had defeated the Salgwang Doksa, and the tales had stirred him.
As a guard of the Namgung Family, nothing pleased him more than seeing the family's name spread across the Central Plains Murim.
His voice turned respectful at once.
"Please, come in. Allow me to escort you inside."
"Thank you. May I ask your name?"
"My apologies. I am Hang Jiung."
"Guard Hang, a pleasure."
Hang Jiung bowed his head at the sight of Uncheon's bright smile.
"I am equally glad to meet Young Master Uncheon in person."
As he followed the man into the grounds, Uncheon felt the glances of martial artists passing nearby.
Hang Jiung pointed toward a building that housed the administrative offices.
"That is the building where the two of them reside."
Just then, a middle-aged couple who had stepped outside the office came into view.
Jin Umyeong, head of the Namgung Family's Hefei Main Branch, and Namgung Gohee both froze at the sight of Uncheon entering the courtyard.
For a moment she wondered if her eyes had deceived her. Namgung Gohee's eyes went wide as she stepped forward to confirm, and a delighted cry burst from her lips.
"You… aren't you our nephew Uncheon?"
In the reception room, Namgung Gohee and Jin Umyeong studied Uncheon with open curiosity.
"Well now. No matter how I look at him, it's Uncheon. But something feels off."
"My dear, haven't I been saying this all along? That our nephew Uncheon would turn out far more remarkable than we ever imagined."
Jin Umyeong beamed, looking at Uncheon with open pride.
But Namgung Gohee was still full of questions.
"That can't be right… Just what happened? Tell your aunt the truth."
"The rumors are accurate as they stand, though I was also rather lucky."
"Is that so?"
No matter how she looked at him, his inner energy did not seem particularly strong.
"Yes. Since I was just starting out in the jianghu, the Salgwang Doksa must have let his guard down."
Mid-sentence, Uncheon caught the look in Namgung Gohee's eyes.
A testing gaze.
Softly—
Uncheon raised a hand as if to brush his hair, preemptively blocking Namgung Gohee's hand before it could move.
At that moment, Jin Umyeong's eyes changed.
It could have been coincidence.
Nothing appeared to have happened—yet Jin Umyeong could tell that Uncheon had anticipated and stopped Namgung Gohee's movement before it began.
Well now… if that was deliberate…
Uncheon met their startled gazes and grinned.
"Is there something on my face?"
"Haha, no. Seeing you after a year, you've changed a great deal. You've been training hard, I take it?"
"Yes. I had to pass through the Changcheongwan."
"Ah, right. I heard about that as well. They say you passed on the first try."
Even as Uncheon conversed with Jin Umyeong, Namgung Gohee could not take her eyes off him, caught between wonder and unease.
"What do you plan to do from here?"
"I'm still thinking it over carefully."
Namgung Gohee asked with an incredulous look.
"So it's true—you mean to leave the family! That won't be easy."
"I'm aware."
"Have you made a plan? You must have something in mind."
"I learned of it on the way to Hefei—working as a yeopsa, a bounty hunter who tracks wanted criminals with prices on their heads, seemed like it might suit me."
"A descendant of the Namgung Family, working as a bounty hunter?"
"It's not so bad. You do good work and earn money at the same time."
Jin Umyeong burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! A bounty hunter… That sounds entertaining! If my nephew wants to try it, I support him."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Namgung Gohee glared at the two of them.
"What on earth are you saying! No bounty hunting. Just stay with the family."
As expected, Aunt is no joke either.
If he stayed on this topic, he would only keep hearing her scolding. He needed to change the subject at once.
Uncheon looked at Jin Umyeong and asked,
"By the way, Uncle. How well do you know the Yukan So Family?"
"The Yukan So Family? I know of them, yes. Why?"
"I ran into them once on the way to my maternal family's home. I have a feeling they may hold a grudge against me."
Namgung Gohee's lips curved into a cold smile.
"Hmph. Those So Family dogs—I never liked them. I've been thinking that if the chance came, I'd like to teach them a sharp lesson myself."
"Has there been some problem?"
This time Jin Umyeong answered.
"Not so much a problem as the sense that they've been watching for a chance to push into Hefei. So we've been keeping an eye on them."
"Testing how we'll respond, you mean?"
"Heh heh heh. Exactly right, nephew. They haven't caused any particularly large incidents so far. Just enough trouble that it's awkward for us to step in."
"That could also be a way of slighting the main family. They seemed rather full of confidence."
Namgung Gohee spoke sharply.
"No one knows the outcome until the fight begins. Not until they've been thoroughly beaten!"
"Aunt, you're still as fierce as ever."
Jin Umyeong snorted with a laugh.
"Tell me about it. Your aunt is so aggressive it exhausts me. You should find yourself a gentle woman."
"What kind of thing is that to say to your nephew? How gentle am I? There's no woman in the world like me. Uncheon, isn't that right?"
Uncheon nodded.
"Yes. Aunt is the finest woman in the family."
"Hoho, now that's my nephew."
Jin Umyeong grinned at Uncheon.
"Blood is thicker than water, and the arm bends inward, they say!"
"Uncle, you were the greatest prodigy of the Hyeongju Jin Family yourself. You're still impressive."
"Heh heh heh. Nephew Uncheon has such a way with words."
As they talked, a full shichen had passed since Uncheon arrived at the branch office.
The sky was gradually darkening.
"I should be going now."
"Leaving already? Stay the night. Don't be so cold."
"No, it's fine. If you two have time tomorrow, please come to the Chungui Sun Family."
"Ah… that's right. Tomorrow is the elder's birthday. We should go and offer our congratulations as well."
"Yes. I'll see you tomorrow."
Uncheon exchanged farewells with the two of them and stepped outside.
"Hah… hah…"
Dokjeonhwa lay on the ground, breathing hard.
He had remained motionless in the narrow cave, holding his breath, until deep darkness fell.
Without Yeo Jugae's help, the Shinwol Assassin would have captured him.
Salyong… and even the Yaweol Sect have come after me.
Both were sects that made their living as assassin guilds, but their purposes differed.
Salyong had not targeted him directly—they had followed the path he had taken and left a trail of murders in their wake.
But the Yaweol Sect had come for him specifically.
If the forces that hired them are different…
"Kh…"
In that instant, pain flared through his shoulder.
It was the wound from the Shinwol Assassin's deformed crescent blade.
He had taken out emergency trauma medicine and treated it, but the cut ran deep and would not heal easily.
What has become of Jeong Cheong…
The moment the smoke bomb went off, he had hidden himself and fled.
But his disciple Jeong Cheong had remained behind.
He could not believe the boy had survived against the Yaweol Sect.
I'm sorry. I am your master, and yet I ran to save only myself.
Hot tears welled at the corners of Dokjeonhwa's eyes.
What they wanted to know—what they wanted to obtain—was the Cheonhwangdo Map.
The people of the Central Plains would not care who had truly caused the Baekcheon Blood Sect Incident.
The private treasure vault said to have been hidden by the sovereign of the Middle Kingdom's Merchant State.
That countless treasures lay within was all but certain.
Treasures enough to purchase an entire nation, and supreme martial arts that any martial artist in the Murim would covet.
Hoping for such a fated opportunity had been a hollow dream.
My greed was too great.
Everything was gone.
Hope, his disciple—nothing remained to him.
Death did not frighten him. He would not have cared if he died this very moment.
But now that things had come to this, he wanted to know who had truly destroyed the Baekcheon Sect.
For decades he had lived forgetting the Baekcheon Sect, never once concerning himself with its destruction—and yet…
…
He could feel the assassins around him growing more numerous by the moment.
I have to get out of here quickly.
When noon arrived, guests thronged to the birthday banquet of Sun Heo, head of the Chungui Sun Family.
Uncheon stood at Sun Heo's side, greeting the visitors as they arrived.
He had originally intended to remain quietly among the guests, but Sun Heo had specifically called him over.
A middle-aged man in official robes bowed at the waist in formal greeting.
"Master, I offer my congratulations on your birthday."
"Haha, has the Provincial Governor come in person?"
Oh Muyeon, Provincial Governor of Anhui, had once been a disciple who received Sun Heo's teachings.
"Master, may you remain in good health for many years to come."
"And may the Governor always keep his health as well."
After clasping his master's hand in greeting, Oh Muyeon looked at Uncheon standing beside him and asked,
"Who is this young man? I don't believe I've seen him before."
"He is Yuhwa's son."
"Oh-ho. Sister Yuhwa's son. Now that you mention it, something about the eyes does resemble her."
Uncheon clasped his fists and bowed toward him.
"I am Namgung Uncheon."
"Ah yes—Sister Yuhwa married a martial artist of the Namgung Family. I always thought she was different, even from the time she first took an interest in the Murim."
Softly—
Just then, an attendant standing at his side whispered something in a low voice.
Oh Muyeon nodded, then looked at Uncheon again with startled eyes.
"So you are the one rumored to be the Murim's new rising star—Cheongryu Geomhyang. How old are you this year?"
"Eighteen."
"Hahaha. Not even twenty yet, and already making a name for yourself in the Murim. Remarkable."
Oh Muyeon clapped both hands on Uncheon's shoulders as he spoke.
"Master, I never expected an outstanding martial artist to emerge from the Chungui Sun Family, even as a maternal grandson."
"Hahaha, indeed."
Oh Muyeon still held Uncheon's shoulders as he continued.
"Young man, when you have the time, would you come visit the provincial capital?"
"Ah, thank you. I will be sure to pay my respects."
As Provincial Governor of an entire province, Oh Muyeon well understood how useful a connection with a martial artist could be.
He also knew better than anyone that in Anhui Province, no force was stronger than the Namgung Family.
Building a rapport in preparation for when I leave the family wouldn't hurt. Paying him a visit would be worthwhile.
After that, Uncheon spent a considerable time exchanging greetings with the guests.
His aunt and uncle from the branch office arrived as well.
And just as the greetings were nearly finished—
Unexpected figures entered the Chungui Sun Family all at once.
Those people…