Chapter 21
Chapter 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Because It's Namgung
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Why are you all so dense? Do you not know of Namgung?”
How could they not know of Namgung?
They were once the greatest family in the martial world. Although now they were so utterly ruined they wouldn't even crawl out their front door.
It was unthinkable not to know of the great Namgung Family. Even a three-year-old child tucked away in some remote village knew of them.
Ingeol spoke.
“What do you mean? How could we not know of Namgung?”
“Your actions suggest you don't truly know them. If you did, you would not be behaving this way.”
The members of the Black Snake Sect were more curious if there was something more to know about Namgung beyond what they already knew.
“Please, speak plainly. I do not understand.”
“I am not a member of the Namgung Family, so I don't know their creed, their posture, or their philosophy. But I do know one thing for certain.”
Yeongchun recalled a memory, his warm smile seeming to paint itself across the dark night sky using the twinkling stars.
“Namgung does not distinguish between people. What I mean is, they don't differentiate between the strong and the weak in martial arts, the rich and the poor, or those who have lived good lives and those who have lived wicked ones. In a word, they do not discriminate.”
*Was that so?*
Namgung Urin was also listening to Yeongchun's story.
Thinking back, it seemed his grandfather, father, and mother had been like that.
But Mister Yeongchun's words implied that all of Namgung had been that way. One couldn't believe everything a person said, but he didn't want to dismiss it either.
It was because Namgung was that way that Mister Yeongchun saw them as such.
Yeongchun continued.
“And Namgung always keeps their word. Is the man standing here not the one who will become the Young Lord of the Namgung Family?”
“...That's right.”
Though he'd only found out today.
“Then, the words spoken by the Young Lord of the Namgung Family will surely be kept. Namgung does not go back on their word.”
“...Is that really true?”
After all, it's human nature to make mistakes, to mess things up, to postpone plans, and to take back words once spoken.
That's just being human, that's life.
Mister Yeongchun's words placed an unwelcome burden on him.
It was a weight he'd never felt before in his life.
Namgung Urin had no interest in Namgung's creed or philosophy. He was simply... angry that something precious had been taken from him, and he dreamed only of revenge.
Yeongchun answered Ingeol's question in Namgung Urin's stead.
“It is. So believe him. I don't know your circumstances, but from the situation, it seems the Young Lord has accepted you. Therefore, you should consider him your benefactor and follow him. For a warrior who wields a sword, death is an inevitable companion, is it not? I'm no warrior, just a physician, so I wouldn't know for sure, but if you follow the Young Lord here, you will at least be able to die like a true warrior.”
Ingeol bowed deeply and replied with great respect.
“I understand, elder. And thank you.”
“Goodness, what's there to thank me for? What are you all doing? Come now, everyone, get moving.”
Only then did the members of the Black Snake Sect, with much lighter hearts, begin to prepare for their departure.
“...”
Did he... heal people with his mouth?
He's quite skilled at persuading people.
If it had been Namgung Urin himself, he would have just shouted at them to do as they pleased, whether they lived or died.
Anyway.
*Namgung...*
Was it really like that?
This family where I was born and raised.
This Namgung Family, led by my grandfather and my father...
Had they truly instilled such faith in someone who had no connection to Namgung?
Of course, the man was indebted to his father, but that level of trust and faith was excessive. No, it wasn't that it was excessive; it was just amazing and incredible that they had inspired such trust and faith.
*And I...*
The thought suddenly struck him: could he be remembered as that kind of Namgung?
He wrestled for a moment with a thought that didn't suit him, brought on by the weight Mister Yeongchun had forced upon his shoulders.
And then.
*Those men...*
The five members of the Azure Sky Sword Brigade.
They were snickering beside the Shadows, who had their heads buried in the dirt, as if finding them amusing.
I can see it.
He saw something he hadn't seen before.
Though they were joking around immaturely now, he could see they were hiding a great weight within themselves.
Revenge was merely a thorn on the surface.
He had simply failed to see the roots of Namgung, buried deep within.
* * *
Everyone except Namgung Urin and Yeongchun decided to find an empty house for the time being. Fortunately, there were many empty houses in Hefei at the moment.
Namgung Urin took Yeongchun and headed straight for the Namgung Family estate.
Late at night, when everyone else was asleep, Namgung Urin and Yeongchun arrived at the estate. Urin suggested to Yeongchun that they see his uncle in the morning since he must be tired, but Yeongchun insisted they must not, urging they go to the Family Head's office immediately.
Fortunately, a light was on in the Family Head's office. And inside, there was one other person besides his uncle.
It was his mother.
“Mother. What are you doing here, still awake? You must be tired.”
“My brilliant son has returned. This mother of yours has been busy lately. I can't be idle when I've made my precious son so busy.”
Namgung Yul, who, despite being the official Family Head, was often overshadowed by his sister-in-law, spoke with displeasure.
“Ahem. Am I invisible?”
“I was just about to greet you.”
“So you greet me only after I speak up.”
“Isn't it good that you can still receive one?”
*Damn brat.*
Does this nephew of mine always have to one-up his uncle to feel satisfied?
Sigh, what a life.
“Alright. What trouble have you caused now to be visiting at this late hour?”
As the Family Head of Namgung, it was impossible for Namgung Yul not to know that an unfamiliar man had followed them in.
At Namgung Yul's sharp words, Yeonhwa glared at him as if to say, 'What kind of tone is that to use with my precious child?'
“Ahem.”
Fortunately, Yeonhwa also seemed to have noticed someone was outside and didn't lash out.
“Come in, Mister.”
Yeongchun entered the Family Head's office, looking a little nervous.
“This is my uncle, the Head of the Namgung Family.”
“Goodness. What an honor.”
Mister Yeongchun immediately prostrated himself.
His uncle was bewildered, wondering what on earth was happening.
“Ho ho.”
“And this is my mother.”
“Goodness, madam. To meet you like this.”
Mister Yeongchun bowed to his mother as well.
His mother was just as flustered by Mister Yeongchun's sudden bowing.
“Mister. It would be better if you told your story yourself rather than me telling it.”
“I understand.”
And so, looking utterly dumbfounded, his uncle and mother began to listen to Mister Yeongchun's story.
“Oh, my.”
“Goodness.”
As the story progressed, the reactions of his uncle and mother grew more intense.
“Hahaha. What a world.”
“Oh my! Good heavens!”
A quarter of an hour passed before Mister Yeongchun, who had them completely engrossed, finished his tale.
“And that is how I came to be here.”
His uncle shot up from his seat and grasped Mister Yeongchun's hands.
“Hahaha. You've done well to come. I should be the one feeling honored. To think such a distinguished guest has arrived without me knowing. My, oh my. Hahaha.”
His uncle had started getting excited the moment the word 'elixir' came from Mister Yeongchun's mouth. Of course, he didn't show it outwardly, but it was plain for me to see.
He was so excited he even shot up from his seat.
“You flatter me.”
“Not at all. How precious must you be for the Hyeoncheon Sect to go to such lengths? They are truly wicked people. Are you hurt anywhere?”
There was a slight change in his mother's attitude as well. It even occurred to him that his mother might be the one in the Namgung family most burning with the desire for revenge.
No, he was almost certain of it.
She had locked him away in that underground, prison-like secluded training ground for five years; no other reason was needed.
Mister Yeongchun answered his mother's question.
“Thanks to the Young Lord, my body is unharmed. Hahaha.”
While his mother had always looked at him with loving eyes, his uncle had not, yet now his gaze was unusually intense.
“Urin.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“You have done well. Our Namgung has always helped those in need. Yes, you have now become a true member of Namgung. I'm proud of you.”
You really have a roundabout way of saying things, Uncle.
I know.
He couldn't possibly say to Mister Yeongchun's face, 'It's not you we need, but your elixirs.'
What a pathetic uncle and Head of the Namgung Family.
Before leaving for the War of Orthodox and Demonic Factions, the Namgung had consumed every last elixir in the family without a second thought for the future, so now the very word 'elixir' was nonexistent in their household.
And it wasn't as if they had a method for creating elixirs like other families with deep traditions.
That was why his uncle was so delighted.
Buying elixirs with money cost several times more than making them. In particular, an elixir that could increase one's internal energy by more than thirty years required not just several times, but tens of times the cost.
And an elixir that could increase internal energy by more than a full cycle was not only difficult to make but also nearly impossible to purchase with money. Even if one were available, the seller could name any price.
That's why when such elixirs appeared in the martial world, people would kill and be killed for them.
His uncle turned his gaze back to Mister Yeongchun.
“Right. Then, could you write down the necessary ingredients for my sister-in-law now? She is so busy that I'm not sure when she'll have time again.”
His mother had been busy lately, but to his eyes, it was his uncle who seemed more impatient.
How could he not be?
A shortcut for the Namgung to grow stronger faster had just opened up.
“Before that, how many elixirs do you require?”
“...What do you mean by that?”
His uncle tilted his head. His mother was no different.
How many elixirs do you require?
Did that not mean he could produce as many elixirs as needed?
Did that even make sense?
If one could produce elixirs as needed... then the likes of Mount Hua, Wudang, the Tang Clan, and Shaolin, who could all produce elixirs, would have likely been constantly fighting for the title of the world's greatest sect.
The Namgung Family would never have even gotten close to the title of the world's greatest family.
Wasn't it too far-fetched a story?
The ingredients for elixirs were not only expensive but also incredibly difficult to obtain.
Mister Yeongchun's lips parted.
“It is only natural that you do not understand. However, please trust me. I possess a method to create as many as are needed, whatever the amount.”
“...Is, is that r-really true?”
His uncle was practically bouncing in his seat with excitement.