#55. A First-Rate Warrior Who Shocked the Divine Sword (3)
The post-battle cleanup proceeded swiftly. Despite their grief over lost comrades, they showed no sign of wavering. I couldn't help but admire their composure inwardly.
'This must be what sets prestigious clans apart.'
The procession resumed toward the Namgung family estate, but the three of us at the front—me, Namgung San, and Namgung Seonhwa—carried a markedly different atmosphere from when we'd entered Gu'eum Mountain. Namgung San and Namgung Seonhwa were weighed down by a heavy gravity, and knowing full well its source, I fell silent in deference.
"Hm? What brings Father out here?"
As we arrived at the Namgung estate, Namgung Jinmyeong stood waiting at the forefront with the family's warriors. The line of visitors queued up for entry shot curious glances, wondering who exactly the young heir was greeting.
"What's this? The family head himself coming out?"
"Looks like Young Master San and Lady Seonhwa."
"Look closely—the head's heading toward someone else."
At that moment, Namgung Jinmyeong spotted me and raised his hand high.
"You've finally arrived! Come on in!"
Even clearly aware of the Gu'eum Mountain incident, he betrayed no hint of it, laughing heartily as he clapped me on the back.
"Do you know how eagerly I've awaited you since hearing you'd set out?"
"Sorry for the delay."
"Nonsense! If anyone's to blame, it's these fools who couldn't ensure you a smooth journey."
Namgung Jinmyeong shot a glare at Namgung San.
"I heard the story. Without Young Master Jin, we'd have faced disaster, eh?"
"My apologies."
"Tsk tsk!"
I had to mask my surprise at his demeanor. The entrance wasn't just us—dozens waited to enter the estate. And here he was, openly scolding his son in front of everyone.
"Come, let's head inside. And forgive me, but we have a family meeting, so please wait in the annex."
Knowing we needed to discuss the Gu'eum Mountain affair, I nodded.
"Take your time. I need to unpack anyway."
After parting from Namgung San's group, a maid led me to the annex. Along the way, I passed five training grounds each three times the size of Tae-eul Gate's own. Crowds of warriors densely packed them, drilling their arts.
"Haaah!"
As they thrust punches in unison with battle cries, the air exploded, shaking the entire grounds. Just one day here, yet it powerfully demonstrated the Namgung clan's might. It truly felt like a great house capable of influencing the jianghu.
And in such clans, internal strife often burned fiercer than external threats.
'Who wouldn't covet a position in a family like this?'
Every sect faced similar troubles. The Namgung clan simply grappled with its infighting a bit sooner than most.
"Here we are."
The maid showed me to a serene pavilion with a private pond—modest in scale but exuding refined elegance, far from shabby. Even small, a standalone pavilion carried prestige. Countless wandering warriors would kill for such accommodations during a Namgung visit; it signaled the clan viewed you as a valued guest.
'This level of hospitality—no need to envy anyone else.'
Inside, maids suddenly swarmed me, grabbing my hands and feet to drag me aside.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
"A bath before meeting the family head this evening."
I lightly unfurled Yeonhwa, gently slipping their grasp. They blinked in surprise, as if their hands were oiled.
"I'll bathe myself!"
I'd endured enough humiliation back at Cheongmyeong Merchant Company. No need to repeat it.
"……"
The maids exchanged glances, inching closer again.
"Hey! Stop! If you come nearer, I won't wash at all."
"……Understood. This way."
Crossing the pond, we entered a side chamber where steam rose invitingly from a large wooden tub. The maids lingered, staring blankly.
"We'll assist with your bath."
"I'm not a child—I can manage."
"Still……"
"I said clearly: if you want me stinking before the family head, stay. Otherwise, go."
"Understood. Call if you need anything."
They lined up the bathing tools and departed. Shaking my head as I stripped, I muttered,
"No hands? No shame?"
I soaked in the massive tub, scrubbing off the dust and blood from battle. Emerging refreshed, I found black silk robes embroidered with silver thread waiting.
"That damned Black Flame Dragon moniker—always black garb."
Not bad, though. Black martial robes hid dirt and bloodstains well, and the subtle silver patterns lent an air of mystique. As I admired it in the lamplight, the door burst open—maids again.
"I…… clearly said……"
"Next, we'll assist with hair and makeup."
They seized my hair, combing and powdering relentlessly. Resistance futile.
"Don't lie down—keep powder and oil intact."
"……I'll sit."
"Sitting creases the hem."
"……You're not saying stand, right?"
"……"
"……You're not saying stand, right?"
No answer to my repeated question.
"……"
Whoever said getting invited by one of the Five Great Clans was a dream must've been delusional!
Standing awkwardly, I gazed at the pond outside the pavilion. Watching koi glide freely, I pondered their worth. Then a maid hurried over with tea. Assuming courtesy, I sipped—exquisite flavor.
"Excellent…… taste."
"The family head's favorite: Gunsan Silver Needle."
"Pfft!"
I spat in shock. First thought: what a waste of priceless tea. Old pauper habits die hard, even with ten thousand nyang in vouchers.
"G-Gunsan…… Silver Needle?"
Famed since the Tang Dynasty, monopolized by Qing emperors—now free, but still ultra-luxury. Gold couldn't buy its weight.
"……The Namgung serve this to guests?"
"No, only those in the Emperor's Pavilion."
"……This is the Emperor's Pavilion?"
The Namgung's Emperor's Pavilion: where the founding ancestor resided. Now expanded, the head used separate quarters, but they reserved this historic site for utmost VIPs. Jianghu elites vied for it as a status gauge.
Gulp. I swallowed dryly.
"It stood empty until you, young master. Ah, the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist visited recently."
"……"
The cozy spot suddenly felt stifling.
'……Maybe a blessing in disguise.'
The Namgung had shady ties: Namgung San's Great Connection Divine Pills, the seven-colored treasures, cleaning up that white smoke bomb from Gu'eum. If they offered the Emperor's Pavilion, perhaps some trust.
"Isn't this Gunsan Silver Needle? Why serve it to some flavor-blind fool?"
A voice grumbled as someone entered.
"Who are you?"
Mid-height, ferret eyes, pockmarked face tanned dark—a youth glaring at the maid, ignoring me.
"You're gutting the Namgung coffers. Think it's free since it's not your money?"
"……N-not so, sir—the head said not to skimp on hospitality……"
"Even so, Gunsan Silver Needle? Wall-Climbing Spring would suffice for him."
He had a point, though I simmered.
'Arrogant even in youth.'
Not a welcome face, I watched impassively.
"……S-sorry."
The maid teared up, bowing. Satisfied, the ferret nodded.
"Think before acting. We collaterals bleed for that coin."
"……Yes."
He perched on the table, extending his cup. She filled it with Gunsan.
"Jin Sowoon?"
"That's me."
"……Heh, really? Manners lacking."
His intent clear: bait the maid into a scene. No collateral would provoke an Emperor's Pavilion guest otherwise.
'Gu'eum fallout, probably.'
The clan would dig deep; they couldn't let traces surface first. Distract with me, a "junior" Tae-eul Gate disciple they could brush off.
'Tae-eul's disposable to collaterals.'
Used to it, yet it grated fresh each time.
"Why show courtesy to one who won't introduce himself?"
"You don't know me?"
I knew his future self. Not yet Namgung San-famous, though he fancied himself equal.
"Should I?"
"Hah! Indeed."
Two years Seonhwa's senior, talented like San but robbed by direct lines due to collateral birth—or so he believed. His validation hunger cost the Alliance a sect's yearly budget in my past life.
"A disciple from a bottom-feeder among the 108 Peaks wouldn't know."
"Maybe. Our humble sect knows Dragon Soaring Sword Namgung San—even my youngest junior."
He hated San comparisons most.
"What did you say?"
"Acting like I'm harassing the maid. Can't even say your name? Ashamed?"
Lips quivering, he growled,
"Never heard of Swordless Blade?"
"Ah……"
My feigned gasp delighted him. Predictable. Poke once more, and he'd escalate as planned.
'Endure? Or not?'
Their infighting? Fine. But they'd nearly dragged me in. They owed me.
"First time hearing. Such a childish moniker?"
"You bastard!"
He slammed his cup, clapping hands to gather qi, unleashing the Heavenly Wind Palm Force Namgung San had shown on Gu'eum.
"Kyaaah!"
The maid tumbled, spilling precious tea. Pity. To spare the pavilion, I deployed Yeonhwa, deflecting his palm into the air.
Boom boom.
Air burst; force dissipated. Stunned, I quipped,
"Sword in the title? Looks like blades are your only trick."
"Bastard!"
He drew steel, launching Soaring Bow Swordless Swordsmanship. Not San-level, but solid. Yet I'd mastered its flaw form in my future.
Unlike with meager qi then, my near-first-class inner power amplified suction wildly. He resisted, but his sword flew to my hand.
"H-how?!"
I tripped him, spinning him down.
Thud.
"Guhk."
Foot on throat, subdued.
"What's this commotion?"
Namgung Jinmyeong, San, and Seonhwa rushed in, aghast at the scene.
"What in the world."
I brazenly explained,
"An intruder refusing identity caused a ruckus—I subdued him."
"What?"
"Asked repeatedly, no answer. Thought he might tie to Gu'eum, so I held him."
"……"
Humiliated, the ferret flushed crimson.
Then, a long-bearded middle-aged man appeared behind Jinmyeong.
"That's my son."
Jinmyeong, San, and Seonhwa whipped around. Older-looking than Jinmyeong, burly with stubborn features: Namgung Songju.
"Dare oppress a Namgung son here?!"
Jinmyeong flustered,
"Brother, seems a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? Anyone entering the estate deserves caution as Namgung. What's this mess?!"
"……"
I casually lifted my foot.
"A Namgung young master? Had you said, I'd have been careful."
The ferret raged,
"I did! Swordless Blade!"
"Why flaunt an obscure title? Just your name—Namgung something—and no issue. Besides, your skills seemed too weak for Namgung."
"……"
Trembling, unable to retort. I turned, bowing to Namgung Songju.
"My apologies. If I'd known a Namgung heir, no such thing. Forgive me. But he struck first—my fault?"
"Not ambushed…… but he attacked first?"
Songju quivered, glaring at his son—then me. I smiled amiably, bowing.
'Your son's idiocy wasn't in the plan, huh?'