Chapter 56
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: An Earnest Apology
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Brother.
The letter brought a smile to my lips from the very first word. It was a word I was always happy to hear. After all, in the entire Central Plains, there was only one person who could call me that.
I'm so happy thinking I'll get to see you soon, brother.
I felt a sense of relief with each clumsy yet heartfelt word. With the Great Young Lord, myself, the Second Young Lord Namgung Hyeok, and the Third Young Lord Namgung Gal all away from Anhui Fortress, Byeok must have been free from any political schemes or threats.
My heart warmed on its own.
Six years have already passed, and after just four more seasons, I can see you. Mother is waiting for you to come too. She's been practicing making restorative dishes, wondering if they'll suit your taste.
Seeing how the once-childlike Byeok had grown and written a letter in such a mature tone, I felt my heart ache with emotion without even realizing it. The longing for me and the stories of his daily life were incredibly moving.
But the warmth was fleeting.
Brother. But I think Grandpa Yeoul is sick.
The letter, written with the pure innocence of a child's perspective, showed no signs of concealment or lies.
He's coughing a lot, and the spots on his face are increasing. Big spots I don't know why. It worries me. I told him we should see a physician, but he just tells me not to worry.
I could vaguely tell that the condition of my master, First Elder Namgung Yeoul, was rapidly deteriorating. I realized that his silence, despite everything, stemmed from his desire not to worry me.
Even from so far away, I was still being cared for by my master.
Brother. If Grandpa Yeoul passes away, you'll be hurt too. Please look after him with me. I don't want to see anyone around me get hurt or sick.
His words were heart-wrenching.
Anyone around him getting hurt.
And not wanting to see anyone sick.
It was as if he was speaking for my own heart. And so, I...
It seems it's time to make a move.
I thought I needed to hurry and prepare. And before that, I sought out my maternal uncle. My uncle had always been quick to change the subject whenever my master's name came up.
Or he would pretend not to know.
I had pushed aside my suspicions and focused on my duties until now, but feeling I had to know the reason, I went to find my uncle.
Tell me the truth.
At my sudden demand, my uncle frowned and made a sour face.
What are you talking about?
You've known for a while that my master, First Elder Namgung Yeoul, is in poor health, haven't you?
At those words, my uncle's expression hardened. Just seeing his face felt like I had already received an answer.
I won't press for details. What is his illness?
An illness, you say... an illness...
My uncle shook his head and slowly began to speak.
The First Elder is over eighty years old. It's a wonder he's remained so vigorous at that age, isn't it?
Are you saying it's simply old age?
Namgung Yeoul's internal energy was indescribably pure. His level of enlightenment was also among the top five within the Namgung family. For such a person to be rapidly dying of simple old age seemed contradictory.
The Heart-Crushing Palm.
Hm?
It's a vicious martial art. One created solely to rupture an opponent's internal organs and heart.
Why was he suddenly discussing such a technique? I narrowed my eyes, then my expression shifted to one of disbelief.
Your suspicion is correct. The First Elder was struck by the Heart-Crushing Palm.
Hearing my uncle say that only Namgung Yeoul could endure for so long after being hit by the Heart-Crushing Palm, I gritted my teeth.
Who was it?
What's more important than who did this to the First Elder is finding a way to overcome the energy of the Heart-Crushing Palm. I heard that its energy has remained in his body ever since it infiltrated him. As time passes, that energy, which targets the heart, will only grow more vicious.
I furrowed my brow at his words.
Is there no way at all?
It's not that there's no way. You would have to drive it out with an even more overwhelming energy.
At that, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Don't tell me... the energy of the Heavenly Thunder Pill in my dantian.
That's right.
I bit my lip. So my master had sacrificed his own life, giving up his remaining years, for the sake of my growth.
What was he thinking?
My insides felt unbearably tight, as if a heated stone had been placed in my stomach.
I didn't say that to make you uncomfortable.
I'll have to find another elixir.
The Namgung Family's Heavenly Thunder Pill.
It was a legendary elixir, comparable to Shaolin's Great Cyclic Pill, renowned throughout the Central Plains.
Of the three Heavenly Thunder Pills, one was inside me, leaving two. Both of them were held firmly in Namgung Mubaeks possession.
Are you going to storm into Shaolin and demand they hand it over?
Or are you going to return to the Namgung family and threaten them as if it's yours to claim?
My uncle's words sent me deep into thought.
But whether by coincidence, or a twist of fate...
My uncle raised a finger and pointed. There, I could see someone grumbling while looking at the training grounds. It was Namgung Han, the Shandong branch chief.
The training grounds are a mess again. Hah.
I watched as Namgung Han shook his head as usual and turned to leave.
The Medicine Sage, Namgung Illyeo, was from a branch family.
At those words, I fell silent and looked at my uncle.
Why do you think he never shared his secret formula, no matter how much they asked? The main family members mocked and scoffed at the Medicine Sage's lifelong process. The deep-rooted prejudice against the branch families sickened their hearts.
So that was the reason.
It was no wonder his heart had grown cold and bitter.
And Namgung Illyeo has a grandson, his only remaining blood relative.
When I looked at Namgung Han with an expression of disbelief, my uncle nodded.
The branch chief is that Medicine Sage's grandson. Do you understand now? Before you can even discuss the Heavenly Thunder Pill you seek, you must first understand the attitude the main family of Namgung must have toward the branch families. Do you see what must come first?
I finally understood his meaning.
Namgung Han's help was absolutely essential to track down the secret formula of the Heavenly Thunder Pill and the whereabouts of the Medicine Sage, Namgung Illyeo. But my uncle was telling me that the starting point had to be built on acknowledging the branch families and resolving their grievances.
It's up to you.
I...
This is something you must overcome on your own. As for this matter, I will neither discuss nor involve myself in it.
The ambition befitting the name of the Namgung Family's Great Young Lord.
And the mindset one must possess to be considered for the position of Family Head.
With those parting words, telling me to prove it here, my uncle disappeared.
Over the past six years, I had captured the hearts of the one hundred and fifty Namgung warriors and the White Fang Sword, Namgung Seok, but I had been at a loss with Namgung Han, who still treated me with deep-seated resentment.
It was my mistake to think it was just a matter of time.
I was the one who had to make the first move.
I don't know.
The Shandong branch chief, Namgung Han, shook his head firmly.
Please help me.
I cannot say.
Was he saying he truly didn't know, or that he knew but couldn't tell me?
I was about to speak, but Namgung Han just let out a hollow laugh. At the same time, he wore a look of utter disbelief.
So the Great Young Lord is the same as the rest. And here I thought you were different.
Ignoring us because we're a branch family, only to seek us out when you need somethingthat's no different from any other member of the main family. I suppose it's the fate of insignificant branch family members like us to do as we're told.
I fell silent at his cynical tone. Namgung Han's expression and gaze held a resentment that had been passed down since the time of the Medicine Sage, Namgung Illyeo. He was projecting the image of himself being cast out by the Azure Sky Divine Sword, Namgung Mubaek, onto me.
First Elder Namgung Yeoul, who is also my master, is dying. They say the Heavenly Thunder Pill can cure his worsening condition. How can I, as his student, stand by and do nothing?
That is no concern of mine. He is not someone I have much connection with.
I see.
Suddenly, I saw someone else overlapping with Namgung Han's image. It was none other than the Namgung Byeok of my past lifeme.
Being from the main family doesn't guarantee acceptance. The image of myself, having been all but cast out, surviving day by day on the battlefield, overlapped with his.
Thinking of that, I finally realized that what I needed to do wasn't to plead or make emotional appeals.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for coming to you so late.
Just as the Great Young Lord of my past life had come and apologized to me, what I had to do now was
I am sorry. I am truly sorry.
An apology. One filled with sincerity, above all else.
The family... the family is sick. It's sick beyond recovery, and I can no longer do anything on my own. Please, please come back and save the family.
I am not saying this for my own sake. I am asking you to lend a hand for the family, for our ailing family.
At my words, his ragged breathing calmed, and he looked at me with a composed expression.
I love my family. And in the family I love, there is only one surname.
Main family, and branch family.
What importance is there in dividing and debating who is who?
We are simply...
a single family, brought together under the same surname of Namgung.
Be angry and furious. Curse at me until you're satisfied. I will take it all. Vent all the sorrow and resentment you have suffered onto me. I will accept it, thinking of it as solely my burden.
Namgung Han closed his mouth and stared at me silently.
For the past six years.
Seeing his lips slowly part, I resolved to endure and accept whatever he might say. That was the role I had to play.
The actions the Great Young Lord has shown have been admirable. You never brandished your authority as the Great Young Lord, nor did you ever act arrogant. At first, I saw it as a paltry gesture.
Namgung Han began to speak calmly. For the first time, I was hearing how he had viewed me over the past six years.
Gamyeong told me. He said he could never forget how you rushed in for him when he was taken hostage.
Namgung Gamyeong, Namgung Han's son, who had been taken hostage along with his nanny.
Seok also told me to try trusting the Great Young Lord. He asked if I had ever seen a hint of falsehood in your actions over the years.
The White Fang Sword, Namgung Seok, the man who had managed and led this battlefield alongside Namgung Han.
I, too, apologize for getting worked up just now, Great Young Lord.
My eyes widened at his unexpected words.
Whenever we were in danger, the Great Young Lord was always the first to act. You were a person who would throw yourself into the fire without a second thought for your own safety. For such a person to offer me a sincere apologysomething I have longed for my entire lifeI must also respond with sincerity.
I stared into Namgung Han's eyes as he spoke, word by word.
He had to lead the members of the branch family to Shandong, maintain the front lines, uphold the Namgung name, and live with the responsibility for one hundred and fifty lives on his shoulders.
I couldn't even imagine how heavy that burden must have been.
Such a man slowly opened his mouth.
I will place my hopes in what the Great Young Lord has said.
If you can do that.
Create a family where no one under the Namgung name feels sorrow.
If you can truly do that.
I will stand behind you.