Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: The Iron-Blood Sword Star
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Namgung Mubaek said nothing.
You bastards pushed these clueless kids into the competition for Family Head, and plenty of blood has already been spilled because of it. Yet, to see you still flap your gums, it makes me want to slaughter every last one of you.
An Baeks icy gaze swept past Namgung Mubaek to scan the elders.
Consider yourselves lucky I dont bear the Namgung name.
With those words, An Baek rose from his seat, glaring at Namgung Mubaek as he spoke.
Next time, you will have to speak, Family Head. Because I will be acting as Namgung Bans guardian. I, too, will officially join the Namgung familys competition for the headship, which means Ill have a say in things.
Namgung Mubaek stared blankly at An Baeks back as he stormed out, while the elders exchanged glances.
Namgung Mubaek and ten elders.
Furthermore, though they were outsiders, An Baek and a few others had deep ties to the Namgung family. Connections like family members who had married into the Namgung clan.
And at An Baeks sharp rebuke, the elders could not hide their discomfort.
...Everyone, you may leave.
At Namgung Mubaeks firm command, the elders who had been about to protest bit their lips at the look in his eyes, shook their heads, and departed.
After An Baek, the outsiders, and the elders had left, Namgung Mubaek remained alone in the empty meeting hall.
Family Head.
At the voice coming from the ceiling, Namgung Mubaek shook his head.
I wish to rest for a moment.
...Yes, understood.
The responsibility, the sense of duty, and the honor borne by the head of the Azure Sky Namgung Familythe leader of the Six Great Familieswas a burden no one could truly comprehend. Only Ja Ungang, who served Namgung Mubaek as his closest aide, could perhaps glimpse the depths of it.
Yes...? Youre asking who the Great An is?
Great An?
Why is a title typically reserved for those who perform righteous deeds, earn the peoples trust, and are widely known as heroes being used here?
The definition of 'righteousness' in this era must be flawed.
Calling a drunkard 'Great An' is a bit much.
Seeing my half-lidded eyes, the nanny stared back at me with her eyes wide open. I could only shrug. Her intense gaze made a wave of embarrassment wash over me.
Then again.
How should one react to a nephew who claims to know nothing about his own maternal unclethe man who trained him for over half a year and is the brother of Namgung Bans mother?
...Amnesia.
Amnesia was always the convenient excuse for times like this.
I think I understand why the Great An has been tormenting you, Great Young Lord.
The excuse didnt work on the nanny.
Tsk, I had nothing to say.
Despite my hesitant reaction, the nanny nodded as if it were perfectly fine and began to recount, word by word, the stories she had heard and remembered.
So, the Great An, um... right. I heard he was called the Iron-Blood Sword Star. But after Lady Ans... funeral, hes been... well...
An Baek, the Iron-Blood Sword Star.
Surprisingly, An Baek was said to have been a promising young martial artist in Anhui, talented enough to rival Namgung Mubaek. This meant he was a genius who carried the expectations of the entire Central Plains martial world, and a prominent figure in the Orthodox Faction, enough to earn the title of Sword Star.
Around the same time, when Namgung Mubaek married Lady An, rumors spread. The Namgung family was criticized for arranging a political marriage to win over An Baek. Nevertheless, the marriage took place in grand fashion, and as a result, I was born.
Namgung Ban, to be precise.
Praying for his sisters continued happiness, yet worried his presence might cause her discomfort, An Baek left Anhui and became the number one public enemy of the Unorthodox and Demonic Faction members who threatened the Orthodox Faction.
Back then, it was believed that the Sword Star would soon become a Sword Venerate, a Sword King, and even a Sword Emperor.
Just as everyone believed he would soon become the absolute master representing the Orthodox Faction, a pivotal event brought him back to Anhui: the death of Namgung Bans mother, Lady An.
The Great An couldnt bring himself to accept Lady Ans sudden death...
No one could figure out why the healthy and beautiful Lady An had died so suddenly.
They say he went on a rampage with his sword when he arrived. He desperately screamed that he would hold the Namgung family responsible, but after a confrontation with Namgung Mubaek, An Baek stopped his furious outbursts.
Instead.
From then on, An Baek started living with a drink constantly in his hand. He never left the Namgung estate, and focused solely on Namgung Banon me. He watched over the only trace Lady An had left behind, her bloodline.
As she spoke, the nannys shoulders trembled slightly. It seemed the memories of the past were washing over her like waves.
But none of this brought about any emotional change in me. I offered my thoughts with a stark, dry detachment.
He must have been quite devastated. Seeing me act like such a scoundrel. His only nephew, the Great Young Lord of the Namgung family, refusing to even hold a sword, earning nothing but scorn instead of fulfilling his mothers wishes. He probably tried to force me to pick up a sword many times.
How hollow he must have felt, watching the Great Young Lord be treated like a good-for-nothing.
Considering he waited until I turned fourteen, he must have been incredibly frustrated.
However.
...Not at all.
The nannys words were unexpected.
The Great An would only visit once in a while, concerned for the Great Young Lords health. He never once tried to force you to do anything or to pick up a sword. He probably came this time because he heard you had collapsed. Of course, it is surprising that he has now declared he will look after you in earnest for a year, for whatever reason.
It was unexpected.
He always used to say... that it wouldnt be too late, even if you waited until the time was right. Or until you came to realize it on your own.
For a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Of course, we didnt believe it...
Something along the lines of, Change? What change? If a scoundrel could change that easily, he wouldnt be a scoundrel in the first place.
I didnt quite catch the nanny's words, but anyway.
Ignoring the nannys muttering, I thought of An Baek.
It wasn't so much that I had come to understand An Baek's character.
Rather, an image of the Namgung Ban from my past life flashed through my mindthe one who, despite being called a scoundrel, shed that persona, came to his senses, and stepped forward to save his family.
I see.
I understood now why Namgung Ban had been able to change.
Between An Baek, the nanny who steadfastly endured his scoundrelly behavior, and the servants around him, Namgung Ban always had the support he needed to right his wayward heart and return to a normal path.
Namgung Ban was surrounded by people who constantly reached out to keep him from falling into a pit. An Baek was the cornerstone, and then there was the nanny, who watched over him with even greater care.
I could picture him in my past life as Namgung Byeok, fighting on battlefields, righting himself with the help of good people, and working breathlessly to keep the family from succumbing to its sickness.
...Im a little envious.
An uncle. A maternal uncle.
A vague and unfamiliar emotion washed over me.
What pulled me from such sentimental thoughts and back to reality was none other than...
Nanny, whats with the long story? You dont need to be so kind to that brat. Save that kindness for me.
The drunkard appeared, and my sentimentality crumbled. Of course.
My uncle, his face flushed from alcohol, clicked his tongue and gestured to the nanny with his head. In response, the nanny walked up and slapped him squarely on the back. The man who called himself my uncle just roared with laughter, as if he found it hilarious.
Perhaps the nanny ranked higher than my uncle.
Shed just smacked the back of a man who once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the head of the Namgung family.
She could endure all sorts of torment from me, the Great Young Lord, and not bat an eye.
Having overcome everything, she now had two men wrapped around her finger.
Moreover, if there was one thing that made me feel I could never escape her...
It was that I had already grown accustomed to the meals she prepared and her caring touch. I couldnt break free from that touch.
After another burst of laughter, my uncle quickly approached and threw an arm around my shoulder.
Nephew.
You reek of alcohol.
You little son of a... Ah, no. Ahem.
For some reason, my uncle glanced furtively at the nanny.
Hey, mister. You think no one can tell when youre that obvious?
Even a three-year-old would notice.
In any case, as I tried to back away, pinching my nose against the pungent smell of alcohol, he yanked me back as if to say, Nice try, and used me as a shoulder rest.
I made a declaration today.
About what?
That Im going to be your guardian.
His eyes were alive with pride as he said it. His expression was one of immense relief, as if he had finally unburdened himself after a long wait.
At the same time, even the nannys face lit up as she exclaimed how wonderful that was.
But.
...I dont want that.
I refused flatly.
Huh?
The expressions on my uncles and the nannys faces were even more peculiar than the way I usually looked at them.
This bastard. What is he saying?
Yes, that was the exact look they were giving me.
Hmm, whats with them?
I said I dont want it.
Pitter-patter.
The toddling footsteps picked up speed and quickly drew near.
Sensing the presence, I stopped my sweaty training, turned, and lowered my stance.
Sure enough, the cheeky little fellow came running with his arms spread wide in a precarious posture. Just as he was about to tumble, I quickly reached out, slipped my hands under his armpits, and lifted him up.
Up you go!
Hehehe.
You little rascal! What would you have done if you fell?
Big bwother!
It was Namgung Byeok.
Ever since our first meeting, Namgung Byeok had taken to visiting me from time to time.
His fair skin and delicate, well-proportioned features were adorable. His cheeks, flushed red from running all the way here, his soft panting, and his clear eyes couldn't have been a more perfect match.
Seeing my younger self had been strange at first, but I had grown used to it, and now it felt deeply familiar.
He was a lovable child, deserving of warmth, one who never needed to beg for anything.
Yes.
Just protecting this version of him is enough.
I told you, youll get hurt.
Hehehe. Big bwother.
The boy, who couldnt have been more than four or five, responded to my feigned frown with a pure smile. I couldnt help but let out a hearty laugh.
Whats so funny? They must be looking for you. Did you tell anyone you were coming here?
Unn.
If a child could communicate clearly, would they even be a child?
Lets go. Theyll be worried.
I set Namgung Byeok down and held out my hand. I wanted to carry him, but I was conscious of the smell of sweat and the dirt clinging to me.
Hmph. Just a wittle.
Hmm?
Just a wittle! Dat, dat!
I squinted and followed his gaze. Namgung Byeok was pointing at the wooden swords lined up next to a pillar. I immediately understood what he meant.
You want me to show you my swordplay?
Yeah! Swordpway!
Is that so? It seems I loved the sword even from a young age.
Looking at this child, I was once again reminded of a truth about myself that I had forgotten.