Chapter 155: The Namgung Family-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 155: The Namgung Family-3
Note: There were revisions made to the previous chapter. If you haven't seen the updates, please re-read the last chapter.
*
So-yu led a dazed In-ho into the Namgung estate.
Following a path paved with smooth stones, the two headed toward the guest quarters. Several servants recognized So-yu’s face and greeted her warmly. Without showing much of a reaction, So-yu acknowledged them with a slight lift of her hand.
One servant left to inform the Family Head of their arrival. Left alone in the guest room, So-yu and In-ho looked around blankly.
"But if it’s a birthday, why is it so quiet? Shouldn't there be guests and stuff?"
In-ho, who had expected a boisterous banquet, asked the question. So-yu gave him a look of mild exasperation, as if he should have known better.
"The feast is tomorrow. We will stay the night and attend the celebration then."
"Where are we staying? Here?"
"My family home isn't far from here. We’ll stay there," So-yu said, her voice strangely subdued.
"Is the Grandmaster staying there too?"
"I’m not sure. Given that she said she had other business to attend to, she will likely stay elsewhere."
As So-yu finished speaking, the sound of footsteps approached from outside the door.
"The Family Head requests your presence."
At the servant's words, So-yu and In-ho stood up.
In-ho looked around as they walked across the polished wooden floors. Well-tended trees and sculptures brought from afar were arranged in perfect harmony.
It’s massive.
In-ho followed behind So-yu, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the Namgung estate, which seemed too large to take in at a single glance.
Eventually, they arrived at the room where the Family Head waited. They straightened their clothes one last time before the door. When the servant opened it, a middle-aged man stood up to greet them.
"So-yu. How many years has it been?"
Before Namgung So-yu could even sit, the Family Head approached and patted her shoulder twice with a large, calloused hand.
"Uncle. Please, let us give our formal greetings first."
Despite the Family Head’s warm welcome, Namgung So-yu’s expression remained stiff. Awkwardly rebuffed by his niece’s rigid reaction, the Family Head returned to his seat.
So-yu performed a formal bow, and In-ho, standing beside her, followed suit with a somewhat clumsy bow of his own.
"Hmm..."
Namgung Hyeon, the Family Head, stroked his beard as he watched them.
"Is something the matter?" So-yu asked, feeling a sense of unease as Namgung Hyeon stared at her and In-ho with a serious expression.
"I knew from your letter that he was your disciple, but..." Namgung Hyeon said, stroking his beard again with a grave face. "I don't know why, but it feels like my daughter has brought home the man she intends to marry."
As Namgung Hyeon cracked the joke with a sly grin, So-yu’s face turned bright red.
"Uncle!!"
When she let out a sharp cry of protest, Namgung Hyeon burst into boisterous laughter.
"Now you finally sound like my niece! Hahahaha!!!"
"Your jokes go too far."
"Oops, I'm in trouble now."
So-yu narrowed her eyes and glared at him, while Namgung Hyeon playfully pretended to be alarmed, continuing to tease her.
"Haha, anyway, I’m glad you came. It’s already been three years since you became the disciple of the Flame Wheel Master. And..." Namgung Hyeon’s eyes turned toward In-ho. "And you’ve already taken a disciple of your own."
"My name is Kang In-ho, Great Sir."
Sensing it was time to introduce himself, In-ho spoke up, and Namgung Hyeon nodded.
"It is a pleasure. I am Namgung Hyeon. Though I am unworthy of the title, some call me the Thunder Sword."
Thunder Sword Namgung Hyeon.
He was a master ranked among the top five swordsmen in the world. It was said that the more he circulated his Internal Energy Cultivation Method, the more it radiated a golden aura. He was given the title "Thunder Sword" because his swordsmanship was as powerful and swift as a lightning strike.
If one traced the roots of his technique, it shared commonalities with the Thunder Wheel Art; there was a theory that the technique had branched off before the Thunder Wheel Art became one of the Three Great Inherited Martial Arts of the Orthodox Sect.
"I hear stories about you from time to time. The Flame Wheel Master said you were a man of such extraordinary martial talent that she had to use an unconventional method to recruit you."
"You flatter me, sir."
In-ho felt bashful at the praise, and his humble demeanor left a good impression on Namgung Hyeon. The Family Head’s gaze returned to So-yu.
"Anyway, thank you for making the trip despite your busy schedule."
"......"
So-yu remained silent.
"Ah, did you see the garden on your way in? My wife put a lot of heart into it. If you don't mind, would you like to go look around the garden for a bit? I’d like to finish catching up with my niece."
Namgung Hyeon spoke to In-ho. At the polite request, In-ho nodded and left the room. Namgung Hyeon watched the direction In-ho had gone for a moment.
"I heard he’s only been training for a year, but his progress is quite remarkable."
"He lacks natural talent, but I believe it's because he puts in twice the effort of others."
"I'm sure his master's excellent teaching played a part as well." Namgung Hyeon smiled warmly. "So-yu. I actually thought you might not come."
"Why would you think that?"
"You left the Namgung family when you took on the name of the Flame Wheel Art, did you not?"
"That is correct. 'Namgung' is merely a surname now. I no longer have any connection to the Namgung family. However..."
"However?"
"I came because it is the birthday of the child of the Thunder Sword, whom I respect."
"...Thank you."
Namgung Hyeon felt a pang of bitterness at his niece’s mature response. Silence and discomfort filled the room like a pair of unwelcome guests. So-yu traced the floor with her finger for no reason, while Namgung Hyeon stared out a small window at the unremarkable scenery.
"So-yu. Do you resent your father?" Namgung Hyeon asked after choosing his words carefully for a long time.
"No, Uncle."
Namgung Hyeon thought of his younger brother, Namgung Hyeok. His brother’s cold way of treating even his own child gave him a headache.
"His way of expressing it was wrong, but... your father didn't hate you. He likely wanted your happiness."
"I have no doubts about my father's choice. It was the choice he had to make for the sake of the Namgung family. Since I lacked achievement in the Imperial Sword Art, I was unfit to shoulder the duties of a Namgung warrior."
"I think differently. Even if you lacked achievement in the family's cultivation and sword arts, look at you now—you've mastered the Flame Wheel Art and are helping people."
Namgung Hyeon looked at Namgung So-yu with a pained expression.
A Namgung who cannot use the Namgung martial arts.
This was the heavy yoke firmly planted in his lovely niece’s heart. From his position as the Family Head, Namgung Hyeon had always seen the same sight: his niece training relentlessly from sunrise to sunset, his brother constantly driving her harder, and Namgung So-yu sobbing under the garden wall late at night, holding her breath.
Namgung Hyeon gave up on trying to fully understand how wounded and aching that young girl's heart must have been. He could only feel pity.
"To learn the martial arts that suit you... and use them to help others..." Namgung Hyeon’s voice grew thick with emotion. "How could that not make you a magnificent warrior?"
He finally delivered the words he had kept in his heart for years, hoping they might offer even a small amount of comfort to her wounds.
"I heard So-yeon’s martial talent is extraordinary."
But the words didn't reach her. Despite her uncle's consolation, So-yu’s expression didn't change in the slightest.
"...They say she walked early and spoke quickly, but... it's still too soon to tell."
"Since her birthday has passed, she will begin learning martial arts now."
"Yes, that is the plan."
"Another person of great talent has emerged in the Great Namgung Family. It is a great blessing for the clan. Congratulations, Uncle."
So-yu bowed her head as she spoke. Namgung Hyeon bit his lower lip.
"Don't forget that you are also included among those with great talent, So-yu."
"...I'm not so sure about that."
The words that finally left So-yu’s lips after a long silence were filled with self-doubt.