Chapter 156: The Namgung Family-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156: The Namgung Family-4
In-ho breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped out of the room, following Namgung Hyeon’s subtle hint for him to leave.
Being in the same space as a high-ranking martial artist was something he still wasn't used to.
Just as Namgung Hyeon had suggested, In-ho decided to kill some time by wandering through the garden. Returning to the guest room now seemed like it would be far too boring.
"Is there anywhere to sit?"
He looked around, hoping to find a spot to rest his legs and enjoy the breeze.
Fortunately, he spotted a stone on one side of the garden that had been carved into a perfect seat. He hopped onto it immediately. The stone felt pleasantly firm beneath him.
With a cool breeze blowing, In-ho closed his eyes and allowed himself a moment of leisure.
As Namgung Hyeon had boasted—and as In-ho had noticed on his way in—the garden was beautifully landscaped. It struck a perfect balance: not too wild, yet not overly artificial. It was a garden that knew exactly where to draw the line.
"Maybe I was being too judgmental."
When he had first heard the name 'Namgung,' In-ho’s mind had immediately jumped to the martial arts novels he’d read in his original world. To him, the 'Namgung' name carried an image of arrogance and elitism.
He had expected Namgung Hyeon to be that kind of person, but after listening to his conversation with Namgung So-yu, In-ho reflected on how he had judged someone based on his own narrow experiences.
Then again, Namgung So-yu herself was a far cry from the typical 'Namgung' image.
"Master was reluctant to talk about her family... but it doesn't seem like the Family Head is the problem."
In-ho had suspected that the entire family, led by her father, might have isolated her. However, seeing the reactions of Namgung Hyeon and the servants, it seemed she had been genuinely loved.
Though, I don't know if that love ever actually reached her.
If there was one thing that had shocked him since arriving in this dimension, it was that the Namgung So-yu here—his master—had a completely different personality from the one he knew.
It was hard to believe they were the same person: the Heavenly Demon Namgung So-yu, who was confident, spirited, and at times even arrogant; and the Flame Wheel Master Namgung So-yu, who was anxious, lacked self-esteem, and was prone to self-deprecation that went beyond mere humility.
Furthermore, he was dying to know what could possibly cause the current So-yu, who constantly spoke of justice and the duty of a martial artist, to become the Heavenly Demon who advocated for Murim Erasure.
"Maybe it's my death?"
The Heavenly Demon had explicitly stated that she [lost In-ho because of martial arts].
Losing a cherished disciple would certainly be enough to make someone loathe everything associated with that loss.
But how, and at whose hands, would he die?
In-ho delved deeper into his thoughts.
He wasn't weak enough to be taken down by some random nobody. Nor had he made enemies with any major factions yet.
"Then, the Unorthodox Sect...?"
That was the first possibility that came to mind.
"But advocating for Murim Erasure just because I died at the hands of the Unorthodox Sect seems like a bit of an overreaction."
It would be like burning your entire house down because you stubbed your toe on the threshold.
"It means something must happen that makes her absolutely sick of Murim and martial arts... Come to think of it, it might not even be my death. Maybe something else happens after I die."
The most plausible hypothesis was that a series of events had layered upon one another, gradually warping So-yu’s personality. In-ho nodded to himself, satisfied with this conclusion.
He might have stayed in that pensive pose a bit longer if not for the sudden voice behind him.
"Mistew, are you dying?"
In-ho jumped out of his skin at the high-pitched, youthful voice.
"Yikes!"
Letting out a bizarre yelp, In-ho whipped around to find a young child staring up at him blankly.
"...Huh?"
She was just a little girl, but her face was strangely familiar. In-ho pressed a hand against his thumping heart.
"And you are...?"
"I am Namgung So-yeon," the girl replied, giving him a polite bow with her hands over her navel.
Hearing the name, In-ho realized that what was meant to happen had finally happened. It was foolish to think he wouldn't run into her when he had come specifically to celebrate her birthday.
"......"
In-ho stared intently at Namgung So-yeon. Perhaps thinking it was a staring contest, she widened her eyes and matched his gaze.
The frantic beating of his heart gradually slowed to a normal rhythm. He had been worried about experiencing some kind of PTSD after the ordeal she’d put him through before, but his tension melted away so quickly it made his concern feel silly.
"Who are you, Mistew?" So-yeon asked as In-ho stretched his stiff body.
"Me? I'm In-ho. Kang In-ho."
Having regained his composure, In-ho answered her.
"Kang In-ho. Kang In-ho."
So-yeon repeated his name a few times, testing the sound of it. In-ho considered correcting her pronunciation, but he decided against being so strict with a child.
"This is Mommy's garden. Why are you here?" Namgung So-yeon pointed a finger at him.
"The Family Head... I mean, your daddy told me to look around the garden," In-ho said, crouching down to meet her eye level.
Her eyes were exactly the same as the innocent ones he had seen back in Hanam.
How did a kid like this turn out that way later...?
His mood sank as he recalled the Namgung So-yeon who had suddenly gone mad and attacked the Black Sky Cult.
"Mistew In-ho. Are you sad?"
"No, I'm fine."
So-yeon reached out and placed a tiny, fern-like hand on In-ho’s cheek. He gave a small chuckle and shook his head.
In-ho looked into her bright, clear eyes for a moment before standing up. He felt a nagging sense that he shouldn't stay with her for too long.
"Where are you going?"
"I've seen enough, so I'm going back to my room."
"Don't gooo. Let's play house."
So-yeon grabbed his sleeve.
In-ho found himself in a bind, unable to simply shake off a child, when a voice called out to him from across the garden.
"What are you doing?"
It was So-yu.
"Ah, just... looking at the garden. And here..."
So-yu followed In-ho’s gaze. There, she saw her young cousin, growing up in a world of pure sunshine.
"......"
So-yu and So-yeon locked eyes. The standoff lasted for a brief moment.
"Let's go. Now that we've paid our respects to the Family Head, it's time to head to the main house."
So-yu was the first to look away. She walked past So-yeon and spoke to In-ho.
"Ah, right. Yes, Master."
Sensing his master’s dampened mood, In-ho replied hurriedly.
"I have to go now. Let's play next time."
In-ho gave So-yeon a bright smile. Though she looked disappointed, she obediently let go of his sleeve.
As he followed his master, In-ho looked back at So-yeon several times. She, too, kept her eyes on him until he disappeared from sight.