Chapter 315
Chapter 315
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 315
Chapter Title: Patriarch
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Nangong Myeong went straight to Nangong Jinya the moment he realized his father had vanished. If he had to name the person in the Nangong family closest to Nangong Jincheon on a personal level, it would undoubtedly be Nangong Jinya.
No one could know Nangong Jincheon's whereabouts more accurately than Nangong Jinya. Nangong Myeong trusted him just the same.
Of course, Nangong Myeong had no idea where his father had gone. It was simply pure curiosity.
Nangong Myeong asked Nangong Jinya.
"Uncle, it seems Father has disappeared. Do you happen to know where he went?"
He naturally assumed it would be somewhere near Heavenly Lord Mountain, but the response was unexpected.
"Brother has gone off to reclaim his life as a martial artist for a while."
"Pardon?"
When Nangong Myeong asked again, Nangong Jinya answered honestly.
"You've only ever seen Brother's stern side and his demeanor as the head of the Nangong family. But Brother is far more free-spirited than you know. It's been ages since he set aside his duties as patriarch, so he's probably just feeling nostalgic for the outside world."
Even as he spoke, Nangong Jinya showed no particular worry.
Nangong Jincheon had left the Nangong family first, so it was only natural that Nangong Myeong, who was set to inherit the position, would stay put.
That was the obvious conclusion if one assumed the other party was a reasonable person.
But Nangong Myeong posed a brief question.
"Did he give any indication of when he might return?"
"Well—"
Nangong Jinya started to tell the truth but recalled what Nangong Jincheon had said.
The talk of Nangong Myeong trying to leave the Nangong family.
Surely it wouldn't happen, but what if Nangong Myeong left even after Nangong Jincheon had stepped away? It was a situation that left even Nangong Jinya, who was not the patriarch, feeling at a loss.
And so, Nangong Jinya decided not to reveal the full truth.
Nangong Myeong would learn of it eventually, but such truths could be disclosed a bit later. It was what one might call a white lie.
"At least a year... no, probably two or three months."
Nangong Myeong's eyes flashed at the answer.
Those who spend a long time with supreme experts gain the ability to read others' true intentions.
It was the most basic form of insight. Just as watching the sword of the world's greatest swordsman every day would make the sword of a local thug feel unbearably slow and shallow by comparison, reading the inner thoughts of ordinary people became effortless.
Nangong Myeong instinctively realized that Nangong Jinya was hiding something.
"Two or three months."
It wasn't an especially long period. But the initial slip about a year nagged at him.
No matter how he thought about it, it felt like his uncle had offered a timeframe he believed Nangong Myeong could compromise on. As if his father, who had already left, had adjusted the timeline once.
Having subtly realized that Nangong Jinya was trying to deceive him, Nangong Myeong felt no pangs of conscience.
Pretending to be oblivious, he said,
"...I see. I suppose I need to get used to the heavy responsibility of being patriarch before Father returns."
"I'll help you with all my heart, so don't worry."
"Thank you. What goal should I pursue from here on?"
Nangong Jinya thought for a moment before replying.
"Brother hoped the Nangong family would surpass even the Shaolin Temple to become the true foremost martial clan of the Central Plains. You may not agree with his methods, but you wouldn't dismiss that goal as insignificant."
"You're right."
"Then advance toward the same goal in your own way. It would be the most splendid way to prove to Brother that you're right."
"Understood. It feels like a goal worth devoting a lifetime to. But it won't be easy. I'll need wise allies."
"Allies?"
Nangong Jinya assumed the wise ally in question must be himself. After all, he had offered Nangong Jincheon quite a bit of advice.
But Nangong Myeong brought up something else.
"I happen to know a wise woman. And since I'm at an age where I've missed my prime for marriage, I should hold a wedding too."
"You have someone in mind. Is it a woman I know?"
"It's Jeong Okryeong of the Bower Sect."
Nangong Jinya pondered for a moment before recalling who Jeong Okryeong was.
The Bower Sect wasn't a family with much backing, and Jeong Okryeong wasn't a beauty versed in peerless martial arts.
Yet Jeong Okryeong was a woman of excellent character and steadfast resolve.
The Nangong family already had great influence and superior martial prowess, so what it truly needed was someone like Jeong Okryeong.
Nangong Jinya felt inwardly pleased.
"Myeong has a good eye for people."
Even setting aside Jeong Okryeong herself, the situation was highly desirable. Once the marriage took place, Nangong Myeong wouldn't be able to leave the Nangong family.
Of course, there was the excellent counterexample of Dang Mujin, but Nangong Jinya's thoughts didn't extend that far.
It was only common sense that a married man wouldn't abandon his family. And common sense was common precisely because it was hard to escape.
Nangong Jinya readily agreed.
"Good idea. We should prepare the wedding right away—today, even."
But Nangong Myeong shook his head.
"Marriage requires the agreement of two people, so I should visit the Bower Sect again first to discuss the matter. Preparations can follow naturally after that."
"You're not in the best condition. You plan to go to the Bower Sect yourself?"
"Okryeong has waited for me so long. Isn't that the least I can do to show my sincerity?"
It was a subtly flimsy argument, but it sounded plausible on the surface—and even admirable.
Nangong Jinya didn't doubt Nangong Myeong's words.
"Very well. You're long past adulthood and about to take on great responsibilities, so it's not for me to interfere. Still, leaving right away worries me, so take some time to recover before you go."
"Understood."
Nangong Myeong flashed a highly trustworthy smile, putting Nangong Jinya at ease.
*
For the full two weeks that followed, Nangong Myeong spent his time with remarkable diligence.
He frequently visited Nangong Jinya to inquire about family matters large and small, lifted Nangong Hyeon's punishment, and whenever he had a moment, sat quietly in meditation. Occasionally, he sat with Nangong Jinya to discuss swordsmanship.
Seeing his nephew's behavior grow so earnest, one couldn't help but think the saying "position makes the man" rang true. The once frivolous boy was steadily acquiring the dignity of a patriarch.
The only minor issue was the recent reports of incompetent martial artists occasionally losing their belongings, but Nangong Jinya had no real worries.
And finally, the day came for Nangong Myeong to depart for the Bower Sect.
"Uncle, since it's been so long since I'll see Okryeong, it might take a little time."
When a man and woman who harbor feelings for each other reunite after a long separation, something is bound to happen.
Nangong Jinya unwittingly smirked lecherously before hastily composing his expression and replying.
"I know. No need to rush—have a deep talk and come back."
Nangong Myeong spoke each word as if pressing it firmly.
"Please take good care of the Nangong family until I return. It might be overstepping for someone like me, who's never acted as patriarch, to even say this..."
"Don't worry. It would be even better if you returned with Elder Jeong in tow."
"I'll do that if possible."
Nangong Myeong gave Nangong Jinya a light clasped-hands salute before heading north toward the Bower Sect.
Nangong Jinya had no doubt that Nangong Myeong would return soon.
It was about two weeks later that Nangong Jinya realized something was wrong.
*
Not long after departing the Nangong family, Nangong Myeong and his group arrived at the Bower Sect.
Jeong Okryeong's eyes widened.
"What brings you here?"
Nangong Myeong had said he would visit when the time came, but this was the first time he had actually come to see her.
Moreover, the timing of his visit was profoundly meaningful.
Rumors had even begun circulating lately that Nangong Myeong had broken through to the absolute peak.
Yet Jeong Okryeong couldn't fully rejoice in his achievement.
Instead, she felt a bit anxious. Outstanding men naturally attract women who fancy them. She worried Nangong Myeong might have his eyes on another woman.
The world was vast, and men who abandoned their first wives weren't rare. If they did that after marriage, how many more cast aside women they'd never even wed?
Jeong Okryeong feared the marriage talk might come to nothing.
But Nangong Myeong replied calmly, as if to dispel her worries.
"Just... wanted to see you."
Jeong Okryeong was startled, of course—as was Jeong Taeryeong standing beside her.
To express his affection so directly. Jeong Okryeong felt inwardly delighted.
"...Ahem. Is that so?"
"I've got a long way to go, so I can't stay long. Still, it felt wrong to pass by Anhuiseong without stopping at the Bower Sect."
"Then at least have a meal before you leave."
"Sure."
Nangong Myeong and his friends stayed at the Bower Sect for half a day.
Jeong Okryeong wished he could stay longer, but Nangong Myeong seemed anxious, as if pursued by something, so she couldn't bring herself to hold him back.
Instead, thinking of how he'd made time to visit amid such urgency warmed a corner of her heart.
As the sun began to set, Nangong Myeong left the Bower Sect with his friends.
He said to Jeong Okryeong,
"I'll come back once things are settled. Wait just a bit longer."
"Okay. Hurry back."
Jeong Okryeong waved him off with a beaming smile.
One odd detail was that Nangong Myeong headed west instead of south.
Of course, Jeong Okryeong didn't find it strange.
*
Nangong Myeong assessed.
"We've successfully escaped."
Truthfully, only Nangong Myeong could call this situation an escape. The rest of the group could leave the Nangong family anytime they wished.
One might even question if breaking away from one's own family truly qualified as an escape.
"There won't be any problems at the Nangong family, right?"
The one actually concerned about the Nangong family wasn't Nangong Myeong but Hyeon-gong. He wanted their backing to remain solid.
Nangong Myeong declared confidently.
"Uncle Jinya will lead the Nangong family far better than I could. He knows the family's affairs inside and out, his martial prowess is outstanding, and he has a good reputation among the members. If an outsider like me strutted around as the new patriarch in this situation, it would only cause friction."
"Well, that's true."
Nangong Myeong felt oddly uneasy at how readily Hyeon-gong agreed.
But he couldn't pour out his true feelings here. Asking why he wasn't objecting would be petty.
Dang Mujin asked.
"How much farther to Suk Village?"
"If the people's talk is accurate, about two more days."
The group was en route to Suk Village. The place where Physician Yang and Physician Yeom had decided to stay instead of going to the Nangong family.
There was a risk that Nangong Jinya might catch on to Nangong Myeong's intentions and pursue if they dawdled, but they couldn't abandon Physicians Yang and Yeom.
Yet Suk Village was a peculiar place.
Every time Dang Mujin's group asked for directions to Suk Village, the locals gave them strange looks.
"You're going to Suk Village? Why on earth?"
"Our companions are there."
They had only spoken plainly, yet the gazes weren't friendly.
More than a few people blanched at the sight of their swords. They would point the way to Suk Village and then hurry off.
"People's reactions are weird. Something must be wrong with that Suk Village place."
"There probably is. That physician we met on the road said the villagers have rough tempers and lots of injuries and illnesses."
Come to think of it, it was a bit odd.
Rough tempers weren't good for physicians, but many sick and injured should be good business—steady work meant no starving.
Yet if the physician left the village because of it, there had to be a serious problem.
By now, a subtle worry began to bloom in Dang Mujin's group.
'Hope nothing's happened to Physicians Yang and Yeom.'
Dang Mujin's group tried to ignore the ominous premonition and quickened their pace.
When they finally neared Suk Village, Dang Mujin's group caught the faint scent of blood.