Reunion with the White Dragon Divine Sword
"It's been a very long time, Namgung family head. I hope all has been well?"
"We were all awaiting your arrival, along with the Moyong family. Please speak freely, Elder."
"How could I address the family head so casually?"
Before Namgung Gyeong-hae could respond to the old woman's words—Moyong Chwi-ryeo—Namgung Hwan, standing beside him, suddenly interjected.
"Would it be better to tease the young ones from your side instead?"
"Hahaha, even at an age where Yama himself beckons, you're still full of youthful vigor."
"I've got at least a thousand years left!"
As Namgung Hwan bantered back and forth with the old woman, the children already gathered at the Kyunghang Yunryeon were peering curiously at the Moyong clan arrivals.
The family from the north, huh? Their vibe really is different.
Moyong Chwi-ryeo's eyes were clouded by age, yet a faint blue aura lingered within them.
And that blue glow shone even more vividly not from Moyong Chwi-ryeo, but from the boy standing right behind her.
The boy had a strikingly pale face and mysterious blue eyes that left a deep impression. Unlike the others, his eyes were exceptionally clear and vivid blue.
The other children noticed it too, whispering among themselves.
"His eyes are blue."
"Like a blue-eyed demon or something?"
"What nonsense— he's from the Moyong family!"
Even as the murmurs reached him, Moyong Seol-ho stood ramrod straight, staring only ahead.
"So, where is the Wumwolgeom? Didn't he come too?"
Grandfather?
Ryeon tilted her head in confusion. She hadn't known the Moyong and Danmok families had any connection.
Everyone banded together against Blood Valley back then, so maybe that's when they met? And Moyong Seol-ho's specifically curious about the Danmok kids.
That made sense, especially since even the North Sea Binggung had lent a hand.
As Ryeon pondered this, Moyong Chwi-ryeo's gaze slowly shifted, landing squarely on Danmok Ryeon and Danmok Seong standing side by side. Her eyes fixed directly on Ryeon.
Ryeon was a bit startled by the sudden eye contact but quickly bowed.
"Hello, White Dragon Divine... Whoa!"
But before she could fully bow, Moyong Chwi-ryeo strode forward and hoisted Ryeon up effortlessly.
Ryeon yelped in surprise, her eyes widening, as the old woman brought her face close while holding her aloft.
"Hmm, now I see. You must be Ryeon."
This time, Ryeon was truly shocked. How did she know at a glance?
Does she have something like Divine Eye too?
Moyong Chwi-ryeo smiled gently and set Ryeon down.
"Your eyes are just like Seol-eon's. Like stars shining in the night sky..."
As she spoke, Moyong Chwi-ryeo patted Ryeon's head and slowly turned her gaze.
A short distance away stood Danmok Cheon-gi, his face rigidly tense for some reason.
Ryeon knew who "Seol-eon" was—the name for her own grandmother, whom she'd never met.
* * *
While the adults stepped away, the children glanced furtively at the Moyong kids from a little distance.
Then Moyong Seol-ho approached with steady steps and stopped before Ryeon. His blue-tinged eyes stared straight at her.
"I apologize for Grandmother's rudeness."
"No, it's fine."
Ryeon was surprised that he apologized first but calmly shook her head.
An awkward silence followed.
"Um, I'm Danmok Ryeon. This is my cousin, Danmok Seong. And these are Seo Geuk-rim, Danmok Wan, and Mae Sin-yu. All our relatives."
"Hello. Moyong Seol-ho."
His greeting was rather stiff. He nodded curtly, and the awkward silence returned.
Namgung Seo-geon, who had been watching quietly, smoothly inserted himself.
"I'm Namgung Seo-geon. Was the journey here tough?"
Moyong Seol-ho glanced at him and shook his head briefly.
It could have come off as rude, but Namgung Seo-geon didn't mind at all.
"Shall I show you around the estate then?"
"No need."
"Uh...?"
The flat refusal startled even Namgung Seo-geon, making him flinch. But Moyong Seol-ho offered no further explanation, just fell silent again.
The silence now was far more strained than before.
Unable to bear the atmosphere, Ryeon rubbed her cheek awkwardly and spoke up.
"Um, hey... Do you plan to train separately in the evening too?"
"Pardon?"
"We—well, the interested kids—are planning to gather in the evening to study together. Want to join?"
Perhaps because it touched on his very concern, Moyong Seol-ho's face lit up more than when he'd rejected Namgung Seo-geon's offer.
"How will the studying work?"
Though it felt like an interrogation on the curriculum, Ryeon answered confidently.
"We'll each demonstrate what we can do, exchange thoughts on tricky parts. Now that the White Dragon Divine Sword is here, lectures will start soon—we can review together then."
"Does group study actually help?"
Ryeon paused briefly at the blunt question, heedless of the mood, then nodded.
"Of course."
"Then... can I join too?"
Moyong Seol-ho's tone was stiff, almost reluctant, but his blue eyes sparkled brightly.
About to say yes, Ryeon asked something else instead.
"But aren't you curious about looking around the Namgung estate? There's lots of interesting stuff here."
"That comes after escorting Grandmother to the reception hall."
"Grandmother... Won't the White Dragon Divine Sword take a while to reemerge? You could tour around in the meantime."
"But that wouldn't be proper for a grandson."
Understanding now why he'd refused the tour, Namgung Seo-geon softened his expression and asked.
"Then what will you do while waiting for her?"
"Review what I've learned in my head."
"...!"
Ryeon's heart warmed and swelled with reassurance at his words.
Upper-Mid aptitude—on par with Master Yeopun. And at his age, he's already this diligent.
Growing up like this... he'll become a pillar of the northern murim and crush Blood Valley.
How wonderful! Ryeon's eyes sparkled as she quickly asked.
"That's so cool. What are you reviewing? Swordsmanship?"
For some reason, Moyong Seol-ho looked both puzzled and surprised by her question. He gazed at her with a strange expression.
"Swordsmanship... I train that daily. Lately, Grandmother's been explaining our family's ultimate art—Dou Zhua... ahem, our clan secret technique. I'm reviewing because I haven't grasped it perfectly."
Clan ultimate art?
Ryeon blinked.
Dou Zhuan...?
Dou Zhuan Xing Yi (Stars Shift)?
She'd heard of it vaguely. The technique said to reflect any martial art or poison—the pinnacle among Moyong secrets.
Already teaching him that?
But considering his aptitude, "already" didn't quite fit.
Of course they'd teach him. Especially with how hard he works. If only I could help...
Helping such a talented child would boost her Haengun points, and envisioning him growing into a great murim warrior to face Blood Valley filled her chest with emotion.
"Not just the clan art—there's so much more I need to learn... My basics are still lacking too."
The last part felt like the humble brag unique to smart kids, but it only made him cuter.
Ryeon wanted to drag him off to study right then, but she felt a piercing gaze and slowly turned.
Namgung Seo-geon stared at her with a strangely aggrieved expression.
"Seo-geon gongzi... want to study together in the evening too? With Seo-jin."
"...With Seo-jin too?"
"Yeah. Would that be inconvenient?"
Ryeon gazed steadily at Namgung Seo-geon.
"He's your little brother—why would it be? It'll be great with everyone. I'd have felt bad if I didn't invite you."
"Wasn't I already feeling bad?"
Ryeon teased lightly, and Seo-geon nodded with a smile.
"Maybe a little. You only invited Seol-ho."
"I thought you weren't interested, Seo-geon gongzi..."
Moyong Seol-ho was caught between them but remained stoically expressionless.