The Heavenly Brain Jegal (2)
Today, through my brother, I received some news. To foster goodwill among the Five Great Clans, we would soon depart on a journey, and the scale had been expanded so that Namgung Hye and I would join as well. Even my uncle, the Commander of the Changgung Sword Squad, was participating. Shaanxi, Hebei, Sichuan. It made sense to visit every major power except the distant Moyong Clan in Liaoning, with whom we had little contact.
At the same time, one thought crossed my mind. Jin Sowoon. The boy who had recently earned the title Extreme Sword Dragon. Though his connections, including those with the Namgung Clan, were by no means insignificant, they still felt somewhat lacking. Moreover, if he wished to give weight to that new title, he would need to show his face in the martial world from time to time. Traveling together from Shaanxi all the way to Sichuan would be perfect for him.
I had already mentioned something similar to him once before. As I considered seeking him out at home to make the suggestion again and then ask my uncle, a better idea suddenly flashed through my mind. If I asked my uncle to extend the invitation himself, then my uncle and Jin Sowoon could become acquainted as well.
"Uncle."
Heart and action as one. I carried out those words more faithfully than anyone else at that moment. As always, I found my uncle in the exclusive training grounds of the Changgung Sword Squad, overseeing the members' sword practice.
"Seha? What brings you here?"
A physique and presence even larger than Father's. A voice that somehow felt heavy. Thinking back, when I was younger I had been overwhelmed by that imposing figure and felt frightened for no reason. In truth, he was every bit as warm-hearted as Father.
After granting the squad members a short rest, my uncle came over, bent his knees to meet my eye level, and gently stroked my head. With a benevolent smile, he asked, "Do you have a favor to ask of your uncle?"
"Yes. I do."
Without the slightest hesitation, I answered. My uncle looked mildly surprised, lowered his hand from my head, and asked again, "Can you tell me what it is?"
"I heard we're visiting the Jegal Clan, the Hebei Peng Clan, and the Sichuan Tang Clan all at once. I'll be going as well."
My uncle nodded. "That's right."
"Have the accompanying personnel from Shaanxi to Sichuan already been decided?"
After a brief moment of thought, he replied, "We'll select half the members from the Changgung Sword Squad and the other half from the Blue Sword Squad, Thunder Sword Squad, and Southern Sky Squad. I'll compile the details tomorrow and report to your father. But why do you ask?"
In short, the roster was not yet finalized. This was excellent news. It was the perfect chance to settle matters quickly and smoothly.
In a casual tone, I asked, "Do you know a boy named Jin Sowoon who visits our clan? He recently earned the title Extreme Sword Dragon."
My uncle pondered for a moment before nodding. "I remember. Wasn't he the boy who sparred with the Poison Dragon? I've heard the name Extreme Sword Dragon as well. Quite skilled for his age, from what I recall."
"He's my friend."
"Could he perhaps accompany us?"
At my question, my uncle's expression grew more serious. He was no longer speaking to me as a niece, but as the Commander of the Changgung Sword Squad.
"It's a long journey. A dangerous one, possibly. Is he the sort to stir up trouble?"
The greatest danger on a long expedition was internal discord. Emotional conflicts, once inflamed, were difficult for anyone to resolve. He was not that kind of person. His smooth relations with members of other clans were proof enough. I shook my head.
"No. He isn't like that."
My uncle asked again, "Is he strong enough?"
Of course he was. Though he himself often complained that he still had many flaws to correct and tended to underestimate his own abilities, the fact remained that his martial prowess was extraordinary.
"At least twice as strong as me."
My uncle paused, then placed his hands on my shoulders. "Is he a trustworthy friend?"
Trustworthy. We had already faced death together. We were companions who shared a goal that sometimes felt like a fleeting spring dream, and we were moving toward it side by side. He possessed the resolve, the talent, the effort, and the loyalty required to reach that goal.
With far more conviction than before, I answered, "I trust him as much as I trust my own family."
My uncle stared at me blankly for a moment, as though struck. He patted my shoulder twice, then let go. When he spoke again, his voice had returned to its usual gentle tone.
"What must I do to satisfy you?"
...
After receiving Namgung Jehyun's proposal, I went to see Namgung Seha. We had already made plans, and I also wanted to ask for details about how the long journey would unfold.
"Seha. Sorry I'm late."
"It's all right. I woke up late myself."
Namgung Seha waved her hand dismissively. She woke up late? Since regressing, I had never once seen her do that. She had always been the type to rise early and retire early. As expected, her clothes were neat, her hair tidy, and there was no trace of drowsiness. She was someone who always began her mornings with her family. She had simply made up a convenient excuse to say it was fine that I was late. I felt grateful for that small kindness. She really was too good a friend to me.
"I got held up because I went to see your uncle, the Commander of the Changgung Sword Squad."
"My uncle...? For what reason...? Don't tell me you caused some kind of accident on the way?"
I had caused accidents more than once, but not this time. I walked over and sat beside her, waving my hand.
"No accident this time. I heard we're heading from Shaanxi to Sichuan?"
"Yes, that's right."
When she nodded, I continued, "He asked if you'd like to come along as well."
Her expression brightened, though she tried to hide it. There was a hint of anticipation in her voice. "What will you do?"
Though my mind was already leaning toward accepting, she spoke quickly before I could answer.
"It will definitely be helpful. You've already met the Poison Dragon at the Sichuan Tang Clan, but meeting the Tang Clan Head and his daughter would be good as well."
"The Jegal Clan is the same. The current Jegal Clan Head may be overly lenient, but the Young Master, Jegal Jihan, is ruthless when it comes to profit. It's worth meeting him."
"The Hebei Peng Clan has a somewhat radical streak, but they value loyalty above all. If you become close with them, they will stand by your side even at a loss to themselves."
Namgung Seha kept speaking without pause, her words filled with praise, clearly trying to steer me toward a positive answer. She was talking so fast that I could barely follow.
"Well, I think I'll go anyway."
I scratched the side of my head, hoping she would calm down. Namgung Seha pressed her lips together, as though she had nothing left to say. Once she had settled, I spoke again.
"We'll visit the Sichuan Tang Clan once more since the Poison Dragon invited us recently, and for the Hebei Peng Clan, it would be good if we could meet the Pae-jon while we're there."
I had rejected the Poison Dragon's invitation by advancing my schedule, but the matter had lingered in my mind. This was a chance to resolve it. Meeting the Pae-jon at the Hebei Peng Clan would be beneficial in every way. An encounter with one of the Ten Venerables could only bring advantages, never harm.
"Above all, since we're going to the Jegal Clan, there's something I need to receive from Jegal Soyeon."
"...What do you mean by that...?"
Ah. I hadn't told Seha about this. It hadn't seemed important enough to mention at the time. Well, it was fine. I could tell her now.
"It's nothing much. On the way, I met a woman named Jegal Soyeon from the Jegal Clan and saved her life. She was supposed to die originally."
What had happened to her in our previous life, how I had learned of it, and by what means I had saved her.
Namgung Seha made a thoughtful sound. "If that's the case... she'll probably prepare something quite valuable. It will also be good to meet the Jegal Clan members in person."
She fell silent for a moment, her expression hardening. Then, for some reason, she suddenly turned her head away from me and muttered something under her breath.
"Why... does it feel unpleasant?"
It was too quiet to hear clearly, but those were the words. It must have been my imagination. There was no reason for her to feel that way.