Winds of Change Amid the Gathering Crowds (4)
"Hand over one of your maids to me."
I never imagined that was what my brother wanted.
After parting with him, I headed straight back to my quarters. Everyone was waiting for me, and the moment they saw me, the questions came pouring out.
"How'd it go?"
"Did you get your ass kicked?"
"Did you fight?"
"Did they smash your daegari again?"
These guys! Do they think I get my head bashed in every time I go somewhere?!
I first asked about Ilhyang and Ihyang noona.
"Where are the noonas?"
"They ate dinner and went to bed early 'cause they were tired. Should we wake 'em?"
"No, let 'em sleep. More importantly, the date for the proxy duel has been set."
"When?"
Daegalbak 33-ho, who always got fired up about anything involving my second brother, stepped forward to ask.
"Tomorrow afternoon. So get ready, everyone—starting now. We cannot afford to lose."
Yeah, defeat is absolutely not an option. That's what these two years were for, wasn't it?
My words ignited their battle spirit. Each of them probably harbored some grudge against the Namgung Clan deep down. Tomorrow was finally their chance to unleash it.
I said it to myself as much as to them.
"We're winning this, no question. If we lose, just assume Daegalbak doesn't exist anymore."
* * *
A certain rumor was spreading like wildfire through Hebi.
"Tomorrow? For real?"
"Yeah! I heard it straight from someone working at the Namgung estate. There's already a line forming out front."
"We gotta hurry over there too."
Two direct descendants of the Namgung Clan were about to clash. Something exciting had suddenly shaken up the dull, peaceful murim.
Fueling the buzz even more was another tidbit: the Namgung patriarch himself might attend the duel tomorrow.
* * *
Hebi's heavyweights were flocking to the Namgung estate. Normally, even big shots wouldn't be casually welcomed as outsiders, but today, the Namgung Clan threw open its doors to everyone, no exceptions.
The rumors spread from mouth to mouth, ear to ear, eventually reaching Samhyang's ears as she handled business outside.
"Is the clan head going too?"
The Tianxia Jeonjang Hebi branch manager asked Samhyang cautiously.
"Yes. Handle the rest yourself, branch manager. I need to head back and see exactly what's going on."
"Understood. Safe travels."
That's when it happened. Geum Dondong, who had been quietly holed up at the Hebi branch all this time, made his appearance.
"I'll go with you."
"Supreme Elder!"
The branch manager jumped in surprise at his sudden arrival.
Samhyang, meanwhile, greeted him calmly. She'd heard the rumors swirling around Hebi and figured the old man might step out.
"I'll escort you, Elder. Come with me."
"Very well."
Geum Dondong nodded, giving Samhyang a warm look. In these two years, she'd grown far beyond his expectations. He clicked his tongue at the branch manager, who was still flustered just looking at him.
If only there were one more kid like Samhyang in Tianxia Jeonjang...
Shoving aside his bitterness, Geum Dondong set out. It had been a full two years since his last outing.
It wasn't just outside the estate buzzing with activity. Inside was several times more hectic.
This massive event had been sprung on them out of nowhere. The principals might have known for a while, but it was the underlings handling the preparations. They grumbled about the sudden scramble for tomorrow's duel, but they couldn't hide their excitement either.
How long had it been since their hearts pounded like this?
No one said it out loud, but the heat was already rising from their thrilled anticipation.
* * *
Sinui found himself drawn to the patriarch's quarters by the rumors swirling through the estate, almost against his will. When he entered, Namgung Ilro was already there.
"Old timer! What the hell's going on? A duel out of nowhere? Namgung-a, did you know about this?"
Namgung Ilro remained silent.
Namgung Hancheol spoke softly.
"Yes."
Yi Han couldn't keep his cool at the curt reply. By comparison, Namgung Ilro's astonishing composure was impressive.
"Yes? The outside's in chaos! Yes?"
"Tsk tsk, don't make a fuss over kids fighting. And you're not even Namgung blood—why the panic?"
"I'm not totally unrelated anymore!"
"Heh, I heard you've been hanging around the youngest a lot. So you've picked your side, eh?"
Yi Han sighed.
"What choice is there? My disciple's one of the youngest young master's people. Blood bends toward the arm, as they say."
Namgung Hancheol turned to Namgung Ilro.
"You've chosen too?"
He looked calm enough, but he was clearly excited. Namgung Hancheol could tell.
Finally, Namgung Ilro spoke.
"My heart leans toward the youngest young master as well."
Namgung Hancheol gazed at them both with genuine admiration.
"Impressive."
This wasn't flattery for them—it was sincere praise for his youngest son. Who else in the world could win over both Namgung Ilro and Yi Han?
With his business done, Namgung Hancheol closed his eyes again and said curtly,
"Tomorrow should be interesting."
A clear dismissal. They left empty-handed but had learned one crucial thing—perhaps the very reason they'd come.
All this commotion had Namgung Hancheol's tacit approval.
That alone guaranteed tomorrow's duel would happen, even if Ma-gyo rose again. A result would emerge, no matter what.
And this wasn't just any duel! A clash between direct heirs of the world's top clan.
The news reached every ear in Hebi within a day. Soon, it'd spread across the Central Plains.
Had there been an event this big lately? It'd be chewed over for days, maybe weeks.
The sleeping dragons who'd lain dormant would start awakening from today.
Stepping outside, Namgung Ilro looked up at the sky. Gazing at the maddeningly blue expanse, he thought,
Time to really retire to the back room?
His disciple had surely known about all this already. Feeling deflated after getting one-upped for the first time, he chuckled and genuinely looked forward to tomorrow's outcome.
He was Namgung blood too, after all. He was curious what this unforeseen wind would bring.
Yi Han, on the other hand, was pissed at Namgung Daeso.
"After all the meds I hauled around!"
Ilhyang had done most of the work, technically.
"Couldn't even tell me that one thing! Hmph!"
He could've asked anyone at Cheonryongjeon, sure—but he wanted to hear it straight from Daeso.
"I'll watch tomorrow and see just how well you do."
Even Yi Han had some expectations. He knew how much effort Namgung Daeso had put in.
So he was angry, but anticipating too. This time, maybe... something real would happen.
* * *
Namgung Je-cheon was thrilled beyond measure. He hadn't expected things to kick off this fast.
He'd figured at least a month.
But now he was racking his brain over something else.
"I can't even predict this."
No matter how he turned it over, no answer emerged.
Who would win?!
Second young master Namgung Jung's power was the real deal. For tomorrow's duel, he'd surely deploy not just any of his forces, but Daeyeon Geomdan.
His strongest armed unit.
If Daeyeon Geomdan entered the fray, even their top brass would join. That was a real problem.
The Namgung Clan had nine martial organizations, each overseen by one of nine elders at the top.
Daeyeon Geomdan's elder was none other than the clan's seventh-ranked: Mad Cow Namgung Cheon.
A Hwagyeong master, of course—and one who'd reached it so long ago, the details were lost to time. An absolute veteran.
If they couldn't stop him tomorrow, the youngest young master had no shot against the second.
"Argh! How am I supposed to wait a whole day?!"
Above all, the pressure of delaying this thrilling event by even one day was killing him.
* * *
Namgung So quietly sorted his thoughts.
Why did the youngest accept the duel?
Even if he gave his all, Namgung Jung hyungnim was no sure win.
Daeyeon Geomdan is strong.
Undeniable fact. Whether comparing individual prowess or collective might, they were top-tier in the Central Plains, bar none.
In contrast, I hear the youngest built a new force called Cheonryongjeon.
When he'd heard who comprised it, Namgung So had snorted in disbelief—but he knew what the youngest was capable of.
A being who exceeds expectations.
But that small miracle from two years ago against him?
Won't happen tomorrow.
Because he'll be there.
Just coincidence. One person's cleverness alone.
Couldn't overcome that wall.
The wall called Hwagyeong.
Where was Elder Namgung Cheon planting his feet right now?
Namgung So opened his eyes from meditation. Someone stood before him.
If Daeyeon Geomdan had Namgung Cheon,
Cheongpung Geomdan had Namgung U. Clan rank eighth.
Namgung So asked, "In your view, Elder, who wins tomorrow's duel?"
Chung-gwa-bujeok—outnumbered and outmatched, an idiom for foes too overwhelming to face.
Namgung So knew what answer to expect from Namgung U.
"If Elder Namgung Cheon steps in, the youngest young master can't win, no matter what."
As expected.
"But."
Namgung U hesitated, as if holding back.
Namgung So couldn't fathom why he wouldn't speak freely.
Some variable?
He finally continued.
"There are levels even within Hwagyeong."
A commonplace observation.
Namgung So nodded. "All martial arts have tiers."
"Yes. But Hwagyeong is different. Most arts divide into early, mid, late—but in Hwagyeong, the tiniest gap means worlds of difference."
No wonder it's called a realm beyond humanity.
"Seventh and eighth rank might sound close, but an invisible chasm separates Namgung Cheon and me. That's why no one knows until blades clash. Excluding the patriarch, it's uncharted territory."
Namgung So grew impatient. Why drag out basics any martial artist knew?
"So what are you getting at?"
"The youngest young master just might win tomorrow."
Ah, the intel shared only with elders and above in the Namgung Clan.
Two absolute beings from murim's past—even the elders wouldn't dare touch them lightly.
* * *
"Baldy! Longnose! Get over here!"
"The end times are upon us. Amitabha."
"Doomsday approaches. Infinite Buddha."
"Argh! Cut the dramatics and hurry up. Gotta discuss tomorrow's duel."
* * *
Elder Namgung U had said,
"If those two show up—and they surpass my expectations—the winds blowing through murim tomorrow might turn completely upside down."