Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Who will be the main figures leading Namgung’s next generation?

If you ask this, everyone points to Sogaju  Namgung Hyeon, but in reality, Namgung Hyeon isn’t the only talent in Namgung Family. Considering that Namgung still maintains a mid-tier position among the Five Great Families even after their decline, this is natural.

Befitting the name of a renowned family, Namgung Family has countless talented individuals including both direct and branch lineages. And.

Among them, Namgung Hyeon’s younger sister, Namgung Yeon , is an outstanding talent who at just sixteen years old manifested Geomgisangin , earning praise as a talent who would support Namgung Hyeon.

“They’re coming today, right? Orabeo-nim ?”

“Be quiet.”

Namgung Family main gate.

At Namgung Yeon’s chatter as she gazed at the long road stretching down the mountain, Namgung Hyeon twitched one eyebrow and immediately shut Namgung Yeon’s mouth. However, Namgung Yeon’s incessant chatter didn’t stop despite Namgung Hyeon’s restraint.

“A bimucheop, honestly, I never imagined it. These days I haven’t been able to leave the family grounds, so I was dying of boredom. It’s presumptuous to challenge our Namgung Family, but considering how bored I was, I might look at it favorably?”

“Didn’t I tell you to be quiet?”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen San eonni . Almost five years? At this point, I can barely remember what she looks like, honestly. Right?”

“……You’re not even listening. What do you think my authority as an older brother is?”

At Namgung Yeon’s sparkling eyes, Namgung Hyeon sighed and shook his head, looking ahead. He was concerned about the opponents who would soon come over that ridge.

‘Has it been two years?’

Two years since graduating from Mujeong Hall.

During that time, Namgung Hyeon had experienced about a year of duties as a Muryeokdae member before returning to his family to focus on training. The experience gained during that year was beyond what could be called precious.

You see as much as you know.

He fought yokai  and fought the unorthodox faction. He also punished orthodox practitioners who had turned their backs on the Murim Alliance’s control, and fought demon heads .

While accumulating such experience, Namgung Hyeon came to roughly understand what an amazing path the man called Baek Riyun had walked. And for good reason.

Senior Muryeokdae members would all shake their heads and click their tongues whenever they mentioned Baek Riyun.

“Orabeo-nim’s opponent is said to be excellent, but I’m a bit disappointed that mine seems easy. I heard it’s someone who’s only been learning martial arts for two and a half years? What were they thinking sending them out?”

“Don’t underestimate them just because it’s been two and a half years. They’re not much younger than you either.”

“I’m not underestimating them. They could have excellent talent…… But there’s such a thing as propriety, isn’t there? I’ve been learning martial arts for over ten years—how could I possibly lose?”

“I heard the opponent won a bimu competition within a month of learning martial arts.”

“Well, I do give them credit for that…… But it was a country bumpkin bimu competition. They foolishly let their guard down too. Of course they’d lose. Those without qualifications were just arrogant.”

At best, Baekgeommun , which ranks in the top five around Dongting Lake. And Namgung Family, which ranks in the top ten of the entire orthodox martial world.

The martial arts they learn are different, and their scale is different. Anyone who has formally received the title of martial artist from Namgung Family could defeat everyone who appeared in the Baekgeom Bimu Competition within three seconds. Even the most inferior one could do so.

“I’m not worried about myself but about orabeo-nim. You’ve lost once before, haven’t you? Will you be able to win?”

“Huh? Why aren’t you answering?”

“Be quiet.”

Ttak!

“Ack!”

At Namgung Yeon’s playful question, Namgung Hyeon frowned and flicked Namgung Yeon’s forehead with his bent finger. Namgung Yeon let out a sharp cry.

“Violence is wrong! You could have just said you’d win instead of hitting people……”

“I can’t guarantee I’ll win.”

“What? But you told Father you would win.”

“Because I must win. Because I can’t lose, I said that.”

“Then…….”

“But I don’t know if I can actually win. Because the opponent is not ordinary.”

“……They’re that strong?”

“No.”

Is Seonwoo Gang strong?

Thinking back two years ago, he’d rank among the stronger ones in the latter generation, but he’s no match for Namgung Hyeon. Abandoning one’s foundation and learning different martial arts isn’t as easy as it sounds. Compared to Namgung Hyeon, who has progressed single-mindedly in Changgung Muae Sword and Jewang Geomhyeong, he would definitely fall short.

Considering only that, the advantage is clearly his. However.

“Uicheonmunju Baek Riyun is a fearsome man.”

“He challenges things considered absolutely unwinnable and overcomes them. And in the process, he never doubts himself. Even when everyone else says it can’t be done, he answers ‘it can be done’ and actually achieves it.”

Baek Riyun is never reckless. The fact that he decided on a bimuhaeng means he’s confident he can win.

Like last time, he might bring a counter-method, or Seonwoo Gang’s skills might have improved dramatically.

“Never let your guard down.”

“……Yes.”

At Namgung Hyeon’s suddenly serious words, Namgung Yeon hardened her expression and answered firmly. At the same time, several figures appeared above the ridge.

“They’re here.”

Taking a step forward and hardening his expression, Namgung Hyeon looked at his opponents.

Uicheonmun had arrived at Namgung Family.

Namgung Family, visited after nearly twenty years, maintained a better appearance than expected.

“It’s been a while. Baek Ri Sogaju. Or should I call you Uicheonmunju now?”

“Either is fine. It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

“Do I look well to your eyes?”

“You look better than I expected.”

“You’re not one for empty courtesies.”

“You know that’s my nature, don’t you?”

Looking at Namgung Yeoncheon casually receiving my greeting, Seohwa blinked and tilted her head. She seemed surprised that I had an acquaintance with Namgung Family’s head.

But it’s not strange. In the first place, I had connections not just with Namgung Family’s head but with all the heads of the Five Great Families.

“Time is truly fleeting. When I was Namgung Family’s Sogaju, you were also Baek Ri Family’s Sogaju, but now one became a family head and one became a sect master.”

“Neither of us is young enough to be called a rising star anymore.”

“You’re still barely young enough to be called a rising star. You’re still young, aren’t you?”

“That’s something that would get you pointed at by all the rising stars in the world. They’d say ‘what a disgrace at your age.'”

“……Aren’t your words rather barbed?”

“I give as good as I get.”

“Your sharp tongue is the same as ever.”

At Namgung Yeoncheon’s words subtly implying I’m still at the rising star level, I smoothly deflected, and Namgung Yeoncheon grimaced and turned around. A dry voice flowed out simultaneously.

“Follow me.”

Looking at Namgung Yeoncheon walking ahead and chuckling, I then blinked at the familiar face standing beside me. The man’s expression seemed to want to run away when he saw my face.

‘I didn’t expect to meet him here.’

Has he already retired?

No, seeing no news came to Hyeyeon, it’s probably not retirement.

When I winked slightly at him, my former subordinate Namgung Woo flinched and hurriedly hid himself. A jeoneum  immediately followed.

—Let me rest at home. Daeju. This is my first vacation in a year!

Who said they’d eat you?

“What are you doing?”

“Coming.”

Responding to Namgung Yeoncheon, who had turned around to ask why I wasn’t following, I followed behind. At the same time, Namgung Yeoncheon spoke while walking.

“When the bimucheop arrived, I doubted my eyes. I didn’t expect Uicheonmun would challenge our family. And for the first time, too.”

“I needed fame, and to raise fame, the Five Great Families and Nine Sects and One Gang were perfect.”

“Why did you choose our family first?”

“Where else should I have gone first if not Namgung?”

“Well, the Sword Emperor wouldn’t be swayed by blood ties…… It would be Jegal. If you wanted to win easily.”

“I think the same.”

“……? Then why did you choose Namgung?”

“Because I didn’t want to win easily.”

Also because you were close by.

At my words, Namgung Yeoncheon, who looked puzzled, glanced back before turning his head forward again. A question followed.

“May I ask what you mean?”

“Just as I said. I wanted to experience everything possible. Not just for me, but for my disciples too.”

“Jegal Family’s martial arts require time.”

It’s not because Jegal Family has the weakest martial arts—in some ways they have weaker martial arts than other families that didn’t make it into the Five Great Families—that Jegal Family proudly maintains their position in the martial world’s Five Great Families. It’s not because Jegal Family members hold important positions in the Murim Alliance generation after generation. Martial artists aren’t meticulous enough to include families in the Five Great Families for such reasons.

Jegal Family is a place that, in specific situations, displays power stronger than any of the Five Great Families.

Therefore, to experience Jegal Family’s true martial arts, you must give them time to set up the environment. Since the purpose of bimuhaeng is my disciples’ experience, that part is non-negotiable.

“You care greatly for your disciples.”

“I’m their master, after all.”

“Is that so?”

Well, you were always like that.

Mumbling quietly, Namgung Yeoncheon arrived at the front of Namgung main family and signaled to the servants with his eyes. Immediately, Namgung Family’s descendants approached us.

“Uicheonmun disciples, follow Hyeon and Yeon. We’ll guide you to guest rooms where you’ll stay during the event the day after tomorrow at noon. Uicheonmunju, have tea with me.”

“That’s fine.”

“Uicheonmun guests, this way please.”

At Namgung Yeoncheon’s words, I nodded to Seohwa, who was seeking my consent. Then the disciples disappeared following Namgung Hyeon.

After watching their backs for a moment, I turned my head at the gaze I clearly felt. Namgung Yeoncheon had approached right in front of me and was staring directly at me.

“Then, shall we talk about the bimu?”

“Is there more to discuss? I understand the method was already communicated by letter.”

“I know. It was a reasonable method. I have nothing to say about that method. However, whether the bimu happens or not is a separate matter.”

“Honestly, I’m displeased. Is Uicheonmun already in a position to send a bimucheop to our family? I don’t think so.”

As the disciples disappeared and Namgung Yeoncheon immediately revealed his true colors, I let out a chuckle. Well, it’s not wrong, is it?

“You should have done this from the start. I thought you’d changed, accepting the bimu so readily. Bringing this up now—is it to humiliate me?”

“No, since you sent a bimucheop, if it’s you, you must have a way to make the bimu happen. I just thought it would be better to meet and talk rather than debate back and forth through letters.”

“If it doesn’t happen, rumors will spread that Uicheonmun was treated rudely by Namgung Family.”

“I have no such intention, but well. That depends on what you do.”

Looking at Namgung Yeoncheon smoothly deflecting, I nodded. He’s thinking of making a deal.

“Other families accepted, but Namgung Family didn’t. Isn’t such finger-pointing from the public insufficient?”

“Our family’s dignity isn’t shallow enough to collapse from such things. The levels didn’t match. If you want such rumors to spread, go ahead.”

“That part has changed about you. You who used to care about dignity more than anyone.”

“Then, how about this? Depending on the outcome of the three bimu matches, each side grants what the other wants. Within reason.”

“Well. That’s not particularly appealing either. You have many things to ask of Namgung Family, but Namgung Family has nothing to ask of you.”

“Well. I think your thoughts will change once you hear what I have to say.”

“Empty words.”

What can Uicheonmun do for Namgung Family?

At Namgung Yeoncheon’s eyes seemingly asking that, I smiled broadly. And.

“This is confidential.”

“There is currently a divine physician  in Uicheonmun.”

“What?”

The next moment.

“The divine physician is currently taking refuge in our sect. The only physician who can cure the Grand Family Head’s illness.”

Namgung Yeoncheon’s eyes widened as if they would tear.