3
6
4.
Namgung Seon-hwa standing in the middle of the training ground.
Although she should have shivered at the blowing wind, she closed her eyes and held her sword, feeling a refreshing coolness on the contrary.
Thanks to that, the beads of sweat forming on my forehead began to dry slowly.
After keeping her eyes closed for a long time, she swung her sword the moment she thought everything was ready.
Vroom.
Light and sharp, the Namgung family’s signature sword technique.
Unobstructed sky.
An insanely blue aura dominates the space.
A cold wind was already blowing, but the moment Namgung Seon-hwa’s sword was swung.
Shhh
It felt as if the air in the area had frozen.
The sword blade fluttered in all directions, splitting even the wind.
Although it was a sword technique that had reached a sufficiently excellent level, Namgung Seon-hwa somehow bit her lip tightly.
“Tch.”
He raises his sword once again.
He closes his eyes and falls into deep meditation, as if forgetting all the movements from just moments ago.
Eventually, when I opened my eyes again.
Flash.
His eyes gleamed as if blood were flashing.
Then, her sword is swung.
Shhhhhhhh.
A sword technique similar to the Azure Sky Unobstructed Sword Technique, but with a completely different feel.
Changgungunwi.
A sword technique created by Changjesingeom, the absolute master of the era and head of the Namgung family, by developing Changgungmuae, the foundation of the Namgung family.
A sword technique that removes all unnecessary elements and further maximizes its strengths.
Furthermore, the fact that it was the shattering technique of the Changgung Muae Sword Technique, the foundation of the Namgung family, was a fact known only to the direct line and a few collateral members of the Namgung family.
True to its intention of pursuing extreme efficiency, its sharpness is second to none compared to that of any black sword.
Shhhhhhh.
The insanely blue blackness no longer showed coldness.
Instead of coldness, a chilling sharpness emanates.
A fierce sword energy, sharp enough to cut flesh with just a slight touch, slashes in all directions.
Cut the space, cut the wind, cut the marble floor.
Swaaaak, swaaaak, swaaaak.
Wherever the blue aura passes, a sword mark as thin as a needle remains.
And those thin sword marks densely packed together, beginning to surround Namgung Seon-hwa like a silkworm cocoon.
Swaaaak, swaaaak, swaaaak.
The nearby areas are cut down densely.
As if to say that no enemy, no sword would be allowed.
The radius of the sword mark gradually increases.
As the size of the circle increased, the dense mesh of sword marks began to loosen little by little.
Namgung Seon-hwa, take a step back lightly, as if walking on the sky.
Whoosh!
The Azure Sky Cloud-Weaving Sword Technique, which had been blooming like a fully bloomed flower, instantly gathers back at the peak.
The murderous aura that had filled the training ground vanished without a trace, and the cold wind that had dared not approach her once again filled the space.
“Haa, haa, haa.”
Perhaps because the heat had risen, white breath rose from Namgung Seon-hwa’s mouth.
She began to examine the sword marks surrounding her without even thinking to wipe her sweat.
The moment Namgung Seon-hwa, with a deeply furrowed brow, brought her hand to her forehead.
That’s amazing skill.
“……!”
A warm voice was heard.
“who…….”
Namgung Seon-hwa turned her head in the direction from which the voice came, and her eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
“……
Lord Kang?
The one who peeked his head out was none other than Gang Seo-pyo.
“Great Master!!!”
Namgung Seon-hwa ran breathlessly over to him and grabbed his hand in joy.
Gang Seo-pyo held her hand and simultaneously expressed his delight.
“What happened? And what brings you here? Did you perhaps have business with the Murim Alliance…?”
“miss!”
Ah, I’ve been talking too much about myself. I’m sorry.
Kang Seo-pyo wore a serious expression for a moment, then flashed a broad smile with a playful look.
I am no longer the Head of the House, but the Head of the Clan.
“yes?!”
“Hahaha! Please call me the youngest head of the Namgung family.”
The two of them caught up for a short while and shared stories they hadn’t been able to tell for a while.
After the conversation about exchanging greetings ended, Gang Seo-pyo’s eyes turned toward the massive circular sword mark created by Namgung Seon-hwa.
You’ve become sharper.
Kang Seo-pyo’s expression was sincere.
Because there was a certain limit to the level that children of Namgung Seon-hwa’s age group could reach.
Even though I know she is skilled enough to enter the academy on her own merit, the move she just showed is clearly that of a genius or a prodigy.
It deserved to be called that.
I still have a lot to learn.
However, far from showing off his skills, the gifted student was hanging his head.
“This is just enough not to be embarrassed anywhere, isn’t it?”
“…….”
I had heard that she would be roughly like this, but seeing Namgung Seonhwa in person gave me a strange feeling.
She could not lift her head, like a warrior who had failed to perform her duty properly on the battlefield.
“I couldn’t be of any… help. People were dying, but… there was nothing I could do.”
Although it was a string of words without context, Kang Seo-pyo, knowing the background, could easily understand what she was saying.
Because the story of Muklim became known throughout the country, including Anhui.
All the way to the Murim Alliance, I heard the same story over and over again at every inn I stopped at.
I thought that even if only half of the rumors were true, it must have been a very desperate moment.
At the same time, I could see how great a stroke of luck it was that Namgung Seon-hwa had survived there.
Nevertheless, that admirable young lady was dejected.
“Not only was my skill of no help, but the name of the Namgung family was of no help at all.”
On my way to meet Namgung Seon-hwa, I passed through several training grounds within the academy.
The academic building, which should have been relaxed due to the excited atmosphere of the end of the semester, was filled with a strange tension, as if a taut string had been pulled.
Everyone filling the training ground was swinging their weapons desperately, as if preparing for a life-or-death battle.
I also saw the overly drunk academy students I had met at the inn near the academy where I stayed the day before.
I thought that those in the training grounds and those spending time at the tavern would not be much different from Namgung Seon-hwa in their feelings.
Hit or get drunk.
Because there are only two actions a warrior can take when recalling a nightmare.
This is an unavoidable ordeal for those who have grown up like hothouse flowers.
No matter how much Gang Seo-pyo cherishes Namgung Seon-hwa, it is a burden he cannot shoulder on her behalf.
“The Master… gave instructions to convey this message if the Young Lady is wielding a sword.”
Grandpa?
Namgung Seon-hwa, who had been slumping her shoulders, lifted her head.
Gang Seo-pyo cleared his throat a couple of times and spoke with a solemn expression, as if mimicking Namgung Tae-ha.
“He asked me to convey the message, ‘Step forward one more time instead of crouching; swing your sword one more time instead of bowing your head. That is the spirit of the Namgung family!’”
“Perhaps he conveyed these words because death is the word most inextricably linked to the tribe of warriors…….”
“I know. I understand.”
Namgung Seon-hwa nodded slightly.
“I know. It’s something I’ve been learning since I was very young. When I feel afraid. When I want to run away. I’ve heard the words ‘take one more step’ until they’re ingrained in my ears.”
Namgung Seon-hwa smiled bitterly.
Because there is no paradise in the place you run away to.
“Yes, Miss.”
It will be difficult to overcome immediately.
After all, it takes time for memories to fade.
Still, as time passes, memories fade and military achievements improve, things will get a little better.
You will try even harder to avoid facing the same situation again.
Aren’t humans beings who grow in that process?
But what was the other message?
“Huh? Which one…….”
“You said, ‘If you are swinging a sword…’ didn’t you?”
“Ah, you mean that?”
Gang Seo-pyo grinned.
“He told me that if I was drinking, I should leave the extra money for the drinks, and if I was crying… he told me to just come back.”
You said there would be something that suits it better than a sword.
Namgung Seon-hwa felt strange, as if she had been tested without even realizing it.
“Oh, by the way, is that young master doing well?”
Gang Seo-pyo asked as if it had just occurred to him.
“Confucius? Are you talking about Brother Gipyo?”
No. I mean Young Master Jin.
“Ah… yes. Well, I’m doing well….”
Namgung Seon-hwa’s expression darkens along with the fading end of her words.
She suddenly
– He added a word.
You do seem busy going here and there these days, though.
“Hmm?”
Gang Seo-pyo wore a peculiar expression at Namgung Seon-hwa’s reaction.
“Did Young Master Jin perhaps find a lover?”
“What is that…….”
“Or, by any chance, have you found someone else, Miss?”
“yes?!”
Namgung Seon-hwa felt dizzy from the sharp killing grass piercing her torso.
“W-what are you talking about right now???”
“Well, the young lady loves Young Master Jin………”
“Aaaargh!!!!! Lord Kang!!!”
Gang Seo-pyo flinched but did not erase the smile from his lips.
“Miss Seonhwa, I have personally served you since childhood. I cannot possibly pretend not to know.”
Namgung Seon-hwa’s face turned bright red.
Moreover, there are many people around who are eyeing promising young men like Confucius Jin.
“Uh, it’s not like that. It’s just… I’ve been feeling confused lately.”
You’re saying it’s confusing?
“It’s just… how should I put it… I felt like you had become such a distant presence.”
In Mukrim, Namgung Seonhwa kept running while watching Jin So-un’s back.
Although he was a reliable person to begin with, Jin So-un in the forest looked massive and vast.
Like a giant tree that never falls amidst any ups and downs, he steadfastly moved forward again and again.
With every step Jin So-un took forward while burning through his life, Namgung Seon-hwa felt as though he were drifting further and further away from her.
I reached out my hand without realizing it, but each time he took another step further away.
Like smoke faintly scattering away.
I even felt a sense of anxiety that I might disappear like this someday.
Kang Seo-pyo, who had been listening quietly, nodded as if he understood.
I see. So you have come to like it even more.
Master, are you really listening to me?
“Isn’t it?”
Namgung Seon-hwa could not give any answer.
No, to be precise, even he himself couldn’t know.
“I just… I just don’t know. For some reason, it feels like that person is someone who has to endure more trials in the future, and someone who has to bear even greater pain and suffering…”
So, you’ve grown even more affectionate.
It is my own heart, yet I cannot express it accurately.
I have never felt a feeling like this before.
Gang Seo-pyo wore a warm smile as he looked at the girl experiencing growing pains from new emotions.
If that person is in pain, shouldn’t we get closer and comfort them?
You’re saying you’ll comfort me?
Compared to that, I am so weak and tiny; can I really be a comfort?
Indeed, needing comfort… … .
Didn’t they say that Confucius Jin had a better memory than others?
That’s right.
“In that case, wouldn’t the one suffering the most right now be Young Master Jin?”
Namgung Seon-hwa felt as though she had been hit hard on the head.
I hadn’t even thought of it.
Lost in their own sadness, they made excuses that the other person was busy.
“To me, Young Master Jin seemed like a very strong person. However… he also seemed to have a tender heart.”
“If you still don’t quite understand your own feelings, why don’t you try comforting them first? You can think about your emotions… later.”
You can think about your feelings later.
Gang Seo-pyo’s words lingered in Namgung Seon-hwa for a long time. “Phew.”
Namgung Seon-hwa, standing in front of the door, let out a long sigh.
I thought it would be a little more time before I saw Jin So-un. But before I knew it, I was here. ‘Is everything okay?’ The chaotic thoughts in my head remained disorganized, only increasing my anxiety.
Namgung Seon-hwa, who was about to leave, repeated to herself once again that the person suffering the most right now was Jin So-un, and eventually knocked on the door.
dripping.
There was no reaction.
When I knocked again, the door slowly opened.
However, the person who came out from the inside was someone completely unexpected.
“What brings you here?”
Senior, why are you here… uh… did I come to the wrong place?
Who are you looking for?
It is Young Master Jin.
Then you have come to the right place.
Wait, why are you here?
Dang Seo-hee, who entered first as if it were the most natural thing in the world, sat at a table, picked up a piece of candy, and began to munch on it.
The way he stuffed his cheeks full of sweets while munching looked just like a squirrel.
As I continued to stare, Dang Seo-hee’s eyes wavered as if she were confused about something.
Then, he subtly offers a plate.
Well, it’s okay to eat.
Is it really okay to eat this?
I don’t think so. Just looking at the look in his eyes, it feels like he’s going to hold a grudge.
“I’m fine.”
“Then it can’t be helped.”
Dang Seo-hee quickly retrieved the plate. For some reason, the speed at which she ate the sweets slowed down.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Namgung Seon-hwa agonized over what to say to Jin So-un dozens of times, but she had never considered the possibility of meeting Dang Seo-hui here.
After a brief, awkward moment, Namgung Seon-hwa was the first to speak.
Because at this rate, it seems the silence will never end.
Where did Young Master Jin go?
I went because Cheonmokgak needed my advice.
Then why are you here, Senior Dang?
“I came because I have something to ask. But Jin So-un is busy every single day.”
What on earth is he waiting at Jin So-un’s lodging for days to ask?
Namgung Seon-hwa asked cautiously.
“What is it that you want to ask?”
I thought she might not tell me because it was an important matter, but Dang Seo-hee opened her mouth willingly.
and.
“I came to ask if Jin So-un absolutely has to succeed the Taeeulmun.”
An unexpected answer came back.
Namgung Seon-hwa was so startled that she let out a scream without realizing it.
“yes??”
Then, as if doing a favor, Dang Seo-hui chewed on the sweets and explained in detail.
“Ah! To be precise, I came to ask if it is okay for me to marry into the wife’s family as a son-in-law.”
Namgung Seon-hwa felt as though she had been struck hard on the back of the head.
