Chapter 25 – The Namgung Clan (3)

Even the renowned Na Ye-jin was impressed by the skill of the Namgung Clan’s warriors. Had it not been for the True Dragon Sword Clan, they would still be lauded as the greatest sword clan in the world.

Yet, even after losing the title of the world’s greatest sword clan, their friendly relations and martial arts exchanges with the True Dragon Sword Clan proved that the Namgung Clan was a family that could not be underestimated.

After all, weren’t Kang Yu-hyeon, the head of the True Dragon Sword Clan, and Namgung Ok, the head of the Namgung Clan, the closest of friends?

*It’s no wonder Father is so mindful of the Namgung Clan. The clan elders are the same.*

The members of the True Dragon Sword Clan trained relentlessly, knowing that a single misstep could cost them their title. Having a worthy competitor was a good thing for the clan.

“Thank you for the compliment, Moon Empress.”

Namgung Hwi spoke and stopped before the largest pavilion. The current clan head, Namgung Ok, and his wife, Kang Su-yeon, were already there. They were not alone; many of the Namgung Clan elders were present as well.

“Father, Mother. I have returned.”

“Father, Mother. I have returned.”

At Namgung Hwi and Namgung Hwa-rin’s words, Namgung Ok smiled broadly, approached them, and clapped them on the shoulders.

“You’ve all worked hard. Rest well for a while.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Yes, Father.”

After their replies, Namgung Ok turned his gaze from them and looked at Na Ye-jin, the Moon Empress.

In that moment, the onlookers felt as if sparks were flying between the two.

The two masters of the Transformation Realm stared at each other for a moment. Though no swords were drawn, it felt as if they were dueling with their martial arts. After some time passed, Na Ye-jin was the first to cup her fist in a salute.

“I am Na Ye-jin, the Moon Empress.”

As Na Ye-jin offered her salute, Namgung Ok returned it and spoke.

“I am Namgung Ok, the Flying Thunder Sword King. It is an honor to meet the renowned master of the Sword Pavilion.”

As both were members of the Twelve Kings and leaders of their respective factions, it was only natural for them to treat each other as equals.

After exchanging greetings, Namgung Ok looked at the handsome young man standing beside Na Ye-jin.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Clan Head. I am Kang Yu-jin, the eldest son of the True Dragon Sword Clan. I am still lacking and have yet to earn a title. It is a true honor to meet a clan head so renowned in the martial world. My father also sends his regards.”

“Yu-hyeon, is that friend of mine doing well?”

At the mention of “father,” a slight smile touched Namgung Ok’s lips. Though they didn’t meet often now, they had once been companions who crossed swords so frequently that they lost track of time.

“He is doing well.”

At Yu-jin’s words, Namgung Hwi looked at him again.

And in that instant, Yu-jin felt a powerful pressure, strong enough to make the air tremble, bearing down on him.

*This is why I can’t stand martial artists.*

A test right after meeting. What a pain. But if he didn’t want to be looked down upon, he couldn’t just stand there and take it.

Back at his clan, he had appeared weak due to special circumstances, but there was no need to do so here. Not that he intended to reveal everything.

*Rumble!*

A fierce aura erupted from Yu-jin’s entire body. It began to push back against the pressure emanating from Namgung Ok. Witnessing this, not only the Namgung Clan elders but also Namgung Hwi could not hide their astonishment.

Merely withstanding it would have been incredible, but to push it back? This was a level of mastery unheard of for someone his age.

Those who knew of Yu-jin’s past and had intended to reject him were forced to revise their opinions.

*I think I understand why Yong-hoon is so desperate to become stronger.*

Watching Yu-jin display a feat he himself could not yet accomplish, Namgung Hwi resolved to dedicate himself even more to his training.

In truth, the most surprised person was Namgung Ok himself. He never imagined the young man would not only withstand his pressure but also push it back, even if only slightly.

Although his complexion had paled a bit, that alone proved he was more than worthy of becoming Namgung Hwa-rin’s husband. No, he was more than enough.

*Now I see why Yu-hyeon wanted to make this boy his successor.*

Namgung Ok nodded and withdrew his aura.

“Your achievements at such a young age are remarkable. I feel like we’ve gained a treasure.”

“You praise me too much, Clan Head. I still have a long way to go.”

Yu-jin’s humble demeanor completely won Namgung Ok over.

“Please, make yourself at home and rest comfortably.”

With those words, Namgung Ok ascended to the pavilion. Then, Kang Su-yeon stepped forward, looked at Namgung Hwa-rin and Kang Yu-jin, and spoke.

“Hwa-rin, and Young Master Kang. May I have a moment with you?”

“Yes.”

Yu-jin readily nodded and took Namgung Hwa-rin’s hand. Namgung Hwa-rin blushed but squeezed his hand tightly. Seeing the two of them, Kang Su-yeon smiled and began to walk.

The place Kang Su-yeon led them to was not far. It was a small pond and flower garden made for her, with a beautiful gazebo built within it.

“Please, sit comfortably.”

At Kang Su-yeon’s words, Yu-jin and Hwa-rin sat down.

“I was quite worried, but I’m relieved to see you two make such a well-matched pair.”

Hearing this, smiles bloomed on both Namgung Hwa-rin’s and Yu-jin’s faces. Having been acknowledged by both their future father-in-law and mother-in-law, their path ahead seemed bright.

“As for the wedding, we will choose an auspicious day and let you know then. We haven’t set a date yet because we wanted you to get to know each other a little better before the marriage.”

Yu-jin barely suppressed a laugh at Kang Su-yeon’s incredibly flexible approach.

Aside from his fondness for Namgung Hwa-rin, this was originally a marriage of necessity. Naturally, Yu-jin couldn’t help but hope for a life of freedom.

Resolving to make the most of his remaining freedom, Yu-jin spent his time listening to Kang Su-yeon’s well-wishes.

***

*It’s hard to live the way I want.*

There were too many watchful eyes, making it difficult for Yu-jin to even approach the handmaidens, let alone Namgung Hwa-rin. He wanted to embrace Na Ye-jin, but she too was under constant scrutiny, unable to act freely.

It was truly difficult to conduct himself properly, Yu-jin thought. Unable to embrace a woman, he found himself with nothing to do and began to stroll slowly through the Namgung Clan’s estate.

*Walking through the estate at night has its own charm.*

With that thought, Yu-jin continued to walk. As he wandered aimlessly, he sensed a peculiar energy.

“A formation? Who would set up a formation in a place like this?”

It wasn’t a particularly powerful formation, but its stealth was incredible, Yu-jin thought. Even now, while sensing the strange energy, he hadn’t actually considered the presence of a formation.

“By the way, was there always a formation like this in the Namgung Clan’s estate?”

It had been 25 years since he’d come to this world, so he couldn’t remember every little detail. He had noted down important matters, but he couldn’t possibly keep track of every minor point.

“Places like this are usually secret locations for the clan. I probably shouldn’t go in.”

Yu-jin turned to leave. But reality was not as simple as he thought.

*Whoosh!*

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the space distorted and swallowed Yu-jin whole.

Sucked into the formation in an instant, Yu-jin couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

While his body could be strengthened with elixirs and other methods, his mind was a different matter. Of course, as his realm advanced, he could think much more deeply than an ordinary person, but for Yu-jin, who had no interest in scholarly pursuits, solving a formation with his intellect was impossible.

“Fog?”

Before Yu-jin’s eyes was nothing but fog. He walked for a moment just in case, but he quickly realized he was just going in circles.

Moreover, the fog was shifting on its own, as if it were a living creature.

“I’m really not good at this sort of thing. But it’s not like there’s no way out.”

Escaping the formation by using his head like the intelligent warriors of the Je-gal Clan was out of the question for Yu-jin. He smiled, then drew not the Ink Dragon Sword, but a sword given to him by his clan.

“I’ll just break it with force.”

Yu-jin swung his sword, and a brilliant white light struck the formation itself.

*CRASH!*

With a tremendous roar, the formation began to distort, and Yu-jin swung his sword even more forcefully. The formation finally gave way, and the fog vanished in an instant.

“Oh?”

Yu-jin was startled to see a completely different scene, not the Namgung Clan’s mansion. Before him was only a thatched hut that looked like it would collapse at any moment.

That was surprising enough, but the sudden appearance of another presence startled him even more.

“Hm? Who are you?”

An old man materialized behind Yu-jin. The moment he appeared, Yu-jin felt an oppressive presence, like that of a towering mountain.

To appear behind him without a sound was astonishing enough, but this presence… there was only one martial artist in the Namgung Clan who could possess such an aura.

The Thunder Sword Emperor, Namgung Jin. This was the first time Yu-jin had seen one of the Ten Great Heavenly Masters, other than Kang Yu-hyeon.

Namgung Jin, an absolute master whose martial arts ranked among the top ten in the world, looked at Yu-jin with a puzzled expression.

“Who are you, and what are you doing here? Only those of the Namgung Clan’s direct bloodline are permitted to enter this place.”

As he spoke, Namgung Jin subtly released his energy, pressuring Yu-jin.

He assumed that anyone who forced their way into the formation could not have good intentions. The only reason he didn’t attack immediately was his confidence in being able to subdue the opponent no matter what they did.

“My apologies, Senior! My name is Kang Yu-jin. I am the fiancé of Lady Namgung Hwa-rin. I entered this place by mistake.”

“Rin’s fiancé…”

How he had entered was of no concern to Namgung Jin. What caught his attention was the word ‘fiancé.’ And the moment Yu-jin heard Namgung Jin’s murmur, he realized his mistake.

Though she had become gentle in front of him, the old man before him was the one who had spoiled Namgung Hwa-rin’s personality rotten. He was famous for doting on his granddaughter so much that whenever he drank, he would declare he would never let her marry.

Already distraught that his beloved granddaughter was marrying some scoundrel, for that very scoundrel to appear before him now… Namgung Jin thought this must be the will of the heavens and unleashed an even more intense aura.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you, and now we meet like this. If you truly wish to be Hwa-rin’s fiancé, then show this old man your skills.”

Having said that, Namgung Jin unhesitatingly raised a single index finger. One might dismiss it as just a finger, but for an absolute master like Namgung Jin, even a finger was a deadly weapon.

A weapon more fearsome than the sword of any master.

Watching him, Yu-jin briefly contemplated how much of his power to reveal before drawing his sword. A strange light flickered in Namgung Jin’s eyes as he watched.

“I’ll give you credit for drawing your sword before this old man. Unlike the youngsters these days, you have guts.”

That aspect pleased Namgung Jin. But that alone was not enough.