Chapter 5 – Namgung Hwa-rin (2)

Namgung Hwi shook his head at Namgung Hwa-rin’s words. He knew why their parents were pushing for this marriage, but he couldn’t bring himself to accept it either. The thought of his beloved sister marrying such a libertine was unbearable.

“Still, didn’t they say you could refuse if you don’t like him? And it’s not like the other side has shown a particularly favorable reaction.”

For reasons unknown, the head of the True Dragon Sword Clan had declared Kang Yu-jin the most likely successor, putting countless members of the clan on guard against him.

If he were to marry a direct descendant of the powerful Namgung Clan at a time like this, the repercussions would be enormous. As a result, many still opposed the union.

‘Tsk, tsk. Having so many outstanding brothers must be a pain.’

Namgung Ok, the head of the Namgung Clan, was a man of singular devotion, never looking at any woman other than Jin Su-yeon. Thus, his only children were Namgung Hwi and Namgung Hwa-rin, both born to her.

With only one son, there was no chance of a succession dispute, and that sole heir possessed incredible talent. Peace and harmony reigned daily in the Namgung Clan.

‘I can’t send my sister into a family like that. Besides, I need to help my friend, Yong-hoon.’

Namgung Hwi nodded, thinking of his precious sword companion, Kang Yong-hoon.

***

In a secret chamber shrouded in darkness, five figures sat with their faces concealed. They were supporters of Yu-jin’s brothers, gathered here to keep him in check.

“You are all aware of what a sly fox the eldest young master is. The blind call him a Ground Dragon and curse him, but he is truly a Sleeping Dragon, and even that falls short of describing him.”

The saying “a thorn in the sack” wasn’t for nothing. No matter how much Yu-jin tried to hide his abilities, he couldn’t conceal them completely. A very small number of people knew the truth.

Those gathered here were among the few who possessed some objective information about Yu-jin.

“If he gains the support of the Namgung Clan, he will become an impregnable fortress.”

Everyone nodded in agreement at the words of the man who had spoken first.

“The Sword Pavilion is one thing, but the Namgung Clan…”

The Sword Pavilion, Ye Un-hyang’s sect, was known for producing outstanding swordswomen, but it didn’t possess enough power to exert significant influence in the martial world.

Of course, they had a master counted among the greatest in the world, known as the Sword Empress, but that alone was not enough. Their practical influence was limited.

The Namgung Clan, however, was different. Though smaller in scale than the True Dragon Sword Clan, they were part of the Five Great Clans, with a history far deeper than the True Dragon Sword Clan’s. They were a family that wielded immense influence in the martial world.

If the Namgung Clan were to support Yu-jin, the standing of those who supported the other young masters would naturally diminish, especially since the clan head’s favor was already leaning toward Yu-jin.

“We must deal with the eldest young master as soon as possible.”

Everyone nodded at his words.

This alliance had been formed voluntarily by the retainers serving Yu-jin’s younger brothers.

Upon realizing the danger Yu-jin posed, they had formed a temporary alliance that would last only until he was eliminated.

Yu-jin’s brothers all wished to defeat him in the open, so they would never have approved of such a meeting.

The reason these men had gathered here nonetheless was that their fear of Yu-jin’s immense talent and ability had driven them to act on their own.

“We have dispatched the Blood Wolf Society.”

A man’s statement was met with satisfied nods from the others.

“Ooh! You mean the Blood Wolf Society, the one that never gives up until its target is dead?”

“Indeed.”

The man’s affirmation put everyone at ease. It was only natural, as they had sent the strongest, most tenacious, and most ruthless of all assassin groups.

They were the ultimate assassins, boasting that they could take down any master, no matter who, as long as the request was made.

It was said they could eliminate any expert except for the absolute masters among the Ten Great Heavenly Masters.

Of course, that was only possible when the King of Assassins, the leader of the Blood Wolf Society, was present, but that detail was unimportant to them. The King of Assassins wouldn’t be needed to handle Yu-jin.

Fully satisfied, they all left the room.

***

Yu-jin was taking another leisurely stroll with his maids. The estate was bustling with activity, as news had arrived that someone from the Namgung Clan would be visiting soon.

The servants at work and the warriors on guard stopped their murmuring as they saw Yu-jin.

Most of them were saying that the Thunder Phoenix, Namgung Hwa-rin, was too good for Yu-jin, or that she would be the one to tame him, but none had the courage to say such things to his face.

“Well, they say even the king gets badmouthed behind his back, so I suppose I can let this slide.”

His hearing was exceptionally sharp, so he could hear them, but from their perspective, they were speaking when he was out of sight.

He could have easily made an issue of it, but today, Yu-jin decided to be merciful and forgive them.

In truth, it wasn’t that he wanted to forgive them. A bitter smile touched Yu-jin’s lips as he sensed a familiar presence behind him.

“Brother.”

A voice more beautiful than any other reached Yu-jin’s ears. He turned to look at the woman who had called him.

There stood a woman of such sublime beauty that she made all her surroundings fade into irrelevance, possessing a noble grace that naturally made one bow their head and blush.

The maids Yu-jin had selected were, without exaggeration, beauties of the highest order, but they paled in comparison to this woman.

“Young Lady.”

The maids hurriedly bowed to the woman. But the woman, addressed as ‘Young Lady,’ ignored them, smiled at Yu-jin, and spoke.

“So-hee greets her elder brother.”

“So-hee, it’s been a while.”

This twenty-one-year-old woman, four years younger than Yu-jin, was Kang So-hee, the eldest daughter of the True Dragon Sword Clan, known in the martial world as the Heavenly Phoenix.

She was not alone. A young girl ran up and threw herself into Yu-jin’s arms.

“Brother, really? You don’t see little Ye-jin, do you?”

Though not as beautiful as Kang So-hee, this girl had looks that would make countless men weep when she grew up. Her name was Kang Ye-jin.

At fifteen, she was the youngest of Yu-jin’s siblings and had not yet been active in the martial world, so she had no title.

“How could I not, Ye-jin?”

Yu-jin replied, stroking Kang Ye-jin’s head. He then looked at his two younger sisters.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of my two beloved sisters seeking me out?”

“It’s because you’re always busy playing outside that Ye-jin and I had to come find you!”

At Ye-jin’s words, Yu-jin glanced at So-hee, who nodded in agreement.

“I heard Hwa-rin is coming today or tomorrow. Your betrothed is coming to visit, and it wouldn’t do for you to be like this.”

So-hee, who said this, took one of Yu-jin’s arms, and Ye-jin took the other. Yu-jin looked at his maids, and they gave a slight nod before withdrawing.

They couldn’t intrude on a moment shared by the direct descendants of the True Dragon Sword Clan. And so, Yu-jin headed to the market with his younger sisters.

***

Nanchang was a prosperous city, and as such, it was filled with countless shops. Naturally, there were many people as well. But today, the crowd was much larger than usual, prompting a wry smile from Yu-jin.

“No matter how much they curse me, is it because this is the first marriage of a direct descendant that so many people have shown up?”

“Of course. And is the other family just any ordinary family? It’s the Namgung Clan. And your partner is Hwa-rin.”

Just as Kang Yong-hoon and Namgung Hwi were close, Kang So-hee was also on friendly terms with Namgung Hwa-rin, so she could use her name casually.

Yu-jin nodded and looked around. Countless men were staring at his sisters, captivated by So-hee’s beauty and Ye-jin’s cuteness.

Just then, Ye-jin tugged on Yu-jin’s arm and exclaimed.

“That clothing store! So-hee and I went there, and they have so many cool and pretty clothes!”

“Is that so? If you say so, Ye-jin, I suppose I have no choice but to go.”

Yu-jin smiled and started walking toward the store Ye-jin had pointed to. In that instant, his and So-hee’s expressions hardened. They had sensed an unwelcome guest.

Realizing he had been noticed, the assassin swiftly drew his sword from within the crowd. His target was Kang Yu-jin. But Yu-jin effortlessly caught the assassin’s blade.

*Sizzle!*

Smoke rose as if the blade was coated in a potent poison, but Yu-jin’s expression remained serene.

Seeing this, the assassin’s face twisted in shock. He had used a deadly poison refined from the venom of snakes living in remote regions, yet Yu-jin was completely unharmed.

“You fail as an assassin.”

As Yu-jin smiled, Kang So-hee’s sword flashed, and the assassin’s head flew through the air. The man, who had the face of an ordinary young man passing by, lost his life just like that.

Was that the beginning? Numerous assassins revealed a faint but palpable killing intent. Their target was Yu-jin, and only Yu-jin.

“Aaaah!”

Only after blood splattered did the crowd realize a fight had broken out, and they began to flee. Nothing good ever came from getting caught in a battle between martial artists.

“I’ve been underestimated.”

An ambush is only meaningful as a surprise, a preemptive strike. To plan and execute an assassination in broad daylight showed not only confidence in one’s skills but also how lightly they regarded Yu-jin.

Publicly, he was criticized for his lecherous and improper behavior, but there was one thing everyone acknowledged: Yu-jin’s martial arts were outstanding.

It was impossible for assassins from a group like the Blood Wolf Society not to know this, yet they had brazenly attacked in the middle of the day. Whether it was arrogance or something else, Yu-jin frowned.

“This is a bit annoying.”

But someone else was angry on his behalf: Kang So-hee.

“How dare you target a direct descendant of the True Dragon Sword Clan here in Nanchang! You have some nerve!”

The True Dragon Sword Clan had reigned over Jiangxi Province for hundreds of years and had ruled three provinces for over two centuries. They were one of the most powerful families in the entire martial world.

To target a direct descendant of the True Dragon Sword Clan in Nanchang, which could be considered their own front yard, was something that required extraordinary audacity.

“Hm?”

Just then, an old man with a flustered expression passed by Yu-jin and suddenly thrust a sword at him. But once again, Yu-jin casually caught the blade and shattered it.

Kang So-hee swiftly beheaded the old man Yu-jin had subdued.

“To think they’d try to kill you with just this. They’re fools.”

Witnessing Yu-jin perform the incredible feat of catching a blade with his bare hands twice, the assassins realized that his martial prowess was far greater than their information had suggested.

Kang So-hee’s words also flustered them. He was not someone they could handle on their own. To take on Yu-jin, they would need higher-ranked assassins.

But retreat was not in their vocabulary; they had no choice but to press the attack.

*Stab!*

An assassin who was about to attack Yu-jin looked down at the sword piercing his heart. Kang Ye-jin, who looked like a young girl, was smiling as she held the hilt of the sword that had run him through.

“It’s not wise to underestimate me, you know?”

The assassins trembled as the fifteen-year-old girl spoke those words. Having lost their comrades so futilely, they charged straight at Yu-jin like men resigned to their fate.

“Shall I get a little serious?”