Chapter 89

Chapter 89: He Who Acts Alone and Moves Alone, the Lone Wanderer (2)

Hae So-wol raised her head.

A piercingly blue sky filled her vision. It had been quite some time since she had seen such a clear sky, without a single cloud.

Life at the Agyang Sword Sect had not been unpleasant. But having remained within its walls for so long, she had grown somewhat restless.

Having stayed only here, she was cut off from news of the outside world. She decided she would leave before long. This much had been enough to save face for Sang Ma-gyeong-won.

It was then that she sensed an unfamiliar presence in the rear garden.

Two strangers stood at the garden entrance. A middle-aged man in a light blue scholar's robe and a young man with a gentle countenance.

The moment she saw them, Hae So-wol's face visibly stiffened. It was due to the extraordinary aura emanating from both of them.

The middle-aged man's aura was formidable, but the young man's bearing was sharp enough to put her on edge. Like a well-tempered sword.

It had been quite some time since she had encountered such an aura.

At that moment, the middle-aged man, perhaps sensing Hae So-wol's unease, spoke first.

"There is no need to be so tense, Miss Hae. We are people from the Namgung Family."

"The Namgung Family?"

"That is correct. I am Namgung Chang, an elder of the Namgung Family."

"Hae So-wol of the Haenam Sword Sect greets Elder Namgung."

At Namgung Chang's introduction, the startled Hae So-wol hastily clasped her fists in salute. Namgung Chang smiled.

"I am also pleased to meet you, Miss Hae. This is Namgung Su, a prodigy of the main family."

"I am Namgung Su of the Namgung Family. Please treat me well, Miss Hae."

"The pleasure is mine, Young Hero Namgung."

Namgung Su and Hae So-wol exchanged formal greetings.

Namgung Chang watched the two with a satisfied expression. But Hae So-wol did not relax her guard.

It was the weight carried by the three characters of Namgung Chang's name.

Her master, Neung Cheon-wol, had named Namgung Chang as the person she must be most cautious of among those she would meet at Dongting Lake.

When Hae So-wol had asked why, Neung Cheon-wol had answered:

'Because Namgung Chang is the most brilliant mind within the Namgung Family. Those who know him call him the Sitting Clairvoyant.'

The Sitting Clairvoyant.

The one who, while seated, can see a thousand li.

In a way, the greatest reason the Namgung Family had achieved such explosive growth was Namgung Chang himself.

The head of the Namgung Family was Namgung Cheon, a great sword master. He was a martial artist of extraordinary talent—the first in two hundred years to complete the Imperial Sword Style within the Namgung Family.

Namgung Cheon was a quintessential martial artist.

Though he was undeniably the head of the Namgung Family, he had no interest whatsoever in managing its affairs.

His sole obsession was the way of martial arts.

It was Namgung Chang who, in his stead, made and directed all the decisions of the Namgung Family.

The second-in-command and caretaker of the Namgung Family, a brilliant strategist. And at the same time, a recluse who had completely hidden himself from the world.

That Namgung Chang had now emerged into the world. Hae So-wol understood full well how significant that was.

'That must mean the gathering being held here is of utmost importance.'

As Hae So-wol's expression hardened, Namgung Chang offered a warm smile.

"Miss Hae is a good person."

"Pardon? I don't understand."

"I mean that a martial artist of your caliber would stay here out of consideration for Sect Leader Sang Ma's face. Even if you had refused, he would not have been able to say a word."

"That is…"

"You need not explain to me. Thanks to you, I was able to explain the situation to him easily."

"Then?"

"I told him that an important gathering would be held. That was more than enough to save his face. So there is no longer any need for you to remain here. Why not come with us?"

"Is that alright?"

"You must verify that Jincheon Rai has appeared. That is something you cannot do from here."

"I understand."

"Well thought. As it happens, I am scheduled to meet your martial uncle tomorrow."

"My martial uncle?"

"That's right! Your martial uncle, Oh Geun-ui, is an old friend of mine."

Oh Geun-ui, the White Whale Swordsman.

An elder of the Haenam Sect and a renowned swordsman in the southern Central Plains.

"Is my martial uncle coming in person?"

"The matter is that important. Besides, I couldn't very well leave you here and meet with him. Come with us. I suspect Sect Leader Sang Ma will no longer ask you to stay."

"Understood."

Hae So-wol nodded.

As Namgung Chang had said, there was no reason for her to remain. She had already done more than enough to preserve Sang Ma-gyeong-won's dignity.

"Your belongings?"

"This single sword is enough."

Hae So-wol raised her beloved sword, the Wall Image. Namgung Chang nodded.

"That should suffice. You'll need nothing more."

Namgung Chang suddenly looked at Namgung Su.

"Su!"

"Yes, Uncle."

"You should learn from Miss Hae's attitude."

"Understood."

Namgung Su agreed without the slightest reluctance. His composure caught Hae So-wol's attention.

The aura she sensed from Namgung Su was in no way inferior to her own. That a man of such caliber could agree so readily to being told to learn from another—that in itself was remarkable.

It was proof that Namgung Su was no ordinary person. Yet Hae So-wol had never once heard the name Namgung Su.

"Su was in closed-door training for a very long time. That is why even within the main family, there are few who know of him."

"……"

"It is his first time venturing into the world at my side, so there is much he does not know. I hope you will be of assistance, Miss Hae."

"If I can be of help."

"I am certain you will be."

Namgung Chang replied with unwavering confidence.

"Understood."

"You two will form a fine bond. Just as your martial uncle and I once did."

Hae So-wol nodded silently.

The three departed the Agyang Sword Sect.

True to Namgung Chang's confidence, Sang Ma-gyeong-won did not try to detain Hae So-wol.

They headed for the Namgang Inn, located near Dongting Lake. The Namgang Inn was as large and clean as the West Wind Inn, and it drew many visitors.

The Namgang Inn was bustling with people from early afternoon. They gathered in small groups around tables, and their voices were so loud that conversations could be clearly heard without straining.

"So it's true that Shin Gang-hyeol-seong committed a massacre at Seocheon Mountain Villa?"

"True indeed! Even the master of Hongam Mountain Villa suffered because of it."

"My word! Shin Gang-hyeol-seong. What a blood-soaked alias."

"After the death of the Hengshan Sect's Sect Leader, they're also calling him the Fist Demon."

"Whew!"

Nearly every table was discussing Dam Ho.

The only words heard were Shin Gang-hyeol-seong, or the Fist Demon.

Namgung Su's brow furrowed involuntarily.

"It appears a demon has emerged in the martial world."

"From time to time, one appears to disrupt the world."

At Namgung Chang's response, Namgung Su's eyes sharpened.

"He has poor timing. To appear here of all places."

The gathering of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families was not far off. Where the rulers of the martial world assembled, there was no room for a demon.

Namgung Chang smiled at Namgung Su.

"It would be good experience to test yourself against him."

"If the opportunity arises, I will not hesitate."

"Good. I look forward to it."

At Namgung Chang's enthusiastic response, Namgung Su smiled. But his expression quickly darkened.

'The Four Sovereigns have been in seclusion for over thirty years. The only thing we can trust is the founding of the Alliance.'

***

"Haa!"

Bang Jin-bo let out a quiet sigh.

It had already been five days since Dam Ho left the inn. He was long overdue to return, and it was only natural to worry.

"He'll come back safely."

Bang Jin-bo tried to think positively.

There was nothing he could do in the current situation. He could only wait.

"I should go for a walk."

Hiding in his room would not bring answers.

As Bang Jin-bo was about to rise from his seat—

Knock knock!

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"May I come in for a moment?"

A familiar voice reached his ears.

A smile blossomed on Bang Jin-bo's face, for the voice belonged to Eun So-cheong.

"Come in."

The moment Bang Jin-bo answered, the door opened and Eun So-cheong appeared. But she was not alone. Behind her, a familiar face could be seen.

An elderly man with a goatee and a stern demeanor—none other than Do Hak-gyeong, the Head Chef of the Cheonha Jeil Ru.

"How did you come all the way here, Elder?"

Bang Jin-bo hastily bowed his head.

Though an unfortunate incident had occurred at the Cheonha Jeil Ru, Do Hak-gyeong was still a senior and a chef worthy of respect.

"May I come in?"

"Yes! Please, come in."

Do Hak-gyeong strode in, and Eun So-cheong followed calmly behind.

Eun So-cheong apologized first.

"I'm sorry! Chef Do said he wanted to see you."

"No, it's fine."

"What about that man?"

"He hasn't come back yet."

"Oh? That must be hard for you."

"No, it's alright."

At Bang Jin-bo's answer, Eun So-cheong smiled.

It was heartening to see Bang Jin-bo trying to stay positive despite his obvious anxiety.

Bang Jin-bo's gaze turned to Do Hak-gyeong.

"But what brings you all the way here? It's quite a distance."

"I came to speak with you directly."

"With me?"

"Yes! I'll be blunt. Would you consider working at the Cheonha Jeil Ru?"

"Pardon?"

Bang Jin-bo blinked like an ox. He could not immediately comprehend Do Hak-gyeong's words.

Do Hak-gyeong clicked his tongue at the sight.

"Tch! I am offering you a chance to join the Cheonha Jeil Ru. I, Do Hak-gyeong, am asking you personally."

"That—that is…"

"After you left, I did a great deal of thinking. I'm getting on in years, and I'm not what I used to be. Using the Heavenly Fragrance Grass was proof of that. In my prime, I would never have relied on a spice like that. That is why I thought I should retire before it's too late. But when I considered retiring, I realized the Cheonha Jeil Ru has no proper chef. They're all mediocre at best."

When a great tree takes root, it becomes difficult for other trees to grow properly nearby. The Cheonha Jeil Ru was the same.

Do Hak-gyeong's towering presence had brought the restaurant great renown, but conversely, it had prevented other chefs from growing to their full potential.

If Do Hak-gyeong retired now, the decline of the Cheonha Jeil Ru was as certain as fire illuminating one's path. That was why, after much deliberation, he had come to find Bang Jin-bo.

With talent like Bang Jin-bo's—who had recognized the use of Heavenly Fragrance Grass—he was certain to become an excellent chef. His fundamentals were solid, and he was still young.

If he trained under Do Hak-gyeong for a few years, he would surely grow into a remarkable chef.

"What do you think?"

"That—that is…"

At the unexpected proposal, Bang Jin-bo wore a dazed expression.

Though he had used the Heavenly Fragrance Grass and embarrassed Do Hak-gyeong, his skill was genuine. If Bang Jin-bo learned cooking from him, he would surely grow immensely.

If his father had been alive, he would have told him without hesitation to train at the Cheonha Jeil Ru. But Bang Jin-bo could not give an answer so quickly.

"When Hyung returns, I'll discuss it with him."

"I won't force you. But training at the Cheonha Jeil Ru would undoubtedly be a great opportunity for you. So please, think it over carefully."

"Yes!"

Bang Jin-bo's heart was pounding.