Geum Chun-bong Declares Herself as Geum Hee
Chun-bong proclaimed, "At this Yongbong Gathering, I’ll make the name ‘Geum Hee’ known to all!"
Naturally, by representing the Geum family, she set her sights solely on victory.
Driven by this ambition, Chun-bong threw herself wholeheartedly into training, and Seo-jun supported her efforts with everything he had.
The help of a supreme expert who knows her better than she knows herself?
It was a fortunate encounter, indeed. Geum Chun-bong was a warrior blessed with such opportunities on a regular basis.
Under Seo-jun's guidance, Chun-bong honed her skills to razor-sharp precision, reviving her senses that had dulled during her illness and refining her neglected Cheong-un Divine Sword technique.
Did someone else find this inspiring?
Even Namgung Su-a, who was already training with intense dedication, pushed herself even harder.
Seo-jun set aside his own training temporarily to help them both.
Yet, one obstacle remained.
"You're working hard today as well."
Namgung Hyeok approached quietly, scratching his chin as if slightly embarrassed.
"Is there something you need again?"
"Haha, must there always be a reason? ...Actually, I came to ask about the timing for your wedding."
Despite these interruptions, Hyeok only ever approached during break times, mindful not to disrupt their training.
"Oh…."
Seo-jun had nothing to say, merely smacking his lips. But then he felt a piercing glare and turned to see Chun-bong’s wide-open, intense gaze meeting his.
Her hand gripped her sword so tightly that veins bulged on the back of her hand. He could tell, even without much thought, that if he wasn’t careful, that sword might just swing his way.
While Seo-jun merely rolled his eyes, Namgung Su-a, who had been cooling down, approached.
"Great-uncle."
"Oh, yes, yes."
Namgung Hyeok welcomed her with a broad smile.
One lucky charm embracing yet another.
Namgung Su-a chuckled softly before speaking.
"We’re planning to take our time with marriage. There’s no rush, right? We want to enjoy our romance first."
"True, true. You’re absolutely right."
"Isn’t that so? Since you're here, why not relax for a bit? This is a training ground, so we can’t offer tea, but we do have a refreshing drink."
Namgung Su-a handed Hyeok a sweet drink made from sugarcane, something Chun-bong had stocked up from the inn.
"Ah, Clear Cane Aroma ! I used to drink this a lot as a child…."
As he sipped the Clear Cane Aroma , Namgung Hyeok’s face softened with nostalgia, as though recalling his younger days.
"Yes, those were the days. When I was young, I put everything I had into reaching the pinnacle of martial arts and making the Namgung Clan even greater... But one shouldn’t become too absorbed in just that…."
"People like you made it possible for the Namgung Clan to be what it is today. Thanks to your efforts, you’re now contributing greatly to our family."
"Me?"
"Of course. Not only your martial strength but how many people are there who remember the past so vividly? While it’s essential to grow with the times, it’s equally important to preserve traditions. How many people are there who can strike that balance in today’s Namgung Clan?"
"Hmm…."
Seo-jun, observing this interaction, was quietly impressed.
‘So this is the secret behind Namgung Su-a’s popularity in the Namgung Clan…!’
In that short time, Namgung Hyeok had transformed into a nostalgic elder, lost in his memories. His gaze on Su-a had shifted, evolving from viewing her as a beloved family member to a precious grandchild reuniting after countless trials.
"…Thank you for saying that. This isn’t the time for reminiscing, though. Sorry to interrupt your training; would you like me to offer some guidance if it would be helpful?"
"Hehe, we’d be very grateful for that."
With just a few words, Namgung Su-a managed to receive instruction from Namgung Hyeok.
Although his practical skills had dulled slightly, making him unable to go all out against Seo-jun, he was still a martial artist who had touched the brink of the Supreme Stage .
Moreover, the skills he mastered within the Namgung Clan would be of immense help to Su-a compared to others. He would provide her with a perspective different from that of Namgung Jin-cheon.
Seo-jun poked Chun-bong’s side playfully.
"I’ll make sure to train our little Chun-bong thoroughly."
"Don’t poke my side…!"
"Huh? Has our Chun-bong gained a little weight? Your sides feel soft."
"…Say that again."
"Hehe, sorry…."
In any case, preparations for the Yongbong Gathering were progressing smoothly.
The day for departure to Hanam was approaching faster than they’d expected, so the group left the Namgung Clan sooner than planned.
When asked about the reason, Namgung Myung explained.
"In the case of the Nine Great Sects and the Six Major Clans, each group can send two representatives directly to the main event."
"Ah, so…."
"For Lady Geum to compete under the Geum family name, she’ll have to go through the preliminaries, so it’s best to head out early."
The Nine Great Sects and Six Major Clans could skip the preliminaries?
It seemed unfair, but in truth, it was a privilege they’d earned.
If it bothers anyone, they just need to build enough power to join their ranks.
There wasn’t much backlash from other martial artists (not that it would matter if they objected).
After all, the younger generation from such grand sects often had abilities that far exceeded ordinary martial artists.
Instead of risking an early elimination by facing them in the preliminaries, it made more sense to compete against others of similar skill and possibly make it to the main event by luck.
It was a win-win for everyone.
Of course, those from prestigious sects not part of the Nine Great Sects or Six Major Clans might feel slighted, but they dared not voice it too loudly.
"As such, we can’t just send anyone to the main event. If the representative who gained entry by privilege loses too easily, it would be disgraceful."
"Ah, I see. So, the number of representatives advancing by privilege isn’t always maxed out?"
"Exactly. If they don’t have suitable candidates, some sects or families choose not to participate at all."
Seo-jun nodded in understanding and looked out the carriage window. Behind their carriage, another Namgung Clan carriage followed closely.
Seo-jun’s carriage held Chun-bong, Namgung Myung, and Namgung Su-a, while the other carriage carried Namgung Hyeok, Jang Geuk, and Pae Jin-gwang.
It was quite the luxurious lineup, even though they were technically on the road to a “battle.”
Three close-to-Supreme-level masters and one actual Supreme-level warrior.
This level of power could dismantle most grand sects with a few gestures.
Adding the guards and drivers, their numbers were substantial.
But it didn’t seem excessive.
With Namgung Myung and Namgung Su-a, the direct descendants of Namgung, traveling together, a mishap would be disastrous.
One peculiar aspect, though, was that both Namgung Hyeok and Pae Jin-gwang volunteered to be part of the escort.
Namgung Hyeok panicked at the news that the family’s treasures were going outside, while Pae Jin-gwang joined just because he was bored and wanted to follow Seo-jun.
Jang Geuk came simply because Seo-jun dragged him along.
"Hey! Not bored back there?"
Seo-jun shouted, and a large hand popped out of the carriage window behind him, followed by a middle finger.
"What? Has that old man lost it?"
It was Pae Jin-gwang. He claimed he wanted to understand “the culture of today’s youth,” and this was what he picked up.
These days, he was acting no different from a kid.
Complaining along the way to Hanam, the group encountered an unexpected incident.
Some bandits, out of their minds, jumped out to demand a toll.
"Their dedication is… quite something."
Seo-jun sighed in amazement and activated his technique.
Five Elements, Earth, Rock Pillars.
Small stone columns shot up from the ground, binding the bandits’ bodies entirely.
"Huh…! What is this?"
"A high-level master…!"
"Please spare us, great hero…!"
He could have killed them all outright, but his curiosity got the better of him, so he kept them alive to ask.
"Can’t you see that?"
Seo-jun pointed to the Namgung Clan’s emblem, engraved on the side of the carriage, and the bandits stared at it, dumbfounded.
"What’s… that?"
"Oh…."
Bandits who didn’t recognize the Namgung Clan’s emblem?
Seo-jun, dumbfounded, looked at Namgung Hyeok and asked.
"Did we recently change our emblem?"
"The emblem’s been the same since before I was born."
It was just that the bandits were stupidly, predictably clueless.
Looking over at Jang Geuk, a former bandit, Seo-jun saw him shaking his head.
"These days, bandits lack even the basics."
"Isn’t this going a bit too far?"
"They’re probably the most ignorant of the lot. But what can you expect…?"
"Not easy, really."
The bandits were rounded up, tied, and dragged to a nearby city.
The sect that took custody of them seemed quite pleased.
It was up to them whether they would execute or enslave the bandits—no one would care unless they were ground into elixirs.
Fortunately, they didn’t encounter any more bandits that idiotic.
Instead, during their journey, there was one day of heavy snowfall, which they spent at a nearby inn, enjoying a snowball fight.
Seo-jun, who used magic to launch snowballs like a machine gun, won the snowball fight.
Though Chun-bong, covered in snow, beat Seo-jun in frustration, he considered it a reward, indulging himself as if it were his prize for victory.
Time passed until the snow melted and sprouts began peeking out of the soil. Finally, they arrived in Shaolin.
"Wow, Hanam!"
It hadn’t been that long, but somehow, the scenery of Hanam felt familiar as if he was returning after ages. Seo-jun carried Chun-bong on his shoulders, walking around the town for a while.
After settling their belongings in the Namgung Clan’s villa in Hanam, Namgung Myung gave a faint smile and said.
"There’s still plenty of time before the preliminaries, so it might be a good idea to explore Hanam a bit."
The Yongbong Gathering was one of the great events in the martial world.
As such, Hanam was bustling with early arrivals, and now was the perfect time to enjoy the sights before the crowds thickened closer to the event.
"How about we stop by the Hao Sect?"
Namgung Su-a smiled softly at Seo-jun’s suggestion.
"Indeed. I remembered that I promised to bring a golden string for Chwi-ryeong."
"Chwi-ryeong? Who’s that?"
"You remember, right? From the boat ride. She was one of the courtesans."
"What, you’ve become friends already?"
Seo-jun was shocked.
He had wondered where Namgung Myung’s easygoing demeanor came from, and seeing this side of Namgung Su-a, he figured it might just be genetic.
‘It doesn’t seem to come from my father-in-law’s side… Maybe her mother was particularly sociable?’
While Seo-jun pondered, the other members also made their plans and scattered.
Namgung Myung went off to see friends in Hanam, and Pae Jin-gwang also left to visit acquaintances.
Namgung Hyeok had intended to join Namgung Su-a but, fearing he might be considered intrusive, let Pae Jin-gwang drag him away by the collar.
The countryside-raised bandit, Jang Geuk, happily disappeared with a coin pouch Seo-jun had handed him.
The martial artists from the Namgung Clan divided into shifts, some guarding the villa and others taking a break.
Excited to spend time as a trio again, Seo-jun grabbed Chun-bong and ran into the streets.
"Let’s go, Geum Chun-bong…!"
"Let’s go!"
"Yay!"
That was, until the unexpected sound of wind accompanied a flying dagger.