Crackle. Pop. Sparks fly from the bonfire. The flickering flames illuminate the dark night with a scarlet glow. As the warmth spreads around, the firewood gradually burns down and weakens.
The firelight flickers across their faces.
Humans can reflect on themselves through all the principles of nature in heaven and earth. This bonfire is no exception. It burns itself to brighten the world, resonating with the aspirations of men.
Don't martial artists typically dream of achieving feats that will go down in history, leaving their names for future generations to remember? In that sense, the art of sorcery is in a pitiful state.
Even if one becomes famous for sorcery, they wouldn’t gain as much renown as their efforts deserve.
This was because there was strong negative public opinion against sorcery in this era. The havoc wreaked by the Demonic Adepts of the Blood Cult played a big role in spreading this negative perception.
Until recently, people would cherish a talisman written by a renowned deceased person, believing it would ward off ghosts. But now, any little thing would be met with ‘You bastard, you are using evil sorcery!’ and become an excuse for a beating. Was that not the case?
Thus, truly virtuous and dignified Daoist Monks tend to hide in the mountains to cultivate their own way, while wicked sorcerers sneak into citizens' chicken coops to draw blood, only to get beaten up.
Even for a member of the renowned Namgung Clan of the Central Plains, it was the first time seeing a genuine Daoist Monk who could summon storm clouds with a gesture and light fires easily with a twig without spreading plague.
Especially one who was a foreigner from the distant Western Regions.The members of the Namgung Clan each had their own thoughts as they looked at Envers sitting by the fire. The one responsible for security, Namgung Pae, who had the highest allocation and rank among the group, was rightfully wary of the young Daoist Monk.
They had been attacked by remnants of the Demonic Cult despite traveling on a safe route. As such, he was in a state of extreme vigilance.
Moreover, the key figure of this journey was Namgung Myeong, the third child of Namgung Chaegong, the head of the Namgung Clan. Not only was he a direct descendant, but he was also particularly beloved by the Clan Lord.
Despite his young age, he was mature and intelligent, treating even distant relatives with great respect. He was worth protecting with one's life.
Therefore, while saving the Namgung Clan's direct lineage from the Demonic Cult's attack was a great favor, Namgung Pae couldn't help but view Envers with suspicion until he uncovered his true intentions.
After all, couldn't this be an elaborate ruse to deceive them and infiltrate the Namgung Clan under false pretenses?
"...What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?"
"Ahem... It is nothing."
However, from Envers' perspective, he was simply wondering why this man was glaring at him so intently.
On the other hand, the young boy Namgung Myeong, a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan, was suppressing his age-appropriate curiosity with a maturity beyond his years.
Wow! How did you do that? I've heard that the ability to produce fire from one's hands is called the True Fire of Samadhi. Have you reached that realm, Daoist? If you can summon storm clouds, can you also ride the clouds and fly through the sky?
Knowing that such a barrage of questions might embarrass both parties and diminish the Namgung Clan's dignity, he kept his mouth tightly shut.
Instead, he simply stared at Envers with sparkling eyes, hoping to glean something from observation alone.
Envers, unable to bear the subtle silence, spoke first.
"...Mmm, shall we introduce ourselves?"
"Wow! Ah, I mean... Of course, that's fine, Great Expert! We were late with our greetings too."
"Pardon our rudeness. We are descendants of the Namgung Clan, and my name is Namgung Pae. And this Young Master here is..."
"My name is Namgung Myeong, Great Expert."
Namgung Myeong gave a formal cupped-hand salute, putting a fist to his other palm. Envers returned the gesture with his own cupped-hand salute.
His movements weren't awkward. After learning basic Murim etiquette from the beggar, he had practiced dozens of times in front of a mirror.
"My name is Envers Redburn."
"......"
The Namgung martial artists fell silent as if struck by the Touch of Death because of the unexpected English pronunciation, then began to murmur among themselves.
"O-On Bosu?"
"It sounded like An Bosoon to me."
"Wasn't it closer to Wen Bansuh?"
"The Western language is truly difficult..."
The Namgung martial artists whispered to each other using Sound Transmission. They discussed whether it was fine to just call him 'Daoist' and avoid using his name, whether there was any need to memorize a barbarian name, and that they wouldn't be responsible if lightning struck his head for doing so.
Meanwhile, the young Namgung Myeong asked the Western Daoist:
"I think it would be greatly disrespectful to mispronounce a name given by heaven. So, if you don't mind... may I give you a nickname?"
"If it is difficult to pronounce, please feel free to bestow me one."
"Then, since your eyes shine as blue as the autumn sky, I'll call you Cheonghwi (Azure Radiance). How does that sound?"
"I am keen on it. You may call me Cheonghwi."
"Yes! Daoist Cheonghwi."
Namgung Myeong smiled, happy that his idea was accepted. How could he not be delighted that such an exceptional Daoist would use a name he had given?
Thanks to this, Envers gained a name to use in Murim.
===============================================================
Distinguishing people was simple.
Given the characteristics of colorful hair in a fantasy world, one could avoid confusing people by roughly remembering their hair and eye colors. Envers also favored this method of distinction.
Purple hair was Luna, red hair was Selvier, gray hair was Bennett...
However, this was the harsh Central Plains. Without cultivating esoteric martial arts, the default hair color here was pitch black. That one's black, and that one's black too. To be honest, Envers felt slightly dizzy.
So he had to use a different method of distinction.
The tiniest boy was Namgung Myeong. As the son of the Namgung Clan Lord, he was the third and youngest child. He had a lively and bright nature, but suppressed it with maturity. A clever boy.
The one who seemed to have the highest level of martial arts was Namgung Pae. He was said to be a collateral descendant. By collateral, it meant he came from a branch stemming from a concubine. Overall, he had a rough and tough appearance.
The other two warriors were called Namgung Ho and Namgung Seop, and Envers just memorized that the slightly taller one was Ho.
He decided not to clarify the misunderstanding that he was something akin to a Wizard. The beggar had told him that in Murim, one should hide 30% of their abilities, so wouldn't it be better to disguise himself as someone who took position in the rear?
Also, judging from their reactions, Wizards seemed to be rare here. Or at least that seemed to be the case, seeing how Namgung Myeong showed great curiosity towards Wizards. So, Envers thought he'd try to act like a Daoist Monk in his own way.
Whether he could do it properly or not, though, was a different matter...
Fortunately, Namgung Myeong was intelligent enough to know that asking a Daoist about their secrets was as rude as asking a martial artist about their techniques.
So he didn't ask troublesome questions like reading the heavenly secrets or teaching how to summon storm clouds.
Instead, he asked his curiosities indirectly, bit by bit.
"Daoist Cheonghwi, why did you come to the Central Plains?"
"Well, that is... I came to fulfill a request from an acquaintance. Also, I have a personal interest in martial arts, so. That is how it turned out."
"Do you also learn martial arts, Daoist? I've heard that scholars who hold brushes dislike moving their bodies, so I thought you'd be the same. My knowledge was lacking!"
"Hmm."
Envers had once suggested to Selvier that they train in martial arts together. She had countered by asking if he'd like to tackle trigonometry with her, and he had quietly backed down.
Also, when he recalled the faces of the Wizards in his class, they all seemed far removed from exercise. They preferred to research while sitting rather than using their bodies.
"Your words are correct. The Daoists where I come from... mostly prefer to sit and research."
"But you're not like that, Daoist Cheonghwi! That's a good thing. A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body, so I believe it will surely help in your Daoist practices!"
"Yes, Wizards did have somewhat strange personalities..."
Indeed, could that be it!
Envers felt like he had found an answer to the eccentric nature of Wizards through his conversation with Namgung Myeong. Even Selvier, who was warm-hearted enough to pack scrolls for a traveling friend, occasionally showed rough tendencies.
The Crazy Wizard, who was the Illusion Magic Professor, and Alejandro, the Elemental Magic Theory Professor, were clearly off-kilter even at a glance.
Was it because they lacked healthy bodies...!
Envers thought to himself. Even if Selvier refused, wouldn't it be a friend's duty to help her exercise a bit? After all, he had received scrolls and magical tools from her.
He had been taught to repay kindness.
[Esteemed Member, why didn't you come out today? : To go out and work Selvier's muscles, repaying kindness with enmity]
As they were chatting, Namgung Myeong brought up the main point while throwing new branches into the bonfire. In Namgung Myeong's opinion, this was a fortuitous encounter, and he felt that bringing the Daoist along would help things go well.
"I've already promised a reward in the name of Namgung, and in nine days, there will be a birthday banquet for my fath— the Clan Lord. If possible, I'd like to invite Daoist Cheonghwi to our family..."
"Myeong’er, did the Daoist not say he had his own purpose? It would be better to pay the reward with the personal ornaments we brought and make plans for next time."
However, the perspectives of children and adults differ, so Namgung Pae politely suggested paying with money instead of bringing an outsider into the family. No matter how he looked at it, this Cheonghwi was extremely suspicious.
Not only was his timely arrival to save the group strange, but upon closer inspection of his demeanor, the suspicion doubled.
His body was trained in martial arts.
Under his peculiar Western clothing, one could guess the clear outline of muscles. His movements when stepping or reaching out were far from those of a Daoist or a scholar.
As for his use of Daoist Techniques... it was an undeniable fact that he had witnessed it directly.
But wasn't it dubious that a highly-skilled Sorcerer would learn martial arts as a hobby? If something was neither certain nor untrustworthy, it would be wise to distrust it for safety's sake.
So, Namgung Pae wanted to drive Cheonghwi away. However…
Although Namgung Myeong was an intelligent boy, he wasn't quite at the level to immediately understand the subtle language of noble etiquette. That was a skill that could only be built up over many years.
"Uncle, you must be aware of the terrifying rumors circulating around Anhui Province. I've heard that the cries of commoners never cease due to ghosts kidnapping children. Isn't that why Hyungnim also called for a Daoist?"
"...Myeong'er1 ."
"However, I've heard that there are many charlatans among Daoists. I don't doubt Hyungnim’s judgment, but they say the more thorough one's preparation, the better. We've seen Daoist Cheonghwi's abilities with our own eyes. So, wouldn't it be beneficial in the long run to bring along a verified, highly skilled Daoist, and since I've made a promise, to repay the life-saving grace— Heup.”
"Enough, enough! I get it, your uncle understands very well, so let us cut the chatter."
The atmosphere turned awkward due to his somewhat tactless yapping.
"...Well, Daoist Cheonghwi might also feel uncomfortable following strangers he has just met for the first time. Is that not right?"
"Ah, I am fine with it. If you are inviting me, I would be glad to come along."
"...If that is the case. The Namgung Clan will host you as Myeong's guest."
And so, they ended up accepting Envers as a guest.
===============================================================
Clop, clop. The horse hooves beat the ground rhythmically as they advanced. Inside the carriage, Namgung Myeong and Envers chatted incessantly, with Myeong doing most of the talking.
Namgung Myeong's speech had the vivaciousness characteristic of his age, but it was also articulate and logical, making it pleasant to listen to. Envers learned various things about the Namgung Clan.
The Namgung Clan was a clan of people bound by the surname Namgung, and they primarily practiced swordsmanship. They were counted among the best in the vast Murim.
There was a particularly interesting story about this. It was a record about the Ancestor of the Namgung Clan.
"The Ancestor of the Namgung Clan is said to have split the sky with a single sword!"
"Split the sky...?"
"Yes! And in a secret place deep within our family, there's a story that the Sword Mark (劍痕) left by our ancestor was... Ah! I can see the buildings. That place is the Namgung Clan!"
Clop, clop.
As the cool breeze brushed past, smiles appeared on the faces of those bearing the Namgung name. Returning home always stirs the heart, especially after being attacked during the journey.
As for Namgung Myeong, his smile was so wide it almost reached his ears.
"Daoist Cheonghwi, I have an elder brother. He's a very cool and excellent person!"
"...You said you were the third child, did you not?"
"Yes! The eldest is Hyungnim, and the second is Noonim. Speaking of Hyungnim, he received the title of Sword Dragon (劍龍) from the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, and in the world, he's also known as the Brilliant Sword of No-Mind2 (無心輝劍)."
"That is an impressive title."
Envers smiled at Namgung Myeong. This boy seemed to greatly cherish his elder brother. Looking at those sparkling eyes reminded him of his past self.
The young Envers who had so admired Roderus.
A corner of his heart felt both bitter and nostalgic. Whenever he recalled the past, only questions remained. Brother, why is it that you had done as such?
The palace-like estate gradually drew closer. At the main gate of the Namgung Clan residence, along with a group of people wearing blue martial attire, stood a tall young man, the hem of his martial headband, symbolizing a hero, fluttering as he stood straight and proud.
His skin was like white jade, his jawline sharp, his physique strong, and his face beautiful. He was a handsome young noble capable of stealing the hearts of many women.
He looked at his younger brother, Namgung Myeong, with wide eyes full of surprise and joy.
"Myeong'er, you are back, I see."
"Hyungnim Zhao!"
The first encounter with Namgung Zhao3 (南宮昭), known as the Brilliant Sword of No-Mind (無心輝劍).
"......"
Envers Redburn trembled with an inexplicable sense of unease.