The reception room was neatly arranged, but the area around Namgung Chaegong’s seat was messily cluttered. Brushes were rolling around, and books were placed diagonally.Envers quickly understood the reason. Namgung Chaegong, seemingly bored, had been fidgeting restlessly, picking up brushes, twirling them, and putting them down.
The Namgung Clan’s servants quickly tidied up, but Namgung Chaegong himself seemed to keep making a mess.
He quietly observed Envers while resting his chin on his hand, then spoke comfortably as if reading his mind.
“Yes, I saw everything. I saw you getting along well with Myeong, and I also saw you staring intently at various parts of my daughter’s body.”
“That’s…”
“Hahah, young Daoist, it seems your cultivation is quite shallow. To be flustered by such things.”
“……”
It seemed to be his way of joking. He didn’t seem to mind much. Whether it was seeing Namgung Seungah, or teaching his children different techniques without permission.
However, he pointed out something else.
“Although, due to my youthful folly of closing our gates… I generally don’t have a good reputation in Murim. But I still keep in friendly contact with a few friends. So, I know that strange winds are blowing in Murim.”“Strange winds, you say?”
“Some of those who faced the Heavenly Demon have started to imitate his martial arts. It’s as if they’ve lost their humanity… They seem to focus more on the form (形) of martial arts rather than the intent (意). Just like your movements.”
“…You saw that in my movements?”
Namgung Chaegong nodded.
“I saw glimpses of it when you were playing the eyes-closed dodging game with Seungah. Parts where you moved strangely, like a wooden puppet rather than a person. It was truly fascinating.”
“Strictly speaking, I did not learn it by seeing the Heavenly Demon…”
Though the order might be reversed, it wasn’t too different. Envers had learned from Luna, but Luna and the Heavenly Demon’s movements were essentially headed in the same direction.
“You seem to have some connection to the Heavenly Demon. Whether directly or indirectly, spanning 30 years. It’s a very interesting thing.”
“…Are you suspicious of me?”
“No. Myeong said he would trust you, so I trust you too.”
“The quack Daoist’s words were rambling… But you… you even read traces of the Heavenly Demon in my movements. It seems there is enough reason to be suspicious. So why do you say you will trust me?”
“Because that’s the Namgung Clan.”
Namgung Chaegong raised his index finger and pointed at a flowerpot. In the corner of the room, an orchid was growing in a pot.
“Sometimes… the greater purpose is more important than any specific goal. A plant without fruit can survive, but a plant without roots cannot.”
“…I don’t quite understand.”
“It’s a simple matter. If I were to give you a million gold pieces right now, would you kill Myeong?”
“…?!”
Startled by the sudden chilling question, Envers looked up at Namgung Chaegong in great confusion. He was just smiling slightly, as if urging Envers to answer quickly.
A million gold pieces. Is it even conceivable to kill that young boy for mere money?
The hesitation didn’t last long. Envers firmly shook his head, and Namgung Chaegong responded as if that was exactly what he expected.
“Then, you who would take a million gold pieces to kill Myeong… wouldn’t be the current you, would it? If you were such a person, you wouldn’t have saved Myeong from being chased by the Demonic Cult in the first place.”
“…I suppose so.”
“If you keep choosing options that betray your beliefs, blinded by immediate gains… in the end, nothing will remain. Even if your hands are full of money and fame, what you originally wanted will never be there.”
The image of the Beggar’s Union flashed through Envers’ mind. Beggar’s Union Leader Hee Yeonghyeon had said she abandoned everything for the Union’s survival, and her expression was full of emptiness.
The current Beggar’s Union probably wasn’t what she had hoped for.
Namgung Chaegong spoke to Envers, who was deep in thought.
“Little Daoist, your heart seems to be floating. Or perhaps tied down somewhere.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just what I said. Your actions are quite passive compared to your abilities. We have no intention of tying down our guests, and even less so if they’re friends.”
Feel free to move comfortably. Saying this, Namgung Chaegong sent Envers out.
Tied down, he said.
Leaving the room and looking up at the sky outside, it was wide and blue. The sky is so free, yet why does the human heart only sink as if weighted down?
“……”
A child wishing to become his brother’s right hand.
It was inevitable that they would overlap.
===============================================================
On the way, Namgung Zhao was standing, blocking the path. He seemed to have been waiting for Envers. He smiled, pulling up the corners of his mouth, and conveyed words of apology.
However, he didn’t look like he was apologizing.
“I am sorry. Who would have known such a commotion would occur when we invited a Daoist said to be skilled in reading the secrets of the heavens?”
“No, it is alright. He ended up being driven out, so I am fine.”
“Indeed, as expected of a highly skilled Daoist, your heart is broad. That Daoist… I will find him and punish him, so do not worry too much.”
“…Do you have some business with me?”
Conversations with Namgung Zhao were somewhat uncomfortable. Envers wanted to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
He used honorifics and treated everyone with courtesy, so compared to Roderus who looked down on commoners from the first meeting… he should be a good person, but…
For some reason, the warmth felt from Roderus couldn’t be felt from him. Although it had only been two encounters, it wasn’t particularly enjoyable.
Envers couldn’t hide his discomfort, but Namgung Zhao didn’t seem to mind at all. He spoke casually.
“Do you know what day it is a month from now?”
“I do not know.”
“It is the day when the next Clan Lord of the Namgung Clan will be designated. Father said he would announce the successor early to avoid turmoil in the clan.”
“……”
Is he trying to boast?
No matter how you look at it, this Namgung Zhao is likely to be the next Clan Lord. The age difference with the second son is significant, and I’ve heard he’s achieved many merits.
However, carefully observing his expression, his smiling face didn’t seem to be gloating. Rather, it looked unstable.
“That is why… I called for a Daoist. Both Father’s birthday and the day of the Clan Lord designation are very important days. I thought it would be good if a Daoist could recite words of blessing.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“The planted Daoist has gone, and only the Daoist who rolled in remains. So, shouldn’t I ask the remaining Daoist? Daoist Cheonghwi… please bless my ascension to the Clan Lord.”
“…You are certainly likely to be chosen. But for an event that has not even happened yet, blessing it in advance seems strange to me.”
At Envers’ logical argument, Namgung Zhao just stared at him quietly.
Ever so quietly…
Then, as if nothing had happened…
“Daoist Cheonghwi’s words are correct. I misspoke.”
“……”
“Did you meet Father? He’s a free-spirited person like a flowing cloud. It’s his birthday banquet now, so please do congratulate him. I believe you won’t refuse even this.”
“Of course. I will do so…”
Before Envers could finish his response, Namgung Zhao turned his back and left.
It felt ominous. But there was nothing he could do. Even if he chased after that man whose shadow flickered like the Redburn Mansion and questioned him, what exactly could he do?
No, that wasn’t it.
Envers could do something. He had mysterious scrolls left by his friends, connections that were beginning to form, however faintly, and his personal strength was by no means lacking.
However, the reason Envers didn’t move even at that moment was because he couldn’t forget the look in Namgung Myeong’s eyes as he trusted and followed Namgung Zhao.
Weren’t they harmonious brothers?
They were not a relationship that went wrong due to the betrayal of the one called brother, hating each other in confusion, and now not even knowing where the other is or what they’re doing.
Weren’t they harmonious brothers who warmly trusted and relied on each other? So…
“…How could I doubt and destroy that?”
Envers simply couldn’t bring himself to do it.
===============================================================
What has happened so far?
● Saved Namgung Myeong from an attack and became a guest of the Namgung Clan.
● Met Beggar’s Union Leader Hee Yeonghyeon but failed to return the Dog Beating Staff Technique.
● Taught Gaze Insight to the Namgung siblings.
● Drove out the Daoist who was falsely accusing him.
How many challenge tasks have been achieved?
● None have been achieved.
Points to consider?
● The scammer Daoist.
Either he was sloppy. Or he was that desperate.
He acted like someone being chased. As if something terrible would happen if he didn’t drive Envers out immediately. Since there was no prior acquaintance or grudge, this must have been out of necessity.
● Demonic Cult?
The group of black-clothed people targeting Namgung Myeong ran away. Judging by the lack of news about their capture, they are still at large. They would return again someday.
Their identity is suspicious. Was their goal really revenge against the Namgung Clan?
● Me
……
Stop focusing on the wall, Envers. Look at yourself.
Enjoy it.
There’s something flickering in my mind, almost understandable but frequently lost.
It seems I still need more time…
===============================================================
In the darkness, a crouched figure quietly looks at a book and mutters.
The Secret Technique of the Demonic Descent Divine Art (魔降神術) shows its true value when the moon is full.
The full moon is rising. After the full moon passes, there won’t even be a chance.
It’s only now.
Now we have no choice but to proceed even with the variable of that Daoist.
To get what you want, you have no choice but to abandon everything.
On the last day of the banquet… those who should die will die.
With a Jiangshi that has received the power of the Heavenly Demon, we will surely achieve our goal.
The red glow in the darkness wavered chaotically.