The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 34

The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family

Chapter 34

On the way back from Jeongdeok.

Although it was only a brief three-day mission, Ha Hyeon was able to learn many things.

Naturally, this was true in terms of experience, but above all, if there was any greatest gain, it was getting to know what kind of person Namgung Min was to some extent.

‘There was a reason why brother was so strong.’

The reason why Namgung Min became one of the strongest in the Namgung family despite being younger than his peers… no, despite his young age, was simpler than expected.

Something everyone knows, but difficult for anyone to do.

‘Not taking even the smallest thing for granted, being thorough with the basics. And when taking any action, calculating all possibilities before acting.’

Ha Hyeon was deeply realizing that while this was easy to say, it wasn’t such an easy thing to do in practice.

Ha Hyeon wasn’t the only one who learned a lot from this mission.

So-hwa also learned and felt so many things.

Particularly, what she most clearly realized this time was…

‘There’s too big of a gap between me and Ha Hyeon. I need to catch up.’

Although she saw it almost daily during their regular training, experiencing the skill difference with Ha Hyeon firsthand, which she had taken for granted until now, was even shocking to So-hwa.

All her previous talk about surpassing brother Min and becoming the head of the Namgung family someday suddenly felt embarrassing.

‘I’m not a child anymore. It’s good that I realized it now.’

So-hwa finally made up her mind to take martial arts seriously.

This was the moment when the martial artist who would later be called the ‘Female Emperor’ was born.

* * *

Unlike when they went to Jeongdeok County, Ha Hyeon’s group was quiet without a single word on their way back to the Namgung family.

Both Ha Hyeon and So-hwa were deep in thought, and Namgung Min recognized their state and was considerate of them.

However, this didn’t mean their walking pace was slow.

They were definitely moving at a slightly faster pace than when they came.

Namgung So-hwa followed that pace silently and diligently.

After walking for several more hours, they found a familiar place.

It was the same place where they had briefly rested when heading to Jeongdeok County.

Without anyone suggesting it first, they naturally put down their luggage and took a rest.

When Ha Hyeon brought cool water in a canteen like before and everyone had moistened their throats, So-hwa spoke up.

“I’m fine now. Let’s depart right away.”

“So-hwa, you don’t have to push yourself.”

“I’m not pushing myself. I’m saying let’s go because I can handle it. If I’m going to rest, I want to rest when we get home.”

Namgung So-hwa’s expression was determined.

“Master Gyu-hyeon always says this. That it’s only training when it’s hard. I think I always stopped when things got difficult. Now I want to try until I really can’t move from exhaustion.”

Namgung Min and Ha Hyeon couldn’t respond for a moment to So-hwa’s words.

They seemed to understand what So-hwa had been thinking until now, and why she had been silent all this time.

After a while, Ha Hyeon was the one who broke this silence.

“That’s right, sister. You’re finally starting to look like a martial artist.”

“What?”

As So-hwa got up angrily, Ha Hyeon reflexively stood up and gathered the luggage they had temporarily unpacked for rest.

“I’m saying it’s cool. Really cool.”

“Hmm…”

Seemingly unsatisfied with Ha Hyeon’s response, So-hwa squinted at him, but Ha Hyeon pretended not to see and spoke to Namgung Min.

“Brother, how long will it take to reach the Namgung family from here?”

“Not much longer now. It should take about two hours.”

“Then how about we increase our speed a bit and use light movement techniques for those two hours?”

“Good idea. We can practice light movement techniques and get home faster. Is that okay with you, So-hwa?”

So-hwa answered with a refreshed expression.

“Of course! I was actually going to suggest that, but Ha Hyeon stole my words again.”

“What did I steal? This is what you call being of one mind, right?”

“Oh fine. Yes, that’s right.”

They quickly regained their smiles at Ha Hyeon’s banter.

Namgung Min watched them with a content smile.

Yet his face showed a hint of loneliness in one corner.

‘Would it have been better if I had peers when I first learned martial arts?’

Throughout his martial arts training until now, he had constantly fought with himself.

During that process, he had no one to rely on emotionally.

When he entered the Blue dragon pavilion, there weren’t any young trainees like Ha Hyeon or So-hwa now, and even Namgung Hwan, who was closest to his age, had quite an age gap.

Moreover, due to his extremely rapid growth, he hadn’t shared his heart with anyone, neither his Blue dragon pavilion classmates nor after becoming an official member.

Even his father, Namgung Gi-Ha Hyeon, was frequently absent from the Namgung family due to missions and Murim Alliance affairs.

Loneliness.

To be more honest, Namgung Min thought this was normal.

Because he had lived that way his whole life.

However, whenever he saw Ha Hyeon, So-hwa, and Namgung Hwan living together, he would suddenly realize how lonely he had been.

“Brother, aren’t you coming?”

“Brother! Aren’t you coming? I’m going first?”

Ha Hyeon and So-hwa, who had already prepared to leave, urged Namgung Min who was standing there absent-mindedly.

Namgung Min smiled unconsciously.

“Yes, let’s go.”

It wasn’t just Ha Hyeon and So-hwa who gained something from this mission.

Namgung Min realized what he had only known intellectually.

‘I was never alone.’

When Ha Hyeon appeared and showed remarkable talent, the passion for martial arts that rekindled within himself wasn’t simply jealousy or a sense of crisis.

The fact that there was someone who saw the same world as him.

And that it was his brother.

That was what made him burn with passion in his training.

The three of them ran at a much faster pace than when they came.

Toward home where they could rest comfortably.

* * *

The three succeeded in reaching near the Namgung family without taking a single break.

So while it had taken a full half day to get to Jeongdeok County, they were able to arrive before sunset on their return.

“Oh?”

When the entrance to the Namgung family estate came into view, Ha Hyeon paused momentarily at a familiar figure.

“Grandfather is waiting outside. He must have heard the news.”

Namgung Min, who focused his inner energy to his eyes to see far ahead, soon said with a radiant smile.

Namgung Mu-ryong was smiling like a child, an expression Namgung Min had never seen before.

He hadn’t known his grandfather, who had always seemed stern, had such a side to him.

He seemed worried after hearing about the events in Jeongdeok County in the morning.

‘Surely he must have also heard the news that we were all fine.’

Namgung Min thought as he watched Ha Hyeon’s back as he ran towards grandfather with a smile reaching his ears.

‘Really, what a charming child.’

Ha Hyeon used his maximum movement technique to stand before Namgung Mu-ryong.

“Grandfather! Why have you come all the way out here?”

As Ha Hyeon approached using his movement technique, Namgung Mu-ryong immediately examined Ha Hyeon’s body while speaking.

“I heard there was a big incident. Are you alright? Oh my, you’ve got a wound on your hand.”

“It’s nothing. I didn’t do anything at all. Brother Min did everything.”

“Yes. Min, you really went through a lot.”

“Not at all. I’m glad I could be of help at the right time.”

Then, patting So-hwa’s head who was right next to Namgung Min, he spoke to her as well.

“So-hwa. You too successfully completed your first mission. I’m really proud.”

“I really didn’t do anything at all.”

“Haha. This is just the beginning. You did really well.”

After finishing praising So-hwa, Namgung Mu-ryong seemed to realize he had been too excitable, and cleared his throat before speaking.

“Ahem. Everyone come inside quickly. You left in the morning and arrived just now, so you probably haven’t eaten properly? It’s mealtime anyway, let’s eat together.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Seeing this, Namgung Min barely suppressed his urge to laugh.

‘He seemed very troubled lately due to the matters with the Demonic cult and the martial arts world, but it seems he’s found his smile thanks to Ha Hyeon.’

Namgung Min warmly watched Ha Hyeon’s back as he followed behind Namgung Mu-ryong.

“Grandfather. But there’s one thing I’m worried about.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about Elder Drunken Moon Elite.”

“Why about Drunken Moon Elite?”

Ha Hyeon hesitated before finally speaking.

“I heard they’re escorting the captured person to the Murim Alliance, but there are only three people who came from the Alliance. Is three people enough? I absolutely don’t mean to doubt the Elder’s abilities, I’m just worried…”

Ha Hyeon’s voice trailed off.

He spoke carefully because at first glance, it might sound like Ha Hyeon was dismissing Drunken Moon Elite.

Namgung Mu-ryong seemed to understand Ha Hyeon’s meaning and placed his hand on Ha Hyeon’s head as he spoke.

“Ha Hyeon, do you know why Drunken Moon Elite’s title is Drunken Moon Elite?”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s because he loves drinking and loves the moon.”

“Haha. That’s what Drunken Moon Elite tells people publicly.”

“Publicly…?”

Namgung Mu-ryong smiled and said.

“It’s a title given because when he’s drunk, he runs so fast he could reach the moon, and keeps running. Running is Drunken Moon Elite’s drinking habit.”

“I… see.”

“Haha. But he’s really so fast it seems like he could actually reach the moon. When he sets his mind to running, there’s hardly anyone in the entire martial arts world who could catch him.”

Ha Hyeon nodded.

This was the same Drunken Moon Elite who had carried him from Gosi County to the Namgung family estate before.

Ha Hyeon still remembered that speed.

“And, above all, there’s something everyone overlooks.”

“What is it?”

“It’s true that Drunken Moon Elite specializes in movement techniques. However…”

Namgung Mu-ryong smiled and said.

“Just because he mainly trained in movement techniques doesn’t mean he’s weak in combat. In some ways, he might even rival me.”

Namgung Mu-ryong’s eyes were full of certainty.

This wasn’t simply confidence in a close friend, but trust that had developed from watching him closely for a long time.

* * *

That night after returning to the family estate.

Ha Hyeon couldn’t easily fall asleep.

Lying in bed tossing and turning, Ha Hyeon recalled the battle between Namgung Min and the black-clothed person at Lord Jung’s estate yesterday.

‘It was really amazing.’

It was literally incredible force.

As Namgung Min had said about showing what a life-or-death battle was, a fight where you truly put your life on the line felt different from the start.

‘What did that stranger do then, and what did brother do? Ah, I can’t remember.’

Finally giving up on sleeping, Ha Hyeon sat up in bed, adjusted to a cross-legged position, and began breathing exercises.

And recalled yesterday’s fight.

The scene from yesterday began to replay in Ha Hyeon’s eyes.

‘Lighntning step…’

Namgung Min was literally Lighntning itself.

‘It was called Lightning Flash Thirteen Sword Thunder.’

Namgung Min’s martial arts technique unfolds in Ha Hyeon’s mind.

Although he had only seen one form, Namgung Min’s all-out strike had given Ha Hyeon sufficient inspiration.

As the breathing exercise continued, Ha Hyeon gradually sank deeper into his unconscious.

‘Hoo…’

As Ha Hyeon took a deep breath internally, the space changes again.

A training ground that seemed to stretch endlessly.

And on that training ground stood a man.

He was a faceless imaginary martial artist created by Ha Hyeon.

Swoosh-

The martial artist was suddenly holding a sword and looking at Ha Hyeon.

His aura seemed to have absorbed everything Ha Hyeon had seen and learned until now.

And Ha Hyeon too was holding a sword, facing off against him.

Shik-

The martial artist smiled.

That smile was unclear at first, but gradually changed into a face that could be described as beautiful.

Before he knew it, the face had changed to Namgung Min’s confidently smiling face.

And the next moment.

Kwaarung-!

The martial artist with Namgung Min’s face approached Ha Hyeon at lightning speed, unleashing the Lightning Flash Thirteen Sword Thunder.

Kuhuk!

Unable to dodge the sword coming like lightning, Ha Hyeon’s heart was pierced by the martial artist’s sword.

In an instant.

If this hadn’t been imagination, if Ha Hyeon had really engaged in a life-or-death battle with Namgung Min, Ha Hyeon would not have escaped death.

‘Again.’

Ha Hyeon springs up again, preparing to block Namgung Min’s sword.

The hole in his chest from being pierced by the sword just now had already healed.

“Come!”

As Ha Hyeon shouted boldly.

The martial artist rushed at Ha Hyeon without hesitation.

Kwaarung-!

Lightning struck once more.

But unfortunately, the result was the same.

“Kugh.”

Ha Hyeon, who couldn’t manage any defense or counterattack, barely stood up using his sword as a cane.

‘I became arrogant from hearing people call me a genius so often.’

Although he had seen many of grandfather’s ascending martial arts techniques, there’s bound to be a fundamental difference between martial arts performed to teach someone and martial arts performed at full power to kill someone.

In this real combat experience, Ha Hyeon painfully realized that he couldn’t even follow in Namgung Min’s footsteps.

‘I shouldn’t take comfort in being told that my achievements are far superior to what you were at my age.’

Namgung Hwan, Namgung Min, and even Namgung Mu-ryong always told Ha Hyeon this.

That this level of martial arts was unheard of for someone of Ha Hyeon’s age.

But Ha Hyeon decided to think coldly.

‘In a life-or-death battle, would there be an enemy who would go easy because of young age? No, that would never happen.’

After all, an incoming sword doesn’t avoid you just because you’re young.

‘In the end, the only answer is for me to train more.’

Ha Hyeon raised his sword high and shouted, resolving to ask grandfather tomorrow to teach him even more strictly.

“Again!”

Kwaarung-!

And as if to prove it, another lightning bolt grazed Ha Hyeon’s body.

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