The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 74

Chapter 74

The Namgung family where Ha Hyeon and Min left with Chwiwol Geolgae.

So-hwa was alone in the empty space next to the lodging that was always full of people.

“Was this place… always this wide?”

So-hwa muttered while looking around at the distinctly different atmosphere.

Ha Hyeon, who had always trained here like a house spirit, left for Shaolin, and Namgung Hwan entered closed-door training.

And since Ha Hyeon wasn’t here, Paeng Heon-hong naturally stopped coming as well.

“So Ha Hyeon used to train alone in a place like this.”

Come to think of it, while Ha Hyeon had trained alone when no one was around, she had never trained alone when Ha Hyeon wasn’t there.

Perhaps that’s why? So-hwa drew her beloved sword that she now keeps beside her even when sleeping, stood in the center of the empty space, and looked around.

Whoosh-

A cool breeze blew by, disheveling her hair.

Compared to two years ago, the scenery here had changed quite a bit.

Originally, this empty space had short, neat grass growing.

But after how much they had stepped and swept during training, the center had become a circular dirt patch where grass wouldn’t grow.

And on one side, there was a box containing practice swords and simple protective gear like shin guards.

Before they knew it, this place had become their private training ground.

“Haap!”

She shouted a battle cry and demonstrated the Three Elements Sword Technique.

Though she had learned countless sword techniques after becoming an official member of the Blue Dragon Pavilion, whenever she thought of Ha Hyeon, this Three Elements Sword Technique always came to mind.

She had never forgotten the wind Ha Hyeon created back then, not even for a moment.

Hwak-!

The wind rose according to the movement of her sword.

Sometimes violently, sometimes gently.

As if she had become a wind god controlling the breeze, So-hwa fell into a state of selflessness.

Time passed.

So-hwa sheathed her sword after swinging it to her satisfaction.

“Hoo… Hoo…”

Although she was breathing heavily and thick drops of sweat were falling, her expression wasn’t bad.

“It’s slight but… I think I can see it.”

So-hwa was confident she had reached the same level as Ha Hyeon from a year ago.

It wasn’t just Ha Hyeon and Namgung Hwan who had gained enlightenment from the battle with Blood Wolf.

Yet at the same time, bitter emotions arose.

First was that while she could now faintly see his back, Ha Hyeon was still far ahead.

And second was that Ha Hyeon wasn’t here to tease her by saying, “Sister, it seems you’re about at my level from last year? Keep training a bit more.”

“I should end today’s training here. From tomorrow, maybe I’ll go train at the Blue Dragon Pavilion training ground instead.”

As they say, you may not notice a filled space, but an empty one stands out.

Though So-hwa used to enjoy training alone before training with Ha Hyeon, now this quiet atmosphere seemed to bother her more.

As she finished preparing to leave and turned around, she saw someone entering the empty space.

“So-hwa.”

“Brother Paeng?”

It was Paeng Heon-hong.

He greeted So-hwa cheerfully.

“Though we’ve always been in the palace, somehow it feels like it’s been a while.”

“Well, that’s because I haven’t gone to the training ground. Why haven’t you come here, Brother?”

“I thought you wouldn’t train here anymore.”

“Me?”

Paeng Heon-hong nodded.

“Yes. I thought the reason you trained here despite having a good training ground was to be with Ha Hyeon. So when Ha Hyeon left for a long mission, I naturally thought you’d come to the training ground.”

“Well, that’s part of it. But this place has become as comfortable as the training ground now. Though from tomorrow, I’m planning to go to the training ground.”

“Really? Haha. That’s good. Let’s meet at the training ground from tomorrow.”

So-hwa narrowed her eyes and asked.

“Wait. Then does that mean you’ve been at the Blue Dragon Pavilion training ground wanting to train with me?”

“Yes. Because I want to train with you.”

“Why do you want to train with me?”

“That’s… because I only have you.”

So-hwa’s eyes wavered for a moment.

“Wh-what are you saying? What does that mean?”

So-hwa was now fourteen years old.

She felt something drop with a thud at Paeng Heon-hong’s sudden words.

‘Wh-what is this? Well, though he can’t compare to Brother Min or Ha Hyeon, he does look quite manly…’

In that brief moment, So-hwa even recalled Master Peng Gil San saying that Paeng Heon-hong took after his mother and wouldn’t grow as big as him.

As So-hwa stammered unconsciously in confusion, Paeng Heon-hong, who had been staring at her, smiled brightly and said.

“That means you’re the only one I can spar with equally when I go all out.”

“What?” 

“Though I’ve improved a lot, the current situation is a bit awkward.”

Paeng Heon-hong’s eyes were serious, suggesting this wasn’t a joke.

“None of our peers can match me anymore, but the seniors are still far ahead. No matter how I think about it, you’re the only one whose current skills are similar to mine, So-hwa.”

“Is that all?”

Paeng Heon-hong made a puzzled expression.

“What else would there be?”

“Sigh… Of course that’s it. What was I thinking.”

“Why? Is there some problem?”

Whoosh-!

“Ahh! Why so sudden?!”

Paeng Heon-hong barely managed to dodge, falling on his backside, as So-hwa suddenly swung her sheathed sword at him.

“Why? Didn’t you want to spar? I’m granting that wish right now.”

“I-I’m not ready yet.”

“Do enemies in the martial world wait until you’re ready to attack?!”

Swish!

“S-stop!”

“Ah, so it seems enemies stop when asked?”

Though Paeng Heon-hong must have practiced his footwork diligently to barely dodge So-hwa’s sheathed sword, unfortunately, So-hwa’s footwork was a level above.

She followed his retreating footwork right up to his face and struck his abdomen with her left hand that wasn’t holding the sheathed sword.

Thud-!

“Ugh! Cough, cough.”

So-hwa must not have held back, as Paeng Heon-hong rolled on the ground coughing repeatedly from just one fierce punch.

So-hwa felt somewhat satisfied seeing that sight.

“Can’t spar anymore today. See you at the training ground tomorrow. It won’t end with just one hit tomorrow. Hmph!”

She strutted back to the lodging after snorting at Paeng Heon-hong, who was sitting on the ground clutching his stomach.

Paeng Heon-hong could only watch her retreating figure in a daze, unable to respond.

After So-hwa disappeared from view, Paeng Heon-hong finally managed to get up.

“Haha…”

But his face wore a smile.

Though he had clearly been hit, he wore a happy smile as if he’d completely forgotten about it.

As he turned to go back to the training ground, he crouched down again clutching his stomach.

“Ow… That hurts.”

Though his mind tried to forget getting hit by So-hwa, his body’s pain wouldn’t forget.

Paeng Heon-hong could only return after sitting there for a while letting the pain subside.

* * *

Kaifeng, Henan Province.

Ha Hyeon finally arrived at the Beggar Sect headquarters.

“The headquarters is just over this hill.”

When they climbed the hill following Chwiwol Geolgae.

“Wow…!”

Ha Hyeon exclaimed at the sight before him.

It was an endless expanse of roughly made huts built with straw and wood, too numerous to count at a glance.

“This is the Beggar Sect headquarters. Impressive, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s really impressive!”

To be honest, the Beggar Sect headquarters is essentially a beggar’s den.

Namgung Min wasn’t sure what was impressive about it, but he didn’t say anything since Ha Hyeon was beaming with excitement.

But it was amazing in a different sense.

‘They say the Beggar Sect has the most disciples in all the martial world.’

Indeed, the huts stretched endlessly.

And this was just a drop in the ocean considering all the beggars scattered throughout the Central Plains, not just those gathered here.

“Do you see that cliff in the distance?”

“Yes, Master!”

“The Sect Leader is right in front of that cliff.”

“So we need to go there.”

“That’s right.”

Chwiwol Geolgae walked down the hill confidently.

His normally raised shoulders seemed even higher today.

The reason was obvious.

Though many people forget, Chwiwol Geolgae is one of the top-ranked martial artists even within the Beggar Sect, the largest organization in the martial world.

A hero of the righteous martial world who even the current Sect Leader reportedly yields to.

In broad daylight like this.

The response from the numerous Beggar Sect beggars was unanimous when Chwiwol Geolgae, who rarely appears, showed up.

“Greetings, Elder!”

“Elder! It’s an honor to meet you!”

“Have you been well, Elder!”

Some beggars prostrated themselves flat on the ground like Ma Yun-cheol from a few days ago, while others greeted him familiarly as if they knew him well.

“Haha. Ha Hyeon, did you see that well?”

“Wow. It’s amazing, Master!”

“Right? Watch carefully. All these people will be under you!”

“Ha… Haha… As expected of Grandpa Beggar King…”

“What did you just say?” 

Ha Hyeon frantically waved both hands.

“I didn’t say anything!”

“How bland.”

Chwiwol Geolgae and Ha Hyeon moved forward, receiving greetings from thousands of beggars.

By the time they reached the cliff, even the great Chwiwol Geolgae seemed exhausted.

“Oh my, this is draining. This is why I rarely come here. Even when I do come, I just drop by briefly at night.”

He shook his head in exasperation as he moved forward.

When passing between two giant trees that looked like a natural gateway.

Two human figures suddenly appeared as if they had fallen from the sky.

“Ji-hwan. No-sak. It’s you two again today.”

They were the ones guarding the Sect Leader when he came to meet him a few days ago.

“Elder. You’ve come?”

“Yes. Didn’t I say I’d be back soon?”

“Actually, we didn’t think you’d really come. Usually when you say you’ll come, you don’t…”

As Chwiwol Geolgae was about to glare at Ji-hwan, No-sak quickly spoke.

“Anyway. Is this the child?”

“Yes. This is Ha Hyeon.”

Ha Hyeon briefly read the atmosphere before bowing deeply.

“Hello. I am Namgung Ha Hyeon.”

“Haha. You’re quite handsome. We’ve heard about you.”

“They say you’re very bright?”

As Ji-hwan and No-sak approached Ha Hyeon, Chwiwol Geolgae stepped between them.

“But your words seem a bit short.”

“What? When did we… speak carelessly to you, Elder?”

“No, not to me. To Ha Hyeon.”

As confusion built in their expressions, Chwiwol Geolgae said.

“Aren’t you the Sect Leader’s nephews? Ha Hyeon is my disciple, so by rank, he would be your junior uncle, wouldn’t he?”

“…!”

Their eyes widened as if they hadn’t thought of that, and seeing their reaction, Chwiwol Geolgae chuckled and naturally walked inside.

“If you’re going to keep making dumbfounded expressions, stay there. I’m going to see the Sect Leader.”

“Ah, no. I’ll escort you. Elder. Let’s go. J-Junior Uncle…”

“Thank you.”

Ha Hyeon seemed to have given up completely as he sighed deeply and silently followed them.

Then No-sak looked at Namgung Min and said.

“Ah right. Then is this the Azure Divine Dragon?”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Namgung Min of the Namgung Family.”

Namgung Min respectfully gave them a martial salute.

“By principle, martial artists from other sects cannot enter this area with weapons, but we’ll make an exception considering Elder Chwiwol Geolgae.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Namgung Min and No-sak thought the same thing the moment their eyes met.

‘This is no ordinary person. Indeed, the Azure Divine Dragon’s reputation was true.’

‘He’s definitely not an easy opponent. The Beggar Sect has many great masters as well.’

After briefly exchanging glances, they went together to the Sect Leader’s hut.

“Sect Leader. Elder Chwiwol Geolgae is here.”

When Ji-hwan spoke, Cheon-ae Shingae, the Beggar Sect Leader, immediately came out of the hut.

He seemed to have known of their arrival for some time.

“Greetings to the Sect Leader. Hyun, come here and pay your respects.”

“Greetings to the Sect Leader.”

Without being told, Ha Hyeon bowed in greeting to the Sect Leader, just as other beggars had done to Chwiwol Geolgae.

“You’re handsome as I heard. Rise. Welcome to our Beggar Sect family.”

Cheon-ae Shingae spoke to Ha Hyeon in a kind voice.

“Thank you for welcoming me.”

“No. I called for you because I really wanted to see you once. I’m sorry for calling you to this beggar’s den.”

“I should have come to pay my respects anyway. I’m now half a member of the Beggar Sect after all.”

Pleased with Ha Hyeon’s response, Cheon-ae Shingae laughed heartily.

Then he spoke to Ha Hyeon with a deliberately stern face.

“Though it may be an organization made by beggars, the Beggar Sect is a place of strict discipline.”

“Yes. I heard about that from the Elder beforehand.”

“Then did you hear about those rules as well?”

“He said I should hear them directly from you, Sect Leader, so I haven’t heard them yet.”

Cheon-ae Shingae gave Chwiwol Geolgae a grateful look.

Chwiwol Geolgae wore a happy smile, seemingly pleased with this scene.

“Then I’ll tell you right now.”

“Yes, Sect Leader. I will engrave your words in my heart.”

“We have only one sect rule.”

“One?”

“Yes. It is this: ‘Revere righteousness.'”

Cheon-ae Shingae’s serious voice penetrated Ha Hyeon’s heart.