The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 6

The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family

Chapter 6

Another day passed, and in the dead of night, Chwiwol Geolgae, carrying Ha Hyeon on his back, finally arrived at the Namgung Family Estate.

Standing in front of the magnificent gate, Ha Hyeon deeply felt the greatness of martial arts and his own weakness.

‘When I checked the map, it should have taken ten full nights to reach the Namgung Estate. Yet, even though we traveled through the night, it only took two days.’

Naturally, following that thought came self-blame.

‘If only my inner strength were greater, it wouldn’t have taken so long to reach the Namgung Estate. No, before that, my mother and our household wouldn’t have fallen so easily.’

Ha Hyeon was freshly realizing the necessity of powerful martial arts.

Chwiwol Geolgae roughly knocked on the gate.

Bang, bang, bang!

“Is anyone there?”

Though he wasn’t showing it, he was in a very difficult state right now. Two full nights. And carrying Ha Hyeon, who wasn’t exactly small, on his back at full speed was definitely no easy task.

“Who is it at this late hour?”

“Ah, it’s Jang-chil. Tell Mu-ryong that I’m here.”

“Elder Chwiwol Geolgae?”

“Yes, it’s me, so hurry.”

“Yes, yes!”

The person who appeared to be a servant of the estate hurriedly ran inside.

“You seem to know the Namgung family well?”

“Of course. I stayed here for several days just ten days ago.”

A moment later, the man called Jang-chil returned to them.

“This way, please. Fortunately, the family head hasn’t retired to his chambers yet.”

“Is that so. I knew Mu-ryong would be awake since he doesn’t sleep much.”

Chwiwol Geolgae stepped into the estate as naturally as if entering his own home.

“But, who might this be…”

“I brought this child because I have something to confirm. I vouch for this child, so it should be fine to bring him in, right?”

“How could there be any issue?”

Ha Hyeon and Chwiwol Geolgae followed Jang-chil’s lead.

‘Wow…’

And Ha Hyeon marveled at the interior scenery of the Namgung Estate. Though the Shin Family Estate where Ha Hyeon had lived his whole life had quite a large compound, it couldn’t even compare to the Namgung Estate.

Inside the Namgung Estate grounds, there appeared to be at least ten massive pavilions, and there was also an impressive pond that couldn’t be called small. But what surprised him most was something else—namely, Jang-chil, who was guiding them.

‘Even the servants of the Namgung family practice martial arts.’

The stride and depth of his steps were consistent, and he made almost no sound. Though it wasn’t clear why he was trying not to show it, Jang-chil’s gait was clearly not that of an ordinary person unfamiliar with martial arts. As Ha Hyeon had recently taken a great interest in lightness techniques, he could clearly sense this.

“This way.”

“Is he still in the Gyeonggak Hall?”

The Namgung Family Estate could be considered a martial arts sect in itself. As such, it had various institutions that other sects had, and the Gyeonggak Hall was where organizations responsible for gathering information were housed. Besides the Gyeonggak Hall, there were various other groups like the Blue dragon pavillion, which selected and cultivated some of the most renowned warriors in the martial world, and the Changcheon Palace, established for external activities by those who had reached elder status in the Namgung family or disciples who had been granted the Namgung surname and recognized as family members.

“Yes. Since receiving that news, he has been here all day except for brief moments of rest.”

“Tsk tsk. That old man… I told him he’d harm his body doing that.”

Chwiwol Geolgae clicked his tongue and entered the hall, his steps unwavering, as if he already knew where to go. After passing through a long corridor, Chwiwol Geolgae reached the door at the very end.

“Mu-ryong. It’s me.”

“Come in.”

Creeak-

The door opened.

Behind it sat an elderly man with white hair neatly combed back to show his forehead. Though he appeared to have a rather small build at first glance, Ha Hyeon felt his presence was greater than anyone he had met so far.

“Aigh, you old Namgung. What difference does it make waiting here for news that won’t come?”

“Getting old means I can’t sleep well. I was about to retire to my chambers anyway.”

Namgung Mu-ryong asked with a genuinely curious expression, “More importantly, what brings you here? Didn’t you leave for Gansu just days ago?”

“I did.”

“Haha. Your whims have struck again.”

At Namgung Mu-ryong’s words, Chwiwol Geolgae cackled. “You know me too well now.”

“Well, we’ve known each other for over 50 years.”

At that moment, Namgung Mu-ryong’s eyes showed a peculiar light. He had noticed Ha Hyeon beside Chwiwol Geolgae.

“And who might this child be?”

“I turned back because of this child. Doesn’t this child look familiar?”

Namgung Mu-ryong walked over slowly. With each step he took closer, Ha Hyeon felt his heart pound with tension and an inexplicable fear.

‘I must stay calm. Calm…’

As he activated the Changgung Daeyeon Heart Technique, which had become as natural as breathing, he gradually became calmer. By the time Namgung Mu-ryong had completely reached Ha Hyeon, he had already regained his composure.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve seen…”

Namgung Mu-ryong, who had been carefully examining Ha Hyeon’s face, suddenly stopped speaking. His pupils were trembling like candlelight.

“Yes. You see it too? Now, child. Since we’ve come this far, tell us your surname. I brought you here because you said you would only tell once we reached the Namgung Estate.”

Chwiwol Geolgae swallowed the words ‘I had my suspicions,’ because Ha Hyeon made a deep bow to Namgung Mu-ryong.

“I am Shin Ha Hyeon of the Shin Family Estate. I greet my maternal grandfather.”

“Maternal grandfather…?”

“Mother told me to find grandfather.”

Ha Hyeon took out the Chinese knot he had preciously kept in his breast and handed it to Namgung Mu-ryong. Namgung Mu-ryong received the knot as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Heaven (天). On that red knot, the character for “heaven” symbolizing the Namgung Family was embroidered in yellow.

“This is… Then you are Yeong-ryeong’s…?”

“Her son.”

Namgung Mu-ryong lifted Ha Hyeon up and embraced him tightly.

“How did this happen? Where are you coming from now?”

Namgung Mu-ryong asked Ha Hyeon with eyes that looked ready to shed tears at any moment. He had no need to verify whether Ha Hyeon was truly Namgung Yeong-ryeong’s son, because Ha Hyeon’s eyes were an exact copy of Namgung Yeong-ryeong’s.

“I came here from the Shin Family Estate in Shaanxi.”

“Shaanxi! Then, you survived from the Shin Family Estate?”

Instead of answering, Ha Hyeon nodded. Namgung Mu-ryong already seemed to know everything about the bloodbath at the Shin Family Estate.

“Then. Where is your mother?”

“Mother… She escaped with me. During our escape, we were eventually tracked down by pursuers…”

Ha Hyeon felt his throat tightening, but he managed to swallow hard and continued speaking. “She told me to show this knot to grandfather and sent me ahead at the last moment. Then she confronted those attackers and eventually…”

Ha Hyeon couldn’t finish his sentence. He hadn’t yet composed himself enough to speak calmly about what happened then.

“I see… So that’s what happened.”

Namgung Mu-ryong accepted it surprisingly easily. Seeing this, Chwiwol Geolgae, who had been silently watching Ha Hyeon and Namgung Mu-ryong, spoke with difficulty.

“Mu-ryong. Are you really alright?”

“Haha… No. Honestly, I’m not alright. From the moment I taught martial arts to my precious daughter and allowed her to enter the martial world, I prepared myself for the possibility of such a moment. But thinking about it… It’s quite different.”

When Namgung Mu-ryong looked at Ha Hyeon again, memories of his daughter naturally came to mind. How she was clever from childhood and made remarkable progress despite starting martial arts much later than her brothers. The embarrassed expression she had when she returned from her journey in the martial world with the not-so-positive nickname ‘Independent Beauty.’ And even her words saying she wanted to marry him because he was kind and warm, though he was just the master of a small provincial estate.

‘If I hadn’t permitted that marriage then…’

Though he felt self-blame, he soon changed his mind. Because he also remembered his daughter’s face on her wedding day, when she was the happiest person in the world.

‘If I had prevented the marriage that day, I surely would never have seen Yeong-ryeong’s happy face.’

And now before his eyes is his grandson, who is no different than his daughter’s other self. Namgung Mu-ryong slowly embraced Ha Hyeon once more, with all his heart.

“It must have been difficult coming all this way. Now that your grandfather is here, don’t worry about anything.”

Pat pat.

“Sob…”

At Namgung Mu-ryong’s hand patting his back, Ha Hyeon finally shed the tears he had been holding back. No matter how mature he was, Ha Hyeon was still just a ten-year-old child.

Namgung Mu-ryong just silently embraced Ha Hyeon as he shed endless tears. What happened at the Shin Family Estate, how he came here, how he came to be with Chwiwol Geolgae – there were mountains of questions, but Namgung Mu-ryong didn’t rush.

After half a shi-jin (about one hour) passed, the fully calmed Ha Hyeon and Namgung Mu-ryong sat facing each other at the massive table. Chwiwol Geolgae also plopped down in the chair beside Namgung Mu-ryong.

“Though it’s late, may I ask a few urgent questions?”

“Yes, grandfather.”

Namgung Mu-ryong smiled warmly seeing Ha Hyeon answer clearly and precisely. And he asked Ha Hyeon what had happened at the Shin Family Estate and how things had unfolded.

Though Ha Hyeon told everything he knew, in truth, there wasn’t much useful information since his mother had woken him late at night, and from then on they had only frantically run.

“Among those who caused the bloodbath was a person called Shin Ji-hyeok. He entered the Shin Family about 20 years ago, and originally used a different surname, but was accepted as a family member about five years ago.”

Namgung Mu-ryong furrowed his brow and asked Chwiwol Geolgae.

“Shin Ji-hyeok? Is this a name you’ve heard before?”

“Hmm… It’s my first time hearing it too. Do you remember what his surname was before receiving the Shin surname, little one?”

“I remember it was Yu Ji-hyeok.”

Chwiwol Geolgae asked about his surname again.

“Yu?”

Chwiwol Geolgae fell into deep thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, “I don’t remember anyone notable with the Yu surname either. Well… That surname could have been fake too.”

“Then we’re back to square one. This means no one except those involved knows why the Shin Family Estate ended up that way…”

“It’s really frustrating.”

Namgung Mu-ryong had a serious expression before his eyes met Ha Hyeon’s. And he gave Ha Hyeon a warm smile.

“No. Something has changed. Our grandson has returned to us alive, hasn’t he? I’m truly grateful to you as well.”

Namgung Yeong-ryeong had married and gone, and eleven years had passed until now. Namgung Mu-ryong wanted to go to Shaanxi to see his daughter, but his position as head of the Namgung Family prevented him from going there.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have thrown everything aside and gone to see her at least once.’

As Namgung Mu-ryong was about to show a gloomy expression again, Chwiwol Geolgae explained jokingly how he came to carry Ha Hyeon all the way here.

“He was so heavy. I’ll have to stay here and be treated well for a few more days.”

“Ho ho. Why don’t you just settle down here?”

“I might consider that too.”

Perhaps Chwiwol Geolgae’s feelings were transmitted? Namgung Mu-ryong laughed heartily. It was the first time he had laughed so comfortably since hearing the news about the bloodbath at the Shin Family Estate. Although the reason was still unclear, and his daughter’s death was now certain.

“Ha Hyeon. Let’s live here together with your grandfather from now on.”

“Thank you, grandfather.”

“Is there anything you want to do? I’ll grant you anything.”

Namgung Mu-ryong wanted to do something for Ha Hyeon.

“Ah! You probably haven’t eaten properly, right? Should I have the cook prepare a meal first? And I’ll give you clean clothes right away.”

Chwiwol Geolgae clicked his tongue at Namgung Mu-ryong. Namgung Mu-ryong wasn’t originally this type of person. Always pursuing martial arts, and walking only the righteous path – an iron-blooded warrior. That was how Namgung Mu-ryong was known to the world. But the figure he showed now was exactly that of a doting grandfather.

“Grandfather. There is one thing I really want to do.”

“Yes. What is it? Just tell me.”

“Please teach me martial arts.”

At this unexpected request, Namgung Mu-ryong asked again, but Ha Hyeon’s eyes were burning as if they were on fire.

“What?”

“I’ve heard from mother long ago that grandfather has few equals under heaven in martial arts. I want to learn proper martial arts.”

Eyes that were unbelievable for a mere ten-year-old. Namgung Mu-ryong rather looked at those eyes and spoke with a serious face.

“Do you want to learn powerful martial arts to take revenge? If so, I cannot teach you. The end of those who learn martial arts to kill others is truly miserable. I am your grandfather. It is a grandfather’s duty to stop his grandson from going down the path of destruction.”

Namgung Mu-ryong’s energy changed. The grandson-obsessed grandfather from earlier was gone, and it felt as if a sharply honed sword was present instead.

“Ah… No.”

Ha Hyeon received all of that pressure head-on while operating the Changgung Daeyeon Heart Technique at full power. And then, with eyes even clearer than before, he opened his mouth.

“I want to become someone who can protect precious people. Revenge… I can’t say I haven’t thought about revenge. But before that, if I had been stronger, I could have prevented that bloodbath. I don’t want to lose anything precious anymore.”

Whoosh-

The moment Ha Hyeon finished speaking, Namgung Mu-ryong’s energy that had filled the room disappeared without a trace.

“Martial arts for protection… Very well. However, this is the Namgung Family Estate. I cannot teach you just because you want to learn martial arts. Tomorrow happens to be the day of the Blue dragon pavillion’s annual entrance examination. I will put in a word at the Blue dragon pavillion, so try to pass the test.”

“Thank you, grandfather!”

“The Blue dragon pavillion is a place both your mother and I went through. If you show excellence there… Who knows, the day might come when I personally teach you martial arts.”

“I will devote myself so that day can come as soon as possible.”

While Namgung Mu-ryong and Ha Hyeon were creating a heartwarming scene, Chwiwol Geolgae was pouting beside them, seemingly dissatisfied about something.

‘Cheeky kid. Refusing outright when I offered to be his master. Oh what a waste. What a waste!’