The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 28

The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family

Chapter 28

The main duty of the Blue dragon hall members, like the trainees, is training. Training to be deployed in clan affairs and martial arts matters. Naturally, there are many more powerful and practical training sessions that are incomparable to trainee days.

“Ha Hyeon. Today’s finally the day. Aren’t you nervous?”

“Why? Are you nervous, sister?”

“No, how can someone be so insensitive? Though it’s not officially entering the martial arts world, in a way, this is our first mission, right?”

Namgung So-hwa, who had been promoted to an official member through blood and sweat, asked the calm-faced Ha Hyeon. About a year ago, So-hwa, who looked completely young when Ha Hyeon first came to the Namgung clan, had grown much taller, even taller than Ha Hyeon.

“Though it’s the first mission, they won’t give us anything too difficult.”

“That’s true.”

“So I’m not nervous.”

“Ugh. Fine, you’re so great.”

One of the main tasks of the Blue dragon hall’s elite members is to carry out escort missions for ‘Blue dragon escort agency’ managed by Namgung Hwiyeon. In the martial arts world, the Blue dragon escort agency directly operated by the Namgung clan is held in higher regard than numerous other escort agencies. The biggest reason for their trust is that elite members of the Blue dragon hall, not ordinary escorts, carry out the missions.

Typically, martial artists who have learned upper-class martial arts look down on being an escort as a lowly profession. Therefore, most escort agencies’ escorts often had mediocre martial arts skills. However, the Namgung clan’s martial artists were not ashamed of taking escort missions. Rather, many volunteered because they could directly help the clan.

“Wonder who we’ll be going with today?”

“Yeah. Actually, I haven’t seen many elite members. Have you seen many, sister?”

“No, I haven’t seen many either. Since they’re rarely at the clan, there’s no chance to see them.”

The Namgung clan regularly had members follow elite members to gain practical experience and broaden their worldview. And today was So-hwa and Ha Hyeon’s turn.

“What kind of mission will we get? What if we run into bandits on the way?”

“That’s why we trained.”

“True, but I’ve never fought against real people yet…”

Ha Hyeon half-listened to So-hwa’s words. Though So-hwa was usually talkative, she seemed especially so today. It seemed she was trying to relieve her anxiety through talking.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Just then, a voice came that saved Ha Hyeon.

“Oh?! Brother!”

“Senior!”

“Yes. Today you’ll be going with me.”

The source of the voice was Namgung Min, who wore a dazzling smile. Instead of his usual simple white clothes, Namgung Min was formally dressed in the green attire officially used by the Namgung clan.

“If it was going to be brother, couldn’t you have given us a hint? I never thought it would be you.”

“Haha. Sorry So-hwa. It was decided suddenly so I didn’t have time to tell you.”

Namgung Min consoled the sulking So-hwa and spoke to Ha Hyeon.

“Ha Hyeon. You’ve grown again.”

“Senior, you seem to have gotten even stronger than before. I see no chance to catch up.”

“Because someone is following frightfully close behind. I have to keep running or I’ll feel chills down my spine.”

Namgung Min smiled at Ha Hyeon. Ha Hyeon momentarily thought there was something impure in that smile, but couldn’t tell exactly what it was.

“Brother. So where are we going today? What’s the mission?”

“Haha. So-hwa. Will you wait a bit? I’ll explain everything slowly.”

Namgung Min handed a small wooden box to Ha Hyeon.

“Actually, it’s nothing special. We just need to deliver this wooden box to neighboring Jeongdeok County.”

“Eh? Jeongdeok County is only five hundred li away from here.”

“How far did you think we’d go for a mission taking you two along?”

Namgung So-hwa’s obvious disappointment quickly faded as she realized Namgung Min had a point.

“Though it’s not far, we’ll get there within two days, so don’t take it lightly.”

“I wasn’t taking it lightly.”

So-hwa answered with pouting lips, and Namgung Min chuckled finding her cute. Looking at Ha Hyeon, his face was rather composed.

‘Someone might think Ha Hyeon is the older one.’

Though the bubbly So-hwa and old-soul-like Ha Hyeon seemed an unlikely pair, they got along well. Probably because they were the only ones of similar age in the clan.

“Still haven’t departed?”

“Grandfather!”

At Namgung Mu-ryong’s voice, the stoic Ha Hyeon smiled brightly and called out loudly.

“Grandfather! Did you come all the way here because we’re going on a mission?”

“Yes, So-hwa. How could I not come when all my grandchildren are going together? I came when Hwan went on his first mission too.”

Namgung Mu-ryong looked at his grandchildren with pride. He felt proud seeing how Namgung Min had grown to qualify as an elite member taking his siblings on missions, and So-hwa and Ha Hyeon going on their first mission.

“Did you pack enough travel money?”

“Yes. More than enough.”

“Good. Since you’re going with the younger ones, don’t think of it just as a mission – make good memories too.”

“Yes. Thank you, Grandfather.”

Namgung Mu-ryong called Ha Hyeon and So-hwa forward and spoke:

“So-hwa, Ha Hyeon. You were taught well about the mission?”

“Yes. I listened carefully.”

“I memorized everything.”

“What should you do if danger arises?”

Ha Hyeon replied without hesitation:

“Run away without looking back.”

“Correct. Some say turning your back while running is a martial artist’s shame. But they’re just superficial people who’ve never faced death. Before death, there’s no shame or face to save.”

“I understand. You mean preserve our lives even if we lose the escort goods?”

“That’s right.”

Namgung Mu-ryong smiled at Ha Hyeon. Preserve your life even if you lose the escort goods – this was Blue dragon escort agency’s first principle. Unlike other escort agencies that demanded mission completion at all costs, this principle showed how much Namgung Mu-ryong valued his people’s lives. Lost goods could be compensated with money, but a lost talent couldn’t be revived even with millions.

“Now go. Min, I entrust the younger ones to you.”

“Don’t worry, Grandfather.”

Namgung Min bowed slightly. Namgung Mu-ryong patted his reliable shoulder.

“Goodbye, Grandfather!”

“We’ll be back, Grandfather.”

Namgung Min departed first, followed by So-hwa and Ha Hyeon with light steps after bowing. Watching them leave, Namgung Mu-ryong felt his heart swell.

‘Our future.’

Their retreating figures seemed to show the Namgung clan’s future.

Namgung Min, So-hwa, and Ha Hyeon walked along the road for an hour after departing. Missions were more tiring and boring than expected. Endless road after road. Most people found such tedium unbearable. Yet Ha Hyeon and So-hwa walked cheerfully, looking around excitedly. Having rarely left even the clan grounds since joining Blue dragon hall, just being outside was refreshing for them.

“The mountain path starts here. Want to rest if you’re tired?”

“I’m not tired!”

“Me neither.”

Namgung Min smiled at their continued energy. Despite growing up in the same environment, So-hwa and Ha Hyeon had such different personalities. And Ha Hyeon remained bright despite past hardships, making her even more endearing.

“Then let’s continue without rest. Shall we speed up a bit?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Namgung Min began running with a bit of internal energy in his legs, So-hwa and Ha Hyeon following behind.

‘Mountain paths look similar everywhere.’

Ha Hyeon recalled a year ago while passing through the mountain path. Back then, despite no one watching, he deliberately tried not to show his desperation.

A ten-year-old child who knew nothing of the world suddenly lost everything – family ruined, parents murdered by someone closer than an uncle. But now was different from a year ago. Ha Hyeon now knew well his great talent in martial arts. Sometimes he thought: if he had been as strong then as now, he could have at least saved her mother’s life. But Ha Hyeon was also smart. He knew well that the past couldn’t be changed, and more importantly, that the future mattered most. That’s why he focused so intensely on martial arts now.

“Ha Hyeon! What are you doing? Hurry up!”

“Are you tired perhaps?”

“No, no. I’m coming.”

Moreover, he wasn’t alone anymore. Ha Hyeon, who once slept in trees fearing wild beasts, now had family who would help her unconditionally. After briefly standing lost in thought, Ha Hyeon smiled brightly and followed them.

Whoosh- Whoosh-

The three began climbing the mountain path using lightness skills in earnest.

‘Running after so long feels refreshing.’

Cool air pierced through her body as they ran so fast the scenery blurred. But the real refreshing reason was different.

‘Having sufficient internal energy even running like this.’

Having never neglected internal energy training and absorbing the Purple Purification Pill, Ha Hyeon no longer depleted her energy easily like before. Moreover, Ha Hyeon wasn’t just running.

‘Elder Chwiwol said to recover the internal energy released while running.’

The running method taught by Chwiwol, who insisted on being her master before returning to the Martial Alliance. At first he could only imitate, but now having understood internal energy and body techniques, he grasped the principle.

‘Focus energy in the Yongcheon point when feet touch ground to create explosive force.’

But sadly, Chwiwol wasn’t a good teacher. He couldn’t explain the next step that he did unconsciously. But Ha Hyeon was filling in those gaps herself.

‘Explosion doesn’t necessarily mean release.’

Use the explosion force to draw back up the energy that exploded from the soles. If the energy reaches near the Joksamri point, it’s half successful. When stepping again, combine the recovered energy with new energy from Ha Hyeon’s dantian to create another explosion at the sole. Recover, explode, recover again. This process creates a kind of perpetual motion. Ha Hyeon imagined hearing a ‘pung’ sound with each step. It felt like her idea of exploding energy from the soles was becoming reality.

‘This is it. It works!’

Ha Hyeon inwardly shouted with joy. Having body and energy move exactly as intended – nothing made her happier.

“Alright, let’s take a break now.”

Namgung Min spoke as Ha Hyeon was deeply immersed in her lightness technique. Coming to her senses and looking at So-hwa, she was completely exhausted. Though recently promoted to official member, So-hwa had desperately kept up with Ha Hyeon, not wanting to fall behind.

“Brother, I’m so tired. Do we normally run this much? This is totally different from what I expected!”

“Haha. What did you expect?”

“Well…”

“Obviously. Traveling the martial world, enjoying nature. Something like that, right?”

“Hey! Ha Hyeon! Ugh.”

Namgung So-hwa, lacking energy to even chase Ha Hyeon, just collapsed on the spot. Ha Hyeon flinched at So-hwa’s shout, then grinned seeing her collapse.

“I’ll look for water nearby, Senior.”

“Thanks. Run back immediately if anything happens.”

“Yes, Senior.”

Ha Hyeon bowed to Namgung Min and disappeared into the mountain. Namgung Min watched her retreating figure intently. His gaze focused especially on her feet.

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