The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 30

The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family

Chapter 30

When a full day had passed and the sun was setting, Namgung Min, So-hwa, and Ha Hyeon arrived at the entrance of Jeongdeok.

So-hwa showed clear signs of exhaustion, while Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min still appeared relaxed.

Truthfully, if Ha Hyeon had run at full speed, they could have arrived much earlier, but they were considerate of So-hwa and also put into practice the saying to always keep half of one’s strength in reserve.

“Wow. We made it!”

So-hwa shouted excitedly, jumping up and down as if forgetting her fatigue.

For So-hwa, this would have been an experience of overcoming her own limits. Although they had slowed their pace somewhat, after taking one break, they had succeeded in running almost non-stop until reaching Jeongdeok.

“Haha. So-hwa, I really can’t handle your stubbornness.”

Namgung Min shook his head as if exasperated.

Though it was said to be just the next village over, it was an enormous distance of five hundred li. They had completed in one day what was originally planned as a week-long journey.

“See! I told you I could do it!”

So-hwa said proudly, puffing out her chest.

To be honest, when So-hwa had twenty li left to go, her internal energy was completely depleted and she desperately wanted to give up. But she didn’t give up and kept running, and from then on it became a battle of physical and mental strength. As a result, she managed to not fall behind Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min.

“How is it? Isn’t it fun when you accomplish something?”

“Yes! It’s fun!”

“Haha. That’s one of the main reasons I’ve continued training until now. What about you, Ha Hyeon?”

“I enjoyed it too. It feels different training out here compared to always training within the clan.”

“Yes. Once you both start getting addicted to surpassing yourself, you can experience a greater thrill than anything else.”

Just as Namgung Min said, Ha Hyeon was gradually becoming addicted to the joy of surpassing himself.

“Since it would be too much to return to the Namgung clan today anyway, let’s spend tonight at an inn and deliver the token tomorrow.”

“The sun hasn’t set yet, wouldn’t it be better to deliver the token first and then rest comfortably at the inn?”

“Yeah. Isn’t it better to finish our task quickly? We learned not to postpone missions!”

Ha Hyeon and So-hwa’s questions were reasonable. If they went to the inn first, their route would be inefficient since they would have to come back. Moreover, the delivery of the token would be delayed by a day.

But Namgung Min firmly shook his head.

“Look at our appearance now. Even with kind words, no one could say we look presentable, right?”

It was true. Thanks to running on mountain paths for several hours, their clothes were covered in dust, their hair was disheveled, and their faces were grimy. In So-hwa and Ha Hyeon’s case, their clothes were even soaked with sweat.

“When we leave the clan, we represent its face. We must maintain proper appearance and conduct wherever we go.”

“I’ve learned another lesson, brother.”

Finding Ha Hyeon’s solemn voice amusing as if he had gained great enlightenment, Namgung Min smiled slightly and walked toward the inn. As Ha Hyeon was about to follow him into the inn, So-hwa approached and spoke to him.

“Ha Hyeon, I didn’t notice much when we were at the clan, but brother Min really seems familiar with the martial arts world. Don’t you think?”

Ha Hyeon nodded. He could feel an enormous gap in experience between himself and Namgung Min.

‘Life and death technique…’

For a moment, the term ‘life and death technique’ that Namgung Min had mentioned earlier flashed through Ha Hyeon’s mind, but his attention was drawn to Namgung Min’s voice.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you coming? Is something wrong?”

“Ah! No, we’re coming.”

When Namgung Min, who had walked far ahead, urged them, So-hwa and Ha Hyeon quickly followed behind him. As Ha Hyeon walked, he continuously circulated the Changgung Daeyeon Internal Energy technique internally. Thanks to this, he was able to recover some internal energy while walking to the inn.

As soon as So-hwa entered the room, she put down the bundle she had been carrying on her back and said:

“Ah, I’m so tired!”

Namgung Min smiled at So-hwa as if finding her cute.

“See? It was good that I said we should go to Lord Jung’s estate tomorrow.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

After arriving at the inn, they had a light meal, took baths, changed into clean clothes, and got rooms on the second floor. Since they had sufficient travel money, they rented the largest suite with a small living room and two bedrooms, of which So-hwa would use one room while Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min would share the other. Before going to their respective rooms, the three gathered in the living room to discuss the token they would deliver tomorrow. After Namgung Min explained the procedures for delivering the token, So-hwa stretched and said:

“By the way, it’s been such a long time since we’ll see them.”

“Are you talking about Lord Jung? Sister, have you met them before?”

“They were originally in Hapbi, but since this is their hometown, they moved here completely.”

So-hwa recalled her past memories.

“When I was really little, every time we met, they would buy me delicious things and lots of toys.”

“Sister, you’re still lit-…”

“What?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

So-hwa glared at Ha Hyeon who was playing innocent, then continued speaking.

“Lord Jung originally ran a small trading company, but after officially starting a weapons trading company, they became incredibly wealthy like now.”

Ha Hyeon listened to So-hwa’s words with interest.

“Plus, they’re close friends with our grandfather, so most of the weapons used by the Namgung clan are items distributed by Lord Jung.”

“Isn’t it Uncle Bangsan who makes them?”

“Uncle Bangsan makes some of them, but it’s impossible for a single blacksmith’s forge to make enough weapons for everyone in our clan.”

So-hwa alternately pointed at Ha Hyeon and herself as she continued speaking.

“Only direct descendants like you and me use weapons made by Uncle Bangsan, the rest use weapons purchased from trading companies.”

“I see.”

So-hwa made an exasperated expression at Ha Hyeon, who looked amazed as if he knew nothing.

“How can you seem so smart when learning martial arts but know nothing about how the world works?”

“Haha… That’s true.”

Ha Hyeon agreed sheepishly with So-hwa’s words, and So-hwa clutched her chest once more at his reaction.

“I’d rather die than suffer like this!”

So-hwa, sighing deeply in a way unbefitting a child, opened the door on the left and said:

“I’m going to bed first, so don’t talk to me anymore.”

“Already going to sleep?”

“Yes. I’m dying of exhaustion. After taking a hot bath, I’m getting really sleepy.”

“Okay. Good night, sister.”

“Rest well, So-hwa.”

“Good night, brother. See you tomorrow morning.”

After So-hwa closed the door and went in, Ha Hyeon turned to look at Namgung Min, who was grinning as if finding something very amusing.

“Ha Hyeon. Do you always have such fun times with So-hwa?”

“Yes. Sister treats me well. Like a real sister.”

“She might feel hurt if you say it like that. So-hwa is your real sister. I’m your real brother too. Of course, Hwan is as well.”

Ha Hyeon smiled brightly at those words.

Inwardly, Namgung Min thought that with a smile like that, Ha Hyeon would probably break many women’s hearts in a few years, but he chose not to say it.

“It’s still early and I’m not sleepy, so I’m going to go out for a bit. What do you want to do?”

“Where are you going? Can I come with you?”

“It’s just a habit. We need to be completely aware of the surrounding terrain in case something happens tomorrow.”

“Didn’t you say you’ve been here several times before?”

Namgung Min firmly shook his head.

“Even so, it’s been several months since I last came. Who knows what might have changed in that time? Since even the smallest thing can determine the success or failure of a mission, we need to control as many variables as we can.”

“I see. Thank you, brother.”

Ha Hyeon took Namgung Min’s words to heart. A mission isn’t something that can automatically succeed just because one has strong martial arts. Yet Namgung Min had completed hundreds of missions without a single failure. So his words were as good as truth.

Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min carefully left the inn so as not to wake So-hwa and came out to the entrance of an alley. The sun had already set and it was getting dark. Namgung Min moved his feet confidently as if familiar with the area. After walking a short distance, they came to a long wall.

“Lord Jung’s estate is the largest in this area. We chose this inn partly because it’s close to the estate.”

“It must be easy to find.”

“Haha. To be honest, it’s more than just easy to find.”

Namgung Min placed his hand on the wall they had been walking along.

“In a small rural village like this, isn’t such a long wall strange?”

“Ah…!”

Ha Hyeon realized something and looked around examining the wall. As Namgung Min said, this Jeongdeok was incomparable to Hapbi, the capital of Anhui Province where the Namgung clan’s estate was located, and was even smaller than Gosi where he first met Chwiwol Geolgae. Now that he thought about it, the existence of such a long wall seemed out of place.

“Yes. We’ve been walking along Lord Jung’s estate wall this whole time.”

“Really?”

Ha Hyeon, finding it fascinating, tried touching the wall and looking it up and down.

“Let’s head back now. We should look around the rest and go rest. Aren’t you tired?”

“Not really.”

“Really?”

Ha Hyeon nodded. Honestly, since they had matched So-hwa’s pace earlier, he didn’t feel like he had pushed himself too hard. And compared to his usual training, walking here hadn’t even met his usual exercise quota.

“Haha. Alright. Let’s walk slowly.”

Namgung Min, seemingly proud of Ha Hyeon, smiled brilliantly and took the lead again. As they walked along the wall, he slowly explained to Ha Hyeon what aspects to look out for.

“What did they say was most important when carrying out missions for our clan?”

“Life.”

“Right. Life. What’s the best way to preserve life?”

“Hmm… Not fighting?”

“Wow. You really are clever, Ha Hyeon. That’s the correct answer. Not fighting.”

Ha Hyeon smiled brightly at Namgung Min’s praise. Namgung Min continued speaking while looking around the wall.

“Usually, hot-blooded martial artists answer that it’s becoming stronger or winning fights.”

Namgung Min patted Ha Hyeon’s shoulder a few times.

“So the most important thing to look out for is examining escape routes. How high is the wall, and can I jump over it in one go? If I get injured and can’t jump over it, what other ways are there to get out?”

Ha Hyeon walked while carefully examining various places according to Namgung Min’s words. As he said, Ha Hyeon noticed small dog holes and side gates that were barred but large enough for people to pass through, which he hadn’t noticed before. When Ha Hyeon explained these to Namgung Min, he praised Ha Hyeon again for doing well.

“You really learn fast. If you keep doing this a few more times, it will become as natural as breathing one day.”

Namgung Min and Ha Hyeon finished walking around the estate. Although the Namgung clan’s estate was quite large, Lord Jung’s estate appeared to be twice its size at a glance. Perhaps because of this, by the time Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min reached the main gate, it was already late at night.

“Last thing is to check the main gate. We need to figure out how big the gate is, how many guards there are, and if possible, the distance to the main building… Huh?”

Namgung Min suddenly became alert and hid in the shadows as if sensing something strange while looking at the gate, and Ha Hyeon quickly followed suit and hid.

“Wait. Something’s wrong.”

“Yes. There’s no way an estate this large wouldn’t have gatekeepers.”

Namgung Min was somewhat surprised by Ha Hyeon’s words even in this situation. The saying that one who learns one thing understands ten seemed to exist specifically for Ha Hyeon.

“Right. Unless they were a nouveau riche who couldn’t afford to hire people. Lord Jung is someone whose name is mentioned first when talking about the wealthy in Anhui Province.”

When Ha Hyeon glanced at Namgung Min, his expression had turned cold. When their eyes met, he put a finger to his lips.

Shh-

Nod.

Ha Hyeon indicated he understood Namgung Min’s intention with a nod.

Very slowly, and stealthily, Namgung Min heightened his vigilance and slowly approached the gate, putting his ear against it.

‘I’ve never heard that Lord Jung doesn’t employ people.’

However, even when he concentrated his internal energy to enhance his hearing, he couldn’t detect any human presence.

Finally, just as he was about to give up and remove his ear…

Clang-

Though very faint, there was definitely a sound. And this sound was clearly that of weapons clashing.

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