Tangmunjeon - Chapter 315



Only Noblemtl

Episode 315: The House of Gaju

As soon as Namgung Myung realized that his father had disappeared, he went to find Namgung Jinya. If you were to pick the person in the Namgung family who was closest to Namgung Jincheon on a personal level, it would definitely be Namgung Jinya.

The only person who knows Namgung Jincheon’s whereabouts most accurately is Namgung Jinya. Namgung Myeong also trusted Namgung Jinya.

Of course, Namgung Myung didn’t know where Namgung Jincheon had gone. It was just pure curiosity.

Namgung Myung asked Namgung Jinya.

“Uncle. My father seems to have disappeared. Do you know where he went?”

I naturally thought it would be somewhere near Cheonjusan, but I got an unexpected answer.

“My brother went to regain his unmanned life for a while.”

“yes?”

When Namgung Myung asked again, Namgung Jinya answered honestly.

“You’ve probably only seen the dignified appearance of your brother and the appearance of the Namgung family head. However, your brother is a much more free-spirited person than you know. Since you’ve been relieved of the responsibility of being the head of the family for the first time in a long time, you must be missing the fresh air.”

Namgung Jinya said that but didn’t seem to be worried about anything else.

Since Namgung Jincheon vacated the Namgung family first, it was considered natural that Namgung Myeong, who would inherit the position of head of the family, would also settle down in the Namgung family.

If you assume that the other person is a reasonable person, then it is natural to come to that conclusion.

But Namgung Myung asked a short question.

“Did you say when you would come?”

“that-”

Namgung Jinya was about to tell the truth, but then he remembered what Namgung Jincheon had said.

There is a story that Namgung Myung will try to escape the Namgung family.

It’s unlikely, but what would happen if Namgung Jincheon left while Namgung Myung was away? It was a situation that would make even Namgung Jinya, who wasn’t the head of the household, feel at a loss.

That’s why Namgung Jinya decided not to tell the truth straight away.

Namgung Myung will find out someday, but it’s okay if the truth is revealed a little later. That’s what is called a white lie.

“At least a year… no, it’ll probably take a month or two.”

Namgung Myung’s eyes sparkled when he heard that answer.

People who have been with Hyun-gong for a long time gain the ability to see through other people’s minds.

It is the most basic form of enlightenment. Just as if you were to observe the sword of the best swordsman in the world every day and then observe the sword of a local rascal, the sword would seem to be much slower and shallower, so it would be easy to read the inner thoughts of an ordinary person.

Namgung Myung instinctively realized that Namgung Jinya was trying to hide something.

‘A couple of months.’

It’s not a particularly long period of time. But I was concerned that at first, the story of a year was mentioned.

No matter how much I thought about it, I felt like he had suggested a time limit that he could compromise on. It wasn’t like his father, who had already left, had adjusted the time limit even once.

Namgung Myung was able to let go of his guilt because he had secretly realized that Namgung Jinya was trying to deceive him.

Namgung Myung spoke with a calm demeanor.

“···I see. I guess I should get used to the important task of taking care of you before Father comes.”

“Don’t worry, I will help you wholeheartedly.”

“Thank you. What should I work towards in the future?”

Namgung Jinya thought for a moment and then answered.

“My brother wanted Namgung Sega to surpass Shaolin Temple and become the best martial arts family in the Central Plains. Even though you said you couldn’t accept my methods, I don’t think you would consider that goal insignificant.”

“Yes.”

“Then, you can work towards the same goal in your own way. That would be the best way to show your brother that you were right.”

“I see. It sounds like a goal worth pursuing for a man’s entire life. But it’s not an easy goal. You’ll need a wise assistant.”

“aid?”

Namgung Jinya thought that the wise assistant must mean himself. In fact, Namgung Jinya had given Namgung Jincheon quite a bit of advice.

But Namgung Myung told a different story.

“I happen to know a wise woman. I am about to miss my chance to get married, so I will have to get married.”

“It seems you have someone in mind. Is this the woman I know?”

“This is Jeong Ok-ryeong of Bowonmun.”

Namgung Jinya thought deeply and then remembered who Jeong Ok-ryeong was.

The Bowonmun clan was not a family that could be supported, and Jeong Ok-ryeong was not a woman who had mastered martial arts.

However, Jeong Ok-ryeong was a woman of great character and strong will.

The Namgung family already has a great background and excellent martial arts skills, so what the Namgung family needs most is someone like Jeong Ok-ryeong.

Namgung Jinya felt secretly pleased.

‘Myeong-i has an eye for people.’

Even if we look at Jeong Ok-ryeong separately, the current situation itself is very desirable. Once the wedding is held, Namgung Myung will not be able to leave the Namgung family.

Of course, there was a great counter-example called Dang Mu-jin, but Namgung Jin-ya’s thoughts did not reach that far.

It was common sense that a husband who had started a family would not leave the family. Common sense is common sense because it is difficult to break away from it.

Namgung Jinya answered readily.

“That’s a good idea. We should start preparing for the wedding today.”

But Namgung Myung shook his head.

“A wedding is something that requires the agreement of two people, so I think it would be best for me to go back to Bowonmun and discuss the wedding. Then, it would be natural to start preparing.”

“You’re not feeling well, so you want to go to Bowonmun yourself?”

“Okryeong has waited for me for a long time. Shouldn’t I show my sincerity at least by doing that much?”

It was a subtly flimsy argument, but at first glance it sounded plausible and even had some impressive aspects.

Namgung Jinya did not doubt Namgung Myeong’s story.

“I understand. You’ve been an adult for a long time, and you’ll be taking on important responsibilities, so this isn’t something I can interfere with. However, I’m worried about leaving right now, so I think it’d be better for you to take your time and recover before you go.”

“All right.”

Namgung Myung smiled with great trust and reassured Namgung Jinya.

*

And for the next full two weeks, Namgung Myung spent his time being extremely sincere.

Namgung Myeong often visited Namgung Jinya to ask about the family’s affairs, lifted Namgung Hyeon’s punishment, and sat quietly in meditation whenever he had time. Occasionally, he would sit across from Namgung Jinya and discuss swordsmanship.

Seeing his behavior become more serious, the saying that a place makes a person came to mind. Isn’t that once immature nephew now becoming a householder?

Namgung Jinya had no worries, except that the sloppy drones had been losing things quite often lately.

And finally, the day arrived when Namgung Myung was to depart for Bowonmun.

“Uncle. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Okryung, so it might take some time.”

When a man and a woman who care about each other meet again after being apart for a long time, something is bound to happen.

Namgung Jinya smiled sinisterly without realizing it, then hurriedly controlled his expression and answered.

“I know. You don’t have to be so hasty. Let’s talk more deeply and come back.”

Namgung Myung spoke as if he was pressing each word hard.

“Please take good care of the Namgung family until I return. It may be a bit presumptuous of me to even bring up such a topic, since I have never acted as a head of a household before….”

“Don’t worry. It would be better if you came back with Lady Jeong.”

“If possible, I will do so.”

After lightly giving Namgung Jinya a bribe, Namgung Myeong walked north toward the Bowonmun Gate.

Namgung Jinya had no doubt that Namgung Myung would return soon.

It was about two weeks later that Namgung Jinya realized something was wrong.

*

A few days after leaving Namgung Se-ga, Namgung Myeong and his party appeared at Bowonmun.

Jeong Ok-ryeong’s eyes widened.

“What’s going on? Why did you come here?”

Although Namgoong Myung had said last time that he would come to see her when the time came, this was the first time that Namgoong Myung had come to see her.

Even the timing of Namgung Myung’s visit was very meaningful.

These days, wasn’t there even a rumor secretly spreading that Namgung Myung had crossed the line of supernatural power?

However, Jeong Ok-ryeong could not fully rejoice in Namgung Myeong’s accomplishments.

On the contrary, Jeong Ok-ryeong was becoming a little anxious. It was common for a great man to have many women who were attracted to him. She was worried that Namgung Myung might have been attracted to another woman.

The world is wide, and there are many men who abandon their wives. If that happens even after getting married, how many men would turn their backs on women they haven’t even gotten married to?

Jeong Ok-ryeong was afraid that things would go back to as if the wedding had never happened.

However, Namgung Myung answered calmly, as if Jeong Ok-ryeong’s worries were unfounded.

“I just wanted to see you.”

Not only Jeong Ok-ryeong, but also Jeong Tae-ryeong, who was standing next to her, was surprised.

Jeong Ok-ryeong felt secretly pleased at how he revealed his feelings so directly.

“···Ahem. Really?”

“I have a long way to go, so I won’t be staying long. But I thought it would be absurd to just pass through Bowen Gate after coming all the way to Anhui Province.”

“Then, before you leave, eat something.”

“okay.”

Namgung Myeong and his friends stayed at Bowonmun for half a day.

Jeong Ok-ryeong thought it would be good if Namgung Myung continued to stay at Bowonmun, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop him because he looked anxious as if he was being chased by something.

Rather, I felt a warm feeling in my heart when I thought that he had taken the time to come to Bowonmun even in such a hurry.

And as the sun was setting, Namgung Myeong left Bowon Gate with his friends.

Namgung Myung spoke to Jeong Ok-ryeong.

“I’ll come back when I’m done. Just wait a little longer.”

“Okay. Come as fast as you can.”

Jeong Ok-ryeong smiled bashfully and saw Namgung Myung off.

What is a bit unusual is that Namgung Myeong did not turn south but headed west.

Of course, Jeong Ok-ryeong didn’t find that strange.

*

Namgung Myung evaluated it.

“You escaped successfully.”

In fact, the only person who could call this situation an escape was Namgung Myung. The rest of the group could have left Namgung Sega whenever they wanted.

Furthermore, I’m not sure if it’s right to call leaving my family an escape.

“There won’t be any problems for the Namgung family, right?”

The person who was really worried about Namgung Ga was not Namgung Myeong, but Hyeon-gong. Hyeon-gong wanted his support to always be strong.

Namgung Myung spoke confidently.

“My uncle Namgung Jinya will lead the Namgung family much better. My uncle knows everything about the Namgung family, is excellent at martial arts, and is well-respected among the family members. In this situation, if I, who knows nothing, try to meddle as the new head of the family, the family will only get into trouble.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Because Hyun-gong accepted so easily, Nam-gung-myeong felt strangely uneasy.

But I couldn’t honestly tell you what I really thought here. There would be nothing more petty than asking why you don’t refute.

Dang Mu-jin asked.

“How much time is left until the dormitory?”

“According to what people say, it’ll probably take about two more days.”

The group was heading to Suksong. The place where Representative Yang and Representative Yeom had decided to stay instead of visiting Namgung Se-ga.

If he hesitates, there is a possibility that Namgung Jin-ya will notice Namgung Myeong’s intentions and come after him, but he cannot leave Assemblyman Yang and Assemblyman Yeom behind, right?

But the dormitory was a strange place.

Every time Dang Mu-jin and his party asked for directions to the dormitory, the people around them looked at them with subtle gazes.

“You’re going to the dormitory? Why on earth?”

“The party is there.”

Even though I just spoke frankly, people’s gazes were not kind.

There were quite a few people who were terrified when they saw the swords that Dang Mu-jin and his party were carrying. People would just tell them the direction to the dormitory and then hurriedly leave.

“People’s reactions are strange. There must be some problem in the neighborhood, like Sooksong or something.”

“Of course there are. The doctor I met on the street said that. The people of Suksong are rough-tempered, and many of them get sick or injured.”

If you think about it, it was a bit strange.

People being rough-tempered is not good for the congressman, but in some ways, it is good for the congressman that there are many sick or injured people. Since there will be no shortage of work, there will be no need to starve.

But if a member of parliament is leaving town, there has to be something wrong.

At this point, a subtle worry began to rise in the hearts of Dang Mu-jin and his party.

‘Is there something wrong with Representative Yang and Representative Yeom?’

Dang Mu-jin and his party tried to ignore their ominous feelings and hurried their steps.

And when they arrived near the dormitory, Dang Mu-jin and his party could smell a faint scent of blood.