The Return of the Namgoong Clan’s Granddaughter - Chapter 125



Only Noblemtl

Episode 125

* * *

The evening before leaving for the volcano.

Seolhwa visited Namgung Cheonghae’s palace.

“… .”

Seolhwa blankly looked around Namgung Cheonghae’s room, which was cluttered with books and miscellaneous items.

“Oh, okay.”

Namgung Cheonghae’s appearance, which was mixed in with the messy scenery, also looked very disheveled, different from before.

Her hair was disheveled, as if she hadn’t taken care of it for several days, and her clothes were also more disheveled than usual, with strands sticking out here and there.

It was such a mess that I couldn’t even remember what it had been like before.

“Wait a minute, just wait a minute.”

Cheonghae, who was flustered and trying to clean up the room in a flustered manner due to Seolhwa’s sudden visit, gave up cleaning with a short sigh.

“If it’s okay, would you like to take a walk?”

“…yes.”

Walking seemed more necessary to him.

The two of them went outside and headed to the backyard of the pavilion. The only place that the servants had not touched was Cheonghae’s room, so the garden was neat.

As soon as he came out, he took a deep breath of the outside air and his expression even looked refreshed.

“What were you doing?”

“hmm?”

“Just a little while ago. It was all about the organs and formations.”

“… You saw it in the meantime.”

“I didn’t mean to look.”

“It’s okay. What’s wrong with looking at it? Haha.”

Cheonghae let out a refreshing laugh.

It was a much more comfortable laugh, not too heavy.

“I just want to study as much as I can because I want to. I haven’t had the time to focus on anything until now.”

At first, the family affairs that had helped him little by little were soon becoming a burden and a chain.

It wasn’t that he started out with the intention of becoming the head of the family, but as he worked on the family’s affairs, people around him began to praise him as the next head of the family, and at some point, he began to try to live up to those expectations.

Of course, his wife’s urging that he become the head of the household also played a part.

“Actually, I like formations more than swordsmanship.”

“I know. I also know that you are good at formations.”

I can’t forget the Namgung Cheonghae formation I saw at Cheonmuje.

The surprise of having to wander around a not-so-wide stage using just a few stones.

“That’s why I thought I’d take this opportunity to take care of the family’s laws and institutions. Since the family has been greatly damaged, I thought I’d feel better if I did something like that.”

Sega’s manor is equipped with several formations and institutions to prevent intruders and alert people of danger.

Cheonghae, who had shown talent for formations since childhood, has been managing them for a long time.

After I started taking charge of all the big and small things of the family, I couldn’t help but neglect them somewhat, but now I have the capacity to look back.

What started out as a way to shake off my lethargy has now begun to bring back the joys of my childhood that I had long since forgotten.

Have you ever had the opportunity to be this absorbed in something lately?

Cheonghae was enjoying this moment.

“So… what brings you here this time?”

“… I just wondered how your uncle was doing.”

In fact, I came here because I was worried that you might be feeling guilty and doing nothing while your family was left empty.

‘There was no need to do that.’

You’re stronger than I thought, uncle.

The lips of the snow flower formed a curve.

It was a natural smile, neither artificial nor intentional.

“I’m going to the volcano tomorrow. With my grandfather.”

“Ah, it looks like someone has arrived from the volcano.”

Half a day had passed since they arrived, but Cheonghae was still so absorbed in her work that she had not heard any news.

There were so many changes in a short period of time.

“Take care on your way back. Wasn’t there something dangerous last time?”

“Grandpa will be coming with us. Please take good care of our family home in the meantime.”

Cheonghae nodded.

“okay.”

“then.”

Seolhwa bowed to Cheonghae and then turned around to leave.

It was a much lighter step than when I came here.

“Snow flower.”

“?”

“thanks.”

“… .”

A cool breeze blew from somewhere.

Although he looked a little more disheveled than before, Namgung Cheonghae was still a person who had a cool demeanor.

His smile as he saw her off seemed more carefree than before. Cheonghae waved his hand in the cool evening air.

Seolhwa bowed to Cheonghae again and left the hall.

* * *

It was decided to go through the official road that runs through the lower part of Henan from Anhui to Shaanxi.

Led by the head of the household, Namgung Mucheon, the Black Dragon Lord and half of the Black Dragon Lord took the lead, while the two disciples of Hwasan and the carriage carrying Seolhwa and the Medicine Lord were in the center, and the remaining half of the Black Dragon Lord followed at the rear.

Although we packed our party with a minimal number of troops to speed up the journey, the speed was not very fast since we were using carriages.

Liu Biao looked at the carriage and relayed the news to Liu Kang.

– Have you contacted the volcano?

Yoo Kang glanced at Yoo Biao, then answered while keeping his gaze forward as if trying not to show his awkwardness.

– Maybe… Namgung did it…?

Actually, I didn’t do it. I was told not to do it.

Previously, Namgung Seolhwa had come to visit and told him that there was something he had to do before arriving at the volcano, so he should not announce his visit in advance, so he said he understood.

– It’s not certain.

Yoo Kang gulped and swallowed at his stiff answer. Deceitful of someone was definitely not in his nature.

The only answer I can give is.

– I don’t know either… .

All I can do is swallow my tears inside.

Liu Biao, who had been watching the river for a while, increased the speed of his horse and headed towards the front.

I couldn’t bring myself to ask Namgung Mucheon, so I turned to the Black Dragon Lord who followed him.

“Your Majesty.”

“Ah, Dojo. What’s going on?”

“Did Namgung Sega give advance notice in the text that he was planning to visit Hwasan?”

“Hmm. Not yet.”

“…yes?”

I’ve already entered Hanam, but it’s still not over?

“Isn’t it impolite to barge in like this without saying anything?”

“Invading? If anyone hears, they’ll think the main family is trying to attack the volcano.”

“… .”

The reins were firmly held by Liu Biao’s hands.

If none other than the Emperor is heading towards the volcano and not making any contact with the volcano, then what else could this be if not an attack?

Still, I didn’t like Namgung’s shameless attitude of acting as if it was natural.

“Then I think it would be best for me to contact you. I will send you a quick letter when I stop by the village.”

“Do so.”

“?!”

The Black Dragon Lord’s reaction was more docile than expected.

If this was going to happen, why didn’t you tell me in advance?

Although his discomfort and puzzlement only grew, it didn’t take long for Liu Biao to figure out the reason.

* * *

“What on earth do you want to do!”

“capital punishment!”

It’s already been two days.

The party did not stop in the village.

After deciding to go through the official route and leading us down an unfamiliar road claiming to know a shortcut, we ended up traveling along a deserted road with not a single village in sight.

Black Dragon Lord, who was preparing a campfire and tent for sleeping in the open air, suddenly looked back at Liu Biao, who was grumbling, and Liu Kang, who was trying to stop him.

“Why are you angry? Are you having trouble sleeping?”

“Is it because of the bed? What are you doing now? Aren’t you deliberately avoiding the village so that I can’t send you a letter?”

At the commotion, not only the Black Dragon members, but also Seolhwa and Choryun came out.

The only one who didn’t come out was Namgung Mucheon.

“You deliberately avoided me. That’s too much to ask. Why did the Dojo turn me into such a treacherous person? I was just trying to hurry up and get on the road…”

“Stop making excuses!”

Liu Biao drew his sword.

Although Yoo Kang was surprised and tried to dissuade him, Yoo Biao’s momentum showed no sign of backing down.

The Black Dragon members were in an uproar, and the Black Dragon Commander’s face darkened.

Liu Biao raised his sword toward the Black Dragon Lord and shouted.

“What is the intention of you going to the volcano! If you really want to escort us, you should have contacted the volcano in advance! There must be some hidden agenda behind using such a cunning method to prevent us from contacting you!”

The Black Dragon members were indignant at Liu Biao’s words.

I’m enduring this uncomfortable bed just to protect the two Taoists of the volcano, but what’s the secret?

In addition, the sight of him raising his sword against the leader of my swordsmanship irritated the Black Dragon members.

Black Dragon Lord Namgung Hyuk glanced at Seol-hwa, who was mixed in with the chaotic situation, with an indifferent expression.

Seolhwa nodded slightly as she felt those gazes.

The Black Dragon Lord raised his hand and calmed down the Black Dragon members who were about to draw their swords.

“It seems that the Master Yoo Pyo has misunderstood. I really have no impure feelings. However, even if I say this, it seems like you won’t listen. How about this?”

“What are you trying to do now…!”

“If you fight me here and win, I will stop by the village tomorrow, even if it means turning around. However, since wielding a sword is too serious, let’s use a palm instead of a sword.”

“page?”

“You only use one hand. Lightly. How is it? Oh, and your technique is a bit weak?”

Although it was an obvious provocation, Black Dragon Lord’s words touched Liu Biao’s pride.

Liu Biao put the sword away and handed it to Liu Kang.

“It’s not Hwasan but Namgung Se-ga who is weak in tactics.”

I’ve heard that Namgung is quite strong with a sword, but I’ve never heard that he’s strong with martial arts.

On the other hand, the Volcano is also a sect with a long history, but it is also a sect among sects.

‘There are historical martial arts secrets piled up in the volcano that cannot be compared to those of Sega!’

And among them, there is also a tax-saving method.

It’s just that the Volcano Sword is more known as a sword because it is flashy and strong.

“You will regret it.”

Two people stood facing each other, one hand on their backs and the other holding the flag.