The Return of the Namgoong Clan’s Granddaughter - Chapter 136



Only Noblemtl

Episode 136

* * *

The leader of the Hwasan faction returned straight to Hwasan the next day.

He said it would take a while for the boil to grow back as seriously as before, so he would spend some time alone to collect his thoughts.

In the meantime, Cho-ryeon began analyzing and manufacturing the poison. The current amount was not enough to confirm whether or not all of the Hwasan Sect disciples had hypnotized him.

The Hwasanpa finally sent a letter informing of Namgung Se-ga’s visit.

I had just sent word to the Hwasanpa that we were leaving Anhui, so I planned to climb Hwasan when Jangmunin’s boil got worse.

Namgung Mucheon gave instructions to the Black Dragon Corps.

“While the poison is being made, you should become friends with the great disciples of the Volcano Sect. When they disperse, you will be the ones to take care of them.”

The Black Dragon’s martial arts skills are probably similar to those of the great disciples of the Hwasan faction.

While Namgung Mucheon was in charge of the elders when they dispersed to gather herbs, Heukryongdae had to take care of the first and second great disciples as well.

‘I wish we had more reinforcements.’

In case of an emergency, he sent the fastest messenger to his hometown and instructed Namgung Mu-gang to bring all the troops except the minimum number of people to protect his hometown.

It would have been nice if there had been a wind sword or a white dragon sword, but in a regrettable situation, it was the best method.

“Make thorough preparations and make sure your hands and feet are in sync.”

“yes!”

The Black Dragons answered in unison.

Namgung Mucheon turned around after leaving the training to Black Dragon Lord.

‘I wonder if Seolhwa has returned.’

He said that the pharmacist had to buy the necessary items himself.

He sent me to a nearby village on the condition that I bring an escort.

In fact, there might be someone who could recognize Namgung, so it was impossible for him or the Black Dragon Squad to move.

Namgung Mucheon looked up at the distant sky.

Precious people came to mind.

‘… Blood Cult… .’

Those who suffered and were in danger due to the manipulation of the Blood Cult, their own families, and their stories. And every time they come to mind, I realize this again and again.

‘You have to build up your strength.’

My current strength is not enough.

Namgung’s power is growing day by day, but I can understand it after meeting the chief of the Hwasan clan one after another in the affairs of Surochae.

‘The power of the Blood Cult is so dangerous that it can shake the world of martial arts.’

The main family also had to shed a lot of blood to erase their traces.

Surochaedo, Hwasando, and other forces will also be unknowingly influenced by the Blood Cult.

To protect this central plain, my home, and my loved ones from that dangerous being.

‘We need more power.’

A power greater than Namgung.

* * *

Blame- Tadot-

The way back to the residence after going down to the village to buy necessary materials and run errands.

“miss.”

The spirit following Seolhwa pointed to a place in the forest.

Yeong had been following Seolhwa as her escort since her hometown, but when Seolhwa moved with Namgung Mucheon, Yeong had been carrying out his duties as a member of the Black Dragon Corps and had returned to being Seolhwa’s escort.

“Isn’t this the volcano’s small dojo?”

At Ling’s words, Seolhwa stopped walking on a tall tree.

‘Yukang?’

About 2 ri (800 m) away from the residence, Yu Kang was sitting alone, cross-legged, on a large rock.

‘Are you meditating?’

After Jang Moon-in left, Yoo Kang became noticeably less talkative.

Whether it was because the danger that befell my disciple was so shocking, I have never seen him smile since.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t been paying attention since I left the main text.

Every time we ran into each other by chance, he seemed happy to see me, but because of the circumstances, we just gave him a quick nod.

Although he looked regretful, Yoo Kang didn’t force himself to hold on to him.

‘Hmm… .’

But he always had a bright face.

I felt strangely anxious, perhaps because the person who had always been bright suddenly became gloomy.

‘Let me hear your story for a moment.’

But is it really necessary…?

If you think about it, Yoo Kang is only fifteen years old.

At this age, it’s not strange to feel good today and depressed tomorrow… .

“!”

While I was looking down at Yu-gang with such worries, my eyes met with Yu-gang’s, who was looking up at me with his head down, for some reason I had been watching him for some time.

Seol-hwa was so surprised that she twisted her ankle.

“!”

My foot, which was stepping on the branch, slipped and slipped.

“miss…!”

Ling reflexively grabbed Seolhwa’s arm.

“Oh, it’s okay.”

Seol-hwa also didn’t completely lose her balance because she used her other foot and hand to hold on to the tree the moment she slipped.

However, after he regained his composure and looked down at Yu-gang again, Yu-gang had suddenly jumped up from his spot and was looking at him with surprised eyes.

Did he try to catch it if it fell?

Seolhwa burst into laughter without realizing it, seeing him standing there with his arms stretched out in her direction.

Yoo Kang was startled and lowered his arms.

“I’ll talk to the sodojang for a moment.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Seol-hwa jumped up and landed next to Yu-gang.

In fact, even if I fell, I wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

Yu Kang scratched the back of his head as if he realized it too late.

“What were you doing here?”

“Ah, just… training…?”

“What kind of training?”

“I was just trying to calm my mind. I’ve been feeling a little dizzy lately.”

I knew why I was dizzy without you having to tell me.

Maybe because he knows best how much Yoo Kang loves the four mortars of the volcano.

Seolhwa, who was looking at him with a very gloomy expression, let out a deep sigh and sat down on the rock.

Yoo Kang-do squatted down next to her.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

“…uh?”

“There are a lot of things you’re curious about. You can ask me things you haven’t been able to ask before. Thanks to you, I was able to meet Jang Moon-in safely.”

Yoo Kang hesitated for a moment.

Actually, there were many things I was curious about.

But I couldn’t ask anything for fear that I might be bothering or annoying someone in an important situation.

I still hesitate now, but my curiosity overcame my worries.

“Why did you hypnotize the disciples of the volcano? Of course, it was to destroy the volcano…?”

“huh.”

“Is it true that there are hypnotists among the elders…?”

“I guess, that’s highly likely.”

I guess so.

Yu Kang readily agreed, wondering if he had been harboring vain hopes.

“But why? Why on earth would you use hypnosis to destroy a volcano?”

“That’s because we need an army.”

“…uh?”

In my previous life, the Hwasan faction was destroyed overnight.

However, when the tragedy of the Hwasanpa was discovered, there were traces of blood and fierce fighting, but no bodies were found.

Where did they go, having disappeared without a trace?

‘Oh, I was playing into the hands of the Blood Lord.’

The bloodlines each have their own power, unlike December.

Just as the forces of the deceased Yuk Hyeon-ju were a group of people who had been living in the water, the forces of the Oh Hyeon-ju were made up of the Hwasan faction’s swordsmen, the lost souls, or in other words, the jiangshi.

Those who were hypnotized, and those who were killed by those who were hypnotized, all became zombies.

Oh Hyeol-ju established his power based on the shamans of the Volcano faction.

“If you don’t stop them, your disciples will be used to kill innocent people without being able to die. They will use the swordsmanship they learned in the volcano to kill innocent people and use the internal energy they gained in the volcano to commit all sorts of terrible acts.”

You will be completely at the mercy of the Blood Lord as a mere moving corpse.

“That’s why I’m trying to stop it. Desperately.”

For the volcano.

For the sake of the Central Plains martial arts world.

For the young inspectors who are being toyed with.

And for you.

“… .”

Whether Sulwha’s words were shocking or not, Yoo Kang just stared at her blankly.

His lips, which had been silent for a long time, moved slightly.

“Why… is it a volcano?”

His eyes shook with anxiety.

“Why a volcano?”

Why on earth did it have to be my own disciple?

Why, of all people, did it have to be his own death row brothers? Why.

“I’m not saying I wish it was a different sect. I just…”

“know.”

“… .”

“I know. I know how you feel.”

Because you were a man who cherished volcanoes terribly in your previous life.

How precious that he was, he rushed into the battlefield alone to return the bodies of the executioners who were being used even after death to the volcano.

The real reason was hidden by the words, “It is the last sword of the volcano and its pride,” but the story was seen.

His last moments.

‘Can I ask you one favor as I am dying?’

I granted his request simply out of curiosity.

Why did this man, who jumped into battle alone in the name of the volcano, throw himself into the abyss?

If it was the last sword left in the volcano, it would be right to keep it alive, but why would he rush into the battlefield?

In the end, he was defeated by the sword of Seolhwa, and knelt down before her and begged her.

‘Let me die in the volcano… in the volcano. Let me be the last to… collect my brothers.’

The man carried the load on his back while his body was dying.

It was a carefully stacked pile of my dead brothers who had become motionless corpses after the spell was lifted.

Even though the weight of many people must have been burdensome for the dying man, the man silently climbed the rugged mountain.

Seolhwa followed him ten steps behind.

I just wanted to see the end of that man and what he was trying to protect in the end.

That evening, when the deep sunset was burning red.

The man and woman climbed the volcano in silence.