Chapter 161

The next day. Namgoong Cheon elevated the newly established Sincheonjang to a top-priority status. He even gave strict orders that any request from Sincheonjang must be handled first above all else. The night before, he had given the elixir left by Yeon Woo Jin to Hong Seol Hwa—and was utterly shocked. It wasn’t merely medicine. It was a divine elixir. Thanks to it, Hong Seol Hwa regained her youth. And upon witnessing her rejuvenation, Namgoong Cheon ended up spending a passionate night with her. Smiling at the memory of the previous night, Namgoong Cheon murmured, “Goodness... Rather than repaying the grace I’ve received, I keep being given more.” The Chief Steward approached and asked curiously about what had happened the day before. “It seems the Matron has become younger. What on earth happened yesterday?” “Our benefactor gifted us a divine elixir. She took it and circulated her qi—and she became young again. Hahaha.” “He just keeps giving, doesn’t he?” “Exactly. That’s what I’m saying. Honestly, I’m at a loss. I don’t even know how to repay this grace.” “I shall do everything in my power to assist you, my lord.” “Thank you. Actually, I was planning to visit Sincheonjang today.” “An excellent idea. I shall accompany you.” “We can’t show up empty-handed, can we?” To this, the Chief Steward grinned and replied, “I’ll take care of the preparations myself.” “Good. Put some thought into it.” **** Upon arriving at Sincheonjang, Namgoong Cheon was impressed by the two young martial artists standing guard at the entrance. They clearly weren’t of an ordinary cultivation level. “How may I help you?” One of the youths asked politely, giving a martial salute. Namgoong Cheon returned the gesture and replied, “I am the patriarch of the Namgoong Clan. I’ve come to see the Master of Sincheonjang.” “Ah! So you’re the Patriarch of the Namgoong Clan. Please wait just a moment.” As Namgoong Cheon nodded, the young man quickly turned and ran inside. While he waited, he looked around and admired how much the manor had changed. Then he caught sight of the plaque above the gate. “Hohh!” He was genuinely impressed. Such beautiful calligraphy—he had never seen anything like it. Just looking at it made him feel... happy? He thought to ask who had written the plaque, so he could request the same person to inscribe one for the Namgoong Clan. As he stood there admiring the brushwork— The young martial artist returned from inside. “Please, this way.” “Haha, thank you.” Upon stepping inside, he spotted Yeon Woo Jin in the distance coming out to greet him. Namgoong Cheon hurried forward to meet him. “I saw you just two days ago—I didn’t expect you to visit again so soon.” “I meant to come yesterday, but didn’t want to arrive empty-handed, so I took some time to prepare a few things.” “You didn’t need to...” Three wagons behind Namgoong Cheon caught Yeon Woo Jin’s attention. “You really brought all that?” “Haha, it’s nothing special. Just a few things I thought might be useful for running a manor.” The wagons ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) were loaded with top-tier fabrics, finest-quality weapons, and rare medicinal herbs. “That’s quite the offering.” “Please, what are you saying? Compared to the grace you’ve shown me, this is barely a drop in the ocean.” Yeon Woo Jin could already guess what the response would be if he continued to protest, so he simply offered thanks. “Thank you. I’ll make good use of them.” “If you need more, just say the word! I’ll bring more right away!” “Your heart alone is thanks enough. Now, please—come in.” “Then I’ll take the liberty.” Namgoong Cheon was guided around Sincheonjang by Yeon Woo Jin, marveling at everything he saw. The only thing that lingered on his mind was the apparent lack of resident martial artists. “This manor is quite large, but the number of guards seems... sparse.” “We’re still in the early stages. I don’t have many people yet.” “Would you like me to send some from the Namgoong Clan?” “I appreciate the thought, but no. If I accept that, I won’t feel at ease.” “Ah, I see. That was presumptuous of me.” “Not at all. I appreciate the gesture.” Namgoong Cheon had no idea... That the area surrounding the manor was already guarded by the mightiest martial forces of Mushincheon—Cheonmu Unit and Hell’s Shadow Division. “We’ll be fully staffed soon. Many martial artists from Mushincheon have yet to arrive.” “Ah! I’d forgotten—you’re originally from Mushincheon, aren’t you?” “Yes. So there’s no need to worry.” “Hahaha! Understood.” After they finished touring the manor, the two entered a room to drink tea and converse. At one point, Namgoong Cheon asked cautiously, “There's... something I’ve been wondering.” “Please, go ahead.” “That plaque above the gate—who wrote it?” “Is there a problem with it?” “No, not at all. It’s just... the calligraphy was so stunning. I wanted to ask that person to write one for our Namgoong Clan.” “I’ll write it for you.” “...Pardon?” He spoke as though he had written it himself, which left Namgoong Cheon stunned. “I wrote that inscription. I’m just grateful you liked it.” “Y-you wrote it yourself, Benefactor?” “Yes, I did.” “Hah... Is there anything you can’t do?” At that, Yeon Woo Jin chuckled. “Who knows? Even I’m not sure.” Namgoong Cheon stared blankly at him for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. “Hahaha! Truly, Benefactor, you are a divine being! There’s nothing you cannot do!” “I was just joking. Please don’t take it too seriously.” “A joke? To me, it doesn’t seem that way at all. You must possess unimaginable martial strength as well.” “Well... let’s just say I’m not someone who gets beaten up easily.” That made it even more astonishing. Just where had he come from? He was from Mushincheon—the land of martial arts. And to be someone not to be trifled with even there... how strong must he be? As expected, Namgoong Cheon reaffirmed to himself: this man was no ordinary figure. “You said you’d be returning lost martial manuals—when do you plan to begin?” “For now, I think I need to focus on stabilizing this manor. I also need to adapt to the Central Plains. I spent all my time in Mushincheon... I know nothing of the world’s ways.” “If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll give it my all.” “Thank you. As a token of appreciation for your visit... though I’m not the most skilled, allow me to write a few words for you.” “Gasp—! Thank you!” Watching Namgoong Cheon beam with joy, Yeon Woo Jin smiled. He truly was a good, sincere man. Yeon Woo Jin found himself growing increasingly fond of the Namgoong Clan. The next day. Yeon Woo Jin stared, dumbfounded, at the man before him. “Haha, my apologies. I just... kept thinking of you, Benefactor. So here I am again.” He had just visited yesterday, and now he was back the very next day. Then, with complete composure, he said, “Would it be all right if I trained in the Emperor’s Sword Manual here?” “...Excuse me?” “There are parts I don’t quite understand... but I have a feeling you might.” Yeon Woo Jin, who had already mastered the Emperor’s Sword Manual, feigned ignorance and replied, “You shouldn’t reveal your clan’s secrets to outsiders, should you?” “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t even consider it. But if it’s you, Benefactor, I can show you. If you’d like, I can even make a copy for you.” Even if he were refused, it was clear he’d keep coming back. Yeon Woo Jin’s eyes shifted slightly. Should I just make him one of mine? The thought occurred to him. The man kept edging closer, and refusing him forever didn’t seem realistic. “...It seems I’ve offended you.” “What? Ah, no, not at all. You just keep showing me these unexpected sides of yourself—it caught me off guard.” “I suppose I lack propriety. My wife and vassals always scold me about it, but I never manage to fix it. Hahaha.” “I personally find it rather charming. Still, I don’t think it’s appropriate to train your clan’s secret techniques here.” Namgoong Cheon replied earnestly. “It’s strange. I just... keep wanting to be near you, Benefactor. I don’t know why, but being around you puts my heart at ease. I feel like if I trained in the Emperor’s Sword Manual by your side, I’d master it in no time. That’s probably why I made such an unreasonable request.” His behavior was indistinguishable from that of a subordinate toward his lord—though not formally pledged, he acted as if Yeon Woo Jin were his liege. Yeon Woo Jin could more or less guess the cause. It was likely the residual energy he’d used while healing Hong Seol Hwa. Yeon Woo Jin’s energy contained a unique quality. Those who absorbed it—especially men—would unknowingly develop deep affection for him. Most of the men affected by that energy came to desire nothing more than to serve him with absolute loyalty. Strangely, this phenomenon only occurred with men. The fact that Hong Seol Hwa, who had fully received his qi, remained unaffected was proof. Typically, this bond would quickly formalize into a master-subordinate relationship, but because Namgoong Cheon was the head of a great clan, he couldn't cross that line—so he was likely suffering from the strain of restraint. Yeon Woo Jin, worried the man might become ill if left alone like this, reluctantly gave in. “Very well. I’ll arrange a place where you can train, Clan Lord.” “Thank you! I’ve received yet another grace...” Namgoong Cheon silently vowed to repay all the favors he’d received—even if it cost him his life. He just hadn’t realized yet... that what he felt was loyalty. After Namgoong Cheon left, Chun Ho Seong, Ma Ryong, and Jeok Seong gathered with Yeon Woo Jin. “...Why did you allow it?” At the question, Yeon Woo Jin smiled. “...Are you planning to bring the Namgoong Clan under your banner?” “Yes. Starting with the Namgoong Clan, I intend to establish my own faction here in the Central Plains.” “What sort of faction?” “One that rivals Mushincheon.” His ambition was no small thing. “Otherwise, how will people acknowledge me as Lord of Mushincheon? And when I finally claim that title, the Central Plains will already be unified.” Unifying the Central Plains. Even the current Mushincheon Lord had not achieved such a feat. “To do that, the first step is crucial. The Namgoong Clan is a vital key.” “We had no idea your aspirations reached so far.” “The stronger the Namgoong Clan grows, the more it will benefit you.” “Exactly. A Namgoong Clan Lord who’s mastered the Emperor’s Sword Manual will be a great asset to me.” Yeon Woo Jin looked over the three men and said, “So you all better make sure no one overtakes you from behind.” At that, the three of them bristled. “How can you say that about us?” “Exactly! Even if he masters the Emperor’s Sword Manual, he won’t be able to defeat us!” “Oh really?” “Of course!” Yeon Woo Jin smiled. “I know. I believe in you. Aside from me and my grandfather, I know none of you will ever lose to anyone.” At those words, Ma Ryong quietly rose from his seat. “Where are you going?” “Ahem. I usually train at this hour—I completely forgot.” At that, Chun Ho Seong and Jeok Seong stood up as well. “You two as well?” “Y-yes. That’s right.” “Haha! You’ve got to be kidding me. Of all things to forget—your training schedule?” “Well then, enjoy your rest. We’ll excuse ourselves.” Yeon Woo Jin chuckled as the three of them hurried out. “I should probably give them some energy restoration soon.” With that, Yeon Woo Jin also stood and made his way to the research chamber he’d set up underground. **** That night. Namgoong Cheon quietly called for Hong Seol Hwa and his son, the Young Clan Lord Namgoong Myeong. He informed them both that he would be training in the Emperor’s Sword Manual at Sincheonjang. They accepted his decision without hesitation. The reason he told them in secret was because he knew all hell would break loose if the clan’s vassals learned about it. Especially the elders—they were already constantly nagging him for neglecting clan matters to care for Hong Seol Hwa’s treatment. There was no reason to give them another excuse to criticize him. “Shouldn’t we inform the Chief Steward at least?” “No. Even he would be at risk. It’s better if it’s just between us. If anything happens, come quietly to Sincheonjang without anyone noticing.” “Yes, Father.” “Take good care of the clan in my absence.” “Yes!” “Good. You’ve already done it once—I trust you’ll do well.”