Chapter 131
Chapter 132
“Really, it’s said that a child should not speak of strange powers and gods. Can you really be making Iron Man references?”
“What does Iron Man have to do with strange powers? If it does, I’m converting to Buddhism starting today!”
“Being the fire captain of the Namgung Clan means that if the deity sees you, they will surely weep!”
“Isn’t that deity truly the embodiment of strange powers? You could at least claim to be an Iron Man level of awesome with that bloodline of the strange powers!”
“Perfect logic. I believe it, you must indeed be Iron Man.”
After a lengthy conversation about nonsense, the two shook hands fervently.
Watching this, Tae-oh clapped innocently, “Wow!” while Je Gal Seong-ryong and Shar followed behind Namgung Seong with cold glares.
“Looks like you’re having a tough time, Uncle Seong-ryong.”
“You too, Shar. At least thanks to you, I don’t worry much about Yeon-woo.”
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Yeon-woo felt a peculiar sensation.
Could it be that Shar is actually our mom? Wah, I’m just Baby Yeon-woo…
“Enough of the nonsense, let’s head inside. If we stay out too long, people won’t be happy about it.”
“Oh, right, we’re outside! Let’s hurry in! But before we go inside! There’s something to say from Namgung Seong, the captain of the Namgung Clan!”
Why does he have to say that himself? What a show-off.
Tae-oh looked at Namgung Seong with sparkling eyes while the others sighed lightly, urging him to speak quickly.
“Welcome to Cheonju City. I hope you have a great time!”
With that polite tone and a sly smile, Namgung Seong abruptly turned away and started heading toward Cheonju City. What an unbelievable character.
“Hey, young master! Are those your friends? Take this to the lord! You all should eat something!”
“Wow, this is amazing! Thank you, I’ll tell my father well.”
“Seong-ryong! Take this with you too!”
“Sure, thank you!”
As they followed Namgung Seong toward the main house of the Namgung Clan, vendors in the marketplace offered them various items.
Everything was just ordinary vegetables or meat, but it showed how well the Namgung Clan had won the hearts of the people in this region.
Especially since Namgung Seong seemed to be quite popular among the elderly vendors, likely because he played here since childhood.
“Uncle Namgung Seong is surprisingly social.”
“He probably acts like this on purpose when he’s with us. Shar, aren’t you happier that Namgung Seong is being friendly?”
“Hmm… I guess so. It feels a little awkward though.”
“Isn’t the serious side of him kind of cool?”
No, he looked cool just keeping his mouth shut! With that white-haired bird, one could say he was born with cheat-level looks.
“Well… he is pleasing to the eyes.”
To be honest, most of Mongolia is like a dead land.
Aside from the capital Ulaanbaatar, there are hardly any decent cities. With the vast and useless land compared to the small population, the calculations don’t add up with just the hunters appearing domestically.
In such times, the Namgung Clan came like a lifeline. By moving the Changgyeon platform under the clan’s command, they saved people who were trapped by monsters in western Mongolia and helped them settle in the city.
To the Mongolians, the Namgung Clan, which could have been viewed as outsiders, was respected because they practiced righteousness. It truly was a good city, at least according to Yeon-woo.
Amid such hospitality, they walked for a while and finally reached the city center, the main house of the Namgung Clan. With vendors calling out, it took even longer.
The main house of the Namgung Clan viewed from the front was truly akin to a fortress.
In the first place, it was built to serve as a stronghold. When the Namgung Clan first settled down, it must have been nothing more than a barren land.
It was designed to protect refugees who might come running from monsters at any time, serving as a last bastion.
As these thoughts crossed Yeon-woo’s mind, the main gate of the clan slowly began to open. A figure dressed in loose robes stepped out, arms crossed.
In that moment, the air felt different.
Yeon-woo thought she had felt this sensation before.
The sensation of gravity pressing down hard. Everything felt heavier except for herself.
‘It’s the Emperor’s Sword Form.’
A man embodying the principles of Emperor’s Sword Form without even drawing a sword. There aren’t many who can do that. Since he’s not the Crow Clan’s leader, Namgung Yang, there was only one possibility left.
The current head of the Namgung Clan, the Heavenly Thunder Sword, Namgung Mu.
“Why have you come so far, my father?”
“Your friends are coming, so how could I sit idly? So, will you introduce them?”
“Of course.”
“……??”
The other three aside from Seong-ryong, namely the entire Choi family, looked dumbfounded at Namgung Seong.
It was understandable as Namgung Seong was showing extreme respect, even using honorifics.
Noticing their gazes, Namgung Seong glanced away, seemingly saying, “So what?”
“This friend is Choi Yeon-woo. He’s my closest friend from the academy. You probably know the details already?”
“Ah, so you are the contractor of the Golden Dragon. Nice to meet you.”
“Yes. It’s nice to meet you, Clan Leader.”
Yeon-woo didn’t refuse the leisurely offered hand. He bowed his head to show respect and shook hands.
“So this child is the daughter of the Golden Dragon?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hello, Uncle! I’m Shar!”
Seeing Shar, who bowed adorably, Namgung Mu let out a small smile. As if someone had released a tight grip on his neck, he suddenly felt free. Even the ridiculously powerful leader of the Namgung Clan couldn’t resist Shar’s cuteness.
“What a bright child. Then how about the child next to her?”
“This is Tae-oh. Nice to meet you.”
“Haha, I see. Make sure to get along with Seong.”
Although his tone could have come off as slightly arrogant, Namgung Mu accepted the greetings with a smile, fiddling with his feathers.
After hearing the series of introductions, as soon as Namgung Mu accepted the greetings, he returned to his stiff demeanor.
It was already hard to read the expression of the man, but given the rigid atmosphere surrounding him, it was even more so. In such an atmosphere, Je Gal Seong-ryong bowed and greeted him.
“How have you been, Clan Leader?”
“Thanks to you, I always feel burdened looking after my foolish son, Young Master.”
“It’s fine. Aren’t we in a relationship between Je Gal and Namgung?”
“Haha, you say that, which reassures me.”
After conversing with everyone, Namgung Mu ruffled his feathers again.
“Now then, I’ve instructed that there be hospitality worthy of the Namgung name, so enjoy first. I may not be around for a few days, so keep that in mind.”
“Understood, Father.”
Namgung Mu gently patted Namgung Seong’s shoulder as he bowed his head lightly and passed by. Glancing at him, the only weapon he had was a single sword hanging at his waist.
From the conversation, it seemed like he would be entering the Gate, but it was quite a modest preparation for someone of his stature. Though it was acknowledged that he was indeed that kind of person.
“Now, let’s head in. Did you eat before coming?”
“Uh… no. But that’s not the point. Do you really act like that in front of your parents?”
“What do you take me for? Of course, I should act respectfully in front of adults.”
It turned out this guy had a bit of discernment. Yeon-woo sighed in admiration and followed Namgung Seong with the children.
*
At any rate, when there’s food in front of you, you have to eat, and when a party starts, you must enjoy it. The two kids, feeling a bit shy, decided that if it came to this, they would enjoy the feast.
Besides, the adults had just left their seats. Isn’t it humanity’s most basic desire to kick up a fuss when visiting a friend’s place?
Of course, they never intended to cause real trouble. They were just there to genuinely enjoy the banquet.
“Wow, this is really delicious!”
Yeon-woo grabbed an unidentifiable dish in front of him. Shar, feeling a little shy, was fascinated as she quickly stuffed the dish in her mouth with impressive chopstick skills.
“This is… really delicious!! What is this!?”
“It’s probably Five-Spice Pork. The chef got adventurous with Mongolian cuisine and has stumbled upon some pretty decent dishes.”
“Does Uncle Namgung Seong eat stuff like this all the time? I’m so jealous…”
“Wait, Shar. If you say that, it sounds like our diet is lacking. We’re not doing any worse than others.”
“Well, not like this.”
“That’s true.”
Engaged in their lively conversation, Tae-oh, who was still struggling with chopsticks, was making a valiant effort to eat the Five-Spice Pork.
Although not helping him could be a way for him to get used to it, on a good day like this, there was no reason not to offer a piece for him to grab.
Tae-oh, who was concentrating and grimacing, suddenly brightened up. The chopsticks maneuvered between his lips, and blossoms bloomed on his face.
“Delicious!!”
“You guys sure are noisy over a little Five-Spice Pork?”
Namgung Seong remarked with a hint of annoyance. But Yeon-woo had his own point to make. After trying some upscale restaurants, it is clear that you wouldn’t respond like that at an ordinary place.
“No, isn’t the chef going crazy? How is it this good?”
“Just eat it; everything else is delicious too. Can we get some alcohol?”
“Here, give me a drink called Jugaekjeong!”
Shouting at Namgung Seong’s words, Yeon-woo got overly excited.
“Why does everyone mention Jugaekjeong first when it comes to alcohol?”
At Yeon-woo’s words, a figure behind suddenly left the banquet hall.
Oh, wait. Are they really going to get it?
Clenching his racing heart, he felt a glare from Shar.
“Are we allowed to drink?”
Yeon-woo had anticipated Shar’s rebuttal. But he, too, had a perfect justification. No matter how much Shar pushed, she would eventually accept this reasoning.
“In martial arts, you become an adult at fifteen.”
“But we’re on Earth.”
Convincing failure.
In the Choi family hierarchy, Nea was ranked first, Shar second, and Yeon-woo last. The cup of Jugaekjeong brought by the figure had no choice but to be sent back.
(To be continued in the next episode)
