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Chapter 137

The whole Cheonju City, including the Namgung family, was in chaos because of that incident, but it was none of Yeon-woo’s business outside.

This morning, while eating a lavish yet simple-tasting meal with the children, Namgung Seong walked in with dark circles under his eyes.

“Seeing your fish-like eyeballs first thing in the morning brightens my mood.”

“Yo… you jerk.”

“Ah, now, no swearing, please. The kids are watching.”

Namgung Seong’s face twisted at Yeon-woo’s words. Standing in place, he couldn’t decide what to do, soon letting out a deep sigh and sitting down to eat.

Instead of looking like he was indulging in a meal, it felt more like Namgung Seong was just force-feeding himself to survive when Yeon-woo asked.

“How’s the situation going?”

“Thanks to you, it’s been settling down quietly, but keeping it under wraps is tough.”

“What? You’re controlling the information? You’re not that type, are you?”

“I’m not trying to cover everything up, you know? Just trying to adjust things slowly so people don’t get anxious. I’ve already contacted the guild and the martial arts alliance.”

“I see.”

Even though he said that, in reality, Yeon-woo had little interest in such matters. He wouldn’t be doing anything like that, and he had no concern for the affairs of the high-ups.

“Then why did you ask, you jerk? You’re just making my mouth hurt.”

“I thought you might want to talk about it.”

Yeon-woo mumbled as he chewed his food. Of course, he did, and clicking his tongue, Namgung Seong quietly focused on his meal. Ah, I realized that watching someone work while I rest is the most satisfying moment in the world.

After that, it was a peaceful mealtime. Two baby birds, cheeks puffed out, chirped for food, and Yeon-woo, wearing a big grin, fed them through their tiny mouths in a serene, idyllic moment.

Afterward, the two children spent time playing with all kinds of toys in the spacious Namgung estate.

And then Yeon-woo…

“Whoo…”

With various sandbags dangling from all over his body, he was working out.

For a while, he had avoided intense training, but if he didn’t warm up soon, he wouldn’t be able to prepare his body for the academy competition that would start right after summer vacation. It was about time for some warming up.

The problem was the intensity of that warm-up.

The bodies of Awakened individuals develop rapidly, both for better and worse, so even though he hadn’t built much muscle, due to the magic energy, the weights kept getting heavier and heavier.

That was the situation that Yeon-woo found himself in. It wasn’t enough to just hang sandbags all over his body; the barbell needed so many plates attached that it bent just to create a burdening weight.

‘Thank goodness the training facilities of the Namgung family are excellent.’

The academy’s body training room primarily focused on physical training through magic, so it didn’t have workout equipment on this level. It couldn’t even compare to this place, resembling a decent gym.

The orphanage also had some workout facilities, so it wasn’t a big deal for him to continue training when he returned, but who would be using it back at the academy?

While organizing his thoughts with various worries, he diligently worked out, when the training room door opened, and In-young, who looked about a head shorter than Yeon-woo, walked in.

“Mm?”

“Huh?”

The first thing that caught his eye was the black feathers adorning her head.

Shiny black feathers filled her hair, and the solid, dark beak made a strong impression. The wings folded neatly behind her exuded a sense of poise.

Shifting his gaze a little lower, he spotted the white traditional outfit embossed with the Namgung family crest. It was at that moment Yeon-woo realized who this crow-like figure before him was.

Quietly placing the weights down and wiping his sweat, Yeon-woo slowly bent at the waist toward her.

“I greet the King of Blue Sky and Sword.”

“…Oh? So you’re a friend of Seong?”

The King of Blue Sky and Sword, Namgung Yang.

Namgung Seong’s grandfather and the former head of the Namgung family, boasting the strongest name of all, appeared before Yeon-woo.

…Odd? Don’t only the elite swordsmen have high encounter rates?

*

Namgung Yang was what you’d call a typical old-head.

His doctrine revolved around tales of opportunities and training methods imported from another dimension, believing that the young folks these days only seek comfort without solidly building their foundations.

However, among the flock, this grandson of his was special.

Thanks to his consistent hard work without lazing around, he possessed a robust physique and wielded outstanding martial prowess for his age.

‘If only he were of the crane lineage… No, no. This could signify that someone born to surpass the ancestors has finally emerged…’

Thoughts circling around the mind of the former family head, he luckily had no one who could read minds, so no one was the wiser.

Following his usual schedule to head to the training room for some iron pumping, Namgung Yang’s eyes fell on a boy with a pale complexion calmly bench pressing with a focused gaze.

“Mm?”

“Huh?”

Both of their surprised voices intersected. Meanwhile, Namgung Yang closely inspected the boy. Although he looked frail, within that physique, the well-trained quadriceps, strong trapezius muscles, and slender yet intricately toned neck muscles told a different story.

‘A rare talent, not neglecting external training!’

While Namgung Yang was impressed, the boy, not startled, safely lowered the barbell before standing tall, striking a martial stance.

“I greet the King of Blue Sky and Sword.”

“…Oh? So you’re a friend of Seong?”

Of course, he had heard about it. His grandson mentioned inviting a friend over or something.

While he thought his cute grandson would just have a friend, he never imagined this promising young lad would actually be a friend. Even the way he respectfully handled the weights made Namgung Yang’s heart flutter.

‘Truly, like attracts like; where there’s a skilled warrior, there’s a Zhuge Liang… No, wait, Seong-ryong is there! It seems warriors and scholars gather in this manner…!’

Suddenly bursting with somewhat bizarre admiration, Namgung Yang’s eyes twitched with the desire to recruit this boy into the Namgung family.

“Goodness. At this rate, isn’t Guo Jiao receiving the red horse and slipping into Wei?”

“Uh, huh?”

“…No, no. No need to panic. Sigh….”

Namgung Yang, suddenly raising his voice and shaking his head, left Yeon-woo bewildered.

Only then did a realization run through Yeon-woo’s mind—a short commentary on the many strong figures in the world.

‘They say to reach the level of an Aura Master, you must be a little off in the head, and they’re right.’

Yuri was well aware of which side of her personality was peculiar, so it didn’t show, while Richard didn’t seem rough around the edges, but with that abnormal physique, he must have had a weird mindset.

Though he didn’t know much yet, Namgung Yang surely had some quirks too. Given his sudden strange remarks, could it be a sign of declining health?

As he pondered, Namgung Yang furrowed his brows, seemingly displeased.

“You’ve got a rather unpleasant look in your eyes, huh?”

“I’m sorry.”

Having spent four months with Yuri, Yeon-woo had learned that in such situations, it was best to lie flat on the ground. He quickly bowed his head. Seeing this, Namgung Yang affectionately ruffled his feathers.

‘Quick-witted and charming as I look, but you have a mentor, hm?’

To be honest, Namgung Yang felt like an old man in the corner by now. Of course, that didn’t mean the members of the Namgung family treated him as such; he had voluntarily resigned himself to this life.

At this moment, he didn’t even realize well-known facts like Yeon-woo being a dragon contractor. That was proof. However, there was one thing that Namgung Yang could definitely ascertain.

The sword marks engraved on the boy’s body. He could vividly see a life lived as a swordsman.

He could tell of a past so tough it might tear palms apart, and how he nearly gave up right before meeting his master due to lack of talent. Truly a story that one could not hear without shedding tears.

“Tsk, tsk. You’ve had it tough, kid. Still, you were fortunate to meet a great master.”

“Uh? Uh, thank you…?”

Whether by chance or fate, Namgung Yang believed this boy and his master, Man-gyeom, were a perfect match. Since Man-gyeom had struggled to attain that level, he figured he would nurture this boy, who seemed to be similar.

“Alright, eat well and train hard. Efforts do not betray.”

“Were you not here to work out?”

“An old man shouldn’t get in the way of the youth. Focus on your training, don’t mind me. I feel a little hungry; I’ll go grab a meal first.”

“Understood. Thank you for your consideration, Lord of the Sword.”

“Your friend is as good as my grandchild. Feel free to call me grandfather.”

Ah, so this person is indeed friends with Dooko-hyun. At that moment, Yeon-woo realized that despite appearing to be opposites, Dooko-hyun and Namgung Yang were more alike than one might think.

“You speak just like Lord Samiryun-ju.”

“Huh? You met that crazy old man? Why would he tell you to call him grandfather!?”

“He said the same thing. A friend’s grandchild is just like my grandchild, and that grandchild’s friend is likewise.”

“That old man is insane, absolutely insane… I could tell ever since he dressed so oddly. From now on, I’m your only grandfather. Got it? Stay away from that lunatic!”

With an outburst, Namgung Yang stormed out of the training room, leaving Yeon-woo scratching his cheeks awkwardly.

He knew better than anyone that it couldn’t be that way. It was most likely just another form of friendship…

‘Just like how Seong and I are…’

Reflecting on the friend who had become an adversary in just four months, and this house’s temporary head, Yeon-woo resumed his workout.

Meanwhile, as Namgung Yang exited the training room, he busied himself with his eyes as though he had never shouted. Tears began welling up as he quickly got angry and left.

‘Hope I didn’t scare that poor kid…’

Though everything he had said regarding Dooko-hyun was heartfelt and truthful, apart from that, he couldn’t muster the courage to maintain his composure in front of the boy.

‘How much effort did that talentless body require to reach that level…’

That kid was now fifteen. He was undoubtedly the same age as his grandchild.

“But within that spirit, I can feel twenty years of hardship; what kind of patience must he have endured?”

Muttering to himself, Namgung Yang’s retreating figure brimmed with sorrow.

(Next time, to be continued…)

 

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