Chapter 30
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“It’s the Sacred Garment of Woven Grass.”
“What?”
Surprise filled Namgung On’s eyes.
The Sacred Garment of Woven Grass.
Though it looked like coarse rags on the outside, it was a treasure that could protect its owner from any bladed attack, at least once.
“Why is that child wearing a treasure from the Beggars’ Sect?”
“That is…”
Namgung On looked astonished as he heard about the outcome of the duel between Hong-seol and Namgung Jong-woo, and about Elder Namgung Muyeong’s gift.
“I can’t believe it.”
“He may be a sly one, but he’s not the type to give mere rags as a gift.”
“Hmm, even so, the Sacred Garment of Woven Grass… No, more importantly, are you really saying that tiny child unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Divine Palm?”
“Yes.”
“What on earth did you do?”
“Seol-ah was originally born with a body that couldn't use Inner Energy. That's why her parents left her for dead.”
For a moment, the only sound in the drawing-room was the soft sipping of tea.
Namgung On was lost in thought.
‘A child who can’t use Inner Energy. I’m sure I’ve heard that story somewhere before…’
Gasp! No way.
“The Myo Clan!”
Namgung On shot up from his seat.
Namgung Ho, having moistened his lips with tea, answered abruptly.
“Yes. Seol-ah is a cat Beastkin from the Myo Clan.”
As his ominous premonition came true, Namgung On sighed and sat back down.
“Even so, how could you bring a cat Beastkin into the Namgung Clan?”
Namgung Ho stroked his chin and spoke gravely.
“Her condition is called Yin-Yang Severed Meridians. Thanks to it, she was able to display the Heavenly Thunder Divine Palm without ever having learned it.”
“If she has Yin-Yang Severed Meridians…”
Namgung On gripped the corner of the tea table. He must have squeezed harder than he realized, as the wooden corner dented into the shape of his fingers.
“Correct. If her condition is cured, her body will be able to master the Yin-Yang Divine Art. As you know, that child is now in the Namgung Clan…”
Namgung Ho quickly corrected himself. It occurred to him that the clan elders might have a different opinion.
“No, she is essential to our family.”
Namgung Ho continued with a bitter expression.
“Of course, we cannot force that path upon Seol-ah.”
An image of the small child surfaced in Namgung On’s mind. A child so small it was hard to believe she was eight years old.
A child who had shed fat tears while wearing rags instead of the silk clothes given to her.
Namgung Ho concluded heavily.
“We can only wait. While taking good care of the children before us.”
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In the middle of the night, Namgung On was heading alone toward the training ground.
It was to prepare for the duel with his younger brother in a few days.
And a small shadow was following him.
The shadow barely managed to catch up to him as he reached the Clan Lord’s private training ground.
“L-Lord!”
It was Hong-seol, her voice still young.
Having received permission to live in the Azure Sky Pavilion, Hong-seol had been looking for the right moment to express her gratitude to him.
‘It’s strange. I don’t know when it started, but I keep finding the courage to approach other people.’
Hong-seol didn’t realize it was because of the warm affection she had received since coming to the Namgung Clan.
She was simply moving forward, little by little, like someone trying not to let a flickering candle go out.
It was the same now.
The moment Hong-seol saw Namgung On’s shadow leaving the Clan Lord’s Hall, she had come running from the Azure Sky Pavilion.
Seeing her scurrying footsteps, Namgung On put on a stern face.
“What are you doing up? You won’t grow if you stay up like this.”
The old Hong-seol would have tucked her tail and hidden at such words, but not anymore.
“It seemed like you couldn’t sleep, my lord… H-here, do you need this?”
On Hong-seol’s outstretched palm lay a round incense pill. It gave off the sharp scent of Sun-Greeting Herb.
‘So this is the sleeping incense my father always burns.’
He was grateful for her thoughtfulness, for having scurried after him out of concern.
But he was not an insomniac. Namgung On shook his head, his expression softening.
“No, I don’t have insomnia.”
“Then why are you walking around alone at night…?”
Namgung On sighed and looked around. Perhaps because it was the middle of the night, not a soul was in sight.
Maybe it was the night, but he suddenly felt the urge to confide in someone.
Though he never imagined that someone would be a cat Beastkin.
“I’ll tell you why. Follow me.”
The Clan Lord’s private training ground they arrived at was clean and spacious.
“Wow.”
Hong-seol looked around in admiration.
What was most impressive was the roof.
It was covered by a high ceiling to prevent anyone from spying on his training from the outside.
“I am now going to demonstrate the Azure Sky Grand Flowing Sword Art. Watch closely.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
Hong-seol squatted in a corner and watched him intently.
But as time passed, she only felt a sense of pity.
‘It’s certainly flawless and clean, but compared to the Master of the Azure Sky Unit, it’s still a little lacking…’
Even to Hong-seol, who had learned little of the Martial Arts, it was clear.
The fact that, with his level of skill, it would be difficult for him to win against Namgung Yeol of the branch family.
Having finished all the forms, Namgung On asked, panting heavily.
“Hah, hah. What do you think?”
“Uhm…”
“Not very impressive, is it? I’ve been like this since I was a child.”
Hong-seol nodded gravely.
‘So that’s why he built a roof over the training ground. And why he only trains alone at night.’
It was so no one would find out that the Clan Lord’s martial prowess was so lacking.
Nothing good could come from such a story getting out.
For now, the Grand Patriarch Namgung Ho was still hale and hearty, but there was no telling what would happen after he passed away.
Hong-seol understood Namgung On’s feelings better than anyone.
‘It doesn’t feel like someone else’s story.’
She, too, had been ashamed of the fact that her body couldn’t use Inner Energy.
Anyone from a Martial Family would inevitably feel inferior about their poor martial skills. In that world, everything was decided by strength.
Hong-seol knew this reality better than anyone.
And because she knew, it pained her heart.
“But there must be a reason you became the Clan Lord, right? I heard you recently defeated some water bandits, too.”
“That’s because my strategies and formations are superior to anyone else’s in this family.”
“Formations?”
She was sure she had heard about them from Namgung Uigyeol, the Master of the Azure Sky Unit.
‘He said if you arrange trees and stones like this and that, you can mess with anyone who enters however you want.’
He had said you could make them see illusions or make them wander lost indefinitely.
“With my strategies and formations, I am confident I would not lose even against the direct descendants of the Jegal Clan.”
“Wow.”
At the confidence flowing from Namgung On, Hong-seol couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Ah!”
Just then, a good idea came to her.
Her face brightening, Hong-seol shot up from her spot and asked.
“Then you should just use a formation on the dueling stage!”
At her words, Namgung On chuckled.
“I wish I could, but look.”
Following his gesture, Hong-seol looked around the training ground.
It was completely empty.
“To set up a formation, you need to use the surrounding objects, but there’s nothing on a dueling stage, is there?”
Is there really nothing…?
While Hong-seol was lost in deep thought, Namgung On spoke.
“Besides, my younger brother is quite fast. I’m always struck down by his first attack. If I could just block his opening move, I might be able to put up a fight.”
His words sparked a thought in Hong-seol’s mind.
‘The Sacred Garment of Woven Grass!’
Elder Namgung Muyeong’s gift.
According to the letter Namgung Muyeong had left, she had heard it was a treasure that could block any bladed attack once.
And it was said to fit anyone perfectly, regardless of whether they were fat or tall, no exceptions.
‘If he wears that, the Clan Lord will have a chance to counterattack!’
“My lord!”
Hong-seol’s eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky.
“D-do you remember the clothes I was wearing the other day?”
It’s actually an item called the Sacred Garment of Woven Grass. If you wear it…!
Hong-seol explained eagerly, using both her hands and feet.
“I refuse.”
“What?”
Hong-seol blinked at the unexpected answer.
“Wasn’t that garment a gift to you from the elder? I cannot use such a precious item that only works once.”
Namgung On forced a smile and ruffled Hong-seol’s hair.
“It’s fine. It will only mean another record of defeat is written in the dueling logs in the archives.”
“But…”
“I said it’s fine.”
‘It’s not fine at all…!’
Hong-seol puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
She wanted to find a way to encourage this kind Clan Lord, no matter what.
‘…The duel is in a week, right?’
I’ll figure something out by then. Hong-seol clenched her small fists.
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