Episode 1. Honored guests of Waryongjang
Waryongjang was the largest martial arts family in the Waesa region east of Luoyang. The owner of Waryongjang, located in the Yeon clan village, was a swordsman named Yeon Mu-ryong.
The nickname of Yeonmu-ryong known in the martial arts world is True Moon Swordsman.
It is a nickname given to her because she killed the great witch Wolhaseonja.
When the name of the True Moon Swordsman began to become known throughout the world, he suddenly returned to his hometown, founded Waryongjang, and went into seclusion.
He was thirty-four at the time.
Despite his family’s opposition, Yeonmu-ryong never returned to the martial arts world. And soon after, his name disappeared from people’s memories.
May 1st.
The usually quiet Waryongjang became noisy.
This is because Baek Mi-ju, the mistress of Waryongjang, stands in the middle of the yard and constantly gives instructions to her servants.
“You guys are going to sweep the yard again. And you, sir?”
“yes.”
The commander, Yeonmu-dok, quickly walked in front of Baek Mi-ju.
“Please find the children and send them to the main building immediately.”
Baek Mi-ju politely asked him even though he was the general. Not only was he older than her, but he was also her husband Yeon Mu-ryong’s cousin, so it wasn’t easy to deal with him.
“Is that all?”
Yeonmu-dok looked at Baek Mi-ju with meaningful eyes.
Yeonmu-ryong had three sons and one daughter. The three eldest of them were born to Baek Mi-ju.
But now, the youngest child was six years old, born to the concubine and servant of Baek Mi-ju.
Since Baek Mi-ju usually did not take care of her servant’s child, Yeonmu-dok needed to be checked.
Baek Mi-ju nodded with a calm expression.
“Yes, that’s right. If there’s even a rumor that he’s looking down on his illegitimate child in Waryongjang, it’ll ruin his reputation.”
“Okay, sister-in-law.”
Yeonmu-dok bowed briefly and then withdrew.
Baek Mi-ju bit her lip and watched Yeonmu-dok’s back as he walked away.
I myself have no intention of calling Yeonjeokha on a day like today.
But I also don’t want to hear people gossiping behind my back saying I’m ‘narrow-minded’.
“ha!”
A thin sigh escaped Baek Mi-ju’s mouth.
Today is a day when I want to stay away from Yeonjeokha more than ever.
This is because it is the day when Namgung Byeok, the head of the Shingeom family, decides to visit Waryongjang with his family.
Shingeom Sega is a term used to honor Namgung Sega of Namjikrye Seong. People refer to the five most powerful martial arts families that currently dominate the martial arts world as ‘Sega (勢家)’.
Namgung Se-ga is the best among them.
Just the name alone can solve almost any dispute.
Suddenly Baek Mi-ju turned her head and looked around the garden.
The entire view of the small Waryongjang came into view at a glance.
small.
The current Waryongjang is one of the countless martial arts schools.
‘Not yet…….’
Baek Mi-ju wanted to make Waryongjang the ‘powerhouse of martial arts’.
The first person to have that dream was Yeonmu-ryong.
But that dream was shattered.
The person who shattered that dream was none other than Yeonjeokha’s mother, Lee Bu-yong, who was his own servant.
During his short period of wandering around the world, Yeonmu-ryong was fortunate enough to form a relationship with the Sword King Namgung Byeok.
It was discovered by Namgung Byeok, who was passing by Yeonmu Ryong, who was struggling against the cult called Yumingyo.
In the end, Yeonmu-ryong defeated Yumingyo with his help and even earned the nickname of True Moon Swordsman.
After that, he developed a friendly relationship with Namgung Byeok, the swordsman of the martial arts world.
That was six years ago. That’s it.
Yeonmu-ryong, who had returned home and was recovering from his internal and external injuries, fell in love with his servant, Lee Bu-yong, who had been running errands for him.
Sadly, he fell for a woman and gave up his grand dream of founding a martial arts world.
He even took Yi Bu-yong as his concubine and declared his retirement from the martial arts world despite the opposition of the Yeon clan.
‘Ungrateful people… … ‘
Baek Mi-ju, who was thinking about the two people, ground her teeth inwardly.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.
His lips no longer whispered words of love to her.
I don’t want to admit it, but the reason I built this small manor was for Ibuyong. When the Yeon clan’s nagging got worse, I moved out and built a manor in a secluded place.
The Yeon clan, who knew the inside story, said that Yeonmu-ryong was cursed by the famous religion. If not, how could someone who was going to create a great martial arts family go into seclusion for a mere female servant?
However, the love play between Yeonmu-ryong and the evil woman Ibu-yong did not last long. This was because Ibu-yong died from labor pains while giving birth to Yeonjeok-ha.
At that time, I thought Yeonmu-ryong would return to the world of martial arts.
But soon after, I found out that Yeonmu-ryong’s heart had also died along with Ibu-yong’s.
Yeonmu-ryong was not interested in anything.
Since some time ago, he has not stepped out of Waryongjang at all.
Then, he received a visit from his brother-in-law, Namgung Byeok.
This is Namgungbyeok, who had not visited even when Yeonmuryong was in hiding six years ago. For some reason, he had come all the way to this remote place.
Baek Mi-ju muttered as she slowly walked towards the inner quarters.
“Is this an opportunity given to me by heaven… … .”
Namgung Byeok’s eldest son, Namgung Cheon, is eighteen years old and is already an outstanding warrior, earning the nickname Cheongungeom. In comparison, his second daughter is only eight years old.
‘Should I suggest pairing Seolju and Namgungcheon?’
But the age difference is too big.
The third daughter, Seol-ju, is now nine years old, so Namgung Byeok won’t listen to her.
All that remains is to pair up his son with Namgung Yeon.
The first son, Mu-baek, is fourteen, and the second son, Seung-baek, is eleven, so there is a perfect age difference with Nam-gung Yeon, who is now eight.
The problem is that we don’t know how close her husband, Yeonmu-ryong, and the Sword King, Namgung Byeok, are.
Namgung Byeok’s final destination was not Waryongjang. He said he was stopping by on his way to Mudangpa. Furthermore, he was someone who had not contacted me even once until now.
“Hmm!”
Baek Mi-ju, who had been stewing in her sorrow alone, clenched her molars.
‘I have to somehow connect my sons with Namgungyeon.’
What if that doesn’t work?
At that time, I plan to ask Namgung Byeok to guide Yeonmu Baek, the first one.
Anyway, Yeonmu Ryong has no interest in the martial arts world.
If so, then you have to do it through Mu Baek.
I plan to laugh at the shabby old Yeonmu-ryong in the distant future.
When you were floundering in the hem of your skirt, I made the dream you gave up on come true.
***
A man and a woman were sitting in a carriage drawn by four horses.
The head of the Namgung family is King Namgung Byeok, his wife Jang Ha-eun, his son Namgung Cheon, and his daughter Namgung Yeon.
Twelve swordsmen on brown horses escort the front and rear of the four-horse chariot.
With their temples prominently protruding on both sides, they were constantly scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.
Judging from the letters ‘Changcheon (蒼天)’ engraved on the windbreaker, it must be the Changcheondae, the strongest military group that Namgung Se-ga boasts of.
The four-horse carriage looked peaceful under the escort of the Changcheondae.
Namgungcheon, who was looking out the window with a bored expression, asked cautiously.
“Father, why did Uncle Yeon live in seclusion? He is still in his prime.”
Namgung Byeok burst into laughter at his son’s words.
“Haha! You little punk, you’re the one in your prime. Uncle Yeon is now in his forties.”
“But my father is older than my uncle Yeon, and yet he still travels around the world.”
“That’s because your mother is by my side.”
Namgung Byeok, who had a loving nature, always traveled with his wife.
“Huh? Doesn’t your uncle have an aunt too?”
Namgung Byeok looked at his son with puzzled eyes.
“Hmm, I guess it would be better to tell you this in advance. Cheon and Yeon-i, listen carefully to your father’s words and make sure you don’t make a slip of the tongue at Waryongjang. Do you understand?”
“yes.”
“… … .”
The lively Namgungcheon answered loudly.
On the other hand, Namgung Yeon, who is usually quiet, just nodded.
Unlike Namgungcheon, who was full of curiosity, Namgungyeon’s expression was indifferent. Still, his two eyes, which were clearly black and white, were fixed on Namgungbyeok’s face.
“Uncle Yeon had two aunts. The older aunt who is now here and the younger aunt. Uncle Yeon was especially close to the younger aunt. The reason he went into seclusion was because the younger aunt was not in good health.”
“Oh! Is your little aunt feeling better?”
Namgungcheon, who had a warm and affectionate personality, asked urgently.
In comparison, Namgung Yeon, now eight years old, still has a face that doesn’t show his feelings.
‘Tsk tsk!’
Namgung Byeok shook his head as he looked at the two children’s very different expressions.
A grown man babbles like a little girl, and a young girl is as silent as an old man who knows everything about life.
Namgung Byeok, who had been imagining for a moment, ‘How nice it would have been if the personalities of the two children had been switched,’ soon let out a sigh.
“Ha! My little aunt died giving birth to a child six years ago. They say that after that, my uncle lost the joy of life.”
Namgung Byeok turned his gaze out the window.
That was the extent of the story written in the letter sent by Yeonmu-ryong a long time ago.
“So, even if you go to Waryongjang, don’t bring up your little aunt’s story. It’s better to pretend you don’t know about it for the sake of your younger uncle and older aunt. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I will be careful.”
“… … .”
Namgungcheon, with her girlish sensitivity, answered with a sad face, and Namgungyeon simply nodded with the eyes of an old man.
Namgung Byeok gently stroked the head of his young daughter Namgung Yeon.
This child resembles himself when he was young.
Although I live an extremely aggressive life now, people say I’m eccentric, I also lived with a closed heart until I was in my twenties.
If I hadn’t lived my life fighting people with a knife, I might still be like my daughter.
However, in the process of learning martial arts and reaching the ultimate realm, he broke his ego countless times.
The new personality that was formed then is the confident appearance I have now.
‘There will come a day when you too will break out of your shell.’
Namgung Byeok felt sorry for Namgung Yeon, who was mature for her age.
Meanwhile, his wife, Jang Ha-eun, sitting across from him, has been looking amused since a while ago.
Her husband, who has the nickname of ‘Sword King’ while traveling the world, is advising her to ‘be careful in Waryongjang’.
It means that the husband truly respects Yeonmu-ryong.
Why haven’t I been seeing such an important person for the past six years?
“I find it fascinating that a difficult person like you has become sworn brothers with Yeon Daehyeop.”
“Am I picky?”
“Haha, isn’t that right? You met the head of the Seonwoo family so often, but you never became sworn brothers. But you met Yeon Daehyeop only once and became sworn brothers, right?”
“You only met once? Who would say something like that… … .”
“You and the head of the Seonwoo family have had fights over that many times. Don’t you remember?”
“That’s something that the Sunwoo family made up. I spent seven days with Yeon-ah.”
Jang Ha-eun said with a sly smile.
“But you’ve known the head of the Sunwoo family for over twenty years. Even so, you two always call each other ‘Master’ and keep your distance.”
“Because knowing someone and being in touch with them are two different things.”
“Oh my, it seems to me that you get along well with the head of the Seonwoo family.”
“The feelings of connection with Yeon Ah and the feelings of connection with Seon Woo are qualitatively different.”
“how?”
The whole family’s eyes were focused on Namgung Byeok.
Namgung Byeok coughed awkwardly at the attention of his family.
“Hmm, to put it simply, if the exchange with Yeon-ah is a matter of life and death… …. In the case of the Seonwoo family, it can be said to be a matter of sharing joy and sorrow.”
“Tsk! The head of the Seonwoo family must be displeased with you for having such thoughts.”
“Wow! You’re dissatisfied? There’s nothing more to be greedy about.”
Namgung Byeok said it was nonsense.
A relationship of life and death is not something that happens just because one party wants it to. It is a relationship that is made in heaven. Namgung Byeok was proud that he and Yeon Mu Ryong had such a relationship.
Wuxia,
