Chapter 992: Why Would I Enjoy Prosperity? (Part 2)

"How are the injured doing?"

Namgung Dowi asked, and Namgung Myung answered nonchalantly.

"No one will die. They're all sturdy fellows with strong bones."

"That's fortunate."

"Having the Tang Family come along was a big help. Isn't the Sichuan Tang Family's medical treatment famous even in the Central Plains?"

"Yes, that's true."

The Sichuan Tang Family specialized in the control of poison, but due to their extensive experience dealing with various poisons and injuries, their medical skills had naturally developed alongside their poison control techniques.

"However..."

Namgung Myung, who had been talking casually, hesitated slightly before continuing in a serious tone, "Out of the eighty-two who returned from Plum Blossom Island, I think about ten of them will never be able to wield a sword again."

Namgung Dowi nodded silently.

It was the bitter truth, but it had to be accepted. Just the fact that they returned alive from Plum Blossom Island was fortunate enough.

"Among the remaining people, there will be quite a few who can't recover their previous martial skills."

"...I see."

Namgung Myung suppressed a sigh.

The damage was greater than he expected. He thought that they had preserved about a third of their strength, but according to Namgung Myung's words, it was worrisome whether they even had a quarter left.

Even if they were the Heaven's Friend Namgung Family, it would be embarrassing to use that name with this level of power.

'If it were any other time, we would mourn the losses and rebuild our sect...'

But it was impossible right now. Even for those who held a grudge, it was customary of the powerful to take a step back and watch when a sect went through mourning. But there is no way those Evil Sect bastards kept custom.

If the Namgung Sect declared mourning now, there'd be a high chance that the Evil Tyrant Alliance or the Su Lo Chae would launch an attack, taking advantage of the rift created by the separation from other martial clans. In that case, the Namgung Family would be finished.

"Master."

"Please speak, Sogaju."

"I think I'll have to leave."

A heavy sigh escaped from Namgung Myung's lips. He knew that leaving the place where their family's roots were planted was not an easy decision.

It was as difficult as it was for the Sichuan Tang family to leave Sichuan, or for the Mount Hua Sect to leave Shaanxi.

"I guess that's the only way."

"Yes."

Namgung Dowi nodded.

"Leaving An Hwi, we'll lose a lot."

If they left An Hwi now, it would inevitably cause problems for their established business and their relationships with other martial clans.

"But if we don't leave, we'll lose even more."

"Um..."

"Master. No, uncle. The Namgung Family's decision to leave is to become the Namgung Family. Please grant your approval."

Namgung Myung nodded.

"Please don't say that, Sogaju. Sogaju is currently acting on behalf of the lord. You don't need to seek my permission; just give your orders."

"Uncle..."

"I believe that the decision made by Sogaju is the right one. And..."

Namgung Myung smiled warmly at Namgung Dowi.

"I believe that Lord supports this decision as well. What's important is not protecting our wealth, but safeguarding the spirit of Namgung. Wherever the spirit is alive, Namgung can remain Namgung."

"If father..."

Seeing Namgung Dowi lost in thought for a moment, Namgung Myung sighed softly.

"Sogaju."

"Yes, Uncle."

"I understand what Sogaju is thinking. Sogaju might be thinking that if the lord were alive, we wouldn't have to leave An Hwi, right?"

Namgung Dowi remained silent, keeping his lips sealed. Namgung Myung lowered his head slightly.

"Don't think that way, Sogaju"

Namgung Dowi stayed quiet.

"Lord is Lord, and Sogaju is Sogaju. I believe that Sogaju can be a lord who surpasses his predecessor.."

"Uncle..."

It was a heavy conversation. But it was also empowering.

'I must do it this way.'

Not for his glory, but for the future of the Namgung Family.

In order to rebuild the Namgung family, which had already collapsed once, Namgung Dowi had to be stronger than anyone else.

"Right. What are you going to do after we leave An Hwi?" Namgung Myung inquires.

"I plan to rely on the Mount Hua Sect," Dowi responds.

"Rely? You said rely?" Namgung Myung frowns.

Dowi slowly nods. "Yes."

Namgung Myung raises his concerns;

Leaving An Hwi was acceptable, but why would they need to rely on the Mount Hua Sect?

"Sogaju, it shouldn't be too difficult to establish a new presence in a dispute-free area with the accumulated wealth of the Namgung Family."

"Yes, I understand."

"But why..."

"It's for the sake of the Namgung Family. As you know, there hasn't been a sect that has grown as rapidly as the Mount Hua Sect. We need to learn how they did it to brighten the Namgung Family's future."

"...Sir Hyun Jong, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect, is not a very strict person, so he will give you plenty of advice without you having to on him."

"That's not enough."

Determination shone in Dowi's eyes as he continued.

"With only a moderate amount of advice and effort, the Namgung Family won't be able to regain its former status. Although we've overcome numerous difficulties so far, this is the first time in a hundred years that we've suffered such a major setback. Isn't that right?"

"...Yes."

Namgung Myung nodded helplessly.

Of course, in terms of damage, the losses suffered in the previous war with the Demon Sect may have been more severe. But it was impossible to compare the situation then with the current one.

At that time, regardless of the martial sect, everyone suffered losses during the war with the Demon Sect. So ultimately, the Namgung Family's position in the martial world did not deteriorate.

But not now. Currently, other martial clans are overflowing with power except for the Namgung Family.

"We can endure any discomfort. What I cannot bear is the name of the Namgung Family crumbling down from my hands"

"...Sogaju."

"Please help. Uncle. If you help, I can persuade everyone." 

Namgung Myung stared intently at Dowi. After a while, unable to ignore his determined gaze, he finally nodded.

"Very well."

"Thank you."

Namgung Do Wi's voice trembled with emotion. Namgung Myung let out a sigh.

"Don't forget that you are the one who will bear the most burden with this choice"

"I'm fully aware."

"...And, even if our supporters are kept in the dark about this, we can't bring all of them into the Mount Hua Sect."

"Our supporters will build a settlement by Mount Hua and reside there. I believe they'll understand."

Namgung Myung's curiosity piqued at this point.

"What have you seen in the Mount Hua Sect?" 

"I didn't see anything."

"Yes?"

"I'm going to see, Uncle."

Dowi's lips curved into a smile.

"The Mount Hua Sect is different from the sects I've known. It's different from Shaolin, it's different from Namgung."

Namgung Myung nodded in understanding.

"Indeed, I'm aware that it's different. But I don't know why it's different. That's why I want to go. To learn why they are unlike us."

Namgung Myung couldn't object any further, and a warm smile played on his lips.

"As you wish. I will also make an effort to learn as your uncle."

"Understood, Uncle!"

"It may take some time to persuade the members..."

At that moment, Namgung Myung furrowed his brows and turned his attention to the door.

"Why is there so much commotion?"

There had been a constant sound of weapon clashes from outside. While it wasn't unusual to hear weapon sounds where martial artists resided, something about these sounds seemed off to Namgung Myung.

"What's causing such a ruckus?"

And just at that moment, there was a loud crash! The door to their room was shattered, and someone flew inside.

"What in the world!"

"Is it an enemy?"

The two of them jolted from their seats in panic, gripping their swords reflexively. Right in front of them, the newcomer who had flown in landed with a loud thud.

"What the?"

"Jo-Jo Gol Dojang!?"

Jo eol was spitting blood from his mouth, shivering all over. In that moment of shock that crossed Namgung Dowi's eyes, Jo Gol, with trembling hands, pointed outside. Namgung Dwi hurriedly asked.

"Dojang! Are-are you ok?"

"Ba...stard..."

"Bastard?"

"Bas...tard..."

"..."

"Bast...ard..."

With that, Jo Gol's eyes rolled back, and he passed out. Even though he was unconscious, frothy red foam bubbled up from his mouth.

Namgung Dowi stared blankly at Jo Gol's condition.

"Ugh! You, you son of a...!"

Just then, Mount Hua's Righteous Sword Baek Cheon was kicked in the face and thrown backward. Stepping on Baek Cheon's face, Cheong Myung looked around with gleaming eyes to find his next prey.

"Stop him!"

Being the first to shout was often a sign of being in grave danger, a common truth. The price of Yoon Jong's ignorance was that he had to make a human-shaped hole in the wall.

"This is a mess!"

Yoo Iseol leaped through the air and rushed towards Cheong Myung. Namgung Myung swallowed hard.

"Are you in your right mind?"

His mouth fell open in shock. This place was close to the Yangtze River, and not too far away were the formidable forces of the Ten Great Sects and the Evil Tyrant Alliance. Yet here, they were making so much noise in their training?

'Even considering they had a battle in Plum Blossom Island just two days ago?'

The way they wielded their swords indicated an unusual vigor. It wasn't just the level of training suitable for real-life combat but rather a kind of training where one could get seriously injured at any moment.

In all matters, there is a proper time and place. This training was out of sync on both accounts. What was even more strange was that no one seemed to find this situation peculiar.

"Hey, you bastard!"

They all voiced their dissatisfaction, yet not one of them backed down. It was as if they didn't know that if they didn't like the training, they could just turn around and leave the manor...

Furthermore, Chung Myung surprised Namgung.

Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword was powerful enough to defeat the Black Dragon King, who was, at the very least, a formidable opponent compared to Namgung Hwang. Of course, the Namgung Family also had Namgung Hwang, so in terms of the presence of strong individuals, they were not lacking.

However, when was the last time Namgung Hwang engaged in training with the family's swordsmen directly?

Those at their peak preferred to reflect on their own skills rather than engage in direct combat. So, as their skills improved, the number of direct confrontations naturally decreased.

This was common sense to Namgung Myung, who grew up within the family of swordsmen. Having one more top-notch master was better than having a hundred mediocre masters. Therefore, the Swordsman's School actively encouraged isolating top swordsmen to train separately.

So, to Namgung Myung, this was a shock to see Chung Myung, who was by no means his equal, fighting aggressively with swordsmen far below his level.

'This is why they are strong... This is why...'

It felt as though he was catching a glimpse of the secret behind Mount Hua's strength.

How could they not become stronger when even an expert like him was engaged in daily sparring? He might not know much, but he clearly understood that Chung Myung's goal was not to become stronger himself but to make Mount Hua stronger.

"I envy you, Uncle."

"Sogaju..."

Namgung Dowi gazed at the spectacle with a nostalgic expression. Perhaps by now, he was thinking about his father, Namgung Hwang, and the sight of him sparring with the swordsmen.

"But still... Well, it's not like there aren't opportunities right now."

"Huh? Sogaju, surely you don't mean now...?"

"I'll be back in a moment."

Namgung Dowi drew his sword.

"Ah, but you haven't fully recovered!"

Namgung Myung tried to dissuade him, but Namgung Dowi didn't even look back as he rushed forward. Seeing the gleeful smile on his face, Namgung Myung gave up on stopping him.

'Mount Hua, huh?'

Perhaps Namgung Dowi's decision to entrust himself to Mount Hua was the best choice, not only from the Namgung Family's perspective but from Namgung Dowi's own standpoint.

"Do as you wish, Sogaju."

Namgung Myung only hoped that the lake called Mount Hua would be large enough to accommodate the dragon named Namgung Dowi.

Thump!

"What was that just now? There was a strange bastard here?"

...

Namgung Myung watched as Namgung Dowi was thrown out of the training grounds in an instant due to Chung Myung's strike. He closed his eyes tightly.

"Let's reconsider this once more."

For some reason, it felt like the lake was poisoned.

...A rather deadly poison.