novelraw Chapter 3 : Chapter 3
Chapter 3 : Chapter 3
Chapter 3. Was He Always This Smart?
When Na Jin-mook opened his eyes early in the morning, the weather was cold. However, he could not skip his training, so he grabbed his wooden saber and headed outside.
His father was already waiting for him in the yard. But today, the youngest was with him as well.
“Oh, you little rascal. You are going to catch a cold at this rate. I told you to go inside, but you just will not listen.”
His father spoke while looking at the youngest.
Catch a cold? Not a chance. His mother, Lady Jeong, had bundled him up so thickly that Na Jin-an looked like he could simply roll around.
It was incredibly cute to see him scurrying about with a scarf wrapped around him so many times that only his eyes were visible.
“Father.”
“Are you here?”
Na Hyeon-seung watched Na Jin-mook’s training, but he could not focus because he was worried about the youngest. Na Jin-mook was also a mess because he kept wanting to laugh every time he saw his little brother. There was no point in training further.
“Let us stop here for today. Shall our youngest go inside too?”
“I want to play with Brother more before I go.”
“Your nose is red because of the wind.”
It was true. A four-year-old’s body was far too weak against the cold. However, Na Jin-an had a goal today, so he had no intention of going inside immediately.
“I am fine. It is cold, so Father, you should go inside quickly. Otherwise, Mother will worry.”
The tiny child actually worried about him and pushed him toward the house. The strength was laughable, but Na Hyeon-seung pretended to give in.
“Ha, look at this fellow. You have the strength of a giant. Jin-mook, take good care of the youngest and come inside in a little bit.”
“Yes, Father.”
As soon as their father went inside, Na Jin-mook squatted down in front of his brother.
“What should we play?”
“I want to keep watching what you were doing, Brother.”
He had intended to play, but the boy wanted him to practice martial arts. Did the youngest want to do it too?
Well, swinging a blade did look cool, after all.
“Then you will watch for just a little longer and then go inside, right?”
“Yes.”
Na Jin-mook began practicing his martial arts again with the wooden saber he held. Watching him, Na Jin-an fell into thought.
What Na Jin-mook was currently practicing was the Na Family Six Forms, which had been passed down through the Na family for generations.
To put it simply, it meant the sword techniques of the Na family, consisting of six forms.
However, not only their father but also his brother practiced with a saber, not a sword. It was a straight saber with a thin width, so it looked similar to a sword, but since it only had an edge on one side, it was clearly a saber.
Neither his father nor his brother questioned it. It was because it had been passed down that way from their ancestors, and they had trained that way until now.
The Na Jin-an of his past life was the same. However, once he gained rank and power, he investigated the incident that led his father to his death, and in the process, he learned the secret of the Na Family Six Forms.
The Na Family Six Forms was actually a sword technique passed down in the family of Song Mun-cheon, who was once called the Greatest Swordsman under Heaven. The name was not originally the Na Family Six Forms; it was the Song Family Nine Forms.
However, the Song family was accused of treason and exterminated. The sole survivor became a Taoist priest to hide his identity.
It was that very Taoist who passed the martial arts to the Na family as a way to repay a debt of gratitude.
However, because it was the martial art of a traitorous family, he only taught six forms—and as a saber technique rather than a sword technique—and did not pass down the internal energy cultivation method at all.
Forms aside, the difference between having an internal energy cultivation method and not having one was massive.
If one masters internal energy cultivation, it is possible to shatter a large rock with a single fist or leap over high walls. In other words, one can exert abilities that transcend physical limits.
That is also why prestigious families value internal energy cultivation methods as much as gold and do not pass them down recklessly. It is the same reason why wandering rogue warriors respect and fear them.
Therefore, no matter how highly one rated the Na Family Six Forms, it was nothing more than a third-rate saber technique. It was the kind of martial art that was perfect for getting oneself stabbed and killed if one tried to act tough somewhere.
Moreover, because his father had cut ties with the family and run away due to Gang Myeon-uk, he had only mastered the first three forms. He had not learned the latter three forms. That was why Na Jin-mook only knew how to perform three forms.
Of course, Na Jin-an knew the complete Song Family Nine Forms. However, whether he would pass it on was something he needed to consider.
“Brother.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“You should rotate your waist more there.”
“Pardon?”
“Rotate your waist firmly.”
“What do you know?”
“Just try it for now.”
Na Jin-mook found his younger brother’s words funny, but he did as he was told. Then, the awkward movement became clean, and power was added to the wooden saber.
WHOOSH!
“Huh?”
“See. I was right, was I not?”
“Did you learn that from Father too?”
“No. I just watched Father and you doing it.”
“You know just by watching?”
“Yes.”
After standing blankly for a moment, Na Jin-mook spoke with a serious face.
“Then will you keep watching and tell me again?”
“Yes.”
This was Na Jin-mook’s strength. Usually, people would feel their pride wounded if they were corrected by a younger sibling. Moreover, these were the words of a four-year-old. It would be a relief if he was not ignored.
However, Na Jin-mook judged after trying it first. He was not ashamed of learning.
Afterward, Na Jin-an guided him for quite a while, and in a short time, Na Jin-mook’s skills improved significantly.
“Phew....”
Steam rose from Na Jin-mook’s body because of his sweat. This was another of Na Jin-mook’s strengths.
He was diligent to the point of being stubborn.
“Let us stop now.”
Only then did Na Jin-mook remember his father’s words to come inside early.
However, Na Jin-an did not intend to go inside right away.
“Brother. Come here for a second.”
“Why? We have to go eat now.”
“Eat later. I have something very important to say.”
Na Jin-an took Na Jin-mook’s hand, went to an empty room, and took a seat first.
“Sit here. I am going to say something very, very important from now on, so you must not tell anyone.”
“What is it?”
Na Jin-mook asked with sparkling eyes.
“Do you think Gang Myeon-uk is a good person?”
“Huh?”
“You know that Gang Myeon-uk is deceiving Father and bothering Mother, do you not?”
“You mean the Great Uncle is doing that?”
“Great Uncle, my foot!”
When Na Jin-an shouted as if it were absurd, Na Jin-mook was startled.
“You are going to get in trouble with Father if you talk like that.”
“I will not. No one will know as long as you keep your mouth shut, Brother. Are you going to tell him?”
“No. I will not tell him.”
“Then it is fine. Listen. The reason we came here is also because of Gang Myeon-uk. I got angry and hit him because he kept making moves on Mother.”
“Where did you learn such words? Making moves!”
“That is not what is important right now!”
When the conversation kept drifting, Na Jin-an thumped the table with his tiny hand.
“Tell me. Has that happened before?”
“To be honest, I have seen it too.”
“But Father does not believe it, does he?”
“Yeah. I told him and got scolded.”
“See? But what if Mother goes back this time? Gang Myeon-uk will do it again, will he not? That is why Mother must stay here.”
“I do not think Father will allow it.”
“The person sent by our Uncle came yesterday, did he not?”
“Yeah.”
“Our Uncle is a good person. But Father fought with him because of Gang Myeon-uk, so they do not see each other. But think about it, Brother. If you and I fought and did not see each other, would you be sad or not?”
“I would be sad.”
“If we lived apart, would you miss me or not?”
“Hmm... I think I would miss you.”
Why did he have to think about that before answering?
When Na Jin-an glared at him, Na Jin-mook felt like laughing because the sight was so cute.
“That is why our Uncle sent a servant. But Father is trying not to see him. Because Gang Myeon-uk keeps saying bad things about our Uncle. You know Father is helpless when it comes to Gang Myeon-uk, do you not?”
“You should not speak so disrespectfully.”
“It is fine.”
In his mind, he wanted to curse the man, but he held back, fearing Na Jin-mook would truly be shocked.
“Our Uncle is the District Magistrate of this Mount Hwang District.”
“A District Magistrate?”
A District Magistrate is an official who governs a district. Not just anyone can become one. One must pass the civil service examination and receive a recommendation from a famous person or someone already in office. Crucially, the Emperor must approve it.
“Since he is a District Magistrate, he must have a big house and lots of money, right? While I am here, Mother and Sister can stay at our Uncle’s house.”
“Did you not say Father dislikes our Uncle? Then would that not be impossible?”
“That is why we have to make it possible. You just have to help me, Brother. You will help me, right?”
“Just say the word. What should I do to help? Actually, I dislike the Great Uncle too.”
“Hmph! Everyone probably dislikes him except Father. Only you and I should know about this. It is an absolute secret.”
“But, youngest.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you call me 'Brother'? You used to call me 'Big Brother' before.”
“'Big Brother'?”
It was embarrassing to use such a title at his mental age. However, Na Jin-an outwardly appeared to be four years old. To avoid suspicion from others, he had to call him that.
Look at this time too. Did they not come all the way here saying he was possessed by a ghost just because he slapped that wretch and cursed at him?
“Bi... Big Brother.”
“Yeah!”
Na Jin-an, whose face had turned red, abruptly turned his head. However, he could not hide the fact that even his ears had turned red.
Na Jin-mook felt like laughing because his little brother was so cute. Then, a sense of incongruity suddenly struck him.
Was the youngest always this smart?
No, he was not.
Before, he was innocent and naive. Come to think of it, it was strange earlier when he was practicing the Na Family Six Forms.
To know everything just by watching?
But amazingly, when he did as the youngest told him, the movements that had not worked before were resolved without any blockage.
“Big Brother.”
“Huh?”
Na Jin-mook, who had been in a daze, looked at Na Jin-an.
“That servant will come again within a few days. When he does, you must let me know.”
“Got it.”
***
As Na Jin-an predicted, the servant came back in three days. But he did not come alone. He came with Butler Im, who was responsible for the household affairs of Na Hyeon-gwang. He even brought a carriage for Na Hyeon-seung’s family to ride in.
Although Na Hyeon-gwang did not come in person, he had shown consideration in his own way. This was purely thanks to the servant who had come that day and spoken well of Na Hyeon-seung to Na Hyeon-gwang after hearing Na Jin-an’s words.
“Master. Your younger brother, Master Na, is waiting anxiously. He said that since the children have grown up now, you should forget the past and discuss the future.”
Hearing Butler Im’s words, Na Hyeon-seung agonized. To be honest, he did not feel bad that the younger brother he had long ago cut ties with was treating him with such respect.
Seeing that hesitation, Na Jin-an signaled to Na Jin-mook. Then, Na Jin-mook opened his mouth awkwardly with a blank face.
“Father. I want to see my Uncle. You said so before, Father. That our Uncle is a good person. So I have been curious all this time.”
Na Hyeon-seung’s face stiffened slightly upon hearing those words. When had he ever said such a thing? He had never even uttered a word about Na Hyeon-gwang.
Could his wife, Lady Jeong, have said such a thing?
No. Lady Jeong had never said such things either.
As the atmosphere became strange, Na Jin-mook looked at Na Jin-an.
“The youngest feels the same way, does he not?”
“Yes! I want to see Uncle too!”
As Na Jin-an, who was held in Lady Jeong’s arms, spoke in a loud voice, Butler Im and the servants smiled. Thanks to that, the atmosphere softened, but his father could not make a decision readily.
At this, Na Jin-an looked up at his mother and spoke.
“Mother, Uncle is a District Magistrate, is he not?”
“Our youngest, you even know what a District Magistrate is?”
“Of course. He is the person who governs a district.”
“How smart you are.”
“Mother, what do you have to do to become a District Magistrate?”
“Well, you have to study hard.”
“Then can Big Brother become a District Magistrate if he studies hard too?”
It was a question exactly like one a four-year-old would ask. But at that moment, something suddenly flashed in Lady Jeong’s mind.
Seeing that Na Hyeon-gwang had sent these servants and even prepared a carriage, it meant he intended to reconcile with Na Hyeon-seung. Moreover, according to Butler Im’s words, did it not mean he would look after the children?
Thinking of her son’s future, Lady Jeong smiled and persuaded Na Hyeon-seung.
“Since the children want to go so much, let us go, My Lord.”
“Hmm....”
“It is not polite to ignore the sincerity shown by the Young Master. What if Great Master Beom Yo misunderstands your behavior and refuses to see our So-an?”
She wondered if Great Master Beom Yo, who had left the secular world, would care about such things, but one never knew. Pride was important to everyone, after all.
“I understand. Then let us do that.”
“Yay!”
As the excited Na Jin-an shouted, those present burst into laughter.