The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 132

Time flew by, and finally, there was only one day left until the Sovereign Sword Emperor's retirement banquet and Gold Basin Hand-Washing ceremony.

Thanks to that, I had a small worry.

'Should I go back right after the retirement banquet is over? Or should I stay for a few more days?'

The reason I have this worry is partly because of the three Nangong siblings, but in fact, it is also because of Nangong Sang-hyeon and Nangong Cheon-jin.

Nangong Sang-hyeon is ninety years old this year. Therefore, it is actually greedy to expect him to be alive at the time of the war with the Demonic Cult, eighteen years from now.

However, Nangong Cheon-jin is different.

'In my memory, the Nangong family did not respond so actively in the war with the Demonic Cult.'

Thinking about it now, it seems that it wasn't that they didn't respond, but that they couldn't respond.

When I didn't know the secret of the Nangong family, I couldn't even guess, but now that I know to some extent, it's possible that Nangong Cheon-jin's body condition was not normal.

Although I didn't hear a rumor that the Sword King had died in my previous life, at the very least, he might have had difficulty moving, or if it was serious, he might have been in critical condition.

So I have to teach them my training method a little more clearly before I go.

The Nangong family will be my eternal ally from now on.

The Sovereign Sword Emperor or the Sword King must live a little longer and have a good influence on the surrounding martial artists and their children, so that they can become a family that develops further in the future.

Anyway, putting aside such worries, there was one thing I still hadn't found out, and that was the question of why the Sovereign Sword Emperor couldn't perform the sword dance at the Gold Basin Hand-Washing ceremony.

The Gold Basin Hand-Washing ceremony is tomorrow. If something had happened, it should have happened a long time ago, but for some reason, nothing is happening.

'Or perhaps it was a fate where he was supposed to cough up blood and collapse today, but he is living healthily because he met me?'

I thought about this, but I don't think that's the case.

Because when I think about when I met him on the first day, he didn't look so weak that he would collapse right away.

It would be a different story if he were to collapse after performing the sword dance somehow.

"Grand Master! I've finished... everything!"

As I was sitting in the shade of a tree and thinking about this for a long time, Nangong Ryu-jin came up to me with a happy face, panting, and said.

"You've already finished a thousand squats and five hundred log lifts? Did you by any chance use your internal energy?"

"No way! Absolutely not. Look at my arms and legs. I'm so tired that my muscles are cramping. I barely ran here."

He said with a truly desperate face.

When I looked up at the sky, it seemed that the time had just passed afternoon.

I, who had started training at dawn today, had told Nangong Ryu-jin that if he finished his given portion today, I would give him the rest of the time to rest and would not do etiquette education, but he had finished it all in just a few shichen.

Seeing that his clothes were soaked as if he had been in the water, it seems he did it without resting once.

'Geez. His talent is annoyingly outstanding.'

Nangong Ryu-jin, as I had thought, is a considerable martial talent.

Not only is his understanding of internal energy fast, but he also knows how to use his body most efficiently and has the tenacity to do it.

Indeed, with that much tenacity, he would have acted as a good younger brother for the next ten or so years and then tried to snatch the successor position at the end.

"Good. Then rest for today."

"Thank you!"

Of course, he is my loyal slave now.

Due to my continuous etiquette education for several days, Nangong Ryu-jin has truly become a man who knows what courtesy and filial piety are.

I remembered the story that he had suddenly given his morning greetings yesterday, which he had never done in his life, and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"Ah. But, I think I need to do a little etiquette education today too."

"T-Today too?!"

His pupils tremble as if there was an earthquake.

Because I had clearly promised that I would not do etiquette education today.

Since he knows well that I keep my word no matter what, he is very confused.

"Don't worry. The education I'll do today will be only with words."

"Ah...! I understand. Grand Master!"

"Listen carefully. In the end, it's not learning something new, but reviewing. What is the thing you have to be most careful about?"

"You said not to hurt other people's feelings!"

"Especially to whom?"

"I will be especially careful with women!"

I nodded my head with a pleased face and then opened my mouth again.

"And what should the Nangong family become in the future?"

"You said it should become a family that protects justice. You said that since its power is great, and its martial arts are as powerful as its power, this martial art should be used for the common people."

"You remember well. That's all for today's class. Now go. Rest well until the banquet tomorrow."

"Yes. Thank you. Grand Master!"

He bowed his head to me and then disappeared somewhere, and at that moment, I saw a tear trickle down from his eye.

I don't know if the meaning of that tear is because this situation is so sad, or because of the joy of rest, but anyway, the possibility of him disobeying my words or doing something foolish seems to have decreased greatly.

Anyway, I also got up from my seat and headed for the outside of the family estate.

Regardless of the Nangong family martial artists' patrols, I also always looked around the surroundings, in order to prevent any possible incidents in advance.

If nothing happens, that would be the best thing, but if you are caught off guard after doing nothing, there is nothing more unfair than that.

"Taoist master. Hello? Are you out today too?"

"Yes. Is there nothing special today either?"

"Yes. Other than the fact that there are many more guests than usual because the banquet is tomorrow, there is nothing special."

"Are you thoroughly checking the identities of the guests?"

"That's right."

When I came out in front of the manor, a Nangong family martial artist who recognized me acknowledged me.

Was his name Nangong Cheol? I think he said he was a martial artist from a branch family of the Nangong family.

I had become a little friendly with him after seeing his face while patrolling around here for several days, and he always spoke to me, a child, with honorifics.

Because Nangong Cheon-jin had given him a heads-up to treat me politely.

Although I didn't say that I was the Grand Master of the direct descendants of the Nangong family as I had wanted, seeing him show such an attitude even to a young Taoist like me according to the head of the family's order, it is a tremendous loyalty.

"Then I'll see you next time."

"Yes. If anything happens, I will send someone right away."

After parting with the martial artists and thoroughly scanning the surroundings, I was about to return to the manor.

Because I had judged that there was nothing special, and since I had given Nangong Ryu-jin a rest today, I was thinking of either teaching others or meeting Nangong Sang-hyeon.

And so I turned back to the main gate, and I saw two unusual-looking people in the distance.

First of all, their attire was very strange. On this hot day, they were wearing thick fur-lined cloaks and had bamboo hats pressed down on their heads.

Even from a distance, it looks like they are shouting, 'I'm a suspicious person!'

I naturally stood next to Nangong Cheol, whom I had just talked to, and said, "Those two people over there. Aren't they a little suspicious?"

"To be honest, if you judge by their appearance alone, they are not just a little suspicious, but very suspicious."

"As expected, you think so too, martial artist?"

They are slowly approaching this place.

But the closer they get, the more surprised we are.

Although I don't know who he is yet, his size is no joke.

It's not just a feeling of being big. It's a size that makes the word 'huge' come to mind.

He was so huge that even if you brought Uncle Sword Emperor or Gwak Seok-san, who would never lose in terms of size, they would look like children.

And at the same time, the closer they get, the more I feel it.

He had an unusual energy.

'A tremendous master...!'

It seems I wasn't the only one who felt his energy, as the martial artists next to me also looked at him with very tense eyes.

And Nangong Cheol secretly ordered one of his subordinates next to him to be ready to send news inside in case something happened.

The Nangong family martial artists moved in perfect order.

It seems that they have systematically prepared ways to respond to various situations.

'It's that person.'

And I intuitively realized.

Although I still don't know who he is, his appearance seems to be the reason why Nangong Sang-hyeon can't perform the sword dance.

"What brings you here?"

Finally, they reached the front of the main gate.

When Nangong Cheol asked politely, the middle-aged man next to the large man opened his mouth.

"We have come to see the great-grandfather of the Nangong family."

"Are you the ones who have come to congratulate the great-grandfather on his retirement banquet? Please show me your invitation. And please also tell me where you are from and who you are."

"Unfortunately, we do not have an invitation. We sent a letter in advance, but you ignored it."

"A letter? What letter are you talking about?"

"A letter saying that my lord will participate in the banquet."

At that answer, Nangong Cheol's hand naturally approached the scabbard at his waist.

Because he realized that they were uninvited guests.

However, he still did not let go of his polite attitude.

"I'm very sorry, but those without an invitation cannot attend this banquet. If you reveal your identity, I will send a message to the family and check if you can attend."

"Hoho... what if the answer comes back that you can't attend?"

"You will have to go back."

Pfft—

At that time, the large man who had not said a single word until now let out a laugh.

Although he just laughed lightly, his presence was clearly imprinted just by that.

It means his internal energy is tremendous.

And for a master of that level to have come here even though he was not invited, there is a high possibility that he did not come here with good intentions.

The man looked straight at Nangong Cheol and said, "What if I don't go back? What will you do if I must see Nangong Sang-hyeon?"

"There is no other way but to block you from entering."

"Block? You, me?"

"Even if I can't block you, it is my duty to at least buy some time."

A resolute will could be seen in Nangong Cheol's eyes.

"Stop it. It's just a dog's death. I have no business with you. I only have business with Nangong Sang-hyeon. You don't want to see blood a day before the banquet, do you?"

His tone of speech was overflowing with leisure.

It also looked like the mercy shown by an overwhelmingly strong person to a weak person.

"Th-But please wait a moment. And please tell me your honorable name."

Nangong Cheol, who came out with a firm attitude until the end.

The man, rather pleased with that, smiled and opened his mouth.

"I am Ho Baek-gwi, the leader of the Changjiang Water Fortress. I have come here to resolve an old grudge with Nangong Sang-hyeon. Tell him at once. That I have come."

"......!"

"Changjiang... Water Fortress leader?"

Astonishment filled the faces of everyone who learned his identity.

One of the greatest achievements of the Sovereign Sword Emperor, Nangong Sang-hyeon, was the annihilation of the Changjiang Water Fortress.

To think that the person himself has appeared here.

"I-I heard that the leader of the Changjiang Water Fortress was dead?"

"Then are you saying I'm a ghost?"

"What brings you here?"

"Didn't I just say? I came to resolve an old grudge with Nangong Sang-hyeon."

"Are you saying you're going to take revenge?"

He shook his head.

"No. Originally, until yesterday, I was thinking of ruining this banquet. But when I thought about it, I'm also old. I don't want to kill innocent people too. I just want to have one last match with Nangong Sang-hyeon before he leaves the martial world."

"That means..."

"Go and tell him clearly. That I, Ho Baek-gwi, formally request a spar. If he is a martial artist, if he is a man. And if he ever thought of me as a worthy opponent, he should not refuse my spar."

"If the great-grandfather refuses, do you intend to go back as you are?"

Nangong Cheol's question, squeezed out with courage.

But surprisingly, Ho Baek-gwi obediently nodded his head.

"If he doesn't want to fight me like a coward, I have no choice but to go back as I am. But also deliver this story. If you send me back like this, I will start plundering from the south of Anhui Province from the day after you retire. And what I will take will not be money, but their lives."

He smiled cruelly.

(End of Chapter)