Chapter 271: Chapter 271

“Is… isn’t that the Namgung Clan?”

“I heard they had arrived, but…”

“Seeing the blood on them, they must have already fought… is the opponent… the Murong Clan?”

“Then what about the Murong Clan…?”

In the middle of the streets of Yueyang.

People were whispering as they watched the members of the Namgung Clan walking down the road.

A prestigious family with history and tradition.

A place that was once a pillar of the Five Great Clans and the de facto leader of the current Eight Great Clans.

The Number One Clan Under Heaven.

The Namgung Clan was the very place that had always carried such titles.

Although their strength had greatly diminished after being attacked by someone, many people still could not forget the name of the Namgung Clan.

Without paying any mind to the gazes of the crowd, they headed into an inn.

Their dignified footsteps instead implanted a sense of weight in the hearts of the people.

The moment the doors of the inn opened wide and they went inside and the doors closed, the voices of the people began to grow even louder.

“They definitely clashed with the Murong Clan!”

“Then even Murong Hyeok-mun!?”

“This is… huge!”

“Has the Namgung Clan… not died?”

Such voices echoed continuously.

The parties involved did not seem to have the slightest interest, but people made their own guesses, waiting for the Namgung Clan to spread its wings once more.

On the other hand, Namgung Yong, who had entered the inn, took a seat where there were no people and quietly stared at a woman. She, who had covered her face with a veil to avoid being noticed by others, carefully took it off and smiled faintly.

“It seems you are alright.”

“It hurts, but this much is nothing. That is how I was taught, and how I grew up.”

Namgung So-hye caught her breath while soothing her chest. Although the fatigue and pain had not yet disappeared, it was bearable.

Of course, she might collapse the moment she returned home.

But at least for now, she faced her father proudly.

“How… are you in a place like this?”

“That is what I want to ask. Why did you bring the people of the Clan here?”

“That was your grandfather’s…”

“Grandfather would not have wanted this either.”

She shot back, looking directly into Namgung Yong’s eyes.

Many people of the Namgung Clan had died because of this incident. Since it happened when they lacked strength to begin with, it was entirely the responsibility of the Family Head.

“Sigh… Yes, this is indeed this father’s fault. I thought wrongly.”

“I am glad you know.”

Namgung Yong looked at Namgung So-hye with a strange expression.

He felt like his daughter had changed so much in the time they had not seen each other.

It was as if he was dealing with a completely different person. Therefore, he asked with a somewhat unadapted expression.

“The swordsmanship you used earlier…?”

“I cannot tell you that right now.”

“…Ahem.”

His daughter, who cut him off resolutely, looked somewhat scary. Did Zhuge Un fear his daughter for this kind of reason?

He felt like he could understand Zhuge Un’s feelings a little.

“Where have you been all this time? I was worried because you disappeared without a word!”

At that moment, someone raised their voice to press her.

It was Namgung Gang, Namgung So-hye’s older brother and the Young Family Head of the Namgung Clan.

There were many nights he could not sleep out of worry that she might be suffering while scattered during bad times.

In particular, Namgung So-hye was often a bit clumsy.

Because she was not sharp like Zhuge Yeon, he was even more worried.

Yet, she returned as a completely changed person, so leaving aside adapting to it, anger welled up within him for no reason.

“Sigh…”

Looking at Namgung Gang, Namgung So-hye sighed and crossed her arms. With an expression of being somewhat fed up, she spoke carefully.

“Brother, please…”

“Huh?”

“I wish you would not show excessive interest in me.”

Thud!

At Namgung So-hye’s cold words, Namgung Gang froze in place with a shocked expression.

Since Namgung Gang was someone who would pluck even the stars from the sky for his younger sister, he was even more flustered.

Snickers could be heard from the others nearby.

They too knew of Namgung Gang’s extreme love for his sister.

“In any case, I have been well. I will contact you separately later, so please wait for now.”

Namgung So-hye stood up from her seat.

She wanted to talk more, but she was also worried about Namgung Cheon.

She felt she had to return as soon as possible to check the situation.

Her back as she left the inn without hesitation was so different from before that Namgung Gang shed tears.

“F-Father, So-So-hye… So-hye is…”

“Do not cry. I feel the same way.”

Namgung Gang and Namgung Yong showed their complicated feelings.

* * *

“You have returned.”

“Grandfather!”

Welcoming Namgung Cheon upon his return to the clan were Dan Woo-hyun and Dan So-mi. Seeing him covered in traces of blood, everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.

Particularly, Dan So-mi’s surprise was beyond description.

She ran forward as if to hug him, but then hesitated and grabbed his sleeve.

“Are you alright?”

Meeting the eyes of Dan So-mi who was staring up at him, Namgung Cheon showed a smile.

“Do not worry. I am fine.”

“Yes!”

As Dan So-mi answered energetically, the atmosphere seemed to brighten up a bit. The heart that had felt heavy until just a moment ago felt much lighter.

“It seems it was not easy.”

“Haha, indeed it was not easy…”

He was not just talking about the fight that broke out. He had made a harsh resolution to cut down his friend, but it was not easy.

In the end, did he not close his eyes at the very last moment?

If Murong Hyeok-mun had a hidden move, Namgung Cheon might have been the one defeated.

“There are times when it is not easy to cut off ties. But it was an ill fate that had to be broken.”

“Haha, I know that too.”

At Dan Woo-hyun’s words, Namgung Cheon nodded in agreement.

The image of Murong Hyeok-mun still flickered before his eyes.

Seeing that wretched state, it was also true that he felt he must end it with his own hands.

Whether he fell into Qi deviation or someone did something nasty to him, he could not bear to watch his friend commit slaughter in such a state any longer.

“He was already not human… He felt no pain and did not seem to know what he was doing.”

“Still, it is a relief. That he did not come all the way here, that is.”

At Dan Woo-hyun’s remark, Namgung Cheon gulped.

If Namgung Cheon had lost and Murong Hyeok-mun had survived and come here, what kind of disaster would have occurred?

A scene he did not even want to imagine floated before his eyes.

Looking at the gaze Dan Woo-hyun was showing now, he could be sure of that.

“Hey, you rascal-!”

At that moment, someone kicked the door open and entered.

Huffing and puffing with a red face, it was none other than Sa Do-hak.

What on earth was he so angry about, staring at Namgung Cheon as he walked up without hesitation. Soon, he grabbed him by the collar and asked in a strong tone.

“What is that!”

“What… what do you mean?”

“That martial art you used against that fellow Murong Hyeok-mun! It is my first time seeing it!”

Sa Do-hak screamed, venting his anger.

It was definitely not the unique swordsmanship of the Namgung Clan. If it were, he would have recognized it instantly. Then was it the martial art of Three Heavens that Dan Woo-hyun taught?

No.

It was completely different from what Namgung So-hye displayed, not to mention the sword path, even the momentum.

Therefore, it was definitely a completely different martial art.

“Ah, that?”

Namgung Cheon lightly executed a grappling technique and pushed Sa Do-hak’s hand away.

Sa Do-hak’s body was pushed back half a step.

“Gasp…!”

Even Jang Sam-tae, Ma Jang-gang, and Gwon Mu-jin, who were watching the whole situation, could not hide their surprise. Sa Do-hak, of all people, was pushed back by a lightly thrown move.

“What is this!?”

“It is called the Emperor’s Sword Form.”

“You have never shown it to me before?”

“Well… because it was a secret card to take your head, that is why.”

Sa Do-hak’s mouth fell wide open.

The others also opened their mouths, unable to contain their embarrassment.

Who else could speak to the Demon Emperor in that manner?

Even the Beggar Emperor, the Killing Emperor, or even Jeok Mu-seong of the unorthodox path would never dare to utter such words.

Unless they were the Sword Emperor of the world.

Sa Do-hak’s lips twitched as he reached out his hand again.

His hand, extending subtly, tried to grab Namgung Cheon’s collar again.

However, a heavy momentum flowing out at the same time was pushing Sa Do-hak’s hand away.

The momentum of the two clashed.

“Since when?”

“Haha, it has been quite a while. Though it was completed after my arm became like this.”

Dan Woo-hyun showed interest, saying, “Oh?”

He had felt that the energy flowing from Namgung Cheon’s body had changed somewhat, and he realized it was because he completed the Emperor’s Sword Form or whatever it was.

Curious about what kind of martial art it was exactly, his body twitched to fight.

However, he did not step in and just watched the situation.

It seemed like it would be more fun that way.

“Come out, you bastard!”

“Haha? What did you say?”

“Come out, you bastard!”

Namgung Cheon stared at Sa Do-hak with a calm gaze. The momentum of the two staring back at each other clashed in the air.

A chilly wind even blew in.

Unlike when they were treating each other playfully, an energy carrying distinct killing intent swept around.

‘Th… This…!’

‘This is no joke!’

‘We are about to see something amazing.’

Last time, because Sa Do-hak went wild, they had to repair the entire manor. But since the atmosphere was not at that level this time, it seemed the surroundings would be devastated.

However, anticipation was greater than that.

A fight between the Five Emperors was not something commonly seen.

Especially if it was a fight between the Sword Emperor and the Demon Emperor, it was no different from a war between orthodox and unorthodox, so the three sent expectant looks and gulped.

Who would win?

Jang Sam-tae secretly thought about placing a bet.

“No-!”

At that moment, there was a sharp cry that cut off the atmosphere.

The voice, echoing clearly, was loud enough to make one cover their ears.

The taut tension broke in an instant, and everyone turned their heads toward the source.

Standing there was Dan So-mi, with both hands on her hips, glaring alternately at Sa Do-hak and Namgung Cheon.

She looked quite sharp, perhaps because she was angry.

“You cannot fight! That is the worst thing to do!”

“Uh… y… yes.”

“I… I see.”

Sa Do-hak and Namgung Cheon broke out in cold sweats and turned their heads away without realizing it. Because it was hard to look at the angry face of Dan So-mi.

Watching the whole scene, Jang Sam-tae thought.

As expected, the strongest person in this Hunan Dan family was Dan So-mi.

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