Chapter 3: The Heavenly Killing Star Reincarnated into the Namgung Clan (1)
Chapter 2 – The Heavenly Killing Star Reincarnated into the Namgung Clan (1)
“Does that make any sense?”
An icy cold voice cut through the air.
It was as if a few words could slice the air.
Namgung Geom’s expression was grim to the extreme.
He had the impression of someone who would not shed a single drop of blood even if pricked.
Although he was actually well over seventy, he looked middle-aged due to his robust appearance.
He stared intently at the Physician of Penetrating Truth, Sa Yul-do, as if prompting him to answer.
The Physician of Penetrating Truth broke out in a cold sweat trying to find a suitable answer.
Although he was known as one of the finest physicians in Anhui Province, he shrank his shoulders, feeling intimidated in front of Namgung Geom.
In truth, it was an absurd situation even when he thought about it himself.
Once again, Namgung Geom let out a voice as desolate as the wind blowing in a desert.
“To say that the Soul-Calling Ritual seemed to have worked… and three days after death, at that. Is that something a physician should say? No, has there ever even been such a precedent?”
“That is…”
The Physician of Penetrating Truth could not bring himself to continue.
What was the Soul-Calling Ritual?
It was a custom where, when a person died, one would climb onto the roof and call out for the deceased’s soul.
Hoping that the soul of the dead might return and revive.
Of course, that did not mean the dead would come back to life.
It was merely a funeral custom.
Yet… he came back to life!
And three days later, at that.
Clearly, his breathing had stopped and his pulse had ceased, but three days had passed, and he revived just before the coffining procedure.
How should this be explained?
“There is no other way to explain… I apologize.”
The Physician of Penetrating Truth bowed deeply.
Namgung Geom did not question him any further; how frustrated must the Physician of Penetrating Truth have been to even bring up the Soul-Calling Ritual?
Instead, he let out a shallow sigh and continued.
“What is his current state?”
“He is getting healthier by the day. He has recovered to a normal state now, so you no longer need to worry.”
“Who said I was worried?”
Namgung Geom’s eyes narrowed.
The Physician of Penetrating Truth flinched and merely bowed his head.
Indeed, he might be a grandson on his daughter’s side, but was he not the child of the Great Killing Star?
To the Namgung Family Head, he would be a child hard to open his heart to.
Still, seeing that he had adopted him posthumously and passed on the ‘Namgung’ surname, it did not seem he felt only hatred.
How could anyone know the mind of that icy family head?
Soon, a voice as sharp as a blade cut came from Namgung Geom’s mouth.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“I did nothing in particular.”
It was the truth, not modesty.
The dead had revived on his own, and he had only watched him take care of his healthy body.
“You may leave now.”
“Then, excuse me.”
The Physician of Penetrating Truth quickly left the Family Head’s room, fearing another difficult question might arise.
Left alone, Namgung Geom narrowed his eyes and muttered quietly to himself.
“Pathetic fellow.”
* * *
“You want to go to the ancestral shrine?”
A strange light flickered in Namgung Hwa’s eyes.
Certainly, the revived Namgung Cheon possessed a different atmosphere than before.
Unlike his usual gloomy and depressed self, he now felt somehow stronger in resolve.
Of course, even now, half a month later, his memories had not fully returned, so he was still a bit confused.
“Yes, I want to see Mother.”
“I see. Since you have gone through such a major event, it is only proper to pay respects to my sister. But before that, to the Family Head’s Hall…”
Namgung Hwa, trailing off, soon shook her head.
“No. Follow me.”
Namgung Hwa turned and led the way.
Although she acted calmly, she was inwardly surprised.
That was because Namgung Cheon had lived his life doing nothing but resenting his deceased mother.
Naturally, he had never once visited the shrine where her spirit tablet was enshrined.
Yet this time, he wanted to meet his mother of his own accord.
‘They say people change after experiencing death…’
Entering the shrine, Namgung Hwa stopped in front of Namgung Seon’s spirit tablet.
“Here it is.”
Namgung Cheon raised his head and looked at the spirit tablet.
At the same time emotion welled up on his face, his gaze deepened.
Namgung Hwa glanced at Namgung Cheon and was inwardly shaken.
‘How could a child’s eyes be so…’
They were rough yet deep.
Did he not harbor a look that seemed to have experienced all the hardships of life over decades?
Namgung Cheon’s eyes held countless words.
However, his lips, tightly closed in a straight line, did not utter a single word.
A silent conversation.
What was he saying like that?
Suddenly, she became curious about the contents of the conversation between her sister and Namgung Cheon.
Only after a long time did Namgung Cheon look back.
“May I be alone for a moment?”
Once again, a strange light flickered in Namgung Hwa’s eyes.
He was a child who previously could not even look her straight in the eyes.
But now, he was confidently asking for what he wanted.
“Very well, stay as long as you like.”
It was a stiff voice, but warmth was infused in it.
As Namgung Hwa left, the remaining Jin Cheon-rang looked at the spirit tablet and spoke in an incomparably soft voice.
“I was surprised by how much she looks just like you.”
He was referring to Namgung Hwa.
She really resembled Namgung Seon.
To the point that when he first saw her, he had mistaken her for Namgung Seon.
Yet, to think she was the younger sister he had only heard about.
Over the past half a month, Jin Cheon-rang had found out many facts.
For some reason, he, who should have died, revived in the body of Namgung Cheon.
But what was even more mind-boggling was that Namgung Cheon was his biological son, who had died three days before him.
The cause of death was suicide.
The deep scar carved on his wrist proved it.
He had received quite a shock when he realized that fact.
He also regretted having intentionally avoided hearing any news from this side after parting with Namgung Seon.
He also had thought it might be a punishment from heaven for killing too many people.
But now, his thoughts had changed.
“Could it be that you and our son called me here?”
Jin Cheon-rang, in the form of Namgung Cheon, paused for a moment before continuing.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Was the reason you left me back then because of this child?”
If so, it was the right decision.
Because she could not have given birth to and raised a child while following the Heavenly Great Killing Star around.
Even if she would be pointed at by the world, staying in the Namgung Clan would have been much safer.
But indeed, the world was crueler than expected.
And the reason he was here now.
Could it be a desire to take revenge on that world?
The Namgung Clan, which once stood tall as the number one family in the Central Plains, was now branded as a family that betrayed the Martial World and was walking the path of ruin.
It had been a long time since the merchant groups they managed left one by one and transactions were cut off, and their power had shrunk so rapidly that they were now worse off than a small-to-medium local sect.
It could be said to be a prime example showing just how despicable the world becomes once it turns its back.
‘All of this is because of me.’
But now, it would be different.
“I, Jin Cheon-rang, will return everything to its place under the name of Namgung Cheon. I will use the opportunity you and our son gave me to rebuild the declining Namgung Clan and take control of this Jianghu, so please watch over me.”
In particular, the Alliance Leader, the root of this entire situation—he would make sure to crush that old codger.
*Whoosh!*
A turbulent energy rose from Namgung Cheon’s entire body.
Although it was still at a faint level, it was clearly an energy laden with terrible anger.
At that moment, however, it felt as though something warm wrapped around his whole body.
Was it as if the souls of the dead were embracing him?
Perhaps it was an illusion.
Thanks to that, however, Namgung Cheon was soon able to regain his calm rationality.
* * *
Despite the sultry early summer weather, the atmosphere inside was ice-cold.
Namgung Geom’s expression was beyond cold, to the point where the word ‘heartless’ would fit.
He did not even twitch an eyebrow while facing his miraculously revived grandson for the first time in half a month.
Looking at Namgung Geom, Namgung Cheon grumbled inwardly.
‘This old man is still the same.’
He had met Namgung Geom once in his past life.
It was a long time ago, but it was a memory he could never forget.
Because he was the first person who did not kill him despite being fully capable of doing so.
He must have been nineteen at the time.
Aiming a gleaming sword blade at his neck, Namgung Geom spoke in a cold voice.
“You are not the Great Killing Star. However, the world will not leave you be. From now on, learn only lightfoot techniques and run for your life. That is the only way to escape your destiny.”
But he had not listened to those words.
Because he did not want to lose to the world.
He wanted to fight against this despicable world and win.
Of course, he had suffered a crushing defeat in the end.
Yet, to think their connection would continue like this after decades.
‘Considering how I got beaten up back then, it’s not a very pleasant feeling, but in any case, I have to treat him as my father-in-law… no, maternal grandfather now.’
Organizing his thoughts, Namgung Cheon spoke with a calm expression.
“If you have something to say, please speak.”
“What?”
Namgung Geom slightly furrowed his brow.
Namgung Hwa, who was sitting with them, flinched and checked their reactions.
Namgung Geom had already heard from his second daughter that his grandson’s personality seemed to have changed.
However, he had dismissed it.
Was he not a pathetic fellow who chose suicide because he could not handle his own destiny?
Yet seeing him now, his daughter’s reaction was understandable.
The kid who could not even breathe properly in his presence was looking straight into his eyes and saying what?
To speak if he had something to say?
Did experiencing the afterlife change one’s personality?
Before his surprise could even fade, Namgung Cheon asked again.
“Did you not call me because you had something to say?”
To Namgung Cheon’s bold question, Namgung Geom said in a calm but sharp tone.
“You should have come to see me before being called.”
“I thought you would be uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable?”
Namgung Hwa now fidgeted as if sitting on a bed of needles.
It seemed that she was indeed the most uncomfortable person in this place.
Although she gave him a look as if to ask how he could say such a thing, Namgung Cheon was undeterred.
It was also due to the personality of Jin Cheon-rang, who had lived a rough life.
“I thought you would want to keep your distance because I am the child of the Great Killing Star.”
Namgung Hwa’s mouth fell wide open.
‘What on earth is that child trying to do!’
Namgung Geom, still with an icy face, asked.
“Who said that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Who said that I would want to keep my distance from you?”
“…”
“Do not judge the inner thoughts of others carelessly. It is the first step to making a mistake in a relationship.”
“I apologize.”
Namgung Cheon bowed his head and apologized.
A strange change was definitely felt.
Namgung Geom continued while staring intently into Namgung Cheon’s eyes.
“If I found that uncomfortable, I would not have given you the ‘Namgung’ surname.”
“Then why have you kept your distance from me all this time?”
“Has your memory returned?”
“I only heard about it.”
Namgung Geom cast a brief glance at Namgung Hwa.
A touch of embarrassment crept onto Namgung Hwa’s face.
Meanwhile, Namgung Cheon continued.
“Although you passed down the Namgung surname, I am the child who inherits the blood of the Great Killing Star. It must have been difficult to erase from the depths of your heart the resentment toward the grandson who drove your daughter to death.”
“……!”
“Am I wrong?”
“Is that why you made such a foolish choice?”
“Perhaps. It was an age where it would be difficult to handle alone.”
“Now you speak as if you are fully grown.”
“It seems I matured after experiencing death.”
“So what will you do now? Do you intend to make such a choice again?”
“I will not make the same mistake twice.”
Namgung Cheon answered while looking straight into Namgung Geom’s eyes.
Staring at that gaze for a long time, Namgung Geom gave a faint nod.
“I see. You may leave.”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
Namgung Cheon bowed his head and stood up from his seat.
It was just before he was about to exit the Family Head’s room.
“You are wrong.”
Namgung Cheon paused and looked back.
Without even casting a glance at him, Namgung Geom opened a book and continued.
“Since one thing is wrong, all your words are wrong.”
“What is wrong?”
*Rustle.*
Turning the page, Namgung Geom replied in an indifferent voice.
“Your father was not the Great Killing Star.”
“……!”
Not only Namgung Cheon, but Namgung Hwa also turned back to look at him with a flushed face.
Soon, Namgung Geom raised his head and locked eyes with Namgung Cheon.
“No matter what the world says, you can believe those words. Because I saw it myself.”
“……Thank you.”
Namgung Cheon bowed deeply.
The old man touched my heart at the very end.