SYM 65
by Emerlyn“It seems like it’s time for this position to go to its rightful owner.”
“Brother…!”
“Doesn’t Eldest Young Master mean the next head of the family, and doesn’t the head of the Namgung Clan mean someone who has mastered the Emperor’s Sword Art to its peak? From the start, I have been physically unable to practice Martial Arts. It was only due to the Clan Head’s great grace that I was able to hold the position of Eldest Young Master all this time.”
“Eun-hyeon, then how about a position as a family advisor? If you and Eun-gwang combine your strengths, it will be a great help to the Namgung Clan.”
“No, Father. As soon as my resignation is accepted, I plan to leave with Great Hero Ha here on a tour of the Murim world. No, I have decided to leave.”
“What are you saying! Just because you step down from the position of Eldest Young Master, does that mean you become someone else? If you spend time together like now and strengthen the brotherly bond…”
“Clan Head, no, Father. Don’t you know? If I stay by Eun-gwang’s side now, it will cause even greater conflict. It’s better for me to be gone so that Eun-gwang can fully gain power.”
“This is the Namgung Clan! It’s not as weak as you think!”
At Namgung Juwon’s words, Eun-hyeon smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“Father, this incident is a great disaster for the Namgung Clan. What the Namgung Clan will look like after this is up to what happens now.”
Namgung Juwon’s mouth closed. His reddened eyes seemed to speak for him.
“It’s better for Eun-gwang to gain power if I vacate my position. Please don’t make such a face. I’ll take this opportunity to tour the Murim world with Great Hero Ha and see what it’s like.”
“I, your father, am ashamed of you. How can I face Yeon-hwa when I die? A child with a weak body…”
Seeing Namgung Juwon, who seemed to have so much to say, Eun-hyeon gave an awkward smile.
Parents were the most unfamiliar relationship to Eun-hyeon out of all the lives he had lived. So, facing a father who was so worried, he didn’t know what to do.
“Don’t worry, I will take care of the Eldest Young Master comfortably. If he travels to scenic places and exercises moderately, he will become healthier.”
“Great Hero Ha. I will trust only you. If you need anything while traveling, please tell me anytime. We will support you with anything we can from the main family.”
Namgung Juwon grabbed Cheong-un’s hand, who was in Ha Yeo-un’s body.
It was as if he would give Cheong-un even the Namgung Clan’s heirlooms if Cheong-un wanted them.
“Perhaps when the Eldest Young Master returns to the Namgung Clan, he will be healthier. While traveling, I will send news to the Clan Head through the Beggars’ Sect or the Hao Clan.”
“What Clan Head? I am so indebted to you, so just call me comfortably.”
Cheong-un paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
“Then I will call you Father in private. Since you are my friend’s father, you are like my own father. Hahahaha.”
Cheong-un, who had been talking about cutting off Namgung Juwon’s head until just a while ago, was now calling Namgung Juwon Father with that mouth.
His vision was blurring.
Besides, hearing him say Father, Father like that gave him a strange feeling.
It was true that people often called their close acquaintances’ parents Father or Mother, but why did it feel so strange coming from Cheong-un’s mouth?
It was like meeting the parents of one’s spouse at an engagement ceremony…
“Clan Head, Clan Head. It seems we can no longer hold back Hwang Geum-san. You must come out somehow…”
At that moment, the head steward’s sorrowful cry was heard from outside the door. Namgung Juwon sighed.
“I understand. Tell them I just arrived, so I will tidy my clothes and go out.”
Namgung Juwon looked at Eun-hyeon and Ha Yeo-un once each.
“Great Hero Ha, please take good care of our Eun-hyeon. I trust only you.”
“…Great Hero Ha, please take good care of my brother. I will definitely repay this favor later.”
“Haha, Young Master Eun-gwang. How can you call me Great Hero when I call the Clan Head Father? Just call me Brother.”
“Yes, I understand. Brother. Please take care of me.”
Eun-gwang and Cheong-un exchanged greetings with smiles.
Eun-hyeon’s mood was getting stranger and stranger. Wasn’t this like sending off a daughter to get married?
“Hoo, Eun-hyeon, if you have decided to leave, it’s better to leave quickly. There’s no point in staying here and seeing unpleasant things, and it will only complicate your mind. Leave with Great Hero Ha as you are.”
Before Eun-hyeon could say anything, Cheong-un quickly stepped forward in front of Eun-hyeon.
“That’s a good idea, Father. Father and Eun-gwang, please endure the hardships here. I and Young Master Eun-hyeon will go and enjoy the scenery leisurely.”
The heavy atmosphere in the room was softened by Cheong-un, who grinned and answered readily.
“Yes, Eun-hyeon. That would be good. The Namgung Clan plans to close its doors for the time being. I don’t know how long it will be, but in the meantime, we will strengthen the family’s internal affairs. You eat good food, wear good clothes, see good sights, and come back slowly in our stead.”
“…I understand.”
There was nothing he could do if he stayed in the clan anyway.
No, even if there was something he could do, it was right to remain silent for Eun-gwang’s sake.
As Eun-hyeon nodded, Namgung Juwon turned around and secretly wiped his eyes.
Namgung Eun-gwang also lowered his head with a stiff face.
“Brother, please forgive my rude behavior towards you all this time.”
“…Okay. Forget the past and work for the family now.”
Eun-gwang had changed a lot in a short time of only a few days.
The arrogant young master of the clan now had heavier and deeper eyes.
In fact, the real Eun-hyeon was not the one who should have heard Eun-gwang’s apology. But thinking of Eun-gwang, who had turned away from Madam Hwang and chosen the right path, it seemed that the real Eun-hyeon would have forgiven Eun-gwang as well.
“It’s better to keep the farewell short. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again, right? Then, since the topic has come up, I will get up and leave with Eun-hyeon as is.”
Among the people with heavy expressions, Cheong-un looked especially bright and happy.
And so, Eun-hyeon took Cheong-un’s hand and left the Namgung Clan.
* * *
“Is it really okay to leave like this?”
“Then what’s not okay about it? Since when has Namgung Eun-hyeon been such an important figure in the Namgung Clan? Ah, I didn’t mean to belittle Master. I just meant that Namgung Eun-hyeon wasn’t in such an important position in the Namgung Clan.”
“I know that too. Ah, now that I think about it, I left without saying goodbye to Hwahong and Soseo.”
“What’s the point of saying goodbye to those kids? Master tends to give too much affection to subordinates. Ah, let’s forget about the Namgung Clan now. How about going to Xi’an first?”
Eun-hyeon and Cheong-un were riding horses and moving slowly.
“Xi’an?”
“I received a report that Master was last seen near a small village near Xi’an.”
“Really? Xi’an… I’ve never been there before. It will take a long time to get to Xi’an.”
As Eun-hyeon seemed interested in Xi’an, Cheong-un nodded.
“It’s quite far from Hefei. If you feel stifled, there’s no need to worry, as your disciple can hold you and run. And do you know how many delicious snacks there are in Xi’an? I will guide you.”
“Snacks? I’m not that interested in those.”
“Oh, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The snacks in Xi’an are not to be dismissed as mere snacks, but are closer to works of art. There are even people who go there specifically to see them. There are dozens, hundreds of small and pretty candies, and no two have the same taste and shape.”
Eun-hyeon blinked.
Snacks, he said, so is it like dessert? Seeing the curiosity in Eun-hyeon’s eyes, Cheong-un chuckled and continued.
“And what about the night market in Xi’an? There’s no end to the things to see. It’s a place worth seeing at least once in your life.”
“Un, have you ever been to Xi’an?”
“Of course. There’s no place in this Central Plains Murim that I haven’t been to. Not only Xi’an, but I’ve seen almost all the famous scenic spots that are said to be famous. Master, you have the best guide by your side.”
Cheong-un was a good conversationalist. He noticed what Eun-hyeon was interested in with surprising speed, and the conversation continued without a break.
As he talked with Cheong-un, the events of the Namgung Clan were gradually forgotten.
In fact, even though Eun-hyeon had possessed the same world twice, he had never properly toured the Jianghu. So, the stories that Cheong-un told were amazing and interesting. Cheong-un even had a good way with words, so listening to his stories made you fall right into them.
Cheong-un told interesting stories he had encountered while traveling and about the famous places in the Jianghu he had seen.
Cheong-un’s story continued endlessly until a band of bandits suddenly popped out to interrupt.
“Hey, young masters, if you put down everything you have, we’ll spare your lives!”