Reincarnation of the Martial Emperor

Chapter 42: You want to punch me right in the face, just as you expected, don't you?

“The atmosphere is certainly very different from Anhui, Father.”

Namgung Sejin followed his son's gaze and looked out the small window of the carriage with indifference.

“Are you talking about the charm of Wuhan.”

The eldest son of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Hyeok, shook his head, looking tense.

“No. I mean the atmosphere itself. The faces of the merchants seem much more at ease, and the people strolling through the market look quite leisurely. Shall I say it's like the Outer Regions, where the customs are free?”

Only then did a satisfied smile appear on Namgung Sejin's face.

“There is no need to dress it up so nicely. What you have seen is not freedom, but disorder where no control or rules are imposed. Evils are lurking everywhere, but the laws and justice to strike them down have collapsed.”

Namgung Hyeok looked a little surprised.

“Is Wuhan in such a serious state?”

Namgung Sejin nodded gravely.

“The imperial law is strict, but the population is too large. Our orthodox clans have been correcting such disorder, but unfortunately, Jaegal's military power is insignificant. Those who commit injustice and evil deeds never seem to fear Jaegal.”

Namgung Hyeok was tense inside.

The father he knew was not a person who evaluated anything carelessly.

For his father, who always tried not to lose his etiquette and righteousness in any situation, to devalue the Jaegal Clan so decisively?

That meant the Azure Sky Divine Sword had already made up his mind.

The plan to oust the Jaegal Clan from the Five Great Clans was a topic that had been troubling his father's mind for a long time.

The second son, Namgung Jun, who had been listening silently on one side of the carriage, opened his mouth.

“The answer is obvious just by looking at the performance of the Murim Alliance’s Wuhan branch. In the last six months, the Wuhan branch has caught only six remnants of the Demonic Cult. And all of them were killed on sight, none captured alive. Isn't that an achievement our Hefei branch could make in just three days.”

“Is the Shadowless Terrace of the Jaegal Clan not active?”

At the eldest son's question, Namgung Jun looked bewildered.

“Brother, even our So-hwa knows that the Shadowless Terrace rarely leaves the walls of the Jaegal Clan. The Wuhan branch chief requested their dispatch so desperately, but the Jaegal bastards have consistently ignored it. Martial arts are good, but you should reduce your isolated training now.”

“Jun is right about this. I am not unaware that our family's martial way is not to be taken lightly, but as the eldest son of Namgung, you must also carefully observe the state of Jianghu. For the time being, put aside your lingering attachment to great achievements.”

Although the eldest son, Namgung Hyeok, bowed his head deeply at his father's words, he had a look of incomprehension.

If the Shadowless Terrace, the only noteworthy force in the Jaegal Clan, was not active, then the Jaegal Clan effectively had no military unit that projected its power externally.

Could such a family be called a clan?

A cold chill formed on the face of the Namgung Clan's precious daughter, Namgung So-hwa.

“And they ignored Dad's visit request for three years. Second brother, what was that bastard's name again?”

“Hwi, Jaegal Hwi.”

“Ugh, even his name sounds like a playboy, I don't like it. Dad, what are you going to do to that bastard now?”

Namgung Sejin looked at his cute youngest daughter with warm eyes for a while, then his expression hardened sternly.

“Although the Jaegal Clan enjoys the undeserved status of one of the Five Great Clans, how can you take their capabilities lightly.”

“What capabilities does the Jaegal Clan even have?”

The second son, Namgung Jun, scolded his naive younger sister.

“The Jaegal Clan is a family that controls the Military Strategy Department, which rivals the power of the Alliance Leader. The problem becomes serious, especially when those bastards start to control the Nine Dragons Pavilion with their hands.” This update ıs available on NoveIꜰire.net

Namgung Sejin glanced at his children with stern eyes and said.

“They are the ones who squeezed into the Five Great Clans solely through schemes and tricks. The mere fact that the Old Man of Heavenly Wisdom is alive gives them a status similar to our Namgung.”

“No, but still, Dad….”

“The power that moved the Black Way of the Yangtze River was merely the three-inch tongue of that child named Hwi. Do those who spend their entire lives wrestling with academics, cultivating schemes and insight, really look so ridiculous?”

Soon, Namgung Sejin's heavy pressure engulfed the eldest son, Namgung Hyeok.

“Eldest son, listen carefully. This father has lived his entire life as a warrior who wields a sword, but I have experienced far more battlefields where swords did not clash. Always remember that your opponents are masters of strategy and negotiation who can pinpoint weaknesses even in your silent pressure.”

“I will keep that in mind, Father.”

At that moment, Namgung Jun, who was staring at the small window of the carriage, opened his mouth tensely.

“Father, we are now at the Jaegal Clan.”

Tension also appeared on the face of the eldest son, Namgung Hyeok.

Namgung Sejin patted his eldest son's back and smiled faintly.

“I told you not to look down on the opponent, not to hide the spirit of the great Namgung.”

Namgung Sejin opened the carriage door and glared at his children.

“Do not forget. No matter what anyone says, you are the greatest family under heaven of this era, the Azure Sky Sword Family.”

Azure Sky Sword Family.

The prestigious name of the family, proudly declared by himself.

At his father's words, Namgung Hyeok felt an indescribable surge of emotion throughout his body.

“Let's go.”

When Namgung Sejin, who had gotten out of the carriage, personally took the Azure Dragon Flag in his hand and acted as the standard-bearer.

The Azure Sky Sword Squad, which had been following the carriage from behind, flawlessly guarded the clan head's party.

Their movements were so swift and precise that their strict military discipline could be felt at a glance.

Soon after, the Jaegal Clan Head and his sons came out to greet them.

“Our two families have been distant for a long time. You must have accumulated much travel fatigue coming all this way, so please come inside.”

Namgung Sejin looked at Jaegal Myeong-won, who was politely performing a clasped hands greeting, with indifference, then smiled and returned the greeting.

“Indeed, the Phoenix Manor is beautiful no matter when I see it. It seems this Namgung will enjoy an unexpected luxury this time as well.”

However, Jaegal Myeong-won could not smile.

It was true that the outer courtyard of the Jaegal Clan was sometimes called Phoenix Manor.

But this was just a name, and for others to actually call it that was a breach of etiquette.

Towards a family that enjoyed the prestige of a clan, who would dare to lower their status by calling it a manor?

He had thought that this visit from the Namgung Clan would not be easy.

But the moment he heard the words of the Azure Sky Divine Sword, who could be called the incarnation of etiquette, with his own ears.

He could instinctively feel that he had come with a decision he could not have imagined.

But he couldn't show it carelessly.

Jaegal Myeong-won released his clasped hands while hiding his inner thoughts.

“Haha, luxury you say. It is not worthy. Who would dare to speak of the abundance of wealth in front of the prestige of the greatest family under heaven. Compared to the rich produce of Anhui, even the small teacups of our family would feel ashamed.”

This time, Namgung Sejin could not help but stop smiling.

At a glance, it seemed to praise the prestige of the greatest family under heaven.

But the implied meaning was clearly criticizing and wary of the Namgung Clan, which had been constantly expanding its influence and accumulating wealth.

But then.

The expression of the second son of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Jun, was strangely contorting.

A scent that grated on his nerves had flown in from somewhere and tickled the tip of his nose.

“Has the Clan Head developed a hobby of cultivating plum blossoms in the meantime?”

When Namgung Sejin looked at him with strange eyes, Jaegal Myeong-won pointed to a collapsed earthen wall in the distance and burst out laughing.

“Hehe, we encountered an unfortunate natural disaster and the rear garden was damaged. We planted red plum blossoms while redecorating anyway. I was inwardly pleased with the changed atmosphere, but I am grateful that you recognized it like this.”

However, Namgung Sejin knew.

The red plum blossoms covering the rear garden were by no means of such a simple meaning.

It could be a sign not to forget the Sword Saint's advice, or it could symbolize a new friendship with Mount Hua.

‘Mount Hua….’

Since they had joined hands with Wudang, it was plausible for the cornered Jaegal Clan to do so.

Indeed, the Jaegal Clan of schemes, a family that could not be taken lightly.

“But where is that child now?”

Namgung Sejin's sharp gaze swept over Jaegal Myeong-won's children.

Jaegal Myeong-won could no longer bear it.

“I have never called your esteemed family's children 'child' in front of the Clan Head.”

Namgung Sejin laughed loudly as if he had just realized his mistake.

“Hehe! Look at my mind. Since he has already moved the Black Way and caused a great stir in Jianghu, I must have thought of him as a junior in the martial world. This Namgung apologizes for the rudeness.”

But then.

“Ugh, this is why I can't stand bastards like you. Just curse at me to my fucking face, will you? Why? Can't you do it? Then don't twist your words. Got it?”

Walking out from inside the outer courtyard, there was someone being scolded by a young Jaegal bastard.

He was the Steward of the Jaegal Clan, whom he knew well.

Just as a small wrinkle formed on Namgung Sejin's brow, the young Jaegal bastard suddenly approached with a bright face.

“Wow! It's the Azure Sky Divine Sword! Right? Whoa! You're glistening with oil. I want to have hair like that too, please teach me your secret!”

Thud.

The young Jaegal bastard instantly took off his formal hat and let his hair down in two strands.

“Wow, damn, this is so comfortable. Father? Let's do this too? You're supposed to learn good things! As long as we don't cut our hair, it doesn't really matter, right?”

Only then did Namgung Sejin realize.

This strange fellow was the third son he had been looking for all this time.

“So it's you.”

The third grandson, Hwi, whom the great Old Man of Heavenly Wisdom cherished so much.

“Oh, just as I thought.”

A grin.

“I am Hwi of the Jaegal Clan.”

His demeanor and etiquette were certainly befitting of a child from a prestigious family.

The problem was the corner of his mouth.

Raised at a truly strange angle.

It wasn't a sneer.

He was just smiling.

Namgung Sejin found it strangely difficult to maintain his composure.

“I heard you were looking for me all this time, so how do you feel now that you see me in person? You want to punch me right in the face, just as you expected, don't you?”

Namgung Sejin's lips slowly twisted.

A transparent provocation.

He thought he was being clever, but he had been through too many battles to be swayed by such a shallow provocation.

“Do I look like someone who would be swayed by such a simple provocation? Be careful. In the distant future, you will regret today….”

“Ah, I'm suddenly feeling a chill. I'm so scared my knees are buckling.”

“…….”

Namgung Sejin, who had been smiling faintly, had his composure shattered in an instant.

A strange sense of déjà vu.

It was strange.

Why was the face of that world-class son of a bitch Jin Gang-cheon suddenly overlapping with the face of this young Jaegal bastard?

“Ah, I'm sorry. I have a condition where I sometimes spout nonsense when I get too nervous.”

The flagpole of the Azure Dragon Flag that Namgung Sejin was holding was deeply dented.