Rebirth of the Thunder God

"That's him!"

As soon as they finished their meal, uninvited guests rushed in.

They were even pointing fingers, as if they had business with Namgung Hui.

‘It's the guy who carried the young sect leader on his back earlier.’

Namgung Hui, displeased by the finger-pointing, frowned and stood up from his seat.

"Are you here for revenge?"

"Yes! The young sect leader collapsed because you cowards launched a surprise attack from behind. You cheap bastards, a surprise attack wasn't enough, you even ganged up on him?"

"Alright. I'm sorry for the surprise attack. So what should I do? Should I compensate you?"

"No. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. You should also be beaten until you pass out. And all you suspicious wenches will be escorted to the government office!"

Namgung Hui glanced over the Lake Chao Sect disciples who had flocked in.

There seemed to be over ten of them, and their temples were bulging, as if they had brought their elite.

‘Did the Lake Chao Sect have so many masters? How strange.’

"I can't do that. You were the ones who were wrong first, there should be a limit to your shamelessness."

"Then. Don't just talk, follow me out. Let's see this to the end."

"Alright. It wouldn't be bad for a post-meal exercise."

When Namgung Hui came out, he saw that besides the Lake Chao Sect members, five other martial artists had formed a formation.

They were all wearing different martial arts uniforms, so they seemed to belong to different sects.

It seemed they had even called for reinforcements with a firm resolve. Or they were guests staying at the Lake Chao Sect.

"But you want me to face so many people alone? Isn't that too unfair?"

"Tsk. You were the one who launched a surprise attack first, so you should naturally accept this much of a disadvantage."

"Alright, I understand for now."

‘It's not like I can't face them. I had something I wanted to test anyway.’

Namgung Hui had also realized a lot about the profundity of sword arts through his recent real battles.

Sword arts, unlike fists, palms, and kicks, had a different sense of distance.

From strength control and distribution of internal energy, to how one used their wrist, the applications were endless, from attack and defense to feints and variations.

It wasn't for nothing that the sword was called the king of all weapons.

Namgung Hui drew his sword and walked to a quiet clearing.

Naturally, the Lake Chao Sect disciples surrounded Namgung Hui.

One versus ten.

The ones who looked like guests were not yet thinking of attacking Namgung Hui.

Still, the elite warriors of the Lake Chao Sect were all masters who surpassed the first-rate.

They were not to be trifled with.

Namgung Hui, while surprised at the strength of the Lake Chao Sect, decided not to be careless.

Because a single moment of carelessness could lead to the gap between life and death.

"Then, since I'm outnumbered, I'll go first."

Namgung Hui immediately stepped forward and thrust his sword at the man who had been chattering away.

"Hup! B-block it!"

Still, his skill at evading was not ordinary.

He slipped away like an eel with a rather flashy movement technique.

Namgung Hui tilted his head as he observed the Lake Chao Sect's movement technique.

‘Did the Lake Chao Sect have such a movement technique? Well, there's no law that says things can't change in sixty years.’

Namgung Hui first received the offensive that was pouring down on him.

A shower of swords like a waterwheel, performed by ten people in a wheel formation.

Namgung Hui, while deflecting all the swords, became certain.

‘As expected, it's not the martial art of the Lake Chao Sect. They didn't have a sword formation.’

Still, it didn't seem to be a demonic or heretic art.

It was clearly an orthodox martial art.

If so, there was no need to pursue it.

It was a common occurrence to secretly procure martial arts manuals with money.

However, he was very curious as to where they had gotten that much money. He was also envious.

For now, Namgung Hui pushed aside his curiosity and swung his sword.

-Slice!

The Lake Chao Sect's martial arts uniform was torn and flew in the wind.

Still, no one had their limbs cut off or suffered a fatal wound.

-Clang. Clang. Clang!

And so, dozens of exchanges went back and forth.

The women who were with Namgung Hui held their breath and watched him.

Cold sweat trickled down their hands.

What if their benefactor, Namgung Hui, was defeated and they were dragged away?

They could only cheer for him with anxious hearts.

Baek Seolhwa, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

She even yawned and watched Namgung Hui with a relaxed gaze.

‘Why is he dragging this out so much? I wish he would finish it quickly and go.’

It was understandable. Namgung Hui's level was more than enough to overwhelm them.

It was just a sparring match to test his sword art.

The enemies, as if they were slowly realizing that, frowned and shouted at Namgung Hui.

"How dare you mock us!"

"You noticed? Then I guess I should finish it soon."

Namgung Hui, who had nodded, slammed a huge amount of internal energy into his sword.

Even though the Thunder Ki was a ferocious energy and the sword would not be able to handle it.

-Woong, woong, woong!

The sword let out a scream.

It even seemed as if the sound of it cracking was heard.

But Namgung Hui, unfazed, swung the sword as it was.

-Shatter!

In the end, the sword body shattered to pieces, and the fragments scattered in all directions.

But strangely, the fragments of the sword only flew towards the enemies.

Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, the Lake Chao Sect members were helplessly hit by the fragments of the sword.

It was a natural result, as they had not expected this.

"Keuk……! What is this strange demonic art……."

"It's not, I just named it the Mountain-Shattering Sword Art. How is it? It's quite useful, isn't it?"

The enemies might not want to admit it, but it was a sword art that had subdued ten first-rate masters in one move.

Of course, since the sword was destroyed, it would be difficult to perform it in succession, but they had no choice but to acknowledge its power.

"Hey! Esteemed guests. Please take care of that guy now!"

The guests who had been watching the Mountain-Shattering Sword Art also had a look of interest in their eyes at its unexpectedly powerful might.

They exchanged glances and then nodded.

Then, the man with the ugliest impression walked forward and said.

"I have to earn my keep, but I'm not sure if this will be profitable. The woman behind him doesn't seem to be an ordinary master either……. Hey, young hero. Do you belong to any sect? From what I see, you don't look like a gang of beggars, but like you're from an orthodox martial arts family. And you have the smell of a prestigious family."

"I've been saying it since a while ago, I'm from the Namgung family. My name is Namgung Hui, the fourth young master of the Namgung family."

"Let's see……. If it's Namgung Hui, the one who was struck by lightning not long ago?"

"You know me? You're quite something, mister."

The ones who were said to be the guests of the Lake Chao Sect exchanged glances and then shook their heads.

"Hey. Little Fox. I think we should back out. No. What were you thinking, trying to pick a fight with the Namgung family? Are you crazy?"

"It must be a lie! Look at that appearance……."

Now that they had changed their clothes, it was hard to see them as a gang of beggars just by their appearance.

On top of that, Namgung Hui's appearance was also not ordinary.

And above all, Baek Seolhwa's beauty was too dazzling.

"That's what I'm saying. You shouldn't judge by appearances, but right now, even just looking at their appearances, they're not ordinary, are they? Right? My, my. Did someone die because they got some free food? We, the Four Tigers of Hanshan, will be taking our leave now."

"Th-that……!"

The fierce-looking man immediately disappeared with his sworn brothers. There was no hesitation at all. It seemed the free food they had gotten was not that much.

And so, when the Four Tigers of Hanshan disappeared, only one guest remained, and his face was not visible as he was wearing a bamboo hat pulled down low.

Such a bamboo-hatted person remained silent for a long time, and Namgung Hui, feeling frustrated, asked for his intention first.

"What are you going to do? Are you going to fight?"

"…Are you really Namgung Hui?"

Namgung Hui showed a slightly surprised expression at the bamboo-hatted person's voice.

He had thought he was a man because he was tall, but hearing his voice, it seemed he was a woman.

Namgung Hui immediately composed his expression and asked her.

"Should I show you my identification tag?"

"If you can."

Namgung Hui, since it was no big deal, threw the identification tag in his pocket with a flick.

The bamboo-hatted person who caught the identification tag in an instant examined it with a serious expression. And very closely at that.

"…It's genuine. Then I'll back out too."

And so, when even the woman wearing the bamboo hat left the Lake Chao Sect group, it was as if the Lake Chao Sect had lost all its power.

Namgung Hui approached the man who was called Little Fox.

He was carefully removing the fragment of the sword stuck in his arm.

Namgung Hui, with a kind heart, pulled out the sword fragment with a jerk and asked.

"Kuak!"

"Oh, you're making a fuss. Is your business over now?"

"You son of a bitch! The bleeding won't stop!"

Namgung Hui, thinking he would die from excessive bleeding if he left him like this, even stopped the bleeding by pressing on his pressure points. He was a truly kind man.

"You should be glad I didn't take your life. My hands have gotten a lot weaker. Then let's see each other with a smile next time."

The reason Namgung Hui didn't take their lives was because they were a sect that had been under the Namgung family even sixty years ago.

At that time, the former sect leader had gone to the Great War between Justice and Evil with Namgung Cheonhu and had lost his life.

It would be human nature to show this much mercy.

‘He died at the hands of Sosu Mahu, right? He didn't have to show off, it's a pity.’

And the Lake Chao Sect was a sect that was located near the Namgung family estate and had always maintained a friendly relationship.

He thought this much could be overlooked.

"Then, to the carriage……."

"Wait!"

"Ah. Who is it now?"

When Namgung Hui turned his body to where the voice had come from, he saw the young sect leader who had been carried away earlier and a middle-aged man who resembled him running over.

They had also gathered all the disciples, as there seemed to be about twenty people following behind.

The way they were running somehow resembled a pack of wolves.

‘Is that the Lake Chao Sect leader? I remember seeing him when I was young.’

The wolf boasted a booming voice.

"How dare you! Who is causing a commotion at our business establishment!"

"Since when was this the Lake Chao Sect's business establishment?"

"It's been about five years. Who are you… could it be the Fourth Young Master?!"

"You recognize me. It's been a while, Sect Leader. But is this Famous Inn really the Lake Chao Sect's? This is the first I'm hearing of it."

"Ahem! The Lake Chao Sect took it over five years ago. It seems you haven't heard from the acting family head. Well, you were bedridden until recently, so it's understandable that you wouldn't know."

Namgung Hui searched his memory.

To be precise, it was when he had visited the Famous Inn with Namgung Chan ten years ago.

‘Brother. Let's definitely come back next time. And with Father at that time.’

‘Then. I shouldn't hand over this Famous Inn to anyone else. The Lake Chao Sect offered to lend me money. We won't have to worry for a while.’

"Did you by any chance lend money with this inn as collateral ten years ago?"

-Flinch.

"You knew. Then. This will be quick. You'll have to pay 200 silver taels for the injuries to our disciples and the damages from this commotion. I know the Namgung family's situation is not good, so installments are also fine."

"Were you always so calculating? It's a little different from my memory."

"Shouldn't public and private matters be kept separate? Don't think of it as harsh. Then. Fourth Young Master, I'll consider it agreed and send a bill and a letter to the Namgung family. You may leave now."

Namgung Hui, as if he had no intention of backing down yet, even smiled faintly and opened his mouth.

"Before I go, let me make a claim too. First, 50 silver taels for the crime of insulting our family members by calling them beggars and using violence."

"What nonsense……."

"I'm not done yet! On top of that, 50 silver taels for the crime of harassing my friend Baek Seolhwa. For your information, this friend is the young palace mistress of the Moon Maiden Palace. Lastly, 200 silver taels for the crime of looking down on our Namgung family and even aiming for my life. A total of 300 silver taels. The Lake Chao Sect's situation seems to be good, so I won't accept installments. It's a lump sum."

The Lake Chao Sect leader stared at Namgung Hui for a while.

Then he finally burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Uahahaha! Ah. I haven't had anything to laugh about lately, Hui. Thanks to you, I'm laughing for the first time in a while. They said you were struck by lightning, you must have gone crazy. You should have just accepted it when I was treating you nicely, then you wouldn't have had to lose your life. Why do you bring this upon yourself? That's probably why the family was handed over to the second brother. Tsk, tsk."

It was the Lake Chao Sect leader who was no longer hiding his true intentions.

If Namgung Hui had been weaker than them, he would have died long ago and become fish food in Lake Chao.

As the Lake Chao Sect members raised their killing intent, Namgung Hui also prepared for battle and said.

"Seolhwa. You take care of the rest. I'll take the sect leader."

"Alright."

The Lake Chao Sect leader also drew his sword and shouted gallantly.

"It's okay to kill the Namgung family bastard. But capture the young palace mistress of the Moon Maiden Palace alive if possible, and if not, kill her!"

And so, the battle of two versus twenty began.

(End of Chapter)