Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Wh-what is this! Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers

?"

"Is it genuine?"

The other artisans, who had been silent until now, shifted in their seats and even snorted, their bodies fidgeting.

They looked extremely excited.

Some might wonder why they were making such a fuss, but for a secret manual like Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers, their reaction was more than justified.

"Well, it's not the genuine article."

"Ah... I knew it. So you're saying it's a copy?"

Namgung Hui wanted to say it was an improved version, but the artisans before him didn't have a deep understanding of martial arts.

Only someone who could recognize its true value would be able to appreciate it.

"Why don't you take it with you first?"

"Hmm... Very well. If it's a fake manual, can I burn it immediately? Using the name Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers feels quite unsettling."

A subtle anger lingered in his voice.

If Namgung Hui hadn't given them the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, they would have torn it to shreds on the spot.

"Yes, please do so. However, you must at least show it to someone of elder rank."

"Don't worry about that. Because of this whole affair, I intend to show it directly to the family head."

That was a relief.

The head of the Tang family would surely recognize the insights Namgung Hui had written down.

"May we take our leave now? We seem to be carrying something precious, so I feel we must return quickly."

Namgung Hui still had business with them.

"I was hoping to ask for some repairs for the family estate. Would that be impossible?"

"Ah. The Namgung estate is in such a mess, I did want to help. The workmanship is terrible, too. Ahem. In any case, I will send some men as soon as I return. Until then, don't do anything but clear away the debris."

"Thank you. I will not forget this kindness."

Although Namgung Hui spoke of kindness, it remained to be seen who would be the one feeling grateful.

Thinking of the Tang artisans' reactions when they returned, he found himself looking forward to that moment.

"Then my business is also finished. You may leave."

"Understood. We'll see you again next time."

With that, the Tang family artisans hurriedly left the Namgung estate.

They rushed home so quickly that someone might have mistaken them for having fought with Namgung Hui.

'It seems the major tasks are more or less done. Shall I go see my father now?'

Of course, there was one thing to do before that.

To finish that task, Namgung Hui woke up Chichi, who was leisurely taking a nap.

"Chichi. Wake up. I have a job for you."

"Kkiik? (What is it?)"

"You were good at finding hidden things, right?"

"Kkiik. (Yes.)"

"They say there's a serial number hidden on this gold ingot. Can you find it for me?"

Namgung Hui had tried to find it himself, but there were no visible markings.

A serial number should have been written in numbers.

But he couldn't see anything.

However, after examining the gold ingot, Chichi spoke as if it had found something.

"Kkiik. Kkik. (Found it.)"

Even when Namgung Hui enhanced his vision with internal energy, he still couldn't see any letters, let alone numbers.

As Namgung Hui tilted his head in confusion, Chichi pointed at something and said.

"Kkiik. Kkiik. (It's the dots you see here.)"

"Dots? What do these have to do with anything?"

"Kkiik. Kkik. (Look. They're dotted in a regular pattern. Doesn't it look like some kind of code?)"

"!!!"

Just as Chichi said, the dots were arranged in a specific pattern.

They were so cleverly placed that finding the pattern was difficult.

If he hadn't known in advance that there was a serial number, he would never have found it.

Namgung Hui lifted Chichi up and rubbed his face against its adorable cheek.

"Chichi. You're the best."

"Kkiik. Kkik. (Of course. So, the Thunder Liquor...)"

"No, not that. I have a use for it now. I'll buy you a different kind of alcohol when we go out instead. You should try other drinks sometimes, too. Right?"

"Kkiik. (I'll let it slide just this once.)"

As Namgung Hui said, only a few bottles of Thunder Liquor remained.

To brew a new batch, Namgung Hui's own cultivation level needed to be higher.

He would need to reach at least the 9th star of the Divine Thunder Art to be able to infuse the liquor with thunder energy.

'Anyway. This means I can use the gold ingots as they are if I just get rid of these dots.'

If his mastery of the Divine Thunder Art had been deeper, he could have melted the gold entirely, but Namgung Hui didn't have that ability yet.

Of course, he could have asked the artisans from the Sichuan Tang family, but it was always better for fewer people to know a secret.

And he had too many expenses to wait for them.

'Alright, I'll get rid of these dots and then go see my father.'

Namgung Hui gathered thunder energy at his fingertips and began to sear the dots.

-Zzzzt. Zzzzt!

He thought the Tang family called this kind of work welding.

In any case, searing them with thunder energy made all the dots disappear.

Having taken care of all eight gold ingots, Namgung Hui set out.

With Namgung Hui, the Thunder Liquor, the gold ingots, and the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron all gone, the room looked quite empty.

* * *

At the same time Namgung Hui was meeting with the Tang family artisans.

Baek Seolhwa, who had been rejected, was heading somewhere with a complicated heart.

The place was none other than the former residence of Namgung Hui's mother.

Changwol Pavilion (Pavilion of the Prosperous Moon).

The surrounding scenery, including the pond, was so neat and tidy that it had a power to calm the mind and body.

But there, she encountered an unexpected person.

"Seol-hwa. Where have you been? By the way, the scenery here is quite tranquil. I wish I could live in a place like this."

The person was none other than the Palace Lord of the Moon Maiden Palace, Yu Seolran.

"Palace Lord, what brings you here?"

"And where have you been? Did you perhaps go to meet that boy? I told you not to see him. Tsk, tsk. Men are only a hindrance to training. It doesn't matter if you're friends or not. In any case, you disobeyed my order, so you must be punished."

"If you say punishment?"

"Lead me to the training grounds. Let's cross swords for a bit. You'll feel a little calmer after you break a sweat."

Baek Seolhwa was now quite familiar with the layout of the Namgung estate, so she easily led Yu Seolran to the training grounds.

In fact, it wasn't far, as it was the training ground assigned to the guest quarters.

"Indeed. The Namgung are the Namgung. Though it's old, it's more than adequate for crossing swords."

The space was that large, a testament to how much consideration the Namgung family showed its guests.

-Shhhring.

With the walls crumbled here and there, the sound of the sword being drawn spread unusually wide.

Yu Seolran, seeming to like the tranquil atmosphere, nodded and spoke.

"It looks desolate and lonely, much like our Moon Maiden Palace. This has its own charm. Seol-hwa, how about our Moon Maiden Palace takes over the Namgung family while we're at it?"

"What are you talking about? Our Moon Maiden Palace is still part of the Orthodox Faction."

"Haha! A joke, just a joke. Anyway, I have a rough idea of what you think of that boy. In that case, I'll have to knock the sense right out of you so you can't even think."

Finishing her words, Yu Seolran launched herself forward first.

Normally in a duel, the master yields the first attack to the student.

But perhaps because she was thinking of it as a punishment, Yu Seolran showed no mercy in her hands as she unleashed a fierce sword energy.

-Swaaaa.

A half-moon of sword energy flew as if to slice through Baek Seolhwa's jade-like skin.

If she simply deflected the attack, her beautiful face would surely be scratched.

Baek Seolhwa also raised her momentum and confronted the half-moon sword energy.

-Kang!

Baek Seolhwa's purple sword energy shattered the half-moon to pieces.

Seeing her sword energy so easily broken, Yu Seolran spoke with a hint of surprise.

"Your martial arts have improved beyond recognition in such a short time. And purple sword energy. Did you gain some sort of fortuitous encounter without my knowledge?"

"I just had a small enlightenment. You can think of it as a fortuitous encounter caused by lightning. Then, this time, this girl shall go."

The word "girl" felt awkward yet familiar to Baek Seolhwa.

That was because before being the Vice Leader of Demonic Cult, she was indeed the Young Palace Mistress, Baek Seolhwa.

It didn't feel out of place to call herself a "girl" to Palace Lord Yu Seolran.

And Baek Seolhwa's swordsmanship unfolded just as smoothly, without any awkwardness.

Moreover, it was imbued with a chilling sword energy.

-Chwareureuk.

The air froze, and purple frost scattered like cherry blossoms.

Each of the scattering ice flowers carried an energy that could not be ignored, making it seem difficult to strike them all down.

But who was the Moon Maiden Palace Lord?

She was the Sword Queen of her time, one of the candidates for the greatest female martial artist, who claimed to be one of the ten great masters of the era.

The Sword Queen thrust her sword forward.

Even though it seemed insufficient to bring down the countless ice flowers.

-Sasasasak!

Contrary to such concerns, all the scattering ice flowers were annihilated.

The chilly air cleared in an instant.

A freshness, as if spring had arrived, filled the air.

A warm breeze blew.

The atmosphere became intensely heated.

This happened because it couldn't fully handle the Sword Queen's sword momentum.

"To think I would use up to 60% of my power. A remarkable achievement. By the way, these are definitely techniques I haven't seen before. Did you obtain a secret manual from somewhere?"

"That's not it. I created them myself."

As Baek Seolhwa said, she had created new techniques based on the Demon Arts.

She, too, had once reached the absolute realm.

Since it was a martial art that dealt with the same yin energy, it wasn't difficult.

On the contrary, the process of mixing it appropriately with the cult's martial arts was nothing but enjoyable.

On the other hand, Yu Seolran, as if her interest had waned, sheathed her sword.

"There's no need for punishment. With this level of achievement, I could pass on the Palace Lord position to you within five years."

"What? The Palace Lord?"

Baek Seolhwa, who rarely got flustered, couldn't hide her surprise at the words "Palace Lord."

It was understandable, as Baek Seolhwa was still only among the ranks of the younger generation.

For such a Baek Seolhwa to ascend to the position of Palace Lord in five years?

Not only Baek Seolhwa herself, but the members of the Moon Maiden Palace would surely refuse to acknowledge it.

"Why? Are you worried? With your level, you'll be able to quell all complaints. Besides, the Martial Arts Alliance tournament is coming up soon, so proving yourself there would be a good way."

Baek Seolhwa was about to refuse when a good idea suddenly came to her.

'Wait. If I become the Palace Lord, I can change the palace rules as I please, can't I?'

After becoming the Palace Lord, she could just change the rules and then pass the position on again.

There would be many who would challenge her young self, so it would be fine to pass it on to a suitable person among them.

'Alright! I'll become the Palace Lord.'

"Alright. But you can't go back on your word later."

"Haha. Yes. I won't care what you do later. I will wash my hands of the world and leave the martial world."

Yu Seolran's last words sounded a bit bitter.

It seemed the Namgung family wasn't the only thing that was desolate and lonely.

The same was true for Baek Seolhwa herself.

She couldn't help but smile bitterly along.

-Whoooosh...

The warm breeze that had been wavering in the training ground had turned into a chilly wind.

* * *

Arriving at the Family Head's Hall, Namgung Hui straightened his clothes and cleared his throat.

"Father. It is your son, Hui. May I enter?"

"Come in."

A slight weariness was present in Namgung Uncheon's voice.

Namgung Hui had also been quite busy, but surely not as much as the family head, Namgung Uncheon.

Entering the Family Head's Hall, Namgung Hui quickly scanned his surroundings.

It was filled with traces of battle.

The desk where he handled his duties was half-destroyed.

The guest table where he received visitors had been reduced to dust without a trace.

The cause of all this was Dugu Cheon's martial art.

It still weighed heavily on Namgung Hui's heart.

Feeling suffocated, Namgung Hui spoke first.

"Father. How is your body?"

"Thanks to the head of the Divine Physician Sect, I'm well enough. And above all, I'm alive thanks to my youngest son purifying the demonic energy."

Namgung Hui felt his face flush, but he didn't refute it.

Because Namgung Uncheon's words were the undeniable truth.

"Father. I don't like it either, but we need to address this clearly. First, what are your plans for the Ouyang family?"

"The Ouyang family... Yes. Hui, what do you think should be done?"

"Naturally, since they participated in this, we should be prepared for war."

"However, the Ouyang family disappeared overnight. Along with Ouyang Cheolbang. I suspect they might have planned everything in advance."

Dugu Yujin's words came to mind.

He had clearly said he had hired the Ouyang family. Or perhaps he had won them over.

But now that the Ouyang family had disappeared, it was no longer an important issue.

The important thing now was.

"Father. Do you remember what the second brother said at that time?"

"Yes. It's not like I was suffering from Qi Deviation. I remember it clearly..."

Namgung Uncheon's voice trailed off in a self-deprecating tone.

A shadow fell over his face.

It might not be a heart demon, but he was clearly engulfed in anguish.

But despite Namgung Uncheon's state, Namgung Hui spoke firmly.

"Then you must also know that Dugu In is not a person of our family. He is a person of the Dugu family, which means he is a member of the Demonic Cult."

At Namgung Hui's confident statement, Namgung Uncheon could only nod his head.

"So I have given a statement to the Martial Arts Alliance regarding him. Your friend, Geon, came as the investigator. He has become a fine member of the Martial Arts Alliance's Vermilion Bird Squad."

Jegal Geon.

He was the one who had at least shown his face even after Namgung Hui had collapsed.

However, that was five years ago.

He didn't know if that guy still thought of Namgung Hui as a friend, but for the current Namgung Hui, his only friend was Baek Seolhwa.

"It's good that it has been handed over to the Martial Arts Alliance. We just need to manage our internal affairs now. Rooting out any potential spies or collaborators..."

-Kudangtangtang!

Someone burst into the Family Head's Hall with a loud noise.

"Father!"

It was none other than the Young Family Head, Namgung Chan.

And he rushed in with a woman.

(End of Chapter)