Rebirth of the Thunder God

The man who had extinguished the half-moon sword energy landed lightly with splendid footwork.

And with a subtle anger in his voice, he spoke softly.

"What is all this commotion?"

It was none other than the Namgung Family Head, Namgung Uncheon.

He had now completely overcome his inner demon, and his cultivation had risen a level, his eyes shining with a brilliant light.

The Boundless Azure Sky Sword Art he had unfolded easily suppressed the half-moon sword energy, and the footwork he displayed was also remarkably ethereal.

Perhaps because of Namgung Uncheon's rebuke.

When her eyes met Namgung Uncheon's, Yu Seolran's face flushed with embarrassment.

Unable to watch any longer, Namgung Uncheon asked Namgung Hui.

"Hui. What is going on here?"

"Ah. I was having a brief duel with the Moon Maiden Palace Lady here."

Namgung Uncheon also showed a hint of surprise, as it was his first time meeting the Moon Maiden Palace Lady in person.

"The person here is the Moon Maiden Palace Lady?"

"Yes. It seems this is your first time meeting. Then, you two should have a conversation. I'm busy, so I'll be on my way."

Namgung Hui was already short on time.

And since the three techniques were already over, he passed the Moon Maiden Palace Lady off to his father.

It would be better for an adult to deal with an adult.

Yu Seolran herself had almost demolished not only the walls of the Namgung estate but also a pavilion, so she wouldn't be able to speak carelessly to the owner of the house, Namgung Uncheon.

As Namgung Hui left, Namgung Uncheon spoke to Yu Seolran.

"Palace Lady. I apologize for visiting you so late. I should have come to see you sooner."

Yu Seolran, perhaps exhausted of her energy, answered in a fluster.

"Ah, no, not at all."

"This is no place to talk, so let's go inside first."

Yu Seolran followed Namgung Uncheon with a reluctant expression.

She glanced back for a moment, but Namgung Hui had already left.

And so, Yu Seolran and Namgung Uncheon walked side by side to the reception hall.

* * *

Namgung Hui used his footwork to head straight for Baek Seolhwa's quarters.

Perhaps because of his urgent heart, he burst the door open without even knocking. And then.

-Flap flap flap!

The Snow Mountain Collapsing Roc, Bibi, suddenly spread its wings, blocking Namgung Hui's view.

Bibi didn't stop there; it flew to Namgung Hui and pecked at him relentlessly.

"Peep peep! (Get out now!)"

Namgung Hui couldn't bring himself to say anything to Bibi.

Because Baek Seolhwa, having just finished her training, was changing her clothes.

"Hey! Get out, now!"

"S-sorry."

Namgung Hui scrambled outside.

But there was a part he didn't understand.

Although he hadn't knocked, he hadn't particularly hidden his presence either.

At Baek Seolhwa's level, she should have been able to hear his footsteps.

A moment later.

"Come in."

Perhaps Baek Seolhwa had finished changing, as a voice of permission was heard.

Fortunately, she didn't seem angry.

After all, Namgung Hui hadn't seen anything.

Namgung Hui carefully opened the door and said.

"Seolhwa. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were changing. But didn't you hear my footsteps?"

"I was lost in thought for a moment. But you, why are you so bold when you're the one in the wrong?"

"First of all, I didn't see anything. And I didn't think you wouldn't sense my presence."

"What? What if you had seen something?"

Namgung Hui wanted to make an excuse, but he was at a loss for words.

Even if they were friends, Baek Seolhwa was a woman.

It also didn't make sense to say he would take responsibility for a member of the Moon Maiden Palace.

As the excuse-less Namgung Hui scratched his cheek, Baek Seolhwa shook her head and said.

"I'll let it slide just this once. But you, why did you say you wouldn't meet me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I asked Chohwa earlier, and she said you weren't meeting anyone. Weren't you sulking?"

"Sulking? What sulking? That was because I was having a private meeting with the people from the Sichuan Tang family. I was making a secret request."

He would have to show Baek Seolhwa later, but if she found out he had monopolized the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, she might claim a share.

No matter how good of friends they were, the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron had the power to destroy even such a friendship.

'And if she finds out I took all the gold ingots, she'll definitely be angry.'

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

This must be the kind of situation that saying was for.

Besides, Namgung Hui was going to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild to pay the price for it, so it would be fine to tell her after he resolved this matter.

Baek Seolhwa looked at Namgung Hui with suspicious eyes.

"You're not sulking because I didn't help you back then, are you?"

"Hey. Why would I be sulking? You must have had your reasons for staying put. I'm a magnanimous person, you know? And if the Moon Maiden Palace is in danger, I'll help you. Don't worry about that."

It would be best if such a thing never happened, but Namgung Hui was now in a somewhat relaxed state.

His brother and father would take care of the internal reorganization of the family.

The people from the Sichuan Tang family would also help with the repair work.

As for Namgung Hui himself, he would have done his part once he paid the price for the gold ingots and the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.

"I understand for now. So, what's the reason you came to see me?"

"I have to go somewhere for a while, so I stopped by to say goodbye. We're the only two friends we have, so I should at least tell you, right?"

"Why is it suddenly two instead of one?"

"I made up with that friend named Jegal Geon. Anyway, I have to go to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild for a bit, but I don't know how long it will take. What are you going to do from now on? Are you going back to the Moon Maiden Palace?"

The Moon Maiden Palace Lady had also come to visit at just the right time.

In fact, it wouldn't be strange if she were dragged back to the Moon Maiden Palace.

In the first place, if the Palace Lady herself had come, she must have come to take Baek Seolhwa with her.

Contrary to Namgung Hui's concerns, Baek Seolhwa delivered some unexpected news.

"I'm planning to stay at your house for a while longer."

"Well, I'm glad you're not going back to the Moon Maiden Palace, but is that okay? The Palace Lady isn't going to drag you away?"

"I decided to participate in the Martial Alliance tournament, so the Palace Lady gave her permission. It would be a waste of time to go to the Moon Maiden Palace and then come back out."

"You're participating in the Martial Alliance tournament too?"

"What do you mean, 'you too'? Are you participating as well?"

Namgung Hui nodded his head.

"I'm going to participate in the martial arts competition and show off my skills a bit. Well, for someone of your level, Seolhwa, there probably won't be any opponents other than me."

"But I heard men and women compete separately. Does that mean we'll both win?"

"I don't know about that. There might be hidden masters like us."

Of course, Namgung Hui absolutely did not think so.

In fact, Baek Seolhwa's skills were similar to his because she was a master who had achieved Rejuvenation.

An ordinary member of the younger generation would not be able to keep up with him and Baek Seolhwa, even if they ate spiritual medicines like rice, let alone undergoing Meridian Cleansing and Bone Marrow Washing.

'Real combat experience and insights cannot be injected like that. It's impossible unless you inject memories of a past life like me.'

"Seolhwa. I'll be back from the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, so train diligently. I'll check on you when I get back."

"What? You're going to check on me? You might just hurt your pretty face."

"Hahaha. Look who's talking. Ah, if you need anything, let me know. I'll buy you a gift on my way back."

Since the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild was said to have everything, a friend should at least buy a gift on the way back.

Especially for the poor Moon Maiden Palace, such a gift would be welcome.

Baek Seolhwa asked with her eyes half-open, as if she couldn't believe it.

"You're going to buy me a gift? You?"

"Yes. We're friends, so I should at least do that much. The Myriad Gold Merchant Guild has everything. I was planning to buy yours while I was buying things for Chohwa and Choyeon."

Baek Seolhwa replied with a suddenly deflated expression.

"So that's it. You're just buying mine as an afterthought?"

"So you don't need anything?"

"Buy it or don't, do as you please."

"Alright."

Namgung Hui didn't know why Baek Seolhwa was suddenly acting like this, but he replied that he understood.

Perhaps it was better for her expectations to be low.

Great expectations lead to great disappointment.

'On the other hand, if expectations are low, the感動 will be doubled. Hehe. I'm already looking forward to Seolhwa's surprised expression.'

"Then, Seolhwa. Take care. I'll be back."

"Alright. Go on."

Namgung Hui was somewhat dissatisfied with her cold attitude, but he firmly believed that it would be completely different when he returned.

He resolved to make it so and returned to his quarters.

As for Baek Seolhwa, she watched the receding figure of Namgung Hui and hit her own head.

'What was I expecting from that guy? This is not the time for this.'

The reappearance of the Divine Cult had just been made known.

She had to prepare for the Martial Alliance tournament and had many things to think about regarding her future.

And so, Baek Seolhwa composed her expression and sank back into her thoughts.

* * *

Having finished his preparations to leave, Namgung Hui boarded the carriage with Heo Yeongman.

He was quite used to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild's carriage, as he had ridden in it on his way back from the Crouching Tiger Fortress.

Looking at Namgung Hui, Heo Yeongman smiled bitterly and said.

"Somehow, your skill in riding a carriage seems quite familiar."

"Ahem. What's so difficult about riding a carriage? By the way, how long does it take to get to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild?"

"From here in Hefei to Luoyang, it takes a good few days. But with our Myriad Gold Merchant Guild's carriage, we can certainly shorten the time."

"So how many days will it take?"

"Three days."

And so, three days passed in a flash.

It went without saying, but since the journey was with a wealthy merchant guild, they didn't have to sleep outdoors.

They stayed at inns and drove the carriage according to a meticulously planned schedule.

The carriage, perhaps because it was a four-horse carriage in addition to the breed of the horses, boasted considerable speed.

It was known that a four-horse carriage could not be driven unless one was a high-ranking official, so it seemed the power of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild was extraordinary.

Or it could be proof that the guild master's granddaughter's condition was that bad.

'That's why it's surprising. They could have made an offer to the Sichuan Tang family or the head of the Divine Physician Sect, but they only asked me. As if they were sure I would grant their request.'

Well, anyone from the righteous Namgung family would naturally not be able to refuse such a request.

But thinking about it the other way, if he had been a righteous member of the Namgung family from the beginning, he would not have swallowed the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron and the gold ingots.

Nevertheless, Heo Yeongman was confident that Namgung Hui would grant his request.

As if he was guaranteeing a complete cure.

-Hee-haw!

The carriage stopped with the snorting of the horses.

Perhaps because it was a four-horse carriage, the snorting was also magnificent.

Hearing the magnificent sound, people poured out from inside the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.

"General Manager, you've arrived?"

Heo Yeongman got off the carriage and spoke.

"Yes. Vice General Manager. Did anything happen while I was away?"

"No. Other than the Dengfeng Sect and the Gongyi Sect getting into a knife fight and the Yichuan Escort Service failing an escort mission, there was nothing in particular."

"Is that so? It seems nothing much happened indeed. Now, this is Young Master Namgung Hui. Please greet him."

The man called the Vice General Manager belatedly looked at Namgung Hui and hurriedly greeted him.

"Gasp! I am Ju Jeongcheon, the Vice General Manager of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild! It is an honor to meet you."

"What honor? I am just a commoner named Namgung Hui. It seems time is of the essence, so let's go in right away."

"Yes! Then please follow me."

Namgung Hui followed behind Ju Jeongcheon and looked around the interior of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.

When he saw the exterior from a distance, it looked like a palace, but seeing the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild from the inside, one would believe it was an imperial palace.

Everywhere was sparkling, and even the buildings that looked like warehouses, including the various pavilions, exuded a sense of style.

It felt like he could make a considerable amount of money just by pulling out a wooden pillar and selling it.

And so, with quick steps, they soon reached a separate annex.

This place was extremely quiet and felt cozy and warm.

It didn't seem to be a delusion, as traces of formations could be felt everywhere.

"This is the Young Guild Lady's residence. My guidance ends here, so I will take my leave."

As Ju Jeongcheon disappeared, Namgung Hui was left alone.

But Namgung Hui was not flustered.

Because someone came out from inside right away.

A woman who appeared to be a maid walked out.

It seemed she also served as a bodyguard, as she had learned a considerable amount of martial arts.

She wiped her forehead and said in a small voice.

"Are you Young Master Namgung Hui?"

Namgung Hui also replied in a small voice.

"Yes. I am Namgung Hui."

"Please come inside quietly. She has just settled down."

Namgung Hui only nodded and tiptoed forward.

The air felt so tense that he even held his breath before entering the Young Guild Lady's quarters.

But upon seeing the Young Guild Lady lying down, Namgung Hui's expression could not help but harden.

'This isn't Severed Meridians.'

(End of Chapter)