Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Kyaaak!"

As she, who rarely got surprised, let out a fierce scream, Namgung Hui hurriedly stopped talking.

But wasn't she pointing her finger at Namgung Hui himself?

Only then did Namgung Hui realize that he had thrown off his clothes before jumping into the valley.

Because important items shouldn't get wet.

Still, the fortunate thing was that he was at least wearing his pants.

Although they were soaked and made for an unsightly scene.

"Ahem. I'm sorry. I was so engrossed in the Purple Mist Divine Sword that I..."

Namgung Hui quickly blew away the moisture with his powerful internal energy and put on his upper garment.

It was a very impressive skill, but no one noticed it.

The items on the rock were also all rare, but Eun Seolrin couldn't even look until Namgung Hui had put them in his bosom.

Namgung Hui, having straightened his clothes, opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.

"Let's go back to the Mount Hua Sect now."

Eun Seolrin just nodded her head, her face flushed.

* * *

At the time Namgung Hui left to find the Purple Mist Divine Sword.

Unfamiliar people were entering the Namgung estate one after another, all wearing martial arts uniforms with a black tortoise embroidered on a red background.

Their identity was none other than the Sichuan Tang family.

And not just the artisans, but even the Tang family head had set foot in the Namgung estate.

The Tang family head, getting out of the carriage, looked at the desolate Namgung estate and opened his mouth.

"It's been a while since I've been to the Namgung estate. But to see it like this, it's a new feeling."

At the words of the Sichuan Tang family head, Tang Cheonseong, his daughter, Tang Soso, replied.

"Father. You're saying I have to marry into a Namgung family like this?"

"It's just the exterior. The artisans of our Tang family will restore it to its original state, no, make it even more magnificent. What's important is the inside, not the outside."

"But I don't think the inside of the Namgung family is in good shape either. Because of the recent reappearance of the Blood Cult."

"That's also true. Since the second and third sons were members of the Six Demonic Families. That's why I'm saying you have to marry into them. The more chaotic it is..."

Tang Cheonseong's words were cut short.

Because someone had come out from inside the Namgung estate to greet them.

"I'll tell you about this later."

"No, it's fine. I understand what you mean. Then shall we find out what the inside is like?"

Tang Cheonseong replied with a pleased expression.

"Hoho, let's do that."

And so, the Tang father and daughter stepped on the debris of the wall and entered the Namgung estate.

It was a day with an unusual amount of rough sand, even in the gentle breeze.

* * *

Namgung Hui, unlike before, could not climb the cliff quickly.

Because Eun Seolrin's heart was beating unusually fast.

'Climbing a cliff is scary. I should climb a little slower.'

Seeing Eun Seolrin, Namgung Hui was reminded of the first time he climbed a cliff.

That was around the age of ten, when he was undergoing harsh training from his master.

'A fist master's grip must be strong, my disciple.'

'But are you telling me to climb a cliff with my bare hands?'

'Ahem. A beast is raised by being dropped from a cliff.'

'But I'm not a beast, am I?'

'You talk too much. If you don't want to eat dinner, then keep dragging your feet. Then.'

Namgung Hui's master really did drop his disciple from a cliff.

And if he didn't climb up in time, he wouldn't give him dinner.

Namgung Hui climbed the cliff tenaciously to survive.

And as a result, he developed a tolerance for cliffs.

How much more so for Eun Seolrin, who didn't even know martial arts; she was bound to be afraid of such a precipice.

Namgung Hui, thinking of his master after a long time, slowly climbed the cliff.

He took enough time for all the fragments of his master to pass by.

"We're here. Let's get down and walk from here."

"Yes."

Unlike her pounding heart, Eun Seolrin's expression was quite calm.

No, seeing her faint blush, could it be that she had enjoyed climbing the cliff?

Namgung Hui was suddenly reminded of the saying, "One can know the depths of ten paths of water, but not the depths of one path of a person's heart."

'Well. We probably won't be climbing here together again.'

And so, Namgung Hui and Eun Seolrin calmly walked and arrived at the Mount Hua Sect.

Even though it was the same Mount Hua Sect they had been at just a moment ago, the atmosphere felt quite different.

The confusion had disappeared, and it had returned to the excited atmosphere of the Mount Hua Sword Discussion.

Since they were selecting members to participate in the Martial Alliance tournament, it was only natural to be excited.

The Purple Mist Divine Sword was a symbol of the Sect Leader, so it was far removed from the ordinary disciples.

Perhaps they were trying hard to appear calm and show that they were still strong.

Because confusion was what the enemies wanted.

Above all, the abundant supplies brought from the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild made them particularly excited.

"Senior Brother! What's this?"

"It seems to be an item from the Western Regions. I don't know what it is either."

They were fiddling with two small glass beads, and Eun Seolrin, seeing them, muttered softly.

"Eyeglasses."

"What's that?"

"It's a glass bead made for people with poor eyesight. It has the effect of magnifying objects."

"Oh-ho. A strange object has been invented in the last 60 years, no, recently."

"Eyeglasses have actually been around for a long time. They say a religious person from the Western Regions made it hundreds of years ago. Of course, the facts are not certain."

Since it was said to be made by a religious person, was it perhaps to see the small letters of the scriptures?

Even martial artists often had a hard time because they couldn't see the letters of the secret manuals well.

It seemed that using that thing called Eyeglasses at such times would be quite useful.

That was probably why they had requested supplies from the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.

It seemed there was someone among the elders with bad eyes.

'Of course, my eyesight is excellent, so I don't need it.'

After that, various spices and objects he had never seen before came out one after another.

Namgung Hui also found it quite interesting to watch.

Although he had brought them in the carriage, he hadn't been able to rummage through them since they were someone else's belongings, so they were all things Namgung Hui was seeing for the first time.

The enthusiastic viewing of the goods did not last long.

Because Elder I Jeongsim recognized Namgung Hui and called his name.

"Young Hero Namgung. Why have you come back? Don't tell me you left something behind?"

"Left something behind. If I had to say, I should say it's something I should have left behind."

"Should have left behind? Don't tell me you're planning to make a donation?"

Namgung Hui grinned, revealing his teeth.

And he drew a sword as splendid as his bright teeth.

-Shhhring...

"The Purple Mist Divine Sword. This is what I was talking about."

"""!!!"""

Even the disciples who were looking at the strange objects couldn't help but widen their eyes in surprise this time.

Why was the lost Purple Mist Divine Sword in the hands of an outsider?

The Mount Hua Sect Leader, who was watching the situation from a distance, flew over, unfolding the Dark Fragrance Float to its extreme.

It was a fluid body movement, like watching someone walk on air.

-Thwack.

The Sect Leader, who had landed lightly on the ground, immediately rushed to Namgung Hui and snatched the Purple Mist Divine Sword.

"It's genuine! Then. Young Hero Namgung. You'll have to explain. If you're not the one who stole it."

"First, Sect Leader. Please don't let anyone leave from here. Then I will explain after that."

The Sect Leader was also subconsciously aware that there was a spy inside.

The reason he was watching from a distance even now was to root out such a spy.

If there was a disciple who acted suspiciously, he was going to catch them immediately and interrogate them.

That was why he had deliberately not stopped the Mount Hua Sword Discussion and had resumed it.

The spy would surely try to win the Mount Hua Sword Discussion and go to the Martial Alliance tournament.

"Alright. Everyone, gather here for a moment! If there is a disciple who leaves the premises, you may swing your sword without hesitation."

At the Sect Leader's fierce momentum, no one thought of leaving.

Naturally, if one moved here, they would be framed as a spy, so even if one were a spy, they wouldn't be able to move.

When the disciples were all gathered together, Namgung Hui nodded and opened his mouth.

"Since everyone seems to be gathered, I will tell you where I got the Purple Mist Divine Sword. It was at Jade Maiden Peak. I fished it out of the valley there. You'll know right away if you see the water on it."

"I see. With such clear water, it can only be Jade Maiden Peak. Then who hid this on Jade Maiden Peak? Even you probably don't know that."

The Sect Leader also secretly scanned the disciples.

He was on the verge of swinging the Purple Mist Divine Sword if anyone moved even for a moment.

"Wouldn't it be someone who had left the Mount Hua Sect?"

The Sect Leader's gaze fell on Sa Ilcheon.

But he was still calm and didn't even flinch.

Was there something he was relying on?

He was so confident that even Namgung Hui found it strange.

"Come to think of it, Ilcheon. You visited the Purple Mist Hall last night, didn't you?"

"Yes. The Sect Leader called me because of the transaction with the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild today. It's not something I volunteered for."

"Yes. I called you. But all the people you brought with you entered the sect together 10 years ago."

"Naturally, since we're from the same class, wouldn't it be more comfortable to work together?"

"That's right. Whatever one plans, it's more comfortable to do it together. It would also be possible to keep it a secret. Then, Ilcheon. Why did you go to Jade Maiden Peak?"

"What are you talking about? Me, go to Jade Maiden Peak?"

The Sect Leader pointed to Sa Ilcheon's collar and said.

"There's a sad story about Jade Maiden Peak. No one remembers it now, but the founder created the Purple Mist Divine Art on Jade Maiden Peak. And he planted a plum blossom tree there. There's a plum blossom petal, the only one on Mount Hua, stuck to your collar."

"!!!"

Sa Ilcheon probably hadn't expected a petal to be inside his collar.

In fact, even if there was a petal, he would have thought nothing of it.

Since his uniform was also embroidered with plum blossoms all over, he wouldn't have felt any sense of incongruity.

Namgung Hui, seeing the Sect Leader reveal the culprit so easily, no longer needed to take out the footprint he had brought as evidence.

'The footprint. He could have denied it, so this is actually a good thing.'

The disciples, perhaps sensing something suspicious, began to surround Sa Ilcheon.

Nevertheless, Sa Ilcheon burst into a mad laugh.

"Hahahaha! To think I would mess up because of a mere petal. But, Sect Leader."

As Sa Ilcheon's tone changed, the Sect Leader winked one eye and said.

"Are you trying to leave a last will? Go ahead and say it."

"It's nothing special..."

-Shhhring!

Sa Ilcheon, in the middle of speaking, pulled a young disciple behind him and held a knife to his throat.

The fact that they were all huddled together had become the source of the problem.

"If you move, I'll cut down this young disciple. The same goes if you follow me."

"Do you think I'll let you go because of one disciple?"

"Wouldn't that be obvious? Since the identity of this young disciple is the Sect Leader's hidden child."

"""!!!"""

Even the members within the sect, who were hearing this for the first time, showed expressions of surprise.

Above all, the young disciple himself, who was said to be the hidden child, seemed the most surprised.

"Where are there secrets in this world? Then. I'll be on my way, so you all can continue with the Mount Hua Sword Discussion. And Miss Eun. I'll see you next time. Hahaha!"

And so, Sa Ilcheon began to leave the Mount Hua Sect with a smug laugh.

Perhaps because of his threat, none of the Mount Hua Sect disciples could take a step.

Elder I Jeongsim looked back and forth between the Sect Leader and Sa Ilcheon's back and said.

"Sect Brother. What should we do about this? Shouldn't we chase him now? Do you think that man will let Haun go obediently? He'll surely kill him to silence him, lest his whereabouts be revealed."

"Haun, that child's real name is Ucheon. Taking my surname, it's Yong Ucheon. It's a name I couldn't tell you all. It seems he will end his life without even hearing that name. It's my fault, so I will chase him myself..."

Just as the Sect Leader was about to launch himself.

Namgung Hui quickly grabbed him.

"Sect Leader. I have a good idea. Would you mind listening for a moment?"

(End of Chapter)