Chapter 66 : Nun
The reason Namgung Hui couldn't help but be bewildered was.
'Since when did the Emei Sect grow their hair long?'
It was because all the nuns of the Emei Sect had long hair.
Originally, the nuns of the Emei Sect had shaved their heads like other Buddhist sects.
But now, all the disciples of the Emei Sect had their long hair tied up tightly.
It seemed something had happened in the past 60 years.
If even mountains and rivers change in 10 years, there was no law saying that the rules of a sect couldn't change in 60 years.
As Namgung Hui stared at them blankly for a moment, the youngest-looking disciple among the nuns said in surprise.
"Wow! He's a very pretty young master."
"Junior Sister! That's rude. I apologize, Young Hero. My youngest junior sister is new to the martial world, so she has committed a discourtesy."
"Why is saying he's pretty... Mmph!"
Another nun next to her quickly covered the youngest's mouth.
It seemed they considered saying a man was 'pretty' to be rude.
It wasn't strange, as it was mostly used as a form of mockery.
Especially since ruffians often spat out such words and started fights.
"It's alright. It wasn't said with any ill intent. I'll take it as a compliment."
Perhaps because the nuns were more polite than he had thought, Eun Seolrin spoke with a faint smile.
"Young Master Namgung Hui is not someone who would get angry over such words. My introduction is late. I am Eun Seolrin, and though it is an undeserved title, I am the Young Guild Mistress of the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild."
The gazes that had been directed at Namgung Hui all turned to Eun Seolrin.
They showed a slight look of surprise at Eun Seolrin's appearance.
Namgung Hui tilted his head slightly, puzzled by their reaction.
'It can't be because of her appearance. Why do they look so surprised?'
That question was soon resolved.
Because of the words that flowed from the youngest disciple's mouth.
"They call her the Silver Ghost, but she's more polite than I thought."
"Oh, Junior Sister, what are you doing saying that here?"
"Eh. How can they hear when I'm speaking so softly? They said she doesn't even know martial arts."
Of course, as the youngest disciple had said, Eun Seolrin wouldn't have been able to hear those words.
Since it was a small voice and whispered in her ear, Eun Seolrin, who was just an ordinary person, would only hear it as a whisper.
But Namgung Hui could hear it more than enough.
'It seems Miss Eun's reputation is not very good. Well, my brother also didn't say anything good about the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.'
It should be seen as a bad word, not a good one.
That was not just Namgung Chan, but Jegal Geon was no different.
But Namgung Hui, having watched Eun Seolrin for a fortnight, did not think her character was at all like her reputation.
'She looks cold on the outside, but she's a soft-hearted person on the inside.'
There was no need to say that out loud, so he just watched with a bitter smile.
A woman in her thirties responded to Eun Seolrin's greeting on behalf of the others.
She performed a fist-and-palm salute and said.
"I am Jeonghyeon from the Emei Sect. It is an honor to meet the renowned Young Guild Mistress."
Jeonghyeon, unlike her junior sisters, had a polite attitude.
It could have been a pretense, but in Namgung Hui's eyes, it didn't seem to be a pretense.
"Please have a seat for now. The conversation will be a little long."
Since Namgung Hui was still a bodyguard, he stood stiffly behind Eun Seolrin and eavesdropped on the conversation.
There was nothing very important.
Since Namgung Hui was also familiar with the matters as a bodyguard, it felt even more so.
But, at the end of the conversation, something a little strange was heard.
The puzzled Jeonghyeon asked a question.
"Are you saying you don't need a bodyguard during the Martial Alliance tournament?"
It was a strange thing for Namgung Hui to hear as well.
Wouldn't the time when a bodyguard was most needed be during the Martial Alliance tournament, when people gathered?
At that time, spies from the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance, as well as the Blood Cult and other forces, might infiltrate.
They would surely look for an opportunity by causing commotion and chaos.
But Eun Seolrin continued with a calm expression.
"Yes. A new bodyguard will arrive by then. But that doesn't mean the bodyguard contract is completely over. It means it can be extended depending on the situation."
The disciples of the Emei Sect had come to this place after receiving a huge offering of goods.
Both Buddhist and Taoist sects needed money to operate.
If a large sect like the Emei Sect, there were many places where money was needed.
That was why they had volunteered for the role of bodyguards for the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.
Of course, it was extremely rare for a Taoist or Buddhist sect to send a direct disciple.
If it hadn't been related to the Martial Alliance tournament, they probably wouldn't have taken on this job.
Jeonghyeon, as if she understood what it meant, nodded and continued.
"Yes. We will be in your care until then."
And so, Namgung Hui could finally become unemployed.
It was time to leave the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.
* * *
They say partings are better when they are short.
Namgung Hui briefly said his goodbyes to Eun Seolrin and immediately left the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.
He seemed to have come empty-handed, but on his way back, his luggage was quite heavy.
First, the small luminous pearl felt the most reassuring.
And the secret manual of the Wind God Step in his bosom was light, but its presence was extraordinary.
And what Namgung Hui was storing most carefully was a single, worn-out necklace.
It was the keepsake that Sosu Mahu had worn.
He was worried about whether it was okay to give the Mahu's keepsake to Baek Seolhwa, but he thought it wouldn't matter as long as she didn't know.
'For some reason, I feel like Seolhwa will like it if I give this to her. It seems like a good match for her too. It will be a lucky charm.'
Namgung Hui, caressing his bosom, was suddenly reminded of the invitation that the third disciple of the Hao Faction Head had given him.
He had said to stop by on his way as it wasn't far, but Namgung Hui didn't particularly want to get involved with them.
Moreover, he now had to go home and prepare for the Martial Alliance tournament, so he couldn't delay for even a moment.
Anyway, since they were the ones who had business with Namgung Hui, he had nothing to lose.
Because the information he had to find out in the future had to be obtained through the Beggars' Sect, not the Hao Faction.
'The first thing to find out is the Black Tortoise Corps Commander. The Squad Leader of the Hoicheon Association wouldn't have left a meaningless word.'
Even if this was a trap, he had to run into it to find even a small clue.
Moreover, the enemies had not yet properly grasped his own power.
In the first place, they couldn't have realized Namgung Hui's identity as a reincarnator.
'Alright. First, I should go home and organize my future plans.'
Namgung Hui, practicing the Wind God Step he had learned on this occasion, quickly covered the distance.
His body was so light it felt like it would fly away on the wind.
Just like the name of the Wind God Step's form.
He became a typhoon and flew.
He even felt like he had become a bird.
Freely enjoying the wind, he soon arrived at the main gate of the Namgung estate.
But as soon as Namgung Hui arrived at the estate, he couldn't hide his bewilderment.
Because in a fortnight, it was quite different from before he had left.
'Is this really my house? It feels like I've come to another of the five great families...'
Namgung Hui, looking at the magnificent Namgung estate, recalled one fact.
The promise he had made with the artisans of the Sichuan Tang family.
He had asked them to restore the Namgung estate.
But he couldn't recall it right away because they had produced results so quickly, and beyond his expectations.
To the point where he just thought he had come to the wrong house.
Namgung Hui approached the magnificent main gate of the Namgung estate.
"Fourth Young Master! You've come at a good time. There are people waiting for you, Young Master."
"The Sichuan Tang family?"
"Yes! Shall I escort you there?"
"I've come from a long way, so I'd like to rest for a moment. Please tell them I'll meet them separately tomorrow."
The guard, belatedly realizing that Namgung Hui had returned from the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, replied hastily.
"Yes! I will relay the message!"
At the sight of the guard, who was on high alert, Namgung Hui smiled and entered the main gate.
As Namgung Hui passed through the main gate.
'!!! It's really a fortress.'
Namgung Hui, who had thought he wouldn't be surprised again since he had already been surprised once, couldn't help but be surprised again.
What on earth had the artisans of the Sichuan Tang family done? The inside of the estate was so magnificent that it was reminiscent of an imperial palace, no, a natural fortress.
The mechanisms and formations that Namgung Hui's sensitive ki sense felt.
The pavilions that felt beautiful even though he lacked an aesthetic sense.
The sight of them all harmonizing together was a spectacle in itself.
'Indeed, they are the artisans of the Sichuan Tang family. They have developed greatly in 60 years.'
Namgung Hui, putting aside such impressions, immediately headed for his quarters.
He wanted to put down this heavy luggage and rest quickly.
And above all, what he wanted to organize were his future plans.
He decided on his priorities and wrote them down on a blank sheet of paper one by one.
'First, I need to go to the Thunder Sect, repair the formation, and get the Thunder Liquor. With that, I'll have to bribe the elders of the Beggars' Sect.'
Although Namgung Hui still knew almost nothing about the Hoicheon Association, he thought that the more one rushes, the more one should go around, and that a journey of a thousand li begins with a single step.
'Then for now, I should go and give the gifts. I can meet the people from the Tang family after that.'
Namgung Hui was in no hurry.
The ones who were burning with anticipation for the Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers would be the people of the Sichuan Tang family.
Looking at the inside of the estate, he also felt that he had received almost everything he was going to receive.
It meant that there was no need for Namgung Hui to meet them in a hurry.
Namgung Hui packed his gifts and headed for the Azure Sky Pavilion.
The training ground had also been repaired at some point and looked wider and sturdier than before.
Crossing that training ground, he arrived at Baek Seolhwa's quarters.
This time, Namgung Hui properly let his presence be known and knocked on the door.
"Seolhwa. Are you inside?"
-Kudangtangtang!
Suddenly, with a loud noise, the door burst open.
"Namgung Hui!"
Namgung Hui was quite bewildered as she had called his name so loudly.
'Why is she suddenly calling me so loudly? Even though I'm right in front of her.'
Baek Seolhwa, realizing that she had called him too loudly, blushed slightly and said.
"Come inside for now."
Namgung Hui was led by Baek Seolhwa's hand into her room.
A strange scent brushed past his nose.
It seemed sweet.
And it seemed to have the scent of flowers.
Feeling a strange sensation, he righted the fallen chair.
Namgung Hui, sitting on the chair, asked.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Why would I wait for you?"
"No. I mean the gift, not me."
"Ah. That's right. You said it was 'on the way', so I didn't wait much."
Namgung Hui wanted to rebut, but he couldn't bring himself to open his mouth.
To say that in fact, her gift had cost the most money and he had put the most thought into it.
Still, seeing is believing.
If he showed her, her attitude would probably change.
Namgung Hui hesitantly began to take out her gift, which he had carefully kept in his bosom.
A trinket that looked pretty even to Namgung Hui's eyes.
A sachet that made one's mind and body feel at ease just by smelling it.
And even a rather sturdy purse.
As a whopping three gifts came out, Baek Seolhwa's expression was also subtly brightening.
It was really like a single flower blooming.
Baek Seolhwa asked Namgung Hui with a disbelieving expression.
"Is all this mine?"
"Yes. It's all yours. There really was nothing they didn't have at the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild. It would have been much better if you had gone with me."
He had inwardly thought that since he was in the position of guarding a woman, it would have been better if Baek Seolhwa had done it instead.
It would have been more comfortable for Eun Seolrin as well.
Baek Seolhwa packed the gifts.
Her movements were as careful as when the artisans of the Sichuan Tang family had touched the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron before.
Namgung Hui, inwardly thinking that Baek Seolhwa seemed satisfied, smiled triumphantly and took out the necklace.
But. Contrary to Namgung Hui's expectation, Baek Seolhwa's face, upon seeing the necklace, grew cold.
And immediately.
-Swish!
She stabbed at Namgung Hui with a hand technique.
(End of Chapter)