Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Where is that place?"

"It's the place I mentioned before. The Sichuan Tang family."

At the mention of the Sichuan Tang family, Namgung Hui's shoulders slumped, and a sigh escaped him.

"Father. As I've said before, I don't think that place is right for me."

"You seemed close to the Tang family's child earlier. Don't be like that and think about it again. And here is a letter from the Tang family head."

Namgung Hui received the luxurious paper that Namgung Uncheon handed him.

The Tang family head had put a lot of effort into it.

The handwriting was also very elegant, and the formality seemed exceptional.

[Have you been well? As fellow members of the five great families... (omitted) ...so I'm thinking of officially proceeding with the marriage, and I'd like to hear the opinion of the Namgung family head.]

The overall content seemed to be the same as before, but the detailed points were different.

First, the condition of Namgung Hui becoming a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family was gone.

In other words, it meant that Tang Soso would marry into the Namgung family.

This was not a bad proposal for Namgung Hui.

Wasn't the reason he disliked the marriage with the Tang family the most because of the son-in-law who lives with his wife's family?

But even so, Namgung Hui was still not pleased.

Even though the Tang family had rebuilt the Namgung family's pavilions, given them 100 Azure River Swords, a huge pile of silver, and two high-grade poison-curing beads.

When Namgung Hui was caught in a conflict for reasons he didn't know, Namgung Uncheon spoke up.

"Didn't we receive a lot of support from the Tang family? There are already rumors circulating that the Tang family and our family are connected by blood. And if the Tang family's daughter sticks to you, those rumors will spread even faster."

That was the Tang family's aim.

Namgung Hui was not unaware of that, but he had never imagined that the rumors would have spread this much.

No. He had not known that they would place so much value on Namgung Hui.

Of course, considering the value of the Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers that Namgung Hui had given them, it might have been a natural reaction.

Because a goose that lays golden eggs is more coveted than a golden egg.

Even if Namgung Hui were to offer something else, the Tang family head would not think it strange.

Hadn't he already had a record of obtaining a precious artifact like the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron?

'The Tang family head's insight is beyond my expectations. As expected of a family of artisans.'

Then he wanted to refuse this marriage even more.

Namgung Hui did not want a political marriage.

His wish was just a harmonious family.

If possible, he wanted to marry a pretty and kind-hearted woman.

A daughter as cute as a rabbit and a reliable son.

That was the kind of family Namgung Hui dreamed of.

"Father. I heard that you and mother were not bound by a political marriage either."

"That's right. It's already been 25 years since I met your mother. We had a love marriage."

"I also want to marry after dating, not a political marriage."

"That's also good, but you also need to have an heir now. You said you saw your niece on your way here, right?"

Namgung Hui nodded, recalling his cute niece, Namgung Yeonji.

"Yes. She was very cute. Seeing her made me want to have a daughter as cute as a rabbit too."

"But for the sake of an heir, you must have a son. That's also why I'm trying to arrange a marriage."

Namgung Hui fully understood his father's words.

Hadn't there been a commotion because of the Dugu family?

It was unknown when the direct line of the Namgung family would be cut off.

For the prosperity and well-being of the family, either Namgung Hui or Namgung Chan had to have a son.

"Then please give me half a year. If I can't decide on a suitable marriage partner by then, I will do as you say, Father."

"Half a year... Alright. I'll wait that long."

Namgung Uncheon wanted to proceed with his youngest son's marriage right away, but perhaps because he was reminded of his wife who had passed away first, he had no choice but to accept Namgung Hui's proposal.

"Still, get along well with the Tang family's child. Since you said you want a love marriage, it wouldn't be bad to get close."

"Yes. I'll think about it positively. I have no intention of pushing her away either."

"I'm glad to hear that. Actually, I like the Young Palace Mistress of the Moon Maiden Palace the most. But because of the rules of the Moon Maiden Palace, it seems it can't be helped. The Moon Maiden Palace Lady also has a firm stance on that part, so this father couldn't do anything."

The moment Namgung Hui heard his father's words, a corner of his heart tingled and ached.

Could it be that Chichi had bitten him?

But Chichi was still sleeping.

"Father. Then I'll go and finish my preparations before leaving for the Martial Alliance."

"Yes. Have a safe trip."

Namgung Hui bowed and headed for his quarters.

Although he had clearly drawn a line with his father about the marriage, for some reason, his heart was complicated.

Namgung Hui shook his head and slapped his cheeks.

'At times like this, let's just practice martial arts.'

When his mind was complicated, moving his body was the best.

Namgung Hui had also realized something from the spar earlier, so he reorganized his martial arts and created his own hidden weapon technique.

'Here, I'll use the subtlety of 'return'. And here, I'll increase the explosive power.'

He created a hidden weapon technique to be unfolded with a ring and a hidden weapon technique to be unfolded with a dagger, respectively.

Although the process was laborious and quite complicated, Namgung Hui felt his heart clearing up.

Perhaps because he had been creating martial arts and organizing his thoughts endlessly like that.

The sun had already set, and it was evening.

Namgung Hui, rubbing his stomach in hunger, was about to head for the common dining hall when Tang Soso was loitering in front of his quarters.

"Namgung Hui. You've been at the training ground all this time?"

"Yes. I was just organizing the martial arts I had obtained earlier."

"Oh? Then it must be thanks to me."

"It's because of my outstanding insight, so don't take credit. By the way, it seems the work is all done."

"Yes. Here are the dagger and the bracelet. But that bracelet was surprisingly sturdy, so I had a hard time refining it. So you'll have to buy me dinner as a labor fee."

"Then Seolhwa..."

"Let's just eat, the two of us. I think she went somewhere with the Palace Lady earlier."

Come to think of it, hadn't he also been called by his father?

If the Moon Maiden Palace Mistress had taken the Young Palace Mistress, Baek Seolhwa, they would be having a very serious conversation.

Then it was unknown how long it would take, so it would be better to eat separately.

Since they would be eating together until they were sick of it in the future anyway.

"Then shall we go to a nearby inn?"

"No. The famous inn? I heard it's that delicious. Let's go there."

"...Alright."

Was it because his mind was complicated?

Namgung Hui didn't find the food at the famous inn, which he had usually enjoyed, to be that delicious.

* * *

Time passed, and it was time to leave for the Martial Alliance.

Namgung Hui carried a modest bundle, including a liquor bottle, on his back and headed for the main gate.

Tang Soso and Baek Seolhwa had also arrived at the main gate in time.

"Is everyone ready?"

At Namgung Hui's question, Tang Soso answered boldly.

"Of course!"

At Tang Soso's answer, Baek Seolhwa, who was next to her, asked.

"By the way, Tang Soso. Aren't you taking an escort?"

"Hui is here, so what's the need for an escort? And the localized downpour is not to be taken lightly. On the contrary, if there are many people, it's easy to run into trouble."

Namgung Hui nodded slightly.

If it was really a downpour brought by a spirit, it wouldn't be good to have many people.

There wouldn't be enough places to take shelter.

And if they weren't of a certain level, they would just be a burden.

Of course, if they were martial artists of the Tang family, their level would be high, but there was no need to mobilize people who were not participating in the tournament.

And the distance to Zhengzhou, Henan, was not that far.

'Seolhwa and I are no different from escorts. Still, it would be inconvenient if there's no one to attend to us.'

Since she was the precious daughter of the Tang family, he was also worried if she could handle everything on her own.

Namgung Hui and Baek Seolhwa, as for their inner selves, were old masters of the martial world who had been through thick and thin, so it didn't matter, but Tang Soso must have grown up like a flower in the closed Tang family fortress.

"Namgung Hui. What are you staring at so hard? Am I that pretty?"

Namgung Hui shook his head as if he were fed up and said.

"I'm just worried if you can do well without someone to attend to you."

"Goodness. I thought you were saying something else. You're underestimating the people of our Tang family. You don't know about our Tang family's coming-of-age ceremony, do you?"

"Coming-of-age ceremony? There was something like that?"

"Yes. The members of our Tang family, when they reach the age of majority, go to the poisonous land of the Southern Barbarians and receive training to survive for a month. It's part of the training method created by the Poison King in the past."

'To think that man had such a commendable idea. Well, he must have learned a lot from the great war between the orthodox and demonic factions.'

Namgung Hui nodded as if he understood and said.

"Then there should be no problem leaving right away."

"But you're not asking Baek Seolhwa? She's also a Young Palace Mistress, and she must have grown up only in the Moon Maiden Palace. She must have been outside even less than me."

"There's no need to worry about that. And if Seolhwa doesn't know, I can just tell her."

"Only Baek Seolhwa? Are you discriminating against people?"

"Hmm... You could think so. Well, it's not discrimination, let's just say it's a distinction. Anyway. If it's just the three of us leaving, let's go right away."

"...Yes. Alright. And I'll lead the way to the Martial Alliance."

The landscape had changed in 60 years, and the paths people took had also changed a lot.

And since there was even a climate change, it seemed best to let Tang Soso lead the way.

Before Namgung Hui took a step, he asked them.

"By the way, did you two say your goodbyes?"

"I did it in the morning."

"I did it all last night."

"Really? But Seolhwa, why do you look so down?"

As Namgung Hui had said, Baek Seolhwa's expression did not look particularly bright.

It was natural to be excited about leaving for the Martial Alliance.

But it didn't seem like she was nervous either, which made it even more strange.

Baek Seolhwa answered in a tone as if nothing was wrong.

"It's probably just my feeling. Tang Soso. So when are we leaving?"

"I was about to leave right away. Then, let's go."

Tang Soso finished her words and immediately unfolded her lightness skill and flew like a bird.

Although she was a member of the Tang family, he had been worried that her lightness skill might be somewhat lacking, but on the contrary, it was a movement technique that stood out for its flexibility.

Of course, since Baek Seolhwa was also a very outstanding lightness skill user, Namgung Hui's group left Hefei in an instant.

How long had they run like that?

Around noon, Namgung Hui's group, who had arrived at Mount Tianzhong, stopped their steps and looked around.

"It's about time to eat. Soso. Is there an inn nearby where we can get a meal?"

"There's something we have to do before that. Take out five bottles of the distilled liquor you're carrying on your shoulder."

Namgung Hui, now very curious as to what this distilled liquor would be used for, took out the liquor bottles from the bundle.

"What are we going to use this for? We're not going to hold a memorial service here, are we?"

Sometimes, when passing through a spooky mountain path, there was a tribe that offered alcohol to ghosts.

To dismiss it as a mere superstition, those ghosts actually existed.

Of course, they had to be seen as murderous demons crazy for killing, not as spiritual beings.

That was why Namgung Hui had guessed that what Tang Soso was about to do was in that context.

"Even though I'm scared of ghosts. I know they don't exist. Anyway. It's about time for them to show up, so just wait."

As Tang Soso's words ended, nothing was visible, but a certain smell began to waft.

And it was so foul that he couldn't pretend not to know.

Baek Seolhwa, as if she had also smelled it, frowned her beautiful eyebrows and said.

"What is this smell? It stinks of something rotten. Aren't zombies coming, not ghosts?"

"Are you suggesting we wash away this stench with alcohol?"

"No! Just wait a moment. They're here!"

As Tang Soso's words ended, the figure of a person became blurry on the mountain ridge.

Even from a distance, they had to recognize their identity right away because of their unique attire.

'They're from the Beggars' Sect. Seeing the two knots on their waists, they're second-knot disciples.'

The members of the Beggars' Sect distinguished their status by the number of knots on their waists, and if there were two knots like that, they were second-knot disciples, called 'the eyes of the Beggars' Sect', and they handled quite important information.

Namgung Hui, as soon as he saw those members of the Beggars' Sect, knew why he had been told to prepare cheap distilled liquor.

Five members of the Beggars' Sect stopped in front of them, exuding a foul stench.

The second-knot disciple among them glared and opened his mouth.

"Suspicious people! Catch them all!"

(End of Chapter)