Rebirth of the Thunder God

"I'd like you to come to the Namgung family with me."

On Yuha frowned and said.

"What are you talking about? You just asked me to gather information and send it."

"That's because. It's something you can leave to your subordinates for a while. You just need to be at the Namgung family for one day."

"What on earth are you planning to do?"

"You'll know when you get there. If you're curious, you might get hurt, so just follow me quietly."

Although it sounded like a villain's line, On Yuha did not think badly of Namgung Hui's call.

Rather, if she could build a connection with the renowned Namgung family.

Her position would become even more solid in the future.

'Besides, he doesn't see me as a woman, so there's no reason for him to do anything strange, so it's a good thing.'

Although On Yuha was not as beautiful as some, she was still on the pretty side.

That was why there were many men who looked down on her and treated her badly because she was from the Hao Faction.

Especially when she had a private meeting with a high-ranking person at the Hao Faction branch, there were always men who tried to take her down somehow.

That was why On Yuha tried to use the tea house as her base instead of the brothel.

But Namgung Hui did not show any lecherous gaze towards her, nor did he look down on her because she was a woman.

Well, it might be because she was his senior sister, but it seemed that he himself had no such prejudice.

This was probably because he was with the Young Palace Mistress, a woman more outstanding than anyone else.

His standards for beauty would also be quite high, and because of her outstanding martial arts, he would not be able to just ignore women.

'Still, it's amazing. Usually, men tend to ignore women, saying they're weak.'

Since it was a good opportunity to see such a family environment firsthand, On Yuha readily accepted Namgung Hui's proposal.

"Alright. But you can't do anything strange to me."

At her words, this time Namgung Hui frowned slightly.

"Hmm... Depending on how you look at it, it might be a little strange."

"That's not what I meant... Never mind. It's annoying to explain to a kid. Anyway. Since you said you don't have time, let's go right away."

"Alright. The carriage is too slow, so that won't do. Dam Gihae. You're good at lightness skills, so follow me right away. I'll carry my senior sister and run. If you're slower than me, you'll get a punch."

"Ha. Even though I'm like this, I'm the successor of the Ematy Gate Sect. Do you think my lightness skill will be inferior to someone carrying a person? You're the one who should know that you'll get a punch if you're caught by me. I'll show you the greatness of a senior brother."

Perhaps because he had saved his life, Dam Gihae showed a much brighter attitude than before.

It seemed he had also acknowledged it inwardly.

That it was much safer to be under Namgung Hui's control.

"First Senior Brother. Our unworthy junior brothers and sisters will be going now. And please learn the concealment technique and movement technique in your spare time. I'll lend you Dam Gihae later."

"Thank you. Be careful. I'll tell our master for now."

"Yes. Then, Senior Sister, get on my back. Dam Gihae, you run first. Don't get caught and get a punch."

"Alright. Don't be upset that I started first!"

As Dam Gihae quickly flew away, On Yuha opened her mouth with a slightly displeased expression.

"Is it okay for you to carry me? I don't know if I'll cause jealousy."

"Who's jealous? Ah, the First Senior Brother? Indeed, since the First Senior Brother is clumsy at lightness skills, he might be jealous. I'll carry the First Senior Brother later, so just bear with it for today."

Hae Wicheong and On Yuha looked at Namgung Hui and smiled faintly.

Then they shook their heads and opened their mouths.

"I have no intention of being carried by my youngest junior brother, so please go ahead."

"Really? Alright. Senior Sister. Get on quickly. Or I'll carry you and run."

"That's really not it. Alright. I'll get on."

On Yuha got on Namgung Hui's back with a reluctant expression.

Hae Wicheong, who was watching it with a warm smile, waved his hand gently.

Namgung Hui nodded to Hae Wicheong and then threw his body.

Hae Wicheong's face, which was looking at Namgung Hui's back that was quickly getting smaller, soon lost its smile.

***

"Now, Dam Gihae. Where do you want to be hit?"

Namgung Hui, who had arrived at the Namgung family in half a day, looked at the panting Dam Gihae and grinned.

The bet ended with Namgung Hui's victory.

Even if he hadn't learned the Wind God Steps, the difference in their realms was so extreme that if Namgung Hui ran with all his might, he would inevitably be caught.

On top of that, since Namgung Hui was a master of lightness skills who had even learned the Wind God Steps, it was a realm that was virtually impossible for Dam Gihae to win against Namgung Hui, no matter how much he flew and crawled.

On Yuha, as if she didn't know that Namgung Hui was so fast, was still in a daze even though her hair was a mess.

"Senior Sister. Get a grip. Did you leave your soul behind?"

"Ah, no. I have to get a grip."

Only then did she look in the mirror and tidy her clothes.

Dam Gihae, who had also caught his breath to some extent, opened his mouth.

"Haa... There's really no other monster. What on earth are you?"

"What do you mean, what am I? I'm the person who gives a flick to the person who lost the bet. Now. Give me your forehead."

As Dam Gihae held out his forehead as if he had no choice, Namgung Hui flicked his finger and performed a finger technique.

Ttak!!!

Although he was only hit by a finger, Dam Gihae's body was pushed back a long way.

His forehead quickly turned red, and a scream full of pain followed.

"Aak!!! You bastard. Hit me a little softer!"

"If I hit you that softly, there's no point in making a bet. I've provided you with the motivation to run harder next time. Please learn the secret manual of the Ematy Gate Sect that you received from the General."

"Junior Brother. Now that the bet is roughly over, I'd like you to guide me home. My body is aching, so I need to rest."

Although it was Namgung Hui who had run, it was also a tiring task to hang on to another person's body and fly.

Should he say it was similar to the feeling of balancing on a horse?

And since Namgung Hui was running so fast, she couldn't let go of her tension.

Even now, On Yuha's legs were trembling slightly.

It seemed to have been even harder because she had no experience of being carried on someone's back and running like this.

"Yes. Let's go home slowly. It's been a while for me too. I'm looking forward to seeing how much it has changed."

With an excited heart, Namgung Hui moved his steps.

The guard martial artists who were glancing at this place from a distance recognized Namgung Hui and shouted from afar.

"Young~ Master~!"

"I'm not deaf. Speak softly."

"Young Master!! Welcome!"

Namgung Hui strode to the main gate, patted their shoulders, and said.

"Yes. You've all been well, right? Your bodies have become firm, so you haven't been lazy in your training."

"Yes! Thanks to you, we can eat meat to our heart's content, so our muscles have grown a lot. By the way, who are the people behind you?"

"What else would they be but my guests? That young man will be running my errands often from now on. So get to know his face. So that he won't be denied entry for being suspicious."

"I understand. But I think I need to write down the information about his identity..."

The Namgung family strictly distinguished between public and private affairs.

Namgung Hui was rather pleased with the troublesome process.

Because applying a strict standard to Namgung Hui himself meant that he would follow the procedure for others as well.

"This young lady is the second disciple of the Hao Faction, On Yuha. That young man is a expelled disciple of the Hao Faction, Dam Gihae. He's also the successor of the Ematy Gate Sect of this generation. So keep that in mind."

"The Hao Faction... Wait a minute. Young Master. Isn't the Ematy Gate Sect a sect of thieves? Then isn't our family in danger?"

"I've already taken care of it, so you can rest assured. If things go wrong, I'll just 'kwaek!'"

As Namgung Hui made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand, only then did the guard martial artist nod with a relieved expression.

"If it's the Young Master, he must have taken some measures. The roster has been completed, so you may enter."

"Yes. Keep up the good work."

"Thanks to you, many guests have been visiting, so we're already working hard. Hahaha."

As if he didn't dislike the trouble, the guard martial artist's face was bright.

And for good reason. The fact that there were many visitors also meant that they had regained their past prosperity.

The more visitors there were, the happier they would be.

Namgung Hui also smiled with satisfaction as he felt the many presences inside the family.

Now, the smell of people living was wafting through the Namgung family.

It was full of unfamiliar smells rather than familiar ones.

And it was a clear and fresh scent.

As Namgung Hui entered the family, Chohwa ran out from a distance.

Perhaps because she had learned some movement techniques from Beak Seolhwa, her movements had definitely changed.

'Is the Palace Lady going to snatch her away, saying she has learned the martial arts of the Moon Maiden Palace?'

Although Namgung Hui thought this, he thought it was unlikely.

It wasn't just any place, but the great Namgung family's household, so they wouldn't take her away like that.

And most of all, Namgung Hui trusted Chohwa.

Even if the Moon Maiden Palace Lady forcibly took her, she would say she wouldn't follow.

"Young Master~~!! Why has it been so long? I almost forgot your face. Let's see. Are there any scratches on your handsome face?"

Chohwa cupped Namgung Hui's face with both hands and checked if there were any scars.

Although Namgung Hui could have pushed Chohwa's hands away, he calmly complied with her touch.

"Really. You're also extreme. Seeing you like this, you seem to have been well. Is Choyeon also well?"

"Of course. These days, the Moon Maiden Palace disciples have been teaching her some martial arts, so she's very excited."

"And you seem to have learned quite a bit too?"

"Me. I just learned the basics. I hate martial arts because it's hard. Oh! This isn't the time for this, let's go inside. Guests, please follow me."

Chohwa skillfully guided Dam Gihae and On Yuha.

Since Namgung Hui had brought them, she didn't even ask about their origins.

It was a part that showed how much she trusted Namgung Hui.

And so, after giving On Yuha and Dam Gihae a brief rest, Namgung Hui headed to his own residence.

A scene he was seeing after a long time.

It was somewhat empty and did not smell of people living.

No matter how much Chohwa took care of it, she couldn't do anything about the warmth of a person.

But it didn't matter.

Namgung Hui, savoring the warm energy lingering on his cheeks for some reason, resolved to fill his room with this warmth someday.

[This is your room? It's smaller and cozier than I thought.]

It seemed the Sword Spirit had not known that a person who made a sword with ten-thousand-year-old cold iron would use such a small room.

And the room seemed a bit shabby compared to the size of the family.

That was because the family's financial situation had not been good before.

And it was also because of the checks from his other brothers.

And most of all, since he had been sick in bed for 10 years, there was nothing special to do for his room.

Even now, since he was often away, he did not feel the need to make any changes to the room.

"Originally, it's said that too much is as bad as too little. There's no need to use a large room. Especially for a single person like me."

[That's true, but don't you have too much luggage? To store it well, a spacious room would be better.]

As the Sword Spirit said, Namgung Hui's bundle was quite heavy.

In fact, the luggage in this bundle was heavier than carrying On Yuha.

The spirit medicines and the sword he had packed from the Imperial Palace's secret repository.

The White Wolf's skin was so bulky that it was a pain to carry it.

"Well, I'll have to move my residence soon. I've already asked the craftsmen of the Tang family, so it won't take long."

Before leaving the family, Namgung Hui had requested the craftsmen of the Tang family to build him a new residence.

They had, of course, readily accepted Namgung Hui's proposal.

And he had heard that the Tang Cheol-u and Tang Cheol-sim brothers would be leading it.

Namgung Hui put down his bundle and took out various treasures, including the White Wolf's skin.

'About 5 spirit medicines, one precious sword, and the White Wolf's skin is enough to make five sets of clothes.'

Besides that, the books in Namgung Hui's robes were also full.

Now, he would have to read them in his spare time while also getting organized within the family.

And the review of the love manual was also the same.

Although it was content that was already in his head, reading it again had a new taste.

And so, as Namgung Hui hid the spirit medicines under the bed and spread the White Wolf's skin on the bed, someone was approaching his residence.

And with his presence completely concealed.

(End of Chapter)