Rebirth of the Thunder God

Namgung Hui looked at the Plum Blossom Sword Masters he was facing and recalled a memory he had forgotten for a moment.

'Ah. That's right. I had asked the Mount Hua Sect Leader to support me with ten Plum Blossom Sword Masters.'

At the time of the martial arts tournament, there were twenty-four Plum Blossom Sword Masters scheduled to demonstrate their sword formation and sword dance.

At that time, in preparation for a possible re-invasion of the Blood Cult, he had asked them to select ten and support the Namgung family, and perhaps because the Mount Hua Sect Leader had sent them in advance, the behavior of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters seemed very familiar with the Namgung family.

"Haha! Senior Brother. I guessed today's lunch side dish correctly. The fish was very fresh and delicious."

"Hmm... I thought it would be chicken. Junior Brother, how did you know it would be fish?"

"In the morning, Miss Chohwa hinted... ahem."

"What? You knew in advance and suggested a bet? Isn't this cheating?"

"If you're so upset, you should get close to Miss Chohwa too. I don't know if you can get close, though. Hahaha!"

'The fact that Chohwa even told him the side dishes means they're really close. He must be a friendly young master.'

The Plum Blossom Sword Masters, as if they had also spotted Namgung Hui, stopped their conversation and turned around.

Then they looked at Namgung Hui's face and all cupped their fists.

""We greet Young Master Namgung Hui!""

Although they were of the same generation and similar rank, the Plum Blossom Sword Masters were extremely humble.

Their fame alone was by no means far behind Namgung Hui's.

The Plum Blossom Sword Masters, of whom there were only twenty-four in the Mount Hua Sect.

Since they would become the future elders or sect leader of the Mount Hua Sect, they were the talents who would lead the next generation of the Mount Hua Sect.

Hadn't countless people in the Central Plains tried their best to get on their good side?

The reason these people were being humble to Namgung Hui was not for any other reason.

"Benefactor. Why is it so hard to see your face? I'll forget my gratitude before I can even express it."

It was because Namgung Hui had recovered the sacred artifacts of the Mount Hua Sect.

Since they would have heard a sufficient explanation as to why they were heading to the Namgung family, it was understandable that they showed such an attitude.

On top of that, since they would have heard about Namgung Hui's appearance, it wouldn't be strange for them to recognize him at a glance.

Because Namgung Hui's face was that of a handsome man rarely seen in the human world.

Such a Namgung Hui smiled an awkward smile with his handsome face and said.

"Haha... I've been through a lot, so it was difficult to make time. But didn't I come to see the Plum Blossom Sword Masters like this?"

"Is it really true that you came to see us? The Sect Leader said you were very generous, so it's unlikely you would come empty-handed, right?"

Namgung Hui, realizing that he had nothing in his hands, was quite flustered inside.

And for good reason. When visiting guests like this, it was customary not to come empty-handed.

At the very least, he should have brought a few bottles of fine liquor.

Since there were ten Plum Blossom Sword Masters, he should have brought at least ten bottles.

'No. Rather, since it's hard to bring ten portions. This gives me an excuse...'

"Haha. Why do you think I'm empty-handed? It's difficult to grasp the tastes of so many people, so I brought money. It would be better for each of you to choose the food and drink you want to eat. I heard that you've only been eating at our family's place lately."

Although Namgung Hui had not actually looked into it, if they had even heard about the side dishes from Chohwa, they would have always used the family's public dining hall.

The Mount Hua Sect would not have had the financial capacity to pay separately.

A huge amount of silver was consumed to build new pavilions and replenish supplies due to the explosion caused by the Blood Cult's spies recently.

And most of all, the Mount Hua Sect Leader would have entrusted them to Namgung Hui, trusting him.

The fact that the Plum Blossom Sword Master mentioned being empty-handed now might have contained some disappointment.

At this time, Namgung Hui had to invest boldly.

Namgung Hui took out a heavy money pouch from his robes and handed it to the one who seemed to be the oldest among the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

"With this, please have a company dinner outside today. And please buy some clothes. And I'll visit you with another gift soon."

The Plum Blossom Sword Master at the head took the heavy money pouch and stealthily looked inside.

"F-five hundred nyang of silver!? Benefactor! You've given too much. If we receive this much, we'll be punished by the Sect Leader."

The Plum Blossom Sword Master handed the money pouch back to Namgung Hui.

But Namgung Hui, not to be outdone, shook his head and refused to take it back.

"The Sect Leader won't say anything about a mere 500 nyang between us. Because he knows I have quite a bit of money. Rather, you might get scolded if you just eat a little. He might say, 'How lazy were you to only get that much?'"

"!? No. Such words..."

Come to think of it, that could be the case.

The story of not being treated well was the same as not being a help to the Namgung family.

The Namgung family, also known as the Changcheon family or the Uicheon family, was famous for being generous and righteous, so they rarely treated their guests poorly.

That meant that there was a reason for being treated poorly.

If other guests were all treated with the utmost respect and only the Plum Blossom Sword Masters received shabby treatment, it would also affect the prestige of the Mount Hua Sect.

The Plum Blossom Sword Master, who had finished his calculations, slowly nodded and put the money pouch in his robes.

"I will use this gratefully. But, I won't use it extravagantly, but usefully and frugally."

"Yes. Everyone, please don't stand in the middle of the road because of me, but return to your respective residences and rest. I'll visit you again soon."

Although he had somehow managed to get by with improvisation and 500 nyang of silver this time, it was right for the Plum Blossom Sword Master to show his face to some extent.

It wasn't for nothing that the people of the Central Plains tried to build a connection with them.

Although their outstanding martial arts were outstanding, their influence in the Central Plains was not something that could be ignored.

Although the Eighteen Arhats of the Shaolin Temple might have more outstanding martial power, their influence on the martial world was not that great.

The reason was that the Shaolin Temple was a sect that was more frugal and detached from the secular world than any other sect.

On the other hand, the Mount Hua Sect was a sect that was closer to the secular world than any other Taoist sect.

Of course, it wasn't that the Mount Hua Sect was extremely fond of money or that they forced protection money with force like the Black-Path Factions.

It was just that they had a flexible way of thinking and a free-spirited sect rule.

Unlike other Taoist sects, marriage was not forbidden, and the formality of their attire was also simple.

'Such freedom is probably what appears in the ever-changing Plum Blossom Sword Art.'

Come to think of it, his sworn brother had also said in his past life that such diverse experiences helped to raise one's realm.

'Jaseong. Did you ask why I am so strong?'

'Yes. Brother. I have also devoted my entire life to martial arts training, but isn't it a bit strange that the gap in our realms is not narrowing? I also have talent if it's talent, and a divine art if it's a divine art. And I've received so much hellish training from our master, so I feel a bit wronged.'

'Hahaha! Yes. I have several wives and I'm not just focused on training, so you might not understand. Alright. I'll give you a special teaching. The reason I was able to become so strong is...'

'Is?'

'It's because I've experienced various emotions, including joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. So I recommend it to you too. If you have a chance later, get married. If you don't have a suitable marriage partner, I'll introduce you to one.'

At that time, he thought he had said it because he felt sorry for himself, who was growing old as a bachelor, but now he understood his sworn brother's true meaning a little.

Diverse emotions.

Various experiences he had in his past life.

Although he had not yet experienced much, as his realm gradually rose, the scope of his emotions and thoughts widened.

And at the center of that experience, of course, was Beak Seolhwa.

"Uh... Benefactor. What are you thinking about so much that you're grinning?"

"Ahem. I was just thinking about something else for a moment. Then please have a fun company dinner today, and I'll visit you with some good liquor next time."

"Yes. Benefactor. Please be careful."

Namgung Hui, after putting the faces of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters one by one in his mind, went to find On Yuha and Dam Gihae.

'Where are these things that I can't see them? Don't tell me they're trying to steal something?'

It would have been nice if Namgung Hui's concern had ended as a groundless fear.

As expected, if you have a hunch.

On Yuha and Dam Gihae were wandering around the Namgung family and were caught by someone.

And quite coincidentally, it was the Moon Maiden Palace Lady, Yu Seolran, whom the Vice Palace Lady, Na Harin, had gone to find.

"Who are you to wander around someone else's house so carelessly?"

"We are disciples of the Hao Faction and have visited the Namgung family."

"The Hao Faction... I haven't heard that they sent people."

"No. Who are you to say such things to us?"

At On Yuha's question, Yu Seolran smiled mischievously.

And she had naturally started to speak informally to them.

"You're curious about my identity. I'm curious if you have the right to know."

"Hmph! You look very young to call yourself 'this woman'. At best, you're three or four years older than me. Alright. Sister. We're sorry for peeking, but would you please let us go? We're not easy people either."

Yu Seolran showed a complicated expression at On Yuha's words.

Whether she was in a good mood or a bad mood, her face changed from red to blue.

Then she finally smiled and opened her mouth softly.

"Since you said you're disciples of the Hao Faction, you must be well-versed in the affairs of the martial world, right?"

"Yes. Sister."

"Then do you know where that guy, no, the child named Namgung Hui is?"

The moment On Yuha was about to answer Yu Seolran's question, Namgung Hui stealthily appeared from behind Yu Seolran and surprised her.

"I'm right here."

"!? This guy. You should let your presence be known. Oh. You've become quite strong since I last saw you. Your concealment technique has also improved a lot."

"And the Palace Lady seems to have gotten even younger. Did someone give you a spirit medicine that's good for your skin?"

As if she had been hit in the vitals, Yu Seolran was startled and her body trembled.

"Ahem! Who would give me something like that as a gift? And do I look that young?"

"Yes. To the point where it's not at all awkward for my senior sister to call you 'sister'. By the way, Palace Lady. The people in front of you are my guests, so would you please let them go?"

"Yes. Speaking of which, what is your relationship with this girl?"

"As I just said, you can think of us as just senior and junior brothers. I've become a lay disciple of the Hao Faction."

"A lay disciple? Did the Hao Faction also have such a thing? Well, good. As long as it's not a private relationship with this girl, it's fine."

On Yuha, who had understood Yu Seolran's question first, immediately said to her.

"There will be absolutely no cause for concern. And Palace Lady. Please forgive me for rudely calling you 'sister'. I made a mistake because you looked so young."

"Well, I'm not that petty, so I won't scold you for such a title. But, really, don't drool over someone else's rice cake. Got it?"

"Yes! Of course. I still have a lot to do. So I'll cherish my life."

Although Namgung Hui didn't quite understand the conversation between the two, he thought there must be something that women understood among themselves and put his arm around Dam Gihae's shoulder.

"You didn't do anything foolish while I was gone, did you?"

"You put a prohibition on me and you're not at ease?"

Since the prohibition technique was just a bluff, Namgung Hui couldn't help but be uneasy.

A Insanity Gu? Did Namgung Hui really have something like that?

He had just fed him any bug and pretended to have cast a prohibition.

Of course, Namgung Hui had also used his Chichi Divine Art to make the other person believe it, and he had also encouraged his belief.

No matter how suspicious Dam Gihae was, he wouldn't be able to test it by risking his life.

"Prohibition or not. It wasn't you, but my senior sister I was asking. How did you run into the Moon Maiden Palace Lady?"

"I just saw an unusual person, so I was watching for information gathering purposes. And I wanted to ask you. What is the relationship between the Moon Maiden Palace Lady and your father?"

"What relationship? They're just the heads of their respective martial arts organizations, so they're close. If the Mount Hua Sect Leader was there, he would have been close too. Don't look at them with strange eyes."

"Alright. If you say so, then so be it. Anyway. Now, will you explain why you brought us here?"

Namgung Hui nodded and disappeared with Dam Gihae.

(End of Chapter)