Rebirth of the Thunder God

As soon as Namgung Hui left Yueyang Tower and entered Dongting Lake, a loud noise was heard.

-Crash!

The sound of someone flying and rolling on the ground.

The commotion didn't stop there and continued.

Thud, thud. Bang, bang!

Several men were sprawled on the ground, groaning.

It seemed that the one who had created this situation was the only young man standing.

The young man was a handsome gentleman, so much so that even Namgung Hui's eyes widened.

It seemed to be the first time in his life that he had seen a man as handsome as himself.

Although he lacked a bit of masculinity, the young man's appearance, with a hero's headband tied tightly around his forehead, captivated the gazes of everyone around, regardless of age or gender.

'From his neat attire and outstanding Ki, he seems to be the scion of a prestigious family, but why am I seeing such a handsome person for the first time?'

Although Namgung Hui had not participated in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, a person as handsome as that was bound to become famous.

If so, he should have already heard of that person's fame.

Namgung Hui had never heard of a handsome gentleman other than himself.

Well, it was true that Namgung Hui had only been interested in women, as he was looking for a bride.

Namgung Hui soon lost interest in such a man.

It was a pleasant thing to meet a person of the orthodox path in a foreign land like this, as all under heaven are brothers.

But getting involved with a man who was receiving so much attention could be a little tiring.

Even now, a group of women approached the handsome gentleman and greeted him.

"Young hero. By any chance. If you have time, would you have a meal with us?"

At the woman's question, a clear, sharp voice flowed from the man's mouth.

"I have already finished my meal. If you are not here to pick a fight like these men, then please move out of the way."

It was a remark that could sound rather unkind and rude.

Namgung Hui thought that no matter how handsome he was, it was not good to be so cold to people.

Hadn't it been said that a single word can pay off a thousand nyang debt?

Of course, one couldn't gain a thousand nyang with a single word, but there were many times when one could save a life that couldn't be bought even with a thousand nyang.

If one were to assume that the handsome gentleman's remark just now was directed at a master stronger than himself.

The end would surely not be good.

As it was, the area around Hunan Province was not the territory of the orthodox faction.

But since the women who had spoken to him were not such masters, they had no choice but to move out of the way as the handsome gentleman had said.

As the women parted to the left and right, making way for the handsome gentleman, he immediately strode away and left the place.

The women, who were still following the handsome gentleman's back, stared at him as if mesmerized and muttered.

"Wow... Could he be the Jade Qilin who won the martial arts tournament this time?"

Namgung Hui wanted to shout that he wasn't that cold, but if he did, his identity would be revealed, so he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut and eavesdrop on the women's words.

"I heard he's the only one that handsome, so it's probably him. Just seeing him subdue those ruffians here showed his great skill. But his personality is... a bit..."

"Isn't it always the case that they act their face value? He must have caught it from hanging around that cold ice ghost all the time."

Namgung Hui could have held it in and kept his mouth shut until his own story came up.

But as soon as he heard the words 'ice ghost,' he couldn't help but instantly recognize who it was.

And he moved.

"Excuse me. Even if the people in question are not here. Isn't that a rude thing to say?"

At Namgung Hui's sharp remark, the women flinched and turned around.

Then, realizing that Namgung Hui was alone, they straightened their shoulders and said.

"What did we say that was rude? Do you happen to know that young hero?"

"That's not it, but you were just talking about other people. The winner of the martial arts tournament, Young Hero Namgung Hui, and Young Lady Beak Seolhwa."

The women looked Namgung Hui up and down.

Namgung Hui's current attire did not look as wealthy as the handsome gentleman from before.

And since he had already reached the state of returning to the origin, his temples were smooth, and the aura that was subtly revealed was not felt at all.

As if he had not learned martial arts at all.

Because of that, the women, perhaps looking down on Namgung Hui, curled their lips and continued.

"Hmph. I suppose you know the Jade Qilin and the ice ghost?"

"Yes. You may not believe it, but they are people I am close with."

"Ah~ So?"

"I don't know about the Jade Kirin. But Young Lady Beak Seolhwa would really hate being called an ice ghost."

In the first place, Namgung Hui was also hearing the term 'ice ghost' for the first time.

Well, unless their guts were outside their bodies, they wouldn't make a disparaging remark about Beak Seolhwa in front of Namgung Hui.

In the first place, the people of the Hoicheon Association or those Namgung Hui had faced did not utter such childish titles.

"Ah. So you didn't like hearing the title 'ice ghost.' But what can we do? We're going to keep calling her an ice ghost. And they say her chest is big, but her head is empty. Is that true?"

Twitch!

Namgung Hui was so angry that his temples almost bulged, but he soon calmed his anger.

He couldn't just punch women who didn't even know martial arts properly.

But just standing by was also not in his nature.

He had to give them a sharp word on Beak Seolhwa's behalf.

"If your face is ugly, your heart should at least be beautiful, but how can your heart be so ugly too? Could you tell me the secret?"

"Wh-What? My heart is ugly?"

"Why are you stealthily leaving out the part about your face being ugly? Your face and heart are both ugly. No, I misspoke. Your face, heart, and even your figure are pathetically lacking."

"Y-You, really!"

One of the women finally couldn't hold back her anger and threw a punch.

Namgung Hui could have counterattacked in self-defense.

But to counterattack right here was third-rate.

To dodge slightly was second-rate.

To just take the hit was first-rate.

Thwack!

A heavy blow landed on Namgung Hui's abdomen.

However, it wasn't Namgung Hui's expression that contorted, but the complexion of the woman who had thrown the punch that turned pale.

"Aack!"

As if she had sprained her wrist, she grabbed her wrist with one hand and shook it.

At that sight, her friends who were next to her came to support her.

And her bodyguard, who had been watching from behind, stealthily approached and spoke.

"Young lady. Are you alright?"

"Can't you see? I'm not alright! Take care of that bitch."

The bodyguard who had been watching knew who was at fault.

But since he was in a position of being hired for money, he had an obligation to listen to his employer's words.

"Excuse me. Young lady. Unfortunately, it seems I will have to use my hands. I ask for your forgiveness in advance."

"I think that's what I should be saying to you."

He had held back because he was reluctant to face someone who didn't know martial arts, but if the opponent was a martial artist, it was a different story.

The bodyguard was not a very great master, but he was at least first-rate, so just taking the hit one-sidedly was also a bit much.

As Namgung Hui took a stance to give him a proper lesson this time, another voice cut in from behind him.

"Wait. Stop your hands."

As Namgung Hui and the bodyguard turned their heads towards the same place, the handsome gentleman who had left the place earlier was walking back towards them.

The handsome gentleman squeezed in between Namgung Hui and the bodyguard and opened his mouth in a low voice.

"I have some business with the young lady here, so would you stop your hands?"

The women, seeing the handsome gentleman who had ditched them show interest in Namgung Hui, bit their lips as if in frustration.

"Hey! You said you didn't like us, so why are you showing interest in that wench over there? Just because the martial world praises you as the Jade Kirin, you've become so arrogant."

"Hmm... It seems a few misunderstandings have piled up. First, to clarify, I have no interest in the young lady here. Neither you nor the woman here is my type. And most importantly, I am not that fellow called the Jade Kirin or whatever."

"What did you say? If you're not the Jade Kirin, then who are you...?"

"My name is Mo... Socheon. Anyway. You all, take your bodyguard and get lost. This time I'm saying it with words, but there won't be a next time."

As Mo Socheon glared, the women, as well as the bodyguard, were thoroughly frightened.

This was not just an empty bluff, but a powerful warning containing killing intent.

The women unknowingly took a step back and then left Dongting Lake with their bodyguard.

As the group of women disappeared and even the onlookers turned their steps to their own paths, Mo Socheon turned to look at Namgung Hui and opened his mouth.

"From what I heard earlier, you sounded like an acquaintance of the Hidden Dragon and the White Phoenix. Are you truly acquainted with them?"

"And what if I am?"

For some reason, he didn't like Mo Socheon's tone.

It was partly because he had shown a sharp attitude to others, but something was strangely grating on him.

Above all, looking at him closely from up close.

'This fellow...! He's a master who knows how to hide his Ki!'

Unlike other talents of the younger generation, a true master who truly knew how to conceal himself.

Not only was the flow of his Ki stable, but his realm was also outstanding enough to compete for the lead among the talents of the younger generation.

A master who would absolutely not fall behind even when compared to the Divine Dragon and the Sword Dragon.

Rather, because of that Ki, he couldn't help but tilt his head.

'A talent of the younger generation this handsome and with such outstanding Ki has been unknown until now? He must be hiding his name or have an original identity.'

Or he could be someone secretly raised by some faction.

But for such a secret weapon to be wandering around so recklessly was also somewhat incomprehensible.

If so, since the man in front of him also seemed to have something he was curious about regarding Namgung Hui, it seemed it wouldn't be a bad idea to exchange information with each other.

"I'll say it again, I have no interest in you. I am just curious about the Hidden Dragon and the White Phoenix. So, I was wondering, would you go to a teahouse with me for a moment and have a talk? I will also provide a reward so that you won't feel disappointed."

"Alright. In return, I'll ask what I'm curious about."

"Hmm... Just in case, I have no interest in women. If you are harboring any unnecessary thoughts, I must decline."

"Ah. That's not it, so don't worry. I also don't like people who are just all looks, like you."

"That's good to hear. Then follow me."

And so, he followed Mo Socheon to a secluded teahouse.

Perhaps because they had come to a back alley, sharp gazes poured in from here and there.

If he hadn't come with Mo Socheon, it was an atmosphere where ruffians would have surely approached Namgung Hui.

But since Mo Socheon had mercilessly beaten up several ruffians, no one approached them.

And so, they took a seat in a quiet teahouse and ordered the most expensive tea.

This was not ordered by Namgung Hui, but was offered by Mo Socheon himself.

Well, since he looked like the scion of a wealthy family, it seemed it was no burden at all.

A moment later. As the teacups, from which steam was rising, were served, Mo Socheon finally moistened his throat with the tea.

His appearance was so elegant that he could have been mistaken for a young lady from a noble house.

Namgung Hui was also sometimes told he had a pretty face, but not as much as Mo Socheon.

"For a shabby sign, the tea ceremony skills are quite good."

Namgung Hui also savored the tea and nodded.

As he said, the deep aroma of the tea was not ordinary.

Not only were the skills good, but it seemed they also used good tea leaves.

As Namgung Hui set down his teacup, he asked Mo Socheon.

"So, what are you curious about regarding the Hidden Dragon and the White Phoenix?"

At Namgung Hui's question, Mo Socheon swallowed the tea he had been holding in his mouth with his smooth throat and opened his mouth.

"By any chance, are those two lovers?”

(End of Chapter)