Rebirth of the Thunder God

"By any chance, are those two lovers?"

If Namgung Hui had heard those words a little earlier, he would have spat out the tea he was holding in his mouth.

Fortunately, he had already swallowed the tea, so he could only show a slightly surprised expression.

"Wh-Why do you suddenly ask that?"

"Hmm... It seems you're not that close. When I heard you earlier, it sounded as if you actually knew them. Well, who can I blame if my judgment was wrong. Then, just finish your tea and go."

As Mo Socheon tried to get up from his seat, Namgung Hui grabbed his arm and said.

"No. Why is the story going that way? I do know those two. And we're quite close. The reason I was surprised by your question about whether they were a couple is that, well, Beak Seolhwa is a person of the Moon Maiden Palace, so romance is impossible, isn't it? That's why I was surprised."

"Ah. If that's the case, I understand. That's right. People of the Moon Maiden Palace cannot have romantic relationships. But that's why I'm curious. They stick together so much and seem so close that from the perspective of those around them, I wondered if they knew something. And you never know, right? Even in the Taoist and Buddhist sects, they break the rules and even have children."

As it happened, wasn't that the case with the relationship between the abbot of the Shaolin Temple and his hidden son, the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader?

Since it was a matter he couldn't exactly deny, Namgung Hui couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh in his predicament.

Then, suddenly, he focused his mind on the intention of the question and glared at Mo Socheon.

'Don't tell me... If the two of them are not in a romantic relationship, is he planning to aim for Seolhwa?'

His face was handsome.

His martial arts were talented enough to be among the Seven Dragons of the younger generation, and he even had wealthy attire.

It seemed he had never failed to woo a woman he had set his sights on.

Because of that, Namgung Hui, thinking that this man named Mo Socheon might covet Beak Seolhwa, became tense and couldn't help but stare at him fiercely.

"Why are you looking at me with those eyes? Ah. Did I perhaps make a rude remark? Well, if so, just let it slide. My family situation is not that great either. So, I would appreciate it if you could answer my previous question."

Namgung Hui came to his senses at Mo Socheon's words and continued.

"As far as I know... the two of them are not in a romantic relationship."

"Oho. Well, this was a personal curiosity, so thank you for resolving it. Here is the reward for that."

Mo Socheon took out 100 nyang of silver from his bosom and plunked it down in front of Namgung Hui.

Seeing him so readily offer 100 nyang as if it were water, he was indeed judged to be the scion of a wealthy family.

Namgung Hui had earned 100 nyang for free, but he didn't particularly want to receive this money.

A sense of discomfort for some reason.

He wondered if he had said something unnecessary.

Mo Socheon, having no way of knowing Namgung Hui's inner thoughts, took on a more serious expression this time and continued.

"The question just now was merely a trivial curiosity. The questions that will come now are matters I am truly curious about. First, I will ask about Namgung Hui. To be precise, it's about the Namgung family. Can you answer?"

"The Namgung family is fine. I'm not a complete stranger to that place either, so I can answer what I can."

Mo Socheon smiled brightly, as if he had already heard a satisfactory answer.

He had thought he was handsome before, but his smiling face was so captivating that it seemed to have a demonic charm.

Namgung Hui, despite being a man himself, couldn't help but admire it.

"Good. Then I will ask right away. Do you know about the Heavenly Phoenix, Namgung Jayeon, who has been gaining fame recently?"

Namgung Hui looked intently into Mo Socheon's eyes.

It was to determine whether this fellow knew that Namgung Hui was disguised and was testing him.

But there was no such sign in his eyes.

A hint of anticipation.

And strangely, it seemed to contain a slight bit of anger as well.

Namgung Hui, finding Mo Socheon's appearance strange, decided to give him the answer he wanted.

"Of course, I know her. In fact, I'm closer to Namgung Jayeon than to Namgung Hui."

'At least for now. Since I am Namgung Jayeon herself.'

"Oho. Then is she truly a person of the Namgung family? Or is she just borrowing the surname and pretending to be a person of the Namgung family?"

"She is of the Namgung family's bloodline. But may I ask why you're asking? Do you have a liking for her?"

"A liking, what a terrible thing to say. I was just trying to find out if she's a real person, since she seems to have fallen from the sky. As I said before, I have no interest in women. Even more so if it's someone whose face I don't even know."

"I see. Then let me ask you one thing. Young Hero Mo, is that perhaps an alias?"

"Why do you think so?"

"There's no way someone as handsome as you and with such outstanding martial arts could be unknown, right? You should at least be famous in the martial world, but it's a name I'm hearing for the first time."

Mo Socheon, as if agreeing that Namgung Hui's words had a point, nodded his head and opened his mouth.

"It is an alias. However, I hope you understand that I cannot reveal my original family name. The name is too heavy for you to handle."

Mo Socheon's remark sounded a little arrogant, but looking at his handsome face, it didn't sound that arrogant.

He must be the scion of one of the Five Great Families, or a bloodline of a prestigious family comparable to them.

However, if he was the scion of such a Five Great Families, it was also strange how they could have hidden such a handsome person.

'Don't tell me he was secretly raised by the Hoicheon Association...?'

Thinking this way, there was nothing particularly strange.

Various spirit medicines and divine arts.

On top of that, if he had inherited the outstanding bone structure of the Five Great Families, there was no law that said such a talent couldn't suddenly appear.

Then his arrogant attitude would also be understandable.

"Since I've given you an answer, it's my turn to ask. By any chance, can you arrange a meeting with Namgung Jayeon? I will give you a separate reward for this."

"Why do you want to meet Jayeon? You said you weren't interested."

Mo Socheon pointed to the sword hanging at his waist and said.

"Her martial arts are said to be great, so I wish to witness them."

Namgung Hui examined Mo Socheon's gaze, as well as his heartbeat and breathing, but there was truly no sign of falsehood.

'Don't tell me he's heard so much about my fame from the Sword Dragon that he's sick of it?'

It wasn't impossible to have a competitive spirit towards the opposite sex, but why would he have it for Namgung Jayeon, whom he had never even met, leaving aside the Sword Dragon and the Divine Dragon?

There were too many suspicious points, so Namgung Hui decided to refuse Mo Socheon's request.

"I can't do that. Unfortunately, that child is busy. Is your business finished now?"

"Hmm... The meeting was my biggest purpose, so if that's impossible, then my business is indeed finished."

"Alright. I enjoyed the tea. I hope you also achieve what you desire, Young Hero Mo."

"I understand. Take care."

Namgung Hui bowed his head to Mo Socheon and left the teahouse.

Although sharp gazes poured in from here and there, perhaps because they were conscious of Mo Socheon who had been with Namgung Hui, no one rushed at him.

Soon, Mo Socheon, who had finished paying at the teahouse, came out, stared at Namgung Hui's back for a moment, and then disappeared in the opposite direction.

And so, Namgung Hui also postponed his viewing of Dongting Lake for another time and left Yueyang.

* * *

Namgung Hui, who had left Yueyang, walked through Xiangyin County for a while, holding onto his complicated thoughts.

If he used the Wind God Steps, he could reach Changsha, where the Golden Merchant Guild was, in an instant, but for now, he wanted to walk slowly.

'Is Mo Socheon's purpose really a duel with me? Or is he aiming for Seolhwa?'

He didn't think Beak Seolhwa would fall for such a handsome face, but it was also true that he couldn't help but keep thinking about it for some reason.

In terms of face alone, he thought he looked more manly, but he couldn't deny that Mo Socheon also had a very handsome and charming face.

Especially the moment he smiled, it was certainly more beautiful than Namgung Hui's smile.

Still, Namgung Hui believed in his bond with Beak Seolhwa.

'Yes. It's something that hasn't even happened yet. And it's not like Seolhwa has met that fellow, so what's the point of worrying. I should just do what I have to do.'

Namgung Hui looked at the setting sun, then chose a deserted road and deployed the Wind God Steps.

Since performing an outstanding lightness skill in a crowded place was a way to attract the attention of those around him, he always chose a mountain path with almost no people like this when he used the Wind God Steps.

However, unlike usual, there was a previous traveler on the mountain path Namgung Hui was running on.

And since it was a group in a carriage, the wheel tracks were clearly left on the mountain path.

'Seeing as there are quite a few footprints, it seems to be an escort agency group. Should I walk from here?'

He couldn't run for long and had to stop his advance again.

Bypassing them was one way, but to do so, he would have to go off the path, which would be rather troublesome.

Since he didn't want to go that far, he just decided to walk.

Walking on a mountain path like this at night also had its own charm, so it wasn't a bad choice.

-Chirp, chirp.

-Awooo~~!!

The cries of various insects and wild animals echoed quietly on the mountain path.

Perhaps because it was a road that people didn't usually frequent, the sounds of nature were heard particularly loudly.

Was it because of that?

The cries of the beasts did not sound like a welcoming greeting.

It wasn't just Namgung Hui; the previous travelers on the wild mountain also seemed to feel the same, as they kicked a stone embedded in the ground and opened their mouths.

"Escort Leader Bang. Did we really have to come to Mount Mang? It seems there are too many wild animals, so camping will be difficult."

"As I said before, there are too many unorthodox path people on the other mountain paths. Wouldn't a pack of wolves that don't know martial arts be better than facing unorthodox path people who can turn into robbers at any time?"

"That's true, but. Still, do you think they would dare to attack our Hyeongmun Escort Agency?"

"That's something we can't be sure of, Escort Oh. You're being unusually whiny today. Anyone would think a martial artist would lose to a wolf."

Namgung Hui heard a rather familiar name in the conversation of the escort agency group.

Hyeongmun Escort Agency.

It was said to be an escort agency run by a small and medium-sized sect called the Hyeongmun Sect.

How did Namgung Hui know this?

'One of the women who was kidnapped by the Red Cliff Valley Lord back then was said to be the daughter of the Hyeongmun Sect.'

At that time, he had said in passing that he would visit the Hyeongmun Sect later, but how could he visit the Hyeongmun Sect, whose location he didn't even know?

Even if he knew the location, he didn't have the time, so it was almost impossible.

Still, since he had met the Hyeongmun Escort Agency like this, wouldn't it be considered keeping half of his promise?

Well, it was a promise that didn't matter even if he broke it.

Rather, since Namgung Hui had even saved her life, she would have nothing to say.

'Still, should I chase away the wolves?'

Namgung Hui scattered small pebbles in all directions, so that the escort agency group wouldn't hear.

The principle of the Sword Control Art used with the power of the upper Dantian.

Controlling various objects like this with Telekinesis also had its own training effect.

And so, after Namgung Hui had thrown pebbles here and there a few times, the howling of the wolves subsided.

On top of that, as the thick half-moon also tilted its body, the escort agency group also stopped their carriages and began to set up camp.

Namgung Hui also thought he wouldn't be able to enter Changsha right away, so he decided to sleep outdoors.

'It's lonely. Should I join them?'

Namgung Hui, who was approaching the Hyeongmun Escort Agency, stopped his steps at a sudden memory.

The memory of when he had walked a mountain path with an escort agency group while disguised as a woman.

How many people had hit on Namgung Hui?

As it was, entering among men in the middle of the night was a situation where they might suspect Namgung Hui.

'Forget it. Why would I be so desperate as to ask to join them. I'll just sleep in a tree.'

And he was at a level where he would be fine even if he didn't sleep for a night.

It would be a good thing to just waste time in a tree and organize his thoughts for a while.

Namgung Hui climbed up a tall, old tree quite a distance from the escort agency group, leaned his back against it, and was about to close his eyes.

But he had to open his closed eyes because of an uninvited guest who had arrived late.

(End of Chapter)