Rebirth of the Thunder God

‘It's Xiangyang County, where the Zhuge family is.’

When one thought of the hegemon of Hubei Province, the Wudang Sect usually came to mind, but the Zhuge family was also by no means lacking as a long-established power.

Since the fields and territories they occupied were different, should one say that their compatibility was rather good?

The Wudang Sect of military power.

The Zhuge family of intellectual power.

On top of that, since both had gentle dispositions, they had few conflicts with the surrounding sects.

The Zhuge family was a family famous for being meticulous and strict.

To think that he had hidden in the territory of such a Zhuge family, Namgung Hui had no choice but to tilt his head.

Because if he were the culprit who had stolen the manual, he would have hidden in the Iron Blood Fortress or the Guangxi Province area.

But Xiangyang County was in the exact opposite location.

‘Is this what they call ‘it's darkest under the lamp’?’

Even Namgung Hui couldn't believe it, so it would be even harder for the Wudang Sect, who had to track him down, to think of it.

Moreover, Mount Wudang and Xiangyang County were not that far apart.

Because it was no different from being right to the right of Mount Wudang.

But on the other hand, since it was a nearby area, and thanks to the fence of the Zhuge family, it was also a clear fact that the defense and surveillance would be lax.

Since they wouldn't want the fact of the manual leak to spread, it would also be difficult to dispatch the disciples of the Wudang Sect to the Zhuge family.

The culprit was a person who knew the Wudang Sect very well.

Was this what it meant to be a direct disciple?

It felt as if he could see right through the Sect Leader's inner thoughts.

‘Well, alright. If I go in the direction Chichi is pointing, something will come out.’

"Sect Leader. I've roughly pinpointed the location. I'm worried the culprit might escape, so I'm planning to leave right away. Is that alright?"

"I'd be grateful if you'd hurry. But how did you get a feel for it? It seemed you were just moving your lips for a telepathic message."

It was still a bit much to reveal Chichi's existence.

Not only did the troublesome Chichi not want it, but if this were to be known, it would only cause more trouble for Namgung Hui himself.

"Just know that I have a hidden card. Surely the Sect Leader isn't trying to pry into someone else's livelihood, is he?"

"Heul, heul. You rascal. I just asked because I was curious. What do you mean I'm coveting it? You're the one who shouldn't covet our sect's manual. Your eyes are overflowing with greed. Go and come back quickly."

"Yes. Then I'll be on my way. Brother, let's go."

***

"But is it alright to come like this without saying anything to your friends? I saw that the daughter of the Hyeongmun Escort Agency had something to say to you."

"It didn't seem like a very urgent story. If fate allows, there will be another chance to meet."

Although it was a sorry thing to say to Jang Yuhui, finding the Taiji Wisdom Sword was much more important than her.

It was the number one ultimate art of the Wudang Sect, and among the existing sword arts, it was a divine art that was not lacking to be called the strongest.

Since he had roughly deduced the whereabouts of such a sword art, there was no need to delay any longer.

Because the direct disciple who had smuggled out the manual might hand it over to someone else.

If that were the main base of the Blood Cult or the Hoicheon Association, he couldn't enter even if he knew the location.

And the reason the direct disciple had betrayed them was that with Cheonghak recently starting to build his fame, there had been a lot of noise within the Wudang Sect.

That the qualities of the previously appointed direct disciple were questionable.

The argument that Cheonghak should be pushed as the direct disciple had begun to emerge.

However, what was strange was that a person with the insight to even recognize Namgung Hui's disguise.

It was a little strange that he couldn't select his own disciple.

Was it really as they say, that it's darkest under the lamp?

"Brother, if you feel something, please tell me right away."

"Alright. As it is, the trembling of the spiritual waves is getting stronger. It must mean that there is an item with a will attached to it."

"Good. The start is not bad."

The direct disciple would not have expected that there would be someone with an ability like Namgung Hui.

Chichi's ability was also very special, and the sorcery of the Maoshan Sect was also on a different level from other martial arts.

Of course, a fellow who had acted as a spy for 20 years would not be an ordinary person, but it was the same for Namgung Hui.

And so, Namgung Hui, who had crossed Hubei Province in an instant with his lightness skill, arrived at Xiangyang County, where Mount Longzhong was in sight.

Now, this area was a region that could be seen as completely the territory of the Zhuge family.

Already, here and there, martial artists who looked like they belonged to the Zhuge family were wearing white martial robes and glancing around.

‘Did the Zhuge family also notice something? The security is stricter than usual. I'll just ask.’

Namgung Hui had now returned to his original form.

In the territory of the Zhuge family, his true identity could only act as an advantage.

"Oh! Young Master Namgung Hui! It's been a long time."

"You've risen from your sickbed. You've really recovered."

That was because he had already met the Zhuge family.

Hadn't Namgung Hui's only friend once been Zhuge Jian?

Although he had quite a few friends now, until Namgung Hui had fallen ill, his only proper friend had been Zhuge Jian.

‘Although I'm much closer to Seolhwa than Zhuge Jian now.’

Namgung Hui, after looking towards the south for a moment, asked the Zhuge family martial artist.

"Xiangyang County is famous for its good security. Why is the guard so strict?"

"Ah. That's because a high-ranking official has come to our family. Hasn't the martial world been a little noisy lately? Because of the Iron Blood Fortress and the Blood Cult and such forces. It's in case they aim for a person of high office."

Usually, such strict security did not occur simply because of an official.

At the very least, it was something that was only possible if it were a member of the imperial family who had mixed blood with the emperor.

Since the emperor himself would not have come, it would be a princess or a feudal lord.

‘By the way, I wonder if Princess Ju Hwayeong is doing well.’

Since there was no news that she had been executed, it seemed she was still hiding well.

Since the force of the Anti-Heaven Alliance was also behind her, it wouldn't be that difficult to take care of herself.

"That official must be quite high-ranking. To think that even the Zhuge family is providing all the escorts."

"Ahem. That's because the Grand Family Head personally ordered it. Would our Zhuge family do such a grand thing just because an official came? It's all because of the Grand Family Head's order."

This was also strange.

If it were the Grand Family Head of the Zhuge family, it would be the Heavenly Secret Master.

Why would he give such an order?

Didn't the title of 'Grand' mean that he had already retired?

‘Hmm... Was it someone he knew before he retired? Then he might be a really high-ranking official.’

Rather, it was a good thing for Namgung Hui.

The fact that the direct disciple would escape from this strict security would be like a camel going through the eye of a needle.

‘Then. Let's check again which direction the manual is in.’

-Chichi. The direction of the manual?

[Uh... It's still in the same place. It's over there. Over there.]

The direction Chichi was pointing to had nothing.

Except for the Zhuge family.

That meant that the direction Chichi was pointing to was definitely the Zhuge family.

Was he really planning to hide under the lamp?

He was also very curious as to how he had penetrated this strict security and entered the Zhuge family.

‘Well, since he's a fellow who disguised himself as a direct disciple for 20 years, it wouldn't be strange for him to invade the Zhuge family. Well, if he disguised himself as a servant or some other miscellaneous worker, it wouldn't be that difficult.’

Instead, such servants or miscellaneous workers could not use the important facilities and bases within the Zhuge family.

If he were planning to guard a high-ranking official, all he had to do was block access from the source.

Since the direct disciple would achieve his goal if he just hid his body and then secretly escaped, it could be said to be a very appropriate clever plan.

But that was a story limited to when Chichi couldn't detect him.

Now that Chichi was even specifying his location, there was no way Namgung Hui would miss him.

"Then I'll have to stop by the Zhuge family to see Jian's face after a long time. Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

"Yes. Please stop by often in the future. We have plenty of tea and food that are good for the body."

The Zhuge family martial artists, who still thought of Namgung Hui as a patient.

They were not ignoring Namgung Hui, but were saying it out of genuine concern.

Namgung Hui naturally entered the Zhuge family's camp.

Although the security was strict, it was no problem for Namgung Hui, who was on friendly terms.

Rather, from time to time, the merchants and the Zhuge family members who recognized Namgung Hui came up to greet him.

"Oh my. Isn't that Young Master Namgung Hui? He looks exactly the same as when I saw him at the banquet when he was young. I remember because I had clothes made for him as a gift at that time."

"That's right. I also still can't forget the face I saw at that time."

That was something that was only possible because Namgung Hui's face was exceptionally handsome.

As if the nickname 'Jade Qilin' wasn't given for nothing, Namgung Hui's original appearance was enough to make people whisper.

On top of that, his physique and facial features, which had become more handsome than at that time, were a matter of course.

"My brother is so popular. It must be nice. This older brother is still living alone and lonely."

"Hey. Isn't it because you have a rebellious spirit because of your older sister that you're living alone? And can't you also get married whenever you want, brother?"

"How old am I? It's too late."

"What does age matter? If there's a person you get along with, it's always possible. Didn't you get younger after eating the spirit medicine before?"

The spirit medicine Namgung Hui had smuggled out from the Imperial Palace's secret repository.

Jang Hwang, after eating it, not only became physically strong, but his appearance also looked younger.

"Ahem. Is there a nice young lady around?"

"Even if there isn't, this younger brother will have to find one for you. We're almost at the Zhuge family."

Unlike other families, the Zhuge family did not have a grand or splendid charm.

Instead, the hanging board that was hanging alone at the main gate was written in an elegant handwriting, which added to its charm.

Should I say it felt like a crane was showing off its noble figure?

The beauty of the empty space was also felt, and even a plainness was conveyed.

Namgung Hui did not go in right away, but stood at the entrance and took out his nameplate.

If it were any other family, it would be a big deal to just go in like this.

"Huh? Who is this? Isn't it Young Master Namgung Hui? You've really come to the Zhuge family after a long time."

The person who was standing guard at the gate was a face that Namgung Hui also knew well.

He was from a branch family of the Zhuge family, and he had been standing guard like this 10 years ago.

"Yes. It's been a long time. We've been out of touch for a long time. Guard Captain."

"Hoho. What do you mean, captain? I'm a commander now."

The guard commander, whose shoulders were full of strength.

When you think about it, if 10 years had passed, it was natural to become a commander beyond a captain.

"A nameplate is enough between us. Who is the person next to you?"

"He is the current sect leader of the Maoshan Sect."

"The Maoshan Sect? Oho, a noble person has come. If it's the Maoshan Sect, the family head will also treat him as a noble guest."

The Zhuge family, which explored new knowledge.

For them, the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect, who had appeared after a long time, would be a research subject... no, a person they would want to promote friendship with.

Besides, since the martial arts of the Maoshan Sect were based on Qi Men Dun Jia, similar to the people of the Zhuge family, and unlike martial arts that used the body, they were theory-oriented, they had a good compatibility with the Zhuge family.

If Jang Hwang were not to accept Eon Ji-yeon as a disciple, it would also be a good thing to have a person from the Zhuge family as a disciple.

"Now. Since you've come from afar, I can't keep holding you like this just for my own pleasure. Please go in. Young Master. Let's have a drink next time."

"Yes. Commander. Thank you for your hard work."

Finally, he had succeeded in safely entering the Zhuge family, where the Taiji Wisdom Sword was said to be.

Although Namgung Hui thought that the Taiji Wisdom Sword was a fish he had already caught, the words of the treasure detector became a little strange.

[Huh? Here. Why is the formation so powerful? The trace has been cut off from here.]

(End of Chapter)