Chapter 176 : Marriage Proposal
Chapter 176: Marriage Proposal
An emergency had erupted in the Namgung Clan.
One might wonder what kind of emergency could occur again when the Namgung Clan was already in a state of crisis, but the clan had truly been turned upside down.
The reason was that the Vice Cult Leader of the Bright Cult had arrived together with the people of the Bright Light Sect who had supposedly escaped.
The Clan Head had become a prisoner, and the Deputy Clan Head was unconscious—yet the Vice Cult Leader of the Bright Cult, the greatest enemy of the Orthodox Faction, had come to visit.
At least the clan’s strongest master, the Azure Dragon Sword King, had returned from the Martial Alliance, which provided a small measure of comfort.
But everyone in the Namgung Clan knew.
The Azure Dragon Sword King was no match for the Vice Cult Leader of the Bright Cult.
It was something that had already been proven.
Thus, filled with anxiety, the members of the Namgung Clan watched as Yul Han stepped forward and faced the Azure Dragon Sword King.
“Seeing you again.”
“I hope you will understand that our circumstances do not allow us to simply welcome your visit.”
“Given the situation, I understand.”
As Yul Han nodded readily, the Azure Dragon Sword King spoke.
“I heard that you rescued them. As someone who shares the blood of Namgung, I offer my deepest gratitude.”
“It simply happened that way. There is no need to keep it in your heart.”
From Yul Han’s perspective, he had merely stated the truth, but the Azure Dragon Sword King interpreted it as modesty and instead offered another respectful cupped-fist salute in response.
Looking past him, Yul Han asked,
“By the way, where are you going? The attire of the people lined up behind you seems suited for outside activity.”
The martial artists of the Azure Wind Sword Unit standing behind the Azure Dragon Sword King each carried a bundle on their backs.
At Yul Han’s question, the Azure Dragon Sword King replied,
“We were about to depart to rescue the Clan Head.”
“Where are you heading?”
“To the Four Calamity Emperors’ Stronghold….”
“He is not there.”
“If I ask what intention lies behind those words, will you answer?”
At the Azure Dragon Sword King’s question, the Profound Demon stepped forward.
“The Vice Cult Leader just destroyed the Four Calamity Emperors’ Stronghold before coming here. And in Jiangxi, he chased down some fellow calling himself the new Four Calamity Emperor and took one of his arms.”
The Profound Demon spoke as if the opponent they were risking their lives to face was nothing more than a neighborhood puppy.
The Azure Dragon Sword King had no choice but to ask,
“Is… is that truly so?”
“Do you think we’d lie to the likes of you!”
At that answer, anger flared across the faces of the Azure Wind Sword Unit martial artists standing behind him.
They were enraged that he had called the Azure Dragon Sword King—who was the very embodiment of their pride—“the likes of you.”
As the Profound Demon stepped forward, glaring at them, Yul Han’s voice stopped him.
“That was excessive. We came as guests, not enemies, so we should observe the etiquette of guests.”
The Profound Demon flinched and stepped back.
Having spent no short time together, he knew—just like the Cold Blade Blood and the Flashing Light Blood—how strict Yul Han was about such matters.
“Ahem. My words went too far.”
He glanced briefly at Yul Han’s deeply furrowed brow and changed his tone.
“They went too far. I apologize.”
It was not a tone that was entirely satisfactory, but Yul Han seemed to have no intention of pressing the matter further and said nothing more.
Feeling relieved, the Profound Demon heard the Azure Dragon Sword King’s voice.
“I accept the apology.”
“Much obliged.”
The words and expression were far from grateful, but the Azure Dragon Sword King was not in a position to nitpick.
There was something more urgent and important.
He hurriedly spoke.
“Is it true that our Clan Head was not present in the Four Calamity Emperors’ Stronghold, nor at the place where you encountered the new Four Calamity Emperor?”
“Yes. We only kept getting decei—”
The Profound Demon paused and glanced at Yul Han before changing his tone.
“...Yes. It is true. We searched the Four Calamity Emperors’ Stronghold thoroughly to see if there was anything left, but we could not find him. And the place where we clashed with the Four Calamity Emperor was….”
He trailed off and looked back.
Seeing his expression, Yul Han gave a bitter smile.
The Profound Demon had only just realized that they had not searched the wine house where they had clashed with the Eightfold Confusion Monk.
So Yul Han stepped forward in his stead.
“We did not discover him there either. If it were someone of the Clan Head’s level, even if he had been subdued, it would have been impossible not to sense his presence. Yet I sensed nothing at all.”
“So you are saying you did not search everywhere.”
“Yes. We judged that it was unnecessary.”
“Where is that place? From our perspective, we cannot help but search it again. Please tell us.”
At the Azure Dragon Sword King’s request, Yul Han turned to the Profound Demon.
“Guide them. There will be no battle, and rather than going as a group, it will be faster if just the two of you go.”
The Azure Dragon Sword King nodded in agreement with Yul Han’s words.
The Profound Demon stepped forward—and then vanished from everyone’s sight.
The onlookers stared in shock.
Moments later, the Azure Dragon Sword King also disappeared.
It felt as if they had been erased from space in an instant.
Because everyone was so flustered, no one came forward to guide Yul Han, who was awkwardly standing in the clan’s front courtyard.
Thus, Namgung Chang-yeon hesitantly approached him.
“It has been a while.”
“Ah! Have you been well?”
“Just… somehow. Is Hee-yeon well?”
Filled with concern, Namgung Chang-yeon asked, and Yul Han replied,
“She is well.”
“And Miss Hwayeong….”
Curiosity that he could not hide slipped out, yet perhaps realizing it was inappropriate while his sister remained captive, Namgung Chang-yeon could not finish his sentence.
Yul Han smiled.
“Other than staring blankly toward the east from time to time, she is also doing well.”
Understanding what that answer implied, Namgung Chang-yeon’s face flushed red.
“I–Is that so?”
As Yul Han looked quietly at the embarrassed Namgung Chang-yeon, he realized that—just as with Hwayeong—Namgung Chang-yeon’s feelings were not difficult to discern.
Therefore, he decided to resolve the matter that had brought him here.
“Yes, that is how it is. By the way, are there no elders of the clan present?”
Namgung Chang-yeon, who thought Yul Han might be protesting about being left standing in the courtyard, turned his gaze toward the gathered elders with a worried expression.
Reluctantly, the highest-ranking elder who remained stepped forward.
“I am Namgung Man-wol, the Third Elder.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Whatever the matter may be, you have come as a guest, so we… welcome you.”
“Thank you.”
Perhaps reassured by Yul Han’s relatively mild response, Namgung Man-wol personally guided him to the guest residence.
There, Yul Han sat facing Namgung Man-wol.
At the moment, Namgung Man-wol was effectively the highest authority remaining in the Namgung Clan, so he could not avoid it.
Yul Han spoke.
“I know it is not proper to say such things in a place where the situation is chaotic and unfortunate events have piled up. However, since I may not have the chance to come again, I believe it is better to say it while I am here.”
Namgung Man-wol’s heart began to fill with dread.
Just what could he be about to say that required such a long preface?
Then he heard the unexpected words.
“I would like our families to become in-laws.”
“In… in-laws?”
“Yes.”
At Yul Han’s answer, the first person who came to Namgung Man-wol’s mind was Namgung Hee-yeon—the woman who had thrown herself forward to save the Azure Dragon Sword King and Namgung Chang-yeon.
Indeed, she was the Most Beautiful Woman Under Heaven.
Even the infamous Emperor Salyejin was still a man. He must have melted before her beauty.
This was the Namgung Clan, the central pillar of the Orthodox Faction. Becoming in-laws with the Vice Cult Leader of the Bright Cult—who stood as their rival…
‘Would that really be so bad?’
The sudden thought startled him.
In the past, he would never have entertained such an idea.
He would rather have died standing upright than bow his head and accept humiliation.
But recently, after enduring countless incidents, he had come to understand something called fear.
It was not for the sake of protecting his own life.
He had realized that if Namgung collapsed, everyone living within it would be in danger.
His only son.
His daughter-in-law.
His grandchildren, whom he cherished dearly.
For their sake, he had come to feel keenly that his own honor and pride meant nothing.
Moreover, the strength he had once believed allowed him to look down on the world had proven completely useless against the calamities that had recently struck the Namgung Clan.
Still vividly feeling that helplessness, Namgung Man-wol concluded that rather than pretending to be lofty and placing everyone in danger, it might not be a bad idea to bow his head and turn the strongest shield in the world into family.
“I am in favor. However, we must obtain the agreement of the Council of Elders, and above all, the Clan Head’s approval is required. But at present….”
“I cannot stay long, so let us do what we can first. Please obtain the decision of the Council of Elders. As for the Clan Head’s approval… we can resolve that later.”
“Very well. Then I will convene the Council of Elders and make a decision.”
“I would appreciate it.”
Yul Han offered a fairly respectful greeting, and Namgung Man-wol even showed a faint smile as he stood up.
“Please wait a moment.”
He immediately left the guest residence, gathered the elders who had been waiting anxiously, and convened the Council of Elders.
Namgung Man-wol spoke with passion, as if trying to shake off the helplessness of the past days when they had been unable to do anything.
He tried to persuade the strongly opposing elders and methodically laid out the consequences of refusal.
Many elders agreed that they could not drive the clan into danger merely for the sake of honor and pride.
Namgung Man-wol was not the only one who had been feeling despair over their helplessness.
A fierce debate erupted, but more elders than expected were willing to accept the situation.
Of course, there were hardliners who insisted that the Namgung Clan must never become in-laws with the Bright Cult.
But their number was not large.
After all, if one simply closed their eyes for a moment, the Number One Under Heaven would become the son-in-law of the Namgung Clan.
Some Orthodox sects might point fingers.
But thinking about it carefully—was there really any sect that could do so?
It was not merely a problem for the Namgung Clan.
Who would dare criticize the marriage of Emperor Salyejin and remain unharmed?
For that reason, the number of elders who supported the idea grew.
When no consensus could be reached, Namgung Man-wol proposed a vote.
The result was an overwhelming majority.
There were twelve elders remaining in the clan.
Ten voted in favor.
Among them, even two of the strongest opponents had cast votes of approval.
No one failed to understand what that meant.
As Namgung Man-wol left the council chamber with the results, the Profound Demon and the Azure Dragon Sword King returned.
They were heading toward the guest residence when Namgung Man-wol spotted them and hurried over.
“What happened?”
At his question, the Azure Dragon Sword King shook his head.
“He was not there. The place was called the Ten Thousand Years Wine House. Even after asking the people there, they said they had not seen the Clan Head or the elders who were captured.”
“He is not in the Four Calamity Emperors’ Stronghold, and he is not there either… then where on earth…?”
“It seems we must assume the Four Calamity Emperor has another hideout.”
Namgung Man-wol let out a deep sigh.
Then, as if remembering something belatedly, he used mental voice transmission to tell the Azure Dragon Sword King about Yul Han’s request and the Council of Elders’ decision.
He used mental voice transmission instead of speaking aloud because the Profound Demon was standing nearby.
After hearing everything, the Azure Dragon Sword King flinched slightly.
But he soon nodded with an expression that seemed to have abandoned everything.
He could vaguely guess the reasons behind the elders’ decision.
After all, he too had spent sleepless nights drowning in helplessness.
With those two results in mind, Namgung Man-wol, the Azure Dragon Sword King, and the Profound Demon entered the guest residence and sat down facing Yul Han.