Chapter 11 : Chapter 11

Chapter 11. Play Petty and I Won't Hold Back

"Was that child always so stubborn?"

"I didn't know that much about him. We may be father and son now, but we haven't known each other very long."

"When he refused to do the Horse Stance, I was this close to smacking him, but your words came to mind and I held back. Good grief–the Heavenly Killing Star, of all things."

To soothe Namgung Yeon's nerves, Namgung Gwang refilled his cup. The fragrant aroma that rose was genuine Dukang wine–not the bluster of Sinister Faction thugs.

"You did well. If we block what he wants to do and his urges erupt in the wrong direction, we'll have a disaster on our hands. Still…… remarkable, isn't it? That kind of External Arts training method."

"I'll admit I was surprised too."

Honestly, he hadn't expected Namgung Yul to build a respectable physique in just two months.

When the boy had asked No Byeok to make something for him, Namgung Yeon thought he was up to some bizarre stunt. But after watching him move his body in outlandish positions, his lower body and upper body alike had grown far sturdier than they would have from the Horse Stance alone.

"I plan to observe a bit more, and if it holds up, apply the same method to the clan warriors."

"I intend to recommend it to Hwi and Myeong as well. My, what a blessing has walked into our house. Hahaha."

Namgung Gwang laughed heartily. He'd brought the boy home to solve the family's problem, and here were unexpected dividends from a completely different angle.

If things went well, branding it as a Namgung-style training method could become yet another opportunity to elevate the clan's prestige.

"That aside, how is he doing with the Internal Energy Cultivation Method? Is he picking it up well?"

"The Heavenly Killing Star's reputation as a once-in-an-era genius is no exaggeration. I was floored. I taught him the Pure Wind Art, but his speed and efficiency of absorption made it look as though he were studying the Firmament Grand Evolution Divine Art."

Namgung Yeon spoke as if he could hardly believe it himself, but Namgung Gwang nodded as though he'd expected as much.

"There's a reason the martial world descends into a Blood Calamity every time a Heavenly Killing Star emerges. It means they're born with the skill and talent to back it up. That is why your role is so important, Yeon."

"I will watch him closely. And I will redirect his desires toward things like honor and the drive for achievement."

"But you must not teach him through austere cultivation the way those ascetic types would. They say the Heavenly Killing Star is innately lacking in self-restraint. What's dammed up will always break through in the end. Let him eat what he wants, rest when he wants."

"Understood."

Namgung Gwang and Namgung Yeon deliberated at great length over Namgung Yul's upbringing. On the surface it might look like a laissez-faire approach, but it was built on meticulous calculation.

"There was one odd thing, though."

"Odd?"

Namgung Gwang startled. Odd? What? Had the boy shown signs of falling under the sword's influence?

"No…… nothing that dangerous. He's literate."

"Literate?"

"Yes. You said he was a waiter, didn't you?"

"I did. Cheonggwang brought back the boy who'd been a waiter, so that's certain."

"And yet he can read and write. When I was about to teach him the Internal Energy Cultivation Method, I'd naturally planned to teach him his letters first–but he could already read and write. His penmanship, at that…… was no ordinary thing. I'm no calligraphy expert myself, but even to my eyes, there was a certain power to it."

"Goodness, his penmanship is impressive too?"

Namgung Gwang stroked his chin. It was curious, and simultaneously suspicious.

A young waiter who was literate and had fine penmanship? Was such a thing possible?

Granting a hundred concessions, perhaps the boy knew his letters–he might have attended a school out of scholarly enthusiasm.

But impressive penmanship? That was nearly impossible. Even the sons of proper scholar-official families had difficulty earning praise for their writing. Let alone a waiter.

"If things go well, the Namgung Clan might gain renown for producing a literary talent."

And this was coming from his cautious younger brother. Namgung Yeon was never one to speak idly.

"……Keep watching for now. It is not a bad thing."

"Understood."

***

–To Daoist Cheonggwang,

–Hello. The weather has been getting chilly. I hope you are taking care not to catch a cold.

–They say the elderly become more susceptible to illness, so I think you should dress more warmly than in previous years.

–I am doing well at the Namgung Clan. You would not believe how good the people here are. I even have a martial arts master now. I also helped improve the Namgung Clan's inefficient External Arts training methods. If the Wudang Sect would like, I am happy to share them at any time, so please let me know.

–Now that I am in Hefei, I can see what tremendous influence the Namgung Clan holds here. I sometimes think that if a martial arts clan like this had existed in the area where I used to live, life would have been much easier.

–Anyway, I am writing in case you might worry. Please reply when you have time.

–Namgung Yul.

"Hmm, good. No unnecessary fluff."

You think the letter's a bit informal? Nonsense. Old folks actually prefer a slightly casual, easygoing approach over stuffy formality.

It helped especially if you remembered things they'd said before. Who was I? A shaman's son.

Since the shaman's practice attracted far more middle-aged, older, and especially elderly clients than young ones, I'd collected their tendencies as big data and drawn my conclusions. That letter hit exactly the right level.

Oh, and you might ask how a mere waiter knew Chinese characters–but a shaman's son might not know English, yet could absolutely not afford to be illiterate in Chinese characters. Especially since they said simplified characters reduced a Talisman's efficacy, I'd properly mastered traditional characters.

"Young master, it's Seola."

"Oh, come in."

The moment I finished my letter, my maidservant entered as if on cue. Seola was the maidservant assigned exclusively to me.

"I brought the honey you asked for."

"Good, set it there."

When Seola set the bowl down, the sweet scent of honey filled the room.

I opened the wooden case and took out the elixir inside. It was the Pure Wind Pill provided to me by the Medicine Hall. The Firmament Elixir was still being manufactured, apparently.

The pill reeked of bitter herbal medicine.

Why hide it? The honey was ordered specifically to dip the elixir in before eating.

The first time I took the elixir, I swallowed it in blissful ignorance, but I couldn't do that twice. It was categorically unfit for human consumption.

But I couldn't throw a tantrum and refuse to take it either. Having started my martial training at my age, if I neglected the elixirs, I'd supposedly never become a master.

If I'd committed to being a martial artist, I might as well become a skilled one. But since I hated bitter things, the compromise I'd found was dipping the elixir in honey.

I'd only entertained the idea as a joke, but the elixir's taste was so vile that it drove me to make the thought a reality.

When the Medicine Hall Master heard my idea, he stared at me like I was some kind of oddball. I thought I also heard him mutter something about "a Poison Pill mixed with honey," but I decided to keep that a secret.

"Dipping an elixir in honey–how did no one else think of this?"

Seola secretly applauded me, calling it genius. Truly a maidservant worthy of being my personal attendant.

The stiffness from our first meeting was nowhere to be found; she treated me with easy familiarity now.

"If you ever have to take an elixir, let me know. I'll get you some honey too."

"Really?"

"Of course. My personal maidservant shouldn't have to eat bitter things."

"You have to keep that promise!"

Seola grinned with delight.

I chuckled at the sight and picked up the herbal-reeking Pure Wind Pill with my fingers, dunking it deep into the honey. Sticky honey dripped from the pill's edge.

"I'll step out now."

"Wait right outside. I'll be done soon."

"I'll just let the guards know and be right back."

"Grab some snacks too. And bring Hye."

"Of course!"

Seola left the room, and I tapped the excess honey off the Pure Wind Pill and swallowed it in one gulp.

The interplay of bitter and sweet made it reasonably palatable. Objectively it wasn't delicious, but from a gourmet's standpoint, it qualified as a novelty.

I immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating my energy. With Seola standing guard outside, there was nothing to worry about.

I'd heard that after taking such an elixir, it normally took ages to assimilate the energy into one's body. Strangely, it didn't take me that long. About thirty minutes, maybe?

[That too is because you are the Heavenly Killing Star. To possess such a body and choose to idle about–are you truly in your right mind?]

If we polled people on which of us is sane, I'm pretty sure they'd all point to me.

In any case, once I'd fully gathered the elixir's energy, my breathing naturally deepened.

"Phew."

"Are you finished?"

Seola's voice came from outside the door. She'd already completed her errands, it seemed.

"Yeah, come in."

Seola poked the door open and peeked just her head through.

"No matter how many times I see it, it amazes me. Absorbing an elixir that quickly."

"It's because of my unusual constitution. Anyway, did you bring snacks?"

Nodding with a smile, Seola produced rice cake sticks.

"Toasted them nicely?"

Ah, our Seola knows what's up. Rice cake sticks are best dipped in honey, after all.

"What about Hye?"

The door opened a bit wider, and Namgung Hye appeared with a bashful grin.

"I'm heeeere."

Oh my, my adorable little sister.

"Then come dip some rice cakes in honey. Oh, and this is a secret from Mother."

"I won't tell!"

Our mother was so strict with Hye that she barely let her have snacks. Tsk, tsk–keep that up and the child will go astray.

Look at her now–dipping rice cakes in honey and she's over the moon. The way she chewed with her cheeks stuffed full was just too cute.

"Careful, miss. Eat slowly."

"It'sh delishush!"

"Oh dear, you've got honey all over your mouth."

As Hye smeared honey all over her face while eating, Seola wiped her mouth from beside her.

"Seola, you eat too. I'll take care of Hye's mouth."

"What about you, young master?"

"I'm fine. The elixir filled me up."

"Well, if you say so……"

Seola glanced around cautiously, then dunked a rice cake in honey and popped it in her mouth, her eyes going wide.

Watching the two of them eat like that lifted my spirits too.

Hye aside, Seola also possessed a sweetness and warmth that were worlds apart from my previous life's younger sister.

That creature who would silently steal the leftover fried chicken and eat it without even washing her mouth, then brazenly say, "I ate it. You should've finished it yourself," before flopping down and turning on Net*lix (which I was paying for).

[To think you have the disposition to give freely to others like this……]

'What? Jealous?'

[Give me blood too.]

'This bastard changed his approach.'

But since the content was the same, the answer was obviously no.

Just then, I sensed someone slip past near my room.

Nobody should be coming to my room without reason. It didn't feel like Father…

I quietly cracked open the door and identified the source of the presence.

I only saw their retreating figure, but I knew immediately who it was.

"……Namgung Myeong?"

What was that brat doing here?

The answer came the next morning.

***

When I stepped outside that morning, Hye was standing with her hand raised, sniffling, and Baekri Ran was scolding her with a stern face.

"Didn't Mother tell you not to sneak snacks?!"

"Waaah, I'm sorry!"

"Dear, that's enough. Hye is reflecting on it."

"Are you interfering with my parenting? We agreed you wouldn't get involved in these matters!"

"……"

Baekri Ran's forcefulness, which had even repelled Namgung Gwang, was truly formidable.

I knew exactly where the culprit behind this incident could be found.

'Namgung Myeong……'

That brat had tattled to Baekri Ran about Hye eating rice cakes.