Namgung Heavenly Demon - Chapter 14

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 14

Ten proofs.

The riverside where that final battle had taken place had now become a new sacred ground for the warriors of Hefei.

Every day, countless people came to visit that place, witnessing with their own eyes the traces of the fierce duel while observing the devastatingly destroyed terrain.

However, the protagonist of that duel, Namgung Cheon, was no longer there.

His footsteps had returned to the place he had left behind.

In front of the main gate of the Namgung Clan.

The first to spot Namgung Cheon were the guards watching the main gate.

At first, they doubted their own eyes.

Torn clothes with dried bloodstains scattered here and there, rough bandages wrapped around one shoulder—such shabby appearance.

But a person who possessed a cool and deep aura so overwhelming that one couldn’t even dare to meet his gaze.

It was far too different from his appearance before leaving the family.

“Y-Young Master Third…!”

One guard cried out involuntarily.

His voice trembled faintly with awe for Namgung Cheon’s actions that had shaken not just Hefei but all of Anhui Province.

At his cry, other guards also hurriedly ran out and bowed their heads before him.

“Have you returned, Young Master!”

Their attitude had changed dramatically from ten days ago.

To them previously, Namgung Cheon had been nothing more than a troublesome youngest young master.

But now, what stood before their eyes was not the family’s disgrace.

A legend who had brought ten masters to their knees in just over ten days.

He was the Sword Demon.

Namgung Cheon didn’t spare even a glance at their exaggerated courtesy.

He silently entered through the firmly closed main gate.

The scenery of the family estate remained unchanged.

Well-polished floors, magnificent pavilions rising as if to pierce the sky, and servants bustling about and warriors devoted to training.

However, the gazes of the people filling that scenery had completely changed.

Everyone who noticed his appearance stopped what they were doing and froze in place.

Then, as if by agreement, they all cleared the way and bowed their heads.

The past looks of disregard, contempt, or pitying glances were nowhere to be found.

‘What a difference time makes.’

Compared to his days as Cheonma, it was insignificant, but it was quite a novel feeling.

Namgung Cheon walked silently.

The whispers coming softly from around him were clearly etched in his ears.

“They say he even defeated Jeokmeolgeom. Could that wound on his shoulder be from that battle?”

“The Sword House and even the martial journey… Now the young family head is…”

The storm he had stirred was already completely covering the entire family estate.

He could tell that the proof he had sought had achieved results beyond expectations.

Namgung Cheon headed straight for his residence.

The most remote and shabby place within the family estate.

It was a location perfectly suited to his past self who had no presence.

However, when he reached his residence, he discovered that his quarters had changed from before.

The old door had been replaced with a new one, and the dusty courtyard had been neatly arranged.

And in front of the door, maids he had never seen before were lined up waiting for him.

When they spotted Namgung Cheon, they were startled and rushed out.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived! The Acting Family Head ordered us to move your residence to a larger and better place, but since you hadn’t returned, we first arranged things here.”

It was his mother, Jegal Hwa’s doing.

She had prepared appropriate treatment in her own way.

‘How quick.’

Namgung Cheon gestured for the servants to withdraw and entered his residence.

Creak—

The moment he opened the door and stepped inside, his footsteps paused briefly.

The interior of the room had completely changed from before he left.

The floor was so clean it gleamed, and the old table and chair had been replaced with the finest furniture made of rosewood.

The thin and cold bedding had been replaced with thick and soft silk blankets that radiated warmth just by looking at them.

And on the table.

There sat a warm teacup with steam gently rising from it and refreshments that were said to be served only to the most honored guests of the family, arranged neatly.

Jegal Hwa had accurately predicted the time of his return and prepared everything in advance.

Namgung Cheon stood in the middle of the room, silently surveying all these changes.

It contained Jegal Hwa’s cold intention to acknowledge the new strongman who had returned after proving his strength, while not letting go of his reins.

Jegal Hwa’s indifferent face came to mind in Namgung Cheon’s thoughts.

‘I’ll accept the recognition. I won’t refuse the hospitality either.’

A cool smile of unknown meaning appeared at the corner of his mouth.

‘However.’

He picked up the teacup that was neatly placed on the table.

And instead of drinking the tea inside, he silently poured it toward the withered plants outside the window.

Splash—

The sound of warm tea seeping into the ground, stirring up dust.

‘I have no intention of moving according to your plans.’

That was the son’s answer to his mother’s intentions.

* * *

It hadn’t even been half a hour since Namgung Cheon had poured the tea outside the window.

Knock knock knock!

The sound of someone urgently knocking on the residence door broke the silence.

It was a sound filled with urgency, different from the usual sounds made by servants.

“Young Master! Young Master, are you inside!”

The voice coming from outside the door was rough, as if out of breath.

Namgung Cheon’s brow furrowed slightly.

“What is it.”

When he asked quietly, the voice outside the door became even more urgent.

“To the main gate… You need to come to the main gate!”

Namgung Cheon rose from his seat and opened the door to his residence.

In front of the door stood one of the guards who had been watching the main gate, breathing heavily while maintaining proper etiquette.

“Report in detail.”

At Namgung Cheon’s calm voice, the guard caught his breath and reported.

“Jeokmeolgeom… Jeokmeolgeom Mujin has come asking to see you, Young Master!”

Jeokmeolgeom Mujin.

The moment that name was mentioned, Namgung Cheon briefly closed his eyes and opened them again.

Instead of surprise, slight annoyance was reflected in his eyes.

‘Master and disciple are alike…’

He rose from his seat and silently walked toward the main gate, the center of the commotion.

When he arrived at the main gate, it was already crowded with people.

Hundreds of family members filled with curiosity had retreated to a distance, holding their breath as they watched the strange standoff in front of the main gate.

A man stood upright in front of the main gate.

It was Mujin.

Unlike a wandering warrior, he had neatly arranged his attire and appearance.

And at the very front of that crowd.

Jegal Hwa stood across from Mujin with her arms crossed, quietly observing this interesting situation.

And finally, Namgung Cheon appeared, parting through the crowd.

At his appearance, all the murmuring ceased and hundreds of gazes turned toward Namgung Cheon.

“Oh, Young Master!”

When Mujin spotted Namgung Cheon, he greeted him with strangely cheerful enthusiasm.

At that bright greeting, everyone in front of the main gate doubted their own ears.

The aura of a supreme master that he had been radiating just moments ago was nowhere to be found.

Namgung Cheon also slightly furrowed his brow.

He too hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.

‘Something… troublesome is about to happen.’

Namgung Cheon’s premonition was not wrong.

Mujin paid no heed to the surrounding gazes and approached Jegal Hwa.

He bowed his waist respectfully in proper etiquette.

“Wanderer Mujin pays his respects to Wuhua Hou.”

“…You’re the first person I’ve seen who became the mistress of Namgung and addresses me by my title.”

At Jegal Hwa’s words, Mujin showed a slight smile.

“Seeing that the renowned Jeokmeolgeom of the world has come to visit this place, the Namgung Clan, it doesn’t seem like ordinary business.”

At Jegal Hwa’s words, Mujin revealed his purpose.

“If you would permit it, I dare to request to become a retainer of the Namgung Clan.”

The moment those words ended, the area in front of the main gate was swept with shock.

“What does that mean…”

“The Wandering King’s disciple wants to become a retainer? What could possibly be the reason…”

The murmuring grew louder.

Then Mujin immediately added.

“However, my reason for wanting to become a retainer is not because of the Namgung Clan’s reputation.”

His gaze moved past Jegal Hwa toward Namgung Cheon standing behind her.

“I only wish to watch from beside and walk together the path that Young Master Namgung Cheon walks.”

“…!”

It was a shocking statement.

The one and only disciple of the Wandering King had openly declared his support for Namgung Cheon.

The air in front of the main gate grew heavy.

Everyone held their breath and watched Jegal Hwa’s mouth as she observed this situation.

And Jegal Hwa smiled as if finding it very interesting and looked at her son.

“My son.”

Her voice was quiet, but everyone heard it clearly.

“The renowned Jeokmeolgeom of the world has come looking for you alone. What are your thoughts on this proposal?”

She cleverly passed all decision-making authority to him, just as Namgung Cheon had done before.

At that moment, from the elders and warriors to even the servants.

Hundreds of gazes turned toward Namgung Cheon.

A sudden situation.

Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘As expected, this has become troublesome.’

Taking in people was not part of his plan.

It could become burdensome baggage for his future actions.

‘I should refuse.’

The moment Namgung Cheon looked at Mujin to voice the decision he had made internally.

He couldn’t bring himself to utter those words.

Mujin’s eyes were blazing with pure longing and fighting spirit.

Beyond defeat, a yearning toward higher realms.

As a warrior, it was difficult to turn away from this.

“Hah.”

Namgung Cheon unconsciously let out a sigh.

Then he reluctantly opened his mouth.

“Do as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

Mujin showed proper etiquette once more.

Namgung Cheon nodded briefly and no longer kept his gaze on Mujin.

A supreme master retainer who had come seeking to follow him.

Hundreds of reverent gazes focused on him.

All of this was merely a natural result that had followed along the path he had walked.

His interest was not in such trivial matters.

Namgung Cheon’s gaze settled on one magnificent hall.

Changryong Hall.

A hall like a throne where only the Young Family Head who would become the next master of the Namgung Clan was qualified to reside.

‘This is only the beginning.’

A faint smile appeared on Namgung Cheon’s lips.

And.

There was only one person who didn’t miss that brief gaze.

The corners of Jegal Hwa’s mouth also rose slightly.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————