The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 243

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 243. Do You Resemble Him?

 

 

He rode his horse frantically.

Because he had to get there and confirm as quickly as possible.

Changing horses along the way, he truly rode at full speed and finally arrived at Muchang.

Namgung Hwa-u’s appearance was a complete mess.

It couldn’t be helped.

He had ridden thinking only of getting to Muchang.

First, he entered an inn, secured a room, and rested.

He had ridden to the point where collapsing from exhaustion wouldn’t be strange.

It was because his heart was urgent.

Namgung Hwi.

At the thought that he might disappear.

After finishing his bath, he lay on the bed and pondered deeply.

‘The only warrior that brother took with him when he went on his travels.’

He was a low-ranking warrior even among the branch family.

Namgung Hwa-hyeon had specifically looked after such a person.

Namgung Hwa-u had once asked out of curiosity.

Why he kept him so close.

The answer that came back then was.

‘I’m simply keeping a talented person by my side, wasn’t it…’

At the time, Namgung Hwa-u didn’t understand the meaning of those words.

No, he couldn’t believe that Namgung Hwi had talent.

After all, he was a low-ranking warrior from a branch of the branch family.

Even with his brother’s high praise, he wouldn’t look.

Because he thought the Great Flame Sword Technique had clear limitations.

And that thought remains unchanged even now.

The true martial arts of the Namgung Family Estate are the Azure Sky Unhindered Sword.

And the Emperor Sword Form, which was interpreted based on that.

Because he thought those two were all there was.

‘I hope he’s still remaining at Gyoryong Hall.’

Namgung Hwa-u thought this way and fell asleep, exhausted by fatigue.

At the very time when Ha Mu-baek and Namgung Hwi were sharing drinks.

 

Morning.

At this time when work had just begun, Peng Do-yul looked at the guest across from him with a troubled expression.

Hocheon Corps Leader Namgung Hwa-u.

According to the Jeongcheon Alliance’s rank system, he was higher in rank than himself, the Academy Director of Gyoryong Hall.

It was natural.

The Hocheon Corps, being the Alliance Leader’s direct guard and military unit, inevitably had higher importance than Gyoryong Hall, which raised future talents.

However, today’s visit was unrelated to rank.

The current Hocheon Corps Leader had not come here for work befitting that position.

He had taken leave and come here urgently.

For the reason that there was someone he was looking for at Gyoryong Hall.

“Would it be difficult?”

Namgung Hwa-u looked at Peng Do-yul with a calm expression and asked again.

His request was simple.

Since there was someone he was looking for at Gyoryong Hall, he wanted permission to move around freely.

Peng Do-yul tapped his desk.

‘I have no choice but to allow it.’

Though he was on leave, he was still a superior.

And when he only wanted to find one person, how could he block it?

“How about calling that person here instead?”

Peng Do-yul asked.

He thought it would be better than having an outsider rummage through Gyoryong Hall.

However, Namgung Hwa-u shook his head.

“It’s a family matter…”

Then there was no justification to block it.

Though he couldn’t know how the Namgung Family Estate’s affairs were connected to someone from Gyoryong Hall.

It was a justification that deserved respect and cooperation.

“I understand. Then please look around freely until tomorrow.”

When Peng Do-yul’s permission was granted, Namgung Hwa-u stood up from his seat and performed a cupped fist salute.

“Thank you. I’ll just look around quietly.”

And Namgung Hwa-u left the Academy Director’s office.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Peng Do-yul stopped Namgung Hwa-u’s steps as if something had occurred to him.

Namgung Hwa-u turned his head.

“You probably know, but he is there.”

At Peng Do-yul’s reminder, Namgung Hwa-u nodded.

He knew who that was.

Ha Mu-baek, his predecessor.

That very person.

At Peng Do-yul’s reminder, Namgung Hwa-u felt slightly displeased, but he didn’t show it.

Right now, Namgung Hwi was more important to Namgung Hwa-u than Ha Mu-baek.

Namgung Hwa-u’s steps after leaving the Director’s Pavilion headed toward where the Maengryong Training Ground was located.

Since Han Seol-bing, Baek-a’s current owner, was there.

He speculated that Namgung Hwi might be somewhere near there.

‘Ha Mu-baek. I hope I don’t run into that bastard.’

While thinking this and walking along the path, a man’s back came into his view.

An empty right sleeve fluttering in the wind.

A man holding a broom with his left hand and sweeping.

A laborer.

The energy he felt from him was also that of a simple laborer.

‘Using a one-armed man as a laborer.’

Namgung Hwa-u passed by him while tilting his head in wonder.

Out of curiosity, he glanced back.

A middle-aged man with faint scars covering his face.

Scars that seemed to be from countless sword wounds.

The moment he saw them, Namgung Hwa-u stopped walking completely.

Though they had faded considerably, he could recognize the traces of the scars.

And those traces drew a sword path in Namgung Hwa-u’s mind.

A familiar sword path.

One he could never not recognize.

It was natural.

‘Brother!’

It was the sword path of Namgung Hwa-hyeon’s Emperor Sword Form.

Namgung Hwa-u, who had stopped abruptly, turned his body around.

The man stopped sweeping and looked at Namgung Hwa-u, then flinched.

He must have recognized him.

The corners of Namgung Hwa-u’s eyes trembled finely.

There would be only one person in this place who could have been struck like that by Namgung Hwa-hyeon’s Emperor Sword Form.

The one who had made him take hurried steps.

“Namgung Hwi…?”

A small question flowed from Namgung Hwa-u’s mouth.

Namgung Hwi hesitated and tried to step back, then immediately straightened his posture. Deep wariness and anger settled in his two eyes.

The Namgung Family Estate.

It was wariness and anger toward that group.

The aura of Namgung Hwi, who looked straight at Namgung Hwa-u, changed in an instant.

It wasn’t the appearance of a simple laborer.

“It’s been a long time. Youngest Young Master.”

The dignified appearance of Namgung Hwi.

At that sight, Namgung Hwa-u widened his eyes greatly.

Only now did he realize it.

That Namgung Hwi’s aura, who had clearly learned martial arts, was no different from that of ordinary people.

And what that meant.

Because Namgung Hwa-u had also reached that realm not long ago.

“So this is what elder brother meant by talent.”

Namgung Hwi, who had entered the realm of Half-Step Return to Truth at middle age.

The martial arts he had learned was merely the Great Flame Sword Technique at best.

How could he reach that realm with just the Great Flame Sword Technique.

“Youngest Young Master also still possesses excellent talent.”

Namgung Hwi spoke calmly.

He too had recognized Namgung Hwa-u’s realm.

Mid-level Super Peak. The realm of Half-Step Return to Truth.

Since Namgung Hwi had already risen to a higher realm, he could recognize it when he tried to.

“What brings you here?”

Namgung Hwi’s question.

“I heard news that you were in this place. I came looking for you.”

At the returned answer, Namgung Hwi was greatly surprised.

He had never revealed his name since coming out to Gangho, so how could he know and come looking?

The first time he had spoken the name Namgung Hwi was last night, at the drinking session with Ha Mu-baek.

‘Could there have been someone who secretly watched the nighttime cultivation?’

That was the only place his thoughts could reach.

He had confirmed several times that there was no one around.

Someone who saw him cultivating together with Namgung Ji-hu might have informed the Namgung Family Estate.

‘I was careless.’

Belated regret came flooding in.

“Then, they’ll soon come to kill me.”

He thought it was rather fortunate.

He had been thinking of going back to Hefei to settle things with Namgung Hwa-hyeon.

Since his existence had been discovered, he would come to this place.

At those words, Namgung Hwa-u shook his head.

“Only I know.”

It was an incomprehensible statement.

“No matter how much the Namgung Family Estate, they cannot find out about every laborer who comes and goes through Gyoryong Hall. I also came not knowing you might be working as a laborer.”

Namgung Hwi tilted his head.

Then how exactly did he know of his existence?

“Someone accessed your information. And on that day, a messenger bird that would be at Gyoryong Hall had come to the Jeongcheon Alliance.”

Namgung Hwi frowned.

Who on earth.

“Tsk. I thought they were just being uselessly curious. They came with a tail attached.”

Ha Mu-baek, who had appeared at some point, clicked his tongue and spoke.

Namgung Hwa-u’s gaze turned in that direction.

Namgung Hwa-u’s expression hardened stiffly.

It was a reaction that came from encountering someone he didn’t want to meet.

Ha Mu-baek’s gaze turned to Han Seol-bing who was beside him.

Han Seol-bing quietly averted her gaze.

“It seems you followed Baek-a.”

At Ha Mu-baek’s words, Namgung Hwa-u nodded slightly.

Four people standing like that in the middle of the road.

Now cadets passing by began to increase little by little.

Naturally an eye-catching sight.

The cadets glanced at them.

Among them were.

“We greet our uncle.”

Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu, who took a cupped fist salute toward Namgung Hwa-u.

Those two people were also there.

Namgung Hwa-u looked at the two people with the question of how the two children who should be in the Jamryong Corps were in the Maengryong Corps area.

“It’s been a long time.”

Since he had been staying at the Jeongcheon Alliance, it had been about a year since he had seen the two people.

Namgung Hwa-u, who had been staring at the two people, turned his gaze toward Namgung Hwi.

“As expected…”

Namgung Hwa-u muttered quietly and nodded.

“We should move locations for now.”

Ha Mu-baek said so and moved his steps.

Naturally, the two people followed behind him.

Han Seol-bing was about to follow but stopped her steps after hearing Ha Mu-baek’s sound transmission.

Having committed a sin, she couldn’t dare follow despite her curiosity.

The cadets tilted their heads and watched their retreating figures.

Small worry appeared on the faces of Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu.

“Did youngest uncle come looking for senior?”

At Namgung Ji-hu’s words, Namgung Ji-yu spoke worriedly.

“Right. How did he find out?”

They hadn’t informed the family estate of anything.

 

***

 

The night before.

The tavern where Ha Mu-baek and Namgung Hwi had shared drinks.

Now three people were together in that place.

A tavern that accepted customers even at this early hour. It was questionable whether it ever closed at all.

There were still no customers.

“Seeing it like this, I can tell for certain. Those children. They’re your children, aren’t they?”

Namgung Hwa-u got straight to the point.

Namgung Hwi, who had been keeping his mouth tightly shut, nodded slightly.

“That’s right. They resemble you so much. There’s nothing of your brother’s face in them. Only your sister-in-law’s face and your face.”

As Namgung Hwa-u nodded and spoke, Namgung Hwi was startled.

“Do they resemble me?”

His expression showed he had never even thought about it.

“I know your original face. From before it was covered by scars. Even now, thanks to the scars fading, if you look carefully, you can see many resemblances.”

At Namgung Hwa-u’s words, Namgung Hwi’s heart began to beat wildly.

I see.

They resemble me.

They really are my blood.

I thought they only had their mothers’ faces, but they had mine too.

My face was so ruined by severe sword wounds that even I had forgotten my original appearance.

Such thoughts swirled through his mind.

“Well, the scars only faded last night. It’s understandable that the children don’t know yet.”

As Ha Mu-baek spoke calmly, Namgung Hwa-u’s head snapped around.

Because he understood what those words implied.

“Hah… that’s impossible…”

He shook his head and let out a sigh.

Ha Mu-baek just chuckled.

“Why did you seek me out?”

Namgung Hwi asked.

Namgung Hwa-u stared intently at Namgung Hwi.

“I dislike my brother.”

Short words.

But words that contained much meaning.

“So I’m thinking of bringing him down. Because someone without talent or skill serves as Family Head, the Namgung Family Estate is gradually declining.”

Namgung Hwa-u boldly stated his beliefs.

His gaze turned to Ha Mu-baek.

“Do you know why I desperately sought to obtain the position of Hocheon Corps Leader?”

At the question directed at him, Ha Mu-baek answered as if he understood.

“It was to find this friend.”

Knowing well the authority of the Hocheon Corps Leader, he could answer without difficulty.

“Close. It was to obtain information about that day’s events. The Namgung Family Estate has no records whatsoever.”

“So. You intend to use this friend to fulfill your desires?”

Ha Mu-baek’s question.

“Great endeavors require sacrifices.”

From their conversation, Namgung Hwi could understand Namgung Hwa-u’s purpose.

“Namgung Hwa-hyeon’s greatest shame. That would be me and the children.”

“A shame that disqualifies him as Family Head of the Great Namgung Family.”

“Do you think that would make you Family Head?”

Namgung Hwa-u nodded greatly.

“My brother has no descendants.”

Words spoken as if stating a fact.

It was natural.

The biological father of Namgung Ji-hu and Namgung Ji-yu was Namgung Hwi, who was right here.

“And my nephew and niece are still greenhorns who haven’t even properly mastered the Emperor Sword Form.”

They were also quite young.

“You, the youngest among the brothers?”

“I can suppress them with skill.”

Namgung Hwa-u was full of confidence in his abilities.

Ha Mu-baek nodded slightly.

He recognized that this was a level worthy of such confidence.

Someone who reached such a level at that age was truly rare.

At those words, Namgung Hwi shook his head.

“I refuse.”

Firm words.

Namgung Hwa-u looked at Namgung Hwi.

“It would hurt those children. Those children should remain as Namgung Hwa-hyeon’s children. Even if they cannot become Young Family Head.”

It was a father’s heart.

Wishing that his children wouldn’t suffer even the tiniest wound.

The previous night.

Namgung Hwi had only said he would settle things with Namgung Hwa-hyeon, but hadn’t said what he would do about the children.

For the children’s sake, without telling them the truth.

He intended to bear everything and die.

No matter how close he had come to the edge of Super Peak, seeking out the Namgung Family Estate alone to settle things with Namgung Hwa-hyeon was tantamount to death.

Though the outcome would be different since Ha Mu-baek had agreed to accompany him.

“Hmm. So this is what it means to be a father…”

Namgung Hwa-u let out a deep sigh.

“Blood ties aren’t such simple things. Those children have their own feelings too. During all that long time spent at the estate, do you think those children knew nothing at all?”

At Namgung Hwa-u’s question, Namgung Hwi’s eyes trembled.

“I think you should listen to my proposal.”

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