1130 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

After the fight ended, chaos erupted within the Namgoong Clan. During the banquet, a key figure from the Cheongryongdae, one of the most notable martial artists in the current Central Plains, suddenly caused a disturbance. It was Shin Ryong and his subordinate who initiated the commotion. The sudden outbreak of the fight attracted everyone's attention, and the intensity of the clash was such that it captivated the entire audience. Amidst the chaos, an enormous explosion erupted alongside flames. The damage to the buildings inside was significant, but more pressing was the disruption of the banquet. However, a larger problem loomed. "...Young Master has disappeared." The young master who was at the Namgoong estate, Nam Goong Hyung, had vanished without a trace. Not merely vanishing—he took the Thunderchild with him. Crack-! Bang-!! Nam Goong Jeo Hwi slammed his hand on the table, splitting it in half with the force of his blow. "What the hell is going on!!" His face twisted with rage, he let out a roar, causing the martial artists nearby to flinch. The raw anger was palpable. “How could you allow such an incompetent person to disappear with the Thunderchild? Does that even make sense to you? If you have a mouth, at least try to explain.” At his growling words, no one dared to open their mouths easily. Grit. Facing the silence, Nam Goong Jeo Hwi ground his teeth and turned his gaze to someone. Two individuals standing to the left of the clan leader's room. They were the cause of the chaos that interrupted the banquet—Shin Ryong and his subordinate Baek Yang Cheon. “What in the world were you doing…….” With much difficulty in controlling his emotions, Goo Cheol Un lowered his head at the question. “I apologize.” “What is this atrocity on what was to be a joyous day?” “…….” The banquet was held to celebrate the repulse of the Demonic Gate. No one expected such a day of joy and enthusiasm to be so completely ruined. Inside the clan, various rumors were circulating due to their fight. Taking advantage of the confusion, the young master disappeared with the Thunderchild. This fact was causing a headache for Nam Goong Jeo Hwi. 'Damn.' To think it would come to this. He had anticipated trouble someday, but never imagined it would erupt this way. ‘Ungrateful brat.’ To raise and clothe someone who was completely unaware of his place, only to be betrayed like this by his own house? Moreover, the fact that he vanished with the Thunderchild sent Nam Goong Jeo Hwi's fury soaring. "……Immediately dismiss the guards in charge, and order the search team to capture the young master. Also." With a chilling gaze, Nam Goong Jeo Hwi instructed a subordinate. “If the situation escalates upon discovery, you are permitted to cut off his limbs to subdue him.” “Yes, sir…….” The subordinate who received the order exited the room. The banquet could indeed be considered truly over. After giving orders to his men, the clan leader turned to Goo Cheol Un again. “I must ask you, Deputy Commander.” “Please, by all means.” “Why did you start the fight?” “…….” "I don't perceive you as someone oblivious enough to initiate a battle inside another clan." Nam Goong Jeo Hwi pressed on, suppressing his anger to continue speaking. “Was it an intentional fight?” “…….” An intentional fight. He was suggesting that there might be a connection between disrupting the banquet and helping Nam Goong Hyung escape. The noisy battle made it possible for Nam Goong Hyung to flee. That detail seemed to particularly bother Nam Goong Jeo Hwi. 'And he's right, after all.' From my perspective, Nam Goong Jeo Hwi was quite perceptive. Because that was indeed the intention. 'I don’t know about Father, but for me, that was the plan.' Even if my father remained unaware during the fight, my intention was clear. With a fight between my father and Nam Goong Hyung, it was obvious attention would be drawn. Then everything would become tangled. Nam Goong Hyung's escape would fail. The problem of attempting to leave with the Thunderchild and my involvement in aiding him—those were issues as well. Thus, I chose a path. 'If everything's going to fall apart anyway.' Let's ruin it all. That’s why I opted for the fight with my father. The result was not bad. Attention was gathered, and in the chaos, Nam Goong Hyung successfully escaped. That was the outcome. The issue is. 'The outcome is favorable...' But now, how do I handle the aftermath? It's good that Nam Goong Hyung escaped, that's for certain. Up to that point, it was fine. 'Now what do I do?' The problem was me who was left behind. Nam Goong Hyung fled with the Thunderchild. My father acted in an attempt to stop Nam Goong Hyung and me. If my father explained the situation from that moment, it would be over. What course would my father take? As I watched closely, he finally spoke to Nam Goong Jeo Hwi. “It was a part of training.” 'Huh?' An unexpected answer came forth. “What? Training?” “Yes. During our conversation, an insubordination occurred, and I intended to educate him on it.” “Ha... So you're saying the battle stemmed from this so-called training?” "That’s correct." With an utterly expressionless face, my father nodded. Naturally. “Do you expect me to believe that?” Nam Goong Jeo Hwi wasn't going to easily believe it. Even if his martial prowess was not as strong as others', he still had a formidable mind for politics and strategy. However, my father's attitude was unchanged. “Indeed.” "……Deputy Commander." "Go ahead." “This matter cannot be overlooked easily. No matter how much the Cheongryongdae has aided Namgoong Clan, this is a completely separate issue.” “I understand.” “And despite understanding, that's the explanation you give?” "Correct." “Ha-!” Nam Goong Jeo Hwi's face finally twisted. His prior words had been sufficient warning that this was not a matter to be taken lightly. Even hearing that, my father’s demeanor remained steadfast. “I apologize for the disrespect caused to the Namgoong Clan. I will also properly compensate for the collapsed walls and the damaged buildings.” "…That's not the issue here-!" Nam Goong Jeo Hwi, about to shout, clamped his mouth shut. He realized that further discussion would lead nowhere. With things as they were, the conversation simplified. My father was essentially saying: He's sorry there was an internal fight among the Cheongryongdae. And he will compensate for the damage that occurred in the process. After all, we merely fought. We have no involvement in Young Master's disappearance. Thus was the explanation provided. Grit. Nam Goong Jeo Hwi clenched his fist and pinched the bridge of his nose with the other hand. “Hoo…” With a deep breath, he opened his eyes coldly and spoke to my father. "...Leave now. I still need to verify things on this end." "I understand." "However, should the verification reveal anything contrary to your words... you should be prepared." "I will keep that in mind." Bowing respectfully, we exited the clan leader's room. The night was still deep. Even when the incident erupted, it was already past midnight. Now, it was nearing the time of dawn. Likely by morning, the Namgoong Clan would be bustling with commotion. As I considered this, I spoke to my father who was walking ahead. “Deputy Commander.” “...” At my call, my father stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned his gaze towards me. “…Why didn’t you say anything?” I asked, facing him directly, as if to avoid his sharp eyes. I wondered why he didn't explain the situation, prompting my question. “Baek Yang Cheon.” “Yes.” “Why did you help?” “...Pardon?” Instead of answering, my father asked a question. “What do you mean?” “Why did you help Young Master?” “…Ah.” Why, indeed? I pondered briefly at his question, reflecting on why I had helped him. Well. “Just because.” It was a simple response, but it was laden with meaning. The truth, if dissected, lay in Nam Goong Hyung’s utterance about hell. Moved by his desire and earnest plea to escape this hell. I didn’t know what kind of life the young Nam Goong Hyung had lived, but it was that sentiment that stirred me to action. My father quietly observed me after I spoke, recalling that moment. “Just because, is it.” “…Yes.” Was I going to get scolded? Probably. What kind of lunatic helps a Namgoong Clan member abscond with a precious artifact and simply explains it away with "just because"? What an absurd notion. I knew I couldn't avoid the reprimand, so I kept silent. “At any rate, so am I.” “Sorry?” My father uttered an unexpected statement. So is he? As I struggled to understand, he elaborated. “It is my answer to your earlier question.” “Oh.” With that, comprehension dawned on me. It was his way of saying he backed me up for the same reason. ‘…He’s got me.’ He wasn’t keen on giving a straight answer either. This was a message to both seal my lips and his. Tch. There was no way around it. I awkwardly scratched the back of my head when he spoke. “Follow me.” He turned his back and started walking. I was curious as to where he was going, but I followed him for the time being. After walking silently for a brief period, we arrived at a training hall. Why had he suddenly brought me to a training hall? I was puzzled, but my father boldly strode inside. Reaching the center, he turned back to look at me. His gaze seemed to beckon me to enter. “…” I cautiously approached my father. “…Why are we here?” Upon asking, my father’s eyes flashed as he spoke. “Repay me.” “Pardon?” “Repay me for helping you.” “…What?” He wanted a return for keeping my silence? Out of nowhere? He claimed he helped me just because earlier. What kind of return was he suddenly asking for? However. “Show me properly.” “...!” My father exuded a force and commanded me. "Show your true capability." The sound of rings turning echoed in the air. “That is the repayment I desire.” Thud-! The energy radiating from my father now was entirely different from before.