Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 1637

Cold.

No, chilling.

Even the swordsmen of the Namgung Clan, who knew Namgung Dowi very well, were surprised.

“The Young Lord…”

They always knew he was important. Everyone knew Namgung Dowi was the one to take over the Namgung Clan. He would become the leader after Namgung Hwang, the Lion Sword.

But this time, it felt different. The swordsmen followed Namgung Dowi because they thought he could become as good as Namgung Hwang one day. Not because they thought Namgung Dowi was good enough to follow right now.

But the feeling Namgung Dowi was giving off now was strong enough to completely change how the swordsmen saw him.

A chilling energy that felt like it could cut through their skin. It also felt like a heavy weight was pushing down on them.

“When did the Young Lord become like this?”

It was a feeling that even those who had trained in Namgung Clan swordsmanship their whole lives were amazed by. Namgung Dowi was now giving off a feeling like Namgung Hwang in the past.

“Young Lord…”

“I said, if anyone has a complaint, step forward.”

His voice was very cold, almost mean. Those who felt scared swallowed hard and looked at Namgung Dowi.

“Will anyone step forward?”

Namgung Dowi looked around. But the swordsmen were afraid to look at him and quickly looked away when he looked at them.

Namgung Dowi looked at all of them, then turned to the Namgung swordsman in front of him.

“Namgung Bi.”

“…Yes, Young Lord.”

“You said you were unhappy that the Meng and Hwasan were getting all the glory?”

“I…”

Namgung Dowi spoke sharply, his face showing no emotion.

“Are you really so unhappy that they are getting glory that they only got because of us?”

“No. Even if you are unhappy, is that small glory so important when we are trying everything to fight the Four Evil Sects?”

“Young Lord…”

“Don’t talk such stupid nonsense.”

Namgung Dowi gritted his teeth.

“Glory alone cannot make the Namgung name strong again. The only way to rebuild the Namgung name is to become skilled. No matter how much fame we get, if we cannot become as strong as the Namgung Clan used to be, everything will be like a sandcastle that washes away. And no matter how much the world criticizes and ignores us, if we can become stronger than the Namgung Clan used to be, the Namgung name will shine again.”

After hearing this, Namgung Bi lowered his head.

“If you are going to worry about meaningless things like glory, then use that time to practice your sword. A swordsman speaks with his sword. Isn’t that the Namgung way?”

“…That’s right, Young Lord.”

“And!”

Namgung Bi had completely given up, but Namgung Dowi didn’t stop.

“At least, if you are from the Namgung Clan, show that you are good people first, before you try to be good swordsmen.”

“What do you think Father would say if he saw you now?”

“…”

“I would rather be a respected person even if I die, than someone who lives only for glory. That is the Namgung way, and the way my father lived.”

The Namgung Clan swordsmen looked down after hearing these words.

Namgung Dowi looked at them coldly, then looked at others who were watching. They also looked down when Namgung Dowi looked at them. Namgung Dowi glared at them once, then walked away, leaving the Namgung Clan swordsmen who were confused. After walking for a bit, Tang Soso, who was quietly walking behind him, spoke.

“Wasn’t that a bit too harsh?”

“…Do you think so?”

“A little.”

“Even animals know when to be thankful.”

“…Of course, that’s true, but…”

Tang Soso looked back, a little worried.

“I understand why they are unhappy too. They have to risk their lives fighting, but they won’t get any glory from it…” Anyone would be unhappy about that. People in Jianghu live to become famous and get glory. It’s like taking away something very important from them. Of course, people can still become famous on their own, but for people in Jianghu, it’s also important to make their group famous too.

When Tang Soso said this, Namgung Dowi looked at her.

“That’s a bit surprising.”

“What is?”

“I thought someone like you would be telling me to punish them right away.”

“…What do you think I am?”

“Well, not exactly what kind of person…”

Namgung Dowi gave a small smile. It’s new, but just like him, Tang Soso has changed too. The old Tang Soso would not have thought about how other people felt at all.

It’s strange. Chung Myung seems selfish at first, but the people around him seem to become less selfish because of him. That’s what’s interesting about Chung Myung.

“What you said is right… but that’s why we have to do it.”

“Yes? Why?”

“Because that’s what Chung Myung wants to stop the most right now.”

Tang Soso looked a little doubtful.

“Glory?”

“Yes. To be exact, the whole idea of groups doing things just to get famous.”

“…Hmm.”

“If you listen to what they said and how you reacted, Chung Myung’s plan is clear.”

Tang Soso nodded as if she understood what Namgung Dowi meant.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Yes. Especially when fighting the Evil Sects.”

Tang Soso nodded. She understood perfectly after hearing this. She was very smart in both the Dang Clan and Hwasan.

“So, even if it’s a bit unfair, we have to make it happen. Even if it means we have to go against other groups, not just Namgung.”

“…Are you saying you will be the bad guy?”

“If I need to, I will. No… I will.”

Tang Soso sighed deeply.

“Honestly, it’s strange for me to say this as someone from Hwasan… but I don’t understand at all. Why do you have to do good things for us?”

“Because it’s not just good for Hwasan.”

Namgung Dowi looked right at Tang Soso.

“This is not just for Hwasan, but for all of Jianghu.”

“…”

It was a good reason. So, she couldn’t argue against it.

Then, Namgung Dowi smiled playfully.

“This is a good enough excuse, right?”

“Yes?”

“The truth is, I just want to do it. I could say it’s to pay back what we owe, or just… I hate seeing someone who is already working so hard have to do even more.”

“…Are you talking about Chung Myung?”

“Yes.”

Tang Soso looked a little surprised. It’s very strange. People in Hwasan run away when they see Chung Myung, but people outside Hwasan all want to help him. What is it about him that makes people like this?

“More than anything else.”

“…”

Namgung Dowi looked up at Hwaeum. At the city of the Heavenly Union, which Chung Myung helped build.

“That way, can’t I feel proud when I’m with him? I want to be his equal. Not just someone who takes advantage of what he has done.”

“…”

“I need to do at least this much to make the Namgung family as strong as Chung Myung is making Hwasan. If I try as hard as he does, won’t I be able to do at least half as much?”

“I don’t want to be rude, but even half of what Chung Myung does is very hard.”

“I know. That’s why I’m trying.”

Namgung Dowi smiled brightly.

“…You look very happy? Even though you are the one doing all the difficult work?”

“Does it look like that?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… Maybe it does.”

Namgung Dowi nodded, easily agreeing. “Of course, I can’t help but be happy. Until now, I’ve been asking Chung Myung to let us help with everything he does.”

“It’s not always like that. You have been a great help too.”

“Thank you for saying that, but I know the situation of the Namgung family best. I know how much Hwasan has helped the Namgung family.”

“…”

It was a bit delicate to say, but Namgung Dowi smiled brightly, not caring at all.

“But now that I have something I can do, something only I can do, how can I not be happy?”

“…I guess I was wrong about you.”

“Hmm? What are you talking about?”

“I thought you had changed a little, but now I see, you’ve changed a lot.”

“Is that so? Haha.”

Namgung Dowi puffed out his chest proudly. Tang Soso was completely wrong. He wasn’t just feeling good, he was very happy.

‘Chung Myung wouldn’t leave this problem alone.’

No matter how busy he is, he’s not the kind of person who would ignore problems in the Union. But the fact that he left this situation alone means only one thing.

From the start, this was a job for Namgung Dowi.

For the first time, Chung Myung saw him not just as a swordsman, but as someone who can do important things. How could he not be happy?

“Oh? Look.”

“Yes?”

“Chung Myung is coming. Chief! It’s been a while!”

Namgung Dowi saw Chung Myung coming towards them and smiled brightly, waving his hand.

Chung Myung saw him and smiled brightly as he ran towards them. ‘But something feels wrong…’

Tang Soso felt that something was strange about this. No, it felt like something was missing. Like when you drink at a bar and forget to pay…

“Chief. Thank you so much for coming to greet me like this. I didn’t thank you properly before… Bleeegh!”

Suddenly, Chung Myung’s foot, which was running with a bright smile, kicked Namgung Dowi hard in the face. *Thud*.

Namgung Dowi fell backward, and Chung Myung gritted his teeth and jumped on top of him.

“You little punk! I finally caught you.”

“C-Chief?”

Namgung Dowi, with a footprint on his face, looked surprised and confused.

“I was too busy to beat you up then, so I left it! Do you know that all the others almost died because of you? Who told you to act so recklessly and attack the Black Dragon King? Are you crazy?”

“Ah, no, that’s… That’s why I said thank you… And it’s in the past now…”

“Does ‘thank you’ make it okay, you punk?”

*Wham!*

Chung Myung’s fist hit Namgung Dowi’s face again.

“And! If you just quickly fixed your wounds, you should have come to help! What are you doing now, just hanging around and showing your face now! You punk, is your job in Jianghu finished after killing the Black Dragon King? Have you done everything you need to do?”

“I… I was going to come quickly… but I’m still hurt.”

“Hurt? Oh, right. I know why you are hurt. You should have just died there! Why are you still alive! Die, you punk!”

“Aaargh! Ack! Ch-Chief! Calm down…”

“Shut up, you punk!”

Tang Soso watched Chung Myung start to beat up Namgung Dowi, clicked her tongue and looked annoyed. *I knew it.* She was a little worried about beating up someone who was still hurt, but Tang Soso decided that Namgung Dowi deserved it and looked away. *But it seems I guessed right about something.* Chung Myung doesn’t beat up people he doesn’t like.

“Sigh, anyway.”

Tang Soso shook her head. *I should leave those two alone and go see what happened.*