Chapter 167 : Realm of The Boundary of the Upper World (2)

Chapter 167: Realm of The Boundary of the Upper World (2)

"Wouldn't your own realization feel different? Why bother using this old man's useless experience?"

"No, sir. I gained much insight from your words. That’s exactly why I want to reach that level as well."

"Feel free to use it, then. But in return, you must tell me what lies beyond the Realm of The Boundary of the Upper World."

"Understood, sir."

"Then be on your way. You must be busy."

Namgung Bi stood up and began walking.

Not even the squirrels or butterflies avoided the path he walked on.

Namgung Bi had already become a part of Mountain Wave Garden.

Watching that scene, I had many thoughts.

'When will I be able to reach the Realm of The Boundary of the Upper World?'

I held out my palm with some feed placed on top, stretching my hand toward the mountain bird.

However, the bird did not fly over to take the feed.

It was because it still saw me as human.

Yet, seeing that it dared to come within a single jang of distance showed it was not extremely wary.

"If the bird were to sit on my hand without a hint of wariness, would that mean I've reached the Realm of The Boundary of the Upper World?"

Even the squirrels and butterflies fled in surprise whenever I approached within a single jang.

'Just how much deeper must my understanding grow to truly become one with nature?'

Once again, I became solemn before the endless profundity of martial arts.

"This is disappointing. Parting without even sharing a proper drink."

Paeng Giyok refused to let go of my hand.

From an outsider’s view, it might have looked like the two of us were lovers, that’s how close we seemed.

To Paeng Giyok, I was a friend more precious than anything else.

That’s why it saddened him to part ways without even a drink.

Because of the chaos from the Soho incident and the attack on the Namgung Clan, there had been no time for drinks, let alone a proper conversation.

"I’ll head straight to my family after finishing up in Zhengzhou. If you have time, come visit my home."

"That’s the only way I’ll be able to see you, isn’t it? You’re so busy I never get to see your face. Hwarin, why don’t you stay one more day? Let’s drink until our noses turn crooked tonight."

Despite knowing the mood in the Namgung Clan wasn’t suitable for drinking, Paeng Giyok forced the matter because he wanted to spend more time with me.

In truth, I could have stayed another day, but Hoi Unkyung had been poisoned. The more I delayed, the worse her condition would become.

Since I hadn’t shared this fact, Paeng Giyok couldn’t understand why I was leaving so urgently and felt disappointed.

"I’m sorry. It’s something that can’t wait."

When my face filled with genuine apology, Paeng Giyok finally gave up.

"Alright. I’m the one who should be sorry for trying to hold back someone who’s busy."

At that moment, Jegal Yohye, who had been standing behind, muttered quietly.

"Why does it seem like among all of us here, Young Master Yong is the busiest?"

Her words carried a bit of spite. They were all busy investigating the mastermind behind the alliance’s formation and the Namgung Clan’s attack, yet I seemed even busier, which irked her for no reason.

Jegal Yohye felt frustrated that despite spending so much time in the same place as me, she hadn’t been able to have a proper conversation.

Every time she tried to make time, some incident occurred, leaving her unable to approach me.

So she had decided to change her approach and take things slowly.

Upon careful observation, I wasn’t someone who entertained women easily.

Despite numerous daughters from various clans sending flirtatious signals, I had shown no interest. Jegal Yohye had been among them, but she had consciously excluded herself from that group.

She had planned to gradually earn my heart over time, but with no opportunity to do so, her plan had become meaningless.

And just when she resolved to be patient, I announced I was leaving the Namgung Clan.

No wonder she couldn’t help but sound sour.

"Yohye, Brother Hwarin is busy. You should understand," Jegal Cheongyeong said from beside her, trying to calm her down.

But that only made her more annoyed.

"Hmph! As if he’s busier than me?"

Still, she had come all the way to say goodbye, and now Jegal Cheongyeong kept taking my side, which flipped her mood upside down.

"Tch! Tch! Tch!"

Kicking the ground several times as if something displeased her, she abruptly turned around and disappeared.

Jegal Cheongyeong watched her leave and silently clicked her tongue.

'She’s a smart girl, yet she’s terrible at expressing her feelings.'

Jegal Cheongyeong already knew that Jegal Yohye had feelings for me.

At one time, she had even considered helping them get together.

But now, she no longer felt like doing so.

In fact, seeing Jegal Yohye sulking and possibly earning my dislike made her feel oddly relieved.

'I’ve become selfish too. But whether it’s martial arts or love, you can’t claim anything without being selfish.'

Jegal Cheongyeong had changed a lot.

Ever since she learned of her true identity, many things had shifted within her.

And those changes had been largely positive.

'Good things aren’t meant to be given away—they’re meant to be claimed for myself.'

After realizing that giving good things to others was not kindness but foolishness, Jegal Cheongyeong’s view of the world changed completely.

It was then that someone appeared who felt as irritating as a grain of sand in her eye.

"Young Master Yong, I happen to have business in Zhengzhou as well. Looks like I can join you on the way," said Namgung Yoo with a bright smile.

Jegal Cheongyeong muttered inwardly.

'Hmph, look at her trying to flirt with Brother Hwarin.'

Lately, every time another woman smiled at Yong Hwarin, it looked like flirtation to Jegal Cheongyeong.

Yong Hwarin found it curious that Namgung Yoo, who had many responsibilities in the Namgung Clan, claimed she was going to Zhengzhou.

"You’re going to Zhengzhou? You’ve seemed quite busy lately."

"I do have busy matters to attend to, but since you’re going, I thought I’d go as well. I figured it would be safer to travel with you, Young Master Yong."

Jegal Cheongyeong thought to herself.

'If she really had business, she could take the Namgung Clan’s elite guards. Why would she need to follow Brother Hwarin? She must have ulterior motives.'

Just as Jegal Cheongyeong suspected, Namgung Yoo’s offer to accompany me was heavily influenced by Namgung Seong’s intention.

Having realized that Yong Hwarin, who he thought was a dormant dragon, was in fact a dominant dragon destined to rule the martial world, Namgung Seong had formulated a plan to bring me into the Namgung Clan’s circle.

The first step was to have Namgung Yoo, who seemed to have gained my favor, grow closer to me.

Coincidentally, there was a scheduled meeting in Zhengzhou with the Lord of Dongak Hall regarding the procurement of Jiangshi.

Though Namgung Yoo had already planned to go to Zhengzhou, her schedule was moved forward so she could travel with me.

Namgung Seong had called Namgung Yoo and asked her:

"Yoo-ah, what do you think of Yong Hwarin?"

Namgung Yoo’s face lit up with admiration.

"Father, he’s an exceptional man. His martial arts and insight are far beyond what any of his peers can match. What’s even more impressive is how he draws outstanding people toward him. Even Paeng Giyok, who used to lament having no friends, chose to be his friend. And the sons of other clans don’t dare act arrogantly in front of him. He silently overwhelms them, so they can’t ignore him."

Namgung Seong nodded as he listened to his daughter’s praise of Yong Hwarin.

"What do you think will become of him in the future?"

Namgung Yoo paused in thought and then replied.

"He is one of those people I can’t measure. But in my opinion, he will achieve great things in the martial world. What are your thoughts, Father?"

Since they often discussed such matters when evaluating talents, Namgung Yoo sensed nothing unusual in their conversation.

"I think the same. I couldn’t measure his martial attainment either."

"What? But Father, you surpassed the Cycle Completion Stage long ago. If you couldn’t gauge his strength... does that mean Young Master Yong has surpassed the Cycle Completion Stage too?"

Namgung Seong spoke in a serious tone, without a trace of a smile.

"I recently met with your grandfather."

"Grandfather?"

"Yes, your grandfather came to see me personally. It’s been nearly a year since he last visited in person. He told me to pay special attention to Yong Hwarin because he is a rare talent."

"Grandfather visited just to say that?"

"Yes, and he said something even more shocking afterward."

Namgung Yoo liked her grandfather Namgung Bi. He was the one who understood her best and recognized her talent.

"He said that Yong Hwarin would surpass him within ten years."

"Really?"

Namgung Yoo knew how supreme her grandfather Namgung Bi was, who was called the Sword King of the World.

To hear that someone would surpass him was shocking.

And that someone was none other than Yong Hwarin, who had just barely passed his coming-of-age.

Even in ten years, Yong Hwarin would only be in his early thirties.

That meant he could ascend to the ranks of the Seven Kings of the Martial World in his early thirties.

"I’ve never known your grandfather to be wrong. His words will surely prove true. That’s why I plan to make him one of our people."

"Do you think that will be easy?"

Even from the little time she had spent observing Yong Hwarin, she felt that he was not someone who could be easily roped in.

"That’s why I need you."

Namgung Yoo stared at her father, puzzled by the sudden shift in conversation.

"I’m not sure I understand what you mean."

"Looks like So Hong is already out of the picture. Since you’re already close to Young Master Yong, I want you to make him yours."

Namgung Yoo stared at her father in surprise.

"Father, from what I’ve seen so far, Young Master Yong doesn’t seem interested in women. He even broke off his engagement. There’s no reason he’d show interest in me."

Namgung Seong cleared his throat a couple of times and lowered his voice.

"What I mean is, try to build some closeness while traveling together to Zhengzhou. It takes about a month to get there. Don’t you think you can make something happen in that time?"

Namgung Yoo disliked how materialistic her father sounded, but she could understand where he was coming from.

Who wouldn’t covet a talent like Yong Hwarin?

Otherwise, they’d have no right to lead a clan.

You couldn’t run a clan without the ability to recognize people.

'Since I’m going to Zhengzhou anyway, I suppose traveling with Young Master Yong isn’t such a bad idea.'

Unlike her father, Namgung Yoo had no intention of seducing Yong Hwarin.

To her, he felt more like a reliable adult and a friend.

Paeng Giyok wasn’t the only one who had lived without friends. Namgung Yoo had also lived her whole life without a single friend.

Even within her own clan, she had been isolated for practicing the Left Path Martial Arts, leading a lonely life.

But in a way, that solitude had made it easier for her to train in the Left Path Martial Arts.

That didn’t mean she had neglected her martial arts training.

Namgung Yoo was the only one who frequently visited Mountain Wave Garden to serve Namgung Bi, and as a result, she had learned quite a bit from him.

Worried that her growth might stagnate, Namgung Bi had taught her his insights.

What Namgung Yoo didn’t know was that although Namgung Seong had given the order for her to accompany Yong Hwarin, the suggestion had originally come from Namgung Bi.

Namgung Bi believed that since Yong Hwarin and Namgung Yoo shared similar natures, they could become good companions.

And he wasn’t wrong, as Namgung Yoo already felt more friendship than romantic interest toward Yong Hwarin, making their relationship likely to become a positive one.