Hmm...
No Mun was in a bind.
‘I must hurry and find the Great Rebirth Pill and return to the sect…’
It had already been two days since he arrived at the Namgung, but he hadn't even met the child who had taken the Great Rebirth Pill, let alone found the pill itself. He had expected them to be holding a grand banquet, since they had found the child after eight years.
‘A banquet? They're in seclusion...’
"Why on earth did they enter seclusion at a time like this..."
"It's probably because of that child."
"...?"
No Mun turned his gaze from the tree outside the window and looked behind him. Unsure when he had entered, Yu Kang stood there hesitantly, his arms full of something. No Mun frowned deeply.
"What is that? And what do you mean, it's because of that child?"
Yu Kang showed what he was holding and said brightly, "They're snacks. I told a maidservant I was hungry, and she brought them for me.
Hehe.
The rice cakes are very chewy and delicious! Would you like to have some, Master?"
"... That's enough. Just finish what you were saying."
"What I was saying? Ah."
Yu Kang popped the remaining piece of rice cake into his mouth and, chewing, recalled the other day. He had examined the child's Meridians, worried she might have been poisoned.
"That child's Meridians were in great turmoil."
"Which child?"
"The Namgung young lady."
"How do you know about the Namgung young lady's Meridians?"
"That's not what's important! I'm telling you, they were in turmoil! I've never seen such chaotic Meridians before!"
Something was very strange, but it was an interesting story, so No Mun decided to let it slide.
"In turmoil, you say. Tell me in detail."
"Some very complex energies were all mixed up. At least three of them. One was extremely unpleasant, and the other two were pure."
Yu Kang exclaimed, "Ah!" and raised a finger. The tip of his finger was covered in rice cake crumbs.
"None of the three energies belonged to the child."
"They weren't the child's energy...?"
"Yes. It felt as if different things were contained in a single bowl of water."
"Hmm..."
No Mun stroked his chin with a serious expression. The reason Yu Kang was more exceptional than other children his age was his sensitivity to Energy. Even when circulating Inner Energy with the same internal method, he accumulated more of it than others, and his ability to handle it was also outstanding.
If you asked him how he did it...
‘You just go shooong! and whish! and shushuk! and that's it!’ ...the problem was he would give absurd answers like that.
In any case, it was true that he was sensitive to the flow of energy. So this was not a matter to be dismissed lightly.
"Was there anything among them similar to the inner energy of Shaolin?"
Yu Kang furrowed his brow slightly.
"The... inner energy... of Shaolin, you say?"
"Yes."
No Mun waited for an answer with a tense expression. Yu Kang knew nothing about the Great Rebirth Pill, so he would wonder why Shaolin was suddenly mentioned...
‘If that child's body contained the inner energy of Shaolin, then the Great Rebirth Pill is already…’
"If you mean the inner energy of Shaolin..."
Gulp.
Yu Kang, who had been looking serious, tilted his head.
"How would I know? I've never seen Shaolin's inner energy, so how could I tell?"
No Mun slapped his own forehead. He was holding back the urge to slap Yu Kang's. "Then why were you looking so thoughtful! If you don't know, just say you don't know!"
"You asked it so matter-of-factly, I thought it was something I was supposed to know."
"Enough, enough."
No Mun waved his hand dismissively.
"What could I possibly expect from you."
"You always say that, but you always have expectations."
"Get out! Why are you in my room without permission?"
"I came to share some snacks. Would you like some?"
"I said enough!"
"Then, I'll leave some for you! Please have them when you get hungry!"
Even though he had been told it was enough, Yu Kang insisted on leaving a few rice cakes and fried honey cookies on the table before leaving the room. Watching his disciple wander around cheerfully, oblivious to his master's worries, No Mun felt as if he had aged ten years.
Knock. Knock.
"I told you to get out!"
"Elder, it is Yu Pyo."
No Mun snapped to his senses, and ahem, cleared his throat.
"Come in."
Soon, Yu Pyo entered. Glancing at the table, Yu Pyo said, "It seems Yu Kang has been here."
"How did you know?"
"He just finished boasting about it to me as well. Though he didn't share any with me. He is indeed a disciple who truly cherishes his master."
It was well-known within the Mount Hua Sect that Yu Kang followed his master, No Mun, well. It wasn't that other disciples didn't cherish their masters, but perhaps because of Yu Kang's cheerful personality, the somewhat lighthearted and rough relationship between the two was famous.
"He's nothing but a headache. So, what brings you here?"
"I was on my way back from a walk to get some fresh air when I met the Second Young Master of Namgung."
"The Second Young Master?"
The Second Young Master of Namgung...
"Isn't that the one called Namgung Cheonghae?"
"That's right. As I'd heard, he seemed more like a scholar than a warrior. He had a calm and cold impression."
"There is more to a person than what meets the eye. I've heard the young masters of Namgung are also skilled in martial arts, so be careful not to misspeak."
"... Yes."
"So. You met the Second Young Master. Why did you come to me?"
"He asked if we would join him for dinner. He said he would send a maidservant at the appointed time."
"The Second Young Master did?"
The one who should be concerned, Namgung Cheongun, the father of the child who took the Great Rebirth Pill, hasn't shown his face since the first day. And now the Second Young Master, Namgung Cheonghae, has invited them to dinner?
‘He must wish to form a connection with Mount Hua.’
The martial families have long desired to interact with the sects. However, the sects do not acknowledge the martial arts of the families, so these attempts have always failed. And now, they themselves have come to visit the Namgung.
‘His intention is clear, but it would be good to meet him.’
If things continued like this, they might return without discovering anything. It was better to try everything they could.
"Alright. Let us do that."
Yu Pyo's expression hardened slightly.
"... You intend to accept?"
"Why not? Time is all we have. Tell Yu Kang to prepare as well."
"... Yes."
Namgung Cheonghae's pavilion resembled its master, giving a calm and neat impression. The garden, too, was planted only with evergreen grasses and trees, all of which were trimmed neatly without a single messy branch. Passing through the obsessively tidy garden, the three were guided to the room where the meal was prepared.
"Welcome. I am Namgung Cheonghae, the Second Young Master of Namgung."
"I am No Mun of Mount Hua."
"I am Yu Pyo."
"I am Yu Kang."
They already knew each other's names and titles, so after a brief exchange of greetings, they sat around the table. Besides them, there were three other people at the table.
"This is my wife and my children."
"I am Yeon Soran."
"I am Namgung Soryong."
"I am Namgung Ung."
"A pleasure to meet you."
Though these guests were unannounced, No Mun did not show the slightest hint of displeasure. Namgung Cheonghae placed a hand on Soryong's shoulder and said, "The young Daoist who came with the Plum Blossom Divine Sword seems to be of a similar age to my Soryong, so I called him here.
If it is alright with you, could I ask you to give Soryong some guidance during your stay at Namgung?"
"A similar age..."
No Mun looked back at Yu Kang. But Yu Kang, unaware they were talking about him, was staring only at the food on the table.
"Ahem, ahem!"
As No Mun cleared his throat, Yu Kang finally turned his gaze.
"...?"
Namgung Cheonghae let out an awkward laugh.
"Haha, it seems the young Daoist is quite hungry. Let us talk while we eat."
Yu Kang stared intently at No Mun with a burdensome gaze. Feeling a throbbing in his head, No Mun picked up his chopsticks. As if that were the signal, Yu Kang put a large piece of meat in his mouth.
"This is delicious!"
"Haha. I'm glad to see the food of Namgung suits your palate."
He had intended to introduce Soryong, but because Yu Kang was completely absorbed in the food, the situation had become awkward. If he were to say it again, it was doubtful Yu Kang, who was already eating with gusto, would even hear him. How embarrassing would it be to be ignored twice?
Cheonghae smiled awkwardly and lowered his arm. In the end, seeing this, No Mun stepped in with a short sigh.
"I am grateful for the Second Young Master's consideration. As it happens, Yu Kang has been bored without any peers, so it would be good to cross swords when there is time. Yu Kang, what do you think?"
This time, Yu Kang heard him. Holding his chopsticks, Yu Kang made a fist-and-palm salute and said with a bright expression, "A sparring match sounds great! I've always wanted to face the Sword of Azure Sky...
Ouch!
Why did you hit me?"
"Do you think a sacred sparring match is some street brawl? You rogue! Ahem! This child has lived his whole life cooped up in the mountains, so his words and actions are unrefined. I hope you will understand."
"Haha, it's quite alright. I like his free-spirited nature. Then I will arrange for it soon. Haha."
Watching Yu Kang clutching his head in pain over the food, Soryong quietly swallowed a sneer.
‘So this is the youngest Plum Blossom Sword Master. Isn't he a complete fool?’
Does Mount Hua only have grass to eat since it's a mountain? Why is he so crazed and desperate over food?
‘I had high expectations since it's a great sect. How frivolous.’
The title of youngest Plum Blossom Sword Master must be an empty one. It's obvious what kind of sword that idiot would wield. To blindly accept a sparring match without knowing a thing.
‘Stupid country bumpkin. I'll show you a thing or two.’
The sparring match hadn't even happened yet, but a victor's smile already played on Soryong's lips.