Chapter 76. Namgung’s Change
At those words, Namgung Gangchang jumped up. He quickly cast his vote for Tang So-hwa and glanced back. Namgung Gangchang’s followers hurriedly ran over and added their votes next to Tang So-hwa’s name.
Namgung Gangchang tried to seize the initial momentum, but it was futile. Votes began overwhelmingly favoring Namgung Hyun.
“Now I understand why the Alliance Leader coveted Young Master Namgung.”
“This is much better than the practice manual we were using.”
“Putting all that aside, to write so steadily by a windy lakeside like this— all three are amazing.”
They quickly forgot the scandal. They had scoffed at the rumor about a man and woman spending over an hour together in a private study, asking what kind of conversation that could be. But now, having seen their calligraphy firsthand, they understood.
Each clan had at least one person obsessed with martial arts who would talk all day about newly learned techniques. Replacing martial arts with calligraphy, it made sense that their conversations would be just as long.
Having reached this level, they must be just as obsessed with calligraphy as those obsessed with martial arts, so long talks were natural.
As the line to cast votes disappeared, Tang So-hwa spoke to Namgung Hyun.
“Congratulations, Young Master.”
“Not at all.”
Namgung Hyun felt uncomfortable with the surrounding gazes. People’s eyes held subtle admiration. As a member of the Murim clans who judged victory or defeat through martial arts contests, the treatment of winners was special.
“Still, since this is a kind of victory, shouldn’t there be a prize?”
Zhuge Ji-hwi pulled something out from his sleeve. Placing a branch on the table, he said,
“This is my precious plum blossom branch.”
“...Young Lord, isn’t this the branch you picked from your residence? The flowers haven’t even fallen yet.”
“Yes. It was the most beautiful flower I saw at the Tang Clan estate. Though the moment of seeing it might be fleeting, the memory lasts a lifetime. I’m giving Young Master Namgung Hyun a beautiful memory.”
He handed the roughly picked plum blossom branch to Namgung Hyun once again.
“Take today’s memory with the most beautiful flower of the Tang Clan estate.”
Zhuge Ji-hwi was very eloquent. If he wanted, he might have been able to scoop up the Yangtze River water and sell it.
Namgung Hyun looked at the plum blossom branch and then raised his head to look at So-hwa.
He respectfully accepted the plum blossom branch given by the Young Lord of the Zhuge clan.
“I will cherish the Young Lord’s heart.”
“Hm? Hearing you say that makes me feel like some sort of lover.”
Zhuge Ji-hwi narrowed his eyes with a very uneasy expression. Soon, his gaze shifted to So-hwa.
So-hwa twisted the corners of her mouth.
“I have nothing to give right now. I will think a little more about what to give Young Master and give it separately.”
“Oh ho, I’m quite curious what Lady Tang will give. Young Master Namgung, please be sure to tell me later.”
Before Namgung Hyun could answer, So-hwa spoke again.
“I will prepare a precious gift that will please the Young Master’s heart, so please be sure to brag about it to the Young Lord.”
“Oh dear, if I had known this, I would have tried my best. I sincerely look forward to what gift Lady Tang prepares. Could you at least hint if it’s more expensive than one silver coin?”
“Of course.”
“...Wait a moment. Let’s have another calligraphy bimu.”
Zhuge Ji-hwi spoke sincerely, but So-hwa took it as a joke.
She quietly prepared to leave.
“I will take my leave now. I have things to do before dinner.”
A peculiar scent had been drifting nearby for some time.
It was too strong to be just grass; it smelled like an old tree, and the earthiness was mixed with a metallic scent, like minerals buried deep underground.
It was similar to the smell that leaks out when you forcibly suppress internal energy that has been circulating for a long time.
It’s the scent that Tang Ji-ha often wore when suppressing his presence nearby.
And yet, it feels thick in the air. It’s as if the core figures of the Five Noble Clans have cast some kind of concealment and are hiding nearby.
Though she didn’t know why, she did not want to stay and create trouble.
So-hwa quickly left the place.
“I should be going back too. I’m starting to worry about the aftermath.”
As she left, Zhuge Ji-hwi also turned to follow. Namgung Hyun, left alone, watched as the maidservant began clearing the area, then raised his hand.
“Wait a moment.”
When the maidservant tried to clear Tang So-hwa’s paper, Namgung Hyun approached the table. Holding a large sheet of paper that couldn’t be folded because the ink was still wet, he left the place.
Those remaining quietly began whispering to each other.
“What’s this? Is Young Master Namgung crazy about calligraphy, or is he interested in Lady Tang?”
“Are you stupid? It’s the latter. If it were the former, why would he leave the Young Lord's paper behind?"
Namgung Hyun’s behavior surprised the young men of the Namgung Clan the most, since he showed no regard for others’ glances.
Of course, the retainers of the other clans didn’t know this. Only the Namgung clan members looked at Namgung Hyun’s back with astonishment.
That sly fellow, who was always so cautious...
“Wow, now that he’s found a match, he’s a different person.”
One of Namgung Gangchang’s followers muttered without realizing.
Namgung Gangchang bit his lip and asked,
“...Didn't they say the Forbidden Zone is in the western forest this year?”
“Pardon?”
The Forbidden Zone was where the Tang Clan kept all the mechanisms and formation traps they had removed.
The reason Namgung Gangchang’s group asked wasn’t because they didn’t know where it was, but because Namgung Gangchang, who freaks out just passing nearby, was the one asking.
Of course, Namgung Gangchang knew very well where it was. The Tang Clan had strictly warned them not to enter that area as soon as they arrived.
Namgung Gangchang spoke in an uncharacteristically cold tone.
“Tell Namgung Hyun that I said to meet me in the western forest.”
One of Namgung Gangchang’s followers, realizing the implication, panicked.
“No, brother, you can’t!”
“That’s right! If your precious body is harmed, Grand Elder will be furious with us."
The group tried to dissuade him indirectly, but Namgung Gangchang didn’t pay any attention.
“I can slip out unnoticed after the hour of Hai (9-11 PM). Tell him to come after that time.”
Watching Namgung Gangchang leave first, his followers let out deep sighs.
“Isn’t this crossing the line?”
“That’s what I’m saying. And I don’t think we should mess with him anymore…”
“Exactly. Lately, the elders have been treating him... no, Young Master Namgung, quite well.”
Namgung Gangchang’s followers were quick-witted and sensed subtle changes well.
The second son of the Clan Head, who had been demoted among them for putting the Young Lord in trouble, was beginning to show signs of being forgiven by the Clan Head.
Whether it was because of the family marriage or public opinion, if the Clan Head recognized Namgung Hyun as his son again, that would be a problem.
The Grand Elder’s only beloved son versus the second son, whom the Clan Head was trying to elevate to the direct lineage.
“......”
At this time, it was best to keep a low profile.
"C-could we tell him to be careful since it's the Forbidden Zone when we tell him to come to the western forest? That sly fox will surely understand, so it should be fine."
"Ah, right! Perhaps if he's not feeling well, we can suggest he meet Brother gangchang separately tomorrow."
"Yes, yes! Isn't it just a matter of how we relay the message?"
Namgung Gangchang’s followers tried to think positively as they returned to the Namgung residence, but none could shake the uneasy feeling lingering in their minds.
***
Namgung An fell into deep thought. He recalled the face of the illegitimate child he had seen by the lakeside. In more than ten years, he had never seen such an expression on that child’s face.
Though he had thought the child was a frightening person who could hide his desires because of a dark nature, the child had also shown a pure side of his heart.
'Was I mistaken...?'
Perhaps because of his birth, he had learned never to reveal himself.
Namgung Hyun’s mother was a modest woman, like a small wildflower. That was how she appeared on the outside. But inside, she hid immeasurable, deep desires.
Namgung An saw the child’s birth mother reflected in his illegitimate child. That seemed to be why he had been so cautious of that child. But he was just a child.
‘Perhaps he was never really a great threat to the Young Lord.’
Namgung An almost rubbed his chin unconsciously but stopped.
A hand raised, caught by the Divine Physician, then lowered again.
“I apologize. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“That’s alright.”
The Divine Physician, who was checking Namgung An’s pulse, withdrew his hand with a serious expression. He answered with a voice as dark as his face.
“The pulse has changed a lot since the first check.”
The Divine Physician lifted his dark-colored eyes and stared intently at Namgung An.
“Do you still feel the same symptoms these days?”
"No. My body feels surprisingly light. Perhaps as I age, my constitution is changing to suit the Tang Clan? When I was young, I wanted to return to Anhui as soon as possible whenever I came here.”
Namgung An seemed genuinely better, even adding a light joke.
“If it’s alright, may I check your pulse again?”
“Do as you wish.”
The Divine Physician carefully placed his hand once more and took Namgung An’s pulse. But the pulse was clear.
It had originally been a sinking pulse—difficult to feel—but now, even with a light touch, the pulse was distinct.
Namgung An had been born a perfect martial artist with a sturdy body and had always eaten well. Feeling a sinking pulse in such a body was a serious matter. Though the illness was unknown, it must have been severe enough to settle deep in his strong body, so it couldn’t be ignored.
Yet, in just a few days, the illness had vanished.
It was an utterly incomprehensible situation.
The Divine Physician, desperate for any clue, tried to question him.
“Clan Head, do you recall any symptoms you’ve felt before?”
“After suffering for months, it’s hard to forget even if I want to.”
Namgung An smiled lightly.
“Sometimes my mood would darken, and when I came to my senses, time had passed. At first, it was only about half a ‘gak’ (15 minutes), but recently, I’ve lost memories spanning over two gak (an hour)."