Chapter 88. I've Become Younger.

This is really messed up. Not only do they know him, but to pretend not to recognize him even when he's become a senior brother. Eunanggae and Socheongae, who were thus ignored, glared resentfully at Chuiwungae.

Only then did Chuiwungae turn to look at his junior brothers.

"What! My beloved junior brothers are here!"

"Ah! Hehehe!"

"Uhehehe!"

The two beggars, whose resentment melted away like snow, grinned widely.

"Wow~ How well you've been eating, your complexions are really glowing."

"Senior brother, what are you talking about? We've been starving for ten days to eat a lot at the Namgung family today."

"Right, Senior Brother. I'm feeling dizzy."

"Whoa whoa~ Cut out the dog talk."

While this was happening, Hugong met a gaze.

It was from far away, in front of the hall.

A man in his mid-fifties, with a steady flow of vitality in his eyes.

He was the head of the Namgung family.

'Namgung Hak, you're looking quite old now.'

The gap between them was that of a generation.

With an age difference of nearly thirty years, Hugong had always seen Namgung Hak as a young whelp, but today, the white hair stood out, making him feel differently.

'Hehe, but I've become younger.'

***

In the head of the Namgung family's office.

Chilbidanhon reported the details.

The report started from the Medicine King Gate, and the content was detailed.

The head of the Namgung family listened without a word.

His sharp eyes spoke for him, sometimes gentle, sometimes intensely agitated, as if bursting with energy.

In those eyes,

Chilbidanhon was buried in the story, then revived, met with ruffians, and finally reached the Dragon Boat Pavilion, concluding his report,

"I'm sorry."

He ended by seeking forgiveness.

Bowing his head, he waited for the anger that was sure to follow. This incident clearly tarnished the Namgung family's reputation.

But Chilbidanhon's expectations were completely off.

The head of the family remained silent, not in anger, but in deep thought.

Just as Chilbidanhon was about to be crushed by the weight of that silence,

Namgung Hak's voice sounded low.

"Muhyeom, you didn't tell me everything."

"……?"

Chilbidanhon was puzzled but quickly replied.

"I swear, I didn't add or omit anything."

"No."

"……."

"Words are truly mysterious. They can come from a soft tongue and become a blade or poison. On the other hand, a few words can heal a disease as if it were washed away."

"What do you mean?"

Chilbidanhon bowed his head.

No matter how much he thought, he couldn't figure out what he had left out. The report was so detailed that it painted a clear picture, and there was no omission.

"There is no resentment in your words. You don't show anger or suppressed frustration."

'He' clearly refers to someone.

The Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library!

Chilbidanhon finally understood.

The head of the family was asking him.

How can you be so calm when you've reached that point?

How can you just accept it?

"I know you, and I know your words are honest."

"……."

"The strange thing is your heart. How can you accept it as if it's normal and even seem impressed? What has made you like this?"

"……."

The same words can have different implications.

'I thought I was telling it as it was...'

Unconsciously, he had shielded the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library. He hadn't intended to, but he didn't want the Great Prince to incur the head's anger.

Chilbidanhon reflected.

'Why did I do that?'

Was it because he initiated the two attacks first?

Was it because he was coercive and rude from the start?

Or was it because the fear during the suppression was ingrained? Or because he was overwhelmed by the martial arts gap? Or because he was captivated by the realization that everything was calculated? Or because of his human touch, the way he interacted with the children of the Open Sect and the young lady of the Hundred Flowers Hall?

No.

Chilbidanhon shook his head inwardly.

It could be the sum of all these things, but no.

It goes beyond that.

'The Great Prince himself.'

The deputy head of the Medicine King Gate said it.

When asked about the Great Prince, he thought for a long time and then simply said, "He's a great person." At the time, it was very annoying, but now it makes sense why he could only say that.

After much thought, Chilbidanhon spoke.

"I don't really know."

"Hmm..."

Namgung Hak let out a sigh.

His eyes deepened.

"Muhyeom, keep this matter to yourself."

"Yes."

"Very well. You may go."

"......Yes."

Alone, Namgung Hak closed his eyes tightly and stroked his chin. His agitated heart was slow to calm.

After a while, he spoke as if sighing.

"Remarkable. Truly remarkable..."

He was genuinely impressed.

The more he thought about what Chilbidanhon had experienced, the more he marveled at the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library.

'A new force has emerged in the martial world.'

Not just any force, but a very special one.

The more he pondered, the more he felt it was becoming increasingly new and remarkable, truly a coveted talent.

First, Chilbidanhon's defeat was not a close one.

It was a complete defeat.

This clearly means that the current martial arts level of the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library has been proven, and there's no telling how much he will grow in the future.

It signifies that he surpasses not only the young talents of the ten major families in the martial world but also the new dragons of the nine major sects. Who among the young generation can match him?

More astonishing is his presence.

He didn't just back down. It wasn't an accident. He knew it was the 'Namgung family' and still acted, showing he's not one to be intimidated by a name.

Isn't that truly remarkable?

The follow-up actions are also clean.

After dealing with the rudeness, he didn't try to cover it up or avoid it but chose to confront it head-on by coming in person, showing he's a man of action.

Moreover, he knows how to handle people.

Handling people isn't something you can learn just by deciding to. It's a more complex area than martial arts and presence. Yet, the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library seems to already be in that realm.

The Chilbidanhon he knows is someone who doesn't easily show admiration.

For such a Chilbidanhon to subtly shield him and say "I don't really know" is almost a high praise.

This is also proven by the company of the Heavenly Palace Pill.

The Golden Mark, the Three Anti-Demon Heroes, the Wu Mountain Twin Heroes.

Just thinking about them gives him a headache.

Namgung Hak learned from the report that they were able to travel together, which was surprising.

Not just one of them, but all of them could travel together, showing that the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library has exceptional talent in handling people.

Even the Medicine King Gate, which he visited briefly, openly showed appreciation for the Great Prince, and at the Dragon Boat Pavilion, he demonstrated a unifying presence. When he entered the family, it was clear that he had strong interpersonal skills and a solid network.

This means one thing.

- Treasure.

The Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library,

will become a major figure in the martial world. Therefore, he should be kept close. He should be in our grasp. Namgung Hak's desire to do so grew stronger.

And he had a surefire method.

"Hehehe... I'm glad I had a daughter."

His daughter is no ordinary daughter.

Soye is known for her beauty, one of the most beautiful women in the world. There's no man who doesn't like a beautiful woman.

The Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library would be a splendid match.

In terms of knowledge, wealth, potential, and reputation, he has no shortcomings. Thinking about it, Namgung Hak couldn't help but imagine the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library marrying his daughter and calling him "Father," which filled him with joy.

The wedding should be grand.

Bigger than the Heavenly Dragon Tournament.

Five children would be perfect. What should their names be? Namgung Son, Namgung Mi... Ah, it should be Ban. Ban Son, Ban Mi...

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Namgung Hak was so happy just thinking about it that he almost hugged his empty arms and said "peek-a-boo."

But he couldn't just laugh.

He sternly ordered the outside.

"Listen. Go and bring... no, the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library."

"Yes!"

Soon, the two met.

Namgung Hak opened his mouth with a stern expression.

"You used quite a bit of force."

"My hand was too heavy."

"Did you not consider the Namgung family in your eyes?"

"If I had such thoughts, I wouldn't have come here."

Namgung Hak's eyes darkened.

"I am not one to stand idly by when my people are hurt."

"......"

Hugong waited for the next words without responding.

He knew what kind of person Namgung Hak was.

This young whelp has a high sense of pride in his family and a deep mind. He had observed this and even given him advice directly.

At around forty, Namgung Hak, recognized for his absolute trust and ability by the previous head, succeeded to the position and came to pay respects.

[Leader, how can I lead the family well?]

[Don't you already know?]

[I feel lost, as if I've forgotten everything.]

At that time, Hugong's advice was simple.

[Hehe, I'll help you remember.]

[......]

[If you need to cut someone's throat, smile brightly in front of them. If it's within reason, act as if you're about to cut their throat. Treat gaining a person as gaining a treasure. Surrounding yourself with loyal soldiers means you have excellent talent around you.]

[I will remember.]

Just giving him obvious advice,

It seems he remembered.

Therefore, nothing would happen.

On the contrary, this situation seemed favorable.

Namgung Hak continued.

"The Namgung family is clear about debts and favors. If a nail of the Namgung family is hurt, an arm will be cut off, and if a scratch is made, a head will roll. Favors and grudges will be distinguished and returned many times over. What will the Heavenly Flower Library choose?"

"Favor."

An immediate answer.

Namgung Hak fell silent, as if deep in thought.

After a while,

"The Heavenly Dragon Tournament is coming soon. I will give you a chance. This means I will observe, not that I have forgiven you."

"Of course."

"Very well."

"Understood."

Alone again, Namgung Hak.

A satisfied smile spread across his lips.

Meeting him face to face made it even clearer.

What is this composure?

There is no resistance, but no sign of servility.

Just observation.

To see a junior with such a vague gaze in front of him, he already has the demeanor of a family head.

'Truly worthy of being the son-in-law of the Namgung family.'

Namgung Hak then called the chief steward and Sohye.

The chief steward bowed.

"Called, sir?"

"Have the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library and his party stay in the eastern garden's annex."

"The... eastern garden is..."

The chief steward's eyes widened in surprise, but

His words were cut off.

"Do as I say."

"I will follow your orders."

As the chief steward left, Namgung Hak's gaze turned to his daughter.

"Soye."

"Yes."

Soye waited for the next words with extreme caution.

"You will guide the guest tomorrow."

"......?"

"The guest is the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library."

"......??"

"Guide him slowly through the main house."

"Slowly...?"

Sohye's eyes sparkled, and her pupils darted around, so Namgung Hak waved his sleeve.

"Go."

"......Yes."