The Namgung Clan was looking for me.

Startled, I asked,

“Is it perhaps for questioning regarding the incident?”

The Namgung Clan’s martial artists had been killed by the Mountain Ghost.

Since I had witnessed it, I thought perhaps it was interrogation about that. But—

“No, not that. That may be part of it, but the purpose is said to be a meeting with Young Master Bang.”

“...Why would those who came to investigate want to meet me?”

“They aren’t just investigators...”

Cheon Eujin hesitated a moment before continuing.

“They say the Little Azure Sword has come in person.”

“...What?”

The Little Azure Sword, Namgung Seong. At hearing that epithet, my expression shifted.

Of course it did. The Little Azure Sword was—

‘The son of the Clan Head.’

A child of the Namgung Clan’s master.

In other words, a direct bloodline of the Namgung Clan.

****

In the Central Plains, there were hundreds of great families.

So many that one could hardly even remember all their names.

And among those families’ rises and falls, there were some who had held unshaken positions for centuries.

People called them the Five Great Clans of the Central Plains.

They were the pillars of the orthodox factions, standing firm even before the founding of the Martial Alliance.

The greatest of the great houses, guarding their respective regions.

The Namgung Clan of ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Anhui.

The Tang Clan of Sichuan.

The Peng Clan of Hebei.

The Murong Clan of Liaoning.

The Zhuge Clan of Hubei.

These five were the Five Great Clans of the Central Plains, with unmatched prestige.

And the direct bloodline of such clans—one could not even dare gaze upon them casually.

Yes. Normally, they were those one couldn’t even look upon directly.

And yet—

“An honor to meet you, Young Master Bang.”

I looked at the youth before me and felt a strange sense.

A tall and handsome young man in azure martial robes.

At his waist hung a sword, and on his face, a smile both cold and gentle.

“I am Namgung Seong of the Namgung Clan.”

The Namgung Clan of Anhui—one of the Five Great Clans.

Renowned as the Sword Clan of the World, with the current Sword King as its Clan Head.

This youth was of that house.

And not just anyone—he was of the direct line.

The Little Azure Sword, Namgung Seong.

The Sword King’s second son, said to be the foremost among the countless promising talents of the younger generation.

“...Yes. An honor. I am Bang Seongyeon.”

Seeing him, I returned the courtesy with care.

Namgung Seong smiled brightly at me.

“It is an honor to meet such a distinguished person.”

“...Ha... Yes, likewise.”

Never thought I’d hear words like that from the son of the Namgung Clan. Strange feeling.

We were in a chamber prepared by the Branch Leader. Inside were several martial artists.

Half were from the Namgung Clan, half from the Alliance.

After greetings, the one beside Namgung Seong also cautiously offered an introduction.

“...I am Namgung Hyeon.”

‘His younger sister?’

I had not heard the name before. She was a woman of striking beauty, like her brother.

“Yes. I am Bang Seongyeon.”

“I already heard.”

“Ah, I see. I thought perhaps you hadn’t.”

“No. I heard.”

“...Yes.”

Hm.

At her aloof manner, I leaned slightly toward Cheon Eujin at my side. He narrowed his eyes at me—what are you up to?

Ignoring him, I whispered,

“She’s a bit rude, isn’t she? Don’t you think?”

“...!! Y-Young Master Bang, your voice is too loud.”

Cheon Eujin was alarmed. True, it was too loud for a whisper.

Of course—it was meant to be heard.

Judging from her frown, Namgung Hyeon had indeed heard me.

“...What did you just say?”

“Hyeon.”

“....”

At Namgung Seong’s soft rebuke, she froze.

‘Confirmed.’

I drew the relationship in my head.

“My apologies. My sister has shown poor manners.”

“It’s nothing. I don’t mind. My apologies as well, Lady Namgung.”

“...Yes.”

We brushed it aside. Namgung Seong then turned to Cheon Eujin.

“It’s been a while. Young Lord Yeon... no, I should call you Young Lord Cheon now.”

“...Young Master Namgung.”

“I heard you’ve been through a great ordeal. How is your health?”

“I am well.”

Their conversation was ordinary in form, but heavy in substance.

‘Seems their relationship isn’t good.’

I’d heard it was the Namgung Clan that provided Cheon Eujin’s recommendation letter. Their familiarity confirmed it.

But seeing them together, the tension was obvious.

I sipped my tea.

“That’s good. And I hear you obtained what you desired. Congratulations are in order.”

“...Thank you...”

His expression of thanks was grim.

‘Hmm.’

So. Namgung Clan and Cheon Eujin... there was friction.

I guessed the reason was information disparity.

Back in the cave, Cheon Eujin had looked shocked to see Namgung Clan martial artists there.

That cave was where Cheon Eujin had come with purpose.

And I already knew what that purpose was.

‘The Sword Saint’s traces. Or some fortuitous encounter.’

He had come to Anhui seeking what the Sword Saint left behind.

But then, Namgung Clan martial artists were stationed around the cave.

If they had known of each other, it would be cooperation. If not, then it was scheming.

And since Pungyeon had already betrayed them—

That Namgung’s men were there suggested they had been in contact with Pungyeon.

Small wonder Cheon Eujin looked bitter.

“Then, Young Master Namgung, did you gain what you sought?”

Cheon Eujin asked.

Namgung Seong smiled faintly.

“...Hard to say.”

Was he brushing it off?

Cheon Eujin couldn’t hold back.

“Why are you doing this?”

“...Doing what?”

“You told me you would lend me your strength.”

‘Strength?’

I listened.

“Ah, yes. I did say that.”

“Then why... your sister—”

“My mind changed.”

“...What?”

His bland reply twisted Cheon Eujin’s face. Namgung Seong’s voice turned cold.

“I have no wish to join a losing side. I only place my stake where the odds are strongest. I bear you no personal grudge.”

“...A losing side?”

“Do you not see? You came here, nearly died to the Mountain Ghost, and danced to Young Lady Cheon’s tune. You’ve already been played.”

“......”

Cheon Eujin fell silent.

“I simply saw no potential. So I changed my course.”

His words cut. Cheon Eujin let out a bitter laugh.

“...So you were never on my side?”

“Ha. Who knows?”

Grit.

Cheon Eujin ground his teeth.

I couldn’t help a faint smile.

‘So that’s it.’

All this snarling—it was factional strife.

Cheon Eujin had believed Namgung Seong would back him. Instead, Namgung stood with his sister.

And the likely reason—

‘The Young Lord’s seat of the Blue Moon Sect.’

That was what it must be.

I waved my hand slightly.

“I understand your quarrel, but perhaps you’ll explain what you wanted with me?”

At my words, all attention turned back.

“So then, Young Master Namgung, why exactly did you seek me out?”

Namgung Seong’s eyes glinted.

“My apologies. I let personal matters intrude.”

“No need. I found it an enlightening conversation.”

Information gained was never bad.

“My reason for coming is this.”

Namgung Seong turned fully to me.

“Young Master Bang—the Sword Saint’s successor. The disciple of the great former Alliance Leader. When word reached me, I hastened here.”

“...Ah.”

I thought to myself.

‘The rumor of me being the Sword Saint’s successor spread only three days ago.’

Yet already Namgung Seong knew and came. Which meant—

‘He has the Alliance’s information at his fingertips.’

An indirect way of saying the Namgung Clan had access to such intelligence.

“I greatly wished to meet you.”

“...Me?”

“Yes.”

I feigned puzzlement, but I already knew.

It was only a matter of time before the Namgung Clan sought me.

Especially with the recent incident—so many Namgung martial artists dead.

They had every reason to come.

And then, on top of that, the rumor of the Sword Saint’s successor.

Right here in Anhui, no less.

“So, what are your impressions, having met face to face?”

“Before that—I must ask.”

Namgung Seong’s gaze sharpened.

“Young Master Bang. Are you truly the Sword Saint’s successor?”

Our eyes met.

Damn, he was handsome.

I stared back and replied.

“What if I am? And what if I’m not?”

“You—! How dare you speak that way to my brother—”

Namgung Hyeon snapped.

Smack!

“...!”

Namgung Seong’s hand struck her cheek.

He didn’t even look at her as he did.

“Namgung Hyeon. I told you to be silent, did I not?”

“...I... I’m sorry.”

She clutched her reddened cheek. The room chilled.

Even I was surprised. Didn’t think he’d slap her outright.

But unmoved, Namgung Seong continued.

“If you are, then I have words to offer. If not, then our meeting ends here.”

“So this isn’t interrogation about the incident?”

“That investigation is already underway on our side. You need not worry.”

So, though it had been an Alliance matter, the Namgung Clan itself was handling the inquiry.

Chaos. But I couldn’t care less.

“Then...”

I paused, then said,

“Whether I am or not, depends on what you say next.”

“...Hm?”

He made a sound. Clearly hadn’t expected that answer.

‘This bastard.’

He was trying to control the conversation.

‘Sly, isn’t he?’

His tone, his phrasing, were subtle manipulations. A practiced hand.

“If you came with a purpose for me, it’s only proper to state it first.”

“....”

“Don’t you think so?”

Namgung Seong’s gaze lowered.

I sipped more tea.

The moment stretched.

Finally—

“You are right. It seems I was discourteous.”

He smiled, conceding a step.

“In short... if you truly are the Sword Saint’s successor, then our Namgung Clan wishes to support you.”

“...Support?”

My eyes widened.

At once, Cheon Eujin reacted.

“...Young Master Namgung, what are you saying...?”

“As I said, I side with potential, not futility.”

Ignoring Cheon Eujin, he continued.

“Whatever Young Master Cheon gained in that cave—Young Master Bang’s value surpasses it.”

Cheon Eujin’s face twisted further.

I glanced aside.

“...What kind of support?”

“Anything. Whatever our Namgung Clan can provide, we will.”

On the surface, an outrageous offer.

So I asked,

“And in return? What do you expect of me?”

Namgung Seong answered without pause.

“Nothing—for now.”

I didn’t believe him.

To pledge the Namgung name and want nothing? A joke.

So I looked at him skeptically.

“Only that your path forward might be walked with our name beside yours.”

‘...I see.’

It was to secure ties to the Blue Moon Sect’s future Young Lord.

Laying their claim in advance.

‘Disgusting.’

I’d hated this in my past life too.

Bothersome and vexing games.

But I kept my expression even.

“I heard you first backed Young Master Cheon, then someone else, and now me. How am I to trust such words?”

“We trust only in possibility.”

Blunt. If you prove worthy, we’ll stay. If not, we’ll change again.

“...I see.”

I pretended to ponder.

Not a bad deal, on paper.

Support from the Namgung Clan—what fool would refuse?

Especially me, son of a ruined house. I should have snatched it gratefully.

But instead—

“Then I’ll say I am not the successor.”

“....”

My choice was refusal.

“...I understand.”

Namgung Seong nodded.

He rose without hesitation, no intent to argue.

“Though your health is said to be poor, thank you for granting me this meeting.”

He cupped his fist, as at the start, and turned to go.

I called after him.

“Ah, Young Master Namgung.”

“Yes?”

He looked back. I met his eyes.

“Tell her this: stop with these annoying games, and come see me herself.”

“...I don’t know what you mean. Farewell.”

He left without a flicker of reaction.

I drained the rest of my tea.

****

Outside, Namgung Seong’s smile was gone.

“B-Brother...”

Namgung Hyeon followed.

Smack!

She reeled. This time blood welled at her lip.

“Are you insane?”

His voice was icy. She cowered.

“I told you to sit pretty and be silent. Instead you ruin things? Do you want to die?”

“I-I’m sorry... I’m sorry...”

She clung to him in fright.

“I just couldn’t stand that wretch insulting you—!”

“Shut up. Before I tear your mouth apart.”

“...Yes.”

Shrunken, she flinched. He clicked his tongue.

‘Useless girl.’

He had brought her, thinking her beauty might be of use. But no.

The plan had gone awry. His face stayed grim.

‘This took a strange turn.’

He’d thought it would be easy, dealing with a ruined clan’s ignorant country bumpkin.

But recalling the conversation, he bit his lip.

‘The initiative never shifted.’

Normally, he could control the flow. But that rustic boy—he couldn’t.

Something about him was different. His tone, his presence.

‘Is he really the Sword Saint’s successor?’

Namgung Seong didn’t believe it.

He hadn’t believed it even after hearing the rumor and coming here.

Even in person, he didn’t believe it.

‘His aura is far too weak.’

Blue eyes—that was proof of the Sword Saint’s Eye. Yet his inner strength was pitiful.

How could he have killed the Mountain Ghost and Pungyeon’s guard? Namgung Seong was sure there was something else.

Until the very last moment, he thought so.

“Tell her to come herself...”

That line stuck.

‘Does he know?’

Impossible.

Surely not...

But the doubt nagged. Namgung Seong stroked his chin.

“...I’ll have to come again.”

If there were questions, he had to probe.

If there were doubts, he had to dig.

And if something stood in his way, he would remove it.

That was his nature. And now Bang Seongyeon was stuck in his mind.

‘Before I send word to her, I must confirm for myself.’

So Namgung Seong decided.

As he departed with the Namgung entourage—

[Heh, heh.]

From above the ceiling, Yoo Cheongil watched and chuckled.