Martial Arts Ain't That Big of a Deal

Chapter 120

Geum Chun-bong Declares Herself as Geum Hee

Chun-bong proclaimed, "At this Yongbong Gathering, I’ll make the name ‘Geum Hee’ known to all!"

Naturally, by representing the Geum family, she set her sights solely on victory.

Driven by this ambition, Chun-bong threw herself wholeheartedly into training, and Seo-jun supported her efforts with everything he had.

The help of a supreme expert who knows her better than she knows herself?

It was a fortunate encounter, indeed. Geum Chun-bong was a warrior blessed with such opportunities on a regular basis.

Under Seo-jun's guidance, Chun-bong honed her skills to razor-sharp precision, reviving her senses that had dulled during her illness and refining her neglected Cheong-un Divine Sword technique.

Did someone else find this inspiring?

Even Namgung Su-a, who was already training with intense dedication, pushed herself even harder.

Seo-jun set aside his own training temporarily to help them both.

Yet, one obstacle remained.

"You're working hard today as well."

Namgung Hyeok approached quietly, scratching his chin as if slightly embarrassed.

"Is there something you need again?"

"Haha, must there always be a reason? ...Actually, I came to ask about the timing for your wedding."

Despite these interruptions, Hyeok only ever approached during break times, mindful not to disrupt their training.

"Oh...."

Seo-jun had nothing to say, merely smacking his lips. But then he felt a piercing glare and turned to see Chun-bong’s wide-open, intense gaze meeting his.

Her hand gripped her sword so tightly that veins bulged on the back of her hand. He could tell, even without much thought, that if he wasn’t careful, that sword might just swing his way.

While Seo-jun merely rolled his eyes, Namgung Su-a, who had been cooling down, approached.

"Great-uncle."

"Oh, yes, yes."

Namgung Hyeok welcomed her with a broad smile.

One lucky charm embracing yet another.

Namgung Su-a chuckled softly before speaking.

"We’re planning to take our time with marriage. There’s no rush, right? We want to enjoy our romance first."

"True, true. You’re absolutely right."

"Isn’t that so? Since you're here, why not relax for a bit? This is a training ground, so we can’t offer tea, but we do have a refreshing drink."

Namgung Su-a handed Hyeok a sweet drink made from sugarcane, something Chun-bong had stocked up from the inn.

"Ah, Clear Cane Aroma! I used to drink this a lot as a child...."

As he sipped the Clear Cane Aroma, Namgung Hyeok’s face softened with nostalgia, as though recalling his younger days.

"Yes, those were the days. When I was young, I put everything I had into reaching the pinnacle of martial arts and making the Namgung Clan even greater... But one shouldn’t become too absorbed in just that...."

"People like you made it possible for the Namgung Clan to be what it is today. Thanks to your efforts, you’re now contributing greatly to our family."

"Me?"

"Of course. Not only your martial strength but how many people are there who remember the past so vividly? While it’s essential to grow with the times, it’s equally important to preserve traditions. How many people are there who can strike that balance in today’s Namgung Clan?"

"Hmm...."

Seo-jun, observing this interaction, was quietly impressed.

‘So this is the secret behind Namgung Su-a’s popularity in the Namgung Clan...!’

In that short time, Namgung Hyeok had transformed into a nostalgic elder, lost in his memories. His gaze on Su-a had shifted, evolving from viewing her as a beloved family member to a precious grandchild reuniting after countless trials.

"...Thank you for saying that. This isn’t the time for reminiscing, though. Sorry to interrupt your training; would you like me to offer some guidance if it would be helpful?"

"Hehe, we’d be very grateful for that."@@@@

With just a few words, Namgung Su-a managed to receive instruction from Namgung Hyeok.

Although his practical skills had dulled slightly, making him unable to go all out against Seo-jun, he was still a martial artist who had touched the brink of the Supreme Stage.

Moreover, the skills he mastered within the Namgung Clan would be of immense help to Su-a compared to others. He would provide her with a perspective different from that of Namgung Jin-cheon.

Seo-jun poked Chun-bong’s side playfully.

"I’ll make sure to train our little Chun-bong thoroughly."

"Can’t you see that?"

Seo-jun pointed to the Namgung Clan’s emblem, engraved on the side of the carriage, and the bandits stared at it, dumbfounded.

"What’s... that?"

"Oh...."

Bandits who didn’t recognize the Namgung Clan’s emblem?

Seo-jun, dumbfounded, looked at Namgung Hyeok and asked.

"Did we recently change our emblem?"

"The emblem’s been the same since before I was born."

It was just that the bandits were stupidly, predictably clueless.

Looking over at Jang Geuk, a former bandit, Seo-jun saw him shaking his head.

"These days, bandits lack even the basics."

"Isn’t this going a bit too far?"

"They’re probably the most ignorant of the lot. But what can you expect...?"

"Not easy, really."

The bandits were rounded up, tied, and dragged to a nearby city.

The sect that took custody of them seemed quite pleased.

It was up to them whether they would execute or enslave the bandits—no one would care unless they were ground into elixirs.

Fortunately, they didn’t encounter any more bandits that idiotic.

Instead, during their journey, there was one day of heavy snowfall, which they spent at a nearby inn, enjoying a snowball fight.

Seo-jun, who used magic to launch snowballs like a machine gun, won the snowball fight.

Though Chun-bong, covered in snow, beat Seo-jun in frustration, he considered it a reward, indulging himself as if it were his prize for victory.

Time passed until the snow melted and sprouts began peeking out of the soil. Finally, they arrived in Shaolin.

"Wow, Hanam!"

It hadn’t been that long, but somehow, the scenery of Hanam felt familiar as if he was returning after ages. Seo-jun carried Chun-bong on his shoulders, walking around the town for a while.

After settling their belongings in the Namgung Clan’s villa in Hanam, Namgung Myung gave a faint smile and said.

"There’s still plenty of time before the preliminaries, so it might be a good idea to explore Hanam a bit."

The Yongbong Gathering was one of the great events in the martial world.

As such, Hanam was bustling with early arrivals, and now was the perfect time to enjoy the sights before the crowds thickened closer to the event.

"How about we stop by the Hao Sect?"

Namgung Su-a smiled softly at Seo-jun’s suggestion.

"Indeed. I remembered that I promised to bring a golden string for Chwi-ryeong."

"Chwi-ryeong? Who’s that?"

"You remember, right? From the boat ride. She was one of the courtesans."

"What, you’ve become friends already?"

Seo-jun was shocked.

He had wondered where Namgung Myung’s easygoing demeanor came from, and seeing this side of Namgung Su-a, he figured it might just be genetic.

‘It doesn’t seem to come from my father-in-law’s side... Maybe her mother was particularly sociable?’

While Seo-jun pondered, the other members also made their plans and scattered.

Namgung Myung went off to see friends in Hanam, and Pae Jin-gwang also left to visit acquaintances.

Namgung Hyeok had intended to join Namgung Su-a but, fearing he might be considered intrusive, let Pae Jin-gwang drag him away by the collar.

The countryside-raised bandit, Jang Geuk, happily disappeared with a coin pouch Seo-jun had handed him.

The martial artists from the Namgung Clan divided into shifts, some guarding the villa and others taking a break.

Excited to spend time as a trio again, Seo-jun grabbed Chun-bong and ran into the streets.

"Let’s go, Geum Chun-bong...!"

"Let’s go!"

"Yay!"

That was, until the unexpected sound of wind accompanied a flying dagger.