Chapter 12

“This will be the signal for the start of the Gaju competition.”
“But hasn’t the sword meeting become ceremonial?”
“It may have become ceremonialized, but it is undeniably the most important event in the Southern Palace.”
“That may be so, but at the same time, if the people who will lead the next generation are participating, it will inevitably attract the attention of many.”
“Hagi can’t afford to be distracted. This is a preview of the next generation of the family.”
The meeting organized by the patriarch was over, but the real work of the elders was just beginning.
“There’s no need to worry, Confucius is superior to the others.”
The second elder, Namgungbon, curled his lip. The young man he supported was not only talented and gifted, but he also had a clear family connection. Namgung Hyuk’s mother was a member of the Sichuan Tang family, a family that had been at the top of the Sixth Dynasty’s ranks alongside the Namgung family.
The second elder, Namgungbon, believed that Namgunghyuk, the second duke, would become the head of the family, and if so, he, who had been an early supporter of Namgunghyuk, would be able to take a full-fledged position in the Namgung family.
It would be a position he could aspire to, perhaps even the position of First Elder, an unprecedented position. With that thought in mind, Namgungbon pondered. Second Elder Namgungbon, Third Elder Namgunghua Min, and Fifth Elder Namgungdeok also revealed a grim smile as they exchanged glances with Namgungbon. The future they were envisioning seemed to be very bright.
“Not again. You’re getting ahead of yourself, Second Elder.”
If it weren’t for a jab that broke the ice.
“How far ahead of the curve are you when there’s Confucius to follow?”
Elder Four glanced at Elder Six and Elder Seven, then continued.
“You haven’t heard that the world has said that the talent of the younger Gao Gong, who is two years younger, has already surpassed that of the Second Gong.”
“Hmph! Who doesn’t know that this is just a rumor spread by the Fourth Elder to play politics?”
“Hmph! Politics! Rumors! What a ridiculous thing to say.”
The finger-pointing between Elder Two and Elder Four spread to the other Elders, who also seemed to be denigrating the Confuciuses they were promoting.
There were those who saw the moment when the marketplace became noisy.
They were the ones who were neutral and present. Elder Nine and Elder Tenth were fed up with the whole thing.
“What’s the point of being a Namgung?”
“Say what you will.”
Even as they spoke, the pupils of Elder Namgungsu and Elder Namgungho’s eyes did not relax.
“……You guys should get your act together. You will not be welcomed anywhere if you continue to linger.”
At the sound of the booming voice, Elder Nine and Elder Tenth turned around to see an elderly man, who had stepped away from the argument and was observing the situation. His graying hair and wrinkles around his eyes showed his age, but his eyes showed that he had never died.
“……Ah, no, Elder One.”
“We’re here for the future of the Southern Palace Family.”
“Enough. I do not wish to reprimand you.”
First Elder Nangong Yue shook her head. Then, uncomfortable with the silence, the ninth elder, the Southern Archer, cautiously spoke up.
“What do you think, Elder One?”
“About what.”
“In the end, no matter what, one of the five Confuciuses should be the head of the household.”
The ninth elder, Namgungsu, agreed with the tenth elder, Namgungho.
“You are right. For the prosperity and harmony of the Southern Palace, it is only natural that the best person should be chosen as the head of the family.”
At those words, the First Elder Nangong Yue looked at the two of them and smiled lightly before turning to stare at the bickering elders.
“I see the point. Prosperity and harmony with those who look out for my interests, it won’t be easy.”
“But…….”
“But if prosperity and harmony means what I think it does, and if there is someone who does, then I must support it.”
At that, both Elders Nine and Ten’s faces brightened. The first elder’s words sounded like he, too, would support someone and accept the natural course of events.
Passing by the two, Elder Namgung Yeol looked out the window at the clear sky.
“Somehow, the sky is clearer than ever, without anyone realizing it.”
The blue sky was indeed heavenly.
It was a sky that was so contrary to his own impatient heart that it was almost decadent.
* * *
Immediately after the announcement of the Sword Festival, the Southern Palace and Anhui Province became bustling. It was a yearly event, so I had some idea of what to expect, but this year I felt a different air.
“It’s a tournament for all the swordsmiths of the Southern Palace, right?”
“It’ll be the place to decide who will be the next Sovereign.”
“Oh, come on, don’t read too much into it. It’s just an event.”
“I know. Don’t read too much into it. It looks like Anhui Castle is in a hurry!”
The people on the street could only turn around and breathe in the air.
“Isn’t Mo Yongxue a sign?”
“That’s the Sichuan Dang Street!”
“There’s also the Jegalese.”
“The Six Great Families are all gathering, yes.”
“Are they the only ones, look. The beggars are coming in droves, too, so they must have smelled the opening.”
“The noble masters have traveled a long way, and I can see the monks, and I can also see the Shaolin.”
Anhui was literally in the palm of the Namgungse family’s hand. The people of Anhui, who had slept in Anhui all their lives and had been with the Southern Palace family all their lives, their eyes sparkled.
It was literally a war of the stars.
For those who rarely saw other sects, they couldn’t help but be astonished as the martial artists of the other Six Great Clans and Gu Feifang, represented by countless stars, passed by. This was also the moment they realized that this year was definitely different.
“The Southern Palace Clan has become very small.”
“I wonder if it’s going to get bigger.”
“Come on. This is a tournament to proclaim the strength of the Southern Palace Family. It’s been going on for more than twenty years, and we wouldn’t suddenly change its direction.”
The merchants and the people of Anhui, whose worries were quickly put to rest, raised their expectations, but at the same time, there were many people with worried expressions on their faces.
“That’s great, but isn’t it a shame that that asshole is participating as a representative?”
“……Shhh, watch your mouth. He’s a grand duke, after all.”
“Heh, if you want to catch him, catch him! He swears at the king when he’s not even there, so how can he make such a mess and not take the blame?”
“Ugh. You’re right, I still shudder to think of the mess he’s made of my life!”
“Don’t tell me! How many of us would have entered the Southern Palace if it weren’t for the frenzy at the Southern Gate to shut him up?”
“I wonder if that bastard’s dog squad is going to get involved and cause more embarrassment for the Southern Palace!”
“Ah, I’m sure the householders have their own ideas! The Gacha class is a problem, but the Second and Third Confuciuses are better.”
“You said that there is no dog under the tiger, but that’s not entirely true. We should look to the other Confuciuses.”
“Aha! Since you say that, shouldn’t we make a bet?”
The people who had been criticizing the Great Duke’s character quickly changed the subject, spitting on the ground.
The people of the streets, and no one else.
No one had any expectations for the Grand Duke of the Southern Palace.
Not a single one.
* * * *
“I know …….”
“You’re right, no one has any expectations of you, so what’s the point?”
I can’t get into the mood of this person. He’s having so much fun mocking me.
“Why don’t you get drunk? Don’t come to my nephew and talk about how you’re not strong enough.”
“If I had known there were more pleasant things to do than drink, I would have done it sooner. You’re not too late; I’m sure there’ll be plenty of people at the sword club who’ll be eager to trample on your face, and it’ll be a sight to behold.”
I gave him a dumbfounded look at his excited expression.
“If that’s the case, then the guardianship, the nabal, the end of it all, what’s the point?”
“You’re firmly mistaken. If your vessel fails, you’ve lost the bet with me, and that means you’ll have to listen to me all the more dutifully. Don’t worry, I’ll make up for all the time I’ve wasted on you.”
I was horrified to be reminded of what I had forgotten.
The moment I’d vowed to prove myself was just around the corner, and if I couldn’t prove myself in the sword council, I’d lose the bet. He knew it, and he was my uncle.
“……I guess I’ll have to take it on the chin.”
“Grin.”
I laughed and glared at Anbaek as he walked away, then sighed heavily. I’m going to have to risk my life to press the bridge of his nose.
Not only that.
The sword festival would be my first move after my new life, my first public appearance as a man.
To get what you want, you have to prove yourself.
That was Kang Ho’s logic: to show strength and gain power.
“Why are you standing there, anyway?”
I glanced over at Sibi, who had been standing nervously beside me since before I’d gotten into a fight with my uncle.
“Tah, please undress.”
“……disrobe?”
I blurted out, dumbfounded by her out-of-place words.
What the hell does that mean?
“You mean what I’m wearing now.”
“Yes, yes, sir.”
I hastily adjusted my clothes and eyed Sibi warily. I had never held a woman’s hand in my life, past or present, and this was baffling to me.
No matter how much weight I’d lost and how devoted I’d become, I couldn’t believe she was so easily overcome.
“Well, what are you going to do?”
Sibi’s face contorted at the sound of his voice, the way he was so defensive, the way his claws were raised. His eyes looked like he had a lot to say, and he gritted his teeth.
“…… looks angry.”
……I don’t think so.
“Then why do you want me to take it off?”
“Well, the king has decreed that you must wear the proper attire before joining the sword council.”
One word, one word.
Word after word, her voice held a cold fury. Her eyes were narrowed and her words were spoken so coldly that it was almost as if she thought she had been harassed.
If that’s what it is, I’ll tell you what it is. Hmph. I again.
I was stroking my head in misunderstanding, but somehow Sibi’s expression was not good.
“Then…… that’s right, I’m not going anywhere.”
I heard Sibi muttering as she helped me get dressed.
Hah.
I realized that it would be difficult to escape my status as an asshole.
It’s a long way off. Damn it.