By Zephyria Mount Hua or Namgung? (2)
“I’ve been well……. What brings Young master to Mount Hua?”
“Namgung Young master has not come to Mount Hua to visit, but to see a guest of Mount Hua.”
The answer came from the Sect leader, not Namgung Cheon-chu. He looked back and forth between the two with amusement. And that gaze reached Baek Ryeo-il.
“Let’s go inside and talk. I’m sure you have a lot to say.”
They moved to the Sect Leader’s Hall. Elders and key figures were already waiting there. Soon, hot tea and refreshments were served.
“Well, everyone must have been surprised by what happened while I was away. Even I was surprised when Young master first told me about Young master Seong.”
“I am sorry.”
As Seong Mu-yeon bowed his head, the Sect leader waved his hand.
“Don’t worry, I’m not trying to blame you. I’m just amused.”
“Amused?”
“We are preparing for war with the Demonic Cult, but the direct son of the Demonic Cult Leader has requested protection from the enemy, isn’t it amusing how the world can change in an instant?”
“Haha……”
It wasn’t amusing at all.
“But what are you doing here, Namgung Young master?”
Namgung Cheon-chu was sitting across from Seong Mu-yeon. He thought the Sect leader had called him to decide his future, but why was Namgung Cheon-chu here out of the blue?
Baek Ryeo-il and the rest of the entourage were standing around the table, and Baek Ryeo-il was glaring at Namgung Cheon-chu with a constant frown, as if he didn’t like something.
“Ah, Namgung Young master said he had something he wanted to say to Young master Seong. He was so eager on the way up here.”
At the Sect leader’s words, Namgung Cheon-chu nodded.
“I really wanted to see you again. We have come to take Young master Seong Mu-yeon to our Namgung Clan.”
“Excuse me? Me?”
“Oh dear, he came to steal our guest from Mount Hua.”
The Sect leader’s voice was full of laughter as he said that.
Namgung Cheon-chu smiled awkwardly.
“Is that how it comes across? I’m sorry, Sect leader. I have a special connection with Young master Seong. He saved my life.”
One could see infinite trust in Namgung Cheon-chu’s clear eyes as he looked at Seong Mu-yeon. He could have said he saved him……. Even though he was pushed around and beaten up for him. He felt a slight pang of conscience as he recalled the time when he only intended to use Namgung Cheon-chu.
While Seong Mu-yeon was sweating down his spine, Baek Ryeo-il opened his mouth.
“You seem to have forgotten that I was there too, Namgung Young master.”
“Ah, I am also grateful to Master Baek Ryeo-il. However, I am not worried about Master Baek, as he has a clear affiliation and place to stay, but I know that Young master Seong does not, so I have come here in a hurry. Am I right, Young master Seong?”
“Yes, well, yes……”
“So, Young master Seong, if you have no particular reason to stay in Mount Hua, please come with us to Namgung.”
Seong Mu-yeon could only open and close his mouth at the unexpected proposal. Still, considering that he had been doing well without going hungry so far because Mount Hua and Baek Ryeo-il had taken him in…….
“I don’t want to belittle Mount Hua, but since Mount Hua is a bit far from the secular world, there will be many inconveniences for Young master, who does not practice water lily fragrance. However, our Namgung Clan is just a secular family, so we are not bound by such ideas. The Namgung Clan will be a more comfortable place for Young master to live.”
Seong Mu-yeon nodded without realizing it. Since it was a place where Taoists lived, the food was a bit bland, the accommodations were very simple, and he had to take care of everything himself, so there were some inconveniences.
But Namgung Cheon-chu’s offer was so sudden that he couldn’t answer easily.
“Young master, I appreciate the offer, but it’s so sudden that I don’t know what to say……”
Suddenly, he felt a stinging sensation on the back of his head and turned around to meet Baek Ryeo-il, who was glaring at him with fire in his eyes.
Seong Mu-yeon quickly lowered his eyes at the look that seemed to say, ‘How dare you betray us?’
“Are you worried about Master Baek Ryeo-il? From what I can see, Master Baek seems to have a rough side when taking Young master away.”
Namgung Cheon-chu, who had been sitting up straight, leaned back in his chair, raised his chin, and stared directly at Baek Ryeo-il as if provoking him.
“But don’t worry. Under Namgung’s protection, no one will be able to treat Young master Seong carelessly. I swear on my name.”
Creak…….
It sounded like Baek Ryeo-il was clenching his fist.
“Hmm, this is quite a coincidence. I was just about to allow Young master Seong to stay in Mount Hua as an official guest.”
The Sect leader said leisurely.
“Really?”
“I’ve heard a lot about Young master from Namgung Young master. You’ve done a great job. I’ve also heard about it separately from the Elders, and above all, if Ryeo-il brought him, I can trust him. Because I trust that child.”
He looked at Seong Mu-yeon with deep eyes as if to see through him and continued.
“Then it seems that the decision is in the hands of Young master Seong Mu-yeon. Young master, choose here and now. Mount Hua or Namgung?”
“Yes, yes?”
“Yes, please decide right now.”
Namgung Cheon-chu also agreed.
“I’m curious too. Mount Hua or Namgung? Tell me quickly.”
Even Baek Ryeo-il growled and joined in, confusing Seong Mu-yeon.
His mind went blank as they urged him to answer as if they were pressuring him from both sides.
So suddenly?
Seong Mu-yeon looked at Namgung Cheon-chu.
Namgung Cheon-chu was waiting for Seong Mu-yeon’s answer with a sincere attitude, revealing his earnestness without adding or subtracting. His polite posture and clear eyes were like a well-prepared feast that was both delicious and healthy.
On the other hand, Baek Ryeo-il was…….
Seong Mu-yeon turned to look at Baek Ryeo-il. He was glaring at Seong Mu-yeon with a glint in his eyes, and he could read a strong intention that he would not let him get away with it if he dared to betray him. A chill ran down his spine, and he felt an instinctive fear of a predator. It was definitely stimulating. It was like junk food that he knew was bad for him but couldn’t stop eating.
‘Mount Hua or Namgung?’
Baek Ryeo-il and Namgung Cheon-chu were burning fiercely on both sides.
“……”
“Young master Seong?”
“Seong Mu-yeon.”
The two young men and the Sect leader joined in, urging him to answer and staring at Seong Mu-yeon.
“I…….”
Seong Mu-yeon’s pupils trembled erratically.
“I……. I can’t decide!”
In the end, Seong Mu-yeon stormed out of the room.
Silence fell in the room for a moment. Soon, the Sect leader burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, oh dear. Hahaha! Oh my, I think I’ve committed a discourtesy. I was just joking, but I didn’t think he would take it so seriously.”
“Joking? I’m serious. We in Mount Hua have done so much for him, and if he goes to the Namgung Clan, it’s like betraying us.”
Baek Ryeo-il glared at Namgung Cheon-chu and grumbled.
“Don’t push Young master Seong too hard, Ryeo-il. He’s not a bad person.”
“Sect leader doesn’t know! What kind of guy he is!”
“Then why don’t we just send him to Namgung?”
Baek Ryeo-il’s face contorted savagely at the sight.
“Hand him over to our Namgung, Master Baek. We will take good care of him.”
Namgung Cheon-chu nodded eagerly.
“No way! Don’t even dream about it! He’s mine!”
“Calling a person ‘it’! I can’t leave him to Master Baek even more!”
“Stop, stop!”
The two young men fell silent as if they had been gagged by the Sect leader’s roar.
“Ryeo-il, you go to Young master and tell him that he has three days to decide. Young master, you said you were leaving in three days, so that’s okay, right?”
“Yes, Sect leader.”
Namgung Cheon-chu nodded reluctantly.
“Then it’s settled. I’ve been away from Mount Hua for a long time, so I have a lot of work to do, so you two can go now.”
Namgung Cheon-chu and Baek Ryeo-il glared at each other and went outside.
“Namgung Cheon-chu. I barely saved your life, what are you doing here? Go home and practice more. You didn’t seem to be able to use your strength before.”
“Anyone would think you came to see me? Mind your own business. I just need to take Young master Seong Mu-yeon back with me.”
Baek Ryeo-il fixed his gaze on Namgung Cheon-chu and reached his hand over the low wall. When he raised his arm again, Seong Mu-yeon was hanging on the end of it. He had stormed out of the Sect Leader’s Hall, but he couldn’t run far and was hiding behind the wall.
“Let’s go, Seong Mu-yeon.”
“What about the Sect leader?”
“He said he’d give you three days to think about it.”
“Ah.”
Seong Mu-yeon straightened his disheveled clothes and nodded to Namgung Cheon-chu. He was about to follow Baek Ryeo-il, who was walking away, when Namgung Cheon-chu hurriedly opened his mouth.
“……Young master Seong. If you need help, blink twice.”
“……Yes?”
Namgung Cheon-chu whispered so low and fast that even Baek Ryeo-il couldn’t hear him, then lowered his voice again and continued.
“Or you can write it on my palm. If that bastard is oppressing you and you can’t get out of it, trust me and give me a signal somehow. Then I…….”