Chapter 377: The Celebration
The Festivities
Hong Geolgae turned to Hyun Gong with a curious look. “What are you up to?”
Hyun Gong shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Just waiting for the wedding to start.”
After meeting with Manryeokseung, Hyun Gong had allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation, blending into the festive atmosphere. He knew that busy days lay ahead, and it was wise to rest when he could.
Manryeokseung, however, was different. He moved through the crowd with purpose, expanding the influence of the Martial Alliance while maintaining the joyous spirit of the occasion. Every so often, he would glance at Hyun Gong, his eyes filled with trust. Everything was unfolding just as Hyun Gong had planned.
Dang Mujin surveyed the scene around him. He noticed a member of the Namgung family warmly greeting a guest who still bore the dust of travel.
“Almost got lost on the way here,” the guest admitted sheepishly.
“Well, we’re just glad you made it. Come on in.”
Even on the morning of the wedding, guests continued to arrive. Those traveling from afar often found their schedules disrupted by the slightest miscalculation in distance.
Suddenly, the soft strains of a pipa filled the air, silencing the chatter. The wedding was about to begin. The pipa was soon joined by the sounds of a flute and a sojeok, and Namgung Myung, dressed in splendid attire, stood beside Jeong Okryeong.
Yet, Namgung Myung’s attention was divided. He kept glancing towards the entrance, a fact not lost on Hong Geolgae, who turned to Dang Mujin.
“Who is Namgung Myung waiting for?”
“Who else but his father?” Dang Mujin replied knowingly.
“Ah, of course.”
Dang Mujin recalled the younger Namgung Myung. His father, Namgung Jincheon, had been a stern figure, and Myung had often seemed to shrink in his presence, unable to meet his expectations. But time had changed Myung. He had grown, perhaps even surpassed his father.
Dang Mujin could understand Myung’s desire to stand proudly before his father, to show him the man he had become—the head of the Namgung family, ready to start his own.
“Do you think Namgung Jincheon will show up?” Hong Geolgae asked.
Dang Mujin stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Honestly, I doubt it. If he were coming, he would have been here by now.”
“He’s a bit gruff, but he wouldn’t miss his son’s wedding, would he? Maybe he’s planning a surprise entrance.”
“Perhaps.”
But as the ceremony concluded, Namgung Jincheon was nowhere to be seen.
The sun dipped behind the western hills, casting long shadows over the grand wedding. Jeong Okryeong was radiant with joy, and Namgung Myung, having let go of his hopes for his father’s appearance, focused entirely on her. He realized that no amount of glancing at the door would bring his father, and he didn’t want to neglect Okryeong on such a day.
The wedding wasn’t entirely over. There were still formalities between the two families and a grand feast for the guests who had traveled far. The celebrations would likely continue for ten days, with lavish food, drink, and gifts for the guests.
“Make way, please!” called the workers, carrying tables laden with rich dishes and fragrant wines. The best cooks in the region had prepared the feast, and the air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of roasted meats and the lively tunes of various instruments.
Children, who normally wouldn’t dare set foot in the Namgung estate, ran around the courtyard, their laughter mingling with the music. The adults watched them fondly, enjoying the food and drink.
Dang Mujin, Hyun Gong, and Hong Geolgae were no exception. As Hong Geolgae savored a piece of tender pork, he glanced towards the entrance.
“More people are still arriving.”
“They’ll keep coming for days. At my wedding, some guests arrived five days late. I can’t remember where they came from.”
Travelers from distant places often misjudged the time needed to reach their destination. Guests from as far as the northern Hebei or even further, like the Moyong family, had arrived late and were now seated at the edges, engrossed in their meals.
As dusk settled, the village children were led home by their parents, and the remaining guests grew merrily inebriated. It was a day free of worries, filled only with joy.
Just then, a man in gray robes entered the Namgung estate. He appeared to be around fifty and seemed to be the last guest of the day. Unlike the others, he wasn’t dressed in formal attire but wore simple gray martial robes, looking around with a puzzled expression as if unaware of the day’s events.
Had he been Namgung Jincheon, it would have been a touching moment, but he was not. The man searched for someone to speak to and caught Hong Geolgae’s eye. With his youthful appearance and approachable demeanor, Hong Geolgae seemed the perfect person to approach.
The man walked over to Hong Geolgae. “Excuse me, may I ask you something?”
“Of course, ask away.”
“What’s happening here at the Namgung estate?”
“It’s the wedding of Namgung Myung, the head of the family. See those two over there?” Hong Geolgae pointed to Namgung Myung and Jeong Okryeong, both beaming with happiness. In contrast, the stranger’s face grew tense.
“Ah…”
The man let out a small sigh, lost in thought. It was then that Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae took a closer look at him. Though his attire was unremarkable, he exuded a calm, sage-like presence, and there was a faint scent of incense about him, the kind often burned in Taoist temples.
While Dang Mujin dismissed him as just another Taoist, Hong Geolgae recognized something more.
“Are you from Mount Kunlun?” Hong Geolgae asked.
The man looked surprised. “How did you know?”
“One of my masters was once a Taoist from the Kunlun Sect. You have a similar aura.”
“Ah, what a coincidence.”
One of Hong Geolgae’s masters, Daepunggae Paengcheon, had once been a Taoist of the Kunlun Sect before becoming a beggar. The problem was the distance. The Namgung estate was at the eastern edge of the central plains, while the Kunlun Sect was at the far western edge, practically isolated.
Dang Mujin addressed the Taoist. “Did a carrier pigeon reach Mount Kunlun? It must have been a long journey.”
“Pigeon? No, no. Mount Kunlun is too remote for even the local authorities to send pigeons.”
Dang Mujin raised an eyebrow. ‘So he came without knowing about the wedding.’
He asked again, “What brings you to the Namgung estate?”
“I have something to deliver to the head of the Namgung family.”
“Let me take you to him. Follow me.”
As Dang Mujin stood, the Taoist waved his hands. “No, no, it’s fine. I can wait. I’m sure he’s busy.”
“It’s alright. The ceremony is over, and if you wait, you might have to stay for days. Namgung Myung plans to visit Bowonmun soon.”
With that, Dang Mujin sent a message to Namgung Myung, who quickly approached.
“What’s up? Why’d you call me?”
Dang Mujin introduced the Taoist. “He’s a guest from Mount Kunlun with something for you.”
“Ah! Thank you for coming all this way,” Namgung Myung said, smiling warmly.
With gifts pouring in from all over the central plains, it was hard to keep track. But the Kunlun Sect was different, too far even for carrier pigeons.
Yet, the Taoist seemed hesitant to hand over the gift, and Namgung Myung noticed his unease.
After a moment, Namgung Myung chuckled. “Is it something that can’t be given in public?”
“Yes.”
“Please, follow me.”
As Dang Mujin and his companions rose from their seats, the Taoist from Mount Kunlun let out a deep sigh and followed them. Witnessing this, Jeong Ok-ryeong approached with curiosity.
“Myeong, what’s going on?”
“A guest from Mount Kunlun has arrived. It seems they’ve brought a gift.”
“No, it’s not a gift…”
“Mount Kunlun? My goodness! All the way from there!”
The Taoist tried to correct Namgung Myeong’s words in a small voice, but his attempt was drowned out by Jeong Ok-ryeong’s exclamation. Resigned, the Taoist bowed his head and trailed after the group.
The six of them entered the main hall. The Taoist from the Kunlun sect hesitated as he set down his bundle.
“Let me clarify, this isn’t a gift. It’s something I was tasked to deliver. I had no idea there was a wedding.”
To prevent Jeong Ok-ryeong from feeling disappointed, Namgung Myeong let out a slightly exaggerated laugh.
“Oh, it’s quite alright. Just having someone from Mount Kunlun here is a tremendous gift in itself.”
“Would it be possible to ask the others to step aside? It might be best if only the head of the household sees this.”
Despite the Taoist’s request, Dang Mujin and his friends were brimming with curiosity. Namgung Myeong wasn’t one to dampen the mood in such situations. Whether it was something extraordinary or something less impressive, it would be interesting in its own way. Besides, Namgung Myeong was confident he wouldn’t be easily flustered by whatever emerged.
“That’s fine,” he said confidently. “One is my wife, and the other three are like brothers to me, so there’s no need to worry.”
”…Very well,” the Taoist replied, his voice tinged with resignation. This only piqued the interest of the five surrounding him, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.
The Taoist carefully unwrapped a long, cloth-covered object from his bundle. Though the cloth obscured its full form, there was no mistaking what it was. A thin, elongated shape with a bulge about a hand’s breadth from one end—it was a sword.
Even in a household renowned for its fine swords, a sword was the most esteemed gift among warriors. The four, excluding Hyeon-gong, had nearly forgotten the Taoist’s insistence that it wasn’t a gift.
After a moment of hesitation, the Taoist sighed and removed the cloth, revealing the sword. It was indeed a remarkable blade, but not one you’d present as a gift. It was slightly worn, and its surface was stained with dried blood, unmistakably so.
Namgung Myeong recognized the sword immediately. It was Chamyeong. If the greatest sword of the Namgung family was the Heonwon Sword, then Chamyeong was one of the two legendary blades that followed in its wake. It was also the sword Namgung Jincheon had taken with him when he left.
No one spoke. Even their breathing seemed to quiet. A tense silence enveloped the main hall.
After a moment, Namgung Myeong broke the silence.
“Where did you find this sword?”
The Taoist from the Kunlun sect paused before answering.
“The Kunlun sect recovered your father’s remains.”
And with that, the conversation ended. Outside, the sounds of chatter and music continued to drift in, but the celebration was over.