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“Yes.”

Namgung Dowi scratched his head slightly.

What suddenly came to mind now was Chung Myung’s words that they should not be forced. Namgung Dowi, knowing what Namgung Hyuk would ask, did not want to dictate their choice.

“It’s not that I don’t have anything I want to say, but this choice is entirely yours. I can’t force you.”

But Namgung Hyuk shook his head as if that wasn’t the case.

“I know that, Sogaju-nim. but.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t it possible to just have a conversation?”

“…conversation?”

“Yes, conversation.”

Namgung Hyuk glanced at Namgung Dowi’s gaze.

“Actually, during this time I… I thought that if Sogaju-nim gave an order, we should just follow. We felt that was our duty.”

“….”

“But coming to this point… I think if we had asked frankly why Sogaju-nim initiated this training and had a discussion earlier, things might have been better.”

Namgung Dowi looked blankly at Namgung Hyuk.

Then he scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression.

“If Sogaju-nim dislikes it, I can’t do anything, but I’d like to have a discussion if possible. Otherwise, I think I’ll regret it.”

“….”

“Is it not possible?”

Namgung Dowi, unable to hide his surprise, waved his hand.

“Why, why wouldn’t it be?”

“It is then?”

He nodded deeply.

“Of course. Rather, I should be the one asking.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the sword warriors of Namgung started to quietly gather around Namgung Dowi. It seemed they shared Namgung Hyuk’s sentiment.

“That… Did Sogaju-nim know that they were that strong?”

“What do you think is their secret?”

“If we follow that training, can we really become as strong as them?”

Nangung Dowi, embarrassed by the barrage of questions, raised both hands.

“Wa- Wait a minute!”

“Yes?”

“Let’s not rush and take it slow. The night is long, isn’t it?”

Everyone nodded as if they were convinced and sat down in a circle around Namgung Dowi.

Namgung Dowi looked at them one by one.

‘Has there ever been a moment like this?’

There had been attempts to persuade and lead them. But, as Namgung Hyuk mentioned, there wasn’t really a memory of having a ‘conversation’.

Leading from the front, and being faithfully followed from behind. That was the way of the Namgung Family.

That is why Namgung Dowi tried to become a strong Gaju. A strong Gaju who can raise them and lead everyone without any hesitation.

But…

‘I see.’

Perhaps it wasn’t necessary to stick to that method.

Both he and they are still lacking. Shouldn’t those who lack help fill in each other’s shortcomings?

With a determined face, he nodded and began to speak.

“Hyuk.”

“Yes, Sogaju-nim.”

“Go and call Dan too.”

“Yes.”

“And….”

Namgung Dowi smiled strangely. It was a peculiar expression that was somehow reminiscent Chung Myung.

“Sneak out of the manor quietly…”

“Yes?”

“And fetch some liquor.”

“Li- Liquor?”

The sword warriors of Namgung Family looked at Namgung Dowi in shock, but he calmly nodded.

“That’s right, alcohol.”

“Why suddenly liquor?”

“I think we’ll need it.”

He shrugged and grinned.

“Having tried it myself, I found that liquor eases conversation. Since it’s come to this, let’s fully open up and have an honest conversation tonight.”

“….”

“Is that not okay?”

Namgung Hyuk nodded with a serious expression on his face.

“I’ll fetch a whole cartful!”

“Good.”

Namgung Hyuk selected a few people and led them outside. Nangung Dowi smiled slightly.

“Let’s take our time. Perhaps… we’ve kept too many things unsaid between us.”

Maybe this should have been the approach from the start.

They are under too much pressure. Just as Namgung Dowi was weighed down by having to lead them, they must have also felt a sense of responsibility to become leading figures and support Namgung Family themselves.

Perhaps what was really needed was a conversation where they let go of everything and accept each other, rather than heavy words reminding each other obligations.

After waiting for a while, Namgung Hyuk, who had gotten some liquor, placed the bottles in front of them. Namgung Dowi lightly picked up the liquor bottle in front of him.

“Let’s have a drink.”

“….”

However, other than him, no one willingly picked up the bottle. Doubts about whether this acceptable were clearly visible on their face.

Namgung Dowi did not wait for them and took a refreshing gulp of the liquor in his hand.

“Big!”

Just like Chung Myung did before, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and grinned, looked at everyone.

“Shall I drink alone?”

Those who had been watching the whole time finally picked up the bottles one by one and tilted them.

“Keueu.”

“Aeuh. It’s bitter.”

They each took a sip and looked at Namgung Dowi with new eyes.

And then…

“Kukuk.”

“Hahahat.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“It’s the first time we’re drinking with Sogaju-nim like this.”

“I know right? Because Sogaju-nim doesn’t really enjoy drinking liquor.”

“It feels strange.”

One by one, words began to flow out carefully. Stories that had been tightly kept, things they hadn’t been able to share openly, began to loosen.

Amid the loose words, Nangung Dowi chuckled softly.

– Don’t force them.

Perhaps that advice wasn’t just about letting them make their own choices but about leaving them to open up.

“Let’s drink until dawn.”

“Yes, Sogaju-nim!”

Namgung Dowi smiled and lifted his bottle.

It seemed the night would be quite long, even for him.

“Tsk.”

Glug, glug, glug, glug.

Chung Myung clicked his tongue briefly and took a drink. Then he turned the bottle slightly and laughed.

“This is why those so-called ‘prestigious’ are…”

Below, the conversation between the sword warriors of Namgung Family could be faintly heard. Chung Myung shook his head.

It seems they finally understand what they need to do. A sigh escaped Chung Myung’s mouth.

‘But still….’

It’s fun in its own way. It reminds him a bit of the old days at Mount Hua.

“Go ahead. Drink up, you guys. You young bastards, stop doing that ‘I have all the weight of the world on my shoulders’ face while living like you’re barely alive.”

A bit of tension can be helpful, but too much pressure eats away at a person.

“Hnngg. Anyway, these high-maintenance things.”

Chung Myung shook his head and took another sip of drink while looking at the moon in the sky.

* * *

Chung Myung stared blankly at the people before him.

Yes, the numbers are satisfactory.

He thought about a third would run away, but at a glance, there seemed to be no one missing. It seems that yesterday’s drinking party really showed its strength.

It would be easier for Chung Myung to teach if the number was reduced appropriately, but in any case, from Namgung Family’s point of view, it would be beneficial for at least one more person to receive training.

So, he has no complaints about the numbers… however….

“Ugh.”

“Stop throwing up!”

“The stomach… I feel like my stomach is going to burst open….”

“No, go over there if you’re going to puke!”

“Blargh!”

“….”

Life quickly drained from Chung Myung’s eyes.

‘This isn’t even a flower garden.’

The red and white faces were mixed and created a colorful chaos.

Is that all?

Even though they were clearly at a certain distance, the smell of alcohol coming from them was so strong that he wanted to pinch his nose.

“…Hey.”

“Yes?”

“…What on earth did you guys drink so much of?”

“….”

Chung Myung was too flabbergasted to speak.

‘No, I thought that Namgung Hwang was the only one who didn’t know restraint.’

Clearly, they had been dousing themselves in liquor right up until the moment they gathered here. Since when did the Namgung Family’s customs change like this?

Not even Peng Family would pull off such a feat, you lot!

“In all my years…”

“….”

“No….”

As Chung Myung could not bear to continue speaking, the sword warriors of Namgung Family secretly exchanged glances among themselves.

‘That’s why I told you to drink in moderation!’

‘No, how would I know it was already dawn.’

‘What a waste of leftover liquor!’

‘If a man drew his sword, he should at least cut radish!’

‘I think Sogaju’s taste has gone away? Hey, hey! He’s falling! Catch him!’

Kwadang.

“Aigo! Sogaju-nim!”

“Come to your senses!”

“Hurry up and help him up!”

“Ughhhhh…”

As Namgung Dowi finally lost consciousness, the people rushed towards him. They tried their best to lift him up, but it seemed easier to raise a puppet whose strings were broken.

“I, I can still drink more…”

“Aigoo, Sogaju-nim. Please come to your senses!”

“Someone go fetch cold water! Quick!”

Chung Myung pressed his index finger to his throbbing temple. He can’t help but get a headache looking at them.

“…They really are something else. Truly something else.”

He sighed deeply.

Even he can’t handle Mount Hua, but now these things are going crazy, even these things.

“Anyway… coming out here means you’re willing to train, right?”

“Yes!”

A loud response poured in.

“…Even looking like that?”

“….”

This time there was a strange silence. Chung Myung pressed his temples and continued.

“Do you think training is easy, huh? Is it? You think you can train looking like that?”

“We can do it!”

“Just order us!”

“We’ll really give it our all without any complaints this time!”

Their eyes alone could make them look like loyal warriors ready to save the country. If only their physical state didn’t resemble that of defeated soldiers just returned from battle.

But….

“Dojang.”

Namgung Dowi, who had been swaying, suddenly stood upright and opened his mouth to Chung Myung.

“Just command us.”

“….”

His eyes now carried a confidence never seen before. Not the confidence that came with the position of Sogaju of Namgung, but one from understanding his own circumstances.

“Then we’ll follow to the best of our abilities.”

“….”

“So, don’t worry and… ugh!”

“Is the cold water still not here?”

“We’re bringing it now!”

“….”

Chung Myung let out a long sigh.

Yeah, whatever. Unlike yesterday, when they were like a grain of sand, they seem to somewhat come together. Though some things that shouldn’t have coalesced did too… like the alcohol fumes.

“Anyway.”

“Yes!”

“…Alright, got it. Let’s start with running. See that mountain over there?”

“Yes!”

“Run to the top and back.”

“Yes!”

“Run!”

“I’m going first!”

The sword warriors of Namgung Family gave out shouts and started running toward the top of the mountain Chung Myung pointed.

Even though Chung Myung watched them fall and roll on the ground, they got up and running again.

“…The hardships are clear. The road of hardship is clear.”

– Just accept it as your fate.

“No, really, just because this is someone else’s problem!”

He pointed angrily at the sky, but after a while, he looked at the back of Namgung Family running away and smirked.

“When will these guys turn into decent human beings? Sigh… Hey, keep running!”

Warm sunlight fell on the back of Namgung Family’s members, who were running with all their might.

“B- Blargh!”

“I told you not to vomit!”

Of course… It wasn’t just warm….