Chapter 1014: She Caught Him Today (Part 4)

"Do you have any questions?"

"Yes."

Namgung Dowi scratched his head slightly. What came to mind at that moment was Chung Myung's advice that they should not be forced. Namgung Dowi, who knew what Namgung Hyuk was going to ask, did not want to manipulate his choice as he pleased.

"I do have something to say, but this choice is entirely yours. I can't force you."

But Namgung Hyuk seemed to shake his head as if it wasn't like that.

"I know that, Sogaju-nim. But what about just having a conversation?"

"...A conversation?"

"Yes, a conversation."

Namgung Hyuk glanced at Namgung Dowi. "In fact, I've always thought that I should just follow what Sogaju-nim commands. I considered it our duty."

"..."

"But now that I'm here... I think it would have been better if we had asked you openly from the beginning why Sogaju-nim made us undergo this training. If we had conversed."

Namgung Dowi stared blankly at Namgung Hyuk.

Then he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"If Sogaju-nim doesn't like it, there's nothing we can do, but if possible, I'd like to have a conversation with you. Otherwise, I might regret it."

"..."

"Is it not possible?"

Namgung Dowi couldn't hide his confusion and extended his hand.

"Ah, is it not possible?"

"It's possible?"

He nodded emphatically.

"Of course. I actually want to ask you a favor."

Before he finished his sentence, Namgung's swordsmen slowly gathered around Namgung Dowi. They seemed to share the same sentiment as Namgung Hyuk.

"Um... did Sogaju-nim know how strong they are?"

"What do you think the secret is?"

"Do you really think we can become as strong as they are if we follow this training?"

Overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, Namgung Dowi raised his hands.

"Alright, hold on!"

"Yes?"

"Don't rush, let's take our time. The night is long."

They all nodded in agreement and surrounded Namgung Dowi.

Namgung Dowi looked at each of them once again.

'Have we ever had such a situation before?'

He had tried to persuade and lead them before. But just as Namgung Hyuk said, he couldn't recall ever having a real 'conversation' with them.

In the past, he led them forward while they trusted and followed. That was Namgung Dowi's way.

That's why Namgung Dowi had tried hard to become a strong leader who could lift them up and lead them without leaving anyone behind.

But...

'I see.'

Perhaps there was no need to stick to that method.

Both he and they were still lacking. Isn't it necessary for those who are lacking to fill in each other's gaps?

With a determined expression, he nodded and spoke.

"Hyuk."

"Yes, Sogaju-nim."

"Go and summon Dan-di."

"Yes."

"And..."

Namgung Dowi gave a peculiar smile. It was a unique expression that resembled Chung Myung. He continued.

"Sneak out of the manor quietly..."

"Yes?"

"...and get some liquor."

"Liquor?"

Namgung's swordsmen were surprised, looking at Namgung Dowi, but he casually nodded.

"Yes, liquor."

"Why suddenly alcohol?"

"I think it's necessary."

He shrugged and smiled brightly.

"I've tried it once, and when you have alcohol, words come more easily. Since we're in this situation, let's open up and have a candid conversation."

"..."

"Is that not acceptable?"

Namgung Hyuk nodded with a very serious face.

"I'll go get a cartful of it!"

"Good."

Namgung Hyuk selected a few people and led them outside. Namgung Dowi had a small smile.

"Let's take our tame. Perhaps…Maybe we have too much to say to each other."

Perhaps it should have been this way from the beginning. They had been suffering from too much pressure. Just as Namgung Dowi was weighed down by the responsibility of leading them, they also felt the responsibility of becoming the mainstay for the Namgung Family.

Perhaps what they really needed was a conversation where they let go of everything and nurtured each other, rather than heavy words reminding them of their duties.

After a short wait, Namgung Hyuk brought the liquor and placed the bottles in front of them. Namgung Dowi lightly picked up a bottle in front of him.

"Let's have a drink."

"..."

But the others, except for him, couldn't bring themselves to pick up the bottles. Their faces showed clear doubts about whether it was really okay. Namgung Dowi didn't wait for them. He raised the bottle in his hand as if showing it to them and drank it down coolly.

Glug. Glug.

Just as Chung Myung did before, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and smiled, looking at everyone.

"Should I drink alone?"

After watching him carefully, they hesitantly picked up the bottles one by one and took a sip.

Glug. Glug.

"Ah, bitter."

As they sipped the liquor, they looked at the bottle and Namgung Dowi alternately with new eyes.

And then...

Glug. Glug.

"Hahaha!"

Involuntarily, one by one, they burst into laughter.

"This is the first time I've had a drink with Sogaju-nim."

"That's right. Sogaju-nim usually doesn't enjoy alcohol."

"It feels strange."

One by one, they began to speak carefully. Stories they had wrapped up tightly, stories they couldn't easily reveal.

Within those stories that were slowly unraveling, Namgung Dowi smiled softly.

- Don't force them.

Perhaps that statement meant more than just letting them choose.

"Let's have a drink until dawn."

"Yes, Sogaju-nim!"

Namgung Dowi raised the bottle with a smile.

This night seemed quite long for him too.

"Tsk."

Glug, glug, glug, glug.

Chung Myung clicked his tongue and took a sip of liquor. Then he tilted the bottle slightly, smirking.

"So, those who talk about prestigious things like this... "

From below, you could faintly hear conversations among the Namgung Family's swordsmen. Chung Myung shook his head.

Finally figured out what they should do, huh? Chung Myung let out a deep sigh.

'Anyway....'

It was somewhat fun in its own way. It reminded him of the old days at Mount Hua.

"Right. Drink up, you guys. If you live with faces like you've shouldered the world's burdens and can't die, you won't have any fun."

Moderate tension is helpful, but excessive pressure can consume a person.

"Kkuh. Anyway, they're a handful."

Chung Myung tilted his head back and looked at the moon in the sky while taking another sip of liquor.

* * *

Chung Myung stared blankly at the people in front of him.

Yes, the numbers were satisfying.

He thought that a few might run away, but there seemed to be no empty spots at a glance. It seemed that the drinking session from yesterday worked effectively.

While it might be easier for teacher Chung Myung to have fewer disciples, from the Namgung Family's perspective, it was beneficial to have more disciples undergo training.

So he had no complaints about the number.... but....

"Uwook."

"D-Don't, don't throw up!"

"I think... my stomach's going to explode...."

"No, go over there and throw up!"

"Uwooooh!"

"...."

Energy drained rapidly from Chung Myung's two eyes.

'This isn't some flower garden.'

Flushed faces and ashen faces mixed colorfully.

Is that all?

Even though they had some distance between them, the smell of alcohol emanating from them was so overpowering that he felt like plugging his nose.

"...Hey."

"Yes?"

"...How much did you guys drink?"

"..."

Chung Myung was too dumbfounded to speak.

"Was it that bad?"

Judging by the look of them, they must have drunk without holding back right until the moment they gathered here. Since when did the Namgung Family's manners change like this?

Even the Peng Family wouldn't do this!

"In my entire life...."

"..."

"No...."

Chung Myung couldn't continue speaking, and the Namgung Family's swordsmen exchanged glances, quietly conversing with their eyes.

'Didn't we say let's drink moderately!'

'No, you thought it was the time to get all sloshed, didn't you?'

'What's wrong with wasting a bit of leftover liquor!'

'If a man takes out his sword, we should chop some firewood!'

'It seems like Sogaju took a liking to our liquor. Hey, hey! He's collapsing! Someone catch him!'

Thud.

"Oh my! Sogaju!"

"Get a grip!"

"Hurry, get him up!"

"Khuuuuh..."

People rushed to Namgung Dowi, who had finally fainted. They tried to lift him with all their might. However, it seemed easier to raise a broken puppet.

"I can... drink more...."

"Oh my, the Sogaju! Please, come to your senses!"

"Someone, go get some cold water! Quickly!"

Chung Myung pressed his throbbing temple with his finger. He couldn't stand this anymore when he saw them.

"...They are hopeless. Absolutely hopeless."

He heaved a deep sigh.

With just one of them, it was already unbearable, but now they've gone crazy over this. Completely.

"Anyway... the fact that you came here means you want to train, right?"

"Yes!"

A resounding answer came.

"...Like this?"

"..."

This time, a strange silence filled the air. Chung Myung spoke with his finger still pressing on his temple.

"Do you think training is easy, guys? Huh? Easy? You want to train with that condition?"

"We can do it!"

"Please give us the order!"

"Now, we'll give our best without any complaints!"

Their eyes indicated that there was no lack of resolve to go to the battlefield to save the nation. But judging from their appearance, they just returned after a tough mission.

However...

"Dojang."

Namgung Dowi, who had been staggering, suddenly stood upright and spoke towards Chung Myung.

"Just give us your order."

"..."

In his eyes was a confidence that hadn't been there before. It wasn't the confidence that came with the position of the head of the Namgung but the confidence that came from understanding his own situation.

"Well, then, we will do our best to follow your orders."

"..."

"So don't worry... Wuwaeek!"

"Is the cold water ready?"

"I'm getting it right now!"

"..."

Chung Myung heaved a deep sigh.

Yes, well... Unlike yesterday, when it was like a grain of sand, it seemed like something had come together. Even things that shouldn't have come together were mixed together...things like alcohol.

"Anyway..."

"Yes!"

"...Alright. I understand, so let's start running first. See that mountain over there?"

"Yes!"

"Climb to the top."

"Yes!"

"Run!"

"I'll go first!"

The Namgung Family's swordsmen started running towards the mountaintop, shouting in excitement.

Even though Chung Myung fell and rolled on the floor, he got up and watched them running again and muttered.

"…The hardships are clear. The road of hardship is clear."

- Do what you said. [idk]

"No, that's really someone else's business!"

He shouted at the sky, but after a while, he burst into laughter, watching the Namgung Family's swordsmen running full force.

"When did they become real people? Ugh... Hey, run!"

As they ran with all their might, warm sunshine fell down on the backs of the Namgung Family.

"Wuwaeek!"

"Don't vomit!"

Of course... well, it wasn't just the sunshine...