Endeavor awoke in the Namgung family’s medical hall. The Jiangshi’s poison had been cleanly detoxified, and even the minor scratches were bandaged and treated.

The physician’s assistant advised him to avoid vigorous movements for a while, as the poison might still be present. Endeavor acknowledged with a brief response and left the medical hall.

The atmosphere within the Namgung clan was extremely harsh and chaotic.

It was to be expected. Even if it was the middle of the night, they had been openly attacked at a birthday banquet filled with guests. Several warriors had died.

Grabbing a passerby to inquire, he learned that the head of the Namgung clan and the senior members had been in meetings all day.

There were arguments between those who insisted on finding and killing the culprit at all costs and those who urged caution due to the lack of remaining evidence, leading to a stalemate and heated disputes.

As Endeavor wandered the clan’s interior in a daze, he saw Namgung Seung-ah crouched against the wall.

He asked quietly.

“…How is Myeong?”

“By a stroke of luck, his life isn’t in danger. But…”

His energy center was nearly destroyed, rendering it useless. That was the diagnosis he received.

No matter how hard one tries, there are limits to external martial arts alone, so it would be best to give up the path of a martial artist, he was told, and Namgung Seung-ah cried.

When asked why she cried.

“Myeong… didn’t cry. Instead, worrying I might be concerned, he said that trading goods seemed fun, and now he would learn the merchant’s trade to contribute to the clan.”

The young one, hiding his disappointment and not crying.

“Shouldn’t I cry on his behalf…?”

“……..”

That seems necessary.

My head is foggy, as if shrouded in mist.

Enbus, as if enchanted, wandered until he found the building where Namgung Myeong was hospitalized. It was easy to tell, with guards standing vigilantly around and the Namgung clan’s insignia at the entrance.

Namgung’s guard, with a stern face, warned Enbus.

“Leave this place, Master Cheonghwi.”

“…May I at least see his face?”

A slight tremor touched the guard’s eyes as they met the shadow on Enbus’s face. His expression of deep sorrow seemed, perhaps, even sadder than that of Myeong’s own relatives.

It was an unwelcome task to turn away someone genuinely grieving another’s pain, but the guard had his duties. Namgung Myeong needed peace.

“I will not say it twice. Leave…”

“…Please come in.”

A very faint voice came from beyond the door.

With a heavy heart, the guard looked down, sighed, and stepped aside from the door. Enbus bowed in gratitude and entered.

—

The thick scent of medicine filled the air.

Passing through the corridor and opening the sliding doors guarded by two attendants, Namgung Myeong lay neatly on a stark white bed, his complexion pale.

“…Master Cheonghwi, you’ve come?”

His smile, against the pallor of his face, seemed more ghostly than lively. Enbus, looking at Myeong’s abdomen wrapped in bandages, said,

“How do you feel?”

“Oh, I’m fine. They say I’ll be completely healed in a few days. The physician from our main house is exceptionally skilled…!”

“…I’ve heard.”

“Oh, you have? Then I’ve told an unnecessary lie…”

A brief silence.

Namgung Myeong tried to lighten the mood with a forced smile.

“Still, I’m fortunate to be alive. Thanks to father, Master Cheonghwi, and… um. I wasn’t badly hurt because of you.”

The boy’s hesitation made it clear what he had almost mentioned. He must have been thinking of the Namgung warriors who died in the Jiangshi’s attack. Guilt flickered in his eyes.

Swallowing the dampness of his emotions, Namgung Myeong spoke of the future.

“A man who can move his limbs can do so much. After all, there are more non-martial artists in the world than martial artists!”

Indeed.

“So, like everyone else… I’ll learn and grow, to be of use to my family. There’s an elder in our main house who manages our affairs, and they’ve been looking for a successor. If I study well…”

There are many paths to take. Perhaps working at a desk might be safer and more rewarding than honing martial arts.

Perhaps after Namgung Myeong rides the wave of fortune, he might accomplish feats far greater than martial arts… feats that could spread the Namgung clan’s fame far and wide.

Enbus too had such an opportunity.

The world doesn’t revolve solely around brute force. With the magic engine broken, it would be foolish to cling to it, when one could turn their eyes to other splendid and wonderful things.

Like Namgung Myeong, he could have chosen to become a merchant, or perhaps an informant. Maybe there was an entirely different path…

But the reason Enbus Redburn did not,

The reason he was so stubborn, even upon entering the academy, if you ask,

“…I can’t stand side by side with my brother.”

“……”

Namgung Myeong closed his eyes tightly, as if struck to the heart.

Enbus also closed his eyes. It seems he finally understands what he desires.

The time spent training and striving together shone so brightly because they envisioned a future where they would stand back to back, fighting together.

Joint struggle.

For such a trivial thing, Enbus still couldn’t let go and yearned for it. He wished to deflect the blades aimed at his brother and for his brother to block the spears aimed at him.

It had always been that way.

In that damned house of b*stards, fighting against the jealousy and malice of other children, joining forces. Even now, he wanted to stand together, equally side by side.

Namgung Myeong saw his own dreams reflected in Enbus’s eyes. Enbus, too, must be looking into himself, using Namgung Myeong as a mirror.

The young boy who lost his core hung his head low. Then he spoke.

‘Those who have lost their dreams always say, “I have never dreamed.”‘

“…I’m fine, really. The dream of standing side by side with my brother, I never truly wished for it…”

Like that.

—

You could read so much from the eyes of this young boy.

Fear, pain, confusion, the wounds from stepping on shattered dream fragments.

You were not adept at reading people’s emotions. These feelings were often seen beyond the mirror. They were all too familiar.

There is a dream. You faced a dream that had been hidden.

[Dream: Return to the Redburn estate to prove my worth, make those who scorned me bow down, become the right hand of the family head…?]

No.

Even if you return to the Redburn estate, cut down all the scornful servants, and become the Duke of Redburn’s right hand, basking in all the riches and glory.

What meaning would it hold if there, you lacked the family with whom you shared all of life’s joys and sorrows?

From the dark and gloomy house of a b*stard thrown away by his mother, your only family was a brother named Roderus.

The competitive spirit felt towards a brother, the desire to follow, the sanctuary of family, the promise to become his right arm—all these things were stitched into your uneven dream.

The contours are not clear and it’s whimsical, so this dream, depending on the angle you look at it, will appear differently.

[Dream: Why have you done this to me, brother? At least tell me why.]

[Dream: Since you’ve opened the path of hardship for me, brother, I must seek revenge. Let’s just take one hit.]

[Dream: It would be truly wonderful if we could lean on each other and move forward.]

[Dream: Just hold on to the lifeline. I will come to find you someday.]

Resentment, revenge, friendship, concern—all tied together into one dream.

So then.

What do you want to do now?

“I looked in the mirror.”

You saw a mirror that looked very much like you. A boy named Namgung Myeong, with many similarities in various ways.

“Thinking of my childhood made me sad, and I don’t want to leave it as it is. I don’t want him to end up like me.”

The same end?

“Covering it with cloth because you think you can’t achieve your dream.”

To hide the grotesquely shattered dream, to cover the reasons. To cover reality. To attach conditions. To lower the steps. We call this compromise.

Many people will do so. You did too.

Twisting all these events, trying to change the Redburn Ducal House itself. Or starting to search for the missing mother. Or trying somehow to meet Roderus.

You’ve put all these difficult and dangerous tasks behind you. That’s not necessarily a wrong thing. It’s wise to cut off branches to survive.

But still?

“The important thing is… I don’t want to do that anymore. Not now.”

Then you know what you must do yourself.

As they say, ‘Do your best and leave the rest to fate.’ The success or failure of a matter is up to heaven, but if a person does their best in their own affairs.

“Even if I fail, at least I won’t have regrets.”

—

I still can’t answer clearly.

Naturally, I’ll hesitate over something that requires risking everything.

I don’t know where my heart lies, so I’ll wander many times.

But at least, I won’t leave any regrets.

“Namgung Myeong.”

“…Cheonghwi, Taoist Master?”

“You must come with me to Cheongyeongho.”

“……?”

—

People gathered in the great hall of the Nangong family. The senior members, who lead the family, were packed in, discussing how to deal with the current incident.

The atmosphere was dark and gloomy, with a distinctly irritable edge. Nangong Chae-gong listened with a furrowed brow as shouts went back and forth around him.

Leading the argument was Nangong So.

“Our family’s reputation is already not the best; stirring up trouble will only invite disaster. I am furious that my sibling was attacked, but we must look at the bigger picture! For the sake of the family, we must endure—”

“So, we just let this slide?!”

Amidst the escalating chaos,

A commotion erupted outside.

“Cheonghwi Dosu, if you behave like this here…ugh!”

“You cannot pass through here…ack!”

Thump, smack!

The sound of jaws being struck twice.

Bang-!!

And then, the doors of the great hall burst open. The people inside widened their eyes, staring at the uninvited guest who had barged into the middle of a serious meeting.

“…Cheonghwi Dosu? You just knocked down the guards and came in…?”

“From the sound of it, seems like you kicked the doors open…?”

Thud. Thud.

Enbus walked confidently across the middle of the great hall. All eyes were on him. Regardless of who they were, everyone wore a look of shock.

What kind of rudeness is this?

Nangong Chae-gong, pressing his forehead, sternly warned,

“Even if you are a benefactor…there are limits. How can an outsider enter during a meeting where the family’s affairs are being decided—”

“I will take Nangong Myeong with me.”

“……??”

“I will heal him and send him back.”

From noble mtl dot come

At the sudden declaration, everyone froze. What nonsense is this mad Dosu spouting? Among them, a physician of the Nangong family blinked and stammered,

“…Do, Dosu, are you saying there’s a way to heal the core?”

“Yes.”

The hall buzzed with whispers.

Chaos spread in an instant. Such sweet words they were. Could it be true? If so, it would be a great fortune, but to entrust Myeongyi to a nose-picker, that must certainly be a lie.

As the uproar threatened to become uncontrollable, Nangong Chae-gong raised his hand and slammed down the armrest.

Bang!!

Crash!

The armrest shattered, and thanks to that, the great hall was filled with silence.

“Explain in detail, Sodojang. The means?”

“I cannot tell. If the secret spreads, we could lose our lead.”

“And the destination?”

“The same. I cannot tell.”

Enbus declared confidently, puffing out his chest. Seeing this, Nangong Chae-gong let out a snort of laughter and asked again, simplifying the matter.

“So… the means and methods, even the destination, are secret. You just want me to hand over my son, and you’ll fix him?”

“That’s right.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“No.”

“……..”

Nangong Chae-gong peered into Enbus’s eyes, trying to read his intentions. There, he saw the boy’s stubbornness. The blue eyes were clear and resolute, with an unwavering spirit.

Clang!

Nangong So drew his sword and stood up.

“Family head, let me drive out this scoundrel…”

“Sit down. Cheonghwi Dosha, what do you desire? To fix the danjeon, you must surely use a tremendous treasure or a remarkable secret technique.”

“I will use a treasure. Don’t worry, it’s not some evil trick that consumes people. Since it’s uncertain if it will work, no compensation is needed.”

“Huh… Hahaha.”

Nangong Chae-gong, as if in disbelief, smacked his forehead several times, then burst into roaring laughter. Clutching his stomach, he laughed heartily for a while.

“What if I don’t give permission?”

“I’ll have to take him by force.”

“Of course, you’d have to defeat me first. And all the members of the Nangong family gathered here. I’m much stronger than Sodojang. Even so?”

“Yes.”

“Hahahahaha! So, you’ve finally found your own way of the knight-errant?”

Enbus actually took a combat stance. It didn’t seem like a staged play. This boy was truly planning to fight and win. Nangong Chae-gong liked that integrity.

Nangong Chae-gong asked one last time.

“It’s of no benefit at all. As a father, naturally, if anything were to happen to Myeong, I would tear you apart. It’s like asking to hand over everything, even the bundle. Does this still make sense to you?”

“Yes. If you’re going to block the way, then block it, or hand it over!”

“Fine. Take her away!”

“…Father!!”

Nangong So cried out as if in agony.

Nangong Chae-gong waved his hand to calm down and spoke directly to Enbus, seeing someone so resolutely confrontational was worth placing hope in.

“I like that spirit of yours, saying you don’t need a reward. If you truly manage to heal Myeong’s core, I will give you the most valuable thing I can offer!”

“I shall return.”

As soon as Enbus received the head of the family’s permission, he swiftly turned around and walked out of the grand hall with confidence. His figure had a firmness that seemed unshakeable even if someone tried to hold him back. The head of the family’s hearty laughter echoed behind him.

Enbus clenched his fist tightly.

There was information the beggar had mentioned.

Beneath the surface of Cheongyeongho Lake, there was a cave, and in it, a very precious spirit medicine was said to exist. Enbus had originally intended to use it to enhance his abilities, but…

‘The spirit medicine hasn’t fully matured yet, and it seems the Imugi is absorbing its essence to grow. I’ve left it alone thinking it would be ripe in about 10 years.’

‘Martial artists sometimes undergo a complete transformation by consuming supreme spirit medicine, but I’m not sure if it would work the same for people from other worlds. There are differences in the inner muscles and bones…’

With this, Enbus thought it might be possible to induce a transformation in Nangong Myeong and heal her core.

Enbus burst into Nangong Myeong’s sickroom and exclaimed.

“I have obtained the head of the family’s permission!”

“…You, you’ve obtained permission…?”

“Yes. Once you’re well enough to move, we’ll head to Cheongyeongho together! But only half expect it.”

“…I never thought I would venture into the martial world like this…!”

Nangong Myeong’s face was one of confusion, not sure whether to harbor hope or not. Enbus was also confused. He couldn’t be certain of a 100% success rate.

But he thought it would leave no regrets on his part.

“Wait a moment! Master Cheonghwi! If you’re leaving, I’m coming too. I also…!!”

Nangong Seung-ah also jumped in, catching the last chance.

And so, the tumultuous journey into the martial world began.