Ah! The Namgung House, Episode 012
012 What Should a Life Debt Be Repaid With? (1)
Samun Gong clenched his fist tightly. At this rate, it would be total annihilation. It was humiliating, but he had to stop here.
They were elite warriors of the Jegal House. Each individual’s strength was equal to or greater than his own.
Yet they fought while deploying a joint attack formation; there was no way his subordinates, who were of a lower level, could possibly stand against them. They were swept away like fallen leaves before the wind.
Moreover, the man calmly giving orders was clearly a direct bloodline descendant of the Jegal House. If he were not, he could not have forced Samun Gong to retreat five steps earlier.
“Stop! Everyone fall back!”
Samun Gong gathered his qi and shouted loudly. At that, the bandits hesitated and retreated. In contrast, the Jegal House’s elite warriors still displayed perfectly disciplined movements and constructed a square formation.
Seeing this, the bandits were utterly terrified. It had not even been the time it takes to drink a cup of tea since they had appeared. Yet the bandits had already suffered more than thirty casualties. Meanwhile, their side did not have a single scratch.
This was precisely why the great houses were feared. Low-level or mid-level warriors were not a problem. But when it came to high-level warriors, the story was different.
There were only eight of them, yet to face them with the men present here was impossible. Even if they fought with utter disregard for their lives, it was doubtful whether they could kill even three or four.
“I am Jegal Wan’u, a direct bloodline descendant of the Jegal House! Who are you people, and where are you from?”
When Jegal Wan’u shouted loudly, Samun Gong felt relieved. The fact that he was speaking to them meant there was room for negotiation.
“Now I see—it was the Jegal House, a renowned clan of Hunan. I am Samun Gong, the first of the Janggang Six Heroes.”
“The Janggang Water Bandits, then. So, why did you attack us so suddenly?”
In truth, it was the Jegal House who had attacked first. Both Jegal Wan’u and Samun Gong knew this. But that was not what mattered now.
“Hand over that child.”
Samun Gong pointed at Sanggwan Morang, who was sticking close beside Jegal Wan’u. At this, Sanggwan Morang hid behind Jegal Wan’u.
Jegal Wan’u stroked her head as if telling her not to be afraid. Then he looked at Samun Gong with cold eyes.
“What are you planning to do with this child?”
The atmosphere shifted, and Jegal Wan’u suddenly dropped to informal speech, leaving Samun Gong slightly flustered. But if he lost his nerve here, it would all be over.
“Is there any need for you to know? Just hand over the child, and we will withdraw quietly.”
“Hahaha! Now that the Namgung House has fallen, even bandit rabble dare to run amok.”
“Watch your tongue!”
“And if I don’t?”
Jegal Wan’u discarded his gentle demeanor until now and shouted fiercely. Samun Gong was left speechless. Right now, he was the weaker party. There was nothing he could do except plead with Jegal Wan’u.
“Do you know that this child is my niece?”
Hearing Jegal Wan’u’s words, Samun Gong’s face stiffened slightly. To his knowledge, that child was of the Sanggwan House bloodline. Not the Jegal House.
“Are you trying to deceive me?”
“Why would I need to?”
It was an arrogant remark, but also a correct one. The one who had been watching for an opening this whole time was Samun Gong.
“This child is the daughter of my sister, who married into the Sanggwan House. She failed to arrive on the appointed day, and I had been worried—so it was because of you people.”
“Th-that is…….”
Only then did Samun Gong realize what had happened, and he stammered.
“You should consider yourself fortunate that my niece is unharmed. Had she even a single scratch, not a single one of the Janggang Water Bandits would have survived.”
It was the truth. The Jegal House had produced many brilliant individuals for generations. Consequently, quite a few held high positions in the government, and even the Emperor had personally sought their tutelage.
Naturally, with a single word from them, dispatching government troops to wipe out the Janggang Water Bandits would be no difficult task. They might be acknowledged to some extent in the martial world, but to the state, they were merely bandits.
“I swear I did not know she was your niece.”
No wonder they had paid so generously to kill a single child. Moreover, the Sanggwan House had promised to cover up the matter. That was why he had taken the job, but he had nearly brought about the destruction of the Janggang Water Bandits.
“Now that you know, do not test my patience any further.”
“Understood. I have been rude.”
Samun Gong placed both hands together and bowed deeply, then led his subordinates and left that place. Jegal Wan’u watched this quietly, his face clearly showing displeasure.
“Wait a moment.”
“Hm?”
Sanggwan Morang, who had been clinging to Jegal Wan’u until then, suddenly ran toward Namgung Ganghae. He was still sitting on the ground as before, looking at the dead Namgung Joseok.
“Um…….”
Only then did Namgung Ganghae turn his head to look at her. The moment their eyes met, Sanggwan Morang was at a loss for words. She had originally intended to offer comfort and tell him to cheer up. But when she met those indifferent eyes suppressing deep sorrow, she could not say anything.
“Who is this person? And who is this child?”
“He helped me get here safely.”
Answering Jegal Wan’u’s question, Sanggwan Morang began to burst into tears. The more she looked at him, the more sorrowful Namgung Ganghae appeared.
Moreover, Namgung Joseok had ended up like this because of her. She could not endure the guilt and remorse.
“Do not cry.”
Jegal Wan’u comforted the crying Sanggwan Morang. Meanwhile, the warriors of the Jegal House tended to the wounds of Seomun Hangwang and Seomun Yeongyeong.
Having heard from Sanggwan Morang about the events so far at the Geumnyeong Inn, Jegal Wan’u let out a deep sigh.
He had known that there was a succession struggle within the Sanggwan House recently. But he had not known that Sanggwan Morang had suffered so much because of it.
In any case, she had been lucky. Thanks to meeting Namgung Joseok and Namgung Ganghae, she had been able to get this far. From what he had heard, if it had not been for those two, Sanggwan Morang would have died long ago.
***
Jegal Wan’u first arranged for Namgung Joseok’s funeral. During that time, Namgung Ganghae did not shed a single tear. He simply could not eat properly and grew a bit thinner.
But Sanggwan Morang knew. That he was deeply grieving.
Jegal Wan’u saw it too. There was something off about the way he spoke and acted. It felt as though he were a person without a soul.
Once the funeral ended, Namgung Ganghae intended to leave that place. To that end, he first went to meet Seomun Hangwang and Seomun Yeongyeong. The two of them were being treated by a physician at the inn.
Seomun Yeongyeong had relatively light injuries, but Seomun Hangwang’s wounds were quite deep. Fortunately, his life was not in danger.
“You’ve come.”
“Welcome.”
The two welcomed Namgung Ganghae. Seomun Hangwang was lying on a sickbed, and Seomun Yeongyeong was drinking tea at a round table.
“How is your body?”
Namgung Ganghae approached Seomun Hangwang, who was lying on the bed. Then the man smiled.
“This much is nothing.”
“Pfft! Even though you were saying it hurt just a while ago.”
“What? Young Yeong, when did I say that?”
“Don’t even talk. If you knew how you were before he came, you’d faint.”
Watching the two bicker, Namgung Ganghae slightly raised the corners of his mouth. It was the first smile he had shown since Namgung Joseok’s death.
“Ah, he smiled.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“What? Tomorrow?”
Seomun Hangwang asked in surprise. He had not expected him to leave so soon. But thinking about it, there was no real reason for him to stay.
“Yes. So I came to say goodbye.”
“Where are you going? To the Namgung House?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not planning to go alone, are you?”
“No. I’m going alone.”
“It’s a long way for you to go by yourself.”
Seomun Yeongyeong showed a worried expression. Seomun Hangwang felt the same. They had not known each other long, but they had taken a liking to Namgung Ganghae. Though it was brief, they had also risked their lives fighting bandits alongside Namgung Joseok. Because of that bond, they had treated him like a younger brother.
“Sigh…… If you must go, then go.”
“Get well soon, Young Master Seomun.”
“Call me Brother Hangwang.”
“Pardon?”
“You don’t feel like a stranger. From now on, call me Brother. If anything difficult happens, come to the Seomun House anytime.”
“Hoho. Then I shall be his elder sister.”
Normally, if there was no close relationship, one called the other only by the family name. Instead, for men, titles like Great Hero or Young Master were attached after the surname. In the case of women, Young Lady was used.
Calling each other by name was reserved only for family or very close friends. Right now, the two of them wished to have that kind of relationship with Namgung Ganghae.
“Yes. Brother Hangwang. Sister Yeongyeong.”
“Hm! Good.”
Seomun Hangwang let out a needless cough and turned his head. Though he had told him to, having him call him brother without hesitation made him feel shy.
Seomun Yeongyeong approached Namgung Ganghae and hugged him from behind. Then she rested her chin on top of his head and looked at Seomun Hangwang.
“Why are you so shy?”
“Who said I’m shy?”
“Acting like you’re not.”
After talking a while longer, Namgung Ganghae left the room and met Jegal Wan’u to say he was leaving. Then Jegal Wan’u asked in a worried tone.
“Will you truly be alright alone?”
“Yes.”
Even though Jegal Wan’u had tried to have at least one elite warrior accompany him, Namgung Ganghae firmly refused.
“The bandits might seek revenge on you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Namgung Ganghae answered with a smile. Seeing that, Jegal Wan’u let out a small sigh. He pitied the boy, who at a young age had to overcome the grief of losing a blood relative.
“If you ever need help, come to the Jegal House. Unless it is something contrary to the bonds of heaven, I will help you with anything.”
“Thank you.”
“No. Morang owes you a life debt. In truth, I know this is not enough, but…… Ah, I see. Take this and use it for your travel expenses.”
Jegal Wan’u held out the purse he was carrying. Namgung Ganghae had not spent a single coin of the money Bangno had given him, keeping it exactly as it was. Even though Namgung Joseok had complained about having no money, he had absolutely forbidden him from spending that money. Thus, there had been no real need, but he silently pocketed it.
“U-um, take this too.”
Sanggwan Morang pulled out the hairpin from her hair and held it out. Even at a glance, it was clearly not a cheap item.
Why was she giving him something like this?
When Namgung Ganghae looked at her with curious eyes, she smiled awkwardly.
“My mother gave it to me. I’ll give it to you.”
“It looks precious. Why give it to me?”
“Huh? That’s…… I mean…… I’m grateful, so…… Yes. It’s a token of promise. If you come to the Jegal House asking for help, they might not recognize you. So please take it.”
Her face red, Sanggwan Morang rambled and forced the hairpin into Namgung Ganghae’s hand. Jegal Wan’u, who was watching this from the side, barely held back a laugh that threatened to burst out.
Namgung Ganghae looked at the hairpin for a moment and then tucked it away.
“You absolutely must come to the Jegal House later.”
“Mmhmm.”
Early the next morning, Namgung Ganghae packed his belongings and left the Geumnyeong Inn. It was still winter, so the weather was quite cold. Tightening the cloak Bangno had given him, he walked.
Perhaps because it was early, the main road was quiet. Walking silently, when he arrived at the spot where Namgung Joseok had died, he unknowingly stopped.
In that short time since leaving Bangga Village, so many things had happened. As he quietly thought over everything that had happened, he let out a deep sigh. And looking up at the sky, he thought.
Just what should a life debt be repaid with?