Ah! Namgung Clan Episode 021
021 What Should I Do? (1)
Namgung Ganghae moved his lodgings. His belongings amounted to nothing more than a sword and a few changes of clothes. Moreover, the place he had been using until now was a guest room. If he continued staying there, it felt as though he were a guest rather than a member of the Namgung Clan.
The thatched cottage where Namgung Suhak stayed had two rooms. One was used by Namgung Suhak, and the other was practically a storage room. It was piled high with belongings.
He took everything from inside and brought it out. Clothes and blankets, broken swords, wooden sticks, and even women’s underwear—all sorts of items were there.
He set aside anything usable and gathered the rest in one place to discard. After that, he repaired the rattling window and cleaned the room thoroughly. Before he knew it, breakfast time had already passed.
On his way to the dining hall, he saw everyone training in martial arts at the training ground. Namgung Ganghae passed by without stopping. He didn’t notice Namgung Museong’s gaze lingering on him for a moment.
Arriving at the dining hall to see if there was any rice left, he found a basket containing food and rice off to one side. He didn’t need to look to know who had prepared it. It was Namgung Aran.
He carried the basket back to the thatched cottage and ate with Namgung Suhak. Then he picked out blankets and clothes from the things taken out of the room and did laundry.
Namgung Suhak followed him around, splashing water. He was a far cry from the dignified and elegant appearance seen the day before. But even such a Namgung Suhak wasn’t bad. Though it would be nice if he kept his excrement hidden.
Namgung Ganghae smiled and fetched a rope, tying it between two bamboo stalks. He hung the laundry there. Resting for a while and watching the laundry flutter in the wind, his heart felt at peace.
“What are you doing here?”
Turning toward the suddenly heard voice, he saw Namgung Museong standing there. For him to initiate conversation—would the sun rise from the west tomorrow? Since the first day here, the man had treated Namgung Ganghae coldly and thoroughly ignored him. Naturally, not a single word had been exchanged.
“I greet the Family Head.”
“I asked what you were doing here.”
Even though he must have known Ganghae had been coming and going here all this time, his tone was as if he were interrogating him. Couldn’t he tell at a glance? Ganghae couldn’t understand what there was to be so anxious about.
“I was doing laundry.”
Namgung Museong glanced at the laundry fluttering in the wind, then turned his gaze back to Namgung Ganghae.
“Do not come and go here so frequently.”
“I’m going to live here starting today.”
“What?”
“I’ve just cleaned the place I’ll be staying and moved my belongings.”
“With whose permission do you intend to stay here?”
Namgung Museong’s voice rose. Why was he acting like this all of a sudden when he hadn’t cared until now? Had he caught on to something?
“I didn’t know I needed the Family Head’s permission. No one told me.”
“Pack your things immediately and go elsewhere.”
“I cannot do that.”
“How dare you!”
When Namgung Museong shouted in anger, his imposing aura was tremendous. Because of that, Namgung Ganghae flinched unconsciously. But he spoke while clenching his fist tightly.
“Then who will look after the Elder?”
“That is not your concern.”
“No! Had I not known, that would be one thing, but I cannot do that.”
“What are you talking about?”
Namgung Museong looked at him with eyes full of doubt. Only then did Namgung Ganghae become certain that he wasn’t acting this way because he knew something.
“Before I came, the Elder was a mess. He didn’t wash, his clothes were filthy, and he couldn’t eat properly—to the point where it was unbearable to watch. It was because he had been neglected here all this time.”
“So? You’re saying you’ll look after my uncle?”
“That’s what I’ve been doing. Whenever I had time, I came here to look after the Elder.”
“Then you could continue as you have been. Why must you come here to live?”
“A few days ago, the Elder nearly died.”
“What? My uncle?”
Namgung Museong asked back in surprise. He had no idea such a thing had happened.
“Yes. He was hungry and ate a pebble. You don’t know how much trouble I had getting him to spit it out. It’s only because I found him in time that he survived….”
“Such a thing….”
Namgung Museong couldn’t find words to say. He had never considered such a possibility. Even if the old man had gone senile, he had thought he might act strangely, but he never imagined he would do something like that.
“In fact, it happened before as well. He had gotten hold of a sword from somewhere. He was playing with it and nearly stabbed himself in the throat. If I hadn’t stopped him then, the Elder would have died long ago.”
“Hah!”
By now, Namgung Museong was dumbfounded. Namgung Suhak was a master who had even been called the Divine Sword of Namgung. Even in his senile state, his body moved automatically when attacked. For such a person to eat a pebble and nearly stab himself while playing with a sword….
If Namgung Suhak were to die because of that, the opportunity to learn the Namgung Clan’s advanced martial arts would be gone forever. When that thought occurred to him, Namgung Museong became angry.
Originally, taking care of Namgung Suhak had been arranged as a rotating duty between Namgung Icheong and Namgung Mugwi.
But neither of them took much interest. They only came occasionally when they felt like it to check if Namgung Suhak was safe, then left.
Namgung Museong had known this but stood by and watched. It was because he feared that one of them might receive a martial arts transmission from Namgung Suhak. Furthermore, if those two came and went frequently, it would become difficult for him to come here and spar.
Because Namgung Ganghae had been coming and going here frequently for a while, Museong had to turn back several times. That was why he had found it even more unpleasant—yet it was because of that very reason that Namgung Suhak hadn’t died!
“If anyone comes here in my stead to sincerely look after the Elder, I will leave here as the Family Head commands.”
“Hmm….”
There was no one who came to mind immediately. They might do it if ordered, but they would be displeased. If the old man were neglected again and died as a result, it would be disastrous.
“It will soon be time for lunch, so I will speak of it then.”
“I will move my belongings once the decision is made.”
Namgung Museong looked down at Namgung Ganghae for a moment, then turned away. Then Namgung Suhak, who had been hiding behind the bamboo, came running over in a hurry.
“Bad man.”
“The Family Head is not a bad man.”
“He is a bad man.”
“Haha.”
It was as if Namgung Suhak were cursing on his behalf, so Namgung Ganghae’s frustrated heart felt refreshed.
***
When lunchtime came, he soothed Namgung Suhak, who was telling him not to go, and headed to the dining hall. The blood relatives were already gathered there. Lunch was always prepared by Namgung Icheong. Today was no different, but everyone wore displeased expressions. It was because the meal paled in comparison to the dishes Namgung Ganghae made in the morning.
“There is something to say before the meal.”
When Namgung Museong opened the floor, everyone looked at him.
“Until now, Icheong and Mugwi have looked after my uncle, but the two of them have many duties, so I wish for someone else to do it. Is there anyone willing to try?”
No one. Looking after a senile person was no easy task. Moreover, it was bothersome, and they didn’t want to spend their time on such things.
“Family Head.”
“Yes, speak.”
When Namgung Hwa-in called out, Namgung Museong showed a delighted expression. But his face hardened after hearing what he had to say.
“Ganghae is doing well, so must someone else do it?”
“He has much to do, does he not? That is why I wish for someone else to help him.”
“Father.”
When Namgung Aran called out, not only Namgung Museong but everyone looked at her.
“A few days ago, Grandfather almost died. That’s why Ganghae said he would move his lodgings there today.”
“I know that as well.”
“You knew? Then you can just leave it to Ganghae. Ah, or are you doing this because you’re worried he’ll suffer alone? I’ll go help often, so please don’t worry.”
Since Namgung Aran had gone so far as to say that, Namgung Museong could no longer ask someone else to do it. Indeed, who would want to do something that even he was reluctant to do? Though he was far from pleased, he had no choice but to concede.
“It cannot be helped. You must endure the hardship.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
Although it was but a single remark, everyone looked with surprised eyes when Namgung Museong spoke to Namgung Ganghae.
Namgung Mugwi, in particular, visibly stiffened his expression.
As he was cleaning up after the meal, Namgung Mugwi passed by and said a word.
“Don’t overstep your bounds.”
Namgung Ganghae quietly watched his retreating figure. He couldn’t understand the reason for his behavior.
“Ganghae!”
“Hm?”
Namgung Aran called out to him as she came with a basket. Namgung Mugwi, who was heading outside, turned his gaze toward her for a moment. For just a brief instant, his face, which always seemed angry, softened.
Seeing that, Namgung Ganghae thought he understood why Mugwi kept picking fights with him. He liked her. Namgung Aran.
If time passed without incident, Namgung Mugwi would become the next Family Head. Then he would marry not Namgung Aran, but the eldest daughter, Namgung Icheong. But Ganghae couldn’t imagine it. Namgung Icheong was always expressionless, rarely spoke, and was indifferent to everything. Furthermore, she often acted unpredictably. Because of that, everyone was somewhat wary of her, yet because she was such a beauty, no one openly showed it.
Only Namgung Hwa-in was desperate to win her favor.
If such a woman married Namgung Mugwi, wouldn’t they likely be the most ill-matched pair ever?
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Hm? Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Namgung Ganghae smiled and received the basket from her hands. And he put food in it for Namgung Suhak to eat.
“It’s not nothing. Tell me. What is it?”
“I said it’s nothing. Haha.”
After delivering lunch to Namgung Suhak, Namgung Ganghae barely talked Namgung Aran out of following him, left her behind, and departed from the main house. Then he headed straight for Old Man Lim’s house.
“Welcome.”
Old Man Lim welcomed him with a smile.
“Let’s go right away.”
“Let’s do that.”
Namgung Ganghae picked up the bow and arrows that Old Man Lim had set aside. It would soon be Namgung Museong’s birthday. Therefore, he planned to catch a tiger or a bear together with Old Man Lim.
It would be too much alone, but if Old Man Lim helped, it would be possible. Old Man Lim had once been the greatest hunter.
The two left the Namgung Clan and climbed the mountain. Despite his considerable age, Old Man Lim moved skillfully. It was a speed an ordinary person couldn’t keep up with.
However, Namgung Ganghae had often hunted when he was in Bangga Village. He was confident when it came to traversing mountains.
“Stop.”
Old Man Lim crouched down and examined the ground as if he had found something. When Namgung Ganghae looked closely, it was footprints.
“Is it a bear?”
“It seems to be a cub. The footprints were made not long ago. About a day or two?”
“Then it must be nearby.”
“Likely so.”
Cubs did not have a wide range of movement. Therefore, there must be a place where they lived somewhere nearby. Old Man Lim, surveying the surroundings, gestured. Upon approaching, there were traces of movement in that direction.
“Let’s go.”
Old Man Lim took the lead. He cut through the bushes with a straight blade in a place without paths. Then he suddenly stopped and raised his hand. Namgung Ganghae carefully moved to his side.
“There is a cave ahead. I think it’s inside there.”
“Shall we wait?”
“We must. I will climb this tree, and you climb that one. You must absolutely not shoot your bow until I give the signal.”
“Yes. I will.”
Watching Old Man Lim head for a tree, Namgung Ganghae climbed the tree on the opposite side. From there, he could clearly see where Old Man Lim was and also take in the cave where the bear was at a glance.
He waited there for over an hour. Then finally, a bear emerged from the cave.