Chapter 86
“Mother, mother, please try this.”
Namgung Hwi picked up a piece of pork and fragrant mushroom from the plate of Hongshaorou (braised pork in soy sauce) and placed it on top of Jegal Hwar-yeong’s rice.
“This is Anhui-style Hongshaorou. It’s cooked with pork and fragrant mushrooms together — the flavor is amazing.”
“I’ll eat well. You should eat too, Hwi.”
Watching his mother taste the dish and chew, Namgung Hwi smiled with satisfaction.
After taking the “Gosan Mansu Gilgyeonggeun” elixir and resting, Jegal Hwar-yeong’s energy had returned dramatically within just a few days.
Elixirs like that worked far better on martial artists than ordinary people — and she was the daughter of a martial family.
The thousand-year-old medicine from Mount Gosan not only restored her lungs but invigorated her entire body. Thanks to that, she looked several years younger than her actual age.
Namgung Seong and Namgung Hwi, the two men, weren’t even eating. They just sat and watched her eat with pleased expressions.
“As our Hwi said, it really is delicious.”
“Right? I told the chef about the flavor I had at the Seol family estate, and he recreated it perfectly. The Jegal family’s cooks are talented too.”
“Really? So you ate something this good at the Seol family’s house? They treated you quite well.”
Namgung Hwi happily continued talking about the Seol family, the same story he’d already told his father during their time at Ohhwanji.
Seeing his mother healthy and smiling after so long made him happy. Watching her enjoy the mushrooms delighted him even more.
For the first time in his life, Namgung Hwi understood what it meant to “feel full just by watching someone eat.”
“Yes, yes. The Seol family’s chef is really skilled. He said he trained in Hefei.”
While her son talked excitedly, Jegal Hwar-yeong glanced at her husband, who had been silently cooling the room’s temperature with his icy aura.
Arms crossed, Namgung Seong was watching his wife and son with gleaming eyes — as if asking, “When will you pay attention to me?”
“I see. Anhui cuisine really is delicious, isn’t it, dear?”
She replied to Hwi but smoothly redirected the question to her husband.
Namgung Seong grinned and answered,
“Of course. Anhui dishes are the best. But say, Hwi.”
“Yes, Father?”
“If you have such fond memories of the Seol family, why not visit them again?”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
Namgung Hwi blinked, confused.
“I’ve been thinking…”
Namgung Seong clenched his jaw slightly before continuing.
“The letter you sent — it was from the Seol estate, wasn’t it? I remember Baekgwang saying it came from Hong’an.”
“Ah… yes, Father.”
An awkward look spread across Hwi’s face.
He hadn’t mentioned the information source in his letter, because he’d been taught never to reveal such things — especially when dealing with elixirs or rare martial treasures.
But now he’d been caught.
Hwi bit his lip tightly.
“In my humble opinion, the Seol family—”
“Dear. Stop there.” Jegal Hwar-yeong interrupted gently but firmly. “If what you’re about to say is true, then they would be my benefactors. Even if no one else hears it, I’d prefer you not speak ill of someone who saved me.”
“…Very well, wife.”
Namgung Seong nodded and closed his mouth, though he couldn’t help but smirk at his son’s downcast face.
He was thinking that perhaps his son had “hidden a honey jar” at the Seol estate.
If Hwi returned there, he’d get to see his “honey jar,” and Seong himself would have his wife all to himself again — a win-win situation.
“Hwi.”
Jegal Hwar-yeong called softly to her still sulking son.
“Come on, eat up. The food’s getting cold. We shouldn’t leave what others have kindly prepared, should we?”
“Yes, Mother.”
Hwi answered, but even as he picked up his chopsticks again, his mind was elsewhere.
At first, he was worried about being caught revealing information — but now the word benefactor lingered in his thoughts.
If she’s Mother’s benefactor, then she’s our Namgung family’s benefactor too. How should I express my gratitude? Just saying thank you doesn’t feel enough…
His mother had always taught him that gratitude must be repaid.
As he popped a piece of mushroom into his mouth, Unyeong’s face came to mind.
She must’ve gotten stronger by now… Should I offer to teach her swordsmanship? Or maybe… hmm… should I offer myself, like Father did…?
Hwi stole a glance at his father. Namgung Seong had changed drastically these past few days.
He’d become the man Hwi barely remembered from childhood — bold, cheerful, always smiling when he saw his wife.
“You must be perfect. Never disgrace your mother’s name — or the Namgung name.”
His father had become stern and rigid only after his mother had fallen ill.
When he called my left hand a flaw… was that also to protect Mother’s honor?
Before meeting Jegal Hwar-yeong, Namgung Seong had been a well-known figure in the martial world — nicknamed the “Azure Dragon Divine Sword” (Changryong Singeom). Though, some had mockingly called him the “Azure Dragon Dog Sword.”
He proposed to Mother by saying he’d offer her the Namgung family itself… and became a proper young master. Should I do the same? She… likes me anyway…
While his thoughts spiraled, Hwi’s face turned bright red. He suddenly stood up from his seat.
“Uh, Mother. I think I—”
“What is it, son?”
Jegal Hwar-yeong, who was used to reading the Namgung men’s thoughts, immediately had a bad feeling.
Unlike her own clan, which overanalyzed everything, Namgung men were painfully straightforward.
“Come on, tell me.”
“I think… I need to go back to the Seol family estate!”
“Oh, I see. Then do so.”
She sighed with relief. It was within expectations.
That boy has mentioned the Seol family how many times now? He probably hasn’t even noticed.
She gave her permission easily, then looked to her husband, as if asking what he thought.
“When your mother’s recovered enough to travel, we’ll all go. You to Hong’an, your mother and I to our own estate.”
He said it gravely, but Jegal Hwar-yeong clearly saw the twitch at the corner of his lips.
“And once we’re back at the family estate, I’ll send gifts to the Seol household as well. You can deliver them personally.”
“Yes, Father. I’ll do that. Then, if you’ll excuse me—”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to tell Brother Dami!”
As their son ran off, the couple burst into laughter.
“Why do you think he’s going to Dami, dear?”
“To declare war, perhaps?”
“Declare war?”
“He said she’s pretty. We saw the girl together, remember?”
“Oh, come on. He wouldn’t…”
“My dear, you really don’t understand a man’s heart.”
“Oh my, really? You’re saying that to me?” she teased, blinking at him playfully.
Namgung Seong turned away with a cough. “Ahem. Let’s just wait and see. Things are about to get interesting.”
“You find a love triangle between cousins interesting?”
“What could be more entertaining? For the record, I’m on our son’s side. You’ll be cheering for your nephew, I suppose?”
“Goodness, of course not.”
“Of course you are. Here, open up.”
He picked up a piece of Hongshaorou and fed it to her, smiling broadly — a truly carefree, radiant smile.
“Brooother! Brother, are you in there?”
Preparing to leave for Hong’an County, Jegal Dam flinched when he heard that familiar voice.
It was Namgung Hwi — but there was something in his tone that made Dam uneasy, like he’d done something he shouldn’t have.
“I’m here.”
As Dam replied, the door burst open and Hwi rushed in.
“Oh! You’re actually in today. I couldn’t find you anywhere these past few days.”
“Yes, I’ve been busy. So, what brings you here, Hwi?”
Jegal Dam feigned calmness.
“Oh? But, Brother, what are you doing right now?”
“Packing.”
“Packing? Where are you going?”
Hwi widened his eyes. His family was still here — where could Dam possibly be heading? It made him feel oddly betrayed.
“To… to Hong’an.”
“Whaaat? Hong’an County? Why there?”
Hwi looked at him as if deeply wronged.
“Ahem. Our great-uncle asked me to accompany him.”
“Great-uncle? You mean… uh…”
“You may not have met him. Elder Jegal Baek, your grandfather’s younger brother.”
“But why is Great-uncle going to Hong’an?”
For some reason, Jegal Dam couldn’t answer immediately. He looked away.
“Then, I’ll go too!”
“B-but your mother’s still recovering. Shouldn’t you stay by her side?”
“Mother already gave me permission!”
Hwi beamed brightly, and Jegal Dam could only stare blankly at his younger cousin.
Just like that, their trip to Hong’an gained one more traveler.
