“Hyung-nim, is it true? Are you really going back home?”

“…Hmph. Yes.”

Neunggok, who had heard the news, rushed over and clung to him with a happy face. Neung-heo, who had a very angry expression, couldn’t help but relax his expression as Neunggok clung to him, smiling brightly.

Although they were half-brothers, in Neung-heo’s mind, he was just a toddling child.

“…”

Cheon Mubaeck felt very strange as he watched the two brothers. And it wasn’t just Cheon Mubaeck. Zhuge Seola muttered in a slightly excited tone.

“They really don’t look like brothers.”

“That’s right.”

If an unknowing person saw them, Neung-heo looked like a big shot of evil, and Neunggok was a young Confucian scholar who seemed to have not a speck of worldly dust on him.

For the two to be brothers.

“I don’t think even their parents would believe it.”

“I guess this is why the environment a person grows up in is important.”

“I know, right? Then, Young Master Cheon, what kind of environment did you grow up in?”

“Me?”

“Isn’t that right? No matter how much I think about it, Young Master Cheon’s path is very peculiar. Even though you’re not from a martial family, you’re unrivaled in martial arts, and even though you’re not from a scholar family, you have depth in academics.”

Looking at her slightly narrowed eyes, Cheon Mubaeck let out a hollow laugh.

In fact, what could he say?

In every life, Cheon Mubaeck was known as an eccentric person. Sometimes like fire, sometimes colder than ice. Because he had shown various aspects that could not be seen in one person.

Many people were curious about that aspect.

What kind of life had he lived that one person was so bright in all fields?

Cheon Mubaeck could not explain.

Countless reincarnations.

In each of those lives, there were twists and turns, and the environment he lived in was different.

The current Cheon Mubaeck had been through those numerous environments, so it was natural for Zhuge Seola to be so curious.

Although he had told Neung-heo his truth. To Zhuge Seola…

‘Would it be okay to tell her?’

Well. He didn’t know yet.

As Cheon Mubaeck couldn’t answer and just smiled, Zhuge Seola glared at him slightly.

“Hey. It must be something like that. The geniuses that sometimes appear in the world. You’re one of those, right, Young Master?”

“It’s very interesting to hear that from you, who is called the genius of the Zhuge family.”

“Hmph. You know that’s just gilding your own face, right? If I’m a genius, then you’re beyond the category of a genius.”

Cheon Mubaeck smiled awkwardly and casually turned his gaze.

Perhaps if she knew his secret, she wouldn’t be able to say that.

‘A genius…’

Was he really a genius?

Cheon Mubaeck thought not.

Having been through dozens, hundreds of lives, he had never let go of the sword.

And yet, the sword’s edge that he had not reached.

The distant realm that he could not see.

He had not yet achieved his lifelong wish, no, the wish of his numerous lives, so how could he consider himself a genius?

‘I am an ordinary talent.’

Although it was a thought that would make someone sigh if they heard it, Cheon Mubaeck truly thought so. Of course, others would think differently. Before he had even accumulated experience, he had opened the martial world as the Three Talents Sword Saint, had pioneered a new realm in every life, and had created numerous martial arts. He, who maintained a sound mind even in repeated reincarnations, was clearly not an ordinary talent but a genius, or even more.

But he just didn’t think so himself. Cheon Mubaeck turned his gaze.

He now knew why Neung-heo was reluctant to come to Qufu.

Because his family home was none other than in Qufu.

Of course, it was not the Kong Family Mansion where the direct descendants of Confucius lived, but just by being near the Kong Family Mansion.

‘It means it’s a scholar family with a high academic reputation.’

The moment he found out it was a scholar family.

A new plan came to Cheon Mubaeck’s mind.

‘Only scholars can participate in the World Debate. And not just ordinary scholars, but only those who have made a name for themselves in academics.’

If Neung-heo’s family was such a family?

‘I could probably get into the World Debate by pretending to be a guard or a disciple.’

That’s right.

Since a swordsman could not enter, it would probably be enough to disguise himself as a disciple.

If Cheon Mubaeck or Zhuge Seola did not carry a sword, it would not be difficult to pretend to be a scholar. Zhuge Seola was also smart, and Cheon Mubaeck also knew how to pretend.

Cheon Mubaeck, who had thought that far, decided to get Neung-heo’s help.

“Help? Is it a request for help, or an order?”

“Of course it’s a request, Neung-heo.”

“Then I’ll refuse. I don’t care about the World Debate or whatever, I’m just going to stop by my house and leave. I ran away from home because I hated headaches, and you want me to pretend to be a scholar?”

“Then it’s an order.”

“…”

Neung-heo sighed and closed his mouth. Cheon Mubaeck patted Neung-heo’s shoulder and smiled.

“Come to think of it, it’s a bit like that. I almost broke my head trying to find another way. If you had just told me in advance, we could have gone straight to your house and participated in the World Debate, right?”

“…”

“Well, we’ve been together for a while, but isn’t it too much to pretend you don’t know because you don’t want to receive me as a guest at your house, Neung-heo?”

“No… do I look like such a petty person?”

At the wronged look, Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

“Well, there must be a reason. You’re not the only one who’s been abandoned by your family. There must be many such lives in the martial world.”

“Who said I was abandoned? I ran away on my own two feet.”

“So why?”

At Cheon Mubaeck’s question, Neung-heo closed his mouth.

Neung-heo could not answer the core question.

Cheon Mubaeck’s eyebrows twitched.

‘I need to know if it’s a problem that can be resolved.’

Neung-heo had to be recognized as the eldest son of the family and a scholar to be able to enter the World Debate together.

To do that, he would have to reconcile with his father first.

Even if Neung-heo went back like this, if it was confirmed that their conflict was severe, it would all be in vain.

‘If it comes to it, I’ll have to make the two of them reconcile.’

Fortunately, from Neunggok’s attitude and conversation, it seemed that the father’s side was also regretting it.

In any case, Zhuge Seola would be better at this than him.

‘Usually, stubborn old men tend to listen more to the words of a young and kind woman.’

It wasn’t always like that.

If a kind face like Zhuge Seola’s spoke in a gentle voice, they would listen.

And it wasn’t just old men.

There was definitely an impression that was relatively favorable to people.

In that respect, Zhuge Seola was the best choice.

‘Because anyone can see she’s a beauty.’

Cheon Mubaeck had also thought that Zhuge Seola was pretty for a long time. He just hadn’t expressed it.

If Zhuge Seola had looked into Cheon Mubaeck’s mind, her face would have turned red.

‘Let’s try to reconcile the father and son somehow.’

At the sudden telepathic message, Zhuge Seola’s eyes widened. She looked back and forth between Cheon Mubaeck and the Neung-heo brothers, and then a faint smile appeared.

‘As expected, Young Master is…’

‘What is it?’

‘To feel sorry for a subordinate’s family affairs and to try to help. Even while nagging Neung-heo uncle every day, you’re secretly taking care of him.’

‘…’

Although it was a ridiculous misunderstanding, Cheon Mubaeck did not bother to correct it.

‘Okay. I also think it’s better for Neung-heo uncle to be on good terms with his family. Let’s work hard.’

Although she was emphasizing ‘we’ in a particular way, in any case, it was a grateful thing if Zhuge Seola stepped up with enthusiasm.

Cheon Mubaeck nodded his head slightly.

While they were exchanging telepathic messages like that, Neunggok led the way, chattering with Neung-heo.

How far had they gone?

“Is that it?”

A moderately sized pavilion came into Cheon Mubaeck’s view.

A high but slightly old wall, a little small, but a pavilion of a scale that seemed to have no shortage for studying academics.

Cheon Mubaeck clicked his tongue.

With such a house, why did he live as a rough member of the Unorthodox Alliance? He suddenly felt sorry for Neung-heo.

“Not that way.”

At Neung-heo’s sullen voice, Cheon Mubaeck’s head, which had been turned towards the pavilion, turned back.

Neung-heo pointed to another place with an awkward face.

“…Huh?”

Zhuge Seola’s eyes, which had turned at the same time, widened.

If you followed the long wall that seemed to have no end, you could see a huge main gate that seemed impossible for one or two people to push open.

And beyond that, numerous pavilions that soared high into the sky.

Cheon Mubaeck’s cheek twitched.

“Here?”

“Yes.”

“This is your family home?”

“…That’s what I said.”

“It seems bigger than our Zhuge Clan.”

Uh…

This is bigger than I thought?

* * *

“…”

“Since it was an unexpected guest, there are many shortcomings in receiving you. Please understand with great generosity.”

Upon arriving at the house, Neunggok said with a humble tone. But what was clearly felt in his humility was pride.

Pride in the family he belonged to.

Cheon Mubae-ck understood at once where that pride came from.

‘The house of a Hanlin scholar…’

The nameplate attached to the main gate.

It was a proof that he was a scholar from the Hanlin Academy.

So.

“Neung-heo. Are you from a Hanlin scholar family?”

“Hmph. To be precise, it’s not me, but my father.”

“Hyung-nim, to be more precise, going back six generations, a total of seven generations, including my father, have been registered in the Hanlin Academy.”

At Neunggok’s following explanation, Cheon Mubaeck let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

Even if it were just an ordinary scholar family, it was absurd considering Neung-heo’s appearance.

But it was a Hanlin scholar family.

And not just one generation, but a prestigious family that had been registered in the Hanlin Academy for seven generations.

Cheon Mubaeck looked at Neung-heo with a dumbfounded gaze.

“You foolish bastard.”

“Why are you suddenly cursing?”

“You kicked away such a family and lived as a member of the Unorthodox Alliance? Damn it.”

“Hah. A man has a will and holds the sword of the Unorthodox Alliance, but I have no regrets…”

“You have no regrets about such a family? Tell me honestly. This isn’t your house, is it?”

“No, it’s my house.”

“You lived as a member of the Unorthodox Alliance with such a house? What a foolish guy…”

“Is that so strange?”

“It’s strange, and I can’t believe it.”

Neung-heo turned his gaze with a dumbfounded expression. Zhuge Seola was also looking at him with a look of disbelief.

“No, why are you like that, Young Lady? Huh? You don’t believe I’m from such a family?”

“No. I believe you…”

“Your expression is full of disbelief?”

“It’s because I’m not good at managing my expression.”

“Hehehehe… Did you become as shameless as that guy after hanging out with him?”

“Honestly, it’s hard to understand. If it were just an ordinary scholar family, well, I could say he ran away because he hated academics. But a place like this is a little different.”

At Cheon Mubaeck’s words, Neung-heo made a face as if he had chewed on a bitter gourd.

“Oh. That’s right. You said you were half-brothers. Then you ran away because you were discriminated against for being an illegitimate son. Ah. That could be. That’s right.”

“I am the legitimate eldest son.”

“…Damn it, you idiot.”

At Cheon Mubaeck’s words, something welled up inside Neung-heo, and he was about to refute.

The main gate opened with a loud noise.

And an old man with a fierce face came out.

Seeing Neung-heo’s face, which had stiffened in an instant, Cheon Mubaeck guessed.

‘Well. The father and son don’t look alike at all.’

It was Neung-heo’s father.

* * *

The impression that Cheon Mubaeck received was simple.

‘A face where all the stubbornness is gathered.’

Although he had a small physique of five feet, he was a person from whom something that would overwhelm an ordinary person flowed out.

To the extent that the word ‘little giant’ would suit him, all sorts of hardships were sharply engraved on the old man’s face.

A straight back that did not bend even a little while sitting. Sharp eyes that were torn straight, and a harsh corner of the mouth where not a single bit of warmth could be felt.

It was a face that contained all the typical stubbornness of a scholar.

‘If Neung-heo ages gracefully, he might have a face like that.’

If you looked closely, there were quite a few similar corners.

Tok tok.

‘Huh?’

Cheon Mubaeck, who was quietly looking at the old man’s face, turned to Zhuge Seola, who was pulling at his collar.

“What is it?”

“Isn’t it too awkward? I feel like I’m suffocating.”

“It is. There hasn’t been a word since we came into the room.”

In fact, the two of them had not exchanged a word since they had entered the room.

No, from the main gate, they had only looked at each other, and had not exchanged any words.

It was a truly suffocating awkwardness and silence.

Fortunately, that silence did not last long.

The old man’s mouth slowly opened.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep