Namgung Semin, the young martial artist escorting Namgung Su, stammered nervously, "U-Uh, Third Young Master... D-Did I perhaps make some kind of mistake?"
He was a martial artist from a Namgung Clan branch family, belonging to the Namgung Hubei Branch Estate. He had only ever heard rumors about Namgung Su's personality and incredible feats battling the Blood Cult.
Therefore, when the Patriarch ordered him to quietly escort the Third Young Master, he had found it so unbelievable that he pinched his arm several times on the way.
To think I'm escorting the famous Third Young Master!
However, the envy he had drawn from his peers for escorting the Thunder God, one of the Ten Supremes, was short-lived. He spent the entire journey on edge, facing Namgung Su's severe, icy expression.
"What are you talking about?"
Namgung Semin shuddered as a cool voice rang through the night air. The peerless master who had beheaded the Ak Patriarch with a single strike was now staring at him with lightning-filled eyes. Under that fierce gaze, it would have been weirder if his knees hadn't wobbled.
Before he knew it, he was bowing deeply and apologizing.
"I-I'm terribly sorry. I must have displeased you by coming to escort you unprepared, Young Master..." His voice trailed off, and a deathly pallor spread across his face. In the darkness, Namgung Su's golden eyes flashed like a wild beast's. "T-The Patriarch instructed me to fetch you quietly, so I came alone. I-I'll call for a palanquin right away!"
Namgung Su sighed softly, realizing the man had badly misunderstood. "My expression must have been too stiff. I wasn't upset with you."
Namgung Semin blinked in disbelief. "...Pardon?"
Namgung Su forced his rigid facial muscles to relax. A scion of a prestigious family must never allow their mood to affect their subordinates. "My apologies, it seems my personal worries caused you to misunderstand."
"N-No, not at all! Y-You shouldn't have to apologize to someone like me, Young Master! I was the one who jumped to conclusions!" Namgung Semin blurted, waving his hands frantically.
Namgung Su rose from his seat and acknowledged coolly, "I accept."
Namgung Su shook his head firmly and explained, "You have no choice but to be mindful of my emotional state. I, on the other hand, am in a position where I need not mind yours. That is precisely why I must be careful. You would do well to remember that."
"...Huh?" Namgung Semin blinked in confusion, having never heard such logic before.
"Let's go. The Patriarch must be waiting," Namgung Su urged him on, as if no further explanation were needed.
Relief washed over Namgung Semin's face. "Ah, yes! This way, please."
A short while later, they arrived at the Namgung Branch Estate. The moment Namgung Su stepped inside, a familiar voice called out.
"Oppa!"
Namgung Mi, the Patriarch's youngest and most beloved child, spotted her brother and came running. Overjoyed, she even used the Namgung Clan's secret movement arts technique, the Heavenly Wind Divine Art, to run faster. Her form was clumsy, but it was a remarkable feat for someone her age.
"You little rascal." Namgung Su scooped up his youngest sister as she ran into his arms. He furrowed his brow slightly. "At ten years old, you should be old enough to conduct yourself properly as a member of a prestigious family. Why are you shouting so loudly and running around recklessly?"
"But you're here, Oppa! I waited and waited so long for you to come!" Namgung Mi chattered away, flailing her arms as her eyes sparkled with expectation. "Oppa. Did you get my letter? Did you bring the candy they sell in front of the Azure Dragon Academy?"
"Why does it seem like you were waiting for candy more than for me?"
After setting his sister down, Namgung Su took something from his travel pouch. It was a confection famous for being the most delicious near the Azure Dragon Academy. He had made time to buy it before leaving.
Placing it in her hand, he made a request. "Can you promise to eat only one a day?"
"Yes!" Namgung Mi replied and promptly popped one into her mouth.
"......" Namgung Su was certain she would not keep the promise, but he decided to feign ignorance.
"Three!" Namgung Mi stuck out her tongue and fled using the Heavenly Wind Divine Art.
"Ooh, thish ish yummy... but why didn't Suryong-oppa come with you?"
"Father summoned only me. Baek Suryong is probably at the Murim Alliance's arranged residence by now."
Namgung Mi pouted, disappointed that her Suryong-oppa hadn't come. She followed close behind her Oppa, mumbling around the candy in her mouth. "Aww, I wanted to see him. I like playing with Suryong-oppa!"
"...Keep a proper distance from him. It's easy to pick up bad habits."
"But you're close friends with him, Oppa. I heard you fought alongside him against the Blood Cult this time, too."
"Once a martial artist has honed their discipline, no temptation can sway them. You're still young, Mimi, so you must focus more on your training."
"That's not true. You've changed a lot, Oppa..." Namgung Mi looked like she had more to say, but she merely sulked, probably fearing another lecture. Instead, she revealed her ambitious goal. "You know what? Five years from now, I'm going to enroll in the Azure Dragon Academy at the top of my class!"
"Five years from now..."
Namgung Su imagined the future for a moment.
What will the Azure Dragon Academy be like in five years? All of the current students will have graduated by then. Some of the instructors may have changed as well. The new Principal could alter the academy's entire educational approach, and... there will no longer be just one Star Instructor.
Namgung Su reached out and gently patted his little sister on the head. "If you want to be at the top of your class, you have to start training hard now. In five years, the Azure Dragon Academy will surely be the world's best martial arts academy."
"Yes! I'll work hard!" Namgung Mi nodded vigorously and beamed.
As they walked and talked, they soon arrived at the Patriarch's residence.
Namgung Semin bowed politely and bid farewell to Namgung Su. "I will take my leave now, Third Young Master."
Namgung Su nodded, but then suddenly remembered something. "Wait. I was so lost in thought that I didn't even ask your name."
"...I'm Namgung Semin."
Namgung Su nodded. On the way here, he had observed Namgung Semin's physique, movements, and martial arts. "It looks like you've learned the Great Flame Sword Art. Try using a sword that's about an inch shorter than your current one. That should make it easier to connect your techniques."
Namgung Semin's eyes widened. Advice from a peerless master was priceless. For a martial artist from a branch family, this was practically a miraculous encounter.
"T-Thank you for your guidance! Yes! I will definitely change swords and try it!"
He bowed deeply once more before departing.
Namgung Su turned to his sister. "Mimi, you too."