After exchanging simple greetings with the family members, Namgung Su once again sat facing his father. Everyone else had been dismissed, leaving only the Patriarch and the Young Lord.
Namgung Cheon poured a drink for his youngest son. "Do you have anything else to say to me?"
"I'd like you to postpone passing on the Patriarch position for as long as possible, Father."
Namgung Cheon narrowed his eye. "Are you suddenly trying to butter me up?"
"I meant no such thing. I simply enjoy working as an instructor."
Namgung Cheon let out a dry chuckle. He finally understood the meaning behind his son's words.
A few years ago, he had been displeased when Namgung Su volunteered to join the Azure Dragon Academy. To him, it felt as if his son was giving up on succeeding him before the competition even began.
The Azure Dragon Academy was the lowest-ranked of the Five Great Academies, and even calling it that was generous. The Azure Dragon Academy was a place that could lose its spot among the Five Great Academies at any moment. For a direct descendant of the Namgung Clan, going there only invited ridicule.
"Are you giving in to your siblings because you're the son of a concubine?"
"No, I'm going there because I want to build my career from the ground up."
Namgung Su had responded to the Patriarch's open dissatisfaction with the same calm demeanor he displayed now.
Several years had passed since then, and now the Star Instructor of the Azure Dragon Academy was the new Young Lord of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Cheon frowned slightly. "Does the Azure Dragon Academy matter more to you than the clan right now?"
He was questioning whether Namgung Su clung more tightly to his position as Star Instructor than to his position as Young Lord of the Namgung Clan.
"There's still a lot I want to teach the students. I also need to train my lackluster junior instructors. The Azure Dragon Academy is only now beginning to rise."
"You're cleverly dodging my question." Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue. "Don't worry. I'll remain in this position for at least another ten years. At the very least... I'll take responsibility for the problems that arose during my time. You can prepare for what comes after."
Despite possessing martial prowess worthy of the Ten Supremes, he was the unfortunate Patriarch who had never seen the light, overshadowed by the colossal figure that was Namgung Jaehak.
Moreover, following the bloody massacre, immense responsibility and duty rested on his shoulders. Less than a year had passed, but the ordeal seemed to have aged Namgung Cheon's face by several years.
"No, I'll help you."
"As the Young Lord, you mean?"
"Yes."
Namgung Cheon smiled. He hadn't felt this optimistic in a long time. "If that's the case, why not just inherit the Patriarch position sooner?" he asked playfully.
Namgung Su's mouth twitched, noticing the subtle suggestion. "Judging by how healthy you look, I'm sure you could easily last another twenty years."
"Don't tell me you're planning to become the Azure Dragon Academy Principal?"
"Hmm, that wouldn't be impossible... if you remained Patriarch for about thirty more years, Father."
"Hah! The period keeps getting longer. I'm afraid I won't be able to retire until I'm in my coffin."
The two men traded cups of wine and Namgung-style jokes. A faint, matching smile spread across the usually stoic father and son's faces.
"Don't forget the answer you gave me today."
"Yes."
"Then that's enough." The Namgung Patriarch nodded, looking reassured. Now, the important talk was over. "How is our benefactor doing?"
Namgung Su thought for a moment before answering, "He's mentally and physically exhausted from all the overtime and all-nighters. Setting aside his exceptional martial prowess, his irregular lifestyle has allowed fatigue to accumulate. Worse, because of his insidious habit of plotting schemes from behind the scenes, he rarely reveals his true feelings. He seems to have improved recently, but he's certainly up to something again, so intensive surveillance and management are required."
"That's a roundabout way of saying you're worried about his health..." Namgung Cheon shook his head, looking worried. "I plan to invite our benefactor to breakfast tomorrow. Does he have any particular food preferences?"
"He eats whatever he's given. Please tell the head cook to prioritize nutrition over taste. It would also be good to prepare a soup with medicinal herbs that clear the mind and some herbal tea. For example..."
"Enough. I'll oversee the preparations for our guest myself."
Namgung Su handed over an identity token stamped with the Murim Alliance Chairman's seal, making sure to conduct himself properly as the Young Lord of the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Su nodded and rose from his seat. "Father, it's getting late, so I'll return to my quarters now."
"We have a lot of empty rooms, so why not stay the night here instead? I'll send someone to fetch our benefactor early tomorrow morning."
Namgung Su shook his head. "I don't know what kind of trouble he might cause, so it's better if I bring him myself."
"If that's what you wish... I understand. Be sure to come with our benefactor tomorrow."
"Of course."
After leaving the Patriarch's residence, Namgung Su greeted the family members he encountered and departed the manor.
He launched himself into the air. His figure cut through the night sky, barely grazing the rooftops below.
So I'll be the next Patriarch...?
Although he showed no sign of it, Namgung Su couldn't help but feel a weight bearing down upon his shoulders.
He must prepare himself for a huge change. From now on, the world would see him not as the Third Young Master of the Namgung Clan, but as its Young Lord. Every word and minor gesture would be interpreted not as his own, but as the will of the Namgung Clan. Martial artists who remembered the fate of the Blue Sky Sword King would regard the Thunder God with suspicion, and subject him to endless slander.
He calmed his pounding heart and made a vow.
As the Young Lord of the Namgung Clan, I must conduct himself with more propriety from now on.
TAP!