In the world, only one family is bestowed with the grand title "대 (Great)". From the distant past, since the birth of the Murim, the lineage has continued unbroken until today. Widely acknowledged without a shred of doubt, they are proclaimed as the Greatest Family Under Heaven (天下第一家).
The Current Patriarch of the Namgoong Clan, was none other than them. Namgoong Gyeom, the Former Patriarch of the Family and known outside as the Azure Heaven or Azure Heaven Sword Saint, unexpectedly summoned Namgoong Cheol and his two brothers to the office.
"The eldest will dedicate his life to mastering the family's seasonal techniques under my guidance, so the second one will take over. The youngest should assist from the side."
As the stern patriarch and their father spoke, the brothers watched with equally surprised expressions.
"What? What are you entrusting me with...?" -Namgoong Cheol
"From tomorrow onwards, Cheol, you're the head of the family."
Why did the weight of inheriting the position of the greatest family under heaven feel so light?
"Me? Father. No, sir. It should naturally be the older brother." -Namgoong Cheol
Namgoong Cheol, who had always obeyed his parents without rebellion, couldn't accept this. But even he couldn't just accept it quietly this time. If he makes the slightest mistake here, his remaining life will be miserable. Observing his father beside him, he realized being the head of the family was truly like a burden (鷄肋). What's the point of enjoying freedom only when you're old and weak from a lifetime of toil? While some in other families yearned for the position of head, Namgoong Cheol couldn't understand it. As the saying goes, it's natural for the younger sibling cherished by the head of the family to be happier than the head itself. Just to hear the title "head of the family," he should endure such hardship? That's absolutely out of the question.
"And as you said earlier, isn’t it the older brother, not me, who inherited the Azure Heaven Great Expansion Divine Technique and the Emperor King's Sword Form?" -Namgoong Cheol
Namgoong Cheol drove straight to the point. The Azure Heaven Great Expansion Divine Technique and the Emperor King's Sword Form were Namgoong Clan's top mental and sword techniques. Were these not the seasonal techniques passed down implicitly to the head and heir of the family?
"Is there a rule stating that only the one who inherits the seasonal techniques can become the head? If you don't like it, leave the family. I won't stop you. Consider the second as an outsider..., should I consider a third option?"
The Patriarch of the Namgoong Clan. One of the Nine Stars. The Azure Heaven Sword Saint. In addition to many other titles representing Namgoong Gyeom's prestige and influence. In contrast, Namgoong Cheol was merely a moderately talented martial artist and Namgoong Gyeom's second son.
"Fine. I'll do it. Head of the family." -Namgoong Cheol
In the end, Namgoong Cheol yielded to the threat. He knew too well that he was nothing in the Namgoong Clan's lineage.
Namgung Cheol pondered over the last sentence written in the secret book. If it's not Dongbangsak, the legendary figure Qin Shi Emperor sought for, then who is it? Of course, it was unusual that he hadn't aged in decades. But now, it hadn't been decades but hundreds, and thousands of years.
"Song Yoon-cheon... It's unlikely, but if he's still alive, Namgoong Cheol really want to meet this remarkable diviner at least once. Namgoong Cheol wondered where he and the Namgoong family should go, what they should do. There were so many questions he wanted to ask, but now, back to reality.
