The RoFan Novel Fan Has Reincarnated Into A Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 44: Master and Disciple Are One

The Hwangbo household, located deep in Shandong, had always been a step removed from the affairs of the martial world.

They had never produced a truly exceptional talent, nor left behind any remarkable legacy. Still, thanks to their long-standing traditions, they were respected enough to be acknowledged. That—just that—was how most people viewed the Hwangbo clan.

The current head of the family, Hwangbo Jeonggun, had long accepted this with no complaints. But these days, he found himself busier than ever before. All because of a string of unusual visitors.

The first to arrive were members of the Mount Heng Sect. They’d come bearing Yeon’s name, claiming they owed her a great debt.

“We’re here to offer our thanks.”

“Thanks? For what exactly?”

“Lady Hwangbo saved our sect from great peril. She helped eradicate the forces that threatened Honam, and even assisted in rebuilding the devastated merchant routes...”

Their arms were full of lavish gifts, and their message was simple: Let’s become close allies.

Hwangbo Jeonggun, bewildered, had tried to host them properly, but they politely refused. It seemed they were eager to leave before his daughter returned—at least, that was the impression he got.

Then came the next guests—shockingly, monks from Shaolin.

While a visit from the Mount Heng Sect was unexpected, a delegation from Shaolin shook the entire household to its core. Some retainers expressed concern, but Shaolin’s intentions turned out to be no different from the last group.

“Lady Hwangbo Yeon has rendered a great service to the world...”

“Pardon?”

“She stepped forward when no one else dared...”

They, too, came to express their gratitude, delivering a formal letter from the abbot himself—addressed directly to Yeon.

What business could the abbot possibly have with my daughter? Jeonggun wondered.

Before he could find an answer, yet another high-profile visitor crossed the Hwangbo threshold—one arguably even more surprising than the monks from Shaolin.

The head of the Tang Clan from Sichuan, Tang Jeonghu, had arrived.

“What brings the Lord of the Tang Clan here, of all places?”

“Well... Has Lady Hwangbo returned yet?”

“Yeon? No, not yet...”

And just like that, Tang Jeonghu and his daughter, Tang Soso, settled in at the Hwangbo estate. Apparently, he intended to wait for Yeon’s return. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying his stay far too much to consider leaving anytime soon.

“What in the world is going on?”

The retainers, initially confused, now wore openly curious expressions. And inside the household, Yeon’s reputation was shifting at lightning speed.

The voices that once worried about her becoming heir—citing her reckless past—had gone silent. In their place were praises: that she was a rising star bringing fresh wind to the clan. At the forefront of these voices was none other than Hwangbo Gong.

Having emerged from seclusion, Gong was now more active than anyone. Jeonggun had even made him an elder and asked him to evaluate the martial progress of their retainers. For reasons unknown, Gong no longer seemed cranky—in fact, he had become the ideal martial arts instructor.

“Hah. Well now.”

Jeonggun chuckled, thinking of how much he’d changed.

The Hwangbo family—and Gong along with it—was evolving fast. Was it some kind of wind of change? Or had Yeon truly become the wind herself?

Longing for his daughter’s face, Jeonggun murmured softly:

“When are you coming home, Yeona...”

****

“There’s no such technique in the world, Elder. A martial art that burns through all poison? That’s impossible.”

“Oh-ho, I’m telling you, it exists. Lightning at its peak burns through everything. Why should poison be the exception?”

“Forgive me, Elder, but I, Tang Jeonghu, have never seen or heard of such a thing. If that existed, who would ever fear poison again?”

“That’s precisely why it’s so difficult to master. But I assure you, it’s real.”

The two locked in argument were Hwangbo Gong and Tang Jeonghu. Giants of their respective disciplines, their clash of wills filled the air with tension. And in the middle of it all, Soso looked like she was about to be split in half.

“Then show me.”

“What? I told you—the successor to that art isn’t me!”

“Then I don’t believe it.”

“You insolent... I could suppress any poison technique without using that art at all. Want a demonstration?”

“Please, be my guest.”

The two surged with energy as if they really were going to fight. Power radiated through the training hall as their auras collided.

“Father! Grandfather!”

Soso’s panicked cry snapped them out of it. Just as a clash seemed imminent, the two forces vanished as if they’d never been there.

“Elder, I’ll stand down. It wouldn’t do for a guest to damage your training grounds.”

“Those are my words exactly. I can’t go around harming guests now, can I?”

“You never let anyone else have the last word.”

“And you do? Wanting to win against an old man like me, even as the head of the Tang Clan...”

The squabble ended like a comedic routine, and the two erupted into hearty laughter. As Soso exhaled in relief, Gong turned to her with a grin.

“Did you see that, Soso? Did you witness your father’s presence? That’s what a true clan head should be—bold and full of spirit. Unlike our Jeonggun... Tsk tsk.”

“Please, Elder. The Hwangbo household has Lady Yeon. That’s the kind of backbone a successor needs. If only our Soso could learn a little from her...”

Gong and Tang Jeonghu—two men who didn’t seem like they’d ever get along—had developed an unlikely friendship that transcended age.

Gong didn’t judge Jeonghu for being from the Tang Clan. His attitude was simple: If you’re strong, what does it matter if you use poison or hidden weapons?

For Tang Jeonghu, who had spent a lifetime being shunned by the central martial world, being treated with such frank respect was a first. And Gong, for his part, found a kindred spirit in Jeonghu’s fierce pride in his family’s martial arts. As someone who loved learning new techniques, Gong was deeply intrigued by the Tang’s poison arts—even if he disguised his interest with bluster.

“That aside, when exactly is Lady Yeon arriving? Haven’t you heard from her, Elder?”

“Hmph. She must be busy. She’ll come when she’s ready. Don’t concern yourself.”

“But she’s the heir of the clan, isn’t she? You’re not even a little worried? I’m sure we left at about the same time...”

“I didn’t train her to be so weak that I’d have to worry. She’s probably off training somewhere. And I’ve got better things to do than sit around waiting.”

Just then, someone came sprinting into the training hall—it was a retainer.

“Elder Gong! Elder Gong!”

“What is it?”

“She’s—she’s returned!”

“What?”

“Lady Hwangbo Yeon has come home!”

“What?!”

Hearing that, Tang Jeonghu brightened.

“Haha! So she’s finally arrived. Shall we—”

His words were cut short. His eyebrows twitched as Gong, propelled by a sudden gust of wind, shot away using his light footwork technique—already halfway across the courtyard.

****

With Cheongang by her side, Yeon approached the front gate of the Hwangbo estate. The gatekeeper spotted her and practically jumped out of his skin before bowing low.

“Miss Yeon!”

“Hello. It’s been a while.”

“You’ve returned?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Something about the guard’s posture felt different from before—more formal, more intense. Yeon tilted her head slightly, puzzled.

But the moment she entered the household, the change in atmosphere hit her in full.

“Miss Yeon, you’re finally home!”

“We’ve all been waiting for you.”

“Lady Hwangbo Yeon!”

The retainers she passed greeted her with beaming smiles and respectful nods. Some had once barely made eye contact, or offered stiff greetings. Now they welcomed her as if she were the sun itself. It was almost excessive.

Then, a thunderous voice rang out—marking the climax of her welcome.

“Who dares say she has returned?!”

The man who came racing toward them with unbelievable speed was none other than Hwangbo Gong.

“Grandfather Gong!”

“Yeona!”

The two paused, standing awkwardly after their heated reunion. Hugging and bouncing around didn’t exactly suit them.

Suppressing his excitement with a forced cough, Gong spoke first.

“Ahem. So, you’ve returned.”

“Yes, Grandfather. I’m back.”

“I trust you’ve been well, Elder.”

“Ah, so the frog’s with you too.”

He glanced at Cheongang, as if his presence was expected, then waved Yeon forward.

“Come inside. I’ve got a mountain of things to ask you.”

“Shouldn’t I greet Father first?”

“What? I don’t care if Jeonggun is the head of the household—this is non-negotiable. Do you know how long—!”

A voice cut in before he could finish.

“Yeon!”

Startled by the familiar voice, Yeon turned her head.

“Soso...? Soso!”

She ran over and pulled her into a tight hug. And finally, someone did bounce around while holding each other.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well... Father said he had business here.”

Soso looked shy and uncertain, but Yeon was overwhelmed with joy. She hadn’t expected to see her again so soon.

“Oh, right! Here.”

Yeon pulled out the defensive vest and handed it to Tang Soso.

“What’s this, Yeon?”

“It’s a vest you wear under your clothes. I thought of you the second I saw it and bought it.”

“Wh-what?”

Soso took the vest in both hands, looking like she was about to burst into tears of gratitude.

“Th-thank you... I should’ve gotten you something too...”

“No need. I gave it to you because I wanted to.”

Yeon, worried Soso might feel pressured, gently pulled her into a hug. That’s when Soso whispered.

“Yeon...”

“Yeah?”

“I told my father... I don’t want to go back to Sichuan.”

Yeon pulled back and looked her straight in the eyes.

“You don’t want to return to the Tang Clan?”

“No. As long as you don’t mind, I’d like to stay with you a little longer. I won’t be a bother—I just want to stay nearby...”

“Soso, no.”

“Huh?”

“You’re not a bother. Don’t ever say that again.”

“Y-Yeon...”

Just as Tang Soso’s big eyes started to glisten with tears—

“Yeona—!”

Yeon looked up, now feeling a little tired.

“Father?”

“Yeona! Yeonaaaa!”

Hwangbo Jeonggun came rushing over, breathless and completely ignoring the stares around him. He grabbed both her hands tightly.

“You’re home, and you didn’t come straight to your father? How could you be so cold?”

“I was going to greet you. I literally just got here.”

“Come. Let’s talk inside.”

As he tried to pull her along, Hwangbo Gong stepped in to block his way.

“Hold it! Jeonggun, stand down. I got here first!”

“Elder, I am this child’s father. You won’t even let me talk to my daughter after she’s come all this way?”

“You brat! If you’re the father, then I’m the master. Have you never heard that the king, the master, and the father are as one?”

“Why would you bring that up now—”

“No, no. The master comes second, and the father is last. That makes you third place, you rascal!”

For two men whose combined ages easily exceeded a hundred, their argument was so absurd it was almost painful to watch. Yeon pressed her index finger to her temple, massaging it with a sigh.

“Father, Grandfather—clearly nothing’s changed between you two, but enough ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) already. I was just going to—”

“No!”

“You may not!”

“...Sigh.”

Seeing there was no end to it, Yeon let out a weary laugh.

“Alright, you see that main hall over there?”

“Huh?”

“First one to touch it gets to take me. Go!”

“Yeona, what are you—?!”

Before Jeonggun could finish, Gong had already kicked off the ground, soaring through the air with light footwork.

“Elder, wait!”

Jeonggun scrambled to launch himself after him, too late.

Yeon casually slung an arm around the stunned Soso’s shoulder.

“Let’s go, Soso.”

“Huh? Can we really just go?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about them. You coming too, Cheongang?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and Master Tang—you’ll join us, right?”

Yeon looked back at Tang Jeonghu, who had been watching the whole spectacle with mild amusement. He gave a satisfied nod.

“Of course! My instincts weren’t wrong. You truly are a splendid successor, Lady Hwangbo.”

“You flatter me.”

And just like that, the four of them strolled off, as if heading out for a casual walk. A cool breeze swept in from somewhere, circling them playfully as if wanting to join in.