Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Between Confidence and Recklessness (4)
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"Care for a drink?"
"I'm on duty, so alcohol's out of the question."
"Hah, I see."
Hong Junak broke into a pleased smile at his eldest son's steadfast demeanor.
"How's it going?"
"Lady Hwang Inhwa's sharper than I expected. As the sect leader's blood kin, she's stepped up to lead the sect in his stead."
"The elders won't just sit idly by."
"The Grand Elder is in seclusion for failing to protect the sect leader. Right now, Ice Sword Han Kyung seems to hold the most sway."
"What do you think will happen?"
"Lady Hwang Inhwa's at a disadvantage. The sect leader's life hangs by a thread, and Lady Hwang Jihwa has a high chance of becoming a cripple. There's no reason to revere her as blood kin anymore."
"And so?"
"I'll eliminate Han Kyung sometime soon."
Even without real power, his elder status gave him considerable influence within the sect.
With his experience in the jianghu, he was harder to handle than Lady Hwang Inhwa. For the Hong Sword Clan to 'naturally' swallow up the Ten Sword Sect, propping up Lady Hwang Inhwa was the right move.
"Can you do it without drawing attention?"
"I'll frame it as Lady Hwang Inhwa's doing."
"Good thinking."
Hong Junak drained his cup in one gulp and handed over a bundle he'd set aside.
"Take it."
"What's this?"
"I heard your yang energy surges at night, keeping you from sleep. These herbs should help."
"Thank you."
His eldest son was always so curt.
But Hong Junak knew. He could hear the gratitude veiled in his son's voice.
He was different from his second son in every way. While Hong In was talented but flighty, Hong Myeong—less gifted but calm and cool-headed—knew well who deserved his sincerity and who didn't.
That was why he'd passed down the secret transmission.
"How's your progress?"
The question came out of nowhere, but Hong Myeong understood at once.
"At a standstill."
"That's fine. Forcing it risks qi deviation. You'll manage, but keep your mind steady in all things."
"I'll keep that in mind."
A look of satisfaction crossed Hong Junak's face.
The world didn't know. The true power of the Hong Sword Clan.
Nor how formidable his eldest son had become, inheriting that power.
"A standstill or not, you've reached the realm I achieved just shy of forty—before thirty, no less. It's not slow at all. No need to rush."
"It's thanks to your guidance, Patriarch."
"Hahaha."
He didn't dwell on his second son's failed progeny. It was just a transitional phase.
But with his firstborn, he could proudly say it was a success.
That made it all the more regrettable.
"I realized too late that your constitution is even more intensely yang than mine. If only we had some yin-cold spirit medicine, you'd complete the art in no time. But it's not easy."
"Father."
Not Patriarch—Father.
A signal that he was speaking not as Crimson Sword Division Leader, but as son.
"Speak."
"I'm not certain yet, but I thought it worth confirming properly, so I mention it."
"What is it?"
"The Murong House's Acting Patriarch."
"That girl, Murong Sujing?"
"I looked into it personally..."
A strange fervor lit Hong Myeong's impassive face.
"She seems to have the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian."
"What?!"
Hong Junak was stunned.
The Nine Yin Absolute Meridian.
An incurable condition where yin energy overwhelmed the body's balance, its cause and cure still unknown.
"Is it true?"
"Not certain, but it seems so."
Hong Junak let out an involuntary chuckle.
"If it's true... we've had a priceless spirit medicine right under our noses and wasted our time."
He hadn't neglected external affairs, but he hadn't aggressively seized territory like with the Ten Sword Sect.
The reason was simple. They were biding their time, hunkered down. They had foundations beyond Infinite Commerce, of course.
So they'd only kept eyes on the Ten Sword Sect, not paying much mind to those around them.
Precisely, houses like the Murong didn't warrant attention.
"I've seen her from afar once. She wore a veil, so I couldn't read her complexion, but her energy felt terribly unstable. She was clearly ill..."
"That illness must be the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian."
"Haha."
Greed flickered across Hong Junak's face.
"Is that so?"
"If it's certain, take her for yourself, Father."
His deepening greed couldn't overcome paternal love.
"Nonsense. What good would completing the secret art do me now?"
Hong Junak's eyes sharpened.
"If she truly has the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian, you—as rightful heir—should take her."
Genuine emotion showed on Hong Myeong's face.
"Father."
"How old is she?"
"Twenty-one. Twenty-two after this year."
"Time's running out."
Those afflicted with the Nine Yin Absolute Meridian were said to possess extraordinary talent in some field.
But their lifespans were short—rarely past mid-teens, twenty at most. Hence the saying: a beauty's early death.
"Better to keep watch, just in case."
"And what good would that do?"
Hong Junak's voice was firm.
"At that age, she could die any moment. We need to take her as soon as possible."
"But there are too many eyes."
"We'll have to target nighttime somehow."
His patience was immense, but when it was time to act, he never hesitated.
"You just sent In-ah to the Murong House. If Murong Sujing vanishes now, it could stir unnecessary rumors."
It wasn't wrong.
Still, Hong Junak was resolute.
"We can crush rumors like that with force. Letting a flower that could wilt any day slip away over mere gossip would be foolish."
"I see."
"That said, you have a point. Not tonight, at least."
Hong Junak smiled.
"Let's aim for dawn tomorrow."
"Understood."
"Haha, we seem fated with the Murong House in many ways."
More like forcing fate—and from the Murong perspective, it would be a grudge.
"By the way."
The greater the excitement, the more one must stay cool-headed.
"What do you think? Can In-ah bring that guy back?"
"He's a bit arrogant, but In-ah's no slouch."
"Of course not."
"With her experience leading the Crimson Sword Trio, she should succeed barring the worst. Isn't that what you're hoping for, Father?"
There was a reason he'd sent the entire Crimson Sword Trio.
Hong Junak burst into laughter.
"I hear that Murong Bi punk's got some guts. Whatever happens, it'll be a good lesson for In-ah."
"If she succeeds, I'll personally greet them as guests."
"Good."
With that, Hong Junak sent his son off and tilted his cup alone.
'Nine Yin Absolute Meridian?'
Come to think of it, the previous patriarch had been ill too. Back then, rumors swirled that the great Murong House was a den of frauds, and curiosity had drawn him to observe them.
His father had told him not to bother with the remnants of a fallen house.
'Not hereditary, then... but who cares.'
His heart raced.
To others, it was a pitiable disease. But for those cultivating this art, it was the world's most precious spirit medicine.
"Hahaha!"
The unrestrained laughter shook the pavilion.
That laugh, brimming with desire, was demonic enough to earn the name.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Young master!"
"Hey, it's been a while."
"My word, you've put on some weight?"
"Haha, been eating too well lately."
"Heh, thanks to you, we're doing just fine ourselves."
Beom Gwang, sweeping the inn's front courtyard, was unusually friendly.
"What brings you here today? Off on business? Or drop by our inn—I'll treat you to something tasty."
"Gonna bankrupt me with your 'treats'?"
"Gah! N-no way!"
"Just kidding, kidding."
Beom Gwang's beaming face froze in an instant.
"Gasp!"
Behind Murong Bi stood some twenty swordsmen.
They wore wide-brimmed bamboo hats shading their eyes in the spacious marketplace, crimson longswords peeking slyly from their sides.
"No way!"
Murong Bi turned to the thoroughly frozen innkeeper.
"So, how's the town vibe these days?"
"......"
"Hey, boss."
"Eek! Y-yes?"
"Asked about the town vibe. Pretty good?"
It's gone to hell right now...
Beom Gwang gulped dryly three times before answering.
"V-very good. Excellent."
"Glad to hear it. No weird riffraff causing trouble?"
"......Y-yes."
"Why's your voice so shaky? See a ghost or something?"
Something scarier than ghosts...
The Crimson Sword Division's fame was notorious even here. And since Hong Sword Clan folk rarely showed their faces, all sorts of rumors flew.
Among them, the mighty Crimson Sword Trio were said to be sword ghosts that could fell demons themselves.
How could he not be terrified?
"N-no, not at all."
"Two negatives make a positive, they say."
Murong Bi glanced back.
"Hey."
"......?"
"You're scaring the innkeeper. Walk politely, politely."
Hong In was dumbfounded.
"You talking to me?"
"Ears clogged? Talking to all of you."
"......"
"Always said talented folks are trouble. Even standing still, you gotta flaunt it. No self-awareness at all."
Hong In's face crumpled like paper crumpled by a mad painter—a sight to behold.
Murong Bi turned back to Beom Gwang with a grin.
"Don't mind these guys too much. They eat and shit like anyone else, right?"
"......Y-yes."
"Take care. I'll drop by again."
"Safe travels."
Beom Gwang bowed deeply, head lowered as he swept.
Hong In, following Murong Bi, felt his anger rising.
What the hell is this guy's deal?!
Over two hours had passed already.
He'd bantered with the innkeeper, chatted idly with a clothier, whispered with a courtesan just starting her shift, and even held a serious talk with an old vendor hawking snacks.
To Hong In, it was utterly pointless.
Yet Murong Bi changed expressions masterfully, as if it were all so fun and grave.
Not faking it—he seemed to genuinely enjoy the conversations.
Bastard.
He couldn't take it anymore.
Hong In approached Murong Bi, who was handing candy to a child.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Isn't this enough?"
"Not yet."
"You're not saying you won't go now, are you?"
"Why not?"
"What?!"
"Said we'd think on the way, right? Changed my mind, so we don't go. Why bitch about it now?"
"......!"
"Don't act like you were glued to my side, groveling. You muggers got no shame?"
Hong In finally yelled.
"Where do you get off with that cheek?!"
Shwick.
The hat string at his chin snapped.
Unnoticed, his hat slipped back.
Hong In's face hardened.
Suddenly, the staff's tip touched his chin—wooden, yet emitting a sharp, blade-like intent.
"Wait quietly? Or hear more cheek?"
"......"
"Keep your eyes open nice and polite. Before I drill a hole through your buckteeth."
Murong Bi withdrew the staff and patted the child's head again.
The nervous kid smiled once more.
"It's okay, it's okay. Uncle's just playing pretend swords. But don't they look like the bad guys?"
"Yeah."
"Haha."
Hong In made up his mind.
This guy's dead.