Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Section 5. The Lone Wanderer (2)
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Hae So-wol lifted her head.
A piercingly blue sky filled her vision. It had been ages since she’d seen such a clear, cloudless expanse.
Life in the Akyang Sword Sect hadn’t been bad at all. Still, after spending so long cooped up inside, a sense of stuffiness was inevitable.
Staying only here meant she was out of touch with the wider world. She figured it was about time to head out. She’d more than upheld Sima Gyeong-won’s face by now.
Just then, she sensed an unfamiliar presence in the rear garden.
At the garden entrance stood two strangers. A middle-aged man in pale green scholar’s robes and a mild-featured young man.
The moment she saw them, Hae So-wol’s face visibly stiffened. It was due to the extraordinary auras emanating from them.
The middle-aged man’s presence was impressive enough, but the young man’s energy was sharp enough to put her on edge—like a finely honed blade.
It had been a long time since she’d felt such an aura.
Noticing her tension, the middle-aged man spoke first.
“No need to be so on guard, Lady Hae. We’re from the Nangong family.”
“The Nangong family?”
“That’s right. I am Nangong Chang, an elder of the Nangong family.”
“Hae So-wol of the Southern Sea Sword Sect greets Elder Nangong.”
Startled by his introduction, Hae So-wol hurriedly clasped her hands in salute. Nangong Chang smiled.
“I’m glad to meet you too, Lady Hae. This is Nangong Su, a promising talent from the main house.”
“I am Nangong Su of the Nangong family. A pleasure, Lady Hae.”
“The pleasure’s mine, Young Master Nangong.”
Nangong Su and Hae So-wol exchanged salutes.
Nangong Chang watched them with a pleased expression. But Hae So-wol didn’t relax.
It was the weight carried by those three words: Nangong Chang.
Her master, Neung Cheon-wol, had named him as the one to watch most closely among those they’d meet at Lake Dongting.
When Hae So-wol had asked why, Neung Cheon-wol had replied:
—Because Nangong Chang is the smartest man in the Nangong family. Everyone who knows him calls him the Seated Far-Seeing Eyes.
Seated Far-Seeing Eyes.
One who could see a thousand miles while sitting.
In a way, he was the biggest reason the Nangong family had grown so explosively.
The family head was Nangong Cheon, a great swordmaster. He was the first in two hundred years to perfect the Emperor Sword Form.
Nangong Cheon was a pure martial artist.
Though undoubtedly the family head, he had no interest in leading the clan.
His sole focus was the path of martial arts.
In his stead, Nangong Chang decided and directed all the family’s affairs, great and small.
The number two of the Nangong family, the steward of its operations, a brilliant strategist—and a recluse who hid his true nature from the world.
For such a man to step out into the world—Hae So-wol knew exactly how significant that was.
‘That means the gathering here is of utmost importance.’
As Hae So-wol’s face hardened, Nangong Chang gave a warm, kindly smile.
“You’re a good person, Lady Hae.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“A martial artist of your caliber staying here out of consideration for Sect Leader Sima’s face. He couldn’t have complained even if you’d refused.”
“That’s...”
“No need to explain to me. Thanks to you, I could easily convey the current situation to him.”
“Then?”
“I told him about the important gathering. That preserves his dignity well enough. So there’s no need for you to stay here anymore. Come with us.”
“Is that all right?”
“You need to testify that the Divine Thunderbolt appeared. Can’t do that here.”
“Understood.”
“Good choice. We were going to meet your martial uncle tomorrow anyway.”
“My martial uncle?”
“Yes! O Gun-ui, your martial uncle, is an old friend of mine.”
The White Whale Swordsman O Gun-ui.
An elder of the Southern Sea Sect and a famed swordsman in southern Central Plains.
“He’s coming himself?”
“It’s that important. Besides, it’d feel awkward meeting that friend while leaving you here. Come along. Sect Leader Sima won’t ask you to stay any longer.”
“Very well.”
Hae So-wol nodded.
By Nangong Chang’s reasoning, she had no reason to remain. She’d already done plenty for Sima Gyeong-won’s sake.
“My belongings?”
“This sword is all I need.”
Hae So-wol held up her cherished blade, White Frost.
Nangong Chang nodded.
“Good! That’s more than enough.”
Nangong Chang suddenly glanced at Nangong Su.
“Su-ah!”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“You should learn from Lady Hae’s mindset.”
“Understood.”
Nangong Su agreed without a hint of reluctance. That caught Hae So-wol’s attention.
The aura from Nangong Su was in no way inferior to hers. For someone with such presence to accept advice to emulate another without hesitation was remarkable.
Proof that Nangong Su was no ordinary man. Yet Hae So-wol had never heard his name before.
“Su has been in closed-door training for many years. Few in the main house even know him.”
“...”
“Since this is his first time out in the world with me, he doesn’t know much. I’d appreciate it if you could help him out, Lady Hae.”
“If I can be of help.”
“You certainly will.”
Nangong Chang replied with firm conviction.
“Understood.”
“You two will make a fine pair. Like your martial uncle and I.”
Hae So-wol nodded silently.
The three left the Akyang Sword Sect.
As Nangong Chang had predicted, Sima Gyeong-won didn’t try to hold Hae So-wol back.
They headed to the Nangang Inn near Lake Dongting. It was nearly as large and clean as the West Wind Inn, drawing plenty of patrons.
The Nangang Inn was bustling even in broad daylight. Groups sat at tables, their voices so loud conversations carried without straining to hear.
“So the Blood Star of the New River really massacred the Western Mountains Manor?”
“True story. Even the Red Rock Manor’s chief suffered because of it.”
“Man, ‘Blood Star of the New River.’ What a bloody nickname.”
“They’re calling him the Fist Demon now, after the Mount Heng Sect leader died.”
“Whew!”
Nearly every table buzzed with talk of Dam Ho.
The words floating through the air were all about the Blood Star of the New River—or the Fist Demon.
Nangong Su’s brow furrowed.
“Looks like a fiend has appeared in the martial world.”
“Such troublemakers crop up now and then.”
At Nangong Chang’s reply, Nangong Su’s eyes sharpened.
“He’s unlucky. Showing up here of all places.”
The gathering of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families was near. There was no room for a fiend amid those who ruled the martial world.
Nangong Chang smiled at Nangong Su.
“It’d be good experience to face him.”
“If I get the chance, I won’t hesitate.”
“Good! I look forward to it.”
Nangong Su smiled at Nangong Chang’s hearty response. But his expression soon darkened.
‘The Four Divine Emperors have been in seclusion for over thirty years now. All we can trust is the founding of the Alliance.’
***
“Phew.”
Bang Jin-bo let out a quiet sigh.
It had been five days since Dam Ho left the inn. He was way overdue, so worry was natural.
“He’ll come back safe.”
Bang Jin-bo tried to think positively.
In this situation, there was nothing he could do but wait.
“Guess I’ll take a walk.”
Staying cooped up in the room wouldn’t solve anything.
Bang Jin-bo was rising when—
Knock knock!
Someone rapped on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Mind if I come in?”
It was a familiar voice.
Bang Jin-bo smiled. It was Eun So-cheong.
“Come in.”
The door opened right away, revealing Eun So-cheong. But she wasn’t alone. A familiar face peeked behind her.
A crotchety old man with a goatee: Do Hak-kyeong, the top chef of the World’s Best House.
“How did you get here, sir?”
Bang Jin-bo bowed hastily.
Despite the unfortunate incident at the World’s Best House, Do Hak-kyeong remained a senior worthy of respect.
“May I come in?”
“Of course! Please, come in.”
Do Hak-kyeong strode inside, with Eun So-cheong following calmly.
She apologized first.
“Sorry! Chef Do said he wanted to see you.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m glad.”
“Where’s your brother?”
“Not back yet.”
“I see. Must be tough on you.”
“Nah.”
Eun So-cheong smiled at Bang Jin-bo’s response.
He had every reason to be anxious, yet here he was, putting on a brave face. It was endearing.
Bang Jin-bo turned to Do Hak-kyeong.
“But what brings you all this way? It’s quite a distance.”
“I came to talk to you myself.”
“To me?”
“Yes! I’ll be direct. How about working at the World’s Best House?”
“Pardon?”
Bang Jin-bo blinked like a cow, caught off guard by the words.
Do Hak-kyeong clicked his tongue at him.
“Tch! I’m offering you a spot at the World’s Best House. Me, Do Hak-kyeong, personally.”
“Th-that’s...”
“I did a lot of thinking after you left. I’m getting old; I’m not what I used to be. Using Heavenly Fragrance Herb proves it. In my prime, I wouldn’t have relied on some spice. So I’ve decided to retire before it’s too late. But then I realized there’s no proper chef to take over at the World’s Best House. Just a bunch of mediocrities.”
A great tree dominates its surroundings, stunting other growth. The World’s Best House was the same.
Do Hak-kyeong’s towering presence had brought fame, but it also kept others from truly shining.
If he retired now, the place’s decline was inevitable. After much deliberation, he’d come to Bang Jin-bo.
Someone who’d detected the Heavenly Fragrance Herb had real talent. Solid basics and young, too.
A few years under Do Hak-kyeong, and he’d become an excellent chef.
“What do you think?”
“Uh, that’s...”
Bang Jin-bo looked dazed at the unexpected offer.
Do Hak-kyeong’s skills were genuine, even if he’d lost face with the herb. Learning from him would mean huge growth for Bang Jin-bo.
If his father were alive, he’d have insisted on it. But Bang Jin-bo couldn’t reply right away.
“I’ll talk it over with my brother when he gets back.”
“I won’t force you. But training at the World’s Best House would be a huge opportunity. Think it over carefully.”
“Yes, sir!”
Bang Jin-bo’s heart pounded fiercely.