Chapter 335
Chapter 335
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 335
Chapter Title: Reunion with the Supreme Patriarch
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Cheonhwi and Nangong Hansang's greeting caused a massive stir in the tense atmosphere.
"Young Lady Cheonhyang. Was the Division Leader on friendly terms with the Nangong Family?"
Danri Gwancheon asked, looking at Cheonhyang.
He couldn't make sense of the situation, let alone guess the reason.
It was clear the old man held a high position within the Nangong Family.
Hadn't the Changgung Captain, the Clear Water Sword, stepped back as if it were the most natural thing upon his word?
Yet this elder was now welcoming Cheonhwi with utmost warmth. It left everyone utterly perplexed.
But the response to his question was a shake of the head from side to side.
"I wouldn't know..."
Cheonhyang trailed off.
She couldn't understand it either.
'When did my junior brother ever connect with the Nangong Family?'
And just like them, the Nangong Family's camp was also engulfed in confusion.
"For our Supreme Patriarch to welcome a Murim Alliance figure like that..."
"What's going on here?"
Among them, the Changgung Captain especially wore an expression as if he'd witnessed something unbelievable, alternating his gaze between Nangong Hansang and Cheonhwi.
"Has there ever been a young man outside the family whom the Supreme Patriarch welcomed so warmly?"
It was truly bizarre.
Nangong Hansang had lived a reclusive life akin to seclusion for nearly half a century.
He hadn't stepped foot outside the Nangong Family even once during that time.
So what was this?
Now, this Supreme Patriarch was showing familiarity to a youth who seemed affiliated with the Murim Alliance.
"Just who is he...?"
As he furrowed his brow, a surprised voice came from behind.
"Huh? That face... could it be...?"
At the voice that sounded like it knew something, the Changgung Captain whipped his head around to look.
He saw the Nangong warrior who'd spoken had his eyes wide open.
And it wasn't just him.
The dozen or so warriors around him wore the same expression.
As if they recognized the youth.
The Changgung Captain quickly asked.
"Do you know him?"
The warrior who'd exclaimed in surprise swallowed dryly.
His throat bobbed once.
Soon, he spoke in a trembling voice.
"He's one of the ones who brought the Black Shadow Killer Demon's corpse to our family."
"The Black Shadow Killer Demon...?"
The Changgung Captain's eyes widened.
The moment he heard the moniker 'Black Shadow Killer Demon', a past incident from when he'd been on a mission flashed through his mind—one that had shaken the Nangong Family.
'Mount Hua Sect...?'
As he recalled something.
"And he's the one who defeated this young master."
The warrior quickly added.
"...!"
"The one who defeated this young master?!"
At that moment, shock spread like wildfire through the Nangong camp—even those who hadn't recognized the opponent yet.
It was only natural.
How could they not know the one who had defeated Nangong Jingyeong, the Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon of the Nangong Family, right in their home?
He was the most renowned figure in the current martial world!
"Then that young man is...?"
The Changgung Captain immediately snapped his head around. Fixing his gaze on the youth facing the Supreme Patriarch, he widened his eyes.
Uttering his moniker.
"...the Plum Blossom Divine Knight?"
As the Nangong camp buzzed in astonishment upon learning the youth Cheonhwi's identity.
Step, step.
Nangong Hansang approached Cheonhwi closely. His face beamed with a benevolent smile. He smacked his lips as if delighted.
"I never dreamed I'd reunite with you in a place like this."
"I didn't expect to see you here either."
Cheonhwi shrugged as he replied.
He'd heard the Nangong Family was heading to Mansu Gate, but who could have predicted they'd meet like this?
"To cross paths like this... it must mean there's a fated bond between us."
Nangong Hansang burst into hearty laughter.
He seemed genuinely pleased.
After laughing heartily for a while, Nangong Hansang looked at Cheonhwi and spoke softly.
"Have you been well?"
His voice brimmed with intimacy.
It was the tone one might use with a grandson.
Cheonhwi chuckled softly at the affectionate voice.
"Doing alright."
"Haha, that's a relief."
Nangong Hansang's eyes crinkled.
"Lately, your name echoes everywhere in the martial world. They say you routed the Bandit King and shone at Ami Castle Battle. And just recently, you destroyed the Immortal Heaven Cult's headquarters and took the life of its cult leader."
Recounting the rumors that had rocked the martial world with an admiring expression, Nangong Hansang unclenched his hands behind his back and met Cheonhwi's eyes.
"All true?"
"Pretty much."
As Cheonhwi answered calmly, Nangong Hansang let out a small "Hm" and nodded.
Rumors about the Plum Blossom Divine Knight had spread far and wide across the martial world.
And debates raged over their veracity.
Who wouldn't doubt that a warrior of such young age had accomplished world-shaking feats multiple times—and in such a short span?
It was natural to be skeptical.
Many believed the Murim Alliance was exaggerating his achievements to promote a new rising star.
But Nangong Hansang had believed from the start that Cheonhwi had done it all.
After all, hadn't he witnessed it himself?
Cheonhwi's astonishing talent.
Even as the Nangong Family's Supreme Patriarch, he couldn't fully fathom its depths.
To pierce the essence of martial arts with just a few glances and replicate it at the same level.
Warriors typically honed their skills over years, yet Cheonhwi's talent rendered time irrelevant.
"A crane among chickens, was it?"
Nangong Hansang murmured suddenly.
"Your prowess has become known to all under heaven."
He spoke in a somber tone.
In this era of prolonged peace among the Nine Provinces' Three Powers and Six Tyrants, Cheonhwi's skyrocketing fame was enough to draw every warrior's attention.
And that wasn't a good thing.
The martial world was a realm where the strong reigned supreme.
Attracting eyes meant becoming a target.
"It's probably been that way until now, but from here on, the entire martial world will watch your every move even more closely."
Nangong Hansang said, narrowing his brow.
There was worry in his tone.
But.
"Yeah, probably."
Cheonhwi replied nonchalantly.
He saw it as inevitable.
Besides, in his previous life, he'd faced even greater scrutiny.
"You've got confidence, I see."
Only then did Nangong Hansang clearly sense the subtle presence emanating from Cheonhwi's entire being and nodded.
His vessel had been different from the start.
At that moment, Cheonhwi subtly nodded toward them.
Toward the trembling unorthodox warriors and the Extermination Division surrounding them.
Now that the pleasantries were done, it was time to wrap this up.
"Anyway, did you come all this way because of those guys?"
"Ah. I'd forgotten for a moment."
Nangong Hansang nodded.
"Just as you said, we pursued them here."
With that, he turned his head.
Toward the unorthodox group.
At the same time, the warmth in his eyes as he looked at Cheonhwi vanished, replaced by coldness.
Cheonhwi immediately spoke up.
"Then I'll leave them to you."
At that instant, Ok Girin and the Extermination and Heavenly Justice Divisions revealed their bewilderment.
Ok Girin urgently spoke.
"Little Taoist. These guys ambushed us..."
"Too many to take with you."
Cheonhwi cut him off cleanly.
Even at a glance, the Heavenly Justice Division had many wounded.
They were busy tending to their own, let alone dragging along the surrendered unorthodox warriors.
Of course, the bigger reason was.
'What a hassle.'
Cheonhwi swept his indifferent gaze over the unorthodox group.
He'd prefer to just kill them and be done, but right now, he wasn't the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Leader—he was a Mount Hua Sect Taoist.
Even in wartime, they couldn't execute those who'd surrendered.
That was the way of the orthodox sects.
"My thanks."
Nangong Hansang nodded deeply.
Then, looking back, he said.
"Bind these vile scum."
No sooner had his command fallen than.
"Understood!"
In unison, the Nangong Family warriors moved with perfect coordination.
It happened in an instant.
The Extermination and Heavenly Justice Divisions were taken aback by the Nangong warriors rushing to bind them but soon backed away, creating distance.
Everything was already decided.
Then, the Changgung Captain cautiously approached Nangong Hansang and spoke.
"Supreme Patriarch."
"What is it?"
"What about the Mansu Gate Lord and the Sword Breaker Army...?"
He trailed off, glancing at the two corpses floating serenely by the stream right before them.
"It's already over."
"But we missed the chance to personally execute the Mansu Gate Lord, our family's enemy..."
The Changgung Captain shut his mouth mid-sentence.
An overwhelming aura suddenly emanated from Nangong Hansang's entire body.
The presence of an absolute being.
"Didn't I say it's done?"
Nangong Hansang's voice shook the air, slamming into the Changgung Captain's ears.
The Changgung Captain swallowed.
"...Understood."
"Withdraw."
"As you command."
As the Changgung Captain retreated.
"Hm, your presence feels stronger than last time."
Cheonhwi remarked, looking at him.
"Haha, you noticed?"
Nangong Hansang withdrew his aura as he spoke.
"The Emperor Sword I received your help with before has reached a new realm."
"Oh, really?"
Cheonhwi's eyes sparkled.
Out of interest.
"Then I'd love to see it..."
As Cheonhwi spoke and subtly began to release his own intent.
"Haha, not now."
Nangong Hansang shook his head.
Of course, he wanted to show it too.
Hadn't Cheonhwi provided the key insight to completing this Emperor Sword?
But not now.
"I'll show it to you later, along with Jingyeong."
He said, thinking of Nangong Jingyeong, who was learning the Emperor Sword.
Cheonhwi smacked his lips in disappointment.
"So when can I see it?"
"Remember the promise I made before?"
Nangong Hansang's lips curved up.
"Soon, I'll personally visit Mount Hua with Jingyeong."
"Sounds good."
Cheonhwi nodded, though a bit regretfully. Hearing Nangong Hansang's firm response, he decided to end it there.
"Then I'll look forward to it."
"Good."
Nangong Hansang smiled warmly.
Then, he glanced back briefly.
"I'd love to talk more, but..."
The Nangong warriors surrounding the unorthodox group now had sharpened gazes.
They were wary of the Extermination and Heavenly Justice Divisions. Even though Nangong Hansang and Cheonhwi were chatting amiably, the Nangong Family and Murim Alliance were currently at odds.
"It's time we part."
Looking at the powder-keg situation that could erupt any moment, Nangong Hansang said softly.
He judged it best to end the conversation and separate—for both their sakes.
"Yeah."
Cheonhwi agreed.
"See you next time..."
As Nangong Hansang offered his final farewell, he paused briefly.
"Oh, right."
As if remembering something, he looked at Cheonhwi with a slightly changed expression.
"I heard you met Paegun. Is that true?"
Recalling the brief encounter with Paegun at the Zhuge Family, Cheonhwi nodded and replied.
"Yes. We crossed paths briefly."
At that answer, curiosity flickered in Nangong Hansang's eyes.
"What did you think of Paegun?"
"Pretty strong."
That was all he said, and Nangong Hansang's eyes widened as he asked again.
"...Anything else? Is that really it?"
"Hm? Is there more to say?"
Cheonhwi tilted his head, puzzled instead.
"Hahahaha."
Suddenly, Nangong Hansang burst into wordless laughter.
It was a pleased laugh.
"The latter waves of the Yangtze push the former, they say. Even that massive wave might be swallowed by the one behind."
He murmured, nodding up and down.
He seemed satisfied.
Soon, with a relieved expression, he spoke.
"By the way, do you still carry the wooden plaque I gave you before?"
"Huh? The wooden plaque?"
Cheonhwi tilted his head.
Then, belatedly recalling the plaque he'd given him, he replied.
"Oh! That thing you said might come in handy?"
As if he'd expected that response, Nangong Hansang chuckled.
"As I thought, you don't carry it."
At that, Cheonhwi shrugged.
In truth, he'd forgotten about it until now.
'Did I toss it in a drawer?'
As he belatedly tried to remember where he'd put it.
"Don't forget it. Carry it with you."
Nangong Hansang said firmly.
His tone was resolute.
"...Sounds like there's something to it."
To Cheonhwi's quiet question, Nangong Hansang replied with a meaningful smile.
"You'll find out naturally if you do."