Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Where Is Young Master Nangong?
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Watching the leaders of the Hefei Ten Great Sects enter Heavenly Bow Hall, Nangong Jangcheon welcomed them warmly.
“Come on in!”
Led by Joo Hyeong-un, the sect leaders bowed their heads deeply, as if apologetic.
They were heads of the Hefei Ten Great Sects in their own right, but they couldn’t compare to the Nangong Clan.
Even the chance to meet Nangong Jangcheon privately like this was a rare opportunity.
‘The Family Head is welcoming us like this.’
Feeling a swell of pride for no particular reason, they took their seats politely.
After an exchange of light pleasantries, Nangong Jangcheon smiled softly and spoke.
“Thanks to you, our clan overcame a great crisis. I’m grateful.”
Joo Hyeong-un smiled and replied.
“No, no—what have we even done?”
“Hahaha, come on now!”
Nangong Jangcheon shook his head.
“You turned the tide of battle. How could that be a small thing? Without you, we wouldn’t even be sitting here like this.”
“You overpraise us! We merely lent a hand.”
“Haha! No, truly, thank you. I mean it. But… how did you know to come and help our clan?”
Joo Hyeong-un answered immediately.
“We merely followed Young Master Nangong’s instructions.”
“Hyeok did?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“How did Hyeok know…?”
It was something even the clan had been uncertain about—how could Nangong Hyeok, who had only just begun his activities, have known?
Momentarily stunned and flustered, Nangong Jangcheon hesitated, but Joo Hyeong-un answered as if it were the most natural thing.
“Young Master Nangong knew everything. At first, we thought it was nonsense, but in the end, everything happened just as he said.”
The other sect leaders chimed in one by one.
“Exactly, Family Head! Young Master Nangong’s insights are beyond our imagination.”
“Yes! He had already coordinated with us before the Harmony Assembly.”
“I’ve never seen such a prodigy. I thought he must be blessed by the heavens. Hahaha!”
Huh?
Huh?
Nangong Jangcheon’s pupils trembled faintly.
Why did he see the elders’ faces in the beaming smiles of these leaders?
Nangong Jangcheon let out a hollow laugh.
“That’s… something.”
It was hard to believe, but he couldn’t very well question them here.
What intrigued him more was something else.
“But how did you all come to know our Hyeok? He hasn’t had the time to build connections with you…”
“…”
Joo Hyeong-un rolled his eyes.
“Ahem, ahem!”
He poked the Iron Cloud Chamber Lord in the side.
The Iron Cloud Chamber Lord flinched and slowly turned his head.
“Ahem, ahem!”
The Black Tortoise Sect Lord stammered, trying to say something, then clamped his mouth shut.
“W-Well, you see… uh…”
They all just glanced at each other, reluctant to speak.
Nangong Jangcheon’s eyes narrowed slightly before returning to normal.
‘There must be some story behind it.’
Pressing them when they clearly didn’t want to talk wasn’t the way.
‘I can ask Hyeok later.’
Composing himself, Nangong Jangcheon nodded calmly.
“In any case, our clan won’t forget your help. We’ll naturally reward you for what happened this time, and this will be an opportunity for our clan and your sects to grow even closer.”
At Nangong Jangcheon’s words, Joo Hyeong-un and the sect leaders’ faces lit up.
A reward from the Nangong Clan, no less!
And the promise of a close relationship going forward was enough to set their hearts racing.
‘To think the pledge Young Master Nangong had us sign would lead to this!’
‘A single pledge brings such immense gains.’
Joo Hyeong-un and the others clasped their fists in salute and bowed toward Nangong Jangcheon.
“Thank you, Family Head!”
Their resounding voices echoed through the hall.
Nangong Jangcheon gazed at them contentedly.
The Harmony Assembly had nearly turned disastrous.
Even now that things had resolved well, the damages in various areas were far from minor.
At a time like this, forging ties with the Hefei Ten Great Sects and paving the way for mutual prosperity—how could he not be pleased?
‘After I sort out the clan, I’ll need to handle matters outside. They’ll be a great help then.’
As they discussed a few more matters, Joo Hyeong-un looked at Nangong Jangcheon with a puzzled expression.
“By the way, I don’t see Young Master Nangong anywhere. Do you know where he is? I was hoping to at least greet him while we’re here.”
“Hm?”
Nangong Jangcheon, who had been lifting his teacup to his lips, raised his head.
“You mean Hyeok…”
Huh?
Where the heck has that kid really gone?
* * *
A few days had passed since the rebellion at the Harmony Assembly was quelled.
The Nangong Clan’s operations, halted during that time, had resumed normally, and the clan’s warriors had returned to their duties.
The atmosphere was still chaotic from the major incident, but it was quickly regaining its former state, now buzzing with renewed energy.
There was no shortage of stories from recent events, and whenever two or more people gathered, conversations bloomed.
The topics were mostly similar.
“Saving the clan was all thanks to Young Master Nangong, wasn’t it?”
“Exactly! His feats at the Harmony Assembly were incredible—it’s as good as him rescuing the clan from those riffraff!”
“Was that ordinary? I saw it with my own eyes. He took down the traitorous Heavenly Bow Squad Leader in one strike and dominated the battlefield!”
“Really? He beat the Heavenly Bow Squad Leader? That’s beyond the level of a junior expert!”
“And that’s not all—he even took out the ringleaders from outside. They say his prowess was tremendous!”
The outer courtyard warriors gaped in awe.
The Heavenly Bow Squad Leader was one of the Nangong Clan’s top experts.
Excluding the Family Head and elders, he was easily in the top ten.
For Nangong Hyeok, not even in his mid-twenties, to defeat such a master—it was shocking.
“And he’s only been training for less than a year!”
“What a genius!”
“But even for a genius, is that possible?”
“Then he’s no ordinary genius.”
“Mm!”
The outer courtyard warriors exclaimed in admiration one after another.
“Man, it’s truly miraculous. Not just his martial arts, but how did Young Master Nangong know about the rebellion?”
“He sees what we mortals can’t.”
“Amazing, amazing. How many moves ahead does he plan?”
Building ties with the Ten Great Sects unrelated to the Nangong Clan, predicting the rebellion, assembling reinforcements.
Nothing but awe-inducing words came to mind.
“It’s hard to believe he’s not even in his mid-twenties. Martial prowess shaking heaven and earth, plus foresight several steps ahead.”
“That’s exactly why he saved the clan!”
The outer courtyard warriors nodded vigorously.
The more they learned, the more Nangong Hyeok’s feats and skills inspired wonder.
“I knew Young Master Nangong was no ordinary person from way back.”
“When? From his spar with that Nangong Jeong?”
“No, no. That was impressive, but nothing compared to later. Didn’t he tame that ferocious Thunder Dragon Squad?”
“The Thunder Dragon Squad?”
“Yeah. And this time, they crushed the Heavenly Bow Squad, right?”
Everyone shook their heads in disbelief.
The Thunder Dragon Squad, once dismissed as the Nangong Clan’s troublemakers, had defeated the Heavenly Bow Squad, the clan’s premier elite force.
It was as astonishing as Nangong Hyeok’s own achievements.
“With Young Master Nangong ascending, they soar with him. I never imagined the Thunder Dragon Squad capable of such feats.”
“It’s all because Young Master Nangong tamed those guys so well.”
“As the saying goes, heroes emerge in chaotic times—Young Master Nangong fits perfectly.”
“The clan’s great fortune.”
“At this rate, it’s entirely possible for our Nangong Clan to reclaim the top spot among the Five Great Clans.”
As they chatted proudly, one person glanced around slyly and spoke up.
“Ahem! Should I apply to join the Thunder Dragon Squad?”
“What? You? No chance.”
“Or maybe guard duty at Young Master Nangong’s residence. Who knows? He might grant me enlightenment.”
“Just guard this place properly.”
“Ugh!”
* * *
‘Jeez, this is embarrassing to hear.’
Geon Cheon-hwi blinked as he looked ahead.
He could hear the outer courtyard warriors chattering enthusiastically.
Praises for Nangong Hyeok, sprinkled with mentions of the Thunder Dragon Squad’s exploits like seasoning.
It was embarrassing for no reason, but lately, every conversation was like this.
Wherever he went, Nangong Hyeok’s name came up, along with the Thunder Dragon Squad—avoiding it would be weirder.
Since the rebellion at the Harmony Assembly ended, people had started greeting him.
Normally, they’d flee at the sight of him, but now they approached first.
“…Things have changed.”
Even after returning from bandit subjugation with Silver Phantom Escort Agency, he hadn’t received this treatment.
Everyone he met on the way to Nangong Hyeok’s residence greeted him—it felt unfamiliar yet strangely good.
Embarrassing and awkward, but not bad.
“Kuhahaha! Big Bro, you see this? Can you believe some outer courtyard punk gave this to me?”
Beside him, Tak Hyeok-dong guffawed, hoisting an axe.
It was broader and more ferocious than the one he’d used in the rebellion, by a full handspan.
“They gave you that?”
“Kuhahaha! Yeah! Said he was impressed by my skills or something. Ahem! Well, I did put on a show. Right?”
“…”
“Ah, of course Young Master Nangong shone brightest, but I pulled my weight too. Kuhahaha!”
As Tak Hyeok-dong bragged with his axe, people who had approached to greet them slunk away.
While everyone avoided Tak Hyeok-dong, a man in a white uniform embroidered with “Heavenly Wind” approached.
It was Heavenly Wind Squad Leader Kyung Un-gang.
“Squad Leader Geon.”
Geon Cheon-hwi, clicking his tongue at Tak Hyeok-dong, paused.
“…Squad Leader?”
Squad Leader—that’s me, right?
Oh, yeah. It is.
He’d never been called by his official title before, so he’d forgotten.
They’d always used nicknames like kid, brat, big bro.
‘But when did this guy start talking to me like we’re buddies? Were we close?’
No? Only memories of fighting.
Later, he’d even charged at him threatening to kill.
Geon Cheon-hwi blinked and stared, making Kyung Un-gang look awkward.
“Ahem! Good work.”
“…Uh, yeah. Thanks.”
“Once your shift ends today, gather your men and let’s have a drink. My treat.”
Geon Cheon-hwi stared blankly at Kyung Un-gang.
Kyung Un-gang cleared his throat awkwardly, patted Geon Cheon-hwi’s shoulder, and turned away.
“Good work. I’ll come find you.”
Geon Cheon-hwi blinked as he watched Kyung Un-gang walk off.
Tak Hyeok-dong muttered beside him.
“Did that guy have daytime drinks? What’s with him?”
“…”
“‘Good work’? Isn’t this the same bastard who wanted to kill us before?”
As bewildered as Tak Hyeok-dong was, Geon Cheon-hwi was equally stunned.
Geon Cheon-hwi let out a dry laugh.
“The day the Heavenly Wind Squad Leader buys us drinks… Serving Young Master Nangong, we’ve seen it all.”
“Tell me about it. Living long enough to see this weirdness… Hm.”
Tak Hyeok-dong shook his head repeatedly.
As Geon Cheon-hwi started walking again, he muttered as if struck by a thought.
“Come to think of it, it’s been less than half a year since we started following Young Master Nangong, and look how much has changed…”
The Thunder Dragon Squad, plummeting to the worst reputation, now enjoyed higher regard than any other force.
…Honestly, reputation had never mattered to them, so it didn’t move him much.
If it had, they wouldn’t have been called the clan’s troublemakers.
What was encouraging was how much their martial arts had improved beyond compare.
“Heh heh! Didn’t we smash those Heavenly Bow Squad punks? Their shocked faces are still fresh.”
“Exactly. Never thought we’d achieve this much in such a short time.”
“We just did as Young Master Nangong said, and it all worked out.”
Tak Hyeok-dong guffawed, and Geon Cheon-hwi agreed.
Then, a sudden doubt arose.
“…But wait, hasn’t it only been a few days since we last saw Young Master Nangong?”
“Huh? Yeah? Been so busy lately. Now that you mention it…”
“…Where is he?”
Geon Cheon-hwi tilted his head.