Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Off to Habuk
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Shiver, shiver, shiver.
Seeing Nangong Hyuk trembling among the elders, a puzzled look crossed Nangong Jangcheon's face.
The Heavenly Palace Hall was so warm it felt like it might boil over, yet Nangong Hyuk alone seemed to be braving a biting north wind and blizzard.
He simply couldn't hold back from asking.
". . . Are you really okay? You look exhausted. Let's talk later. It's not that urgent."
A furrow formed between Nangong Hyuk's brows, visible above the blanket.
Talk again later?
He'd nearly frozen to death just getting here.
And right now, he had something he needed to secure immediately.
'Permission to leave. For as long as possible.'
He had no idea how long it would take to track down Geom-mok's alchemy.
He needed to get the clan head's official stamp for the longest possible outing.
". . . Just do it now. I can endure."
"Uh, uh, alright."
Nangong Jangcheon trailed off as he eyed Nangong Hyuk.
No matter how he looked at it, the boy seemed unwell.
He'd heard the report from the Medical Division Head, but it appeared even worse than expected.
Grinding sounds echoed through the Heavenly Palace Hall.
Nangong Jangcheon cleared his throat awkwardly before speaking.
"I've called you here today to commend your achievements at the Harmony Alliance."
Nangong Hyuk, tucked under his blanket, quietly lifted his head.
"Not only that, but I also intend to reward and praise you for protecting the clan's assets from the Silver Shadow Horse Gang and subjugating the bandits."
Nangong Hyuk's slumped shoulders began to rise bit by bit, and his hollow eyes sparkled.
Was this a case of good fortune falling into his lap without effort?
'This should be easy.'
Anticipation bloomed on Nangong Hyuk's face.
Nangong Jangcheon continued.
"So, tell me what you desire. Then . . . "
"I want to go traveling."
Nangong Jangcheon's eyes widened at Nangong Hyuk's abrupt interruption.
"What? Traveling?"
"Yes, traveling."
"What kind of traveling?"
What kind? The kind to fix my body.
"I've been cooped up inside so long it's suffocating. With my weak constitution, I've never properly traveled anywhere, have I? Thought I'd give it a try this time."
The elders nodded at Nangong Hyuk's words.
"Hmm! True, Hyuk's never even properly been to Mount Huang."
"At that age, it's natural to feel stifled at home. Back in my day, I thought the world too small and trekked to Sichuan with just a satchel."
"Travel isn't a bad idea. Some fresh air . . . "
Nangong Jangcheon shot the elders a displeased glare.
What kind of talk was this, at a time like this?
The elders flinched under his gaze and sipped their tea.
"Don't you know what times these are?"
"What's wrong with the times?"
Nangong Jangcheon stared at Nangong Hyuk in disbelief.
Did he really not know?
"Didn't you see it yourself? There's a shadowy force threatening our clan home right now. Venture out carelessly, and you could get dragged into trouble."
From his perspective, he wanted Nangong Hyuk to stay inside as much as possible.
With an unidentified shadowy force potentially still targeting the clan, sending him far away only invited disaster if something happened!
Nangong Hyuk put on a sullen face.
Would dying at the shadowy force's hands come quicker, or would his body's lifespan run out first?
He suddenly grew curious.
'Then why ask what I want?'
Nangong Hyuk let out a scoff.
Nangong Jangcheon pressed on.
"Your health is a concern too. You're not well now—imagine if something happens on a trip."
It was a time when the Nine Yin Severed Meridians flared up.
If his condition worsened without proper treatment, it could turn deadly.
Nangong Hyuk let out a hollow laugh.
"So you're not letting me go?"
"I'm saying ask for something else besides travel."
"Ah, something else."
"Yes, anything but that . . . "
"Then the Great Reversion Pill."
"Uh . . . "
That was a bit much.
Nangong Jangcheon swallowed his words and eyed Nangong Hyuk.
". . . Nothing else?"
Nangong Hyuk sighed deeply.
"Sigh, fine. Ow, ugh, *cough cough*! I'm dying. All I wanted was one little trip."
"You brat, always . . . "
"*Cough! Cough!* Sigh, now I know how a caged bird feels. *Cough cough!*"
Nangong Hyuk pulled the blanket over himself and coughed violently.
The blanket heaved with each cough.
Nangong Jangcheon's eyes narrowed.
'This punk pulls this every time he's at a disadvantage!'
Nangong Jangcheon had seen it enough times to know it was an act, but the elders hadn't.
Sighs erupted from all around with each of Nangong Hyuk's heaving coughs.
"Aigoo, Hyuk! You alright?"
"Hmm! A short trip shouldn't be an issue, right? Doesn't seem like a problem at all."
"Indeed, Clan Head! He's begging like this despite the pain—it must be sincere! Grant it."
Nangong Jangcheon groaned even louder at the elders' support.
Just moments ago they'd sworn unconditional backing, yet at Nangong Hyuk's words . . .
Nangong Hyuk glanced slyly at Nangong Jangcheon while coughing more violently.
*Smirk.*
'The elders are on my side.'
How close he'd gotten to these old fogeys.
What you sow, you reap.
It was Nangong Jangcheon who'd told him to befriend the elders, who'd shoved him into their midst.
Seeing Nangong Hyuk's smile, Nangong Jangcheon felt a vein throb in his temple.
He let out a deep sigh before speaking.
". . . Where do you plan to go?"
Where?
Recalling the last known location of Geom-mok, Nangong Hyuk replied.
"Habuk."
"Habuk?"
"Yes, Habuk."
"Too far. Round trip to Habuk takes at least three months—add wandering, and it's half a year."
"I have to go."
"No."
Hey, come on!
Nangong Hyuk scowled.
'The clan head flips like a pancake. What gives?'
Come on, just let me go already.
Nangong Hyuk glared daggers, but Nangong Jangcheon's face remained firm.
The Great Elder, watching the father-son standoff, gleamed with shrewd eyes.
"Clan Head."
Nangong Jangcheon turned.
"Yes, speak."
Nangong Uigyeong glanced at Nangong Hyuk before saying.
"Isn't the Peng Clan Head's daughter's birthday banquet coming up?"
"True, but . . . "
"The more our clan's prestige wanes, the more we must attend such events to show we're still strong."
"Hmm!"
"With so many young experts gathering for the Peng girl’s birthday, isn't it time for Hyuk to mingle, build connections with his peers?"
Nangong Hyuk eyed Nangong Uigyeong with an impressed "Oh."
Right on the money—true to the Great Elder, he was cornering Nangong Jangcheon.
'Well played!'
Nangong Hyuk nodded encouragingly, urging more.
Nangong Uigyeong continued.
"Sending Hyuk along wouldn't hurt."
"Ryong is already set to go."
"Then send them together."
. . . Huh? Wait.
Together?
That wasn't in my plans.
'But . . . not a bad idea?'
Ryong handles all the hassle, right?
Yeah.
Perfect.
Keep going.
"Ryong can handle business, look after his brother, show our clan's presence at the event, let the future heirs bond—it's ideal, Clan Head!"
Nangong Jangcheon nodded.
Listening closely, it made sense. Ryong would handle the worries.
"The Great Elder's words ring true."
Nangong Uigyeong added one more.
"With Hyuk along, we can send a large escort, make the procession grand to display our might."
"Yes, that should work."
As Nangong Jangcheon nodded, Nangong Uigyeong slyly winked at Nangong Hyuk.
Heh, cheeky old man.
As Nangong Hyuk averted his gaze, Nangong Jangcheon's voice rang in his ears.
"Then it's decided: Ryong and Hyuk to the Habuk Peng Clan together. Satisfied now?"
Heh heh, satisfied?
Absolutely.
"Yes! Haha!"
Plans rapidly formed in Nangong Hyuk's mind.
* * *
Nangong Hyuk groaned as he headed to the underground thunder prison.
Nangong Jangcheon had readily permitted a visit to the underground thunder prison.
From Nangong Jangcheon's view, it was to instill vigilance against the shadowy force, but Nangong Hyuk couldn't know that.
Of course, he was seeking Nangong Baek because of the shadowy force.
Though for slightly different reasons than Nangong Jangcheon imagined.
'Blood Yin Dragon Claw Hands and Ghost Soul Palm.'
Whoever they were, they'd restored two lost martial arts of the Blood Dragon Sect from a century ago.
He was curious, and wanted to know why such people targeted the Nangong Clan—what they stood to gain.
Nangong Hyuk peered into the thunder prison cell holding Nangong Baek.
In the pitch darkness, Nangong Baek huddled, shriveled like beef jerky in less than ten days, his thin, ragged breaths beastly.
Nangong Hyuk called without hesitation.
"Hey."
His voice echoed through the underground thunder prison.
Nangong Baek, mid-breath, raised his head.
Fierce eyes flashed toward Nangong Hyuk.
". . . Hsss, hsss! Nangong Hyuk. That you?"
Unable to see clearly in the dark with his dantian ruined, Nangong Baek recognized him by voice alone.
Clank! Clank!
Staggering forward, he slammed his head against the iron bars with a thud.
"You! It is you!"
Nangong Baek cackled wickedly, scanning Nangong Hyuk up and down.
Spotting the blanket-wrapped form, he snickered, then suddenly glared sternly.
"Once I kill you . . . "
"Aigoo, you think that scares me? Line up everyone who wants me dead, and it'd fill the Great Wall."
"What?"
"Kill this, kill that—no thrill there. Can you even?"
Nangong Baek hissed at Nangong Hyuk's sharp retort.
Nangong Hyuk shuddered once before speaking.
"One question. Who are they?"
". . . Who?"
"Who else? Those unorthodox bastards."
"Kuhahaha!"
Nangong Baek laughed like phlegm rattling in his throat.
"You think I'll tell you?"
Nangong Hyuk snorted.
"Think of your surviving brats."
"You're . . . trying to bargain with me? Just like your old man."
"Not really alike."
Nangong Hyuk, mocking lightly, fixed his gaze on Nangong Baek.
"Cooperate, and I'll spare you. Nangong So, Nangong Jeong—both. You know I've got pull."
". . . "
"I've got leads on those guys already. Finding them's just a matter of time. Better accept now, easier for everyone."
Nangong Baek stared piercingly, probing intent, then slowly spoke.
". . . Can you promise?"
Nangong Hyuk shrugged.
"Depends on what you say."
Nangong Baek's brow twitched.
He murmured lowly.
"Honestly, I don't know much. The one with me was Ghost Shadow. They call themselves Shadows."
"Lame name already."
"One day they came offering power, gave me the Ghost Heaven Ten Ultimates . . . "
Nangong Hyuk, listening quietly, let out a hollow laugh.
"Nothing special."
"They're not as weak as you think."
"I've got what I need. No more at the main house, right? Even if there are, they won't stir for a while."
Confirming no threats during his absence was enough for Nangong Hyuk.
Nangong Baek rasped gruffly.
". . . My sons."
Nangong Hyuk grinned.
"I don't sweat the small fry. Don't worry, I'll let 'em live."
Small fry.
At that word, something Nangong Baek had built his life on crumbled in an instant.
Nangong Hyuk glanced once more at Nangong Baek, then turned away.
No more business here.