Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Hebei Peng Clan's Hospitality
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Nangong Hyuk's group followed the Hebei Peng Clan warrior's guidance into the clan's annex.
It was a three-story structure, tastefully situated with a beautifully landscaped garden on a vast expanse of flat ground.
"I wonder if the Young Sword Marquess will find it satisfactory. It's a garden our family has personally tended, so you can use it as a strolling path later."
"And the training ground?"
"Ah! Of course, there's a training ground as well. We've even prepared a private one underground, so there should be no issues with using it."
"Got it."
"If you need anything, feel free to use the attendants on standby."
The Hebei Peng Clan warrior bowed deeply, layering politeness upon politeness.
Geum Cheom-sang's expression darkened further, and the Thunder Dragon Squad ground their teeth.
The muscles in Geon Cheon-hwi's clenched jaw tightened.
'These bastards.'
No matter how distinguished the Young Sword Marquess from Sword Pavilion might be, the Nangong Family were properly invited guests.
To slight guests who had come to offer congratulations right from the gate—it was enough to make any Nangong Family warrior grind their teeth.
But Geon Cheon-hwi didn't act as he would have before.
If it were his usual temperament, he would've already stuffed a barrage of curses into the ear of the one who had guided them.
But since Nangong Hyuk remained silent, he stayed silent too.
Geon Cheon-hwi glanced at Nangong Hyuk, who was piggybacked on Nangong Ryong's shoulders.
'He must have something in mind.'
Even when Nangong Hyuk seemed to act on his own whims, he often ended up benefiting the family.
As he thought that, the Hebei Peng Clan warrior bowed once more and spoke.
"Then, please rest comfortably until the banquet."
With a simple bow, the Peng Clan warrior vanished.
There was no mention of the Nangong Family right up to the end.
So Hye-yeon looked at Nangong Hyuk and Nangong Ryong as if about to say something, but soon bowed her head and headed up to the second floor as guided.
Once she was gone, Tak Hyuk-dong, who had been seething inside, slammed his fist on the table with a bang!
"You damned scum! What the hell is this?! Those bastards just straight-up ignored us, right?! They did, didn't they?!"
He whipped his head around, glaring at Nangong Hyuk, Geon Cheon-hwi, and the others in outrage.
"Fuck, I've lived long, but I've never seen a place that treats congratulatory guests like this!"
Geon Cheon-hwi approached and restrained Tak Hyuk-dong.
"Enough."
"Fuck!"
"Stop."
"Shit."
"I said stop."
"......"
Tak Hyuk-dong grumbled under his breath while eyeing Nangong Hyuk and Nangong Ryong.
"Argh!"
But soon, he slammed the table with his fist again and swallowed his anger.
At that moment, Nangong Hyuk, who had been quietly squirming, pouted and finally managed to speak as the surrounding fabrics were peeled away.
"Mmph! How long are you gonna carry me?"
Feeling the thumps on his shoulders, Nangong Ryong turned his head.
Deciding that was enough, he carefully set Nangong Hyuk down on a chair and stepped back.
Nangong Hyuk let out a long exhale.
"I thought I was gonna suffocate."
The Thunder Dragon Squad's gazes fixed on Nangong Hyuk.
They figured he would say something about this incident.
Given what he'd done in the family so far, everyone knew he had a fiery temper and wouldn't tolerate being provoked.
He always responded to others' actions in some way, and this situation was similar.
The Thunder Dragon Squad watched Nangong Hyuk with their own expectations.
Nangong Hyuk furrowed his brow.
"These guys, with guests here......"
As expected, he seemed displeased.
Geon Cheon-hwi and Tak Hyuk-dong swallowed hard, sensing he was about to do something.
Nangong Hyuk continued.
"They aren't giving us food?"
......Food?
The deflating remark made Geon Cheon-hwi cough awkwardly, and Tak Hyuk-dong staggered.
Even the ever-stoic Nangong Ryong stared at Nangong Hyuk with his mouth slightly agape.
In the stunned silence, Geum Cheom-sang scratched his head and cautiously asked.
"......Young Master, is that your response?"
Nangong Hyuk looked at Geum Cheom-sang with a puzzled expression.
"What else?"
"No, the family was disrespected, and you're just so calm about it......"
Nangong Hyuk chuckled.
"Has the Peng Clan only done this to the Nangong Family once or twice?"
"W-Well, that's true, but even in a situation where we're here to congratulate them, to ignore us so blatantly......"
As Geum Cheom-sang stammered, Nangong Hyuk paused in thought, then slyly lifted the corner of his mouth.
He quickly changed his expression, twitching his eyebrows and knitting his brow.
"You know, thinking about it, it pisses me off!"
Geum Cheom-sang's eyes widened, then he nodded vigorously.
"R-Right! I knew you'd be angry too, Young Master! This is unacceptable. I sent word so many times!"
"Yeah, exactly. If that's how it is, of course I'm pissed!"
"Yes, right!"
"No, do we deserve this kind of treatment? The mighty Nangong Family?"
Even the Thunder Dragon Squad, who had been unpacking, nodded in agreement.
The Nangong Family was one of the Five Great Families.
And this wasn't just any visit—it was to celebrate the Peng Clan's event. They shouldn't be treated like this!
Nangong Hyuk shot to his feet.
Wobble!
His fabric-wrapped body swayed once before steadying.
"If this keeps up, we'll be treated like crap here until the event!"
Nangong Hyuk raised his plump hand and clenched it into a fist.
"I can't tolerate this kind of treatment!"
"Then what do we......?"
"We can't stay here with this shit treatment! Screw it! Let's go!"
......Why did the conversation suddenly turn that way?
Go where, exactly?
Geum Cheom-sang's mouth hung open, and Geon Cheon-hwi averted his gaze.
As Nangong Hyuk banged on the table,
Nangong Ryong, sitting beside him, sighed and stood up.
He pressed down on Nangong Hyuk's shoulder.
Squeeze.
"Sit."
"......"
"Stay put."
Nangong Hyuk, who had jumped up, slid back into the chair.
The anger on his face vanished as if by magic.
"This isn't working. Sigh, let's just eat. Food!"
The group clutched their heads at Nangong Hyuk's attitude.
Then Tak Hyuk-dong suddenly shot to his feet.
"You're right, Young Master! Let's go, let's get out! Just storm out and......"
Jang Ung sighed deeply, struck Tak Hyuk-dong's pressure point, and clamped his mouth shut.
"Mmph! Mmf!"
"Why does this guy always do this? Let's keep it quiet. Can't you read the room?"
Only after Jang Ung subdued Tak Hyuk-dong did the surroundings finally quiet down.
Nangong Hyuk muttered.
"Don't waste your energy. It's not like we can do anything here."
"......Yes."
"You'd think this place is polite after rolling around with the unorthodox sects once."
"......This is the Hebei Peng Clan."
"It's just a figure of speech."
As Nangong Hyuk clicked his tongue, So Hye-yeon came back down from the second floor.
Nangong Hyuk rolled his eyes to look at her.
She had changed into comfortable clothes but still wore her veil.
"If you're gonna come back down, why change? Ah, I need to change too."
Nangong Hyuk sighed at his layers of woolen garments. Taking them off would be a hassle, but the problem was he'd feel cold again without them.
'Just endure it a bit. Gotta work.'
A faint smile flickered on Nangong Hyuk's lips and vanished.
The Thunder Dragon Squad and Geum Cheom-sang shook their heads at the leisurely, carefree Nangong Hyuk.
He was utterly unpredictable.
So Hye-yeon stood awkwardly, gazing at Nangong Hyuk and Nangong Ryong.
She wanted to ask Nangong Ryong for their promised spar again, but with the bad atmosphere, she just sat quietly.
While they sat in awkward silence, the servants living in the annex brought tea and unpacked their luggage.
Nangong Hyuk settled comfortably into his seat and waited a bit before a servant approached.
"Food has arrived."
The table was laden with Beijing's signature dishes.
Fried and stir-fried foods appeared, and in the center sat a plump roasted duck.
Geum Cheom-sang quietly portioned food onto a side plate for Nangong Hyuk, poured tea,
took spice containers from his bosom, sprinkled them over Nangong Hyuk's dishes, and just as Nangong Hyuk swallowed and bit into a duck leg—
Bang!
The annex door flew open, and a booming voice echoed.
"The Peng Family Head has arrived!"
Everyone in the annex froze.
"Why is the Family Head coming here?"
"Sh-Shouldn't the young master go pay respects first?"
"Ah! Did he hear about what happened at the gate?"
"What? The Family Head is really coming?"
Various reactions, but all equally shocked.
At the sound from outside, Nangong Ryong turned his head, and the Thunder Dragon Squad rose tensely.
Nangong Hyuk's face twisted as he was about to bring the duck leg to his mouth.
Family Head?
Why was that guy coming?
'......I just want to eat. Can't he come after I eat?'
But regardless of his wishes, a group soon burst into the annex.
Nangong Hyuk looked regretfully at the duck leg and quietly set it down.
* * *
A beard jutting out like a spear, fierce tiger-like eyes, a broad face, and a massive build.
Even in green robes, the outlines of his muscles couldn't be hidden.
Towering over six feet, he made the annex ceiling seem low.
It was Peng Cheon-wi, head of the Hebei Peng Clan and the Hebei First Blade.
Peng Cheon-wi scanned the annex with bulging eyes.
With every slow movement of his gaze, the air seemed to shift dramatically.
Of course, Nangong Hyuk, who couldn't care less about such an atmosphere, just eyed Peng Cheon-wi and his sons with indifferent eyes.
'So damn similar—why do the Family Head and his sons all look just like Blade King? The power of bloodlines.'
You'd believe Blade King was still alive.
'Does that guy kinda look like him too?'
Nangong Hyuk tilted his head with a subtle expression as he glanced at Tak Hyuk-dong standing in formation behind him.
As he was lost in such stray thoughts, Peng Cheon-wi spoke.
"Hahaha! What an honor to have such esteemed footsteps grace us! Welcome, Young Sword Marquess! What a surprise!"
His thunderous voice filled the annex.
Once again, addressing So Hye-yeon first—the Thunder Dragon Squad's faces rotted with disgust.
Even Nangong Ryong, who rarely showed emotion, had his brow crease ever so slightly.
Nangong Hyuk's head tilted sideways.
Huh?
Look at that?
Talking only to her again?
The earlier slight could be overlooked, but for the Family Head and direct heirs to do this openly wasn't just ignoring—it was outright insult.
'Damn, the Peng Clan has grown bold.'
Back in the day, Sword King, who'd been beaten by me, would've slapped Blade King's face by now.
Tch, what a change in times.
Now the Hebei Peng Clan tramples the Nangong Family.
'No, if you're only gonna talk to her, do it outside. The food's getting cold, you Peng bastards.'
Peng Cheon-wi didn't spare a glance at the Nangong Family side, focusing solely on So Hye-yeon.
"You must have had a hard journey to our home—please rest comfortably. This is my son, Peng Jung-hyuk. I've brought him because he greatly admires Sword Pavilion's reputation."
"......Thank you for your consideration. I've long heard of the Family Head and Young Master Peng's fame. May I request a match with swords later?"
"Hahaha! A bout with Sword Pavilion? Welcome anytime!"
"Thank you."
As So Hye-yeon and Peng Cheon-wi exchanged a few words, the Nangong Family side's atmosphere kept flushing red and pale with anger.
Regardless of their hardening faces, Peng Cheon-wi laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! But how did Sword Pavilion's prodigy know to come on my daughter's birthday?"
Those in the know were aware that Sword Pavilion rarely engaged in outside activities.
So participating in the Hebei Peng Clan's event was highly unusual.
So Hye-yeon hesitated briefly and glanced sideways.
"......I came with them."
"Hm?"
"With the Nangong Family members......"
"......"
With them?
The Nangong Family?
Peng Cheon-wi mulled over So Hye-yeon's words for a moment, and his face subtly hardened.
His fierce eyes turned to the Nangong Family group beside her.