Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Off for a Drink
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Namgung Hyeok stripped off his upper garments and stood before the mirror.
His body was incomparably better than it had been a month ago.
His chest was sharply defined, and abs were emerging on his stomach.
His arms had thickened considerably, with clear muscle lines visible.
Namgung Hyeok felt a surge of emotion.
“Building muscle with this pathetic sack of bones.”
This had to rank among the greatest achievements of his life.
It might even edge out his victory in the war against the Demonic Path.
“But there’s still a long way to go.”
Of course, it was nothing compared to the body he’d had at his peak.
This one was merely at the stage where he thought, maybe he could do something now.
“Hngh!”
When Namgung Hyeok flexed his arm, his bicep bulged prominently.
“Grew nice and strong on all that good food, yes, you did.”
He prodded the protruding muscle with a satisfied face.
A month ago, he couldn’t have even dreamed of a bicep like this.
“Feels solid, sol...”
Pfft! Pssshhhh!
Blood sprayed spectacularly from the bicep he’d been poking.
“...A raw egg?”
Breaks right when you touch it.
Namgung Hyeok gazed at the spurting blood with a wry chuckle.
By now, he just accepted it.
Tap tap tap!
With a calm face, he expertly stopped the bleeding.
A few taps on the right spots, and the gushing blood came to a halt.
He clenched and unclenched his fist to check his condition.
No other issues—on the contrary, he brimmed with vitality.
This was the highest vitality his body had shown since awakening.
“Now I can really get moving.”
Until now, he’d just been warming up to run.
Now it was time to sprint for real.
Pound ahead, recover his old martial prowess, and push to higher realms.
Namgung Hyeok felt the inner energy in his dantian and grinned.
Tiny as a grain of millet, but its purity was incomparable to the past.
It was like a carriage that would carry him all the way to ascension.
A hopeful, rosy-pink future.
He could clearly picture himself galloping unimpeded to Heavenly Mountain.
‘But something feels off.’
Even as he celebrated himself, a sense of something missing crept in.
What was it?
What had he forgotten?
For a month, he’d gorged on every delicacy under the sun.
He’d stuffed himself with snacks until he couldn’t stomach more.
He’d drunk plenty too...
“Liquor?”
No way...
‘I haven’t had a single drop since coming back to this body!’
Unbelievable.
Searching his memories, he confirmed he hadn’t touched alcohol once since returning to this frame.
Now he was back on grains, eating them diligently along with nonstop snacks, yet he’d ignored the perfect companion!
He’d committed the idiot blunder of having appetizers without the booze.
What was the last liquor he’d drunk?
Gulp.
He swallowed hard.
Now that he was eating grains again, why not liquor?
“Gotta down one shot.”
Something potent to fill the gut.
This body could handle it now.
Come to think of it, liquor was a liquid brimming with yang energy, wasn’t it?
“So it’s not liquor—it’s medicine.”
Namgung Hyeok naturally moved to call for Geum Cheom-sang and order some liquor, then paused.
On second thought, would they hand it over nicely if he said he wanted to drink?
From what he remembered, he’d apparently gotten smashed sneaking drinks when he first woke up here.
They’d surely panic and try to stop him.
‘Better not stir up a fuss—just sneak out, drink, and come back.’
Namgung Hyeok opened the door and stepped outside.
His feet naturally carried him toward the outskirts of the Namgung Clan compound.
He swallowed a fresh burst of awe at the staggering scale of the place, which rivaled a decent village, then pressed against the outer wall.
He wasn’t dumb enough to use the main gate or side door.
Namgung Hyeok looked up at the wall.
‘Back again.’
What other path was there to slip out without using the gates?
Namgung Hyeok stared at the wall for a moment, then reached out an arm.
Cling!
He scrambled up the towering wall at a mad pace.
A world apart from a month ago.
Papapapap!
Like a spider scaling a wall, he reached the top in an instant.
Thud! Softly.
Leaping vigorously from the wall, Namgung Hyeok landed lightly on the ground like a graceful heron.
“Krrgh!”
This was textbook wall-vaulting—what master thieves should study.
Grinning ear to ear, Namgung Hyeok sauntered toward the market district.
First time on this path, yet he moved along the main road like it was his own bedroom.
Following the bustle of crowds, he soon reached the main avenue.
The avenue overflowed with people.
Shops and street stalls lined both sides, thronged by countless passersby.
A fitting sight for Hefei, the heart of Anhui Province.
Namgung Hyeok scanned the packed storefronts as he walked.
“Where’s a good place for liquor?”
He grabbed a random passerby.
“Hey!”
A one-eyed brute passing by halted and eyed Namgung Hyeok up and down.
“Who’re you?”
Namgung Hyeok cleared his throat. He flashed a grin.
“What’s Hefei’s most famous tavern?”
The one-eyed man studied him, then broke into an affable smile.
“First time in town?”
First time or not.
Namgung Hyeok nodded, and the passerby crooked a finger.
“Follow me.”
“Oh.”
Friendly guy?
His dialect, expression, and gestures were objectively far from friendly.
But who was Namgung Hyeok?
The unrivaled conqueror who’d once dominated the jianghu, victorious in war against the Demonic Path and dubbed the Fierce God of Slaughter.
To him, the one-eyed man’s rough demeanor was nothing but endearing.
‘No blades on him anyway.’
Too bad about the missing eye.
‘Right—I’m from the Namgung Clan.’
That alone was reason enough for this over-the-top courtesy.
Perks of the Namgung Clan.
Even in sloppy clothes, someone guides you.
Namgung Hyeok dusted his sleeves and followed the one-eyed man.
‘What to drink? What’s famous in Hefei? Might as well go for something strong and fiery.’
No telling when he’d pass out, so potent stuff was the way.
One issue, though.
‘Doubt ordinary appetizers will cut it.’
After daily feasts at the clan, his tongue had grown ridiculously picky.
But he couldn’t skip appetizers.
Pondering options in his head, he sensed something off.
Namgung Hyeok tilted his head.
“The bustling streets are that way, no?”
“Not there—this way. Come on.”
“That’s an alley.”
The one-eyed man beckoned from the alley mouth.
“The best spots are always tucked in alleys. First timer, right?”
“True... yeah, gems are hidden.”
“Then hurry up.”
The one-eyed man impatiently crooked his finger over and over.
Namgung Hyeok followed without a second thought.
“Liquor, liquor—gulp gulp! Liquor liquor liquor!”
Humming a tune, he swallowed saliva greedily.
His throat already tingled at the thought of liquor after so long.
Bamboo Leaf Green, Golden Flower Brew, Daughter’s Red...
“Gotta start with Fiery Wine!”
Kick off strong, then ease into smoother ones.
That was the proper path for a drinking session—gradually to finer, more flavorful brews.
Gulp.
Swallowing again, Namgung Hyeok asked,
“How much farther?”
“We’re here.”
“Deeply hidden, huh. So what’s the famous brew here?”
“Famous alright. Famous for taking everything you’ve got and sending you packing.”
“Huh?”
Rounding the alley corner, the one-eyed man jerked his chin.
Namgung Hyeok blinked.
His gaze shifted to where the man indicated.
Deep in the alley, about twenty thugs had taken up positions.
One lounging cockily, another perched on a crate, others giggling and shadow-punching the air—quite the variety.
‘No way, right?’
Nah.
Couldn’t be.
It better not.
‘Anyway, I’m the Namgung Clan’s second young master.’
He’d never pictured a scene like this, so it took a while to process.
As he sized up the situation, a swarthy bald man heating a dagger over a fire beckoned.
“Kid, quit gawking. Hand over everything you’ve got.”
Namgung Hyeok eyed the gathered thugs one by one.
“Damn, for real?”
“Damn?”
“Unbelievable.”
“Unbelievable? Young master here doesn’t get it?”
The bald man snickered, then suddenly turned stern.
“That’s how it works, kid. Don’t wanna get stabbed? Empty your pockets.”
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
Wow, street punks trying to rob me?
Something utterly unthinkable before.
“Boss. Heh, this kid’s got some meat on him, huh?”
“Yeah, that fabric’s no joke. Good catch.”
The one-eyed man grinned sleazily and rubbed his hands at the bald man.
‘Fuck.’
No, no need for a fight.
Namgung Hyeok reminded himself who he was.
Then he raised his voice.
“You don’t know who I am?”
The one-eyed man snickered right in his face.
“Nope. So what?”
Namgung Hyeok furrowed his brow, dusted his sleeves briskly, and lifted his head.
“Still don’t?”
“Kid’s lost it? Gone mad? Want a knife in the skull? Who the hell are you!”
“Sigh. World’s gone soft. Street trash pulling a blade on me.”
“What’re you on about, kid? Got a death wish?”
The one-eyed man menaced as if about to stab him then and there, but of course, it didn’t faze Namgung Hyeok one bit.
Namgung Hyeok tsked his tongue.
“You’re in Hefei and can’t recognize Namgung Clan folk? Gonna live long like that?”
Flinch!
The one-eyed man, blade to his throat, jolted in shock.
Not just him—the bald man and his crew behind tensed up too.
The Namgung Clan’s prestige blanketed all of Anhui Province.
Alley trash like them could go down for accidentally stepping in the clan’s shadow.
Clang.
The one-eyed man dropped his dagger and staggered back.
Sweat beaded on the bald man’s scalp.
Their eyes darted wildly at each other.
‘Idiot! Brought a Namgung guy?!’
‘B-Boss, my bad! He said it was his first time in Hefei!’
‘Excuses! No sense? That one eye the problem?!’
The bald man glared at the one-eyed man like he’d kill him, then gulped dryly.
“...Uh, might you be someone from the Namgung Clan?”
His tone instantly polite, Namgung Hyeok snorted a laugh.
“The Namgung Clan’s second son.”
“Yes? Pardon, who?”
“Second son.”
The bald man and one-eyed man’s jaws dropped, their dumb faces growing dumber.
Even the minions behind started murmuring and stealing glances at Namgung Hyeok.
‘See? A name’s worth everything.’
How great—handled with words.
Namgung Hyeok smoothed his sleeves crisply.
“It’s a historic day—I’m just out for a drink—so I’ll let it slide.”
“......”
“I’m off. Live right, you punks.”
Namgung Hyeok tsked his tongue and turned away.
“Hold it.”
“Hm?”
“You take me for a chump? Impersonating the Namgung Clan?”
What? Impersonating?
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes widened, and the bald man chuckled.
“Ha, almost had me. You spooked us with the name.”
“What?”
What was this reaction?
Hadn’t they been gaping in shock at his identity?
Namgung Hyeok stared puzzled, and the bald man chuckled before suddenly bellowing.
“You moron! If you’re gonna con, do it right!”
“What? Con?”
“Everyone in Anhui knows the Namgung second young master’s on his last legs, punk! Ain’t nobody seen his face!”
“What bullshit? I’m right here, perfectly fine...”
Ah...
‘He’s right.’
Before awakening, Namgung Hyeok had just been a patient.
A severe one at that.
No wonder they didn’t recognize him.
He’d spent all day bedridden—thugs like these had no reason to know his face.
He’d rarely even left the clan.
“Sigh.”
Talking his way out just got harder.
Grab!
The bald man seized Namgung Hyeok’s collar and glared fiercely.
“Daring to pull tricks? Was gonna rob you and send you off, but nah. You need a beating. Skinny as bamboo—fuck!”
Namgung Hyeok calmly eyed the bald man’s hand gripping his collar.
“Let go and talk.”
“Pfft! Having second thoughts now?”
“Second thoughts?”
Me?
Namgung Hyeok mulled it over, then burst into laughter.
“Ha, hahahahaha! Haha!”
Namgung Hyeok balled his fist.
“You’ve gone insane, you...”
The bald man scowled, gearing up for a tirade, when Namgung Hyeok’s fist smashed into his jaw.
Boom-!
With an ear-splitting crash, the bald man’s jaw wrenched with a crunch.
His neck followed, then his body spun, launching him into the air.
Whirrr!
Spinning a full zhang through the air, he traced an arc and crashed to the ground.
Thud!
His jaw hung dislocated, his body twisted like a wrung towel, foaming at the mouth with eyes rolled back.
“......!”
“......!”
The one-eyed man and minions’ eyes looked ready to pop.
They gawked mutely, flicking between the airborne bald man and Namgung Hyeok.
Thick veins bulged on Namgung Hyeok’s forehead.
Crack! Crack!
His right wrist dangled limply already, but he ignored it and beckoned the thugs.
“You punks, come on over.”