Chapter 141
Chapter 141
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Suspicious Hospitality
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Geum Cheomsang chewed on the dishes laid out in the annex, rolling his eyes this way and that.
‘……Why the sudden VIP treatment?’
The anxiety washing over him was enough to make him forget the cold shoulder he’d received since arriving at the Hebei Peng Clan. The table groaned under an array of food and drink fit for royalty.
Even Geum Cheomsang, who had grown numb to fine cuisine while attending Namgung Hyeok, widened his eyes at the sheer extravagance and quality on display.
A quick glance told him these dishes cost at least twice as much as what Namgung Hyeok usually ate.
‘How much does all this even cost!’
He’d stopped counting once the silver taels topped a hundred.
‘The Peng Clan really is loaded.’
Just what was on the table now could cover Namgung Hyeok’s food expenses for a whole month.
And still, maids bustled in from outside, carrying more dishes.
It felt like they were hauling the entire spread from the Mixed Origin Hall over to the annex.
As the table filled up, Geum Cheomsang’s pupils trembled.
Absurdity was the word for it.
Recalling how the Peng Family Head had flown into a rage over the sparring match in the Mixed Origin Hall made this kind of treatment seem impossible.
There had to be something he didn’t know about to flip the script like this.
At the end, the Second Young Master had shown something to the Family Head.
‘But what the hell was it?’
The mood had hit rock bottom after turning the Blood Fiend Squad Leader into a bloody mess. Was there really something that could turn that around?
Did he get dirt on the Peng Clan’s weaknesses?
But how would the Second Young Master even find that?
‘He’s been looking for it all this time…… Nah, no way.’
The Second Young Master, who couldn’t care less about banquets, wouldn’t suddenly go hunting for leverage like that.
He ignored even clan matters that didn’t interest him.
‘Why hasn’t he come back yet?’
The conversation was dragging on, and unease began to creep in.
Rare delicacies and liquor overflowed, yet Geum Cheomsang alone rolled his eyes in anxiety.
“……Aren’t you curious what’s happening right now?”
Namgung Hyeok had been summoned to the Family Head’s quarters, yet here they were, calmly eating……
No, not even chewing—just shoving it down their gullets?
Geum Cheomsang stared at the Thunder Dragon Squad in disbelief.
They ravaged the table like they’d starved for days, clearing plates faster than the food arrived.
Geon Cheon-hwi grabbed a whole duck dish and crammed it into his mouth, crunching away.
Geum Cheomsang gaped at him.
“……How many days has it been since you last ate?”
“Gotta eat as much as I can now.”
“……Please. Take it slow. There’s plenty.”
“Slow? Once the Second Young Master gets here, it’s all over.”
“Pardon?”
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
“What are you talking about? And isn’t your escort squad supposed to be on duty? You sent the young masters off and now you’re just lounging here stuffing your faces……”
“Better to stuff yourself before the beating. Once it starts, you won’t even get a bite!”
“……Pardon?”
“They’ll come for us first, so eat up while you can.”
It was Geon Cheon-hwi’s optimal decision, based on bitter experience rolling under Namgung Hyeok.
Geon Cheon-hwi shoved food into his mouth with venomous eyes.
“Damn it. We won, and we still gotta roll? Shit.”
“Khahaha! Exactly! You should’ve wrapped it up in ten moves if not three!”
“You bastard! You think the Fierce Tiger Squad’s the same as the Blood Fiends?!”
“What’s the difference? Khahaha!”
Geon Cheon-hwi suppressed the urge to rip Tak Hyeok-dong’s laughing mouth from ear to ear as the man guffawed and stuffed his face.
“The Blood Fiends are elite warriors, elite!”
“Ten moves is what matters! Thirty was way too much.”
“Too much? Come here, you fuck. I’ll cut your tongue out!”
“Hey, don’t talk about mangling my body like that! I’ve got a soft spot in the dirt picked out for you—it’ll be nice and cozy! Khahaha!”
Geon Cheon-hwi and Tak Hyeok-dong bickered endlessly while shoveling food nonstop.
Anyone overhearing would be shocked.
Subduing the Blood Fiends in thirty moves and crushing the Fierce Tiger Squad’s Seventh Captain in ten—that was staggering.
And bragging about it in the Hebei Peng Clan’s annex? Utterly outrageous.
Jang Woong shook his head and looked away.
Geum Cheomsang sighed at the Thunder Dragon Squad devouring their food like warriors in battle.
Ah…… So that’s what it was.
Their last supper before getting rolled by the Second Young Master.
‘And to think the Thunder Dragon Squad beat the Hebei Peng Clan’s warriors.’
They’d clashed with Namgung clan warriors including the Sky Bow Squad during the Harmony Pavilion uprising, but this felt different.
A clear mismatch on paper, and they’d toppled Peng Clan elites no less.
The Thunder Dragon Squad’s prowess hit anew.
Of course, it was fleeting.
“You’re getting buried too, punk. What’re you grinning at?”
“Why me?”
“Who said it’s just me?”
“Khaha, khahaha…… For real? Me too?”
As Geon Cheon-hwi’s lips curled, Tak Hyeok-dong muttered in a daze.
“Th-this fucking…… Why do I have to get buried?”
“When have you ever seen the Second Young Master roll just one guy?”
Flinch!
The whole Thunder Dragon Squad sucked in a breath.
They exchanged glances, then silently—but faster than before—reached for the fruit.
Geum Cheomsang couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
Ignoring him, the Thunder Dragon Squad doubled their intake speed.
How much time passed?
The tightly shut annex door suddenly burst open with a bang.
Fling! Boom!
In an instant, the Thunder Dragon Squad froze, mouths stuffed with food.
“……!”
“……!”
Silence blanketed the annex.
Geon Cheon-hwi’s pupils went wild, beyond control.
Through the flung-open door strode Namgung Hyeok, his face strangely unfamiliar.
Geon Cheon-hwi’s gaze slowly shifted to Namgung Hyeok’s face.
“Ah?”
Beam!
Like the sun smiling wide.
Blindingly bright, vibrant, full of life.
Humming a tune, Namgung Hyeok bounced into the annex.
His steps light as if he might take flight.
But Geon Cheon-hwi’s face darkened in a flash.
‘Ah, we’re screwed.’
It felt like the gates of hell had swung open.
The Second Young Master beaming like that!
Every time that smile appeared, something insane happened!
And this grin dwarfed any before—ear to ear.
How bad was the rolling coming that he smiled like this?
What the hell did that Peng Family Head do to him?
‘And why’s the Eldest Young Master looking even more spaced out?’
Namgung Ryong’s unusually vacant face amplified the dread.
The Thunder Dragon Squad rolled their eyes frantically, food still in mouths.
Geon Cheon-hwi snapped to and shot up from his seat.
“You’re back, Young Master!”
Namgung Hyeok waved, flashing his teeth.
“Haha, no need to stand. Sit, sit.”
“……Pardon?”
“Sit and eat slow. Reeeal slow. Hahaha.”
His consideration felt almost paternal, leaving Geon Cheon-hwi and the others bewildered.
“……Y-Young Master?”
“Yeah?”
“……Are you alright?”
“Never better. Totally!”
“No, I mean……”
“Hahaha! Eat and drink up today. Let’s relax fully, fully! We gotta eat hearty for what’s ahead, right?”
Plop.
Geon Cheon-hwi dropped the duck he held.
Why was this guy acting like this?
How rough was the rolling that he told them to relax?
‘No, wait—is he gonna bury us deep?’
Namgung Hyeok’s Buddha-like smile felt alien, stirring an eerie dread.
Like indigestion looming.
Geum Cheomsang rushed to Namgung Hyeok’s side.
“Y-Young Master. Everything alright?”
“Ho ho ho ho, my dear Cheomsang. You’ve been through a lot.”
“……Did you hit your head? ‘My dear Cheomsang’?”
Geum Cheomsang recoiled in horror.
Namgung Hyeok calling him fondly by name?
Normally he’d curse or smack him upside the head.
“Heh heh heh, eat plenty.”
“……Young Master. You sure you’re okay?”
“Fit as a fiddle. Great shape.”
“No, you look off.”
He hadn’t washed since escaping the tunnel, his grimy face already rough—now this weird state worried him more.
“Maybe I’ve got a little fever.”
Geum Cheomsang placed a hand on Namgung Hyeok’s forehead.
“No? You’re burning up! Huh? Burning? Wait—why are your hands so warm? Huh? Young Master! Your face is flushed!”
Heavens!
Geum Cheomsang leaped back in shock.
Namgung Hyeok’s cheeks rosy, warmth in his limbs!
“Y-you’re feverish as hell!”
Geum Cheomsang gawked.
Namgung Hyeok chuckled and lightly pushed away the hand on his ear.
“Haha, get off.”
Whoosh! Thud!
“Eek!”
Geum Cheomsang sprawled across the table, eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
Just a nudge, and he’d flown?
‘……What the hell have you been up to? Dig up ginseng? No, you ate ginseng salad daily.’
Could a person change this much overnight?
The guy who’d worn a brazier in winter was fine in thin clothes?
Come to think of it, he seemed taller too……
‘No snake here. Molting doesn’t make you grow.’
Ridiculous!
What happened while rolling in the dirt?
Geum Cheomsang rubbed his stinging wrist.
Meanwhile, the petrified Thunder Dragon Squad only rolled their eyes at Namgung Hyeok.
Food clutched in hands, mouths gaping vacantly.
Namgung Hyeok waved benevolently.
“Eat, eat. What’re you staring at? Relax. Need anything else?”
“……No, sir!”
“H-, haha!”
The Thunder Dragon Squad buried their heads and resumed stuffing.
Geon Cheon-hwi tense, even Jang Woong on edge.
But one man ignored the mood: Tak Hyeok-dong.
“Khahaha! Young Master, mind if we switch liquors?”
“Oh. Sure, switch away.”
“And the banquet’s over—can we call in some musicians? This lacks punch.”
“Go ahead.”
“Khahaha! As expected, Young Master! Then, back home, any chance of leave? Sparring left my shoulders sore!”
Tak Hyeok-dong eyed him slyly.
Namgung Hyeok smiled kindly.
“Sure, rest if it hurts. Heh heh heh.”
“Oh! Right? Khahaha! The one and only Second Young Master. Haven’t we been digging too much lately? Extra pay maybe? For the wins and the tunneling. Khahaha!”
“Hahaha!”
“Khahaha!”
“Hahaha!”
“Khahahaha!”
“You little shit, playing me like that!”
“Y-Young Master!”
Namgung Hyeok leaped up and seized Tak Hyeok-dong’s head.
“Gaaack! Y-Young Master! Wh-what’s this all of a sudden!”
“Want to rest that bad? Come here! I’ll make it eternal!”
“Hiiik! N-no! You said ask for what we need! Th-this is petty! I won spars! Dug tunnels! Y-Young Master? Heh, hehhehk! Gack!”
The Thunder Dragon Squad averted their eyes as Namgung Hyeok shook Tak Hyeok-dong by the throat.
Geon Cheon-hwi sighed deeply.
“Idiot.”
Knew it.
They’d long known Tak Hyeok-dong’s sense was subhuman.
Even Geum Cheomsang shook his head, looking away.
“Huh?”
Through the open door appeared Peng Yeonhwa.
“Y-Young Master?”
Namgung Hyeok strode forward, brows furrowed, muscles tensed, bellowing.
“Don’t stop me. I’m killing this bastard!”
“N-no!”
“Don’t stop me!”
“L-Lady Peng is here!”
“Who’s that!”
“Lady Peng Yeonhwa! Daughter of the Family Head!”
“Peng Family Head? Oh!”
Namgung Hyeok released Tak Hyeok-dong’s purple throat, caught his breath, and turned to the door.
A kindly smile bloomed on his flushed face.
“What brings you here?”
Geum Cheomsang and the Thunder Dragon Squad gaped at him slack-jawed.
Peng Yeonhwa stared blankly too.
Undeterred, Namgung Hyeok’s lips curved higher.
Silence fell over the annex, filled only by Tak Hyeok-dong’s wheezing gasps.