Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Cangtian Palace
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Peng Lianhua gazed at the Cangtian Palace, nestled in the heart of the Nangong Clan.
It was a three-story pavilion topped with azure tiles, exuding a beautiful and antique elegance.
Even in winter, vibrant flowers bloomed brilliantly around it like stars in the sky, and the pond on one side was as clear and lovely as the Milky Way.
Just as its name suggested, the Cangtian Palace truly seemed like a dwelling built in the heavens.
"This is the Cangtian Palace, the pride of our clan. What do you think?"
Peng Lianhua pulled the corners of her mouth up taut as she looked at Nangong Jangcheon, who smiled contentedly while pointing at it.
"It feels like I've stepped into paradise, Family Head. The Nangong Clan truly has an antique charm and vibrancy that's different from our Hebei Peng Clan up north."
"Hahaha! I'm grateful for such high praise! It's a place meant for entertaining esteemed guests, so we've decorated it with utmost care."
Nangong Jangcheon burst into satisfied laughter as he gazed at Peng Lianhua.
He didn't care much for Peng Cheonwi, but his daughter was every bit the refined young lady of a prestigious family—composed and choosing only the most pleasing words.
'Is this why they say daughters are the best? Hmm!'
For Nangong Jangcheon, who only had sons, it was an enviable sentiment.
"Come, come! Let's head inside and take a look. There's plenty more to show you within."
"Haha! Th-that would be an honor!"
In truth, Peng Lianhua felt like she was dying, honors be damned.
She had spent the entire day—three shifts of it—stuck with Nangong Jangcheon, touring every corner of the Nangong Clan.
Thanks to that, she had gotten a full view of the Nangong Clan, which was at least twice the size of the Hebei Peng Clan in its former glory, from the outer courtyards to the inner ones.
She felt her energy draining away from this tour that showed no signs of ending.
'It was nice at first, but this is a bit much...'
Once hailed as the world's greatest clan, the Sword Sovereign Clan, basking in the admiration of all martial artists.
She had thought it a blessing to tour such a great family that had once influenced not just the martial world but even the imperial court.
Indeed, Peng Lianhua was quite surprised by the Nangong Clan's interior.
She had prided herself on the Hebei Peng Clan's vastness and splendor, but it paled in comparison, and the pavilions harmonized perfectly with the surrounding scenery in sheer beauty.
Moreover, the brand-new buildings without a single flaw felt like proof that the Nangong Clan was still going strong.
That had been her mistake.
"The Nangong Clan's pavilions have such character compared to those in Hebei Province—refined and intricate! And so beautiful too."
"Hoho, the Hebei Peng Clan is no slouch either."
"In terms of meticulousness, craftsmanship, and aesthetics, the Nangong Clan seems unparalleled in the world!"
"Ahem! Is that so? Shall we take a look around, then?"
"I'd be so grateful if you did!"
"Hmm!"
...And so Peng Lianhua ended up being dragged by Nangong Jangcheon to poke around every pavilion in the Nangong Clan.
"This is our clan's largest grand training ground!"
"I've only seen a scale like this in the Orthodox Heaven Alliance!"
"Ahem! This is our clan's warehouse, that side displays weapons crafted by our artisans, and over there is an artificial lake we're planning to expand."
"Yes, truly...."
How long does he plan to keep showing me around?
She was simply bewildered by the Nangong Clan's wealth and current state, which were the complete opposite of the rumors.
A single offhand compliment had led to her being tormented by Nangong Jangcheon all day, culminating in this visit to the Cangtian Palace.
"If we cross the Moonlit Winter Gate over there, we'll reach the Ancestral Hall. Shall we go?"
"Um, Family Head...."
"Then after that, we can dine at the Azure Cloud Pavilion and check out the training ground too?"
"Family Head?"
"Or is there somewhere else you'd like to see?"
"F-Family Head...?"
Peng Lianhua called out again, but Nangong Jangcheon wasn't listening.
'What do I do about this...'
She gaped at Nangong Jangcheon, who had already strode ahead and was inspecting every nook and cranny of the Cangtian Palace.
At that moment, Nangong Jangcheon turned back with his hands behind his back.
"But when do you plan to head back? Isn't the Orthodox Heaven Alliance's sparring tournament coming up soon?"
Peng Lianhua brightened and replied.
"I already got word from my father before arriving in Anhui Province."
"...You already heard?"
"Yes! I even sent a letter saying we'd depart straight from Anhui Province, so no need to worry."
Nangong Jangcheon's fist, hidden in his sleeve, trembled.
It irked him that the Orthodox Heaven Alliance had contacted the Hebei Peng Clan far sooner than the Nangong Clan.
"Ahem! So they've already sent word. Well then, make yourself at home until you leave."
"Thank you, Family Head!"
"While you're resting, we can tour more of the clan together, and maybe even visit the outer branch at Mount Huang."
"...Family Head?"
"Hahaha, no need to feel burdened. Didn't the Peng Clan show you the same hospitality?"
Not at all, Family Head.
Even Peng Lianhua, with her ironclad stamina, felt dizzy.
'H-How do I escape this?'
She hadn't meant to tour every last inch in such detail.
She had only followed out of curiosity about the Nangong Clan and respect for Nangong Jangcheon... but now it felt like she'd fallen into a trap.
As Peng Lianhua stood there, hiding her distress and unsure what to do,
Whoosh!
A gust of wind swept into the Cangtian Palace.
The sudden strong breeze shook the flower petals decorating it, causing leaves to flutter and drop.
"Father!"
With a booming voice, Nangong Hyuk appeared in the Cangtian Palace.
Nangong Jangcheon widened his eyes.
"Hyuk?"
Nangong Jangcheon looked puzzled at Nangong Hyuk, then flinched.
His bloodshot eyes were glaring this way with a fierce red glint.
'Why is that kid here?'
Nangong Hyuk glanced at Peng Lianhua before rushing to cling to Nangong Jangcheon.
"Hold on a moment."
"Huh? No, we have a guest right now..."
"It's urgent! Super urgent!"
"Hyuk, we have a guest—mind your manners!"
Manners be damned—what manners!
Nangong Hyuk scowled and glared at Peng Lianhua.
"Y-Yes! Sure! It's fine, right?"
The momentarily flustered Peng Lianhua inwardly cheered.
"Of course! Don't mind me! You have important business, so that comes first!"
Go already, hurry up!
In her mind, she was already shoving Nangong Jangcheon a thousand li away as she smiled sweetly.
Nangong Jangcheon gave Peng Lianhua a reluctant look, but Nangong Hyuk showed no mercy.
Drag, drag!
Nangong Jangcheon was helplessly dragged away by Nangong Hyuk's arm.
Nangong Jangcheon looked bewildered.
"Ah, no. Hyuk! Let go of me... Ugh, we have a guest right now... Hey! Hey?"
And just like that, Nangong Jangcheon was quietly led away from the Cangtian Palace by Nangong Hyuk.
Peng Lianhua stared blankly at the scene before letting out a sigh of relief.
"...Phew, saved."
* * *
As soon as they arrived at the Family Head's office, Nangong Jangcheon checked the list handed over by Nangong Hyuk and trembled with rage, his beard quivering.
He narrowed his eyes repeatedly before turning to Nangong Hyuk.
After steadying his breath, Nangong Jangcheon asked calmly.
"...Ten-Thousand-Year Flower Carp?"
"Yes. That one."
"Cyan Jade Oil?"
"Yes, that too."
"...You want me to procure these?"
"Yes!"
Nangong Hyuk nodded confidently, prompting Nangong Jangcheon to suck in a deep breath and exhale it long and slow.
"Hyuk."
"Yes!"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"...."
"Did you dream this up while sleeping? How am I supposed to get these!"
Nangong Jangcheon bellowed, but Nangong Hyuk stood firm.
"If the Nangong Clan can't even get this stuff, what's the point!"
Nangong Hyuk spoke without a hint of hesitation.
Now was the time to show off the Nangong Clan's power!
Even a rotting fish had its glory days—surely with all their intelligence networks, they could snag something like a thousand-year-old crucian carp if not a ten-thousand-year flower carp....
Nangong Jangcheon's eyes blinked at his son's brazen attitude before he put force into his voice.
"Is Ten-Thousand-Year Flower Carp some dog's name from next door? Your great-grandfather only mentioned it in old tales. Kids these days don't even believe in such legends—are you a child?"
Damn....
What do I even say to that.
"Then at least get me the Cyan Jade Oil. That one turns up now and then."
"You think I've got it on hand? You can't just buy it because you want it! Even if we could, the clan couldn't afford it!"
"If you can't even get Cyan Jade Oil, how are you one of the Five Great Clans?"
"You punk! No one binds the Five Great Clans with that stuff!"
Nangong Jangcheon roared, and Nangong Hyuk sulked.
"And you punk! This is elixir addiction, addiction! Don't you know excess leads to deficiency?!"
"Many hands make light work."
"Many hands? Many hands?! Did a scholar hit you on the head?"
"I've smashed others' heads, but mine's never been smashed."
This crazy... Ah, he's my son.
The one I love so much it wouldn't hurt if I put him in my eye... though now it kinda does.
Nangong Jangcheon sighed deeply.
'Where did it all go wrong?'
It had started with using spirit elixirs out of necessity to treat the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, but now his son was losing his mind over them!
Nangong Hyuk said.
"I absolutely need the Ten-Thousand-Year Flower Carp and Cyan Jade Oil. Absolutely."
...This kid keeps demanding the impossible?
A vein bulged on Nangong Jangcheon's forehead.
"You punk! Even Shaolin couldn't get them—not even Shaolin! Do you think Ten-Thousand-Year Flower Carp is some crucian fry swimming in a pond!"
"If it were Shaolin, it'd already be filleted and in a soup by now! Those crazy bald donkeys from Shaolin!"
"Then go get them yourself!"
Nangong Jangcheon irritably shoved the desk.
Boom! Crash!
The rosewood desk flew up and smashed into the far wall.
Nangong Hyuk and Nangong Jangcheon both flinched.
"...Huh?"
"Were you trying to kill me just now?"
"I couldn't control my strength. Ahem! It's because I just took the spirit elixir...."
Nangong Hyuk inwardly marveled at Nangong Jangcheon, who cleared his throat.
'Whoa... Look at that Golden Immortal Pill effect.'
Nangong Jangcheon, who had swallowed the Golden Immortal Pill, was no longer his old self.
As Nangong Hyuk fell silent, Nangong Jangcheon sighed.
"The Ten-Thousand-Year Flower Carp might turn up if you dredge rivers or lava from Mount Hua, but not Cyan Jade Oil."
"Huh?"
"You could dig up the entire Central Plains and overturn every cave, and you still wouldn't find a drop! It's completely dried up. In my hundred years, I've never heard of anyone even smelling Cyan Jade Oil."
...No way.
Or maybe.
Given the era, after the war with the Demonic Cult, everything might've been ransacked.
'It used to pop up occasionally back in the day.'
What do I substitute if there's no Cyan Jade Oil?
As Nangong Hyuk sighed in despair,
"Hyuk."
"...Yes."
"Enough nonsense. How about joining the sparring tournament hosted by the Orthodox Heaven Alliance?"
"They're holding a sparring tournament?"
"Yes. They usually hold one every three years...."
"Father."
"Hm?"
"Do I look like I'm in the mood to play with kids?"
"...."
"With those snot-nosed brats whose blood hasn't even dried yet."
Nangong Jangcheon stared at Nangong Hyuk with a blank expression.
You're the brat, you punk....
You are.
"Forget it. Why would I bother with their tournament?"
Hosted by the Orthodox Heaven Alliance, no less—it'd just turn my stomach.
Nangong Hyuk clicked his tongue in disdain, and Nangong Jangcheon clutched his face, sighing heavily.
It was then.
Bang!
The office door flew open as Jin Guangmo entered.
"Family Head! A letter from the Orthodox Heaven Alliance!"
Nangong Jangcheon turned with a puzzled look.
"A letter? What letter?"
"About the sparring tournament."
"Didn't that already arrive?"
"The contents have changed."
"Changed? How?"
"The grand prize has been updated. The grand prize is none other than...."
Jin Guangmo paused dramatically before emphasizing.
"A bottle of Cyan Jade Oil!"
Jin Guangmo's voice echoed softly in the room.
At those words, Nangong Jangcheon's face twitched faintly.
"Cyan... Jade Oil?"
"Yes."
"...The Cyan Jade Oil you can't find even if you overturn the entire Central Plains and dig up every cave?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
No.
If they suddenly offer that as a prize, where does that leave me?
Nangong Jangcheon subtly glanced at Nangong Hyuk.
Nangong Hyuk was staring at him with sullen eyes.
"Ahem. As expected of the Orthodox Heaven Alliance."
"...."
"Ahem! Even Shaolin can't get it, but the Orthodox Heaven Alliance can!"
Nangong Hyuk, who had been eyeing him narrowly, spun around and snatched the letter from Jin Guangmo to read it.
His eyes rolled halfway back, and his lips twitched.
Nangong Hyuk snapped his head up and stared at the dumbfounded Nangong Jangcheon.
"I'll enter the sparring tournament!"
"You just said it was for kids...."
"What do you mean kids!"
No, you crazy bastard....
Nangong Jangcheon gawked at him blankly.
His eyes were half-rolled back, foam practically forming at his mouth any second.
"A sparring tournament is where a clan's honor and a warrior's pride are at stake...."
"Who cares about that when Cyan Jade Oil is on the line!"
"Letting material things sway the heart is...."
"Ah, then just get me a bottle!"
Nangong Jangcheon gazed off at distant mountains.
Nangong Hyuk growled.
"I'm entering, no question! Anyone who touches my Cyan Jade Oil is dead meat."
He was like a mad dog.
Nangong Jangcheon was at a loss for words.
...His precious son was going mad over spirit elixirs.