Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Righteous Heaven Alliance Hero Pavilion
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Righteous Heaven Alliance Hero Pavilion.
It was the martial academy of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, where they trained the world's prodigies into masters. Here, juniors sixteen or younger gathered to learn the Alliance's martial arts, theories, history, and even its very spirit.
The Hero Pavilion was the world's greatest martial academy, nurturing the future leaders who would guide the martial world.
Someone burst into the Tiger Hero Class of the Hero Pavilion.
"Big brother! Big brother!"
A round-faced, youthful boy called out to the boy sitting at the head of the room, puffing on a pipe.
"Ah, shit, you scared me!"
Nangong Chang hurriedly spat out the pipe and scowled, pausing midway.
Lee Se-gon of the Lee family looked at him puzzled.
"Big brother, didn't you sense me coming? You said you could hear an ant crawling within five paces."
"...I did. But I had the pipe in my mouth."
"Oh, right."
"How's it feel with the pipe in your mouth?"
"Amazing."
"Yeah. Get lost in it, and you won't see or hear a thing. Even you don't notice when people chatter around you if you're focused, right?"
"Yes, yes. I get it."
Lee Se-gon bobbed his chubby cheeks vigorously as he spoke.
Nangong Chang cleared his throat and asked.
"But why the fuss?"
Lee Se-gon stared at the rising smoke, then snapped to attention.
"Big brother, the Nangong family arrived at the Righteous Heaven Alliance today."
"What? Our clan?"
"Yes!"
"Out of nowhere? No word to me?"
Nangong Chang took a long drag on the pipe, then furrowed his brow.
"Who came? The elders?"
"The eldest young master and second young master arrived."
"Who?"
"Your eldest brother and little brother are here."
"...My big brother and little brother came?"
Nangong Chang's head tilted sharply to the left.
"Little... brother?"
That Nangong Hyeok who was always sickly and feeble?
"Huh?!"
Nangong Chang jumped in shock, dropping the pipe from his mouth.
"How the hell did that corpse make it all the way here?!"
Nangong Chang bellowed, causing Lee Se-gon, who was picking up the pipe, to flinch and drop it again.
"Big brother?"
Nangong Chang rubbed his still-baby-fat cheeks as if stroking a beard, scowling.
'Has he gotten better? No, can that even get better?'
It had been two years since he left the Nangong family, and he was now fourteen.
Even so, he'd diligently studied at the Hero Pavilion for a year or so, so he knew what illness plagued Nangong Hyeok.
Nine Yin Severed Meridians!
A fatal disease called heavenly punishment, where yin energy clogged nine meridians, killing its victim before thirty.
On top of that, Nangong Hyeok's body was as fragile as porcelain, constantly shattering, and he was nearing thirty now.
Eighteen? Nineteen?
How could that guy, who lived like a ghost in the clan, make it here?
The last time he'd seen him was two years ago, right?
Coughing and fainting—that was his final memory of the guy.
"No way. How could that bastard come here? He can't even make it here..."
"Huh?"
"That cripple's pelvis would shatter even in a carriage!"
"Come on, big brother, that's an exaggeration. Even porcelain doesn't break that easily."
"You little shit, I could talk till my mouth falls off, and you still wouldn't believe it? It's true, I swear."
Nangong Chang tapped the pipe he'd picked up again in frustration.
"That damn bastard's heart... This doesn't make sense."
Nangong Chang scowled, then eyed Lee Se-gon.
"You sure you got this right?"
Lee Se-gon nodded vigorously.
"Yes, dead certain. Heard it straight from the outer hall. They entered the Alliance today with the Hebei Peng Clan."
What nonsense is this now?
Hebei Peng Clan?
They came with them?
'Well, they might've met on the road.'
Nangong Chang narrowed his eyes.
"Fuck. So they really came."
"Yes, they're staying at an empty hall in the outer quarters right now..."
"Lee..."
"Yes!"
"Not you!"
Nangong Chang glanced at the responding Lee Se-gon and took a drag on the pipe.
Suuuuck!
Puffing gravely, he muttered.
"...They didn't come because of me, did they?"
They'd barely exchanged news in two years, so it couldn't be a sudden urge to see him.
"For the tournament?"
"Yes, exactly. They came for the martial tournament."
"...Participants?"
"Probably both, right? Clans can send up to three per sect."
At that, Nangong Chang blinked blankly for a moment before asking again.
"The second brother too?"
"Yes. That's why they're here."
"...Pffahahaha! Crazy, does that even make sense?"
"Huh?"
"What'd you hear earlier? That guy's a cripple, a fucking cripple! How's a guy who's never even properly held a wooden sword gonna join the tournament?"
Nangong Chang laughed so hard his stomach hurt, and Lee Se-gon gave him a weird look.
"But even if he's sick, he must know basic breathing exercises..."
"That cripple Nangong Hyeok can't even master basic inner arts properly. I beat him senseless at seven and snapped his arm!"
"Whaaat?"
Lee Se-gon's eyes went wide.
It was rare for kids from martial clans.
Overcoming age differences in growth spurts took exceptional talent.
"Aren't you a genius, big brother?"
"Genius my ass. That bastard was dogshit."
"Then did you beat the eldest brother too...?"
Flinch.
Nangong Chang, who'd been chuckling, stiffened and quickly changed the subject.
"Aw, our poor second brother. Hope he doesn't croak trying to join the tournament for nothing."
"Nah, no way."
"Can't have that. Gotta go see our pathetic little brother's mug after so long."
Nangong Chang stretched and stood.
Lee Se-gon quickly stepped in front of him.
"Big brother, should I round up the kids?"
"Nah."
"I'll escort you!"
Nangong Chang chuckled and followed Lee Se-gon.
* * *
Nangong Hyeok strolled leisurely, as if out for a casual walk, taking in the surroundings with ease.
He marveled at the towering halls that pierced the sky and the Alliance walls reminiscent of mountain ranges.
'Who'd imagine the Righteous Heaven Alliance started in a shack, seeing this?'
Damn, the world's changed.
The Alliance, once leeching off Beggar Clan beggars, now had a fortress rivaling the emperor's.
"What a generational shift."
No plaque on any hall lacked gold leaf.
The Alliance's wealth was beyond measure.
'I thought they'd collapsed back then.'
Right after the Demonic Blood Tribulation ended, the Alliance had stabbed him in the back.
He'd wiped out most of the traitors, expecting their downfall, yet here they were, grown beyond compare. It felt strange.
"Huh, they even dug a canal?"
The river-wide canal left him speechless.
Geon Cheon-hwi, Tak Hyeok-dong, and Jang Ung exchanged tense glances while watching Nangong Hyeok leisurely look around.
'He's really just sightseeing? Even I find the Alliance amazing.'
'Would the Alliance not cause trouble? And that guy's face screams mischief.'
'He just looks in a good mood.'
'Good mood means he'll rampage more. Stay sharp.'
'Fine, tension's good. But if the second young master causes chaos, how do we stop him?'
If Nangong Hyeok got serious, the whole Thunder Dragon Squad couldn't hold him.
And now it was just three.
If he went all out, glimpsing the grim reaper wouldn't be the end.
'...The eldest is here, so maybe he won't go wild? He's family, after all—would he hit him?'
'He makes us shovel shit and can't hit back?'
'No. The eldest seemed enlightened lately.'
'So what?'
'...He might hold one leg at least.'
Geon Cheon-hwi sighed, glancing at Nangong Ryong beside Nangong Hyeok.
A few months ago, he might've hoped Nangong Ryong could...
But watching since, Nangong Ryong was just an ordinary junior against Nangong Hyeok.
The silver lining: Nangong Ryong hadn't been thrashed by him yet.
But...
'If things go south, he'll flip out...'
After a moment's thought, his eyes gleamed.
'Block at the source. Clear out anything he might wreck. Keep people away, move valuables aside first.'
Did Nangong Hyeok ever just stroll without incident?
Never once, so Geon Cheon-hwi couldn't trust him.
Who knew when he'd cause a fright?
Geon Cheon-hwi scanned fiercely ten paces left, bolstering the perimeter.
Tak Hyeok-dong guarded the rear, Jang Ung the front.
Nangong Ryong sidled up to Nangong Hyeok, thumb raised.
Ready to seal acupoints if needed.
Nangong Hyeok furrowed his brow.
"What're you doing?"
He asked Geon Cheon-hwi, ignoring Nangong Ryong.
"Guarding the perimeter."
"Nothing's there. Not even a soul in sight."
"Better safe."
"From who?"
"The other side. Precautions don't prevent accidents from their end."
"..."
This bastard?
Nangong Hyeok stared at Geon Cheon-hwi in disbelief.
Geon Cheon-hwi cleared his throat, then his eyes bulged.
"Hey, statue ahead! Move it now! What if he smashes it!"
Tak Hyeok-dong rushed over, hoisting the five-hundred-catty lion statue and slamming it into a corner.
Geon Cheon-hwi exhaled, then met Nangong Hyeok's eyes.
"Can't have it breaking. It's not ours. Ahem."
"You crazy bastards. I'm just standing here, and you're making a fuss?"
"...Even trees stand still, but wind doesn't spare them..."
"I won't cause trouble."
"Yes, of course not."
"Just walking."
"Yes, sure."
Fuck, where'd all this distrust come from?
Nangong Hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
Should he make them check the canal temperature to snap them out of it?
Huh, what's that?
Something poked his back...
"What?"
"...Careful."
"Sigh."
As Nangong Hyeok sighed deeply.
"Big brother!"
A round-faced boy popped from the alley. White training robes, Hero Pavilion headband—a bright-eyed kid.
"What's that?"
"...Third brother."
"Huh? Third?"
Him?
Nangong Hyeok tilted his head, watching Nangong Chang trot over from the alley.
Nangong Chang beamed and gave a crisp salute to Nangong Ryong.
"This third greets eldest brother! Rushed here hearing you came to the Alliance! Big brother!"
A bright, age-appropriate voice.
Nangong Hyeok eyed Nangong Chang, head still tilted.
'More normal than expected?'
He couldn't fathom why Nangong Jang-cheon dodged questions or why Geon Pil-sang spouted that nonsense.
This is what Orthodox looks like.
The Nangong clan has normals after all?
Nangong Ryong lightly patted Nangong Chang's shoulder.
"Mm!"
"Hehe. Been well? Been buried in studies, no time for proper contact."
"Mm!"
Seeing Nangong Ryong nod, Nangong Chang slyly turned his head.
His eyes lit up.
"Hey, you're the third? Cute little punk."
Nangong Hyeok grinned at Nangong Chang.
Nangong Chang, who'd saluted politely to Nangong Ryong, snapped his head up.
"You..."
Huh?
"...Second brother?"
"That's me."
"Second brother?"
Nangong Chang stared at Nangong Hyeok in brief shock, then beamed brightly.
"Hahaha! Second brother! All better now?"
"Yeah, somehow."
"You do look way healthier up close."
Nangong Chang poked and prodded Nangong Hyeok's body in wonder.
"Whoa! Feel these muscles! You sure you're my brother?"
Nangong Hyeok chuckled heartily at the fussing Nangong Chang.
"Truly glad. So happy you're healthy now!"
Right, that's how a kid should react.
Nangong Chang beamed, then clapped.
"Right! Got a gift for you back at the clan."
"Gift?"
"Yeah!"
Oh ho, the kid's got manners.
Tributing on his own.
Better temperament than the taciturn eldest.
Nangong Hyeok smiled contentedly.
"If we're meeting, hand it over."
"Uh, not great here. Wanna go there?"
"Sure, let's go."
Nangong Hyeok nodded readily at Nangong Chang, who pointed shyly behind the hall.
Nangong Chang saluted Nangong Ryong.
"Big brother, gotta give second brother something quick. Be right back."
Nangong Ryong nodded, and Nangong Chang trotted after Nangong Hyeok.
"Good stuff?"
"Pretty damn good."
"You're a decent kid."
"Haha! Weird hearing that from you."
Nangong Chang and Nangong Hyeok rounded the corner into the back alley.
"Hand it over. Busy."
Nangong Hyeok held out his hand, and Nangong Chang grinned.
Then, in that instant, Nangong Chang's expression flipped.
"Hey."
Hey?
"Out of practice since it's been ages?"
Practice what?
Huh?
This dialogue rings a bell.
"What're you spacing out for!"
Nangong Chang lunged, hooking his arm around Nangong Hyeok's neck.
He tensed hard, grinding his teeth near Nangong Hyeok's ear with a growl.
"Fuck, feel good looking down? Huh? Punk bulked up? Why'd you come? Wanna get beat to death?"
Nangong Hyeok blinked at Nangong Chang.
"What're you staring at? No answer? Out of practice? Need a reminder? Wanna die?"
"..."
"Come running to Hero Pavilion by midnight. Don't, and I'll beat you dead."
"..."
"No answer?"
Nangong Chang glared fiercely at Nangong Hyeok.
Nangong Hyeok let out a scoff.
'Fuck, knew it. No normals in Nangong clan, huh?'
This one's messed up too?
Sword King, what's the deal?
Bad feng shui in Hefei?
"Laughing? Laughing?"
Nangong Hyeok's lips slowly curled up as he watched the bewildered, yapping Nangong Chang.
"Ha..."
"Hah?"
"Ha, hahahaha!"
Damn, check out this little shit.
Nangong Hyeok grabbed Nangong Chang's arm around his neck and slowly pried it off.
"Wh-what?"
"Hahahahaha!"
"What, what, what? H-how?"
Nangong Chang panicked visibly.
His tensed arm straightened, a sharp pain shooting from his wrist.
Nangong Hyeok smiled faintly at the stunned Nangong Chang.
Sword King, one of your descendants is climbing today—catch him well.
"But you little shit."
Nangong Hyeok's hand roughly seized Nangong Chang's nape.
Nangong Chang still looked baffled, staring at him.
Nangong Hyeok raised his fist, grinning.
"Hahaha, first things first—take a beating."
"Huh?"
A dark shadow loomed over Nangong Chang's panicked face.