Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Zhongnan Sect's Third-Generation Disciples
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Zhongnan Sect's Perfected Baek Jong broke into a beaming smile as he gazed upon the third-generation disciples entering the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
They were third-generation disciples of impressive bearing.
Swordsmen who would one day represent Zhongnan Sect, children who would lead it into the future.
Was this what they meant by one's belly filling up just from looking?
Baek Jong chuckled softly at their sharpened appearance, as if they had honed their blades specifically for this martial tournament.
One could tell their mindset for the upcoming matches just from their auras.
His gaze turned toward Hyeon-gung, the representative of the third-generation disciples.
"Ha ha ha! How majestic, truly majestic! Your energy feels even more profound than when I saw you last year!"
"You overpraise me. I merely did my utmost to live up to our sect's expectations."
"Indeed. Was your secluded training too arduous?"
"Thanks to the sect's consideration, I did not find it taxing."
"Ha ha ha!"
Every word filled Baek Jong with satisfaction.
Feeling the energy emanating from Hyeon-gung's body, he lightly patted the young man's shoulder.
"I've already heard from the sect leader senior brother. That you entered seclusion to master the Thirty-Six Swords of the Realm."
"I gained only a minor insight."
"Ha ha ha! No wonder the sect leader holds such high hopes for you! Your aura felt unusually potent!"
Baek Jong laughed heartily, not hiding his anticipation.
Hyeon-gung was the greatest prodigy known as the Zhongnan Sword Dragon.
Since the Blood Tribulation of the Demonic Path, no such genius had emerged from Zhongnan.
To master the Thirty-Six Swords of the Realm and gain insight before turning thirty—his attainment was already beyond comparison with his fellow disciples.
"Seeing you makes me certain Zhongnan's name will resound across the world in this tournament!"
"I am ashamed."
"During my time staying here in the Righteous Heaven Alliance, I haven't seen anyone quite like you. Ha ha ha. Excellent, splendid!"
Baek Jong's laughter filled the hall.
The third-generation disciples responded with gentle smiles.
Speaking in a voice laced with mirth, Baek Jong said,
"For now, unpack your things and let's talk more over dinner. Rest easy until then. You've had a hard journey."
"Yes, Elder."
Hyeon-gung offered a warm smile before glancing around.
"But I don't see the Dragon-Phoenix Division kids."
"They should still be at Heroes' Hall. They're running a bit late... I'll send word."
"No, Elder. No need to trouble yourself. We'll go check on them."
Baek Jong nodded contentedly at Hyeon-gung's polite smile.
"Won't that be too much?"
"It's fine. We can't disturb the children while they're studying."
"Ha ha! Very well, then go ahead."
"Yes! We'll see you at dinner."
Hyeon-gung clasped his hands in salute, and his junior brothers behind him bowed as well.
Baek Jong's face lit up with a smile.
Even their greetings brimmed with discipline and grace—what more could one ask for!
"Alright, see you then!"
"Yes!"
Hyeon-gung replied crisply and turned to leave.
The third-generation disciples followed behind him.
Entering the Dragon-Phoenix Division room at Heroes' Hall, Hyeon-gung tilted his head.
The classes had already ended, and no one was there.
Hyeon-gung let out a hollow chuckle.
"These rascals must be exhausted. Ha ha, our martial uncles have arrived, yet not one shows their face."
Standing quietly beside him, Hyeon-gong's eyes flashed.
Trembling with anger, he shouted,
"These fools are no good, senior brother! We must give them a stern scolding! How dare they not even peek out when martial uncles from the sect have arrived—what kind of sect discipline is this!"
"Hah! They're just kids. They might be tired. Still... hmm, we should at least give them a heads-up. Can't have them slip up later."
"Tired? What's there to be tired about! Compared to Heroes' Hall when you and I entered seclusion, is this even Heroes' Hall? What's so exhausting!"
"Well, our time was rather grueling."
Hyeon-gong whipped his head around, fuming.
"Junior brother Hyeon-jong, what are you doing! Hurry and fetch these wretched lot! As elders of the sect, we must discipline them properly!"
"Hyeon-gong, don't go too hard on them."
Hyeon-gung pretended to restrain him while smiling warmly.
Soon, the Zhongnan Sect's fourth-generation disciples came rushing into the Dragon-Phoenix Division.
Hae-ok clasped his hands in salute.
"Your juniors greet the martial uncles!"
"Greetings!"
The fourth-generation disciples bowed deeply.
Hyeon-gung waved his hand with a kindly smile.
"You must be tired from your schedules. Sorry for dragging you here for nothing."
Watching this, Hyeon-gong jumped up in outrage.
"Why are you apologizing, senior brother! These wretches didn't come out to greet even one elder from the sect—clearly their fault!"
He turned to the fourth-generation disciples and raised his voice.
"You lot! What makes you keep your heads held high! Apologize for your wrongdoing at once!"
Dumbfounded by Hyeon-gong's fiery outburst, the fourth-generation disciples exchanged confused glances.
They hadn't heard a word about the martial uncles arriving—how could they have come running?
Classes at Heroes' Hall had only just ended...
But quick-witted Hae-ok bowed at once.
"Martial uncle! We were wrong!"
"...We were wrong, martial uncles!"
"We forgot about your arrival!"
Hae-ok and the others offered embarrassed excuses.
Hyeon-gung chuckled heartily.
"That can happen. It's not like our arrival is such a big deal."
"It's a matter of propriety! With no elders around, these cheeky brats slack off. Back in my day, we'd come sprinting at the mere shadow of a martial uncle—isn't that right?"
"Ha ha ha! True enough. But these days, kids lack that sense of decorum, don't they?"
"Exactly why we must correct them! Our martial uncles, representing mighty Zhongnan Sect in the tournament, and these fools hole up in their rooms without showing their faces—what a disgrace!"
"Easy now. They're young; it's to be expected. Pressure kids too tightly nowadays, and they just rebel."
"Ugh! It wasn't like that in my day!"
Hyeon-gung laughed, Hyeon-gong raged.
Scolding the fourth-generation disciples in unison left Hae-ok and the others at a loss, hearing it right to their faces.
*Are we supposed to greet them or not?*
The thought crossed their minds, but Hae-ok and company held their tongues.
Defying sect elders could earn them the crime of sect extermination.
Hyeon-gung's kindly smile faded as he tilted his head.
"By the way... I don't see Hae-dong, Hae-gon, or Hae-un."
Hae-ok flinched and replied,
"Th-that's... the kids are a bit ill..."
"Ill?"
"Yes!"
"Ha ha, what's wrong with them?"
"Uh, well... they caught c-cold..."
"A cold?"
Hyeon-gung stroked his chin, staring steadily at Hae-ok.
"These modern kids must be delicate. A cold bad enough they can't get up."
"......"
"Still, now that we're all gathered, wouldn't it be best if they joined us?"
At Hyeon-gung's calm voice, Hae-ok hesitated before signaling his juniors.
They dashed off to the dorms.
A moment later.
The Dragon-Phoenix Division door opened, and in came Hae-dong, Hae-gong, and Hae-un.
The moment Hyeon-gong saw the three, he flew into a temper.
"You rascals! A mere cold, and you don't even show your faces when martial uncles arrive... not even a peek... a-are you alright?"
Mid-shout, Hyeon-gong faltered, staring at them in bewilderment.
Hyeon-gung, expecting a tirade, tilted his head.
"Why stop the scolding halfway...?"
Hyeon-gung froze upon seeing the Zhongnan Trio enter.
Puffy eyelids, skin covered in blotchy bruises, bandages wrapped around arms and legs...
"...D-did a carriage run you over?"
Stunned by their wretched state, Hyeon-gung asked in alarm.
"...Are you really okay?"
Hae-dong, Hae-gon, and Hae-un flinched and bowed their heads.
"W-we're fine, Grand Martial Uncle."
"Y-yes. We're really okay."
"Our seniors are right, Martial Uncle."
Avoiding eye contact, Hae-dong, Hae-gon, and Hae-un replied.
They seemed to struggle just standing, grunting faintly.
"Sit down and talk. Sit."
Seating the Zhongnan Trio, Hyeon-gung gazed at them solemnly before tilting his head.
"Hae-ok."
His gaze shifted to the fidgeting Hae-ok.
"This isn't a cold, is it?"
"Th-that's..."
"With injuries like these, why lie and say it's a cold?"
"W-well, we didn't want the martial uncles to w-worry..."
Hae-ok's eyes darted about.
Hyeon-gung's eyes narrowed. His gaze turned to the Zhongnan Trio.
"What happened? Speak."
The Zhongnan Trio hesitated, glancing warily at one another.
As no answer came easily, Hyeon-gong bellowed,
"You lot! Your martial uncle asked! Answer at once—what are you waiting for!"
Startled, Hae-dong spilled the truth.
"I-it's... we sparred with this guy named N-Nangong Chang..."
Hyeon-gung's brow furrowed deeply.
"You lost to a child of the Nangong Family? Is that why you're in this state?"
Not questioning the extent of their injuries, but the outcome.
A brief silence fell.
"Th-that's..."
Unable to answer properly, the Zhongnan Trio shrank back as Hyeon-gung's expression hardened menacingly.
The Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families had rivaled each other for ages.
In particular, the sword-renowned Zhongnan, Huashan, Wudang, Jeomchang, Qingcheng, and Kongtong among the Nine Great Sects were blood rivals with the Nangong Family, vying to claim superiority.
When enthusiasts debated the World's Greatest Sword, these seven sects were always compared—their rivalry was beyond words.
Moreover, wasn't the Nangong Family's power now less than half its former peak?
Meanwhile, Zhongnan Sect had not only recovered since the Blood Tribulation of the Demonic Path but surpassed its prime, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Huashan.
Hyeon-gong and the third-generation disciples seethed.
"No—incredible! You all lost to one guy!"
"Primeval Lord! You're bringing shame to Zhongnan!"
"Hah, such humiliation! You wretches! What pride lets you lift your heads!"
"Pathetic fools! The Nangong Family! Nangong Family!"
Overwhelmed by their martial uncles' fury, the fourth-generation disciples swallowed hard and bowed their heads.
Hyeon-gung clenched his jaw.
"Enough!"
At his low command, the outraged third-generation disciples fell silent.
His gaze fixed on the frozen Zhongnan Trio, not even daring to breathe.
Even the fourth-generation disciples—and the third—tensed under Hyeon-gung's chilling presence.
"Win or lose in sparring or whatever, Zhongnan cannot fall to the Nangong sword. That is the sect's shame."
"......"
"No matter how weak these modern kids are said to be, how could you break under the Nangong blade?"
"......"
"Go fetch that brat at once! No—I'll go myself. Lead the way!"
Trembling, the Zhongnan Trio looked up at Hyeon-gung.
Unable to bear it, Hyeon-gong stepped forward.
"Senior brother! What do you intend?"
"Restore the sect's honor! And hold him accountable for injuring our disciples!"
"According to Hae-ok, he's from Heroes' Hall. If you step in personally to discipline him, word will spread."
Hyeon-gung's momentum softened slightly at Hyeon-gong's words.
True, laying hands personally on a junior from the same generation wouldn't look good.
Yet letting it slide wounded his pride.
It would be as if they'd tucked tail before the Nangong Family!
Then, Hyeon-jong, who had been listening quietly, spoke softly.
"The Nangong Family must have sent participants for the tournament too, right?"
"The tournament?"
"If they're tournament entrants, their age group should match ours, and there'd be no issue with seniority..."
Hyeon-jong trailed off, looking at Hyeon-gung.
Hyeon-gung's eyes gleamed as his scowl twisted into a subtle smile.
A sharp idea flashed through his mind.
"Right—when a child errs, the adults must take responsibility. That's the way of the world."
Similar smiles crept across the faces of Zhongnan Sect's third-generation disciples.