Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Verifying the Rumor
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Namgung So crossed his arms and snorted derisively.
"Bro, I hear that worm's been coming and going from the Celestial Martial Pavilion?"
How dare that thing set foot in a place like that.
"If he's of the clan's bloodline, it's only natural."
Namgung So's older brother, Namgung Jeong, wiped down his sword blade with a cloth and spoke in a calm voice.
His brother's reaction only provoked Namgung So further.
"Clan's bloodline? Who the hell sees a cripple who can't even hold a stick properly as clan blood?"
"Watch your mouth."
"Is that even true clan blood? If we tell anyone else, it'll just bring shame to us. If he wasn't the Family Head's blood, he'd have been dead long ago. The bastard's got shit luck."
Namgung So tapped the table irritably with a displeased look.
Namgung Jeong chuckled at his immature little brother's antics.
"So?"
Seeing his brother's response, Namgung So looked up.
"That pathetic punk's gotten healthy and is strutting around everywhere?"
"And?"
"If he's really gotten better, he's gonna start taking our share from now on, you know? He's already gobbling up spirit elixirs regularly—what do you think'll happen then?"
Namgung So spoke as if the mere thought infuriated him.
"That guy's probably gonna hog it all. How many elixirs is he getting already?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"Don't we need to check if this 'getting healthy' crap is for real?"
Namgung Jeong stared silently at Namgung So for a moment before sheathing his sword at his waist.
"If he's healthy, that's the end of it. No need for us to get involved. Didn't Father say so?"
"Once Father takes over as Family Head anyway..."
"I told you not to spout nonsense."
"...Agh, whatever. I just wanna confirm if it's real or not."
"Don't cause trouble. This is a time for restraint."
Namgung Jeong spoke in a steady voice.
"Messing with him needlessly will only put Father in a tough spot."
"I'm just gonna check if his frame's gotten sturdier. He's healthy now, right? That much should be fine."
Namgung So shot up from his seat.
"I'll just take a quick look and come back."
With that, Namgung So headed straight for Namgung Hyeok's residence.
Namgung Jeong watched his brother leave but didn't bother stopping him.
Even if he was simple-minded, he knew the situation well enough not to act recklessly.
"The rumors are probably true, but he'll confirm and come back."
* * *
'Bro said not to touch him, but...'
Quietly, discreetly— that should be fine, right?
The guy had been bedridden for over ten years with Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
Suddenly getting healthy? Honestly, it piqued his curiosity, and hearing he'd been nosing around the martial pavilion so arrogantly pissed him off.
Namgung So snorted as he prowled around Namgung Hyeok's residence.
Just then, Namgung Hyeok stepped out into the courtyard.
Seemed like he was loosening up for a bit, but then he started running laps around the yard.
'He's actually running?'
This was the guy whose knee had given out climbing stairs.
Yet now, that same guy was jogging.
And not just jogging—he was doing it fast, with a fairly skilled posture.
'Is he really better?'
He kept running until sweat poured off him.
It was something unimaginable from before.
Crack! Pop!
After running for a while, Namgung Hyeok clutched his shoulder briefly.
Namgung So's eyes widened.
'Huh? Dislocated?'
He dislocates his arm just from running.
'What? Heh heh, no change there.'
Whether his knee popped climbing stairs or his shoulder now from running—
But Namgung Hyeok's next actions shocked Namgung So.
He popped his shoulder back in like it was nothing and resumed running.
'...What the hell did I just see?'
Shouldn't he be screaming and collapsing right about now?
Running again like nothing happened? It was absurd.
'What the fuck is that guy?'
Crack! Snap!
Next, his knee twisted and nearly buckled, sending him tumbling.
He casually reset his knee just like the shoulder and kept running.
Crunch!
A chilling sound, and his ankle twisted, dangling loosely.
He shook his foot a few times, reset the bone, and picked up speed.
"......"
Namgung So stared at Namgung Hyeok, dumbfounded.
It was so ridiculous he couldn't even speak.
'What the...'
Was that what "healthy" looked like?
No, he seemed healthier, but... his joints kept dislocating nonstop. Was that healthy?
Namgung So could only swallow hard as he watched Namgung Hyeok's "healthy" state get corrected multiple times.
It was a shocking sight.
Even without knowing him, anyone seeing limbs popping out while lapping the yard would be stunned.
It completely erased Namgung So's initial intent to rough him up.
'Still, just in case. Gotta watch a bit more.'
But it didn't take long to realize it was a waste of time.
Namgung So crossed his arms and sighed.
'Hah, nothing special. He's just nuts?'
He'd watched for ages, but nothing much.
Just endlessly lapping the yard over and over.
Novelty wore off quick; now it was yawn-inducing boredom.
He couldn't find entertainment in watching average joes jog.
Jogging was jogging, after all.
Occasionally he'd stop in the yard, seemingly lost in thought, but it looked more like zoning out from exhaustion.
'As expected of a worm.'
Martial arts training? Fat chance.
Didn't even seem particularly healthier.
Sure, he ran better than before—hell, he could run now—but that was it.
Joints still popped like crazy, and zero interest in cultivating martial arts.
Namgung So let out a hollow laugh.
'Damn, wasted my time.'
Hiding around like this just to check on that loser.
Suddenly, rage boiled inside him.
Wasting his time on such a worm pissed him off.
'What to do with that punk?'
Messing with him wrong could spell trouble.
His body was frail as hell.
But letting it slide after the bastard stole his time? No, he wanted payback.
Various ideas flashed through his mind, but on second thought, no need to overcomplicate.
'Just beat him enough to make him piss himself, right?'
Namgung So smirked bitterly at Namgung Hyeok before turning away.
* * *
Huff huff huff!
Namgung Hyeok caught his breath sharply as he began lapping the yard again.
Geum Cheomsang watched with a weary expression.
"Running again?"
"Huff! Gotta run."
"You've got a hangover—rest a bit. You'll hurt yourself."
"Nah, I'm fine, fine. The tonic cleared it right up. Feels fresh. Money really is great."
Namgung Hyeok meant it.
A few sips of the tonic from Geum Cheomsang, chased with cool honey water, and the hangover vanished without needing to circulate his qi.
'Using wild ginseng as a hangover cure.'
Back in my day, I scraped tree roots from the dirt to survive, and this kid squeezes wild ginseng roots for juice.
'No wonder they're a prestigious clan.'
Prestige comes with deep pockets.
Geum Cheomsang muttered as Namgung Hyeok nodded cheerfully while circling the yard.
"...But that's not something that clears a hangover so easily."
Geum Cheomsang eyed Namgung Hyeok oddly.
He was so full of vigor it was disconcerting.
The man drank like a fish, yet his face glowed with energy.
'...He's gotten healthier, right?'
Yeah? He's better now.
He was better, but... something felt off?
The unfamiliar sight drew a sigh tinged with worry from Geum Cheomsang.
"By the way, Young Master."
Geum Cheomsang paused as Namgung Hyeok zipped by, then barely continued.
"...Could you stop hopping the walls? Seems like you do it every day."
"Every day? It was just once after a long time."
"What if you hop the wall and vanish suddenly? It was chaos last time. What about my position?"
"Your position's waiting on me."
"And I got chewed out by Father for failing at that!"
"So do it right next time?"
"Ah......"
Geum Cheomsang was at a loss for words at Namgung Hyeok's nonchalant reply.
He could never win an argument with him.
'Sigh.'
He'd long realized his words fell on deaf ears.
'Getting healthy is good, but...'
Somehow, it was more nerve-wracking than when he was sick.
Like a live powder keg, ready to blow any second.
In truth, there was more to worry about now than when Namgung Hyeok lay bedridden.
Problems erupted everywhere, and handling them was no small feat.
And the problems weren't minor ones.
"Why?"
"...Ah, the Family Head wants to have lunch with you today."
"Lunch?"
Namgung Hyeok halted his jog and turned to Geum Cheomsang.
"Yes, lunch. Since your health seems better, it's been a while since you ate together..."
"Sigh, if he calls, I go. Such is my fate."
"Yes?"
"It's a thing. Sigh."
Namgung Hyeok shook his head.
If he'd lived to now, he'd be at least 150.
'Or was it more?'
Anyway.
Being bossed around by the Sword King's descendant, not even a fraction of his age? Tsk.
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue briefly and turned.
"Let's go."
"I'll come with you."
"No need."
"If you take another route..."
"I'm not directionally challenged."
"That's not—!"
"Enough. You brew more of that juice. Tastes good."
He shook off Geum Cheomsang, who tried to follow, and strolled out of the yard.
'Might as well ask for some spirit elixirs while I'm there.'
This time, something substantial.
Fully open one more channel of qi and blood, refine the body again.
Thinking of the bright future ahead, Namgung Hyeok hurried toward the Family Head's quarters.
That's when it happened.
Thud!
A shock like hitting a wall sent Namgung Hyeok stumbling back.
Clunk.
"Ow... fuck."
Namgung Hyeok glanced at his dislocated shoulder, then tilted his head sideways.
A guy a head taller than him glanced over, then turned and walked off.
"Huh?"
Hit a person—me—and just walks away?
Unbelievable.
"Hey—!"
Namgung Hyeok called out to the man who'd brushed past.
The man turned, furrowing his brow deeply as he glared at Namgung Hyeok.
"You call me?"
Crack! Crack crack!
Namgung Hyeok reset his dislocated shoulder and strode forward.
"You hit someone and just walk off?"
"So?"
"So my ass. No apology?"
The man—Namgung So—grinned down at Namgung Hyeok.
His gaze slowly scanned Namgung Hyeok from bottom to top, then top to bottom.
'Hah, look at the scrawny fuck. Think a little jog makes you something? Worm's a worm.'
A worm squirms, still a worm.
Instead, Namgung So worried about something else.
'What if I hit him wrong and he croaks?'
Thinking that inwardly, Namgung So tilted his head and chuckled.
"Should've dodged."
"Dodged?"
"Kid, it didn't break, so you're good. Hah, gotta tussle with trash like you? Now I get what Bro meant."
"Tussle?"
Namgung Hyeok asked back with a look of disbelief.
Namgung So sneered at him dismissively.
"Quit yapping and fuck off."
Namgung So glared at Namgung Hyeok a moment longer, then quietly turned away.
'Yeah, just a scolding. What's the point of grabbing a loser like that? It'll only tarnish my rep.'
He'd meant to squash a bug that irked him, but face-to-face, it was such a pathetic fly that his anger fizzled.
Feeling proud of himself, Namgung So chuckled softly.
Namgung Hyeok blankly watched Namgung So walk away.
"Heh."
An incredulous laugh escaped Namgung Hyeok.
Damn, acting like that makes me feel like the bad guy?
But who the hell is that prick? Straight to insults?
'Maybe a brother?'
The looks and speech suggested it.
'So what?'
Namgung Hyeok's head tilted crookedly to the left.
How wide are the open paths in the Namgung estate? Wide enough for four carriages side by side.
Even the servants at work didn't brush shoulders.
That was deliberate.
Once the world's greatest, unrivaled through ages.
Martial arts aside, his eye for detail hadn't dulled.
'Path was clear, I didn't dodge. That was on purpose. That's my verdict.'
Namgung So's retreating back came into view.
Whatever he was thinking, none of his business.
One thing mattered.
He touched me.
"Hah, cute little shit."
Namgung Hyeok's lips curled up, twitching into a grin.
Crack, crack!
He rolled his shoulders and neck side to side, loosening up.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Grinning widely, Namgung Hyeok raised his voice.
"Hey—!"
Namgung So, rounding the corner of the pavilion, scowled.
He glanced around, then let out a hollow laugh.
Soon, his eyes turned fierce on Namgung Hyeok.
"You talking to me? You nuts? Spoiled you rotten and now you can't see—"
Namgung So, eyes bulging, couldn't finish.
Namgung Hyeok's fist was already at his nose.
"Huh...?"
Bam!
The fist that seemed aimed at his face slammed into Namgung So's gut instead.
Namgung So's pupils shook like an earthquake.
"Guh... guuuuh......"
Namgung So's mouth gaped wide, eyes bloodshot.
The gut-wrenching impact brought bile up, dribbling from his lips.
His body twisted uncontrollably, ass sticking out like a dog needing to piss, groaning pitifully.
Namgung Hyeok reset his snapped wrist with a crunch.
Shaking his hand out, he formed a knife-hand next.
Then smashed it into Namgung So's neck.
Crack—bam!
Snap snap snap!
A log-splitting sound rang out as Namgung So's neck folded in half.
"Gaaahk!"
"Shut up, punk."
Namgung Hyeok kicked Namgung So square in the chest.
Like a cannonball, Namgung So rocketed into the alley between pavilions.
Screeech!
Boom!
Soaring endlessly, he smashed into a wall.
Limbs splayed in a swastika twist, Namgung So foamed at the mouth, pinned like a specimen.
Gurgle gurgle!
Namgung Hyeok grimaced, resetting his dangling wrist.
"Hah, back in the day... Anyway, the Sword King'd thank me from underground. His descendant cusses me out, but neck's still attached."
"...Keh, kehack. Eek."
"What? Sorry you couldn't dodge? Right, shoulda dodged, punk."
Namgung Hyeok patted the cheek of foaming, unconscious Namgung So, shook his hand, and turned away.
"Damn, I'm late."
Namgung Hyeok strolled toward the Family Head's quarters as if nothing happened.
In the alleys amid the Namgung clan's countless pavilions, Namgung So twitched his legs pitifully, like a fly swatted by a swatter.