Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: New Entourage
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The Righteous Heaven Alliance's Medical Division Head stared at Ha Baek with blank eyes.
"You're quitting the Medical Division?"
Ha Baek nodded vigorously.
"Yes, Division Head!"
"...No, why? Why all of a sudden?"
"I feel like I've found my path."
"W-What path is so great that you'd turn down a position in the Righteous Heaven Alliance's Medical Division and leave?"
Ha Baek recalled the secret agreement with Namgung Hyuk and answered.
"It's just that the chance to carry out my master's last wish has come, so I want to go."
The Medical Division Head, who had been silently watching Ha Baek speak with such conviction, tried to dissuade him once more.
"I hold your skills in high regard. You were slated to become the Deputy Division Head soon, and even this position was in my considerations down the line. Why not think it over again?"
Ha Baek flinched.
The position of Medical Division Head in the Righteous Heaven Alliance was the dream of every physician.
It was on par with becoming the abbot of Shaolin Temple or the sect leader of Wudang.
Moreover, unlike the heads of Shaolin or Wudang, the Medical Division Head could even marry.
'Still, I can't miss the chance to create an unprecedented spirit pill!'
The anticipation of etching his name into the annals of the martial world made Ha Baek's heart race.
"I'm truly grateful, but I'm setting off to chase a greater dream!"
"Huh?"
Just moments ago, it was his master's last wish?
Now it's a dream all of a sudden?
The Medical Division Head watched in a daze as Ha Baek left the Medical Division.
"Good grief. What wind must have blown through to make such a capable worker act like this?"
* * *
Before entering Namgung Hyuk's residence, Beggars' Sect Division Chief So Gokgae checked himself over once.
Sniff sniff.
He flared his nostrils, starting from his armpits, then his arms and neck, even his knees, smelling himself as tension built.
A look of grim determination settled on his face.
'No smell, right?'
Damn it.
The day had come when a beggar had to check if he stank or not.
So Gokgae, with over a decade of beggar life under his belt, had never imagined such a day.
A sudden wave of doubt washed over him.
If things were like this, why even be a beggar...?
'Got to eat to live.'
They called him the Jade Hook Master of the Beggars' Sect.
So he had to do it.
Recalling the devilish Namgung Hyuk inside, So Gokgae let out a deep sigh.
'...He always dumps the tough jobs on me. Seriously not my master—more like my enemy. Enemy.'
Thinking of his master's plump face, So Gokgae cautiously opened the door.
Creak.
'Hic.'
Spotting Namgung Hyuk inside with a fierce scowl, So Gokgae sucked in a breath.
Whoa, damn, why's he suddenly acting all heavy?
Nearly scared the beggar soul right out of me.
"Heh heh. Hope your health is holding strong, Young Hero Namgung Hyuk?"
Huuuuuh.
Namgung Hyuk exhaled with the weight of a dragon's breath and lifted his head.
His piercing gaze swept over So Gokgae's heart.
Namgung Hyuk wrinkled his nose.
"You wash up?"
"......"
"Why no answer?"
So Gokgae grinned sheepishly.
"Heh, heh heh. I, I rushed here as fast as I could. It's just sweat—sweat smell! Here, have a whiff!"
"You offering me your armpit, you punk? Want a taste of the blade? See if it's good or not?"
"......"
So Gokgae bowed his head.
Even his master Chwi Gokgae couldn't handle Namgung Hyuk's temper—how could he?
This was the guy who'd made the Beggars' Sect Leader bathe, after all.
Namgung Hyuk asked indifferently.
"So, did you find it?"
So Gokgae flinched.
"Heh, heh heh! Well, about that, just give me a bit more time..."
"Get lost!"
Smack!
Hit on the back of the head, So Gokgae teared up as he looked at Namgung Hyuk.
"I told you to bring info, and you show up with excuses?! Before I toss your Jade Hook Master into the fire as kindling, get out and snag my Millennium Flower Thorn! Damn it!"
"Y-Yes, yes, yes!"
Not even time to wipe his tears, So Gokgae bolted out.
Namgung Hyuk scowled.
"Damn beggars, all talk and no action! The old Beggars' Sect at least had some hustle. Ugh, beggars."
Lumping all the world's beggars together in disdain, Namgung Hyuk shook his head.
* * *
A hearty laugh formed on Peng Jung-hyeok's lips.
'The tournament's finally over perfectly!'
With the martial tournament that had set the entire world abuzz now concluded, Peng Jung-hyeok grinned at the eerily empty Righteous Heaven Alliance grounds.
'Time to escape!'
His lips twitched.
"Father, shouldn't we start preparing to head back now?"
Peng Cheon-wi, sipping tea, looked up.
"Indeed. The tournament's done."
"Then I'll get ready right away."
"Sure. But why the rush?"
"You've been away from the family too long, haven't you? You need to look after it."
"Yes, I do need to tend to the family."
"Right."
"But I'll handle that."
"Yes. Of course, Father... Huh?"
Peng Jung-hyeok, who had been nodding agreeably, stared at Peng Cheon-wi with a blank look.
"W-What do you mean?"
Peng Cheon-wi set down his teacup and said.
"You're not going back to the main house—you're going there."
Going where?
Peng Jung-hyeok turned to where Peng Cheon-wi pointed and saw the Namgung Clan members gathered together.
Hold on.
"...W-Why is Yeon-hwa over there?!"
Seeing Peng Yeon-hwa naturally blending in with the Namgung Clan group, carrying baggage bigger than herself, Peng Jung-hyeok's mouth fell open.
Peng Cheon-wi clapped a hand on Peng Jung-hyeok's shoulder.
"If the second son's going, the eldest should too, no?"
"Father, I'm the eldest son—I should return to the family."
"Haha, don't you have something to receive?"
"The, the Blade King Chronicles..."
"A person must swim in deep waters to grow."
"...So you're telling me to follow Namgung Hyuk?"
"Yes. Stick by that guy, and you'll learn something, won't you? Yeon-hwa already sniffed it out and latched on— you gonna sit idle?"
Yes, I get that.
I do, but...
Damn.
"...Still, not him."
Peng Cheon-wi smiled warmly.
"Good, you catch on quick. But why miss this?"
"Huh?"
"Yeon-hwa will pick up something living with Namgung Hyuk. Martial arts, insight, personality—something's bound to rub off. At least she'll gain connections with Namgung Hyuk and the Namgung Clan."
"...Probably the personality part."
"But what will you do back at the Peng family? I'll handle the household, and guards protect the house."
"I'll be training to become Family Head..."
"Jung-hyeok."
Peng Cheon-wi called his son softly.
Peng Jung-hyeok flinched.
"Yes, Father."
"I believe the family should be led by the capable. That means Yeon-hwa could become Family Head too."
"Father... why are you doing this to me? Why push me into hell...?"
"Learn. That's all."
"Father, it's me—Jung-hyeok, the one you used to dote on. Peng Jung-hyeok, not Namgung Hyuk..."
"Go."
"......"
"Go, you rascal."
As Peng Cheon-wi shook his head firmly, Peng Jung-hyeok stared at him in shock.
"Come back a greater man."
"Then you should join the Namgung Family Head while you're at it..."
"Ahem! Didn't I say? I nearly grabbed the Namgung Family Head by the collar before. If I go, you'll suffer more."
Ah...
You're abandoning your son like this?
Peng Cheon-wi shot him a resolute look.
Realizing he couldn't fight the tide, Peng Jung-hyeok let out a deep sigh.
Then, like a drenched puppy, he trudged with heavy steps toward the Namgung Clan gathering.
In his view appeared Namgung Hyuk, stretching as he walked over.
To Namgung Hyuk's left trailed Namgung Chang, laden with bundles; to his right, Namgung Ryong clutching the Myriad Year Dark Iron Sword.
"Yawwwn!"
Yawning lazily, Namgung Hyuk cocked his head.
"Young Patriarch? Why's the Young Patriarch here?"
"...He said go."
"Where?"
"To the Namgung Clan."
"Whose brilliant idea?"
Namgung Hyuk tilted his head and eyed Peng Jung-hyeok.
Peng Jung-hyeok, mumbling soullessly, snapped to.
"My father..."
"Go home."
"No."
"Go."
Namgung Hyuk was firm.
Peng Jung-hyeok broke into a cold sweat.
'I absolutely can't return to the Peng family now.'
If he went back to the North Hebei Peng family like this, he'd likely get kicked out again.
Better to tough it out here.
And truthfully, endure Namgung Hyuk's crap personality, and the gains would be tenfold, right?
"...I'm not freeloading, Young Hero Namgung Hyuk."
"Oh?"
"I'll earn my keep."
Earn his keep?
Oh.
Namgung Hyuk brightened, curling his lips.
He whipped his head to the side.
Peng Yeon-hwa, meeting his eyes, beamed.
The baggage pile twice her size swayed lightly.
"You too, earn your keep?"
"Yes! Of course!"
"Oh, the siblings match in shamelessness. Perfect."
Why does praise sound like an insult?
Ignoring Peng Yeon-hwa's confusion, Namgung Hyuk turned his head again.
"Damn, you coming too?"
So Hye-yeon nodded.
Namgung Hyuk snorted.
"You'll regret it this time."
"I'm prepared."
"No, I'll collect every bit of interest."
"...?"
"Who do you think kept your body intact?"
"Thank you."
"I don't take verbal thanks."
So Hye-yeon shivered at Namgung Hyuk's calm yet chilling tone.
Cold sweat trickled beneath her veil.
Namgung Hyuk grinned as he surveyed the three.
The three gulped nervously.
"I don't take rice-wasters. Is the Namgung Clan a pushover?"
"......"
"Got gripes? Scram."
"......"
"Good. Taking that as agreement. I'll accept you as slaves... no, guests."
Namgung Hyuk chuckled.
The Peng siblings and So Hye-yeon stared in bewilderment.
No one calls guests "slaves"...
'Three slaves!'
Namgung Hyuk cackled, reaching out, and Namgung Chang hurriedly offered the baggage.
"Here you go, Little Bro!"
"You not coming?"
"Little Bro, I still have so much to learn here. Ha, haha!"
"But why you grinning?"
"...No way, Bro. Hearing you all go breaks my heart. Sigh!"
Namgung Chang inwardly wiped his brow.
'Yes, Little Bro's great, but... still too much for me. This is Big Bro's job. Ahem!'
Namgung Hyuk wasn't one you could serve just out of respect.
'Plus, I can stay as hall leader at Hero Pavilion now. Heh heh!'
As Namgung Chang anticipated his future days, Namgung Ryong suddenly approached.
"Big Bro! Then..."
"Lightning Flash Thirteen Thunders, Longbow Nine Swords, Infinite Steps, Heavenly Thunder Divine Art."
"Huh?"
"Master them. All at least four stars."
"...Four stars?"
"Fail, return. Main house."
R-Return?!
Namgung Chang's eyes widened at Namgung Ryong.
W-What?
Did he just draw across his throat?
Namgung Chang gaped at him.
"Death."
"Ah, ahhh..."
"I'll check. Come back."
"......"
At Namgung Ryong's blunt words, Namgung Chang despaired.
Big Bro Namgung Ryong was a man of his word.
Namgung Chang's excited face quickly fell.
He looked at Namgung Hyuk with a hollow expression.
Lightly ignoring the dejected Namgung Chang, Namgung Hyuk stretched.
"Alright, let's head out! Getting boring here!"
Namgung Hyuk cackled as he boarded the carriage.
Before closing the door, he glanced back.
His gaze drifted to some point in the air.
Snicker.
Grinning, Namgung Hyuk pulled out a vial of Azure Spirit Oil from his bosom and shook it with a jingle.
Geum Cheomsang asked curiously.
"...What're you doing?"
"Taunting."
"Huh? Who?"
"Someone. You'd know if I said."
Namgung Hyuk cackled and ducked into the carriage.
Geum Cheomsang stared oddly at him, then shook his head.
Was Namgung Hyuk ever normal?
"Alright, let's go!"
With Namgung Hyuk's shout, the carriage began to move.