Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Triumphant Homecoming
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Nangong Jangcheon pushed through the rows of clansmen lined up to either side of the massive main gate of the Nangong Clan and strode out.
Paeng Jung-hyuk's eyes flickered faintly at the sight of Nangong Jangcheon approaching in his blue robe, exuding a profound aura.
‘……Ugh! What is this presence?’
Even though he was simply walking, the sheer weight of it made it hard to breathe.
It felt just like when his father, Paeng Cheon-wi, revealed his gravitas.
‘Father said he was definitely a level or more below him……?’
Setting aside personal feelings, there was no way his father's eyes could be wrong.
His father, Paeng Cheon-wi, always judged and saw things with cold, calculated precision.
‘Then what change has occurred?’
For masters on the level of Paeng Cheon-wi and Nangong Jangcheon, a single level's difference was a gap that might take a lifetime to bridge.
The higher the master, the harder it was to climb even one step.
Adding ten pounds to one pound of weight was easy, but adding even one pound to a thousand was an exceedingly difficult and dangerous task.
‘A positive change in the Family Head affects the entire clan.’
But Paeng Jung-hyuk vaguely sensed that this influence hadn't originated from Nangong Jangcheon.
His gaze flicked briefly to Nangong Hyeok's back.
‘The Nangong Clan is changing.’
Paeng Jung-hyuk had directly and indirectly felt how the people of the Nangong Clan were altering within the Orthodox Heaven Alliance.
This change would slowly but surely transform the Nangong Clan.
Hadn't Nangong Jangcheon and even Nangong Ryong's presences already shifted?
Now that the clan's key figures had undergone this change, it would accelerate even more.
‘The warriors' eyes are different…… and the clan's atmosphere has changed too.’
The disciplined, intense aura of the Nangong Clan's elites stood in stark contrast to the Thunder Dragon Squad that had visited the North Hebei Paeng Clan.
Paeng Jung-hyuk swallowed dryly as he watched Nangong Jangcheon approach.
The presence, like a mountain on the move, made him tense.
The cold expression, beyond mere stoicism, sent a chill through his chest.
It seemed Nangong Jangcheon's old moniker of Ice Jade Sword wasn't given lightly.
Just look at that unflinching posture and overwhelming atmosphere!
Was it really believable that the Nangong Clan's fortunes were declining?
How could they...
“Hahaha, hahahaha! Oh hahaha! My sons have returned!”
……Huh?
Where did that aura just go...
Nangong Jangcheon burst into roaring laughter and spread his arms wide.
“Hahaha! What a rare piece of good news after so long! When was the last time our clan made it to the top four in a tournament—let alone won it!”
“The first time.”
“That's right, the first time…….”
Nangong Jangcheon, who had been grinning broadly, turned to Chief Steward Geum Gwang-mo.
Geum Gwang-mo bowed his head slightly, averting his gaze from those sharp eyes.
Nangong Jangcheon turned back to Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Ryong, continuing his booming laughter.
“Haha! We can't talk about this standing here! Unpack your luggage roughly and let's eat first! Haha, crushing the Nine Great Sects? Stomping the Five Great Clans?”
“Family Head, please calm down. People are watching.”
“People watching? Who's watching? This is the Nangong Clan! Who would dare…….”
“The young heir and lady of the North Hebei Paeng Clan, and the Little Sword Maiden of Sword Pavilion are here.”
“……Huh?”
Nangong Jangcheon widened his eyes and looked around.
No matter how he looked, there were only servants carrying luggage……
“Where?”
“There.”
“……The porters?”
“They're not porters; those are the honored guests.”
“Why are they carrying luggage……?”
Nangong Jangcheon stared at Paeng Jung-hyuk, Paeng Yeon-hwa, and So Hye-yeon with a bewildered expression.
Before Paeng Jung-hyuk could step forward upon catching his eye, Nangong Hyeok cut in.
“Ah, they said they'd earn their keep.”
“Earn their keep?”
“Yes. They can't just eat and play for free, can they?”
“Well, even so, they're guests…….”
“Do guests not pay money? Just give that money to me! Pocket money's been tight lately, so operations are short on funds.”
“……Hyeok, that's not something to say in this situation.”
“Ah, it's fine. Don't worry about it. I'll make sure we break even.”
……Dude, we haven't even spent anything yet, and you're talking about breaking even.
Nangong Jangcheon stared blankly at Nangong Hyeok.
Ah, this guy's always been like this, hasn't he?
He'd forgotten for a moment amid all the great news.
‘His personality that even cuts off greetings……’
Nangong Jangcheon shook his head lightly at the awkwardly standing Paeng Jung-hyuk.
Wasn't he just standing there opening and closing his mouth like the Thunder Dragon Squad guys?
But the doubt lasted only a moment.
Nangong Jangcheon soon laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Well done, well done!”
If the young heir of the North Hebei Paeng Clan is working as a porter, what does a little pocket money matter!
Nangong Jangcheon nodded contentedly and patted Nangong Hyeok's shoulder.
Paeng Jung-hyuk stared blankly at the father-son reunion.
‘……What? That's it?’
So they're just going to keep treating us like porters?
No, what the hell……
Paeng Jung-hyuk, who had never received such treatment in his life, was utterly bewildered.
Nangong Hyeok shrugged lightly and glanced around.
The elders waved their hands with bright smiles.
Laughter spread across the faces of the clansmen.
“Haha! So, any problems while you were away?”
“Just, well, nothing in particular…….”
“Good experience? Haha. Alright, come in and tell us!”
Nangong Hyeok clicked his tongue and followed Nangong Jangcheon inside.
The clansmen scattered in an instant, and the Nangong Clan's heavyweights followed the father and sons.
Left alone in the courtyard, Paeng Jung-hyuk and the others stood there with puzzled expressions.
They had no idea what to do next.
‘I didn't come all this way for this…….’
Finally unable to stand it, Geon Cheon-hwi called out to Paeng Jung-hyuk.
“……Follow us for now.”
“Uh, sure.”
The three Thunder Dragon Squad members led the trio to their quarters.
* * *
“This is the Public Azure Stone Oil!”
Nangong Jangcheon swallowed dryly and gazed at the small gourd bottle in his hand.
Inside the gourd, the milky azure stone oil sloshed gently, emitting a faint fragrance.
It was a sticky liquid with a sweet, honey-like scent.
“Ooh! This is it!”
“Mm!”
Nangong Jangcheon and the clansmen let out exclamations.
Having seen the legendary Public Azure Stone Oil with their own eyes, the emotion was profound.
“And this is a sword made of millennial cold iron?”
“Indeed.”
“Ooh! A true famous sword! I can feel its sharpness just looking at it!”
Nangong Jangcheon drew the millennial cold iron sword and marveled at the chill and edge emanating from the blade.
As a sword expert, his eye for fine blades was equally sharp.
“Wow! In all my life, such a treasure…….”
Nangong Hyeok wore a disinterested expression as he watched Nangong Jangcheon admire the sword.
‘Better than the ones Iron Block made.’
Iron Block was not only a supreme master but a renowned weaponsmith in the world.
Even the sword he carried during his Poison Tyrant days had been a fine blade forged by Iron Block.
Of course, a sword of millennial cold iron was excellent.
But compared to Iron Block's weapons, it was mere ordinary work.
‘……Maybe I should get a sword?’
Seeing a fine weapon stirred his heart.
He had always enjoyed martial arts and collecting weapons.
‘I can grab Iron Block's stuff when the chance comes.’
As Nangong Hyeok nodded to himself, Nangong Jangcheon and the elders' excitement reached its peak.
“Ahh! What greater fortune could there be? Isn't all this the Nangong Clan's great blessing?”
“The young master defeated the Jeonchang One Dragon to reach the semifinals, and the second young master crushed Wudang Divine Arts and Qingcheng Taoism to take the championship!”
“Hahaha, our clan's future is bright. Radiantly so!”
“Reclaiming the top seat among the Five Great Clans will be a piece of cake now!”
Twitch twitch!
Nangong Jangcheon's mouth corners wouldn't stop twitching.
It was all such delightful news.
And finally, he couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
No, he couldn't hold this in!
“Ahem!”
Nangong Jangcheon chuckled loudly and slapped Nangong Hyeok and Nangong Ryong's shoulders.
“Hahaha! Haha! You two are our clan's future!”
“…….”
“The day our clan soars is not far off. Not far!”
The elders smiled warmly at Nangong Jangcheon's words.
Nangong Hyeok gave a strange look to Nangong Jangcheon and the elders, who were patting his shoulder and reveling in joy.
The elders had forgotten their ages and were hugging each other.
Even the usually feuding Fifth and Seventh Elders were embracing and cheering, while the others danced shoulder to shoulder in delight.
The humiliations and frustrations of being at the bottom of the Five Great Clans seemed to vanish in an instant.
They had won the martial tournament, no less!
They had achieved in a dozen years what the other Five Great Clans couldn't.
They had imprinted the Nangong Clan's sword upon the world—what could be more exhilarating?
It felt like their declining house had suddenly revived.
Even Nangong Wi-gyeong, who had already savored the tournament's thrill, smiled faintly and chimed in with the elders' emotions.
‘Hmm…….’
Nangong Hyeok exhaled softly.
A strange mix of emotions welled up.
It felt almost like being with the Sword King……
At that moment, as Nangong Jangcheon laughed heartily and pounded the table, Nangong Hyeok's eyes widened.
“Why are you shaking the Public Azure Stone Oil bottle?! Do you know how hard I worked to get that?!”
Nangong Hyeok jumped in alarm and lunged at Nangong Jangcheon.
“Hyeok, Hyeok!”
“Hup!”
The elders gasped as Nangong Hyeok vaulted over the table.
And so, the day in An-hui Province passed busily.
* * *
The aftermath of the martial tournament victory didn't end with just the Nangong Clan's mood boost.
The Nangong Clan's main gate suddenly became thronged with visitors.
They came in all varieties.
From congratulatory delegations celebrating the Nangong Clan's feats, to merchants seeking trade, to commoners camping out just to gawk at the Nangong brothers.
It almost felt like everyone in An-hui Province had gathered.
The crowd at the gate was so dense it seemed the entrance might collapse.
“The An-hui Branch of the Heavenly Commerce Guild has arrived!”
“Pass through the Golden Tiger Armory!”
“A congratulatory delegation from the Poyang Quick Saber Sect of Jiangsu Province has come!”
“We're from the Silver Eagle Escort Bureau!”
Amid the noisy clamor, people lined up and passed through the gate.
Nangong Hyeok chewed on jerky atop the main hall and watched the scene.
“Damn, that's a lot.”
“Yeah. Whew, looks like the banners worked. It's only been a few days, and they're pouring in from everywhere…….”
“You think it's the banners?”
“Isn't it?”
“Nope.”
Were people really coming to the Nangong Clan because of some banners?
They had produced a semifinalist—no, a champion—in the Orthodox Heaven Alliance's martial tournament.
Junior disciples were the future of any sect.
And one way to gauge a sect's power.
People saw the Nangong Clan's strength and future in the records they had set.
Did the Nangong Clan that nurtured such overwhelmingly skilled juniors really declining?
Would the elites who raised such juniors be weak?
Was the Nangong Clan truly weak?
Such curiosity, doubt, and inexplicable conviction raised the Nangong Clan's value.
Some had come to test the enigmatic, unknown Nangong Clan, while others sought to exploit its newfound fame.
“Fame really brings the people.”
“Pardon?”
“Then even if I ran around naked, they'd understand.”
“……You mustn't do that.”
“Would I?”
“…….”
“Oh?”
When Nangong Hyeok scowled, Gold Summit Merchant slunk back discreetly.
Nangong Hyeok chuckled and gazed at the Nangong Clan's gate, bustling like a marketplace.
‘Fame's good anyway.’
It's all money.
Suckers, slaves……
Kya, brings back old memories.
Nangong Hyeok stretched languidly and tilted his head.
“……But it's too many.”
He glanced at the gate and shrugged.
Good things are good, right?
Well, it's just the beginning.
Watching his territory expand, Nangong Hyeok grinned.