Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Black Wind Corps Rumors
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Namgung Jangcheon gazed out through the open window of the Sky Palace Hall.
In stark contrast to the thriving sight of the Namgung Clan, his brow was deeply furrowed.
"These bastards have abandoned clan affairs entirely and gone who knows where...."
"The men brought by the Second Young Master are handling those duties in their place, Family Head. Contrary to appearances, they're incredibly proactive and efficient. Thanks to them, our manpower shortage has eased considerably, and productivity has soared. The Second Young Master has truly done us a great service."
Geum Gwangmo spoke with a beaming smile, leaving Namgung Jangcheon momentarily stunned.
Geum Gwangmo's face, once worn thin from exhaustion amid the clan's sudden surge in workload, now glowed with vitality.
Indeed, the mysterious(?) figures Namgung Hyeok had brought were handling tasks exceptionally well....
"That's not the point right now! Have they all run off together or something? Where the hell did they go?"
"They said they were off to catch the thugs who tampered with the tribute, and they haven't returned yet."
"Any leads on their whereabouts?"
"We're searching everywhere. Heh heh."
For someone claiming to be searching high and low, he showed not a trace of worry.
Namgung Jangcheon let out a hollow laugh.
"You're not concerned at all?"
"Pardon? The one my son serves is the Second Young Master. How could I worry when he's with him...."
"Listen here! Didn't you say he went to catch those thugs?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then he'll be turning the world upside down! Have you not seen him lose his mind? I'm telling you, his nickname includes the word 'mad' for a reason—you know exactly why that stuck!"
"That's just malicious slander spread by the Nine Great Sects...."
"He's my son."
Namgung Jangcheon sighed deeply before continuing.
"But you never know when he'll explode—or rather, he explodes every time he moves—but the scale and manner are unpredictable. That's what worries me."
"......"
Geum Gwangmo fell silent.
It was undeniable that Namgung Hyeok had brought immense merit—no, tremendous fortune—to the Namgung Clan.
But was that fortune entirely smooth sailing?
'No, absolutely not.'
Considering how the clan had been thrown into chaos with every one of his actions....
"We'll search as quickly as possible."
"Good. Nothing else to report?"
"Yes. With our heightened security, there's been no major activity from Anhui Province."
"I see."
"However, Jiangsu Province is in an uproar right now."
Namgung Jangcheon turned his head.
"An uproar?"
"Yes. A group called the Black Wind Corps—righteous outlaws active around Jiangsu—has appeared. They're robbing unorthodox sects and distributing the loot."
"Righteous outlaws, huh. Heh heh, some so-called heroes playing at banditry, perhaps?"
"Yes. A band of merely around thirty has stripped clean over a dozen unorthodox factions in Jiangsu. It's got not just the Jiangsu unorthodox groups on alert, but even the Black Dragon Sect in Zhejiang...."
"......Around thirty?"
Namgung Jangcheon tilted his head.
"When did these rumors start circulating?"
"Roughly a month ago...."
"And when did that rascal Hyeok run off?"
"It's been about a month."
"......"
Namgung Jangcheon's eyes wavered. He looked up at the distant sky.
"Heh, heh heh. No, it can't be. Even if that fool is a lunatic, he wouldn't impersonate righteous outlaws. No, he's the furthest thing from that sort to begin with. Right, I'm just being overly sensitive."
"Yes, Family Head. Even for the Second Young Master, with the eldest young master here and the Paeng heir as well, playing outlaw? That's a leap."
"Right? Then why do I keep imagining that punk pulling this crap?"
"......"
"Just in case, let's send someone to check it out...."
A month ago, a group of around thirty, near the Namgung Clan, unorthodox factions....
Once those words surfaced in his mind, his unease skyrocketed.
And above all.
'...They're systematically hitting major nearby unorthodox sects. After Blood River Sect comes Black Dragon Sect.'
He hoped the Black Wind Corps wasn't Namgung Hyeok's doing, but the situation seemed to be heading that way.
It was then, as Namgung Jangcheon sighed in frustration.
Flutter flutter!
A messenger pigeon burst into the Sky Palace Hall with powerful wingbeats.
It was a Thousand-Li Blue Messenger, a prized bird with a blue body, intelligent enough to recognize its master and capable of covering a thousand li in a day.
The Thousand-Li Blue Messenger delivered only the most urgent missives.
Namgung Jangcheon hurriedly untied the letter from its leg.
Rip!
He widened his eyes and scanned the contents.
Tremble tremble.
Namgung Jangcheon's hand shook violently as he gripped the letter.
Geum Gwangmo flinched at the ominous aura.
"Family Head?"
Namgung Jangcheon bellowed.
"You bastard, you've finally caused trouble! You damned Namgung Hyeok!"
Smack!
The letter he flung open revealed its contents.
The handwriting was frantic, scrawled in haste, with a brief message.
Second Young Master, departing Black Dragon Sect.
From Geum Cheomsang.
That very day the letter arrived, the Namgung Clan was turned upside down.
* * *
Midway up a mountain overlooking three sides of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Namgung Hyeok poked his head out and swept his gaze over the West Lake area.
True to its fame as a scenic wonder, the lakeside should have been a city that never sleeps.
Countless pleasure boats should have been gliding across the lake's surface, sparkling under the glow of ornate lanterns....
'...But where are they?'
Not a pleasure boat in sight. Instead of lanterns, torches illuminated the surroundings.
And rough-looking thugs prowled about with eyes blazing, their ferocious presence enough to roil the lake's surface.
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
"What kind of security is this? They act like they own West Lake."
"They wouldn't miss us after all that commotion on the way here."
"Commotion? You'd change your tune if you'd seen the Demonic Blood Tribulation."
...Damn, he talks like he saw it.
Ignoring the muttering Sogolgae, Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue.
They were dead set on sealing off the thirty-li circumference of West Lake, judging by the intimidating aura of the patrolling thugs.
'Back in the day, I'd just bulldoze through.'
What good was reminiscing about the past? Reality was different.
"Y-Young Master Namgung Hyeok. What do we do now?"
Songbaek Sword Sect Leader Go Daegil stared at him, tense.
"What can we do? Their vibe is so menacing it feels like they already know we're here...."
The other Jiangsu orthodox alliance warriors fidgeted restlessly as well.
Even with the Namgung Clan and Northern Paeng Family's support, the enemy numbers around West Lake exceeded imagination.
With the foes already on guard and prepared, no one dared approach.
They had agonized endlessly over hitting Blood River Sect, so facing the Black Dragon Sect like this was terrifying.
"Why not just abandon the tribute?"
"Agreed. Lives aren't disposable...."
"With these numbers, we have no counter. Why not try again later?"
Later?
What the hell do they know about later!
"Don't worry."
Namgung Hyeok waved reassuringly to calm the group.
Geon Cheon-hwi, who had been watching, approached and whispered.
"Any plan?"
"A plan?"
"Yes. We can't ignore those numbers. They're beyond what we can handle."
"I do."
"You d—"
"No way out? Then charge straight ahead! I'll clear the path—follow me!"
Hey, you bald bastard!
Namgung Ryong shot to his feet and yanked Namgung Hyeok back.
The Thunder Dragon Squad restrained the struggling Namgung Hyeok.
"Let go! I said let go! What? What's the problem!"
"Quiet!"
"You—mmph?"
Namgung Ryong clamped a hand over Namgung Hyeok's mouth.
Geon Cheon-hwi sighed and glanced at Paeng Jung-hyeok, Paeng Yeon-hwa, So Hye-yeon, and the others.
"Anyone have a clever idea?"
The three exchanged looks and tossed out suggestions.
"What about boats? We could reach the Black Dragon Sect quickly by water."
"Boats? We'd be chased down before we got anywhere."
"Hit their branches to sow chaos?"
"The Black Dragon Sect has over ten branches and allied factions. No chance with our numbers. And given their skill level, that's impossible too."
Geon Cheon-hwi pressed his temples as he listened to their armchair theorizing.
"Mmph! I'll kill them all! Mmph! Everyone who touched my stuff dies...."
To calm Namgung Hyeok, who seemed ready to charge at any moment, they needed a real plan.
Otherwise, he might actually barrel straight across West Lake to the Black Dragon Sect, as he threatened.
It was then.
The silent Sogolgae clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk, this is why the Beggar Clan is essential."
"Branch Leader So, got a secret ploy?"
"I do."
Namgung Hyeok mid-rampage and the anxious group froze, focusing on Sogolgae.
Savoring the rare attention, Sogolgae shrugged.
"Simple, isn't it?"
"If it were, we'd have moved already."
"Ahem, fair enough."
"Cut to the chase—what's the plan?"
Sogolgae, about to preen a bit longer, caught Namgung Hyeok's glare and answered quickly.
"Disguise ourselves."
"......You're insane."
"Who just called me insane?!"
As the group chuckled and lost interest, Sogolgae panicked.
"At least hear me out! Why would I suggest it if it didn't make sense? It does—logic!"
"So what's your point?"
"Disguise as beggars!"
"......Insane, fuck."
"Hey, who's cursing now!"
Interest waned rapidly despite Sogolgae's outburst.
Paeng Jung-hyeok and the others resumed debating.
"Let's take boats."
"Hit the branches."
"Or just retreat...."
Sogolgae yelled, face flushed red.
"You idiots! Beggar disguises are perfect!"
"......"
"The most common, numerous, avoided, ignored, and reviled things in the world! Slip in as beggars, and.... Argh, why does it sound like I'm cursing!"
Veins bulged on his neck.
"Nothing beats beggar disguises, you fools! Beggars are the best—beggars!"
Huff huff. Sogolgae panted, scanning the surroundings.
He cleared his throat awkwardly under their blank stares.
Then, Namgung Hyeok shook off the Thunder Dragon Squad and sprang up.
"You're sure?"
"Young Master Namgung Hyeok! I'm a Beggar Clan branch leader! Think I've begged once or twice? They won't even glance at us without facial recognition anyway!"
"Yeah?"
"Yes! I guarantee it."
"Weapons?"
"Hide them inside burlap sacks as we go."
"Hmm! Good, we'll do that."
"You trust me...."
"Enough. Beggar disguise is fastest."
"......"
Sogolgae deflated briefly before addressing the group.
"Follow this Sogolgae! I'm the expert on beggar disguises—trust me! I'll make you look like ten-year veterans!"
The rotten stench wafting from Sogolgae quietly permeated the wild mountain.
His bold claim left everyone dazed.
Paeng Yeon-hwa and So Hye-yeon's faces drained from pale to ashen.
"Better to just charge! Die fighting...."
"Do."
"I-I can swim well...."
"No whining—just do it."
"......"
Paeng Yeon-hwa and So Hye-yeon's faces twisted in unison, their final protests crushed.
'No way!'
'Beggar disguises?!'
They had never dreamed of ending up looking like beggars.
Facing Namgung Hyeok's resolute expression, groans escaped them involuntarily.
The group swallowed dryly at the two's despairing looks.
Sensing the inevitable, they resigned themselves.
Sogolgae chuckled darkly.
"I'll help you out."
The group recoiled in horror at the sight of his hands already smeared with something black.
Those catching his eye flinched and backed away.
Soon, Sogolgae pounced on his prey like a hunter.
'Gotcha, you!'
Paeng Jung-hyeok convulsed in his grip.
"W-What are you doing!"
"Helping!"
"Y-You madman! No, fuck—why me!"
"Don't worry—I'm the pro!"
"Stop, I said stop! Stoooop!"
Paeng Jung-hyeok's agonized scream echoed through the mountains.
"Hurry up, you lot! No time!"
Namgung Hyeok smeared mud and dirt across his face, urging the horrified group.
Dark shadows fell over their faces.