Chapter 234
Chapter 234
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: Rushing to Sacheon
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Chapter 234
Namgung Hyeok narrowed his eyes and stared piercingly at the letter from the Sacheon Tang Clan.
Namgung Jangcheon fidgeted restlessly as he gazed at Namgung Hyeok.
Seeing Namgung Hyeok reading the letter with such ferocity, as if flames might shoot from his eyes, Jangcheon let out an involuntary sigh of unease.
Oblivious to Namgung Jangcheon, Hyeok was too busy scrutinizing the letter's contents.
The message was straightforward.
High experts from the Five Poisons Sect had appeared at the border between Sacheon and Seojang Province. Their forces were overwhelming, and the Tang Clan couldn't handle them alone—the situation was dire.
‘Sacheon Tang Clan and Five Poisons Sect.’
Both were poison wielders.
And long-standing enemies, at that.
But none of that mattered.
He had no interest in whatever grudge had sparked their conflict.
What had caught his attention was solely what the little beggar had said.
The black-clad agents of the “Association” had been spotted in Sacheon.
And right on cue, the Sacheon Tang Clan and Five Poisons Sect had clashed.
‘If the Five Poisons Sect infiltrated the Sacheon border via Seojang for some scheme, and it ties back to the Association...?’
‘Damn it, this reeks of the Millennium Red Crane!’
Wherever the Association's black-clad operatives appeared, a spirit beast was sure to follow.
And of all things, the Millennium Red Crane—a venomous one, no less?!
It explained everything perfectly.
“Huh, heh heh heh heh!”
Namgung Jangcheon flinched at the sound of Namgung Hyeok's laugh.
“Huh, heh heh.”
The low, guttural chuckle from Hyeok, still clutching the letter, echoed through the Azure Palace Hall.
Even the high elders held their breath, watching him in silence.
“Huuuh.”
Hyeok let out an eerie sound that blurred the line between breath and laughter, then smiled faintly.
Roll, roll, roll.
The letter from the Sacheon Tang Clan curled up in Namgung Hyeok's hand.
Namgung Jangcheon's pupils trembled.
Hyeok spoke quietly.
“This is something we can't just ignore.”
“......”
“Such welcome news... no, we can't abandon the Sacheon Tang Clan.”
Just let it go, you fool!
As Namgung Hyeok raised his head and spoke, Jangcheon screamed inwardly.
“If we just let it be...”
Namgung Hyeok raised a hand, cutting Jangcheon off.
Then he shook his head slowly.
“Isn't saving the beleaguered Sacheon Tang Clan the very essence of righteousness? We're an upright sect, aren't we? Practically family.”
“Family? Hardly...”
“It's all the same pot of stew. All the Five Great Clans are kin, right?”
Since when were they kin?
And you bastard!
Lust dripping from your eyes like that— at least lick your lips before lying!
Namgung Jangcheon sighed deeply.
‘What the hell does this guy smell to get so worked up?!’
Given Namgung Hyeok's nature—always ready to dive into trouble or stir it up—it was perhaps predictable.
But what scent had he caught from the Sacheon Tang Clan's letter to make him growl like a hound on the hunt?
“Then I'll handle this matter myself and resolve it properly.”
Whatever it was, the guy had already made up his mind.
Watching Hyeok turn to leave, Namgung Jangcheon hurriedly spoke up.
“Namgung Hyeok, you punk! This hasn't even been decided yet—why are you butting in?”
Namgung Hyeok turned back with a sullen expression.
You punk.
That face screams he's dead set on interfering!
Namgung Jangcheon put force into his voice.
“And I was planning to refuse the Sacheon Tang Clan's request for aid.”
“What? Pardon?”
“I said refuse.”
“Refuse? You mean not going?”
“Exactly!”
Namgung Hyeok's eyes widened as he stared at Jangcheon.
“But why?”
“Managing our clan's expanded operations comes first. Until our foundations are stable, we can't spare warriors from the main house.”
“So let me go, then?”
Which is exactly why you can't, you fool.
Namgung Jangcheon cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.
Grand Elder Namgung Wigyung stepped forward.
“The Family Head opposes it. You can't just push through with stubbornness. Matters between clans demand caution—who knows what backlash this could bring later?”
“......”
“As the Family Head says, stabilizing our own house comes first. What good is helping others when your own home is in turmoil?”
The other leaders nodded at Grand Elder Namgung Wigyung's stern tone.
Even those debating earlier had no desire to oppose the Family Head outright.
“Exactly. The Sacheon Tang Clan—never even exchanged greetings with us. No reason to step in just because they're in a bind.”
“Stabilizing the main house is priority.”
“What's to gain from Sacheon anyway? Just a face full of dust.”
“The Tang Clan gives me the creeps. Tangled up with the Five Poisons Sect? Not your average mess.”
“Arrogant, shady bunch. Nothing good comes from dealing with them.”
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
Opposing him this hard?
‘Those Sacheon Tang bastards. Knew they were poisoning the well from the start. Blocking my path with no allies in sight!’
Even the unrelated Namgung Clan showing such open disdain?
Thanks to those damned poison freaks' isolationism, Sacheon was off-limits!
‘No, wait. Off-limits? Like hell. I'll go alone if I have to.’
Where I go becomes the path!
He'd scale the walls tonight.
‘Hang on, Millennium Red Crane. I'll catch you and stew you myself!’
Namgung Hyeok's resolve burned fiercely.
He had no intention of backing down just because things weren't going his way.
Twist the stream, and it flows!
Seeing that glint in his eyes, Namgung Jangcheon curled his lip.
‘This punk's planning another moonlight escape?’
He could spot it from a mile away.
Hadn't he dealt with Hyeok once or twice before?
Blood calls to blood, after all.
‘Gotta tell the Imperial Sword Brigade to double the night watch.’
Better if things went smoothly, but who knew if another Black Wind Corps or Black Dragon Corps fiasco would erupt!
Namgung Jangcheon spoke gravely.
“This is an opportunity. Even if they're beneath us, aiding another clan's crisis alongside our growth will elevate our reputation. The martial world is ruthless, and the Tang Clan was never on good terms with us anyway. We'll end it here.”
Everyone was nodding in agreement when...
Chief Steward Geum Gwangmo, who had been quietly observing, whispered to Namgung Jangcheon.
“Family Head.”
“What is it?”
“Isn't this actually a golden chance?”
“Hm?”
“If Young Master Hyeok heads to the Tang Clan, chaos is guaranteed. What's not to like?”
......Chaos on flat ground?
Namgung Jangcheon's gaze swept over Namgung Hyeok, smirking from the side.
“......Oh?”
Jangcheon let out a soft exclamation as he looked at Geum Gwangmo.
“......You ruthless man.”
Throwing a firebomb—no, a thunderbolt—into the Sacheon Tang Clan!
Even so...
‘The martial world is ruthless!’
As Geum Gwangmo clamped his mouth shut and shot a meaningful glance, Jangcheon's eyebrow twitched.
The leaders tilted their heads at the two murmuring suddenly, but Jangcheon raised a finger high.
“One! Every rule has exceptions.”
Exceptions?
What the hell?
The leaders stared blankly at Jangcheon.
He turned to Namgung Hyeok.
“If your will is that firm, then go—to Sacheon!”
“......?!”
“W-what?!”
What in the world...
Why flip a settled decision like a pancake?!
“That's the nature of chivalry. For a famed upright clan like ours to profit from another's misfortune is the act of petty villains! Go, teach them a lesson—er, uphold righteousness!”
The leaders wavered at the solemn Family Head's voice.
The corner of Namgung Hyeok's mouth curved into a sly arc.
‘Family Head, I see right through you.’
“I can't disappoint you now, Family Head. Heh heh!”
Their eyes met.
How could even his smile look so sleazy!
My son, but still...
‘That sly fox.’
Sharp as ever.
Namgung Jangcheon cleared his throat.
“Then go prepare...”
“Already done.”
“......”
Prepared to leave before even knowing the details.
Ah, of course...
Namgung Hyeok flung open the doors, revealing the entire Black Wind Corps lined up neatly before the Azure Palace Hall.
Namgung Yong stood at the front, flanked by the Thunder Dragon Corps on either side, with the Peng siblings, So Hye-yeon, and a Beggars' Sect beggar at the rear.
They all stared back with bewildered, anxious faces.
Clearly caught off guard.
But their outfits...
“You're going like that?”
“Sacheon’s a long way.”
“Thousands of li, you idiot.”
“Sacheon’s thousands of li away, huh.”
Why did the back of Namgung Hyeok's laughing head look like a perfect target?
Namgung Jangcheon pressed down his unconsciously raised palm with the other hand, groaning.
“You punk! Just a sword on your battle robes...?”
“I'll be back safe.”
“I'm not done talking!”
“I am.”
“......”
“Farewell! I'll bring good news. Don't worry about Sacheon at all.”
Namgung Hyeok spun around and hurried out.
Jangcheon gaped at the sight.
Damn, gone already.
“Hah......”
“What in the...”
“Family Head, is this really okay?”
“Young Master Hyeok seems too excited—he might not grasp the gravity...”
“Should we call him back now? Why change your mind so suddenly?”
Reprimands, complaints, worries, and anxieties mixed among the leaders.
But the decision was made.
And dragging back Hyeok, already vanished into the distance, would look bad.
Plus, there was the aim in mind.
‘Yeah, stir things up good.’
Imagining the thunderbolt crashing into the Sacheon Tang Clan, a smile crept onto Jangcheon's lips.
‘Heh, heh heh heh!’
Poison with poison, as the saying goes.
Of course, that wasn't the intended meaning, but who cared about meanings?
Close enough.
‘Heh, heh heh heh heh!’
As Namgung Jangcheon's laughter grew louder, the leaders looked puzzled.
Snap!
He stopped laughing, furrowed his brows, and turned to Geum Gwangmo.
“Send the Imperial Sword Brigade as rear guard. Gotta keep up appearances!”
“Right away.”
Jangcheon's voice dropped low as Geum Gwangmo left with a reluctant expression to muster the Imperial Sword Brigade.
Their role was obvious.
Monitor(?) Namgung Hyeok and ensure he didn't stray from the Tang Clan!
‘Though I doubt it'll work.’
What a bizarre feeling.
The thrill of landing a blow on the Sacheon Tang Clan mingled with the anxiety of Hyeok vanishing from sight...
‘Oh, my fate.’
That's my son!
Namgung Jangcheon chuckled ruefully.
* * *
Geon Cheon-hwi called out in bewilderment to Namgung Hyeok dashing toward the main gate.
“Where the hell are you going?”
“Sacheon.”
“Where?”
“Sacheon Tang Clan!”
“The Tang Clan? Why there of all places?!”
“My prey—er, people who need my help are there!”
Something's off with his words?
‘Dragged us here out of nowhere, and now he's off to the Tang Clan? Just like that?’
In just battle robes, no luggage, trekking thousands of li to Sacheon?
Does he think Sacheon's next door?!
‘How long ago was that Black Dragon Sect mess?’
Trouble never ceased around Namgung Hyeok, and Geon Cheon-hwi was already worried.
“What are you even planning at the Tang Clan...?”
“Keh heh heh, heard Sacheon cuisine is killer.”
“Yours might end first.”
Geon Cheon-hwi and Tak Hyeokdong bickered as they ran.
‘What nonsense is this?’
Peng Joonghyeok, listening from behind, went blank.
Sacheon Tang Clan?
‘Damn it! Now other clans? The Tang Clan, no less?!’
The Sacheon Tang Clan!
Helping his Hebei Peng Clan's arch-rivals?
Aiding those haughty, venomous snobs? Absurd.
He nearly voiced his firm refusal but soon gave up.
‘Ugh, that bastard's eyes are spinning again.’
When Namgung Hyeok lost it, you just endured.
Ha, haha.
Peng Joonghyeok made a miserable face.
“To Sacheon in ten days!”
“Yes?!”
“Stragglers get iron chains and drowned!”
This madman!
Someone stop him...
Thud thud thud thud!
Namgung Yong, who had been quiet, bolted ahead of even Namgung Hyeok.
Whoa, look at him running solo to save his skin?
The others stared blankly before hurriedly chasing after Hyeok.
Namgung Hyeok's group charged toward Sacheon.