Chapter 261
Chapter 261
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 261
Chapter Title: The Millennium Crane Trade
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Tang Yicheon's expression grew complicated.
'What is he going to demand?'
Even without the Crane Spirit Core, it was still a Millennium Crimson Crane. A treasure unlike any other in a thousand years.
In the current martial world, spirit beasts, spirit herbs, and spirit pills had all but dried up.
Especially something like a Millennium Crimson Crane—a spirit beast so rare even in ancient times that its value was unparalleled.
For the Tang Clan of Sichuan, who specialized in poisons and medicines, it was a spirit beast they would pay any price to obtain.
Tang Yicheon stared silently at Nangong Hyeok.
A relaxed expression and demeanor.
He too knew the value of the Millennium Crimson Crane, which was why he had chased it all the way to the cliff with fire in his eyes, wasn't it?
'No matter how young he is, I can't underestimate him.'
The divine skill, exploits, and judgment Nangong Hyeok had shown in the battle against the Five Venoms Sect were beyond those of a mid-tier expert.
One couldn't look down on Nangong Hyeok just because of his age.
'Tricking him sloppily would only damage our relationship.'
Tang Yicheon steadied his breathing and waited for Nangong Hyeok to speak.
He planned to hear out Nangong Hyeok's proposal first and accommodate it unless it was outrageous.
It was a Millennium Crimson Crane, after all.
He was prepared to accept any sacrifice.
It was worth that much.
"Speak."
Nangong Hyeok grinned as he looked at Tang Yicheon.
"You want to make a deal?"
"Didn't I say as much?"
"You're right. Our Cheonnyeon has grown so plump and tempting."
Nangong Hyeok patted the squirming Millennium Crimson Crane's rear with a laugh.
It looked just like stroking a puppy he'd raised for ten years.
'......When did you ever raise it?'
Just moments ago, he'd been about to slit its throat himself.
The onlookers stared at the scene in bewilderment.
Flap flap!
The Millennium Crimson Crane thrashed in disgust as well.
Whoa, veins were bulging in the crane's eyes.
It really hated it.
Regardless.
Nangong Hyeok stroked 'Cheonnyeon''s rear and said.
"It's too precious to just sell. I've grown attached. Besides, it's a Millennium Crimson Crane, isn't it? A spirit beast from ancient times."
"Yes, exactly. Even without the Crane Spirit Core, it holds considerable value."
"Considerable? It's enormous!"
Nangong Hyeok widened his eyes.
"In this era where spirit beasts are all but extinct, is there another Millennium Crimson Crane like this? Even if there is, could we find it?"
"Hmm......"
"It's possibly the only one in the world. The Crane Spirit Core might grow back if this one cultivates for another millennium. Who knows? Maybe it even has an inner core."
Tang Yicheon sighed.
He realized the young man had him completely by the throat.
'He knows.'
He seemed to be enjoying Tang Yicheon's troubled expression.
Damn, this devilish......
The word 'devil' flashed through Tang Yicheon's mind unbidden, and he swallowed hard.
A strange tension settled over the warehouse.
Only Nangong Hyeok grinned broadly as he gauged Tang Yicheon's reaction.
Nangong Hyeok's lips curved higher.
'What a windfall.'
A Millennium Crimson Crane without its Crane Spirit Core was essentially useless to him.
But the Tang Clan of Sichuan was still drooling over it, desperate to have it.
What should he demand?
As Nangong Hyeok's mind raced, Tang Yicheon spoke.
"Surely you have something in mind. Tell me, and we'll negotiate."
Nangong Hyeok straightened his shoulders.
"This isn't something that just falls from the sky. Unless it's a Great Return Pill......"
"A Great Return Pill?"
"Yes. We'd need something on the level of a Great Return Pill to make it worth trading."
So Geolgae, who had been watching, gaped.
'Is this madman serious?'
Trading a Millennium Crimson Crane without its Crane Spirit Core for a Great Return Pill?
Did he leave his conscience at the bottom of the cliff?
Proposing a trade for a gutted Millennium Crimson Crane—even without the vital Crane Spirit Core—with a spirit pill on the level of a Great Return Pill was utter insanity.
No matter how impressive the crane, could it compare to a completed Great Return Pill?
A Great Return Pill would require an inner core from a spirit beast rivaling a Millennium Crimson Crane at minimum.
'And the Tang Clan of Sichuan wouldn't have a Great Return Pill lying around. Even if they did, would they trade it?'
Even a three-year-old child knew that.
The deal was impossible from the start.
Trading a useless Millennium Crimson Crane for a Great Return Pill that granted a year's worth of cultivation?
Look.
Tang Yicheon was staring at him in disbelief, wasn't he?
As everyone watched with wide eyes,
Tang Yicheon finally spoke.
His voice trembled at the end, as if holding back anger at Nangong Hyeok's absurd demand.
"Are you serious?"
Nangong Hyeok looked at Tang Yicheon with an awkward expression.
Yeah.
The Great Return Pill was pushing it too far.
"At first, I thought you were arrogant, disrespectful, and reckless."
......This old man was coming in hot all of a sudden?
Half of it was true, sure.
But did that mean he had to say it to my face?!
Tang Yicheon approached step by step, his shoulders trembling with rage.
"But now I see what kind of person you are."
"Uh...... Even I think the Great Return Pill is a bit much......"
"Now I finally understand what you meant when you said our clan wasn't 'others' to you."
Grab.
Hm?
Nangong Hyeok stared blankly at Tang Yicheon, who had gripped his hand tightly.
Tang Yicheon's cheeks quivered, and his eyes reddened.
"I never realized your sense of justice was this profound. Now I truly feel your sincerity."
......Huh? What heart?
Sense of justice?
"All the resentment built up toward our main house until now—I'll cast it aside. Our clan will also shed all grudges against you and the Nangong family. Forgive me for harboring such irreverent thoughts toward a friend of such integrity."
What?
Why was he acting like this?
Nangong Hyeok looked at Tang Yicheon in bewilderment and glanced sideways.
The Thunder Dragon Squad looked equally baffled.
So Geolgae had narrowed one eye and twisted his face.
'Justice my ass.'
'He seemed serious about the Great Return Pill though......'
'Where's the justice in this?'
Ignoring their puzzled and shocked gazes, Nangong Hyeok cleared his throat.
"Yes, I forgive you."
"Thank you!"
"......So you're really giving it?"
"Of course! A Great Return Pill is nothing! What wouldn't we do for the Nangong family's benefactor!"
Wait, hold on.
'Does this worthless chicken head really think it's worth a Great Return Pill without hesitation?'
Nangong Hyeok glared at the whimpering Millennium Crimson Crane's head from below, eyes bulging.
'Did they scam me?'
Am I the sucker?
Did I misjudge the value of this gutted Millennium Crimson Crane?
'No, damn it. No matter how I think about it, a Millennium Crimson Crane without the Crane Spirit Core is useless.'
Nangong Hyeok's mind grew tangled.
He cautiously raised two fingers.
"......Th-then, how about two?"
"Hahaha! If we have them, what wouldn't we give!"
......It was working?
Two of them?
So Geolgae screamed.
"Crazy, that doesn't even make...... Mmph!"
Nangong Ryong swiftly clamped So Geolgae's mouth shut.
So Geolgae's eyes bulged.
'No, this makes no sense at all......'
Shh.
Nangong Ryong quietly shook his head.
As So Geolgae thrashed with bulging eyes, about to shout against the injustice,
Nangong Ryong calmly tightened his arm.
So Geolgae's jaw twisted.
Crack!
"Gurgle!"
Thud.
With his jaw dislocated, So Geolgae foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
After dispatching(?) one beggar in an instant, Nangong Ryong casually slipped back to his spot as if nothing happened.
Geon Cheon-hwi nodded toward him.
'Hey, cover it up.'
'Yes, Captain.'
Geon Cheon-hwi and Jang Ung coordinated to discreetly hide the foaming So Geolgae.
Tang Yicheon, eyes reddened and face filled with emotion, gazed at Nangong Hyeok.
He grabbed and shook Nangong Hyeok's hand.
Nangong Hyeok's eyes gleamed as much as the shaking hand.
"......So how many Great Return Pills do you have?"
"Don't worry! The main house has two Great Return Pills!"
......The Tang Clan had two Great Return Pills?!
'Trading this useless chicken head for two Great Return Pills?'
This was the world's top clan!
Unbelievable.
The Millennium Crimson Crane he'd planned to boil for meat—useless to him—was fetching two Great Return Pills!
Nangong Hyeok's lips crept upward.
Tang Yicheon thought the same.
'Hahaha! Exchanging a Millennium Crimson Crane for just two Great Return Pills!'
Nangong Hyeok and Tang Yicheon beamed at each other.
"Our house will never forget the Nangong family's grace and benefactor! I will surely, surely repay today's favor—twice over, no, three times!"
"As expected! I've always admired the Tang Clan of Sichuan just from hearing the name. That's why I said you're not 'others' to me, right?"
"Hahaha! The righteousness of the martial world lives on!"
"It's all thanks to the Tang Clan's great fortune! Hahaha!"
The onlookers gaped at the two laughing face-to-face.
Geon Cheon-hwi asked cautiously.
"......So who benefits from this?"
"The young master, right?"
"But the Tang Family Head is laughing too?"
"......Then the Tang Clan benefits?"
Eyes turned to Nangong Ryong and Paeng Jung-hyeok.
Nangong Ryong shook his head, and Paeng Jung-hyeok opened his mouth with a baffled look.
"......Beats me?"
For real.
Ah......
Low sighs mingled as gazes tangled in the air.
Even Paeng Jung-hyeok, sharp with calculations from handling the Paeng family's affairs, didn't know—then it was truly unknowable.
Nangong Hyeok and Tang Yicheon's bright laughter echoed loudly, overlapping in the warehouse.
* * *
Sa-ryeong, gazing at the distant Yangtze waves, glanced back at the approaching presence.
"What is it?"
The kneeling Guisu prostrated himself flat. His back trembled faintly.
"......We lost the Millennium Crimson Crane."
Sa-ryeong turned his head.
Red light flashed in his eyes, pressing down on the prostrated Guisu.
Sa-ryeong asked quietly.
"With the Shadow Alliance and Five Venoms Sect there, how did you fail? Did you miscalculate the timing for the Crane Spirit Core's formation?"
"Th-that is......"
"Speak."
"The Tang Clan of Sichuan seized the Millennium Crimson Crane. During the struggle, Shadow Alliance's Ma-yeong was defeated and perished, and the Five Venoms Sect fell to the Tang Clan as well......"
Sa-ryeong's eyes twisted ferociously.
Red energy rose from his body.
"Gah, hack!"
The prostrated Guisu writhed, gasping for air.
"Who defeated Ma-yeong? Ma-yeong, who cultivated the Black Flame Demonic Art, wouldn't fall to the Tang Clan's poisons. What happened?"
"Na-Nangong......family......"
"The Nangong family?"
Sa-ryeong's brow furrowed.
Just from that slight furrow, Guisu felt his heart shrink.
He couldn't even guess what Sa-ryeong was thinking.
Sa-ryeong exhaled softly.
'......So there really was a connection.'
He'd considered they might appear while hunting the Millennium Crimson Crane, but to think they actually got involved.
It was something he'd kept in mind, but hearing the report directly felt oddly strange.
"Whatever it is, getting in the way is all the same."
To think the sprout Guieung had overlooked would now trip up the meeting.
Back then, he'd thought it nothing......
After pondering briefly, Sa-ryeong said quietly.
"Contact the Twelve Lion Guards. Tell them the Commander seeks them."
"All of them......?"
"Yes."
Guisu's eyes widened before he hurriedly bowed lower.
Terrified at having questioned the Commander's words, he shrank further and pressed his head to the ground.
"R-right away! I'll inform the Twelve Lion Guards!"
Guisu stammered a hasty reply and fled into the darkness like a rabbit.
Sa-ryeong watched Guisu's vanishing figure with subtle eyes before turning back to the Yangtze.
Silently gazing at the churning waves, Sa-ryeong sank into thought.
He lowered his breathing and gently closed his eyes.
Darkness was stealthily descending.