Chapter 279
Chapter 279
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: War on All Sides
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Tang Myeongjin leaped onto the training ground roof with a face drained white as a sheet.
“W-War! War!”
He stood before Tang Myeongok, his face ashen.
Scribble, scribble.
Tang Myeongok was jotting down Nangong Sea’s training notes in her notebook, her expression beyond impassive—utterly emotionless.
“War! War!”
Tang Myeongok said bluntly.
“Catch your breath first. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.”
“Huff! War, I said! The Nangong Clan is going to war!”
“War?”
Tang Myeongok paused her brush and looked at Tang Myeongjin.
“What war?”
“Enemies are swarming from all directions! From Fujian Province, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi—they’re coming like mad! Look over there, look!”
Tang Myeongjin pointed while gasping as if he might collapse. Warriors were rushing toward the training ground entrance.
The urgency and atmosphere were utterly different from usual.
Tang Myeongok picked up her brush again.
“Is that so?”
Tang Myeongjin stared at her in stunned silence.
“This is serious! That’s not the reaction you should have!”
“We’ve been through it too.”
“Our situation is completely different! Enemies on all sides—every side! And those sects are all the overlords of their regions!”
One hand couldn’t fend off ten.
But this wasn’t just ten ordinary hands.
Righteous factions ruling their domains like kings were rising like wildfire and pressing in.
The Nangong Clan was one of the Five Great Clans and regaining its former glory, but this was beyond what they could handle.
“Thousands of them—thousands! This isn’t on the level of the Five Poison Sect!”
Having come to study at the Nangong Clan only to face sudden war—it was only natural to feel anxious and bewildered.
Tang Myeongok spoke calmly.
“Little brother, so what do you want to do?”
“What do you mean? We run, obviously.”
“Right?”
“Right! For once, we agree…”
“But I’m staying.”
What?
What did she say?
Tang Myeongjin’s eyes bulged like marbles in a game.
“…Are you insane?”
“Little brother. If you’ve received help from someone, you have to repay it.”
“A-Ah, no! Y-Yeah, we repay it. We should repay it… but only if we’re alive! Staying here means a dog’s death. A-And why should it be us!”
Tang Myeongok let out a deep sigh. She looked at him with pity.
“When the Tang Clan’s benefactors are in crisis, of course we lend a hand.”
Tang Myeongjin was left dazed by her matter-of-fact tone.
He quickly pulled himself together.
“S-Sis. I’m not buying it. Don’t say weird stuff. Even a three-year-old could figure this out. This isn’t the time for favors or loyalty. We need to think practically…”
“There’s plenty of gain. First, we can forge deep ties with the ascending Nangong Clan.”
“…”
“Second, repaying our debt to our benefactors means we can speak as equals from now on.”
Tang Myeongok continued smoothly.
But Tang Myeongjin could only feel flustered.
“B-But that only matters if the Nangong Clan comes out intact.”
Relations with the Nangong Clan?
Sure, great.
But that’s only meaningful if they’re on a level to exchange with the Tang Clan of Sichuan or stand as equals, right?
With their survival in this crisis uncertain, throwing away lives to make that happen didn’t make sense.
“Sis. Be prudent—prudent. We only have one life each. Think of our status.”
He was the one to carry on the Tang Clan of Sichuan, to lead it.
His position and status held value beyond ordinary lives.
Yes, the Tang Clan had received help, and they would repay that grace.
But he had no desire to fight for another family—especially the Nangong Clan, with no safeguards.
For Tang Myeongjin, who had been dragged here somewhat unjustly, his motivation plummeted even more.
Tang Myeongok shook her head.
“Little brother, why do you know only half the story?”
“W-What?”
“Our status is precisely why we must stay.”
What nonsense is that?
If our bodies are precious, we should treasure them more!
Tang Myeongjin gawked at her.
“The one leading the Tang Clan can’t be a coward.”
“…I’m thinking realistically.”
“Who would trust and follow someone who turns tail in a crisis? People say the Tang Clan repays favors threefold, yet here you are scheming to flee.”
“…”
“Little brother. People already curse the Tang Clan behind our backs for being cowardly poison and hidden weapon users— we can’t let our actions prove them right.”
Tang Myeongjin looked as if he’d been struck.
He stared at her blankly.
Tang Myeongok’s signature icy expression turned toward him.
“If you want to lead the Tang Clan, don’t be a coward. Fighting for our benefactors is only natural—no one else can do it. If you aim to become the Family Head, you can’t abandon them.”
“…”
“And we can’t forget that the Nangong Clan fought for us, risking their lives.”
Tang Myeongjin’s face hardened.
She was right.
Hadn’t the Nangong Clan come racing to Sichuan without refusing any peril?
The conflict faded from his eyes, replaced by resolute determination.
“…You’re right, sis. The Tang Clan can’t be cowards.”
Even in this foreign land, he realized he had a duty to fulfill.
Gulp.
“Still, we should contact the main family… right?”
Tang Myeongok smiled faintly.
“I already did.”
“…Huh?”
“I told them you insisted on repaying the favor and throwing yourself into the fire—so no worries.”
…Ah, she already sent the letter.
Made it airtight, no escape.
‘…She blocked off any way out from the start.’
Ruthless.
Ah, if she were just a bit younger, he’d smack her.
Tang Myeongjin ground his teeth and glared at Tang Myeongok.
She resumed scribbling in her notebook.
“And we can’t lose to the Peng Clan.”
“Peng Clan? They’re staying too?”
“Over there.”
Tang Myeongjin followed her gaze.
Below, Peng Junghyuk and Peng Yeonhwa were passing by.
‘What’s this?’
Their aura and presence were markedly different from usual.
The large sabers normally at their waists were now gripped firmly in hand.
Tang Myeongjin’s eyes met Peng Junghyuk’s in midair for a moment.
Flinch.
The faint killing intent in Peng Junghyuk’s eyes, his heavy demeanor—it startled Tang Myeongjin.
Was this the same Peng Junghyuk who used to watch the Thunder Dragon Squad and Nangong Hyeok’s training with a sense of shared misery?
Peng Junghyuk glanced lightly at them and passed by with Peng Yeonhwa, heading to Nangong Hyeok’s quarters.
Tang Myeongjin’s gaze wavered briefly before he clenched his jaw.
“Damn it, we can’t lose.”
The corner of Tang Myeongok’s mouth curved up slightly.
* * *
“Why’s he like that?”
Peng Yeonhwa tilted her head, glancing at Tang Myeongjin burning with fervor on the roof.
Peng Junghyuk sighed.
“Let him be. Probably having some happy thought.”
“…Now? Thinking of running?”
“Don’t mind him.”
Peng Junghyuk exhaled with a heavy expression.
Peng Yeonhwa, who had tossed a light joke, changed her expression too.
“…It won’t be easy, will it?”
Easy?
No, they’d have to stake their lives.
Forces even the Hebei Peng Clan couldn’t guarantee victory over were marching into Anhui Province without reason.
Against enemies advancing with clear hostility and murderous intent, no words would work.
Questions of easy or hard were foolish.
It was live or die.
War.
That was the weight war carried.
“…Shouldn’t you head back, brother?”
Peng Junghyuk turned his head.
Peng Yeonhwa looked at him awkwardly.
“Me?”
“You have to carry on the line.”
“With Peng blood still alive, where would I go?”
“…Go together, is that it?”
“If you stay, I stay.”
“What if we die?”
Peng Junghyuk didn’t answer.
His reason screamed to return to the clan.
But strangely, he lingered here, moving in emergency mode like the Nangong Clan warriors.
‘…I don’t know either.’
Peng Junghyuk made a bitter face and exhaled.
Peng Yeonhwa joked.
“You know this isn’t sane, right?”
“…Damn it.”
Thinking about it, grabbing his sword at the word “war” and heading to Nangong Hyeok’s quarters wasn’t exactly sane.
Peng Junghyuk steadied his breath and said to Peng Yeonhwa.
“The clan?”
“I’ve informed them of the situation for now.”
“Good.”
He had notified the Hebei Peng Clan of the current state.
‘Whether I like it or not, I owe Nangong Hyeok that bastard for gains and debts— so I’m repaying with my life.’
That’s how he thought of it.
That it was right.
Surely his father would call this choice proper.
Peng Junghyuk wore a wry expression.
* * *
Nangong Hyeok returned to his quarters, sat in a chair, and mulled over the information relayed from Changgung Hall by So Geolgae.
He had expected the Hội group to move in some way. Since they were directly or indirectly tied to the demonic path, he figured they would.
It wasn’t much of a surprise.
This time, they were just manipulating other sects from behind.
The Changgung Hall leaders were shocked, but to him, it was par for the course.
The problem was…
“They’re coming in droves, damn it.”
The Beggar Clan had identified over ten major sects alone—a force that could wipe out an average sect in three days.
Nangong Hyeok smiled bitterly, imagining the enemies surging like raging waves.
It felt familiar.
What difference was there from his old Lone Tyrant days, facing dozens or hundreds alone?
Back then, he was solo; now, he just had more people to protect—still isolated all the same.
But unlike before, his shoulders felt heavier.
Whether it was because he was weaker now or some new emotion had arisen, he couldn’t yet tell.
Nangong Hyeok regulated his breathing.
Memories of the Demonic Blood Tribulation from his Lone Tyrant days faintly surfaced.
The Demonic Blood Tribulation he remembered was red.
A memory reeking like rotten meat.
What was the phrase he heard most back then?
‘If I survive…’
Nangong Hyeok’s breathing grew shallower.
If I survive…
The words stirred strange ripples, churning his mind.
A fragment of memory burst from the pitch-black darkness.
- Jeokun, Sawi-cheon, Maeng Geumjin, Cheongyeon…
- Cheon Gyeonghu, Mak Si-yeong, Gangbyeong-eul…
- Wangchil, Ilgak, Aksan…
Someone muttered while viewing a group lying blood-soaked.
A pit was dug, barely a grave, and became one.
Before the lump-like buried bodies, a crude wooden marker bore their names.
The voice calling the names was hollow, so empty it was almost dry.
- They’re all dead.
A dazed voice overflowed while gazing at the blood-soaked earth, redder than the crimson sky.
He turned toward the black horde swarming the blood-drenched land.
Pitiful screams and even more desperate slaughter unfolded again.
The whole world gradually drowned in blood.
Nangong Hyeok spat a curse.
“Fuck.”
It was hazy like a dream, but no dream.
It felt like a long-avoided memory returning.
Shing!
Before he knew it, the demonic sword in his hand was half-drawn, baring its fangs.
“…Random thoughts popping up.”
Was he tense?
No, something a bit different.
Right, a bit of pressure had built. With more things to worry about, he was getting sensitive to everything.
Maybe the protective fence had grown, amplifying the burden.
Or perhaps…
His body was reacting to the long-felt scent of war.
Nangong Hyeok furrowed his brow.
“Damn, feeling like I need to write a will.”
He had no such thing in his life.
Nangong Hyeok chuckled.
“Ha, what’s the big deal? Just more guys I gotta keep alive.”
…Wait, isn’t that a big deal?
It was definitely different from his past life of solo worries.
“Yeah, then the outcome has to change too. Otherwise, all that suffering was for nothing.”
Nangong Hyeok exhaled lightly and sheathed the demonic sword at his waist.
“Huu!”
Clear resolve shone in his eyes as he did.
“It’ll be different from back then.”
He would make it so.
No matter what.