Chapter 282
Chapter 282
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 285
Chapter Title: Heavenly Formation Gate
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The Heavenly Formation Gate was a branch of the Nangong Clan built on Bellstone Mountain in northern Anhui Province.
Bellstone Mountain was part of a vast, rugged range stretching from the border of Jiangsu Province up to Shandong Province in the north. In the past, when trade between Shandong and Jiangsu flourished, the Heavenly Formation Gate had served as a vital pass. Now, however, it was little more than an abandoned ruin.
The people stationed there spent their days blocking the occasional bandit raids from Shandong or assisting merchant caravans passing through Jiangsu.
On any ordinary day, they would begin their duties with a quiet patrol of the area. But today, a buzz of commotion stirred the Heavenly Formation Gate.
That noise reached even the ears of the warriors assigned to patrol Bellstone Mountain.
"What's going on?"
"Headquarters sent a mobilization order."
"A mobilization order?"
The warrior who had rushed over upon hearing the uproar glanced around cautiously.
"Hold on a moment."
"Why?"
"This is about headquarters. There are some people here who shouldn't be listening."
At his words, the patrol team's gazes subtly shifted toward the young man seated inside the hall.
Nangong So, the second son of Nangong Baek, turned his head.
The eyes of the patrol members sharpened as they met his.
One of them shot to his feet and approached Nangong So.
"This seems like something you shouldn't be hearing. Mind stepping out for a bit?"
His words and demeanor went beyond rudeness—they were outright insulting.
Just a year ago, lowly border guards like these would have trembled at the mere sound of Nangong So's breathing.
The gap in status and rank between Nangong So and these patrol members had been an insurmountable wall.
Who would dare speak that way to the son of an elder of the Nangong Clan and nephew of the family head?
But things were different now.
Nangong So was the son of a traitor who had incited division within the Nangong Clan, and he had been stranded here in this remote outpost as a result.
The patrol leader frowned slightly at his subordinate's insolence but soon issued the order to clear the room.
"We have business among ourselves. Step out for a moment."
The others tensed subtly.
But the tension was fleeting.
No one feared Nangong So anymore—not when he was like a rotten rope that had already plummeted to rock bottom.
There was no courtesy owed to the son of a traitor who had turned his blade on his own clan.
"The leader told you to get out!"
"Don't just sit there like an idiot—move it!"
"Get moving, now!"
In that instant, strength flickered in Nangong So's eyes.
He clenched his fist tightly but soon let his shoulders slump in defeat.
". . . Hah."
With a low sigh, Nangong So swept his dim gaze over the men and walked out without a word.
The patrol team's expressions relaxed at his reaction.
"But this is urgent clan business. He should hear it too . . ."
"That's exactly why he can't! Have you forgotten he's the traitor's son? We're lucky he doesn't stab us in the back!"
"My cousin was killed by that traitor Nangong Baek's gang! Every time I think about it, I want to kill that bastard's spawn!"
"Why'd he have to end up here of all places? Tsk, tsk!"
Voices trailed after him from behind, but Nangong So kept walking as if he couldn't care less.
He was standing idly in the training grounds when the outside grew hectic.
The warriors of the Heavenly Formation Gate rushed out in droves.
Soon, the patrol members from the hall emerged fully armed, crossing the courtyard.
As Nangong So watched them curiously, a sturdy middle-aged man approached with quick strides.
It was Yi Chilseong, once the vice commander of the Heavenly Bow Sword Brigade, now demoted to the Heavenly Formation Gate.
"Vice Commander?"
Yi Chilseong grabbed Nangong So's wrist and dragged him into a storehouse.
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what? You mean the supplies from headquarters? Has something happened?"
"Yes. Something has most certainly happened."
Yi Chilseong's voice dropped low.
"It's war."
". . . War?"
"Keep your voice down."
Nangong So's eyes shook violently as he glanced outside, then back.
He lowered his voice sharply.
"What do you mean? War?"
"Reports say evil sect forces are marching on the Nangong Clan from Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Fujian, and other provinces. That's why headquarters is pulling in forces from everywhere, and the order reached even this far."
". . . Why are those bastards attacking out of nowhere?"
"Don't worry about that. This is a fight we can't win. Why else would the family head send a mobilization order to a backwater like this?"
Nangong So's gaze wavered at Yi Chilseong's words.
"You want me to just sit tight here? Vice Commander?"
"Yes! The situation is turning in our favor. If we just wait, we'll get our old positions back."
"Vice Commander."
"Think about it—if the ones at headquarters get wiped out by those evil sects, who do you think they'll turn to for the rightful heir? You, Young Master Yi, will be the one to lead the main family . . ."
"Vice Commander. What's the point if the clan falls first?"
Yi Chilseong ground his teeth.
"Young Master Yi! Get a grip. The rightful heirs to headquarters were you and Elder Nangong Baek. Things are finally falling into natural order."
"Enough. It's pointless talk."
"You have to get revenge! For your father and brother—what else is there? Those bastards are laughing it up at headquarters right now. Doesn't that make your blood boil?"
". . ."
"Look at what they've done to us. Even the lowliest warriors of this unheard-of Heavenly Formation Gate look down on us now. Do you plan to rot here forever?"
Thick resentment seeped into Yi Chilseong's voice.
Nangong So bit his lower lip.
". . . It's karmic retribution."
"He's your own flesh and blood! Karmic retribution?"
"They turned their blades on the clan. What right do they have to talk of revenge?"
At first, he had felt wronged and furious too.
How could he not, waking up one day branded a traitor?
His father and brother were crippled, their fates unknown, while those once beneath him pointed fingers and spat with bulging veins.
The world had flipped overnight.
Hopelessly.
He had ground his teeth and raged, but there was nothing he could do.
But what could he do?
He was the blood of a traitor who had betrayed the clan.
The sinners who had drawn swords on kin.
*'We tried to wear clothes that didn't fit.'*
Yi Chilseong's eyes twitched.
His voice grew firm.
"We must not move. That's not changing, Young Master Yi!"
". . ."
"Young Master Yi, there's nothing we can do if we go. We just have to follow the natural course."
Yi Chilseong gripped Nangong So's shoulders firmly.
"The Nangong Clan will fall. To rebuild from those ruins, we—you and I—must be there. It's our duty."
"The natural course . . ."
"Young Master Yi, steel yourself. Close your eyes just once, and the world will change."
Yi Chilseong gave Nangong So one intense look before quietly stepping out.
Nangong So's gaze followed Yi Chilseong's retreating back through the storehouse door.
*'The natural course . . . what is the natural course?'*
Would fighting alongside headquarters earn him recognition?
Was holding this post truly the right choice?
*'Close your eyes once, and the world changes . . .?'*
His mind felt tangled.
* * *
The warriors of the Heavenly Thunder Escort Agency moved with swift efficiency.
"Move it!"
"Load the cargo onto the merchants' ships, and the warehouse goods onto carts bound for headquarters!"
"Get to it! The enemy is at our doorstep! Hurry!"
At the urgent commands, the escorts and porters bustled about.
Agency Lord Nangong Seok watched them with anxious eyes.
"What's the enemy's status?"
"The Ghost Valley Manor from Fujian is cutting straight through Zhejiang Province toward us. They'll cross Mount Guhwa in two days."
"Hmm! Two days."
He had received word only half a day ago, and now the enemy was just two days away. Nangong Seok clenched his teeth.
Sweat beaded in his palms.
"Still, it's a relief. It's tight, but two days should let us prepare over eighty percent of the supplies for headquarters."
"No—we're joining them immediately. Ship the goods by vessel. Arm the escorts and dismiss the porters, leaving only the bare minimum."
"Hmm! Understood!"
Sending untrained porters into war was cruel.
Those who could leave would go, and those who stayed would fight together.
Nangong Seok gripped his sword, steeling his gaze.
The unfamiliar feel of the blade after so long soon grew familiar.
"We're heading straight to headquarters!"
Nangong Seok mounted his horse without delay.
The escorts hauling cargo swiftly fell in behind him.
Nearly two hundred escorts and leaders lined up at his back.
Behind them, porters and supply-laden carts formed the procession.
"Depart—!"
Shweeeeeeng!
At that moment, something shot toward the Heavenly Thunder Escort Agency's main gate with ferocious momentum.
Startled, Nangong Seok thrust out his sword.
Claaang!
"Urk!"
With a thunderous clash, Nangong Seok tumbled from his horse.
Piiiing!
The spooked horse reared on its forelegs and fled, while the object Nangong Seok had deflected ricocheted backward, smashing one escort's head clean off.
Splat!
Nangong Seok's eyes widened in shock.
He had just confirmed that the projectile hurtling toward him was a mere pebble rolling on the ground.
"Enemy attack!"
"Who's there!"
"Stay calm! Reform ranks!"
The escorts soothed the horses and porters while forming up.
Nangong Seok clutched his wrist and stared ahead.
A group clad in pristine white robes was leisurely entering the grounds before the Heavenly Thunder Escort Agency.
Shing!
"Where do you think you rats are scurrying off to?"
White Cloud Sword King Ho Taegun of the White Cloud Sword Sect grinned at Nangong Seok.
Nangong Seok's face hardened like stone.
*'. . . Ho, Ho Taegun? The White Cloud Sword Sect is already here?'*
He was the overlord of White Cloud Mountain, the self-proclaimed White Cloud Sword King and leader of an evil sect.
It was obvious he had thrown the pebble—it was clear from the way he now toyed with another in his hand, tossing it up and down.
Nangong Seok recoiled in horror at the White Cloud Sword Sect's arrival.
Ho Taegun smirked and addressed his chief steward.
"See? Told you the rats would freak out. That's why I rushed ahead—to see those faces."
"As expected of the sect leader. You struck where they least expected."
"Nah, they're just idiots."
Ho Taegun sauntered forward casually.
The Heavenly Thunder warriors watched him tensely.
When Ho Taegun extended his hand, the steward brought him a massive sword.
He chuckled at the paling escorts of the agency.
The fifty-catty greatsword pointed at Nangong Seok.
"What are you waiting for? Sweep them away!"
"Yes!"
"Feed them all to the wild dogs! Make sure those Nangong Clan bastards hear about it and piss themselves!"
The white-robed White Cloud Sword Sect warriors charged at the frozen Heavenly Thunder escorts.
The white wave crashed like savage fangs.
In an instant, the clash of metal and screams erupted from the Heavenly Thunder Escort Agency.
"Kaaaargh!"
"S-spare meee!"
"Uwaaagh!"
"Block them! Hold the line!"
The Heavenly Thunder warriors desperately tried to maintain formation, but the White Cloud Sword Sect mercilessly tore through them.
Pain twisted Nangong Seok's face.
"This, this can't be!"
The agency he had devoted his youth to turned into a blood-soaked hellscape in moments.
His bloodshot eyes fixed on Ho Taegun.
Ho Taegun, greatsword in hand, tilted his head at Nangong Seok.
"Hah, not even worth drawing a sword for."
"You bastard!"
"Bastard?"
Ho Taegun grinned wickedly and hurled the pebble in his hand.
Shweeeeeeng!
As Nangong Seok twisted aside to deflect it, Ho Taegun closed the gap in a flash and seized his throat roughly.
Kwachak!
"Guh, guhk!"
Nangong Seok despaired.
He glared at Ho Taegun in lament for his own pathetic skill, unable to withstand even one move.
As he tried to show the pride of a Nangong Clan warrior and not grovel before the enemy—
Ho Taegun's hand plunged into his chest like a spike.
Rrrrip!
". . .!"
At the indescribable agony, Ho Taegun laughed.
"Never seen your own heart, have you? Take a good look."
Spuuurt!
"Guh, guuuuhk!"
Blood foam bubbled from Nangong Seok's gaping mouth.
Ho Taegun tossed him aside like trash and casually shook the blood from his hand.
He burst into laughter.
"Kehehahaha! That's the stuff! Wipe them all out! Don't leave a single ant alive! Let those Nangong Clan pups hear and quake in their boots!"
In that moment, hell unfolded at the Heavenly Thunder Escort Agency.