Chapter 317
Chapter 317
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: Labor of Atonement
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"Hah, talking at length for the first time in ages—I thought my head was gonna split open."
That was why schemers were such a pain to deal with.
"Still, at least one matter's been cleanly wrapped up."
The Millennium Flower was tied to the Beggars' Sect, and the demonic sword's origin traced back to the Black Spot.
Heh, no need to envy the world's top information network anymore.
With that, Namgung Hyuk had gained control over the twin peaks of the shadowy and overt intelligence worlds.
With Little Hook and Wave Tiger Cloud in the mix too, intel gathering wouldn't be an issue for the foreseeable future.
The Namgung Family seemed to be recovering nicely as well.
The Thunder Dragon Squad was gearing up to charge ahead on its own, while the other warriors strove to keep pace by watching them.
The leadership's bonds had grown even tighter than before, and the damages were being swiftly repaired.
The ones he'd had to drag by the hair were finally starting to walk on their own two feet.
It felt like taking one step at a time.
And yet...
'Is this enough?'
Could he really relax at just this level?
The Namgung Family had been shaken by a mere rabble of unorthodox fighters.
He himself had been thrown off by a single demonic thug practicing devilish arts.
'What I want is to surpass the Peerless Realm of the past and ascend to immortality.'
He couldn't settle for this much.
Things were moving fast already.
But they needed to go faster.
And more solidly, more assuredly.
"What do I want the Namgung Family to be?"
Walking together.
Advancing forward without leaning on him.
What the Sword King had nagged him about endlessly.
Standing behind him, and him standing behind them in turn—that kind of relationship.
He'd tried standing tall alone once.
But that path hadn't been all that sweet.
It had to be different from his days as the unrivaled supreme of the martial world—and it was changing.
Walking together meant facing the same direction.
Facing the same goal...
Simple enough, then.
"The pinnacle of the martial world."
He would surpass the supreme under heaven to become the greatest across the ages, and the Namgung Family would eclipse the Righteous Heaven Alliance to become the supreme power under heaven.
In the past, he'd walked alone and failed to achieve it.
But things were different now, weren't they?
They would stand together at the pinnacle of the martial world.
A few images took shape in Namgung Hyuk's mind.
"Sword King, what you went on about might mean something different from what I'm thinking. But if that's unfair, go reincarnate yourself, you bastard."
What could be done about the Namgung Family hanging on him?
Namgung Hyuk knocked back his cup of liquor and furrowed his brow.
"And next?"
Eliminate the enemies hindering the Namgung Family's and his own growth.
The answer was obvious.
The demonic cults, those bastards.
"Sitting back and taking hits isn't my style."
Time to show them what happens when they dare mess with him.
Time to etch into their minds again what it means to invade his territory.
"Seventy years ago, we won the war, but..."
Glug glug glug.
He filled his cup.
Namgung Hyuk muttered.
"Touch me twice, and this time I'll wipe your sect from existence."
A chilling aura flickered in Namgung Hyuk's eyes.
'To do that, I need to get my own house in order first.'
So that no matter how many demonic cultists came, he'd never be rattled by mere grunts again.
Namgung Hyuk tucked a bottle of bamboo leaf liquor under his arm, grabbed another bottle of fiery liquor in hand, and exited the Silver River Tavern.
He strolled leisurely toward the Namgung Family estate, sorting through his thoughts.
'But I feel like I forgot something important.'
What was it?
What... huh?
"Ah, forgot about that bastard."
His eyes caught Namgung So emerging from the inner courtyard of the Namgung Family estate.
"Hey!"
Namgung Hyuk called out lightly to Namgung So.
Namgung So, walking from the opposite direction, turned his gaze toward him.
"Where you headed?"
Namgung So looked at Namgung Hyuk with a calm, composed face.
Namgung Hyuk strode right up in front of Namgung So.
Yi Chilsung stepped forward to block the swaggering approach.
"What do you want?"
Namgung Hyuk glanced at Yi Chilsung before looking at Namgung So.
"What do I want? Just checking in on you since I saw your face."
Yi Chilsung let out a grunt.
Of all people to run into, it had to be Namgung Hyuk.
Anyone hanging around the Namgung Family walls knew the guy had a nasty, prickly temper.
And with the bad blood between Namgung So and Namgung Hyuk, he worried this bastard—backed by the full Namgung Family—might pull some dirty trick on Namgung So.
"Deputy Commander."
"Yes."
"Step back for a moment."
"Young Master Yi..."
Namgung Hyuk cut in abruptly.
"Me?"
"No! I mean Young Master Namgung So!"
This little shit!
Yi Chilsung scowled at Namgung Hyuk.
But he couldn't bring himself to say a word. In the past, he might've sneered, mocked, or picked a fight.
But the current Namgung Hyuk was beyond his reach.
He'd become an existence surpassing the family's influence and prowess in every way.
Namgung So took a step forward.
After taking a steadying breath, he spoke to Namgung Hyuk.
"I know what you want to say. The bloodline of the man who led the rebellion showing his face here so brazenly—can't blame you for hating it."
"Hm?"
"Don't worry. I won't demand or claim anything over this incident."
Namgung So paused for a moment before slowly opening his mouth again.
"I'm planning to head back to where I came from by tomorrow. And I won't return until summoned."
"Young Master Namgung So! Why announce something like that without consulting...!"
"Deputy Commander, we're in the middle of a conversation."
Namgung So blocked Yi Chilsung's interruption with a firm expression.
He looked quietly at Namgung Hyuk and said.
"I'm sorry for everything up till now."
Yi Chilsung's eyes widened.
He never dreamed Namgung So would apologize to Namgung Hyuk.
'Why on earth is Young Master Yi apologizing!'
He couldn't understand why Namgung So—who'd opposed the war, joined without knowing it was a rebellion, and even provided support—would apologize to Namgung Hyuk.
Unable to hold back, Yi Chilsung ground his teeth.
"Why should Young Master Yi apologize? We've paid more than enough for sins we didn't commit, and we even helped. We deserve gratitude, not apologies."
"Deputy Commander!"
"Am I wrong? Why should we come back to the main house just to face this scorn and disdain?"
"I said stop!"
Namgung So glared at Yi Chilsung with stern eyes.
Yi Chilsung flinched under the intense gaze.
A brief silence fell, and Namgung So clasped his hands in a formal salute toward Namgung Hyuk.
"I'll apologize again. For my foolish past actions, and for my father's crimes."
"......"
"I'm truly sorry."
Yi Chilsung let out a heavy grunt, and Namgung So's expression grew even more resolute.
They waited for Namgung Hyuk's response.
In that instant that felt like an eternity.
"What the hell are you slaves babbling about!"
"Huh?"
"Who said you get to go north on your own whim?"
"W-What?"
Namgung So's serious face twisted in confusion.
Hey, accept the apology or reject it—pick one.
'S-Slaves?'
What did slaves even mean?
Namgung Hyuk rolled up his sleeves and twisted his lips.
"If you're sorry, then work, you slaves."
"W-What? Sorry doesn't mean we work!"
"What era do you think this is, you lot trying to slack off and suck honey? Work! Work!"
Namgung Hyuk grabbed Namgung So by the scruff of the neck.
More than the brute force, it was the absurd, baffling words that froze Namgung So solid—words that defied all logic.
"W-What the hell..."
"You too. You look like you'd be good at it."
"Let go..."
"Sign the slave contract first, you punks."
Pat pat!
"Y-Your acupoint... hit..."
Yi Chilsung stared wide-eyed at Namgung Hyuk.
What the fuck is this little shit doing!
He wanted to shove him off and twist his arm right then, but his body wouldn't budge, no matter his will.
Yi Chilsung called out to Namgung So in panic.
"Y-Young Master Yi! Are you al...?"
"Why do you keep yapping?"
"Not you, you punk!"
"Talking tough when you're about to drop dead? You're on lifetime sentence."
"W-What?!"
Lifetime sentence?
What scheme is this dog up to?
Drag drag drag...
His gaze fell on the construction site where the Namgung Family's ruined halls were being rebuilt.
'N-No way, he's seriously gonna make us work?'
This couldn't be happening!
He had zero desire to stay in the Namgung Family like this.
But against his will, his body was endlessly dragged along by Namgung Hyuk's hand.
Drag drag drag...
Namgung So, dazed, stared at the clouds drifting backward as he was hauled away.
'...Something went wrong.'
All he'd done was apologize.
But regret always comes too late.
Namgung Hyuk grinned as he whispered to the two being dragged along.
"I'm generous. Don't worry."
Generous my ass—you're generous with coffins, you fucker!
"Normally I'd smash traitors to pieces, but I've decided to change."
"......"
"So let's just have each of you sign a slave oath to contribute to the Namgung Family reconstruction."
"Let go, let—! Let go, you bastard!"
Yi Chilsung's screams crossed with Namgung So's resigned expression.
Namgung Hyuk chuckled.
"See? Desperation breeds opportunity. Slaves walking right into my hands."
Damn, even dog shit has its uses.
Perfect weather for rebel scum to slave away!
Yeah, I'm generous.
I'll plug all those labor shortages with those guys.
We're all blood kin anyway!
"Come on, you two join the fun."
Namgung So and Yi Chilsung howled at Namgung Hyuk's incomprehensible ramblings.
Regardless, Namgung Hyuk's rebel-to-slave operation was proceeding apace.
* * *
"What... in the world is this?"
Namgung Jangcheon gaped at Namgung So and Yi Chilsung swinging pickaxes.
Thud! Bang! Thud! Bang!
Grind! Grrrrrind!
Each swing of pickaxe and shovel saw Namgung So and Yi Chilsung's teeth grind fiercely.
"That damn Namgung Hyuk!"
"Grrr, I told you we shouldn't come, didn't I!"
"You bastard!"
Voices thick with resentment echoed softly across the outer courtyard reconstruction site.
Namgung Jangcheon turned to Namgung Hyuk, who was grinning ear to ear.
"What the hell did you do to Namgung So?"
"What do you mean? I hired them as Namgung Family laborers."
"You're keeping them here?"
"Is that a problem?"
Of course it is, you fool!
Namgung Jangcheon pressed his throbbing temple and exhaled.
"They're implicated in the main house rebellion. Though I trusted and accepted them back as family members, there are procedures. We can't just ignore them all."
"No. Bluntly speaking, the rebellion ringleader was their dad, not them. If you're punishing, punish that side."
"Well..."
"Of course, they didn't exactly behave either, so punishment's in order."
"So you were exiling them as penalty..."
"Ah, what kind of punishment is that? Lounging in some scenic mountain villa sucking honey? That's a vacation, vacation!"
Namgung Hyuk cocked his head sideways.
"When people commit crimes, don't they deserve punishment? That's the way of the world, right?"
"W-Well, yes... so?"
"So I'm punishing them right now, aren't I?"
...And that's your idea of punishment?
"Better than letting them idle up north, draining Namgung Family wealth. Better to work them like dogs—er, entrust them with family duties."
"Huh?"
"Think about it. Would they be happier here or there?"
Anywhere without you would be happier.
Unable to respond, Namgung Jangcheon fell silent as the elders, led by Great Elder Namgung Uigyeong, chimed in.
"Hoho! Quite right, quite right. The more you worry, the closer you keep them."
"Hyuk's reliable. They'd rather take hell over this, so this punishment's top-notch."
"Indeed. Rolling like dogs beats rolling under Hyuk."
What the hell are these old coots saying?
"Want me to make you roll too?"
"Hoho, seeing Hyuk talk so crudely to us old fogeys—proves our Hyuk will do just fine."
"Right?"
"Absolutely."
The elders slyly averted their eyes.
Namgung Hyuk smiled faintly as he looked at Namgung Jangcheon.
"You gonna let all the rebels sit idle when we're short on hands?"
It was like an ant hell.
Turning rebellion supporters into slaves for labor—unbelievable.
Namgung Jangcheon pondered briefly before asking quietly.
"Just what is the reason for going this far?"
All the back-and-forth amounted to keeping them in the family.
He was curious about the motive.
Namgung Hyuk glanced up at the sky before speaking with sunken eyes.
"Because I think things will change."
"Change?"
"If the Namgung Family embraces them, I feel like we'll grow one step further, one inch stronger than before."
"......!"
"My father said it, didn't he? Our ways differed, that's all. That we could walk together."
Namgung Jangcheon's pupils trembled faintly at Namgung Hyuk's words.
The statement sent ripples through the hearts of Namgung Jangcheon and the elders.