Chapter 318
Chapter 318
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 324
Chapter Title: The Blade King Manual
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In the guest hall set up in the inner courtyard, Pang Tianwei and his son Pang Zhonghe sat facing each other.
Pang Tianwei sipped his Tieguanyin tea thoughtfully as he regarded Pang Zhonghe.
“How’s your body?”
“It’s much better.”
“You have to take good care of internal injuries. Don’t assume you’re fully recovered just because you feel better for a day or two.”
“I’ve been training diligently.”
Pang Zhonghe replied with a calm demeanor.
Pang Tianwei’s eyes gleamed as he looked at his son.
“Your cultivation seems even deeper than before.”
His voice was gruff, but the pride swelling within it was impossible to hide.
‘My judgment was spot on.’
Pang Zhonghe, who would one day lead the Hebei Pang Family, needed to keep growing without cease.
He had to broaden his horizons, learn more, and grow stronger.
Seeing him now confirmed that it was working to some extent.
‘I always gain something just by being around that guy.’
Considering their ties to the Nangong Clan and Namgung Hyuk, placing Pang Zhonghe at Namgung Hyuk’s side had been the perfect decision.
Pang Zhonghe smiled faintly.
“Sticking by that guy as you wished seems to be paying off.”
“Exactly. Every time I see you, I can feel how much deeper your achievements have become.”
“Yes, Father.”
Pang Tianwei gazed steadily at Pang Zhonghe before speaking.
“So, what do you think?”
The question came out of nowhere, but Pang Zhonghe responded as if he’d been waiting for it, perfectly composed.
“You saw it yourself, Father. The Nangong Clan is far stronger than what we’d heard or seen.”
“True. Not only the Family Head’s martial prowess, but the clan warriors exceeded my expectations as well.”
“With Namgung Hyuk at the center, the elders and clan members’ atmosphere has shifted.”
“So you’re saying that kid is leading the Nangong Clan’s momentum and wielding real influence.”
Pang Tianwei took a sip of his Tieguanyin and lightly stroked his beard.
“Shining in guerrilla warfare, setting the stage... He’s not just a sly fox with a glib tongue—he’s got real insight too?”
He’d known the boy was no ordinary man, but he was turning into something even more extraordinary.
‘...I’d believe it if they said he was the Sword King reincarnated.’
Wasn’t it just like the Sword King’s youthful exploits, rising as a hero from the Demonic Blood Tribulation?
No—more than that.
Pang Tianwei spoke in a solemn tone.
“It was only through this war that I truly grasped the Nangong Clan’s value. I once told you that kid has the potential to grow into a great tree.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“That doesn’t just apply to the Nangong Clan—it could affect our own family too. And you’d be swept up in it as well. Do you understand?”
“...”
“You might end up chasing his shadow your whole life.”
Pang Zhonghe thought for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
“Father.”
“Go ahead.”
“Does being in the Nangong Clan’s shadow weaken our family?”
“No, far from it. We’d grow even stronger. We might even surpass our glory from before the Demonic Blood Tribulation.”
Pang Zhonghe nodded.
“The Nangong Clan is powerful. I couldn’t even beat Namgung Ryong right now, let alone Namgung Hyuk.”
“Is that your stance?”
“But Father.”
Pang Tianwei looked at Pang Zhonghe.
“I don’t think I’ll be at this level in ten or twenty years. I’m young, with much to learn. I’m still growing, and in less than a year, I’ve already surpassed my previous realm.”
“True enough.”
“In my era, I’ll never be beneath Namgung Hyuk. I’ll grow stronger and work harder. Isn’t that why you sent me here—to revive the clan?”
Pang Zhonghe’s eyes blazed with determination.
Pang Tianwei felt a swell of quiet pride.
He’d worried his son might have lost heart seeing such a genius—no, monster—but that wasn’t the case.
Pang Zhonghe had grown even more than he’d expected.
Pang Zhonghe smiled faintly.
“Following your will in the Nangong Clan has given me a lot.”
“Good. As long as you’ve made up your mind.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Your posture slouches every time you speak—aside from that, it was an excellent choice.”
“...?”
Pang Tianwei let out a chuckle as he eyed Pang Zhonghe, who had somehow crossed his legs and tilted his head crookedly.
The fire in Pang Zhonghe’s eyes vanished as they widened in surprise.
“Huh? Oh, damn. Ah, Father, this is...”
Pang Zhonghe hurriedly straightened up in a fluster.
Pang Tianwei burst into hearty laughter.
“Son, mind your manners.”
“...N-no, that’s not it. Ah, why did I even...?”
“Learn only the good things. Only the good.”
“...Y-yes, yes.”
Pang Zhonghe straightened his posture, sweat beading on his forehead.
‘Damn it, have I lost my mind? Crossing my legs in front of Father... This is all that bastard Namgung Hyuk’s fault.’
Of all times, when he needed to be flawless!
His plan to impress his father and return to Hebei hit a snag.
He looked at Pang Tianwei in panic.
“Ah, Father, I...”
“That’s enough for now.”
“Huh?”
“Return to Hebei.”
“What?”
Pang Zhonghe blinked in confusion.
“For real? But the Blade King Manual...”
“The Blade King Manual.”
“Yes, we haven’t found it yet...”
“Ha ha ha ha! Zhonghe, you fool!”
Pang Tianwei’s booming laughter left Pang Zhonghe bewildered.
“Father?”
“We can claim the Blade King Manual now that this is settled, right?”
“Huh?”
“I’ve confirmed that the kid owes our family a debt. We just negotiate!”
Pang Zhonghe’s eyes widened at his father’s words.
‘As expected of Father! When did he get that confirmation from him?’
Even now, pushing a bill on Namgung Hyuk showed Pang Tianwei was always one step ahead.
Pang Zhonghe cheered inwardly.
‘Finally, back to Hebei—home! Yeah...!’
But as excitement over returning to Hebei bubbled up, a strange unease stirred alongside it.
‘...Yeah, our paths diverge. He’s grown stronger, that’s a fact. A proper thank-you is in order, at least.’
Despite the chaos, the constant life-or-death struggles like a dog rolling in the dirt—fresh memories all.
Still, there were plenty of fun ones too, weren’t there?
Pang Tianwei continued.
“Once we wrap up with the Huangbo Clan, we head straight back to Hebei. Start preparing to leave.”
“The Huangbo Clan?”
“Hmm. Well, since things have come to this...”
Pang Tianwei trailed off and rose to his feet.
Pang Zhonghe was curious but didn’t press.
He assumed his father was holding back mid-conversation.
“First, let’s settle the Blade King Manual.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Come with me. You should be there too.”
“Yes, Father!”
Pang Zhonghe nodded and followed.
‘I’ve gained so much.’
With the Blade King Manual, plus the insights from living with Namgung Hyuk, he and his family would prosper even more.
He’d also sensed the shifting tides among the Five Great Clans from this war.
Contacting the nearby Huangbo Clan must be about that.
Father and son strode toward Namgung Hyuk’s residence.
As they walked, Pang Tianwei instructed Pang Zhonghe.
“You need to learn negotiation. A family head must master not just martial arts, but management too.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Negotiations demand cold precision. Even with friends, deals must be clear-cut.”
“Yes!”
Pang Tianwei glanced approvingly at Pang Zhonghe.
His sturdy son followed perfectly, filling him with pride.
That was when—
Bang!
The door to Namgung Hyuk’s residence flew open, and Namgung Hyuk burst out.
“Ah, I was just coming to find you—”
Pang Tianwei paused mid-step toward him.
Sssssmile.
Whoosh!
Namgung Hyuk beamed with a warm, benevolent smile that lit up the world.
Pang Tianwei blinked.
“He he he he he he he.”
It was an innocently radiant laugh, bordering on idiotic and sucker-like.
Pang Tianwei tilted his head at the familiar, beaming smile he’d seen once before.
What was that?
When did it come out?
As he puzzled, a pale-skinned woman in Tang Clan robes—Tang Yicheon—emerged behind Namgung Hyuk.
“Let’s go! I’m in a great mood today. My treat—one spot that’s to die for! Ever heard of Heavenly Abode Tower?”
“Ho ho ho, I heard it’s under reconstruction.”
“Ah, then Silver River Inn it is! I’ll have them lay out a full spread.”
“Ho ho ho, I didn’t expect such treatment.”
“He he he he! Oh man, you and I... no, are we strangers?! Is the Tang Clan? I, Namgung Hyuk, can never match the Tang Family Head’s spirit and warmth! He he he!”
“Ho ho ho! Our family values forging ties with you!”
They looked ready to throw an arm around each other.
Scribble scribble!
Tang Myeongok emerged behind, furiously jotting in her notebook.
Namgung Hyuk threw his head back in a booming laugh, then locked eyes with Pang Tianwei.
“Huh? Family Head Pang, what brings you?”
“I have something to say to you...”
“Ah, this?”
Namgung Hyuk pulled a weathered booklet from his bosom and waved it teasingly.
Pang Tianwei’s pupils swayed in sync.
“A-hem!”
This brat’s pulling some scheme with that nonsense again!
Not falling for it this time...
“Here, take it.”
“Take it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re giving it?”
“Are you insane? Just handing it over?! You?!”
Pang Zhonghe was more shocked than Pang Tianwei, blurting out and forgetting the Tang Family Head was there.
Namgung Hyuk stared blankly, so Pang Zhonghe awkwardly scratched his head.
Even Pang Tianwei asked again in astonishment.
“...No strings attached? You’re really giving this away?”
Namgung Hyuk grinned.
“We settle accounts properly.”
“Accounts... right.”
“I pay what I owe.”
“Huh.”
Pang Tianwei let out a hollow laugh. This kid knew the value of the Blade King Manual’s latter half better than anyone.
Yet he was handing it over like a borrowed book.
‘...No, he sees our family as worth that much. He values us enough to equate it with the Blade King Manual.’
Pang Tianwei’s expression turned peculiar.
He stared silently at Namgung Hyuk.
The guy calculated when needed, gave generously when he chose, and acted decisively—a strange one.
“Too much.”
“What?”
“With this Blade King Manual, our family will grow even stronger. You sure?”
“What’s there to be sure about?”
Namgung Hyuk’s lips curved up.
“It’s good when your allies get stronger.”
“Allies...”
“Yeah. If our goals align, we’re allies. Friends, right?”
“Ha ha! Ho ha ha ha! Right, friends! Ho ha ha ha!”
Pang Tianwei laughed heartily.
Namgung Hyuk grinned.
“Then I’ve got business with the Tang Family Head.”
“Hmm? We’re done?”
“Nah, this is just starting. For a good... no, solid relationship, this drink is a must.”
Namgung Hyuk chuckled and turned.
Tang Yicheon extended a gentle hand toward him with a warm smile.
“Talk over?”
“Yes!”
“Where were we?”
“You said your kids want to stay in the Nangong Clan despite any shortcomings.”
“Oh my, our precious Tang Clan... no, guests! I treasure them dearly. Oh, these cute little money... no, darlings!”
“Ho ho ho! With you saying that, I trust only you.”
“Ho ha ha ha ha!”
Pang Zhonghe watched the departing Namgung Hyuk and Tang duo in a daze, eyes gleaming with ecstasy as he turned to Pang Tianwei.
Tremble!
‘Father’s thrilled too! The complete Blade King Manual is finally ours!’
“Father!”
“Zhonghe.”
“Yes, Father. Now our family will soar—”
“Emergency.”
“Yes, soar—”
“No, you idiot! Emergency!”
Pang Tianwei glared at Pang Zhonghe with bloodshot eyes.
Pang Zhonghe looked at him in confusion.
Emergency? What?
“The Tang Family Head’s leaving his kids behind!”
Pang Zhonghe blinked.
What’s that mean?
So what if they stay?
“But why...”
“Why?! You got this much in a year. You leave, and the Tang kids stay to learn under him—what happens then?!”
“What does it matter? We’ll train the Blade King Manual and—”
“I’ll train it! You need to learn! Watch him, check him—that’s the point!”
“Ah, Father... N-no. Father, why...”
“A great family head adapts to the situation.”
Pang Tianwei fixed his son with a stern gaze.
“Stay.”
“...No way!”
“Stay, you fool.”
“...”
Despair clouded Pang Zhonghe’s face.
Pang Tianwei tucked the Blade King Manual into his bosom and quickened his pace after Namgung Hyuk.
Pang Zhonghe staggered in stunned devastation.
‘Damn it, no one in this world can be trusted...’
As betrayal welled up with tears pricking his eyes, Tang Myeongjin quietly appeared and patted his shoulder.
“You too?”
“...Yeah.”
“Fuck.”
The two shared the misery of kindred suffering.