Chapter 319
Chapter 319
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Envoy to Hangzhou
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Nangong Jangcheon, Peng Cheonwi, and Tang Uicheon had gathered in one place.
A light spread of refreshments and teacups wafted sweet, fragrant aromas into the air.
Breaking the brief silence, Nangong Jangcheon spoke softly.
"A letter has arrived from the Huangbo Family."
Peng Cheonwi and Tang Uicheon's expressions grew slightly heavier.
Nangong Jangcheon revealed the contents of the letter as he spoke.
"They asked us to set a date and location and let them know. It seems the Huangbo Family is taking this matter in a positive light as well."
"Hmm."
"They must be just as uneasy as we are."
The other sects felt the unusual shift in the Jianghu's atmosphere due to the war with the unorthodox factions in Anhui Province.
The anxiety over when the unorthodox groups might stir again, the miracle of the Nangong Family standing against dozens of them, and the united front of three of the Five Great Families—these were more than enough to shake the entire Jianghu.
The shrewd ones were already trying to align themselves or spinning various speculations.
If even the mid- and small-sized sects were like this, then the Huangbo Family, one pillar of the Five Great Families, must be feeling this current more acutely than anyone.
The greater the power, the faster one must grasp and move with the tides, so the Huangbo Family was undoubtedly sensing a crisis from this series of events.
The possibility that the unorthodox factions could rise again.
And the unease that, in a moment of crisis, the Righteous Heaven Alliance might not provide solid support.
"The Huangbo Family will have kept in mind what role the Righteous Heaven Alliance played in this war."
Nangong Jangcheon's voice echoed lowly.
Peng Cheonwi spoke bluntly.
"Even so, the Huangbo Family won't move easily. Their Family Head is someone who reads the flow of the times faster than anyone. That's why he responded so quickly to the letter proposing this meeting. But they won't want to draw the Righteous Heaven Alliance's attention either."
"So we must hold the meeting quietly, no?"
"Is there a way to fool the Nine Great Sects' eyes?"
Nangong Jangcheon lightly stroked his beard.
He stared silently at a map depicting the Nangong Family's sphere of influence, then spoke lowly.
"What about Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province?"
"Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province?"
"Yes."
Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province was where the Nangong Family had gained vested interests after crushing the Black Dragon Sect.
It was a place in the midst of expanding business operations, where some setbacks had occurred when unorthodox groups swept through.
A glint appeared in Peng Cheonwi's eyes.
"You're thinking of using trade in commercial rights with the Huangbo Family as the pretext?"
"Exactly."
"Hmm!"
"I'm planning to discuss sea routes as well. With talk of Hangzhou's commerce, it should provide sufficient justification."
The seas once dominated by the Black Dragon Sect and Zhejiang Province overflowed with opportunities for immense profits.
It was common knowledge that the Huangbo Family in Shandong Province had long eyed the East Sea where the Black Dragon Sect operated.
If the Huangbo Family, whose control over the seas had weakened as the Black Dragon Sect rampaged, could extend its reach all the way to Hangzhou in Zhejiang, the gains for their family would be enormous.
It was a mere pretext, but one the Huangbo Family couldn't ignore without moving.
Moreover, Huangbo advancing into Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province provided the perfect excuse for all four families to gather for a meeting.
Tang Uicheon murmured lowly.
"Then we must put forward proxies."
Using proxies would allow them to evade the Nine Great Sects' scrutiny to some extent.
The three men nodded, then let out simultaneous groans.
"Who to send as proxies..."
"Hmm!"
"Proxies..."
The Family Heads absolutely could not move.
It would instantly draw the Nine Great Sects' eyes, and among Family Heads, matters of face and prestige would turn even simple agreements into detours a hundred li out of the way.
With all the additional considerations, discussions would inevitably drag on.
"The Huangbo Family will seek to extract maximum benefit from this meeting. Their Family Head is more than capable of that. From the moment we proposed it, he'll see himself as holding the advantage."
Peng Cheonwi clicked his tongue.
"Even in forming an alliance, there will be relative superiorities, so the Huangbo Family will invest heavily in this matter."
Nangong Jangcheon stroked his beard.
"We can't just send anyone. They're no pushovers."
The three Family Heads put their heads together.
"Shouldn't we at least move elders?"
"That's impractical. All three families' elders moving would draw eyes too."
"Then what about the stewards going directly?"
"Is there reason for three families' stewards to go all the way to Zhejiang Province?"
"..."
"The Tang Family is over five thousand li away..."
Embarrassment appeared on Nangong Jangcheon and Peng Cheonwi's faces.
It was a no-win situation either way.
Tang Uicheon murmured.
"...If not someone of elder rank, who else can we entrust this to? Hmm!"
"Wait."
Peng Cheonwi turned his head toward Tang Uicheon.
"What did you just say?"
"I said if not an elder, who to entrust it to..."
"Even if not an elder, wouldn't it work if we send someone who can overpower them from the start... no, a person who can?"
"Hm?"
"Someone who won't be intimidated no matter who shows up, won't let them seize the initiative, and will try to strip them bare. Someone who ignores rank and propriety, treats manners and decorum like swallowed rice, and acts with utter audacity—isn't there one such person?"
Peng Cheonwi's gaze shifted toward Nangong Jangcheon.
Nangong Jangcheon blinked.
He opened his mouth.
"N-No way?"
"Yes, that no way."
"No, are you sane?!"
"Perfectly sane!"
"Wait. Does that even make sense? What kind of position is this to send that guy to!"
Nangong Jangcheon's voice rose somewhat agitatedly.
But Peng Cheonwi pressed on without backing down.
"Then who do you send? Here, who fits those conditions better than Nangong Hyeok, that child?"
"Well..."
"He doesn't care about others' eyes, pushes his own assertions strongly, chooses no means or methods for his goals, acts outrageously! Has no sense of... no, his very mindset is different!"
"..."
"Who else but Nangong Hyeok can handle representing the family without a care for others' gazes and get the job done reliably? Am I wrong?!"
Nangong Jangcheon was at a loss for words.
...Is this guy seriously badmouthing my son right in front of me now?
'But it's all true, so I can't even refute it.'
It's my own kid he's dissing, but I can't get mad.
Son... what the hell have you been up to?
Tang Uicheon expressed strong agreement, as if he'd already reached a conclusion.
"That young lord is trustworthy. No one suits it better."
"Right? See, I'm right? This is a job for someone whose personality is shattered! Someone who'll flip the whole table!"
"I agree fully."
Of all things, the qualities they praise in Nangong Hyeok are on the personality side...
Nangong Jangcheon made a bitter expression.
'Karma, I suppose...'
Having a kid like this is really...
Nangong Jangcheon composed his expression and spoke.
"Whew, then that guy..."
"Heh heh, I've already called him."
"..."
"Come in."
As Peng Cheonwi spoke toward the outside with a somewhat excited tone, the door burst open.
Creak!
Munch munch!
Nangong Hyeok entered, chewing vigorously on a strip of jerky.
Strut strut.
"Huh."
A sigh escaped Nangong Jangcheon's mouth.
With the heads of the Peng and Tang Families, rivals for supremacy among the Five Great Families, how could they be so consistent?
Peng Cheonwi burst into laughter.
"Indeed, indeed! My eye for talent never fails. Heh heh heh, heartwarming."
Tang Uicheon nodded as well.
"A true talent."
Huh...
Nangong Jangcheon let out a groan and sigh at once.
Nangong Hyeok walked over thud thud, tilting his head cockily.
"Why? I'm super busy."
"...Have you been drinking?"
"Had a cup."
"Didn't you drink during the day too?"
"When has alcohol ever cared about day or night? If you win, you drink."
Kid, winning doesn't mean you drink for a whole month straight.
Nangong Jangcheon groaned and glanced at the two Family Heads.
Satisfaction appeared on Peng Cheonwi and Tang Uicheon's faces.
"Indeed, indeed."
"Impressive. Hmm!"
Why are you two the ones happy about this!
Gazing at Nangong Hyeok, who was embarrassing to show off, Nangong Jangcheon wore a complicated expression.
He looked straight at Nangong Hyeok and said.
"You need to go to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province."
"Pardon? Where?"
"Hangzhou."
"Why there?"
Nangong Hyeok looked at Nangong Jangcheon with a bored face.
Nangong Jangcheon hesitated.
Sending this guy—a flatland storm, no, a natural disaster at this point—to Zhejiang Province to tangle with the Huangbo Family filled him with apprehension that bordered on fear.
'It's not something you smash with force...'
Meetings and negotiations were entirely different from brute force.
He glanced at Peng Cheonwi and Tang Uicheon.
Peng Cheonwi smiled faintly.
"What's the holdup? Tell him already."
"Have the Nangong Family Head explain."
Tang Uicheon nodded and urged him on.
Since when did you two click so well? You're really turning my stomach!
Nangong Jangcheon let out a sigh and spoke.
"You'll represent the main family and go to the Huangbo Family to lead the meeting."
"A meeting?"
"Yes. A meeting."
"What do I do there?"
Nangong Hyeok asked while munching on his jerky.
Nangong Jangcheon sighed lowly in reply.
"It's to strengthen ties among the Five Great Families."
"That's it?"
"...What?"
"I mean, why make 'let's get friendly' sound so complicated? Just send a letter and done."
Nangong Jangcheon was speechless at Nangong Hyeok's words.
Reducing family-to-family matters to just 'let's be friends.'
"See? Told you. Who else but him barrels through even this?"
"Definitely has a unique edge."
"He's a master at wrecking the board."
"The perfect candidate."
Listening to the Family Heads murmur, Nangong Jangcheon lightly pressed his forehead.
"If that were the case, why would I assign this to you? It's to strengthen the alliance of the Five Great Families."
Munch munch.
Nangong Hyeok swallowed his jerky, and his expression changed.
He stared at Nangong Jangcheon and asked.
"To strengthen the alliance of the Five Great Families?"
"Yes."
"Alliance..."
Nangong Hyeok trailed off.
His expression shifted subtly.
Nangong Family, North Hebei Peng Family, Sichuan Tang Family, Huangbo Family.
What did Nangong Jangcheon hope for from a meeting of four of the Five Great Families?
If it were merely alliance-building, would he go to such lengths, looking so troubled, to send him to Zhejiang Province?
For something that could end with a few letters saying 'let's get along.'
Nangong Hyeok's eyes gleamed.
"I'm really going?"
Nangong Hyeok asked again. He looked like a mad tiger howling to be unleashed from its leash.
No, the Mad Dragon...
"Yes, because you're the right person for it."
Sssk.
A wicked smile crept across Nangong Hyeok's lips.
"So I can do it my way?"
"..."
"How should I do it? Tell me."
Nangong Jangcheon groaned in pain at Nangong Hyeok's words, seeking firm confirmation.
From the side, Peng Cheonwi and Tang Uicheon urged him.
"Ah, just tell him already."
"The Nangong Family Head should say it."
"Ahem!"
"Hm!"
Really now.
"...Use any means necessary... and win them over."
Clap!
Nangong Hyeok clapped delightedly and grinned.
"Kya! Now that's my specialty!"
"...Your specialty is locking them up and beating them."
"What was that?"
"I trust you'll do well. You're representing the three families in negotiations with the Huangbo Family!"
Nangong Jangcheon spoke with a stern gaze.
"Absolutely! Do not act recklessly under any circumstances, and refrain from anything that tarnishes the family's name."
"I'll carve the Nangong Family's name deep into the Huangbo Family."
"Ah, no..."
"When do I leave?"
"I'll let you know within the next few days..."
"Ah, so I don't have to go right away. Then I'll head out first—got urgent business. You all talk!"
Jingle jingle!
As Nangong Hyeok spun around, the wine bottle at his waist swung, producing a clear sound.
Nangong Jangcheon gaped at Nangong Hyeok slipping out of the hall, then closed his mouth.
Peng Cheonwi and Tang Uicheon wore bright smiles.
Nangong Jangcheon cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Cough, cough hem! Seems he has urgent business. He's not usually like that..."
"Uh ha ha! With that kid going, I feel relieved! Who'd have thought the day would come when his involvement eases my mind!"
"Feels like it's already done. Heh heh!"
...No, you people.
Don't badmouth someone else's kid.
Nangong Jangcheon shook his head with a groan.
The atmosphere was harmonious, so why did his stomach churn?
'Since it's come to this, have the Huangbo Family utterly crushed!'
Bloodshot veins rose in Nangong Jangcheon's eyes.
Winds of storm (?) were blowing toward Zhejiang Province.