Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: The Great Returning Pill's Secret
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Nangong Hyeok lifted one corner of his mouth and stared at Yeo Man-chu.
Yeo Man-chu broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead.
‘Th-the boat belongs to the Nangong family...’
That must be the Mad Dragon Nangong Hyeok he’d only heard rumors about.
He truly lived up to the rumors—he was a madman.
He’d beaten half the bandits to a pulp and was chatting with a smile.
‘...H-he’s truly vicious.’
Lately, tales of the Nangong family wiping out unorthodox groups had spread like thunder across the land.
Wherever one went in the martial world, stories abounded of how the Nangong family had shattered the unorthodox alliance and restored the righteous factions’ prestige.
With the Mad Dragon and his Thunder Dragon Squad—the core of those rumors—right here, how could he not be tense?
As the Nangong family’s prestige spread, so did all sorts of bizarre rumors about the Mad Dragon and Thunder Dragon Squad.
The claim that the young master was insane was putting it mildly.
They said he ate human flesh, drowned people in water, chopped them up and buried them in the dirt.
Just hearing these spine-chilling rumors was bad enough, but facing their source in the flesh had Yeo Man-chu’s throat bobbing up and down nonstop.
‘H-half the rumors must be true.’
He might not eat human flesh, but he beat people half to death, and drowning them seemed plausible enough.
If there hadn’t been witnesses, the bandits might have been wiped out already.
And it seemed true that his Thunder Dragon Squad was called the Mad Dragon Squad.
They had the ferocity to snap the necks off even three-headed, six-armed monsters.
Black道?
No, they looked more ruthless than any vicious unorthodox crew.
Look at them.
See how they were toying with those brutal Great Tiger Stronghold bandits.
Dunking them in the water one by one and cackling like demons.
Watching those tough, savage bandits turn into meek lambs was a fresh shock.
Yeo Man-chu rolled his eyes.
‘...But are the three families really forming an alliance?’
This boat didn’t just carry the Mad Dragon Nangong Hyeok and Thunder Dragon Squad.
On one side were Earth Dragon Paeng Jung-hyeok and Blood Lion Squad, and on the opposite, Sichuan Tang Clan experts.
‘And that beggar is a Beggars’ Sect division chief, while that witch-like woman is definitely Sword Pavilion’s Little Sword Marquess.’
What the Nine Great Sects had been extremely wary of was unfolding right here on this boat.
Nangong family, Northern Paeng Clan, Sichuan Tang Clan, plus Beggars’ Sect and Sword Pavilion.
For these world-shaking prestigious houses to gather in one place and head somewhere...
“Excuse me.”
Nangong Hyeok cocked his head and looked at Yeo Man-chu.
Yeo Man-chu forced an awkward smile, sweat pouring down.
“Y-yes. Speak, great hero.”
“That business you mentioned earlier... no, the merit.”
“Of course. H-ha ha! Our Yeorae Merchant Company will never forget the grace of those who bestow merit with the Buddha’s compassionate heart. We will surely repay the favor.”
“With words alone?”
“...Pardon?”
Nangong Hyeok gave Yeo Man-chu a deadpan look.
Yeo Man-chu rolled his eyes frantically.
“W-with words alone...?”
“The Buddha himself said to repay what you receive.”
“...Th-the Buddha did?”
“Whoever said it!”
Nangong Hyeok strode over and perched on the cart, gazing down at Yeo Man-chu.
“I really like the Buddha. The way he strips off his own robe for someone shivering in the cold—that sucker... no, that beautiful compassion. How wonderful is that?”
“...Y-yes, we will... surely repay...”
“Normally, you’d have to sign a contract.”
Sign what?
What kind of contract?
Some primal instinct warned him that this one sheet could upend his entire life.
Nangong Hyeok smiled faintly.
“Are we strangers, the Yeorae Merchant Company and us?”
“H-ha ha.”
“Come on, then. Tell me.”
“Pardon?”
“I said tell me.”
“No, what...”
The others also tilted their heads, puzzled about what he wanted him to say.
Geon Cheon-hwi approached and whispered.
“Young master, the Yeorae Merchant Company is highly trustworthy. They’re a lay affiliate of Shaolin, directly managed by Shaolin itself.”
So Geol-gae chimed in.
“The Beggars’ Sect doesn’t love the Nine Great Sects, but we’re on pretty good terms with Shaolin and Yeorae. They’re generous.”
He’s a sucker, that’s what.
...So Geol-gae swallowed the afterthought and glanced at Yeo Man-chu.
Everyone figured Nangong Hyeok would react by now, but his attitude remained unchanged.
His gaze bored straight into Yeo Man-chu.
Yeo Man-chu’s pupils trembled.
“W-well...”
“There’s something I’ve been emphasizing.”
“Y-yes.”
“The full story.”
At Nangong Hyeok’s low voice, Yeo Man-chu gave an awkward laugh.
“As I said earlier, those brutal Great Tiger Stronghold bandits...”
“Ah, if you don’t want to tell it, I will.”
Nangong Hyeok continued calmly.
“No matter how bandit-like Great Tiger Stronghold is, attacking the chief steward of Shaolin-protected Yeorae Merchant Company? That leaves three possibilities, right?”
“...”
“Either Great Tiger Stronghold’s boss jumped out of his pants, or they’re strong enough to ignore Shaolin. Or...”
Nangong Hyeok glanced at Yeo Man-chu’s chest and smirked.
Yeo Man-chu flinched involuntarily.
“Or they had a reason they absolutely had to capture you.”
“...!”
“Come on, spill it. We’re all in the same boat, right? No secrets here.”
Nangong Hyeok gently prodded Yeo Man-chu.
“Look, I’ve got a special bond with Shaolin, you know? It’s like we’ve been stuck together since past lives—super tight.”
“...”
“Chief Steward Yeo. You never know? Maybe it’s something we can help with?”
People chuckled at Nangong Hyeok’s nonsense dragging in past lives, but Yeo Man-chu and his company looked grave.
Nangong Hyeok’s eyes sharpened.
This was it!
His street-honed instincts kicked in.
“Isn’t it better to tell the nearby Nangong than distant Shaolin? What are friends for?”
“W-wait a moment.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Yeo Man-chu bowed his head, then turned to his guards.
Yeo Man-chu’s bodyguard shook his head firmly.
“No, Chief Steward.”
“But we have no other choice. Without them, we can’t even escape this Crimson Tile Lake right now.”
“Even so, this is classified. And those people...”
Three families opposing the Nine Great Sects were here.
The Nine Great Sects were already buzzing over Nangong family matters.
Shaolin always pursued neutrality for harmony per Buddha’s teachings, but they were still Nine Great Sects.
Something had always been off with the Five Great Clans from the start.
“There are rumors Mount Wudang is sharpening their knives. If we get tangled and link Five Great Clans with Shaolin, the scrutiny might turn on Shaolin.”
“...”
“And look at their behavior. Worse than the rumors, isn’t it? Especially that Mad Dragon... he seems half-mad. Better to cut ties before getting dragged in.”
Hearing his tense bodyguard’s whisper, Yeo Man-chu hardened his resolve.
“That’s why.”
“Pardon?”
“If that Mad Dragon senses something’s off, what do you think he’ll do? We’re in the middle of Crimson Tile Lake. Can we handle it?”
Considering Nangong Hyeok’s character—severing the bandits’ tendons and tossing them into the lake-like Crimson Tile Lake...
They had to prepare for the worst.
Gulp.
“...Even so...”
“This is a mission from Shaolin. It’s gone wrong, and even if we call for help from Shaolin or headquarters now, it won’t resolve immediately—you know that. And who knows how long this will drag on... I can’t face the division chief like this!”
The bodyguards exhaled at Yeo Man-chu’s desperate plea.
They too were bound by this secret mission.
It wasn’t just for Shaolin—it could boost the company’s strength too.
Yeo Man-chu lowered his voice to an ant’s whisper.
“First, we need to gauge his intentions. He already suspects something.”
“Mm!”
“I’ll take full responsibility, so follow my lead.”
The bodyguards nodded at Yeo Man-chu’s firm tone.
The alliance warriors, from Thunder Dragon Squad onward, watched curiously.
What could they be discussing so secretly and tensely?
‘What are they hiding to be so cautious?’
‘How did the Mad Dragon notice?’
‘Hurry up already. What’s the company up to?’
As curiosity peaked, Yeo Man-chu turned to Nangong Hyeok.
“Great hero!”
Munch munch.
Nangong Hyeok looked up, chewing jerky.
He waited silently for Yeo Man-chu’s words.
Yeo Man-chu spoke as if resolved.
“I’ll tell you.”
“Yes, yes. Out with it.”
“But can you really help...”
“Oh, come on. Let’s hear it first. Are we all in this together, or are you the odd one out?”
“The reason Great Tiger Stronghold targeted us is...”
Yeo Man-chu hesitated, then spoke low and secret.
Everyone’s ears perked up.
“Because of ingredients for the Great Returning Pill.”
“...Huh?”
“We’re secretly gathering Great Returning Pill ingredients on Shaolin’s orders.”
Nangong Hyeok blinked and tilted his head.
Gathering lost Great Returning Pill ingredients?
In secret?
Nangong Hyeok’s eyes narrowed, and behind him, So Geol-gae’s jaw dropped to the floor.
“G-Great Returning Piiiillll?!”
So Geol-gae gaped at Yeo Man-chu.
“Sh-Shaolin recovered the lost Great Returning Pill manual? Hah, no way! I knew something was off! I told you, young master, didn’t I? I said it was weird!”
“When did you?”
“You can tell just by looking! I’ve tumbled in the Beggars’ Sect for years. Insane! Shaolin recovered the Great Returning Pill legacy!”
Yeo Man-chu groaned inwardly at So Geol-gae’s reaction.
This was why he’d worried.
He knew full well the impact of the Great Returning Pill manual and ingredients.
Great Tiger Stronghold targeted them for those very ingredients!
Shaolin kept it secret precisely because they knew the world’s eyes and the jianghu’s greed.
‘But...’
The beggar was curiosity incarnate, so ignore him.
The warriors behind seemed shocked enough...
‘This Mad Dragon isn’t even flinching.’
Not just Nangong Hyeok—Nangong Ryong and Thunder Dragon Squad looked utterly indifferent, bored even.
“Oh, the Great Returning Pill?”
“Yes. That’s why those vicious thugs...”
“What, just that?”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, no. Amitabha! How frustrating! Did you save the ingredients?”
At Nangong Hyeok’s question, Yeo Man-chu’s face darkened sharply.
“The Sun Tree root was taken by Great Tiger Stronghold’s chief.”
“Sun Tree root?”
“As far as I know, that Sun Tree root is a vital ingredient that greatly boosts the Great Returning Pill’s potency—a rare item we can’t guarantee finding again...”
“Let’s go.”
Huh?
Where?
Yeo Man-chu blinked at Nangong Hyeok.
Nangong Hyeok smiled faintly.
“If we might not get it back, then we go get it. Where’s that bastard?”
“Y-young hero?”
“Young master! Then we...”
Yeo Man-chu panicked, as did Paeng Jung-hyeok and the others.
What, turn the boat around now?
This wasn’t a snap decision.
Paeng Jung-hyeok hurriedly stopped Nangong Hyeok.
“Young master! Great Tiger Stronghold is one of the thirty...”
“So?”
“We agreed not to make a big deal...”
“Is that important when we’re cooperating?”
Nangong Hyeok stared at Paeng Jung-hyeok with utmost seriousness.
Paeng Jung-hyeok’s eyes narrowed.
Cooperating?
Spouting the word that suits him least?
Nangong Hyeok’s facial muscles twitched.
Twitch twitch.
Flinch flinch.
Oh ho, he’s thrilled.
‘...What’s this punk up to now?’
Catching Paeng Jung-hyeok’s suspicious, anxious glare, Nangong Hyeok cleared his throat.
“Ahem!”
Nangong Hyeok turned hot eyes on Yeo Man-chu.
“Don’t worry. I won’t ignore Shaolin’s plight!”
“Y-young hero!”
Nangong Hyeok nodded.
“Let’s go catch that bandit bastard.”
That jerk’s tormenting my sucker... no, my guests.
‘Shaolin, huh.’
Wonder how much I can milk them if I save this.
‘Getting chummy with Shaolin ain’t bad.’
Thick-headed monks, our bond runs deep.
Heh heh, Nangong Hyeok grinned wickedly.
“Just remember one thing. That the Nangong family holds Shaolin especially dear.”
“Y-yes, young hero!”
Even as he replied in感動, Yeo Man-chu felt chills for some reason.