Chapter 329
Chapter 329
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 337
Chapter Title: Arrival in Hangzhou
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Huangbo Ryeon, an elder of the Huangbo Family, stood at the railing of the large ship with his hands clasped behind his back, taking in the distant sight of Hangzhou.
He silently gazed at Hangzhou, where sunlight filtered through the mist to create an ethereal beauty, before turning his head.
Though he was approaching sixty, his ruddy complexion made him look like a man in his forties.
With rock-hard shoulders as broad as they were sturdy, he turned, resembling a boulder in motion.
"We're almost at Hangzhou."
"Yes, Elder."
"Relax. No one's around."
At Huangbo Ryeon's words, Huangbo Chung glanced around furtively before lifting his head.
"Yes."
Huangbo Ryeon frowned at the dejected Huangbo Chung.
"Are you still dwelling on the martial tournament?"
"Uh..."
"You are the young heir of the great Huangbo Family. Stand tall and proud."
"..."
"A martial tournament is just a tournament. Do you think the one who will lead the main family in the future should cling to something so trivial?"
It was a quiet but stern rebuke.
Yet at the same time, he could understand Huangbo Chung's feelings.
'To lose so badly to a third-generation disciple from Huashan whose name he didn't even know.'
Meanwhile, the two Nangong brothers under his wing were racking up achievements daily and gaining fame, while Huangbo Chung had been faltering ever since the tournament.
His martial arts had even stagnated, so he must have felt left behind by his peers.
As the eldest son of the Huangbo Family, showered with expectations, suffering such a defeat must have been utterly mortifying.
'Even so, he can't mope around forever.'
"Don't forget why I'm going to this Hangzhou meeting—and why you are too."
"Yes."
"The main family will use this opportunity to expand our influence beyond Shandong. We're not content with just Shandong."
Strength entered Huangbo Ryeon's eyes, and Huangbo Chung swallowed hard.
He knew that once Elder Huangbo Ryeon set his mind to something, he saw it through without fail.
A man of fiery temper, with the loyalty to give his life for the Huangbo Family.
That was why his father, the family head, had sent Elder Huangbo Ryeon to this meeting.
"With the Black Dragon Sect gone, Zhejiang Province is no different from ownerless land. You know the situation, don't you?"
"If we leave it as is, the Nangong Family will swiftly absorb Zhejiang's interests."
"Exactly. Hangzhou is famous for its vast resources and landmarks, always teeming with crowds. Where there are people, factions follow."
Huangbo Ryeon narrowed his eyes and turned back toward the approaching Hangzhou.
"Hangzhou is the starting point. This place will open the path for the main family into Zhejiang."
"The meeting with the Nangong Family..."
"It's a meeting, but ultimately a place for negotiation, isn't it? We'll negotiate. We'll correct the buttons that were sewn wrong from the start."
Huangbo Chung flinched.
"If things don't go as planned..."
"Chung-ah."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Don't you know me? I've made up my mind, and this is the family head's will as well."
Huangbo Ryeon's expression and voice grew resolute.
"No matter what methods I must use, I will see my will through. I have no doubt this is the path for the family."
"Th-then..."
"The martial world has always been claimed by the strong, hasn't it?"
Huangbo Chung let out a groan as he eyed Huangbo Ryeon, who was even considering their final resort.
"Uncle, with the Peng and Dang families present, that's too..."
"Do you think I haven't considered that?"
"Urgh."
"Once we reach Hangzhou, you can't act like this. Conduct yourself as the young heir."
"Yes... Uncle."
Huangbo Chung nodded at Huangbo Ryeon's words.
Huangbo Ryeon silently stroked his graying beard.
A subtle glint flickered in his eyes before fading.
* * *
Hangzhou, where the Qiantang River wound its way, connected to canals in the south and boasted the world-famous West Lake to the west.
The stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters of West Lake drew endless streams of pleasure-seekers.
With abundant goods, breathtaking views, and countless landmarks, it was no wonder Hangzhou was called paradise on earth.
Go Dong-gil, leader of the Heavenly Firmament Merchant Group, gazed toward the canal entrance.
Behind him stood the core members of the Heavenly Firmament Merchant Group along with Nangong Family affiliates, all staring intently in the same direction.
Tension was evident on every face.
Though the sun was high at midday—the busiest time of day—they stood like statues, fixated on the canal entrance.
The reason was simple.
Their Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province had been chosen as the site for the Five Great Families' meeting.
Not only the main family's people, but the Hebei Peng Family, Sichuan Dang Family, and Huangbo Family would all gather in one place.
The sheer presence of those arriving by canal filled them with unimaginable pressure.
At the same time, a sense of pride swelled knowing Hangzhou was the venue for their gathering.
"Leader, who from the main family is coming?"
"I haven't received word on that yet. Only that the Peng and Dang representatives are traveling together."
"No mention at all?"
"None. But given the secrecy..."
They were conducting the affair in layers to evade the eyes of the Orthodox Alliance.
Surface dealings between merchant groups masked it all.
Even using ships for transport showed how sensitively each family viewed the matter.
"Urgh. Things seem to be changing rapidly since the war."
"Isn't that how the jianghu works? We merchants must read the currents and adapt."
The Heavenly Firmament leadership nodded at Go Dong-gil's words.
"Our task now is to coordinate smoothly with the Heavenly King Merchant Group and host the family members well."
"Yes, Leader."
The group nodded and turned their gaze back to the canal.
How much time passed?
"There! The main family's ship!"
At the canal's end, beyond the horizon, a black dot appeared.
It soon grew rapidly, revealing the massive form of a large ship.
Atop the grand vessel, the Nangong Family flag fluttered boldly.
Tension clouded Go Dong-gil's face, and those behind him straightened up.
Splash!
Like a fish slicing through water, the ship swiftly entered the canal and docked.
Splash!
The waves churned violently.
"..."
As the parted waters settled and the breeze touched Go Dong-gil and the others' faces.
People began peeking out from the ship.
Go Dong-gil swallowed hard.
Who on earth had come?
Though he didn't show it, he was intensely curious about whom the family had sent for the meeting.
People disembarked one by one.
The gazes of those waiting at the canal locked onto the ship.
Who would be the representative for the meeting?
"Hm?"
Someone leaped from the ship.
The urgency and desperation reached even here.
"A beggar?"
The beggar who jumped from the ship, hand over mouth, bowed toward the canal.
"Urghhh!"
The sound of guts spilling out left everyone stunned.
Why was a beggar disembarking from the ship?
Before the question faded.
Rumble!
A group poured from the ship, rushing to the beggar's side and bending over.
"Urghhh!"
"Blarrgh!"
"Eurgh!"
"Cough, cough!"
Had they all drunk as a group?
Go Dong-gil and the Heavenly Firmament people stared in bewilderment.
"See? We weren't late."
"W-we weren't late, but..."
"Human will can even move the heavens, right?"
"If it moves them, do they all puke like that?"
"Pathetic weaklings. Seasick just because we sailed fast. Tsk tsk!"
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue lightly at So Geol-gae and those with heads buried in the canal.
The exhausted Thunder Dragon Squad, drained from rowing, shot him resentful glares, but Namgung Hyeok paid no mind.
Go Dong-gil swallowed again.
'Th-the Second Young Master!'
Namgung Hyeok from the Harmony Alliance was right before his eyes.
'Whoa, is this really the same person from a year ago?'
It wasn't just Namgung Hyeok's exploits over the past year.
The difference between his first impression and now was staggering.
The healthy glow on his face, the defined shoulders, the sharp gleam in his eyes—he could pass for someone else entirely.
Even next to the imposing Namgung Yong, he didn't fade.
'Ah!'
Go Dong-gil let out a gasp of admiration.
The rumor of two dragons in the Nangong Family hit home.
His chest swelled with grandeur.
'Thunder Prison Sword Dragon Namgung Yong and the Mad Dragon...'
"Yaaaah! Golden Summit!"
Then, Namgung Hyeok charged straight in and grabbed Golden Summit's collar amid the crowd.
"G-gah! S-Second Young Master! P-people are watching, people..."
"You bastard! Your master nearly died in the war, and you don't show your face!"
"I-I was busy too..."
"You were busy while I almost died, you punk!"
Namgung Hyeok shook Golden Summit by the collar wildly.
"I came by cart—a cart! You bastard!"
"C-cart or carriage..."
"This punk doesn't even greet his long-lost master!"
"No time to gr—gack!"
Regardless of Golden Summit's face turning purple, Namgung Hyeok's hands didn't stop.
"Hey... mmph!"
"Stop!"
"Mmph!"
"Oh, please! Second Young Master! Calm down. Let go! I'll die!"
"Mmph!"
Namgung Yong clamped Namgung Hyeok's mouth, and the Thunder Dragon Trio piled on.
"Gack!"
Golden Summit gasped for air and hurriedly hid behind Go Dong-gil.
Go Dong-gil stared at the frenzied Namgung Hyeok in a daze.
'...He really is the Mad Dragon.'
Whoa, he wasn't like this before.
No, back then, no one imagined him grabbing collars like that.
His body had been fragile as a twig.
But now, with so many eyes watching.
Eyes watching...
"Are you the leader of the Heavenly Firmament Merchant Group?"
Go Dong-gil flinched as a man nearly seven feet tall approached, then nodded upon recognizing the Peng Family's young heir.
"Yes. And you are the Peng Family's young heir?"
"Yes. Peng Jung-hyeok."
"Urgh!"
Peng Yeon-hwa bowed gracefully.
Her poise and aura were truly befitting a prestigious family.
Go Dong-gil's gaze flicked to Namgung Hyeok being dragged away, then returned.
"I'm Dang Myeong-jin of the Dang Family. And my sister."
"Dang Myeong-ok!"
Though her impression was slightly cool, the Dang siblings surpassed the ordinary.
Worthy rivals to the Nangong Family among the Five Great Families.
With the Dang and Peng Families strengthening ties with the Nangong Family here, his chest swelled once more...
"Mmph! Mmmph! Hey! Let go, I won't, it was just a joke... mmph!"
"But why are you glaring like you want to kill me!"
"Let go or die, for real!"
Whoa...
Go Dong-gil sighed at the ruckus from Namgung Hyeok.
In this brief moment, Namgung Hyeok's overwhelming presence captivated everyone.
Shortly after, the calmed Namgung Hyeok dusted off his hands and approached.
He flashed a gentle smile.
"Haha, just excited to see a familiar face."
...A bit more excitement and someone would've died?
"You must've been startled. I didn't expect to be this thrilled either."
Go Dong-gil realized for the first time how quickly one could glimpse a person's true depths.
"N-nice to see you. We met once before."
"Ah, I know, I know. Haha!"
"Yes. But..."
Go Dong-gil trailed off, scanning the surroundings.
While everyone was stunned by Namgung Hyeok's entrance, he sensed something off about the group.
"Where are the family elders participating in the meeting..."
Urgh.
What was that?
A groan just now?
"Y-Young Master?"
Namgung Yong gazed at distant mountains.
Go Dong-gil swept his eyes around; everyone avoided his gaze.
His head turned slowly forward.
Namgung Hyeok smiled amiably right in front of him.
No way?
Namgung Hyeok said innocently.
"I'm the representative."
"...Pardon? Even the Peng and Dang..."
"I'm the representative."
Wait, hold on...
Namgung Hyeok lightly took Go Dong-gil's hand, slung an arm around his shoulder, and started walking.
"Come on, enough. We'll talk on the way."
"Uh, uh..."
"Too much canal breeze? My throat's parched. Summit, I'm thirsty. Let's wet our whistles!"
Golden Summit grinned and clung on.
"...Heh heh, even more of a rascal now..."
"Wanna die?"
"I'll raise a toast to the rascal. Haha!"
Those following let out successive groans.