Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Subordinate Training
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Crunch crunch!
Watching Namgung Hyeok inhale his food like a storm, Geum Cheomsang's jaw dropped.
'Whoa... has he been possessed by a hungry ghost or something?'
The guy who used to struggle just to eat was now devouring enough to put any grown man to shame.
'Is it because of the spirit pill?'
As he watched Namgung Hyeok chow down, even "gluttonous" didn't begin to cover it.
"...P-Please, eat slowly?"
"Hm?"
But whether Geum Cheomsang worried or not, Namgung Hyeok kept his face buried in the bowl, focused solely on the food.
"Delicious!"
"Pardon?"
"I said it's delicious. So this is what it tastes like."
Namgung Hyeok's body had heightened senses across the board.
His five senses were far sharper than before.
The depth of flavors, textures—everything was clearer now.
Each bite brought richer tastes and aromas.
Naturally, the same food tasted entirely different.
His tongue was in heaven.
"This is a real delicacy."
"...It's the same food as yesterday?"
"Every day is different. Every single day!"
"......"
Namgung Hyeok tore off a duck leg in one go and bit into it.
The juices and spices flooded his mouth in perfect harmony.
The more he chewed, the more the flavors built, and the texture was spot on.
'And it doesn't hurt!'
He was pleased that his jaw didn't pop out of joint.
'This is how a human body should be!'
He still had a long way to go—maybe crossing the Central Plains twenty-two times over—before reaching the perfect physique he envisioned.
But hey, wasn't this progress?
At least he felt somewhat human now.
His good mood made him crave a drink.
"Hey."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Got any alcohol?"
At the word "alcohol," Geum Cheomsang jumped in alarm.
"No, you can't. The Medicine Hall Leader..."
"Cheomsang."
"...Yes? Why call me by name all of a sudden? It's correct, but it makes me uneasy."
Who wouldn't feel anxious when Namgung Hyeok, who'd been acting strangely lately, called them by name in a serious tone?
Come to think of it, this was the first time he'd used Geum Cheomsang's name since he'd changed.
That made it even more unsettling.
Namgung Hyeok spat out the duck bones with a clack and spoke lowly.
"What's a subordinate?"
"A lesser."
"And what's the duty of a lesser?"
"To ensure their superior is comfortable and..."
"Right. And right now, this superior is extremely uncomfortable from a lack of liquor."
"...You just want to drink alcohol."
"Exactly."
Namgung Hyeok stripped the duck leg clean and nodded firmly.
"You've got some sense."
"...Sigh."
"Sighing isn't ideal."
"The Medicine Hall Leader said no. It weakens the medicine's effects."
"Is the Medicine Hall Leader's word more important, or mine?"
"Hahaha. Why ask something so obvious? Of course the Medicine Hall Leader's word is a hundred times more important."
"......"
Namgung Hyeok smacked his lips.
'This isn't working.'
It was a bit depressing.
In the past, he didn't even need to ask—subordinates would traverse a thousand li at a glance from him.
How had he ended up unable to enjoy even a single bottle?
'And I have so much to do ahead.'
With one of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians unblocked, he planned to ramp up his training.
He needed to establish his martial arts, complete the Soaring Heaven Bright King Art, and acquire more spirit pills.
Then unblock the remaining meridians.
He had to charge straight ahead, but the tasks piled up like a mountain.
'How can I ascend if I'm fussing over trifles?'
He needed someone to handle those for him.
Lackeys who jumped at his every word.
Namgung Hyeok's brow furrowed.
'Do I really have to worry about this?'
Damn it.
He even missed the Sword King, who used to fetch things without fail.
'The guy who went all the way to Heavenly Mountain.'
- What's this snow ginseng?
- The Wang Clan gave it.
- Gave? You didn't steal it... Ahem! Well, snow ginseng is snow ginseng.
- Snow ginseng is snow ginseng. What other kind is there?
- Hmm. This is just regular snow ginseng. The best is always from Heavenly Mountain. One bite of Heavenly Mountain snow ginseng, and you'll never worry about summer heat again.
- Really?
- I swear.
- Then bring it. I want some.
- ...That's only available on-site.
- Want me to make you go get it?
- ......
- Four days.
Namgung Hyeok fondly recalled his deep "friendship" with the Sword King.
With his high cultivation and swift lightness skill, hadn't he really gone to Heavenly Mountain and back in four days, bringing three roots as a gift?
"I need at least a limb, even if not a Sword King."
"Pardon?"
Namgung Hyeok eyed Geum Cheomsang silently, then glanced aside.
Next to the bed, things were piled high.
Items neatly stacked in silk cloth, each one extraordinary.
"What's all this?"
"The eldest young master brought them."
"...Namgung Ryong?"
Geum Cheomsang nodded.
"Yes. He stopped by briefly."
"Whoa, his loyalty is something else."
"...Not brotherly love?"
"Same difference."
"It's not the same at all."
"Close enough."
Brotherly love or loyalty.
Namgung Hyeok scratched his chin.
'That guy's perfect for it.'
If Namgung Hyeok said he wanted snow ginseng, Namgung Ryong would dash to Heavenly Mountain.
His martial arts were decent, and he could procure what was needed—not bad at all.
The problem was...
'...He's still this body's brother, no matter what.'
He was this body's brother, so using him as a limb—or even a friend—felt off.
He had no conscience to begin with, but if word got out that Namgung Hyeok was ordering Namgung Ryong around, the Namgung Clan would erupt.
He wanted to avoid that hassle.
So, the next option...
Namgung Hyeok's eyes locked on Geum Cheomsang.
"Hey."
"Yes?"
"Come with me."
"Yes?"
"I've got a test for you."
Namgung Hyeok tugged lightly, and Geum Cheomsang was yanked along.
"Urk!"
Geum Cheomsang let out a short scream.
He strained to resist, but it was futile.
In an instant, he was dragged out and tossed into the courtyard.
'M-Madman! Why's his strength so insane?! I-Is this the medicine's effect?'
His arm didn't even come off!
Geum Cheomsang stared at Namgung Hyeok with a blank face.
"Wh-Why are you doing this?"
"You're my subordinate now too."
"S-Subordinate? I'm your servant!"
"...Isn't servant worse?"
"...That's subtly different, but anyway, I'm a servant."
"Whatever."
"It's subtly different..."
Geum Cheomsang protested weakly, but Namgung Hyeok had no intention of listening, no matter what he said.
"Quiet. I don't take just anyone as a servant. At minimum, you need to hit Heavenly Mountain and back in four days."
"Hahaha. That's a funny joke."
"Not a joke."
"......"
Geum Cheomsang's eyelid twitched.
If anyone else said it, he'd laugh along.
But coming from Namgung Hyeok, it didn't sound like a joke.
Considering what he'd done lately, what couldn't he pull off?
Namgung Hyeok grinned.
"If you keep up well, I'll make you sprint to Heavenly Mountain and back in four days."
"Wh-Why? What about my opinion?!"
"Your opinion matters how? I'm doing it."
What kind of madness was this?
Was Heavenly Mountain someone's backyard?!
"It's not hard. Even a passing ox could do it."
"Th-Then make the ox do it!"
"Oxen don't understand words. You're better than an ox since you do."
......Should I be grateful?"
"Of course."
Namgung Hyeok smiled warmly.
"Alright, let's start."
"Start what?"
"I've got to test you. Pass, and you'll be my subordinate. Better than servant for appearances, right?"
Serving Namgung Hyeok made you a mere servant in others' eyes anyway.
......The vibe said he'd get hit if he said it.
......"So what exactly are we doing?"
"What else."
Namgung Hyeok cracked his knuckles lightly.
"Turning that utterly useless body of yours into something human. It'll be rough and tough, but you'll do fine."
Chaos filled Geum Cheomsang's eyes.
......"W-Wait. You said you'd make me human—why are you clenching your fist?"
"Huh? I said it'd be rough and tough."
"N-No! Why me!"
"Do it because I say so. Quit yapping."
Namgung Hyeok grinned and grabbed the fleeing Geum Cheomsang by the scruff.
"Don't worry, don't worry. You won't die, right?"
Geum Cheomsang thought dying might be better.
* * *
Thud.
Thud thud.
"Ughhh......"
Namgung Hyeok nudged Geum Cheomsang with his foot.
"Hey, get up."
Geum Cheomsang, sprawled on the ground, shivered and opened his mouth wide while still face-down.
"Urghhhhhh!"
"Ew, gross."
"Blarrgh! Oh, ow! Young Master, I'm dying... Blarrgh!"
Namgung Hyeok sighed in disbelief as Geum Cheomsang flailed his limp limbs and vomited.
'What kind of guy is this?'
They were basic moves anyone—hell, any ox—could do.
Just breathe and have working limbs—why couldn't he?
And why was his stamina this pathetic?
He was the Namgung Clan's second young master's servant—could he really be this weak?
Turns out the real martial arts cripple was Geum Cheomsang, not Namgung Hyeok.
"Hey."
"......"
"You okay?"
Somehow finding strength, Geum Cheomsang whipped his head to glare at Namgung Hyeok.
His eyes brimmed with resentment, rage, and unspoken curses.
This must be what "killing with a look" means.
Namgung Hyeok cleared his throat awkwardly, feeling a slight sting.
"No need to get so mad."
"Urk... Blarrgh! I-I'm sor... Blarrgh!"
Well.
'What kind of guy is this?'
Forget Heavenly Mountain—he couldn't run ten li.
He was hopeless.
No, not even hopeless.
Basic stamina could be trained, but telling him to extend his left arm and having his right leg shoot out instead? That was extreme.
At first, Namgung Hyeok thought it was an act to escape.
......'It's real, which is even creepier.'
Namgung Hyeok looked at the prone Geum Cheomsang with dismay.
"Dear lord."
Should he really teach an ox instead?
Would that be faster?
Why did it keep seeming that way?
"Aren't you a bit too much?"
"Right! Cough! I told you I couldn't! If I had the constitution for martial arts, my father would've left me alone!"
"Why snap at me?"
"When people talk, pretend to listen! At least!"
If anyone else yelled at Namgung Hyeok like that, he wouldn't tolerate it.
But how do you yell back at an octopus stuck to the floor?
And Namgung Hyeok was the one who stuck him there.
"Yeah, yeah, sorry. My bad."
Who was he?
The unparalleled conqueror who crushed the world with one martial art.
He thought there was nothing under heaven he couldn't achieve with martial prowess.
"Turns out there's a floor under the floor, and an underworld beneath that."
......"Pardon?"
"Nothing."
For the first time, Namgung Hyeok—who never knew defeat—meekly admitted failure.
Teaching this guy martial arts to make him an expert would take longer than training an ox to ascension.
......'Guess I need someone else.'
Someone else?
"There aren't any useful guys around here?"
No, but he was the Namgung Clan's second young master!
"Why doesn't the second young master have a single proper guard?!"
If he did, he'd have smashed their heads and trained them without this headache!
Oh, wait.
"If there aren't any, just ask for some?"
Namgung Hyeok's eyes gleamed as he started walking.
Geum Cheomsang watched in confusion as Namgung Hyeok muttered to himself and suddenly turned on his heel.