Chapter 330
Chapter 330
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 338
Chapter Title: Revelry Over Chaos Brew
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Gush gush gush!
Geum Cheomsang pours liquor from the jar straight into the large bowl. The alcohol streams down like a cool waterfall, filling the bowl to the brim.
"Hoi!"
Swoosh!
Geum Cheomsang lifts the fully poured jar and hurls the stopper at the wall.
The stopper flies like a hidden weapon and sticks smack in the middle of the wall.
Thwack!
"That's the way!"
"Bullseye!"
"Ooh!"
The Thunder Dragon Squad cheers wildly, flinging white cloths high into the air.
"It's Seven-Colored Chaos Brew, Young Master!"
"Ooh, no rust on this one. Look at that color."
"It's got that old familiar tang to it."
"You bastard, did you just sit around drinking every day instead of working?"
Namgung Hyeok happily raises his cup and gulps it down.
The liquor heats his belly, then a sweet aroma surges up, slapping his throat.
"Kyaah! That's the stuff!"
Ah, the nostalgia from a century ago.
Namgung Hyeok empties his cup with delight.
"Here's your side dish."
"Yeah, that's it. Now that's service."
"Have some more here."
"Kya!"
Namgung Hyeok stuffs vegetables and pork from the hot pot into a roll and crunches away.
Beside him, the Thunder Dragon Squad smacks the jars, flings stoppers, and waves cloths wildly.
Gush gush!
"Drink up!"
"To the death!"
"Yeah!"
The rising aroma of liquor from all sides makes his head spin.
In an instant, the Soaring Heavens Merchant Guild's guest hall transforms into a tavern. Even a village festival wouldn't be this lively.
Dang Myeongjin stares blankly.
"Wow..."
Did he just plug that liquor stopper like a dart?
And hit it dead center?
Flutter flutter flutter!
Dang Myeongjin's gaze swims as he watches cloth scraps rise to the ceiling and flutter down.
'...The drinking parties I tagged along to were nothing compared to this.'
He'd joined Namgung Hyeok at a few before, but compared to now, those had been downright tame.
Scribble scribble scribble!
"What're you writing?"
"The technique from just now."
"What technique."
"Brewing the Chaos Brew and throwing the jar stopper like a hidden weapon."
"...Cut it out already."
"Little brother, I've told you time and again—you've got to learn everything from one to ten."
So why learn how to pour drinks and throw stoppers?
This crazy sister of mine...
Dang Myeongjin shakes his head.
Huh?
Drink?
The booze?
"You bastard!"
Dang Myeongjin snatches Dang Myeongok's cup and leaps to his feet.
"What kind of liquor is this! We're here to drink..."
"Hey, little brother."
"Who's your little... Yes?"
Dang Myeongjin flinches and turns his head.
In that instant, his eyes meet Namgung Hyeok's grinning face.
Beckon beckon.
Namgung Hyeok crooks his finger, calling Dang Myeongjin over.
"Come here."
"...S-Sorry."
"I haven't even done anything yet?"
"...Sorry."
"Tch, I said sit."
"..."
...If I don't go, I'll get hit, right?
No, he might even toss me in a poison bath.
Dang Myeongjin shoots Dang Myeongok a pleading look, but what can she do?
"Little brother, the Young Master is calling. Go on."
...Sis, I'm dead.
Pat pat.
"Go on, quick."
...Blood ties my ass.
Is this how siblings are?
Dang Myeongjin slinks over to Namgung Hyeok's side and sits, all hunched up.
"Have a cup."
"I-I'm not even of age yet..."
"Tch, liquor from an elder is fine."
"..."
"Tch, take it. Getting old makes these cups heavy, huh? Your arm's gonna break."
Excuse me, you're only two years older.
Or was it one?
Whatever.
Dang Myeongjin rolls his eyes, then grabs the cup and downs it in one go.
'Damn it, no good... This is seriously no good...'
Drinking like this at a gathering for the Five Great Houses' summit.
Unthinkable for a man of the Sichuan Dang Clan.
Drinking on a mission was bad enough, but this chaotic guzzling was worse.
'Liquor is utterly useless. Men of the Dang Clan must know restraint.'
To the cold-blooded Dang folk, liquor scatters judgment and focus, ruining organs and muscles worse than bitter poison...
Gulp.
"...Huh, it's... good. Really good."
Dang Myeongjin stares at the empty cup in bewilderment.
Namgung Hyeok grins.
"Good, right?"
"...Y-Yeah. It's... sweet."
"Another round."
"Ah, no, I can't..."
"Tch, it's from an elder. Two cups are fine."
Namgung Hyeok chuckles slyly as he pours Seven-Colored Chaos Brew into Dang Myeongjin's cup.
As it overflows, Dang Myeongjin instinctively brings it to his lips.
Slurp!
"Ah...?"
What?
Why does it taste even different now?
Deeper, somehow?
Dang Myeongjin's eyes waver as he gulps down the Seven-Colored Chaos Brew.
'...Liquor should be bitter, right? Why's it sweet? Is this really booze?'
Cleaner and finer than anything he's ever had.
It's heavenly.
If he had to compare, it tasted like Paradise Poison.
The difference? Paradise Poison kills you, but this doesn't.
Gulp gulp.
Dang Myeongjin knocks back the Seven-Colored Chaos Brew steadily.
This stuff's alright.
Flutter flutter flutter!
Watching the flying cloth scraps and the rowdy Thunder Dragon Squad, Dang Myeongjin tilts his cup.
His hand drifts unconsciously toward the jar.
Namgung Hyeok grins wickedly, chewing jerky sloppily, and asks Geum Cheomsang, who's brewing more Seven-Colored Chaos Brew.
"What've you been up to at the guild?"
"Breaking through maritime trade routes."
"Maritime?"
"Yes!"
Geum Cheomsang beams with pride.
"We're turning the sea lanes run by the Black Dragon Sect into Soaring Heavens trade routes. We were insanely busy, I tell you."
"Your idea?"
"Of course."
Namgung Hyeok eyes Geum Cheomsang with interest.
A new route means a new stream of coin.
The Namgung Family's coffers grow sturdier.
"Making money for me like a good boy, eh?"
"It's the family fortune, not just yours, Young Master."
"Same difference."
"Anyway, we were swamped. Some unorthodox thugs swept through Hangzhou, so fixing that set us back double—no, triple the work."
Namgung Hyeok nods.
"Yeah, I figured those unorthodox bastards bouncing around caused trouble."
"I'm Geum Cheomsang, prospective chief steward of the Namgung Family, your loyal servant, Young Master!"
"Solid identity. Made money? Good enough."
Namgung Hyeok fills Geum Cheomsang's cup with Seven-Colored Chaos Brew.
Geum Cheomsang takes it and quietly asks.
"But really, just you Young Masters came?"
"Yeah, that's what they said."
"...No elders from the family?"
"Isn't this enough?"
Geum Cheomsang's expression shifts subtly.
Namgung Hyeok stares him down.
"What? That look's pissing me off."
"No, it's nothing."
"Bull. Spit it out."
"...The family didn't skip this summit, right?"
"Why skip? I'm here."
"That's the point."
Namgung Hyeok and Geum Cheomsang eye each other with odd expressions.
Geum Cheomsang cracks first, forcing an awkward smile.
"H-Ha... I figured at least one or two elders would show for a summit."
"Don't worry. When have I ever failed stepping up?"
"I haven't seen you succeed much either..."
"Tch."
"Just in case, but... no tempers, no rampages, no nothing. You know that, right?"
Namgung Hyeok gives Geum Cheomsang an incredulous look.
"It's the Five Great Houses summit. You think I'd cause a scene?"
"R-Right?"
"Yeah. You think I'm like those idiots with nothing but fighting in their thick skulls?"
"You're usually even worse... Ah, haha."
Geum Cheomsang averts his eyes and clears his throat.
"Ahem! Young Master, I'm worried. The opponents are the House of Hwangbo."
"So what."
"Father said their temperament is merchant-like."
"Isn't that the Pengs?"
Flinch!
Paeng Junghyuk jolts, then pretends nothing and downs his drink.
"So?"
"Hmm! Anyway, don't underestimate the House of Hwangbo. Body like a bear, mind like a fox..."
"So that's the Pengs again."
"...O-Our house is never as sly as the House of Hwangbo."
Paeng Junghyuk coughs awkwardly and looks away.
Namgung Hyeok grins.
"Don't sweat it! If they won't budge, make 'em."
"Pardon?"
"They won't say no even if their heads crack and blood flows, right?"
No, you idiot—this is a summit to strengthen alliances! Why bring up blood?
Paeng Junghyuk startles and glances at Namgung Ryong.
Namgung Ryong meets his gaze.
In that moment, a spark of understanding passes between the family heirs through the air.
Namgung Ryong grabs Namgung Hyeok's shoulder.
"I'll do it!"
Namgung Hyeok stares at him. His eyes blaze fiercely.
"...What. Speak."
"...He says he'll handle the summit."
Namgung Hyeok turns.
Right, the interpreter.
Geum Cheomsang sticks to Namgung Ryong's side.
"He'll do it!"
"He says trust him this time."
"Summit!"
"This summit is for harmony between houses. It must succeed."
"..."
"He asks you to please let him."
"..."
"He's silent now."
Geum Cheomsang finishes interpreting and catches his breath. Namgung Ryong's eyes still burn.
Paeng Junghyuk blinks at this novel translation.
"...Does he really talk like that?"
Namgung Hyeok shrugs.
"That's what he says."
"...Hmm!"
"You got something to say?"
"...Well..."
Paeng Junghyuk sets his cup down with a clunk.
"That's exactly my point."
"Oh, really now?"
"Me and Young Master Namgung Ryong will lead this summit."
"And me?"
I just said it.
'Nanguong Hyeok, if you butt in, the summit's doomed. This can't go wrong.'
Beyond stirring up trouble from nothing, Namgung Hyeok brings natural disasters.
After the Soaring Heavens incident, no one could predict him—absolutely, he can't lead this summit.
'...Unless we need to flip the table, keep him out.'
Like ties with Paeng, Dang, and Namgung, allying with Hwangbo secures the future.
'...Never thought I'd say this...'
"You can't use an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken..."
"Ox-cleaver's faster."
Namgung Hyeok jumps up, rolling his sleeves.
"I'll smash heads and wrap it quick!"
Damn it, not what I meant!
Paeng Junghyuk's eyes bug out. Namgung Ryong and Geon Cheon-hwi's gazes cross in midair.
Namgung Hyeok strides forward confidently.
"Back in my day, Hwangbo punks couldn't even lift their heads! Why? Before I moved, my lackeys—no, subordinates cracked their skulls... Huh? Hey, what? Why all of a sudden?"
"Grab him!"
"Damn it!"
"Calm down!"
Paeng Junghyuk hugs Namgung Hyeok's waist; Namgung Ryong and Geon Cheon-hwi cling to his legs from both sides.
Namgung Hyeok thrashes.
"Ah, why! Whyyy!"
"Calm down!"
"Why burst out like that outta nowhere!"
"It's a summit, not a brawl!"
Namgung Hyeok yells.
"Life's just one fight after another!"
"You—damn!"
"Damn? Let go, let..."
"What strength, like a bull... Huh?"
Paeng Junghyuk, veins bulging on his forehead while holding the wriggling Namgung Hyeok, looks up.
The kid's gone limp... Huh?
Thud!
Namgung Hyeok faceplants forward.
The three holding him gape wide-eyed.
Behind him, Dang Myeongjin grins.
"Hehe, this is the Dang Clan's secret anesthetic needle—even knocks out elephants in one shot. Hehe, you villain."
...Kid's pretty drunk, huh?
One shot for an elephant—what about a human?
As that worry hits—
Leap!
Namgung Hyeok bounces up, roaring.
"You Hwangbo bastards... Huh?"
Plunk!
Dang Myeongjin jabs another needle into his nape and laughs.
"One shot no good? Two does it. Hehehe!"
...Yeah, okay.
Everyone loses words at Dang Myeongjin's sunny grin.
"Tough bastard. No tolerance for anesthetic, yet he pops right up..."
As Paeng Junghyuk marvels at this new fact—
"Yoouuung Maaaster!"
Geum Cheomsang shrieks.
Paeng Junghyuk looks troubled.
"No helping it..."
"He can't sleep in the cold."
"...Huh?"
"Such a hassle."
Geum Cheomsang calmly folds the slumped Namgung Hyeok onto a chair, fetches rope, and ties him snugly.
"Aigoo, our Young Master. Go easy on him—his body's frail, you know."
Paeng Junghyuk's jaw drops.
'...That servant's the worst of them.'
Anyway, peace returns to the drinking party.
* * *
Go Donggil sips his tea, gazing at the guest hall still lit up deep into the night.
The chief steward fidgets anxiously at his calm demeanor.
"Will it really be alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"...Just the young ones came. I'm worried the summit won't go smoothly."
"We do our part. I was surprised at first too, only the Young Masters, but would the Family Head send them for no reason?"
The chief steward's expression doesn't brighten.
"We might take a loss if it goes wrong. House of Hwangbo isn't easy..."
"The eldest Young Master speaks little but was famed for shrewdness since youth; the second shines with wit and exploits across the land."
"Hmm!"
"They're no ordinary vessels. Their companions were extraordinary too!"
Yes, extraordinary in a rather different way.
The chief steward can't voice it.
But he somewhat agrees with Go Donggil.
Go Donggil asks.
"How's the House of Hwangbo?"
"Still at the inn."
"It's been three days since they reached Hangzhou."
"Yes. No reply even after sending word."
"Only one day till the summit..."
Go Donggil's eyes darken.
"What scheme is this."
The Namgung Young Masters are sharp and exceptional, but the summit with House of Hwangbo feels far from smooth.
'Hope it's just nerves...'
Go Donggil glances toward the brightly lit guest hall.
Hangzhou's night deepens.