Chapter 349
Chapter 349
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 358
Chapter Title: Off to the Iron God Sect
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Namgung Hyeok tilted his head as he stared at the Azure Palace.
“Hey, they say a letter came from the Iron God Sect, so why do I have to go to the Azure Palace?”
The messenger pigeon was one I sent, so shouldn’t it come to me?
Namgung Hyeok muttered in disbelief, and Geum Cheomsang replied.
“Doesn’t that mean our family has become that incredibly formidable? Even the Iron God Sect of the world is minding its manners because our family’s standing has risen!”
Even Peng Yeonhwa of the Hebei Peng family had struggled just to place a request there.
And now, the Iron God Sect had sent a reply just days after receiving the messenger pigeon.
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes narrowed.
“You didn’t send something over there yourself, did you?”
Caught.
Geum Cheomsang grinned.
“It’s me, Geum Cheomsang. Your loyal subordinate, Young Master. Don’t you trust me?”
“Nah, I don’t.”
“Trust me this time.”
“You bastard, look me straight in the eye.”
Geum Cheomsang hurriedly dashed into the Azure Palace, making a fuss.
“Aigoo, let’s hurry inside! The Family Head is waiting. Even if you’re going, you still have to report first!”
“Damn it, that guy. Should I just fire all the servants?”
“There’s no one as good as him.”
“Yeah, true.”
Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue and entered the Azure Palace.
Inside the Azure Palace, Namgung Jangcheon welcomed him from his seat on the grand dais.
“……What day is it today?”
Namgung Hyeok tilted his head at Namgung Jangcheon, then shifted his gaze to the side.
The Grand Elder Namgung Wigung, along with all the elders, were gathered together, smiling faintly.
‘……Damn, did these old folks chug a whole pot of tonic while I was in Hangzhou?’
The elders, mostly slender in build, now had some meat on their faces, with a healthy flush to their skin.
Whoa, check out that grease.
Anyway, whatever.
“Why is everyone gathered? Having a big meeting or something?”
Grand Elder Namgung Wigung chuckled heartily.
“We came because we heard word from the Iron God Sect.”
“Heh heh heh. Indeed, indeed.”
“How could we stay away when you’re going to the Iron God Sect?”
Namgung Hyeok blinked at them, and Namgung Jangcheon cleared his throat before speaking.
“A messenger came from the Iron God Sect.”
“I know.”
“So.”
“Yeah, I’ll go.”
Just let them know I’m heading out, that’s all.
The elders chuckled at Namgung Hyeok.
“Of course! Go and come back safe!”
“Indeed, indeed! The Iron God Sect this time?”
“Heh heh heh, our family’s assets are growing!”
……What are these old geezers saying?
Huh?
When did gold necklaces appear around their necks?
They all got matching ones?
As Namgung Hyeok’s eyes narrowed further, Namgung Jangcheon shot him a glance.
He cleared his throat and addressed Namgung Hyeok.
“Alright, what’s the reason for going to the Iron God Sect?”
“Well, it’s this……”
“Who cares about the reason? What matters is that you’re going.”
……Why is the conversation going like this?
Namgung Hyeok stared in disbelief, and Namgung Jangcheon nodded firmly.
“While you’re there, place some weapon requests for the family.”
“It’s my business.”
“Your business is the family’s business, and the family’s business is yours, isn’t it?”
At Namgung Jangcheon’s words, the elders reacted enthusiastically.
“Exactly!”
“Indeed!”
“If you step in and shake things up…… er, get involved, doesn’t that become the family’s business?”
Namgung Hyeok’s eyes narrowed more and more.
Chief Steward Geum Gwangmo looked at them and shook his head.
“Second Young Master, they’re saying since you’re representing the family, squeeze out as much as you can.”
“……Huh?”
“They mean go make some money. We have plenty of requests. Is the Iron God Sect renowned for nothing? Even their scrap iron becomes famed blades once it hits the market.”
Hey, Chief Steward.
Something feels seriously off right now.
Geum Gwangmo continued undeterred.
“With the war against the unorthodox sects, we desperately need weapon supplies. Perfect timing! Place a request while you’re there!”
“…….”
Namgung Jangcheon nodded.
He spoke in a solemn, serious tone.
“There’s no better trading partner than the Iron God Sect. Good weapons boost our martial prowess!”
“…….”
“And we have the Huangbo family’s iron mines, so we could supply them with ore too. How about it? It’s all for the family.”
Namgung Hyeok stared at Namgung Jangcheon with a blank face.
“No, I’m just going to get my sword fixed.”
“Heh heh, I’m saying handle it while you’re at it.”
“Why should I? This is ridiculous. You think it’s that easy?”
“Well…….”
Namgung Jangcheon trailed off, then smiled faintly.
“Because we’ve realized backdoor deals are more convenient. Why bother going the long way?”
“You’re calling me the backdoor?”
“Of course!”
Is that something you say to your own son, you bastard!
Namgung Hyeok stared in disbelief, and Namgung Jangcheon nodded as if seeking agreement.
“We’re asking you because you’re good at it.”
Whoa, is this blood-related daylight robbery?
But Namgung Jangcheon was sincere.
Namgung Hyeok possessed not only martial prowess, leadership, and command, but had now demonstrated perfect negotiation skills as well.
No wonder his name came up first whenever there was a problem with no solution.
No matter how much a son grew in age and stature, he always seemed like a child, but before they knew it, Namgung Hyeok was wielding great influence over the family.
In the past, they would have worried over his eccentric, unpredictable nature, but now they sensed something beyond expectations.
“Isn’t that a new gold bracelet? Looks expensive.”
“Eh, heh heh!”
“Sweet, huh?”
Namgung Jangcheon swept his arm and chuckled heartily.
“We’ll support you without holding back, so don’t worry and just go.”
“Heh…….”
“Heh heh.”
“Hehhh…….”
“Heh heh heh heh!”
Namgung Jangcheon’s loud laughter drowned out Namgung Hyeok’s sigh.
Namgung Hyeok glared at him sullenly.
‘Isn’t diplomacy the Family Head’s job?’
“Isn’t this dereliction of duty?”
“Is it dereliction to cheer on the one who does it best? It’s all for the family, isn’t it? Just imagine divine swords flowing into our house.”
Since when were you so proactive?
Pfft.
Namgung Hyeok let out a snicker and nodded.
“Fine, whatever. I’ll handle it on the way.”
As Namgung Jangcheon said, growing the family was all part of it, wasn’t it?
Stronger is better.
‘……This is all my karma.’
Aigoo, I stirred things up saying I’d build the family, and now I’ve earned the heavy trust of the elders!
Damn it!
Now every time I go out, it’ll be like this!
“Heh heh heh, what will our Second Young Master bring back this time?”
“Whatever it is, he’ll bring more, won’t he?”
“Heh heh heh heh heh! Will he even break the Iron God Sect?”
……I’m just going to fix my sword, you old fogeys.
Chief Steward Geum Gwangmo grinned and placed something in Namgung Hyeok’s hand.
“It’s the Azure Palace Lord’s token. Use it to call on help when needed.”
“…….”
“I know. We never gave you one before. Back then, it felt like you’d strip the battlefield bare. But now you’re growing our wealth, so we trust you. Aigoo, there’s even a halo behind you now.”
……Ah, so this guy’s Geum Cheomsang’s dad.
Hahaha, should I smack him?
Namgung Hyeok looked at the pleased senior members of the Namgung family and bowed.
“Then I’ll be off.”
“Got it. I’ll handle the preparations. You just pack your things.”
“……Yes. Get it ready right away then.”
He felt drained just from that short talk.
Namgung Hyeok left the Azure Palace and headed to his residence.
Behind him echoed the boisterous laughter of the leadership.
* * *
Namgung Hyeok scanned the people gathered at his residence.
“What’s up? Why’d you come back?”
Geon Cheon-hwi approached and asked, and Namgung Hyeok shrugged.
“Just stepping out for a bit.”
“Stepping out?”
You went to the Azure Palace just to report a casual outing?
This Namgung Hyeok?
The one who slipped out like it was mealtime, unnoticed by bird or beast, reported to the Azure Palace?
“Going far?”
“Nah, nearby. Got some side business to handle too.”
Geon Cheon-hwi tilted his head at Namgung Hyeok, who seemed to be grinding his teeth.
“Side business?”
“Something came up with the Iron God Sect.”
“The Iron God Sect?”
Suddenly?
But what business could there be at the Iron God Sect?
“Going to commission a weapon?”
“Something like that.”
Not like they only asked for one or two things.
Namgung Hyeok called out to Namgung Ryong, who was still repeatedly drawing and sheathing his sword off to the side.
“Hey, bro!”
Snap!
Namgung Ryong turned his head.
“Hm?”
Namgung Hyeok said.
“We’ll head to the Iron God Sect once preparations are ready, so gear up.”
Nod!
Namgung Ryong nodded without question.
He even wore a faint smile.
He’d been thinking of taking Namgung Hyeok there someday anyway, so this worked out perfectly.
“Hm!”
Unlike the impassive Namgung Ryong, the others gaped in surprise.
Peng Yeonhwa’s mouth fell open.
“N-No way! D-Did the weapon commission go through?!”
“I’m going to place the commission now?”
“To place a commission?!”
In Peng Yeonhwa’s mind flashed the Iron God Sect sword Namgung Hyeok had carried.
How shocked she’d been to see him casually wearing a sword from a place where even commissioning one was a pipe dream!
‘How the hell did he commission it?’
She was dying to know.
Given the Namgung family’s status back then, it should’ve been impossible, yet he’d pulled it off effortlessly.
‘With the Second Young Master and First Young Master going, the commission’s basically guaranteed, so I have to tag along no matter what!’
It was the Iron God Sect, the Iron God Sect!
Always the first name mentioned when it came to forges in the Central Plains!
A weapon from that forge was as good as a divine armament.
“I’m going too! Me! I’m going! No matter what!”
Her shrill voice rang across the courtyard.
It was like she was vomiting out some long-buried grudge.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
She wasn’t all there usually, but now she looked ready to foam at the mouth?
Peng Jung-hyeok’s mind raced too.
‘I need to observe dealings with the Iron God Sect. Watch how Namgung Hyeok negotiates and learn.’
“I’m going too!”
“Why you, brother!”
“I need a sword too!”
“Ridiculous! Didn’t you say swords from the Iron God Sect were too light?”
“Tch! Shut it.”
Peng Jung-hyeok put on a stern face, and Peng Yeonhwa grumbled.
Then she declared firmly to Namgung Hyeok.
“I’ll pack quick and be right back! Wait for me!”
Peng Yeonhwa left those words and vanished in a flash.
Dang Myeong-ok and Dang Myeong-jin jumped in too.
“We’ll go as well.”
Making hidden weapons ultimately required a forge’s techniques too.
Seeing the Iron God Sect’s weapons up close and taking in their workshop would be invaluable experience.
So Hye-yeon was already fiddling with a sword next to Namgung Ryong.
Namgung Hyeok looked at them in disbelief.
“These guys just decide on their own?”
So Gae-gae slyly chimed in.
“Isn’t it natural for any martial artist to go crazy for weapons, martial arts, and elixirs?”
“You stay out of it.”
“……Yes?! Why me? Discrimination against beggars?”
“I’m just dropping off one sword. Why’s everyone lining up to follow? You guys don’t come either!”
The Thunder Dragon Squad trio’s eyes went wide.
“Huh? Us too?! We’re your escorts, Young Master!”
Namgung Hyeok shook his head firmly.
“We’ll just place the commission and come back, so minimal group.”
“And that minimal doesn’t include us…….”
“Me, bro, Peng siblings, Dang siblings, So Hye-yeon only! The rest, train!”
What? First come, first served?
The others stared at Namgung Hyeok in bewilderment.
“And!”
Namgung Hyeok crooked his finger at Geum Cheomsang, who was slumped in the corner.
“You’re coming too.”
“……Yes?! Me?”
“Need someone to attend me.”
“Ah…….”
Geum Cheomsang made a funeral face.
‘……Ah, my glory days are over! Haaa!’
Hangzhou had been paradise.
Haa.
As Geum Cheomsang sighed deeply in resignation, his eyes rolled slyly.
“Young Master.”
“What.”
“What about him?”
Namgung Hyeok’s gaze followed where Geum Cheomsang pointed.
Suddenly singled out, Huangbo Chung’s eyes bulged.
“……?!”
You, you damn servant bastard, what did you just say?
“Him?”
“Yes. Didn’t you say special management?”
Namgung Hyeok grinned.
“Right. You’re coming too!”
Huangbo Chung’s face twisted grotesquely.
Geum Cheomsang cackled.
‘Can’t let it just be me!’
The more attendants, the better!
Geum Cheomsang’s smile was starting to eerily resemble Namgung Hyeok’s.