Chapter 353
Chapter 353
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 362
Chapter Title: The Power of Good Looks
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“This is it?”
“This is it.”
“I knew he was handsome, but...”
“Ha, I got so used to it that I forgot. It caused a huge uproar back home and even in the Orthodox Alliance.”
Pang Junghyuk muttered in a dazed tone, while Tang Myeongjin gaped anew at the unprecedented sight.
A chill ran down his spine at the realization that all those people crowding the guest hall were just spectators come to gawk at Namgung Ryong.
Was this even possible?
It was...
“It makes sense.”
Tang Myeongjin wore a bitter expression.
He’d only stepped out since arriving in Hefei, Anhu Province—why would he care about some guy’s good looks?
But seeing Namgung Ryong’s handsomeness blanket the entire Iron Sword Sect now that he was outside left him utterly speechless.
“...All that martial prowess is useless.”
Pang Junghyuk sighed at Tang Myeongjin’s words.
‘That face... what’s so handsome about... damn, it really is.’
Even a man had to admit it was a handsome face...
“Hmph! A real man’s got muscles and bold spirit. The Hubei folk must be blind.”
Hwangbo Chung grumbled from the side.
“What’s so great about a face like a pretty boy gigolo? Back in Shandong, that wouldn’t fly! Give me broad shoulders and a wide back any day!”
Pang Junghyuk’s eyes lit up.
“I wholeheartedly agree—a man’s judged by his back and shoulders. Bold spirit too! We’re on the same page.”
“The Tang Clan’s not bad compared to Namgung Ryong.”
“Hmm?!”
Watching the three men’s eyes gleam, Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue.
“Idiots.”
Geum Cheomsang shook his head as he served tea.
“Let them be. Seems their pride took a hit.”
“Our pride?”
“You thought you were swimming in the same pond, but turns out the young master’s a swan.”
“A swan?”
Like the difference between a phoenix and a chick?
In martial terms, it was absolute masters versus third-rate scrubs competing.
Namgung Hyeok glanced at Ban Ha-ryeong, plastered right next to Namgung Ryong.
Honey wasn’t just dripping—it was overflowing.
But didn’t her neck hurt?
She’d been here a while without turning her head once.
“Is that a sickness too?”
“Love-struck, yeah.”
“Pretty severe.”
“Critical case. But everyone who falls for the young master’s like that. Causes a commotion wherever he goes.”
Namgung Hyeok scratched his head.
“When?”
“All the time.”
“I’ve never seen it.”
“You’re always masked up, kicking up dust and running—how could you?”
Fair point.
Namgung Hyeok nodded agreeably.
Ban Ha-ryeong spoke softly, a gentle smile on her face.
“Any discomfort? Need anything? Just say the word if something’s off.”
Pang Junghyuk opened his mouth.
Hey.
Turn your head this way when you talk.
“...No.”
“No, I mean our Namgung Ryong young master.”
“Ah, you’ve checked?”
“If there’s any issue, tell a servant.”
The meaning was similar, but somehow off.
Pang Junghyuk narrowed his brows.
She was the Iron Sword Sect Lord’s daughter, so he’d let it slide.
They’d sent half the crowd outside packing—a considerate gesture, he thought.
‘So it was possessiveness?’
“...Any other business?”
“It’s my duty and task to tend to the guests’ comfort.”
“...Feels like you’re only tending to the young master.”
“Of course not!”
Ban Ha-ryeong stated firmly.
“It’s not just tending to his comfort—it’s serving him! An honor for the clan.”
“...”
Crazy.
What was with this girl?
Pang Junghyuk stared at her in disbelief.
But Ban Ha-ryeong seemed oblivious, smiling sweetly before suddenly clapping her hands.
“Ah, right! Look at me!”
“Leaving?”
“Huh? No?”
“...Then what?”
“I prepared gifts for our far-traveling guests, but I almost forgot.”
Gifts?
The seated group tilted their heads.
What kind of gifts?
Ban Ha-ryeong reached behind her back.
Huh?
When did that get there?
In all the chaos, he only now noticed the large box strapped to her back.
Everyone watched her with curious expressions.
Ban Ha-ryeong muttered while still gazing at Namgung Ryong.
“I was so worried you didn’t like it back then. Was that one okay? I brought a bunch just in case.”
Thud!
The wooden box hit the floor with a heavy thump.
Clank clank!
The thick padlock and chains sealing it came undone in seconds.
Why seal it so dramatically?
Crash!
The contents spilled out in a heap, and eyes widened.
Pang Yeonhwa screamed.
“Sw-swords!”
“Huh?”
“...Wh-what’s with all these?”
People recoiled at the flood of Iron Sword Sect blades.
Were these really the prized Iron Sword Sect swords?
But there was no mistaking the sect’s emblem etched on the scabbards...
Pang Junghyuk looked at Ban Ha-ryeong.
“Wh-what is this?”
“Gifts!”
“G-gifts?”
“Yes! Tribute... no, gifts!”
Ban Ha-ryeong beamed at Namgung Ryong.
“Didn’t know what you’d like, so I brought all the new models. Hope you like them. It’s not much, but please accept!”
Pang Junghyuk’s jaw dropped.
He blinked at her dazedly for a long moment.
Then he groaned.
“This... makes sense?”
...Just handing out the Iron Sword Sect’s treasures like candy?
For free?
“This is the secret?”
What insane thing was happening!
Even special orders under the Hubei Pang Clan name took over a year!
Pang Yeonhwa had been rejected multiple times before nearly giving up!
These weren’t street-market junk—they were Iron Sword Sect masterpieces.
Renowned for rarity, craftsmanship, and stringent standards!
Even as the sect lord’s daughter, giving them away like this...
“Wow, so that’s the trick.”
Namgung Hyeok marveled, but Pang Junghyuk shook his head.
“No way. I can’t accept this!”
“Why not? It makes perfect sense.”
“Wh-what does?”
“This.”
Namgung Hyeok waved a hand in front of his face.
“Is there some other secret?”
“...”
“From ancient times to now, good looks get you three official posts for free. A few swords? That’s standard.”
Bloodlines don’t lie.
Even the Sword King had charmed women in his youth.
He’d still been quite the looker in old age.
For his descendant Namgung Ryong, this was par for the course.
‘...Though this seems a bit more special.’
Pang Junghyuk, Hwangbo Chung, and Tang Myeongjin—who couldn’t grasp the depths of that handsomeness—could only groan.
Bear, ox, mantis trembled with shoulders shaking.
‘Good looks let you do this?!’
‘Worse than Namgung Hyeok!’
‘Filthy Namgung Clan!’
Namgung Hyeok, who at least put in effort (sort of) with threats, was tame by comparison.
Tribute just for sitting there!
Then, Pang Yeonhwa muttered blankly at the scattered swords on the floor.
“...Unfair.”
So unfair.
Unfair to the point of madness.
She glared at Pang Junghyuk, her big eyes bloodshot.
“Big brother!”
“Wh-what?!”
“Get handsome quick.”
“...What? You nut.”
“Get handsome! But not like that—ugh! Not ugly-handsome! Not bear-like! Just normal handsome!”
Stabbing daggers right into the wounds?
Namgung Hyeok squinted at their bickering.
“Ugly ones, quiet down.”
“Ugly?!”
“Less handsome, then!”
“Whatever.”
Namgung Hyeok shooed the less handsome(?) ones to the corner.
Commotion or not, Ban Ha-ryeong’s gaze stayed fixed on Namgung Ryong.
‘Oh, how...!’
Not just the swarthy Iron Sword Sect men, but among all visiting young masters, Namgung Ryong was unmatched.
A person like this in the world!
He practically had a halo glowing behind him.
Ban Ha-ryeong squirmed.
“Like them?”
Namgung Ryong nodded.
“Ah, I picked them carefully. Way better than the last one—no comparison!”
She wasn’t exaggerating.
Limited to ten blades a year from the Iron Sword Sect.
Shing!
Clack!
She drew one, and a clear ring accompanied the icy glint.
“The balance and edge pair perfectly with the Namgung Clan’s arts, right? Saw it and thought, this is for the young master.”
“...”
“Of course, nowhere near worthy of you!”
Ban Ha-ryeong grinned and handed the sword to Namgung Ryong.
He took it and held it steady.
Then smiled faintly.
“Every time. Thank you.”
Thump!
Ban Ha-ryeong’s mouth fell open. She clutched her chest.
What picture could be more perfect?
Of course, if word got out that all ten limited-edition masterpieces were gone, the Iron Sword Sect would erupt.
But too bad.
Already given away.
‘Ten swords? We’ll make more!’
The artisans would weep blood, but Ban Ha-ryeong only had eyes for Namgung Ryong holding the blade.
Namgung Hyeok asked her.
“But what about my sword?”
“...”
“Hey?”
Ban Ha-ryeong glanced at him and said quietly.
“Dunno.”
“That’s it?”
“It’ll work out somehow.”
“...”
Namgung Hyeok let out a hollow laugh.
“Pfft.”
“Looks like Second Young Master and us are equally less handsome.”
“Keuk!”
Namgung Hyeok’s brow twitched at the smug reactions from behind.
These bear, ox, mantis punks?
The trio fell silent under his glare.
‘Oh really?’
Is that how it is?
Namgung Hyeok grinned wickedly and poked Namgung Ryong.
Poke poke.
Namgung Ryong looked at him, then widened his eyes slightly.
‘Ask quick! Quick!’
Namgung Ryong spoke.
“How’s my sword coming?”
Ban Ha-ryeong, in bliss, snapped her eyes open.
“The young master asking himself!”
“...”
“No worries about the sword. Heard the sect’s top artisans are working on it nonstop for five days straight. Especially Father handling it personally—no need to fret!”
She spilled even unasked details.
“The main sect found a new forging method this time? It’s so advanced that...”
One question, yet she seemed ready to divulge all the Iron Sword Sect’s internals.
People gaped as she chattered on.
“Same question?”
“...She could talk all day.”
“Jackpot.”
Worlds apart from how she treated Namgung Hyeok.
He smirked at her.
‘Easy mode?’
Just trot out Namgung Ryong and done?
Heh heh.
‘This is the black ops perk?’
Namgung Hyeok rubbed his chin, satisfied.
‘Five days, huh?’
Per her kind explanation, it wasn’t exaggeration to say every Iron Sword Sect master artisan was on his demonic sword.
He looked forward to seeing how they’d transform it.
‘Wonder what it’ll be like?’
Namgung Hyeok stretched and turned away.