Chapter 363
Chapter 363
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 372
Chapter Title: Clash with the Wudang Disciples
-----------------------------------------------------------------
True Emptiness gazed indifferently with sunken eyes at Nangong Hyuk, who was chattering away in front of him, along with the junior disciples.
'Is this guy really the Mad Dragon everyone's been talking about?'
His sloppy posture and arrogant speech made him no different from a street thug.
There was no trace of the dignity or refinement expected from a prestigious orthodox sect.
He'd heard he was arrogant, but even that seemed too mild a description.
However, True Emptiness was not one to judge by appearances.
'His energy is utterly pure and clear.'
In stark contrast to his slovenly demeanor, Nangong Hyuk possessed an energy as calm and still as a tranquil lake.
That was intriguing.
It made sense now how the Mad Dragon had reduced his second-generation disciple, Hyeonwon, to that state.
Even though Hyeonwon was on the weaker side among second-generation disciples, no one would have thought he'd lose to a mere junior.
"I heard there was an incident with disciples and servants from the main sect at the Iron Heart Sect."
As True Emptiness spoke softly to start the conversation, Nangong Hyuk let out a deep sigh.
"Hah. Why's a grown-ass adult running straight to the higher-ups just because he got smacked around a bit?"
True Emptiness's mouth fell slightly open.
Peng Jung-hyuk, standing beside Nangong Hyuk, nearly popped his eyes out.
'Wh-what if they take it as provocation!'
It was a situation where even a smooth conversation might not save them!
'...Is the Mad Dragon actually holding back pretty well?'
Hah, this is driving me insane.
Why am I thinking of it that way now?
For a moment, he couldn't even judge Nangong Hyuk's actions properly.
Nangong Hyuk kept grumbling.
"Hey, who was the one who started the provocation and drew their sword first? That tiger-nosed punk dares point his blade at someone? He's lucky to be alive—I nearly turned him into dust... Ah, why! Mmph-mmph!"
"Pl-please, stay still! Why are you flipping out again? Grab him, grab him!"
Unable to stand it any longer, Peng Jung-hyuk rushed forward in a panic, sweating bullets. Nangong Ryong, Geum Cheomsang, and Dang Myeong-jin jumped in too, seizing Nangong Hyuk's arms and legs.
True Emptiness and the Wudang second-generation disciples watched, their eyes growing wider at the bizarre—nay, outright freakish—scene.
"Ah, why! You all ganging up on me, ganging up! Mmph-mmph!"
"Calm down, please!"
"Mmph!"
"Let's talk it out, talk it out. Please!"
Nangong Hyuk glared at True Emptiness with bloodshot eyes.
True Emptiness's expression hardened.
At that moment, Hyeonmu stepped forward from among the stunned Wudang second-generation disciples.
Hyeonmu shouted in exasperation, though his voice carried a stern authority.
"What do you think you're doing!"
The powerful inner energy in his voice made Nangong Hyuk and the others freeze amid their commotion.
"You dare fool around in front of Wudang disciples? Do you need a good thrashing to come to your senses!"
It was the grand, resonant cry unique to Wudang.
The junior disciples flinched at his furious momentum.
All but one, that is.
"Mmph-mmph! Mmph!"
Hyeonmu's eyebrows twitched further.
"Shut that mouth right now, or I'll sew it shut!"
"Mmph!"
"Please, just stay still, please!"
Peng Jung-hyuk pleaded desperately as he stepped forward.
He cupped his fists in salute and quickly spoke.
"Peng of the Hebei Peng Clan greets the Wudang Daoists! I've long admired the Wudang masters."
Nangong Hyuk muttered from behind.
"Why so formal with the honorifics?"
"Because they're elders, elders!"
"Ah, elders."
Nangong Hyuk tilted his head.
"Elders mean I can talk casually? Damn."
"...You're right, but you can't. Ah, no, you really can't."
"Why?"
"Ah, please. Don't rile up these tiger-nosed... I mean, Daoist masters!"
Peng Jung-hyuk panicked.
Oh man, Dad.
I get what "stern and taciturn" means now.
Why did it take until Father Peng Cheon-wi left and nagged me a dozen times for me to understand?
Peng Jung-hyuk broke out in cold sweat, straightening his fist salute.
"I greet the senior experts of the martial world. This junior pays his respects!"
The expressions of True Emptiness and the Wudang second-generation disciples softened a bit.
Unlike Nangong Hyuk, they could sense his genuine fear and respect for Wudang.
Hyeonmu sighed.
"Why is a proper kid like you hanging around with that deviant?"
Tell me about it.
"...Circumstances."
"Hmph! Enough. My martial uncle has questions to ask!"
"...If it's about the Iron Heart Sect incident, it seems like a minor misunderstanding. How about we resolve it through discussion?"
Peng Jung-hyuk spoke as deferentially as possible, careful not to provoke the tiger-noses(?).
Hyeonmu scoffed.
"Misunderstanding? You calling that a simple misunderstanding?"
"Yes, a small one..."
"Then explain that misunderstanding right here!"
The corner of Peng Jung-hyuk's mouth, which had been curved amicably, drooped.
'But this damn Daoist prick's been talking down to me and acting up since earlier. Explain what? Hell, if he knew what I'm doing right now, he'd be thanking the Primeval Lord of Heaven and still feel short!'
Hey, you Daoist pricks!
I'm holding back the Mad Dragon right now.
The Mad Dragon!
What if I let him loose just once?
Peng Jung-hyuk clenched his jaw tightly.
But still, he thought resolving it peacefully was best, so he continued softly.
"What do you mean by that..."
"You really have no idea?"
"That's why I..."
"Hah! Playing dumb?"
Hyeonmu's eyes flashed with fierce light as he pointed at Nangong Hyuk, whose limbs were bound behind him.
"Demon sword! You have a demon sword!"
"Demon sword?"
"Our main sect disciples witnessed that Nangong Clan's Mad Dragon wielding a demon sword and rampaging through the Iron Heart Sect with their own eyes! Don't play innocent!"
"...There really seems to be a misunderstanding. There was an issue during the refining process midway..."
"Outra—!"
Hyeonmu stepped forward and bellowed.
"Do you not know what it means for a righteous warrior to possess a demon sword? That's grounds for public accusation in itself!"
"..."
"I'll check it myself."
Hyeonmu roared in a thunderous voice.
His momentum was savage, as if he'd strike at any moment.
But Peng Jung-hyuk kept sighing and held his ground.
Hyeonmu's eyebrows twitched again.
"Out of the way! I have no business with you!"
Peng Jung-hyuk sighed once more.
Then his expression twisted.
"Fuck this, tiger-nose."
"Wh-what?"
"Nah, screw it."
You can only accommodate someone's temper so much.
He's been acting like a total asshole since earlier.
Peng Jung-hyuk grumbled as he turned to Nangong Hyuk.
Nangong Hyuk grinned.
"See? Told you talking won't work."
"Hah."
"I said don't waste your energy. These Daoists are the lowest of the low."
"Yeah. Totally like you, Young Master."
"Right, just like me... Wanna die?"
Peng Jung-hyuk cleared his throat awkwardly and stepped back.
Hyeonmu's eyebrows arched.
He turned to True Emptiness.
"Martial uncle! May I discipline these fools and teach them a lesson?"
True Emptiness silently regarded Nangong Hyuk and the others.
"Confirming the demon sword comes first."
He trailed off, murmuring quietly.
"But giving guidance and correction is also the duty of a martial world elder, isn't it?"
If they refused dialogue, they'd pay the price.
No sooner had True Emptiness spoken than Hyeonmu advanced.
He rolled up his sleeves as he approached.
"A kid without manners needs the rod!"
His voice was deep and forceful. His aura was no joke.
Peng Jung-hyuk asked Nangong Hyuk.
"What now?"
"What else? You handle it."
"Me?"
"Go on, Bear! Give him a good beating!"
"..."
What the hell is this nonsense?
Me, go fight a Wudang Daoist?
"Me?"
"Why not? He pissed you off."
Not me, you!
Me, you...
"...But they're elders."
"Hey, elders my ass! Elders are like ninety and scary strong."
What kind of elder definition is that!
Nangong Hyuk smirked and jerked his chin.
"Whoa, he's right in front of you. He's calling you."
"Isn't it you, Young Master?"
"Nope. Looks like you to anyone."
"..."
Peng Jung-hyuk glanced around, but the only ones left were the servant Geum Cheomsang, Nangong Ryong, Nangong Hyuk's brother, and the little Sichuan Tang Clan kid, Dang Myeong-jin.
The others were off beating up Hwangbo Chung, so he realized he had no choice but to step up.
'In the end, this is how it goes. Why did I even stick my neck out earlier trying to smooth things over?'
Ah, fuck.
It's all because of this tiger-nosed bastard right in front of me.
Did he shove a Daoist scripture in his ears? He won't listen!
Peng Jung-hyuk scowled as he stepped forward.
Nangong Hyuk's voice whispered in his ear.
"Go easy, easy. When they try to swing their arms, just twist 'em the other way and crush with raw power."
"...Huh?"
"What else you got divine strength for? This is what it's for."
Hold on.
'These are second-generation disciples, though?'
Peng Jung-hyuk hesitated even as he advanced.
'...I tried to stop him.'
Memories of the Orthodox Alliance sparring tournament flooded back vividly.
Hadn't he been utterly crushed by third-generation disciples back then?
Sure, a year had passed with insane progress since, but the opponents were still Wudang second-generation disciples no matter what.
If he backed off now, though, Nangong Hyuk would probably kick his ass and send him right back.
'It's do or die... Well, at least no swords. No swords...'
Sigh, how did my fate end up this rough?
Hyeonmu glared at Peng Jung-hyuk, who blocked his path with a sigh.
"I said I have no business with the Peng Clan young lord?"
"..."
"If you want punishment! Understand if my hand slips heavy—there's no mercy for those who tarnish Wudang's name!"
Hyeonmu's energy surged with furious intent.
His robes billowed as if about to burst from operating the Taiji Heart Method, and a slow vortex of qi swirled around him.
"I won't take your life! As a martial world senior, I'll even yield the first move! But after that, steel yourself."
The other Hyeonja peers chimed in at Hyeonmu's words.
"Go easy, senior brother!"
"The kid's already frozen."
"You gotta discipline thick-headed kids."
"Give him a proper thrashing!"
Hyeonmu beckoned with his hand.
"Come!"
Logically, securing the demon sword came first, but he also intended to avenge his humiliated sect brothers.
Daring to touch Wudang disciples and beat his junior brother Hyeonwon like a rat!
'These arrogant bastards. I'll show you what our main sect disciples are made of!'
Peng Jung-hyuk swallowed dryly as he watched Hyeonmu assume the Taiji Fist stance.
Facing him directly, that oppressive presence exceeded imagination...
Exceeded...
'...I gotta exceed it?'
Peng Jung-hyuk blinked.
What?
Why no pressure?
"..."
Peng Jung-hyuk stared blankly at Hyeonmu.
Weird?
He's a Wudang second-generation disciple?
'...Ah... After hanging with that monster Nangong Hyuk, even Wudang second-gen look like dog food.'
Yeah, after a year of that.
It didn't make sense to flinch at threats from second-gen like this(?).
He'd just been intimidated by the Wudang name.
Hyeonmu furrowed his brow.
"What are you doing? I yielded the first move!"
"..."
"You dare ignore me? Come on already!"
"...You really mean it?"
"Long enough?"
"For real?"
"You worm!"
Hyeonmu roared and lunged at Peng Jung-hyuk.
Everyone sighed in dismay.
Even the silently watching True Emptiness frowned at Hyeonmu taking the initiative.
What happened next was utterly different from everyone's—precisely, Wudang's—expectations.
Craaaack!
"......!"
Hyeonmu, trying to slam Peng Jung-hyuk into the ground with a Taiji Fist technique, spun around with a jaw-dropping sound from his chin.
Peng Jung-hyuk's fist tore straight through the circling Taiji Fist and perfectly flipped Hyeonmu's chin.
"Wh-what?!"
"H-Hyeonmu senior brother?"
"......!"
The Wudang Daoists' eyes bulged.
Thud!
Hyeonmu, who seemed unbreakable, collapsed like a rotten log.
Peng Jung-hyuk stared blankly at his fist, while the Wudang Daoists gaped in stunned groans.
"Whoa! As expected of Bear Paw! Gotta beat Daoists to taste good!"
Only Nangong Hyuk cheered gleefully.
Silence fell over the hall.