Chapter 370
Chapter 370
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 379
Chapter Title: The Eagle He Saw
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Paeng Junghyeok sat on the bed in his quarters, staring blankly at his sword.
A cold gleam of blade light flowed from the greatsword he had received from the Iron Body Sect.
'What’s the difference?'
They ate the same food, trained the same way, and spent time together with Nangonghyeok.
Yet now, the gap between him and Nangongryong was immeasurable.
At first, he thought it was just a single step, but now Nangongryong felt ten li ahead, far in the distance.
What was the difference?
What could have caused such a vast divide?
Recalling how Nangongryong had stopped training and holed up in his quarters some time ago, Paeng Junghyeok sat in the same spot.
It wasn’t a matter of physical training.
Paeng Junghyeok pondered, then let out a sigh.
'He said he saw an eagle.'
An eagle.
It was talk of the flock.
His father, Paeng Cheonwi, had once said:
- Someday, you too will see the small universe. That’s when your understanding of the Primordial Chaos begins.
Small universe. If he witnessed the small universe and comprehended the Primordial Chaos, could he catch up to Nangongryong?
What the hell was it?
Did it just appear if he thought about it?
'Damn it, they emphasize it because it’s important.'
Paeng Junghyeok was the son of a martial family.
Even a simple grasp of principles could change one’s swordsmanship.
How much more so for the realm of enlightenment?
Something beyond effort was needed.
Paeng Junghyeok scowled fiercely.
“……What the hell am I supposed to see.”
This wasn’t like being blind with eyes wide open.
“What are you looking at?”
“Fuck, you scared me!”
Paeng Junghyeok jumped in fright and pointed his greatsword forward.
Nangonghyeok casually pushed the blade tip aside and furrowed his brow.
“You little shit, drawing your sword first thing.”
“……Ah, no, when did you come in?”
“The door was open?”
No, you don’t just barge in because it’s open!
'What kind of person has no presence?'
Paeng Junghyeok swallowed dryly as he looked at Nangonghyeok, who was crouched on the bed.
'Is he even human?'
……Well, he couldn’t exactly bet on the "no" side either……
“You little shit, that look in your eyes is weird. You were cursing me, weren’t you?”
“……No way.”
“Bullshit. That’s the cursing look.”
Ghost of a man.
Paeng Junghyeok broke into a cold sweat and quickly changed the subject.
“What brings you here all of a sudden?”
“Let’s drink.”
“Just us two?”
“You can drink alone, with two, or with a hundred.”
“……I’m busy.”
“Busy?”
Nangonghyeok stared at Paeng Junghyeok.
His gaze slowly roamed up and down Paeng Junghyeok’s body.
Then he curled up the corner of his mouth.
“What’s so busy? The sword? Or breathing?”
“I’m training.”
“Sitting and staring at a sword is training? Oh, got it. Let’s drink first, and I’ll whip you into shape. I’ll reteach you training from the ground up. Don’t worry about it. Just buy me a drink later if you’re grateful.”
No, you lunatic. Who trains after drinking!
“No, I’m really busy right now.”
“If you’re too busy breathing, I’ll stop it for you.”
“What do you mean, stop breathing! Can’t you see? I’m in mental visualization training, mental visualization!”
“Mental visualization can go fuck itself. You think it comes just from staring at a sword?”
Nangonghyeok grabbed Paeng Junghyeok’s arm and yanked.
Paeng Junghyeok resisted with all his might.
'This crazy bastard! How does a skinny guy have this much strength! Ow, why’s he so damn strong! Shit!'
Even channeling the Primordial Chaos Divine Art subtly, he was being dragged across the bed.
At this rate, either the bed would break or his wrist would snap.
“Ah, fuck! Training alone is kicking my ass today—what’s this about drinking!”
Suddenly!
Nangonghyeok let go of Paeng Junghyeok’s hand and stopped.
Paeng Junghyeok, who had staggered, regained his balance and looked up at him awkwardly.
“Being impatient won’t make it come.”
What?
Did he know something?
Nangonghyeok snickered.
“You think insight comes just because you’re sitting there waiting for it?”
“……!”
“Even Bodhidharma stared at a wall for nine years before enlightenment. You think you’re better than that monk?”
No, he wasn’t.
“Damn clueless guys always picking up weird shit and copying it.”
“Ha, but didn’t it work for you, Brother Nangong?”
“You little shit, master the Paeng family sword arts first before talking!”
Excuse me, I’m the young master of the Paeng family?
“Since when did the Paeng family sword lack power?”
“……I’m strong.”
“This?”
He dangled!
Paeng Junghyeok glared sullenly at his own wrist flopping limply in Nangonghyeok’s grip.
……Damn, he’s got nothing to say to that.
“So, what’s the Paeng family sword like?”
“How the hell would I know?”
“……Fuck.”
“Fuck?”
“Ah, fuck. It hurts. Let go of my wrist?”
“Like hell I will.”
Nangonghyeok dragged Paeng Junghyeok along.
The sight of the bear-like Paeng Junghyeok being hauled by the slender Nangonghyeok was comical.
Nangonghyeok said indifferently.
“Work hard. Real hard.”
“Does insight come from effort?”
“That’s why it’s not coming—your effort’s lacking.”
“…….”
“Is insight some big deal? It’s just what makes you hit better and take hits better.”
Man, that metaphor’s so you.
“Insight comes while drinking or talking shit about drinking. So today, we’re beating insight into you.”
Damn, smooth talker.
This Mad Dragon’s pitching to me right now. Yeah, he is.
Paeng Junghyeok let out a hollow laugh.
“Fine, I’ll walk on my own two feet.”
“A bear-faced guy playing the victim.”
Nangonghyeok grumbled as he started walking.
Paeng Junghyeok watched Nangonghyeok’s back intently.
'What the hell is this guy?'
Simple as the character for "one," yet the occasional glimpse of his profound insight was unfathomable.
In his twenties, but like a seasoned veteran who’d seen it all—or more.
Lives without a care, but seems utterly systematic and planned.
And at times like this, he feels like he sees through everything.
The more you knew him, the less you understood.
“……But does insight really come while talking shit about drinking?”
Nangonghyeok scratched his cheek and tossed out.
“If you talk well, maybe?”
“……Pardon?”
“Back in the day, a Beggar Clan beggar got drunk and comprehended a footwork.”
“I-is that true?”
“Yeah. Circumstances were a bit different, though.”
“What circumstances?”
What circumstances.
A Beggar Clan bum running from me after chugging booze achieved great success in Drunken Eight Immortals Steps, probably?
Got enlightenment then and became the world’s best, or something?
'Heh, I was his benefactor?'
The dead beggar would wail in the underworld if he heard, but he wasn’t here anyway.
If he’s pissed, come back to life.
Nangonghyeok chuckled.
“I’ll recreate it exactly for you.”
“…….”
“Come on! Let’s go get that insight!”
Nangonghyeok laughed wickedly, and Paeng Junghyeok forced a laugh.
……Should I bolt?
That guy just had crazy in his eyes.
“Not coming?!”
“……C-coming.”
Paeng Junghyeok trudged after Nangonghyeok.
* * *
Hwangbochung grumbled inwardly as he chased after Nangonghyeok, who was stomping ahead.
He’d been loafing around the medical hall under the pretense of treatment since returning from the Iron Body Sect.
No more summons now, so he figured he could dodge easily—but what a huge miscalculation.
Sick or not, getting dragged around—how could he rest!
'Damn it, why am I being dragged along again?'
Where the master goes, the servant follows!
This fucking bullshit!
'I’m the young master of the Hwangbo family, you bastard!'
And wasn’t the servant life over?
Ah…… Betrayed and fallen back to slave.
'Fuck! Fuck! I thought the Wudang Daoists would win! Is this the jianghu? All chivalry’s dead!'
Why’s the villain strutting so boldly through Hefei’s alleys!
No, more than bold—people everywhere greeting him like they’re bowing!
“Hey, Young Master Yi! What brings you today?”
“Haha, life’s worth living thanks to the Nangong family these days!”
“Whoa, here for a drink again? We were worried when you vanished for a while!”
Wow, that’s a villain, a villain.
Why welcome a villain!
He’s worse than bandits?
'What hero treatment is this?'
Paeng Junghyeok, that bear, looks unfazed—like he’s used to it.
Oh?
Nangonghyeok replied in a clear, bright voice.
“Hahaha! I’m back, aren’t I?”
“Does the Nangong family run without me? Nothing big going on?”
“Hey, don’t make a fuss. It’s fine. Move along!”
Infuriating!
So it wasn’t just the Iron Body Sect—he’d swept through all of Hefei!
Hwangbochung ground his teeth from behind.
'Ah, ow, my jaw.'
Damn women!
Beating people like punching bags?
Still throbs. What bone did they hit?
Not broken, is it?
'Revenge, revenge!'
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Then, lanterns lit up in Hefei’s bustling streets.
One by one, they bloomed, soon forming a long wall along the main roads.
It was like the sun rising over Hefei alone.
In an instant, the city became a city that never sleeps, with crowds strolling the avenues and stalls popping up one after another.
A fresh vitality began to stir across Hefei’s lands.
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, people flooded the main streets.
Hwangbochung’s jaw dropped again at the throng.
“W-what, so many people…….”
Did Hefei always have this many?
Looks more crowded than Mount Tai, home of the Hwangbo family?
No, it wasn’t just looks—it really was.
Sun set, night falling, yet packed tight—no gaps. This wasn’t just provincial city level.
Even Shandong’s busiest streets weren’t this packed.
Come to think of it, new buildings sprouted more toward the center.
Paeng Junghyeok muttered.
“Hmm, even more crowded. At this point, it rivals Hubei’s Wuchang without shame.”
Hubei Wuchang?
What about it.
Even the capital Beijing, where the emperor lives, might match this!
“……Hold on. Even after coming back from the Iron Body Sect, the crowds keep growing? People aren’t migratory birds flocking seasonally.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
No, it’s not.
Paeng Junghyeok shrugged.
“After the war with the unorthodoxy, we absorbed their territory, and since the Five Great Families allied, trade’s booming. Weird if the population didn’t grow.”
“……A-already absorbed the territory?”
“Absorbed it ages ago. This is why slow info screws you.”
Paeng Junghyeok’s mutter—“That’s why the Hwangbo family got fucked”—didn’t reach him.
'I-interests are shifting?'
Clearly, invisible interests swirled around the Nangong family.
Obvious, if you thought about it.
Active exchange meant people moving, and people moving meant money moving.
And that was orbiting the Nangong family now.
Proof was right there.
That distant banner was the Central Plains Merchant Association’s, and the new building over there was a branch of the World Escort Bureau.
Merchants and escorts were as fast as rumors, after all.
Hwangbochung truly felt the flood of interests into Hefei.
'If the surface looks like this, it’s no exaggeration to say the world’s shaking!'
He was the young master of the Hwangbo family.
Sharper than most merchants on such flows—he couldn’t miss this.
Hwangbochung stared blankly at Hefei’s rapid changes, then flinched.
Huh?
Wait a sec.
Hm?
That construction style over there looks just like our Shandong way……
Chop chop! Bang bang! Clang clang!
Even in the city of lights, carpenters sweated diligently.
Huge builds, massive muscles, ox-like workers like oxen……
'……Fuck, aren’t those my clan folks?'
Cousin Hwangbo Pal?!
That bastard’s hammering nails?!
“W-why…….”
Nangonghyeok chuckled.
“As expected of the Hwangbo family! Not ox-like for nothing.”
“Martial artists outlast civilians in stamina. Fresh after three days and nights straight.”
“Damn, effective.”
“Whole building up in half a month.”
W-what?
Hwangbo family warriors wielding tools to build?
All these buildings by Hwangbo folks?!
'C-crazy! They ripped out the main house’s foundations for exploitation!'
You son of a bitch—!
Hwangbochung glared at Nangonghyeok with bloodshot eyes.
Nangonghyeok whipped his head around.
“Why? What?”
“……Heh, heh heh! Our main house builds the best pavilions anyway. Heh, heh heh!”
Hwangbochung grinned awkwardly and slyly lowered his gaze.
'……Cousins are outsiders, after all.'
Thus, Hwangbochung drew the line with his cousin.
Damn, built well.
Built real good!
Hwangbochung kept his eyes down and trailed after Nangonghyeok.