Chapter 47
Chapter 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Thunder Dragon Squad Arrives
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Hu...."
Watching the horses frolicking across the plain, Silver Phantom Horse Ranch Leader Sang Man-chu let out a sigh laced with sorrow.
His heart ached at the sight of horses scattered sparsely where they should have filled the grasslands.
"...This is truly a disaster. Hoo...."
The ranch's chief steward, Wang Pil, spoke up.
"Ranch Leader, I know you're deeply upset, but it couldn't be helped, could it?"
"Mm!"
"Who could have known bandits like that even existed in Anhui Province? So please, stop blaming yourself."
Anhui Province was firmly the Nangong Clan's territory.
The idea of bandits running rampant there was unimaginable.
On top of that, the Silver Phantom Horse Ranch operated under the Nangong Clan's protection, so having it raided was utterly absurd and infuriating.
Sang Man-chu shook his head firmly.
"That won't serve as an excuse."
"But...."
"Regardless, didn't our ranch cause massive damage to the clan? Over a hundred prime horses. Do you know how much that's worth?"
Even at a hundred silver taels per horse, that was ten thousand taels.
But the Silver Phantom Horse Ranch's prime steeds were worth at least ten times that.
A minimum of a hundred thousand silver taels.
With ordinary folk earning ten silver taels a month, it would take a thousand years of nonstop work to save that much—an astronomical sum.
Having inflicted such a loss, he couldn't feel at ease, karmic ties aside.
"The Harmony Conclave is coming up soon. How am I supposed to face the clan head with the accounts like this...? Mm!"
It felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat.
No matter how frustrated or urgent he felt, there was nothing he could do.
The Silver Phantom Horse Ranch was just a place that raised and sold horses.
Fighting bandits was out of the question.
And they'd already done everything possible.
Wang Pil, looking glum, forced the most positive tone he could muster.
"Ranch Leader, at least the Heaven-Earth Sect is lending a hand."
"Mm!"
"And we've sent word to the clan too, haven't we? Their reply should come soon, so let's wait."
"...It arrived today, actually."
"Oh! So they're sending reinforcements?"
"That's what they say."
"Aah, of course they are! The Nangong Clan wouldn't just sit idly by. If they send their warriors, we can resolve this quickly."
"I hope so...."
Seeing Sang Man-chu's lukewarm response, Wang Pil tilted his head.
"...Is there a problem?"
"Urgh, reinforcements are coming, but...."
"But?"
"The Thunder Dragon Squad is on the way."
"Th- the Thunder Dragon Squad?"
Wang Pil stammered before asking quickly.
"Who's leading them?"
"...The Second Young Master."
"Pardon?"
"They say the Second Young Master is personally bringing the Thunder Dragon Squad."
"Th-the Second Young Master? Didn't he have the Nine Yin Severed Meridians?"
Wang Pil stared at Sang Man-chu with a blank face.
The Thunder Dragon Squad, infamous as the Nangong Clan's band of troublemakers, plus the Second Young Master afflicted with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians?
It was the clan's absolute worst lineup combined!
Sang Man-chu let out a deep sigh.
"...They're coming anyway."
"Wh-what do we do...?"
"What can we do? They left two days ago, so we can't turn them back now."
"...."
Wang Pil muttered in a dazed voice.
"...We can only rely on the Heaven-Earth Sect."
"Urgh! In any case, since the Second Young Master is coming, make sure preparations are thorough. We still have about four days, so no need to rush."
"...Yes."
Sang Man-chu rubbed his face lightly as he spoke.
"I'm counting on you."
"Yes, Ranch Leader."
It was while the two were talking like this.
"R-Ranch Leader-!"
A servant came running up in a panic, calling for Sang Man-chu.
"N-Nangong Clan warriors just passed the village entrance!"
Sang Man-chu furrowed his brow.
"What are you saying? They left two days ago—how could they be here already?! Are you sure you saw right?"
"N-No mistake! It was definitely Nangong Clan warriors!"
...No, it was at least six days' journey from the Nangong Clan to the ranch?
Sang Man-chu couldn't make sense of it.
"...They're already here?"
"Yes! They're headed straight for the ranch."
"Th-that can't be!"
Sang Man-chu panicked and rushed to the main gate.
Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud-!
Dust rose like a curtain along the wide road leading to the ranch.
The ground shook as a dark mass came charging in.
"Uh... mm, u-uh."
Sang Man-chu gaped at the hurtling group, unable to close his mouth.
Words failed to form properly as they tumbled out.
With each tremor shaking the earth, the image of the objects racing down the road grew clearer and larger.
Sang Man-chu's eyes widened to the point of tearing.
Through the pale dust, he saw people leaping forward while hoisting massive carts.
"Wh-what... wh-what is that...?"
"...Nangong Clan warriors."
"Why aren't they... on horses...."
Rumble rumble rumble.
The "horses"(?) charging as if to smash through a wall came to a screeching halt before the Silver Phantom Horse Ranch's main gate.
Screeech!
They gouged deep furrows into the ground as they stopped, pale dust billowing up before a headwind blew it back.
Whoosh-!
Thud!
Bursting through the yellow dust came the men who had been pulling the carts.
"Krghaaaaah!"
"Haaah!"
"Kuoooooh!"
Their ragged breaths sounded like dragon exhalations.
Bloodshot eyes, flushed red faces, ripped-open tops revealing cracked, bulging muscles.
Fresh wounds etched atop it all exuded tremendous ferocity.
"Hup!"
"Hup!"
Coming face-to-face with the Thunder Dragon Squad up close, Sang Man-chu and Wang Pil sucked in their breaths.
But soon, their eyes shifted from fear to sheer bewilderment.
For the Thunder Dragon Squad, having made such a fierce entrance, suddenly bent at the waist in unison, hacking and coughing as if by prior agreement.
"Huaaaaaack!"
"Kaaack, ptooey."
"Keh-hek-hek!"
...Are they trying to die?
They're on the verge of passing out.
As Sang Man-chu stood with his mouth agape, Geon Cheon-hwi snapped his head up.
His face paled as if he'd seen a ghost, and he opened his mouth.
Gone was the near-death look; he bellowed in a thunderous voice.
"They're here! Move it!"
Huh?
What?
Before the confusion could clear, the Thunder Dragon Squad snapped their heads up.
They swiftly shoved the carts aside.
Are these the same guys who were dying moments ago?
What are they doing?
Huh?
When did they grab brooms?
Swish swish swish swish swish!
The Thunder Dragon Squad began sweeping the ground like men possessed.
Sang Man-chu's head tilted to the left.
Sudden sweeping?
What the hell are these guys doing?
He couldn't hide his bafflement watching the Thunder Dragon Squad furiously sweep as if tilling the soil.
With the carts cleared and their load sorted.
Sang Man-chu's mouth fell open wider.
'...Is the emperor coming or something?'
Swish.
A long silk cloth unrolled across the ground.
Once everything was done, the Thunder Dragon Squad hurriedly finished up and lined up on either side.
Sang Man-chu's pupils shook.
'...Are these really the Thunder Dragon Squad?'
They looked nothing like the rumors.
How could these supposed wild brutes stand in such perfect formation?
Clop clop clop clop.
A massive four-horse carriage rolled in between the parted Thunder Dragon Squad.
In place of horses, four men were harnessed to it.
The carriage slowly rolled over the silk cloth and stopped before the Silver Phantom Horse Ranch.
"......?"
"......?"
As questions filled his mind.
Geon Cheon-hwi dashed over, opened the carriage door, and bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.
Huh?
"Young Master, preparations are complete."
A black-clad man stepped out, hands behind his back, casually surveying the surroundings.
Snap!
As soon as Nangong Hyeok descended, the pillar-like Thunder Dragon Squad folded at the waist like folding stools.
"......!"
Sang Man-chu stared at Nangong Hyeok in shock once more.
Nangong Hyeok, slender with porcelain skin, fanned himself lightly and met his gaze.
He flashed a bright smile and said.
"Silver Phantom Ranch Leader?"
"......A-are you Nangong Hyeok, the Second Young Master?"
Sang Man-chu looked at Nangong Hyeok with wide eyes.
He was utterly different from their last meeting a year ago.
He seemed a full handspan taller, still pale but with far healthier color.
Sang Man-chu hurriedly bowed.
"Sang Man-chu of the Silver Phantom Horse Ranch greets the Second Young Master!"
Nangong Hyeok smiled softly.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Ah, relax, relax. Our money line... I mean, let's eat first!"
"A-ah, yes!"
Sang Man-chu quickly signaled Wang Pil.
Wang Pil scurried inside, and Sang Man-chu forced an awkward smile toward Nangong Hyeok.
"P-please, come inside!"
Nangong Hyeok strolled after Sang Man-chu, hands behind his back.
Snap!
At the flick of Nangong Hyeok's fingers, the Thunder Dragon Squad moved like lightning.
They scattered, pulling carts and pushing the carriage.
They swiftly folded the silk cloth from the ground and caught up in an instant.
...Fast.
Sang Man-chu stared blankly.
Gulp.
'Was the Thunder Dragon Squad always this obedient? I heard they were the clan's rejects.'
To get them in line with a single finger snap.
How on earth did the Second Young Master tame them?
Sang Man-chu watched the Second Young Master's receding back with a bewildered gaze.
* * *
Nangong Hyeok's eyes turned to the table.
Beef.
Lamb.
Pork.
And chicken.
'How long has it been since I last saw meat?'
A month? No, half a month?
Nangong Hyeok's lips curved up involuntarily.
Beside him, Sang Man-chu wore an apologetic expression.
"The spread is meager. You arrived sooner than expected, so we couldn't prepare properly—my apologies. We won't disappoint you at dinner."
Disappoint?
There were four kinds of meat.
Nangong Hyeok swallowed the pooling saliva and smiled.
"Ah, don't worry about it. This is more than enough."
"...Thank you!"
Seeing the unexpectedly down-to-earth Nangong Hyeok, a glint entered Sang Man-chu's eyes.
"Once you're finished eating, perhaps a tour of the ranch...."
Chomp chomp!
Before he could finish, Nangong Hyeok began shoveling meat into his mouth.
Sang Man-chu watched, utterly dumbfounded.
Did he starve on the way here?
Sang Man-chu could only marvel at the enormous appetite and eating speed.
Nangong Hyeok turned to Sang Man-chu, mouth stuffed full of meat.
"Mmf hmf hmf hmf hmm?"
"......Pardon?"
Gulp.
Nangong Hyeok chewed and swallowed in one go before speaking.
"Do you have any horse milk liquor at the ranch, by chance?"
"Ah, yes. We brew it ourselves."
"Excellent."
"For the bandit subjugation issue, it might be best to discuss it with the Heaven-Earth Sect Leader."
"Heaven-Earth Sect Leader?"
"Yes."
When Nangong Hyeok asked, Sang Man-chu quickly replied.
"It's the sect that rolled up their sleeves to help when our ranch was in trouble. They've set up base here in the Huabuk Plains...."
Set up base?
Help?
Nangong Hyeok furrowed his brow.
"Hold on."
"Yes?"
"How much help are they giving, exactly?"
"They've even offered to assist with subjugating the bandits. Since they're a sect rooted here...."
"Assist with the subjugation?"
"Yes."
"They won't touch the warehouses, right?"
"Pardon?"
Nangong Hyeok set down the chicken leg in his hand.
"Bring him here, then."
"Pardon?"
"If they're helping out, shouldn't I at least see his face?"
"...."
"We need to divide up the territory in advance, too."
Territory?
Sang Man-chu couldn't comprehend what this scrawny guy was talking about.