Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Glorious Homecoming
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Namgung Baek sipped his tea while looking at Namgung Jeong.
"Well, how's your body feeling?"
"...Thanks to the spirit medicine, it's better than before."
"It wasn't easy to obtain. Focus on fully absorbing its energy."
"Thank you."
Namgung Jeong bowed deeply at the waist.
Namgung Baek's brow furrowed.
Even though his son's internal energy had deepened further than before the sparring match, Namgung Jeong's confidence had yet to recover.
He could understand if it were someone else's child.
But his own son couldn't be like this.
Namgung Baek scolded him in a stern voice.
"How long are you going to slump your shoulders like a loser?"
Namgung Jeong flinched as he replied.
"...I'm sorry, Father."
"You're the one who will lead the main family in the future. Do you really think you've lost to that guy just because of one sparring match?"
"...."
"That bastard lived his entire life as a failure until he turned thirty. You've only lost once."
Namgung Jeong bit his lower lip lightly.
He hesitated before finally speaking with difficulty.
"I-I saw a wall. No matter what, I just..."
"A wall, you say!"
Thud!
Namgung Baek slammed his fist on the table.
The rosewood table splintered and shattered as if torn apart.
Startled by Namgung Baek's roar—which he'd never heard before—Namgung Jeong shrank his shoulders in shock.
He then lowered his head again under the fierce momentum.
Namgung Baek bared his fangs as he spoke.
"You fool! Martial arts ultimately rely on the body as their foundation. That guy's techniques may seem refined and superior right now, but he has no vessel to contain internal energy, nor a body capable of wielding it. In the end, he will never reach the transcendent realm."
"...."
"But you're different. Your internal energy and body are in the process of harmonizing. Your martial arts are stagnating in preparation for that transcendent realm, but it's fundamentally different."
Namgung Baek glared at Namgung Jeong for a moment before continuing.
"Someone whose balance is broken will inevitably collapse uncontrollably at some point. You have no reason to fear a jagged stone like that!"
"...Yes."
Namgung Baek furrowed his brow again as he spoke.
"Tsk tsk! What a disgrace. The second son would have been better! At least he didn't cower before the likes of Namgung Hyeok!"
Namgung Baek clicked his tongue, eyeing Namgung Jeong with displeasure.
Having vented his anger, he let out a short breath and said,
"I know what you're worried about. But don't worry. I've already made my move."
"Your move?"
"Since he'll be a hindrance someday, I need to nip it in the bud early."
"Father!"
Namgung Jeong cried out in alarm.
This was on a whole different level from a sparring match or pulling down the Family Head.
But Namgung Baek said calmly,
"He's the one who stole your rightful place. A jagged stone needs to be smoothed. I planned to crush him before his position grows stronger."
Namgung Jeong swallowed dryly before cautiously asking Namgung Baek,
"...So this mission is...?"
"Exactly as you think."
"His skills are remarkable, so rushing the plan might be hasty."
Namgung Baek narrowed his brow.
The phrasing unconsciously placed Namgung Hyeok above him, which grated on his nerves.
But he quietly curled his lips upward.
"Don't worry. I've entrusted it to reliable hands, so he absolutely won't return to the main family."
Namgung Baek was utterly convinced of success.
With Guisu in the bandit stronghold, Namgung Hyeok would vanish without a trace.
The Heaven-Earth Sect Leader might be unreliable, but with him involved, failure was impossible.
Namgung Baek sipped his tea, and Namgung Jeong fell silent.
"Focus on recovering your body and think about how you'll make your comeback."
Now he needed to figure out how to rebuild his standing and bring down the Family Head.
"Elder!"
At that moment, an urgent voice from outside drew Namgung Baek's gaze.
The door burst open as a servant came rushing in, panting.
Namgung Baek frowned and asked,
"What is it?"
"E-Elder! Y-You need to come see this."
The servant swallowed dryly and shouted urgently at the puzzled Namgung Baek.
"The Second Young Master has returned!"
All color drained from Namgung Baek's face.
'...How did that bastard...?'
* * *
Clop. Clop. Clop.
The Nangong household servants couldn't tear their eyes away from the procession of horses entering through the main gate.
Clop. Clop.
Glossy coats, lush manes, and well-muscled warhorses passed through the gate in perfect balance.
Clop. Clop. Clop.
They kept coming.
Black and red four-legged beasts streamed in tirelessly.
They poured in without end.
Neigh!
The occasional whinny made people flinch.
Namgung Jangcheon watched Namgung Hyeok descend majestically from the four-horse carriage, followed by the Thunder Dragon Squad.
His cheekbones twitched, and the corners of his mouth quivered.
'...Haha, hahaha! He did it! He really did it!'
When he'd only seen the report, he thought there had been trouble, but to accomplish this!
He'd even recovered ninety horses—truly impressive!
The watching servants' faces lit up with joy and admiration.
Their murmurs bombarded Namgung Jangcheon's ears without respite.
"The Second Young Master succeeded in subjugating the bandits!"
"Man, what in the world happened?"
"He rises from illness and turns out to be this incredible!"
"Beat the Sword Tiger in a spar, commands the Thunder Dragon Squad like limbs, and now completes the mission with them!"
"Kuhuhu! Has there ever been anyone as groundbreaking as the Second Young Master in the last hundred years of our clan?"
"He's shed his mortal shell—reborn!"
Keep going. More!
Kuhuhum!
Namgung Jangcheon stroked his trembling mustache, reveling in the gazes and voices.
'Yes. Even if our Hyeok's character is ruined, his skills are top-notch!'
The Grand Elder and other elders had come out to greet them and were full of praise.
"Wow! Hyeok has upheld the main family's honor!"
"Hahaha! Saved the family fortune and restored our prestige—what a feat!"
"Lightning-fast work! I thought it'd take a month, but less than ten days! Is this possible?"
"Even a round trip would take half a month—wow!"
"Impressive, truly impressive. To handle it so cleanly! The Silver Shadow Horse Ranch sent a letter full of praise for Hyeok."
"Hahaha, oh? But who are those guys?"
"Bandits, probably. Hah, the uneducated scum came naked!"
"Krrm!"
The elders showed admiration, shock, and disgust in turn.
"Family Head, congratulations. It seems the Second Young Master has successfully completed the mission!"
"No doubt about the Second Young Master's abilities—none at all!"
"This proves he possesses not just martial prowess, but leadership and intellect as well!"
The praise poured out endlessly.
"Kuhuhp!"
Unable to contain the flood of compliments, Namgung Jangcheon's lips twisted in a strange smile.
'A triumphant return in glory—truly glorious!'
He'd captured the bandits alive, preserved the horses, and returned in just ten days.
He'd resolved the incident before rumors could even spread.
A monumental achievement.
Namgung Jangcheon stroked his mustache repeatedly with a stern expression.
"Indeed. Ahem!"
As everyone rejoiced, one person couldn't smile.
Namgung Baek.
Seeing Namgung Hyeok approach amid the elders' and Family Head's fuss, his expression turned ashen.
'How in the world is that bastard still alive?!'
He'd boldly declared there was no way he'd return alive.
Yet here he was, unscathed.
If anything, his face glistened with oil as if he'd feasted for ten days straight, and he'd even gained some weight.
Far from intact, he looked healthier.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
'Guisu... Did he subdue even Guisu?'
He could vouch for Guisu's skills.
No way the Thunder Dragon Squad could overpower him.
Plus, there was the Heaven-Earth Sect.
Even if they were outer courtyard warrior level, their numbers reached around a hundred.
'Something went wrong. Otherwise...!'
He'd believed this mission would be Namgung Hyeok's funeral procession.
Yet Namgung Hyeok returned hale and hearty.
And so spectacularly!
Namgung Hyeok strolled in leisurely.
The Thunder Dragon Squad followed like lightning at his heels.
Step step step.
Their synchronized steps were precise and disciplined.
Perfect harmony, like a single entity, radiating dignity.
All eyes focused on Namgung Hyeok and the Thunder Dragon Squad.
Fresh exclamations erupted at Namgung Hyeok's transformed, imposing figure and the squad's sharp movements.
"Is that really Namgung Hyeok?"
"He comes back from bandit subjugation a true man!"
"The Thunder Dragon Squad moves like blades. Did you see?"
"Wow, were they always this disciplined?"
"They look like real bodyguards now!"
Namgung Hyeok glanced warmly around before lightly waving to Namgung Jangcheon.
"You're all out here. I'm back."
Namgung Jangcheon exhaled deeply and puffed out his chest.
"Kuhum! Did everything go well?"
"Yes. I even brought back ninety horses."
"Good, I heard. You worked hard—truly hard!"
"Yes, it was hard work!"
"Any other issues?"
"Oh, well..."
Namgung Hyeok beckoned with a finger, and Jang Ung dashed out, dragging in the Heaven-Earth Sect disciples strung up like dried fish.
"Kuuk!"
"Huuk!"
The Heaven-Earth Sect disciples, faces pale as death, stared at the Nangong family warriors.
Despair and lament filled Ha Taegon's face.
Humiliation gave way to terror.
As Ha Taegon swallowed dryly, his eyes met Namgung Baek's.
"Uh..."
[Don't utter a word if you value your life!]
At the chilling warning, Ha Taegon gulped and bowed his head.
His shoulders trembled.
Namgung Hyeok glanced at Ha Taegon with an odd look and chuckled.
The elders grew noisy at the pitiful sight of the Heaven-Earth Sect disciples.
"Bandits?"
"Whoa!"
"To dare invade the main family! Family Head, execute them at once!"
"Killing them all wouldn't look good to outsiders. We should hold a trial and judge right from wrong."
"A trial? Punish them severely now to prevent future incidents."
"At least hear their circumstances..."
"Do thieves deserve mercy?"
The elders debated heatedly.
Namgung Hyeok watched before beckoning to Geon Cheon-hwi.
Clunk!
A large chest on the cart burst open, and a middle-aged man sprang out.
Thud!
The blood-suppressed man rolled his bloodshot eyes over the elders.
Namgung Baek's cheek twitched as he recognized him.
'...Captured Guisu alive?'
Killing and subduing were worlds apart.
Did Namgung Hyeok have the power to capture Guisu alive?
Or was the Thunder Dragon Squad that capable?
How on earth...
He flinched.
Turning to the razor-sharp gaze that made his body tremble involuntarily, Namgung Hyeok was staring right at him with a smile.
"Hmm."
Namgung Hyeok let out a peculiar chuckle before saying to Namgung Jangcheon,
"Ah! I'll explain what happened inside."
"Mm!"
"There were some amusing incidents too."
"Amusing ones?"
The elders' ears perked up amid their debate.
Then, Grand Elder Namgung Wigeong stepped forward.
"Hyeok!"
...Huh?
Were we that close?
Namgung Hyeok tilted his head.
"Ahem, can we listen too?"
Namgung Hyeok shook his head at Namgung Wigeong's words.
"It's father-son talk, so probably not."
"Ah, I see. Hm!"
He stared at the sulking elder before turning back to Namgung Baek.
The beaming Namgung Hyeok asked casually,
"Would Uncle like to hear?"
"...Is it important?"
"Just something."
"Not particularly curious."
"Ah, yes. Fair enough."
Twitch.
Namgung Baek's eyebrow twitched once.
Namgung Hyeok smirked before saying to Namgung Jangcheon,
"Come on in, Family Head. Time for some father-son talk!"
"Uh, uh, right."
Namgung Hyeok naturally led Namgung Jangcheon along.
Namgung Jangcheon nodded like he was possessed and followed behind.
"You all unpack the luggage."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The Thunder Dragon Squad bellowed in unison and scattered to hurriedly sort the baggage.
The onlookers marveled at the sight once more.
'That bastard couldn't have...'
Namgung Baek's face twisted bit by bit as he watched Namgung Hyeok's retreating back.