Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Father's Fury and a Plot Hatches
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Nangong So entered the study at Nangong Baek's summons.
"Oh, you're here too, brother?"
Nangong So, not expecting to see Nangong Jeong there, looked at him with a puzzled expression. But Nangong Jeong's response was quite cold.
"Sit down."
Nangong So sat with an awkward look on his face.
He then glanced cautiously at Nangong Baek and Nangong Jeong.
"But why's the atmosphere like this? Father, is something wrong?"
"Something wrong?"
Nangong Baek gripped his teacup tightly as he stared at Nangong So.
"You're asking if something's wrong?"
Nangong So chuckled dryly while sipping his tea. Seeing this, Nangong Baek smiled awkwardly in return.
"The mood feels off. Is something the matter?"
Nangong Baek's expression darkened. He glared at Nangong So with deep displeasure and let out a low sigh.
"What's the use of talking when you have ears but don't listen."
"Pardon? What do you mean..."
Nangong Baek rubbed his temples as he watched Nangong So's wide-eyed confusion.
'If only these fools were half as capable as that one.'
He knew it was a thought no parent should have, but Nangong Baek couldn't shake his frustration.
"Never mind. No need for long explanations. I called you both here for one reason."
Nangong Baek looked at Nangong Jeong and Nangong So.
"The family's mood is unsettled, so lay low for a while."
Nangong Jeong asked cautiously.
"Is this about the Thunder Prison incident?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
Nangong Jeong nodded gravely at Nangong Baek's words, but Nangong So, who didn't understand, just looked puzzled.
"What's this about the Thunder Prison?"
Nangong Jeong shot Nangong So a sharp glance.
"There's a rumor that the Heaven-Earth Sect Lord and Branch Head bit their tongues and took their own lives."
"What? Really?"
Nangong Baek clicked his tongue as Nangong So reacted with genuine shock, as if he knew nothing.
"It's true. Things are chaotic, so avoid any suspicious behavior. Stay in your quarters as much as possible."
"Yes, Father."
Nangong Jeong nodded in understanding, but Nangong So wore a dissatisfied expression.
"But why do we have to lay low because of that?"
"..."
Nangong Baek narrowed his eyes at Nangong So.
Nangong So gave a slight awkward smile.
"No, I'm not saying I won't, but I have an appointment today."
How could someone be this immature and thoughtless?
Nangong Baek let out a heavy sigh.
"The situation's bad, so don't stir up trouble."
Nangong So's face twisted in frustration.
"But isn't this all because of that guy Nangong Hyeok captured? Anyway, nothing that bastard does ever goes quietly!"
Nangong Jeong tugged lightly at Nangong So's sleeve from the side.
"Enough."
"What? Did I say something wrong? You know it too, brother! Look at people fawning over that bastard just for catching some bandits! He can't even manage properly and lets them die!"
"I said be quiet."
Nangong So shook off Nangong Jeong's hand and turned to Nangong Baek.
"Father, are you just going to let that guy be? Acting like a hero over nothing—it's infuriating!"
"..."
Nangong So kept grumbling with a displeased scowl.
"A hero? If I had just one guard squad, I'd sweep ten bandit lairs. That'd be way better than what that bastard Nangong Hyeok—"
Thud!
Unable to endure it, Nangong Baek slammed his fist on the table.
"You fool!"
"Pardon?"
Nangong So froze in shock at Nangong Baek's sudden outburst.
"You think what Nangong Hyeok did is nothing?"
"N-No, that's not what I—"
"Then what? What have you accomplished to talk like that? You think dealing with bandits is no big deal? Do you really shut your ears to the family's affairs?"
"F-Father! Why are you suddenly—"
"Shut your mouth!"
Nangong So shrank back like a turtle at Nangong Baek's thunderous roar.
Nangong Baek glared at him with eyes full of rage.
"A guard squad? Didn't I give you one? What did you do with it? Did you even catch any lowly bandits?"
Crunch! Crash!
The teacup in Nangong Baek's hand shattered under the pressure.
Nangong So flinched and huddled up at the intensity.
"I asked what you did while Nangong Hyeok, whom you treat like vermin, resolved the family's financial crisis!"
"F-Father!"
"That boy's position keeps rising without end, and you? You have an appointment? Planning to go drinking and fool around? You dare say that now?!"
"Th-That's unfair! If I get a chance—"
"Did Nangong Hyeok get any proper chance? Why don't you have a single thing better than that boy you despise? Why do you shame me like this!"
Smack!
Nangong Baek hurled a shard of the teacup.
Whoosh!
Nangong So yelped in surprise at the sharp graze on his cheek and toppled backward.
He landed hard on his rear with a stunned look, staring at Nangong Baek.
Nangong Baek glared at him with a fierce scowl.
"I can't even stand the sight of you. Get out!"
Nangong So looked at him in shock.
His eyes welled up with misty tears before he stormed out in anger.
"So!"
"Let him go."
Nangong Jeong rose to stop him, but Nangong Baek held him back.
"That fool needs to come to his senses. Better to crush him now than let him blunder and get caught later."
Nangong Jeong let out a low groan and nodded slowly.
"...Yes."
Nangong Baek steadied his breathing.
"You focus on your martial arts this time too. I'll get you spirit pills."
"...Yes, Father."
"Good."
Nangong Baek patted Nangong Jeong's shoulder, then furrowed his brow.
Suddenly, he recalled what Nangong Jeong had said before.
'A wall. A wall...'
Such a wall was nothing.
If Nangong Hyeok overcame it, so could Nangong Jeong.
'Yes, just break through somehow.'
Nangong Baek's sunken gaze stared quietly out the window.
* * *
Gulp! Gulp!
Nangong So chugged the liquor roughly, fuming.
"That damn bastard Nangong Hyeok!"
It was the first time his father had ever raged at him like that.
He didn't know how to react to the roar he'd never heard before.
But one thing was clear: he'd been chewed out badly, and again because of Nangong Hyeok.
"Why do I always get scolded and cursed whenever that guy struts around?"
This time too.
He'd just said let's do well, so why get yelled at for it?
Nangong So downed strong liquor after strong liquor with a bitter expression.
Rage toward Nangong Hyeok boiled inside him.
Then, a familiar voice reached his ear.
"Hey, So. Already knocking back drinks before we arrived?"
Nangong So glanced sullenly at the group ascending to the third floor, then turned back to his cup.
It was the Hefei Ten Swords, his usual drinking buddies.
Joo Ja-cheol, the young master of White Sword Sect and their de facto leader, laughed heartily and sat beside Nangong So.
The other nine young experts gathered around the table one by one.
"What's got you down? Something piss you off again?"
"..."
"Not gonna talk? Should we just leave? Want to drink alone?"
Clink.
Nangong So set down his cup and looked at Joo Ja-cheol.
Joo Ja-cheol smiled gently to soothe him.
Having known Nangong So long, Joo Ja-cheol knew how to handle his emotional friend.
"Spill it. We can at least listen."
Nangong So hesitated a bit before sighing and opening up.
"...Because of Nangong Hyeok."
"Nangong Hyeok?"
Joo Ja-cheol recalled.
The guy who was so frail he hardly left the family grounds, though he'd seen him once or twice.
Come to think of it, he'd heard the guy's condition had improved lately and he was active.
"That sickly weirdo? Didn't he get some mission recently?"
"He came back with merits."
"Ah! So that's why our young master Nangong So is this pissed?"
Joo Ja-cheol laughed, and the young experts chuckled lightly.
Nangong So scowled fiercely.
"Lately, nothing goes right because of that bastard. Today, Father threw a teacup at me because of him!"
Joo Ja-cheol snickered.
So he'd gotten chewed out by his dad and was sulking?
He refilled Nangong So's cup and patted his back.
"If he's such a thorn in your side, just crush him."
Nangong So emptied his cup and sighed deeply.
"That guy's position isn't ordinary anymore. All the underlings are busy praising him, while mine..."
Nangong So clamped his mouth shut.
Coldly speaking, as his father said, he had nothing.
The elders had always favored his brother, but not to this extent of indifference...
'Damn it.'
Messing with Nangong Hyeok now would get him slapped by his father.
No, he'd definitely get hit.
Father had yelled at him to lay low today; causing trouble right after...
Joo Ja-cheol kept pouring drinks and subtly nodded to the young experts.
They caught on and started fanning the flames.
"It's just sibling rivalry; it won't blow up that big."
"...That guy's martial arts are strong."
"Strong how strong?"
"Brother, even you couldn't match him, I heard."
"That's exaggeration."
"Everyone who's seen him says so."
Joo Ja-cheol placed a hand on Nangong So's shoulder.
"Want us to help?"
Nangong So whipped his head around, cup mid-tilt.
"What?"
"Our Nangong So is suffering like this; how can friends ignore it?"
"I told you he's strong. And my position in the family..."
"We'll crush him."
Nangong So set his cup down gently and eyed Joo Ja-cheol.
"You serious?"
"Would I joke about this?"
"Well, I'd be grateful if you did... but can you?"
Nangong So looked at him skeptically.
Joo Ja-cheol shrugged, sweeping his gaze over the young experts with a 'what's there to say' expression.
"Hey! We're the Hefei Ten Swords! Hefei Ten Swords! No matter how strong he is, can he handle all ten of us ganging up?"
Joo Ja-cheol was confident.
Their families couldn't compare to Nangong Clan, but their skills weren't far behind Nangong's young masters.
Of course, not as good as Sword Dragon or Sword Tiger, but those were exceptions.
"Even one hand can't beat ten. No matter how strong, if we all rush him, what's the problem? Ten of us together could take even the Soaring Bow Division Leader."
The Hefei Ten Swords nodded at Joo Ja-cheol's words.
Nangong So brightened at the sight.
"Yeah, exactly! But you guys okay with it?"
"Ah! That's the issue."
Joo Ja-cheol trailed off, glancing at Nangong So.
Nangong So caught on and quickly said.
"Tell me! Whatever I can do, I will. You think I wouldn't for crushing Nangong Hyeok?"
Joo Ja-cheol hemmed lowly before speaking.
"Fighting Nangong Hyeok won't kill us, but our positions will shake big time. And you know we're all heirs to our sects."
"Spit it out."
"We'll lead our sects someday; can't afford bad blood with Nangong Clan."
Joo Ja-cheol trailed off again, peeking at Nangong So.
Nangong So puffed his chest boldly.
"Ah! Don't worry! If you properly crush that bastard, I'll handle it somehow."
"That's iffy."
"Then?"
"Your father's an elder, right? Just put in a good word for our families, yeah? You get it?"
"Sure! I'll even set up a meeting!"
Joo Ja-cheol curled his lips.
"But still, the aftermath worries me. You're still a Nangong second young master."
Nangong So bit his lip, then said.
"Don't worry! I'll handle that too! Just subdue him and drag him to me! I'll take care of the rest, so you're clean."
"Won't that burden you too much?"
Nangong So's eyes turned slightly chilling.
"Better to act than be treated like a spineless pushover! I'll manage, so don't fret!"
Joo Ja-cheol smirked sinisterly at Nangong So's heated outburst.
He said in a subtle tone.
"Fine for you, but we'll have to lay low after. Even if you cover for us, our families will chew us out. Ah, but we'll need drinking money at least..."
"How much?"
"Just whatever you can give."
"Of course! I'll cover it fully!"
"Nice, our capable friend Nangong So!"
Joo Ja-cheol gave a thumbs-up.
"Now we can fight without worries."
"Mm!"
"We'll make you look good. From now on, that Nangong Hyeok or whatever will piss his pants at the sight of you."
Nangong So clenched his fist.
"Yeah! That's how it should be! That's right!"
Joo Ja-cheol laughed heartily and refilled Nangong So's cup.
"Now you're the Nangong So we know!"
"Ahem!"
"Feeling better? Let's drink proper!"
"Got it! I'm buying tonight!"
Nangong So, whose mood soared instantly, raised his cup and shouted.
Joo Ja-cheol and the Hefei Ten Swords exchanged glances.
Sinister smiles crept across their faces.
'Simpleton.'
Cheer him up a bit, and he spills everything.
Joo Ja-cheol raised his cup with a smile.
'Then shall we stomp this budding sprout?'
Joo Ja-cheol wore a sinister smile.
Unaware that what he aimed to crush wasn't a sprout, but a thorny bush.