Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Boat as a Gift
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“Do you have nothing prepared?”
At Namgung Hyeok’s voice, the Hefei Ten Swords flinched.
Seeing their reaction, Tak Hyeok-dong glared at them with bulging eyes.
“What, you think you can treat our young master like that!”
“You dare try to cheat the young master of the Nangong family!”
As killing intent poured in from all directions, Joo Ja-cheol quickly opened his mouth.
“Ha… haha. As if we’d do that! Of course we have something. We naturally prepared a gift!”
“Yeah?”
Namgung Hyeok grinned.
“What is it? Something good, right?”
Joo Ja-cheol felt like a thousand worms were crawling in his gut as he watched Namgung Hyeok’s sly smile.
‘It’s not just the looks that changed.’
His personality had changed too. And by a lot.
But right now, escaping this crisis came first.
“I prepared a very large boat for you, young master. A really good boat. Isn’t that right?”
Joo Ja-cheol quickly turned to Ma Yun-ryong, who caught on fast and chimed in.
“Of course! We have an amazing pleasure boat.”
“A boat?”
When Namgung Hyeok snapped his head up and asked, Joo Ja-cheol grinned.
“It’s a pleasure boat made by the Iron Cloud Merchant House. You’ll be satisfied once you see it.”
“For a boat ride?”
“Yes! The boats from the Iron Cloud Merchant House are the best in Hefei!”
The corner of Namgung Hyeok’s mouth curled up slightly.
“A boat. Boat. Hmm, not a hun… hun… uh…”
Namgung Hyeok glanced at Geum Cheom-sang, who quickly whispered softly.
“The White Shadow Sect. White Shadow Sect.”
“Ah, right. White Shadow Sect. A sub-sect leader there wouldn’t celebrate with just one boat ride. That’d be too stingy.”
“…”
Stingy?
Did this guy have no idea how much it cost to launch a flower boat even once?
But oblivious to Joo Ja-cheol’s thoughts, Namgung Hyeok kept grinning.
“No, no. He wouldn’t be that stingy. Hmm, so he’s giving me the boat then?”
“…Pardon?”
Joo Ja-cheol stared at Namgung Hyeok with blank eyes.
‘Is he crazy?’
What sub-sect leader in his right mind gives a boat as a gift? That wasn’t even a gift anymore.
In his bewilderment, Joo Ja-cheol started to say something but changed his mind and clamped his mouth shut.
‘Not like he’s actually giving it anyway.’
Just get him on board. Somehow get him on it.
If he could get him on the boat, he’d be free of these intimidating warriors.
Then he could pay back every humiliation he’d suffered so far.
Joo Ja-cheol glanced at Ma Yun-ryong and let out a ha-ha laugh.
“Of course! Instead of this, why don’t you come out and see it for yourself! While you’re at it, take a boat ride and enjoy the scenery—it’ll stir your heroic spirit naturally.”
“Yeah?”
Namgung Hyeok slyly lifted the corner of his mouth.
“So, you strangers who barely know me prepared a boat just to celebrate with me?”
“…”
Joo Ja-cheol’s face stiffened slightly.
‘Did it fail?’
Even he thought this didn’t make sense…
“Great! If he’s giving me a boat, I’ve gotta go get it. Heh, I’m the type who never turns down freebies.”
Joo Ja-cheol let out a small sigh of relief as he watched Namgung Hyeok grin.
A smirk crept across the faces of the Hefei Ten Swords.
‘Idiot.’
Whether Namgung So or Namgung Hyeok, the Nangong family lot might overflow with martial talent, but their brains weren’t all that sharp.
As Namgung Hyeok stood up, Geum Cheom-sang staggered but quickly rose.
Geon Cheon-hwi, who had been drinking beside him, also stood.
“Young master’s going on a boat ride.”
Clunk!
The Thunder Dragon Squad, sprawled around guzzling booze, set down their cups in unison and rose.
They walked steadily now, as if they’d never been drunk, leaving Joo Ja-cheol utterly baffled.
‘What the hell are these guys?’
The ones baring their fangs like mad dogs now followed Namgung Hyeok like well-trained hounds, tails wagging.
Joo Ja-cheol hesitated at the unexpected turn, and Namgung Hyeok turned back.
“Not coming?”
“…We’re, we’re coming!”
Joo Ja-cheol grimaced briefly before hurrying to the front.
Ma Yun-ryong quickly fell in beside him.
Once a suitable distance had opened, Ma Yun-ryong spoke with a panicked face.
“Hey, what the hell? Making promises like that on your own!”
“No worries. Soon he won’t even be able to utter such nonsense.”
“But a lot of people heard…”
“I said no worries. Namgung Hyeok, Namgung Hyeok. The same guy who got ignored even by Namgung So. He’s got some underlings now and feels cocky, but the moment he’s alone, he won’t even meet our eyes.”
“That’s true, but…”
“If you’re worried about being overheard, let’s talk once we’re on the boat.”
Joo Ja-cheol’s face twisted slightly.
‘Insolent bastard.’
Relying on his family’s prestige to strut around— that wouldn’t last much longer.
Joo Ja-cheol led the Hefei Ten Swords toward the riverbank.
Following him to the water’s edge, they saw a pleasure boat moored at the dock, just as promised.
Known as a flower boat, it was built solely for onboard entertainment.
The exterior featured vibrant paintings and patterns, while the interior dangled with expensive ornaments. A canopy shaded it from the sun, and one side had a fairly large cabin.
It was spacious and ornate enough for fifty people comfortably.
Namgung Hyeok looked at Geum Cheom-sang.
“How much for something like this?”
“Probably around ten thousand silver taels? Made by the Iron Cloud Merchant House.”
“Price of ten horses?”
“…Yeah, that sounds about right.”
The Silver Phantom Stable’s fine steeds went for a thousand silver taels each.
“Pretty grand. And he’s giving this as a gift.”
“Doesn’t that mean your status has risen that much, young master?”
Namgung Hyeok snorted a laugh.
“Boost my fame twice more and I might get a house next.”
“Could be. Could be.”
As the two chuckled, Joo Ja-cheol approached Namgung Hyeok.
“Like it?”
“Very much.”
Joo Ja-cheol smiled warmly and pointed at the boat as Namgung Hyeok grinned.
“You’ll like it even more once you board.”
“Think so?”
Namgung Hyeok smiled softly and boarded the vessel.
The Thunder Dragon Squad naturally moved to follow, but Joo Ja-cheol held out both hands to stop them.
“As you can see, it’s a bit tight for everyone. We made this spot to celebrate you, young master.”
Geon Cheon-hwi’s eyebrow twitched as he glared at Joo Ja-cheol.
After staring at the calm-faced Joo Ja-cheol for a while, Geon Cheon-hwi turned to check Namgung Hyeok’s intent.
“Young master, what about us?”
Namgung Hyeok said flatly.
“Wait here.”
“Yes.”
At that single word, Geon Cheon-hwi softened his fierce gaze and stepped back.
Joo Ja-cheol and the Hefei Ten Swords smirked as they boarded, and soon the flower boat turned its prow and glided powerfully across the river.
Watching the shrinking boat, Tak Hyeok-dong scowled at Geon Cheon-hwi.
“Those bastards seem like they’re up to something. Shouldn’t we follow?”
“Follow?”
“Yeah!”
“Why?”
Tak Hyeok-dong looked at Geon Cheon-hwi in frustration.
“What’d you hear! Those guys are suspicious.”
“So what?”
“…”
Geon Cheon-hwi snorted.
“What’s there to worry about? If they pull anything, they all become fish food.”
“Oh… right.”
Tak Hyeok-dong cackled as he watched the receding boat.
“Those idiots better not start something.”
No, even if they did, it’d be entertaining in its own way.
‘They’ll probably see hell.’
Remembering his past run-in with Namgung Hyeok, Tak Hyeok-dong shuddered as if breaking out in cold sweat.
Splash.
On the flower boat slicing through the waves, Namgung Hyeok gazed quietly at the receding shore.
Mist rose, blurring the scenery bit by bit.
On the rippling river, only a few fishing boats were visible.
“Reminds me of the old days. Seven years ago? We had a blast at the Nangong family then, right? You said we should go boating once you could go out.”
“Don’t remember.”
“That day, after you mentioned it, you suddenly fainted on the stairs, causing a huge uproar in the family.”
“Did that happen?”
Just how weak had this body been?
Well, considering the state it was in when he first woke up in it, it was entirely possible.
Even right after Namgung Hyeok awoke, he’d fainted multiple times.
“Haha! I got an earful from my father when I got back. After that, it got harder to visit you.”
As Joo Ja-cheol rambled, he scanned the surroundings.
The fishing boats drifting on the river had shrunk to dots, barely visible.
Mist veiled the front like a foggy curtain, and before they knew it, the flower boat floated in the middle of a Yangtze tributary, carried by the current.
“Alright, enough reminiscing.”
Joo Ja-cheol grinned and clapped his hands.
“Young master.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re doing well these days, huh? Back then you were such a weakling, passing out from any bump. Not anymore, I guess?”
Joo Ja-cheol’s expression and tone shifted instantly as he eyed Namgung Hyeok.
The Hefei Ten Swords, scattered around, had gathered near him.
Ma Yun-ryong guffawed.
“Kuhaha! Wanna grab his arm and twist? See if it breaks?”
“Can’t if it does. Last time this punk fainted and I got slapped by my dad for the first time. If it breaks, all hell breaks loose.”
“Oh, really? Damn, why’d you get slapped when the weakling fainted?”
“He’s the young master of the Nangong family.”
“So how’d our frail young master rack up achievements?”
Ma Yun-ryong thrust his broad face close, scanning Namgung Hyeok up and down before folding his arms and snorting.
“You really beat the Sword Tiger? Doesn’t look like it no matter how I see it.”
His slight build and delicate, scholarly features looked more like a scholar than a warrior.
The sword at his waist seemed purely for self-defense.
Ma Yun-ryong flexed his massive arm muscles while crossing his arms.
“The Sword Tiger wasn’t all that anyway, right?”
“Hah, no way.”
“You’re different now. With your skills, you could probably take him.”
Joo Ja-cheol laughed heartily, not displeased.
The Hefei Ten Swords chimed in, praising him.
“The Nangong family’s nothing special.”
“Yeah. The clan’s strong, not this kid. His feats were probably his guards’ doing.”
“What if there’s no guards? Look, he’s already frozen stiff without a word.”
“Stepping on him here would boost your fame too, Ja-cheol. Nice, kill two birds with one stone!”
The Hefei Ten Swords threw barbs one by one.
They were deliberately provoking to crush his spirit.
Joo Ja-cheol stepped forward sneering.
“Anyway, what do we do with him now.”
Dealing with Namgung Hyeok would be like eating cold porridge.
There were ten of them, and not just any— the Hefei Ten Swords.
Even the Heavenly Bow Captain wouldn’t scare them.
‘Just some fun.’
Humiliating Namgung Hyeok would bring massive gains.
The Nangong bloodline was a slight issue, but Namgung So could handle that.
Worst case, claim it was a brawl during a boat ride—what could they say?
What Joo Ja-cheol needed to ponder wasn’t that, but how much to rough him up.
One wrong hit and he might croak.
‘Now, this trembling fool…’
Joo Ja-cheol looked at Namgung Hyeok triumphantly.
“How should we…”
Joo Ja-cheol shut his mouth.
Drip, drip, drip.
Tea poured into the cup Namgung Hyeok held out.
Despite all the intimidation, Namgung Hyeok calmly accepted the tea.
What was odd was that Geum Cheom-sang, who came with him, wore a bored expression too.
‘Are they both crazy?’
As Joo Ja-cheol struggled to comprehend the bizarre scene, Namgung Hyeok spoke quietly.
“Cheom-sang.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Are these guys picking a fight?”
“Seems like it.”
“Right?”
Namgung Hyeok snorted.
“Live long enough, you see all sorts. Me, getting lip from punks like these.”
“…Young master, they’re sons of major sects in Hefei. Don’t make this big.”
“Big? How big?”
“…I misspoke.”
Namgung Hyeok curled his lips into a broad grin and slowly rose.
“As long as I don’t kill them, it’s fine, right?”
At the absurd remark, Joo Ja-cheol unwittingly gaped.