Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Kidnapping Farce
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It was when Ju Hyeong-un, who had reached the entrance to the wild mountain, was about to head inside in search of his son Ju Ja-cheol.
Hearing footsteps from the opposite direction, Ju Hyeong-un whipped his head around.
"Huh?"
Among the group approaching in formation with torches lit, he spotted a familiar face.
"Iron Cloud Hall Leader?"
Ju Hyeong-un, who had placed his hand on his sword, narrowed his eyes to confirm the man's face and flinched in surprise.
The Iron Cloud Hall Leader was equally startled and cried out.
"What?! White Shadow Sect Leader!"
What?
Why was the Iron Cloud Hall Leader here?
Could he have come to help?
"Did you rush here after hearing my son was kidnapped?"
"Yes? Gasp!"
Ju Hyeong-un looked at him with a bewildered expression, then felt moved, but something about the reaction seemed off.
"What's wrong?"
"W-Well, you mean the young master Ju was kidnapped too? Th-These mad bastards..."
Young master Ju was kidnapped too?
What the hell...
"What are you talking about? Explain in detail!"
The Iron Cloud Hall Leader spoke with a troubled look.
"Some crazy bastards boldly hurled a stone into our Iron Cloud Hall! And attached to that stone was a hero seal belonging to my son and a letter..."
Ju Hyeong-un's eyes widened more and more until he was staring in shock.
"W-What?!"
He hurriedly snatched the letter the Iron Cloud Hall Leader held out and read it.
The handwriting was different, but the content was identical.
"Wh-What the hell are they thinking?"
"That's what I'm saying! They must be insane. How else could they kidnap both you, the sect leader, and my son unless they planned it out?!"
It was beyond absurd—it was shocking.
Kidnapping just the White Shadow Sect's heir would have been a massive incident, but they went after the Iron Cloud Hall's son too.
And sending letters on the same day?
What kind of organization would devise such a reckless and outrageous plan?!
It was while Ju Hyeong-un stood there dumbfounded.
A group of martial artists came rushing from all directions toward the entrance path.
Ju Hyeong-un's pupils shook violently.
"N-No way?"
The very thing he had feared came true.
The group spotted Ju Hyeong-un and the Iron Cloud Hall Leader standing at the entrance and freaked out.
"Who...!"
"White Shadow Sect Leader!"
"Why is the Iron Cloud Hall Leader here too?"
Seeing the leaders of other sects who had arrived at nearly the same time, Ju Hyeong-un clutched his head.
What the hell is going on...
Ju Hyeong-un let out a groan.
Calming his panic as much as possible, he asked in a low voice.
"...Did you all receive letters saying your sons were kidnapped?"
The sect leaders' eyes bulged as they replied.
"Gasp! Yes. How did you know?"
"This can't be!"
"Then all of us?"
In Hefei, an unprecedented incident had occurred: the heirs of ten sects with some real influence had all been kidnapped at once.
It was shocking.
"What the hell is this?!"
"Why kidnap our sons? What do they want...?"
"Any idea who these bastards are? To dare touch us!"
"I'm going insane! Ten of them! Ten! You can't pull this off without planning, right?!"
The sect leaders jumped around, chattering frantically.
Ju Hyeong-un pressed his temples firmly.
"Enough!"
"But White Shadow Sect Leader! Aren't you worried? Those insolent bastards..."
"We have to go to the place mentioned in the letter first if we want to resolve anything. Are we just going to stand here?"
"Urgh!"
The sect leaders fell silent.
Ju Hyeong-un spoke quickly.
"While we climb the mountain, send your disciples to occupy the wild mountain."
"You mean set up a heaven-earth net?"
"It's just a small hill anyway. We can form a heaven-earth net with our own forces."
"What about going in all at once and crushing them?"
Ju Hyeong-un scowled fiercely, his eyes blazing.
"You're saying to risk our sons' lives on a gamble?!"
"W-Well..."
"Be cautious, cautious! One mistake and our sons are done for!"
"Urgh!"
"Umm!"
The sect leaders swallowed their groans, faces stiffening.
Ju Hyeong-un said.
"Follow the plan for now. Act like we're complying with their demands, and have only elite warriors follow from a distance."
"And then?"
"Once we confirm the sons' safety, we'll strike all at once based on the situation."
"Urgh!"
"It's just reconnaissance, but if they let their guard down, sweep them away without mercy in one go."
"Yes, understood!"
Ju Hyeong-un looked at each sect leader and said quietly.
"Move out!"
As he started walking, the sect leaders followed into the wild mountain.
Then, a hundred elites from the ten sects advanced while concealing their presence, keeping thirty張 distance.
Tension and urgency flowed between the sect leaders.
The deeper they went into the mountain, the more an eerie atmosphere enveloped them.
Ju Hyeong-un scanned all around with sharp eyes.
Though shrouded in pitch darkness, the pouring moonlight was enough to make out shapes without issue.
When they passed the midway point, a group entered his view.
They had a rough, crude aura at first glance.
They carried ferocious weapons uncommon in orthodox sects.
Nangao swords and axes were standard, along with iron maces, spiked clubs, and other bizarre outfits.
'Bandits?'
Or a new black path faction?
Their attire and savage faces left little other impression.
'Should I take them out right now...'
Killing intent leaked sporadically from Ju Hyeong-un's body.
He felt the urge to strike, but held back for the sake of his goal.
"You bastards! Where are the children?!"
As he let out his rage, a man with a朴刀 at his waist tilted his head.
"Follow me."
"...Know that you'll regret any tricks."
Among the bandit-like group, Geon Cheon-hwi, leader of the Thunder Dragon Squad, glanced sideways at Ju Hyeong-un.
His gaze slanted mockingly.
"You lot better not pull any tricks either, or it'll be no fun."
"...What?"
"Don't wanna see your son?"
"Th-This!"
"Not coming?"
Geon Cheon-hwi tilted his head again, and Ju Hyeong-un and the sect leaders ground their teeth and stepped forward.
Their minds grew tangled in confusion.
Following Geon Cheon-hwi a short distance led to a wide clearing.
Geon Cheon-hwi, who had been exuding a rough aura moments ago, bowed deeply with utmost courtesy.
"Young master, I've brought them."
Young master?
As Ju Hyeong-un felt puzzled by the words.
Nangong Hyeok, who had been hunched on a rock, snapped his head up.
"You're here?"
Ju Hyeong-un narrowed his eyes at the friendly tone.
The youthful face, looking barely in his twenties, surprised him.
'...A damn kid?'
And not just any kid.
A bit pale and gaunt, but clearly young and raised in luxury.
Even in the darkness, the high-quality black silk robes embroidered with golden thread screamed wealth—worth at least hundreds of silver taels.
The sword he wore casually was adorned with ornate patterns and jewels, and just the clothes and sword together would fetch at least a thousand silver taels.
Beyond the outward appearance, though, there was a strange sense of incongruity.
As Ju Hyeong-un narrowed his eyes and probed the other.
'...Why so damn relaxed?'
The composure overflowed to the point of exuding veteran poise.
It didn't feel like a first-time kidnapper... more like a seasoned pro?
'Is he really just a kid?'
A strong sense of rejection welled up.
But above all.
'...Where have I seen him before?'
A very familiar face.
Definitely someone he'd seen somewhere.
That build and features were quite familiar.
And that flamboyance...
Lately, he'd only seen outfits that flashy in one place: the Nangong family?
'Nangong... family?'
Ju Hyeong-un focused his inner power and stared hard at Nangong Hyeok.
The pale, sharp-featured face with fine lines gave a sense of familiarity.
If he aged with some wrinkles and a full beard, he'd look just like someone.
And that sword, etched with an eagle ready to soar at any moment.
In Hefei lands, only one place drew eagles on such luxurious swords.
The Nangong family.
Only then did Ju Hyeong-un finally recall who this pale, frail-looking bastard was.
"...Nangong Hyeok?"
The voice came out like a groan, and the Iron Cloud Hall Leader's jaw dropped.
He leaped up in shock, gasping.
"Nangong Hyeok?! The second young master of the Nangong family? Sect Leader, you're saying that's Nangong Hyeok?!"
The Nangong family kidnapped the sons of ten sects?!
The renowned Nangong family of the world?
Their bloodline?
The sect leaders' minds reeled.
"Urk!"
"...Why the Nangong family?"
"Isn't Nangong Hyeok that second young master who defeated the Sword Tiger?"
"The one who shone in the Northern Plains?"
It was hard to believe the protagonist making waves in Hefei lately was here.
The Iron Cloud Hall Leader groaned and asked.
"...Y-Young hero, were you kidnapped too?"
It was the most reasonable thought he could muster.
But Nangong Hyeok shrugged.
"Seems you've all checked the letters."
Did that bastard just admit to the kidnapping?
The Iron Cloud Hall Leader's eyes nearly popped out.
"Th-The letter... you really are the villain?!"
This guy was truly the villain?
No, what was the Nangong family second young master thinking, committing such an outrageous act?!
What grudge, what dissatisfaction drove him to kidnap the next-gen heirs and send these threatening letters?
"Villain? I even sent invitations and hosted you kindly."
...It felt more like a threat than an invitation.
Faced with Nangong Hyeok's brazen stare, the sect leaders were at a loss for words.
Ju Hyeong-un, who had been watching, stepped forward.
"Wh-What on earth were you thinking, starting all this?"
"I just wanted to talk..."
Nangong Hyeok paused, tilting his head sideways.
"Told you to come alone, but you brought tails?"
Ju Hyeong-un and the Iron Cloud Hall Leader flinched and sucked in breaths.
Their gazes shifted behind them.
"Over there."
Flash!
In that instant, torches blazed to life, and the elites hidden on the slopes burst out.
Shwaaaak!
A hundred shadows charged down the hill roughly.
Torches stretched into long lines along the slope.
Roaring cheers echoed through the wild mountain.
"Capture them!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Slaughter the evil paths-!"
Seeing the sect elites charging like mad dogs, Ju Hyeong-un flushed red and yelled.
"Y-You idiots! I haven't called yet!"
Ju Hyeong-un dashed forward, raising his hand high.
"Stop! Stop-!"
As if they'd listen.
The elites had taken the sect leaders' shouts and Nangong Hyeok's glance as the signal and charged.
The elites rushed even more fiercely.
The Iron Cloud Hall Leader and other sect leaders jumped up.
"Y-You fools, stop! Stop!"
"Halt, I said halt!"
"Don't come, we're not enemies!"
Their shrill voices rang out over the mountain, and the charging elites faltered.
Ju Hyeong-un bellowed.
"Stop, stop! Go back! Go back, you bastards!"
The elites who had swarmed forward stared at Ju Hyeong-un in confusion.
Ju Hyeong-un's neck veins bulged.
"Go back, you bastards!"
"S-Sect Leader? Didn't you give the signal?"
"I said no a million times!"
The White Sword Squad Leader looked at Ju Hyeong-un in bewilderment.
Well, they were already out, so might as well sweep them...
"Get back before I discipline you all! We're still negotiating!"
Though with the ambush force exposed before even seeing their sons' faces, negotiations were probably dead.
Ju Hyeong-un ground his teeth and waved the elites away frantically.
Nangong Hyeok snickered from behind.
Geon Cheon-hwi frowned and said.
"Shall we strike?"
Nangong Hyeok whipped his head around.
"What?"
"We can strike and negotiate after, right?"
"I'm not one to strike just anyone."
"......"
"I said no."
Geon Cheon-hwi subtly lowered his head.
Nangong Hyeok clicked his tongue and chuckled at the sect leaders making a mess.
"Hey, how long you gonna keep this up? Gotta see the kids, right!"