Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Sweeping the Ten Sects
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Watching the back of Namgung Hyeok as he left with the agreement in hand, Ju Hyeong-un let out a deep sigh.
Iron Cloud Hall Leader spoke to him as he stared blankly at Namgung Hyeok, who seemed to have lost his soul.
“……What the hell did you write on that agreement anyway?”
*This bastard wrote it first and foremost.*
Ju Hyeong-un glared at Iron Cloud Hall Leader with a growl.
“What then? You think I should’ve refused to sign in that situation?”
“Hah, but this concerns the fate of all of us!”
“You pathetic……!”
When Ju Hyeong-un bellowed, Iron Cloud Hall Leader flinched and shrank back.
“What do you think happens if the Namgung Clan gets involved? We touched their bloodline—they’ll make an example of us. You want to get chased out of Hefei?”
“……B-but this doesn’t feel right. Why not just wipe them all out? We have our sect disciples here right now, don’t we?”
“Haaa! You pathetic fool. With this many warriors gathered in Hefei, you think the Namgung Clan won’t notice? Oh, sure they won’t!”
“Agh! Th-then what do we do?”
Iron Cloud Hall Leader looked at Ju Hyeong-un with anxious eyes.
Ju Hyeong-un furrowed his brow slightly before relaxing it.
“No need to despair like that. With the agreement signed, the Namgung Clan won’t interfere.”
“How can you be so sure! What if that fox-like bastard reports it to the Family Head…….”
“Why would he have bothered with an agreement if that was his plan? He wants something from us—that’s why he made the agreement as an excuse.”
“What the hell does he want from us?”
“Respect, favors, whatever. He’ll demand something, but nothing outrageous.”
“How are you so certain?”
Contrary to their worries, the agreement’s contents were nothing much.
Just cooperate with what Namgung Hyeok does and help if he asks?
It was surprisingly reasonable, unlike everything he’d shown so far.
The only concern was whether he’d use it as a pretext for excessive demands.
“If he makes a big fuss, the Namgung Clan will find out, and he doesn’t want that. That’s why he lured us to this secluded spot, isn’t it?”
Iron Cloud Hall Leader looked skeptical at Ju Hyeong-un’s confident tone.
“What if word of this reaches the Namgung Family Head anyway? What then?”
“We’d be in trouble. The clan would be in an uproar. But the Namgung Clan is a righteous prestigious house. Wiping out a sect isn’t that simple.”
“Ah!”
“And if that guy has any brains, he won’t spill today’s events. After all, didn’t he act on his own, ignoring procedures and the Family Head’s will? It wouldn’t do him any good either.”
The leaders of the Ten Great Sects relaxed their faces a bit.
They’d feared their sects might fall, but it did sound reasonable on the surface.
“He’s just a punk anyway. Let’s humor him and play along for now.”
“Urgh! It’s still a loss for us.”
“Loss, a loss…….”
In any case, an unnecessary and troublesome connection had been forged.
And the utter humiliation they suffered today wouldn’t be forgotten until they were in their graves.
He, who had dreamed of surpassing the Namgung Clan to become Anhui’s top sect, had bowed to a mere brat.
The sect leaders might brush it off casually, but naturally, their insides were rotting with resentment.
And strictly speaking, even if the agreement had no real power, it was still an eyesore and a nuisance.
If word got to the Namgung Clan, it would be more than just trouble.
So until it was fully resolved—agreement or not—they’d have to humor the brat.
Humor a kid whose blood hadn’t even fully dried on his head, at their age when they gazed upon heaven’s mandate.
And they’d knelt, kowtowed, and begged……
“Huh, huh, hahahaha, hahahahaha!”
Iron Cloud Hall Leader jumped in surprise at Ju Hyeong-un’s sudden laughter.
“L-Lord White Shadow?”
Ju Hyeong-un, still chuckling, approached Ju Ja-cheol, who had been pulled from the dirt and was being supported by the warriors.
“……Ugh, uuuugh. F-Father. I’m sorry. I-I’ll somehow…….”
“Son.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Let’s die today.”
“Yes?”
Shing!
Ju Hyeong-un drew his sword from his waist and rolled his eyes back.
“Let’s dieeeee!”
“F-Fatherrrr!”
“Huh, huff! Stop him, stop him! He’s committing suicide, suicide!”
The Hefei Ten Swords’ survival struggle was far from over.
* * *
Hearing the screams from behind, Namgung Hyeok glanced back and snickered.
“Young master.”
“What.”
“I thought you’d just confiscate their wealth, but you turned them into your limbs. Truly impressive.”
“How are they my limbs? It’s just a cooperation pledge to get along from now on.”
“I can’t even imagine what you’ll do with that.”
*This bastard’s mocking me?*
When Namgung Hyeok glared, Gold Apex Merchant flinched and took a step back.
“Was this your plan from the start?”
“No way.”
“……When did you get so scheming?”
*What, you’re convinced already?*
Gold Apex Merchant shook his head.
“Human greed really knows no bounds. You smashed the Heaven-Earth Sect once, and now you’re hooked on crushing sects.”
“Haha, now you’re crossing the line.”
Namgung Hyeok flicked Gold Apex Merchant’s forehead.
Thwack!
“Ow, owww!”
Namgung Hyeok curled his lips watching Gold Apex Merchant make a fuss.
*‘Anyway, they’re all tied to me now.’*
More hands meant more work.
His future path would be that much more solid.
* * *
Ju Hyeong-un, who had tossed and turned all night over yesterday’s events, pressed his throbbing temples.
His head pounded like he’d drunk himself into a stupor.
*‘Damn brat.’*
To think his one son would pull off such an absurd stunt.
*‘How did I build this sect……’*
Watching the disciples train their martial arts in the training grounds, Ju Hyeong-un calmed his anger.
That was when it happened, as he caught his breath.
Bang!
The tightly shut front gate, closed for martial training, suddenly burst open as if it would shatter.
“Wh-who goes there!”
The disciples turned toward the gate and drew their swords.
Ju Hyeong-un stared sharply at the front gate.
Step, step.
Dressed in splendid black robes, Namgung Hyeok crossed the threshold and strode into the training grounds.
Behind him marched thirty Thunder Dragon Squad warriors in formation.
They exuded a menacing aura as they lined up along the walls from the gate, blockading the White Shadow Sect like an occupying force.
The White Shadow Sect disciples looked baffled.
Who the hell were these bandit-like thugs suddenly barging in to seal the entrance?
“Wh-who are you!”
“You bastards! Do you know where you are!”
“……Wait. Isn’t that the Namgung Clan?”
“Huh?”
The outraged disciples spotted the blue uniforms of the Thunder Dragon Squad and widened their eyes.
Namgung Clan warriors out of nowhere?
Amid the commotion, some disciples recognized Namgung Hyeok’s face.
“Y-Young Master Yi!”
“Y-Young Master Yi?! N-no way, is it really him?”
“Why is Young Master Yi here?”
The White Shadow Sect disciples exchanged panicked glances.
Ju Hyeong-un eyed Namgung Hyeok with unease.
*‘Why the hell is that bastard here without warning?’*
The sudden intrusion was shocking enough, but with the Thunder Dragon Squad swarming behind to blockade the gate, his anxiety spiked.
*‘What’s going on? Did something go wrong?’*
He wondered if some issue from yesterday had cropped up, prompting this abrupt visit.
*‘Th-then wh-what do I……?’*
His mind went blank, blood vessels bulging in his eyes.
Namgung Hyeok smiled faintly and spoke.
“I was passing by and got hungry, so mind if I grab some lunch?”
“……?”
……Oh, he’s just here for food?
I really thought we were done for.
“Whew.”
His tension easing, Ju Hyeong-un forced a smile.
“Come inside, Young Master. We were just about to eat anyway.”
“Right?”
Namgung Hyeok grinned and headed for the main hall.
The dispersed Thunder Dragon Squad marched up and took positions in front of it.
Even amid the confusion and absurdity, the White Shadow Sect disciples let out exclamations.
“Wow, when did our sect leader get so close to the Namgung Clan’s Young Master Yi that they’re sharing meals?”
“Isn’t Young Master Yi on a hot streak lately? And he comes all the way here for a meal?”
“Our sect leader must have some big plans this year!”
That was the view of the regular warriors, unaware of yesterday’s events.
Namgung Hyeok hummed as he glanced around the sect leader’s office.
“Man, you’ve got some nice stuff here.”
“Well, yeah.”
“Really nice stuff.”
……So what?
Ju Hyeong-un twitched an eyebrow at Namgung Hyeok’s steady gaze.
*‘No way he wants it?’*
Hah, just eat and leave already.
Ju Hyeong-un felt absurd, but figured it was no big deal.
Sure, giving away one thing—what’s the harm?
If it meant the White Shadow Sect’s survival, he could give ten.
“Hahaha! Anything catch your eye?”
Namgung Hyeok, scanning the office, fixed his gaze on a gold-leaf dragon sculpture.
“Our Family Head’s…… no, my father’s office feels empty these days. Something like this would look great there. What do you think?”
“……Uh, sure, why not.”
“Hm?”
Fine, just that one thing…… but it’s expensive.
Ju Hyeong-un’s eye twitched.
“Hahaha! Take it! Of course! It suits the Family Head better than me anyway! It’s a craftsman’s work…….”
“Oh? What’s this sword?”
“It’s one commissioned from Anhui’s top swordsmith…….”
“Is this a real gem?”
Namgung Hyeok had already set down the dragon sculpture and was fiddling with the gem on the fine sword.
Ju Hyeong-un’s face spasmed as he struggled to keep composed.
“Yes, it’s real. Real deal. Ever heard of vajra stone?”
“Whoa, this is vajra stone? Wow, my waist’s been feeling bare lately. Check out my sword. See this?”
“Looks like a fine new blade…….”
“It looks that way because it’s just an accessory for me. Sigh, carrying a sword like this would be perfect.”
Click, click, click.
Namgung Hyeok repeatedly drew and sheathed the sword, playing around wildly.
*‘……If you’re here for food, just eat and go, you brat.’*
Ju Hyeong-un was losing control of his expression.
The bastard was trying to take a five hundred silver tael sword for free.
*‘Squeeze blood from a flea, why don’t you.’*
The swordsmith Namgung Clan wouldn’t lack for such a blade.
Was this a meal visit or a shakedown?
“……Take it! Hahaha! What’s so special about it? It suits you perfectly, Young Master. Uhahaha, hahaha!”
Ju Hyeong-un laughed instead.
Namgung Hyeok oohed in admiration.
“Really? For real? How’s it look? Matches well?”
He pranced around showing it off, so irritating that Ju Hyeong-un wanted to smack the back of his head.
Barely containing himself, Ju Hyeong-un said,
“The sword…… has found…… its master.”
“You don’t seem thrilled?”
“……No way.”
“Is my mouth crooked?”
“Toothache’s been bad lately…….”
“Sigh, at your age, even solid teeth start falling out. Be careful. After sixty, healthy teeth are your real wealth.”
“…….”
“Right?”
No, you brat.
Namgung Hyeok snickered, glanced around, and his eyes lit up.
“Sect Leader.”
“……Yes, Young Master.”
“What’s in here?”
“Oh, nothing really.”
Tap, tap.
Namgung Hyeok knocked on the wall, producing a clear, resonant sound.
“What’s that?”
“……Nothing?”
“Nah, there’s something.”
Ju Hyeong-un’s pupils dilated wildly before settling.
“It’s my private training room.”
“Can I take a look?”
“……Just wall rations.”
“So, can I look?”
“Only wall rations and swords…….”
“Guess I’ll check it out then.”
Namgung Hyeok grinned and flung open the secret passage door.
He moved with the natural ease of someone who’d frequented the place for years.
What raised Ju Hyeong-un’s blood pressure even more was his lack of any real way to stop him.
He’s going in.
The brat was really entering the secret vault.
Grit, grit.
As Ju Hyeong-un ground his teeth glaring at the passage, noisy sounds came from inside.
*‘What the hell are you doing! Why, damn it!’*
What’s he taking……
How much time passed?
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With sounds of something bumping against the wall, Namgung Hyeok ascended the stairs.
“Sect Leader! Your private training room had this useless junk taking up space! I’ll take it off your hands!”
A massive famous mirror, extravagantly carved with a phoenix covered in gold, looking ready to soar at any moment.
Ju Hyeong-un’s eyes nearly popped out.
He’s calling something that hard to even move “trash” and hauling it out? Anyone could see it was a high-end, rare treasure.
“Young Master, that…….”
Ignoring him, Namgung Hyeok yelled outward.
“Hey! Take this!”
“Yes!”
Rumble!
The Thunder Dragon Squad swarmed into the sect leader’s office and carted off the mirror, dragon sculpture, and fine sword.
Ju Hyeong-un stared in a daze before turning to Namgung Hyeok.
Tremble.
Shaking with rage, he asked,
“……Not having lunch?”
“I was hungry, but now I’m not.”
“……Yes.”
“Still, no harm in eating. I was gonna tour the Ten Great Sects anyway. Better grab a bite.”
Ha, haha, he came prepared.
At least he’s not smashing the sect outright—should I be grateful?
*‘Huh, hahaha! How the hell do I deal with this brat from now on?’*
Grit, grit, grit!
Ju Hyeong-un clenched his teeth and bellowed at the servant.
“Why isn’t the food here yet! Bring it now, hurry!”