Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Nangong So's Disappearance
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“Father, Young Master So hasn’t come home for three days now.”
Nangong Baek paused in the middle of placing a Go stone.
He let out a light sigh and resumed his hand.
“That boy does this all the time. Useless fool. I hear he’s been drowning in wine and women lately. Tsk, tsk!”
Nangong So was a source of constant disappointment, day after day.
The rumors from inside and out never failed to sour his mood.
Nangong Jeong spoke cautiously.
“They say he ran up a huge tab at the tavern and got thrown out. That’s the last trace anyone has.”
Nangong Baek’s eye twitched faintly.
‘…No way.’
A nagging, ominous feeling crept over him.
“And?”
“We’ve sent men to search, but we still haven’t located him.”
“Where the hell did that fool go?”
Nangong Jeong glanced around briefly before murmuring low.
“…It looks like something’s happened.”
A furrow formed between Nangong Baek’s brows.
It defied all common sense.
Truth be told, Nangong So’s haunts were well-known; he could be found anytime if they looked.
Yet he had vanished into thin air.
And in Hefei, of all places.
In Hefei, where the Nangong Clan held sway.
‘…Could it be?’
Nangong Baek’s pupils shook.
‘Did those bastards lay a hand on my son?’
Clack!
The Go stones he’d been holding clattered to the floor.
Nangong Jeong looked up in surprise.
“Father?”
“…What’s the word in the clan?”
“They just know he hasn’t come home in days. We’ve been keeping mouths shut, but it’s reaching a limit.”
“I see.”
Nangong Baek’s eyebrows trembled.
He had a rough idea of the situation.
In Hefei, the only ones bold enough to harm Nangong blood were those bastards.
And the reason was obvious.
‘…They’re trying to put a leash on me.’
Rage surged up, and his teeth ground together involuntarily.
“Shouldn’t we make it public and search for Young Master So?”
“No, not yet.”
“But…”
“I’ll handle my son. You stop worrying about it.”
“Father!”
Nangong Jeong raised his voice at what felt like harsh words.
Nangong Baek shook his head.
“Focus on recovering. I’ll look into So myself.”
“Father, let me help search for him too. Please…”
Nangong Baek cut him off with a raised hand.
He furrowed his brow deeply as he stood.
“We’ll talk later. I just remembered something I forgot. I’ll step out for a bit.”
“Father!”
Nangong Jeong’s eyes widened as he called out, but Nangong Baek hurried outside.
Nangong Jeong stared in confusion.
‘What could it be that even So takes a backseat…’
* * *
Nangong Baek grabbed a horse from the stables and rode urgently to some destination. He slipped into a hidden chamber.
The underground room beneath the tavern was lit by a single night pearl, enough to make out vague shapes.
Nangong Baek walked deep inside.
He fixed a cold gaze on the darkness.
A sharp glint swept over the shadowy figure seated within.
The shadow spoke first.
“We meet often.”
The gruff voice carried heavy sarcasm.
Nangong Baek’s body tensed as anger boiled within.
“Didn’t I say I’d contact you?”
“…”
“That meant no reckless moves until the grand plan. And yet you stir up trouble in Hefei, my home base? Are you trying to ruin everything?”
His voice boomed, echoing off the chamber walls.
The shadow stared at him impassively.
“You’re in no position to get angry.”
A fierce venom flashed in Nangong Baek’s eyes.
His fists trembled as if he might lunge and grab the shadow’s collar any second.
He exhaled deeply.
“Where is my son?”
The shadow extended a teacup. Utterly calm and composed.
Slide.
He pushed the cup toward Nangong Baek.
“Drink.”
“…”
“Didn’t you come to talk?”
Nangong Baek’s eyebrow twitched. He sat and took the cup.
The shadow spoke in a flat tone.
“We have Nangong So.”
“…Why the hell did you do that? Do you have any idea what’s happening at my home right now?”
Nangong Baek growled low.
“I was about to mobilize the clan to find my son! Don’t you think that could expose your tails? It could derail the grand plan!”
“So proceed.”
“…What?”
Nangong Baek’s eyes bulged.
The shadow replied without emotion.
“I said stop dawdling and start.”
“…”
“One heir is enough, isn’t it?”
Nangong Baek clamped his mouth shut.
Killing intent crept up his shoulders.
Deep rage and humiliation crashed over him, mingled with suffocating frustration.
After a pause, the shadow continued.
“We’ll return Nangong So once things are settled. I promise not a hair on his head will be harmed until then.”
“…”
“So don’t get any funny ideas.”
It was a quiet warning.
Nangong Baek felt shackled, like iron chains bound him.
The shadow toyed with his teacup, staring piercingly at Nangong Baek.
His serpentine, icy gaze scanned him up and down before withdrawing.
“When do we start?”
Nangong Baek exhaled lowly.
“The Harmony Union.”
“The Harmony Union.”
“I’ll have everything ready by then. You do the same without fail.”
The shadow nodded.
“Understood. Now go.”
“…”
“You can’t be gone too long.”
Nangong Baek glared once more before turning away.
The shadow smirked at his retreating back.
He tapped the table with his fingers.
“Not very obedient, is he.”
A voice came from the darkness.
“What shall we do?”
The shadow replied immediately.
“We’d better put a safeguard in place.”
“We’ll prepare it.”
* * *
“Yaaawn—!”
Nangong Hyeok stretched with a massive yawn.
Thin clouds wormed across the clear blue sky.
It was an utterly languid day.
Even stretching didn’t shake off the drowsiness.
“Where’ve you been wandering off to lately?”
Geum Cheomsang asked as he brought refreshments.
Nangong Hyeok replied indifferently.
“Here and there.”
“I’m hurt. I’m supposed to be your attendant, and I don’t even know where you go.”
“Hurt my ass.”
“Hey, I really am. Where do you go that you reek of booze every day…? Wait a sec.”
Geum Cheomsang sniffed the air mid-sentence.
“Sniff sniff. Isn’t that… musk? Hold on, musk? Young Master, you don’t mean…?”
Nangong Hyeok sipped his tea and glanced away.
What wild idea was making his eyes bug out like that?
He could guess from the twisted expression.
“No.”
“There’s no shame in it. Every man does it sometimes. But I’m worried—women carry yin energy, which clashes with your Pure Yin Vessel. And with the daily drinking, your health…”
“Have I ever lost to you?”
“…Ahem. Chilly weather, huh? Ahem!”
Geum Cheomsang coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.
“Oh, Young Master. Did you hear about that?”
Nangong Hyeok munched a snack and eyed him sidelong.
“Hear what?”
“About Nangong So.”
“Him? What?”
“I heard he hasn’t come home in days.”
“Ran away.”
A grown man running away? Tsk, tsk.
Nangong Hyeok tried to brush it off, but Geum Cheomsang shook his head vigorously.
“No, it’s not your typical runaway. They say he just dropped off the map. Word is, they might have to send out search parties.”
“Sounds serious. Whatever.”
“Yeah, whatever. They’re making such a fuss over there.”
Geum Cheomsang muttered awkwardly.
“I wondered if you were involved. Ahem. Just in case…”
What did this guy take him for?
Nangong Hyeok shot him a glare, and Geum Cheomsang shut up fast.
Nangong Hyeok rubbed his chin.
“How long’s he been gone?”
“Three or four days. Suddenly, no word.”
“Three or four?”
A glint sparked in Nangong Hyeok’s eyes.
Around the time he’d spotted those black-clothed men.
‘Well, now.’
Nangong So vanishes right when the black-cloaks show up.
“Hmm. I see.”
Nangong Hyeok tilted his head back.
‘They were after the Silver Phantom Stables.’
But no, not the stables. Their real target was Nangong Hyeok himself—or rather, the Nangong Clan.
‘He’s a bit of an idiot, but he’s direct lineage.’
It all clicked.
One odd point, though…
‘Not accomplices?’
Maybe not. Could be a falling out.
‘I’ll find out when I check.’
Nangong Hyeok stood.
Geum Cheomsang looked up.
“Where to?”
“Out for a bit.”
“You didn’t really bury him, did you? Young Master, no matter how much you dislike him, you can’t do that. He’s family…”
“…What the hell are you talking about?”
“Nangong So. Time to dig him up.”
“…”
Ah, so he thinks I did it?
Me?
“You bastard! You think I’d just bury someone because I don’t like them?”
“…You didn’t?”
Nangong Hyeok shut up at the retort.
…Not entirely wrong.
The difference from before was that he’d bury him alive now.
Ahem.
Nangong Hyeok headed out, but Geum Cheomsang followed.
“Young Master, have a bowl before you go. It’ll turn you into a bull before the booze even hits. A bull.”
“Bull my ass.”
Gulp gulp!
“Whew, sweet!”
Nangong Hyeok handed the empty bowl back and called to the Thunder Dragon Squad.
“Up. Follow me.”
The exhausted squad members staggered to their feet.
Geon Cheon-hwi hurried over.
“Where to?”
“The warehouse.”
“Ah, the warehouse.”
Nangong Hyeok and the Thunder Dragon Squad sauntered out.
Geum Cheomsang watched them go and muttered.
“…They’re getting cockier by the day.”
That gait looked just like…
Geum Cheomsang shook his head and headed inside.
* * *
Pa Ho-wun calmed his jiggling belly and scratched lines in the dirt.
“So, from here to here is the path Nangong So took. The trail ends in this alley. Sword Tiger led the guards here chasing him but lost it.”
Nangong Hyeok’s eyes narrowed.
“As expected.”
It wasn’t far from the alleys around Heavenly Tower House.
Close to where the black-cloaks vanished—and where Nangong So did too.
Nangong Jeong’s pursuit range hadn’t been wide.
“And?”
Pa Ho-wun wiped his sweat and replied quickly.
“We spotted men matching the description you gave around here.”
Not far at all.
‘Scheming something in my turf?’
He hated unnecessary hassle, but the stench was too strong.
Nangong Hyeok’s instincts screamed this wasn’t over.
‘Nothing dumber than waiting to get hit.’
Resolved, Nangong Hyeok shot to his feet. He grabbed a brush and swiftly drew circles on the ground.
“Listen up.”
Do Dae-ung and the One Line Society members paid attention.
“Yes!”
“Speak!”
Nangong Hyeok tapped the ground.
“We’re sweeping these circled areas. Like fishing with a net—slow and thorough. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t stray too far and get knifed alone. Keep decent distance. Share signal flares and whistles.”
Nangong Hyeok poked Pa Ho-wun.
Pa Ho-wun flinched and looked up.
“…Me?”
“Who else?”
“…Yes, sir. I’ve got plenty in stock anyway.”
Whistles and flares weren’t cheap.
Grumbling inwardly, Pa Ho-wun dashed to the warehouse.
Geon Cheon-hwi approached.
“So we start by finding Nangong So?”
Nangong Hyeok scowled.
“What bullshit is that?”
“Pardon?”
“Why find him?”
“W-well, aren’t we gathered to search for our Nangong So?”
“Do I have to babysit every grown-ass punk?”
Young Master.
Grown-ass means not fully grown.
Nangong Hyeok shook his head.
“Ignore the nonsense. Catch the bastards no matter what.”
Ah, so that was the nonsense.
Geon Cheon-hwi nodded.
“Yes!”
The Thunder Dragon Squad moved fast, grabbing weapons.
Soon Pa Ho-wun returned with bundles of whistles and flares to distribute.
Nangong Hyeok weaved through the squad and stepped out.
“Let’s go.”