Chapter 31
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Gate
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*Chomp chomp.*
"I'm gonna smash it all to pieces."
"Yes, go right ahead."
*Crunch crunch.*
"I won't forgive you."
"Since when have you ever shown mercy?"
*Gulp gulp.*
"It's all because of you."
"It's always my fault, isn't it?"
"......"
Yu Hyun glared at him with sharp eyes, grinding his teeth as if to make a show of it, but Guard Huang, sitting across from him, didn't even bother listening. He just kept stuffing food into Yu Hyun's mouth relentlessly.
"Here, the last bite."
"......"
Guard Huang held out the final spoonful from the now-empty bowl. Yu Hyun, with his pressure points sealed and bound in ropes, stared blankly for a moment before snapping it up.
Then, he sank into deep self-loathing.
Damn it...
Is this any way for a human to live?
Can't even control this damn appetite—does that mean I'm fit to walk on two legs?
When I'm hungry, I can't just not eat...
No matter how hard I try to refuse, I can't. He brings food that makes my mouth water just from the smell—how am I supposed to hold out?
But still, eating inside a carriage? Come on.
Guard Huang was as meticulous as ever, true to his days as a former Dali Temple Censor.
He refused to stop at any inns for meals, citing the risk of escape.
He didn't untie the ropes either.
Like a mother bird, he hand-fed Yu Hyun every meal, and Yu Hyun, pride be damned, became a baby bird accepting each bite.
It had been a full ten days...
Guard Huang sighed as he met Yu Hyun's venomous glare head-on.
"...Want more?"
"......"
What does this bastard take me for!
More!
"Anyway, Young Master, you're something else. Hold on a sec. I'll go grab some more."
Guard Huang chuckled and opened the carriage door, heading to the nearby inn.
As Yu Hyun watched his retreating back, tears suddenly welled up in his eyes.
That damn bastard had shown up at the last moment, ruining all his plans.
He should've waited.
Whether by chance or fate, he should've killed the harbinger of chaos who appeared where the Child Ginseng was and saved the martial world in one fell swoop.
Then he could've lived out his days in luxury as a rich man...
But Hefei was already right around the corner.
It had been ten days since retrieving the Thousand-Li Rifle from Gamyop and hopping straight into this carriage.
They stopped every sunset to sleep and kept strictly to mealtimes, which had delayed them quite a bit.
They'd passed the date when the harbinger of chaos obtained the Child Ginseng.
No point turning back now.
Yu Hyun let out a deep sigh.
Fine, time to cut losses. He hadn't killed the harbinger, but he'd snatched the Child Ginseng, so the first goal was achieved, right?
There'd be other chances.
Aim for the second spirit creature.
Until then, he had to pour everything into building his strength.
Strength to shake off this sticky guard Huang, strength to ensure his father no longer worried about him.
"......"
What a rotten fate.
He needed to grow stronger just to stop the harbinger of chaos, and now he had to do it for freedom too.
*Creak.*
While Yu Hyun was busy lamenting his fate with gusto, Guard Huang burst back in, arms full of food.
"How's that? The smell alone is incredible, right? I even slipped the chef some extra silver to make it extra tasty, just for you, Young Master."
"......Man."
Despite his age, that bright, innocent smile drew one out of Yu Hyun too.
What was so great about all this?
His father, his sister, and now even his guard.
Yu Hyun shook his head with a hollow laugh.
"Fine, I get it. Now untie me already."
"Huh? Come on, don't say silly things like that."
"......"
"What if you pull something? I'm not falling for it again. So just behave until we reach the Nangong Clan."
"I'll behave, so untie me."
"......"
Even as Yu Hyun let his eyes droop pleadingly, suspicion lingered in Guard Huang's gaze.
"Just seal my energy points so I can't use internal energy. Without qi, how could I beat you?"
"......"
"I promise I won't try anything. You don't trust me?"
"......You'll really behave?"
"Yeah."
Guard Huang finally set the food aside and untied the ropes, still eyeing him warily.
"Untie the pulse points too. I need to move to eat."
"You're really not gonna try anything?"
"Come on!"
"Alright, alright."
Still doubtful, Guard Huang pressed Yu Hyun's energy meridians to block his qi flow, then released the pulse points.
"Now that's more like it. Hand it over—let's eat."
"......Yes, Young Master."
Yu Hyun stretched grandly, then reached for the food. Guard Huang finally broke into a bright smile.
That relieved look, thinking blocking his qi meridians was enough...
Truth be told, if he'd wanted, he could've taken down Guard Huang and fled the instant his pulse points were freed.
Why?
The points controlling physical movement—like pulse, artery, and meridian seals—prevent motion when struck, but energy meridian points are different.
What Yu Hyun cultivated wasn't standard internal arts, but the Spirit Heart Core Method.
Not the dantian, but the heart. Not qi meridians, but blood vessels.
Even Scattering Powder had no effect on him, and blocking qi meridians all day was pointless. Of course, Guard Huang had no clue.
"How's Father? He must've been worried sick."
"Of course. You know his temper—doesn't care about consequences when it comes to you, Young Master."
"Hmm."
"If I hadn't sent the messenger bird in time, he might've begged the Emperor to scour Anhui Province with troops."
"......"
Tsk tsk. No matter how much power he wielded, a retired official moving the military on a whim...
But with Yu Seong-hwan's obsessive love for his son, it seemed plausible.
It had been a month since leaving home.
Thinking of Yu Seong-hwan fretting over him made Yu Hyun feel unexpectedly guilty.
"Should we just head home?"
"No, let's go to the Nangong Clan first."
"The Nangong Clan?"
"Yes. I heard the Patriarch is there."
"What? Father's at the Nangong Clan?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Young Master, you didn't even send word until I met you. You think he'd sit idly at home worrying?"
"Hmm, fair enough..."
Yu Hyun nodded in understanding and checked his clothes.
"Ah! Damn, I need to change."
"Figured as much—I prepared ahead."
"......"
"What? You weren't planning to show up in those bandit rags, were you? That's no way to show respect. Not just for the Patriarch, but you're meeting your uncle too."
Guard Huang pulled out a pre-wrapped bundle from the carriage.
Guard Huang...
I thought he was just a fool, but he's a thoughtful fool.
"Good job."
Guard Huang puffed up proudly and thumped his chest.
"Young Master, who do you think I am? Guard Huang! The one who's eaten nothing but side-eye from the Patriarch for over a decade because of your antics."
"......"
Must be proud of surviving on scraps.
Yu Hyun shook his head and changed into the new clothes.
"Rest inside a bit. We're heading out soon."
"Got it."
"And no escaping, okay?"
"I said I know!"
Guard Huang grinned at Yu Hyun's reply and climbed to the driver's seat.
"Alright, let's roll!"
*Crack!*
The carriage lurched forward at the vigorous whip crack.
Through the window, Hefei's grand walls loomed in the distance.
The Nangong Clan held sway in Hefei, Anhui's castle city.
What would it be like?
Yu Hyun's world had once been limited to Huayin County in Shaanxi Province.
He'd spent his childhood wandering back alleys, but even that ended when the chaos erupted, reducing Huashan and the area to ruins.
Rescued by his masters from the flames, he'd learned much, but his homes were always dark and damp.
Chaos first, chaos second, chaos third... He'd trained solely to stop it.
His memories were of training grounds, poison labs, formation spaces, and fleeting glimpses through narrow windows.
Yu Hyun gazed out at the blurring trees and fields.
It was the same at the Yu Clan Manor in Hebei—new sights always brought a fresh thrill.
Soon, the carriage entered the city, and his mouth fell open slightly.
Hefei was bustling indeed.
Straight avenues wide enough for several carriages abreast, lined with colorful buildings and throngs of people... It reeked of true urban life.
Different from the peaceful vibe of Anpyeong, home of the Yu Clan Manor.
If Anpyeong felt serene, Hefei pulsed with vibrant, cutthroat energy—like the frontline of living.
Lost in the city's spell with a dreamy expression, Yu Hyun barely noticed the carriage stop.
"Young Master, we're here."
"......"
Already?
A twinge of regret hit him, but excitement for his first glimpse of the Nangong Clan overrode it. He flung open the door and hopped out.
The Nangong Clan.
Home to his master—now nephew—the Sword King Nangong Seong.
A clan already shattered in his original time...
"Huh?"
Yu Hyun's feet froze to the ground, eyes widening.
Before him stretched a massive main gate and endless walls.
Sh, shit, it's huge!
Worthy of Anhui's overlords.
As Guard Huang approached the sharp-eyed guards at the gate, Yu Hyun stared up at the plaque atop the two-story gate.
Three bold characters pulsing with majestic power.
"Emperor's Gate..."
Naming their gate that? Confidence through the roof.
Well, it was the Nangong Clan.
Chuckling, Yu Hyun headed in, catching sight of Nangong clansmen hurriedly stepping aside and bowing deeply in the distance.
What the...?
Tilting his head curiously, he spotted a group striding out briskly.
Nangong Han-su, the clan head in flowing azure robes. Nangong Seong, once master, now nephew.
The elder with white beard to his chest must be former Sword King Nangong Chang-seon...
"And Father?"
Pushing through was Yu Seong-hwan, striding forward.
Forgetting all scholarly decorum, practically running—he seemed thrilled to see his son.
Such a doting fool...
Look at that flushed face. No hands behind back, sleeves flapping—he's definitely going for a hug.
Fine, Yu Hyun steeled himself. He didn't love it, but after all the worry...
Big heart—he'd return the embrace. Arms out, beaming, he stepped forward.
How hard could one hug be?
"Fath..."
"You bastard!"
But the roar came, and the long-awaited son? Not even a glance—he blew right past...
"......?"
And seized Guard Huang's collar with terrifying force.
"Are you mocking me?!"
"......"
"Where's Hyun?! Where's Hyun?! You said you'd met him and were bringing him!"
"Gak, gack."
Where did an old man get such strength? Yu Seong-hwan shook Guard Huang violently by the collar.
Ah... He doesn't recognize me.
Well, Guard Huang hadn't at first either.
But Father.
Shaking him like that, even Guard Huang's grandpa couldn't answer.
"Calm down first..."
Yu Hyun smiled awkwardly at Yu Seong-hwan, who whipped his head around.
"And who are you, acting familiar?"
"Huh?"
"You're a guest here at the Nangong Clan—don't butt in. Wait your turn. I've got urgent business."
"......"
"You! Speak the truth! Where's Hyun?!"
"......Gak, hack. Th... that... gack... Young Mas... hack."
Guard Huang flailed, pointing feebly at Yu Hyun without resistance. Yu Seong-hwan glanced, then fumed harder.
"You damn fool! Lies have limits! How dare you mock me! Where does a pretty boy like that look like my son?! Hand over my son! Give me my sturdy boy now!"
"......Th, that's really the Young... Master."
Gasping his last, Guard Huang jabbed desperately. Yu Seong-hwan stared blankly at Yu Hyun.
"...Son?"
Yu Hyun nodded silently.
"Really?"
*Nod nod.*
"Why?"
"......"
Ah, is this that story?
The woodcutter who gets the gold and silver axes from the mountain spirit, only to rage because the iron one is his real axe?