Chapter 46
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Schemes for the Journey Ahead
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Nangong Seong had stepped forward and refused without a second thought, throwing Yu Hyun's plan to exploit the beggars for free into jeopardy.
What if Baek Seon just said, "Ah, I see. Understood," and backed off meekly?
Glancing around anxiously...
"Young heir, Young Master Yu. Please, I beg you."
"..."
Thank goodness.
This curiosity-driven beggar showed no signs of retreating.
"Isn't this a murder case involving the Beggars' Sect as well? Young Master Yu went through great trouble to catch the culprit, but this concerns our sect's reputation, so please show some mercy."
"..."
What a joke.
They were desperately trying to shoehorn themselves in.
Since when was the Guihwa Badge considered part of the "Beggars' Sect too"?
Everyone knew the Beggars' Sect was just a band of vagrants they occasionally backed for gathering rumors.
"Ahem! Branch Leader! That's not..."
"Seong, enough."
Damn it. If this dragged on, the carefully prepared feast would be ruined.
"No, why?"
"..."
Why do you think, you oblivious fool?
"Sigh. Since the branch leader asks so earnestly, I have no choice. Fine. I'll hand him over."
"Uncle! But..."
"..."
Shut up!
Yu Hyun shot Nangong Seong a glare loaded with curses to silence him, then turned back to Baek Seon.
"I've been too focused on my own affairs in a matter involving lives. Please handle the investigation."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. But there are conditions."
"What are they?"
"First, leave me out of the story."
"Pardon?"
"Second, if you learn their identities, you must inform me immediately."
"..."
"Promise me those two things, and I'll gladly hand him over."
Baek Seon pondered Yu Hyun's words for a moment before nodding with a bright smile.
What could be so difficult about that?
"You have my word. I take responsibility for it. I swear on my name."
"Good. I'll trust the branch leader's name."
"Thank you!"
Baek Seon bowed deeply from the waist.
"Then I'll leave it to you and take my leave..."
"Yes. Safe travels."
After exchanging farewells, Yu Hyun turned and headed back to the Nangong Clan with Nangong Seong and the Azure Heaven Troops trailing behind.
That should do it.
He could hide in the chaos, and he'd tossed the bear some bait to perform tricks. Now all that was left was to collect his payoff.
Once Yu Hyun had left, one of the branch's beggars approached Baek Seon, who was puffing out his chest with a triumphant grin.
"Branch Leader?"
"What?"
"Um... It feels like we got played, but that's just my imagination, right?"
"Huh?"
"When you think about it, Young Master Yu didn't pay a single coin for information and just took everything we investigated, didn't he?"
"..."
Baek Seon blinked at the words, then scowled and scolded his subordinate.
"You fool! Don't talk nonsense. Didn't you hear? 'Subverting Heaven'! What do you think that means?"
"..."
"So what does it mean?"
Whipping his head around to check his surroundings, Baek Seon whispered lowly.
"Overthrowing the murim world."
"What?"
"Ahem! Shh! Keep your voice down."
At Baek Seon's rebuke, the subordinate glanced around warily before asking cautiously.
"No way, that serious?"
"You idiot. 'That serious'? Think about it. That guy lying there? He's clearly got enemies in the murim world."
"Well..."
"What sky would a murim man want to flip?"
"...Ah!"
"Kekeke. That's it, that's it."
"You figured it all out just from 'Subverting Heaven'?"
"Of course. Do you think I became branch leader for nothing?"
"..."
"Last night, a tiger came in my dream and pissed everywhere. I wondered what it meant, but now I get it."
"...A t-tiger?"
"Yeah. I didn't understand the dream at the time, but now it's clear. Hunters prize tiger dung the most, right? It's a dream signaling a tiger's den nearby—a sure good omen."
"Ah!"
"You fool. We've just seized a heaven-sent opportunity. If we interrogate this guy and uncover who's plotting to overthrow the murim world behind him?"
"...!"
"Kehhehe, branch leader? Elder of the headquarters is as good as mine."
"E-Elder?"
"Damn right. Just follow my lead. When I become headquarters elder, you'll be branch leader."
"Br-Branch Leader!"
"Let's go! Hurry. We need to report to headquarters fast and beat a confession out of him until his legs snap."
"Yes! Elder!"
Dreaming of headquarters elder, Baek Seon spurred on his subordinate, who beamed at visions of becoming Anhwisung branch leader.
Whatever they dreamed, they were still just beggars...
* * *
Back at the Nangong Clan, Yu Hyun immediately received treatment in the infirmary.
It wasn't a life-threatening injury, but Nangong Chang-seon had thrown a fit, claiming he couldn't face Yu Seong-hwan after seeing Yu Hyun's state upon return. No choice but to comply.
After unnecessarily meticulous treatment, Yu Hyun returned to the guest quarters and sorted his thoughts late into the night.
Hounds of the chaos, and an unexpected faction.
If that guy had backers, it wasn't something to take lightly. He needed utmost caution.
Moreover, it was too dangerous alone. He needed allies to support him materially and morally.
Starting with Nangong Seong, he should meet the future Righteous Six Saints sooner than planned.
He'd tossed the Beggars' Sect a lead disguised as defeat, so they'd investigate on their own...
Once they dug in earnestly, it would restrict the enemies' movements, buying him some time.
The problem was the second spirit herb.
If the Child Ginseng grab was deliberate, the odds were high they'd target the second one too.
Damn, I didn't think of that...
The more he pondered, the more complicated it got. Yu Hyun scowled.
He had to reach it before them. The only one who knew about the second spirit herb, Hwang Deok-sam...
He'd gotten the lead on the second herb from Hwang Deok-sam, locked in the Justice Alliance's prison, about seven months from now.
But history had changed.
Since the inevitably acquired Child Ginseng was snatched, seeking the second would accelerate too.
If Hwang Deok-sam wasn't there yet, better to arrive early and wait.
If the timeline shifted drastically, it'd be trouble.
"...Damn, looks like I'll have to advance the trip to the Justice Alliance, training with Seong or whatever be damned."
Even as he muttered, Nangong Seong nagged at him.
He'd only taught the basics of infusing three emotions so far.
Mastering the realm of weaving all three into a single technique was still far off.
Given that blockhead's progress, leaving now might take ten or twenty years—who could say?
To reach enlightenment and the sage realm, constant guidance was needed, which meant somehow taking him along.
But how to drag the young heir away?
Even if Nangong Seong wanted to go, the clan head and elders would roll up their sleeves in opposition.
Why else send Nangong Hye in his stead, the heir apparent?
Deep in thought, a figure popped into Yu Hyun's mind who could solve all this at once.
Someone who'd do anything to take him as a son-in-law, who could silence the clan head and elders with a word.
The match-making obsessed Nangong Clan patriarch, Sword King Nangong Chang-seon.
Alright, old man. You're it this time.
* * *
"What? You want to go to the Justice Alliance?"
"Yes."
"..."
At dawn, Nangong Chang-seon shot up from his seat at Yu Hyun's abrupt announcement, forgetting all decorum.
He'd pushed with every excuse under the sun, only to get stonewalled—now this windfall.
It felt like ten years of pent-up bile flushing away.
But why the sudden change of heart?
"Ahem, a change of heart, eh?"
"Yes."
"What's the reason?"
"Yesterday's events gave me much to reflect on."
"Hm, those guys you handed to the Beggars' Sect?"
"Yes. Fighting them made me realize how deficient I am."
"Deficient? After capturing ten alone?"
"I'm not talking about martial prowess."
"..."
"I believe my talent for martial arts is overflowing."
"...Y-Yeah, sure."
Nangong Chang-seon forced a twisted smile at awkward agreement.
That Yu Clan blood—unshaken, brazenly boasting.
Infuriating, but true; no rebuttal possible.
"But I felt a lack of experience."
"Experience?"
"Yes. Their despicable tactics nearly did me in... If the Beggars' Sect and Azure Heaven Troops hadn't arrived in time, it would've been dire."
"I didn't hear about that. The physician said just apply salve and it'd heal..."
"What does a physician know? I know my body best."
"W-Well, true, but..."
Fine, whatever. He's going to the Justice Alliance—what's there to nitpick?
Better clamp his mouth before cheering three huzzahs.
"Anyway, I want to venture into the wider world, meet diverse people, and gain experience."
"Right! That's the spirit!"
Nangong Chang-seon nodded vigorously in fervent agreement.
"A man must see the broad world. I'll write your recommendation letter, of course, and send word to Hye to assist you—meet often, chat, get close. Yes, indeed!"
"..."
Knew he wouldn't drop it, damn old coot.
Always scheming to entangle them somehow...
But for now, he could use it for his goal. That's why he'd come.
"Very well."
"Good!"
"But..."
"But?"
"I'd like to go with Seong."
"Huh?"
Nangong Chang-seon flinched at the out-of-nowhere request.
"Take Seong?"
"Yes."
"Um, that's a bit..."
"Why?"
"...Ah, well... Seong is the young heir."
Seeing Nangong Chang-seon's troubled expression, Yu Hyun feigned a drooping of the shoulders and sighed.
"Oh dear, that's a shame. I'm quite shy around strangers."
"...Shy?"
"Yes."
"..."
Who? Since when?
Even as Nangong Chang-seon's face crumpled in bafflement, Yu Hyun remained nonchalant.
"I thought going with Seong would help me warm up to Hye faster, but if not, no helping it."
"...Ha, well, I suppose."
"I understand. The young heir position makes it hard to leave the clan."
"..."
Yu Hyun nodded in seeming understanding and rose.
"I'll take my leave then. Got to pack for the trip to the Justice Alliance."
"Right. I'll tell the clan head to prepare supplies."
"Yes. Then..."
Yu Hyun bowed politely and turned.
Giving up on taking Nangong Seong? No chance.
"Oh, right. I hear the Martial Alliance has other Five Peaks besides Hye? All as beautiful and skilled as her, from what I hear... Quite looking forward to it."
"...?"
"Human bonds are unpredictable. Get close, and marriage might follow... Kids... Cozy life..."
"..."
Muttering as if to himself, Yu Hyun glanced back. Sure enough, Nangong Chang-seon stared wide-eyed in shock.
Of course—even a whisper at this distance wouldn't escape a Sword King.
He'd raised his voice slightly for certainty, and the effect was a perfect ten out of ten.
Flashing a sly grin, Yu Hyun exited as a frantic shout rang in his ears.
"Convene the family council! Summon the young heir at once!"
Sometimes, one mumble outdoes ten shouts.
That settled taking Nangong Seong.
Now, for the distant Hwang Deok-sam still to be caught...
Well, he could ponder that on the road to the Justice Alliance.