Chapter 61
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Yangtze Commotion
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“It's because of the commotion you caused on the Yangtze River.”
“…….”
The one who first answered Yu Hyun's question was the scholarly-looking man who had been waiting for Yi Hak-seong's words to end.
As soon as he opened his mouth, Yi Hak-seong stepped back as if they had planned the order in advance.
Did the two of them scheme this? Tag-team to torment me?
But nothing changed just because the opponent switched.
Yu Hyun tried to keep his eyes empty of any emotion as he slowly turned his head toward the scholarly man.
Grand Strategist Jeogal Su-beom of the Justice Alliance.
People said that eloquence was Jeogal Su-beom, and the rest were mere amateurs.
But that was nonsense.
The reason he wasn't acknowledged as the true master of eloquence was solely his innate laziness.
Debating was a hassle, and drawing unnecessary attention was even more so.
If not for that utterly pathetic laziness, he would have long surpassed Jeogal Su-beom—the prodigy of prodigies known as the Heavenly Mechanism Diviner Jeogal Mu-rin.
Blessed with heaven-sent wisdom and a tongue more cunning than a serpent's...
And he's my master.
Jeogal Su-beom was nothing more than a meal. Just a meal.
“Why is that?”
“…….”
“You must already know, but my family is Yu Clan Manor. My father served even as Imperial Tutor. How could someone like me ignore people suffering at the hands of river pirates?”
“Hmm, so you fought the pirates for the sake of justice?”
“Yes.”
“Indeed. Anyone with a heroic spirit would have stepped forward.”
“…….”
“But tell me this. Who was that middle-aged man?”
Jeogal Su-beom, who had been nodding, suddenly sharpened his gaze and struck at the opening.
“Who are you referring to?”
But Yu Hyun tilted his head innocently, pretending ignorance.
I don't know. I don't remember. So give up already—this seamless combo.
This was the pinnacle of eloquent defense techniques taught by the Heavenly Mechanism Diviner himself!
But his opponent was a genius of debate who had weathered battles on land, sea, and even in the air. He wasn't one to be trifled with.
“You don't know?”
“Yes.”
“How strange. According to the people on the boat, that man was fighting the pirates when you suddenly intervened?”
“Who? Me?”
Yu Hyun widened his eyes as if he'd truly never heard such a story before, and Jeogal Su-beom smiled faintly.
“You're saying that's not true?”
“Hmm…….”
Yu Hyun trailed off, quickly organizing his thoughts.
He called him a middle-aged man.
They must have interrogated him already, but if they didn't even know his name was Hwang Deok-sam, it meant they hadn't learned anything from him.
But that unyielding gaze showed he wouldn't let it go with mere denials...
Fine. Time to make him understand. And while I'm at it, a bit of shock therapy to rile him up.
Yu Hyun subtly glanced at the maid who was pouring tea for the guests.
The moment Jeogal Su-beom's gaze, which had been fixed on him the whole time, naturally followed.
Shuuuuk!
“……!”
Yu Hyun suddenly thrust his hand toward Jeogal Su-beom like a bolt of lightning.
His expression was one of shock at the swift move, but Jeogal Su-beom was no feeble scholar.
He was far wiser than most, but still a warrior produced by the Jeogal family.
Thud!
Dodging the incoming hand by leaning back, Jeogal Su-beom immediately reached out with Golden Claw Hands to seize Yu Hyun's wrist.
“……?”
But Yu Hyun pulled his hand back nimbly, kicked off the table, and slid straight toward the maid pouring tea.
That sudden killing intent, those earnest eyes... Was he really going to kill an untrained maid?
“You fool!”
It was then that Jeogal Su-beom, blocked by the table and unable to move, let out a cry of alarm.
Shuaak! Tak!
A dazzling white shadow suddenly blocked in front of the maid, gently redirecting Yu Hyun's hand.
Yi Hak-seong himself had moved in response to Yu Hyun's abrupt action.
“What do you think you're doing!”
Jeogal Su-beom's eyes bulged at the incident that had unfolded in the blink of an eye, his anger flaring like fire, but Yu Hyun's face remained calm.
“This is my answer.”
“What?”
An answer? What kind of absurd—could it be!
Jeogal Su-beom's face twisted as a flash of realization hit him, and Yi Hak-seong, grasping the meaning behind Yu Hyun's action, burst into laughter.
“Haha, you've been had there.”
“…….”
“Tsk tsk, that was over the top. You scared the maid half to death. You could have just said it...”
Yi Hak-seong lightly scolded as he infused energy into the maid, who had collapsed with wide, frightened eyes.
“If I say it, will you stop asking?”
“…….”
“Sometimes actions are easier to understand than words.”
Yi Hak-seong stared at Yu Hyun for a long moment before smiling faintly and nodding.
As he said, the action was the answer.
While Jeogal Su-beom and Yu Hyun were clashing, the maid had been put in danger, forcing Yi Hak-seong to intervene.
It perfectly explained why Yu Hyun had stepped into the fight between the man and the pirates.
“That'll do. Your answer is sufficient, so sit. You too, Su-beom—stop frowning and sit down.”
“…….”
Yi Hak-seong, mediating the situation, offered seats to both Yu Hyun and Jeogal Su-beom.
The two sat silently, staring at each other, but the victor was obvious to anyone.
Jeogal Su-beom's defeat.
Even his usual cool composure had cracked in the process, so it was natural for him to wear an irritated expression.
“...Fine. I won't pursue the matter of your clash with the pirates any further. I'll assume it was your overflowing sense of justice.”
“Of course.”
“…….”
As Yu Hyun smiled and crossed his arms, Jeogal Su-beom took a deep breath to steady his ragged breathing.
In that short time with minimal effort, Yu Hyun had gained two things.
He had explained why he had no choice but to intervene, and made them realize he had no connection to the man.
Having received, now it was his turn to ask.
“By the way, what happened to that man?”
“…….”
When Yu Hyun asked curiously, Jeogal Su-beom, who had failed to strike first, countered evasively.
“What happened to him? How odd. You claim no relation, yet you're the first to ask about his whereabouts? Aren't you curious about Nangong Seong's injuries?”
“No need to be.”
“What?”
“I trust Seong.”
“…….”
“This isn't just because he's my nephew—though not by blood. He's not the type to falter at that level.”
“Nephew?”
“Didn't you know? I'm younger, but by seniority, that's how it is.”
“…….”
Jeogal Su-beom and Yi Hak-seong nodded without reservation at Yu Hyun's explanation.
Yu Hyun's father and Nangong Seong's grandfather were sworn brothers, so naturally, he was Nangong Seong's uncle.
“Fine. Then let me ask differently. Why are you curious about his whereabouts? I heard you even used violence against him on the boat?”
“That was... I was angry.”
“Angry?”
“Yes. Because of him, innocent people nearly faced great danger, didn't they? I was so furious I hit him. My father always said to correct with words, but that's not my temperament. I'm still fuming—I want to go find him right now and vent.”
As Yu Hyun huffed as if recalling the memory had reignited his anger, Jeogal Su-beom's eye twitched.
What, so what?
If I say so, what are you gonna do about it?
Glare all you want. I've got the thick skin to fool six old fogeys at once.
Just two? Piece of cake.
Meanwhile, Jeogal Su-beom, unable to contain his frustration, slammed the table with his hand as he inwardly seethed at Yu Hyun.
Angry, my ass.
His words flowed smoothly, but from the revealed circumstances alone, it was clear Yu Hyun knew the man.
But seeing that brazen face, he wasn't about to admit it no matter how much he asked.
So?
“He's in the prison.”
“Yes?”
“To uncover the cause of the incident, we've locked him in the prison for interrogation, but we haven't learned anything yet.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun paused at the unexpectedly straightforward answer.
This guy...?
Staring piercingly at Jeogal Su-beom as if probing his intentions, Yu Hyun soon continued calmly.
“...You did well. A guy like that needs to be thoroughly thrashed.”
“I plan to anyway. Want to meet him?”
When Jeogal Su-beom probed slyly, Yu Hyun smiled faintly and countered.
“Me?”
“Why? Don't want to?”
“…….”
It was bait. No wonder he spilled it so easily.
This one phrase was no different from a chunk of meat in an iron trap.
Bite, and you're caught. But not biting isn't an option either.
Hwang Deok-sam was essential to me, since I hadn't located the Thousand-Year Toad yet.
Well... in that case, maybe I should bite down hard.
Like a young warrior brimming with justice.
“Not at all. I was going to ask you myself. How dare he strut around causing harm to people...”
“Hmm, good. I'll speak to the warden in advance. Visit whenever you like.”
“Thank you.”
As Yu Hyun bowed his head, Jeogal Su-beom responded with a light chuckle, then interlaced his fingers on the table and said,
“Then, one last question.”
“Anything.”
“How did the Water Dragon King let you go alive?”
“…….”
This time, even Yi Hak-seong showed interest.
His eyes sparkled so intensely it was impossible not to notice.
Damn, what do I say this time?
He couldn't say he'd become the Water Dragon King's disciple.
Now that he was dreaming of becoming the next Justice Alliance Leader, why would he recite such a resume of a prospective criminal?
“...He agreed to compensation for the damages.”
“…….”
After a brief moment of thought, Yu Hyun spat out the answer with a smile, causing not only Jeogal Su-beom but even Yi Hak-seong to gape in disbelief.
“C-com...pensation?”
“Yes. For the sunken ship, medical treatment for the injured, and even funerals for the dead pirates.”
“…….”
At Yu Hyun's shameless response, both men's faces twisted strangely.
Let the main culprit of the disaster go for a few coins?
They knew the Water Dragon King better than anyone.
Beyond his skills, his pride pierced the heavens. After annihilating the Black Mirror Stronghold, would he really release Yu Hyun, who caused that mess, just for compensation?
Absurd.
“Do we look like fools to you?”
“Yes?”
“We pride ourselves on knowing him better than anyone.”
“…….”
“He should have killed you.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Damn these exhausting people.
Suspicion was plastered all over their eyes.
But he already had an answer prepared since bringing up compensation.
“Then go ask him directly.”
“What?”
“I was clearly released after agreeing to compensation.”
“......Y-you.”
Yu Hyun slightly raised both corners of his mouth teasingly at Jeogal Su-beom, who could only glare fiercely without retorting.
Go ask him yourself?
As if the Water Dragon King would answer even if asked.
“Though, when I mentioned my father was someone the Emperor regards as a master and follows... his attitude changed immediately.”
“…….”
Jeogal Su-beom glared at Yu Hyun, irritation surging at the muttering meant to be overheard.
This punk... You expect me to believe that?
That the Water Dragon King fears the imperial forces? Fears the Emperor?
Even a passing dog would straighten up in disbelief, but neither he nor Yi Hak-seong could press further.
They might not care about the Water Dragon King, but they had to mind the court, and Yu Hyun was the son of a powerful figure favored by the Emperor.
On top of that, reports from the Beggars' Sect said his father was so doting he bordered on mania.
Push too hard, and if Yu Hyun spitefully tattled to his father later, the backlash could be severe.
To make matters worse, word had just arrived that the Sword King had gone to where the Water Dragon King was.
He had smashed every ship of the Yangtze Waterway Stronghold fleet blocking his path in a rampage. What did he discuss with the Water Dragon King? It was burning curiosity, but how could he possibly ask?
His opponent was the Sword King, a giant of the previous generation.
One thing was certain: the Sword King's goal wasn't revenge for Nangong Seong, but rescuing Yu Hyun.
What else could it mean that he sought the Water Dragon King first, despite his grandson's injury? It meant he cherished him that much.
The Sword King—one of the massive pillars of the Justice Alliance from the previous generation.
Damn. The court, the Nangong Clan—nothing was easy.
“Does that answer your question?”
“Urgh. It's sorely lacking, but fine, I get the gist.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun grinned at Jeogal Su-beom's grudging, irritation-laced response.
“Then, I'd like to rest now... May I be excused?”
“…….”
Jeogal Su-beom glanced at Yi Hak-seong, sighed, and nodded.
“I'll have quarters prepared for you.”
“Thank you. Then, if you'll excuse me.”
With permission to withdraw granted, Yu Hyun rose politely, bowed to the two men, and exited through the door.
“How much of that can we believe?”
As soon as he left, Jeogal Su-beom, his face twisted in displeasure, asked, and Yi Hak-seong replied with a mischievous smile.
“Who knows? His breathing?”
“As expected......”