Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Joining the Latent Dragon Squad
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“Ah, Young Master Yu is here too. I heard you arrived safely.”
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
Yu Hyun politely bowed toward the pockmarked Gye Dusin, who flashed a friendly smile and nodded.
“Anyway, this makes our second meeting.”
“……”
“The first time, things were so hectic I couldn’t even greet you properly, right?”
Hectic was an understatement. The moment he’d boarded the ship, Zhongshan had grabbed him by the throat, leaving him gasping and unable to move.
“I’m so relieved you came through unscathed. When the Water Dragon King dragged you off, I really thought something terrible might happen. Haha!”
“……”
What a clown.
To reiterate, Gye Dusin had been cowering in the corner at the time.
Nangong Seong had at least done something, but this guy… good grief.
“Ah, yes. Well, that’s how it turned out.”
“Still, I’m jealous. A private audience with the Water Dragon King? Ha! Any warrior our age would dream of that.”
“……”
That nonstop motormouth… future or past, no difference at all.
“Haha, Seong looks thrilled that Young Master Yu made it back alive. Can’t wipe that grin off his face.”
“Ahaha! You bet, you bet. I’m over the moon. Ahahaha!”
Nangong Seong forced the corners of his mouth upward into a booming laugh.
“Huh? What’s that? That ridiculously forced laugh?”
“Ahaha, don’t worry about it.”
“Hmm, it’s kinda… creepy?”
“Haha, shut up.”
“……”
Mid-laugh, Gye Dusin caught a glimpse of killing intent flashing in Nangong Seong’s eyes and awkwardly turned toward Yu Hyun.
“Now that I think about it, I never introduced myself. I’m Gye Dusin of the Beggars’ Sect. This guy and I are the same age, old friends for years. You probably wouldn’t know, Young Master Yu, but I’m pretty well-known in these parts. Haha!”
“……”
Yu Hyun listened quietly to the cheeky self-introduction, then smiled brightly.
Know you? Me?
As if.
There was probably no one who knew Gye Dusin better than he did.
He even knew the man’s future, so maybe he knew him far better than Gye Dusin knew himself?
Little Horned Dragon Gye Dusin. The strongest beggar the Beggars’ Sect had ever produced.
People called him the Drunken Non-Beggar.
A beggar who doesn’t get drunk. An oddly unique martial moniker, but there was good reason for it.
It was a famous anecdote in Yu Hyun’s era.
The Demonic Cult invasion, one of the biggest incidents before the Great Chaos.
It started when one of the Cult’s disciples was mysteriously killed near Qinghai Province, sparking war.
Gye Dusin, leading the vanguard, wasn’t tasked with repelling them but with holding their advance to buy time for a proper investigation.
He stepped forward to negotiate, facing off against two of the Twelve Demon Armies at the Cult’s forefront.
Even after downing a dozen bottles of liquor, he neutralized their joint assault without taking a single step?
Whatever the case, his exploits bought the Beggars’ Sect ten days. They reinvestigated the disciple’s death, caught the real culprit, and averted war.
People praised Gye Dusin’s merits, calling him the Drunken Non-Beggar or Drunken Immortal in respect.
But not Yu Hyun.
Foul-mouthed motormouth. Nagging motormouth.
Even with that title, he always called him that. Of course, never to his face.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Yu Hyun.”
“Haha, it’s fate—let’s get along from now on.”
“…Yes. Let’s do that. It’s what I wanted too.”
Of course it was.
Just as he’d done with Nangong Seong, Yu Hyun had a duty to guide Gye Dusin.
To make him grow faster in preparation for the Great Chaos.
And that wasn’t all.
The Leader of the Righteous Alliance. For that budding grand ambition, Gye Dusin was essential.
He needed him to monitor and hear about every event across the Central Plains.
Especially now that he knew the Chaos’s masterminds were a group, not individuals.
With his memories of them erased after returning to the past, the Beggars’ Sect’s intelligence network was more crucial than ever.
When attacked in Anhui, he’d commissioned the Sect to investigate, but a branch manager and the Sect Leader’s youngest disciple were worlds apart.
Gye Dusin could access far more diverse, high-quality information than someone like O Hyun.
Yu Hyun planned to use him to hide his own tracks while digging into the Chaos’s masterminds and their forces.
So, how to go about it? How to bring this guy under his wing?
Nangong Seong had been easy—lean on the uncle card. Couldn’t just beat him into submission out of nowhere.
This wasn’t just Gye Dusin’s issue.
He’d face the same with future mentors, so he needed to plan ahead.
Hmm, what’s the best approach?
As Yu Hyun narrowed his eyes in thought, Gye Dusin suddenly asked Nangong Seong,
“By the way, you came to join too, right?”
“Join what?”
“Come on, you gonna play dumb and just smile?”
“……”
Gye Dusin elbowed Nangong Seong’s side, winking slyly.
‘This bastard…’
Nangong Seong wanted to tell him to cut the crap and back off. It wasn’t even genuine laughter…
But with Yu Hyun watching, wide-eyed, he couldn’t drop the grin.
Explaining it as training would just invite endless prying from this blabbermouth… damn it.
“The warrior squad the Grand Marshal’s putting together?”
“Yeah.”
“Haha, I already turned that down.”
“Huh? Then you’re not here for the Righteous Alliance because of that?”
“What nonsense. I just came with my uncle.”
“Really? Hmm… What a shame. I was hoping you’d join the Latent Dragon Squad…”
“……”
Yu Hyun tilted his head at Gye Dusin’s disappointed tone, trailing off.
What squad? What dragon?
The name sounded familiar…
“Uh, what’s that?”
“……”
Seeing Yu Hyun’s interest, Gye Dusin subtly held out a sheet of paper.
“Ah, you probably haven’t heard, Young Master Yu. It’s a new warrior squad under the Alliance Leader’s direct command. Something like that.”
“……”
Yu Hyun took the paper and scanned it carefully.
Latent Dragon Squad.
The three characters at the top jogged his memory. It was the new organization Vice Captain Peng Seong-chan of the Azure Dragon Squad had mentioned earlier.
Seemed they were gathering promising talents for a shock troop of sorts… Hold on, what’s this?
Nangong Seong, Gye Dusin, Tang Sa-dog, Un Hyun, Won Gang, Jeon Gal Mu-rin.
Yu Hyun examined the paper closely again.
Clearly, it listed his future mentors—the Righteous Six Saints—along with disciples from the Alliance’s prestigious sects.
One, two, three… a total of twenty.
“……”
After poring over every detail, a sly smile crept onto Yu Hyun’s lips.
This was it. Perfect.
This would let him not only wrangle all his mentors but also forge connections in one fell swoop—vital blood and flesh for his path to Alliance Leader.
Judging by the ages of those targeted for the Latent Dragon Squad, they were the ones to lead the next generation of righteous murim.
For Yu Hyun, born to a scholarly clan, it was an ideal opportunity.
Who knew things would align so perfectly? His dilemma solved just like that?
“Gye, Young Hero.”
“……”
Gye Dusin’s face twitched slightly at Yu Hyun’s insinuating tone.
“What?”
“Well, that… the nuance feels off…”
“What’s wrong with the nuance?”
“It’s just… ‘Gye Young Hero’ sounds…”
What? You call a Gye that and what else?
“How do you want to be addressed?”
“Anyone can join, right?”
“Huh?”
“The Latent Dragon Squad.”
“……”
As Yu Hyun’s eyes sparkled, a cunning glint flashed in Gye Dusin’s gaze.
He’d bitten.
Hadn’t even cast the bait properly, and here was a keeper.
Truth be told, this was why he’d come.
After Yu Hyun returned, the Grand Marshal had secretly summoned Gye Dusin with one order: Recruit him to the Latent Dragon Squad.
That’s why he’d sought them out, pretending to chat with Nangong Seong to pique Yu Hyun’s interest.
But to think he’d bite so eagerly. Too easy?
Pull too soon, and he might spit the hook and bolt. Needed to string him along a bit.
“Not just anyone, of course. Even if you’re not just anyone, Young Master Yu, you’re not on the list…”
“Hmm, so no way in? Like, through a skill evaluation?”
“Who knows.”
Gye Dusin pretended to ponder, glancing down, then at Nangong Seong.
“You never know. If Seong here agrees to join, I could put in a word upstairs.”
Gye Dusin looked to Nangong Seong, seeking his intent.
“Haha, hahaha… What nonsense is this? Me, the young clan head of the Nangong Clan, joining the Alliance’s warrior squad?”
Nangong Seong smiled at Gye Dusin slyly roping him in.
Grinding his upper and lower teeth, lips stretched thin…
“So if Seong agrees, it’s possible?”
“If he says yes, it’d probably go through no problem…”
“Then we’re good.”
“Huh?”
Good how? And why’s this guy deciding?
Gye Dusin stared puzzled, but Yu Hyun suddenly shouted at Nangong Seong.
“Seong! Let’s do it! Say yes!”
“…Huh?”
“The Latent Dragon Squad, whatever. Let’s join. Your brother’s name’s on here too.”
“No, why would I…”
“Don’t want to?”
“……”
“Hmm, is that so?”
As Yu Hyun narrowed his eyes, Nangong Seong bit his lip against a surge of unease.
What crazy thing’s this guy gonna say now?
“Then I guess I’ll have to tell Uncle. That Seong blocked your meeting with Hye.”
“…Huh? No, that’s ridiculous! I mean, a threat… Ha, haha.”
Yu Hyun raised one eyebrow, and Nangong Seong laughed with a surge of anger, glaring at Gye Dusin.
This big-mouthed Gye bastard stirring up trouble…
“Jeez, why you keep looking at me and laughing? Do I amuse you that much?”
“……”
Yeah, you bastard. I like you so much I wanna kill you.
“Gye Young Hero.”
“Yes?”
“Put in the word upstairs. I’ll join on the condition that Nangong Seong does too.”
“……”
Gye Dusin’s jaw dropped blankly for a moment.
Deciding just like that? The young head of the Nangong Clan’s fate?
Wait, come to think of it, what’d he say earlier?
Something about Nangong Hye…
Sensing it was vital info, Gye Dusin replayed the conversation and grinned.
To the Beggars’ Sect, information was power, was money, right?
And as expected of the Jeon Gal Grand Marshal.
Said if they reeled in Yu Hyun, Nangong Seong might follow automatically…
Perfect. Mission accomplished!
“Of course. If Seong joins the Latent Dragon Squad, you can absolutely come too, Young Master Yu.”
“Great.”
Yu Hyun nodded with a smile, then asked beamingly.
“By the way, who’s the captain? Decided already?”
“Not yet…”
“Really? Lucky then.”
“……”
Yu Hyun beamed innocently at the string of good news.
You bastards, saving my spot just like that?
In that instant, he was already the Latent Dragon Squad’s captain. Starting with Nangong Seong and the motormouth before him, he’d claim the entire Righteous Six Saints.
“Uh, Young Master Yu?”
“Yes?”
“Now that we’re practically in the same boat, what should I call you? Can’t keep being so formal…”
“……”
“Heh heh, this is awkward. Seong and you are uncle-nephew, but I’m older…”
“……”
“We should settle on a proper form of address… Don’t you think?”
Gye Dusin kept trailing off, smiling at Nangong Seong.
“Haha, why ask me and make a fuss? Ahahaha.”
Nangong Seong laughed at yet another question dragging him in, glancing at Yu Hyun.
“Who else but you?”
“…Ha, hahaha.”
At the blatant exclusion, Yu Hyun’s lips slowly twitched.
Nangong Seong knew exactly what that subtle half-smile meant.
He slipped a hand into his sleeve, pressing down his goosebumped arm, cursing inwardly.
Stupid Gye Dusin. Poke the bear, why don’t you…
“Ah, you mean establishing hierarchy?”
Gye Dusin waved it off at Yu Hyun’s bright question.
“Not hierarchy exactly, just sorting out how to address each other?”
“Hmm…”
Yu Hyun nodded as if it made sense.
Sure, in a group, you divvy up brothers properly. Avoids awkwardness.
“Hmm, since I’m a bit older… you can call me ‘hyung’.”
“……”
Yu Hyun shook his head smiling at Gye Dusin’s words.
Bullshit. Calling me ‘hyung’?
Does age matter between us?
“Gye Young Hero.”
“Yes?”
“You seem to have forgotten something. ‘Hyung’? What nonsense is that?”
“…Huh?”
“There’s still propriety and etiquette in this brutal jianghu. How dare you speak so casually?”
“…Huh? Propriety? What’re you—?”
“Should I lay out my seniority so you know who I am?”
“……”
Gye Dusin paused, face twisting as he watched the infuriatingly beaming smile.
Get the picture now?
I’m the Sword King’s nephew. You’re the Beggars’ Sect Leader’s youngest disciple.
“What’ll it be?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Let’s not complicate it. You said you’re friends with Seong, so just call me ‘uncle’.”
“……”
“That settle it? Gye Young Hero?”
“…Yes. Well, haha, hahaha.”
Gye Dusin laughed awkwardly, looking punched, and Yu Hyun added beamingly.
“Good. I’ll call you Dusin from now on. We’re casual, right?”
“……”
Asking after already dropping honorifics—what the hell…?
Yu Hyun grinned triumphantly at Gye Dusin blinking in disbelief.
There! That’s seniority.
Age my ass…
From the start, I was the winner over this beggar pup.