Chapter 68
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Miraculous Footsteps
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"Am, amazing. Truly amazing! How on earth is this possible!"
"……Sob sob sob, what is?"
"This footwork."
"……?"
After Yu Hyun headed to the library, Nangong Seong halted his sword swings and asked tearfully as Gye Du-sin, who had been diligently tracing and retracing the footprints he left behind while practicing the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps, burst into admiration.
"Is this really possible?"
"Hahaha! What is?"
"……."
This time, Gye Du-sin stared fixedly at his friend's face as Nangong Seong asked while laughing.
"You…… are you truly insane?"
"Sob sob sob, shut up. I'm training."
"……."
Crying one moment, laughing the next.
It was bizarre enough that he didn't even want to engage in conversation if possible.
To call that training……
Suddenly, Gye Du-sin thought that maybe fur was growing somewhere on Nangong Seong's body.
"Heh heh, astonishing. Who would have thought a paragon like you would engage in such mad…… ahem, remarkable training."
"Haha, it's effective. Sob sob, it might be a bit embarrassing if others see……."
"Hmm. Well, since you can even manifest qi."
"Don't try to imitate it. It starts with learning anger."
"Huh? Anger?"
"Don't even try to understand. You'll surely beat the ground in regret."
"……."
He couldn't grasp what Nangong Seong meant, but a chilling sensation crept over him.
It felt like he'd asked something he shouldn't have…… Hmm, better not to wonder.
Well, in any case.
"That footprint left by Yu Hyun…… no, Uncle."
"So what?"
"It's the Beggars' Sect's Drunken Eight Immortals Steps."
"And?"
"It's truly incredible. I can't comprehend how this is possible."
"……."
"It really was just seen once and imitated, right?"
"Probably……?"
"Incredible! This is truly astonishing. It's like an evolved form of the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps? I can't fully replicate it yet, but if perfected…… Heh!"
"……."
Even after tracing it dozens of times already, his excitement showed no sign of waning.
"To reach this level just from seeing it once……. It's so overwhelming it almost kills my motivation to train, but still, amazing!"
"Tsk tsk, you're still far off."
"……?"
"You're still seeing Uncle as a fellow human?"
"Then?"
"I never treated him as one to begin with."
"Ah!"
Somehow, it was a statement that made his head nod involuntarily.
"Listen, Du-sin."
"Yeah?"
"From my experience, don't ever question anything Uncle teaches from now on."
"Don't question it?"
At Gye Du-sin's query, Nangong Seong stopped his crying and laughing, nodding seriously for the first time.
"Grandfather said so. Just learn."
"The Sword King said that?"
"Yeah. For some reason, Uncle's teachings are on a different track. They might be the exact path to another realm for someone……."
"Heh, even the Sword King said that……."
"Otherwise, why would I be doing this insane thing?"
"……."
"If you learn well, you'll surely experience tremendous achievements too."
Well, it certainly seemed that way.
Wasn't it already this astonishing just from following footprints?
Moreover, look at Nangong Seong.
Who but a madman would swing a sword in public, alternating between tears and laughter?
It must be incredibly embarrassing……
Suddenly gripped by respect, Gye Du-sin gazed steadily at Nangong Seong.
To endure such embarrassment for martial achievements…… Could I do it?
"In any case, Uncle must be wearing a human skin……."
"Who's wearing human skin?"
"……."
Nangong Seong whipped his head around at the voice replying from afar.
"Who's wearing human skin?"
"Yes?"
"Was that about me by any chance?"
"……."
As Yu Hyun approached with furrowed brows, Nangong Seong paled and grinned broadly.
"This bastard Gye Du-sin says you're wearing human skin…… something like a beggar, heh heh."
"……."
Nangong Seong twisted his body, sweating profusely, as Yu Hyun narrowed his eyes and glared.
"What nonsense is that? I told you to cry and laugh while swinging, so what's with just spacing out?"
"Ah, I was just taking a short break……."
"You're slacking off. You haven't even properly grasped the edge of qi manifestation yet."
"……Sorry."
At Yu Hyun's scolding, Nangong Seong pouted and grumbled.
"Hey, Drunken Fire."
"……Yes?"
Gye Du-sin, still unaccustomed to the nickname, snapped his head up.
But the look in his eyes toward Yu Hyun was vastly different from before.
Respect? Admiration? A vow to learn more?
In any case, Yu Hyun eyed the sparkling gaze from Gye Du-sin oddly and asked.
"The Latent Dragon Squad matter, wrapped up?"
"Yes?"
"Did you report it?"
"Ah, no, that is……."
"What did you do? Haven't reported till now?"
As Yu Hyun furrowed his brows, Gye Du-sin looked flustered.
What did he do? He trained as ordered.
He felt a surge of irritation at being treated like a slacker when he'd only obeyed well……
"Un-Uncle. It's already too late now."
Nangong Seong had absolutely forbidden questioning.
Gye Du-sin tried his best to smile obsequiously.
"Too late?"
"Yes. The military affairs office has already closed for the day……."
"Ah! Hmm……."
Yu Hyun nodded as if understanding, and Gye Du-sin unwittingly sighed in relief while grumbling inwardly.
Damn. Why have I ended up like this? Why do I keep feeling small in front of that guy?
"But all those on the Latent Dragon Squad list fully recruited? Especially the Haenam Island one."
"No. We've only formed the organization on paper, just the three of us so far. We need to recruit them one by one from now. They're all in key positions, so persuasion will be tough."
Yu Hyun smiled faintly at Gye Du-sin's words.
"Perfect. For now, I'm the captain, right……? Need to recruit from here on? Good. Let's head to the Grand Strategist first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
"Then now……. Too early to sleep, so how about a drink?"
"Yes? But I can't drink."
"Yeah, I know."
"……."
Can't drink, so you must. Stop making that dumb face.
I'll teach you from now on, you who will bear the name Drunken Fire.
This is training too.
Training to find your identity as the Central Plains' strongest drinker.
"Let's go!"
"Yes, Uncle."
"……But I really can't drink. For real."
Nangong Seong, in a good mood at the thought of drinking after a while, and Gye Du-sin, thoroughly downcast, followed behind Yu Hyun as he strode ahead.
* * *
"Uweeeck! Cough, cough."
"……."
Gye Du-sin, walking ahead, drew stares with each retch.
Overdid it last night? No way.
After just one drink, he'd spent the night vomiting and running to the outhouse, still in that state come morning.
Drunken Fire, how did it come to this……
"Ueeeck!"
"……."
Gye Du-sin writhed pitifully, unable to overcome his hangover.
Yu Hyun gazed at him with a twinge of guilt, as if he'd done something wrong, then quickly shook his head.
No, can't do that.
Drunken Fire must be Drunken Fire.
No matter what, even if I feed him alcohol instead of rice, I'll make him adapt.
Yu Hyun quickened his pace, steeling his resolve once more.
First, head to Haenam Island now.
Conveniently, a perfect pretext had arisen.
Gok Ja-heon, Haenam Island's sub-branch leader, was prominently listed on the roster Gye Du-sin had shown him.
Under the guise of recruiting him to the Latent Dragon Squad, drag these guys to Haenam Island, pull in Gok Ja-heon, and find the Millennium Purple Token.
A truly flawless plan.
"Come on, hurry. Lots to do."
"Yes."
As Yu Hyun sped up and overtook Gye Du-sin, Nangong Seong answered energetically and followed.
"Ueeeck!"
Gye Du-sin still looked rough.
Thought about letting him rest, but no.
What's a hangover to a martial artist?
"Uweek!"
"……."
"Drunken Fire."
"Yes……."
"Don't just stand there, circulate your inner energy and expel the alcohol fumes or something. You're disrupting my focus."
"Yes. Uweeeck!"
"……."
Only after Gye Du-sin expelled the alcohol with inner energy and stabilized did Yu Hyun's group arrive at the military affairs office.
Though an unannounced visit, upon stating it was about the Latent Dragon Squad, they were promptly escorted to the Grand Strategist's quarters.
"……So you're taking the captain position?"
"Temporarily."
"……."
Zhuge Su-bam couldn't hide his bewilderment facing the three.
He'd sent Gye Du-sin to recruit Yu Hyun, but asking for captain outright.
And it seemed Gye Du-sin and Nangong Seong had already agreed.
"L-Look here. I'm grateful you're joining the Latent Dragon Squad, but the captain spot……."
"I heard you haven't persuaded those on the list yet."
"……."
As Yu Hyun cut in, Zhuge Su-bam scowled and glared at Gye Du-sin.
"Ugh."
"……."
He was holding it in, but he looked unwell, probably from overdrinking last night.
Sent to monitor, and he starts off great.
A guy who can't drink……
But it might work. Monitoring from below is easier than from above.
"Must've made a drinking bet for captain."
"Yeah, something like that."
"Again, the captain isn't yours to decide. Even if those on the list aren't recruited yet……."
"Then if I recruit all of them, that works?"
"What?"
"Recruit them and get their approval. So no one objects."
"……."
Zhuge Su-bam blinked dazedly at the nonchalant tone.
What? This feeling completely different from yesterday?
He'd been bold before, but logically binding with profound insight.
Yet today's Yu Hyun seemed not just bold, but recklessly stubborn.
"Heh, you have many faces."
"I'm like that."
Yu Hyun smiled brightly.
With the Millennium Purple Token in hand, no need to tread carefully as a non-Righteous Alliance member.
The sole reason to join the Latent Dragon Squad under its shadow: to stand above the future subordinates—his teachers.
Also, though the Chaos Lord's minions were quiet thanks to the Beggars' Sect stirring, they'd surely target him eventually.
Thus, a safety net was needed.
Righteous Alliance Latent Dragon Captain.
That title would deter them.
Moreover, most on the list were young heirs of prestigious clans or promising disciples of sects.
Attacking rashly could mean war with the entire Alliance.
"Hmm…… Captain, eh."
Zhuge Su-bam pondered Yu Hyun for a while, then nodded.
"Fine. But temporary. If you recruit all as said, I'll appoint officially."
"Just what I wanted."
Zhuge Su-bam shook his head at Yu Hyun's innocent smile upon getting his wish.
Heh, so pure like a child when smiling.
"So, where first?"
"……."
At Zhuge Su-bam immediately asking plans after granting the temporary post, Yu Hyun eyed the Central Plains map on the wall and replied.
"Haenam Island."
"Haenam?"
"Yes. Starting from the farthest."
"Hmm, but Haenam is……. Well, not bad. Departing right away?"
"No. In five days."
"Five days? Good. I'll prepare necessities for your long journey. Haenam is insular, so bring gifts."
"Thank you."
"Wishing you fortune, Temporary Latent Dragon Captain."
"……."
Yu Hyun smiled and turned to leave, then paused at the emphasis on "temporary."
"Oh, one more thing. Release the one in the prison."
"Release him?"
"Yes. Makes me uneasy keeping him there for such a minor disturbance; the justification's thin."
Suspicion flickered on Zhuge Su-bam's face at his words.
"You're admitting involvement?"
"A bit?"
"……."
"You don't fully trust me anyway, right? Think of it as a minor safety measure."
"……."
Zhuge Su-bam's eye twitched at Yu Hyun's narrowed smiling eyes.
Revealing it so openly?
"No further interrogations, please."
"……."
"As you know, I have solid backing."
Zhuge Su-bam's gaze shifted repeatedly.
Threatening even while under suspicion?
"Kukuku, you're a fun one."
"Hear that sometimes."
"Fine. I'll keep him safe. But as a safety measure, can't fully release. I'll place him where my eyes and ears reach."
"That's enough. Then."
Yu Hyun nodded brightly.
Having endured the Heavenly Mechanism Diviner endlessly, he well knew the Zhuge clan's temperament.
Near-obsessive persistence.
They'd never drop suspicions, verifying and retracing all connections, so best to play the obvious card boldly now.
At least Zhuge Su-bam had no ties to the Chaos Lord's minions.
Plus, hadn't he promised Huang Deok-sam a lifeline?
He'd be under constant surveillance by Alliance men somewhere, but that guaranteed safety.
From the Chaos Lord's minions and forces that would eventually come……
Five days until departing for Haenam Island.
The five-day wait had purpose.
If just the sub-branch leader, fine, but for the Millennium Purple Token, aid was essential.
Someone with the indispensable item to approach the deep sea where it lay……