Chapter 78
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: The Insolent Spit
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“What the hell are you?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s face twisted at the man’s words.
Did this punk never learn the Three Bonds and Five Morals as a kid?
It’s an old saying that incoming words are polite, but outgoing ones might not be...
As the son of the Yu Clan Manor at the heart of the scholarly world, he couldn’t just let slide these guys who’d tossed manners out the window like yesterday’s trash. Hell, if he could, he’d chuck chopsticks laced with Tang Clan poison techniques right into their yapping mouths and sew them shut. But he held back.
As Yu Hyun fiddled irritably with his chopsticks, Nangong Seong—who’d held back not knowing how the guy might react—finally stood up.
“We are…….”
“Save it!”
Nangong Seong’s words cut off mid-bow, his clothes neatly adjusted and hands clasped in a polite fist salute.
“Don’t care who you are. You look like out-of-towners from your getup, so butt out and hand over the kid.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s eyes narrowed further at the cocky bastard flicking his sword tip back and forth as he spoke.
If you’re gonna ask who we are, fine, but...
Does this asshole keep his fingers for picking his nose later? Why’s he waving that sword tip at people? What a jinx.
“Hey, there’s been some misunderstanding…….”
“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? That brat stole our goods from Haenam Island. If you’re not with him, step off.”
“……Huh?”
At the man’s words, not just Nangong Seong, but Yu Hyun and Gye Du-sin all turned bewildered stares at the boy.
Thought he was a deer, turns out he’s a thieving cat? This little shit’s already...
Haenam Island, huh? That explains why their outfits differ a bit from the port folks.
“It’s a lie! I didn’t steal anything! I’ve been framed!”
“Framed? That crap again? We’ve got crystal-clear proof you snuck into the captain’s cabin!”
“Shut up! You liars told the captain falsehoods to cover up your own crimes!”
“…….”
The boy’s sharp retort made the man’s eyes sharpen.
“Heh heh, the little punk’s got a loose tongue... What are you lot waiting for? Drag this lunatic away!”
“Yes!”
At the man’s order, the burly men behind him stepped forward with fierce glares, and the boy swiftly hid behind Yu Hyun.
“Hmph! Who’re you calling a lunatic? You think you can just take me with these guys watching?”
“…….”
No clue why this kid keeps dragging us into it, but best not get involved.
They were headed to Haenam Island—no point picking fights with the locals.
Steeling himself, Yu Hyun tried to shake off the boy’s hand clutching his sleeve, then paused.
The tiny hand trembled finely, and those big eyes shook wildly with terror...
“Out of the way!”
“…….”
The burly men shoving past Nangong Seong to grab the boy closed in.
“…….”
Though their behavior grated, Nangong Seong just scowled and stepped aside.
This was Haenam Island business.
No grounds for Central Plains folk to meddle in their internal affairs, and from the story, the boy was a thief who stole their goods, right?
Grab.
One man glared at Yu Hyun before yanking the cowering boy’s nape hard.
Snap!
Unthinkingly, Yu Hyun seized the man’s wrist.
“What? Wanna go?”
“…….”
“You dare interfere in Haenam Island affairs?”
“…….”
Frowning deeply at the mention of Haenam Island, Yu Hyun released his grip on the wrist.
Rip... Plop.
The boy reached out a small hand and clutched Yu Hyun’s hem desperately, but it was no match for the brute’s strength.
“Let go! Let me go! I said let go!”
Finally dragged off by the man, the boy thrashed like a wild thing.
“What’re you doing? Gonna let him yap?”
“Sorry.”
At the leader’s irritation, the man holding the boy raised his pot-lid hand without mercy.
Smack!
The merciless slap whipped the boy’s small face sideways, smashing it into the floor.
Yet even then, the boy struggled fiercely to escape.
“This little shit!”
Thud! Thump! Thud!
More than enough to subdue and drag him, but the man stomped the boy like he was the son of a blood enemy, while the kid kept desperately trying to flee amid the blows.
Then, the boy’s tear-streaked eyes met Yu Hyun’s.
...Help me. Please.
That’s what they seemed to beg.
But how could such a small body endure that brutal beating?
His twitching movements soon stilled, and the boy’s form went limp.
“Damn brat, why’d you resist? Kyak! Ptoo!”
“…….”
Still unsatisfied, the man kicked a few more times, glanced smirkingly at Yu Hyun, then dragged the boy away.
That bastard...
Once they were gone, the inn floor fell silent, as if the commotion never happened.
Yu Hyun stared wordlessly out the window, while Gye Du-sin and Nangong Seong refilled their cups with furrowed brows.
After a long moment, Yu Hyun spoke.
“...Shi-bula.”
“Yes?”
“Is this how the port town rolls? Haenam Island warriors strut around like that, and no one cares?”
“Well... There’s a Justice Alliance branch, but it’s the deep south, you know. Most port folk make their living off the sea, so Haenam Island’s influence is strong. Even Justice Alliance warriors step back from their events. Your uncle—no, the grand leader—held back too. No good tangling with them.”
“…….”
Yu Hyun’s eyes narrowed as he gazed out the window at Gye Du-sin’s justifying words.
Best to look the other way.
And he’s a thief, right? Committed a crime, so he deserves punishment.
But his gut wouldn’t settle.
Even so, was beating him that savagely necessary?
Grit.
Yu Hyun ground his teeth in frustration.
Reason and emotion, those damn pests, were brawling in his head uninvited.
“...Haa, damn it. Taught to be cold and rational.”
Yu Hyun sighed deeply, head bowed, and quietly called to Gye Du-sin.
“Shi-bula.”
“Yes?”
“Go follow them.”
“...Fol, yes?”
Gye Du-sin’s eyes widened in shock at Yu Hyun’s words.
“Un, Uncle! No, Grand Leader! They’re Haenam Island warriors!”
“I know. I know we shouldn’t. Still, go follow.”
“…….”
As Yu Hyun spoke irritably, Gye Du-sin glanced at Nangong Seong as if begging for backup.
Haenam Island’s right next door—why stir up pointless trouble?
Pitiful or not, he’s a thief...
At Gye Du-sin’s persistent glances, Nangong Seong subtly frowned.
He’d seen it too: the boy trembling, clutching Yu Hyun’s hem.
Yu Hyun was clearly bothered by it, no doubt...
But they couldn’t.
He wanted to save the kid too—hell, if he were in charge, he’d have jumped in without hesitation.
But he was subordinate now, duty-bound to help Yu Hyun make the rational choice.
So he opposed, but now... it felt like Yu Hyun’s decision was righter.
“Uncle.”
“…….”
“The kid’s plight is tragic, but seems he did steal.”
“…….”
“Our mission is recruiting Haenam Island’s sub-lord Gok Ja-heon to the Latent Dragon Squad. We can’t act rashly. It involves the Haenam lord. Helping a confirmed thief could spark needless misunderstandings.”
“I know. I get it... Hoo.”
“…….”
Cutting off Nangong Seong, Yu Hyun sighed deeply again.
Ignoring it’s what I want most, you heartless bastards.
Gok Ja-heon’s fate be damned, the Millennium Command Tile’s within reach...
Head knows, but heart doesn’t get it. The heart.
Sighing as if the ground might cave, his gaze fell on the inn floor.
...The spit that punk spat while mocking him earlier.
Such an uncouth bastard...
“See that?”
“…….”
Yu Hyun suddenly jabbed a finger straight out.
“That asshole spat.”
“Yes?”
“On the floor. Disgusting.”
“What’s that got to—?”
“This is ridiculous... Fine, thief caught is one thing, but as a scion of a scholarly house versed in Confucian rites, I can’t ignore such barbaric sin(?).”
“…….”
“What to do? Reporting to officials over this feels off, but for the murim’s peace and safety, we must punish the root so he never does it again.”
“…….”
If you’re making excuses, at least make ’em plausible—not spitting, dragging in background and murim peace?
Nangong Seong smirked at the obvious ploy, eyes locked piercingly on the ferry wharf where the boy was dragged.
Just say you wanna save him.
Could’ve said the kid’s plight was unbearable...
He wasn’t immune to the urge either. No, as leader, he’d have saved the kid without pause.
But subordinate now, he had to guide the superior’s rational choice.
He opposed, but now Yu Hyun’s call seemed wiser.
“Indeed. He spat.”
“Yeah.”
“Gotta teach him a lesson.”
“Yeah. But in a crowded spot? Might just breed fear...”
“Probably.”
“Stepping out as a justice-burning warrior, but what if they think it’s the Justice Alliance?”
“Good heavens! Can’t have that. Protecting justice, yet the Alliance takes the blame?”
“So what now?”
“Wear masks to hide our faces?”
“Hmm......”
Deeming it decent, Yu Hyun nodded lightly, gaze fixed out the window.
Only Gye Du-sin failed to catch on, staring blankly at the two.
Are these guys nuts?
Why’re they suddenly so in sync?
Get the sentiment, but using that lame excuse to save the kid?
It’s tantamount to picking a fight with Haenam Island—one that could escalate to conflict.
And the Latent Dragon Squad, repping the Justice Alliance, in masks no less?
“Shi-bula.”
“...Y-Yes?”
“What’re you doing? Not going?”
“…….”
Turning from the window, Yu Hyun beamed innocently at Gye Du-sin.
“Should I go?”
“…….”
Damn it, don’t smile so scary!
“I’m going. Gotta. These bastards spit indoors? I’ll make ’em pay!”
Rolling up his sleeves...
“Just follow, right?”
Worried, he double-checks.
Yu Hyun nodded, and Gye Du-sin sighed heavily before leaping onto the window sill and out.
Yeah, stealing’s wrong.
But beating an unripe kid that brutally? Not what the strong should do.
Follow Haenam law on their turf, but this ain’t it yet.
Just hold them accountable for that utterly barbaric spitting anywhere.
Not as Justice Alliance’s Latent Dragon Squad, but a lone masked warrior burning for justice...
Wait up, little deer. I’ll play woodsman for a spell.
Hey, one masked justice woodsman in the world ain’t bad, right?