Interlude: A Day in the Nangong Clan (3)

Nangong Bi-yeon, of course, knew all about it. The strange tension flowing between her two nephews. But she didn't think it was anything serious. It was just something that naturally came with their rivalry.

Everything would sort itself out eventually anyway. Once the successor was decided, they'd have no choice but to accept it cleanly. And that position was already as good as settled.

'She probably came grasping at straws, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠begging for my support.'

Nangong Bi-yeon hadn't officially declared support for anyone yet. It was just her personality—she hated sticking her neck out. But it seemed like she'd have to make her stance clear here. As Nangong Hyeon had said, it was time to choose a successor.

Having made up her mind, Nangong Bi-yeon spoke.

"Come in."

"Yes, Aunt."

Creak. The sound of the door opening echoed through.

Nangong Ji strode in from the far side. Then he suddenly froze. He'd spotted Nangong Bi-yeon and Nangong Hyeon sitting across from each other in the main hall.

Of course, what caught Nangong Ji's attention was his half-brother, Nangong Hyeon. The very guy who'd made him feel inferior since childhood with his infuriating perfection. Running into him here of all places, completely unexpected.

'Tch, no wonder my luck's been shit since morning.'

Nangong Ji's brows furrowed so subtly it was barely noticeable.

On the surface, they might look like typical distant half-brothers. But Nangong Ji knew the truth. He knew exactly how pathetically Nangong Hyeon viewed him deep down. Not quite a bug, but definitely a dog-pig. A useless mutt with good bloodline, nothing more.

Of course, Nangong Ji saw Nangong Hyeon as an obnoxious prick too, so it was mutual. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Either way, one thing was clear: he hated the bastard.

'Damn, should I just bail today?'

He'd come planning to toy with his sky-like aunt for some fun, but with this interloper? No chance...

'Wait a sec.'

Nangong Ji's mind sharpened. Actually... this could make it more fun. Yeah, way more enjoyable. Definitely.

And besides.

'Why the hell should I avoid some punk little brother? I'm the rightful young lord of the great Nangong Clan.'

Perfect. Decision made. Time to declare war on the little shit outright. Using Aunt as his tool. That was the attitude befitting the Nangong heir.

Strength surged through Nangong Ji's body. A smile crept across his lips—not forced, but one he couldn't suppress from sheer excitement at what was to come.

"Hyeon, you're here too, huh."

"Yes, Brother."

Nangong Hyeon dipped his head slightly in reply. In front of their aunt, he was managing his expression well. No trace of his usual condescending glare.

Didn't matter. It was irrelevant now anyway.

"I don't know what brings you, but sit down for now, Ji."

Nangong Bi-yeon said.

Nothing unusual. Just Aunt as always. Treating him like any other nephew.

But that wouldn't do anymore. She needed to remember her place. Become an aunt who knew her station.

Nangong Ji's smile deepened.

"No, that's not quite right."

"Not right?"

Nangong Bi-yeon looked at him with utter incomprehension. Nangong Hyeon wore a face like, 'What the hell's wrong with this idiot suddenly?'

"Even if it's you, Aunt, you can't just call the clan's young lord so casually or act like that toward me."

"What did you say?"

The atmosphere froze solid in an instant. Nangong Bi-yeon's face turned icy and stern at her nephew's outrageous overstep. Nangong Hyeon, wide-eyed and rigid, looked like, 'Has this moron finally lost it for real?'

A volatile situation where even "young lord" or whatever wouldn't cut it.

"What did you just say?"

Her voice was cold as a winter gale. Not a question for confirmation—this was her final warning. Kneel now, beg forgiveness, and he might avoid the worst.

But why should he?

Smirk. Nangong Ji's lips curled in a venomous grin.

"I said, Aunt, you're a woman of the Nangong Clan, so you can't call the young lord so casually or act like that toward me."

He repeated it crystal clear. And this time, he threw in "woman" for good measure.

'Hah, calling Aunt a woman? He's really snapped. Getting shunned and ignored by the clan must've broken his brain.'

Nangong Hyeon's face twisted in disbelief. This time, he was certain: his idiot half-brother was about to get beaten like a dog in the summer heat right here by Aunt.

And lost in that thought, Nangong Hyeon missed it. The momentary glaze in their aunt's eyes, dull and vacant.

'Ah...'

Nangong Bi-yeon's reason was utterly enslaved by the ironclad hypnotic suggestions her Master had implanted. The mental fortitude of Nangong's top female super peak expert? Meaningless. She proved it with her whole body—by throwing herself flat to the floor in prostration.

"My apologies, Young Lord. I'm sorry, Young Lord. This lowly aunt bitch forgot her place and spoke rudely..."

Splat!

Nangong Hyeon's jaw dropped wide enough to tear. His eyes too. A ghost wouldn't have shocked him more. He was plunged into unimaginable astonishment.

It was only natural. Anyone in his shoes would react the same.

Meanwhile, Nangong Ji grinned like a victor.

"Haha, these things happen. Since you've realized your mistake now, I'll let it slide generously. That's what family is for, right?"

"Thank you, Young Lord. Thank you, Young Lord."

"Come on, sit."

With that, Nangong Ji plopped down right in the middle, between where Nangong Hyeon and Nangong Bi-yeon had been facing each other. Blatantly the head seat. Utterly rude with an elder present, but what could anyone do? That elder wasn't scolding the rudeness—she was kneeling deferentially in the lower seat of her own accord.

"Good, now you're finally acting befitting your station."

"My deepest regrets, Young Lord."

"Hahaha."

Nangong Ji laughed in satisfaction, flicking his gaze toward his half-brother. Nangong Hyeon was still utterly dumbfounded, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠soul shocked right out of him. A expression Nangong Ji had never seen before. But one thing was certain: it was exhilarating, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.

Of course, he wouldn't settle for just this. It was only the beginning.

"What are you doing? At least pretend to listen if you want your big brother to get to the point."

At those words, Nangong Hyeon snapped back to reality.

"Wh-what... the hell are you doing, Aunt?!"

"Why'd a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fine aunt like you suddenly visit? Right, Aunt?"

"Yes, Young Lord's words are absolutely correct."

Nangong Bi-yeon chimed in obediently. Nangong Hyeon's eyes looked ready to pop out. Nothing made sense. Not a single thing.

Why was Aunt suddenly acting insane? Blackmail? How could an idiot brother threaten the wielder of the Galaxy Sword? He wasn't even worth a single exchange.

Then what the hell? Dementia? That at least would be understandable. But a super peak female expert not even middle-aged yet getting dementia? What insanity was this? He could scream and jump in frustration.

Whatever. Nangong Ji sneered and asked Nangong Bi-yeon.

"Why'd Hyeon come here?"

"He came begging me to throw my weight behind selecting him as clan successor, Young Lord."

She answered so naturally and subserviently, as if it weren't a secret between them. Nangong Hyeon's face hardened rigidly.

"Aha, I see. Yeah, Hyeon would have ambitions like that."

Nangong Ji grinned slyly.

"But he's got too many disqualifiers. Not sure he can make it."

"Kuh, what the hell are you saying?"

Even in his fluster, Nangong Hyeon bristled. He absolutely couldn't show weakness to Nangong Ji. Yielding to the dog-pig idiot brother? Unthinkable.

"Haha, what? Honestly, I think pretty highly of you. But you're sorely lacking in one thing."

"Lacking what exactly."

"You don't even know how women taste, do you, you virgin monk?"

"Kuh—cough, cough?!"

Nangong Hyeon choked in shock, coughing violently. Talking about women's taste in front of Aunt? Had he gone mad?

"B-Brother, have you lost your mind?"

"Who's lost their mind? Have I, Aunt?"

"Absolutely not, Young Lord. Young Lord spoke nothing but the perfect truth."

"Urk."

Aunt's lost it too. Both of them, mad as a pair of loons.

In the end, Nangong Hyeon shot to his feet. Best to bail from this madhouse first.

But.

"Sit."

Nangong Ji warned lowly. As if Nangong Hyeon would listen. He ignored it, turning to leave.

Grip!

A terrifying force clamped his shoulder, slamming him down.

"Aaaagh!"

A scream burst out involuntarily. Nangong Hyeon crumpled back down, unable to resist.

"Young Lord told you to sit."

Nangong Bi-yeon's stern voice. She'd forced him down physically. He instinctively fought back, but she didn't budge an inch. Only excruciating pain flooded in stronger.

"Ah, aaaaagh!"

"That's enough for now."

"Yes, Young Lord."

Only then did the pain vanish.

"Hah... hah..."

Panting raggedly, Nangong Hyeon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠realized: he absolutely couldn't leave this place at will.

"So? Ready to talk now?"

"Wh-what the hell are you doing, Brother!"

"Just keep chatting. So, do you know women's taste? If you do, I'll push hard for you as successor."

"Damn it, I-I know plenty!"

Nangong Hyeon spat back defiantly, regardless of the idiot's nonsense. He couldn't let himself get cowed here, or the moron would climb all over him.

"Yeah? You know it? So, what's the best part of a woman? Tits? Pussy? Or maybe asshole?"

Nangong Ji spewed outright vulgar filth. Nangong Hyeon felt like he'd lose his mind.

"H-how can you spew such lowbrow trash in front of Aunt? It's so disgraceful I can't even—"

"What's wrong with it? She's the one with tits and pussy attached, after all. What's weird about it for her?"

"Wh-what?"

"Right, Aunt? Even a dusty spiderweb-covered pussy is still a pussy."

Wh-what the fuuck?!

Nangong Hyeon's eyes bulged like they might tear. This wasn't mere vulgarity—it was outright filial impiety, insulting an elder. Blatantly degrading the genitals of their still-unmarried Aunt Nangong Bi-yeon in the lowest terms.

But.

"Yes, Young Lord. Even this lowly aunt bitch's dusty spiderweb-covered pussy is definitely still a pussy."

Nangong Bi-yeon nodded demurely as she answered.

D-dream. Th-this is a dream.

Nangong Hyeon desperately wanted to wake from this nightmare.

But...

It was all too real. Brutally, viciously real.