Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Master's Trap
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'I definitely felt it.'
It was an extremely faint sensation.
A slight, tickling flow of qi that brushed past.
But Namgoong Hyeok could sense it.
A fragment of immense inner power whose depth was impossible to gauge.
An aura vast enough to blanket the entire Anhui Province in an instant.
'Where did such a powerhouse come from...?'
Namgoong Hyeok also gathered his own inner energy and tried to trace its origin in reverse, but the flow of qi vanished as if it had never been there.
A mere instant.
The fact that it disappeared so suddenly heightened Namgoong Hyeok's vigilance.
To retract such profound inner energy so swiftly.
A master who could envelop the vast Anhui Province and withdraw it in a flash.
He had to find them no matter what.
According to reports, no suspicious individuals had been spotted. But even if things were quiet now, this was like a bomb that could explode at any moment.
Namgoong Hyeok, who hadn't even gone home and had been on high alert at the Murim Alliance...
'Found you.'
He finally detected it.
The same flow of inner power he had felt the day before.
Did the other party also sense Namgoong Hyeok's presence?
The inner energy now boldly directed toward him, almost provocatively.
For the first time in ages, Namgoong Hyeok felt his heart race.
'How long has it been.'
It wasn't outright hostility, but this opponent didn't flinch even after sensing his qi. It was a sensation the World's Strongest had never experienced since claiming that title.
And so, Namgoong Hyeok dashed toward the source of the inner power.
He began to notice increasingly familiar scenery.
A vast estate sprawling beneath a hill shaded by centuries-old pine trees.
The Namgung Family estate.
The opponent was in his own home!
'What is this?'
As he drew closer to the estate, feeling the energy grow stronger, Namgoong Hyeok quickened his pace.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I never imagined Father would actually come."
My room.
I had modestly set out teacups on the table.
Since our conversation was bound to be a long one.
"Father, have some tea first and catch your breath."
"......"
Namgoong Hyeok didn't respond.
He stood by the door, showing no intention of sitting, his eyes appraising my master.
Well, yeah.
I had sent a messenger or gone myself to bring him, but it was my fault for not overcoming my master's stubbornness.
"Oh, you've arrived! You're Namgoong Hyeok, the Murim Alliance Leader, yes?"
"Who are you?"
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Baek Serin. I don't have a title as grand as yours, so just call me by name."
My master spoke to Namgoong Hyeok with a smile, as if greeting an old friend. He gave off the vibe of a host welcoming a guest, even though he was the actual visitor.
"Why were you sending out your inner energy earlier?"
"I heard my disciple was staying here, so I called you to express my gratitude."
"Disciple?"
Namgoong Hyeok's eyes widened as he looked at me.
His expression said he had a lot of questions.
But before he could ask, my master spoke first.
"Was my greeting too aggressive? Sit down first. Don't we have much to discuss?"
My master pointed to an empty chair.
Swoosh.
At the same time, he tossed a teacup toward Namgoong Hyeok.
The cup flew in a perfect arc toward him.
Yet not a drop spilled from it.
Thud!
Namgoong Hyeok snatched the teacup effortlessly.
Watching this, my master let out an admiring "Oho."
"Indeed worthy of the title World's Strongest."
"Your kindness is excessive."
"Nonsense. I just offered tea because you looked thirsty. No need for thanks."
I watched the scene with wide eyes.
A fleeting moment too brief to perceive without utmost focus.
I could barely infer it from the lingering traces of inner energy.
In that instant, several exchanges had occurred between my master and Namgoong Hyeok.
I missed it because the timescales were on different levels.
Namgoong Hyeok's aggressive demeanor softened considerably.
It seemed masters of such profound realms shared some unspoken understanding.
"My master is like family to me. I thought I should introduce him properly."
"So that's why your abilities are so outstanding despite your age."
"Haha, thank you for recognizing my disciple!"
Common compliments were exchanged.
When I first heard my master's plan, I thought it was insane, but the atmosphere was better than expected.
Glancing sideways, Yeonhui seemed restless.
Maybe she was tense because it felt like a formal meeting of families.
"So, what brings you all the way to my home?"
"Ah, as expected. I figured you wouldn't like beating around the bush. I heard your disciple went ahead and arranged this engagement without even consulting me."
"And?"
"I'll get straight to the point. I oppose it!"
Bam!
My master slammed both hands on the table and shouted.
Why the sudden change?
The mood was good just now.
You said you'd approve...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The world is vast indeed.
Baek Serin.
A name I'd never heard before.
Despite reaching such heights.
I could only assume he hid his moniker.
The brief clash of hands earlier.
There was no hostility.
A pure, clear aura like that of a Daoist sect elder.
If Yeonhui weren't here, I might have even suggested a spar.
And shortly after.
Namgoong Hyeok genuinely wanted to exchange moves with Baek Serin.
'He'll bring up the engagement.'
Strictly speaking, it was akin to a formal family meeting.
A few words in, and he realized.
They were pushing for the engagement.
He had no intention of approving it.
How should he broach the topic?
Baek Serin shattered Namgoong Hyeok's dilemma in one go.
"I'll get straight to the point. I oppose it!"
Baek Serin's refreshing declaration.
Hearing it, Namgoong Hyeok doubted his own ears.
"Oppose?"
"Yes. I'm annoyed that my disciple proceeded without a word to me, but that's separate... I cannot permit this engagement!"
Why?
A pure question arose.
Why oppose the engagement?
"What's the reason?"
"My disciple is too precious to lose!"
"?"
What nonsense is this?
'Too precious a disciple.'
So what?
Does that mean our Yeonhui is lacking?
"Those are words I can't let slide. Explain yourself clearly."
"Just as I said. Your daughter is insufficient to be my disciple's partner. Thus, I oppose it!"
Crack.
Blood rushed to his head.
Namgoong Hyeok's temples throbbed with veins from the surge of anger.
He barely suppressed the emotions rising in his chest.
'I must endure.'
This was actually good.
The other side opposing the engagement?
Just what he wanted.
So he just had to put up with this woman's words.
Endure until...
The decisive moment, then unleash his fury.
That would shatter the engagement.
"You must see it yourself, right? How exceptional my disciple's talents are. A constitution perfect for cultivating inner power, and his intellect is beyond question. In less than ten years, he'll shake the world."
"......"
"Compared to that, your daughter... Yes, she's beautiful. Very beautiful. But what else is there?"
Three forbearances can avert even murder.
Patience.
Namgoong Hyeok circulated his inner energy to calm his mind.
"Isn't marriage like that? It's not about looks alone. Besides, my disciple isn't lacking in appearance either."
"Master?"
"Hush. The adults are talking. Be quiet."
"......"
"And he's just a prospective son-in-law in name only. Still stuck in a guest room, tsk tsk."
That's because your disciple said it was convenient since that's where he was staying!
Namgoong Hyeok barely swallowed the words rising to his throat.
"Even a son-in-law from a common household would get better treatment. Treating him so poorly before the engagement rites—how could I send my disciple into such a family? I heard from him that you verbally approved but kept dragging it out with excuses. Perfect. Seems we're on the same page."
He said that?
Namgoong Hyeok turned and glared at Yi Se-woong.
Fiercely.
Piercingly.
"Look at that. The way you glare at my disciple—who would mistake that for a father-in-law's gaze? It's like you're facing an enemy."
Ah.
I can't take this anymore.
"I can't listen to any more of this!"
Namgoong Hyeok roared.
A shout he unleashed without controlling his inner energy, uncharacteristic of him.
The table shook as if there were an earthquake.
"What? Lacking? Inadequaaaate? What's wrong with our Yeonhui! Do you think you can find such a fine bride anywhere else?!"
"Hm?"
"Beautiful? Yeonhui's beauty can't be captured in such simple words! Even after her body's transformation, her eyes must be the exception, huh?"
His voice brimmed with uncontrollable rage.
"Her radiant eyes bring stars to mind! Her perfectly shaped nose, her plump lips—what about them? Every time Yeonhui smiles, my heart skips, forcing me to circulate inner energy to steady it. How can you not appreciate such a lovely girl?!"
"Father..."
Yeonhui's face flushed sunset-red.
She seemed overwhelmed by Namgoong Hyeok's overflowing doting nature.
But he had no intention of stopping.
"'Adorable' must have been coined to describe our Yeonhui! And what? Pretty is all? No one is as versatile as her. Poetry, painting, embroidery—she's mastered all the refinements befitting a noble house. Plus, she inherited my talents fully. You'd know if you saw, so I'm curious why you're pretending otherwise!"
"Father, please stop..."
Namgoong Hyeok kept rampaging.
"And poor treatment? Have you seen how my family treats a son-in-law? My wife nags every night about when the engagement ceremony will be. Father has even prepared fields and a house for him."
"Oho."
"What about the second son? He fawns 'brother-in-law' this and that, pampering him endlessly! Just the meals he's eaten from the second son could buy a house. Even the quiet third son praises his brother-in-law until his throat goes dry. Poor treatment? How absurd!"
He'd been watching all along.
Yi Se-woong realized anew that Namgoong Hyeok had been feigning disinterest.
"I recommended him for the White Yang Pill because I hated seeing his martial talent wasted. I even found him a proper job to boost his confidence! And you call this poor treatment? Huh? You oppose it? Answer me!"
It was more like a speech.
Namgoong Hyeok's shouts continued without pause, making one wonder if he was breathing.
Baek Serin, who had been adding occasional affirmations while listening...
Replied with a beaming smile.
"Impressive. I had no idea it was to this extent."
"Right! Now do you get it?!"
"Then we just need to hold the engagement ceremony."
Namgoong Hyeok, blazing like a wildfire...
Deflated at Baek Serin's single remark, as if doused with cold water.
Huh?
This isn't right.
"I misunderstood. To think so highly of my disciple. Hearing you out, I'm willing to reconsider a bit."
"Huh?"
"Keep up the enthusiasm like now. Who knows? I might approve."
Hm, hm.
Baek Serin nodded along.
Only then did Namgoong Hyeok realize, seeing the mischievous glint in that smile.
He had fallen into a trap.