Chapter 277
Chapter 277
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 277
Chapter Title: Return (3)
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I stretched and stood up from my seat.
Crack...
Cheon Jang-ho, who had been throwing a fit about the poor side dishes, now sat quietly and put on airs.
"Cold rice with soy sauce. Come to think of it, this has its own subtle charm, doesn't it? Soak it in water, and it goes down smooth as honey rice cake. It's a nostalgic meal that reminds me of my One-Hand Beggar days."
"Then you stay here. I can go alone."
I smirked at him, and Yin Xia Lian tilted her head curiously.
"Hm? You're not just trying to keep Young Master Cheon in check? You're really going to complain?"
"It's not just about whining over the side dishes."
"Who doesn't know you, Young Master Eon? You're going because of the Moyong Family's attitude lurking beneath this shabby treatment, right?"
Instead of answering, I nodded.
Yin Xia Lian furrowed her delicate brows, voicing her concern.
"Hmm. As I said earlier, no one would be happy about having their wealth squeezed out. Won't it be like fanning the flames in a burning house?"
"Then I just need to fan it hard enough to put the fire out."
With that opener, I turned to Nangong Yun to finish.
"On paper, it looks like the Moyong Family is handing over what they held, but if they set their minds to it, they could sabotage things plenty. Isn't that right, Nangong Yun?"
Did my words sound like an accusation?
"...Why is the arrow suddenly flying at me?"
Nangong Yun looked flustered as he spoke up.
"Gong Yun, it's not aimed at you. I'm asking because your family is known as one of the Five Great Families. You know where that power comes from."
"Oh, that? I thought..."
"Thought what?"
"That you hadn't forgotten about my great-uncle and were taking it out on me."
"Not exactly, but I haven't forgotten that either."
Nangong Yun cleared his throat awkwardly and swiftly changed the subject.
"...Ahem. Eon Yong-un is right. Even if our family faced the same measures, the people of Anqing wouldn't dare look down on the Nangong Family. Our power isn't just in wealth and estates—it's rooted in the history we've built in our base."
Wu So-rung and Cheon Jang-ho tilted their heads at that.
"History?"
"Phew. I was worried without Brother So-cheon, but at least I'm not the only one who doesn't get it. Gong Yun always has a knack for making simple things sound complicated. Still no clue what he's on about."
"......"
Paeng So-jin and Yin Xia Lian chimed in next.
"Let me put it simply. The Moyong Family has been the longstanding fixture in Yiling for centuries. People's hearts here still lean toward them, no matter what."
"Even if Young Master Eon takes over the shops and martial halls as per those documents through the Murim Alliance, the people actually running and using them might turn their backs."
Jeong Hyun looked at me.
"Then, aren't all those hard-won documents from Young Master Eon pointless?"
I shook my head at Jeong Hyun's question.
"Not quite. Just preventing the Moyong Family from freely operating Hancheol Road is already a success for this outing. What they're handing over now is just a bonus."
"That's true."
"But bonus or not, once it's in my hands, I have no intention of giving it back. We need to break the Moyong Family's hidden ace."
"...Hidden ace? Ah! Grand Patriarch! You're talking about the Yiling Elder, right?"
"Yes."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I headed straight to the Moyong Family's Grand Patriarch Quarters.
Given the mood, the family retainers didn't give me friendly looks.
But they didn't block my path either.
This family's second son did, though.
"Halt, Eon Yong-un."
Moyong Gil, who was in the same class year as me at the academy, blocked my way upon arriving at the quarters.
Standing guard right in front, he warned me in a solemn tone.
"Go back. Grandfather is resting and in no state to meet anyone."
But that only made me snort inwardly.
'Not cursed or anything. How does a vigorous old martial artist who was full of energy just days ago end up bedridden overnight?'
I didn't hide my smile as I replied.
"What if I say no?"
Moyong Gil flinched at my aura but pressed his point.
"...Then we can no longer treat you as a guest."
"Is that so?"
Apparently, it wasn't just empty talk.
As I moved to enter the quarters, he reached for his sword at his waist.
But I didn't let him.
Flash!
I instantly closed the distance with Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step.
Then, adapting the Golden Crow Hand technique, I used my right hand to shove his half-drawn sword back into its sheath.
Click—
With my left, I gripped his shoulder.
"Gil, let's call it here. You know it won't work against me, right?"
"......"
"I get that you care about your grandfather, but I'm not here to use force on him. He's a senior master above my level anyway. And you don't want trouble at the academy, do you?"
"......"
Moyong Gil swallowed dryly at my words.
I patted his shoulder a couple times.
Then called out toward the Grand Patriarch Quarters.
"Elder, this lowly Murim Academy student Eon Yong-un requests an audience! You're perfectly fine, aren't you?!"
After a brief silence.
A deep voice came from inside.
"Come in."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Entering the inner chamber at his response.
I was greeted with a smiling face by Yiling Elder Moyong Hoe, famed for laughing "Good!" whether facing fortune or misfortune.
"Hahaha. So it's you."
"Starting off like that, this student is puzzled."
"I was wondering who could corner the Moyong Family overnight."
"Ah, I see."
"My son kept his mouth shut, saying it was unavoidable. It didn't seem like the Alliance Leader's doing alone, so I was pondering who was pulling the strings from behind."
"Sorry for ruining your eightieth birthday celebration."
"Haha. I thought you were just a messenger delivering the Alliance Leader's hidden intent. Turns out it was you. No wonder my son clammed up in front of me."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is one. We've lost. A perfect checkmate. My son and this old man both raise our hands in surrender."
I grinned at Moyong Hoe.
"Yet you subtly hinted that the Moyong Family might not honor the agreement so easily?"
"Hahaha."
"What do you want?"
"Erase the first item my son agreed to surrender. Leave the Five Great Families status with the Moyong Family."
He seemed to think I was there to negotiate.
But I was just curious.
"What if I can't?"
At my firm tone, Moyong Hoe's brows furrowed coldly.
"Do you have the confidence to drive this old man out of Yiling?"
"Do you?"
"What? Haha. Even in my dotage, must I fall to a pup in my own front yard?"
"Of course. The people of Yiling hold your words in high regard. One word from you, and the documents stamped by the Family Head become scraps of paper. My merits vanish, and the Alliance Leader faces trouble."
Even an old tiger is a tiger.
Moyong Hoe truly had the power to sabotage this.
"Haha. Knowing that, why ask if I have confidence?"
But it was worth a shot.
"And after that?"
"After?"
"Are you confident this fight you started will end in the Moyong Family's victory?"
With that, I glanced toward Moyong Gil standing outside.
No need to spell it out.
'Moyong Hoe will catch the meaning: in the future clashes ahead, it won't be you fighting me, but Moyong Gil or his older brother.'
Can your grandsons handle me?
As expected, Moyong Hoe understood, wiping the smile from his face.
"...In my youth, they called me 'Smile Hiding a Blade.' Turns out the real one was someone else. To think I'd face intimidation at this age."
"Intimidation? How could a mere student threaten a great elder of the murim world?"
"So you'll cut off the Moyong Family's lifeline after all?"
"To strangle the Moyong Family, we could just bring in the Northern Guard Command. Why take this roundabout way?"
"Because you need our power. With the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult running rampant, you need our family guarding Yiling with Hancheol Road."
He was right.
Without the Moyong Family, Yiling would become the cult's playground.
But I had to play it cool here.
"Yes. We do. But even without your added strength, we'll manage somehow."
I said boldly.
"Whereas the Moyong Family needs our power. You don't think you can fend off the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult alone without the righteous murim's help, do you?"
"We have the Yeonwang Mansion..."
"Yeonwang Mansion. It's more than a white elephant—it's a quagmire, isn't it? You sought a backer to preserve pride, but ended up with a bottomless poison vat harboring disloyal ambitions."
"......"
"Elder, reclaiming the Five Great Families' status and the righteous murim's dominion can only happen if our world stands firm and your family survives."
As my words ended.
Silence fell between Moyong Hoe and me.
"......"
"......"
How long had the quiet reigned in the quarters?
"...So the shift in the Five Great Families' landscape was inevitable from the start."
Moyong Hoe glanced toward Moyong Gil outside, breaking the silence.
Then fixed his gaze on me.
"Grant me two simple requests. Then this old man will cooperate."
"I'll hear them first."
"Pin all the Moyong Family's ill repute on me. That way, we can at least hope for the future you mentioned."
"Mm. Understood. And the next?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After finishing the talk, I stepped out of the inner chamber.
Moyong Gil tiptoed to peek inside, then snorted at me.
"...Hmph."
No words, but his expression said it all.
He looked plenty frustrated.
I could understand.
'Feels like his family crumbled because of me, and he couldn't do a thing, letting me into the quarters. Must sting.'
I approached Moyong Gil, gripped his left shoulder, and said,
"From today, you're my sworn younger brother."
"What nonsense out of nowhere..."
He scowled, raising his voice as if I'd spouted rubbish.
But when I tightened my grip,
"Gahhh!"
"What are you from today?"
A polite attitude leaked out immediately.
"...Uh, sworn younger brother."
"Good. Get the details from Grandfather. Take good care of the elder, and see you at the academy?"
Leaving the quarters, I recalled my final exchange with Moyong Hoe.
'You have many sworn brothers?'
'Sworn brothers... You mean your sworn younger brothers?'
'Yes. I hear both Paeng Family twins are among them. Add our Gil too.'
'?'
'You're thick as thieves only with the Paeng kids. If you can't even do this, how can I shed my worries, rise from this sickbed, and cooperate? What say you?'
'Sure. Not a hard request.'
Just then, my master piped up, as if recalling the moment.
Tsk tsk. Old man Moyong Hoe has no clue about the true nature of your sworn younger brothers.
'Master? You talk like it's some forbidden circle.'
You know it yourself.
'?'
- ?
'Heh. Even Gong Yun and Jegal So-jeo begged to join. Guys like Gil could never dream of it normally. With the student council forming, I thought one more servant...'
- ......
'...I mean, newbie. Slipped my tongue. Anyway, I specially accepted one more since it seemed fine.'