Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: See? (2)
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As dusk faded into night, the Nangong Clan was still brightly lit.
After the Little Dragon Tournament ended, only the eight finalists remained in the clan. The Sword Emperor himself was set to distribute the prizes after dinner.
Sasasak!
A shadow vaulted over the clan's outer wall and slipped away. It was a swift figure whose lightness skill had reached a profound level. Moving cautiously toward a sparsely populated area, it pressed on with haste.
Shweung!
The shadow arrived at a nearby hill—not far from the clan—and let out a signal whistle from its mouth. Though a hill, it was a rocky one, devoid of people nearby.
Wooo-ooo-ooo!
Mimicking an owl's hoot.
A masked figure emerged. He constantly scanned his surroundings, suspicion etched on his face, as if searching for any hidden watchers.
"Say it again. If it's true, you can prove it, right?"
"I told you, it's true. Why are you being like this?"
"Uncle would never do that."
"You never really know what's in a person's heart."
"Why would he?"
"It's not the right time yet. First, get past the crisis facing the family. And you have to guarantee the promised payment."
That was when the moonlight revealed the shadow's true face. An ominous aura began closing in from all sides. Sensing something amiss, the shadow swiftly unleashed its fist technique.
Popeopeong!
Hidden weapons disguised in the darkness rained down explosively from the air.
The crisis didn't end there.
Not just one—there were at least five.
They hadn't aimed to kill from the start. It was a setup to control the distance and encircle the target.
Papap!
The black-clad assailants moved in perfect coordination.
Nangong Yeonhwa's response was no less impressive. As if she'd anticipated it, she clashed skillfully against the attackers.
Popeopeong!
Nangong Yeonhwa's Heavenly Thunder Divine Fist, based on the Thunderclap Technique, erupted in flames. A fierce explosion dominated the space.
Lightning pierced the darkness.
The fist energy infused with thunder qi—Heavenly Thunder Divine Fire—targeted the masked men.
Kwaaaang!
With a deafening roar that shattered the night, the earth between them erupted like a pillar and collapsed. The shockwave heated the air, scorching the surroundings.
"Lady Yeonhwa, you've been hiding your true strength."
"Shut up!"
Her power far exceeded what they knew. It was like she was a different person. Achieving such rapid growth in martial prowess was impossible without some heavenly opportunity. She was likely in league with someone trying to sabotage the cult's plans.
"But nothing changes."
"What the hell are you talking about, you bastards!"
Nangong Yeonhwa was at the peak of irritation right now. She'd desperately hoped it wasn't true. She'd only played along with the farce out of an old woman's unfounded worries.
But lo and behold.
There really were unsavory elements hidden in the clan. And she'd pinpointed them with eerie accuracy.
"See?"
It even sounded like Mujin's voice echoing from somewhere.
The thought of that smug Mujin only fueled her frustration. But with a real problem on her hands—especially if it involved her uncle—she couldn't afford to lose her temper. If it was her uncle of all people, the gravity was on another level.
"You help too."
"Yes, my lady."
The masked figure who'd met with Nangong Yeonhwa was none other than Namyeong, her personal guard. He'd been skeptical at first about this bizarre task, but as her guard, he'd followed orders. In the end, he was stunned by how right she'd been.
'How did she know?'
His martial arts might be average, but his head wasn't. Namyeong's suspicions only grew.
"You've tricked us."
"Took you long enough!"
Seeing Namyeong unmask himself sent ripples of unease through their eyes. Realizing it was a trap, they knew they had to hurry. But before they could react, dozens of shadows surrounded them.
'Finally, the time has come to pay you back.'
He hadn't forgotten that moment for even a second. He'd longed for this day desperately. Despite gaining power beyond his original strength through bone-grinding effort, his lost arm never returned. Remembering that loss and despair, he'd honed his blade of vengeance.
'You'll regret not choosing me.'
If not for that man's favoritism, he wouldn't have lost his arm or yielded the family head's position. That man was the root of all his misfortunes. This was his just deserts.
"Hey, good to see you."
As he suppressed his killing intent, someone approached with feigned familiarity.
"You..."
"Why so sharp today? On a fine night like this."
When Mujin tried to walk beside him like an old friend, Nangong Jae's brow furrowed involuntarily. He had to control his expression, but this guy grated on him. He wanted to kill him right then and there, but he needed time.
"Did you see my son win? He's got the makings of an absolute expert, just like his old man. As you can see, I'm no slouch myself."
"Hmph. Never met a braggart who could back it up."
"Most can't, but I'm not all talk. I'll show you sometime."
"If there's a sometime, maybe. Don't hold your breath."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing."
As Mujin eyed him suspiciously, Nangong Jae panicked a bit. This guy, who usually moved without a thought, was suddenly sharp as a tack.
"Something like trouble in the world's greatest clan, the Nangong Clan? With its lord, hailed as the next greatest swordsman under heaven? I mean, he looks every bit the part—martial prowess and grace worthy of the title. Right?"
"Enough pointless chatter."
"Pointless? Isn't the Sword Tyrant the pride of the Nangong Clan? I may not know much, but I know an expert when I see one."
"I said go your own way."
"I'm headed this way too. My son's waiting."
Nangong Jae was seething inside.
No one had ever scraped at his nerves like this. First impressions aren't everything, but this guy only got more infuriating with time.
'That punk, the greatest swordsman under heaven! I'll kill you first! Then you'll know who the real one is.'
At this point, he had no desire to let this fool live. Hell was too good for someone strutting around oblivious to his own doom.
"If your right arm was intact, you'd be gunning for the top spot. Too bad."
"Shut your mouth!"
"Why the sudden anger? Oh! I said something I shouldn't have. I just feel bad for you."
"Keep flapping that jaw, and I won't hold back."
"We're fated to meet like this, and you're making it awkward."
What the hell did this idiot have to back up his arrogance?
Nangong Jae was momentarily speechless with disbelief. Even with a missing arm, he was an elder of the Nangong Clan. For the heir of some minor sect to act this fearless was insane.
"Right into the heart of the Nangong Clan. No one inside would notice a thing."
"I said shut it."
Sentries watched them the whole way in, but as they entered the Heavenly Human Pavilion, the surveillance vanished cleanly. It was like an impregnable fortress that permitted no intruders.
The Heavenly Human Pavilion was offset to the north of the clan's center, but with only one access path, infiltration or escape was nearly impossible. Unauthorized climbers over the walls or watchtowers would die screaming, unheard.
"Tch, these heartless bastards. Leaving your old man behind? Must be that good stuff. What even is this Soaring Heaven Pill anyway."
"...?"
The path felt endlessly long. Despite his quickened pace, Nangong Jae's rage boiled over.
This time, he couldn't let it slide.
The Soaring Heaven Pill might not match Shaolin's Great Return Pill, but it rivaled Huashan's Purple Spirit Pill or Wudang's Supreme Clarity Pill—an elixir of the highest caliber. Even the Nangong Clan struggled to produce one annually. It granted fifty years' worth of inner energy, yet this fool treated it like goat dung rolling in the grass.
"You dare spout such nonsense without even knowing what the Soaring Heaven Pill is?!"
"I know what it is—a mere elixir that boosts inner energy by fifty years."
"...?"
He wasn't wrong. Spot on, in fact. That's why it infuriated Nangong Jae so much.
I'll kill you myself!
Nangong Jae barely contained his killing intent. He had to hide his intentions until entering the pavilion. After that, no need.
"No Great Return Pills or Clear Spirit Oil? Figured the Nangong Clan would have something."
This damn punk—getting worse!
It was a spectacle. How could anyone say such things to his face? Unless they were deranged.
Ssaeng!
He decided to ignore him. Even without engaging, the mutterings wormed into his ears, fraying his nerves.
"Mind if I tag along?"
As Nangong Jae led his ten subordinates ahead, Mujin scurried to keep up.
The Heavenly Human Pavilion resembled a small palace. They went deep inside and opened a door. A grand hall lay before them.
Merk!
Nangong Jae hesitated upon crossing the threshold, struck by an eerie sensation.
"Hesitating at the doorstep? Scared of your little brother? Makes sense."
That bastard again!
Mujin's muttering shattered his emotional control.
He wouldn't acknowledge the taunt. Nangong Jae strode in boldly. As the doors closed and he surveyed the room, his face twisted in fury.
No sign of the eight finalists or their retinues. Instead, the Sword Tyrant stood there, surrounded by the Nangong Clan's elite Soaring Heaven Squad.
Ha!
This was not what he'd expected. And he realized—he'd rushed in and exposed his vulnerability.
Igireureuk!
Nangong Jae glared at Nangong Cheon with eyes blazing like molten lava—the man who'd stolen his rightful place and his right arm.
And even the Sword Emperor Nangong Sung, who'd handed it all to him.
Whatever his brother felt inside, the Sword Tyrant kept his emotions in check despite the betrayal.
"Give it up."
"Still got that foul mouth."
"No need to respect a family traitor."
"Shut it! Without you, the clan would be mine."
"Ignorant and overly ambitious."
Ho.
The Sword Tyrant was as sharp-tongued as he looked. His needle-like barbs pierced without mercy just by watching. How could brothers be like this? No wonder Nangong Jae harbored poison. Waiting decades without betraying sooner was praiseworthy.
'His words cut like knives.'
-Better than yours.
'What's wrong with mine?'
-I told you—plenty wanted you dead more than me.
Mujin couldn't comprehend it then or now. He'd fought their battles, even saved the world. People should have some shame. Prostrating at his feet wouldn't suffice, yet here they were, heads held high. Infuriating.
'What a weird world.'
-You're the weird one.
Every damn time.
He wanted to close the channel, but he needed Cheon-gyeong right now. And fratricide between brothers was entertaining to watch. Not his house, so no discomfort. As the saying went, fights were fine anywhere but home—especially someone else's home, where there was zero pity.
'Didn't expect him to ignore it, but good instincts.'