Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Haomen
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Go Hyung also held the Flame Lord in high regard.
“When that happened, the Mad Lord was already a bit unhinged in the head, but his martial prowess put him at the top among the Ten Lords. And she slaughtered him miserably just for trying to rape a courtesan. What do you think happened next?”
“Everyone got scared, right?”
Go Hyung nodded vigorously at my words.
“Of course. Once word spread across the entire Central Plains, all the pillar husbands scamming courtesans, the thugs venting their frustrations by beating up errand boys—they all started watching their step out of sheer anxiety.”
“Of course, there are still idiots like that Dominion Sky Fortress warrior earlier, relying on their faction's power to strut around.”
The hall master shook her head wearily, clearly fed up after dealing with that attempted rapist for so long.
Seeing this, Go Hyung shrugged and continued.
“As the hall master says, not everyone's lost their nerve, but you can't deny that the Flame Lord's very existence protects countless weaklings at the bottom of the martial world.”
“Wow….”
Protecting the weak just by existing... pretty cool, huh?
For a moment, I found myself wanting to meet this Flame Lord.
I'd never get the chance with the Sword Lord—Nangong Clan Head's brother—since he'd already passed away, but the Flame Lord was still alive. With any luck, I might run into her someday?
Just how strong was this Flame Lord?
Honestly, considering everything I'd been through so far, she might just have an absurd amount of internal energy.
But maybe not?
As one of the world's ten strongest, she had to be something special.
Maybe I'd take one look and my instincts would scream danger...
“…Huh?”
My train of thought ground to a halt.
It hit me that I'd had an experience just like that today.
Ye So-ha.
The beauty wrapped in an alluring aura.
She didn't seem like a powerhouse at first glance, yet my instincts warned me not to let my guard down.
No way...?
“…Nah.”
No chance.
By the time you reach the level of the Ten Lords, you're most likely some venerable elder, regardless of gender.
But Ye So-ha didn't look that much older than me at first glance.
Twenty-something at most, tops.
A woman like that, one of the Ten Lords? Ridiculous.
Shaking off thoughts of Ye So-ha, I realized I'd lingered too long chatting and stood up.
“Sorry, but I should get going. They said if the young fortress lord of Dominion Sky Fortress finds out you're here, it might bring trouble.”
“Oh, right!”
Go Hyung slapped his forehead and shot to his feet upon hearing me.
He'd been so on edge earlier, and now he'd completely forgotten?
He looked so aggrieved under my pitiful gaze.
“You're the one who asked me a ton of questions!”
“…Hmm.”
What could I even say to that?
Shrugging, I turned to Jo Un-chil.
While we'd been talking, he'd wiped off his makeup and changed into shabby light robes, and now he was urging me along.
“Come on, let's go already. Anywhere but here is fine.”
Hmph. Wonder if he'd say the same once we reached the Nangong Clan gates?
*
“This, you damn con artist—!”
As I'd predicted, Jo Un-chil, who'd been following me, figured out our destination as we neared the Nangong Clan and tried to bolt.
We'd barely dodged the patrolling Dominion Sky Fortress warriors to reach the clan compound, only for him to throw another fit.
No choice—I pressed his blood points to knock him out, slung him over my shoulder, and carried him into the clan manor.
Following Nangong Clan Head's orders, I tossed him into an empty warehouse deep inside, then woke him up.
He was groggy at first, but once he realized he was inside the Nangong Clan, he started yelling that I was a con artist.
“Con artist? How am I a con artist?”
“Yo-you said you'd let me go! You tricked me!”
“Who said anything about killing you? I brought you here because it's safer.”
I explained that Dominion Sky Fortress warriors were combing the streets for him with fire in their eyes, so hiding out in the Nangong Clan was the safest bet.
But Jo Un-chil wouldn't hear it.
“Yo-you expect me to believe the Nangong Clan will protect me...? No way! Who do you think you're fooling?”
“…Goodness.”
Yeah, yeah, I get it—you think I'm the bad guy.
Shaking my head, I heard a roar from behind me.
“You dare pull that stunt against the great Nangong Clan and think you'll get away with it—!”
“Hic…!”
Jo Un-chil froze in terror at the sight behind me.
Turning around, I saw Nangong Clan Head and Nangong Hyeon glaring at him with terrifying expressions.
Amid it all, their glaring faces looked just alike—definitely father and son. I started to step aside.
-Grip
If Jo Un-chil hadn't suddenly grabbed my pant leg, I definitely would have.
“Hey, let go.”
“S-save me! You said you'd let me go—!”
“Argh, I'm not gonna kill you!”
I shook off Jo Un-chil's hand by force, and Nangong Clan Head stepped forward, grabbing him by the collar and hauling him up.
“Eek…!”
Jo Un-chil's face went deathly pale.
Staring down at him with a coldly hardened expression, Nangong Clan Head growled in a low voice.
“If I had my way, I'd rip you to shreds right now and feed you to the wild dogs.”
“Guh…!”
Choked by the collar, Jo Un-chil's face turned beet red.
Ignoring it, Nangong Clan Head pressed on.
“But to expose the Dominion Sky Fortress plot, we need your testimony. So for now, you'll live.”
With that, he released the collar, and Jo Un-chil crashed to the warehouse floor, landing on his butt.
“Owowow…!”
“So listen well, Un-chil. You'll confess every detail of what you've done in front of everyone. That's the only way you'll escape my sword.”
Trembling violently under Nangong Clan Head's contemptuous gaze as he clutched his aching rear and endured the pain, Jo Un-chil nodded frantically.
“Y-yes! Got it. J-just spare my life, and I'll do whatever you say.”
At his reply, Nangong Clan Head clamped his mouth shut and turned away.
We followed him out of the warehouse, and two burly servants immediately slammed the doors shut and locked them.
“Guard it like fortresses. No opening this door except at mealtimes.”
“Yes, sir!”
Nangong Clan Head nodded at the two servants standing ramrod straight and replying energetically, then departed.
As Nangong Hyeon and I trailed after him, his steps suddenly halted.
A trembling voice soon followed.
“…We've done everything we can.”
It was a powerless tone, utterly unlike his fierce growl from moments ago.
I realized with a start that Nangong Clan Head's face, sighing faintly, looked far more haggard than when we'd first met—beyond comparison.
“In seven days, the fate of this Nangong Clan—hanging by a thread—will be decided.”
“Father…”
Nangong Hyeon gazed pityingly at his father, who seemed especially weary.
Feeling awkward standing between the father and son, I scratched my cheek and carefully spoke up.
“We've done everything possible. We'll prepare thoroughly for the remaining seven days too.”
“…Young Master Goon.”
The Nangong father and son turned to me.
Facing the two men with their similarly grim expressions, I flashed a grin.
“So don't worry too much. We'll smash that martial tournament and the Dominion Sky Fortress plot to pieces.”
At my confident words, Nangong Clan Head's eyes widened before he burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha… With Young Master Goon saying so, it really feels like it’ll happen.”
“I think so too.”
The heavy air lifted from their faces.
Fortunately, my words seemed to perk them up—their expressions much brighter than before.
Nodding inwardly at the sight, I promised Nangong Hyeon I'd resume training tomorrow and headed back to the guest quarters.
Back at the guest quarters, I sought out Hwa Ryeon right away.
I needed to tell her about meeting Ju Ho-jeong at the Flower Moon Pavilion.
Luckily, Hwa Ryeon hadn't gone anywhere—she was standing in the courtyard.
“Hwa Ryeon.”
“…Y-Young Master Goon!?”
Startled at my call, Hwa Ryeon’s eyes went wide.
“W-was I interrupting your meditation?”
“N-no, I was just standing here.”
Visibly flustered, Hwa Ryeon cleared her throat shortly before finally facing me squarely.
“So, what’s up…”
As she approached and spoke, she suddenly sniffed the air.
“Wh-what? What’s wrong?”
“…You smell like powder.”
Hwa Ryeon’s expression turned icy cold.
I flinched involuntarily under her sharp, piercing gaze.
What the—? Why’s she suddenly pissed?
“…Young master.”
“Y-yes?”
“Did you… go to a brothel by any chance?”
…How’d she know? She’s a ghost.
“Yeah, Go Hyung had left Jo Un-chil at the Flower Moon Pavilion, so I went to pick him up.”
“…I see.”
Hwa Ryeon’s intensity eased a bit.
After a deep breath, she returned to her usual face and asked again.
“So, what did you want to say?”
“Oh, right. I ran into someone at the Flower Moon Pavilion…”
-Chill
A shiver ran down my spine.
A beat later, Hwa Ryeon’s aura flared up even fiercer.
Why’s she even angrier than before?