Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Unexpected Gift
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"Seeing you like this, it feels like you're even more of a merchant than my father."
As the people from the Zhuge Family left with Zhuge Dowon in tow, Jeon Ian whispered.
"The leader of any group can't always be purely kind. Sometimes you have to be ruthless, sometimes heartless, and sometimes chase after profit like a merchant."
"You're a leader I can trust."
Jeon Ian understood Nangong Hak that way.
"That said, our youngest has become so reliable in such a short time."
"His body grows day by day, and so does his mind."
Even as he said that, his gaze was directed toward Scholar Cheon.
"There were so many people here today—can we really keep them all quiet? I'm worried we made a promise that's hard to keep."
"They know it well too. Some rumors are inevitable, but this means we shouldn't make it an official matter."
"Hmm. Then even if rumors spread wildly, it won't matter."
Watching his wife, who gave off the air of a schemer, Nangong Hak gripped her hand tighter.
The chaos at Cheonma Garden began to settle bit by bit.
The onlookers dispersed, each blooming their own flowers of gossip.
No one knew how far the fragrance of those flowers would spread.
As I tried to leave the garden, two women approached.
"Scholar Cheon."
It was Cheongyo, the courtesan whom Zhuge Dowon had invited.
"Yes, Lady Cheong."
"Would you grace our main house with a visit? We courtesans of the Celestial Pleasure House would love to hear your music. I think hearing your notes once would be better education than any textbook. Of course, we'll compensate you properly."
"How could I dare sully the ears of the courtesans from the Celestial Pleasure House, famed for Anhui's finest melodies?"
"What musician in the world can summon butterflies with their music? Such humble words."
I was about to refuse the unappealing invitation when Nangong Mubaek approached, laughing heartily.
"Hahaha! You've got a good eye, Lady Cheong. Our Scholar Cheon is a man of all talents. I'll escort him personally tomorrow."
"Then I'll eagerly await you both. Please visit and light up our house."
Even Nangong Mubaek had never heard Cheongyo of the Celestial Pleasure House perform; she was that rare a gem.
And the Celestial Pleasure House wasn't a place even he could enter freely.
Turning down such a precious opportunity would be the act of a fool.
Songran stammered,
"If you came and let me hear your music once more, that would be my greatest wish."
Though her eyes were closed, I could feel her shining with excitement as she spoke.
Sensing her sincerity, I couldn't refuse any longer.
"Well, who am I to say no more? Invite us on a day that suits your schedule, and I'll come."
"I'll definitely go too. Escorting Scholar Cheon. I have to be his guard."
In coming up with a reason to go myself, some nonsense slipped out.
"From what I saw today, Young Master Nangong is quite different from the rumors. Rumors really shouldn't be taken at face value."
As Cheongyo smiled and spoke, Nangong Mubaek's face flushed red.
"Hahaha, rumors are just spiteful nonsense from jealous folks, after all."
"I've realized that for sure today."
Nangong Mubaek laughed with his shoulders shaking, clearly pleased by the praise from such a beauty.
It was a side of him utterly unlike the scoundrel everyone knew, leaving the squabbling onlookers and servants tilting their heads in confusion.
Once Cheongyo and Songran had left, Nangong Mubaek suddenly asked,
"Scholar Cheon, how was I?"
Seeing Nangong Mubaek's expectant gaze, Cheon Taesan stared at him steadily.
He looked just like a child craving praise.
"Ah, come on. When I snapped Zhuge Dowon's wooden sword in two—that was the fourth form of the Vault of Heaven Unfettered Sword Technique, you know."
His face screamed he was dying to brag, but Cheon Taesan's lukewarm response only frustrated him.
"It was good. Vault Flash Sea-Splitting is like lightning flashing everywhere from all directions, and martial artists call such movement 'Phantom Shift.' It was exactly that."
"Really?"
Nangong Mubaek beamed at Cheon Taesan's words, then quickly schooled his expression.
"What's wrong?"
Nangong Mubaek turned his back to Cheon Taesan.
The face he turned away with was one of utter bewilderment.
'Why the hell do I care what Scholar Cheon thinks? Why? Praise from my father should be enough.'
Even to himself, his behavior was ridiculous.
"Why did I do that?"
Not understanding his own actions, Nangong Mubaek muttered as he approached his beaming parents.
Still craving more praise, he headed toward his father and mother.
He had never imagined his steps toward his parents could feel this light; even without lightness skill, he felt like he could float away.
After dealing with even Nangong Mubaek, I felt worn out.
Since awakening my Heavenly Martial Sacred Body, my stamina had grown beyond what any scholar could imagine. I wouldn't tire even after three sleepless nights.
I knew that level was comparable to a martial artist with high internal energy.
Yet I still felt this drained, probably from the music duel and all the events.
Just as I desperately wanted rest, Zhuge Banghak approached me.
'What a long day this has been.'
His expression suggested he had something to say about Zhuge Dowon.
I met him with a calm demeanor.
As I waited silently for his words, Zhuge Banghak clicked his tongue.
"You're no ordinary scholar for a martial house. How about it? Don't you want to come to the Zhuge Family and unleash your scholarly talents to your heart's content?"
It was a statement brimming with pride in the Zhuge Family.
"I appreciate the offer, but I have unfinished business, so I can't give a ready answer."
"Haha, well then. Let me be direct. How about coming to our family to whip some of our boys into shape? We've got plenty who need turning into proper humans. Of course, the pay will be higher than anywhere else. We know how to treat a scholar right. You know—the Zhuge Family."
I smiled at Zhuge Banghak's boastful words.
I didn't draw a line.
Drawing lines felt like limiting the breadth of my life.
"I'm flattered by your high regard. I'm sure there'll be a day I visit when the opportunity arises."
As I left the door open, a deep voice rumbled from behind.
"Scholar Cheon still has plenty of work left with our Nangong Family."
It was Nangong Hak himself who appeared and spoke, making Zhuge Banghak frown slightly.
Nangong Hak had hurried over upon seeing Zhuge Banghak approach Scholar Cheon while talking with his youngest son.
"It's not something that'll end in a year or two—it might even take much longer."
His words were vague, but I could sense his true intent.
"What does Scholar Cheon think?"
Instead of answering Nangong Hak, Zhuge Banghak probed my intentions.
"As they say, the capable find a way, while the incapable find excuses."
"Well answered."
Zhuge Banghak gave me a meaningful look before bowing to Nangong Hak and departing.
Seemingly displeased, Nangong Hak stared after him intently.
"People who know nothing about Scholar Cheon, greedily eyeing him."
He pitied how the man had no idea what price he, Nangong Hak, had paid to bring Scholar Cheon to the Nangong Family.
"Thank you for everything today, Scholar Cheon."
Nangong Hak spoke to me in a warm tone.
"Not at all."
"I know our son becoming a proper person is all thanks to you."
"The young master was always good at heart; circumstances just led him astray for a time. It's not my doing."
"Regardless, I won't forget the grace you've shown us."
"From now on, please praise the young master often. He's the type who forges into steel under praise."
"Hahaha, I'll keep that in mind."
Reflecting, Nangong Hak realized he had always been stingy with praise for his youngest.
His three eldest sons were so outstanding that the slightly lagging youngest had never quite satisfied him.
'It's largely my fault he turned out this way.'
Nangong Hak thought that if Scholar Cheon hadn't pointed it out, his relationship with his youngest might have been irreparably damaged.
Seeing even Zhuge Banghak eyeing Scholar Cheon, he felt he needed to make him fully one of their own as soon as possible.
"Scholar Cheon, come to my quarters tomorrow morning after breakfast. I have something to discuss."
"Understood."
Cheon Taesan smiled back at Nangong Hak, who grinned like a man about to give a gift.
"By the way, what did that scholar mean earlier?"
Zhuge Banghak halted his steps.
The question came from his guard.
"You mean his intent?"
"Yes. His answer seemed so out of left field for your question, Elder."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Zhuge Banghak clicked his tongue.
"With Nangong Family Head right there, how could he just say yes outright? That's why he phrased it indirectly."
"So, he's saying he'll come if invited? Or that he's refusing?"
"Is there really someone like this? What's happened to the level of Zhuge Family martial artists these days?"
The Zhuge Family warrior who asked fell silent.
"Don't use the Zhuge name outside. With Nangong Family Head not letting go, he's saying to create a pretext he can't block for the invitation."
"That had that meaning? It didn't sound like it to me."
Zhuge Banghak sighed.
About to explain further, he snapped in irritation instead.
"Forget it! To think I have to spell this out for a Zhuge Family member! Surely not everyone in the family is like this?"
"Elder, at my level, I'm considered smart in the Zhuge Family."
"If that's true, the main house is doomed. Otherwise, you need more studying."
"Huh? I'm from the Wyrm Dragon Pavilion. You were the pavilion master back then."
His chest nearly burst with frustration at the guard's words.
"Looks like I need to extend the post-pavilion training from three to five years, judging by your level."
"You praised me a lot back then, saying I was smart."
He didn't even have the energy to yell at the muttering guard.
"Oh dear. Doomed, utterly doomed. No wonder Zhuge Dowon turned out like that."
As Zhuge Banghak walked, his shadow seemed to limp along with a sigh.
On the way back, Cheongyo spoke to Songran, who kept turning her head toward the Nangong Family's direction.
"Why? Still lingering in your mind?"
"Yes, sister. I've heard so much music while dancing sword dances at the Celestial Pleasure House, but nothing like Scholar Cheon's melody. How to describe it... like it was branded into my brain with a hot iron. It felt like I became a butterfly myself."
"Whew, I'm still caught up in that thrill too, and since you're especially sensitive to music, it must be worse for you."
"I want to dance a sword dance to Scholar Cheon's melody once. Will there be a chance?"
"If there's one thing I can promise, it's that I'll make such an opportunity for you, Ran."
As Cheongyo walked while speaking to Songran, she spotted a group of women chatting while eyeing the Pure Heart Teahouse.
A chilling aura emanated from them, so she subtly increased the distance.
She knew well that women emitting such energy were martial artists.
The kind of energy martial artists called "elegant grace."
"Martial artists?"
Songran, sensing it too, asked Cheongyo.
"Seems like it. All swordswomen."
Songran shuddered and said,
"Sister, don't mind them—just keep going. I feel a chill."
Songran always got chills sensing martial artists' energy.
'Ran seems to have bad memories of martial artists.'
That's why Cheongyo worried about when Songran's memories returned.
Once Cheongyo and Songran were gone, one of the women staring at the Pure Heart Teahouse spoke.
"Is this the Little Palace Lord's hideout?"
"Yes, Elder. Third Protector Hwayeong is running the teahouse."
"Tsk, tsk. A Third Protector of the North Sea Ice Palace reduced to teahouse owner. How embarrassing. For our palace to fall this low."
"Then the Ice Sacred Body is here?"
"We're investigating, but the Little Palace Lord has several hideouts besides this one. She's even running a clinic and gathered some black path riffraff into a small gang."
"I just can't stand it. Why is everything she does so low-class? Search every nook and cranny. We need to secure the Ice Sacred Body. They don't seem to know we're here, so keep surveillance tight."
"Yes, Elder."
With that, the women vanished without a trace.
Jong Sobin stood atop a mountain peak with Pure Heart Teahouse owner Hwayeong, buffeted by winds strong enough to flip their skirts.
"What's the issue?"
At Jong Sobin's question, Hwayeong replied,
"You'll see."
Entering the mountain stronghold at the peak, they pushed aside a wooden bed to reveal a tunnel leading underground. Hwayeong lit a torch inside.
A massive rectangular block of ice stood against the tunnel wall.
Within the ice, the hazy form of a person with long hair was visible. Slender limbs suggested a youth.
"The Ice Sacred Body has thawed a bit. As you know, even in heat, this ice crystal doesn't melt, so I'm reporting to you, Little Palace Lord."
"Only the Palace Lord and I can melt the ice crystal. No one else can."
"That's why it's strange."
Jong Sobin thought for a moment before speaking.
"I can't figure out the reason either. Increase the permanent staff at the stronghold and keep watch. Report immediately if anything seems off."
"Understood. But if the real Ice Sacred Body awakens, can we reclaim the Ice Palace?"
"Of course. The Ice Sacred Body has far greater powers than even you, Third Protector, realize."
Hwayeong glimpsed hope in those words.
After the elders' rebellion stole the Ice Palace, the expectation that awakening the Ice Sacred Body would let them return filled her with warmth.