Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: All Accounts Settled
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There was one lingering issue before departing the Nangong Family.
It concerned his mother.
Just then, a letter arrived from her.
She wrote that she was currently undergoing treatment and unable to travel, but would head to the Nangong Family once her condition improved.
His mother, who had refused invitations to come to the Nangong Family, was finally agreeing to visit. That put his mind at ease.
Nangong Hak was also eager to welcome her, so it wouldn't be difficult at all.
With that worry resolved, the journey to the Hyeoncheon Sect no longer filled him with dread.
As always, stepping into a new world was thrilling.
Before leaving, he met with Jong Sobin.
"The Alliance Leader invited me to the Alliance, but I plan to stay with the Nangong Family."
He respected her decision.
"The Nangong Family is safe. You've made a wise choice."
"And I'll raise Yeowon to rival the Ice Sacred Body."
Her words carried multiple layers of meaning.
He nodded.
"I heard you're heading to the Hyeoncheon Sect. It's no easy journey—please take care."
"What about Yeoseol? Won't you see her?"
Jong Sobin shook her head.
"I intend to have no connection with Yeoseol. That's best for the child. I'll live treating Yeowon as the Ice Sacred Body. That's why I wanted to see you—to say this."
"Still no word on Elder Yu Yeongrip?"
From the perspective of raising Yeoseol, the North Sea Ice Palace elder was a concern.
"No. We've searched everywhere, but no trace."
"No trace doesn't mean they've lost interest. Stay vigilant. Any plans moving forward?"
"While staying with the Nangong Family, I'll gather the Ice Palace disciples scattered across the Central Plains. We must reclaim the palace."
"There are Ice Palace disciples in the Central Plains?"
"High experts secretly dispatched by the Palace Lord long ago. They're all her loyal followers, mortal enemies of the elder faction. They'll aid me."
Light flickered in Jong Sobin's eyes.
With her strong-willed nature, she wasn't one to sit idle.
"If there's anything I can do to help, I will."
It was respect for Jong Sobin, who didn't treat Yeoseol as Ice Palace property.
"Thank you."
Jong Sobin smiled in response.
As he left the annex, he saw Nangong Mubaek enter and converse with Jong Sobin.
There was no trace of the old scoundrel in Nangong Mubaek anymore.
Now he showed the true demeanor of a hero wielding the Nangong Heavenly Dragon Sword.
Reputation could forge a man.
And it was heartening to see Jong Sobin treat Nangong Mubaek so casually.
"Spring has arrived."
He felt they had reached an even better conclusion than when he'd first arrived at the Nangong Family.
Was that why?
Dozens of butterflies in the annex garden took flight in pairs.
It was unexpected.
That Nangong Cheolwoong had volunteered as his escort to the Hyeoncheon Sect.
"Young hero, it's no short trip—why volunteer as an escort?"
An escort to the Hyeoncheon Sect could be handled by a second-rate warrior from the Nangong Family.
But Nangong Cheolwoong was a first-rate expert from the vanguard unit.
It felt wasteful to use him merely as an escort.
"Nangong Hwajun."
"Nangong Pyo."
Two more from the Escort Bureau joined them.
"Truth be told, these two are my close friends. When I shared my recent breakthroughs, they boasted they wanted to learn from Scholar Cheon too..."
In other words, they sought to learn during the journey.
"If they're the young hero's friends, their character is assured. I can entrust the escort to them without worry."
Nangong Cheolwoong joked.
"They're a bit lacking in virtue compared to me, but they're strong laborers. Use them freely."
With Nangong Cheolwoong's massive build, Nangong Hwajun and Nangong Pyo looked like his little brothers.
Handsome young men themselves, it was easy to mistake Nangong Cheolwoong for their bodyguard.
All three from branch families, they had grown close through mutual reliance.
His departure from the Nangong Family was delayed by Nangong Hak, Jeon Ian, and Nangong Mubaek's parting words and gifts.
"This is a Vault of Heaven Sword, given only to elders in the main house. It rivals Wudang's Songmun Sword. Forged with fine tempered steel, it channels sword qi superbly."
He seemed to view him as a swordsman freely wielding sword qi.
"This is too much. An outsider can't accept it."
As a Murim Alliance veteran, he knew the Vault of Heaven Sword's value.
"Outrageous! How can you still call yourself an outsider? What of the signal code?"
"But even the youngest young master hasn't received one—how could I?"
"Hahaha! That boy's not ready yet. He needs to grasp the pinnacle's essence first."
Meaning he saw him as a pinnacle-level expert.
"With this sword, no one will dare underestimate you. Only fools ignorant of the world would attack first upon seeing it."
This single gift would let him roam the martial world carefree. His chest tightened with emotion.
'Who am I to deserve this.'
Contrary to Cheon Taesan's thoughts, Nangong Hak would gladly give ten more Vault of Heaven Swords if it meant winning Scholar Cheon's favor.
His only regret was failing to introduce his daughter before Cheon Taesan left.
He'd repeatedly urged her to visit the main house before departing for the Hyeoncheon Sect.
But no word from the busy Murim Alliance.
So he'd tried tempting Yeoseol to stay, but she scoffed.
"Big brother said all human affairs come full circle. Where there's meeting, there's parting. So don't be sad."
Now learning to read, she quoted proverbs.
"Then you know 'the absent will return' too."
"Of course. Those who leave always come back."
"That's right. Yeoseol's so clever."
"House Lord Grandpa, you're worried we won't return."
Somehow, Yeoseol had reached the level of reading people's emotions.
"Yes. That's my worry."
"Don't worry. Brother and I think of the Nangong Family as home."
"Really?"
"Yes. Who'd leave such a kind house lord?"
Nangong Hak burst into laughter. It was the first time he'd been called kind in his life.
"Hahaha! Right. Let anyone find a kinder house lord than me. Do I even charge rent? I just hint at meals."
Yeoseol gave a thumbs up.
"So why wouldn't we return?"
Nangong Hak hugged her.
"Hey! That's crossing the line, House Lord Grandpa. Big brother said not to hug strangers."
"Wahahaha!"
Nangong Hak laughed again at Yeoseol's pout.
Yet thinking he wouldn't see this adorable creature for a while filled him with gloom.
Jeon Ian told him to use the Golden Heaven Escort Bureau for any shipments or receipts.
She'd already registered his name, so mentioning Cheon Taesan would ensure top priority.
And if short on funds, borrow against his name there too.
But he had plenty of banknotes already—no need.
"If Cheolwoong isn't enough, I'll assign more escorts."
With Nangong Cheolwoong, Hwajun, and Pyo set, she still wanted to add more experts.
But he firmly refused.
Three were plenty.
And he explained why.
"Family Head, Cheolwoong has exceptional talent. I chose him as escort to share insights on the way to Hyeoncheon Sect. Same for Hwajun and Pyo."
"Hohoho, what virtue did I accrue for Scholar Cheon to come to me?"
He told Nangong Hak,
"If they need more than the Grand Chain Sword Art, may I teach it?"
"Vault of Heaven Unfettered?"
"Yes."
Branch families' best was usually the Grand Chain Sword Art.
As Nangong Hak pondered, he continued.
"This may overstep, but from inspecting families in the Inspection Unit, I found a common reason why some surpassing the Five Great Families declined."
"What is it?"
As head of one of the Five Great Families, it naturally piqued his interest.
"Families divide by status and origin for martial transmission. The Nangong Family teaches branch members the advanced Grand Chain, but others bar them from superior arts entirely."
Nangong Hak nodded gravely, listening intently.
"But talent ignores birth, doesn't it? Without access to superior arts, the number of experts dwindles, weakening the family."
Nangong Hak stroked his beard.
Seeming convinced, he pressed on.
"If vested interests segregate by origin to preserve power, decline is inevitable over time. In the martial world, the weak are culled."
Nangong Hak spoke.
"What does the signal code bearer think?"
A prompt for deeper thoughts.
"Allow branch members up to Vault of Heaven Unfettered. That's how the Five Great Families surpass even the Nine Great Sects. Vault of Heaven Unfettered outclasses Wudang or Mount Hua sword arts. With many mastering it, what fear the Nine Great Sects?"
Currently, only dozens in the Nangong Family trained Vault of Heaven Unfettered.
Most qualified by status alone; fewer than half truly comprehended it.
Thus, experts would dwindle.
"Anyone mastering Grand Chain properly should learn Vault of Heaven Unfettered. That's the path to Nangong supremacy."
Nangong Hak gazed skyward with a hearty sigh.
"In the recent Demonic Cult and Blood Cult battles, main house disciples who died untrained in Unfettered. It opened my eyes, and your words show my narrow-mindedness."
"I say this only as Family Head. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare."
"Scholar Cheon thinks so highly of me—I'm delighted. I'll push this through the elder council. And teach those three Unfettered if talented."
"Then the Nangong Family will eclipse the Nine Great Sects."
Nangong Hak gazed at him steadily.
"Know my best act as Family Head?"
As he met his eyes, Nangong Hak smiled faintly.
"Dragging Scholar Cheon here when he tried to leave elsewhere. And naming you signal code bearer."
He returned the salute, bowing properly.
Nangong Hak reciprocated with a warrior's salute, bowing deeply.
The Three Great Sword Stars of the current martial world exchanged utmost courtesy.
After Scholar Cheon left, Nangong Hak spoke to the air.
"Scholar Cheon says he's fine, but I can't risk it. Select five from the Emperor Escort Unit to shadow him secretly. Return once he enters Hyeoncheon Sect."
"Understood!"
A reply echoed from the void.