Chapter 25
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Young Talents of the Martial World (1)
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Around the pond of the Yangyang Zhuge Family, the laughter of young men and women mingled with the sound of rain.
In the center of the pond stood a grand pavilion, which martial artists called the Orchid Pavilion.
The lush orchids lining the pond's edge and the vibrant flowers that bloomed brilliantly in summer were so enchanting that even renowned poets and scholars couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
The nine young people gathered in the pavilion consisted of five men and four women.
Each of the women was so beautiful that it was impossible to rank them above the orchids blooming in the pond.
The men, too, were dashing without compare, brightening the atmosphere even more.
Yet amid this lively mood sat one young man with a darkened expression that clashed with the rest—none other than Namgung Hu of the Namgung Family.
Namgung Hu had spent the past few days wandering near Heavenly Mountain in search of his junior brothers before arriving at the Zhuge Family late last night.
Zhuge Ji, who had been sipping tea and listening to the others with a smile, turned her gaze toward him.
"Does Young Master Namgung have some unspoken worry?"
Namgung Hu, who had been sitting in the corner admiring the pond's orchids, responded nonchalantly.
"No, Miss Zhuge. What worry could I possibly have?"
Namgung Hye, sitting beside Zhuge Ji and chatting away, shot a glare at her older brother.
"Last night, you looked like a total beggar. I have no idea what you've been up to before coming here."
"I had no idea my lovely sister was so worried about me. Well? Will you prepare a drinking spread for your brother?"
As Namgung Hye's eyes flashed fiercely, Zhuge Ji laughed and rose from her seat.
"Stay seated, sister. As the host, I'll prepare the drinks."
As Zhuge Ji stood, Zhuge Ho, seated across from her, quickly intervened.
"Please stay put, sister. I'll take care of it."
With Zhuge Ho leaving the pavilion in her stead, a young monk called out loudly.
"Young Master Zhuge! The more generous the snacks, the better—and the richer the aroma of the wine, the finer!"
Hahaha...
The young monk's shout drew a hearty laugh from the Murong Family heir beside him.
"Myeong-gak, you're as lively as ever."
Myeong-gak, a disciple of Shaolin, was also present and had been staying at the Zhuge Family for ten days already.
At that moment, a young Taoist in a blue robe flashed a mischievous grin.
"I wonder if Divine Monk knows his disciple neglects his training for nothing but wine and meat."
Puhahaha.
Myeong-gak let out a frivolous laugh before suddenly clasping his hands together with a stern expression.
"Cheongpung, you must keep this secret even unto the grave."
Hahaha...
The young martial prodigies burst into laughter at Myeong-gak's antics.
A short while later, amid the falling rain, a drinking spread was laid out in the pavilion.
Though the cups were filled, Namgung Hu—the one who had requested it—didn't touch his wine.
Worried, Namgung Hye personally filled a cup and offered it to him.
"You asked for drinks, brother. Please, have some."
Namgung Hu accepted the cup with a faint smile and drained it in one go.
He then refilled and emptied it again in quick succession.
"Brother, take it slow. Have some snacks too."
"Don't worry. When have I ever gotten drunk and caused a scene?"
As the wine flowed, the mood grew even more jovial.
"What was it like meeting the head of the Huanin Seok Family in person?"
To Zhuge Ji's question, Myeong-gak replied with his mouth stuffed full of meat.
"Rare sight... crunch crunch... a true gentleman. If the chance arises... crunch crunch... visit the Seok Family yourselves."
"If even you say so, Myeong-gak, he must be as good as the rumors say. With skills so formidable he sliced Ma Bok-gye—the Life-Escaping Sword—with a single strike. But since our families haven't made connections yet, it won't be easy to visit."
There were several masters in the martial world known as Life-Escaping Swords.
But in Huguk, the title belonged solely to Ma Bok-gye.
Puhahaha.
"Why make it so complicated, Miss Zhuge? If you want to build ties, do it. If not, forget it. Once the rain stops, the summer sun will be brutal. Huanin County has a quaint river, and the scenery is unrivaled in the world. If you're interested, make time to see it for yourselves."
Myeong-gak hoped the Zhuge Family would forge ties with the Seok Family.
He suspected the Huanin Si Family's deep connections with the Yangyang Ma Clan, and thus worried for the Seok Family head.
That was precisely why he had come to the Zhuge Family.
Then, Peng Ok of the Peng Family, who had been quietly listening from the side, suddenly chimed in.
"Is the scenery really that stunning?"
"Amitabha, Kwanseum Bosal."
Myeong-gak clasped his greasy hands together and replied gravely.
"How could Buddha's disciple utter falsehoods? If my words were lies, I'd shame the Buddha himself."
Even the young prodigies showed keen interest at Myeong-gak invoking Buddha.
But Cheongpung of the Wudang Sect didn't fully buy it.
Having spent time with him before, he knew this Shaolin monk lied as easily as he breathed.
"Sister, once the rain stops, shall we go see for our—"
"Junior brothers and sisters!"
As Peng Ok grabbed Zhuge Ji to speak, Namgung Hu suddenly gripped a wine bottle and stood.
Namgung Hu was already quite drunk, his tongue slurring.
Kuh... ugh.
"My poor junior brothers."
The young prodigies gaped in shock at the spectacle.
Namgung Hu had never been seen drunk like this before.
He always knew his limits with drink and despised those who got rowdy when intoxicated.
The women felt the same jolt.
As the martial world's foremost handsome man, this side of him was a massive shock.
Myeong-gak, pausing mid-bite, looked up blankly at the drunken Namgung Hu and asked.
"Did Young Master Namgung have junior brothers?"
Gulp gulp...
Namgung Hu poured wine straight from the bottle into his mouth.
"I did... I had them. ...I had them. But no matter how hard I search, my junior brothers are gone."
Namgung Hye hurriedly dragged her rambling brother outside.
"Brother, that's enough. Let's go inside."
"Hye... I'm sorry. Your brother wanted to introduce you to my fine... junior brothers. The clever, deep-minded first junior brother... the honest but kind-hearted second. ...No one in the world could match those guys. Such a shame, right... what a shame. There are no others like them."
Tears welled in Namgung Hu's eyes as he muttered incoherently.
"But... but... those junior brothers vanished!"
As Namgung Hu wailed loudly, Zhuge Ho rose and pulled him by the arm.
"Enough wine, Young Master Namgung. I'll escort you to your room."
"...Junior brothers!"
Even as Zhuge Ho led him away, Namgung Hu called for his juniors.
The martial prodigies couldn't hold back their laughter at the sight.
Haha...
"What a shock, what a shock. To see the Heavenly Dragon of the Sky-Piercing Sword drunk..."
Once the two had left, Myeong-gak asked slyly.
"If his juniors vanished, they must not be Namgung Family members... Did he perhaps take outsiders as master and juniors?"
Namgung Hye had no real answer to give.
It was hard to admit her brother had taken outsiders as master and juniors, and she knew nothing about them anyway.
"I have nothing to say."
Puhahaha.
"How intriguing..."
Myeong-gak's mouth smiled, but his eyes did not.
He hadn't known the martial world's top prodigy, Namgung Hu, had juniors.
'This just got interesting. The Heavenly Dragon, who shuns mingling with others, desperately searching for someone...'
Myeong-gak pictured the juniors Namgung Hu described.
Given Namgung Hu's impeccable manners, they must be similar. Handsome faces, solid scholarship too.
'Ones even the Heavenly Dragon adores... I'd like to meet them myself.'
The elderly Gong's troubles were far from over.
He had barely escaped with his life but couldn't sleep, agonizing over how to face the Si Family.
After a sleepless night, he headed to the market and found a tree branch at the entrance.
Fuu...
A sigh escaped him unbidden.
That branch was undoubtedly the Si Family's signal to hasten the assassination.
Back at the inn, he couldn't focus on work.
A while later, he ventured to the market.
Gong sat in a dim room, waiting over half a shichen for the client.
"What the hell happened? Why is the Seok Family head still alive?"
A chilling voice came through the hole in the wall.
Gong cleared his throat and explained calmly.
"A major issue arose in the Black Moon Gate. All assassins on missions have been recalled. They'll complete existing contracts, but it'll take time. The Black Moon Gate is also suspending new requests for the time being."
Si Ju-pyeong, on the other side, couldn't hide his dismay.
"Damn it. How long must I wait? Haven't I already paid?"
Gong pushed the fee back through the hole.
"I'll return the fee."
Receiving it back, Si Ju-pyeong ground his teeth in rage.
Grind, grrind.
What kind of nonsense was this?
He had been eagerly awaiting the Seok head's death, only for it to fizzle out absurdly.
But he couldn't give up here.
"If Black Moon Gate won't take it, commission the Crimson Killing Sect."
Gong flinched but hesitated before replying.
"Y-yes, understood."
He accepted the request belatedly, but the future looked bleak.
"Handle it quickly. Time is of the essence."
"Don't worry."
Worry? This was worry incarnate.
Commissioning the Crimson Killing Sect would put more assassins on the Seok head.
If the Seok head died, those fearsome hunters wouldn't sit idle, and his own neck would be at risk.
'What now? Can't pass it to Crimson Killing Sect, but can't let the Seok head live either...'
Haa...
With no clever solution, only sighs piled up.
'Must I resort to the last measure?'
The last measure: clear out the request site and explain to various assassin sects.
But that would take time, and meeting them wasn't easy.
Deep in thought, Gong summoned a young man.
"Commission the Crimson Killing Sect."
The young man, grasping the situation, asked worriedly.
"Are you sure about the Crimson Killing Sect?"
"In this bind, it seems the only way."
"Understood."
Gong slipped out into the darkness, his steps heavy.
"Hey, Gong! Fresh pork from this morning!"
The butcher's call made Gong compose himself.
"Oh? Let me see how good the meat is."