Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: The Weight of a Name
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“So, we’re clear, then?”
“……”
“I’ll take that as a yes. And since we’re following the agreement, I think it’s time I held you accountable for using force to oppress the Demonic Cult.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“What do you think I mean?”
This is what I mean!
A wicked smile touched Neung Un-bi’s lips as he took a step forward.
The moment he lifted his foot from that light step, his form glided forward, startling Peng Won-gil into a hasty retreat.
“Stop him!”
Facing such a formidable opponent, the warriors of the Peng family branch blocked his path, though they dared not draw their swords.
…They should have drawn their swords!
*Pang!*
Neung Un-bi put even more force into his second step, charging toward the warriors’ defensive line.
In the instant the warriors, bewildered, lost sight of Neung Un-bi due to his lightning-fast speed.
*Crack!*
A powerfully extended fist shattered their defensive wall.
“Keuk!”
A rising knee met the face of a warrior who was bent forward.
*Crack!*
Naturally, the warrior’s upper body was thrown back, and the hastily formed defense line couldn't possibly hold.
“Damn it! Form a sword formation! Protect the young master!”
Ah, so that’s why he seemed so young for a branch manager… he was a young master?
Well, isn’t that just perfect.
And if you were going to use a sword formation, you should have done it from the start!
The Peng family warriors belatedly tried to respond, but it was too little, too late to stop Neung Un-bi, who had already closed the distance.
Demonic energy swirled and gathered in his two fists and feet as he crouched, then burst forth in all directions in a single breath.
Lunar Eclipse, Moonlight Over the World!
*Kwang! Kwakwang! Kwangkwangkwang!*
Sounds like hammers striking iron rang out, followed by the groans of the warriors.
The Peng family warriors collapsed to the ground wherever Neung Un-bi’s fists and feet landed. Their defensive wall was as good as useless.
*Kuuung!*
As soon as he broke through the wall, Neung Un-bi leaped up and stomped on the ground, sending a sharp vibration spreading in all directions.
And Peng Won-gil, who now stood before him, unknowingly plopped down, landing hard on his rear.
It was over in an instant.
The time it took Neung Un-bi to defeat the Peng family branch warriors.
“Why, why are you doing this!?”
“……”
Peng Won-gil, forgetting the eyes of others, was flustered by the sight of Neung Un-bi, who displayed formidable martial prowess while exuding waves of demonic energy.
Neung Un-bi looked down at him with a grim smile.
Barely over twenty, he was too young to be concerned with things like saving face.
It’s not like it’s your fault.
But as the Cult Leader’s representative, I have to protect the Demonic Cult’s honor. And for that Zhuge bastard upstairs to come down, you’re going to have to take a beating, aren’t you?
“Do you think you’ll get away with this! Do you think the Peng family will let this go!”
“……”
As Peng Won-gil brought up his family, Neung Un-bi’s smile deepened.
They shouldn't let it go.
When your brothers, your father, and your family elders hear that their precious little darling got beaten up, they’ll have to come running in a fury.
I’m more curious than you are to see how they’ll react.
How that damn Peng family will act when faced with the name of the Demonic Cult.
And don’t get it twisted.
You think I won’t get away with it?
That’s something you should be worried about. After all, that justification you people love so much is on my side from the start.
*Squeeze.*
As Neung Un-bi clenched his fist with a chilling gaze, Peng Won-gil’s face turned pale.
“W-wait a minute…”
His head whipped around as he scanned the area, seemingly looking for the man from the Zhuge clan on the second floor, but did he really think that bastard would come down so soon?
“Brace yourself.”
“……!”
Neung Un-bi’s fist slammed down with force.
*Kwajik!*
Having lost all will to fight, Peng Won-gil didn’t even try to defend himself and was smashed into the ground.
“Kuaack!”
Peng Won-gil, collapsed on the dirt floor, let out a pained groan, but it was far from over.
*Thwack!*
A swift kick sent Peng Won-gil flying and tumbling across the ground.
*Step, step.*
Neung Un-bi walked slowly, one step at a time, and the bloodcurdling sound of his footsteps rooted Peng Won-gil to the spot, unable to even think of fleeing.
*Pak! Pabak!*
Neung Un-bi grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up, and relentlessly drove his fists into his body.
“Stop… Please, stop… I was wrong.”
“You’re apologizing to the wrong person.”
“……”
“You should be saying that to the members of the Demonic Cult branch you oppressed for no reason.”
Neung Un-bi’s eyes, filled with demonic energy, gleamed. He was relentless, and Peng Won-gil’s body jerked with every punch as he begged for mercy.
And those watching felt a chilling pressure weigh on their chests.
Forgiveness? Mercy?
There was none of that in Neung Un-bi’s fists. There was only cold indifference.
And yet… he doesn’t show himself.
That Zhuge bastard. Does this mean this isn’t enough?
I didn’t expect you to reveal yourself so easily.
*Thud.*
He let go of the collar, and Peng Won-gil collapsed onto the ground.
Covered in blood and dirt, he was terrified by the suffocating demonic energy emanating from Neung Un-bi. He clung to his pants, crying and pleading, begging again and again.
“P-please, spare me. I-I was wrong about everything.”
“……”
Pathetic. At this moment, the pride of the Peng family seemed to mean nothing to him.
To appoint such a greenhorn as a branch manager.
This punk who oppressed the members of the Demonic Cult, using only the name of the Peng family…
The warriors of the Demonic Cult branch must have felt even more humiliated.
They would have had to endure that contempt, unable to act rashly simply because they were from the Demonic Cult.
*Shing.*
Looking down at Peng Won-gil, who was clutching his pants, Neung Un-bi drew his Flying Swallow Sword.
The expressions of the onlookers twisted as the blade glinted coldly in the light.
“Scion of the Peng family.”
“……”
“You have admitted your own wrongdoing, so I will now hold you accountable.”
Neung Un-bi’s low, cold voice pressed down on the surroundings.
“As the representative of the Cult Leader, it would be only right to take your life for the crime of insulting the Demonic Cult with force. However, since it has not been long since the Orthodox-Demonic agreement was signed… I will take one of your arms as punishment and make an example for all the world to see.”
“……”
“Reflect on your severed arm and remember what happens when you look down on the Demonic Cult. And what happens when you use the prestige of the Peng family to intimidate others, whether they are from the Demonic Cult or not.”
“……!”
As the highly raised Flying Swallow Sword emitted a murderous glint, Peng Won-gil’s eyes widened in shock.
A warrior’s arm. It was directly tied to their life in the martial world. Only someone like Jin San had been able to rise again as a left-handed swordsman after losing an arm.
“N-no!”
Looking up, Peng Won-gil saw not a hint of hesitation in Neung Un-bi’s eyes and screamed with a look of utter despair.
*Shiiik! Thang!*
But the descending sword was stopped just above Peng Won-gil’s head.
“Young man, what are you doing!”
The one who had blocked Neung Un-bi’s sword was none other than Jin San, who had been watching the situation from a distance.
Of course, he never really intended to cut him. His grudge wasn’t with this man, was it?
He had just been trying to draw out that Zhuge bastard.
But the man didn’t appear, and a surprised Jin San had stepped in to stop him first.
“Elder! Step back!”
At Jin San’s action, Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Sakwol-dae all drew their swords and pointed them at him.
In a flash, Hyang-i’s dagger was also at his throat, its blade sharp.
But Jin San did not get angry at those who pointed their swords at him, nor did he pay any mind to the dagger at his throat.
“This is not like you.”
“……”
Neung Un-bi stared blankly at Jin San’s stiff expression.
In the end, the Zhuge bastard did not show himself.
With Jin San now involved, it seemed he had to wrap things up.
Nicely…
Organizing his thoughts, Neung Un-bi spoke to Jin San, but his words were like a question posed to the world.
“Elder.”
“Speak.”
“What is it to be ‘like me’?”
“What?”
“He oppressed members of the Demonic Cult for unjust reasons. As the Cult Leader’s representative who has come to the Central Plains, should I endure it?”
“My friend, that is not what I meant.”
“He has likely oppressed others in the same way, using the Peng family’s name. If that were the case, Elder Jin San, would you have endured it?”
“Th-that is… but this is excessive.”
“What is excessive? I came alone, and the Peng family confronted me with many. Was I the one being excessive?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. I saw what happened, so how could I blame you?”
“Then did my actions violate the agreement between the Orthodox and Demonic factions?”
“They did not. But the punishment is clearly excessive.”
“What is excessive about it?”
“His opponent is the Peng family. If you cut off the arm of a child who bears the Peng family name, how do you intend to handle the aftermath?”
“……”
At Jin San’s words, Neung Un-bi let out a scornful smile.
“The Peng family name… Was that the only reason you stopped me?”
“What?”
“The earth does not grow nameless grass.”
“……!”
A look of shame washed over Jin San’s face at the words uttered with a sneer.
…The earth does not grow nameless grass.
“Everyone has a name. And no one should be discriminated against because of the power or influence that name holds.”
“Hmm…”
“Very well. I will stop here.”
“……”
Neung Un-bi sheathed his Flying Swallow Sword.
“However, the Demonic Cult does not fear the Peng family or the Orthodox Murim Alliance. I simply acted on what I believed to be right. The reason I stopped, despite that, was out of respect for you, Elder, for seeing me as I am, not shackling me with the name ‘Demonic Cult’.”
“Eumm.”
“But since I could not make an example of him by cutting off his arm, I have failed to hold the Peng family accountable for tarnishing the honor of the Demonic Cult. I will await a wise resolution.”
Neung Un-bi gave a slight bow, then abruptly turned away.
Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Sakwol-dae, who had sheathed the swords they aimed at Jin San, followed him.
Hyang-i, after one last glare at Jin San, also sheathed her dagger and followed the group.
*Drip.*
Blood trickled down Jin San’s neck.
It was from where Hyang-i’s dagger had touched him. It seemed she had truly intended to kill him.
“Hoho, my, my…”
But the shame was greater than the pain from the wound. His face burned with it.
The words that one should not oppress others with the weight of their name.
Neung Un-bi’s words pressed down heavily on his heart.
He knew it himself.
The power of a name. Sometimes, that alone earns the respect of others, and sometimes, that alone oppresses them.
The martial world was overflowing with such people.
He began to think that perhaps Neung Un-bi had wanted to say those words to him.
Weren’t they the ones who had been pointed at for things they hadn’t even done? Simply for being the Demonic Cult…
“Hoo, I’ve lived my life in vain. I have made a great mistake. How can I face Young Master Neung now?”
Regretting the thoughtless words he had uttered, Jin San watched Neung Un-bi’s back as he approached the warriors of the Demonic Cult branch.
“Jeong Hyo-sang, Branch Manager of the Three Gates Crossing, greets the Third Young Master.”
“I am Neung Un-bi.”
“I apologize. We have shown you a disgraceful sight.”
Jeong Hyo-sang apologized with a grim face, but Neung Un-bi paid it no mind.
“It’s fine. It’s not your fault. I know you couldn’t draw your swords or use force even if you wanted to.”
“We…”
“Let’s go to the branch for now.”
He didn’t blame them. He could have berated them for showing such a pathetic side…
Moreover, Jeong Hyo-sang couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion at the sight of Neung Un-bi, who had stepped forward personally, knowing full well it was the Peng family and that it would worsen relations with the Orthodox Murim Alliance.
“Escort the Third Young Master! We’re heading to the branch!”
“Yes!”
The expressions of the branch warriors were no different from Jeong Hyo-sang’s.
Their faces were filled with emotion and a loyalty befitting those looking upon their future master. As they lined up on both sides to escort him, their bearing was quite imposing.
But Neung Un-bi only wanted to leave the place as quickly as possible.
Hadn’t he just spouted some nonsense?
The earth does not grow nameless grass?
Damn it, why did that saying suddenly pop into my head… It was a pain trying to make it fit.
Anyway, even if I explained it terribly, Jin San looked like he understood it perfectly, so that’s good enough.
I can just leave the rest to him.