Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: An Old Acquaintance
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Namgung Hak told him not to worry since they were here, and even sent the escort unit back.
Of course, his true intention was obvious. He wanted to separate them from the Alliance Leader's men.
After parting ways with Kang Jeong-gil, Neung Un-bi was guided to a grand pavilion located quite a distance from the center of the Orthodox Murim Alliance headquarters.
As soon as he stepped inside, music began to play, and dancers waiting in the center of the banquet hall started their performance, their flowing garments fluttering.
"Come, have a seat. There is plenty of room, so tell your guards to sit as well."
"..."
As Neung Un-bi took his seat, maids filled the table with alcohol and food.
The aroma of the alcohol alone revealed it to be a fine vintage, and the mere sight of the food was enough to make one's mouth water.
"Now, let's eat. Why is everyone just standing around?"
At Namgung Hak's words, Neung Un-bi nodded, but the Lunar Eclipse Squad members hesitated, chopsticks in hand.
They were guards. Although they had taken the offered seats out of necessity, how could they enjoy a feast surrounded by so many people from the Orthodox Faction?
Of course, the moment the signal was given, Hyang-i began stuffing food into her mouth before anyone could stop her.
Alcohol, side dishes...
She showed no restraint whatsoever. If that was a talent, it was certainly a talent.
[M-Maid... We're in the presence of the Orthodox Faction. Your dignity...]
[Shut up. They served this food to be eaten. Why worry about dignity?]
Hyang-i scoffed at Wang Cheon's telepathic message.
She had a point. It was also impolite to hesitate before food that had been served to be eaten.
"Everyone, eat. Just go easy on the alcohol..."
"Yes!"
Once Wang Cheon gave the order, the Lunar Eclipse Squad finally began to move their chopsticks diligently.
Neung Un-bi also enjoyed the banquet. The elders sitting beside him offered him drinks one after another, showering him with endless flattery and praise.
How the Heavenly Pillar Gate was, how the Zhongnan Sect was...
Since Jin San, out of consideration for Neung Un-bi, had declined the banquet and left, the elders acted with even more freedom.
Everything was so splendid that there was nowhere his eyes didn't wander, and the continuous music made it impossible not to listen.
However, his heart was not in it.
Neung Un-bi's attention was focused solely on the man called Elder Hwang.
He tried to suppress his excitement to avoid showing it, but he couldn't help his gaze from repeatedly drifting toward him.
The Third Elder of the Orthodox Murim Alliance, Hwang Byeong-chan.
He was definitely *his* man. A man who had shared their ideals and dedicated himself to changing the Murim.
But why was he with this group of people?
And why did he seem so close to them?
Suddenly, he recalled Jeong Chi-su's words.
That he had seen *him* with those bastards...
He couldn't understand what had happened.
What on earth had changed in thirty years?
"Young Master Neung, are you feeling unwell?"
"Pardon?"
"It's just that you're barely eating... And you don't seem to be concentrating on the conversation..."
"Ah..."
At Namgung Hak's words, Neung Un-bi, though inwardly flustered, managed a faint smile.
It seems it was obvious.
"The banquet is so magnificent that I was taken aback. It seems I've made a mistake."
"Haha, doesn't the Demonic Cult have many gatherings of this caliber?"
"We do, but... somehow, the feeling is different."
"Is that so? Well, I'll have to praise Elder Hwang for this."
"...May I speak to him directly? He must have gone to great trouble to prepare such a gathering."
"Oh! The Third Young Master himself?"
"If it's alright..."
"Of course it's alright! Elder Hwang will be very pleased."
Namgung Hak laughed cheerfully and called for Hwang Byeong-chan.
"Elder Hwang!"
"Yes."
"Come over here. The Third Young Master wishes to express his gratitude to you."
At Namgung Hak's gesture, Hwang Byeong-chan hurried over.
"Is it to your liking?"
"Pardon? Yes. Very much so. Thanks to you, I feel that coming to the Orthodox Murim Alliance was the right decision."
"Haha, that's a relief. I was worried for some time what I would do if it wasn't to your liking."
"Not to my liking? Not at all."
Neung Un-bi waved his hands dismissively while studying Hwang Byeong-chan closely.
It was definitely him. His hair had turned white and his face was full of wrinkles, but he was undoubtedly the man he remembered.
"Haha, it seems the Third Young Master has taken quite a liking to Elder Hwang."
"Pardon? Yes..."
"Excellent. In that case, may I have Elder Hwang attend to you during your stay, Third Young Master?"
"...?"
Neung Un-bi couldn't hide his surprise.
He's assigning him to my side?
"Haha, I'm not just saying this because I've known him for a long time, but this Elder Hwang is a truly fine man. You'll find him quite useful by your side during your stay."
"..."
It was an offer he couldn't have hoped for. He already had so many questions, so he was actually grateful for the chance to keep him close.
Of course, he would be a sort of watchdog. Furthermore, he would be a barrier to prevent him from meeting the Alliance Leader alone again.
But one question remained unanswered.
Why did Namgung Hak trust him so much?
If he was the head of the elders, then he stood on the opposite side of not only himself, but also the Alliance Leader.
A hypocrite who must be eliminated for the future of the Orthodox Faction.
And Hwang Byeong-chan had earned the trust of such a man?
Neung Un-bi couldn't figure out their relationship at all, and his mind was a tangled mess.
What had happened to *him* that led Hwang Byeong-chan to side with Namgung Hak?
In the meantime, countless words were exchanged, but with his mind preoccupied, none of them registered.
Before long, the night deepened, and the banquet came to an end.
The elders gathered to see Neung Un-bi and his party off.
"Young Master Neung, let's see each other often during your stay."
"If you would, I would be most grateful."
As Neung Un-bi feigned sincerity in his farewell, Namgung Hak smiled with satisfaction.
He knew it was an act as well. The reason he didn't press further and was ready to leave was likely because he had already managed to place Hwang Byeong-chan by his side.
"Then, I shall guide you to your quarters."
"Yes."
Since the escort unit had already departed, Neung Un-bi nodded at Hwang Byeong-chan's words.
After everyone else had left and only the two of them remained, Neung Un-bi wanted to ask him the entire way to his quarters.
What had become of *him*?
And what had become of you?
But he had to hold back. As much as he desperately wanted to know, he couldn't be sure how the man had changed.
"Here we are. Please rest well. I will return tomorrow with breakfast."
"Ah, so early?"
"Of course. Elder Namgung gave the order, so that has become my duty during your stay."
"But you're an elder..."
"Haha, it's quite alright. I have Elder Namgung's approval... Well then, I shall take my leave."
Hwang Byeong-chan bowed politely and walked away.
Watching his retreating back, Neung Un-bi's heart filled with suspicion, and a chill settled in his narrowed eyes.
A man who was an elder said that the approval of Namgung Hak, not the Alliance Leader, was sufficient.
It was as good as saying that while the Alliance Leader was the master, the real power lay with Namgung Hak.
"Hyang-i."
"What is it?"
"I need you to help me with something."
"Huh?"
"From now on, find out everything you can about that man."
"...?"
At the sudden order, Hyang-i tilted her head.
"L-Lord. What do you mean? Are you saying you want to investigate an elder of the Orthodox Murim Alliance?"
A startled Wang Cheon immediately tried to object.
Right, it was out of the question.
They were here as guests. In the very heart of the Orthodox Murim Alliance, no less.
Naturally, all eyes were on them, so his every minor word and action would put their hosts on high alert.
If they were caught, it could escalate into a major conflict between the Orthodox and Demonic Factions.
That's why Hyang-i had to go.
The Orthodox Murim Alliance would only know her as a maid, and they wouldn't suspect anything if a mere maid went missing.
Also, only she could do it without getting caught.
"Lord!"
"You, be quiet."
"What?"
Just as Wang Cheon was about to object, Hyang-i suddenly stepped forward and shut him up.
"Why are there so many things you think can't be done?"
"No, that's not it..."
"Do you think your lord would ask for no reason? Can't you tell by his expression?"
"..."
At Hyang-i's rebuke, Wang Cheon's expression turned glum.
He objected because he knew. He knew that he was clearly planning to cause some trouble.
"Whatever you want to say, just hold it in this time. This is the first time the Third Young Master has ever made that expression."
"...Huh?"
At Hyang-i's words, Wang Cheon stared intently at Neung Un-bi's face, blinking his eyes.
Ju Seung and the Lunar Eclipse Squad were the same.
What on earth was different from usual?
Was there anything other than his usual 'about to cause trouble' face?
But no matter how closely they looked, they couldn't see any difference.
Only Hyang-i noticed the change in Neung Un-bi. Perhaps she heard the sound of his heart, which still hadn't calmed and was beating wildly, or maybe she sensed the fine hairs on his entire body standing on end.
"How far back should I look?"
"From about thirty years ago to the present."
"Hmm... that's a bit much, isn't it?"
"You don't have to stick to that exact timeframe."
"Alright, I get it."
"...I'll send word to Shaanxi and have some Taibai Wine prepared."
"Heh, not a bad offer, but... don't worry about it."
"Hm?"
"I was getting bored anyway, since there's not much to do inside the Orthodox Murim Alliance headquarters."
Hyang-i smiled, her dimples showing.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me. If I don't do it, you'll just go yourself."
"..."
When Neung Un-bi didn't answer, Hyang-i shook her head.
"See? That's why I have to go. If something were to happen to you, the two favors I worked so hard to get would be wasted."
"..."
"But until I get back, don't do anything rash. All eyes are on you."
"I know. I will. But you have to be careful. Don't overdo it..."
"Heh."
"..."
As Neung Un-bi continued his worried warnings, Hyang-i let out a small laugh.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"You think there's anyone here who can track me?"
"..."
"I'm not killing anyone, just looking around, right? Then it's fine."
Hyang-i was full of confidence, but Neung Un-bi couldn't feel at ease. Although he was the one who asked, it was a task that could put her in danger because of him.
But Hyang-i didn't seem to mind at all.
"I'll be back."
Waving her hand, Hyang-i disappeared into the darkness.
No one would know she was gone.
Jin San and Ung Hyeon were staying in different quarters, and the Orthodox Murim Alliance warriors were stationed far from the lodgings as a show of respect to the Demonic Cult, so only Neung Un-bi's party was there.
After staring for a long time at the spot where Hyang-i had vanished, Neung Un-bi let out a deep sigh and entered his room.
"Pyeongsu!"
"Yes, Commander."
"Form teams of five and patrol the perimeter of the quarters in shifts. Although there's no specific threat, we must be fully vigilant as the Lord is staying here."
"Understood!"
As the commander of the Lunar Eclipse Squad, Ju Seung was faithful to his duties.
"Dammit..."
However, one person, Wang Cheon, was not pleased with the current situation.
It felt as if Hyang-i had taken something from him.
"Guard Captain, let's get some rest too."
"Rest? What rest?"
"Huh?"
"I'm going to train."
"...Train? At this hour?"
"Does training care if it's day or night?!"
"..."
Wang Cheon snapped irritably and stomped away.
He believed it was all because he was weak.
Even though he had transcended his limits to the point of death with Hyang-i's help and gained something...
Ju Seung watched Wang Cheon go and sighed.
If Wang Cheon was going to be like that, what was he supposed to do?
It seemed sleep was out of the question tonight.