Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Ruffian
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“Puhahaha!”
The Head of the Baekri Family, Baekri U, burst into a long fit of laughter.
The Baekri Family Steward had just brought information that the opponent set to duel the Young Lord of the Baekri Family, Baekri Jang-won, was none other than the Jade-Faced Righteous Hero, the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.
“So you’re telling me that the one who will duel our Jang-won is the Young Lord of the Namgung Family?”
“That is correct, Family Head.”
“Excellent. This is truly excellent news. Isn't this a joyous occasion? Hahahaha!”
Anhui had been in an uproar over the Namgung Family suddenly kicking down the door and re-entering the world of martial arts, but now, an event had occurred that could quell it all at once. The Baekri Family Head, Baekri U, couldn't hide his delight.
“However, Steward.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Isn't this a bit too easy? Was there nothing strange? Could it be that those Namgung bastards are plotting something else? Then again, they aren't the type to pull such stunts.”
“That's why I also found it strange and investigated the matter in detail.”
“And?”
“To state the conclusion first, the information suggests that the Young Lord of the Namgung Family is a complete and utter scoundrel.”
This was the result of Geolgae deliberately embellishing the story.
No, from Geolgae's perspective, he had only leaked the information as it was. He had wanted to add more details as Namgung Urin had intended, but doing so would have made the man seem less than human, so he had regretfully held back.
“Steward, how could such a scoundrel get involved in something like this? His father, Namgung Yul, wouldn't have just stood by, would he?”
The Baekri Family Head wasn't ignorant.
Someone of the Namgung Young Lord's stature would surely want revenge on the Baekri Family. But for a person with his rumored character to get involved in a matter where his life was on the line?
Knowing he would die?
Furthermore, it was unthinkable that the Head of the Namgung Family, Namgung Yul, would permit such a momentous affair.
“They say that Young Lord has had a knack for causing trouble since he was a child. He always acts on a whim and has never been restrained by anyone. Rumor has it that the Namgung Family Head has been suffering from headaches because of him lately.”
“Hoho. My, my. How could such a person be born into the Namgung clan? Then again, it's about time for Namgung. They're a family on the decline, after all. Hahaha.”
“However, Family Head, they say that Young Lord possesses considerable martial skill. He was apparently called a genius since he was young.”
“How strong can a whelp who hasn't even reached adulthood be? Think of our Jang-won, who was hailed as a genius among geniuses, at that age. It was only after meeting *that person* that he became as strong as he is now.”
The Young Lord of the Baekri Family, Baekri Jang-won, was exactly thirty years old this year.
“You are right, Family Head. No matter how outstanding the talent, there's not much one can achieve at that age. Perhaps just enough to beat up some lowly thugs.”
He was referring to the deeds that had earned him the title of Jade-Faced Righteous Hero.
“Hahaha. What a character. Is there anything else? This is getting interesting. Come to think of it, I do recall hearing a long time ago that the child who would become the Namgung Young Lord was a bit strange. I heard he caused a fair bit of trouble too.”
“That's right. He fundamentally lacks etiquette… Ah, and they say he called the Leader of the Beggars' Sect the 'King of Beggars.' Isn't that absurd?”
“What? King of Beggars! Haha. Puhahaha. Well, he’s not wrong. That fellow is quite clever. Hahaha.”
Had Namgung Urin been present, he would have nodded, agreeing that he was indeed clever.
“Steward.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“We need to raise the stakes. We must use this opportunity to firmly establish that the Namgung Family is beneath our Baekri Family.”
“Your command, my lord.”
“It seems our Jang-won’s opponent is too easy, which might bore the spectators. I think it would be best to hold a warm-up event, a duel between five of our warriors and five from Namgung.”
“In that case, I will set the age limit to under thirty-five.”
“I believe the Namgung Family's members are on the younger side.”
“Do you think the spectators will care about age? They'll be focused on who wins and who loses.”
“True. Hahaha.”
“And, shall we propose that the duel be a deathmatch?”
“No. It would not be good to see blood before Jang-won’s duel.”
“Understood. However, I doubt the Namgung Family Head will accept this.”
“Can’t we just deliver the proposal directly to that Young Lord fellow? Once it’s decided, there will be nothing that Namgung Yul can do. Hahaha.”
“Of course. Hahaha.”
Thus, the Baekri Family began preparing to celebrate a joyous occasion.
* * *
“Young Lord.”
Seo I-ryeong called out to Namgung Urin as he finished his training.
“You’re out here again today.”
Seo I-ryeong watched Namgung Urin train every single day. He was incredibly handsome, exceptionally skilled in martial arts, and on top of that, the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.
She was diligently trying to make a good impression on him. Merchant Guild Leader Seo Ju-on was also pushing her from behind.
“Young Lord. There have been some strange rumors about you circulating lately. Have you heard them?”
This was proof that Geolgae was on the move. And he was curious, too, about how Geolgae had embellished the stories.
“I have not.”
Seo I-ryeong’s gaze was particularly strange today, prompting Namgung Urin to ask.
“What is it?”
“The rumors are just so bizarre.”
“I’d like to hear them.”
“I don't know if I should. It's difficult for me to repeat everything…”
“It’s alright. They’re just rumors, aren’t they? I’ll listen with that in mind.”
“In that case, I’ll tell you everything exactly as I heard it, without filtering anything.”
“Thank you.”
Seo I-ryeong began to recount, one by one, the stories she had heard. The sum of her words could be condensed into a single term.
A complete ruffian.
Even for Namgung Urin, who paid no mind to the opinions of others, it was a bit embarrassing to hear.
“…He embellished it moderately…”
Geolgae had certainly embellished the stories moderately, just as Namgung Urin had instructed. So why did it sound so strange?
Every story was based on facts and past events.
Have I really been living like a ruffian all this time?
No.
It wasn't to that extent.
Seo I-ryeong asked.
“Young Lord. Was this really just a moderate embellishment?”
“…Well… they are rumors, after all.”
Namgung Urin was once again reminded of how frightening rumors spread by word of mouth could be.
Isn't it said that a slight difference in wording can change the entire meaning?
The words had clearly spread based on facts, yet by the time they reached the listener's ear, they felt strangely exaggerated.
For a prime example, 'Namgung Urin does not show courtesy to those who don't deserve it.'
That was true.
It was a fact.
But after that fact had been passed through a few mouths, it warped into him simply being a rude person.
It was a truly frightening thing.
“Right? That’s what I thought. Still, among them…”
Seo I-ryeong had wanted to say that some of the rumors seemed plausible, considering how Namgung Urin treated the Anhui Branch Leader.
Just then, Merchant Guild Leader Seo Ju-on and Anhui Branch Leader Geolgae approached from a distance.
Geolgae waved his hand and cheerfully opened his mouth toward Namgung Urin.
“Hey, friend. How was my handiwork?”
“…It was good.”
The handiwork of instantly turning a man into a ruffian.
He had told him to spread just enough stories to make the Baekri Family raise the stakes, not to make himself, Namgung Urin, into a complete ruffian. He had even written it down clearly in the document he gave Geolgae.
He didn't know what grudge Geolgae held against him, but it was likely the word 'ruffian' would follow Namgung Urin for the rest of his life.
It had gotten so bad that it had completely overshadowed his title of Jade-Faced Righteous Hero.
“Hahaha. I’m pretty good, right? Do you like it?”
Namgung Urin took a step toward Geolgae. In response, Geolgae unknowingly took a step back.
As a beggar, Geolgae's instincts were second to none. Furthermore, his internal energy was unparalleled in sensing danger.
That was why, without anyone else noticing, he had detected a strange aura of danger flowing from Namgung Urin's Primordial Chaos, and his body had moved back a step against his will.
“Do you think I’d like it?”
Namgung Urin took another step forward. This time, Geolgae’s instincts directly moved him, and he took another step back.
“…Ah, it seems you didn’t like it…”
“Would I? I’ve been turned into a complete ruffian.”
“That’s… that’s how…”
It had to be, for the Baekri Family to take the bait, right?
And they had taken it, hook, line, and sinker.
Namgung Urin took another step forward. As expected, Geolgae stepped back.
“It seems you still don’t know what a ruffian is…”
“…Ah, I do. I know… but I wasn’t the one who…”
“You did it. You embellished the stories. Am I wrong?”
“Ri-right. B-but you know how people talk…”
“I know. I know how frightening people’s words can be. But I’m curious why someone who knows that better than anyone would do this.”
“Ea-eagerly! Th-that’s right! I was just working too eagerly, that’s what happened.”
“Right, eagerly. Eagerly grab your Dog-Beating Staff.”
“The D-D-Dog-Beating Staff? Why?”
“Hurry.”
“M-Merchant Guild Leader. Y-Young Lady. You have to stop him.”
Merchant Guild Leader Seo Ju-on and Seo I-ryeong didn't know what to do. They simply couldn't believe the situation.
The Anhui Branch Leader was flustered by the Young Lord of the Namgung Family.
Strictly speaking, considering their respective ages and standings in the martial world, it was something that should never have happened, yet it was.
In any case, it was an earnest plea from the Branch Leader, was it not?
So, both the Merchant Guild Leader and Seo I-ryeong spoke up.
“Young Lord… P-please calm down…”
“Young Lord… He’s still the Anhui Branch Leader…”
“No. I need to teach this beggar bastard a lesson.”
“…”
‘B-beggar bastard…’
He’s the Anhui Branch Leader.
The man who will become the next Leader of the Beggars' Sect.
“What…”
“What a real ruffian is.”
“…”
The Merchant Guild Leader fidgeted anxiously.
The Anhui Branch Leader, the next in line to lead the Beggars' Sect, here at the Hoyeon Merchant Guild…
The mere thought was terrifying.
Namgung Urin’s words continued.
“What are you doing? Not grabbing your Dog-Beating Staff. You know what happens if you try to run from here, right?”
He knew.
He had seen the five Azure Sky Sword Brigade members training… no, getting beaten mercilessly. There was no way he wouldn't know.
If he tried to run and got caught, then…
A literal hell would unfold.
In truth, he couldn't run. Did he think the Azure Sky Sword Brigade members ran because they didn't know that?
Their bodies.
Their bodies had reacted on their own!
“Friend…”
“I told you we’re not friends. And hurry up and grab your Dog-Beating Staff. That’s the only way you’ll block even a single blow.”
No.
If he tried to block and that brute of a man broke his Dog-Beating Staff…
Then he would be beaten to death by his master again.
Getting it over with in one go was the best option.
“Just…”
“You’ll just take it?”
“…Yeah.”
“It makes no difference to me.”
The moment he finished speaking, Namgung Urin’s fist flew toward Geolgae’s face.
Thwack!
“Aigo!”
Namgung Urin’s fists did not stop.
Thwack-thwack-thwack!
“I’m dying!”
Just then, the Merchant Guild Leader’s eldest son, Seo I-on, who was rushing over from a distance, was so shocked he was momentarily at a loss for words.
“…What is that…”
What on earth was happening?
The Merchant Guild Leader was fidgeting and stamping his feet in anxiety. Seo I-ryeong, who had managed to keep her wits about her, saw her older brother, Seo I-on.
“Brother!”
Only then did Seo I-on regain his sense of urgency.
Seo I-on hurriedly approached the Merchant Guild Leader and whispered in his ear.
“What?! Is that true?”
“Yes. They are on their way here now.”
The Merchant Guild Leader let out a great sigh of relief, thinking it was a stroke of immense luck.
“Young Lord, the Head of the Namgung Family and the Leader of the Beggars' Sect are on their way here.”
So what.
Namgung Urin’s fists showed no sign of stopping.
The Merchant Guild Leader’s shoulders flinched with every one of Anhui Branch Leader Geolgae’s screams.
“Ah.”
Seo I-on whispered in the Merchant Guild Leader’s ear again.
The Merchant Guild Leader spoke again.
“The Young Lord’s mother, Lady Yeonhwa, is also on her way.”
“…”
As if by magic, Namgung Urin’s fists came to a sudden halt.
Why would his mother come all the way here?
Now, it was Namgung Urin’s turn to tremble with anxiety.