Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Black Moon Sect
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Namgung Urin, who would be returning the next day, headed to Han Seo-hui’s room, filled with anticipation for some quality time with the woman he might not see for a while.
He headed there, but…
A boisterous noise was coming from Han Seo-hui’s room. It seemed Han Seo-hui and the Shadows were not the only ones inside.
His heart filled with disappointment, Namgung Urin opened the door to her room.
“…”
…Everyone was gathered there.
…When did that guy get here…
The beggar brat, who he hadn't seen all day, was now cackling with glee.
Geolgae, the chief of the Beggars’ Sect’s Anhui branch, was present.
And why was that Baekri Jang-won fellow still here?
Furthermore.
His mother, too, was smiling brightly and joyfully…
What could possibly be so amusing while they were badmouthing her precious son?
*Sigh.*
Everyone seemed to have had a drink, their faces flushed.
Han Seo-hui greeted Namgung Urin with a face full of laughter.
“You’re here?”
Lady Yeonhwa also welcomed her son lovingly.
“You’ve arrived. Come and sit here. No, sit next to the Sect Leader.”
Lady Yeonhwa had accepted Han Seo-hui as her son’s woman. It wasn’t because Han Seo-hui, the Leader of the Iron Blood Sect, was good for this reason or that. She was the woman her son loved, and that alone made her look beautiful in her eyes.
Wasn’t she the woman who made her son, the person Lady Yeonhwa cherished most in the world, smile?
That was why.
In truth, besides her age, Han Seo-hui lacked for nothing.
Her background, her character, her face—wasn't she overflowing in every aspect, far from being deficient?
In what situation would the Leader of the Iron Blood Sect ever be outmatched?
As Namgung Urin sat down, he threw a remark at Geolgae.
“Beggar, when did you get here?”
“I just arrived myself.”
At that moment, Lady Yeonhwa intervened.
“Urin. I told you to call him ‘big brother,’ didn’t I?”
He thought he could call Geolgae ‘big brother’ without much fuss, but honestly, it wasn’t easy.
The man’s character just didn’t command it.
“…Ah.”
“Not ‘ah,’ ‘big brother.’”
Geolgae shook his head frantically, motioning for him not to, but with Lady Yeonhwa watching intently, Namgung Urin had no choice.
“…B-…ig brother.”
Jang Gae, ever the caring master, stepped in.
“My lady.”
“Yes.”
“How about we just let these boys do as they please?”
“Isn’t it unseemly to watch?”
“What can we do? That’s just how the martial world works. So, my lady…”
*Hiccup.*
Geolgae suddenly started hiccuping.
*Hiccup.*
“This disciple of mine is like this. How hard must things be for him to act this way? So please, my lady, think of it as saving a life and let it pass.”
*Hiccup.*
“…Very well. Urin, you may act as you usually do.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
As if by magic, Geolgae’s hiccups stopped.
The briefly quieted atmosphere shifted with Han Seo-hui’s words.
“So? So what happened next?”
With Han Seo-hui’s cue, the Shadows began to chatter excitedly again. Everyone burst into laughter, finding the stories amusing.
They all enjoyed themselves, sharing drinks and food, their laughter blooming like flowers.
For a full four hours.
Among them, the only one not having a good time was Namgung Urin.
Damn it.
* * *
The next day, everyone left the Bright Moon Pavilion.
Han Seo-hui returned to the Iron Blood Sect, Baekri Jang-won to the Baekri Family, and Seo I-ryeong to the Hoyeon Merchant Guild. The Beggars’ Sect Leader, Jang Gae, and the Anhui branch chief, Geolgae, set off for some unknown destination.
Though, they would probably find their way to the Namgung Family soon enough.
As for Zhuge Siyeon…
She headed to the Namgung Family estate with Namgung Urin’s party. Baekri Jang-won had asked her what she was going to do there and invited her to come with him to the Baekri Family instead. He even offered to escort her to the Zhuge Family whenever she wished.
Namgung Urin had also nudged her to go.
But.
“Don’t even dream of it!”
She had coldly rejected Baekri Jang-won’s kindness… or perhaps his ulterior motives.
However.
“My dreams are my own, not yours. So I shall dream as much as I please.”
With that, Baekri Jang-won turned away coolly and headed toward the Baekri Family.
Thus, everyone departed for their respective places.
Upon returning to the family estate, Namgung Urin immersed himself in training like a madman. No, he had to. With so many things to learn, he had no other choice.
He also had to master the contents of the book on primordial arts given to him by Sa Jung-u, the master of the Primordial Chaos Village.
He wanted to learn them.
The thick tome Sa Jung-u had given him contained not only illusionary arts but also the cloning technique Sa Jung-u had displayed that day, along with knowledge of various other spells and techniques.
Still, Namgung Urin decided to prioritize the God-Annihilating Sword. The more he practiced it, the broader and deeper his understanding of the sword became.
It was having a profound influence on his other sword arts as well.
Several days passed like this.
“Family Head. The head of the Martial Alliance’s Anhui branch wishes to see you.”
“The head of the Martial Alliance’s Anhui branch?”
“Yes, sir.”
The head of the Martial Alliance’s Anhui branch…
Right.
Wasn’t he the man who had served as the judge on the day of the duel between the Namgung and Baekri families?
“Send him in.”
Jeong Cheol, the head of the Martial Alliance’s Anhui branch, had come to the Namgung Family.
Jeong Cheol entered the Namgung Family Head’s office.
“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Jeong Cheol, head of the Martial Alliance’s Anhui branch.”
“A pleasure to meet you. But this isn’t our first time, is it? Weren’t you the one who provided such a fair and just judgment that day? Hahaha.”
“Hahaha. You are too kind. It was my duty as a judge.”
“I appreciate you saying so. Do you like tea?”
“I will not refuse.”
Namgung Yul, the Family Head, personally served the tea.
Seeing this, Jeong Cheol laughed, impressed. For a man of the Namgung Family Head’s stature to brew and pour tea himself was remarkable.
“We are short on people in the family right now, so I have no choice. Hahaha.”
“Not at all. It is a fine sight to behold. No, this should be known throughout the land! Everyone should see and learn from the Family Head’s example.”
“Hahaha. Please don’t say that. I’m only doing this out of necessity, so spare me the flattery.”
“Anyone who heard that would think it was true. Hahaha.”
In reality, the Namgung Family was currently overflowing with both fame and fortune. It was just that they were indeed short on people.
After pouring tea for Jeong Cheol, Namgung Yul sat down and asked.
“I am curious. Why have you come to our family? I must admit, I’m a bit nervous.”
“Hahaha. There is no need for that. I have not come on the orders of the Martial Alliance Leader.”
“Then, what is it?”
He had no other reason to be here.
“Actually… I am no longer the head of the Martial Alliance’s Anhui branch.”
“Which means…”
“Yes. I was fired.”
“…How did that happen?”
“I don’t mean to burden you with this, Family Head.”
“It’s alright. Please, speak.”
“It’s absurd, but I was fired because my judgment that day was deemed not impartial.”
“…Puhahahaha! Hahaha. Ah, I apologize for laughing. It’s just that I couldn’t help it. Hahaha.”
“It’s quite alright. It truly is an absurd situation that one can only laugh at.”
“So, have you come to our Namgung Family to tell us to take responsibility for you?”
Jeong Cheol waved his hands in denial.
“Ah, no. Responsibility? Absolutely not. It’s just that…”
“It’s fine, speak freely.”
“I came here hoping to be indebted to the Namgung Family.”
“Hahaha. Very well.”
“A-Are you serious?”
“I am. If a master like you were to stay with our family, it would be nothing but a boon for us.”
Most martial clans have individuals known as guest elders. It is a position enjoyed by masters renowned in the martial world. They live within the clan, receiving ample support while living a life of leisure, but they must display their skills when the clan is in danger or at a crucial moment.
“Since you have accepted so readily, I will be frank. In this chaotic martial world, I dared to think that I wanted to walk the same path as the Namgung Family.”
“Hahaha. It feels good to be held in such high esteem by you.”
“High esteem? Not at all. If anything, I regret that my tongue is too short to praise you more highly. The only ones who can set the current martial world right are the Namgung.”
“Hohoho. Anyone who overheard that might get the wrong idea.”
He meant they might mistake the Namgung for a family seeking to unify the martial world.
“Ah. If you heard it that way, I apologize.”
In his heart, Jeong Cheol wished the Namgung would harbor such ambitions.
“However, the support we can offer might be a bit stingier than other places.”
This was because all of the Namgung’s money was in the hands of his sister-in-law, Lady Yeonhwa.
“Haha. That is fine. I would be grateful if you treated me not as a guest elder, but as a member of the Namgung family.”
“Hahaha. I’m glad to hear that. Still, if there is anything you desire, do not hesitate to ask. We will support you.”
“In that case… I have another request.”
“What is it?”
“I have subordinates who follow me. Would you be willing to accept them as well?”
“If they share the same ideals as you, I would welcome them. How many are there?”
“Thirty men. But…”
“Hahaha. There’s more? Don’t worry, speak freely.”
“I have no family to support, but my subordinates have quite a few dependents…”
“Do not worry. Did you not see on your way in?”
“See what…”
“Our family estate is completely empty right now.”
“Ah, I did see that.”
The Namgung estate, which once housed thousands, was now home to far less than a thousand people. As a result, everyone was living in the inner courtyard. The outer courtyard was so desolate it felt like ghosts might appear.
“When you arrive, you can all stay in the outer courtyard.”
“Thank you. The generosity of the Namgung is truly different.”
“Hahaha. It’s nothing.”
If anything, these people would be a great help to the Namgung.
And so, the power of the Namgung Family grew a little stronger.
Time flowed like water, and half a year passed in a flash.
During that time, Baekri Wu, the Head of the Baekri Family, came and went from the Namgung estate. He knelt before the Namgung Family Head and all its members.
But no one took any pleasure in it. No one felt a sense of satisfaction.
Instead, tears flowed.
No one knew the meaning of those tears.
There was no sadness, no anger.
The tears simply flowed like a river, like the passage of time.
The members of the Namgung Family’s Azure Sky Sword Brigade once again consumed an elixir that increased their internal energy by fifteen years.
The 150 members of the Great Yeon Sword Brigade, who had not yet reached adulthood (18 years), also consumed it.
The guards consumed it.
The members of the Black Serpent Faction consumed it.
Jeong Cheol and his party consumed it.
In half a year, the Namgung Family had grown in stature once again.
Namgung Urin was so engrossed in his training that it worried the Namgung Family Head, Namgung Yul, and Lady Yeonhwa.
There were times when he would go for ten days straight without eating, drinking water, or even sleeping, lost in his training.
Namgung Urin was relentlessly pushing himself to his limits.
* * *
Yueyang, a city in Hunan bordering Dongting Lake.
The colossal Martial Alliance, which supported all the orthodox factions in the Central Plains. There, in the most central and tallest pavilion, in the Alliance Leader’s office at the very top.
“Have you found out?”
The Martial Alliance Leader, Moyong Gu, asked his daughter, Moyong Hye, who held the position of the Martial Alliance’s chief strategist.
“Yes, Father. The Illusionary Shadow Sect is still unresponsive.”
“Are you sure this Illusionary Shadow Sect even exists?”
“Yes, Father. It is not just a rumor; there have been quite a few who have directly commissioned them. And all their commissions were completed perfectly.”
“That’s enough. If something is out of reach, there’s no need to stand on tiptoe waiting for it.”
“Understood. Then what should we do? The only other place with such capabilities is the Black Moon Sect.”
The Black Moon Sect was known in the martial world as the greatest organization of assassins.
“We have no choice. Commission the Black Moon Sect.”
“What will you do if they fail, or if they succeed but are exposed and eliminated?”
The Martial Alliance Leader, Moyong Gu, often used the Black Moon Sect to handle his personal affairs.
“It’s fine. Tools are meant to be used without reservation, and when their purpose is served, they are discarded without a second thought. Remember that, Hye.”
“I understand, Father.”