Chapter 23
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Tiger Saber
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Uncle! That one! I like that one!
Hahahaha. So my dear Hyang likes that fellow! Should I capture him alive and drag him before you? What would you like me to do!
The girl on his shoulders had a great saber, as large as her own body, tied firmly to her back. The middle-aged man, effortlessly supporting both the girl and the saber, laughed heartily.
Yeah! But why is everyone making such a fuss over something like that? He's just pointing out what's wrong!
Hahaha. That's right. That's right.
The girl was pointing to the stage of the Sword Branch Assembly, where things had quieted down after the commotion caused by one of the wives of Namgung Mubaek, the head of the Namgung family, and a brief recess was being held.
But why are they making such a big deal out of it, Uncle?
The middle-aged man watched the girl with delight and let out a booming laugh.
Hyang. This is the Namgung family. As I've told you before, they're quite renowned in the martial world for those flimsy swords of theirs.
Mm.
That's why they're making a fuss. He's exposed an inconvenient truth that everyone was trying so hard to hide. People will struggle desperately to protect the privileges they hold and the things they've built up.
Ooh... But he's the one who did that?
The girl called Hyang playfully swatted at the middle-aged man's face with her open palm. Despite the mischievous prank, the man accepted her playfulness with a pleased expression.
As he endured her antics, the middle-aged man's smile vanished.
He had sensed a presence.
I enjoyed listening to your discourse on the ways of the martial world, Great Warrior Paeng. Or should I say, Great Warrior Tiger Saber.
The approaching man, dressed in a white martial arts uniform with a taegeuk symbol embroidered on the sleeves, clasped his fist in a salute toward the middle-aged man.
It seems the Nine Sects are quite interested now that the young lords of the Namgung family are making an appearance. Heave-ho.
Without even turning his head toward the man, he lifted the girl off his shoulders with his log-like arms and offered her a warm smile.
Hyang.
Yeah!
The middle-aged man smiled gently, his eyes warm as he looked at his niece.
Your uncle is craving some sweets. Could you go buy one? Get something for yourself, too.
Sweets! Yeah, yeah! Okay! I'll be right back!
Hyang snatched the silver coin from the man's hand and dashed off toward the marketplace, which was filled with the tantalizing aroma of food. She was so swift that she vanished from sight in an instant.
The moment the girl disappeared, his warm gaze turned sharp. The man facing him put on an exaggerated expression of surprise, as if staggered by the heavy aura that seemed to shake the very air around them.
So that's the girl. The one they say is the most cherished by Paeng Gak, the Tiger Saber, and the most promising young talent of the Hebei Paeng family.
She's only ten.
Great Warrior Paeng is famous for not taking any disciples, even from the Hebei Paeng family, yet she is his only one. To refuse so many outstanding individuals and take your own niece... I imagine it's not just out of familial affection.
You'd do well in the Beggars' Sect, not the Wudang Sect. I see your little rats are everywhere.
I'll take that as a compliment. Boundless life.
Did you come to see the young lords of the Namgung family?
If not, there would have been no reason to travel this far.
It must be even more interesting for you, witnessing an incident like this. You've found some prime material for ridicule, I'm sure.
No matter what anyone said, the Namgung was one of the foremost of the Six Great Families. For such a family's shame to be exposed was tantamount to bringing disgrace upon the other Great Families as well.
Of course not. It is only right that the orthodox factions of the martial world share their hardships and difficulties. It is merely saddening to see the prestigious name of Namgung fall to the ground. Isn't that so, Great Warrior Paeng?
Paeng Gak turned his head to look at the man. The man was watching him with a disagreeable smile, and behind him, Paeng Gak could sense countless other presences.
Paeng Gak scanned them all.
It wasn't just Wudang.
Behind the man in the Wudang Sect's robes stood a monk, a beggar, a Buddhist nun, and several other martial artists in neat attire.
To see the Nine Sects moving in such unison, the future of the orthodox martial world seems truly bright. Isn't that right, Daoist Hyeonyeong?
Despite the sarcasm mimicking his own words, the Wudang Daoist named Hyeonyeong simply smiled, nodded, and gestured behind him.
You may already know them, but allow me to make a brief introduction. Great Monk Mogu of Shaolin. Great Warrior Jang Gyeol of Mount Hua. Great Warrior Chwita, a Four-Knot of the Beggars' Sect. Divine Nun Isak of the Emei Sect...
Paeng Gak's gaze naturally shifted behind him. These were formidable figures from the Nine Sects, far too prominent to have come merely to assess the Namgung family's young lords.
Paeng Gak recognized quite a few of them from his travels, and as their eyes met, he could feel a pure energy from some that told him they were by no means his inferiors.
As for the great warrior before us, known by the martial name Tiger Saber, he recently crushed the Mara Gyeomma in a single blow, spreading the might of the orthodox martial world far and wide. Those in the know will be familiar with him.
Hyeonyeong smiled with his narrow eyes and clapped his hands as if his role was finished. As Paeng Gak returned the fist salutes of the members of the Nine Sects One Union, Hyeonyeong's parting words reached his ears.
I pray that the power of the Six Great Families remains as boundless as it is today. Boundless life.
With the tone of someone who had seen all they needed to see, Daoist Hyeonyeong and the members of the Nine Sects departed.
As the members of the Nine Sects One Union passed by, Paeng Gak also spotted the members of the Six Great Families, standing at a distance.
He saw members of the Sichuan Dang Family, the Moyong Family, the Jegal Family, and the Hwangbo Family. However, they didn't even acknowledge one another. Each seemed busy assessing the Namgung family for themselves.
Paeng Gak realized he had come here with the same mindset as them, and at the same time, he felt a sense of unease.
I enjoyed listening to your discourse on the ways of the martial world, Great Warrior Paeng. Or should I say, Great Warrior Tiger Saber.
I pray that the power of the Six Great Families remains as boundless as it is today.
Unlike the united Nine Sects One Union, the other members of the Six Great Families were each looking to see if there was anything they could tear off from the Namgung family. Seeing this, Paeng Gak felt a chill run down his spine.
Hmm.
Just as he was trying to quell his unease by pondering Hyeonyeong's meaningful parting words.
Big brother! Big brother! Over here, over here!
It looked like a small, round ball of glutinous rice sprinkled with white sugar.
A tiny child, looking even younger than Hyang, was clinging to a boy and pulling him along. It was none other than...
...the Great Young Lord of the Namgung family?
The Great Young Lord, who had made quite an impression since the first round, had just caused a major disturbance. What was he doing here?
The eyes of the large crowd were fixed on him, but he seemed completely oblivious, focused only on taking care of the young boy.
Big brother! Big brother! I want this! This one!
Is this what Byeok wants to eat?
Paeng Gak watched the Great Young Lord, who was staring at a single sweet with a troubled expression, and the child, who was calling him 'big brother' with a bright, innocent smile.
Big brother! You don't have money?
...Why would I not have money?
Anyone could see he was flustered and had none.
Paeng Gak couldn't help but let out a dry laugh as he watched the Great Young Lord of the Namgung family.
What kind of place was the Namgung family?
He hated to admit it, but wasn't it one of the greatest sword sects of the era, led by Namgung Mubaek?
And yet, the Great Young Lord of such a sect was fretting over a sweet because he didn't have a single coin on him.
The contrast with his bold demeanor on the tournament stage just moments ago was so amusing that Paeng Gak found his gaze drawn to him. Then, his eyes widened in surprise.
If you have some money, give it here.
...What? Are you trying to extort money from me?
No. The kid wants to eat. Can't you even do that?
How much money have you already taken from me? You even put your position as Great Young Lord up as collateral.
Tch! So petty.
Petty? Pe-tty?!
Ah. I see. You don't have any money, do you?
What nonsense! Do you know who I am!
It was because of the middle-aged man standing next to the bickering Great Young Lord. He hadn't recognized him at first, only remembering a bleak and cold face, but it was definitely someone he knew.
...An Baek?
The man who was relentlessly merciless before the unorthodox factions and the demonic cult, who never showed more than a dry smile even to his allies in the orthodox factionsthe man who still commanded respect and reverence with the title of Iron-Blooded Sword Saintwas standing right before him.
He was also one of the few people in the entire martial world whom Paeng Gak truly acknowledged.
Perhaps feeling his stare, An Baek looked up. An Baek's eyes widened as well, and a smile touched his lips as he strode over.
He never expected his reunion with An Baekwho had abruptly disappeared, vowing to avenge the grudge of his departed sisterto happen like this, but what did that matter?
Overcome with emotion, Paeng Gak also strode toward An Baek. He would embrace him like a man and catch up on all the years they had missed.
But.
Got any money?
The moment they meet, he tries to bum money off him. This guy.
Munch, munch.
Namgung Byeok was happily nibbling on the sweets he held in both hands. And two people were watching him with pleased expressions.
Big brother! Here! Have some!
I have to compete in the tournament soon. You eat a lot, Byeok.
I watched them fondly for a moment before turning to the girl standing beside me and speaking softly.
I'll pay you back.
It's okay! I have lots of money!
I'm jealous of that.
Why? You don't have money? Are you a beggar?
A beggar? Is she mocking me?
But she was looking at me with eyes as pure and innocent as Namgung Byeok's, so I had nothing to say.
She must have just been curious.
I'm not a beggar. And who said you could speak to me so informally?
I was told I could. But why are you pretending to be a grown-up? You're not an adult yet, but you talk so stiffly.
In any case, I'll pay you back.
Hmm... Then pay me back with something else later!
Just like the disciple of the Tiger Saber. Ahem.
Everyone has their circumstances. More importantly, is it true your uncle goes by the martial name Tiger Saber?
Yeah! That's right.
I'd heard the name Tiger Saber before. Back when I was crawling through battlefields like a dog and rising to the rank of Commander of a Thousand, his name came up in discussions about who was the strongest in the orthodox martial world.
The number one saber of Hebei, I think it was.
And that number one saber of Hebei...
I gazed over at them.
What was I supposed to do when you disappeared without a word?
A man has to do what a man has to do.
Hah. Do you have any idea how much I suffered after you left, brother? I had to clean up all the messes.
Isn't that what you were there for?
You damn bastard!
Paeng Gak, the Tiger Saber, widely known for his magnanimity and tiger-like spirit, was acting like a child throwing a tantrum in front of my uncle.
...Was this the reason you had to leave, brother?
It's still in progress. As you can see.
At my uncle's calm response, Paeng Gak stared at me and my uncle for a long moment.
Like uncle, like nephew. It seems causing trouble runs in the family.
Is that a compliment or an insult?
Muttering that it was obviously an insult, Paeng Gak stepped forward and fixed his gaze on me.
And yet.
Paeng Gak's eyes remained locked on me as he spoke. I met his gaze.
Now, I can finally put my worries to rest.
With those words, Paeng Gak erased all memory of his earlier encounter with the members of the Nine Sects One Union and the Six Great Families.
We can write a new story. A new beginning.