Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Sealed Gates
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This is Namgung territory.
Hwangbo Gyeom scoffed. He wore an expression of disbelief at the words of Namgung Seok, the White Fang Sword, who spoke as if this were truly the Namgung Familys domain.
Do you really think so? Do you believe Namgung territory still exists in Shandong? We helped you establish a branch with the castoffs from your own family, and now youve grown a spine.
At those words, the faces of the Namgung members contorted. For the members of the Namgung Family staying at the Shandong branch, it was a particularly sore spot.
...Youve been led astray.
It was Namgung Han, the head of the Shandong branch. He stepped forward, taking Hwangbo Gyeoms venomous words in stride.
What you say may be true, but it is the Namgung name that has fought tooth and nail for Shandong. Isnt it presumptuous of the Thunderbolt Fist to question it?
Hwangbo Gyeoms eyebrow twitched at his words.
Here, in the land of Shandong!
Before it is the land of Shandong, this is a front line. And it is a front line that the Namgung Family has built and maintained.
Namgung Seok, the White Fang Sword, stepped forward, cutting Hwangbo Gyeom off.
To cross the established boundary of this front line means you were the first to cross the line. The Hwangbo Family.
Squeeze.
Hwangbo Gyeoms fists clenched tightly. Was that so?
Turning his head, he saw An Baek, the Iron-Blood Sword Saint, surrounded by Namgung warriors. Lured by him and the Great Young Lord, he had come all this way without realizing it.
In the end, he had handed the justification to the Namgung Family.
Even so.
How did they manage to create an opportunity like this?
Was it right to back down now, when such a chance would never come again?
He had lost a staggering sixteen Thunderbolt Bombs. Was it right to return with no gains after suffering such a loss?
Looking at Namgung Seok and Namgung Han, who were shielding the Great Young Lord, Hwangbo Gyeom glanced at the other three members of the Five Tiger Great Fist Army.
Though their faces were pale, with four of the Five Tiger Great Fist Army, it wouldn't be impossible to inflict a fatal blow on the dying Great Young Lord and the weakened An Baek, even if they had to push themselves.
Hwangbo Gyeom prepared for a final, decisive strike.
Ill kill them both here. Even if he was captured by the authorities after accomplishing his goal, he believed Hwangbo Jung, whom he trusted and followed, would surely save him.
He believed his own sacrifice was necessary to achieve their hundred-year plan.
He clenched his fists. He put strength into his legs. All his muscles, which had been dancing, suddenly compressed.
Crrrk.
Just then.
Peeeeeeeeeeeeee
A whistle blew. Hwangbo Gyeoms face twisted at the sound.
...Had you moved, you all would have been turned into beehives.
Shhhk.
As the words of Namgung Han, the Shandong branch head, reached them, hundreds of spear tips were aimed at the members of the Hwangbo Family.
At that.
No justification,
no gains,
nothing.
Having failed to win on any front, Hwangbo Gyeoms eyes turned bloodshot.
You are surely aware of the principle that the government and the martial world do not interfere with one another.
Of course.
But if there was one thing that transcended all else, it was just cause, Hwang Cheonho began, opening his mouth.
He took a sip of his tea with a slurp, smiling faintly as he remarked that the subtle aroma and the smoothness as it went down were pleasant.
Watching him, Hwangbo Jungs cheek twitched.
Hwang Cheonho, the Asura Corps Commander.
Why had he suddenly appeared to interfere?
The aroma of the tea is quite fine.
They say it is the finest green fragrance in Shandong.
Still a man of few words.
Hwang Cheonho placed his teacup on the table. The ripples that formed on its surface seemed to constrict Hwangbo Jungs heart, making him short of breath.
What is the meaning of this? Why have you suddenly descended upon the Hwangbo Family!
The fame of the Asura Corps was well known even in the martial world.
Anywhere it was mentioned, the name was like the severe and intense cold of the northern winds and harsh snow.
For such a man to visit him without warning. This shouldn't be happening.
You seem to be the clever fox of the Hwangbo Family, but it appears you still havent grasped the situation. Didnt I just say it? If there is one thing that transcends all else, it is just cause. Furthermore, even without violating the non-interference principle, you have committed a crime.
The adjutant standing behind Hwang Cheonho opened a wooden box he had brought, and the reek of blood filled the air. Hwangbo Jung, who had already been frowning at the smell of blood, felt his eyebrows twitch upon seeing the contents of the box. It was not someone he had expected to see here.
Look familiar? Your eyes show no flicker of emotion.
...Dont test me.
As he stared at the head of Hosan, the leader of the Red Tiger Stronghold, Hwangbo Jung sensed that something had gone terribly wrong. When had the bandits of Mount Shan been subjugated? He thought he had a firm grasp on everything in Shandong.
But as if that didn't matter, Hwang Cheonho shook his head.
You laid a hand on my one and only younger brother.
Hwangbo Jungs mouth itched. What was this sudden talk of a younger brother?
However, as if not giving him a moment to speak, Hwang Cheonho produced a ledger from his robes.
How dare you. My one and only younger brother.
His complexion gradually turned pale. His mind went completely blank.
Could it be.
Namgung Ban. He is my most cherished younger brother. For now.
Hwang Cheonhos gaze locked onto Hwangbo Jung.
First, recall your men who are out on the battlefield.
Once again, the Hwangbo Family was thwarted by the name Namgung.
The smell of medicinal herbs stung my nostrils. It felt as if my body and the medicine had become one, wrapped in so many herbs and ointments that I could hardly lift a finger.
Did I make it back safely?
The sounds of fierce battle I had heard in my unconscious state still seemed to echo in my ears.
The moment I regained consciousness, I nearly screamed. The pain piercing my lungs made the corners of my eyes tremble uncontrollably. A wave of agony washed over my entire body as soon as I opened my eyes, forcing me to grit my teeth.
There wasnt a single part of my body left unscathed. It was hard to even lift a finger, so what more needed to be said? In my past life, I had certainly faced death more often, dedicating my days to the sword, but
The fact that a higher wall appeared the stronger I became remained like a lump in my chest. I had clearly climbed one step, endured a difficult time, and stood on a new landing.
Yet here I was again, tasting the bitterness of defeat and enduring a similar ordeal, a sense of frustration welling up inside me.
What a pathetic display.
As if hearing my groans, a voice came from somewhere. It was a voice that could only belong to someone who had appeared like a drunkard and was thoroughly twisted on the inside, and it sounded rather displeased.
What? Where are you?
Where do you think?
Was I imagining things? Why was it coming from the bed right next to mine?
You, listening to you groan is just too pathetic to bear.
What are you talking about?
Do you even know who you fought? It was Hwangbo Gyeom, the Thunderbolt Fist.
...The Thunderbolt Fist?
Thunderbolt Fist.
It was a martial name I had heard during my five years in Shandong.
The Five Tiger Great Fist Army.
The five fist masters who represented the Hwangbo Family.
I hadn't forgotten them, thanks to the few times Namgung Han and Namgung Seok had mentioned them, but to think I had fought one of them. Even so, the two wordsdefeatweighed heavily on me. I never thought I would experience such a moment again after my battle with the Eighth Elder, Namgung Sun.
...A defeat is a defeat.
Who said not to accept defeat? But isnt it just too absurd?
What was so absurd? I was about to ask, but I clamped my mouth shut at the words that came first.
Was there anyone who collapsed after you handed them a bitter defeat at the Sword Family Assembly?
The Sword Family Assembly.
Why bring up something that happened more than five years ago?
Umun and Donghwi, who are by your side, and even the Second Young Lord Namgung Hyeok, whos running wild on the Jang River, vowing to surpass youthe defeat you handed them back then must have been even more shocking than the sense of defeat youre feeling now.
Indeed, that had to be true.
They were peers, and they had been utterly crushed in front of everyone by someone who was considered a good-for-nothing.
But they grew, moved forward, and reflected on it. And look at them now, standing right beside you.
I had nothing to say.
Chew on it. Chew on it again, and keep chewing until the bile tastes sweet. With that pathetic talent of yours, youll need at least that much effort, wont you?
He wouldn't say a single word of "good work" or "you fought well," not even if he were about to die. Then again, that was my uncle's way.
Speaking of the Sword Family Assembly, you promised to acknowledge me if I won back then
Fwip!
Just as I was about to voice my grievance, someone pulled back the curtain separating the beds and glared at me with sharp eyes.
...Nanny.
What is it?
For some reason, I had nothing to say. No, my words vanished. I should have asked if she was feeling better, but her glare sent a chill down my spine.
Then, my gaze shifted.
...Uncle, why are you over there?
In the adjacent bed, I saw my uncle, wrapped in medicinal herbs just like me. It was absurd. He was in the same state. In that sorry state, he was lecturing me about chewing on my defeat and whatnot.
Just as I was about to say something.
A right pair, you two. A right mess. And after all this, you have the nerve to say what you did?
The Nannys sharp retort cut me off. I hadn't even said anything yet.
From now on, dont you dare mind what I do! Honestly!
It was truly unfair. But what could I do? The Nanny was the one in charge.
Now! Both of you, open your mouths! You can at least do that, right?!
It was terrifying. I swear, she was scarier and fiercer than that guy from the Hwangbo Family. But to survive, I had to open my mouth. She was someone my sword couldn't touch, someone who rendered my blade useless.
Ah!
But faced with the Nannys handmade, special restorative meal, my heart couldn't help but open.
As they say, hunger is the best sauce.
And no one is a hero on an empty stomach.
...Did you hear?
What? The Hwangbo Family sealed its gates?
Werent they so quiet it was like they were already sealed?
Quiet, my foot! They were quiet to the bandits, maybe. Were they ever quiet with us?!
Shh! Shh!
They sealed their gates! So whos going to say anything! I have to say it now. Those Hwangbo bastards sucked us dry while turning a blind eye to the bandits! If theres anyone here who doesnt know that, tell them to step forward!
Amidst the grumbling crowd, the rumor spread like wildfire.
The Hwangbo Family had declared it was sealing its gates. And it happened overnight.
Claiming they were reflecting on their actions, they announced they would give back what they had, distributing vast amounts of wealth and food to the common folk. They even posted public notices brazenly admitting they had colluded with bandits, while simultaneously expressing gratitude for the Namgung Familys contributions to Shandong.
They even added that it would be wonderful if the Shandong branch continued to work for the good of the region.
While everyone was bewildered.
...Brother.
Brother, are you alright?
What happened?
What do you think happened?
Hwang Cheonho, the Asura Corps Commander, my brother, responded with a smile.
As your older brother, this is the least I could do. I must be going now. Ive been away from my post for too long.
...How can I ever express my gratitude?
Brother Ban.
Yes.
I looked Hwang Cheonho straight in the eyes.
You were the one who trusted me and threw yourself into danger like that.
The time we had known each other was too short to truly be called family. And yet, how
What wouldnt I do for someone like you? I am the one who is grateful.
could he look at me with such warmth?
Was this brotherly affection, or familial love?
So I thought.