Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Solving the Problem
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Tae Bong Clan.
At the appearance of Zhuge Mun-hyeon, the Tae Bong Clan's leader, Na Jo-ung, was so startled he rushed out to greet him.
He couldn't understand why Zhuge Mun-hyeon, who should have been at the Martial Arts Alliance, had come all the way to Zhengzhou, and his face was colored with bewilderment.
“Oh, Clan Leader Na. It has been a truly long time.”
“Strategist Zhuge. Have you been well?”
Na Jo-ung bowed as deeply as he could.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon was the widely acknowledged second-in-command of the Martial Arts Alliance.
As the man who had built the Tae Bong Clan into the largest faction in Henan Province, he was highly sensitive to the winds of power, which was why his back bent so flexibly.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon also accepted the greeting politely.
“I have come because there is something urgent I must discuss with you.”
“Then please, come inside.”
Na Jo-ung's expression hardened as he led Zhuge Mun-hyeon inside.
After a servant brought a tea table and withdrew, leaving the two of them alone, Zhuge Mun-hyeon lifted his teacup, took a sip, and began to speak.
“Have you heard of the Dark Blood Heaven Cult?”
“This is the first I'm hearing of it. In the past, the Dark Heavenly Cult and the Blood Heaven Cult wielded great power before they were subjugated by the former Alliance Leader. Are you referring to them?”
“We are still investigating, so we don't have precise details. However, their power is so great that they've even managed to recruit Seop Yu-heun, the Blood Demon of the previous generation of great demons. What's more, Seop Yu-heun was merely the branch chief for Shanxi Province. This is a grave concern.”
Na Jo-ung's eyes widened as far as they could.
He knew full well the extent of Seop Yu-heun's martial prowess.
He had thought that someone like him would surely hold a high position in the main headquarters, so the shock was immense.
“But that's strange. Aren't the Dark Heavenly Cult and the Blood Heaven Cult mortal enemies, like oil and water?”
“That is why we are investigating diligently. But if you think about it, it's not impossible for them to join hands. They were both crushed by the former Alliance Leader, so they share a common enemy in the Martial Arts Alliance.”
At Zhuge Mun-hyeon's clear explanation, Na Jo-ung slowly nodded.
He thought that if their desire for revenge was great enough, it was certainly possible.
“This is a serious matter.”
“Indeed it is. Clan Leader Na, you will have much to do. You must rally the various factions in Henan Province, build up your strength, and prepare for any eventuality.”
“Of course. That goes without saying.”
Na Jo-ung nodded with a grim expression.
The thought of the Unorthodox Faction's forces reviving and another war breaking out was horrifying to Na Jo-ung.
It was clear that if a war with the Unorthodox Faction began, the Tae Bong Clan, as the largest faction in Henan, would become a primary target. Na Jo-ung's expression grew even harder.
“That being said.”
“Please, speak. The Tae Bong Clan will do everything in its power to help.”
“I've heard there is friction between the Tae Bong Clan and the Ouyang Clan.”
“Hah, you even know about that?”
“It is an important matter. Although the Tae Bong Clan is the largest faction in Henan, the Ouyang Clan once produced the Sword Emperor and is still a clan respected by many martial artists. It is deeply concerning to me that the relationship between your two clans is not good.”
“Huu, this has become quite troublesome. It's a matter concerning my son, after all…”
Na Jo-ung trailed off, a flicker of shame crossing his face.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon did not miss it.
“From my investigation, it seems Na Hyeong-rin isn't truly lovesick.”
“He isn't lovesick. It would be a serious problem if he truly were. But it is true that he is in great distress. As a father, it pains me to see him like that.”
“If this continues, the problem will only grow larger. And it's not as if Guyang Cheon will give up. Furthermore, Hwangbo Yeon of the Full Moon Tower doesn't seem to have any feelings for Na Hyeong-rin.”
“Huuu.”
Na Jo-ung let out a deep sigh.
He had pressured the Ouyang Clan upon seeing his son's suffering, but looking back on it now, he felt ashamed.
Yet, to back down now… his son's plight weighed on his mind, and his own reputation would be in tatters.
“Do you have a good solution?”
“I would like to appoint Na Hyeong-rin as the Vice-Commander of the Martial Arts Alliance's Red Tiger Squad.”
“Hmm.”
The Red Tiger Squad was one of the Martial Arts Alliance's many strike teams.
The position of Vice-Commander was a temporary one, created as needed, and was typically filled by the scions of the Nine Great Sects, the Five Great Clans, or other major factions of similar standing.
It was a kind of privilege.
From an outsider's perspective, Vice-Commander was by no means a low-ranking position.
Therefore, Na Jo-ung thought Zhuge Mun-hyeon's proposal was a good one.
Rather than wasting time floundering in a futile love, it would be better for him to go out into the wider world and broaden his horizons.
Considering Na Hyeong-rin's martial skill, the Vice-Commander of the Red Tiger Squad was an excellent position.
“Then, Strategist Zhuge, please take good care of my Hyeong-rin.”
“Of course. You can trust me.”
Having persuaded Na Jo-ung, Zhuge Mun-hyeon breathed a sigh of relief.
After Zhuge Mun-hyeon left, Na Jo-ung entered Na Hyeong-rin's room.
The stench of alcohol assaulted his nose, and Na Jo-ung frowned.
“How long are you going to live like this?”
“I'm sorry.”
“Do you think I came here to hear you say you're sorry? I heard that Hwangbo Yeon has no feelings for you.”
“It's infuriating. How dare she be so stiff with me, the Young Master of the Tae Bong Clan? I don't understand why Sister Yeon likes that scoundrel.”
“Foolish boy.”
Seeing Na Hyeong-rin explode with frustration, Na Jo-ung felt he was pathetic, but at the same time, he was relieved that it wasn't true lovesickness.
“Go to the Martial Arts Alliance for a while. Spend a few years as the Vice-Commander of the Red Tiger Squad and cool your head.”
“What? Vice-Commander? What do I lack that I must stoop to being a mere Vice-Commander?”
“You brat! Does the Vice-Commander of the Red Tiger Squad seem like a trivial position to you?”
“Th-that's not what I meant.”
“No more excuses, just go. I'm not telling you to stay there forever, just to cool your head and broaden your horizons for a while. If you see the outstanding martial artists of the Alliance, you will surely learn something. It's on a completely different level from the Henan martial world. This is only possible because you were born my son. What will you do?”
“Then, Lady Hwangbo…”
“She won't even give you a second glance. Isn't it shameful to act like this on your own? Maintain your dignity as the Young Master of the Tae Bong Clan.”
Na Hyeong-rin lowered his gaze.
Although he had confessed to Hwangbo Yeon and been soundly rejected, her image still lingered before his eyes.
Na Hyeong-rin's honest feeling was that he wanted to change her mind, no matter what it took.
But looking at Na Jo-ung's face, it seemed he had no choice but to go to the Martial Arts Alliance.
“Go. It's all been arranged.”
Na Jo-ung drove the final nail in the coffin and left the room.
He furrowed his brow and looked up at the blue sky.
His pride was wounded by the fact that he had been pushed around by the now-insignificant Ouyang Clan.
However, as Zhuge Mun-hyeon had suggested, with signs of the Unorthodox Faction's revival, everyone would have to join forces.
A few days later.
Na Jo-ung received an unexpected visitor.
“What brings you here?”
He seemed very surprised to see me, having arrived so suddenly.
“It's been a while. I was busy and couldn't visit sooner.”
“Not at all. By the way, you are truly remarkable. It seems the rumors of the world cannot be trusted.”
I deliberately released all one hundred and twenty years of my internal energy, and Na Jo-ung was greatly shocked by this display.
After the Tae Bong Clan rose to become the largest faction in Henan, he had subtly looked down on the Ouyang Clan.
And since he had heard the rumors about me being a scoundrel, he hadn't paid me much mind.
“Have you been deceiving the world all this time? To display this level of martial prowess, one would have to give up everything and devote oneself solely to training, and even with elixirs, it would be nearly impossible.”
“I was lucky.”
I gave a faint smile.
To Na Jo-ung, it read as confidence.
“Here is fifty thousand nyang. It's a promissory note issued by the Full Moon Tower, so you can trust it.”
Na Jo-ung accepted the fifty-thousand-nyang note, bewildered.
As the thought that the Ouyang Clan was rising again entered his mind, he became very confused.
At the same time, he realized why Hwangbo Yeon wouldn't even give Na Hyeong-rin a second glance.
‘Right, if Guyang Cheon is at this level, it's no wonder the haughty Hwangbo Yeon is so attached to him. He's truly incredible. At this level, even I couldn't guarantee victory against him. It's no exaggeration to say he's the absolute best among the younger generation.’
“Well then, I will take my leave.”
I didn't bother to press the matter or ask questions.
Now that I had returned the money and displayed my powerful martial arts, I figured the Tae Bong Clan would no longer cause any trouble.
As I was slowly leaving the Tae Bong Clan, I ran into Na Hyeong-rin.
“You. You… what are you doing here?”
“Sigh.”
A sigh escaped me.
Exchanging words with a young brat blinded by jealousy was an exhausting affair.
I couldn't just beat him up because I was annoyed.
I had no desire to speak with him, so I unreservedly released the internal energy from my core.
Fwooooosh.
“Ugh.”
Startled, Na Hyeong-rin stumbled backward and fell on his butt.
He had always thought of me as a scoundrel and looked down on me, so he must have been utterly shocked when I unleashed an aura as powerful as his father's.
I walked over to him and crouched down.
“Don't hit me.”
“Why would I hit you? From your perspective, with your hot blood, I can see why you'd act that way. But if you're a man, you should also know when to give up. Sister Yeon said she doesn't like you, so why do you keep pestering her so sordidly?”
Na Hyeong-rin glared at me but ultimately said nothing.
“Have a good trip to the Martial Arts Alliance. And I hope you're a bit more mature the next time we meet.”
“What happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were a scoun… scoun… Anyway, you were far from someone who trained in martial arts.”
“Everyone has a story they can't tell, a secret they hold in their heart.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“What would you know? I pretended to be a scoundrel and trained in secret all this time. And I took some elixirs. Happy now?”
“B-but still. How…”
“Have a good trip.”
I stood up and left the Tae Bong Clan.
Left alone, Na Hyeong-rin stared blankly up at the sky before letting out a long sigh.
“This is absurd. To think Guyang Cheon would end up ranked above me.”
He had consistently ignored him until now.
That was why he could never understand Hwangbo Yeon's unwavering devotion to Guyang Cheon.
But after meeting Guyang Cheon in person today, he finally understood her feelings.
The martial prowess Guyang Cheon had just displayed was overwhelming among the younger generation.
He hadn't seen his swordsmanship, but based on the level of internal energy he revealed alone, there was no doubt he was the best of the younger generation.
Na Hyeong-rin's mind cleared in a flash.
“I can't lose to the likes of Guyang Cheon. I will defeat him. I must.”
Na Hyeong-rin gritted his teeth.
The image of Na Hyeong-rin struggling with his one-sided love for Hwangbo Yeon was gone.
Now, his mind was completely filled with thoughts of Guyang Cheon.
Although the Ouyang Clan had fallen, many martial families in Henan were still conscious of them.
Thus, the Tae Bong Clan remained more wary of the Ouyang Clan than necessary.
That was why Na Hyeong-rin harbored jealousy and competitiveness toward Guyang Cheon.
As a defiant spirit that refused to lose surged within him, Na Hyeong-rin immediately began preparing to leave for the Martial Arts Alliance.
The Tae Bong Clan Leader's Hall.
Seeing the change in Na Hyeong-rin's expression, Na Jo-ung wore a proud look.
“I've finally found my lost son again. Take this. And circulate your energy every day to make it your own.”
“I-is this a Thousand-Year Fo-ti?”
“If you act foolishly one more time, I will disown you.”
“Thank you. I will definitely surpass Guyang Cheon.”
Na Hyeong-rin accepted the Thousand-Year Fo-ti, his fierce jealousy and competitiveness on full display.
The Thousand-Year Fo-ti, an elixir that would cost at least five hundred thousand nyang to obtain.
This was only possible for Na Jo-ung, who possessed immense wealth as the head of both the Tae Bong Clan, Henan's largest faction, and the Tae Bong Escort Agency, Henan's number one escort agency.