Chapter 268: Chapter 268

Every single member of the Murong Family had a grim expression on their face.

There was absolutely no news of Murong Jang-wook, who should have returned by now, and even those who had gone out to find him had gone missing.

Even if they managed to take Murong Hyeok-mun, someone with legitimacy had to succeed him and lead the family, but they had ended up in a situation where that was impossible.

Murong Gong, an elder of the Murong Family, frowned.

His wrinkled face was filled with worry and anxiety.

“It seems certain that they met with disaster.”

“Sigh…”

Murong Gong let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

If heaven had not abandoned the Murong Family, how could it let such a thing happen? They had brought Jang-wook along to take Murong Hyeok-mun, who was out of his mind, but even that plan was facing setbacks.

“What will you do?”

“Nothing changes. We will take the Supreme Family Head, who fell into qi deviation, and return to the family.”

“…Understood.”

Murong Gong’s mind spun furiously.

If Murong Jang-wook had indeed met with disaster as feared, they had to choose the next family head to succeed the family from a branch line.

Although there were a few talents he had in mind, their abilities were far inferior to Jang-wook’s, so he could not help but worry.

‘No, now is not the time to think about such things. Let us only think about serving the Supreme Family Head completely.’

Murong Gong shook his head and put aside the family matters.

Taking Murong Hyeok-mun, who had fallen into qi deviation, was the most urgent priority. Since the Heavenly Dao Association and the Martial Alliance were moving to target him, they had to escape their gaze as much as possible.

“Let us go this way.”

At Murong Gong’s words, the members of the family nodded and began to move.

Although not many traces remained, it was still enough to track them.

Those coming from the very back cut off any possibility of being followed by erasing Murong Hyeok-mun’s traces.

They wanted to avoid annoying mayflies clinging to them at all costs.

But what was even more annoying than that.

Chwachwachwachwaak!

Evading the flying hidden weapons, the members of the Murong Family drew their swords.

Glaring at those hiding in invisible places, they adjusted their stances low.

The first to step forward was Murong Gong.

Sword qi extended in all directions from his sword.

Seogeogeogeok!

Trees all around fell, turning the surroundings into a wasteland.

A man comparable to a Sword Saint.

That was indeed Murong Gong’s true strength.

Although his name had been overshadowed by the name of Murong Hyeok-mun and he had not made a proper name for himself in the Martial World, Murong Gong’s real strength was enough to rival the Ten Venerables.

Kakakang!

However, the sound of blocking such an attack was heard.

Murong Gong’s eyebrows twitched.

“Can one even kill anyone with that kind of sword?”

Soon, those who were hiding parted the bushes and revealed themselves. Looking at the familiar faces, he let out a hollow laugh in spite of himself.

“Was it you? Namgung Jong-ak.”

Sword Demon Namgung Jong-ak.

An elder of the Namgung Family and one of the Ten Venerables.

He unfolded very rough swordplay, and his nickname was given because it felt like seeing a ghost when facing his sword.

Behind him, members of the Namgung Family were visible.

First of all, Namgung Yong, the current family head and the son of the Sword Emperor.

Although he was not a martial artist as strong as the Sword Emperor, there was no doubt that he was a talented individual capable of raising the Namgung Family once again with his outstanding resourcefulness.

“It has been a long time. It is somewhat regrettable that things turned out this way, but… I believe I must collect a debt.”

Namgung Yong looked at the members of the Murong Family with cold eyes. Since his gaze was already overflowing with killing intent, they had to discard any vain hope of escaping this place easily.

Murong Gong let out a small sigh.

“Still… it is a relief that it is not the Sichuan Tang Family.”

“Are you comparing us to the Tang Family? Tsk tsk… you still have a long way to go, my friend.”

“Do you say that after realizing how powerless you lots without the Sword Emperor are?”

“Hahaha, you say interesting things.”

The members of the Namgung Family radiated killing intent.

How dare they bring up the Sword Emperor?

Even if they were not looking down on him, they could not tolerate the name of the Sword Emperor coming out of the Murong Family’s mouth.

Chwaak!

Namgung Yong raised his sword and began to exude momentum.

“My father’s revenge… I will surely pay you back in full.”

“Your spirit is commendable.”

Murong Gong was relaxed.

Perhaps in the past it would have been different, but the current Namgung Family would never be a match for the Murong Family.

* * *

Seukseuk-

Jang Sam-tae, who was sweeping the yard, glanced at Dan Woo-hyun. As always, he saw him sitting and drinking alcohol without a thought.

His expression, which seemed to have no worries or concerns at all, even made him look like a person completely unrelated to what was currently happening in Yueyang.

No, it was an appearance that made it seem like he would drink alcohol without even blinking an eye even if a cannon exploded right next to him.

“Um… are you alright?”

“What do you mean?”

Dan Woo-hyun tilted his wine cup to his lips and glanced at Jang Sam-tae. He was puzzled by his sudden question.

“Well, I mean Namgung So-hye.”

“I do not understand.”

“No, but she went out holding a sword?”

“Huh?”

Dan Woo-hyun tilted his head again.

He seemed to have no idea at all what Jang Sam-tae was trying to say.

If not that, it also seemed that Jang Sam-tae was not delivering his words properly.

Swallowing a groan with a grunt, the moment Jang Sam-tae was about to open his mouth with difficulty.

Mae-hyang, who had quietly approached Dan Woo-hyun’s side and placed down the side dishes, spoke up.

“That man is asking if you are really not worried since she went out all by herself.”

“Hahaha.”

Dan Woo-hyun burst into laughter at the sharp words.

On the other hand, Jang Sam-tae glared at Mae-hyang.

He had purposely beat around the bush for Dan Woo-hyun, who worried about people deep down but did not show it outwardly, but to say it so directly!

He did not know whether to call her amazing or tactless.

He let out a sigh.

“Tactless wench… Urgh!”

The moment he sighed and shook his head side to side, Mae-hyang’s shoe smacked the back of Jang Sam-tae’s head. It hurt so much that Jang Sam-tae sat right down on the spot.

“She will be fine.”

“Why do you think so?”

In fact, Mae-hyang also did not understand. She knew she was a woman of the Namgung Family, but just because a woman held a sword did not mean she became a man.

Of course, it was said that martial artists did not distinguish between men and women, but there was a clear difference between a woman and a man.

‘Moreover, with that level of beauty…’

She glanced at Dan Woo-hyun.

When she first met Jang Sam-tae, she remembered him shouting, “Namgung So-hye!” At that time, she did not know the reason, but after seeing her in person, she had a beauty that was fully convincing.

Was it not a beauty that could charm even women?

If such a woman went out holding a sword, it would be natural to worry, yet Dan Woo-hyun was drinking alcohol as if nothing had happened.

‘Could he… men.’

“I do not like men.”

Flinch!

At the words heard in an instant, Mae-hyang flinched and opened her eyes wide. How could this man read her thoughts when she had only thought them?

“I… did not say anything…”

“It is written on your face, just like someone else.”

“…”

Mae-hyang wore a somewhat displeased expression.

It was because she knew that ‘someone else’ referred to Jang Sam-tae. What was this feeling that was both good and bad?

Mae-hyang had to ponder that for a long time.

“If the manor lord is fine with it, then it does not matter, but… I do not know if she might really die like that. Moreover, So-mi…”

Leting out another sigh, Jang Sam-tae sat down next to Dan Woo-hyun with his broom.

Although they were not very close, having lived here together for over a year, he seemed to have grown attached to her before he knew it.

He was also worried about So-mi.

She was a child who followed Namgung So-hye like her own older sister or mother, so if she heard the news of her death, he thought she might lose her mind.

He sent a worried glance to Dan Woo-hyun.

“She is not a child who will die so easily. Rather, she will use it as a stepping stone to grow even further.”

“Does she have that much talent?”

“Haha, of course.”

“Huh… I cannot believe it?”

“In terms of talent alone, she is not a child who will fall behind anyone.”

At Dan Woo-hyun’s words, Jang Sam-tae’s eyes widened.

Dan Woo-hyun was someone who rarely praised others. Since the words came out of his mouth, they could never be heard as a lie.

‘That Namgung So-hye?’

Jang Sam-tae shook his head, recalling how Namgung So-hye usually behaved.

For the talent of that bewildered woman, who could not do anything properly, to be second to none under heaven?

Should he believe this or not?

“If that guy Gwon Mu-jin hears this, he will glare with fire in his eyes again.”

He clicked his tongue.

Gwon Mu-jin was someone who really did not match the word ‘talent’.

He reached his current level solely through effort, and he was a guy who learned martial arts foolishly, believing that the skills he learned with blood and sweat would save his life.

But imagine him losing to talent.

What would he say?

“But is that not different from dying?”

“Why do you only think of her dying?”

“Well… because she is Namgung So-hye?”

No matter how great a talent Namgung So-hye had, there was a sense of incongruity when thinking about her usual appearance.

Moreover, if the opponent was none other than Murong Hyeok-mun and the Murong Family, it was highly likely that she would not be safe.

As if knowing his heart, Dan Woo-hyun smirked.

“She will live longer than you, so do not worry.”

“No, why are you bringing me into this again, making me feel sorrowful…”

Jang Sam-tae let out a sigh.

Why was he touching an innocent person, as if he were a neighborhood drum? With that thought, he naturally reached out and grabbed the empty cup in front of Dan Woo-hyun.

“Still, if Manor Lord Dan says so, that must be it, right? I would believe it even if the manor lord said a stone was gold. Hahaha.”

Saying that, he naturally poured alcohol into the empty cup. Then, he quickly gulped it down and felt its stinging taste.

“This is killer.”

Admiring that it was definitely the Hoyeon Family’s alcohol, he filled the empty cup again.

Taking another sip, he picked up the snack Mae-hyang had brought with his hand and put it in his mouth. Today, the alcohol and snacks went down exceptionally well.

“It is extremely delicious. Haha.”

Jang Sam-tae drank once more and ate the snack. Happy about something, he burst into laughter as he filled the empty cup again.

Then, he locked eyes with Dan Woo-hyun.

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Looking at Dan Woo-hyun, who did not say a word, he wore a puzzled expression. The moment he put another remaining snack into his mouth.

Crack!

“Urgh!”

Mae-hyang, who was standing behind him, smacked the back of his head.

The alcohol and snack that had entered his mouth spat right out.

“I told you not to eat it! Seriously, how can a person be so tactless?”

Mae-hyang’s shrill voice rang out.

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