Chapter 195: Courage To Face The Typhoon (1)
Chapter 194 – Courage To Face The Typhoon (1)
The Ghost King Eatery, which had been doing well near the Dragon Heaven Academy, rose to fame in an instant with its unique bandit concept.
While the concept was one thing, the fact that the food was fundamentally delicious played a major role.
As they prepped ingredients as part of their training and sliced meat using sword qi, it even added freshness, instantly capturing people’s palates.
Consequently, the eatery, which had been nothing more than a small restaurant, had now grown quite large, expanding up to the fourth floor and starting to operate as a tavern.
And at this point, they had reached the stage of debating whether or not to open more branches.
However, Son U-gon, who was sitting by the window on the second floor of the Ghost King Tavern, was not merely indulging in pleasant worries.
“Sigh. What should I do?”
As he muttered to himself, the sound of urgent footsteps was heard, and Vice-Captain Cha Mu-jin rushed up to the second floor.
“Captain! Captain!”
“I am here. Why are you making such a fuss?”
“It is good news! Our lord has finally arrived! He is currently heading toward the Ascension Pavilion of the Martial Alliance!”
“Really? I see.”
At the response, which seemed completely drained of energy, Cha Mu-jin furrowed his brows.
“What is wrong?”
“With what?”
“Why is your reaction so lackluster?”
“It is not. It is good.”
“It is not though?”
“Then should I dance or something?”
“Heh, is something troubling you?”
“Life is a series of worries.”
“Hmm. Cheer up a bit. Since the Young Patriarch has arrived, he will meet the Patriarch this evening and…”
Cha Mu-jin needlessly glanced around before whispering in his ear.
“We can hand over the elixirs from the Demonic Pill Valley. Then, will they not highly appreciate the contributions of the Young Patriarch and our squad? The Lord of the Golden Cauldron Pavilion is also in Wuhan, and he will be very pleased.”
“Yes, it is a good thing…”
“Gasp. What is with this reaction?”
Cha Mu-jin plopped down in the seat opposite Son U-gon.
No matter how he looked at it, Son U-gon’s state was completely strange.
Cha Mu-jin thumped his chest and declared loudly.
“Come, tell me. I shall resolve it for you.”
“Tell you what?”
“What is troubling you right now. I do not know the circumstances, but this younger brother will help you in every way possible.”
“No, you cannot resolve it.”
“So what is it?”
“Sigh.”
Son U-gon let out a long sigh, stared blankly at Cha Mu-jin, and spoke.
“The Seven Great Clans Conference will be held soon. I heard our clan has also been invited.”
“Ah…”
Only then did Cha Mu-jin nod as if he understood.
But he soon smiled lightly and spoke.
“Of course, I do not know how much the Seven Great Clans will look down on our clan again, but our Patriarch is not someone who would bat an eye at such things…”
“I heard the Young Patriarch will also attend the meeting.”
“Ah…”
This time, Cha Mu-jin’s mouth fell open, and his expression became serious.
He could not speak for a long while before letting out a long sigh just like Son U-gon.
“That… is a big problem.”
Would that ill-tempered Namgung Cheon be able to handle the Seven Great Clans rubbing salt in his wounds?
It would be a relief if nothing got broken.
Son U-gon continued with a grim expression.
“Naturally, we will have to accompany him as escorts. You all will stand by outside, but I will have to enter the Yellow Crane Tower.”
“Uh… well… hang in there.”
“Mu-jin.”
“No way.”
“Hey, you said you would resolve anything. Just this once, you instead of me…”
“I am not the Captain, am I? Our assigned roles are different.”
“Damn it, you heartless fellow.”
Son U-gon closed his eyes tightly and buried his face in his hands.
Just then, the Ghost King came up to the second floor carrying food.
“Why are you all acting like this? I heard our lord returned today?”
“There is something troubling us.”
“Troubling? Troubling the great Azure Eagle Captain. What is it? Just say the word, and I will help you somehow.”
“It is not a problem you can resolve.”
“But you never know, right? If I…”
“The Young Patriarch must attend the Seven Great Clans Conference.”
At that moment, the Ghost King forgot his duty, sat down, and let out a low groan.
“That is indeed a big problem.”
Thus, on the second floor of the Ghost King Tavern, the three men fell into a heavy silence and began to worry.
* * *
Bi Ryang, who had stepped onto the platform of the Ascension Pavilion training ground, swept his gaze over the eight cadets with a proud expression.
Although they must have accumulated some fatigue from the long-distance journey, their eyes were shining brightly.
“You all did very well. Even though this mission must have been harder than expected, you did a great job. There will be a reconconvening after a temporary rest period. Until then, everyone take a good rest.”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
As the cadets shouted in unison, Bi Ryang smiled brightly.
“Then, dismissed.”
As they thus put an end to the long journey, the remaining cadets chatted amongst themselves.
Of course, Murong Gang and Baek Mu-geuk left the training ground with indifferent expressions without having much of a conversation.
Meanwhile, Yun Gyeong approached Namgung Cheon and offered a greeting.
“Through this journey, I was able to verify Young Hyup Namgung’s true value once again. I learned a lot.”
“Don’t mention it. Daoist Yun Gyeong was also quite impressive in his own way.”
“Haha, thank you. However, do not let your guard down. For I will surpass Young Hyup Namgung one day.”
Just then, a gruff voice suddenly echoed from the side.
“Hey, why don’t you surpass me before trying to surpass Namgung Cheon?”
“Young Hyup Paeng?”
When Yun Gyeong turned around, Paeng Su-hyeok was stomping over while huffing.
Yun Gyeong smiled gently.
“Of course, I will surpass Young Hyup Paeng as well.”
When Yun Gyeong unexpectedly admitted it so readily, Paeng Su-hyeok flinched and glared at him.
But Yun Gyeong meant what he said.
Clearly, even at the Joint Conference, Paeng Su-hyeok was a step below him.
But now?
To be honest, he did not know.
He even thought they might be on equal footing, or perhaps Paeng Su-hyeok was a step above him.
By the way…
“Is your stomach alright now?”
“Huh? What is?”
“No, well, whether you got an upset stomach again or…”
“What are you talking about? I told you! It was not like that back then! No, why do you not believe me? Are you doing this on purpose, you bastard?”
“Haha! As long as you are fine, then it is fine.”
Yun Gyeong laughed it off and walked away.
“That, that bastard! He is definitely doing that on purpose! Let me go! I will kill him!!”
Paeng Su-hyeok growled as if he were about to chase him and draw his sword, but Yu Hyeon, who arrived late, barely held him back.
“Haha, please calm down, Young Hyup Paeng. It was understandable for Daoist Yun Gyeong to misunderstand.”
“That is why I told him it wasn’t!”
“Was it not because he was worried in his own way?”
As Yu Hyeon coaxed him in a gentle tone, Paeng Su-hyeok barely swallowed his anger and turned around.
Then, he suddenly spotted Namgung Cheon walking some distance away and quickly ran over.
“Hey! Namgung Cheon!”
“What?”
When Namgung Cheon looked back with an indifferent expression, Paeng Su-hyeok hesitated for a moment and then threw out a blunt question.
“Give me one more.”
“What?”
“You know, that thing! The one that was originally mine, but that carp bastard swallowed! That kind of thing!”
As Paeng Su-hyeok spoke in roundabouts, conscious of the people around them, Namgung Cheon frowned.
“Did you leave it with me for safekeeping?”
“Hey! Honestly, although we went there thanks to you, I helped too!”
“Well. I do not particularly remember receiving any help. Ah, I do remember saving your life.”
“Excessive greed invites misfortune! I am saying this for your own sake, so hand over one more.”
“Oh, what miraculous logic.”
“Ahem! I am indeed somewhat logical.”
“Wow, this simplicity to take that as a compliment. You must not have any worries in life. That is an excellent trait for a fugitive.”
“What on earth are you talking about? So are you going to give it to me or not?”
“Look at the attitude of the guy asking. You know I do not have it right now anyway, don’t you?”
“Then if you find it later, will you give it to me?”
“Well. Depends on how you behave.”
“This bastard, seriously…!”
“…?”
“What… do I have to do? If you have any difficulties, just ask this older brother. I shall resolve it.”
Namgung Cheon chuckled and walked away, waving his hand.
“Let us think about it slowly.”
“Hey! Tell me!”
Paeng Su-hyeok was about to follow him as if he would spit fire, but a familiar voice caught his steps.
“Su-hyeok.”
“Instructor?”
For some reason, Bi Ryang approached.
“Did you call for me?”
“See me later.”
Watching Bi Ryang walk away with a smile, Paeng Su-hyeok tilted his head and muttered.
“Yes, well… I understand.”
* * *
“Instructor, it is Paeng Su-hyeok.”
At the sound from outside the door, Bi Ryang raised his head.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Paeng Su-hyeok walked up to the office desk. Although Bi Ryang always wore a bright smile, his expression was stiff today for some reason. Consequently, Paeng Su-hyeok also became slightly tense.
‘Why did he call me separately? Is he going to ask about the Demonic Pill Valley?’
Since he must have been away for a while, the instructor might have noticed his absence. If that was the case, what should he make up?
Amidst his complicated thoughts, Bi Ryang took out a letter, looked at it, and spoke with a serious expression.
“Hebei Paeng Clan Leader is calling for you.”
“Pardon? My father?”
At the completely unexpected words, Paeng Su-hyeok’s eyes widened.
Bi Ryang nodded and continued.
“Currently, the movements of the unorthodox forces are unusual. There was intelligence that they are expanding their influence from the north and approaching. The Red Wave Corps will head to Hebei, but they are currently out on a mission at the edge of Sichuan. It will take time for them to move.”
“Is it a dangerous situation?”
Paeng Su-hyeok swallowed hard and asked.
If his father had gone as far as to summon him, it was certainly not a light situation.
Bi Ryang silently shook his head.
“I do not know yet. We will have to see when we get there. If possible, I would like to accompany you, but as you can see, I am tied to the Alliance, so I am not free to move around.”
“I will set off today.”
When Paeng Su-hyeok replied in a stiff voice, Bi Ryang stopped him.
“Since you have just arrived, relieve your accumulated fatigue before setting off. It must be a summons just in case.”
“No, I know my father well. He would not summon me for ordinary matters. Even if nothing has happened yet, my father’s intuition is usually quite accurate.”
Bi Ryang let out a sigh as if he had no choice.
“Then return safely. Do not overdo it.”
“Yes, thank you for letting me know.”
Paeng Su-hyeok bowed politely and turned around quickly.
* * *
The VIP room on the top floor of the Ghost King Tavern.
There, Namgung Geom, Namgung Hwa, and the Lord of the Golden Cauldron Pavilion Namgung Hyo sat.
Opposite Namgung Geom sat Namgung Cheon, and right behind him, Son U-gon stood in attendance with a proud expression.
Namgung Geom swept his gaze over the delicacies of land and sea laid out on the table once and let out a blunt voice.
“You surely did not summon us just to have a meal.”
“Yes, but please eat first. I heard you have something to tell me as well.”
Namgung Geom nodded and spoke.
“Soon, there will be a Seven Great Clans Conference in Wuhan. I stopped by Wuhan for that matter. You must participate as well.”
“I see.”
“By the way, the Azure Eagle Squad was separated.”
“Yes, I gave the order.”
“The reason?”
Namgung Cheon smirked.
My goodness, the old man was quite impatient.
He had intended to fill his stomach first before proceeding with the talk, but at this rate, should he surprise them first?
‘This is going to be hard to handle. Hehe!’
Namgung Cheon put on a triumphant expression and added.
“If I tell you now, you might not be able to eat your meal.”
“Did you cause trouble or something?”
“No, the opposite.”
At that, Namgung Hwa intervened this time and asked.
“But why would we not be able to eat?”
“That is because… we will feel too good.”
Namgung Cheon replied with a grin.