Chapter 209: I Knew It Would Be Like This (1)
Chapter 208 – I Knew It Would Be Like This (1)
Paeng Su-hyeok blinked his eyes once more.
“Is it really you?”
“Of course it is really me. Is there a fake me too?”
Namgung Cheon muttered nonsense and walked over trudgingly.
Following behind him were Yu Hyeon, Yun Jong-seung, and Jin So-hong.
No, where in the world did they think this was to come here?
More that that, did they not see the unorthodox figures lined up with their backs to the forest right now?
The unorthodox figures were equally dumbfounded.
Blood Sword Soul Chaser furrowed his brow and stared intently at Namgung Cheon’s party.
‘What is this? Is he a crazy guy?’
For that matter, fighting spirit and killing intent were currently swirling like a typhoon in front of the old shrine.
Yet, did he not casually pass through the middle of it and speak to the Paeng Clan kid?
Would such behavior be possible unless one was crazy?
No, even if one was crazy, it would be impossible.
Because no matter how crazy someone was, if they faced killing intent, they were bound to shrink back instinctively to protect their own life.
‘Is he an excessively crazy guy?’
Because it was so absurd, curiosity was aroused and he just watched.
‘Come to think of it, I feel like I have seen him somewhere before.’
Meanwhile, Paeng Jeok-ho knitted his brow and turned to look at Paeng Su-hyeok.
“Is he someone you know?”
“Yes? Ah, yes. He is a fellow cadet.”
“A fellow cadet?”
At Paeng Jeok-ho’s question, Paeng Su-hyeok nodded hesitantly.
For that matter, he knew his father would never be pleased if he learned Namgung Cheon’s identity.
How could he welcome the child of the enemy who killed his grandfather?
Paeng Jeok-ho furrowed his brow and asked again.
“Speak in detail. Why did they come all the way here?”
“Your son does not know that well either. Over there is Yu Hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect, Yun Jong-seung of the Mount Huang Yun Clan, and Cadet Jin So-hong.”
Although Paeng Su-hyeok naturally omitted Namgung Cheon, Paeng Jeok-ho’s gaze directed toward Namgung Cheon.
“Yes, I remember. Then what about that one?”
“Um… he is a classmate from the academy.”
Then, Namgung Cheon, who had just been listening, stepped in abruptly.
“Hey, why can’t you say it? Why can’t you say that I am Namgung Cheon, the winner of the Joint Conference, the Young Patriarch of the great Namgung Clan, and the Jianghu Divine Dragon? You should say I am your respected colleague who always gives you deep guidance!”
Ah, that blockhead bastard.
‘Even when I try to be considerate…’
An embarrassed look crossed Paeng Su-hyeok’s face.
Meanwhile, the moment Paeng Jeok-ho heard Namgung Cheon’s name, he flinched and sharpened his gaze.
“Now I remember. Right, you were Namgung Cheon. Your build has changed quite a bit in the meantime.”
“Yes, I am that very Namgung Cheon. I greet you, Clan Leader Paeng.”
Namgung Cheon grinned after cupping his fists. At that, Yu Hyeon, Yun Jong-seung, and Jin So-hong, who came with him, also cupped their fists in bewilderment and offered their greetings.
“We greet you, Clan Leader Paeng.”
Paeng Jeok-ho waved his hand.
“The situation is not very good to be exchanging formal greetings.”
Paeng Jeok-ho’s eyes narrowed.
Namgung Cheon.
He remembered seeing him at the Joint Conference.
The sole bloodline of the Great Killing Star Jin Cheon-rang.
He was said to be the son born from his relationship with Namgung Seon, who was the number one dragon under heaven.
The figure who won the Joint Conference and was reborn from a tiger’s mouth into an academy hero. He was even said to perform outstandingly during his cadet service.
‘I wanted to see him properly at least once, and he showed up on his own feet.’
However, as he said, the situation was not good.
Conveniently, Blood Sword Soul Chaser smirked.
“You may continue your talk without worrying about me. Since the time you have to chatter in this world will not be long anyway. I can accommodate you to that extent. If there is any last talk you wish to share, go ahead.”
It was an obvious ridicule.
Nevertheless, whether he knew that inside or not, Namgung Cheon replied with an admiring expression.
“Wow, indeed a person overflowing with composure. A well-educated person. A truly cool person. Thank you!”
“…….”
Is he an idiot?
Blood Sword Soul Chaser furrowed his brow slightly.
On the other hand, Paeng Jeok-ho stiffened his expression and looked at the cadets.
To meet his son’s colleagues at a time like this.
His pride was hurt.
Especially…
‘That guy!’
Was he not the bloodline of Jin Cheon-rang, who killed his father and the former Clan Leader?
To be in such a wretched state before the child of the enemy.
‘Although I heard through Su-hyeok that he was not normal, I did not know he was such a crazy guy.’
At any rate, perhaps due to that crazy guy, he had bought some time.
In the meantime, the vassals would reorganize their formation and make the situation even slightly better to fight.
Even so, it was already hopeless to turn the tide of the battle.
‘Even so, I will save Su-hyeok at least!’
Paeng Jeok-ho turned to look at the cadets and asked in a low tone.
“How did you come here?”
“We came as support from the Alliance.”
At Namgung Cheon’s reply, Paeng Jeok-ho knitted his brow further.
“Support? Just you guys?”
“Yes, because the Alliance only sent us. As you know, the Alliance sometimes barks up the wrong tree. Since everyone has rushed to Yunnan now, they are short on manpower.”
“Yet they sent you guys as support. My family must have looked quite ridiculous to them!”
“Hey, think of it positively. They might have believed that the Paeng Clan would be perfectly fine even if they only sent us.”
Was this ridicule or comfort…
Paeng Jeok-ho soon sneered.
Believing in the Paeng Clan?
No way.
Did he not know the Martial Alliance?
In particular, Mok Cheon-ak, who led the current Martial Alliance, was a thorough pragmatist. There was no way he, as the Clan Leader, did not know that they had long discriminated against the weakened Paeng Clan.
Believing in the Paeng Clan?
‘Rather, they must have thought of us as something that doesn’t matter whether we are here or not.’
As a clear example, he was an old man who did not even look kindly upon a Paeng Clan martial artist taking the position of the Hebei Branch Leader.
By the way, this fellow was the Jianghu Divine Dragon.
Do they say a tiger does not breed a dog?
Although he did not want to call the family’s enemy a tiger, Jin Cheon-rang was definitely a terrifying man.
Since he was the only one whom the Martial Alliance had relentlessly pursued for decades.
But it was indeed surprising that his son received the title of the Jianghu Divine Dragon.
Paeng Jeok-ho glanced at Blood Sword Soul Chaser and spoke to Namgung Cheon.
“I know you are the bloodline of the Great Killing Star. How regrettable. Had it not been for this kind of meeting, I would have definitely wanted to test you. Our first meeting is not good. Since you have already come all the way here, take my son and escape this place together.”
Thud!
Paeng Jeok-ho placed his great saber forward and squeezed his hands tightly.
‘Su-hyeok, you at least must live!’
It was extremely vexing to have to send the enemy’s child away like this, but there was no helping it.
For now, relying on the title of the Jianghu Divine Dragon to escape his son from this damn situation was the top priority.
It would be a proposal with nothing bad for Namgung Cheon either. Rather than dying in vain, escaping here as quickly as possible and surviving was much better…
“I refuse.”
“Right, huh? What did you say?”
“I said I refuse.”
“No, why?”
“We came as support. We did not come to escape.”
No, what kind of fellow is this?
Refusing even when a path to live is opened?
Is he truly completely crazy?
‘I do not care whether you live or die, but if so, even my son will die!’
Coincidentally, Namgung Cheon pointed a finger at Paeng Su-hyeok.
“That wild boar-like guy is not one to leave just because we tell him to, right? That bastard is incredibly stubborn and never listens.”
He is my child, not yours!
“Can you not understand my words! Even after seeing the current situation…!”
“Enough. If so, try persuading that wild boar before you persuade me then.”
No, calling someone else’s son a wild boar since earlier!
Amidst his absurdity, Paeng Su-hyeok took a large step forward and acted stubbornly.
“That fellow is right. I am not going, Father.”
“Su-hyeok!”
“Father! How can you tell me to live alone? Have you thought about the mental burden I would have to carry for the rest of my life if I abandoned my father in a place of death?”
“You foolish child! Everyone lives carrying a mental burden! That is the life of one who lives on! Stop talking nonsense and go! Go and find your uncle!”
“I am not going! I cannot go!”
“You…!”
At that time, Namgung Cheon stepped in abruptly, failing to read the room.
“If it is your uncle, is it the Hebei Branch Leader? Then he is already here…”
“What? Where?”
Paeng Jeok-ho flinched and looked around.
‘Ah! Did the branch send support personnel together?’
If so, we can live!
As a ray of hope budded, strength suddenly surged.
Yes, of course.
No wonder the young cadet chatted without losing his spirit in the midst of a murderous situation.
He must have had something to rely on.
“Where is the branch leader?”
“Here.”
Namgung Cheon put down the wooden box he carried and opened the lid.
At that moment, Paeng Jeok-ho’s eyes widened as if tearing.
“J-Jin-ak!”
When Paeng Jeok-ho stumbled, Paeng Su-hyeok quickly ran and supported him.
“Father!”
“Jin-ak… Jin-ak!”
With a dazed expression, Paeng Jeok-ho took out Paeng Jin-ak’s head from the wooden box.
“Gasp!”
Only then did Paeng Su-hyeok also step backward in surprise.
“U-Uncle…!”
At this point, even Blood Sword Soul Chaser, who had only been observing the situation, could not help but be surprised. He furrowed his brow heavily and looked at Paeng Jin-ak’s head.
‘Why is that with that fellow…?’
He asked the subordinate standing next to him in a low voice.
“Is that head really the branch leader’s?”
“It seems so.”
“Why is the branch leader’s head in that fellow’s possession!”
“Your subordinate also doesn’t know that far…”
While the subordinate trailed off, a roar burst from Paeng Jeok-ho. The direction of his fury was Namgung Cheon.
“You bastard! What is your identity?”
For him, since the son of the enemy who suddenly appeared offered his younger brother’s head, he was naturally bound to be suspicious.
Namgung Cheon, whose throat was reached by the blade, spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.
“This… is a bit complicated to explain. It seems there is a misunderstanding. The branch leader fell to those unorthodox figures, and I merely snatched this wooden box from the unorthodox figures.”
Despite Namgung Cheon’s explanation, Paeng Jeok-ho did not lower his guard for a moment with bloodshot eyes.
In the end, only after Paeng Su-hyeok stepped forward did he calm down to some extent.
“Father, Cheon’s words are likely correct. Though he is a strange fellow, he is one who knows how to distinguish between friend and foe.”
“Ugh… Jin-ak…”
Only then did Paeng Jeok-ho also relax his guard and stumble backward.
Paeng Su-hyeok also narrowly swept down his chest and looked at Namgung Cheon.
‘That crazy guy! Even so, he should read the situation and atmosphere. Out of nowhere, my uncle’s head…!’
It was then.
A cold voice flowed from among the unorthodox figures.
“Are you finished chatting now?”
Blood Sword Soul Chaser, who had only been watching until now, threw a heavy voice.
Namgung Cheon turned around and shook his head.
“You said you would give us plenty of time. You were a person with less composure than expected. Your personality is hasty.”
“…….”
‘He is definitely a crazy guy.’
Blood Sword Soul Chaser swallowed his inner thoughts and wore a faint smile.
“Come to think of it, I thought we could share side talk even in the afterlife. Rather than that, where did you get that head?”
“I exchanged it for the head of one of your guys in Zhengding County.”
“Exchanged…?”
“Well, it happened like that. By now, that side’s head has probably been delivered too. Since we were a bit later than expected.”
“If it is a delivery, to whom?”
“Valley Leader of Black Mist Valley, Ryu Nan.”
“……!”
Composure disappeared from Blood Sword Soul Chaser’s expression.
“What is your identity?”
“You must have heard it earlier. The Young Patriarch of the great Namgung Clan and…”
“Are you really Jin Cheon-rang’s son?”
“Yes.”
Blood Sword Soul Chaser curled up the corners of his mouth and lightly licked his lips with his tongue.
“I see. The Great Killing Star’s son dies by my hands today.”
“Before that, I have an item to deliver. I found something good in that snatched bundle over there.”
“……?”
Blood Sword Soul Chaser furrowed his brow and stared at Namgung Cheon.
Everyone seemed curious about what he would pull out this time.
Namgung Cheon walked to the bundle and said while putting his hand inside.
“Are you curious? If you are curious, five hundred taels.”
“…….”
“Just kidding. Ah, found it!”
Instantly, Namgung Cheon pulled out something from the bundle and quickly threw it up into the sky.
The moment everyone’s gaze followed it upward,
Piiiiik, pang!
The signal flare exploded like a firework, embroidering the night sky.