Chapter 216: Cooperation Is A Mess (3)
Chapter 215 – Cooperation Is A Mess (3)
Fwooooosh.
A gust of wind passed through the training ground of the Eon Clan Estate.
Despite the still warm weather, the people surrounding the training ground felt a somehow chilly sensation and rubbed their forearms.
Yun Jong-seung, who was mixed in with the crowd, also rubbed his forearms and shivered at the somehow eerie feeling.
It was probably because of the murderous aura emitted by the two people standing face to face in the middle of the training ground.
Particularly Paeng Jeok-ho, who stood tall like a guardian statue holding a massive saber in his hand.
His eyes contained controlled anger, and his stiff expression and tightly closed lips represented his unshakable will.
As if he had become a part of the cliff standing right behind the estate, he maintained a rigid stance.
And Namgung Cheon, who stood facing him, stood with his weight on one leg, yawning and shedding a tear…
‘He has absolutely no sense of tension!’
Yun Jong-seung shook his head in astonishment.
What on earth was he thinking?
Could he not feel the murderous aura radiating from Paeng Jeok-ho’s entire body right now?
Moreover, the voice that slipped out was insolent to the extreme.
“So? You want to fight in a situation like this?”
The phrase ‘fanning the flames’ was truly meant for times like this.
Twitch!
Paeng Jeok-ho’s cheek shook once.
Just as he was about to say something, Namgung Cheon poured oil on the fire again.
“Wow, the world is truly harsh. No, heartless? What should I call this? Ah, ungrateful! Truly ungrateful.”
“What?”
A vertical wrinkle creased deeply between Paeng Jeok-ho’s brows.
Regardless, Namgung Cheon placed his clasped hands behind his head and spoke as if complaining.
“That’s right. I went through the trouble of persuading a clan we were rivals with to save your lives, and now you are drawing a blade on me.”
At that moment, the surrounding people stirred. It was an atmosphere of acknowledging Namgung Cheon’s words to some extent.
Paeng Jeok-ho, whose cheek twitched, opened his heavy mouth.
“Yes, I admit that our family owes you a debt of gratitude. As the representative of my family, I thank you for that.”
“But you still want to fight?”
“Before that!”
When Paeng Jeok-ho’s voice suddenly grew louder, the roof tiles around them trembled, making a rattling sound.
Several people covered their ears and crouched down.
“You are from a family that is our family’s enemy. Moreover, experiencing that crisis on that day is something that would not have happened if we had not suffered damage from the Great Killing Star.”
“We don’t know about that.”
“What?”
“Since the unorthodox forces attacked with determination, no matter how great the Hebei Paeng Clan is, it would have been difficult to block them alone.”
“Do you dare mention the past reputation of our family?”
“Why not?”
“If it weren’t for your father, our family would never…!”
Paeng Jeok-ho, who was speaking, glared at Namgung Cheon with his mouth shut tight.
It was because talking about such things felt miserable.
Ultimately, Paeng Jeok-ho let out a faint sigh and muttered to himself.
“As expected, you feel no emotion before that tragedy.”
“If I had to feel something, I have ill feelings toward my enemy.”
“What?”
In an instant, Namgung Cheon’s expression sank heavier than ever before.
He stared straight at Paeng Jeok-ho and asked.
“Did my father go to the Paeng Clan first and kill the Clan Leader?”
“…!”
“I am asking if my father went to the Paeng Clan first, while they were doing nothing, and killed him.”
“The former Clan Leader only wished to eliminate the Great Killing Star for the justice of the Jianghu and preserve peace…”
“Don’t beat around the bush. To put it simply, didn’t you go find my father first? Saying you would kill my father.”
When the conversation took a strange turn, Paeng Jeok-ho flared up and shouted.
“It was for the justice of the Jianghu!”
“That is all fine. But does that mean my father should have died quietly for your justice? And is that really justice? Have you actually seen the Great Killing Star kill innocent people?”
“I have not seen it myself. But the world already…”
“The world!”
In an instant, Namgung Cheon roared.
This time, a certain rage was faintly embedded in Namgung Cheon’s voice.
At that moment, the roof tiles around them rattled again.
When the training ground was enveloped in surprise and silence, Namgung Cheon’s low, sunken voice continued.
“If the world tells the Paeng Clan to die, will you die?”
“…”
Paeng Jeok-ho remained silent, and the others also shut their mouths. It was a statement that strangely touched their hearts.
Even while making judgments based on the standards of the world, they felt a psychological aversion when the world handed down self-contradictory justice.
Was it not the same for everyone?
‘Namgung Cheon…’
Watching the situation quietly, Paeng Su-hyeok felt a solemn feeling for some reason.
He could not even imagine how Namgung Cheon must have felt, receiving the contempt and disregard of the world with his entire body simply because a father he had never met was the Great Killing Star.
Had he himself not treated Namgung Cheon in a similar way under the gaze of the world until last year?
‘Father, that is Namgung Cheon. You said you were curious, right? He is a guy who stands against the world with his own justice like that.’
Paeng Su-hyeok silently looked at his father’s back.
Suddenly, a chuckling sound was heard.
It was Paeng Jeok-ho.
“Indeed. From your perspective, our family is the enemy.”
“Well, after the former Paeng Clan Leader died by my father’s hand, he was chased around even more as a public enemy of the Martial World.”
“In any case, we share an ill-fated relationship.”
“We are not in a relationship to smile and chatter happily.”
Indeed.
Their respective fathers had ultimately lost their lives because of the other.
A relationship where they could never laugh and chatter under the same sky.
That was why they had to settle it.
This uncomfortable relationship.
Namgung Cheon thought the same. However, Namgung Cheon wanted to know with what mind Paeng Jeok-ho was drawing his blade against him.
Whether it was simply a desire for revenge against an enemy family.
Or if he intended to redefine their relationship.
Since ancient times, the Paeng Clan had been straightforward and domineering, but they were a family with a thorough sense of righteousness and loyalty.
A place that was troublesome as an enemy, but could be trusted and relied upon as an ally.
Paeng Jeok-ho smiled bitterly and spoke.
“It must be time to break the chain of ill fate from the previous generation. However, as you know, it is a relationship difficult to resolve with a single word. Although there is a difference in generation, we cannot consider such things when it comes to parents, can we? How about it? Resolving it through a duel like martial artists.”
“If so, fine. I accept.”
Namgung Cheon smirked and nodded.
In a way, it was an attitude of arrogance piercing the heavens.
However, Paeng Jeok-ho did not particularly chide Namgung Cheon.
Surpassing the difference in generation, he could only let out an absurd exclamation at that confidence and boldness.
‘Whether it is guts or conceit… my goodness.’
It was then.
“Clan Leader Paeng! What on earth is going on?”
Eon Yang-geol, who had run over in a hurry, blocked Paeng Jeok-ho.
Paeng Jeok-ho lightly cupped his hands to Eon Yang-geol and spoke.
“I ask for your understanding in advance, Clan Leader Eon. This is a matter between my family and the Jianghu Divine Dragon.”
“No, why at such an important time…”
“Because it is an important time, we need to settle it quickly. Otherwise, our minds will be distracted, and it will be difficult to focus on the fight against the unorthodox faction.”
“Sigh! Clan Leader Paeng, do not do this…”
“I request of you. Do not interfere this time.”
When Paeng Jeok-ho spoke in a firm tone, Eon Yang-geol also shut his mouth. It was because he read the determination in Paeng Jeok-ho’s expression that stopping him would be useless.
At that moment, Namgung Cheon stretched lazily and stepped forward.
“Whew! Anyway, you are saying your chest will feel clear only after you fight once. Well, I understand.”
Paeng Jeok-ho turned around and chuckled.
Certainly, Paeng Jeok-ho did not intend to beat Namgung Cheon to death right now.
As they conversed more, he realized that Namgung Cheon was no ordinary person.
“Father, when I am with Namgung Cheon, I gain enlightenment without realizing it.”
When his son, Paeng Su-hyeok, had said those words, he had laughed and dismissed them.
But looking at him now, he felt he understood what they meant.
‘He is young, but he truly deserves to be called the Jianghu Divine Dragon.’
Not only his martial arts, but his depth of thought and the way he drew out the opponent’s emotions were mature.
So he wanted to know even more.
Just how strong Namgung Cheon was.
What kind of fellow the child of the enemy who killed his father was.
Just how his son’s evaluation of that fellow had turned one hundred and eighty degrees!
“Shall we begin then?”
When Paeng Jeok-ho asked in a low voice, Namgung Cheon smirked.
“I am ready anytime. The one who has been talking instead of starting is you, Hero Paeng.”
Eon Yang-geol, who was watching the situation, felt his chest tighten.
‘Why on earth does he talk so provocatively! This is truly a disaster! At this rate, the Jianghu Divine Dragon might die at our estate!’
No matter how great the Jianghu Divine Dragon was, facing the head of a clan was no easy task.
And against the Hebei Paeng Clan at that!
Particularly, since the Hebei Paeng Clan was a family that practiced practical martial arts, didn’t they tend to push harder and harder as the fight grew rough?
If he pushed too hard without showing mercy, the Jianghu Divine Dragon dying might not remain a mere delusion.
Unable to watch any longer, Eon Yang-geol spotted Paeng Su-hyeok and quickly spoke to him.
“You should stop them! At this rate, something terrible will really happen!”
“Stop those two? Me?”
Paeng Su-hyeok asked back, furrowing his brow deeply.
Just by looking at that expression, Eon Yang-geol was about to acknowledge that it was an unreasonable request.
“Then will you just leave them be? If the Jianghu Divine Dragon dies…”
“Then the Jianghu Divine Dragon is only that much.”
“Wh-What?”
No, how could a boy who had not even reached adulthood be so cold?
Paeng Su-hyeok spoke again.
“But he is not someone who will die so easily. Even if the Jianghu Divine Dragon can die like that, Namgung Cheon won’t die. Him dying here by my father’s saber? Honestly, I cannot imagine it.”
“Sigh.”
Eon Yang-geol stared at Paeng Su-hyeok with his mouth wide open.
Where on earth did that strong faith originate?
Since he spoke with such a calm expression, didn’t it feel like he was the one saying something ridiculous?
‘Even if the Jianghu Divine Dragon can die, Namgung Cheon will not.’
In short, did it not mean he was far more outstanding than his title?
Did he not think completely opposite to the view of the world?
No, were all the guys who hung around Namgung Cheon such eccentrics?
“Even so, the situation is not good. Quickly, you should stop them…”
“Watch, Elder. Isn’t there a saying that the ground hardens after the rain?”
“I am worried it will be blown to pieces before the ground can harden!”
“Hahaha! I believe in those two. My father, and Namgung Cheon.”
Paeng Su-hyeok replied with a hearty laugh.
Eon Yang-geol shook his head.
‘They are crazy. They are all crazy.’
If an accident happened while those two fought, instead of blocking the unorthodox forces, they might face internal division.
And was that all?
The people of the world would point fingers.
Saying the host did not stop the fight but encouraged it.
‘Why on earth at our estate!’
Moreover, he could not understand Namgung Cheon, who had once asked him to save the Paeng Clan, only to say he would fight Clan Leader Paeng now.
Just then, Namgung Cheon held out his hand and spoke.
“Wait a moment before that.”
“What is it?”
At Paeng Jeok-ho’s question, Namgung Cheon looked at Eon Yang-geol and smiled.
Smile? At me, why?
“Let’s set a condition.”
“A condition?”
At Paeng Jeok-ho’s question, Namgung Cheon smirked and spoke.
“If I win, yield the position of the Hebei branch to the Eon Clan Estate.”
“The Hebei branch?”
Paeng Jeok-ho furrowed his brow slightly and unconsciously turned back to Eon Yang-geol.
Eon Yang-geol also did not expect such words to come out, so he had a dumbfounded expression.
‘The Hebei branch… Namgung Cheon, that fellow is a better guy than I thought… Ah, that’s not what’s important right now!’