Chapter 796: If You're Handsome and Unlucky, You Must Be from Jin Family (Part 1)

 

“I am Namgung Hwang.”

“I am Byeok Hyeon.”

Hyun Jong respectfully clasped his hands toward the two men.

“I am Hyun Jong of Mount Hua. It’s an honor to see you both again.”

They had all met before at the martial arts competition, but the attitude of the two men toward Hyun Jong had noticeably changed.

First, Byeok Hyeon.

The Sect Leader of the Cheongseong Sect, he smiled warmly at Hyun Jong.

“The fame of Mount Hua echoes throughout Sichuan. I had anticipated that Mount Hua would gain recognition after the martial arts competition, but your accomplishments have surpassed all expectations. Congratulations, Sect Leader.”

“Such praise is overwhelming. I’m unworthy of it.”

“Not at all. No one would disagree. With Mount Hua here to face the bandits, we all feel much more secure.”

Hyun Jong’s face reddened.

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride, especially as he could tell that the Cheongseong Sect Leader’s words were sincere, not just mere politeness.

However…

“What exactly is Mount Hua planning to do here?”

It seemed that Namgung Hwang did not share the same sentiment.

He looked at Hyun Jong with cold eyes.

“The forces gathered here are already more than enough to handle a single stronghold. Adding more people will only cause unnecessary chaos. Since you arrived late, it would be better for you to stay back and provide support from the rear.”

“…”

“There is no place for the Heavenly Alliance here.”

Byeok Hyeon frowned.

“Aren’t you going a bit too far, Patriarch Namgung?”

“What part of it is too much? It’s just the truth. While it’s true that Mount Hua initiated this campaign, didn’t you stay holed up on an island enjoying a leisurely life while we fought the bandits?”

A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Hyun Jong’s eye.

“A leisurely life, he says…”

Could he really call it that?

Well… to someone who didn’t know the full story, it might look that way. Life, after all, is often a comedy from afar but a tragedy up close.

Namgung Hwang looked at Hyun Jong with evident dissatisfaction.

In fact, among the gathered forces, it was likely that the Namgung family held the most resentment toward Mount Hua, even more so than the Wudang Sect.

While Wudang lost face in a direct confrontation with Mount Hua and could never get too close due to their similar nature, they hadn’t suffered significant tangible losses.

The Namgung family, however, had lost too much because of Mount Hua.

Firstly, the Tang Clan’s departure from the Five Great Families.

Although it hadn’t been officially declared, the Tang Clan joining the Heavenly Alliance meant the alliance among the Five Great Families had been broken. For the Namgung family, leading the Five Great Families, this was akin to losing an arm.

Secondly, the loss of control over the commercial sphere in Beijing.

Among the Five Great Families, the Namgung and Peng families were the primary financial powerhouses. Namgung centered its operations around Anhui, while the Peng family dominated the northern market in Beijing.

But due to the cursed Special Delivery Service of the Galaxy Merchant Guild, high-ranking officials had begun favoring their services, threatening the balance of the northern market. Naturally, the pressure on the Namgung family increased as well.

Money and influence.

Both had been deeply affected, and no matter how virtuous Namgung Hwang was, he couldn’t bring himself to look at Mount Hua kindly.

And above all…

‘Damn it. The Mount Hua brats utterly humiliated my son.’

While other sects had also faced humiliation from Mount Hua, there was a significant difference between a disciple suffering embarrassment and a future family head experiencing disgrace. Namgung Hwang could not allow Mount Hua to bask in glory, at least not in his presence.

“What do you think, Elder Beopgye? Are you planning to move forward with Mount Hua?”

“Hmm.”

Beopgye made a low sound, delaying his answer. This was not a question he could answer lightly. No matter how he responded, there would be consequences.

Normally, these matters were discussed quietly behind the scenes, but Namgung Hwang had bluntly asked in front of everyone, making it difficult to respond with so many eyes watching.

“What do you think, Sect Leader?”

Heo Do-jin, who had been slowly approaching, smiled when asked.

“If we’re being thorough, this campaign against the Yangtze River wouldn’t have been possible without Mount Hua’s initiative, would it?”

“…Hmm.”

Namgung Hwang’s gaze narrowed slightly. Heo Do-jin continued.

“There’s no denying that Mount Hua has played a central role in this endeavor.”

“Sect Leader…”

“So.”

Heo Do-jin cut off Namgung Hwang’s words with a curt reply.

“For this campaign, please leave the glory to us, Sect Leader. We also came to the Yangtze to pursue mutual cooperation, but if Mount Hua were to claim all the credit, we would lose face.”

“…”

A faint hint of surprise flashed across Hyun Jong’s face as he looked at Heo Do-jin. Though he had already anticipated as much, he hadn’t expected Heo Do-jin to state it so bluntly.

“Please.”

As Heo Do-jin slightly bowed his head, Hyun Jong quickly waved his hands in response.

“No, please don’t. This isn’t anything that should warrant such courtesy from you, Sect Leader. I’ll agree to it.”

“Thank you.”

Heo Do-jin, smiling softly, continued.

“It’s not solely about the credit. As you can see, the terrain over there is quite difficult.”

“…I see.”

Heo Do-jin gestured across the river, and Hyun Jong’s expression hardened.

‘That terrain…’

The river wasn’t particularly wide. Considering the width of the Yangtze they had seen before, it was actually quite narrow. Crossing it shouldn’t pose much difficulty if they were determined.

But the issue lay beyond that.

“Inside there…”

Across the river was a steep, towering cliff. In its center, a narrow gorge seemed as if it had been carved by a divine axe.

“The Black Dragon Stronghold is within that gorge?”

“Yes. The width is only enough to allow a large boat to pass through.”

“…”

Beopgye added to the explanation.

“We tried to approach from the rear, but that is no easy feat. The cliff is too high to simply jump down. We would need ropes to descend, but finding ropes of that length is challenging. And given the skill of those inside, we would sustain heavy losses just attempting to climb down.”

“…Indeed.”

When Mount Hua attacked Daegyeong Stronghold before, the Green Forest Bandits had scaled the cliffs.

But that had only been possible because Mount Hua, stationed below, had blocked enemy archers and distracted them from those descending the cliffs.

With a reasonable height, having the high ground could offer an advantage, but a cliff of this height would only endanger those attempting to enter.

“However, attacking from above isn’t limited to scaling the cliff. We could try tactics like… a rockslide…”

“Are you suggesting pouring boiling oil?”

Namgung Hwang’s sneering voice interrupted Hyun Jong before he could finish.

“Is the reputation of Mount Hua as a noble sect exaggerated after all?”

He sneered openly.

“Who knows who might be down there? The Black Dragon Stronghold could have enslaved civilians or forced laborers. And you want to drop rocks on their heads?”

“…”

“Utter nonsense.”

Hyun Jong let out a quiet sigh. A low murmur escaped his lips.

Though harsh, Namgung Hwang’s words weren’t entirely wrong. If they had come to the Yangtze for peace, they couldn’t ignore the potential harm to civilians in an all-out attack.

“Perhaps you should catch your breath, Patriarch Namgung.”

“Hmph.”

Beopgye’s indirect admonishment made Namgung Hwang clear his throat. Beopgye continued.

“Thus, it seems we will have to enter through the narrow pass at the front. Not only to avoid harm to civilians but also because the elite of the Black Dragon Stronghold would likely evade such crude attacks.”

“So…”

“With such a narrow path, too many people will only get in the way. Since we can’t selectively choose which sects will advance, it would be best if Mount Hua, who arrived last, could stand down.”

“…Understood.”

With even Beopgye joining in, Hyun Jong had no choice.

Moreover, these four sects were bound together by the alliance of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families. As a member of the Heavenly Alliance, Hyun Jong was naturally seen as an outsider.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

“Think nothing of it…”

Standing a short distance away, Baek Cheon had heard the entire conversation. His face twitched with suppressed anger.

‘Damn it.’

Some were overtly hostile, some were subtly polite, and others spoke as if they were kindly instructing.

They each had different styles, but all were naturally isolating Mount Hua. The sect that had been the first to fight the pirates and risked everything for the people of the Yangtze.

‘Is this their way?’

Baek Cheon bit his lip, struggling to hold back his frustration.

Footsteps echoed nearby.

‘Hm?’

A figure approached Mount Hua’s group, and the aura he exuded made it clear he was not coming with friendly intentions.

Baek Cheon’s eyes widened as he recognized the man.

‘Namgung Dowi?’

It was Namgung Dowi, the infamous Single Sword of the Jin Family, who had been humiliated by Chung Myung in the martial arts competition. His face was as cold and impassive as if it were cast from iron.

Step.

Namgung Dowi stopped in front of Baek Cheon, staring silently before speaking.

“Where is Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon?”

“…Pardon?”

“Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon.”

Instead of answering, Baek Cheon tilted his head slightly.

At once, everyone’s gaze followed his direction.

“Mmmph! Mmmph! Mmmph!”

“…”

“…”

Namgung Dowi’s eyes twitched with suppressed rage.

‘I’m sorry.’

From the depths of his heart, Baek Cheon apologized to Namgung Dowi. He could imagine the determination with which Namgung Dowi had approached them, only to face this situation. It was a violation of basic human decency…

“Release him.”

“Are you sure?”

“Just release him!”

“Yes!”

Jo Gul and Yoon Jong quickly untied the cloth around Chung Myung’s mouth and the ropes binding his body. As soon as he was freed, Chung Myung, his face flushed, let out a yell.

“Puhah! Can’t you at least tie me up so I can breathe? I nearly died!”

“This isn’t the time for that, Chung Myung. We have a guest.”

“Huh? A guest?”

Chung Myung turned and looked at Namgung Dowi.

“Oh…”

Namgung Dowi, his expression tense, spoke in a heavy voice.

“It’s been a long…”

“Who are you again?”

Namgung Dowi froze, staring off into the distant sky.

And Baek Cheon could only turn away, unable to bear watching.

‘I am truly sorry.’

Maybe they should have just kept him tied up.

In that moment, Jo Gul leaned over and whispered quickly to Chung Myung.

“It’s Namgung Dowi! Namgung Dowi! The Single Sword Namgung Dowi!”

“Oh? Namgung Dowi?”

“Yes!”

Chung Myung’s eyes widened as he looked at Namgung Dowi, then muttered.

“…Who’s that?”

“He was the one you fought at the martial arts competition!”

“I beat so many people there, how am I supposed to remember them all?”

“It was one of the stronger ones!”

“Hye Yeon?”

“No, the one after that!”

“I Song-baek?”

“…”

Baek Cheon couldn’t help but notice Jo Gul’s face, filled with genuine remorse as he glanced at Namgung Dowi.

…This was truly a rare sight.

“Then who was it?”

“After that, it was all small fry. How am I supposed to remember every small fry?”

Chung Myung shrugged and brushed off his robes. Namgung Dowi, gritting his teeth, glared at him.

“You’ve forgotten…?”

“Oh!”

Suddenly, Chung Myung clapped his hands, a grin spreading across his face. Namgung Dowi’s twisted smile hinted at anticipation.

“Now you remember…”

“You were that handsome but insufferable guy, right? Wasn’t your name Jin Eun-ryong?”

“It’s Namgung Dowi!”

“Huh… strange. If you’re handsome and annoying, you should be from the Jin family.”

Namgung Dowi and Baek Cheon trembled simultaneously.

After pondering a bit longer, Chung Myung finally let out a loud exclamation.

“Oh, now I remember! Seeing your face brings it back! You were that… uh…”

Smiling brightly, Chung Myung’s eyes drifted downward.

At the same time, everyone who had witnessed the martial arts competition subtly glanced down before quickly averting their gaze.

“Sorry about that. I was full of rage back then. I didn’t have to go that far. Are you okay? Any… lingering issues?”

“Ugh…”

Namgung Dowi’s handsome face twisted with rage.