My Younger Siblings Are the Greatest Masters in the World - Chapter 58
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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58.
Namgung Cheolsang let out a deep sigh.
“Seol Podoo is not only a future supreme master of the realm, but he also has the character to willingly risk his life for his loved ones. He’s quite handsome too. He didn’t even spare a glance at Hyemin, did he?”
“What? That bastard dares to ignore Hyemin?”
“This isn’t the time to be protective of Hyemin. In my view, Seol Podoo is a dragon among dragons. We must create a connection with the Namgung Family somehow.”
Namgung Cheolsang’s expression suddenly became serious as he spoke.
“Come to think of it, there was a reason why the Hwangbo Family was so favorable toward Seol Podoo. The Hwangbo Family recognized Seol Podoo’s true worth.”
Namgung Bongseong also nodded.
“I see. I thought it was strange that Hyeonguk was following Seol Podoo around calling him ‘big brother’ all the time.”
“Even Ryeoseon, who rarely comes out of the Hwangbo Family Estate because she’s focused on internal energy cultivation, is following Seol Podoo around, isn’t she? If we’re not careful, we might lose Seol Podoo to the Hwangbo Family.”
Before they knew it, Seol Mujin had become a talent they absolutely had to secure.
It would be best if he became Namgung Bongseong’s son-in-law.
Namgung Bongseong’s expression grew serious.
“The problem is that we’ll have to make an awkward request to the Third Prince.”
“Solving Seol Podoo’s problem wouldn’t be bad for the Third Prince either. If Seol Podoo becomes our person, he’ll ultimately be working with the Third Prince, won’t he? We can actually make this demand with confidence.”
“I’ll have to meet with Hyeon-ya.”
***
Hyeon-ya, with his white hair tied tightly back, had a face that made it difficult to guess his age.
From one angle, he looked like an old man past sixty, but his taut skin made him appear to be around thirty.
Hyeon-ya habitually stroked his beardless chin with the back of his hand.
“You want me to release the Jenam Magistrate?”
Namgung Cheolsang spoke in the most resolute voice he could muster.
“It absolutely must be done.”
“Hehe! Well, this is interesting.”
Hyeon-ya’s expression was peculiar as he let out a hollow laugh.
“Why do you say that? It shouldn’t be such a difficult matter for you, Hyeon-ya.”
“What wasn’t difficult has now become difficult.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“One of my allies told me to imprison the magistrate, while the other is asking me to release him.”
Namgung Cheolsang was shocked.
“You were the one who imprisoned the Jenam Magistrate?”
Hyeon-ya silently stroked his chin with the back of his hand.
The thought ‘He’s going to rub all the skin off his chin at this rate’ naturally came to mind.
Namgung Cheolsang asked.
“Who was the person who told you to imprison the magistrate?”
“What would you do with that information?”
“Is it a martial arts sect?”
“That’s right.”
The answer he had hoped for came.
“Our Namgung Family will resolve this.”
Even if it involved the Nine Great Sects and One Alliance or other members of the Five Great Families, he was confident they could handle it.
“You’re not planning to fight, are you?”
“If we must fight, then we will.”
Hyeon-ya looked surprised.
“Why is the Jenam magistrate in Shandong Province so important to the Namgung Family in Anhui Province?”
“Because it’s a matter of securing a talent we absolutely need. This is important not only to the Namgung Family but also to the Third Prince.”
“Who is this talent?”
“You can meet him in person later.”
“Are you trying to use my curiosity to resolve this matter?”
“If that talent disappoints you, you can punish me.”
“Punishment for Elder Namgung? You’re saying terrible things. But since Elder Namgung is making such a guarantee, I am curious about who this person is.”
“We don’t have time. By any chance, was it Oryongbang in Shandong Province that asked you to imprison the magistrate?”
“Are you pretending to be clueless when you already know?”
“Not at all. That friend told me that Oryongbang seemed to be involved in the Jenam Magistrate’s imprisonment. Since you said it was a martial arts sect, I made an educated guess.”
When Namgung Cheolsang’s expression turned sour, Hyeon-ya asked.
“You don’t seem pleased about being in the same boat as a dark path sect.”
“I can’t say I’m happy about it.”
The Nine Great Sects and One Alliance and the Five Great Families have been names that have always protected the orthodox sects throughout thousands of years of martial arts history.
For the Namgung Family, which could be considered the leader of the Five Great Families, to join hands with a dark path sect was unthinkable.
Hyeon-ya said.
“These are turbulent times. Do you think this fierce storm will spare the martial arts world?”
It was because the Namgung Family knew this that they decided to have secret meetings with the Third Prince.
Though it was unexpected that the Third Prince had extended his hand even to Oryongbang.
“What will you do, Hyeon-ya? Oryongbang or the Namgung Family?”
“I don’t like being pressured by anyone.”
Even though his expression wasn’t unpleasant, he clearly expressed his displeasure.
But Namgung Cheolsang didn’t back down.
“The Namgung Family won’t be offended regardless of what decision you make, Hyeon-ya. However, there will be someone else who will be offended.”
“The person you mentioned, Elder Namgung?”
“He will become Oryongbang’s enemy.”
“That means he’ll become our enemy too?”
“I don’t want to make him an enemy. If you meet him, Hyeon-ya, you’ll think the same as I do.”
“What if I still side with Oryongbang?”
Namgung Cheolsang played his trump card.
“The Namgung Family will have to endure these turbulent times without the Third Prince.”
“Is that the will of the Namgung Family Head?”
“My elder brother has given me full authority.”
If Namgung Bongseong heard this conversation right now, he would have screamed at Namgung Cheolsang, calling him a madman.
Hyeon-ya stared intently at Namgung Cheolsang.
He was trying to read Namgung Cheolsang’s will.
Whether this decision would waver, whether he would retreat.
But Namgung Cheolsang’s will was like a giant tree with firmly rooted foundations.
“Very well. I’ll release the magistrate. But don’t forget the promise you made earlier.”
“The promise…?”
“The promise that you would accept punishment if the person you mentioned disappoints me.”
Namgung Cheolsang smiled.
“Of course.”
Because Seol Mujin wouldn’t disappoint anyone.
***
Go Bongsu was released.
After putting on his returned official robes, the first person he met was Ch’ŏmsa Gwak Suro.
“I had no personal grudge against you.”
“I know.”
“To be honest, I’m also relieved that the magistrate was released.”
“Have you developed some fondness for me?”
“Because I don’t want to make an enemy of that Seol Podoo fellow.”
With those words, Gwak Suro turned and left.
When he went to his office, Seol Mujin was waiting for him.
Go Bongsu spread his arms wide and embraced Seol Mujin.
“I knew you would solve it!”
“I’m glad things worked out well.”
“What method did you use exactly?”
“It’s better if you don’t know.”
“You’ll tell me later though, right?”
“If I were to tell you, you might have to risk your life as well, Magistrate.”
Go Bongsu waved his hands frantically as if a storm was blowing.
“I don’t want to hear it! Absolutely don’t want to hear it! I’m going to retire as Jinan Magistrate and enjoy a comfortable old age.”
“That suits you perfectly, Magistrate. Hahaha!”
***
The letter in Won Baeguk’s hand burst into flames.
Won Baeguk’s face trembled with rage as he unleashed his Sammae True Fire.
“Does Oryongbang’s leader dare to disrespect me like this?”
Wang Doseok asked cautiously.
“What happened that has you so upset?”
“Hyeon-ya released the Jinan Magistrate.”
“What? Why did he suddenly do that?”
“I don’t know! That’s just what happened, and he says he’ll explain the details later! He just gave me a one-sided notification! That old eunuch bastard!”
“Please calm down first and let’s find out the detailed circumstances.”
“Find out what! This bastard sees me as a damn dog!”
Knowing that no one could stop Won Baeguk when he was angry, Wang Doseok remained silent.
Won Baeguk’s fist, which had been trembling with rage, slowly relaxed.
“If this bastard stabbed me in the back, he should pay the proper price.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Now it’s not about Suryangbang. If I got stabbed in the back, shouldn’t the one who stabbed me lose his head?”
Wang Doseok was shocked.
“Are you saying you’ll betray the Third Prince?”
“Betray? Did I swear loyalty to the Third Prince?”
“Ah, no. Of course not. This was just a transaction.”
“Since they broke the deal, it’s natural to change business partners.”
“You mean…?”
“Send a letter to that side. Tell them I’d like to meet face to face soon.”
***
“The Namgung Family is definitely trying to drag you into this matter, so what will you do?”
At Seol Changho’s question, Seol Mujin asked back.
“What do you mean by ‘this matter’ all of a sudden?”
“The matter that the Namgung Family and the Third Prince are plotting. The Emperor’s throne.”
Only Seol Mantong, who was eating peanuts, looked bewildered.
“The Third Prince means the third son, right? There should be an eldest son, so why would the third son covet the Emperor’s throne?”
Seol Ryeoseon said.
“The First Prince is sickly and weak. That’s why he couldn’t be appointed as Crown Prince either.”
“Then next would be the Second Prince.”
“If the eldest can’t inherit the Emperor’s throne, then whether it’s the second or third, they naturally think they have qualifications too.”
“How many princes are there?”
“Four.”
“Then the fourth one too?”
“Probably so.”
“Anyway, in front of power, blood relations and everything else are completely useless.”
“In front of power, blood relations are the most frightening.”
Seol Changho said.
“There are already many worries that the Central Plains might be engulfed in war. If four princes start fighting for power, it won’t just be groundless fear.”
Seol Ryeoseon picked up on that.
“It’s not just the princes. From what I hear, uncles and other imperial relatives seem to covet the Emperor’s throne too.”
Seol Changho nodded.
“They call the four princes ‘Four Dragons’ and the five imperial relatives ‘Five Tigers,’ so the phrase ‘Four Dragons Five Tigers Under Heaven’ is openly circulating.”
“If things go wrong here, it’ll truly become the Spring and Autumn Warring States period.”
The triplets knew that Seol Mujin wasn’t unaware of the stories they’d picked up here and there.
“Is the Third Prince the only one who joined hands with martial arts sects?”
It wasn’t that there hadn’t been power struggles to claim the imperial throne before.
But the martial arts world had always played the role of an observer, watching from one step back.
They maintained an unwritten rule of not interfering with each other, like river water and well water.
But apparently this typhoon would mix and sweep away both river water and well water indiscriminately.
Seol Changho said.
“Oryongbang as well as the Namgung Family are on the same boat as the Third Prince. We should assume other martial arts sects are also colluding with someone.”
Seol Mantong asked Seol Mujin.
“Speaking of Oryongbang, are you going to leave those bastards alone?”
They had touched Seol Mujin first.
But he knew from experience that if you let it slide carelessly, they come back with bigger weapons.
How could he not want to punish them like he had punished Suryangbang?
Seol Mujin scratched his head.
“The Namgung Family hopes we’ll just let this matter pass. Oryongbang is also on the Third Prince’s side, so when you think about it, they’re on the same side as the Namgung Family.”
Seol Mantong snorted.
“Sticking with the Black Island that they regard like dirt under their fingernails. Anyway, the things these so-called righteous sects do make me nauseous.”
Seol Mujin said.
“If the world really becomes as chaotic as the Spring and Autumn Warring States period, survival is the priority.”
Seol Changho asked Seol Mujin.
“What are your thoughts about Oryongbang?”
“If Oryongbang doesn’t bother us anymore, I’m thinking of letting it slide. Honestly, Oryongbang isn’t a small sect like Suryangbang either.”
Since Oryongbang had power comparable to the Odaesega, Seol Mujin couldn’t go alone and clean them up like Suryangbang.
Seol Mantong slammed the table and shouted.
“We can go together and sweep them all away! What’s so difficult about that!”
Of course, it would be possible if he went with the triplets.
“Forget it. The Magistrate was briefly imprisoned, and if even the Namgung Family said that, let’s just let it slide this time.”
Seol Ryeoseon said this, when they expected her to agree with Seol Mantong about sweeping them away.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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