The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 23
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 23
“You. Don’t use that thing. Really.”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung’s nagging that started from early dawn continued until the afternoon.
It was what he said after seeing the effectiveness of the ‘true words’ that Xie Baowei had shown the day before.
“You crazy bastard. Do you even know what this is before using it? No. Are there really dog-like bastards who teach this kind of thing to regular soldiers?”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung was shocked to see his vital essence fluctuating even though there were no wounds on his skin.
To think that the way his body’s wounds healed so easily was through this kind of method!
“It’s fine if I use it moderately.”
“Moderately? Moderately? Damn it! How can the word ‘moderately’ ever fit in a battlefield!”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung burst out in anger once again.
Xie Baowei smiled as if troubled.
As he said, there was no such thing as moderation in the gap between life and death.
But what could he do? If he didn’t use it, he would die immediately.
“I’ll be fine if I eat well and rest well.”
“…Hah. We’re not getting through to each other.”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung shook his head back and forth.
As Xie Baowei said, if it was just to quickly seal wounds on the skin like now, it might end with just being a little tired.
Even more serious wounds would probably be fine. As he said, if he ate well and rested well afterwards.
But looking at Xie Baowei’s condition, it didn’t seem like that would be the case.
“…So that’s why he fought like a madman. Was he relying on this kind of thing?”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung kept shaking his head, then soon grabbed Xie Baowei’s shoulders and shook him.
“When I return, I’ll find the finest medicinal materials for you, so don’t even think about going out again. Even if I get beaten to death, I’ll tell all the elder brothers about this!”
“Yes. Yes. Please do that.”
Xie Baowei nodded his head in rhythm with the shaking.
Only then did Hwangbo Yeon-gung’s words stop.
But.
“You didn’t need to use it yesterday!”
It started again.
Xie Baowei smiled as if troubled.
The bandages wrapped tightly around his body were generously coated with the finest wound medicine inside.
As Hwangbo Yeon-gung said, yesterday was something he didn’t really need to use it for.
However, for Xie Baowei, it was more unsettling not to keep his body in a state where he could move at any time.
It was a battlefield habit.
“Damn it.”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung scratched his head vigorously.
He was saying yes with his words, but looking at his face, he would definitely use it again.
Damn bastard. He resolved that no matter what happened in the future, he shouldn’t put this guy in front.
“By the way, how long are these guys planning to keep us here?”
Unlike yesterday, they had moved to quite good accommodations. The food was good too, and the level of physicians and medicine was high.
As they said, they were being treated well as guests.
However, they couldn’t leave.
Servants stood guard outside the hall.
If they forced it, they could probably get out, but…
“It will probably drag on longer.”
The outside had been noisy for a while, so when he grabbed a servant and asked, he said Nobleman Zhibu had come.
This place, Jinan, was where the Bureau of Civil Administration (the province’s highest administrative organ), the Directorate of Military Affairs (the province’s highest military organ), and the Censorate (the province’s highest judicial organ) were all located.
As such, Nobleman Zhibu of Jinan Prefecture actually had a relatively low position within the Jinan Region.
But he was also someone close to the higher-ups.
For such a person to set foot in a mere martial family’s branch without any particular notice?
No matter how much distinction there was between civil and military officials, they couldn’t ignore him.
Especially if it was Shandong Province, which was close to the imperial capital.
Hwangbo Yeon-gung frowned.
Nobleman Zhibu. It wasn’t good news.
“By now, the family must have heard the news too… I’m worried about Brother Yeon-taek.”
“…Yes.”
Normally, he would have said “No way.”
With Bieliang Dazhu’s temperament, he might draw his sword and charge in at any moment.
Ilcheon Gakju would probably stop him well…
Originally, hmm.
He might have run over and patted Xie Baowei’s back, praising him for doing well.
Ugh.
…Thinking of Bieliang Dazhu from a few days ago made him shudder, so Xie Baowei just nodded his head.
“If it gets longer, he will come. Probably Brother Lüyan will come.”
Huangbo Lüyan was, though it had become nominal now, the leader of Taoshantan.
As the second son of his great-uncle, he was a full brother to Hwangbo Yeonhwi, who was Ilcheon Gakju.
He was quite a good person who liked to get along with people and enjoyed lively things, so he was quite depressed when Taoshantan was disbanded.
He had been traveling around doing business, and recently returned as a great merchant.
He was truly the perfect person to come to this kind of place at this kind of time.
Hwangbo Yeon-gung nodded his head.
-Oh. So you’re the guy who stole our youngest’s heart? …Hmm. You are quite handsome. You, do you drink?
He was indeed a good person.
Though he almost died drowning in alcohol that day, after somehow enduring it, he showed goodwill.
Except for the fact that it was hard to see his face.
“Well. I thought we could leave by this evening at the earliest. Tsk. Still, they can’t keep holding us much longer.”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung said worriedly while looking at Xie Baowei.
The treatment was going well and it was comfortable, but there was no place like home.
He wasn’t someone who didn’t understand why Xie Baowei had forced himself to heal his body.
He needed to return quickly and let him rest comfortably.
Handling the situation was the family’s job.
“Still, there shouldn’t be any trouble until the guest leaves. Let’s just lie down and laze around.”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung sprawled carelessly on the chair as he spoke.
Xie Baowei just nodded his head while lying still on the bed.
He was restless, but if he tried to get up, he’d have to listen to more nagging.
“We should change the bandages once.”
“…That’s enough.”
Hwangbo Yeon-gung muttered, as if planning to exhaust Pahosam Gate’s medicinal supplies.
Xie Baowei shook his head with a fed-up expression.
Knock.
“Are you in?”
“Oh! Perfect timing. Here…”
Just then, a servant opened the door.
It was when Hwangbo Yeon-gung was about to speak, regardless of Xie Baowei’s opinion.
“Um… Nobleman Zhibu is looking for you.”
“…Huh?”
Xie Baowei and Hwangbo Yeon-gung looked at each other.
***
“…Why on earth.”
“Hehe. I’m curious about this person.”
Muk Sword Sage frowned.
Why on earth was Xie Baowei.
It was an incomprehensible matter.
“My lord. The Huangbo Family is not part of our gathering…”
“Ahem. Did the lord not summon them!”
Guild Master Bu Jinwoo opened his mouth with a troubled expression, but Guo Taifeng cut him off.
Vice Alliance Leader Chae Musang sipped his cup with a face that said he wanted to see what would happen, while Ak Ga remained silent as always.
The guild masters’ ears turned red as they whispered excitedly among themselves.
When officials got involved in gatherings, there were often many benefits to be gained.
Who knows. Even Seokgajang, who had supposedly left, might turn their horses around and come back.
“…I have already sent someone. Please calm yourself, Elder Gok.”
“Tell them to come quickly! Isn’t Nobleman Zhibu going to personally judge that lawless bastard who killed someone in broad daylight!”
Guo Taifeng shouted as if excited.
It was disgusting to see someone who claimed to have enemies in the martial arts world fawning over officials, but for now it was understandable.
The rebellious spirit that had burned fiercely due to the incompetent emperor was finally beginning to die down.
In these chaotic times of internal and external troubles, it was the crown prince’s name that stood tall, suppressing everything with powerful strength and ability.
Naturally, the power of the officials could only grow stronger.
But the Nobleman Zhibu of Jinan Prefecture had endorsed the Taishan Alliance?
It was an opportunity to stand tall as a major organization following Jiangnan Yilian, Shu-Chuan Xiapeng, and Guanzhong Yilin.
No, the beginning might be even better than that.
That’s why not only Guo Taifeng, but also Chae Musang who had stepped back with a mocking attitude, and the guild masters who had been watching for opportunities, all gathered at once.
With guests also summoned, it had become a grand banquet.
Muk Sword Sage was thinking of first announcing the success of the meeting and then handling the aftermath.
If that happened, naturally the Taishan Sect would become the center of the alliance.
“That would be Xie Baowei, who entered as a son-in-law to the noble daughter of the Huangbo Family, correct?”
“That’s right, my lord. A worthless fool with no background or ability seduced the youngest daughter of a great family with just his face, and in the end, he even harmed someone, didn’t he?”
This is why lowly people are like this.
Guo Taifeng explained while spitting.
Having come completely drunk and still pouring it down, his disciples didn’t know what to do and tried to stop him.
“Hmm. From what I hear, you martial arts people often harm each other quite frequently. But seeing you report this to me, was the victim an ordinary citizen?”
Nobleman Zhibu said while stroking his chin.
Nobleman Zhibu, with his ample belly, had a soft goatee growing on his chin, giving him quite a gentle impression.
At those words, Guo Taifeng’s face contorted.
“That’s not the case. However, since he used underhanded methods…”
“Oh my. Underhanded methods, you say. Did he use cowardly tactics?”
My, what a bad person. Nobleman Zhibu said.
Guo Taifeng’s face contorted again.
“…That’s not it either.”
If not that, then what else could he say?
That he simply lost in a duel and died?
Though it was a brutal matter, it was still a martial arts affair.
Guo Taifeng, who had become so ashamed that he sobered up despite being completely drunk, lifted not a cup but a wine bottle to his mouth and poured it down.
He felt the intoxication reaching his very bones.
“Hmm. That’s also not it?”
Nobleman Zhibu laughed good-naturedly.
His hearty laughter was boisterous, but everyone present hung their heads in shame.
Oh, Primordial Heavenly Venerable.
Muk Sword Sage frowned.
The atmosphere was flowing strangely somehow.
Was it because of Guo Taifeng? But that wasn’t entirely it.
It was strange that Nobleman Zhibu, who supposedly liked alcohol and gold (the guild masters had told him), was refusing gifts and only sipping tea.
The escorting warriors stood solemnly with serious expressions, and that official who had come along – who on earth was he, saying nothing.
“Who might this person be?”
Feeling uneasy about this, Muk Sword Sage carefully asked.
The official glanced at Nobleman Zhibu and then opened his mouth.
“I am Messenger Jinglin.”
A messenger was an official who conveyed orders or messages from the court, wasn’t he?
Why was he here? No, why was he brought here?
If he was an official who traveled around conveying orders from the capital, he wasn’t someone Nobleman Zhibu would normally bring along.
“Pleased to meet you, my lord.”
Muk Sword Sage greeted him reluctantly.
Guo Jinglin nodded expressionlessly and picked up his tea.
Nobleman Zhibu seemed uncomfortable with this as well, subtly watching for cues.
This is maddening.
While everyone was exchanging only awkward laughter and meaningless words.
“They have arrived.”
A servant entered first to announce the arrival of Xie Baowei and Huangbo Yeon-gung.
When Muk Sword Sage nodded, the two men entered.
“Guests from the Huangbo Family have arrived, my lord.”
“Oh.”
Then people’s gazes focused on them.
Nobleman Zhibu, who had been skillfully dealing with people rushing to strike up conversations, suddenly stood up.
Guo Taifeng looked at him with anxious eyes.
“Are you Lord Xie Baowei?”
“My lord! How can you! That man is a criminal who harmed someone…”
“Ahem. Enough.”
Nobleman Zhibu extended his hand to stop Guo Taifeng’s words.
Though he appeared short, stout, and only comical, when he spoke with a serious expression, dignity emanated from him.
Muk Sword Sage looked at this uneasily.
“I asked if you are indeed Lord Xie Baowei, the son-in-law of the Huangbo family of Jinan.”
Hah.
Xie Baowei lowered his head and frowned.
This was troubling indeed.
This damn gentleman.
Huangbo Yeon-gung’s eyes widened as he jabbed Xie Baowei’s ribs with his elbow.
‘What is it? What? What is this?’
“…Yes. That’s correct.”
Xie Baowei answered respectfully.
Then Nobleman Zhibu nodded toward Guo Jinglin.
Guo Jinglin bowed respectfully to Nobleman Zhibu and stood up.
Then he spoke to Xie Baowei in a clear voice.
“Xie Baowei, Zhengqianhu of Gansu Suzhou Guard, Jiashandafu, listen well.”
“…This humble person resigned from the position of Zhengqianhu and stepped down, which was approved by the Shaanxi-Gansu Governor.”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
“What? Zhengqianhu?”
Huangbo Yeon-gung shouted.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————