The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 25

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 25

Crash!

“Damn bastards!”

The liquor bottle that Guo Taifeng threw shattered.

Behind him, heavily intoxicated, his disciples including Gayan were at a loss.

“…Master.”

Grind.

Guo Taifeng gritted his teeth.

He felt dizzy from being heavily drunk.

Thinking that nothing would work like this, he roughly poured the tea left on the table over his head.

Soon, a thick alcoholic scent wafted from Guo Taifeng’s body.

It was so strong that the disciples became intoxicated just from smelling it.

Even with his face still flushed and not completely sober, Guo Taifeng opened his mouth.

“How many disciples are there within the sect?”

“…Why do you ask that.”

“Yeonji.”

“A-about thirty.”

Disciples who first enter a sect and receive basic training are called third-generation disciples.

Among them, those selected to learn the sect’s main techniques are called second-generation disciples.

Among those, the ones who become personal disciples are called first-generation disciples.

At Gayan’s words, Guo Taifeng spoke sternly.

“Excluding the riffraff we just accepted.”

Gayan flinched and recounted the numbers.

“E-excluding us three, there are about ten second-generation disciples…”

“Ten… Good. Tell them to prepare horses and come to the back gate.”

“What? Wh-what for.”

“If I tell you to bring them, bring them!”

Guo Taifeng spoke firmly and went inside.

With clattering sounds and rustling, it seemed he was gathering something.

Though he was originally a stubborn person, he was warm to his disciples.

Gayan bit his lip and turned around.

His fellow disciples looked at him with anxious eyes.

“Senior brother…?”

A metallic taste came from his tightly bitten lip.

He opened his aching lips.

“You heard Master’s words, didn’t you? Go quickly and tell the other disciples.”

Then, after thinking for a moment, he spoke to the two young disciples.

“And then leave immediately for the main sect.”

“But what about Master?”

Even though they were first-generation disciples, they were only promoted for their recognized talent.

In terms of actual skill, the older second-generation disciples were currently stronger.

If even he, the first disciple, was like this, there was nothing these two young disciples could do.

Gayan shook his head.

“It will be fine. Move quickly.”

The disciples looked at each other and then hurriedly ran off.

Gayan bit his lip again and waited.

Guo Taifeng soon came out, looked at Gayan, and nodded.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Guo Taifeng was the External Affairs Pavilion Master of Pahosam Gate, a person who handled all external matters of the sect.

As he dealt with the rough pirates of the seas, he was skilled in threats and intimidation, always responding forcefully and achieving great results.

Internally, they judged that he was unsuitable for this Taishan Alliance, but given his position, they couldn’t stop him from taking action personally.

They only ordered him to trust in Jang Sahyeon’s political skills and supplement them.

Guo Taifeng planned to give up his position as External Affairs Pavilion Master after finishing this job well.

Since he had taken disciples late, he wanted to establish his position within the main sect.

Things went to hell – the stupid branch leader died, guests acted like hosts, and the Taishan Alliance was ruined.

But wasn’t crisis also opportunity?

The position of Jenam Branch leader was vacant. Wasn’t this the position he had secretly coveted?

“There’s a secluded path with few people on the way. We’ll catch them there.”

“Master…”

Even though the young disciples were not visible among the gathered second-generation disciples, Guo Taifeng said nothing.

He only spoke quietly.

Several disciples who had been defeated by Xie Baowei the day before trembled anxiously.

“They’re only two people. You just need to keep them in check!”

Seeing this, Guo Taifeng spoke sternly.

Only two people.

For the same reason that Xie Baowei had killed Jang Sahyeon, Pahosam Gate now had justification to kill Xie Baowei.

Even if it became a blood feud where blood begets blood, that’s how martial world blood feuds are created.

“The Hwangbo Family Estate is already a setting sun. We will take their place. Don’t be afraid!”

Neigh.

Guo Taifeng spurred his horse.

The disciples followed behind with grim faces.

***

Xie Baowei and Huangbo Lüli walked while watching the sun slowly set.

“Listen here, Captain Xie. Let’s go slowly, slowly.”

“…Sigh.”

His beloved horse Chun-gil was sufficiently leisurely.

Xie Baowei riding on it was the same.

Yet Huangbo Lüli kept opening his mouth to add unnecessary words.

Xie Baowei kept his mouth tightly shut.

“Oh my. Well now. Since you’re a captain and all, you’re just completely ignoring people.”

Huangbo Lüli clicked his tongue.

“But that’s not right. Eh? You shouldn’t act like that when you’re from Jingtianhao. My father! He’s the commander of Jinzhou Guard at Liaodong Fortress. If you’re going somewhere, go there!”

Huangbo Lüli continued chattering.

Thud. Chun-gil’s steps stopped.

When Huangbo Lüli turned around, Xie Baowei was sitting quietly, looking at him.

“I am now just a commoner. It’s not like I went there by choice.”

Jinzhou Guard, located near Shanhaiguan, had traditionally been commanded by the Huangbo Family as Guard Commanders.

That place wasn’t exactly comfortable either since it was near the border, but it couldn’t compare to the front lines where people died daily.

It would have been easier if he had gone there.

But was that somewhere he had chosen to go?

“…I’m just saying. If you had gone there, you wouldn’t have suffered like that.”

Huangbo Lüli responded with a gloomy expression.

Feeling his eyes scanning Xie Baowei’s wounds again, Xie Baowei smiled bitterly.

“Really. You should have treated me this well before.”

“…If you put it that way, even if I had ten mouths, I’d have nothing to say.”

That’s when it happened.

Both men hardened their faces and stopped their horses.

Wind blew through the narrow path surrounded by forest.

“Can we avoid them?”

“It’s already too late.”

Xie Baowei shook his head.

As his hand fumbled for a weapon, Huangbo Lüli frowned.

“You just stay behind me. Your wounds haven’t even fully healed yet.”

Xie Baowei smiled wryly.

“We’ll see.”

Soon, the sound of hoofbeats thundered loudly as people appeared from front and back.

It was Guo Taifeng and his disciples.

“You bastard from the Jin family! Stop where you are!”

“I’m already stopped.”

Judging by your condition, you haven’t fully sobered up yet.

Huangbo Lüli teased.

“You bastard! Do I look like I’m joking to you!”

Guo Taifeng raised his gleaming blade and shouted.

In response, his disciples each brandished swords and axes, threatening with fierce intensity.

“Ah. So it wasn’t a joke? Well now. This would be quite damaging to Pahosam Gate’s honor.”

Huangbo Lüli met each of their gazes one by one.

Even facing numerous enemies, his unwavering spirit and boldness actually made the disciples’ eyes waver.

They had joined after being inspired by Pahosam Gate’s righteousness in fighting pirates and protecting people.

“Is striking down those who’ve given up resistance the honor of the Huangbo Family?!”

Guo Taifeng cut through that atmosphere.

Huangbo Lüli immediately retorted.

“Given up resistance? We gave him plenty of chances.”

“You could have filed a separate complaint!”

“He insulted us to the very end!”

Both sides knew this would be endless.

“Since when do the laws of the martial world come from wagging tongues!”

In the end, the blade would decide everything.

Huangbo Lüli boldly leaped from his horse and landed lightly.

Not to be outdone, Guo Taifeng also jumped down.

“The crime of harming a member of Pahosam Gate! Pay with your life!”

Then over ten disciples also came rushing down.

-Waah!

The disciples shouted to boost their morale.

Only Xie Baowei stood tall on his horse as if he were in another world.

Huangbo Lüli looked back at Xie Baowei with some confusion, then soon nodded with a stern face.

“Right. Just trust me!”

Guo Taifeng shouted.

“You bastard! Get down right now and face my blade!”

Xie Baowei tilted his head.

“…Why?”

Huh?

Everyone was momentarily speechless.

It was an instant.

As Xie Baowei kicked with his feet, Chun-gil leaped forward with a bound.

The warhorse’s massive body instantly landed right in front of Guo Taifeng.

Thud.

Along with the sound, a huge shadow fell over them.

When Guo Taifeng looked up, the horse’s head was nowhere to be seen, and suddenly the horse’s large rear end was right before his eyes.

The moment he felt the horse’s tail brush across his face.

Bang!

Guo Taifeng, struck by the hind legs, went flying.

“Master!”

Gayan rushed to Guo Taifeng in shock.

The other disciples froze at the sight.

The horse, the horse… was too big.

As a result, Xie Baowei sitting atop it looked like a divine general descended from heaven.

“Co-cowardly!”

Someone shouted.

Xie Baowei tilted his head sideways again.

“…Who?”

You’re the ones who surrounded us, aren’t you?

Xie Baowei looked around with that expression.

Each time the hooves moved one step, the wide encirclement spread out like a rippling net.

“Master!”

On one side, Gayan held Guo Taifeng and cried out.

Guo Taifeng staggered, clutching his seemingly broken arm and chest.

Even in that brief moment, he had raised his sword to block, and was still managing to stand up.

“Go back.”

Xie Baowei turned his head to look at the warriors.

When he gestured with his chin, the warriors hesitated.

“Hurry!”

Thud.

Chun-gil raised his front legs high and brought them down.

Then the hesitating disciples hurriedly led their horses toward Gayan and Guo Taifeng.

No one thought to charge in on horseback.

Huangbo Lüli sheathed his sword with a somewhat awkward expression and mounted his horse.

“…Is this right?”

“Let’s go.”

“…Right.”

Neigh.

Chun-gil snorted as if asking if he did well.

Xie Baowei patted his neck gently.

Huangbo Lüli watched this and shook his head.

The two men’s horses began moving again.

When they had gone a bit further, dust clouds rose in the distance.

More than ten horses were racing toward them.

Huangbo Lüli tensed for a moment, then brightened his face.

No. He hardened his face again.

Then brightened it again…

“Damn it.”

He scratched his head.

“Brothers!”

He forced a smile and rode out to meet them, but everyone passed right by him.

“Master Jin!”

“Our Captain Jin! Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Where are they? Weren’t there any who dared to challenge you?”

“Wait! Those bandages. No! Look at these bandages!”

“Good heavens! Look at that complexion! The man’s half dead! Hurry, let’s go!”

“No one was bothering you, were they?”

Elder brothers, uncles, and honored guest uncles.

Haha. I’m glad to see you all too.

Saying this, Hwangbo Yeonhwi looked up at the empty sky and waved his hand.

For some reason, he missed his wife and son.

“Was there any trouble?”

Only his eldest brother, Hwangbo Yeonhwi, maintained his dignity and slowed down to come alongside Yeon-gung.

“Hmph. You’re quite late.”

His eldest brother was more than ten years older than him.

When Yeon-gung grumbled with a hint of complaint, Hwangbo Yeonhwi smiled warmly.

“I’m relieved that you’re safe.”

“I’ve returned safely, elder brother.”

Yeon-gung also smiled warmly.

Still, family who worry about you are the best after all.

“Well then, the one who worries about me is eldest brother…”

“Yes, yes. In a little while.”

Soon, Hwangbo Yeonhwi also passed by Yeon-gung and went to Xie Baowei.

Oh my, these people. Just look at our Master Xie’s tired appearance.

They should think about taking him home first.

Our Master Xie will receive treatment once he gets home. Physician Huang, who looks after grandfather, is on standby.

Yeon-gung turned his horse’s head, thinking that time passes so fleeting.

He missed his wife and son dearly.

***

After being tormented for a long while, Xie Baowei finally returned to his quarters and could catch his breath.

Sitting in Xingyaoshengshe with his mind at ease, the spring breeze felt refreshing.

Starting tomorrow, it will get tiring again.

How many people will come looking for him, wanting to hear the stories he couldn’t finish telling?

And then there’s the connection with Xiaotian.

Xie Baowei smiled bitterly.

And the next day.

And the day after that.

And the day after that.

Xie Baowei felt something strange.

“…It’s lonely.”

It was a familiar memory.

Xie Baowei, being ostracized.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————