The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 55

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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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Chapter 55

“Sabi Hall.”

Hmph.

Namgung Seol let out a light snort as if displeased.

Sabi

In other words, it means managing guests.

For a hall that supposedly exchanges with other sects and entertains guests, it was an extremely host-centered name.

“Thank you for your warm welcome. I am called Namgung Bin of the Namgung Family.”

Rustle. Rustle rustle.

While Namgung Bin was cupping his fists in greeting, the wind blew again.

This time, though the wind wasn’t particularly strong, the sound of rustling clothes increased even more.

It was probably due to the Dang Family’s warriors who had lined up behind them at some point.

“I’ve heard much of the Blue Sword’s reputation. What brings you here.”

Tang Shiwei gazed at that face for a moment before speaking.

It seemed pleasantries weren’t necessary. Namgung Bin also answered directly.

“Yukgwi has headed toward Chengdu. We need the Chokmaeng’s assistance.”

Namgung Bin took out a short letter.

It was an Alliance cipher, with the situation briefly written.

Tang Shiwei received it and skimmed through.

“…Yukgwi. This is truly troubling news. However, we cannot help right now.”

With his face still stern, Tang Shiwei spoke without showing even a hint of regret.

It wasn’t just uncooperative or unwelcoming, but rather what showed was faint hostility.

Namgung Bin knew the reason.

“I’ve heard that the officials’ tyranny has worsened due to the Guizhou incident. However, Qitian might be behind it.”

It wasn’t something to speak of carelessly.

But this was the Dang Family, and there was no need to hide words in front of the Dang Family’s warriors.

That would be upholding the Dang Family’s pride.

A strange light flickered in Tang Shiwei’s eyes.

“Qitian?”

“The timing of Qitian entering Chengdu coincides with when the new magistrate arrived.”

However, gaining favor and having one’s words believed were different matters.

Tang Shiwei pondered for a moment but shook his head.

“We cannot antagonize the officials based on just those words.”

“To know the truth, we need the Chokmaeng’s help.”

Tang Shiwei inwardly groaned.

Recently, as the officials began running wild, the warriors’ range of activity had greatly diminished.

This was because many warriors of Guizhou’s martial arts world had participated in the rebellion during the Guizhou uprising.

They began interfering in countless things they normally wouldn’t have touched, finding fault with everything.

Public duties like taxes hadn’t been resolved for days, permits for merchant operations weren’t being issued, causing enormous losses.

Moreover, bladed weapons were strictly forbidden, and recently people were being arrested just for traveling in groups.

Especially the persecution of Buddhist and Taoist sects like Amitabha, Qingcheng, and Diancang had worsened, with them seeking the Alliance’s help almost daily.

The atmosphere had become so turbulent that one might wonder if something truly major was about to happen.

The Dang Family was also confused by these sudden changes…

Qitian.

Tang Shiwei shook his head.

“It’s something that cannot be confirmed. Bandits from Guizhou have been swarming Sichuan’s borders for a long time, and it’s not like Sunmu hasn’t been troublesome before.”

“If there’s a misunderstanding, shouldn’t it be cleared up?”

“There’s no need to deliberately create misunderstandings either.”

It was something that needed investigating.

Though it was triggered by the magistrate’s appearance, the unsettling atmosphere had existed before then.

How could those who had lost their homeland and crossed treacherous paths be docile?

Moreover, unlike the people of Sichuan who liked to chat and were generally bright, those from Guizhou had different appearances and cultures and were stubborn.

They didn’t mix well, and several villages where they lived together had already formed.

Did they harbor rebellious thoughts?

Most would say no.

However, what mattered more than public sentiment was heavenly will.

“There’s an easier way.”

Tang Shiwei’s eyes turned toward Yingying.

“Child, raise your head.”

Squeeze.

Yingying’s hand gripped Xie Baowei’s trouser hem painfully tight.

Xie Baowei reached out to cover Yingying’s face.

Tang Shiwei’s eyes examined such Xie Baowei.

Tall stature, scarred face, short fingers, awkward gait.

Just as he had heard.

While the Central Plains was too vast to know affairs outside Sichuan, the Dang Family could know affairs within Sichuan as if they were in their palm.

Even small disturbances at the city gates were things they needed to know about.

Tang Shiwei walked with large strides to stand before the child.

“It’s merely a child.”

“Is there a reason you cannot show a mere child’s face?”

Xie Baowei lightly turned his body to block the way.

Tang Shiwei looked at Xie Baowei standing before him as if seeing something interesting.

Eyes devoid of emotion, as if looking at a complete stranger.

Even looking at a dog passing on the street might be warmer than this.

For Xie Baowei, it was a familiar gaze.

“Step aside.”

As Tang Shiwei spoke coldly, the hands of the surrounding warriors drooped and disappeared into their wide sleeves.

Xie Baowei gritted his teeth.

“Lee Hamin’s bloodline has ended.”

“People say otherwise.”

The seeds of rebellion seek to take root in Sichuan.

Added to those words was one more rumor circulating.

The Grass King’s princess is coming.

Xie Baowei’s eyes grew piercingly cold.

Tang Shiwei stared directly up into those eyes.

It was when tension flowed as if they might clash at any moment.

“Yingying?”

A small hand lowered Xie Baowei’s hand.

The child pulled down her hood with her own hands and stood straight.

“…This child truly has no connection whatsoever.”

“What matters isn’t the truth.”

Her shortly cut hair had grown to her ears. Her hair caught the rising sunlight and was dyed red.

At first glance, it looked dark and deep as if stained with blood.

But it was a reddish-brown color.

Eyes that appeared blackish-brown from afar, but up close seemed to hold golden and amber light, clear and bright.

Copper-toned skin with a reddish tinge, deep double eyelids, large eyes, a high and smooth nose bridge, and refreshing lips.

She was from the Central Plains, yet somehow unfamiliar.

“…They say his wife had burning red hair. A stunning beauty with blue eyes, wasn’t she?”

In contrast, the rebel king was a man notable for the dark skin and refreshing lips characteristic of Guizhou people.

Born with a large frame and strong as an ox from hard labor, they said.

“…Is it really not the truth?”

-Hey! Jin Chengho, what are you doing here? What… Huh? What?! He, he’s here! We found him!

Anyone with even a drop of the rebel king’s blood could not survive.

-Execute him yourself. I will grant you a great reward.

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

Xie Baowei said gloomily.

He saw it directly. Tang Shiwei looked at Xie Baowei with surprised eyes for a moment, thinking about the meaning contained in those words, then turned his gaze to the boy.

“Come here.”

A young and tender child.

But intelligence flashed in his eyes.

It was a look that fully understood what situation this was and what needed to be done.

Yingying grasped Xie Baowei’s hand that blocked her path with her small hands and lowered it.

Sad but tender eyes looked up at Xie Baowei, then gently shook her head.

A forced smile hung on her lips.

“Being born is not a sin.”

How foolish.

Xie Baowei put the child’s hood back on and lifted her into his arms with one hand.

The child’s tender body trembled.

“You did nothing wrong.”

Xie Baowei took a step back.

The extended sword tip touched Tang Shiwei’s chin.

The sleeves of the guards surrounding them fluttered all at once.

Tang Shiwei examined Yingying’s tender body and opened his mouth.

“Well, is that really so.”

Thwang.

A faint sound of something being flicked.

Clang!

As soon as it shook Xie Baowei’s sword blade, something like hazy dust spread before his eyes.

Though the faint substance was neither wide nor thick, it was enough to obscure Xie Baowei’s vision for a moment.

Swish!

Behind the smoke screen, Tang Shiwei’s body swayed left and right once.

Just as his eyes were captivated by the optical illusion that felt like two heads had sprouted.

His body moved toward Xie Baowei’s extended arm.

“Hmph!”

Xie Baowei reacted belatedly.

It was when Tang Shiwei’s both hands grabbed Xie Baowei’s wrist and elbow.

Xie Baowei pushed one foot forward further.

“Not bad.”

Xie Baowei’s elbow instead aimed for Tang Shiwei’s neck, and Tang Shiwei’s body moved deeper in to twist the arm behind his back.

When Xie Baowei shook his wrist to swing the blade, Tang Shiwei retreated.

Again, back to square one.

If his reaction had been even slightly slower, his arm would have been broken and his sword taken.

“Impressive.”

Tang Shiwei admired while looking at the blade at his chin again.

It wasn’t a technique that could be easily broken through, yet it was bold and fast.

Even from just briefly touching arms, he could feel tremendous strength.

“…”

Xie Baowei did not answer.

Impressive my ass.

The opponent had only targeted Xie Baowei’s one arm. If he hadn’t held back, he would have fallen long ago.

But he did hold back. There must be meaning behind that.

“Your name?”

“Xie Baowei.”

Tang Shiwei, who only now asked for his name, tilted his head.

Hmm. Xie Baowei? Where from?

His brain tingled.

Mm.

Xie Baowei’s eyes gleamed.

In an instant, something that enveloped the three realms.

“Worldly desires.”

“Hmm.”

In that moment of opening, while Namgung Bin flinched beside them, this time Xie Baowei moved first.

Against strong enemies, one must not give them time.

Xie Baowei’s sword pointed straight to the sky then strongly cut through the air.

Crash!

The moment a powerful strike that sounded like thunder struck down at Tang Shiwei, a beat later short swords and needles flew through the air from the hands of the Dang Family guards.

Clatter clatter clang!

“Stop!”

Stopping the guards who were about to charge again, Tang Shiwei looked at his torn palms and the short swords fallen to the ground with a defeated expression.

…What was that just now?

The powerful strike was like lightning striking down, but the hidden weapons that had flown toward Xie Baowei as if the world had stopped suddenly slowed down for an instant.

Was it an illusion?

It couldn’t be.

“What was that?”

“…What do you mean.”

Xie Baowei said, forcibly swallowing something boiling up inside him.

Glancing at Namgung Bin, his eyes were widened as if they might tear.

No, conversely, he felt like looking at him that way from his side.

Thinking of Namgung Bin who remained calm even surrounded by flames…

Crazy, he wielded this much of that technique?

Is he a monster?

“For now, let’s stop this. I’ll receive you as guests. Lower your sword.”

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Tang Shiwei nodded.

The child’s existence would be a variable, but rather keeping her hidden in his embrace might be helpful.

This was something to be decided from above.

Tang Shiwei took a step back.

“May I ask you something?”

Seeing this, Xie Baowei still did not lower his sword and spoke.

The situation was the same yet different.

“I don’t know why you want to continue this power struggle that’s already over. Xie Baowei, was it? My leniency ends here.”

Tang Shiwei shrugged his shoulders.

Doubt appeared on his face again.

Xie Baowei. Xie Baowei.

Where did such a guy come from.

By the way, it’s a name I’ve heard before?

“Where is Bifeng?”

“Bifeng? …Why Bifeng.”

This time Tang Shiwei looked at Namgung Bin and Namgung Seol.

It was an unexpected question.

They were dispatched from the Alliance for completely different reasons, and just because they bore the same Alliance name didn’t make them all family.

The Alliance doesn’t operate that way.

“Those friends from the Alliance have already scattered in all directions…”

“I asked about Bifeng.”

“Why Bifeng… Ah!”

Not friends from the Alliance. He was simply looking for Bifeng.

Bifeng? Hahee!

No, Yulhee!

That Yulhee. From the Hwangbo Family.

…Xie Baowei!

Only then did Tang Shiwei shout with an expression of clarity.

“Sandong Daeyun!”

“…Yes, that’s me. So tell me. Where is Bifeng?”

“Hah. They said you were ignorant, but you weren’t running away—you were hiding?”

They say Shandong people are incredibly bold, but you’re not heroes—you’re foxes.

Tang Shiwei quickly continued speaking.

Xie Baowei frowned and shook his head.

It seemed he had planted a strange misunderstanding.

But that wasn’t what mattered.

“Where is he.”

Xie Baowei’s eyes blazed as he asked in a low voice.

His rough demeanor suggested he might draw his sword at any moment.

But Tang Shiwei’s eyes, meeting that gaze, only gleamed mysteriously.

After a moment of silence, Tang Shiwei, who had been pondering something, opened his mouth.

“Yibin.”

That was enough.

Xie Baowei leaped up and mounted Chun-gil.

Neigh!

Chun-gil raised his hooves high and let out a loud cry.

Then he kicked off the ground and galloped away in an instant.

The Dang Family guards reached out to stop him, but halted at Tang Shiwei’s gesture.

“That’s enough. Just pretend to chase him halfheartedly and then stop.”

“Yes.”

Variables are best when there are few on our side and many on theirs.

Muttering this while waving his hand, the guards cleaned up the scene and dispersed.

Tang Shiwei clenched his torn palm several times and gazed thoughtfully in the direction Xie Baowei had disappeared.

“A good card has rolled our way.”

Perhaps, a dangerous card as well.

In Tang Shiwei’s mind arose the image of a young child’s frail back trembling like a bird, yet with dark eyes that had stepped forward nonetheless.

Though they may look completely different, a father’s heart for his daughter seems unavoidable.

“I should send a letter to Tianqi.”

It might be helpful to that troublemaker nephew in Yibin.

Saying this, he dusted off his shoulders and disappeared inside.

…And Namgung Seol, who had watched this in a daze, spoke to her brother.

“Is it alright to just leave it be?”

Namgung Bin nodded.

It was within expected parameters.

The only unexpected thing was Xie Baowei’s ability, but if anything exceeded expectations rather than fell short, it was welcome.

“He will do his work. We just need to do ours.”

Yibin.

From what he’d heard, the atmosphere there was quite unsettled…

“…But what do we do now?”

Namgung Seol said, looking around at the empty surroundings.

The scattered daggers and needles had somehow been collected and were gone.

Only they remained in front of the empty Dang Family main gate.

Namgung Bin smiled wryly.

“What else? We go in.”

The door Tang Shiwei had come out of remained open.

Wasn’t that an invitation to enter?

And with that, Namgung Bin took the first step.

“…Really, such strange people.”

The younger sister simply followed her brother’s back.

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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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