The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 65
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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 65
Xie Baowei and his companions parted ways.
Namgung Seol and Dang Cheongi headed to Chengdu.
I don’t know what traces they discovered in Chenggu, but Dang Cheongi’s face looked very grim, so they left without even having time to exchange proper farewells.
Namgung Seol went along as a witness and as a representative figure of the Wulin Alliance.
“Bad person. Wicked person. Petty person. Dirty coward!”
Even though they had thwarted one conspiracy, the situation hadn’t become any easier.
The government officials and Sichuan martial artists were still growling at each other, and the atmosphere remained tense.
Moreover, there had been a great fire at the Bureau of Civil Administration not long ago, and they had come without even being able to handle that situation.
With problems tangled up so tightly that it was unclear where or how to begin unraveling them, piled up like mountains, Namgung Seol had good reason to blame Xie Baowei.
Though why she was blaming only him was unclear…
In any case, Xie Baowei felt he had done his part.
“What did you say? You just came and swung your spear a few times?”
Namgung Seol growled, but the others just shrugged their shoulders.
Hadn’t those few spear swings saved their lives?
Even Namgung Seol’s growling seemed to last only for that moment, as she soon had to nod her head.
“…When is big brother actually coming back?”
Just how far did he go, really?
Shaking her head from side to side until the very end, she too departed.
Though there was a faint anxiety in her voice, for Xie Baowei to worry about that arrogant fellow…
Well.
Thinking of Namgung Bin’s calm face in the midst of the inferno, worry seemed like a luxury.
That would probably be the same for Namgung Seol too.
Well, he’ll manage to return on his own.
It’s none of his concern. Wasn’t that exactly why he sent Namgung Bin and Namgung Seol to handle it?
For Xie Baowei, who clearly understood the scope of responsibility according to his position, it was really none of his business.
“I want to go with you too!”
Peng Sohui decided to leave with the group. She said she was tired of the long-term mission and wanted to return, but her desire to watch over Xie Baowei and Hahee seemed much stronger.
Every time she saw the two of them together, her eyes would sparkle, which was quite burdensome.
Even if they just held hands, she would go “Oh my, oh dear, goodness,” while proudly cupping her cheeks or tearing up…
It was completely incomprehensible why she acted that way.
Moreover.
“You, why?”
“Ah, why not! I got permission!”
Another burden was attached.
Dangyeonhwa.
What was even more absurd was that a letter came from the Dang Family saying it was fine.
It was incomprehensible what they were thinking, but that letter made not only Xie Baowei but even Dangyeonhwa sulk.
“…As I thought. I must be a nuisance!”
“Acting like that, of course they’d find you bothersome.”
“Uncle, you have no delicacy at all!”
The one who brought the letter was the head of the Dang Family’s medical clinic in Yibin. He came loaded with treasures and medicinal materials.
He asked them to take good care of Dangyeonhwa, which was like a bolt from the blue for Xie Baowei, who had been relieved thinking the burden would finally be lifted.
Yet they also had the audacity to ask him to deliver a letter to Sunmu Son Yuqian.
“…Are all Dang Family people like you?”
“Is that an insult?”
Writing a letter to the Sunmu was very difficult. Putting content that could only be explicit into writing was quite an ordeal for Xie Baowei.
However, there’s no arguing with glittering gold coins and medicinal materials right before one’s eyes.
Even now that he didn’t have to worry about money, these were excessive treasures.
Fortunately,
“Ah, damn it. Go to hell!”
“How petty, what are you looking at alone again! Let’s look together!”
Hwangbo Yeonghil became a very good companion for her.
It felt strange to realize that the little kid who didn’t even reach his waist had grown this much, but he quickly got used to it.
Unlike his father, he had grown into quite an affable young man.
No, thinking of his current older brother… Hmm. That’s understandable?
Anyway, perhaps because of his youthful age, he got along well with Dangyeonhwa.
“Ah! Get lost!”
“Ah! Let’s look together!”
Hmm, they seem very close.
“Husband. What are you thinking about?”
“Hehehe.”
“Pardon?”
“No. It’s nothing. My wife.”
As he watched them bickering over a book, Lüli spoke to him.
Husband. Husband.
-I can’t keep calling you big brother forever, can I?
She was right. He couldn’t just impose his own desires, could he?
Both he and she had come of age.
Though they say time flows differently in the martial world than elsewhere, married couples were recognized as adults.
How could they call each other big brother and Hee-mae in front of others?
Still, he didn’t want to call her “wife.”
-Instead, when we’re alone…
Hehehe.
Husband. It’s a good word.
Xie Baowei momentarily made a foolish expression before collecting himself.
Still, it couldn’t be helped that things would resolve quickly.
“Isn’t the river breeze rather cold?”
“I’m fine.”
The group was now traveling on a large boat.
Yibin was where the famous Yangtze River flowed.
That Yangtze River reached all the way to Chongqing in eastern Sichuan.
On the water, they wouldn’t have to run, breathe dust, or climb mountains.
It was a very comfortable schedule, just as they had resolved to travel in comfort on the way there.
“…Looking at the flowing river brings such thoughts to mind.”
“Oh my. What kind of thoughts?”
“Something like… I’d gladly drown in you, so I want to fall deeply…”
“Oh dear.”
Hahee struck Xie Baowei’s chest with a thud loud enough to be heard.
“Cough.”
Ah. Had he already fallen into the water?
For a moment, he really thought he might suffocate and die.
His bones ached. But seeing Lüli’s smiling face made him feel nothing but joy.
“We’ll reach Chongqing soon.”
“Already?”
Five days had already passed since leaving Yibin. It had been one day since they stopped at Luzhou for a full day’s rest before departing again.
About three more days and they would reach Chongqing.
Since they stopped at every port along the way and slept comfortably off the boat, it wasn’t too demanding a schedule except for Peng Sohui, who was stuck in her cabin with seasickness.
However, unlike his comfortable body, the time spent with Lüli seemed to flow endlessly and swiftly like the Yangtze River, leaving Xie Baowei feeling somewhat wistful.
Even though he had resolved that they would be together forever from now on.
“I heard this area has a wide river and many merchant ships coming and going, so bandits follow too, but fortunately it seems we’ll pass through easily.”
At the stern’s upper deck, small tables and chairs were arranged.
People sat at their respective tables, gazing at the flowing river water and scenery.
Large merchant ships with escort vessels front and back had pavilions, but even this much was luxurious.
“It’s fine even if we’re not lucky.”
If he had wanted to, he could have gotten a boat with fewer stops, faster, larger and more comfortable, but he hadn’t.
It was because Lüli’s financial situation wasn’t good.
Since she had politely declined his offer to pay instead, there was nothing he could do, but now he thought it had worked out well.
Was the martial world such a place worth touring like this?
“I’ll block everything for you!”
Ahem.
Xie Baowei puffed out his chest and put on airs.
Normally he would never say such ominous things, but now he had simply become a fool.
Dangyeonhwa frowned at that stupid behavior. But Lüli laughed as if she found it delightful.
Xie Baowei also laughed endlessly at that laughter.
“They say fools are happy just looking at each other’s faces.”
“Hey now, how dare you say such impudent things about adults?”
Hwangbo Yeonghil smiled warmly while looking at his aunt, then turned to Dangyeonhwa.
This impudent brat, he’d have no other wish if he could just flick her forehead once, but as the heir of a great family, how could he do that to another family’s precious daughter…
“Adults my foot, look at that stupid face.”
“…These two have been separated for a long time. Someone who doesn’t know the situation shouldn’t speak carelessly.”
Even to his gentle admonishment, all that came back was a single “Hmph!” snort.
While he shook his head, even his book was snatched away.
Hwangbo Yeonghil let out a deep sigh.
.
.
.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
The boat flowed peacefully along the river water and then stopped.
They had arrived at a port.
It was quite a large place, so they would rest for at least an hour.
The boat became bustling again with people getting on and off.
The group had gone outside saying they would get some snacks.
What remained were Lüli and,
“…I’m fine.”
Yingying.
It was the first conversation that began after a long silence.
A very small voice flowed from the girl.
“You don’t get seasick. That’s very good.”
I had quite a hard time with it.
Hahee smiled slightly.
But the child couldn’t see that smile. Because she didn’t lift her head.
“Are you uncomfortable with me?”
“No.”
The child said.
In her own way, it was a very skillful lie.
If it had been herself from about ten years ago, no, nine years ago, she wouldn’t have been able to tell.
But now she knew.
“Am I uncomfortable?”
“Ah…”
The boy’s head drooped even lower.
But it soon lifted.
This was the first time she had looked into the boy’s eyes.
Without the slightest waver,
they were very straight and firm pupils.
“I’m sorry.”
The boy’s eyes were very clear, clean, and beautiful.
They appeared to be a deep brown like a well-grown tree trunk, but sometimes they also looked like crimson amber.
At times, when they caught the light, they seemed to be inlaid with gold.
A little… enviable.
“What for?”
“…For making you uncomfortable, ma’am.”
He was a very clever boy.
A boy who knew his place and how he should behave.
Determination settled in those eyes.
So let’s overlook things like word choice.
He surely chose them deliberately.
“I merely wanted to be of some small help like a dog, grateful for the grace of saving my life. If I cause any inconvenience to my benefactor…”
He didn’t finish his words, but she could understand.
Hahee lightly rubbed the vein that had appeared on her forehead and shook her head.
Hahee’s face grew long.
“Boy.”
And just as her eyes were about to flash,
“Hee-mae!”
From far away, a very loud and cheerful voice was heard.
Hahee smiled bitterly and looked down below the ship to see Xie Baowei carrying all sorts of luggage in both hands, jumping up and down as he called to her.
Everyone around was staring at him, and the companions who had gone out with him turned their heads away.
When she casually waved her hand, he pushed through the people and came running as if flying.
“…Let’s talk about this later. That immature brother is coming.”
Judging by his level, it wouldn’t be strange to call him Yingying’s brother rather than her own.
Yingying bowed her head deeply again.
“…He’ll come back.”
“Yes. He will.”
***
The river flowed majestically.
After another day passed, they had gotten through the initial wide and gentle section.
“Are you alright?”
Tall gorges blocked their view and the current became faster.
Moreover, clouds suddenly gathered and it even began to rain.
The ship rocked so much that even Xie Baowei, who was born without seasickness, felt queasy, so the others couldn’t leave their cabins.
Peng Sohui, who had become accustomed enough to occasionally enjoy the river breeze, became a serious patient again and lay down.
Yingying was the same.
The healthy boy fell seriously ill.
“Just endure until the next port.”
The terrain was already treacherous. There was no way to stop the ship and rest.
Xie Baowei looked at Yingying with worried eyes.
Beside him sat Hahee with a stern face.
The three of them shared the same cabin. The boy had tried to go to the cabin with Dangyeonhwa and Peng Sohui, but Hahee had stopped him.
“…It’s because of me.”
Hahee bit her lips.
The pale boy’s complexion was truly poor.
She was a girl of an age who shouldn’t have to worry about things like the future.
Yet such a child had such deep concerns that they festered inside.
What could have made the boy suffer so?
What a foolish thing.
Hahee blamed herself.
“Rather, it would be my fault.”
Xie Baowei shook his head.
His hesitation about not being able to intervene rashly had gone on too long.
Though he might act like a fool in front of Hahee, Xie Baowei was not truly a fool.
So.
“Hee-mae.”
“Brother.”
It was when the two were looking at each other.
“Bandits!”
“Water bandits have appeared!”
“It’s Sulomang!”
The sailors’ shouts echoed through the cabin.
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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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