The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 80
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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 80
Jiangnan Yilian is a massive alliance centered on Anhui Province, encompassing Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi.
Even though there were many deep and treacherous mountain areas, that very fact made its vast territory all the more impressive.
Of course, not every sect within that territory belonged to Jiangnan Yilian, but its influence was naturally immense.
Compared to Shu-Chuan Xiapeng, whose main area of activity was around Sichuan, and Guanzhong Yilin, which had territory in some border areas centered on Shaanxi, it was an excessively huge domain.
But anyone in the current martial arts world—no, anyone in the current realm—who had heard the name of Anhui’s Namgung would nod in agreement.
“Oh my, dear husband. Look at those flowers.”
“Mm. The cornelian cherry blossoms are as radiant as your smile.”
“Ugh.”
Xie Baowei and Hahee’s group set off together, chatting pleasantly.
Though they didn’t have the same mission, since they were heading in the same direction, they could finally walk together after a long time.
“Oh my. Dear me, I’ve twisted my ankle. Could you hold my hand?”
“Oh dear, husband. Here, take this hand and walk slowly.”
“Ugh.”
The group was modest.
Samjeoljo, Hahee, and Yeongyeong. Just five in total.
Yingying had been moving with Hahee recently. At first, they left her behind, but as their travels grew longer, they increasingly brought her along.
This was partly because the danger level was low and they were often well-received wherever they went.
Hwangbo Yeonghil, who had been moving with them for a while, stayed with the family to assist his father after his father became the head of the household.
He said he would return… but it was hard to tell.
Perhaps he felt sorry because he knew well his aunt’s old dreams that were lost because of his father.
Since everyone in the family felt the same way, the two were treated as treasures among treasures, both officially and unofficially by the Hwangbo Family.
How should I put it… It felt like older brothers tearfully trying to console their youngest sibling after stealing and eating his favorite sweets…
That was also why the two couldn’t stay longer and had to leave home.
“Hmm. I’m a bit tired today. How about we rest at the next village?”
“Heh heh. Well now. As it happens, there’s a cliff nearby where an immortal is said to have stayed. They say it’s quite a scenic spot—how about we take our time to see it?”
“Ugh!”
Officially, Xie Baowei and Hahee had received different missions. They just happened to be going in the same direction.
Jegal Seolhye hadn’t deliberately arranged this.
Unlike Hahee’s mission, Xie Baowei’s mission was something even she hadn’t anticipated.
By chance, a client who specifically named him coincided with Xie Baowei’s arbitrary decision to return.
This certainly cured Jegal Seolhye’s throbbing headache beautifully.
It was also a satisfying arrangement for both Xie Baowei and Hahee.
Except for one person. No, two people.
“Stop! Stop it! No, just how much are you going to rest! You rested yesterday, and the day before, and at this rate you’ll rest tomorrow too. The sun is still high in this beautiful day, yet you walk instead of using perfectly good horses, and someone who sprained their ankle wants to climb mountains!”
The one shouting was Dangyeonhwa, and the one nodding earnestly was Akmungi.
Naturally, they were the two who had followed Xie Baowei.
It was already a mission they had to follow without rest, but they probably never imagined they’d have to witness such eye-searing behavior from these two.
Meanwhile, only Yingying stared blankly at the fuming Dangyeonhwa.
“That’s why I told you not to come on this mission.”
“Ick! Then am I supposed to just laze around with those parasites the whole time?”
“Well, Miss Jegal also said you shouldn’t go if possible.”
“Hmph! Why should I listen to that four-eyed sister from the Jegal Family?”
“Oh my. There’s nothing alliance members can’t say to each other.”
“Hmph!”
Given the direction and the current situation, Jegal Seolhye had subtly suggested leaving Dangyeonhwa behind.
But was Dangyeonhwa the type to meekly say “yes”?
She was exactly the kind of tomboy who would definitely do what she was told not to do, and cause even more trouble when told to do something.
“Hmph! No matter how great Namgung is, in our Dang Family’s territory, they’re just another family!”
“No matter how great the Dang Family is, in Namgung’s territory, you’d be just another family. Are you stupid?”
“Argh!”
Xie Baowei had also seriously tried to dissuade her from coming.
And for good reason—it was Namgung who had specifically requested Xie Baowei, and they were heading to Qichun, right at Anhui’s doorstep.
It had already been several months since news of Namgung Bin had been cut off.
Even so, because it was Namgung Bin, rumors circulated that he was tracking down Qitian’s whereabouts to find his base, or struggling to prevent some greater conspiracy,
or perhaps he had captured the villain but was hiding after sustaining serious injuries.
But because it was Namgung Bin, other rumors also quietly spread—what if, really?
The last place he had parted from others was Sichuan, and with rumors circulating that the Dang Family was also involved in the Sichuan incident, the atmosphere between Namryeon and Chukmeng was quite tense these days.
“She’s just young, dear husband. Ho ho, Miss Dang. Nothing makes a person more generous than leisure. Take this opportunity to learn.”
“Hmph. I have plenty of life left, so I’m fine. Auntie.”
“…You, come here.”
However, whatever the case, it didn’t matter much to Xie Baowei.
Worrying was something that great ‘Namgung’ should do.
Besides, Namgung Bin? Well…
-Would it be alright if I called you elder brother?
Hmm…
He couldn’t imagine that capable fellow being defeated by anyone.
Well, nothing serious would happen. He’d handle things well on his own, wouldn’t he? That’s the kind of person he was.
What was important now wasn’t such capable people.
Look.
The day was beautiful and the sky was clear.
Peach blossoms bloomed abundantly along the road, and the rich fragrance of cornelian cherry lingered at the tip of his nose.
The road was smooth and the deadline was generous.
Everywhere they stepped was pleasing to the eye, and every meal was delightful to the palate.
All of it was good.
No, actually, all of that wasn’t necessary.
Spring had always been like this.
It was simply that the difference between having one person by his side or not was so great.
Lüli was by his side.
That one thing made the world look different.
It was truly a wonderful thing.
Since no one was urging them to hurry, it was natural for the journey to become a trip.
“Ah! Come on! Let’s go faster!”
It had truly been a leisurely journey.
***
Near Qichun in Hubei Province, if you follow the eastern branch of the Dabie Mountain Range down to where it meets the Yangtze River, there is a prosperous village.
It was a village called Qiulong Town, and due to its location, it was a place where countless herb merchants and silk traders constantly traveled back and forth along the Yangtze River, not only from Qichun but from all around.
“Wow… look at all these people.”
Xie Baowei’s group entered Qiulong Town leisurely as the day was ending.
It was three days past their promised arrival date.
“Why are there so many people?”
“…I heard it was quite a prosperous village, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”
Thinking of his hometown Chengdu, this shouldn’t have been so surprising, but the prosperity of Sichuan’s scenery and Hubei’s abundance had quite different aspects.
Moreover, unlike the simple nature and joking banter characteristic of Sichuan people, the sharp yet persistent tug-of-war shown by Jiangnan merchants and people was completely different.
Whether Xie Baowei and Akmungi were equally surprised, all four people widened their eyes and just looked around.
“…Don’t you properly read the mission briefings?”
Seeing this, Hahee shook his head as if pathetic.
Dangyeonhwa rolled her eyes.
“Hmph! I usually read them before arriving, but this time I forgot because I didn’t know when we’d arrive!”
“You’re good with words.”
The ones who ultimately became comfortable with the endlessly leisurely travel were Dangyeonhwa and Hahee.
Literally, they didn’t become close, just comfortable.
“They say a mine was discovered…”
“Right. It’s fortunate that Brother Ak is here.”
Hahee’s face softened, unlike when he was looking at Dangyeonhwa.
A smile briefly crossed the expressionless Akmungi’s lips.
Hahee nodded and added more explanation.
“Recently, an iron ore mine was newly discovered. Thanks to that, trading companies wanting to develop the mine have lined up.”
Of course, cutting the nation’s mountains and mining iron ore wasn’t something just anyone could do.
The government caught wind of it first and took their share. Only after that would intermediaries come in to manage the work.
“Naturally, the Namgung Family took on that job. Even if Hubei isn’t their main territory, Qichun is definitely close to the Namgungs.”
So did the Namgungs take everything?
That wasn’t the case either.
Below that were those who mined the iron ore, transported the minerals, refined them, sold them, and the pickaxes and carts needed for that work… even the food and drink for the workers.
A single mine supported so many places.
“So now all kinds of trading companies have flocked here, creating this commotion.”
Hahee’s expression changed again.
As if the explanation had been directed at Xie Baowei from the beginning, her body, which had become infinitely gentle, suddenly tapped Xie Baowei’s arm.
“Because of that, some problems have arisen. They say you just need to mediate under the Alliance’s name, Captain.”
Her eyes curved sweetly as she smiled.
Behind them, Dangyeonhwa covered her mouth and made a “ugh” sound but didn’t make any noise.
She probably didn’t want to spar again.
“Hmm. Then, do we have to part with Hee-mae now?”
“Ah… Captain…”
Xie Baowei’s expression had been consistently poor, so that must have been why.
Damn it.
This time Dangyeonhwa really leaned against the wall and bent over.
No matter how many times she saw this, she couldn’t get used to it.
Akmungi patted her back.
.
.
.
Happily for two people, and sadly for two others, Hahee and Yingying decided to stay just one more day before leaving.
Her destination was Nanjili, that is, the Cheonjusan area of Anhui Province.
In other words, the Namgung Family, which was a close distance of 6-7 days even if traveling leisurely from here.
However, while the original event was such a big event that there was plenty of time left, how could the wind leave a famous person alone even if they wanted to be quietly alone?
Since she decided to show her face here and there while she was at it (Jegal Seolhye was largely to blame), she didn’t have much free time.
After the last day when two people cried and two people laughed passed, four days past the original deadline, Xie Baowei and his companions were finally able to arrive at Tianjian Hall, which was like a branch of the Namgung Family in Qiulong Town.
“Where did you say you came from?”
“I’m Xie Baowei, leader of the Qingzhulin Sanjie Group from the Wulin Alliance. I came because I received a request.”
Ahem.
He had sent a message in advance saying he would be late, but because he was later than expected, Xie Baowei coughed awkwardly with a somewhat embarrassed face.
Of course, he had received a reply too.
The response that came back had a feeling of saying to come even later, so much later that it would be confusing to the side that sent the message about being late.
Even so, being shameless was still being shameless.
For Xie Baowei, who became almost a different person when Lüli was around versus when she wasn’t, he was only now feeling embarrassed after returning to his right mind.
“Hmph. At least you know to be ashamed?”
Dangyeonhwa grumbled from behind.
Ahem.
It was when he unconsciously coughed once more.
“Oh my! You’ve arrived!”
It was when the three people were looking away in embarrassment and regret. (Because in the end, all three had equally enjoyed the journey.)
The servant who received the mission request letter from Xie Baowei said “Huh?” and spent a long time alternately looking between the request letter and the three people, tilting his head in confusion.
Clap!
He clapped his hands.
“Here! People from the Alliance have come! Quickly go inside and inform them!”
And then.
“Please come in. The master ordered us to treat you with the utmost hospitality! Oh my, really. I thought my neck would fall off from waiting so long!”
Wasn’t he welcoming the three people?
At this, the three people looked at each other.
No, two people looked at one person.
“What’s going on here?”
“…How would I know?”
Xie Baowei shook his head.
Dangyeonhwa looked over Xie Baowei’s face and body.
“Hmm. Even if your build is decent… are you someone who deserves such a warm welcome? What, do you sprinkle some kind of fragrant pouch around? If you have something like that, give me some too. Honestly.”
Soon, people came running with a clatter and dragged the three people inside.
When they entered the inner courtyard, people came out and were waiting for them.
Dangyeonhwa clicked her tongue as if she really couldn’t understand.
“…We’re late, right? You said our job was simple…? We’re not being sold somewhere, are we?”
Xie Baowei said.
“…I don’t know either.”
At least, he could tell that something was strange.
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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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