The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 9

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

Chapter 9

The owner of Changhollu didn’t tell us what favor he had received.

However, according to Huangbo Yeon-gung:

“That fellow bought this place thanks to you. It would have been awkward for him to mention that in front of me. Well, that’s just an excuse anyway—he probably wanted to treat you well to attract more customers.”

“…Good heavens.”

“You really do love saying that.”

“Hah… Good heavens. What am I supposed to be?”

A magnificent feast was laid out.

Shandong cuisine is something the Central Plains takes pride in.

Meat-filled dumplings were just the beginning, followed by sweet and sour carp, stir-fried pork with seafood and vegetables, and rich broth soup that had been simmered for hours.

Of course, three bottles of the finest Nanling wine were also brought up.

“Hmm hmm. Please convey my gratitude to the owner.”

Yeon-gung said with a smile, his heart filled with joy.

The attendant serving them smiled as she replied.

“The owner said he would cover the cost of the Chimyeongheon private room, but he didn’t mention anything about the food expenses.”

“Huh?”

“I shall take my leave now. If you need anything, please pull the cord.”

And with a bright smile, the attendant left just like that.

Huangbo Yeon-gung, who had been excitedly ordering food to his heart’s content, was flustered and gaped.

Xie Baowei shrugged his shoulders and picked up his chopsticks.

“I’ll eat well, brother.”

“…We’re screwed. This is.”

Yeon-gung laughed helplessly.

In any case, the food was absolutely delicious. The finest Nanling wine was the same.

Since the alcohol was quite strong, the two men slowly shared it back and forth.

Huangbo Yeon-gung savored the wine very carefully, and seeing how much he loved it, Xie Baowei suggested that since the strong alcohol meant two bottles were enough for him, Yeon-gung should take the remaining bottle.

“You really are a good person.”

Yeon-gung’s eyes were truly moved.

The evening fragrance grew thicker.

Two bottles of wine were quickly emptied.

Xie Baowei smiled and ordered new wine. It was white wine that was slightly inferior to Nanling wine, but it was also good.

In a place where people intoxicate each other, any wine was good.

“You! Did you see how big our children have grown last time?”

Huangbo Yeon-gung was thirty years old. Even though martial artists tended to marry late, it was sufficient age to establish a family.

He married at twenty-five and had one son.

A few days ago, when he brought both his wife and child to pay respects, Xie Baowei went out barefoot wearing only socks to greet them.

“This little rascal is so adorable I could die. Ah, this kid already seems to understand the Five Elements Mind Method, you know?”

Huangbo Yeon-gung had been chattering and rambling about the contempt he’d experienced, injustices, and the political situation in Shandong.

When talking about his child, becoming a doting parent was the same for any parent.

“Thinking of my father, I only learned how to be stern with children. But I changed while serving as Ohaeng Daeju. These days, I feel proud when my child grows even by thirty li.”

Nevertheless, he was still the leader of the Five Elements Martial Arts Stage.

It didn’t have the feeling of that former glorious boy band, but precisely because it wasn’t, he was all the more satisfied with his current position.

“These little rascals really don’t listen to me. Did I tell you to prepare gifts for me? Don’t do it. Don’t do it. That’s what I told them. But every year, they write letters, make brushes by hand, and from their meager means, they bring rice or fruit. Tsk tsk. They should use it for themselves.”

And Huangbo Yeon-gung smiled proudly.

This was already the third time he’d said this.

He must be drunk, Xie Baowei thought, smiling along without getting tired of it.

He had been a very popular person in the past too. Fundamentally bright and bold, with no lingering resentment and fluent speech, many people followed him.

Yunlei Huangbo Yeon-gung of those days had been a truly shining person to the ignorant Xie Baowei.

Since their age difference wasn’t that great, he had been someone even more enviable and jealousy-inducing.

But somehow.

The current brother wearing shabby martial robes looked even better.

Without a trace of jealousy, just seeing him happy made Xie Baowei happy too.

It truly felt like family, which was good.

Therefore.

Bang!

When sounds like “You mustn’t do this” rang out, and the door to Chimyeongheon’s third guest room where they were staying burst open as if it would break, and several people strode in boldly.

And when the man leading them said:

“Well now. I heard the Huangbo Family had completely fallen, but that doesn’t seem entirely true. But Yunlei. If you’re going to come to a place like this, you should at least dress properly. Isn’t this too shabby?”

And when,

Without even trying to look, Xie Baowei insulted the Huangbo Family and Huangbo Yeon-gung.

Unlike with Taean Gate, he was genuinely angry.

“It’s been a while, Cheongcham. And friends.”

“Hmph. Yes. It has been a while. Is this the first time since that day at Iruron?”

“I heard rumors that you’d returned to Jinan.”

“It’s been several years. Well now. I was in an awkward position too. Thinking of old ties, I should have paid my respects. But considering my sect’s reputation, I couldn’t do that. There’s such a thing as the current state of affairs. Come to think of it, the Huangbo Family’s petty pride is quite remarkable.”

The words exchanged with laughter were sharp.

A terrible wine fragrance spread pungently, and soon Huangbo Yeon-gung’s face, which had been flushed with intoxication, returned to normal.

Driving out alcohol with internal energy is not an easy task.

Though he hadn’t expelled it completely, it was enough for his mind to become clear.

“By the way. I heard you’re playing house with the brats from Bukbinga—did you have the leisure to come to a place like this? Ha. Or did you go through those brats’ undergarments?”

“Cheongcham. As an old friend, I’m warning you. You’d better choose your next words carefully.”

A sword submerged underwater—that’s why he was called Cheongcham.

The man who had single-handedly wiped out the bandit gang of Yangcheonsan in an incident that made all of Jinan buzz was someone who got along very well with Yeon-gung.

They had never been on such terms.

“Or are you trying to sell this beggar’s organs? Oh my. You’ve already sold your possessions. Right.”

With a bang, the solid, thick table cracked with a splitting sound.

“Jang Sahyeon! Shut up!”

Even at that fury, he persisted,

This cheap ignorant fool probably couldn’t even buy a single drink.

Having finished his words, Cheongcham burst into laughter.

Yeon-gung’s shouts of rage as he stood up and Cheongcham’s laughter mixed together.

“I’ll have to cut out your tongue!”

Come on then, Yeon-gung said as he pushed away the half-split table.

Food and wine crashed down with a clattering sound.

Indeed, it was enough to remind one of his old bold and fearless self.

“Ha. Old friend? Comrade? Bullshit. Listen here, Yunlei, do you think I’d still be afraid of you! This isn’t the old Huangbo Family, you’re not the old Yunlei, and I’m not the old me!”

Jang Sahyeon, who faced him, also hardened his expression.

Whatever had made him so angry, he too was fully prepared to fight.

His hand gripped his sword hilt, and instantly killing intent soared to the heavens.

Seeing how things were turning, the steward and attendant urgently tried to stop him, and the tavern’s security came but couldn’t dare approach.

Those who had come with Jang Sahyeon pretended to stop him while actually encouraging him.

“Please stop, Branch Manager Jang. This is beneath your dignity.”

“That’s right, Brother Jang. Brother Jang’s serrated sword is too precious to use for slaughtering chickens.”

Xie Baowei lifted the cup he had been holding throughout the commotion and drank the wine.

Jang Sahyeon and his friends.

Since they had appeared, fire had ignited in his belly, so he needed to wet it a little.

“Just leave them be.”

When he spoke, all eyes turned to him at once.

It was perfect timing.

Xie Baowei smiled broadly and spoke.

“Don’t you know the saying that when alcohol flows, so do blades? They say that in Jinan, after three cups of wine, hands move first, and swords are faster than words. Yet here you are, still just flapping your mouth. Is it because you’re a pirate sect leader?”

Ah. That last part was a mistake.

“I almost said. Brother Jang. It’s been a while.”

Should I have called him Young Master Jang like back then? And

Xie Baowei set down his cup.

There was no way the cup could reach the overturned table.

The empty cup fell to the floor and shattered.

The steward let out a cry of dismay, and

“…What?”

Jang Sahyeon’s mouth fell wide open.

***

Jang Sahyeon is a disciple of Pahosam Gate.

Pahosam Gate, whose base is in the coastal Shandong region, is located at Sanmun Cliff facing the deep sea.

Though one might easily think it was a sect that only bullied fishermen and engaged in piracy because the character for orca is in the sect’s name, it was surprisingly an ancient sect established to protect fishermen, and had quite a high reputation in the coastal regions at the edge of Shandong.

Even so, the strongest in Shandong was the Hwangbo Family, and this was true even before Hwangbo Seungjeong was called the Eastern Champion.

So what must it have been like after he became known as the Eastern Champion?

Regardless of their feelings, the Hwangbo Family’s Five Elements Martial Arts Stage became a place that all young martial artists of Shandong would visit.

Jang Sahyeon was the same.

The eldest son of a humble scholarly family from some fishing village in the coastal region, he happened to catch the eye of the Law Enforcement Hall Master of Pahosam Gate and became his direct disciple.

However, he had many complaints.

Despite clearly possessing outstanding talent, he could not escape the reality of being merely the Law Enforcement Hall Master’s disciple.

He might become the front paws or body at best, but could never become the dragon’s head.

Even Pahosam Gate, which commanded the coastal region, was barely worthy of being called a lesser dragon in the Central Plains, or even in Shandong.

In such circumstances, despite his late age, he came to the Hwangbo Family’s Five Elements Martial Arts Stage and even joined the Mount Tai group.

Pahosam Gate must have been quite pleased.

He had talent but no faction, no legitimacy, and came from a humble family.

Perfect for expanding the sect’s connections, and if raised well, he would remain a loyal retainer.

Jang Sahyeon didn’t care either way.

He was simply happy to be among the gathered young and spirited youth, pleased to be part of it, and proud to stand right beside Yunlei who was at the center of it all.

So he became greedy.

What about the Hwangbo Family’s treasure, Hwangbo Ok?

If they were both going to be part of the body anyway, wouldn’t a dragon be better than a snake, and if he became the husband of a precious daughter, wouldn’t he be at least the neck rather than just the body?

It wasn’t something as grand as love.

It was merely his own imagination and delusion, but he thought he wasn’t so inadequate.

A direct disciple of Pahosam Gate, a friend of Yunlei. If the title of son-in-law of the Hwangbo Family were added to that.

So when that dream was shattered, the pain was only as great as the size of his greed.

Certainly.

“What? That Xie bastard is here?”

“Yes. That’s what I’m telling you. They say he’s in the room right next door.”

Taean Gate wasn’t the only one pleased by the Hwangbo Family’s absence.

Pahosam Gate, the Ak Family, martial sects like the Taishan Sect, of course.

Trading companies like the Ju Clan Trading Company and salt merchants, the Meng Clan and Zheng Clan, and even scholars like the Gongja of Qufu had extended their reach into Jinan.

Present-day Jinan was no different from a den of demons.

There wasn’t anyone without a decent tavern, and all the large farmlands and famous springs had been taken by these outsiders.

Rather, those who originally wielded power in Jinan had been pushed out.

Thus today. The various families had gathered to form an alliance, and just a few days ago, they had completed their first meeting hosted by Pahosam Gate.

As the Jinan branch manager of Pahosam Gate, Jang Sahyeon had excellently concluded that event, then invited those with whom he had connections for another drinking session.

“Hmph. A beggar has returned to the already ruined Hwangbo Family. It’s truly the pinnacle of adding flowers to a brocade. No. Is it Hwangbo Ok’s doing?”

“Those words are truly correct. Who would have thought the Hwangbo Family would end up like that while we were becoming like this.”

“They say fortune and misfortune are unpredictable, and people are everything. Indeed, those words seem right. Brother Jang.”

Everyone around laughed heartily.

These were people who had been driven out overnight with blue bruises on their backsides.

They were scolded so severely when they returned that they couldn’t even go outside for a while.

As the Hwangbo Family fell, they too became kites with severed strings.

Jang Sahyeon was someone who had solidified his position even in such circumstances.

They knew better than anyone how difficult that was.

So it was natural for them to cling to Jang Sahyeon and flatter him.

Jang Sahyeon nodded with satisfaction.

“I heard he returned crippled in the legs. Perhaps that’s why Hwangbo Ok is also in seclusion.”

“She must also be ashamed of her disgrace. They say she’s ill, but isn’t that all just fabricated rumors?”

“That’s right. That’s right. She was just cast aside for doing something stupid. Look how quiet things are now. If that’s not confinement, what is?”

So you see.

Stupid fools.

It was already wrong from the moment they chose that idiot Xie Baowei.

Jang Sahyeon smiled coldly.

“The woman I knew wasn’t like that.”

“Brother Ak.”

If the Hwangbo Family Estate was called by that name as it was, the Ak Family’s name was always preceded by Shandong.

The Shandong Ak Family.

It was the family that represented Shandong before the Hwangbo Family.

“Baekying.”

“The Baowei I knew wasn’t like that either.”

“Oh my. This person. You’re the same as always, unchanged.”

“You’re all the same too. Unchanged from then to now.”

He was someone who didn’t like to step forward, then and now.

Even when they bullied that Xie bastard, he just watched blankly, and when they were driven out, he turned away without a word of excuse.

Yet his name was the most renowned.

Two years ago, he alone blocked Haebi-pung, the Black Wolf Blood Master, and his group who had devastated Shanxi and tried to cross the East Coast, becoming a star.

The Rising Star of the Ak Family.

Ak Munheon of the White Shadow Spear.

The reason such a person was at this gathering was just like him.

He came to see an old friend.

Hadn’t he sat there silently all this time after saying just those words?

Jang Sahyeon’s lips twisted bitterly.

“Fine then. Good. Let’s go see our old friend’s face too.”

And thus they had arrived at this moment.

***

“What did you just say.”

Jang Sahyeon asked in a low voice.

It was a voice that had sunk beyond anger.

“I almost said?”

“This bastard has truly gone mad from wandering foreign lands!”

The Xie Baowei he met again had lost his mind.

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