Chapter 50 – I Cant Pass This Up

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Translated by Heavenly Cat
Read more at Nineheavens.org
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Chapter 50 – I Can't Pass This Up
The Jingzhou Ban Family.
An orthodox power located in Jingzhou, a major city in southern Hubei Province, and a martial family boasting quite deep history and tradition.
Although its status couldn't compare to that of the Seven Great Families, it was a house that received considerable respect in the region since it had steadily produced first-rate swordsmen.
The Jingzhou Ban Family had seen their fame rise dramatically once about thirteen years ago – because of a grand wedding.
Precisely, it was because of the identity of the bride that Family Head Ban De had welcomed.
Namgung Si-ryeo.
He had married the one and only younger sister of Namgung Si-ryang, who was then the Family Head of the Namgung Family, concentrating the world's attention.
It was naturally bound to draw public interest.
After all, the Namgung Family was one of the Seven Great Families, the very pinnacle of the orthodox martial world.
After that, Ban De's Jingzhou Ban Family showed definite growth.
It was the influence of having the Namgung Family, one of the martial world's foremost noble houses, as their backing.
But worldly affairs couldn't always be good.
Eleven years ago from now, Ban De's wife's family, the Namgung Family, suffered an unexpected calamity.
This house of the highest tier that had continued for over two hundred years was left in ruins and collapsed after receiving a large-scale surprise attack from an unidentified enemy.
It was a shocking major incident that caused great waves throughout the entire martial world.
Just like the annihilation of the Dragon Martial Gate that had occurred ten years before that…
The Namgung Family thus lost eighty percent of its total strength overnight and fell.
As core experts including Family Head Namgung Si-ryang and all elite members under him were killed, the fame and status they had built up plummeted.
The Jingzhou Ban Family's position also shrank considerably.
They had been growing by clinging to their wife's family's power, so when that foundation suddenly disappeared, it was the most natural outcome.
At that time, the two sons of the Namgung Family barely survived.
The eldest son, Namgung Sang-rin; the second son, Namgung Heon-rin.
Everyone expected those two to naturally go to the Jingzhou Ban Family, where their aunt Namgung Si-ryeo was.
But no.
The place where Sang-rin and Heon-rin actually took shelter was the Murong Family, one of the Seven Great Families.
There was a reason for that.
In truth, Namgung Si-ryeo had always been sharply at odds with Family Head Namgung Si-ryang, so Sang-rin and Heon-rin were very uncomfortable with such an aunt.
The two brothers clearly remembered.
All the wicked behavior their Aunt Namgung Si-ryeo had shown within the household before she married into the Ban Family…
Both were young, but they knew all too well that their parents had suffered much heartache because of those matters, so they couldn't readily head that way.
Fortunately, Murong Family Head Murong Byeok had been close friends with Namgung Si-ryang while he was alive, so he gladly embraced Sang-rin and Heon-rin as if they were his own sons.
But living under someone else's roof wasn't easy.
Of course, the Murong Byeok family consistently extended warm hands.
However, some of the peer group treated the two brothers like uninvited guests and persistently bullied them.
In the end, Sang-rin and Heon-rin endured for several years, then their anger exploded and they had a big fight. After voluntarily accepting punishment, they made up their minds to leave the Murong Family and bid farewell to the Murong Byeok family with gratitude.
The two brothers had no choice but to knock on the door of the Jingzhou Ban Family.
Though their Aunt Namgung Si-ryep and her husband Ban De were reluctant, they reluctantly accepted the two, concerned about public reputation.
Their intention was to let them stay for about a year while finding an excuse to kick them out.
Then at some point, Namgung Si-ryeo and Ban De's attitude changed and they started providing for them.
Having lived on cold stares for a long time, the Sang-rin and Heon-rin brothers immediately recognized the hidden intention.
It was false kindness aimed at obtaining the essence of the Namgung Family's sword studies – specifically, the formulas of the Azure Heaven Great Evolution Sword Art.
Moreover, once the two brothers' martial skill and talent far surpassed their peers in the Ban Family, they even calculated to use them to build up the family's prestige and fame.
Disgusted by this hypocrisy, Namgung Heon-rin left alone and enlisted in the military at the age of seventeen.
On the other hand, Namgung Sang-rin remained at the Jingzhou Ban Family to lay the groundwork for the future, because of his dream to somehow rebuild his family.
After the two brothers' life paths diverged, Namgung Si-ryeo and Ban De had openly demanded the transmission of the formulas.
But.
Namgung Sang-rin was no easy target either.
Needing capital for future independence, he had proposed an appropriate compromise.
-Uncle, Aunt, my goal is to rebuild my family, so I cannot teach you the essence of the Azure Heaven Great Evolution Sword Art. Instead, I will sincerely teach the disciples here and raise their martial level. And from now on, if you assign me any task, I'll achieve appropriate merit, so just give me fair compensation. I have no other requests.
Namgung Si-ryeo and Ban De couldn't push any harder and accepted his proposal.
Three years had passed since that day to reach the present.
"Today, I finally take one step closer to my dream."
Namgung Sang-rin let out a quiet voice as he gazed at the Jingzhou Ban Family in the distance.
What his Aunt Namgung Si-ryeo had said before he departed for the Hunan region flashed through his mind.
-Sang-rin. I heard the Mantis Martial Academy recently signed a secret contract with a certain medicine shop here in Jingzhou, and I'm concerned it might be one of our trading partners. There must surely be a hidden contract. Go and retrieve it. Of course, it will be quite difficult, but I'll give you very generous compensation accordingly. Enough that you could leave here and become independent immediately after this job is done.
Namgung Sang-rin's heart was pounding.
The first step toward achieving his dream of rebuilding his family – finally, that moment was right before his eyes.
Once he received the money this time, he planned to combine it with the money he had saved up and first secure a foundation to continue his family's legacy.
'Thank you. It's entirely thanks to you.'
Gratitude toward Cheol Ryu-heun.
Soon, he opened the main gate of the Jingzhou Ban Family and arrived in front of the central pavilion.
Upon entering the building, Ban De and Namgung Si-ryeo sitting at a table drinking tea came into view.
"Uncle, Aunt, I report my safe return."
When Namgung Sang-rin bowed in courtesy, Namgung Si-ryeo responded with a gesture.
"You're back. Hm? What's that scabbard?"
"Ah… I just saw it on the way and it caught my eye, so I bought one."
"Hoho. Wonders never cease. For you to purchase something that looks so expensive… Anyway, how did the mission go?"
At that, Namgung Sang-rin took out the paper he had kept inside his clothes and gently placed it on the table.
"This is the hidden contract from the Mantis Martial Academy that you asked for."
Simultaneously, Ban De and Namgung Si-ryeo's expressions changed dramatically.
It seemed like an unexpected reaction.
Namgung Sang-rin smiled bitterly to himself.
'Yes, you must have thought it was an impossible task from the start. But that assumption was wrong.'
Namgung Si-ryeo hurriedly checked the contents of the hidden contract and exchanged glances with Ban De.
Both had disconcerted looks in their eyes.
At that moment, Namgung Sang-rin spoke again.
"You promised that if I succeeded in this mission, you would provide the funds I need for independence."
At that, Ban De slightly furrowed his brow.
"Now, now, what's the rush? Rest for a few days and recover from the journey."
Namgung Si-ryeo quickly chimed in to echo him.
"Right, I'll arrange a drinking party later, so rest for now."
But Namgung Sang-rin's attitude was firm.
"I apologize to you both, but I'd like to confirm the money first. I've been eagerly awaiting this day… I hope you'll understand."
Suddenly, Namgung Si-ryeo slapped the arm of her chair with a clap! and raised her voice.
What is that supposed to mean? Are you doubting us!"
Ban De also wore an expression of displeasure.
But Namgung Sang-rin didn't yield easily.
"Honestly, hasn't this happened more than once or twice?"
That's right.
He meant that over the past three years, there had been several occasions when he received less money than the merit he had earned, so he couldn't help but feel suspicious.
The Mantis Martial Academy matter was such an extremely dangerous job that his resolve had been different from the start when he set out.
So this time, he felt that only by receiving definite compensation could he shake off that distrust.
But Namgung Si-ryeo came out shamelessly turning things around.
"Hmph, more than once or twice? Coming back now to complain about that… Would you understand if I told you it was after deducting the cost of your room and board here?"
Not to be outdone, Ban De lifted his chin and sneered.
"Truly insolent. I'll give you the money when the time comes, so stop nitpicking. Tch!"
Namgung Sang-rin's eyes gleamed sharply.
"I can't trust you."
At his unusually cold voice unlike before, Ban De and Namgung Si-ryeo reflexively shrunk their necks.
"Uncle, Aunt, I've also held back a lot. You know that well, don't you? So I'd like to receive the money here and now."
When Namgung Sang-rin spoke stubbornly, Namgung Si-ryeo changed expression and lit twin candles of fury in her eyes.
"Enough! Since your attitude is so arrogant and presumptuous, I'll just cancel the previous promise!"
No sooner had the sharp cry burst out.
CRASH-!
The round table broke in half with a loud noise.
Namgung Sang-rin had drawn his sword and hurled it.
A deep silence fell over the venue.
Turning his back, Namgung Sang-rin headed for the door while leaving heavy words.
"Our connection is over. Never come looking for me again. I too will never come anywhere near a family like this ever again."
Thus he disappeared.
"…"
Namgung Si-ryeo and Ban De were speechless for a while, shocked by a side of him they had never seen before.
* * *
Namgung Sang-rin, who had packed his belongings and come out to the main street, walked along the avenue lost in thought.
'Those two showed the dark depths of human nature to the very end. From now on, I'll find my own path without being bound by blood.'
But he couldn't help the feeling of being blocked at every turn.
He felt somewhat wistful.
Then suddenly, one person came to mind.
Cheol Ryu-heun.
And his words about coming by anytime once he was tired of living on cold stares…
-With my help, you can achieve your family's rebuilding faster. And you can restore the other key sword studies that were already lost too.
Namgung Sang-rin stopped in his tracks and quietly looked at the scabbard he had received from Cheol Ryu-heun.
'He said whether to believe him or not was my call. Should I go, treating it like a gamble? I'm not yet in a position to repay his kindness, but…'
He soon clenched his fist tight, as if having made up his mind.
'Right, let's go! To White Peak Sword Sect.'
* * *
Deep night, the government office in Youyang, Hunan Province.
In a pavilion's inner room lit up with candles, one figure sat before a desk.
A man in his late thirties with a short beard – he was Ju Yu-gang, who had recently been appointed as the county magistrate of this place.
Soon, a quiet voice flowed from his mouth.
"Hmm… Why could that be?"
Recently, brothels and entertainment houses suspected to be illegal businesses of the Thousand Snake Gang in Youyang had all closed simultaneously.
It was suspicious.
Why would a group that had been avoiding crackdowns by bribing various officials suddenly cut their money source?
'Could they have caught wind that a secret inspection led by me is about to begin? That can't be…'
At that moment, the window opened quietly.
Whoosh-
Together with a gust of wind, a figure appeared like a ghost.
"…!"
Ju Yu-gang, startled, leaned back, and at that instant, an indifferent voice reached his ears.
"Do you want to wipe out the Thousand Snake Gang?"
The voice from the figure before him was none other than Cheol Ryu-heun.
Ju Yu-gang, after a brief moment of dismay, quickly regained his composure and picked up his government-issue iron sword while radiating a cold glare.
"Who are you? Daring to break into a government office like this?"
A calm attitude as if he'd had many such experiences.
There was also a sense of pride in his personal martial prowess.
But Cheol Ryu-heun paid no mind and opened his mouth.
"I'll help you. To clean up the Thousand Snake Gang all at once."
"What?"
"You want to mobilize the government troops, but you're troubled because you don't have a plausible justification, right?"
"What are you babbling about…"
In that instant, Cheol Ryu-heun tossed an object onto the desk, and great ripples arose in Ju Yu-gang's eyes.
'What!'
Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged his shoulders and said.
"Here you go. Justification."
What was placed on the desk was the White Fang Sword of White Snake Head Sword Gul Ma-hun.
Ju Yu-gang smiled as soon as he saw that sword, seeming to roughly grasp the strange visitor's intention.
That's really the White Fang! Oh my, I can't pass this up!
Justification had been delivered.
The best kind of justification with infinite utility…