Chapter 62. Namgung’s Illegitimate Child

“Brother, you seem to grow more dignified with each passing year.”

“Haha. And you’ve grown more eloquent. How have you been?”

“I’d like to say I’ve been well… but I’m not so sure.”

“Hmm? Did something happen?”

The young martial artist from the Peng Clan gave a bitter smile and replied.

“The matter of going to the headquarters fell through.”

“What? What do you mean? Sit here and tell me in detail.”

The Peng Clan martial artist naturally took a seat at the table of the Zhuge Clan.

Those glancing their way inwardly sighed.

‘Ah, so envious…’

Perhaps because they were in Hubei, there were many members of the Zhuge Clan at the Murim Alliance headquarters. Even the flower of the headquarters, the Lord of the Four Seasons Hall, was the third son of the Clan Head of the Zhuge Clan, not yet forty.

For branch assignments, a recommendation from a Clan Head was sufficient, but for the headquarters, an additional recommendation from a headquarters member was required.

The Zhuge Clan likely had no worries, but it was a different story for other alliance members.

Wearing the emblem of fifteen moons, the symbol of the Murim Alliance headquarters, was the dream of every rising martial artist in the alliance. Thus, opportunities to associate with those from the headquarters were precious.

Perhaps that was why, even though this was a joint clan meeting hosted by the Tang Clan of Sichuan, the Zhuge Clan seemed to be the main focus.

Of course, some people didn’t care about such an atmosphere at all.

“Young lady Peng Wudan!”

A young man with a mole on his face waved to the lady of the Peng Clan.

“It’s been a while. Young lady Peng, you grow more beautiful by the day—I nearly lost my sight.”

At those words, the martial artist from the Peng Clan furrowed his brow. But Namgung Gangchang shamelessly pulled a chair closer and gestured.

“Please, sit here. Let’s catch up after so long.”

The Peng Clan martial artist was about to refuse but closed her mouth when she saw where Namgung Gangchang’s hand pointed. Sitting beside him was someone she had never seen before.

It’s not as if sunlight favors certain people, but the man seemed to shine alone as he sipped his tea.

‘…There was such a handsome face in the Namgung Clan? Ah, is he the Clan Head’s second son?’

She had heard that the direct descendants of Namgung An, the Clan Head known for his beauty, were exceptionally attractive, but this was excessive.

Then again, perhaps he just looked more impressive in contrast to the lecher sitting next to him.

Young lady Peng hesitated.

Namgung Gangchang, with his arrogant ways, was someone to be avoided. But the direct descendant of Namgung sitting next to him was simply too handsome.

At that moment, her younger sibling standing beside her gave her a nudge in the waist.

‘Shall we sit for a moment before we go?’

Seeing the sparkle in her sister’s eyes, it seemed they were thinking the same thing.

Young lady Peng finally nodded.

‘Right. It’s not proper to cut down kindness at the first offer.’

The sisters exchanged meaning with a glance and walked over to Namgung’s table.

Not everyone attending the Alliance of Noble Clans was there with ambition.

Most of the attendees were young martial artists in their twenties or thirties. Moreover, to be present at the Alliance of Noble Clans meant they held solid standing within their clans and had clearly verified identities. Naturally, it wasn’t uncommon for relationships to form during the gathering.

Yes—this gathering was a place where Clan Elders safely facilitated interactions between the spirited younger generation.

Seeing the two women from the Peng Clan approaching, the Namgung martial artists exchanged sour looks.

‘Why is everyone taking Brother Gangchang up on his offer this year?’

Normally, when Brother Gangchang made such advances, women would frown or curse him for making a move and walk away. But today, he was showing a success rate of over ninety percent.

‘You really don’t know why?’

One martial artist, looking at them with a disappointed gaze, gestured with his chin toward the spot beside Namgung Gangchang. Naturally, their gazes followed. There sat the Clan Head’s illegitimate son.

‘Wow, even that bastard’s having his moment of usefulness.’

As if he had no interest in the commotion, the bastard kept his eyes calmly on the lakeside. He wore an expression of boredom.

Even as the ladies of the Five Noble Clans gathered near him, he seemed to hold not the slightest interest.

‘Is that what the top predator looks like…?’

Feeling an indescribable sense of defeat, Namgung Gangchang’s followers averted their eyes.

But Namgung Gangchang, raised as the eldest son of the Grand Elder and coddled by the clan, had unusual self-confidence. He believed the gathering of women was thanks to him. Smiling, he stroked his chin.

“Young lady Peng, don’t you notice anything different about me?”

“I don’t know.”

Young lady Peng replied carelessly, not even looking at him.

But Namgung Gangchang’s self-esteem was enormous. As if not to embarrass her, he covered half his face with his hand and cautiously encouraged her.

“Haha, don’t feel pressured—please take a good look.”

“I said I don’t know.”

Young lady Peng turned her head sharply and glared at him, not hiding her irritation. Still, Namgung Gangchang seemed to think she was examining his face and slowly lowered his hand as he asked,

“Don’t you think I look more dignified than last year?”

“…”

“They say stimulating certain pressure points refines the facial contours and skin, so I tried it. The effect was incredible. The girl who did the meridian treatment on me came with me—would you like to try it too, Young lady Peng?”

Young lady Peng’s facial muscles began to twitch.

‘I must’ve been mad to sit next to this lecher.’

This was exactly why the women of the Namgung Clan all ran off to eat elsewhere. Letting out a sigh, Young lady Peng stood up from her seat.

Her posture made clear she could no longer bear to share a table with him, but Namgung Gangchang, emboldened by his earlier success, reached out and grabbed Young lady Peng’s wrist.

“Ah, not right now. The Clan Heads are still present, aren’t they? I’ll introduce you after the event is over, so please wait until then.”

At last, Young lady Peng shouted.

“Young warrior! Please come to your senses! Among all the women of the clans, there isn’t a single one interested in you, Young warrior Gangchang. And yet, you go around acting like we all belong to you—please stop that behavior. I’m embarrassed just watching it!”

Namgung Gangchang let out a breath, as if displeased by her words.

“Then why did you come all the way here and sit next to me? Did I kidnap you by force? You came over on your own and have been acting coy all this time…”

“Coy? Is this lunatic asking for a fight?”

Just as Young lady Peng was about to strike, her younger sister tried to stop her.

“S-sis, hold it in! So many people are watching!”

But even that level of protest wasn’t enough to crack Namgung Gangchang’s unshakable narcissism.

“A fight, you say? Such shameless talk in broad daylight…”

“B-brother!”

Unable to watch any longer, Namgung Gangchang’s followers rushed over and covered his mouth.

Thankfully, Young lady Peng didn’t understand the muffled words, and being a well-trained martial artist from a noble clan, she knew how to control her anger.

Conscious of the attention focused on her, she calmly exhaled and left the table.

It was apparently the first time people had seen the Peng Clan elder’s niece so furious, and the other ladies from the Peng Clan who had been seated at the table quietly stood up and returned to their place. With the mood as it was, the other curious young women from different clans also returned to their own tables.

“Young lady, please don’t go!”

Namgung warriors let out disappointed sighs, but soon their complaints erupted.

‘Why, though!’

The Namgung martial artists who had been enjoying themselves all turned to Namgung Gangchang at once, as if on cue. Their gazes were not kind. But Namgung Gangchang furrowed his brow and brushed away their hands, believing they were merely concerned for him.

“What are you doing? Everyone left in a foul mood because of your rude behavior.”

“Brother…”

“What?”

“They left because of you, Brother.”

Namgung Gangchang held strong standing within his clan. Being the only child born late to the Grand Elder, he had always been treated as precious. He had grown up hearing gentler and kinder words than even the heir to the clan.

Thus, he was not used to blunt words.

“…Are you perhaps jealous of me?”

There was no way a blunt remark could be received as it was.

Namgung Gangchang let out a bitter sigh.

“Yes. I always knew this day would come. How painful and difficult it must be to see someone born as a fellow human who has everything in his grasp… But even so, must I understand your lacking character as well?”

“I’m…”

“Sorry?”

Unable to stop himself, the Namgung youth nearly let out a curse—but barely swallowed it down. Then, in a gentle tone, he began to reason with the Grand Elder’s only son.

“Brother, didn’t you find it strange how readily the Peng Clan ladies agreed to join us?”

“Hmm, this year is a bit different. I didn’t think the effects of meridian treatment would show so quickly.”

Namgung Gangchang touched his cheek with a satisfied look.

“It wasn’t the meridian treatment.”

“No? Then is it thanks to this splendid robe Lady Mi made for me?”

“Brother. Isn’t the reason sitting right next to you?”

Unable to bear it any longer, another Namgung youth chimed in.

“Next to me?”

Turning his head without much thought, Namgung Gangchang finally noticed the bastard.

He had been in such a good mood that he’d completely forgotten the bastard’s existence. But now, seeing that parasitic pretty-face again, his mood soured at once.

Just then, the martial artist who had earlier covered Namgung Gangchang’s mouth whispered softly.

“All the ladies came over because of that guy’s face! For the first time in our lives, we’re benefitting from that bastard’s existence, and here you are ruining it all. Just look at everyone’s expressions now—they’re totally pissed!”

Finding it hard to believe, Namgung Gangchang turned his gaze again.

The boys who usually stuck to him now had their faces buried in their cups. Namgung Gangchang’s group, who had long dominated the social hierarchy at their age, was now walking on eggshells.

Ever since the Young Lord had entered closed-door training, those who typically surrounded him also took the opportunity to train themselves—some journeyed to other lands, others secluded themselves.

For Namgung Gangchang’s group, those two years had been like paradise.

And so, this hostility felt foreign.

Under the heat of countless glares, Namgung Gangchang slowly began to face reality.

Turning his gaze again, he saw the picturesque man quietly watching the shimmering lake. Though he radiated boredom from every pore, he didn’t look dull—he stood out like a pure white egret under the sun, glowing with a light of his own.

By this point, even Namgung Gangchang couldn’t deny what was happening.

With a voice trembling from anger, he asked:

“…Don’t tell me—this year, all those ladies sat with us because of that Namgung Hyun bastard?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep