Chapter 10 :

#10. The Third-Rate Warrior Who Protects His Sect’s Honor (4)

Where had things changed?

In my previous life, even if I had not stepped forward, Gye Cheolyeong had dragged me along to attend the banquet first.

Because he had to boast about how much more outstanding he, a secular disciple, was compared to Taeul Sect’s true disciples.

Why had it changed?

Was it because I beat Gye Cheolyeong up?

Because I had made Seong Jutak shut his mouth?

Then would future events also change like this?

“What are you thinking about?”

On the way out of the lodging, Jin Taesan spoke as if worried.

“Do not be hurt by wicked words.”

He was telling me to let any words flow past me.

But would that solve every problem?

“I was thinking about what kind of trap the Iron Sword Sect might have prepared.”

Seong Moran’s face, which had been kind all day, stiffened.

“You are saying our Iron Sword Sect invited guests and prepared a trap?”

“Do you truly know nothing? Or has your acting reached a higher level than your martial arts?”

“Hah, from earlier today too, it seems you have a huge inferiority complex toward the Iron Sword Sect.”

“Inferiority complex?”

Seong Moran’s face was full of hostility.

“It is true that our Iron Sword Sect sees Taeul Sect as a thorn in its side. But is that not understandable even if you put yourself in our position? Even so, that does not mean the Iron Sword Sect acts like street swindlers.”

“Are you certain of that?”

“……You are crossing the line.”

“Let me make one prediction. During this sixtieth birthday feast, Taeul Sect will eventually be dragged by the Iron Sword Sect’s hand and thrown down in front of everyone.”

“The Iron Sword Sect is not that petty.”

“I also hope that is true.”

“…….”

From then on, Seong Moran said nothing.

The pavilion Seong Moran guided us to was one of the largest pavilions.

When we entered, unlike the place where we had eaten, large tables were spaced far apart, and people were seated here and there, elegantly enjoying alcohol.

“Oh! Young Lady Moran!”

The men seated at the table all stood up at once and began making seats.

Seong Moran looked at them dryly and said,

“This is Young Master Jin Sowoon of Taeul Sect.”

Seong Moran naturally introduced me, and I also greeted them with a cupped-fist salute, but there were few who returned the gesture.

Those who nodded were at least better, while some continued talking to Seong Moran as if they had no interest in me at all.

Seong Moran walked toward a place where two seats had opened up, but I parted from her and sat down beside Saryeon, who was sitting next to Gye Cheolyeong.

“Why are you sitting here when there are wide seats over there?”

“Someone needs to protect Saryeon from drunkards.”

“Did it not occur to you that I am sitting beside her to protect her?”

“If you meant to protect her, would you have even thought of calling Saryeon out at this late hour?”

“You bastard?”

Gye Cheolyeong’s face turned red and blue, and Saryeon, who had been sitting stiffly beside him, spoke quietly.

“Why did you come here?”

“Why did you come?”

“I came instead because if you came…… I thought you might cause trouble. Hall Master Kang Chaeseok told you to restrain yourself.”

“When have I ever caused trouble?”

For some reason, Saryeon chuckled at my insignificant words.

“It seems Taeul Sect’s senior and junior disciples live without much distance between them.”

A man dressed to the nines in jade-colored silk sneered as he spoke.

Gong Chushim of Mansu Manor.

He was someone I had met in my previous life.

“We are strict about etiquette, but we do tend not to keep distance.”

“When etiquette is shaken, many people mistake that for having no distance.”

Gong Chushim spoke while trying to meet the gazes of the women around him.

He seemed to be seeking agreement, but none of the women met Gong Chushim’s gaze.

“When a father and child speak comfortably, one does not call it discourteous. And just because one lectures a person one is meeting for the first time about etiquette, that does not make one courteous, does it?”

“…….”

In contrast, when I spoke, some of the women chuckled.

“Moreover, I wonder whether etiquette spoken of by someone who does not even offer a cupped-fist salute to a person he is meeting for the first time can truly be called proper etiquette.”

At my words, even the women who had been holding back their laughter burst into giggles, and Gong Chushim’s face turned bright red.

Then the expressions of the men seated there began to change subtly.

They exchanged glances with one another and began setting down the cups they were holding.

‘Is it starting?’

The same thing had happened in my previous life.

However, at the time, my attention had been focused on Namgung San, so I had not understood at all what it meant.

I gave them time to attack and looked at Namgung San.

Namgung San, the Divine Dragon of Creation.

As the eldest son of the Namgung Family and a member of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, he was called one of Anhui Province’s hidden dragons.

In other words, he was also the person with the greatest authority to speak in this place.

One could tell just by seeing that reckless Blood Wolf Iron Sword, who was hard to distinguish from a complete scoundrel, pretending to be refined in a way that did not suit him at all.

“Come to think of it, this is truly curious. I know the Gyeryong Merchant Guild has had a close relationship with the Iron Sword Sect since long ago, but seeing that they ultimately went to Taeul Sect, I truly think the halo of the ‘One Hundred and Eight Peaks’ is remarkable.”

“…….”

Young Master Bamboo Flame Gu Yangsa of Green Bamboo Fort.

He was the one who had clashed with us during the day.

He glanced once at Seong Mohyeon and continued speaking.

“Actually, we are in a similar situation, but the criteria for selecting the One Hundred and Eight Peaks…… are truly ambiguous, are they not? There is an outstanding righteous sect called the Iron Sword Sect in Hefei, and yet Taeul Sect is still included among the One Hundred and Eight Peaks. Seeing that, it seems the Martial Alliance still has a long way to go.”

No sooner had Gu Yangsa finished speaking than the other men agreed with him.

“Well, that is true. The Martial Alliance must wake up too. How much tyranny do unqualified sects commit under the position of the One Hundred and Eight Peaks?”

“That is right.”

Seeing how they looked at Seong Mohyeon each time they said something, it seemed they had been thoroughly instructed by Seong Mohyeon.

Meanwhile, Seong Mohyeon was drinking as if it had nothing to do with him.

“Taeul Sect is also present here. Everyone, please restrain yourselves.”

Seong Moran spoke coldly with a flustered expression, but no one feared her.

Because they had probably all received permission from Seong Mohyeon to do this.

“To be honest, do you not feel a little wronged too, Young Lady Moran? Looking across all of Anhui Province, all the rising talents gather in the Namgung Family and the Iron Sword Sect. And yet the one that comfortably goes to the Martial Academy is Taeul Sect. I believe things like this must change.”

“That is right.”

“How many talented people die every time they take the Martial Academy entrance exam?”

At the sight of everyone nodding, Saryeon’s expression darkened even further.

“Let us hear Taeul Sect’s position as well.”

At Gu Yangsa’s urging words, Seong Moran cut in once again.

“Stop. They are guests here.”

There was no way someone as clever as she would not know that the atmosphere here revolved around Seong Mohyeon.

Since Seong Mohyeon was not such a complete good-for-nothing that he would commit tyranny alone at his grandfather’s sixtieth birthday feast, this ultimately meant that the higher-ups had already discussed it as well.

Seong Moran was working hard to defend me, thinking that her sect would not be that thuggish.

No, it is. Your sect is originally like this.

“Moran. Stop interrupting. Did we not gather here to have such constructive discussions?”

At that moment, Seong Mohyeon, who had been drinking while pretending to be refined, frowned and spoke, and Seong Moran answered with an incredulous expression.

“You call this constructive?”

Because she had been kept away from the major and minor affairs within the sect due to her status as a woman, she probably could not know the inside story.

“Let us hear what Taeul Sect has to say.”

At Seong Mohyeon’s words, Saryeon tried to say something, but her mouth would not open easily.

I put down the chicken in my hand and spoke in Saryeon’s place.

“I agree with that opinion. A pond can only keep its water clear when new water flows in.”

Even Namgung San, who had been drinking, briefly set down his cup.

“Oh, then Taeul Sect also agrees that Hefei’s Iron Sword Sect should enter the One Hundred and Eight Peaks.”

Gu Yangsa spoke with a sneer, and I immediately searched my library and began gathering information on Green Bamboo Fort.

In the Intelligence Department, there was also an organization that gathered information on sects throughout the murim world, and because Green Bamboo Fort had many eventful matters, its information had been written relatively recently, so it did not take long to find.

“Of course, that is on the premise that the new water is clean.”

“Hm?”

“Well, for example, there is Green Bamboo Fort here. Green Bamboo Fort, which has emerged as a rising power of Anhui Province, is more than qualified to enter the One Hundred and Eight Peaks. But why has it not been able to enter?”

“That must be because the existing One Hundred and Eight Peaks flatter the Martial Alliance so much.”

At Gu Yangsa’s words, the men all burst into laughter.

“Well. If the Martial Alliance were such a trivial organization, it would have collapsed long ago.”

“Then are you saying there is a reason our Green Bamboo Fort cannot enter the One Hundred and Eight Peaks?”

“The Green Bamboo Blood Incident that occurred sixty years ago.”

“…….”

Those seated tilted their heads as though they did not know.

Well, it had happened before they were born, and Green Bamboo Fort had desperately suppressed the rumors, so they could not help but be ignorant.

“Do the people here not know? There was a knife fight between brothers within Green Bamboo Fort over the position.”

The noisy atmosphere of the venue instantly sank as if cold water had been poured over it.

“To be precise, the second son of the fort master, who could not inherit the sect, harbored evil intentions, killed his own elder brother, and took the position of fort master, did he not? In that process, half the warriors of Green Bamboo Fort could not avoid death.”

“You bastard!”

Crash.

Gu Jeonggi, Gu Yangsa’s grandfather, had killed his elder brother and risen to the position of fort master.

To eliminate future trouble, he killed all of his elder brother’s blood relatives and all those who followed him.

The amusing part was that after that, Green Bamboo Fort once again continued through eldest-son succession.

This shameful secret was one of the things Green Bamboo Fort hated most.

“Green Bamboo Fort is a very fine and powerful sect. But if you asked me to entrust my back to Green Bamboo Fort in a battle against the dark faction……. Well. Even if I had to go to the battlefield alone, I would not want that. Wouldn’t the Martial Alliance also feel uneasy about accepting such people as a blood alliance?”

“Come out! Did you think you could insult our Green Bamboo Fort and still leave alive?”

“Look at this. I simply gave my opinion, and in the end, he tries to draw his sword.”

Gu Yangsa’s face was so red that it seemed on the verge of bursting.

“It is not as if the current One Hundred and Eight Peaks are never replaced, nor does the Martial Alliance simply leave stagnant members of the One Hundred and Eight Peaks alone. And yet, if one is dissatisfied with that, the problem is not that the system is wrong, but that one cannot properly see one’s own faults, is it not?”

“I’ll kill you!”

As Gu Yangsa tried to charge forward, Seong Moran rose from her seat and sealed his blood point from behind.

Because it had happened before anyone realized it, the atmosphere in the venue became an utter mess.

“……What are you doing right now? Gu Yangsa of Green Bamboo Fort is a guest who came here at the Iron Sword Sect’s invitation. Are you looking down on the Iron Sword Sect?”

Seong Mohyeon, who had been dazed, spoke coldly, and I replied in disbelief.

“Is our Taeul Sect an uninvited guest who came to ruin the Iron Sword Sect’s feast?”

“…….”

“You forced Taeul Sect, who specifically said we would not come, to attend through the Gyeryong Merchant Guild here, and now you insult us. I suppose this is how the Iron Sword Sect treats its guests.”

“What did you say……!”

Seong Mohyeon and everyone who had plotted with him showed hostility, but there was nothing they could do.

No matter who looked at it, the cause of this matter was the Iron Sword Sect and its group, and to recklessly suppress the other party, there was the insurmountable wall known as Namgung San of the Namgung Family sitting right there.

“……How dare you insult the Iron Sword Sect in the Iron Sword Sect’s own house?”

“Pfft.”

After thinking for a long time, the words Seong Mohyeon spat out were absurd, and in the end, my laughter burst out.

Just look at Seong Moran’s bewildered expression.

“You bastard!”

Seong Mohyeon, whose face had ripened like a persimmon, slammed the table.

The food on the table jumped up by a handspan.

“If you were going to act this disgracefully, you should have simply requested a friendly sparring match. Why did you not do that? At the very least, you could have proven that the Iron Sword Sect is stronger than Taeul Sect.”

A lack of logic draws out the emotion of anger.

“How dare you! Did you think you could say such things in the Iron Sword Sect and return unharmed?”

“Ah! Perhaps you thought a friendly sparring match would be too insufficient if you wanted to humiliate us, seize on a pretext, beat us up, and take away our position among the One Hundred and Eight Peaks?”

“…….”

The atmosphere had become such a mess that it could not be fixed in any direction.

Seong Mohyeon tried somehow to settle the situation, but it was impossible, and I clearly refused to play along with their game.

“……Whatever the reason, it is true that you insulted the Iron Sword Sect. I challenge you to a duel.”

“…….”

Seong Moran’s expression did not look good.

She had realized that Seong Mohyeon had made a bad move.

“Hahahahahahaha.”

“…….”

The eyes of the people in the venue who had been looking at us with contempt now held an unknowable fear, and that was not bad at all.

I stopped laughing abruptly and stared at Seong Moran.

“In the end, I was right, wasn’t I?”

“…….”

Seong Moran could not bring herself to raise her head.

“How about tomorrow at noon, at the central training ground? The feast should be at its peak, so the most people will come.”

“……Grit. Fine.”

When I rose from my seat, Saryeon followed me out. Gye Cheolyeong remained seated without moving, as if to show that he had nothing to do with us.

“Come to think of it, even though the place is packed with people, the fact that no banquet tables were placed in the central training ground means the Iron Sword Sect must have predicted in advance that a bloody fight would break out during the sixtieth birthday banquet.”

“…….”

Everyone became mute and looked at Seong Mohyeon.

#

Namgung San did not move.

No, he merely watched while calmly drinking, as if it had nothing to do with him.

A fight over the One Hundred and Eight Peaks was ultimately just a struggle over a rice bowl among those below.

He probably thought it had nothing to do with people like him.

Still, the fact that he had not said a single word was somewhat questionable.

Wasn’t he too indifferent for someone who had supposedly attended because of friendship?

“What in the world are you thinking?”

Saryeon’s face had turned pale.

“Then…… should I have endured it while they insulted the sect leader and our Taeul Sect?”

“But…….”

“Even if I had endured it, it would not have ended with today’s gathering. We had to stay here for several more days, and we would have continued to be insulted tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

In the end, in my previous life, I had exploded on the third day, so this was something that had been bound to happen. Anyway, it was not my fault, but I still comforted Saryeon so she would not worry.

“Do not worry. Once I get beaten soundly a few times, it will end cleanly.”

I stroked Saryeon’s head.

Saryeon had liked having her head stroked in childhood.

“……Don’t.”

“It was going to happen anyway.”

“I told you not to mess up my hair…….”

Come to think of it, her neatly combed hair had become a little disheveled from my touch.

“Ah, I’m sorry about that.”

Saryeon suddenly lowered her head and began trembling her shoulders.

“Huh? A-Are you crying?”

I fixed her disheveled hair again, but Saryeon still did not raise her head.

“D-Don’t cry. Here, look. It’s back to how it was.”

“I told you not to… seriously….”

In the end, Saryeon sobbed and buried herself in my arms.

Soon, my shoulder was growing damp.

“I-I said I’m sorry.”

Maybe it was because she had reached puberty, but Saryeon’s emotional changes were harder to predict than the Iron Sword Sect’s schemes.