Chapter 33 - The Second-Rate Warrior Seeking Legends (5)

If one were to pick the absolute most splendid building even in the glamorous Yueyang, it would surely be the Yueyang Pavilion, which offered a clear view of Dongting Lake.

This restaurant, representing Yueyang, was a must-visit place for high-ranking officials and nobles who wanted to boast that they had enjoyed some entertainment, as well as a necessary destination for scholars who considered themselves to 'understand romance and the arts.'

Therefore, even among those who could afford the Yueyang Pavilion's exorbitant liquor prices, securing a reservation was as difficult as plucking a star from the sky.

"My party is at the Yueyang Pavilion."

"I heard it's incredibly difficult to get a reservation there. Did you book it months in advance?"

"Pardon? Ah... *Haha. *"

At my question, Namgung Seonhwa merely looked at Seong Moran with a cryptic, meaningful gaze.

Upon entering the Yueyang Pavilion, the people who had been boisterously drinking all turned to look at once.

Even though everyone here was the sort to carry quite a bit of weight wherever they went, the appearance of the Namgung Clan must have been that novel.

"Shall we head up?"

"..."

The Yueyang Pavilion, with its highest floor being the seventh, offered a clearer panoramic view of Dongting Lake the higher one went.

Because of this, the prices at the Yueyang Pavilion rose exponentially with each floor you ascended.

The Yueyang Pavilion itself transformed into a space that represented one's status.

'The Taiyi Sect wouldn't even be able to set foot inside in the first place.'

Not to mention my past life, even in this current life where my coin pouch was overflowing with gold, my psychological aversion flat-out rejected such things.

If I were to eat at a place like this, the faces of the Taiyi Sect's junior brothers and Hall Leaders would come to mind.

Despite my harboring doubts that we would actually go all the way, the Namgung Clan party ultimately ascended to the seventh floor.

Not only that, they had already secured a table closest to the window on the seventh floor.

The aforementioned party members were already seated, casually enjoying a drink.

Every single one of them exuded an extraordinary aura.

"This is Young Master Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect."

As Seong Moran introduced me, I saw the eyes of the four men already seated dart around quickly.

Then, a man wearing a blue headscarf introduced himself first.

"I am Ha Minjung of the Mount Heng Sect."

The blue-scarved man nodding his head was Lone Star Sword Ha Minjung of the Mount Heng Sect, a sect that hadn't made it into the Nine Sects and One Gang but was evaluated as being no less powerful than them.

The phrase 'five hundred years of regret' always naturally followed the Mount Heng Sect.

It was a tale used by the figures of Jianghu to mock them for failing to join the Murim Alliance at the time of its founding despite having the opportunity, thereby missing out on enjoying the same status as those core sects in the present day.

"I am Ak Muheun of the Shandong Ak Clan."

He was the eldest son of the Shandong Ak Clan, which held a seat among the Five Great Noble Clans and had birthed the Ak Clan Spear Technique, an absolute art so exceptional that the military had adopted it as their official martial art.

"I am Yang Insu of Yangga Manor."

Along with the eldest son of Yangga Manor, which occupied the 29th peak of the 108 Peaks.

Every one of them gathered here hailed from a formidable family.

It seemed I understood the reason they had secured a spot on the seventh floor of the Yueyang Pavilion.

Amusingly, while I offered a fist-and-palm salute, they universally responded with a mere nod of their heads.

As it was something I experienced all the time, I didn't pay it much mind, but for some reason, Seong Moran's expression gradually soured, and upon noticing this, Namgung Seonhwa quickly stepped forward.

"I couldn't properly greet you earlier, could I? I am Namgung Seonhwa of the Namgung Clan. I've heard a lot about you from my brother, San."

At Namgung Seonhwa's words and actions, the men couldn't hide their collective surprise.

And the last remaining man with a gentle face, perhaps influenced by Namgung Seonhwa, rose from his seat and offered a fist-and-palm salute with an affable smile.

"I am Yu Jiryang of the Mount Mao Sect."

Even a member of the Mount Mao Sect, a sect more distinctive than any other in the world thanks to its specialization in formations and spells.

It truly was a gathering that firmly possessed everything it needed.

"But how did a friend from the Taiyi Sect end up coming here?"

Ak Muheun let slip an odd question that wasn't directed at me, nor was it directed at Namgung Seonhwa.

"Ah, Young Master Jin Sowoon will be joining us."

At Namgung Seonhwa's words, the brows of the three men heavily contorted.

"Hmm... Does the Taiyi Sect also desire the Amitabha Holy Water?"

"They can certainly desire it. Whether they have the skill for it is another matter."

"I wonder if this just unnecessarily increases the number of people we have to protect."

Ha Minjung, Ak Muheun, and Yang Insu spoke in turn, and Seong Moran's expression began to worsen even more.

"Right, so how many companions did you bring?"

"I came alone."

"Eh?"

Ha Minjung looked at Namgung Seonhwa with an expression that asked what kind of nonsense this was.

"Uh... Well..."

"If it makes you uncomfortable for Young Master Jin to accompany us, then I will step out as well."

"Unnie."

It was a sudden declaration from Seong Moran.

Not only the three men, but my eyes also widened in surprise.

"I'm sorry, Seonhwa. Even if I obtain the holy water, I'll definitely give it to you."

As if completely resolved, Seong Moran bit her lip, met my gaze, and nodded.

The three men looked at me as if asking what on earth was going on, wanting an explanation, but even I knew nothing about the current situation.

If there was a reason she wanted to go with me, I wondered if it was because she wanted to stab me in the back, but looking at her behavior on my last day at the Iron Sword Sect and her current demeanor, it didn't seem that way at all.

"Um, Lady Seong... You don't have to go that far..."

I tried to calm the situation. This group was fated to die inside the Demonic Spirit Plateau anyway. It wasn't a bad idea to take this opportunity to leave.

However, even Namgung Seonhwa cut me off and spoke.

"Moran unnie came entirely to help me. If unnie is doing that, then I will join as well."

With even Namgung Seonhwa acting like this, the expressions of the remaining three men turned awkward.

It was like the expression of someone who found a silver coin on the street, only to see that it was covered in shit.

"Ahem. I suppose so. Weren't we gathered to cooperate with each other in the first place? We should be understanding even if someone gets a free ride."

"If you think about it, we should consider it a good thing. At least he doesn't have an entire party trailing behind him, right?"

"Young Master Jin must have saved a country in his past life."

The three didn't forget to get their final digs in.

At that moment, Seong Moran sat down and spoke.

"If you've already forgotten what happened to the Iron Sword Sect after ignoring the Taiyi Sect, you'd better be careful."

"..."

"..."

"... Ahem."

As an awkward atmosphere settled over the group, Yu Jiryang smiled and opened his mouth.

"Great Warrior Ha says he has procured a map."

As everyone's gaze shifted to him, Ha Minjung showed a triumphant smile and pulled out a scroll from his robes.

Then, as he unrolled the scroll, detailed drawings resembling an ant colony were densely illustrated on it.

"Oh, so this is the map. Where did you get it?"

"Lady, that is a secret, so I cannot easily disclose it. *Haha. *"

What Ha Minjung unrolled was the map of the cave that the owner of the black market inn had shown.

"Can this be trusted?"

Despite the small conflict with Seong Moran a moment ago, a smile lingered on Ha Minjung's face.

"They say it was made by someone who lived there for half a year."

"Even so, I don't think we can trust it completely."

"Of course, it should only be used as a reference. But can that even be compared to entering such a complex place without a map like this?"

Seong Moran's tone was consistently cold, but the gazes of the three men looking at her were consistently warm.

Only then did I understand their dynamic.

'Ah, the fiery passion of youth.'

If Seong Moran was an aloof beauty with refreshing features, Namgung Seonhwa was an adorable beauty with delicate ones.

With two women hailed among the three great beauties of Anhui Province right in front of them, their gazes naturally grew warm.

To men around twenty years of age, the mere existence of beauties like Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa was practically a treasure.

But coupled with that, they possessed formidable backgrounds and martial arts, so it was only human nature for these hot-blooded youths seeking a spouse to want to look good for them in any way possible.

'You all are having a fun time playing around.'

Watching them giggle and flirt, not knowing what was to come, I tasted the Yueyang Pavilion's famous Jade Dew Liquor.

At that moment, the lower floors started to get noisy.

Those of us in the middle of our conversation also began peeking toward the stairs one by one, and at the same time, the men jumped up from their seats in unison, as if they had been struck by lightning.

"Yong So-ah!"

"It's Yong So-ah!"

"It's Wudang's First Sword, Yong So-ah!"

At those words, my entire body trembled, as if I too had been struck by lightning.

Yong So-ah and those who appeared to be his junior brothers ascended to the seventh floor under the waiter's guidance, and upon meeting Yong So-ah's gaze, Ha Minjung's group adopted a perfectly respectful posture and offered a fist-and-palm salute.

"Great Warrior! It is an honor to meet you."

"It's an honor."

"It's an honor."

Following them, even Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa approached and offered a fist-and-palm salute, to which Yong So-ah responded with a nod instead of words.

Even so, absolutely no one felt offended.

—Above the dragons and phoenixes, Yong So-ah soars through the heavens.

The Dragon-Phoenix Summit, a gathering of the finest talents selected from each class of the Murim Academy.

The saying meant that even the Dragon-Phoenix Summit could not compare to Yong So-ah.

Considering that the leader of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit was none other than Little Buddha, a transcendent genius destined to master all seventy-two ultimate arts of the Shaolin Sect in the future, one could realize just how arrogant this statement was, yet none of the members of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit found it offensive.

This was because Yong So-ah was a genius who far surpassed other geniuses, already occasionally seeing his name listed among the Hundred Swords of the World.

Considering he was only in his mid-twenties, it was an astounding feat.

"Everyone... is gathered here."

*SWISH. * Sweeping his gaze across the venue, Yong So-ah's eyes landed on me.

An emotionless gaze that revealed nothing of what he was thinking.

Then, it was Ha Minjung and the rest of the party whose insides burned with anxiety.

Each of them frowned and jerked their heads, gesturing for me to hurry up and greet him.

"..."

I had met him up close like this exactly once in my past life, and that was when he came to slaughter me.

He wouldn't know it, but for me, this was a completely unpleasant situation.

I lifted my liquor cup and directed my gaze toward Dongting Lake.

Soon after, Yong So-ah's gaze also withdrew from me.

"... Are you all planning to head to the Demonic Spirit Plateau?"

"Ah! Yes. We are. Are you heading that way as well, Great Warrior?"

"It is an order from my sect."

From the start, Yong So-ah wouldn't have any need for the Amitabha Holy Water.

"Ah, I see. In that case, how about accompanying us? We have already secured an internal map."

"... I have already secured a map and am on my way back from meeting the person who was there. ... Still, if you wish to come along, I will not stop you. I cannot just stand by and watch my friends' younger siblings die."

"..."

"..."

It wasn't exactly a pleasant tone, but at the implication that they would be going together regardless, the faces of the party lit up.

"... Of course, this is limited to those whose identities are certain."

Yong So-ah's gaze turned toward me once again.

Seong Moran hurriedly stepped forward and defended me.

"His identity is certain. He is Young Master Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect, which occupies one of the 108 Peaks."

"... The Taiyi Sect? Never heard of it. I cannot take on any risks. If you are going with him, consider yourselves excluded from our group."

"...!!"

With a shocked expression, Seong Moran looked back and forth between Yong So-ah and me.

Having finished off the rest of my Jade Dew Liquor, I rose from my seat and approached Seong Moran.

"Lady, it seems this is as far as we go. The consideration you've shown me thus far has been more than enough."

I was about to leave when Yong So-ah said in a biting tone.

"How arrogant."

"... What is?"

"You'll have a hard time surviving there on your own."

I tilted my head.

"Are you saying I will definitely survive if I follow you?"

"..."

"Hey!"

Unable to tolerate my words, Ha Minjung yelled out, but I ignored him and continued speaking.

"Once we enter that place, no one can guarantee their survival anyway, right? In that case, I'd rather take responsibility for my own life than entrust it to someone else."

Yong So-ah remained silent for a moment.

"... And presumptuous, too."

It was as if he were scolding a child.

"Before worrying about others, why don't you worry about yourself first? Being from the Wudang Sect doesn't mean a sword can't pierce your flesh."

With those words, I offered a fist-and-palm salute to Seong Moran, Namgung Seonhwa, and Yu Jiryang respectively, and then left the Yueyang Pavilion.

It was only after pushing past the dense crowds on the street for a long while that my reason returned to me.

"Phew..."

My rationality, which had remained cool-headed even at the Iron Sword Sect, was thrashing about everywhere like a dog off its leash.

Even though I had only encountered him once in my past life, it couldn't be helped, because—although he hadn't known it—his choices had resulted in plunging many factions of the Orthodox faction into despair.

"Anyway, it's strange. The Wudang Sect and the Namgung Clan went in together, so why was it only the Namgung Clan that was completely wiped out?"

I had known that the Wudang Sect, including Yong So-ah, participated in the scramble for the Amitabha Holy Water.

However, I hadn't known that they would be grouped with the Namgung Clan's party.

"Since he was perfectly willing to abandon even one of the Five Great Noble Clans, I guess a third-rate sect didn't even catch his eye in the first place?"

A bitter smile formed on my lips. Being fully aware of a tragic end yet unable to say anything was the burden one had to bear for knowing the future.

When I had taken a few more steps like that.

I heard the *TAP-TAP-TAP* sound of someone running up from behind.

"Lady Seong? What brings you here? Weren't you going to move with the Wudang Sect?"

"Hah, I don't know. Whether I join that side or not, I'll live, but you... you'll definitely die, won't you."

"Pardon?"

"Ah~ Never mind. I've already decided. Hah, I wonder what my father or grandfather will say if they find out."

Just as Seong Moran let out a sigh and looked up at the sky.

The people from the Namgung Clan approached right after.

"I'll keep the fact that you met Great Warrior Yong So-ah a secret from the people of the Iron Sword Sect."

"Seonhwa!"

"How could you just leave after saying you came to help me?"

"No... It's just, I was a bit worried."

Seong Moran glanced at me from time to time while fidgeting with her fingers.

"Are you okay with this?"

"It's fine. If we moved together with them, there's a high chance Great Warrior Yong So-ah would end up taking it anyway. This might actually be for the best."

"With this, our party has become even more compact."

Following close behind were Yu Jiryang and two men who appeared to be his companions.

"Great Warrior Yu, I'm sorry."

"It is fine. Was I not hired for this from the start? Just please make sure to protect us formation masters well."

I asked about a question that had been bugging me for a while.

"I know it's a bit abrupt to bring this up, but wouldn't it be too dangerous inside for formation masters to enter?"

At my words, Namgung Seonhwa answered with a smile.

"They say there is a formation inside that was naturally generated by the environment's features."

"A formation?"

"Yes. That's why the Haomun disciples, despite having a map of the inside, didn't even dare think about taking the Amitabha Holy Water for themselves."

"... I've heard that if it's a natural formation, it shouldn't be difficult to dismantle."

Natural formations created by coincidence mostly collapse helplessly against strong destructive power.

Even excluding the lady of the Namgung Clan, the warriors of the Namgung Clan, who were teeming with experts, had no reason to fear something like a natural formation.

"Hmm... They say that while it did use natural features, it isn't actually a natural formation. It's supposedly a massive-scale formation constructed using methods from about three or four hundred years ago."

"..."

As if lightning had struck my mind, the pieces of the puzzle began coming together one by one.

'Could it be...'

Meanwhile, Namgung Seonhwa spoke in a worried tone.

"But what do we do about not securing a map?"

"I'm sorry, Seonhwa."

"It's fine. It's the same for them—they don't have the information either. It'll probably be a little easier to just procure the map ourselves."

It seemed that the party she had previously been with had divided the tasks among themselves, deciding to gather the necessary items for entering the cave.

After briefly organizing the contents of the library in my mind, I spoke.

"Ah, you don't need to worry about the map."

"Pardon?"

"Because I memorized the whole map."

The others tilted their heads, as if unable to understand my words.

Then, as if finally realizing what I meant, Seong Moran's face turned to one of utter shock.