Chapter 53 - The First-Rate Warrior Who Astonished the Divine Sword

"Great Warrior Black Flame Dragon told us to go ahead."

Not again.

Jin Taesan, the External Hall Leader, felt his temples throbbing.

A small group had appeared, leading two carriages.

At the front was a Young Master of about thirteen or fourteen, alongside a female swordswoman who appeared to be his escort.

There were no marks indicating their family or sect.

However, even to Jin Taesan, who could barely distinguish a ragged sack from proper clothing, the cut and material of the young Young Master's attire looked extraordinary, so he had no choice but to act cautiously.

"When you say Black Flame Dragon...?"

Jin Taesan asked to confirm once more, and the Young Master answered without hesitation.

"I am speaking of Senior Brother Jin Sowoon."

"Haa..."

Lately, he had continuously been hearing this alias of Black Flame Dragon, but he simply could not get used to it.

'To think that the one who gave him the alias had to be a giant of the Underworld.'

He had first encountered the alias through a massive procession.

A hundred sacks of rice, a hundred rolls of silk and cotton, various equipment, and two hundred high-quality Blue Steel Swords.

Faced with these items brought as gifts, the External Hall Leader, who should have been the happiest, was instead struck by doubt first.

'Wangga Manor wouldn't have failed to mention this in advance.'

If it wasn't Wangga Manor, then where on earth could such an excessive gift have come from?

"The Peak Master of the Four Emperors Peak sent them."

"Eh?!"

He had been frightened out of his wits when he heard the name Four Emperors Peak.

Just as the Orthodox martial arts world had the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Underworld martial arts world had the Four Sects, Two Gangs, and One Peak.

The Four Emperors Peak was the representative sect of the Underworld martial arts world that occupied that very 'One Peak'.

"I believe you have delivered the goods to the wrong place. We are the Taiyi Sect of Hefei."

The escort warrior, whom he had expected to naturally take the items and leave, checked his documents and nodded.

"Yes, this is correct. It is written that they are for the young hero Black Flame Dragon of the Taiyi Sect."

"... We are indeed the Taiyi Sect, but there is no one in our sect with the alias of Black Flame Dragon."

As expected of the Underworld, he thought it was truly a spectacle how they slapped the characters for 'black' or 'flame' onto the aliases of newly rising up-and-coming talents.

However, the escort warrior's following words left him appalled.

"... Um, isn't there the young hero Jin Sowoon in the Taiyi Sect?"

"D-Don't tell me..."

"Yes. Young hero Jin Sowoon's alias is Black Flame Dragon, isn't it... Ah! It seems the rumors haven't reached Anhui Province yet. The Peak Master of the Four Emperors Peak personally gifted the alias Black Flame Dragon to young hero Jin Sowoon."

What on earth was that damn punk going around doing to receive something like an alias from a giant of the Underworld martial arts world?

That was how he came to hear about the events at the Demonic Spirit Plateau.

After hearing the full story, Jin Taesan was unable to open his mouth to say anything.

"..."

"The exploits the young hero Black Flame Dragon achieved at the Demonic Spirit Plateau in Hunan Province will likely be remembered for a long time as an accomplishment incomparable to any up-and-coming talent in the world."

All of that was fine.

Practicing chivalry indiscriminately toward both the Underworld and the Orthodox faction when lives were at stake was all fine. What father wouldn't be happy to have raised a child who brought benefit to the world? However.

'Still, what's with Black Flame Dragon? Doesn't this make him sound exactly like a rising star of the Underworld?'

The alias did not sit well with him at all.

"Anyway, I understand. However, as one of the peaks strictly belonging to the Murim Alliance, which is a coalition of the Orthodox martial arts world, we cannot accept such an excessive gift."

The position of the 108 Peaks, which was already precarious enough, could be placed in desperate peril because of a gift from the Four Emperors Peak.

But the escort warrior's next words made Jin Taesan's mouth gape open once again.

"Ah... According to what is written here, if you do not accept the goods, he will consider it a lack of sincerity on his part and will personally lead his disciples to visit the Taiyi Sect..."

"Where did you say I need to sign?"

"..."

The escort warrior gave him a disapproving look at his sudden change in attitude, but still, shouldn't he avoid something like meeting and sharing drinks with the Peak Master of the Four Emperors Peak?

Moreover, the renowned figures of the Orthodox martial arts world wouldn't look down on the Taiyi Sect just for receiving a gift exactly once.

However.

"..."

"The Gang Leader of the Black Death Gang has sent a gift to young hero Black Flame Dragon."

"The Minor Sect Leader of the Blood Tiger Sect has sent a gift to young hero Black Flame Dragon."

"The Gang Leader of the Nine Dragons Gang has sent a gift to young hero Black Flame Dragon."

An endless parade of gifts.

It was a time when a financial revival unlike any other in the Taiyi Sect's five-hundred-year history was anticipated, yet Jin Taesan felt the urge to flee in the middle of the night right this instant.

'Doesn't this make it look exactly as if we've formed an alliance with the Underworld?'

If there was any consolation, it was that the Orthodox sects visited after the Underworld sects' barrage of gifts had concluded.

"The Sect Leader of the Sangyang Sect has sent his gratitude to the Sect Leader of the Taiyi Sect for raising such a fine disciple."

"Oh my~ Don't mention it. Please come in and stay for a few days before you leave."

Compared to the gifts sent by the Underworld sects, it was merely a drop in the bucket, and the sect sending the gift was nowhere near comparable to the Underworld martial arts world, but at least they didn't go on about 'Black Flame Dragon' this or that.

With a glad heart, Jin Taesan obstinately and forcefully sat them down even when they declined, making them stay at the Taiyi Sect for a few days, and he even threw a banquet—something he usually never held—to treat them before sending them off.

He hoped that by establishing such a perception at the very least, they might slightly avoid the suspicion that they were colluding with the Underworld sects.

Around the time he was finally catching his breath.

Twenty scholarly-looking individuals visited the Taiyi Sect.

"What brings you to our sect..."

"Ah! My apologies for the late introduction. I am Yu Jiryang of the Mount Mao Sect. I was dispatched from my sect to repay the debt owed to young hero Jin."

"Uh..., uh..., uh..."

Jin Taesan's mind briefly shut down, leaving him speechless.

The Mount Mao Sect.

By Mount Mao Sect, did they mean the Mount Mao Sect of the 108 Peaks?

Even though the Mount Mao Sect was not included in the Nine Sects and One Gang, in terms of importance, they were no less significant than the Zhuge Clan of the Five Great Noble Clans.

In particular, weren't their array formations a great alternative for those who couldn't have the Zhuge Clan's array formations installed?

How could such a Mount Mao Sect visit the Taiyi Sect?

"We have come because young hero Jin requested us to install array formations at the Taiyi Sect."

Jin Taesan's mouth, agape as wide as a basin, showed no signs of closing.

"Eh? Wait, with what money?!"

It seemed this fearless punk intended to buy the whole world with a single Seven-Hued Jewel, daringly hiring the Mount Mao Sect without an ounce of fear.

His feelings of pride were fleeting, and just as his son's status was about to plummet to a world-class scoundrel in his mind, unbelievable words flowed from Yu Jiryang's mouth.

"Ah, our sect will bear all the costs. So you do not need to worry at all."

"!!!!"

Through that series of events, Jin Taesan had now lost all the energy to be surprised by Jin Sowoon's alias anymore, and he felt confident that he wouldn't be surprised even if anyone else came looking for Jin Sowoon.

Jin Taesan calmed his mind and spoke to the handsome Young Master in front of him.

"For what matter has the Young Master visited the Taiyi Sect?"

"U-Ugh. Please speak casually. I am far younger than you, after all."

His behavior and manner of speaking bore the refinement one would expect from a high-ranking official.

"Ahem, understood. What did that fellow Black Flame Dragon make you do?"

"... Isn't 'fellow' a bit harsh?"

"Hmm?"

He had just been politely asking him to drop the formalities, yet his attitude completely flipped in an instant.

Beside him, the aura of the female swordswoman was also extraordinary.

"He is the one who saved nearly five thousand lives at the Demonic Spirit Plateau and slew the Iron-Clad Black Python for the stability and peace of the villages around Mount Yungjung! He is not someone insignificant enough to be called 'fellow'!"

The polite Young Master looked as if he had met his parents' sworn enemy, and the female swordswoman looked ready to draw the twin swords strapped to her back at any moment.

Jin Taesan gulped and tried to stop them.

"S-Sorry. That kid Jin Sowoon has been doing so many unexpected things that my words came out harshly. I apologize if it offended you."

"..."

Upon hearing his apology, the expressions of the two strangely shifted.

Exchanging a glance, the Young Master looked back at Jin Taesan and cautiously asked.

"Um, if it wouldn't be rude, may I ask what your relationship is with Great Warrior Jin Sowoon?"

"Ah, me? I'm Jin Sowoon's father."

"!"

With their eyes wide as a rabbit's, the two of them dropped to their knees on the dirt ground and bowed their heads.

"W-We are so sorry! We dared to speak carelessly to our benefactor's father. Please forgive us."

"Please forgive us."

"Eh, eh?"

Whether they knew their silk clothes were getting dirty or not, Jin Taesan became anxious at the sight of them looking as if they would roll on the ground at any moment and helped them up.

"It's fine. It's fine. No, actually, I feel even better because you defended my son. Please stand up."

"We are truly sorry, Father."

"We are truly sorry."

Seeing the Young Master and the female swordswoman return to their polite demeanors, Jin Taesan let out a hollow laugh.

"Haha, really. I said it's fine."

Then, the Young Master stepped forward and spoke with a resolute expression.

"Father, I have resolved to serve Great Warrior Jin Sowoon as my older brother for the rest of my life. So please treat me comfortably from now on."

"Uh... Are you saying you became sworn brothers?"

"Yes. That is correct. I originally intended to serve him as my lord, but my older brother obstinately refused."

The Young Master had a look of great regret on his face.

Listening to the story, Jin Taesan chuckled.

From Jin Taesan's perspective as well, it was much better for that rascal Jin Sowoon to become the older brother of a smart-looking kid like this rather than someone's lord.

Unlike Jin Sowoon, he also seemed to have a very sharp and capable side to him.

Of all the actions Jin Sowoon had taken without his knowledge, becoming sworn brothers with this kid was the one he liked the most.

"Haha, even to my ears, being brothers sounds better than lord and vassal. I also feel reassured, as if I've gained another son."

"My older brother's father is the same as my own father. I will do my utmost to serve you."

"You are much better than that rascal Jin Sowoon. I am thankful just for the words."

"I will definitely put it into action."

It was quite cute to see the Young Master, who had yet to shed his childishness, imitating an adult.

"Right, what is your name?"

"Cheongi, please call me Cheongi."

"Cheongi. It's a good name. And your surname?"

"Yes. It's the Zhuge Clan."

"... Hmm? Was there a surname called Jemal?"

"It is the Zhuge Clan, Father."

"..."

"Could your father's name happen to be..."

"It is Zhuge, with the characters Hyeon and Un."

"Ah... Then your grandfather is..."

"It is Zhuge, with the characters So and Myeong."

"..."

The lingering doubt was confirmed upon hearing the name Zhuge Somyeong.

"Aha! Then your grandfather must work at the Murim Alliance!"

"Yes. I am always proud of him."

"..."

Jin Taesan's thought process, which had assumed there would be nothing left to surprise him, ceased to function.

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

"Yes? I'm alright."

"..."

"... Shall we go inside, Young Master?"

"..."

Jin Taesan genuinely began to wonder what on earth his enemy-like son was going around doing.

* * *

"Why are my ears so itchy?"

I picked my ear while researching the Jade Dragon Bracelet and the Red Phoenix Ring.

"The only people who would speak ill of me are... the future Minor Orthodox Unit and my current father..."

I hadn't met the Minor Orthodox Unit yet, and to my current father, I was a heaven-sent, filial son, so both possibilities were unlikely.

"... Anyway, I should do some more research on how to utilize these."

The conclusion I reached after much deliberation was that I shouldn't overuse the Jade Dragon Bracelet.

No matter how much I raised my name in Jianghu and became a chivalrous warrior who saved people, as long as people witnessed the sight of me absorbing an opponent's true qi, I would become nothing more or less than a demonic practitioner who learned a forbidden art.

Moreover, the fatigue I felt during the process of absorbing demonic qi was quite immense.

"There has to be a way."

The Red Phoenix Ring possessed the property of purifying demonic qi.

My current hypothesis was that if I utilized it well, I could absorb true qi without experiencing fatigue, even while absorbing demonic qi.

'If only that is possible...'

I expected that even if the Orthodox-Demonic Great War broke out in the future, I wouldn't just helplessly retreat like before.

Unfortunately, I hadn't had the opportunity to test it against those who had learned demonic qi.

"It's not like I won't run into them in the future anyway. The problem is that there's an overflow of demons, never a shortage."

Stopping my deliberation, I stretched my legs and body completely before sweeping my gaze across the luxuriously atmospheric room.

I was currently staying at the Cheongmyeong Escort Agency.

The corpses of the Yeomma Ghost Eye Squad recovered last night had been taken by the warriors of the Moyong Noble Clan, and it was said that there was much discussion regarding the martial arts they used.

In the end, Moyong Sangwon decided to send some of the corpses to the Moyong Noble Clan and some to the Murim Alliance.

The Demonic Cult's five-hundred-year absence would fuel confusion regarding their identity for a while.

If there was any silver lining, was it the small hope that since we had found at least a trace of them, people might become alert a little faster compared to my past life? Of course, the possibility of the report being omitted midway was even greater.

"Are you awake?"

A maid asked from outside.

"... Yes."

Soon after, three maids entered one by one, carrying a basin, clothing, and other items.

"The Minor Patriarch of the Main House said that the banquet will begin in the evening and requested your mandatory attendance."

When Moyong Sangwon initially urged me to go to his family's estate, I managed to dissuade him and smooth things over by promising to definitely visit next time, so he eventually proposed holding a banquet at the Cheongmyeong Escort Agency.

'To stubbornly hold a banquet even though it's not the Main House means...'

Moyong Sangwon clearly intended to publicly declare me as his benefactor.

Regardless of martial arts prowess, publicly declaring someone as a life-saving benefactor was tantamount to announcing to the world that the Moyong Noble Clan owed a debt to the Taiyi Sect.

While trading identification tags usually signified a personal debt, a banquet setting like this held a greater public symbolism.

'As the Minor Patriarch, shouldn't he be cautious about making such decisions easily?'

Including the Namgung Clan who came to help in the banquet was no different from Moyong Sangwon's determination to announce it that securely.

I couldn't help but nod at Moyong Sangwon's sincerity.

"Understood. Please let him know I will get ready."

"Yes."

However, the maid who had finished her business did not leave and waited instead.

"Have you finished washing your face?"

"I washed up very refreshingly."

"Then, let us go."

"Pardon?"

Suddenly, the door opened and five more maids entered; the place they led me to was a wooden bathtub with steam rising from it.

"Uh, this is... No, wait! Then why did I wash my face! Wait! Don't take off my clothes there!"

Before I could even say anything, the maids stripped off my clothes, threw me into the bathtub, and began scrubbing every nook and cranny.

After being forced to finish the bath and stepping out, they dressed me in clothes made of black silk and even applied oil to my hair to neatly style it.

When I looked in the bronze mirror, there stood a handsome Young Master with a face I had never seen before.

"Haha, you've really transformed, Jin Sowoon."

It was a look I had never seen even once in my past life.

Perhaps it looked like the image of the hero I had dreamed of before experiencing the Orthodox-Demonic Great War.

Someone sprinting through Jianghu with profound martial arts and a dashing appearance...

"If the bastards from the Minor Orthodox Unit saw this, they would have rolled over holding their bellies in laughter."

* * *

The sun set, and the maid guided me to the banquet hall.

In the banquet hall, the escort warriors of the agency, the warriors of the Moyong Noble Clan, and the warriors of the Namgung Clan had already taken their seats and were chatting.

"Oh! You're here!"

As I entered, Moyong Sangwon sprang to his feet, and simultaneously, the warriors of the Moyong Noble Clan, the warriors of the Namgung Clan, and the escort warriors of the Cheongmyeong Escort Agency all stood up from their seats in unison.

"..."

A sense of silence hung over the banquet hall, as if the banquet had been cut short.

"Come over here."

Stunned for a moment by their sudden actions, I went and sat next to Moyong Sangwon at his gesture.

SWISH.

And then the people of the Moyong Noble Clan, the Namgung Clan, and the Cheongmyeong Escort Agency sat down in unison.

I was now gradually reaching the point of feeling scared.

"Everyone, offer your greetings; this is young hero Jin Sowoon, my life-saving benefactor who engaged in life-threatening struggles multiple times for my sake when I was on the brink of death."

As soon as Moyong Sangwon's words ended, the warriors of the Moyong Noble Clan and the Cheongmyeong Escort Agency sprang to their feet once again.

They simultaneously clasped their fists and shouted resoundingly.

"""Thank you for your grace, young hero Black Flame Dragon."""

When I stood dumbfounded by their unexpected actions, Moyong Sangwon winked and nudged me in the ribs.

"... Ah, yes. I also thank you for the hospitality."

When I stupidly clasped my fists in return, momentarily stunned by their imposing presence, they sat down in unison.

Moyong Sangwon looked somewhat proud, and the warriors of the Moyong Noble Clan also seemed satisfied with themselves.

'If I had known a gathering of gratitude would be this embarrassingly awkward, I would have avoided this somehow, too.'

Around the time I was thinking that.

A warrior of the Namgung Clan seated in front of Namgung Seonhwa sprang to his feet.

"We also wish to offer the greetings we could not give last time."

Before my thought of *'Why are you guys doing this too?' * could even finish, the warriors of the Namgung Clan also sprang up and shouted even louder than the Moyong Noble Clan's warriors, as if they were competing.

"""Thank you for your grace, young hero Black Flame Dragon!"""

"... Yes, I-I only did what was natural."

I truly felt like crawling into a rat hole if there was one.

I would rather fight the Yeomma Ghost Eye Squad again; I swore to myself over and over that I would never attend another gratitude banquet like this again.

"It's all over now, right?"

"Puhahaha. Your face has turned completely red like a ripe persimmon."

Once the banquet finally began and people's attention shifted slightly away from me, I could also slowly start picking at the food.

However, at that moment, Namgung Seonhwa set her chopsticks down with a *CLACK! *

"... Are you alright, My lady?"

She hadn't looked to be in a good mood since the start of the banquet. When I asked, wondering if she had some sort of dissatisfaction with the banquet.

"Why are you so reckless?"

"... Are you talking about me?"

"Yes. You. Even if it was for the Minor Patriarch, charging into a place like that alone was utter nonsense."

"..."

The words of Namgung Seonhwa, who didn't know my exact circumstances, were not wrong, but this was not the place to be saying such things.

Regardless, wasn't this the Minor Patriarch's gratitude banquet? Namgung Seonhwa couldn't possibly be ignorant of such etiquette, yet she did not fix her expression.

Eventually, Namgung San stepped in.

"Seonhwa. I know you're worried about Young Master Jin, but this is an inappropriate topic for this setting. Apologize to the Minor Patriarch."

"But..."

At that moment, Moyong Sangwon spoke.

"No. You did well, Seonhwa. You said what I wanted to say, so there is no need to apologize."

Moyong Sangwon laughed heartily even though he had reason to be displeased.

"But Senior..."

"No! This time, Seonhwa's words are absolutely correct. Sowoon. Even if you possess an outstanding memory and had grasped the locations of all the traps, it was definitely a reckless action. Do not do something like this ever again. Always keep in mind that just as you value others, there are people who value you as well."

"... I will keep that in mind."

As he said that, Moyong Sangwon looked at me with the eyes of a father looking at his accomplished child.

Just as the atmosphere of the banquet was about to become natural thanks to Moyong Sangwon, Namgung San spoke up after some serious contemplation.

"Perhaps it wasn't reckless at all."

"Hmm?"

They were enemies that even the great Moyong Sangwon and his escort warriors could not handle.

Nevertheless, Namgung San continued his story as if it were a matter of fact.

"Young Master Jin probably had all the calculations figured out in his head."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I... for a certain reason, once visited the Taiyi Sect and engaged in a sparring match with Young Master Jin."

"You and Sowoon did?"

At Namgung San's words, all the warriors attending the banquet stopped their conversations and began to focus.

"Yes."

"What was the result?"

The warriors of the Namgung Clan, who were listening from the side, gulped and focused on the story.

"I lost."

"Hmm?"

"Huh?!"

Those listening let out exclamations of doubt rather than admiration.

"Tell us the details."

"I initially promised to use only three-tenths of my internal energy. Because if I went all out from the start, it wouldn't be fair."

Moyong Sangwon nodded.

"I suppose so. No, even three-tenths of yours is already excessive."

"But during the sparring match, I had no choice but to break that promise."

"Hoh!"

"Hmm!"

This time, gasps of surprise erupted from here and there.

"So that's why you lost."

"No, that's not it. Actually, I continued the sparring match even after that. Although I clearly lost the bout, I technically won the sparring match. But I didn't feel like I had actually won the sparring match itself."

"Then..."

"In the end, I drew out all the way up to eight-tenths of my internal energy... but ultimately, I lost."

"You did?! How!"

Moyong Sangwon alternately looked at Namgung San and me with wide eyes.

"He grabbed the sword imbued with Sword Qi with his bare hand."

"Gasp!"

Gasps of shock erupted among the warriors.

"W-With his bare hand?"

"I was so startled that I stopped my sword, and Young Master Jin's sword was already aimed at my neck."

"Haha..."

The warriors' gazes, which had been looking at him as a benefactor, shifted to looking at him like a madman in an instant.

For some reason, Moyong Sangwon shook his head and let out a long sigh.

"But the story after that is even more of a masterpiece."

"Hmm?"

"I sought him out later and asked. His fingers could have been cut off. I asked him what was so important about a sparring match to go to such lengths."

Namgung San stared at me, as if recalling that moment.

"He told me he did it because the junior disciples of his sect were watching. He said that since he showed them a sight of defeating a warrior of the Namgung Clan, they would have hope in their sect's martial arts."

Soon, Namgung San wore a playful smile.

"Furthermore, he even calculated that I would be surprised and stop my sword, he said."

"What! Hahahahahaha!"

Moyong Sangwon burst into hearty laughter.

"You were hit with a really big one by our Sowoon!"

"Yes, it was a blow that made my head spin."

"Hahahahaha!"

Feeling awkward and not knowing what to do, I averted my gaze.

However, in the direction I turned my gaze, many warriors were already staring at me with intense eyes holding an indescribable array of meanings.

"..."

When I turned my eyes away again, Namgung Seonhwa was looking at me with the expression of a rabbit staring at a dangling carrot.

Burdened by the intense heat felt from their gazes, I couldn't even swallow my water.