Chapter 8 - A Third-Rate Warrior Defending His Sect's Honor (2)

"I apologize for the late introduction as things were a bit chaotic earlier. I am Seong Moran of the Iron Sword Sect."

As her half-moon-like eyebrows curled into a smile, Gye Cheolyeong's face, which had been scowling the entire way as if he had eaten shit instead of food, brightened instantly.

"I heard there was a single beautiful flower among the Iron Sword Sect's verdant ranks. It seems the rumors fall far short of your actual beauty."

"You praise me too much, Young Master Gye. Please head inside. The Iron Sword Sect Successor has been eagerly waiting for the people of the Gyeryong Merchant Group and the Taiyi Sect."

Gye Cheolyeong puffed out his chest twice as much as usual, making him look like an idiot.

The inside of the Iron Sword Sect was literally a sea of people.

All the doors and windows of the pavilion were thrown open, and the tightly packed crowd inside was sharing drinks and food, chatting boisterously.

"Hahaha, welcome, Merchant Group Leader! Oh my, Cheolyeong is here too! How long has it been!"

Seong Jutak, a middle-aged man with eyes similar to Seong Moran's, greeted Gye Yeonseok and Gye Cheolyeong with a laugh.

"It has been a long time, Iron Sword Sect Successor."

"Haha! I told you to just drop the formalities. We're both growing old together, so why put up such a wall!"

Even as Seong Jutak said that, his face was full of satisfaction.

"Have you been well all this time?"

"I still lose sleep at night, bursting with frustration when I think about missing out on a talent like you, Cheolyeong."

"You flatter me."

"Truly, if it weren't for that absurd special privilege of the 108 Peaks, I would have taken you in as my disciple. Hahahaha."

I briefly turned my head to look at Kang Chaeseok and Jin Taesan, and their faces also bore expressions like they had chewed on something strange, much like Gye Cheolyeong had earlier.

"Father, these are the people from the Taiyi Sect. You should greet them."

Only after Seong Moran barely managed to draw his attention did Seong Jutak's gaze turn toward us.

"I am Kang Chaeseok, the Hall Leader of Taegwang Hall."

"…I am Jin Taesan."

The two men cupped their fists in greeting, but Seong Jutak merely gave a slight nod in return.

"I've seen you a few times at the Murim Alliance, Kang Chaeseok, but it really has been a long time for you, Jin Taesan. Has it been about twenty years?"

"…Indeed. So much time has already passed."

"Tsk, tsk. You two must be truly happy. Despite trying so hard for the past twenty years, we couldn't take in a child like Cheolyeong, yet a bundle of fortune like him just walked right into your laps while you sat still."

"…"

At that sarcasm dressed as a compliment, Jin Taesan and Kang Chaeseok's expressions steadily worsened.

"This must be Sect Leader Hong's daughter, and this fellow is… who?"

Gye Cheolyeong tactlessly interjected.

"He is the External Hall Leader's son."

"Aha, he's your son? Let me see… well, his comprehension doesn't seem to amount to much. Don't waste your energy on useless things, and just focus your efforts on supporting Cheolyeong. I know the Taiyi Sect's martial arts very well, after all. Heh heh."

This situation was vastly different from this moment in my past life.

Hiding their intentions, the Iron Sword Sect had feigned ignorance of the Taiyi Sect before stabbing them in the back, and they certainly hadn't humiliated them with so many people watching.

If they showed such blatant intentions, their plan to humiliate them later would be disrupted.

What the Iron Sword Sect wanted was to force the Taiyi Sect to their knees, not to earn themselves a reputation as back-alley thugs.

Moreover, this was the first time I was hearing about a visit to the Iron Sword Sect twenty years ago.

To begin with, Seong Jutak was too busy taking care of the Gyeryong Merchant Group, so we hadn't even had a proper conversation.

Of course, in my past life, I was too distracted by trying to catch a glimpse of the Twin Wolf Iron Swords and Namgung San.

"Right. How far have you mastered the Taiyi Sect's martial arts?"

'What should I do about this? I know it's going to end in catastrophe anyway, but wouldn't it be better to show some restraint?'

"Have you not even learned how to speak? Haha, I truly wonder what will become of the Taiyi Sect's future."

"Goodness, you're not even some back-alley thug, yet every word you spit out is irritatingly grating."

"…!"

The area, which had been filled with noise, plunged into dead silence.

People frequently dropped the cups they were holding, as if they had just seen a ghost in broad daylight.

"Wh-What was that?"

Even as I spat the words out, I realized I had messed up.

I was never like this in my past life, but hanging out with those bottom-feeding bastards from the Minor Orthodox Unit had rubbed off on me in the worst way.

They really were a bunch of useless, damn bastards.

"You brat! What did you just babble?"

'Well, since it's already come to this, there's no need to stop. Is there a way to halt an arrow after it's been fired?'

"Ah, I apologize. I meant to say that in my head, but it accidentally slipped out of my mouth."

"Do you expect me to believe…"

"Honestly, isn't it true? Just a moment ago, you referred to Sect Leader Hong of the Taiyi Sect—my junior sister's father—as if he were your friend, disparaged my sect's martial arts, and finally, didn't you ask about my level of martial achievement, a question one must never casually ask a person of Jianghu?"

"…Hah, y-you brat…"

"How could I, as someone who wields a sword, not feel angry after hearing such things? Still, the sages have said not to treat even an arrogant and insolent fool with discourtesy, so this is indeed my fault. I will apologize once again."

I half-heartedly cupped my fists, and Seong Jutak's face turned a spectacular shade of red.

'But why does Seong Moran look like she's struggling to hold back her laughter while her own father is being humiliated?'

Regardless, the people who had been focusing their eyes and ears on us began nodding one by one, as if agreeing with my words.

"You, you… you…"

Just as Seong Jutak, caught between a rock and a hard place, was about to spit out some curse with his reddened face.

"The Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist is entering!!"

A ringing voice echoed through the venue, and everyone who was seated rose to their feet.

From the pavilion, Iron Sword Sect Leader Seong Cheonwol and his retainers rushed out in a flurry.

"What are you doing here? Follow me right this instant!"

At Seong Cheonwol's shout, Seong Jutak, who had been glancing back and forth at me, ground his teeth and began to follow behind Seong Cheonwol, with Gye Yeonseok and Gye Cheolyeong tailing him.

"Sh-Should we go too?"

Hong Saryeon, who had been left dumbfounded, suddenly asked, and I replied.

"There will be hundreds of people rushing forward to form a connection with the Chief Strategist anyway, so it's a hundred times better to just head inside and grab a good seat."

"…"

Saryeon looked at Jin Taesan and Kang Chaeseok as if seeking a decision, but the two men were also in a state of shock.

In the end, Seong Moran made the decision for them.

"The young master here is right. Let's go; I will guide you to a good seat."

With Seong Moran taking the lead, everyone had no choice but to follow.

"Didn't I tell you to behave yourself!"

From behind, Kang Chaeseok approached, glaring fiercely.

"Be honest. If I hadn't interrupted, wouldn't you have drawn your sword?"

"…"

'It's no use denying it. I clearly saw you putting your hand on your sword.'

'If I saw it, Seong Jutak wouldn't have been oblivious to it either.'

'We might have ended up kneeling and apologizing on the very first day of the banquet instead of the last day.'

"…"

Kang Chaeseok pressed his lips tightly together, as if he had lost his teeth.

"Please don't act so rashly. You clearly know what the Iron Sword Sect's ulterior motive is, don't you?"

"…"

"I'm saying you should act as much like a gentleman as possible and avoid stepping in shit if you don't have to."

"You punk! …I know that too."

"Then loosen up that expression. Just what exactly happened twenty years ago for you to look at Seong Jutak like that? Is he the mortal enemy of your parents or something?"

Kang Chaeseok hesitated before glancing at Jin Taesan.

When Jin Taesan shook his head, Kang Chaeseok quickened his pace, as if to say he had nothing more to add.

Upon arriving at the exact same location as in my past life, a member of the Iron Sword Sect stepped forward and spoke.

"The Taiyi Sect's seats are this way."

As we moved, the place the Iron Sword Sect member guided us to was a corner of the training ground packed with drunkards.

Just as I was about to sit down first, Seong Moran spoke up.

"Please fill those seats with someone else. I will guide these guests myself."

Seong Moran headed toward a large table in the deepest part of the pavilion.

Every time we moved, the gazes of the crowd kept following us.

"Please sit over here."

"Thank you for your consideration, Lady."

Jin Taesan, who hadn't spoken for a long while, uttered his first words, and Seong Moran took a seat opposite me with a smile.

"…!"

"…!"

For one of the main figures of such a large event to sit at the same table meant that they considered their companions to be incredibly important.

Her actions were enough to surprise not only us but also everyone around who was watching.

"Over here! Bring the drinks first!"

The moment Seong Moran called out, drinks and food were brought over with lightning speed. Although there were many people who had arrived and were waiting before us, not a single one of them voiced a complaint.

My father and Hall Leader Kang Chaeseok were paralyzed by tension, unable to even touch the food in front of them.

I went ahead and grabbed a chicken leg, bringing it to my mouth.

"What is your name, Young Master?"

"I am called Jin Sowoon."

"From what I saw earlier, your skills seem outstanding… Oops, is that an impolite question to ask?"

Seong Moran's excessive interest and kindness.

If it had been the me from my past life, I would have been so overwhelmed with emotion at meeting the Beautiful Wolf Iron Sword that I wouldn't have even known whether the food was going into my nose or my mouth.

"Yes. Having the Iron Sword Sect's Beautiful Wolf sitting right across from me and watching me eat is more than a little burdensome."

"Oh my? Hoho, I apologize."

"By the way, the Chief Strategist has arrived. Shouldn't you go over there?"

"Well. It's the Iron Sword Sect's rule not to involve women in important matters anyway, so I doubt I'll be beaten for not being present over there."

"Rumor has it that the Beautiful Wolf's fangs are sharper than the Blood Wolf's. From our Taiyi Sect's perspective, I suppose we should consider it a stroke of luck?"

The Blood Wolf Iron Sword Seong Mohyeon is the next successor of the Iron Sword Sect, raised since childhood monopolizing various spiritual elixirs, including those for bone marrow cleansing.

In contrast, the Beautiful Wolf Iron Sword only began cultivating internal energy at the age of nine. Yet despite that, she enters the Murim Academy alongside the Blood Wolf Iron Sword.

Even later on, after the Blood Wolf Iron Sword drove half the Iron Sword Sect into ruin, it was the Beautiful Wolf Iron Sword Seong Moran who tenaciously led the sect, chased after the Murim Alliance all the way to the North Sea, and integrated into them to keep the sect's lineage alive.

"Hohoho. You are a fascinating person. I apologize on my father's behalf for what happened earlier. Since we've had dealings with the Gyeryong Merchant Group since I was young, he must have just been expressing his strong disappointment over losing Brother Cheolyeong."

"You could still take him even now."

"Hohoho."

Seong Moran clutched her stomach, laughing as if it pained her.

At the sudden shift in atmosphere, Kang Chaeseok and Jin Taesan couldn't bring themselves to touch the food and were instead continuously downing their drinks.

"I have one thing I'm curious about."

"What is it?"

"Why did the Iron Sword Sect invite the Taiyi Sect?"

Jin Taesan and Kang Chaeseok's heads snapped toward me like lightning.

Seong Moran wore a faint, enigmatic smile as she spoke.

"Doesn't a banquet shine brightest when many people gather to celebrate it?"

"Many assassinations throughout history have occurred while hosting a banquet."

Seong Moran's eyes went wide at my words, but her expression quickly returned to a smile.

"Fufu, you truly are a fascinating person, Young Warrior Jin."

Seong Moran rose from her seat.

"Are you not dining with us, Lady Seong?"

"I would love to join you to alleviate your suspicions, but I think it's about time I take my leave."

With that, Seong Moran bid farewell to my father and Hall Leader Kang Chaeseok before heading back.

"…Lady?"

Hong Saryeon, who hadn't said a word from the seat next to me for a long time, grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"Huh? Should I have called her 'Young Warrior' instead?"

"Hmph!"

I had only been trying to pry out how much the Iron Sword Sect had prepared, but oblivious to the situation, Saryeon was glaring at me like I was her mortal enemy just for chatting with the Beautiful Wolf.

'Is she just too young to read the room after all?'

* * *

"La~dy? Hmph!"

Hong Saryeon was unpacking in the private quarters they had been given thanks to Seong Moran's consideration.

However, her mannerisms were rather rough.

"'You are a fascinating person? Hohoho?' She's acting like some sly fox…"

Hong Saryeon let out a small sigh after her bizarre imitation of the Seong Moran she had seen earlier.

Clothes made of fine silk with beautiful hues, eye-catching jewelry that demanded attention, a dignified, upright posture, and eyes full of confidence. Add to that a breathtaking beauty that naturally drew everyone's gaze.

There wasn't a single thing she felt confident she could beat her in if they were compared.

"Phew…"

Because the Taiyi Sect's atmosphere was completely opposed to the Iron Sword Sect, she couldn't express it openly, but she had certainly heard the rumors about the Beautiful Wolf Iron Sword.

The rumors of her remarkable martial skill at such a similar age were ringing loudly throughout Anhui Province.

She knew their innate talents were different, which naturally led to different rates of growth.

But seeing her in person evoked a profound, unmatchable envy rather than mere jealousy.

"…"

She had worn the cleanest martial uniform the Taiyi Sect had to offer, but for some reason, the fabric felt unusually rough against her hands today.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Saryeon snapped out of her thoughts.

"Who is it?"

"It's me."

"Senior Brother Cheolyeong?"

When she opened the door, Cheolyeong was standing there, having taken off his martial uniform and changed into silk robes.

"Change into this."

Gye Cheolyeong held out a colorful silk dress.

"What is this?"

"Young Master Namgung San and the younger generation from prominent families in Anhui Province are reportedly holding a separate banquet. It'll be hard for you to attend in a martial uniform like that."

"…I'm tired. You go alone, Senior Brother."

"Strictly speaking, I'm going as the representative of the Gyeryong Merchant Group. If you don't go, Jin Sowoon will attend. Would you be okay with that?"

It would be a gathering of people friendly with the Iron Sword Sect, making it an uncomfortable place for the Taiyi Sect.

'Their stares and conversations definitely won't be pleasant. Would he really…'

'He fiercely talked back even to the Iron Sword Sect Successor, so would he meekly sit still just because they're the younger generation of prominent families?'

"…"

"At the very least, the atmosphere will be much better if you go with me."

Hong Saryeon bit her lip tightly.

"Fine. Let's go."

"Hurry up and change."

Saryeon looked at the clothes Cheolyeong held out before pushing them back toward him.

"Never mind. If you want to wear it so badly, then you wear it, Senior Brother."