Chapter 87 - Time to Hunt

"Daoist Myeonghyeon of the Mount Cangshan Sect has come to visit."

At the words of the Mantong Bureau personnel, Chief Strategist Zhuge Somyeong's brow furrowed heavily.

"Did you tell him I am not here?"

Zhuge Somyeong, the Chief Strategist of the world-renowned Murim Alliance and the head of the Mantong Bureau and Simhyeon Pavilion, spoke with palpable displeasure, but the personnel who delivered the message replied without any sign of tension, as if it were not his problem.

"He said he came after checking the alliance entry records."

If it had been anyone else, they would have been trembling in fear, not knowing how to answer.

"..."

Zhuge Somyeong, who had briefly escaped reality through distracting thoughts, let out a long sigh.

"... Huu. Of all days, today. When I already have a mountain of work to process."

The atmosphere of the exams was already overheating compared to previous Murim Academy exams, and the documents waiting for his review filled one side of his desk and were even piled up on the floor.

In the midst of such busyness, if Daoist Myeonghyeon came and went, it would foul his mood and slow down his work processing speed even further.

"If he stands outside like that, it becomes burdensome for the department personnel to work. Please get rid of him quickly."

"..."

If any other personnel had spouted such nonsense, he would have immediately beaten them to a pulp and kicked them out. But because the person who said this was Maeng Ju-won, he suppressed his anger and let it slide.

"... Bring him in."

With those words, Zhuge Somyeong moved to a table on one side of the Mantong Bureau.

It was a shabby table that Zhuge Somyeong normally never used, brought in for the Mantong Bureau personnel to use when they hurriedly ate their meals.

Shortly after, Daoist Myeonghyeon of the Mount Cangshan Sect entered the Mantong Bureau under Maeng Ju-won's guidance.

"I greet the Chief Strategist."

"Welcome."

After lightly exchanging martial salutes, Zhuge Somyeong sat down, but Daoist Myeonghyeon looked around the room without sitting at the shabby table.

"It seems quite noisy in here, so how about we change locations?"

From the perspective of Daoist Myeonghyeon, who had always received the utmost treatment suited for a high-ranking position within the Murim Alliance, conversing in the Mantong Bureau—which was indistinguishable from a messy warehouse—was an incredibly uncomfortable situation.

Knowing this, Zhuge Somyeong nodded.

"My apologies. I have no time, so I must receive guests in such a place. If you are uncomfortable, how about we schedule an appointment at a better place next time?"

'If you don't like it, then leave.'

At this obvious order of eviction, Daoist Myeonghyeon's face crumpled like paper before he gave up and sat in the chair.

"Ahem. It is fine. Who knows when we will be able to meet again."

"..."

Maeng Ju-won, who had guided him earlier, brought out tea.

However, Daoist Myeonghyeon's brow furrowed once again.

A sour stench, as if he hadn't washed in days, was emanating from Maeng Ju-won, who had brought the tea.

"Ahem."

Daoist Myeonghyeon openly expressed his displeasure, but Maeng Ju-won, regardless of the reaction, set down the tea and returned to his seat to work like a corpse.

It was insolent of him to show no tension in front of an elder of the Murim Alliance, but upon recognizing that he was the talent Zhuge Somyeong had personally gone to the White Tiger Pavilion to recruit, Daoist Myeonghyeon suppressed his anger.

"Heh. My apologies. Ever since the Murim Academy's exams began, the kids have barely been able to eat properly."

Having to oversee the Murim Academy's exams on top of the Mantong Bureau's original duties meant the already scarce personnel were being ground to dust.

The Mantong Bureau's manpower shortage was a constant occurrence, but this year, the overheated exams had increased the workload even more.

"Ahem, don't mention it. Isn't this just the fragrance of hard work being put in for the future of Jianghu?"

"Would you like more tea?"

"... No, I am fine."

Having lightly teased Daoist Myeonghyeon, Zhuge Somyeong immediately brought up the main topic. Zhuge Somyeong had too much work to do to waste time chatting with him.

"What brings you here?"

"In this recent high-level scholar exam, our Mount Cangshan Sect's disciple, Mu Muntak, failed by a regretfully small margin."

Zhuge Somyeong's face scrunched up again.

'Do I have to talk about this while I'm dying of busyness?'

"Isn't the reason the Mantong Bureau suffers from a manpower shortage every time due to the Chief Strategist's strict exams?"

"..."

The Murim Alliance selected scholar members for the smooth processing of its affairs, but to enter the Mantong Bureau, one had to separately pass the high-level scholar exam proposed by the Chief Strategist.

That exam was so vicious and difficult that no one had passed it in the last few years.

"How can you say that is entirely my fault? It's all because the Murim Academy exam focuses solely on martial arts and background."

"..."

Ever since Zhuge Somyeong was appointed as the Chief Strategist, he had demanded a massive restructuring of the Murim Academy and the standard exams, but he was frustrated at every turn.

"Did I not say so? If the Murim Academy's exams are conducted like this, only those who have money despite lacking skill, or those who have learned martial arts while neglecting their academic knowledge, will enter."

"We are not here to talk about the exam right now, are we?"

"..."

He had said this time and time again, but they were still bastards who only wanted to hear what they wanted to hear.

"Furthermore, I heard that because this exam is so overheated, the Mantong Bureau personnel haven't been able to go home and are eating and sleeping here."

"That is correct."

"Mu Muntak has a reputation within our sect as a child with outstanding academic knowledge and a bright understanding of martial arts. How about bringing him in as a special recruit this time?"

No matter how short on manpower they were, they couldn't leave empty seats in the Mantong Bureau, which moved the Murim Alliance and the entirety of Jianghu.

Accordingly, those who received the highest grades in the Murim Academy or who were acknowledged by Zhuge Somyeong were permitted to enter the Mantong Bureau.

Daoist Myeonghyeon was hoping for that exception.

'These fools can't even play the fox properly.'

He was well aware that the Orthodox sects, led by the Nine Great Sects, had been wanting to assert their influence over the Mantong Bureau for a long time.

Expanding their foothold in the Mantong Bureau, using that to elevate the Orthodox sects—which was currently dismissed as a mere social club—into an official organization to establish the Orthodox Pavilion, and eventually swallowing the Murim Alliance whole in the future. That was their so-called grand plan.

"I didn't want to bring this up as it feels like I'm specifically pointing out your flaws, Daoist Myeonghyeon, but that kid named Mu Muntak didn't even complete half the exam within the time limit. Furthermore, half of the questions he did manage to answer were completely incorrect."

"..."

Daoist Myeonghyeon's face contorted even more than when he had smelled Maeng Ju-won's foul stench.

"If you want to try shoving just anyone in here, at least bring someone who makes a little sense."

"... Are you referring to a child like Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect?"

"...?"

For the first time, Zhuge Somyeong felt his mind come to a halt in bewilderment.

'Why is his name suddenly coming up here?'

"It caused quite a stir for a while. About the identity of the kid whom the Chief Strategist gave an Admission Token to for the first time, something he hadn't even granted to his own family..."

There were five Admission Tokens given to the Chief Strategist and the Murim Alliance Leader, respectively.

While the Murim Alliance Leader used the Admission Tokens for political or personal purposes every time, the Chief Strategist, Zhuge Somyeong, had never used an Admission Token even once.

However, the news that he had used an Admission Token for the first time had the entire Murim Alliance in an uproar.

"But what a shame. That child is about to suffer a terrible disaster while taking the Murim Academy exam."

"..."

A triumphant smile appeared on Daoist Myeonghyeon's face for the first time.

"I heard that the children of our sect are making a move to target him. Not to mention, the children of the Wudang Sect and Mount Hua as well."

The disciples of three sects considered among the most powerful within the Nine Sects and One Gang were making a move?

It was obvious that no disciple could face them.

"Let us do this. Our Cangshan will protect that child. It seems Wudang and Mount Hua are targeting him for some reason, but if he moves together with Cangshan, would even they be able to do anything about it?"

If he was lucky, losing his admission token or Admission Token would be the end of it.

In the worst-case scenario, even death could be expected.

"In exchange, please make good use of Muntak."

"..."

A deep silence hung between the two men.

As if the Mantong Bureau personnel were secretly listening as well, not even the sound of turning pages could be heard.

Just before they were completely consumed by the deep silence, Zhuge Somyeong's mouth slowly opened.

"... Who are you talking about?"

"... Pardon?"

"I distinctly remember giving the Admission Token to the Namgung Clan's... Ah, right!"

Zhuge Somyeong smacked his own forehead.

"That's right! Back then, the situation became quite awkward, so I gave it to a disciple of some sect called the Taiyi Sect..."

"..."

"But I was certain Namgung San would take it back... Was I wrong?"

Zhuge Somyeong turned his head to look at Maeng Ju-won.

Maeng Ju-won spoke as if he had been waiting for this.

"Judging from the fact that the Namgung Clan also participated in the exam, it seems to still be in Jin Sowoon's possession."

"Is that so...?"

A sneer hung on Daoist Myeonghyeon's lips. *'Trying to pull such a shallow trick...' *

Just as he was about to snap back with a remark.

"Good grief, Daoist Myeonghyeon. Please know when to stop. Tsk. If you truly want to insert someone into the Mantong Bureau to achieve your grand plan, bring me a brat who is at least capable of thinking. Stop trying to continuously shove in people whose brains don't work, just like yours."

"Wh-What did you say! Just now."

As Daoist Myeonghyeon shouted in anger, Zhuge Somyeong lowered his voice.

"You've gone completely blind with arrogance ever since receiving that elder position, haven't you? Should I thrash you like I used to?"

"What are you... I-I am an elder of the Murim Alliance..."

"And I am the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist."

"..."

Remembering the past he thought he had forgotten, Daoist Myeonghyeon shuddered.

"Go back. I am busy."

Trembling with humiliation, Daoist Myeonghyeon stormed out, slamming the door shut with a *BANG! *

In that instant, the documents Zhuge Somyeong had to process cascaded to the floor.

"Tsk. This is what happens when you give a position to someone without the capacity for it."

"Why didn't you just accept him?"

Maeng Ju-won grumbled as he picked up the fallen documents again.

Zhuge Somyeong furrowed his brow.

"What was that?"

"Couldn't you just make him come and clean the Mantong Bureau? Look at this place. At this point, it's impossible to tell if the Mantong Bureau is a butcher shop or a command and control room."

"..."

"Furthermore, Jin Sowoon is moving with only four personnel in total. What if he really dies? Then our Mantong Bureau might end up working night shifts until we die of old age."

"This brat... Do you know how important the Mantong Bureau's work is...?"

There was a limit to how much leniency he could show. Just as Zhuge Somyeong was about to scold him, a sudden question popped into his mind.

"Come to think of it, how do you know about Jin Sowoon?"

Even just now, he had only pretended to ask about the Namgung Clan as a formality, yet Maeng Ju-won had answered without hesitation, and now he seemed to know Jin Sowoon's identity in quite some detail.

"I have been keeping an eye on him ever since the Chief Strategist gave him the Admission Token. But this guy is absolutely incredible. How could four people..."

From the events at Mount Cheonmok to the recent events at Mount Makgan, the brat knew all the stories that Zhuge Somyeong had been secretly observing.

"Tsk, tsk, not doing the work you're supposed to do... This is why you work night shifts every day."

"Isn't he a talent who will enter the Mantong Bureau? Therefore, as his senior, it is my duty to look out for him in advance."

"Hah... Do you know how many years it will take before that child graduates from the Murim Academy and comes here?"

"Isn't a grand plan meant to be prepared with a ten-year outlook? I have no desire to continue working night shifts here even after I get married."

Zhuge Somyeong really hated the sight of him speaking so slyly.

"... Did you not hear just now? Cangshan, Wudang, and Mount Hua are targeting him. It'll be a miracle if he even escapes with his life."

"But didn't you just say, 'Do you know how many years it will take?' That implies you already have his graduation in mind, doesn't it?"

"..."

He hated smart brats because they caught on too quickly.

Just as Myeonghyeon said, he might really need to start looking into brats who could handle simple tasks.

Having continued his train of thought for a moment, Zhuge Somyeong looked at Maeng Ju-won. His hair was greasy from not washing for days, but the foul stench from earlier was gone.

"What was that foul stench from earlier?"

"I caught a few Yellow Stench Bugs and kept them. Since if the Chief Strategist plays around, we are the ones who get even more exhausted."

"You little...!"

Unable to hold back in the end, Zhuge Somyeong threw his tea at Maeng Ju-won, but Maeng Ju-won dodged the tea as if he had predicted it.

Watching Maeng Ju-won tuck his tail and flee, Zhuge Somyeong spat out a curse.

"Anyway... Will he really pass the standard exam?"

The situation at the Demonic Spirit Plateau was one thing, but every single one of his movements was extraordinary.

Recently, he had sat in a daze for a long while after hearing the news that Jin Sowoon had broken out Zhuge Cheongi, who was imprisoned in the Zhuge Clan.

'How did he manage to persuade those hard-headed fools?'

'Furthermore, that Zhuge Cheongi is a bastard who doesn't even listen to his own grandfather. How on earth did he extract someone who locked himself in the Golden Jade Prison out of his own volition?'

The Admission Token he had given out of simple curiosity was gradually being laden with expectations. He was truly looking forward to seeing if that guy, who was practically all alone, could genuinely pass the Murim standard exam.

* * *

After leaving Mount Makgan, our journey had been terrifyingly smooth.

The ambushes had completely stopped.

"I don't know if I should call this a good thing or not."

Those were Eunho's words as he chewed on jerky while warming himself by the fire for the first time in days.

Hearing that, I looked at his face.

"What is it, Eldest Senior Brother?"

He looked like an absolute beggar.

"He's looking at you because you're saying ominous things for no reason."

It was Geumpyo, scolding Eunho from the side.

Geumpyo was in the same boat. He looked like half a wild beast.

And on one side, Dongryong, who was frantically eating a roasted rabbit, grinned when his eyes met mine and then went back to frantically eating the rabbit.

A state that even a Beggars' Sect member would find too filthy and avoid.

"... Let's stop by a village for now."

"Pardon? But if pursuers catch up to us..."

"Pursuers aren't what's important right now."

"Then what is?"

"I'm terrified that when people see you, they'll mistake you for Beggars' Sect members instead of Taiyi Sect disciples."

"..."

"..."

Geumpyo and Eunho looked at each other, then nodded without a word.

* * *

Just because there were no ambushes right now didn't mean stability was guaranteed. Rather than hiding, simply stepping out openly might make it easier to deal with the enemies.

'It will also take some time for Wudang, Cangshan, and Mount Hua to make their move.'

When I heard Yang Gunbaek's words, I couldn't help but tilt my head in confusion.

Wudang was located in Hubei Province, and Mount Hua and Cangshan were each located in Shaanxi Province, so were they really traveling all the way to Zhejiang Province just to catch us?

["They are not the main disciples of their respective sects."]

That had been Yang Gunbaek's answer to my question.

["However, you know well that this does not mean they are opponents you can ignore, right, Sowoon?"]

There wasn't just one or two disciples in these massive sects, and each disciple received different levels of support depending on their masters' interconnected interests.

There were main disciples who received direct support from the Wudang Sect and were formed solely of Wudang Sect disciples.

Below them were disciples who received direct support from the Wudang Sect but were under the patronage of the Wudang Sect's lay martial clans.

And finally, there were those who were disciples of the Wudang Sect but didn't receive direct support; instead, they received backing from affiliated merchant groups and mobilized warriors from their own families to take the exams.

["The ones targeting you, Sowoon, are those who receive direct support but are accompanied by disciples from the lay martial clans."]

The lay martial clans of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Noble Clans possessed stronger martial prowess than most small-to-medium sects.

Since they couldn't surpass the main group within the same province, they were pushed out of the competition and had to travel far.

Because of this, the disciples of the existing small-to-medium sects in the province suffered the hardship of being pushed aside by them.

["Even so, it's unexpected for them to come all the way to Zhejiang Province."]

If we were robbed of our admission tokens by others before they arrived, they would end up completely empty-handed.

["I suspect there might have been some prior conspiracy."]

Even if they weren't the main disciples, a group gathered from the three sects of Wudang, Mount Hua, and Cangshan was absolutely not a target to be taken lightly.

["So please, be careful."]

* * *

Yang Gunbaek's final words continued to linger in my ears.

After crossing Zhejiang Province and entering Jiangsu Province. With Suzhou just ahead, the Geum-eun-dong Brothers were a bit excited.

"I heard the four great gardens in Suzhou are incredibly famous. Think we can go see them?"

At Geumpyo's relaxed words, Eunho clicked his tongue.

"Gardens? Have you already forgotten the fact that we're currently taking the hellish standard exam?"

"Who said I forgot? I just brought it up because I heard rumors that they're famous."

"Sometimes Geumpyo acts even more like a child than Dongryong."

Agitated by Eunho's words, Geumpyo asked Dongryong.

"Dongryong, what do you want to do when we get to Suzhou?"

"Huh? ... Hmm. Eldest Senior Brother. What kind of food is famous in Suzhou?"

"Well. I did hear that the freshwater fish dishes are famous..."

Dongryong immediately nodded his head.

"I want to go to Suzhou and eat fish dishes."

"Hah..."

Eunho let out a long sigh and shook his head.

I smiled at their antics and spoke.

"We might not be able to visit the gardens. But let's try all the food."

"Will that be okay?"

At Eunho's concern, Geumpyo sneered.

"Since you're so worried, you keep watch while we eat."

"... This guy really thinks he can just say whatever he wants."

"This guy? Did you just say 'this guy' to your older brother?! Senior Brother! This bastard is..."

The bickering Geum-eun brothers suddenly felt the gazes around them and froze.

"..."

As we headed into the bustling streets after entering Suzhou, the gazes of numerous sword-wielding warriors were focused on us from all sides. Whispers could be heard from afar.

-Are they the Taiyi Sect?

-Probably.

-I heard they have a lot of admission tokens, right?

-There are many people targeting them.

-I should lend a hand in that too.

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers likely couldn't hear the exact details, but as if crushed by the immense pressure of their gazes, they pressed their lips tightly shut.

"This way."

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers, who had been walking in a different direction like wooden dolls until I spoke, hurriedly stuck right beside me like chicks following their parent.

"Relax a bit. Looking overly anxious will only show them an opening."

"... Yes."

"Yes."

"Yes. Eldest Senior Brother."

At my words, Eunho moved his neck and shoulders as if trying to relieve at least a little bit of tension.

However, his expression froze solid the moment we entered the guest house.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The boisterous commotion inside the guest house died down in an instant.

Regardless of whether they were on the first or second floor, everyone carrying a sword was staring in our direction.

It was a sight you would only expect to see in a terrifying nightmare.

Even the busy waiter seemed to sense something amiss, as he stopped mid-approach and wore an expression of complete indecision.

"Can we sit anywhere?"

Only when I spoke did he seem to snap back to his senses.

"Ah, y-yes. You may sit wherever is comfortable."

"What is this place good at making?"

"Most people usually have the Dongpo pork."

"I heard Suzhou is famous for its fish dishes?"

"Ah... In that case, how about trying the sweet and sour mandarin fish?"

"Bring us the sweet and sour mandarin fish, Dongpo pork, shredded pork with sweet bean sauce, plain noodles, and dumplings."

"Do you have more people in your party?"

"No, it's just us."

"... Ah, understood."

"Ah, right, and while we eat, heat up some water for us and buy us some clothes too."

"Yes! Please wait just a moment."

When I placed three taels of silver on the table, the waiter, who had been trembling in anxiety until a moment ago, showed a visibly brightened expression and hurried into the kitchen.

"Eldest Senior Brother, was there really a need to intentionally say it's just us?"

Eunho murmured quietly, seemingly conscious of our surroundings.

The people inside the guest house weren't even making a single sound with their chopsticks, as if trying to catch even those quiet words.

"We are going to continuously face hardships from now on anyway. Don't cower over just the amount we've experienced so far."

"... I suppose that's true."

We had smashed the Yellow Sword Sect, the Azure Blade Gang, and other sects of Zhejiang Province, effectively sounding an alarm, but as long as we held the admission tokens, this peace wouldn't last long.

Before we passed the final Third Gate, and even after we passed it, only more enemies would be waiting for us.

Right now, beyond the province borders, the elites of the Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and Cangshan Sect were rushing toward us.

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP.

From the second-floor stairs, a young master in silken clothes slowly walked down while clapping.

On either side of him, two warriors who looked to be in their thirties stuck closely to him like escorts.

"What incredible nerve you have."

The young master came right up to our table and formed a smile on his lips.

"I knew you would move in this direction, but I never expected you to move so openly."

"..."

"If you don't mind, may I share this table with you?"

Our table was wide enough to seat eight people.

However, I shook my head.

"I do not like having my meals interrupted."

CLACK, CLACK.

Sure enough, the warriors standing on either side of the young master moved as if they were going to draw their swords at any moment.

Seeing things like this, it seemed escort warriors had a universal training system.

'If your escort target's words are ignored, at least pretend to step in.'

"It might not serve as an exact trade, but I will treat you to this meal."

"Junior Brothers, what are you doing? Make some room so the guest can sit."

"..."

The young master's escorts looked at me with dumbfounded expressions.

'What? Is there anyone who hates a free meal?'

"..."

Eventually, Eunho nodded.

"Eldest Senior Brother, then it should be okay to order more, right?"

"Of course. Seeing as this young master, who should be expecting battle, is wearing silken clothes instead of a martial uniform, he must have money rotting away."

Despite my sarcasm, the silken-clothed young master merely kept the smile on his lips.

"Hey, here! Bring us Beggar's Chicken and Mapo Tofu, ah! And some braised beef too!"

"Hey! Let's try the twice-cooked pork. That thing Gye Cheolyeong bragged about so much."

"Twice-cooked pork over here too!"

We aggressively ordered food just to scrape at his nerves, but the young master's expression didn't change much. He lightly cupped his fist in a salute and spoke.

"I am called Song Baek of the Hwayeong Escort Agency, based in Suzhou."

The Hwayeong Escort Agency.

A massive escort agency that ranked within the top five in Jiangbei.

Due to their nature, escort agencies had half a foot in the merchant world and half a foot in Jianghu, so they could be seen as special entities that independently possessed both money and martial force.

"Do you need admission tokens?"

The entire guest house stirred at my straightforward words.

Numerous warriors were watching us with tense expressions.

On the other hand, the smile on Song Baek's lips didn't fade.

"You are as extraordinary a person as I have heard."

"Is that so?"

"I have already passed both the First Gate and the Second Gate."

As the scion of an escort agency, he would likely know the information on most of the mountain strongholds in Jiangbei.

Additionally, since he had a foot in the merchant world, obtaining spiritual pills wouldn't have been too difficult either.

"In that case, was there really a need to come looking for me?"

"Hasn't your schedule become a bit easier after crossing Mount Makgan?"

"..."

The waiter came out carrying a mountain of food, but the Geum-eun-dong Brothers and I all kept our mouths firmly shut and stared at him.

"You will be able to rest easy here in Jiangsu Province... or at least in Suzhou. Because the Hwayang Escort Agency will be watching over the Taiyi Sect's disciples."

Suzhou of Jiangsu Province was a place overflowing with more manpower and supplies than most other provincial capitals, yet the Hwayang Escort Agency was confident that they had a firm grip on this place.

However, no one in the guest house showed any signs of scoffing at Song Baek's words.

"Is there a need to go out of your way to show such kindness?"

Song Baek shook his head side to side, looking troubled.

"I don't have a need for it, but..."

Then, he rolled his eyes up, glaring menacingly.

"My senior brothers seem to feel differently."

"..."

"Have you not already met Senior Brother Jong Byeokgi?"

I wondered why Jong Byeokgi, the Flying Cloud Divine Wind of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit, was suddenly being brought up.

"I am a lay disciple of the Mount Cangshan Sect."

"Ah... I see."

CLATTER. CLATTER.

The moment Jong Byeokgi's story came up, the Geum-eun-dong Brothers began moving their spoons and chopsticks.

Song Baek glanced at the three brothers before continuing his story.

"Senior Brother Jong told me quite a lot of things."

"Were they good things?"

"How could they be?"

Jong Byeokgi, who had been beaten to a pulp by Moyong Gang while spouting conspiracy theories about whether the Taiyi Sword Emperor's true inheritance really belonged to the Taiyi Sect.

I had expected him to suffer the humiliation of being dragged around by Moyong Gang as the price for stopping his eccentricities, but was he already able to move?

"Because of this, it seems my other senior brothers also hold quite a grudge against you, Young Master Jin."

Shortly after, warriors wearing the same attire as the escort warriors walked down from the second floor.

Every single one of them was a warrior with an extraordinary aura.

"Would you be willing to stay with us until my senior brothers arrive? Because it would be quite troublesome for me if you were defeated by someone else before then."

"Do you have money?"

"Excuse me?"

"You said you would buy us the food. I'm asking if you have the money for it."

Song Baek chuckled. He then pulled out a pouch from his pocket.

"I shall host you in the finest pavilion."

I immediately grabbed his head and smashed it into the table.

SMASH.

Even though it was a wooden table, it was cleanly broken off in the exact shape of where his head struck it.

He had wrapped qi around his head, preventing the table from completely splitting apart.

Thanks to that, Song Baek, who had absorbed the full shock of the qi impact, was bleeding profusely from his seven orifices.

"You, crazy..."

SHING, SHING.

All the warriors, including the escort warriors, drew their swords.

I pulled Song Baek up and pressed my sword against his neck.

"Do you wish to watch your young master die right before your eyes?"

"..."

"..."

Song Baek's warriors gave off a vicious aura, looking as though they were ready to engage in a life-or-death battle at any moment. Along with them, the warriors in the guest house also began placing their hands on their scabbards one by one.

At that moment.

SLURP.

SLUUURP.

CHOMP, SMACK.

Within the tension-filled guest house, the sound of people eating food could be heard.

People's gazes naturally converged in that direction.

The Geum-eun-dong Brothers were completely engrossed in shoving food into their mouths, oblivious to whether blades were being drawn or not.

When I stared at them with a dumbfounded look, Geumpyo checked my mood before finally speaking up.

"If we don't eat now... *GULP*. Who knows when we'll get to eat again... *SLURP*."

"Eldest Senior Brother, p-please maintain the standoff just a little bit longer. The food is still hot."

Having said that, the three brothers went back to busily shoving food into their mouths.

"..."

Not to mention the Hwayang Escort Agency's warriors, everyone in the guest house was staring at the Geum-eun-dong Brothers as if they were madmen.

'Ah, how embarrassing.'