***
If one were to look for the reason why the Cheol-geom-mun [Iron Sword Sect] and the Tae-eul Sect harbored a grudge, there was nothing much to it.
It was simply that they were both based in the same city of Hap-bi.
In fact, from the Tae-eul Sect's perspective, this was enough to drive one
crazy.
The Tae-eul Sect was an old, established sect with a history of nearly five
hundred years, while the Cheol-geom-mun was a fresh sprout that was, at most, a little less than a hundred and fifty years old.
From the Tae-eul Sect's point of view, they looked like brats whose foundation hadn't even dried yet, acting cocky.
However, because a prominent figure named Gwi-geom-seon-ong [Ghost Sword Immortal] Seong Hyeon-baek, who appeared a hundred and fifty years ago, had established a solid foundation, they were now in a position where they had to be wary of those young, green upstarts.
As the saying goes, even a hundred-room palace feels narrow when one grows in size; the Cheol-geom-mun always wanted to expand its influence, and our Tae-eul Sect was a stumbling block for them.
Holding the title of Baek-pal-bong [108 Peaks] was like having the big brother known as the Murim Alliance behind one’s back. Since one shouldn't easily touch them no matter how weak the opponent might look, the Cheol-geom-mun always wanted to remove the Tae-eul Sect and take that spot for themselves.
“They must have found it terribly disgusting that they couldn't receive the
‘Special Admission’ in particular.”
Since the regular entrance exam to get into the Martial Arts Academy was
difficult as it was, the benefit of the special admission must have felt like a
privilege that even a rising new star like the Cheol-geom-mun could not ignore.
How many of the Baek-pal-bong accepted countless outsiders under the name of ‘lay disciples’ during the period when the Martial Arts Academy was held?
It was natural, in a way, that the Cheol-geom-mun’s insides would churn every time the Tae-eul Sect, which was already an eyesore, received the benefits of the special admission.
Anyway, despite such a situation, we attended the 60th birthday banquet at the invitation of the Cheol-geom-mun Master, and my father knelt down.
“But it is a question, indeed.”
Actually, when I thought about it, it wasn't a big deal.
Hong Sa-ryeon, Gye Cheol-yeong, and I attended a refreshment party where peers gathered at night, but due to a sudden outburst by the Hyeol-rang-cheol-geom [Blood-Wolf Iron Sword], the grandson of the current Sect Master, we ended up having a sparring match the next day.
Knowing I would lose, I was about to step into the sparring match to vent my frustration, but my father, having learned of this fact, put an end to it by
kneeling and apologizing in front of the ten thousand people attending the
banquet.
“It would have been fine if it had just ended with me getting beaten up.”
Because of this incident, the name of the Tae-eul Sect was dragged through the mud once again, and the Murim Alliance assigned a much larger number of ‘mandatory service personnel’ than usual.
Honestly, even thinking about it now, I don't think I did anything wrong that
evening.
How could I have avoided someone who was charging in with the momentum of
Gung-sin-tan-yeong [Bow Spirit Bullet Shadow] while fully aroused?
‘......Is it because I’ve been hanging out with those So-jeong-dae [Small Justice Troop] bastards for too long? My expressions are getting cheaper by the day.’
I suddenly realized that my way of speaking had degraded to the level of a
street-roaming Hao-mun [Beggar/Information Sect] member, so I pulled myself together and resumed my thoughts.
Those guys just needed an excuse to step on the Tae-eul Sect once.
If I had endured it that day, they would have picked a fight over something else the next day, and if I had endured that too, they would have complained about the gift I brought later.
‘The best method would have been not to attend.’
If I thought of methods, there would be many.
I could have turned the Tae-eul Sect upside down using the rising form of the So-cheon-geom-beop [Small Heaven Sword Technique], and then driven them crazy to re-establish their martial arts.
There was also a method of returning with ideas to make money and focusing the minds of the Tae-eul Sect’s Hall Masters on that.
But the problem was that I was taking this as a matter of pride.
Coolly thinking about it, rather than going to the Cheol-geom-mun, scuffling for a few days, and spending time cleaning up the aftermath, it would have been a much more constructive direction for me to catch one more spirit herb or one more demonic beast in that time.
“But if I leave these bastards alone, I don't think I'll be able to sleep at
night for a while.”
For now, I postponed my thoughts and headed to Song-ak Mountain in the garden.
Since it was marked in the Kang-ho-yeong-yak-seo [Kang-ho Spirit Herb Book] as the point where the Dok-gak-hwa-mang [One-Horned Fire Spider] appeared, I originally wouldn't have taken it, but thanks to the Cheong-nyong-hwan [Blue Dragon Ring], I could absorb even a poison-filled internal core without any post-processing, so there was no reason to pass it by.
Swish!
There was no need to hunt in any particular way.
The moment the guy tried to wrap its huge body around me and swallow me in one bite.
All I had to do was activate the Cheong-nyong-hwan.
Kiyaaak!
The guy let out a strange scream and began to shrink in an instant, and in the end, it turned pathetic like a shriveled root.
I clicked my tongue again at the ruthless ability of the Cheong-nyong-hwan.
“If I get caught using this, becoming a public enemy of the Murim world is a
given.”
I lightly broke the golden horn of the Dok-gak-hwa-mang and put it in my bosom.
Its horn is a decorative material that can fetch a good price.
It would be good to sell, and if I met a skilled blacksmith, it would be good to use as a decoration for my weapon.
‘Approximately forty years.’
It was a small amount, but my internal energy increased again.
From now on, I had to start hiding my internal energy.
“Because if a disciple of the Tae-eul Sect had the internal energy of one Gap-ja [60 years] at the age of twenty, it would be perfect for arousing suspicion.”
I wasn't too worried because, fortunately, one of the members of the
So-jeong-dae had a miscellaneous talent that was close to the best in the world in this regard.
“Is that guy working as an assassin by now?”
Having descended from Song-ak Mountain like that, I stopped by the village, bought a bundle of necessary items, and then headed to the Tae-eul Sect.
“Jin Sa-hyeong!”
“Sa-hyeong!”
“Sa-hyeong!”
The young Sa-je, who looked like chicks, discovered me coming out of the
Bu-saeng-dang rushed at me in a hurry.
“Sa-hyeong! Where on earth have you been?”
“Sa-hyeong! I’m learning the So-cheon-geom-beop again!”
“Sa-hyeong! Have you eaten?”
By the time I stroked the heads of the chirping kids one by one.
Gye Cheol-yeong and Hong Sa-ryeon appeared.
“Where the hell have you been wandering around before coming in now?”
Gye Cheol-yeong was making a lot of noise, seemingly uncomfortable about something.
“Oh? Gye Sa-hyeong. You look different. The efficacy of the Seol-mae-dan must be truly great. Just looking at you, I can feel the energy of an expert so strongly that I dare not make eye contact. Have you digested all the spirit pills?”
In my words, Gye Cheol-yeong’s face turned into that of a demon.
“That is none of your business!!”
Gye Cheol-yeong, who shouted like that, pushed the young Sa-je aside and left.
“Why are you provoking him? Didn't you hear the story about the Seol-mae-dan being stolen?”
“I heard it. That’s why I brought it up.”
Hong Sa-ryeon sighed.
“What on earth have you been doing all this time?”
“I just went here and there, ate good things, and saw good sights.”
“......Where did you get the money?”
“I hunted and worked.”
If I had spoken honestly, the Tae-eul Sect would have been turned upside down, but anyway, I spoke honestly.
“......The Sect Leader also said that there is no need to be wary of the Gye-ryong
Merchant Guild anymore. So come back now.”
“Huh?”
“They said they decided to attend the 60th birthday banquet of the
Cheol-geom-mun Master this time. And...... as you know, the Gye-ryong Merchant Guild is also busy with the Seol-mae-dan matter, so they don't come to the Tae-eul Sect often. There is no need to be wary anymore.”
Uh....... That’s a problem for me.
Sa-ryeon seemed to have misunderstood something firmly.
Anyway, I had to keep wandering around outside. Anyway, that wasn't the urgent matter.
“It’s already been decided to attend the 60th birthday banquet of the
Cheol-geom-mun Master?”
“Yes. The Gye-ryong Merchant Guild Leader must have begged earnestly. He asked them to please attend, if only for his sake.”
“Is Ryeon-mae [Younger Sister Sa-ryeon] attending too?”
“.......”
“Huh? Are you not attending?”
“You keep calling me Ryeon-mae, but it tickles, so don't call me that.”
“What’s wrong with it? I like it.”
“......Don't do it. Anyway, I’m attending. Cheol-yeong Sa-hyeong will also attend.”
Originally, in my past life, my attendance was not part of the plan. It was
because I begged because I wanted to see the Ssang-rang-cheol-geom [Twin Wolves Iron Swords].
“But what is that luggage?”
“Ah...... this.”
I called the Sa-je whose heads I had been stroking and opened the bundle.
“Wow!”
“Wow! Sugar candy!”
The eyes of the kids, who had been full of exhaustion, drenched in sweat, began to shine brightly.
“Come on, share it and eat it nicely. If anyone eats a lot by themselves, know
that I will punish you!”
“““Yes! Sa-hyeong.”””
The Sa-je chirped and took the bundle, rushed over, and began to share them one
by one.
Fortunately, there was no sign of anyone eating more.
“......Why sugar candy?”
“Huh? I went to the market and it came to mind.”
“......With what money.”
For some reason, Sa-ryeon’s expression didn't look very bright.
“Sa-hyeong, Sa-hyeong. Jin Sa-hyeong.”
At that moment, the Sa-je, Dong-ryong, pulled my sleeve.
“Why? Did they not give you sugar candy?”
“No. No. It’s not that. This.”
The boy, who shook his head, handed me a bundle folded several times with paper
from his bosom.
“Huh?”
“Sa-hyeong, you haven't been able to eat this delicious thing.”
When I unfolded the paper, a hard rice cake came out from inside, I don't know
how many days had passed.
“The other Sa-hyeong said it was a really delicious rice cake.”
Sa-ryeon, who was standing beside me, covered her mouth.
“Gye Sa-hyeong distributed this.”
“......Aren't you going to eat?”
“I, I’m fine. I ate a lot of meat that day.”
How difficult is it for children from poor families at this age to endure
eating?
Dong-ryong was looking at my face with sparkling eyes.
I put the hard rice cake into my mouth with an expectant heart, like when I ate a spirit pill.
“How is it? Is it delicious? Sa-hyeong?”
“Yes. It’s so delicious. This is so delicious that I have to eat it all.
Dong-ryong, you go and eat the sugar candy.”
“Yes. I’m fine just eating sugar candy.”
Dong-ryong ran toward the sugar candy as if satisfied.
“......Isn't it hard because it’s old?”
“It’s like a stone....... But it’s delicious.”
“......Ugh.”
“As expected, it makes no sense for such a wonderful martial sect to be insulted by thugs, right?”
“......What are you talking about?”
“There’s something like that. Can I go to the Cheol-geom-mun too?”
“......You want to go there?”
“To see the Ssang-rang-cheol-geom, and people will come from the Nam-gung Clan too, right?”
When I gave the same reason as in my past life, Hong Sa-ryeon shook her head.
“Do as you please. The Outer Hall Master is attending anyway.”
<><><>
The carriage procession of the Gye-ryong Merchant Guild heading to the
Cheol-geom-mun was nothing short of splendid.
When Gye Cheol-yeong was at the stage of entering martial arts, the
Cheol-geom-mun suggested a position as a lay disciple to Gye Cheol-yeong, but the position of a lay disciple without ‘special admission’ was not a very sweet position for Gye Cheol-yeong or Gye Yeon-seok.
Even so, a person who does business based in Hap-bi could not help but be wary of the Cheol-geom-mun, and the price for that was manifested in this splendid golden carriage.
As they got closer to the Cheol-geom-mun, Gang Chae-seok, the Hall Master of the Kwae-hwa-dang, showed his fierce face.
Still, the fact that Gang Chae-seok, the strongest of the Tae-eul Sect, followed as an escort was the Sect Leader's consideration for any possible situation that might arise.
“There is something you must keep when you go to the Cheol-geom-mun.”
“What is it?”
“Absolutely do not act rashly.”
“I do not act rashly, though.”
“Tsk. You are already acting rashly.”
Gang Chae-seok said with his eyes wide open.
“Don't you know well what I am talking about?”
“I want to endure it, but what should I do if people around me keep touching
me?”
“Aren’t I telling you not to do that!”
If it were normal, this nagging would have been the share of my father, Jin
Tae-san. For some reason, Jin Tae-san could not relax his heavy expression.
“I understand. But what if they keep picking fights anyway?”
“This guy?!”
“Ah, I understand. Then even if they insult the sect and our ancestors are
insulted, I will endure it and move on.”
“......Are you in a rebellious phase, you brat?”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
Anyway, as long as we are going to the Cheol-geom-mun, it is decided that the Tae-eul Sect will be insulted.
Isn't there no such thing as a perfect subordinate under a superior who is
determined to find fault?
“Act like a gentleman as much as possible, and don't step on poop
unnecessarily.”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
“.......”
At the entrance of the Cheol-geom-mun, a huge crowd was already lined up to go inside.
The lines for people without luggage were diverse, so they were not that long, but the carriage procession had only one line, so it was long.
We lined up on the carriage procession side and had no choice but to wait for a long time.
“They say the influence of the Cheol-geom-mun is great, and it really is.”
Jin Tae-san’s words were full of bitterness.
“Where is the influence of the Cheol-geom-mun in this? They must be people who came thinking they would stamp their faces on the Chief Strategist and Elder of the Murim Alliance since they are attending.”
“Hehe, I wonder if we can invite them to our Sect Leader’s 60th birthday too?”
“Keke. As the Outer Hall Master, can you handle this crowd?”
“Even if I can't handle it, I wish I could experience it once.”
While we were talking like that for a long time, another carriage and procession came running from far away, kicking up sandstorms.
“Excuse me. Please clear the way so we can join.”
At the out-of-the-blue words, the Gye-ryong Merchant Guild Leader shouted angrily.
“Don't say stupid things and go to the back and line up. Do you know how long we’ve been waiting?”
“That friend standing in front of you is a guard of our Ja-cheong Merchant
Guild. If you keep being uncooperative like this, it won't be fun.”
Next to the person who appeared to be the representative of the Ja-cheong
Merchant Guild warriors dressed in blue martial uniforms were lined up.
Looking at their momentum and atmosphere, they were not ordinary guards.
The one who appeared to be the representative stepped forward and clasped his hands.
“I am Yu Mun-chung, the Hyeol-juk-dae [Blood Bamboo Troop] Master of
Cheong-juk-bo [Green Bamboo Fort] from Nam-gyeong. Due to the long journey, fatigue has accumulated, so I sent people ahead. Please understand.”
When the words Cheong-juk-bo came out, Gye Yeon-seok’s pupils began to shake violently.
Cheong-juk-bo was one of the sects that was making the most name for itself in Nam-gyeong, Gang-so Province.
To make a rough comparison, could it be considered about the level of the
Cheol-geom-mun in Nam-gyeong?
“.......”
While Gye Yeon-seok couldn't do this or that.
Pushing past the Cheong-juk-bo Troop Master, a young man came out and spoke in a slurred, pick-a-fight tone.
“Hey! I see it’s like a small merchant guild, but if you don't want to see the
guards next to you get hurt, get out of the way.”
The guy’s gaze did not leave Hong Sa-ryeon’s face.
And the triumphant sneer drawn on his lips.
‘That bastard knows.’
I could be sure.
The guy definitely knows who we are and which sect we are from.
It is not a coincidence that there is no sect worse than us among those standing in front of us.
If I treat this simply as a coincidence, I cannot survive in this Kang-ho world
where schemes are rampant.
In the Murim world where swords go out before the law, stretching your feet
without even looking at where to lie down? It’s a perfect situation to get your ankles cut.
It’s a situation a little different from the past, but if I show a weak appearance from here, I won't be able to do anything once I go inside the
Cheol-geom-mun.
Furthermore, that ill-mannered guy is already someone I know.
As I was about to step forward, Gang Chae-seok stopped me.
“Didn't I tell you not to act rashly.”
“No, they are insulting our Tae-eul Sect right now. Now is the time to step up.”
“No, in the first place, you can’t handle that guy.......”
I didn't listen to Gang Chae-seok’s words any longer and stepped forward.
Gu Yang-sa, the Juk-yeom-gong-ja [Bamboo Salt Young Master] of the
Cheong-juk-bo.
Right now, he’s just a brat who can't distinguish between shit and pee, but later, when he goes to the Murim Alliance, his arrogant personality fits perfectly with Gye Cheol-yeong, and he becomes a dog-like rascal who hangs around like sworn brothers.
Naturally, it wasn't once or twice that he used the disciples of the Tae-eul
Sect as if they were his subordinates.
His current martial arts level is slightly better than Gye Cheol-yeong’s.
“The Gye-ryong Merchant Guild is indeed a pathetic, beggar-like merchant guild. But we are not people who can be ignored from Ja-juk-bo? Origin!”
“Huh, this guy dares!”
Gu Yang-sa, as if waiting, uncrossed his arms and tried to draw his sword
without delay.
I approached a step ahead of Gu Yang-sa, unfolded the Yeon-hwa [Lotus Flower], which is the I-hwa-jeop-mok-sul [Pear Flower Grafting Technique] of the Yu-un-mun, sheathed his sword, turned him once, and stood him on the opposite side.
“Wow!”
“Ho! Which sect is that young man from?”
Those who had been waiting boredly let out exclamations as if they had something to watch, and in proportion to that, Gu Yang-sa’s face turned bright red.
The moment Gu Yang-sa tried to draw his sword again, I said.
“Are you trying to see blood at someone else’s banquet? It seems you are indeed from a sect with no foundation.”
“......You, how dare you.......”
The moment Gu Yang-sa, who had drawn his sword halfway, tried to jump forward as if he didn't care about hand-to-hand combat.
A clear voice rang through the hall.
“Stop.”
A beautiful woman with red cheeks appeared, cutting through the crowd.
People couldn't take their eyes off her appearance, wearing splendid ceremonial clothes and makeup. It was Seong Mo-ran, the younger sister among the Ssang-rang-cheol-geom [Twin Wolves Iron Swords].
“It’s Mi-rang-cheol-geom [Beauty-Wolf Iron Sword]!”
“Is the Hyeol-rang-cheol-geom [Blood-Wolf Iron Sword] with her too?”
Seong Mo-ran, the Mi-rang-cheol-geom, who was looking around the hall, said to Gu Yang-sa.
“Did you come to see blood at my grandfather’s birthday?”
“......Ah, th, that.”
Where had the guy who was full of arrogance until a little while ago gone, the guy whose face turned red was stammering and couldn't answer.
“And the Cheol-geom-mun has not set a rule that one can reserve a line in
advance. So go back and wait for your turn.”
It was the words of a girl who had not yet even reached twenty, but the weight of those words was heavy.
The Ja-cheong Merchant Guild and the Cheong-juk-bo went to the back of the line with their shoulders drooping as if they had been hit by a big blow.
“I heard you are from the Tae-eul Sect and the Gye-ryong Merchant Guild.”
Seong Mo-ran, the Mi-rang-cheol-geom’s gaze swept around us steadily.
“I will apologize for what just happened. It’s hard to say it’s a substitute,
but may I escort you?”
Everyone who was lined up in a long line looked at us with eyes full of envy.
<><><>