episode_0116

Hangu So-san (萧山).

Located near the seaside in Hangu, it was a bustling place with a port where people gathered.

A guesthouse in that So-san.

On the second floor of a fairly large guesthouse with the name “Fenghua Guesthouse (風和客棧),” there were three people: one handsome man, one imposing man with a bear-like appearance, and three women with their faces covered by veils.

It was an unusual combination, to say the least.

Of course, they were accompanied by Bang So-un.

“I’ve lived in Hangu for a long time, but it’s my first time coming to So-san.”

Jang-il spoke up.

“If you’re not going to ride a boat, there’s no reason to come here, right?”

Bang So-un chuckled.

“Haha, that’s true.”

Jang-il nodded and continued, “This is my first time riding a boat.”

Their destination this time was an island.

It was Haenam Island in the south.

A famous island in the martial world known for the Haenam Faction.

Upon hearing the information that the top expert of Haenam Island, Mu Yeong-bi, had been hiding there for over ten years, Bang So-un was convinced.

It was an ideal goal.

The lack of influence was the first reason.

The second reason was that it was a secluded island with little attention.

Lastly, they could use it as a pretext to act freely on the mainland.

“Haha, yes. Let’s go to Haenam Island and think carefully.”

Bang So-un laughed.

Inviting a master who had hidden himself in Haenam was a perfect plan.

It was a tale that could show how highly Jang-il valued talent in the world.

Of course, it was just a facade, and the reality inside would not be any different from before.

“Oh, by the way, sir. Do you think we might provoke the Haenam Faction?”

Jang-il suddenly asked with a worried expression.

The Haenam Faction.

A prestigious martial arts faction famous for its swift swords, they used to be a prominent faction located outside the old faction’s headquarters.

Even now, they were competing fiercely with the Hyeongsan Faction, which had taken their place, hoping to return to their former glory.

Considering their power and influence, it was not unreasonable for Jang-il to worry.

However.

“Do you think we’ll provoke them? We won’t cause any trouble in their territory, so they won’t pay attention to us either.”

Bang So-un reassured him.

While they might be famous figures in Hangu, they would be unknown in Haenam Island.

As long as they stayed quiet, there was no reason for them to clash.

“Hehe, you’re right.”

Relieved by Bang So-un’s confidence, Jang-il smiled again.

Just then.

Two men came up to the second floor of the guesthouse where they were.

They were clearly well-trained at first glance.

You could tell they were martial artists just by looking at them.

Moreover.

The pattern of waves on their military tops.

Bang So-un’s expression changed when he noticed it.

Because it was the symbol of the Haenam Faction.

“Interesting. The tiger does come when you call.”

Bang So-un used his fingers to inform Jang-il that they were from the Haenam Faction.

“Huh? Ha… Hm.”

Jang-il, who was about to blurt out that they were from Haenam Faction, quickly covered his mouth.

Indeed, Jang-il was much more cautious than when he first arrived.

The Haenam Faction men didn’t seem to sense anything unusual either.

The Haenam Faction men sitting on the opposite side of the window started a conversation.

“Hangu is truly bustling. It’s so different from the mainland, it’s hard to adapt.”

“Haha, they say ‘Sang-yu Cheon-dang, Ha-yu So-hang.’ Such words don’t come about for no reason.”

“Yes, it’s truly remarkable, Sahaeng.”

They seemed like executioners and priests.

Bang So-un and Jang-il listened intently to their conversation.

The man from the Haenam Faction spoke again.

“And aren’t the women here truly exceptional as well? The saying that the women of Hangju and Soju are the best doesn’t seem like an empty compliment, haha.”

“Um, talking about executions here is a bit… inappropriate…”

The priest seemed a bit embarrassed.

But Sahyeong didn’t seem to care at all.

“I’m just stating a fact, what’s the big deal? I was even giving a compliment.”

“Well, still…”

“If you knew this would happen, should have visited that famous tavern, Jukhwaru, huh? It might have made the expenses a bit more serious.”

“Uh, Jukhwaru? If you have something to say about that, please do it on the way back…”

The mention of Jukhwaru came out of their mouths.

A faint smile involuntarily appeared on Bang So-un’s lips.

Because the true owner of the famous Jukhwaru was none other than Sahyeong.

At that moment.

Jeomso-i came up and placed the ordered dish in front of the Hangnam faction members.

Somyeon.

Despite the name of the Hangnam faction, the price seemed steep.

It was understandable why they couldn’t visit Jukhwaru.

Slurp.

As they ate the Somyeon, a different conversation flowed out of their mouths.

“But about that matter.”

“What matter?”

“A few days ago, a message arrived from Jeonseogu…”

“Oh, that matter.”

“Yes, it must be something that the Great Sahyeong is confident about, but I have some concerns…”

“Haha.”

Sahyeong put down his chopsticks and laughed.

“I see now, the priest really doesn’t know the true abilities of the Great Sahyeong.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“The Great Sahyeong achieved the Nanhae Thirty-Six Swords to the level of ten stars a year ago.”

“W-what?!”

The priest was genuinely surprised.

The Nanhae Thirty-Six Swords was the highest martial art that could be considered the symbol and essence of the Hangnam faction.

To achieve such a high level was already an extraordinary feat.

“So, even if it’s the Geombong, they wouldn’t be able to match up to the Great Sahyeong. Whether you like it or not.”

Continuing Sahyeong’s words.

Bang So-un’s ears perked up.

“Geombong?”

It was the second time he had heard that term recently.

Ever since hearing that Geombong was the one who turned the Chuhon Salgui into a beggar, he had thought that it was a prey that couldn’t be targeted until the time was right.

But now that title was popping up again here?

It piqued his interest.

“The Great Sahyeong achieving ten stars is truly remarkable. Whether it’s true or not. But is this Geombong going to become a member of our faction?”

“Haha, maybe we should start calling him brother-in-law in advance.”

“Wait, what is this? Could it be a fight over marriage?”

It was a precise guess.

The origin of this was a remark made by Geombong at a gathering of late-stage female warriors.

– Marriage… You all seem to find boring topics quite entertaining. As for me? I have no interest at all. It’s full of boring men. But who knows, if there is a man stronger than me, I might be interested.

The words she spoke directly at that gathering.

As those words spread throughout the martial world, it became almost like a legend that Geombong declared, ‘I will marry a man stronger than me.’

Yet Geombong didn’t bother to confirm or deny the rumor.

It was unclear whether he thought it was bothersome or if he simply didn’t see the value in doing so.

Perhaps there was a slight hope that he could even fight against a strong man.

In any case, it seemed that the movements of the sword were definitely related to that.

And then, it happened.

The sound of someone coming up to the second floor could be heard.

The sound of one person’s footsteps.

“Tedious.”

A muttering sound from Najeok.

Naturally, the gaze of the people on the second floor turned towards that direction.

And then.

“Huh?!”

“Uh, ugh?!”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

The men’s eyes bulged out as if they were about to pop.

There were even some who gasped.

A beauty.

A stunning beauty with overwhelming charm was there.

Her beauty was so high that even the proud Bongsowoon and Jangildo couldn’t take their eyes off her.

She was only the second woman to possess such beauty.

Gangnam’s top beauty, Hwangboseol.

She was the first after Bongsowoon’s wife.

The only one who could compare was Eunhwayoung Jeong.

‘…Who on earth is that woman?’

It had been a long time since someone’s identity had piqued Bongsowoon’s curiosity to this extent.

And then.

“Are you guys from Haenampacho?”

The stunning beauty looked directly at the Haenampacho members and asked.

“Y-yes, we are.”

The executioner replied with a flustered expression.

Both the executioner and the priest had flushed faces.

It was surely a natural reaction to seeing a beauty of that level for the first time.

No, any man would have that kind of reaction.

“Lead the way.”

“What? W-who are you to say such a thing to a soldier…?”

“Yuseoryeong.”

“Ah… I see now, you’re Soldier Yu. But…”

“I don’t particularly like it, but I go by the nickname Geombong. Is that clear now?”

At that moment.

“Uh, uh…?!”

“Uh, u-uh…”

The executioner and the priest froze in shock.

‘That woman is Geombong…?!’

Bongsowoon’s eyes widened in shock.