Chapter 679: It’s been a long time!

“Will you be alright…?”

This was what Nahi asked me as I was walking down the road, right after Beomdong disappeared with the Flying Dragon Brigade.

I glanced at Nahi and asked, “About what?”

As I looked and asked, Nahi lowered her head and replied, “I’m worried if it was okay to let the Flying Dragon Brigade Leader go so easily….”

“Why. You don’t think that level of threat would be effective?”

“…”

Seeing Nahi like that, I chuckled. No answer came to my words. I suppose that means yes. I understand Nahi’s concern. ‘She probably doesn’t understand why I only used this much when there were better ways.’ All I did to Beomdong was, at best, threaten his family. I didn’t place any restrictions on him, nor did I corrupt him into a demon. ‘I could have, but I didn’t.’ I had already planted demonic energy in him, so I could have crushed him anytime. If I wanted to place restrictions, I could have placed as many as I wanted, but I didn’t. Because there was a reason I had to.

“You don’t need to worry. I have something planned.”

“However. What if the Leader reveals what happened….”

“That won’t happen.” The words about having his daughter secured. That should be enough for Beomdong. ‘He’s the type to care deeply about his daughter.’ I heard in my past life that he had a child. It was something I learned when Beomdong defected and became a demon. Once the fact that he had hidden his child in Hubei became known, the Peng family stepped in and took Beomdong’s child hostage. I wondered if he would still care about his child now that he had become a demon. Surprisingly, as soon as the news spread, Beomdong went to the Peng family alone. As a result, Beomdong was killed by the Peng family. Even after becoming a demon, he went to Hubei alone for his daughter, so I could tell his feelings for his blood were extraordinary. ‘Even if that weren’t the case.’ That wouldn’t matter either.

“There’s a way to use him anyway. Just focus on what you were told.”

“…Understood.”

Nahi nodded and lowered her head. Seeing Nahi like that, I asked, “What about her?” When I mentioned the crazy bitch who just wrecked the Flying Dragon Brigade, Nahi carefully gave her answer.

“As you commanded, I gagged her and tied her up in the corner of her quarters.”

“Good job. Keep a close eye on her. She’ll probably wake up within two hours.” Then she’ll probably go wild again. Just imagining it gave me a headache. ‘I didn’t want to call her if I could help it.’ She’s not just any ordinary person, so I tried not to use her unless absolutely necessary. But she was the only one who fit the plan perfectly, so I had no choice.

“Report immediately when that spear-wielding brat wakes up.”

“Yes.”

“Any word from Ji-seon?”

“There was a report that he had departed.”

“Then he should arrive within a few days.” It would be convenient if he arrived within five days, at least.

“Then, check on the Cheonra Brigade Leader. Compile only what’s happening on Noonim’s side and send it to me by tomorrow.”

“I obey your command.”

After finishing speaking, Nahi bowed respectfully and concealed herself.

“Hmm.”

After sending Nahi away, I looked around. The time was moving from early morning towards noon. Shit like this happening since morning is really pissing me off. ‘It seems like it’s past lunchtime.’ From this point on, I had to think a bit. The time we agreed to eat together had long passed. Since I had already sent word that something happened while heading to Beomdong, they must have eaten already. ‘Still, it feels a bit awkward to go train now.’ There was an important matter today, of all days, to start afternoon training. Since I have free time, it would be best to finish that first.

“…Tsk.”

Right after organizing my plans, I clicked my tongue. I know it’s an unavoidable situation, but to think I’d lose this much time to a guy like Beomdong. ‘I guess I should just go take care of some business.’ Thinking that, I started walking.

---

The place I headed straight for was the Baekhwa Merchant Guild. Specifically, the room of the Guild Leader, located on the highest floor.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

As I entered the room, Madam Mi was visible. As always, Madam Mi was looking at the pile of letters filling her desk. Among the stacks of letters, a single flower caught my eye. It seemed like the flower I gifted her before heading to the Northern Sea. ‘It hasn’t wilted yet?’ A flower’s lifespan isn’t that long, so it’s quite amazing that it’s being maintained so vividly.

Rustle.

The sound of Madam Mi turning pages filled the room. Her appearance reminded me of Moyong Hi-ah, whom I saw last time. She learns from Madam Mi, perhaps she’s gradually becoming like her? ‘Should I consider that good or bad?’ As I was watching Madam Mi with a somewhat subtle expression.

“I heard something happened.”

“…”

At Madam Mi’s words, I had to give an awkward smile. Oh dear. ‘She already heard.’ She was probably referring to the incident where Beomdong visited this morning. I came straight here after finishing that, and I didn’t expect Madam Mi to know already.

“…It wasn’t anything major.”

As I said awkwardly, Madam Mi’s gaze, which had been on the letters, turned to me. “The leader of the Alliance came to see you, and you say it was nothing major?” At her somewhat sharp gaze, I swallowed dryly. Even as my cultivation increases, my father’s gaze or Madam Mi’s eyes are strangely hard to bear.

“I know the Alliance is watching the merchant guild. But for them to seek you out, not me…. Could it be because of the friction you had with the Branch Manager last time?”

“…”

At Madam Mi’s words, I widened my eyes slightly. She knew even that?

“No, well…. I resolved it properly.” I couldn’t bring myself to deny it, so I said it evasively. ‘It’s not a lie, so it should be fine, right? I did resolve it.’ At my words, Madam Mi calmly stared into my eyes. The gaze was burdensome, and I wanted to look away, but I forced myself to endure it. After a brief silence passed.

“Can I help you clear it?”

“…Pardon?”

At Madam Mi’s softly spoken words, I had to give a dumbfounded reply. Help clear it?

“What do you mean?”

“If you wish for it, say so.”

“No….”

I tried to speak but kept stopping myself. Because I think I knew what Madam Mi was offering to clear. ‘Does she mean she can clear it if I ask her to?’ I know Madam Mi meant she could help clear out the Flying Dragon Brigade. No matter how renowned the Baekhwa Merchant Guild is in the Central Plains, I wonder if they could eliminate one of the Alliance’s Sword Brigades…. Putting that aside.

“It’s alright. I can handle it myself.”

Even if it were possible, I had no intention of accepting Madam Mi’s help. I decided to do it myself from the start, and this is no different. Hearing my answer, Madam Mi nodded slightly.

“I understand.”

It was an attitude of not asking twice. Then she immediately averted her gaze and looked only at the letters. As expected, she was sharp as a blade. Since this wasn’t the main reason I came to see Madam Mi, it didn’t matter much to me either.

“There is something I wish to ask.”

“Speak.”

“What is the matter with the Family Head?”

Pause.

At my question, Madam Mi paused from looking at the letters and turned her gaze back to me. “I believe he sent you a separate letter.”

“Yes, I did see it, but….” Madam Mi did hand me the letter containing my father’s message, but. ‘Something feels off.’ Even though it clearly had my father’s handwriting and tone.

“I was wondering if something might have happened.”

“…”

Hearing my question, Madam Mi’s gaze shifted subtly. I could tell worry had crept into her eyes. That alone was enough to know something had indeed happened. So I waited for her answer.

“I’ve thought about it, but… I cannot tell you yet.” A disappointing answer came from Madam Mi’s lips. Just as I was about to console myself with disappointment.

“You haven’t yet inherited the family’s legacy, so… it cannot be helped.”

“…!”

At the words that followed, my eyes instantly turned cold.

“I understand.”

Finishing my reply, I quickly turned my head. Because I was able to glean much information from Madam Mi’s words just now. ‘Cannot tell me yet.’ More precisely, the family’s legacy. It meant she couldn’t tell me, who hadn’t taken the position of Young Master. That means. ‘The Young Master can hear it. Which means something significant has happened to Father.’ Furthermore, since it’s a situation where this cannot be spoken of carelessly, Madam Mi must have deliberately spoken indirectly. Madam Mi would never make such a slip of the tongue, so she must have intentionally passed the information to me.

“…Thank you.”

I bowed respectfully to Madam Mi. In response, Madam Mi also nodded lightly. It meant my thoughts were correct.

‘…So, it seems something has happened to Father.’ I understand that family matters are being delayed in coming. ‘This is tricky.’ It’s awkward to investigate the matter. It’s also awkward to interfere. As Madam Mi said, I haven’t inherited the legacy yet. ‘It means I just have to wait for now.’ If it’s like this, it seems better to just go find Gu Huibi. ‘I need to ask about Grandfather too.’ Also, I can’t keep having people watch Cheonma indefinitely. ‘…They said he noticed them long ago. So I have to go.’ Cheonma had apparently noticed the people already placed around him. Because of that, they couldn’t get close, or so I heard.

‘Tsk.’

In any case, nothing seems to resolve smoothly. That’s just how my life is. Feeling uneasy, I said to Madam Mi.

“My important business is finished, so I will take my leave now.”

“Where do you plan to go now?”

These were the words I heard just as I bowed respectfully and was about to leave.

“I think I’ll head towards the Alliance.”

“The Martial Alliance….”

Hearing my destination, Madam Mi added. “So, it seems you plan to go today.”

Hearing Madam Mi’s words, I scratched my cheek. She seemed to have figured out the reason for going, just by hearing the destination. Conversations are quite difficult. This is why smart people are inconvenient. Especially smart people you can’t hit are the most difficult.

“…If I go in a few days, there will be too many people, which seems bothersome.”

“Alright, have a safe trip.”

“…Yes.”

Ending my reply, I truly stepped outside the door. Now, I had to get going. My business was done, so I immediately started walking. I left the merchant guild and moved towards the Martial Alliance. The reason I was heading there would be correct, as Madam Mi predicted. ‘It’s about that time.’

A particularly bustling scene. The path leading to the Alliance was crowded with far more people than usual. The reason for such a crowd was none other than this. With the Martial Arts Tournament less than ten days away, today was the first day applications for participation were being accepted. Thanks to that, martial artists were seen in greater numbers than usual. And the crowd that came to see those martial artists was immense. Moreover. ‘In about five days, it’ll probably explode even more than this.’ This is just the first day, but in five days, it’ll be much more packed. That’s also the last day for applications… and besides. ‘The prestigious families and noble clans will all show up that day.’ It was also the time when all the renowned martial artists would gather. It would be convenient if I came and finished on the first day, but those prestigious families and noble clans will surely try to come on the last day. The reason for that is. ‘They’ll think it looks bad to come right from the first day.’ Didn’t they say the protagonist appears at the end? Those people will try to come late, citing reasons of status and face. They don’t want to come on the first day for fear of showing they’ve been eagerly awaiting this trivial tournament. The middle is awkward, and since everyone else gathers on the last day to show off their imposing presence, they can’t afford to miss out either. Therefore, they will predictably do the same. ‘All that politics and face… Tsk.’ Why do they live so tiringly? They should just live more casually. ‘It’s good for me since I can pass through easily thanks to them.’ Considering it will be packed with people, it’s better to finish quickly because those guys are acting that way. That’s why I made time to come here from the first day.

Pushing through the crowd, I walked slowly until I finally reached my destination. I couldn’t enter the Martial Alliance’s headquarters. Only the entrance area in front was open. Normally, even that wouldn’t be open, but since they needed to accept applications, it was opened only for today.

“Line up properly!”

As soon as I entered, I heard a voice. A Martial Alliance warrior was struggling to maintain order against the crowd, and within, I could hear other martial artists whispering.

“…Uh, isn’t that guy the Heaven-Piercing Radiant Sword (先千武光劍)?”

“What!? Isn’t he the young master famous in the Central Plains these days!”

It was a name I heard for the first time. Heaven-piercing what…? ‘What a damn long alias.’ Why use more than five characters? It’s hard to memorize.

“No, how could a wandering swordsman who has only been active in Qinghai recently come all the way here?”

“He probably thought Qinghai was too small to contain him. It must be his intention to spread his name further.”

“I see…. As expected of the Heaven-Piercing Radiant Sword. I heard he surpassed the peak stage well beyond his early twenties….”

“What…!? If that’s true… it truly is an incredible feat.”

He doesn’t seem to say anything himself, but they’re making a fuss, playing drums and janggu all by themselves. This is why I hate crowded places.

“That, that man! Isn’t he the Wave-Concealing Righteous Sword (昧波正設劍) who dominates Sichuan!?”

“Look, next to him is the Wind-Arriving Encircling Fist (風臨圍彈拳)!”

Every time I walked, all sorts of aliases could be heard from all directions. The reactions whenever they were mentioned were significant, suggesting they were famous martial artists, even if I didn’t know them. ‘…I thought I’d been keeping up with worldly affairs lately.’ It was filled with people I had never heard of, not just now, but even in my past life. It makes me wonder if I was really that uninterested in martial artists. ‘Well, considering they gather so many martial artists and even rank them.’ Things like the Top 100 or Top 10 Masters are rumors created because others are interested in them. It’s probably strange that I don’t know them.

“And that man…!”

“Next to him!”

I kept hearing surprised shouts, so I ignored them and moved forward. I could feel the reactions getting more intense. I need to finish this quickly and go train. ‘This spot should be fine.’ I happened to find a spot with a shorter line and casually took my place. Despite the large crowd, the lines weren’t that long. The reason was simple. Most people were spectators, and far fewer martial artists intended to participate. ‘After all, you can’t even apply without a recommendation letter.’ This tournament required a recommendation letter sent by the Alliance to participate. In other words, you needed to have some reputation. ‘That means recognized famous martial artists from the Alliance will come, attracting the crowd to watch them.’ It seems like a well-crafted way to attract people. Anyway, the Martial Alliance seems good at creating things like this.

“Next!”

There were several lines, and since it was the first day, people moved quickly, and it became my turn. I quickly approached the registrar and handed over the letter I had in my possession. The registrar, looking utterly exhausted, took the letter and opened it.

“…From the Gu family… huh?”

After taking and reading the letter, his eyes widened considerably. Seeing that, I frowned. ‘Uh oh, this doesn’t look good.’ A bad premonition struck me.

“No way, So, Soyeom.”

As expected. Just as the registrar was about to utter ‘that’ and screw me over.

“It’s the Divine Dragon (神龍)!”

A shout from somewhere drowned out his voice.

“Divine Dragon? The Divine Dragon? Has Shaolin’s genius come here?”

At the shout, people started murmuring. I was no different. The Divine Dragon? Could it be the one I know? ‘Not five days later, but the bald monk showed up on the first day?’ I thought Shaolin would definitely come on the last day, but why did they come so early? My gaze, filled with such questions, turned in one direction.

“Hey man, that’s not the Divine Dragon!.”

Someone started correcting the person who first shouted.

“You need to be precise. That person is the former Divine Dragon!”

‘Hmm?’

Hearing that, I had to tilt my head. Former Divine Dragon? ‘If it’s the previous Divine Dragon…?’ If it’s the one who held the position of Divine Dragon before Shaolin’s Divine Dragon, as far as I know, there’s only one person. As my gaze shifted, a familiar figure caught my eye. An appearance as if painted black from head to toe. I saw a young man wearing a sword at his waist, symbolizing his martial arts. A raw talent who would later be called the Sword Emperor (刀帝) and establish himself as a leading master of the Central Plains. The former Divine Dragon. Peng Woojin of the Peng family was there. ‘No, why is that guy here already?’ After confirming it was Peng Woojin, I nodded. It had been a while since I last saw him, but I never expected to run into him here. As I watched the spot with a strange expression, Peng Woojin seemed to notice and looked towards me as well. Soon, our eyes met. At that moment.

“Oh.”

Peng Woojin reacted.

“Who is this!!”

And with an incredibly loud voice at that.

“Wait….”

“The pride of the Gu family in Shanxi-! Isn’t it Young Master Ouyang Cheon! Hahahaha!!!!”

“…”

Fuck.