Chapter 151: Banquet (2)

Friendless Seojun tagged along with Namgung Myeong to socialize with his companions.

There was Cheongsong of the Qingcheng Sect, Muhye of the Wudang Sect, and Eun Wiryong of the Diancang Sect.

To be precise, Eun Wiryong had been dragged along by Cheongsong.

“Haha, you’re having fun too, aren’t you?”

“Fun, my ass. What’s so special about young disciples hanging around together?”

Eun Wiryong clicked his tongue and slumped back in his chair.

Watching him, Cheongsong chuckled.

“Come now, at least share some of your troubles with us. We even have the great Senior Heavenly True Qi here with us.”

“…You ran your mouth again, didn’t you?”

Eun Wiryong shot Cheongsong a glare, but he didn’t even pretend to be intimidated.

“Senior, what do you think? This fellow’s been wasting time lately, drifting around without any motivation, hasn’t he?”

At the sociable Cheongsong’s question, Seojun rolled his eyes.

“Well… that happens sometimes.”

“See there? Even Senior agrees, so who are you to argue? Frankly speaking, what’s the point of learning martial arts anyway? Those destined to succeed will succeed, and those who aren’t, won’t.”

“But you can’t know that without trying, can you?”

“Must you reach for stars you’ll never touch? Stop talking nonsense and put something in your mouth.”

Eun Wiryong skewered a large piece of meat with his chopsticks and shoved it into Cheongsong’s mouth.

As Cheongsong quieted down, Muhye spoke up.

“Don’t you want to witness the pinnacle of martial arts? Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping, why do you keep running from it?”

Still speaking like a man.

When this delicate-looking woman suddenly spoke up bluntly, Eun Wiryong frowned.

“Who are you kidding? That’s easy talk for geniuses like you. Ordinary people like me have not a prayer.”

“Without even trying—”

“Enough! If this is how it’s going to go, I’m leaving.”

Eun Wiryong shot Cheongsong a withering glare.

“You drag me here when I said I wouldn’t come…”

Cheongsong swallowed his mouthful of meat and smiled wryly.

“Come on, why are you being like this? Try getting along with people a bit.”

“…”

Eun Wiryong didn’t respond, just picked at the food on the table.

As the atmosphere grew heavy, Namgung Myeong spoke up carefully.

“Cheongsong, don’t press him too hard either. Young Expert Eun must have his reasons. There are many things worth attention in this world besides martial arts.”

“I don’t particularly care about anything else either.”

At his words, Namgung Myeong awkwardly fell silent.

Eun Wiryong soon released a deep sigh and stood up.

“I’ll step out for some air.”

After he vanished, Cheongsong scratched his head sheepishly.

“My apologies, Senior. I planned this gathering to help that struggling friend, but I’ve unintentionally caused trouble instead.”

“No, it’s… these things happen.”

Everyone acts like that at this age.

Whether it’s simply late adolescent or youthful wandering, it was easier to think of it as a rebellious phase.

“Haha, thank you for understanding.”

Cheongsong grinned and cupped his fists.

After some light conversation, Namgung Myeong glanced at Seojun.

“By the way, Brother, since you’re here anyway, how about interacting with some other people?”

“Other people?”

Seojun poked his head up to scan the room.

Young disciples were clustered in their own groups. Among them, he spotted Chunbong delivering some passionate speech with animated gestures.

My Chunbong’s having a blast.

Seojun smiled warmly and shook his head.

“Nah. I’m more comfortable hanging out with old folks.”

“Is that so?”

Haha! A burst of laughter erupted.

“What did you just say?”

A sharp voice suddenly sliced through the banquet hall.

Instantly, everyone’s attention snapped in that direction. Seojun also looked over and spotted a familiar figure.

“Future sister-in-law?”

“Pardon?”

Namgung Myeong stared at Seojun in shock.

“Isn’t she?”

“Nothing has been decided yet!”

“Ah. That kind of situation? Got it.”

When Seojun grinned wickedly, Namgung Myeong’s eyes darted around nervously.

Anyway, teasing aside.

From the rough situation, it looked like Hwangbo Hyeji was arguing with someone.

And who was that someone?

“Oh.”

Eun Wiryong.

He’d claimed he was getting fresh air, but apparently a fight had broken out instead.

“Young Lady Hwangbo, you are creating unnecessary trouble for yourself. If your mother’s words matter so much, why don’t you ask her to live your life for you as well?”

“…Are your words not rather harsh?”

“What did I say that was wrong? Your life is yours to live, not for your mother to control. Do you believe you’ll be able to change anything if you regret it down the line?”

Crack! Hwangbo Hyeji ground her teeth.

She glared at him with blazing eyes and spat back.

“Why don’t you fix yourself first, Young Expert Eun? How long do you think your master will just sit back and watch you act so pathetically?”

“What did you just—”

“All of this brings shame to your master’s face. If I were your master, I would have disciplined you several times already!”

“I was offering advice!”

“Offer advice one more time and one of us may end up dying.”

Pretty savage.

Seojun’s eyes darted around.

“Myeong. Myeong?”

“…Yes, Brother.”

“How about heading over to mediate? Go look after sister-in-law.”

“Yes…”

Namgung Myeong couldn’t even think to object and stood up.

Seojun then turned to Cheongsong.

“You go handle your friend too.”

“What in the world…”

Cheongsong looked thoroughly flustered this time as well.

He pondered with a grave expression, then cupped his fists and bowed to Seojun.

“Senior. I’m truly sorry, but could you please speak with that friend?”

“Me? Wouldn’t you be better than me?”

“He’s not usually like this. It seems he’s developed an inner demon from his troubles… For martial arts guidance, you would surely be superior to me, Senior.”

“I thought you said this wasn’t about martial arts though.”

“No. Wiryong was more passionate about martial arts than anyone. For him to be suddenly behaving this way… I can’t think of any other reason besides martial arts.”

“Hmm…”

Man, I seriously don’t wanna.

Glancing toward where the argument had occurred, he saw Namgung Myeong comforting Hwangbo Hyeji.

Eun Wiryong was nowhere to be seen.

“Ugh…”

Seojun released a deep sigh and stood.

“You can’t blame me if things go wrong, got it?”

“Of course! Thank you, Senior! I will certainly repay this kindness!”

Eun Wiryong could be found outside the building.

In a secluded area, he swung his sword through the air, his heavily contorted expression reflecting his turbulent emotions.

“Huu…!”

He exhaled deeply and slowly thrust his sword forward.

Dense inner qi gathered at the tip, shimmering, then extended fully to pierce the air.

This definitely ain’t the swordsmanship of someone calling martial arts pointless.

This wasn’t a technique achievable through casually learned martial arts.

It was an achievement that could not be attained at his age without wholeheartedly dedicating oneself to the sword.

Yet Eun Wiryong seemed far from satisfied.

“Fuck this…!”

He cursed in a manner unbefitting a young star of the Sixteen Great Sects and hurled his sword aside.

Clang!

The sword clattered across the ground with a sharp ring.

Eun Wiryong panted before it for a moment, then collapsed to the ground.

“I’m so fucking pathetic…”

“Right. Why are you being so fucking pathetic?”

Startled by the sudden voice, Eun Wiryong looked up at Seojun.

“You…!”

He seemed ready to curse, but exhaled deeply and nodded instead.

“…What brings you here, Senior?”

“That Cheongsong friend is quite worried.”

“That guy… Haah… No. I’m fine, so there’s no need for concern.”

“What’s not going well?”

“Nothing.”

“From what I can see, you’ve hit some kind of wall. Didn’t your master offer any guidance?”

Eun Wiryong glared at Seojun like he wanted to kill him.

Seojun briefly considered whether to cave this kid’s skull in, then decided against it.

“What’s the issue? You have to speak up for others to understand, you know.”

“Isn’t this rather rude between people meeting for the first time?”

“I’m allowed to be rude. If you don’t like it, reach Transcendent Realm.”

The fight seemed to drain from Eun Wiryong’s eyes as he stared at Seojun.

“Yes, you would be. A genius like you, Senior, couldn’t understand the feelings of a frog in a well like me.”

“I see you made it to the Round of 16. Don’t others consider you a genius as well?”

“If I couldn’t achieve that much after training at Diancang Sect since childhood, I should drown myself in a washbasin.”

“Jeez.”

Seojun clicked his tongue and searched through his memories.

“Diancang Sect… is the one famous for the Sun-Shooting Sword Technique, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Shooting the sun. Pretty cool.”

“Only a handful at Diancang can actually do that. Do you think shooting the sun is as simple as it sounds?”

Eun Wiryong dusted off his rear and stood to retrieve his sword.

He examined the small nicks on the blade with conflicted eyes, then sighed and sheathed it.

“I’m finished here, so please continue enjoying the banquet, Senior. I’ll be returning.”

“Hey, you rude bastard.”

“I can be like this sometimes. I’m from Diancang, after all.”

Should I really cave this bastard’s skull in?

When Seojun glared at him intensely, Eun Wiryong instinctively felt threatened and stepped back.

“Wh-what is it?”

“A frog in a well sits observing the sky.”

“…What kind of nonsense is that?”

A frog in a well.

Sitting in a well, observing the sky.

Both phrases meant having a limited perspective.

Was he calling him so narrow-minded to the point that he had to repeat the same thing twice?

Eun Wiryong glared at Seojun, who simply brushed it off.

“Do you need to know how vast the world is to pierce the sun?”

“What?”

“You can only see the sky from within a well, so you would know the depth of the sky beyond all else. If you’ve captured the sun in your eyes, then pierce it.”

“What kind of sophistry is that?”

“If you don’t get it, forget it. I’ve done what I can.”

“…Yes.”

Eun Wiryong walked away, leaving him behind.

As he departed, he glanced back several times to see Seojun watching him with a peculiar expression.

Understanding the sky’s depth? How could a mere frog comprehend that the sky has depth?

“I’ve returned, Master.”

“Welcome back.”

Eun Wiryong roughly propped his sword in a corner and plopped down before his master, Eun Yudo.

“You said you were attending a banquet but returned early.”

“What’s so special about a banquet? I just left halfway through.”

“Dull fellow.”

Eun Yudo clicked his tongue and personally brewed tea.

After placing the cup before his disciple, he spoke casually.

“Something must have occurred. Your eyes are heavy with worry.”

“I just… heard something peculiar.”

“What did you hear?”

“Just something.”

“Crafty brat.”

Eun Wiryong studied his master and asked.

“Master.”

“What?”

“Do you have any regrets?”

“What’s with this nonsense?”

“Is it not uncomfortable having such an inadequate disciple?”

“You rascal. Look how you speak. If you know it, then do better.”

“…Things don’t work out as I wish.”

Eun Wiryong sighed. Watching his disciple, Eun Yudo said.

“Don’t sigh. It chases away good fortune.”

“Yes…”

“My disciple.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know why I took you as my disciple?”

“Didn’t you say it was because you saw potential in me?”

“Indeed.”

Slurp. Eun Yudo moistened his tongue with tea.

“Regardless, it’s a connection already formed. Are there parents who abandon their children for being disappointing?”

“Aren’t there quite a few?”

“…Damned brat. Just understand the meaning.”

“Yes…”

Eun Yudo clicked his tongue.

“You’re already my disciple. I have no intention of lecturing you about your martial arts. If there’s something you wish to pursue, pursue it.”

“…Is that truly acceptable?”

“What does it matter? That is your Dao.”