Chapter 689: A Gentlemanly Madman.

This world has long worshipped martial arts (武).

Countless Taoist teachings spread, and although those who cultivate and believe in them differ.

Ultimately, Taoists (道人) also govern martial arts (武) under the name of enlightenment, and it’s no different.

They harbor energy in their dantian, imbue it into their bodies, and achieve enlightenment.

Thus, they break free from the limits of being human and endlessly repeat the process of ascending higher as martial artists (武人).

Climbing steep walls.

And climbing, climbing again.

‘A higher cliff awaits.’

A much steeper and rougher cliff is bound to be faced.

There is no end.

They say martial studies (武學) are inherently like that.

‘What a damn frustrating thing to say.’

If you become satisfied and complacent, you fall; if you try to climb, you must endure all sorts of hellish hardship to ascend.

Does a summit truly exist where one climbs to?

Even if it does, will I be able to see it?

I wasn’t sure.

If the meaning lies in climbing, and that itself is martial studies (武學).

‘Why the hell should I do that?’

Although it was talk that would enrage heaven and earth if other martial artists (武人) heard it.

My thoughts haven’t changed at all since the first time I considered this.

Once, a slumbering dragon from my past life had said.

-You’re somewhat alien to be called a martial artist (武人).

I thought it was true.

I do not worship martial arts (武).

I have no interest in climbing cliffs, and if I wished, I’d be fully prepared to stop anytime and fall.

Even after reaching the Flower Realm (化境), that thought hasn’t changed.

I just do it because I have to.

That’s what martial arts (武功) meant to me.

It holds no meaning beyond that, nor less.

‘But then.’

Why on earth do those people praise martial artists (武人) so much?

I simply couldn’t understand.

“P-Peng Family! The Four Great Families are here!”

The noise, which had quieted slightly, grew louder again, so I peeked out.

From a distance, the largest carriage I had ever seen was entering.

A red flag with a black border, visible atop the carriage.

It was the flag symbolizing the Peng Family (팽家), known as the ‘Great Sword (太刀) Family’.

Perhaps inside that carriage…

‘The Peng Family Head must be inside.’

Peng Zhou (팽저우), the Sword King (刀王).

I think I met him briefly in Henan before.

‘He left an impression as a complete idiot.’

The situation we met in was, of all things, dog-like.

For a family head of a prestigious family, his eyes were filled with a unique ambition.

Ambition and greed are common to everyone, so it’s not that strange.

‘If you’re a family head, you should know how to conceal that.’

Whether he had no intention of hiding his true nature, the Sword King’s (刀王) attitude was utterly contemptible.

‘For someone like that, his children turned out quite well.’

Thinking of Peng Ah-hee (팽아희) or Peng Woo-jin (팽우진) brings about a rather complex feeling.

Their skills, given the title ‘King’ (王), shouldn’t be bad.

‘I sensed a heart demon (心魔).’

An unknown heart demon (心魔) could be glimpsed in him.

According to the information, he had been in seclusion (杜門不出) after losing to the Sword Immortal (劍仙) in the competition for the Martial Alliance Leader (武林盟盟主) position…

‘Strange, he’s here this time.’

He came quietly to the Martial Arts Tournament (武鬪祭). It’s surprising. I thought he’d be too pissed off to come.

‘Surely he won’t participate directly.’

As the Sword King (刀王) and family head, he’d merely attend, not participate himself.

Thinking so, I nodded.

Just as I was about to take a sip of tea.

“The Peng Family, huh? Their presence is quite imposing.”

“Of course, they’re one of the Four Great Families.”

A voice came from the adjacent partitioned space.

They seemed to be other guests.

However.

“Oh my, do people still call them the Four Great Families?”

I heard something slightly irritating.

“The Tang Family (唐門) left ages ago, how can you still call them the Four Great Families?”

Tuk-!

At the words flowing out, Tang Soyeol (唐小悅), sitting in front of me, visibly froze for a moment.

“Ah, right… I can’t seem to get used to saying that.”

“If you say that somewhere else, you’ll be reprimanded. Be careful. How dare you mention the Tang Family (唐門).”

I immediately looked out the window and didn’t look at Tang Soyeol (唐小悅).

What expression would she be wearing?

What reaction would she show?

I was curious, but I deliberately avoided looking.

Because I knew that’s what she wanted.

As I pretended not to notice and turned my gaze away.

“It still makes my teeth chatter that that hideous place still carries the name of a righteous sect.”

Pasak-!

Dry leaves crumble in my mind.

Though it’s still a long way until the leaves fall.

“It seems the Alliance Leader (盟主) took pity and showed leniency, but how can they be called a righteous sect?”

“Brother Ju (주 형), calm down a little.”

“Calm down my ass! I heard rumors that a blood relative of the Tang Family (唐門) appeared at the Martial Arts Tournament (武鬪祭). Have you heard this?”

“You mean the Poison Phoenix (毒鳳)?”

Umjjil-!

I sensed a presence.

It was Tang Soyeol (唐小悅).

“Yes, how dare they shamelessly show up at the Martial Arts Tournament (武鬪祭).”

“Are the rumors truly true?”

“I’m telling you, I heard it. You know, that Mr. Bang (방 씨) who goes to the registration desk every day. He said he saw her.”

“Oh my…”

The reaction was chilling. It kept grating on my nerves.

“After capturing orphans and committing heinous acts… how dare they…”

Geureureuk.

Listening, I stood up. My head was cool, but my insides were burning, making it unbearable.

Just then.

Kkuuk.

Someone gently clasped my hand.

This too was Tang Soyeol (唐小悅).

“No…”

“…”

Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) looked at me with shimmering eyes and said.

“Young Master (공자님)… No… Please don’t.”

“…You.”

“You know. It’s something I have to bear. So it’s okay.”

“…”

“They aren’t false statements, are they? So I’m okay. Therefore…”

She didn’t do it herself.

The Family Head didn’t know; it was the elders who committed the acts.

Looking at it that way, it could be considered unfair, yet.

Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) merely had a little moisture gather in her eyes and didn’t utter any other words.

The Poison King (毒王) was the same.

Whether she knew or not, if something happened within the family, the family head must bear responsibility.

This applies equally to family members, so Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) must feel the same.

“…”

Looking into Tang Soyeol’s (唐小悅) eyes, I sat back down.

If she says she’s okay and stops me, what more can I do?

Just as I was about to look out the window again, as if cooling my temper.

“Excuse me.”

A voice came from an unexpected direction.

Someone was speaking to the men who were talking.

I widened my eyes as I looked at the speaker.

It was none other than Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒).

What is she doing all of a sudden?

“I know it’s a pleasant day, but please lower your voices. There are other people here, you know?”

Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒), who had stood up unnoticed, spoke to the men with a smile.

“What the?”

The man who had been getting worked up frowned and looked at Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒).

“Who the hell do you think you are, interfering-!”

“Brother Ju (주 형)! Brother Ju (주 형)!”

Someone next to the man, who was about to get angry, quickly stopped him.

“What’s wrong with this! This young lady is currently…!”

“Young lady? Watch your mouth, Brother Ju (주 형)! Look at her waist, her waist.”

“What…?”

Hearing the explanation, the man’s eyes widened.

He looked at the sword at Moyong Hi-ah’s (慕容熙兒) waist.

Although Moyong Hi-ah’s (慕容熙兒) face was hidden by her veil, one could guess she was a martial artist (武人) from that.

“Hup…”

Seeing the sword, the man shut his mouth tightly.

Judging by his reaction, the man didn’t seem to be a martial artist (武人).

“Th-that is…”

“Please be a little quieter. You can do that much, right?”

“Ah, yes, yes…”

The man stammered and nodded.

Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) returned to her seat.

Seeing that, I let out a hollow laugh.

“Didn’t you hate things like this?”

What she just did was truly surprising to me.

Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) dislikes actions without justification.

Noise in an inn is natural, so Moyong Hi-ah’s (慕容熙兒) words were close to unreasonable.

Could it be that the talk about the Tang Family (唐門) bothered her?

This part was puzzling to me.

‘It wasn’t her business.’

As it concerned the Tang Family (唐門), it had nothing to do with Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒).

In reality, as Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) said, the man’s words weren’t entirely wrong.

It was simply strange that Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) went out of her way to intervene.

“I do hate it.”

To my question, Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) nodded with a strange expression.

“I hate it… but it just annoyed me.”

An emotional answer with absolutely no rational explanation.

It was hard to believe coming from Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒).

Seeing that, I burst out laughing and said.

“Good job.”

Hearing this, Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) looked at me incredulously.

“You never praise me, but you praise me for this? Honestly…”

“…When did I ever not praise you?”

“You have no conscience. If you lack tact, you should at least have a conscience.”

“…”

“Just stay quiet.”

“…Yes.”

I shut my mouth tightly at her sharp words.

It’s not easy. She’s always intimidating.

Just then, Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) tried to say something, looking at Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒).

“You don’t have to thank me. I really just did it because I was annoyed.”

“…”

“And definitely don’t apologize. That would also feel unpleasant.”

Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) preempted her words.

Tang Soyeol (唐小悅), completely cut off, pouted her lips pitifully.

Seeing Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) looking somewhat shriveled, Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) suddenly sighed.

“Snap out of it. Straighten your back. You already look small, and now you look even smaller.”

“…”

“If you’ve decided to bear it, act with dignity. That’s the only way you can endure.”

“…Yes.”

Tang Soyeol (唐小悅) nodded.

Watching the two of them, I turned my head away.

Martial artists (武人) were still passing by on the street.

Listening to the reactions, it seemed some famous figures had passed by.

Hurup.

As I was about to take another sip of tea.

“Whoa!”

I paid attention to the sound I heard.

“The Hwangbo Family (皇甫世家)!”

I directed my gaze.

A yellow flag fluttered as another carriage entered.

It wasn’t just the flag; the entire carriage was yellow.

‘They’re here.’

Right.

The reason I came here to spectate had arrived.

I had been waiting for the Hwangbo Family (皇甫世家) to arrive.

As my eyes followed the yellow flag, a voice reached my ears.

-We have arrived.

It wasn’t Na-hee’s (나히) voice.

A much thicker, lower voice. This was also a voice I had been waiting for.

-As you commanded, I shall meet you at the designated location.

Hearing this, I immediately stood up.

As I moved, Wi Seol-ah (魏雪兒), who was beside me, stood up too.

I gently pushed her shoulder to make her sit back down, telling her not to.

“I’ll go first. Come slowly.”

“What? Without watching anymore?”

Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) said, frowning deeply.

“You’re leaving in the middle again.”

Her gaze was quite terrifying, making me gasp for breath for a moment. But I had to endure it.

“…I have something to attend to. Sorry. We’ll eat dinner together.”

“I have something tonight.”

“…”

Shit.

Moyong Hi-ah (慕容熙兒) turned her head away, seemingly sulking.

Well, considering I’ve left her behind several times, I can understand that reaction…

But I couldn’t help it.

“The Namgung Family (南宮世家) hasn’t arrived yet, but you’re leaving without seeing them?”

“They’ll probably come on their own. Besides, that family’s daughter hasn’t even arrived yet.”

Namgung Bi-ah (南宮飛兒) was currently restraining her movements as treatment was the priority.

Therefore, she couldn’t accompany us here.

‘No, even if she came, she probably wouldn’t have come to see her own family anyway.’

She didn’t look particularly interested.

Lately, she seemed to space out more often.

‘It looked like she had gained some enlightenment.’

That’s how it seemed, but you never know.

It was because I didn’t pay much attention.

‘Because that would be more helpful.’

My indifference is necessary for Namgung Bi-ah’s (南宮飛兒) sword edge to sharpen.

That’s my judgment and action.

In the first place, since everyone around is a genius, leaving them be would be much more helpful.

‘Even if that weren’t the case, I have a lot of things to do.’

Less than two days remained until the Martial Arts Tournament (武鬪祭) began.

Within that time, it was time to wrap up the final task.

“See you later.”

After bidding farewell to my companions, I started walking.

My destination was the lodging where I was staying.

---

It was still a long time before sunset.

Escaping the noisy clamor, I returned to my lodging.

Though it had been filled with people’s voices just moments ago, the lodging was strangely quiet.

Thanks to that, my ears were comfortable, but my heart felt somewhat heavy.

Ttubeok.

I took a step.

Uung–!!

At that moment, a sensation brushed against my body.

A protective barrier (氣幕) was set up in the lodging.

And not just any barrier, but a very intricate and dense one.

Feeling this, I suppressed a smile.

“Bastard. You’ve improved.”

The thickness and intricacy of the barrier had increased significantly compared to when I first saw it.

It wasn’t this advanced initially. If he’s improved this much while I wasn’t looking, he must have talent.

‘Well, his surname is ‘Seong’ (성).’

Considering his real name, it’s not strange regarding barriers (氣幕).

Without stopping, I continued walking towards the lodging.

It was silent.

Not a sound could be heard.

It meant it was unnaturally quiet.

Feeling a sense of strangeness, I reached for the door and opened it.

Kkiiiiik-!

The closed door opened, and the person inside came into view.

It was a somewhat gaunt and small young man.

Seeing him, I waved.

“Long time no see.”

“Mhmm…”

Cheol Ji-seon (鐵志善).

A descendant of the Zhuge Family (諸葛世家), whose real name was Zhuge Jin-seon (諸葛眞善).

He nodded upon seeing me.

Meeting him after several months, his face was etched with exhaustion.

“Are you doing okay?”

“No, I’m not…”

“Glad to hear you say you’re not okay. You’ll be able to work even more.”

“…”

I made a joke, and Cheol Ji-seon’s (鐵志善) face contorted strangely.

His expression seemed to ask, ‘Then why did you ask?’

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

“…It didn’t feel like a joke.”

“I’m telling you it’s a joke. Don’t you believe me?”

“…No, I b-believe you…”

He still looked intimidated, but I knew that wasn’t entirely the case.

‘Even acting like that, he says everything he wants to say.’

He pretends to be timid and hesitant, but he still says what he wants to say.

He’s got more guts than I thought.

‘Knowing that is why I entrusted him with the task.’

If he didn’t have guts, would he really have gone to Hubei and managed on his own?

Looking at the barrier (氣幕) spread throughout the room, I asked Cheol Ji-seon (鐵志善).

“Your level has improved a lot. You must have worked hard?”

“Yeah, it’s good, right?”

Cheol Ji-seon (鐵志善) grinned foolishly, pleased by the compliment.

That guy was just too quick to smile.

To be so happy over a short compliment.

However, the compliment was sincere.

Because the barrier (氣幕) that he seemed to have set up was indeed of superior quality.

‘Is it based on a formation?’

It didn’t seem like it was just used for simple defense.

Suddenly curious about its principles, I considered examining it but stopped myself.

Because if I messed it up like last time with the Heavenly Net Grand Master (天羅大主), it would become troublesome.

‘For now, let’s focus on something else,’ thinking so, I looked at someone other than Cheol Ji-seon (鐵志善).

The direction of my gaze was towards the person behind him. There was another person in the room.

Someone kneeling, looking towards me.

I took a step towards him.

“Have you been well.”

I greeted him simultaneously. In response, the person answered.

“…Yes…”

It was the same voice that had sent me a telepathic message earlier.

A huge build that reminded me of Elder Il (一長老) or Tang Deok (唐德).

Muscles packed tightly without any gaps on such a large frame.

He was clearly a powerhouse, a man who looked like a martial artist (武人) of the combat type.

A rough and rugged aura could be felt.

Such a man slowly lifted his head towards me.

“I greet the great Cult Leader (敎主).”

Purple eyes, symbolizing a demon (魔人), gleamed.

Below them, I saw the yellow martial attire he was wearing.

This was the martial attire symbolizing the Hwangbo Family (皇甫世家).

Specifically, the white embroidery on the yellow martial attire was embroidery only one person in the Hwangbo Family (皇甫世家) could wear.

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

This statement meant only one thing.

“Hwangbo Yeol-wi (皇甫烈威), the Fierce Tiger Nine Fists (猛虎九拳).”

It meant the man before me was the head of the Hwangbo Family (皇甫世家).

Furthermore.

“Are you ready to ascend to the Four Great Families (四大世家)?”

It meant he was the demon (魔人) I had corrupted.