The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering (3)
The sight of Chibi suddenly came to mind.
It was the tail end of evening, when the sunset had just begun to sink. That was the first thought that crossed my mind as I stepped outside with Hye-ryeong and Mok-gyeong, gazing out at the bustling streets.
People strolling about in expensive-looking silk clothes. Shops flaunting their dazzling facades. Bright smiles blooming on every face.
“...Maybe I should’ve bought some clothes after all?”
Everyone else was dressed up, yet here I was in my plain martial uniform. It felt a little strange. I hadn’t put on any makeup either. Though a man wearing makeup in this era would’ve been pretty ridiculous anyway.
“Uncle, you look the coolest in your uniform!”
“...Isn’t a warrior’s most fitting appearance one that suits a warrior?”
It was nice of them to say that, but… Mok-gyeong was also wearing a drab navy martial uniform, so he wasn’t exactly in a position to talk.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Come to think of it, even back when the knight order held their so-called banquets, I’d always worn armor. Since those events were really just morale-boosting gatherings for soldiers, it made sense.
“Hehe, Uncle, my heart’s pounding like crazy right now.”
“It’s not that big of a deal, so don’t get your hopes up too much.”
“Still, this is my first time coming to such a fancy place, so I can’t help it. What if I mess up?”
When I turned to look at Hye-ryeong after her anxious words, I saw her—dressed more elegantly than usual—staring at the ground with a slightly intimidated expression. I wasn’t sure it was something to be that nervous about, but I figured I should comfort her anyway.
“Don’t worry too much. The venue might be fancy, but all we’re doing is drinking and chatting.”
In a wuxia world where you could burn off all the alcohol with inner energy even if you drank enough to give yourself cirrhosis, there was no chance of actually getting drunk. How convenient.
Of course, sobering up too quickly could kill the mood, so it was better to hold back. Still, since I had no idea what kind of drinker Hye-ryeong was, I’d have to keep an eye on her.
In the original story, she never even touched alcohol.
Thinking about that made me realize all over again just how thoroughly the original plot had already been shattered.
I recalled how the two people I should have felt kinship with as a fellow avenger had ended up walking completely different paths.
Hye-ryeong, who lost her sect on her birthday and swore revenge against the Demonic Cult.
The heir of the ruined Yunnan Dan Family, whose entire clan was massacred overnight due to some conspiracy.
Even though that had led to my endless suffering stretching from the Western Regions all the way to the Central Plains, I didn’t regret it.
Fight for the peace of all people.
As a knight, I had sworn an oath on those words.
Reality and ideals may differ, but there was nothing wrong with striving toward an ideal.
“Uncle, why are you smiling?”
“Just because this moment feels happy.”
“Hehe, me too.”
“...”
We arrived at the Moon Fragrance Pavilion in a warm, harmonious mood.
“...Uncle, look at that. Doesn’t that porcelain look insanely expensive?”
“Just one of those could probably feed us for a whole year without working.”
As if to boast that it was one of the most luxurious restaurants in Wuhan, the artworks displayed at the entrance of the Moon Fragrance Pavilion were all exorbitantly expensive pieces. Everything looked like it would end your life if you so much as brushed against it.
Thinking about it, this was also proof of just how good public security was in Wuhan. If it were a lawless area, these priceless items would have been smashed by thugs the moment they were put on display, or stupid thieves who thought they were shadowless masters would have broken in at night to steal them.
Though since the place operated even at dawn, the odds of that were pretty low.
“Are you the Blue-Eyed Lion, sir?”
“...Yes, that’s me.”
Who was this person? I barely managed to hold back a frown at the strange, nose-piercing scent and looked at the gisaeng standing before me. She was wearing a dress with a deeply plunging neckline and gave me a seductive glance before continuing.
“Welcome to the Moon Fragrance Pavilion. My name is Seon-yeong. I was asked to wait here and guide you when you arrived.”
Was she sent by the host, Namgung Hwi?
I nodded and followed Seon-yeong toward the area where the people invited to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering were gathered.
“Doesn’t it feel like everyone’s staring at you, Uncle?”
“A lot of them are looking at you too.”
“Hehe.”
Hye-ryeong laughed bashfully and gently took my hand.
“I might get lost, so let’s hold hands!”
“What is there to get lost about?”
“There is, okay?”
“Do as you like.”
She clearly had no intention of listening even if I said anything, so I just let her do what she wanted. I turned my head to look at Mok-gyeong.
He had been walking a little behind us as if he had come alone, so I had to turn my head almost completely to see him. He seemed awkward about being in such a high-class establishment and was unconsciously giving off a slightly clumsy vibe as he walked.
“Mok-gyeong. Come closer so you don’t get lost either.”
“I’m fine.”
“It’ll be a hassle if you actually do get lost, so just come over.”
“...Yes.”
Mok-gyeong came and stood beside me as well.
Thanks to that, we ended up blocking the hallway a bit, but since the corridor was wide enough for twenty people to walk side by side, it wasn’t much of a problem.
Though for some reason Hye-ryeong was gripping my hand quite tightly.
“Got something to say?”
“Nope.”
Maybe she was sulking because she wanted to spend time alone with me, but I kept looking after Mok-gyeong. I chuckled at her childish behavior and said,
“Don’t make that face after dressing up so prettily.”
“Do I look pretty?”
“Of course.”
“Hehe.”
...She’s so easy. Way too easy. It honestly made me worry she might follow some weird guy one day.
“You two seem very close. Ho ho…”
“We’ve been through thick and thin together for months, so it’s only natural.”
“That’s right. Hehe…”
At our answers, Seon-yeong smiled, stopped in front of a massive door, and held it open as she spoke.
“This is the room where everyone attending the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering has gathered. I hope you have a wonderful time.”
The door opened. My gaze naturally fixed on the scene visible through the widening gap.
“It’s huge.”
“The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is usually hosted at our Moon Fragrance Pavilion, so we built this room especially for such distinguished guests. I can confidently say it is the largest banquet hall in Wuhan.”
It felt less like a room and more like an auditorium.
It was absurdly spacious. You could probably hold a light-footwork competition in here without any issues.
And the number of people— just a quick glance showed nearly three hundred people chatting among themselves. Were all of them late-stage masters?
Why were there so many?
Then again, with China’s population, this number was probably still on the low side. Everyone here was a representative from a prestigious righteous sect or family.
“Uncle, we’re inside now, but what do we do?”
“Hmm.”
I figured we should greet the host first, then casually enjoy the food and leave. With all those delicacies laid out on the tables, it would be rude not to at least taste them.
After all, they say even ghosts who die from overeating look good, so I planned to devour—no, taste—every single one of those luxurious dishes on the table. There wouldn’t be another chance to eat such high-class food.
It wasn’t that I didn’t have money, but I didn’t exactly have a steady source of income either.
“Hye-ryeong, let’s go greet Namgung Hwi first.”
“Okay.”
“You too, Mok-gyeong.”
“Yes.”
I brought along Mok-gyeong, who now looked even more awkward, and approached Namgung Hwi, who was standing in the center chatting with others. When he saw us coming, he flashed a bold smile and immediately offered a fist-and-palm salute.
“Welcome, Hero Wei!”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“Haha, you can speak comfortably. I don’t like it when my elders act overly formal with me.”
You’re the one older than me, you bastard.
Still, I had no desire to call this guy “hyung,” so I’d just brush it off somehow. I returned the salute with a faint smile.
“Understood.”
Namgung Hwi looked at me and Hye-ryeong with quite friendly eyes, but when his gaze shifted to the quietly standing Mok-gyeong, his expression stiffened for a moment. Then he laughed awkwardly and spoke.
“Young Master Dan. It’s been a while.”
“It has. Young Master Namgung.”
This was awkward. Really awkward.
Probably because Mok-gyeong was the one who had handed him a defeat. Still, the overall atmosphere was friendly, so Mok-gyeong didn’t seem too burdened by it.
Well, holding a grudge just because you lost would be the ugliest thing imaginable.
“Since you’ve come, please enjoy the banquet to your heart’s content. Talking with the other guests here will be a good experience as well.”
As Namgung Hwi said, I should enjoy myself properly. I turned away from our busy host and looked toward the tables laden with delicacies.
Ahh, heaven was right there.
Right this moment—
“Hahaha! Long time no see, Brother Wei!” “…Long time no see, Young Master Peng.”
“There’s no need for such formalities between us!”
What “between us”?
And stop yelling already.
“Fine, I’ll speak comfortably. So what brings you to me?”
“A warrior builds friendship through the body! I came to greet you as a friend!”
“If the greeting’s over, let’s talk later. I have something to do right now…”
Those delicacies were waiting right in front of me. I didn’t have time to play friends with him.
Whether he noticed my cold gaze or his interest had already shifted elsewhere in an instant, Peng Jeok-san suddenly turned his head, looked at me again, and shouted.
“Haha! I have business too, so I’ll be going! Have a great banquet!”
“Yeah, take care.”
I rubbed my forehead as I watched Peng Jeok-san disappear like a storm after appearing like one. Now that the noisy guy was gone, it was finally time to go eat—
“Greetings, Hero Wei. I am—”
Why were so many people coming up to me?
As soon as Peng Jeok-san left, nameless people began approaching me one after another. Most had friendly eyes, but some gazes were so blatantly calculating it was impossible to miss.
On the surface it looked like simple greetings, but was that really all?
Realizing this event might be more exhausting than I thought, I swallowed bitter tears. Because I wouldn’t be able to freely enjoy the delicacies that had been my original goal.