Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠33: Mangok Village Black Pavilion (1)

Before the banquet, I had a long conversation with my younger sister, Yeong-yeong, for the first time since we were children.

Thanks to that, the distance that had grown between us after our mother passed away seemed to close, if only a little.

Yeong-yeong asked how all of this had happened, but I couldn't tell her the truth. Instead, I told her the same story I had given So Ikheon.

I didn't want to lie to my only blood relative, even if I could lie to everyone else. It made me feel like I was justifying myself, much like the Family Head, So Ikheon, claiming he had no choice.

However, if I revealed the truth, Yeong-yeong might end up entangled with the Blood Cult. Telling her before my own position was secure would be a reckless move.

-From what I saw, I don't think your sister fully believed you.

'Really?'

It seemed she felt the same way I did. Was it a woman’s intuition, or the bond of blood? Yeong-yeong seemed to have realized to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠some extent that I was hiding something.

-She has a good heart.

Indeed. She was a child far more mature than I was.

-Isn't that a contradiction? What do you mean, a "mature child"?

'…'

If you get the gist of it, don't nitpick.

To keep Yeong-yeong from getting caught up in the Blood Cult's affairs, my path was clear. I had to acquire power and influence that no one could dare challenge! To do that, I had to help Baek Ryeonha seize control of the Blood Cult.

-Even so, do not lose your center, Un-hwi.

'My center…'

-Power and authority are merely incidental. If you are swept away by them, you will lose control of yourself and sink. In the end, you are the one at the center.

I felt grateful for the Namcheon Iron Sword's advice. Perhaps it was because these spirits were close by that I hadn't lost my way despite the hardships.

-Ahem.

-Keep showing me that respect.

Though their reactions differed when I praised them.

The area was gradually becoming noisy. Guests from the Yifeng Jo Family and So Jang-yun’s acquaintances were entering the banquet hall prepared in the main building of the manor one by one.

Ironically, So Jang-yun and his brother So Yeong-hyeon could not attend due to their injuries. Once the guests from the Hengshan Sect arrived, the banquet would officially begin.

As soon as Jo Saeng-nam entered, he glared intensely at me and Sama Yeong. He avoided making a scene out of fear of the Family Head, So Ikheon, but he clearly still held a grudge over what happened earlier today.

-What a petty guy.

Tell me about it. What kind of older brother would give his sister to a man like that?

So Ikheon, seated at the head of the banquet hall, stood up to greet the guests from the Yifeng Jo Family.

"Hahahaha! Welcome, everyone."

He welcomed them with a boisterous laugh, and in a way, I found it impressive. He must have wanted to rest since his internal injuries hadn't been treated yet. To think I had considered such a man my biological father until now.

Before leaving the cultivation room after our deal, I had asked the Azure Spirit Sword.

'Azure Spirit Sword.'

-Speak, child.

'Before my mother passed away, did she ever tell the Family Head the truth about my real father?'

-…

This was what I was most curious about. It was said that So Ikheon had brought my mother here, believing her to be a mere servant. If so, what was her true identity? And who was my real father?

My mother never revealed this to me until the moment she drew her last breath. Perhaps it was because I was young then, and she feared I would be hurt by the secret of my birth. But wouldn't she have told So Ikheon at the very end?

-I am sorry.

The Azure Spirit Sword didn't know either. It said that although So Ikheon had met my mother before she passed, there was no mention of that subject. Had she chosen not to leave behind anything that might cause further turmoil?

Since I knew nothing about my mother or my biological father, I had only learned half the truth.

-That must be frustrating.

'It is.'

Whether before or after my regression, it seemed my life was destined to be complicated.

Just then, the guests from the Hengshan Sect entered the banquet hall. They were Hengshan's First Sword Jo Cheong-un and the Hengshan Lady Hero Jo Il-hye.

"Oh! Great Hero Jo. Lady Hero Jo."

As soon as they arrived, Jo Saeng-won, the head of the Yifeng Jo Family, hurried to greet them to build a connection. However, the socially awkward Jo Cheong-un gave only a formal greeting and approached me.

"Junior Brother, you were already here."

"Have you arrived, Senior Brother?"

"If it's alright, may I sit with you?"

At his question, my gaze naturally drifted toward the head table. So Ikheon and Lady Yang were looking quite troubled. Seats for Jo Cheong-un and Jo Saeng-won had been prepared at the head table, so it was only natural they'd be flustered if he sat here.

Just as So Ikheon was hesitating on how to handle it, Jo Il-hye stepped in appropriately.

"Senior Brother. There are assigned seats provided by the hosts for the banquet. We can move later, so it would be best to follow the guidance for now."

"Ah."

Jo Cheong-un looked genuinely disappointed. It seemed he had been waiting for the banquet because the atmosphere in the manor hadn't been great earlier. He was likely curious about the Namcheon Sword Guest's well-being.

There are rules to lying. You must build it on a foundation of truth; one must be most careful when creating something from nothing.

Shing!

I cupped my fists and spoke politely.

"Please do as the Lady Hero says. The Family Head will be disappointed otherwise."

"Well, I suppose."

"There will be plenty of opportunities to share a drink, won't there?"

"I understand. Let's do that, then."

Jo Cheong-un made a gesture of drinking a cup toward me. It was a good thing I sent him away. People tend to make mistakes when trading drinks. Unless I was fully prepared, it was best to avoid this situation.

-I thought you were just a natural-born liar.

'If it's not based on fact, it's bound to be exposed.'

-How fascinating.

I hadn't expected Jo Cheong-un to have a connection with the Namcheon Sword Guest, so I needed to be careful. I would have to ask the Namcheon Iron Sword to coordinate our stories.

'Will you be okay with that?'

-Well, it's not like you're doing it with ill intent, so it's fine.

To be honest, I always felt sorry to the Namcheon Iron Sword whenever I lied using the deceased Namcheon Sword Guest's name. I was glad he was broad-minded enough to understand.

Once Jo Cheong-un and Jo Il-hye took their designated seats and everyone was settled, the banquet began. A banquet always starts with the host's opening remarks.

I watched So Ikheon as he stood up from the head table. Our eyes met. I gave a slight, subtle nod.

So Ikheon’s expression stiffened momentarily. If you understood my signal, then please announce it now.

So Ikheon took a deep breath, then changed his expression. He scanned the people in the hall with a smiling face and began to speak.

"This So would like to offer his greetings to the esteemed guests of the martial world who have visited our home."

Snap!

As he cupped his fists, all the guests rose from their seats and returned the salute. People of the Orthodox Faction valued such etiquette. Humbling oneself was considered a virtue.

Once the guests were seated after the salute, So Ikheon continued.

"Before we begin the banquet, there is something I wish to say to our guests. If it is not an imposition, I ask for your attention."

Unexpectedly, Jo Saeng-won of the Yifeng Jo Family responded to his words.

"Hahahaha! Family Head So is truly straightforward. You said we should discuss it later, but are you going to announce it in a place like this?"

At those words, Jo Saeng-nam, sitting next to him, smirked. It seemed they had misunderstood. Having discussed a marriage proposal earlier, they likely thought So Ikheon was about to betroth Yeong-yeong to Jo Saeng-nam in front of everyone.

-Like father, like son, I see.

It seemed so. They even resembled each other in how they counted their chickens before they hatched.

"Sigh."

Yeong-yeong, sitting at the same round table as me, let out a deep sigh. She seemed worried that the marriage would be finalized.

Then, So Ikheon bowed his head toward Jo Saeng-won with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a fist-and-palm salute.

"I must offer my apologies to the Head of the Yifeng Jo Family."

"…What do you mean by that?"

"My lacking daughter does not seem to be a suitable match as a second wife for your son. I am grateful for the proposal, but I hope your son finds a better partner."

'!!!'

For a moment, the banquet hall fell into a heavy silence. Though he spoke with humility, So Ikheon’s words were a firm rejection of the marriage proposal. The faces of Jo Saeng-won and Jo Saeng-nam, who had been full of anticipation, distorted simultaneously.

I glanced at Yeong-yeong. She couldn't hide her joy, and the corners of her mouth were curled upward.

-That was worth it.

As the Lesser Conversation Sword said, it was worth having that showdown with So Ikheon. For the time being, So Ikheon wouldn't try to push Yeong-yeong into a marriage. Unless that woman interfered.

Lady Yang was holding her wine cup with a displeased expression. This marriage proposal for Yeong-yeong had also been her doing. It was a scheme to get rid of Yeong-yeong, whom she loathed, while strengthening ties with the Yifeng Jo Family, one of the three prestigious martial families of Jiangxi Province, much like her own maiden family.

[Lady Yang.]

Hearing my Secret Sound Transmission, Lady Yang flinched and looked at me.

[I hope no more of your foolishness reaches my ears from now on. If vulgar words have to come out of my mouth again, you should be prepared for what follows.]

She trembled. I couldn't tell if it was from rage or fear, but she must have understood the warning.

I looked back at So Ikheon. Now, announce the other thing.

Before the shock of the rejected marriage proposal could subside, So Ikheon spoke again.

"What I wish to announce to you all is that the third son of this house, Un-hwi, will be participating in the Successor's Martial Discussion at the upcoming Grand Martial Assembly as our family's representative."

It was done. I had achieved the first step of the mission to recover the Blood Demon Sword. Since I had returned to the family and secured this within a single day, it could be called a success.

While the banquet was in full swing, I stepped outside. My business here was finished.

"Ugh."

Perhaps because we were leaving in the middle of a banquet overflowing with wine and delicious food, Jo Seong-won couldn't hide his regret.

"Why are you leaving so early? The sun has already set."

Out of the fifteen days given for the mission, I had secured the position of representative in just one. He likely thought we could afford to move with more leisure.

"I have work to do."

"Work?"

"Don't talk back to Senior Brother."

At Sama Yeong’s sharp remark, Jo Seong-won shut his mouth tight. It wasn't just because of her, but because someone had just stepped out of the banquet hall. It was my sister, So Yeong-yeong.

"Brother. Are you really leaving now?"

"I have a task from my Master, and I've already informed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Family Head."

"It would be nice if we could go to the Grand Martial Assembly together. My Master and Senior Uncle also want to go with you."

That was one of the reasons I was leaving in such a hurry. Jo Cheong-un was being more friendly than I expected, which was burdensome.

"Can't we go together? I'll ask my Master to leave early tomorrow morning."

As she said that, Yeong-yeong stole a glance at Sama Yeong. What was this? Her face was flushed as she looked at Sama Yeong. It definitely wasn't because of the alcohol she drank at the banquet.

-She's smitten. Totally smitten.

The Lesser Conversation Sword chattered. My head was starting to throb. No, Yeong-yeong, that's a woman.

I couldn't reveal the truth here, and it was driving me crazy.

"Young Lady. You'll see Senior Brother again at the Grand Martial Assembly, so don't be too disappointed."

Sama Yeong comforted Yeong-yeong. That only added fuel to the fire. Yeong-yeong looked at Sama Yeong, not me, and spoke with sparkling eyes.

"Is that so?"

Her voice was full of excitement. She was making it so obvious, yet Sama Yeong was smiling brightly as if she knew nothing. I really had to leave right now.

"Yeong-yeong. I'll see you then."

"Brother? Brother!"

After a hurried farewell, I led the two of them toward the manor's exit. I hurried, fearing Yeong-yeong might follow. Sama Yeong had a look of confusion, as if she truly didn't know why I was acting this way. That handsome human skin mask was quite dangerous.

-Do you really think it's just because of the mask?

The Lesser Conversation Sword muttered something cryptic. What was that supposed to mean?

It was then.

'!?'

As we were heading toward the manor entrance, I felt a familiar sword.

'Azure Spirit Sword.'

The Azure Spirit Sword was approaching rapidly. Looking back, I saw So Ikheon using Lightness Skill to rush toward us from the direction of the main hall. I had already told him I was leaving during the banquet, so why was he chasing us?

"Give me a moment alone."

At my words, Sama Yeong and Jo Seong-won stepped outside the manor first. I asked So Ikheon as he approached.

"Why have you come? I believe I told you I would give you the rest after the Grand Martial Assembly."

I had only handed over the oral formulas for two of the final five forms. I had taken this precaution because I didn't know when he might change his mind if I gave him all the forms at once.

"It is not because of that."

What did that mean? Surely he hadn't come out just to see me off. We weren't on such affectionate terms, nor had we ever been.

Then, So Ikheon pulled something from his robe. Visible in the flickering light of the torches, it was a round jade token.

"Take this."

So Ikheon held the jade token out to me.

"What is this?"

"…It is what your mother had with her when I first met her."

'!!!'

A jade token that belonged to my mother?