Chapter 36: Unexpected (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36: Unexpected (4)
Jo Ik wore a strained smile as I kept my arm draped heavily around his shoulders.
Seeing this, Do Gyeong-uk’s Adam's apple quivered. He was likely about to use Sound Transmission to ask what the hell was going on.
But there was no way Jo Ik could answer.
The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Under the crushing pressure I was applying, Jo Ik would find it difficult to even speak, let alone focus enough to send a Sound Transmission.
[Hey. Do Gyeong-uk.]
Do Gyeong-uk’s eyes widened at my Sound Transmission.
It made sense. These fools had treated me like trash, believing my body was incapable of learning martial arts. Now that he’d heard my voice in his head, he’d have to be a complete idiot not to realize I possessed internal power.
[How do you have internal power…?]
[That’s none of your business. Consider this a warning. If you value your life, don’t even think about picking a fight with me before your dantian is fully recovered.]
His expression stiffened at my threat.
If he had even a shred of common sense, he’d back off. If his petty pride came first, he’d try something stupid. I decided to set the stage so he wouldn't dare act out.
Still holding Jo Ik, I looked toward Cheongmyeong of the Qingcheng Sect, Hyeonjin of the Quanzhen Sect, and Dang Hye-hwa of the Sichuan Tang Family, and spoke with a smile.
“It is an honor to form a connection with such renowned individuals while participating as the representative of my family’s younger generation.”
“The representative of the younger generation?”
Everyone struggled to hide their confusion.
Based on their reactions, it seemed these two had either kept quiet or the word had already spread that the eldest son, So Yeong-hyeon, was the representative for the Ikyang So Family.
“Ah, perhaps you hadn't heard. My older brothers are currently unwell, so I have stepped in as the representative out of necessity.”
By declaring myself the representative here, they wouldn't be able to treat me lightly anymore. I wasn't the same "Wild Colt of Yulrang-hyeon" they used to know.
“Yeong-hyeon is unwell?”
Do Gyeong-uk stared at me with disbelief.
I replied nonchalantly.
“I suppose you didn't know. That is how things have turned out.”
With those words, I removed my arm from Jo Ik’s neck. The boy, who had been inches away from having his neck snapped, scrambled away from me in terror. He must have felt the sheer gap in our strength.
“Is Brother Yeong-hyeon really that sick?”
Kang Hye-mi, Kang Hye-so’s older sister, asked in a worried tone. Treating me with disdain was so ingrained in her that she naturally spoke down to me.
I nodded slightly.
“Yes. If you’re so worried, you should go visit him later, Sister Hye.”
“You…”
She faltered, momentarily stunned by my address.
—Why is she acting like that?
Why else? She used to look down on me while demanding I treat her with the utmost respect as an older sister, so my casual use of "Sister" must have rubbed her the wrong way.
I gave her a thin smile.
“Is something wrong, Sister?”
Her cheeks twitched. She looked furious, but the fact remained that I was actually a year older than her.
Glaring at me, she spoke in a huff.
“How unfortunate. If your brother had come, he might have achieved a decent result. But for you to be the representative…”
She was young, all right. Her judgment was clouded by her bruised ego, making her act childish. I’d felt this when dealing with So Yeong-hyeon and So Jang-yun as well, but I truly couldn't understand how my past self had ever been bullied by people like this.
Just then, Sama Yeong, who had been sitting quietly, let out a snort of laughter.
Kang Hye-mi frowned and turned to her.
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“Yes.”
“Ex-excuse me?”
“It’s just funny watching you judge someone when you can’t even grasp the extent of my Senior Brother’s skills.”
At those words, the corners of Kang Hye-mi’s eyes sharpened fiercely. On the other hand, Cheongmyeong and Hyeonjin looked awkward. As disciples of Great Sects, Cheongmyeong had already crossed the Wall to become a First-Rate Master, and Hyeonjin was right on the verge of it; they had some inkling of my true strength.
Trembling with rage, Kang Hye-mi turned to Do Gyeong-uk.
“Brother Do.”
“Sister Hye.”
“Since we are all fellow members of the Hunan Province Branch of the Martial Alliance, why don't you give him a lesson? We wouldn't want him to become too arrogant before the Martial Discussion, would we?”
—What a little fox.
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue.
She was clever enough to avoid getting her own hands dirty, instead pushing the task onto Do Gyeong-uk.
Do Gyeong-uk, however, didn't answer immediately. It was only natural. The fact that I was the representative of the Ikyang So Family meant I might have been recognized by the clan—a far cry from my days as a "Wild Colt."
As he hesitated, Kang Hye-mi’s throat bobbed. Do Gyeong-uk’s expression turned troubled. She was likely badgering him via Sound Transmission.
‘Ah… come to think of it, Do Gyeong-uk and Kang Hye-mi were engaged.’
‘How annoying.’
I had no desire to waste emotional energy on these brats. Should I just crush them now?
Just as I was weighing my options—
“So Sasuk!”
A shout drew everyone’s attention toward the stairs. A young man in a handsome navy-blue Taoist robe stood there.
—Unhwi, isn't that him? The disciple of Hengshan’s First Sword.
As the sword noted, the young man was Seo Il-ju, the first disciple of Jo Cheong-un, the First Sword of Hengshan. I hadn't expected to run into him here. That meant the people from the Hengshan Sect had arrived.
Yeong-yeong must be here too.
“Sasuk?”
Cheongmyeong of the Qingcheng Sect muttered in confusion. It was understandable. There was no one in this room who looked old enough to be called "Martial Uncle."
Of course, that "Martial Uncle" was me. Since I had entered a sworn brotherhood with the First Sword of Hengshan, Seo Il-ju naturally had to call me "So Sasuk."
Recognizing Seo Il-ju, Hyeonjin of the Quanzhen Sect offered a greeting.
“Is that not Brother Seo of the Hengshan Sect?”
“Brother Hyeon. It has been a long time.”
As disciples of Great Sects within the same Taoist lineage, they recognized each other instantly. Dang Hye-hwa, Cheongmyeong, and the three from the Hunan Branch all performed a fist-and-palm salute out of respect for the name of Hengshan.
Hyeonjin asked curiously, “But Brother Seo, what did you mean by ‘Sasuk’?”
‘Ho.’
This worked out perfectly. If I played this right, I could handle this annoying situation easily.
I looked at Seo Il-ju and returned the salute.
“You’ve arrived.”
Seo Il-ju looked flustered and waved his hands frantically.
“Sasuk! Why are you being so formal? Please, speak comfortably. If you don't, my Master will scold me later.”
Everyone stared at me in shock at Seo Il-ju’s respectful attitude. The Orthodox Martial World placed extreme importance on generational rank and seniority. Seeing Seo Il-ju, who was of their own generation, call me "Martial Uncle" left them baffled.
“Brother Seo,” Hyeonjin asked, “is Brother So perhaps a secular disciple of your sect?”
“Ah, you didn't know?”
Seo Il-ju glanced at me, seeking permission to speak. I nodded.
Seo Il-ju then gestured respectfully toward me and Sama Yeong.
“Sasuk So and Sasuk Ma here are the successors of the Namcheon Sword Guest, the Great Hero Hojongdae.”
“!!!”
At those words, not just the six at the table, but the entire second floor of the inn fell into a stunned silence. People had already been eavesdropping because of the tension between us and the Hunan Branch group. Hearing the name of the Namcheon Sword Guest mentioned sent shockwaves through the room.
“The Namcheon Sword Guest?”
“The successors of Great Hero Hojongdae?”
The second floor buzzed with excitement.
Cheongmyeong, who had lost his voice for a moment, asked with wide eyes, “Is… is that true?”
I put on a humble expression and replied as if it were nothing.
“Though I am lacking, I have indeed studied martial arts under my Master.”
“Ah!”
An exclamation escaped Cheongmyeong’s lips.
Hyeonjin of the Quanzhen Sect was quick to react. He bowed deeply and performed a formal salute.
“Why didn't you say so sooner? If you are Brother Seo’s Sasuk, then you are a Sasuk to me as well. I almost committed a grave discourtesy.”
It was a reaction typical of a disciple from a Great Taoist Sect that valued hierarchy.
“You are a Sasuk to me as well.”
Cheongmyeong, who had been gasping in awe, also bowed and showed his respect. Since they were all from Taoist-affiliated sects, the hierarchy was established instantly. In a single moment, I had become the "Martial Uncle" to three of them.
“This is quite embarrassing.”
Though it was exactly what I intended, I feigned awkwardness. Then, I slowly scanned Kang Hye-mi, Do Gyeong-uk, and Jo Ik. They were staring at me, utterly dumbfounded.
I gave them a bright smile.
“What was it you said earlier? You were going to give me a lesson?”
“!?”
The surrounding crowd began to whisper. The appearance of the Namcheon Sword Guest’s successor was already big news, but now everyone was curious about who would dare offer to "teach" such a person a lesson.
The three of them were paralyzed with embarrassment.
“So, which one of you is going to teach me?”
Soon, I was treated to the sight of all three of them frantically waving their hands in denial at the same time.
*
“Ah, I’m so full. Totally satisfied.”
Sama Yeong said, patting her slightly rounded belly as we left the restaurant. The Dongpo Pork at the Deungjeong Inn truly lived up to its reputation. It was exquisite.
Thanks to Seo Il-ju, I had avoided a headache and enjoyed a great meal. Though I suspected the three from the Hunan Branch upstairs were probably suffering from indigestion right about now.
“They seem to offer takeout. Should we get some?”
Sama Yeong agreed with Jo Seong-won’s suggestion.
“Good idea. That Taoist Seo Il-ju from the Hengshan Sect took some to go earlier, too.”
As she said, Seo Il-ju had packed some Dongpo Pork. I heard the Hengshan Sect party had gone straight into the Martial Alliance’s inner city. As a Great Sect, their accommodations were provided inside. Yeong-yeong was likely there as well.
“Deputy Unit Leader?”
The two of them looked at me with pleading eyes. I chuckled and nodded.
“I’ll go order it right now!”
Jo Seong-won ran back into the inn, full of excitement. After he went in, I thought it might be nice to get some for Haeakcheon and the twin brothers as well. I asked Sama Yeong to handle that.
As she entered the inn, a child of about six years old approached me.
“Excuse me. Excuse me. Take this.”
“Hmm? For me?”
The child handed me a small, folded piece of paper. Then, as if his job was done, he bolted away.
Wondering what it was, I unfolded the paper.
“……”
I couldn't help but sigh. The note read:
[If you don't want to lose your precious sword, come to the blacksmith street alone. Do not bring anyone with you.]
*
As the sun was setting, the blacksmith street was nearly deserted. It was clear they had chosen this time intentionally.
Entering the blacksmith shop, I saw a cooling furnace and hammers and casting tools scattered about. I sensed a presence further inside, near the incense burner.
Only one person.
“Come in.”
At the voice, I walked inside. In the corner, the blacksmith lay unconscious, likely having had his pressure points struck. Sitting on the incense burner was a masked man wearing a bamboo hat.
—Unhwi!
The voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my head. The masked man was holding the sword. It seemed the restoration was nearly complete, as the blade emitted a faint, elegant glow while the man ran his fingers over it.
“A fine blade. Is this the famous Namcheon Iron Sword?”
The masked man spoke to me. I replied in a cold, flat voice.
“Who… are you?”
The man let out a short laugh and stabbed the Namcheon Iron Sword into a wooden plank on the floor. Then, crossing his arms, he spoke in an arrogant tone.
“I have come to deliver a message from the Young Lady.”
“The Young Lady?”
Only then did I realize his identity. This man was sent by Baek Hye-hyang. Given that he was hiding his face with both a bamboo hat and a mask, he was likely someone participating in the Successor's Martial Discussion.
“And what is this message?”
“Forfeit the Martial Discussion. And go back and tell Lady Baek Ryeonha to surrender if she wishes to keep her life.”
I found his words utterly absurd. Seeing my reaction, the masked man gripped the hilt of the Namcheon Iron Sword to steady it and then pressed his foot against the flat of the blade. Under his strength, the sword began to bend slightly.
“You wouldn't want to lose your sword, would you?”
Now he was resorting to blackmail. He looked ready to snap the blade then and there if I didn't comply. His eyes were fixed on me.
I shook my head and laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
I lowered my voice.
“This isn't a message from Lady Baek Hye-hyang. It’s your message, isn't it?”
“!?”
His eyes wavered for a split second.
In that instant, I thrust my left hand forward. The Silver Smoke Thread shot out like a bolt of lightning, coiling around the Namcheon Iron Sword.
Clatter!
“What?!”
As I infused the thread with internal power, it retracted instantly, pulling the Namcheon Iron Sword right into my hand.
I looked at the bewildered man and spoke.
“What was that about my sword?”