Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Shall We Take a Short Walk?
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“…Goddamn, those old men are something else.”
Dang Yeowon pounded her shoulder with her fist as she slipped out of the Idle Talk Pavilion.
What was it with men being that rowdy without even drinking?
They had so much to say that their laughter was still shaking the building even after coming outside.
“You’ve had a rough one.”
The Green Pine Corps guard gave a wry smile and handed her a gourd flask.
Dang Yeowon snatched it up quick as a flash and chugged it down.
She’d told them to add ice beforehand, and sure enough, it hit the spot—ice cold.
Her head cleared right up.
“Finally feel like I’m alive. Whew.”
Inside were Amjon, Tang Hosan, and the Lion Sword King, along with a handful of others, chatting away.
Dang Yeowon had gotten swept up in the chaos and ended up putting on a show for the old-timers—not that she wanted to.
“Sing something.” “Didn’t you learn a dance lately? Show us.” “You do opera too, right? Just one line…”
She’d gritted her teeth through it, but the sight of her grandfather cackling away made her blood boil from the inside.
What could she do, though? She just had to endure.
If it were back at the Tang family estate, she could’ve run to her father and tattled, but not here with all these guests around.
Maybe it was petty revenge for when she’d run away(?) before and he’d dragged her back by the collar.
“Anyway, keep an eye on those old men. Make sure they don’t say anything stupid. Block anyone who starts begging for drinks. Keep people from approaching the Idle Talk Pavilion. And—”
Just listing her worries would take till dawn.
The Green Pine Corps member flashed a wry smile.
“Don’t you have an appointment? Shouldn’t you hurry?”
“Damn it, time’s already this late? Alright, you got it? Contact me if anything comes up.”
“Yeah, yeah. Won’t let a single Demonic Cult nose poke through, so go on ahead. We’ll hold the fort.”
With the Demonic Cult so close, no one could fully relax, so everyone was avoiding the booze, but the mood had lightened up a fair bit.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. See you later.”
“Yeah. Keep it up.”
With so many people gathered today, they planned a small reunion for the Sichuan Alliance too.
Dang Yeowon thought as she headed to the White Fortress.
‘Yunhwi’ll be there too, huh. Hm. To avoid awkwardness going forward, better apologize first thing.’
Dang Yeowon took great pride in being the vice commander of the Green Pine Corps.
But her grandfather’s Companion Triad Yang Return to Origin Art—one she hadn’t learned herself—was something she absolutely couldn’t pass up.
Even if she quit later, she planned to join the new Stormwind Corps first.
Problem was, that meant facing Yunhwi all the time, and awkwardness was the last thing she wanted.
She’d planned to stay good friends with him anyway, so she’d make the first move.
“I’m here.”
The place she arrived at—the White Fortress—was already buzzing with Yi Cheolsan, the Iron Spear Trio, and everyone else deep in the fun.
“Oh? Vice Commander!”
“Come on in.”
“Looks like you had a hell of a time getting here?”
Yu Sumin and Sama Seoni waved her over warmly, while Yi Cheolsan smirked and slid over to make room across from him.
“Seriously… I can’t even put it into words. And this is me barely escaping.”
“Serving the elders up close ain’t easy. Gotta deal with all sorts of guests too.”
“Tell me about it. Thought I was gonna lose my mind.”
Yi Cheolsan smiled wryly.
“Still got that sharp tongue. But don’t tons of the younger generation look up to you as an idol? For their sake, at least be a role model—”
“Keep nagging and I’m out.”
“…Nope. I’ll shut up.”
Yi Cheolsan let out a light sigh.
Yu Sumin was one thing, but Dang Yeowon too—they were no picnic.
And yet, as one of the Sichuan Alliance’s big shots, he wasn’t getting any respect lately.
“Hang in there.”
Only Sama Seoni seemed to get Yi Cheolsan’s struggles, patting his shoulder and refilling his cup.
Getting teased by girls nearly ten years younger, then comforted on top of it.
As a wry smile tugged at Yi Cheolsan’s lips, Dang Yeowon glanced around, searching for someone.
“But one person’s missing?”
“One person? Oh! You mean Yunhwi.”
“Already on first-name terms?”
“We’re exactly the same age. Makes sense, right?”
“Not just showing off your age, are you?”
“…Who the hell wants to get old? Anyway, Yunhwi got called to the Idle Talk Pavilion a bit ago. Didn’t run into him?”
“Idle Talk Pavilion? Never heard a thing.”
A call from the Idle Talk Pavilion meant Amjon had summoned him personally.
Looked like it came after Dang Yeowon had left.
“Paths must’ve crossed.”
“Guess so. Place is huge, tons of people—easy to miss each other. But what’s it about?”
With nothing clicking in her mind, Dang Yeowon could only tilt her head.
Part of her felt disappointed.
She’d wanted to chat with Yunhwi, but now the chance had slipped because of bad timing.
Then it hit her—Dang Gyujin was staring right at her.
An awkward smile. She waved hello, but her eyes darted away.
‘Why’s my sister acting weird?’
They’d always been like real sisters, so this was just odd.
She had no clue it had anything to do with Yunhwi.
* * *
“How’s the tea? To your taste? If it weren’t the wrong time, I’d have brought out the liquor. Shame.”
“It’s fine. More than satisfactory, really. I figured Sichuan and Guizhou tea would be similar given the environments, but the flavors are so different—caught me off guard.”
“Ha ha ha. Right? Sichuan’s a bit more humid, so fruits and grains hold more moisture, giving that unique taste.”
“Appreciate the delightful experience.”
The Lion Sword King’s first impression of Amjon was simple.
An eccentric.
He’d shown untouchable dignity speaking of the new Stormwind Corps’ need before the masses, yet here in private, he was like the friendly neighborhood grandpa.
Sprinkled with mischievous teasing toward his granddaughter and Tang Hosan.
Which was the real Amjon? He wondered.
Like an herb that could be poison or medicine depending on use, maybe Amjon had both sides, and they were all him.
“Martial arts are much like this tea.”
Amjon refilled the Lion Sword King’s cup with a smile.
“Taste changes with water temperature, steeping time. Mess up midway, and it rots—but handle right, and even cheap leaves become premium.”
The Lion Sword King stared silently at his cup.
Tang Hosan just nodded along, not chiming in.
“You’ve gained the depth you wanted too, haven’t you? What’s your take?”
“Take? None to give.”
“Oh ho. None?”
“Was thrilled when I broke through, sure. Craved that height forever—natural reaction. But it was fleeting.”
Gulp gulp, smack!
The Lion Sword King downed his cup like he knew nothing of tea ceremony and continued.
“Climbing a peak, all you see is the summit. Reach it, and the view shifts. Truth be told?”
“Just us here. We’re family now. Speak freely.”
Family.
The word landed fresh for the Lion Sword King.
“Scared me.”
“Heh heh heh. The great Sword King scared? Folks’d laugh.”
“No joke. Dead serious. How do you people live with that view?”
Reaching the Martial Peak. Arriving at its end.
The Lion Sword King’s lifelong dream.
But gazing down from the top, he felt despair for the first time.
Pride in the height he’d scaled, yet utter blankness on how to go further.
Above the Martial Peak lay only the heavens.
So he’d have to fly—but he had no wings.
Force a jump, and he’d plummet.
No one to catch him then. Instant death.
A realm allowing no sideways step.
A height tolerating no mistakes. That was the Martial Peak.
So the Lion Sword King couldn’t grasp the Star Trajectory realm at all.
How do you gather intangible starlight to forge a path?
“Natural to be scared at first. Why wouldn’t I? One slip, and it all crumbles.”
“…….”
“But humans adapt. Stare long enough, it becomes familiar. Fear fades. Then you find a way forward.”
“…….”
“Life’s the same, no? Worry today’s gains might crumble, but soon adapt and chase new desires.”
“…….”
“Trouble starts then. Lose too much fear, get cocky beyond your station and crack your skull—or gauge your place coldly, climb steady, and claim greater heights.”
The Lion Sword King felt Amjon’s words described his own situation.
“Don’t you think?”
“Wise words. As advised, I’ll curb my thunderbolt antics, tread carefully.”
Amjon smiled brightly.
The Lion Sword King was indeed changed post-enlightenment.
With that mindset, he’d reach Amjon’s level someday.
So he had to bind him here.
‘Yunhwi, that kid pulled off something huge. Lucky with people.’
Amjon pulled a booklet from his robe and offered it.
The Lion Sword King’s eyes widened.
Six bold characters seared into his vision on the cover.
—Companion Triad Yang Return to Origin Art.
“…Why this all of a sudden?”
“You first. Then burn it right away.”
“!!”
“Key is destroying it on the spot after reading. Cling to it, and you’re done for. Absorb only the inspiration while reading.”
“……That’s not my point. Giving something this precious to an outsider like me—”
Amjon tilted his head, baffled.
“Strange talk. Why an outsider? Yunhwi’s sworn brother, right?”
“!!”
“The Tang Clan’s closed off. Exclusive. But once family, family for life.”
“!”
“That’s why. You’re one of us.”
“…….”
“Bribe too—for looking after Yunhwi ongoing.”
The Lion Sword King gripped the booklet with trembling hands.
He swallowed dryly without thinking.
‘The caliber… is different.’
Amjon loomed larger than ever.
The tea invite had seemed casual. Even the banter just now.
But looking back, absurd.
This was the absolute ruler dominating not just Sichuan but the Western Rivers, beyond.
Yet so unpretentious, even offering this extravagance.
The Lion Sword King prided himself open-minded, but could he go this far?
More shocking: right-hand man Tang Hosan stayed silent.
Meaning this was routine.
The Lion Sword King vaguely got why Star Trajectory outranked Martial Peak.
“No need to stress big. Was gonna hand it to the new Stormwind Corps anyway.”
Amjon winked playfully.
Not that it made it light.
The Corps got only part of the Companion Triad Yang Return to Origin Art. This was the full version.
“I’ll study it dearly.”
“Pah, didn’t hear a word. Don’t study—skim it quick.”
“I’ll remember.”
“Remember my ass. You get nothing.”
Amjon grumbled and turned to Tang Hosan.
“San-ah, heard watermelons are peak season. Suddenly craving fruit punch. Fetch some?”
“Yes. On it.”
Tang Hosan rose silently, nodding.
He shot the Lion Sword King a subtle glance.
The Lion Sword King caught it and stood.
“Was gonna get some air anyway. I’ll tag along with the Branch Leader.”
“Do that.”
The two left, leaving Amjon alone.
A presence at the door.
“Dang Yunhwi here.”
“Come in.”
Clank!
The door swung open, and Yunhwi entered.
His steps faltered briefly.
The aura around Amjon felt off.
“Cleared the room on purpose. Got something to confirm with you.”
…Confirm?
What?
Yunhwi blinked wide-eyed, unsure, as Amjon spoke low.
“Care for a short walk to get some air?”