Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Bicheon Lake Pavilion's Gong Son-beom
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Dang Gyu-jin had recently been sticking close to Yu Su-min and Sima Seon-ui, not to mention Dang Ye-won as well.
They had originally been on friendly terms, and after going through the Nine Dragons Great Battle together, they had grown as close as blood sisters.
As a result, their nickname of Evil-Exorcising Three Maidens had quietly evolved into the Evil-Exorcising Four Maidens.
Today was no different from usual.
After watching the spar between Unhwi and Lee Cheolsan, the four of them—deeply inspired—had finished their sword training together and were heading back to their lodgings.
“Do you have any idea what this robe is? It’s made from the finest silk, a special autumn-winter collection of the year of the horse, handcrafted stitch by stitch by Naparun, the top artisan even in the Lama region!”
“Our senior brother cherished it so much he couldn’t bear to wear it casually, but he finally mustered the courage to don it for this gathering! And you go and dirty it!”
“How do you plan to make amends for this!!”
“If you have a mouth, then speak up! How dare you just stand there mute!”
Gong Son-beom was silently brushing off the mud from his soiled scholar’s robe.
The warriors following him were furious as if it were their own clothes that had been dirtied, berating one person harshly.
“I-I was just carrying food and accidentally—”
Bae Hye-in was truly on the verge of tears.
She had only been moving the drinking trays, eager to enjoy some drinks with her friends after so long.
But a butterfly had fluttered into the backyard, distracting her for a moment, and she collided with Gong Son-beom.
Of all things, she had dirtied his precious silk robe.
Even she, whose eye for beauty wasn’t exceptional, could tell from its vibrant, luxurious colors that it was expensive and high-end.
The thought of compensating for it made her mind go blank.
‘The money I have on hand is for sending to my little brother’s martial arts school… If I use it all, I’ll be left with nothing. What do I do?’
Her fallen warrior family had sold even their last fields to raise her, a talented child, into a true martial artist.
Fortunately, Bae Hye-in had decent talent, and she had earned the qualifications to take the exam for the New Gale Force this time.
If she passed, she could earn a lot of money and finally let her parents live in comfort—that was her hope.
But if she caused trouble for her family again here?
The mere thought was horrifying.
“Could it be because of that incident from the other day?”
At that moment, Gong Son-beom lifted his head and asked in an indifferent tone.
Bae Hye-in’s body stiffened.
She felt like she couldn’t breathe.
“W-what do you—”
“I’m asking if you did this out of resentment because I didn’t accept you and your friends into my group the other day.”
“N-no! This is!”
“So this vile act was just a simple mistake? A warrior who participated in the Nine Dragons Great Battle has senses that dull? You expect me to believe that?”
“T-that’s—”
“Or is it because the Seo Chang Bae Clan’s secrets were lost generations ago, leaving you barely third-rate?”
“Don’t speak ill of my clan!”
“If that’s not it either, then how am I supposed to take this!”
“!”
Gong Son-beom sneered at Bae Hye-in, whose body had gone rigid.
“Fine. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. With skills like yours, you won’t pass the exam anyway. No point wasting more energy on you—it’d just vex me.”
“…….”
Bae Hye-in dropped her head.
She clenched her fists tightly.
She could feel the gazes pouring down on her from all around.
Gong Son-beom’s gaze was icy, and the looks from his group were filled with mockery and contempt.
“That’s why these paupers are—”
“Lacking talent yet forcing their way into the procession and causing messes like this.”
“Exactly. They strut around with bravado and end up harming others.”
“They should just go back home. What a hassle.”
Their whispers, meant to be private, rang all too clearly in Bae Hye-in’s ears.
Her heart felt like it was crumbling.
‘You too, really—’
In truth, most of them had been friends who shared oaths of loyalty with her just days ago.
In the Sichuan martial world teeming with prestigious clans and sects, they were successors of minor factions barely hanging on by name.
But they all took immense pride in their sects and burned with ambition to revive them through their own strength one day.
That’s why they were thrilled when the Dark Lord opened recruitment for the New Gale Force.
And with hearts full of joy, they joined the procession.
There, they swore brotherhood.
Let’s show them we’re no less than the great clans and sects. Let’s prove our spirit is unmatched to the world—that was their daily vow.
But when Gong Son-beom extended his hand to them, that spirit crumbled like a sandcastle on the beach.
Gong Son-beom of the Huam Eight Saints.
The rising star Gong Son-beom.
Those chosen by him puffed up their shoulders, boasting that the world was finally recognizing them.
Meanwhile, the unchosen ones slumped.
Gong Son-beom had said just one thing to them.
You lack talent. I have no obligation to drag along those who’ll fail the exam.
Bae Hye-in was among the unchosen.
And from that moment, the exclusion began.
Friends who had laughed together just yesterday now sneered; comrades who had sworn loyalty now shot her looks of disdain.
Even wanting to join the Evil-Exorcising Four Maidens—a rival faction—was hopeless, as they were all children of great clans and sects.
‘Father was right….’
Don’t give too much of your heart to those you meet in the martial world.
This world of rivers and lakes is heartless and ruthless. If you invest too much emotion, it will one day strike you from behind.
And it seemed those words were true.
There was no loyalty or romance in this martial world.
“I’ll… make compensation somehow. Please grant me a little time out of consideration for my circumstances. I would be grateful.”
Bae Hye-in’s head drooped even lower.
Gong Son-beom’s sneer grew wider.
“Time? How much?”
“One year—no, two should be enough—”
“Do you even know the value of this robe? You think you can really pay it back in that time?”
Gong Son-beom stated the price of the silk robe.
Bae Hye-in’s eyes trembled.
It was far beyond her imagination.
“T-that much—”
“Even if you sold your clan’s house and let go of all the servants, you wouldn’t cover half.”
“…….”
“And that’s just the base cost. I waited three years to receive this. If I add the time to order another, plus interest for your repayment period… ha!”
“…….”
“You’re a martial artist trying to survive in the world, so I won’t suggest selling smiles like a brothel girl. But I’d like to hear your actual plan for compensation.”
“…….”
“Or was it all just pretty words?”
“…….”
With every barb from Gong Son-beom, Bae Hye-in’s head sank deeper.
The mockery from those around grew louder.
Even instructors and other warriors uninvolved turned their gazes this way.
It felt like everyone was staring at her.
Mocking, despising, condemning.
She felt abandoned by the world.
Bae Hye-in shrank endlessly. Each of Gong Son-beom’s words became demonic claws tightening around her throat.
“What will you do?”
As Bae Hye-in felt like she might collapse from suffocation.
Thud!
Something heavy dropped at Gong Son-beom’s feet, passing by her.
To Bae Hye-in, it looked like a lifeline falling from the heavens.
It was a money pouch bulging with coin.
“That’s more than enough to cover the original price and any damages.”
With a resolute tone, someone stepped up beside Bae Hye-in.
Bae Hye-in instinctively looked up.
Standing there was Dang Gyu-jin, whom she had always admired from afar.
Behind her were Yu Su-min with a displeased glare, Sima Seon-ui with an expressionless face, and Dang Ye-won wearing a look of utter disbelief.
The aura emanating from these four women was so overwhelming that it instantly washed away the pressure that had bound Bae Hye-in.
The warriors, who had been so arrogant backed by Gong Son-beom, faltered and took a step back.
Only Gong Son-beom remained in place, wearing a cold sneer.
“Money, huh.”
Gong Son-beom, hands behind his back, lightly stomped his foot.
Boom!
The ground trembled, and the pouch floated lightly into the air.
As he released his hands and extended one forward, the pouch flew straight to him.
For a moment, a flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of the four women.
The aerial object retrieval was performed with such natural grace.
It seemed the skills he showed at the Nine Dragons Great Battle weren’t all he had.
It was perfect control of internal energy, something only achievable at least at mid-peak realm.
“As you say, this seems a sufficient price. But I didn’t expect the eldest daughter of the Nine Dragons Branch Family to step in for compensation. You must be close with the Seo Chang Bae Clan.”
“No.”
Dang Gyu-jin made no effort to hide her hostility toward Gong Son-beom.
Gong Son-beom tilted his head.
“Hm? Then why step forward? It’s no small sum.”
“When someone is being bullied, I help. Do I need any other reason?”
“The spirit of fellowship? What a fine-sounding phrase.”
Gong Son-beom tossed the pouch lightly and caught it.
Clink.
“Well, as long as I get properly paid, I don’t care. So go spread that noble spirit of yours far and wide.”
As Gong Son-beom clasped his hands behind his back again and turned to leave with his group, Dang Gyu-jin suddenly blocked his path.
Gong Son-beom’s brows furrowed slightly.
“What now?”
“Compensation is settled, so now it’s time for Young Master Gong Son to apologize to Lady Bae. And all of you behind him too.”
One of Gong Son-beom’s eyebrows twitched.
“Me, apologize? She’s the one at fault.”
“Didn’t you criticize Lady Bae on matters unrelated to the compensation? And publicly, in front of so many people. This concerns her honor, so apologize.”
Dang Gyu-jin’s eyes were firm, as if she would punish him harshly if he refused.
Gong Son-beom stared at her silently, then glanced at the other three women behind.
They wore the same resolute expressions.
In that instant, something squirmed in Gong Son-beom’s chest.
The hypocrites of great clans and sects who, in his childhood, wouldn’t spare him a glance no matter how much he screamed and begged for help.
“If I refuse?”
Gong Son-beom twisted one corner of his mouth in provocation.
“Then as an enforcer responsible for order and security in the procession, I’ll have no choice but to take action.”
Shing!
Dang Gyu-jin drew her sword with a cold tone.
Gong Son-beom’s faction immediately assumed combat stances, and the other three women drew their swords in unison.
Dang Ye-won, with hidden weapons loaded on her fingers, said,
“You all should drop your weapons. Unless you want a hole in your skulls.”
“!”
“!”
“!”
The warriors shuddered as one.
They had already witnessed the ferocity of the Green Standard Division deputy commander’s hands at the Nine Dragons Great Battle.
Yu Su-min and Sima Seon-ui were renowned experts in their own right.
But the warriors didn’t back down easily.
Instead, they surrounded Gong Son-beom even more protectively.
They made no effort to hide their enmity toward the Evil-Exorcising Four Maidens.
Gong Son-beom stared straight at Dang Gyu-jin and said,
“Enforcer or whatever, I never forgive those who point swords at me. You still want to go through with this?”
“If necessary.”
“Then, well—”
Flash!
Gong Son-beom’s figure vanished like a lie.
Dang Gyu-jin and the three women’s eyes widened.
They had all lost track of his presence right before their eyes.
And his voice echoed low from behind Dang Gyu-jin, like a ghost from the underworld.
“No choice but to clarify the pecking order properly before the real exam begins. I’ve been wanting to test you lot’s pathetic skills anyway.”
Rumble!
Gong Son-beom’s signature technique, Mountain-Splitting Palm, roared with thunderous air-tearing force toward the nape of Dang Gyu-jin’s neck.
Bam!!