Chapter 106: Flying Dragon Thirteen Squad - Team 7
Chapter 106: Flying Dragon Thirteen Squad - Team 7
The location for the dinner gathering was a clearing in the middle of the forest.
By the time I attended the dinner gathering with the Sword Saint Elder, the other squad members had already nearly finished preparing for the feast.
The clearing was furnished with round tables made from chopped-up sections of massive trees, and round chairs fashioned from smaller cut logs.
And on the large bonfire blazing at the center, a mid-sized wild boar, several rabbits, pheasants, and fish were skewered on spits, cooking and giving off a delicious aroma.
At that moment, Bi Sa-yeong, who had been setting bowls and spoons on the wooden table, suddenly spotted me arriving and yelled.
"Hey, you bastard! Why aren't you coming faster?! Older than me but lazier than me! Ah, Sword Saint Elder! Please, come right in!"
Watching Bi Sa-yeong snap at me and then instantly bow at a perfect right angle to greet the Sword Saint Elder, a chuckle escaped me.
I slowly scanned the table setting and spoke to him.
"Why are you shouting like you did a ton of work? I can tell at a glance you just moved some bowls and spoons. Those big tables cut from trees clearly look like Miss Cheongyeon's handiwork, and the chairs were made by...."
Before I could finish, Miss Cheon Ju-eun, who had been roasting meat with Bae Jong-gwan, raised her hand adorably and called out.
"Me! I made them!"
I smiled and complimented her.
"You made them well, Miss Cheon. The chairs are very cute."
At that, Miss Cheon beamed brightly and poked her own cheek with her index finger, asking cutely.
"Like me?"
At her sudden aegyo attack, I briefly stammered before I could barely manage an answer.
"Th... that's right. As cute as you, Miss. Ahem, ahem."
"'Th... that's right?!' The pause in the middle of your words was way too long!"
"Miss Cheon, I think Miss Cheon is a hundred times cuter than those chairs!"
I decided to simply pretend I hadn't heard Miss Cheon's protest or Jong-gwan's subsequent confession.
Then I turned back towards Bi Sa-yeong and continued.
"Anyway, the liquor was supposed to be prepared by Maeng Un, and I can tell at a glance that wild boar wasn't your doing either? It doesn't look like you caught the rabbits or the fish, either. Whose handiwork is that?"
As if I'd hit a bullseye, the bastard stammered his reply.
"C-can you see that? Ghost-like bastard. The boar, rabbits, and fish were caught by Miss Ya Un-hyang. But still, those pheasants, I caught those myself, you know?! With a flying dagger!"
"Oh my, is that so? You worked hard. There, there. You did?"
"You son of a bitch?! Are you mocking me right now?! You good-for-nothing brat who helped with absolutely nothing!"
I grinned slyly at Bi Sa-yeong, who was blowing his top, and answered with absolute confidence.
"Hah, I helped with nothing? I brought the Sword Saint Elder himself, I'll have you know?"
"That...!"
Bi Sa-yeong, who had been about to shout something, glanced furtively at the Sword Saint, gritted his teeth, and forced a nod.
"Ah, is that right? You d-did important work."
After thoroughly mocking the bastard's spineless reaction, I abruptly asked another question.
"But Miss Ya Un-hyang went hunting too? I kind of thought she'd find that sort of thing really bothersome?"
"Ah, well, apparently she took Jong-gwan with her to hunt, and then made the poor bastard carry everything back. According to Jong-gwan, her whip technique was no joke. He said her whip moved just like a black dragon, either coiling around beasts and dragging them in, or piercing them like a spear to catch them."
"Oh, really?"
She was said to be a renowned female master of the evil faction, and she certainly seemed to be a formidable expert.
I nodded and then looked around the area.
Then I asked again.
"But the squad leader and Miss Cheongyeon haven't come yet?"
"Ah, the squad leader is still in qi circulation meditation after taking the spirit medicine. Seems like it's taking a while, maybe because he ingested a large quantity all at once."
"Ah, is that so?"
Come to think of it, ever since the squad leader broke through the wall, he hadn't had a chance to take any spirit medicine yet.
The moment we returned, he went straight out to search for Cheol-gwi and then immediately left for the main family estate, so it was only natural that he hadn't had the time.
It seemed that after his sparring match with the Sword Saint Elder earlier, where he appeared to be meditating, he had immediately gone off to ingest the elixir.
It was likely due to the Sword Saint Elder's advice to engage in many all-out sparring matches.
"Then Miss Cheongyeon?"
"Lady Hae came by earlier, made the table, and then went back to the Fourth Squad. She said she'd come back when the time is right?"
"Hmm."
I still hadn't had a chance to speak with Miss Cheongyeon since returning.
It wasn't just that we hadn't talked; I hadn't even had a chance to run into her because she was constantly at the Fourth Squad.
Even if she was in a different squad, it was baffling how it was possible to miss each other this completely, even though we were all in the same Thirteen Squads.
The fact that she seemed to be adjusting well to the Fourth Squad was a relief, but honestly, I couldn't help feeling a bit hurt.
In this life, she was a close friend who had entered the Flying Dragon Corps with me and stuck by my side constantly.
As expected, I regretted endlessly that I hadn't been able to have a talk with her before leaving for the main family estate.
A little while later, just as the cooking was nearly finished, the squad leader and Miss Cheongyeon joined us.
And we were finally able to begin the dinner gathering.
"To the boundless growth and health of the Flying Dragon Thirteen Squads' Seventh Squad members!"
"To us!"
Along with the Sword Saint Elder's toast, everyone clinked their glasses together.
"Whoa! This wild boar meat just melts in your mouth! Jong-gwan! Miss Cheon! Your skills are incredible!"
"Ahem! I put a little extra effort into it!"
"Ahh, the liquor tastes as sweet as honey too! Isn't it killer?"
"Ah, well, that's alcohol with actual honey added to it. So that's why it tastes like honey."
"Ah, oh... really?"
The dinner was a joyful occasion.
Rather than a send-off for someone leaving the Seventh Squad, it felt more like family members just enjoying a meal together, eating, laughing, and making noise.
As if nothing would ever change, as if we would keep gathering like this again and again.
After we had filled our stomachs to a certain point, we began showing off our talents to liven things up.
"One cannot have music missing from a drinking party."
Miss Ya Un-hyang, who had spoken those words in her languid voice, surprised us all by displaying an unexpected talent for the seven-stringed zither.
Then Miss Cheon, perhaps fired up, jumped forward.
"Then I'll take care of the singing!"
And with that, she began singing adorably while performing a sword dance with her Hae-dong ring-pommel great saber.
"M-Miss Cheon! You're like a goddess!"
Bae Jong-gwan looked utterly entranced by Miss Cheon's dance and song.
The next to come forward was me.
Maybe it was because the alcohol was kicking in and I was in front of people who felt like family, but I felt absolutely no embarrassment.
"In that case, I shall show you my transformation technique!"
"Huh? Transformation technique?!"
"Young Master Seonwoo, you know how to use magic too?!"
What I confidently presented, saying I'd show them transformation, was me using the Bone-Shrinking Art to reduce my skeletal frame.
I had demonstrated it for Bi Sa-yeong and Bae Jong-gwan before, but since it was a first sight for the rest, they all opened their eyes wide and marveled.
"Now, transforming into a dwarf!"
Shouting that, I reduced my height first.
Crrrrack!
"Wooooaaah! He really got smaller! Young Master Seonwoo! That's amazing!"
"Hahahaha! As expected, my sa... jil has many talents!"
Since the reaction seemed good, I immediately moved on to the next stage.
"Now, this time, transforming into a child!"
Crrrrack!
This time, I even reduced my overall physique to that of a small child.
At that, the squad members burst into laughter.
"Puhahahaha! What kind of kid has muscles that thick?!"
"Agh! The muscles are one thing, but his face is all old on that small body, it's so creepy!"
"Wahahahaha! This guy is seriously hilarious!"
After my transformation antics, the grand finale was showcased by the Sword Saint Elder, who had gotten thoroughly merry.
"Now! Having seen such a rare spectacle, I cannot sit idly by! I, too, shall show you a hidden special talent I have kept secret!"
"Ooooh! Sword Saint Elder!"
We burst into cheers.
Off to one side, Miss Cheongyeon dropped her head deeply as if embarrassed, but it seemed this was not within Sword Saint Elder's field of vision.
"Hyeop!"
With a comical kihap, the Sword Saint Elder stretched his finger towards the sky.
And at that, we all jumped in surprise, our eyes practically bugging out.
Because the Sword Saint Elder's sword, which had been resting on the table, suddenly flew up in the direction his finger was pointing.
"Eugh!"
"N-no way?!"
We, who had been in disbelief at first, couldn't help but let out astonished cries as the sword that had soared into the sky flew about like a bird, following the Sword Saint Elder's fingers.
"Waaaah!"
"Q-qi Sword Control?!"
"That's real! In reality! It's actually possible?!"
"Good heavens!"
The astonishment didn't stop there.
When we burst into cheers, the Sword Saint Elder, perhaps in a good mood, leaped high into the air and landed atop the flying sword.
Then, riding the sword, he flew back and forth across the sky.
It was the Sword Riding Art we had only heard of in legends.
We burst into fervent cheers.
"Waaaah! Sword Saint Elder!"
"You're the best! Elder!"
"Truly amazing! The greatest!"
The Sword Saint Elder descended to the ground around the time our cheers ended.
"It consumes too much internal energy, so I can't show you for long. Was it decent?"
"It was incredible, Elder!"
"I thought you were a sage!"
It could not simply be just decent.
It was the most astonishing spectacle I had ever seen in my life.
After that, everyone's drinks had taken effect to some degree, and they began to split off into small groups of two or three to converse.
I wanted to talk a little with Cheongyeon, so I looked her way, but she was gathered with Miss Cheon Ju-eun and Miss Ya Un-hyang, the three women talking amongst themselves, so I couldn't intrude.
"Hmm."
I felt a little bitter.
I thought perhaps I wouldn't get to talk with her today either.
Suddenly, this thought occurred to me.
'It seems that's how distance grows between people — in an instant.'
It was bitter and empty that the situation had become such that even conversing with her was difficult.
Even though she was someone I had once even thought I might end up with, rather than Na So-jeo.
In the past, I'm only human, so there were definitely times I harbored feelings more than friendship for Cheongyeon, who was always by my side and with whom I communicated better than anyone.
At least, until I found out she was the Sword Saint's daughter and possessed beauty that could be called the greatest under heaven.
I suddenly let out a wry laugh.
'After that, I felt so pathetic for even briefly having such thoughts about such a perfect woman.'
Of course, the biggest reason was Na So-jeo, but anyway, after that I had abandoned all personal feelings and strived to be a good friend to her.
But seeing how we had now become people who couldn't even easily approach each other, perhaps my efforts had been lacking.
That was when it happened.
Seolpung Jojang suddenly approached me and raised his cup.
"Jin, you've worked hard under a lacking squad leader. I can't even remember how much help I've received thanks to you. I can hardly believe that starting tomorrow, you'll be someone from another squad."
I answered with a grin.
"Someone from another squad? I'm an eternal member of the Seventh Squad. I'll keep coming back for dawn training and evening sparring, so don't even think about sending me away. And if it weren't for you, Seolpung Jojang, I would still be a pig, not a person. If I've done anything well, it's all thanks to you, squad leader."
It was a sincerity that held not a sliver of falsehood.
The ones who brought me into this world might be my parents, but the one who made me who I am as a martial artist was entirely my squad leader.
It was a debt of gratitude that could never be fully repaid in a lifetime.
"And squad leader, by any chance, are you worrying about using 'that' in front of the Sword Saint Elder?"
At my question, the squad leader hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"As expected, no deceiving your eyes. That's right. The Sword Saint Elder is certainly someone I can trust, but I'm still debating whether I should show him 'that.'"
'That' referred to the Red Eye martial art that Seolpung Jojang used. The martial art that allowed one to exert combat power one or two stages above their level.
For the squad leader to have a full-power match as the Sword Saint Elder suggested, he would have to use it.
A bout without using it would be no different from the squad leader hiding his skill.
The problem was, by using it, the squad leader's identity risked being exposed.
Especially the Sword Saint Elder — I was certain he would definitely notice.
From the moment I heard the Sword Saint Elder's words next to the squad leader earlier, I had predicted the squad leader was probably worrying about that.
And as expected, my prediction was right.
"Squad leader, this is just my opinion, but if, as the Sword Saint Elder says, you must fight with all your might to break the wall, I think perhaps now is the best opportunity."
"...Now, you say?"
"Yes, because I think that meeting an opponent strong enough to warrant using that, and having someone among that opponent you can still somewhat trust, are both incredibly difficult things. Perhaps it could be your last chance."
"Hmm...."
"So though you may be reluctant, I think it might be better to take a bit of a gamble just this once."
Hearing my words, the squad leader fell into deep thought.
It wouldn't be an easy choice, but I already felt like I knew what choice he would make.
***
Hae Cheongyeon subtly turned her eyes, hidden by her hair, to look at Seonwoo Jin, who was having a serious conversation with Seolpung Jojang.
'Letting my hair down is helpful at times like this.'
The sight of Seonwoo Jin, whom she was seeing after so long, was, to her dismay, all too pleasing.
She had hoped that out of sight would mean out of mind, but it had no effect whatsoever.
Over the past few days, Hae Cheongyeon had been suffering from deep self-loathing.
It was because she was so pathetic and ashamed of herself for impulsively moving to the Fourth Squad in anger after Seonwoo Jin went to save Na Seo-yu.
An impulsive decision swayed by mere emotion — she doubted whether she was truly herself.
But Hae Cheongyeon, having calmed her heart, soon decided to think that perhaps it was for the best.
Because it seemed putting some distance between herself and Seonwoo Jin would help restore her self-esteem and rational judgment.
'And yet....'
Where had the feeling of returning to her original self over the past few days gone? The moment she saw his face, she had become flustered again.
Seeing him again, he was still far too charming.
His display of the Bone-Shrinking Art before everyone was cute, and the way he wore a serious expression now was handsome.
If she let her focus slip even a little, her gaze would once again find its way toward him.
She simply couldn't take her eyes off him.
They were definitely her own mind and body, yet they refused to be controlled, as if she had been possessed by a Blood Cultist.
She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath.
'Get a hold of yourself, Hae Cheongyeon. Recover your cool-headedness.'
She tried her hardest to make a rational judgment.
The fact that Seonwoo Jin could talk with Seolpung Jojang like that clearly meant he still hadn't confessed to Na Seo-yu.
Because if he had, their relationship would never be as natural as it was.
So Seonwoo Jin, still unaware of Na Seo-yu's feelings for Seol Pung, would be looking only at her. Staying by his side would certainly mean nothing but a repeated cycle of incidents that would wound her pride.
So, staying away from his side for now seemed the wiser judgment.
Even to wait for another opportunity later, and above all, to protect her original self.
Her conclusion made, Hae Cheongyeon rose from her seat.
"Having some drinks after a while has made me very tired. I'll take my leave first."
At that, the squad members all looked at her with surprised eyes.
"Oh, Lady Hae, you're going already?"
"Eonni, are you very tired? I wanted to talk more...."
"Sorry, I think I overdid it."
The squad members all had regretful looks, but when she answered firmly, they could no longer hold her back.
Then, Geomseong Hae Un-baek, who had been chatting happily with Bi Sa-yeong and Bae Jong-gwan for a while, rose from his seat with an expression that barely masked his regret.
"You must be very tired. Your father will escort you back."
As she left the gathering, Hae Cheongyeon took in a final glance of Seonwoo Jin, seated among the squad members.
His eyes, looking at her with the same regret as all the other squad members.
The fact that his regret was likely nothing more than the regret of a comrade leaving a gathering early made her heart ache once more.