Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Two Strands of Feminine Affection
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A moment later, as they all took their seats and two waiters hurried over to take their orders, the crowd's attention scattered once more.
But Jeon Sogi paid them no mind and instead abruptly stood up.
He approached their table and bowed in greeting.
"I don't know where you folks hail from, but you're causing quite a stir. Might this old man join you for a bit?"
Seonwoyong showed no reaction to Jeon Sogi's approach, simply lifting his teacup to his lips.
The others glanced toward Bang Choong.
As the eldest among them, they were silently deferring the decision to him.
Bang Choong subtly checked Seonwoyong's mood before rising and returning Jeon Sogi's greeting with cupped hands.
"I am Bang Choong of the Six Spins Taihang. They say the four seas are one family, so encountering an elder like you in this remote place and sharing a drink—what greater fortune could there be..."
Bang Choong trailed off, prompting Jeon Sogi to smirk wryly.
"...What greater fortune? What's the catch, Bang Great Hero?"
Jeon Sogi infused a hint of his inner power into the title "Bang Great Hero," shaking the bystanders to their core and paling their faces.
For those unversed in cultivation methods, the pressure was overwhelming.
Yet it barely fazed Bang Choong and his group.
Seonwoyong and Do Gwang aside, even I Taejeong and Moyong Cheong possessed substantial inner strength.
Bang Choong now faced Jeon Sogi with seasoned cunning.
"Heh heh... You're quite impatient, old timer. If you're joining us, shouldn't you at least share your esteemed name first? And what about the two companions over there—shouldn't their wishes be considered as well?"
"My name's nothing worth sullying your ears with. Just a nameless wanderer of the jianghu with no fancy title to speak of—surname Jeon. That old fellow over there will join me, of course, but the other one's no concern of mine. Satisfied now?"
"Ah, so you're Great Hero Jeon. I've never heard the name, but this Bang is deeply impressed. Please, have a seat. Allow me to offer you a drink."
Before anyone could invite him properly, Jeon Sogi plopped down in an empty chair, and Bang Choong lifted the wine jug to fill his cup.
But neither Seonwoyong nor the others welcomed Jeon Sogi.
Undeterred, Jeon Sogi downed the drink Bang Choong poured, handed back the cup, and took the jug himself.
"Here, fill my cup too. I've long heard of the title Six Spins Taihang, and to encounter you here in the heart of the Western Regions desert—talk about coincidence."
"Ha ha... I'm astonished. To think you'd know and remember the paltry moniker of this humble soul."
"How could I not know the chief overseer of the realm's bandits? You've held the post for over twenty years now, haven't you?"
"Heh heh. This Bang is truly in awe. Though I've heard tales of an elder of the Jeon clan from generations past, and I can't help but wonder if I'm meeting that very man today—it's quite the shock."
"Keh keh... As if some grand elder from ages ago would show up in a place like this. He's probably off fishing somewhere, waiting out his final days."
The two traded drinks and banter, but Seonwoyong ignored them entirely, focusing solely on his food and wine.
Do Gwang's expression, however, was different.
His usual playfulness vanished, replaced by a grave look as he eyed Jeon Sogi—then shifted his gaze intently to the Six Pattern Immortal seated across the way.
He suddenly stood and crossed over to join them.
"Since one guest from this side has come over, surely one empty seat from that side can come here to help with the drinks? Heh heh..."
The Six Pattern Immortal met Do Gwang's cheekiness with a chuckle.
"Ha ha... Come on over. Even a flea like you—if it's this big a flea—might take a couple jars. The four seas are one family, after all. Have a drink."
As Do Gwang accepted the drink from the Six Pattern Immortal, he shot a lingering glare at the fidgeting No Deok.
"But that fellow over there—is he originally your companion, elder? He looks familiar, and it gave me a start."
The Six Pattern Immortal replied lightly.
"No. We've only met here a mere hour ago—so not much different from your acquaintance."
"Ah, I see. Then he must be the one I know. Ha ha..."
The Six Pattern Immortal feigned surprise.
"Heh heh... The world is vast, yet the web of fate is tightly woven, leaving little room to slip through—what a stroke of coincidence. Though it seems your connection with him isn't a pleasant one, which pains me greatly."
"Indeed. Everyone lives their own way, and good and bad end up divided at times."
"By the way, I sense a Taoist aura about you. Any ties there?"
"Why not? I came over precisely because I felt it from you, elder."
"Ha ha... Then neither of us is the upright sort in the Taoist sect, eh? Just like me."
"You got that right. I fled that bastard's stink myself."
The two began chatting amiably, hitting it off.
At that moment, No Deok rose from his seat.
"I-I must be on my way now. This nobody old man will never forget the grace you've shown me today."
The Six Pattern Immortal nodded coolly to No Deok.
"Very well. Take care. The world is wide, and fortune and misfortune come as they please, no?"
"May I ask your esteemed name one last time?"
No Deok inquired again, but the Six Pattern Immortal's answer remained the same.
"Heh heh. Let it be. When shall we meet again? Better to let passing fates flow on—you'll understand someday."
Do Gwang, watching, bid farewell in his own way.
"Hey, see you later. Feels like it'll be soon, so we'll call it here for today. Keh keh..."
No Deok glared at Do Gwang briefly before bowing solely to the Six Pattern Immortal and hurrying out the inn's door.
But someone couldn't let No Deok leave just like that.
Watching his retreating figure, Jin Seolhwa shot to her feet.
At that exact moment, Seonwoyong, seated beside her, gently placed his hand atop hers.
It was a signal to stay put, but since it was their first skin contact, Jin Seolhwa flinched in surprise.
As if entranced, she slowly sank back into her seat.
"Let him go. You'll meet again regardless."
Jin Seolhwa merely nodded at Seonwoyong's words.
Moyong Cheong watched the pair intently before abruptly standing and heading toward the Six Pattern Immortal, where Do Gwang had already settled.
Jeon Sogi, seeing this, chuckled throatily and teased.
"True enough, heroes love the ladies—it's raining beauties on you now."
Seonwoyong impassively drained his cup, while Jin Seolhwa blushed.
Then I Taejeong started to rise as well.
Bang Choong teased him.
"And where are you off to? Can't hold back and chasing after Lady Moyong? Ha ha..."
I Taejeong flushed at the jest but stood anyway, heading toward Do Gwang.
"As if I'd chase Lady Moyong. Master already moved seats, so I figured I'd attend him..."
"Who said otherwise? Go on. Ha ha..."
Trouble arose unexpectedly in between.
The drunken officers, their faces flushed, blocked Moyong Cheong's path.
"Hey, miss. Join us for a drink here."
"Right? What's the fun with smelly old geezers and milk-scented brats? Real men ride horses and swing swords, sending the world to dust—like us officers. Right? Heh heh heh..."
"Exactly. Decades handling horses—women are no different. Ha ha ha."
Moyong Cheong coldly swept her gaze over the officers spewing vulgarities, blocking her front and back.
"Step aside. Before I cut you down."
Her icy tone cut like a winter gale, but the booze-addled men felt nothing.
Hardened by the rough frontier, fearless in life, a beauty's words wouldn't make them tremble.
"Whoa, scary. Saw you had a sword earlier—are you some martial heroine? Careful, boys. Wouldn't want to get sliced. Heh heh heh heh."
They leered and piled on the crude jokes.
Moyong Cheong turned her head back to glance at Seonwoyong.
But he showed no interest in her plight, blankly accepting another cup.
Which Jin Seolhwa was filling.
Turning back to the officers, Moyong Cheong tossed out an unexpected reply.
"Fine. One drink. But you'll cover the tab, and you'll drink till I stand."
The mood turned strange, leaving I Taejeong flustered.
He'd half-risen, ready to aid her against the officers if needed—now he was dumbfounded.
The officers, oblivious, grew boisterous with excitement.
"Ha ha... Sit right here. A beauty with such forthright spirit—I'm impressed."
"Just the bill? I'll get you a warm room too. Heh heh..."
"Hey, warm room's on me. Huh?"
The thrilled officers noisily seated Moyong Cheong and immediately passed around drinks.
Do Gwang glanced over, clucking his tongue at I Taejeong.
"Useless brat. Get over here and pour."
Once I Taejeong approached, Do Gwang prompted him toward the Six Pattern Immortal.
"Pay your respects. He's a major figure in the Taoist sect—show proper etiquette."
I Taejeong clasped his hands respectfully and bowed.
"This lowly disciple of Wudang, I Taejeong, offers greetings to the Daoist Master."
At the name Wudang, the Six Pattern Immortal nodded with a smile.
"No wonder the air of a famed sect clings so strongly—you're a Wudang disciple indeed. Sit and have a drink with me."
But I Taejeong dared not sit first, instead lifting the jug to fill the Six Pattern Immortal's cup.
"Fill mine too. Now sit."
With Do Gwang's permission, I Taejeong filled his cup as well and took his seat.
"Since it's come to this, I must offer my worthless name to you, Daoist Master. Long forgotten, but I am Wudang's Empty Hand."