Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Reunion at Tai'an Inn
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"Then please pass that on to them."
"Understood. Don't worry about it."
At Zhuge Seung-ho's words, the waiter straightened up with a snap and hurried down the stairs with quick steps.
Just as the waiter disappeared...
Pour...
The sound of tea being poured reached his ears, accompanied by a faint, multi-layered aroma that tickled his nose.
Before he knew it, Dan Mok-rin was holding the teapot and pouring tea into Cheonhwi's cup.
"Senior Brother."
Cheonhwi picked up the teacup Dan Mok-rin offered and took a sip.
It was astringent—not the finest tea by any means.
But it was perfect for whetting the appetite before a meal.
Smack...
Feeling his hunger intensify, Cheonhwi set the teacup down on the table.
...How can he be so composed?
Zhuge Seung-ho, watching the two, shook his head and glanced around discreetly.
Piercing gazes met his eyes.
Chaotic... so chaotic.
His head throbbed.
On their way to this Tai'an Inn, they had faced no end of troubles.
Innumerable stares and whispers, sharp reactions, bewilderment.
Some had even exuded killing intent.
And for good reason. Tai'an was currently swarming with members of the Heavenly Path Society, all gathered for the Zhuge family head's sixtieth birthday banquet.
For a Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect—one of the Nine Great Sects—to appear in such a place was bound to draw their attention.
The silver lining was that Zhuge Seung-ho and his younger brother were with him, preventing any overt hostility.
But that didn't stop the whispers.
Every time their group passed by, murmurs rose from all sides.
Just like now.
"Isn't that young master of the Zhuge family? Why is he with Daoists from Mount Hua...?"
"Did they invite Mount Hua to the banquet?"
Zhuge Seung-ho pressed a hand to his forehead.
Ha... I shouldn't have come to an inn.
He admitted his mistake.
But this was an unforeseen situation.
Who would have imagined the man before him was a Mount Hua Daoist!
"Haa."
As Zhuge Seung-ho sighed...
"Brother. What's wrong?"
Zhuge Seong-hyeon, who had noticed his sour expression, asked with concern.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Are you alright?"
"Pardon?"
Zhuge Seong-hyeon tilted his head.
His tone and expression suggested he was utterly oblivious to the stares focused on them. Zhuge Seung-ho pressed his forehead harder and muttered.
"...It's nothing."
I knew he was oblivious, but this much...
A hollow chuckle escaped his lips. At the same time, he decided to let it go.
No point in me stressing alone.
The other three clearly didn't care about the reactions around them. Why should he alone?
He picked up the teapot.
Pour...
Ignoring the prickling stares, the four sipped their tea lightly.
That was when...
"Young master Peng. Hurry."
"Got it."
A man and woman ascended the stairs.
The lively-voiced woman clung tightly to the arm of the stern-faced man as she scanned the room.
"Where's the Zhuge young master...?"
At their appearance, the eyes that had been fixed on Cheonhwi's group shifted.
"Blade Dragon Peng Cheol-wi...!"
"Then that young lady must be from the Hwangbo family...!"
Surprised voices erupted here and there.
The stern-faced man was Peng Cheol-wi, one of the current Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the Blade Dragon. The bubbly woman was his lover, Hwangbo Sohyeon.
Everyone knew they had come for the banquet, but the reclusive pair's appearance at the inn sent ripples through the crowd.
Especially since some wondered what would happen if they met the Zhuge family and Mount Hua Daoists.
"Ah!"
Ignoring the reactions, Hwangbo Sohyeon spotted Zhuge Seung-ho and waved enthusiastically.
"Young master Zhuge!"
Beaming, she dashed toward his table, with Peng Cheol-wi following.
Arriving first, Hwangbo Sohyeon looked at Zhuge Seung-ho, eyes sparkling—then froze upon seeing the seated group.
"...Mount Hua?"
Only now noticing the Daoist robes of Cheonhwi and Dan Mok-rin, she panicked.
Tap.
Peng Cheol-wi, arriving behind her, gently gripped her stiff shoulder and shook his head.
Then he cupped his fists in greeting.
"Greetings, hero."
Cheonhwi lifted his chin.
"Hm, not panicking, I see?"
"What does your sect matter?"
Peng Cheol-wi smiled faintly.
The broad smile softening his stern features made him seem gentler.
"What matters is that you saved me and my friends."
"I've thought it before, but you're the sharpest of the bunch."
"Thank you for the praise. If it's not too rude, may we join you?"
"Isn't that why you came?"
"Well, yes, but..."
Peng Cheol-wi glanced at the others.
"Haha."
"......"
Zhuge Seong-hyeon gave an awkward smile at eye contact, while Dan Mok-rin ignored him entirely.
Seeing him gauge the group's reactions—save Zhuge Seung-ho—Cheonhwi grinned.
"Still up to pointless games. Sit or don't, do as you like. You were called here for that anyway."
Zhuge Seung-ho chuckled sheepishly at Cheonhwi's gaze and spoke.
"Young master Peng, Lady Hwangbo. Sit before the hero changes his mind."
"Then, if you'll excuse us."
Bowing once, he whispered to the still-frozen Hwangbo Sohyeon.
"Lady."
"Ack!"
Startled by his voice near her ear, she blushed under the focused stares.
But she quickly composed herself and bowed politely.
"Sorry for the late greeting, hero."
"Forget it. Sit if you're sitting."
At Cheonhwi's annoyed tone, Hwangbo Sohyeon sat immediately.
An awkward silence settled briefly.
It was understandable—Zhuge Seung-ho and Cheonhwi knew everyone, but the other four were strangers to each other.
To break the ice, Zhuge Seung-ho spoke.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Zhuge Seung-ho of the Zhuge family."
It was an abrupt introduction.
As everyone but Cheonhwi stared oddly, Peng Cheol-wi caught on and followed suit.
"I'm Peng Cheol-wi of the Northern Peng family. Pleased to meet you."
Only after his introduction did the others catch on and share their names.
"I'm Hwangbo Sohyeon."
"Rin."
"Ah! Zhuge Seong-hyeon of the Zhuge family."
With names exchanged, all eyes turned to the last, Cheonhwi.
Peng Cheol-wi and Hwangbo Sohyeon's curiosity burned like the sun overhead.
"Cheonhwi."
At his name, their eyes widened.
"Cheonhwi... you don't mean the Plum Blossom Divine Hero...?"
"You're the Plum Blossom Divine Hero?"
They blurted simultaneously.
"Don't know much about it, but yeah, that's what they call me."
Cheonhwi shrugged nonchalantly.
Peng Cheol-wi and Hwangbo Sohyeon, however, stared blankly as if entranced.
Zhuge Seung-ho chuckled wryly at their reaction.
It is surprising.
He'd reacted the same upon hearing the name—or rather, the title.
I still question if it's real.
After traveling with him, anyone would doubt he was the Plum Blossom Divine Hero—or even a Mount Hua Daoist.
Not with his unabashed meat-eating and merciless killing.
As an odd silence threatened...
"Food's here."
The waiter arrived with dishes, lightening the mood.
He set them down one by one from his arms full of plates.
Once he left...
"No meat."
Cheonhwi scanned the table and remarked.
No meat dishes—just dumplings and vegetables aplenty.
"And no liquor either."
He grumbled.
Zhuge Seung-ho glanced at Cheonhwi's Daoist robes and smiled awkwardly.
"We ordered this on purpose since you're in Daoist garb, hero. Shall I order more?"
Cheonhwi clicked his tongue.
"No need. In Daoist robes, this is how it has to be."
Peng Cheol-wi and Hwangbo Sohyeon snapped out of it, staring incredulously.
Did Daoist rules change with clothes?
But Cheonhwi ignored them, picking up chopsticks and grabbing food from a nearby bowl.
"Hm, still tasty."
After so much meat, the vegetables offered a fresh flavor.
Cheonhwi shoveled in a big bite, then habitually reached out—only to furrow his brow.
"Right, no liquor."
Muttering regretfully, he poured tea to moisten his mouth.
"Then I'll..."
Watching him eat, Dan Mok-rin also took her chopsticks.
She hadn't said so, but her long fast had left her hungry.
As Cheonhwi and Dan Mok-rin dug in, the others—who weren't hungry yet—chatted.
Hwangbo Sohyeon eyed Zhuge Seong-hyeon.
"You're really the third young master of the Zhuge family?"
"Yes."
"Your brother described you differently."
Zhuge Seong-hyeon's eyes lit up.
"What did he say?"
"That you're smart and essential to the Zhuge family, but frail and worrisome..."
Her gaze swept over him.
He looked anything but frail—robust, even imposing.
Bigger than even young master Peng.
She shrugged.
"You don't look frail."
Zhuge Seong-hyeon turned.
"Brother! High praise from you!"
Catching his gleaming eyes, Zhuge Seung-ho quickly veiled his embarrassed smile with a fan.
"Ahem, just stating facts."
"Are you embarrassed?"
Zhuge Seong-hyeon grinned, knowing his brother's habit of fanning when shy.
Feeling good, he continued.
"I've heard plenty about Lady Hwangbo and young master Peng from brother too."
Hwangbo Sohyeon and Peng Cheol-wi leaned in eagerly.
"What did he say?"
"Lady Hwangbo is purely genuine inside and out, trustworthy. Young master Peng is reliable enough to have your back anytime."
"Seong-hyeon!"
Zhuge Seung-ho startled at the bluntness, calling out.
"Heh, that's how you saw me?"
"High praise indeed."
They teased the flustered Zhuge Seung-ho with playful smiles.
"I trust young master Zhuge too."
"Haha, I'm ready to step up anytime you say the word."
"Goodness."
Zhuge Seung-ho scratched his head.
Since that day, he'd kept in touch with them, Mo Yong-sang, and Yang Se-ryeong.
Their bonds had deepened.
Even he, who usually wore masks, could be himself around them.
This must be what friends are.
Folding his fan as it grew awkward, Hwangbo Sohyeon spoke.
"Speaking of, young master Mo Yong isn't here."
"Something came up at the Mo Yong family."
"That's worrying. He was counting down the days for this."
"Told him to contact us if he needs help, but not sure he will."
Zhuge Seung-ho smiled wryly.
Mo Yong-sang had changed the most that day.
From prideful and selfish to the most loyal.
He worried for the man who had his heart.
Then Peng Cheol-wi's expression hardened as he spoke cautiously.
"Any word from the Divine Spear Yang family?"
Zhuge Seung-ho nodded.
"Exchanged letters recently. They apologized for not attending and said not to worry—they've made a pact with the Day-Month Sect."
"Haa. That's a relief."
Hwangbo Sohyeon patted her chest.
Peng Cheol-wi smiled unwittingly at her gesture.
Zhuge Seung-ho didn't miss it.
"Hm, you two seem even closer now."
As they flushed...
"You look like you're having fun."
A cold voice cut in.
Looking over, Dang Jeok approached with four guards, smiling.
"Mind if we join?"
The lively conversation halted abruptly.
Everyone but Cheonhwi was flustered but showed none of it.
Zhuge Seung-ho spoke softly for the group.
"Sorry, young master Dang. This meal was already set."
Dang Jeok's eyebrow twitched.
"Choosing Mount Hua over the Eight Great Families?"
Zhuge Seung-ho's face hardened coldly.
"That's going too far."
"Isn't it true?"
Dang Jeok sneered coldly.
"Young master Dang. Mind your manners."
Peng Cheol-wi glared emphatically.
"Who's being rude? Dining with Mount Hua Daoists over Eight Great Families' heirs."
That was when...
"You've got a real talent for ruining appetites."
Cheonhwi set down his chopsticks.
"I said there's no third time."
Dang Jeok's eyes blazed with rage.
"Showing your true colors."
"True colors my ass. I'm just humoring your bullshit."
"I'll tear your limbs off!"
At the harsh words, Dang Jeok surged with inner energy.
"What are you doing!"
"Rein in your qi!"
"You can't do that!"
Zhuge Seung-ho, Peng Cheol-wi, and Hwangbo Sohyeon panicked, restraining him.
This only fueled Dang Jeok's fury.
His throat, once gripped by that bastard, still ached—and now his fellow Eight Great Families sided with Mount Hua?
"Defending a Mount Hua Daoist?"
He snapped at them.
The group felt frustrated at his hostility.
They worried for Dang Jeok, not Cheonhwi—and he was clueless, raging on.
"Step aside. This is personal between him and me."
"Oh? Personal, you say?"
Cheonhwi's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Then the Tang family isn't involved."
"Hmph, think I'd drag my family into this pittance?"
Dang Jeok scoffed.
"You're enough for me alone."
"Really? That sounds fun."
The group covered their faces and sighed.
...We gave him a chance to back off gracefully.
Zhuge Seung-ho urgently pleaded.
"H-Hero! Don't kill him. This is Tai'an, and he's from the Sichuan Tang family. Show mercy!"
It was desperate.
Cheonhwi glanced at him, replying incredulously.
"Even I don't kill Tang heirs openly in a place like this. Just gonna rough him up a bit. Moderately."
Relieved at the situational awareness, Zhuge Seung-ho began to exhale—only for the next words to suck the breath back in.
"Moderately enough that he begs for death from his own mouth."