Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: The Clan Lord's Banquet
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“......I hope everyone enjoys themselves.”
The banquet host's greeting, neither overly long nor too short, drew to a close.
Thoom.
The following drumbeats echoed through the hall, prompting the attendees to shower the clan lord with resounding applause.
Clap clap clap—
Cheonhwi, who had been sipping his tea, carefully scrutinized the clan lord as he scanned the room.
Thin lips were visible above his neatly trimmed beard, while his eyes gleamed with a firmness that bespoke his unyielding resolve.
His features were faint rather than distinct.
If encountered elsewhere, he would pass as an ordinary scholar, easily forgotten.
‘But with that kind of presence, one couldn't forget him even if they wanted to.’
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
The position of Zhuge Clan Lord alone would suffice.
Yet the subtle aura enveloping him now was imprinting his image firmly in everyone's minds.
An exceedingly covert and meticulous display of internal energy.
Most in attendance wouldn't even notice he was emanating it.
‘So he's been deceiving the world all this time.’
Cheonhwi recalled the information provided by the Beggars' Sect as he observed the Zhuge Clan Lord.
According to the intel, Zhuge Shin, the Little Black Dragon and lord of the Zhuge Clan, was not particularly exceptional among the lords of the Eight Great Clans.
At best, he lingered at the fringes of the Ultimate Realm.
But that was not the case upon seeing him in person.
‘That's enough to have reached the Heavenly Martial Realm.’
It was not a prediction, but a certainty.
His control over his internal energy was superb, and the depth he concealed was far from insignificant.
Likely, few had noticed.
‘Except for a select few.’
Cheonhwi spotted several individuals whose expressions had subtly stiffened under his gaze.
And they were precisely the ones who had drawn his attention since entering the hall.
‘It's been a while since so many experts gathered in one place.’
The corners of Cheonhwi's mouth curled upward ever so slightly.
Was it because of the grand scale of the banquet?
Elders from the Eight Great Clans—excluding the Shinchang Yang Clan—and what appeared to be representatives from the Ascendant Society all exuded extraordinary prowess at a glance.
As Cheonhwi's eyes took them in...
“That young man...”
“He looks gentler than expected.”
The hall buzzed with murmurs.
Wondering what was happening, he followed the crowd's gazes to see three youths seated primly beside the Zhuge Clan Lord at the head table.
Two of them were very familiar faces.
Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seonghyeon.
The remaining youth was a stranger.
‘He has three sons, as the information said.’
As he recalled the Beggars' Sect intel...
“That's the Heavenly Dragon.”
Dan Mokrin, shifting her gaze along with the surrounding murmurs, muttered with a tense expression.
“So that guy's one of the top late-generation talents in the current martial world?”
At Dan Mokrin's words, Cheonhwi gave the Heavenly Dragon a once-over.
The exceptionally tall youth, towering well over six feet, wore a relaxed smile as he exchanged gifts and light greetings with those presenting items to the clan lord.
‘Looks like the Ultimate Realm.’
Gauging his level was straightforward.
Unlike the clan lord, who thoroughly concealed his true power, this one made no effort to hide his.
On the contrary, he exuded it confidently.
As if to say, behold my strength.
Undoubtedly a testament to his self-assurance.
‘That much, huh.’
Cheonhwi withdrew his gaze from him.
His interest evaporated.
It was true that he had achieved a considerable realm at a young age, but that was all.
With the clan lord and numerous superior experts already in the hall, why focus on him?
‘I'd rather exchange moves with the others and observe some martial arts.’
Clink.
Cheonhwi, lost in thought, set down his teacup.
And rose from his seat.
“Senior Brother, where are you going?”
“To deliver the item from the sect leader.”
“Ah! I forgot.”
Dan Mokrin set down her chopsticks and stood as well.
She hurriedly straightened her attire, then sidled up to Cheonhwi and whispered.
“I'll go with you.”
“Do as you like.”
Cheonhwi strode forward without hesitation.
Step—step—
As Cheonhwi and Dan Mokrin advanced, the people milling nearby subtly parted.
The sight was quite peculiar.
A radius of about ten feet around them cleared like the ebbing tide.
“They make way on their own—convenient.”
Cheonhwi was pleased with the situation.
Though gazes and wariness followed, it was far more comfortable than unwanted approaches or conversations.
Thanks to that, he quickly reached the head table where the clan lord sat.
As he drew near, Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seonghyeon, seated on nearby chairs, nodded in recognition.
Cheonhwi passed them by.
And turned toward the Zhuge Clan Lord, seated at the absolute center of the head table.
Someone else was already there, presenting a gift and engaged in lively conversation.
“I didn't expect you to come in person.”
“It's your sixtieth birthday banquet—only natural. But Clan Lord, is the Supreme Clan Lord not attending this time?”
At the middle-aged man's question, the clan lord revealed a troubled expression before replying.
“Regrettably, he has no plans to attend.”
“Is that so?”
The middle-aged man let a relieved expression slip.
‘Strange. Why fixate more on the absent Supreme Clan Lord?’
Cheonhwi's eyes deepened as he observed him.
The man who had just spoken was one of those startled upon gauging the clan lord's prowess.
Yet now, he was showing more interest in the Supreme Clan Lord.
No, it went beyond interest.
He made no effort to hide his relief at the absence.
‘......Is he afraid?’
As intrigue flickered in Cheonhwi's eyes...
“I've kept you waiting quite a while.”
The Zhuge Clan Lord, having just finished conversing, smiled at Cheonhwi.
“Welcome to our household. I've heard about you from Seonghyeon.”
He spoke candidly, swiftly scanning Cheonhwi from head to toe before adding.
“The Plum Blossom Divine Hero—your name is ringing through the martial world lately.”
“Well, that's what they call me.”
The nearby Zhuge Clan warriors stirred at Cheonhwi's casual tone.
Swoosh—
But the clan lord raised a hand to silence them.
Then, looking Cheonhwi over, he said.
“You truly are an interesting one.”
The clan lord gazed at Cheonhwi with an expression of approval and spoke.
“First time I've heard such a thing.”
“Hahaha, is that right?”
The clan lord let out a hearty laugh.
Unlike his appearance, his laughter boomed.
He then turned to Dan Mokrin and asked.
“But what is the young lady's dao title?”
“Rin.”
“Rin...... You haven't received one yet, I see.”
The clan lord fixed Dan Mokrin with a cold, sunken gaze.
She flinched under it.
It was a piercing stare that seemed to peer straight into her soul.
‘......It feels just like Father's.’
She struggled to avoid shrinking back amid the tension.
But soon, the clan lord averted his gaze.
“I've been hearing the name of Mount Hua Sect more and more these past few years. Now I see why.”
At that moment, Cheonhwi retrieved a small wooden box from his bosom and handed it to the clan lord.
“It's a congratulatory gift from the sect leader.”
“The gifts from the Murim Alliance and Evil-Black Alliance a few days ago were surprise enough, but for Mount Hua Sect to send someone in person......”
The clan lord, his expression complex as he regarded Cheonhwi, reached out and accepted the box.
“What a truly auspicious day.”
Upon opening the box, surprise lit up the clan lord's eyes.
“......This is truly from the sect leader?”
“He said it's being returned.”
The clan lord glanced briefly at the martial arts manual inside before carefully closing the box.
“Convey my thanks to the sect leader.”
“Will do.”
As Cheonhwi moved to rise, having concluded his business, the clan lord spoke up.
“But how was the food? To your taste?”
“It was good. Though I wouldn't know about the best dishes.”
“I'll have some specially prepared in the annex after the banquet ends.”
“You know already.”
“What are ears and eyes for?”
The clan lord glanced at Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seonghyeon, prompting Cheonhwi to grin.
“Then I'll count on it.”
With that, Cheonhwi departed, and Dan Mokrin bowed to the clan lord before following.
As they soon blended into the crowd, the clan lord's expression turned icy.
“Myeong-ah.”
At his call, Heavenly Dragon Zhuge Myeong stood.
“You called?”
“Remember that man well.”
Zhuge Myeong's eyes widened slightly.
His father never instructed him to remember anyone.
For him to say this meant the man was exceptionally important.
‘......Who the hell is he?’
Oblivious to Zhuge Myeong's curious stare, Cheonhwi asked Dan Mokrin as they walked.
“Do you know about the Zhuge Clan's Supreme Clan Lord?”
“Senior Brother, you don't know?”
Dan Mokrin asked, flustered, but...
“That's why I'm asking.”
Cheonhwi replied matter-of-factly.
Though she couldn't hide her bewilderment, she soon began explaining.
“He's the one who shattered the Zhuge Clan's image as mere scholars. Before the era of the Nine Provinces Three Tyrants and Clans, he was called the Hegemon and vied for the title of best under heaven......”
Cheonhwi's interest piqued at her nonstop recounting.
Vied for best under heaven?
As he listened intently to her description...
“Back then, he was called one of the Eight Martial Gods alongside the current Evil-Black Alliance Leader and the Salmak Lord......”
Cheonhwi halted abruptly.
What? Eight Martial Gods?
This was the third time hearing the title, after the White Four Gods and the Divine Brush Four Sages.
“The Zhuge Clan's Supreme Clan Lord is one of the Eight Martial Gods?”
Startled by Cheonhwi's sudden stop, Dan Mokrin cautiously replied.
“Yes, that's what I heard.”
Cheonhwi's eyes deepened.
“You seem to know a lot about the Eight Martial Gods.”
“Whenever I was sick, Grandpa would visit and tell me stories of the old martial world. The Eight Martial Gods always came up......”
She spoke with a wistful, reminiscing tone.
“Is that so?”
Cheonhwi nodded and turned on his heel.
“Then since our business is done, let's hear the details in the annex.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the dead of night, when all had fallen asleep.
Cheonhwi, perched on the annex roof, scanned the surroundings and smiled.
“So quiet.”
The Zhuge Clan, rowdy during the banquet, now lay shrouded in deep silence.
His teeth gleamed white in a grin.
“He resides in seclusion, she said?”
According to Dan Mokrin, the Supreme Clan Lord known as the Hegemon had secluded himself since the advent of the Nine Provinces Three Tyrants era.
“Let's see. He wouldn't simply be lingering in some hall......”
After surveying the area for a moment...
“There it is.”
Spotting something, Cheonhwi's eyes flashed as he lightly kicked off the roof.
Dark Fragrance utterly concealed his movements, blending him into the shadows.
Shhh—
A cool breeze brushed his face.
“Should be around here.”
Leaping northward from roof to roof, Cheonhwi suddenly stopped at one spot.
“Finally found it.”
He sensed an anomalous energy in the empty air.
A peculiar qi that defied all natural flows.
It was a formation.
“Alright then.”
Cheonhwi reached out toward the formation.
In that instant, his body was sucked in as if plunging into water, and the scenery shifted.
“Time to see the mug of that blabbering Eight Martial God bastard.”