I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel 67 - The Inn's Cliché (1)
After even the countless spectators who had gathered dispersed, I spoke to the leader of the Fighting Sword Sect, Meng Danya.
"Sect Leader, we've squeezed a hefty sum of gold from the Black Heaven Gang. How about using it to rebuild the sect's buildings?"
We had taken a hundred gold ingots from the Cruel Twin Spears Man Beomseong, and adding those from the Black Heaven Gang afterward brought the total to three hundred. That was more than enough not only to rebuild but also to buy the adjacent plot and expand the Fighting Sword Sect's scale.
"That's a fine idea."
Following that, we hired skilled artisans from Sichuan Province and set about reviving and reconstructing the Fighting Sword Sect. We expanded the grounds as planned and designed a three-story building, firing the starting gun on the project.
And it didn't stop there.
"Now that our funds are restored, it's time to recruit disciples."
The reason the Fighting Sword Sect had withered away in the past was none other than the lack of renowned martial artists bearing its name. But now, everything had changed.
The moment we posted a notice calling for Fighting Sword Sect disciples, the response was explosive.
"Is this the Fighting Sword Sect that wiped out the Black Heaven Gang?"
"I want to learn that swift sword too!"
"I watched with the crowd back then, and seeing the Fighting Sword Sect's martial arts made my heart race!"
Without exaggeration, so many prospective disciples gathered that they filled the new building site and spilled over to the side. Of course, most were complete novices without any martial knowledge, but there were some promising talents among them.
And there was more good news.
"Sect Leader Meng, forgive my impertinence, but... could you handle security for our inn again?"
The owner of the large inn near the Fighting Sword Sect appeared, hesitating as he spoke.
I wondered what was up, but it turned out this inn had once been under the sect's protection and served as their main source of funds—until it was handed over to another sect over ten years ago. Now, with the Fighting Sword Sect's name spreading through Sichuan's martial world, the owner had a change of heart and come begging.
"Of course. We're delighted to protect the inn once more."
Rather than scolding or berating the innkeeper, Meng Danya chose to embrace him warmly.
'Because in the rivers and lakes of the martial world, there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies.'
Thanks to this, I could finally breathe easy about the Fighting Sword Sect. Even if we used up all the gold from the Black Heaven Gang, we now had a steady income stream, and with so many disciples recruited, the future looked bright. It was clear they'd thrive without my involvement.
"Don't worry too much. Once I finish the final term at Cheonmu Academy, I'll come down here myself and serve as head instructor."
Above all, with the Little Affectionate Swordsman Meng Yuon set to return from Cheonmu Academy and take up residence in the Fighting Sword Sect, there was no need for further concern.
"Thank you, Cheon Myeong. Meeting you feels like it changed my fate—and the fate of our entire Fighting Sword Sect."
When Meng Yuon approached and thanked me sincerely once more, it felt better than monopolizing any fortuitous encounter.
And he wasn't the only one expressing gratitude.
"I don't even know how to thank you properly."
Meng Danya gripped my hand tightly, emphasizing it repeatedly.
As the moment of our departure finally arrived, Meng Danya led all the Fighting Sword Sect members out to see us off.
"Thank you, Young Hero Cheon Myeong!"
"Young Hero Cheon Myeong saved us!"
"Young Hero Cheon Myeong is our hero and our pride!"
Meng Yuon's senior brothers' eyes reddened at the news of our leaving. Though we hadn't stayed long, bonds had formed deeply—Peng Jincheon felt it keenly too, full of regret.
"Young Heroes Cheon Myeong and Peng Jincheon are eternal benefactors and allies of our Fighting Sword Sect. Should you ever fall into danger, we'll drop everything and rush to your aid."
Meng Danya and the sect members treated us to the highest honors. The Fighting Sword Sect was undoubtedly destined to become one of Sichuan's major powers, giving Peng Jincheon and me a solid ally in return.
"No need for such words. It was a pleasure getting to know the Fighting Sword Sect."
Before leaving, I offered them a final fist salute. Meng Danya and every single sect member returned it, not one holding back their tears.
What in this world is hotter than the tears of men?
"I'll definitely return."
With those words, I completed the final vacation from Cheonmu Academy perfectly. No holiday could have been more ideal.
Having achieved our goal, we of Cheonmu Team 3 began the long journey back from Sichuan Province to Hebei's Cheonmu Academy.
One thing had changed completely since our departure.
When heading to Sichuan, no one recognized us at all. But now?
"Whoa! It's the Cheonmu Academy students who crushed the Black Heaven Gang!"
"The legendary Cheonmu Team 3!"
We stopped at an inn in Sichuan for a break, and far too many people knew who we were.
"The Northern Peng Clan's rare late-stage prodigy, Little Dragon Blade Peng Jincheon!"
"The hope of the minor sects and future Fighting Sword Sect Leader, Little Affectionate Swordsman Meng Yuon!"
Not just me—our two companions were recognized too. It was so surreal that we struggled to keep straight faces, pretending nonchalance.
We endured up to that point somehow, but the real kicker came next.
"When all's said and done, the core of Cheonmu Team 3 is the Jade-Faced New Star Cheon Myeong, who defeated Black Heaven Sword Ghost Du Jeongcheong in a one-on-one duel."
Pfft!
The instant we heard that—precisely, the moment my new moniker hit our ears—Peng Jincheon, Meng Yuon, and I spat out the water we were drinking.
Not because it was poisoned.
"Pfft! Pfhehehe!"
"A new comet with the looks of carved jade—suits you perfectly."
The nickname was just that hilarious.
I'd been especially curious what title I'd earn.
In the original story, the protagonist Cheon Myeong gets the moniker Invincible Fist King, but that's only at the very end.
So I'd figured it'd be something like Fist King by fateful design. But Jade-Faced New Star?
New Star made sense as a rising master, but tagging on Jade-Face—reserved for handsome men—made my face burn with embarrassment.
"Wow, just like the rumors. You're really handsome."
"Looks like a refined scholar at first glance."
"A face like that hiding terrifying martial prowess?"
Even more baffling, everyone accepted it without question. I, who had a decent-enough face in the real world, was utterly flustered.
I'd probably be called Jade-Faced New Star Cheon Myeong for a good while.
"Oh! It's the Cheonmu Team 3 students who beat the Black Heaven Gang."
Our fame was so immense that even the waiter spotted us instantly and fetched the innkeeper.
"Such great young heroes— we can't charge you for food. Eat your fill at our inn!"
The innkeeper welcomed us effusively, serving lavish dishes for free. I was stunned.
"Free?"
"Yes, indeed."
Turned out, the Black Heaven Gang had extended their tentacles even to this inn, extorting absurd protection fees. Since we'd routed them and scattered their remnants, the owner was overjoyed and wanted to show his gratitude.
"Then we'll gratefully partake."
We rose as one, offering fist salutes, and savored some peaceful time at last.
Feasting on the fancy dishes I hadn't tried at the Fighting Sword Sect, I thought to myself while enjoying heartily.
Usually in inns, you get tangled in squabbles or incidents, but not here—nice.
In typical martial arts novels, there's a cliché at inns: some commotion or brawl where the protagonist gets embroiled and faces trouble.
The original story had plenty of death matches breaking out at inns too.
Separate from the original, we enjoyed our meal in utter comfort, soaking in the inn's lively atmosphere. Made me think clichés were just that—clichés.
Reality and novels are different after all.
As we basked in the crowds' attention and relished the hearty, cozy feast—
Boom!
A rough crash echoed from somewhere, followed by a rowdy group raising their voices.
"Is this an inn or a damn marketplace?!"
At first, I thought it might be Black Heaven Gang remnants, but no.
The ones eyeing us with jealousy wore blue Taoist robes—clearly martial artists, judging by the long swords with blue silk tassels at their waists.
Taoist martial artists in blue robes wielding swords in Sichuan Province?
Their identity was obvious. In Sichuan, only one group fit: the Qingcheng Sect of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
"Ooh, it's the Qingcheng Sect's core disciples!"
"Qingcheng's masters!"
Apparently, a group of Qingcheng core disciples had come for a meal, found the atmosphere rowdy, and raised a fuss.
"Sorry for the disturbance. If it's alright, may I treat the Qingcheng junior brothers to a meal myself?"
I rose politely and offered them a fist salute. Truth be told, I had a good impression of the Qingcheng Sect. Though lower-tier among the Nine Greats, they produced Won Gwang, the future leader of the Martial Alliance and Qingyun Sword Sage.
So I aimed to resolve things amicably—
"Do you take us for beggars? The grand Qingcheng Taoists don't beg meals from just anyone."
The man at the forefront—thick-jawed, looking resolute—snapped curtly.
"It's Qingcheng's top late-stage prodigy, One Sword of Qingcheng Hak Donglip!"
"The core disciple they've poured their hearts into raising!"
"The guy who idolizes Martial Alliance's Blue Dragon Captain, Qingyun Sword Sage Won Gwang?"
Overhearing the inn's patrons, I pieced together who he was and why he was picking a fight.
Two reasons, likely.
First, he's heard rumors that Qingyun Sword Sage Won Gwang—whom he reveres like a father—is trying to recruit me.
One Sword of Qingcheng Hak Donglip becomes a Qingcheng elder in the original story: highly skilled, with renowned swordsmanship, but infamous for his fiery temper. Not a bad guy, just hot-blooded and a bit narrow-minded. And at mid-to-late twenties—not yet elder age—jealousy and envy would burn hot.
Second, he wants to spar with me, the rumored top-tier late-stage prodigy.
Seeing through Hak Donglip's mind, I grasped the whole situation.
"You must be full of yourself after beating Black Heaven Sword Ghost Du Jeongcheong... But evil faction arts are inherently weaker than our righteous ones. Don't get cocky."
"Oh? Is that so?"
I tried brushing him off mildly. But clichés gonna cliché.
"Your win was sheer luck—or maybe he was sick that day. I can't even buy that a mere student beat him."
I couldn't ignore Hak Donglip as he crossed the line further. In his youth, he was arrogant as they come. Or maybe picking a fight to force a proper duel.
"You're awfully noisy while I'm eating."
Conveniently, I was the type to grab hold of incoming provocations.
"Noisy enough to mistake this inn for a marketplace."