Chapter 66
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: An Incident at Suho Pavilion (1)
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The Sword King bowed his head.
Witnessing this were not only the rats sent to fill the shadows’ empty places but also those who had been informed that contact with them was lost.
“H-How could the Sword King…!”
Several elders were utterly aghast.
Looking at the Namgung Family elders, Cheon Muryang mocked them in a tone as if he were possessed by his runt persona.
“They say walls have ears, but with the venerable Sword King present, must we have rats or birds scurrying about?”
“...!”
Bodies were scattered all around.
Cheon Muryang could have easily cut them down without getting a drop of blood on himself, yet he hadn't.
Drip.
Drip, drip.
Blood fell.
Cheon Muryang smiled.
“So, I cut them down. For daring to try and relay our conversation outside.”
“Wh-What did you say?”
“How insolent!”
“Insolent?”
A smirk.
The corner of Cheon Muryang’s mouth curled up.
He must have misheard.
If not, then they must be blind.
“Is it not you who are insolent for eavesdropping on a conversation between two families?”
“Wh-What!”
“Shall we settle this according to the laws of the martial world?”
Flinch.
Cheon Muryang had cut them down.
However, the justification was also on his side.
Even if the surveillance here wasn't directed at him, nothing good would come from it being known.
“To think the Namgung Family would treat us this way. Truly absurd.”
Cheon Muryang’s acting reached its peak.
Had the Wandering King seen it, he would have applauded in admiration.
“Y-You…!”
“The venerable Sword King even bowed his head. How could those who call themselves family elders… Tsk.”
“...!”
They had seen it too.
The sight of the Sword King bowing his head.
‘Don’t tell me?’
‘Is that why?’
Since everyone who heard the reason had been slain, how could they possibly know?
Cheon Muryang’s intention hit its mark perfectly.
He had made them think that the Sword King was personally apologizing for the discourtesy committed by the Namgung Family.
“Do not escalate this matter.”
“…”
The Sword King, having read Cheon Muryang’s thoughts, joined in.
Thus, the Namgung Family elders had no choice but to bite their lips and bow their heads to Cheon Muryang.
“We… we have been rude.”
The Sword King had bowed his head.
And since that same Sword King had told them not to escalate the matter, how could they not apologize?
“Well, let’s leave it at that. It was wrong of me not to show mercy with my own hands.”
“…”
“Now then, we shall be on our way.”
Cheon Muryang paid his respects to the Sword King.
However, Namgung San’s expression was cold.
“I shall not forget today’s debt.”
“The same goes for me.”
The Sword King, feigning a boiling rage within, seemed as if he had been touched by the god of acting.
“Will you open the way?”
“Ugh.”
Caught in a dilemma, the Namgung Family elders could only open a path.
Sccrrrape!
Just then, the Wandering King appeared, dragging his greatsword on the ground, accompanied by Woryeong, Neung Ryeoun, and Cha Myeonghak.
“Took you long enough.”
“Wandering King…!”
The aura he exuded showed that the Wandering King cared little that this was a manor belonging to the Namgung Family.
“Is it over already?”
“Can’t you tell by looking?”
“Tch. A little late, I see.”
The Wandering King clicked his tongue in disappointment, but he did not retract his aura.
“If I’d come just a bit sooner, I would have knocked those arrogant bastards down a peg.”
A few of the elders flinched.
They must have been the ones who had warned the Wandering King not to cause a disturbance before he came here.
“It’s already over.”
“Hmph.”
“Let’s go.”
“Young Master, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go.”
Cheon Muryang walked past them without a second glance.
“Wh-What insolence!”
“Let them be.”
“Sword King!”
“I believe I told you to let them be.”
“...!”
“Where is Sang-hyeok?”
“W-Well…”
“He is attending the assembly.”
“I see. Very well. I wish to be alone, so you may all leave.”
“Yes…”
The elders departed.
However, the shadows around them did not retreat.
“Hoo…”
Namgung San was left alone.
But a profound solitude emanated from him.
***
After parting with the Sword King, Cheon Muryang’s group strolled along the shore of the lake.
“By the way, what did you talk about with that Sword King? It didn’t look like a simple matter.”
“It was about Namgung Seo-hui. The Namgung Family only looks fine on the outside; they're completely rotten within.”
“Heh heh heh. Do you think it’s only the Namgung Family?”
“…”
“It's the same for all those places that boast of being prestigious orthodox sects with long histories. Do you think the Shaolin Temple is any different?”
The Wandering King’s words held a certain truth that cut to the core.
Because of this, Cheon Muryang looked at the Wandering King with new eyes and smirked.
“I see. That is the way of the world.”
“Indeed.”
“Even so, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed, are there not?”
It might not be the entire Namgung Family.
But someone in the Namgung Family had already crossed the line.
“Isn’t that for the child to decide?”
“I suppose so.”
Namgung Seo-hui.
The fate of the Namgung Family would be decided by the answer she gave.
“What should we do?”
Woryeong, who had just returned from a nearby inn, approached with a dejected look.
The Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had not yet begun, so they needed a place to stay until then.
“The prices are no joke.”
The decent places had no rooms, and their prices were exorbitant.
“Even West Lake wasn’t this expensive.”
“It’s all price gouging.”
“What should we do, Young Master? I don’t think we have enough money.”
At Woryeong’s concern, the Wandering King erupted.
“You brat! I knew it. That’s why I told you to get plenty of money, what is this pathetic display?”
“Then you can go stay with the Sword King.”
“Heh heh heh.”
As soon as he had erupted, the Wandering King shook his head.
“Not a chance. Compared to that place, this is a paradise.”
The Wandering King clicked his tongue.
He couldn't understand how a man like the Sword King could live in such a place.
“Tsk. How can he live among rats?”
“Huh? Rats? I didn’t notice any.”
As Woryeong looked confused, Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak explained from the side.
“He’s not talking about those kinds of rats.”
“Ah… really?”
“Yes. The ones around, who were eavesdropping…”
“Oh, those rats?”
“That’s not what’s important right now.”
“Ah, right.”
Cheon Muryang, who was listening to their conversation, laughed.
Then he pointed somewhere and said.
“Let’s go there.”
“Huh?”
It was the inn with the most floors in this town.
A place that looked expensive at a single glance.
“Young Master? That place seems a bit…”
“Don’t worry, just come along.”
Cheon Muryang led the way.
Woryeong had no choice but to follow, tilting her head in confusion.
“Geez, what’s he planning to do when we don’t have enough money?”
“Who can fathom the mind of that runt? Tsk.”
“He’s not a runt!”
“Oh? Is he a gentleman then?”
“…”
“Even you can’t bring yourself to call him a gentleman, can you?”
“Ugh!”
The Wandering King wore a triumphant grin.
As if he had won this round.
“Hmph!”
With Woryeong’s short huff, they arrived at the inn called Suho Pavilion.
“Let’s head inside first.”
“Right this way.”
“Mm.”
Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak took the lead.
Following the attendant’s guidance, they were seated at a table.
As expected, the place was not very crowded.
“Everything looks so luxurious.”
“It’s only natural.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Ah, just trust me. I have a plan.”
“A plan?”
“You know why I brought the three of you, right?”
“Yes. I know.”
It was to let them gain various experiences.
“Right. To become stronger.”
“Ah, um… yes, that’s right?”
The nuance felt slightly different.
Cheon Muryang flashed his signature runt-like smile and spoke to the three of them.
“It’s also important to know what level of mastery I’ve reached.”
Training with the Wandering King was important, but it was also crucial to gauge where he stood.
“Don’t you want to compete against various people?”
“...!”
“And earn some money while we’re at it.”
“You little… you’ve come up with quite an interesting idea.”
The Wandering King understood what Cheon Muryang was trying to say.
Neung Ryeoun and Cha Myeonghak remained silent, but they burned with an unseen fighting spirit.
It was Woryeong’s turn to ask.
“Young Master, what is it?”
“An underground fighting arena.”
“Pardon?”
“Think about it. The most renowned rising stars from the orthodox sects of the world have gathered here.”
That was the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.
“That means the people who came to escort those rising stars are here as well, right?”
They too were martial artists.
Among them, there would be retainers like the Wandering King, and there would be others who, not being rising stars themselves, couldn't participate in the assembly.
“Ah…!”
There was a separate place where such people would gather.
“Understand now?”
“Y-Yes…!”
“There’s no need to be nervous. Just unleash your sword.”
Woryeong was already tense.
It was because she lacked that much real combat experience.
Her duels with the Wandering King were certainly like real battles, but it was proof that it wasn't enough.
“Tsk. I, myself, have instructed you. What are you trembling for?”
“I-I’m not trembling!”
“You’re trembling right now.”
“I-It’s because it’s cold.”
“Is that so?”
The Wandering King chuckled, then asked Cheon Muryang.
“But is that place located here?”
“Didn’t you sense it when we came in?”
“...?”
“The faint scent of blood that lingers here.”
“Ah, so that’s what it was? I thought someone had just made a mess.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Woryeong’s face was a mask of confusion.
The Wandering King clicked his tongue and continued.
“You all should know this too. In the martial world, the most dangerous places are inns like this. Just glaring at someone can lead to…”
Crash!
Crack!
A commotion erupted from the other side.
“Blood being spilled, just like that.”
“Ah…”
“The timing is perfect.”
Cheon Muryang smiled meaningfully and called over a nearby attendant.
The attendant seemed unfazed, despite the establishment being damaged, as if such incidents were common.
“Hey, we’d like to order.”
“Yes! Coming!”
Soon, the attendant arrived.
Looking at the attendant who was about to take their order with a beaming smile, Cheon Muryang asked casually.
“I heard there’s some interesting entertainment here.”
“…”
Swoosh.
Cheon Muryang took out a single silver coin.
“Ah!”
Woryeong gasped as she saw one of her precious silver coins disappear into the attendant’s pocket.
But how could she risk a great loss for a small gain?
Woryeong swallowed her tears and pinched her thigh.
“Ah, are you one of them?”
“That’s right.”
“Please wait a moment.”
“Good that we understand each other.”
The attendant hurried off somewhere and returned with something.
It was a brush and a register of names.
The register was already filled with names and aliases.
“Please write your name here.”
“Alright.”
“We will need something to verify your identity…”
Cheon Muryang took the bronze-colored invitation from his robes.
“Will this do?”
“Yes. That’s more than enough. By any chance, are you planning to stay at our inn?”
“I am.”
“In that case, we can hold onto this for you and bring it to your room when you are finished.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Heh heh, when you’re ready, you can follow that gentleman over there.”
“Hoo…!”
Woryeong’s tension reached its peak.
Seeing this, Cheon Muryang laughed.
“No need to be nervous. I’ll go with you.”
“Ah, yes…”
“No, there’s no need for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“We each have our own tasks.”
“...?”
“Since we’ve come all this way for the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, we should see the dragons and phoenixes. Of course, it’ll probably be earthworms waiting for you, not dragons.”
“…”
“Go and see the dragons and phoenixes.”
“Right now?”
“Should I go see them instead?”
He felt a peculiar gaze on him.
The three of them seemed to want this as well.
*You’ll only get in the way if you’re there.*
Cheon Muryang licked his lips.
What could he do?
“Tch.”
“Young Master! We’ll be going!”
“…”
“We will be victorious.”
The three of them left abruptly.
As the Wandering King was about to leave, Cheon Muryang gave him something from his robes.
“It’s an elixir.”
“…”
“Give it to them if you think it’s necessary.”
“Is there none for me?”
“Sorry, but I only have three.”
“Of course.”
The Wandering King grumbled something about respecting one’s elders and left.
Suddenly left alone, Cheon Muryang scratched the back of his head.
“So the young master didn’t go?”
“It just turned out that way.”
“Shall I bring you some snacks?”
“You’re a good salesman. Alright.”
“Yes, sir!”
The attendant left.
Cheon Muryang turned his head toward a gentle breeze and faced the lake.
“Nice.”
The atmosphere of the lake was palpable.
While it couldn't compare to West Lake in Zhejiang, it had its own charm.
“Hahahaha!”
“Hohoho!”
However, that charm was shattered in an instant.
The doors of Suho Pavilion opened, and a group of people burst in with raucous laughter.
Cheon Muryang lost interest.
“Young Lord Namgung is truly remarkable.”
Until he heard those words.
‘Dragons and phoenixes… dragons and phoenixes…’
The Wandering King was right.
There were no dragons or phoenixes here.