Scoundrel: Jongchil 16
As soon as a side path opened up, martial artists started turning their eyes toward it, one by one, voicing their grievances.
They were stuck waiting in a fucking endless line to register, while these famous sect disciples breezed through on some VIP pass just because of their affiliations. It was only natural that the anger of those in line pierced the heavens. But thanks to the overwhelming martial prowess Yeonmuk had displayed just moments ago, they could only stay silent.
"Tch! Looks like even the shit from high-and-mighty folks is different. Damn it. Joining a lowly sect was my mistake."
"Don't flap your mouth carelessly or you'll get burned! Did you see that guy called Akbiryeong earlier? That bastard won't be able to show his face in the martial world anymore."
"No wonder they call it the Nine Great Sects. That was no ordinary skill."
Amid the commotion, a few shrewd martial artists began resorting to tricks.
"Hehe! Hard work out here. I'm Dosugwang from the Gilbang Sect in Honam."
A man with a longsword at his waist rubbed his palms together and headed toward the path the Nine Great Sects' later-generation disciples had taken. The branch guards armed with spears scanned him up and down and said,
"Gilbang Sect? Never heard of it. Get back in line."
"Haha, no need to be so stiff. Here, take this first."
The guy called Dosugwang slipped a bribe to the guard. Looked like about two nyang of silver. The guard who took it cleared his throat and said,
"Ahem! I've heard all the heroes of Honam gather in the Gilbang Sect. You're cleared to pass."
"Heehee! Thank you!"
Watching the man saunter inside after smoothly handing over the bribe, the other martial artists felt a sense of futility.
"Damn. Life's tough when you're broke."
"Fuck. The rich ones are even worse."
Starting with Dosugwang, a few more martial artists tried slipping bribes. But the guards wouldn't budge for less than two nyang of silver, so not many got through.
Two nyang was a hefty sum. Most of the martial artists here had scraped together every last coin just to chase fame and fortune, and they didn't have the spare cash to drop two nyang lightly.
Plus, the entry fee alone was one nyang, so spending two more to skip the line was a massive luxury for them.
Of course, to me, that was pocket change.
"You're cleared to pass."
I boldly offered the bribe and strode through the entrance. VIP pass really was the best.
Once inside the branch, a registration desk manned by sect disciples came into view. I went to an empty spot and filled out the form. Name, affiliation, weapons.
"Let me confirm. Name: Jongchil, affiliation: none, weapons: none. That right?"
It was a highly suspicious profile, but at the Yongho Contest where martial artists from all over the world gathered, it wasn't all that strange. Even bandits hid their identities to participate, so the info scribbled on this scrap of paper meant nothing.
I'd originally planned to write Baihe Escort Agency, but held off. The prize, the Brain Spirit Pill, was sponsored by them, and if someone from Baihe walked off with it, it'd look bad.
"Entry fee is one nyang of silver."
I paid the one nyang without fuss and completed my player registration. As I was about to leave the branch, a familiar face caught my eye.
"Hm?"
The other side spotted me too. It was Namgung Hyeok, a direct lineage of the Namgung family. He exuded a sharply honed aura like a tempered blade, and upon seeing me, his eyebrow twitched.
He'd crossed paths with me before during the Twin Black Demonic Horses incident. Namgung Hyeok had struggled desperately to catch them, but never got close to the truth.
"Oh my! Hyeok Gongja!?"
Yeonmuk's lively voice rang out. She, who usually carried the air of a lofty lady, approached Namgung Hyeok with her hips swaying playfully.
She had a thing for him. Even the densest person would pick up on that.
"It's been a while, Yeon Sojeo."
But Namgung Hyeok replied in a cold tone. Was he just naturally dense like some harem protagonist, or was he deliberately icy because he had feelings for Wisa Hu?
Namgung Hyeok secretly pined for Wisa Hu in his heart, but she'd already become my slave. Wonder what he'd do if he found out.
"As expected from Hyeok Gongja—I knew you'd enter the Yongho Contest. I'm planning to join too."
"I see."
Unlike Yeonmuk, who wanted even one more word, Namgung Hyeok's response was frigid. Still, Yeonmuk just beamed happily by his side for some reason. Finally, Song Ugang spoke up, unable to stand it.
"Samae. Make way so Hyeok Gongja can submit his papers."
"Ah! Right."
As Yeonmuk stepped aside, Namgung Hyeok strode straight toward me. Doubts still lingered in his dark eyes. When he stopped in front of me, the gazes of those around us turned our way.
"Long time no see."
Those were his first words to me.
"Indeed. First time since the Twin Black Demonic Horses incident. Did you wrap that up well?"
"Regrettably, no leads. But they've gone quiet since then."
A brief silence fell. He stared into my eyes, and I met his gaze to gauge his thoughts.
Unresolved suspicion flickered in his eyes toward me. Well, he could suspect all he wanted—there was no proof anywhere that I was the Twin Black Demonic Horses.
"Here for the Yongho Contest?"
Namgung Hyeok broke the silence first.
"Yes."
"That'll be interesting. Same here."
With that, our conversation ended. Namgung Hyeok turned fully and went to fill out his papers. It was like his whole body was screaming, 'I'll beat the crap out of you at the tournament!'
"Who's that guy? Someone worth Hyeok Gongja's interest?"
"From some sect?"
Prickly stares turned my way. Just talking to a direct descendant of Namgung, the eldest of the Five Great Families, had drawn attention.
"You."
Someone called me. I recognized Yeonmuk's voice immediately. The small fry's interest meant nothing, but hers was quite welcome.
She performed a fist salute in front of me.
"I'm Yeonmuk, direct disciple of Huashan Sect. May I have your name?"
"Jongchil. No sect—learned my martial arts from my master."
"Hmm..."
At the mention of no sect, she openly sized me up. Yeonmuk's attitude was very calculating.
"What's your relation to Hyeok Gongja?"
Her tone subtly belittled me. But I kept a straight face and answered.
"We happened to share a table once in Anhui. Seems Hyeok Gongja hasn't forgotten."
"He wouldn't approach first just for a casual meal, would he?"
"Must be in a good mood today."
I gave a vague reply and backed off. Yeonmuk seemed to lose interest in me. With all these eyes around, hitting on her right here wouldn't be smart.
There's still time before the Yongho Contest starts, so I'll take it slow. They'll all be stuck in this city during the event anyway.
Two days passed after registering the papers. In that time, a ton of knife fights broke out. The constables dispatched by the magistrate were even patrolling in broad daylight with weapons drawn. With hot-blooded martial artists from all over the Central Plains gathered, fights were inevitable.
I holed up in an inn for those two days, enjoying some sex. On the third day, I finally stepped outside.
Time to make my move on Yeonmuk.
I'd already scouted where she was staying. No need to dig hard—the inns housing VIPs from Huashan Sect or Wudang Sect were common gossip.
Rumor had it plenty of martial artists had courted Yeonmuk. Most got their pride shattered by her sharp sword and left Haanam, of course.
This should be the place.
I'd arrived at Mansu Inn, the fanciest in Deungpyeong County. The best in the city, they said. All the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families' VIPs were crashing here. With an attached training ground manor, it looked legit.
Being the inn for the Orthodox martial world's top prodigies, plenty of spectators had come to gawk at the later-generation faces. I blended into the crowd of onlookers and approached naturally.
But I couldn't get inside—the martial artist guarding the entrance. A hulking guy with a massive spear and a fierce scowl.
"That guy—is he the spear master Sin Ja-u of the Three Claw Strike?"
"The Enlightenment Realm expert? Heard he's a guest of the Hebei Pang Family."
"Pang Jingun, that Pang family wastrel, is entering the Yongho Contest, so he's probably guarding him."
"Tch. Better not loiter or we'll catch stray sparks."
Sin Ja-u was a spear master even mentioned in the original story. To the greenhorn contestants, an Enlightenment Realm expert like him was less than a meal. Sane martial artists tucked tail and left.
Tch. With Sin Ja-u at the door, contacting Yeonmuk will be tricky.
I could just wait for her to come out. Inefficient, but reliable. She's human—she'd step out eventually.
As I was about to stake out from outside, someone slapped my back.
"Ow! Which bastard!?"
Who the hell dared target my back?
I whipped around in rage.
"Hey! You fucker!"
But the voice that came back was familiar. Too familiar—and utterly unexpected.
This voice—could it be!?
"Jongchil! You fucker! What are you doing here!?"
The owner of the voice was none other than Mose Yeong. The great disciple of the Fairy Gate Sect, the second beauty I'd met in this world after Seolhwa Rin.
"Gr-Great Disciple-nim!?"
"You definitely went off with that Rakshasa Witch! Ugh! Not here—hey! Follow me!"
Mose Yeong's delicate jade hand grabbed my nape with a smack and dragged me toward Mansu Inn. Sin Ja-u at the entrance opened his mouth as he saw her.
"You there..."
"My servant."
"Understood. Go ahead."
Sin Ja-u stepped aside.