Chivalry
People have always lived by eating.
Paeng Gang-ung didn't deny that.
But why now of all times?
...A restaurant? Is he really just hungry?
Judging by how Jeong Gwang was eating, that didn't seem to be the case.
When you're starving, your chopsticks fly like mad. But what was this—eating so beautifully, like a painting!
Don't get rattled. He might be doing this on purpose to throw me off.
Paeng Gang-ung stared intently at Jeong Gwang's face, now free of his bamboo hat. Sensing the gaze, Jeong Gwang looked back at him.
And then.
A grin.
“......”
Jeong Gwang flashed a smile so dazzling even another man would find it stunning.
...As expected, he's no pushover. Is he daring me to figure it out myself?
Paeng Gang-ung furrowed his brow.
But only for a moment. He bared his teeth in a grin of his own.
Fine. Let's give it a shot.
Meanwhile, Jeong Gwang had gone back to his meal and missed Paeng Gang-ung's smile entirely.
He'd been plotting to give the guy a proper thrashing for all the staring earlier, which had made him leak a smile despite himself. But now, other thoughts filled his head.
Not much grass, but it's decent. Livable enough, I suppose.
The cooking was excellent.
It had to be. Excluding the Beggars' Sect—a gathering of beggars—the Nine Great Sects and One Gang were all Daoist or Buddhist sects.
And the Murim Alliance they dominated naturally had master chefs in the kitchens, experts at turning weeds into something edible.
Meat I can grab at dawn. Anything for a palate cleanser? Ah!
Remembering something he'd forgotten, Jeong Gwang rummaged in his bosom.
A moment later, a small vial appeared in his hand.
The poison he'd extracted after consuming Dang Ye-ji's True Harmony Multi-Fragrance sloshed inside.
"Good grief."
Jeong U, seated across from him, frowned.
"You did this yesterday too. Do you have to do it now?"
"On an empty stomach, it burns."
"Sigh. Fine, I know you'll handle it wisely. Just be careful."
"Yes."
Jeong Gwang uncorked the vial and dumped the poison into his mouth.
The Kunlun disciples carried on eating as if it were nothing. But everyone else went from surprised to outright shocked.
They were disciples from other sects and clans who'd been stealing glances since Jeong Gwang entered.
That! That stuff!
The poison that turned Namgung Ryeok into Byeollyong with just three drops!
And he's swallowing it all in one go like it's nothing?
Paeng Gang-ung gaped along with them, watching Jeong Gwang's every move.
Jeong Gwang had closed his eyes, savoring the taste.
Mmm. The spicy tang's a bit weaker now.
He was building tolerance to the poison.
But if it tasted good anyway, all the better.
Suppressing his regret, Jeong Gwang circulated the Supreme Pure Unsurpassed Divine Art alongside the Instant Circulation Technique.
True qi from his dantian spread to every corner of his body.
Poison always demanded caution—especially after ingestion.
Jeong Gwang circulated meticulously.
Soon, with qi flowing smoothly, he relaxed.
Good poison, as expected.
Dang Ye-ji's face came to mind.
She's probably at the Alliance. Once I'm used to this, I'll ask for something stronger.
Satisfied, Jeong Gwang dipped a finger into the empty vial.
Yellow poison, paler than before, dripped back in drop by drop.
Drip. Drip. Drip...
The watchers' hearts pounded in sync.
Just looking at it makes me feel like Namgung Ryeok.
No way he's immune to all poisons, right? Crazy. What kind of nonsense is that?
It was poison even the revered Sword Dragon Namgung Ryeok couldn't withstand. Seeing it gulped down like honey stirred fear and awe.
But Paeng Gang-ung was different.
I knew he was something special.
Still, everyone had a weakness. Paeng Gang-ung was the patient type—he'd wait to find it.
Whether he thought that or not, Jeong Gwang smiled contentedly.
Palate cleansed. As long as the lodging's decent, we're good.
Jeong Gwang's good mood evaporated upon arriving at the lodging.
...Did I come back to Kunlun or what?
The delusion was understandable.
A dilapidated hall, rundown enough to rival Kunlun's relics, stood gloomily before them.
The attendant who'd escorted them cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. A bit rustic, isn't it?"
Rustic?
Ruuuustic?
While Jeong Gwang gaped in disbelief, senior brother Jeong U chuckled heartily.
"Haha, it's fine. A roof against rain and walls against wind? Luxury enough."
The other Jeong-generation disciples nodded with smiles.
Not Jeong Gwang.
Watching him closely, Paeng Gang-ung spoke up.
"You'll change your mind once inside."
"You know something?"
"Hahaha. We'll head to our lodging. See you later."
Paeng Gang-ung led his Paeng clansmen away.
Jeong Gwang's earlier expression filled his mind.
He didn't smile alone. Means he hates the place. Unlike the rumors, he might have worldly desires after all.
His eyes gleamed.
If so, he's not untouchable.
Give a man with desires what he craves.
He knew that well—he was the same.
Meanwhile, Jeong Gwang finally understood Paeng Gang-ung's words once inside.
What? It's fine.
Unlike the shabby exterior, the interior was decent. Not as flashy as Lianhua Inn, but fitting for the Murim Alliance.
Keeping up appearances outside?
An organization like the Alliance saw all sorts—warriors and civilians alike.
They kept the facade austere to show austerity, while the inside stayed comfortable.
Well-earned reputation.
A perfect example of the righteous factions' two-faced nature.
At least it meant a comfortable stay—no complaints there.
Baek Seung-mu seemed to think the same, smirking as he looked around.
"Junior brother."
"Yes, senior brother."
"You got time for that?"
"Oops! Sorry."
Baek Seung-mu promptly sat cross-legged and began circulating the Lesser Pure Qi Art.
Thanks to Heo Cheong's kind guidance and Jeong Gwang's devilish training, he grew noticeably every day.
Jeong Gwang placed a hand on Baek Seung-mu's Mingmen acupoint, observing the qi flow.
Hmm. About this much?
Impressive for Baek Seung-mu's talent.
But only during foundation-building.
His mediocre aptitude would hit a wall soon.
If only he had the seniors' talent.
By Jeong Gwang's standards, they were all middling—but differences existed upon close inspection.
Those lacking talent need something extra to rise.
Baek Seung-mu lacked it.
If he learned it and acted on it...
He might become a decent warrior someday.
Nodding to himself, Jeong Gwang recalled something forgotten.
Wait. If he just becomes a regular warrior, we'd waste his business talent.
Better keep him growing money.
Then his talent blooms...
And an amusing warrior appears in the jianghu.
One hand gold, the other sword.
Gold Abacus Sword Demon... Wait, not Heavenly Demon Cult—Kunlun. Gold Abacus Sword Hero Baek Seung-mu?
With money and chivalry both in the name, he'd have no complaints.
Satisfied with the vision, Jeong Gwang sensed a familiar presence.
Yu Jeong-pung.
"Hey, little brother! You in there?"
"Yes."
"We're at the Murim Alliance—can't hole up inside! Come out!"
He'd yap all day if left alone.
Jeong Gwang opened the door and stepped out.
Yu Jeong-pung beamed happily.
"Contract's done. Why?"
"Sheesh, so heartless. I'm just grateful."
"Going well?"
"Heh, at least I can talk to Miss Dang now."
"Did she say to bring me? Threaten with poison?"
Yu Jeong-pung flinched and changed the subject.
"Haha, anyway. Anywhere you wanna go?"
"Don't know till I do."
"That's why I'm here! I'll show you around. Let's go."
"Where to?"
"Hm... Gotta start with Xianxia Pavilion at the Murim Alliance."
What's that?
Jeong Gwang looked puzzled, and Yu Jeong-pung mirrored him.
"...You don't know?"
"Nope."
Yu Jeong-pung shook his head and tugged him along.
"Come on. Any righteous man must visit."
Irrelevant to a past-life demonic sovereign and current fake-righteous Jeong Gwang.
"Not really feeling it."
"Better than rotting here."
True enough.
Might as well sightsee.
Jeong Gwang followed Yu Jeong-pung.
* * *
Xianxia meant exalting heroic chivalry.
Feared as much from the name.
And it was exactly that.
Xianxia Pavilion honored xia who perished defending the Central Plains murim.
Yu Jeong-pung explained solemnly.
"This is from the Great-Great-Grand Alliance Leader. His blood-soaked robe from blocking demonic hordes. Next to it, the blade of Blood-Faced Demon Blade Han Sang-yeo, a demonic leader."
Jeong Gwang was dumbfounded.
That timid guy's sword, really?
"Whew. This is the Great-Grand Leader's sword. See? The edge is worn flat. Imagine how many villains he felled to get it like this."
Jeong Gwang's eyes drifted to the gauntlets beside it.
Iron Soul Crushing Fist Mo Kyung-ho—the brute's, for sure.
Yu Jeong-pung led him around, pointing out weapons Jeong Gwang recognized here and there.
Trophies, from the righteous perspective.
"Hey, little brother. You've been quiet. Heartbroken?"
No.
Pissed.
Just die already! You ran away to end up like this after death!
A vein throbbed on Jeong Gwang's forehead. Misreading it, Yu Jeong-pung clapped his shoulder.
"That's the spirit. Worth bringing you. You're a bit odd, but a hot-blooded righteous man at heart."
No, that's not...
"Come on. The pavilion's huge."
It was massive.
Not just for those fallen to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Relics from xia who died fighting lust demons or killer ghosts were displayed too.
They put real effort in.
His past-life weapons came to mind.
Wonder what happened to them.
Jeong Gwang smirked.
Obvious.
Bloodshot-eyed subordinates would've fought over them tooth and nail.
Kinda wasteful.
He licked his lips as Yu Jeong-pung spoke.
"You're different, little brother."
"How?"
"Look around. Feel the difference between you and them?"
Jeong Gwang glanced about.
Tears streamed from countless eyes.
At minimum, red-rimmed blinking.
Only Jeong Gwang's sparkled dryly.
"Should I cry?"
"...Not necessarily."
Yu Jeong-pung shrugged and continued.
"I haven't known you long, but I get it. In Qinghai or here, you've never strayed from righteousness. Your methods are rough, but you've done chivalrous deeds. But this is the Murim Alliance."
“......?”
"Righteous folk, warriors—they all think you must act a certain way. This place crawls with that outdated mindset."
In short: Jeong Gwang's unique thinking and expression would draw misunderstandings ahead.
"So pretend to be like them sometimes."
Jeong Gwang shook his head.
"I don't really get it."
"What?"
"This place, for example. Honoring those who died doing good? Fine. But why'd they die?"
"To uphold chivalry, obviously. They gave their lives for it."
"Would you, Brother Yu? Against someone stronger?"
Yu Jeong-pung straightened proudly.
"Of course. For chivalry."
"I wouldn't."
"...What?"
"Why charge an unbeatable foe? Gather people, ambush, hit and run."
Yu Jeong-pung's jaw dropped.
"...H-how can you say that..."
Jeong Gwang cut him off firmly.
"I have to survive first. Only then can I do more chivalrous acts, right?"