Chapter 121: The Yongbong Gathering (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: The Yongbong Gathering (2)
Rumble—!
Astral Qi erupted from Seo-jun’s hand, blanketing the area.
The flying daggers were enveloped by the martial imagery of the White River Returning to the Ocean, dropping helplessly to the ground.
Seo-jun swept up the fallen daggers with a pulse of Astral Qi, his brow furrowing into a deep scowl.
“Who the hell are these punks?”
A threat? Hardly.
The attackers who threw these were mere trash, not even at the Peak Realm.
Blades thrown by such nobodies couldn't pierce the muscles tempered by his Tyrannical Power Ghost God Art—even if he just stood there and let them hit him.
Chun-bong or Namgung Su-ah could have deflected them with their eyes closed.
Still, threat or not, it was more than enough to ruin his mood.
We were just out having a good time, and you throw daggers? How rude.
Seo-jun adjusted his grip on Chun-bong, who was still resting in his arms, and kicked off the ground.
Thump—!
With a single bound, he soared into the air.
Looking down at the streets from his high vantage point, Seo-jun tossed the captured daggers back into the air.
The assailants had already tried to scatter and hide, but once caught in Seo-jun’s Qi Sensing, their efforts were entirely futile.
Five Elements. Metal. Transformation.
The tips of the flying daggers warped and split, taking on jagged, hook-like shapes.
Seo-jun swept his hand down, conjuring a violent gust of wind.
Swoosh—!
Carried by the gale, the daggers traced dazzling arcs as they shot back toward the earth.
Following subtle, calculated trajectories, they struck with pinpoint accuracy, embedding themselves deep into the thighs of the assassins hiding amidst the crowd.
“Guh…!”
“Kyaaaah! Blood! There’s blood…!”
“It’s a martial artist…! Quick, call the monks!”
The street instantly descended into chaos.
Seo-jun landed lightly on a nearby roof, watching the scene unfold below.
The assassins were entirely neutralized. He had infused the tips of the blades with Yin Energy; they wouldn't be moving properly for a long while.
He could leave them be for now. There was something else he needed to handle first.
Since a commotion had broken out so close to Shaolin, it was only natural for monks to appear.
However, the faces of these particular monks were quite different from what he expected.
“Does Shaolin accept female disciples now?”
“They don't.”
Chun-bong, who had been resting quietly in his arms, hopped down onto the roof tiles.
A group of Buddhist nuns had already surrounded the building.
Chun-bong twisted her face into a scowl and spoke up.
“What is the meaning of this? And from the Emei Sect, no less. You aren't even Shaolin.”
The Emei Sect. Seo-jun knew of them. They were one of the Nine Great Sects.
An orthodox sect that exclusively accepted women.
Basically, a female version of Shaolin.
To be precise, their martial arts were said to be a mix of Buddhism and Taoism, though he didn't care much about the details.
Instead, a sudden realization hit Seo-jun, and he smacked his fist into his palm.
“Oh, right! That’s it! Gender quotas!”
“…You crazy bastard.”
Chun-bong, who had just stepped forward with a fierce aura, quietly retreated.
She backed away from Seo-jun and started whistling tunelessly, her entire posture screaming, ‘I don’t know this guy.’
“…You speak quite recklessly for one so young.”
A nun stepped forward, her face etched with deep irritation. She looked like someone whose very existence was defined by annoyance.
The Emei disciples present were a mix of fully shaved nuns and lay disciples with hair; this particular nun was one of the bald ones.
Regardless, her point was valid. Sensing he was at a disadvantage, Seo-jun quickly changed the subject.
“More importantly, what’s going on? Isn't this Shaolin’s jurisdiction?”
“Shaolin is not the only sect that answers the cries of the people.”
It seemed some civilian looking for Shaolin disciples had spotted the nearest bald heads and reported the fight to them instead.
“If you’re going to arrest someone, take those guys down there. Though, I’ll be taking two or three of them with me.”
“You are equally responsible for causing a disturbance in Henan when the Yongbong Gathering is right around the corner.”
“Oh? You want to see a real disturbance then?”
Seo-jun released his aura.
If there was one thing Seo-jun possessed that rivaled the Transcendent Realm, it was the sheer, crushing pressure of his presence.
As he directed his aura toward the nun, she broke into a cold sweat and involuntarily took a step back.
She was a martial artist of considerable skill herself, but the pressure felt as if it were crushing her mind and body, making her very acupoints throb in agony.
“…Senior, your jesting is a bit excessive.”
Senior? Realizing the nun’s misunderstanding, Seo-jun smiled leisurely.
If she mistook him for an old monster who had achieved Rejuvenation, it would actually make things much easier.
It might cause trouble later, but he’d deal with that when the time came.
He wasn't wearing the Namgung Clan’s signature robes, just his usual black martial attire, so she had no way of knowing his true identity.
Ending his brief deliberation, Seo-jun quickly adopted a new persona: the arrogant, eccentric Murim old-timer. It was an easy role to play.
“It was those wretches who threw the daggers first. Why do the nuns of Emei seek to persecute me?”
“Daggers…? In Henan, at a time like this?”
“Indeed. In Henan, at a time like this. And yet, since you lot have bared your fangs at me, I see no reason to hold back any longer.”
Under Seo-jun’s intense glare, the nun struggled to maintain her composure and bowed her head slightly.
“I apologize for my rudeness… In that case, would it be acceptable if we handed those men over to Shaolin?”
“Do you intend to just wash your hands of this?”
“…Is there something you desire, Senior?”
The Nine Great Sects and One Clan. They were formidable factions, of course, but Seo-jun held the moral high ground here.
Furthermore, he had indirectly revealed his 'level' through his aura.
The aura Seo-jun projected when he got serious felt even higher than his actual realm, so it wasn't strange for her to mistake him for an expert in the Transcendent Realm.
At that level, even the Nine Great Sects would find it difficult to suppress him by force.
A martial artist of that caliber would likely command a significant faction, whether they joined one or founded it themselves.
Hmm, should I make them do a headstand apology?
As Seo-jun pondered his options, Chun-bong, sensing his mischievous intent, poked him sharply in the ribs. A Voice Transmission immediately rang in his ears.
[Are you completely ignoring the consequences?]
[Well… I’m sure my future self will handle it?]
[Don’t give me that crap.]
[Too bad.]
Seo-jun smirked and shook his head.
“Well, I’m only joking. Do as you wish with them. However, I will be taking three.”
“…As you wish.”
The Emei disciples moved quickly.
They bound the remaining assassins, bowed once more to Seo-jun, and departed.
Seo-jun watched them disappear down the street before finally dropping down to the ground.
“What a shame. I should have just started a scuffle—mph!”
“Your mouth! Your mouth! This damn mouth! What am I going to do with you? Have you actually lost your mind? Huh? Gender quotas? You should be thanking the heavens the Emei Sect didn't put a kill order on your head!”
Chun-bong pinched Seo-jun’s lips and shook them vigorously.
Namgung Su-ah, who had been hiding nearby, approached with a light giggle.
“It’s alright, Geum Mae. No matter how bold Emei is, they wouldn't dare put a kill order on someone from the Namgung Clan.”
If they did, the Nine Great Sects might very well become the Eight Great Sects.
“No, Sister! That’s not the point! Do you know how many times this guy has almost caused a disaster because he couldn't watch his tongue?”
“But a disaster has never actually happened, right?”
“That’s just sheer luck!”
“I don’t think so. Don’t you think Seo-jun says these things with a purpose? Sometimes he seems to have a lot of depth to his actions.”
Namgung Su-ah smiled brightly at Seo-jun.
Seo-jun avoided her gaze and kept his mouth shut.
Sometimes, blind trust could be more painful than anything else…
I really need to watch my mouth from now on.
As he held his mouth shut with both hands, Chun-bong looked at him with utter pity.
“Sigh, what am I going to do with him? He’s this old and still so immature.”
“Hey, Chun-bong, is that any way to talk to your older brother?”
“Bullshit. I’ll seriously smack you.”
Chun-bong raised her fist. Seo-jun flinched and offered a silly grin.
“Aing.”
“Tsk… Phew…”
Chun-bong made a silent vow.
No matter what this guy did, she had to keep a very close eye on him.
The Yongbong Gathering was an event where all sorts of powerful sects would convene.
Just thinking about what he might pull there filled her with absolute dread.
* * *
After dragging his three captive assassins back, Seo-jun handed them over to the Namgung martial artists stationed at the villa.
They would likely extract information through torture or whatever other means were necessary.
Putting that aside for now, Seo-jun’s eyes grew cold as he headed back toward the Hao Sect branch—his original destination.
The Blood Crow Sect, was it? I’m pretty sure they’re the ones who sent them…
The Hidden Sword of the Darkness, the very group Lady Ye-hwa had mentioned.
Even when they were heading to Shanxi, assassins had shown up every other day. It seemed the moment he started to forget about them, they sent more.
They probably didn't expect the assassination to succeed in the first place.
Sending an assassin capable of killing a Super Peak master into Henan at a time like this?
That would be sheer madness. An assassin of that caliber wouldn't go digging their own grave.
These thugs were likely sent as a warning not to wander around recklessly…
How annoying.
A dangerous red light flickered deep within Seo-jun’s eyes.
If he continued to leave them be and Chun-bong or his sister got hurt, he wouldn't be able to contain his rage.
He had to wipe them out before that could happen.
When the group arrived at the Red Moon Pavilion and stepped inside, a woman he recognized from before spotted them and approached.
“It has been a while. Have you come to see the Guild Master?”
“Yeah. Is the old man doing well?”
Instead of answering, the woman offered a bright smile and bowed.
“I will lead the way.”
* * *
“Well, well, it’s been a long time.”
“Indeed. Should I call you Jin Gi-jae-cheon now instead of Gwang-a-rang?”
Hyeon-wol greeted the group with a hearty laugh. He had already removed the useless privacy screen.
“I assume you’re here for the Yongbong Gathering?”
“That’s right.”
“Are you participating as well?”
“Why would I join in on kids’ games?”
Calling the Yongbong Gathering—an event where all the rising stars of the Murim competed—a 'kids' game.'
Hyeon-wol chuckled and brewed the tea himself.
“I suppose you’re one of the few who can say that. Are you not the Super Peak master of the Namgung Clan, the Jin Gi-jae-cheon?”
“Oh, as expected of the Hao Sect.”
“Anyone with ears would know that much, not just the Hao Sect. It’s just that not many know your face yet.”
Hyeon-wol poured tea for Seo-jun’s group and took a seat.
“Anyway, what brings you here?”
“I just came by. I was bored.”
“Hmm, I figured that might be the case with you.”
After that, they exchanged trivial conversation.
Casual topics like how they had been and recent events in the Murim.
When Namgung Su-ah asked about a courtesan named Chwi-ryeong, Hyeon-wol laughed loudly.
“Haha, Chwi-ryeong will be pleased. To think the Flower of Namgung actually remembered her promise.”
“A word from the Namgung is not light.”
“That is true. At any rate, Chwi-ryeong has been devoted to practicing the zither lately. Her skills have improved quite a bit, so she has many admirers now.”
At those words, Namgung Su-ah giggled and lightly tugged on Seo-jun’s sleeve.
“You promised to go listen to the zither with me. You’ll come, right?”
“Of course. I’m curious myself.”
The zither…
Drinks and music. That was a combination that couldn't possibly be boring.
Of course, Chun-bong would have to stick to sipping juice.
Chuckling to himself, Seo-jun asked, “By the way, do you know anything about the Blood Crow Sect?”
“The Blood Crow Sect? The one from the Black Lotus Union?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“I do. Why do you ask?”
Seo-jun crossed his arms and pondered for a moment before speaking casually.
“I’m going to erase them. They’re getting on my nerves.”