Chapter 150: The Banquet (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 150: The Banquet (1)
A heavy, suffocating silence instantly descended upon the meeting hall.
Namgung Hyeok was the first to break it. He glared at the Huashan Elder, his expression twisted in profound displeasure.
"So, what you are saying is... that the successor of the Geum family, or the Young Prodigy present here, murdered a Huashan Elder?"
The sword path of the Azure Cloud Divine Sword did not differ greatly from that of the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword. If one were to judge solely by the lingering sword marks after the traces of martial arts had been erased, distinguishing between the two would be nearly impossible.
In other words, claiming the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword was involved in Jong-in’s disappearance was essentially pointing a finger at both Seo-jun and Chun-bong.
Am I screwed?
Seo-jun’s mind raced as he listened to the conversation unfold.
However, upon further reflection, it wasn't that big of a deal.
It’s not like I did anything wrong, right?
Technically, it was that bastard Jong-in’s fault for conspiring with the Black Lotus Union. Actually, thinking back on it now, it wasn't entirely certain whether he had joined hands with them or something else entirely...
Regardless, he had been in possession of the Black Lotus Union’s elixirs.
What a shame...
He had hoped to pin this entirely on the Black Lotus Union. If things went this way, attention would be needlessly diverted toward Huashan.
A Huashan Elder conspiring with the Black Lotus Union? Naturally, that was a grave matter. It might even provide an excuse for other sects to exert pressure on them.
But he couldn't just let the Geum family take the fall. He wasn't keen on sparking internal strife, but since things had come to this, he had no choice but to—
"Therefore, Huashan has concluded that this was likely the work of the Black Lotus Union."
"Pardon?" Seo-jun’s head snapped up.
Seeing this, the Huashan Elder offered a gentle smile. Looking at the Young Prodigy’s serious expression, he felt he understood the young man's concerns.
The boy was likely worried that the Geum family would be framed, but there was no need for such anxiety.
"It is common knowledge that Elder Lee, who was known by the moniker 'Gwang-a-rang' at the time, was only at the Peak Realm. Furthermore, I understand the daughter of Namgung was traveling with him. It makes no sense for the Geum family and the Namgung Clan to conspire to assassinate a Huashan Elder."
"Oh...?"
"Additionally, the place where Elder Jong-in’s traces were found was a forest quite far from the Huashan Sect. It appears Elder Jong-in discovered something and was pursuing it when he met with disaster..."
Glancing at Seo-jun’s face, the Huashan Elder spoke as if to comfort him.
"I suspect... that perhaps the manual for the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword has fallen into the hands of the Black Lotus Union."
At those words, everyone in the meeting hall widened their eyes.
The Yellow Cloud Divine Sword.
Was it not a transcendent martial art that no one would dare challenge, even if it claimed to be the greatest swordsmanship in the Central Plains? And that had fallen into the hands of the Black Lotus Union?
"Now, now, Elder Lee. It will be alright. Is the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword not famous for its extreme difficulty? Even those Black Lotus Union bastards won't be able to master it properly."
"Th-that’s right! Besides, the successor of the Divine Sword Geum Family and the inheritor of that martial art are both alive and well, so what a relief that is!"
"He speaks the truth. It is impossible to master the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword through a manual alone, so do not worry too much."
Suddenly showered with consolation, Seo-jun’s eyes darted around.
Hmm. Is this actually better?
He hadn't done anything, but it seemed his objective had been achieved regardless.
*
After the meeting ended and he received another round of condolences from a few acquaintances, Seo-jun left the Shaolin Temple.
"It will be fine. Even the Family Head mentioned several times how difficult the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword is to learn. There’s no way those Black Lotus Union thugs could wield it properly," Namgung Hyeok comforted Seo-jun with a worried expression.
"He’s right, Brother. Everyone knows how difficult it is to learn a martial art from a manual alone." Namgung Myeong was doing the same.
Having received so much sympathy, Seo-jun was starting to fall under the illusion that something truly tragic had happened to him.
At least it was a relief that the Fist King, Pae Jin-gwang, wasn't here. He couldn't even imagine how that man would react, but if he started offering comfort, it would feel truly... weird.
"Ah, seriously. I said I’m fine." Seo-jun shuddered and quickened his pace.
Watching him from behind, Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue in pity.
"How much he must be suffering in his heart..."
From what he had heard, the boy had spent his youth wandering the back alleys. It was truly heartbreaking. To think that the Yellow Cloud Divine Sword, which he had preserved through such hardships, had fallen into the hands of those wicked Black Lotus Union scoundrels.
Namgung Hyeok reflected on his own past behavior, deeply regretting the words he had spat out when they first met.
"I truly have no shame..."
"Great-Granduncle..." Namgung Myeong squeezed his eyes shut.
What could possibly heal his brother’s heart?
As he pondered, a brilliant idea suddenly struck him.
*
"A gathering? You want me to go to a gathering for the kids?" Seo-jun tilted his head at Namgung Myeong’s suggestion.
What was he supposed to do at a hangout for the Rising Stars?
Seeing his bewildered expression, Namgung Myeong smirked.
"They are all around your age, Brother. Perhaps you might meet a good friend there."
"Is... that so? No, aren't they all just kids?"
"Well... strictly speaking by age, Brother, you are on the younger side even among the Rising Stars."
"What."
When Seo-jun reacted with exaggerated shock, Namgung Myeong gave an awkward smile.
"Anyway, my sister and the young lady of the Geum family are going as well. What do you say?"
"Hey, little brother. You should have led with that."
In that case, there was no reason not to go.
*
There was a four-day gap between the round of 32 and the round of 16.
During that period, a grand banquet was traditionally held for the Rising Stars to gather.
It wasn't a gathering exclusively for those who had advanced in the tournament. There were no specific qualification requirements. However, those who were not from the Sixteen Major Sects and Clans rarely attended.
Most of the attendees were the elite youth of the great powers; ordinary martial artists didn't know what might happen to them if they tried to wedge themselves in.
Of course, that didn't mean there weren't people who forced their way in just to cause trouble...
Regardless, Seo-jun attended.
There was no issue. Age-wise, he was indeed a Rising Star. The fact that he held the status of an Elder-level figure within the Sixteen Major Sects and Clans was conveniently ignored for the moment.
"Wow, kids these days sure know how to party." Seo-jun marveled as he looked around the venue. "Back in my scrub days, you know? I used to just hang out with my buddies from the Black Path in the back alleys."
"Shut up, will you?" Chun-bong, standing beside him, grumbled.
Listening to this guy talk, you’d think he was some old fossil who’d lived in the Murim for two hundred years. He’d even said there was no Qi in the world he originally came from.
"Whoa, Chun-bu-i! What’s this? Why are you so low-energy today!"
"What about me?"
"There’s no way this is your only reaction!"
"......."
Chun-bong stared flatly at Seo-jun.
Having dressed up for an official gathering, he looked quite dashing. He wore the robes of the Namgung Clan, and his usually unkempt hair had been neatly styled.
Based on looks alone, he seemed like a noble young lord, but the moment he opened his mouth, he was just a complete idiot...
And above all else—
"It’s weird."
"What is?"
"It’s just... something."
This guy actually looked quite good in the Namgung Clan’s robes.
"Is this what they call NTR or whatever?" she muttered.
He looked good, but seeing him suit the Namgung robes so well made her chest sting a little.
Hearing that and seeing Chun-bong make a strange face, Seo-jun recoiled in horror.
"Hey! Kim Chun-ppung...! Where did you learn a word like that!"
"Who else is there besides you?"
"What."
Seo-jun realized it then.
This was why you had to watch what you said in front of kids... He’d have to be more careful with his language from now on.
"Oh! You’ve arrived!"
Just then, Cheong-song waved his hand and approached from afar. Mu-hye was with him.
"It has been a while."
Seo-jun waved back at her as she bowed politely. "Long time no see."
Stepping further inside, he saw quite a crowd.
The gazes of many people were fixed on Seo-jun, but it seemed approaching him wasn't easy; a significant empty space naturally formed around him.
For Seo-jun, it was a relief. He wasn't particularly keen on being bombarded with questions by a massive crowd.
"Chun-bong, go on and play. You should make some friends." He gave Chun-bong a nudge on the back.
"What? Why me?"
"Because you... don't have a single friend."
Regrettably, it was true.
Geum Chun-bong didn't have a single person she could call a friend. At most, there was Su-ah or Myeong-i. But those two were more like family than friends.
"At your age, you need to make some friends of the same gender to develop social skills and—"
"Agh! I’m gonna kill you!" Chun-bong snapped.
However, Namgung Su-ah took the suggestion seriously. Since she was in a similar position regarding friends, she felt a sense of kinship.
"Lady Geum, shall we go together then?"
When Namgung Su-ah, who knew the loneliness of having no friends, made the offer, Chun-bong reluctantly accepted.
"Ugh, fine! I get it." Nodding roughly, she pointed a finger at Seo-jun. "Hey, you!"
"Yes?"
"Don't cause any trouble, seriously!"
"Hey, come on. What kind of trouble would I cause in a place full of kids?"
"I guess. True."
In fact, even if he wanted to cause trouble, any sane Rising Star would know better than to mess with Lee Seo-jun. Looking at his everyday antics, the Super Peak Realm might seem like a joke, but a Super Peak master could pop the heads of three or four Rising Stars with a single flick of the wrist.
Unless they were completely insane...
And so, Chun-bong and Namgung Su-ah left to find friends.
Seo-jun watched their retreating figures with a satisfied look before turning to ask Namgung Myeong.
"So, what do we do now?"
Seo-jun, as it turned out, was in the exact same boat when it came to having no friends.
*
Sama Hyeon, the Chief Strategist of the Black Lotus Union.
He could not understand the current situation at all.
"So... the North Sea Ice Palace assassinated a Great General of the Imperial Court?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"I never issued such an order."
"That is..."
As his subordinate faltered, Sama Hyeon clicked his tongue.
"I wonder what they are thinking." He tapped the table with his iron fan, lost in thought.
First, the North Sea Ice Palace was involved in the massacre at the Blood Crow Sect, and now they had assassinated an Imperial General?
Sama Hyeon’s cold gaze shifted to his subordinate. "Is this information certain?"
"Yes. It is intel from a spy planted within the Righteous Faction. The Righteous Faction tried to cover it up, but the incident itself was too large to hide..."
"It makes no sense." Sama Hyeon tsked. "What does the Ice Palace have to say?"
"About that..." The subordinate spoke while breaking into a cold sweat.
*
At the same time, deep within the North Sea Ice Palace.
The roar of the Ice Palace Master, Baek Seol-hyang, echoed throughout the halls.
"Stop spouting nonsense and give me an explanation that makes sense!"
"P-Palace Master..."
"Do you think this sounds remotely plausible? Some crazy bitch wiped out an entire sect and assassinated an Imperial General, and you don't know who it is? Didn't you say traces of the Ice Soul Divine Art were found?!"
"They say traces of Demonic Qi were also found at the Blood Crow Sect..."
"This...! Which goddamn bastard is doing this?!"
Baek Seol-hyang felt like she was going insane.
If there were a master of that caliber in the Ice Palace, there was no way she wouldn't know about them. Yet, to her knowledge, no one had committed such acts.
"What, are you saying the Ice Soul Divine Art has been leaked? Do you think that’s possible? Even if it were leaked, who could possibly master it to such a degree in such a short time and impersonate the Ice Palace?! That is impossible!"
The Ice Soul Divine Art was as difficult to master as it was powerful. First, one had to contain the cold qi of the North Sea within their body. Then, one had to imbue it with Death Qi to amplify its power. To reach mastery, one required the help of the Ice Palace’s sacred object, the Ice Crystal.
Even if the manual were leaked, impersonation should have been impossible.
"Summon the Elders! I will find out exactly which bitch is running around causing this mess and punish her as an example to all!"
The North Sea Ice Palace was turned upside down.