Chapter 101: A Rowdy Eve (1)
Chapter 101: A Rowdy Eve (1)
Rewinding time slightly, we find ourselves at a magnificent tavern in Wuchang.
The Jiangnan Baekrim Association was among the wealthiest factions within the Orthodox sects, and the banquets held by its rising stars were grand enough to match their families' reputations.
“Now, now, everyone! It brings me boundless joy to see you all again.”
Sang-gwan Wook laughed boisterously as he scanned the room. Even for someone with his extensive social circles, such a gathering was rare.
Even though they all belonged to the Jiangnan Baekrim Association, it was highly unusual for them to gather and socialize like this. Each was busy training under their respective families and preparing to inherit their legacies. In this era, even if people were tied to the same region, coordinating a time to meet was no simple feat.
To begin with, the region of Jiangnan—encompassing the southeastern part of Southern Zhili and Zhejiang Province—was as vast as Northern China. Without an occasion like this, it would be difficult even to make the acquaintance of those who would one day lead the great prestigious sects.
“From tomorrow, we must all test what we have cultivated thus far, but for today at least, let us pass the time without a single worry. This Sang-gwan shall offer a toast to the gallant heroes of Jiangnan!”
Sang-gwan Wook moved from table to table, sharing drinks and enjoying the company of the crowd.
“Lady Cheon?”
As Cheon Hwa-ryeong watched the spectacle with a hint of amusement, someone sat down near her and tilted a wine bottle.
“Ah, Young Hero Huangfu.”
“Haha, the prestige of the Jiangnan Merchant Guild is well-known even in Shandong. Now that I’ve met you in person, I can’t help but think our Jiangnan friends have been far too stingy. A woman like Lady Cheon should have been named one of the Great Beauties of the Martial World long ago.”
“I am no martial artist. Merely the daughter of a merchant guild.”
“I’ve heard the martial reputation of the Jiangnan Merchant Guild is quite formidable even among the other guilds of Jiangnan. If you are too humble, it becomes a slight. Haha!”
Giving the rugged man a perfunctory smile, Cheon Hwa-ryeong stared quietly down at her cup. There were many delicacies to eat and drink at this gathering, but she didn't feel like picking up her chopsticks.
She had no appetite. Nor was she having any fun. It was tedious and annoying; the way these people clung to her was like a persistent hangnail.
However, she needed the reputation.
The Jiangnan Merchant Guild was a public identity the Heavenly Demon Cult had cultivated over many years. It was a move designed to establish a foothold in the Jiangnan region, where there were few grudges against the Cult, so they could exert influence should a conflict ever arise between the Cult and the Martial Alliance.
But now, she needed reputation for a different reason, not for such trivial goals. She needed to cultivate the name 'Cheon Hwa-ryeong' until it was valuable enough to be an attractive marriage prospect even for the Hebei Peng Family.
After all, her lord loved things of value.
Ah, truly.
The more she thought about him, the more he seemed a man worthy of veneration.
Among all these meaningless people—these pathetic martial artists who revealed their base desires, swayed by mere appearances—only he judged others not by their looks, but by their intrinsic value.
“Lady Cheon?”
“Pardon? Ah, my apologies. This is my first time at such a gathering, so I’m finding it a bit overwhelming.”
“Haha, to think the precious daughter of the wealthy Cheon family would be so unexpectedly unassuming. Gold only shines when it is put to use; if you wish, this Huangfu would be more than happy to arrange such gatherings for you often.”
“Ah, yes… I see. As a daughter of a merchant guild, that is a lesson I have much to learn from.”
“It’s nothing at all!”
Huangfu Hyeon-seok guffawed, his face flushed red from the alcohol. His yellowish teeth were revealed in the process, causing Cheon Hwa-ryeong’s brow to furrow involuntarily.
She subtly increased the distance between them. She wanted to drop everything and leave immediately, but the people here were direct descendants who would soon handle their families' affairs. Maintaining relationships with them was still useful for her identity as a member of the Cheon family guild.
“How old are you this year, Lady Cheon?”
“I have just passed my sixteenth year.”
“A truly wonderful age. If I were to send word through my family later…”
Just as her final shred of patience was about to evaporate in the face of his blatant advances—
Whistle—!
In the distance, across the East Lake, fireworks shot up from among the pavilions of the Martial Alliance.
Boom—!!
It was a magnificent, solemn explosion, far grander than any ordinary firework. As everyone marveled at the sight through the windows—
Whoosh!!
Several of the pavilions below were suddenly engulfed in flames.
“W-what is that…? Is it an accidental fire?”
“Tsk, tsk. To have such a disaster on such an auspicious day. The Alliance guards are going to have a rough time.”
In this era of wooden buildings, a fire could start from a mere lightning strike, and such accidents were especially common in the dry winter months when braziers were kept close.
Since the Martial Alliance was filled with high-ranking martial artists, no one expressed concern about the fire itself. The servants might suffer, but the accomplished masters of the prestigious sects wouldn't be harmed by such an incident.
Furthermore, despite how brightly it burned, it was clear at a glance that not many pavilions were actually on fire. It was a trivial matter that would be suppressed quickly.
Or so it seemed.
However, everyone’s attention was clearly diverted.
And since the Flying Dragon Unit of the Alliance, which had been patrolling Wuchang, was currently rushing toward that unexpected incident—
“Hmm…”
In that split second, she was the only one in the tavern high-ranking enough to sense a sudden surge of killing intent from the lowest floor.
“Things are getting interesting.”
Cheon Hwa-ryeong smiled pleasantly and tilted her cup.
* * *
Was that the sound of something exploding? Of course, it wasn't fireworks; it was my own heart bursting with frustration.
“I told you guys to just stay in one place and eat!”
I grumbled as I sprinted through the streets of Wuchang. Every acupoint in my thighs felt like it was being pricked by needles. I was feeling the full backlash of awakening my Middle Dantian.
I thought I’d be using it tomorrow!
No! Honestly, I didn't think I'd have to use it at all!!
The level of the rising stars appearing at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was merely First-Rate. Even the ones who were handpicked to earn the titles of 'Dragon' or 'Phoenix' were only at the threshold of the Peak Realm. True Peak Realm martial artists could be counted on one hand.
At that level, there was no way I could lose. There was no way those punks were stronger than the Lord Divine Spear, Yang Jeok-yo.
“You—when did you reach the Peak Realm? No, how on earth are you hiding your stage!”
“Haven't you heard the saying in the martial world? Always hide thirty percent of your power.”
“How is jumping from First-Rate to the Peak Realm only thirty percent?!”
“I used to think that way too. But the wall of the Peak Realm… once you cross it, it feels rather hollow. You find yourself wondering if it was really this simple.”
“Wow.”
I decided to ignore the words of the inferior talent struggling to keep up behind me. Murong Cheong was a martial artist of such trivial caliber that she was panting just from trying to follow me.
That wasn't what was important right now.
“This is getting really dangerous…”
The streets were too noisy. It was loud enough that it would be difficult to notice anything happening right away. The problem was, if 'anything' happened here, my life would be on the line.
Their goal was clear. They wanted to start a war between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions.
Filling in the 'how' was also simple. Too many masters were gathered in Wuchang right now—mostly masters of the Orthodox sects. They had fallen into a sort of safety insensitivity because of each other's presence.
The most recent major upheaval in the current martial world was the last Great War. Sixty years had already passed since then. While there had been other minor conflicts, Wuchang was a safe zone that hadn't been invaded even once during that war.
When so many masters are gathered in such a place, it’s inevitable for their guard to drop.
In the midst of this, a fire broke out inside the Martial Alliance. Everyone might find it pathetic, but they wouldn't think much of it. Not many people would die or be injured by a fire of that scale, and surely the masters would take care of it.
However, it was inevitable that eyes would be drawn to it. And at that moment, the hot-blooded young rising stars weren't staying inside the strict Alliance headquarters; they were out seeking freedom and luxury, indulging themselves in the heart of Wuchang.
It was an incredibly easy situation to exploit.
Once I’d reasoned this far, the conclusion wasn't hard to reach. If the rising stars of the great sects were murdered by the Black Path or the Unorthodox Faction, what would happen to me?
What would be the future of the man who came to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering as a representative of the Black Path?
No matter how positively I looked at it, there was no answer other than 'Beheading Blood Wolf' Peng Hyeon-hwi. I would definitely die. Quite horribly, too. As a form of punishment for the Sima Alliance's provocation. At the hands of the Orthodox masters who had lost their sons and daughters and lost their minds in grief.
“…It’s my fault…”
“What?”
“I… I was greedy. I wanted to see you standing on the duel stage of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. That… that’s what led to this situation…”
“What are you talking about?”
Sometimes, Murong Cheong had incredibly low self-esteem for a lady of a wealthy family. Or perhaps I should say she had an overactive sense of responsibility.
“Why is it your fault that Eon Do-cheon, that crazy old man, is pulling this crap?”
“But the fact that you got involved in this in the first place is actually all…”
“Uh-uh. That’s enough. Stop right there.”
She looked like she was about to start sobbing again, so I stopped walking and looked at her. Murong Cheong was looking up at me with her shoulders hunched.
“You, did you forget which family I belong to?”
“Hebei… the Hebei Peng Family…”
“Good girl.”
I gave Murong Cheong’s shoulder a light tap. I looked into her eyes and spoke clearly.
“We are a family that won't do something we don't want to do, even if we're beaten to death.”
“…?”
“So, everything we’ve done is because we wanted to do it.”
“E-even burning down the Shaolin Temple’s Library…?”
“Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden? Uh, yeah, that too.”
“S-starting the Great War?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
The Hebei Peng Family was a clan of madmen united by an extreme rebellious streak. And they were the kind of madmen who actually had the power to back it up.
Therefore, they would never do something they didn't want to do.
And everything they did was done according to their own will.
Which meant…
“We were taught never to make excuses or shift responsibility for what we’ve done, and that’s how we teach others. I don't know about your family's educational policy, but in this case, I'm right. Now, repeat after me.”
“W-what?”
“‘Why is that my fault?’”
“…?”
“Hurry up.”
At my urging, Murong Cheong sniffled once and began to stammer after me.
“Why… why is that my fault?”
“‘Then die.’”
“T-then die.”
“Good.”
I wiped the tears from the corners of Murong Cheong’s eyes and gave her a pat on the back.
I felt a bit like I was converting her to the Black Path, but this was definitely better than letting things fester inside her.
“And besides, this isn't even the worst situation I've ever faced.”
It wasn't like one of the Fifteen Lords of the World was dropping an ultimate move on me, nor was I a Second-Rate martial artist having to challenge a Peak master to a life-and-death duel. It wasn't like I was poisoned by the Five Poisons Sect and forced to swallow a pill that destroys one's Innate Qi.
I wondered how I’d managed to survive all that, but regardless.
This was by no means the worst I’d seen.
“But… but you could die.”
“There you go again. Good grief. Here, repeat after me.”
“W-what now?”
“‘Then I’ll just die.’”
Whistle.
The sound of fireworks burning echoed from somewhere. Turning my gaze in that direction, I saw bright sparks soaring into the night sky.
Soon, with a bang, small embers began to scatter in all directions.
“Look, the most I can lose is my life, so instead of wallowing in self-reproach, let’s just run. We need to save at least one more person.”
Murong Cheong’s eyes sparkled again. It seemed she’d come to her senses. There were only a few taverns left to check. The culprit was bound to be hiding in one of them.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late. And fortunately, I’d figured it out before their plot was complete.
As is always the case, an incomplete plot and a failed scheme are what kill the strategist.
*
“L-Lady Cheon. I… I will buy us some time, so please, f-flee—!”
Cheon Hwa-ryeong watched Huangfu Hyeon-seok vomit blood as she calmly raised her wine cup. She slowly surveyed her surroundings.
The hall was a mess. The only ones still holding weapons were a tiny handful of the Jiangnan Baekrim Association’s rising stars, the 'cranes among chickens.' At best, their stage was only First-Rate, on the verge of the Peak Realm.
On the other hand, the three martial artists who had stormed in were clearly Peak Realm masters.
To anyone’s eyes, death was near. In fact, the martial artist who had been near the door during the initial raid had his heart pierced and died instantly. With just one clash after that, the two rising stars, Huangfu Hyeon-seok and Ak Seo-jin, had been neutralized.
What should she do?
Saving them wouldn't be difficult. If she went all out, even three Peak masters couldn't take her down instantly.
And unlike these lazy and foolish Orthodox martial artists, she always kept her subordinates close at hand. It wouldn't be long before the elites of the Cult stormed in for her.
But if that happened, there would be no way to hide her identity. She would lose the Jiangnan Merchant Guild, a base of operations they had spent a long time building. And that meant she might lose her connection to the Hebei Peng Family once again.
She didn't quite like that idea.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong furrowed her brow. It felt like looking at a knot that was difficult to untie.
Since she had recently sensed flies trying to land on her lord, she didn't want to waste any more time.
Tap, tap.
The gesture of her calmly tapping her wine cup was a sight that stood out peculiarly even in the chaotic hall.
“Have you lost your mind, wench? Do you not understand the situation you are in?”
Because of her beauty, which stood out even among the handsome men and beautiful women here, and her absurdly calm expression amidst the splashing blood and surging killing intent, the assassin’s gaze turned toward her.
“Do not come up.”
Cheon Hwa-ryeong whispered lowly, her finger stopping its tapping on the cup.
Quite a few people heard those words, but none understood their meaning—except for the few masters waiting with their blades drawn below the tavern.
The Little Heavenly Demon, having stopped her subordinates, smiled as she brought the cup to her lips again.
“Because my lord has arrived.”
K-BOOM—!!
Her final words were drowned out by the thunderous roar of the tavern’s outer wall shattering into pieces.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong watched calmly, a smile on her face, as a gauntlet-clad fist lunged out from the debris and smashed into the head of the nearest assassin.
“You have achieved great mastery, my lord.”