The Martial Challenge at Jeong Hyeon's Banquet
Another cry rang out. “Grand General He and Vice Minister of Agriculture He have arrived.”
“Heh~ I didn’t expect that man to show up as well.”
Jeong Hyeon had sent He Jin an invitation out of courtesy, but he never imagined the Grand General would actually attend his sixtieth birthday banquet. Their first meeting after He Jin summoned him to Luoyang had ended in a fierce argument over court politics, and the two had yet to reconcile.
He Jin and He Ham approached Jeong Hyeon, who stood at the entrance, escorted by Seo Jun, Po Cheol, and Oh Ui.
“I did not expect Your Excellency the Grand General to grace us with your presence. Thank you for coming.”
“Haha~ Even though we had our disagreements, my respect for you has never faded, sir. Of course I had to come and celebrate your sixtieth birthday.”
“I am deeply grateful that you feel that way, Grand General. Please, come inside.”
The guests who had been seated as principal attendees took their assigned places, with their bodyguards standing behind them. Jeong Hyeon sat at the central seat of honor. To his left were military officials and imperial family members led by He Jin and Yu Eon, while to his right sat powerful nobles and scholars centered around Won Oe and Yang Pyo.
“I never expected so many distinguished figures to attend my humble sixtieth birthday. I am truly grateful. Though the food I have prepared may be lacking, I would be delighted if everyone enjoys themselves.”
With Jeong Hyeon’s words of thanks, the banquet began. Those who knew one another moved between seats, conversing on various topics and filling the hall with lively chatter.
A few people approached He Jin from time to time, but they were almost all connected to the military. None of the Confucian scholars, powerful nobles, or imperial figures came to greet him.
Jo Sung took a sip of wine and glanced at Jo Jo seated beside him. No one approached them either.
“Mengde.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Look at those so-called pure scholars putting on airs of righteousness. They know full well that it was thanks to the Grand General that the Partisan Prohibition was lifted and they regained their positions, yet they still look down on him because of his humble origins.”
“I was watching them as well.”
“Benshu survived as a servant’s son only because he risked his life to observe the full six years of mourning and earned recognition from others. If you wish to secure a firm position, never forget that when opportunity comes, you must stake your life on it.”
“Understood, Father.”
Jo Sung smiled faintly, pleased to see Jo Jo, now maturing with age, accepting his words so readily.
“Looking over there, the bodyguards behind the Yuan family seem quite formidable.”
“The men behind Benshu are Yan Liang and Wen Chou, while those behind Gonglu are Ji Ling and Zhang Xun. All are renowned for their exceptional martial prowess.”
“How do you think they would fare against Ziyang and Zixiao?”
“I could hold my own, but victory would be uncertain.”
“Is that so?”
“I cannot be sure without testing them, but based on the rumors I have heard, my assessment should not be far off.”
“What do you two think?”
Jo Sung turned to Ha Hu-don and Jo In standing guard behind them.
“Uncle, my thoughts are similar to Mengde’s.”
“Mine as well, but if I may add one thing—the most dangerous among them is likely the Black Wolf Sword guarding Wang Gong.”
Jo In, echoing Ha Hu-don’s opinion, had sensed Sa-a’s hidden aura and recalled the rumors as he answered Jo Sung.
“That drifter?”
“He hides his true strength.”
“Then if that fellow lends his strength to Mengde, would he be a great asset?”
“Without a doubt. However, many have tried to recruit the Black Wolf Sword, yet he remains famously unattached to any master. I wonder if there is a way.”
“Father, do you perhaps have a good method in mind?”
Jo Sung smiled at Jo Jo and fell into thought.
‘If he truly prefers roaming freely rather than staying in one place, he won’t be won over by any single approach.’
In such cases, one had to slowly build goodwill and wait for the right moment. As Jo Sung pondered how to earn Sa-a’s favor, a small idea suddenly occurred to him.
From what Ha Hu-don and Jo In had said, Sa-a likely possessed the highest martial skill present. If a contest of martial prowess were held, Sa-a would probably win, and offering him a large prize would create a favorable impression. Showing such a man overwhelming generosity rather than modest wealth seemed like an excellent way to approach him.
Having made his decision, Jo Sung rose from his seat and cleared his throat.
“Everyone! As an uninvited guest, I, Jo Sung, would like to offer a small token of apology by adding a bit more enjoyment to Master Gangseong’s birthday banquet. I have a proposal—may I speak?”
At Jo Sung’s words, a few low voices muttered that such vulgar games were to be expected from a eunuch’s son. Yet many others showed genuine interest and curiosity.
“It seems Minister Jo has a fine proposal for my birthday. I would like to hear it.”
Jeong Hyeon decided it would be better to let Jo Sung continue rather than have the festive atmosphere ruined by an awkward withdrawal, so he voiced his support.
“Many skilled warriors have gathered here today to ensure everyone’s safety. However, it seems a shame that they cannot fully enjoy themselves because of their duties. That is why I have stepped forward. I will offer one hundred taels of gold as a prize to the winner of this contest. Participants will stand inside the chrysanthemum-patterned gate in the center of the garden. When Master Gangseong gives the signal, they must push the other participants outside the gate. The last one remaining will be the victor and claim the gold ingot I have offered.”
“Haha~ Minister Jo has come up with quite an exciting game.”
“Is anyone allowed to participate?”
“One hundred taels of gold—isn’t that a bit excessive?”
Those who had initially dismissed the idea as a trivial game now changed their expressions. The prize of one hundred taels of gold—equivalent to a thousand bushels of grain or a hundred thousand coins—was enough to make everyone’s eyes widen. If their own bodyguards participated, their reputation would depend on the outcome, making it impossible to pretend indifference.
Yet while many officials viewed it as a minor contest with only slight stakes to their dignity, the expressions of the bodyguard warriors hardened. For them, this was no small game—it was a duel that would determine their true standing.
He Jin surveyed the hall, his face growing stern as he observed several officials wearing confident smiles. He noticed their gazes lingering on his seat, their lips curling with faint amusement.
He had risen to power with the help of the Ten Attendants, but after gaining influence he had clashed with them repeatedly while trying to promote the so-called pure scholars. Yet even now, they still looked at him with such expressions. It was irritating, and he let out a sigh.
‘They’re mocking me because the Grand General’s residence has lacked strong warriors until now.’
“Hey, White Dragon!”
“Yes, Grand General!”
“Can you go out there and win for me?”
“I will do my utmost to bring you joy, Your Excellency!”
When Seo Jun clearly expressed his willingness to participate, He Jin turned to Oh Ui and Po Cheol.
“Which of you will go with the White Dragon?”
“If Lord Jiwon permits, I would like to accompany Lord Baekryong.”
“Very well. Yeonghak, you go.”
Po Cheol, who had been quietly following orders, showed enthusiasm. Oh Ui yielded, and He Jin nodded, curious to see Po Cheol’s skills.
Seo Jun bowed slightly to He Jin and moved toward the center of the banquet hall with Po Cheol.
Sa-a, who had been watching the stirred banquet hall with a languid expression, arms crossed behind Wang Yun, showed emotion on his face for the first time.
“Master, do you know that man?”
“No~ He simply caught my interest. Somehow, I feel like I can guess who he is~”
Sa-a cared only for training and honing his skills, remaining indifferent to worldly affairs. The reason he was now guarding Wang Yun was due to a special circumstance.
Sa-a had sought sword instruction from Wang Wol, who had asked him to guard Wang Yun for a time in return. Though Wang Yun and Wang Wol were distant relatives with little contact, Wang Wol had once received help from Wang Yun when he first entered officialdom as a military officer and felt indebted. Upon learning that Wang Yun had incurred the Ten Attendants’ displeasure and occasionally faced assassination attempts, Wang Wol had asked Sa-a to repay that debt while incidentally protecting him.
Without this special situation, Sa-a was not the type of person to teach Diaochan martial arts or serve as Wang Yun’s bodyguard. Yet now, a man had appeared who piqued even his interest.
From the moment he saw Seo Jun enter with He Jin, his gaze had been drawn to him. With his sturdy build and handsome face, Seo Jun possessed an appearance that would attract attention no matter where he stood. Diaochan herself had experienced similar gazes from many people, along with the discomfort and pain they brought. For some reason, she felt a sense of kinship with this man she was seeing for the first time.