Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: A Slip of the Tongue
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“Hahaha! Come on in, Young Master.”
“It's been a while, Branch Head.”
Zhuge Seon bowed politely with a bright smile.
A man in his forties, perhaps?
The man was none other than Zhuge Chung-eon, head of the Wuhuan branch of the Zhuge family.
He had become branch head at the youngest age among the four branches, yet no one doubted his capabilities.
The Wuhuan branch had long produced the main family's grand elders and had guarded Wuhuan—home of the Righteous Martial Alliance—for generations, excelling in political intrigue.
They had to match wits with the leaders of countless sects.
Leading such a place proved his exceptional talent, and it also meant he enjoyed immense trust from the main family's grand patriarch.
“Seon arrived earlier and is resting. I called, but he wouldn't come out—must be tired.”
“No need. We're all familiar faces.”
“Was the land journey uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. We just kept moving.”
Zhuge Seon said nothing about the ambush near Jingzhou.
He had promised the Beggars' Sect to keep it secret.
“Young Master, it's been too long.”
Zhuge Chung-eon wasn't the only one to greet them.
The children of the branch who had arrived early waited for his greeting to end, then rushed forward to exchange pleasantries with Zhuge Seon.
“Good to see you all.”
As greetings flew back and forth, Zhuge Chung-eon turned his gaze to one of Zhuge Seon's group standing a bit back.
“Young Master.”
“Yes?”
“That gentleman over there...?”
“Ah!”
Realizing his oversight at Zhuge Chung-eon's gesture, Zhuge Seon led him toward Dang Yeo-pyeong.
“Zhuge Chung-eon, a mere foot soldier of the martial world, pays respects to the White Heron Great Hero.”
“Haha, Dang Yeo-pyeong here. 'Mere foot soldier'? That's too much humility. I've heard endlessly that the Gentleman Sword resides in Wuhuan.”
“How could I compare to the White Heron Great Hero? On behalf of our family head, I thank you for honoring our branch.”
Jinmu gave a wry smile at their exchange.
What a load of nonsense.
Righteous faction folk loaded even greetings with flowery, cumbersome words.
Jinmu wanted to wrap up the pleasantries, get his quarters assigned, and escape the swarm of righteous pricks to rest.
Since he was resting anyway, he craved a drink after washing off the road dust clinging to his body.
“I hear you've been tapped as the next Dragon-Phoenix Pavilion Master?”
“Hm? What's that about?”
“Looks like the news hasn't reached you. Rumors are flying in Wuhuan that the White Heron has been selected.”
“What? Ridiculous. I'm just here out of curiosity for the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.”
Dang Yeo-pyeong frowned.
“Then you should meet the Grand Marshal and Alliance Leader.”
“Hm, suppose I should.”
Nodding at Zhuge Chung-eon's words, Dang Yeo-pyeong glanced at Jinmu's group in their black martial robes.
They looked weary, one with annoyance plastered all over his face.
“Taoist gentlemen from Wudang.”
“Ah, I see.”
Zhuge Chung-eon nodded nonchalantly, assuming they'd met on the road.
Eager to finish and share tea with the White Heron, he turned—
“Huh?”
The bored Jinmu suddenly turned toward the branch youths, his face lighting up.
“Hey, long time no see. You here for the Dragon-Phoenix Conference too?”
All eyes followed Jinmu's voice to the back.
And then.
“Huh? You, this punk?”
Zhuge Geun, second young master of the Dangang branch.
Mingled among the branch youths, he muttered unwittingly at Jinmu's sudden call-out.
He hadn't expected Wudang Taoists in Zhuge Seon's group.
Their black martial robes—not Taoist robes—made him think they were mere escorts.
'Damn, slipped up.'
His exclamation might have passed unnoticed, but too many eyes were on him.
Wuhuan branch head. Main family eldest young master. And the martial world's renowned White Heron, Dang Yeo-pyeong.
It was a place demanding careful speech.
As Zhuge Geun bowed to apologize for his slip—
“Zhuge Geun, what did you just say?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked what you said.”
Zhuge Seon's icy expression. His usual deference gone.
Anger laced his voice, baffling everyone.
His demeanor shifted like summer skies suddenly unleashing a downpour.
Hey, what's with the sudden attitude?
Even Jinmu found Zhuge Seon's reaction odd.
This was a far cry from the man he knew moments ago.
Calling an elder 'punk' was rude, but guys their age tossed it around casually.
“No, I mean...”
Zhuge Geun smiled awkwardly at Zhuge Seon's glare.
“Does the Dangang branch not teach manners?”
Zhuge Seon's sharp tone froze the air like a frozen wasteland.
Overkill.
Everyone knew the gap between main and branch heirs.
The main family's eldest young master would lead the next generation of Zhuges.
By rights, even branch heads should bow to him.
But Zhuge Seon was much younger.
A mere slip of the tongue—why the rage?
Zhuge Geun was a full ten years his senior. Humiliating him publicly like this?
Irritated, Zhuge Geun lifted his head.
“Young Master, that's too harsh. It was just a momentary lapse.”
“Shut your mouth!”
“...”
“Words and actions must fit time and place.”
Zhuge Geun's eyes sharpened at Zhuge Seon's cutting voice.
“A slip? You think that trash talk gets excused as a 'slip'? Do you not know this man's identity, you from the Dangang branch?!”
Listening, Zhuge Chung-eon eyed him curiously.
What was so special about these Wudang Taoists he'd dismissed?
Of course, traveling with the young master made them guests deserving respect.
But that alone didn't explain Zhuge Seon's fury.
The Zhuge Seon he knew was steady and deep-minded.
There had to be a reason for snapping at Zhuge Geun like this.
“His name is Jinmu.”
The White Heron sidled up and whispered.
“Jinmu? You mean...?”
“The Wudang Earth Sword of our era.”
“What?!”
Zhuge Chung-eon's eyes widened like saucers.
The Wudang Earth Sword?
He'd heard the rumors.
So Zhuge Seon chose the land route not just for the White Heron?
Wudang Earth Sword.
That title's weight went beyond martial prowess. It represented Wudang itself.
Age didn't matter. A status rivaling a sect leader.
In non-warring times, even the Zhuge family head should show respect.
Yet a branch youth had called such a figure 'punk'—unforgivable for the etiquette-obsessed Zhuges.
The entire martial world knew of Wudang and Zhuge rivalry over Hubei, despite being allies.
Recently, the Dangang branch scandal had tarnished their name.
Zhuge Geun's words might pass here as a slip, but leaked outside? It'd brand them as a petty clan insulting their invited guest—the very Wudang Earth Sword who'd shamed them.
Zhuge Chung-eon grasped why Zhuge Seon had erupted.
It was damage control.
By raging, he acknowledged the mistake, pinning it solely on Zhuge Geun's rudeness to Jinmu.
The branch youths seemed clueless, though.
'Tch, idiots. So dense.'
Zhuge Chung-eon knew it was his cue.
He had to reveal the situation and defuse the tension.
“You fool, Zhuge Geun!”
“...?”
“Apologize at once!”
“Pardon?”
“Daring to speak like that to the Wudang Earth Sword! Don't you know your slip has sullied the Zhuge name we've upheld for ages?!”
“...”
Not Jinmu—the Wudang Earth Sword. At Zhuge Chung-eon's roar, the branch youths gaped at Jinmu.
Only then did they understand Zhuge Seon's anger.
His single word shifted eyes from deeming Zhuge Seon excessive to condemning Zhuge Geun.
“My apologies. In my ignorance, I failed to recognize you. Zhuge Chung-eon, head of the Wuhuan branch, begs the Wudang Earth Sword's forgiveness on his behalf.”
“Ah, well... sure.”
Jinmu awkwardly smiled and bowed back at Zhuge Chung-eon's apology.
Then.
Zhuge Chung-eon glared at Zhuge Geun like he wanted to devour him.
'Damn it.'
Reluctantly, Zhuge Geun bowed to Jinmu.
“My apologies. Zhuge Geun, second son of the Dangang branch, has been rude to the Wudang Earth Sword. Please forgive me.”
“...”
Jinmu watched the scene unfold with bemusement.
He'd just greeted out of (supposed) fondness.
Yet Zhuge Seon's bellow, whispers between Chung-eon and White Heron, followed by apologies.
Something tangled and passed—family face, inter-sect tensions.
Like they were beating drums and gongs together.
So what?
Whatever secrets, they meant nothing to Jinmu. No need to overthink.
All he saw was one bowed head.
Zhuge Geun's.
That mattered.
'This punk. Heh, got a good look now?'
Jinmu chuckled inwardly with malicious glee.
Perfect timing—he'd been wondering how to kill five days. Now he had entertainment.
“Sorry about this. Seeing a familiar face, I greeted casually and caused trouble.”
Surprised by Jinmu's polite apology, Zhuge Geun started to lift his head—then a transmission wormed into his ear.
[Yeah, yeah. Keep that head down, eyes lowered from now on.]
Jinmu's voice.
'This damn bastard...'
Zhuge Geun's face twisted as he bowed deeper.
“Glad you understand.”
“No big deal.”
Jinmu waved it off casually.
“Then I'll head to the Alliance with my brother. Rest well.”
“Please do. Don't mind us.”
“Yes.”
Zhuge Seon bowed.
And.
“I'll join you. Seems I need to see the Alliance Leader and Grand Marshal too.”
Jinmu's face brightened at Dang Yeo-pyeong's words.
“Yes, then we'll rest first.”
Jinmu bowed sincerely to them both.
Good thinking.
Hurry off. Better not come back. What a hassle.