Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Translator: Penny
Chapter 97
Golden Grand Banquet (1)
The moment Chilho saw the Nameless Great Hero again, a pang struck her heart.
She had witnessed him kill the Butcher before, and even then, her gaze had been drawn to him. Today, she felt her eyes were once again captivated by his presence.
"Welcome! I hope we get along well in the future," Im Yeonjeong greeted her warmly.
"Thank you. I look forward to working with you," Chilho replied.
Im Yeonjeong turned to Iho. "I didn't realize your organization had such a beautiful woman. I thought it was just full of gruff men."
She expected at least a joke or some embarrassment, but Iho and Chilho showed no reaction whatsoever.
Im Yeonjeong shook her head. "You two are so boring."
Their next move was equally unexpected. Iho looked at Chilho and said,
"We'll take our leave now."
"Yes."
"We'll withdraw for now."
The two exchanged cupped-fist salutes and left the room.
They walked side-by-side down the corridor.
Chilho had come here under Ilho's orders. This was because the Nameless Great Hero had not only killed the Butcher of the Heavenly Blade Gate but had also made contact with Ma Lingyin.
She had learned that when coincidences piled up, they were no longer coincidences. Originally, she had come here intending to kill the Nameless Great Hero, but after seeing him, she decided further investigation was necessary.
The two walked down the corridor and entered the last room.
"So, you find this Nameless Great Hero suspicious?"
"Yes."
Chilho frankly revealed the mission that had brought her here. She reasoned that giving a false reason would only heighten the wariness of the perceptive Iho.
However, Ilho hadn't explicitly ordered Chilho to eliminate the Nameless Great Hero based on her own judgment. Nor had he revealed that the Ghoul and the Drunken Gentleman were waiting below. He had simply stated that she was sent to investigate at his command.
"It's far-fetched to assume he deliberately approached Young Master Ma simply because he killed the Butcher. From my observations, he doesn't seem particularly suspicious."
"I'll keep that in mind," Chilho replied.
Seventh Sister offered no further opinion.
"Moreover, Young Master Ma needs this man. Consider that when you investigate."
"Understood."
Iho, well-versed in the organization's inner workings, asked suspiciously, "Did anyone come with you?"
"No one."
Iho scrutinized Chilho, but her expression and demeanor revealed nothing. They had been trained to conceal their true intentions.
"Go rest. I'll issue you an access permit so you can move freely within the Mechanism."
Chilho's sudden appearance startled me.
She had been among the crowd when I killed The Butcher. Clearly, she had been assigned a mission related to him.
Having failed that mission and now meeting Ma Lingyin, her organization would undoubtedly investigate me. She must have been sent here because of me.
"What are you thinking about so deeply? Were you thinking about her just now?" Im Yeonjeong asked, her eyes sharp.
I chuckled. "How did you know?"
"Men's thoughts are so predictable."
"Let's finish our conversation from earlier."
"What were we talking about?"
"Young Master Ma didn't tell you something because of his jealousy."
"Jealousy? What do you mean?"
"I mean that I like you."
My confession startled her. She burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha! Is this some kind of 'poke the persimmon you can't eat before you die' mentality?"
"Is liking someone really such a twisted motive?"
"Stop joking."
"I'm not joking," I replied seriously.
She strode toward me, bringing her face close to mine and staring intently into my eyes.
I still couldn't tell if the clear energy I felt from her eyes stemmed from genuine purity or from a malice I couldn't comprehend.
"Every man who has ever liked me has died."
"Good. I'm going to die anyway."
I answered boldly, meeting her gaze without flinching.
The next moment, she suddenly leaned in and kissed me.
It wasn't a deep kiss, just a light peck.
Startled, I watched as she smiled and said, "I just wanted to give you a taste of what it's like to be pitied by someone who can't bear to eat the fruit of a dying person."
My face flushed crimson. This embarrassment was no act.
"You should go now," she said, returning to her seat and picking up her book.
"See you later," I said.
She didn't even turn to acknowledge my farewell.
I left her laboratory immediately.
That evening, I sat alone at the inn, drinking.
Im Yeonjeong's surprise kiss had truly caught me off guard.
Could she actually like me? We'd only just met. Or was it out of pity for someone who was about to die? That couldn't be it. If not, what could her intentions be?
I couldn't decipher her feelings. Still, though I was bewildered, I didn't blame myself or regret it. I felt a pang of guilt toward Song Hwarin, but it was unavoidable.
In truth, the person I should feel sorry for is Im Yeonjeong. I fully intend to use her to uncover the mastermind behind these enemies.
Just one more step inside to learn about them, then I'll withdraw.
All I need to know is who's pulling the strings. Once I have that information, The Nameless Great Hero will temporarily vanish, and I'll return as Byeok Ridan to rebuild my power.
Knowing my true target versus remaining ignorant will make all the difference, even if my actions appear the same. Just one more step is all it takes.
To achieve this, I need free access to the Secret Estate.
Since people are there... clues must be hidden within.
Three days passed, and finally, the day of the Golden Grand Banquet dawned.
Zhengzhou was already swept up in the festive fervor from early morning.
The streets teemed with merchants and the martial artists who accompanied them.
Various events were unfolding throughout the city. Merchants from all corners of the land were selling all sorts of wondrous and exotic goods.
One merchant, claiming to be from the Southlands, was even selling elephants and giraffes.
I made my way through the bustling marketplace to the venue where the Golden Grand Banquet's opening ceremony was being held. I was there to see Ma Bonggi.
A massive crowd had already gathered.
In the distance, a grand stage loomed, with seats reserved for Martial Arts Masters and other dignitaries arranged beside it.
The assembled crowd was buzzing with conversation. Most of them were merchants, a group notoriously sensitive to rumors and political developments.
They were exchanging news from every corner of the Central Plains:
Which Merchant Guild had achieved what success this time? Who was the new Master of the newly established Merchant Guild, and why did the failed ones collapse? What troubles were the Heavenly Blade Gate's successors causing in various regions? Even the impact of the Nameless Great Hero's emergence on trade routes was being discussed.
If one could hear such conversations daily, I'm certain every information broker in the Central Plains would go bankrupt.
Amidst the chatter, there were also brave souls venting their grievances against the Heavenly Blade Gate's tyranny.
However, most merchants were extremely cautious in their words and actions when it came to the Alliance Leader.
A middle-aged man ascended the dais and announced the commencement of the Golden Grand Banquet. His voice, infused with internal energy, resonated clearly throughout the crowded hall.
"Distinguished guests who have traveled from every corner of the Central Plains, we now begin the foremost festival of the Central Plains and the most dazzling banquet in the world: the Golden Grand Banquet!"
Bang! Bang! Boom!
Fireworks erupted simultaneously across the sky, while smaller firecrackers exploded in rapid succession below.
The middle-aged man then introduced the host of this year's Golden Grand Banquet:
A short, white-haired old man named Seong Wangbo, the Society Head of the Central Plains Merchant Alliance and Corps Head of the Continental Merchant Guild.
"This gathering is for our merchants alone. For the duration of the Grand Banquet, you may stand tall and speak your minds freely. You are the true masters of this event."
A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.
Seong Wangbo then introduced another figure.
"Now, to grace this occasion, we have the most esteemed guest from the Martial Arts World. Let me introduce the pillar of the Martial World, the Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance!"
Waaaaah!
Amidst the deafening cheers, Ma Bonggi strode onto the stage.
The sight of him instantly ignited my anger. It wasn't because he looked exactly as he had before. Nor was it because the merchants were clapping, fully aware of the Heavenly Blade Gate's tyranny.
It was because of the four women standing a short distance from the platform. They were undeniably beauties, clearly chosen for their looks and figures.
I remembered hearing that Ma Bonggi's personal guards were all women.
He couldn't bring himself to change this even after becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. Old habits die hard, so he still traveled with these women in addition to the Alliance Guard Corps warriors.
The thought of such a lecherous bastard leading the Martial Arts Alliance filled me with anger.
I half-listened to his speech while scanning the surroundings. I spotted Ma Cheolgun near the VIP seats where the Masters were seated, talking to Ma Lingyin.
Pushing through the crowd, I slowly made my way toward them.
Ma Cheolgun met Ma Lingyin again after a long time.
The heirs of Ma Bonggi had scattered across the Central Plains to expand their influence, and Ma Lingyin was in charge of Henan Province. Of course, Ma Cheolgun was unaware that Ma Lingyin was secretly conducting tests.
"I heard your performance in Henan hasn't been very impressive."
"What's the point of working hard? You'll be the successor anyway, Boss."
"Hah, you never know. If someone more capable than me emerges..."
"You'd just kill them, wouldn't you?"
"You little brat?"
"Just kidding, just kidding. I'm just happy to see you after so long, so the jokes come naturally. Ha ha ha."
Ma Cheolgun laughed along with a friendly expression, but his true feelings were different. He was most wary of Ma Lingyin, knowing him to be the most skilled at concealing his true intentions among all the heirs.
"What about the other brothers?"
"They weren't invited. Only Father and I were invited to this Golden Grand Banquet."
"So they're only looking after the Alliance Leader and the Successor Alliance Leader, as expected."
"It's not that. Lately, the Martial Arts World has been looking at Our Sect with a critical eye. That's probably why only Father and I were invited."
"When has Our Sect ever been praised?"
"It's worse now than ever. Especially after the Nameless Great Hero killed Great Hero Yeom, the way people look at us has become even more hostile."
"Great Hero Yeom? He was just a butcher. I think he deserved to die. It's time for our Heavenly Blade Gate to change."
"Watch your words."
"Well, I've given my greetings, so I'll take my leave now. Let's just consider this our farewell! Safe travels after the Grand Banquet!"
Ma Lingyin left without looking back.
Ma Lingyin glanced at me from a short distance away. Our eyes met, but we pretended not to notice each other.
I was surveying the area around Ma Cheolgun.
Two figures stood nearby. As I had learned from Ma Lingyin beforehand, the scholarly-looking middle-aged man was Mister Noh, Ma Cheolgun's strategist. The man beside him was Third Guard, sent by a mysterious organization.
Slightly further away, seven formidable martial artists stood guard—the Heavenly Dragon Seven Swords, protectors of the Heavenly Blade Gate Sect Leader.
The Heavenly Dragon Seven Swords were a cut above the eight experts who had previously guarded Ma Lingyin.
Each of their martial arts prowess rivaled that of Chu Dochi. It was as if seven Chu Dochis were guarding the area. Moreover, their combined technique was said to be extraordinary.
After assessing Ma Cheolgun's security, I slipped away unnoticed.
Ma Lingyin's carriage awaited at the appointed location. As soon as I boarded, he asked, "How did it go? Do you think an ambush is feasible?"
"It won't be easy. Especially the Heavenly Dragon Seven Swords—their aura is extraordinary."
"They're formidable warriors. But the real problem is Ma Cheolgun. He's stronger than all seven of them combined."
"There's something I need to ask."
"What is it?"
"The Third Guard, the man beside Mister Noh. How would he react if I launched a surprise attack?"
"He'd likely just observe."
"That's not certain, then."
"No, it isn't."
"Find out for sure. How he'll respond."
"Understood."
"We need to determine when the Heavenly Dragon Seven Swords will leave Ma Cheolgun's side. And we must also investigate whether there are any other hidden masters protecting him."
I was putting on a convincing show of being completely focused on the task at hand.
"Seeing him in person, I found myself wanting to succeed in the assassination."
Of course, I had no intention of assassinating Ma Cheolgun. These were just words to agitate Ma Lingyin.
As expected, Ma Lingyin couldn't hide his eagerness. The intensity in his eyes deepened as he gazed at me. He must have been yearning for this with all his heart.
Even the fact that the Nameless Great Hero had ambushed him would be a significant achievement. But if the assassination actually succeeded, Ma Lingyin would suddenly become the most formidable candidate for succession.
"Young Master Ma," I said, looking at him earnestly.
"I'm prepared to throw everything I have into this. So, I ask you to grant me just one request."
"What is it?"
"Allow me free access to the underground passages beneath the Estate."
"Why?"
"I want to be able to see her whenever I wish."
"She" was, of course, Im Yeonjeong.
Ma Lingyin stared at me silently, undoubtedly weighing whether he could trust me. It was a difficult decision for him, as he fundamentally distrusted others.
Since our first meeting, both he and I had made considerable efforts to bridge the gap between us.
Now, the outcome of my efforts hinged entirely on his answer.
Instead of responding to me directly, he addressed the coachman in the driver's seat.
"Let's return to the Estate."
With that, he tossed the blindfold lying beside him out the window.