Banquet of Young Heroes and Pirate Legends
Many might find it strange, but surprisingly, I don't hate social parties. Sure, given my personality, people probably think I'd grumble about them being pretentious nonsense and a waste of money. That's just prejudice. What I can't stand is that atmosphere where everyone twists their words and manners, giggling with fake "ohoho" laughs. What I liked was making friends, drinking, and having fun. Unfortunately, most social parties flowed in the direction I despised.
Social parties should be about strangers getting to know each other, bonding, drinking, and enjoying themselves. So when did they turn into an extension of cutthroat politics? Anyway, I doubt I'm wrong, so the problem must be this world and its social parties. And it seems no matter the world, whenever people gather under a host, the vibe ends up the same.
"Haha. The food must suit your taste, young lady."
Delicious dishes, strong liquor perfect for a good buzz. Men courting women, ladies pondering whether to accept or brush them off. It's been ages since I've seen this. If only I weren't the one being courted, I could've dived in properly. Oh well, at least it's a special experience—I'll settle for that.
"Sis, this is yummy."
"Yeah, yeah. Eat up, Yuk-ryeong."
The kids seemed happy too. Makes sense—they, and even 'Ha-yeon,' probably never tasted such fine food. As for me, a total newbie to this world's cuisine, the exotic spices and local flavors hit the spot.
Best of all, being on this ship gave me a chance to scout the martial arts practiced by these Murim rising stars—or whatever they're called. Yep, boarding was the right call. I'd gotten plenty of stares before, so no big deal there.
We sat around a table laden with food. The vigorous young men, overflowing with goodwill toward me, struck their most dashing poses as they peppered me with questions.
"You wield the sword, I take it."
"Yep. It's the most comfortable and powerful, after all."
"100-Day Spear, 1000-Day Sabre, 10,000-Day Sword, as the saying goes. Your insight surpasses even the scholars, young lady."
Whoa, buddy, when did you see me swing to lay it on so thick? But the guy who'd introduced himself as Hwangbo Jung took issue with it and jumped in.
"Hmph. No intent to insult swordsmen, but Five Mountains Collapse Fist from Hwangbo Sega packs a punch stronger than any brute's club. Swordplay has its subtleties, sure, but pure outer arts and the human body produce a unique fighting spirit."
"Wow, really."
Fists again. I'm getting fist fatigue over here. I'm a sword guy from the start. Hwangbo Sega's arts? Out. Fists as the main event killed my interest.
Hwangbo Jung's face flushed awkwardly, while Moyong-dan's lips curled up. Meanwhile, Hwangbo Hye, taking it as an insult to her brother and clan, scowled and started whispering with the other ladies nearby.
Damn, scoring a drink or a meal is harder than manual labor. The value of honest work proven once more.
And so, bite of food by bite, story by story. Sip of liquor, another tale. As the prestigious heirs shared their knowledge, I learned plenty—mixed with baseless rumors that sounded credible coming from highborn mouths.
"Speaking of, you hear about that, young lady? The hidden treasures of Geum Ra-geo, former head of the Yangtze River Pirate 18 Bases, the Pirate King."
"Oh, that. It was big news for a while."
"Even now, pirates scour for his legacy."
Geum Ra-geo, Pirate King. Hwagyeong master and lord of the Yangtze River Pirate 18 Bases. Now a vanished ghost whose body was never found.
Seeing my interest, Hwangbo Jung seized the chance to redeem himself.
"The former Pirate King was a mighty transcendent expert, but his greed outstripped his power."
The Yangtze is the Central Plains' lifeline, its central artery for trade. With valuables flowing through, pirates are inevitable. Officials and Murim crush them, but like bugs, they keep coming—no need for full extermination. Why burn forests and drain ponds for mosquitoes? They'll breed elsewhere. Mountains have trees, rivers have water; bandits and pirates sprout yearly like fleas.
Slaughter pests in sight, but no need for tedious purges. That was the old consensus.
"But uniting them all under a Hwagyeong absolute expert? Unacceptable."
Then one day, Geum Ra-geo—infamous among pirates for strength and cruelty—reached Hwagyeong. Shock rippled, but no panic. If mountain kings hit it, why not river rats? He'd form a loose alliance, feed off scraps, like always.
Geum Ra-geo thought differently.
"From now on, the Yangtze belongs to the Yangtze River Pirate 18 Bases! Any fools who hate it, come greet this base lord's harpoon!"
This madman formed a pirate federation and publicly claimed the river. He stationed goons at key passages, demanding tolls—taxes, they called it. Officials and Murim were dumbfounded. Does he think his neck's immortal? Begging to die?
The Yangtze isn't just any river—it's the core trade hub for countless factions. For one Hwagyeong to declare it his turf? Bold as brass.
"He figured if the mountain king built the Bandit 72 Strongholds and taxed trails unscathed, he could too."
Of course, mountain tolls versus river blockades? Worlds apart. Bandit raids were routine; the king kept lines, exploited Central Plains' guanxi like a savvy MZ bandit. He knew restraint, content with his perch.
The Yangtze? No words fix that. Rooting there defied guanxi entirely. Geum Ra-geo probably thought acting like a mountain king would suffice... but he botched the first button.
Too far for respectful retreat. Blood must flow to prevent copycats. So nationwide experts mobilized to purge the Pirate King.
His response? He applied to the Four Kings Alliance.
"I'm a Hwagyeong master and Pirate King. All Yangtze pirates are my subordinates—accept me!"
"Piss off."
"Why?"
Rejected, naturally. A Hwagyeong is tempting, but that's poison fruit—one bite stamps "Murim Public Enemy" on your forehead and "Traitor" on your cheeks. No prince's kiss detoxes that.
Betrayed by his hoped-for allies, Geum Ra-geo finally sensed doom.
"Wait! Let's negotiate! I'll keep tolls reasonable!"
"Negotiate with Yama."
He begged till the end, blaming high tolls. Wrong business from the start—rivers aren't mountains. A Hwagyeong dimwit, indeed. Sane ones pivot post-breakthrough, not pirate.
"Argh! One coin! Just one coin toll! Spare me!"
Clinging to his penny tax, Geum Ra-geo died shredded by righteous, evil, and imperial blades, sinking into the Yangtze—body lost.
Some whisper he's alive, but the palace nailed it shut. Limbs severed, dantian shattered, river plunge? Even Pirate Grandpa couldn't save him.
But people leave treasures, not names. Where'd his brief blockade haul vanish?
"Searched every base and lair—not even a tenth recovered. So where's the loot?"
"Hidden, duh."
"Exactly, young lady. Survivors, Murim, even the palace hunt his treasures bloodshot-eyed."
Geum Ra-geo briefly choked the Plains' artery, plundering endless wealth. Find his eastern hideout or secret manual? Life-changer. Personally intriguing.
Ha-yeon chuckled.
Pirate—no, Pirate King's treasure! Pure masculine thrill.
"You tell it so entertainingly. I enjoyed that, Hwangbo Jung... er, commoner? Young hero? Yeah, young hero."
"Pardon? Ah, haha! No need!"
"Not flattery—the most fun story I've heard lately."
Solid intel. Good info flows from crowds like this.
"But I haven't heard about that lady over there. Any reason?"
One nagging gaze persisted amid the clustered ladies and men: a woman subtly radiating displeasure at me and the group. Disdain? No, pitying scorn... laced with smug superiority. I'm above you lot.
Yet her realm was Peak Jeoljeong—top dog on a stage where first-class was average.
My question halted Moyong-dan, Hwangbo Jung, and even the whispering girls—who'd assumed I couldn't hear.
What? Did I poke a taboo?
Answer came from her.
"Hmph. I just don't care to join fake warriors play-acting demure ladies, selling obvious smiles, and fools fawning over them. And the blatant backbiting and posturing from those women? Obvious."
Wow, what a bitch. Now I get why no intro. Seen her type plenty. Classic teen "I'm a different league" syndrome—incurable in prodigies from political hotbeds. Scorn noble etiquette as fake, parties as lowbrow. Men smiling at women? Lustful. Women smiling back? Shameless schemers. Young fogeys dreaming pure love and justice, turning abrasive. Real talent and backing make them untouchable; they distance from "deceitful" society.
"Ahem! Nangong Sega's daughter and Sword Seal, Nangong-ryeon the young hero. As you see... ahem. Fiery personality."
Moyong-dan's awkward intro didn't thaw the chill. Folks glanced at her and her guards but held back.
Misreading restraint as contempt, Nangong-ryeon flicked her black robe, glaring at Ha-yeon, then dispensed unsolicited "wisdom"!
"One bit of advice: If you're truly a warrior, hone your sword over your looks, not shame your sect. Embrace warrior life? Shed your womanly identity."
Like she'd dropped mic wisdom, she snapped her head away—beneath further words.
"Wow, news to me."
No energy to argue. Logic bounces off them; they bristle at "teaching." Deep biases make them dismiss everything.
Been there. Ha-yeon reminisced, giggled at Nangong-ryeon, and chugged.
Offensive crap past a point turns hilarious from sheer absurdity. Spot on now.
"Remove that gaze. Trying to enchant me now?"
"Just responded to your words. And you call it enchantment? Did I enchant you?"
"Hmph... vulgar."
Prime punchbait. Dying to smack her.
"So, Nangong-ryeon young hero, what's your ideal man and woman?"
"You're unworthy, but... peers? Man: Muadang's Blue Dragon, Yongcheong. Woman: Zhuge Sega's Hyun-hwa."
"Nangong buddy, anything but Muadang. He's not that level."
"Hmph. Bootlicking won't elevate trash."
"Seriously not."
A grumble from above my head:
"They say the worst sin is badmouthing friends behind their backs."
"Badmouthing? I only do it to faces."
"That's worse. Why send me on errands then?"
My slave plopped beside me, unpacking booze. Then, as if just noticing, he cupped hands toward the group.
"Pardon the intrusion, fellow Murim comrades. Yongcheong of Muadang."
Nangong-ryeon's face twisted spectacularly.