Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The Nine Dragons Tournament
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It’s the nature of banquets.
At first, everyone mingles and chats boisterously, but as time passes, they break off into smaller groups with like-minded people.
As they laughed and talked, night fell, and guests began to leave one by one.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Haha, I’ve eaten my fill. Branch Master, I’ll be in your care from now on.”
“No, I should be the one asking for your care. I will work hard not to disappoint your expectations.”
“Of course. I have faith in you.”
Guo Hui-yeong, the Shaanxi Branch Master, was busy seeing off the departing guests, but the seats of those who remained were as lively as ever.
“Hey, you bastard! That’s mine!”
“Since when does food have an owner! If you need more, order it!”
Woong-hyeon and Hyang-i stuffed food into their mouths as if competing to see who could eat more.
“You gluttonous bastard!”
“Takes one to know one!”
“What was that? You pig! You wanna die!”
“A pig that dies from eating makes for a handsome corpse!”
They even started pointing fingers and arguing, yet one hand from each was still grabbing for food.
It was hard to tell who was worse; they were neck and neck.
And in Neung Un-bi’s eyes, they both looked like pigs, like gluttons.
*How in the world can they eat faster and more than anyone else while shouting like that?*
The servers carrying the food were the only ones suffering because of them.
As Neung Un-bi shook his head, Jin San asked him a question.
“So, now that the branch has been successfully established, where do you plan to go next?”
“I’m not sure. I was thinking of heading toward Shanxi for now.”
Though he said that, what actually came to mind was Zhengzhou.
The late Jeong Chi-su had said he saw ‘him’ in Zhengzhou five years ago, together with those damn bastards.
Zhengzhou, Henan Province. It bordered Shaanxi and wasn't far from where the Shaanxi branch was located.
But the important thing was the justification.
The Orthodox Murim Alliance was based in Zhengzhou.
In other words, it was the heart of the Orthodox Faction, a place where neither the Demonic Cult nor the Unorthodox Faction could set foot.
If he were to announce his intention to establish a Demonic Cult branch there, the Orthodox Faction would undoubtedly rise up in arms immediately.
It was an unplanned destination.
Thus, he had no choice but to rack his brain.
While he remained in seclusion, people thought he was lost in grief, but in truth, he had been contemplating the entire time.
Of course, for the first day, his heart had been in turmoil.
But it was better for one’s mental health to quickly forget the past.
The man was destined to die anyway. Not just for his betrayal, but for all the evil he had committed.
After that, he thought constantly about Zhengzhou.
He desperately wanted to go, but how could he possibly get there?
There was no way to go secretly.
Hadn't the name and face of Neung Un-bi already been imprinted upon the world due to a series of major incidents?
The Blue Cloud Carpentry Guild and Sinpyeong Brewery were small places with no influence in the martial world, but Zhongnan was different.
It was a pillar of the Nine Great Sects.
But his involvement with Jin San had shaken the very foundation of Zhongnan, and rumors were already spreading like wildfire.
How could he possibly move stealthily in such a situation?
There would be eyes watching him from every corner…
Even now, beggars from the Beggars' Union might be watching him with gleaming eyes somewhere.
So, he decided to wait a little longer for the time being.
Instead of going directly to Zhengzhou, he would first explore the surrounding areas.
Hubei and Shanxi provinces, which bordered Henan to the south and north. Among them, Sanmenxia, located at the southern tip of Shanxi, was close to Zhengzhou.
It was the conclusion he reached after long deliberation.
The interests in Sanmenxia were held by the Yangtze River Fortress, so conflicts big and small would be unavoidable, but he had no other choice.
“Young Master Neung.”
“Yes?”
Jin San, who had been silently emptying his cup, asked Neung Un-bi in a subtle tone.
“By any chance, is there a deadline for your schedule? Something like you must be at a certain place by a certain time…”
“There’s nothing like that. My duty is to inspect the branches. I only oversaw the establishment of the Gansu and Shaanxi branches because they were on my route.”
“Is that so? Then how long do you have to complete the inspections?”
It was unclear why he was asking such a thing, but seeing an unreadable vitality in Jin San's expression, Neung Un-bi answered without hesitation.
“I set out with a rough timeline of about a year. Since there are branches in every province of the Central Plains…”
“A year… so how long does it take to inspect one place?”
“…How would I know?”
“Just answer me. Quickly.”
His constant pressing for an answer was strange, but his expression was so earnest that Neung Un-bi had to reply.
“If there are no issues like the ones at the Heavenly Pillar Gate or here in Shaanxi… well. The inspection itself doesn’t take long. The problem is the travel time.”
“Oh! Is that so?”
“What is this all about?”
As Neung Un-bi furrowed his brow and asked, Jin San's eyes twinkled as he spoke.
“Actually, I was hoping to spend a little more time with you.”
“With me?”
“Indeed. They say the Central Plains are vast and full of extraordinary people, but is someone like you common?”
“…”
At the highly flattering remark, Neung Un-bi squinted at Jin San.
*So? You want to tag along?*
Judging by the old man’s expression and tone… yes. It’s certain.
First, the King of the Green Forest tried to get a piece of his future, and now this old man too?
*Sigh, I should be trying to get rid of them one by one, not adding more?*
Absolutely not.
Imagine if a rumor spread that Jin San was following him around. It was obvious he would draw even more attention than before.
Besides, one master like Hyang-i was more than enough.
His eyes were practically sparkling; he would surely be a constant nuisance.
But given who he was, he couldn't just tell him to get lost… He had to refuse as politely as possible.
“No…”
“Soon, the disciples of the Nine Great Sects will compete in the Nine Dragons Tournament in Zhengzhou.”
“…I can’t… what?”
“Hm? Why? Haven't you heard of it? Then again, I heard you’ve only lived in the Demonic Cult… you might not have.”
“…”
Looking slightly disappointed, Jin San licked his lips and began to explain.
“Still, think about it. The Nine Dragons Tournament is where the most outstanding prodigies of the Nine Great Sects compete, showcasing their martial arts. It's a sort of battle for the pride of the sects.”
“…”
“I’ve already confirmed that you are exceptional, but are talented people so rare? Surely, a whole host of incredible, amazing, stupendous, and tremendous fellows will gather.”
As Jin San used all sorts of flowery language to persuade him, Neung Un-bi blinked blankly.
*Wait a minute… where did he say it was?*
“Elder Jin San.”
“Not only that… hmm?”
“Where did you say that Nine Dragons thing is being held?”
“In Zhengzhou, at the Orthodox Murim Alliance headquarters.”
“The… Orthodox Murim Alliance?”
“Ah, are you perhaps hesitant? Don’t worry about that. I will vouch for you.”
“…”
“The Orthodox and Demonic factions have already made a peace treaty. If anyone objects despite that, I’ll handle them. You may not know, but my position in the Orthodox Faction is not so low. My seniority is also quite high, you know? Who would dare say anything if I’m the one vouching for you? So please, just think about it once. It’s not like you’ve decided on a destination… if you have enough time, it would be helpful to see it.”
Jin San’s persuasive words continued for a while, but Neung Un-bi wasn't really hearing them.
It was as if a light had turned on in his stuffy mind.
*The Nine Dragons Tournament… I don't care about that, but he said Zhengzhou.*
Not only would he take him to a competition held in the heart of the Orthodox Murim Alliance, but he would also personally vouch for him.
What better way was there to step foot into the Orthodox Murim Alliance so openly?
Meanwhile, he was learning the art of concealment.
Once inside, he could explore every corner of the Alliance headquarters without a sound.
Furthermore, Hyang-i!
If he asked for her help?
He might be able to find… him.
No, perhaps he could even see him from a distance.
The one he had longed for all this time…
Even though he was still wearing the facade of Neung Un-bi and couldn't stand by his side.
This was a must. Even if Jin San hadn't suggested it, this was an event he would have had to cling to him to attend.
“Hey, Young Master Neung.”
“Yes?”
“Is it a no-go?”
“…”
“It won't just be the younger generation. The great figures of the Orthodox Faction will all gather in one place. No, the great figures of the Unorthodox Faction with whom the Orthodox Faction has formed friendships will also gather. It's like a festival that happens in the Central Plains once every few years.”
“…”
“An opportunity like this doesn’t come easily…”
“When do we leave!”
“Huh?”
When Neung Un-bi suddenly shot up from his seat and shouted, Jin San looked rather bewildered.
Not only him, but everyone else who had been enjoying the late-night drinks also turned to look at Neung Un-bi.
But who cared about their stares right now?
Zhengzhou. The Orthodox Murim Alliance.
“When should we leave for Zhengzhou to see this Nine Dragons Tournament?”
As Neung Un-bi’s eyes suddenly gleamed and he asked eagerly, Jin San replied, looking dumbfounded.
“Well… there’s still some time left.”
“So when!?”
“About a month from now?”
“Damn, that late?”
“Well, we have to stop by Mount Hua before that…”
“Mount Hua? Why there?”
Neung Un-bi’s face, which had been flushed with excitement, scrunched up slightly.
Mount Hua? Did he really have to go to a place so diametrically opposed to the Demonic Cult?
“I promised to go with that Sword Saint fellow. You’ve met Un Hak before, right? He’s also participating in the Nine Dragons Tournament this time.”
“Mount Hua… Sword Saint… Un Hak.”
Neung Un-bi repeated Jin San’s words as if chewing on them, then asked.
“Do we have to leave for the tournament on the exact date after meeting up with Mount Hua?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Not necessarily?”
“Of course not. Who’s going to say anything if the Sword Saint and I arrive at the Orthodox Murim Alliance a little early?”
“I see.”
“That’s how it is.”
“Hmm…”
In truth, this wasn't even something to think about.
Visiting the sacred ground of Taoism felt deeply unsettling, but if meeting with Mount Hua could move up the schedule for Zhengzhou?
The answer was set.
He had to go. There was no room for hesitation.
“Then let’s go to Mount Hua right away.”
“Huh?”
“You said we don’t have to arrive on the exact date, right?”
“…But there’s still a lot of time until the Nine Dragons Tournament.”
“Elder Jin San!”
“Yes?”
“Actually, I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time.”
“Hmm? What dream?”
“That I must see what the Orthodox Murim Alliance headquarters looks like.”
“…”
It was an utterly absurd dream.
It wasn't that he wanted to meet a famous master…
“Honestly, isn't it true that one can meet the martial artists of the Central Plains anytime?”
“Well, yes…”
“But the Orthodox Murim Alliance is different. The Central Plains doesn’t know what the Demonic Cult’s headquarters looks like either, right?”
“Ah…”
“It’s a place one can never visit unless a war breaks out. To me, the Orthodox Murim Alliance is a place I've only vaguely imagined.”
Thinking about it, there was some truth to his words.
Had a member of the Demonic Cult ever visited the Orthodox Murim Alliance?
As Neung Un-bi said, it was impossible without a war breaking out.
Also, come to think of it, Neung Un-bi seemed to have a keen interest in architecture.
He had heard that Neung Un-bi had personally rebuilt the inn that was destroyed during his fight with the King of the Green Forest.
“I can finally achieve that grand wish. Thanks to you, Elder Jin San!”
“Is, is that so?”
“Of course! It’s a debt of gratitude I couldn't repay in a lifetime.”
“No… what’s with all this talk of gratitude?”
“It is gratitude. Gratitude!”
“…”
“Let’s head to Mount Hua at once!”
“Hey, calm down a bit. Why are you so suddenly excited?”
Neung Un-bi was like a man in a manic state.
“Calm down? Do I look like I can just sit here drinking? My dream is about to come true!”
“…”
“Come on, let’s get moving!”
Neung Un-bi made a big fuss, but everyone just stared at him blankly.
“What are you all doing?”
“…”
“Did you… not hear me?”
Neung Un-bi, who had suddenly become so animated, glared at the members of the Demonic Cult, and Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and the Lunar Eclipse Squad flinched and rose from their seats.
“Tonight, I will sleep at Mount Hua! Understood?”
“Yes, my Lord!”
Everyone answered Neung Un-bi’s command in unison.
“Damn it! Won’t you move that hand? I said that was mine!”
“First come, first served!”
“…”
Of course, the two gluttons were an exception.