#7. The Third-Rate Warrior Who Protects the Sect's Honor
The reason for the grudge between the Iron Sword Sect and Tae-eul Gate wasn't anything special. They had both set up shop in the same city of Hebi.
In truth, from Tae-eul Gate's perspective, it was enough to make them jump out of their skin in frustration. Tae-eul Gate boasted nearly five hundred years of history as an ancient powerhouse, while the Iron Sword Sect was a fresh sprout that hadn't even hit a hundred and fifty years. To Tae-eul Gate, these upstarts were like kids whose building pillars were still wet with fresh lacquer, strutting around arrogantly. But thanks to the legendary Sword Sage Seong Hyeonbaek who had appeared a hundred and fifty years ago and laid a solid foundation, Tae-eul Gate now had to watch their step around these greenhorns.
As the saying goes, even a palace of a hundred rooms can feel cramped when the household grows. The Iron Sword Sect was always hungry to expand its power, and Tae-eul Gate stood in their way. Holding the prestigious title of one of the 108 Peaks was like having the massive backing of the Murim Alliance, the big brother of the martial world—no matter how frail they seemed, you couldn't just touch them lightly. So the Iron Sword Sect was always itching to boot Tae-eul Gate out and take their spot.
"Especially since they couldn't snag that 'special admission' slot—it must've really burned them."
Getting into the Murim Academy via the regular entrance exam was tough enough as it was, so the perk of special admission felt like an unmissable privilege even for rising stars like the Iron Sword Sect. How many of the 108 Peaks had flooded their ranks with outsiders under the guise of lay disciples during the academy's open periods? Every time that thorn in their side, Tae-eul Gate, scored one of those slots, it was only natural for the Iron Sword Sect's guts to twist in envy.
Even in that situation, they had accepted the Iron Sword Sect Lord's invitation to his sixtieth birthday banquet, and his father had knelt in apology.
"But it's still suspicious."
Thinking back, it wasn't a huge deal. Jin Sowoon, Hong Saryeon, and Gye Cheolyeong had attended a casual gathering for the young ones that night, only for the current lord's grandson, the Blood Lion Iron Sword, to rashly challenge them to a spar the next day. Sowoon had been about to step up, knowing he'd lose but wanting to vent his frustration anyway. But once his father found out, he'd knelt before the entire banquet crowd and apologized, putting the matter to rest.
"If I'd just taken the beating, that would've been the end of it."
That incident had once again dragged Tae-eul Gate's name through the mud, and the Murim Alliance had assigned far more 'mandatory service personnel' than usual. Honestly, even now, Sowoon didn't think he'd done anything wrong that evening. How do you dodge a guy charging at full power with the momentum of Body Lightening to the Gods?
...Have I been hanging around the Small Justice Squad too long? My language is getting cheaper by the day.
Suddenly realizing his speech had devolved to street Haomen beggar level, he snapped back to focus and continued his thoughts. They just needed an excuse to step on Tae-eul Gate once. If he'd held back that day, they'd have picked another fight the next. If he'd endured that too, they'd have nitpicked the gifts he'd taken home later.
The best option is not attending at all.
There were plenty of ways to handle it. He could unleash the advanced form of the Socheon Sword Technique and turn Tae-eul Gate upside down, then drill them relentlessly to rebuild their martial arts from the ground up. Or he could scheme up some money-making plans to redirect the hall lords' attention. But the problem was that Sowoon was taking this as a matter of pride. Objectively, spending days brawling at the Iron Sword Sect and then cleaning up the mess afterward was far less productive than using that time to hunt one more spirit herb or demonic beast.
"But if I let these shitheads slide, I won't sleep easy for a while."
For now, he tabled the thought and headed to Songak Mountain in the garden. It was marked in the Records of Famous Jianghu Herbs as a spot where Poison Horn Demon Vine appeared, so he'd originally planned to pass it by. But thanks to the Azure Dragon Ring, he could absorb even poison-laden inner cores without cleanup, so there was no reason to skip it.
Sssaaaak!
No need for a proper hunt. The moment the thing wrapped its massive body around him and tried to swallow him whole—
Just activate the Azure Dragon Ring.
Kieeeaak!
The beast let out a bizarre shriek as it shrank in an instant, eventually withering into a pathetic, twisted root.
Sowoon once again marveled at the Azure Dragon Ring's ruthless power.
"If word got out I'm using this, I'd be public enemy number one in the martial world."
He snapped off the golden horn of the Poison Horn Demon Vine and tucked it away. Its horn fetched a good price as a decorative material. Sell it or have a skilled blacksmith adorn his weapon with it—either way.
About forty years' worth.
A tiny amount, but his internal energy had grown again. From now on, he'd have to start concealing it.
"A Tae-eul Gate disciple in his early twenties with a full cycle's worth of energy? Perfect recipe for suspicion."
He wasn't too worried, thankfully. One of the Small Justice Squad members had near-peerless skills in that area.
Wonder if that guy's working as an assassin by now?
Descending Songak Mountain, Sowoon stopped by the village, bought a bundle of necessities, and headed back to Tae-eul Gate.
"Senior Brother Jin!"
"Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother!"
The chick-like young juniors spotted him emerging from Busengdang and came rushing over.
"Senior Brother! Where the heck have you been?"
"Senior Brother! I'm relearning the Socheon Sword Technique!"
"Senior Brother! Have you eaten?"
As he patted their chirping heads one by one, Gye Cheolyeong and Hong Saryeon appeared.
"Where the hell have you been wandering off to, only showing up now?"
Gye Cheolyeong was snapping irritably, clearly in a foul mood.
"Whoa, Senior Brother Gye. You look different. Guess that Snow Plum Pill really works wonders. I can practically smell the master aura—you're too intimidating to even look in the eye. Did you fully digest the pills?"
Gye Cheolyeong's face twisted into a demon's scowl at Sowoon's words.
"None of your damn business!!"
He bellowed and shoved past the young juniors, storming off.
"Why poke at his sore spot? Didn't you hear about the Snow Plum Pills getting stolen?"
"I did. That's why I brought it up."
Hong Saryeon sighed.
"What have you even been up to all this time?"
"Just wandering around, eating good stuff, seeing the sights."
"...Where'd you get the money?"
"Hunting, odd jobs."
If he told the full truth, Tae-eul Gate would erupt, but he answered honestly anyway.
"...The sect lord says we don't need to tiptoe around the Gye-ryong Merchant Group anymore. Time to come home."
"Huh?"
"We're attending the Iron Sword Sect Lord's sixtieth banquet this time. And... as you know, the Gye-ryong folks are too busy with the Snow Plum Pill mess to bother us much. No more watching our step."
Uh... that was a problem for Sowoon.
Saryeon seemed to have badly misunderstood. He still needed to roam outside constantly.
But that wasn't the urgent issue.
"They've already decided to attend the Iron Sword Sect Lord's banquet?"
"Yeah. Seems the Gye-ryong head begged desperately. Said to come for his sake if nothing else."
"Is Lyeonmae going too?"
"..."
"Huh? Not going?"
"Quit calling me Lyeonmae—it tickles."
"Why? I like it."
"...Just stop. Anyway, I'm going. Iron Young Brother's going too."
In his previous life, Sowoon's attendance hadn't been planned either. He'd begged to go after hearing about the Twin Lion Iron Swords.
"What's with the bundle?"
"Oh... this."
Sowoon gathered the head-patting juniors and opened the bundle.
"Whoa!"
"Whoa! Candied fruit!"
The kids, drenched in sweat and exhausted, lit up with sparkling eyes.
"Alright, share nicely. Whoever hogs it gets the staff!"
"""Yes, Senior Brother!"""
The juniors chirped and swarmed the bundle, dividing it one by one. Thankfully, no one tried to take extra.
"...Why candied fruit?"
"Huh? Saw it at the market and thought of it."
"...What money?"
Saryeon's expression somehow didn't brighten.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother. Jin Senior Brother."
Then Dongryong, one of the juniors, tugged at Sowoon's robe.
"What? They not giving you any candied fruit?"
"No, no. It's not that. This."
The kid shook his head and pulled out a crumpled, folded paper bundle from his bosom.
"Huh?"
"Senior Brother hasn't tried this yummy stuff."
Unfolding it revealed a rock-hard rice cake, days old.
"The other senior brothers said it's really tasty rice cake."
Saryeon, standing nearby, covered her mouth.
"Senior Brother Gye passed these out."
"...You didn't eat yours?"
"I'm good. I ate a lot of meat that day."
How hard it was for kids from poor families to hold back from food at this age. Dongryong gazed at Sowoon with shining eyes.
Sowoon popped the hard rice cake into his mouth with the same anticipation as swallowing a spirit pill.
"How is it? Tasty? Senior Brother?"
"Yeah. Super tasty. This is so good, I should eat it all. Go get some candied fruit, Dongryong."
"Okay. Candied fruit's fine for me."
Dongryong scampered off to the sweets, satisfied.
"...Isn't that old and hard as a rock?"
"Like a stone... but tasty."
"...Ugh."
"A fine sect like this getting trashed by thugs? Doesn't make sense, right?"
"...What're you talking about?"
"You know. Can I go to the Iron Sword Sect too?"
"...You wanna go there?"
"Wanna see the Twin Lion Iron Swords, and folks from the Namgung family will be there too, right?"
Saryeon shook her head at the same excuse as his past life.
"Do whatever. The outer hall lord's going anyway."
The procession of carriages from the Gye-ryong Merchant Group heading to the Iron Sword Sect was dazzlingly lavish. Back when Gye Cheolyeong had first started learning martial arts, the Iron Sword Sect had offered him a lay disciple spot, but without special admission, it wasn't all that sweet a deal for Cheolyeong or Gye Yeonseok. Still, merchants basing out of Hebi couldn't ignore the Iron Sword Sect, and that manifested in these gaudy golden carriages.
As they neared the Iron Sword Sect, Kwaehwa Dang Lord Gang Chaeseok thrust his fierce face into the carriage. Tae-eul Gate's strongest, accompanying them, was the sect lord's precaution against any mishaps.
"There's something you must watch out for at the Iron Sword Sect."
"What?"
"Don't act rashly, no matter what."
"I don't act rashly."
"Tch. Already acting rashly."
Gang Chaeseok glared.
"You know exactly what I mean."
"I'd like to hold back, but if they keep provoking, what can I do?"
"That's why I'm telling you not to!"
Normally, such nagging would fall to his father, Jin Taesan. But for some reason, Jin Taesan wore a heavy expression that wouldn't lift.
"Got it. But if they keep picking fights, what then?"
"You punk?!"
"Alright, alright. Even if they insult the sect and mock the investigators, I'll swallow it."
"...You hitting puberty or what?"
"What do you want me to do?"
Going to the Iron Sword Sect meant Tae-eul Gate would face humiliation—it was inevitable. No subordinate is flawless under nitpicking superiors.
"Act like a gentleman as much as possible. Don't step in shit on purpose."
"Yes, yes, got it."
"..."
A massive crowd had already lined up at the Iron Sword Sect entrance. The line for people without luggage was varied and short, but the carriage line was single-file and long. They joined it and had no choice but to wait.
"The Iron Sword Sect's prestige is impressive, just as they say."
Jin Taesan's words dripped with bitterness.
"This isn't their prestige. It's all folks coming to rub shoulders with the Murim Alliance's chief strategist and elders since they're attending."
"Heh heh. Think our sect lord's sixtieth will draw a crowd like this?"
"Kekeke. Can the outer hall lord handle this mob?"
"Even if not, it'd be nice to try once."
Mid-conversation, a dust cloud rose in the distance as another carriage procession sped up.
"Hey! Make way so we can cut in."
Gye Yeonseok bellowed at the sudden demand.
"Don't talk nonsense—get in the back and wait like everyone else. Know how long we've been here?"
"The guy ahead of you is from our Jacheong Merchant Group. Keep being uncooperative, and it won't end well."
Blue-uniformed warriors lined up beside the apparent Jacheong representative. Their aura and vibe screamed elite escorts.
The lead one stepped forward with a cupped-fist salute.
"I'm Yu Mun-chung, Blood Bamboo Captain of the Blue Bamboo Guard from Nanjing. We've sent ahead due to travel fatigue. Please understand."
Gye Yeonseok's eyes shook violently at "Blue Bamboo Guard." It was one of Jiangsu Province's Nanjing's most renowned factions—comparable to Nanjing's Iron Sword Sect.
"..."
As Gye Yeonseok froze, a young punk shoved past the captain and spoke flippantly, provocatively.
"Hey! Looks like a small-time merchant group. If you don't wanna see your pretty guards get hurt, scram."
The punk's eyes lingered on Hong Saryeon's face, a smug sneer curling his lips.
This bastard knows.
Sowoon was certain. The punk knew exactly who they were and what sect. No coincidence that everyone ahead was from superior factions. Dismissing it as chance wouldn't cut it in the scheming jianghu. In a world where blades outpace laws, stretching without checking your spot gets your ankles chopped. The situation differed slightly from the past, but showing weakness here meant death inside the Iron Sword Sect. Plus, this rude punk was someone Sowoon knew.
As Sowoon stepped forward, Gang Chaeseok held him back.
"Didn't I say no rash actions?"
"No, they're insulting Tae-eul Gate right now. This is when I step up."
"No, you can't even handle..."
Sowoon ignored Gang Chaeseok and advanced.
Blue Bamboo Guard's Bamboo Salt Young Master Goyangsa. Just a pants-shitting brat now, but later he'd swagger into the Murim Alliance, his arrogance meshing perfectly with Gye Cheolyeong's to become sworn brothers in idiocy. He'd treated Tae-eul Gate juniors like his minions countless times. His current skill was slightly above Gye Cheolyeong's.
"Sure, Gye-ryong's a nothing merchant group. But we're not some no-name Blue Bamboo Guard trash you can ignore."
"What, you dare!"
Goyangsa unfolded his arms and reached for his sword as if he'd been waiting.
Sowoon beat him to it, closing in first and executing Lotus from Yuyunmun's Plum Blossom Grafting Technique, sheathing the punk's sword and spinning him around to the opposite side.
"Whoa!"
"Ho! Which sect's that young guy from?"
The bored crowd gasped at the spectacle, while Goyangsa's face flushed beet red.
As he tried drawing again, Sowoon said,
"Trying to spill blood at someone else's party? Figures from a rootless sect."
"...You bastard, how..."
Goyangsa, sword half-drawn, lunged forward heedless of brawling.
A clear voice rang out.
"Stop."
Parting the crowd came a beautiful woman with a rosy face. Dressed in ornate robes with makeup, she held everyone's gaze.
It was Seong Moran, the younger of the Twin Lion Iron Swords—Mirang Iron Sword.
"It's Mirang Iron Sword!"
"Blood Lion Iron Sword with her?"
Scanning the area, Mirang Iron Sword Seong Moran addressed Goyangsa.
"Did you come to see blood on my grandfather's birthday?"
"...Uh, th-that..."
The cocky punk from moments ago was gone; the blushing boy stammered incoherently.
"And the Iron Sword Sect doesn't have a rule reserving spots in line. So go to the back and wait your turn."
The girl's words, though from someone not yet twenty, carried heavy weight.
Jacheong Merchant Group and Blue Bamboo Guard slunk away like whipped dogs.
"I've heard you're from Tae-eul Gate and Gye-ryong Merchant Group."
Mirang Iron Sword Seong Moran's gaze swept warmly over them.
"I'll apologize for what just happened. If it's not too much, may I escort you instead?"
The entire line stared at them with envy.