Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: At the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion
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Heavenly Dragon Pavilion loomed right before his eyes, piercing the heavens.
"This humble servant will take his leave now..."
The servant who had been guiding Seo Mun-ha opened and closed the massive entrance door. Relieved, he hurriedly turned away.
Tap.
Just as the exterior was grand beyond measure, the interior was equally vast.
The Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, transformed into a banquet hall.
The layout of the first floor, visible at a glance, exuded a completely different atmosphere from that of a typical inn.
"Welcome, Young Master."
A middle-aged man approached as if he had been waiting. Seo Mun-ha followed him along the hallway.
"Oh."
After only a few steps, U Hak-bong spotted someone and abruptly lowered his head.
"I'll step away for a moment as well. I have some business to attend to."
As if suddenly recalling a forgotten matter, he gazed toward distant mountains, his stiff gaze scanning around for a suitable spot.
"If you're with the Young Master..."
"No need for guidance. What's the point of formalities with a beggar like me?"
He waved the man off dismissively and vanished like a shot, leaving the middle-aged man behind.
Into the bustling crowd.
"Who is that young hero?"
"Oh my, he's quite handsome."
People already filling the banquet hall began turning their eyes toward him one by one.
U Hak-bong was trying to avoid attention.
Unlike the attendees with their distinctive markings, Seo Mun-ha bore no special insignia. His striking appearance and extraordinary poise naturally sparked curiosity.
"Dressed in black light armor."
"What an unusual fellow."
Seo Mun-ha stood in stark contrast to the others gathered at the assembly.
They all sought to flaunt their origins and status.
Given the purpose of the gathering, it was puzzling why he would try to hide them.
'To receive such lavish treatment... Just who is he?'
A plain yet ornate light armor.
Clearly not martial robes or training gear, it seemed tailored for the banquet. But to others, the black hue felt somewhat drab for self-adornment.
That was their perspective.
Setting aside the unexpected reactions, Seo Mun-ha's long robe prioritized function over flair, concealing the weighty ink spirit blade within its spacious sleeves.
Step.
As he ascended the stairs after crossing the flat hallway, his sleeves produced no unusual noise or sway.
This meant every minute movement was under his precise control. Coupled with this meticulous control, his sharp eyes swiftly scanned the interior and exterior of the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion.
"Are you from the Bi Family?"
"Yes, Young Master."
The middle-aged man guiding him was no exception.
"The Young Patriarch instructed me personally. I am Mok Mo, the steward in charge."
Seo Mun-ha climbed from the first floor to the second, then to the third.
And continued upward.
Whether people or buildings, a solid foundation is key. Relative to the banquet hall on the lower floors, each level up reduced the area incrementally.
Creak.
The stairs under Seo Mun-ha's feet narrowed layer by layer, just like the structure itself.
"Is something amiss?"
The Bi Family steward of Cheongju glanced back and asked.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime."
Seo Mun-ha nodded.
"Fewer people than expected."
He had been pondering this since entering the estate.
The first floor alone was packed with over a hundred people.
With participation limited to a select few, the density of elite martial artists was higher than ever.
For those eager to showcase themselves, the suffocating crowd was ideal. Yet as he ascended, it grew sparse immediately.
"Some guests haven't arrived yet from afar. Thanks to that, we have fewer hands and can escort you personally, Young Master."
"I told them not to fuss."
"Haha, you're too courteous, Young Master. Don't worry yourself. Come to think of it, many others haven't reached the estate yet either."
Given the scale of the assembly, preparations took more time than anticipated.
"So, how high are we going?"
Seo Mun-ha brushed it off casually.
"The ninth floor."
The middle-aged man hinted at the view and scenery, assuring it would be worth the wait.
Bi Ju-seong had provided Seo Mun-ha with the utmost convenience.
He seemed to have put thought into every detail, but given the circumstances, his efforts weren't particularly significant.
This wasn't an ordinary inn.
The late-generation talents gathered from all corners aimed solely to size up one another.
While a seat often shapes the person, here people shaped the seats—and seating was entirely free.
For face-conscious martial artists, the height of the pavilion didn't signify status or background.
With safety in mind, and the concentration of young warriors below.
The lower floors, facing away from the view, made it easy to observe entrants. Most chose their spots independently, with guides being rare.
'It should prevent some disturbances.'
Even among righteous sects, grudges and resentments festered large and small.
Recent examples included the Seo Mun Clan and Hwang Bo Clan; within the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, Jungnam and Jeomchang were infamous rivals.
'Though twice might be pushing it.'
In short, separating such parties filtered out initial chaos.
"All good?"
"Yes, Young Master!"
A-so followed Seo Mun-ha briskly, unflagging despite the long thoughts and steps.
The Seo Mun Clan's proving ground.
The novice who had just entered the martial world boasted a sturdy body and stamina, contrasting his previously frail-looking arms.
"Ahahaha!"
"That's why back then..."
Passing a relatively quiet section, voices swelled again.
The clamor and murmurs exceeded even the first floor.
"Hey, that guy?"
"Seo Mun Clan's Third Young Master."
For some, the saying "all red skirts are equal" stung deeply.
"Ghost Flash!"
The pavilion's varying heights held no great significance in rank, but why settle for less when red skirts beckon? Having come to Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, one must taste the summit air.
Late-generation talents unconcerned with personal safety due to their prowess.
"That presence... the rumors were no exaggeration."
"Hm."
Their discernment differed from the start.
"Truly a ghostly figure."
"Didn't expect him up here."
Family, sect, seniority, position, status, martial arts, influence, connections...
Nothing about them was ordinary, and their groups formed for good reason.
Not centered on the Nine Great Sects and One Gang or Six Great Clans, but the upper floors brimmed with such luminaries regardless.
This accentuated the earlier sparse areas with luxurious figures, contributing to the pavilion's polarization beyond petty or grand sects.
'Must give the Bi Family headaches.'
As it was the first day, such issues could be ironed out.
Viewing it as others' problems, Seo Mun-ha silently wished Bi Ju-seong well amid the brewing troubles.
"If you need anything, just call for someone."
The pinnacle of Heavenly Dragon Pavilion.
The steward escorted Seo Mun-ha all the way to the ninth floor.
He was the only one to ascend alone, unaffiliated with any faction.
He explained the building's layout, external rules, and various details, without omitting key sects.
Having fulfilled his duty, he quietly departed.
"Big brother―!"
A woman waved enthusiastically, timing her approach perfectly as the middle-aged man turned away.
The boisterous one expressing delight first was none other than Seo Mun Young-ryeong.
"This way... Let's go over there together!"
She swiftly grabbed the stunned Seo Mun-ha and pulled him along.
Grab.
Having once scanned for empty tables at the Zhu En Merchant Group, she showed rapid growth in spotting one now.
"And don't just build walls again!"
"Waaah...?"
A-so let out a small gasp at the ninth floor's vista before hurriedly chasing the siblings.
"...You've arrived, brother."
Seo Mun Jun-sang greeted him politely.
"You both look good."
"Well, whether that's a good thing, I'm not sure."
Having endured multiple "wandering wall" episodes, Seo Mun Young-ryeong sat Seo Mun-ha down before finally relaxing.
"Blander than expected? I was tense seeing so many people for the first time, but everyone's been kind."
"Good to hear."
"Probably thanks to you, Third Brother."
"Me?"
"Lots of people were looking for you."
Whatever their inner thoughts, disciples of prestigious clans and sects naturally wore friendly facades.
"Greetings to the Third Young Master."
Seo Mun-ha briefly acknowledged the two carefully selected escorts from home.
One was Maek Seong-hu, leader of the Black Wind Unit.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? We've been waiting for you, brother."
Food was fine, drinks were fine.
But Seo Mun-ha deferred his reply and turned to Seo Mun Jun-sang.
"Don't worry too much."
"Pardon?"
Seo Mun Jun-sang blinked at the sudden remark.
"You're the representatives of the Seo Mun Clan."
Seo Mun-ha instantly saw through his ambitious brother's concerns.
"I'm saying don't fret over this appendix. No need to plug leaks from home out here—you'd just risk embarrassment without gaining glory."
It stemmed directly from the Young Patriarch contest.
"Besides, now's not the time to worry about that."
The Hwang Bo Clan would surely approach soon enough.
In the form of provocation. The anticipated disturbance was so predictable it bordered on boring, but they wouldn't miss this golden opportunity.
"Understood... I'll heed your words, brother."
The symbol of the Six Great Clans required recognition from commoners, but above all from fellow warriors.
Using the assembly to suppress the rising Seo Mun Clan before their eyes would solidify their positions. Beneath the outwardly harmonious banquet, invisible rivalries clashed endlessly.
Like a tightly drawn bow and arrow.
"We'll discuss earlier matters back home. Better with drinks than tea."
Yet Seo Mun-ha's demeanor was as leisurely as a stroll.
"I've felt it before, but you've changed so much."
Seo Mun Jun-sang unwittingly smiled.
From what he'd observed, his prowess warranted such confidence.
'The Hwang Bo Clan didn't place a single name on the Nine Dragons Seven Peaks.'
If they approached, it would be Seo Mun-ha, not Jun-sang or Young-ryeong. The connection from Plum Sword Gang, plus the moniker Ghost Flash, made him irreplaceable. His relaxed poise even inspired respect.
"Drinks, sounds good..."
"Yeah."
"Our other two brothers would prefer tea. Arranging a drinking gathering won't be easy."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
At the implication of relations, Seo Mun Young-ryeong tilted her head.
"What are you two talking about?"
Seo Mun Jun-sang answered.
"Better if you stay in the dark."
Startled at his own forwardness, he averted his eyes slyly.
"Brother Jun-sang?"
Uncharacteristically lacking his usual edge, she widened her eyes like a startled rabbit, almost mistaking him for the innocent boy of their youth.
"Let's head out before it gets noisy."
Seo Mun-ha patted his bewildered sister's shoulder.
"Even you, big brother! Always leaving me out?!"
"Whatever, it's still a chance to learn about people. Don't overdo it—study diligently in moderation."
For her, ignorant of the world beyond the clan, it was an excellent opportunity and venue.
"If anything tough comes up, tell me."
"This is the toughest right now."
As he stepped away, Seo Mun Young-ryeong pouted.
"Oh, right."
Suddenly recalling something, Seo Mun-ha pointed at her refined appearance.
"Who knows, you might even find a match."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying you look pretty and well-suited."
As before, nudging with his shoulder rather than words, he complimented the hairstyle and silk fabric she had labored over.
"Brother, really..."
Blushing yet quickly breaking into a hollow laugh, Seo Mun Young-ryeong was.
"That personality never changes."
Seo Mun Jun-sang, regaining his inherent sharpness, glanced at Seo Mun-ha's back.
"Worried?"
"A bit. You too, Third Brother, but about our future sister-in-law?"
He felt a twinge of envy in reverse.
That carefree detachment was beyond his reach.
He had envied it since before, and thus scorned it.
"Pleased to meet you. Seo Mun Young Master, Seo Mun Little Lady."
But one couldn't judge right or wrong by differing lives and ways.
"You're Hak from the academy, right? It's an honor."
Soon, with a fresh mindset, Seo Mun Jun-sang diligently resumed his role, and Seo Mun-ha did the same.
Crash! Bang!
But soon, someone's scream erupted.
"Kyaaak!"