Disgrace
Mong Yeo-rin tilted her head as she watched Ju Woo-jin’s retreating figure.
Though he was clearly the youngest and around her age, for some reason he gave off the far stronger impression of a fully grown man.
“What is this?”
Moreover, his aura. A sharp, honed edge that felt like it had been forged on the battlefield flowed from his very core. An intangible pressure that no one would dare approach radiated from him without restraint.
Suddenly intrigued, Mong Yeo-rin turned back around.
She had found an interesting opponent.
Creak.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
“Oh!”
Someone spotted me and called out.
‘Namgung Sang, the young master of the Namgung family… No, not quite yet, is he?’
He approached me with a familiar air.
“It’s been a while. I’m not sure if you remember me, but…”
“Yes, I remember you, Brother Namgung Sang.”
At my words, Namgung Sang’s face brightened. He immediately introduced me to the other promising talents of the younger generation.
“This is Ju Woo-jin, the youngest of the Ju family. I’m sure you’ve all heard of him?”
The moment he finished speaking, the young talents from the other sects rose and greeted me with cupped fists.
“I am Jang Hyeon of Wudang.”
“I am Byeok Gong of Mount Hua. A pleasure to meet you.”
Starting with those two, several others offered their greetings.
‘There are some familiar faces as well.’
I recognized a few people I had encountered in my previous life. There were also quite a few new faces.
“I am Ju Woo-jin of the Ju family. I am attending in my brother’s place.”
“Hahaha! Isn’t the Sword Dragon about to become the young master? He’s leaving behind the label of the younger generation and stepping into his role as a true pillar of the family.”
The young Taoist from Qingcheng laughed heartily as he spoke.
As he said, my brother would soon become the young master. The position meant shedding the title of a junior and firmly establishing oneself as the next clan leader who would guide the family.
Well, even if that weren’t the case, given my brother’s personality, he probably wouldn’t have come to an event like this anyway.
“He’s like a very close younger brother to me. Hahaha! Come now, don’t just stand there. Sit down and let’s talk together.”
Namgung Sang grabbed my hand and guided me to a seat near his own.
‘Close?’
I stared at Namgung Sang intently. I was sorry, but he was completely unfamiliar. Even in my previous life, I had no memory of ever meeting him.
Ah, of course I had heard the name. As the future young master of the Great Namgung Clan, it was only natural that I would know of him.
“Is the Sword Sovereign in good health?”
The interesting part was that the moment I sat down, the young Taoists from Mount Hua and Wudang began bombarding me with questions. Even the disciples from the sects known as the Sword Gates—Qingcheng and Hengshan—showed great interest in me.
“Yes, he is well.”
I answered briefly, but their questions showed no sign of stopping.
“Is the Blood Sovereign still out there crushing the black path scoundrels? I once saw him from afar in the past, and ha, truly that sword of his was…”
“What has the Sword Dragon been up to lately? I can’t even begin to guess how much stronger he has become.”
Hmm.
It seemed their main interest was focused on the clan head, my youngest uncle, and my brother. Well, given how impressive those individuals were, it was only natural.
As we exchanged questions and greetings, Mong Yeo-rin entered shortly after. She quietly took a seat in a corner. Our eyes met for a brief moment, but she only left behind a mysterious smile before turning her gaze away.
The atmosphere was less eventful than I had expected. After the initial barrage of questions died down and the hall had settled somewhat, an unexpected person burst in.
Bang!
The one who flung the door open so violently it nearly broke was none other than Peng So-ryeo. I had asked the chief steward to take her unconscious body to another room, but it seemed she had only just woken up.
“You bastards… leaving me out!”
She looked around with teary, resentful eyes. It seemed she was searching for her older brother…
“Ugh, meat. Mm.”
Peng Uk was already sprawled in a corner, fast asleep and drunk.
Peng So-ryeo scanned the room for a moment before her eyes landed on me and lit up. The moment her gaze touched me, my body instinctively trembled.
“You. Who the hell are you? Why are you here?”
“Well… because my business is to be here?”
“What are you? No—who are you?”
At that, Namgung Sang scolded her in a deliberately stern tone.
“Ahem, So-ryeo. How can you be so rude? This is Young Master Ju Woo-jin of the Ju family. Shouldn’t you show proper respect?”
“Huh, you’re from the Ju family? Wait, Woo-jin? Who’s that?”
I rubbed my temple and answered.
“The youngest of the Ju family.”
“Ah? The youngest of the Ju family… you mean that thunderous rascal who’s obsessed with alcohol and women…”
Peng So-ryeo trailed off as she caught Namgung Sang’s sharp glare and gradually lowered her voice. She then sat down quietly in the corner with a timid expression.
“Ha, I’m sorry. So-ryeo has always been like that.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Still, it seems the two of you are acquainted? Seeing how comfortably she speaks to you.”
“We met briefly at the entrance before coming here. She was already drunk, so I had her taken to a room.”
“I see. No wonder I couldn’t find her even after looking.”
At the mention that Namgung Sang had been looking for her, Peng So-ryeo quickly regained her energy. She trotted over to his side and plopped down right next to him.
“Ta-da! Guess what this is?”
Peng So-ryeo pulled out a small bottle of liquor from her robes. All eyes immediately turned toward her.
“Oh! Isn’t that Ilpumju, the pride of the Peng family?”
“Wow! So-ryeo! Let me have just one sip!”
“Hey! Everyone calm down! Calm down! I’ll give everyone a turn, so just calm down!”
One bottle of Ilpumju had completely captured everyone’s attention. If I had known this would happen, I should have brought a few bottles of Geumpumhongju, the pride of the Ju family.
In any case, the young talents quickly swarmed around Peng So-ryeo. Once things had quieted down a bit, I glanced around and quietly slipped outside.
“Too noisy.”
I absolutely hated places this rowdy. I had shown the proper courtesy, shown my face, and even held some conversations. This should be enough.
“Oh? Young Master, you’re already coming out?”
The moment I emerged, Muyoung stopped eating, hurriedly grabbed his sword, and followed after me. Since the gathering included the brightest talents of the great families and sects, separate tables had been prepared for their escort warriors.
“You can keep eating. Since I’m already here, I thought I’d just look around a bit.”
“Ahem, I’ve already finished. Mm-hmm.”
Muyoung quickly swallowed what he was chewing and quietly followed behind me.
But Muyoung didn’t get to walk far.
“You’ve come out again?”
It was Mong Yeo-rin. She had somehow followed me out.
“Why are you following me?”
“Following? I simply came out for some fresh air as well.”
The moment Mong Yeo-rin smiled and approached, Ju Woo-jin’s eyes grew chillingly cold.
Ooong!
An invisible wall of energy blocked the space between them. Mong Yeo-rin’s steps came to an abrupt halt.
“That’s far enough.”
Ju Woo-jin spoke in a low voice.
“If you come any closer, it might become dangerous.”
At my words, Mong Yeo-rin’s expression changed. One corner of her lips curled upward.
“As expected…”
“Pardon?”
“You noticed it at a glance, didn’t you?”
“Well. Weren’t you testing me quite openly?”
“No, that wasn’t my intention.”
Mong Yeo-rin’s eyes sparkled.
“Then may I ask why a young master like yourself possesses such profound internal energy that doesn’t match his age?”
The reason she was called extraordinary wasn’t just because of her beauty. It was because of her martial arts. Beyond her delicate appearance and figure, a lethal killing intent flickered.
“Do you know why the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly is being held at the Mong Family Villa?”
“Hmm, I think I have an idea.”
When I nodded, Mong Yeo-rin looked at me with surprised eyes.
“In the northwest direction from here, beneath the first branch of the large cedar tree, the person hiding their presence… that would be the head of the Mong Family Villa, Great Hero Mong Yu-baek.”
“……”
Mong Yeo-rin was at a loss for words. Had he really sensed her grandfather’s presence from this distance? And at such a young age?
“Is this about a marriage arrangement?”
“Hah.”
Mong Yeo-rin let out a hollow laugh, the corner of her mouth twitching as if she couldn’t believe it. He had hit the mark exactly.
“Well, at our age, seeking a marriage partner isn’t exactly unusual, is it?”
At my words, Mong Yeo-rin nodded.
“You’re right. My grandfather has been looking for a suitable match for quite some time. However…”
“It seems there isn’t anyone who catches his eye. Or rather, yours, Lady.”
“Yes.”
Mong Yeo-rin answered shortly. She looked down at her own hands and continued in a quiet voice.
“Countless marriage proposals come in from prestigious families, wealthy merchants, and high officials alike. I don’t intend to avoid marriage entirely, but I can’t help it if no one satisfies me.”
“That’s important.”
I agreed with Mong Yeo-rin’s words. No matter how good the family background, if the people involved disliked it, they couldn’t live together. Even if forced into marriage, it might end up like…
‘Like Mother and Father…’
A loveless married life would begin. It would be nothing more than a breeding activity to continue the bloodline and plant better seeds.
I hated that kind of thing with a passion.
“For someone so young, you have quite profound insights. It’s almost as if you’ve experienced marriage yourself.”
“Hmm.”
I tilted my head. Experienced marriage, huh… Would things have been different if I had?
Unfortunately, since I never had, I wouldn’t know.
“Have you not heard of my infamous reputation?”
“Your… infamous reputation?”
“The one where I’m called the mad dog of Gangseo, the butcher, a perverted lecher obsessed with alcohol and women.”
“Hmm?”
Mong Yeo-rin frowned. She must have heard such rumors often enough. However, she wasn’t the type to easily believe such gossip.
“The young masters inside were saying the same things earlier. I tend to let such things go in one ear and out the other.”
“Heh, it’s true. Until recently, I lived like a complete scoundrel.”
I hadn’t looked toward the future, nor had I properly reflected on the present. I never learned from the past, and simply lived as I pleased.
Yes. A beast. I was no different from a beast.
Even now, it was the same.
‘If it weren’t for the Demonic Cult, could I have changed?’
I still didn’t know the answer. It was a question that couldn’t be answered easily.
Because only after the Heavenly Demon took everything from me did I come to understand what was truly precious.
“Those eyes.”
Mong Yeo-rin suddenly leaned her face close to mine. My reflection was clearly visible in her clear black pupils. She stared deeply into my eyes.
“You’re not looking at my outward appearance, are you?”
“……”
“Everyone else is always so busy staring at my face. You’re different. This is the first time I’ve seen such emotionless eyes.”
Her gaze grew heavy. For the first time, I saw the real Mong Yeo-rin—not the Beauty of Hubei.
“Do my eyes intrigue you?”
“Yes. It feels like… I’m looking into a mirror.”
Mong Yeo-rin’s eyes deepened.
“You too are suppressing something, just like me. For example… a killing intent that feels like it could explode at any moment?”
Her fingertips brushed against my chest.
“I should be afraid… so why does it make me curious?”
Her eyes shone dangerously—like a hunter standing before a beast, or a moth flying into a flame.
I should have told her she was mistaken, that it wasn’t like that, but for some reason my lips wouldn’t move.
“As for you, Lady… you are quite radiant. More than enough.”
I lightly brushed the tip of her chin. Her body trembled faintly.
She couldn’t even react to a move executed at such close range? Goosebumps rose across Mong Yeo-rin’s entire body. If my intentions had been different, that single move could have killed her. It was that dangerous and terrifying.
“But beyond that brilliance, it seems something is suffocating you.”
At Ju Woo-jin’s sudden words, Mong Yeo-rin’s smile froze.
“Your grandfather’s overprotection… Could it be that you’re being treated like a porcelain vase that might shatter at any moment?”
Mong Yeo-rin’s pupils shook. He had struck the exact mark.
“The shadow of a limited lifespan hidden behind the brilliance? That seems to be what’s suffocating you.”
Mong Yeo-rin showed no reaction to my words. I gave her a light bow and turned away.
“Heh.”
Quite an interesting connection.
“That aside.”
I slowly turned back around.
“It feels strangely off.”
I immediately expanded my senses, enveloping the entire Mong Family Villa within my perception. Countless breaths and movements. Traces poured into me through every pore, my ears, and my eyes.
But that wasn’t what I was trying to catch.
“Who are you?”
Whoosh!
A fishy stench brushed past my nose. It wasn’t the scent of flowers or alcohol. It was a disgusting odor like old, dried blood.
A chill ran down my spine.
‘This isn’t demonic energy. It’s far more vicious and sticky… death energy.’
The smell of death that could never come from the living was flowing from behind the splendid banquet hall.
“Well, it is the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”
It was a place where the children of major sects and prestigious families gathered. There were plenty of people besides the Demonic Cult who would target such a place.
“Let’s go, Muyoung.”
At my call, Muyoung sprang forward. We immediately leaped toward the direction where the blatantly leaking death energy was coming from.