The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group 262: Dragons and Phoenixes Gather (2)
My cousin, who was supposed to be in Sichuan Province, Eun Hyang-ok, was right there.
No way, Cousin Hyang-ok, what are you doing here?
Though Eun Hyang-ok was the eldest daughter of Uncle from the Sichuan branch, she was also a disciple of the Ami Sect.
Sure enough, she was standing with the other Ami Sect disciples, and from the raised voices, it looked like they'd gotten into an argument with the group in front of them.
Four burly, hulking men.
But judging by their attire, they didn't seem like the sons of prestigious orthodox sects.
Sons of famous orthodox sects might have shady sides, but they always minded their public image.
Still, for Cousin Hyang-ok to show up here at this time... does that mean she's participating in this Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament?
This was a powder keg ready to blow.
If I jumped in recklessly and threw the first punch, we might not just get disqualified from the tournament—we could end up locked in the guardhouse for its entire duration.
Even if she didn't strike, the moment she opened her mouth in anger, those men's souls would be flayed alive, leaving them broken beyond repair.
It'd be their own fault, but it could still tarnish her reputation further.
And that wouldn't do.
Sure, her notoriety was inevitable, but I had to trim it down even a little.
With a sigh, I stepped in.
"Isn't that Cousin Hyang-ok?"
"Huh? Seo-ho, is that you?"
She recognized me right away.
"What brings you here?"
"We're here for the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament too."
"Ah, of course."
"So, what's going on? Things seem a bit rowdy."
"Ahh..."
Cousin Hyang-ok replied with obvious annoyance.
"We were waiting to register for the tournament when those men insulted us with vulgar words."
At her words, the men bristled.
"When did we ever do that?!"
"You've been harassing innocent people this whole time!"
But Cousin Hyang-ok and the Ami Sect disciples wouldn't make baseless accusations.
Nor would martial artists mishear something like that.
So they must have messed up, just as she said—but at this rate, it wouldn't end cleanly.
I glanced around.
Since her group had been waiting in line to register, plenty of others were here too.
They were just turning a blind eye, not wanting the hassle or trouble.
I didn't blame them.
I understood their position.
In that case.
I cupped my hands in a fist-palm salute and said,
"I humbly ask my fellow heroes. My cousin was just insulted. If any of you saw or heard something, I'd be grateful if you'd speak up."
I continued,
"As thanks, I'll give each of you one nyang of silver..."
"I heard it!"
Before I could finish, someone shot up their hand. A man standing nearby.
"The guys next to me said, 'Those women look like they'd have some fire in bed too...'"
I stifled a hollow laugh inside as I heard the rest.
Damn, these ××× bastards...
"Thank you for your testimony."
I quickly pulled a silver nyang from my pouch and handed it to him.
Once they saw I was serious about paying, people's eyes changed.
"I-I heard it too."
"I have something to say!"
As testimonies poured in, the hulking men looked increasingly cornered.
"This should be enough to hand it over to the patrols."
At my words, their attitudes flipped in an instant.
"We're sorry. We were rude."
"We're the bad guys here."
"Please let it slide just this once..."
Tsk tsk. They're a disgrace to men everywhere.
But the decision wasn't mine—it belonged to the victims, Cousin Hyang-ok and her group.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and asked her,
"Cousin, what do you want to do?"
After consulting with the others, she replied,
"Crushing the dreams of those who've come chasing glory over something like this feels wrong. If they swear to accept any punishment if it happens again, we'll let it slide this time."
"Understood. I'll draw up the oath right away. And for notarization..."
I grinned.
"It looks like it's not just Ami Sect disciples here, though?"
"Correct. Master Hae-cheong came with us."
At that, the hulks' faces drained of color.
Hae-cheong Divine Nun.
She was a renowned master with the title Heartless Sword.
Unlike her usual gentle demeanor, her blade was merciless against those who committed crimes like assaulting women—hence the name.
She'd joined the Ami Sect in the first place to avenge her sister, who had been murdered.
And since she was Cousin Hyang-ok's master, I'd half-expected her to be here.
"We came alone to register since we could handle it ourselves. Master's talking with others right now."
"Then we can ask her to notarize it."
"Spare us!"
"We'll die!"
The hulks cried out desperately.
Then why'd you do something worth dying for?
Cousin Hyang-ok smiled faintly.
"We can't just drag a busy person around for this. We'll skip the notarization and just take the oath. If they're true martial artists, they'll honor it."
"If that's your wish, Cousin, then so be it."
With that, they bowed repeatedly in gratitude to the Ami disciples and Cousin Hyang-ok, signed the oath, and scurried off.
Too embarrassed to register today, they'd probably slink back quietly tomorrow.
"Your nasty streak hasn't changed a bit."
I laughed at her words.
"C'mon, Cousin. Someone might think you mean it."
"But I do."
"..."
C-Cousin, saying it like that hurts my feelings.
"Anyway, thanks for the help."
Her eyes crinkled softly.
"No big deal. Of course I'd step in when it was you and your group in trouble."
We exchanged greetings with her companions next.
"Ah! Late introductions— this is my cousin."
"Eun Seo-ho, vice unit leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Thank you."
They saluted me with fist-palm salutes, bowing their heads.
"But... you spent a lot bribing witnesses because of us. We feel bad."
I'd shelled out quite a bit for those testimonies.
About ten nyang?
But I waved it off casually.
"Money's meant to be spent when it counts. It wasn't much to me anyway, so don't worry about it."
I added,
"Above all, I'm glad my coin could help heroines like you."
"We're grateful for your kind words."
After the pleasantries, I asked her,
"So, Cousin, does this mean you're entering the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament too?"
"Yeah, that's right."
She nodded.
"Master Hae-cheong urged me to join. So I came with the other elite disciples."
Ah...
Come to think of it, she officially became an elite disciple recently.
She'd started as a lay disciple, but her talent drew persistent persuasion until she committed fully.
Uncle had other children besides her, so no family worries there.
Elite disciples of the Ami Sect couldn't marry, after all.
Anyway, around the time I died, Cousin Hyang-ok had made quite a name for herself...
I suddenly wondered what became of her after my death, but shook it off.
A pointless curiosity.
This time, there'd be no such pathetic end for me.
Then a memory flashed.
The incident that launched her fame was the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament. Was this the one?
"I wish you and the other heroines good fortune in the martial fray."
"Thanks."
"Thank you."
"I'm staying at Yeonpung Inn, so please visit if you have time."
"Is Uncle with you?"
"Yes, both my parents came along."
"Then I should go pay my respects."
"Where are you staying, Cousin?"
"Yuwol Inn."
"Got it."
With that, we wrapped up, and I headed to Yeonpung Inn.
"You're back."
"Yes, Father."
As I entered the inn, my parents happened to be downstairs.
Mother could've returned to headquarters after the meeting, but as the daughter of a martial clan, the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament was a must-see spectacle for her.
She was attending with the mother of Vice Unit Leader Bok-yun.
Sitting before my parents, I said,
"I just ran into Cousin Hyang-ok."
"Hyang-ok... you mean Meditation Master's eldest daughter?"
"Yes. She's entering the tournament with other Ami Sect disciples."
Mother clasped her hands together.
"Oh my! Really? This tournament just got a lot more exciting!"
I smiled silently at her words.
In truth, her fame came as much from her skills... as her sharp tongue.
Hm. My condolences in advance to those whose souls she'll flay with her barbs.
Though it'll be their own fault for provoking the restrained version of her.
"Ah... and there was a little trouble, so I helped out."
.
.
.
That evening, Cousin Hyang-ok came straight to Yeonpung Inn.
She must've hurried over upon hearing my parents were here.
"Eun Hyang-ok pays respects to Uncle and Aunt."
"Meeting here makes it all the more delightful. How are your parents?"
"They're both well."
Chit-chat followed.
"I heard there was some trouble today—are you alright?"
"Yes, Seo-ho took care of it. No need to worry."
"Good to hear."
Father spoke, and Mother followed up,
"By the way, tomorrow—do you and the other Ami heroines have time?"
After a moment's thought, Cousin Hyang-ok answered,
"Nothing scheduled tomorrow."
"Perfect. I wanted to treat you all to dinner."
Mother smiled gently.
"You're the ones keeping her company—let your great-aunt save face."
"Understood. I'll ask Master."
"And bring your master along if you can."
"I will."
As the talk wound down, Father said to me,
"Seo-ho, see Hyang-ok off."
It was evening when she arrived, and by now it was dark outside after all the conversation.
"It's fine. I can go alone."
Father replied,
"Of course I know you can handle yourself. But with so many people gathered here now, caution never hurts. Especially since you're about to compete. Haha, just call it an old man's worry."
"..."
Cousin Hyang-ok smiled faintly and bowed her head.
"I'll follow Uncle's advice."
Then she turned to me.
"So, take good care of me."
"Of course."
With that, I left the inn with three escorts, excluding Jin Yu Warrior.
"Yuwol Inn, right?"
"Good memory."
"I've always had a sharp one."
We chatted idly and soon reached Yuwol Inn.
A middle-aged woman stood out front.
Her white martial robes were cinched with a black sash. Her face brimmed with compassion, but her eyes were steely.
I had a feeling who she was.
Hae-cheong Divine Nun.
Cousin Hyang-ok's master.
"Ah! Master! Why are you out here?"
"Waiting for you. Who's the young hero beside you?"
Cousin Hyang-ok quickly introduced me.
"The cousin I mentioned earlier."
"Eun Seo-ho, vice unit leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Disciple of the Ami Sect, Hae-cheong. I've heard about you—thank you for helping my disciples."
"Not at all. It was just a little assistance, especially with Cousin here."
I downplayed it, then said to Cousin Hyang-ok,
"Then I'll head out."
I saluted Hae-cheong Divine Nun as well, then returned to Yeonpung Inn.
.
.
.
The next day, I headed to the area assigned to our Eunhae Merchant Group and checked various things again.
"As expected of the third vice unit leader—you're incredible."
Yun, the manager handling sales for this Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament, said as he watched me.
"First time here? How do you spot every little flaw so precisely? I'm impressed."
Manager Yun, truth is, this isn't my first or second rodeo with the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Tournament.
But I couldn't say that, so I just grinned awkwardly.
This wasn't full-scale sales yet.
Registration was ongoing, and preliminaries were five days out.
After wrapping up the busywork, I returned to Yeonpung Inn.
The Ami Sect disciples were coming for dinner tonight.
Cousin Hyang-ok had gotten permission that morning and let me know.
Soon after I arrived, they showed up.
"Thank you for inviting us."
"I'm the grateful one for your acceptance."
Then Hae-cheong Divine Nun looked at Mother and said,
"By the way, madam... don't I know you from somewhere?"