What a Mess (2)
Suddenly imagining the treatment the Yeongseon family members—who hadn't traveled with me—must have received, I felt a surge of disgust.
But I kept my composure and asked calmly.
"On what grounds do you think our Yeongseon family falls short of your own clan?"
"Isn't it famous that the young head of the Yeongseon family fled from the Yongbong Bimuhwe finals in the past?"
He was right, as Ha Jun the young master said.
We had made it into the top 108, but my uncle had forfeited any further matches.
Disillusioned by the rotten Yongbong Bimuhwe.
That remark wasn't just insulting the Yeongseon family—it was a direct slight against my uncle too.
Those who had come with Ha Jun the young master were startled and quickly tried to restrain him.
Then they apologized on his behalf.
"We're sorry."
"Truly sorry."
I clicked my tongue.
An apology from those who hadn't done wrong was utterly pointless.
"That's in the past. It's regrettable that you're so fixated on old history you can't see reality."
"What did you say?"
"Right now, our Yeongseon family lacks nothing compared to yours. So please drop these baseless assumptions. And apologize for that remark."
"Why should I apologize? You only apologize if you've done something wrong."
I let out a sigh and addressed the crowd.
"It seems we've reached an impasse. How should we resolve this?"
Someone piped up then.
"If you're martial artists, settle it with a duel!"
"Exactly!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Truth be told, just standing around waiting in a place like this was unbearably boring.
So naturally, people were watching with keen interest.
Of course they'd egg on a fight.
"Fight! Fight!"
In an instant, bets were flying, creating a situation where a duel was inevitable.
Just as I'd intended.
I hadn't planned to draw my sword here if I could help it.
But showing off my known level of skill shouldn't be a problem.
And sometimes, you had to make an example to ensure no one disrespected me or my maternal family again.
There's a saying for it.
Peace is maintained through overwhelming power.
I'd restrained myself from flashy displays so far, but among martial artists, this much wasn't extraordinary.
Besides, everyone had heard his foolish words, so even if I roughed him up a bit, they'd all back me.
"Fine by me. What do you say, Young Master Ha? You're not going to mock us as inferior and then cowardly back out, are you?"
In the orthodox martial world, cowardice was more shameful than lacking skill.
As expected, he didn't retreat.
"I-I want this too!"
Then the Seo-u Warrior spoke up.
"My lord, let me handle this."
"No."
I shook my head.
"My maternal family was insulted. It's only right that I step up and wash away the disgrace myself."
Then, looking him in the eye, I added,
"So don't even think of sending a proxy. You insulted my maternal family with your own mouth—take responsibility yourself."
He grimaced but replied,
"That was my intention from the start."
And so the duel began.
"Hah!"
I smirked as he lunged first.
"Hngh!"
His sword didn't even graze my clothes.
I sidestepped effortlessly and threw a light punch.
Tap.
"Guh!"
It was the lightest touch, but the result was anything but.
Ha Jun the young master tumbled backward in an undignified heap.
"Hah! Hah! N-Not bad."
He scrambled up, gathered his qi again, and charged.
Swish.
I dodged and subtly hooked his foot. It was so discreet no one else noticed.
"Argh!"
Crash!
This time he pitched forward embarrassingly and rolled. Snarling, he got back up.
"Th-that was a mistake."
"In the martial world, one mistake can cost your life."
"Damn it!"
His sword rushed at me again.
But with second-rate skill like that, he couldn't touch even my sleeve.
After a few more failed attacks, he hesitated, sensing something was off.
"W-wait, no, Daehyeop…"
Daehyeop now, was it?
"Could it be, your realm is…"
"Me? Peak."
"…!"
Ha Jun's jaw dropped in shock at my words.
Someone shouted then.
"That face and peak realm… Could it be Seonhyeopmirang?"
"Seonhyeopmirang? Oh, yeah!"
"How'd we not recognize him?"
Once they realized I was Seonhyeopmirang, Ha Jun and his clan's faces drained of color.
Someone else chimed in.
"W-wait, so that young master insulted Seonhyeopmirang Daehyeop and his maternal family?"
"Damn… What was he thinking?"
I chuckled and said,
"Alright, let's continue. The duel isn't over yet."
Whoosh!
I swung my sword, carving a foot-deep gash in the ground right by his feet.
Ha Jun trembled and stumbled back.
His clan members cried out urgently.
"Young master, apologize now!"
"You must apologize!"
He finally bowed his head to me.
"I-I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me."
"Why apologize to me?"
"Pardon?"
"You insulted the Yeongseon family. Shouldn't you apologize to them directly? I'll be sending a formal protest to the Seoryunha Clan over this."
"N-no, please don't!"
He prostrated himself on the ground.
"P-please forgive me! If you send a protest to the clan, I'll be expelled."
I let out a hollow laugh.
So insulting the Yeongseon family wasn't expulsion-worthy, but slighting the martial world's hero Seonhyeopmirang and his maternal family was?
Tch, that didn't sit right.
I looked down at Ha Jun kowtowing before me.
"You think a mere verbal apology will suffice?"
"Pardon?"
"A true apology requires resolve never to repeat the offense. And that resolve demands pain—physical, mental, or psychological."
I continued.
"I'd prefer an apology laced with genuine remorse, but right now, you just look like you're trying to weasel out. Show some sincerity, and I'll forgive you."
Tension etched his face as he asked,
"Wh-what kind of sincerity do you mean?"
The Seoryunha Clan had a decent reputation. Pulling them to my side could be useful.
Killing or maiming him here would only breed resentment.
But revenge wasn't limited to that.
Instead of answering, I turned.
"Palgap, grab that from my luggage?"
We were in sync now.
"Right away!"
Palgap dashed to the tent and returned with a bundle.
"Here you go."
I took it, set it down, and unwrapped it.
Inside were iron arm guards, greaves, and a belt.
"Wear these from now on! And every morning, run ten laps around the Murim Alliance camp!"
I smiled.
"Those are my terms for forgiveness. My maternal family would accept this much. What say you?"
"I-I'll do it!"
"Good. Start today."
He grabbed the bundle with a look of relief at surviving.
But his expression changed the moment he lifted it.
"Th-this weight…"
"Oh, total of fifty geun—about thirty kilograms."
Tough for a commoner, but Ha Jun was still second-rate.
He could handle it without dying.
.
.
.
That night.
Heading out after hearing someone had come to my tent, I saw a man standing there.
"Who might you be?"
"I'm Ha Cheol of the Seoryunha Clan. Also the uncle of that fool you punished."
"I see. What brings you here?"
"I heard about the unfortunate incident today. I've come to apologize."
Ha Jun must have come with his uncle.
No way the uncle hadn't heard.
He bowed deeply in remorse.
"Truly sorry."
"No need. Please, don't."
"So please quell your anger and lift that harsh punishment on my nephew."
Ah, so that was the goal.
With such a soft heart, no wonder Ha Jun acted so arrogant.
I asked him,
"Punishment…? Is that truly how you see it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Running laps with fifty geun of iron might look like punishment, but it's actually training for the young master."
"Training?"
"Doesn't the Seoryunha Clan do such exercises?"
"…."
His face filled with bewilderment.
It was intense physical training, but feasible for anyone walking the martial path.
That's why he looked so flustered upon realizing it.
"Truth is, I trained with those myself. But he seemed to need them more, so I gave them to him."
"…."
"The young master has considerable talent. But his arrogance keeps his achievements below his potential."
"So… you ordered this 'punishment' because he could grow here?"
"Exactly."
"Ah…."
"It also humbles his arrogance. It's not just stunting his growth—it could shame the clan."
I pressed on.
"Didn't he just insult me and my maternal family?"
He fell silent.
Facts were facts.
I drove the point home.
"It's bad for the clan and for him. If he's expelled, where will he find the shelter to grow?"
Ha Cheol Daehyeop's face lit with emotion.
"No wonder they call you Seonhyeopmirang! Such magnanimity, considering my nephew who insulted you and your family!"
"Just a senior's guidance for the young."
He said firmly,
"I won't let that goodwill go to waste. Don't worry—I'll watch him closely to ensure no slacking."
"I'd be grateful."
Perfect!
Honestly, monitoring Ha Jun every morning was a hassle, and asking my guards felt bad. But now his uncle volunteered—ideal.
With the uncle watching strictly, no slacking possible.
Heh heh heh.
Running with fifty geun of iron would be hell.
A gentleman's revenge is one swift strike, but I'm no gentleman—mine lingers.
And Ha Jun forgot: no deadline set.
.
.
.
The next morning.
After meditation, light training, and breakfast, I stepped out.
People were gawking at Ha Jun running laps around the camp, sweat pouring off him.
I could almost hear his teeth grinding from here. But that'd fade in days.
He'd reach a point where he couldn't even think.
I smirked and headed to the command tent.
"Oh! There you are!"
Gyeong Sanja Elder of the Gongdong Sect greeted me warmly.
"Now to the meeting hall."
"Got it. Where is it?"
He pointed to a spot.
"See those rocks over there? That's the venue."
We joined the others gathering there.
Ha Cheol Daehyeop of Seoryunha Clan was among them.
Yeonji Mountain was mountainous, but sparsely treed.
Low shrubs abounded, signaling water scarcity.
Hence the hardships they'd faced.
At the venue, the unorthodox faction had arrived first.
"Why so late?"
"We came on time."
"Isn't arriving half a gak early proper etiquette?"
"Etiquette from scum like you who eat it for breakfast? Spare me."
"What?!"
Gyeong Sanja Elder mediated the sniping.
"Enough, everyone—take your seats."
Then another group approached, their prickly aura unmistakable: Cheonma Singyo followers.
With all three factions assembled, negotiations began.
"Heulgonsungseung is orthodox, so we claim leadership."
"Shut it! Exiled from Shaolin—orthodox my ass!"
"What?!"
"Frankly, that bald monk cost the Cheonma Singyo dearly. We deserve first dibs as compensation."
"Compensation my foot! You lot groveled after he cracked your skulls—what's to brag about?"
"Wanna go?!"
"Bring it!"
In seconds, weapons were out and they were brawling. I quickly backed away.
My take on the scene was simple.
Eheya diya. What a mess.