Murim Grand Banquet (1)
I chuckled softly.
The identities of that man and woman were none other than the Sa-gang sub-branch leader and the noodle shop owner's daughter.
Seeing their affectionate faces and tightly clasped hands, it was clear what their relationship was.
Still, it was astonishing.
The Sa-gang sub-branch leader was the type who had so little to say that he left those around him frustrated.
How on earth had he forged such a bond with her in just a few days?
I approached them quietly.
“Sa-gang sub-branch leader.”
He turned around and jumped in surprise upon seeing me.
“Oh? Uh…… um……”
At his reaction, the noodle shop owner's daughter spoke up.
“He says, 'When did you return to Luoyang?'”
“I arrived today. But in the time I haven't seen you, it seems your bond has grown quite deep.”
In response to my question, the Sa-gang sub-branch leader nodded.
“So, how did this come about? I'm curious about the secret.”
The sub-branch leader looked embarrassed.
“Actually, it was…… the letters……”
She smiled and explained.
“Sub-branch Leader Sa sent me letters every day. Their contents were truly moving.”
Ah…… right.
Come to think of it, I'd heard that while the Sa-gang sub-branch leader lacked verbal eloquence, his writing was quite skilled.
That must be why I'd found it so surprising before—it all came back to me now.
“Honestly, Sub-branch Leader Sa is the sub-branch leader of a major merchant group, while I'm just the daughter of a humble noodle shop owner, so I agonized a lot over whether to accept his feelings. But after reading those letters, I made up my mind.”
I see.
But marriage wasn't something that happened just because two people were of one mind.
I asked the Sa-gang sub-branch leader,
“Does Leader Hong-ryeon know?”
“She does.”
She knew?
“I told her.”
“And she gave her permission?”
He nodded.
Incredible. She'd approved this marriage?
Just then, a voice called out to me from behind. Turning around, I saw the acting manager of our temporary shop waving me over.
No helping it.
I'd have to ask for the details later.
.
.
.
I learned about Leader Hong-ryeon's approval of the Sa-gang sub-branch leader's marriage to her through Bok-yun sub-branch leader.
“Ah, that? I was pretty shocked myself.”
“So I wasn't the only one.”
He nodded.
Having finished my schedule, I was now having tea with Bok-yun sub-branch leader.
There was information to be gleaned from other merchant groups' members, after all.
“It seems the Sa-gang sub-branch leader was deeply moved that Jeong-ryeon, daughter of the Jeong-galsa noodle shop owner, understood his words perfectly at first try.”
“So that's how the affection began.”
“Seems like it.”
So the owner of the Haecheon-myeon noodle shop was named Jeong-galsa.
“But it's surprising that Leader Hong-ryeon approved the marriage so readily.”
“Ah, I heard some details from Sa-cheol gongja about that.”
I leaned in attentively.
“When the Sa-gang sub-branch leader told the leader he'd met a woman he wanted to marry and brought her along, apparently the leader approved right there at the dinner table after seeing how she perfectly understood and explained what he wanted to say.”
“I see!”
“And the lady of the house even cried, saying he'd finally found a woman who understood his heart.”
“……”
The leader and his wife must have worried a great deal over the sub-branch leader's lack of eloquence.
With a woman appearing who could resolve that issue, how overjoyed they must have been.
Differences in family background wouldn't matter in allowing the marriage.
“Anyway, the most delicious event of the Murim Grand Banquet is about to begin soon.”
“Indeed.”
To be precise, the preliminaries would start in two days.
I was looking forward to seeing who would emerge victorious in this Murim Grand Banquet.
I remembered the results from my previous life, but since I'd altered the future in various ways, the outcome might differ.
.
.
.
At last, the Murim Grand Banquet friendly sparring—commonly called the Murim Grand Banquet—began.
Early in the morning.
The bracket was posted, but it was still mostly blank.
Instead of drawing lots to determine matchups and announcing them, they randomly drew wooden plaques with participants' names and assigned them to the bracket in full view of everyone.
This was the same format as the Dragon-Phoenix Sparring Assembly.
But there was one difference: rather than drawing for each match, they drew all at once.
Thin wooden plaques were placed in a large urn, and one of the Murim Alliance's elders came out to draw them, placing them randomly on the bracket for all to see.
These plaques were double-layered so names weren't visible, allowing them to be shaken and drawn all together.
This method was feasible because the Murim Grand Banquet had fewer participants than the Dragon-Phoenix Sparring Assembly.
However, each match took longer.
Since all combatants were of considerable skill, the bouts dragged on.
Moreover, with personal and factional pride on the line, they rarely conceded defeat from minor injuries.
Thus, the Murim Grand Banquet had a special rule: seven markers made of sturdy ebony—placed on vital points including arms and legs—were worn, and the first to have all destroyed or knocked off lost.
It was a longstanding tradition, and even I thought it quite reasonable.
Peak experts clashing with pride on the line could lead to severe injuries or death, but this prevented that.
“Are you ready?”
As I waited on the first floor, Father came down, prepared, and asked.
“Yes. Mother isn't down yet.”
“I see.”
No sooner had we spoken than Mother descended.
“Am I late?”
Father shook his head at her question.
“No. I just came down myself.”
Father offered his hand to Mother.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
I followed behind my parents, glancing at older brother Jin-ho.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
But…… it didn't seem like mere excitement for watching the spars.
No way? Nah.
I sidled up to my brother, who was bringing up the rear, and whispered,
“Bro. Confident you'll pass the preliminaries?”
“Of course! The outer general affairs manager said someone like me could easily…… Whoa!”
The startled Jin-ho brother quickly covered his mouth.
“How'd you know?”
“How could I not? I'm your little brother.”
I'd suspected, but he'd really entered the Murim Grand Banquet.
It happened to be the last day for entries when he arrived.
“What made you sign up for the Murim Grand Banquet?”
“I needed honor.”
“Honor?”
“Yeah, honor. You know how I met various warriors through the outer general affairs manager's introductions this time?”
“Yeah.”
Jin-ho brother wore a complicated expression.
“Talking with them, I realized that even superficial honor has its uses.”
“……”
“The Eunhae Merchant Group will keep growing and rising higher. Until there's nowhere left to climb. And when that happens, all sorts of interference will come our way.”
He was right, so I nodded.
“That's why I'm competing. Even a small honor could become a shield for the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
He looked at me.
“So, cheer me on, won't you?”
It wasn't just curiosity or youthful bravado—he had his reasons.
And those reasons were for the merchant group. How could I stop him?
“Fine. But……”
I smiled and said,
“If you get eliminated in the preliminaries, you're dead meat.”
“Hahaha. Noted.”
“Have you told Mom and Dad?”
He shook his head at my question.
“No. They'd stop me. So keep it secret.”
“But bro, I figured it out. Think Mom and Dad haven't noticed?”
“……”
.
.
.
Soon, we arrived at the sparring arena.
Built in the Murim Alliance's open plaza, it seemed even sturdier than the one for the Dragon-Phoenix Sparring Assembly.
We took our seats.
The viewing stands were divided into grades again, with the best available to the public being the Eul seats.
They were pricey, of course, but worth it for the close view.
“Thank you so much for letting us watch again.”
“I considered buying seats with personal funds.”
“No need.”
I told them,
“This is an investment too. If you gain insights from the spars and grow stronger, I'll be safer, right?”
“We'll do our utmost to learn.”
I'd bought Eul seats for all six escort warriors too.
And for Palgap and Seo-hyang young lady as well.
Jin Yu warrior and Seo-hyang young lady looked a bit tense.
Understandable.
They couldn't afford to be recognized at the Murim Alliance.
I sent a sound transmission to Jin Yu warrior.
- Jin Yu warrior, relax. Tension will draw more eyes.
- My apologies, young master.
- Your face is perfectly altered now. No one will link it to Yeon-gae-seung, the Alliance Leader's secret warrior.
- Understood.
The brilliance of the Divine Transformation Art wasn't just changing appearances—it altered one's aura too.
And martial artists typically distinguished others by aura.
Especially experts.
So spotting Jin Yu warrior was nearly impossible.
I sent a sound transmission to Seo-hyang young lady.
- Nervous?
- A little.
- Don't worry. They won't recognize you. Plus, you're wearing a veil.
- True.
She fiddled with the veil's edge.
- Actually, standing boldly before those who tried to kill me…… it's a bit thrilling.
- A bit?
- No…… quite a lot.
She smiled as she said it.
The transformation made her smile seem cold, but I knew.
She was genuinely enjoying this.
Then voices rose from behind.
“Did you hear?”
“What?”
“They brought a golden Buddha statue to reinforce the formation, but it got stolen.”
“What? Really?”
“Yeah. They still haven't caught the thief.”
“Damn, that thief's bold. Stealing from the Murim Alliance?”
“Right? Impressive skills.”
*Thanks for the praise. Haha.*
Word of the golden Buddha statue theft—taken at the Alliance Leader's request—had spread.
I'd stolen it without hesitation, knowing it wouldn't be used as he'd claimed.
In my previous life, I'd never heard of it being used.
Something that valuable wouldn't have escaped my notice.
Unlike this time, it probably went quietly into the Alliance Leader's hands.
Even if the Gu-am Sect leader hid it, he'd have found it somehow.
The Alliance Leader had that capability.
Needing to secretly acquire it by wiping out the Gu-am Sect meant it wasn't for anything good.
That's why I took it.
And there were plenty of other ways to reinforce the formation without the statue.
“Oh? Isn't that……?”
“Ah! Jegal Cheondu gongja!”
Then Jegal Cheondu gongja approached me.
The seat plaque in his hand gleamed gold.
A Gap seat plaque.
As expected, even a collateral branch of the Jegal family was on another level.
Perfect timing.
I quietly told him,
“They say the golden Buddha statue brought to reinforce the spectator protection formation was stolen.”
“So I've heard.”
“I was questioned as a suspect too, but the Jegal family must have had it rough readjusting the formation. Not an easy task.”
He smiled and shook his head.
“If we complained about that, we'd tarnish the family name.”
True enough.
“Honestly, they could fix the formation without it. I don't get why it was needed.”
He shared my doubts.
“Well, I'll be off. Enjoy the event.”
“You too, gongja.”
Jegal Cheondu gongja gave a brief greeting and headed to his seat. I turned my gaze to the arena.
Who would emerge as the hero this time? The anticipation built.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Drums resounded, and a woman ascended the arena.
Someone I'd never seen before?
“Welcome to the Murim Grand Banquet friendly sparring, held to foster camaraderie in our time-honored martial world! We also thank all who labored to make this event possible.”
She introduced herself.
“I am Geum Yeon-hwa, leader of the Jahong Corps, in charge of conducting this Murim Grand Banquet friendly sparring.”
“Waaah! Red Rain Sword! Red Rain Sword!”
Hearing the crowd's cheers, I recognized her.
Red Rain Sword Geum Yeon-hwa.
Famous even in my previous life—not just for her beauty, but for her exceptional martial prowess.
From the Ami Sect, her swordplay made blood spray like red rain, earning her the moniker.
She died on a mission.
Many subordinates questioned her death, but the Murim Alliance never investigated.
Quite a few left the Alliance over it.
A testament to her popularity.
Meaning she wasn't someone I needed to wary of or avoid.
“Now, the Alliance Leader will give opening remarks for the Murim Grand Banquet friendly sparring.”
The Alliance Leader stepped onto the arena.
He glanced around before speaking.
“I welcome all gathered here.”
I half-listened to his remarks, staring into space.
The content was predictable, after all.
The usual platitudes continued.
“……Thus, to deepen the meaning of this friendly sparring, I recommend a participant.”
A traditional right of the Alliance Leader.
The recommended fighter skipped preliminaries and advanced straight to the finals.
Who would claim that honor this time?
“Eunhae Merchant Group's Seonhyeopmirang Eun Seo-ho. I recommend him.”
“……Me?”