Swordsman Beauty (3)
I turned to look at everyone and spoke.
"Then it would be best if you all head back to your lodgings now. Once night deepens, the security gets even worse. If you get into some needless scuffle, it could tarnish your sect's reputation."
"Understood."
"Ah, let me escort you to where the Qingcheng Sect members are staying."
The reason I made that offer was simple curiosity—who was backing Geom-bong, anyway?
"N-No need to go that far."
"Nonsense. We share a connection now; I can't just let you go like this. Don't worry. We already agreed to let the matter of my servant's injury slide, didn't we?"
"……."
"Then let's go."
And so I led them on their way.
Their lodging was farther than I'd expected.
To harass a guard just to get at me, they sure had pointless zeal.
Soon, we arrived at an inn.
Azure Wall Inn.
It was an inn run by the Qingcheng Sect. The Emei Sect had merely contracted with an inn, but the Qingcheng Sect straight-up operated their own.
And they used it as their base.
Just then, someone emerged from the inn, and the disciples' faces stiffened at the sight.
"S-Sect Leader."
"Over there, Sect Leader, that's……."
Ah, so that's the sect leader.
He seemed to recognize me and greeted me warmly.
"Well, if it isn't the Swordsman Beauty himself?"
"This humble merchant Eun Seo-ho greets the Sect Leader."
"A pleasure to meet you. But what brings you here with my sect's disciples?"
That was when it happened.
"Sect Leader! This man may be called the Swordsman Beauty, but everyone's been deceived by him!"
Huh?
I was caught off guard for a moment.
No, I'd figured his backer might pull something, but this much?
The other disciples seemed to think the same, gasping in surprise.
The sect leader's expression hardened as he asked the man,
"What do you mean by that?"
"He suddenly came at us picking a fight and attacked me!"
Ah, no, wait... I'm seriously dumbfounded.
With the clash between us already hushed up as a secret, he brings it up here first?
And a quick investigation would expose it as a lie— what the hell was he thinking, pulling this reckless stunt?
"Swordsman Beauty... Is what Geom-bong says true?"
He turned to me with a cold glare.
"My son, Geom-bong, asks if it's true."
Huh? His son?
Ah, so that's why he's been so arrogant.
The Qingcheng Sect, unlike other Taoist sects, allowed marriage. And children born from such unions could join the sect.
I hadn't realized his father was the sect leader.
Though the sect leader looked fairly old—must be a late child.
"The truth is that matter……."
"No need for excuses! My son wouldn't lie to me."
Believing his son blindly and flying into a rage like that?
A sect leader of all people—lacking in self-cultivation?
On the other hand, watching this, I could see why Geom-bong acted so brazenly.
Shing.
He drew his sword from his waist and pointed it at me.
"The insult to my son—I'll wash it away! Draw your sword at once!"
"W-Well, that is……."
"What are you doing? Draw your sword now!"
Hearing the commotion, Qingcheng Sect Taoists rushed out from the inn to restrain him.
"Sect Leader! Why are you doing this? At least hear the circumstances first."
"Indeed. Calm yourself."
"Silence! I can never forgive the one who shamed my son."
Sigh...
We had sparring tomorrow, and now I had to expend energy here.
I swallowed a sigh and said to him,
"Sect Leader, we should move to another location. If we cross swords here, others might get hurt."
"Hm, that makes sense. Follow me."
The place we arrived at following him was the rear courtyard of the Azure Wall Inn.
Being run by the Qingcheng Sect, they'd prepared a spacious area for training.
"Now, draw your sword! No more excuses about the location!"
"Yes, alright."
At that moment, Seo-u Warrior spoke up.
"My lord, allow me to take your place."
"No. It was I who was forced into this spar. I should be the one to draw steel."
I waved him back and drew my sword.
Shing.
The sound of the blade sliding from its sheath was chilling.
"Today, I'll show you what Qingcheng steel truly means."
Something's off here, though.
No matter how much he loved his son, blindly trusting him to this extent?
Even my father doesn't take my word unconditionally.
For some reason, the sect leader didn't seem like a father doting excessively on his son. It felt more like a subordinate blindly obeying a superior.
He was the leader of the Qingcheng Sect, a Taoist lineage.
I'd brushed it off earlier as poor self-cultivation, but maybe not.
"I'll strike first!"
Whoosh!
He charged at me, swinging his sword.
His swordplay was indeed on another level from In-bong Warrior's.
Clang—!
The moment I blocked his blade!
"……."
I sensed a flicker of demonic energy.
From the Qingcheng Sect leader? Was that even possible?
But it didn't seem to emanate from his own energy.
So, not a deep ties to the demonic path, then...
Pretending to struggle, I deliberately stumbled back.
"Get up."
At his words, I rose and made a polite request.
"Sect Leader, it seems I'll suffer a proper humiliation today, but I have one favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"I'll send my entourage away, so please have the other Qingcheng members withdraw as well."
He nodded readily.
"That's no trouble. Everyone, return to your places!"
I told my group the same.
"Please step away for a bit."
The guards looked worried, but seeing my reassuring expression, they withdrew obediently.
"Understood."
Now, only the sect leader and I remained in the courtyard.
"Then, swords again."
"Yes."
The reason I'd insisted on being alone?
I'd likely need to use the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art.
And I had to reveal a bit of my true skill anyway.
But the other Qingcheng members couldn't know.
If word got out that I'd hidden my prowess during today's friendly spar—and even in tomorrow's—it'd cause all sorts of headaches.
Yet backing down with an apology here wasn't an option either.
Well, let's give it a shot.
I infused my Silver Mist Sword with the Taiyin Ice Sea Divine Art's energy and clashed with the sect leader's blade.
Clang clang clang clang!
Unlike before, going all out let me match him evenly.
Thus, unnoticed, I slipped traces of my energy into his body through his sword.
The demonic energy I'd sensed on him began to fade bit by bit.
Finally, when it was completely purged, leaving only the pure Qingcheng energy...
"Huff!"
Suddenly, the sect leader staggered back and looked up at me.
A dazed expression.
I smiled and asked,
"Feeling clear-headed now?"
He seemed to grasp the situation, nodding blankly before confirming.
"I haven't felt this clear-minded in ages. Must be thanks to you."
I sheathed my sword with a smile instead of words.
"But how did you notice my oddity?"
"I have a keen sense for others' energies. And it seems the effects of my Heavenly Flow Technique helped restore your wits."
"I see..."
"Plus, your reaction struck me as unnatural. Even as Geom-bong's father, such blind fury was too much."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for clearing my mind."
"No need. But... what exactly happened?"
I continued,
"I know it's rude to pry, but I believe I have the right to hear the circumstances."
"True enough. You do."
The sect leader nodded, gazing at the sky as he spoke.
"About three years ago? Geom-bong came to me saying he had something to discuss. From the moment I drank the tea he gave me... whenever it involved him, I'd inexplicably lose my reason."
So, Geom-bong was the culprit.
He'd slipped something tied to demonic energy into the tea and fed it to the sect leader.
"Truth be told, I'm strict with my children."
Meaning he had other kids besides Geom-bong?
"But that boy hated it, it seems."
"One can understand that, but it's hardly the right way. What do you plan for Geom-bong now?"
"Hah, even if he's my son, I can't let this slide. For his sake too. I'll convene a formal Heavenly Council."
"Like an internal Qingcheng Sect meeting?"
"Exactly. 'Asking the heavens'—it's for our sect's gravest matters. Not just me, but all twelve elders gather."
"I see."
Though today was my first time seeing Geom-bong, his arrogance was clear enough.
The other elders wouldn't view him favorably.
Having tasted life's sweets, now he'd learn the bitter.
"That aside, I must repay you for helping me. Anything you desire, speak it. If it's within my power, I'll grant it."
"In that case..."
I thought for a moment before speaking.
"Please keep my aid to you today a secret."
"That's easy enough, but must it be secret?"
"Yes."
I nodded.
"You've already noticed, haven't you? That my martial prowess far exceeds the peak."
"Indeed. To match me evenly, you've been at Super First-rate for some time."
"Exactly. If it gets out that I helped you, I'll face backlash. It'd be like deceiving everyone in the friendly spar."
"Fair point."
He continued,
"But that's something I should do anyway; it hardly counts as repayment. Name something else."
"That's more than enough. I didn't help expecting reward in the first place—demanding one now would be absurd."
He let out a long sigh at my words.
"Hah! No wonder they call you the Swordsman Beauty!"
Cough.
Why say that? You're embarrassing me.
"Still, I can't stand without proper repayment. So, name something else."
Hm...
I'd just handled those harassing In-bong Warrior out of spite for badmouthing me—who knew it'd blow up like this.
Then, a good idea struck.
"In today's spar, In-bong Warrior forfeited out of respect for me. I hope he faces no blame for it. And that he gets more chances to shine."
"Heavens! Even your second request is for another, not yourself?"
I'm just sorry for deceiving In-bong Warrior...
"Very well, I'll see to it. But this isn't for you, is it?"
"Sorry. Nothing comes to mind."
"Fine. I won't press the one owed repayment. We'll settle it later."
"Thank you. Then..."
I deliberately rolled on the ground and stood, dusting off.
Clean clothes would raise suspicions.
"I'll take my leave."
"Ah! Wait a moment."
"Yes?"
"You haven't asked about what Geom-bong said earlier. What exactly happened today?"
Yes, a normal person would want the full story.
"Well, you see..."
I told him everything that happened today, without omission.
Except the injury to Palgap—we'd agreed to drop that, but not the rest.
……
I lightly brushed off my clothes and entered the inn.
My waiting entourage rushed over anxiously.
"Are you alright?"
I scratched my neck and said,
"As expected of a sect leader."
Behind us, Geom-bong smirked.
"See? That's why you shouldn't act so cocky. People can't just strut around carelessly. A merchant should know his place."
My group bit their lips, holding back anger.
But I ignored him completely and turned.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
We left the Azure Wall Inn and walked some distance.
How far had we gone?
Far enough our words wouldn't reach the inn.
"Pfft!"
I burst out laughing.
Ah, holding it in nearly killed me.
"Why are you laughing, my lord? Are you hurt somewhere?"
I waved off Palgap's concern.
"I'm fine. These clothes? Just dirt from rolling in the yard on purpose."
"I see. I was worried."
"Have you ever seen me lose a fight?"
"Of course not. If it's a losing battle, you'd avoid it, find a path to victory, and fight."
"You know me well. Did you catch Geom-bong's face back there?"
"I saw it, but why?"
"Because that'll be the last time he smiles like that."
The Qingcheng Sect leader had flown into a rage upon hearing of Geom-bong's deeds.
Now, he'd learn life's not easy—the hard way.