Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Rumor Chief's Challenge
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"Sword Wa? Sword Wa, huh?"
Baek Yang-hui shot to his feet and strode toward the young men.
The closer he got, the more stark the height difference became.
The youths looked like martial artists too, but none had a body as robust and honed to the limit as Yang-hui's.
In other words...
Standing next to him, they looked downright puny by comparison.
Extremely so.
"Sword Wa? Who's the Wa? From where I'm standing, you're the one who looks like a Wa bastard."
"......"
Momentarily overwhelmed by Yang-hui's growl, one youth struggled to regain his composure.
Snap. He unfurled his fan.
"Ahem. You're far less refined than expected, Sword Wa Young Master."
Finishing with a haughty tone, the youth fanned himself leisurely.
This punk isn't even from the Zhuge family, so what's with the fan like some scholar martial artist? God, he's insufferable.
-Brother. That bastard definitely came here looking for trouble.
-Yeah. I know.
No matter how much they'd irked him with the Sword Wa jab, pointing out etiquette to a stranger on first meeting?
It meant they'd approached with provocation in mind from the start.
'Inner energy just over half a jia. Well-trained body. Footwork suggests fist techniques.'
-Chui-dal. Any idea who this punk is?
Unlike his master Yeo Un-hyeok, who had been a mere food taster before, Chui-dal now led the Baek Clan's information division, the Baek-ri Pavilion.
In other words, he knew more about the local scene than anyone here.
-The Rumor Chief of Pure Moon Gate supposedly loves fanning himself with one. This seems like him. Name's Jeong Myeong-gun, no nickname.
'Pure Moon Gate?'
The current Baek Clan Manor was vying for dominance in Wuju alongside two other powers.
Pure Moon Gate was one of them. And this very Gyeongyang County happened to be their base.
'Pure Moon Gate's Rumor Chief approaching me. And with provocation as the goal.'
Context grasped. Yang-hui, having decided how to handle it, spoke up.
"You say I lack manners?"
He turned with a cheeky grin toward the waiter.
"Hey, waiter brother! When's our food coming out?"
"Uh, th-that... It'll be out shortly."
The waiter, who'd been stiff with tension watching the standoff between Jeong Myeong-gun and Yang-hui, bolted away.
In stark contrast, Jeong Myeong-gun's leisurely fanning froze solid.
Calling a mere waiter "brother" and treating him as such.
The intent behind the action was simple.
Grind.
"Sword Wa Young Master. I'd heard of your fame and wanted to meet you. Had no idea you'd be this kind of person."
"What do you mean 'no idea'? I'm exactly as famous and rumored."
Where in the world was someone as transparently pure as clear water, inside and out?
"You keep calling me Sword Wa, but why should I take that crap from a runt shorter than me?"
"It's the nickname attached to you—what can be done? Isn't that right, Sword. Wa. Young. Master?"
This bastard? Listen to him emphasize every syllable?
"Fair enough. So what should I call you? Sorry, but I have no clue who you are."
Sneering with the implication that an unknown nobody had no business strutting around, Yang-hui watched Jeong Myeong-gun's face harden as he bared his teeth.
"I'm Jeong Myeong-gun, Rumor Chief of Pure Moon Gate."
"That's your title. Got a nickname?"
"......"
"Nickname? Don't tell me you don't have one? You look well past twenty."
"......"
"Nah, come on. How's a martial artist without a nickname? Right, Dark Dragon brother?"
Dangun, who'd been watching with interest, replied.
"If he's peak beginner realm, maybe not."
"Is that so? I've had one since I was ten, so no clue. Puahaha!"
Yang-hui laughed while gauging Jeong Myeong-gun's reaction.
This ought to pay back his barbs in words.
Ahh, feels good.
"Sword Wa Young Master. Rumors said your swordsmanship was exceptional, but your silver tongue's impressive too."
"Unlike some, I lack no talents."
"......You're right. I lack much, including a nickname. So, Sword Wa Young Master, might you give me a chance?"
A chance? So that's why this punk approached?
'Gonna leech off me for fame?'
From Pure Moon Gate's perspective, Baek Clan Manor was their toughest rival.
Yet while the Baek heir built fame day by day, their Rumor Chief remained a nobody without even a proper nickname.
Naturally, locals would be gossiping about it.
'No nickname? Go out, smash some unorthodox fighters, build a rep. What's this idiot doing?'
What was the easiest way for a martial artist to gain fame?
Simple.
Defeat someone famous.
You'd earn the descriptor of "the one who beat so-and-so."
Raised so softly he hadn't even gotten a nickname by that age?
Of course he'd love the easy path.
'And he even thinks he can beat me.'
Unbelievable.
Back when he was ten—a mere child—he'd crushed the Advance Teaching Gang's sub-branch leader, already in his twenties.
How could anyone underestimate that?
...Well, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
'Probably thinks the rumors are exaggerated or fabricated.'
Made sense. Logically, a ten-year-old kid beating a twenty-year-old martial artist sounded absurd.
His feats were so extraordinary that some might suspect foul play or hype.
Otherwise...
"What say you, Sword Wa Young Master? Won't you give me some pointers?"
"Hey. You got permission for this?"
"Permission? It's just a quick spar—who needs permission?"
Yang-hui's eyes narrowed, lips curling up.
So he'd come without telling the sect elders?
'That's why he's pulling this stupid stunt.'
A clueless greenhorn acting solo for a shot at fame.
"Perfect timing."
A few days prior, he'd made a vow.
Anyone who dared call him Sword Wa to his face, no matter who, would get crushed.
Now, how to crush him so the rumors spread properly...
'Right. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.'
Since this side hated the nickname and got spammed with it?
Give him one even worse than Sword Wa.
"Teaching you? Easy enough. But, y'know, doing it for free's a bit much."
"Want money? Word is Baek Clan Manor's finances are tight these days."
"Not that. Someone of my caliber—peerless prodigy—deserves proper hospitality for lessons. I'll visit Pure Moon Gate tomorrow. Prepare a feast."
Half-joking with a jab, but Jeong Myeong-gun smirked instead.
"A feast? Excellent. I'll prepare grandly. Hahaha!"
This punk still doesn't get it.
Thinks he'll win the spar, host the feast, and humiliate me publicly?
Fine by me.
The rival sect's Rumor Chief being an idiot?
Good for home base.
'Yeah. Since we're at it, let's make the stage bigger.'
A true prodigy aimed for more than one stone two birds.
Time to ensure Pure Moon Gate never rivaled Baek Clan again.
-Chui-dal, got a job for you.
-Lay it on me, brother.
After issuing various orders to Chui-dal, Yang-hui grinned imagining tomorrow's events.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day.
"My deepest apologies to Merchant Jin. Personal matters delayed the escort—I'm truly sorry."
"Kehkeh, no worries. If anything, witnessing Young Master Baek's spar is a treat!"
The boisterous Jin Geum-bo continued laughing heartily.
"But really, is it okay if I come along? Pure Moon Gate might not allow it."
"No need to worry. I've made it so they have no choice."
Yang-hui smirked at Jin Geum-bo's puzzled look.
"Shall we head out, everyone?"
They traveled about half a shichen to Pure Moon Gate's compound.
"Enter..."
Whether tipped off or not, the guarding martial artist looked grim-faced...
'Guess the Rumor Chief's screw-up leaked.'
"Welcome, Sword Wa young hero."
Ah. Sword Wa again?
Yang-hui shot a sidelong glare at the voice's owner, Pure Moon Gate Lord.
"Gate Lord."
Proper courtesy required, he offered a clasped-hands salute.
"I'm here at your Rumor Chief's spar request from yesterday."
"Ugh, about that..."
Beside the headache-stricken Gate Lord stood Jeong Myeong-gun, thoroughly deflated.
'Got reamed good, huh?'
"Seems our Myeong-gun was rude. We've prepared a feast in apology. Won't you join us, speak openly over drinks?"
Hmm, no can do.
Couldn't squander such a golden opportunity.
"That won't work."
The Gate Lord's face stiffened.
Undeterred, Yang-hui pressed on.
"Your Rumor Chief challenged Baek Clan Manor's heir to a spar. Words are like spilled water—can't take them back. No backing out."
Of course, those gathered could agree to call it off.
Problem was, he had no intention of letting it slide.
"And it's not just the Rumor Chief seeking pointers. Care for a demonstration?"
As he finished, he snapped his fingers.
Chui-dal moved on cue, and soon commotion erupted outside Pure Moon Gate.
A buzz of noisy chatter swelled.
A Pure Moon martial artist approached the Gate Lord to report the disturbance.
"Crowds gathering outside the gate?"
Yang-hui answered for him.
"Yesterday, watching your Rumor Chief... Jeong Myeong-gun? Right?"
"Jeong Myeong-gun!"
"Ah, sorry. Bad habit—can't remember names of nobodies."
"......"
Flashing an irritating grin, he continued.
"Anyway, he seemed eager for fame, so I pulled some strings."
His order to Chui-dal yesterday: gather spectators.
Baek Clan Manor's intel arm, Baek-ri Pavilion, ran on Yeo Un-hyeok's old network and Heaven-Covering Escort Agency ties.
'Still small-scale, but solid at least in Wuju.'
These crowds had flocked on rumors spread by Baek-ri Pavilion.
In just one day, like clouds amassing.
"Pure Moon Gate's Rumor Chief Jeong Myeong-gun. You sought pointers from this young hero yesterday, yes?"
Deliberately polite. He'd bantered crudely yesterday, but before crowds, frivolity wouldn't do.
Stepping forth as Baek heir meant every action represented the clan's dignity.
'Packaging the facade is easy enough.'
He extended his arms crisply. His robes billowed dramatically.
The black hawk emblem on his pristine white garment stood out sharply.
"I am Baek Yang-hui of Baek Clan Manor. As desired, I'll grant you pointers."
As Yang-hui's words ended, gasps of admiration rose from the spectators behind.
"Truly the bearing of a heroic youth straight from a painting."
"Baek Clan Manor's heir was prodigious from youth—surpasses the rumors!"
Packaging successful.
Now, swap in the substance.
"Youthful as I am, I'll yield first move to one who's built fame earlier."
Speaking gallantly, he sent a transmission simultaneously.
-Treat it like master's teaching: engrave in eyes and ears as golden rule. Got it?
Jeong Myeong-gun's eyes widened. Fury soon clouded his face.
"They say Pure Moon Gate's Moon Scar Fist is exquisite. At last, I'll witness it today."
-Brat, your family arts wouldn't even register in Baek Clan.
"As the saying goes, 'in a trio, one teacher.' I'll learn from your fists too."
-Strutting with mediocre skills. Tch.
"......"
-From the start, punk. You wanna build fame beating a frail fifteen-year-old like me?
"......"
-Ten years my senior, yet worthless.
"Eeeeek...!"
Jeong Myeong-gun finally erupted.
"I'll shut that mouth for good!"
Perfect. Jeong Myeong-gun stepped into the training ground.
Seeing the Gate Lord and elders' faces sour, Yang-hui smirked.
Time to etch utter humiliation into his bones.