Chapter 57
Quickly, Gwak Yeon flung his blade forward.
He felt it.
Just like the one he had seen from Pang Zhi-gu earlier, the sword style Pang Mu-guang had unleashed moments ago was something he had never encountered before.
‘It isn’t the World Origin Wall Power Sword…’
Important elements were missing.
Wild Pride.
That wild arrogance.
Gwak Yeon recalled the words he often heard from his old friend in the previous life.
—I’m done. I don’t fight with insignificant people. Do as you please.
The Pang Family never clashed with insignificant opponents.
And they never answered viciousness with viciousness.
The World Origin Wall Power Sword was born here.
In the World Origin where yin and yang mixed, the core of the technique lay in colliding the two natures to unleash a wall-like strike.
Instead of viewing the opponent and oneself as yin and yang, the secret lay in conceptualizing oneself and one’s own energy as yin and yang.
—In that case, just smash the air.
By colliding one’s own energy to create an unexpected tremor, and then riding that flow as one unfolds the form.
A sword style that made opponents who favored the Flying Sabre against the straightforward Pang Family tremble with caution.
A sword style that forced one to stay on edge, wondering when that single strike would land, ultimately allowing the Pang Family’s flow to take control.
Thus the ‘one strike’ that devoured the opponent, built upon overwhelming spiritual power, inner energy, and physical strength, was the World Origin Wall Power Sword.
SWOOSH!
At the exact moment Gwak Yeon thrust his sword, it was a swift and linear attack.
But Pang Mu-guang sidestepped it lightly.
The heavy great blade he swung came crashing down, shattering the air.
WHOOSH!
Gwak Yeon evaded it with a hair’s breadth to spare.
Even though he had dodged, the overwhelming force was enough to make his skin tingle.
But ‘Too straightforward…’
It had a glaring weakness.
Of course, Pang Mu-guang was strong.
In his current state, even without using any of the vampire’s abilities, he lacked the confidence to defeat the man with far greater inner energy than himself.
Yet.
‘In a fight between experts, the more numbers you mix in, the more disadvantageous it becomes.’
To surpass him, he would need to deepen his understanding of the World Origin Wall Power Sword.
The movement from moments ago, merely creating a tremor by colliding his own hands—without any true comprehension of the core, it was simply focusing on the phenomenon.
One must unfold the entire form with the mindset that, when necessary, the Dao Qi one carries must be struck against the air somewhere.
CLANG.
After deflecting the incoming great blade slightly, Gwak Yeon began to withstand the barrage of Pang Mu-guang’s attacks that poured down like a sudden storm.
With every clash, his heels drove into the ground with a thud, such was the force.
Clearly he was on the losing end.
BUMP!
Gwak Yeon himself was brimming with the desire to unleash his power against the strong Pang Mu-guang and clash head-on.
But.
—Are you… not capable of anything more?
Suddenly the face of his old friend resurfaced.
Back then, the old quarrel that had flared up when he saw that insignificant fool charging forward without even realizing he was wearing blindfolds.
Irked.
‘Do people today not even learn the proper etiquette?’
Etique—wait, that was the mindset required to wield sword forms.
Even recalling the Hubei Pang Family’s etiquette he had heard, Gwak Yeon sighed and leaped far backward.
TAK.
He landed back on the spot from earlier, seized the sword sheath he had set down on the ground, and adopted the form of a double-sword master.
“HYAAAAA!”
Watching that form, Pang Mu-guang spun his great blade in the air before charging forward with a ferocious momentum.
Up until now, there had probably been no real problem.
Having unleashed the Pang Family’s martial arts with merely swinging, he had done so with such bold flair.
But to truly open up further from here, a new understanding of the World Origin Wall Power Sword was required, the same as before.
And for that, one needed the experience of facing opponents who employed unconventional moves.
Standing right before the Pang Family’s expert who claimed to catch tigers bare-handed was a foe who dared to wield such unpredictable Flying Sabre moves.
‘In an instant, the descendant of my old friend is about to have his skin shattered.’
In that regard.
PAPA PAT!
Despite clearly being on the retreat, Gwak Yeon charged recklessly into the midst of Pang Mu-guang, brandishing the twin swords and sheaths in his hands with the precision of peeling an apple.
WHISH!
Indeed, he was the opponent with the most unorthodox Flying Sabre among all.
* * *
After the unnatural movements of that fleeting moment.
CLANG━━!
Pang Chi-ung stared at the great blade and blade that had sparked in midair, his expression slightly startled.
‘Ho-oh.’
The Seoho Gwak Family.
Just as Master Mo Yong had said, the people here were far from ordinary.
Especially that Gwak Yeon.
‘Mu-gwang will learn good things from him.’
Contrary to expectations, it was proving to be a great help in drawing out the hidden strength of that Mu-gwang fellow.
While martial artists of similar skill gathered and learned from one another, the things being demonstrated on the sparring stage right now.
As Pang Chi-ung continued to watch the ongoing spar between the two, he soon caught the moment when his instinct proved true.
TAK.
After several exchanges.
“…Wait!”
Pang Mu-guang, who had stepped back, raised his hand as if seeking permission from Gwak Yeon.
The instant Gwak Yeon nodded.
He cupped his chin and mouth with his hand and murmured something.
In that short clash.
There had clearly been a new lesson learned or some insight to organize.
“Young Master Gwak, I am grateful for your guidance.”
“I thank you as well.”
“No, truly, I feel my own view expanding.”
Watching Pang Mu-guang grip his great blade as he said so.
Gwak Yeon nodded.
Pang Chi-ung smiled with satisfaction and thought.
‘This is promising.’
Already, by informing Gwak Yeon of what could be learned, he would say that continuing Mu-gwang’s usual all-night training together would multiply the effects.
* * *
And so time passed within the Hubei Pang Family.
Gwak Yeon aided Pang Mu-guang in his nighttime training, and the group had been staying at the Great Pavilion of the Seoha as honored guests for days now.
Already a day, two days, three days…
When that evening arrived, the grand banquet hall of the pavilion stirred once more.
“Young Master So-dan.”
It was because of the farewell party.
The final evening for the Cheonhae Merchant Group staying with the Pang Family.
“You said you would be leaving tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. After visiting the branch office in Beijing to handle affairs, I plan to return by ship to Ningbo.”
“Uhm!”
They had sealed a large-scale transaction that would benefit both sides, established connections between the young masters who would shape the future of each merchant group and sect, and celebrated the meeting with wine and delicacies—a perfect night.
“What a pity. I would love for you to stay a few more days with the guests of the Seoho Gwak Family… but as those who know nothing of the business world, all we can do is serve sumptuous food!”
“We are grateful for your kind hospitality!”
“Please eat your fill before you go!”
“Of course!”
Despite the awkward tone of Yeo Baek-rang trying to emulate an adult, the faces of the Pang Family members were filled with hearty laughter.
Thus.
In the grand banquet hall where the people who had grown close since the first meeting gathered shoulder to shoulder, a magnificent feast began.
“To our meeting!”
“To our meeting!”
“KHA-HA-HA!”
“HU-HU-HU!”
A farewell banquet as splendid as it would be for the Seven Great Families.
Steam rose from every dish.
Fine, profound aroma filled the air.
Slightly sweet Shaoxing wine sloshed in jade cups, while crisp roasted duck with layers of red gloss and rich oil lay in white porcelain plates, boasting its glossy skin.
WORCH!
Pang Mu-guang wiped the splattered meat juice from his sleeve the moment it burst, Gwak Ho-shin sipped his wine glass quietly, and Gwak Yeon picked up a large piece of spiced meat with chopsticks and placed it in his mouth.
COCK COCK.
Also there, the Heoksijo pecking at the Eight Treasure Rice sweetened with glutinous rice, walnuts, and honey, and the Cheonhae Merchant Group martial artists, mingling with the Hubei Pang Family warriors to exchange news of the jianghu, each muttering and maneuvering chopsticks over their plates—Yeo Baek-rang, Ju Hwa-jeong, and Hwang Pil.
“Soju? Wait, no, Young Master Ju Hwa-jeong! Try this—it’s delicious!”
“You must use chopsticks, Young Master So-dan.”
“Uha-hah! Young Master So-dan is right! This has such a rich, savory, umami-rich taste!”
“…Senior.”
Everyone on the table had smiles on their faces.
For the first time in a long while, a lively banquet hall.
One tearing large chunks of mutton with his teeth, another wiping oil from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand while laughing heartily, another bursting into laughter every time chopsticks overlapped on the plate, none caring about appearances.
The true appearance of the Hubei Pang Family.
The musicians also heightened the mood, but this time there was no sword dance.
One could now understand that the sword dance of the first day had been a gesture of consideration toward the Seoho Gwak Family guests…
“…Young Master Gwak! Let’s have another drink!”
“Certainly.”
…By now, the fact that Gwak Yeon had become friendly with Pang Mu-guang mattered little to him.
CLINK.
Bringing the clinking wine cups to his lips, he thought.
‘It seems… there’s no particular connection to the Blood Cult.’
Over the past few days, by helping Pang Mu-guang train at night and building a bond with him, he had sometimes wandered with the fellow to the deeper parts of the Pang Family under various pretexts, but he had not discovered anything suspicious.
Finally, only one thing remained.
“SWALLOW! SWALLOW!”
To Pang Mu-gwang, who drank the wine coolly, if he confirmed just one more thing, he would cleanly sever the connection between the Blood Cult and the Pang Family and return to Hangzhou.
“KHA-HA-HA! Is it because I ate with such rare company? Today my intoxication is rising even faster!”
“Pang hyung is sitting near the stove, so that makes sense.”
“…Ah.”
As expected, Pang Mu-gwang’s words piqued Jegal Chan’s interest.
Setting down his wine cup, Pang Mu-gwang closed his eyes tightly before opening them again, then laughed with a whoop and offered Gwak Yeon some side dish.
“By the way, Young Master Gwak! Try this too! It’s a famous Beijing dish—Dongpo pork. It pairs amazingly well with the strong liquor from this Huangzhou lineage.”
“Dongpo pork is originally from Zhejiang cuisine. Young Master Gwak knows that well.”
“…Still, it’s Beijing-style, so it can’t be the same, right?”
“Within the range of what Young Master Gwak knows.”
“…Really? Young Master Gwak?”
Pang Mu-gwang turned to ask the blunt Jegal Chan.
At his smiling question, Gwak Yeon answered smoothly.
“I don’t know much about this kind of thing… I think someone with broader experience and a greater appreciation for delicacies than me would be better suited to answer. For example, someone like the Young Master over there…”
“K-KHEM!”
Yeo Baek-rang perked up his ears from the side.
Judging by the pleased twitch of his lips at the praise, if he didn’t seize the opportunity, he would use his chopsticks immediately.
“Uhm! This is different from the Dongpo pork I tasted in Zhejiang! While the savory aroma wraps the mouth, the spicy kick is a completely different delicacy!”
“That’s because I dipped it in a different sauce just now—hup!”
“Uha-ha!”
Pang Mu-gwang covered Jegal Chan’s mouth to stop him from objecting to Yeo Baek-rang’s praise, then laughed as he opened his mouth.
“As expected, Young Master So-dan! I heard that in Ningbo, where the great merchant group is based, one can even taste the specialty of driving out barbarians… If you ever go there, could you introduce such a delicacy to me?”
“Of course!”
Yeo Baek-rang nodded while sipping, then said.
“You are always welcome! When these people are here, I will treat you all in the name of Yeo Baek-rang!”
“Just hearing that makes me happy!”
At this, the cheerful atmosphere spread once more.
The clinking of wine cups and laughter continued as the noisy banquet went on.
Nod.
Ju Hwa-jeong and Hwang Pil exchanged glances and nodded toward Yeo Baek-rang, who then nodded at Pang Mu-gwang.
“Here!”
Pang Mu-gwang called out loudly to gather everyone’s attention.
Standing up, he looked at Gwak Yeon together with Yeo Baek-rang and spoke again.
“Before we get too drunk, it’s better to give it now!”
“That’s right!”
“Here, Young Master Gwak!”
“Young Master Gwak!”
As he moistened his lips with the wine cup, Gwak Yeon lifted his head at the meaningful call.
‘Hmm?’
From the side, he saw a chest being carried by the martial artists.
“A gift of gratitude.”
“A gift… Do you mean?”
“That’s right!”
At Pang Mu-gwang’s gesture as if deferring the explanation, Yeo Baek-rang continued proudly.
“This time, our Cheonhae Merchant Group and the Hubei Pang Family have concluded a large-scale transaction, and Young Master Gwak and all of you from Iyeongak have provided tremendous assistance!”
“That’s….”
“Don’t worry! This is not a formal payment for the trade you conducted, but merely a small gift we prepared!”
In the center of the banquet hall sat the chest.
Thinking about it.
Over the past few days, a few from the merchant side and the Pang side had been unusually attached, crossing the pavilion halls.
‘…Strange.’
He hadn’t paid much attention to the other side.
Now that it was a gift prepared jointly by the Hubei Pang Family and Cheonhae Merchant Group, the hair on his neck stood up a little.
“Please accept the gift we have prepared!”
CLUNK.
The chest opened, and the gift was revealed.
‘This…?!’