Chapter – 74
“Big brother is grandfather’s disciple.”
As the people from Cheonmyeong Manor left the inn, the tense atmosphere slightly eased, but their wary gazes toward the Sword Spirit party remained.
“Let’s eat.”
Sword Spirit (Geomryeong) sat down casually, seemingly unaffected by the stares of the others.
Ye Hwirang sat beside Geomryeong, keeping an eye on the others, including Jeok Hwamyung, as if gauging their reactions, while the rest eventually took their seats, glancing at one another.
“Take your time eating.”
Geomryeong said this to make Ye Hwirang feel comfortable while eating.
“But Geomryeong-oppa, why are those people bothering you?”
“That’s because I killed some members of their family.”
“I see. But why did you kill them?”
“I had mastered demonic arts. I discovered someone trying to kill others, so I stopped him. In the fight, his demonic energy exploded, and I had no choice but to kill him.”
“I see. So those people were bad. But… oppa.”
Ye Hwirang asked Geomryeong questions, and he patiently answered each one.
Having lived in Baekma Cave until recently, she was full of curiosity about the world. In fact, Geomryeong himself didn’t know much about the world either. For questions he didn’t know, he often asked Seo Gunha.
“Sister, then…”
Ye Hwirang kept asking questions even while eating, though now her questions were directed at Seo Gunha instead of Geomryeong.
“That rumor seems to be true, oppa.”
The mid-to-late-level martial artists from Shandong murmured in low voices, but no one failed to hear it.
“Well… since they were humiliated at Cheonmyeong Manor, they probably won’t stay quiet.”
“Cheonmyeong Manor is a sect representing Guangdong Province… will they really be okay?”
Heo Jinran from the comic shop asked with some concern.
“Are you worried about that young man getting hurt?”
Gun Jaegi, her master, asked, making her cheeks turn red.
“No… no, I’m not.”
“They’ll be fine. None of them is weaker than me. At the very least, the whole Cheonmyeong Manor would need to mobilize to stand against them.”
When one of the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks, Hwang Bosung, spoke, the party looked slightly surprised.
Although he hadn’t made it into the top one hundred, he was still considered one of the strongest among the late-stage martial artists, ranked highest among the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks.
“Is that true?”
Hwang Boran asked.
“Yes. And since they’re hearing us talk right now, it’s best we stop here.”
Hwang Bosung stood up, bowed toward Jeok Hwamyung in a martial greeting, and spoke:
“I am Hwang Bosung of the Hwangbo family, one of the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks. I find myself in a position of grudge unintentionally. We wish to clarify that we have no relation with Cheonmyeong Manor.”
In the martial world, even minor matters required the formal establishment of a relationship of favor or enmity. It was wise to clarify one’s stance: it was acceptable to form ties of favor, but enmity was best avoided.
“So, you’re Hwang Bosung of the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks? The rumor seems insufficient.”
Jeok Hwamyung replied to him.
“Do not worry. We also know that you have no relation to Cheonmyeong Manor.”
“Thank you for understanding, Master Jeok Hwamyung.”
Hwang Bosung returned to his seat after clarifying their stance.
Geomryeong nodded to Hwang Bosung and sent a private message to Yoo Akgun.
―Are all Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks at that level?
―No. Cheonryong and Hwaryong are one step above them. Hyeolbong and Mabong are also a step above. The rest are roughly equal, though they are the strongest among the late-stage martial artists. Many of them will likely make it into the top one hundred with time.
Yoo Akgun’s explanation made him nod in understanding.
Though not at the pinnacle, they were already beyond the level of an elite first-class practitioner.
“So, it comes to a clash after all.”
Jeok Hwamyung had expected a confrontation at some point but hadn’t imagined it would happen like this.
“I’m sorry, brother!”
If he hadn’t wanted to watch the martial arts tournament, he could have avoided this entirely.
“Why apologize? It’s good. We have to settle grudges anyway. Are you alright?”
He asked whether he was alright facing Cheonmyeong Manor.
“Cheonmyeong Manor is no problem. Our master could destroy them single-handedly. You needn’t worry. Before you even get involved, it will be over by my hand.”
Jeok Hwamyung chuckled at Yoo Akgun’s confidence.
Since meeting Geomryeong with Master Gun Ilsan of Hyeongsan, he already had some faith in him, though he still recognized human limits.
“I’m fine. Please don’t worry too much.”
“Don’t worry. Whoever bothers oppa will be dealt with by Hwirang.”
Seeing her ready to help, Geomryeong smiled, a smile that captivated the women among the late-stage martial artists from Shandong.
“Let’s eat first. We can deal with later matters later.”
“Right. Hwirang, eat a lot.”
“Yes, Mister Jeok.”
As the martial arts tournament approached, many people gathered in Wuhun, Hubei Province.
They came from all over the Central Plains—martial artists, poets, and even government officials—eager to witness one of the three major martial arts events.
With so many people gathered, naturally, the streets were filled with discussions about martial arts.
Talkative onlookers spoke of sects, the top one hundred martial artists, and even the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks, attracting attention and gathering useful information along the way.
Among all these topics, discussions of demonic arts were the most popular.
Stories of Samship Nianmajon Samyeongok and his disciples, the Ma people, could be heard in any inn in Wuhun, Hubei Province.
Listening to such stories, people could feel that the martial arts tournament was truly near.
“What will you do, Sir?”
Cheon Jin-haeng of Cheonryong Trading Company had completed his business in Wuhun and needed to return to Zhongjing.
If he had more free time, he would have liked to stay with Geomryeong during the tournament, but his schedule didn’t allow it.
After finishing their tasks, he asked in the inn where his group was staying:
“I plan to stay in Wuhun until the martial arts tournament ends.”
As expected.
“Sir… about Hwirang…”
His voice was cautious.
Ye Hwirang was like family to him; it was natural to worry and want to take care of her.
“I’ll ask Hwirang.”
“If she wishes to follow you, that’s fine. Otherwise, I can take her to the main family to protect her.”
“I understand.”
Both Geomryeong and Cheon Jin-haeng knew that Ye Hwirang wouldn’t leave with him, yet they asked out of genuine concern.
“Sir.”
“Yes?”
“Will you really be alright? Cheonmyeong Manor is among the most formidable martial sects in Guangdong.”
To say he wasn’t worried would be a lie. People always worry about the unknown.
“Don’t worry. If they could defeat my grandfather, then I’d have to worry. Otherwise, there’s no reason to be concerned.”
Mentioning the Godly Horse Clan and Cheon Nam-yeon, Cheon Jin-haeng’s face reflected pride.
“Still, it’s better to avoid danger if possible.”
“I will. Don’t worry about me.”
Geomryeong reassured him. He felt gratitude, thinking this was similar to the concern a parent would feel for their child.
Cheon Jin-haeng of Cheonryong, Gu Seomin of Guga Ironworks, and Yak Jin-yong of Hwaseong—he was thankful to them all.
After some conversation, they arrived at the inn where their party was staying.
“I will meet with Hwirang and talk.”
The two entered the inn.
Geomryeong climbed to the third floor, where Seo Gunha and Ye Hwirang were staying.
“Nu-i!”
He called to Seo Gunha at the door.
The door opened, revealing Ye Hwirang studying a book in front of her.
“Geomryeong-oppa, Hwirang is studying.”
Her proud words brought a smile to his face.
―Hwirang…
Geomryeong asked her through a private message:
―Cheon Jin-haeng wishes to take you to his family for protection. What do you think? Is it alright to stay with oppa?
―Mom said to follow Geomryeong-oppa.
Geomryeong nodded. Seo Gunha noticed something exchanged between the two but didn’t pry.
Partly, she even felt a little jealous at the sight of their quiet exchange.
“Yes, you must study diligently and learn etiquette.”
“Ye Hwirang is smart. She’ll do well.”
Though her physical growth lagged behind her mental maturity, it was likely because she had lived alone and longed for attention.
“Nu-i, please take good care of Hwirang.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll wait downstairs; we can come down together later.”
After Geomryeong left, Seo Gunha closed the room door.
“Geomryeong-oppa asked me if I would go with Sir Cheon Jin-haeng.”
Ye Hwirang spoke first.
“Really?”
“Yes, but I said no. Mom told me to follow Geomryeong-oppa.”
Seo Gunha understood her feelings, knowing how much she relied on Geomryeong.
“Good. Let’s travel the martial world with Geomryeong and see many wonderful things.”
“Yes, Nu-i also likes Geomryeong-oppa.”
Her words left Seo Gunha momentarily speechless.
“Hwirang likes Geomryeong-oppa. Nu-i also hopes I like Geomryeong-oppa.”
Seo Gunha smiled, caressing Ye Hwirang’s head.
“Yes, I like Geomryeong too.”
“Yes, oppa is so handsome that girls will like him.”
“Where did you learn that?”
“Mom said I’m pretty, so when I grow up, boys will like me. Oppa is pretty too, so girls will like him.”
It sounded like self-praise, though perhaps she meant it differently.
“By the way, how much have you mastered Ice-White Small Body Technique?”
“I’ve reached completion but not mastery. If mastered, I can extend the technique’s aura ten chang around me. Now it’s only seven.”
Though she spoke casually, it was astonishing.
‘She’s at a similar level to me.’
Comparable to Seo Gunha, one of the top one hundred martial artists. When wielding her sword, she could extend her domain seven chang.
“Nu-i.”
“Yes?”
“How strong is Geomryeong-oppa?”
Seo Gunha didn’t know precisely either but knew from Master Gun Ilsan that he was recognized as an even higher-level martial artist.
“I’m not sure, but he’s definitely the strongest in the martial world.”
Ye Hwirang smiled widely at the answer. Perhaps she wanted to hear that.
“Oppa is the strongest. Because he’s grandfather’s disciple.”
The words “grandfather’s disciple” made Seo Gunha blink. She knew him as the disciple of Jeonmo Yakbing.
Geomryeong, Yoo Akgun, and Jeok Hwamyung didn’t bother explaining that he had also inherited the martial arts of Godly Horse Clan’s Cheon Nam-yeon and Phantom Demon Master, so they kept it simple.
“What does that mean? Grandfather’s disciple?”
“Geomryeong-oppa is my grandfather’s disciple, so he’s incredibly strong.”
“Who is your grandfather?”
“Godly Horse Clan’s Cheon Nam-yeon! Mom said he’s the greatest martial artist alive.”
Seo Gunha was stunned by Ye Hwirang’s words.
“You know my grandfather too, right?”
“Uh… yes.”
“Since Geomryeong-oppa is grandfather’s disciple, he must be the strongest in this land.”
It was a simple statement, yet true. Geomryeong still lacked life experience, but with Jeok Hwamyung and Yoo Akgun by his side, he hadn’t faced serious difficulties.
‘Doesn’t sound like a lie…’
Seo Gunha was surprised by two things: that Cheon Nam-yeon had a granddaughter, and that his disciple was Jeonmo Yakbing’s disciple!
‘Wait, Phantom Demon Master Gu Yeongcheol also disappeared from the martial world at the same time… Could they all be hiding in the same place?’
‘Yu Howi, the so-called bodyguard, also seems unaffiliated with any righteous faction.’
She realized there was much she didn’t know about Geomryeong, Jeok Hwamyung, and Yoo Akgun.
“Nu-i, why are you deep in thought?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Seo Gunha smiled and pulled the book closer to Ye Hwirang.
“Hwirang, let’s study a bit more, then come down for dinner and chat with Geomryeong-oppa and the others.”
“Yes! Hwirang will study hard to make Geomryeong-oppa happy.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
‘I should learn a bit more while I have the chance.’
