Chapter 90
“Who are you?”
Why are the ‘gatekeepers’ everywhere I go so rude?
The gatekeeper of the Martial Alliance Headquarters glanced at me as if I were a peddler and asked.
At that moment,
『Brother. Don’t even think about causing trouble!』
『……』
『It’s the Martial Alliance Headquarters, isn’t it? Usually, the distinguished guests who visit the headquarters are sect leaders or executives, so they’re accompanied by seven or eight subordinates. But we came here with only two people, and we’re not familiar faces, so it’s understandable that the Martial Alliance, with its tight security, would be wary.』
『……』
Like that……
Just as I was about to get angry at the rudeness of the gatekeeper who had eaten a bowl of rudeness, Yeon-u sent me a telepathic message.
As a person with strong patience, I endured it once and spoke to the gatekeeper.
“I’ve come to participate in the Martial Heroes Tournament.”
Despite that, the gatekeeper still looked at me with suspicion and asked.
“The tournament is still a long way off, but you’ve arrived already?”
“The world is so vast, how can everyone arrive at the same time?”
“Hmm…… But who are you?”
With the repeated questions, my mood worsened.
At that moment, Yeon-u urgently intervened and spoke to the gatekeeper.
“Haha. Nice to meet you. I’m Seok Yeon-u of the Dongcheon Seokga Estate, and this is Sect Leader Jin So-cheon of the Jang’an Dawn Heaven Sect.”
Only then.
The gatekeeper’s eyes widened in surprise, and he spoke in a somewhat subdued voice.
“Is that so? You must have had a long journey. Please, come in.”
However, my discomfort did not dissipate.
Why?
Honestly……
I thought that the moment my name was mentioned, the gatekeeper would at least react with something like, ‘Are you the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect, who has recently gained fame?’ even if he didn’t grovel.
However, contrary to my expectations, the gatekeeper treated me like I was nothing and quickly turned away. Instead, he seemed more favorable towards Yeon-u.
‘I’m still a nobody that he’s never heard of.’
Once again……
I just chuckled at the thought that I still had a long way to go.
Anyway……
Wouldn’t I become famous if I achieved good results in this Martial Heroes Tournament?
Actually, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.
◈ ◈ ◈
From the moment I arrived at the Martial Alliance, I was met with a series of disappointments.
Of course, it wasn’t that the Martial Alliance was shabby or outdated, but starting with the rude gatekeeper, the condition of the quarters provided to us was disappointing.
“I’m just a nobody from a backwater sect in Jang’an, but you’re the son of the Seokga Estate, known as the wealthiest family in Shaanxi. Aren’t we being treated too poorly?”
Initially, I thought Yeon-u and I would each be provided with a separate guest room.
However, the Martial Alliance only provided us with a single, old thatched-roof house on the outskirts of the forest, far from the main building, which secretly frustrated me.
But Yeon-u seemed to have a different opinion.
“Brother, isn’t this okay? This tournament will have participants from all factions in the Jianghu except for the Demonic Cult, so they can’t provide good accommodations for everyone, right? Besides, it’s a separate, independent place, so it seems perfect for quietly practicing and staying……”
“Yeon-u.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s say, as you said, due to the scale of the tournament, nobodies like us can’t stay in guest rooms or accommodations inside the main building. Well…… I guess the renowned figures from the Nine Great Sects or the Cult of the Evil Path executives would have taken those places. But if we’re given accommodations in such a remote place, who will take care of us? We’re guests, too. We have to cook, do laundry, clean…… Do you think it’s okay to do all that ourselves?”
“It’s not that difficult. If you and I take turns……”
“Shut up!”
I.
I abruptly glared and responded to Yeon-u’s sophistry with a shout.
“Me, cooking, doing laundry, and cleaning?”
“Brother, you originally cooked, did laundry, and everything for So-yun. What’s the problem?”
“Yes, I did cook, do laundry, and clean for So-yun because I’m a father, and I can do it anytime in the future.”
“But?”
“But you’re not the one I’m doing it for.”
“What?”
“I mean, I have no intention of cooking, doing laundry, or cleaning for you. In other words……”
“……!”
“From this moment until the end of the tournament, all cooking, laundry, and cleaning are Seok Yeon-u’s sole responsibility, and you have to take care of all my other needs as well.”
“???”
At my words, Yeon-u’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he displayed a bewildered expression.
However, I didn’t care because from the moment we embarked on this journey together, all the chores were Yeon-u’s responsibility anyway.
“I will not accept any objections.”
“This is really absurd……”
“If you don’t like it, get stronger.”
“Forget it, forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Just as Yeon-u and I were chuckling and bickering,
“Excuse me……! Guests!!”
The gatekeeper, who had been rude to me at first and guided us to our quarters, started speaking in a polite tone and hurriedly ran towards us as if nothing had happened.
“What is it?”
When I asked, the gatekeeper, unlike before, maintained a gentle voice and expression and said.
“Um…… Sect Leader Jin. The Alliance Leader is looking for you. You may not have recovered from your journey yet, but…… would you like to have a meal with the Alliance Leader?”
Only then……
Did I feel at ease.
However, apart from that, I found it somewhat unexpected that the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, a person of such high standing, would call for me separately.
“It’s fine, but why is the Alliance Leader looking for me? There must be many other guests arriving today……”
“I’m afraid that’s not something I can tell you……”
Hmm……
Just an hour ago, he was treating me like I was nothing, and now he’s suddenly being so polite? Did he receive some orders? Was he told to pay special attention to the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect because he’s a distinguished guest?
The change in his attitude is quite disgusting.
But what can I do?
The Alliance Leader is calling for me.
I had no choice but to nod.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll guide you, Sect Leader.”
“……But say.”
“Yes?”
“You were quite cold earlier, but why are you being so subservient now? Did you receive some kind of order? Were you told to treat the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect as a VIP?”
I asked because I was curious about the gatekeeper’s intentions.
Then, the gatekeeper had a bewildered expression on his face, and Yeon-u stared at me with a look as if he had eaten something unpleasant.
“Did I do something wrong?”
At my question, Yeon-u just let out a deep sigh and said.
“Huu…… Forget it.”
What the……?
What’s wrong with this guy again?
◈ ◈ ◈
“Welcome.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The current Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance, Namgung Hak.
I was indifferent when I first met him, but Yeon-u was different.
“It is an honor for Seok Yeon-u, a humble junior of the martial world, to meet the Alliance Leader!”
Upon seeing the Alliance Leader, Yeon-u bowed and greeted him, his voice trembling, clearly showing signs of nervousness.
“Oh…… You’re the young master Seok of the Seokga Estate. I met your father a few years ago. Was your father a disciple of Cheongmun Sword Master?”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well. Please, have a seat.”
Alliance Leader Namgung Hak offered Yeon-u and me seats and poured us each a glass of alcohol.
Just by smelling the fragrance , it seemed like a high-quality liquor like Golden Bell Liquor, and the table was also filled with various delicacies. Since I was hungry, I started wielding my chopsticks in a hurry.
Poke, poke━.
Then, Yeon-u poked my thigh as if he was dissatisfied with something. I looked at him, not knowing why, and then my eyes met with the Alliance Leader, who was looking at me with amusement.
“Haha. Sect Leader Jin. You’re as straightforward as I’ve heard.”
“Have you heard of me?”
“Yes. I’ve heard about you from the Cult Leader of the Evil Path, who has been frequenting the headquarters regarding the tournament.”
However……
I had expected the Alliance Leader to speak down to me, but surprisingly, he spoke respectfully.
Compared to the Cult Leader of the Evil Path, who spoke informally from the start, the Alliance Leader was indeed worthy of being the leader of the Righteous Path.
Of course, you can’t judge a person’s character solely based on their speech.
“I see. How did the Cult Leader of the Evil Path introduce me……?”
“Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu said that you’re not only very straightforward but also unpredictable. He also mentioned that your martial arts are quite unique.”
“Unique……”
“Yes. Even the Cult Leader of the Evil Path has quite a deep understanding of martial arts. But even he couldn’t figure out the origin of your martial arts, so I was quite curious.”
Suddenly.
I sensed the hidden intention behind Alliance Leader Namgung Hak’s words.
He was asking about the roots of my martial arts.
But I just smiled and kept my mouth shut.
“I see. Then I suppose that’s fortunate for me.”
“Fortunate? How so?”
“Understanding the origin of a martial art means you can also understand its weaknesses.”
At my answer, Namgung Hak’s eyes were filled with deep curiosity.
“Can I hear your insights on this matter?”
I continued my answer with a smile.
“The origin of a martial art includes its direction, its foundation, and its principles. If someone were to understand the origin of my martial art, they could potentially research ways to counter it, wouldn’t they?”
“That makes sense.”
“But the fact that even a great martial artist like the Cult Leader of the Evil Path had difficulty figuring out the origin of my martial arts……”
“……”
“means that even skilled experts can’t easily understand or analyze my martial arts, which can only be fortunate for me.”
“Huh……!”
At my words, Namgung Hak let out a gasp of admiration, his expression and voice filled with complex emotions. Yeon-u was looking at me with a strange expression.
“Sect Leader Jin. Although it’s hard to agree with everything…… You certainly seem like someone with a strong martial philosophy and conviction. You’re still young…… Such conviction in a martial artist is something only a grandmaster can possess. Indeed, the Cult Leader of the Evil Path’s assessment wasn’t an exaggeration.”
For a moment……
I almost blurted out, ‘Of course. In fact, his assessment might have been an understatement!’ without realizing it.
Fortunately, I held back because I didn’t want to give off an arrogant impression from our first meeting, especially considering who I was talking to. So, I gave a formal reply.
“You flatter me.”
“Haha. Please, have another drink. Young Master Seok, you too.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
And so, with that brief conversation with the Alliance Leader, we exchanged drinks in a friendly atmosphere for a while.
I had expected the Alliance Leader to continue his persistent questioning about the origin of my martial arts.
But he actually put me at ease by engaging in trivial conversations, and Yeon-u seemed pleased with the atmosphere, smiling brightly.
However, unfortunately.
It didn’t take long for that atmosphere to shatter.
“It is an honor for Peng of the Hebei Peng Family to meet Senior Namgung.”
“It is an honor to meet the esteemed Alliance Leader. I am Eon of the Jinju Eon Family!”
Soon, three men and women entered the Alliance Leader’s office. The two men who greeted him first in loud voices were from the Hebei Peng Family and the Jinju Eon Family, respectively.
“Alliance Leader. I have arrived early following the orders of my sect leader.”
The woman who greeted him last didn’t reveal her identity, suggesting that she was acquainted with the Alliance Leader.
But……
The problem lay in their gazes.
‘What arrogant looks.’
Literally……
The two men from the Hebei Peng Family and the Jinju Eon Family started giving me arrogant looks as soon as they saw me, and the unidentified young woman glanced at Yeon-u and me with cold eyes, which was also unpleasant.
“Yeon-u.”
“Yes?”
“Is there something on my face?”
“Yes?”
“Because someone keeps staring at me.”
“Yes?”
“People these days all have such fierce eyes. That’s not polite.”
“???”
Now that I’ve cast the bait……
It’ll be fine to quietly drag them away later and beat them up where no one can see, right?