Chapter 138: Chapter 138
“This is it.”
Cheon-hwi smiled as he tilted his liquor cup.
The taste of the liquor going down was truly excellent.
It was understandable, for the liquor currently filling the cup was a very precious fine liquor.
Maotai Liquor.
It was a fine liquor with a prominent Jiangxiang, smooth and with a long-lasting aftertaste.
‘It has been a while since I drank this.’
His lips relaxed, and his smile deepened.
Delicacies from land and sea, and the precious fine liquor, Maotai Liquor.
The combination of these two was enough to make his lips relax loosely.
“It is good.”
Cheon-hwi’s chopstick movements quickened, and along with it, the liquor also rapidly decreased.
“…….”
Sitting opposite him, Yang Jo-gang-gang watched with a dumbfounded face, then shook his head.
Maotai Liquor was a precious fine liquor.
To the extent that even the Divine Spear Yang Clan, which had deep ties with the military, only had a few bottles.
Still, since he was a benefactor, he had made up his mind and brought it out, but far from being surprised, he looked accustomed to it.
As if he had drank it a lot before.
‘I really cannot figure out his identity.’
He withdrew his gaze and stared at Peng Cheol-wi.
After that, he continued the conversation that had been paused.
“What are your thoughts after the treatment. Are you thinking of going back to the Sichuan Tang Clan?”
Peng Cheol-wi glanced at the rising stars.
“I don’t think I can give you a definite answer right now. If it’s alright, could I integrate everyone’s opinions and inform you separately later?”
Yang Jo-gang-gang looked at him with surprised eyes.
Normally, after experiencing such an ordeal, one wouldn’t even dare to think about entering Jianghu again.
But looking at his reaction now, it seemed he wanted to go out into Jianghu again.
“It seems you want to go.”
“It is my personal opinion.”
“Even after experiencing that ordeal?”
“I was told by my father that Jianghu has always been such a place.”
Peng Cheol-wi’s eyes sank heavily.
“Haha, as expected of the Peng Clan.”
Yang Jo-gang-gang laughed heartily.
However, that was only for a moment, as he wiped away his smile and smacked his lips.
“But struggle to live as much as possible.”
His eyes contained Peng Cheol-wi.
“There is nothing if you die. Even the reputation you have built up and your martial prowess will disappear in that instant……. Especially for someone with a bright future like you, you can achieve far more in the future just by surviving, so why would you try to die.”
A low voice.
But the heaviness of the words contained within it was slowly pressing down on the room.
Cheon-hwi also briefly paused drinking together.
‘He is strong.’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes sharpened.
He was a figure who would be reliable if an ally, and the one who must be killed first if an enemy.
Silence flowed.
The rising stars in particular closed their eyes as they etched Yang Jo-gang-gang’s words into their hearts.
A moment later, Peng Cheol-wi cupped his fists.
“I will deeply engrave the Great Hero’s advice into my heart.”
“Then that is fine.”
Yang Jo-gang-gang chuckled.
With that, the heavy atmosphere lightened slightly.
“So think about it carefully. Even if it is the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, there is no need to unconditionally attend. If you cannot go, you may stay at this clan.”
“Understood.”
“If you still wish to go to the Tang Clan, tell me. I will attach an escort to you.”
At his words, flowers bloomed on the faces of the rising stars, including Peng Cheol-wi.
“Thank you.”
“Haha, it’s nothing. Isn’t it natural as figures of the same society.”
Yang Jo-gang-gang waved his hand.
“More than that, I have spoken for too long. It would be better to have our meal now.”
With those words, the meal began again in a harmonious atmosphere.
* * *
“Yawn.”
Cheon-hwi, who had been lying on the bed, yawned as he looked at the sunlight coming through the gap in the window.
It was the fifth day since he stayed at the Divine Spear Yang Clan.
During that time, Cheon-hwi was fully enjoying his current life more than anyone else.
“Should I stay a little longer before leaving.”
Originally, he had thought of staying for only three or four days and then leaving, but Cheon-hwi, who liked this current life, was rolling around on the bed, even postponing his departure date.
It was understandable, because just as Yang Se-ryeong had promised, not only was a sumptuous feast served every day, but he was also receiving extremely devoted treatment.
Was that all.
The servants of the Divine Spear Yang Clan took care of everything whenever they saw him.
From their perspective, it must have been because Cheon-hwi was the benefactor who had saved Yang Se-ryeong.
Right then, the door opened.
“Great Hero.”
Yang Se-ryeong opened the door and entered.
Perhaps because she visited every day, she entered naturally and said as she set down the bowl in her hand next to Cheon-hwi.
“I bought some sweets, would you like to eat?”
“Sweets? That’s great.”
Cheon-hwi glanced at the bowl, then reached out his left hand and picked up a colorful sweet.
As he put it in his mouth, it melted softly.
Moreover, perhaps a little salt was added inside the sweet, as the aftertaste being both sweet and salty was very good.
“This is delicious.”
“I’m glad it’s to the Great Hero’s liking. I’ll buy some more next time.”
She smiled gently.
“Do you happen to need anything else?”
“Not particularly right now.”
“Then how about some liquor? I have a fine liquor that I specially obtained this time…….”
Yang Se-ryeong spoke tactfully.
There were a few things she had found out while visiting every day for four days.
One of them was exactly this.
Although he enjoyed tea as well, he liked drinking alone even more.
Even if it was in the middle of the day.
And as she had expected, Cheon-hwi’s eyes sparkled as he asked.
“What kind is it?”
“From the western region…….”
Meanwhile, there were two people who were watching that scene as they passed by.
They were none other than Zhuge Seung-ho and Moyong Sang.
‘They are being very affectionate everywhere.’
Zhuge Seung-ho let out a hollow laugh.
In fact, the two had been in the pavilion, but when Hwangbo So-hyeon came looking for him, they tactfully slipped away.
Peng Cheol-wi and Hwangbo So-hyeon had become so close that they were practically no different from lovers, only stopping short of calling him ‘husband’.
‘More than that, I wonder if he’ll be alright.’
Zhuge Seung-ho stole a glance at Moyong Sang.
In truth, although the rest of the party didn’t know, Zhuge Seung-ho knew that Moyong Sang secretly harbored feelings for Yang Se-ryeong.
Because the number of times he looked at Yang Se-ryeong was more than double that of anyone else.
“They seem to be on good terms.”
Surprisingly, he spoke calmly.
At that reaction, Zhuge Seung-ho looked at Moyong Sang with surprised eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“Pardon?”
“Actually, didn’t Young Master Moyong like Young Lady Yang?”
“Haha, I tried to hide it, but you already knew.”
Moyong Sang said as he scratched his head.
“Do not worry. I gave up early on. Could I even squeeze in between those two.”
Zhuge Seung-ho’s eyes widened at Moyong Sang’s frank words.
‘Young Master Moyong wasn’t this kind of person…….’
It was a truly surprising change.
At the time of their first meeting, he was someone who lived with a sense of his own superiority, but after experiencing this journey, he had changed significantly.
‘No, it’s not just Young Master Moyong.’
He let out a laugh.
Because, not only himself, but all the rising stars had changed a lot unlike in the beginning.
“But it seems Young Lady Yang will have a hard time.”
Moyong Sang said as he looked at the two.
Unlike Yang Se-ryeong paying attention, Cheon-hwi appeared indifferent.
It was a sharply contrasting reaction.
It seemed it would be no ordinary difficulty for Yang Se-ryeong to captivate him.
Suddenly recalling something, Moyong Sang flinched and carefully asked Zhuge Seung-ho.
“……Did I act like that too?”
“Haha.”
Zhuge Seung-ho let out an awkward laugh.
At that positive reaction, Moyong Sang also laughed awkwardly.
“Hah. It was obvious enough to be noticed.”
“Still, the others didn’t know.”
“I wonder if I should call that a true relief.”
While the two were laughing and conversing.
“Were you all here?”
“Why did you suddenly go out?”
Peng Cheol-wi came with Hwangbo So-hyeon.
“You came out quite early. I thought the two of you would continue staying together…….”
Zhuge Seung-ho, who had meaningfully trailed off, looked back and forth between the two and asked.
“Have you finished talking?”
Peng Cheol-wi nodded his head.
“Young Lady Hwangbo also says she is going.”
“I am going too.”
The two smiled as they looked at each other.
At that reaction, Zhuge Seung-ho grinned.
“But why did you come all the way here?”
“Hahaha, I came to see the Great Hero’s face before leaving.”
“Husband Peng……. Ah! No, because Young Master Peng said he wanted to greet the Great Hero before leaving.”
Hearing Hwangbo So-hyeon’s slip of the tongue, Zhuge Seung-ho and Moyong Sang both smiled slyly.
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Haha, the weather is nice.”
At their reaction, Peng Cheol-wi and Hwangbo So-hyeon’s faces began to turn bright red.
They cooled their heated faces by fanning themselves with their hands.
Zhuge Seung-ho and Moyong Sang grinned as if they found their reaction amusing.
“Then we shall go together too.”
“I also need to greet the Great Hero.”
“Understood.”
Peng Cheol-wi, unable to hide his red ears, walked side-by-side with Hwangbo So-hyeon.
Seeing the two’s retreating figures, Zhuge Seung-ho subconsciously smiled softly.
‘I didn’t know they would get this close.’
It was a novel feeling.
It was certain that if there had been no attack from the Sun Moon Sect, such a relationship would not have formed.
A relationship where coincidence upon coincidence was combined.
Heavenly luck bestowed from the sky, in other words.
‘Is this what they call karma.’
It was a joy he was experiencing for the first time in a while.
‘For the first time, I am thankful to my older brother.’
Soon, they arrived inside the pavilion.
As soon as the two saw Cheon-hwi, they abruptly cupped their fists and conveyed their greetings of gratitude.
“Thanks to the Great Hero, we were able to preserve our lives.”
“Thank you.”
“It is not free, so pay me back later.”
At Cheon-hwi’s words, the two opened their eyes wide, then soon smiled.
It was because their minds became much more at ease by his appearance of wanting a price.
“I will definitely prepare items while waiting for the day the Great Hero visits in the future.”
“I will also tell my clan.”
Cheon-hwi half-listened to the two’s answers, then chewed on the sweet again.
‘Mmm, it’s delicious.’
At that time, Peng Cheol-wi carefully approached.
“Great Hero. If it’s alright with you, could I receive some guidance in a single move?”
At Peng Cheol-wi’s earnest request, Hwangbo So-hyeon and Yang Se-ryeong’s eyes widened slightly.
Cheon-hwi swallowed the sweet.
“Guidance?”
“That is right.”
“Hmm, you mean you want a spar?”
Peng Cheol-wi’s eyes widened.
He had only wanted a little guidance, but a spar.
Wasn’t it a stroke of great luck.
“I would be nothing but grateful if you did.”
At Peng Cheol-wi’s answer unable to hide his joy, Cheon-hwi pondered for a moment.
‘The Peng Clan’s martial arts…….’
He was indeed curious about what it was.
Moreover, Peng Cheol-wi’s skill was the most useful among those mediocre guys, so it also seemed fine.
However, he had no thought of doing it easily.
“My guidance is expensive.”
As he slightly dropped the words.
“……Is there something you want?”
“Not right now…….”
Cheon-hwi grinned.
“How about you grant my request later?”
“Good.”
Peng Cheol-wi accepted immediately without a moment’s hesitation.
Because, regardless of what request it might be, the guidance was more urgent for him right now.
‘Even for my future, I must exchange blows with the Great Hero.’
Right now he looked fine on the outside, but in truth, his insides were a mess.
Cheon-hwi’s overwhelming martial prowess.
After witnessing that, he had been dyed in a deep sense of defeat and frustration.
An unreachable existence above the heavens.
Because he had witnessed that existence, his sense of loss was deeper and darker than ever before.
Of course, there was no certainty that exchanging blows would shake it off.
‘I have to try anything.’
Shouldn’t he at least try twisting his body.
How much of a difference there was with him.
Whether he could catch up.
Peng Cheol-wi’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“Please take care of me.”
A short while later, all the rising stars gathered in one place in the manor.
“Will he be alright?”
Hwangbo So-hyeon looked at Peng Cheol-wi with worry.
Although his external injuries had completely healed yesterday, his opponent was a tremendous master.
“Since it is a spar, he will probably be alright.”
“The Great Hero will go easy on him.”
Zhuge Seung-ho and Moyong Sang spoke calmly to ease her worries.
Meanwhile, Yang Se-ryeong muttered.
“……I am envious of Young Master Peng.”
She was nothing but envious.
Wasn’t exchanging martial arts with a master no different from a fortuitous encounter for a martial artist.
“Huu.”
Peng Cheol-wi inhaled deeply and exhaled, slowly closing and opening his eyes.
The handsome young man looking down, opening his reddish-tinted eyes languidly.
If he had seen him for the first time without knowing him, he probably would have looked at him with eyes of contempt.
The moment he saw the two swords on the black martial uniform, it was clear he would have thought of him as a flashy third-rate martial artist.
‘Prejudice is indeed the greatest enemy.’
With sparkling eyes, he raised his blade.
Perhaps because he raised the blade he had been with for a long time, his pounding heart calmed down.
“Please instruct me in a move.”
Cheon-hwi looked at him and wiggled his hand.
“Come.”
The appearance of a master yielding to an inferior.
Originally, it was an action that would have hurt his pride, but Peng Cheol-wi knew his place.
What was a master and an inferior.
There was a difference that far exceeded that!
“Then…… I will go.”
Peng Cheol-wi erupted his internal energy.
The subtle internal energy of the Heaven and Earth Profound Void Divine Art wrapped around the blade, manifesting blade qi.
Following that, his blade was swung widely.
One quarter of an hour after the spar began.
Thud!
Cheon-hwi reminisced about the spar as he looked at Peng Cheol-wi, who had lost consciousness and collapsed, and Hwangbo So-hyeon, who hurriedly ran over to nurse him.
‘The Five Tigers Severing Gate Blade hasn’t changed.’
Even though three hundred years had passed, the Five Tigers Severing Gate Blade had not changed at all.
‘Is this the level of the Nine Dragons and Five Phoenixes.’
He stole a glance at Peng Cheol-wi.
His martial prowess was equal to, or perhaps one step below that of Jeok-geom.
However, the difference in internal energy was great.
In terms of internal energy alone, he was two or three steps above.
There was a difference of about ten years.
‘Should I make more Dark Fragrance Pills.’
At the moment Cheon-hwi, who was having thoughts that would make the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect foam at the mouth if they heard, was about to turn his body.
“Gre, Great Hero.”
Peng Cheol-wi struggled to raise his upper body.
After reassuring Hwangbo So-hyeon, who continued to worry beside him, he cupped his fists.
“Thank you for granting me guidance.”
“You probably haven’t learned anything.”
“Haha, as the Great Hero said, I suffered helplessly, so well, there was no time to learn, but…….”
Peng Cheol-wi spoke refreshingly.
“Still, I obtained one thing.”
Strength was loaded into his pupils.
“Someday I will make it so that I reach a level where I can draw the Great Hero’s sword.”
Resolve was loaded into Peng Cheol-wi’s voice.
It was the moment a new goal finally appeared for him, who had been wandering aimlessly after obtaining the title ‘Blade Dragon’.
‘I want to match him with Jeok-geom.’
He liked him.
A hearty personality and adequate martial arts.
He expected that if he matched him with Jeok-geom right now, they would rapidly grow together.
‘Well, let’s think about that when the time comes.’
At that time, Peng Cheol-wi bowed his head.
“Great Hero, thank you for everything until now. Tomorrow, we will depart again.”
Cheon-hwi casually looked and waved his hand.
“Have a good trip.”
At his attitude that seemed completely unconcerned whether they left or not, Peng Cheol-wi chuckled.
It was because he knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose, but truly didn’t even have any interest.
As he smiled, he cupped his fists.
“Please make sure to visit the Peng Clan.”
“Of course.”
Peng Cheol-wi beamed and stepped back.
With that, Hwangbo So-hyeon, who had been standing behind him, hesitantly approached and greeted him.
“I will be waiting for you to come to my clan.”
As she also stepped back with short words, this time Moyong Sang cupped his fists.
“I will definitely repay this favor.”
“Of course you should. Were you not going to repay it?”
“Haha, how could that be.”
Moyong Sang grinned widely.
“If by chance you do not come, I will repay the favor even by seeking the Great Hero out myself.”
“There is no need to go that far.”
Moyong Sang didn’t reply to those words and stepped backward while maintaining his smile.
“It is my turn.”
Following that, Zhuge Seung-ho slowly approached and made eye contact with Cheon-hwi as he spoke.
“Will you not accompany us?”
The rising stars were surprised by his words.
Because Zhuge Seung-ho’s words were a proposal that they had not heard of at all either.
“Accompany? Do you even know where I am going before you speak?”
“I do not know. But I do know that the direction the Great Hero wishes to go is west.”
Zhuge Seung-ho spoke calmly.
“Great Hero. Our destination is the westernmost end of Sichuan, the Sichuan Tang Clan. If it is up to there, isn’t it fine to accompany us.”
Cheon-hwi stared at him intently.
His eyes had no wavering.
“And I do not know if you heard it last time, but the Divine Spear Yang Clan has separately attached an escort. Even if it is the Sun Moon Sect, they will not be able to rashly attack.”
Zhuge Seung-ho briefly caught his breath.
“If the Great Hero also plans to continue going west right now, wouldn’t it be safe and comfortable to accompany us?”
Cheon-hwi chuckled.
It sounded like it was for his sake, but the intention was too obvious.
“To be precise, isn’t it that it would be safe if I followed you?”
“That is correct.”
Zhuge Seung-ho surprisingly admitted it readily. No, he didn’t seem to have any intention of deceiving him.
Because he was subtly like a sly snake, deceiving him was close to impossible.
“Still, you will be able to travel comfortably. Isn’t that fine?”
Cheon-hwi twisted his lips.
“What do you think I will answer?”
As he asked a question in return instead of an answer, Zhuge Seung-ho gave a hollow laugh.
After that, he spoke with a languid expression.
“I think you will say ‘no’.”
Cheon-hwi twitched his lips as he looked at Zhuge Seung-ho mimicking him.
‘Those Zhuge guys are unexpectedly amusing.’
Cheon-hwi, who briefly overlapped him with Zhuge Seong-hyeon, parted his lips.
“You know well.”
“Hahaha! I knew it would be like that.”
Zhuge Seung-ho burst into a loud laugh.
The rising stars were shocked by his vigorous laughter, which they were hearing for the first time while traveling together.
“Young Hero Zhuge?”
“Young Master Zhuge?”
Zhuge Seung-ho abruptly stopped laughing.
And he stared straight at Cheon-hwi.
“Then are you planning to see it to the very end?”
“If they come from their side.”
“What will you do if they don’t come?”
“It’s too much right now, so I will have to pull them out by the roots later.”
“Not right away, but later?”
“Because I have something to do first.”
Zhuge Seung-ho let out a hollow laugh.
“I am truly envious of that confidence that you can pull out the roots at any time.”
It was surprising.
His opponent was the Sun Moon Sect, yet he was speaking as if he could crush them at any time.
‘He is different from me.’
Zhuge Seung-ho smiled bitterly.
He was completely different from himself, who lacked confidence, stuck between an older brother called the Heavenly Dragon and a younger sibling called a rare genius.
As he thought, he closed and opened his eyes.
How could all people be the same.
Soon, he slowly cupped his fists.
“Actually, I would like to invite you to my clan, but you probably aren’t someone who would come just because you are invited.”
His brain works well, indeed.
As Cheon-hwi smiled, Zhuge Seung-ho smiled as well.
“If our karma touches later…….”
Zhuge Seung-ho, who spoke as if saying farewell, contained Cheon-hwi in his eyes.
A young man of the same age as himself.
However, what was contained within him was to an extent that could not be compared to himself.
“I hope we can see each other again.”
Cheon-hwi let out a chuckle.
Karma? If it was karma, it was already connected.
Weren’t Zhuge Seong-hyeon and the servants of the Zhuge Clan staying at the Mount Hua Sect.
“Let’s do so.”
Zhuge Seung-ho stepped back.
Following that, as he looked at Yang Se-ryeong.
“Then I will be going.”
The rising stars prepared to leave.
And Yang Se-ryeong approached them and was exchanging farewell greetings.
“Go safely.”
“I hope Young Lady Yang takes care of her health too.”
“I will come later. Sister.”
“I will not forget the Divine Spear Yang Clan’s help.”
“I will make sure to separately convey to my clan that the Divine Spear Yang Clan provided great help.”
Huh? Isn’t she going?
The rising stars left the outbuilding, and inside, only Cheon-hwi and Yang Se-ryeong were left.
She, who was waving her hand, felt Cheon-hwi’s gaze, wondered, and then.
“Ah!”
Only then did she realize something and spoke.
“I am not going.”
Yang Se-ryeong let out a laugh.
“Because my father blocked my attendance at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering due to the attack. Of course, I also have no desire to go anymore.”
Yang Se-ryeong bore a bitter smile.
It was her first proper entry into Jianghu.
But it had become the worst entry into Jianghu, stained with blood and pain.
For the time being, let alone going out into Jianghu, she didn’t even want to see the sight of it.
“More than that, Great Hero.”
Yang Se-ryeong carefully approached.
“Is it possible for me to spar too?”
Cheon-hwi stared intently at her, who was carefully holding a three-section staff in both hands.
It was a request he would have refused normally.
‘Since I did live comfortably.’
Cheon-hwi, who liked his recent life at the Divine Spear Yang Clan, nodded his head.
“Good.”
“Really?”
Yang Se-ryeong’s expression brightened.
It was something she said thinking she had nothing to lose, but she was surprised by the unexpected acceptance.
“Wa, wait a moment.”
She hurriedly took out a string.
And as she tied her beautifully flowing hair together, her eyes sparkled.
“I am ready.”
Cheon-hwi looked at her sending expectant glances, then calmly raised his body.
‘I was indeed a little curious.’
Right now they were called the Divine Spear Yang Clan in Jianghu, but in his past life, they were a clan whose name was not known in Jianghu.
Because up until then, the Yang Clan was a clan that was deeper with the military.
‘Did they say it’s only been about two hundred years since they broke away from the military and moved their base to Jianghu.’
It was quite a surprising growth trend.
Two hundred years was a long time, but if one considered clans, its history was different.
It was understandable, since didn’t the histories of clans usually exceed five hundred years.
However, the Yang Clan, a newly rising clan of barely two hundred years, firmly occupied a seat among the Eight Great Clans.
It was proof that their inherited martial arts were outstanding.
‘Moreover, I am also curious why they are separately called the Divine Spear.’
A faint smile appeared on Cheon-hwi’s mouth, then vanished in an instant.
‘It is a bit of a shame that it isn’t the Clan Head.’
His smile twisted.
‘Since I came here anyway, shouldn’t I take a look?’
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