Chapter 213: Chapter 213
“…I hope everyone enjoys themselves.”
The greeting from the person of honor at the banquet, which could be considered long or short, came to an end.
Thud.
As the subsequent sound of drums echoed in all directions, those attending the banquet poured out generous applause toward the Patriarch.
Clap clap clap…
Cheon-hwi, who was sipping tea, carefully observed the Patriarch who was sweeping his gaze over the hall.
Thin lips revealed above a neatly trimmed beard, in contrast to his eyes which were firm as if containing his stubbornness.
His facial features were faint rather than distinct.
If seen elsewhere, it was an appearance that would be treated as just an ordinary scholar and forgotten.
‘But if he exudes such a presence, I wouldn’t be able to forget him even if I wanted to.’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
The position of Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan, that alone would have been enough.
But right now, the subtle presence enveloping his surroundings was deeply imprinting him onto the people.
It was an occurrence happening very secretly and meticulously.
It was a significantly delicate Qi control, to the point that most people in this place couldn’t realize he had spread his presence.
‘Has he been deceiving the world all along?’
Looking at such Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan, Cheon-hwi ruminated on the information given by the Beggars’ Sect.
According to the information he received, it was written that the Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan, Little Sleeping Dragon Zhuge Sin, did not have particularly outstanding skills among the Patriarchs of the Eight Great Clans.
At best, he was at the very end of the Limitless Realm.
However, seeing him in person, it was not the case.
‘At that level, he must have reached the Heavenly Martial Realm.’
It was certainty, not a prediction.
His Qi control was that outstanding, and as a result of examining him, the hidden internal energy was also formidable.
There were probably few who realized it.
‘Except for a few, that is.’
In Cheon-hwi’s line of sight, a few people whose expressions were slightly stiffened could be seen.
And they were all people who had drawn his attention since they entered the banquet hall.
‘It has been a long time since this many experts gathered in one place.’
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth crept up.
Was it because it was a huge banquet?
The martial prowess of the middle-aged men who seemed to have come from the Eight Great Clans and the Flying Heaven Society, excluding the Divine Spear Yang Clan, was extraordinary even at a glance.
Around the time Cheon-hwi’s eyes contained them.
“That young man is…”
“He looks more docile than I thought.”
The people in the banquet hall murmured.
Wondering what was happening, he followed the people’s gazes and saw three young men sitting neatly next to Patriarch Zhuge, who was sitting at the seat of honor.
Two of them were very familiar figures.
Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seong-hyeon.
And the one remaining young man was a stranger.
‘They said the Patriarch has three sons, right?’
By the time he recalled the information obtained from the Beggars’ Sect.
“That young man is the Heavenly Dragon.”
Danmok Rin, who had similarly shifted her gaze following the murmuring of the surroundings, muttered with a tense face.
“So that guy is one of the most outstanding rising stars in the current Jianghu, right?”
At Danmok Rin’s words, Cheon-hwi scanned the Heavenly Dragon.
The tall young man, who seemed to easily surpass six cheok, was exchanging light greetings with those handing over items to Patriarch Zhuge with a relaxed smile.
‘By the looks of it, is he at the Limitless Realm?’
His realm was easy to predict.
That was natural, as unlike the Patriarch who thoroughly hid his true skills, he did not hide his skills at all.
Rather, he confidently exuded it.
As if showing off his skills.
It was probably proof of his confidence.
‘So it was only at that level.’
Cheon-hwi withdrew his gaze towards him.
His interest completely broke off.
It was true that he achieved a considerable realm at a young age, but that was all.
There were already many experts superior to him in the banquet hall, including Patriarch Zhuge, so why would he pay attention to him?
‘I would rather exchange blows with other guys and watch their martial arts, you know.’
Tak.
Cheon-hwi, who was thinking inwardly, set down his teacup.
And he stood up from his seat.
“Senior Brother, where are you going?”
“To hand over the item the Sect Leader gave.”
“Ah! I forgot.”
Danmok Rin also put down her chopsticks and stood up.
She hurriedly straightened her attire, then stood next to Cheon-hwi and whispered.
“I will go with you.”
“Suit yourself.”
Cheon-hwi walked without hesitation.
Step… Step…
As Cheon-hwi and Danmok Rin advanced, those loitering around quietly stepped back.
That sight was truly peculiar.
A radius of one jang centered around Cheon-hwi and Danmok Rin emptied out like an ebbing tide.
“It’s comfortable since they move out of the way on their own.”
Cheon-hwi liked the current situation.
Although gazes were drawn and wariness was shown, it was much more pleasant and good than them pointlessly talking to him or approaching and being annoying.
And thanks to that, Cheon-hwi quickly arrived at the seat of honor where Patriarch Zhuge was.
As they approached the Patriarch, Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seong-hyeon, who were sitting on nearby chairs, gave a glance of recognition.
Cheon-hwi passed by them.
And he looked toward Patriarch Zhuge, who was sitting at the very center even among the seats of honor.
Someone else was already there, handing over a gift and in the middle of a conversation.
“I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“It is a banquet to celebrate your sixtieth birthday, so isn’t it natural for me to attend in person? By the way, Patriarch, did the Grand Patriarch happen not to attend this banquet?”
At the middle-aged man’s question, the Patriarch revealed a troubled expression and answered.
“Unfortunately, he is not scheduled to attend.”
“Is that so?”
The middle-aged man revealed an expression of relief.
‘Strange. Why is he caring more about the Grand Patriarch who isn’t here?’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes, having seen him, deepened.
The person who asked just now was one of those who were surprised after grasping Patriarch Zhuge’s martial prowess.
But right now, he was paying more attention to the Grand Patriarch than Patriarch Zhuge.
No, it wasn’t just at the level of interest.
He didn’t hide his expression of relief at the fact that he didn’t attend.
‘…Is he afraid?’
Around the time interest dwelled in Cheon-hwi’s eyes.
“I made you wait quite a bit.”
Patriarch Zhuge, who had just finished talking with the people in front, smiled while looking at Cheon-hwi.
“Welcome to our clan. I heard about you from Seong-hyeon.”
Having spoken refreshingly, he quickly scanned Cheon-hwi up and down and added.
“I heard your reputation as the Plum Blossom Divine Hero is widespread in Jianghu recently.”
“Well, they do call me that.”
At Cheon-hwi’s light tone, the martial artists of the Zhuge Clan nearby stirred, but…
Swish…
Patriarch Zhuge raised his hand to restrain them.
Then he scanned Cheon-hwi and said.
“You are truly interesting.”
Patriarch Zhuge revealed an expression of liking while looking at Cheon-hwi, and opened his mouth.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard such a thing.”
“Hahaha, is that so?”
Patriarch Zhuge laughed heartily.
He, who let out a hearty laugh unlike his outward appearance, this time looked at Danmok Rin and opened his mouth.
“By the way, what is the Taoist title of the young lady who came with you?”
“It is Rin.”
“Rin, you say… It seems you haven’t received a Taoist title yet.”
Patriarch Zhuge stared fixedly at Danmok Rin with coldly sunken eyes.
At that gaze, Danmok Rin flinched.
It was a fierce gaze as if looking thoroughly into her inner thoughts.
‘…It feels just like my father looking at me.’
Feeling intimidated by the tension, she struggled not to shrink her body.
However, that was also temporary, as Patriarch Zhuge turned his gaze away from her.
“I felt like I kept hearing the name of the Mount Hua Sect starting a few years ago, and it seems there was a good reason for it.”
At that time, Cheon-hwi took out a small wooden box from his embrace and handed it to Patriarch Zhuge.
“It’s an item the Sect Leader sent saying congratulations.”
“My my, it was already surprising that the Martial Alliance and the Four Black Alliances sent gifts along with congratulations a few days ago, but to think the Mount Hua Sect would visit in person to deliver a gift.”
Patriarch Zhuge, who had been looking at Cheon-hwi with a complex expression, reached out his hand and received the wooden box.
“It truly is an auspicious day.”
A light of surprise dwelled in Patriarch Zhuge’s eyes as he opened the wooden box along with his words.
“…Is it true that the Sect Leader gave this?”
“He said he was returning it.”
Patriarch Zhuge briefly looked at what was inside the wooden box, a martial arts manual, and then carefully closed it.
“Please pass on my thanks to the Sect Leader.”
“I will.”
When Cheon-hwi, having finished his business, was about to stand up from his seat, Patriarch Zhuge opened his mouth.
“By the way, did the food suit your taste?”
“It was delicious. Well, I wouldn’t know since I couldn’t eat the most delicious things.”
“I will tell them to prepare it separately in the annex after the banquet ends today.”
“You know very well.”
“Why else would I have ears and eyes?”
As Patriarch Zhuge glanced at Zhuge Seung-ho and Zhuge Seong-hyeon, Cheon-hwi grinned.
“Then I will count on you.”
As Cheon-hwi left with those words, Danmok Rin also offered a polite bow to Patriarch Zhuge and then followed behind him.
Soon, around the time their figures mixed with the people in the banquet hall, Patriarch Zhuge’s expression changed coldly.
“Myeong-a.”
At his call, Heavenly Dragon, Zhuge Myeong stood up.
“Did you call me?”
“Remember that guy well.”
Zhuge Myeong’s eyes slightly widened.
He was a father who usually never said to remember someone at all.
But for him to spit out such words meant that he was a very important figure.
‘…Who on earth is he?’
Without even knowing that Zhuge Myeong was looking at him with eyes full of curiosity, Cheon-hwi asked Danmok Rin while walking.
“Do you know about the Grand Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan?”
“Senior Brother, do you perhaps not know?”
Danmok Rin asked in bewilderment, but…
“I asked because I don’t know.”
Cheon-hwi merely answered as if it were obvious.
At that, Danmok Rin could not hide her fluster, but she soon started explaining.
“He is the one who changed the evaluation of the Zhuge Clan, which was previously known to only have good heads. Before the Nine Provinces Three Supreme Powers, he was called the Supreme Lord and competed for being the best in the world…”
At her incessantly pouring explanation, Cheon-hwi suddenly felt his interest piqued.
He competed for being the best in the world?
While he was listening closely to the explanation about him that Danmok Rin was talking about…
“At that time, he was called one of the Eight Martial Gods along with the current Lord of the Four Black Alliances and the Lord of the Murder Screen…”
Cheon-hwi abruptly stopped walking.
What? Eight Martial Gods?
Hearing the title for already the third time following the White Snake God and the Divine Brush Scholar, he opened his mouth.
“The Grand Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan is one of the Eight Martial Gods?”
Danmok Rin was flustered by Cheon-hwi suddenly stopping, but soon answered carefully.
“Yes, that’s what I heard.”
In an instant, Cheon-hwi’s eyes deepened.
“It seems you know well about the Eight Martial Gods.”
“Whenever I was sick, my grandfather would often come visit and tell me stories about the past Jianghu. The Eight Martial Gods were always included in those stories…”
When she spoke faintly as if lost in memories.
“Is that so?”
Nodding his head, Cheon-hwi turned his steps.
“In that case, since our business is finished, let’s talk about the details separately in the annex.”
* * *
The middle of the night when everyone was asleep.
Cheon-hwi, who had climbed onto the roof of the annex, looked around and smiled.
“It’s quiet.”
The Zhuge Clan, which had been noisy during the banquet, was now submerged in deep silence.
White teeth were revealed around his mouth.
“She said he lives in a secluded place, right?”
Danmok Rin had said that the Grand Patriarch of the Zhuge Clan, Supreme Lord, had been staying secluded indoors ever since the era of the Nine Provinces Three Supreme Powers arrived.
“Let’s see. He probably wouldn’t be staying in a regular pavilion…”
He looked around like that for a moment.
“Is it over there?”
Cheon-hwi, having discovered something, made his eyes shine and lightly kicked off the ground.
Dark Fragrance Drift very secretly masked his movements and seeped into the darkness.
Ssssh…
A cool breeze brushed past his face.
“It should be around here.”
Cheon-hwi, who had been continuously heading north while lightly kicking off the roofs, abruptly stopped his steps at a certain point.
“I finally found it.”
Some strange energy could be felt in the empty air where there was nothing.
A peculiar energy going against all kinds of flows.
It was an array.
“Well then.”
Cheon-hwi reached out his hand toward the array.
The moment his body was sucked right in like falling into water, the scenery changed.
“Let’s see the face of this Eight Martial Gods guy that people chatter so much about.”
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