Chapter 257: The Discovery of Fire (1)
Read more at Nineheavens.org
“Manor Lord. The guest sent from the Murong Clan’s side has arrived.”
Yang Cheon, who had been sitting on the Grandmaster’s Chair with his eyes closed, opened his mouth.
“Tell them to enter.”
“Yes.”
Kugugugung!
The door opened, and small, light footsteps rang out.
The corners of Yang Cheon’s mouth rose.
‘Not bad.’
He had heard she was at a blossoming age.
Considering that age, she had accumulated considerable martial arts. She wasn’t to the extent of being called a peerless genius, and she didn’t seem to have experienced actual combat, but as expected of someone from a prestigious family, her personal martial arts were quite worth looking at.
Swoosh.
A subtle tension leaked out from the sound of her clothes brushing the edge of the stairs.
It was natural if one thought about it. It was a setting where a rising star who was infinitely young was meeting one of the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats, a legend of the Jianghu in this generation. She couldn’t possibly not be tense.
‘They are indeed different.’
Bitterness arose on Yang Cheon’s face.
‘Jeong, there was no other guy like him.’
The ringing of Jeong’s footsteps was different from the start.
It wasn’t that he didn’t have tension, but he exuded a dignified imposing aura more than anyone else under heaven. Intense pride could be felt from him, like a giant going to meet the emperor of another country, as if he himself had become another absolute master.
It was truly an amazing confidence. No matter how great one’s personal martial prowess was, there would be few people in the world who would show that level of boldness when facing the Saintly Heaven Thirteen Seats.
Thinking of that, he felt it was a fundamentally unprofitable business.
Jeong was a genius who was certain to grow into a giant capable of discussing the world within ten years if raised well. However, as for the young girl climbing the stairs, it was questionable whether she could discuss the world even if she were taught for thirty years, let alone ten.
‘It can’t be helped.’
From the beginning, she was a child who would serve as a bridge for the connection with Murong Jun. Since she was not entirely his person, there was nothing to be particularly disappointed about.
Yet, to feel regret meant that the impression Jeong had given was that intense.
“Murong Yeon-hwa of the Murong Clan greets the Emperor of the Unorthodox.”
Yang Cheon opened his eyes.
Below the Grandmaster’s Chair, there was a frail woman bowing face down on the red carpet.
‘Still.’
Calmness leaked out from her voice.
She was tense, but she was a child who knew how to control herself well in her own way. It was just that Jeong was too outstanding, but looking at it objectively, that child would also be a talent worthy of being evaluated as outstanding.
Yang Cheon, who had been quietly looking down at Murong Yeon-hwa, finally opened his mouth.
“Raise your head.”
Murong Yeon-hwa lifted her upper body.
Yang Cheon’s eyes shone.
‘Hmm.’
Her beautiful appearance was secondary.
The look in the young girl’s eyes as she looked up at him was quite dignified. In her clear black-and-white eyes, there was even a sliver of expectation residing within.
‘…Indeed, there was a reason he called her an outstanding child with his own mouth.’
A person cannot be known unless seen directly.
The look in her eyes is better than expected. It is just that the regret over Jeong is so large, but seeing her directly naturally makes me nod my head.
“I will believe that you know the circumstances up to now, having heard them from your father.”
Murong Yeon-hwa bowed her head.
“That is correct. Although my capabilities are lacking, I will devote myself to the Black Dragon Manor.”
The corners of Yang Cheon’s mouth rose. For no reason, his playfulness was triggered.
“By any chance, did you also hear this? If your father acts suspiciously even a little, you will die in the most miserable way in the world.”
It was a statement made by the Combat King of the world, Yang Cheon. It absolutely did not sound like empty words.
“I know that as well.”
“Is that so?”
“I lack in many ways, but I, too, am a talent who received my own recognition as a rising star of the Orthodox Murim. I know such things even without hearing them.”
“Oho.”
Murong Yeon-hwa raised her head again and looked at Yang Cheon.
He was suppressing it in his own way, but Yang Cheon’s presence was not at a level that could be blocked just by trying. Even so, Murong Yeon-hwa was looking straight into his eyes with dignity.
“I do not know how you, Manor Lord, view me, but I, too, am on a path I came to staking my life for my family. I am not so much of a fool as to come to a place that might become my tomb without assuming the worst-case scenario.”
“Is that so?”
“That is correct.”
“I am curious. How your father might have persuaded you.”
“Persuasion was not necessary. It was merely that since my father needed me, I, too, did not want to betray his expectations.”
“Just as you said, this is a place that might become your tomb. Were you not afraid?”
“Since I came staking my life, there will be that much for me to learn.”
“Oho?”
Murong Yeon-hwa smiled.
It was a smile she was forcing. Cold sweat was even beading on her forehead.
However, for some reason, Yang Cheon liked her clumsy smile.
Yang Cheon nodded.
“You suffered much on your journey. Rest in your residence until I call for you again.”
“Thank you.”
“What did you say your name was?”
“Yeon-hwa, I am called Murong Yeon-hwa.”
“Understood. You may withdraw.”
Murong Yeon-hwa politely bowed and withdrew with quick, short steps.
Yang Cheon rested his chin on his hand.
“…There truly are many talents in the Orthodox.”
* * *
The Green Mountain Yeon Clan.
As a prestigious family of the Jianghu that appeared like a comet fifty-some years ago, its forces were small, but it was a Murim clan evaluated as possessing martial prowess and chivalrous spirit worthy of discussing the world.
Whether it was the Orthodox or the Unorthodox, the Murim is inherently conservative and stingy with evaluations of others.
For them to make a name for themselves as a top-tier Murim clan of the Jianghu in just under half a century in such a Murim was truly a great feat.
Naturally, even the Unorthodox couldn’t help but keep an eye on the Green Mountain Yeon Clan. Because an emerging powerhouse of the Orthodox meant a new enemy for the Unorthodox.
And Gang Ryang was the successor of a prestigious family that contended for number one in the Unorthodox. Naturally, he couldn’t help but know well about the Yeon Clan.
‘I had heard about them, but.’
Yeon Ho-jeong had said that he was the commander of the Murim Alliance’s Evil-Annihilating Army and a child of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan. Having entered the Murim Alliance, naturally he couldn’t help but meet with Clan Head Yeon as well.
However, the state of mind he felt actually facing the Clan Head of the Yeon Clan, of whom only rumors were rampant, was difficult to describe with pen and tongue.
‘Judge Sword Yeon Wi. The strongest swordsman in Jiangdong and the leader who leads the ghost-like swordsmen of the Yeon Clan!’
Gang Ryang swallowed his saliva.
“What are you doing?”
Yeon Ho-jeong frowned.
“If he offered a greeting first, isn’t it human nature for you to return the greeting as well?”
Gang Ryang suddenly snapped to his senses.
He cupped his fists with restraint.
“I am called Gang Ryang. I am…”
Gang Ryang, who hesitated for a moment, soon closed his eyes and spoke in a calm tone.
“I am the successor of the number one sword sect in the Unorthodox, the Ghost Iron Sword Sect, and the one and only survivor embracing Ghost Blood. It is an honor to meet the Clan Head of the Yeon Clan.”
He originally had no intention of revealing his affiliation.
However, he changed his mind. In a setting facing a giant of this level, hiding his affiliation was tantamount to an act of ignoring the other party.
Furthermore, it was also a matter of pride.
‘Although I am the successor of a destroyed sword sect, my pride at least has not died.’
How would he react now?
How would the Clan Head of the Green Mountain Yeon Clan, the symbol of chivalry and righteousness, treat the successor of the number one sword sect in the Unorthodox?
“You suffered much on your journey.”
Gang Ryang’s eyes opened wide.
He raised his head and looked at Yeon Wi.
The expression of the number one swordsman in Jiangdong was incredibly calm.
“I have roughly heard the story of what happened.”
“…”
“The feeling of losing one’s parents and siblings, I would find it hard to dare say I understand. However, since a connection has been made like this through my son, although this is not my home, I hope you will stay comfortably in our residence.”
Gang Ryang’s eyes shook.
Yeon Wi smiled.
“By the way, the Sword Sect Leader taught his son properly. I have seen few rising stars who have learned such solid fundamentals. Even my eldest child is not up to your level.”
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled.
“That is a bit hurtful to my pride.”
“Be quiet. You lived falling into liquor jars like that, how could your fundamentals be solid?”
“If possible, please think of it as asceticism to forget the sword.”
“You sure speak well.”
Yeon Wi looked at the split open tree.
“It seems you have many distracting thoughts. At times like that, training is good, but resting well can also be an answer.”
“…Pardon? Ah! Y-yes.”
“Stop tormenting the innocent tree and let’s go to your residence. It seems you haven’t eaten either, so let’s fill your stomach first.”
“Ah! I-I am fine. I will train a bit more…”
“It is advice as a senior in the Way of the Sword, not as an elder. Your internal energy seems to prioritize explosive output over a stable flow, but swinging it in such an unstable state will only ruin your feel.”
“…!”
Yeon Wi spoke to Yeon Ho-jeong.
“This father will go first and tell the chef. Make sure to come together.”
“Understood.”
Yeon Wi turned his body and headed toward the Army-Destroying Pavilion.
Gang Ryang stared blankly at Yeon Wi’s retreating back. His retreating figure walking away with his hands behind his back was like that of a scholar who had mastered worldly affairs.
“What are you doing?”
Startled, Gang Ryang looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong pointed at the sword with a sullen face.
“Plant your sword in the scabbard, you punk. Let’s roughly clean this up and go.”
“…What is going on?”
“What is?”
It seemed his surprise still hadn’t faded. Gang Ryang spoke with a bewildered face.
“How can he be so calm?”
“My father?”
“That’s right.”
“This is a funny bastard. Then what is there to be tense about? Even if you attack with your measly skills, you’d be smashed to pieces in one move.”
“No, it’s not that…”
Gang Ryang shook his head.
“I am the successor of the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.”
“So what?”
“The sword sect that contended for number one in the Unorthodox is none other than the Ghost Iron Sword Sect.”
“Ah, what do you want me to do about it!”
“For the Green Mountain Yeon Clan, isn’t the Ghost Iron Sword Sect a clear enemy?”
“You, did you ever stick a knife in a person from my main family without me knowing?”
“No! That’s not what I’m talking about right now! The Unorthodox and the Orthodox are clear enemies! Even though it’s been destroyed, Young Master Yeon’s father’s attitude is too…!”
“Too calm?”
“That’s right!”
Yeon Ho-jeong cocked his head to the side.
“Can he not be calm?”
“…?!”
“Since we’ll be living together from now on, I’ll tell you in advance, but my father is quite a frustrating person.”
“…Eh?”
“So to speak, he is a person who cares about formalities. If you don’t observe etiquette, he might glare at you with glaring eyes, and he even scolds his son who went out into the Jianghu for not being able to send a letter because he was busy.”
“Keok!”
“Still, there is one reason why I like my father.”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
“My father doesn’t tell lies.”
“…!”
“He is a person who is always sincere when treating people. Do you know what that means? It means he is a person who is not blinded by rumors and the like, but sees and grasps a person’s true essence.”
Gang Ryang felt strength entering his fists without realizing it.
Not being swayed by rumors. It’s easy to say, but it wasn’t something just anyone could do.
“My father trusts me. And I brought you into the Murim Alliance. Whether you are from the Unorthodox or not, that is reason enough to respect you.”
“…”
“So stop spouting nonsense and just clean up, you bastard. You couldn’t wait that long and smashed it to pieces, damn it.”
Yeon Ho-jeong grumbled and threw the torn-out weeds and broken pieces of wood into the forest.
Gang Ryang chased after Yeon Wi’s retreating back with shaking eyes. Before he knew it, Yeon Wi was quite far away.
‘…Not being swayed by rumors and seeing the true essence.’
Yeon Ho-jeong abruptly yelled.
“What are you doing, punk! Aren’t you going to clean up quickly?!”
“Heuk! A-understood.”
Gang Ryang scrambled as if his butt was on fire.