“Commander!”
“Did you just call me Commander?”
When Gongson Tan arrived, the Mengho members, who had been trembling in shock from the rumors of the Jade Flower Sword’s love affair, straightened their posture and showed respect.
So that guy is really the Commander.
“Where! Where is the Jade Flower Sword!”
“Over there…!”
“Ooh!”
Gongson Tan looked this way, his eyes shining with admiration, as if welcoming a superstar. He was even completely captivated, mouth agape.
Seeing that ridiculous expression made me want to smack him across the face.
But right now, Serin is crossing her arms next to me.
“By the way, who is that man beside you, ah!”
“Greetings, Gongson Tan.”
“What, what is this! What is going on!”
As he greeted me, confusion clouded his eyes, and some of the Mengho members informed him that I was the Jade Flower Sword’s lover.
At that moment.
“What did you say!”
Gongson Tan freaked out.
“Geunhyeop…? What does that mean?”
“Do you remember when I mentioned the Mengho Clan visiting? I met that guy and found out.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah. He showed interest in my Heavenly Thunder Sword, so we exchanged a few words. But who would have thought he was the Commander… Did you know?”
“I think I’ve seen his face once, but I don’t really know him well.”
In this way, Serin only had a rough understanding of the Mengho members, and she didn’t know their detailed backgrounds.
Anyway.
“W, what is this! What is this nonsense!”
Gongson Tan started freaking out.
He was even crying and seemed to be having an intense fit, as if flames were shooting out of his eyes. Seriously, that guy looks pretty serious, doesn’t he?
“Wait, Serin? Are you really unaware?”
“I, I really don’t know. But I have an inkling.”
Serin said, looking a bit flustered.
“It seems my popularity is so great… that I can’t accept the fact that I have a partner. But to go this far? I can’t believe it.”
Is that really the case?
“This is absurd! The Jade Flower Sword has a partner! This is unbelievable! Aaaaah!”
“Ah, aaaaah!”
“Uwah!”
Gongson Tan’s fit became contagious. Many of the Mengho members started trembling in response, letting out howls.
Is this for real?
Is the idol status in Martial Arts History this insane?
No, more than that, are these members of the Mengho Clan really acting like this…?
“I can’t accept this!!!”
Unable to take it anymore, Serin stepped forward.
“What exactly is this disgrace? Mengho Clan. What kind of people are you to be so rude and say you can’t accept this?”
“Kugh…!”
As Serin sharply rebuked them, the Mengho members who were freaking out stopped in their tracks.
But.
“You!”
Gongson Tan seemed unable to accept it.
He pointed angrily at me, displaying hostility.
“How dare you deceive me!”
“What? What are you talking about? Deceiving? What does that even mean?”
“How dare you act like you don’t know you’re the Jade Flower Sword’s partner! You’ve been laughing at me behind my back, you vile, ugly scoundrel!”
“What kind of nonsense is that!”
Is this guy insane?
—Pah!
At that moment, Gongson Tan drew his sword.
“Draw your sword! I’ll settle this with my blade!”
Is he completely crazy?
I knew he was suspicious from the start!
“Haha! You coward! You can’t even draw your sword! Jade Flower Sword! Is this pathetic man really your partner? Dump him and come over here!”
“…!”
Just as Serin was about to say something while making a face.
—Sluuurp!
I drew the Heavenly Thunder Sword.
“How dare you insult my Serin! You will pay for this, Gongson Tan.”
“Serin?!”
Of course, Serin is Serin.
“How dare you call the Jade Flower Sword’s name so carelessly! Fine! Let’s settle this! If I win, you will leave quietly and release the Jade Flower Sword, you scoundrel!”
“What kind of nonsense is this?!”
I can’t take it any longer!
—Fwoosh!
I poured in my inner strength in that moment.
—Swoosh.
Serin swiftly stepped forward.
Sword drawn.
And.
—Bam!
Serin’s sword flashed once, and it split Gongson Tan’s sword in two. It happened so quickly that no one could react. Everyone just stood there with their mouths open, staring at the fallen blade.
“Right now.”
Serin spoke, unable to hide her anger.
“What do you think you’re doing…? Mengho Clan.”
“Huuuh…”
“You not only insulted my partner, but you even tried to attack him? Commander of the Mengho Clan, do you realize what you have done?”
“…”
“Ha. Can’t even speak, can you? Pathetic. So this is the level of the Mengho Clan? I understand now.”
A sharp glare swept across the crowd.
I didn’t know Serin could make such an expression? Even I felt my knees weaken at her aggressive gaze.
“Apologize for the insult immediately. If you don’t, I will take this… as a grudge that will never be forgotten.”
“That’s!”
As Serin uttered the word ‘grudge,’ the Mengho members, who had regained their senses, began to sweat. These bastards. Do they think this can be resolved with an apology after acting like that?
I can’t hold back.
“Those who insulted me and my partner will pay the price! However, Serin is giving you one last chance, so I’ll wait a moment! I’m specifically talking about you, Gongson Tan! Will you kneel down right now?”
“What…!”
As I raised my voice, Gongson Tan’s expression crumpled.
At that moment.
“Commander!”
The Mengho Chief, Geuk-hyeon, arrived.
“What is all this about?”
A shady-looking man. But I could tell he’s stronger than Gongson Tan. So this is the Mengho Chief.
The astute Serin immediately provided information.
“It’s Geuk-hyeon from the Hwasan Sect, a martial artist.”
“The Hwasan Sect, huh.”
A sect famous for its swords.
“His skill?”
“Well, I haven’t fought him yet.”
Could it be that he’s at a similar level as Serin?
“You asked what was going on. Commander.”
“It’s…! That guy! Look there!”
“Uh?”
This fool still couldn’t gather his wits and was pointing at me.
“That guy is mocking the Jade Flower Sword! So I…”
“Please. Can you shut that mouth? Commander of the Mengho Clan. How do you manage your subordinates? To have such a madman among you! There’s a limit to insults!”
Serin stepped forward and yelled at him.
“…”
The Mengho Chief glanced around, then said, “It seems… we’ve committed a huge offense. I will apologize.”
“Chief!”
“Commander!”
The Mengho members, still not grasping the situation, cried out.
“Does this resolve anything? They insulted my partner and even tried to attack! You all will pay for this.”
“…”
At Serin’s words, the Chief’s face turned red.
He glared at his subordinates with a killing intent.
“I will formally apologize for this matter.”
“Chief! Why won’t you listen to me! Right now, that guy!”
“We have to stabilize the situation first. Let’s go. Everyone, capture the Commander!”
“Yes, yes!”
“Let him go!”
As the order was given, Mengho members began to grab Gongson Tan and drag him away.
And just like that, the Mengho Clan faded away.
What a chaotic scene.
“This is really… quite unpleasant, Geunhyeop. I want to go back.”
Serin immediately took my hand, leading me away. I definitely share her displeasure. No matter how much the Jade Flower Sword is part of Martial Arts History, it’s just a nickname. There’s no reason for Namgoong Serin as an individual to be controlled.
I followed Serin, holding her hand.
“Serin.”
I spoke as we walked.
“I’m really thankful. For stepping up for me like that. Really grateful, Serin.”
“…It’s only natural.
Did I thank her too much?
The bold Serin from a moment ago became calm.
“Geunhyeop’s matters are also my matters. If I don’t step up at times like this, would I be worthy of being a wife? A wife should always support her husband.”
“Serin…!”
So touching!
“Also, it’s not just for you; it’s something for me as well… Ugh, Geunhyeop. We’re in public. We should be more discreet here…”
Immediately, I pulled Serin into a tight embrace, causing her to instantly calm down. Completely different from the brave person who just dominated the Mengho members.
“Cough, cough. For now, let’s see if we can sort this out. We have the upper hand in this matter, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Exactly!”
Though there was an incident, we could resolve it.
More than anything, we have the justification, and with Serin backing the Namgoong Clan’s authority, we shouldn’t have much trouble. We can hold an advantage against the Mengho Clan.
But that Gongson Tan bastard cannot be forgiven… Just you wait, you scoundrel.
* * *
As soon as the Mengho Chief, Geuk-hyeon, returned to the temporary base, he spoke coldly.
“What happened? Tell me everything without hiding anything.”
“Chief, that’s…!”
Gongson Tan started rambling, but from the beginning, he was someone I couldn’t trust. Due to internal strife and various circumstances, I reluctantly appointed him as Commander, but now that he’s in the position, his impulsive and foolish nature is clear.
I thought someone of his caliber would be easy to manage without any issues, but it seems my judgment was wrong.
Though he listens, a reckless and self-willed martial artist like him is harmful to our organization. I could feel my anger rising every time I listened to him whining.
“Ah, I asked what happened! You! Answer me!”
“Yes!”
In the end, I could hear the story from another member.
“In short, it was a mess because Gongson Tan acted foolishly.”
It was all our fault from start to finish. As I realized this, I could feel my face heating up. The Mengho Clan was clearly at fault, and as a result, we were facing criticism.
Still.
“The Jade Flower Sword.”
To publicly.
To openly insult us like that in front of all the Mengho members…?
This is an insult.
“You dare to humiliate me in front of all the Mengho Clan members? Do you think my honor doesn’t matter? No, this is a matter that concerns the honor of the entire Orthodox Martial World, beyond the Mengho Clan! That damn woman has no sense of the gravity of the situation and is running wild. With all that praise for Martial Arts History, has her head gone soft? Damn that bastard. If the Mengho Clan’s honor is damaged, how will people think of the Mengho Clan? Is she really that brainless? Just because she has a pretty face doesn’t mean she can act like a slut.”
Geuk-hyeon felt an overwhelming hatred.
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