“Ugh…”
At this point, Namgoongje Yeon was in no shape to retaliate properly. As she groaned helplessly, Sayoon, with a completely serious face, swung her wooden sword to tap her shoulder and said,
“That’s not it.”
“Huh…?”
“‘I was wrong, Yu Wol Innkeeper.’ Right?”
“Uh… I… was wrong… Yu Wol… inn… keeper…”
Well, it happens. I nodded and accepted her apology, and only then did Sayoon step back.
Maybe it was a relief not to get hit anymore? Namgoongje Yeon ultimately fainted like a light switch.
“The winner is Sayoon of Hongseong.”
The martial artist serving as the referee raised a flag. As the competition came to a close, the Murim Alliance’s martial artists lifted the fainted Namgoongje Yeon. Then, they glanced at Namgoongseongyul to gauge his reaction.
“Send her to the divine.”
“Yes!”
As they carried the battered girl away, Namgoongseongyul addressed Sayoon when she came down.
“Thank you for giving my clan’s foolish child a lesson.”
“…I might have overdone it a bit.”
Maybe after accepting the apology, she felt a little better. When Sayoon tried to apologize back while facing Namgoongseongyul, he cut her off sharply.
“One who practices martial arts must always be aware that there are heavens above them.”
“Um…”
“Especially since the Namgoong Clan’s martial arts draw the heavens. It was hard for me to accept that someone learning it didn’t realize that, but it seems they received that lesson today, so I guess I’m relieved.”
Despite Namgoongseongyul’s stern words, Sayoon seemed flustered.
Seeing her like that, Namgoongseongyul smiled.
“Martial arts have a principle of not teaching those unworthy. We are Namgoong. We are of a different caliber than those lowly fools.”
The principle of not teaching to the unworthy.
Martial arts were often not taught until one’s character was firmly established.
So, was Namgoong Clan taking full responsibility for this situation due to their failure to do so?
Typical of a prominent clan leader.
“As a representative of the Namgoong Clan, I apologize to Yu Seonsaeng, Hongseong, and Moonjeong.”
He bowed deeply. This was the man, the martial arts chief of the Murim Alliance and the Sword Lord of Namgoong, bowing.
“There is no need for that. The fault lies with the one who committed it. How could we blame the Namgoong Clan for that? Please rise.”
I bowed on behalf of everyone, and only then did Namgoongseongyul stand up.
At that moment, I noticed people entering from the building entrance.
“What’s going on? Sayoon, what happened?”
“Oh, well…”
It was Hongryeon, Chaejin, and Myojae, the Dokanryong. Hongryeon looked puzzled as she must have seen the fainted Namgoongje Yeon being carried out. Sayoon explained the situation with an awkward expression.
After listening for a while, Hongryeon discreetly glanced at Namgoongseongyul.
“Are you planning to take issue with this incident?”
“Is that so?”
“As I already mentioned, this incident is the fault of the Namgoong Clan. There’s nothing to discuss.”
Chaejin slightly frowned at Ami and then looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’m fine.”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll let this incident slide too.”
“Thank you. And Yeon, as soon as that guy’s injury is treated, I will request that he spend a year in seclusion at the main family.”
Well, that’s a bit harsh.
I heard that Namgoongje Yeon, after getting treated, was dragged back to the Namgoong Clan for a year-long seclusion practice for just starting trouble, and that news came by dusk.
Meanwhile, Sayoon was given a top-tier warrior badge.
“Namgoongje Yeon was a second-tier warrior, and since you defeated a second-tier warrior like that, you won’t need to take a separate test.”
It was Namgoonghwa who handed the top-tier badge to Sayoon.
Namgoongseongyul had said it would be easy for her to receive it, but Namgoonghwa looked contemplative, closing her mouth briefly before bowing her head.
“I just spoke with Uncle Seongyul earlier, and we’ve decided that the Namgoong Clan will officially apologize for this incident.”
It’s not just any clan; they’re announcing their mistakes publicly.
That’s definitely not something you casually bring up.
People are naturally reluctant to admit their mistakes. Especially when it involves their own family and their lofty reputation, it’s even harder.
Yet for the Namgoong Clan to officially apologize means they value their integrity and honor that much.
“Well, I didn’t intend for things to escalate this much.”
Hongryeon tried to shake her head with a bitter smile. But it seemed that Namgoongseongyul had a different opinion.
“Even if Yeon was the strongest in that position, there were several elders, including Uncle Seongyul, who opposed her becoming a candidate for the heir. It was too early. I was worried when she underestimated others, thinking just because she had martial arts, she could do whatever she wanted. Sayoon, good job.”
“Haha…”
“As you all know, the martial world is a very dangerous place. Especially since there are many who hide their true skills, she could’ve died on her way into the martial world with that mindset.”
In the end, real masters hide their claws, and true experts conceal their three-tenths.
Also, in the martial world, it was crucial to gauge both your own skills and those of your opponents.
“The clan has put in quite an effort to change her mindset, but… it hasn’t been easy. However, after this big scolding and making a significant mistake, she’ll now have time to reflect…”
Is this considered a gain for the Namgoong Clan? If Namgoongje Yeon can achieve enlightenment from this and grow properly, they’ll end up with a remarkable warrior?
Certainly, they are a prestigious family.
They miss nothing.
“And we also need to apologize to the innkeeper.”
“Apologize? No need for that.”
“Haha, that’s what makes it uncomfortable for us. We’ll send a token of our gratitude to Seomhwa Village next time.”
“This is uncomfortable. I’ll send this reward to Seomhwa Village next time.”
Namgoonghwa bowed her head in greeting and left. Once it was just the two of us, I looked at Sayoon.
“Umm… Innkeeper. Over there.”
“Thank you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Anyway, you got angry for me.”
“That’s just something I should do.”
“Even so. It feels like I’m always just receiving help.”
I smiled at Sayoon, and she returned a shy smile.
“Right. Good job, Sayoon. The Innkeeper is definitely not an outsider from our Hongseong clan. It would be inappropriate to stand by while a benefactor is insulted.”
“Hehe…”
“In any case, I can’t let this gratitude go unexpressed. I’ll treat you all to dinner tonight.”
I had nearly finished my business with the Murim Alliance. After resting at the inn for a day and taking a breather at the Murim Alliance, we would set off to Cheongho.
We headed straight to the inn, had dinner there, and after taking in the sights outside, we returned.
The next day, someone came to the inn. A woman with white hair and brown skin, Dokanryong Myojae.
“Um? What brings you here?”
“The Ho-Bubju said to escort you.”
Namgoongseongyul? But escorting us… I looked around.
Hongryeon, Chaejin, Hyunhwi, Sayoon, Chaeran.
That should be enough without needing an escort, right?
“While handling the tasks of Munsahgong, the Mad Clan might attack. The main role of Ho-Bub is escorting, so it will be helpful.”
Myojae said this as she subtly glanced back. A few martial artists standing behind her gently bowed, and I acknowledged them.
“I don’t think you need to go through that much trouble… but since you’re offering, I’ll accept your goodwill.”
“Of course. So, what’s on today’s agenda?”
“Today’s agenda…”
I pondered for a moment and looked around.
“How about a non-awakening tour?”
As Hongryeon said this with a smile, Chaejin grabbed my arm.
“We couldn’t go together yesterday.”
The Ho-Bub offering such goodwill is likely not just because of Namgoongje Yeon.
This time, by resolving the issue of Munsahgong, I had given them some leeway, which Namgoongseongyul accepted in return.
Anyway, getting a tour under the Ho-Bub’s escort was not a bad experience.
We got to visit places that required quite steep entrance fees and needed permission from the Murim Alliance.
We even managed to check out places that you could enter only after making a certain achievement in the Murim Alliance, so we definitely made the most of the day.
“You’ll be able to see.”
“How about staying at the Murim Alliance’s lodge today?”
“That doesn’t sound bad.”
There’s a saying about being generous and getting trouble for it.
If you give half-heartedly, you’ll just end up being nitpicked.
In that sense, Namgoongseongyul was someone who knew how to give properly.
The lodge he provided for us was the Cheongnyonggwan, reserved only for esteemed guests.
“Wow. This is a place that’s hard for me to stay in.”
While Chaejin admired the surroundings, Hongryeon smiled brightly.
“The Cheongnyonggwan is only for those who make substantial donations to the Murim Alliance. This can also be seen as a favor from the Namgoong Clan.”
“I see. Anyway, we can rest here comfortably today and set off tomorrow.”
Honestly, I thought about staying a few more days, but I’ve seen all there is to see and gotten everything I could.
Moreover, they said they would inform me later after the Investigative Department and the Dharma Enforcement Division checked for traces of Cheonma, so I can think about that later.
In short, I can say I’ve done all I needed to do here.
I might as well come back later.
“Well, I’ll head back to my room now. See you later.”
The room assigned to me was different. The one the maid guided me to was slightly smaller but nice enough for my stay.
I especially liked the garden visible through the window.
I leaned against the window and blankly gazed at the garden.
Alright. For now, I’ve gathered the simplest things available from the Murim Alliance.
And according to Hongryeon, Sayoon’s growth now relies on training and enlightenment, not just magic potions.
And that training and enlightenment will increase further if she receives teachings from the Doje at Moonjeong.
Hehe. I’m steadily getting stronger.
I leaned against the window frame and smiled.
Just then.
I saw Sayoon peek out from the garden.
Hmm? What’s she up to?
Not noticing that I was watching, Sayoon hesitated when Chaeran appeared from another side.
“Um. Chae Soje.”
“Hehe. Yes.”
“…Could you… accept this?”
What Sayoon held out was the friendship token we had bought earlier. Looking at it, a smile spread across Chaeran’s face.
And she too pulled something out from her sleeve.
“…Huh?”
“…Actually, they sell them over at Cheongho too. I had made some in advance, but I was worried you might feel burdened or refuse, so I didn’t give them to you.”
Chaeran smiled awkwardly, while Sayoon looked embarrassed.
Having both lacked friends, they looked at each other and burst into joyful laughter, and I turned away from the window and sat back down.
Sayoon’s getting stronger, and now she has a friend too.
Haha. We were right all along.
Ah… a sense of pride began to swell within me.
Of course, it’s not enough to be fully satisfied.
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