Chapter 65 : Challenger of the Five Martial Gates (1)

Chapter 65: Challenger of the Five Martial Gates (1)

Through this recent battle, we had come to understand each other a little more, and a sense of closeness had formed.

Even if it were something else, we had shared life and death together, so camaraderie naturally followed.

Moreover, this gathering was intentionally arranged by the clans to foster strong ties among their young heads.

For Yong Hwarin, it was a relief that Jaegal Yohye was not present.

She played a pivotal role in the formation of the Alliance of the Central Clans and was currently busy meeting people everywhere.

The strange part was that despite having a meal together, no one was speaking.

Even during our first meeting, it hadn’t been this quiet.

‘They’ve finally matured a bit.’

Yong Hwarin understood that after experiencing a battle where death loomed close, these youths had undoubtedly come to realize a lot.

This period often brought with it a sharp leap in mental maturity due to certain events.

As we quietly ate, the first to break the silence was Pang Giyok.

“Hwarin.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“There’s something I’d like to ask. Would you answer me?”

“Go ahead.”

“I heard from Master Mo that it hasn’t been long since you began learning martial arts. Is that true?”

“It is. Master Mo is my martial arts teacher.”

“Then is it also true that it hasn’t been long since you first started cultivating martial arts?”

“That’s right.”

Pang Giyok looked at Yong Hwarin with eyes full of disbelief.

“To think you’ve made such progress in such a short time... it’s hard to believe.”

Everyone who heard our conversation inwardly gasped in astonishment.

They were all descendants of martial clans, not only well-versed in martial arts but also known figures within the martial world.

They had spent over twenty years of their lives—or their entire lives—training in martial arts to earn the reputations they now had.

But Yong Hwarin? What did that make him?

“A monster.”

Pang Giyok’s remark perfectly echoed the thoughts of the others.

“No, it’s not that I’m particularly gifted. It was thanks to some rare elixirs I took when I was ill.”

“Is that so?”

Pang Giyok trailed off, though he clearly didn’t believe that was all there was to it.

After all, hadn’t they all taken rare elixirs before?

When it came to taking rare and precious medicines, Yong Hwarin couldn’t possibly outmatch them.

The Seomun Clan and the Shangguan Clan, with their immense financial power, could obtain rare elixirs more easily than any other clan.

Pang Giyok, realizing they were the only ones conversing at the table, decided to change the topic.

“Are you leaving today?”

“I think I should. What about you, Giyok?”

“I’ll need to stay a few more days. The injuries among my clan’s warriors still need more time to heal.”

His expression turned somber as he said that.

Among the clans who took part in what came to be known as the Blood Bamboo Battle, the Pang Clan suffered the heaviest losses.

More than half of the people they brought had died. The number of injured was also higher than any other clan. It was only natural, since they had fought on the front lines.

Pang Giyok continued.

“Your guards were injured too, weren’t they? Shouldn’t they rest and recover first? It would be dangerous to move today.”

Just as Pang Giyok said, Mo Biyoung and Jungwook had sustained injuries that made travel difficult.

They needed at least seven days of rest to recover. But Yong Hwarin couldn’t afford to waste time staying at the Shangguan Clan until they were healed.

Now that he had uncovered the secret of the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra, he felt an urgent need to meet Chouhui.

Fortunately, the River Immortal Pavilion was located in Kaifeng, Henan.

From Zhengzhou, where the Shangguan Clan was based, it was a two-day ride.

Yong Hwarin planned to leave Mo Biyoung and Jungwook behind to rest, and only take Namwook and the siblings from the Jong Clan with him. He figured that by the time he returned from obtaining the Dual-Mind Inner Art from Chouhui, they would be mostly recovered.

“I’ll leave the injured guards here for treatment. Actually, I have urgent business to take care of in Kaifeng.”

“Kaifeng, huh? If you’re going and coming back, I’ll get to see you again.”

While they were chatting, the silence at the table made them glance around.

“What’s the matter, Brother Shangguan?”

Pang Giyok asked Shangguan Joyoung, who was sitting next to him.

Shangguan Joyoung blinked his large eyes, looking between Pang Giyok and Yong Hwarin.

Although they were the same age, Pang Giyok never spoke casually with him.

Because of that, Shangguan Joyoung always felt a sense of distance from Pang Giyok.

In fact, for the past ten years, he had never seen Pang Giyok talk to anyone like a friend.

“I’ve been watching since earlier... you two are speaking informally to each other. When did you become friends?”

When he asked, Pang Giyok gave a naive smile.

“Since the Bamboo Forest. Facing death together, fighting back to back... that kind of bond feels stronger than anything else. I was the one who asked first.”

Hearing that, Shangguan Joyoung felt a little ashamed.

Just as Pang Giyok said, he and Yong Hwarin had fought at the front against the Blood Demon Castle’s elites, while others had stayed to the rear, where it was safer.

‘If I had fought beside them, would I have been their friend too?’

He wasn’t sure, but it felt likely.

The two had fought a brutal battle against Zhao Qiansheng, a commander from the Blood Demon Castle. He, on the other hand, hadn’t even considered helping.

So he couldn’t bring himself to butt in and ask to be their friend.

“Hwarin Orabeoni may not look it, but he’s incredibly fierce. If not for him, my brother would’ve been seriously injured.”

To everyone’s surprise, Pang Cheollyeon spoke up to praise Yong Hwarin.

Her face was full of pride.

All the martial warriors from the clans who were in the Bamboo Forest had seen it.

They had witnessed how Yong Hwarin and Pang Giyok fought.

Knowing how well compliments worked at times like this, Yong Hwarin returned the favor.

“I was also deeply impressed by Pang Lady’s fighting. I now understand why the Pang Clan of Hebei has its reputation. She led the charge more bravely than any warrior and never once retreated.”

“Oh my, if you’re friends with my Orabeoni, then you’re also my Orabeoni. Please call me Cheollyeon.”

Shangguan Yuseol, Shangguan Mijong, and Seomun Seoseol, seated at the table, looked like their eyes might pop out.

That iron-blooded maiden showing cuteness?

‘Oh my. Pang Cheollyeon is speaking in a nasal tone?’

It was a shock.

Pang Cheollyeon had never acted cute in front of any man.

Especially for Shangguan Mijong, who had recently awoken and regretted not participating in the battle due to her father’s firm opposition.

She thought she should have forced her way into the fight.

If she had, she wouldn’t have had to witness Pang Cheollyeon’s aegyo in this setting and could have proven her martial prowess to the world.

According to the clan warriors, her younger brother Shangguan Joyoung had not contributed much.

They all unanimously agreed that Yong Hwarin and Pang Giyok had saved them.

Shangguan Mijong had nothing to say.

Even without seeing it, she could imagine how her brother had acted.

Not a single warrior from the Shangguan Clan mentioned him in their recounts of the battle.

Instead, they only talked about the two heroes, which made it clear what her brother's role had been.

‘If I had been there, I could’ve shared stories of battle with them.’

The regret stung deeply.

When Yong Hwarin subtly glanced at Pang Giyok, he gave a slight nod.

“From the moment we fought together, you were already my friend. So it’s only natural that Cheollyeon calls you ‘Orabeoni’. Haha, consider it an honor. You’re the only one outside our clan she calls that.”

Yong Hwarin stood and answered with a clasped-fist salute.

“For me, Yong Hwarin, it is a lifelong honor, Cheollyeon.”

“Hohohoho.”

Pang Cheollyeon laughed aloud, clearly delighted.

Once her laughter died down, Pang Giyok spoke with a serious expression.

“Zhao Qiansheng of the Blood Demon Castle pointed you out and vowed revenge. Those bastards won’t stop at just words. So if they attack the Heavenly Central Sect, send a message pigeon to our clan. I’ll personally lead Pang Clan’s elite to aid you. I’ll give you several of our pigeons before you return. Even if it’s not Blood Demon Castle-related, let’s stay in touch now and then.”

Yong Hwarin appreciated Pang Giyok’s consideration.

He raised his voice slightly for others to hear.

“I might not trust others easily, but I trust you. Thank you. But if they come, I’ll kill them all myself. No need to worry.”

“Understood. But don’t forget—I too have a grudge against Zhao Qiansheng. Don’t you dare try to take revenge alone. That would be an insult to me.”

To avoid bruising Yong Hwarin’s pride, Pang Giyok spoke of revenge too. Reading his intent, Yong Hwarin smiled.

“Got it. I’ll hold onto your kindness.”

“I’ll come running too!”

Pang Cheollyeon interjected, and Yong Hwarin replied.

“Of course. I can already imagine you charging at Zhao Qiansheng in a fury.”

His kind tone toward Cheollyeon made the other women at the table uncomfortable.

But none dared say anything.

Seomun Seoseol knew her brother had persistently tried to argue with Yong Hwarin during the Blood Bamboo Battle.

Knowing that, she couldn’t even look him in the eye.

It also made her realize that there was now an unbridgeable gap between them.

Like Pang Cheollyeon, she would never have a chance to call Yong Hwarin ‘Orabeoni’ with affection.

That filled her with quiet sorrow. And for that reason, she found Seomun Yuwon, who merely picked at his food, utterly pathetic.

Shangguan Mijong, overwhelmed by a strange sense of deprivation, abruptly spoke.

“Our clan, too, will rush to aid you if the Blood Demon Castle causes trouble. Right, Joyoung?”

Caught off guard, Shangguan Joyoung stammered.

“Y-Yes, of course. Our clan must support the Heavenly Central Sect.”

Yong Hwarin responded as if he had been waiting for that.

“Nowhere else, but if the Shangguan Clan of Henan lends us a hand, it’ll be a tremendous help. I truly appreciate your words.”

When Yong Hwarin said that, Shangguan Joyoung quickly followed up.

“No, how could we call ourselves strangers to Young Master Yong now? If the Blood Demon Castle attacks, our clan will give you full support.”

Having made that promise in the heat of the moment, Shangguan Joyoung looked reluctant. But he knew that if he didn’t say something, the sense of isolation would only deepen.

Especially with Pang Cheollyeon staring straight at him—he couldn’t stay quiet.

“Thank you very much. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave. I have many urgent matters to attend to and beg your pardon for the abrupt departure.”