Chapter 92 : Return (1)

Chapter 92: Return (1)

Yong Hwarin first treated the wounds of the three sisters from Jeong Family Manor on the spot and helped them onto the carriage.

“If we go ten more li, we’ll arrive at the main estate. I believe it’s best to stop by and tend to the wounds there.”

They knew well how deep their wounds were, so none of them refused Yong Hwarin’s suggestion. Only Jeong Suji grumbled for a brief moment.

“I’ve ended up indebted to you unintentionally. Strangely enough, I’ve done nothing but trouble you since the prefectural office, Young Master Yong.”

“Isn’t this all fate? Please don’t worry yourself too much.”

The carriage began moving once more.

Namwook drove the horses toward the Heavenly Central Sect.

As the three sisters of Jeong Family Manor occupied the carriage, Jong Seok had no choice but to climb up to the driver’s seat and sit beside Namwook.

The rest of the party followed on horseback.

Silence fell inside the carriage.

Before long, Jeong Minji spoke up.

“I truly don’t know how to express my gratitude to you, Young Master Yong.”

The eldest, Jeong Minji, expressed her thanks to Yong Hwarin.

“Our family has long had ties with the Jeong Family Manor. Helping you is only natural. However, I heard that the three of you were tracking down Black Kill Sword Wonho. What happened that led to you fighting these people here?”

Jeong Minji’s face was still flushed, as her emotions had yet to settle.

“It seems we fell for that bastard’s trick. We were chasing him when we ran into these people. That’s when we realized it was a trap.”

“Ah, I see. It appears that he has allies. It might be dangerous for only the three of you to go after him. What do you think about joining forces with me?”

“The three of us are enough. Don’t trouble yourself, Young Master Yong.”

Jeong Suji responded coldly, prompting Jeong Minji to scold her.

“Second sister, don’t be rude to our benefactor. He’s someone who offered us help. How could you speak so recklessly?”

Jeong Suji lowered her head at the rare rebuke from her sister, who rarely became angry.

Yong Hwarin forced a smile in the awkward atmosphere and said,

“It seems there’s something I wasn’t aware of. I must have stepped in needlessly.”

“No, we were struggling as we chased him down as well. If Young Master Yong wishes to help, we have no reason to refuse.”

Yong Hwarin had already learned why they were chasing Black Kill Sword Wonho after listening to the conversation between Deungae and the Demonic Master.

‘So they don’t like me getting involved because of the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm. But what exactly is the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm?’

His curiosity piqued for a moment, but Yong Hwarin shook his head.

‘This isn’t the time to be distracted by such trinkets. The ones who tried to assassinate Father are now in Hayun County. My first priority is to root them out completely.’

Even as he returned to the Heavenly Central Sect, Yong Hwarin’s heart felt heavy.

The closer he got to the Heavenly Central Sect, the more deeply moved he became.

In his past life, his clan had felt like a prison.

In truth, thinking back now, it was a prison he had built for himself.

But after breaking free from those chains, he began to feel affection for his clan.

Yong Hwarin, who had never truly loved anyone to the point of missing them in his life, felt a surge in his chest like a burning fire as he looked upon the signboard reading “Heavenly Central Sect.”

He never thought he would miss the name “Heavenly Central Sect” so painfully.

“How strange… Why does seeing the sect’s signboard make me crave alcohol?”

Namwook, too, gazed at the signboard with eyes full of sentiment.

As they approached by carriage, the guardian martial artists of the Heavenly Central Sect recognized Yong Hwarin and opened the main gate.

I was bewildered.

As the carriage entered and the news spread that the Young Master had returned, people began gathering around Yong Hwarin.

“Wow! The Young Master has returned!”

When people suddenly began cheering and welcoming him, Yong Hwarin looked around at them with a confused expression.

“Orabeoni!”

Yong Seollan came running through the crowd.

“Seollan, have you been well?”

“Yes, Orabeoni. You arrived safely.”

“Yes, but what’s going on with the people? They’re greeting us like victorious generals returning from war.”

“Hohoho, it’s because your name has spread far and wide in this region. People are calling you the Heavenly Sword Hero, Orabeoni.”

“I’ve heard that before, but is it really something that warrants this kind of welcome?”

“Of course! As your reputation grows, martial arts academies, escort agencies, trading companies, and merchants from the area have been visiting the main house nonstop. There are even rumors that our family’s prestige will soar to the heavens because of you.”

“Heo, is that so?”

“That’s not all! When we go outside, people treat members of our family completely differently now. That’s why the disciples are so happy and welcoming you.”

It was something Yong Hwarin had overlooked.

Whenever a master-level martial artist emerged from a region, local influencers made frequent visits to the sect to win favor.

Even wealthy trading companies were no exception.

With a distinguished figure like Yong Hwarin, the power of the sect itself was shifting.

“Orabeoni, even River Center Escort Agency and the Sky Ocean Merchant Union visited our estate.”

“Why would they?”

“River Center Escort Agency came to express gratitude for the great favor you did for them, and the Sky Ocean Merchant Union came to apologize for the grave discourtesy they showed you. In this area, when people hear the name Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin, it’s not only the new masters—they say even the Young Masters of prestigious clans regard you as a sworn brother, and you’re known as a righteous hero who decapitates high-level demonic masters without hesitation!”

Yong Seollan was absolutely delighted that her older brother had earned such fame after leaving the sect.

“Heavenly Sword Hero!”

When Yong Seollan shouted loudly, the surrounding martial artists followed and chanted Yong Hwarin’s title in unison.

It was an embarrassing moment, but seeing how happy his sister was, Yong Hwarin smiled gently.

‘If my family can smile, then what’s a little embarrassment to me?’

As the Three Chivalrous Sisters of Jeong Family Manor got off the carriage, and Jong Seok, Jong Munhye, and Nan Myeonggwak dismounted, Yong Seollan stared at them.

Yong Hwarin decided to introduce the Three Chivalrous Sisters later and first sent them to the medical quarters since their injuries were severe.

He couldn’t bring bleeding people to greet others.

“Seollan, this young man here is a sworn brother I met through bloodshed in the jianghu. His name is Jong Seok. He’s older than you, so call him Orabeoni. And this is Hye Mae, the younger sister of Junior Brother Jong. She’s also my sworn sister. You must treat both of them the same way you treat me.”

Yong Seollan beamed brightly.

“Really? I get such a handsome older brother? And such a pretty sister too? I love it. My younger brother is so into martial arts he won’t even play with me, and my older brother barely looks my way.”

As Yong Seollan stared at Jong Seok and approached as if she would hug him, Jong Seok hesitated and stepped back.

“I’ll call you Seok Orabeoni. Is it okay if I call you Sister Munhye?”

Excited about something, Yong Seollan chatted away next to Jong Munhye, then looked over at Nan Myeonggwak.

“But is this uncle Seok Orabeoni’s servant?”

At Yong Seollan’s words, Yong Hwarin half-scolded her.

“Oho, this gentleman is one who reads people’s fates. He’s a guest of the main house.”

“Wow! Really? Then can he tell me when I’ll get married too?”

Nan Myeonggwak didn’t feel offended, even though Yong Seollan mistook him for a servant.

How could he get angry when such a beautiful young lady looked at him with curious eyes and a bright smile?

“Let’s go greet our parents first. Teacher, you should come too. Since you’ll be staying as a guest of the main house, you ought to pay your respects.”

Nan Myeonggwak walked toward the Sect Leader’s quarters while looking around the Heavenly Central Sect.

He was quite fond of the atmosphere of the sect.

Normally, martial sects emphasized martial discipline, giving off the feel of a military camp.

But the Heavenly Central Sect didn’t show such martial characteristics—it looked more like an old manor.

Most people in the manor treated others warmly, without the distance often seen in strangers. Only the martial artists of the Heavenly Central Sect behaved with any discipline, which was the only hint that this was a martial clan.

Despite being a sect with five pavilions, it gave off a cozy impression.

The Shangguan Clan, in contrast, was as rigid as a military institution.

It was a warrior organization structured around strict hierarchical reporting.

Not only the Shangguan Clan—all martial clans of the murim were like that. Only the Heavenly Central Sect seemed detached from the world, as though it had no ties to the murim, appearing calm and peaceful.

‘If it’s here, I might finally be able to rest my body and mind for a long while.’

Nan Myeonggwak praised himself, thinking that following Yong Hwarin had been the best decision of his life.

Jong Seok and Jong Munhye also had many thoughts while looking at the Heavenly Central Sect, which felt unlike any martial household.

‘To think that someone raised in a place like this could become such a sage-like man…’

From Yong Hwarin, they hadn’t sensed the aggressive drive of a martial artist or the fierce struggle of the jianghu. Perhaps that’s why he naively pursued righteousness.

The place I had been in was one where, ever since I opened my eyes, the clash of weapons and the sounds of battle cries had never ceased from all directions.

‘Still, this is too relaxed. A martial household should have at least some tension...’

Having lived in the Demonic Path, filled with fierce determination, Jong Seok found the Heavenly Central Sect unfamiliar. But one thing was certain—it was full of a warmth that touched the heart.

“Orabeoni, the Heavenly Central Sect truly feels like a sect that belongs in the heavens, just like its name. How can it feel so peaceful?”

Jong Munhye, too, having grown up as the Young Cult Leader of the Hidden Saint Cult in a place always filled with struggle, wasn’t used to this kind of atmosphere.

“Seok and Hye Mae, treat this place as your home. From now on, you are our family, and members of the Heavenly Central Sect.”

When there was no response, I pressed them again.

“Why are you not answering? Are you disappointed because the main house seems lacking?”

Jong Seok shook his head.

“No, Brother. I was simply so happy at the thought that I could live in a place this wonderful.”

As he spoke, moisture gathered at the corners of Jong Seok’s eyes.

Having been tormented by the harshness of the world, they were easily moved by Yong Hwarin’s affection.

While we were chatting about this and that, we arrived at the Cult Leader’s Hall.

Father Yong Biyang, Mother Gi Yooyeon, and Yong Kijoong, who had just finished isolated training, had come out to greet us.

“Your son has returned.”

I bowed and greeted my father and mother.

“Well done. I heard you’ve made quite a name for yourself out there. I was worried you were late...”

“I apologize. Whatever you say, it is surely my fault.”

“No, it’s fine. Hearing your title, I couldn’t be more satisfied. I believed in you. I knew you were not someone who would ever do wrong. You’ve proven that, so that is enough. Come now, let’s go inside.”

Hearing Father Yong Biyang’s words, I felt a surge of emotion welling up.

I hadn’t realized it before, but my father was such a kind man. He had every right to scold me, yet instead embraced me with warmth.

Overwhelmed with joy, I offered a deep bow to my mother, Gi Yooyeon.

Surprised, Gi Yooyeon asked as I bowed—a bow I hadn’t even given my father.

“Why are you suddenly doing something you never did before?”

Having never once received a bow from me in her life, Gi Yooyeon was bewildered by my action.