Chapter 120 : Gaining a Guest (3)

Chapter 120: Gaining a Guest (3)

“Very well, I shall receive you as an official guest of our household. Don’t worry about food. Eat as much as you like.”

At those words, Deungae grabbed Yong Hwarin’s hand in surprise.

He had expected his request to be dismissed outright.

Even though Yong Hwarin had defended and comforted him for the first time, Deungae believed he wouldn’t actually take him in.

But when Yong Hwarin accepted him without hesitation, he was overcome with emotion.

“Thank you.”

“What is your name?”

Even though he already knew, Yong Hwarin asked him anyway.

“I’m Deungae from Sichuan.”

“And how old are you?”

“I’m twenty-five this year.”

“You’re older than me, Master Deung, so please don’t treat me too formally.”

“What are you saying? A true man who depends on another’s household should naturally lower his head. That’s only proper.”

“From now on, no matter what anyone says, Master Deung is an official guest of this household.”

“Hahaha, I never imagined that phrase ‘no matter what anyone says’ could sound so pleasant.”

“Over there is the Sect Leader of this household. Let’s go and greet him.”

The Three Chivalrous Sisterss and the second-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect clicked their tongues inwardly at Yong Hwarin’s absurd action.

‘A mere sect young master doesn’t even have an eye for people. That fat guy’s just looking for a place to eat—what’s this nonsense about taking him in as a guest?’

They all inwardly mocked Yong Hwarin’s foolishness, but Jeong Suji spoke her thoughts aloud.

“Hmph! Soon the Heavenly Central Sect will be crawling with strange people. Taking in someone like that as a guest—what good is being kind when it’s all empty? There’s no substance.”

Jeong Minji scolded her.

“Suji, didn’t I tell you not to speak carelessly? What if he really is a martial artist? Even if Young Master Yong is kind, he’s not a soft man. He must have a plan to take him in.”

“Fine, then let’s make a bet.”

Jeong Suji didn’t back down.

“A bet? What kind of bet?”

As the conversation turned interesting, Jeong Daji jumped in and asked.

“If that man turns out not to be a martial artist, you’re not allowed to interfere in anything I do.”

Even if Yong Hwarin turned out to be the master of the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, Jeong Suji had no intention of serving him.

“Alright, but if he is a martial artist, you must follow everything I say without question.”

“Fine.”

“Hahaha, things are getting interesting.”

Jeong Daji enjoyed the situation as it escalated into a contest of pride.

These two sisters had strong pride and always kept their word.

‘Elder Sister usually avoids escalating things, but Second Sister’s resistance to the matters involving the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm and Yong Hwarin has been so strong that she accepted the bet. But from what I see… Elder Sister might lose this one…’

To her eyes, this Deungae fellow didn’t look like he knew any martial arts.

If he had trained in martial arts, unless he had reached the hidden realm of vanishing traces, his presence and energy would have naturally radiated from his body.

But she felt nothing from him.

Besides, seeing the clear footprints he left on the ground, he clearly had no Internal Energy.

And from how he panted every time he spoke, it was obvious he hadn’t trained in breathing techniques either.

There was no way someone like that had learned martial arts.

Yong Hwarin simply seemed to be taking pity on the fat man.

“Father, this is Master Deungae, whom we have taken in as a guest of our household.”

Yong Biyang had been listening to the entire conversation between Deungae and Yong Hwarin.

He got off the carriage and gave a martial salute.

“I am Yong Biyang, Sect Leader of the Heavenly Central Sect. I am very pleased to welcome you as an honored guest of our house. Welcome.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.”

Now that even the Sect Leader had acknowledged him, Deungae tried hard to bow with his thick waist.

Yong Biyang saw it as an act of sympathy on his son’s part.

But since he had already decided to approve of anything his son did as long as it wasn’t unrighteous, he had no objection to accepting Deungae as a guest.

Truthfully, even Yong Biyang couldn’t tell whether Deungae was a martial artist or not.

“But Master Deung, how will you travel? There’s no horse that can bear your weight.”

Worried, Yong Biyang asked, and Deungae smiled softly.

“Please don’t worry. I may look like this, but I’m quick on my feet. Because of this body, I’ve become rather good at Light Steps.”

“Hmph! With that body, let’s see if you can run even ten steps.”

Jeong Suji scoffed.

But Deungae simply smiled at her.

“No need to worry, beautiful young lady.”

“Hmph! Who’s worried?”

“Oh, we’ll soon find out. If that man really displays Light Steps as he says, then he must be a martial artist. Whether he’s lying or not will be clear very soon.”

Jeong Daji stared at Deungae with eyes full of curiosity.

Yong Hwarin looked at Deungae with trust and said,

“Then follow us. We’re heading to our main estate now. Where will the three ladies go?”

“We’ll stay at the Heavenly Central Sect for a while. Is that alright?”

Yong Hwarin had expected the three sisters to leave, so it surprised him that they would follow.

But the three sisters had a few more things to confirm with Yong Hwarin before they could leave.

“You are always welcome in our house, ladies. Master Poong, where are you headed?”

When he turned to the Daoists from Mount Hua, Ho Cheongun stepped forward and answered.

“Actually, our schedule was slightly delayed, and we’re on our way to escort a major delivery. It’s a matter of life and death for our escort agency, so we even requested our senior brother’s help.”

“Where are you to join up with them?”

“We’re to meet at Yangjeong.”

“Ah, is the delivery headed to Anhui?”

“How did you know?”

They were surprised he could guess the destination just from a region’s name.

“Yangjeong is in the path toward Anhui. That’s why I guessed.”

Ho Cheongun was impressed by Yong Hwarin’s sharp mind.

‘On top of that, his martial arts are excellent. The Heavenly Central Sect will surely make a name for itself in Henan. For the sake of our escort agency, we must maintain good ties with them.’

“Then we can travel together until Haun County.”

“I’m afraid not. Because our schedule was delayed by this incident, they’re probably anxiously waiting for us. Bandits have also been reported to appear frequently around Mount Pyeongyeo, on the border between Henan and Anhui.”

“Is that so?”

Yong Hwarin tilted his head. He couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.

As the carriage began to move, Yong Hwarin and the Three Chivalrous Sisterss followed behind.

Deungae also started moving.

The three sisters closely watched whether Deungae would really keep up with their galloping horses using Light Steps, or whether he would stop after just a few bounds.

The second-generation disciples of the Mount Hua Sect were also discreetly keeping an eye on Deungae due to his earlier words.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The ground trembled with each of Deungae’s steps.

“Hmph! I knew it.”

With that kind of weight and running like that, he would surely collapse before he could even take ten steps.

But when she didn’t hear the pounding anymore, Jeong Suji looked back. By now, he should’ve been sprawled on the ground, panting like a piglet.

“What in the world?!”

Jeong Suji exclaimed not with mockery, but in shock.

Sa Ilhyang of the Mount Hua Sect stared at Deungae, her mouth agape.

Namwook, who was looking back from the coachman’s seat, was just as shocked.

Deungae, astonishingly, was soaring three jang in one step like a swallow dancing over water. Each time his heavy body touched the ground with the tip of his foot, he rose again and glided forward.

He quickly caught up to Yong Hwarin’s position.

“Isn’t that exhausting?”

Yong Hwarin asked, and Deungae replied,

“Well, it’s not much. I came all the way from Sichuan to Henan like this.”

“Gasp! You don’t say!”

Jeong Daji was appalled.

To use Light Steps and still be able to speak—that was a realm of purity and transcendence, something only achievable at the Ascendant Level.

“Hohohohoho!”

Suddenly, Jeong Minji burst into hearty laughter.

She hadn’t expected Deungae to be so proficient in Light Steps either.

“From now on, you two must do as I say.”

At Jeong Minji’s words, her two younger sisters frowned but didn’t respond.

Yong Biyang smiled with satisfaction.

While everyone else thought they’d been fooled, his son had trusted Deungae and accepted him as a guest.

Only based on Deungae’s words.

Even though he himself hadn’t been certain.

‘He sees people better than I do. Hohoho.’

Yong Hwarin wasn’t surprised—because he knew Deungae’s true identity.

“Young Master, aren’t you surprised? Did you really believe I knew martial arts?”

Yong Hwarin nodded.

“I saw it in Master Deung’s eyes. That you were speaking the truth. So how could I not believe you?”

Of course, this was an outright lie.

Believing someone just by looking in their eyes?

That was something only the Yong Hwarin of a previous life could say.

He knew well that nothing pleased a person more than being told they were believed.

“Hehehe, you’re the first person to ever believe what I said.”

Everyone else was unsure how to interpret the situation.

‘What on earth did Young Master Yong see in him?’

Everyone stared at the two, lost in thought.

On the way to the Heavenly Central Sect, the second-generation disciples of Mount Hua and the Shaolin Arhats separated from the group.

The Mount Hua disciples left to take care of the escort mission with River Center Escort Agency, and the Shaolin Arhats departed to report what had happened and to search for someone named Demonic Master.

“Great Master, they are wicked men with devious plots. You must always be cautious. Isn’t it said that deceit is more dangerous than martial arts? And if there’s ever something our house can help with, don’t hesitate to visit.”

“We humble monks will never forget the grace of Benefactor Yong. If ever there comes a time when you need us, we will set aside all other matters and come immediately.”

“Understood.”

After parting with the Shaolin monks, Yong Hwarin returned with the Three Chivalrous Sisters and Deungae.

As they arrived at the household, Yong Seollan came running first.

Yong Hwarin opened his arms toward the rushing Yong Seollan.

His little sister running to greet him so excitedly was adorable.

But Yong Seollan rushed right past him and leapt into Yong Biyang’s arms.

“Hahaha, my Ran has become even more clingy while I was away.”

“I was so worried when I heard you were in danger.”

“It was your brother who saved me.”

Yong Seollan pulled away from Yong Biyang and then rushed into Yong Hwarin’s arms.

“I’m really glad you’re here, brother.”

Just that single sentence struck deep into his chest.

“You rascal.”

Yong Hwarin patted Yong Seollan’s back.

Because of Yong Seollan’s excited shouting, word quickly spread throughout the Heavenly Central Sect that the Sect Leader and Young Master had returned.

At the news, Gi Yooyeon came running in a fluster.

Yong Kijoong followed, gliding in with Light Steps.

Mo Biyoung came rushing in, having left her training behind.

Even Jong Munhye and Nan Myeonggwak came running, which reminded Yong Hwarin of how precious his acquaintances were.

Who else in the world would welcome him this warmly?

Yong Hwarin vowed never to lose people like these.

After greeting each of the people who came to welcome him, Mo Biyoung looked at Deungae standing awkwardly in the back.

“Who is that?”

Yong Hwarin turned to Deungae and spoke.

“There’s someone I’d like to introduce. This is Deungae. He is an official guest of our household. Please show him proper courtesy and hospitality.”

“Ah!”

As everyone turned their eyes to his large frame, Deungae scratched the back of his head shyly.

“I’m Deungae. Being called a guest is more than I deserve—Young Master is being generous. But if you need strength for anything, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”