Chapter 251 : A Strange Reunion (2)

Chapter 251: A Strange Reunion (2)

Seeing that, Jeong Suji murmured in disbelief.

"I never imagined that the cold-hearted Lee Yung would turn out to be a puppy that obediently follows a woman’s words. The same goes for Dang Cheolgi, said to be the most ruthless among the Successors. Are they acting like this just from seeing Chouhui’s face?"

Though they spoke in hushed tones, Lee Yung and Dang Cheolgi had sharp enough hearing to catch their words. However, the guesthouse had become so noisy from the spreading fight that the ruckus drowned out their conversation.

As a result, Lee Yung and Dang Cheolgi didn’t hear the exchange between Yong Hwarin’s group.

"Men have a strong desire to see beauties they’ve never laid eyes on. There's also a desire to verify rumors. And those who’ve seen Chouhui have painted such illusions of her in their words. Illusions like that hold more power than seeing someone in person."

"Hmph, acting like fools just from hearing a beauty’s reputation."

Jeong Suji snorted, unable to comprehend it.

"There’s a reason the phrase ‘a beauty that topples kingdoms’ exists. A single woman’s overwhelming beauty can bring ruin to a nation—so how could it not move a man’s heart?"

"In that sense, Young Master Yong is remarkable. He doesn’t seem swayed by such absurd rumors."

At Jeong Suji’s words, Yong Hwarin smiled gently.

‘I’m simply not interested because I’ve already met her.’

The jade-like voice continued to flow.

"I won’t meet with you."

"Why not? Please tell us. Is it because we don’t have the Gold Token?"

When Dang Cheolgi asked, Chouhui replied,

"Because you both lack two things."

"What are they? I’ll obtain them, no matter what."

"Those aren’t things that can be bought like goods."

"Still, tell us."

When Lee Yung pressed, Chouhui sighed and spoke.

"First, it’s because you’re not righteous warriors. Second, it’s because you cannot defeat one particular person."

Dang Cheolgi shouted,

"I cannot accept that! As the Young Master of the Tang Clan, I’ve lived as a righteous warrior with pride."

"No, that’s not right. What’s your alias, Master Dang?"

At that, Dang Cheolgi fell silent.

His own title was Poison-Hearted Dragon. It was a nickname he earned for being extremely cold-blooded in his actions.

He had rarely shown mercy to an opponent.

"Does your title, Master Dang, contain the character for ‘righteousness’?"

"No, it does not."

"That’s precisely why I won’t meet with you."

Lee Yung shouted, knowing he was a demonic practitioner and far from being a righteous warrior.

"Then, if you say I can’t defeat that one person—if I beat them, will you meet with me?"

"Of course."

At those words, the men in the guesthouse all reacted at once.

The murmuring grew louder.

"Who is that person?"

When Lee Yung asked, Chouhui calmly responded.

"He is both a righteous warrior and a master."

Yong Hwarin and the Three Chivalrous Sisters listened intently, curious who she would mention.

‘She’ll probably drop the name of Murim Myeongsook to escape this crisis.’

Jeong Suji thought that as she scoffed at Chouhui.

Not only Jeong Suji, but many in the guesthouse expected Chouhui to name a great master to get out of the situation.

But an unexpected name came from Chouhui’s mouth.

"Cheonjung Sword Hero, Yong Hwarin."

At those words, the guesthouse fell silent as if dead. Lee Yung and Dang Cheolgi stood like statues, stunned by what they heard.

In the stillness, Chouhui continued.

"Until now, the only one to have passed the Five Martial Trials I presented was the Cheonjung Sword Hero. Even then, he never demanded anything from me. He simply broke through the trials and left. It seemed he just wanted to challenge what no one else had conquered. He saw my face, yet showed no disturbance. From that alone, he proved himself worthy of the title Cheonjung Sword Hero."

Her tone was hazy, as if reminiscing about an old lover, and the martial artists in the guesthouse bristled with killing intent.

It was born from jealousy and resentment toward Yong Hwarin, whom they hadn’t seen and didn’t even know.

Naturally, the Three Chivalrous Sisters’ gazes turned to Yong Hwarin.

Caught off guard at being named in such a place, Yong Hwarin lowered his head with an awkward expression.

If anyone were to recognize him now, it might erupt into a massive brawl.

Then, one martial artist in the guesthouse suddenly stood and shouted.

"Miss Cho, it’s unjust to bring up someone who isn’t present like the Cheonjung Sword Hero! If he were here, I’d challenge him to a duel on the spot. But he’s not, so what good does it do? I heard one of the trials at the Five Martial Trials is to duel Fan Yegok. Why not have us fight and prove ourselves that way instead?"

"That’s right!"

"That’s a fair point!"

Apparently thinking Fan Yegok was someone they could manage, many in the guesthouse raised their voices in agreement.

Dang Cheolgi and Lee Yung watched the situation carefully. Since things were turning in their favor, they chose to stay silent.

The jade-like voice answered.

“If Cheonjung Sword Hero were here, what would you do? Would you still have the courage to challenge him?”

Hearing that, many in the guesthouse talked all at once in chaotic voices.

“Of course!”

“We will challenge him!”

Yong Hwarin thought inwardly.

‘I don’t know how she knew, but Chouhui knows I came here.’

A bitter smile formed. He was resentful of Chouhui’s behavior of trying to use him to get through this situation.

At Chouhui’s words, Lee Yung looked around inside the guesthouse.

Soon, Lee Yung found Yong Hwarin sitting in the corner with the Three Chivalrous Sisters.

‘What a sly bastard! Sitting quietly here while observing everything.’

Thinking that Lee Yung had found him, Yong Hwarin decided quietly that it was no longer wise to leave unnoticed. Then, a warrior sitting at the table right beside Yong Hwarin’s group pointed at him and said,

“Here! The Cheonjung Sword Hero is here!”

At that sound, all eyes immediately focused on Yong Hwarin’s seat.

“Huh? It’s true. How did we not know?”

“Did the Cheonjung Sword Hero also come to see Chouhui?”

“Could it be? Didn’t he already pass the Five Martial Trials and see Miss Cho?”

Yong Hwarin had no choice but to rise, clasp his hands together, and greet them.

“Greetings. I came here just to eat and didn’t even know Miss Cho was here. As you know, I was fighting the demonic forces at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and didn’t realize she was staying here. I will just eat and leave, so please don’t pay me any mind.”

The warriors in the guesthouse already knew the rumors that had stirred Jeongju and Henan.

The rumor that the Heavenly Demon Sect’s forces and the demonic and unorthodox factions who attacked the Sky Ocean Merchant Union were annihilated by the Cheonjung Sword Hero Yong Hwarin had already spread throughout the murim.

Moreover, the rumor that the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Sam Taegong, one of the absolute masters, was injured and fled after fighting Yong Hwarin further elevated his reputation as the strongest Successor in the rivers and lakes.

The reason Yong Hwarin earned such high fame was that he did not come from a prestigious orthodox sect.

In reality, the murim was mostly composed of warriors from mid-sized and small sects, with only a few from the Nine Great Sects or renowned orthodox sects.

Those who had always been intimidated by warriors from the major orthodox sects went wild when a mid-sized sect warrior like Yong Hwarin rose as a sacred star of the murim.

They felt as if Yong Hwarin fulfilled the dreams they themselves could not achieve.

Since no one from the mid-sized or smaller sects had risen to such fame recently, the excitement was even greater.

“I’ve heard much of the Cheonjung Sword Hero’s fame. It’s an honor to meet you.”

When a warrior stood and clasped his hands together in greeting, others also rose here and there to greet Yong Hwarin.

“After hearing you swept away the demonic forces, I, Lord Hwang, was deeply impressed.”

“When I heard that the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Sam Taegong fled, I, Lord Lee, also came to admire the Cheonjung Sword Hero.”

The conversation took an odd turn.

Though many had seemed ready to challenge him upon hearing Yong Hwarin was present, when he actually appeared, they hurriedly greeted him instead.

They already knew Yong Hwarin’s fame was at a level beyond their reach.

Naturally, the warriors in the guesthouse cast their gazes at two people.

Dang Cheolgi and Lee Yung.

Those two had proven their martial skill by defeating many warriors.

They seemed to hold expectant looks, thinking they might be worthy opponents for Yong Hwarin.

Dang Cheolgi spoke.

“Miss Cho, if I, this Young Master Dang, duel Master Yong and win, will you meet me?”

“Of course. Whoever defeats Master Yong will meet with me.”

At those words, Yong Hwarin laughed heartily.

“Haha, Miss Cho, why do you set such conditions? Have I done something to offend you? I cannot understand why you put me in such a difficult position.”

“You have.”

When Yong Hwarin joked, Chouhui responded seriously, then looked toward the second floor.

The jade-like voice rang clearly.

“You passed the Five Martial Trials boldly but left without staying? That was an insult to the young lady.”

“No, there were circumstances then.”

Hearing that, Jeong Daji muttered.

“That was Master Yong’s fault. He hurt a woman’s pride.”

Even if others didn’t care, a woman’s pride could easily be hurt in such a situation. Especially for Chouhui, who controlled murim figures with her beauty, it must have been a shock.

“A woman’s pride is like a bee. When angered, it stings and kills.”

Yong Hwarin ignored Jeong Daji’s words and spoke to Chouhui.

“Anyway, I hope you don’t involve me in your matters.”

But it was already too late.

Dang Cheolgi immediately reacted.

“Lord Yong’s great reputation is well known to this Lord Dang. I was planning to meet you at the Sky Ocean Merchant Union anyway, but now fate has brought us here. I, Poison-Hearted Dragon Dang Cheolgi of the Tang Clan, hereby request a duel with the Cheonjung Sword Hero.”

Many warriors in the guesthouse, eager for the opportunity to witness Yong Hwarin’s skill firsthand, sparkled with anticipation.

“Having a duel here seems inappropriate.”

When Yong Hwarin subtly declined, Dang Cheolgi approached him. People nearby quietly scattered like the ebb of a tide and gathered in other corners.

They didn’t want to get caught in the deadly fight between the two.

Especially since Dang Cheolgi used poison, people kept a distance.

Seeing that he wouldn’t persuade Dang Cheolgi, Yong Hwarin said,

“Fine, then let’s make a wager.”

Dang Cheolgi confidently said,

“Speak. Any wager will do.”

Dang Cheolgi boldly challenged, confident that Yong Hwarin couldn’t withstand his poison skill.

“If I lose this duel, I will immediately go to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and assist Miss Hoi.”

“That was my intention anyway, so something else.”

“That’s acceptable.”

When Yong Hwarin cut off Dang Cheolgi’s words and spoke, Dang Cheolgi’s friendly eyes turned cold.

“Very well. Then if Lord Yong loses, what will you do?”