Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“Hmm~ hm-hmm~.”

As if something delighted her greatly, Sopyung hummed a tune through her nose.

Seeing that sight, Youngho let out a small chuckle.

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course! You’re going to participate in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, Young Master! What could be more auspicious than that!”

“But the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering is something anyone can participate in, isn’t it?”

Sopyung looked at Youngho with an expression of utter disbelief.

“No, but if the Alliance Lord himself told you to participate, doesn’t that already mean your skills are guaranteed?”

“That, I don’t know.”

“I heard that at the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, people die, and some even lose an arm?”

“Well, that’s only natural. Even if it’s not a fight to the death, no one knows what might happen in a martial contest between martial artists.”

At that, Sopyung’s lips twitched even more.

“That’s exactly why it’s so amazing! One of the reasons the Alliance Lord told you to go is because he figured nothing bad would happen to you!”

“Well… that part, I really don’t know.”

Though he said that, Youngho was certain that he would not be injured by anyone.

‘Unless someone other than the later-generation youths interferes.’

At that moment, Jongpal approached Youngho and spoke.

“Young Master, it seems we should depart soon. It looks like the Alliance Lord is about to leave.”

“Didn’t he say we’d leave after lunch?”

“He did.”

“So he’s changing his mind again. Fine. Hosan, go bring your master and your younger sibling.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Watching Kang Hosan walk off cheerfully, Youngho fell into a strange sense of reflection.

It was not only Youngho who would be participating in this Dragon–Phoenix Gathering. Kang Hosan, Kang Chowon, and even the other members of the Asura Squad would be participating as well.

Since only those who had not yet reached forty were eligible to participate in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, Youngho planned to send everyone under his care if possible.

He did not worry in the slightest about them losing their lives or becoming crippled.

Youngho trusted the training the Asura members had undergone until now. No—more precisely, he trusted his own training methods.

Unless a powerhouse on Youngho’s level deliberately tried to kill them, they would be fine. His training was specialized toward survival, after all.

‘There’s no revenge if you’re dead.’

When Youngho and Sopyung stepped out of the house, an enormous carriage prepared by Cheonung stood there, radiating an overwhelming presence.

“Wow…….”

Faced with such an incredibly luxurious carriage, Sopyung lost herself without realizing it.

Even Youngho was startled by the extravagance—far too lavish for something a mere disciple of the Alliance Lord would ride.

Since Youngho was at least more composed than the dazed Sopyung, he immediately spoke to her.

“Sopyung, pull yourself together.”

“Ah! I’m sorry. I was just so surprised.”

“That’s understandable. Still, compared to my master’s, this is nothing, so let’s get in.”

“Yes…….”

Seeing the massive carriage, Sopyung seemed to shrink back on her own, hunching her shoulders as she stepped inside.

And once inside, Youngho understood why she had reacted that way.

“…Isn’t this a bit excessive?”

The carriage was so large and spacious that even eight adult men could ride comfortably.

Kang Hosan also stared inside with his mouth hanging open in admiration.

“Hosan. A fly’s going to get in your mouth.”

At Youngho’s words, Kang Hosan hastily came to his senses and closed his mouth.

“Let’s go inside for now.”

Inside the carriage rode Youngho, Sopyung, Horyeung, and the siblings Kang Hosan and Kang Chowon.

Other carriages were boarded by the Asura members in smaller numbers, while the remaining Asura members stood beside the carriage, guarding Youngho.

They would likely rotate guarding duty with those riding inside.

With the banner of the Unorthodox Alliance raised, the carriages set off.

Since there was nothing for him to do anyway, Youngho was just about to try to sleep.

‘Hm?’

Seeing Kang Hosan’s strangely stiffened expression, Youngho let out a faint smile.

‘Yes, this is what a normal later-generation youth looks like.’

Under normal circumstances, Kang Hosan would not even have been able to participate in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, let alone save Kang Chowon.

But look at him now. That rigid face. Those tense muscles. They were so subtle that no one else would notice, but Youngho could.

Because Youngho had known Kang Hosan for quite some time, he could tell—Kang Hosan was extremely nervous.

‘He’s already this tense, and we haven’t even arrived yet?’

Usually, people would be too excited to sleep.

‘His mindset really is different.’

Most later-generation youths were intoxicated by the prize for victory or the title they might earn, becoming overly excited instead.

But Kang Hosan, who had crossed swords with Youngho, knew better.

He knew that a mere title meant nothing. That while the prize was nice to have, there was something far more important.

A bout with an opponent. Crossing blades itself meant risking one’s life.

No one could truly know another person’s heart. With the slightest provocation, someone overflowing with goodwill could suddenly look at you with killing intent.

One must never let their guard down. Just because a bout seemed to be over did not mean it truly was. Of course, perhaps Youngho thought this way because he was a member of the Unorthodox Faction.

But was the Orthodox Sect any different? Orthodox or Unorthodox, the essence of humans was the same.

No matter how much one pretended to be calm, no matter how much one feigned serenity, human impulses were not something that could be easily restrained.

What Youngho had taught Kang Hosan was not much. But those few teachings were the most essential and important things for surviving as a member of the Unorthodox Faction.

Right now, Kang Hosan was tense about the real combat that lay ahead.

Finishing his thoughts, Youngho smiled faintly.

“Hosan. Are you nervous?”

At those words, Kang Hosan flinched and replied.

“Honestly, I am.”

“Why do you think you’re nervous?”

“Didn’t you teach me, Young Master? Whether it’s a bout or a fight to the death, a single mistake can cost you your life. And that the Jianghu doesn’t listen to the words of the weak.”

“That’s right. If you know that much, you should also know how to loosen up a bit. Look at Chowon—see how calm she is?”

“Chowon?”

“Yeah.”

“Chowon?”

“What, is there a problem…?”

“Young Master, do you know this?”

“What?”

“Those who have sparred with you unconsciously recall their bouts with you. They revisit those matches and train in order to develop their ability to respond to situations.”

“So what?”

“Look at Chowon.”

“Chowon, your older brother seems a bit strange.”

“…….”

“Chowon?”

Just as Youngho was about to touch her in confusion when Kang Chowon showed no reaction at all despite hearing him—

“Just leave her as she is.”

Kang Hosan stopped Youngho and spoke.

“You don’t know what Chowon’s nickname is right now, do you?”

“She has a nickname? Her?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Sword Ghost. Sword Ghost.”

“Sword Ghost?”

“Yes. A ghost obsessed with the sword. To be honest, sometimes when I look into Chowon’s eyes, I get scared. Really scared.”

Youngho naturally turned his gaze toward Horyeung. Having listened to their conversation, Horyeung spoke to Youngho with a reluctant expression.

“I did not teach her like that.”

“Then how did you teach her?”

“Frankly, I find Chowon difficult as well. I’m saying this because she isn’t listening right now. This child seems destined to become an extraordinary swordsman.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Food, clothing, and shelter will be handled by the Unorthodox Alliance anyway, so she will probably never marry and will devote herself solely to the sword.”

“…….”

“Right now, Chowon is recalling her bout with you and training. Within her own mental image.”

“……Why?”

“She says that your sword is beautiful.”

As Kang Hosan spoke as if letting out a sigh, Horyeung also sighed.

“My sword is beautiful?”

“Yes. She is no longer satisfied even with Master’s sword.”

“You brat, how could you say something like that!”

When Horyeung scolded him, Kang Hosan gave an awkward smile and replied.

“It’s the truth, Master.”

“That may be true, but…….”

Kang Hosan and Horyeung looked at Kang Chowon for a moment, then sighed deeply in unison.

Even as the two sighed, Youngho looked at Kang Chowon with an approving gaze.

‘Good. That’s how you survive! People don’t mess with the insane in the first place, so please keep being crazy.’

Harboring thoughts that would make others recoil in horror, Youngho smiled brightly without a care.

Before long, they disembarked from the carriage, boarded a boat, and crossed the Yangtze River.

Perhaps because the banner of the Unorthodox Alliance was hung on the boat, not a single water bandit was in sight.

It was a clear sign of just how much the bandits—who would extract tolls by any means necessary—feared the Unorthodox Alliance.

After crossing the Yangtze, Youngho settled into an inn located right beside the river and spoke.

“Everyone, eat separately in the annexes.”

Since not all Asura Squad members had come, Youngho reserved several annexes and handed money to the inn attendant.

“Serve the most delicious food this place has, and about three bottles of alcohol for each annex.”

“Understood. We will serve you the most expensive options.”

The attendant respectfully accepted the money and guided the Asura Squad members and Youngho’s group to the annexes.

Before entering the annex, Youngho added one more thing.

“Absolutely do not cause any trouble. Anyone who does will get hit with the club I usually swing.”

Knowing the training club Youngho used, the Asura Squad members swallowed hard and nodded.

At that moment, Jongpal rushed into the inn, panting heavily as he spoke to Youngho.

“Young Master. The Alliance Lord is calling for you.”

“What? Where did you meet him?”

“You’ll see when you go out. I was watching the Alliance Lord talking with someone from the Orthodox Sect when I was told to come get you.”

“Damn it. Fine. He’s right in front, isn’t he?”

“Yes. The atmosphere is no joke.”

“Alright. I’m going.”

With those words, Youngho’s body movement form vanished. Seeing that, Jongpal spoke to Elder Hyeok as if he were already used to it.

“Are you going to follow him again?”

“……If I’m told to, I have to.”

Elder Hyeok always had to stay by Youngho’s side. But seeing Youngho repeatedly slip lightly out of his qi sense, Elder Hyeok shed tears inwardly and hurried outside.

Watching that forlorn retreating figure, Jongpal looked at Elder Hyeok with pity and said,

“May you attain enlightenment.”

If Cheonung saw Elder Hyeok failing to do his job properly, he might actually try to kill him.

Of course, Youngho would spare Elder Hyeok’s life, but the pressure of having offended Cheonung’s temper would chill the heart of any Unorthodox member more than anything else.

That was why Elder Hyeok chased after Youngho with everything he had.

Youngho spoke toward Cheonung, who was leisurely tipping back cups of alcohol at the inn directly ahead.

“Did you call for me, Master?”

A polite tone unlike his usual one. The reason Youngho treated Cheonung with such deference this time was nothing special.

It was simply because there was someone present who appeared to be Cheonung’s guest.

After briefly taking in Youngho’s appearance, Cheonung turned back toward the man wearing a blue martial robe and said,

“This is the disciple I recently took in.”

At those words, the man’s eyes widened slightly before he spoke to Youngho.

“So you are the Alliance Lord’s fifth disciple. Pleased to meet you.”

Seeing the wave-pattern embroidery on the man’s sleeves, Youngho slightly lowered his head and said,

“To receive the interest of the Sect Leader of Hainan, I hardly know where to place myself.”

Hearing that, Cheonung let out a short chuckle.

“Such affectation.”

Despite Cheonung’s meaningful remark, the Sect Leader of Hainan, Pungdeok, said,

“You are strong.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s hard to see clearly, but at the very least, you seem better than the first disciple.”

“I think so too.”

With those words, the two tipped their cups again.