Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Chapter 68 : Four Dragons

Four Dragons

"Huh?"

Gu Yong-hyeon asked in a daze, his expression betraying disbelief, even though he couldn't have heard wrong.

"......"

Next to him, Baek Il-gang's shoulders twitched as he bowed his head, and Tang Yerin, who had been silently observing, also looked visibly flustered.

But none of that entered Gu Yong-hyeon's eyes.

'Did he just tell me to return to my seat? Now?'

Gu Yong-hyeon stared blankly at the boy standing before him.

He appeared about the same age as himself, but donned the same black martial uniform as the other martial artists surrounding them.

That meant he truly was a member of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

This boy also belonged to the renowned group of rising stars, those who studied martial arts together.

What kind of organization was the Heavenly Martial Hall?

It was a place where young men of lofty martial skill gathered to judge and punish the violent hordes of the Evil Faction.

Simply its existence alone was enough to fuel countless dreams.

Moreover, their small numbers only increased their allure among martial artists.

Perhaps numbering in the hundreds, but compared to the vast martial world, it was a tiny amount.

Only a chosen few could claim such a prestigious renown.

Thus, coming across a warrior in a black martial uniform was exceedingly rare in the martial world, unless you were their intended target of punishment.

That was why, as a rising star walking the path of righteousness, it was impossible not to speak to someone in the black martial garb.

'But what is this...'

Gu Yong-hyeon looked at Jeong-un with a bewildered expression.

The Righteous Sword Gate, his sect, was considered a powerful sect in Gong'an County.

The city, blessed by the Yangtze River's transportation, had a large population and a proportional number of martial sects.

Among them, Righteous Sword Gate had stood out and ruled for a long time.

The guesthouse innkeeper's claim that they'd prepare a seat even when none were available for them was no exaggeration.

And Gu Yong-hyeon was the most renowned rising star of Righteous Sword Gate.

He was widely recognized among the local rising stars for his outstanding martial skill.

Naturally, he set his sights on joining the Heavenly Martial Hall.

He dreamed that one day he would wear the black garb and raise the reputation of himself and his sect.

It wasn't just a dream—for the admission test next year, he had been training hard, refining his martial skills.

Yet the moment he actually met a Heavenly Martial Hall member, he was told to return to his seat.

In truth, never once in his life had anyone told him to leave.

It was only natural—he was Gu Yong-hyeon of Righteous Sword Gate; few in the vicinity would fail to recognize him.

That was why he could only stand there dumbfounded.

"......"

Jeong-un, on the other hand, looked at him with indifferent eyes, simply because his words were not meant with intent.

'We need to eat and move on right away.'

They hadn't even reached their destination yet.

The common folk, and the righteous sects that protected them, were still likely suffering right now.

There was no time to leisurely get acquainted with unfamiliar martial artists over dinner.

They hadn't come to the martial world for an aimless wandering.

They had ridden all this way with a clear purpose in mind.

'What is he doing?'

Jeong-un glanced sidelong at Gu Yong-hyeon, who stood dazed in front of him.

Wasn't he a martial artist?

His hearing should be better than a commoner's, yet he showed no sign of moving, simply staring at Jeong-un with slightly trembling eyes.

He had no choice but to speak again.

"You said you recognized where we were from, didn't you?"

"Huh...? Yes, that's right."

"There is never an aimless journey in the martial world for a Heavenly Martial Hall warrior. We ask for your understanding."

"M-my apologies."

Gu Yong-hyeon, unable to hide his shock, turned away. With a dark expression, he returned to his seat.

"... Was it necessary to be so cold?"

"Cold?"

Which part? Jeong-un looked at Jo Gwang with a puzzled face.

He had received their greeting courteously and introduced himself properly.

He had even explained the reason for their lack of leisure.

Was it cold just because he didn't engage in further conversation? If so, he was prepared to accept it.

He certainly had no wish to befriend narrow-minded martial artists who got upset over something so minor.

Jeong-un spoke up.

"Lady Tang's earlier point was right. There's still a long way to go. We don't have time to be delayed in a place like this."

"Young hero Yu is right a hundred times over..."

Jo Gwang glanced, somewhat worried, at Gu Yong-hyeon's table, clearly concerned about their mood following his dismissal.

'Well, he didn't seem like a rash person.'

The man had offered his greeting with manners. More importantly, upon reflection, Jeong-un's words were fair.

He accepted their greeting, gave a succinct introduction, and explained that they were on a mission and asked for understanding.

This should suffice for them to understand. With that thought, Jo Gwang nodded and turned back to his meal.

With a faint smile, Baek Il-gang spoke.

"Young hero Yu, sometimes it seems like you never consider how you might come across to others."

"Excuse me?"

Jeong-un tilted his head. Not caring about how he was perceived? He found it hard to accept.

"What do you mean?"

"They're all heirs of prominent local sects. They're used to special treatment wherever they go."

"And?"

When Jeong-un asked with round eyes, Baek Il-gang raised his eyebrows and continued.

"Their apparent courtesy comes from their own confidence and leisure. But if someone they greet first brushes them off? That's probably a blow to their pride."

Especially since it was the youngest-looking member of their party who did so.

Baek Il-gang forced a bitter smile, swallowing the rest of his words.

"You're really fussing a lot today."

Jo Gwang frowned, interjecting from beside him.

"Disciples of righteous sects all know propriety and virtue."

"Well, hopefully that's the case."

Replying, Baek Il-gang gulped down a glass of lukewarm water like it was wine.

Clearly, he wasn't the only one disappointed by the lack of Shaoxing wine.

Still, Jeong-un was inwardly puzzled.

'Would they really get that upset over something so trivial?'

Martial artists were known for being quick to draw swords over harsh words, but was their exchange a moment ago really that offensive?

For once, he found himself agreeing with Jo Gwang.

"There may be a bit of exaggeration, but it's not exactly wrong."

At that moment, even Tang Yerin spoke in a cautious tone to Jeong-un.

"The mood of a martial artist can sometimes be lighter than paper. Sometimes they explode in anger over entirely unexpected things. I don't think it will turn into anything, but..."

With even Tang Yerin saying that, Jeong-un glanced toward where Gu Yong-hyeon was seated.

"......"

Then his eyes met another seated there, who had apparently been glaring over this way the whole time—with a fairly fierce look.

'Seriously?'

Jeong-un felt more bewildered than annoyed. Were their feelings really hurt by a conversation like that?

Just how privileged were they, to be so sensitive?

In the end, everyone but the emperor was equal.

With some exasperation, Jeong-un spoke.

"I don't care how they feel. We just need to finish our meal and leave."

At that, everyone nodded and refrained from saying more. After all, Jeong-un was a two-striped warrior leading this mission.

Even as comrades, they could only offer advice—they couldn't second-guess his decisions.

Just as they tried to focus on their meal again, there was the sound of chairs being dragged near them.

Then, not just Gu Yong-hyeon but three more young men walked over.

"......"

Jeong-un watched them silently. He had made his intentions clear earlier; their approach couldn't be for a good reason.

"I am Bang Hwigyeom from Taechun Gate."

This time, another introduced himself with a cupped-fist salute.

Jeong-un didn't stand, simply looking up at him. His companions also remained quietly seated.

When there was no response from them, the man named Bang Hwigyeom continued.

"This friend may have been a little rude earlier. He did try to take time from honored guests out of nowhere, so such a reaction was deserved."

"......"

But contrary to expectation, his attitude wasn't hostile at all. With a friendly smile, he spoke at length with sincerity.

"We're not asking for much. If you could simply chat with us while you eat, that is all we ask. We're also planning to take the Heavenly Martial Hall's entrance test next year... We truly wish to hear the experiences of our seniors."

"......"

Baek Il-gang, Jo Gwang, and Tang Yerin all glanced subtly at Jeong-un.

At this point, refusal would be difficult.

Especially considering the Heavenly Martial Hall was a Murim Alliance-established group that received tributes from righteous sects.

But the decision belonged to Jeong-un alone.

"...... Very well."

When Jeong-un nodded, relief spread on their faces. Even his companions looked at him with surprise, having expected yet another curt refusal.

'I suppose I should try to be more flexible.'

Jeong-un made a mental note.

Even at the Heavenly Martial Hall, he rarely interacted with others; he hardly spoke to anyone except those on joint missions.

He was now realizing his lack in this area.

In the end, it simply meant their stay was dragging on.

Maybe, as a two-striped leader, these were qualities he needed to develop.

The seats were quickly joined together—much to the relief of the innkeeper and servant, who had been watching anxiously from the side.

Jeong-un made a further mental note: he needed to put in more effort in many areas.

Gu Yong-hyeon and Bang Hwigyeom, who had introduced themselves earlier, as well as the other two, were said to be well-known disciples of local sects.

The four of them were known as the Four Dragons here.

"Ho, the Four Dragons... That's quite a nickname."

Baek Il-gang raised his eyebrows, and the four grinned and nodded, clearly taking it as a compliment.

"We too plan to go to Hanyang Prefecture next year to take the entrance exam. You can't imagine how happy we were to see you in person."

"Ah, is that so?"

Jo Gwang replied, visibly pleased to be shown such respect by disciples of prominent local sects.

"By any chance, do you know Young Hero Seomun Yeong of Righteous Sword Gate? I heard he's already a two-striped..."

"...?"

At that, Jeong-un lifted his head slightly.