novelraw Chapter 152 : Chapter 152
Chapter 152 : Chapter 152
Chapter 152 - Only Bring the Strong Ones
‘For something like this to happen…’
The Awl Selection Period was an event that took place once a generation, that is, once every few decades.
It was something that even those who were quite seasoned in merchant families would be lucky to see once or twice in their lifetime.
However.
Steward Jo Seom was certain.
There had never been an Awl Selection Period like this in the history of the Yi Family Clan.
The eldest son and the steward were locked in the prison house, and the Young Family Head, personally appointed by the Family Head, had unceremoniously entered a Murim sect.
That wasn't all.
Within the chaotic typhoon of today, his own domain also existed.
“I will appoint Steward Jo Seom as the First Steward.”
“!”
Gazes filled with envy and jealousy flew towards Steward Jo Seom.
First Steward.
Excluding the head steward who served the Family Head, it was the second-highest rank within the family.
Until before the Awl Selection Period, the one who assisted Yi Hae-dong held the position of First Steward, but now that the Young Family Head had been appointed, the First Steward would naturally be the one to serve Sedong.
When Sedong eventually becomes the Family Head, he would be appointed as the head steward.
At the unexpected meteoric rise, Steward Jo Seom’s eyes widened like lanterns.
“Young… Young Family Head!”
“It’s not just because of the Lijiang City trade. It’s because I feel that Steward Jo Seom would not be the type to put Soul-Confusing Powder in my tonic.”
Steward Jo Seom was startled and answered reflexively.
“How could such a thing happen? It is absolutely preposterous.”
At that raw reaction, Sedong let out a chuckle.
The reason Jo Seom’s position had remained at steward until now was not due to a lack of ability.
Those who were overly principled and had a rigid character were bound to be pushed aside in politics.
Just like his stubborn face, his temperament was as solid as bamboo.
“Someone who won’t betray me while I’m away. That’s all I need.”
“……!”
Only then could Jo Seom understand Sedong’s true intentions.
Although he wore his usual cute smile, there was a thick sadness contained within it.
The steward who had served him since childhood had betrayed him, so how could his heart be at ease?
Something hot surged up from within Steward Jo Seom’s chest.
“I will serve you with all my heart, Young Family Head.”
Biyoung, who was watching from afar, looked at the Sect Leader and asked.
“It seems like things have been sorted out to some extent, shall we go fill our stomachs now?”
“Hoholhol. I have a feeling we’ll be eating with an uneasy conscience.”
“Hey, no way. We’re like a blood alliance now. Blood! Alliance!”
As Biyoung emphasized the two syllables, the servants flinched and watched them cautiously.
Ordinarily, they might have been just guests from out of town.
But now that Sedong had officially entered the Diancang Sect, they were akin to Sedong’s seniors.
What servant would dare to give the cold shoulder to the Young Family Head’s seniors?
Even if Biyoung didn’t shout about the blood alliance, they would be treated as honored guests.
“Kuhahaha! Sect Leader! Please accept a drink to commemorate our new family member!”
“Hoholhol. You have a drink too, you brat.”
Whether the Family Head’s heart was rotting away or not, the martial artists of the Diancang Sect were enjoying the feast.
For them, it was an exceedingly good day.
Not only did they gain a brilliant prospect as a disciple, but they also formed a close relationship with the merchant family that dominated Yiliang County.
“Wow! This is the Yi Family Clan indeed! All the delicacies of the world are gathered here!”
“Stuff one more in your mouth while you’re yapping. Chomp chomp chomp chomp!”
Biyoung and Uma stuffed food into their mouths as if competing, and at the sight, Eung Gajin frowned.
“Junior Sister Hong. You must never become like those two……”
“Heh? Hhat hid hoo hay (What did you say)?”
“………….”
At Hyeokri Hong’s reply with her cheeks full of dumplings, Eung Gajin was at a loss for words.
“Ah, whatever! Let’s eat, let’s eat!”
“Heehee!”
Many things had happened, but on the surface, it was indeed a day of celebration.
For those who had little to do with the Yi Family Clan, it was a good thing as it provided a flood of stories.
Many people, enough to fill the large rear garden, ate and enjoyed the food.
In between eating meat and drinking alcohol, the crowd stole glances at the Diancang Sect martial artists.
Not only were they the subjects of the rampant rumors circulating in Yiliang County recently, but the Young Family Head had even entered their sect, so it was impossible not to be interested.
Thump, thump.
Just then.
A group of people was approaching the Diancang Sect martial artists.
Their attire was excessively flamboyant for martial clothing, catching the eye even from a distance.
It was a yellow base similar to Shaolin’s, with a black waist sash, and a splendid crest embroidered on the chest.
It was an attire that anyone with even a slight interest in Murim could easily guess.
‘The True Dragon Sect… It’s the True Dragon Sect!’
‘Why has the True Dragon Sect suddenly come to find the Diancang Sect?’
‘Surely they didn’t come to pick a fight, right?’
The Diancang Sect martial artists had also already grasped the movements of the True Dragon Sect.
Even Biyoung and Uma, who had been eating like starved men, had put down their chopsticks and were looking at them.
Looking at them?
In fact, the expression ‘glaring’ would be more accurate.
The vacant spot in the Nine Sects One Union created when the Diancang Sect was annihilated.
The sect that filled that spot was none other than the True Dragon Sect.
“Yubeop of the True Dragon Sect greets the Sect Leader.”
The old man at the forefront bowed his head politely.
Eung Gajin, who had been inwardly tense, let out the breath he had been holding.
‘It seems they don’t intend to pick a fight, for now.’
Iron-Faced Cloud Dragon Yubeop.
It was a moniker given to him for using abstruse swordsmanship with a stiffly hardened expression.
The fact that Yubeop bowed his head first to offer a greeting was highly significant.
He was one of the elders of the True Dragon Sect and one of the True Dragon Eight Swords who had enabled them to newly enter the Nine Sects One Union.
“Hoholhol. It is an honor to see the Iron-Faced Cloud Dragon in this place.”
“To speak of honor is undue. If it is all right with you, may we join you for a moment?”
“By all means.”
Although the conversation was smooth, the atmosphere was difficult to gauge because of his stiff expression.
As the Sect Leader gave his permission, the Diancang Sect martial artists made way.
They didn’t exchange words, but unseen sparks flew between the swordsmen’s gazes.
Biyoung also scanned the faces of the swordsmen sitting across from him.
‘None of them look particularly impressive.’
Biyoung soon lost interest and drained the cup of wine in front of him in one go.
As if to prove they were the disciples of the Iron-Faced Cloud Dragon, the martial artists who sat down said little and focused only on the elder’s conversation.
“First, I must offer my congratulations. I truly never dreamed that the Young Family Head of the Yi Family Clan would declare his entry into a sect.”
“Hoholhol. That’s how things are in the world. Isn’t it possible for yesterday’s beggar to become today’s prime minister?”
It somehow sounded like a remark made with the True Dragon Sect in mind, but Iron-Faced Cloud Dragon Yubeop did not bother to show it.
“You are right. But Sect Leader. Have you by any chance received a separate message from Shaolin?”
At the mention of Shaolin, the swordsmen’s ears perked up.
Jeokseo slowly shook his head.
“We have not received any separate message……”
“I see. I understand.”
At the word ‘understand,’ Biyoung’s eyes narrowed.
The word ‘understand’ is an expression used when there is a plausible reason.
Soon, that ‘reason’ flowed from Yubeop’s mouth.
“It seems that Shaolin is differentiating their communications based on the power of the sect. We, for our part, have already received a petition.”
“………….”
Only then could Biyoung read Yubeop’s true intentions hidden behind the iron face.
This bastard.
He came here to subtly screw with us.
“Indeed, isn’t this a time when the Diancang Sect should be focusing on recovering its power rather than expanding it? Even if you do not respond to Shaolin’s petition that may be delivered later, they will understand. Perhaps the petition itself may not even be delivered.”
What Yubeop was trying to say was clear.
That the Diancang Sect had not yet received the recognition of the Murim.
As for the contents of the petition, they would naturally find out when they received it later.
There was no reason to come here and brandish the petition.
“Hoholhol. I am just grateful that you are looking out for our sect’s situation so much.”
“…………?”
Yubeop’s pupils trembled slightly.
‘What is this man?’
He couldn’t have been unaware that his own remark just now was close to a provocation.
However, Jeokseo even offered him a cup of wine as if he was genuinely grateful.
When Yubeop first saw Jeokseo from afar, he had a thick sneer on his face.
Although the Sect Leader did not necessarily mean the strongest in the sect, a certain level of martial skill was usually expected.
However, the internal energy and sharp aura felt from Jeokseo’s body were truly insignificant.
Furthermore, his nose was red from being soaked in alcohol.
So he had casually thrown a provocation, but even Yubeop hadn't expected the reaction to be so calm.
“My goodness. Elder. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Just then, a young man sat down cross-legged in front of Yubeop.
“And you are……?”
“My name is Biyoung.”
“……!”
At the name Biyoung, Yubeop’s sharp eyes moved up and down.
The rumor that a promising swordsman had appeared in Yiliang County had already reached the main mountain of the True Dragon Sect.
“So you are the Diancang’s rising star, Biyoung. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“There are plenty of rising stars besides me. But……”
“?”
“It seems you have something else to say. I doubt you came just to read Shaolin’s letter on their behalf.”
At Biyoung’s remark, the faces of the True Dragon Sect swordsmen turned grim.
However, Iron-Faced Cloud Dragon Yubeop’s expression remained unchanged.
Strictly speaking, he was the one who had initiated the provocation.
Jeokseo had already lightly brushed off his rudeness.
If he were to get angry here, he would only become a laughingstock for the merchants gathered here.
‘Neither the Sect Leader nor the brat are easy to deal with.’
Yubeop thought that for a moment before opening his mouth.
“You are right. However, I cannot move on to the next topic without talking about the contents of the petition.”
“Then stop keeping us in suspense and tell us. What’s the news from Shaolin?”
“That impudent brat……”
Just as one of the True Dragon Sect swordsmen was about to rise from his seat due to Biyoung’s attitude.
“If you get up now, you die.”
“……!?”
In the True Dragon Sect swordsman’s view, a man with his head down, picking at meat, came into sight.
He issued a warning without even giving the swordsman a glance.
“I said it clearly. If you act up now, you die.”
The True Dragon Sect swordsman wanted to cut the man down right away, but he couldn't recklessly draw his sword in front of the elder.
Moreover, what a hideously fiendish face he had.
Although he was a swordsman seasoned in the Murim, the man’s foul impression was enough to make him hesitate to draw his sword.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Yubeop let out a dry cough before answering Biyoung’s words.
“Shaolin will soon hold a martial arts tournament.”
“A martial arts tournament?”
Biyoung’s two eyes shone brightly.
“That’s right. And it’s not just any martial arts tournament, but one for the younger generation. It’s an opportunity to glimpse the future of the Jianghu Murim.”
“Hooooo.”
Biyoung nodded his head as if he was quite intrigued.
If it were a martial arts tournament for renowned masters, the Diancang Sect would have no business participating.
Biyoung might be an exception, but the rest of the swordsmen were still far from complete.
But a fight among the younger generation?
They were not lacking compared to any of the other Nine Sects One Union.
‘Things will work out well.’
Seeing Biyoung’s interest, Yubeop felt that this was it.
Look at those sparkling eyes.
It was the perfect situation to achieve his goal.
“So, what do you say we warm up among ourselves before the tournament for the younger generation?”
“Warm up?”
“Yes. I’m suggesting that the younger generations of the True Dragon Sect and the Diancang Sect have a sparring match.”
In that moment.
Biyoung flashed a devilish smile.
Then, instead of answering, he suddenly threw a question.
“Elder. Did Elder Mayeon happen to tell you anything?”
“Elder Mayeon? Not particularly……”
“Ah. So that’s why you’re acting like this.”
“What do you…… mean by that?”
“Ah, it’s nothing much. If you’re really curious, you can just hear it from him yourself……”
After saying that, Biyoung turned his head towards Jeokseo.
Then, avoiding Yubeop’s eyes, he slowly closed one eye.
Whether he understood the intention or not, Jeokseo let out his characteristic laugh.
“Hoholhol. That is a good idea. It will be a special experience for our children.”
Yubeop felt a little uneasy, but he bowed his head slightly.
In any case, he had achieved his goal, so he thought there was nothing bad about it.
“Thank you for your permission, Sect Leader. Then, we will send word separately in the near future.”
“Please do.”
Thinking his business was concluded, Yubeop rose from his seat without delay.
Simultaneously, the True Dragon Sect swordsmen all rose from their seats.
Some of the swordsmen glared at Uma as if to kill him.
“Elder.”
Yubeop, who was just about to turn his back, stopped his movement.
“Young Hero Biyoung. Is there anything more to say?”
“Ah…… it’s nothing much.”
A spirited curve formed on Biyoung’s lips.
“Only bring the strong ones.”