Chapter 109
The heirs of the Peng and Yeon families growled at each other. At a glance, their relationship seemed almost hostile, like sworn enemies...
“Sigh...”
When I expanded my qi sense, I saw they were secretly exchanging sound transmissions and simple hand signals so others wouldn’t notice.
How exhausting.
In my previous life, they both took their own lives at the same time, so I knew how deeply they cared for each other. But I hadn’t expected them to pretend to be so hostile in public.
As I shook my head inwardly, the argument—as fights between martial artists usually go—was turning from a war of words into a full-blown confrontation.
“Follow me to the dueling arena! I’ll make you pay for insulting the great Peng family!”
“You think I’d be scared just because you said that? Don’t forget I won our last match!”
Stomping heavily, the huge man approached us, unable to contain his anger.
Following behind him was a pale, slender woman. At the sight, Tang Sowol looked over in panic. She even let out a hiccup from the surprise.
“Hiccup...”
Originally, I had planned to approach them naturally, strike up a conversation, and gradually hear out their situations.
I was going to talk to the heir of the Peng family, and Sowol to the heir of the Yeon family—figuring it would be more comfortable to speak with someone of the same gender.
But with the atmosphere like this, that plan was clearly going out the window.
Well, using a slightly different approach wouldn’t hurt either.
Honestly, I thought of a far more realistic way than trying to make friends with them directly.
I handed a cold glass of water to hiccuping Tang Sowol, then turned to the side.
There was Namgung Jong, wearing a troubled expression and sighing as if he knew this would happen.
I poured him a drink and asked,
“Sir Sword Dragon. This is my first time in such a gathering, but surely not for you. Are those two always like this?”
“Hoo... Unfortunately, yes. Every time they meet, they quarrel over trivial things, borrow the dueling ground, and end up leaving on bad terms.”
“I see. I knew the Peng and Yeon families weren’t on good terms, but I didn’t think it was this bad.”
“Those two, in particular, are worse than most. Since they’re the same age, they must’ve been compared often.”
So every time they gathered, they pretended to duel and went home separately?
I could guess what really happened. They probably said they were going home but met up in secret somewhere.
“To be honest, it’s a headache for me as the host. I can’t not invite them, but if I do, they always end up fighting.”
“Tsk.”
“I even asked the Peng family personally as a favor, but it ended up like this anyway...”
“You seem to have gone through quite a bit. If it’s alright, may I offer some help?”
“It would be appreciated, but how?”
“Well, first, I’ll try talking to them. Most problems can be solved through conversation.”
When I smirked, Namgung Jong paused for a second and then shook his head.
“Those two are among the most skilled of the young generation. On top of that, they’re the rebellious type—the more you pressure them, the harder they push back. They’re not like Hwangbo Gwang from earlier.”
"...?"
For a moment, I didn’t understand what he meant, but then I realized—he thought I was going to suppress them with killing intent like before.
I gave a wry chuckle and shook my head.
“Nothing like that, don’t worry. But I will need some alcohol.”
“We’ve got plenty of that... but...”
He still looked doubtful, but I just gave him a calm smile.
Soon enough, the two hot-tempered ones arrived, their atmosphere menacing.
The Peng heir's massive frame blocked the light and cast a long shadow across the table.
I exchanged a quick glance with Namgung Jong and put on a slightly softened expression as I turned toward the two.
“Well, no choice then. Let’s do this.”
“Peng Woojin, that bastard. He should at least pretend to hold back a little.”
Namgung Jong rubbed his temple, clearly irritated, and I took the chance to extend my presence toward the two heirs.
I excluded any threatening intent—just enough for them to notice, like knocking on a door.
“Nice to meet you both. I’m Cheon Hwi-da, betrothed to the Tang family.”
“Hm? And you are?”
“The Blood Flame Sword Demon...? Ah, my apologies.”
Peng Woojin raised a brow, while Yeon Ga-hye—realizing my nickname had been coined by Lord of the Black Lotus Sect—apologized belatedly.
I offered a polite cupped-fist salute to both.
“It’s fine. I’m sure you didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I’m Peng Woojin of the Peng family. Thanks for the greeting, but now’s not really the time.”
“I’m Yeon Ga-hye of the Yeon family. I appreciate your understanding... but yes, perhaps we should continue this conversation another time.”
With that, they glared at each other again. I quietly focused my inner power and sent a split sound transmission to both.
Sound transmission, after all, is the art of using internal energy to project your voice to only one person. And with enough control, you can send different messages to multiple people at once—like I was doing now.
—Since I’m speaking to both of you at once, no need to talk to each other. Just listen.
—What are you...
Eon Ga-hye tried to respond via sound transmission, but I cut her off.
—I know about your relationship. Even with the families at each other’s throats, it seems the heart doesn’t follow reason.
—If you don’t want this widely known, sit down quietly without causing a scene. After the banquet, don’t go home. Head to the inn behind Cheongsan Guesthouse and wait there.
—What are you talking about? You’re threatening us based on baseless assumptions?
Peng Woojin glared at me in place of the flustered Yeon Ga-hye. In response, I subtly mimicked the hand signals they had exchanged earlier.
I didn’t know the meaning, but they would.
The way I did it made it seem like I actually knew something.
Eon Ga-hye turned even paler, and Peng Woojin let out a real glimmer of anger.
He was two heads taller than me, and his presence was certainly intimidating—but I’d still win in a fight.
I met his gaze head-on and raised my aura again—not to draw attention this time, but to suppress him directly with killing intent.
It was directed only at Peng Woojin, so to everyone else, it would look like we were having a conversation and he suddenly frowned.
Eventually, Peng Woojin turned his gaze from me to Namgung Jong.
“Come to think of it, today’s supposed to be your celebration for winning.”
“Took you long enough to remember.”
Namgung Jong stared between me and Woojin with an incredulous look.
He could tell we’d exchanged sound transmissions, but didn’t know the contents, so he was curious about the sudden change.
I couldn’t tell him the truth, so I just laughed it off. Meanwhile, Peng Woojin sat down and spoke.
“I know how much my friend here appreciates praise, so I won’t ruin the mood. Let’s settle this duel another day.”
“Fine by me. I did feel a bit bad about disrupting things for Brother Namgung…”
“Stop the slander about me.”
Eon Ga-hye also sat down after a moment of hesitation.
Namgung Jong half-heartedly denied Woojin’s comment, but no one paid attention.
Wi Jisureon sat awkwardly between the still-tense Woojin and Ga-hye, and Tang Sowol looked like she had no idea what just happened, blinking rapidly.
Blink, blink.
—Cheon Sohyeop? What on earth did you say to make them calm down like that?
Ah, she finally gave in to her curiosity and sent a sound transmission.
—It’d take too long to explain. Just know we agreed to meet separately after this.
—Huh? Uh… Okay...
She nodded, still looking unsure.
Later, Namgung Jong, now in a better mood, brought out some rare wine, and Wi Jisureon lightened the atmosphere by asking Tang Sowol about her recent life—and about me.
Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye awkwardly laughed and acted like they were ignoring each other, though they occasionally threw me probing questions and exchanged glances.
Not that it meant much.
As night deepened and the guests began to disperse, a slightly drunk Namgung Jong, who had been subtly venting his drunkenness away from others, placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Brother Cheon Hwi-da. How old are you again?”
“I’m eighteen.”
“I’m twenty-five.”
“…Is that so.”
“Post-generation juniors” refers to martial artists who have not yet reached their thirties. So there can be significant age gaps even within the same group.
In this case, Namgung Jong wasn’t old—I was just young.
“But why ask suddenly? Didn’t the Plum Blossom Sword Maiden already ask you all those questions about her fiancé?”
“I’m twenty-five.”
“…???”
He repeated his age instead of answering. As I stared at him in confusion, he avoided my gaze awkwardly.
“From now on, just call me Brother. I’ll call you little brother.”
“Ah...”
So he wanted to become sworn brothers now that we’d grown a bit closer?
He didn’t seem particularly experienced with relationships, which made it amusing.
Clearing his throat, he continued.
“Ahem. I know your martial skill is extraordinary, but I’d like to know how skilled you really are.”
“Are you suggesting…”
“Come visit the Namgung Clan someday. You said the Namgung sword techniques left an impression, didn’t you? It might help both of us on our paths.”
“How could I refuse a chance to see the swordsmanship of the greatest sword clan in the world? I’ll contact you soon.”
“Good! I’ll remember that. See you next time. Stay safe.”
After exchanging polite salutes, Tang Sowol followed me out of the manor, subtly watching me for cues.
Once we were far enough away, she naturally looped her arm through mine and whispered,
“Now will you tell me? What exactly did you say to make the Peng and Yeon heirs so quiet? And what do you plan to do next?”
“It’s nothing serious.”
After hearing the details of what I said via sound transmission and what I was going to do, Tang Sowol jabbed my side repeatedly in alarm. It tickled a bit.
“You’re kidnapping again...”
“That’s a harsh way to put it. I merely made sure my new friends, who were too drunk to walk, had a place to stay at a nearby inn.”
That’s all it was.