Scholar Demon Venerable

Bazhou in Hebei Province was a city located on an important route from the Central Plains to the imperial capital. As it was a transportation hub, many people came and went.

But one day, a man appeared at the north gate of the city.

A man who looked good in a black martial arts uniform and a blue steel sword tied to his waist.

He was Cheongun, who had left the imperial capital on the Emperor's secret order.

Cheongun asked people and found the Jintian Escort Agency.

Finding the Jintian Escort Agency was not difficult. As he walked along the main road, he saw a large mansion with a sign that said "Jintian Escort Agency."

'They said it was quite famous in Hebei Province, and the scale is quite large, isn't it?'

People were constantly coming and going from the Jintian Escort Agency. Seeing the numerous carts coming and going, it seemed very busy.

Cheongun approached the guard at the entrance and spoke.

"I am Lee Samwon. I have come to see the third young lady of this place, Young Lady Jin Seolran."

The guard noticed that Cheongun was not an ordinary person and replied cautiously.

"You are the young lady's guest. I will send word inside, so please wait in the reception hall."

Cheongun was guided by another man and entered the reception hall.

A quarter of an hour later.

As Cheongun was pouring and drinking tea in the room, the same guard came to him.

"The young lady says she doesn't remember who you are."

It was a clear order to leave.

Well, it had been over a year, so it wasn't strange that she didn't remember him.

"Is Escort Leader Xiong Biao well?"

"He has left on a business trip and will be back in a week."

"Ha, this is..."

Cheongun did not have no lingering feelings, but he stood up from his seat.

"I can't help it. I was just passing by and wanted to see her face before I left."

Then he followed the man and left the reception hall.

As he was passing through the wide courtyard, he saw people coming in from the entrance.

The main gate guard was guiding two men and one woman.

The Blood Emperor looked at them and said a word.

[They have a pretty solid foundation.]

Cheongun carefully examined the people who seemed to be around his age.

Perhaps because they were descendants of a martial family, they were all wearing weapons.

In particular, the momentum of the man in the lead was amazing. He was a man who looked good in a white silk garment with a white tiger embroidered with gold thread.

The man in the lead also looked at Cheongun, who was standing there blankly and looking at them.

He tilted his head as if something was strange.

The man in the blue martial arts uniform who was walking right behind him said to the man in the lead.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. His body is so well-balanced that I think I was mistaken. If he had learned martial arts, he would be a great person, but seeing that his momentum is weak, it seems he hasn't learned martial arts deeply."

"Are you talking about that friend?"

The main gate guard raised his hand and pointed at Cheongun.

The man in the lead nodded his head.

Perhaps because he had heard their words, Cheongun let out a smirk and started walking again after he had stopped.

At the sight of Cheongun's smile, the brow of the man in the blue martial arts uniform twitched.

"Hey, you there."

The man in the blue martial arts uniform called Cheongun.

Normally, he might have just passed by. But for some reason, it bothered him.

Cheongun stopped abruptly and said to the two men and one woman who were looking at him.

"What's the matter?"

"It's nothing much, but that smile just now, were you smiling at us?"

"Of course not. I smiled because something came to mind. I hope you don't misunderstand."

Cheongun slightly bowed his head and answered as politely as possible.

At the sight of such a Cheongun, the corners of the man in the blue martial arts uniform's mouth rose slightly.

"A friend who knows his manners. Alright, since it was a misunderstanding, let's let it go."

Just as the matter was about to be settled, a woman used her lightness skill and landed in the courtyard from inside.

"What's going on?"

Everyone's attention gathered on the newly appeared woman.

It was the third daughter of the Jintian Escort Agency, Jin Seolnan.

The person who spoke first was the man in the lead.

"Ah, it's nothing. More importantly, how long has it been since we've seen each other like this. Junior Sister, you've become so pretty that I can't even recognize you."

"Hmph, you praise Seolnan as soon as you see her, brother."

The young lady who was in the back said with a pout.

Jin Seolnan smiled brightly and received their greetings. They seemed to be close to each other, as they were unreserved.

Finally, Jin Seolnan looked at Cheongun and said.

"Are you the one who came to see me?"

"That's right. We had a connection a year ago, but it seems you don't remember."

At Cheongun's words, Jin Seolnan tilted her head.

No matter how much she thought about it, it was the first time she had seen Cheongun's face.

It was even stranger that she couldn't remember Cheongun's well-defined and handsome features.

"I don't remember at all. Where did we meet?"

"Would you remember if I said waterfall?"

At Cheongun's answer, Jin Seolnan's two eyes widened. If it was the waterfall a year ago, there was an unforgettable incident.

"Ah! The laundry!"

"Haha. You remember."

Jin Seolnan finally remembered who Cheongun was.

At that time, when they parted, there was some lingering regret. But to think he had come to see her like this. She was curious about the reason.

"At that time, your hair was covering your face, so I didn't remember."

Jin Seolnan examined Cheongun from head to toe.

He had changed so much. His appearance looked rough and rugged, but his two eyes were full of vitality.

Moreover, she felt good that Cheongun had not forgotten that incident and had come to see her.

Jin Seolnan said a word with a smile on her lips.

"How are you these days? Do you still do your own laundry?"

"Haha, my hands are never dry."

"Aha. I see."

Jin Seolnan smiled brightly. She didn't know if it was a joke or the truth, but he was a pleasant person.

"You said you were Lee Samwon, right? Is that your real name?"

"Is that important?"

"Hoho. As expected, you don't disappoint."

As the conversation between Jin Seolnan and Cheongun continued, the two men and one woman who were watching from behind had surprised expressions on their faces.

"My goodness, it's the first time I've seen Junior Sister Jin laugh so much."

"Brother, that's not what's important."

"Why? Huh!"

The man in the white martial arts uniform, who had turned his gaze to where the young lady was looking, was surprised. It was because of the man in the blue martial arts uniform who was looking at Cheongun as if to kill him.

The man in the white martial arts uniform sent a telepathic message to the man in the blue martial arts uniform.

-Calm down.

The man in the blue martial arts uniform, who had heard the telepathic message sent by the man in the white martial arts uniform, composed himself and slightly bowed his head.

'He's a serious guy at other times...'

He always loses his reason when it comes to matters related to Jin Seolnan.

Jin Seolnan, who didn't know what had happened behind her, asked Cheongun various questions as if she had met a friend after a long time.

After exchanging some stories, she finally got to the main point.

"But what's your business here? Did you come to apologize for that incident?"

"That's one thing, but I was just passing by and wanted to see the sword of the Huashan Sect."

Jin Seolnan made a surprised expression.

At that moment, she suddenly remembered the strange swordsmanship that Cheongun had unfolded at that time. It definitely seemed like the swordsmanship of the evil faction.

Jin Seolnan nodded her head.

"There's no reason why I can't show you. If all goes well, I might be able to find out whether you're from the righteous faction or the evil faction this time."

"I'll say it again, I'm from the righteous faction."

"Hohoho, we'll know when we check."

When the conversation between Jin Seolnan and Cheongun showed no signs of ending, the man in the white martial arts uniform who was in the back took a step forward and said to Jin Seolnan.

"Junior Sister, shouldn't you introduce this handsome man to us?"

"Ah! I'm sorry."

Jin Seolnan's face turned slightly red at the word "handsome man." In her opinion, Cheongun was an outstandingly handsome man.

"Instead of doing this here, I'll introduce you after we go inside."

"Really?"

"This gentleman should come with us too."

"Alright."

Jin Seolnan led them to the inside of the mansion.

The Jintian Escort Agency was as large as its reputation, and dozens of buildings were spread out widely. Between the buildings, there were artificial ponds and beautiful gardens.

In the escort agency, there was a separate place where banquets were held when important guests came.

Jin Seolnan guided Cheongun and the others to a pavilion located on a fairly large pond.

A plaque with the name "Fengyun Pavilion" was hung on the two-story pavilion.

The group led by Jin Seolran went up to the pavilion and exchanged greetings.

"Junior Sister. When are you going to introduce that person to us?"

The man in the white martial arts uniform urged Jin Seolnan. The others also had very curious expressions.

Jin Seolnan was a little embarrassed. Because she also didn't know much about Cheongun yet.

"Well, we had a connection a year ago. He's someone I met on my way back from an escort mission, and he came to the mansion because he wanted to see the sword of Huashan."

"What? So you're saying you don't even know him well?"

The man in the white martial arts uniform made a surprised expression. The reactions of the others were not much different.

Jin Seolnan was a person who covered her face. She was friendly to her acquaintances, but she never smiled in her daily life. That was why people called her the Snow Plum Blossom.

But to see her blooming like a warm wildflower in spring, they couldn't help but be surprised.

"This is surprising. Then I'll introduce myself first. I am Kang Ho-poong, a first-generation disciple of the Qingcheng Sect."

"Nice to meet you. I am Lee Cheongun."

Cheongun used his real name. It wouldn't be good if it got into the ears of the Hyeokryeon Manor, but he was confident now.

Moreover, there were almost no people who knew that he was the Jinshi Lee Cheongun who had achieved Samwon just by his name.

His appearance had also changed a lot after the bone and marrow cleansing. His height had grown by more than a span, and his build had also changed for the better.

After hearing Cheongun's name, Jin Seolran smirked. As she had expected, Cheongun had used a pseudonym that day.

At the change in Jin Seolnan's expression, the face of the man in the blue martial arts uniform even turned red.

He took a step forward and said, glaring at Cheongun.

"I am Namgung Ryong of the Namgung family. My friends also call me the Gale Divine Dragon."

Namgung Ryong was a rising master who belonged to the Five Dragons of the Five Dragons and Five Phoenixes, which praised the young geniuses of the martial world.

He had entered the martial world before he turned twenty and had accumulated a lot of fame. The Thirteen Thunder Swords and the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword Art he had learned were enough to place him in the position of the Five Dragons.

"Nice to meet you. I am Lee Cheongun."

"Hmph. Do you not have a sect?"

Namgung Ryong said coldly, looking Cheongun up and down.

Cheongun was puzzled by Namgung Ryong's baseless hostility, but he didn't show it.

The Blood Emperor, who was next to him, smirked and whispered to Cheongun.

[That guy, he seems to like Young Lady Jin.]

Cheongun tilted his head. He didn't understand the Blood Emperor's words.

'No, if he likes Young Lady Jin, he likes her, but what does that have to do with me?'

The Blood Emperor, who had noticed Cheongun's thoughts, said.

[If the woman you like gives another man a look, you become like that guy.]

"Ah!"

Cheongun let out an exclamation as if he finally understood.

But such a Cheongun's appearance did not look good to Namgung Ryong.

"I asked about your sect."

"Haha. Please don't misunderstand. I was admiring you because when I saw you, Brother Namgung, I was reminded of the saying that the people of the Namgung family are handsome men."

"Hmph. I don't need a story that everyone in the world knows. Where is your sect?"

"I can't reveal it yet. Because it's related to a grudge."

At Cheongun's words, Namgung Ryong's brow twitched. But he didn't ask further. In the martial world, it was a great discourtesy to ask about one's sect or martial arts if the other person did not reveal it.

When Namgung Ryong hesitated, the cute young lady who was demurely behind him suddenly interrupted and said.

"I am Zhuge Haemi of the Zhuge family. Nice to meet you, Young Master Lee."

Perhaps because she had grown up cutely, there was no shadow on Zhuge Haemi's face. Her brightly smiling face was a cute face that resembled a puppy.

"Nice to meet you for the first time. I am Lee Cheongun."

Cheongun greeted her with etiquette. The descendants of the famous families nodded their heads at Cheongun's proper demeanor.

It was a proper demeanor that not just anyone could have. He was either a descendant of a famous family, or a scholar with outstanding learning.

"Wow. Young Master Lee has etiquette ingrained in his body. Unlike someone."

Zhuge Haemi smiled and glanced sideways. Kang Ho-poong, who had received Zhuge Haemi's gaze, smiled awkwardly.

"Haha. Haemi, I'm quite well-versed in etiquette too."

"Ah, yes. Of course you are."

But unlike Kang Ho-poong, Namgung Ryong did not relax his hardened face.

His gaze was directed at Jin Seolran. A complex and subtle gaze was entangled in the air.