Chapter 118 : Emerging Powerhouse. -03
Chapter 118: Emerging Powerhouse. -03
Geum Hoyeon let out a faint, sardonic smile.
The memory of that day still lingered vividly in his mind.
The moment he received an invitation from the Namgung Family, it was that memory which surfaced first.
At the same time, he was curious.
How would they treat him now?
However, he had no intention of seeking revenge over the unpleasant memories of the past.
‘I’m not some petty man.’
If he took revenge in the same way, he would only lower himself to the same level.
Geum Hoyeon had no desire to become that.
True revenge had to be exhilarating and stylish.
“Hmm.”
As Geum Hoyeon appeared lost in thought, Ban Hojin did not speak to him.
Even if it was not loneliness amidst a crowd, he believed everyone needed their own personal time.
Moreover, this was the Young Estate Lord’s first official external engagement with the Murim, so he must have much to consider.
‘There’s no one particularly impressive catching my eye.’
Though he seemed indifferent to most things, Ban Hojin had, in fact, already surveyed the banquet hall several times.
He wondered if there might be any martial artist he recognized.
Or perhaps someone with talent who had failed to properly blossom.
Unfortunately, no talent like Seonwu Bang caught Ban Hojin’s eye.
‘If such cases were common, they wouldn’t have lost the war against the Four Tyrants of the World.’
Ban Hojin shrugged.
If it were common, then it would no longer be called talent.
It was precisely because such individuals were rare that they were called talented, and so Ban Hojin was not disappointed.
“It has been a long time, Young Master Ban.”
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Hahaha. Thank you. Ah, I heard you have become the Young Estate Lord this time. Congratulations, Young Master Geum.”
As befitted a groom-to-be, Namgung Gwang greeted them with a bright smile.
At his side stood Zhuge Hye-jeong, wearing a radiant smile.
“Thank you.”
“Hmm? Is something troubling you?”
“No. I simply have something on my mind.”
At Geum Hoyeon’s somewhat cool tone, Namgung Gwang tilted his head.
Seeing that he seemed to remember nothing of the past at all, Geum Hoyeon smirked inwardly.
This time, he had realized that to Namgung Gwang, he had been no more than that insignificant a figure.
But from now on, things would be different.
“Ah, it seems I have interrupted you.”
“Not at all. I, too, have merely come here to take a brief respite. More importantly, congratulations to the two of you on your marriage.”
“Rather, I should be thanking you for accepting the invitation.”
“Thank you.”
Though the wedding ceremony had yet to be held, Zhuge Hye-jeong answered while standing beside him as if she were already his wife.
Anyone could see how modest and proper she appeared.
“It would have been wonderful if the Estate Lord had come as well. What a pity.”
“The invitation was so sudden that he said it would be difficult to adjust his schedule.”
“In that case, it cannot be helped.”
As a magnate of the Central Plains Commercial World, it was only natural that the Geum Family Head would be busy.
Even so, Namgung Gwang had hoped he would grace the occasion with his presence, and he could not hide his disappointment at his absence.
“Instead, the Estate Lord has sent a handwritten letter. Please accept it.”
“Ah.”
Namgung Gwang’s face brightened.
At the same time, he quickly glanced around.
He wondered whether the younger generation talents nearby had heard.
Rather than openly boasting, it was far more effective to naturally demonstrate the difference in status like this, so Namgung Gwang maintained an indifferent expression as he accepted the letter Geum Hoyeon withdrew from his sleeve.
“Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”
“Thank you. I will read it and write a reply immediately.”
“Yes.”
At the stark contrast in attitude compared to the past, Geum Hoyeon wore a meaningful smile.
He had already expected it, so he felt nothing in particular.
He merely committed it to memory.
“Ah, Young Master Ban. By the way, what do you think of my younger sisters?”
“What do you mean by that?”
At Namgung Gwang’s sudden mention of his younger sisters, Ban Hojin, who had been quietly sipping his tea, questioned him.
Yet despite Ban Hojin’s incredulous tone, Namgung Gwang did not appear flustered.
He had already anticipated such a reaction, and instead continued with a meaningful expression.
“If you find that you like both of them, you may take them both.”
“I do not believe this is something to be said in a place like this.”
Ban Hojin’s face hardened.
The remark was far too frivolous to be taken as a mere joke.
Yet even at Ban Hojin’s reproachful words, Namgung Gwang’s expression did not change.
“For your reference, this is not my own thought. It is my father’s.”
“I find this manner of conversation unpleasant.”
Tap, tap.
As Ban Hojin’s expression grew colder by the moment, Zhuge Hye-jeong, who had been quietly listening beside them, nudged Namgung Gwang with her elbow.
Rather than building goodwill, he was losing points.
Moreover, there were many watching eyes and listening ears.
“If I have offended you, I apologize. I wished to create a comfortable and lively atmosphere in my own way, but it seems I failed. I say this in case there is any misunderstanding—I love my sisters. That is why I brought it up, hoping things would go well between you and them, Young Master Ban. If it had merely been my father’s order, I would have stated the matter briefly and directly.”
“I will accept your apology.”
Though calm, the reply carried sincerity, and Ban Hojin accepted Namgung Gwang’s apology.
At the very least, it did not seem as though there were ulterior motives hidden within.
Of course, accepting the apology did not mean his displeasure had completely faded.
“Thank you for accepting it. Fortunately, it seems we have resolved any misunderstanding before it grew. Ah, and personally, there is something I would like to request of you, Young Master Ban.”
“Speak.”
“…I would like to request a private spar.”
Namgung Gwang spoke cautiously.
If it were not for the wedding, he would have boldly requested a sparring match, but he did not wish to show an unsightly side of himself before others ahead of such an auspicious day.
Especially not before Zhuge Hye-jeong, who stood beside him.
Though theirs was not a marriage of love, he still had his dignity as a husband at stake, so he wished, if possible, to meet Ban Hojin alone.
“A spar.”
“Must I first defeat Young Master Seonwu or Young Master Seo?”
If it were anyone else, they would not dare refuse due to the name of the Namgung Family.
But Ban Hojin was different.
He had the backing of Shaolin, and above all, his own skill was overwhelming.
No younger generation talent could match him, so even if he refused, it would not be strange.
“Not necessarily. It is not as though I told you to do that. Let us arrange a separate time.”
“Thank you!”
He hesitated briefly, but when Ban Hojin ultimately accepted the request for a spar, Namgung Gwang’s face brightened.
So much so that he did not even realize his voice had risen.
But in other words, that only meant he was that delighted.
“Then I shall see you later.”
“Yes. I will contact you—no, I will come to you myself.”
There had been a time when he felt jealousy, but that was no longer the case.
He now sincerely acknowledged Ban Hojin’s skill and accepted that he was the stronger one.
Therefore, even though this was his own family’s estate, Namgung Gwang did not feel his pride wounded by the fact that he would be the one to visit.
Simply envying and resenting him would change nothing.
Only through effort and striving to win could the future be altered.
Though he might be the weaker one now, the opposite could be true in the future.
‘No. I will make it so without fail.’
The Namgung Family had to always be the greatest under heaven.
Even if they could not produce the Best Under Heaven, the head of the Namgung Family had to at least be a powerhouse capable of threatening that position.
With that vow in his heart, Namgung Gwang moved away to exchange greetings with others.
“May we sit here?”
“Of course.”
“Hello. I am Peng Hwayeong of the Hebei Peng Family.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Young Estate Lord. I am Peng Suyeong of the Hebei Peng Family.”
“It is my first time meeting you. I am Murong Heesu of the Murong Family.”
After Namgung Gwang and Zhuge Hye-jeong withdrew, the three women who had traveled with them from Songshan joined them.
Having finished preparing themselves, they had only just arrived at the banquet hall.
Perhaps because they had dressed up to the fullest, all three looked completely different from the previous day.
As if to prove it, Geum Hoyeon seemed to forget even to greet them, his mouth hanging open.
“Excuse me?”
Seeing that Geum Hoyeon could not take his eyes off Murong Heesu in particular, Peng Suyeong called out with a displeased expression.
Yet even at her call, Geum Hoyeon failed to regain his senses.
“Young Estate Lord.”
“Ah, yes! I-I apologize! I am Geum Hoyeon of the Geum Family Estate!”
At Ban Hojin’s voice, Geum Hoyeon snapped to attention and hurriedly rose to his feet, offering a fist-clasp salute.
Though their paths had crossed here and there, this was the first time he had properly greeted them, and his face was stiff with tension.
However, he did not repeat the same mistake.
Unlike before, he did not stare solely at Murong Heesu.
“I have heard much about you.”
“Haha. The honor is mine.”
“I hear you are very close with Young Master Ban.”
“I believe so. Though Great Hero Ban may think differently.”
In place of the prickly-looking Peng Suyeong, Peng Hwayeong smoothly continued the conversation.
She even took a seat beside Ban Hojin with perfect naturalness.
And Murong Heesu quietly occupied the seat on his other side.
“I feel the same way.”
“Thank you, Great Hero Ban.”
“It is nothing.”
“Ah? My brother won!”
Murong Heesu, who had subtly seated herself beside Ban Hojin, suddenly cried out in delight.
Murong Cheok had won his spar against one of the Four Dragons.
It had been an extremely close match, and when Murong Cheok claimed victory by a hair’s breadth, Murong Heesu leapt to her feet.
“With this, another wave will surely rise. To be chosen by Great Hero Ban. Hahaha.”
Glancing at Murong Heesu clapping in joy, Geum Hoyeon spoke.
There was admiration in his voice.
In a sense, it was no different from a forgotten genius soaring once more.
“Rather than being chosen by me, it is because his innate talent was outstanding to begin with. He also came to his senses and worked very hard.”
“But had he not met Great Hero Ban, I do not think he would have grown to such an extent.”
“I cannot deny that.”
Watching Murong Cheok roar after his victory, Ban Hojin grinned.
For some reason, it felt as though he had raised a child.
And when Seonwu Bang also secured victory against one of the Four Dragons—who had been considered among the best rising juniors for over five years—Ban Hojin had a premonition.
At last, the four of them would gain their epithets.
“Watching the four of them spar makes my blood boil.”
“Not today. If we spar, all this effort in dressing up will go to waste.”
“Mm!”
When Peng Suyeong spoke firmly, Peng Hwayeong let out a groan.
She had only just remembered that she had dressed up belatedly.
Moreover, her beloved blade, which she never let out of her sight, was not with her now.
“Later, later. It is not as though today is the only opportunity.”
“All right.”
Listening to the conversation between the Peng sisters, Ban Hojin looked at Seonwu Bang, who was doing his best to suppress his joy.
In his mind, he was already thinking of epithets for his friend and juniors.
At the hour when thick darkness settled over the surroundings, a single figure came to Ban Hojin’s quarters.
The figure had a slightly slight build, yet knocked on Ban Hojin’s door boldly, as though there had been a prior arrangement.
“Young Master Ban.”
“I am coming out.”
Though it was near midnight, there was not the slightest trace of drowsiness in Ban Hojin’s voice.
Having been informed beforehand and waiting, he draped a light outer robe over himself and opened the door.
“I shall guide you.”
“Yes.”
The servant, who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, bowed politely before turning around, and Ban Hojin followed the boy across the Namgung Family estate.
Torches were placed here and there, but it was impossible to dispel all of the thick darkness that had descended.
Even so, the servant guided Ban Hojin across the inner grounds with familiarity and led him to the destination.
“You may enter here.”
“You have worked hard.”
“It was nothing. Then I shall take my leave.”
Having completed his task, the servant gave a faint smile and disappeared back into the darkness.
After watching him for a moment, Ban Hojin stepped into the building, which appeared pitch-black due to the darkness.
“Come in.”