Chapter 168 : Shaolin Sword Star. -03
Chapter 168: Shaolin Sword Star. -03
“Ha ha. Please accept my cup as well!”
“Ah, yes!”
No sooner had he emptied one cup than someone else filled it again, and Seo I-gyeong could not bring himself to refuse.
He knew very well why they were acting this way.
At the same time, he felt pleased.
It meant that his son was being acknowledged in the world of Murim.
“As expected of the father of the Blazing Dragon, you drink with such boldness. Heh heh heh.”
“Blood will tell, will it not? Especially a son—he cannot help but resemble his father.”
“By the way, you truly raised your son well. I heard that despite suffering from Nine Yang Severed Meridians, he never once gave up.”
“If it were me, I would have given up. Money is one thing, but if my child were suffering like that…”
Even though Seo I-gyeong did not say much, the conversation did not cease.
Naturally, it revolved around him.
Since they had all come here because of Seo Jo-woon, everyone carefully watched Seo I-gyeong’s reactions.
“In truth, I did very little. The one who saved Jo-woon was Young Master Ban. If Young Master Ban had not come to find us, Jo-woon would not be as healthy as he is now.”
“I have heard that secret tale as well. They say coincidence upon coincidence overlapped.”
“It is truly mysterious. How did Great Hero Ban know?”
“It must have been fate.”
Although Ban Hojin was younger in both age and seniority, no one present dared speak of him carelessly.
The martial prowess he had displayed was simply too extraordinary.
It was Ban Hojin who had defeated In Gyeongbo, whom even the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven could not handle, and so everyone chose their words with caution.
“For my part, I can only be grateful. That I was able to form a connection with Young Master Ban.”
“I heard that you share an especially close relationship with the Seo Family Head.”
“It is not to that extent. In truth, he is still a difficult person for me. Though I am Jo-woon’s father, I received the grace of having my son’s life saved, so it is not easy for me to treat him casually. Ha ha ha.”
Seo I-gyeong laughed awkwardly.
Their relationship was not as intimate as others believed.
They were close, yes—but that did not mean he felt at ease around him.
“I believe I would feel the same.”
“Is Young Master Ban an ordinary figure? Still, I envy you, Seo Family Head. At least when you go to see him, you do not have to be so self-conscious.”
“That is indeed quite significant.”
The heads of each family exchanged glances and nodded.
From the beginning, Ban Hojin had been called the Divine Dragon and had drawn the attention of many.
But now, his status had completely changed.
He could no longer be regarded as merely one of the younger generation talents.
“Ha ha ha.”
Knowing that as well, Seo I-gyeong could only smile sheepishly.
There was nothing he could really say.
“Seo Family Head. Have you perhaps considered a marriage match?”
“You must be receiving many marriage proposals, are you not? For your youngest son.”
The topic of conversation naturally shifted to Seo Jo-woon.
They were finally beginning to bring up the main subject.
At once, everyone’s eyes changed.
The benevolent expressions they had worn moments ago were replaced with clear competitiveness.
“I have not considered any particular family. Perhaps I am a lacking father, but I do not feel qualified to dictate marriage matters. Since he is not the eldest son, if my youngest has a woman he desires, I intend to permit it without objection.”
“I heard that the Third Young Lord dreams of three wives and four concubines.”
“Ahem! I have heard the same from others.”
Seo I-gyeong cleared his throat in embarrassment.
It was not exactly a flaw, but it was still somewhat shameful.
Yet, in a way, he understood.
Until his Nine Yang Severed Meridians had been cured, he had lived in constant suffering and had never been able to leave the house. Perhaps he had harbored such dreams to reaffirm his will to live.
“So you do not oppose it?”
“It is his life, is it not? If it is excessive, it would be a problem, but if it is moderate—and if he has the capability—I do not intend to oppose it strongly.”
“Ohh!”
The expressions of those surrounding Seo I-gyeong brightened.
At the very least, he seemed open to marriage proposals.
It was far better to have only one hurdle to overcome rather than two, and so they all looked delighted.
“However, my youngest will not meet just anyone. He is, by nature, a very clever child.”
“Everyone knows that the Third Young Lord is intelligent. Is he not a talent accomplished in both literary and martial excellence?”
“Ha ha. In that case, please visit our Main Sect together with the Third Young Lord. I shall formally invite the both of you.”
While the others hesitated, the Ye Family Estate Lord made the first move.
Since everyone understood each other’s intentions, they could not continue to merely watch one another forever.
Just as it was said that the bold win the beauty, sometimes one had to take the first leap.
“That may be difficult for me to answer. My youngest is currently staying at Songshan.”
“Then why not all come together?”
The Ye Family Estate Lord did not retreat easily.
On the contrary, his eyes gleamed even brighter.
If Seo Jo-woon were to come along with Ban Hojin, Seonwu Bang, Murong Cheok, Jeong Iryong, and Sama Uiseong, there could be nothing better for him.
Originally, Seo Jo-woon had been his target, but who could predict the turns of fate?
It might not be Seo Jo-woon, but Ban Hojin who formed a connection instead. The Ye Family Estate Lord could not conceal his excitement.
In contrast, the others looked anxious.
“Before going to the Ye Family Estate, would it not be better to visit our Main House first?”
“No, our Main Sect is closer!”
As if unwilling to lose him to the Ye Family Estate Lord, voices rose from all directions.
Seeing this, Seo I-gyeong wore a troubled expression.
Even if he could speak for Seo Jo-woon, he had no authority over the others in the group.
Ban Hojin, in particular, was entirely beyond his control.
“Ah, well…”
He was about to say that it would be difficult, but no one paid him any heed.
They had already begun arguing among themselves.
“What did you just say?!”
“Are you disregarding our Main Sect?!”
“Hah…”
Watching them move beyond raised voices to pointing fingers, Seo I-gyeong let out a sigh.
These were men well advanced in age, yet they argued like children.
Still, their behavior was not incomprehensible.
Had he been in their position, he might have acted similarly.
‘When would I ever experience something like this again?’
Though he felt embarrassed and troubled, at the same time his shoulders straightened with pride.
All of this had happened because Seo Jo-woon had grown up so well.
As if he had never sighed at all, Seo I-gyeong now wore a satisfied smile.
‘Continue to grow well in the days ahead.’
He slowly drained the cup that was still half full and looked at his youngest son, who was sitting beside Ban Hojin and laughing.
Even without eating any side dishes, he felt full.
“This place is the eye of the storm. Everyone’s just watching each other.”
“Family Head Peng.”
“Aren’t you showing too clearly that you dislike it?”
“It seems that way.”
Peng Mancheol let out a faint chuckle.
No matter when he saw him, he seemed excessively honest.
But that was Ban Hojin’s charm.
Since there was no one who spoke to him so bluntly, Peng Mancheol simply laughed it off.
“What’s this? Why is there no liquor?”
“No one here is drinking.”
“On a day like this, you should at least have one strong cup. If only for the sake of the dead.”
“Many others are drinking in my stead, are they not?”
“Oh dear. How dull.”
Seeing that not only Ban Hojin but the others as well did not even touch a single cup of liquor, Peng Mancheol clicked his tongue.
They seemed far too ignorant of refined leisure.
“If you wish to drink, you can go elsewhere. For example, where the Beggars’ Sect Leader is.”
“That place is no fun. If I’m going to drink, I’d rather do so where there’s young blood.”
“Then go where the younger generation talents are gathered.”
“That’s no fun either. They’re all watching my mood.”
“Oh? So you are aware?”
Ban Hojin showed genuine surprise.
Given how willful and self-centered Peng Mancheol usually was, he had assumed he would not notice such things.
“What? Did you think I was that oblivious?”
“Yes.”
“Hah.”
Even though he could have denied it out of courtesy, Ban Hojin answered directly. Peng Mancheol let out a sigh.
Still, he did not get angry.
If it was anyone else, perhaps—but Ban Hojin had the right to treat him this way.
“More importantly, what do you intend to do?”
“I decided not to go. I do not see the need to travel all the way to the Great Desert. Coming this far is enough to fulfill my part.”
“I see.”
“The Namgung Family is the same. Most likely, Mount Hua Sect and Mount Zhongnan Sect will take the lead in heading to the Great Desert.”
“It is a necessary matter.”
Ban Hojin nodded.
Since they had suffered an invasion, the justification was clear.
And at least once, the sprouts needed to be crushed completely.
So that they would not dare dream of invading the Central Plains again for a long while.
“I think the same. We sat still and took a blow—of course we must strike back. If I take one hit, I should return at least two. Only then will they hesitate before invading again.”
“They will forget eventually.”
“At least while I am alive, they will not even dream of it. That is enough. More importantly, why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
Peng Mancheol suddenly lowered his voice, and Ban Hojin asked in return.
He had spoken without context, making it impossible to understand.
“Our sparring match. You went easy on me then.”
“That is correct.”
“Good grief.”
“At the time, it was necessary.”
“For my sake?”
Peng Mancheol asked in a subtly hopeful tone.
But Ban Hojin shattered that expectation.
“No. It was for my own sake. Becoming too famous would be inconvenient.”
“You really are far from ordinary.”
“I am aware.”
“Then are you aware of this as well? You’ve gained a new epithet.”
“A new epithet?”
Not only Ban Hojin but the others who had been quietly listening also turned their attention to him.
This was the first they had heard of it, and all looked curious.
“Yes. Several are being discussed, but Sword Star is the strongest candidate. Considering your age, it is truly an absurd epithet.”
“Sword Star.”
“Why? Do you dislike this one as well?”
Peng Mancheol looked incredulous.
Ban Hojin’s expression resembled the one he had worn when he was first given the epithet Divine Dragon.
At that time as well, he had shown neither joy nor satisfaction.
“Shaolin Sword Star!”
“I think it’s quite good.”
“So do I.”
Unlike Ban Hojin, who looked unconvinced, Seo Jo-woon, Seonwu Bang, and Jeong Iryong reacted positively.
They felt it suited him far better than Divine Dragon.
However, one thing bothered them.
The title of King had not been attached.
Since Danwi had died and left a vacant position, they had assumed Ban Hojin would naturally take that seat. But if he was called Sword Star, that suggested otherwise.
“It seems you are all overlooking one thing. The epithet Sword Star means they do not intend to include him among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.”
“Oh? Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
“Hah!”
At Sama Uiseong’s words, their eyes widened.
They had only considered how well it suited him and had overlooked the most important aspect. They exchanged bewildered looks.
Murong Cheok, in particular, could not conceal his anger.
Ban Hojin had achieved the greatest merit by beheading the enemy commander, yet it seemed he was not being accorded treatment befitting that achievement.
“What does it matter? The Ten Great Masters Under Heaven doesn’t mean much. It’s not even the true Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.”
“…When you put it that way, I have nothing to say.”
Since it was the truth, Peng Mancheol smacked his lips.
Through the war with the Ironblood Fortress, he had keenly felt just how absurd the title of Ten Great Masters Under Heaven was, and he let out a quiet sigh.
At the same time, he felt embarrassed.
He remembered how he had once swaggered before Ban Hojin as one of the Murim Ten Kings and one of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.
“And the war is not over yet.”
“Nine Heavens Gate still remains.”
“What is happening with the Nine Heavens Gate Leader?”
“You are asking whether he will take the vacant seat among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven?”
“Yes.”
At Ban Hojin’s question, Jeong Iryong pricked up his ears.
After all, the one being discussed was none other than his master, Sang Il-gi.