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Chapter 181 : What Tenacity Means. -01

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Chapter 181: What Tenacity Means. -01

Peng ‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Mancheol’s already large eyes widened even further.

NovelFire reader preview #6294d869a915 (issued 2026-07-18).

As Ban Hojin spoke, he looked in turn at Damhyeon, Sang Il-gi, Namgung Ho, and Tang Woo-hyeok, and the meaning was unmistakable.

With his gaze alone, he was telling them that five of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven, including himself, were gathered in this very place.

“Hooh.”

“I didn’t think of that.”

Though they had all come together, it was as if the thought had never crossed their minds. Not only Peng Mancheol, but Tang Woo-hyeok and Namgung Ho exchanged strange looks.

They had known one another since their days as Young Lords, but not once had they crossed hands in a sparring match after becoming Family Heads.

Moreover, if it were the Law King and the Myungwang, they would never be lacking as sparring opponents.

“The Beggars’ Sect Leader is here as well, though not in this spot.”

“Huh. Nine of the Ten Kings are at Songshan.”

Damhyeon did not show any sign of avoiding it.

He felt that the era of peace had come to an end, and his mindset had changed as well.

To protect, one needed strength, and to gain that strength, there was no answer but training.

And Sang Il-gi, too, secretly wished to test himself, his eyes gleaming.

“Wouldn’t it be far more comfortable, at least mentally, to face someone of a similar age rather than me?”

“You’re not trying to pass it off to us, are you?”

“How could that be? I am merely saying that this gathering was formed with pure intent. Though we have assembled like this before, isn’t it rare for us to have actually sparred with one another?”

“That’s true.”

Peng Mancheol nodded.

Whether for official matters or private ones, the heads of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families gathered several times a year.

But it was rare for them to truly cross hands.

They had met quietly on occasion to spar in private, but never had Ten Great Masters Under Heaven gathered like this to take turns in sparring.

“I think it wouldn’t be bad to test our martial arts while we have the chance.”

“You’re not just trying to avoid it because it’s bothersome?”

“I am not so heartless.”

At Ban Hojin’s words, Peng Mancheol, Namgung Ho, and Tang Woo-hyeok all looked at him with suspicious eyes.

Each of the three had different thoughts.

“It doesn’t seem like today will work, so let us spar among ourselves.”

“That would be best. Then we shall come again tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Knowing Ban Hojin’s personality, Damhyeon wrapped things up, understanding that pestering him would not change his mind.

It did not have to be today.

And Tang Woo-hyeok agreed, as their lingering would not look good to others.

Yet with his eyes, he conveyed his resolve.

Like Peng Mancheol, he too wished to face Ban Hojin properly.

Under that gaze, Ban Hojin wore an unreadable expression.

Taaang!

After the four, including his Master, departed, Ban Hojin clasped his hands behind his back and slowly surveyed the open clearing.

He was checking to see how his younger siblings were doing.

Yet the one showing the greatest prowess was neither Seonwu Bang nor his siblings, but Peng Hwayeong.

Like a fish that had found water, she tore through the rising generation talents.

“She certainly has talent.”

Watching Peng Hwayeong, who seemed poised to break her shell faster than in his previous life, just like Seonwu Bang, Ban Hojin felt satisfied.

Peng Mancheol and her brothers likely believed they knew of her talent, but what they knew was merely the tip of the iceberg.

For the sake of her brothers, Peng Hwayeong had lived while pressing down her own talent and skill.

Now, it was being unleashed.

More brilliantly and fiercely than anyone.

Perhaps because of that, Peng Chu-yeong and Peng Juyeong could not take their eyes off their youngest sister.

“Hm.”

After glancing over the Hebei Peng Family, Ban Hojin slowly swept his gaze across the clearing once more.

But the ones he sought were nowhere to be seen.

Once again, as if they had sealed themselves away, they did not reveal themselves.

Confirming that, Ban Hojin formed a faint smile.

“The heat is intense.”

Though he had heard rumors, seeing it in person felt different.

The fervor was far hotter than expected, and Geum Hoyeon felt as though he himself was being swept up in it.

Seeing the rising generation talents brimming with zeal made his heart pound.

But it was nothing compared to the Escort Unit.

Gulp!

At the sight of all the finest rising generation talents of the Murim gathered together, the Escort Warriors, regardless of age, swallowed dryly.

They too were martial artists. Their competitive spirits boiled over.

Watching sparring matches erupt everywhere, the Escort Warriors nearly forgot their duty and almost rushed out.

“Huh.”

Soon, deep exclamations burst from among them.

The sighs rose from deep within their Dantians, and walking at the front, Geum Hoyeon let out a faint chuckle.

He knew exactly whom they were looking at in such awe.

“Ahem!”

But the Head of the Escort Unit, seeing it as a lapse in discipline, deliberately cleared his throat loudly.

No matter how breathtaking the beauty of the Three Siblings was, they were Geum Hoyeon’s Escort Unit.

They must never forget their duty.

“Ha ha. Greetings. It has been a while.”

At the Head of the Escort Unit’s cough, the rising generation talents who had been resting briefly turned to look this way.

Among them, Geum Hoyeon exchanged greetings with those he recognized.

Their eyes had met, and it would have been impolite to pass by without acknowledgment.

“Young Family Head.”

“It has been a while, Young Master Seo. I heard you performed remarkably in Shaanxi Province.”

“It wasn’t to that extent. I merely lent my elder brother a bit of support.”

“That differs quite a bit from what I heard.”

Aside from Ban Hojin, the one Geum Hoyeon had known the longest was Seo Joun.

Perhaps because of that, he treated him quite comfortably.

“It’s true. And I wasn’t the only one lending support. Please, come inside first. My elder brother is waiting. He was going to come out himself, but given the situation…”

“It’s fine. You have always come out to greet me. I understand completely. Besides, Young Master Seo has come out to greet me. That is more than enough.”

At Seo Joun’s slightly apologetic expression, as if speaking for Ban Hojin’s feelings, Geum Hoyeon waved his hands exaggeratedly.

He did not believe for a second that Ban Hojin had changed.

The Ban Hojin he knew was not that kind of man.

And knowing the circumstances around him, Geum Hoyeon rather thought it fortunate.

Nod, nod.

The Escort Unit seemed to think the same, as they all nodded.

In truth, Seo Joun coming out to greet them was more than enough consideration.

Overshadowed by Ban Hojin and Jeong Iryong though he was, Seo Joun was also among the strongest of the rising generation talents.

“Thank you for your understanding. My elder brother truly felt apologetic. In truth, he has been quite busy in many ways—reviewing our martial arts and tending to other matters. Though he says he lives idly, he spends each day more diligently than anyone.”

“Ha ha ha. I know that well. That it is sincere. But when one has ability, it is difficult. Personality-wise, he cannot simply overlook matters before his eyes.”

“That’s right.”

In a way, Ban Hojin was someone whose words and actions diverged more than anyone’s.

What he said and what he did were entirely different.

And that was his charm.

Grumbling, yet taking care of everything that needed taking care of.

“It has been a while, Young Family Head.”

“I have been hearing news of Great Hero Ban constantly, so it feels as though I saw you just yesterday. Ha ha ha!”

Chatting with Seo Joun, Geum Hoyeon entered Ban Hojin’s quarters.

Ban Hojin welcomed him with a smile.

“News of me? I did hear that some rumors had spread.”

“Rumors? It is more like renown. The news that you defeated the Iron Blood Demon Emperor is widely spoken of across the Central Plains.”

“It was a rather large incident recently. Please, sit.”

“Thank you.”

“I shall take my leave.”

Seo Joun withdrew politely.

He was giving the two space to speak comfortably.

Geum Hoyeon sent him a glance filled with gratitude.

“You’ve worked hard escorting them.”

“Oh, not at all. I was glad to see you after so long.”

Seo Joun waved his hand as if to say it was nothing.

“It is nothing at all.”

“Then let us dine together this evening. All of us.”

“Gladly. Then we shall prepare the food.”

“Ah, would it not be better to order from an inn in Dengfeng County? Rather than trouble yourselves to prepare it.”

Geum Hoyeon cautiously offered his opinion.

He was grateful, but did not wish to take away Seo Joun’s and the others’ personal time.

If there was another way, he did not want to create unnecessary inconvenience.

“Order it. It’s not as if we lack money.”

“Hehe! That’s true. I’ve heard one should spend money properly. One mustn’t just clutch it. Understood. I’ll go at once.”

“I will pay!”

As the conversation veered in a strange direction, Geum Hoyeon cried out hastily.

Since he had proposed it, he had intended to cover the cost.

But Ban Hojin shook his head.

“How could we have our guest pay? That would not do.”

“Indeed. Naturally the host pays. I’ll be back.”

Seo Joun answered firmly and left the room, as though unwilling to hear further objections.

At that, Geum Hoyeon could only chuckle.

“If it was going to be like this, I should have placed the order before coming up.”

“It is not as if today is the only day.”

Seeing Geum Hoyeon’s genuine regret, Ban Hojin chuckled and poured tea.

Soon, the fragrance filled the room richly, and Geum Hoyeon unknowingly closed his eyes.

It was a tea fragrance that could only be found here.

“Whenever I smell this tea, it truly is wonderful. It calms the mind. Perhaps that is why I think of it from time to time. Ha ha ha.”

“It is not expensive. I shall send some with you.”

“If you give it, I will gratefully accept.”

Geum Hoyeon’s eyes sparkled as he answered.

He did not even pretend to refuse.

“More people than expected seem to enjoy it, so I have made plenty. I shall send you a generous amount.”

“Thank you. Ha ha ha.”

“There have been no particular troubles lately, I trust?”

“As for me, thanks to Great Hero Ban, I spend each day happily. We passed through this time safely as well. Had you not come to hold a private audience with the Estate Lord, things would be very different now. Just imagining it makes me shudder.”

Geum Hoyeon trembled slightly.

He meant it sincerely.

Had Ban Hojin not come, had Geum Harun made the wrong choice, the Geum Family Estate would not be as peaceful as it was now.

Like the sects of Yunnan Province that had fallen under the Nine Heavens Gate, even if they had not been exterminated, they would surely have suffered tremendous damage.

“Even without me, you would have made a wise decision.”

“I believe so as well, but I think your visit carried great weight. Without it, the Estate Lord’s deliberation might have dragged on, and an ambiguous situation could very well have arisen.”

“That may be.”

Having memories of his previous life, Ban Hojin did not argue.

But the future he once knew had already changed. What mattered now was the present.

“I am grateful for that. In a way, you looked after me and the Geum Family Estate. At the root of that, perhaps, was me?”

“That is correct. When the path to ruin is plainly visible, I cannot simply watch.”

“Ha ha ha. I am truly grateful, Great Hero Ban. Truly. Ah, I came to give you this, yet I have only been offering thanks.”

Swish.

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