“Can’t you just tell me?”
“I know it’s rude, but Young Master Jin. I was truly impressed by your martial arts. I have never even heard of someone like you among the rising generation of the martial world. May I know which sect you are a disciple of?”
The Tang siblings were about to go crazy with frustration.
It was because So-ah refused to reveal his sect.
At first, So-ah had thought about revealing his grandfather’s identity.
But he felt that if he did, he would be bombarded with an endless stream of annoying questions.
Therefore, he had decided to keep his grandfather’s identity a secret.
“Are you, by any chance, really a member of an unorthodox sect or the Demonic Cult? That’s not it, right?!”
Tang Hwa-rin, who was dying of curiosity, pressed So-ah.
At that, So-ah burst out laughing.
“Is that important? Even if I learned martial arts from an unorthodox sect or the Demonic Cult, isn’t it more important that I ultimately saved people with those martial arts?”
So-ah’s counter-question was logical.
For a moment, Tang Hwa-rin couldn’t offer any rebuttal.
“It’s not important from whom or what martial arts I learned. What’s important is how I use those martial arts.”
“……Little Taoist…”
Tang Hwa-rin became a mute who had eaten honey.
“When I feel like revealing it, I’ll reveal it on my own. Of course, if I don’t feel like it, I won’t say it even if I die. This is entirely up to me, so just know that.”
So-ah’s tone was calm, but the people who heard his words realized that So-ah’s character was by no means soft or gentle.
“Young Master Jin, I was rash.”
In the end, Tang Il-gi, instead of Tang Hwa-rin, gave So-ah a light bow and reprimanded himself.
As things turned out this way, Tang Hwa-rin could no longer pry into So-ah’s sect.
In the first place, it was rude among martial artists to ask about another’s sect or martial arts.
Although Tang Hwa-rin had grown up as the young lady of a prestigious family, she knew the minimum etiquette, so she did not act rashly any further.
But.
[Brother Il-gi. That kid, So-ah… isn’t he suspicious? The story about him being a relative of a great Taoist priest must be a lie too, right?]
Tang Hwa-rin sent a telepathic message to Tang Il-gi.
[Of course. How could a Taoist priest possess such martial arts?]
[Hmm… what do you think his real sect is?]
[What’s certain is that it’s not the martial arts of the Nine Great Sects.]
[Then…?]
[This is just my guess.]
[Tell me!]
[The art that Young Master Jin used was a brawling art of empty hands, right?]
[That’s right.]
[Have you ever heard of someone who uses such a heaven-shaking brawling art?]
[I’ve heard of one, of course.]
[Who is it?]
[The person who is the best at fighting in the martial world. The God of War, Moyong Cheon.]
Tang Hwa-rin was surprised at herself even as she sent the telepathic message.
[Gasp… now that you mention it…]
[Yes, you said it yourself at the beginning. Does it make sense for someone to have mastered such martial arts at a young age unless they are a disciple of the God of War or the Heavenly Demon?]
[Then… could it really be?]
[Of course, it’s just a guess, but Young Master Jin is probably a disciple of Senior God of War. There’s no other way to explain it.]
Tang Hwa-rin was shocked.
In fact, when she had asked if he was a disciple of the God of War or the Heavenly Demon, it was just something she had said.
But hearing Tang Il-gi’s words, she thought it might really be true.
[Hwa-rin.]
[Yes?]
[We might be lucky.]
[What do you mean?]
[We might have met the second God of War who will rule the martial world in the future today.]
[Brother…]
[Perhaps if the family head were here, he would have tried to pair you up with Young Master Jin somehow. Haha.]
[What?!]
[Why, are you embarrassed?]
[What are you talking about, really.]
[Huhu, do well.]
[Do well at what?]
[Opportunities don’t come easily.]
Tang Il-gi had a slight smile on his face.
Tang Hwa-rin was about to retort but gave up and just blushed.
‘What on earth am I supposed to do well at? Ugh…’
***
Noon the next day.
Only after the sun had risen to the middle of the sky did So-ah’s group open their eyes.
Due to the commotion last night, they had given up on camping and barely crossed Mount Cheol-gak after a night-long march.
Therefore, they had arrived at an inn located at the entrance of Shaanxi province at dawn. After a simple meal and a short rest, they had only just woken up.
“Everyone, please pay attention. The plan has been completely revised. You will take the goods and head to Liaoning along the main road.”
Tang Il-gi said, gathering the people.
“What will you do, young master?”
The escort representing the group asked Tang Il-gi.
“What happened yesterday is a serious matter that cannot be taken lightly. As the master Taoist said, if a Ghost Demon Jiangshi has appeared in the world, it can only be a sign of a bloody calamity. Therefore, Hwa-rin and I will first go to the Martial Alliance’s general office in Shaanxi to report this fact, and then follow behind.”
The people nodded their heads at Tang Il-gi’s words.
The jiangshi was certainly something that made them shudder even now just thinking about it.
“Yes, young master. Then we will depart first.”
“If you happen to arrive in Liaoning before us, first deliver the goods to the Moyong Family. Of course, make it clear that it is a gift from the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“We will do so.”
After finishing their discussion with Tang Il-gi, the escort group was about to set off again.
Gu-yang Seon and So-ah naturally followed behind the escort group.
Just then.
“Master Taoist and Young Master Jin, please come with us.”
Tang Il-gi called out to So-ah and Gu-yang Seon, stopping them.
The first to ask a question was Gu-yang Seon.
“What do you mean? We are not martial artists, so is there a need for us to go to the Martial Alliance?”
At that, Tang Il-gi snorted.
“Haha, Master Taoist. Are you still trying to deceive me?”
“Huh?”
“I’m not a fool. Do you think I still believe that Young Master Jin is a Taoist priest?”
Gu-yang Seon couldn’t help but be startled.
And for good reason. The martial arts that So-ah had shown were truly at the level of a supreme master.
Gu-yang Seon was not shameless enough to make up any more clumsy excuses or lies.
“Ha… haha…”
“Since Young Master Jin has made a request, I will not ask about it. But you two must come with us to the Martial Alliance.”
“Why is that?”
“Master Taoist knows well about jiangshi, so you must explain that part at the Martial Alliance, and Young Master Jin is the one who disposed of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi, so you should naturally accompany us.”
At Tang Il-gi’s words, Gu-yang Seon glanced at So-ah out of the corner of his eye.
He wanted to know So-ah’s thoughts.
‘So-ah is a stubborn one. He won’t do something he dislikes even if he dies.’
Gu-yang Seon was planning to follow So-ah’s opinion even if it meant giving up the commission fee.
Because he was certain that his connection with So-ah was more valuable than a thousand gold pieces.
But surprisingly, So-ah’s reaction was,
“Alright.”
He readily agreed.
“Thank you, Young Master Jin. I know this is a somewhat unreasonable request, but please understand the situation that forces me to do so. If what we saw yesterday was indeed a Ghost Demon Jiangshi, this corresponds to a level 1 crisis in the martial world.”
“No, there’s no need to thank me. It’s actually a good thing.”
“How so…?”
“I wanted to visit the Martial Alliance too, but I didn’t know anyone and I wasn’t sure if I could go alone, so I gave up. But I think it would be fine if I accompany you, Young Master Tang.”
A question appeared on Tang Il-gi’s face at So-ah’s words.
“You had business at the Martial Alliance?”
“There’s someone I really want to meet.”
Tang Il-gi was about to ask who it was but gave up.
He would naturally find out who it was when they went to the Martial Alliance anyway.
“Alright!”
***
<Jianghu Martial Alliance>
This was the third time Tang Hwa-rin and Tang Il-gi had come to the Martial Alliance.
Every time they came, they felt that there was something here that made one’s heart flutter.
Martial artists of all shapes and sizes.
For example, from giants who boasted of their muscular bodies from practicing external arts, to Taoist figures wearing robes with Taegeuk patterns and monks.
The Martial Alliance was a place where numerous masters of the Orthodox Martial Path walked proudly, each showing off their own dignity.
This was especially true for the young rising generation.
Perhaps because of their young age, they liked to show off and dress up, and this tendency was more prominent the more prestigious the orthodox sect they belonged to.
“Oh? It’s Il-gi and Hwa-rin!”
Only after writing a visitor’s pass and identifying themselves as people from the Sichuan Tang Clan could the group pass through the main gate of the Martial Alliance. Surprisingly, as soon as they passed through the gate, someone recognized the Tang siblings and greeted them with a bright face.
“Brother Seomun!”
“Brother Sang!”
The Tang siblings’ expressions also brightened, as if they were happy to see them.
“What brings you here? To the Martial Alliance?”
“Why are you here, Brother Seomun?”
“I heard the Martial Alliance is establishing a martial arts academy for the rising generation. I came because I was curious after hearing the rumor.”
“Aha, I heard that rumor too. Is it true?”
“The Alliance Leader and the masters of the Nine Great Sects have been in a meeting since yesterday. By the way, did you also come because you were curious about the martial arts academy?”
“No. We came for other business.”
“What kind of business?”
“A very important business.”
“Huh?”
“Anyway, let’s exchange greetings first.”
Tang Il-gi pointed to So-ah and Gu-yang Seon, who were standing awkwardly and blankly.
At that, the man, with a friendly-looking face, spoke.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Seomun Sang of the Seomun Family.”
“I am a Taoist priest named Gu-yang Seon. A pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Jin So-ah.”
After exchanging greetings, Seomun Sang carefully examined So-ah and Gu-yang Seon.
In the midst of this, his gaze became fixed on the large Taegeuk pattern embroidered on the robe that Gu-yang Seon was wearing.
“Are you perhaps a young master of the Quanzhen or Wudang Sect?”
“Ah… no.”
“Then…?”
Gu-yang Seon’s face turned red at Seomun Sang’s question.
And for good reason.
If he came into the Martial Alliance wearing a robe with a Taegeuk pattern and said, ‘I’m an exorcist Taoist priest who tells fortunes and chases away ghosts!’, it was obvious that he would be ridiculed.
But fortunately, Tang Il-gi intervened in a timely manner.
“This gentleman is not a martial artist. But he is a very capable person.”
Seomun Sang was curious at Tang Il-gi’s words but just nodded his head, thinking there must be some unavoidable circumstances.
Then, this time, he looked at So-ah and asked.
“Then is this handsome young master not a martial artist either?”
As expected, this time too, the answer came from Tang Il-gi’s mouth.
“This gentleman is a martial artist.”
“Aha.”
“And the best rising star in the martial world.”
???
Seomun Sang doubted his own ears.
Then he smiled, thinking that Tang Il-gi must be joking.
Of course, Tang Il-gi was serious.
***
“I would like to see the Alliance Leader.”
Tang Il-gi went straight to the Cheongmu Pavilion, an institution directly under the Alliance Leader, and requested a meeting.
But the official in charge snorted.
“Hah! To come here unannounced without any prior arrangement and ask to see the Alliance Leader. What on earth is this about?”
“It is about the appearance of a Ghost Demon Jiangshi.”
At that, the official’s complexion changed.
“Are you joking with me right now?”
“How could I…”
“If you lie about such a thing, you will bring shame to the face of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
Tang Il-gi felt frustrated.
The official didn’t seem to believe his words.
In the midst of this.
So-ah, who had been silent, his eyes widened.
“Huh…? Grandma Hong-ryeon?!”
So-ah’s gaze was directed at a woman who was tilting a teacup with several figures in a corner of the Cheongmu Pavilion.
At that, the woman also looked at So-ah with surprised eyes for a moment, then got up from her seat and asked a question.
“You are… So-ah, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Grandma Hong-ryeon!”
“Hoho, you’ve grown a lot in the meantime.”
For a moment, everyone in the room looked at So-ah.
Some with curiosity in their eyes,
Some with astonishment in their eyes.
(End of Chapter)