Chapter 14. The Children of Prestigious Families

It was incomparably faster and more intense than the slash that had cut through the air just before. The sword, which stretched out in a straight line, trembled at the tip and split into three. No matter how Songhwa moved, the sword was ready to change and follow.

Songhwa bent her waist back and let the sword pass over her chest. The sword changed. It was pulled back and immediately slashed downwards. At the last moment, Songhwa’s body, still bent back, spun around.

Using her right foot as a pivot, she spun around three times, escaping the sword’s momentum, and then straightened her body.

‘Not bad.’

Hugong nodded his head with his arms crossed.

He had expected her to be skilled because of her unusual aura, but her skills were better than he had thought. The four guards were also taking a bystander’s attitude, showing that they trusted her.

The one who was flustered was the swordsman.

He hadn’t expected his opponent to dodge his attack so easily, and his face turned red. He immediately launched a sword strike to hide his embarrassment.

Songhwa’s reaction was different from before.

Instead of evading, she moved forward and pushed her body into the sword strike.

It looked reckless, as if she were too late to escape and had no choice but to die together.

The tip of the sword was about to pierce Songhwa’s heart.

That’s what the swordsman thought.

But it was only a moment before he realized something was wrong. There was no sensation of flesh being pierced. Songhwa had twisted her body to the side, letting the sword pass between her armpit, and at the same time, she grabbed the pulse point on the swordsman’s neck with her right hand.

“Ugh!”

In the blink of an eye, the pulse point on his neck was grabbed, and his energy was drained, making it impossible to circulate his ki. The swordsman groaned in pain.

Songhwa made him drop the sword, grabbed his wrist, and mercilessly bent it outwards. Arms bend inwards. They had to. If they were bent outwards, there would be a problem. A problem arose immediately. With a cracking sound, the swordsman’s bone broke.

“Kraaaaaaaahk~~~.”

A scream of unparalleled agony echoed through the tavern.

The swordsman, with his shoulder drooping and his arm dangling at a strange angle, said with bloodshot eyes.

“You bitch… I won’t let you go. Do you know who I am? You… messed with… the wrong person. You will soon…”

“Fly away, I guess.”

Songhwa kicked out. The swordsman, who was hit directly in the abdomen, flew through the window.

“Kraaaaaaaahk!”

Before the scream ended, Songhwa spun her body around.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she smiled and scurried over to Hugong.

“Young master, were you surprised?”

“I thought my liver would drop.”

“Hehe…”

“Let’s go.”

Hugong brushed off his sleeves and went down the stairs to the first floor first.

Songhwa told the tavern owner that she would compensate for the damage to the property with the ten silver taels she had placed on the table, and then hurried after him.

“Young master, young master, you have to go with me.”

Songhwa followed him, fluttering, then tilted her head.

The four guards who were following her also tilted their heads.

The Eldest Young Master was standing in front of the tavern, saying, “Hmm?”

The situation was immediately revealed.

In front of the tavern, about a dozen swordsmen were blocking the way, forming a fan-shaped wall.

The problem was that among them, the swordsman who had just been shattered by Songhwa and had flown out the window was standing, supported by the group.

It seemed that the swordsman had been waiting for this gang, looking out the window.

It was natural that people’s attention was drawn to this commotion.

A person had flown out from the second floor with a scream, and then about a dozen swordsmen had lined up menacingly, so the people who were walking on the street stopped, and people from other taverns and inns also came out to see what was going on. Wasn’t a fight the best kind of spectacle?

Among the onlookers were the four young men and women who had been on the second floor across the street.

It looked like the fight was going to get bigger, so they came down, and Jang Ye, the Second Young Master of the Yeomhwa Pavilion, who was watching, tilted his head.

“Uh… that person over there looks familiar…”

“Brother Jang, who are you talking about?”

Seomun Heon, the Third Young Master of the Seomun Family, took his words.

Just then, as if he had remembered, Jang Ye’s eyes widened.

“My goodness. Could it be Brother Beom of the Cheonhwa Library?”

“Brother Beom? You mean the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library?”

“Brother Seomun, look carefully at the young master standing opposite them.”

“Huk, how…”

Seomun Heon also finally recognized him and was astonished.

The two women who were listening also had their eyes wide open.

“Is that the person?”

“If it’s the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library, the one who was said to be a genius among geniuses…?”

The tragedy of the Cheonhwa Library was an open secret in the vicinity, and the ominous rumors about the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library, who had not been active outside for several years, were mentioned along with his genius, arousing pity.

But the Eldest Young Master who came into view now seemed to have a glow on his face, revealing a handsome appearance, and his gaze was also confident, which was completely different from the rumors.

“Yes, it’s definitely him. It’s hard to believe even after seeing it. That person is definitely the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library.”

“Could there have been some kind of trigger?”

In the meantime, a middle-aged man standing in the center of the swordsmen who were blocking the way stepped forward and glared at Hugong.

He was a one-eyed man with a black eyepatch over his left eye.

His one right eye shone like a well-honed blade.

The one-eyed man sneered at Hugong.

“Was it your doing?”

Hugong answered calmly.

“No.”

Then he pointed to Songhwa behind him.

Songhwa was momentarily dazed by the unexpected point, but she soon remembered her duty and stepped forward.

Hugong took three steps back in the meantime.

He had already seen Songhwa’s martial arts, and there were also four guards, so there was no need for him to step in.

Songhwa scolded the one-eyed man.

“Watch your words. Do you know who this person is, to speak so carelessly! And what just happened was the result of that person starting a fight and being rude to the young master, so you should know that and get lost.”

Even though they were outnumbered and it was natural to be intimidated, Songhwa’s words were firm and clear, like a great man. In a way, it even looked like she was threatening the opponent.

The one-eyed man chuckled.

“I like that the bitch has some spirit. But unfortunately, you made my subordinate like this, so I’ll have to take one of your arms.”

Songhwa shook her head and sighed deeply.

“Hoo… if you insist on drinking the punishment wine, I can’t help it.”

“Cut the crap. Boys, get them!”

The one-eyed man raised his hand and gave a classic command, and the swordsmen all drew their swords and rushed forward.

Immediately, Songhwa and the four guards went to meet them.

In an instant, they were all mixed together, and a chaotic battle broke out.

Hugong moved further back and took in the entire battle situation at a glance.

It was the insight of the Strongest Under Heaven. He could gauge the result just by watching a brief clash.

‘It’s a matter of time.’

Although they were outnumbered, Songhwa’s martial prowess was better than he had thought, and with the four guards helping, it would be resolved without anyone getting hurt.

Hugong immediately turned his body.

He walked towards the four young men and women among the onlookers.

“Aren’t you Brother Jang and Brother Seomun? Do you recognize me?”

He cupped his fists and greeted the two of them.

Jang Ye and Seomun Heon chuckled.

“Of course we recognize you. Our eyes are not so dim as to not recognize the unparalleled genius of the Cheonhwa Library.”

“How could we not recognize you when Brother Beom recognizes us? It’s really been a while.”

Hugong also smiled back.

“Hahaha, I have been thoughtless. I have not been well for a while. I have recently gained some weight and my health has improved, so I came out after a long time, and I am overjoyed to see such a welcome face. Instead of doing this here, how about we go up to the tavern and have a calm conversation? If the two young ladies are not uncomfortable, you can join us too.”

The two women, who had not expected to be invited, were bewildered and nodded their heads in agreement. Jang Ye and Seomun Heon were also dazed by the unexpected proposal and barely managed to agree.

A friendly chat with the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library was something they had secretly wished for. The Cheonhwa Library was called a fortress beyond the heavens and was one of the three great libraries of the world.

Among them, interacting with the Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library, who had been famous since he was a child as a genius among geniuses, would not only be helpful to their families but was also a subject of curiosity for the young talents.

But they had never even imagined that the protagonist of the tragedy that had driven the Cheonhwa Library into darkness would so boldly invite them to a gathering.

Before they moved, Jang Ye quickly spoke up.

“Brother Beom, please wait a moment. I will step in and resolve this dispute first.”

It was not a look of showing off, but his goodwill was conveyed as it was.

It seemed he was going to resolve it by using either his own martial strength or the reputation of the Yeomhwa Pavilion.

‘He’s grown up well. His gaze is good too.’

Hugong immediately shook his head.

“Brother Jang, I am grateful for your sentiment. Originally, it is best for the parties involved to resolve disputes in the martial world. My guards will take care of it, so please don’t mind it too much. Now, let’s go.”

There are times when you should gladly accept goodwill, and times when you should politely refuse it, and now was the former.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone’s expressions were dazed.

The Eldest Young Master of the Cheonhwa Library, known through rumors, was just a gloomy wreck, but he was showing his confidence on his own, so it was natural.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The two women even exchanged their surprised feelings through telepathy.

– What is this leisure? Didn’t they say he was living because he couldn’t die?

– I know, right? He seems to have a good personality.

Hugong smiled at them.

“Haha, why is everyone just staring? Let’s go up.”

They didn’t look for a place far away. It was the second floor of the tavern right above. They took a seat by the window with a clear view, where they could also see the fight well.

Hugong also briefly greeted the two women.

The women were Ban Gyoin, the daughter of the Cheongwolmun Sect Leader, and Myo Garyeong, the daughter of the Baekhwajang Manor Lord. They were from quite reputable sects and families in the northern part of Anhui.

The atmosphere was friendly as they chatted about how they had been. In the ripe atmosphere, Hugong casually asked about the situation in the martial world.

Jang Ye and Seomun Heon were the main ones who answered, and the two women chimed in once in a while, and Hugong was able to get a general idea of the situation.

‘Nothing special.’

There were no major disputes yet. Although small commotions were breaking out here and there, they were not matters that would shake the martial world. Unless the Demonic Cult, the Ghost Cloud Sect, or the Geugyeontap of the Western Territories came out, there was no problem. Conflicts between the unorthodox factions and various regions had always existed.

“Disputes are breaking out here and there, and news of incidents is endless, but strangely, they are not blatant. It’s like they are being cautious. It seems that even though the death of the Alliance Leader has been announced, there is an atmosphere of disbelief. I don’t know if you can understand, but it feels like Hugong could appear from somewhere at any moment.”

Jang Ye took over from Seomun Heon.

“To be honest, I also don’t believe in Hugong’s death. Brother Beom may not know much about Alliance Leader Hugong, but although Hugong is fat and misunderstood, his abilities are said to have reached the heavens. In the martial world, a few from the Demonic Cult or the Ghost Cloud Sect are mentioned as rivals to Hugong, but in my opinion, it’s not even worth mentioning. The only flaw Hugong has is that he is fat, but there are many people who think he looks cool. I am, of course, one of them.”

“Ahem, Brother Jang has a high standard.”

Hugong gave Jang Ye a pleased smile, thinking he was admirable.

“Haha, you praise me too much.”

‘An atmosphere of disbelief…’

Hugong also sympathized.

Those who knew him even a little would think it was a joke. What suicide? The Alliance Leader is probably traveling the world by now. They would say something like that.

This was enough to understand the current situation of the martial world, so it was time to wrap up the gathering.

At some point, the situation outside was also wrapping up. The one-eyed group was all scattered, and Songhwa was giving a lecture to the fallen one-eyed man.

Just as he was about to say his farewells.

“They say you can’t believe rumors, and seeing Young Master Beom today, I know for sure. You have a bold personality, and I didn’t even know you were curious about the situation in the martial world.”

It was Ban Gyoeun, the daughter of the Cheongwolmun Sect Leader.

She was a beautiful woman with a petite frame, and the red silk clothes suited her well.