LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 45
45: I Should Have Chosen a Better Place to Stretch Out
Gongdong Sect Main Base, Reception Hall.
During the glory days of the Gongdong Sect, the reception hall was a massive chamber bustling with numerous visitors. However, now that the sect has declined, it had been left as essentially a haunted house.
It wasn’t entirely empty of guests. Occasionally, Lord Seo would visit the main base, so the reception hall was still maintained. Nevertheless, most of the internal rooms looked like something out of a horror movie.
“I apologize for hosting a distinguished guest in such shabby quarters.”
The master said this with a laugh, leading me to the only somewhat intact room in the deteriorating reception hall.
It was a customary expression of humility, but I felt a bit awkward as even I could see how shabby the reception hall truly was.
“It’s fine.”
The twitch of Heuksaryong’s face was proof of this.
She maintained a poker face, but her eyes flickered upon seeing the old reception hall.
Like a nouveau riche visiting a rundown boarding house for the first time, trying to hide their horror.
How can people live in a place like this? Heuksaryong was desperately trying to hide her expression of disdain.
Well, even if Heuksaryong grew up rough like a man, she was still just one of the major members of a notorious sect.
She probably didn’t have much experience visiting a failing sect like Gongdong Sect.
“Since we have a guest from afar, I’ll have some tea prepared as a gesture of hospitality. Seo Soja.”
“Yes, Lord Zhang.”
Clatter.
Before the master finished his sentence, Seo Harin entered through the door, waiting in the next room.
“Bring out some refreshments.”
“Understood.”
Seo Harin nodded.
Handing over the refreshments to someone who knows nothing about cooking makes me anxious.
“Now, please take a seat.”
Starting with Jeonyeong, myself, Sahyeong, and Heuksaryong sat down.
“Where is the reply?”
“Here it is.”
Heuksaryong pulled a single envelope from her clothes with a trembling voice and handed it to Jeonyeong.
Jeonyeong tore the seal from the envelope and unfolded the letter.
[The date is two weeks from now, time is noon, and the location is Hwajeong County. The martial arts competition will be prepared at our base. Under the attendance of a notary, the post-stimulation indicator martial arts contest will be held.]
Jeonyeong recited the contents of the letter.
It was straightforward.
They accept the conditions I proposed.
If Heukryongbang wins, Gongdong Sect will permanently withdraw from Hwajeong County and seal their gates for 50 years.
Conversely, if Gongdong Sect wins, Heukryongbang will permanently withdraw from Gansu Province, and Sayeong Hoe will be handed over to the local government for appropriate punishment.
An extremely clear-cut agreement.
Indeed, Jeoksawol handles matters efficiently.
“The notary from our side will be from Hao Mun. Your faction should also appoint a notary.”
Typically, in the martial world, a notary must be appointed to settle something through a martial arts competition.
The reason for appointing a notary is to prevent anyone from denying the results afterward.
Moreover, it’s a bonus that they spread the results of the contest throughout the martial world quickly.
“Our side plans to request a notary from the Seomun Family.”
The master spoke in a rigid voice.
Seomun Seka.
Considered the best faction in Gansu, they have a firm grip on the region’s supremacy. It would be impossible to exclude them from this martial contest.
All affairs in Gansu, whether official or unofficial, required the protection or tacit agreement of the Seomun Family.
Even if we begged them not to come, they’d find a way to interfere regardless.
So, it would actually be easier for both sides to simply request them as a notary in an official capacity as fellow orthodox factions.
‘Besides, the Seomun Family must be feeling the heat by now.’
I was certain of it, given my 50 years of experience with treachery.
At that very moment, I imagined the Seomun Family’s chief, a Hwakyung master, Jincheongyeomwang Seomun Hyeon-cheon, red-faced and fuming.
Originally, the Seomun Family’s plan involved assisting Heukryongbang to eradicate Gongdong Sect, then, when Gongdong Sect was wiped out, using the justification of revenge to dispose of Heukryongbang.
However, this plan hinged entirely on Heukryongbang annihilating Gongdong Sect in the shadows.
Of course, ideally, Heukryongbang wouldn’t have needed to participate in a martial contest and would instead deal with Gongdong Sect through underhanded methods, allowing the Seomun Family to just watch from the sidelines and scoop up the benefits.
‘But since Gongdong Sect suggested a contest and Heukryongbang accepted, the Seomun Family now cannot meddle in this matter, regardless of the outcome.’
Although it would be unlikely, even if Gongdong Sect were to lose, the Seomun Family could no longer use the excuse of avenging them.
The same goes if we win. They have no grounds to interfere with the interests in Hwajeong County.
Since the contest is legitimate, the Seomun Family, as third parties, have no justification to get involved.
The Seomun Family’s role in this martial contest would just be that of a notary and a cleanup crew.
‘And if they must even request to be a notary, it would surely make for an amusing sight. The chief’s expression will be a real treat.’
I chuckled inwardly at the thought of Seomun Hyeon-cheon’s distorted face as the head of the Seomun Family and a master of Hwakyung.
Of course, rejecting the request would be impossible.
It was all for the sake of face as the foremost faction in Gansu.
To ignore anything happening in Gansu, especially involving the prestigious Gongdong Sect, a member of the orthodox faction?
It would be an unthinkable breach of etiquette in the martial world, where reputation is valued above life itself. Even if it meant loss, they must do it.
That was the law of the martial world.
I could vividly picture the pressure building in Seomun Hyeon-cheon’s face as he took on this pointless responsibility.
I had just knocked down the tower he invested so much effort into building.
Indeed, tormenting political rivals is so satisfying.
“Understood.”
At that moment, Wi Soryeon nodded in agreement with Jeonyeong’s words.
“Refreshments have arrived.”
Clatter.
Out came terrible refreshments alongside a steaming cup of cheap green tea.
The items on the tray were definitely not normal.
There was a mysterious snack that looked charred like coal.
Even the green tea resembled a murky liquid.
Upon the dreadful ‘refreshments’ making their entrance, Heuksaryong’s face twitched.
“Now, please help yourself.”
Jeonyeong said with a gentle smile.
Is this a prank targeting Wi Soryeon?
If so, I would say it’s a success.
Declining refreshments offered by the host would violate etiquette and also hurt the pride of the master.
Wi Soryeon would have no choice but to consume this horrid object disguised as refreshments.
“Thank you for the treat.”
With trembling hands, Wi Soryeon slurped the tea and grabbed a snack, putting it into her mouth.
“?!?!”
The moment the ‘refreshment’ hit her mouth, her body jolted.
She shivered as if witnessing some ghastly sight beyond description.
“Gack······. What the hell······. You there, maid! What is this horrific snack?! Are you intending to insult our master and the Heukryongbang with this abomination?!”
Wi Soryeon’s face turned a mixture of red and blue, exploding in rage.
An intangible pressure emanated from her body and shot at Seo Harin in an instant.
Once Seo Harin made eye contact with Wi Soryeon, she collapsed.
Her eyes and entire body began to tremble like a aspen leaf.
Seo Harin had a traumatic memory surrounding martial practitioners.
Moreover, it was the Sayeong Hoe’s massacre that led to her mother’s death, and the Heukryongbang was behind that.
To her, Wi Soryeon could very well be the real mastermind and a figure of terror.
And here’s the catch: Seo Harin was still an ordinary person who hadn’t practiced martial arts. There was no way she could withstand the pressure of Wi Soryeon, who had reached the apex of Post-Stimulation Indicator.
‘This cannot stand.’
I cannot let Seo Harin be like this.
Regardless, she was not only a future sister disciple but also a beauty resembling the emperor herself.
It was time for me to take action.
Whoosh.
I summoned the power of Minor Yang Heart Method from my dantian.
The energy surged from my dantian, coursing through my blood vessels. In that moment, I amplified my energy with Reverse Flow Blood Technique.
Boom! Boom Boom Boom!
As my rough energy surged through my entire body, I quickly stepped between Wi Soryeon and Seo Harin.
Whooooosh!
The clash between Wi Soryeon’s energy and mine echoed through the air.
If this continued, the room would be wrecked, just like when Sahyeong and Wi Soryeon had clashed previously.
I raised my right hand to absorb the energy collision and shot it towards the ceiling.
Crack!
The sound of creaking wood from the beams echoed due to the energy shot into the ceiling.
Damn it.
As if this haunted house wasn’t unstable enough, now I’m causing more damage.
While shaking off the dust falling from the beams, I glanced at Wi Soryeon and said, “To use your prowess against a child who hasn’t even practiced martial arts···. They say the dark do not hesitate to kill even if it displeases them. This seems to reflect that sentiment.”
“······Perhaps if you taste this snack, you would understand my feelings. At first, I thought Gongdong Sect was attempting to poison me.”
Wi Soryeon pointed at the charred snack with a glare.
At the mention of poison, Seo Harin flinched.
Her eyes trembled in unease.
All eyes turned towards the snack.
“How strange. Poisoning me? This snack looks delicious from where I stand. If what you say is true, and I taste this snack without issue··· then you must apologize to the innocent Seo Soja for your attack.”
“······That it looks delicious? After tasting this extreme poison of human history, if you remain unharmed, I will gladly apologize.”
Wi Soryeon trembled, alternating her gaze between me and Seo Harin.
Hic!
Seo Harin sat down, hiccuping.
“Fine.”
I accepted Wi Soryeon’s challenge and popped the snack onto my mouth, chewing it.
‘!!’
I was mentally prepared, but the so-called snack was disgustingly awful.
Despite having worked as a low-ranking officer, sampling all sorts of bizarre food, this one ranked among the worst.
It was literally something my stomach rejected.
However, if I were to back down now, I wouldn’t have even made the wager with Wi Soryeon.
Equipped with over 50 years of scheming experience, I had acting skills that reached the level of an accomplished performer.
I smiled naturally, controlling each and every facial muscle with superhuman precision.
My performance could easily win an award at the Cannes Film Festival.
“It’s delightful. The gentle sweetness pairs beautifully with the tea. The texture and aftertaste are truly artistic snacks.”
Drip.
I followed it with Soryeon’s brewed tea.
How did she brew this tea? It tasted worse than sewage, surpassing the essence of stinky drain water.
Yet still, I held my expression, exercising superhuman patience to control all my muscles while speaking.
“The tea is also fragrant. Though it is just cheap green tea, under Seo Soja’s touch, the scent and flavor have reached new heights. It tastes as beautiful as your appearance.”
Drip.
The tears I couldn’t control began to roll down my cheeks.
What would normally be an embarrassing mistake for anyone else.
But I was the worst schemer in the history of the Central Plains, having purged all opposition while reigning over the emperor.
Naturally, I wasn’t fazed by a trivial circumstance like this.
In fact, it was great.
Wiping my flowing tears, I declared, “I apologize. The taste moved me so much that I couldn’t help but shed tears. It brought back memories of the flavors my late mother would brew after meals… I want to express my gratitude to Seo Soja for presenting this deeply moving moment.”
I wrapped up my spontaneous performance by wiping my tears away while placing the tea cup down.
The moment my review ended, Wi Soryeon’s face turned rigid with shock and confusion.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction.
See? I should have chosen a better place to stretch out. Tsk, tsk.