Chapter 567
Chapter 567
Chapter 567. Let’s Strike It Big (2)
Seeing me like that, Palgap asked, and I silently pointed ahead with my finger.
At this, Palgap looked ahead, flinched, and slowly stepped backward.
“Why are you acting like that?” (Eun Seoho)
“Because Miss Hyangok is scary to me too.” (Palgap)
Unlike in my previous life, my martial prowess is far higher than Noona Hyangok’s.
However, I cannot do anything about this instinctive fear.
Especially when I see her shaking a man covered in blood like that.
Looking at the venomous abuse Noona was spitting at him and the other Emei Sect disciple standing beside her with a red face, the situation was clear.
That man must have tried something with the Emei Sect disciples.
The murmuring of the people around us also proved it.
“Tsk, tsk. Why would he try something with the heroines of Emei Sect…” (Onlooker)
“And with the Snow Sword Heroine there, no less.” (Onlooker)
Snow Sword Heroine.
It is Noona Hyangok’s alias.
And right now, Noona was proving her alias clearly.
Piiik! Piik!
At that moment, a group came running along with the sound of whistles.
Seeing the uniform they were wearing, it seemed to be one of the patrol squads organized by the Martial Alliance to maintain public order.
But someone who seemed to be a squad member looked somehow familiar… Damn it!
He spotted me and shouted with a delighted face.
“Who is this? Is this not Great Master Seonhyeop Mirang?” (Woneop)
“Hahaha. It has been a long time.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Have you been well in the meantime? To meet Great Master here! If this is not a fate ordained by heaven, what is it?” (Woneop)
“You embarrass me. By the way, are you serving as part of the patrol squad during this Murim Grand Banquet?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Since we had to expand the patrol force compared to the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament, I was included as well.” (Woneop)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
I quickly continued speaking.
“You have come at just the right time. This is my Noona. She is currently training at Emei Sect.” (Eun Seoho)
Noona Hyangok had, at some point, put down the man whose collar she had been grabbing and shaking, then introduced herself in a demure posture.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Hyangok of Emei Sect.” (Hyangok)
Noona…
Even if you speak demurely with blood drops splattered on your face, you do not look demure.
But I deliberately did not say that out loud.
“I am Sixth Squad Leader Woneop of the Dragon Fang Unit. I am a person of the Hwangsan Won Clan, a family that takes Mount Huang as its yard.” (Woneop)
After they exchanged greetings like that, Noona Hyangok asked,
“It seems you are acquainted with my younger cousin.” (Hyangok)
“Yes. We once carried out a mission together. Thanks to Great Master, we were able to complete the mission safely.” (Woneop)
There is nothing good about that story getting long.
I immediately changed the subject.
“Squad Leader Won. This man insulted my Noona. Is that right, Noona?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. That is right.” (Hyangok)
Noona Hyangok nodded.
“We were walking along the road when he harassed us from the side.” (Hyangok)
Tsk, tsk.
There are always people like that wherever one goes.
Squad Leader Won glared coldly at the man, then clasped his hands to us.
“Please leave it to me. I will make sure that lecher receives proper punishment.” (Woneop)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“For people like this, you should draw their likenesses and post them all over Luoyang.” (Eun Seoho)
“You are absolutely right. I will take this man away and deal with him now.” (Woneop)
He dragged the man Noona Hyangok had beaten so hard he would have produced dust on a rainy day and returned to the Martial Alliance.
“By the way, Seoho. You came this time too.” (Hyangok)
“Yes. It turned out that way.” (Eun Seoho)
“I heard you came to Sichuan because of Orabeoni Jeongho. They said Orabeoni almost ended up in great trouble?” (Hyangok)
She must be talking about when Brother Jeongho fell into the water while trying to save Young Master Seong Yujin of the Myeongmyeong Trading Company.
“That did happen.” (Eun Seoho)
“Still, it was fortunate he was found safely. I heard you played a big role. As expected, you are reliable.” (Hyangok)
“Thank you for the praise.” (Eun Seoho)
I clasped my hands with a smile and carefully asked Noona,
“By any chance, are you also participating in the Murim Grand Banquet, Noona?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course!” (Hyangok)
“Please take care of yourself. By the way, did you come with Divine Nun Haecheong this time as well?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. Master and the Sect Leader came too.” (Hyangok)
As expected of the Murim Grand Banquet.
It is truly an event where big figures gather.
The Murim Grand Banquet, held once every nine years, is the greatest event in the murim, where the heads of each sect and family gather.
Because of that, the period is also fairly long, and during that period, meetings among the leaders about major current issues and duels among the prodigies are also held.
Among them, the duels among the prodigies carry the greatest weight.
Though there is likely an intention to dilute attention on the results of the meetings.
Unlike the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament, the Murim Grand Banquet had no restrictions on qualifications to participate.
So many people without the proper skill would often participate.
Usually, in such cases, they would be eliminated outside the stage out of mercy, but there were also cases where that did not happen, or could not.
As a result, people who were seriously injured or killed appeared.
Because of that, it became customary for only martial artists at the peak realm or above to participate.
The Murim Grand Banquet’s original purpose was to promote friendship through duels, but at some point, it became a matter of pride for each sect and martial family.
So there is no restriction on age either, but it also became customary for the prodigies to participate.
In any case, because of that, the response is so hot that it puts the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament to shame.
In other words, this time, I can strike it big!
Perhaps I had smiled without realizing it, because Noona tilted her head and asked,
“Why are you grinning like that?” (Hyangok)
“It is because I am happy to see you, Noona. In any case, please be careful.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do not worry.” (Hyangok)
This will not do.
I should give Noona some of Geumnyeong’s special Golden Wound Medicine too.
“What inn are you staying at now?” (Eun Seoho)
Emei Sect has no separate residence or anything like that in Luoyang, so they stay at an inn.
“The inn we stayed at before.” (Hyangok)
“It was Yuwol Inn, right?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right. There. It is a place contracted with our main sect.” (Hyangok)
Aha! Emei Sect solves its lodging problem by contracting with an inn.
“I understand. Then I will visit again next time.” (Eun Seoho)
I returned to Yeonpung Inn.
When I entered the inn, our trading company’s people, including Father and Mother, were sitting on the first floor.
Come to think of it, it is dinner time.
I went straight to Mother and greeted her.
“Mother, you worked hard coming here.” (Eun Seoho)
“You worked hard as well. But you said you were going to the Jegal Family, and you are a bit late.” (Mother)
“Yes. The conversation got a little long. And on the way back, I also met Noona Hyangok.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Mother’s eyes shone.
“Oh my, really? Hyangok must be participating this time too.” (Mother)
“That is right.” (Eun Seoho)
In the meantime, Assistant Yoo Daeik whispered in Father’s ear, and the two left together.
“Sit down for a bit. Let us talk before dinner.” (Mother)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
I sat obediently in front of Mother.
“I heard there were all sorts of things that happened in the meantime. Especially that the one who caught the culprit in the murder case that occurred during the Beijing Poetry Competition was you.” (Mother)
I briefly told Mother about the things that had happened in the meantime.
Of course, leaving out what needed to be left out.
Some things were secret, but even if I told her everything, Mother would obviously worry.
Mother came to Luoyang for a reason similar to Father’s.
Numerous sect and family members attend the Murim Grand Banquet.
Naturally, most of the Trading Company Leaders of the Hundred Great Trading Companies attend as well.
So they gather in Luoyang to build connections with one another or make deals.
In the midst of that, each of their mistresses also attends together, mingling with one another and building friendship.
Even such gatherings must be quite tiring and difficult…
Mother tilted her head as she looked at me.
“Why are you making that expression?” (Mother)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“You suddenly made a pitiful expression.” (Mother)
As expected, I cannot fool Mother.
“It just occurred to me that you go through a great deal of hardship, Mother. If you had not married Father, you would have been receiving fine treatment as the mistress of a martial family.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do not say such things. I do not regret marrying your father. And…” (Mother)
Mother smiled brightly and said,
“A very wonderful son is helping me a great deal.” (Mother)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“You are Seonhyeop Mirang, are you not?” (Mother)
Ah! That is true.
I realized what Mother meant at once.
At this moment, the fact that I had the alias Seonhyeop Mirang made me feel proud.
At that moment, Father returned.
“Shall we eat dinner now? Have you ordered the food?” (Eun Gilsang)
“Ah, not yet.” (Eun Seoho)
I called a waiter and ordered simple food.
The others seemed to have already ordered food.
“Ah, I forgot to mention that.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes? What do you mean?” (Eun Seoho)
“Do you know Mister Yun Seongjin of the Jinso Yun Family?” (Eun Gilsang)
“Ah… He is someone I saved recently.” (Eun Seoho)
He was one of the people I had found imprisoned in Black Cat Sect’s prison while on my way to the Jegal Family.
Since it was something I had just told Mother about, I stroked my chest in relief.
I almost got into trouble if I had not told her in advance.
“That mister’s family sent five hundred silver nyang. They said it was a token of thanks.” (Eun Gilsang)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
Since I had expected that they would send a token of thanks to our trading company, I calmly nodded.
But I could not help being surprised at Father’s following words.
“So I deposited it at Geumsan Bank under your name.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“And several families and sects sent a few hundred nyang each. Added together, it exceeded ten thousand nyang. I deposited all of that under your name at Geumsan Bank as well.” (Eun Gilsang)
“You did not use it as funds for the trading company?” (Eun Seoho)
“Those are rewards you personally received. It is right that they belong not to the trading company, but to you personally.” (Eun Gilsang)
Father’s expression was serious.
Since you say that, I am grateful.
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.
Two days later.
I headed to the Martial Alliance together with Father.
Because today was the day to select the seats in the commercial district.
Soon, when we arrived at the Martial Alliance and approached the gate, the gatekeepers crossed their spears and blocked our path.
“What business brings you here?” (Gatekeeper)
At this, Father spoke.
“We have come for the seat selection in the commercial district.” (Eun Gilsang)
“Please show your identity plaques.” (Gatekeeper)
At this, each of us took out our identity plaques and held them out, and they checked them.
However, the gatekeeper checking my identity plaque had a strange look on his face and muttered,
“Eun Seoho… I feel like I’ve heard that name a lot somewhere?” (Gatekeeper)
It seems he has not worked at the Martial Alliance for long yet.
If he had worked for several years or more, he would have known just by hearing my name.
I am not bragging, but I am fairly famous.
It was then.
“Why! Who is this? Is this not Great Master Seonhyeop Mirang?” (Wang Gu)
A figure came running from inside.
Who is it?
Ah! I remember.
He is the person who was involved in summoning the people related to the gold Buddha statue theft case last time.
He had tried to drag me away by force, but I made him step on the Alliance Leader’s letter as I had intended and forced him to become respectful.
By the way, what was his name again?
Since I cannot remember it, it seems he did not introduce his name…
Well, it does not matter. I only need to smile and greet him.
“To meet you here! It is good to see you.” (Eun Seoho)
“What brings you here?” (Wang Gu)
“Because of this.” (Eun Seoho)
I showed the document containing the Alliance Leader’s notarization, where the footprints were still clear.
“Gasp!” (Wang Gu)
He was startled and broke out in a cold sweat.
“Th-that is, so…” (Wang Gu)
“You do not need to worry. I am not someone who cannot tolerate a mistake like that.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you. Great Master. But the person beside you is?” (Wang Gu)
“He is my father.” (Eun Seoho)
“So he is your honorable father! It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Wang Gu, Third Squad Leader of the Martial Alliance’s Protection Unit.” (Wang Gu)
Ah, so he is Squad Leader Wang Gu.
That is a name I am hearing for the first time now.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Eun Gilsang, the Trading Company Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company.” (Eun Gilsang)
Squad Leader Wang Gu saw the gatekeepers holding our identity plaques in their hands and roared fiercely.
“What are you all doing right now?” (Wang Gu)
“We are conducting entry inspection right now!” (Gatekeeper)
“Entry inspection? Do you know who this person is to say such nonsense? He is Great Master Seonhyeop Mirang, the hero of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament! That itself already means his identity is guaranteed, and yet entry inspection? Entry inspeeectiooon?” (Wang Gu)
They were startled and returned our identity plaques.
“F-forgive our discourtesy.” (Gatekeeper)
“We are sorry for failing to recognize you!” (Gatekeeper)
This must be why they say a person ought to rise in the world first.
Father and I received our identity plaques back and went inside while receiving their respectful courtesy.
“Ah, by the way, what happened to that thief?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Squad Leader Wang answered,
“In the end, we still have not found him. In the meantime, he sent an advance warning letter saying he would steal the Namgung Clan’s treasure, so part of the Protection Unit went there, but it was a wasted effort.” (Wang Gu)
“Oh dear! Is that so?” (Eun Seoho)
“Moreover, because of the Murim Grand Banquet, the investigation has effectively been suspended.” (Wang Gu)
“Huh, I see. Have you not caught even a single clue?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, he nodded with a dark expression.
“No. We cannot even make a guess at all. We can only speculate that a thief who has reached the realm of the God of Thieves has appeared.” (Wang Gu)
“Certainly, at that level, it is worth speculating so.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is why people are calling him the One-Stone God of Thieves.” (Wang Gu)
The fact that I left a single stone behind ended up connecting like that.
Geumnyeong. Be happy. You have gained the alias One-Stone God of Thieves. (Eun Seoho)
Kkui? Kku! Kkui! (Geumnyeong)
Ah…
You do not like having a stone in your alias?
But things like diamonds, the jewel of jewels, as well as jade and rubies, are actually stones too.
“I will be off to work now. I hope you have a good time.” (Wang Gu)
“Then I will see you next time.” (Eun Seoho)
When he moved away, Father quietly asked,
“How did you come to know him?” (Eun Gilsang)
“I will tell you later.” (Eun Seoho)
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Soon, we arrived at the place where the commercial district’s seats would be selected.
When we entered, many merchants had already gathered and were waiting.
We exchanged greetings with those we knew.
There were also people Father and I had to go and greet, but more people came to us to greet us.
A little later, several warriors and a scribe came in.
It seems the one who handled seat selection during the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament got his head cut off.
Well, he was caught embezzling the Martial Alliance’s money, so it would be impressive if he were still alive.
“We will now begin the seat selection for the commercial district of the Murim Grand Banquet.” (Scribe)
He stated several precautions.
“Then you may draw numbered plaques from the container. Before that…” (Scribe)
He looked at me and Father and said,
“In accordance with the promise made by the Alliance Leader, the Eunhae Trading Company should select its seat first.” (Scribe)