Chapter 572
Chapter 572
Chapter 572. Murim Grand Banquet (1)
I chuckled.
The identities of that man and woman were none other than Young Company Head Sagang and the noodle shop owner’s daughter.
Seeing their affectionate faces and tightly clasped hands, I could tell for certain what kind of relationship the two had.
Still, this is fascinating.
Young Company Head Sagang is so bad with words that he makes the people around him feel frustrated.
Just how did he end up in that kind of relationship with her in just a few days?
I quietly approached them.
“Young Company Head Sagang.” (Eun Seoho)
He turned around, then was startled when he saw me.
“Huh? Uh…… Mm…….” (Sagang)
At that reaction, the noodle shop owner’s daughter said,
“He is asking when you returned to Luoyang.” (Noodle Shop Owner’s Daughter)
“I arrived today. But while I was not watching, it seems the relationship between you two has grown quite deep.” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Young Company Head Sagang nodded.
“How exactly did this happen? I am curious about the secret.” (Eun Seoho)
Young Company Head Sagang looked embarrassed.
“In truth, that is…… letters…….” (Sagang)
She explained with a smile.
“Young Company Head Sa sent me letters every day. Their contents were very moving.” (Jeongryeon)
Uh…… right.
Come to think of it, I had heard that while Young Company Head Sagang was extremely poor with words, his writing was quite good.
Now I remember thinking it was strange back then.
“To be honest, Young Company Head Sagang is the young company head of a large trading company, and I am only the daughter of a mere noodle shop, so I wondered a lot whether it was right for me to accept his feelings. But after reading those letters, I finally made up my mind.” (Jeongryeon)
So that was how it was.
But was marriage something that could be settled just because the two people involved were of one mind?
I asked Young Company Head Sagang,
“Does the Head of the Hongryeon Trading Company know as well?” (Eun Seoho)
“He knows.” (Sagang)
He knows?
“I told him.” (Sagang)
“Then did he permit it?” (Eun Seoho)
He nodded.
That is surprising. He allowed this marriage?
At that moment, I heard someone calling me from behind. When I turned my head, the manager of our trading company’s temporary shop was calling me.
It could not be helped.
I will have to ask the details later.
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I was able to hear about the Head of Hongryeon Trading Company permitting the marriage between Young Company Head Sagang and her through Young Company Head Bokyun.
“Ah, that? In truth, I was very surprised too.” (Bokyun)
“So I am not the only one surprised.” (Eun Seoho)
He nodded.
After finishing my schedule, I was drinking tea with Young Company Head Bokyun.
There was also information that could be heard from people of other trading companies.
“It seems Young Company Head Sagang was greatly moved that Miss Jeongryeon, the daughter of Owner Jeong Galsan, understood what he wanted to say at once.” (Bokyun)
“So that was the beginning of affection.” (Eun Seoho)
“It seems so.” (Bokyun)
So the name of the owner of the noodle shop Haechun Noodles was Jeong Galsan.
“But it is also surprising that the Head of Hongryeon Trading Company so readily permitted that marriage.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, I heard a bit about that from Mister Sacheol.” (Bokyun)
I listened closely.
“It seems Young Company Head Sagang told the Company Head that he had met a woman he wanted to marry, and the Company Head told him to bring her. And during the meal, when the Company Head saw her accurately understand and explain what Young Company Head Sagang wanted to say, he immediately permitted it.” (Bokyun)
“So that was how it was!” (Eun Seoho)
“And they said the mistress of the household even cried, saying he had finally met a woman who understood his heart.” (Bokyun)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
The Company Head and his wife must also have suffered quite a bit in their hearts over Young Company Head Sagang being bad with words.
But a woman who could resolve that worry had appeared, so how happy must they have been?
Even if their family backgrounds differed, it was understandable that they allowed the marriage.
“By the way, the tastiest event of the Murim Grand Banquet will be starting soon.” (Bokyun)
“That is true.” (Eun Seoho)
To be exact, the preliminaries begin two days from now.
I am looking forward to seeing who will be the winner of the Murim Grand Banquet this time.
I remember the results from my previous life, but because of the futures I changed, those results could change too.
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At last, the friendly duels of the Murim Grand Banquet, commonly called the Murim Grand Banquet, began.
Early morning.
The match table had been posted, but it was still all blank.
Because they did not decide and announce the matchups beforehand, but randomly drew wooden plaques with the names of the participants written on them and held the duels that way.
This was the same form as the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament.
But there was one difference, which was that they did not draw before every duel, but drew them all at once.
They placed thin wooden plaques inside a large container, then one of the Martial Alliance’s senior officials came out, drew those plaques, and randomly hung them on the match table before everyone’s eyes.
The wooden plaques used here were made double-layered so that the names could not be seen, allowing them to be poured in and drawn at once.
It was a possible method because the Murim Grand Banquet had fewer participants than the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament.
But the duration of each duel tended to be longer.
Because both sides were above a certain level of skill, it took more time.
On top of that, with the pride of both the individual and their affiliation at stake, they would not declare defeat over ordinary injuries.
Thus, the Murim Grand Banquet had one special rule: seven markers made of hard ebony wood were attached to vital points on the body, including the arms and legs, and whoever had all those markers destroyed or knocked off would lose.
It was a rule with quite a long tradition, and even in my opinion, it was a fairly reasonable rule.
Because when martial artists above the peak level insisted on their pride, they could be badly injured or killed, and that could be prevented.
“Are you all ready?” (Father)
As I waited on the first floor, Father, who had finished preparing, came down and asked.
“Yes. Mother has not come down yet.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see.” (Father)
No sooner had we said that than Mother came down.
“Am I late?” (Mother)
At Mother’s question, Father shook his head.
“No. I just came down too.” (Father)
Father held out his hand to Mother and said,
“Then let us go.” (Father)
“Yes.” (Mother)
I followed behind my parents and looked at Brother Jinho.
His eyes are sparkling with anticipation.
But…… it does not seem as though he is simply looking forward to watching the duels.
Surely not? No, it cannot be.
I sidled up to my brother, who was following at the very back, and asked in a whisper.
“Hyung. So, are you confident you can pass the preliminaries?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course! The Chief Administrator also said someone at my level should be able to pass the preliminaries well enou…… hup!” (Jinho)
Startled, Brother Jinho quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
“How did you know?” (Jinho)
“How did I know? I am your younger brother.” (Eun Seoho)
I wondered if that was the case, and he really had applied to participate in the Murim Grand Banquet.
As it happened, the day Brother Jinho arrived was the last day to apply for participation.
“What were you thinking when you applied to participate in the Murim Grand Banquet?” (Eun Seoho)
“I needed honor.” (Jinho)
“Honor?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, honor. You know that this time, I met various martial artists through the Chief Administrator’s introductions, right?” (Jinho)
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
Brother Jinho spoke with a complicated expression.
“While speaking with them then, I came to understand that even if honor is only an empty shell, there are times when it is needed.” (Jinho)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
“Our Eunhae Trading Company will grow even more and climb higher in the future. Until there is nowhere left to climb. When that happens, all sorts of interference will come our way.” (Jinho)
Since he was right, I nodded.
“That is why I am participating. Even if it is a small honor, I would like it if that could become strength to protect Eunhae Trading Company.” (Jinho)
My brother looked at me.
“So can you not cheer me on?” (Jinho)
So it was not simply out of curiosity or hot-bloodedness. He had his own reason.
And since that reason was for the trading company, how could I stop him?
“Fine. But…….” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled and said,
“If you are eliminated in the preliminaries, know that you are dead.” (Eun Seoho)
“Hahaha. I will keep that in mind.” (Jinho)
“But did you tell Mother and Father?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Brother Jinho shook his head.
“No. If I told them, they would have stopped me. So keep it a secret.” (Jinho)
“But Hyung. Even I noticed. Do you really think Mother and Father do not know?” (Eun Seoho)
“…….” (Jinho)
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Soon, we arrived at the dueling arena.
It was a dueling arena made in the Martial Alliance’s open ground, and it seemed they had taken more care to make it sturdy than the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament’s arena.
We each sat in our seats.
This time as well, the spectator seats were divided into several grades, and the best grade released to the public was second-class seating.
Naturally, the price was quite high, but still, for the sake of watching from a close seat, this much was nothing.
“Thank you very much for allowing us to watch this time as well.” (Escort Warrior)
“In truth, I was considering getting spectator seats with my own money.” (Escort Warrior)
“Not at all.” (Eun Seoho)
I said to them,
“This is all an investment. If you all gain realizations from watching the duels and grow stronger, then I will become safer, will I not?” (Eun Seoho)
“We will observe to the best of our ability.” (Escort Warrior)
I had purchased second-class spectator seats for all six escort warriors too.
And for Palgap and Miss Seohyang as well.
Warrior Jinyu and Miss Seohyang looked a little nervous.
That made sense.
Because they were in positions where they could not be discovered by the Martial Alliance.
I sent a telepathic message to Warrior Jinyu.
* Warrior Jinyu, relax. If you are tense, they will look at you more strangely. (Eun Seoho)
* I apologize. Liege. (Jinyu)
* Warrior Jinyu’s face is now perfectly different. No one will look at that face and think of Yeon Gyeseung, the Alliance Leader’s secret warrior. (Eun Seoho)
* Understood. (Jinyu)
What was impressive about the Divine Alteration Art was that it could change not only appearance, but even one’s energy.
And martial artists usually distinguished others through their energy.
The more skilled they were, the more that was the case.
In other words, it would be almost impossible to recognize Warrior Jinyu.
I sent a telepathic message to Miss Seohyang.
* Are you nervous? (Eun Seoho)
* A little. (Seohyang)
* Do not worry. They will not recognize you. Besides, you are even wearing a veiled hat. (Eun Seoho)
* That is true. (Seohyang)
She fiddled with the edge of her veiled hat.
* In truth, standing so confidently before the people who tried to kill me like this…… feels a little thrilling too. (Seohyang)
* A little? (Eun Seoho)
* No. A little…… very much. (Seohyang)
Saying so, she smiled.
Because of the Divine Alteration Art, that smile looked cold, but I knew.
That she was truly enjoying herself right now.
At that moment, I heard people talking behind us.
“Did you hear that?” (Spectator)
“What?” (Spectator)
“They say a golden Buddha statue was brought in to reinforce the formation this time, but it was stolen?” (Spectator)
“What? Something like that happened?” (Spectator)
“So they say. Apparently, they still have not found the identity of the thief.” (Spectator)
“Well now, that thief is something else. How did they steal something from the Martial Alliance?” (Spectator)
“Exactly. Their skill truly is astonishing.” (Spectator)
Thank you for the praise. Hahaha.
It seems word of the theft of the golden Buddha statue I had brought at the Alliance Leader’s request had become known among people too.
Since I knew it would not be used for the purpose he told me, I stole it without hesitation.
Because in my previous life, I had never heard anything about that golden Buddha statue being used.
If something of that level had been used, there was no way I would not have heard the story.
It must have fallen into the Alliance Leader’s hands secretly, unlike this time.
Even if the Sect Leader of Mount Tai’s Guam Sect had hidden it, he would have found it somehow.
Because the Alliance Leader had the ability to do so.
The reason he had to secretly obtain it even at the cost of annihilating the Guam Sect could not possibly have been a good one.
That was why I stole it.
And even if it was not necessarily the golden Buddha statue, there were many ways to reinforce a formation.
“Oh? Who might this be?” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah! Mister Jaegal Cheondu!” (Eun Seoho)
At that moment, Mister Jaegal Cheondu approached me.
The seat plaque he held in his hand was shining gold.
It is a first-class seat plaque.
As expected, even if it is a collateral branch, the Jaegal Clan is still the Jaegal Clan.
This worked out well.
I quietly said to him,
“I heard that the golden Buddha statue brought to reinforce the formation protecting the spectators was stolen.” (Eun Seoho)
“So they say.” (Jaegal Cheondu)
“I too was under investigation and was questioned, but the people of the Jaegal Clan must have suffered a great deal. Altering a prepared formation again is no easy matter, is it?” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he smiled and shook his head.
“If we found that difficult, would that not be a waste of the main family’s name?” (Jaegal Cheondu)
Well, that is true.
“In truth, even without it, the formation could be altered sufficiently, so I do not know why it was needed.” (Jaegal Cheondu)
As expected, he also has doubts.
“Then I will be on my way. Have an enjoyable time.” (Jaegal Cheondu)
“Yes. You too, Mister.” (Eun Seoho)
Mister Jaegal Cheondu left a brief farewell and headed toward his seat, and I looked up at the dueling stage.
I am looking forward to seeing what kind of hero will be born this time.
Boom boom boom!
The sound of drums rang out, and a woman climbed onto the dueling stage.
Someone I have never seen before?
“Welcome to the Murim Grand Banquet friendly duels, held for the friendship of this murim that has carried on its long history! I also express my gratitude for the hard work of everyone who labored for these duels.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
She introduced herself.
“I am Geum Yeonhwa, Captain of the Jahong Unit, who will be overseeing the proceedings of this Murim Grand Banquet friendly duel.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
“Waaaaah! Red Rain Sword! Red Rain Sword!” (Crowd)
When I heard the alias people were shouting, I was able to know her identity.
Red Rain Sword Geum Yeonhwa.
She was a famous figure even in my previous life, and not only because of her beautiful appearance, but because her martial arts were quite outstanding as well.
She was from the Emei Sect, and because when she swung her sword, red blood splattered around her as though rain were falling, she received that alias.
She died in battle while carrying out a mission.
I heard there were many subordinates who raised questions about her death at the time.
But the Martial Alliance did not investigate her death.
Because of that, quite a few people could not accept it and left the Martial Alliance.
That must mean her reputation among people was that strong.
In other words, she was not someone I needed to be wary of and avoid.
“Then, the Alliance Leader will now give a congratulatory address for the Murim Grand Banquet friendly duel.” (Geum Yeonhwa)
The Alliance Leader came onto the dueling stage.
Then he slowly looked around and gave his congratulatory address.
“I welcome all of you who have gathered here like this.” (Alliance Leader)
I half-listened to the Alliance Leader’s congratulatory address as I looked into the air.
To be honest, it was all the same kind of content.
Obvious and natural things continued.
“……And so, in order to deepen the meaning of these friendly duels, I shall recommend a participant.” (Alliance Leader)
The Alliance Leader’s authority, passed down by tradition.
The person recommended by the Alliance Leader skips the preliminaries and advances directly to the main tournament.
I wonder who will receive that honor this time?
“Eun Seoho, Chivalrous Pretty Boy of Eunhae Trading Company. I recommend him.” (Alliance Leader)
“……Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
M-Me?