Chapter 35 The Cheonryong Association

Chapter 35: The Cheonryong Association

“Thick… No, you mean the banquet welcoming the Third Young Master is being held under the Celestial Dragon Assembly’s leadership, so I should attend, right? But why is Brother Dan delivering this?”

“I was asked to.”

“By whom?”

“The Third Young Master.”

‘That stalker bastard.’

Seems he just can’t give up on the cleaning service.

‘Losing a fair fight and still clinging on like this.’

In modern times, I’d have applied for a restraining order.

I asked with a firm expression.

“Can I refuse?”

“That’s your choice. But since it’s a gathering held after so long, I think it’d be best if you attended.”

“I’m just not going. I don’t even know anyone there.”

“……I recall you had friends?”

“I did. Back then.”

After cutting ties with every bastard who turned their back when I needed them most, no one was left.

“Anyway, I’m not going. Consider that settled.”

“What a pity.”

“Enjoy yourselves. I’m off for a nap.”

“Isn’t it time to go to work?”

“Oh, I’m the Chief of Operations. Third in the Outer Sect hierarchy. For someone in my position, the time I show up isn’t important. How I work is what matters.”

For reference, I just go to work, collect the allowance my team members gather for me, and then leave again. That’s my routine.

“But the Master arrives at the exact hour every day.”

“That’s because Lord Cheongryong is exceptionally diligent and conscientious. Lord Oedang often only shows up once every three days.”

Bukgung Yangban is definitely a shadow figure within Guryongseong.

I should get my name on the list of those to be cut as soon as possible.

Compared to that guy, I’m a diligent worker. Yeah, exactly.

“……Understood. I’ll assume you can’t come. And.”

“……”

“You haven’t forgotten the promise, have you?”

Annoying brat.

When I nodded as if it were obvious, Danun left a meaningful remark.

“You’d better prepare. He’s agonizing over you every single day.”

Hearing that, Dan-un’s physique suddenly caught my eye.

Even through his clothes, his battle-hardened muscles were visible, and beneath his sleeves, his forearms bulged with prominent veins.

It was clear he’d reduced his body fat to the absolute minimum and built muscle through brutal training.

‘Seriously, why go this far…’

He’ll get eliminated in the preliminaries anyway.

But a gentleman’s words should be as heavy as Mount Tai.

I decided to reassure Danun first.

“Whoa! Brother Dan, you should be the one careful. The me of today is not the same as the me of yesterday.”

“……Don’t get your hopes up.”

Yeah, I’ll get eliminated in the preliminaries.

As Danun left with a satisfied expression, Yongmasan quietly approached and said.

“I can say with certainty that if we’re talking purely about lying skills, the strongest in Guryongseong is Team Leader Jin.”

* * *

“Everything okay?”

“There are team members who are bored because they have too little to do.”

“Good.”

“All thanks to you, Team Leader.”

The Iljogak I visited that afternoon was vastly different from when I first took office.

The crowd of petitioners that used to fill the front open space, overwhelmed by work, was nowhere to be seen. Only those who’d caused trouble trickled in, one by one.

Indeed, the most noticeable change was that the troublemakers, the ‘Parrakho,’ were nowhere to be seen.

This was thanks to the influence of Lee Seon-bang, who held the lives of the outer city’s lowest-ranking citizens firmly in his grasp.

‘Very good.’

With results like this, it seemed I could soon present Yongmasan with a Ha●mo wig as a gift.

But do wigs even exist in this era?

“You’re doing well. Too much play looks bad, so make sure to train them occasionally. If other squads request support, respond whenever possible.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Alright. I’ll leave it at that. Keep up the good work.”

After leaving Iljogak, I didn’t head home but turned toward Taeryong-ro.

‘Today is the day.’

I intended to ask Commander Yook out on a date.

Destination: Honghwa Pavilion. Target: Commander Yook.

Truthfully, I’d planned to visit sooner.

We still had that tea date pending, and more importantly, the look in her eyes when I last visited felt unusual.

The timing for my confession was undoubtedly approaching.

But there was one problem.

‘It took way too long to overcome the PTSD those Red Dragon Gang bastards gave me.’

It was the very existence of the Red Dragon Gang assassins.

Fearing I might get tangled up with those bastards, I hadn’t even set foot in Honghwa Pavilion.

So, I hadn’t been able to convey my feelings until now. But not anymore.

‘True man’s trait: Overcoming any trial.’

I’m the one who brought Yi Jeok-ha, one of the top young warriors in the Northeast, to his knees.

The Red Dragon Gang is no longer my match.

Today, I vowed to win the heart of the Sixth Commander and strode forward with determination for a full hour.

The Honghwa Pavilion, crowned with its red roof, came into view.

Originally situated in a more secluded spot, it had moved here after acquiring the Golden Flower Pavilion.

Since I played the most decisive role in that acquisition, you could say I practically built one of its four stories myself.

“Ahem. How have you been?”

I subtly revealed my presence to the gatekeeper. Recognizing me, he promptly bowed his head.

“Good heavens! Isn’t this Captain Jin? Oh, my mind! Since you’ve been promoted, I should properly call you Lord Jin.”

True to form, someone working under Chief Yook had impeccable manners.

“Lord? Just call me ‘Great Hero’. It feels terribly awkward for a greenhorn like me to be called ‘Lord’.”

“Ah… Yes, Master Jin.”

“By the way, is Chief Yook inside? I have something important to tell him.”

“He is here, but it seems you won’t be able to see him today.”

“What do you mean? The brothel isn’t receiving guests?”

“Well… The Cheonryong Association has rented out the entire Honghwa Pavilion for a banquet.”

‘Damn it, this is never going to work.’

Who knew the welcome party for the Third Prince would be held here.

The gatekeeper’s explanation barely finished when an unwelcome voice called out from behind.

“Said he wouldn’t come, but here he is?”

It was Baek Hajin, the youngest son of the Baekryongdang leader.

For reference, this bastard was the one who tried to make Myaohyang his concubine.

I ignored him and greeted the gatekeeper.

“Today doesn’t seem like the right day. I’ll come back another time.”

“Understood, Hero Jin.”

As I turned away, disappointed, Baek Hajin chuckled.

“Don’t be like that. Come inside. It’s been two whole years since graduation, and you haven’t seen your classmates once?”

“Bullshit.”

At my blatant disregard, Baek Hajin’s expression instantly hardened.

“Ha! You still think of me as that little brat who used to take beatings from you? If I wanted to, I could easily—”

I couldn’t stand his words and thrust my fist right in front of his face.

As the powerful fist, imbued with the profound techniques of the Park Ryong-sip-tu, flew toward him, Baek Ha-jin recoiled in shock and fell backward.

“You’re worse than you were as a kid?”

“Yeeek!”

Fury must have surged up, for the bastard’s face turned bright red.

Then, suddenly, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“What are you doing on such a fine day?”

At that moment, a solemn voice echoed, and a sharply featured man appeared.

It was Baek Moo-ha, the head of the Cheonryong Association, the Dongmun Association of Deungcheongak, and the eldest son of the Baekryong Dang leader, Baekryonggeom.

He stepped between Baek Hajin and me.

He then looked at Baek Hajin and clicked his tongue. He must have been watching from inside, witnessing whatever had transpired.

“Useless brat.”

“······Please don’t interfere, Brother.”

“What?”

He glared briefly, and Baek Hajin immediately backed down.

“I’m, I’m sorry. I got carried away in the heat of the moment······.”

Only after hearing his brother’s apology did Baek Muha turn to me.

“Long time no see.”

“Yes. Well, I suppose so.”

A meeting after three years.

Because it was a past that could never be a good memory, my tone turned sharp without me realizing it.

“Forgive Uje’s mistake.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. It was just a few pranks.”

“I’ve heard about your exploits since then. You saved our family at Jeomchang Mountain, right?”

Baekryongdang’s predecessor was the Baek family, a prestigious lineage.

Unlike sects united by master-disciple bonds, they were bound by blood.

Even so, ‘our family’…

It was a laughable expression to use now, over a hundred years after they merged under the name Guryongseong.

“It was nothing. As ‘family of Guryongseong,’ I simply did what was expected.”

“Family of the Nine Dragons… That’s true.”

True my ass.

“So, you were looking for someone?”

“No. I can come back tomorrow.”

Just as he turned away, sick of talking to the man, the open door behind Baek Muha revealed the interior of Honghwaru.

Young warriors packed the tables on the first floor, their voices rising in a cacophony.

Chief Yook bustled about, managing the entire banquet.

“Come on in. Someone wants to see you. And…”

Following Baek Muhwa’s gaze, I turned my head. The people inside were looking at me.

“Didn’t everyone already know you were coming?”

A situation I found anything but welcome.

I considered just ignoring them and leaving, but quickly changed my mind.

I didn’t want it to look like I was running away.

“Alright. Let’s go in.”

“Good. Wise decision.”

In the end, I followed Baek Muhwa into Honghwaru.

True to its reputation as the largest brothel in Guryongseong, Honghwaru’s interior was vast.

Even with three hundred people inside, empty seats remained scattered throughout.

And then.

Uwahahahaha.

On this floor, which offered a clear view down to the first floor, Lee Jeok-ha and several others were seated.

They were the children and disciples of the Eight Clans’ leaders.

Not only did they gather the elites of Guryongseong under the name Cheonryonghoe, but they even ranked them within that group.

This was it.

The reason I came to despise the Cheonryonghoe.

“Come up.”

I was already sick to my stomach, and the thought of going up to this floor made me think I might vomit, so I shook my head.

“No, thank you. I’ll drink with my friends on the first floor.”

“……Even after three years, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“They say people only change when they die, don’t they?”

“Understood. I won’t insist further.”

Baek Muha stopped arguing and went upstairs.

I immediately took a seat at a nearby empty spot, and Commander Yuk approached.

Her Pacific-like calmness was immediately apparent, and my unease melted away instantly.

“You’re here.”

“It’s been a long time. How have you been?”

“I’ve been serving the Princess.”

“I see. Actually, I didn’t come here today for the banquet, but…”

Just as he was about to get straight to the point for her, who was frantically busy.

Clang.

“Who’s this! Isn’t this the rising master whose name echoes through Nine Dragon City, the Dragon-Taming Martial Artist, Jin Mujeon!”

The three friends she’d cut ties with approached the table.

Seeing this, Yuk Jin-hwa quietly smiled and stepped back.

“I’ll see to the table. Please enjoy catching up with your friends.”

“Ah, no…”

He reached out toward her retreating figure, but it was already a train that had left the station.

‘Useless things in life!’

He wanted to beat them to a pulp right then and there, but he couldn’t cause a scene in a place like this.

With superhuman patience, he barely held back and greeted them.

“When you refused my plea for help, why are you suddenly acting like we’re friends?”

The drinking session that began like this felt awkward at first. The memory of being coldly rejected when I asked them to help with the rescue operation at the cleaning shop still lingered.

“No, what could I do when the sect wouldn’t let me go? You saw it yourself. I even went to ask the sect leader directly.”

“I’ve got other missions lined up. How could I help you? I’m not a two-headed monster.”

“These friends are right. And I’m no master swordsman. Why come looking for me? To be your sword shield?”

“I won’t listen to excuses from traitorous scum.”

Anger flared again at their cowardly excuses.

‘Sigh, I’ll endure it.’

As the foremost gentleman of the outer court, I couldn’t hold my friends’ mistakes against them forever.

I resolved to forgive them this time.

“But just this once, I’ll make an exception. Tell me how you’ve been.”

We poured wine into each other’s cups and poured out our hearts for a while.

A few people on the first floor looked at me uneasily and murmured among themselves.

The reason was obvious.

My being stronger than them, despite being a street orphan, must have hurt their pride.

‘Let’s go home.’

Feeling like a dog, the taste of the liquor suddenly lost its appeal.

“It was good seeing everyone. Let’s meet again sometime when we can all make it. “

”Leaving already?“

”I’m uncomfortable.“

When I glanced around, my peers nodded as if understanding.

”I see.“

”Let’s grab drinks sometime soon. I’ll buy.“

”Jinmu-jeon really made it big. The guy who never paid for drinks is now buying them.”

‘Trusting Agal Pay? Still just kids. ’

Just as I stood up to leave, my eyes met Baek Muha’s, who was on this floor.

He snorted.

A clear sneer.

Then.

“Everyone, pay attention!”

He gathered the crowd’s attention.

“We’ve gathered after so long—should we just drink without any entertainment? So I was thinking of holding a martial arts contest. What do you all say?”

At Baek Muha’s suggestion, everyone in the Cheonryong Meeting nodded with interested expressions.

The alcohol had stirred their competitive spirit.

I tried to ignore him and leave, but Baek Muha’s voice reached me.

“There’s a friend named Jin Mujeon working in the outer hall. He’s a brilliant talent, the top graduate of the 99th class. Recently, he even achieved great merit at Jomchang Mountain.”

Baek Muha pulled a silk pouch from his robe and tossed it toward me.

Clunk.

It was so heavy that the impact alone caused the opening to gape slightly. The pouch was filled to the brim with silver coins.

“To whoever challenges that fellow and defeats him, I shall give all the silver coins within this pouch and one treasure crafted by the White Dragon Hall.”

A duel arranged without my consent.

‘Son of a bitch.’

The sheer malice was so thick, even curses couldn’t escape.

Losing meant disgrace.

Winning meant making enemies.

And Baek Muha’s intention hit the mark perfectly.

A couple who’d always looked down on me rose from their seats.

I could have just taken a few hits and ended it, but I didn’t want to do that in front of them.

I didn’t want to play into Baek Muha’s hands either.

Thud.

Having made up my mind, I unfurled the Jeonwangbo and charged at the men who had risen.

And then.

Whack! Crack.

I drove my fist into one man’s chest, sending him flying, and seized another’s shoulder, snapping it.

It was a successful ambush, thanks to their drunkenness and complacency.

“……. “

Everyone in Honghwaru stared at me with horrified eyes.

They surely hadn’t expected me to act so ruthlessly and swiftly.

The reason I did this was to share the responsibility.

I was the one who acted, but Baek Muha was the one who arranged the situation.

I picked up the fallen money pouch and looked up at Baek Muha.

”I will come for the pouch soon. ”

“······Understood.”

He gave a small nod with a cold gaze.

I surveyed everyone on the first floor, bowed, and said.

“I apologize for unintentionally spoiling the mood. Since I’ve inconvenienced my seniors and juniors, I’ll buy drinks with this money.”

I tossed the money pouch to Chief Liu standing at a distance.

“Please take care of it.”

With those words, he left Honghwaru.

Walking along the road, reflecting on how this had been a thoroughly unpleasant day in many ways, a large man approached him.

“······Excuse me, but our young master requests to see you briefly.”

It was Toad’s bodyguard.