Chapter 350 Gathering (4)

Chapter 350: Gathering (4)

They say a woman has two faces: before makeup and after makeup.

The power of the bride’s makeup was truly remarkable.

Though her body was childlike, her striking features were unmatched anywhere. Jeokhwa-ran flaunted a radiant beauty like a single red rose.

Cheongso-so, whose features had always been delicate and whose face was as white as snow, displayed a fresh beauty that could rival any ion drink model.

However, the wedding proceeded with such swiftness, precision, and efficiency that there wasn’t much time to admire the bride’s beauty.

From the moment Jie Hua and I entered, exchanged bows, shared a toast, and our master, today’s officiant, ascended the podium—it hadn’t even taken twenty minutes.

It was only natural. After all, so many people were waiting for the event that would begin after the wedding ceremony: the Second Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament.

It felt a bit disappointing, like the spotlight had been stolen from the main event, but what could one do?

It’s only natural to anticipate a bloody battle far more than a tedious wedding ceremony.

What’s more, this event even featured young masters representing each faction. Comparing it to modern times, it felt akin to a numbered UFC championship event. For martial artists, it was certainly something to look forward to.

And perhaps reflecting the guests’ mindset,

“Don’t fight, live well. Have lots of children too.”

The master delivered a wedding speech in a mere 17 characters, including special symbols.

Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo

Congratulations, Jin Moo-sang!

You’re the best-!

Live well-!

Live happily ever after!

Cheers from the warriors and commoners echoed from all directions, but I know.

‘Wow…’

Though they congratulate me with their words, their hearts are elsewhere.

The proof was in the groups of three or five who tossed out a few words before heading straight for the betting counter of the World Martial Arts Tournament.

Ah, by the way, that betting operation is a pop-up store set up by the West Heaven Trading Company and the Red Dragon Gang working together, just like last time.

The profits were quite substantial last time, after all.

“Tee-ing….”

“Alright , why are you doing this to me?”

Seeing his uneasy expression, Jie Hualian fidgeted and glanced at him.

“We’ve got a lot to do from now on…”

“Ah… right?”

“Yeah…”

That was right.

For me, the true main event still lay ahead.

That grandly named event called the ‘first night’.

With Myohyang, we’d spent so much time together, and there were no adults at home, so we’d already done everything before the ceremony. But with Jeokhwaran, we hadn’t progressed beyond a kiss. With Cheongso, I hadn’t even held hands.

“Ahem.”

As I cleared my throat with that thought, the third wife of Jeonryongdang, Cheongso-so, chimed in.

“That’s right! Now that the wedding ceremony is over, let’s go drink!”

Tick-tock!

“……”

What on earth is going on in that girl’s head?

And why did you bring a cricket to the wedding hall? Why did you even dress it up?

* * *

As planned by Mun Sang , the entire Nine Dragons Castle was buzzing with a festive atmosphere.

Truthfully, it was only natural.

In the martial arts world, where there’s nothing to do and nothing to eat, how could there not be a festive atmosphere when free food and drink were being handed out?

Moreover, the number of martial artists who came to participate in or watch the World Martial Arts Tournament was beyond imagination.

In this era, travel was fundamentally something only those with money could afford.

As wealthy travelers flocked in droves, tourism revenue skyrocketed to levels that would pierce the Jade Emperor’s anus.

How could our Myohyang miss out on this opportunity?

She launched a discount event on the Western Heaven Trading Company’s flagship products—silk and brocade—and sold an enormous volume, raking in profits. Thanks to this, the company’s factory utilization rate and brand image saw a significant boost.

If Forbes existed, she would undoubtedly have been named ‘CEO of the Year’ or ‘Person of the Year’.

Meanwhile, amidst this festive atmosphere , there was one department that couldn’t enjoy the mood.

It was the office staff assigned to the military division.

The reason was simple.

Over a thousand participants had gathered for the Second Heavenly Martial Arts Tournament.

They say it was the most popular martial arts tournament held in the past hundred years.

Thanks to this, the clerks of the Military Department worked nonstop, unable to leave their posts.

Meanwhile, Mun Sang steadily increased the strength of the Nine Dragons Fortress by recruiting the martial artists who stood out at the tournament.

Then the masters of the sects within the fortress moved.

They began recruiting prominent martial artists who had come to watch the tournament as retainers.

It felt a bit like just filling numbers. Who knew how many would actually stick around when war broke out?

But outward expansion seemed successful for now.

What was I doing all this time?

What else could I do?

“Ugh… my back.”

“Why, does your back hurt?”

“Last night was just… too intense…”

“Lie down for a moment. Let me take a look. “

“Ahh. There… Oh my? Wait a moment… The sun’s up now… There, there… Ahh…”

They were enjoying their honeymoon.

How long have they been married that they’d be wandering around?

There’s so much to do.

It’s not right to neglect the main wife just because a new wife has arrived, so I gave equal love to all three wives.

Well, thanks to Myohyang’s strict discipline, not a single day passed quietly.

“What time is it now? If the master is dawdling, you’ll have to go fetch him.”

“I’m sorry, sister.”

“And Soso.”

“Yes… Yes?”

“Now that you’re the mistress of Jeonryongdang, you need to dress properly. How can you go around without even washing?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And Your Excellency, when do you plan to visit the Red Dragon Hall and the Blue Dragon Hall? It’s already been three days since the banquet ended.”

“Ah, right.”

I still haven’t paid my respects to my in-laws.

* * *

“Have a safe trip. Go on.”

“I’ll bring sweets when I return.”

In modern times, a couple would visit together after their honeymoon, but this is the martial arts world where the concept of a daughter-in-law being an outsider runs deep.

If a married daughter visited her parents’ home immediately after the wedding banquet, who knows what gossip might spread behind her back . That’s why he had to go alone.

“Hmm…”

I wolfed down breakfast, so my stomach felt a bit empty, but since my in-laws would serve up a feast big enough to break the table legs anyway, this was just right… my ass.

“…Where did everyone go?”

“Here comes the son-in-law!” I burst through the door full of energy, only to find just one member of the Red Dragon Clan family remaining.

“Today’s the final day of the martial arts tournament, isn’t it? They went to watch.”

“Then why are you here, Brother Jikil? And why are you wearing a bandage?”

“…I fell off the Eight Rivers.”

“You fell? Wow… Is this tournament level for real?”

“Hmph! Had it not been for the stage, that bastard would never have dodged the Thousand-Year Sword!”

He wasn’t entirely wrong.

Though the nature of the Sword of Death prevented it from piercing walls, he had mastered the Heavenly Slaughter Sword. Given the right opportunity, he was a man capable of slaying even a master at the pinnacle of skill.

“Oh my oh my. Of course I know . It’s the Heavenly Dragon Sword, the master of the world wielding the Slaughter Sword—how incredibly powerful it must be.”

“Guh!”

But despite that, I unleashed my signature AOS Millennium Freeze-worthy sarcasm.

If not now, when else would I get to tease this proud gentleman?

“By the way, who defeated the enemy commander? Did the Seven Swordsmen participate?”

“It was someone I’d never seen before. He wielded a thin, long sword and used a sword technique so sharp it could split diamond.”

“Huh. If we’re talking sharpness, even the Thousand-Year Ox Sword wouldn’t be second to it.”

The unexpected appearance of such a formidable opponent suddenly made me want to watch.

“What was his name?”

“He said his name was Shin Ga… It sounded like an alias, though.”

“Where is he now?”

“Where else? He’s advanced to the finals.”

“Huh… The masters of the must be in an uproar.”

“That’s probably why your grandfather rushed over. He’ll do anything to take him in as a guest scholar.”

“Huh, you’re taking the one who defeated your grandson as a subordinate? That’s a choice befitting Lord Bu.”

“Strictly speaking, he’s a retainer, not a subordinate.”

“Let’s just let it slide since it’s roughly the same. Don’t you get tired of nitpicking like that all the time?”

“……”

“Anyway, take good care of yourself. I’ll be going now.”

“Since you’re here, why not stay for a cup of tea?”

Jeok-il looked at me with a pitiful gaze, but I shook my head firmly.

“Nah, what’s the point of guys just talking? Better to go watch the tournament finals.”

I needed to hurry over and place my bet on that friend, Shin-ga.

Anyway, even if I went to Uiryeongdang, my father-in-law wouldn’t be there.

Floating.

I unfolded Flight Mode and flew to the Grand Martial Arts Arena , where the citizens instantly recognized me.

That’s because the reverse gravity I’d displayed several times had become a famous attraction in Guryongseong.

“It’s Master Jin!”

“He’s no longer human—he’s become an immortal!”

“Every time I see it, it’s incredible!”

Meanwhile, the unmanned drones seeing me fly for the first time just gaped in astonishment.

Thud.

I dropped down through the gap between those warriors.

“Greetings.”

“Huh! Pa, Pa-gun!”

“I’m a bit busy, so I was wondering if we could walk ahead first…”

“Oh, of course! Go ahead!”

“Thanks.”

After legally securing that spot, I pulled out a nang of gold to place a bet with the shrine attendant when I came face to face with a familiar face.

“Father-in-law?”

“Gah!”

It was none other than the head of the Uiryeong Clan, his face tightly wrapped in cloth, standing in line .

“How did you end up here?”

“Heh, I came to watch the finals. They look like they’ll be fun.”

“To place a bet?”

“Well, they say it makes it more fun to watch…”

Glancing down, the pouch looked heavy—roughly over a hundred nyang at a glance.

Over 100 million won in modern currency.

At this amount, it wouldn’t be wrong to call it sports gambling rather than sports betting.

“Where are you planning to place it?”

“I’m betting it all on a nameless warrior named Shinga.”

“All of it?”

“Heh, the odds don’t look great… You gotta bet big to make even a little profit, right? A man’s gotta play in the big leagues. Yeah.”

“……”

Blood really does run thick.

After handing over the money to the shrine maiden, I and the head of the Uiryeong clan sat in our assigned VIP seats and talked.

“How’s married life?”

“Well, it’s good. We’ve lived together for so long, it’s comfortable.”

The problem is she’s so bold she’d strip naked in front of her newlywed husband.

In contrast, Jeokhwaran, who had relentlessly pursued him, felt far more embarrassed.

, who knew the cleaning shop well, avoided eye contact as he said,

“Please understand if she’s a bit overly cheerful. She was raised with too much pampering when she was young.”

Red Lotus was like that too. At this point, I wonder if spoiling daughters is just the default in the martial arts world.

“There’s nothing to understand. Sosso’s bright personality brings such vitality to the Zhenlong Hall. And she takes after her father-in-law, doesn’t she? She’s quite capable. Thanks to her, our kids are all smiles. They say even if they get hurt now, they won’t end up crippled.”

“Hmph, is that so? That’s good news. Heh heh heh.”

It wasn’t entirely empty praise; mixing in a bit of MSG, the head of the Uiryeongdang laughed heartily.

Amidst this warm and friendly conversation.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The drums announcing the start of the finals sounded.

Two people ascending simultaneously.

On the left was Hwaryongdo’s future, Hwaryongdo Jeon Mook.

On the right was the new martial artist, Shin Ga-ra, who had caused a stir in this tournament, starting with his defeat of Jik-il.

Standing at the center of the combat stage, the two men bowed toward each other.

Clang. Clang.

They drew their weapons.

The moment he saw the face of the warrior named Shin Ga-ra, praying she would win and bring back the money, he felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity.

‘What is this?’

This familiarity?