24

Ho Yeonam, the Sect Master of Hojeong Sect.

He was seated near the far end of the grand banquet hosted by the Namgung Family.

Among the leaders of the prominent sects and noble families of Anhui Province, he looked somewhat withdrawn.

“Hoo…”

Ho Yeonam let out a quiet sigh, careful that no one else could hear.

However, there was one person who did hear it.

Ho Yeyang.

She was watching her father’s face, heavy with worry.

“…”

But there was nothing she could do.

Because this was not a problem unique to Ho Yeonam alone.

A contract that the Namgung Family had distributed to the other sects and noble families.

It contained the following clauses:

All righteous organizations gathered here shall enter under the authority of the Namgung Family.

The Namgung Family shall share a portion of its family martial arts secrets with the organizations under its authority.

The organizations under the authority of the Namgung Family shall pay a fixed amount of protection fees to the Namgung Family every quarter…

.

.

Put simply, the treaty meant this:

Pay a certain amount of money in exchange for the protection of the Namgung Family.

This was a forced choice given to all organizations within Anhui Province.

In the demonic path, weaker groups paid “tribute” to stronger ones; in the righteous path, weaker groups paid “protection fees” to stronger ones.

Different names, but ultimately the same structure.

However, Hojeong Sect was not a sect with enough income to afford paying protection fees to the Namgung Family.

Meanwhile, several curious onlookers were watching the worried Ho Yeonam.

They lowered their voices and whispered among themselves.

“So this time, instead of the Jo Family, it’s Hojeong Sect that got invited.”

“The Jo Family at least had money, so they could barely maintain their right to be here, but… can Hojeong Sect manage that?”

“Manage? Don’t be ridiculous. Who doesn’t know that Hojeong Sect is on the decline?”

“But if they take in such a declining sect as a subordinate, isn’t that a loss for the Namgung Family?”

“What loss? The Namgung Family just has to toss them a fragment of sword technique. Meanwhile, it’s Hojeong Sect that ends up paying enormous protection fees and crying about it.”

“I thought Hojeong Sect was the one that wiped out the Jo Family and the Heukdo Gang. Guess that wasn’t the case.”

“Hojeong Sect? Come on now, talk sense. Hojeong Sect has neither money nor strength. How could they possibly wipe out the Jo Family and the Heukdo Gang?”

As the onlookers said, the Namgung Family’s proposal was a condition that was difficult for a weak sect like Hojeong Sect to accept.

Not only Hojeong Sect, but several other small sects and noble families gathered here also wore expressions filled with concern.

Just then—

“Oh my, everyone looks rather gloomy.”

An old man walked up to Ho Yeonam and the other invited guests.

Everyone stood up and clasped their fists in greeting.

“We pay our respects to Elder Bukgung.”

“Oh, that’s enough, enough. What need is there for such formality among ourselves? Everyone, sit.”

Namgung Paengsaeng, an elder of the Namgung Family.

With his massive frame and long beard, he resembled Guan Yu from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, yet his eyes were slit like a snake’s and his nose sharp like a hawk’s beak, giving him a rather unpleasant impression.

In truth, the thoughts of those looking at Namgung Paengsaeng were far from kind.

‘That old fox has appeared.’

‘That damned money-grubbing demon.’

‘What kind of underhanded scheme is he here to pull this time?’

Namgung Paengsaeng had served as an elder since the time of the previous family head, managing countless subordinate organizations.

Despite his imposing physique and profound martial arts, he was quick-witted and insidious, often leading subordinate groups into unfair treaties and engaging in shady dealings behind the scenes.

As if to prove those thoughts correct, Namgung Paengsaeng opened his mouth.

“I personally drafted the terms of this joint covenant. What do you think?”

At those words, the expressions of the invited guests stiffened all at once.

Still, there was no one here foolish enough to reveal their true feelings before an elder of the great Namgung Family.

In the end, they could only force smiles and cater to Namgung Paengsaeng’s mood.

“Haha— hahaha— no wonder the contract terms seemed so fair. So it was Elder Bukgung’s work.”

“Oh my, aren’t you being far too considerate of our convenience?”

“This year as well, we feel reassured to be under the protection of the Namgung Family!”

“And on top of that, we even get to learn the Namgung Family’s secret sword techniques. It feels like a dream.”

“And the protection fees are set very reasonably too. Hahahaha—”

At that moment, a peculiar light flashed in the eyes of Namgung Paengsaeng, who had been nodding with satisfaction.

He was looking at Ho Yeyang, seated beside Ho Yeonam.

“Well now, who might this be? If it isn’t the famed Sect Master of Hojeong.”

With a friendly smile, Namgung Paengsaeng approached Ho Yeonam.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, he spoke.

“So. This is your first time attending the grand banquet, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Elder. It is an honor to meet you like this.”

“Hahaha— honor, you say? We’ll be seeing each other often from now on. It’s regrettable what happened to the Jo Family, isn’t it?”

“Elder, I swear that I have no connection whatsoever to the Jo Family’s secret affairs—”

“Of course, of course. Who said otherwise? I know better than anyone that our Sect Master Ho is a clean and upright man. That’s precisely why I invited you here, isn’t it?”

Namgung Paengsaeng laughed heartily.

Then he leaned in and whispered softly, so that only Ho Yeonam could hear.

“Today’s opportunity will be a very good one for Hojeong Sect. Once you receive the Namgung Family’s secret sword techniques, the level of your martial artists will rise greatly, won’t it? I hear Hojeong Sect runs an escort agency. Then the escorts of Hojil Escort Bureau will grow much stronger as well. Naturally, your income will increase, and your scale will expand.”

“Haha— we don’t currently have any plans to expand our scale—”

“Whether you have plans or not, you’ll need to now. Otherwise, how will you make a profit after paying the protection fees? Isn’t that right? Hahaha—”

At Namgung Paengsaeng’s words, Ho Yeonam was forced to close his mouth before he could finish speaking.

Refusing was, in theory, a free choice.

At least, on the surface.

In reality, however, Namgung Paengsaeng’s words were closer to coercion than persuasion.

In the logic of overwhelming power, refusal was impossible from the start.

At that moment, Namgung Paengsaeng’s gaze shifted to Ho Yeyang beside him.

He asked casually,

“Our Miss Ho will soon turn seventeen, won’t she? She’s reaching marriageable age. It’s a pity that the marriage talks with the Jo Family fell through.”

“That was merely a rumor. I never discussed marriage with the Jo Family, so it is of no concern to me.”

“Oh, is that so? It was such a widespread rumor that I didn’t realize.”

At Ho Yeyang’s polite reply, Namgung Paengsaeng’s eyes narrowed even further.

“Does Miss Ho dislike grooms who are much older than her?”

“I’ve never thought about it, so I’m not sure.”

“Oh my~ that won’t do. If you haven’t thought about it, you should start. Such a pretty girl, after all. Well, it wouldn’t be bad to enter as a concubine rather than a proper wife, either. Look at how the world is these days. The notion that one must be a legal wife is already outdated, isn’t it? These days, young people say it’s better to be the concubine of an older, capable man than the proper wife of a young, incompetent one.”

At that moment, Ho Yeonam respectfully lifted the hem of his robe and stepped in front of Namgung Paengsaeng.

“Elder. Allow me to offer you a drink.”

“This fellow. I’m in the middle of a serious discussion with your daughter, aren’t I? It’s all advice for the good of Hojeong Sect, so just listen quietly.”

Namgung Paengsaeng subtly released his aura.

Faced with the internal energy openly emitted by a peak-level master, Ho Yeonam let out an uncomfortable groan.

At that very moment—

“What do you think you’re doing there?”

Someone dispersed Namgung Paengsaeng’s internal energy in an instant.

It was Namgung Pa.

The young head of the Namgung Family stood there.

With an aura like a great tiger descending from the mountains, the entire gathering fell silent.

“…”

Namgung Paengsaeng quietly withdrew his internal energy.

Then he calmly clasped his fists toward Namgung Pa.

“Hm. It was nothing, Family Head. I simply saw some familiar faces among the honored guests and exchanged a few words.”

“What is or isn’t ‘nothing’ is for me to hear and judge. I asked what was going on.”

Namgung Pa’s brows furrowed.

His gaze grew sharper and sharper, like a blade being honed on a whetstone.

Even so, Namgung Paengsaeng smoothly avoided his gaze.

He then lightly nudged Ho Yeonam beside him.

“Hahaha— perhaps with such an important event so close, the Family Head is feeling rather sharp. This gentleman had a few questions about the joint covenant, so I offered some advice. Isn’t that right?”

When Namgung Paengsaeng turned his head, his gaze was directed only at Ho Yeonam.

By then, his eyes had turned as cold as ice.

Ho Yeonam had no choice but to nod.

“Yes… that’s right.”

“Hahaha— you see? It’s truly nothing, so it would be best if the Family Head didn’t concern himself further. Wouldn’t it be worse if your composure were disturbed by such trivial matters? With such an important ceremony ahead, it might even invite bad omens.”

Namgung Paengsaeng tried to brush the matter aside, and things went exactly as he intended.

“Then, Sect Master Ho, if there’s anything you don’t understand next time, come find me. We still need to finish the conversation we couldn’t today. Understood?”

After whispering this forcefully to Ho Yeonam, he staggered away and disappeared beyond the banquet hall.

After Namgung Paengsaeng left, Namgung Pa looked at Ho Yeonam with a displeased frown.

“If Elder Bukgung said something improper—no, he definitely did. I will apologize on his behalf, Sect Master Ho.”

“N-no, please don’t. How could the Family Head possibly—”

When Namgung Pa bowed his head, Ho Yeonam jumped up from his seat in shock.

But Namgung Pa still looked uneasy.

“That senile old man is a retainer from my father’s era, so I can’t control him very well either. I’m forced to keep him around.”

“How could you say such things to someone like me?”

“What’s wrong with you? You’re someone who will become a strong ally of the Namgung Family. Besides, if I explain these internal circumstances, wouldn’t you better understand Elder Bukgung’s rudeness? I have at least that much consideration.”

Namgung Pa turned his head to look at Ho Yeyang seated beside them.

“It seems one of the old men from the main family said something rude to you. I apologize to you as well.”

“It’s all right. I’m fine.”

Seeing Ho Yeyang bow her head with a calm tone, Namgung Pa thought to himself,

‘In looks and demeanor, she wouldn’t lose even when compared to our Yul. I heard this girl also passed the Ascending Heaven Academy exam… she might even become a good rival and a friend.’

Deeply interested in education and well-informed about various matters, Namgung Pa already knew that Ho Yeyang had passed the Ascending Heaven Academy entrance exam.

Just then—

Daaang—

A bell rang out from somewhere beyond the sky.

It was the bell announcing the first night watch.

“It’s time for the blood oath.”

Namgung Pa hurried toward the front of the banquet hall.

There, a platform had been prepared from which one could overlook everyone gathered today at a glance.

Soon, Namgung Pa looked down at Ho Yeonam, Ho Yeyang, and all the others, and opened his mouth.

“To all the heroic brethren of Anhui Province who have gathered here today, this Namgung Mo offers his sincere gratitude.”

Before proceeding with the ritual, Namgung Pa intended to explain the purpose and significance of this gathering.

…However.

The gazes of the audience were drawn not so much to Namgung Pa as to somewhere beyond him.

A face like a flower, bearing the grace of the moon. Beauty that shamed the flowers and eclipsed the moon.

It was the direction from which the Sword Flower, Namgung Yul, was walking.