“Luckily, I managed to stop my cousin before she could pick a fight with the people calling her the Tongue-Sword Heroine.”
“Why did you stop me? A tongue for a sword! Do you have any idea how humiliating that title is for a martial artist?”
I nodded at my cousin’s complaint.
“I know. But I don’t think it’s meant as an insult. If anything, it’s a title people give you because they like you.”
“Like me? What kind of affection is there in a name like Tongue-Sword Heroine?”
“It means they hold you in high esteem. Look—there’s ‘Heroine’ at the end. If they truly wanted to mock you, they would’ve tacked on something like Witch or Madwoman, not Heroine.”
“Hmm…”
“Honestly, when I heard what you said onstage earlier, it felt so satisfying.”
The other Mount Emei disciples chimed in right away.
“Exactly.”
“I felt the same!”
“It was really cool!”
At that, Hyang-ok cleared her throat, trying to hide how her anger was ebbing away.
“Hem, hem. I-Is that so?”
“A hero’s sword is called a hero’s sword because it’s wielded for righteousness. In other words, I think people gave you the title Tongue-Sword Heroine because your words did something righteous.”
My cousin nodded at my explanation.
“Now that you put it that way… you’re right. If it weren’t for you, I might’ve done something stupid. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
That should keep her from stirring up trouble.
“Wait. Did you just say Witch or Madwoman?”
“I did, but—”
“Why those examples, specifically? You don’t normally think of me that way, do you?”
“!”
I hurriedly waved my hands.
“N-No! Of course not!”
“Hehe. I’m kidding.”
With that, she strode ahead. I breathed out again, relieved.
‘She really never lets me relax.’
Just then, someone approached from behind, almost soundlessly.
“Impressive.”
“…!”
I turned to find Divine Nun Haechung—who was supposed to be leaving late because of some business—grinning at me.
A little embarrassed, I scratched the back of my neck.
“To calm that child down so easily… you’re quite good with words.”
“I didn’t do much. My cousin just happened to listen.”
Divine Nun Haechung only gave me a faint, unreadable smile.
“Let’s go.”
“Ah… yes.”
We reached the inn soon after, and the dishes Mother had ordered in advance began to arrive one by one.
I ate diligently.
Only once I went upstairs quickly would the Mount Emei disciples feel at ease enough to eat properly themselves.
.
.
.
A few days passed.
The preliminary rounds went smoothly, and yesterday Tang Jo-ung fought his match.
And he won.
His opponent, who had looked down on him for being young, failed to block Jo-ung’s sharp blade and took a clean hit.
In truth, for a clan like the Tang—whose real strength lay in poison and hidden weapons—official duels like these were a terrible disadvantage.
Poison and hidden projectiles were forbidden in the matches.
The only thing they were allowed to use was finger force techniques.
For the Tang Clan, famed precisely for poison arts and hidden weapon mastery, to be barred from using either?
It was basically the same as fighting with their hands and feet bound.
Even so, Lady Tang Su-bin—who had advanced to the main tournament in the previous Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering—and Tang Jo-ung, who’d cleared this first preliminary, were both extraordinary.
And now, at Commander Tang Dae-jeong’s invitation, I was on my way to the Tang Clan’s separate villa.
I glanced at Escort Guard Lee Pil walking behind me and asked,
“Are you really sure you’re okay with this?”
I asked because his face didn’t look great.
At my question, Escort Guard Lee Pil nodded.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”
Since he said it himself, there was nothing more I could do.
The reason I was concerned was that his father—Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong—was currently staying at the Tang Clan’s villa. (TL Note: It was translated previously as Dae, instead of Du. Du is the correct name)
Escort Guard Lee Pil had renounced the Tang name and run away from home. Still, whatever happened, a father was a father.
The gathering I’d been invited to was a banquet celebrating Tang Jo-ung’s first preliminary victory.
Apparently, it was an old tradition: after the first win in the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering, the clan held a feast.
That was why Mother had also thrown a banquet for Hyang-ok’s group earlier.
Lee Pil would definitely run into his father here…
‘Ha… I don’t know what to think anymore.’
We arrived at the Tang Clan’s villa not long after.
Guided by Commander Tang Dae-jeong’s attendant, we headed to the reception room.
While we were sipping tea there, Lady Tang Su-bin came to greet us.
“Thank you for inviting us to such a happy occasion.”
“We should be thanking you for accepting the invitation.”
“It’s a celebration for Jo-ung’s victory. How could we not come?”
“The Commander is occupied greeting the other guests, so I came instead. Please follow me—I’ll take you to the banquet hall. Ah, before that… just a moment.”
Lady Tang Su-bin stared at my face, and I tilted my head.
‘What is it all of a sudden?’
“I was just restoring my energy by looking at your handsome face.”
“…”
Her obsession with appearances hasn’t changed a bit.
“Ah! Truly handsome…”
“Ahem.”
When I coughed in embarrassment, Lady Tang Su-bin laughed lightly.
“All right, then. This way to the banquet hall.”
It wasn’t far.
Since it was only a separate villa, the grounds weren’t very large to begin with.
Of course, they weren’t small either.
As we walked, Lady Tang Su-bin called out to someone ahead.
“Ah, Uncle!”
Then she said to me,
“This is Uncle Tang Du-jeong. He currently serves as a Drill Instructor at the Murim Alliance.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“Tang Du-jeong. A pleasure to meet you.”
After greeting me, Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong turned to look at Escort Guard Lee Pil beside me.
Only then did Lady Tang Su-bin seem to realize her mistake, her expression tightening.
But before she could say anything, Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong spoke first.
“I’d like a word with the Deputy Merchant Lord’s escort guard. Will you allow it?”
Instead of answering right away, I looked at Escort Guard Lee Pil. He let out a breath, then nodded.
“Go ahead.”
Lady Tang Su-bin led us on to the banquet hall.
In a quiet voice, she whispered,
“I’m sorry. If I’d known this would happen, I would have asked Uncle not to come out today.”
“It’s fine. Lee Pil looked like he’d already steeled himself to meet his father.”
That was probably why he’d come with me even after I suggested several times that he stay at the inn.
Watching Eun Seo-ho keep glancing back with worry in his eyes, Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong said,
“He’s a good master.”
Escort Guard Lee Pil nodded.
“Yes. He’s truly a good person.”
“Meeting a good master is a blessing. Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
“I received a letter from the Clan Lord. About what happened in the Tang Clan…”
Escort Guard Lee Pil bit his lip.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I know nothing I say can undo the hurt you’ve carried.”
At those words, Escort Guard Lee Pil closed his eyes for a brief moment, then opened them again.
“Father.”
“…!”
Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t expected Lee Pil to call him Father so suddenly.
“When I was young, I resented you. No… I resented the whole world. I had to, just to survive.”
Tang Du-jeong’s chest felt like it was splitting apart as he watched his son speak so calmly.
“But now I don’t resent you anymore. I understand you did what you could for me.”
“…”
Escort Guard Lee Pil met his father’s gaze steadily.
“There’s one thing I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Did you love my mother?”
Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong nodded without the slightest hesitation.
“Your mother… was the only woman I ever truly loved and cherished.”
“Then that’s enough. At least I was born from love.”
Escort Guard Lee Pil lowered his head in a bow.
“Father. Please take care of your health.”
“Yes…”
Leaving that farewell behind, Escort Guard Lee Pil hurried after Eun Seo-ho.
Watching him go, Drill Instructor Tang Du-jeong lifted his head and murmured softly,
“Our son grew up well. To think he’d worry about the health of a worthless father like me…”
When I took my seat in the banquet hall, Escort Guard Lee Pil returned to our table.
Thankfully, he looked far brighter than before—almost relieved.
So their talk must not have gone badly.
“Hahaha! I’m just grateful you think so kindly of Jo-ung.”
Just then, a booming voice came from outside. The doors swung open, and a group entered.
Commander Tang Dae-jeong, Tang Jo-ung, and several familiar faces.
Tang Jo-ung spotted me, beamed, and ran over.
“Great Hero! Thank you for coming!”
With Tang Jo-ung acting like that, the other guests grew curious about who I was.
“Who is that young man…?”
At the question, Commander Tang Dae-jeong replied,
“Ah, that is Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“The Eunhae Merchant Group… Ah! The one that supplies silk to the Imperial Family?”
“The Self-Dancing Doll makers?”
“Aren’t they the ones who produce the Windcraft Fan too?”
It seemed our Eunhae Merchant Group was well-known even among martial artists.
I clasped my hands politely and bowed.
“That’s correct. I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
But judging by their faces, they weren’t especially interested once they realized I was a merchant. Their expressions fell a notch.
They seemed unable to understand Tang Jo-ung’s over-the-top enthusiasm.
“Ahem. Does the Eunhae Merchant Group sponsor the Tang Clan?”
Since sponsorship was usually the only link between merchants and martial artists, the question made sense.
And if a sect had any prestige in Murim, merchants eager to sponsor them would line up.
No wonder their noses were in the air.
“Ah, no. That isn’t the case.”
Commander Tang Dae-jeong went on,
“Our Tang Clan owes Young Hero Eun a debt. I can’t share the details since it’s an internal matter… but if anyone here dares mistreat Young Hero Eun, the Tang Clan will not stand by and watch.”
At that declaration, the guests shot me odd looks, and I could only scratch at my ear awkwardly.
He hadn’t just praised me—he’d practically coated me in gold leaf.
I sat down and started eating.
Still, whether this was a banquet for a first victory or not, he could’ve invited me privately. Yet he brought me here in front of everyone…
There had to be a reason.
Whatever it was, I decided to eat quickly and leave.
.
.
.
Time moved fast, and the preliminaries—with hundreds of participants—came to an end.
Counting those who had already earned spots from the last Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering, they needed one hundred and eight people total, meaning ninety-one advanced through the preliminaries.
Because the system was simple—two fight, one advances—you’d think the numbers would line up neatly, but they rarely did.
To fix that, they held a special final preliminary round.
It worked by accumulating points and winning streaks.
When the host drew their names, the finalists stepped onto the stage.
Each would face an opponent chosen by lot; anyone who won three matches in a row advanced straight into the main tournament.
Since three consecutive victories weren’t as common as you might expect, it was an efficient way to fill out the roster.
That’s how Lady Zhuge Yu-ah, Hyang-ok, and Jo-ung survived four normal preliminaries plus the final round and earned their spots in the main tournament.
Honestly, I’d expected Lady Zhuge Yu-ah and Hyang-ok to make it, but Jo-ung’s run surprised me.
He had far more talent than I’d realized.
And now, at last, today.
The main tournament of the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering begins.
Mother and I headed to the arena again, and once we were seated in our section, I looked toward the front.
The Grade A seats—nearly empty during the preliminaries—were now packed to the brim.
Seeing the true heavyweights finally show their faces, I was reminded all over again that this really was the main tournament.
Father was supposed to attend today too, but urgent business had kept him away.
“Everyone who has gathered in the arena! The long-awaited day of the main tournament is finally here!”
“Waaaaah!”
“Before we begin, we will hear a few words from the Alliance Leader who sponsors the Murim Alliance!”
I knew it.
At events like these, the host always makes an appearance.
The Murim Alliance was no exception.
From beneath the red tent over there, an elderly man rose from his seat and stepped onto the platform.
“It is good to meet you all. I am Namgoong Jin, the Murim Alliance Leader you were just introduced to.”
Murim Alliance Leader Namgoong Jin.
He was one of the great heroes who had played a central role in the battle against the Blood Cult remnants.
For his feats then, he’d earned the title Mountain-Leveling Sword Emperor—said to have leveled a mountain with a single swing.
“To illuminate this Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering…”
Honestly, it was the sort of speech that didn’t matter whether I listened or not, so I let it wash past me.
But then…
A chill ran through me—an ominous feeling, like I’d caught sight of something that simply shouldn’t exist.
‘What on earth is this feeling?’
–TL Notes–
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