CLS-Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Shangguan Hong was the eldest son of the Shangguan family and currently held the position of young master of the Shangguan household.

Just being the young master of the renowned Shangguan family was enough that most people wouldn’t dare to disregard him, but Shangguan Hong was by no means a spoiled brat who relied on his family’s prestige.

He was better known by his alias “Sword Dragon” as the top rising talent of the Latent Dragon Martial Hall, rather than as young master Shangguan Hong of the Shangguan family.

To put it more simply, Shangguan Hong could be said to be the most promising rising talent of the current generation.

However, even someone like Shangguan Hong had no choice but to show respect to the middle-aged man standing before him.

‘Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin.’

The beloved prodigy of the sword world, the sword master representing Mount Hua.

He was evaluated as having unparalleled skills even among the numerous plum blossom sword masters.

No matter how exceptional Shangguan Hong’s abilities were among the rising talents, before the name of Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin, he could only be like a firefly before the full moon.

“Meeting you on such a remote path, senior, I feel incredibly fortunate.”

“Haha, meeting a promising junior is a pleasure for me as well. My travels have gained one more joy.”

While exchanging pleasantries, Shangguan Hong’s eyes remained fixed on the carriage.

A carriage driven by a beauty from the Flying Swallow Pavilion.

Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin was sitting on its roof. Then who on earth could be riding inside the carriage?

‘Could it be that the sect leader of Mount Hua is inside?’

That couldn’t be possible.

Mount Hua was a sect of martial artists. Even a sect leader wouldn’t travel comfortably by carriage. But thinking logically, someone befitting such treatment must be riding inside.

‘It’s not someone older.’

If the person were higher in seniority or older than Gong Mu-jin, he wouldn’t have committed the discourtesy of riding on the carriage roof. Therefore, it must be someone with a higher status than Gong Mu-jin but of similar or younger age.

How many people in the current martial world could meet such conditions?

“Won’t you introduce the friends behind you?”

Shangguan Hong instantly felt embarrassed and bowed his head.

‘What discourtesy.’

Regardless of who was inside, the fact that Gong Mu-jin couldn’t treat them carelessly remained unchanged. Yet here he was, letting his attention wander elsewhere—this was against proper etiquette.

“My apologies. These friends are members of the Latent Dragon Martial Hall like myself.”

“I am Gwon-ryong.”

“I am Do-ryong.”

After that, the women called Geom-bong and Mu-bong also greeted him.

“Haha, Seol-hwa, Seol-hwa!”

“Yes, Master.”

“Come here. When you see peers, it’s good to greet them and exchange fellowship.”

“Yes.”

Lee Seol-hwa climbed down from the driver’s seat and ran over quickly.

“This child is called Lee Seol-hwa. She’s my disciple.”

Sword Dragon’s eyes lit up with interest.

Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin was famously known as a very arrogant person. Befitting that reputation, his disciples were all known as exceptional talents under heaven.

‘Then this young lady must also be a sword prodigy.’

She was very pretty… petite, adorable, and cute, but if she was a disciple of that Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin, she must possess tremendous skills contrary to her outward appearance.

Though she was incredibly cute.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Sword Dragon Shangguan Hong.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

Sword Dragon’s eyebrows twitched.

Though she said it was nice to meet him, Lee Seol-hwa didn’t seem pleased at all. Rather, her expression clearly showed she wanted to escape this situation quickly.

This fact wounded Shangguan Hong’s pride.

‘This is the first time I’ve gotten such a reaction since Mu-bong.’

Among the peaks standing behind him now, Mu-bong was famous for having no interest in anything other than martial arts. Moreover, Mu-bong was too young to understand men.

But excluding Mu-bong, it wouldn’t be false to say that no woman had ever looked at him this way. His appearance, background, and even his skills—there wasn’t a single lacking aspect to Shangguan Hong.

“I believe the fortune of meeting a disciple of the renowned Gong Mu-jin is not something that comes easily. If you’re so inclined, would you grant me the opportunity to witness Mount Hua’s swordsmanship?”

He politely requested a sparring match.

‘She seems to not know much about me.’

No matter how worldly Mount Hua’s tendencies were, major sects often lacked realistic awareness since they were secluded in the mountains.

Then it was necessary to properly demonstrate his abilities.

“Competing in skills is a good thing, but I’ve suffered hardships and my physical condition hasn’t completely recovered, so let’s postpone that to another opportunity.”

Lee Seol-hwa cleanly declined Shangguan Hong’s sparring request.

“What happened to you?”

“I encountered a demon.”

“Oh my! You nearly faced great danger. So what happened to that demon?”

Lee Seol-hwa silently turned to look behind her without answering.

“…Hmm?”

Shangguan Hong’s gaze followed Lee Seol-hwa’s line of sight. Looking at where her gaze reached…

“…”

What is that thing?

Is that… a person?

Shangguan Hong’s body trembled violently. In his eyes appeared a person whose head had swollen to at least twice its normal size, resembling a steamed bun.

‘How can a person end up looking like that?’

No ordinary beating would result in such a state. What was more shocking was that despite being beaten to this extent, the person was still alive.

How technically skilled does one have to be at beating someone to keep them breathing in that condition?

“…What crime did he commit?”

When Lee Seol-hwa hesitated to answer, Gong Mu-jin answered in her place. After all, it was probably embarrassing for a woman to speak of such crimes.

“A sex demon.”

“I see.”

Shangguan Hong nodded. If it was a sex demon, he deserved such treatment.

“So you’re currently escorting this sex demon to the Orthodox Alliance.”

“Mm, among other things, let’s say that’s the case.”

Gong Mu-jin didn’t elaborate on the details.

“Though it’s pleasant to meet talented individuals on such a path, it doesn’t seem appropriate for extended conversation. Didn’t you say you were looking for a nearby village?”

“That’s correct.”

“Mm, I’m not too familiar with this route either.”

When Gong Mu-jin looked troubled, Seomun Da-yeon nodded and answered in his place.

“If you continue following this path, you’ll find a village and inn within a hundred li. You haven’t taken the wrong path, so just keep going.”

“Thank you.”

Shangguan Hong bowed deeply toward Seomun Da-yeon.

“Hahaha.”

Gong Mu-jin was in a good mood.

Meeting rising talents who knew proper etiquette and respected their elders—how could this not be delightful? In a way, this was natural behavior, but having been with someone so lacking in common sense, even such normal behavior was creating favorable feelings toward Shangguan Hong.

“If time weren’t pressing, I’d like to travel together and have various conversations, but since you’re heading to Mt. Nasan, it would be difficult to accompany you. What a pity.”

“I too have no small desire to seek much advice from you, senior.”

Shangguan Hong smacked his lips with genuine regret.

This wasn’t pretense.

Meeting a sword master like Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin wasn’t easy. And earning the favor of a sword master who had reached such heights was even more difficult.

Yet the famously difficult Gong Mu-jin was now showing him clear goodwill. As a sword practitioner, missing such an opportunity would be truly regrettable.

“Hmm, I see.”

Gong Mu-jin turned his head to look at the sky, then spoke to Seomun Da-yeon.

“Is there an inn ahead in this direction as well?”

“Yes, senior. If you go forward, there’s an inn about thirty li away. We were planning to stay there tonight anyway.”

“Hmm, how about this? Though your journey to Mt. Nasan must be urgent, the sun will set soon. How about taking a slight detour today and staying at the same inn as us?”

Shangguan Hong’s face brightened as he looked back. His companions were all nodding in agreement. They too seemed unwilling to sever their connection with someone like Plum Blossom Sword Ghost Gong Mu-jin.

“When Great Hero Gong invites us, how could we juniors refuse?”

“Hahaha, would you really do that?”

Gong Mu-jin smiled with genuine pleasure. Even so, his eyes kept glancing at Lee Seol-hwa.

‘This is an opportunity.’

Gong Mu-jin had his own agenda.

No matter how pleased he was to meet well-mannered juniors after a long time, Gong Mu-jin wasn’t broad-minded enough to volunteer for their company just for that reason.

The reason he was willing to travel with them was to show Lee Seol-hwa what proper human beings looked like.

The Three Dragons and Two Peaks were among the most outstanding individuals of Lee Seol-hwa’s generation in the current martial world. If she spent even a day with such people, Lee Seol-hwa’s eyes would surely open.

‘I absolutely won’t give up my disciple.’

How could he give his disciple to such a person?

Just imagining Lee Seol-hwa marrying Wei Yan-ho and bringing children made his internal organs feel like they were turning inside out.

Gong Mu-jin ground his teeth.

“…Senior?”

“Hm? No, nothing! Let’s depart quickly.”

Gong Mu-jin smiled to smooth over the situation and started the carriage.

As the carriage began moving, Gong Mu-jin climbed back onto the carriage roof, and the Three Dragons and Two Peaks walked alongside the carriage. Seomun Da-yeon adjusted the carriage’s speed to match their pace and spoke.

“How is Elder Jin doing?”

“He’s still in good health. So healthy that he takes pleasure in tormenting the trainees.”

“He’s unchanged. Still, Elder Jin cherishes those with talent. Someone of the caliber of the Three Dragons and Two Peaks should receive Elder Jin’s affection, shouldn’t you?”

Shangguan Hong shook his head.

“Unfortunately, not at all. We often hear that we’re far inferior to the previous class. That we need to work harder.”

“Aren’t you disappointed?”

“Normally we should be disappointed, but it’s the truth.”

Seomun Da-yeon smiled softly. She seemed to understand the struggles Shangguan Hong was experiencing.

“You needn’t feel wronged. We from the same class often heard the same words.”

“I imagine so.”

“If we must blame someone, it shouldn’t be Elder Jin but that person. For a rising talent, that person is just too excessive.”

Shangguan Hong nodded.

It was his misfortune that the person called the greatest graduate in Latent Dragon Martial Hall’s history was from the previous class. And being called the current top expert of Latent Dragon Martial Hall, Shangguan Hong inevitably faced comparisons.

Demon-Slaying Sword Wei San-ho.

The shadow he left at Latent Dragon Martial Hall was just that deep.

While Wei San-ho couldn’t be called the greatest expert ever produced by Latent Dragon Martial Hall, when comparing graduation records alone, there was no dispute that he was the best in history.

“I think it’s a natural comparison to receive. And…”

Shangguan Hong’s eyes gleamed.

“I’ll admit I’m currently inferior to him, but I will definitely surpass him.”

“Pfft.”

At that moment, a quiet laugh drifted from inside the carriage.