Chapter 222
Chapter 222
My mouth hung open, speechless, and Grandfather snorted.
"Huh. After all the trouble you've caused, you expected your grandfather to spoon-feed you? No way."
Grandfather was right... but still...!
"What if I can't handle it?"
"Then, you can't leave."
"I'll go ahead, Grandfather!"
I shouted in a shrill voice and hurriedly started running down the slope.
\ \ *
I don't even know how I managed to prepare for the departure.
I rushed out without even having a proper conversation with Songji, and by the time I boarded the ship to Chongqing, the morning sun was rising.
Unlike me, who was completely out of it, Grandfather was full of leisure.
"Geun-myeong, bring me a gaiwan."
"Yes, Elder."
That's because he had a confidant who would provide anything with just a word.
Grandfather, sipping tea, looked like a nobleman even from a hundred paces away.
Perhaps that's why. Even Grandfather's small gestures drew people's attention.
Maybe Grandfather found the attention annoying, as he soon covered his face with a veil hat.
Looking around, I cautiously asked.
"Grandfather, if the attention is uncomfortable, wouldn't it be better to cover the Green Robe rather than your face?"
"Why bother?"
I smiled awkwardly at his retort, and Grandfather turned to look at me and said calmly.
"Wearing the veil hat is a signal that I don't want to be bothered, so don't pretend to know me."
"Ah..."
"Take pride in the Green Robe. Your Sect is worthy of respect from anyone. I'll be inside, so go and look around."
He lightly stroked my head and leisurely turned to head to the cabin.
The shadow stretching long behind his back was as massive as a mountain.
I swallowed hard as I watched Grandfather's retreating figure.
The confidence that he would naturally be respected as long as he wore the Green Robe.
The certainty that no one would dare to offend him.
Words that would have sounded arrogant coming from anyone else felt different when I heard them from Grandfather.
I blinked blankly at the ease of a ruling powerhouse, and only snapped out of it when Uncle Geun-myeong called me.
"Young lady, aren't you hungry? Shall I buy you some dumplings?"
"Let's go together, Uncle."
I answered and turned to follow him.
The journey from Chongqing to Wuhan by boat was smooth.
The weather and wind cooperated, and the boat, picking up speed, dropped us off in Wuhan two days earlier than expected.
Naturally, the anxiety that I wouldn't make it in time for the registration disappeared.
I followed Grandfather onto land with a lighter step.
Then, an Old man standing at the pier approached Grandfather as if he had been waiting and respectfully clasped his hands.
"Have you been well, Tang Elder?"
"Yes. It's been a while. You are... hmm. I'm getting old and keep forgetting. Who were you?"
"I'm Ok-yi, Elder."
"Ah, Ok-yi? Still alive, I see."
"...Elder. I'm only sixty."
The Old man answered with a sigh, then composed himself and pointed towards the Martial Alliance Headquarters.
"The Alliance Leader is waiting. I will escort you."
"Understood."
Grandfather nodded and turned to me.
"I have some business to take care of, so go and register. Let's meet at the Dragon Gate Inn."
"Yes, see you later."
As I answered obediently, Uncle Geun-myeong, who had been looking back and forth between Grandfather and me, quickly approached and whispered.
"Young lady, you know the location of the Headquarters, right? They'll be taking applications at the south gate. The line will be long, so hurry and go..."
"Let Dang So-hye handle it herself."
"Yes, Elder."
At Grandfather's gesture, Uncle Geun-myeong glanced at me and moved away.
I almost burst out laughing at the sight of him desperately signaling me not to be too disappointed.
He has a soft heart, unlike his appearance.
I shrugged and headed towards the south gate of the Martial Alliance Headquarters.
The registration area was like a marketplace.
The line was long enough to circle the Martial Alliance Headquarters, and all sorts of drifters were swarming around.
"I told you not to cut in line! I was here first!"
"I just went to relieve myself for a moment. Cutting in line? Don't be ridiculous. I've been waiting here for three whole days!"
Some were even brawling. I dodged a flying person and stood at the end of the crowd.
But seeing that the line wasn't shortening easily, I had a feeling I would be waiting until sunset.
"That's it for today! You, Young hero in the red clothes. Young hero, come back tomorrow!"
"What? What kind of rule is that? I came all the way from Henan!"
"Then you should have come earlier. Do you think you're the only one who came a long way? If you want to register, don't make a fuss and go back."
To make matters worse, the line was cut off right behind me.
The man in red clothes looked dissatisfied, but he was worried that he wouldn't be able to participate in the competition if he offended the registration staff, so he mumbled something and turned away.
Oh, I almost got cut off too.
I awkwardly smacked my lips and pulled the line tighter, and at that moment, a familiar voice rang out.
"Hey, brat!"
I turned around and saw Beopgong with his ponytail, waving at me.
"Beopgong Monk?"
"It's really the Tang Clan brat? What are you doing here? Are you participating in the competition?"
Beopgong strode over and put his arm around my shoulder.
At the same time, my hand, without me realizing it, struck Beopgong's arm and headed for his Vital spot.
Realizing what I had done, I hurriedly withdrew my hand, but Beopgong's face was filled with bewilderment.
"...Brat. Did you just try to assassinate me?"
"No, I didn't."
"You're slow to answer, so you did. Hiyah. Where did the brat who forcibly twisted the Trajectory of the Flying Dagger while saying, 'A monk will get hurt!' go? I can't believe this ruthless reality."
He clicked his tongue and pressed down on my head as if it was just a rebellious act of a kid.
"You're not still sulking because I didn't accept your invitation, are you? Our Abbot was busy with work. You're so heartless, not even replying to an adult's letter."
"Who said I invited you, Monk? And I never received your letter... Ah, ah! It's heavy! Stop it!"
I felt a surge of annoyance as my head was pressed down and my body sank to the floor.
"Are you going to melt my hair and let go of this hand, or let go now?"
"Oh, you're threatening me naturally now. You've really grown up, haven't you?"
"I'm twenty now, you know? Ah! Seriously! You bald monk, stop it! Let go. Do you want a hole in your Perineum?"
"Ha. I used to find it funny when you stubbornly attacked me, but now it feels like I'm really going to get a hole, so I can't laugh."
After joking around for a while, Beopgong asked, puzzled.
"But why are you standing in line? The Tang Clan should have received an Invitation letter."
"Grandfather told me to register myself."
"Ah, I see. That's just like the old folks. They can't stand seeing their disciples comfortable."
He shook his head, crossed his arms, and stood next to me.
"What are you doing?"
"It's boring to wait alone. And you don't seem to have any friends."
"...You don't have any friends either, Monk."
"What? Hey. I have a lot of friends."
His voice was so loud that everyone in line turned to look at us.
The registration staff, frowning at the commotion, approached and hurriedly asked in a flustered voice when he saw Beopgong.
"Beopgong Daesa, what brings you here...!"
"Don't worry about it. It's just a kid I know."
"I see. Then, I'll help this person register first..."
"It's alright. I'll wait. Go and do your work. I don't intend to interfere."
Beopgong waved his hand and sent the registration staff away, then chuckled as he looked at me.
"Brat. I really have a lot of friends. Want me to show you?"
"It's okay. Your friends are probably all like you, Monk."
"There's one over there too. Hey, Jegalcheon!"
Ignoring my answer, Beopgong waved his hand towards a group passing by nearby.
It was the people of the Zhuge Clan, wearing Crane gowns.
At Beopgong's shout, the tallest man in the group stopped and approached us, tilting his head.
"Isn't that the bald monk? What are you doing here?"
"Babysitting. Hey, perfect timing. Get acquainted with our brat."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Our brat?"
The man's gaze shifted to me. I awkwardly greeted him with a nod, seeing his curious eyes.
He was probably in his mid-30s. With his clear-cut features, he had an impression that would appeal to anyone.
Beopgong pointed at him and introduced him.
"Brat, this guy is the Zhuge Young Patriarch. He's a very ignorant guy."
"To be called ignorant by a bald monk. It makes me reflect on my life. But what is the name of this beautiful Dang Clan Young lady..."
"She's a disciple of the Poison King. I raised her to this extent."
"Ah...! So you're the famous Poison Butterfly!"
I was dumbfounded by Beopgong's introduction and glared at him.
"When did you ever raise me, Monk? Stop talking nonsense."
"Then, one silver."
Seriously, look at this guy. It's been years since we last met, and he's claiming his share.
Jegalcheon waited until I turned my head, then met my eyes and greeted me politely.
"I have heard much about Dang Sojeo's reputation. I am Cheon, the Young Patriarch of the Jegal Clan."
"Last Crane of the Martial Forest Dang So-hye greets the Zhuge Young Patriarch. Please speak comfortably. You are a friend of Beopgong Monk."
Then, Jegalcheon laughed heartily without any hesitation.
"Shall I? You can be comfortable too, comfortable. I'm a bit too old to be called 'Older Brother.' How about Zhuge Uncle?"
"Well, I don't know. That doesn't sound like a good title. I'm sure Young Patriarch wouldn't want to become sworn brothers with the Tang Clan Patriarch either."
"...I made a mistake. Let's pretend that didn't happen."
Jegalcheon, looking serious, fanned himself with his fan and frowned.
I suppressed a laugh and looked away. He didn't seem to like Dang Mu-hyeok either.
