Chapter 228
228
“What is it? Younger than So-hye?”
Namgung Hwi’s lips twitched for a moment at Yang Gyo-jin’s mutter.
“……Age is not important.”
“That’s what kids always say.”
Grandfather chuckled in agreement, seemingly pleased with Yang Gyo-jin’s retort.
“You’re right. When the topic of age comes up, the young ones always try to argue and refuse to admit defeat.”
“Grandfather, can I have dinner with you too? So-hye said I had to ask Grandfather.”
“Of course. Eat and go. What do you like?”
“Meat.”
“Alright. Eat as much as you want. At your age, you need to eat well to grow.”
He’s already of age, though. Yang Gyo-jin, he strangely gets along well with Grandfather.
“Dang Sojeo, perhaps……”
I bit my lip and steeled my resolve, watching Namgung Hwi, who was speaking as if he hadn’t been rebuffed.
Even if I’m misremembering, nothing will change.
It has to be me, not Namgung Hwi, who wins the Martial Arts Tournament.
\ \ \
The endlessly awkward situation ended with Grandfather’s order to leave.
“You two are too noisy and bothersome. Go back now so this old man can have dinner.”
“Then I’ll join you……”
“I told you to leave. Don’t make me say it twice.”
When Namgung Hwi subtly tried to join the dinner, Grandfather frowned as if to tell him not to talk nonsense.
At the firm refusal, Jin-sung rose first.
“Yes. It was an honor to meet you, Elder.”
Namgung Hwi, who had been rolling his eyes, also stood up and clasped his hands in salute.
“……Then I’ll be going. Elder.”
I was about to get up to see them off when Grandfather’s sleeve fluttered, and dozens of Poison Needles poured out towards the two of them.
At the same time, Namgung Hwi, who had jumped up, kicked off the ceiling and spun around to avoid the Poison Needles, and Jin-sung also drew his sword to deflect them.
Yang Gyo-jin, who caught the Poison Needles that Jin-sung had deflected, clapped his hands with an intrigued look.
“Oh, good reflexes.”
“……Ah.”
Unlike Namgung Hwi, who had dodged with his bare body, Jin-sung’s face turned pale as he unconsciously drew his sword.
“I apologize, Elder.”
Grandfather, who glared at Jin-sung for apologizing in surprise, retrieved the scattered Hidden Weapons with a wave of his hand.
I clicked my tongue and watched Grandfather’s reaction.
I thought it was okay since he hadn’t said anything, but it seemed he didn’t like the two of them very much.
Yang Gyo-jin’s eyes sparkled as he watched the Hidden Weapons float into the air and disappear into his sleeve.
“Wow, So-hye, can you do that too?”
“Of course not. If I could, I’d be one of the Ten Supremes.”
“Not even one?”
“……I haven’t tried. I’ll try someday.”
I replied and looked at the two men standing awkwardly.
Fortunately, no one seemed to have been hit by the Poison Needles. They weren’t the type to be unable to dodge lightly thrown Hidden Weapons anyway.
“Are you both alright? Go in now.”
When I opened the door, Yang Gyo-jin, who was sitting on the chair, waved his hand.
“Goodbye.”
Jin-sung bowed lightly to Yang Gyo-jin and whispered to me.
“I will come to pick you up around the time Osiga ends tomorrow.”
“Yes. I’ll be ready by then.”
“We…… will we be able to see you at the tournament?”
Namgung Hwi also smiled slyly and curved his eyes.
“Yes. I’ll see you at the tournament, Namgung Gongja.”
“I was glad to have a conversation with Dang Sojeo. I’ll be going now.”
I nodded and carefully watched Namgung Hwi’s back as I closed the door.
He has a wide stride. He seems to put weight on his sword. Does he use a Greatsword?
I’m familiar with Jin-sung’s sword, but I’ve never seen Namgung Hwi’s sword.
Unless I know what kind of sword Namgung Hwi likes to use and what habits he has, I need to analyze his matches against others and prepare.
I have to go see all of his matches. I want to avoid meeting him in the early rounds if possible.
Grandfather, who sighed as he watched me scratching my head, asked gently.
“Young Miss, do you feel uncomfortable or have a headache?”
“Yes? No.”
“Okay. That’s good. If you feel anything strange, you must tell Grandfather immediately.”
Worry flashed in Grandfather’s eyes as he urged me.
Why is he like this? Did I unknowingly touch my left shoulder?
I wondered if I had done something upsetting again, so I quickly waved my hands.
“I’m really okay, Grandfather. I’m fine.”
Yang Gyo-jin also widened his eyes and asked.
“Why? Do you feel unwell? Should I ask Mi-ryeo to make you some herbal medicine?”
“It’s okay. Jang Mi-ryeo is the one who should be taking herbal medicine, not me. I’m amazed at how she can handle the Golden Dragon Merchant Group’s work all day with that frail body.”
“That’s true. But, Grandfather, when are we having dinner?”
“Hahaha, are you already hungry after eating so much? You eat so heartily. Geun-myeong, we need to prepare dinner.”
“Yes, Elder.”
As Grandfather burst into laughter and said a word, Uncle Geun-myeong, who was outside, opened the door and came in.
Yang Gyo-jin, who was watching the Jeomsoi carrying the food, whispered to me.
“You know, Mi-ryeo told me to give you something when I met you? But she told me to give it to you when we’re alone. When should I give it to you?”
How can you ask that in front of Grandfather? He must have already heard everything.
I swallowed a hollow laugh and glanced at Grandfather, who was resting his chin on his hand and smiling.
“Pretend this old man isn’t here. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything.”
“Mi-ryeo will scold me.”
“Would this old man harm his disciple? It’s okay.”
Then, after a moment of consideration, Yang Gyo-jin stared intently at Uncle Geun-myeong.
“……I’ll leave.”
He quietly left the detached room with the Jeomsoi.
Only then did Yang Gyo-jin relax and rummage through his clothes to take out a book.
“A ledger?”
“Is it? I don’t know. She said you’d know if you saw it.”
Yang Gyo-jin shrugged and handed me two books.
Without much thought, I opened the book and smiled brightly.
The book contained a neat summary of the investment details and profit status for the past few years.
Did she make this much more in the meantime? I won’t have to worry about money for the rest of my life.
Is the second book also a ledger?
With a fluttering heart, I opened the other book as well, and my mouth dropped open.
“What is this?”
“Oh, so this was it? It’s an analysis of the Martial Arts Techniques of the participants in this tournament. Mi-ryeo made it for me to see, but she made another one for you, So-hye.”
Yang Gyo-jin explained happily, but I didn’t have time to respond. I flipped through the pages like a madman.
The book, as thick as a little finger, contained a clear description of the size, weapons, Sect, Martial Arts Technique, and characteristics of the Rising Stars.
Where did she get this information? Did this Young lady start an information brokerage without me knowing?
The valuable information, at a level that could be believed to be a Martial Arts Handbook, made my hands tremble.
I hope it helps. Burn it all after you read it.
This will definitely help!
Excited by the postscript written on the last page, I jumped up and shouted.
“Jang Mi-ryeo, this Young lady is really……!”
“Smart, right?”
“Yeah. The best. Tell her I said thank you. No, I should write a letter. Head Jang is in Akyang, right?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t go out of the Golden Dragon Merchant Group much these days. She’s busy.”
As my excited voice grew louder, Grandfather, who had approached and peeked in, also admired.
“She’s a smart child. You have to burn it well. If something like this gets out, the person who made it will be in danger. But who is Mi-ryeo?”
“My wife.”
“……Huh?”
Grandfather looked at Yang Gyo-jin with a strange expression. I hurriedly explained.
“Th-That! The Head of the Golden Dragon Merchant Group I told you about back then.”
“Ah, the child who had a fake marriage. I didn’t know this child was that fake groom.”
Grandfather muttered, raised the corners of his lips, and picked up the ledger.
After skimming through the ledger, he praised Jang Mi-ryeo as if he was amazed by the profits she had made.
“Hoo. Her insight is extraordinary. The younger generation surpasses the older generation……. Outstanding children are constantly emerging. Anyway, put those away now. Let’s eat first.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for the meal!”
I chuckled as I watched Yang Gyo-jin, who was smiling brightly and putting meat in his mouth, and then bit my tongue as a belated thought came to mind.
……Wait. I think Grandfather just found out about my secret stash.
\ \ \
After sending Yang Gyo-jin back, who had even packed a late-night snack, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down on the bed.
Perhaps because I had experienced so much as soon as I came to Muhan, I felt like my fatigue was not easily relieved.
But when I woke up, strange rumors had spread, just as Songhwa had worried.
It was clearly just a rumor that the Sword Dragon and the Divine Dragon had fought before the tournament even started when I had breakfast.
“They had a Death Match?”
“Yes. Right in front of here. Look there. That stain is said to be the Sword Dragon’s blood.”
After Jin-sung and I went to the Alliance, the rumor had been twisted and turned into nonsense that the Sword Dragon and the Divine Dragon had a Death Match.
Why would they have a Death Match here when the Martial Arts Tournament is just around the corner? Anyone can see that’s just a stain from spilled alcohol.
I wondered where this story came from, but the person involved didn’t seem to care much.
“I don’t care about the stories of gossips. There are always people who like to talk about others.”
Jin-sung said calmly and handed me a piece of paper with the preliminary round schedule written on it.
“I wish you good luck, Young Miss.”
He smiled and clasped his hands politely, then turned around only after seeing me enter the inn.
Was it thanks to Jin-sung’s sincere support?
Or was it thanks to Jang Mi-ryeo’s Martial Arts Handbook?
I won all the preliminary rounds over three days and easily obtained a pass to the main tournament.
Grandfather seemed to have expected the result and said indifferently.
“Grandfather said from the beginning that it has to be a victory.”
“Yes.”
But unlike his sullen tone, Grandfather’s eyes, as he moved to the accommodation provided by the Murim Alliance for the main tournament participants, were full of pride.
I pretended not to see and slightly raised the corners of my lips.
Like that, for two days.
