The heirs of the Paeng and Eon Clans were snarling at each other. At first glance, the relationship between the two seemed almost that of mortal enemies… but.
"Hah."
As I expanded my Qi Sense, I could see they were exchanging Voice Transmissions and simple hand signals behind everyone else's backs.
What a tiring way to live.
In my previous life, the two had ended their lives at the same time, so I knew how deeply devoted they were to each other—but I never expected them to go around disguising themselves with such a hostile atmosphere on a daily basis.
As I shook my head inwardly, the verbal sparring escalated into a sword fight, just as it did with most martial artists.
"Follow me to the training ground! I'll make you pay for insulting the great Hebei Paeng Clan!"
"Do you think I'd be scared by words like that? Don't forget that I won our last sparring bout."
Unable to contain his anger, a hulking man approached with heavy, thudding footsteps.
Following behind him was a pale woman with a small, frail frame.
At this, Tang So-wol looked over in surprise. She was so startled that she even let out a hiccup.
"Hic."
Originally, my plan had been to approach them casually, let a natural closeness develop, and then ask about the situation.
I would talk to the successor of the Paeng Clan, and Tang So-wol would talk to the successor of the Eon Clan. After all, it would be easier for people of the same gender to get along.
But with the atmosphere like this, my original plan was going to be difficult.
Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try a slightly different approach.
Honestly, I'd come up with a far more realistic method than me just casually approaching someone and trying to make friends.
I handed a glass of cold water to the hiccuping Tang So-wol, then looked to the side.
As if he'd expected this all along, Namgung Jong was letting out a sigh with a complicated expression. I poured him a drink and asked.
"Young hero Geomryong. This is my first time at such a gathering, but I'm sure it isn't yours. Do those two always act like this?"
"Hoo. It's a pity, but yes. Every time they meet, they always pick a fight over some trivial matter, borrow the training ground, and then end up leaving with hurt feelings."
"Oh? I knew the Paeng and Eon Clans didn't get along, but I didn't realize it was to this extent."
"Those two are especially bad compared to the other members. Since they're the same age, they're probably always being compared to each other."
Indeed. So whenever they gathered in one place, they would pretend to spar and then each go their own way.
I could see it without even looking. They said they were going home, but they were probably off somewhere enjoying a secret meeting.
"Honestly, as the host, this is a real headache. I can't not invite them, but if I invite both, they end up fighting like this."
"Oh dear."
"I've been friends with that Paeng fellow for quite a while, so I even made a special request, but in the end, it came to this…"
"You seem to be suffering a great deal. In that case, would it be alright if I helped a little?"
"I'd be grateful for that… but how?"
"First, we should try talking. Most things can be resolved through conversation."
I curled my lips into a grin, and Namgung Jong, momentarily taken aback, shook his head.
"Those two possess skill that ranks among the very best of the rising talents. What's more, they have the kind of temper that pushes back even harder when pressured. They're not like Hwangbo Gwang from earlier."
"…?"
For a moment, I widened my eyes, wondering what he meant, but soon I could tell what Namgung Jong was thinking.
He must have thought I intended to crush those two with my killing intent like I had done earlier.
I let out a hollow laugh and shook my head.
"It's not that kind of method, so don't worry. Ah, though I will need some alcohol."
"There's no need to worry about running out of alcohol, but…"
Namgung Jong still looked at me with suspicion in his eyes.
I gave him a relaxed smile, and not long after, two figures with a menacing atmosphere arrived.
The massive frame of the Paeng Clan's successor blocked the light, casting a long shadow across the table.
He gave me a brief nod of acknowledgment before softening his expression slightly toward Namgung Jong.
"Jong-ah. Sorry, but that's how it turned out."
"Peng Woo-jin, you bastard. You could at least pretend to hold back."
Namgung Jong pressed his temples hard. Seizing the gap, I quietly extended my Aura toward the two from the Paeng and Eon Clans.
All threatening intent removed. Just enough meaning to say "pay attention to me," like knocking on a door.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I am Cheon Hwi, the betrothed of the Tang Clan."
"Hm? And you are?"
"The Blood Flower Sword Demon? …Ah, my apologies."
Peng Woo-jin's brow twitched, while the woman from the Eon Clan, realizing that my alias had been given to me by the Lord of the Black Alliance, offered a belated apology.
I gave them both a light fist-and-palm salute.
"It's fine. It wasn't as if you had any ill intent."
"I am Peng Woo-jin of the Paeng Clan. I apologize for the curt greeting, but this is hardly the time."
"I am Eon Ga-hye of the Eon Clan. Thank you for your understanding, but… yes. Perhaps we could continue this conversation another time?"
With that said, the two of them glared at each other. In the meantime, I quietly drew up my internal energy and split my Voice Transmission into two.
After all, Voice Transmission is a technique that uses internal energy to keep sound from scattering to the surroundings and direct it only to a single person.
If one's internal energy control is up to par, it's possible to split it and send Voice Transmissions to several people at once. Just like right now.
"Since I'm sending this to both of you at the same time, there's no need for you to exchange transmissions with each other. Just listen."
"What is the meaning of—"
Eon Ga-hye tried to send a transmission in response, but at the words that followed, she fell silent.
"I know about the relationship between the two of you. Even though your families are on such bad terms, it seems the human heart doesn't obey as one wishes, does it?"
"…"
"If you don't want this to become widely known, don't make a fuss and quietly sit back down. And after the banquet is over, don't head straight home—there's an inn called the Cheongsan Inn nearby. Wait behind it for a while."
"Suddenly saying such things… Are you trying to threaten me with baseless speculation?"
Instead of the flustered Eon Ga-hye, it was Peng Woo-jin who glared at me. I subtly displayed the hand signals the two of them had exchanged moments ago.
I had no idea what they meant, but the parties involved certainly would.
Seeing that I wasn't just speaking idly but genuinely seemed to know something, Eon Ga-hye's already pale face turned even paler, and Peng Woo-jin let out a hint of genuine anger—not an act.
A giant with a head two sizes larger than mine was doing that, so he exuded a rather imposing presence… but if it came to a fight, I'd win anyway.
I met Peng Woo-jin's gaze head-on and raised my Aura once more. Not to draw attention like before, but to crush him with unmistakable killing intent.
"Kuh!"
Since my killing intent was directed solely at Peng Woo-jin, to anyone watching it would look like we were having a perfectly pleasant conversation before I suddenly frowned.
In the end, Peng Woo-jin stared at me for a long while before turning his gaze to Namgung Jong.
"…Come to think of it, today was supposed to be a celebration of Jong's victory."
"Surely you didn't just realize that now?"
Namgung Jong looked back and forth between me and Peng Woo-jin with a bewildered voice.
He knew we had exchanged Voice Transmissions, but not what was said, so he seemed curious about the reason for the sudden change.
Since I couldn't tell him the truth, I was about to brush it off with a vague smile when Peng Woo-jin sat down in the remaining seat and continued.
"As someone who knows well how starved for praise my friend is, I can't ruin this occasion. Let's settle things with a sparring bout another day, not today. How does that sound?"
"Fine. I was feeling a bit sorry toward young hero Namgung anyway."
"…Stop slandering me."
After a moment's thought, Eon Ga-hye followed Peng Woo-jin and took a seat.
Namgung Jong quietly denied Peng Woo-jin's words, but no one paid him any mind.
Wi Ji-suryeon was caught between Peng Woo-jin and Eon Ga-hye, who were still radiating a hostile atmosphere, looking troubled.
Tang So-wol, as if she couldn't even begin to guess what had been done or how, was rapidly blinking her eyes.
Blink, blink.
"Young hero Cheon? What on earth did you say to make the two of them this docile?"
Ah, in the end, she couldn't hold back her curiosity and sent a Voice Transmission.
-As for the details, explaining would take too long, so just know that we agreed to discuss it separately later.
-What? Whaaat…
Tang So-wol nodded along with a still-uncertain expression.
After that, Namgung Jong, in a good mood, brought out some precious liquor, and Wi Ji-suryeon lightened the atmosphere by asking Tang So-wol about recent news and questions about me. All in all, we had a fairly enjoyable time.
Peng Woo-jin and Eon Ga-hye also treated each other like they didn't exist, but managed to laugh and chat together, albeit awkwardly…
Still, every now and then they'd throw out probing questions aimed at me, or exchange glances with each other whenever they got the chance.
It didn't mean much, though.
When the evening grew deep and everyone was about to disperse, suitably drunk, Namgung Jong—who seemed to have a weak tolerance for alcohol and had been periodically sneaking off to relieve himself—placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.
"Young hero Cheon. How old did you say you were?"
"Eighteen."
"I'm twenty-five."
"Ah. Hmm. I see."
A rising talent refers to any martial artist who hasn't yet reached thirty. Which means that even among rising talents, there can be a considerable age gap.
In this case, though, it's less that Namgung Jong is old and more that I'm young.
"But why the sudden question about my age? I heard everything when Maehwa Geombong's young lady was asking my betrothed all sorts of questions."
"…I am twenty-five."
"???"
Namgung Jong, answering with his age once more instead of a reply. As I quietly watched him, puzzled by his incomprehensible behavior, he averted his gaze, looking embarrassed.
"From now on, feel free to call me brother. I'll call you dongsaeng as well."
"Ah."
So that was it—now that we'd grown a bit closer, he was proposing a sworn brotherhood.
Just as I was wondering whether he wasn't all that skilled at human relationships.
Namgung Jong cleared his throat lightly and continued speaking.
"Hm. I know my young brother Cheon's martial level is nothing ordinary, but I am curious as to just how far it goes."
"That is…"
"Come visit the Namgung Clan when you have time. Since you said the Namgung sword left an impression on you, I am certain we will each benefit from the other's path."
"As a swordsman, how could I refuse the chance to witness the martial arts of the best sword family in the world? I will contact you as soon as possible."
"Good! I will remember that. Then I will see you next time. Go in safely."
With those words, we exchanged a fist-and-palm salute. Tang So-wol, catching the mood, also gave a salute before following me out of the mansion.
Once we had put some distance between us and the estate, Tang So-wol naturally slipped her arm through mine and whispered.
"Now will you tell me? What exactly did you do to make the Paeng and Eon clans so well-behaved? And what do you plan to do from here on?"
"It's nothing."
After hearing through Voice Transmission what we had discussed and what I planned to do from here on, Tang So-wol was horrified and jabbed my side repeatedly. It tickled a little.
"Kidnapping again…!"
"Excuse me. I merely found a nearby inn for a newly made friend who couldn't hold his liquor."
Anyway, that's how it was.