"I don't accept confessions."
Bi Ryu-yeon said.
"What?"
"Don't stare at me like that. It's embarrassing!"
Those words were directed at Jang Woo-kang, who was blankly staring at him as if he had seen a ghost. Jang Woo-kang was completely dumbfounded, like a person who had lost their soul, swimming hard in a sea of questions with no land of answers in sight. However, it seemed that there was no clue to the answer, and there was a high possibility that he would soon drown in the middle of the sea of questions. He simply could not believe this fact.
"H-how are you alive?"
Jang Woo-kang's tongue seemed to be stiff from shock, and he couldn't even speak properly.
"Huh? When was I ever dead? I don't remember that."
When Bi Ryu-yeon showed a gesture that implied it was obvious and that he was hearing all sorts of nonsense, Jang Woo-kang's face quickly crumpled. Seeing his face wrinkled like a poet's failed work, Bi Ryu-yeon grinned.
"Don't make such an overtly disappointed face. Instead, I have a good gift for you."
Bi Ryu-yeon had just finished inspecting the goods at Flower Cloud Pavilion and was returning to the Central Armed Escort Agency group, who were about to go to bed. It was a moment when everyone thought he would be dead. They were thinking, how could he, Bi Ryu-yeon, hope to survive after fearlessly violating the taboo of Blazing Blade and even pouring oil on top of that provocation? Death was naturally considered a predetermined course. But, disregarding fate's schedule, without even consulting the gods, the said individual kicked the grim reaper's butt and drastically changed the schedule, and abruptly returned alive.
The expressions of those who saw him were truly a sight to behold. Someone had regrettably broken the teacup they were holding. Someone had let the documents they were holding fly away in the wind and would take a long time to sort them out. Someone who was organizing documents with a brush had accidentally left a diagonal line stain on the paper, requiring them to rewrite it. And someone had inevitably cut their hand on the weapon they were polishing, and so on. Everyone seemed to have gone into a frenzy as if they had seen a ghost. As everyone stared at Bi Ryu-yeon with a face as if they had seen something that didn't exist, Bi Ryu-yeon felt a bit awkward for no reason.
"Ah, there's someone I want to introduce. From today, I'll introduce a person who will join our group and go to Nanchang with us."
"Who said you could!"
Before Bi Ryu-yeon's introduction was finished, Jang Woo-kang shouted loudly. Just the fact that Bi Ryu-yeon had returned safely was enough to make his anger boil, but the youth was trying to go even further, so Jang Woo-kang's anger had reached its limit of explosion. His face was pale from the aftereffects of the shock a moment ago, but fortunately, his life was not in danger. However, his energy was twisted, to the point he had to take absolute rest for the time being.
"This is not your Escort Agency. The owner of our Central Armed Escort Agency is my father, and the leader of this group is also my father. This is not a place where you can bring in any bastard as you please."
"Y-young master!"
Deung Yeo-ho tried to stop Jang Woo-kang, whose eyes were rolled back and raging, but it was to no avail. It seemed that Jang Woo-kang couldn't see anything anymore. Otherwise, he wouldn't have acted so recklessly in front of Bi Ryu-yeon, whom even the agency owner Jang Woo-yang was cautious around.
"Really?"
"Of course. Absolutely not until dirt enters my eyes!"
It was a reckless remark made without realizing that the person standing in front of him had the personality and ability to actually carry out his own words if pushed. For him, it was something he could do without difficulty or hesitation. He had barely survived under the terrifying force of Blazing Blade's fearsome Crimson Flame, yet he was still not coming to his senses and digging his own grave again.
"Really? You'll regret it…"
"Of course."
Jang Woo-kang remained firm, still not knowing his place. But fortunately for the Central Armed Escort Agency Jang family, Bi Ryu-yeon refused Jang Woo-kang's request to put dirt in his eyes. Instead, what he did was call out to someone waiting outside the door.
"Please come in!"
Bi Ryu-yeon shouted loudly with a face full of joy. And as one person entered, everyone had to go through the process of confirming whether they were really in the present moment, shocked. A moment later, the Central Armed Escort Agency group had to hold their stinging cheeks and shed tears. They had all pinched and twisted their cheeks with all their might.
The most surprised among them was none other than Jang Woo-kang. It was no surprise, as he had nearly faced the brink of life and death for the sins he had committed against Blazing Blade a few hours ago. He was so tense that he couldn't even feel the sensation in his twisted and pinched cheeks, and his legs were so numb that it was difficult to even stand properly. Also, his tongue, which had frozen like a frozen pollack, failed to function properly, making its owner frustrated.
"T-this person is…"
"Ah, the bastard that Young Master Jang mentioned earlier!"
Bi Ryu-yeon said with a smile. Jang Woo-kang thought that no evil spirit's wicked and vicious smile could compare to Bi Ryu-yeon's smile right now. And he regretted his futile pride and rashness, hitting the ground.
The attitude and treatment towards Bi Ryu-yeon underwent a 180-degree transformation. The same went for Blazing Blade. No, considering Blazing Blade's reputation and position in the martial arts world, it was a natural treatment for him. Rather, thanks to that, the attitude towards Bi Ryu-yeon changed to a VIP treatment that would make even the imperial family envious.
With Blazing Blade's appearance, the story was over. There was no need to move the tongue until it ached anymore. Who would dare to go against Blazing Blade's will? It was something one couldn't even dream of. Jang Woo-kang was still unable to speak, as if he had aphasia, like a mute who had eaten honey, due to the shock at that time. Bi Ryu-yeon regretted not being able to say to Jang Woo-kang, pointing at Blazing Blade, "This person has more than enough willingness to put dirt in your eyes. Pay your respects." Jang Woo-kang had stopped his mental activities with Blazing Blade's appearance and was in a state where he couldn't react to any external stimuli.
Blazing Blade received an enthusiastic welcome. Which escort group wouldn't welcome a supreme master of Blazing Blade's caliber accompanying them? Just by being there, he becomes the most effective insecticide and shield, repelling the swarms of flies clinging to the goods. Blazing Blade had the ability to make hordes of bandits run away with their feet on fire just by his appearance alone.
Of course, it was unknown when and where their reliable protector would turn into a destroyer of annihilation, but since there was no choice in the matter, such worries were unnecessary. Jang Woo-yang and the entire Central Armed Escort Agency group bent their waists at a right angle to welcome Blazing Blade, and from then on, Blazing Blade accompanied Bi Ryu-yeon on their way to Nanchang. This trip to Nanchang was not part of Blazing Blade's plan, but a promise was a promise, so he had no choice but to keep it while holding back his resentment.
Blazing Blade was not shameless enough to nullify a promise he had made by taking advantage of a reversal of opportunity. As evident from the taboos he set and whether he carried them out, he was a simple and stubborn person who firmly kept and fulfilled a promise once made. Thus, the journey of the two finally began.
***
Ascension Martial Arts Festival and Hwan Janghan (Goes Crazy)
A vast expanse of blue-green land stretching out endlessly.
Water birds cry, riding the favorable wind, and the reeds by the lake sway in the gentle breeze.
Next to this breathing, azure-colored clarity,
Stands a vast, towering human touch, shoulder to shoulder.
As if embodying the phrase "impregnable,"
The double-layered, soaring city walls!
They appeared as solid and sturdy as an iron wall, like a reliable shield that could block anything.
These incredibly robust city walls enclosed a wide area, with no discernible beginning or end, and around them was a moat (a water channel dug around the city walls in preparation for a siege) to prevent enemies from freely invading. From the sky, it formed a huge, circular belt of water. Inside, it was filled with dozens of massive, grand, and splendid palaces. This fortress alone exuded a solemn atmosphere that could not be casually approached, as if it were a living creature.
Neighboring the magnificent natural scenery of Lake Poyang, which stretches vastly from the horizon that appears to be the other side of the world, there are clusters of numerous palaces majestically situated. This place was none other than the great martial arts training ground where the essence of the martial arts world of the Hundred Swords breathed, and the heart of the Gangho, boasting immense and powerful martial prowess, the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy.
And adjacent to this massive embodiment of martial prowess and power, the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, and the vast azure expanse of Lake Poyang, lies the city of Nanchang. Nanchang, along with Lake Poyang, was currently achieving remarkable prosperity due to the immense presence of the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy.
Every day, hundreds and thousands of people come and go, and hundreds and thousands of goods are constantly traded. To put it simply, an astonishing amount of goods are exchanged back and forth, enough to make one's eyes spin. Due to this tremendous demand and supply generated by the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, Nanchang had no choice but to prosper, as if it were inevitable.
Especially these days, all the accommodations and entertainment facilities located in Nanchang, without a single exception, were experiencing continuous full bookings. In short, they hit the jackpot. As a result, the mouths of the owners in this industry were stretched from side to side, unable to close.
The accommodations were already packed with numerous martial artists who had gathered from all over the Central Plains with dreams of success, and people gathered in the taverns day and night, exchanging stories and information regardless of the change of positions between the sun and the moon. Of course, alcohol was a must in these gatherings. Isn't it said that after spending the whole night, all that remains are empty bottles and empty plates of side dishes?
Most of the martial artists currently flocking to Nanchang were not all dreaming of ascending beyond the threshold of recognition. Among them, only a small portion of young masters under the age of 30 were the warriors dreaming of ascension, while the rest were just average spectators or information merchants and gamblers. Of course, in a broad sense, they could all be considered spectators.
However, their reason for gathering was only one: the upcoming grand event of the Heavenly Martial Arts Academy, the entrance exam commonly known as the "Ascension Martial Arts Festival."
"Ascension Martial Arts Festival"
What a name that makes the hearts of martial artists pound and the bodies of the swords hung at their waists resonate! Every year, thousands of people sharpen their swords and polish their blades to pass this exam. However, only a very small minority of them pass and seize the shining glory. And the majority who fail continue to hone their skills and challenge again and again. If one just passes this Ascension Martial Arts Festival, not only is their position as a later-stage master of the Baekdo martial arts world perfectly guaranteed, but their future is also perfectly secured.
The measure of the Baekdo martial arts world's prowess, the gauge of martial status, the Ascension Martial Arts Festival!
So who can help but pay attention to this Ascension Martial Arts Festival and take their eyes off it? That splendid martial arts festival is about to begin now.
Around that time, two men entered Nanchang, which was excited and agitated amidst the swirling hot atmosphere. One was an ordinary-looking young man who seemed to be around twenty years old, and the other was a middle-aged man in his mid-forties with a unique appearance of red hair, red eyes, and red eyebrows.
The young man's bangs were so long that they covered his eyes, making it difficult to discern his exact features, but judging from his uncovered jawline, he didn't seem to be ugly. He was wearing an unremarkable blue martial arts uniform with no special features. On the other hand, the middle-aged man accompanying the young man had an appearance that was impossible to miss, drawing the attention of those around him. His unique appearance of red hair, red eyes, and red eyebrows, and even his outfit, a golden-mixed crimson martial arts uniform reminiscent of flames, made him resemble a huge flame itself. Even the single sword hanging from his waist was red. The only thing that wasn't crimson was the ink-black guqin carried on his back, which seemed to not suit him at all.
The pitch-black guqin, reminiscent of deep darkness, somehow made the middle-aged man look awkward, causing passersby to tilt their heads in puzzlement. However, there was a story known only to those two men about why he was carrying such a guqin on his back. They were none other than Bi Ryu-yeon and Blazing Blade.
The countless people who had gathered to watch or participate in the upcoming Ascension Martial Arts Festival had already occupied all the inns due to the immeasurable crowd. In this situation, the fact that Bi Ryu-yeon had brazenly secured a room—and not just any room, but one at the renowned Summer-Moon Inn[1] in Nanchang—was nothing short of a mystery. All the reservations for the inns and taverns had already been fully booked a month ago. As a result, room prices had skyrocketed, and private accommodations in residential houses throughout Nanchang were thriving. The income earned from these private accommodations during this period was an important and substantial source of revenue that middle-class households in Nanchang could not ignore.
Of course, as the start date of the Ascension Martial Arts Festival approached, even the prices of private accommodations soared to exorbitant levels. Consequently, the eyes of the poor people who had come to watch the Ascension Martial Arts Festival were filled with tears of blood. The martial artists and spectators who couldn't even secure private accommodations had no choice but to set up tents along the banks of Lake Poyang to solve their sleeping arrangements.
That's why, every year around this time, a unique sight could be seen: the scenery of a tent village created by the colorful tents densely filling the area around Lake Poyang. During this period, the tent merchants in Nanchang experienced a threefold increase in sales, earning more than half of their annual income. In many ways, the Ascension Martial Arts Festival had a tremendous impact on the economy of Nanchang.
In such a situation, it was impossible for there to be any vacancies in a proper inn. Yet, Bi Ryu-yeon had managed to find one. Not only that, but he had secured a room in the Summer-Moon Inn, considered a first-class establishment, and it was the finest room available. The Summer-Moon Inn, with its poetic name meaning "the place where the summer moon dwells," was the best inn in Nanchang.
With a total capacity of 400 guests and a staff of 100, this place was renowned for its top chefs, the finest wines, and the best facilities to provide comfort to its guests. Although the accommodation fees were already quite high, it was known to be fully booked two months in advance. How could they have easily obtained a room at such an inn?
The answer lay with Bi Ryu-yeon's disciple, who would vehemently deny being Bi Ryu-yeon's disciple while wildly wielding a sword if asked directly: Blazing Blade. Who was Blazing Blade? Currently, he was an unfortunate soul who had fallen victim to a mischievous trick of fate, becoming the disciple of the unknown and nameless junior Bi Ryu-yeon, a fall from grace. However, he was still the leader of the Five Great Bladesmen under the Heavens, recognized throughout the martial arts world, and the sect leader of the mighty Blazing Heavenly Sword Sect. When someone like him requested a room, who would dare to refuse? Especially Blazing Blade, who was notorious for his foul temper and impatience.
Unless one wished to close their business that very day and desired a rebirth from bankruptcy or a rapid change of industry, it was something one couldn't even dream of doing. This place was Nanchang, the gathering point of martial artists from all over the world! Even at the Summer-Moon Inn, ranked as a first-class establishment here, there was no way they wouldn't recognize Blazing Blade. In Nanchang, identifying the identities of martial artists was crucial in determining the success of a business. Accurately assessing the other party's identity, abilities, position, and importance, and never defying or offending a supreme master, was the shortcut to survival in the inn and accommodation industry of Nanchang.
Wasn't Nanchang a place where countless inns and taverns had disappeared after inadvertently offending a supreme master, too many to count on ten fingers and ten toes? That's why the owners here were always on high alert and paying utmost attention in that regard. Moreover, with all sorts of martial artists gathering here, the risk of incidents was also frequent.
Even in Nanchang, Blazing Blade was classified as a supreme master of the highest level. Furthermore, his level of danger and caution was categorized as the red special first grade, so if someone like Blazing Blade demanded a room, they had to provide one even if they had to create it out of thin air. His unique appearance made it unnecessary to verify his identity. There was no one whose identity and appearance were as easy to confirm as Blazing Blade's. Moreover, just by looking into his eyes once, one could instantly understand his infamously foul temper, making his appearance itself a walking proof of identity.
Therefore, the Summer-Moon Inn had to find a way to arrange a room, no matter what. When they finally managed to secure a room, the manager of the Summer-Moon Inn had tears in his eyes. They were not tears of success and joy for having accomplished the task. They were tears of sorrow for having his own room taken away. In order to provide a room suitable for Blazing Blade's status, they had to create a room that didn't exist. As it turned out, the only room that was readily available was the manager's quarters. The rooms of lower-ranked employees were deemed unsuitable for Blazing Blade's status based on their own judgment. Thus, the manager of the Summer-Moon Inn, Hwan Janghan, tearfully vacated his room, and it was swiftly transformed into a double room for guests. It was decided that Manager Hwan Janghan would temporarily stay in the staff dormitory. Manager Hwan Janghan couldn't help but truly go crazy. However, since there was no other choice, he had no option but to live up to his name[2]. In other words, he went crazy on the inside.
As a result, Bi Ryu-yeon and the other person were provided with comfortable accommodations in the finest lodgings. Whether he knew the hidden story behind it or not, Bi Ryu-yeon was constantly grinning. That is, until the next day when he met 'Light Compliant Listener[3]', also known as Na Junghae.