“What’s all this commotion? Sak Eung, answer me.”
“I’m sorry, my Lord.”
One of I-seol’s subordinates stepped forward. With a fierce gaze, Sak Eung looked like someone who would back away if met in a dark alley.
The two exchanged looks in silence, perhaps communicating the earlier situation mentally.
“…I see.”
Finally, I-seol, having been briefed on the situation, nodded.
“To cause such a ruckus in my absence… the discipline has loosened.”
“Please punish us!”
“I command a three-day ban on drinking.”
“Understood!”
“From now on, I will reorganize my subordinates. The fifteen members under my command will be renamed the Sanghwa Corps, with Sak Eung as captain and Chang-ung as vice-captain.”
“Understood!”
“And the nineteen newcomers will be referred to as the Seohwa Sect. Just a word of caution: you are not yet members of the Dark Dragon Sect, so do not claim otherwise outside.”
“Y-Understood!”
The newcomers awkwardly shouted their acknowledgments.
“Becoming members of the Dark Dragon Sect is not easy, so you’ll undergo an apprenticeship under me first, whereafter the worthy will be officially admitted. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
Though conditional, the news of being accepted as official members energized the newcomers. Given the current circumstances, it seemed I-seol planned to mobilize them for an operation against the Sokryeong Sect.
“And Yongji Maeng.”
“Yeah.”
“You will be managed directly by me.”
“…I don’t understand what you mean.”
“I mean to say, you’ll stick by my side from dawn until I say otherwise.”
I rolled my eyes towards Sak Eung. Upon meeting my gaze, he flinched. What did he say to make I-seol act like this?
They started the trouble, provoking me while I followed orders to the training hall, drew my sword when instructed, and even yielded the first strike.
Those who insulted me had the same attitude. If you provoke a companion, take responsibility and sweat it out like a man while dealing with each other’s grievances—communal living demands that!
“Silence.”
With I-seol’s cold voice, I had no choice but to bow my head.
“…Understood.”
I am Ho Cheon-an.
I’ve become a curiosity under I-seol’s close watch.
“Have you eaten, Yongji Maeng?”
“I haven’t.”
I had consumed some dumplings, but when asked if I’d eaten, it meant we’d be sharing a meal together, so I needed to behave myself.
“Follow me.”
I shot a final glare at the members of the Sanghwa Corps before following I-seol upstairs.
After a brief wait, our food arrived.
“This place, Sanghwa Lou, serves alcohol, but the food isn’t half bad.”
“Indeed.”
Dokgo I-seol spoke to me over lunch, casually chatting about what kind of place Sanghwa Lou is and the Dark Dragon Sect, and when I’d encounter Chang-ung again.
In such light conversations, her grace and poise shone through.
Being the daughter of the Black Cloak Dokgo Yeongcheon, she held a noble status, yet here within the confines of the Dark Dragon Sect, she maintained an image that felt decidedly regal.
Her dexterous chopstick movements and the way she savored her broth exuded class.
One might expect a daughter from the Outcast Faction to flaunt ostentatious silks and retort, “How dare you look down on me?”
“Indeed, you know your manners.”
What could she mean by that?
When I looked at I-seol with a questioning glance, she took a sip of tea and spoke.
“I’m referring to dining etiquette. The way you set down your chopsticks and the order in which you consume your food. While not perfect, you adhere to some conventions.”
Has court etiquette not faded from her memory yet?
It seemed the manners taught by the court ladies were still ingrained in her, and she felt no need to change, having not realized she followed them.
“Are you a scion of a noble house?”
I remained silent.
After all, Yongji Maeng is a fictional character, so there was no need to provide a personal background. Plus, it was almost a norm in the Outcast Faction not to ask regarding personal details.
I-seol did not push for an answer either, accepting my silence without words.
However, it seemed her interest in me had only intensified, her eyes glistening with curiosity.
But why on earth?
While I thought about how to send those troublesome newcomers on a mission against the Sokryeong Sect, she brought up her sister.
“Well, my older sister is two years my senior.”
“You have a sister?”
“Yes, I have a sister who is two years older.”
From the information gathered, it appeared they didn’t have a good relationship. It seems she firmly doesn’t want to call her “sister.” After glancing at me with an annoyed expression, I-seol continued.
“Her name is Yoran. She didn’t like being called the ‘Best Beauty in Yunnan,’ so she calls herself the ‘Evil Flower’ out of vanity.”
I feigned indifference. If she weren’t being cast out of the Black Dragon Sect but rather rising to become a senior member, I might have said something to smooth things over, but that wasn’t my goal.
“That Yoran has declared she’ll target you.”
“…What?”
Is the daughter of the leader of the Dark Dragon Sect aiming for my life?
I haven’t done anything to her!
Seeing my expression, I-seol spoke again.
“She’s not looking to kill you. She means to recruit you as one of her subordinates.”
“…Why?”
What on earth is she talking about? What does she know about me? All I’ve done here is roll U-reung on the floor and combine the split dice in this tavern.
Though, considering it, combining the split dice does seem impressive. But how would Dokgo Yoran have any clue about what happened within I-seol’s territory? If she was aware of real-time events in the afterlife, the struggle for succession would have settled long ago.
“You have no idea about your own abilities, and she’s just making a childish remark because she thinks you’re someone I employ.”
I-seol kindly explained my doubts.
“She’s the sort who can set aside her own loss if it means harming my pride. Who knows what kind of schemes she might devise against you?”
I was just starting to feel uneasy about being targeted for recruitment by the Yoran, and here comes I-seol, trying to keep me away from the Sokryeong Sect while reminding me of my perilous position.
I can’t believe I’m dealing with a full-blown sister rivalry in the background!
“Do you understand? Make certain you don’t step out of my sight.”
Imagining the scene where I’m taken away in front of her sister sent a surge of anger through I-seol. Her grip on her fan tightened as she furrowed her brows. While her anger had a certain elegance, it wasn’t the most pressing issue right now.
What was alarming was the fierce obsession burning in I-seol’s eyes. She looked ready to confine me to her room if I even hinted about wanting to take part in attacking the Sokryeong Sect.
“Not answering, Yongji Maeng?”
“…Understood.”
Faced with I-seol’s intimidating demeanor, I had no choice but to comply. I figured I-seol was still hot-headed from her earlier confrontation with her sister, and surely, time would cool her off enough to let me consider my options.
Even if she might see them as expendable, there should be some basic training mandated for them, so I hoped I’d have a few days to navigate this.
By then, I figured I-seol would likely regain her composure.
Maybe I could just go along with it until then.
After lunch with I-seol, I also watched as the Peak Experts of the Sanghwa Corps helped indoctrinate the newcomers classified under the Seohwa Sect.
When I learned what the Seohwa Sect was, it turned out to be just the name of another tavern in this afterlife. Apparently, the martial artists from the Seohwa Sect are gearing up to raid the Sokryeong Sect’s territory.
Listening to their training, it seemed that if the newcomers happened to be caught while raiding the Sokryeong Sect’s domain, it would fall under I-seol’s authority, not that of the Dark Dragon Sect.
Dark Dragon Sect, you’re rather ruthless.
“What do you think, Yongji Maeng? Do you think sending just the newcomers will suffice?”
“It seems there should be someone to lead them.”
“Huh. Are you referring to yourself?”
Given that there are no suitable leaders among the newcomers, it’s probably accurate to say that just relying on the newcomers will yield nothing but wasted manpower.
At the very least, we need one person who can maintain some form of order to achieve results.
If I were to lead them in the Seohwa Sect, that would paint a pretty good picture.
Thus, I simply nodded silently. I suppose my lack of denial was my way of expressing agreement.
I don’t think I-seol liked my attitude because she crossed her arms with a displeased expression, as if I was just annoying her further.
“Yongji Maeng, you truly vex me.”
Gently tapping my shoulder with her fan, I felt the scent of her jasmine wafting into my nostrils.
“I told you to stay close to me yet half a day hasn’t even passed.”
“My apologies.”
“Humph. I see. I suppose it’s my mistake to think I could win you over in just one day.”
While saying that, I-seol appeared much less tense than in the morning. She realized that having a situation where I could be her shield wasn’t feasible.
“…Let’s call it a day. You may rest now, Yongji Maeng.”
Looking at her gaze, which seemed quite complicated, I realized there might be room for negotiation.
With a little luck, I might be able to start the journey with the newcomers.
If I can gain the power to lead them, things would get significantly easier.
Tomorrow, I’ll have to make sure to express my intention to lead the newcomers without displeasing I-seol.
So, with hope welcoming the next day…
“Ohohoho! You’re the one I-seol has brought along, aren’t you?”
Dokgo Yoran approached, laughing like an evil spirit, holding the same fan as I-seol.
Feeling the burning glare emanating from I-seol standing beside me, I rubbed my forehead.
Oh, dear.
Please, just let me escape to the Sokryeong Sect!
