After the shocking meal was over, I returned to my duties as the Gatekeeper.
I calmed my flushed face and began to piece together the circumstances in my mind.
Though I had faced an unexpected humiliation, I had at least managed to gauge the current atmosphere in Sacheon as intended.
Jeong Cheol.
Jeong Cheol had abandoned Sadoryeon and hidden away. The significance of the organization had diminished, and for his own goals, he likely thought it would be better to be lighter on his feet.
In that process, he announced a justification while disbanding Sadoryeon to weaken Sacheon. The Tang Clan issued a statement to refute that justification, and because of that statement, my story spread throughout Sacheon City.
Was it the case that a ripple had begun in Sacheon City?
The elements provoking a ripple were already in place. The Sacheon Outcasts had become more subdued due to personal matches, and the true Outcast Faction had revealed their intentions…
Now, with the addition of a proclamation detailing my activities, public opinion began to shift towards the Sacheon Outcasts.
Well… the Outcasts at the Outcast Inn were probably not just sitting idle. When the tide is in, one must row at the right time; they must have been diligently moving to get to this point.
The long line in front of the Outcast Inn must have been due to such results.
I hurried back to secure the safety of the Sacheon Outcasts, only to find that barricades, shelters, and reasonable preparations had already been established.
“Hm…”
Once I grasped the unfolding situation, my mind started to clear up a bit.
It was entirely different from what I had anticipated, but that didn’t mean it was a good situation either. The fact that the area in front of the Outcast Inn was so crowded indicated that there were many who wished to protect the Outcasts… Did this mean the activities of the righteous factions in Sacheon City had been hampered?
I need to confirm that further.
As I fell into thought, the air around me began to stir once more.
The group of drifters that had stood beside that Peak Expert earlier returned. Their faces were filled with confidence, and understandably so; this time it made sense.
“Who dared to lay a hand on this White Tiger’s subordinates!”
The person they brought along, who went by Ho Gyeong, was at the Peak Stage.
“That guy… is the Peak Stage White Tiger Faction’s Ho Gyeong…!”
“I heard he killed several people in Hoham…!”
Hearing the drunken nonsense around them, the minions who had quietly bowed out earlier began to regain their spirit.
“Brother! That’s him!”
Ho Gyeong’s smile cracked when he spotted me.
Well, that makes sense.
Since I was identified as a Sacheon Outcast, they would likely have rushed over lightly thinking I was at the Peak Stage, only to find a Peak Stage expert standing in front of a fabric shop—little wonder they were taken aback.
However, the stiffened expression on his face gradually relaxed.
The reason for that was simple.
I adjusted my energy.
Right now, the man named Ho Gyeong likely felt I possessed half or one stage lower skill than he did.
At first, I thought learning how to enhance my hearing and control my energy was a waste of time, but it turned out to be quite useful.
Indeed, the Unknown Elder had thought things through.
As I was lost in admiration for the usefulness of these skills, he opened his mouth.
“How surprising. I never heard of a powerful figure like you among the Sacheon Outcasts.”
“If you’re a Peak Stage, shouldn’t you be back in your hometown, living in comfort while dealing with your subordinates instead of coming all the way to Sacheon City for something to eat?”
“How dare he!”
The subordinates, eager to show loyalty, drew their swords and pretended to charge forth, but he held them back while saying,
“There’s no need for lengthy talk. I have matters to attend to at this establishment, so step aside.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Are you planning to drink sour wine instead of sweet wine?”
He unleashed his energy and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. I observed his reaction and thought to myself. It seems like Peak Experts were starting to show up one by one in Sacheon City.
Justification.
In the Martial World, few things are as important as justification. Because if you don’t maintain this justification, a martial artist at a Higher Realm could target you without any means of defense when it comes down to it.
In that sense, a Peak Expert must safeguard their justification to survive.
The position of the Peak Stage can be regarded as an elite minority when considering the entire Martial World, but there are indeed Hwa-gyeong Martial Artists above the Peak Stage.
While one can have the power to act tyrannically by disregarding justification, if they continue their rampage without it, they might find themselves beheaded one day by Hwa-gyeong martial artists.
That’s why the Peak Experts of the Outcast Faction tend to move in accordance with the prevailing sentiments that come with justification.
While it sounds nice to follow the sentiments of the times, they prefer to enjoy a juicy meal without the risks of hunting for their prey, simply acting like hyenas.
The first justification put forth by Jeong Cheol, revenge, lacked enough weight to move the Peak Experts of the Outcast Faction, but the second justification stating that it disrupts the established laws of non-aggression was sufficient enough to mobilize them.
After returning to Sacheon City, my head, which had been confused by the unexpected series of events, began to clear up bit by bit.
The Outcasts were doing better than I expected, and the goodwill of the Sacheon people also leaned in their favor, but that didn’t mean there were no problems at all in Sacheon City.
In front of me stood Ho Gyeong.
Peak Experts from the Outcast Faction were flocking to target Sacheon.
There were only two Peak Experts in this vast Sacheon City.
It would be tough to fend off the Peak Experts that were pouring in with only the two Sect Leaders of Sacheon.
When I reached this thought process, what I needed to do became crystal clear.
I needed to repel the Peak Experts aiming at Sacheon City.
Gain practical experience while securing the safety of Sacheon City—two birds with one stone.
“No matter what you say, this is my work, so I’m not moving. Just know that.”
However, today was not the day for that.
Today’s request was to protect the fabric shop.
“Hahaha! Have you gotten scared?!”
“Even before my older brother, even a Sacheon Outcast is no match!”
While the minions scratched at my nerves, I calmly ignored them. The minions were working hard in their own way, but honestly, after living as a Sacheon Outcast, I had heard insults or provocations countless times.
I don’t know if these cheap provocation tactics work outside, but if you want to drive a Sacheon Outcast mad, you’d need to train for at least another hundred years.
“Go drink your mom’s milk some more!”
“What a shameless guy!”
Are you all completely lacking in conscience? How can you play with someone’s emotions using such pathetic insults? Ugh, those guys nowadays seem to have no intention of putting in any effort at all.
As I was thinking that, things started to get a bit weird.
“Th-That guy…!”
“If the Sacheon Outcast had only been accepting requests, those minions would have crumbled long ago!”
“I saw them fleeing with their tails between their legs earlier!”
“I saw it too! Such pathetic fellows!”
As the minions hurled provocations at me, the crowd, who had no relation to the situation, began getting angry and attacking the minions?
Suddenly, insults and jeers were being hurled towards the Outcast faction!
The minion’s faces reddened as they remembered their retreat in embarrassment. Seeing their expressions go stiff, Ho Gyeong’s face also hardened.
I, too, stopped picking at my ears and raised my spirit, prepared to unleash the Enlightened Cloud Thunder Technique at any time.
“…These people in Sacheon City really don’t understand the terror of martial artists.”
The noise of accusations towards Ho Gyeong’s group suddenly quieted.
Killing intent!
The crowd was overwhelmed by the killing intent emanating from the Peak Expert.
“There are those who only come to their senses when they see blood. Looks like today, they will see the blood of the Sacheon people.”
The minions also radiated their own killing intent and drew their weapons.
“I should show a taste of severing a few tongues! Capture them!”
“Yes!”
The minions sparkled their eyes as they fixed their sights on several loudmouths from earlier, who were now pale.
Seeing people trying to hide among the crowd, I sighed and spoke.
“Enough.”
The minions hesitated for a moment, but soon after, they smirked and attempted to move again. This time, I showed them my power.
“[Enough]!”
My voice, mimicking Miss Yeo Il-ye’s aura, pressed down on the entire area.
I didn’t possess the transcendent aura of the real Yeo Il-ye, so I couldn’t completely dominate the space like the original, but my qi was formidable enough not to be overlooked, delivering an impactful presence.
While I compensated for my weaker strength with eagerness, the faces of the minions grew pale under the combined pressure of my qi and command.
They subtly ducked behind Ho Gyeong, and he seemed satisfied that he had drawn out my reaction and mocked me with a smile.
“What a joke! How dare someone so weak act so arrogant?”
Watching a trivial character strut around made me start to get really annoyed.
…Should I just take him out first, regardless of the request?
Honestly, if it weren’t for my desire to maintain my first-place record of customer satisfaction, which the intermediaries favored among the Sacheon Outcasts, I would have given him a one-hit knockout.
While I was contemplating whether to kill him or spare him, Ho Gyeong continued.
“I know your true identity! You are Sacheon Outcast No. 28, bouncing around like a fool without realizing Jeong Cheol‘s profound intent to revive the Outcasts!”
Murmurs! Murmurs!
The crowd around us began to buzz. Things like “So it was him!” and “No wonder the atmosphere felt unusual!” invaded my ears.
“It seems you were rampaging about, not knowing what you were doing since you were close to breaking through to the Peak Stage! You stayed hidden like a rat for a year, only to return to Sacheon after developing your Peak Stage skills!”
Murmurs! Murmurs! Murmurs!
…The surrounding noise grew quite loud. Seeing the crowd continuously chatter gave me a slight sense of crisis.
Were they really going to take Ho Gyeong’s reckless words and amplify, distort, and spread them whole across Sacheon City?
“No…”
“There’s nothing to deny! I cannot be deceived by a Peak Stage’s perception! As I have never heard of a Sacheon Outcast reaching the Peak Stage, you must be that No. 28!”
“I…”
“Even though it is commendable you reached the Peak Stage, how could you, with such meager skills, dare to confront Jeong Cheol? You are still a million years too early! Yet you act like you’re a hero of Sacheon; I’ll show you that there is even a heaven above this heaven!”
Murmurs! Murmurs! Murmurs! Murmurs! Murmurs!
As I listened to the buzzing crowd buzzing like bees, I sighed. It was already too late to correct the rumors.
What ridiculous stories would be spun about me come dawn? I already felt myself sighing.
I shot a displeased look at the overly confident Ho Gyeong.
This was all that bastard’s fault.
If I could just break him into pieces, I might feel a little better.
As I grasped the hilt of my trusted sword, he continued to speak.
“Ahem, ahem… Would you be willing to accept a duel request?”
Ho Gyeong challenged me directly.
“…What?”
“I challenge you to a duel! Sacheon Outcast No. 28!”
The surrounding commotion ceased abruptly.
Wow.
To think such talent was hidden among the drifters. His ability to manipulate the audience’s reactions was extraordinary. It was a pity that there was no longer any need for dramatic flair regarding the Sacheon Outcasts.
“Trusting in the strength of your brotherhood, won’t these Sacheon folk succumb upon seeing their hopes crushed on the dueling stage?”
This guy was ambitious. By defeating me on an official stage, he aimed to engrain his name deeply into Sacheon City.
As expected, those from the Outcast Faction were quick to grasp the situation; their adaptability was superior to the good-natured righteous faction members.
While I was admiring this trait of his, the crowd started to transform.
“Will the Sacheon Outcast lose to the likes of you villains?!”
“You’re nothing but scraps!”
Excitedly, the crowd began to respond on their own.
Excuse me! It’s nice that you’re supporting me, but why are you assuming that I’m accepting the duel on your behalf?
“Hahaha! Good! I’ll send a challenge to my Outcast Inn! That day will be your death anniversary in a year! Uahahaha!”
He confirmed the duel on his own and burst into laughter, disappearing.
…As I was left at a loss over this unprecedented situation where the crowd fervently supported the Sacheon Outcasts, things seemed to spiral out of control.
“Slice him down in an instant!”
“No! Let’s beat him up thoroughly!”
“We have to make sure he never sets foot in Sacheon again!”
The crowd, unable to contain their excitement, continued to express their demands towards me. Honestly, I had just returned to the situation and barely grasped what was going on—I couldn’t possibly know how to approach them.
Yet, completely ignoring them wouldn’t be right…
While pondering that, I quietly nodded my head.
Hwaaargh!!
“Sacheon Outcast No. 28 declared that he will cut down the White Tiger Faction’s Ho Gyeong!”
“No. 28 proclaimed he will sweep away all the Outcasts in Sacheon City!”
When did I ever say that? You lot.
Watching the eager gossipers spread falsehoods right in front of the party involved was ludicrous, but… the situation wasn’t entirely bleak.
If I were to lose in front of all the Sacheon people today, that Ho Gyeong would have no choice but to leave Sacheon.
As various thoughts swirled through my mind while standing in front of the fabric shop, the shop began its closing preparations.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sacheon Outcast… um… Sacheon Outcast!”
Ok Gyeong-sang bowed his head slightly. I also casually tipped my hat in acknowledgment. I turned to look at the shop owner, who was fumbling about behind Ok Gyeong-sang.
“What? What is it?!”
“Didn’t you have something to say? Your expression gave it away.”
The shopkeeper stuttered momentarily before shouting.
“I-I’ve done nothing wrong! Did I just curse for no reason?! The Sacheon Outcasts have caused trouble at my shop several times!”
“Father!”
“Did I say anything wrong? I thought everyone was doing that back then!”
I chuckled softly. The shopkeeper flinched at my laughter.
“Who said anything?”
“What? What…?”
“Today’s Sacheon Outcasts are not like before. Once they recognize who the Sacheon Outcasts are, they were prepared to be pointed at. And yes, it’s true that there were some thug-like deeds. I myself kicked the baskets of vendors when I was running my business.”
I looked at the shopkeeper before me and pondered.
These were people who had lived their lives cursing the Sacheon Outcasts, believing them to be villains.
Yet what about now in Sacheon City?
People were eagerly trying to hire the Sacheon Outcasts and were defending them.
It wasn’t unreasonable for them to be confused by this sudden turn of events.
“But please don’t take out your anger on the Outcasts who came to protect your shop. After all, they too are people, and if their spirit wears down, their motivation will slacken too. As a merchant, you know how it goes, right? People flock to shops that greet them with smiling faces and those that provide extra service. In that light, the meal you received from your son wasn’t too bad.”
Ok Gyeong-sang nodded dutifully, while the shopkeeper turned mute, staring at me.
It seemed there was nothing more to say. The shop was closing, so I should be able to leave now.
Just as I turned my body, the shopkeeper suddenly called out.
“Ahem, ahem… Would you consider accepting requests if I made one?”
He held me back.
“Well…”
I paused for a moment to think before replying.
“It might be impossible to greet with a smile, but if you can prepare a good extra service, I might consider it.”
With those words lingering, I made my way toward the Outcast Inn.
Finally back in Sacheon City after a long time.
Today was a day I had resolved a request after quite a while.
