The plan to reclaim Botamun has been set.
In order to protect the survivors of Botamun from the Blood Sect’s forces, a rescue team is dispatched under the guise of sending supplies and martial artists to Zhejiang, while I and my companions secretly head to Zhejiang independently, pretending not to be related to that rescue team.
The big picture of the operation was to meet near Botamun and launch a surprise attack on the Saber Beast located there.
Although it was stated that we would be moving separately for operational purposes, in reality, we would act together while maintaining a suitable distance.
Both I and the Martial Forest Alliance’s rescue team had sufficient chances of becoming targets for the Blood Sect on the way.
So, for now, we remained in a waiting state until the Martial Forest Alliance was ready.
I informed my companions about the matters decided in the Great War.
“Ah, I don’t want to go… just you go.”
“Sis, when do you plan to mature?”
“Uagh! What more will I hear from the Hall Master once I meet him!”
Tang Do-yeon gave up persuading and grabbed Tang So-yeol by the back of the neck. Tang So-yeol struggled like a defiant child, but there was no way someone as merely peak-stage like Tang So-yeol could stand up to the truly peak-stage Tang Do-yeon.
Tang So-yeol was dragged along.
Seeing Tang So-yeol being pulled away, Hyeok Gi-rin and Miss Yeo Il-ye, who were wearing wry smiles, spoke up.
“We’ll start heading out soon.”
“Sure. Enjoy your reunion.”
These companions had been with me for a long time. Being with me meant they were distanced from their own clans and sects.
In order to gather together with Oh Seong-jin and face the Blood Sect’s forces, approvals from their clans and sects were also necessary.
To share personal reunions and convey their intentions to their respective sects and clans, Tang Do-yeon, Tang So-yeol, Yeo Il-ye, and Hyeok Gi-rin decided to stay at their clan and sect residences while at the Martial Forest Alliance.
“Senior, I’ll join before the operation starts.”
Even Black Cat decided to take this opportunity to visit the Wolbok-dang branch. It seems there is a branch in Henan, a central region. Since Black Cat had been away for a long time, there must have been plenty to resolve at the Wolbok-dang.
“Alright. Have a good trip.”
“Hmm… I feel uneasy…”
Black Cat looked at me with complicated eyes, then glanced at the Martial Forest Alliance’s Great War side before turning back toward the accommodation.
“Well, it’s true that someone is needed to guard the fish market… If there are no people, then I’ll have to guard it like a cat.”
“Hmm?”
“Forget it. Even if it’s blackened inside, I can still be reliable in this regard.”
With a huff, Black Cat left the Martial Forest Alliance.
And before I could even take a moment to contemplate the meaning of Black Cat’s words…
“Brain Knife Outcast, the representative of the Ak-yang Faction, Hyeok Moon-soo Great Hero has arrived.”
“The Shaolin Temple’s Mokjeong Master has sent word.”
I had to receive a flood of guests.
After my companions left to attend to their own matters, guests came pouring in like waves to Ho Cheon-an’s residence.
The Master Mokjeong from Shaolin, attendees from the Nine Great Sects as well as the Five Great Clans, and countless other sects affiliated with the Martial Forest Alliance.
“Hahaha! That child is so beautiful that there was even a young man who broke into our Odong Sect’s wall to see her! Hahahahahaha!!”
“Hahahaha….”
“How about it? Our Seo Mun-sega has a base in Anhui, so how about stopping by the main family to alleviate your journey fatigue on the way to Zhejiang?”
“That… such a matter can’t be decided unilaterally…”
“Hahahahaha! Indeed, Great Hero, you are so thoughtful. Don’t worry! I’ll propose to my sect leader to host the entire rescue team!”
Upon hearing the conversation flowing from the door, a wry smile appeared on Dokgo I-seol’s face.
‘Yongji Maeng, you truly…’
Dokgo I-seol, who still regarded Ho Cheon-an as Yongji Maeng, recalled the Ho Cheon-an she had experienced thus far.
The grand perspective, brilliance, and meticulous planning were no different from the time of Yongji Maeng, yet strangely, the Brain Knife Outcast Ho Cheon-an had peculiar shortcomings in some aspects.
‘I understand why the other Misses can’t fully let their guard down.’
“I already have a lover…”
“Aah, Miss Ao is just one among those who admire Brain Knife Outcast’s feats! Should you grace us, it would be a great blessing for the entirety of Seo Mun-sega! Hahahahaha!”
“Ha…ha…ha..”
Dokgo I-seol felt as if she could see through Ho Cheon-an’s thoughts.
Currently, the Martial Forest Alliance only had the leaders of the Righteous Faction gathered, so she figured those big shots wouldn’t be so petty as to act this way.
‘Even someone so strategic as you are unable to properly assess your own worth.’
However, currently Ho Cheon-an was the hottest item in the martial world. And if the Martial Forest Alliance’s operation went smoothly, he would undoubtedly rise as a sacred being in the martial world.
At that time, Ho Cheon-an would not just be a hot potato, but a sumptuous feast that anyone would salivate over.
The true big shots, such as the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans, maintained their dignity and departed, but it wouldn’t be strange if the current Seo Mun-sega, in their fervor, tried to devour him first.
Therefore, Ho Cheon-an, who now had to coordinate with the Martial Forest Alliance’s sects, couldn’t just tell them to back off and leave him alone.
The obvious discomfort displayed in the current situation was all Ho Cheon-an could do, but it was still insufficient to dismiss those straightforwardly pushing their way in.
‘So, I must help.’
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Ho-gaga, it’s the girl Dokgo I-seol. I brought some snacks.”
The conversation came to a halt. Without waiting for a response, Dokgo I-seol opened the door. Seeing Seo Mun-gyeong’s previously eager expression now hardened, Dokgo I-seol didn’t hesitate to switch out the tea set and refill the snacks before sitting next to Ho Cheon-an.
“Oh, I have been late to introduce myself. I’m the sect leader of the Dark Dragon Sect, Dokgo I-seol. I’m embarrassed, but the people of the Martial World affectionately call me the ‘Best Beauty in Yunnan.’”
The sudden intrusion of Dokgo I-seol.
And Seo Mun-gyeong was doing his best to maintain a composed expression, clearly flustered by Dokgo I-seol’s appearance.
“…It’s nice to meet you. I am Seo Mun-gyeong.”
“It is an honor to meet the great martial artist known for carving through endlessly flowing rivers with his sword as ‘Single Sword Method’.”
“It’s just a mere reputation.”
As the conversation flowed, Dokgo I-seol naturally wrapped her arm around Ho Cheon-an’s.
Seo Mun-gyeong’s expression stiffened at Dokgo I-seol’s clear intention not to merely drop snacks and leave, while Dokgo I-seol stared at him nonchalantly.
Seo Mun-gyeong would have realized that Dokgo I-seol was sticking around with the intention to meddle with him.
“I hear Dark Dragon Sect was one of the sects that belonged to the Sadoryeon.”
“Yes, while it’s true that we once clashed with your clan, we have washed away those grievances now.”
“Hahaha, so you have forgiven the one who once faced swords with you… Truly, a demeanor of a Great Hero.”
The gazes exchanged between the two showed no signs of yielding.
‘How dare you look down on Yongji Maeng?’
“You mentioned a girl named Ao who admires our clan?”
“Haha, who in this world doesn’t admire a hero of the Martial World? But to call you King Ho, that is…”
“Hmm, it’s a little embarrassing to respond as a woman, isn’t it?”
Dokgo I-seol recalled the gaze that Black Cat shot her before she left the accommodation. It was as if it was clear to them what would happen going forward and what actions Dokgo I-seol would take. Remembering that gaze, Dokgo I-seol chuckled to herself.
‘Who is trying to use me as a guarding dog for the household…’
Though it hurt her pride to have to follow Black Cat’s intentions, she couldn’t just let others aim for Ho Cheon-an either, so there was no choice.
Furthermore, for Dokgo I-seol, it wasn’t entirely a bad situation.
She could play pretend as a lover like this.
Dokgo I-seol smiled brightly and looked at Seo Mun-gyeong.
“If I get the chance to visit Seo Mun-sega, I would love to meet that Ao. I believe we would connect beyond the matters of governance.”
While showcasing the beauty praised as the Best Beauty in Yunnan, Dokgo I-seol saw Seo Mun-gyeong’s expression twist.
Though he thought the strength of Seo Mun-sega rivaled that of the Dark Dragon Sect, Dokgo I-seol’s overwhelming beauty was a matter altogether.
“Haha. It’s truly a joyful day to share tea with a hero of the Martial World and a beautiful outcast.”
“Hmm. Please take care as you go.”
Seo Mun-sega had no choice but to retreat, leaving behind empty words.
Dokgo I-seol smiled satisfactorily at having driven off Seo Mun-sega, who was aiming for Ho Cheon-an.
“Thank you. I was contemplating whether I’d need to speak some harsh words while preparing to blush, but it was resolved quite amicably.”
“Hehe, isn’t this what supporting a partner means?”
Watching Ho Cheon-an gaze at her with complicated eyes, Dokgo I-seol smiled inwardly. If she continued to seep in little by little, there would come a day when she would capture Ho Cheon-an’s heart.
Thinking this, Dokgo I-seol continued to fend off those who targeted Ho Cheon-an.
Most guests sought him out out of curiosity or to build light connections, but there were also many who eyed Ho Cheon-an, just like Seo Mun-sega.
Each time, Dokgo I-seol clung to Ho Cheon-an, warding off miscreant guests.
Having put measures in place through the Martial Forest Alliance’s Tribesmen to know what guests Ho Cheon-an received, Dokgo I-seol did not tire.
“The Moyong Clan’s Moyong Seo, Moyong Mo, and Moyong Yeon-hwa have come to visit.”
The news reached Dokgo I-seol’s ears.
“Haaa, they never cease, do they.”
After fending off rude guests for days, some of them didn’t just come to arrange meetings, but also brought their daughters along.
Dokgo I-seol pulled out a mirror to redo her makeup.
The spring breeze’s gentle Moyong Yeon-hwa.
‘Since I had connections with Yongji Maeng due to the events of the Shengsu Faction, and considering my renowned beauty in the martial world, she’s not someone to let my guard down around.’
Having completed her perfect look, Dokgo I-seol nodded at her reflection.
She was beautiful enough to be satisfactory even in her own eyes. The confidence within her heart swelled as she remembered the numerous rivals she had already sent packing in the past few days.
‘Anyone who dares eye my man…’
But since there was familiarity with Yongji Maeng, she would have to handle it moderately and drive them away.
However, Dokgo I-seol’s confidence shattered the moment she entered the reception room.
Moyong Mo and Moyong Seo had vanished, leaving only Ho Cheon-an and Moyong Yeon-hwa facing each other.
Ho Cheon-an’s eyes were tremoring intensely as he gazed at Moyong Yeon-hwa.
Previously, the Yongji Maeng who had shown nothing but mechanical discomfort towards matches and daughters had… Why was he so shaken now?
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dokgo I-seol, the Best Beauty in Yunnan.”
“It’s an honor to witness the beauty of the Best Beauty in Yunnan. I’m Moyong Yeon-hwa.”
From Moyong Yeon-hwa’s calm gaze, Dokgo I-seol perceived a resolute will to never retreat.
Her gaze shifted downward.
An enormous chest that seemed ready to spill over the desk at any moment! Even Dokgo I-seol, who never considered her own heart to be narrow, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of lack.
The wealth of one’s heart in a man could sometimes distort even the absolute standards of beauty.
Feeling a sharp sense of crisis arising within, Dokgo I-seol thought to herself.
A formidable opponent was upon her in the form of Moyong Yeon-hwa.
