A banquet was held to announce the return of So Yeon-hwa from the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
“Hehe, eat a lot!”
Squeak, squeak, squeak!
Naturally, my group and I were invited, and Seo Gong was there too, acting all sweet with his face rubbing against my mother-in-law’s hand, likely knowing exactly whose house he’s digging into.
Thanks to Seo Gong or maybe my demolition of the Cheon-ho Sect, the atmosphere was nothing short of delightful.
“I owe a great debt to the Great Hero.”
“No, it’s because of me that there was trouble at the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom, so I’m the one who should apologize.”
“How very humble you are.”
With those words, my mother-in-law looked at me with eyes so warm, I felt like I could finally make up for that bad first impression.
The Cheon-ho Sect could no longer touch the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
I had shattered their standing, so the position of Deung Bo-wi, the one responsible for this, must have hit rock bottom. The sect leader, Deung Sa-pyeong, would also find it hard to wield power like before in the Cheon-ho Sect.
Who would look kindly upon Deung Bo-wi, who had thrown the sect’s reputation into the dirt? But now, Deung Sa-pyeong had to bear the huge weakness of being unable to even support Deung Bo-wi as the new sect leader.
In such a situation, to touch the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom would truly be like signing their own death warrant.
To poke at the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom would prove that Deung Bo-wi hadn’t changed at all since his fall from grace in the Cheon-ho Sect.
While I reflected on these thoughts, someone’s voice broke my reverie.
“Presenting the star of today’s banquet, So Yeon-hwa!”
With that announcement, all eyes turned to the entrance, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
It was due to the overwhelming beauty of the Black Cat, no, So Yeon-hwa.
She had thrown aside her headwear and all, revealing a face that was utterly destructive in beauty.
Not only that.
So Yeon-hwa was perfectly adorned from head to toe, shining bright enough to serve as a lantern, doubling the radiance already emanating from her gorgeous appearance.
Yeon-hwa had always loved to wear fancy clothes, but today, she was dressed far more extravagantly than usual. It had to be the work of Dokgo I-seol, who must be proudly beaming from the back.
I smiled at that sight.
It was due to the bright smile on So Yeon-hwa’s face. Since reuniting with my mother-in-law, I thought no one could wear such a radiant smile, yet today’s Black Cat looked even happier than then.
“Wow, is that the So Yeon-hwa?”
“That’s right! Even as a child, she was famous for her looks, and now she’s blossomed beautifully!”
As Yeon-hwa gracefully crossed the banquet hall, the place buzzed with chatter about her.
Once she sat next to my mother-in-law, I saw my mother-in-law’s emotions spill over as she held Yeon-hwa’s hand with tears welling up.
“You’re truly lovely, and you’ve endured so much.”
“Hehe, it’s all just stories from the past now.”
“Yes, yes… you’re right.”
My mother-in-law rose, raising her cup and raising her voice.
“To all of you gathered here, I announce that my daughter, Yeon-hwa, who traveled the world under the name Black Cat, has returned!”
At my mother-in-law’s declaration, those captivated by Yeon-hwa’s beauty gasped in surprise and murmured among themselves.
“The Black Cat was actually So Yeon-hwa from So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom!”
“Why was the Brain Knife Outcast at So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom…! So that was the backstory!”
After a wave of commotion passed, my mother-in-law stood up Yeon-hwa. Holding my mother-in-law’s hand, Yeon-hwa began to speak.
“I am So Yeon-hwa from the So-ga. I have been absent for a long time, but I am now back as a member of So-ga, so please take good care of me.”
Wowww!!
At her words, the family of So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom erupted in cheers. It was a joyous occasion for everyone that the Peak Expert who had vanished during her childhood due to unfortunate events had returned to join them.
Even those who had been invited began to clap one by one to welcome Yeon-hwa, and I took in the sight while tossing back my drink.
It was my personal toast to commemorate So Yeon-hwa’s full return to the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
Let’s walk the flower path from here on out, Black Cat, no, Yeon-hwa.
I thought this as I looked on with satisfaction at my mother-in-law greeting the guests and Yeon-hwa.
And the next day.
“Let me meet Yeon-hwa! I’ve been in love with her for over ten years!”
“If you let me meet Yeon-hwa, I’ll give you all my wealth!”
“Brain Knife Outcast! Step out! I challenge you to a duel over Yeon-hwa!”
I couldn’t help but admit the undeniable uproar at the main entrance of So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
Due to the flood of young men arriving since dawn, So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom was in complete chaos.
To prepare for any potential situation, Black Cat and my mother-in-law moved to the safest area, and I engaged in security duties.
“Yeon-hwa! Let me meet her! We studied together in the academy, so she must remember me!”
“Hey! Don’t you know Kang Jang-dol? I’m Yeon-hwa’s childhood friend!”
“Look at this half of a key?! It’s a token of my promise with Yeon-hwa!”
Hordes of young men were raising their voices, proclaiming tales I felt I’d heard once or twice before. Most of them didn’t even know martial arts, making it impossible to use any martial skills against them, so the security of So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom merely held firm at the gates.
Hearing them claim promises and childhood friendships annoyed me, but they were somewhat tolerable since they were all locals and neighbors of So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
As annoying as they were, they were only causing trouble at the entrance.
While I tuned out their claims, I heard an odd sound among the noise.
Crack!
Someone had scaled the wall.
Though So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom had taken all possible security measures, it was no surprise. Among them was the gravel field laid at the bottom of the walls.
It looked like an ordinary gravel field, but beneath it lay materials that would produce a loud noise, so if just one person like me, sensitive to sound, were around, we could catch anyone trying to scale the wall.
I ran toward the sound’s origin and saw, covered head to toe, a guy tiptoeing like he was up to no good. I swiftly grabbed him by the nape.
“Let go, let go!”
“Stay still, you bandit!”
Drag, drag! I took the fifth burglar, I mean wall-climber, to the entrance.
“I’m not a bandit! I just wanted to meet Yeon-hwa!”
“Right, I got that. But anyone who crosses the wall of someone else’s house is a bandit.”
“You vile person! As if it weren’t enough that you took Yeon-hwa away, you’ve set up traps like this! Let go! Let go!”
I ignored his baseless accusations and dragged him out. As we approached the main gate, the gatekeepers opened the side door as if they were used to my routine, and I tossed the fifth wall-climber onto the ground.
“Uagh! The Brain Knife Outcast is capturing people! The Martial Artist is attacking common folk!”
He rolled around, exaggerating, while the young men condemned him.
“What kind of Martial Hero bullies common folk like that?”
Whoo!
Seeing the young men hurling jeers at him, I sighed deeply. Why was I the one receiving their scorn and jeers?
If it were up to me, I’d want to slap them all and chase them away, but since those gathered were all locals, I couldn’t act on impulse.
Patience, patience.
Just when I was mentally gearing up to endure the annoyances for the ninety-ninth time, there was a sudden stir around me.
“Look over there!”
“Why is that person up there!”
I turned my body and raised my head as I followed the other gazes. A person stood at the very top of a large tree, about several feet from the wall of So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
“Brain Knife Outcast and So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom! If you do not let me meet Yeon-hwa right now, I’ll jump off right here!!”
Hearing that made me facepalm and sigh.
This lunatic was now talking about a suicide stunt.
“Hey! That’s dangerous, come down!”
“Then bring me Yeon-hwa! I won’t budge an inch until you bring her here!”
Should I just pull this guy down? The tree was about 7-8 feet high. It was dangerous for an ordinary person to fall, but for me, it was a breeze to hop up.
But forcibly dragging him down wouldn’t really be the best choice.
If I safely rescued someone so determined to jump, the crowd would see me as a joke.
But I couldn’t leave someone in potential danger on that tree, so it might be best to make him come down on his own.
“Yeon-hwa has no intention of meeting you. Can’t you tell that from So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom being firmly closed? Stop causing a fuss and step back.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll sacrifice myself to change Yeon-hwa’s mind!”
The guy perched in the tree shouted defiantly.
“Yeon-hwa! My beloved! I’ve come here for you! Living a life without you is no different than being dead, so if I can’t meet you, I’d rather choose death! Even if the Brain Knife Outcast blocks me, I will not back down! I will defeat this villain and…”
Oh.
I really couldn’t take it anymore.
[What the hell are you doing—!!!]
The 99 counts of patience engraved in my heart exploded in a roar.
Staring at the youth grasping his ears whimpering, I pushed my hair back and looked back at the guy in the tree. What was he doing hanging on the branch after declaring he’d jump?
“Hey! Hey! You gonna die, right? You’re going to die!!! You said you’ll prove your love with your body!! Get on with it, you idiot!! But why are you just hanging onto that branch?! Huh? Prove it! Show me!!”
Boom!
And then I kicked the tree.
“Uwahhh!”
The tree couldn’t withstand the blow from the Hwa-gyeong Martial Artist and shook violently, while the guy screamed, clinging desperately to it.
“Great Hero! Great Hero! Someone’s going to die! Please bear with it!”
“Martial Artists! Let go! Is he gonna prove his love? That’s why I’m here helping him, isn’t it?!”
Bam! Bam!
The martial artists from the Po-Mok-Jjeom were trying to restrain me. While they were pulling me back, I kicked the tree again, but that guy was clinging onto it for dear life, his will to live burning bright, which just made my anger boil even more.
Is a suicide attempt a laugh? Huh? Are you kidding me?
My insides felt like they were about to boil over!
“Oh dear Great Hero! You need to maintain your dignity!”
“I’m just a wandering Outcast who doesn’t know dignity! Hey! You guys! Huh? I’ll remember your faces! Be careful at night! If I see you on a stroll, I’ll break your knees!”
While I was losing my mind halfway, a loud noise reached my ears.
“Make way, make way!”
Even in my agitated state, I couldn’t ignore the clinking and footsteps of numerous weapons coming through.
Dressed in yellow military uniforms and wielding spears.
There was no doubt they were the Royal Guards.
As they pushed through the crowd, their target was obviously the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom, and the onlookers began to scatter in panic.
Before long, only young men searching for Yeon-hwa remained in front of the Po-Mok-Jjeom.
Stuck in a predicament, their panic was evident as a commanding voice rang out.
“Who dares to obstruct the royal proceedings! Withdraw at once!”
The young men who had been shouting just moments ago stepped back in fear of the Royal Guards. Their indecisiveness seemed to irk the officer, whose eyebrows twitched.
“Do you not understand that this is a royal matter? If you do not clear the way, seize those blocking the path!”
“Charge!”
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Make way! I’m making way!”
As the fierce gazes of the royal military and their sharp spear points were directed at them, the young men all scurried away in panic.
Watching them retreat, I felt the pent-up frustration melt away.
That’s right, you little brats; no matter how brave you act, being dragged in and locked up isn’t something you want to experience!
You were all madly running around like wild animals, and now look who’s in a good spot!
“Hahaha!”
These local Royal Guards were really doing great work!
As I was laughing heartily from the depths of my being, the Royal Guards surrounded the commotion in front of the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom.
Once the Royal Guards were in position, an officer stepped forward.
I looked at him with anticipation.
Please, place the Royal Guards here at the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom!
To be honest, the ruckus that occurred at So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom wasn’t something you’d see every day. Whatever the cause, it ended up with dozens of young men crowding the shop and causing all kinds of chaos.
Usually, in any significant uproar, they would deploy forces to the troublesome individual or place to prevent future occurrences, so my expectations weren’t unreasonable.
If the Royal Guards were stationed at the So-ga Po-Mok-Jjeom, those young men wouldn’t even dare to enter the place. I wouldn’t have to deal with the baseless accusations one by one!
Please, officer! Grant me freedom!
Just as I longed for news of the Royal Guards being assigned, I heard the officer declare something entirely unexpected.
“So Yeon-hwa of So-ga, accept the marriage proposal from Governor of Honam!”
