To be honest, I didn’t think the Moyong Clan would oppose the marriage between Moyong Yeon-hwa and me. My conditions as a person aren’t bad, and the Moyong Clan owes me a debt, one way or another.
So why did I feel tense? I thought the marriage of Moyong Yeon-hwa and her personal problems would be considered separately. Typically, families with deep roots tend to stubbornly stick to their principles. Thus, I assumed they would allow the marriage but impose some kind of punishment on Moyong Yeon-hwa herself…
But it seems that the Moyong Clan had no such intentions at all.
At first, I thought they might treat me as a guest and Moyong Yeon-hwa separately, but seeing the way their eyes dripped honey while looking at her, that didn’t seem to be the case either.
With a groom like me, they should have been able to overlook some minor mistakes!
The attitude shown by the clan’s elders and heads was just like that.
And in light of this attitude from the Moyong Clan, I suddenly realized my position.
I am Ho Cheon-an.
A martial artist in my twenties. A hero of the Martial World. And a saint of the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Though I had briefly forgotten my social, or rather, martial status due to being bullied by my mother-in-law in Ak-yang and Yoo Gyeong’s whining about not giving her brother away in Nangyang.
“Today is a joyous day, as our Moyong Clan welcomes a new family member! Everyone raise your cups and welcome Ho Cheon-an!”
“Cheers!”
Realizing this fact brought me a sense of relief. After all, my marriage to Moyong Yeon-hwa was not just a good thing for me, but also for the Moyong Clan, so there’s no need to be so guarded; I could enjoy myself!
“Hahahaha! I’m at a loss for how warmly you’re welcoming me!”
“Hahahaha! We’re more grateful that you’re pleased!”
“Hahahahaha! All the fine wines are laid out, so drink to your heart’s content!”
Thus, the grand banquet thrown by the Moyong Clan and their enthusiastic welcome became something I could simply enjoy.
Yes, I just needed to enjoy it.
That was the problem.
As soon as I gulped down a drink, praises began to rain down.
“Wow! The way you down that drink is truly spectacular!”
“Truly the spirit of a hero!”
I understand the desire to befriend me. I get it, but come on… this reaction over just drinking a glass?
“The way you hold your cup is really intricate, letting your pinky finger hang like that shows elegance!”
“Haha, that’s what style is all about!”
It was just that the cup was small, making my fingers move!
“Haha, I’m at a loss for such excessive compliments.”
When I slyly tried to hint they could tone it down, the members of the Moyong Clan leaned back in shock, their eyes wide in disbelief.
“Wow! Did you just hear that? How can you be so humble!”
“Hahahaha! I hear even in the cultural center of Dongjeong Lake, the Brain Knife Outcast is admired enough to wear Black Rib—how humble indeed!”
The Moyong people burst into laughter. I had to exert all my effort to keep my face from twitching amongst them.
Right. I knew they wanted to befriend me. I get it, but… throwing around compliments just because I held a cup? It just feels like nonsense to me.
“Well, are you enjoying yourself?”
Stuck in this high-level flattery situation, I felt hopeless until the clan head, Moyong Chang-cheon, approached. So, I quickly opened my mouth.
“Hahaha, yes of course! I never thought the Moyong Clan would be so [kind] and [witty].”
Please, I hope these guys stop this nonsense.
I glanced at Moyong Chang-cheon with a desperate hope. As the clan head, he should at least have some awareness. Surely, he must realize I’m feeling uncomfortable in this situation…
“HAHAHA!! I’m truly pleased to see you’ve already made friends with the family.”
… Apparently not.
“… Yes, indeed.”
“WAHAHAHA!! If the Great Hero Ho Cheon-an feels that way, I’m truly at a loss!”
“Hahahaha!!”
“Hahahahaha!”
As the Moyong people’s laughter echoed, my mind started to spiral.
I need help. I looked over to Moyong Yeon-hwa, hoping to signal for urgent assistance, but she was already the center of attention among the women of the Moyong Clan.
Seeing her being starved for romantic tales from those eager eyes, it seemed like she had no time to help me.
“Wow, your eyes are practically dripping with honey.”
“Hahaha! You’re quite the romantic! A romantic!”
Just turning my head once sent the Moyong Clan members into a frenzy. Once the topic of my relationship with Moyong Yeon-hwa came up, it’d truly be impossible to endure.
Well… I could brush off the previous compliments as just funny business in my head, but if it turns into five romantic tales, it would genuinely become an all-out roast…!
If that happened, I might just die of embarrassment. I desperately racked my brain and soon found a solution.
Martial Arts!
Let’s steer the conversation towards martial arts!
For a martial artist, it’s a topic that must come up! Even the Moyong Clan members trying to heap mindless compliments would have to be drawn into the topic of martial arts!
“Hahahahaha!”
I opened with laughter. Seeing me laugh made the Moyong people at least chuckle along.
“That said, I’m truly surprised. I used to pride myself on traveling around the world gaining experience, but the momentum of the Moyong Clan’s martial artists is truly something else.”
The clan members who were ready to offer empty compliments froze. Even in a state of mindless flattery, they wouldn’t be able to say, “Hahaha, our Moyong Clan is just so cool! Even the Brain Knife Outcast knows something!”
“The spirit in each individual is commendable, and their training is remarkable. No wonder the Moyong Clan is counted among the top five in this vast world; it makes perfect sense.”
The fake smiles were replaced with genuine ones from the Moyong members. Yes, for martial artists, discussing martial arts is the correct answer! If I do this right, I could probably shatter this awkward flattery situation and take control of the conversation!
“Moyong Yeon-hwa’s techniques like the Path of One Sweep Sword and Half-Moon Martial Sword have inspired me with their perfect blend of power and grace.”
“Oh! Really?”
“Of course. Every time I encounter the essence of the Path of One Sweep Sword through Moyong Yeon-hwa, I’m filled with admiration.”
“Hahaha! That’s such delightful praise!”
Seeing them genuinely smile at the praise for their clan’s martial arts, the mood shifted quickly to a more natural atmosphere.
“We’re truly curious about the martial arts of Great Hero Ho Cheon-an. You’re one of the few who wield Brain Qi, and in this era of martial artists, there hasn’t been anyone who reached the Hwa-gyeong level through Brain Qi.”
“Yes. Plus, there aren’t many martial artists who wield a great sword. I’m extremely curious about the true identity of the legendary Beak-ryeok-seong that I’ve only heard in rumors.”
Glancing at them, I finally felt like I could breathe a little.
Yes, this is true interaction. Just dishing out mindless compliments doesn’t count as real interaction! Conversations need to be exchanged to hold value. Should I also praise someone for nicely clipping their pinky finger nails just because my fingers moved while holding a cup?
“Hahaha, of course! I too have been eager to experience the essence of the Half-Moon Martial Sword or Twin-Polar Moon Blade, so I reckon we can connect on that!”
“Hahaha! That sounds exciting!”
“Hahahahaha!”
Just as genuine warmth broke out in the atmosphere instead of fake hospitality, someone shouted loudly.
“If the Brain Knife Outcast truly wants to taste our Moyong Clan’s sword techniques, I can show you right now!”
Suddenly, laughter was cut off. Watching the smiles disappear from the faces of the Moyong members around me, I inwardly lamented.
I turned to see the source of the commotion—there stood a young man who seemed about my age, with sparkling eyes that screamed he was itching for a fight.
Ah, right. For a martial artist, it’s all about that competitive spirit, and that spirit implies a serious challenge, right?
I quickly assessed the situation. Not the cost of the Moyong guy next to me, but the cost of whether this atmosphere could be salvaged. I had barely just lifted the mood and didn’t want to see it break again.
So if I can successfully keep my heart rate stable, maybe I could reverse things.
“May I know your name, young hero?”
“I’m Moyong Gang!”
“Haha. Moyong Gang, young hero. How could I turn down an opportunity to exchange with such a spirited martial artist? How about we set up a separate meeting to discuss our martial arts?”
Hey, take a look next to me. Aren’t you noticing the burning gaze of the clan’s elders and leaders? You do realize that if you back out now, it’s a certain dose of death, right? Please, show some awareness and retreat!
“Why delay? A martial artist can draw their sword at any time, right?”
I really wanted to plead for some awareness, yet the boy with no sense of danger took a step forward and placed his hand on his sword.
What on earth should I do with this guy? Accepting a duel at a banquet is a huge offense, and I can’t just ignore the situation either.
At that moment, one of the elders stepped forward and patted Moyong Gang’s back with a strong thud.
“Ha ha, this kid. He’s drunk too much on this fine day.”
Moyong Gang’s face turned pale from that one powerful thud full of energy.
“Guh! Elder…?”
“Hahaha! It’s all good, all good. Just take a rest for now!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
As the echo of strong strikes continued, Moyong Gang stumbled and paled, but another member of the Moyong Clan pretended to help him while wrapping an arm around his head.
“Hahaha! You’re quite the lightweight if you’re stumbling around this much! Let me help you out!”
“Cough! Cough!”
Moyong Gang, wrapped up in an arm with intentions to choke him out, was dragged away. It was a swift exit, but all that remained in the banquet hall was silence.
“Haha, that was quite the disturbance!”
The clan head, seemingly dismissing it as no big deal, smiled. I agreed with his sentiment and responded accordingly.
“Hahaha, yes! When you’re feeling merry, all sorts of things can happen.”
“Hahahaha! Quite embarrassing! What a display!”
“Hahahahaha!”
However, the awkward atmosphere could not be reversed. The cycle of forced laughter unfolded again, and I stood in the midst of their laughter, clinging to my fading senses, knowing this wouldn’t be an easy week or two at the Moyong Clan.
“Hahahahaha!!”
“Uhehehehehe!”
“Wahahaha!!”
I erupted with laughter while stepping into the harsh life of the Moyong Clan.
