Chapter 99. The Entire World is My Home (20)
Before the talents of the Three Great Sword Families entered the ceremony hall.
The talents of the Mount Hua Sect sat off to one side with the other righteous faction sects and waited for the inauguration ceremony to begin. They were having the time of their lives, talking and laughing boisterously. However, if one paid close attention, it was easy to tell that they were divided into two groups.
The first group was focused on Yu Cho, the first of the Three Legendary Plum Blossoms, while the other was focused on Hyeon Mu-Cheol, the second.
Yu Cho and Hyeon Mu-Cheol were extremely talented, two of the best talents of the Mount Hua Sect, and had solid backgrounds. Thus, for quite some time, they had been at the forefront of the talents of the Mount Hua Sect.
On the other hand, there was someone sitting alone in a corner like an outcast.
Woo-Gang.
Of course, now that it had been revealed that he was the grandson of the Palm Martial Emperor, his background wasn’t the least bit lacking compared to his senior brothers. No—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that his background actually surpassed theirs. After all, not only did he have the Palm Martial Emperor behind him, but the famous Iron Sword Baek Family as well.
However, instead of making Yu Cho and Hyeon Mu-Cheol back off, this knowledge rather infuriated them even more.
They had been secretly wary of their junior brother from the very beginning. Because of this, they had openly joined forces to suppress him even more vigorously once it seemed to them that Woo-Gang was laying the foundation for his growth. When the fact that he was the Palm Martial Emperor’s grandson was revealed, it further served to alienate him, and the few Mount Hua Sect disciples who wanted to approach him had no choice but to stay away.
Thus, whether before or after, the situation was the same—Woo-Gang was an outcast without a place of his own in the Mount Hua Sect.
While Yu Cho and Hyeon Mu-Cheol were having pleasant conversations with their followers, Hyeon Mu-Cheol suddenly sneered, with a mocking expression on his face.
“Oh, by the way, did you hear the rumor about the representative leading the Baek Family this time?”
Yu Cho smiled knowingly.
“Ah, yes. I did, junior brother. They said he used to be some servant or something at an inn before this, right?”
One of the other Mount Hua disciples caught on to their mocking and also joined in.
“Ah, are you talking about Song Woo-Moon? Hahaha. I know him pretty well,” said Choo Moon-Hwi, the strongest of the talents of the Mount Heng Sect.
Choo Moon-Hwi, a youth with an impressive hooked nose, was actually from Woo-Moon’s hometown.
“Ah, yes, of course, Choo Moon-Hwi from Mount Heng, right? I heard you lived in the same town as that Song Woo-Moon.”
Choo Moon-Hwi responded with a wry smile.
“That’s right. When he was young, Woo-Moon was called the village fool. I took pity on him, so I helped him a lot.”
Of course, everything coming out of Choo Moon-Hwi’s mouth was an utter lie. Even though he had only known Woo-Moon for a short time, Choo Moon-Hwi had bullied Woo-Moon more than anyone else at that time.
The Mount Hua disciples and the other Righteous Faction talents burst into laughter.
“Pfft...pff—hahahahaha!”
Obviously, none of the other talents would have acted so arrogantly if even a single member of the Three Great Sword Families was in the room. But now that they were by themselves, they felt free to joke at Woo-Moon’s expense.
Woo-Gang gritted his teeth as he listened to their conversation.
Yu Cho and Hyeon Mu-Cheol deliberately talked about Woo-Moon’s past even though they knew he was Woo-Gang’s older brother. Woo-Gang was infuriated that his brother was being insulted just because he was there.
Although it was incredibly unlike her, Hyeon Yu-Yeon also seemed to be holding herself back, clenching her small fists and trembling.
On the other hand, her own blood brother, Hyeon Mu-Cheol, laughed so hard that he shed tears as he spoke.
“I mean, just how could someone with such an incredible background be the village idiot? Isn’t he supposed to be the grandson of the paramount warrior of the Iron Sword Baek Family, the Palm Martial Emperor?”
Choo Moon-Hwi coldly snorted, and disdain was almost visibly dripping off his face.
“I assure you that Song Woo-Moon was truly the village idiot. Yes, he turned out to be the Palm Martial Emperor’s grandson, and thanks to that, yes, he’s now the representative~ of the Baek Family. However, an idiot will always be an idiot.”
Choo Moon-Hwi scoffed as the other rumors about Woo-Moon that were going around came to mind. Rumors such as Woo-Moon defeating Hye-Ryeong and Ju-Ryeong, the strongest of the Baek Family, or how Woo-Moon had taken down the Three Peak Monsters by himself.
‘Hmpf. Those rumors have to be some shit that the Baek Family made up to bolster the reputation of someone who’s supposedly the grandson of the Palm Martial Emperor! It was definitely someone else who did those things, and they’re just attributing them to him!’
He just couldn’t accept that someone he had bullied all throughout childhood, someone who lived under his feet, could be an expert!
“To think such prestigious talents are bad-mouthing someone behind their back. It seems none of you have any shame.”
The room suddenly went cold as those who were laughing about Woo-Moon froze.
Hyeon Mu-Cheol glared at his sister with a cold and cruel gaze.
“What is wrong with you and your manners? How dare you lose face for me again?” he said in a low voice.
Even though she tried her hardest not to do so, Hyeon Yu-Yeon lowered her head when she saw her older brother, whom she had always been afraid of, grow angry.
But at that very moment, someone else spoke up, taking her side.
“No matter how you acted against me, I’ve always tolerated it and let things slide, senior brothers. However, I cannot let you insult my brother any longer. Please keep his name out of your mouths,” Woo-Gang said gravely.
The Mount Hua disciples were inwardly surprised.
This was the first time that Woo-Gang had fought back against his seniors, even though they habitually insulted and bullied him. Yu Cho and Hyeon Mu-Cheol were also flustered for a moment, but then, anger took over them.
“Please keep his name out of our mouths? It almost seems like you’re telling us to shut up, doesn’t it? We can take it like that, right?”
Woo-Gang had finally reached his limit. Just as he was about to begin shouting, a Martial Commander of the Justice Coalition, Palan Shin-Tong, and two Martial Ministers entered the hall where the talents were gathered.
Palan Shin-Tong had an ugly face, but his eyes seemed to give off a powerful light.[1] As he stepped up to the stage, he muttered, “I’m sorry for interrupting such a pleasant conversation, but please keep it for later, the ceremony will be starting soon.”
Although he spoke softly, the other talents stopped speaking immediately and remained solemn, as Palan Shin-Tong was ranked first among those to be feared in the Justice Coalition.
After some time, Woo-Moon also entered the ceremony hall.
“The Three Great Sword Families’ seats are this way.”
Woo-Moon led the others to their seats. However, he immediately felt everyone’s gaze.
‘Is that the village idiot?’
‘He really is quite impressive! He has to be very proficient at using his grandfather’s reputation if he became the representative of the Baek Family!’
‘But... why are the Baekri and Namgoong Families walking behind him?’
If Woo-Moon could use a mind-reading technique, he would have heard the thoughts of everyone around him. However, it was probably a good thing he couldn’t, as he might have exploded if he had found out the “village idiot” stories were being spread once again because of Choo Moon-Hwi.
While both those who knew him and those who didn’t were looking at him with scorn, there was one person among the crowd who was horrified, unable to even look at him in any way, much less with scorn.
‘This is impossible! He’s...!!’
Yu Cho had only seen Woo-Moon yesterday. How could he forget?!
That was the waiter! The waiter with such tremendous skills that the impression he left on Yu Cho could never be erased!
Realizing his expression might seem strange to others, Yu Cho quickly lowered his head and looked at the floor.
‘That person was Woo-Moon? Then... does that mean that Choo Moon-Hwi was lying?’
The person from yesterday was definitely Song Woo-Moon, the older brother of Song Woo-Gang.
Thinking back to the incredible skill that Woo-Moon had shown yesterday, Yu Cho realized that he would become a great crisis and obstacle in the future.
Woo-Moon could feel a stinging gaze as he went to the seat reserved for the representative of the Baek Family.
‘It’s you again!’
As he thought to himself, he looked over to where he felt the gaze coming from, only to see Hyeon Yu-Yeon again.
‘Huh? Is she crying?’
Hyeon Yu-Yeon had always seemed prim and proud, like a female cat. However, for some reason, she looked almost infuriated right now, and her eyes were red.
—You fool!
Hyeon Yu-Yeon sent him a voice transmission before quickly turning her head and refusing to look at him. Woo-Moon, who had no way of knowing what had happened while he wasn’t there, once again couldn’t help but be flustered and confused by her reaction.
‘Just what the hell is up with her? Who raised her?! Why the hell is she treating me like this?!’
In the time that Woo-Moon was confused, even the Hebei Peng Family, who was a thorn in the side of the Justice Coalition, arrived belatedly. However, the inauguration ceremony still didn’t begin.
In his seat, Woo-Moon looked around, showing interest in the two Martial Ministers at the front.
‘Are they from the Justice Coalition? They’re pretty impressive! If I compare them to me...’
The strongest of the Baek Family, Hye-Ryeong, was an incredibly powerful Transcendent, yet she was clearly inferior to the two Martial Ministers standing at the front of the hall.
Woo-Moon’s eyes sparkled as he observed the two experts, and he was rather excited. However, that excitement only lasted for a short time, and he eventually complained of boredom.
“What’s going on? Just how much longer do we have to sit like this? Why aren’t they starting?”
Jeong-Woo tried to placate him, speaking quietly.
“I don’t know. Is there anyone else we’re waiting for? Could it be that the Coalition Leader himself is—”
Jeong-Woo’s eyes suddenly widened as he saw who was coming in.
It wasn’t only Jeong-Woo who was surprised, but everyone else gathered in the hall, including the other talents of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Eight Great Ancient Families.
Woo-Moon also forgot what he was about to say as he saw a swordsman with the demeanor of an immortal walk in.
‘He’s perfect! He’s like the epitome of the sword itself.’
It almost felt like a sword was walking into the hall.
Woo-Moon instinctively knew that the person was the Sword Emperor, the only person in the entirety of gangho to have reached the ultimate level of swordsmanship.
‘I want to spar against him!’
Woo-Moon’s hand shifted to his hip without him even knowing it. However, he wasn’t able to find a sword, as his own had broken just yesterday.
‘Dang it!’
He was filled with regret.
However, the Sword Emperor didn’t miss the flash of fighting spirit that emerged from Woo-Moon’s desire to compete against a senior walking the same path.
The Sword Emperor smiled softly as he looked at Woo-Moon.
“And here I thought that the Palm Martial Emperor was only talented in using his palms. He must also be a great swordsman, considering how well he raised his grandson. I’m jealous.”
Everyone was surprised by the Sword Emperor suddenly speaking to Woo-Moon, and they looked over at him in surprise. They just couldn’t understand why the Sword Emperor would suddenly say such a thing.
Yu Cho secretly bit his lip.
‘What I saw yesterday wasn’t a fluke. To think he’s strong enough to be recognized by Grandmaster....’
As Yu Cho was distracted, the Sword Emperor continued in a calm tone.
“By the way, just who is that little girl who has the audacity to try and hide from me?”
Woo-Moon quickly called out.
“Ma-Ra, show yourself.”
“Okay.”
Ma-Ra immediately emerged from the shadows and took a seat next to Woo-Moon.
“Huh?!”
“What the...”
Exclamations erupted from people who didn’t know who Ma-Ra was. Even the two Transcendent Class Martial Ministers were no exception.
It was one thing to be hiding from the youngsters here, but someone had been hiding from them this entire time?!
Ma-Ra’s stealth only served to heighten everyone’s awe of the Sword Emperor, considering how easily he had sensed Ma-Ra’s existence.
The Sword Emperor nodded. “It looks like I was surprised twice today.”
With these words, the Sword Emperor went to the head of the table and sat down. As it turned out, he was the Grand Leader of the Justice Coalition—the leader of the previous generation’s Justice Coalition.
***
Woo-Moon’s excitement only lasted for a short while, as the appearance of the Sword Emperor only served to entertain him for a moment. As the dull ceremony continued, Woo-Moon was so bored that he began to squirm.
‘Damn it. Why do they have so much to say? Just how much longer is left?’
However, he didn’t have to wait much longer, and after a few more minutes passed, the speech reached the main point.
“...therefore, the captain of the Righteous Warrior Squadron will be elected through a bloodless tournament between the representatives of each force. Do any of you have any objections?”
Although some of the talents tried to think of other ways to elect the captain, in the end, they concluded that there was no better way to elect the captain of the Righteous Warriors. It only made sense, as the Righteous Warrior Squadron had been created for the sake of the spar against the Hegemon Clan.
Everyone gave their consent as the Sword Emperor nodded his head.
“Good. Then, we’ll begin the tournament to elect the Righteous Warriors Squadron Captain tomorrow.”
Palan Shin-Tong stepped forward and explained the tournament details as if they assumed by default that everyone would agree.
“Although eighteen forces are represented here, the Beggar Gang and the Qingcheng Sect have abstained. Thus, we’ll hold the tournament with sixteen participating forces, in order...”
After the overall rules of the tournament were explained, the inauguration ceremony ended following formal procedures.
After the Sword Emperor left, Woo-Moon got up to greet his younger brother. However, he was left hanging as the Mount Hua disciples quickly left in a group and returned to their residence.
“Well, we should go, too.”
For some reason, Woo-Moon felt very uncomfortable in the hall. It felt as though the gazes of the others looking at him were a little hostile.
‘I think I’ll feel extremely angry if someone provokes me here.’
1. Palan Shin-Tong literally translates to Miraculous Eight Eyes. ☜