Chapter 34: Any Request

Hyeon-un, who had been enjoying the nearby festival with Shin Mok, was startled by the news that came flying from the Murim Alliance.

The notorious First-Rate Murim criminal, Food Butcher, was heading toward Seong-un Inn. He grew worried for the young disciples, Baek Sang and Baek Seol, as well as Jin Seong-un and Seo Suk-su.

Hyeon-un immediately threw away his wine bottle and sprinted like mad. On the way, he encountered the Tang Clan elder, the Seomun Clan Leader, the House of Seok Leader, and the White Sword Hall Leader of the Murim Alliance.

They all shared the same goal and determination—to arrive before it was too late and to save those in danger. They ran with desperate urgency.

And so they reached Seong-un Inn.

The inn was in shambles, and the children looked just as battered. But the most shocking sight of all was that Food Butcher was already dead.

Hyeon-un realized instantly.

Jin Seong-un had killed Food Butcher.

And yet, it astonished him. Food Butcher was not an easy opponent. Of course, he was no match for Hyeon-un himself, but even within the Wudang Sect, not many masters could have faced Food Butcher head-on.

Hyeon-un turned to look at Jin Seong-un. Beyond the desire to take him as a disciple, he wanted to know—just how strong was this boy?

While he was thinking so—

The House of Seok Leader, Seok Won-sang, fussed noisily. As a man with naturally loud voice and gestures, he was someone the reserved Hyeon-un did not particularly like.

“Was it you who saved the children?”

At Seok Won-sang’s question, everyone looked at Jin Seong-un with tense expressions. Hyeon-un also grew tense. The people gathered here were not of low caliber. If they realized Jin Seong-un’s true worth…

‘That, that…!’

Do Won-hyeok, the White Sword Hall Leader, already had a gleam in his eyes. Hyeon-un knew well that White Sword Hall, the elite force of the Murim Alliance, was always hungry for talent.

A glance sideways showed that the Seomun Clan Leader and the Tang Clan elder wore similar expressions.

Seong-un, no!

Hyeon-un shot him a sharp, warning look.

But Jin Seong-un remained silent instead of answering right away.

The truth was, he had indeed saved them. But saying it with his own mouth felt embarrassing. Moreover, since he did not consider himself a martial artist, it was even harder to say.

“It was this Jin young master here who saved us. Until he arrived, it was Senior Brother Seo Suk-su who protected us.”

The one who answered was Baek Sang.

Hyeon-un felt a surge of betrayal. He had clearly ordered him to keep silent about Jin Seong-un’s martial prowess!

Baek Sang averted his gaze from Hyeon-un’s. Of course, he remembered the elder’s instruction. But keeping his mouth shut now only filled him with shame.

‘With the ones gathered here, Jin young master would surely receive considerable reward.’

He thought it unjust that, for the sake of Wudang Sect’s interest, another person would be denied due recompense.

Everyone’s eyes sparkled at Baek Sang’s words. These were battle-hardened martial artists, and based on the traces of the fight left in the inn and Baek Sang’s answer, they pieced together the events in their minds.

After envisioning it for a moment, the Tang Clan elder of Sichuan, Tang Tae-san, spoke in a low voice.

“Impressive.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Clearly, they had many questions, but no one opened their mouths.

Tang Tae-san realized that the looks in the eyes of the White Sword Hall Leader, the Seomun Clan Leader, and the House of Seok Leader were no different from his own.

The others also understood. If anyone made an offer to Jin Seong-un here, the rest would not sit idly by.

Old ginger was spicier—they all knew now was not the time.

In the sudden silence—

Tang Tae-san strode heavily toward Jin Seong-un. Being a man of such massive build, it was as if a great wall itself was moving forward.

He then pulled something from his robes and handed it to Jin Seong-un. It was a jade token engraved with the Tang Clan’s insignia.

“Just once. The Tang Clan will fulfill any request of yours.”

Everyone looked on with astonished faces.

It was the most certain reward one could imagine.

What kind of place was the Sichuan Tang Clan? Once called ruthless enough to stand between orthodox and unorthodox factions.

Backed by their poisons and hidden weapons, they were all the more fearsome.

The Tang Clan never forgot grace or grudges. They felt immense gratitude toward Jin Seong-un, who had saved Tang So-yeon, their future Clan Leader.

“Any request.”

Tang Tae-san emphasized again.

All present knew his words were sincere. The Tang Clan had both the will and the strength to carry it out.

Jin Seong-un nearly blurted out, ‘Then could you fix the chairs and tables for me?’ but Tang Tae-san’s grave expression made him hold his tongue.

When the other party’s resolve was that heavy, a trivial request would only be discourteous.

The House of Seok Leader then spoke up.

“Truly astonishing. How could a martial artist so young possess such prowess…”

He trailed off, then glanced at Hyeon-un before continuing.

“But since Elder White Cloud Sword vouches for him, that is what matters.”

Everyone here remembered clearly.

When Elder White Cloud Sword of Wudang arrived at Seong-un Inn, the first thing he shouted was not, “Baek Sang! Baek Seol!” but “Seong-un!”

They were curious about Jin Seong-un’s identity, but at least if a Wudang elder vouched for him, there was no need for suspicion.

That was the weight carried by Wudang Sect, and by Hyeon-un himself, in the martial world.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you. Is there anything you desire? No, not here, with so many elders around… I will send someone to you soon.”

The House of Seok Leader said this, and the Seomun Clan Leader also expressed his gratitude in similar words.

Then, White Sword Hall Leader Do Won-hyeok, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked his subordinate:

“Isn’t there still a vacancy in White Sword Hall?”

“Yes, two more spots remain to be filled.”

“I see.”

It was merely a work-related remark.

But at such a time, in such a situation, the intent behind those words was obvious.

Hyeon-un glared at him with fiery eyes.

– Young Seong-un will stay with Wudang Sect.

He spoke wordlessly with his eyes. The White Sword Hall Leader, instead of avoiding the gaze of his senior, met it directly.

Normally, he would have bowed his head. But as the Hall Leader of the Murim Alliance, with talent right before him, he could not back down so easily.

– That is for the boy himself to decide.

Their silent contest of wills flared.

Then, the heaviest, most severe voice of the largest man present cut through the tension.

“What exactly did you do?”

Everyone turned toward him.

It was the Seomun Clan Leader, Seomun Jeok. He was glaring at his son, Seomun Ak, as if he would kill him.

The inn was completely wrecked, and the young prodigies were covered in blood and wounds. But one person—his son, Seomun Ak—was perfectly unscathed.

That meant one of two things.

Either Seomun Ak was strong enough to overwhelm Food Butcher, or he had been too frightened, pushing his friends into battle while staying behind himself.

Everyone here, including Seomun Jeok, knew which one it was. The latter.

“What did you do.”

Seomun Jeok demanded again.

Seomun Ak still could not utter a word, his head hung low.

“Wretched insect.”

Seomun Jeok spat harsh words. Normally, before the elder Hyeon-un, he would have restrained himself, but his fury was too great to be contained.

His eyes burned like fire. If looks could kill, Seomun Ak would have died several times over already.

“Hiding behind your friends just to preserve your own life, how did it feel? Could you not contain the joy of surviving? Will you keep hiding and running every time a fight breaks out? And when you face a demonic practitioner alone one day, what then? Will you kneel and beg for your life? Or flaunt the Seomun Clan name to intimidate your opponent? And if neither works? Will you collapse on the ground and bawl like a child?”

The more cutting Seomun Jeok’s words became, the redder Seomun Ak’s face grew.

None of the others could interfere in family matters, so they only coughed awkwardly.

Even if he had ten mouths, no, a hundred, Seomun Ak had nothing to say. Every word his father spoke was the truth.

Seomun Jeok strode toward his son with large steps. Seomun Ak flinched violently, and Hyeon-un quickly intervened.

“W-wait, Clan Leader Seomun…”

He could not simply stand by—Seomun Jeok’s aura seemed fierce enough to strike his son dead with one blow.

But Seomun Jeok turned to him and said,

“It’s fine, Elder.”

Fine? What was fine?

Hyeon-un could only cough dryly. Surely, no matter how hot-tempered, the Seomun Clan Leader would not actually beat his son to death here.

So he thought—

Smack—!

Seomun Ak flew back from his father’s punch, clutching his stomach with both arms as he collapsed onto the floor. The strike was so strong that blackish blood spilled from his mouth.

“You—!”

Hyeon-un shouted in shock. Tang Tae-san and Seok Won-sang also showed their displeasure openly.

But Seomun Jeok paid no mind. To him, having such a worthless son was far graver than offending his seniors.

“Pitiful fool. You don’t even deserve the Seomun name. Don’t bother returning home. No, if you do return, then…”

Seomun Jeok swallowed his words. He was restraining himself only because his seniors were watching.

He then turned to the others.

“My apologies for showing such disgrace, seniors.”

He clasped his fists in apology and then departed. If he remained any longer, he feared he truly would beat his son to death before the orthodox martial artists present.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

All cast sidelong glances at Seomun Ak.

For Seomun Ak, the pain in his heart outweighed the pain in his body. To suffer such humiliation before Tang So-yeon, before everyone, was unbearable. To have failed to step forward at such a crucial moment was even more shameful.

‘Father is right.’

Seomun Ak despised himself.

If he had heard of another young orthodox prodigy behaving as he had, Seomun Ak would have said without hesitation, “That bastard is trash.”

The gathering seemed to be drawing to a close.

One by one, people exchanged farewells, taking one last look at Jin Seong-un’s face.

Then—

“Wait a moment!”

Baek Seol suddenly raised her hand. For someone who disliked standing out, it was an act of considerable courage.

“What is it, Seol?”

At Hyeon-un’s question, Baek Seol pointed at Seo Yu-gyeom.

“Though Jin young master saved us, until then, it was Senior Brother Seo who risked his life to protect us. Without him, we would already be dead.”

All eyes turned to Seo Yu-gyeom.

Assassins were those who hid in the shadows, avoiding notice. For someone like Seo Yu-gyeom, such sudden attention felt burdensome.

“Ahem, it’s nothing. I only wanted to guard the inn.”

“No, that’s not true. With your skills, Senior Brother, you could have escaped alone if you wished.”

Everyone nodded.

Though overshadowed by Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom’s Qi was formidable.

“What is your name?”

Tang Tae-san asked. He showed a more overt interest in Seo Yu-gyeom than the others—for a simple reason. The weapon Seo Yu-gyeom carried was a dagger.

The Tang Clan excelled in poisons and hidden weapons. Tang Tae-san, in particular, was deeply versed in hidden weaponry. He himself wielded daggers with skill.

“Seo Yu-gyeom.”

“Where have such people been hiding all this time?”

Tang Tae-san laughed heartily, gazing at both Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom. Then he added,

“You too must visit the Tang Clan someday. We’ll prepare a gift worth your while.”

Seo Yu-gyeom responded with a respectful clasped-hands salute.

At that, Hyeon-un leapt up in protest.

“W-wait! And yet you were rude to me!”

The others’ eyes shifted toward Seo Yu-gyeom. As orthodox martial artists, courtesy and decorum were highly valued.

Seo Yu-gyeom clicked his tongue and replied,

“That was only because, Elder, you picked a fight with us the moment you arrived, unleashed your Qi, and even fought with Jin Seong-un the very next day.”

At his words, everyone turned their eyes to Hyeon-un. Though none spoke, their gazes said it all.

‘You mean to say you, at your age, fought with this inn’s young waiter?’

Hyeon-un coughed in embarrassment.

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