Book 14: Chapter 8: Martial Spirit

The Luoyang Sword Family.

In front of the main gate of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.

“…….”

“…….”

Until just now making a fuss about how the shins hit by the Lord of the War Department were, and how they wanted to experience the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon's martial arts directly as soon as possible, and the mouths of the Sword Family Commanders, who had been making a fuss and showing needlessly exaggerated actions in anticipation, were tightly shut in a straight line.

“…….”

“…….”

They too no, it was because they were who they were that they felt it.

“…This is.”

As an elderly commander opened his mouth in a lukewarm tone, like those days.

[It is not like the residence of the Eldest Young Master...] with the energies felt from the inside of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, their skin tingled and the hair on the top of their heads stood on end.

[…It feels as if we returned to the battlefield.] as if a surprise attack by the enemy unit using the dawn hour would begin at any moment, the hairs on the back of their necks stood up straight, and like the moment they had no choice but to charge into the enemy's encirclement, their hearts tightened, and like those days when their hands were drenched in sweat from the tension generated by the soldiers of both camps right before a grand battle began.

[It feels as if the air is burning dry.] the bodies of the old generals were reacting reflexively.

And, because of that, they were not particularly surprised when they met the members of the Sword Forest approaching from the opposite side at the main gate.

“No, this is.”

“Aren't you the politicians of the War Department?”

“…….”

“…….”

As the Sword Family Commanders remained silent a one-eyed warrior as old as those old generals stepped forward and continued speaking.

“Politicians should act like politicians. Go back to thinking about how to somehow return to the dirty Elders' Hall as usual.”

The one-eyed warrior bared his teeth fiercely, and sneered like a beast growling.

“How did you move those heavy asses to come all the way here?”

The War Department and the Sword Forest.

Since the characters of the two organizations were similar, they seemed likely to get along well basically, but in fact, they were at daggers drawn.

“The Second Seat of the Sword Forest, Geom Gwi-heun...”

“Are you picking a fight as soon as we meet?”

If it were warriors of the Sword Forest, anyone would have avoided picking a fight in the first place, but what was in front of him now were the old generals of the War Department.

“Shall I pluck out that one remaining eye of yours?”

“Since you won't be able to see ahead anymore, why don't you see a lot of the world even now?”

Instantly the Sword Family Commanders narrowed their eyes while showing themselves gripping the hilts of their swords.

“Picking a fight?”

Amidst that wild killing intent the one-eyed warrior called Geom Gwi-heun calmly shrugged his shoulders.

“This seat is only speaking the truth.”

Contrary to his calm look, he was already holding the sword hilt and stealthily lowering his stance to secure his footing.

“Elders and what not. Old men like you, who have been engrossed in political games since long ago, drunk on power, drunk on wealth and glory, and forgot the essence of a warrior of the Sword Family...!”

As if gunpowder was lit geom Gwi-heun's sharp momentum burst out like an explosion.

“With what face do you dare mention picking a fight to our Sword Forest, which has walked only a single path?!”

And simultaneously with that shout, as the warriors of the Sword Forest, dressed in all kinds of attire, stepped forward, as if no more dialogue was needed, the sound of them gripping their swords echoed.

“…….”

“…….”

“Ha...!”

Those who had the quality of gunpowder were not only the warriors of the Sword Forest.

The white hair of the old generals, who laughed loudly toward the sky, rose to the sky, and in an instant, the energy of the masters collided in the air, blowing a wild wind throughout the area, and the paving stones of that solid main road split like spiderwebs in all directions, splattering dust.

“Greenhorns who do not even know the battlefield properly—” their beards fluttered strand by strand without any wind.

“dare grip their swords in front of us right now?!”

“You bastards...!”

“A-Avoid them!”

Thinking it was another spectacle the onlookers who were peering at the main gate of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment without much thought were greatly shocked and scattered in all directions.

“We will get dragged in...!”

“Kyaaa!”

The clash between the Sword Forest and the War Department.

That was a matter of a completely different level from ordinary drunken warriors stumbling and crossing swords, so crash—.

Along with the screams of terrified people here and there, street stalls were overturned, and food scattered in the air, and due to those who were pushed down, the street in front of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment could not help but become a scene of utter chaos in an instant.

“I will cut all of you to pieces here today!”

It was a touch-and-go situation.

Clang—!

At the very moment when they drew their swords halfway, regardless of who was first or who it was, cutting off that cry full of killing intent, a roar burst from the mouth of the Lord of the War Department.

“Stop—!”

The ringing sound echoed in their eardrums, vibrating the ground, and it was to the extent that the blue blades of the swords each of them held tightly wailed, so they had to hurriedly mobilize the internal force they had raised to control their own wild swords.

“……!”

“…….”

“……!”

Without distinguishing between friend and foe at the shout that made their hair stand on end, everyone in the gathering stopped their actions.

“Everyone...”

Looking around at their faces one by one, the Lord of the War Department spoke with heavy internal energy.

“Have you forgotten where this place is?”

“…….”

“…….”

As the blood that had momentarily rushed to their heads receded everyone could immediately grasp the situation surrounding them.

“…….”

Before they knew it around them instead of the onlookers who had evacuated, the defense force of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment had gathered, virtually surrounding them.

“…….”

Although all of them had a physical deficiency somewhere, each and every one of them was someone who had crossed the wall.

“…….”

Such physical deficiencies were not even felt as a lack or shortcoming, as they gently leaked an intimidating energy; looking at them, the warriors of the Sword Forest and the old generals of the War Department could not fail to recognize them.

“…Is it the Special Task Force of the Main Family?”

“…I forgot for a moment that this place is Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.”

But they were not all.

While the warriors of the Sword Forest and the old generals of the War Department groaned quietly for a moment, the appearance of the Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment Maid Division drawing cold swords along with a fierce killing intent was added behind the Special Task Force members, and along with a chilling voice, the one who revealed himself was a man surrounded by five swords around his body.

“…….”

“…….”

“Haha, my. It is a dogfight.”

“They say a big feast is bound to cause a big commotion.”

Immediately, the eyebrows of those who recognized that man twitched at his raw, wild killing intent.

“…Life-Snatching Ghost Sword.”

Chrrr.

Beside him chains dragged on the ground with a dull and heavy sound.

At the end of those chains, a pair of sickles emitted an ominous aura, and although the middle-aged man holding the double sickles did not say a single word, a clear anger could be felt beneath his bleak face.

“…Those double sickles.”

“…Is that man the one called the Head Collector of the Tea Horse Road, Tang Baek?”

And the one who revealed himself alongside Tang Baek was not so much a single person but a warrior capable of matching a thousand men, resembling the shape of a massive mountain range, so to the Lord of the War Department, who was about to clasp his hands in greeting, Elder Yeom showed a raised hand first.

“…Sword Peak Mountain Destroyer.”

“Yeom Gwak-chu…” before the situation grew any harsher, the Lord of the War Department stepped forward.

“Elder Yeom.”

“It would be best if you made your apology to the owner of this Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, not to me.”

Saying so as Elder Yeom stepped back a pace, the figure of the one who had followed behind Elder Yeom from there was revealed.

“Everyone.”

“Are you enjoying the festivals?”

Even those belligerent warriors of the Sword Forest, and the old generals of the War Department, who were so high-spirited that they did not fall short in comparison to them, did not dare open their mouths first in front of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon who had revealed himself.

“…….”

“…….”

Was it because of the awkward situation where they, mere guests, threw cold water on the feast?

Or was it because of the mysterious presence that could clearly be felt, even though he did not raise a single point of internal force?

“…….”

“…….”

While everyone was frozen like that at least the Lord of the War Department and the Second Seat of the Sword Forest, Geom Gwi-heun, came to their senses and stepped forward.

“I greet the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family.”

“…I greet the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family.”

And to the Lord of the War Department, who immediately tried to express his apology right after “Eldest Young Master. For our sin of causing a commotion—” the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand.

“It is fine, Lord of the War Department.”

As if it were no big deal, he continued speaking in a light tone.

“What problem could there be for the warriors of the Main Family, who are full of hot blood, to converse with swords?”

He looked around at the gathering and smiled.

“When Father was healthy, sword fights would often break out even at the General Assembly between those who disagreed.”

At most, only a story of about ten years ago.

“On some days, far from holding a meeting, did it not even end after just fighting with swords from morning to evening?”

The Eldest Young Master burst into a hearty, refreshing laugh.

“…….”

“…….”

However unlike Yeon So-hyeon's refreshing laughter, since the story he spoke of felt to them like a very distant tale of the past, those who were present on the spot could not laugh along with Yeon So-hyeon.

“…That was indeed the case.”

“…….”

“Your hearts,” Yeon So-hyeon suddenly smiled warmly toward them.

“I know them well.”

In that smile and single short statement there was something that caressed the hearts of the warriors who had been cast aside by the era and circumstances.

“…Eldest Young Master.”

Just as the Lord of the War Department was about to say something, having interrupted the conversation like that, the Eldest Young Master lightly stepped into the air and leapt onto the top of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment's main gate in a single bound.

“Wait a moment.”

“……!”

“……!”

While everyone was dumbfounded by that lofty movement technique, Yeon So-hyeon shouted toward the street.

“Is everyone enjoying the festival?”

But naturally, there was no returning answer.

“…….”

“…….”

Although the commotion entered a state of lull all at once due to the Eldest Young Master's appearance it was because those who could not even enter Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment and were enjoying the festival on the street dared not step forward to answer the Eldest Young Master.

“Dear me...”

The sound of the Eldest Young Master clicking his tongue quietly in regret vividly reached the ears of each and every person, as if he were right beside them.

“Father once said this. That a festival is unsatisfactory because...”

“there is a lack of alcohol and meat...!”

Simultaneously with those words the maids who had been preparing in advance rushed out of the main gate and began carrying alcohol and food.

“These foods and drinks were meant for the guests visiting inside Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, but as the host of this festival, I treat them to everyone with my apologies for the minor commotion.”

Spreading his hands, he laughed heartily.

“Now, the festival continues!”

The musicians who received the signal began playing their instruments, and the firecrackers set off by the pyrotechnicians began to burst noisily in all directions again.

“Therefore, everyone, enjoy to your heart's content until dawn!”

A cheer burst out from the street.