NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54
Chapter 54: The Youngest Lady of the Seomun Family
Lanzhou.
The capital of Gansu Province, where the Yellow River runs through the city—a bustling metropolis known as the first city of Gansu.
Lanzhou was a vital transportation hub connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions, a center of commerce and economy supported by international trade via the Silk Road.
Thus, whoever ruled Lanzhou naturally seized dominance over Gansu.
Up until fifty years ago, the Taegyeong Sword Sect, a branch of the Gongdong Sect, was the foremost sect in Lanzhou. Therefore, it was only natural that Lanzhou belonged to the Gongdong Sect. Back then, the Seomun Family was merely an influential martial family, a second-tier player in the realm, even in their own headquarters of Lanzhou.
However, unlike the past, after the Taoist War in which the Taegyeong Sword Sect was decimated, the power now ruling Lanzhou was the Seomun Family, recognized as Gansu’s finest.
The Seomun Family Headquarters in Lanzhou stood as a testament to its status, with towering buildings, Golugeogak, impressively arranged beyond the high and grand entrance.
From a distance, numerous waterwheels installed along the Yellow River for irrigation could be seen. As I stared at the scenery surrounding the Seomun Family Headquarters, my senior’s eyes sparkled.
“Wow…”
A gasp escaped his lips.
It was as if a country bumpkin had just arrived in Seoul and was gazing at the 63 building.
Having lived in modern metropolises filled with sky-high towers and having traversed the inner palace of the Forbidden City like my own backyard, it simply appeared to me as a local rich man who had thrown some cash around.
In fact, the Seomun Family was treated as a nouveau riche without any historical roots by the established great families.
“Did you come to visit the headquarters? Was there a prior agreement?”
As soon as we approached the Seomun Headquarters, Wisa, who had been patrolling the wall, approached and asked my senior.
In one corner of my vision, I spotted the reception hall marked with the plaque “Outer Guest Hall,” with an endless line forming in front of it.
The Outer Guest Hall accommodated uninvited guests who arrived unexpectedly or awkward clients with connections.
As a large enterprise sect, the Seomun Family was inundated with visitors to the headquarters daily. Therefore, an ordinary guest often ended up waiting in the Outer Guest Hall, sometimes not even crossing the threshold of the headquarters or entering through the back door if they did.
If I hadn’t come, my senior would have likely waited alone in the Outer Guest Hall for days.
Caught up in the Seomun Family’s show of force.
And then he would have humiliatedly entered through the back door.
But as long as I’m here, I couldn’t allow that to happen.
“I have a personal letter from the Gongdong Sect Leader. This is regarding the Seomun Family’s request for admission as an official guarantor for the martial arts contest with the Heukryongbang. I’ll discuss the details once I meet with the head of the family.”
I took out the letter written by my master from my pocket and spoke.
“The Gongdong Sect? Hmm. So, you don’t have a prior agreement. In that case, please queue up over there and wait…”
As expected, Wisa tried to establish dominance.
It’s like he never misses his mark.
If I back down now, Jincheongyeomwang would think I’m an easy mark.
And that, my friends, would not do.
After all, I was supposedly a renowned figure with a history of nine hundred and ninety-nine years. There was no need for me to let some local chieftain have first blood.
I cleared my throat and calmly but firmly made my claim to Wisa.
From now on, I had to be the fussy customer, the black consumer.
“This letter comes from the leader of a prestigious grand sect with a long tradition in Gansu. You can’t possibly misunderstand it.”
With a mocking jab, I watched Wisa’s face crumple like he had been hit by a poisoned dart.
The Gongdong Sect, the former Gansu’s finest.
Though fallen and diminished, its name still carried significant weight in Gansu.
If this letter genuinely came from the Gongdong Sect Leader, a mere Wisa couldn’t afford to disregard it.
“Even if the Seomun Family is currently the finest sect in Gansu, it would be inappropriate to disregard our main branch like this. Who would think that Wisa would tarnish the Seomun Family’s reputation?”
I didn’t feel the need to add more.
He should be flustered.
After all, my words made sense.
The Gongdong Sect was the oldest and most distinguished fallen house.
Even after fifty years of decline, the people of Gansu still remembered that name.
No matter how grand the Seomun Family might be, they couldn’t afford to ignore the Gongdong Sect.
‘Even if they’ve all fallen, they were once one of the great factions.’
Moreover, under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be an issue; however, the Gongdong Sect was currently at the center of attention due to its contest with Heukryongbang.
They were not an opponent one could just dismiss.
In any case, they must have prepared some decent excuses.
“However, even so, there should have been a prior agreement with the head of the family…”
That must be the rule, that only those with a prior agreement could meet with the head.
But I had expected that.
And I wasn’t going to give Wisa a moment to think.
“Moreover, the contest between our branch and Heukryongbang isn’t merely about our sects; it involves all martial arts factions in Gansu and Sichuan. Therefore, it’s unthinkable for Gansu’s leading sect, the Seomun Family, to be absent from this matter. Do you intend to ignore a letter from the grand sect with a mere judgment of an individual like you, potentially clouding Jincheongyeomwang Seomun’s vision? Your decision will not only affect the Seomun Family’s reputation but also be recorded in the history of martial arts, determining the future of Gansu’s and Sichuan’s factions. Can you bear the responsibility for that judgment?”
Wisa’s eyes flickered at my words.
His position was that of a mere low-ranking guard.
Though a low-ranking guard of the Seomun Family’s residence, he could hold his head high, but he wasn’t in a position to take any responsibility.
And whether in the medieval or modern martial world, low-level officials despised responsibility the most.
As I anticipated, Wisa’s expression hardened when I mentioned accountability.
“If you cannot take responsibility, then you should bring someone who can.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment, Sir.”
When I demanded the person in charge, Wisa, drenched in cold sweat, hurriedly opened the back door and disappeared.
After a short while, a sharp-eyed martial artist, presumably a guard captain, arrived with several other guards.
“I am the captain in charge of the gates today, Cho Un-hyeob. You wish to see the head of the family?”
“Yes. The intention of the sect leader is that I must meet with Seomun Dae-hyeop directly to deliver this letter.”
I implied that this was not merely a personal matter but a matter concerning the Gongdong Sect and the Seomun Family.
Even if they initially refuse, as per the rules of the martial world, they’d ultimately have to convey our intention to Jincheongyeomwang.
No matter the circumstances, he’d eventually have to see us.
“…I understand. I will relay your request to the higher-ups.”
With that, the captain retreated.
Moments later.
Creek.
The once firmly shut main gate of the Seomun Family slowly opened.
“Welcome. We are pleased to have you at the Seomun Family. I am Seomun Pung, the chief manager of the family.”
A middle-aged gentleman dressed in white, typically scholarly attire, appeared with a gentle smile, accompanied by the family’s martial artists.
Gunja-gyeom Seomun Pung.
Younger brother of Jincheongyeomwang Seomun and the second-in-command of the Seomun Family.
His appearance suggested that he was stepping out to handle the detailed strategies and finances of the family, which indicated that they were done with the back-and-forth power play outside.
In other words, this skirmish had ended in my complete victory.
Despite Seomun Pung wearing a smile, he was surely gritting his teeth inside.
I could see the corners of his mouth tremble slightly.
He must be feeling quite bitter.
“The Seomun Family boasts two swords. One echoes through the heavens, proclaiming its name across the world, while the other is respected by all martial artists for its noble character and chivalry. It is an honor to meet the renowned Gunja-gyeom Seomun Dae-hyeop. I am the Gongdong Sect’s Lee Cheol-soo.”
I politely bowed before Seomun Pung.
“I am Yujinhwi of the Gongdong Sect. It is an honor to meet the highly regarded Gunja-gyeom Seomun Dae-hyeop.”
My senior also bowed respectfully.
Seeing their gestures, Seomun Pung smiled and returned the courtesy.
“Haha, it’s merely an honorific title. Such flattery does not suit me. As I said, I’m merely Seomun Mo-wi, called the Gunja-gyeom.”
Despite his modesty, pride slipped into his tone.
However, his eyes were constantly observing us.
Moreover, there was a petty reluctance in his purposely neglecting to mention the Gongdong Sect’s name.
In a nutshell, it was the same as saying ‘what a lousy game.’
“Please forgive Wisa’s rudeness. Allow us to take you inside.”
Just as Seomun Pung finished his sentence, the Seomun Family martial artists ushered us into the fully opened main gate.
“The main gate that only opens to welcome honored guests of the Seomun Family is now opened.”
“Did they say they were disciples of the Gongdong Sect? Could it be that they’ve come to seek help from the Seomun Family due to the contest with Heukryongbang?”
“Isn’t that good-looking young man Yujinhwi? I heard his beauty rivals that of a rare pearl, but the rumor doesn’t do him justice. I’ve never seen someone so handsome.”
“Who is the boy next to him?”
“Who knows? Could he be a new disciple who just recently joined the Gongdong Sect?”
As the Seomun Family’s main gate opened, whispers resounded around us.
My senior’s beauty was a hot topic, but I was merely being ignored.
Despite all I had done, I felt melancholic for not being acknowledged.
However, all this discomfort will end once the contest starts.
As long as we perform well in the confrontation with Heukryongbang…
I thought about it as I sparkled with excitement and stepped into the Seomun Family with my senior, who was closely by my side for protection.
Thud.
The main gate slammed shut with a heavy sound.
Before me stood a luxurious house covered in expensive turquoise tiles, contrasting starkly with the collapsing remnants of the Gongdong Sect Headquarters.
Seomun Pung guided us to the Seomun Family’s reception hall, Hobin Pavilion.
A place where only the recognized honored guests of the Seomun Family could stay.
It was a lavish hall, incomparable to the decrepit reception hall of the Gongdong Sect.
“Please wait in the Hobin Pavilion, and shortly the head of the family will summon you two disciples.”
“Would it be alright to ask when we might meet Seomun Dae-hyeop?”
“The head is busy with official matters and personal training. Therefore, I must ask you to understand that I cannot assure you of a specific time.”
Seomun Pung spoke with elegant eloquence and a smile.
To say he couldn’t assure you of a time meant he was telling us to behave, keeping up the family’s appearances.
Now that they had played the guest role, the Seomun Family could legitimately postpone our meeting with reason and assert dominance.
Nothing surprising about that.
It would be odd if Jincheongyeomwang, the head of the six great clans and a master of Hwakyung, didn’t pull rank on us.
“I see. Then please deliver this message to Jincheongyeomwang Seomun Dae-hyeop. If you don’t meet me directly now, you’ll be missing an unprecedented opportunity.”
As Seomun Pung listened to my words, he smiled gently.
He seemed to perceive it as just a naïve remark from a young disciple.
However, in just three days’ time, he would realize that it wasn’t just a whim.
If Jeoksawol had done her job right, by now, my master’s letter would have reached such influential places as Gu Pailbang and other martial families, and media play would have begun.
By then, Jincheongyeomwang would be anxiously summoning us.
Of course, by then it would be far too late.
The Seomun Family would have already fallen into the trap I set, and my role would simply be to reel them in.
“Understood. Thank you for your long journey, please rest well. This is a token proving that you are guests of our family.”
After leading us into Hobin Pavilion, Seomun Pung presented us with tokens and took his leave with the guards.
Leaving only my senior and me in this situation.
“Master, what should we do now?”
My senior gazed at me like a child left alone in an amusement park.
By now, she had entrusted me with all the decision-making from our journey.
I opened the door to the Hobin Pavilion and replied.
“First, let’s eat. We’ll be waiting anyway.”
There was nothing more to do.
Since we had officially visited such a wealthy family, it was time to feast!
I hadn’t even had breakfast and had starved myself for this moment.
I was going to devour nourishing pork like there’s no tomorrow.
“Okay!”
My senior smiled and nodded at my words.
Thus, having entered the separate wing, I indulged in a glorious feast of pork, chives, and fanned eel for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My dessert was walnuts.
All dishes contributed to vitality—eating them on someone else’s expense was bliss beyond compare.
With a satisfied belly from my meal, I set off toward the guest-exclusive training area in Hobin Pavilion’s courtyard to practice my color spectrum techniques.
*
At the same time.
Seomun Family’s separate wing.
In the innermost and deepest separate room, Chaeun Pavilion, resided Seomun Cheong-ha.
The beloved youngest daughter of the Seomun Family, revered as one of the Six Great Dragons of the Orthodox Martial World, she was the apple of the family’s eye.
Having grown up sheltered within the confines of the Seomun Family, oblivious to worldly affairs and engaged only with other famous sects, she possessed a secret.
“The disciples of the Gongdong Sect have arrived?!”
“Yes, Miss.”
At the maid’s words, Seomun Cheong-ha’s heart began to race.
Indeed.
Her secret was that she deeply admired the Gongdong Sect.
The tales of loyal heroes who battled against demons fifty years ago and valiantly fell in their duty echoed in her heart.
Moreover, the Gongdong Sect was the sect founded by the heroes who built the Ming Empire alongside Emperor Taizong, a lineage that once boasted of its master, Honwon Geomje.
Even in its decline, news of the Gongdong Sect facing off against the formidable Heukryongbang sparked admiration in the innocent heart of Seomun Cheong-ha, who longed to be part of martial adventures.
In fact, irrespective of the outcome of the contest, just the fact that the Gongdong Sect stood against Heukryongbang had started growing sympathetic eyes toward them in Gansu.
Seomun Cheong-ha was now among those people.
“I see. Understood. You may leave.”
With a wave of her hand, Seomun Cheong-ha dismissed the maid and checked her outfit and appearance in a nearby mirror.
In the mirror clad with traditional adornments, the renowned beauty of Gansu stared back.
Having secretly listened to tales of the Gongdong Sect since childhood, now that a disciple had come to her family, it was an opportunity.
A chance to meet the heroic figures she’d only heard about through rumors.
Alas, if her family elders found out, it would surely be a disaster. Though they had fallen from grace, the Gongdong Sect was once the Gansu’s finest. The Seomun Family had long struggled to establish themselves in the shadow of the Gongdong Sect and its branches, making the mention of the Gongdong Sect forbidden within the family.
Of course, this taboo fueled her curiosity—it was natural to feel drawn toward the very thing one was told not to pursue, especially in childhood.
‘I have to sneak out.’
The cherished youngest daughter of the Seomun Family now stealthily left her residence, heading towards Hobin Pavilion.
Eluding detection, she imagined the gallant figures of the Gongdong Sect as she approached the training area of Hobin Pavilion…