After everyone took their seats in the pavilion, Ak Mujin could see Jin Geum-ryeon standing alone, somewhat isolated from the group, gazing down at the pond.
How pitiful he looked. Ak Mujin couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Jin Geum-ryeon being subtly ostracized. But wasn’t this also a setup he had created?
In truth, this was nothing compared to what was to come. Jin Geum-ryeon suffered particularly because of his Namgung Clan lineage. And that wasn’t all. Considering how Jin Geum-ryeon was relentlessly tormented by various orthodox sects in the original story, Ak Mujin felt beyond sorry, almost guilty.
However, Ak Mujin wasn’t in a position to do anything for Jin Geum-ryeon, and he himself wasn’t receiving the best treatment from the group heading to the Martial Alliance due to his current status. Moreover, after ‘that night,’ he couldn’t shake the feeling that even approaching Jin Geum-ryeon would ruin his mood.
Paeng Ju-hyeok made Ak Mujin wrap his arms around a railing post and then tightly wound a chain around him. Unable to remove his hands from the railing, Ak Mujin hesitated for a moment.
“…Won’t this make it impossible for me to sit down?”
“Be grateful you’re not hanging from it.”
Paeng Ju-hyeok retorted, turning to face him. Seol San-hae and Ryu Su-cheong also spoke cynically.
“It seems Brother Jin has been treating the criminal too comfortably.”
“Indeed…”
The conversation so naturally flowed toward criticizing Jin Geum-ryeon. Ak Mujin clicked his tongue inwardly. Meanwhile, Jin Geum-ryeon, seemingly unconcerned with them, remained leaning against the railing, his gaze fixed outward.
“Ryeon-ah, why don’t you sit down?”
“Ah, I’m alright. Still full of energy.”
When So Seung-ji asked cautiously, Jin Geum-ryeon smiled politely and declined. So Seung-ji was a little worried about him because of the group’s dislike, but he couldn’t force him to sit, so he glanced around and nodded before moving to Namgung Eui’s side.
“Brother Paeng, where are you planning to go when you return to the Martial Alliance?”
Ryu Su-cheong asked, taking a seat. He then pulled out Candied fruit from the pouch at his waist and popped it into his mouth. It seemed his earlier claim about running out of Candied fruit was a lie.
“Well, the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament is coming up soon, so naturally, I’ll have to finish my Water Lily Fragrance.”
Paeng Ju-hyeok replied confidently. Ryu Su-cheong glanced at Seol San-hae, who was sitting next to him, and then spoke to So Seung-ji and Namgung Eui.
“Brother So and Brother Namgung also said they would participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, right?”
“Ah, yeah. Weren’t all the volunteers here supposed to participate?”
So Seung-ji replied naturally.
“Ryeon, aren’t you thinking of participating?”
“…Me?”
Jin Geum-ryeon, who had been staring off into the distance, finally turned his head. At So Seung-ji’s question, everyone in the pavilion turned their attention to Jin Geum-ryeon.
“You’ve just come down from the mountain, so it would be a good opportunity to make a name for yourself.”
“Make a name…? I don’t know.”
Jin Geum-ryeon seemed reluctant. Indeed, even Ak Mujin thought that there was no point in gaining recognition from the prejudiced orthodox sects, so it was natural for Jin Geum-ryeon to think the same.
“With your skills, even if you don’t win the whole thing, you might be known as a remarkable talent.”
There was something subtly grating about So Seung-ji’s tone. Didn’t it sound like he was saying, ‘You have talent, but you’re not that outstanding’? Ak Mujin rummaged through his hazy memories. Was he always this arrogant?
“That’s right. Brother Jin should participate.”
“If you make a name for yourself there, your master will also benefit from his disciple’s success.”
Ryu Su-cheong and Paeng Ju-hyeok chimed in, and Jin Geum-ryeon finally seemed to consider it for a moment before smiling and shaking his head.
“How could a country bumpkin like me cross swords with you brothers? I’d be lucky not to embarrass myself.”
It was subtly barbed, but Ryu Su-cheong didn’t show any particular reaction, simply popping another Candied fruit into his mouth.
“Well, yeah. Participating in the Martial Arts Tournament is something only the brave do.”
Ryu Su-cheong looked at Seol San-hae as if seeking agreement, and she chuckled and crossed her arms.
Ak Mujin couldn’t fathom how high Ryu Su-cheong’s nose could possibly reach. How could he be so brazen to someone’s face?
But this frustrating section had only just begun. He began to mentally thank the readers who had endured this infuriating development.
Even amidst all this, his feet, which had been walking for so long, ached even when standing, so he slightly adjusted his posture. Ryu Su-cheong’s gaze suddenly turned to Ak Mujin.
“By the way, how about we eat something before we go?”
Paeng Ju-hyeok, having watched Ryu Su-cheong eat Candied fruit, suddenly felt hungry himself and made the suggestion. Everyone glanced at each other before Jin Geum-ryeon nodded in agreement.
“It’s our last rest, so let’s have a light meal before we go.”
It was indeed a light meal. They didn’t have any delicacies with them, so all they had were dumplings and a few well-packaged lamb skewers that they had bought from the inn.
The dumplings, as well as the meat, were cold, but it was better than nothing. Ak Mujin, of course, stood silently behind them.
Paeng Ju-hyeok, in good spirits, was about to grab a dumpling at random and shove it into his mouth when Seol San-hae suddenly stopped him. Everyone’s attention turned to Seol San-hae and the dumpling.
“Give that to me and have a fresh one, Brother Paeng.”
“Huh?”
At her words, Paeng Ju-hyeok re-examined the dumpling he was about to eat and noticed bluish spots here and there.
“It’s moldy. Give it to me.”
“Ah, so it is. You have a good eye, Sister Seol.”
Paeng Ju-hyeok laughed and handed it to Seol San-hae. Seol San-hae raised her arm slightly as if to throw the dumpling outside, but then, as if struck by another thought, she got up from her seat with it.
She walked slowly and personally placed the dumpling in Ak Mujin’s hand.
Ak Mujin, taken aback, stared at the dumpling for a moment before looking up at Seol San-hae. She didn’t meet Ak Mujin’s gaze, but pointed at the dumpling and said calmly.
“You looked like you were having a hard time walking, so eating this might make you feel better.”
And without adding any further words, she returned to her seat next to Ryu Su-cheong.
“Hmph… Do we have to take care of the Demonic Cult’s lackey too?”
“Well, she just gave away something she was going to throw away, so let’s not be stingy.”
Ak Mujin was quite dumbfounded, but he didn’t feel the energy or need to get angry. He simply threw what was in his hand over the railing, and a ripple spread through the lotus leaves with a splash.
Of course, Seol San-hae didn’t expect Ak Mujin to eat it, but when Ak Mujin actually did that, she felt that he was quite arrogant. Ryu Su-cheong sneered, saying things like ‘aloof’ and ‘we shouldn’t dare to treat him carelessly.’
“He hasn’t caused any trouble yet. Let’s not provoke him unnecessarily.”
Namgung Eui, unable to watch any longer, said a word, and only then did Ryu Su-cheong shut his mouth. Ak Mujin pretended not to care, but their voices were so clear and precise, every word entered his ears without missing a syllable, so he was secretly grateful to Namgung Eui.
The conversation that followed was all within the realm of expectations. Which families and sects would participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, who the rising stars were, and who the promising talents were.
As the conversation continued, they seemed to forget about Ak Mujin’s existence and became engrossed in their stories. Eventually, they even started talking about their own sects and masters. As the conversation progressed, it was Jin Geum-ryeon’s turn to speak, even though he had been silently listening.
“Brother Jin, tell us about your master. Biwol…? Yeongwol Sword…? Was that it?”
Ryu Su-cheong asked, pushing away the empty paper after finishing his dumpling. Jin Geum-ryeon smiled gently and replied.
“Brother Ryu wouldn’t know even if I told you.”
“Hey, what if your master hears you? He’ll definitely be disappointed.”
Ryu Su-cheong said, making an exaggerated gesture. Paeng Ju-hyeok, who was listening from the side, nodded in agreement.
“Brother So told me before that he was a master of swordsmanship who made a name for himself in the past?”