Chapter 028
The Double Ninth Festival is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It's considered especially important because of an ancient legend.
"There was a man named Jingfang who lived in a village. One day, a man named Huanjing came to him and warned that disaster would strike the village on the ninth day of the ninth month. He advised Jingfang to have his family put dogwood flowers in pouches, hang them on their arms, and climb to the top of a mountain. That's why the ninth day of the ninth lunar month is considered so important."
"Is that also why people drink chrysanthemum wine on Double Ninth Festival?"
"According to the legend, Jingfang led his family up the mountain where they drank chrysanthemum wine and enjoyed themselves. When they returned home, they found all their livestock dead. That's how the custom of climbing mountains began. People also eat chrysanthemum pancakes and flower punch."
Baek Sugyeong spoke while breaking his chrysanthemum pancake into small pieces with his chopsticks. The table was set with flower punch, chrysanthemum wine, and chrysanthemum pancakes.
So Ssanga and Namgung Somin sat on either side of Baek Sugyeong. While pretending to listen attentively to Baek Sugyeong's story, the two women were acutely aware of each other.
Namgung Clan's Jade Sword Flower...
The trading company owner who has a connection with Teacher...
Their starting points couldn't be more different. With Baek Sugyeong between them, their romantic feelings were bound to clash.
So Ssanga felt threatened by Namgung Somin.
She can do things I can't.
Even though So Ssanga was the rising owner of the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company, she hadn't learned martial arts. In that respect, she was like Baek Sugyeong, but unlike him, she couldn't protect him with her abilities.
In contrast, Namgung Somin came from a prestigious martial arts family. Moreover, she was strong and beautiful enough to earn the titles "Jade Sword Flower" and "Fighting Fairy." Her golden eyes containing the "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art," her glossy black hair that looked like it was cut from the night sky, and her fair skin combined to create a violently beautiful appearance.
As for me...
So Ssanga had nothing to boast about except being the leader of the rising Auspicious Cloud Trading Company. Her appearance was ordinary, and she had no special talents. While she might have decent business skills as a merchant, she wasn't a martial artist and couldn't help protect Baek Sugyeong.
Looking at Namgung Somin, So Ssanga felt only one emotion: inferiority.
"Lady So. Lady Namgung. If you have something to say, I think it would be better to speak openly."
Baek Sugyeong wasn't oblivious. His problem was that he tended to deny uncomfortable situations rather than trying to understand them. He wasn't blind to the looks exchanged between the two women, which clearly showed they viewed each other as rivals in love. He simply couldn't imagine that he was the object of their affection.
"Teacher."
"Master."
"Everyone is enjoying the Double Ninth Festival. Shouldn't we enjoy the celebration?"
With those words, Baek Sugyeong raised his cup of chrysanthemum wine. His gaze fell on the woman in black sitting across the table.
"Lady Gal, you've been quiet for a while."
"I have nothing particular to say. I'm only here on my father's orders."
"You look displeased."
At Baek Sugyeong's comment, the woman in black put down her cup and spoke. Her voice was cold.
"Let me be frank. I don't acknowledge you. I can't understand why others in our society hold you in such high regard."
"Is that so? How wise of you."
Baek Sugyeong answered with a composed face. His attitude caused the red-haired woman in black, Gal Yerung, to change her expression.
"Aren't you offended?"
"Why should I be offended by the truth? Whether others think highly of me or not, I am who I am. I'm just Baek Sugyeong the writer, not Baek Sugyeong the martial artist."
As Baek Sugyeong poured chrysanthemum wine into his cup, Namgung Somin slightly frowned beside him, while So Ssanga openly glared at Gal Yerung with displeasure.
"How dare you speak to Teacher like that!"
"What nonsense are you speaking to Master!"
"Hmph, why are you two jumping in when he says he's fine? Could it be that you both have feelings for this man?"
At Gal Yerung's mockery, Namgung Somin's face turned as red as if she were drunk. So Ssanga's face also flushed noticeably.
"T-That's...!"
"I just couldn't stand by while Teacher was being insulted!"
"For that reason alone, you both seem awfully defensive—Perhaps I've struck a nerve?"
As Gal Yerung provocatively teased the two women, Baek Sugyeong cut through their tension.
"All three of you, please stop. Do you intend to cause a scene in this crowded place?"
"Teacher!"
"Master."
"Hmph, I had no such intention. I'll deliver my father's message now."
Gal Yerung raised her head to look at Baek Sugyeong.
"My father said he wishes to maintain a good relationship with you, Baek Teacher. You don't need to involve yourself in improving relations with Shaolin Temple, but instead—"
"Instead?"
"He said he would place me by your side."
A slight crease appeared on Baek Sugyeong's forehead.
"Is that to keep me under surveillance?"
"Well, that depends on how you choose to see it, doesn't it? Surrounded by three beautiful women—a luxurious life that others might envy, don't you think?"
How shameless. Baek Sugyeong genuinely thought so. A slightly crooked smile crossed his lips as he held his cup.
"I regret to say that I don't live comfortably enough to keep Lady Gal by my side."
"Oh, that's not a problem."
Gal Yerung covered her mouth as she laughed.
"I've already secured separate accommodations in Wuhan. With my father's permission. You just need to come, Baek Teacher."
At those words, Namgung Somin and So Ssanga's eyes sharpened.
That thieving cat...!
Namgung Lady is already too much to handle, and now this woman too!
Hmph, she's only doing this because having Baek Teacher would be advantageous for her future.
The three women's gazes fiercely entangled in midair. Between them, Baek Sugyeong wore a dejected smile.
I'm screwed.
Yes, I'm screwed.
Thinking this, Baek Sugyeong tilted his cup. Peace in this martial world had long since vanished.
"Haha, what a mess."
Baek Sugyeong's sigh-mixed comment drifted through the taverns of Luoyang as fireworks rose in the sky.
...
Crash!
The main gate of Nine Dragons Stronghold shattered, and the bandits guarding it were cut down, their bodies rolling on the ground.
Among the dozen or so fallen bandits, Bang Soran walked with elegant movements. Blood dripped from the sword in her hand.
"Where is Jang Yu?"
Her voice was so cold it seemed to radiate a demonic aura. It wasn't strange that the bandits who rushed out, alarmed by the sound of the breaking gate, froze in their tracks.
The killing intent emanating from the Thousand Sword Heroine Bang Soran was that powerful and terrifying. The sticky killing intent felt like it grabbed their ankles and bound their bodies. The killing intent of a master who had transcended boundaries could restrict people's movements.
Bang Soran was such a master.
"I asked where Jang Yu is."
"As if we'd tell you! Attack!!"
When a large man who appeared to be a deputy leader shouted, arrows pierced the air with sharp whistling sounds.
Clang!
Bang Soran's sword cut the arrows aimed at her in half with a clear metallic sound. As the split arrows scattered into fragments, the bandits surrounding her charged with wild cries.
"I don't need small fry."
Slash.
It seemed like she swung just once, but dozens of sword lights shredded everything around her, painting the air with the blood of the bandits who had rushed at her. Some had their chests cut, others lost arms, some had their waists slashed, and many lost their legs, rendering them unable to fight.
Belated screams echoed through the stronghold.
"Arghhhh!"
"My arm, my arm!"
"My leg, my leg!! Aaaaargh!"
Lowering her sword, which showed no trace of blood, Bang Soran spoke. Her cold voice flowed like an icy river.
"I said I don't need small fry."
"My subordinates may be stupid, but I don't think they've done anything to deserve having their limbs cut off."
Bang Soran turned toward the sneering voice, and her eyes twisted fiercely.
"Jang Yu!"
"Whoa, don't come any closer. Unless you want to see your precious disciple's head roll."
Jang Yu was looking down at her, accompanied by the elite forces of Nine Dragons Stronghold who served as his personal guards, holding a blade against So Seonha's neck.
Bang Soran had cut down dozens of bandits. Yet still, more than dozens remained, forming a formation.
"When did you rebuild your forces like this?!"
"Is that important? Don't you care about your disciple's life?"
"Kuk...!"
His attempt to divert her attention with a change of topic didn't work.
Bang Soran clenched her sword-holding hand.
What should I do?
With So Seonha captured, she couldn't freely use her martial arts. Anger boiled like lava inside her. But she couldn't unleash that anger in the current situation.
What should I...!
Jang Yu twisted his lips as he watched Bang Soran, frozen with a bewildered expression, not knowing what to do.
His plan had succeeded perfectly. This was a revenge plan he had been plotting since three years ago when he heard she had taken a disciple. Executing it when she was returning had been effective.
If it had been any other time, even if he had taken the child hostage, she would have been far away and it would have taken time for her to return. Of course, capturing her when she was exhausted could also have been a method of revenge, but Jang Yu's wounded pride wouldn't allow that.
"Remember this scar?"
Jang Yu traced the diagonal scar across his forehead.
"Bang Soran, you slashed my forehead, claiming it was mercy. When I charged at you again, you cut off my lower parts."
"That was—!"
"Is that what you righteous faction people call mercy?!"
Jang Yu's voice was filled with rage.
"Thanks to you, I can no longer embrace women! So I waited! Waited for something precious to appear in your life!"
"...!!"
"And you took a disciple. You, who I thought would never take a disciple in your lifetime! I was certain! If I targeted this kid, you would inevitably fall into my trap!"
With his face contorted in what could only be described as madness, Jang Yu burst into laughter.
"Do you want your precious disciple back?!"
"Give Seonha back!"
In response to the teacher's cry for her disciple, Jang Yu licked his lips with a hideous expression. Cruel words flowed from his lips.
"Then try to come up here without cutting down my men. The moment any of my men are injured, your disciple dies."
"That's, that's—!"
"And don't target me first either. Even if I die, you won't be able to prevent your disciple's death. I didn't place these men here for nothing."
Jang Yu pointed to the guards beside him and laughed. His face, twisted horribly, rippled with madness.
"Try to come up here by defeating my men. Can you do it while maintaining your precious principle of not taking lives?!"
Jang Yu's maniacal laughter echoed.
"Come, Bang Soran! Dance while bleeding! My men will show you no mercy! Attack!"
"Yes, Stronghold Leader!"
With Jang Yu's command, all but a few of his personal guards began to rush toward Bang Soran.
Looking at the bandits charging toward her, Bang Soran gritted her teeth.
Seonha, I'll definitely save you!
The teacher's sword, clenched between gritted teeth, scattered brilliant sword light.
---
📚 Author's Note:
Thanks to Rigchel for the 1 Power Stone!
🐧