Chapter 132: The Tavern is Crowded (Part 1)

In the rumor of drawing spearheads from the Unjung River, the most prosperous trades to choose would undoubtedly be the inns (客棧) and the blacksmiths (鐵房).

The inns were overflowing with young wanderers, while people lined up at the blacksmiths to purchase weapons. Especially in places close to the Unjung River, they enjoyed even greater prosperity. Even if they were located far away, inns situated at key transportation junctions were filled mostly with young wanderers.

Daejuk County (大竹縣) was no exception. Daejuk County, as its name suggested, was famous for its vast bamboo forests.

Most of the wanderers from Sacheon would stay a day in Daejuk County before heading north. As a result, the inns in Daejuk County echoed with joyful shouts from the influx of guests, and the blacksmiths enjoyed maximum prosperity as travelers either maintained or purchased new weapons.

Negotiations were taking place all around the blacksmiths' shops. Among them, the most eye-catching negotiation was between an elderly craftsman and a young wanderer who appeared to be in his late twenties.

"Well, you see, to buy a proper sword, you'll need to offer at least ten silver coins."

"I only have one coin. How can that possibly work?"

"That's not nearly enough," the elderly craftsman replied.

"Please... I'm begging you like this."

"You have no money, and you want to buy a sword? The only thing I can offer you is this."

The elderly craftsman presented a plain iron sword.

This iron sword was made by an apprentice blacksmith and had poor balance and subpar materials.

A flicker of conflict lit up in the young wanderer's eyes.

Before coming here, he had visited about a dozen blacksmiths. However, none of them were willing to sell him a sword readily. Prices that would usually be two silver coins had inflated to five or even six silver coins.

The young wanderer had only one silver coin to his name. After spending it, he wouldn't even have enough for the fare to Unjung River.

The young wanderer's name was Myeongryusan. He had trained in martial arts for three years in a small temple in Sacheon Castle and had dreams of a prosperous future in Unjung River. However, reality was not as smooth as he had hoped.

As people flocked in, prices skyrocketed, and impoverished wanderers like Myeongryusan couldn't even afford to stay at an inn.

"I must buy a sword, even if it means starving for a few days."

Trembling, Myeongryusan took out a single silver coin. The elderly craftsman smiled knowingly and handed him the iron sword.

"This sword is now yours. Please use it well. Hehe!"

And so, the iron sword became Myeongryusan's, and the silver coin became the property of the elderly craftsman. Myeongryusan smiled as he turned away, eyeing the back of the elderly craftsman.

"You old man, watch and see. I will definitely make a name for myself and come back here. Let's see if you can still smile like that then."

Myeongryusan made this promise to himself and left, the iron sword hanging from his waist. The inn where he stayed was a small one on the outskirts of Daejuk County.

Even here, the single and double rooms were all full, and they had crammed almost thirty people into a large room meant for ten. Impoverished wanderers like Myeongryusan had no choice but to make do.

The streets were bustling with countless people. It wasn't just impoverished wanderers like Myeongryusan; there were also many well-dressed wanderers who, with a glance, could be seen as out of the ordinary, carrying remarkable swords.

People unconsciously made way for them due to the air they exuded. These were not amateurs like Myeongryusan, who had barely trained for a few years, but individuals who had undergone systematic training.

"Why couldn't I have been born into a good family like them? Why was I born into such an ordinary one?"

Suddenly, frustration welled up within Myeongryusan.

With a momentary gaze mixed with resentment, Myeongryusan looked at the other wanderers and then changed his step. Even the inn he returned to was overflowing with people. Most of them were wanderers like Myeongryusan, carrying dreams of prosperity in Unjung River.

One of them recognized Myeongryusan and beckoned him over.

"You've returned. Sit here."

The man was in his early forties, with a full beard, but his eyes were remarkably gentle in contrast to his bearded face.

He was the first person Myeongryusan had befriended since staying at this inn. He couldn't recall his name. No, there was no need to remember. After all, it was a fleeting encounter, and the person would be forgotten once they reached Unjung River.

Myeongryusan didn't decline. As he sat down, the man asked as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"So, did you buy a sword?"

"Yes."

The man's gaze fell on the iron sword hanging from Myeongryusan's waist. After inspecting the humble sword, he smiled. Though the sight felt as if it was mocking him again, Myeongryusan held back his emotions.

"Well done. Even as a wanderer, you should have at least one sword. Once you succeed in Unjung River, you can acquire a better one, right? Let's have a drink here."

"Thank you."

Myeongryusan didn't refuse the drink offered by the man. He concealed his emotions and took a sip.

At that moment, a sudden commotion at the entrance of the inn drew everyone's attention, including Myeongryusan's.

Myeongryusan's eyes widened.

It was because a beautiful woman was walking in, causing a stir as all eyes turned toward her. Myeongryusan was no exception.

Her beauty was overwhelming, with features as delicate as a fully bloomed rose, a slender figure, vibrant red silk clothes, and a sword at her waist. The impressive woman strode in without batting an eyelash, and her presence captivated all the wanderers inside the inn.

Despite the numerous gazes upon her, the woman continued to walk with unwavering confidence. An extraordinary aura emanated from her, overwhelming everyone in the inn.

"Wow!"

Myeongryusan couldn't help but exclaim in awe at the sight of her.

It was apparent at a glance that she came from a noble family. He felt a sense of insignificance, realizing that he couldn't even begin to compare himself to her high status.

The woman briefly surveyed her surroundings and then found an empty seat. As she sat down, the innkeeper, Jeomsoui, immediately rushed over.

"Welcome! Please have a seat."

Jeomsoui bowed so deeply that it bordered on obsequiousness. It was clear that he had sensed that this woman was no ordinary person.

The woman asked, "Do you have any vacant rooms?"

"We do, but..."

"But what?"

"It's the finest single room, and it costs one silver coin for a night. Would that be acceptable?"

One silver coin was equivalent to the price of a bag of rice. For commoners, it was a substantial sum that could sustain them for at least two months. However, the woman's response was gracious.

"It's fine."

"Hehe! Then I will prepare the room for you. What about a meal?"

"Just bring some simple dishes."

"I'll have it prepared quickly."

Jeomsoui hurried into the kitchen.

The woman sat in her chair and glanced around the inn. A chilly aura emanated from her eyes. Those who met her gaze instinctively turned their heads, avoiding eye contact. They sensed, instinctively, that she was a master above them. The inn, which had been bustling just moments ago, fell silent.

The silence only broke once the food the woman had ordered arrived. As people began eating, the lively atmosphere resumed. They ate and drank, occasionally stealing glances at the woman.

Myeongryusan was no exception. Even as he sat with the middle-aged man and raised his glass, he couldn't take his eyes off the woman.

The middle-aged man seemed to read Myeongryusan's thoughts and chuckled.

"Why, are you interested in her too?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"It's not allowed. As you can see, she comes from a different background altogether. It's wise not to gaze at trees we can't climb."

"Ugh!"

Myeongryusan's face twisted in response to the middle-aged man's resolute words. However, it was only for a moment, and he quickly composed himself, feigning indifference.

"Watch and see. Someday, I will make that woman mine."

He made this vow to himself.

Just then, there was another commotion at the entrance, even more significant than when the woman had arrived.

"Who else could it be...?"

Both the middle-aged man and Myeongryusan turned their gaze towards the entrance.

This time, it was the entrance of a robust man, quite different from the woman. He was a strong, sturdy figure, standing about six feet tall. The man was dressed in splendid blue robes and carried a formidable saber at his waist. What was peculiar was that the saber's hilt had three rings attached to it.

Among the inn's patrons, someone recognized the man's saber.

"Three rings? He's a disciple of the Tri-Ring Sword School."

"Tri-Ring Sword School? Could he possibly be Sohyup, the Left Gate Defender of the Unyielding Sword Guild?"

The murmurs among the patrons grew louder.

The man seemed to relish the reactions of those around him, maintaining a relaxed smile as if he enjoyed the attention.

As people suspected, he was indeed Sohyup, the Left Gate Defender of the Unyielding Sword Guild. He was a prominent disciple of the Tri-Ring Sword School, a prestigious martial arts school in the San Dong region.

Sohyup walked towards the table where the woman was seated, and the woman, who had paused her meal to look at him, met his gaze.

Their eyes met in midair.

There was a faint scar on the woman's forehead, but Sohyup paid it no mind and stood before the table where she was dining.

"May I sit for a moment, honored lady?"

"You're persistent, Left Master. I believe I made it clear that I declined your proposal."

"Haha! I believe that if you hear me out a bit more, Lady, you may change your mind."

Even in the face of the woman's sharp response, Sohyup paid no heed and sat in front of her at the dining table. Despite Sohyup's audacious behavior, the woman's eyebrow only slightly twitched.

"Left Master."

"Please grant me a bit more time. If you still decline after this, I promise not to press the matter again."

"..."

"I humbly request this of you."

Finally, in the face of Sohyup's shamelessness, the woman nodded her head and spoke. As she did, Sohyup couldn't help but smile victoriously.

"No matter how strong one's martial arts skills may be, what can they do? In the end, he is nothing more than an inexperienced beginner, barely past the novice stage."

In fact, the woman was a person of extremely high status and lineage.

Nam Suryeon, the Priestess of Musan.

She was the successor of the Musan Clan, a mysterious martial arts sect that was part of the secret martial arts world. Despite being a member of the Seven Stars Sect, she had rarely revealed her true identity in the martial world until she appeared in Daejukhyun.

"Left Gate Defender, a member of the Azure Dragon Society, you said."

Sohyup had approached her just a day ago. Somehow, he had known of her presence and had been waiting at the crossroads to persuade her to join the Azure Dragon Society.

She had flatly rejected Sohyup's proposal at first. However, Sohyup persistently stuck by her side, attempting to convince her.

After a few conversations with Sohyup, she learned a surprising fact.

"More young wanderers than I expected have joined the Azure Dragon Society, and their influence is surprisingly significant."

Just from grasping her extremely secretive movements, she could tell that they possessed remarkable intelligence. However, she had no intention of joining the Azure Dragon Society.

The Musan Clan to which she belonged was a mystical sect that had no interest in worldly affairs. They rarely sent disciples out of their sect unless it was for a special purpose. Since they had no interest in expanding their influence, she saw no reason to join the Azure Dragon Society.

Her departure from the Musan Clan was meant to provide her with experiences as a prominent disciple, a favor from her elder to help her grow. After a brief journey, she would return to the Musan Clan and likely never appear in the world again.

Sohyup spoke, "I know what you, honored lady, are concerned about. You might be worried that your purity as a member of the Musan Clan would be tarnished by joining the Azure Dragon Society. However, you need not worry about that. Our society is primarily a gathering of friends."

The people in the inn strained to hear Sohyup's words, but no one could hear his voice. Sohyup had completely blocked his voice with his Qi membrane.

"I will say this clearly, Left Master. I have no intention of joining the Azure Dragon Society."

"Think about it once more, honored lady. The doors of the Azure Dragon Society do not open for just anyone. This could undoubtedly be a great opportunity for you."

"I'm sorry, Left Master."

In response to Nam Suryeon's firm reply, Sohyup stared at her for a long while. A chilling atmosphere began to envelop the space between them.