Chapter 70: Hero Holding Strange Object
Inside Kaifeng Noble Clan District, Madam Hahou's mansion—in the inner hall, Madam Hahou and Madam Jeong were drinking tea.
"Seems commoners are setting up gambling this ti too."
Madam Jeong spoke as if ridiculous—she ca visiting Madam Hahou's house saying let's go to the selection competition venue together, now conveying words heard from servants.
"Commoners are still the sa."
Madam Hahou nodded at words Madam Jeong conveyed—gambling opening during competitions was easily seen.
"Hohohoho, right? What can we do? Must have at least such pleasure to live day by day."
"That's so."
Madam Hahou said nothing else, lifting teacup deeply inhaling the fragrance of premium pre-rain tea.
Before her, Madam Jeong continued speaking.
"Didn't know that person called Luoyang's Ink Sword Great Hero would apply. When I asked warriors, they were surprised. Would welco him even as retainer—why did he apply to instructor selection?"
"Well..."
After brief thought, Madam Hahou answered.
"Must be coming as if resting. Becoming retainer makes it hard to leave when wanted."
Though no contract restraining movent, just leaving goes against human feelings and loyalty. If entrusting oneself as retainer, must do befitting work before leaving to avoid gossip.
"Right? Anyway, Ink Sword Great Hero has clear identity even from outside, which is good."
Madam Jeong smiled, but Madam Hahou frowned—not because of Jin Yeomyeong.
Because Madam Hyeong who'd let in vagrant now recomnded instructor with unclear identity.
Perhaps reading Madam Hahou's expression, Madam Jeong quickly asked.
"Heard Madam Hyeong recomnded strange person again?"
At the Virtuous Mothers' Association assembly, receiving teaching from Madam Hahou, yet still not coming to senses.
"Whew, if keeps acting like that..."
Madam Hahou cut off words—but Madam Jeong instantly caught her intention.
"If Madam Hyeong doesn't change, must soon formally propose expulsion as agenda."
"Mm."
Madam Hahou smiled satisfactorily as Madam Jeong spoke desired words on her behalf.
She looked at applications placed on tea table.
"After filtering all those with unclear identities, exactly eight people. Rather went well. Can proceed with competition within one day."
Ink Sword Great Hero, Maksan Swordsman, plus other outstanding applicants existed.
Clear identity, proper appearance, upright conduct—these were noble clan district's instructor standards. Eccentrics were unfit as instructors.
"Can't let strange people mix in. Can only carefully select."
***
However—
"Since teeth are refreshed, seems like today's duel will go well?"
Ink Sword Hero was strange.
"..."
Virtuous mothers led by Madam Hahou all fell into silence—so even looked at Madam Hahou who selected competition participants.
Jin Yeomyeong also felt the atmosphere surrounding him.
Not only Virtuous Mothers' Association side—spectators showed similar reactions.
"Hong, what is Ink Sword Great Hero saying on the dueling platform?"
"Teeth? What about teeth?"
The selection competition location wasn't inside the district—wide area right before the district. The dueling platform was installed here. Since anyone could co watch, people ford massive crowds.
Jin Yeomyeong delivered the finishing blow to surrounding confusion.
"Chika, chika, chika. With this toothbrush, teeth are always refreshed."
The toothbrush in hand was magnificent item stamped with trading company na 'Golden Cloud' and artisan's na.
However, the truly magnificent part was separate—even Jin Yeomyeong couldn't help admiring seeing it.
Challak—pressing the middle groove, liquid paste-form toothpaste appeared on bristle part.
Convenient toothbrush that can be pressed and used ten tis after filling toothpaste—was genuinely surprised by this technology alone.
'Now then. I did enough.'
Captain Zhu Hochong's request and contract with huge money, so executed—but would this beco 'advertisent' as Captain ntioned?
"So! Where do they sell that item?"
"..."
Does it work? It works?
"Why not speak?"
"Tell us!"
"Uh, looks quite refreshing?"
Jin Yeomyeong lost words looking at crowd—but that mont:
"Here! That toothbrush Ink Sword Hero uses! Golden Cloud Trading's special toothbrush!"
Sign-board-carrying people appeared from various places.
Though told Captain Zhu Hochong about going to Kaifeng—seems he keenly dispatched trading company mbers. Appearing only after reading atmosphere is annoying but definitely excellent comrce.
Whether really beca advertisent or from curiosity, people sward to rchants.
'Let's stop caring.'
The mont turning head looking at opponent who ca up together on dueling platform—soone from Virtuous Mothers' Association spoke.
"Seems Ink Sword Great Hero has interest in things beyond martial arts too."
Though not speaking loudly, voice was clear so heard well.
Virtuous mothers sat across from crowd around dueling platform—though they screened themselves with translucent thin curtain, no problem watching duels.
That ant dueling platform participants also had no problem recognizing virtuous mothers.
Jin Yeomyeong looked at the virtuous mother sitting most centrally—President Madam Hahou heard about from Branch Leader Han Sanha.
"No. Interest only in martial arts—"
Speaking then briefly hesitating.
Isn't it?
Current self can't say interested only in martial arts.
"Thinking about it, interested in various things. Can say increased recently."
"Recently? Was there so opportunity?"
"Haha. A son was born."
"Oh my."
Eh—even Jin Yeomyeong was surprised. At the single word 'son,' virtuous mothers smiled in unison.
"Then you can understand our Virtuous Mothers' Association well."
Right—these people, they're mothers?
Earned points from unexpected part?
"Kkeuheum. Does having children influence selection?"
Jin Yeomyeong's duel opponent interrupted speaking—face that seed displeased from earlier was now heated red.
"Maksan Swordsman, of course duel competition's victory or defeat gives biggest influence."
Madam Hahou waved hand at him.
Jin Yeomyeong narrowed eyes—heard from Branch Leader it's not so. Ultimately selection is according to virtuous mothers' taste.
That's probably sche to see his ability through Maksan Swordsman.
"Then fortunate."
Maksan Swordsman imdiately fell for that sche looking at Jin Yeomyeong.
"Ink Sword Hero. I won't fall for sches."
"Umm? You read my inner thoughts?"
Jin Yeomyeong was startled.
"Huhu, right. Taking out toothbrush and such to muddy atmosphere and shake —isn't that your trick?"
The sche Maksan Swordsman thought was completely different.
"Can tell how you gained false fa in Luoyang."
"Awkward to say with my own mouth, but not false fa."
Because actually did those things—but Maksan Swordsman didn't listen.
"Ca to Kaifeng and ambushed Samcheomdao Jeon Jayang, my younger sworn brother? Already heard the story."
Not rembering who Samcheomdao Jeon Jayang was—then recalled the three-pointed blade the fellow knocked down at market was carrying.
The one backing Madam Jeong's subordinates beating market rchants.
Jin Yeomyeong glanced at the curtain side—Madam Jeong would also be inside.
"Madam Jeong's household people were troubling market rchants. Wanting to eat waterlon?"
Soone inside curtain flinched—umjjik—small movent, but visible to Jin Yeomyeong's eyes.
"Maksan Swordsman, are you also Madam Jeong's subordinate?"
"Subordinate? I received that person's recomndation."
"Recomndation."
Madam Jeong's recomndation, and Jeon Jayang's sworn brother generation.
"First let's clear misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?"
"Ambushed Samcheomdao? Too weak so no need to ambush."
"Empty tricks! Samcheomdao's ability is recognized in Kaifeng! Coming from Luoyang insulting Kaifeng martial artists—even emphasis on courtesy was false fa."
"Must say different from before. Emphasis on courtesy is true, but limited to people showing courtesy to ."
Don't particularly show courtesy anymore to fellows like Samcheomdao.
"Also."
"?"
"Also outside range if no ability yet picking fights."
Maksan Swordsman—aning you.
He imdiately understood Jin Yeomyeong's words.
"Ink Sword Hero, this bastard?!"
Both stepped to dueling platform center without anyone going first—the proceeding martial artist urgently shouted:
"Don't use inner power! Not life-or-death duel!"
Before those words fell, both swords clashed.
Maksan Swordsman used heavy sword—Mukheun also didn't yield in weightiness.
Kwaang—sound like clubs hitting clubs made spectators cover ears.
The commotion from toothbrush long subsided—everyone's eyes fixed on them both.
"Ink Sword Hero! I bet my entire fortune! I'm asking!"
So gambler's earnest cry was heard.
Both like people knowing no martial arts only overflowing with strength repeatedly swung swords at each other.
Kwaang, kwaang, kwaang—amid continuous sounds:
Seuwik—Maksan Swordsman brought heavy sword against Mukheun, slightly shifting center of gravity watching for opportunity to strike.
"Won't work."
Xun Trigram Technique utilizing wind's natural energy—Xun hand seal sword technique resembling wind.
Not using inner power, so responding with only Xun hand seals wasn't difficult.
"Th-this is what..."
In state of swords touching, seized center of gravity—every ti Jin Yeomyeong pulled sword, his center of gravity scattered, becoming situation of coming forward as if dragged.
"Uh? Why is Maksan Swordsman like that?"
"Following with swords touching every ti Ink Sword Hero retreats?"
"Why just follow? Why not swing sword?"
On Maksan Swordsman's forehead, sweat beads now ford.
Short distance where swords touched—Jin Yeomyeong's footwork while retreating occupied precarious positions to him. If he rashly separated sword, Jin Yeomyeong would leap into his distance.
"Th-this..."
"Don't need to show courtesy?"
At clear skill difference, his face turned pale—no more aning to duel.
"Hap!"
Jin Yeomyeong swung Mukheun upward separating his sword—while heavy sword lifted to sky:
Swung Mukheun sideways with full force.
Where? At head.
Ppaaaak.
"Kkeuhuk!"
"Mind your brother well."
Did he hear? Maksan Swordsman's eyes spinning—pinggeul.
"Request clearly."
Ppaaaak—Mukheun struck Maksan Swordsman's head once more.
This much, can't ignore request.
Uwaa—cheers burst from among people.
"Don't even know how he did it?"
"One thing certain—Ink Sword Hero is way above!"
"Wasn't false fa?"
Among that, gambler's joy-filled cry mixed:
"My money! My money! My moneey! True to reputation! Everyone saw? Saw?!"
Proceeding martial artist also declared winner:
"Winner is Ink Sword Hero!"
Jin Yeomyeong's breathing didn't even quicken.
"Heuuum."
Deeply inhaling breath.
Maksan Swordsman wasn't important from the start—because recognized one among participants. Face known before regression.
'To dare to co here with such a disguise.'
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