Chapter 97 – The Golden Grand Banquet (1)
Number Seven felt a pang in her heart the mont she saw the Naless Hero again.
She had seen him kill the Slaughterer before. Even then, her eyes had been drawn to him, and today she felt her gaze caught by him again.
“Nice to et you, I hope we get along well.”
Im Yeon-jeong greeted her warmly.
“Yes, please take care of .”
Im Yeon-jeong said to Number Two:
“I didn’t know your organization had such beautiful won too. I thought it was full of gruff n.”
She expected at least a joke or a sign of embarrassnt, but both Number Two and Number Seven showed no reaction.
Im Yeon-jeong shook her head.
“What boring people.”
Their subsequent behavior was no less formidable. Number Two looked at Number Seven and said:
“Let’s go out.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll take our leave now.”
The two made a fist and palm salute before leaving the room.
They walked side by side down the corridor.
Number Seven had co down here on Number One’s orders. It was because the Naless Hero had killed the Heavenly Blade Sect’s Slaughterer and then made contact with Ma Ryeong-in.
She had been taught that when coincidences pile up, it’s no longer a coincidence. Originally, she had co down intending to kill the man called the Naless Hero, but upon seeing him, she felt she needed to investigate further.
The two entered the room at the end of the corridor.
“So you say this Naless Hero is suspicious?”
“Yes.”
Number Seven honestly revealed the mission she had co down for. She judged that making up other reasons would only raise the guard of the sharp Number Two.
However, she didn’t ntion that she had been ordered to eliminate the Naless Hero at her discretion. She also didn’t reveal that Strange Phantom and Drunken Gentleman had co down with her and were standing by. She only said she had co down to investigate on Number One’s orders.
“It’s unreasonable to think he intentionally approached Young Master Ma just because he killed the Slaughterer. From my observations, he’s not a suspicious person.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
Number Seven didn’t express her own opinion.
“Moreover, he’s soone Young Master Ma needs. So keep that in mind while investigating.”
“Understood.”
Number Two, who knew the organization’s nature well, asked suspiciously:
“Did anyone co with you, by any chance?”
“No.”
Number Two scrutinized Number Seven. But he couldn’t tell from her expression or attitude whether that was a lie. That’s how they had been trained.
“Go and rest. I’ll issue an entry permit, so you’ll be able to freely co and go through the chanism.”
***
I was quite surprised by Number Seven’s appearance.
She had been among the crowd when I killed the Slaughterer. She clearly had a mission related to the Slaughterer.
Having ruined that mission and now t with Ma Ryeong-in, their organization would naturally want to investigate . She must have co down because of .
“What are you thinking so deeply about? You were thinking about her just now, weren’t you?”
I smiled and answered Im Yeon-jeong’s question:
“How did you know?”
“n’s minds are so predictable.”
“Let’s continue our earlier conversation.”
“What conversation were we having?”
“There’s sothing Young Master Ma didn’t tell you because of jealousy.”
“Jealousy?”
“That I like you.”
She was startled by my words, which were almost like a confession. Then she laughed loudly and said:
“Hahaha. Is this your attempt to taste the forbidden fruit before you die?”
“Is liking soone such a vile intention?”
“Don’t joke around.”
“I’m not joking.”
I answered seriously.
She strode towards . She brought her face close to mine and stared straight into my eyes.
I still can’t tell. Whether that clear energy I feel from her eyes cos from genuine purity, or from an evil I haven’t considered.
“All the n who liked are dead.”
“That’s good. I’m a dead man walking anyway.”
I answered confidently and t her gaze without avoiding it.
The next mont, she suddenly surprised with a kiss.
It wasn’t a deep kiss, just a light peck.
She smiled and said to , who was startled:
“I just gave you a little taste of what the forbidden fruit is like, out of pity for soone who’s about to die.”
My face turned red. This embarrassnt was certainly not an act.
“You should go now.”
She returned to her seat and started reading her book.
“I’ll see you later.”
She didn’t look back at my farewell.
I imdiately left her research room.
***
That evening, I was sitting alone in the inn, drinking.
Truly, Im Yeon-jeong’s surprise kiss was unexpected.
Could she actually like ? How long have we known each other? Or did she really just give a kiss out of pity because I’m about to die soon? That can’t be it, right? If not, what could her intention be?
I couldn’t understand her heart. Anyway, I was dazed, but I didn’t bla myself or regret it. I felt a bit sorry towards Song Hwa-rin, but it couldn’t be helped.
Actually, the one I should feel sorry for is Im Yeon-jeong. I’m willing to use her if it ans finding out who’s behind these people.
I’ll take one more step in to find out about them, then get out.
I just need to know who’s behind them. Once I find that out, the Naless Hero will disappear for a while, and I’ll beco Byeok Ri-dan again to build up my forces.
Knowing who my real target is versus not knowing will make a world of difference, even if I take the sa actions. Just one more step is all I need.
For that, I need to be able to freely enter and exit the secret mansion.
There are people there… There must be clues there.
***
Three days passed, and finally the day of the Golden Grand Banquet dawned.
Zhengzhou was swept up in the festive atmosphere from early morning.
The streets were filled with rchants and the martial artists who followed them.
Various events were taking place everywhere. rchants who had flocked from all over were selling all kinds of fascinating goods.
There was even a rchant from the Southern Barbarians selling elephants and giraffes.
I passed through the marketplace and arrived at the venue where the opening ceremony of the Golden Grand Banquet was being held. It was to see Ma Bonggi.
A large crowd had already gathered there.
In the distance, a large platform was visible, and beside it were seats prepared for famous martial artists and important figures.
The gathered people were engaging in various conversations. Most of them were rchants. rchants are people very sensitive to rumors and politics.
They were sharing news from all over the Central Plains.
They were talking about which rchant group from which region had achieved what results this ti, who the owner of a newly established rchant group was and why failed ones had failed, what problems the Heavenly Blade Sect’s successors were causing in each region, and even how the ergence of the Naless Hero was affecting the comrcial rights.
I’m certain that if one could hear these kinds of conversations every day, all information brokers in the Central Plains would go out of business.
Amidst all this, there were even brave people voicing complaints about the tyranny of the Heavenly Blade Sect.
But most rchants were very careful in their words and actions regarding the Alliance Leader.
A middle-aged man climbed onto the platform and announced the start of the Golden Grand Banquet. His voice, infused with inner energy, resounded far across the packed venue.
“Distinguished guests who have made the precious journey from all over the Central Plains, we will now begin the Central Plains’ premier festival and the world’s most dazzling banquet, the Golden Grand Banquet!”
Bang! Bang! Boom!
Fireworks exploded in the sky all at once. Smaller fireworks continued to go off on the ground as well.
The middle-aged man introduced the protagonist who hosted this Golden Grand Banquet.
He was a short, white-haired old man nad Cheng Wang-bao, the president of the Central Plains rchants Association and the head of the Continental rchant Group.
“This occasion is for us rchants. During the period of this grand banquet, you may stand tall and speak loudly. You are the protagonists of this banquet.”
Thunderous cheers erupted.
Cheng Wang-bao then introduced another person.
“Now, the most noble person in the martial world has co to congratulate us on this occasion. Let introduce the center and pillar of the martial world, the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader!”
Waaaah!
Ma Bonggi appeared amidst loud cheers.
The mont I saw him, anger welled up inside . It wasn’t because of his unchanged appearance. It wasn’t because of the rchants applauding despite clearly knowing about the Heavenly Blade Sect’s tyranny.
It was because of the four won standing a little way from the platform. They were beauties who were clearly chosen for their faces and bodies.
I had heard about this before. Ma Bonggi’s personal guards were all won.
He couldn’t change it after becoming the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader, but old habits die hard, and in addition to the Alliance Protection Regint warriors, he went around with these won.
The thought that such a lecherous man was leading the Martial Righteous Alliance naturally made angry.
I let his speech go in one ear and out the other as I surveyed the surroundings. I spotted Ma Cheol-gun a little way from the VIP seats where the famous martial artists were sitting. He was in conversation with Ma Ryeong-in.
I slowly made my way towards them, pushing through the crowd.
***
Ma Cheol-gun t Ma Ryeong-in again after a long ti.
Ma Bonggi’s successors were scattered across the Central Plains building their forces, and Ma Ryeong-in was in charge of this Henan Province. Of course, he didn’t know that Ma Ryeong-in was conducting secret experints.
“I heard your achievents in Henan haven’t been very good.”
“What’s the point of working hard? You’ll be the successor anyway, brother.”
“Heh, that’s still uncertain. If soone more outstanding than appears…”
“You’ll kill them?”
“You brat?”
“It’s a joke, just a joke. Seeing you after so long makes joke around. Hahaha.”
Ma Cheol-gun laughed along with a friendly face. But his inner thoughts were different. He was most wary of Ma Ryeong-in. He knew well that among the successors, he was the most adept at hiding his true intentions.
“What about the other siblings?”
“They didn’t co. Only Father and I were invited to this Golden Grand Banquet.”
“I see they only care about the Alliance Leader and the next Alliance Leader.”
“It’s not that. Recently, the martial world has been looking at our sect unfavorably. That’s probably why only Father and I were invited.”
“Was there ever a ti when our sect was spoken of favorably?”
“It’s more serious than before. Especially after the Naless Hero killed Warrior Yeom, the view towards us has beco very unfavorable.”
“Warrior Yeom? He was just a butcher. I think it’s good that he died. Our Heavenly Blade Sect needs to change too.”
“Watch your words.”
“Well, I’ve said my greetings, so I’ll take my leave now. Let’s consider this a farewell greeting too! Have a safe journey after the banquet ends!”
Ma Ryeong-in left without looking back.
Ma Ryeong-in glanced at standing a little distance away. Our eyes t, but we pretended not to know each other.
I was observing Ma Cheol-gun’s surroundings.
Two people were close by. According to what I had learned in advance through Ma Ryeong-in, the middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance was Old Master No, who acted as Ma Cheol-gun’s military advisor. And the man next to him was Number Three from the mysterious organization.
A little distance from them were seven masters, the Seven Dragon Swords who guarded the Heavenly Blade Sect Leader.
The Number Seven Heavenly Dragon Swords were a notch above the eight masters who had been guarding Ma Ryeong-in earlier.
Each of their martial arts levels was on par with Joo Do-chi. It was like having seven Joo Do-chis guarding him. Moreover, their combined technique was said to be extraordinary.
After observing Ma Cheol-gun’s guards, I left the area.
Ma Ryeong-in’s carriage was waiting at the agreed location. As soon as I got in, Ma Ryeong-in asked:
“How was it? Does a surprise attack seem possible?”
“It doesn’t look easy. Especially the aura of those Number Seven Heavenly Dragon Swords was no ordinary matter.”
“They are masters. The real problem is Ma Cheol-gun himself. He’s stronger than all of the Number Seven Heavenly Dragon Swords combined.”
“There’s one thing I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“That person called Number Three next to Old Master No. If I make a surprise attack, how will he react?”
“I think he’ll just watch.”
“So it’s not certain.”
“That’s right.”
“Please find out exactly how he’ll respond.”
“Alright.”
“I need to find out when the Number Seven Heavenly Dragon Swords will be away from him. Also, whether there are any other secret masters besides them.”
I was showing him that I was really focused on the task.
“Now that I’ve seen him, I feel like I want to succeed in the assassination.”
Of course, I have no intention of assassinating Ma Cheol-gun at all. I’m just shaking up Ma Ryeong-in with these words.
Sure enough, Ma Ryeong-in couldn’t hide his longing. His gaze towards intensified. He must be desperately hoping.
Just the fact that the Naless Hero attempted to assassinate him would be enough of an achievent, but if the assassination actually succeeded, he would suddenly rise as the strongest successor candidate.
“Young Master Ma.”
I looked at him seriously.
“I’m prepared to throw everything I have into this task. So please grant one request.”
“What is it?”
“Let freely co and go in the underground of the mansion.”
“Why?”
“I want to be able to et her whenever I want.”
‘Her’ of course ant Im Yeon-jeong.
Ma Ryeong-in stared at silently. He must be deliberating whether he could trust . It wasn’t an easy decision. He was fundantally a person who didn’t trust others.
Since eting him, he had made efforts, and I had made efforts too.
The result of my efforts now depended on his answer.
He didn’t give the answer to , but to the driver in the coachman’s seat.
“Let’s return to the mansion.”
And he threw the blindfold that had been placed beside him out the window.
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