The Return of the Sw Chapter 111 : I’m This Kind of Person. -04

Chapter 111: I’m This Kind of Person. -04

At that moment, an unfamiliar sound was heard from outside.

Since there were no servants or maids assigned separately, the visitor had personally announced their arrival.

“Who is it?”

“There are a lot of guests today.”

“I know, right? I’ll go take a look.”

As Seonwu Bang and Moyong Cheok turned their heads toward the window, Seo Jo-woon naturally rose from his seat.

As the youngest, he stepped forward on his own.

Moyong Heesu was the same age, but she was clearly a guest, so Seo Jo-woon went outside.

“It’s been a while, Young Master Seo.”

“Uh?!”

Seo Jo-woon’s eyes widened as he hurried outside.

He had been startled by the appearance of someone he had not expected.

He had never imagined that she would come here, so for a moment he even forgot that he should greet her.

“Is it that surprising? That I came to see you?”

“Ah, my apologies. I didn’t expect Young Lady Tang to come all the way here. Isn’t the Sichuan Tang Family at war right now?”

“That’s right. But it’s not to the point where I have to go to the front lines myself. Father and Grandfather gave their permission as well. In fact, the two of them are the ones who sent me here. They said it might actually be safer here.”

“Well, that’s not exactly wrong.”

Seo Jo-woon answered blankly.

He was still shaken from his surprise.

But he soon regained his composure and narrowed his brows.

“You’ve come all this way, please come inside.”

“Yes!”

Although he had come out, the authority to decide did not lie with Seo Jo-woon.

In a way, he too was staying here as a guest.

Just then, Ban Hojin’s distinctive calm voice was heard, and Seo Jo-woon led Tang Seorin back into the building.

“Oh my?”

“Unni?”

Tang Seorin’s eyes widened slightly as she entered the room behind Seo Jo-woon.

Someone she had not expected was inside.

Since she had not heard that Moyong Heesu was here, Tang Seorin showed a genuinely surprised expression.

“There are quite a lot of guests today.”

“So you noticed.”

“Did you perhaps make separate arrangements?”

“As if. We’re not that close.”

As though he had sensed the presence of Peng Suyeong and Peng Hwayeong, Ban Hojin spoke, and Tang Seorin shrugged.

Their relationship was not bad, but neither were they particularly close.

They simply saw each other often because they belonged to the Five Great Families.

“Another guest has arrived?”

“Yes. Young Lady Peng Suyeong and Young Lady Peng Hwayeong.”

“Hoo.”

Seo Jo-woon let out a long sigh at the procession of women arriving one after another.

He could already imagine what the atmosphere would be like once everyone gathered.

Even at this very moment, the atmosphere between Moyong Heesu and Tang Seorin was unusual.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now. But Unni, is it really alright for you to come here?”

“It’s not as though I’ve come somewhere I shouldn’t.”

“That’s true, but the current situation of the Sichuan Tang Family isn’t exactly ordinary.”

“It’s no different from usual. As always, we’re simply dealing with challengers.”

Unlike Moyong Heesu, who spoke indirectly, Tang Seorin spoke bluntly.

It was true that the Nine Heavens Gate was not an easy opponent, but it was not to the extent that the Sichuan Tang Family felt its very survival threatened.

Moreover, they were not fighting alone.

And knowing that she had to show a dignified front so that her family would not be looked down upon, Tang Seorin spoke even more firmly.

“Personally, I hope it will be resolved without incident.”

“Thank you.”

Though sharp exchanges slipped out from time to time, the two women restrained themselves.

They were not alone here.

Moreover, with Ban Hojin present—someone they had to be mindful of—the two women ended the conversation at that point.

“What brings you here?”

“I have a letter to deliver to the Abbot. It contains matters too sensitive to send by messenger pigeon or courier, so Father asked me personally to bring it.”

“I see.”

Ban Hojin did not probe further.

He knew it was only a nominal reason, but he did not think it necessary to dig into it.

Everyone already understood the real intent anyway.

“Hello.”

“It’s been a while.”

By then, the Peng sisters, Peng Suyeong and Peng Hwayeong, had arrived at Ban Hojin’s residence.

Since it was not their first visit, the two sisters entered familiarly and offered greetings naturally, unlike Tang Seorin.

They had met the group more than once or twice and were at ease.

However, upon seeing Moyong Heesu seated there, the two sisters were simultaneously surprised.

“It’s been a while, Unnis.”

“Ah, hello. But when did you get here?”

There seemed to be a slight emphasis on the word Unnis, but Peng Suyeong did not notice it.

She was too surprised by Moyong Heesu’s appearance.

She had assumed Tang Seorin would be here first since she had encountered her, but not Moyong Heesu.

“Just a little while ago. Oppa didn’t come home for the Spring Festival, so I came myself. You could say I came as Mother’s envoy. She wondered if he had gone to Songshan for Closed-Door Training.”

“Ah, I see.”

Peng Suyeong understood very well how indifferent sons could be.

Peng Mancheol considered it good enough if his two sons were not causing trouble, thinking that no news was good news, but that was not how mothers felt.

Thus, for a moment, Peng Suyeong showed a fully understanding expression before quickly snapping back to her senses.

Like Tang Seorin, Moyong Heesu was also her younger brother’s rival.

‘They’re not holding back right from the start.’

She had felt it at the Sichuan Tang Family as well, but everyone seemed to think alike.

Still, it was not incomprehensible.

Even aside from Ban Hojin, this place was full of Hidden Dragons.

“For now, please take a seat. The weather is cold, so have a cup of tea.”

“Thank you.”

“And what about me?”

“Young Lady Tang, please sit as well.”

Tang Seorin interjected, as though only the Peng sisters were being offered seats.

Even if she could not stand above the other women, she had to at least receive equal treatment, so she secured her rights herself.

Though she had not been formally invited, she was still undeniably a guest, and she had the right to request at least that much.

“Thank you.”

Even though guests had suddenly come pouring in, Ban Hojin remained composed.

As if such things were familiar to him.

It would have been bewildering enough for so many women to gather, yet those assembled here were beauties renowned even within Murim.

No less than two of the Three Phoenixes had come to see him, yet Ban Hojin showed no sign of surprise and calmly poured tea in the order they had arrived.

Stare!

Instead, the women shot sharp glances at one another.

Each of them knew far too well what intention had brought the others to Ban Hojin, and so they remained on guard.

-Oh my. This is no joke.

-I like it, though.

-This uncomfortable atmosphere?

-It’s not because of me. And it’s not like they’re being hostile toward me either.

-You’ve got it easy.

Seonwu Bang, who was expressing the awkwardness of the situation on his face in place of Ban Hojin, let out a hollow chuckle without realizing it.

No matter that it was not his own affair, it seemed they were taking it far too lightly.

-We need a change in perspective, Bang Yi hyung. How often do you see a gathering like this? Where else would you find a combination like this?

-Didn’t we see it at the Sichuan Tang Family?

-Come on. It’s better when they gather like this sometimes rather than just a bunch of men. Even I-ryong hyung is pretending not to show it, but the corners of his lips are twitching. As for Cheok hyung, he lives basking in his own greatness, so whether the Three Phoenixes are here or not, he doesn’t care.

-He really is something. Consistent, at least.

Looking at Moyong Cheok, who was sipping his tea with an expression just as indifferent as Ban Hojin’s, Seonwu Bang admired him sincerely.

He knew well that maintaining such consistency was no easy thing.

-But Young Lady Peng Suyeong’s gaze doesn’t look ordinary.

-Huh? Don’t tell me… is it a sisterly fight? Rivalry, something like that?

-Hyung, honestly…

Seo Jo-woon looked at Seonwu Bang with a pitiful expression.

Even Ban Hojin, who had spent most of his life in a temple, was sharp as a ghost when it came to reading looks, yet Seonwu Bang, who had lived his entire life in the secular world, was unbelievably dull.

Even Seo Jo-woon could tell, yet Seonwu Bang truly understood nothing.

-What was that look just now? That was extremely insolent.

-It wasn’t insolent. It was a look saying you’re pitiful.

-Hoo.

Seonwu Bang made a dumbfounded face.

Seo Jo-woon was always so polite and respectful toward Ban Hojin, but he treated him differently.

Especially at times like this.

-Anyway, I’m cheering for you, hyung.

-What are you talking about?

Seonwu Bang furrowed his brows deeply at Seo Jo-woon, who kept saying incomprehensible things.

But Seo Jo-woon was not even looking at him.

He was glancing repeatedly toward Tang Seorin and Peng Hwayeong, who were conversing with Ban Hojin.

-Are you really going to be like this?

-Like what?

-Aren’t you supposed to help me a little?

-Would anything change even if I helped? In the end, hyungnim is the one who decides. It’s not like he’d listen just because I said something.

To Moyong Heesu’s voice transmission, which sounded like a complaint, Moyong Cheok answered indifferently.

From his perspective, it was rather strange that she was acting like this when she knew Ban Hojin’s personality.

-So you’re just going to sit back and do nothing?

-That might actually be better. Haven’t you heard of reverse thinking? If you stay still, you’ll at least end up in the middle.

-Hmm.

Moyong Cheok had spoken carelessly, but unexpectedly, Moyong Heesu looked intrigued.

Now that she heard it, it did not seem entirely like nonsense.

Especially since Tang Seorin was being even more aggressive than she had been at the Sichuan Tang Family, perhaps staying quiet would make her stand out more.

-If something isn’t meant to work, it won’t no matter what you do. So sometimes giving up is one method. You can’t have everything.

-That’s what Young Master Ban said, isn’t it?

-…How did you know?

Moyong Cheok’s eyes widened.

Her tone was not probing but certain, and that surprised him.

-There’s no way you’d come up with something like that on your own.

-That kind of hurts my pride.

The previously indifferent Moyong Cheok narrowed his brows.

It pricked his pride that Moyong Heesu had seen right through him.

But Moyong Heesu was not finished speaking.

-Oh, right. Father told me to pass along something else. He said he’s starting to look into marriage prospects for you. If there’s a young lady you fancy, tell him in advance. Through the fastest messenger hawk.

Gulp.

At the unexpected message from Moyong Gung, Moyong Cheok’s face stiffened.

He instinctively knew it was not a joke.

Until now, he had thought this situation was someone else’s story.

It was not that he had no interest in women; rather, he had been absorbed in martial arts training because he found it enjoyable.

But the moment what he had thought was someone else’s affair became his own, Moyong Cheok’s mind went blank.

And Moyong Heesu enjoyed that sight.

-By order of age, you should go first, shouldn’t you?

With that, Moyong Heesu delivered the finishing blow.

It was no exaggeration to call it a coup de gr??ce. Moyong Cheok’s gaze turned vacant.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

“Is something going on?”

“Uh, well….”

Seeing Moyong Cheok’s unusual expression, Ban Hojin asked.

His expression was the complete opposite of what it had been just moments ago.

But as soon as Ban Hojin showed interest, everyone turned to look at Moyong Cheok.

“It seems like something personal. Then we’ll talk about it separately later.”

“Yes.”

At Ban Hojin’s perceptive words, Moyong Cheok let out a sigh of relief.

Yet Moyong Heesu’s words remained etched in his mind, refusing to fade.

‘Things are getting interesting.’

Meanwhile, after Tang Seorin’s appearance was followed by the arrival of Peng Suyeong and Peng Hwayeong, Ban Hojin inwardly let out a faint chuckle.

He had instantly realized that they were trying to extend their grasp not only toward him but toward his companions as well.

But he did not think it was a bad thing.

From the beginning, being drawn to capable men was the instinct of all women.

And the hearts of parents were the same.

Rather than marrying their daughters off to men of similar standing, parents naturally wished to match them with even better men.

‘They are reaching marriageable age soon enough.’