Chapter 112: Not an Easy Man. -01
As the year changed, Ban Hojin also grew one year older.
Starting with him, the rest of the group aged as well.
In other words, it was not strange for him to be receiving this kind of attention.
It was only natural for n and won of marriageable age to et.
‘I only need to make use of what can be used.’
The gathering of people ant that he could accumulate that much more diverse experience.
In particular, the talent of Peng Hwayeong—who would one day earn the epithet Blade Empress—did not fall behind Seo Jo-woon or Moyong Cheok even in the slightest.
She had already shed another layer of her own limitations.
That was why Ban Hojin intended to guide the current situation in a favorable direction.
‘Well, if fate aligns, formally dating wouldn’t be bad either.’
Ban Hojin left a bit of room open.
It was not as though he disliked the idea of marriage.
In this life, he had promised himself to live differently from his previous one, so regardless of when the ti ca, he intended to marry soday.
He simply had no intention of clinging too much to a woman.
“Young Master Ban?”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Do you perhaps not like alcohol?”
“At the temple, we do not drink alcohol.”
Even at Dang Seorin’s sudden ntion of liquor, Ban Hojin did not fluster.
With his characteristic calm expression, he gave a textbook response.
“The monks do not drink, but isn’t it permitted for visitors?”
“That is true.”
“Then since this gathering itself is a kind of fate, how about we all gather together this evening and share a light drink?”
Dang Seorin spoke with a bewitching smile.
If she had her way, she would have liked to drink alone with Ban Hojin, but with so many watching eyes, that was impossible.
Thus, she proposed that they all gather together instead.
“A drinking party.”
“Now that I think about it, because of Nine Heavens Gate, it seems we never properly had a drinking gathering at the Main House.”
“Still, doing that at Shaolin feels a bit improper.”
“It’s not because you can’t drink, so you’re trying to stop it, is it?”
Looking at Moyong Heesu, who subtly objected, Dang Seorin wore a peculiar smile.
It was the kind of smile that implied she was interfering because she herself could not drink.
Yet Moyong Heesu did not avoid Dang Seorin’s gaze.
“There are manners that must be observed depending on the place. Even if not the Beggars’ Sect Leader, I understand that Junior Beggar also refrains from drinking at Shaolin whenever possible.”
“This isn’t Shaolin, is it? Though it’s practically adjacent. Besides, there aren’t any monks here.”
Dang Seorin boldly swept her gaze over those present.
Rising Juniors brimming with youthful vigor.
And among them were capable n and beautiful won.
It made no sense for there to be no alcohol in such a gathering.
Moreover, a drinking party would not be disadvantageous for her alone, but also for the Peng sisters, Peng Hwayeong and Peng Suyeong.
Alcohol lowered a person’s guard at a certain point.
In other words, it would benefit the two sisters as well, so Dang Seorin cast aningful glances back and forth between Peng Suyeong and Peng Hwayeong.
“I apologize, but let us hold the drinking gathering another ti, at a different place.”
“If it makes you that uncomfortable, then at Dengfeng County—”
“Everyone is at an important stage right now. Thank you for the suggestion, but let us do it next ti. If you truly wish to, you may go separately with those who would like to attend.”
At Ban Hojin’s polite yet firm refusal, Dang Seorin secretly bit her lower lip.
A drinking party without Ban Hojin held no aning for her.
No—likely, it would be the sa for the others.
Rather, there was a high chance that only botherso flies would gather instead.
“I suppose this matter requires further discussion.”
“Very well.”
Dang Seorin subtly took a step back.
A gathering without Ban Hojin had no aning, but she also thought there was no need to appear overly stubborn.
And if Ban Hojin did not attend, there was a high chance that Seonwu Bang, Seo Jo-woon, Jeong I-ryong, and Moyong Cheok would also abstain.
“Oh, right. My father told
to give this to you, Young Master Ban. It’s tea made from chrysanthemums grown directly at our Main House.”
As Dang Seorin awkwardly smiled and withdrew, Moyong Heesu seized the mont and stepped in with perfect timing.
She brought out a gift perfectly suited to Ban Hojin’s fondness for tea.
Dang Seorin shot her a sharp glare at the sight, but Moyong Heesu paid it no mind.
“I will gratefully enjoy it. Please convey my thanks to the Family Head as well.”
“Yes!”
At Moyong Heesu’s natural way of drawing Ban Hojin’s attention, not only Dang Seorin but also Peng Hwayeong’s gaze shifted.
At the sa ti, they reproached themselves for having prepared nothing.
Since they had co together with their older brothers, they had been too busy stopping fights in a fluster.
To Peng Hwayeong, that ti felt exceedingly wasteful.
‘I ca without thinking enough.’
Peng Hwayeong’s gaze sank.
Both she and Peng Mancheol knew there were many competitors.
And yet she had co without any preparation—an undeniable mistake on her part.
Realizing once more that dreams and reality were different, Peng Hwayeong bit her lower lip where others could not see.
‘I need a counterasure.’
Peng Hwayeong glanced sideways at Dang Seorin, who wore an expression identical to her own, and sank into thought.
Ban Hojin’s residence grew more crowded with each passing day.
Since the space was limited, not many could actually stay there.
However, even though it was far from the Guest Reception Hall, people ca early every morning to visit Ban Hojin’s residence.
“Euja-ja-ja!”
“Haaap!”
With spirited shouts ringing out here and there, sparring matches continued.
As befitted their age, brimming with energy, they kept switching opponents and sparring without pause.
A few stopped after a few rounds, but most continued until they were truly exhausted—no, even past exhaustion.
“It’s a good ti in their lives.”
Among them, the most popular were Seonwu Bang and Jeong I-ryong.
Compared to the undeniably genius Seo Jo-woon and Moyong Cheok, who had been born with talent, those two were more approachable and courteous, so most of the Rising Juniors chose Seonwu Bang and Jeong I-ryong.
Of course, a few brimming with confidence boldly challenged Moyong Cheok and Seo Jo-woon as well, but the results were rarely favorable.
Now that their talents had begun to bloom in earnest, Seo Jo-woon and Moyong Cheok were strong enough that even the Four Dragons could not confidently guarantee victory against them.
“Ha!”
Clang clang clang!
Only Peng Hwayeong was able to spar with the two on nearly equal footing.
It was not for nothing that she would one day be called the Blade Empress—Peng Hwayeong did not fall far behind even against Seo Jo-woon and Moyong Cheok.
“Very good.”
Since everyone had already reached a certain level, there was no explosive improvent, but growth was originally sothing that progressed gradually.
Then, at a certain turning point, a martial artist would gain enlightennt and surge upward in a burst.
That was why Ban Hojin thought that now was just right.
New faces appeared every single day as well.
“Selection, huh.”
As always, Ban Hojin lay comfortably atop a tree branch that could be called his designated seat, slowly scanning the unfamiliar faces.
Though he had exchanged greetings, he did not really know their nas.
If they had been individuals who had made so na for themselves in his previous life, he would have rembered them, but unfortunately, there were none like that.
Instead, he had heard an interesting rumor.
It was said that if one received his selection, one could quickly grow stronger.
Yet, upon hearing the details, it was not entirely wrong.
‘Bang or Cheok are cases who would shine later on anyway, but Jo-woon and I-ryong are different.’
Strictly speaking, Jeong I-ryong would also eventually gain trendous renown, but the important point was that, originally, he was not a martial artist who would have appeared at this ti.
Thus, it was said that a rumor was quietly spreading that if one received his selection, one would beco a rising expert or an erging powerhouse.
“Take this!”
“This ti it’s my turn!”
Perhaps because of that, everyone showed trendous concentration during sparring.
They sparred with the Four, excluding Ban Hojin, building experience while trying to catch his eye.
There were no special qualification requirents—only a rumor that he favored those who worked hard—so the Rising Juniors of Ban Hojin’s age devoted themselves fiercely to sparring.
“The atmosphere is intense.”
“I feel sorry for you and the Second-Generation Disciples.”
“Ah, it’s fine. Senior Uncle is personally guiding us separately.”
“Even so, you all were here first.”
Ban Hojin replied without even turning his head.
He already knew who had co beneath the shade of the tree.
“This land had no owner to begin with. If anything, it belongs to Senior Uncle.”
“Still, there’s such a thing as order. It might feel disappointing.”
“It’s really fine. Not just , but the others too. In fact, everyone likes it. We get to accumulate diverse experiences. And we get acquainted with the Rising Juniors.”
“And there are beauties as well?”
“Hehehe!”
Even though he had grown another year older, Jeong Hyeon, whose face was still youthful and taut, laughed slyly.
Perhaps because he stood at the boundary between youth and young adulthood, he was no longer simply cute.
“Disgusting.”
“Huh! That’s too much. No matter what, calling
disgusting!”
“Look at Donggyeong and smile with that exact sa expression. Then you’ll understand why I said that.”
“Still, ‘disgusting’ is a bit much.”
“I’m telling you, try looking.”
Jeong Hyeon answered in a slightly moist voice, as though wounded at heart, but Ban Hojin was rciless.
Jeong Hyeon was no longer cute.
As if to prove it, dark and lengthy stubble had begun to grow beneath his nose.
Once he shaved in his current state, there would be no turning back.
“Senior Uncle isn’t even looking at .”
“I see everything. I pretend not to look, but I see it all.”
“Lying is bad.”
“My sensory perception tells . It tells
that you’re glaring at
with your brows tightly furrowed and a face full of dissatisfaction.”
“Huh!”
Jeong Hyeon was startled.
Since Ban Hojin was gazing far away beyond the front courtyard, he had assud he could not possibly see him, but that was not the case.
So Jeong Hyeon hastily relaxed the deeply furrowed space between his brows.
“What’s the point of fixing your expression? I already saw it.”
“I-Is it true that if your sensory perception is sharp enough, you can feel everything?”
“If you’re curious, climb to my level.”
“……Is that even possible before I die?”
“If you can’t, then it can’t be helped.”
At Ban Hojin’s indifferent tone, as though it had nothing to do with him, Jeong Hyeon pouted.
At tis, he seed to take care of him, yet at others, he was completely indifferent.
So he could never quite grasp what rhythm to follow.
“You’re too much.”
“I’m doing this for your sake.”
“Aren’t you just making excuses?”
“If that’s how you take it, it can’t be helped. But it feels like you’ve been coming here quite often lately? You and the other children as well?”
Only then did Ban Hojin turn his head.
He wore a rather strange smile.
As if he could see straight through Jeong Hyeon and the Second-Generation Disciples’ inner thoughts.
“Diligence is what you emphasized over and over, Senior Uncle. We co to train hard, every day, consistently. Does that inconvenience you?”
“I’m saying that because your intentions don’t seem entirely pure.”
“N-Not pure?”
“Well. Wouldn’t you know better than I?”
Ban Hojin looked at Jeong Hyeon with a aningful gaze.
His eyebrows twitching in an especially suggestive manner.
However, Jeong Hyeon did not fall for the high-level leading question.
He was a year older now and had accumulated considerable experience of being caught out, so he did not yield so easily.
“I don’t know what you an.”
“Well, I understand. It’s a ti when one’s blood is boiling and curiosity is abundant.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Ah, I just rembered sothing—I should get going!”
When cornered, the best course of action was to flee.
Having learned that through experience, Jeong Hyeon hurriedly ran off.
“Tsk tsk. He could just admit it. In a way, it’s the law of nature.”
Though he was a warrior monk of Shaolin, that did not an he was not a man.
In other words, it was not strange at all—rather, it was only natural—that a man’s instincts would surge.
And one had to properly face oneself to control it, yet Jeong Hyeon only kept avoiding it.
“You’re rejecting that law of nature too, aren’t you?”
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