The Return of the Sw Chapter 59 : The Sleeping Dragon. -02

Chapter 59: The Sleeping Dragon. -02

At Ban Hojin’s muttering, Seo Joun deliberately put on an expectant expression.

Unlike Seonwu Bang, who was already worrying about a thousand different things, Seo Joun looked as though he did not mind going to Heilongjiang Province at all.

No, he was even slightly looking forward to it.

Since this was his first ti leaving ho, Seo Joun did not care where he went.

He rather thought of it as a good experience.

Moreover, having already been to the Northern Sea, Heilongjiang Province did not feel that far to Seo Joun.

“It's not on the schedule yet. We might go later, though.”

“So for now, it's only up to Liaoning Province.”

“That’s plenty far already.”

At Seo Joun speaking as if it were nothing, Ban Hojin let out a snort of laughter.

Considering the entirety of the Central Plains, Liaoning Province could easily be called a border region.

And unless there was a special reason, ordinary martial artists had little cause to co to Liaoning Province.

“They say hardships are sothing you seek out while you’re young, don’t they? Hahaha.”

“Even so, it’s better to avoid them if possible and live peacefully. Living an ordinary life is the hardest thing of all. Being like others, as much as others. ‘Moderation’ isn’t a difficult word for nothing.”

Unlike Seo Joun, who spoke boldly, Ban Hojin shook his head.

He thought there was no need to suffer deliberately.

“That over there is the Murong Family.”

“Anyone could tell it’s the Murong Family. The estate’s huge, and there are lots of people gathered at the main gate.”

As one of the escort warriors who had been guiding them walked ahead familiarly and pointed at an estate, Seonwu Bang nodded.

Even without knowing the exact location of the Murong Family, he felt he could recognize it just by coming nearby.

At the sa ti, Peng Suyeong’s expression darkened.

She had thought from the start that the chances of failure were high, but seeing the result still weighed heavily on her heart.

-Older Sister. Relax your face a bit.

-When we go back, Dad’s going to nag us endlessly, right?

-There’s nothing we can do. We did everything we could.

-Right?

-Yeah.

At Peng Suyeong’s voice transmission, where complicated emotions were mixed together, Peng Hwayeong spoke sincerely.

It was not as though they had not tried at all—they truly did everything they could.

If it still did not work, there was nothing to be done.

‘The failure is partly those three n’s fault too.’

Peng Suyeong secretly puffed out her cheeks.

She had done her best in her own way.

Yet the fact that it failed was clearly also due to those three n.

They filled every single day with such an insane amount of training that one might think they were training fanatics, leaving no opening to seduce them.

‘Young Master Ban worked the hardest of all, even.’

Contrary to first impressions, Ban Hojin’s attitude toward training was serious in the truest sense.

His usual expression and deanor made it seem as though he did not particularly like training.

But once he actually began, he imrsed himself with frightening intensity.

So much so that even Peng Suyeong, who usually trained in a rather half-hearted, superficial way, ended up focusing along with him.

‘They’re all training like madn—how am I supposed to steal their hearts? And it’s not like I can just take my clothes off.’

It was as if failure had been predetermined before they even began.

If even one of the three had shown interest in Peng Suyeong, there might have been so progress in the relationship, but unfortunately, there was no such person.

That was why, when the main gate of the Murong Family ca into view, Peng Suyeong let go of everything.

“Welco. We welco you to the Murong Family.”

“It has been a while.”

As they approached the main gate of the Murong Family, a middle-aged man of dignified age greeted them with a friendly smile and a fist-clasp salute.

In response, the escort warrior who had guided them this far returned the salute.

They must have known each other, as they exchanged greetings with relaxed expressions.

“It is an honor to et you. Young Master Ban Hojin. Young Master Seonwu Bang. Young Master Seo Joun.”

“Hello.”

At the sight of the middle-aged man recognizing all three of them accurately despite it being their first eting, Seonwu Bang and Seo Joun showed slightly surprised expressions.

Ban Hojin, however, greeted him calmly as usual.

“I am Murong Jeong, the one in charge of general administration here at the Murong Family.”

Despite the differing reactions of the group, Murong Jeong did not appear flustered.

Having gone through every kind of experience when it ca to dealing with people, he smiled leisurely and also greeted Peng Hwayeong and Peng Suyeong.

“It’s been a while.”

“You look even better than before.”

“Hehe. Thank you. I’ve been paying attention to my health in my own way, and it seems to be working. First, I’ll guide you to your lodgings. After that, we can go et the Family Head.”

Since it was none other than Murong Jeong, the chief steward himself, who ca out to welco them, everyone lined up near the main gate looked over with curious expressions.

They were all wondering who these people were.

However, because of the Murong Family warriors accompanying Murong Jeong, none of them approached directly.

“It must be nice to have a successful friend—being treated like this by the Murong Family.”

“It’s not just because of . It’s because we ca together with the Peng Family of Hebei.”

“At tis like this, you suddenly get modest?”

“I’m not being modest. I’m stating the facts.”

Seeing Seonwu Bang wiggle his eyebrows, Ban Hojin let out a small laugh.

Lately, it seed Seonwu Bang had quietly developed a taste for teasing him.

Still, Ban Hojin did not take it badly.

A brighter personality ant that he had gained that much more leeway.

“It really does feel like each prestigious family has a different atmosphere. You could say they each have their own unique vibe.”

anwhile, Seo Joun was once again carefully observing his surroundings.

Just as when they had visited the Seonwu Family and the Peng Family of Hebei, he swept his gaze over every corner of the estate with eyes full of curiosity.

“The Seo Family Estate had that too.”

“That’s true, but there’s still a difference. Hahaha.”

“Are you planning to take notes so you can renovate later?”

“Yes. In a way, an estate is the face of a family. When we reclaim our past prosperity, the face should return to how it originally was. Of course, even better.”

Ban Hojin nodded.

He understood well how Seo Joun viewed the Seo Family Estate.

“It wouldn’t be good if the competition increases.”

“There’s nothing we can do. The world called Murim is one where competition is inevitable and endless.”

“That statent just now sounded quite provocative.”

“It’s not wrong. Hehehe!”

Seo Joun grinned as if he had no intention of denying it.

Mischief lingered on his face, but his eyes were serious.

“I’ll accept that challenge.”

“No one knows what the future will be like in five years, or ten years.”

At Seo Joun’s words that followed, Ban Hojin felt a jolt without realizing it.

Because unlike others, he knew.

“That’s true.”

“By the way, my heart was pounding.”

“Because of Young Lady Murong?”

“Yes. Hehehe!”

Seo Joun wore an expression full of anticipation.

He had only heard about her in words, and this was his first ti eting her in person, so Seo Joun moved his steps lightly, his chest swelling with excitent.

“There’s no guarantee she’ll appear right now.”

“Co on. It’s a eting with the Family Head—how could she not be here? The two from the Peng Family are here too.”

“The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointnt.”

Seonwu Bang lent weight to Ban Hojin’s opinion.

Just because they were eting the Murong Family Head did not guarantee that Murong Heesu would appear.

She could have gone elsewhere for a while, and wanting to et soone did not an one could always do so.

“You’re too much. We ca all this way together.”

“You haven’t forgotten about us, right?”

“Ah, no way. It’s just that the older brothers led things that way.”

When Peng Suyeong and Peng Hwayeong spoke with clear dissatisfaction, Seo Joun hurriedly waved his hands.

However, despite Seo Joun’s denial, the two sisters did not believe him.

Instead, they glanced sideways at him with sulky expressions.

“Heh heh heh. You may look forward to it. The young lady is also waiting.”

“Oooo!”

“He’s far too frivolous.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

At Murong Jeong’s casually interjected words, Seo Joun’s expression changed.

Seeing that, Ban Hojin and Seonwu Bang clicked their tongues.

Perhaps because he was still young, he lacked tact to an excessive degree.

However, since he himself would bear the consequences, Ban Hojin and Seonwu Bang said nothing further.

“Welco.”

After unpacking their belongings in the assigned detached annex, Ban Hojin headed straight to the Family Head’s Hall, the office of the Murong Family Head.

Just as when they had gone to the annex, Murong Jeong guided them, so there was no chance of getting lost.

“It is my first ti eting you. I am Ban Hojin of Shaolin.”

“I am Seonwu Bang of the Seonwu Family.”

“I am Seo Joun of the Seo Family Estate.”

“It has been a while, Family Head.”

“Hello.”

Starting with Ban Hojin, the group offered brief greetings.

Since there were not few people present, everyone kept their greetings short.

“Pleased to et you.”

“Hello?”

After Murong Gung finished greeting each person while making eye contact, Murong Heesu, who had been waiting her turn, opened her mouth with a bright smile.

It was a smile that suited her epithet, White Lotus Flower, all too well.

At that sight, Seo Joun’s face reddened.

When the astonishing beauty Murong Heesu greeted him so warmly, blood strangely rushed to his head.

“At this rate, he might burst.”

“Hmph!”

Seeing a side of Murong Heesu that she had never once shown either in the Peng Family or to herself, Peng Suyeong snorted.

She was agitated by the stark difference in reaction.

Yet Seo Joun, regardless of Peng Suyeong’s behavior, could not take his eyes off Murong Heesu.

“I- It’s my first ti eting you! I am Seo Joun of the Seo Family Estate!”

“I’m Murong Heesu of the Murong Family.”

“I- It’s an honor!”

“Good grief.”

At the sight of Seo Joun unable to straighten his back, Seonwu Bang shook his head from side to side.

As a fellow man, he looked pitiful beyond asure.

Of course, it was not that he could not understand.

When he himself had first seen Murong Heesu, he too had been shocked.

Tap!

“Get a hold of yourself. Don’t you know your current appearance is discourteous?”

“I- I’m sorry!”

Seeing Seo Joun grin vacantly, unaware even of what expression he was making, Ban Hojin flicked his forehead.

If left alone, he seed likely to continue like this.

For now, since it was the first ti, it might be thought of as cute, but after so ti passed, Murong Heesu would clearly feel uncomfortable.

“I’m embarrassed just watching.”

“I’ll be careful.”

At Seonwu Bang’s follow-up words, Seo Joun bowed his head, his face flushing for a different reason.

Only then did his own disgrace co to mind.

“It’s fine. It’s much better than sending

lewd looks on the sly.”

“There have been people like that.”

“They can’t even et my eyes when I look back at them, though.”

Accepting Seo Joun’s apology, Murong Heesu smiled gently.

Compared to those who ogled her body with vulgar eyes, Seo Joun was on the pure side.

She also knew that this was actually his first ti leaving ho.

“There were also those who stared boldly.”

“That’s right. That’s why I ended up not going out much.”

Since Seonwu Bang had been together with them when they went to Shaolin, he chid in agreent.

He knew well, having seen it firsthand, how much Murong Heesu—along with Poison Phoenix and Plum Phoenix—had been harassed by n.

There were those who kept their manners, but there were also many who rudely pestered them.

“At least you got off this lightly because you’re the sa age as Young Lady Murong.”

“Oh my? You knew my age?”

“If that offended you, I apologize.”

“That’s not it. I was surprised in a different way.”

Murong Heesu looked at Ban Hojin with sparkling eyes.

She had never imagined that Ban Hojin would know her age.

Since Ban Hojin had openly pretended not to notice even when she expressed interest, Murong Heesu wore a genuinely surprised expression.

“Is there anything to be surprised about in a different way?”

“Of course. At Shaolin, you treated

as though I were barely there, didn’t you?”

“Did I?”

Ban Hojin asked back, tilting his head.

He did not particularly think that was the case.

However, Ban Hojin failed to notice it.

Seonwu Bang was slightly nodding his head.

“Yet Young Master Seonwu, who was with you, is nodding?”

“Hm.”

“Still, the most surprising thing is sothing else. I never thought Young Master Ban would keep his promise.”