Chapter 25: Sword-Seizing Spar (2)
According to Geumhwa, the Greatest Tower of Gold was a restaurant that was recently built.
It was built by the Low Down Sect with a lot of money spent on its construction, and they even brought in an excellent chef from Sichuan.
Moyong Tak instructed them to prepare delicious Sichuan dishes when hosting in the restaurant.
Contrary to popular belief, not all Sichuan dishes were spicy.
However, spicy dishes were the essence of Sichuan cuisine. The numbing sensation and fragrance from the Sichuan pepper and mala pepper stimulated one’s salivary glands.
Yi-gang was impressed by the dish served to him.
“It’s Kung Pao Chicken and Boiled Beef!”
“Do you like these dishes?”
“Of course.”
Before reincarnation, in the West, there was a popular Chinese dish called Kung Pao Chicken. This was what they called Kung Pao Chicken.
A dish made by stir-frying chicken and cashews with spicy seasoning. The harmony between the sweet taste of the nuts and the chewy chicken thighs was amazing.
After the wave of savory taste, the numbing aroma of the Sichuan pepper remained in the mouth.
The Boiled Beef was also typical of Sichuan cuisine, where plenty of chili oil was used. The beef was stewed with white cabbage and chili oil until tender. When picked up with long chopsticks, the meat is so tender that it falls apart.
When you chewed on the well-seasoned cabbage and meat together, a sweet broth gushed out. Unlike Kung Pao Chicken, its charm lay in its moist and hot texture.
When your mouth started to burn, what you needed was a high-proof white liquor.
On the table was an elegant ceramic bottle. As he uncorked the bottle, decorated with a golden string around its neck, a rich aroma of alcohol spread. It was the famous expensive liquor, Golden Essence Liquor.
Moyong Tak poured the Golden Essence Liquor into Yi-gang’s cup.
“Can you drink? Even setting aside your youth, I’m a bit concerned about your physical condition.”
“Would I be qualified to savor its elegance if I refused Golden Essence Liquor?”
“Oh!”
Yi-gang downed the potent drink in the crystal cup in one gulp. Moyong Tak clapped his hands in delight.
“As expected, my instincts were right. You definitely have the qualities of a great master!”
“Heh!”
The fiery liquor was like a cold fire. Once swallowed, one could feel its trail down the throat and into the intestines. And the rich aroma felt with every breath out of the nose. It was a scent similar to flowers or even pineapples.
However, today, he could not taste it.
‘What a pity.’
Unseen by Moyong Tak, Yi-gang spat the liquor he held in his mouth into a hand towel.
Before being driven out to the outskirts, Yi-gang often drank. At that time, he could forget the pain and worries, primarily because the taste of the liquor was unparalleled.
However, while his mind was mature, his body was still young. There was a reason why minors were prohibited from drinking.
After his return, Yi-gang had not touched alcohol.
「To spit out that precious Golden Essence Liquor. What a waste, my descendant. How do you feel?」
‘The food and the drink, it’s hard to detect because of their rich aroma. The scent is overpowering.’
「I was asking about the taste… Ah, nevermind.」
While the Immortal Divine Sword noticed the difference in taste, Yi-gang was deep in thought. Ordinary people would not notice the sprinkling of harmful substances due to the powerful taste and aroma.
Yet, if Ha-jun was affected by a harmful substance, he would surely notice something wrong with his body.
“Want another drink?”
“Haha, I’ll take a break.”
Upon Moyong Tak offering the bottle, Yi-gang responded with a smile.
Everyone enjoyed the feast joyfully.
However, there were those observing them.
Those sitting around one table were disciples from the Seven Lightning Blade Sect.
Though they were eating with chopsticks, they were not filling their stomachs. They kept gulping down their drinks. They drank the precious Golden Essence Liquor as if it were regular wine, quickly and in large quantities.
Being intoxicated could blur one’s judgment and cause dizziness. However, it also gave courage.
“You treat Baek Yi-gang quite kindly, Brother Tak.”
“Well, after all, he is also from the Seven Great Clans. How can I distance myself openly from him?”
“That’s true.”
Earlier today, a man named Yang Jeong, who had confronted Yi-gang, scratched his throat anxiously.
“Damn, is it because I acted friendly with those Green Field Gang punks? My whole body feels itchy.”
Even though they belonged to the same level of martial sects, they have a conflicting relationship in Xi’an. Despite outward appearances, the Seven Lightning Blade Sect and the Green Field Gang did not get along.
They often clashed swords with each other to that extent.
“Just bear with it a little longer. It’s something our brother requested.”
“I guess.”
They were deeply influenced by a figure named Moyong Tak. Typically, martial artists from prestigious clans tended to be arrogant towards disciples of smaller sects, but Moyong Tak treated them like brothers.
But that was not the only reason.
“Unlike those Green Field Gang guys, we have the trust of our brother.”
“That’s true. But, is it really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“To openly pick a fight with a family member of the Baek Clan…”
Moyong Tak had a specific request for them.
To provoke Yi-gang at the banquet.
“Mistakes can happen when drinking. Moreover, that young lad, Baek Yi-gang, is an exiled child of the Baek clan. And most importantly…”
“Yes, since Brother Tak has promised to watch our backs.”
The “favor” Moyong Tak promised was no small matter to them. Especially for those who did not just plan to stay in Xi’an but wanted to advance to significant positions in the Murim Alliance.
“If you don’t take risks, there’s no reward.”
With that said, Yang Jeong stood up from his seat. Jong Seok-oh also stood up with him.
Having gulped down their drinks, they transformed their intoxication into courage.
It was signified by a deep sigh infused with the smell of alcohol.
“Whew, let’s go.”
They approached Yi-gang and the members of the Seven Stars Conference.
Since they were the central figures of this banquet, a crowd had gathered around them. Pushing through the crowd, they stood before Yi-gang, scratching at his nerves with various comments.
All while mixing in laughter and jest.
Trusting the smiling Moyong Tak, Yang Jeong brought up a sensitive topic.
It was not anything significant, just about:
The incident where Yi-gang, living in exile in a manor, was ambushed. Except for Yi-gang, everyone else was slaughtered.
“A lot of them died, I heard. You must be deeply grieved.”
The atmosphere turned heavy, but this might be what Moyong Tak wanted.
“They wouldn’t be happy even in death, would they? Protecting their master was their duty. You’re the only one who made it back alive. Hehe, how about accepting a drink from me… Oops!”
And just as Yang Jeong was rambling on, someone splashed alcohol onto his face.
It seemed like something Yi-gang would do. But it was not him. Yi-gang was merely staring coldly at Yang Jeong.
“Disrespectful bastard.”
The one who splashed the drink was Moyong Tak. He was not smiling as usual.
“Ah, br-brother.”
“Shut your mouth, Yang Jeong.”
Yang Jeong felt a cold rush in his head. Had someone not promised to subtly intervene on his behalf?
As Yang Jeong looked around, he noticed the glares from the crowd were colder than he had expected.
Especially Baek Ha-jun, Yi-gang’s younger brother, had his hand on his sword.
Just then, someone stormed in and shouted at Yang Jeong.
“Look at this, acting like he’s too important!”
“You dare!”
It was Go Hee-sam from the Green Field Gang.
“I’ve held my tongue because Brother Tak took pity and took in even the scum of your Seven Lightning Blade Sect, but now I can’t stand it any longer. Step outside.”
“S-scum? This bastard!”
“I’ve been wanting to teach you a lesson for a while.”
With those words, an angered Go Hee-sam drew an iron rod from his waist. The iron club was a signature weapon of the Green Field Gang.
“You madman!”
Yang Jeong was utterly flabbergasted.
It was true that he was not on good terms with the guys from the Green Field Gang. But after Moyong Tak’s arrival, had they not at least pretended to be friendly on the surface?
Above all, there was no reason for them to be this enraged for insulting Yi-gang.
“Since we have esteemed guests here, let’s not do this now. Settle it on the sparring stage.”
Moyong Tak said coldly.
It was only then that Yang Jeong fully grasped the situation.
‘…Such a stab in the back.’
Moyong Tak had said he would use Yang Jeong to change the atmosphere of the banquet. His younger brother, Moyong Jin, would step up and flatten the Baek Clan’s nose.
What Yang Jeong was supposed to do was merely to create a bit of tension, but unexpectedly, the situation had turned.
If any problems arose today, he would undeniably be the one to bear the responsibility. It was clear as day, especially seeing Go Hee-sam from the Green Field Gang, who could not contain his sneering laughter.
“Oh, so you think you can puff up like that? Let’s have a go then.”
Yang Jeong, too, drew his blade.
Once he cut down that Green Field Gang scum, everything would be set right.
The waiters and the other martial artists were taken aback, but it did not matter.
Before heading to the sparring ground, Yang Jeong pulled out a handkerchief. The alcohol that had splashed on his face stung his eyes.
It was while he was wiping his face with the handkerchief.
A voice, which he had entirely forgotten, rang out.
“So now, even insignificant pests treat me as if I’m easy prey.”
It was a young boy’s voice, yet the words dripped with heavy sarcasm.
What caught Yang Jeong’s eye as he lowered the handkerchief was a flying liquor bottle headed towards him.
“Wha—!”
Seeing the heavy bottle flying towards his face, Yang Jeong instinctively caught it with his hand.
Thud!
And then, from his obscured view below, someone sharply kicked Yang Jeong’s shin. His leg went numb, and before he knew it, Yang Jeong found himself falling backward.
It was certainly disgraceful for a martial artist, even if drunk. But he had no time to feel embarrassed.
“You wanted a drink?”
Someone grabbed the collar of the fallen Yang Jeong. It was then that Yang Jeong realized.
The one who had swiftly knocked him down was none other than the weak-looking young master he had inwardly looked down upon, Yi-gang.
“What… Wha-… What the hell!”
Just as a flustered Yang Jeong was about to express his anger, Yi-gang shoved a glass cup into his mouth.
Then, Yi-gang snatched the liquor bottle that Yang Jeong held.
If he was hit in the face with the bottle, the cup in his mouth would surely shatter. The consequences of that were clear.
“Blurgh!”
Yang Jeong, his face turning pale, tried to spit out the cup.
Rather than making Yang Jeong choke on the cup for a lifetime, Yi-gang tilted the bottle, spilling the alcohol.
Liquor poured into Yang Jeong’s eyes and nose, causing him to flail wildly.
It was a comedic sight. Hence, the reactions of the others were a beat slow.
“Crazy! Yang Jeong!”
It was Jin Seok-oh’s voice.
The commotion began belatedly.
“Ugh! Wait, stop!”
“Baek Ha-jun! Stop!”
Busy wiping his face, Yang Jeong did not know how the situation was going.
All he heard were shocked shouts, sounds of something crashing through the air, and noises that seemed like someone being hit and tumbling to the ground.
“Someone, stop them!”
“I-I did nothing wrong. Please, wait!”
“How dare you! Keuk!”
And then, cutting through all the noise, Yi-gang’s voice distinctly reached his ears.
“You are vermin who crossed the line.”
Yang Jeong, who was being referred to as vermin, hastily wiped his eyes and looked to his side.
His fellow disciple Jin Seok-oh was on the ground with Baek Ha-jun’s foot pressing on his chest. Judging by the blade in his hand, it seemed he had tried to help Yang Jeong.
“Another vermin, trying to deceive and use me.”
Lifting his head, Yang Jeong saw Green Field Gang’s Go Hee-sam, who was threateningly wielding an iron rod just moments ago, now standing blankly. The iron rod he had been holding lay on the ground.
Grasping his wrist and staring wide-eyed was…
“…How pitiful.”
It was Yi-gang, muttering with a smirk. There was no one else.
Yang Jeong could not believe the situation.
Yi-gang, a mere loser of the Baek Clan, looking as frail as a farmer tilling the fields, it was he who had floored Yang Jeong and caused Go Hee-sam to drop his iron rod.
That same Yi-gang now coldly looked down upon Yang Jeong, who had his head bowed.
“Folk like you shouldn’t act so arrogantly in front of me. Unless you have some backing.”
It was wrong to have believed that Moyong Tak would have their back.
No, maybe the initial problem was looking down upon the Baek Clan while living in Xi’an.
Or perhaps it was underestimating Yi-gang right before them.
“Isn’t that right, Young Master Moyong Tak?”
Yi-gang turned to Moyong Tak, who remained seated, and remarked.
“Hmm.”
“You’re engaging in such disgraceful acts. Pointlessly hosting feasts, calling these lowly types ‘brothers.’ If you wanted a fight, you should’ve said so from the beginning.”
“…”
“Or is it that the Moyong Clan traditionally enjoys such antics?”
“Baek Yi-gang!”
The one who cried out, his face turning pale, was Moyong Jin.
Yi-gang glanced briefly at Moyong Jin, then addressed Moyong Tak again.
“You’ve handed an excessively treasured sword to that young lad. Perhaps you wish to reenact the old sword seizing spar feud that existed between the Moyong and Baek Clans.”
“I won’t deny having had such thoughts. Weren’t we never on good terms to begin with?”
“Is this what the Gentleman Sword desires?”
“Not at all. It’s merely the heartfelt wish of a dutiful son.”
Moyong Tak smirked once more.
Although the plan he painstakingly constructed had somewhat gone awry, as long as his main objective was achieved, he could not care less about trivial matters like the Seven Lightning Blade Sect or the Green Field Gang.
The atmosphere in the room grew cold.
“It seems like a farce, not even worthy of a theater play.”
“Jin, ready your sword.”
“Be prepared, Ha-jun.”
Moyong Jin, as if anticipating this, drew his sword with a tense expression.
“Crush him just like last time.”
Baek Ha-jun, indifferent to his brother’s command, gripped his sword.
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