The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 142

Chapter 142
## Chapter 142. Those Wearing Black Masks

“Old recollections are returning to me.”

Hearing Hyeok Mu-gang’s comment, Jegal So-myeong nodded his head in agreement.

“Indubitably. It is hard to comprehend that four decades have flown by already.”

Whenever the initial vacation period of the Murim Academy commenced, the pair would send away their personal retainers to stroll together through the academy grounds.

Since it marked the very beginning of the recess, the campus grounds were largely deserted.

When a person spent decades navigating a life where taking even a single day off was analyzed as a strategic political maneuver, they grew weary of constant human interaction.

It was only natural that two individuals burdened by identical exhaustion would seek out the Murim Academy, a sanctuary where they could evoke the untainted days of their youth.

“The living quarters have been remodeled.”

At Hyeok Mu-gang’s observation, Jegal So-myeong offered another nod.

“The previous structures were dreadfully substandard, were they not? During my time, even the elite Class A pupils had to pack four people into a single room.”

“That must have been incredibly oppressive for someone of your standing, Grand Strategist.”

“Even so, I shared many entertaining escapades with my peers. We used to slip away under the cover of night and sprint all the way to Yueyang. The fellow who currently leads the Mount Hua Sect as its leader was terribly fond of entertainment houses back then.”

As Jegal So-myeong recounted the memory with a subtle grin touching the edges of his lips, Hyeok Mu-gang chimed in as well.

“I am incredibly envious. My own youth lacks any such color.”

“Alliance Leader, did you truly possess no companions during those days either?”

“What?”

At Jegal So-myeong’s query, Hyeok Mu-gang’s brow twitched slightly.

“Ah! My apologies, that came out wrong. I merely intended to inquire if you were already entirely consumed by your training back then, but it slipped out incorrectly……. Hahaha.”

Jegal So-myeong swiftly attempted to smooth over the awkwardness, but Hyeok Mu-gang’s gaze had already grown piercing.

“That is inaccurate. Because I never failed to secure the position of top ranker or Academy Representative, I simply lacked the chance to partake in communal living. As you well know, Grand Strategist, the Representative Dormitory is quite isolated, is it not? ……Ah, that is right! You never managed to serve as the Academy Representative, did you?”

“…….”

This time, it was Jegal So-myeong whose eyes narrowed with irritation.

“At that time, I intentionally stepped aside to permit that Divine Sword fool from the Namgung Clan to claim the title of Representative…….”

“Are you certain you two were companions, and not locked in a servant-master dynamic?”

“Ahem! It was a sacrifice made for the greater good of all!”

“Yet the two of you are close companions now, correct?”

Faced with Hyeok Mu-gang’s relentless teasing, Jegal So-myeong let out a weary, protracted breath.

“Let us drop the subject. What relevance do those ancient designations hold today?”

“Could it be…… that you still occupy a position where you must obey the commands of the Divine Sword?”

“You are truly pushy—!”

“Hahahaha.”

As Hyeok Mu-gang erupted into cheerful laughter first, the stern expression on Jegal So-myeong’s face melted into an amused smile right after him.

“It is exceptionally peaceful and soothing here.”

“The others must be thoroughly enjoying their recess back at their respectivos master sects.”

“Hmm?”

Hyeok Mu-gang, who had been scanning their surroundings, suddenly halted his footsteps.

“What catches your attention?”

“It appears someone has chosen to remain behind at the Representative Pavilion.”

Jegal So-myeong focused his vision toward the sector Hyeok Mu-gang was indicating.

“It looks like Jin So-un and the youngsters of the Taeul Sect.”

“Did they opt not to travel home this season?”

“Correct. They must have been eagerly awaited back at the Taeul Sect as well……. However, it appears they are currently engaged in a training combat.”

“A combat?”

The two leaders locked eyes and, without needing to verbalize their intent, simultaneously altered their path toward the Representative Pavilion.

Regardless of their official titles, both were fundamentally martial artists of the Murim who simply could not pass up the spectacle of a clash.

—

“For someone who made such grand proclamations, this setup is rather underhanded. Four against a solitary opponent, is it?”

Hearing Jin So-un’s remark, Eun-ho, stationed at the core of the tactical formation, swallowed heavily.

Despite his words, the speaker appeared entirely unbothered.

This clear relaxation signaled absolute certainty that he would not suffer a simple defeat.

‘But things will not go quite so smoothly this time around.’

Eun-ho felt immense self-assurance.

He possessed the vast practical knowledge gathered during the Murim Academy Regular Exam, alongside the advanced concepts acquired from the tactical masters residing within the institution.

Furthermore, he had incorporated the foundational core tenets of two separate factions’ tactical formations, generously provided by Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran.

By integrating every single piece of this knowledge, Eun-ho had successfully elevated the White Tiger Sword Formation by a whole grade, utilizing the foundational Taeul True Scripture.

Prior to confronting their Eldest Senior Brother, they had evaluated this newly refined formation against Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran. Even when Namgung Seon-hwa unleashed the mighty Emperor Sword Art, she had ultimately proved unable to break through the White Tiger Sure-Kill Sword Formation.

“You would do well to remain on your guard this time.”

“If I discover your practice has been inadequate, prepare yourselves for brutal physical conditioning throughout the remaining vacation days.”

“……Is that not excessively cruel? You previously claimed we were traveling to Dongting Lake purely for relaxation.”

“We are journeying there to accomplish a task; we will only be sightseeing for a brief window.”

“Even so!”

He had explicitly promised to take them to Yueyang during the break, yet now he was abruptly imposing these harsh stipulations.

Was that not terribly unfair?

“Predictably, our Eldest Senior Brother possesses the absolute worst disposition under the sun…… crumbled under pressure.”

“What did you just mutter?!”

“Nothing at all.”

“Therefore, if you wish to enjoy your excursion, approach me with the resolve to face death.”

“!”

The moment So-un unsheathed the Black Dragon Sword, an intense competitive fire ignited within the eyes of the four martial siblings.

“Are the participants prepared?”

At Namgung Seon-hwa’s inquiry from her vantage point as the referee, every representative of the Taeul Sect signaled their readiness simultaneously.

“In that case…… commence!”

The instant Namgung Seon-hwa’s declaration left her lips, So-un darted forward with the speed of a thunderbolt, thrusting his blade straight ahead.

CLANG.

Dong-ryong, positioned at the absolute forefront of the group, managed to obstruct So-un’s blade by the narrowest of margins. However, because the force forced him back several paces, the group failed to launch their synchronized maneuver.

Their strategy had been completely disrupted by So-un’s proactive strike, designed to shatter their cohesion before they could even deploy.

“Eldest Senior Brother, we did not undergo all that training for nothing! Hong Bullet!”

Spurred by Eun-ho’s command, the tactical alignment shifted dynamically into a sharp arrowhead configuration.

While Dong-ryong kept So-un occupied, Sa-ryeon launched forward aggressively, driving her blade directly toward So-un’s vital targets.

SWISH.

As the rapid strikes of the Minor Heaven Sword Art descended upon him, threatening his lethal points, So-un executed a swift double spin to pull himself out of range.

“Copper Force!”

The alignment immediately fanned out in a wide arc, with Sa-ryeon and Geum-pyo positioning themselves on either flank of Dong-ryong. The trio launched a simultaneous, coordinated assault against Jin So-un.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

In a mere breath of time, more than ten continuous blows were traded, forcing So-un to yield another two paces backward.

“Your offensive maneuvers are quite sharp. Let us see if your defensive capabilities match that standard.”

So-un’s Black Dragon Sword accelerated dramatically, unleashing the intricate patterns of the Twin Heaven Sword Formula. Genuine blades and deceptive Illusion Swords materialized in a chaotic storm, rapidly closing in around the four fighters.

“Gold-Silver Armor!”

At Eun-ho’s sharp direction, Dong-ryong and Sa-ryeon pulled back, while Geum-pyo and Eun-ho advanced to directly intercept the incoming Twin Heaven Sword Formula.

It was Jin So-un’s rendition of the Twin Heaven Sword Formula clashing against the duo’s execution of the exact same technique.

The critical distinction lay in their deployment: Jin So-un had cast his Twin Heaven Sword Formula across a vast area, whereas the pair condensed their version into a compact space, forming a dense defensive barrier of steel.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

When the countless overlapping strikes of the Twin Heaven Sword Formula he had unleashed were completely neutralized all at once, So-un could not conceal his astonishment.

“Since when did your synchronization become so flawless?”

“We are currently in the heat of a serious duel, Eldest Senior Brother!”

“Fair enough, but your teamwork exceeds my calculations.”

Hearing So-un’s acknowledgment, Eun-ho felt a surge of internal pride.

This was the hidden revelation of the Taeul True Scripture they had unearthed through grueling training sessions that pushed them to the brink of collapse.

It was the exact breakthrough that gave them the confidence to believe they could genuinely challenge their Eldest Senior Brother.

‘I intend to reveal it to him, but not while this bout is underway.’

For the duration of this fight, he was solely an adversary to be overcome, nothing more.

At this precise moment, this arena served as a proving ground to measure their respective capabilities to the absolute limit.

“Silver Illusion!”

The moment Eun-ho advanced and bellowed the command, his three companions retreated to his rear, pulling back their weapons in unison.

Before So-un could decipher the true mechanics of this altered formation, Eun-ho executed the Great Heaven Sword Art with maximum intensity, entirely obscuring So-un’s field of vision.

“An entertaining effort, but I remain unconvinced that this merits a leisure trip to Yueyang.”

Unmoved by So-un’s goading, Eun-ho clenched his teeth tight.

“This is merely the opening gambit, Eldest Senior Brother.”

Utilizing the shifting movements of the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps, Jin So-un closed the distance toward Eun-ho, deftly weaving through the hidden strikes of the Minor Heaven Sword Arts concealed within the overarching Great Heaven Sword Art.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG-CLANG.

So-un, who had been systematically deflecting the incoming blades to breach the inner circle of the formation, abruptly froze.

SLASH-

With a faint, crisp tearing sound, a portion of Jin So-un’s sleeve dropped to the ground.

“What?”

He was entirely certain he had successfully identified and neutralized every authentic weapon amidst the false Illusion Swords, yet he had somehow overlooked a single true blade.

While So-un experienced a flash of surprise, Eun-ho’s voice boomed across the training field.

“Star Illusion!”

Simultaneously with the deceptive blades generated by Eun-ho, his three companions manifested their own Illusion Swords in perfect harmony.

Scores…… no, hundreds of shimmering false blades saturated the immediate environment, completely enveloping not only So-un but the entire surrounding space.

Even with the knowledge that these were mere optical fabrications, the sheer volume created a suffocating sense of dread.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

So-un swung his weapon dozens of times within a fraction of a second.

Despite his speed, small tears began to manifest across his garments one after another.

“This technique is…….”

At long last, a tone of genuine shock escaped So-un’s lips.

“The real fight is just starting, Eldest Senior Brother!”

Eun-ho and his companions grew increasingly emboldened, pushing their martial aura to an even higher peak.

The dazzling nighttime attractions of Yueyang seemed to be dancing right before their eyes.

“I have no choice then.”

Following those softly muttered words, four distinct manifestations of the Ten Thousand Swords materialised from So-un’s weapon.

“That trick will not suffice anymore!”

Eun-ho’s exclamation brimmed with absolute certainty.

So-un cast a brief look at him and allowed a subtle smirk to form.

“You shall judge that for yourself momentarily.”

In that exact instant, concentrated sword qi coalesced upon the manifested Ten Thousand Swords.

“What?”

“How is that possible!”

“!”

It was not just Eun-ho; the remaining martial siblings were utterly paralyzed by shock.

By all known laws of martial arts, the Ten Thousand Swords technique should have been entirely incompatible with the channeling of sword qi.

“Did you truly assume I spent my days idling away?”

As the Ten Thousand Swords, now reinforced with lethal sword qi, began their sweeping arcs, the deceptive blades generated by the Twin Heaven Sword Formula started dissolving into nothingness.

The fabrications vanished in a heartbeat, mimicking a swarm of insects scattering frantically when confronted by a apex predator.

Eun-ho and his three partners could do nothing but stare in wide-eyed disbelief.

“That is incredibly unfair…… crumbled under pressure.”

“Do you plan to complain about fairness when facing an actual executioner?”

“We are not finished yet!”

After Eun-ho exchanged rapid glances with his three companions and received their nods of agreement, he roared.

“Ten Thousand Illusions!”

From each of the four combatants’ weapons, a solitary Ten Thousand Swords burst into existence.

Jin So-un detected an unusual shift in the demeanor of his disciples and narrowed his eyes in focus.

HUUUUUM–

An bizarre, resonant hum began to vibrate outward from the heart of the tactical formation.

Simultaneously, the four individuals, who had previously looked like distinct fighters coordinating their movements, now shifted with such perfect unity that they appeared to share a single physical form.

A menacing pressure locked onto Jin So-un’s frame, and an unparalleled weight began to restrict his movements.

“What kind of magic is this…….”

Before he could articulate his thoughts, a secondary Ten Thousand Swords manifested alongside every single one of the constructs his juniors had already summoned.

“What?!”

An aggregate of eight distinct Ten Thousand Swords now hovered, generated by the quartet.

These constructs acted in perfect synchronization, etching the complex patterns of the Twin Heaven Sword Formula directly into the atmosphere.

The scale of the technique was immense, completely encompassing the entire perimeter of the modest training field situated within the Representative Residence.

SLASH, SLASH, SLASH, SLASH, SLASH, SLASH!

THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD!

Wherever the swirling constructs carved through the air, the stone tiling was torn up and surrounding trees were cleanly severed.

It was an awesome, sweeping hurricane of blades.

A perilous vortex capable of pulverizing anything that breached its perimeter was steadily closing in on Jin So-un, while simultaneously serving as an absolute shield for the four practitioners.

“Ha!”

Faced with the impending impact of this maelstrom, So-un felt far more fascinated than terrified.

He recognized the components as the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula and the White Tiger Sword Formation, yet he had never imagined they could be fused into such an extraordinary offensive manifestation.

‘Even so, as their leader, I cannot permit myself to fall.’

While he felt immense pride watching his junior disciples advance so rapidly, he remained determined to serve as the ultimate benchmark they had to strive to surpass.

“See if you can withstand this!”

He unleashed the specialized Sword Force of the Taeul Sect, forged through surviving the countless afflictions left behind by the Sword Demon.

So-un’s Black Dragon Sword generated a pair of Ten Thousand Swords.

Immediately after, pure Sword Force erupted from the points of both constructs.

This was the Ten Thousand Force, a manifestation that even the notorious Sword Demon had deemed to be “highly competent.”

“Uaaaaaagh!”

A desperate, determined roar echoed from the center of the swirling blades.

As if fueled by the sheer thrill of the challenge, So-un plunged himself directly into the vortex of weapons without a second thought.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.

A rapid succession of thunderous detonations marked the violent intersection of the blade storm and the Ten Thousand Force.

And then,

CRASH—! CRASH—! RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE……CRASH—!

Accompanied by massive shockwaves, the broken masonry and shattered timber of the training arena were violently propelled outward in all directions.

—

“Huff, huff, huff.”

“Haa, haa.”

Eun-ho and his companions were collapsed flat on the earth, drawing ragged, desperate breaths.

“Highly impressive.”

In stark contrast, Jin So-un unhurriedly returned his blade to its scabbard.

The four prone figures gazed up at him, unable to mask their intense disappointment.

“What exactly was that final maneuver?”

Considering their current internal energy reserves and their mastery over the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula, summoning a single instance of the Ten Thousand Swords should have represented the absolute peak of the youths’ capabilities.

Yet, when they locked their formation at the climax, every single one of them had somehow manifested two distinct constructs.

“We have designated that phenomenon as Synchronization.”

“Synchronization?”

“Correct. When we align our internal energies perfectly within the formation, a threshold is reached where we can channel a significantly higher volume of energy while consuming far less physical vitality.”

He was outlining an outcome remarkably similar to the shared energy mechanics utilized in the legendary One Hundred Eight Arhat Formation of the Shaolin Temple or the renowned Yin-Yang Taiji Formation of the Wudang Sect.

“Haha! Truly extraordinary.”

“Perhaps, but we still suffered defeat despite utilizing something so extraordinary.”

“Regardless, it proved your capability.”

“Does that mean we are cleared for the Yueyang trip?”

Amused by Eun-ho’s persistence, So-un let out a soft laugh.

“Indeed, you are cleared.”

Upon hearing So-un’s confirmation, the exhausted disciples instantly rediscovered their energy, leaping to their feet with ecstatic cheers.

“Eldest Senior Brother, on a separate note, when exactly did you acquire such an unfair mastery over Sword Force?”

—

Simultaneously.

The two high-ranking figures who had paused to observe the youngsters’ combat during their stroll found themselves rooted to the spot long after the clash concluded.

“……What is your assessment of that display?”

Responding to Jegal So-myeong’s inquiry, Hyeok Mu-gang offered a slow nod.

“The Taeul Sect possesses far more than just Jin So-un.”

“A precise observation, is it not?”

“The Taeul Sect is poised to ascend to heights far greater than my initial projections.”

“Merely ascend? I suspect they will shake the very foundations of the martial world.”

“Grand Strategist, you appear remarkably satisfied by this turn of events.”

Amused by Hyeok Mu-gang’s commentary, Jegal So-myeong smiled subtly and countered with a question of his own:

“Which of those youngsters caught your eye?”

“I find myself intrigued by the youth named Dong-ryong. Remarkably, he appears to be an individual who has successfully triumphed over the curse of the Heavenly Killing Star.”

“It is a relief that our preferences do not conflict on this occasion. The youth named Eun-ho is the one who appeals to me.”

“Oh…… Do you view him as a prospect suited for Mantongbu?”

“I must assess whether his overall intellect rivals that of Jin So-un, but based purely on his strategic command of formations, I am confident he would integrate seamlessly into Mantongbu.”

“To such an extent?”

“Did you observe how fluidly he reconstructed the tactical formation in direct response to his opponent’s actions? Such adaptability is utterly unachievable without an exceptional mind.”

Witnessing Jegal So-myeong’s rare display of enthusiasm, Hyeok Mu-gang signaled his concurrence with a nod.

The performance delivered by the young disciples of the Taeul Sect had truly been that spectacular.

“Furthermore, how has that youngster Jin So-un managed to evolve so exponentially within such a brief window of time?”

“Indubitably. I nearly lost my composure the moment that boy manifested authentic Sword Force.”

“He is a rare prodigy whose ultimate limits defy calculation. I am eager to witness his future.”

Though their intended peaceful stroll had been disrupted, the countenances of both elders radiated profound contentment.

—

“Dongting Lake!”

“The holidays are finally here!”

The region we had selected for our destination during this vacation was Yueyang, located within Hunan Province, home to the famous Dongting Lake.

“This is not a pleasure trip.”

“Understood, understood, naturally. Nonetheless, that does not mean we must spend every waking hour working.”

Eun Seol-ran and Murong Jae-hwa had both expressed a strong desire to accompany us, but due to mandatory catch-up sessions and isolated training regimens respectively, the two were ultimately forced to stay behind at the academy.

“On that note, what specific business requires your attention in a place as vibrant as Yueyang?”

The question came from Seong Mo-ran, who appeared to have effortlessly synchronized with the opulent environment of Yueyang, adorned in elegant silk garments and fine jewelry.

“There is an individual I must win over.”

“Pardon?”

“……Excuse me?”

The heads of both Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa snapped toward me simultaneously, mimicking the mechanical, rigid motion of wooden dolls.

Had my statement really been that bizarre?

“W-Win over?”

“…….”

“Perhaps the phrasing was slightly misleading. To be more precise, it would be far more accurate to state that I intend to formally and respectfully request his services.”

The most recent communication delivered by Jegal Cheon-gi was filled with grievances regarding how increasingly problematic it was becoming to source the highly specific elements required to assemble the Mechanism Formation.

While there was no shortage of capable metalworkers in the vicinity of Hefei, true master craftsmen were nonexistent.

The intricate parts necessary to sustain a Mechanism Formation that functioned via such hyper-delicate and convoluted internal physics required talent far beyond the scope of a standard smith.

This scarcity was undoubtedly the primary reason Jegal Cheon-gi had ultimately abandoned his attempts to realize the Mechanism Formation in my previous existence.

Consequently, the individual I resolved to target for recruitment was none other than Jang Do-won, a craftsman with whom I had established a prior relationship.

He remained the most exceptionally talented artisan in my memory.

“I anticipate that securing his cooperation will prove to be an uphill battle. I will consider it a massive success if I can sway his mind before our academy term concludes.”

“What manner of craftsman could possibly demand such immense dedication from you, Young Master Jin?”

“To an outsider, his demeanor might not seem overly impressive.”

In truth, his volatile and abrasive personality was far more likely to cause them to recoil.

Yet, is it not a fundamental truth that the rarest minerals are buried in the absolute depths of the earth?

It was not merely the singular Mechanism Formation conceived by Jegal Cheon-gi; my ultimate objective was to ensure that all of the Fifteen Divine Armaments—which had been distributed among the Nine Sects and One Gang alongside the Five Great Clans in my past life—would eventually reside within the Taeul Sect.

My chest tightened with excitement simply contemplating that reality.

—

“Brother, you explicitly stated that this portion belonged to me.”

“What belongs to you is safely mine, and what belongs to me remains entirely mine.”

“…….”

Setting that aside, despite Miss Seong Mo-ran taking the initiative to escort us to an upscale dining establishment, why were these three biological brothers consuming their food like ravenous street urchins?

“Moderate your pace. No one is going to snatch your plates away.”

In response to my admonition, Geum-pyo used the back of his hand to carelessly wipe away the grease coating his mouth.

“We are well aware of that, yet whenever high-quality food is placed before us, we suffer from an irrational paranoia that an ambush or a sudden crisis is about to interrupt our meal.”

This made no sense; even within the walls of the Taeul Sect, their nutritional needs were always meticulously provided for, and I had never deprived them of sustenance during our travels.

Why did they behave as though they were possessed by spirits of starvation?

I found it utterly baffling…… actually, I suppose I could understand. Ahem.

“……Switching subjects, there appears to be a significant concentration of martial artists here who bear the markings of the Diancang Sect.”

Precisely as Seong Mo-ran pointed out, nearly every alternative table within the establishment was occupied by individuals clad in the distinct martial uniforms identifying them with the Diancang faction.

“Yueyang is a territory heavily dominated by the authority of Diancang.”

“Yet Hunan Province itself is populated by formidable organizations, such as the Mount Heng Sect, is it not?”

“That is correct. However, Yueyang specifically serves as the base for the Yuwol Sect, a subsidiary branch of Diancang, alongside the Changseong Sect, which has historically maintained an incredibly tight alliance with the main Diancang Sect.”

Both the Yuwol Sect and the Changseong Sect were organizations that held secure positions within the top fifty tiers of the famous One Hundred Eight Peaks.

Leveraging the influence of those two entities, the Diancang Sect was able to maintain an absolute monopoly over Yueyang, which stood as the premier commercial and travel hub within Hunan Province.

“My, Young Master Jin possesses an incredibly vast store of information.”

Furthermore, when contrasted against the crisp uniforms of the Diancang Sect, and considering the radiant presence of Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa seated beside them, the dark, basic uniforms worn by the three brothers appeared exceptionally impoverished.

Regarding my own attire, I had a natural preference for dark tones and dressed accordingly. Fortunately, due to the meticulous supervision of the Head Maidservant managing my quarters, I traveled in a highly sophisticated, intricately patterned martial uniform. In contrast, the trio’s clothing seemed rather tragic.

The situation would be vastly improved if we possessed distinctive garments that clearly broadcasted our faction’s identity.

However, for a faction like the Taeul Sect, which had only recently transitioned away from wearing crudely mended rags, the notion of manufacturing custom uniforms embroidered with our official emblem remained an impractical luxury.

Stung by a sudden wave of unnecessary guilt, I began to muse that I ought to purchase a set of proper clothing for the boys prior to our encounter with Jang Do-won.

“From which alleyway did those ragged peasants crawl out of?”

Though the interior of the dining hall was filled with general ambient noise, that specific mocking comment cut through the air with absolute clarity.

I scanned the room, initially doubting whether the insult was truly aimed at our party, but given the setting of an upscale restaurant, the remaining clientele were universally decked out in vibrant silks and expensive gold trinkets.

Predictably, our table was the sole group that could realistically be misidentified as a gathering of ragged peasants.

It was not just the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers who reacted; even Seong Mo-ran’s expression instantly turned icy.

Wasting not a single second, Namgung Seon-hwa extracted the sharp pin securing her hair, gripping it exactly like a dagger, and bolted from her chair while projecting a wave of pure animosity. She marched directly toward the origin of the remark.

“Who uttered that? Which specific individual just referred to our endearing younger brothers as ‘peasants’?”

“…… shreds.”

What on earth was happening? Namgung Seon-hwa had obviously spoken up in our defense, yet……

Why did her phrasing feel so insulting?

In any event, the target who had insulted them escaped being instantly pulverized by Namgung Seon-hwa’s wrath.

This reprieve occurred because Namgung Seon-hwa’s entire frame locked up the moment the speaker addressed her.

“Well now, is that not the honorable Miss Namgung Seon-hwa?”

“…….”

The greeting was delivered with the enthusiastic tone of someone encountering an old, valued acquaintance.

The individual, positioned at the center of an elegantly dressed entourage, offered her a bright salutation before shifting his gaze to focus on our table.

“I was wondering who could possibly be making such a pathetic display…… so it turns out to be you miserable wretches?”

An intense, heavy layer of scorn saturated the man’s voice.