Chapter 110

Some called the current Jianghu the era of the Dragon and Phoenix.

That was how many talented martial artists with outstanding martial prowess had appeared.

The Jianghu, which had gone through a period of stagnation after the Great Demonic War, regained its vitality with the appearance of new martial artists.

Martial artists with exceptional martial talent made a name for themselves from a young age and had already carved out a place for themselves in the Jianghu.

Hwan-geom Seon-ja Won Gayoung was one of the talents who had distinguished herself in the era of the Dragon and Phoenix.

Her martial prowess was so outstanding that she had earned an alias at a young age.

The ever-changing Phantom Sword was her specialty, which was why she was given the alias Hwan-geom Seon-ja.

It was known that not many among the existing martial artists could handle her Phantom Sword. Although some said her martial prowess was overestimated, most acknowledged it.

It was not simply because of Won Gayoung’s fame or martial arts, but because of her master.

Won Gayoung’s master was one of the martial artists considered great in the current era.

Sword Venerable Han Yu-cheon.

He was one of the Three Venerables and a great Sword Hero who was said to have no equal when he held a sword.

Won Gayoung was Han Yu-cheon’s direct transmission disciple and showed outstanding achievement in Sword Art. Among them, the ever-changing Phantom Sword was her specialty.

That was why Yoo Shinpoong was surprised to see Won Gayoung.

Just for being the disciple of Sword Venerable Han Yu-cheon, Won Gayoung was more than deserving of respect.

“Hah! To think Miss Won has a connection with my niece?”

“I’ve known Soha for a long time. Though this is the first time we’ve traveled such a long way together.”

“Then you must have come here because of my niece. I’m sorry to have unintentionally troubled you.”

“Not at all. I also really wanted to come to Chengdu at least once.”

Won Gayoung replied with a gentle smile. Looking at her face, Yoo Shinpoong thought she was a very considerate person.

If Won Gayoung hadn’t accompanied her, Lee Soha would not have dared to come this far.

Although she was of a similar age to Lee Soha, Won Gayoung looked much more mature and adult-like. That was how deep and mature Won Gayoung’s gaze was, exuding a sophisticated aura.

Won Gayoung asked Yoo Shinpoong.

“Yu Daehyeop, have you achieved all your goals?”

“Did Soha tell you about that too?”

“I happened to overhear it.”

“I couldn’t even see his back. I suspect he might have already left Chengdu.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s not certain. But I plan to stay a few more days, and if there’s no progress, I’ll head back. I can’t stay here forever.”

At Yoo Shinpoong’s words, Lee Soha’s face brightened.

“Then we can go back together.”

“Are you that happy?”

“You have no idea how much my mother scolded me. For coming back alone, leaving you behind.”

Lee Soha made an aggrieved face. She looked so cute that Yoo Shinpoong smiled.

“How is that your fault? I was the one who told you to.”

“But Mother…”

“I’ll speak to my sister, so don’t you worry.”

“Yes!”

“You must all be hungry after your long journey, so I’ll guide you to a good place. Last winter, I found an inn with excellent skills. Eating there will completely relieve the fatigue of your long journey.”

At Yoo Shinpoong’s words, Lee Soha shook her head.

“I’ll postpone having a meal with you until tomorrow, Uncle.”

“No, why?”

“I have people to meet today.”

“Who?”

“There’s a Golden Sky Society meeting here.”

“The Golden Sky Society is holding a meeting in a place this far away?”

“We decided to meet here for various reasons. So please, just for today.”

“Hah! To think the Golden Sky Society is meeting here.”

Yoo Shinpoong’s mouth hung open in surprise.

The Golden Sky Society was a gathering of renowned young talents in the Jianghu. Not all the talents of the Jianghu were part of it, but quite a few maintained connections through the Golden Sky Society.

Although it was a gathering of young talents, the Golden Sky Society’s influence in the Jianghu was quite significant.

The Golden Sky Society usually held its meetings in convenient places like Hunan or Hubei. It was a consideration for the talents gathering from all over the Jianghu. So it was hard to believe they were holding a meeting in Chengdu, thousands of li away from the heart of the Jianghu.

“Not everyone is gathering. It’s just a few of us, so you don’t have to be so surprised.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! It would be impossible to hold a full meeting here.”

“Then that makes sense. So, who is coming?”

“I’ll tell you later, Uncle! For now, attending the meeting comes first.”

“Right! I’ve been holding up busy people. You know where I’m staying, right?”

“You’re still at the Nine Family Manor, aren’t you?”

“You remember. I’ll be there, so come to the Nine Family Manor after the meeting.”

“Yes! Don’t worry.”

Lee Soha nodded her head vigorously.

A short while later, the two parted ways with Yoo Shinpoong and headed for an inn in Chengdu.

The place they arrived at was an inn named Four Seas Pavilion.

It wasn’t very large, but it was popular with visiting trading companies and escort agencies due to its delicious food and clean interior.

As word spread through those who had stayed at the Four Seas Pavilion, it became famous in the Jianghu as the “Sichuan’s Number One Pavilion.”

In reality, it didn’t have the best culinary skills in Sichuan, but that was how it was known to the outside world.

Because of that, people coming to Chengdu for the first time often chose the Four Seas Pavilion as a meeting place.

The Golden Sky Society was no different.

Since they were not entering Chengdu together but trickling in separately, they had chosen the Four Seas Pavilion as their meeting spot.

Many people were already inside the Four Seas Pavilion.

Presumably, because of its widespread fame, people new to Chengdu had chosen this place as their lodging.

“Wel… come.”

The waiter who greeted the two of them flinched and stuttered. It was likely due to their beauty, which was a rare sight.

The waiter, who had blushed for a moment, quickly composed himself and continued.

“W-what should I do? We’re completely full…”

“There should be someone who arrived first. A tall, handsome man. Talks a lot, laughs a lot…”

“Ah! There is. Someone who’s occupying two tables by himself, saying his companions would be here soon.”

“Take us to him.”

Lee Soha handed the waiter a copper coin.

The excited waiter led the two up to the second floor.

If the first floor felt like a marketplace, the second floor had far fewer tables and a calmer atmosphere.

“Over here!”

As they reached the second floor, a young man occupying two tables by himself waved at them.

He was a man so handsome that one would turn back for a second look if they passed him on the street.

He stood up from his seat and said.

“Welcome! You made it on time.”

“It’s been a while, Young Hero Ximen!”

“Still running around all over the place, I see. I bet you arrived early and were exploring the brothels, weren’t you?”

The two women’s reactions to the man were quite different.

While Lee Soha’s face lit up, Won Gayoung stared at the man with a gaze as cold as ice.

The man’s name was Ximen Pyeong.

He was one of the Golden Sky Society members who were supposed to meet today.

His alias was the Little Fist King.

He was a fist master said to be unmatched by anyone his age.

Ximen Pyeong also had another alias that only his close friends used.

Wind Moon Wanderer.

It sounded plausible at first glance, but it was an alias given to him for loving pleasure too much. Men called him the Wind Moon Wanderer, but Won Gayoung called him a dog in heat and detested him.

So she avoided being in the same place as Ximen Pyeong as much as possible, but today, she had no choice but to be with him.

Won Gayoung looked at Ximen Pyeong as if he were a disgusting insect. Ximen Pyeong knew this, but he didn’t care.

“Haha! The courtesans of Chengdu certainly have their own charm. They were so passionate.”

“Stop it! It feels like my ears are rotting.”

“If you’re so bitter, you should have been born a man. With your looks, women would have untied their skirts and thrown themselves at you.”

“If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll cut you down.”

Won Gayoung said, gripping the hilt of her sword.

Her aura was so murderous that Ximen Pyeong raised both hands and took a step back.

“I surrender! It’s a joke, a joke. So put away the sword. You’re unpopular because you’re always drawing your sword and swinging it around.”

At Ximen Pyeong’s taunting words, Won Gayoung’s eyebrow twitched.

At that moment, Lee Soha grabbed Won Gayoung’s hand, stopping her.

“Stop it! We didn’t gather here to fight amongst ourselves.”

“You should be grateful to Soha. If it weren’t for her, I would have cut you down.”

“Haha! Thank you, Miss Lee!”

Ximen Pyeong gave Lee Soha a good-natured smile.

Even after receiving a threat that wasn’t quite a threat from Won Gayoung, Ximen Pyeong didn’t seem to mind much.

Last night, he had spent a dream-like time at the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.

The courtesans of the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion were incredibly passionate and had given him great pleasure. Thanks to them, he was in a very satisfied state.

That was also why he didn’t care no matter how much Won Gayoung picked a fight or acted mean.

‘Hehe! Tonight, I should go to a different brothel.’

He decided to go to the Water Lotus Pavilion, the largest brothel in Chengdu, tonight.

He was determined to conquer all the brothels during his stay in Chengdu.

Lee Soha looked around and said.

“Where are the others?”

“You two are the first. They should be here soon.”

“Did you order food?”

“Of course. I ordered them to bring all the best dishes the Four Seas Pavilion has to offer. They should be out in a little while.”

At Ximen Pyeong’s words, Lee Soha looked fed up.

“That much? We won’t be able to eat it all.”

“If we can’t eat it, we’ll just leave it. What’s the worry?”

“But…”

“Miss Lee, your problem is that you worry too much. By the way, did you meet Great Hero Yoo Shinpoong?”

“Yes! He was safe.”

“That’s a relief.”

Ximen Pyeong nodded and smiled.

One of the reasons the Golden Sky Society was holding a meeting in this distant land of Sichuan was because of Lee Soha’s situation.

They had chosen this place for the meeting because she insisted on going to Chengdu.

It was then.

Thump!

Suddenly, a familiar Qi wave was felt.

The gazes of the three turned towards the stairs in unison.

“He’s here!”

A smile formed on Ximen Pyeong’s lips.

As far as they knew, there was only one person with such a powerful Qi wave that it stimulated one’s heart.

Someone’s head appeared over the stairs.

As he climbed the stairs, one step at a time, his figure was slowly revealed.

A frame a head taller than Ximen Pyeong with broad shoulders reminiscent of an iron tower.

His thick eyebrows, sharp eyes, and tightly closed lips resembled a tiger, and his entire body exuded a domineering aura.

“Geum-woo Hyung-nim!”

Ximen Pyeong was the first to get up from his seat and run to the man.

“You arrived first, as expected.”

“Haha! Still, shouldn’t I have come first to check out the situation in Chengdu?”

Ximen Pyeong bantered with the man.

Originally, Ximen Pyeong was a very prideful person.

Having distinguished himself and made a name for himself from a young age, he hardly looked at anyone.

The only exception was the man standing before him.

Iron Blood Martial Guest Jin Geum-woo.

The Society Leader of the Golden Sky Society, and the man regarded as the most outstanding talent in the Jianghu.

A rising expert who stood shoulder to shoulder with formidable senior experts at a young age. Among them, the one at the forefront was Jin Geum-woo.

A man who never looked back once he made a decision, and who was not afraid to see blood to achieve what he wanted.

An iron-blooded martial artist who, though aggressive, never crossed the line and knew how to fight against injustice.

That was why the martial artists of the Jianghu called him the Iron Blood Martial Guest.

Jin Geum-woo was the one and only martial artist Ximen Pyeong respected.

Therefore, Ximen Pyeong’s attitude towards Jin Geum-woo could only be one of utmost devotion.

It was the same for Lee Soha and Won Gayoung.

“Geum-woo Orabeoni!”

“Society Leader!”

The two performed a fist-palm salute to Jin Geum-woo.

Jin Geum-woo smiled warmly at them.

“It’s been a long time, everyone.”

A deep, resonant voice flowed out.

Just hearing his voice was strangely reassuring.

The three of them stared at their idol as if mesmerized.

It was the same for the other people on the second floor. Although they didn’t know Jin Geum-woo’s identity, they were captivated by the power in his appearance and voice alone.

Jin Geum-woo had the power to make people look up to him. That was why everyone was looking at Jin Geum-woo.

Among them was Pyo Wol.