Day And Night (5)

“Is that so?”

“I truly almost got in big trouble. I let my guard down thinking they were just bandits, and it was a huge mistake. They say even a master can die to a blind stroke from a lesser man. It was quite the lesson.”

“Even so, Brother Song, you are impressive. Most get hurt in their first real fight even without letting their guard down.”

“Hohoho, I thought Brother Song’s fiery temper had softened a lot, so that happened.”

The sight of the youths laughing and chatting was truly pleasant.

The manor’s main hall was larger than needed and lavishly adorned. For a place rented for a day it was almost too opulent.

At the long table set in the center of the huge room, seven men and women sat in their places, chatting.

In the seat of honor sat Ha Jun. Though the second son of the Cheongyang Association, he was the oldest among them.

He was also the host of the gathering, and crucially the Cheongyang Association was acknowledged by all as strongest among the Eight Houses.

Ha Jun seemed to know his place well. Smiling faintly as he looked over the late-generation prodigies chatting, he seemed natural enough to be believed the head of an organization.

At Ha Jun’s left and right sat Seol So-ha and Gu Hee, the eldest daughter of the Abundant Prosperity Guild.

Song Geon, seated to Gu Hee’s right, sighed and spoke.

“By the way, it is a problem. Lately Sichuan seems unusually turbulent.”

Gu Hee tilted her head.

“Turbulent how?”

“You know. The recent murders targeting civilians.”

“Ah, that.”

Gu Hee’s face clouded and she cleared her throat.

Song Geon clicked his tongue.

“Who would have thought that Beon Gang brat was cultivating such demonic arts. The Red Sword Sect took a mortal blow from this. They may even be expelled from Sichuan’s Eight Houses.”

It was not a maybe but all but certain.

It was not just anyone. Beon Gang, the likely next sect leader, had practiced demonic arts and massacred civilians. Had the Heavenly Will Alliance not issued a Sealing Order, just cultivating demonic arts might have made them enemies of the Sichuan Murim.

It was only thanks to the Sealing Order did they preserve their lives at all. The Red Sword Sect would never rise again.

Yeom Hang, the Young Fort Lord of the Black Bamboo Fort, waved his hand.

“Come now, Brother Song. Enough of that in a good gathering.”

“No. I think matters like this should be spoken of openly. Of course we gathered for fellowship, yet we are all heirs who will one day inherit our sects. I see this as a place to share views.”

It sounded earnest, but within was a subtly fawning remark only the knowing would catch.

Ha Jun, who organized the meeting, was the second son of the Cheongyang Association and unlikely to become the next leader. He had an elder brother, and the Association Leader’s first son was said to be a martial genius nearing the leader’s martial level.

In short, Song Geon was subtly praising Ha Jun while presenting himself as the mature man who did not look away from grave affairs.

Yeom Hang inwardly shook his head.

‘He got pretty sly while I was not looking.’

Whatever else, currying favor with Ha Jun could not hurt. Scratching his head, Yeom Hang said,

“I agree with Brother Song. In times like these, it would be good for us Eight Houses to rally around the Cheongyang Association and refresh the darkened mood.”

“That is exactly my point.”

“But let us set that aside for a moment. Is this not the first time the heirs of the Eight Houses have gathered like this? We may know of each other, but let us do introductions and share a few rounds.”

Yeom Hang looked to Ha Jun.

“How about it Brother?”

Ha Jun answered with a smile.

“Let us do as Younger Brother Yeom says. The night is long.”

The lead passed naturally to Yeom Hang. Song Geon felt a pang of regret, but did not show it.

“As the one who spoke up first, I will introduce myself. I am Yeom Hang of the Black Bamboo Fort.”

Rising to give a disciplined bow, Yeom Hang cut a formal figure unlike his usual free manner.

Thus the late-generation prodigies rose in turn.

“I am Song Geon of the Divine Spear Clan.”

“I am In Jong-seop of the Beak-Star Saber Sect.”

“I am In Hye-dan.”

Seol So-ha rose from her seat.

“I am Seol So-ha of the Seol Clan.”

All eyes gathered on her.

Rumors of the White Sword Seol Clan’s eldest daughter were widespread in Sichuan. Renowned more about her beauty than her martial arts, if one named Sichuan’s greatest beauties, Seol So-ha’s name was always included.

Not only the men, even Gu Hee looked at her with sparkling eyes. Her beauty was too great to dismiss lightly.

When Seol So-ha sat without expression, Ha Jun stood.

“I am only grateful you accepted my invitation. I long wished to make such a gathering, and it is fortunate many who joined the Radiant Sword Festival are here. I am Ha Jun of the Cheongyang Association.”

Applause rose here and there. The reaction was visibly different.

After introductions reached Gu Hee, Yeom Hang spoke.

“Now, let us each drink a cup in thanks to Young Master Ha of Cheongyang for making this hard-won gathering.”

All raised their cups and drank.

Meanwhile, Seol So-ha only wetted her lips.

Ha Jun asked,

“Are you unable to drink, Lady Seol.”

“I do not much enjoy it.”

At her words, Song Geon subtly urged her on.

“Even so, since we are all gathered, how about at least finishing the first cup.”

“My apologies.”

It was a rather firm refusal. Pressing further would not be proper.

Gu Hee waved her hand.

“There is no need to force drink that does not suit the body. Brother Song, do not embarrass Lady Seol.”

Clicking his tongue, Song Geon said,

“When did I embarrass her? I was just saying.”

“Hoho, let me drink on Lady Seol’s behalf.”

Gu Hee poured for herself and drained it heartily.

Yeom Hang chuckled.

“As ever, we must acknowledge Hee’s brisk spirit.”

Thus a potentially awkward mood softened again. After a few more rounds, it grew richer and livelier.

After some time passed.

“By the way, why are Young Master In and Young Lady In so quiet.”

At Gu Hee’s question, In Jong-seop answered with an awkward smile.

“We are not used to this sort of atmosphere.”

“Hmph.”

Song Geon snorted.

“Well, your sect is famous for not fitting the mood.”

Even if he had strong liquor, a few cups would not have drunk him under. Such aggression came largely from Song Geon’s nature.

In Jong-seop and In Hye-dan’s faces naturally hardened.

Yeom Hang cleared his throat and moved to mediate.

“Brother Song. It seems you’ve had a bit much to drink.”

“It is not as if I said something impermissible.”

“Now, now, Brother Song.”

Song Geon snorted again and raised his cup.

Forcing a smile, Yeom Hang spoke to In Jong-seop.

“Brother Song is like this once in a while. He is very hot-blooded, so please understand.”

“It is fine.”

In Jong-seop’s voice was quite low.

Scratching her cheek, Gu Hee said.

“Brother Song. You went too far. Apologize.”

Song Geon knit his brow.

“Apologize? Did I make something up? It is true, is it not?”

“Brother.”

Just then.

In Hye-dan spoke in a rather stiff voice.

“I did not know we were famous for not fitting the mood, but I am glad at least we are a sect that knows shame.”

“What was that?”

“At least our main sect does not brazenly commit wrongs and then pretend otherwise like petty men.”

“What?!”

Song Geon’s gaze turned openly sharp.

“Who exactly are you saying that for?”

“Why are you so prickly, Young Master Song? It seems my words stung you somehow.”

Song Geon’s face flushed red.

“Why you…!”

Then Ha Jun stepped in.

“Younger Brother.”

Song Geon flinched.

Wetting his throat lightly, Ha Jun spoke calmly.

“It seems you spoke too sharply in a gathering meant to be pleasant.”

Twitching his lips, Song Geon snapped his head aside and raised his cup. He let it pass because it was Ha Jun, but he did not look ready to apologize.

Ha Jun also cautioned In Hye-dan.

“It would be best for the two from the Beak-Star Saber Sect to calm down as well.”

He did not ask for understanding, only told them to calm down. To one who knew the inside story, it was a frustrating remark.

But the words came from Cheongyang Association’s Second Young Master. As the saying goes, the law is far and the fist is near.

In Jong-seop bowed his head.

“My younger sister is exceedingly unruly. As her elder brother, I apologize in her stead.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Ha Jun clapped his hands.

“Now, the mood stiffened for a moment. Let us each have another cup.”

Even without special eloquence, his position let him guide the mood.

The conversation resumed. Mostly Yeom Hang and Gu Hee led, and Song Geon chimed in now and then.

After some time.

“In this Radiant Sword Festival, rumors about Lady Seol stand out in particular.”

At Ha Jun’s words, people naturally looked to Seol So-ha.

“It is my first time meeting you, but I can tell your martial arts are no less than your beauty. I did not know the Seol clan’s arts were so outstanding.”

It was a curious remark.

It sounded like praise at a glance, yet it carried the sense that he had not thought much of the Seol clan.

But Ha Jun seemed not to consider what his own words implied. To him, that level was neither mistake nor fault.

Seol So-ha said calmly,

“It is thanks to my teacher’s instruction.”

“Ha ha, the Seol Patriarch is one of Sichuan’s Ten Great Swordsmen, so he must be quite the teacher.”

Then Song Geon tossed out a line.

“Indeed the Seol clan’s sway is considerable these days. I hear you profited much by taking in one guest retainer.”

Guest retainer.

At least those present knew who that guest was.

Yeom Hang scratched his head.

“Brother Song, did something put you in a bad mood? Your tone is quite aggressive today.”

“I have always been like this. And it is not as if I said anything wrong.”

Seol So-ha nodded.

“That is correct. He is our clan’s benefactor, so by his very presence everyone in the clan gains strength.”

“A benefactor…”

Feigning ignorance, Ha Jun asked,

“I heard he took the lead in the Mighty Tiger affair and the resolution of the recent murders.”

“I do not know the precise circumstances.”

Seol So-ha cut it off there.

She did not like such gatherings to begin with, and she saw no need to say much about Jin-hyeon.

Song Geon’s cheek twitched.

Any man would have his gaze stolen by Seol So-ha. Song Geon was no different.

But after seeing her with Jin-hyeon, to him Seol So-ha was all but an enemy as well. He could not possibly look kindly on Jin-hyeon, who had insulted his Patriarch father and smeared Divine Spear’s name.

“You do not even know what your clan’s benefactor is up to. He could be a spy sent from somewhere, yet you are so at ease.”

Everyone frowned. This time Song Geon had gone far too far.

“Brother Song.”

“Am I wrong. Living so carelessly, you are bound to be stabbed in the back someday. Well then, with the Black Tiger Fist Sect quiet and the Red Sword Sect in chaos, perhaps the Eight Houses are due for a purge.”

“Brother Song!”

Seol So-ha looked at Song Geon.

He meant to sneer further, but he got startled. The chill in her clear eyes sent cold up his spine.

“There may be many flippant tongues in this world, yet the shape of Mount Tai does not change. No matter what you say, the Teacher will not even snort.”

“?!”

“But I have clearly said he is my benefactor, and I am not so base as to leave alone anyone who insults my benefactor.”

Her gaze turned ever colder.

“For the host’s sake I will endure it once, but if words insulting my clan’s benefactor leave your lips again, I will see to it your sly tongue never wags again.”

“…What did you just say?”

“If your ears are dull I will pierce the holes for you as a bonus. I cannot guarantee what will happen to your life however.”

Killing intent gathered in Song Geon’s eyes.