HDCLSSRS Ch 141

Chapter 141 Gift(2)

Bang Gyeom hurriedly wiped his tear-streaked face with his sleeve and turned his head away. Seong Muyeon gave an awkward smile and gestured for the newcomer to come in.

“Wh–where have you been?”

“I told you, I went to the kitchen! But something weird happened—do you know how many people glared at me on the way there? Ten! I nearly died of fright.”

“Is that so…”

Seomun Yuha grumbled as he laid the tray of sweet treats out on the table.

“Well, sure, people are upset since we were attacked and folks were injured or killed—but honestly, taking it out on someone they just met? That’s not fair, right?”

It seemed that everyone blamed Mount Hua as a whole for Baek Ryeoil’s actions. Since Seomun Yuha was wearing a martial robe with Mount Hua’s plum blossom insignia, he naturally became the target of their sharp stares.

“Oh, unbelievable! I’ve never been treated like this in my entire life!”

Flushed with indignation, he fanned his heated face with both hands. Then, noticing Bang Gyeom sitting gloomily in the corner, he pointed toward him.

“What’s up with that guy?”

“Leave him be. He’s had… a rough time lately.”

“I see. Well anyway, I had to pour on every bit of charm I had to get these from the kitchen, so everyone should eat up! You too, the one with all that gloom—come on, have some! Good food makes you feel better!”

Seomun Yuha dragged Bang Gyeom over and sat him down. When Bang Gyeom took a bite of one of the colorful rice cakes, tears welled up again.

“I wonder if the Sixth Young Master… is at least eating properly… sob…”

“Oh dear.”

Seomun Yuha handed him a handkerchief with a sympathetic look. Meanwhile, Seong Muyeon gazed quietly at Bang Gyeom’s bandaged hand.

“A remarkable figure has emerged from the Paeng family.”

Returning from the meeting, Sanggeol sat himself down at the table with a satisfied expression. Baek Ryeoil, uninterested, excused himself to meditate and left the room.

“What happened?”

At the mention of the Twin Poles of Hebei, Seong Muyeon perked up with interest. Sanggeol studied him for a moment, then ordered his disciple to brew tea. But when Jang Hansu rose to prepare it, Seong Muyeon stopped him and brewed it himself, presenting it to Sanggeol.

“Perhaps because they’re still grieving their fallen disciple, the Wudang Sect showed little willingness to cooperate. They questioned every decision and quarreled over every word.”

After taking a sip, Sanggeol’s face softened slightly, apparently pleased by the taste.

“And as for the wandering swordsmen who appeared out of nowhere—what a mess. They were all desperate to seize some kind of position, charging forward with bloodshot eyes. The meeting hall turned into chaos in an instant. Then, Young Master Paeng Wongeum stepped forward.”

“You mean the eldest son of the Paeng family?”

Sanggeol nodded.

“They call them the Twin Poles of Hebei, but compared to his younger brother, the elder Paeng’s martial skill is lacking. I always wondered how he managed to win over the obstinate patriarch of the Paeng family and claim the position of heir. Now I know. His gift for oratory and leadership is exceptional—he had the entire hall in his grasp.”

Sanggeol’s cheeks colored faintly, as though he himself had been praised. Seong Muyeon found himself nodding in agreement.

Indeed, Paeng Wongeum’s true strength lay not in the sword but in his ability to lead men. He was the kind of person destined to unify the fragmented martial world in the future—a worthy successor to the position of Martial Alliance Chief.

He was also one of the few people who had ever treated Seong Muyeon with genuine kindness. That alone spoke volumes about his breadth of character.

“And Young Master Jegal is no less impressive,” Sanggeol continued. “It seems that on the night of the attack, amid all the chaos, he managed to mark the enemy with a tracking technique.”

“Truly?”

“Not only that—while restoring order to the devastated manor, he personally sent out multiple reconnaissance teams to confirm the trail. Once a strategy is established, the alliance will immediately assemble a strike force.”

With Mount Hua’s participation secured, the alliance began to move swiftly.

The manor, once tense and idle, now buzzed with activity.

This sudden busyness, in a way, made Seong Muyeon’s stay easier. No one had the leisure to gossip about the “suspicious demonic young master” wandering around, and whenever he needed anything, he could now simply ask Baek Ryeoil or Mount Hua for assistance instead of handling it alone.

Watching the others, Seong Muyeon quietly rose to his feet.

“Where are you going?”

Since Jegal Un frequently convened strategy meetings, both Baek Ryeoil and Sanggeol were away, leaving only the others idling in the common hall.

At the sign of his departure, Kang Ung, Bang Gyeom, and Seomun Yuha all shot up in alarm.

“I have somewhere to stop by. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry—just rest.”

“Take me with you!”

Seomun Yuha scrambled after him.

“I’m going crazy from boredom…”

Even Kang Ung’s face looked drained as he gazed at him pleadingly.

As noncombatants, there was little they could do, forced to kill time day after day. They were so bored it was driving them half mad. Both Kang Ung and Seomun Yuha volunteered eagerly to accompany him.

“Just one of you, please. I’d prefer to go quietly—too much attention would be troublesome.”

The two immediately started bickering over who would go, their argument escalating into a childish shouting match. In the end, Seomun Yuha triumphed. Kang Ung, after all, was still young and lacked martial skill.

“Haha! Let’s go, Young Master! The rest of you weaklings can relax here! Hahaha!”

Once they left the manor, Seomun Yuha’s spirits soared, as if he were breathing fresh air for the first time in ages—even though it had only been three days.

“So, where are we going?”

“I ordered something from a merchant house. I’m just picking it up.”

When the shopkeeper brought out the goods Seong Muyeon had ordered, Seomun Yuha blinked in surprise.

“Wait—it’s alcohol?”

“It’s a gift for Master Baek. He’s done a lot for me… and, well, I did promise to buy it before.”

Seong Muyeon coughed awkwardly, rambling on though no one had asked.

“Keep it secret from him, though.”

Seomun Yuha narrowed his eyes but didn’t press further. Together, they carefully wrapped the liquor jars and carried them out of the merchant house.

“Leaving already? Can’t we walk around a little longer? Please? It feels like time stops when I’m stuck in that room…”

It wasn’t quite that bad.

Still, Seong Muyeon let himself be persuaded to stroll around the marketplace. Seomun Yuha chattered endlessly—complaining that if he’d known it would be this dull, he’d have stayed at Mount Hua, and wondering aloud how anyone managed to survive here without going mad. Yet even as he grumbled, his eyes sparkled with curiosity, darting from stall to stall.

It really was like escorting an overexcited seven-year-old.

While Seomun Yuha was engrossed in admiring a waist ornament, someone approached Seong Muyeon from behind.

“Young Master? What a surprise to see you here.”

Paeng Wongeum greeted him in a soft, pleasant tone.

At the sound of his voice, Seong Muyeon’s heart plummeted. This was the first time they had met since that incident. The memory of Paeng Wongeum’s shocked expression as he looked upon him that day flashed vividly before his eyes.

“Who are you?”

Seomun Yuha quickly darted forward, standing protectively beside Seong Muyeon, remembering his role as guard.

“It’s an honor. I am Paeng Wongeum of the Paeng family in Hebei. And you are…?”

“Ah, so you’re the famed Twin Pole of Hebei! I’ve heard so much about you! I’m Seomun Yuha of the Seomun clan, currently training under Mount Hua.”

Seomun Yuha bowed politely.

“A pleasure to meet you, Young Master Seomun.”

As the two exchanged greetings, Seong Muyeon forced himself to collect his thoughts. He couldn’t afford to appear foolish now.

“If you’re on your way back to the manor, shall we go together?”

They fell into step on the road back, though an uneasy silence settled between them. Sensing the strange tension, Seomun Yuha glanced between them curiously, head tilted.

It was Paeng Wongeum who finally broke the silence.

“…I’ve been meaning to visit you, but there was never a proper opportunity. It’s been weighing on my mind. How have you been? Are you still upset?”

His tone was gentle, his smile apologetic. Seong Muyeon shook his head quickly.

“N-not at all. It’s not as though you made anything up. Things like that happen.”

Though Paeng Wongeum’s demeanor remained warm, Seong Muyeon couldn’t bring himself to meet his eyes. Who could say what truly lingered in the man’s heart? Even if he had been disappointed, Paeng Wongeum was the kind of person who would never let it show.

Once again, silence descended between them. Strangely, standing beside him always made Seong Muyeon feel small—like a child desperate to impress a beloved teacher.