CRS Chapter 7

She’s cute, and not just because she’s my sister.

Look at those guys glancing over.

It seemed like she was about to enchant every snot-nosed brat in the neighborhood.

As Eunho’s fiery gaze shot in all directions, the children who had been eyeing Somi flinched noticeably and averted their gazes.

“Let’s eat that before we go!”

Somi pointed at some rice cakes.

Uniquely, the outer surface was slightly grilled to a golden brown, and it seemed quite tasty as people were lined up waiting.

“Sure, let’s do that.”

With a rice cake in each of their hands, the two were walking around, sightseeing various parts of the marketplace.

Somi’s face, which had been bright all along, suddenly darkened.

“You’ll go to Grandfather’s funeral, right?”

Eunho looked at Somi.

She had an anxious expression.

Her brother was excessively indifferent to all matters outside of family.

She was afraid he might say he wouldn’t even attend his master’s funeral.

Seeing this, Eunho gave a gentle smile.

“Of course I’ll go. He was my master, after all.”

Only then did Somi let out a sigh of relief.

“But aren’t you sad, brother?”

He was usually a composed person, but to be composed even at his master’s death.

However, Eunho knew.

When humans die, they go to the netherworld.

It was closer to a true beginning rather than an end.

While it was quite regrettable that he wouldn’t be able to see his master, it wasn’t something to be sad about.

Suddenly, a question arose.

Ordinary humans lose their memories and become spirits when they die.

Hmm, I wonder if that will happen to me too?

***

The scale of the funeral was truly grand.

Not only were there figures related to the Namgoong clan, but also numerous connections Namgoong Cheong had made while traveling the world, and even the Martial Righteous Alliance.

It was a gathering where anyone of note in the Central Plains had assembled.

“Make way!”

As someone shouted loudly, people parted.

Rumble rumble-!

Thirty massive carriages entered the Namgoong clan compound.

Those who alighted from the lead carriage were twenty warriors.

Each one of them exuded a sharp aura, like well-honed blades.

Someone who saw this remarked:

“Is that the famous Heavenly Guard? The elites of even decent sects wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to them.”

Heavenly Guard.

They were the elites protecting Cheonha Merchant Guild, and all boasted at least first-class martial prowess.

Especially Cheol-hwi, the captain of Heavenly Guard, was a figure who had entered the late peak realm and was a renowned master even in the martial world.

Despite the murmurs around them, the Heavenly Guard didn’t exchange a single glance and approached the second carriage.

All eyes focused on the figures alighting under the Heavenly Guard’s protection.

Ha Jin-wi, the owner of Cheonha Merchant Guild, one of the Four Great Merchant Houses of the Central Plains.

While martial artists generally looked down on merchant families, it was a different story when it came to the Four Great Merchant Houses.

It was an era where martial power spoke for everything, but even that martial power could be moved by financial power.

This could be seen just by looking at the Heavenly Guard, a guard unit of a merchant family.

Ha Jin-wi, Eunho, and Somi walked at the front of the path created by people parting way.

Behind them followed Chief Steward Jang Gwan-pyeong and other figures from Cheonha Merchant Guild.

At the end of the path, a middle-aged man with a robust build was waiting to greet them.

With tightly bound hair and straight eyebrows, he gave off a strong impression.

“It’s an honor that the Cheonha Merchant Guild Lord, one of the busiest men in the Central Plains, has taken the time to come here.”

There were few people who didn’t need to use the highest honorifics for Ha Jin-wi in this gathering.

Unless they were Namgoong Yong, the clan leader.

“What disappointing words. For me, nothing is more important than Master’s affairs. I’m more honored by such a warm welcome.”

When an outsider referred to Namgoong Cheong as ‘Master’, some Namgoong warriors bristled.

But how could they step forward when their clan leader, Namgoong Yong, remained silent?

“Ho ho, Uncle praised you endlessly. I’ll personally escort you.”

Namgoong Yong’s gaze moved past Ha Jin-wi to Eunho and Somi on either side.

“Ah, these are my son and daughter, Eunho and Somi.”

Somi reacted first.

“It’s an honor to meet the leader of such a great and renowned clan.”

Unlike her usual childish demeanor, Somi greeted with a modest tone and attitude.

Namgoong Yong responded with a warm smile.

“It’s nice to meet you. Uncle also spoke a lot about you before he passed away. How much he wanted to see you…”

Namgoong Yong’s words trailed off.

It was because of the intense gaze directed at him.

“You must be Eunho.”

The intense look in Eunho’s eyes contained clear curiosity and competitiveness.

“It’s an honor to meet the Sword Saint.”

Namgoong Yong’s thick eyebrows twitched slightly.

Not clan leader, but Sword Saint.

The person Eunho faced was not the Namgoong clan leader or Namgoong Cheong’s nephew, but Namgoong Yong, one of the Twenty-Four Martial Arts Masters known as the Sword Saint.

“I hear you learned martial arts from Uncle.”

“Yes, I learned a little of Namgoong’s martial arts.”

A young warrior behind them cut in angrily.

“How dare…!”

Namgoong Yong raised his hand to stop him.

“What rudeness is this.”

The warrior who met his cold gaze shrunk his neck, but couldn’t take his intense gaze off Eunho.

“…”

What? What are you going to do if you keep staring like that?

In fact, the very idea of an outsider learning Namgoong clan martial arts must have been deeply offensive.

Given the closed nature of clans composed of blood relatives, there was also concern about the possibility of countermeasures being developed if clan martial arts spread outside.

Therefore, leaking martial arts outside was truly taboo, but to Namgoong Cheong with his free-spirited nature, such things held no meaning.

The anger they couldn’t express towards Namgoong Cheong, an elder of the family, had spilled over onto Eunho.

Of course, this was incomprehensible to Eunho, who had lived as a yokai and as the eldest son of a merchant family.

I raised the old master’s level, and this is the thanks I get? Talk about ingratitude.

“I apologize. These children lack learning and don’t know how to control their temper. Please understand.”

Namgoong Yong apologized to Ha Jin-wi with a cupped-hand salute.

“Ho ho, these things happen.”

Shouldn’t you be apologizing to me?

And so, with Eunho’s dissatisfaction pushed aside, the small disturbance was settled for now.

***

The Namgoong family compound boasted a wide estate, though not as large as Cheonha Merchant Guild.

It was big enough to accommodate hundreds of guests and still have room to spare,

to the point where some said, “As expected of the lord of Anhui.”

Not only the Nine Sects and One Faction and the Five Great Families, but also some forces outside the orthodox sects and even some from the demonic faction had visited.

Naturally, they split into groups of elders and younger disciples to take their seats.

Ha Jin-wi and Steward Jang visited the reception hall under Namgoong Yong’s guidance.

He was uneasy about leaving the children, especially Eunho, separately, but what could happen with Somi there too?

Unfortunately, sad premonitions always come true.

This was an immutable law that even the owner of Cheonha Merchant Guild couldn’t escape.

Eunho was hungry, so he planned to have a meal with Somi first.

They found seats, and he briefly went to the restroom.

It was really just for a moment.

He was dumbfounded by the scene he encountered upon his return.

In that short time, three strapping fellows were hovering around Somi.

One of them even had his hand on her shoulder.

“I told you to remove your hand, didn’t I?”

“Haha, why so prickly when we’re just trying to have a chat? Do you know who we are?”

Eunho approached with heavy steps.

“Some horny bastards, I guess.”

Right, the master said to be patient as much as possible.

Let’s just cleanly cut off that hand.

As he was approaching with that resolve, the guys beside them blocked his path.

“Are you talking to us right now?”

“Brother!”

When Somi shouted upon seeing Eunho, even the guys blocking the way had no choice but to step aside.

No matter how shameless they were, on what grounds could they stop a brother from going to his sister?

“Hey, get your hand off.”

At Eunho’s cold voice, the man removed his hand, but anger welled up inside him.

He just wanted to talk, but this wench treated him like some depraved bastard, and her brother was spitting out informal speech left and right.

However, befitting a young master of a renowned family, he tried to maintain his composure.

“Young sir, your words are too harsh. We merely wished to engage in some conversation. Is it right for the eldest son of Cheonha Merchant Guild to slander people like this?”

Eunho’s eyes narrowed.

Oh ho, knowing it’s Cheonha Merchant Guild and still acting like this?

The man, already of large build, puffed out his chest and extended his hand coolly.

“I am Peng Jeo-ak, eldest son of the Peng clan of Hebei.”

His face was full of confidence.

What’s the big deal about Cheonha Merchant Guild?

He was the eldest son of one of the Five Great Families, after all.

Of course, the response he received was completely different from what he expected.

“So what?”

“…”

Eunho tilted his head crookedly.

Peng Jeo-ak’s embarrassed hand clenched the air a few times before returning to his side.

“I don’t care who you are. If you don’t apologize to my little sister and get lost, I’ll crush that hand so you can never use it again.”

Peng Jeo-ak’s face reddened with shame.

“What did you say?”

“Judging by your face, you seem to have heard me correctly.”

The Peng clan of Hebei was famous for being open-minded.

That’s a nice way of saying they were hot-tempered and couldn’t control their blood.

Peng Jeo-ak’s hot temper was close to severe among them.

Of course, within the family, they praised him as an outstanding man.

“A mere merchant brat thinks he’s untouchable because he’s backed by some paltry wealth.”

Eunho sighed.

This is why I hate dealing with ignorant fools.

Let me just quickly take that wrist…

Swoosh-!

Unfortunately, it was Peng Jeo-ak’s massive fist that extended first.

Of course, it had no chance of touching Eunho.

Peng Jeo-ak’s huge fist was blocked by Eunho’s hand, unable to advance further.

“Alright, should I use this hand instead?”

Thud.

A light kick struck Peng Jeo-ak’s ankle,

and he tumbled to the ground ridiculously.

The shock was brief.

Befitting the eldest son of a renowned family, he immediately got up… or rather, he couldn’t.

Eunho’s left hand was pressing down on Peng Jeo-ak’s head, while his right hand was still gripping his fist.

“This posture is quite uncomfortable.”

He lifted one foot to press on Peng Jeo-ak’s shoulder blade, and without waiting, twisted the shoulder in the opposite direction.

Crack!

The sound of bones and joints breaking came from Peng Jeo-ak’s shoulder.

And then a scream.

“Arghhhh!”

“Y-You madman!”

Only then did the two men realize the gravity of the situation and rushed in.

However, with just a few gestures from Eunho, they ended up sprawled on the floor like Peng Jeo-ak.

They didn’t even know how they were taken down.

Even though they were simple gestures, they were the gestures of a master who had surpassed the Transformation Realm.

If those who knew the identities of these three fallen men had seen this, they would have been shocked beyond belief.

Peng Jeo-ak of the Peng clan of Hebei.

Moyong Soo of the Moyong clan.

Seok Ho-ryeol of the Seok clan.

These young masters, known for their martial prowess, were rolling on the ground after just a few gestures from a young martial artist.

“Well, didn’t I say I’d just cut off your wrist and let you go?”

Even if I let you live, you’re all such a nuisance.

There’s no need to draw a sword to remove such a delicate wrist.

Eunho’s hand gripping Peng Jeo-ak’s wrist tightened.

Crack, crunch.

The wrist began to twist into a strange shape.

Peng Jeo-ak screamed, even shedding tears.

“P-Please spare me!”

“Who said anything about killing you?”

The wrist was about to snap at any moment.

Just then, a thunderous voice shook the air from the side.

“What in the world are you doing!”

Eunho turned his head.

It was the young man who had been glaring at him from behind Namgoong Yong earlier.

“Do you know what kind of gathering this is, to be causing such a ruckus? Even if you are the eldest son of Cheonha Merchant Guild, this is going too far!”

Namgoong Hyeon, who had already disliked Eunho, seized the opportunity to unleash his fury.

“Is the occasion important? These bastards were hitting on my sister, and I’m just punishing them accordingly. I’m not even going to kill them.”

Namgoong Hyeon checked the faces of the three fallen men.

They were all familiar faces.

Stupid fools.

He could immediately understand how the situation had unfolded.

These guys, notorious for their lechery, had messed with the wrong person – a child of Cheonha Merchant Guild.

Namgoong Hyeon looked at the three with contemptuous eyes before speaking to Eunho.

“While their actions were certainly wrong, your treatment is too excessive.”

Eunho’s eyebrow twitched.

“Excessive?”

“If you leave it to me, I will apply the family’s discipline and deal with them.”

What nonsense.

Maybe if it were the Seok clan, but for the Peng clan of Hebei or the Moyong clan, there was no way they would be properly punished.

They’d probably cover for each other, being from the Five Great Families.

However,

“That person is right. I’m fine, so please forgive them just this once, brother.”

Even Somi, the victim, was saying this, so Eunho had no choice.

Eunho approached Peng Jeo-ak, who was lying on the ground clutching his wrist.

“Hey.”

Peng Jeo-ak looked up at Eunho with a face covered in tears and snot.

“Apologize to Somi.”

“You son of a bitch! How dare you…”

“Son of a bitch? Are you calling my father a dog?”

“…”

Ha Jin-wi, a merchant magnate respected by many.

Unable to utter such insulting words even to him, Peng Jeo-ak could only glare.

Eunho, looking at Peng Jeo-ak, put his foot on his wrist.

“If you don’t apologize, I’ll take your wrist as I said.”

Peng Jeo-ak could tell that Eunho’s words were not a lie.

He was really gradually increasing the pressure!

“Urgh…”