Chapter 187

In any culture, the ruling class forms their own little society.

The work of this small society is surprisingly simple; if we express it in the hometown style of Qing, it boils down to this.

A ladder-climbing game.

It’s a pact to hold onto power tightly amongst themselves for eternity.

The Dragon and Phoenix Association can’t escape from that aspect either.

It’s a place where the well-bred youths forge connections to become the best networking school for you, me, and us.

Naturally, anyone can’t just attend the Dragon and Phoenix Association.

There’s a considerable participation fee included, and they don’t graciously host the disciples of the Old Great Gate for nothing.

And days like today, when a grand banquet is held, are precisely the days to repay that debt.

Despite renting out the entire seven-story pavilion, a decent crowd gathered.

Of course, in the Central Plain’s banquet culture, it’s not customary for people to stand around and chat, so ample seating is necessary.

In the Central Plain, people must not sit on the floor but pull up chairs to sit at the tables.

“Wow, so many people.”

“Hmph. Just a bunch of nobodies. There’s only meaningless folks on the first floor anyway.”

“Tang Nan-ah, can you speak a bit more nicely?”

Tang Nan-ah, with her exceptional beauty, was not only a stunner but also the daughter of the ruler of Sichuan, the Tang Family.

Of course, as soon as she entered the pavilion, all eyes were on her, which is why she said that.

“Enough. Let’s go, Qing.”

With her arms crossed, Tang Nan-ah tugged at Qing.

Qing, unable to resist, gracefully ascended the stairs with delicate steps.

Upon reaching this floor, people awkwardly greeted Tang Nan-ah.

No one assigned the positions, but the young people on this third floor were somewhat famous martial artists from the provinces.

And from the fourth floor onwards, well-known members of established martial arts factions settled in.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the real Dragon and Phoenix Association begins from here.

After climbing one more floor, familiar faces began to appear.

“Oh, Swordmaster! Is that you?”

“Namgoong Gongja! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Of course, we saw each other yesterday, but today is the day to properly relive our reunion.”

“Hmm? Not Swordmaster?”

“Just pulling this womanly talent out once in a while, or I might forget! Is it awkward?”

“Man, with that mask on, I’d believe you were someone else for sure. I’d thought you wouldn’t know how to act like a woman. Am I right? If it were Swordmaster, I’d expect you to send another person to imitate you.”

“Do you think just because I speak, I know everything? Even dogs have tongues!”

“I believe you. You are indeed Swordmaster.”

Upon hearing that, Qing shook her shoulders and drew her sword.

Namgoong Shin-jae couldn’t hide his pleased smile as their scabbards clinked together.

“Yep, got it, is Chang-bin up there too?”

“Oh. Chang-bin-hyung is on the fifth floor. Looks like he went up to avoid the ladies.”

The fifth floor is usually reserved for the Blue Dragon Association, while typically the top floor is for the Phoenix Association.

Of course, there isn’t a strict rule, and folks from the Zhongnan Sect, regardless of gender, can always mingle there.

However, it’s rather awkward when there are men only and a woman present, and vice versa, unless there’s a close relationship or romance involved.

It certainly was easy for Qing, though.

Carrying Tang Nan-ah, who looked rather displeased, Qing climbed the stairs, peering into the fifth-floor gathering.

As Qing raised her index finger to her lips seeing the men gazing at her, they all pretended not to see.

A loud voice filled the area.

“Ha, that’s why you don’t have any women! Women, they are like mudfish, if you try to squeeze them too tightly, they slip right through your fingers! You gotta hold on tight! Really tight, to keep them in your grasp, you get it?”

“Ooh, indeed, Chang-bin hyung! So, does that mean I have to press harder on the young lady?”

“Of course. When a man presses, the lady’s heart will open regardless. Grip her wrist tightly, and let’s go! Somewhere beautiful and peaceful!”

Qing raised her finger, tiptoeing toward Chang-bin.

Everyone just smiled mischievously, pretending not to notice.

Oblivious to the woman approaching from behind, Chang-bin rambled on in his excitement.

“Just hold her shoulder and speak like a man. Young lady, please be my—”

“Oh my, isn’t that Chang-bin-dojang? The living legend said to charm women with just a look, the expert on women, isn’t he?”

“Umm.”

“Now, let’s not do this. Since we’ve met like this, let me pour a drink for you.”

“Y-yes, thank you…”

“Now, down it in one go! Wow, such flair! Hey, Nan-ah, what are you doing? Didn’t you notice that the cup next to the man of the Hwasan boys, the lady-killer Chang-bin-dojang, is empty? Fill it up for both!”

“Huh? Me?”

“Hurry up!”

“Uh, yes…”

Tang Nan-ah rushed over to Chang-bin’s right and awkwardly poured the wine.

How many times do you think the legendary Tang Nan-ah has poured drinks in her life?

With a mere flick of her hand, the poor Chang-bin dojang, caught between two beauties, simply stared straight ahead.

“So, what was the rest of that statement? That magical confession that melts a lady’s heart, can you share it with me too? Please, my dear. I’m curious about what follows.”

“Um, um… I… I mean… mother… mother is…”

“Mother? Is she calling for you? Surely, that’s a terrifying proclamation that melts hearts.”

“No, that’s not it…”

“But Master, don’t you know the girl? Awww. How sorrowful. Was I just a fleeting moment in your life, the lady-killer Chang-bin dojang?”

As Qing spoke in a sulky voice, Chang-bin began to sweat profusely.

Laughter spread around the room.

“Uh, young lady, I’m sorry… but I don’t remember…”

“When will you stop saying you want to see the plum blossoms of Hwasan together? How could you so heartlessly forget the moments we shared?”

“No… even if you say that…”

“Your name? What is it?”

“I’m Seomun Qing. Does that jog your memory now, Chang-bin dojang?”

“O-oh. Young Lady Seomun? Ah, your voice does indeed sound familiar. How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. By the way, the lady sitting to my right is the Heavenly Flower of the Sichuan Tang Family, Tang Nan-ah. Nan-ah, this is the best expert on women’s hearts in the Central Plain, Chang-bin dojang.”

“This guy? Expert on women? What, Tang Nan-ah?”

As soon as Tang Nan-ah revealed her name, Qing started counting in her head.

One, two, “Heavenly Flower!” “Heavenly Flower!” “Heavenly Flower!”

Right! Now it’s starting to make sense!

In fact, this seemingly meaningless nickname repetition carries respect for the other party.

“Uh, Chang-bin…”

Chang-bin spoke in a barely audible voice, bowing stiffly like a wooden doll.

One of the bystanders who had been watching with controlled laughter finally burst into laughter, turning to Qing.

“Hey, Chang-bin hyung. Do you really have a woman? Until now, how come you’ve never introduced her? Young lady, I present to you, Hwasan’s Hwan-yuk. Chang-bin hyung is so bashful he can’t continue speaking, but if it’s not too much trouble, could you introduce yourself?”

“Aah, I’m Seomun Qing, a disciple of the Divine Maiden Sect. And my master is Seomun Sulin. Um, how about you?”

Then there was a cacophony of chairs clattering and scraping.

“I’m Hwasan’s Hwan-yuk, honored to meet you.”

“I’m the successor of the Qing family, honored to meet you.”

“I’m Zhongnan’s Pilmu, honored to meet you.”

“I’m Zhongnan’s Pillyeong, honored to meet you.”

“I’m the honorable disciple from the Joint House, honored to meet you.”

…

Looks like there were quite a few disciples who found it awkward meeting a woman.

With a gentle voice, Qing replied.

“Ah, while there may be some disparity in our statuses, I’m just a young girl who has just turned eighteen, so you don’t need to treat me too formally. After all, too much courtesy can lead to discomfort.”

“Y-yes, esteemed senior.”

“Do I really look that old? Esteemed senior?”

“Yes, senior.”

Haha, this is the joy of being the elder!

I had been wondering why the newcomers were itching to make their mark.

“Lady Seomun? You’re just eighteen this year, right?”

“Swordmaster? Eighteen?”

Namgoong Shin-jae suddenly interjected, surprised.

But Qing didn’t grant permission and just ignored him while continuing to tease Chang-bin.

“I thought you might have gotten a bit better, but you still confuse honorifics? Come on, just relax; after all, we’re friends, friends?”

“How could I act casually in such a setting?”

“Oh, come on! Chang-bin, are you going to keep this up?”

“Hmm. Understood, I’ll do just that.”

“Good. So, how have you been? From what we discussed earlier, it seems like you’re the same as ever. So, what was it again? That great confession that melts a woman’s heart.”

“Would you be my child’s mother…?”

“Hmm. Nan-ah, what do you think of this confession? How does it sound to you?”

Qing sought Tang Nan-ah’s opinion, and her evaluation was ruthlessly honest.

“Completely foolish. It sounds like a man looking to get a second wife.”

I thought it might not be too bad, but it seemed the locals found it quite unappealing.

“Chang-bin, she says so.”

“Then how about… please bear my child?”

Still, they were acquaintances from traveling together, so although it was a small voice, he finally spoke up.

What a surprising sight; even those awkward disciples before the elder stared wide-eyed at Chang-bin.

“Hmm. Children are a bit ambiguous. After all, it’s still unclear whether it’s a legitimate or an illegitimate child.”

“You seem overly concerned about that.”

“Well, if I enter a marriage, I’ll end up as a son-in-law. It wouldn’t do if I had to go to my in-laws as anything less than a primary wife.”

At that, Namgoong Shin-jae interrupted again.

“Lady Tang, since we have the chance to hear a woman’s evaluation, there’s something on my mind too. What about this confession? I wish to share swords with you till death do us part. Ah, such noble words.”

Then Tang Nan-ah, with an expression of disbelief, responded.

“Isn’t that just a Life and Death Match? Are you declaring yourself an enemy?”

“Goodness, goodness, this is why you can’t communicate with someone who isn’t a swordsman.”

“What? Then, why did you ask me?”

“Indeed, it’s my fault. My apologies. I should’ve asked a lady swordsman instead. Swordmaster, what do you think? Ah, right, more importantly, you’re eighteen this year?”

Is this guy sensitive about age?

With a bright smile and a gentle tone, Qing replied.

“How about choosing your words carefully? Unless you’re going to mention that I look aged.”

“No, I’m not the thoughtless type. Well, it’s true that age doesn’t matter in swordsmanship. Swordmaster, how does this confession sound? Till death do we part—”

“At first, it sounded fine, but after hearing Nan-ah’s opinion, now all I can think of is a Life and Death Match. If we fight till one of us dies, it’s basically a Life and Death Match, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, after hearing that, I realize it does sound careless. Then, uh, how about ‘I wish to share swords for eternity’? Oh, that’s commendable too. Lady Tang, what do you have to say? A true confession at last.”

“Better than a Life and Death Match… But do we really need to share swords? Is a sword a token of our bond?”

A token, which was once a trend, meant splitting a decoration to keep it as an heirloom.

Lovers used it, and men keeping concubines often gifted it to their illegitimate children to show off.

Chang-bin added more fuel to the fire.

“Oh, that’s a good idea! If we split swords as a token of our vow… hmm, but that won’t work. If we split a sword, it becomes two halves.”

“True, splitting a sword is a serious matter. Furthermore, if you split the sword, you can never win.”

Qing nodded in agreement.

They had reached the fifth floor, and it was said that the sixth floor was a resting area.

The seventh floor, however, was a place where exhausted women mingled around the Dragon and Phoenix Association members.

Since they were already here, it would be nice to take a look around.

And honestly, I was quite curious about what Heavenly White Lotus was wearing today.

The outfit she wore yesterday was stunningly appealing to the eyes.

I hadn’t seen it in detail since I had a meeting with Gongson Yo-ye yesterday.

Hmm, she’s probably wearing something revealing again today, right?

With a fluttering heart, Qing climbed the stairs quickly.

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