"Huh… this is quite…"
At Jang Ui-bo's sharp, cutting response, Cheon Myeong-hak's expression grew troubled.
He had thought that, having heard Seol An-geum's account, the man had at least come with curiosity toward the boy.
But from what he was saying now, wasn't it clear he harbored prejudice and displeasure toward a child he hadn't even met?
"…It seems, Master, you have misunderstood."
Cheon Myeong-hak, deciding that even if ties with Jang Ui-bo soured, some things must be made clear, straightened his expression and spoke firmly.
"U-ha finished the Thousand Character Classic at the age of five, and now studies the Analects. At an age when he should be playing with friends, he has dedicated himself only to learning, and so his words and actions may not always be those of a child. But that does not mean he is rude or dismissive of others."
"..."
"If you wish, I will clear away the wine table and prepare U-ha at once. But I must ask you not to approach him with prejudice."
His tone was polite, yet firm and unyielding.
Surprised to see such resolve from Cheon Myeong-hak—who had seemed so intent on currying his favor—Jang Ui-bo raised his brows, then slowly nodded.
"…So be it."
"Thank you. Yeong-seon, please bring U-ha here."
"Yes, Guildmaster."
"No, bring the boy to the training ground."
Just as Yeong-seon was about to leave, Jang Ui-bo swiftly interjected.
"If I am to test the boy's skill, facing him directly is best."
"What? Do you mean to test him at your very first meeting?"
"Well, what problem is there with that?"
Jang Ui-bo's curt counter-question made Cheon Myeong-hak frown. The man then turned toward Seol An-geum.
"As I said, I did not come here for money or wine. I'd rather skip unnecessary courtesies."
"Haa… very well, if that's what you wish…"
"And one more thing."
As Cheon Myeong-hak sighed, Jang Ui-bo continued, face stern.
"Whatever method I use to test the boy, Guildmaster, I ask that you not interfere. And, for that matter, I would prefer you not observe either."
"What? And why is that?"
"Because in confirming the boy's ability, I may have to use various means. If you are present, I will feel constrained."
Startled by the unexpected condition, Cheon Myeong-hak looked toward Seol An-geum.
In truth, with Cho Mu-do and Seol An-geum, he had already requested that they be careful not to injure the child in training.
After all, U-ha was a boy devoted to his books, and any martial training was meant only for basic self-defense.
But to entrust him so casually to such a willful martial man…
Sensing Cheon Myeong-hak's unease, Seol An-geum cautiously spoke up, glancing at Jang Ui-bo.
"Brother Jang, the Guildmaster seems concerned. Perhaps we could at least—"
"That is exactly the problem."
"…Pardon?"
"If all your thoughts are on whether the boy might get hurt, or whether the Guildmaster's feelings might be wounded, then how can you wholly focus on the boy's ability?"
"Brother Jang—"
"Forgive me, but I am not so idle a man. If my condition is unacceptable, then I will take my leave here and now."
"Umm…"
It was almost as though he wanted Cheon Myeong-hak to hear those words.
As the Guildmaster hesitated in silence—
"Then I will accompany them as observer, in your place, Guildmaster."
"Wh–what? Instructor Cho?"
"If I am present, I can intervene should any danger arise."
Hearing Cho Mu-do's proposal, Cheon Myeong-hak bit back the words on his tongue.
The man must have felt they couldn't afford to let Jang Ui-bo walk away like this.
Will this really be alright?
Do not worry.
Without speaking aloud, the Guildmaster and instructor exchanged looks.
At last, after a long but brief hesitation, Cheon Myeong-hak gave Cho Mu-do a nod.
"Very well. I leave it in your hands."
"As you command."
And so, the situation—on the verge of freezing over—found its resolution.
Cho Mu-do, Seol An-geum, and Jang Ui-bo left the office together.
Left before the cooling banquet table, Cheon Myeong-hak sat in dark silence, staring at the door through which they had gone.
"Who did you say has come?"
Cheon U-ha lay sprawled, legs crossed, using a stack of heavy books as his pillow while flipping through a worn text.
Yeong-seon, exasperated at the sight, spoke again.
"As I told you, some so-called Chaotic Ghost Sword, an extremely rude martial man, has come. He's demanding the Young Master be brought out!"
"Hah…"
Momentarily at a loss for words, Cheon U-ha closed the book and sat up.
To think I'd see such novel things after being reborn…
It was not just strange—it was fresh.
In his past life within the Black Heaven Sect, countless people had scrambled only to avoid his gaze.
Well, this could be entertaining.
All the better—he had grown restless from being cooped up with nothing but books.
He was about to rise for some exercise when Yeong-seon muttered resentfully.
"This is no time to laugh. That man is outrageous! Even though the Guildmaster offered him a banquet, he ignored it and raised his voice—"
"…What was that?"
Cheon U-ha froze mid-motion, turning toward Yeong-seon with narrowed brows.
"What did you just say?"
His sudden shift in aura made Yeong-seon flinch.
"Ah… well, saying he raised his voice may be too strong, but…"
"Yeong-seon."
Cheon U-ha's voice turned cold as steel.
"Tell me exactly what you saw and heard."
"..."
"Leave nothing out."
"Y–yes, well…"
Overwhelmed, Yeong-seon began recounting everything that had taken place in Cheon Myeong-hak's office.
And as he listened, a chill unlike anything seen before crept across Cheon U-ha's face.
"…So then."
When the story was done, Cheon U-ha spoke, his lips curved in a smile that did not reach his eyes.
"That so-called Chaotic Ghost Sword refused the banquet my father prepared, and demanded I be brought before him?"
"Y–yes."
"And even said he would leave at once if he deemed the trip a waste."
"Yes, exactly that."
"Hm…"
Cheon U-ha leaned back, gazing at the ceiling in thought.
Why was it?
When he had first heard there was a man making noise about meeting him, it hadn't bothered him much.
But now, hearing this version, he felt his insides twist with irritation.
Ssshhk.
"Let's go."
"Eh… excuse me?"
"To that Chaotic Ghost Sword, or whatever he calls himself."
Rising slowly, his voice was as cold as ice.
"I'd like to see just what sort of man he is."
"So this is the training ground of Yongmyeong Guild?"
"Yes, it is."
"Hm…"
At Cho Mu-do's answer, Jang Ui-bo swept his eyes around the grounds and nodded.
"For a mere guild, this training ground is of decent size."
"...!"
Even in the seemingly offhand remark, disdain for Yongmyeong Guild was palpable.
Cho Mu-do's face stiffened as he protested.
"It is hardly a 'mere' guild. Yongmyeong is counted among the Five Great Guilds of Xi'an."
"Ha ha! Five Great Guilds of Xi'an? And who came up with that nonsense?"
"…What did you say?"
"Not the Five Great Guilds of Shaanxi, but only of Xi'an? Who beyond this city would care? It's just another among countless guilds."
The open disparagement made Cho Mu-do bite his lip.
Of course, the man wasn't entirely wrong—across the Central Plains there were countless guilds greater or equal in size to Yongmyeong.
But to say such things here, in the guild's own grounds, before one of its own men—wasn't that deliberate insult?
Cho Mu-do was about to retort when—
"The Five Great Guilds of Xi'an are certainly better than some nameless third-rate drifter no one's ever heard of."
A child's voice suddenly cut in from behind.
All eyes turned—and there stood Cheon U-ha, hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at them.
"Young Master, when did you…"
"So, you are the young master of Yongmyeong Guild?"
Ignoring Seol An-geum's flustered words, Jang Ui-bo directed his question at the boy.
His looming presence carried subtle intimidation—but U-ha's face remained utterly calm.
"Yes, I am. And you must be the so-called Chaotic Ghost Sword?"
"That's right. And tell me—those words just now, were they directed at me?"
"Ah, you mean about the third-rate drifters?"
U-ha let out a quiet laugh, lips curling in deliberate amusement.
"I was speaking of the countless nameless vagrants strutting about without knowing their place. Do you feel that struck a nerve?"
"…Hah. You think to play word games with me, boy?"
As U-ha kept provoking with his smooth tongue, Jang Ui-bo's face hardened with menace.
Sensing the rising tension, Seol An-geum hastily stepped in.
"Young Master, surely this is a misunderstanding. This man is the renowned Chaotic Ghost Sword, honored guest at the Guildmaster's request."
"Ah, I see. My mistake, then."
U-ha nodded lightly, but his lips curled in a mocking grin.
"Had I known he was a guest, I'd have shown a bit more courtesy. But I thought he was just some thug causing trouble in another man's guild."
"…What? A thug?"
"Young Master, those words are excessive!"
Jang Ui-bo's face twisted in fury, and Cho Mu-do quickly rushed to U-ha's side, whispering urgently.
"He is stronger than anyone here. Please, do not provoke him…"
"Instructor Cho Mu-do."
Still staring at Jang Ui-bo, U-ha spoke in a calm, flat voice.
"To which house do you belong as a martial man?"
"…Eh? Ah…"
"..."
"…I serve under Yongmyeong Guild."
Realizing his slip, Cho Mu-do faltered, his expression stiff.
U-ha's next words came cold and steady.
"Then when someone insults and disrespects Yongmyeong Guild right before you, do you tell me my words are excessive?"
Cho Mu-do had no answer. He stood in silence.
Meanwhile, Jang Ui-bo, having regained his composure, spoke again.
"Well… the boy has quite the sharp tongue."
"I have read a book or two."
"Indeed, you are unusual. But that is exactly why I cannot grant your father's request."
"…Request?"
At the unexpected words, U-ha's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"He asked me to understand if you seemed precocious, fearing I might be too rough with you…"
Jang Ui-bo's voice turned cold, meant to instill fear.
But contrary to expectation, what spread across U-ha's face was a strange, hard-to-name expression.
…Worry, is it?
It felt unnatural.
He was not someone to be pitied or worried over.
And yet—
At least one thing is clear.
Just how brazenly Jang Ui-bo had behaved before Cheon Myeong-hak.
To show such insolence within Yongmyeong Guild itself.
U-ha's lips curled into a chilling smile.
"…So my father asked such a thing of you?"
"He did. But as for whether I heed it—"
"Come with me."
Cutting him off, U-ha turned his back, smiling faintly.
"Let's settle this quietly, where no one else can interfere."
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