"Here, one more bottle of Hwaju (fiery wine)!"
"We need more meat dumplings over here!"
"When is the Dongpo-yuk (Dongpo Pork) coming?"
At the Yongcheon Gaekjan (Yongcheon Inn), the closest to Yongcheongwan.
With the endless flood of orders, the Jeomsoi was dashing around so frantically it was as if he was using a Gyeongsipbeop (Lightness Art).
He was swamped, but the owner was so thrilled he was on the verge of dancing.
Business had been slow while Yongcheongwan was closed for so long, but today's sales alone would be more than enough to cover the recent losses.
'A group of customers as soon as they reopened. This is a jackpot!'
Meanwhile, Namgung Cheon, sitting by the window, gazed blankly at the faces of the students filling the inn.
What? Chogyeguksu and meat dumplings?
The moment they arrived at the inn, the students had unhesitatingly ordered all-manner of rare dishes and expensive alcohol, as if that had been the arrangement with Namgung Cheon from the start.
'They're eating well. It is the age for it, I suppose.'
Perhaps because of that, Namgung Cheon was hungry too, so he was happily eating the Cheolpan-uyuk (Sizzling Plate Beef) in front of him.
'It's not my money anyway.'
Unlike the perfectly calm Namgung Cheon, Yun Jongseung, sitting across from him, was on pins and needles.
'You crazy bastards! Stop stuffing your faces!'
The money Namgung Cheon was paying with was the money he had taken from the Hwangsan Yun Family martial artists. He had planned to somehow get back whatever was left after their expenses, but at this rate, there wouldn't be a single jeon left.
In the end, this meal was no different from Yun Jongseung paying for it himself.
Because of that, cold sweat dripped down his back every time a new dish or bottle of wine arrived.
Song Wongyo and Baek Rihyang weren't having a good time either.
Somehow, the atmosphere was different from what they'd expected.
Baek Rihyang, in particular, who usually saw Namgung Cheon as a thorn in her side, was very displeased with the situation.
Shouldn't Namgung Cheon be looking miserable right now? Instead, he was knocking back food and alcohol, actually enjoying himself.
He was even ordering more.
Baek Rihyang, who had been staring at Namgung Cheon, said to Song Wongyo.
"He used to be so protective, saying he was his father. What do you suppose happened?"
"I know. Did his personality change after dying and coming back?"
"Does a mutt become a tiger just because its personality changes?"
As Baek Rihyang snorted coldly, Song Wongyo downed his cup and stood up.
He wore a vicious smile.
"If a mutt tries to imitate a tiger, we'll have to teach it what happens, won't we? Leave it to me. I have an idea."
"What are you going to do?"
"A mutt should act like a mutt. He needs to have that anxious-puppy-needing-to-shit look on his face. Let's enjoy that ridiculous sight."
"Honestly, Song Gongja, you're so mischievous."
'Look who's talking.'
Song Wongyo smiled inwardly.
There was no one who hated the Namgung Family more than Baek Rihyang.
In the past, the Baekri Family had tried relentlessly to enter the Gangho Chil-dae-sega (Seven Great Families of the Jianghu). But each time, it was thwarted by the Namgung Family's opposition. Of course, their positions were reversed now, but the fact that they were like Gyeon-won-ji-gan (dogs and monkeys) within the Orthodox Faction hadn't changed.
To win her favor, tormenting Namgung Cheon was the surest way.
If he could continue this special relationship with Baek Rihyang and win Henan's Number One Beauty... and if he could get the backing of the Baekri Family's power... wouldn't the future of the Jeongjumun Sect be secure?
'For my future, you'll just have to be a willing, unfilial mutt.'
Smiling slyly, Song Wongyo clapped his hands.
Clap, clap, clap...
All the students in the inn turned their heads to look at Song Wongyo.
"What a grand feast, right as the academy reopens. Isn't this all thanks to our classmate, Namgung Cheon? I'd like to express my deep gratitude to Namgung Cheon. Thank you, Cheon-ah."
"That's right, thanks! Cheon-ah!"
"We're eating well thanks to you! Or should we thank your dead dad? Kekeke!"
The students snickered mockingly.
Song Wongyo approached Namgung Cheon and spoke to the crowd.
"It's true that we've treated Namgung Cheon poorly until now. But there was a good reason for it. It was because Namgung Cheon inherited the blood of the Great Killing Star."
Everyone nodded, as if in agreement.
Song Wongyo slung an arm over Namgung Cheon's shoulder and continued.
"In the past, Namgung Cheon used to defend that trash-like demon, just because he was his father. But not today, it seems. Whether he had a change of heart, he is celebrating that trash's death, just like us. Doesn't this mean he is one of us? Therefore, I will no longer treat Namgung Gongja poorly. Furthermore, if anyone else treats Namgung Gongja poorly, I, Song, will not forgive them!"
For a moment, the hall went quiet.
The students were bewildered.
It was only natural. Weren't Song Wongyo and Baek Rihyang the ones who lived for the pleasure of tormenting Namgung Cheon more than anyone? But now he'd scold others for tormenting him?
Namgung Cheon's reaction, however, was indifferent.
What? You won't forgive them if they treat me poorly?
Fat chance.
There had to be a reason for Song Wongyo to act like this.
Having lived his life as the Public Enemy of the Murim, he'd associated with all sorts of scumbags. So, he could read the minds of scumbags faster than anyone.
What's your game, brat?
Sure enough, Song Wongyo turned to Namgung Cheon with a smile full of malice.
"So, about that... I'd like you to clarify your position, so everyone here can be convinced."
"...?"
"Prove that your will is the same as ours. If you do, we will no longer ostracize you and will accept you as a true friend."
Just then, a student who had been tearing at some origogi (duck meat) in the corner suddenly stood up.
"Song-hyeong, how are we supposed to know that?"
"Well, there's a simple way, isn't there?"
"What is it?"
"It's called the 'Moyok Jeungmyeong (Insult Proof).'"
Only then did the mocking smiles return to the students' faces.
Namgung Cheon, too, let out a smirk.
The Insult Proof.
These kids and their cute little games.
In the past, when the Demonic Cult's power was at its peak, there were quite a few cultists who roamed the Jianghu posing as orthodox martial artists.
As a way to root them out, a joke had once circulated like a trend.
The method was simple. You'd grab a suspicious martial artist and say:
"Say 'The Magyoju (Demonic Cult Lord) is a son of a bitch.'"
It was an incredibly childish method, but rumor had it that it was quite effective. To the Demonic Cultists, their Lord was a divine existence.
And now…
"Alright, Namgung Cheon. Say 'Jin Cheonrang is a son of a bitch.'"
I'm the one who paid for all this food and alcohol, and this is the test I get.
As he let out a light sigh, Song Wongyo, unable to control his splitting grin, turned around.
"Everyone, if Namgung Cheon says it, let's accept him as a true friend!"
"Song-hyeong is so smart!"
"Right, Namgung Cheon! Spit it out and become one of us!"
The students snickered endlessly, enjoying the situation.
Baek Rihyang also wore a faint smile, finally satisfied.
What must it feel like, to be forced to insult one's own father in front of everyone?
'It'll be a sight to see, him cursing his father with a tear-streaked face.'
Song Wongyo turned back to Namgung Cheon.
"He may be trash, but if calling your father by his name is too uncomfortable, you can just say 'My dad is a son of a bitch.'"
"Hahaha! That's good too!"
Several students clutched their stomachs, laughing.
Jin Cheonrang (Namgung Cheon) scanned the students with an emotionless expression.
Do these guys really find this fun?
They must be incredibly bored with their lives. Why else would they be sneering at a prank like this?
As they say, a man should smile when he's narrowly escaped death and is shoving his sword down his enemy's...
Ah, no. If I think like that, I'll really be like the Great Killing Star.
Anyway, this is all because of this shitty environment.
Yep, that's it. Originally, I was the nicest guy in the world. So naturally, I wouldn't say such an unfilial thing.
But…
'Cursing myself isn't really unfilial, is it.'
As an aside, I'm very good at cursing, thanks to rolling around in a harsh environment.
In my past life, didn't I once cause Ilgwangeom (One Light Sword), Sa Baekjun, to fall into Juhwa-ipma (Qi Deviation) just by cursing at him?
Was that all?
Even as I was dying, I cursed out all the gods in the world—the Heavens, Sangje, the spirits—and threw a fit.
I'm this good at cursing.
So, this isn't a test or anything.
Me cursing myself? It's just funny.
Even the curses I'd shouted while kicking my blankets not long after my reincarnation were aimed at myself.
"Aargh! Why did I like an idiot and fail to kill the Alliance Lord?"
Well, anyway.
He glanced at the students; their eyes were all full of anticipation.
Especially Baek Rihyang…
'She's so happy her eyes are about to roll back.'
Sorry, but I can't meet that expectation.
Well, I will curse. They might be confused about who's really getting cursed, but I'll take this opportunity to show them what real cursing is.
Namgung Cheon's mouth curled up, and he stepped right up to Song Wongyo.
"You'll be satisfied with a curse on Jin Cheonrang?"
"Oho, calling him by his name. Yes, that'll do."
If you're satisfied with my curse, no need to hold back.
"Then listen well."
Song Wongyo and the other students watched with intrigued expressions.
Namgung Cheon stared directly at Song Wongyo and began to unleash a string of slick curses.
"Hey, you son of a bitch. Now I see you were just a moronic insect-bastard. A guy lower than an earthworm's asshole. You're a piece of rotten shit, so useless you can't even be used for manure. Did you have fun tormenting people all this time? Now it's time to pay the price, so let's light some incense. If I had my way, I'd skin you alive, rub salt on it, then tear your limbs to shreds and mash them, but I am the father, so I'll endure. Aigoo, you world's biggest moron, I should have just castrated you from the start. Kaaaaak, ptui!"
The spit he hocked at the end landed right at Song Wongyo's feet.
"…"
Haa, that's refreshing.
How long has it been since I spat out curses that just roll off the tongue like that?
This unidentifiable feeling of liberation.
Hm? But why is the mood like this?
They asked me to curse, so I did.
The hall was dead silent.
Several students, frozen by the world's most savage string of curses, could barely swallow the food stuck in their throats. One guy even had the wine he was drinking dribble out of his mouth.
What a sight.
Song Wongyo, who had taken the curses to his face, his expression slowly crumpled.
"You… who were those curses just now... for…"
"Ah, that was the curse for Jin Cheonrang."
Yep, it was my curse.
"Keu-eum...!"
Not just Song WongGyo, but Baek Rihyang also had an unsettled expression. In fact, Baek Rihyang's expression was twisting more and more.
She had definitely made him curse, had tormented him… so why did she feel so dirty?
Just then, a student shot up, his chair toppling over.
Kwadang!
He had a Jangdo (Long Saber) over five cheok (feet) long on his back, with tan skin and a sturdy build.
"Aish, damn it! I've lost my appetite! I'm leaving."
As the student growled, Namgung Cheon tilted his head and asked.
"Why? You're not eating more?"
The student froze, glared at Namgung Cheon, then strode over and grabbed him by the collar.
"You bastard, what do you think you're doing?"
What's this one saying? Why is there not a single normal person here?
The student gripped his collar tighter and shouted.
"One way or another, you are the bloodline of the Great Killing Star, and the son of my family's enemy. I don't care what your curses mean, but that fact will never change. Got it?"
No, I don't get it at all.
"Tsk! A pathetic bastard not even worth cursing."
The student roughly shoved Namgung Cheon, spun around, and stalked off.
Namgung Cheon stared blankly at his back.
Come to think of it, isn't that guy Paeng Suhyeok from the Habuk Paeng Family?
The Habuk Paeng Family. The starting point for his notoriety as the Great Killing Star spreading across the Jianghu in his past life. It all started with the death of the Habuk Paeng Family Head.
At the time, Paeng Yangmun had come to kill him, but in the end, he was the one who died.
'So that's it. That bastard is Paeng Yangmun's descendant, Paeng Suhyeok.'
Still, why is he throwing a fit after eating a free meal?
Kids these days just don't know how to be grateful.
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