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The targets were the top twenty ranked sects in Shandong. Even without clear criteria for ranking, due to the competitive nature of the martial world, rankings inevitably formed. This was true not only for Shandong but for other regions as well.

Of course, an invitation came to our family too. Despite our decline, we were still within the top twenty.

The invitation stated that a banquet would be held at Yang Minor Faction in three days.

In addition to urging attendance, it mentioned that an esteemed guest from the Heavenly Blade Sect would be attending. Given Ma Bonggi’s position as Martial Righteous Alliance Leader, this could only be interpreted as a command to attend.

Father tilted his head with an expression of uncertainty.

“I don’t understand why they’re calling us.”

Neither Yang Minor Faction nor the Heavenly Blade Sect were organizations that Father viewed favorably. He vaguely sensed that something undesirable was about to happen.

“It seems the person coming from the Heavenly Blade Sect is the key,” Mother said.

Father nodded in agreement with Mother’s words.

“It seems so. The Heavenly Blade Sect originally based its power in Guizhou. They’ve never expanded into Shandong before.”

“We’ll find out their intentions when we attend the gathering.”

Listening to their conversation, I finally spoke up.

“I’d like to accompany Father as well.”

“You?”

“I should learn by observing.”

Though Father tried not to show it outwardly, joy was evident on his face.

“Alright, let’s go together.”

Mother looked at me with a pleased expression, then strode over and hugged me tightly.

“I’m proud of you, my son.”

Sometimes I’m startled by this intense display of affection, but it’s still good.

Mother’s embrace was incomparably warm.

***

Three days later, Father and I arrived at Yang Minor Faction.

Not just us, but all the leaders of the top twenty ranked sects in Shandong attended the gathering.

Yang Minor Faction Leader Jeong Yeo was greeting the invited guests at the entrance of the main hall.

Jeong Yeo greeted our father respectfully.

“It’s an honor to meet the esteemed Clan Leader Byeok of great virtue.”

Father also maintained proper etiquette.

“I’ve heard that the new sect leader’s reputation is resounding throughout Shandong. Congratulations on becoming the sect leader.”

Although formal congratulatory letters had already been sent between sects, this was the first direct meeting since Jeong Yeo became the faction leader.

“It’s just baseless rumors. I’m at a loss for words, receiving congratulations from Clan Leader Byeok. Thank you.”

Father was flustered by Jeong Yeo’s excessive courtesy. Although they had suffered the misfortune of losing their previous sect leader, Yang Minor Faction was still the top sect in Shandong.

Of course, Jeong Yeo’s polite attitude was because of me. Who would dare to treat us rudely with me standing behind?

Jeong Yeo also addressed me.

“I’ve heard that Young Master Byeok’s small sword squad has been making quite a name for itself lately.”

“We’ve had some successes due to good fortune.”

“How can matters of the martial world be determined by luck? There’s no need to be so modest.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Yeo said to Father,

“You truly have an excellent son.”

Father smiled at those words. He must have been especially pleased because there were many people lined up behind us. What could be more joyful than having your child praised in front of others?

Father and I entered the main hall.

Many guests had already arrived. Father introduced them to me one by one.

It was an opportunity to memorize the faces of the leaders of the top twenty ranked sects in Shandong.

I put my memory to good use after a long time. I didn’t miss a single word Father said. That’s how I remembered the faces of all who attended.

Song Woo-gyeong of the Song Clan arrived a bit late.

“If I had known you were coming, I would have brought Hwa-rin along.”

He seemed regretful, but I just smiled.

All the invited people had gathered. They clustered here and there, murmuring and speculating about today’s gathering. No one knew exactly what it was about.

After about half an incense stick’s time, the door opened and Jeong Yeo entered. Four people followed behind him.

A man who looked to be in his mid-twenties walked in confidently at the front. Judging by his attire and demeanor, he seemed to be Ma Jeongsu. I was inwardly surprised at how much younger he was than I expected. I wondered how old that old man Ma Bonggi was when he was still siring children.

Of the three people following behind him like escorts, I recognized two.

First, the white-haired old man was none other than the Flower Fan Elder[1].

He used an ornate iron fan decorated with flowers as his unique weapon, and had once tried to enter the Martial Righteous Alliance’s Council of Elders but failed.

At that time, I didn’t approve because of his temperament. He was skilled in politics and agitation, and had a strong desire for power. Though his personality might not be great, he was certainly skilled.

More than a few masters had their skulls cracked by underestimating his weapon just because it was a fan decorated with flowers. Even with my twenty-four years of inner energy, I shouldn’t let my guard down against him.

Old ginger is spicier. The hidden moves they’ve prepared are truly fitting as final moves.

Anyway, it wasn’t out of place for him to be associating with the Heavenly Blade Sect. He had always been a power-seeker. Rather, it seemed quite natural.

The man in his mid-forties next to him was a master from within the Heavenly Blade Sect.

His name was Si Gon[2].

He was one of the two masters who competed for the Heavenly Blade Sect when the Martial Righteous Alliance once hosted a friendly martial arts competition.

I still remembered him as a person who used a truly impressive sword technique. Since that was more than seven or eight years ago, his skills must have improved even more by now. Though younger in age, I thought he was a greater master than the Flower Fan Elder.

The last person was a beauty whose age was difficult to guess. She looked young from one perspective, but quite mature from another.

One thing was certain: she too exuded the aura of a considerable martial artist. However, she wasn’t carrying a sword or saber. Unless the belt around her waist was a soft sword, she must be a practitioner of fist techniques. There was something strangely intriguing about her.

Ma Jeongsu’s aura was just as extraordinary as these three remarkable people.

It was incomparable to the young talents gathered at the recent Shandong banquet. He was clearly showing that he was different from the young ones in Shandong.

Nevertheless, my first impression of him was very bad. First of all, I didn’t like his eyes. Though he was the same age as Gwang-du, his eyes looked like those of a man in his forties. They weren’t clear and showed signs of having weathered all sorts of hardships.

The people gathered tensed up at their appearance. It was a moment when they truly realized that someone had come down from the Heavenly Blade Sect.

Though they were all leaders of their respective sects, there was no one here who could match the Flower Fan Elder or Si Gon in a one-on-one fight. Being overwhelmed by their aura, they naturally became subdued.

After Jeong Yeo gave a brief greeting, he introduced Ma Jeongsu.

Ma Jeongsu stepped up onto the platform.

“It’s truly an honor to meet the heroes of Shandong. I also thank the Yang Minor Faction leader for arranging this gathering.”

He gestured toward the Yang Minor Faction leader as if introducing him, naturally inducing applause.

Ma Jeongsu was confident and self-assured even in front of the twenty clan leaders. And he was courteous.

“The reason I’ve arranged this gathering today is that I have something to tell you.”

After gathering everyone’s attention for a moment, he opened his mouth. Truly unexpected words flowed out.

“I’m thinking of opening a small martial arts school here in Shandong.”

Everyone was shocked. A heavy silence fell over the hall.

They must all be thinking similarly.

No matter how many children the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader had, he was still clearly of the Alliance Leader’s bloodline.

The first thought that comes to mind is, is it really just a small martial arts school? Would the flesh and blood of the Alliance Leader come all the way to Shandong just to establish a small martial arts school?

Even if we give him the benefit of the doubt, is this matter significant enough to gather everyone here?

It could be an excuse to establish a sect under the guise of a martial arts school. In other words, it’s the Heavenly Blade Sect’s expansion into Shandong. Since directly establishing a sect would face opposition from the local sects, they’ve come forward saying they’ll establish a martial arts school, considering public opinion in the martial world. If not that, then there must be some other hidden motive.

“I was hoping you could all help me a little.”

The atmosphere became even more subdued.

Depending on how one interprets the request for help, it could be understood differently, but ultimately it could only be interpreted as a demand for money.

At that moment, Gwak Tae[3], the leader of the Blue Pine Sect[4], stepped forward.

“Hahaha, of course we should help you.”

As he came forward laughing, his close friend Seok Mun-do[5], the leader of the Nine Dragons Clan[6], joined him in easing the tense atmosphere.

“Wouldn’t it be a great blessing for our Shandong if Master Ma comes down to establish a foundation here?”

“That’s right.”

“We welcome you to Shandong.”

Gwak Tae and Seok Mun-do exchanged words back and forth.

I could tell. Before this gathering, the Blue Pine Sect leader had already met with Ma Jeongsu and promised to support him. Then Gwak Tae must have pulled in Seok Mun-do. Of course, the order could have been reversed with Seok Mun-do pulling in Gwak Tae.

Except for those two, the atmosphere was cold.

Ma Jeongsu looked around the hall once, then fixed his gaze on our direction.

Father and Song Woo-gyeong had stern expressions like the other leaders.

“Isn’t that Master Byeok of the Byeok Clan Sword Manor over there?”

Ma Jeongsu suddenly singled out my father.

Father was slightly taken aback as he recognized his face, even though they had never met before.

“That’s right. I’m the one leading the Byeok Clan Sword Manor.”

“Your expression doesn’t look good. Is there something uncomfortable?”

Asked so politely, there was no other way to answer.

“I have some indigestion, so I’m not feeling well.”

“Oh dear. I see.”

Ma Jeongsu came down from the platform and strode over in our direction. It felt like an ominous energy was approaching.

He came right up to Father and took something out of his bosom. It was a small medicine bottle the size of a finger.

“If you drink this, you’ll feel better.”

Father was flustered.

No, actually, I was more flustered. How could he drink something without knowing what it was?

But it was also difficult to refuse when the other party was offering goodwill.

While Father was at a loss for what to do, I clearly saw it. A certain malice lurking in Ma Jeongsu’s smiling eyes. It was something that ordinary people could never notice.

I could tell because I had experienced all sorts of villains.

The emotion I felt from his smile was intense coldness.

Ma Jeongsu exclaimed in surprise,

“Oh my! I’ve made a big mistake. In my haste, I took out the wrong medicine. This medicine was a deadly poison. I didn’t bring the antidote, so if you had drunk it, you would have been in big trouble.”

The atmosphere became even heavier, and Father’s expression was the same.

Ma Jeongsu said admiringly,

“As expected of the leader of the Byeok Clan Sword Manor, who once had a great reputation. To survive long in the martial world, one must always be cautious and careful. I’ve learned a great lesson today.”

He spoke with such a polite attitude that it was confusing whether this was a mistake or a threat.

But this was clearly a threat.

That he could poison you if you mess with him.

But his threat didn’t end there.

He glanced at me.

“Is this your son? He’s tall and handsome. Hahaha.”

Father’s expression hardened even more, and his body trembled slightly. After talking about deadly poison and whatnot, the reason for pointing me out was obvious without asking. That he could kill even family members if provoked.

Song Woo-gyeong, who was standing next to us, quickly changed the subject.

“So, where are you thinking of building the martial arts school?”

He judged that if Father burst out in anger, we would be at a disadvantage.

Ma Jeongsu bowed his head politely to Father and apologized.

“I apologize once again for my earlier mistake.”

Then, as he returned to his place, he said,

“I plan to build the martial arts school on the outskirts of Jinan. I intend to start with a modest size and gradually expand…”

He began to talk about the details of the martial arts school.

Song Woo-gyeong grasped Father’s hand once under the table. It meant he had done well to endure.

Father silently emptied his wine cup.

I could tell. The bastard had made an example of our father to threaten everyone here. And in such a cowardly and dirty way. No matter how Father had answered, the result wouldn’t have changed. The bastard had come intending to sacrifice Father to dominate the atmosphere from the start.

My expression remained impassive, but my heart turned ice-cold.

This son of a bitch dares to mess with our father? And even dragging me into it?