## Chapter 195 – (7)
“You can tell it’s Sichuan from the smell.”
“Yeah.”
Arriving in Sichuan, we were jolted awake by the intense aroma.
Because it was Murim, I only thought of the Tang Clan of Sichuan when entering Sichuan.
However, one of the most famous things in Sichuan, as much as the Tang Clan, was its cuisine, especially the spicy dishes.
The pungent aroma and the sharp scent of spices made my eyes and nose tingle.
As a proud Korean, I think I can handle spicy food better than most foreigners.
But the spiciness of Korea and the spiciness of these unique Chinese spices were a little different.
It was the difference between a dish that hurt your mouth and a spicy aroma that made your nose tingle.
“Let’s find a place to stay first. Preferably away from the market.”
“Okay.”
Escaping the spicy aroma, we found lodging in a slightly remote area.
We wanted to find a place near the Tang Clan if possible, but it seemed that other sects, clans, and even people looking forward to the martial arts competition had already taken the lodgings.
“Since it’s about a week…”
I understood why there was a shortage of rooms.
It had been a long time since so many sects had gathered for a martial arts competition.
People must have moved quickly.
The lodging we secured was expensive, so other guests avoided it, which allowed us to book it.
“There’s only one bed.”
“Haha… That’s right.”
The room was spacious, but there was only one bed.
We exchanged awkward glances and decided on our next course of action.
First, we decided to do training that was only possible in Sichuan, since we were here anyway.
“What is it?”
“Eating poison and deflecting hidden weapons.”
“Wow…”
It was training that could only be done in Sichuan, but it wasn’t exactly inspiring.
But it would definitely help.
My skill levels had been steadily increasing as I trained as instructed.
It would be the same this time.
Moyong Yeon smiled lightly when she saw my expression.
“Don’t worry, you can do it.”
“Yes…”
It wasn’t that I didn’t think I could do it, that’s why I wasn’t motivated.
I answered casually and retorted.
“Then, when are you going to meet your brother?”
“Ah… That’s…”
Moyong Yeon swallowed and avoided my gaze.
It didn’t make sense not to meet him since we came all the way here.
But Moyong Yeon couldn’t easily muster the courage.
I had to give her courage instead.
“Or we could slowly after the competition…”
“Let’s go meet him today instead.”
“Today?”
I could see Moyong Yeon fidgeting, flustered.
She was wavering.
I said, pressing her.
“Yes, I have to train and participate in the martial arts competition, so isn’t today the most free day?”
“That’s true…”
Moyong Yeon nodded, as if my persuasion worked.
Eventually, we moved right away.
From what I heard, Moyong Yeon’s brother was working as an escort warrior in a trade guild managed by the Sichuan Tang Clan.
He was kicked out of the Moyong Clan because he was a child from a different mother and had no talent, but that was only within the Moyong Clan.
Even the martial arts he was said to lack talent in were strong enough to be considered a first-class warrior in general.
“It’s here.”
“…Is it over there?”
Following Moyong Yeon, I saw a crowd of people in the distance.
And I heard a loud shout.
“Do you really want to die!”
The loud shout was filled with internal energy, making it echo even louder.
Judging from the internal energy contained within, he seemed quite skilled.
I felt an atmosphere that would be annoying to get involved with.
“…Could it be.”
“Master?”
I hoped it wasn’t there, but sure enough, Moyong Yeon had a serious expression and started running towards the sound.
I sighed.
“Hoo…”
Thwack!
Pushing off the ground strongly with my feet, I leaped and easily caught up with Moyong Yeon from behind.
The place we arrived at was a courtyard in front of a large building.
Was this a trade guild?
Two carriages were prepared side by side in the courtyard, and people were surrounding the courtyard in a circle.
After landing nearby, we pushed through the crowd to see what they were surrounding.
There were three men of various ages, a large man lying on the ground, and an old man in between.
The three young men were all wearing sky-blue martial robes, and the large man was lying on the ground wearing a rough black martial robe.
The small old man was in between, trying to calm the three men down.
“Oh dear, why are you doing this? The Tang Clan will be furious if they find out.”
“Good, I should have a conversation with them today.”
The old man subtly threatened them, but the men responded as if to dare him.
“To hire a guy from our Moyong Clan as an escort warrior, knowing who he is.”
“Did you hire this guy?”
“I, I just… Ugh…”
Instead, the old man was caught in the crossfire.
The pressure from the martial artists was enough to suffocate the old man, who could only let out weak breaths.
“Ugh… Isn’t it all in the past…”
The man who had been lying down grabbed his stomach and staggered to his feet.
Judging from the conversation and situation, this seemed to be Moyong Yeon’s brother that I had been looking for.
“If you were kicked out, you should know shame and hide, but instead, you’re doing chores under the Tang Clan, tarnishing the name of the Moyong Clan!”
Hearing those words, a vein popped out on the man’s forehead.
“…Yes, I was kicked out. I am no longer Moyong Cheong, but Tang Cheong. So please leave now. Brother.”
“Huh, you’re telling me to stop and leave?”
The man, who looked to be in his mid-30s, laughed and replied.
But it was just a fake smile with his lips stretched out.
His eyes were gleaming with murderous intent.
If it weren’t for the many spectators, he might have attacked right away.
“Since when could you order me around? Even if you’re Tang Cheong, nothing changes.”
“…Brother, this is Sichuan.”
The atmosphere of the spectators changed slightly at the man’s words.
“The name of the Tang Clan has a different meaning here.”
“…Ha!”
Then the man growled and glared at the spectators in a low voice.
“If you’re confident, come forward. The top disciple of the Great Moyong Clan will take you on.”
With those words, he began to emit internal energy.
Even at a glance, it seemed he had already reached a certain level.
The spectators glared at the man, but they had no choice but to hesitate and step back at his internal energy and momentum.
“Hmph, it’s always like that.”
“Brother, there are two people…”
“Huh?”
But there were only two people.
There were two people looking at the man from the Moyong Clan who was emitting internal energy, as if they weren’t impressed at all.
Of course, it was me and my master, Moyong Yeon.
That much internal energy.
I felt it so much that I was sick of it, spending every day with Moyong Yeon in the cave.
The man looked at Moyong Yeon and smirked.
“If it isn’t Yeon.”
“Don’t call my name.”
“…Hmph…”
As soon as the man from the Moyong Clan called her name, murderous intent rose from Moyong Yeon.
Fluttering!
Even the horses in the carriage, which had been quiet all along, were filled with thick murderous intent that filled the courtyard.
Of course, the man who received the murderous intent head-on could only try to calm his breathing.
“There’s a limit to my patience.”
“Ye, Yeon-ah!”
“Hoo…”
Surprised by the murderous intent, Moyong Yeon’s brother called her name, and the murderous intent subsided a little.
Even so, Moyong Yeon seemed to be unable to relieve her anger, tapping her finger on the sword at her waist, as if she was contemplating.
She was probably contemplating whether to slice those three guys up.
At this rate, something was really going to happen.
My master was good at everything.
But she was someone who couldn’t control her strength well.
“Sigh.”
It seemed like it was my turn to step in.
“Ahem.”
I slowly walked out and stood between Moyong Yeon and the men from the Moyong Clan.
Then, I cleared my throat and focused everyone’s attention.
Only then did Moyong Yeon’s eyes, which had been flashing with murderous intent, slowly calm down.
“…Please.”
“Yes. I’ll take care of it.”
Leaving the matter to me, Moyong Yeon hesitated and approached her brother.
“Yeon-ah… Who is that person…”
“He’s my disciple, rest for now.”
Moyong Yeon glanced at me and nodded when our eyes met.
Then, she took the old man and her brother inside the trade guild.
It was probably to treat her brother’s injuries.
I felt Moyong Yeon’s trust in that short eye contact just before parting.
Moyong Yeon believed that I would mediate this situation peacefully.
Of course, it wouldn’t be completely peaceful, but it would be better than leaving it to Moyong Yeon.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
The youngest of the men from the Moyong Clan started running towards Moyong Yeon, who was going inside the trade guild.
Of course, I wasn’t just watching.
Thwack!
I leaped from my spot in an instant and blocked the guy’s path.
“Wh, what!”
The guy tried to draw his sword at me, who suddenly appeared in front of him, but my hand was much faster.
Thud!
“Ugh…”
Before he could even draw his sword, my fist struck the guy’s stomach, and he collapsed to the ground with a sound of air escaping.
Just like Moyong Yeon’s brother that I saw at first.
Only then did the remaining two people start to look at me a little differently.
“Who are you.”
“Master’s disciple.”
“Yeon’s?…”
“Brother, I’ll do it.”
A man who looked to be about my age walked out with an unpleasant expression.
“This will be your grave.”
“Wow…”
I never thought I’d actually hear that line.
I was so impressed that I laughed, and I could see the guy clenching his teeth tightly, quite irritated.
