Overlord of Sichuan

Ch. 76


Chapter 76: Calm Before the Storm

Commencement of the ritual.

Two hours earlier.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Two carriages leaving Kaifeng traveled side by side along the official road.

Neither carriage seemed to be carrying ordinary passengers.

That was because both were adorned with decorations no less splendid than those of high-ranking officials’ carriages.

Sssk.

At that moment, the curtain covering the window of one carriage was lifted.

A person peeked out, gazing outside.

The woman, dressed in a plain green martial robe, had her hair tightly tied back. Her face bore not a trace of powder, yet that only amplified her natural beauty, making her features even more striking.

It was Tang Serin, who had left the inn early in the morning.

Looking at the now-distant figure of Kaifeng beyond the window, a flicker of worry crossed her expression.

‘……Se-woon will be fine, won’t he.’

Serin’s every waking thought was consumed with worry for her younger brother.

One might ask what there was to worry about, given that he had recently recovered much of his health and was achieving success in everything he undertook.

But as the one who watched Sewoon most closely, she knew the truth.

‘Hoo, just how much longer does he plan on carrying it all by himself.’

In front of her, he always tried to show only his smiling and cheerful side, yet behind that, there lingered an unshakable sorrow in his eyes.

Though her younger brother had become a rising new star of the murim in recent times, to her he still seemed like a fragile and delicate child she had to protect.

Just as she let her troubled heart drift away on the morning breeze—

“Hrk, unni. I’m sorry.”

“Hm?”

Suddenly, a teary voice came from beside her.

When Serin turned her head, she saw tears welling in the deer-like eyes of Peng So-hye.

With a voice full of guilt, Peng So-hye continued.

“……Normally, you would never attend such gatherings. Yet here you are, all because of me……”

It was natural that she felt so apologetic.

This was a reunion of the former Nine Dragons Four Phoenixes, starting from a tavern in Kaifeng.

Ten years ago, at the youngest age of fifteen, Peng So-hye had been chosen as one of the Nine Dragons Four Phoenixes. Afterward, she had formed a bond with Tang Serin, relying on her and following her like an older sister.

Of course, Serin also took good care of Peng So-hye, treating her like a younger sibling of her own.

Over the past few years, since Tang Serin had not left Sichuan due to family matters, Peng So-hye could not contain her joy at seeing her again after such a long time.

She kept emptying her cup without restraint.

As a result, she had become utterly drunk not long after.

During that time, the host of today’s gathering had recklessly pushed to move locations and continue the banquet.

If it had been as usual, Serin would have excused herself and withdrawn, but out of concern for the drunken Peng So-hye, she chose to remain until the end.

That was why, while riding the carriage, now that she had sobered up, Peng So-hye could only feel so guilty and restless.

Serin stroked her head and spoke.

“It’s nothing, Hye-ah. I only stayed because I was worried about my younger brother for a moment.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. And besides, I’m happy to see you after so long.”

“Whew, that’s a relief. I thought you stayed only because of me……”

Only then did Peng So-hye let out a sigh of relief.

In turn, Serin chuckled softly.

Ten years ago, she had been called the Little Fist Phoenix.

Now she bore the fierce alias of Armor-Breaking Xi Shi, yet before Tang Serin, she always turned into a gentle lamb.

“But unni, you really take good care of your younger brother. I can’t help but envy it.”

Peng So-hye’s eyes suddenly grew fierce.

Before long, she was glaring through the window at the opposite carriage.

Today’s gathering had brought together ten of the thirteen members of the former Nine Dragons Four Phoenixes.

And in the opposite carriage, split among five passengers, sat her “enemy.”

“Hmph, if only my stupid brother were even half, no, even a quarter of what your brother is.”

“Why, the young master of the Peng Clan is a good person too.”

“Good person? That idiot’s nothing but a muscle-brained fool, unni. His head is probably filled with nothing but muscles! Ugh, thanks to that dumb brother of mine, the saying ‘the Peng Clan knows nothing’ is spreading through the murim again. Listen, unni, this time he’s gone and obsessed over some duel tournament—”

“Hehe, no matter how long it’s been, you two still seem as close as ever.”

“……!”

At that moment, someone suddenly cut into their conversation.

Eyebrows long as caterpillars writhed grotesquely.

It was Unjung, the chief disciple of Kunlun.

With his greasy demeanor, the two women could not help but frown slightly.

Yet, completely oblivious, Unjung only wriggled his eyebrows once again.

“Yes, that’s because we’re very close. But what brings you here?”

“Haha, what could possibly happen inside this carriage? I simply came by, like you two, to ease the boredom of the journey.”

“……Ah, I see.”

Unlike when she spoke with Serin, Peng So-hye’s demeanor and tone had turned icy cold.

But as mentioned, Unjung was utterly without awareness.

“Hehe. In that case, I’ve brought a gift.”

Sssk.

Unjung cheerfully pulled a gourd bottle from his robe.

From inside, the fragrance of wine drifted out.

“Haha! Just when we were getting into the mood, the drinking was cut short—such a shame! That’s not the way of wine at all. Here, both of you, have a cup!”

“I’m fine.”

“Me too.”

“……Eh?”

Clearly not expecting such outright rejection, Unjung looked flustered.

But Serin and Peng So-hye had another reason for treating him so coldly.

Kunlun was a Daoist sect, just like Wudang.

However, in Qinghai Province where Kunlun was based, endless rumors had spread about Unjung, the so-called Daoist priest.

‘They say he lives consumed by wine and women, and the Sect Leader has to intervene each time to cover it up.’

Thankfully, it had not yet spread across the whole of the Central Plains, but as someone from neighboring Sichuan, Serin knew of it.

She had already warned Peng So-hye in advance to be cautious.

“We actually had something else we were discussing.”

“Apologies.”

“Ah, I understand. Ahem, then I shall change my plan and drink intimately with the men instead……”

Awkwardly retreating, gourd in hand, Unjung turned to look back.

At the ends of the carriage, a monk and a swordsman leaned against the wall.

Still oblivious, Unjung’s eyes sparkled at them.

“Amitabha. This humble monk will accept only the sentiment.”

Bow.

The chief disciple of Shaolin, Illyun, bowed his head in refusal.

“……”

From the Mount Hainan Sect, chief disciple Nam Mujin did not even bother to open his mouth or eyes, as if it wasn’t worth a response.

Finally realizing the futility, Unjung slumped into the corner with sagging shoulders and sipped from the gourd all by himself.

Serin shook her head and turned her gaze back out the window.

“……!”

In that instant, her eyes widened as if they would burst.

At some point, the opposite carriage’s window had also been thrown wide open.

And a man was staring directly at Serin.

A chill ran down her spine.

His gaze was like that of a snake, grotesque and revolting.

It reminded her of Cheongseong’s Lee Hoseong, whom she had loathed so much.

‘Disgusting.’

Swish.

Serin quickly pulled the curtain shut again.

“Hmph, still as arrogant as ever.”

Namgung Jun, the legitimate son of the Namgung Clan, twisted one corner of his lips as he gazed out the window.

“Mm? Brother Namgung, what did you just say?”

At this, Qingcheng’s chief disciple, Wi Jibo, tilted his head and asked.

“Nothing. I was just feeling better after a breath of fresh air.”

Namgung Jun, discarding his scowling expression, replied with a smile as if he were a benevolent man.

“Keh, as expected, Brother Namgung knows the way of elegance.”

“Is that how it seems? Haha.”

“Well then, let us drink another cup. Allow me to pour for you.”

“Oh, splendid.”

“My, are the two elder brothers planning to drink by yourselves? Please pour for me as well.”

“Haha, of course. I nearly forgot about Lady Hwangbo.”

Inside the opposite carriage, the atmosphere was the complete opposite.

It was rowdy and noisy beyond compare.

Three men and women, their faces flushed red, were pouring drinks for one another.

At a glance, it might have seemed like a lively reunion of old comrades, yet there was a clear hierarchy beneath it.

Wi Jibo was working hard to flatter Namgung Jun in order to secure his newly regained position as Qingcheng Sect’s chief disciple after Lee Hoseong’s death.

And Hwangbo Yeong, seeking to escape from her clan’s servitude under the Namgung Clan, was subtly attempting to seduce Namgung Jun.

Meanwhile, Namgung Jun relished being treated as the perfect victor at the center of it all.

‘Truly disgraceful.’

Watching that repulsive scene, Peng Daeho furrowed his brows deeply.

Peng Daeho was the son of Peng Taesan, head of the Hebei Peng Clan, and the elder brother of Peng So-hye.

At that moment—

“Phew, the drink is getting to me.”

A beautiful woman staggered and slipped into the seat beside Peng Daeho.

She was Namgung Hoyeon, known as Anhui’s Number One Beauty or the Moon-Concealing Sword Maiden.

Brushing her hair behind her ear, she spoke to him.

“Brother Peng, wouldn’t it be better to relax and enjoy yourself tonight?”

With her cheeks flushed from wine and eyes sparkling like a lake, any man might have succumbed to such temptation.

“I only came because of my drunk younger sister. I have no intention of enjoying myself.”

But Peng Daeho answered with a voice that did not waver in the slightest.

Contrary to his name, he resembled a great bear.

With his towering height, massive frame, and bulging muscles, he bore the physique of a born general.

“Tch, you’re still as dull as ever.”

Although he had all but ignored her, Namgung Hoyeon smiled brightly in response.

Peng Daeho sighed deeply, then sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

In that instant, a sinister light flickered in Namgung Hoyeon’s eyes.

‘As expected, he won’t fall so easily.’

The reason she had come tonight was to ensnare Peng Daeho.

In truth, among those gathered, the one with the greatest reputation in the murim was none other than Peng Daeho.

Of all the Nine Dragons Four Phoenixes assembled today, he alone had reached the maturity of the Supreme Peak Master Level.

Of course, Shaolin’s Illyun, the Thousand Demon-Subduing Legs, closely followed behind.

But there was no way to seduce a Buddhist monk.

Reminding herself of that fact, a glint stirred in Namgung Hoyeon’s eyes.

‘Well, becoming the Peng Clan’s matriarch wouldn’t be bad either.’

She also liked that, despite his eccentricities, Peng Daeho had no interest in women and devoted himself only to martial training.

Such men were easier to secretly dominate within their clan.

Neigh!

Screech!

Just then, with the cry of horses, the carriages came to a halt.

They had finally arrived at their destination.

Soon after, everyone descended from both carriages.

“……!”

“-!!”

All except the Namgung siblings gasped in shock at the sight before them.

At the dock, a massive, resplendent tower ship had appeared.

Unlike ordinary tower ships, this one had a central pavilion built up to the fourth floor.

As if showing it off to Tang Serin, Namgung Jun strode forward with confidence and said,

“Haha, true elegance is drinking aboard a boat, wouldn’t you agree?”

“This is madness!!”

“Brother Namgung!!”

Yet Tang Serin’s expression remained unchanged.

It was only Unjung and Wi Jibo who reacted with excitement.

And so, completely unaware of what awaited them in the near future, the ten martial artists boarded the tower ship.

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