The Return of the Sword God Chapter 116 : Emerging Powerhouse. -01

Chapter 116: Erging Powerhouse. -01

The space he recognized was the sa.

The space his senses perceived was also the sa.

And yet, the reason it felt unfamiliar was because it had been a space he had never properly utilized before.

Ban Hojin could now clearly understand that fact.

‘But a changing move is rely a changing move.’

Depending on the situation, alternating the sword between his right and left hands could create variables.

However, what Ban Hojin envisioned was not rely that much.

He was thinking beyond variables, beyond changing moves, beyond re counterattacks.

Application and improvisation only yielded great effects within similar realms.

‘Beyond that.’

He recalled the realm he had failed to reach in his previous life.

It was still obscured as if shrouded in mist, not clearly visible, not distinctly ford in his mind—yet there was one thing he knew with certainty.

That the path he was walking now was not wrong.

‘Even if I stray a little and wander, it’s fine. I’ll reach the destination in the end.’

What mattered was the mindset of never giving up.

The mont one gave up, everything ended there.

Progress, the future, dreams.

And so, today as well, Ban Hojin steadied his heart and perford a sword dance.

Sensing that the weather had already reached the tail end of winter, Ban Hojin let out a long yawn.

Since he had not co of his own will but had been half-dragged here, his face was filled with an unmistakably bored expression.

“So this is the Namgung Family!”

“That’s right. It’s different from the Sichuan Tang Family, isn’t it?”

“The atmosphere is completely different.”

Seo Joun looked around the enormous, palace-like Namgung Family estate with sparkling eyes.

At that, the won gathered nearby in small groups shifted restlessly.

They seed to have sothing they wanted to say but hesitated to speak first.

Although they had traveled together from Shaolin Temple to this place, there was still an invisible wall between them and Seo Joun.

“But isn’t this your first ti too?”

“It’s my first ti in this life.”

“What kind of talk is that? ‘In this life’?”

“There’s such a thing.”

Seonu Bang glanced at Seo Joun and let out a hollow laugh.

There were tis, like now, when he said incomprehensible things, and at monts like that, one’s words simply got stuck.

It was clearly a joke, yet sohow it didn’t quite feel like one.

“The Namgung Family is certainly the Namgung Family. The Sichuan Tang Family also had many visitors, but this doesn’t even compare.”

“That was Grandfather’s seventieth birthday banquet, and this is the Young Lord’s wedding. It’s the wedding of the future Namgung Family Head, so of course there are bound to be more people.”

“Hmm?”

Murong Cheok, who had been admiring the sight, tilted his head.

In his opinion, it did not seem that the difference in numbers was solely due to that reason.

“You’re trying to say it’s because this is the Main House, aren’t you?”

“That wasn’t exactly what I ant.”

Even at Tang Seorin’s sharp remark, Murong Cheok did not back down.

Though she was the precious jewel of the famously formidable Sichuan Tang Family in many senses, he too was the Young Lord of the Murong Family.

There had even been a ti when they, like the Sichuan Tang Family, held one of the seats among the Five Great Families.

And to a martial artist, background was important—but what mattered most was one’s own martial prowess. He believed he had nothing to be inferior about.

“That’s how it sounded to .”

“You’re being overly sensitive.”

“Hmm.”

Tang Seorin’s gaze turned icy.

But Murong Cheok was no easy opponent either.

He brushed aside her venomous stare as if it were nothing.

“Since we all ca together like this, it feels like a group trip.”

“That’s why I don’t like it.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s too noisy.”

“Ahahaha.”

At Ban Hojin’s answer, filled with complete sincerity, Seo Joun laughed awkwardly.

At the sa ti, his eyes darted quickly as he surveyed their surroundings.

Contrary to his worries, however, none of the Rising Juniors nearby appeared offended.

They all seed to accept that Ban Hojin was simply like this by nature.

“Saje.”

“Yes, Senior Disciple.”

“Don’t make it too obvious that you dislike it.”

“Perhaps because I was dragged here against my will, I’m having trouble managing my expression.”

“Hahaha.”

Beopmu, who had co with Ban Hojin to attend Namgung Gwang’s wedding ceremony this ti, gave a wry smile.

He was simply too honest.

But truthfully, he himself also did not fully understand the situation.

For him, as the future Abbot, it made sense to co in place of Damhyeon—but that was not the case for Ban Hojin.

“That’s why I’m even more curious. Why they specifically invited .”

“I’m curious too. They wouldn’t have invited you without a reason. But at the sa ti, it’s impressive. Among the Rising Juniors, you’re the first to receive a separate invitation.”

“That holds no aning for .”

If it were other Rising Juniors, they might have lost sleep over it—but not Ban Hojin.

Even the great Namgung Family Head was, to him, rely an old man skilled with the sword.

“You really are different. Still, since we’ve co, we should at least offer our congratulations before leaving.”

“Understood.”

Answering as if he had no choice, Ban Hojin moved his steps forward.

Soon, crossing through the main gate crowded like a sea of people, he followed the chief steward into the Namgung Family estate.

“Great Hero Ban!”

As he was briefly looking around the magnificent quarters assigned to him, a familiar voice called out from afar.

Unlike Geum Sangryong, who had been extravagance itself, Geum Hoyeon—dressed in refined yet simple white martial robes made of high-quality fabric—ran over in a single stride with a bright smile.

“So you did co.”

“The Namgung Family Head sent invitations. One for the Estate Lord and one for . Of course, the one they truly wanted was the Estate Lord, but since the wedding was so sudden, he could not attend.”

“It was quite sudden. You could even call it abrupt.”

Ban Hojin nodded readily.

In truth, there was sothing else that had surprised him.

The woman Namgung Gwang was marrying now was different from the one he had married in his previous life.

So when he first received the invitation and heard about the bride, Ban Hojin had been slightly startled.

“It was unexpected as well. Since the two families had frequently intermarried before, I thought they would avoid it this ti.”

“That’s right.”

“Hello?”

“It seems your face has brightened considerably now that you’ve beco the Young Estate Lord.”

Seo Joun and Jeong I-ryong, who had been gauging the situation, greeted him naturally.

Murong Cheok and Seonu Bang had gone to their fathers who had arrived earlier, and Beopmu had moved to et the Namgung Family Head, so at present only Seo Joun and Jeong I-ryong remained by Ban Hojin’s side.

“His face had already brightened when you visited last ti.”

“Hahaha.”

“I heard you’ve been extrely busy lately.”

Geum Hoyeon smiled warmly as he exchanged greetings with Jeong I-ryong and Seo Joun as well.

Though not to the sa extent as Ban Hojin, the two were also people Geum Hoyeon felt grateful toward.

Among them, Geum Hoyeon naturally continued the conversation with the more familiar Seo Joun.

“It’s quite crowded, but in its own way, it’s enjoyable. You could say I’m gaining a variety of experiences.”

“Quite a few among my escort unit mbers are envious. They say it’s truly a rare opportunity.”

“It’s uncommon for so many Rising Juniors to gather in one place. If not for Hyungnim, it would never have happened.”

Seo Joun spoke proudly.

Strictly speaking, it was nothing particularly remarkable.

Yet amusingly, both Geum Hoyeon and Jeong I-ryong nodded in agreent as if it were only natural.

“That’s right. It truly is impressive. It requires not only outstanding martial arts but also character. Even Young Master Namgung, who was once counted as the Head Seat of the Four Dragons, could not create such a situation as Great Hero Ban has.”

“I heard it was more like a gathering place just for themselves. They say there’s an invisible hierarchy.”

Since it leaned heavily toward backtalk, Seo Joun lowered his voice.

There were no mbers of the Namgung Family nearby, but caution never hurt.

As the saying went, birds hear words spoken in the day, and mice hear words spoken at night.

It was not untrue, but it would certainly offend if overheard, so Seo Joun quickly swept his gaze around.

“There’s a reason people speak of a mainstream and a non-mainstream. They don’t mingle with those who aren’t on the sa level. In that regard, Great Hero Ban is truly different. He has no prejudice or preconceptions whatsoever. In truth, that’s what’s truly difficult.”

“Isn’t it just that when you’re too high up, everyone looks the sa? It’s usually the ones stuck in the middle who make the most noise.”

“Hahaha. Now that I hear it, that makes sense as well. But then again, it doesn’t feel like he’s looking down on others either.”

“Let’s head inside first.”

As the conversation seed about to grow longer, Ban Hojin quietly spoke up.

Though spring was approaching, it was still the biting cold of winter.

And conversations of this nature were better heard by as few people as possible, so Ban Hojin stepped inside.

“You can tell the Namgung Family put considerable thought into this.”

“They must have put a lot of thought into Young Master Geum as well. You’re no longer the Second Young Lord, but the Young Estate Lord now, aren’t you?”

“It’s completely different from when I visited last ti. Hahaha.”

Geum Hoyeon laughed bashfully.

In a way, it had been Ban Hojin who changed his lodgings.

If Ban Hojin had supported Geum Sangryong instead of him, he would not be receiving such treatnt from the Namgung Family now.

So Geum Hoyeon once again made a vow in his heart.

That he would repay this favor for the rest of his life.

And at the sa ti, that he would never forget this feeling.

“You deserve such treatnt. You’re attending in place of the Estate Lord.”

“There is so truth to that.”

“We’ll head to our rooms and unpack our personal belongings.”

“Alright.”

Sensing the atmosphere, Seo Joun left the reception room together with Jeong I-ryong.

It seed best for them to excuse themselves.

Geum Hoyeon conveyed his thanks with a glance toward Seo Joun.

“I had originally intended to visit Songshan.”

“Because of the confidential docunts regarding the Geum Family Estate?”

“That’s correct. It was my own thought as well, but it was also a direct request from the Estate Lord.”

“Hearing that the Estate Lord personally requested it makes it a bit frightening.”

“Hahaha. It’s not that serious. It’s rely curiosity. Of course, what matters most is whether Great Hero Ban is willing to sell.”

Even after becoming the Young Estate Lord of the Geum Family Estate, Geum Hoyeon’s attitude remained unchanged.

He was consistently courteous, even more careful than before.

Relationships were difficult to build, yet could be destroyed in an instant.

And knowing that the closer one was, the more one had to maintain boundaries, Geum Hoyeon never burdened Ban Hojin.

“I do intend to sell. The information is of no use to . It wouldn’t benefit anyone for many people to know it either. It’s rely taking up space. So it’s to my advantage to pass it on to soone who needs it.”

“In that case, I will buy it at a high price. As you know, since becoming the Young Estate Lord, the limit of funds I can use has increased. Especially in this matter, there is no limit. The Estate Lord told to purchase everything, no matter the price.”

“The pillar of the Geum Family Estate might wobble.”

At Ban Hojin’s faint smirk in response to Geum Hoyeon’s half-joking, half-serious remark, the latter chuckled.

It seed like he was bidding recklessly without knowing the precise value of the information.

But Ban Hojin overlooked one thing.

That Geum Hoyeon knew him well.

“You are the one who possesses the most objective perspective, Great Hero Ban. I don’t believe you would na an absurd price. Ah, on that point, the Estate Lord and I are in complete agreent.”

“You seem to know well.”

“You refused even additional compensation, did you not?”

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. And it’s money from the Geum Family Estate, no less. It felt like advance paynt I would have to repay soday.”

Geum Hoyeon grinned.

Just as he understood Ban Hojin well, Ban Hojin understood him too.

Geum Hoyeon could newly feel that fact.

“It seems we’ve grown much closer. Since we understand each other well.”

“I brought everything related to the Geum Family Estate. Including the matters concerning the Young Estate Lord.”

“That would be what Geum Sangryong commissioned.”

“There was also sothing the Young Estate Lord commissioned.”

“I’m curious. I wonder what was written.”