The atmosphere in the inn grew cold.
For several seconds, silence hung in the air.
The Wudang disciples standing in the back widened their eyes, while Gu Ryeonghwa nervously wiped away sweat, still covering her mouth.
Crrrkkâ!
Ji Cheol pushed his chair back with a loud scrape as he stood up.
âWhat did you just say?â
The twisted expression on Ji Cheolâs face made it clear how furious he was.
Rattle!
The cup on the table trembled violently. The vibration came from the energy Ji Cheol was emitting.
I glanced at him, observing his power.
âHis level seems about the same as Yeongpungâs.â
Judging by his age, likely somewhere between thirty and forty, he was undoubtedly a remarkable martial artist.
While Yeongpung was an unusual exception, reaching that level at such an age made Ji Cheol an extraordinary talent.
âAnd because of thatâ¦â
His eyes brimmed with arrogance and pride. That typical aura of someone raised in a prestigious sect and hailed as a prodigy.
âIt makes me want to rip those eyes out.â
Suppressing the impulse, I decided now wasnât the time for that.
âWhat did you say just now?â
His expression made it look like he was ready to draw his sword at any moment. Smiling lightly, I responded.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âOh my, are you angry?â
Grit.
Ji Cheol ground his teeth audibly and snapped back.
âDid you just call a disciple of Wudang a member of a demonic sect?â
âIf thatâs not the case, why are you so angry?â
Bang!
Ji Cheol slammed the table with enough force to make it shake.
âThis insolent wretch daresâ¦!â
Hssssâ¦
As Ji Cheolâs voice grew louder, I subtly released a flow of energy, directing it sideways.
ââ¦!â
Yeongpung glanced at me, startled. He must have realized I had restrained his energy.
âStay still.â
I could feel the sharp edge of Yeongpungâs energy rising as Ji Cheol revealed his hostility.
If left unchecked, Yeongpung would charge forward without hesitation. I had to stop him.
âUsing force here would be messy.â
Especially with so many eyes watching.
If I wanted, I could remove all those prying eyes, but some restraint was necessary.
For the sake of the few friends I had still rolling around in the northern seas.
âThis is Wudangâs territory! How dare you act so insolently here!â
âI wouldnât know about that. But itâs not your territory, is it?â
âWhat did you say?â
While Wudang managed this area and provided protection, making them the de facto authority here,
âUnless you are Wudang itself, you canât claim it as your own, can you?â
ââ¦!â
âI understand your love for your sect, but just because a single leaf clings to an old tree doesnât make it the tree itself.â
The words were laced with a subtle but biting rebuke: Donât overstep your bounds.
Perhaps it was those words that set him off.
Ji Cheol moved, reaching for somethingâhis hand drifting toward his sword.