Chapter 31. Please Help Me a Little

The first person to notice something was strange was Han Chae-yeon.

Han Chae-yeon brought up the topic to her closest friend, Ha So-baek.

"Listening to you, it does seem that way. Indeed, Hyo-ah Oppa has changed a bit lately."

"Right? That's what I'm saying. Do you remember the day he fought with that Green Forest Lion a few days ago? He suddenly wiggled his fingers like this and said, 'Hello?'"

Han Chae-yeon folded and unfolded her fingers in front of Ha So-baek's eyes.

"Hmm, really? Maybe he was in the middle of a fight and suddenly felt like playing a joke?"

"It was sudden."

Ha So-baek, who had been nodding, said in a dismissive tone.

"Oppa, isn't it better than being boring?"

"Ugh, I find such jokes a bit scary. It's not like making a hole in your palm, right?"

"So, are you afraid of Hyo-ah Oppa?"

"Who said I'm afraid of Oppa? It's just that I'm not used to that kind of joke. He didn't use to do that."

"Ha! I wish Hyo-ah Oppa would play some jokes on me too."

At that moment, Yeon Jikhwa's voice came from behind.

"What kind of jokes?"

"Ah!"

"Oh! You scared me!"

The two women, who had been sitting on the mat, jumped up.

Yeon Jikhwa sat down next to Ha So-baek and asked again.

"You said you want me to play jokes on you? What kind of jokes do you like?"

"It's just that I'm a bit bored lately, that's all."

Ha So-baek blushed and sat down demurely.

"Because there's nothing to fight when we go on a mountain trip, so I'm bored?"

"It's not that."

Ha So-baek waved her hands vigorously.

Honestly, Ha So-baek was the happiest with the current peaceful days without sword fights.

After fighting with the martial artists from the upper quarters, she always felt heavy-hearted and had trouble sleeping.

"If you're bored, practice more martial arts. I tried it, and it seems there's no end to it. Martial arts, that is."

Han Chae-yeon glanced at Yeon Jikhwa and said.

"Wow! Even a master like Oppa has no end? Then it must be really serious."

"What's serious?"

"If Oppa is that good, there's no hope for us beginners."

"You only know one thing and not the other. I have a story I heard from Grandmaster Tao. Do you know what it is?"

"What is it?"

The two women's sparkling eyes turned to Yeon Jikhwa.

Then Yeon Jikhwa said with a slightly arrogant look.

"It's called 'All Rivers Return to the Sea.'"

"Huh?"

"What does that mean?"

"It means that when you reach the pinnacle of martial arts, everyone is the same. There are many paths to the peak of Mount Ohbong, but there's only one summit, right?"

"Yes."

The two women answered in unison.

"Whether Grandmaster Tao reaches the summit with Wudang martial arts, I reach it with hard work, or you two reach it with the White Crane Fist and the One-Blade Sword, the result is the same."

Han Chae-yeon pouted and muttered.

"No, I don't think so."

"Me too."

Ha So-baek also shook her head.

Yeon Jikhwa hurriedly defended.

"No, it's not me saying that, but Grandmaster Tao. You both know he's very knowledgeable. So don't be too disappointed."

The two women pondered what Yeon Jikhwa had said.

In fact, he has been playing more jokes lately, but he's not the type to talk nonsense.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Han Chae-yeon spoke.

"Oppa, do you know? You've become much brighter after meeting Tianji Shangren."

"Me?"

Yeon Jikhwa tilted her head.

She didn't think she had changed much, so it was strange to hear that she had become brighter.

Ha So-baek added.

"You also play a lot of jokes."

"When?"

Han Chae-yeon extended two fingers in front of Yeon Jikhwa's eyes and wiggled them.

"Hello? Nice to meet you. I'm Han Chae-yeon."

"Ahaha."

A forced laugh escaped Yeon Jikhwa's lips.

Han Chae-yeon pressed on.

"Do you admit it?"

"Fine, I get it. I was a bit overboard. Okay?"

"Oh, that's not what I meant. It's just that you look better when you're brighter."

"Me too. What did you do with Tianji Shangren? You seem to come back drenched in sweat every day."

"I learned a lot."

At this, Ha So-baek's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really? That's impossible. That Taoist is weaker than you, and you say you learned from him?"

"Tsk tsk! You don't know anything. Do you see that tree over there?"

"Yes."

"The strength of that tree is its straightness and firmness, unlike the grass growing beneath it. But think about a typhoon. Strength can also be a weakness, and vice versa. Strength and weakness complement each other like yin and yang, taking turns to support each other. In fact, that's how things last."

These are all the words of Tianji Shangren.

"So, you're saying that even though you're the tree and Tianji Shangren is the grass, it's meaningless to discuss who is stronger. Is that the idea?"

Ha So-baek still had a puzzled look.

Unlike Yeon Jikhwa, who had studied up to the primary level, Ha So-baek, who had only read part of the Thousand Character Classic, found it a bit difficult to understand.

"Close. Not all strong things are strong, and not all weak things are weak."

"Yes, I think I understand a bit."

"Me too."

Han Chae-yeon and Ha So-baek nodded their heads.

At that moment, the eighth brother, Lee Chul-san, crossed the courtyard and approached.

"Yeon Hyung, the eldest brother wants you to come to the Shanghua Hall."

"What's it about?"

"It's about the Green Forest Conference. We need to leave in at least four days to avoid being late for the conference."

"Jok Gom, that's a good point, but shouldn't someone stay to guard the mountain stronghold? We need to take the family on mountain trips too."

"Exactly, that's why I called you to decide. Who do you think should stay?"

"Hyung, if someone wants to stay, let that person stay."

Nodding, Feng Yanchao asked the younger brothers.

"Did you all hear? It would be good if all of the Ohbong Ten Heroes could go, but it's better to leave someone to guard the mountain stronghold. Is there anyone who wants to stay?"

Everyone seemed to want to go, even Yeon Jikhwa, who usually disliked staying behind, didn't volunteer.

"Looks like no one wants to stay..."

Feng Yanchao scratched his head in frustration.

Since they were all sworn brothers, it was difficult to force someone to stay if they didn't want to, which made his headache worse.

At that moment, the third brother, Ma Xingdao, spoke.

"Eldest brother, do we really need one of the Ohbong Ten Heroes to stay? Can't we entrust the guidance to the experienced Heart Master and ask Huang Yaoming to guard the stronghold?"

"Leave the mountain stronghold to Huang Yaoming?"

"Yes, with his abilities, he won't be able to do anything else."

Indeed, if it were the old Horse Leader, Xin Yangge, it might be different, but with Huang Yaoming, it was out of the question. The other bandits, who knew of Yeon Jikhwa's martial prowess, would keep a low profile.

Feng Yanchao's expression brightened.

Thinking about it, there was no need to worry.

"Jok, I think that's fine. What do you think?"

"Yes, it seems fine."

Only then did the other Ohbong Ten Heroes, who had been watching, chime in.

"Let's do that?"

"Leaving one person behind doesn't seem like a good idea."

"If I were to stay alone, I would be so anxious that I couldn't sleep."

"That's true."

Feng Yanchao nodded, listening to the younger brothers.

"Then, let's all go to the Green Forest Conference. By the way, Yeon?"

"Yes?"

"Never mind."

Feng Yanchao was about to ask Yeon Jikhwa to avoid fighting as much as possible at the Green Forest Conference but stopped. Even if she promised, it wouldn't make a difference, and he didn't want to make her uncomfortable with unnecessary words.

***

Shanghua Hall.

The Ohbong Ten Heroes, who rarely gathered in one place, were all present.

Feng Yanchao, the leader, looked at his younger brothers with a pleased expression and said.

"As you know, we gathered to discuss the participation in the Green Forest Conference. To avoid being late, we need to leave in at least four days."

Zhuo Goming, the second-in-command, asked curiously.

"But, eldest brother, it's good to go, but shouldn't someone stay to guard the mountain stronghold? We need to take the family on mountain trips too."

"Exactly, that's why I called you to decide. Who do you think should stay?"

"Hyung, if someone wants to stay, let that person stay."

Nodding, Feng Yanchao asked the younger brothers.

"Did you all hear? It would be good if all of the Ohbong Ten Heroes could go, but it's better to leave someone to guard the mountain stronghold. Is there anyone who wants to stay?"

Everyone seemed to want to go, even Yeon Jikhwa, who usually disliked staying behind, didn't volunteer.

"Looks like no one wants to stay..."

Feng Yanchao scratched his head in frustration.

Since they were all sworn brothers, it was difficult to force someone to stay if they didn't want to, which made his headache worse.

At that moment, the third brother, Ma Xingdao, spoke.

"Eldest brother, do we really need one of the Ohbong Ten Heroes to stay? Can't we entrust the guidance to the experienced Heart Master and ask Huang Yaoming to guard the stronghold?"

"Leave the mountain stronghold to Huang Yaoming?"

"Yes, with his abilities, he won't be able to do anything else."

Indeed, if it were the old Horse Leader, Xin Yangge, it might be different, but with Huang Yaoming, it was out of the question. The other bandits, who knew of Yeon Jikhwa's martial prowess, would keep a low profile.

Feng Yanchao's expression brightened.

Thinking about it, there was no need to worry.

"Jok, I think that's fine. What do you think?"

"Yes, it seems fine."

Only then did the other Ohbong Ten Heroes, who had been watching, chime in.

"Let's do that?"

"Leaving one person behind doesn't seem like a good idea."

"If I were to stay alone, I would be so anxious that I couldn't sleep."

"That's true."

Feng Yanchao nodded, listening to the younger brothers.

"Then, let's all go to the Green Forest Conference. By the way, Yeon?"

"Yes?"

"Never mind."

Feng Yanchao was about to ask Yeon Jikhwa to avoid fighting as much as possible at the Green Forest Conference but stopped. Even if she promised, it wouldn't make a difference, and he didn't want to make her uncomfortable with unnecessary words.

***

Eastern Luoyang, Yanshi.

Walong Hall.

When Walong Hall opened its doors, wandering knights who admired Yan Wulong's sword techniques flocked in. This was thanks to Bai Meizhu's subtle rumor that "Walong Hall will teach the sword techniques of the Crescent Moon Swordsman to external disciples."

Becoming a disciple of the Seven Sects and Five Families is impossible without considerable connections. In comparison, becoming a disciple of Walong Hall is as easy as eating cold porridge. It was natural for wandering knights to flock in.

Yan Meizhu, the eldest son, was put forward as the grandmaster to teach the Nine Heaven Techniques to the wandering knights. Of course, he didn't reveal all nine techniques to them.

First, the wandering knights were divided into three levels based on their talent and loyalty. The highest level, Tian, was taught six techniques, the next level, Di, was taught four techniques, and the lowest level, Ren, was taught two techniques.

The internal cultivation method taught was the Walong Method, created by the Yan ancestors. It was superior to the Three Talents Method available on the market, which the wandering knights appreciated.

By summer, the number of disciples in the three levels of Walong Hall had grown to over fifty.

With the increase in disciples, Walong Hall had to consider expanding its business. Money was needed to feed, clothe, and house over fifty people.

In the inner hall of Walong Hall.

The mistress, Bai Meizhu, and the manager, Yan Mudu, sat facing each other, discussing the expansion of the business. If Bai Meizhu wanted to collaborate with the business guild, Yan Mudu advocated managing taverns and inns.

"Brother, if we get involved in taverns and inns, will the Yitian Sect just watch? Competing with them is impossible right now, you know?"

The Yitian Sect, which started as a martial arts guild, is now a powerful sect known as the Seven Sects and Five Families. Their disciples can be found in the military, government, taverns, inns, and even gambling houses.

"If Luoyang is difficult, why not start in Yanshi?"

"Can we feed over a hundred people with just a few taverns and inns?"

"There are only fifty disciples in the three levels..."

"Yes, for now. I plan to increase the number to a hundred before winter."

"That's unrealistic. I don't understand why you're in such a hurry."

Bai Meizhu looked at Yan Mudu with an annoyed expression.

The eldest son, Yan Wubai, is doing a good job of strengthening Walong Hall. So far, they have accepted wandering knights out of necessity, but they are now planning to gather young boys.

The problem is the money needed for the disciples' food, clothing, and housing.

Before Walong Hall secures a stable source of income, financial support from the Yan family is necessary. That's why she called Yan Mudu, but his constant objections were making her frustrated.

"Brother, do you have any expectations of me?"

When Bai Meizhu asked directly, Yan Mudu avoided her gaze.

She realized he was being difficult.

Thinking about it, the cause might be that he has been distancing himself from the eldest son, Yan Wubai, since his return.

Bai Meizhu sighed and moved to sit next to Yan Mudu.

"Ha! Brother, you know my heart. I know you feel neglected because I've been negligent. I'll do better from now on. Can you help me a little?"

"What did I do?"

Bai Meizhu's soft hand rested on Yan Mudu's knee.

"The Bai Shangfang in Luoyang is now in a state of disarray. Entering the business guild is something even the Seven Sects and Five Families would tolerate. If we start with the Bai Shangfang and build trust, we can grow quickly. Please help us until Walong Hall is established. Okay?"

"What can I do..."

Bai Meizhu touched somewhere, and a gasp escaped Yan Mudu's lips.