Chapter 54. The Adult Child, an Adult but a Child

The eyes of the bodyguards of the Baeksechangbang became sharp at the cursing of Lee Yeonbok, the deputy head of the Baeksechangbang. In particular, the bodyguards of the Samjinshangbang seemed ready to draw their swords at any moment.

A bead of sweat rolled down the back of Yeonmushang, who was on guard.

It had been a month since Yeonmushang had been on guard for the Baeksechangbang at the Walongjang. Although there had been a few disputes during this time, none had been as tense as this.

He had also heard the abusive words of the deputy head, Lee Yeonbok. From the fierce looks of the opposing bodyguards, it seemed they had heard them too.

If the opposing deputy head couldn't hold back and retaliated, there would be no need to think long. A fight would start between the Baeksechangbang and the Samjinshangbang. What was called a fight between the two guilds was, in fact, a war between the Walongjang and the Moomun-gwan.

Moomun-gwan was a martial arts school in Luoyang with about fifty disciples. Although it was inferior to the Walongjang, which had about seventy disciples, it still had considerable strength.

The seventy or so disciples of the Walongjang were mostly hastily assembled ronins and could not be trusted. If the Walongjang's prospects dimmed or the fight dragged on, they might all flee.

"You scoundrel! Where did you learn such nonsense! Are you relying on the Walongjang to start a quarrel!"

Bang.

With a roar from Cheonyaksu, the round table toppled over to the side.

Dishes and food scattered in all directions with a loud noise.

Startled by the sudden commotion, the entertainers stopped their performance and fled to the back of the stage.

'Lee Yeonbok! You finally caused trouble!'

Yeonmushang gritted his teeth inwardly.

Others might think that the angry Cheonyaksu overturned the table, but he saw it. When Cheonyaksu shouted, Lee Yeonbok overturned the table. It was clearly an intentional act to escalate the fight.

Swoosh.

The Moomun-gwan warriors stepped forward.

Since the hired men had started the fight, it was time for the employees to clean up.

Lee San, the chief bodyguard of the Samjinshangbang and a graduate of Moomun-gwan, drew his sword.

"Bodyguards of the Baeksechangbang, step back quietly. I will cut down anyone who interferes."

Four bodyguards of the Samjinshangbang took positions on either side of Lee San.

Yeonmushang, who had been shaking his head, stepped forward. A sword was already in his hand.

"Hey, we have to do our job too."

Shortly after, Yeonmuming and two warriors from the Sangseungdae stood beside Yeonmushang.

Lee San, clicking his tongue as if there was no other choice, gave a short command.

"Attack!"

Clang. Bang.

Crack.

As the nine warriors started fighting, the brothel turned into a chaotic scene in an instant. Regardless of who won, it would require a considerable amount of money to repair the damage.

When the bodyguards of the Samjinshangbang seemed to be losing, the head of the guild, Cheontae, and the deputy head, Cheonyaksu, quietly slipped away.

It was natural, as they would have to pay a fine if they were caught here.

"Ugh!"

One of the bodyguards of the Samjinshangbang retreated, holding his shoulder.

The bodyguards were not mortal enemies, so they withdrew from the battlefield when injured.

As the numbers evened out, the Samjinshangbang was pushed back even more.

This was due to the overwhelming sword skills of the Yeon brothers, Yeonmushang and Yeonmuming.

The two graduates of the Sangseungdae were struggling to hold back the Samjinshangbang bodyguards, but the Yeons were different.

The two Yeons, cousins of Yeonmubak, were as fierce as the former Chammun swordsman, Yeonmuryong.

Another bodyguard of the Samjinshangbang fell.

At that moment, Cheontae and Cheonyaksu fled without looking back.

"Oh, my!"

Lee Yeonbok called out in disappointment, but the two were already out of the brothel.

With the head of the guild and the deputy head of the Samjinshangbang gone, Lee San sheathed his sword and retreated.

The Yeons also stopped oppressing the bodyguards of the Samjinshangbang.

The fight ended inconclusively.

Although they had won, Yeonmushang's expression was dark.

The fight with Moomun-gwan was just beginning.

***

Zhengzhou.

Yang Family Hall, Baehwagak.

Yu Gilyn Yang Yixian, who had returned from Luoyang, immediately went to see his younger sister, Yang Yihua.

Baehwagak, built by their father, Li Huashenchang Yang Zhouhuan, for his younger sister, was in full bloom with spring flowers.

Yang Yihua, who was playing the guqin in the pavilion, stopped her hands at the light sound.

"Oh, brother? Why did you come out so soon? Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"

"I'm not so weak that a two-day trip would make me need to rest. But I know you were waiting for me."

Yang Yihua smiled at her brother's teasing words.

Yang Yixian, not teasing his innocent younger sister further, got to the point.

"The nickname 'Walong Swordsman' fits him well."

"Pfft! Do men only see martial arts skills?"

She wanted more information.

"He is handsome and has a good mind. His reputation is clean. You don't have to worry about him being unfaithful."

"And?"

Yang Yihua's eyes sparkled.

"I also saw his younger brother, who looks very kind. His younger sister was out, so I didn't meet her, but she doesn't seem to be a troublemaker. The Walongjang is receiving a lot of attention these days."

"Receiving attention?"

"Yes, it seems that the mother of Young Swordsman, Lady Baek, is causing some trouble."

"Oh, I heard that Lady Baek has been a widow for quite some time."

"Yes, the Chammun Swordsman died twelve years ago."

"I'm curious about his younger sister."

"Why? Are you already feeling burdened because she might become your sister-in-law?"

"It would be nice to have someone who can understand me. We're about the same age."

"Haha! I knew you'd say that, so I did some research. Do you want to hear it?"

"Ugh! If you have it, tell me quickly. Don't keep me waiting."

Unable to resist his sister's urging, Yang Yixian immediately revealed the information he had been saving.

"She seems to have a rather outgoing personality. She's one of the Luoyang Five Heroes."

"Pfft! The Luoyang Five Heroes?"

Yang Yixian chuckled, finding his own words amusing.

"Yes, it's a group formed by the children of martial arts families in Luoyang. There are some names you would be surprised to hear."

"What are they?"

"One of them is the third daughter of the Yitianmen's head."

"Wow! If that's the case, it's not just an ordinary group. It seems that Young Miss Yan has a wide network."

"Oh! Already a young lady?"

"What else would you call her? She's a young lady."

"Anyway, she and four other young men and women are known as the Luoyang Five Heroes."

"She sounds interesting."

"Yes, she's very different from you, who spends all day playing the guqin."

"Pfft! Who always asks me to play when they like the sound of my guqin?"

"Haha, anyway, it seems that none of the siblings of the Walong Swordsman are bad people, so don't worry."

"Ah, but if they're too good, it might be boring."

"Would it be nice if there was a troublemaker in the family?"

"If there is, they'll become a good person after hearing the sound of my guqin."

"Of course."

"If you keep teasing me, I won't play for you anymore."

"Oh no! That wouldn't do. You need to hear it as much as possible before you get married. Since we're on the topic, why don't you play the piece you were playing earlier again? It sounded good."

Yang Yihua, who was tuning the strings, said as if she had just remembered.

"Even if I get married, you can't pretend not to know. You have to help me if I have any trouble."

"Of course, silly. You are my only blood relative. If the Walong Swordsman and his siblings treat you badly, I'll go and scold them. I'm your brother, Yu Gilyn Yang Yixian."

Only then did Yang Yihua start playing softly with her delicate hands.

The piece was "Pingsha Luoyan" (Wild Geese Landing on a Sandy Beach).

It was said to describe wild geese landing on a sandy beach after flying for ten thousand miles on a cloud in autumn.

The clear sound of the guqin echoed softly.

Yang Yixian wished that his younger sister's future would be as elegant and peaceful as this piece.

***

Luoyang.

Teahouse Qingsha.

11:00 AM.

One of the most famous places in Luoyang is the Qingsha teahouse. It is so popular that there are no empty seats from morning until late at night.

In one corner of the Qingsha, young men were huddled together, whispering as if they were part of a secret society. People coming and going from the Qingsha seemed familiar with this scene, glancing and smiling as they passed by.

Anyone from Luoyang would immediately recognize their identity. These young men were the Luoyang Five Heroes, who had recently caused a storm in the social circle.

The leader of the Luoyang Five Heroes, Huang Dongye, looked around at his younger brothers and said,

"Younger brothers, the day we've been waiting for has finally come. Did everyone leave their letters behind?"

The young men and women nodded vigorously.

Lee So-min, a beauty with fair skin and a delicate face, glanced at Yan Shuzhu.

"How about you, Yan? Can you withstand Lady Baek's anger?"

Yan Shuzhu, with a rather strong face, replied,

"Mother keeps bringing up marriage these days, so I want to show my determination this time."

Yan Shuzhu, who had mastered the Guchien Sword to the third level, wanted to live freely as a female hero in the martial arts world.

"What about you, sister?"

Lee So-min is the third daughter of the head of the Yitianmen, Li Lianyi. Naturally, the strictness of her family was incomparable to that of the Walongjang.

"I know you understand. I want to establish my own family like my grandfather. I won't accept a political marriage where I'm sold like a commodity!"

In fact, Lee So-min of the Yitianmen and Yan Shuzhu of the Walongjang were in similar situations and of the same age. They had a strange relationship where they competed while also caring for each other.

The second in command, Oh Zhongshan, looked around and said,

"Big brother, we should leave now. If we get caught by our families, it will be troublesome."

In fact, in famous schools like the Qipai School, the journey into the martial arts world is officially recognized. However, except for Lee So-min, they all came from minor schools, so they were far from such formal events.

Lee So-min's case was special. Her father, Li Lianyi, did not allow her to go on the journey, which is why she joined the Luoyang Five Heroes.

The third in command, Sun Shangji, nodded in agreement.

"Second brother is right. We need to leave Luoyang first. If we linger here, we might be caught again."

The leader, Huang Dongye, sighed as if he were disappointed.

"Indeed! Why do our parents oppose us so much when we want to go on the journey into the martial arts world? You all will build your reputations through this journey."

"That's true. I understand the concern of our elders, but they need to realize that overprotection only creates 'adult children.'"

"Adult children?"

"Isn't that right? Adults who can't do anything on their own. Isn't that what we call 'adult children'?"

"Ah! That's a very interesting expression. It's true. If we stay cooped up behind the walls, we'll likely become 'adult children.' Big brother, shall we go now?"

"Shall we?"

Just as the leader Huang Dongye was about to stand up, the youngest, Yan Shuzhu, suddenly asked,

"Big brother, where did you say our first destination is?"

"Pingdingshan Jifengzhai."

"Oh! I heard that the bandits there, Yanladaofu and Sharen Dadao, are quite powerful."

"That's true. But if they know we're coming, they won't come out, so we need to travel with a caravan."

"Join a caravan going from Yezhou to Pingdingshan?"

"Yes."

The leader Huang Dongye nodded confidently.

In fact, the martial arts skills of the Luoyang Five Heroes were not so low that their families would oppose their journey into the martial arts world.

The schools of the Luoyang Five Heroes, the Baxian School, Dalian School, Qiyang School, Yitian School, and Walong School, were all prestigious. Especially the Qipai School and the recently famous Walong School were more than just prestigious.

There are different levels of bandits in the Green Forest. Jifengzhai was not a difficult place for the Luoyang Five Heroes. With the addition of the caravan's bodyguards, it would be like eating a piece of cake.