Chapter 62: Ask the Rear Palace

"Woah, Fourth Brother, did you just hear that? It's Dungdungi!"

Sotgae jumped with joy.

Eunangae cocked his head.

"Little one, it must have been Jungjung, not Dungdungi."

"Dungdungi. Fourth Brother, what's wrong with your ears?"

"Is that so?"

Rear Palace looked at the two with disdain.

'They call it Jungjung, but these guys have terrible attention.'

Sotgae had been imitating Cheonjam's mannerisms ever since he started floating around.

Still, who would have thought that the eldest Taedae and the others would meet like this at the Medicine King Sect? But on the other hand, Rear Palace thought it was for the best.

He had been planning to meet them whenever he had the time.

Now, he didn't have to make the effort.

"Head of the Sect, the Medicine King Sect has kindly come to visit. Let's go out and greet them."

Geumjeokja said, his voice brimming with excitement.

Rear Palace's brows twitched.

'These brats are really excited.'

The excitement wasn't limited to Geumjeokja. The entire Cheonkongdan looked forward to it as if they had discovered a new game. This was definitely not the face of people going to pay respects.

It was a stretch to call it a refreshing break from the mundane routine.

The Cheonkongdan had never been bored.

But honestly,

Rear Palace was also a bit excited.

He was curious to see how those little kids had grown.

Taedae, Taeja, the triplets, and the youngest Taemi.

"Let's go then."

When the group stepped out into the courtyard, everything was already prepared.

Incense was wafting, and a table was set up with a luxurious mat laid out in front of it. A screen was also set up, making it perfect.

The Cheonjam Six were lined up beside it.

The Cheonkongdan cheered and rushed forward.

"This is amazing, just like I heard! It wasn't here a moment ago, but now it is!"

"Woah, do you guys really carry all this around?"

"Three Heroes, what's the problem? We are six, aren't we?"

"Hey, who among you carries the screen?"

"Dungdungi! Who is Dungdungi here? I really missed Dungdungi!"

The imposingly lined-up Cheonjam Six had their faces turn sour.

This wasn't right...

Originally, they were supposed to be one of two things: solemn or fierce.

Or, they were supposed to be in a subtle atmosphere, deciding whether to pay respects or not. But these people were too lively.

Mibyeongbyeong added the finishing touch to the strange atmosphere.

"There's something important missing, and no one is pointing it out."

"What is it?"

Geumjeokja asked, but she looked at the Cheonjam Six with a raised eyebrow.

"Why doesn't Cheonjam carry a portrait around?"

"..."

The pupils of the Cheonjam Six trembled violently.

No one was spared.

They had even brought swords, just in case, but they never imagined they would be scolded for being insufficient.

And they actually felt a bit embarrassed.

No one had ever told them before.

The situation that followed didn't need any prompting.

The Cheonkongdan, knowing what to do, didn't give them a chance.

Geumjeokja stepped forward and loudly addressed the Six.

"Rear Palace is the leader of the martial alliance and an unparalleled hero! His influence on the martial world is immense. Of course, I also received great teachings from Rear Palace."

"..."

The Cheonjam Six narrowed their eyes at the sudden grand speech.

"One day, I asked Rear Palace, 'I feel I have reached my limit. How can I break through this barrier?' Rear Palace answered, 'Geumjeokja, you need to let go. You are too refined. Following etiquette and law is right, but it's not absolute. Aren't you confining yourself?'"

"..."

"After that, I thought, 'Just live!' And it was great. So, I, Geumjeokja, actively support Cheonjam's activities."

"Did your realm improve?"

Sotgae, impressed by the grand past, asked immediately.

Geumjeokja soon looked dejected.

"...No."

"Did you live too recklessly?"

"Maybe..."

"No, no. I will break through soon. Anyway, I also actively support the Cheonjam brothers. After hearing that Rear Palace washed the clothes of his master, I became a fan. I've never seen it, but it's so cool, Rear Palace!"

"Me too. I respect him. He's a neat person."

Eunangae also agreed.

The Three Heroes of Devil Suppression nodded in agreement.

"I've never heard the story of washing the leader of the Beggar Sect, but it's typical of Rear Palace. We, the Three Heroes, have no choice but to respect Rear Palace. We almost died from his scolding to behave properly, but he is undoubtedly the best in the world."

"We also think the same. We have never met him, but his strength deserves respect."

The Twin Heroes of Wushan also declared their support.

"Me too."

Mibyeongbyeong concluded firmly and briefly.

She had mentioned the portrait, so there was no need for more words.

However, at some point, the Cheonjam Six's attention shifted from the Cheonkongdan to something else. It wasn't just because the Cheonkongdan knew what to do.

The young man standing beside the Dragon Flower Hall.

He was the Grand Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library, wasn't he?

Unlike the Cheonkongdan, he had a calm expression and was just observing them.

But his gaze was peculiar.

It seemed to contain a smile and a sense of reflection, filled with goodwill and warmth, which was quite puzzling.

Taedae spoke up.

"Does the Heavenly Flower Library have something to say to Cheonjam?"

"Should I be the one to speak?"

"Unless you have the strange habit of staring at people, you must have something to say."

"I'm sorry, but I don't have that habit."

"Then?"

"I was just looking at what you were doing."

"..."

As Taedae raised one corner of his mouth in confusion,

Longhuacheng was startled.

"Grand Prince... What are you saying all of a sudden?"

The Cheonkongdan, who were lining up in front of the mat, excited about the incense, also turned in surprise.

From the conversation, it seemed like a fight was about to break out.

Thinking the atmosphere was good, the Head of the Sect suddenly started a quarrel.

The Head of the Sect wasn't usually like this.

From what he had observed, the Head of the Sect was generally not serious, even when formalities were required.

In non-threatening situations, he usually made jokes or ignored things, brushing them off with a laugh.

That's why the current situation, where he was the first to start a quarrel, was unexpected. After all, starting quarrels was usually the job of the Cheonkongdan!

"We are ridiculous... We are meeting for the first time, and Cheonjam has no connection with the Heavenly Flower Library, yet you are being rude. Let's hear your reasons."

"Reasons? Haha, that's why talking to fools is tiring."

Suddenly,

Swoosh, Swoosh!

Taeya and Taemi, including the others, drew their crescent blades.

Taedae raised his hand to stop his siblings, who were about to charge out in the cold atmosphere.

Taedae still maintained his composure.

Instead, his smile deepened.

"So, what's your reason?"

"That's something you should ask Rear Palace. He will think the same."

"What?"

Finally, Taedae's face hardened.

Taking advantage of the moment, Geumjeokja and the Cheonkongdan intervened.

"Head of the Sect, that's enough! There's no need to go this far!"

"Brother, calm down. If you don't want to, we'll do it ourselves. Just watch."

"That's right. Cheonjam isn't trying to harm anyone. Why are you so displeased?"

"Boss, this isn't something you should be angry about."

"Boss..."

Everyone defended Cheonjam, knowing why he was doing this and respecting Rear Palace.

In the conversation,

The phrase "ask Rear Palace" was a step too far.

But how could they know?

The person in question was right in front of them.

Rear Palace sneered.

"Fine, I'll tell you. Filial people often observe a three-year mourning period. But none of them force others to mourn their parents' deaths. Whose mourning is it? If someone does, they must be a fool who can't wait to boast about being filial."

"..."

"..."

"You just wanted to show off your connection to the best in the world. How ridiculous and meaningless is that? And one day, in a few months or maybe next year, you'll be found as cold corpses on some mountain."

"..."

"..."

A heavy silence fell in the cold atmosphere.

Geumjeokja and the Devil Suppression Trio just blinked.

Suddenly,

"Jungjung!"

The youngest Taemi of Cheonjam leaped up.

"Where are you going!"

The one who reacted was Eunangae, who was closest.

Eunangae released a palm force towards Taemi's head. Taemi blocked it with his crescent blade, and the collision sound echoed. Both were simultaneously pushed back.

Thud, thud.

Eunangae landed and took a few steps back to absorb the shock, then smiled.

"Wow, not bad?"

Meanwhile, the Cheonkongdan moved to block in front of Rear Palace, forming a barrier.

Iryul of the Three Heroes whispered to Cheonjam.

"Listen carefully. This is the last time. If you draw your swords against the Head of the Cheonkongdan again, you will all die today."

"Kuk, Three Heroes! Why not just kill them here?"

The Twin Heroes of Wushan let out a sinister laugh.

Iryul shook his head.

"Can we do that? Our leader seems to value those guys, so it's a bit difficult."

"Kuk, that's true."

Hearing this, the Cheonjam Six's brows furrowed, and their killing intent intensified.

But Taedae was different.

His eyes deepened as he looked at Rear Palace.

The time seemed to stretch in the exchange of gazes.

Finally,

"We're leaving."

"Big Brother."

"We're leaving."

"Yes!"

Following Taedae, the others reined in their momentum. Their expressions darkened, as if they understood the reason.

***

That evening in the courtyard.

Sizzle!

The meat was cooking over the fire.

The Cheonkongdan sat seriously.

Everyone was solemn and cautious.

The Head of the Sect, who said he had nothing to think about, was not present.

No one in the Cheonkongdan spoke.

They knew.

The more they talked,

The faster the meat disappeared.

Only Songhua, who was roasting the meat, was nagging to eat slowly.

The sound of chewing, which had been intense, gradually subsided as their stomachs filled, and conversation began.

"But what did you say earlier?"

"Huh?"

"You said our leader values Cheonjam."

Mibyeongbyeong asked, and Iryul, filling his cup, smiled.

"Did I say that? How can I know what the Cheonkongdan's military strategist doesn't know?"

"Are you mocking me?"

"Haha, you really are perceptive."

"Hmph!"

Mibyeongbyeong, blowing a raspberry, muttered "son of a bitch" and asked Eunangae again.

Iryul, with his sharp hearing, coughed, and Eunangae spoke.

"That was concern."

"What? Is that how you show concern these days? Is it the latest trend?"

"Haha, if telling someone to die is a trend of showing concern, it would be hilarious. Good morning, go die! Good night, go die! Hahaha!"

Eunangae calmed Mibyeongbyeong, who was about to have a fit at Sotgae's laughter.

"Strategist, calm down. Have you ever seen our boss get so angry?"

"No."

"Exactly. Even when he met the head of the Ximen family, he was as calm as if a random guy had walked in. But today, he almost ate the Cheonjam guys alive."

"So why is that concern, you bum!"

Mibyeongbyeong finally burst out.

Eunangae chuckled. To Eunangae and Sotgae, "bum" was a matter-of-fact term, not an insult.

"Because he was worried they might die."

"Huh?"

"Because they might die if they keep this up."

"Huh? Huh..."

Mibyeongbyeong, sensing something, made a confused sound.

Sotgae shrugged.

"Nee, it's the martial world."