32. But Why Are You Being So Curt?
The name "Ten Thousand Scents Pavilion" carried the meaning of a tavern filled with ten thousand kinds of food and fragrant liquors.
As the core business of the Ho Family Fortress, it was quite famous in the area.
It wasn't just the food and drink—the scenery around it was also superb.
Enjoying a beautiful view through wide-open windows while sipping a drink was one of the highlights here.
Naturally, the more famous a place, the more people it attracted.
Especially young martial artists, brimming with heroic spirit, frequented this place.
Five young men and women, ranging from their late teens to mid-twenties, sat together.
A sharp-eyed young man laughed heartily and stood up from his seat.
"Come on, everyone, let's warm our bellies with this drink! Now that we've arrived in Anhui, we should pay our respects to the Namgung Clan soon, but before that, we need some time to bond among ourselves, don't you think?"
"We'll head back to the clan first and announce our visit."
"Namgung, I know you've been away from home for a long time and want to return as soon as possible, but wouldn't it be better to go together and greet them? Just one day—let's enjoy ourselves without the elders around."
"……."
The young man called Namgung didn't answer. A faint look of displeasure appeared on his pale face.
The other man didn't seem to mind, giving a subtle smile as he patted Namgung's shoulder.
"Besides, the elders of your clan must be busy right now, right? If we go now, we might just get in the way and cause trouble. I heard that the Namgung Clan wiped out the remnants of the Evil Faction Alliance here in Anhui and even saved the Azure Hero Society when they were attacked! That's the spirit of a true orthodox clan!"
"I never expected the Golden Prince to praise our family so highly."
Hwangbo Yong, who had been exaggerating his admiration, widened his eyes as if he'd been caught off guard.
These were the heirs of the Five Great Families, gathered for the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.
Hwangbo Yong, heir to the Hwangbo Clan. The gentle young man he'd been speaking to was Namgung Mu-yeong, the eldest son of the Namgung Clan, returning for the tournament after his time in the martial world.
"Haha, the Namgung Clan is an incredible family—it's a prestigious household that deserves endless respect. I was truly surprised when I came to Anhui. Not only did you save the Azure Hero Society, but you also managed to secure those interests for yourselves… Impressive, really."
Namgung Mu-yeong's eyebrow twitched.
There was something subtly grating in Hwangbo Yong's smiling eyes.
Namgung Mu-yeong was quiet and composed. Some mistook that for weakness, but it wasn't true.
He simply wasn't the type to draw his sword at the slightest provocation, unlike some of the elders in his clan.
Even if people said all Namgung were like that, he was determined to be different…
"Annoying."
"Ah."
Namgung Mu-yeong had almost forgotten—he wasn't the only Namgung here.
Unlike himself, there was someone who was the true "archetype" of the Namgung Clan.
His cousin, the daughter of the former clan head known as the Sword God.
Namgung Seo-wol.
It was just a short remark, but coming from her—who was even more taciturn than Mu-yeong—it instantly drew everyone's attention.
Even Hwangbo Yong's easy smile faltered for a moment.
"Haha, well, I suppose I got carried away praising the Namgung Clan's resourcefulness… It seems my words were misunderstood. If I've caused any offense, I, Hwangbo Yong, apologize."
Namgung Seo-wol stared at Hwangbo Yong with a blank expression. After a long moment, she turned her head away completely.
"……!"
Hwangbo Yong's face stiffened slightly. Even Namgung Mu-yeong looked flustered.
"Seo-wol, he's apologizing—what kind of attitude is that?"
"That's not an apology."
Namgung Seo-wol replied indifferently. Namgung Mu-yeong swallowed dryly.
He'd already noticed that Hwangbo Yong was subtly trying to get under their skin. But what could he do? They were guests. A host couldn't treat guests coldly.
'Unlike the completely fractured Nine Great Sects, the Five Great Families need to maintain a cooperative relationship.'
Hwangbo Yong knew this as well.
He was probably aiming to seize the initiative among the Five Great Families.
Of course, the Namgung Clan was undoubtedly the leading family, but right now, they were the ones at a disadvantage. As the next clan head, Namgung Mu-yeong had to consider all of this…
-Should I just kill him?
Namgung Mu-yeong sighed.
'At least she has some tact—she only says things like that through Transmission of Sound.'
He felt a sudden, almost tearful gratitude.
As the atmosphere grew tense, someone else at the table quickly intervened.
"Come now, the tournament is just around the corner, and we're here to build camaraderie. Let's not let a little too much drink spoil things—let's all calm down."
When Peng Zhihun of the Hebei Peng Clan spoke up, Hwangbo Yong turned away with a resigned look.
Jegal Seo-seo of the Jegal Clan hurriedly changed the subject.
"By the way, I heard a retainer of the Namgung Clan was a huge help in this incident? I heard your clan has some famous figures staying as retainers."
Trying to shift the mood, Namgung Mu-yeong responded.
"There are quite a few. From the great scholar Chae Gong to the Black Iron Sword senior. But the retainer in the rumors must have arrived after Seo-wol and I left the clan."
"Golden hair and golden eyes—how fascinating. Will we get to see him when we visit the clan?"
Namgung Mu-yeong gave a wry smile. Retainers were extremely individualistic; they rarely showed themselves unless they wanted to. Chances were, they wouldn't see him.
Peng Zhihun also sounded curious.
"Hmm. That's unusual. Retainers don't usually make themselves known enough for rumors to spread."
"Does he really look golden? Maybe it's just a little brownish."
"You know how rumors in the martial world are always exaggerated."
"True enough."
"I suppose you'd have to shine like real gold to be called the Golden Prince, right?"
Peng Zhihun glanced outside as he spoke.
Jegal Seo-seo turned his head and nodded.
"Oh, look at that. If his hair is that golden, the rumors must be true… Hm?"
"……?"
Golden hair. Golden eyes.
Sun Wukong was entering the Ten Thousand Scents Pavilion.
*
The Ho Family Head greeted Sun Wukong with a sullen look.
Sun Wukong abruptly asked,
"Can you see?"
The Ho Family Head, his face wrapped in bandages, blinked and replied,
"I can see."
With that, he let out a deep sigh.
Seeing Sun Wukong made him realize his own predicament all over again.
'So I have to bow my head.'
To this bizarre fellow, who carried a mewling cat in his arms.
The Ho Family Head was, as his appearance suggested, quite old. Elderly.
"Being old just means you survived."
Sun Wukong seemed to read his mind.
The Ho Family Head bit his lip.
"So, the Namgung Clan wants to use me to control the Black Path?"
"That's about right."
"Things worked out perfectly for the Namgung Clan. All those unruly Anhui underworld factions were wiped out, and now only one obedient Black Path group remains."
"Let's be clear. I spared you."
"……I know."
That's why he was bowing so low now.
"Just where did you come from, anyway? Some Ancient One?"
"I descended from the heavens."
"Heavens? Are you from that bizarre Tianxiang Sect full of weirdos?"
What is he talking about?
Sun Wukong was about to wave him off when a server brought in drinks from outside.
Sun Wukong clicked his tongue.
"Can you drink in that condition?"
"Alcohol is better than medicine, as they say."
"Words of wisdom from the old."
"An old man without wisdom is just pitiful."
Sun Wukong waited quietly. The Ho Family Head, after a long sigh, poured a drink for Sun Wukong. It was unmistakably the gesture of a subordinate serving his superior.
Sun Wukong chuckled.
"So, how did you meet the Demon King of Chaos—no, the Chief of Honam Island?"
"I've already explained this to the Namgung Clan. Someone from the Black Gang came."
"The Black Gang."
Sun Wukong nodded. The Black Gang—a coalition of underworld factions.
But unlike the orthodox sects or the now-fallen Evil Faction Alliance, their unity wasn't strong.
It was more of a loose network.
Every underworld group belonged to the Black Gang, and yet, didn't.
That was the best way to describe them.
"I arranged a gathering of all the Anhui underworld leaders. The Chief of Honam Island showed up."
"And that's when the Black Path factions surrendered?"
"If he'd been alone, the others would have fought to the death rather than submit."
"So someone else was there."
"An old man. Even the Chief of Honam Island seemed to obey him."
"Did he have a lump by his nose?"
"You already knew?"
"Just cross-checking."
"That guy waved his hand once and a dozen heads rolled. That's when everyone realized—underworld types may not have the deepest martial skills, but they know when their lives are on the line."
"And yet you still challenged me?"
"To be honest, until you started fighting, I couldn't sense any aura from you. I thought you were just some clown."
Sun Wukong nodded. His demonic power was never something humans could sense.
Suddenly, Sun Wukong spoke.
"But why are you being so curt?"
Did he bite his tongue? The Ho Family Head looked flustered.
"I'm pretty sure I've lived at least twice as long as you."
"Twice? Please. I've lived longer than your great-great-great-grandfather, you brat."
When Sun Wukong made a fist, the Ho Family Head, despite his injuries, immediately knelt.
"I apologize. I was disrespectful."
Sun Wukong smirked and mentally raised his evaluation of the Ho Family Head.
'He reads the room well and acts fast.'
Now he understood why Muhwa had insisted on sparing the Ho Family Head among the Black Path—because he was someone you could reason with.
When the Demon King of Chaos appeared, he immediately submitted.
When Sun Wukong beat him and Muhwa roughed him up, he realized the situation had changed and cooperated.
Now, at a single word from Sun Wukong, his attitude shifted instantly.
'You could call him a traitor with no loyalty, or you could say there's a reason he's lived so long.'
As mentioned, being old means you've survived.
You can't keep someone like this close unless you can control them completely.
But as long as he recognizes someone as too dangerous to betray, that's enough.
"How's the situation at the Ho Family Fortress?"
"……Not good."
A lot of people had died, and the leader was completely broken.
It was only natural.
On top of that, they'd completely submitted to the Namgung Clan.
Of course, everyone knew it was because of the overwhelming difference in power. But dissatisfaction was inevitable.
In the underworld, the strongest, craftiest, and most cunning becomes the leader.
But now, the leader was wrapped in bandages and taking orders from the Namgung Clan.
'Well, that's not my problem.'
It was the Ho Family Head's business.
Still, Sun Wukong needed the Ho Family Fortress.
Not desperately, but it was good to have them around.
"So, why are you here at the tavern?"
"I never realized my own son was such a fool."
The reason he was at the tavern instead of the family estate was because he'd been kicked out.
Sun Wukong disagreed with the "foolish" part.
"Your son was hauling bribes to the Namgung Clan."
"……!"
"The Namgung Clan doesn't really care. They need the Ho Family Fortress, not the old man. Right?"
The Ho Family Head's eyes widened.
"The Law Enforcement Hall Leader told them to keep me alive…"
"Because he thought you could be reasoned with. But when your son started offering bribes and pledged full cooperation with the Namgung Clan, what was the problem?"
"That…"
Looking crestfallen, he suddenly shot Sun Wukong a sharp look.
"Then why did you come to see me?"
"Because things move faster this way. Cooperate with me, not the Namgung Clan."
The Ho Family Head's gaze turned strange.
"Aren't you on the same side as the Namgung Clan?"
"Maybe, but my surname isn't Namgung. I'm a retainer."
"And if the Namgung Clan finds out?"
"What will they do? Do I look like their lackey to you?"
The Ho Family Head's eyes sharpened.
Sun Wukong was willing to work with the Namgung Clan, but that didn't mean he was under their thumb.
Sun Wukong was the Brilliant One.
Ever since his days as the stone monkey, he'd called himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
Even when he received help from various gods on his path of asceticism, his thinking was simple.
'They're beneath me, so they should offer their skills.'
It was a simple logic.
Sun Wukong saw the Namgung Clan as just another card to play.
"……If you help me, I'll gladly follow your lead."
The Ho Family Head's eyes sparkled.
Sun Wukong smiled, pleased.
"So, how do you plan to help?"
The Ho Family Head lowered his voice. He hadn't been wasting his time here—he'd been racking his brain for ways to restore his lost authority and reestablish his power.
Of course, no easy answer had come. He was half resigned.
Sun Wukong glanced out the window and muttered,
"It's about time…"
"Time for what?"
The answer came not from Sun Wukong, but from outside the door.