40. The Young Elites
If the Dragon Phoenix Assembly was meant to foster interaction and camaraderie among the Five Great Families, then it had already begun in earnest.
The disciples mingled with other disciples, the servants with other servants, and the young elites with their own peers.
Everyone gravitated toward those of similar standing.
Since all of this was part of the exchange, skipping out simply wasn’t an option.
Namgung Seo-wol was no exception, her face full of boredom throughout the young elites’ drinking party.
"Seo-wol, are you sleepy?"
Jegal Seo-seo glanced at her, lowering his voice to a whisper.
Seo-wol nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"It’s boring."
"Hmm. I wonder what would actually entertain you, Seo-wol."
"A Martial Duel."
Jegal Seo-seo chuckled. "Well, the Martial Duel tournament won’t be held until the Dragon Phoenix Assembly officially starts and nears its end. Looks like you’ll have to wait a while for anything exciting to happen."
Seo-wol puffed out her cheeks in a sulky pout. Jegal Seo-seo covered his mouth, amused. Though only two years older, he felt like he was dealing with a much younger sibling.
‘Honestly, it’s not that fun for me either.’
Even before arriving in Anhui Province, everyone had been gathering for nightly drinking sessions to build camaraderie, so nothing felt new anymore.
"Haha. As expected of the Namgung Clan. They’re so generous with their fine wines, even to us juniors. Truly, the descendants of the dragon are different. Our elders in the Hwangbo Clan always say that drinking is no help to martial cultivation and frown upon it."
As usual, Hwangbo Yong was leading the festivities.
Jegal Seo-seo glanced at Namgung Mu-yeong. There was no real hierarchy here—no seniors or juniors. Still, the seat of honor belonged to Namgung Mu-yeong.
Rumor had it he would be named Young Clan Master at this Dragon Phoenix Assembly. That would make him the official successor of the Namgung Clan—the next Clan Head.
Especially here, in the Namgung Clan’s own territory.
Everyone else was a guest, so it was only natural for Namgung Mu-yeong to sit at the head.
Yet, for some reason, Hwangbo Yong was still the life of the party.
He wasn’t a dazzling orator, but he certainly wasn’t tongue-tied either—he had a decent way with words.
Add to that his good looks, prestigious family background, and natural charisma.
Unlike the more reserved and serious Namgung Mu-yeong, Hwangbo Yong’s outgoing personality made him stand out.
Jegal Seo-seo, on the other hand, was known for the wisdom befitting the Jegal family name.
‘Did something happen?’
He noticed that Namgung Mu-yeong was acting differently than usual.
It wasn’t just his personality—he seemed distant, as if his mind was elsewhere.
The conversation flowed mostly between Hwangbo Yong and Peng Zhihun, with Jegal Seo-seo chiming in now and then.
Jegal Seo-seo leaned closer to Seo-wol and quietly asked,
"Did something happen?"
"What do you mean?"
"Before you came to the party tonight."
"Oh."
Seo-wol, who had been idly poking at her food, nodded.
"I had a Martial Duel."
"A Martial Duel?"
Jegal Seo-seo tilted his head.
In truth, there wasn’t a single young elite here who hadn’t sparred with Seo-wol before.
She was so direct in challenging others that refusing her was almost impossible.
So hearing she’d had a duel wasn’t surprising.
But her next words were.
"With that blond-haired guy."
"The retainer?"
Jegal Seo-seo’s eyes widened in surprise, his voice rising before he realized it.
The others turned to look.
"Oh, you mean you sparred with the retainer we saw at the Ten Thousand Scents Pavilion, Lady Namgung?"
Peng Zhihun looked at her with interest.
Seo-wol gave a small nod.
"Yeah. We had a Martial Duel."
"Oh?"
As the topic suddenly shifted to Sun Wukong, Hwangbo Yong’s expression grew slightly uncomfortable. He quickly masked it, but Jegal Seo-seo caught it all.
"He’s quite the talk of the town. Even when I saw him at the Ten Thousand Scents Pavilion, I could tell he was impressive. But I hear he single-handedly took down Honam Island…"
"Yeah, he was strong."
Seo-wol’s answer drew surprised looks from the other young elites.
Even among the young elites, Seo-wol was an outlier.
Martial artists were expected to be obsessed with their Martial Art Skill, but Seo-wol took it to another level.
She trained every day and rarely attended social gatherings like this.
If it weren’t for the Dragon Phoenix Assembly, she’d rather be off swinging her sword somewhere quiet.
Her skills were just as formidable.
Among all the young elites here, not a single one had ever beaten Seo-wol in a duel.
And she was notoriously stingy with praise.
Even after sparring at length with Peng Zhihun, Hwangbo Yong, or Namgung Mu-yeong, her post-duel feedback was always brutally honest—her tongue as sharp as her blade.
So for her to so simply admit someone was strong…
Curiosity rippled through the group.
"What was it like?"
Jegal Seo-seo’s eyes sparkled with interest.
But the answer came from elsewhere.
"What do you think? He came at me like he was trying to kill me."
"Ah…!"
Sun Wukong’s voice suddenly rang out from beneath the pavilion.
The young elites all stood up, startled.
Despite their tipsiness, the scions of noble families greeted him with proper Tiger Fist salutes.
"Greetings, um…"
"Just call me Mister Sun. It’s easier that way."
"Yes, Mister Sun."
"I overheard you talking about me, so I thought I’d join in."
Sun Wukong glanced around.
"Since you’re here, why not have a drink with us? The stars are bright tonight—it’s a perfect mood," Hwangbo Yong said, spreading his arms with feigned cheer.
Jegal Seo-seo frowned slightly.
‘We’re the guests here… Is he for real?’
Namgung Mu-yeong sat at the head of the table. This was the Namgung Clan’s hospitality.
If anyone was to invite another to the table, it should be Namgung Mu-yeong.
That was basic etiquette. And from the look of it, Namgung Mu-yeong seemed a bit uncomfortable too.
Then—
Sun Wukong gave a wry smile and addressed Namgung Mu-yeong.
"I’m a bit old to be drinking with the youngsters, but is it alright, Young Lord?"
Though Hwangbo Yong had extended the invitation, Sun Wukong sought Namgung Mu-yeong’s permission.
Namgung Mu-yeong nodded readily.
"Of course. You’re a retainer of the Namgung Clan."
"Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll join you."
Sun Wukong grinned and took a seat.
Jegal Seo-seo watched with interest. He noticed Hwangbo Yong’s smile had grown a little stiff, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
Sun Wukong casually praised the Namgung Clan, making it clear whose domain this was.
‘Is he truly on the Namgung Clan’s side?’
Jegal Seo-seo quietly doubted that Sun Wukong was just a retainer.
‘He seems more like an outside Martial Master they’ve recruited.’
Retainers in the Namgung Clan were usually just for show.
But Sun Wukong was different.
‘I’ve looked into the Azure Hero Society incident, and the key player was this Mister Sun.’
The Namgung Clan may have led the operation, but Sun Wukong was the linchpin.
Jegal Seo-seo saw through it at once.
‘An outside Martial Master, disguised as a retainer.’
The Namgung Clan already had plenty of Martial Masters, just not in great numbers.
So if they’d gone out of their way to recruit someone, he had to be exceptional.
And for the notoriously insular Namgung Clan to bring in an outsider…
‘Are they planning to make a real move in the martial world?’
Jegal Seo-seo’s theory was sharp, if a bit off the mark.
Sun Wukong blended into the party with ease. Even Namgung Mu-yeong, who had seemed distant, perked up and joined in with interest. And not just him—
‘Oh my…’
Jegal Seo-seo covered his mouth, watching Seo-wol stare intently at Sun Wukong, her eyes sparkling.
*
"Man, he’s really something. Top tier, for sure."
Wujing grumbled from atop the pavilion, glaring at Sun Wukong’s back as he mingled with the young elites.
He’d said he’d join the young elites’ party, but he’d gone in alone.
- We’re not here to play. Watch those Hwangbo Clan martial artists down there.
Sun Wukong’s voice echoed in Wujing’s mind, and he clicked his tongue.
Sun Wukong didn’t fit in with the disciples either.
He was someone who drank with Namgung Jin-Baek, the Clan Head—how could he just join the others?
Which meant Wujing had more work to do.
- Among the Hwangbo Clan, those seven over there. Their eyes are all off—check them out.
Wujing flinched.
Sun Wukong was still chatting and drinking with the young elites.
‘Does he have eyes in the back of his head or what?’
Wujing couldn’t help but feel that badmouthing Sun Wukong behind his back would be a terrible idea, but he dutifully followed orders.
"Hello there!"
"...?"
"I’m a retainer here, serving that blond-haired fellow. It’s my first time meeting Hwangbo Clan martial artists—seems like fate. Mind if I join you for a drink?"
Wujing smoothly inserted himself into the group.
The atmosphere was loose enough from the drinking that no one minded a stranger joining in.
Besides, Wujing was used to this sort of thing after years in various organizations.
And as soon as he mentioned serving Sun Wukong, he got a reaction.
"You serve Mister Sun?"
One of the seven Sun Wukong had pointed out showed interest, pouring Wujing a drink.
Wujing’s eyes gleamed.
"That’s right. Thanks to him, I’m a retainer of the Namgung Clan now."
They, too, seemed interested in Sun Wukong.
‘Makes sense.’
Wujing was quick on the uptake.
‘Just as the Namgung Clan is curious about them, they’re curious about us too.’
He decided to press his advantage.
"Heh, I even fought alongside Mister Sun and the Azure Hero Society against Honam Island. You wouldn’t believe how fierce that battle was…"
"Ah, so you’re a hero who helped take down those demonic outlaws. Pleased to meet you. I’m Cheong. May I ask your name?"
"I don’t really have one, but I go by Wujing."
"So, you’re from Shaolin?"
"Not exactly, but I spent some time there in my youth."
"And what about Mister Sun?"
Wujing smiled inwardly. As expected, they were very interested in Sun Wukong.
Anyone from the Five Great Families attending the Dragon Phoenix Assembly would be.
But Wujing sensed something else as the seven, led by Cheong, all focused on him.
‘What’s with these guys?’
Now he understood why Sun Wukong had singled out these seven.
There was definitely something suspicious about them.
Wujing decided to change the subject.
"Ha, anyone from the Central Plains can recite a sutra or two."
Cheong’s expression soured. For people up to no good, they weren’t very good at hiding it. Wujing pressed on.
"By the way, your name’s unusual—Cheong. What about your companions?"
"Ah, this is Mil, Ma, No, Ban, Maeng, and Rap."
"Are you brothers?"
"We share the same master."
Wujing’s eyes sparkled. If he pushed further, they’d catch on. So he decided to offer a bit of information in return.
"Ah, I see. Mister Sun and I aren’t from the same sect—we just happened to meet by chance."
"And Mister Sun’s sect?"
"Can’t say I know that. But you and your brothers aren’t from the Hwangbo Clan—how did you end up here?"
Wujing carefully doled out information while fishing for theirs.
*
‘He’s doing well.’
With his keen hearing, Sun Wukong could hear Wujing’s voice clearly.
‘Not bad at all.’
Sun Wukong was satisfied with Wujing’s performance. Even in his past life, Wujing had been more reliable than most—he was quick and efficient.
There was a reason Sun Wukong had singled out those seven.
‘Honestly, what kind of life have I led? Every person I meet seems to be a bad connection.’
All seven had a faint but definite Red Fate string connecting them to Sun Wukong.
The color was so faint that they weren’t mortal enemies, but it was still a bond of ill fate. Sun Wukong resolved to uncover their true identities.
‘For now, I’ll leave them to Wujing.’
Sun Wukong’s gaze shifted.
The Hwangbo Clan had brought these suspicious men as part of their entourage.
His eyes landed on Hwangbo Yong.
‘Hmm.’
A meaningful glint flashed in Sun Wukong’s eyes.