Immediately after the Alliance Leader Jang Cheon appeared at the venue, the noisy banquet hall instantly fell silent.
It was partly out of courtesy, but also because the atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
This was because the Alliance Leader was intentionally releasing his qi to set the mood.
The sound of his approaching footsteps echoed surprisingly loud in the banquet hall.
The good-natured middle-aged man I briefly encountered earlier was gone, and in his place stood the leader of an entire faction.
A righteous faction expert in his prime, well past forty.
Nakgeom Jang Cheon.
He had appeared here to give a speech.
"You have all worked hard coming to this distant place."
A deep voice, laced with internal energy, brushed past our ears.
The resonant hum made it clear just how profound his inner energy was.
"Facing the stars of this year on a cold winter day makes my heart feel warm."
Everyone was breathing carefully, wholly focused on his words.
This voice and atmosphere that commanded focus could be considered another talent in itself.
‘How boring.’
It seems it doesn't really resonate with me.
If it were the words of a capable and outstanding Alliance Leader, perhaps I would have felt like the others.
But having already experienced the future, I couldn't help but question whether he was truly a great man.
Even if I couldn't find fault with the martial feats he had achieved.
In my eyes, he was simply an ordinary person with outstanding martial prowess.
That is, separate from his talent in martial arts.
"...At any rate."
‘The speech is ridiculously boring, too.’
Glad you came. It's good to see everyone grown. Please stay healthy and prepare for the friendly martial arts tournament starting tomorrow. Summarized, that's what he was saying.
If there was anything peculiar, it was the fact that there was no mention of Jang Seon-yeon in his words.
He could have said a word or two about him.
‘Is it an intention to spark even more interest?’
Everyone knew that the Alliance Leader's son was attending the banquet.
Was it to manage expectations?
Or was he purely trying to maintain neutrality as the Alliance Leader, even regarding his own blood?
Honestly, I don't know.
Of course, even if I did know, it wouldn't change anything.
Along with the Alliance Leader's appearance, the number of people secretly glancing at Jang Seon-yeon increased.
My side also had plenty of attention gathered thanks to the women flocking around me.
Since those attending the Dragon Phoenix Assembly were ultimately martial artists, it was natural they'd be interested in Jang Seon-yeon, who could be deemed a divine being.
Especially since three of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes were absent from this banquet.
The Gu Family's Sword Phoenix.
Huashan's Sword Dragon.
Wudang's Hidden Dragon.
It seemed these three were absent.
‘What a shame.’
That Hidden Dragon guy could be excused.
Given his personality, he wasn't the type to attend such things often.
Gu Huibi would be busy with the affairs of the Gu family.
Yeongpung was a bit unexpected.
He left something with me, so I thought he'd come looking for it.
‘Did something happen at Huashan?’
It's a distance to travel from Shaanxi to Henan, so it's understandable, but it still felt a bit disappointing.
Did I grow attached in that short time?
Me, of all people.
Suddenly feeling out of character, I took a sip of my cold tea.
To kill off my pathetic expectations.
‘It's a shame I can't see the Hidden Dragon.’
He was a face I definitely wanted to see at the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.
I wondered if he'd come, but it seems that lazy guy didn't show up after all.
He's the only one I could even call a friend, too.
-Please, even if you're angry, just endure it three times and live.
-Hey, you crazy bastard!
-I told you not to step out front! You'll die if you do!
-Hey, it's cold, so light a fire. You're exactly a fire starter... why are you clenching your fist...?
Stop right there. Don't come!
The voice that used to chatter noisily came to mind.
When he was beside me, I felt like I was going to lose my mind.
Now, there are times when I occasionally miss it.
Coincidentally, right now felt like one of those times.
"...I, Jang Cheon, hope that the future of these stars shines endlessly."
While I was lost in thought, the speech ended.
Judging by the applause filling my ears, the speech must have been good.
Only now did I realize that Wi Seol-ah's hand was still resting on my shoulder.
I tried to move my head to see Wi Seol-ah's face, but for some reason, it wasn't easy.
What kind of expression is Wi Seol-ah making right now?
She's probably wearing a bored expression, or perhaps an amused one.
The Alliance Leader must have planned to only give a speech and leave, as he exited the venue without any hesitation.
He could have at least glanced at his own child once.
"His words seem truly wonderful."
Dang So-yeol's eyes were shining brightly, as if she was moved.
Yet, her mouth was mumbling profusely.
She was chewing on something that looked like grass.
Noticing my gaze, Dang So-yeol's face flushed red and she averted her eyes.
"...Um, I was a little hungry."
"..."
The way she was chewing made her look like a rabbit, but I didn't ask what she was eating.
Because it clearly didn't look like grass an ordinary person could eat.
The small relief was that I wasn't the only one who found the speech boring.
I firmly pinched the back of the hand of the person next to me.
"Ung..."
I woke up Namgung Bi-ah, who had been using her stiff face to discreetly doze off.
I wasn't sleeping either, but how could she fall asleep right in front of the righteous faction's leader giving a speech?
‘And our seats are in the very front, too.’
If it were Jang Cheon, he probably noticed Namgung Bi-ah dozing off.
I could only hope she didn't get flagged for it.
As soon as the Alliance Leader left, the banquet hall immediately filled with a buzzing noise.
It was because the banquet had now begun in earnest.
Some stood up from their seats to find people far away and converse, while others quietly ate.
Gradually, various noticeable groups came into view.
If there was one certainty, it was that no one dared to intrude upon the very front row.
The world was, after all, flawlessly divided by hierarchy.
"Young Master!"
"Hmm?"
Wi Seol-ah approached, skipping as if in high spirits. Half out of habit, I stroked Wi Seol-ah's hair.
Feeling my touch, Wi Seol-ah spoke.
"There are so many people."
"There would be, it's a banquet."
The noisy chatter was still unpleasant to hear, but it was somewhat bearable.
I stood up from my seat and stood by the window in the corner.
Just in case, I had put a veil on Wi Seol-ah.
It was a precaution for any unforeseen circumstances.
To avoid any issues, I had placed veils not only on Wi Seol-ah but on all the servants.
Thanks to that, it seemed we were being treated strangely by others.
‘So be it. Whatever.’
It wasn't the first or second time I'd been perceived as a weirdo.
This much was nothing.
However, there was one slightly strange thing.
"I heard this is Young Master Jang's first time at this banquet, is that correct?"
"It is. So I happen to be quite excited."
"Oh my, then is this perhaps your first banquet as well?"
"Embarrassingly so..."
"My, my... Then our family occasionally holds banquets as well, perhaps..."
Perhaps because of his uniquely elegant atmosphere and gentle smile, people were flocking around Jang Seon-yeon.
He was the Alliance Leader's son and a new face, so it was understandable.
"...What about me?"
"...?"
It was actually convenient that no one was approaching me.
But isn't this too empty?
Even if the title of being the Hohyeop's son and the Sword Phoenix's younger brother was considered lower than the Alliance Leader's child.
I wondered if that was enough reason for absolutely no one to come near.
Wouldn't they at least come out of curiosity?
While I was pondering, Dang So-yeol, who had been standing far away getting pestered by the other junior experts, escaped and approached this way.
They must have talked to her so much that Dang So-yeol's face was already full of exhaustion.
"...Young Master Gu. Is something the matter?"
"It seems like you're the one with more going on."
"I'm fine...! This much is nothing."
She showed her forearm as if proving she was healthy.
But all that was visible was an endlessly thin, white arm.
I barely ignored that and continued speaking.
"No, I just thought it was strange that no one is approaching me."
"Ah..."
At my words, Dang So-yeol's eyes shook as if she realized something.
I didn't miss that.
"Why is that?"
"That's... um, the reason is probably... last time, the Sword Phoenix..."
Bang-!
Just as Dang So-yeol was about to add something, a loud noise came from the center of the banquet hall.
The wind blowing from the source of the sound was mixed with internal energy.
"You worthless bastard... How dare you spout such nonsense!"
The shout that erupted immediately after was a voice I'd heard somewhere before.
"Tsk."
A tongue-clicking sound came from beside me, sounding displeased.
This was from Dang So-yeol.
"Some bloodline from the boondocks is baring their teeth at this Hwangbo!"
The one roaring loudly enough to shake the banquet hall was none other than Hwangbo Cheol-wi.
He was like that at the lodging too, but how could he be acting like that even at the banquet hall?
I looked at him slightly disdainfully, but when I saw who Hwangbo Cheol-wi was glaring at, even I was at a loss for words.
"Good grief."
I prayed it wasn't true, but...
The one keeping their distance from Hwangbo Cheol-wi was, just like last time, Gu Jeol-yeop.
Why is that guy acting like that again?
"They say Hwangbo means the tiger of the Central Plains, yet your actions are inferior to even a cat, let alone a beast of prey."
Gu Jeol-yeop seemed to have no intention of backing down either, placing his hand on the sword hilt and growling. The internal energy he drew up calmly was neat, but seeing how it sharply spiked here and there, it seemed to have synced with his emotions.
Hwangbo Cheol-wi twisted his lips at those words.
"You lot, called a prestigious family with sparks not even worthy of being called embers, dare to insult the Hwangbo?"
‘Ha, this bastard.’
I was listening quietly, but being treated like a mere torch made my mood quite foul.
Honestly, I didn't really intend to step in. I was used to being insulted.
Because I didn't want to care about every little thing at this point.
So I planned to just stay still.
Shring—
That is, if I hadn't seen Jang Seon-yeon moving slightly.