ISS 16

chapter 16

Although he wasn’t quite at Naeng Yeo-seol’s level, Geobyeokdo, the master of Bulsan Wall Stronghold, was still stronger than Son O-bo.

The man thought there would be further questions, but that was all from Geomryeong.

Watching him calmly savor his food again, Jeok Hwa-myeong felt his own pride waver.

“Hahaha! Well, this must be fate. Let us introduce ourselves. I am Jeok Hwa-myeong.”

“Remnant Light Sword!”

As soon as Jeok Hwa-myeong gave his name, someone nearby exclaimed his nickname.

Remnant Light Sword, Jeok Hwa-myeong!

A martial artist who stood somewhere between orthodox and unorthodox sects. Though not ranked among the top hundred masters of the martial world, he still had a considerable reputation.

His nickname “Remnant Light Sword” supposedly came from his ability to cut through light itself, but in truth, he was far better known in the martial world for cutting down lives than for slicing brightness.

“My name’s Geomryeong. Uncle, you must be a famous person, seeing how surprised everyone looks.”

“It’s just an empty reputation.”

Step, step…

At that moment, someone approached where they sat. It was Uido-gun.

“It’s an honor to meet the great Remnant Light Sword, Jeok Hwa-myeong. I am Uido-gun of the Shinchang Yi clan.”

“Is that so? A pleasure to meet you.”

Since Jeok Hwa-myeong knew of the Shinchang Yi clan, he treated him with due formality.

“If you wouldn’t mind, would you join us in sharing some food?”

Jeok Hwa-myeong turned his head toward Hyeon Jin-myeong and Hyeon Su-mi, who were with Uido-gun.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll just eat here.”

Uido-gun’s expression flickered briefly before returning to normal.

“If you joined us, you could tell us stories of the martial world. It would be a great lesson for us younger ones…”

Despite Uido-gun’s polite insistence, Jeok Hwa-myeong did not change his mind.

“I’ll stay here with this young man. You all enjoy yourselves.”

Uido-gun’s gaze fell on Geomryeong, and it wasn’t a pleasant one.

“If that is your wish… then I understand.”

He bowed slightly and withdrew.

“Looks like I may have brought you some trouble,” Jeok Hwa-myeong said, having noticed the hostility in Uido-gun’s eyes toward Geomryeong.

“Because of that guy? Don’t worry about it. He doesn’t even know his own limits.”

Though Geomryeong hadn’t meant for him to hear, his words reached Uido-gun’s ears.

Uido-gun’s face flushed red.

Jeok Hwa-myeong looked amused.

“But that man is of the Shinchang Yi clan. He’s a martial artist. Do you really think you can beat him?”

“There’s no reason I couldn’t.”

Uido-gun’s eyes narrowed at Geomryeong, but with Jeok Hwa-myeong sitting right there, he couldn’t act as he pleased.

He knew well enough that no matter how much he flaunted his family’s influence and acted like a thug in Gwangju, there were places where he could get away with it and places where he couldn’t.

That was why, even if people called him a ruffian behind his back, his family largely turned a blind eye.

“Your confidence is impressive.”

“It’s not confidence. It’s just that I’m not weak enough to be beaten by someone who only relies on his family’s power. You know the saying about a lamp before the wind.”

A flame wavering before the wind.

“The prestige of a clan can vanish anytime. For a family to prosper for generations, one must cultivate oneself and hone their skills to continue growing stronger…”

Jeok Hwa-myeong nodded at Geomryeong’s words.

He wasn’t wrong, but the murderous aura Uido-gun was exuding concerned him.

“You can tell what a family is like by looking at its children.”

“You have a sharp tongue for a scholar’s son.”

Unable to restrain himself, Uido-gun suddenly shot to his feet.

Even though Jeok Hwa-myeong was beside Geomryeong, Uido-gun didn’t seem to care anymore.

“You don’t even know martial arts, boy.”

Jeok Hwa-myeong tried to stop him, but it was useless.

“If he insulted me personally, I wouldn’t care. Maybe I am lacking. But he insulted my family as well.”

By humbling himself, Uido-gun tried to show that he wasn’t petty, while invoking his family’s name made it harder for Jeok Hwa-myeong to interfere.

Jeok Hwa-myeong frowned.

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

His gaze shifted to Geomryeong, who continued eating unfazed.

The onlookers upstairs pitied Geomryeong, yet their eyes remained fixed on the unfolding drama, curious to see what would happen.

“People are so strange.”

Everyone expected Geomryeong to apologize and end the matter, but he didn’t.

“I just want to eat my food. Why are you bothering me?”

When Geomryeong rose, the sword at his waist caught everyone’s eyes.

“You carry a sword? Then you’re a martial artist too?”

“What does that matter?”

“It means fighting ordinary folk would be disgraceful.”

A smirk tugged at Geomryeong’s lips.

“How strange. Behind closed doors, people commit all sorts of evils, but when there are eyes on them, they pretend to be righteous and honorable. Just like Ghost Grandpa said—he was right about everything.”

“You insolent brat—!”

Shiiing!

Unable to contain himself, Uido-gun drew his sword.

Without a trace of fear, Geomryeong spoke quietly.

“Drawing your sword means you’re ready to risk your life, doesn’t it?”

The atmosphere around him shifted, and Uido-gun involuntarily flinched.

He realized he was being overwhelmed by Geomryeong’s presence.

“Risk my life? Fine, yes! I’ll stake my life on it!”

He shouted to mask his unease, but inside he was shrinking back.

‘W-what?!’

Seeing the smirk on Geomryeong’s lips, Uido-gun felt a chill crawl up his spine.

“Yes, drawing a sword means exactly that. The will to take another’s life, and the acceptance that you may lose your own.”

Geomryeong slowly reached out his hand.

It moved toward Uido-gun’s face, and Uido-gun could only stare blankly at it.

Everyone in the tavern watched in confusion, Jeok Hwa-myeong included.

Uido-gun tried to dodge, but he couldn’t move.

Some sticky, oppressive force seemed to bind his body, refusing to let him act.

Cold sweat ran down his forehead and back, betraying his anxiety, but his body remained frozen.

Thwack.

Geomryeong’s hand touched Uido-gun’s face.

“You’re still young, so I’ll let it go this time. But remember this—if you draw your sword again, it could mean your death.”

He pulled his hand away. Uido-gun couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

“What sorcery did you use?!”

He shouted in denial, convinced that only trickery could explain what had just occurred.

Ignoring him, Geomryeong calmly sat back down.

“You bastard!”

Uido-gun glared as if he wanted to tear him apart, but Geomryeong’s expression remained cold.

“Do you know about natural enemies?”

“Natural enemies?”

“Yes. A frog freezes when it sees a snake, even though it knows staying still will get it eaten. Why?”

Uido-gun narrowed his eyes.

“Because of fear. That fear paralyzes thought. And you’re no different.”

“Ridiculous!”

“Then shall we try again?”

Geomryeong stood and slowly reached for Uido-gun once more.

The result was the same.

Uido-gun couldn’t evade and had his face seized again.

“Stop relying on your family’s power to throw your weight around.”

With a firm press of his hand and a sharp kick to the leg, Geomryeong sent Uido-gun sprawling to the ground.

Boom!

The heavy thud echoed as he hit the floor, knocking him unconscious on the spot.

Jeok Hwa-myeong couldn’t help but marvel at the clean, efficient move.

“Hey! Take him away.”

Geomryeong called to Hyeon Jin-myeong, who awkwardly rushed over to lift the limp Uido-gun and drag him back to their table.

Meanwhile, Hyeon Su-mi couldn’t take her eyes off Geomryeong—not with fear, but fascination.

Handsome, bold, clearly skilled in martial arts… He must also come from a wealthy family.

To her eyes, Geomryeong seemed flawless.

“Impressive. I never thought you had trained in martial arts,” Jeok Hwa-myeong remarked as Geomryeong sat down again.

“It’s nothing. I just never said anything before. Truth is, I’m actually a master.”