Chapter 211

Chapter 211
# Chapter 211
## Chapter 211: Yeonwol Clash Participants

Baek Yang-hwi offered a quiet chuckle as he looked over the two figures seated opposite him at the table.

They were Namgung Cheon-yeong, the Young Clan Heir of the Great Namgung Clan, and Hyeongeom, Wudang’s most outstanding junior disciple.

These were the very individuals whose brilliant reputations ensured they were constantly named among the murim’s most promising rising masters.

Watching the strained expressions they struggled to keep in place, it was obvious they were finding it nearly impossible to hold their tempers in check.

*They look as though they’ve swallowed something truly unpleasant. Or to be more precise, as though their pride has taken a direct blow.*

After all, both were still quite young.

If their positions were reversed and he were in their shoes, he would likely be wearing an expression bordering on outright defeat—though naturally, he would never have allowed such a look to show on his face in the first place.

“Baek Yang-hwi.”

The first to speak was Namgung Cheon-yeong.

He did not use honorifics such as Baek Gongja or Baek Sohyeop; he addressed him directly by his given name.

“Why have you summoned me, Young Clan Heir?”

He had deliberately employed formal titles earlier, hoping they would recognize the gap in standing between them of their own accord.

Yet Namgung Cheon-yeong seemed entirely unperturbed. His tone remained unchanged.

“By whose authority have you carried out this outrageous scheme?”

Baek Yang-hwi smiled, gesturing for him to continue.

Namgung Cheon-yeong’s irritation flared immediately.

“You must have heard from Lady Jeogal about the discussions currently taking place between our clans. I cannot imagine what you were thinking, to act so recklessly.”

“Are you truly being serious?”

“Serious about what?”

“Never mind.”

He wondered whether this was merely a show of bravado or genuine ignorance—though it appeared to be the latter. Namgung Cheon-hu would have understood the situation instantly.

Could the Namgung family really be so foolish as to leave their most brilliant, unpolished talent untended and unrefined? *You are playing by my rules now, young one. You cannot afford to remain unaware of my intentions.*

Hiding his thoughts behind a calm demeanor, Baek Yang-hwi met Namgung Cheon-yeong’s gaze. In an instant, powerful emotions surged between them.

“To speak plainly—and without reserve—negotiating with you is deeply unpleasant, Young Clan Heir. I might even say it is repulsive.”

It was the truth. He had no desire whatsoever to share a table with anyone bearing the Namgung name.

But what choice did he have? The time for open conflict had not yet come; a direct confrontation would only harm the Baek family.

*Though I must admit, there is something distinctly amusing about saying it aloud.*

From their brief exchange, he felt confident that this approach was working—especially given that his opponent was Namgung Cheon-yeong.

*It is no wonder he spoke those foolish words of regret when he came to assassinate me in my past life. He has been raised entirely without worldly wisdom.*

“How could it be anything other than repulsive? To sit here with a man who has made improper advances toward my fiancée.”

“Who on earth is your fiancée?!”

“Who else? Our Seol-ha. Unless… is the engagement not as firmly established as I believed? Could it be that the Young Clan Heir also holds feelings for our Seol-ha?”

His casual remark had struck perfectly, hitting its mark dead-center. Namgung Cheon-yeong’s face twisted with unmasked fury.

He wondered whether the young man even realized how much he had revealed. His expression was far more savage than it had been when he had spoken disparagingly of Namgung Cheon-hu during their earlier transmission.

He was roughly twenty years old—an age when feelings for another could easily cloud all reason.

*Still merely a child at heart. What a spoiled young man.*

“Step outside. I intend to chastise that insolent tongue of yours, Baek Yang-hwi.”

It was clear that Namgung Cheon-yeong was genuinely devoted to Jeogal Seol-ha. This was the fiery passion of a first love, burning in someone who had grown to adulthood yet still carried the heart of a boy.

“I cannot do that. I have an appointment with Seol-ha this evening. I should not appear before her flushed and disheveled from a fight.”

A look of cold, murderous intent began to pour from Namgung Cheon-yeong’s eyes. It was an unexpected display; Baek Yang-hwi had assumed him to be less domineering and impulsive than Namgung Cheon-hu.

Then again, men often behaved quite differently where matters of the heart were concerned.

*At least this much is certain. I can guide him where I wish him to go, and he will follow of his own accord.*

He turned his attention to the second guest.

“Namgung Cheon-yeong.”

Hyeongeom spoke up as though he had been waiting for the right moment.

Namgung Cheon-yeong’s eyebrow twitched faintly.

“Namgung Cheon-yeong? You address me by my given name?”

“I do so for the same reason Baek Gongja does.”

*Ah—Hyeongeom possesses sharp instincts.*

“As a disciple of Wudang, I am fully entitled to do so.”

It was not shrewd diplomacy, merely straightforward honesty. Then again, those who spent their days isolated in mountain peaks, training with sword in hand, were often blunt and stubborn by nature. It was a common trait.

“Save your arguments for another time. I have business to attend to first. Or would you prefer to settle matters of precedence with me right now? With swords, naturally.”

Tensions rose immediately. Namgung Cheon-yeong glared fiercely, while Hyeongeom returned his gaze calmly and unflinchingly.

Meanwhile, Baek Yang-hwi quietly extended his senses to assess Hyeongeom’s abilities.

*His internal energy… it is remarkably deep and concentrated. Could it be even greater than Adu’s?*

Adu had been the most extraordinary talent he had encountered across both his past and present lives. Even after three years apart, to surpass him… this was truly exceptional.

It was evident that Hyeongeom had dedicated his life entirely to the pursuit of swordsmanship.

*A needle concealed in a sack is bound to show itself eventually. How could someone of such ability have remained entirely unknown in my past life?*

To play the game well, one must first understand the pieces on the board. It was time to learn more.

“Take your prideful quarrel elsewhere. I must conclude my business here first.”

Namgung Cheon-yeong and Hyeongeom turned toward him in unison, their expressions filled with disbelief.

“Stare all you like if it displeases you. I shall simply invite Seol-ha to join me, and we will depart.”

The area surrounding Chuhan House was already crowded with onlookers, drawn by rumors of the upcoming Yeonwol Clash. If word spread that the three most celebrated young masters of their generation had met here—followed by Baek Yang-hwi leaving in the company of Jeogal Seol-ha—talk would spread like wildfire.

“We cannot allow that. By whose permission—”

“Baek Dou. Why have you summoned us?”

Namgung Cheon-yeong continued to question his authority, while Hyeongeom asked directly about the gathering.

First, he would need to quiet the Namgung heir to keep the conversation moving forward.

“Young Clan Heir Namgung… the permission was naturally given by our Seol-ha. And you—by what right do you question my standing as her betrothed? If Breaking Heaven Sound Rear Master has expressed his disapproval, speak plainly and I shall consider it.”

Having made it clear that he would entertain no objections unless they came directly from Namgung Cheon-hu, he turned to the matter at hand—or attempted to.

“Baek Dou.”

*These impetuous youths—must they constantly interrupt?*

Those raised with a sword in hand and little discipline were always this way. Had they spent time in the wider world, they would have learned proper courtesy.

“Whether you hold affection for Lady Jeogal or seek to form an alliance with her matters not to me.”

It was an unexpected reply, and one that piqued his interest. Baek Yang-hwi offered a faint smile.

“You do not wish for the engagement to proceed?”

“I do wish it—because my master desires it. But I will not be drawn into your schemes. From this moment forward, leave Wudang’s name and my own out of whatever plans you may pursue. Do so, and I shall hold you blameless.”

*Hold accountable… an interesting choice of words. Does he truly believe he has the authority to judge and punish others?*

It was a feeling he knew well. In his past life, traveling the realm as a masterless swordsman from a minor clan, he had encountered countless such individuals—arrogant young heirs from renowned sects who behaved as though the world belonged to them.

“I regret that I cannot comply. Rumors are like water spilled upon the ground, or a horse set free to run—no one can control them entirely. Unlike you, a disciple of the great Wudang, I am merely the son of a modest household. Such things are beyond my power to prevent.”

Hyeongeom’s response was simple and direct.

“Then you shall face the consequences of your actions.”

He rotated the sword resting in his grasp, revealing an engraving of an ancient pine tree. It was a Songmun Ancient Sword—the revered heirloom passed down through generations, traditionally borne by Wudang’s de facto leader.

That a junior disciple carried it spoke volumes about his status within the sect.

“What consequences?”

“For meddling in matters of betrothal that do not concern you, and for dragging me into them.”

He had a way with words, Baek Yang-hwi admitted. *A matchmaker who claims to be the fiancé… a fair observation.*

He himself had devised the name “Yeonwol Clash” and set the rumors in motion. From Hyeongeom’s perspective, it was undoubtedly frustrating.

*Yet if we speak of those who cause trouble, Wudang bears its own share of responsibility.*

“Very well. But I have already spoken with the Tai Chi Sect Leader.”

“Regarding what?”

“Regarding arranging an opportunity for you and Seol-ha to meet.”

“Then it is settled. I do not wish to proceed.”

“Ah—so because you are senior to him, you may disregard the Tai Chi Sect Leader’s wishes?”

Baek Yang-hwi looked from Namgung Cheon-yeong to Hyeongeom in turn, then turned toward the door.

“Seol-ha… our appointment has not yet begun, yet you have already come down to join us?”

The door opened gently, and a graceful figure stepped into view. It was Jeogal Seol-ha—without doubt, the most beautiful woman of the present era. Her long dark hair was styled elegantly high, her features enhanced with meticulous care, and she wore robes of exquisite craftsmanship.

A heavy silence fell over the room. Namgung Cheon-yeong’s mouth fell slightly open; he looked utterly captivated.

His reaction was exactly as expected. The more interesting part was Hyeongeom.

*Earlier he claimed that feelings and bonds mattered little, provided the engagement was honored…*

Until that moment, he had sat with eyes half-closed, as though in deep meditation. Now his eyes flew wide open, as though he had seen something beyond comprehension.

“L-Lady Jeogal… Dou?”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hyeongeom Sohyeop.”

Baek Yang-hwi could not help but admire her. She had truly spared no effort, just as he had asked. Her voice, naturally enchanting, had been further refined using advanced sound techniques. She was utterly bewitching.

*It is done. He is completely lost.*

A man who had spent his life in the mountains with nothing but a sword for company, suddenly standing face-to-face with the most celebrated beauty in the land… how could he not be affected?

He smiled confidently as he spoke.

“Hyeongeom Dou… you asked me to leave you out of this matter, and I shall do my best to honor your wish. Wudang’s swords are fearsome indeed. But now—please take your leave. The longer you remain, the more deeply you will be drawn in.”

Hyeongeom made no move to go.

“Neither of you is leaving. Very well—I shall take your silence as agreement: both of you will participate in the Yeonwol Clash.”

Only moments earlier, pride would have driven both to object immediately. But Jeogal Seol-ha’s appearance had swept such concerns aside.

Baek Yang-hwi continued.

“In that case, there is one condition for all who take part.”

Seeing confusion dawn on their faces, he chuckled softly once more.

“A contest implies a struggle—and we must have victors and vanquished. The task? To maintain order throughout the city of Muhan, acting in the name of the Jeogal Clan.”

Hyeongeom’s expression hardened instantly; he understood the implications.

“Brother, you truly devise the most cunning schemes.”

“All credit goes to your own beauty for proving so effective. What else could I do?”

“Those Wudang disciples… they shall get exactly what they deserve!”

He turned his gaze directly toward Hyeongeom.

“If Wudang’s senior masters learn of this, they will order you to abandon it—rumors or no rumors. It conflicts directly with their own plans. What will you do, Hyeongeom Dou?”