It was extremely rare for the Patrol Commander, who oversaw all security of the Sang Gwan Family, to personally appear at the Family Head’s office during his duties.
“What’s the matter, Patrol Commander?”
“There’s someone at the front gate claiming to have been invited by you, Family Head.”
Family Head Sang Gwan Eung looked momentarily confused.
He couldn’t recall having invited anyone recently.
“Who did he say he was?”
“He said he is Kwak Yeon, Lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung on Mount Wudang.”
Sang Gwan Eung and Strategist So Seok-ha exchanged glances.
It wasn’t mere coincidence like the old saying goes—that even a tiger appears when spoken of. To the Sang Gwan Family, the Cave Daoist was an ill omen incarnate.
As expected, the Patrol Commander’s cautious voice followed from outside the office.
“Family Head... and, that Lay Daoist brought someone with him. We forced him to raise his head to confirm and... it was Merchant Lord of Cheongwu.”
Sang Gwan Eung’s face contorted violently.
“Patrol Commander! What do you mean you forced the Merchant Lord to raise his head? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Why would a direct member of the family lower his head while visiting the main estate?
The Patrol Commander’s voice wavered.
“...Merchant Lord wouldn’t raise his head while standing beside the Lay Daoist from Mount Wudang... and when asked his name, he wouldn’t answer. We had no choice but to check.”
The fact that the Merchant Lord was even accompanying the Cave Daoist was already unsettling.
But that he wouldn’t even raise his head upon arriving at the main house—it could only mean he had suffered a devastating blow at the man’s hands.
Sang Gwan Eung was so enraged he snapped the armrest of his chair.
“That Cave Daoist bastard dares to disgrace the Sang Gwan Family!”
So Seok-ha quickly spoke as Sang Gwan Eung looked ready to storm out.
“It would be wise to receive him after making proper preparations.”
At those words, Sang Gwan Eung suddenly recalled the death of Jegal Waryong of Waryong Manor.
“Strategist... how low do you think of me, to say such a thing?”
Jegal Waryong was merely a branch family head, not even one of the Twenty-Eight Masters.
So Seok-ha bowed his head and continued.
“My humble suggestion was in hopes of seizing this opportunity.”
“Seizing an opportunity?”
“Family Head, it’s obvious the Cave Daoist brought the Merchant Lord here to hold this house accountable. But doesn’t that mean you now have every right to hold him accountable first?”
Until now, they had lacked justification to punish the Cave Daoist. But now that he had humiliated one of the family’s own, they had the pretext.
“Your words make sense, Strategist.”
Sang Gwan Eung barely suppressed the fury welling inside him.
Sangcheon Great Hall of the Sang Gwan Family.
Not only was the personal guard of the Family Head assembled, but even the elite Twenty-Four Sword Hands of Sangcheon stood arrayed, radiating killing intent like frost.
It was as if a life-or-death duel was imminent—the tension was palpable.
The cause of that tension was none other than Kwak Yeon, Lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung, Mount Wudang.
Standing beside him, Sang Gwan Jin-ho, Merchant Lord of Cheongwu, kept his head bowed low.
Seated on the grand dais in a Royal Scholar’s Robe, Sang Gwan Eung spoke coldly.
“Daoist Kwak, I didn’t expect you to respond to my invitation so swiftly.”
Kwak Yeon replied respectfully.
“How could a humble martial junior of the Wudang Sect delay in responding to the Family Head of the great Sang Gwan Family? I’m overwhelmed by your hospitality despite my abrupt visit.”
“How could I be negligent in hosting the renowned Young Dragon of the Wudang Sect? I only hope it doesn’t seem inadequate.”
“Of course not. I would’ve been satisfied with a single cup of tea, yet you’ve welcomed me so grandly. I now worry how this junior might ever repay such kindness.”
As Kwak Yeon calmly delivered his veiled provocation, Sang Gwan Eung felt his suppressed anger surge.
“If that is your sentiment, then I won’t refuse. So tell me, what kind of repayment do you have in mind?”
Kwak Yeon had been irritated the moment he saw the ranks of Sang Gwan Family elites assembled within the hall.
It was behavior unbefitting a noble martial family—base and ignoble.
He had no desire to be meek toward those who debased themselves even beyond Mount Wudang. So he spoke without restraint.
“Simply escorting your son-in-law here didn’t seem worthy of a cup of tea, so I destroyed his danjeon. If I had known you’d welcome me this warmly, I might’ve gone so far as to sever a limb.”
As Sang Gwan Eung’s face flushed with fury, Kwak Yeon calmly continued.
“I merely sought to lessen your burden, Family Head. But if you disapprove, this junior will accept your correction.”
Suppressing his fury with effort, Sang Gwan Eung said,
“As the head of this house, I cannot disregard the friendship with the Wudang Sect. Therefore, I intend to treat you in kind, Daoist Kwak, just as you treated the Merchant Lord. Do you take issue with that?”
“Hospitality must suit the host. As a guest, how could I complain? I only fear that my crude swordsmanship might inflict too great a loss on the Sang Gwan Family.”
“How exceedingly arrogant.”
“To give flesh and take bone is only natural, is it not?”
Glaring at Sang Gwan Eung, Kwak Yeon added,
“In any case, after today, the Sang Gwan Family will clearly fall below the top one hundred martial clans. None of the elite warriors gathered here will be left alive.”
“That is no longer arrogance—it’s delusion.”
As Sang Gwan Eung scoffed, Kwak Yeon drew his Cheonggang Sword.
White energy bloomed from the blue blade, extending nearly a full jang.
Everyone in the Sangcheon Hall flinched.
Sword Qi Condensed into Force.
Even Sang Gwan Eung, who had remained composed on the dais, straightened his back.
He had known that the Cave Daoist was formidable—that’s why he’d summoned both the Family Guard and elite warriors of the house.
But for him to release a full jang of condensed sword force?
Kwak Yeon retracted the energy and sheathed the Cheonggang Sword.
“Family Head, I too value the relationship between the Sang Gwan Family and the Wudang Sect. Thus, I displayed a mere trick, in hopes of receiving hospitality befitting the gesture.”
As Kwak Yeon returned the exact language Sang Gwan Eung had used, the latter’s fury burned to the top of his head.
But what could he do?
If he fought this man, the Sang Gwan Family would suffer immense loss.
Just as the Cave Daoist said, they could be pushed out of the top one hundred martial clans altogether.
‘You don’t burn down the house to catch a flea.’
Suppressing his rising fury, Sang Gwan Eung said,
“Now that I hear you out, perhaps I let personal feelings take the lead. The Merchant Lord was at fault—so this isn’t something for me to blame you for.”
Only then did Kwak Yeon let his stern expression ease. Read full story at novelFirｅ.net
“I’m deeply grateful for your understanding, Family Head. However, I imagine your affection for your kin has yet to be fully appeased.”
Sang Gwan Eung shot him a sharp glare.
He had already yielded so much and now wondered just how arrogant this Cave Daoist would become.
“So if you, Family Head, would personally deliver a lesson, I shall humbly accept it as a junior martial scholar.”
Sang Gwan Eung’s eyes sharpened.
He was being challenged to a duel.
‘This damn Cave Daoist dares!’
But as his fury simmered, his expression loosened.
The Cave Daoist may have attained sword force, but he was still a greenhorn newly emerged into the martial world.
Martial cultivation was important, yes—but not everything. Real combat experience and the depth of one’s martial techniques mattered more.
Everyone knew that Samnyeonggung, as a minor offshoot of Mount Wudang, lacked any profound martial techniques. There was no way the boy could match someone like him, who had mastered most of the Sang Gwan Family’s secret arts.
On top of that, he had already achieved a near-transcendent level through countless real-life battles—and was now knocking at the door of Divine Flame Realm.
And he held the legendary Sangcheon Blade, capable of slicing through sword force itself.
The Cave Daoist had ruined their operations in Sangjeon Village and humiliated the Sang Gwan Family—this duel was the perfect outlet for his pent-up rage.
‘You /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ insolent brat... I’ll teach you properly.’
Of course, that lesson would be carved into his flesh, not spoken.
Suppressing the smile that threatened to rise, Sang Gwan Eung said,
“If the rising star of the martial world makes such a request, how could I, as a senior, refuse? Still, I worry my blade might be too sharp.”
Though the implication was clear, Kwak Yeon answered calmly.
“How could a junior seek instruction without being prepared? I humbly ask that you, Family Head, give your full sincerity in guiding this martial student.”
Sang Gwan Eung nodded without hesitation.
“That earnestness is befitting of a Wudang disciple. Very well, then—I shall do my utmost to avoid drawing censure from your seniors on Mount Wudang.”
Kwak Yeon offered a martial bow.
“This martial student lacks skill, but if by fortune I should graze the Family Head’s robes, I will withdraw immediately in gratitude.”
This was a formal gesture of respect—a way of deeply honoring the senior martial figure who permitted the duel.
But rather than being pleased, Sang Gwan Eung grew even more irked.
‘This insolent brat! He dares imply he’s sparing me?’
Had it been any other time, he might have taken it differently. But Kwak Yeon’s entire attitude so far had already stoked his rage. He now saw even this courtesy as mockery.
‘I’ll make sure to take at least one of your arms.’
Suppressing the storm of rage boiling inside, Sang Gwan Eung asked,
“Is there anything else you’d like to request?”
In duels between seniors and juniors, it was customary—even expected—for the junior to ask for leniency or for the right to strike first.
It upheld etiquette for both sides.
So he was only asking out of formality as a senior and Family Head—one of the Twenty-Eight Masters.
“I’d prefer a quiet place, so I can fully etch your instruction into my heart.”
In other words, he wanted to duel with no one else present.
At that moment, Sang Gwan Eung’s long-held fury finally erupted.
It was no different than saying he wanted to fight in private so no one would see the Family Head lose face.
Grinding his teeth, Sang Gwan Eung shouted,
Everyone in Sangcheon Great Hall flinched in shock.
So Seok-ha quickly said,
“Family Head, perhaps you should leave your personal guards behind—”
Sang Gwan Eung shot him a fire-eyed glare.
“How much more must the face of this family be trampled before you’re satisfied?!”
Only then did So Seok-ha realize the true source of the Family Head’s explosive fury—
That the Sang Gwan Family, a great house of prestige, had been collectively overawed by one man—the solitary Cave Daoist.
“We’ll withdraw immediately.”