Chapter 45

With a displeased look, Jang In-geol replied.

Im Ha-gi, looking pleased, suggested to Jeong Charyeon, "Miss Jeong, there's an extra seat. Why don't you join us?"

As Jeong Charyeon was about to decline, Jeok Leegeon abruptly asked, "Is that Miss Sa pretty?"

Im Ha-gi gave him a look that said, 'Why such a question all of a sudden?'

Of course, Jeok Leegeon was one to ignore such looks.

"Of course," Im Ha-gi replied, displeased. Jeok Leegeon jumped up.

"Then let's join you. Besides, the meal here costs two nyang."

How generous of you.

Well, I'm curious about that Miss Sa I've only heard about.

If it weren't for Jeong Charyeon, Im Ha-gi would never have agreed to sit with Jeok Leegeon. Jeong Charyeon's beauty turned him into a magnanimous person who could overlook Jeok Leegeon's rudeness.

Two women were waiting at Im Ha-gi's table.

A familiar face was Jang In-geol's sister, Jang In-hwa. She still had heavy makeup and looked alluring. At Jeok Leegeon's appearance, her eyes sparkled. Jang In-geol frowned even more at the sight.

'Why does she keep paying attention to that wretch?'

He couldn't understand it at all.

And the other woman was a beauty with a calm yet profound gaze.

She was Sa Ma-yeong, who was to attend the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with Im Ha-gi.

She was a famous woman in the Jianghu. As a talented woman of the Great Sima Clan, which proudly held a place among the Four Great Clans, she was a clever woman rumored to be taking the position of chief strategist of the Orthodox Alliance in the future.

"That's Sa Ma-yeong."

Jeok Leegeon whispered in Jeong Charyeon's ear with a slightly disappointed look, "She looks plainer than you?"

It was a whisper loud enough for everyone to hear.

Jeong Charyeon said, flustered, "W-What nonsense are you talking about? Miss Sa is one of the Eight Beauties of the Jianghu."

"Then are you one of the Eight Beauties of the Jianghu too?"

How kind, but rude, so rude!

Jeong Charyeon's face turned even redder.

Jeong Charyeon awkwardly smiled, forcibly covering Jeok Leegeon's mouth. "Don't mind him!"

But Sa Ma-yeong, the person in question, smiled. In fact, she herself admitted that her being one of the Eight Beauties of the Jianghu was due to the background of the Sima Clan.

"I often hear that I'm plain."

Jeok Leegeon forcibly broke free from Jeong Charyeon's grasp.

"Isn't that right?"

Isn't that right! Miss Sa isn't saying that sincerely!

Sa Ma-yeong's smile deepened. It was hard to tell whether she was forcibly suppressing her anger or if she was just naturally kind.

Jeong Charyeon sighed and said, "I apologize on his behalf."

"It's alright. He seems like an interesting person."

Sa Ma-yeong stared intently at Jeok Leegeon.

How naive. Don't be fooled. He's not flirting with you because he's interested in you. This guy is genuinely evaluating you.

Jang In-geol, who was watching, sneered as if he found it displeasing. "He's also the one who will be attending the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with Miss Jeong this time."

He, who was usually arrogant, was showing a rather polite attitude. Of course, the reason was Im Ha-gi and Sa Ma-yeong.

Although the Palm Heart Clan was fearless in Infinite, it was only a small, peripheral sect compared to the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan or the Sima Clan.

Today's gathering was also one that he had worked hard to arrange.

In any case, the fact that Jeok Leegeon and Jeong Charyeon were attending the Dragon Phoenix Gathering together seemed unexpected to both Im Ha-gi and Sa Ma-yeong.

Indeed, Jeok Leegeon, who was already tearing apart a duck leg and getting grease all over his hands and mouth, didn't seem to suit Jeong Charyeon at all.

Im Ha-gi and Sa Ma-yeong sent Jeong Charyeon looks that asked, 'Are you really going with that guy?'

Oh, there's no need to give such pitiful looks.

Jeong Charyeon simply smiled.

Jeok Leegeon, holding a duck leg, said with a delighted face, "After all, when it comes to winged creatures, you have to eat the legs to feel like you've eaten something."

With that, he stuffed the duck leg into his mouth.

Perhaps because they thought he wasn't a suitable match for Jeong Charyeon, Im Ha-gi and Sa Ma-yeong's gazes turned to Jeong Charyeon again. This time, they were asking more persistently.

Did he catch you doing something wrong? You'll understand once you get to know him.

Even in the midst of all this, Jeok Leegeon was excited.

"Wow! This place is really delicious! Let's come again next time!"

Jang In-geol scoffed.

If he had his way, he would have smashed his head in right then and there. Perhaps because of the humiliation he had suffered that day, he didn't like his every move, every glance, every gesture.

'Damn brat, can't you even handle one guy like this?'

The target of his resentment was Kwon Hyuk-gi. He had even called him separately and reprimanded him, but he was still dragging his feet.

Jang In-geol didn't know that Kwon Hyuk-gi was no longer among the living. He was only thinking of going back and urging him on again.

What followed only made Jang In-geol's anger flare up even more.

"If those two are plain, then what am I?"

Jang In-hwa asked, sending a seductive look.

As his sister openly showed interest in Jeok Leegeon, Jang In-geol clenched his teeth and suppressed his anger.

Jeok Leegeon grinned.

"You're flashy. But..."

"But?"

"Too flashy."

".......?"

Jeok Leegeon pulled Jeong Charyeon closer to his side.

"While looking so blatantly plain like this is also a problem."

Ah, please leave out the word 'blatantly.'

"I don't like being blatantly flashy like you either."

Im Ha-gi cleared his throat, and Jang In-geol's face turned bright red.

Jeok Leegeon didn't stop.

"Pretty girls all know they're pretty. If they don't, it's either pretense or they're airheads. But you know it too well. That's why I don't like it so much."

With that, he pulled Jeong Charyeon closer again.

"I think it's good to know just this much."

What is he saying? Do I have to just stand here and take this?

On the contrary, Jang In-hwa wore a pleasant expression.

"You... you're quite interesting."

Like a child who had found an interesting toy, Jang In-hwa's eyes were shining. To her, Jeok Leegeon was quite an unusual and special man. In particular, Jeok Leegeon was the first man to speak so bluntly to her.

Stop deluding yourself. He really means he doesn't like you.

This time, Im Ha-gi showed interest in Jeok Leegeon.

"Young Master Jeok, what is your sect? Judging by the sword on your back, it seems you've learned martial arts."

"Ugh, this sect thing. Is there nothing else to ask when you meet someone?"

"Isn't it natural? You need to know which family the other person is from to..."

"To decide whether to treat them well or ignore them?"

Im Ha-gi was momentarily taken aback.

"That's not what I meant."

Shouldn't you ask what they're doing now, what dreams they have, things like that?"

With that, he tore apart the remaining duck leg.

"Hehe, it would be difficult to gobble up the last leg right away."

What a convenient excuse.

Jeong Charyeon shook her head with a helpless expression.

Watching Jeok Leegeon munch on the duck, Im Ha-gi asked, "Then tell me, what have you been doing until now, Young Master Jeok?"

"Mostly traveling the Jianghu."

"Then what are you planning to do in the future?"

"It wasn't in my plans, but... winning the Dragon Phoenix Gathering?"

Sa Ma-yeong burst out laughing, as if she thought it was a very funny joke. Everyone followed suit, laughing. Of course, everyone was just pretending to laugh.

Jeong Charyeon didn't laugh. Now, that statement didn't sound like just a joke.

Winning the Dragon Phoenix Gathering...

What if he really did it?

The faces of her family, rejoicing, came to mind. Especially her father's joy would be indescribable. Now that she had entered, she wanted to do it splendidly.

Jeong Charyeon's heart fluttered.

Im Ha-gi, unaware of her feelings, raised his glass and said, "Well then, let's toast to Young Master Jeok's victory."

It was half teasing and half mocking.

Like a village idiot who didn't know he was being mocked, Jeok Leegeon grinned and raised his glass along with them.

Jeong Charyeon also raised her glass.

At that moment, Sa Ma-yeong's eyes sparkled. Sa Ma-yeong had caught a glimpse of Jeong Charyeon's heart at this moment.

'Miss Jeong is serious right now!'

Sa Ma-yeong had also heard of Jeong Charyeon, the Unrivaled Beauty of the Murim. She was indeed as beautiful as the rumors said, and she possessed a pure charm that even another woman could fall for.

The Jeong Charyeon in the rumors was not a fool.

'But why is she associating with a man like that?'

Sa Ma-yeong examined Jeok Leegeon once more.

He had a kind face, but compared to the handsome Rising Stars of the Jianghu, he seemed a bit lacking. His words and actions were so lighthearted that they were hard to get used to, and judging by the fact that he couldn't reveal his sect, his family didn't seem to be that great either.

Sa Ma-yeong's curiosity grew.

'But why? Did he really catch her doing something wrong? Or does Young Master Jeok have some hidden talent?'

Although she was known as intelligent, she couldn't guess the relationship between the two.

Compared to her, Jang In-hwa was showing a more provocative interest in Jeok Leegeon. She was often called a villainess. There was something about Jeok Leegeon that stimulated her.

Im Ha-gi showed interest in Jeong Charyeon.

"Miss Jeong, how is the food?"

"It's delicious."

"I'm glad to hear it. If there's anything else you'd like to eat, please order as much as you want."

"Thank you for your consideration."

Im Ha-gi continued to show interest in Jeong Charyeon. He said things like the rumors about the Unrivaled Beauty of the Murim were true, and that Jeong Charyeon should be included among the Eight Beauties of the Jianghu.

This is it.

Jeong Charyeon felt somehow proud of the attention she had forgotten she deserved.

This feeling that she had forgotten since meeting Jeok Leegeon.

That's right, I'm the Unrivaled Beauty of the Murim, aren't I?

Jeong Charyeon turned to Jeok Leegeon with a triumphant look.

Are you watching? Do you know what kind of woman I am now... Huh?

But the seat next to her was empty.

Jeok Leegeon had moved to the other side at some point and was sitting right next to Sa Ma-yeong, chatting intimately.

Jeong Charyeon's energy drained away.

What is that guy doing next to a woman he just met? Even if that's how he is, what's with Miss Sa? Huh, she's even giggling?

The sight of the two bothered her.

Jeong Charyeon, let's not be like this. Someone might think you're jealous.

That's not it.

But after seeing that, she couldn't hear Im Ha-gi's words clearly.

She kept thinking about Jeok Leegeon.

What are they talking about that's so interesting?

"Miss Jeong?"

"......"

"Miss Jeong!"

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

Im Ha-gi, who noticed that Jeong Charyeon was concerned about Jeok Leegeon, said loudly, "Young Master Jeok is truly a lucky man. To be able to attend the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with such a beautiful Miss Jeong. Hahaha!"

Sa Ma-yeong, who was talking to Jeok Leegeon, glanced at Im Ha-gi and smiled.

Jeok Leegeon asked Sa Ma-yeong, "Why are you smiling like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's praising another woman for being pretty. This isn't something to smile about."

Of course, he said it loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Everyone's attention was focused on the two of them. In particular, Im Ha-gi's face was noticeably frowning. If it weren't for Jeong Charyeon, he would have already punched him.

Sa Ma-yeong smiled again. As if she only had one way to express her emotions.

"When was the last time you got angry?"

Sa Ma-yeong couldn't remember. Since she had started being known as the talented woman of the Sima Clan, she had never gotten angry. She had learned that a wise woman doesn't easily reveal her emotions.

"Why do you ask such a question?"

"Living like that will give you internal problems."

With that, Jeok Leegeon tore off a piece of meat and ate it.

His words resonated with her a little, and Sa Ma-yeong laughed again. She thought it was another joke.

Im Ha-gi became inwardly displeased at the sight of Sa Ma-yeong being friendly with Jeok Leegeon.

Jeok Leegeon didn't miss that small change.

"You seem upset. Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Of course not."

"Honestly, you want to go with Jeong Charyeon, right? Because she's prettier."

"That's not true!"

"If it weren't for the Sima Clan, I would cancel it right away and ask to go with Jeong Charyeon."

"I said that's not true!"

Im Ha-gi's voice rose.

"Are you angry?"

"I'm not angry!"

"Your eyes are bloodshot."

Anyone could tell that he was upset. But Im Ha-gi tried to prove his magnanimous nature with a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha! Young Master Jeok seems to lack a little consideration for others."

"Your cheeks are twitching."

"Damn it! I said I'm not angry!"

Im Ha-gi stood up abruptly. He looked like he was about to flip the table over.

Jeong Charyeon quickly stepped in. Whether Jeok Leegeon was a master or not, it wouldn't be good for him to get into a fight with Im Ha-gi.

"Young Master Im, please calm down. They say ignorance is bliss! Please calm down, generous Young Master Im."

As she pleaded with a pleasant face, Im Ha-gi's anger subsided as if by magic.

To Im Ha-gi, Jeong Charyeon seemed truly pure and innocent.

It was as if he had fallen in love at first sight.

In fact, as Jeok Leegeon had said, he wanted to attend this Dragon Phoenix Gathering with Jeong Charyeon.