Tang Hwa Ryeong showed no change in expression when he saw Peng Jong Heon.

Rather, he smirked at Peng Jong Heon’s words. It was a sneer because he knew what kind of martial arts family I came from.

“Are we going to keep talking outside? Let’s go inside.”

At his words, Peng Jong Heon entered the inn first. His attitude showed complete disinterest in us.

Shin So Kyung and I went to our quarters first to unpack.

“We’ll only stay here tonight and go to the Hwa Hap Hoe grounds tomorrow, so let’s unpack lightly.”

Shin So Kyung nodded slightly.

“Those guys are really unpleasant. They think we’re from an insignificant martial arts family, right?”

“It seems so. I’ve heard that Peng Jong Heon is hot-tempered and not that nice of a person.”

Shin So Kyung nodded at my words.

“Seeing how he immediately dismissed us, that seems about right.”

It was just as we entered the inn’s dining room.

“By the way, Hwa Ryeong, I didn’t see you that way. Don’t you consider a person’s level when making acquaintances?”

“Level?”

“Yes, at first glance, they seem like the type who treat swordsmanship as child’s play…”

“Do you have some kind of discerning technique?”

“Hmph, there are things one can know without being told. And I think I can guess why you’re traveling with them.”

“Impressive, your insight is so keen it’s almost laughable.”

“I’m giving you advice as an old friend.”

At that moment, Tang Hwa Ryeong’s seemingly indifferent face hardened. I saw Shin So Kyung’s cheeks flush with anger.

[Before knowing the inside story, one might not realize, but his actions are truly despicable.]

The dagger uncle didn’t seem to like Tang Hwa Ryeong, but separately, he seemed to dislike Peng Jong Heon even more.

[At least that Tang Hwa Ryeong fellow has some conscience. He’s the type who knows how to apologize.]

‘Tang Hwa Ryeong seems to have had a hard time too. Among people like that.’

I approached Peng Jong Heon and asked.

“What made you think that way?”

Peng Jong Heon turned to me, looking startled.

He seemed to have not sensed my presence at all.

[This is the timeline separator]

A look of surprise crossed Peng Jong Heon’s face.

He frowned as he looked at the woman behind him.

‘When did she get there?’

Goosebumps rose on his back. He hadn’t sensed the woman’s presence at all.

If the woman before him had been an enemy, his head would have been severed right then.

She was clearly a small and insignificant-looking woman. With a height that seemed even shorter than other women, and a body that looked trained but still trivial.

‘It’s a face I’ve never seen before, so she must be someone not worth dealing with.’

Apart from Nam Gung Lin of the Nam Gung family, there were almost no faces he didn’t know.

Since he had never seen her face at the Cheonha Academy either, she might not even be at a level to attend the academy.

The woman before him asked:

“I asked why Tang Hwa Ryeong is traveling with us.”

Tang Hwa Ryeong also spoke with interest:

“Indeed, I’m curious too. What could the reason be?”

Peng Jong Heon’s face hardened.

He didn’t like Tang Hwa Ryeong’s arrogant demeanor.

‘To think you lost the succession to your younger sibling!’

After Tang Hae Yeol died, Tang Hwa Ryeong lived as if he were dead in the Tang family. Occasionally, he heard news of him living pitifully, but that was it.

Peng Jong Heon ignored Tang Hwa Ryeong. They may have been friends once, but that was when they were of the same rank.

Tang Hwa Ryeong was now below his rank, so it was right to distance himself.

It was incredibly presumptuous for someone like that to be speaking to him.

Peng Jong Heon spoke to them in a sharp tone:

“You must be of the same level, that’s why.”

At Peng Jong Heon’s words, Tang Pung smiled faintly.

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong.”

As soon as the woman finished speaking, Tang Hwa Ryeong was seen turning to look at her with a strange expression.

Since it didn’t seem to be an unpleasant look, Peng Jong Heon wanted to sneer. The man he once considered a friend now only looked pathetic to him.

“Actually, I don’t really want to talk with Peng. Our ‘levels’ don’t seem to match.”

He looked around. The inn’s guests had all forgotten about eating and were focused here.

He felt the sharp gazes of people. If he ignored this woman’s provocation here, he would only end up looking foolish.

But something felt off.

‘Does she have something to rely on?’

He couldn’t understand the woman’s confidence.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind and disappeared, but one thing was certain.

An insignificant woman had insulted him.

“I am Peng Jong Heon of the Peng family. Who are you to dare speak to me like that? Do you think you can handle the Peng family’s wrath?”

“You really talk too much.”

Peng Jong Heon drew his sword.

His build was enormous. In contrast, the woman before him had a small stature that seemed barely half his size.

“Even if you beg for forgiveness later, I won’t forgive you!”

Peng Jong Heon rushed at the woman with his sword drawn.

Clang!

A look of surprise crossed Peng Jong Heon’s face.

The woman’s sword had easily blocked his.

‘What? She’s stronger than I thought?’

The woman’s swordsmanship was more skilled than he had expected.

But that wasn’t all.

The woman’s sword twisted at an odd angle and aimed for his shoulder.

‘I can’t dodge it!’

Peng Jong Heon barely managed to block that strike with his sword.

Clang, clang!

After exchanging a few blows, Peng Jong Heon realized something.

The woman was a much more skilled expert than he had thought.

‘Her sword seems slow, and yet…!’

Strangely, he couldn’t block it.

Every time the woman swung her sword, Peng Jong Heon felt a chill.

If this were a real battle, his head would have fallen several times already.

‘Damn, I don’t think I can win with normal methods…’

But the situation had already unfolded. Many eyes were watching.

‘Fine, if that’s what you want, I’ll teach you a lesson!’

A faint inner energy filled Peng Jong Heon’s arm. Then he thrust his sword at the woman’s arm.

It was a move filled with clear killing intent.

If Peng Jong Heon’s attack had succeeded, the woman’s arm might have been severed.

“You’re using killing intent?”

The woman’s aura changed instantly.

Whoosh!

In an instant, her figure vanished from sight. It was an incredibly swift footwork technique.

Thwack!

A huge sound rang out as a fist struck Peng Jong Heon’s face.

‘Wh-what kind of fist…!’

The power behind the small fist was astonishing.

It was also extremely fast. Peng Jong Heon’s eyes couldn’t keep up with the woman’s attacks at all.

The woman attacked Peng Jong Heon relentlessly. Without even using her sword, she kicked up at Peng Jong Heon’s lower jaw.

Thwack!

Her fist struck his left cheek hard.

His skull rang. The impact made Peng Jong Heon drop his sword.

Clang!

People’s gazes turned to Peng Jong Heon, who was sprawled out pathetically.

“S-stop!”

Peng Jong Heon cried out and raised his hands, but the woman swung her fist again without hesitation.

She even kicked him.

Peng Jong Heon rolled around on the ground pathetically, trying to avoid the woman’s fists.

‘This really hurts abnormally!’

It was the “lazy donkey roll”, considered most shameful by martial artists.

The woman’s movements were that fierce.

Even being hit by his older brother Peng Su Hyeon’s fists wouldn’t hurt this much.

“I wondered how far you’d go, to think you’d even use killing intent.”

Thwack!

The woman kicked him in the stomach.

Peng Jong Heon felt tears welling up in his eyes.

‘How can such a small body have this much strength…!’

Peng Jong Heon cried out urgently.

“I’ve lost my weapon now…”

“Then use your fists too.”

“Ugh! You think the Peng family will let this slide?”

“What’s wrong with a fair duel?”

“You wench…! The Peng family won’t leave your family alone!”

At his words, the woman raised one corner of her mouth. She said to him:

“You wanted to know my name? My name is Nam Gung Lin.”

“Wh-what did you say?”

“Go ahead and try. Let’s see if you can speak that way in front of my grandfather.”

“…”

“Say it again the same way.”

At the woman, Nam Gung Lin’s words, Peng Jong Heon stumbled backwards with wide eyes.

“Y-you’re the granddaughter of Master Nam Gung Jin Cheon?”

Peng Jong Heon’s tone instantly became respectful.

“That’s right, that’s my grandfather’s honorable name.”

Nam Gung Lin’s face was cold and expressionless.

Peng Jong Heon’s face turned deathly pale. With dark bruises around both eyes, he couldn’t say a word.

He realized who he had provoked.

To think he had dared to say he wouldn’t let the Nam Gung family off.

Looking at him, Nam Gung Lin said:

“You’re not on my level. To be on my level, you’d need to be at least as good as Tang Hwa Ryeong.”

It was the exact same words Peng Jong Heon had said to Tang Hwa Ryeong in the past.

[This is the timeline separator]

Shin So Kyung clenched her fists.

“Young lady Nam Gung, you were really amazing.”

I scratched my cheek.

“Did you see how those guys ran away with their tails between their legs?”

Shin So Kyung had been in this state since morning. To be precise, it was since I had taught Peng Jong Heon a lesson.

‘She must have really hated Peng Jong Heon.’

[It was so satisfying to watch!]

The dagger uncle also seemed to be in a very good mood.

‘He’s a bit strange too.’

Tang Hwa Ryeong was the same. Since that incident, he kept staring at me intently.

Tang Hwa Ryeong asked me:

“Why did you do that?”

“What?”

“It would have been better for you to make connections with them rather than with me.”

Surprised by the unexpected words, I was taken aback.

“Why? You seem much more impressive than your brother.”

Tang Hwa Ryeong just silently stared at me, and I continued:

“I don’t say things that aren’t true.”

“…”

“I also think ranking people is childish. I just returned the favor because they acted that way. But if I had to choose…”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I think you’re much better.”

“Why?”

Why does this guy keep asking repeatedly?

“You’re a bit unpleasant, but at least you don’t bully the weak.”

“It wasn’t Tang Pung who did the bullying.”

“That makes it even worse. I think Tang Pung was manipulating Peng Jong Heon.”

Tang Hwa Ryeong didn’t deny my words.

“Peng Jong Heon holds grudges for a long time. He’ll be a nuisance to you at the Hwa Hap Hoe.”

“Hmm, then I should have hit him more.”

At my words, Tang Hwa Ryeong smiled slightly. He looked genuinely amused.

Wow, his smile is really pretty.

‘I didn’t know he could smile like that.’

I was momentarily impressed inside.

I saw Shin So Kyung also looking at Tang Hwa Ryeong with somewhat surprised eyes.