Chapter 76: Chapter 76- Like How a Pig Would Sound When They Ate

The mountain where the main headquarters of the Huashan Sect was located is called Mount Hua.

It was surrounded by a few smaller mountains and valleys where their disciples were housed as well as where they were trained. One should also note the environment was quite rocky.

To reach the peak of the main mountain one needed to climb a rather long staircase. On the sides of this staircase was an amazing row of plum blossom trees that were in full bloom.

Its petals would sway in the light wind, and as the light rays of the setting sun touched Mount Hua, it created an ethereal scenery.

If the mountain of the Martial Alliance Academy made one feel awe, then Mount Hua made one feel at ease as it radiated a welcoming feeling.

Currently, numerous disciples could be seen climbing this staircase. They chatted with each other casually as they climbed. Despite the scenery being worthy of admiration, they completely ignored it. Maybe they had seen it too many times, or maybe they had gotten used to seeing extraordinary sceneries like this, so they weren’t in the mood to admire it.

After climbing the staircase, they were greeted with the gates of Mount Hua; the signboard above it had its name elegantly written.

Then passing through this gate, these disciples were introduced to a large clearing filled with other disciples that were creating a cacophony of noises as they socialized and ate.

The decorations around the area were colorful, with gold and red being the primary colors.

The atmosphere was extremely festive and could almost said to be perfect.

Almost.

Inside one of the many pavilions at the edge of the clearing, a youth was seen overlooking the party.

Not one wrinkle was on his black robes lined with pink embroidered plum blossoms.

Not one strand of his hair was out of place. It was styled by having the sides tied at the back while having the middle flowed freely to stop just below his shoulders.

This gave one a clear view of his symmetrical face which was currently wearing a tranquil expression.

He wasn’t overly handsome to draw jealousy from others, but he surely didn’t appear ordinary for one to look down on him.

Rather, this youth’s appearance was just right, seeming to be perfect in every aspect.

“Young Master Byeong-Ho, it’s time to make the announcement.”

A middle-aged man in simple robes came up behind the youth.

Byeong-Ho didn’t acknowledge the man’s words but instead asked calmly.

“I thought I told you to have the tables with the food thirty-eight steps from the entrance, and forty-eight steps apart on either side. Both are off by three steps.”

“I… I apologize Young Master Byeong-Ho.”

Cold sweat appeared on the middle-aged man’s forehead, and he hurriedly bowed his head.

“I will immediately have someone adjust it.”

“Forget it, what’s done is done. Just make sure the arrangements of the sparring stage and seating is perfect. I need this gathering to happen without mistakes.”

“Yes, Young Master!”

After saying that, the middle-aged man turned and left the room.

Byeong-Ho gave the party one more glance before he turned and left the pavilion.

Just as he came down and was about to address the crowd, he paused and pat down his robes. After which, he stepped out into the open.

Everyone noticed his presence immediately, and quickly the cacophony of noises died down.

Byeong-Ho smiled at the crowd and said.

“Welcome everyone, I, Byeong-Ho, will be hosting this year’s Plum Blossom Gathering as well. I hope this is not overstepping my bounds and annoying you all.”

It was known that the host of the Plum Blossom Gathering changes every year, but as everyone predicted, Byeong-Ho was the host two years in a row.

“Of course not Brother Byeong-Ho! I think last year’s Plum Blossom Gathering was perfect, and I’m sure this one will be as well!”

“Yeah, I think so too. In fact, I hope Brother Byeong-Ho hosts the Plum Blossom Gathering next year as well!”

Immediately, people in the crowd began reassuring Byeong-Ho that his presence was not a bother. Even suggesting he broke traditions even further by hosting for a third year.

Byeong-Ho was still smiling as he said.

“Thank you, everyone, then it’s decided, I’ll be hosting next year’s Plum Blossom Gathering as well, but that will be the last one I host.”

The crowd cheered when they heard that. After some time, Byeong-Ho raised his hand to calm them down.

When the crowd was silent, Byeong-Ho walked over to a nearby table that had a jar of wine with a cup next to it.

It seemed like it was there by coincidence, but it wasn’t.

Byeong-Ho must have replayed this scenario hundreds of times in his head.

He would secure the support of everyone to host the Plum Blossom Gathering for a third year, and then he would make toast for everyone to enjoy the festivities.

While pouring the wine into the cup, Byeong-Ho spoke the words he rehearsed.

“Everyone, I hope you enjoy this year’s Plum Blossom Gathering as much as the last. After this banquet, the sparring matches that everyone has been anticipating will come next. So-”

Num.

Num.

Num.

Byeong-Ho suddenly paused at the sound of someone eating.

Someone was actually eating when he was talking.

But it wasn’t normal eating. If it was, then Byeong-Ho wouldn’t have paused. Rather, this kind of eating sounded loud and sloppy.

Like how a pig would sound when it ate.

It wasn’t only Byeong-Ho, everyone could hear this sound very clearly as well.

Soon, everyone’s gaze followed where this disgusting noise was coming from.

What everyone saw was Sol along with a chubby Mar-Dule, standing around one of the tables filled with food, which they were busy scarfing down.

Meanwhile, Yoon-Jae was casually sipping a cup of wine off to the side.

When he saw everyone stop to look at them, he nudged Mar-Dule who was too busy eating to see the situation.

Mar-Dule stopped and was about to ask why he nudged him, but he immediately saw everyone’s gazes on them.

Mar-Dule froze, but he nudged Sol who was still eating.

Sol looked up as well, and when he saw hundreds of pairs of eyes on him, he froze as well.

When everyone saw Sol’s face, they couldn’t help but frown.

It was filled with so much grease that it was dripping onto his robes. Mar-Dule was like that as well, but Sol’s condition seemed much worse.

Sol tried licking the grease off his lips, but when that wasn’t enough, he used his sleeves to wipe the rest off.

The crowd almost gagged at his behavior.

“Why is everyone staring at us?”

Sol muttered to Mar-Dule and Yoon-Jae, feeling a bit nervous. However, a few people in the crowd heard him and their frowns turned to distaste.

“Who are these people? Can they be any more out of place?”

“Did they sneak in? It can’t be that they were invited.”

As the crowd began to buzz with mutters, Byeong-Ho’s left eye twitched as he stared at Sol and the others.

However, he soon composed himself and said.

“Everyone, I hereby announced the start of this year’s Plum Blossom Gathering. Please enjoy the banquet until the main event.”

Byeong-Ho then down the cup of wine he poured before he turned to leave. When he was out of sight, his face twisted into a dark and gloomy expression.

“I can’t believe I didn’t get to hear Brother Byeong-Ho’s speech. What a bunch of bastards.”

“Yeah, why are they still here, shouldn’t they be kicked out or something?”

“Wait, isn’t that Mar-Dule? Ah! That girl, wait no, isn’t that Yoon-Jae who was given the name Devil-Devil from the Alchemy Pavilion? He’s so malicious that he was named devil twice!”

“Now that you mentioned it, it’s them, isn’t it?”

Quickly, everyone began to realize who these people were and how they were invited.

“But who is that next to them? I don’t recognize him to be anyone noteworthy.”

“What?! You haven’t heard the news? I won’t even say anything, just look at his wrists and ankles.”

“Oh damn, so it’s that person? I did hear about how he turned the Mortal Arena upside just the other day. And that’s on top of him supposedly climbing the Heavenly Staircase all the way as well.”

Quickly, everyone figured out Sol’s identity as well and people couldn’t help but continuously steal glances at him.

Yoon-Jae who was off to the side snorted at this.

“You see that? They were just about to crucify you for interrupting that self-centered Byeong-Ho’s speech, but after finding out who you are it’s like they’d rather walk up to you and kiss your smooth, pale butt.”

Sol, who went back to eating, chuckled at Yoon-Jae’s words, but nodded as well. Then, after a huge swallow, he added.

“Brother Mar-Dule said strength is everything in the cultivation world. So, I assume respect is given if you’re strong.”

Mar-Dule nodded like a chicken pecking the ground since his mouth was still too full to talk.

But Yoon-Jae suddenly refuted.

“Strength isn’t everything, or at least it’s only half of it. One also needs to have a strong background. In fact, that might be more important than having strength.”

“Huh? How so?”

Sol was skeptical.

From the time he joined the Academy, he was more convinced of this saying. That’s why he wanted to get stronger in the first place. Without strength, thinking about taking revenge would be meaningless.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep