Chapter 380

Chapter 380

Hiding his sigh with a sip of tea, Du Min Gyu endured meeting with his latest guests for the sake of propriety, wishing he were anywhere else but here. Perhaps hed grown maudlin with age, but his triumphant return to glory was not what he expected. No, he corrected, it was exactly what he expected, better in fact thanks to the Imperial Grand Conference and Ryo Dains careful planning and attention to detail. Inside the Ryo Familys luxurious banquet hall, he sat at the table of honour with Yan at his side and Kyung at his back, while musicians played in the background and dancers performed at the sides. The gathered guests were some of the most influential and prominent figures from across the Empire, all here to pay their respects as they quietly mingled amongst themselves with drinks in hand while awaiting their turn. Three Marshals and two Colonel Generals were here in attendance and anyone without an invitation and with less standing than a Major General would be turned away at the door, else even the Ryo Family Manor would not be large enough to contain all the well-wishers, much less the banquet hall, not with everyone and their grandmother hoping to meet the Heroes of the Empire whod been commended by the Legate himself.

This was the moment Min Gyu had dreamed of for decades now, to have the world acknowledge his greatness once again, but now that his day had arrived, he wondered why hed ever yearned for something so... meaningless. What use were fame and reputation? Where were these close friends and devoted fans a week, or a month, or a year ago? Much as he appreciated the dutiful Dains efforts, which included convincing her notoriously spendthrift of a father to bear the significant cost of tonights events, he found it difficult to muster any interest or enthusiasm in the proceedings, instead wishing he were away from all this grandiose splendour and at home across the street, enjoying a quiet dinner with Yan instead of surrounded by a host of fawning flunkies or insincere politicians looking to attach themselves to his rising star.

Hypocrites the lot of them, moving whichever way the wind blew. They sang his praises and gushed with adoration, but he saw past their nonsense for the lies they were. The louder they claimed not to believe the hateful rumours spread by his relatives and the Cho family, the less he believed them, but worse were their curious glances and probing questions, subtle tests to check the veracity of said rumours and verify if he truly was a lecher being manipulated by his young, half-beast paramour or a senile old fool puppeted by foreign powers. What irritated him most was how most of the guests all but ignored Yans presence, treating her as little more than a decoration once finished with their appraisal. There she sat, his publicly acknowledged grand-daughter and Terminal Disciple, a warrior who displayed her shockingly advanced Martial skills on stage only a few days past, yet these bigots and short-sighted fools couldnt see past her horns and offer her a few words of greeting.

Only his appreciation to Dain and her father kept him from losing his temper, and even that was wearing thin and it showed. After he sent off his latest well-wisher with a forced smile and a nod, Dain approached with a fresh cup of tea and offered it with a bow. Teacher Du, is something amiss? Please instruct this foolish student and she will do her best to correct her failures.

Lamenting his lack of social grace, he accepted the cup and urged the respectful girl to straighten up. My foul mood is no fault of yours child, he said loudly enough to be overheard. Everything youve prepared is more than I could ever hope for, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for you and your familys efforts. Placing the teacup aside, he clasped his fist in a salute and greeted the watching guests with a self-deprecating chuckle. Forgive my foul mood, for Im a crotchety old man who took grave injury only last night, tired and irritable from the pain of recovery. Please, take no heed of this ones scowls and grimaces, your presence here is much appreciated and your support well-remembered.

The guests replied with a chorus of assurances and statements saying his apologies were unnecessary or his foul mood unnoticed as they went through the tired motions of social decorum. What infuriated him even more was Gams Sending, delivered without hesitation as the graceless buffoon devoured the food laid out before him. Bah, barely over a hundred years old and already so frail. Im five times your age and suffered far more debilitating injuries, but you dont see me bellyaching about it, now do you? What you need is more meat on your bones. Cant call yourself a proper warrior being all skin and bones, else youll be laid out for weeks every time you take injury. Whats the matter, got no appetite anymore? All this good food and youve barely touched a bite. Seems wasteful if you ask me, but no one ever does, even though...

Putting the cantankerous cretins ramblings out of mind, Min Gyu cursed the half-fox for a fool. Eccentric Gam was a warrior hed gladly stand beside in battle, but otherwise, he wanted nothing to do with the aggravating man or his moon-eyed disciple Wu Gam. The Heavens would fall before Min Gyu gave Wu Gam permission to court Yan, no matter how talented or promising he might be. The thought of being related to the rambling eccentric was enough to send a shiver down Min Gyus spine, a fate worse than death in his eyes.

Well... hed make an exception if the relationship was one of step-father and step-son, but sadly, Gams gorgeous Divinity of a mother had not deigned to make an appearance. Worse, the Legate demanded they keep any Ancestral Beast involvement a secret, which meant no one could know about his harrowing experience against the fearsome Defiled Mole-woman, nor could he make inquiries about Gams mother without drawing unwanted attention.

Ah, but to gaze upon her shapely buttocks once more...

Wishing his would-be step-son could be more like Broken Blade Pichai, who sat silently on the left with eyes closed in contemplative meditation, Min Gyu stewed in irritation until Yan nudged him in the side. The girl said nothing and only surreptitiously glanced towards Dain sheepishly standing on one side, as if wondering if shed been right to arrange all this. Poor girl, shed been seeking his approval of so many years now and refused to give up even after hed accepted Yan as his Terminal Disciple. Even more laudable was her behaviour following the rumours and his final refusal to teach Seoyoon too. Though the Ryo family grew distant, Dain defied her fathers orders and drew even closer to Min Gyu in his time of trouble, becoming something of a sister figure and sparring partner to Yan.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

The past year revealed much about Min Gyus family and so-called friends, and he put far higher value on those who stood by him without gain over those whod come slinking back once his fortunes improved, and Dain was undoubtedly the former. Cursing his foul disposition, he gestured for Dain to step closer now that the crowd had finally relented and left them some space. No need to worry child, your efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. An ill-tempered and domineering young woman, Dain flushed with uncharacteristic joy as she read too much into his words and he scolded himself for speaking carelessly. Tell me, why do you think I refuse to take you as my Disciple?

Taken aback by his abrupt question, Dain hesitated briefly before answering, bold and daring as always. Because this lowly one lacks talent and comprehension, not worthy of --

Bah. Snorting in derision, Min Gyu interrupted her with a wave of his hand. You are the undisputed number one talent of your time, a firebrand who dismantled all opposition with ease. If you are lacking in talent, then what of your defeated peers? What of the rest of the Empires young warriors? No child, talent is one thing you never lacked. As for comprehension? Genius is a title used far too often in my eyes, but you are undoubtedly worthy, yet still I wont take you as my Disciple. Why?

Ah yes, you crafted Yans six-pointed shield. A master of your craft indeed, you have my admiration. Thus they played their little game for everyone to see as Akanai introduced each member of her family one by one, confirming once and for all that Du Min Gyu was on friendly terms with the Bekhai, as he offered a word of praise or a gesture of fondness for each, whether it be a smile or a wink, a laugh or a compliment. Granted, this was partly because of the boys new status and partly because he saw how smitten Yan still was with him despite her best efforts to hide it. Try as he might, he couldnt refrain from scowling when he came face to face with the womanizing little scamp, standing there with the surly Sumila on one arm and a rabbit-eared damsel on the other, but that wasnt all. Looming behind him was his Imperial Servant, while off to the side stood Li Song, now the adopted daughter of Akanai and possibly Falling Rains fourth paramour, meaning Yan would only be one of five.

How dare this scrawny runt lay eyes on the apple of Min Gyus eye. No, not just Yan, the boy had the audacity to eye Dain too, so bold and daring a philander.

Opening his mouth to condemn the runt for his womanizing ways, a familiar voice interrupted him before he could speak. And so the truth is laid bare for all to see, Jin Tok said, sneering as the crowd parted aside, as none of the guests wanted to risk being mistaken for the source of such vitriol. Du Min Gyu, celebrated hero of Central, is revealed to be nothing more than a foreign puppet. Clapping sarcastically, Jin Tok scoffed and shook his head. How far the mighty have fallen. Im glad my father, Brigadier Cho Jin Kai and Du Min Gyus first Disciple, didnt live to see his hero and Mentor reduced to such a disgrace, wrapped around the finger of his half-beast whore and leaping to obey the commands of a foreign bitch.

Grabbing Dain and Yan by the arms, he pulled them both to his side and shook his head. Dont, he whispered, still hoping to make amends with Jin Tok. Let me speak to him. Turning to the troubled boy, his words froze in his throat when he saw Rain striding over with sword drawn and a cold glint in his eyes.

Blanching in fear, Jin Tok stumbled away and stuttered, W-What are you doing? I a-am a law-ab-ab-abiding citizen of the Empire! You think you can kill me to silence my tongue? This is murder!

Shhhhhhh... stop yelling, guy whose name Ive forgotten, Rain replied, his words inducing a host of scattered, nervous chuckles. Truth be told, no one was sure how much protection his title of Imperial Consort would afford him, but until such a thing was made clear, there were few brave enough to openly stand against Falling Rain. Imperial Scions had gotten away with far worse than murdering an uppity son of a middling merchant family, and Rains reputation was of a man who liked to test his limits. Darting forward without warning, Rain swept Jin Toks feet out from under him, a victory so effortless it could hardly be called a fight. Stamping his foot down to pin Jin Tok in place, Rain loomed over the prone, frightened boy with an easy smile, so devoid of emotion he could have been smiling at a bug, rather than a living, breathing human. I want to show you something, Rain said, giving his short sword a flourish. So watch carefully and dont blink, got it?

Without waiting for an answer, Rain tossed his sword into the air without looking, his eyes focused firmly on Jin Toks expression. Higher and higher the blade went, and the crowd joined Jin Tok in watching it spin end over end as it shimmered in the candlelight. Reaching its peak, the sword paused in flight before plummeting back to the earth, so beautifully balanced its razor sharp tip pointed straight down despite the half-hearted throw and perfectly positioned to plunge into Jin Toks chest as the boy lay helpless and afraid, his eyes closed and face covered.

Or it would have if Min Gyu hadnt stepped in to catch it.

Grinning like a cat, Rain nodded in appreciation as he retrieved his sword from Min Gyus grasp, sheathing it behind his back with careless ease. Giving Jin Tok a soft kick, Rain scoffed as the boy uncovered his eyes. Coward. I told you to watch carefully, didnt I? If you had, you would understand. Gesturing around the room, Rain continued, In this room, filled with the greatest heroes of the Empire, theres only one person who cares about your worthless life, and its the man you came to insult. Crouching down, Rain grabbed Jin Tok by the lapel and pulled him close. Say what you will about Cho Jin Kai, but your father died fighting the Defiled and I respect his sacrifice. Do not shame his memory again.

Releasing Jin Tok, Rain straightened up and said nothing about the rest of the allegations before falling back in line with his wives. A correct choice, since protesting would only make it seem like he had a guilty conscience, and truth be told, with his new status, the Bekhai only needed to ask and a dozen different factions would fight for the chance to work with them. It seemed like the anxious and uneasy young man had grown into a proper young hero in this past year and his title of Number One Talent in the Empire not entirely undeserving.

Even then, he still wasnt good enough for Yan, not by a long shot. The boy would have to do something suitably impressive to win his approval, like... become the youngest Exarch in the history of the Empire or something comparable. Besides, Dains parents were being ridiculous. Twenty eight was far too young to marry, and forty seemed like a much more appropriate age for long-lived Martial Warriors.

Ah... the pains of being father to a daughter...

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