Chapter 167

Ma Yang’s face turns bright red at Mantian’s bold words.

“What? W-what did you say?!”

Seeing Ma Nong looking like a broken doll, I laugh and lightly tap her head with the edge of my hand.

“Ouch!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not hitting on you.”

Guhae, Yeonghwa, Sososo, Poong Ran—already four promised lovers.

Even if I shout about having three wives and four concubines, it’s not convincing, but that doesn’t mean I’m the type to flirt with just any woman.

It’s all because Jang Sam-i keeps teasing me about being a playboy.

Honestly, I’ve never flirted with women… probably.

Well, maybe my actions have been a bit questionable.

But that’s just because I’m naturally charming.

“Sima Mantian is rolling! Get out of the way!!”

It’s unintentional, really.

Anyway, I gently pat Ma Nong’s head as she rubs the spot I hit, looking dazed.

“I felt bad for always relying on you to teach me martial arts, so I wanted to treat you to something nice.”

I take my hand off her head, shrug, and smile.

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine. Let’s go back.”

“…I didn’t say no.”

Ma Yang pouts slightly, her face still red, and speaks quietly.

If she’s offering to pay off a debt, there’s no reason to refuse.

“Really? Then let’s go to a place I heard has great snacks.”

Seeing Mantian’s bright smile as he agrees to go with her, Ma Yang unconsciously smiles faintly.

“…He’s kind of cute in his own way.”

“Didn’t you actually want to go, Senior?”

“Haha! That too.”

I’m a bit impressed that he even looked up the place to thank me.

I’m starting to see him in a new light.

But then my opinion quickly drops again.

The two awkwardly meet at the inn.

Mantian and the Sichuan Tang Family’s rising star.

“Ah…”

“Why are you…?”

A voice filled with confusion comes from Tang Mirang, Sososo’s former fiancée.

(Though not as much as her original self…)

Seeing the busty beauty and Mantian exchanging knowing glances, Ma Yang glares at Mantian with a dazed look.

“…Who is she?”

“It’s complicated. Someone I know.”

“A woman you know, right? You playboy. Sima the Casanova.”

Hmph! I thought I was starting to see him differently, but he’s still not someone I can trust.

Clearly, whenever he sees a young, cute girl, he must be whispering sweet nothings with a gentle face, just like he did to me earlier.

…But I still ask.

“So, what’s the connection?”

“We fought on the martial stage, and I won.”

“What’s that? It’s nothing special. …What’s so complicated?”

Ma Nong’s expression softens without her realizing it.

At Mantian’s shameless words, Tang Mirang bites her lip and glares at him.

“You just went up on the martial stage—!!”

But Tang Mirang’s words are cut off.

“Red robe and a cane. You must be Sima Mantian.”

A beautiful pipa sound echoes, followed by a mocking laugh.

“Hoho~ A loser and a crippled tiger, Wang Hao, are in the same place.”

A woman who looks somewhat like Tang Mirang, though smaller in chest, stands at the center of the group of young martial artists, sneering.

Tang Miryeong, a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Family and Tang Mirang’s half-sibling.

“I’m Tang Miryeong. Don’t mistake me for that loser just because we share the Tang name.”

One thing’s clear—she doesn’t seem to get along with Tang Mirang. And she doesn’t seem to like me either.

Tang Mirang frowns at Tang Miryeong’s blatant mockery, but…

“Kuh…”

Tang Miryeong isn’t done.

“Not only did you disgrace the family name at the Dragon and Phoenix Association, but you also broke off your engagement with the Namgung Family. How shameful.”

Even if it’s just internal family politics.

From what I’ve seen, Tang Mirang has a strong personality, but she’s clearly bothered by the mockery, so I casually ask.

“Where are Zhongnan and Qingsheng?”

If Tang Mirang had her friends from the Zhongnan and Qingsheng Sects with her, Tang Miryeong wouldn’t dare insult her so openly.

“They went back early for training.”

Tang Mirang’s unexpected words come out as she avoids Mantian’s gaze, muttering quietly.

“…And I’ve stopped forming groups.”

I don’t know what caused this change of heart, but it’s truly unexpected.

‘A martial artist shouldn’t fear being alone.’

Could it be that my words during the Dragon and Phoenix Association’s martial stage struck a nerve? It’s awkward.

Yeah, it’s awkward, even though we’re not close.

Anyway, seeing Tang Mirang not react as expected, Tang Miryeong gets even more annoyed and escalates the insults.

The surrounding flies chime in with their own annoying remarks.

I could just ignore it and go on my way, but…

The pipa sound is grating and irritating. My teeth show as I smile.

Click-clack.

The crippled beast approaches the group with his cane.

“You—?”

“Senior?”

Tang Mirang and Ma Nong look at Mantian in surprise at his unexpected action.

‘That face…’

Ma Nong and Ma Yang glance at Mantian’s profile, feeling a sense of familiarity, and silently watch without intervening.

That arrogant, shameless, annoying face that still draws attention.

It resembles the face of the man who provoked me, calling me a “broken woman” after subduing Wang Miaoyang.

Tang Miryeong feels an odd discomfort from Mantian’s aura but tries to ignore it, glaring at him.

“Hmm~ What is it? Are you trying to meddle in the Tang Family’s affairs…?”

“No, it just looks fun. Let me join.”

At Mantian’s shameless words, Tang Miryeong’s brow twitches.

He’s definitely meddling!

“Well~ It’s not a place where just anyone can join just because they’re good at fighting. Only those with dignity and refinement… you know.”

Tang Miryeong’s eyes gleam as she measures the distance to Mantian, a smirk on her lips.

“The distance to our seats is seven steps. If you can compose a poem in seven steps, I’ll let you join.”

The Seven-Step Poem—a story from Cao Zhi, son of Cao Cao.

A poem composed within seven steps.

The crowd laughs at Tang Miryeong’s proposal.

“Hoho~ I can even play the pipa to set the rhythm.”

They don’t expect Mantian to succeed, and even if he does, they’ll just dismiss it as poor.

The sly pipa sound echoes.

But Mantian steps forward calmly and asks.

“How old are you?”

“…Nineteen. What does it matter?”

Tang Mirang coldly retorts, annoyed, and Mantian smiles.

“Perfect.”

It’s time to pull out an old tune.

Hit the beat. Mantian sings.

Kim Satgat – The Geomungo-Playing Gisaeng.

Channeling his ancestors, he boldly steps forward and recites the poem.

“At nineteen years of age—”

“You’ve already mastered the pipa and geomungo.”

“Quickly grasping rhythm and pitch—”

“You’ve even mastered difficult scores and melodies.”

The remaining six steps unfold the poem.

A truly elegant yet cheeky poem, leaving the inn in silence.

Regardless.

Mantian leisurely sits down, pours tea, and toasts Tang Miryeong with a wolfish grin.

“A poem for you. Let’s have a drink.”

Tang Miryeong, a member of the prestigious Sichuan Tang Family, freezes, opening and closing her mouth in shock.

Some of the other young martial artists, recovering first, frown and confront Mantian.

“Hey! What’s the meaning of this?!”

But they’re silenced by Mantian’s overwhelming aura.

“I don’t like fighting with words.”

His blazing amber eyes dominate.

“If you have a problem, don’t talk. You’re martial artists. Come at me.”

No one dares to step forward at his arrogant words.

“…I heard the author of Wang Hao is close to the Martial Alliance Leader.”

“Relying on the leader’s influence, how arrogant.”

“Let’s just go, Miss Tang.”

“Ah… yes…”

They eventually retreat, muttering.

Left alone, Tang Mirang approaches Mantian with a complicated expression.

“They picked on me because I was alone. I have my own faction in the main family, so I could’ve just ignored them.”

She hesitates before continuing.

“…It was unnecessary interference.”

“I know. It was unnecessary. But that’s just how I am.”

I brush off my seat and stand, casually replying.

“I was born to laugh and joke, but I hate mockery.”

“…Even if it turns part of the Tang Family against you?”

Is she worried?

It was unnecessary interference, so I could’ve just left. But she’s clearly bothered.

So, I’ll meddle a little more.

“Ha~ I’m not worried.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“My backer is the Martial Alliance Leader, Jaro!”

At his shameless declaration, Tang Mirang blinks and asks.

“Aren’t you… ashamed to say that so boldly?”

“Not at all!”

I shake my head like a brave Shiba Inu.

And then.

“When I was young, the person who taught me martial arts said this: Righteousness isn’t bound by tools.”

I confidently thump my chest to ease her worries.

“Even if I rely on the Martial Alliance Leader, I’ll wield that tool freely to do what I believe is right.”

Wait, that was just off the cuff. But seriously…

If I use the Dog Chasing Stick Technique with the Martial Alliance Leader Jaro as my backer, wouldn’t that be stronger than using it with my current durability?

A martial artist at the peak level using the Dog Chasing Stick Technique is terrifying…!!

As I ponder this sudden realization.

Tang Mirang bursts out laughing.

“Ha-ha! What is this? It’s ridiculous.”

I’ve only seen her sneering face before, but her honest smile is beautiful.

Then, out of nowhere.

Ma Nong’s small foot steps on mine.

Not painfully, but with a teasing touch.

She looks both annoyed and pleased as she speaks.

“I saw it. Senior rolling around shamelessly flirting with women. But still…”

She adds coyly.

“I’m starting to see you in a new light.”

Ma Yang Season X: Sima Mantian Redemption Arc.